bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of androgen receptor promotes CXC-chemokine receptor 7-mediated prostate cancer cell survival
Authors: Hoy James J. , Kallifatidis Georgios , Smith Diandra K. , Lokeshwar Bal L.
Published: June 2017

The atypical C-X-C chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) has been implicated in supporting aggressive cancer phenotypes in several cancers including prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms driving overexpression of this receptor in cancer are poorly understood. This study investigates the role of androgen receptor (AR) in regulating CXCR7. Androgen deprivation or AR inhibition significantly increased CXCR7 expression in androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell lines, which was accompanied by enhanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated mitogenic signaling, promoting tumor cell survival through an androgen-independent signaling program. Using multiple approaches we demonstrate that AR directly binds to the CXCR7 promoter, suppressing transcription. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) directed Cas9 nuclease-mediated gene editing of CXCR7 revealed that prostate cancer cells depend on CXCR7 for proliferation, survival and clonogenic potential. Loss of CXCR7 expression by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing resulted in a halt of cell proliferation, severely impaired EGFR signaling and the onset of cellular senescence. Characterization of a mutated CXCR7-expressing LNCaP cell clone showed altered intracellular signaling and reduced spheroid formation potential. Our results demonstrate that CXCR7 is a potential target for adjuvant therapy in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to prevent androgen-independent tumor cell survival.
Identification of commonly altered genes between in major depressive disorder and a mouse model of depression
Authors: Yamagata Hirotaka , Uchida Shusaku , Matsuo Koji , Harada Kenichiro , Kobayashi Ayumi , Nakashima Mami , Nakano Masayuki , Otsuki Koji , Abe-Higuchi Naoko , Higuchi Fumihiro , Watanuki Toshio , Matsubara Toshio , Miyata Shigeo , Fukuda Masato , Mikuni Masahiko , Watanabe Yoshifumi
Published: June 2017

The heterogeneity of depression (due to factors such as varying age of onset) may explain why biological markers of major depressive disorder (MDD) remain uncertain. We aimed to identify gene expression markers of MDD in leukocytes using microarray analysis. We analyzed gene expression profiles of patients with MDD (age ≥50, age of depression onset <50) (N = 10, depressed state; N = 13, remitted state). Seven-hundred and ninety-seven genes (558 upregulated, 239 downregulated when compared to those of 30 healthy subjects) were identified as potential markers for MDD. These genes were then cross-matched to microarray data obtained from a mouse model of depression (676 genes, 148 upregulated, 528 downregulated). Of the six common genes identified between patients and mice, five genes (SLC35A3, HIST1H2AL, YEATS4, ERLIN2, and PLPP5) were confirmed to be downregulated in patients with MDD by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of these genes, HIST1H2AL was significantly decreased in a second set of independent subjects (age ≥20, age of onset <50) (N = 18, subjects with MDD in a depressed state; N = 19, healthy control participants). Taken together, our findings suggest that HIST1H2AL may be a biological marker of MDD.
Microenvironmental cooperation promotes early spread and bistability of a Warburg-like phenotype
Authors: Fernandez-de-Cossio-Diaz Jorge , De Martino Andrea , Mulet Roberto
Published: June 2017

We introduce an in silico model for the initial spread of an aberrant phenotype with Warburg-like overflow metabolism within a healthy homeostatic tissue in contact with a nutrient reservoir (the blood), aimed at characterizing the role of the microenvironment for aberrant growth. Accounting for cellular metabolic activity, competition for nutrients, spatial diffusion and their feedbacks on aberrant replication and death rates, we obtain a phase portrait where distinct asymptotic whole-tissue states are found upon varying the tissue-blood turnover rate and the level of blood-borne primary nutrient. Over a broad range of parameters, the spreading dynamics is bistable as random fluctuations can impact the final state of the tissue. Such a behaviour turns out to be linked to the re-cycling of overflow products by non-aberrant cells. Quantitative insight on the overall emerging picture is provided by a spatially homogeneous version of the model.
Rainbow trapping in a chirped three-dimensional photonic crystal
Authors: Hayran Zeki , Kurt Hamza , Staliunas Kestutis
Published: June 2017

Light localization and intensity enhancement in a woodpile layer-by-layer photonic crystal, whose interlayer distance along the light propagation direction is gradually varied, has been theoretically predicted and experimentally demonstrated. The phenomenon is shown to be related to the progressive slowing down and stopping of the incident wave, as a result of the gradual variation of the local dispersion. The light localization is chromatically resolved, since every frequency component is stopped and reflected back at different positions along the crystal. It has been further discussed that the peculiar relation between the stopping position and the wave vector distribution can substantially increase the enhancement factor to more than two orders of magnitude. Compared to previously reported one- and two-dimensional photonic crystal configurations, the proposed scheme has the advantage of reducing the propagation losses by providing a three-dimensional photonic bandgap confinement in all directions. The slowing down and localization of waves inside photonic media can be exploited in optics and generally in wave dynamics, in many applications that require enhanced interaction of light and matter.
Thermally induced conformational changes and protein–protein interactions of bovine serum albumin in aqueous solution under different pH and ionic strengths as revealed by SAXS measurements
Authors: Molodenskiy Dmitry , Shirshin Evgeny , Tikhonova Tatiana , Gruzinov Andrey , Peters Georgy , Spinozzi Francesco
Published: June 2017

Temperature-induced oligomerization of albumin before and after protein melting was studied using SAXS and interpreted in terms of interaction potential.
A bio-inspired zinc finger analogue anchored in 2D hexagonal mesoporous silica for room temperature CO2activation via a hydrogenocarbonate route
Authors: Doghri Hanène , Baranova Elena A. , Albela Belén , Saïd-Zina Mongia , Bonneviot Laurent
Published: June 2017

A room temperature hydrogenocarbonate intermediate in CO2activation by a carbonic anhydrase active site analog inserted in the nanopores of mesostructured porous silicas.
M3V2B10O23 (M = Ca, Sr): two new vanadoborates with [V2B10O23]∞ double layers
Authors: Chen Zhaohui , Liu Yaqin , Shi Yunjing , Zhang Wenyao , Jing Qun , Fang Yuan , Dong Xiaoyu
Published: June 2017

Ca3V2B10O23 and Sr3V2B10O23 are isostructural and their main frameworks are novel “infinite” 2D [V2B10O23]∞ double layers which composed of an [B5O9]∞ infinite layer and VO4 tetrahedra.
Ultrasensitive and label-free detection of creatine based on CdO nanoparticles: a real sample approach
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Hussain Mohammad Musarraf , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: June 2017

Low-dimensional cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs) were prepared by a facile wet-chemical method, which later electrochemically investigated for the determination of selective creatine and measured the analytical sensor parameters such as sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), linear dynamic range (LDR), long-term stability, and real-sample validation.
Sub-picomolar label-free detection of thrombin using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of aptamer-functionalized MoS2
Authors: Lin Kai-Chun , Jagannath Badrinath , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: June 2017

An ultrasensitive aptasensor for the label free non-faradaic detection of thrombin has been demonstrated on molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanosheets.
A host–guest system based on collagen-like triple-helix hybridization
Authors: Delsuc N. , Uchinomiya S. , Ojida A. , Hamachi I.
Published: June 2017

A peptide recognition strategy based on triple helix hybridization leads to a host–guest system showing high affinity and selectivity in an aqueous medium.
A combined optical and EPR spectroscopy study: azobenzene-based biradicals as reversible molecular photoswitches
Authors: Jaumann Eva A. , Steinwand Sabrina , Klenik Szabina , Plackmeyer Jörn , Bats Jan W. , Wachtveitl Josef , Prisner Thomas F.
Published: June 2017

Joining an azobenzene moiety with two nitroxides yields reversibly photoswitchable spin labels with high quantum yield and fatigue resistance.
Electrospun graphene-wrapped Na6.24Fe4.88(P2O7)4 nanofibers as a high-performance cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Niu Yubin , Xu Maowen , Dai Chunlong , Shen Bolei , Li Chang Ming
Published: June 2017

Na6.24Fe4.88(P2O7)4 is one of the intensively investigated polyanionic compounds and has shown high rate discharge capacity, but its relatively low electronic conductivity hampers the high performance of the batteries.
Theoretical study of gas and solvent phase stability and molecular adsorption of noncanonical guanine bases on graphene
Authors: Saikia Nabanita , Karna Shashi P. , Pandey Ravindra
Published: June 2017

The gas and solvent phase stability of noncanonical (Gua)n nucleobases is investigated in the framework of dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT).
Hybridization chain reaction: a versatile molecular tool for biosensing, bioimaging, and biomedicine
Authors: Bi Sai , Yue Shuzhen , Zhang Shusheng
Published: June 2017

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles, analysis techniques, and application fields of hybridization chain reaction and its development status.
Roles of phenol groups and auxiliary ligand of copper(ii) complexes with tetradentate ligands in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol
Authors: Zhan Guangli , Zhong Wei , Wei Zhenhong , Liu Zhenzhen , Liu Xiaoming
Published: June 2017

Mimics structurally assembled to form the metal center of GOase. The phenol group(s) and substituent (R) and the auxiliary ligand (L) of the mimics significantly affect catalysis during the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol.
A 3D-printed mini-hydrocyclone for high throughput particle separation: application to primary harvesting of microalgae
Authors: Shakeel Syed Maira , Rafeie Mehdi , Henderson Rita , Vandamme Dries , Asadnia Mohsen , Ebrahimi Warkiani Majid
Published: June 2017

3D-printed hydrocyclones are low-cost microdevices which be part of a library of standardized active and passive microfluidic components, suitable for particle–liquid separation.
Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in multi-walled carbon nanotubes possess superior lithium storage capability
Authors: Liu Yuzhen , Wu Nannan , Wang Zhou , Cao Huili , Liu Jiurong
Published: June 2017

Fe3O4 nanoparticles are successfully introduced inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fe3O4@MWNTs) by an innovative wet chemical injection method.
Small molecular PDI-functionalized 9,9′-bifluorenylidene acceptors for bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Lu Yong , Wu Bo , Deng Ping , Zhu Furong , Ong Beng S.
Published: June 2017

New perylenediimide-functionalized 9,9′-bifluorenylidene derivatives are synthesized and utilized as non-fullerene acceptors in BHJ organic solar cells.
Evidence for the contribution of degenerate hydrogen atom transport to the persistence of sulfanyl radicals anchored to nanostructured hybrid materials
Authors: Vibert François , Bloch Emily , Bertrand Michèle P. , Queyroy Séverine , Gastaldi Stéphane , Besson Eric
Published: June 2017

Nanostructured functionalized silicas were used as a platform to compare the behaviour of anchored arylsulfanyl radicals depending on the nature of their precursors.
Electrolyte effect in induced charge electroosmosis
Authors: Feng Huicheng , Huang Yi , Wong Teck Neng , Duan Fei
Published: June 2017

We experimentally observed a reversed vortex flow and an interesting velocity increase with increasing electrolyte concentration in induced charge electroosmosis.
A review of fluorescent signal-based lateral flow immunochromatographic strips
Authors: Gong Xiaoqun , Cai Jin , Zhang Bo , Zhao Qian , Piao Jiafang , Peng Weipan , Gao Weichen , Zhou Dianming , Zhao Miao , Chang Jin
Published: June 2017

Fluorescent signal-based lateral flow immunochromatographic strips (FLFICS) have received great expectations since they combine the quantitative sensitivity of fluorescence analysis and the simplicity, rapidness, and portability of a common lateral flow immunochromatographic strip (LFICS).
G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 is a critical regulator of TNFα signaling in colon epithelial cells
Authors: Steury Michael D. , Lucas Peter C. , McCabe Laura R. , Parameswaran Narayanan
Published: June 2017

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) belongs to the GRK family of serine/threonine protein kinases critical in the regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Apart from this canonical role, GRK2 is also involved in several signaling pathways via distinct intracellular interactomes. In the present study, we examined the role of GRK2 in TNFα signaling in colon epithelial cell–biological processes including wound healing, proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression. Knockdown of GRK2 in the SW480 human colonic cells significantly enhanced TNFα-induced epithelial cell wound healing without any effect on apoptosis/proliferation. Consistent with wound-healing effects, GRK2 knockdown augmented TNFα-induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 7 and 9, as well as urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA; factors involved in cell migration and wound healing). To assess the mechanism by which GRK2 affects these physiological processes, we examined the role of GRK2 in TNFα-induced MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Our results demonstrate that while GRK2 knockdown inhibited TNFα-induced IκBα phosphorylation, activation of ERK was significantly enhanced in GRK2 knockdown cells. Our results further demonstrate that GRK2 inhibits TNFα-induced ERK activation by inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Together, these data suggest that GRK2 plays a critical role in TNFα-induced wound healing by modulating MMP7 and 9 and uPA levels via the ROS–ERK pathway. Consistent with in vitro findings, GRK2 heterozygous mice exhibited enhanced intestinal wound healing. Together, our results identify a novel role for GRK2 in TNFα signaling in intestinal epithelial cells.
Characterization of the oligomeric states of the CK2 α2β2 holoenzyme in solution
Authors: Lolli Graziano , Naressi Denise , Sarno Stefania , Battistutta Roberto
Published: June 2017

The regulatory mechanism of protein kinase CK2 has still to be fully clarified. The prevailing hypothesis is that CK2 is controlled by a self-polymerisation mechanism leading to inactive supramolecular assemblies that, when needed, can be disassembled into the α2β2 monomer, the active form of the holoenzyme. In vitro, monomeric α2β2 seems present only at high ionic strengths, typically 0.35–0.50 M NaCl, while at lower salt concentrations oligomers are formed. In the present study, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and mutagenesis have been employed for the characterization of the oligomeric states of CK2 in solution. SAXS measurements at 0.35 M NaCl show for the first time the shape of the α2β2 active monomer in solution. At 0.25 M salt, despite single average properties indicating an aggregated holoenzyme, deconvolution analysis of SAXS data reveals an equilibrium involving not only circular trimeric and linear oligomeric (3–4 units) forms of α2β2, but also considerable amounts of the monomer. Together SAXS and mutagenesis confirm the presence in solution of the oligomers deduced by crystal structures. The lack of intermediate species such as αβ2, α or β2 indicates that the holoenzyme is a strong complex that does not spontaneously dissociate, challenging what was recently proposed on the basis of mass spectrometry data. A significant novel finding is that a considerable amount of monomer, the active form of CK2, is present also at low salt. The solution properties of CK2 shown in the present study complement the model of regulation by polymerization.
Measurements for remote identification of electrical equipment
Authors: Lane R.O. , Badran T.A. , Marshall G.F.
Published: June 2017

The phenomenology of electrical signatures being unintentionally injected onto the mains electricity supply by a range of common household devices is investigated. Measurements were made of both current time series and voltage spectra of a variety of devices, using commercially available measurement equipment designed for electromagnetic compatibility testing. The measurements give strong evidence that multiple devices can be identified from either their current transient when switched on or off, or their voltage spectrum when running. While some devices are readily identifiable, even in the presence of large amounts of noise, for low power devices it may be necessary to perform filtering of the mains signal to obtain spectra with a suitable signal‐to‐noise ratio. For certain types of device, spectral signatures of particular instances of the same device appear to be separable in high signal‐to‐noise ratio environments. For example, it may be possible to identify a specific laptop charger among other chargers of the same make and model. The relevant measurements can be made outside buildings, and when combined with other intelligence, could be used to obtain remote intelligence of building interiors.
Avatars and virtual agents – relationship interfaces for the elderly
Authors: Shaked Nava A.
Published: June 2017

In the Digital Era, the authors witness a change in the relationship between the patient and the care‐giver or Health Maintenance Organization's providing the health services. Another fact is the use of various technologies to increase the effectiveness and quality of health services across all primary and secondary users. These technologies range from telemedicine systems, decision making tools, online and self‐services applications and virtual agents; all providing information and assistance. The common thread between all these digital implementations, is they all require human machine interfaces. These interfaces must be interactive, user friendly and inviting, to create user involvement and cooperation incentives. The challenge is to design interfaces which will best fit the target users and enable smooth interaction especially, for the elderly users. Avatars and Virtual Agents are one of the interfaces used for both home care monitoring and companionship. They are also inherently multimodal in nature and allow an intimate relation between the elderly users and the Avatar. This study discusses the need and nature of these relationship models, the challenges of designing for the elderly. The study proposes key features for the design and evaluation in the area of assistive applications using Avatar and Virtual agents for the elderly users.
Cooperative adaptive output regulation for linear multi‐agent systems with actuator faults
Authors: Deng Chao , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: June 2017

This paper considers the cooperative fault‐tolerant output regulation problem for linear multi‐agent systems with actuator faults. It is assumed that the actuator faults are loss of effectiveness faults. A new lemma is introduced to ensure the transmission zero condition for the systems with actuator faults. Based on this lemma, the unique solution of the output regulation equations is achieved. Moreover, a distributed adaptive observer and a distributed state feedback controller with time‐varying gains are designed to compensate the actuator faults. In addition, it is shown that the cooperative fault‐tolerant output regulation problem can be solved under the proposed controller. Finally, a simulation example is presented to show the validity of the proposed controller.
Cluster formation for multi‐agent systems under disturbances and unmodelled uncertainties
Authors: Jin Tao , Liu Zhi‐Wei , Zhou Hong
Published: June 2017

The cluster formation problem of the multi‐agent system in the presence of disturbances and unmodelled uncertainties has been studied. Agents in the system are partitioned into multiple clusters and each cluster is required to maintain a predefined time‐varying sub‐formation, where the sub‐formations can be different from each other. An identifier‐based robust control algorithm using the neighbouring relative information has been proposed to accomplish the time‐varying cluster formation. Some sufficient conditions for the second‐order multi‐agent system to achieve the control objective have been proposed based on the graph theory and the Lyapunov method. Numerical simulations are provided to testify the validity of the algorithm. Compared to the previous work on cluster formation control, the novel feature of this study is that disturbances and unmodelled uncertainties are taken into consideration and the authors propose a robust cluster formation control algorithm based on a non‐linear identifier to eliminate the adverse effects of disturbances and unmodelled uncertainties.
Mutual coupling reduction and gain enhancement in patch array antenna using a planar compact electromagnetic bandgap structure
Authors: Mohamadzade Bahare , Afsahi Majid
Published: June 2017

This research work presents a planar compact electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure with the potential to reduce the mutual coupling between the elements of a microstrip antenna array. The proposed structure is investigated at 5.59 GHz, which is the centre frequency of the wireless local area network band. To achieve the highest radiation performance for microstrip antenna arrays, with minimal inter‐element spacing and mutual coupling, different unit cell arrangements were considered along with two adjacent patch elements. The simulations and measurement results for the proposed arrangements indicate that the mutual coupling tends to diminish significantly. For instance, when adjacent patches are spaced by 0.4λ, the mutual coupling improves by ∼25 dB. For the particular spacing of 0.4λ, it is favourably observed that the proposed EBG cells can also improve the antenna gain by ∼2.5 dB. Such improvements can be attributed to the compactness of the cells (∼λ/8 × λ/10) and their remarkable ability to suppress the surface waves.
Second‐order sensitivity analysis of electromagnetic performance with respect to surface nodal displacements for reflector antennas and its benefits in integrated structural–electromagnetic optimisation
Authors: Zhang Shuxin , Zhang Yiqun , Yang Dongwu , Song Liwei , Zhang Xinghua
Published: June 2017

Integrated structural–electromagnetic optimisation design is an interesting area in the field of antenna design. Due to the urgent requirements on second‐order sensitivity analysis to benefit the integrated iterative procedure, based on the authors’ previous work, an analytic second‐order partial derivative formula of electromagnetic performance – directivity with respect to surface nodal displacements for reflector antennas is deduced. In this formula, the electromagnetic performance is obtained by superposition of radiation integrals on each small triangular element. Then, a perturbation of surface nodal displacement is introduced to re‐express the distorted radiation integral. By partially differentiating the distorted phase error in radiation integral with respect to nodal perturbation over the corresponding triangular element twice, the second‐order partial derivative is derived. Two reflectors – an axis‐symmetrical one and an offset one, are illustrated in simulation to show the second‐order partial derivatives in contour plots. A comparative simulation is performed to illustrate its benefits in integrated structural–electromagnetic optimisation.
Intraoperative 1-Hour Electrical Nerve Stimulation Enhances Outcomes of Nerve–Muscle-Endplate Band Grafting Technique for Muscle Reinnervation
Authors: Chen Jingming , Nyirenda Themba , Mu Liancai , Sobotka Stanislaw
Published: June 2017

Background Increasing evidence suggests that 1-hour electrical nerve stimulation during surgery improves nerve regeneration and functional recovery. However, it remains unknown if this approach has beneficial effects on the outcomes of our recently developed nerve–muscle-endplate band grafting-native motor zone (NMEG-NMZ) technique for muscle reinnervation.

Methods In this study, NMEG-NMZ transplantation was performed in a rat model. The right sternomastoid muscle was experimentally denervated and immediately reinnervated by implanting a NMEG harvested from the ipsilateral sternohyoid (SH) muscle into the NMZ of the target muscle. Before implantation of the NMEG, the SH nerve branch innervating the NMEG was subjected to intraoperative 1-hour continuous electrical stimulation (20 Hz). Three months after surgery, the degree of functional recovery was evaluated with muscle force measurement and the extent of nerve regeneration and endplate reinnervation was examined using histological and immunohistochemical methods.

Results A combination of NMEG-NMZ with electrical nerve stimulation resulted in a greater degree of functional recovery than the NMEG-NMZ alone. The mean muscle force of the treated muscles was 90% of the contralateral control. The muscle mass was recovered up to 90% of the control. The mean number and percentage of area of the regenerated axons in the treated muscles was computed to be 81 and 84% of the control muscles, respectively. On average, 83% of the denervated endplates in the treated muscles were reinnervated by regenerated axons.

Conclusion Intraoperative brief nerve stimulation promotes nerve regeneration, endplate reinnervation, and functional recovery of the muscles reinnervated with NMEG-NMZ technique.
Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women and Microcephaly
Authors: Duarte Geraldo , Moron Antonio Fernandes , Timerman Artur , Fernandes César Eduardo , Mariani Neto Corintio , Almeida Filho Gutemberg Leão de , Werner Junior Heron , Espírito Santo Hilka Flavia Barra do , Steibel João Alfredo Piffero , Bortoletti Filho João , Andrade Juvenal Barreto Borriello de , Burlá Marcelo , Silva de Sá Marcos Felipe , Busso Newton Eduardo , Giraldo Paulo César , Moreira de Sá Renato Augusto , Passini Junior Renato , Mattar Rosiane , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira
Published: June 2017

From the discovery of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in 1947 in Uganda (Africa), until its arrival in South America, it was not known that it would affect human reproductive life so severely. Today, damage to the central nervous system is known to be multiple, and microcephaly is considered the tip of the iceberg. Microcephaly actually represents the epilogue of this infection's devastating process on the central nervous system of embryos and fetuses. As a result of central nervous system aggression by the ZIKV, this infection brings the possibility of arthrogryposis, dysphagia, deafness and visual impairment. All of these changes of varying severity directly or indirectly compromise the future life of these children, and are already considered a congenital syndrome linked to the ZIKV. Diagnosis is one of the main difficulties in the approach of this infection. Considering the clinical part, it has manifestations common to infections by the dengue virus and the chikungunya fever, varying only in subjective intensities. The most frequent clinical variables are rash, febrile state, non-purulent conjunctivitis and arthralgia, among others. In terms of laboratory resources, there are also limitations to the subsidiary diagnosis. Molecular biology tests are based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with reverse transcriptase (RT) action, since the ZIKV is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. The RT-PCR shows serum or plasma positivity for a short period of time, no more than five days after the onset of the signs and symptoms. The ZIKV urine test is positive for a longer period, up to 14 days. There are still no reliable techniques for the serological diagnosis of this infection. If there are no complications (meningoencephalitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome), further examination is unnecessary to assess systemic impairment. However, evidence is needed to rule out other infections that also cause rashes, such as dengue, chikungunya, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, and herpes. There is no specific antiviral therapy against ZIKV, and the therapeutic approach to infected pregnant women is limited to the use of antipyretics and analgesics. Anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided until the diagnosis of dengue is discarded. There is no need to modify the schedule of prenatal visits for pregnant women infected by ZIKV, but it is necessary to guarantee three ultrasound examinations during pregnancy for low-risk pregnancies, and monthly for pregnant women with confirmed ZIKV infection. Vaginal delivery and natural breastfeeding are advised.
External Ventricular Drainage in Acute Cerebral Venous Thrombosis with Bilateral Thalamic Infarcts
Authors: Lipp Alexandra , Messerer Mahmoud , Daniel Roy , Simonin Alexandre
Published: June 2017

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon type of stroke with a considerable risk of mortality and morbidity (around 15% overall death or dependency rate in recent meta-analysis). We present the case of a 20-month-old girl who presented with an altered level of consciousness and motor impairment. Imaging studies showed deep CVT with bilateral thalamic edema, resulting in obstructive hydrocephalus due to third ventricle compression. An external ventricular drain was placed, along with intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Evolution was favorable with near-complete neurological recovery. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment of CVT. However, there are very few studies addressing shunting procedures in the management of associated intracranial hypertension. We believe that for patients presenting with bilateral thalamic edema and obstructive hydrocephalus, early shunting and ICP monitoring should be considered.
Profile of First Time Seizure in Infants with 1 to 12 Months of Age Presenting to a Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Bhat Abdus , Hussain Wani , Kakroo Ayaz , Qadri Ishtiyaq
Published: June 2017

The incidence of seizure in first year of life is very high. Considerable research on neonatal seizures has been done; however information regarding the profile of patients with first time seizure in the age group of 1 to 12 months is scarce. Our study was a prospective observational study undertaken at a tertiary pediatric care hospital in north India with objectives of finding the epidemiological, clinical, and aetiological profile of patients in the age group of 1 to 12 months presenting with first time seizure and to ascertain their electroencephalography (EEG) and imaging findings. Seizure recurrence and developmental delay was also studied during the first six months post seizure. Fifty patients were included in the study. There were 31 male patients (62%) and 19 female patients (38%). Mean age at seizure occurrence was 5.3 ±2.1 months. Forty one patients (82%) presented with generalized tonic seizures. Only two patients (4%) had focal seizures. Seizures in 7 patients (14%) could not be classified. Electroencephalography and brain imaging were done in 42 patients as indicated. Among these 42 patients, EEG abnormalities were noted in 15 patients (35.7%), while imaging abnormalities were noted in 10 patients (23%). Fifteen patients (35.7%) were found to have developmental delay on follow-up. 16 (38%) patients developed recurrence of seizures. Statistical analysis revealed significant association between abnormal imaging and developmental delay at six months and seizure recurrence within six months of first seizure, however the association with abnormal EEG was not statistically significant.
Generalized Kubo formulas for the transport properties of incommensurate 2D atomic heterostructures
Authors: Cancès Eric , Cazeaux Paul , Luskin Mitchell
Published: June 2017

We give an exact formulation for the transport coefficients of incommensurate two-dimensional atomic multilayer systems in the tight-binding approximation. This formulation is based upon the C* algebra framework introduced by Bellissard and collaborators [Coherent and Dissipative Transport in Aperiodic Solids, Lecture Notes in Physics (Springer, 2003), Vol. 597, pp. 413–486 and J. Math. Phys. 35(10), 5373–5451 (1994)] to study aperiodic solids (disordered crystals, quasicrystals, and amorphous materials), notably in the presence of magnetic fields (quantum Hall effect). We also present numerical approximations and test our methods on a one-dimensional incommensurate bilayer system.
Structural analysis of a phosphide-based epitaxial structure with a buried oxidized AlAs sacrificial layer
Authors: Englhard M. , Reuters B. , Baur J. , Klemp C. , Zaumseil P. , Schroeder T. , Skibitzki O.
Published: June 2017

Phosphide-based thin-film light-emitting diodes (TF-LEDs) lattice-matched to GaAs are well established in optoelectronics in the wavelength range between 550 and 650 nm. In this work, we investigate the impact of oxidized AlAs to overlying phosphide-based pseudomorphically grown epitaxial structures. Oxidation of a buried AlAs sacrificial layer allows the separation of the grown TF-LED epitaxy from its substrates and enables an oxidation lift-off process. To evaluate the strain effect of progressing oxidation on the structure of the chip, we perform high-resolution x-ray diffraction analysis on as-grown, mesa-structured, semi-oxidized, and completely laterally oxidized chips. At each state, a pseudomorphic phosphide-based InAlP layer is found. The InAlP layer exhibits a tensile out-of-plane strain of approximately 0.20% and a compressive in-plane strain of approx. −0.19%. Additionally, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and μ-photoluminescence were used for investigation of the boundary zone of the oxidation front of AlAs, the interfaces between phosphide-based semiconductors (InAlP/InGaAlP) and oxidized amorphous AlAs and the light emission of InGaAlP multiple quantum wells.
Simultaneously scanning two connected tips in a scanning tunneling microscope
Authors: Liao Wan-Ting , Lobb C. J. , Wellstood F. C. , Dreyer M.
Published: June 2017

We have modified a dual-tip scanning tunneling microscope (STM) by electrically connecting the tips together with a short (3 mm) strip of flexible 25 μm thick Nb foil. For simultaneous topographic imaging with both tips, we moved each tip to within tunneling distance z of a surface and modulated one tip's z-piezo at 5 kHz and the other at 10 kHz. The resulting combined tunneling current has modulation at both frequencies which we detect using individual lock-in amplifiers. Each lock-in output is fed back to its corresponding tip's individual STM z-position controller to maintain a stable current in both junctions. During the tests at room temperature, simultaneous imaging was performed with both tips made of Pt-Ir on Au/mica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) samples, where a small tip-to-tip mechanical coupling was observed. We describe the system's performance, show results from simultaneous imaging, and discuss the potential application of the system to imaging superconducting phase differences.
Physical modeling and characterization of thermo-acoustic loudspeakers made of silver nano-wire films
Authors: La Torraca P. , Larcher L. , Bobinger M. , Pavan P. , Seeber B. , Lugli P.
Published: June 2017

Recent developments of ultra-low heat capacity nanostructured materials revived the interest in the thermo-acoustic (TA) loudspeaker technology, which shows important advantages compared to the classical dynamic loudspeakers as they feature a lower cost and weight, flexibility, conformability to the surface of various shapes, and transparency. The development of the TA loudspeaker technology requires accurate physical models connecting the material properties to the thermal and acoustic speaker's performance. We present here a combined theoretical and experimental analysis of TA loudspeakers, where the electro-thermal and the thermo-acoustic transductions are handled separately, thus allowing an in-depth description of both the pressure and temperature dynamics. The electro-thermal transduction is analyzed by accounting for all the heat flow processes taking place between the TA loudspeaker and the surrounding environment, with focus on their frequency dependence. The thermo-acoustic conversion is studied by solving the coupled thermo-acoustic equations, derived from the Navier-Stokes equations, and by exploiting the Huygens-Fresnel principle to decompose the TA loudspeaker surface into a dense set of TA point sources. A general formulation of the 3D pressure field is derived summing up the TA point source contributions via a Rayleigh integral. The model is validated against temperature and sound pressure level measured on the TA loudspeaker sample made of a Silver Nanowire random network deposited on a polyimide substrate. A good agreement is found between measurements and simulations, demonstrating that the model is capable of connecting material properties to the thermo-acoustic performance of the device, thus providing a valuable tool for the design and optimization of TA loudspeakers.
Chemical sputtering of boronized and oxidized carbon surfaces irradiated by low-energy deuterium atoms
Authors: Domínguez-Gutiérrez F. J. , Krstić P. S.
Published: June 2017

We use molecular dynamics to study the chemical sputtering of boronized and oxidized amorphous carbon surfaces by deuterium irradiation in the range of impact energies of 5–30 eV. We report the sputtering yield as well as mass, energy, and angular spectra of ejected atoms and molecules of both virgin and deuterium saturated BCO surfaces and compare them with our data for a deuterated BC surface and existing theoretical and experimental results for amorphous C:D surfaces. Boron significantly suppresses the erosion of carbon, while the presence of oxygen results in further suppression.
Enhanced in-plane mechanical properties of nanoporous graphene-carbon nanotube network
Authors: Qin Huasong , Sun Yu , Liu Jefferson Zhe , Liu Yilun
Published: June 2017

Three dimensional graphene-carbon nanotube networks (3D-GC) have attracted great interests due to their superior thermal, optical, and hydrogen storage properties. In our work, the in-plane mechanical properties of nanoporous 3D-GC with different diameters of the joint carbon nanotube (CNT) and porosity have been studied. During in-plane tension, the fracture of 3D-GC first initiates at the heptagonal defects of the junctions between graphene sheets and CNTs where large tensile residual stress is observed. The in-plane tensile strength of 3D-GC decreases with the increasing of CNT parameter and porosity, and the tensile modulus is mainly determined by the porosity. Although the fracture strain decreases with the CNT diameter, it increases with the porosity. Compared to the nanoporous graphene, 3D-GC has larger in-plane tensile strength and fracture strain due to the additional support of CNTs. However, the in-plane tensile modulus of 3D-GC is usually smaller than that of the nanoporous graphene due to the wrinkled configuration of 3D-GC. By considering the stress concentration and additional support of CNTs, a theoretical model is proposed which can describe the molecular dynamics simulation results well.
Effect of grain boundaries on mechanical transverse wave propagations in graphene
Authors: Xia Jun , Zhu YinBo , Wang FengChao , Wu HengAn
Published: June 2017

The effects of grain boundary (GB) on the mechanical transverse wave propagation in graphene are studied via molecular dynamics simulations and frequency spectrum analysis. We reveal that GB can attenuate transverse waves at terahertz frequencies in graphene, which might be significant for manipulating terahertz noises via nanostructured modifications in graphene-based nanodevices. Two fundamental mechanisms, scattering and resonance, are found in the attenuation of terahertz waves. The scattering impairs waves slightly with a wide range of effective frequencies, whereas the resonance, occurring in the vicinity of GB, significantly reduces the amplitude responses near resonance frequencies, which displays a special frequency-selective filter-like behavior. Moreover, the strong correlation between amplitude loss and buckling height further demonstrates the effects of GB on terahertz mechanical waves in graphene with different chiralities and misorientation angles.
Communication: Direct evidence for sequential dissociation of gas-phase Fe(CO)5 via a singlet pathway upon excitation at 266 nm
Authors: Wernet Ph. , Leitner T. , Josefsson I. , Mazza T. , Miedema P. S. , Schröder H. , Beye M. , Kunnus K. , Schreck S. , Radcliffe P. , Düsterer S. , Meyer M. , Odelius M. , Föhlisch A.
Published: June 2017

We prove the hitherto hypothesized sequential dissociation of Fe(CO)5 in the gas phase upon photoexcitation at 266 nm via a singlet pathway with time-resolved valence and core-level photoelectron spectroscopy with an x-ray free-electron laser. Valence photoelectron spectra are used to identify free CO molecules and to determine the time constants of stepwise dissociation to Fe(CO)4 within the temporal resolution of the experiment and further to Fe(CO)3 within 3 ps. Fe 3p core-level photoelectron spectra directly reflect the singlet spin state of the Fe center in Fe(CO)5, Fe(CO)4, and Fe(CO)3 showing that the dissociation exclusively occurs along a singlet pathway without triplet-state contribution. Our results are important for assessing intra- and intermolecular relaxation processes in the photodissociation dynamics of the prototypical Fe(CO)5 complex in the gas phase and in solution, and they establish time-resolved core-level photoelectron spectroscopy as a powerful tool for determining the multiplicity of transition metals in photochemical reactions of coordination complexes.
Rapid concentration and elution of malarial antigen histidine-rich protein II using solid phase Zn(II) resin in a simple flow-through pipette tip format
Authors: Bauer Westley S. , Richardson Kelly A. , Adams Nicholas M. , Ricks Keersten M. , Gasperino David J. , Ghionea Simon J. , Rosen Mathew , Nichols Kevin P. , Weigl Bernhard H. , Haselton Frederick R. , Wright David W.
Published: June 2017

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) designed to function at the point of care are becoming more prevalent in malaria diagnostics because of their low cost and simplicity. While many of these tests function effectively with high parasite density samples, their poor sensitivity can often lead to misdiagnosis when parasitemia falls below 100 parasites/μl. In this study, a flow-through pipette-based column was explored as a cost-effective means to capture and elute more Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein II (HRPII) antigen, concentrating the biomarker available in large-volume lysed whole blood samples into volumes compatible with Plasmodium falciparum-specific RDTs. A systematic investigation of immobilized metal affinity chromatography divalent metal species and solid phase supports established the optimal design parameters necessary to create a flow-through column incorporated into a standard pipette tip. The bidirectional flow inherent to this format maximizes mixing efficiency so that in less than 5 min of sample processing, the test band signal intensity was increased up to a factor of twelve from HRPII concentrations as low as 25 pM. In addition, the limit of detection per sample was decreased by a factor of five when compared to the RDT manufacturer's suggested protocol. Both the development process and commercial viability of this application are explored, serving as a potential model for future applications.
Temperature and spectral dependence of CH3NH3PbI3 films photoconductivity
Authors: Khenkin M. V. , Amasev D. V. , Kozyukhin S. A. , Sadovnikov A. V. , Katz E. A. , Kazanskii A. G.
Published: June 2017

Halide perovskites are widely studied due to their potential applications in solar cells. Despite the remarkable success in increasing perovskite solar cell efficiency, the underlying photophysical processes remain unclear. To cover this gap, we studied temperature, spectral, and light intensity dependence of photoconductivity of CH3NH3PbI3 films in the planar contact configuration. We observed non-monotonic behavior of the photoconductivity temperature dependence: a power-law decrease with increasing temperature at the temperatures below 185 K and close to exponential growth above this temperature. Spectral and light intensity dependences of photoconductivity allowed us to postulate that phase transition between tetragonal and orthorhombic structures and a change in the recombination channel are unlikely to be the reasons for abrupt change in photoconductivity behavior. Charge carrier mobility is proposed to be responsible for unusual photoconductivity changes with temperature.
Room-temperature direct bonding of silicon and quartz glass wafers
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Wang Yuan , Tian Yanhong , Wang Chunqing , Suga Tadatomo
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate a facile bonding method for combining Si/Si, Si/quartz, and quartz/quartz wafers at room temperature (∼25 °C) using a one-step O2/CF4/H2O plasma treatment. The bonding strengths were significantly improved by adding a small amount of CF4 into the oxygen plasma, such that reliable and tight bonding was obtained after storage in ambient air for 24 h, even without employing heat. Moreover, by introducing water vapor during O2/CF4 plasma treatment, uniform wafer bonding was spontaneously achieved without applying an external force. The fluorinated surface asperities appear to be softened more easily by the interfacial water stress corrosion, enabling reliable bonding at room temperature. Additionally, adding an optimized amount of water vapor to the O2/CF4 plasma increases sufficiently the amount of hydroxyl groups without eliminating the CF4 effect. The additional water adsorbed on the surface may help to close the gap between the bonded wafers, resulting in better bonding efficiency.
Quantum control and enhancement of multi-color emissions in upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Hao Ye , Li Aihua , Yang Jun , Gao Wentao , Sun Zhijun
Published: June 2017

Upconversion luminescence (UCL) of lanthanide-doped nanomaterials is usually a low-efficiency nonlinear process, involving multi-step, multi-channel transitions in a multi-level system. Here, we demonstrate quantum control and enhancement of multi-color (e.g., red and green) UCLs of NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles with metallic Fabry-Perot micro-cavities. Besides realization of controlled single-color UCLs, their internal quantum efficiencies are strongly enhanced, up to 3–4 orders of times. Experimental results indicate that the controlled single-color UCLs and enhancements are caused not only by modifications of the spontaneous radiation rates for the red- and green-color transitions but also by influencing the intermediate transitions to result in modified distributions of electrons in each of the multiple Er3+ levels, facilitating emission of either red- or green-color light. This work suggests a way to control photon emissions in systems with multi-channel transitions and/or multi-step excitations.