bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of transparent conductive oxide front side texture on the open‐circuit voltage of a‐Si:H solar cells
Authors: Zhang Chao , Merdzhanova Tsvetelina , Meier Matthias , Sommer Nicolas , Astakhov Oleksandr
Published: April 2016

High efficiency thin‐film silicon solar cells require texturing of the front contacts for advanced light management. However, optically favorable textures may be challenging in terms of the electrical performance. Solar cells deposited on very rough front contacts show a reduced open‐circuit voltage, Voc, as compared to flat TCOs. This contribution focuses on the impact of rough surfaces on the Voc in a‐Si:H solar cells deposited on six different textured front TCOs. With various i‐layer thicknesses from 100 to 400 nm the origin of the Voc loss is investigated. Based on our results we propose that the reduction of Voc in a‐Si:H solar cells are mainly due to defective regions in the bulk material induced by very rough textures. It is also seen that enlarging the i‐layer thickness can improve the Voc of solar cells when grown on very rough textures. By using variable illumination intensity measurements the existence of shunts could be evidenced.
Facile strategy for the fabrication of efficient nonvolatile bistable memory devices based on polyvinylcarbazole–zinc oxide
Authors: Ramakrishnan Rajaraman , Jinesh K. B. , Devaki Sudha J. , Varma Manoj Raama
Published: April 2016

This paper describes the development of polyvinylcarbazole–ZnO hybrid nanocomposites (PVZ) comprising electron donor carbazole moiety (p‐type) and electron acceptor zinc oxide (n‐type) by a facile strategy and demonstrated its application as an active layer in the nonvolatile memory device. The structure and composition of the nanocomposite were studied by UV‐Visible absorption, photoluminescence, Raman, FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, HR‐TEM, and AFM. The results suggested that ZnO retains its hierarchical supramolecular porous morphology and wurtzite crystalline phase with defect states in the PVZ hybrid nanocomposite. PVZ exhibited good solubility in dichlorobenzene and memory devices were fabricated by sandwiching PVZ nanocomposites between indium tin oxide and silver electrode (ITO/PVZ/Ag). The conduction mechanism in the devices was manifested by fitting the double logarithmic I–V plots. Slope value of I–V plots suggested conduction mechanism in the devices was followed Ohmic, Poole–Frenkel emission, and trap filled space charge limited conduction which depends on the applied voltage. Endurance performances of the devices were stable for more than 100 cycles having ON/OFF current ratio of 5.2 × 103 and retention time of 105 s.
Influence of local temperature field on propagation of a curvilinear crack with interfacial bonds
Authors: Mirsalimov V. , Mustafayev A.
Published: April 2016

Influence of thermal source on growth of a curved crack in stretchable plane with regard to cohesive forces at the crack's end zone, is studied. It is assumed that the areas of action of tractions adjoin to the crack's tips. For inhibiting the growth of curvilinear crack, on the path of its extension in the vicinity of the crack's end, we form a zone of compressible stresses by heating the domain S by thermal source to temperature T0. The goal of local change of temperature is to delay or retardation of the crack growth. A boundary value problem on equilibrium of a bridged curvilinear crack with interfacial bonds under the action of external tensile loads, induced thermoelastic temperature field and tractions in the bonds preventing its opening is reduced to the system of nonlinear singular integral equations with a Cauchy‐type integral. Normal and tangential tractions in the bonds are found from the solution of this system. The condition of limit equilibrium of a curvilinear crack with interfacial bonds is formed with regard to criterion of limit stretching of the bonds.
Behavioural interactions between the lizard Takydromus tachydromoides and the praying mantis Tenodera aridifolia suggest reciprocal predation between them
Authors: Fukudome Miyuki , Yamawaki Yoshifumi
Published: April 2016

The Japanese lacertid lizard Takydromus tachydromoides and the praying mantis Tenodera aridifolia are sympatric generalist predators feeding on similar prey. To confirm reciprocal predation between them, we observed the behavioural interactions between the lizards and the mantises of different sizes in a laboratory condition. The lizards caught small mantises (from first to fifth instars), but sometimes escaped from large mantises (from sixth instar to adult). Large mantises occasionally showed catch responses to the lizards. The lizards sometimes caught the mantis without a tongue-flick response (sampling of chemical cues), and they sometimes did not catch the small mantises showing immobile or cryptic responses that prevent visual detection. These results suggested the primary role of vision on recognition of the mantis as a prey. The lizards spent a longer time to approach larger mantises. The time from orienting to catch was longer when the lizards showed tongue-flick responses. The lizard also spent a longer time before deciding to escape from the mantis than to catch it. Biological significance of these differences in timing was discussed.
Seasonal phenology and abundance ofLeucopis argenticollis, Leucopis piniperda(Diptera: Chamaemyiidae),Laricobius nigrinus(Coleoptera: Deridontidae) andAdelges tsugae(Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in the Pacific Northwest USA
Authors: Kohler G.R. , Wallin K.F. , Ross D.W.
Published: April 2016

Adelges tsugaeinfested western hemlock trees were sampled periodically for 1 year at two locations in Oregon and Washington to compare the phenology and abundance of three associated predators (Leucopis argenticollis, Leucopis piniperda, andLaricobius nigrinus) and their host. On each sample date, two 3–10 cm long terminal twigs were collected from each tree and brought to the laboratory to count all life stages ofA. tsugaeand the three predators. Peak larval abundance ofLeucopisspp. andLa. nigrinuscoincided with the presence ofA. tsugaeadults and eggs.Leucopisspp. larvae were present for a much longer period of time than wereLa. nigrinuslarvae. Furthermore,Leucopisspp. larvae were present during both the progrediens and sistens egg stages, whileLa. nigrinuslarvae were only present during the progrediens egg stage. Overall, we collected 2.3–3.5 times moreLeucopisspp. of all life stages thanLa. nigrinus. These results support the continued study ofLeucopisspp. from the Pacific Northwest as biological control agents forA. tsugaein the Eastern USA.
Effect of intratympanic steroid administration on sensorineural hearing loss associated with acute otitis media
Authors: Heywood R L , Ifeacho S N , Narula A A
Published: April 2016

Objective:

To evaluate a small cohort of patients who presented with symptoms and signs consistent with acute infective sensorineural hearing loss who were treated with intratympanic steroids.

Method:

Seven patients received a 7-day course of oral antibiotics and oral prednisolone followed by 3 intratympanic injections of methylprednisolone and 1 week of topical dexamethasone drops.

Results:

Hearing improved in 57 per cent of patients (four out of seven). The mean improvement in this group was 24 dB (range, 10–52 dB). The magnitude of the sensorineural hearing loss at presentation was less in those who responded to intratympanic steroid therapy than in non-responders (mean pure tone average of 30 dB versus 65 dB pre-intratympanic steroids, and 14 dB versus 83 dB post-intratympanic steroids, respectively).

Conclusion:

The results of our study suggest that intratympanic steroids provide a valuable contribution to the treatment of acute infective sensorineural hearing loss and may provide additional benefit by virtue of a concentrated local steroid effect in patients who do not respond to antibiotics.
Acculturation dimensions and 12-month mood and anxiety disorders across US Latino subgroups in the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions
Authors: Lewis-Fernández R. , Morcillo C. , Wang S. , Duarte C. S. , Aggarwal N. K. , Sánchez-Lacay J. A. , Blanco C.
Published: April 2016

Background

Individual-level measures of acculturation (e.g. age of immigration) have a complex relationship with psychiatric disorders. Fine-grained analyses that tap various acculturation dimensions and population subgroups are needed to generate hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of action for the association between acculturation and mental health.

Method

Study participants were US Latinos (N = 6359) from Wave 2 of the 2004–2005 National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 34 653). We used linear χ2 tests and logistic regression models to analyze the association between five acculturation dimensions and presence of 12-month DSM-IV mood/anxiety disorders across Latino subgroups (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, ‘Other Latinos’).

Results

Acculturation dimensions associated linearly with past-year presence of mood/anxiety disorders among Mexicans were: (1) younger age of immigration (linear χ21 = 11.04, p < 0.001), (2) longer time in the United States (linear χ21 = 10.52, p < 0.01), (3) greater English-language orientation (linear χ21 = 14.57, p < 0.001), (4) lower Latino composition of social network (linear χ21 = 15.03, p < 0.001), and (5) lower Latino ethnic identification (linear χ21 = 7.29, p < 0.01). However, the associations were less consistent among Cubans and Other Latinos, and no associations with acculturation were found among Puerto Ricans.

Conclusions

The relationship between different acculturation dimensions and 12-month mood/anxiety disorder varies across ethnic subgroups characterized by cultural and historical differences. The association between acculturation measures and disorder may depend on the extent to which they index protective or pathogenic adaptation pathways (e.g. loss of family support) across population subgroups preceding and/or following immigration. Future research should incorporate direct measures of maladaptive pathways and their relationship to various acculturation dimensions.
Collision-free motion planning of a virtual arm based on the FABRIK algorithm
Authors: Tao Songqiao , Yang Yumeng
Published: April 2016

Collision-free motion planning of a virtual arm is an intractable task in high-interference environments. In this paper, an approach for collision-free motion planning of a virtual arm based on the forward and backward reaching inverse kinematics (FABRIK) algorithm is proposed. First, a random rotation strategy and local optimum-seeking technology are introduced to improve the FABRIK algorithm in order to avoid obstacles. The improvement FABRIK algorithm is used to design the final grasping posture of a virtual arm according the target position. Then, a bidirectional rapidly exploring random tree (Bi-RRT) algorithm is adopted to explore the process postures from a given initial posture to the final grasping posture. Different from the existing method, the proposed Bi-RRT algorithm in this paper plans the motions of a virtual arm in a seven-dimensional angle space, and the final grasping posture is automatically designed using the obstacle-avoidance FABRIK algorithm instead of the manual design. Finally, the post-processing technique is introduced to remove redundant nodes from the planned motions. This procedure has resolved the problem that the Bi-RRT algorithm is a random algorithm. The experimental results show the proposed method for collision-free motion planning of a virtual arm is feasible.
Monitoring of CoS2 reactions using high-temperature XRD coupled with gas chromatography (GC)
Authors: Rodriguez Mark A. , Coker Eric N. , Griego James J. M. , Mowry Curtis D. , Pimentel Adam S. , Anderson Travis M.
Published: April 2016

High-temperature X-ray diffraction with concurrent gas chromatography (GC) was used to study cobalt disulfide cathode pellets disassembled from thermal batteries. When CoS2 cathode materials were analyzed in an air environment, oxidation of the K(Br, Cl) salt phase in the cathode led to the formation of K2SO4 that subsequently reacted with the pyrite-type CoS2 phase leading to cathode decomposition between ~260 and 450 °C. Independent thermal analysis experiments, i.e. simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry/mass spectrometry (MS), augmented the diffraction results and support the overall picture of CoS2 decomposition. Both gas analysis measurements (i.e. GC and MS) from the independent experiments confirmed the formation of SO2 off-gas species during breakdown of the CoS2. In contrast, characterization of the same cathode material under inert conditions showed the presence of CoS2 throughout the entire temperature range of analysis.
Untangling wicked problems
Authors: McCALL Raymond , Burge Janet
Published: April 2016

More than 40 years after Rittel and Webber published the first articles on the theory of wicked problems this theory has been applied to a wide range of fields involved in real-world problem solving. Interest in the theory seems greater than ever. This has led to an interest in rethinking the theory. A number of authors do this by imposing interpretations on the theory that are incompatible with each other and with the statements of the theory's authors. We agree that it is time to critically reexamine the theory and rethink what implications it has for design. However, rather than imposing an incompatible interpretation, our approach is see what new conclusions can be drawn from a systematic and critical examination of what Rittel and Webber actually said. This reexamination of their specific claims and arguments is what we calluntangling wicked problems. From this untangling, we derive new conclusions about how designers should tackle wicked problems and how design rationale can aid them in doing so.
Radiofrequency ablation versus cryoablation for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children: a value comparison
Authors: Oster Matthew E. , Yang Zhou , Stewart-Huey Kay , Glanville Michelle , Porter Arlene , Campbell Robert , Webb Brad , Strieper Margaret
Published: April 2016

Background

It is unclear whether cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation offers better value for treating atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children. We aimed to compare the value of these procedures for treating atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children, with value being outcomes relative to costs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia ablations for children (age⩽18 years) from July, 2009 to June, 2011 at our institution. Costs included fixed costs, miscellaneous hospital costs, and labour costs, and key outcomes were acute and long-term success (6 months) of the ablations. We conducted T-tests and regression analyses to investigate the associations between the ablation procedure type and the cost and success of the ablations.

Results

Of 96 unique cases performed by three paediatric electrophysiologists, 48 were cryoablation only, 42 radiofrequency ablation only, and six were a combination. Acute success was 100% for the cryoablation only and radiofrequency ablation only cases and 83% for the combination cases. There were no notable adverse events. The average total cost was $9636 for cryoablation cases, $9708 for radiofrequency ablation cases, and $10,967 for combination cases (p=0.51 for cryoablation only versus radiofrequency ablation only). The long-term success rate was 79.1% for cryoablation only, 92.8% for radiofrequency ablation only, and 66.7% for the combination (p=0.01 for cryoablation only versus radiofrequency ablation only), but long-term success varied notably by provider.

Conclusions

Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation offer similar value in the short term for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia in children. Differences in long-term success may vary substantially by physician, and thus may lead to differences in long-term value.
A Fortunate Story of an Unusual AK-47 Bullet Trajectory: Always Keep a Smartphone in Your Pocket
Authors: Thabouillot Oscar , Perrier Pierre , Roche Nicolas-Charles , Agard David , Barbier Olivier , Martin Guillaume , Viant Eric , Leclere Jean-Baptiste
Published: April 2016

This is a report of a fortunate story of an unusual AK-47 bullet trajectory which took place during the Paris (France) attack of November 13th, 2015. A young man, trying to protect his girlfriend, interfered between her and a shooter. He had been wounded in the posterior compartment of the thigh. The bullet penetrated him and, instead of exiting, rebound against his Smartphone, which was in the front pocket of his pants. Thanks to that, the missile bullet did not injure his girlfriend but ended its trajectory in the fat tissue of his thigh.

ThabouillotO, PerrierP, RocheNC, AgardD, BarbierO, MartinG, ViantE, LeclereJB. A fortunate story of an unusual AK-47 bullet trajectory: always keep a Smartphone in your pocket. Prehosp Disaster Med, 2016;31(3):343–345.
The Internationalisation of Higher Education
Authors: Engwall Lars
Published: April 2016

Internationalization is often mentioned in university strategies nowadays. Strong efforts are made by university leaders to strengthen their position in a global market. A central factor behind this tendency is the global rankings of academic institutions. Against this backdrop, the present paper discusses the characteristics of higher education and four modes of internationalization: (a) Import of Ideas; (b) Outsourcing; (c) Insourcing; and (d) Foreign Direct Investments. It is concluded that the most significant mode of internationalization in higher education is constituted by the Import of Ideas to the home institution. In addition, it is pointed out that the striving for reputation on the home market is an important motive behind the other three modes of internationalization, all three of which have particular drawbacks to be dealt with by university leaders.
Scholars East and West
Authors: Mosterín Jesús
Published: April 2016

The great contribution of China to politics was the development of a bureaucratic, meritocratic civil service, based on mastery of a well-defined canon of scholarship. Civil servants were scholars. Already under the Han dynasty, Confucianism (the Rújiā or school of the scholars) was made the official ideology of the State and the basis of the competitive examination system. Europe was less advanced in political organization than China. Rulers and their courts relied on family ties and brute force. The only working bureaucracy belonged to the Catholic Church. This paper follows the parallel development of both the Western and the Chinese traditions and emphasizes their points of intersection, such as the Jesuit missions to China in the 16th and 17th centuries and the visits of Bertrand Russell and John Dewey around 1920.
Checking in on grammar checking
Authors: DALE ROBERT
Published: April 2016

Ten years ago, Microsoft Word's grammar checker was really the only game in town. The software world, and the world of natural language processing, have changed a lot in that time, so what does the grammar checker marketplace have to offer today?
Water utilization and water quality in endogenous economic growth
Authors: El Khanji Souha , Hudson John
Published: April 2016

Our study examines the effect of water utilization together with the effect of water quality on economic growth across countries. We constructed a panel of 177 countries covering the period of 1960–2009. We analyse two dependent variables, gross domestic product per capita and the average of five years of growth. The analysis is conducted using a fixed effects model and fixed effects with instrumental variables. We find that although water utilization affects growth, water quality also proves to be highly significant and affects growth in both the short and long run to a greater degree than water quantity.
Vitamin D status in mothers with pre-eclampsia and their infants: a case–control study from Serbia, a country without a vitamin D fortification policy
Authors: Djekic-Ivankovic Marija , Weiler Hope , Jones Glenville , Kaufmann Martin , Kaludjerovic Jovana , Aleksic-Velickovic Vesna , Mandić Ljuba M , Glibetic Maria
Published: April 2016

Objective

The objective of the present study was to determine if vitamin D intake and status are associated with pre-eclampsia in a country without a vitamin D fortification policy.

Design

A case–control study of pregnancies with (case) and without (control) pre-eclampsia was conducted from January to April when UVB is minimal. Maternal and cord blood obtained at delivery were measured for plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3), 3-epimer of 25-OH-D3(3-epi-25-OH-D3) and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (24,25-(OH)2D3) by LC–MS/MS and maternal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D). Differences between groups were tested with ANOVA and Bonferronipost hoctests (P<0·05).

Setting

Clinical Center of Serbia.

Subjects

Pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia (n60) and their infants.

Results

Exogenous vitamin D intake (0·95–16·25 µg/d (38–650 IU/d)) was not significantly different between groups. Women with pre-eclampsia delivered infants at an earlier gestational age and had significantly lower mean total plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D; case: 11·2 (sd5·1); control: 16·1 (sd5·7) ng/ml;P=0·0006), 25-OH-D3(case: 10·0 (sd4·9); control: 14·2 (sd5·8) ng/ml;P=0·002), 3-epi-25-OH-D3(case: 0·5 (sd0·2); control: 0·7 (sd0·2) ng/ml;P=0·0007) and 1,25-(OH)2D (case: 56·5 (sd26·6); control: 81·0 (sd25·7) pg/ml;P=0·018), while 24,25-(OH)2D3was not different between groups. Infants did not differ in total plasma 25-OH-D, 25-OH-D3, 3-epi-25-OH-D3and 24,25-(OH)2D3, but the mean proportion of 3-epi-25-OH-D3was higher in the infant case group (case: 7·9 (sd1·1); control: 7·0 (sd1·4) % of total 25-OH-D3;P=0·005).

Conclusions

A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, as defined by plasma 25-OH-D<12 ng/ml, was observed in 47 % of all mothers and 77 % of all infants. These data underscore the need for prenatal vitamin D supplementation and a food fortification policy in Serbia.
Food intake patterns are associated with the risk of impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis: a prospective approach in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Doostvandi Tayebeh , Bahadoran Zahra , Mozaffari-Khosravi Hassan , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: April 2016

Objective

To investigate the association of major dietary patterns with the risk of impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis during a 3-year follow-up.

Design

Fasting serum insulin (FSI), fasting (FSG) and 2 h serum glucose (2h-SG) were measured at baseline and again after 3 years. Dietary intakes were evaluated using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative FFQ and major dietary patterns were obtained using principal component analysis. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), pre-diabetes (IGT/IFG), β-cell dysfunction and hyperinsulinaemia across tertiles of dietary patterns, with adjustment for potential confounding variables.

Setting

Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Subjects

Iranian men and women (n 904).

Results

Mean age of participants was 38·7 (sd 11·3) years and 44·6 % were men. Major dietary patterns were Western, traditional and healthy, which explained 25·2 % of total variance in food intake. There was a positive association between Western and traditional scores with 3-year change in 2h-SG, while the healthy pattern was negatively related to 3-year changes in FSG, 2h-SG, FSI and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Highest compared with the lowest tertile of the Western dietary pattern was accompanied by a higher risk for development of IGT (OR=3·09; 95 % CI 1·28, 7·50); a higher score on the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a significantly reduced risk of hyperinsulinaemia (OR=0·53; 95 % CI 0·28, 0·94).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that adherence to a Western dietary pattern may be a risk factor for the development of IGT, while a healthy dietary pattern may prevent hyperinsulinaemia.
Conscientious Women: The Dispositional Conditions of Institutional Treatment on Civic Involvement
Authors: Friesen Amanda , Djupe Paul A.
Published: April 2016

Current thinking about the effect of religion on civic engagement centers on “institutional treatment”—the development of resources, social pathways to recruitment, and motivation that occurs in small groups and activities of congregations. None of this work has yet incorporated the personality traits that may shape the uptake of institutional treatment. Following a growing line of research articulating how individual predispositions condition political involvement, we argue that gendered personality differences may moderate civic skill development. With new data, we find that women do not develop skills from religious involvement at the same rate as men and that this pattern is largely attributable to their distinctive personality profile. The results shift the balance between individuals and institutional influences by augmenting the cognitive bases for acquiring church-gained experiences and linking them to the public square.
Symposium Introduction: The Politics of Religious Alliances
Authors: Hackett Ursula , Campbell David E.
Published: April 2016

This symposium examines the politics of religious alliances. While the literature on religion and politics generally focuses ondifferencesacross individuals, congregations, denominations, or traditions, these articles instead ask how, when, and why religious groups do — and do not — form alliances with other organizations, both religious and secular. Specifically, this collection of original research examines the formation of multi-denominational coalitions among party activists, litigants, and religious leaders. These varied articles arose from a workshop at Oxford University in March 2015, an event hosted and funded by the Rothermere American Institute. The collection explores the impact of religious coalitional activity upon political attitudes, decision-making, and public policy development. It is wide-ranging, extending our understanding of religious coalitional activity beyond the United States and dealing with topics of vital current significance, including the swiftly changing landscape of school voucher and tax credit expansion, same-sex marriage, healthcare, and abortion advocacy.
From delivery science to discovery science: realising the full potential of global mental health
Authors: Patel V.
Published: April 2016

The discipline of global mental health has been singularly associated with the generation of knowledge which seeks to reduce the treatment gap for mental disorders. Its priority research agenda has focused on delivery science, i.e. the science of implementing evidence-based interventions. Considerable new resources have furthered this agenda, leading to a flowering of innovations to address barriers to the delivery of interventions while also contributing to the growth and consolidation of research capacity in low and middle income countries. A significant, but as yet under-recognised, opportunity of this global mental health initiative is its potential contribution to discovery science, notably research aimed at identifying the aetiology of mental disorders and the development of novel interventions. This editorial considers a range of potential themes for such discovery science and its guiding principles. Given the limited knowledge that we currently possess about the nature of mental disorders or their effective prevention and treatment, this may well be the most important ultimate contribution of global mental health, i.e. generating knowledge which not only reduces the treatment gap but the actual global burden of mental disorders, and will finally do justice to the ‘global’ of this discipline.
Cardiac Manifestations of Twin–to–Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Manning Nicky , Archer Nick
Published: April 2016

This review addresses the physiology of monochorionic diamniotic (MC/DA) twins and the potential for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). It focuses on the underlying cardiovascular pathophysiology of TTTS and the cardiovascular impact of TTTS for both the recipient and the donor twin. It explains the principles for assessment and monitoring of these cardiovascular changes and how these may be used to guide pregnancy management. Finally, it describes the effect of treatment on the altered hemodynamics and how this can influence pregnancy and perinatal management, as well as longer-term follow-up.
Crystal structure of glycogen debranching enzyme and insights into its catalysis and disease-causing mutations
Authors: Zhai Liting , Feng Lingling , Xia Lin , Yin Huiyong , Xiang Song
Published: April 2016

Glycogen is a branched glucose polymer and serves as an important energy store. Its debranching is a critical step in its mobilization. In animals and fungi, the 170 kDa glycogen debranching enzyme (GDE) catalyses this reaction. GDE deficiencies in humans are associated with severe diseases collectively termed glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII). We report crystal structures of GDE and its complex with oligosaccharides, and structure-guided mutagenesis and biochemical studies to assess the structural observations. These studies reveal that distinct domains in GDE catalyse sequential reactions in glycogen debranching, the mechanism of their catalysis and highly specific substrate recognition. The unique tertiary structure of GDE provides additional contacts to glycogen besides its active sites, and our biochemical experiments indicate that they mediate its recruitment to glycogen and regulate its activity. Combining the understanding of the GDE catalysis and functional characterizations of its disease-causing mutations provides molecular insights into GSDIII.
Overexpression of caspase 7 is ERα dependent to affect proliferation and cell growth in breast cancer cells by targeting p21Cip
Authors: Chaudhary S , Madhukrishna B , Adhya A K , Keshari S , Mishra S K
Published: April 2016

Caspase 7 (CASP7) expression has important function during cell cycle progression and cell growth in certain cancer cells and is also involved in the development and differentiation of dental tissues. However, the function of CASP7 in breast cancer cells is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of CASP7 in breast carcinoma patients and determine the role of CASP7 in regulating tumorigenicity in breast cancer cells. In this study, we show that the CASP7 expression is high in breast carcinoma tissues compared with normal counterpart. The ectopic expression of CASP7 is significantly associated with ERα expression status and persistently elevated in different stages of the breast tumor grades. High level of CASP7 expression showed better prognosis in breast cancer patients with systemic endocrine therapy as observed from Kaplan–Meier analysis. S3 and S4, estrogen responsive element (ERE) in the CASP7 promoter, is important for estrogen-ERα-mediated CASP7 overexpression. Increased recruitment of p300, acetylated H3 and pol II in the ERE region of CASP7 promoter is observed after hormone stimulation. Ectopic expression of CASP7 in breast cancer cells results in cell growth and proliferation inhibition via p21Cip reduction, whereas small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated reduction of CASP7 rescued p21Cip levels. We also show that pro- and active forms of CASP7 is located in the nucleus apart from cytoplasmic region of breast cancer cells. The proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells is significantly reduced by broad-spectrum peptide inhibitors and siRNA of CASP7. Taken together, our findings show that CASP7 is aberrantly expressed in breast cancer and contributes to cell growth and proliferation by downregulating p21Cip protein, suggesting that targeting CASP7-positive breast cancer could be one of the potential therapeutic strategies.
Early-onset obesity dysregulates pulmonary adipocytokine/insulin signaling and induces asthma-like disease in mice
Authors: Dinger Katharina , Kasper Philipp , Hucklenbruch-Rother Eva , Vohlen Christina , Jobst Eva , Janoschek Ruth , Bae-Gartz Inga , van Koningsbruggen-Rietschel Silke , Plank Christian , Dötsch Jörg , Alejandre Alcázar Miguel Angel
Published: April 2016

Childhood obesity is a risk factor for asthma, but the molecular mechanisms linking both remain elusive. Since obesity leads to chronic low-grade inflammation and affects metabolic signaling we hypothesized that postnatal hyperalimentation (pHA) induced by maternal high-fat-diet during lactation leads to early-onset obesity and dysregulates pulmonary adipocytokine/insulin signaling, resulting in metabolic programming of asthma-like disease in adult mice. Offspring with pHA showed at postnatal day 21 (P21): (1) early-onset obesity, greater fat-mass, increased expression of IL-1β, IL-23 and Tnf-α, greater serum leptin and reduced glucose tolerance than Control (Ctrl); (2) less STAT3/AMPKα-activation, greater SOCS3 expression and reduced AKT/GSK3β-activation in the lung, indicative of leptin resistance and insulin signaling, respectively; (3) increased lung mRNA of IL-6, IL-13, IL-17A and Tnf-α. At P70 body weight, fat-mass and cytokine mRNA expression were similar in the pHA and Ctrl, but serum leptin and IL-6 were greater and insulin signaling and glucose tolerance impaired. Peribronchial elastic fiber content, bronchial smooth muscle layer and deposition of connective tissue were not different after pHA. Despite unaltered bronchial structure mice after pHA exhibited significantly increased airway reactivity. Our study does not only demonstrate that early-onset obesity transiently activates pulmonary adipocytokine/insulin signaling and induces airway hyperreactivity in mice, but also provides new insights into metabolic programming of childhood obesity-related asthma.
Differential neural mechanisms for early and late prediction error detection
Authors: Malekshahi Rahim , Seth Anil , Papanikolaou Amalia , Mathews Zenon , Birbaumer Niels , Verschure Paul F. M. J. , Caria Andrea
Published: April 2016

Emerging evidence indicates that prediction, instantiated at different perceptual levels, facilitate visual processing and enable prompt and appropriate reactions. Until now, the mechanisms underlying the effect of predictive coding at different stages of visual processing have still remained unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate early and late processing of spatial prediction violation by performing combined recordings of saccadic eye movements and fast event-related fMRI during a continuous visual detection task. Psychophysical reverse correlation analysis revealed that the degree of mismatch between current perceptual input and prior expectations is mainly processed at late rather than early stage, which is instead responsible for fast but general prediction error detection. Furthermore, our results suggest that conscious late detection of deviant stimuli is elicited by the assessment of prediction error’s extent more than by prediction error per se. Functional MRI and functional connectivity data analyses indicated that higher-level brain systems interactions modulate conscious detection of prediction error through top-down processes for the analysis of its representational content, and possibly regulate subsequent adaptation of predictive models. Overall, our experimental paradigm allowed to dissect explicit from implicit behavioral and neural responses to deviant stimuli in terms of their reliance on predictive models.
Conformational Selection and Induced Fit Mechanisms in the Binding of an Anticancer Drug to the c-Src Kinase
Authors: Morando Maria Agnese , Saladino Giorgio , D’Amelio Nicola , Pucheta-Martinez Encarna , Lovera Silvia , Lelli Moreno , López-Méndez Blanca , Marenchino Marco , Campos-Olivas Ramón , Gervasio Francesco Luigi
Published: April 2016

Understanding the conformational changes associated with the binding of small ligands to their biological targets is a fascinating and meaningful question in chemistry, biology and drug discovery. One of the most studied and important is the so-called “DFG-flip” of tyrosine kinases. The conserved three amino-acid DFG motif undergoes an “in to out” movement resulting in a particular inactive conformation to which “type II” kinase inhibitors, such as the anti-cancer drug Imatinib, bind. Despite many studies, the details of this prototypical conformational change are still debated. Here we combine various NMR experiments and surface plasmon resonance with enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to shed light into the conformational dynamics associated with the binding of Imatinib to the proto-oncogene c-Src. We find that both conformational selection and induced fit play a role in the binding mechanism, reconciling opposing views held in the literature. Moreover, an external binding pose and local unfolding (cracking) of the aG helix are observed.
Plasmonic-multimode-interference-based logic circuit with simple phase adjustment
Authors: Ota Masashi , Sumimura Asahi , Fukuhara Masashi , Ishii Yuya , Fukuda Mitsuo
Published: April 2016

All-optical logic circuits using surface plasmon polaritons have a potential for high-speed information processing with high-density integration beyond the diffraction limit of propagating light. However, a number of logic gates that can be cascaded is limited by complicated signal phase adjustment. In this study, we demonstrate a half-adder operation with simple phase adjustment using plasmonic multimode interference (MMI) devices, composed of dielectric stripes on a metal film, which can be fabricated by a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS)-compatible process. Also, simultaneous operations of XOR and AND gates are substantiated experimentally by combining 1 × 1 MMI based phase adjusters and 2 × 2 MMI based intensity modulators. An experimental on-off ratio of at least 4.3 dB is confirmed using scanning near-field optical microscopy. The proposed structure will contribute to high-density plasmonic circuits, fabricated by complementary MOS-compatible process or printing techniques.
Sensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Detection of Nuclear Matrix Protein-22 based on NH2-SAPO-34 Supported Pd/Co Nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Dan , Wang Yaoguang , Zhang Yong , Ma Hongmin , Yan Tao , Du Bin , Wei Qin
Published: April 2016

A novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor using the new amino group functionalized silicoaluminophosphates molecular sieves (NH2-SAPO-34) supported Pd/Co nanoparticles (NH2-SAPO-34-Pd/Co NPs) as labels for the detection of bladder cancer biomarker nuclear matrix protein-22 (NMP-22) was developed in this work. The reduced graphene oxide-NH (rGO-NH) with good conductivity and large surface area was used to immobilize primary antibody (Ab1). Due to the excellent catalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide, NH2-SAPO-34-Pd/Co NPs were used as labels and immobilized secondary antibody (Ab2) through adsorption capacity of Pd/Co NPs to protein. The immunosensor displayed a wide linear range (0.001–20 ng/mL) and low detection limit (0.33 pg/mL). Good reproducibility and stability have showed satisfying results in the analysis of clinical urine samples. This novel and ultrasensitive immunosensor may have the potential application in the detection of different tumor markers.
Standard melanoma-associated markers do not identify the MM127 metastatic melanoma cell line
Authors: Haridas Parvathi , McGovern Jacqui A. , Kashyap Abhishek S. , McElwain D. L. Sean , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: April 2016

Reliable identification of different melanoma cell lines is important for many aspects of melanoma research. Common markers used to identify melanoma cell lines include: S100; HMB-45; and Melan-A. We explore the expression of these three markers in four different melanoma cell lines: WM35; WM793; SK-MEL-28; and MM127. The expression of these markers is examined at both the mRNA and protein level. Our results show that the metastatic cell line, MM127, cannot be detected using any of the commonly used melanoma-associated markers. This implies that it would be very difficult to identify this particular cell line in a heterogeneous sample and as a result this cell line should be used with care.
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic and Luminescent Rare Earth/Polymer complex Films
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Ye Weiwei , Luo Xinran , Wang Zhonggang
Published: April 2016

The motivation of this work is to create luminescent rare earth/polymer films with outstanding water-resistance and superhydrophobicity. Specifically, the emulsion polymerization of styrene leads to core particles. Then core-shell-structured polymer nanoparticles are synthesized by copolymerization of styrene and acrylic acid on the core surface. The coordination reaction between carboxylic groups and rare earth ions (Eu3+ and Tb3+) generates uniform spherical rare earth/polymer nanoparticles, which are subsequently complexed with PTFE microparticles to obtain micro-/nano-scaled PTFE/rare earth films with hierarchical rough morphology. The films exhibit large water contact angle up to 161° and sliding angle of about 6° and can emit strong red and green fluorescence under UV excitation. More surprisingly, it is found that the films maintain high fluorescence intensity after submersed in water and even in aqueous salt solution for two days because of the excellent water repellent ability of surfaces.
Electrostatic binding of polyanions using self-assembled multivalent (SAMul) ligand displays – structure–activity effects on DNA/heparin binding
Authors: Fechner Loryn E. , Albanyan Buthaina , Vieira Vânia M. P. , Laurini Erik , Posocco Paola , Pricl Sabrina , Smith David K.
Published: April 2016

DNA and heparin, both highly charged polyanions, exhibit different binding preferences towards cationic ligands in nanoscale displays.
Snβ-zeolite catalyzed oxido-reduction cascade chemistry with biomass-derived molecules
Authors: Dijkmans J. , Schutyser W. , Dusselier M. , Sels B. F.
Published: April 2016

High activity of post-synthetically synthesized Sn-beta, producing novel caprolactone polymer building blocks, is demonstrated in Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV), Oppenauer (OPO), Baeyer–Villiger (BV) and cascade reactions thereof with biomass-derived molecules.
Hybrid engineered materials with high water-collecting efficiency inspired by Namib Desert beetles
Authors: Zhu Hai , Guo Zhiguang
Published: April 2016

A hybrid superhydrophobic material was successfully fabricated inspired by the Namib Desert beetle, which showed the efficient fog capture with a water collection rate of 1309.9 mg h−1 cm−2. And the sample possessed favorable robustness and self-cleaning property.
Room temperature on-surface synthesis of two-dimensional imine polymers at the solid/liquid interface: concentration takes control
Authors: Yu Yanxia , Lin Jianbin , Wang Yan , Zeng Qingdao , Lei Shengbin
Published: April 2016

With delicate control of the monomer concentration, imine surface COFs can be synthesized at the solid/liquid interface at room temperature.
A facile template-free approach for fabrication of flower-like CdS: the evolutionary process of the structure and the performance of photocatalytic activity
Authors: Wang Weizhi , Lu Yajing , Xu Yafei , Wu Konglin , Huang Jiarui , Ji Changchun , Ryu Si Ok
Published: April 2016

Uniform flower-like CdS with inner interstices can be fabricated by a facile hydrothermal approach and exhibits good photocatalytic activity.
Well-faceted noble-metal nanocrystals with nonconvex polyhedral shapes
Authors: Chen Qiaoli , Jia Yanyan , Xie Shuifen , Xie Zhaoxiong
Published: April 2016

Structural characteristics, synthetic methods and applications of well-faceted noble-metal nanocrystals with nonconvex polyhedral shapes are reviewed.
Lipids and cardiovascular disease: where does dietary intervention sit alongside statin therapy?
Authors: Megson Ian L. , Whitfield Phillip D. , Zabetakis Ioannis
Published: April 2016

The role of lipids at the onset of atherosclerosis in blood vessel walls.
Dioxygen-mediated oxidation of hydroquinone with cobalt ions in a bicarbonate aqueous solution for the production of active radicals
Authors: Zhang Dajie , Shi Wei , Cheng Qiang , Li Xiaoxia , Xu Aihua
Published: April 2016

Cobalt(ii) ions exhibit high efficiency for hydroquinone oxidation in HCO3− solution with O2 to produce hydroxyl radicals.
Dodecylamine-derived thin carbon-coated single Fe3O4 nanocrystals for advanced lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cho Min-Young , Yoon Seung-Beom , Kim Kwang-Bum , Jung Dae Soo , Roh Kwang Chul
Published: April 2016

Thin carbon-coated single Fe3O4 nanocomposite were synthesized by a solvothermal process using dodecylamine. The composite structure can accommodate the large volume change of Fe3O4 and thus enabled excellent electrochemical performance.
Endotoxin detection in full blood plasma in a theranostic approach to combat sepsis
Authors: Sheikh Sonia , Blaszykowski Christophe , Romaschin Alexander , Thompson Michael
Published: April 2016

A qualitative piezoelectric biosensor assay alternative for the detection of bacterial endotoxin is described to perform measurements in full human blood plasma in a real-time and label-free advanced fashion.
Photo-induced monomer/dimer kinetics in methylene blue degradation over doped and phase controlled nano-TiO2 films
Authors: Murugan K. , Joardar J. , Gandhi A. S. , Murty B. S. , Borse P. H.
Published: April 2016

Schematic showing efficient MB degradation under visible light irradiation via the monomer and dimer.
Transfer of metallic nanostructures from solid-state substrates
Authors: Kolářová K. , Krajcar R. , Ulbrich P. , Švorčík V.
Published: April 2016

A novel technique for transferring dimensionally diverse metallic nanostructures from different kinds of substrates into chitosan foil is described.
Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in double perovskite Sr2CrMoO6: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Gao Liguo , Lan Chunfeng , Pandey Shyam S. , Hayase Shuzi , Ma Tingli
Published: April 2016

These calculations provided theoretical insight into the effect of the B-site Cr and Mo on the oxygen vacancy formation and migration in the double perovskite Sr2CrMoO6 using the DFT+U method.
Triplet energy migration-based photon upconversion by amphiphilic molecular assemblies in aerated water
Authors: Kouno Hironori , Ogawa Taku , Amemori Shogo , Mahato Prasenjit , Yanai Nobuhiro , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: April 2016

A molecular self-assembly approach is developed to resolve an outstanding issue in triplet energy migration-based photon upconversion (TEM-UC), that is, air-stable TEM-UC in water.
Effective ionic-liquid microemulsion based electrodeposition of mesoporous Co–Pt films for methanol oxidation catalysis in alkaline media
Authors: Serrà Albert , Gómez Elvira , Golosovsky Igor V. , Nogués Josep , Vallés Elisa
Published: April 2016

Electrodeposited mesoporous CoPt alloys are demonstrated as excellent methanol oxidation catalysts in alkaline media.
Doping Au25 nanoparticles using ultrasmall silver or copper nanoparticles as the metal source
Authors: Xia Nan , Wu Zhikun
Published: April 2016

The reaction between ultrasmall heterogeneous metal nanoparticles is demonstrated, which could provide a unique strategy to controllably dope metal nanoparticles.
Electrically tunable liquid crystal terahertz phase shifter driven by transparent polymer electrodes
Authors: Du Yan , Tian Hao , Cui Xuan , Wang Hao , Zhou Zhong-Xiang
Published: April 2016

A high performance liquid crystal terahertz phase shifter based on transparent polymer electrodes.
Printed photonic elements: nanoimprinting and beyond
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Subbaraman Harish , Li Qiaochu , Pan Zeyu , Ok Jong G. , Ling Tao , Chung Chi-Jui , Zhang Xingyu , Lin Xiaohui , Chen Ray T. , Guo L. Jay
Published: April 2016

In order to manufacture large-scale photonic devices of various dimensions at a low cost, a number of printing-based patterning techniques have been developed.