bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of loosely and firmly bound albumin and lysozyme layers on dental materials
Authors: Kratz Fabian , Trautmann Simone , Umanskaya Natalia , Müller‐Renno Christine , Hannig Matthias , Ziegler Christiane
Published: April 2016

The total amount of albumin and lysozyme adsorbed on different dentally relevant materials like titanium, gold, ceramics, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was measured by bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA assay) after detachment of the proteins from the samples. The total amount of protein was separated into the amount of loosely and firmly adsorbed protein. The parts of loosely and firmly bound protein differ remarkably depending on the material. For albumin, the loosely bound protein dominates the total adsorption. In contrast, for lysozyme the amount of loosely and firmly bound protein is in some cases equal and sometimes there is more firmly than loosely bound lysozyme. In general, the firmly bound protein masks the electrostatics of the surface. The amount of loosely bound protein follows no strict tendency, whereas the amount of firmly bound protein is mostly governed by entropic and hydrophobic interactions, but modulated by electrostatics and thus by the isoelectric points of the surface and of the proteins. Most protein adsorbs on the metallic surfaces, if compared to the investigated non‐metallic surfaces. For the adsorption on gold, the number of cysteines in the amino acid sequence influences the amount of protein on the gold surface. Least albumin adsorbs on PMMA, least lysozyme adsorbs on PMMA and PTFE. For albumin, pH depending conformational changes play a key role for the adsorption at pH 9.0.
Quantitative differentiation of normal and scarred tissues using second‐harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Yildirim Murat , Quinn Kyle P. , Kobler James B. , Zeitels Steven M. , Georgakoudi Irene , Ben‐Yakar Adela
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to differentiate normal and scarred hamster cheek pouch samples by applying a quantitative image analysis technique for determining collagen fiber direction and density in second‐harmonic generation microscopy images. This paper presents a collagen tissue analysis of scarred cheek pouches of four adult male Golden Syrian hamsters as an animal model for vocal fold scarring. One cheek pouch was scarred using an electrocautery unit and the other cheek was used as a control for each hamster. A home‐built upright microscope and a compact ultrafast fiber laser were used to acquire depth resolved epi‐collected second‐harmonic generation images of collagen fibers. To quantify the average fiber direction and fiber density in each image, we applied two‐dimensional Fourier analysis and intensity thresholding at five different locations for each control and scarred tissue sample, respectively. The resultant depth‐resolved average fiber direction variance for scarred hamster cheek pouches (0.61 ± 0.03) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than control tissue (0.73 ± 0.04), indicating increased fiber alignment within the scar. Depth‐resolved average voxel density measurements indicated scarred tissues contained greater (p < 0.005) fiber density (0.72 ± 0.09) compared to controls (0.18 ± 0.03). In the present study, image analysis of both fiber alignment and density from depth‐resolved second‐harmonic generation images in epi‐detection mode enabled the quantification of the increased collagen fiber deposition and alignment typically observed in fibrosis. The epi‐detection geometry is the only viable method for in vivo imaging as well as imaging thick turbid tissues. These quantitative endpoints, clearly differentiating between control and scarred hamster cheek pouches, provide an objective means to characterize the extent of vocal fold scarring in vivo in preclinical and clinical research. In particular, this non‐invasive method offers advantages for monitoring scar treatments in live animals and following the effects of scarring‐related treatments such as application of steroids or drugs targeting pathways involved in fibrosis. SCANNING 38:684–693, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanostructural characterization of Sf9 cells during virus‐like particles generation
Authors: Lee Gi‐Ja , Lee Su‐Hwa , Lee Young Ju , Quan Fu‐Shi
Published: April 2016

Sf9 cells (a clonal isolate of Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 cells) are commonly used to generate recombinant virus‐like particles (VLPs). For VLPs generation, Sf9 cells are infected with recombinant baculoviruses (rBV) expressing desired proteins. During rBV infections, Sf9 cells have changes in cell diameters and surface structures. In this study, for the first time, we investigated nanostructural changes of Sf9 cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM) during VLPs generation containing Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein 18 (ROP 18). As results, Sf9 cells were changed to be larger at 2 days after rBV infections. They maintained their sizes and morphologies on day 3 and 4. Based on morphological (perimeter and diameter) and surface roughness (roughness average and root mean square) changes of Sf9 cells observed by AFM, we inferred that these nanostructural changes in Sf9 cell membranes might be due to the production and extrusion of VLPs after rBV infection. Our results suggest that shape and roughness parameters of Sf9 cell morphology and membrane surface by AFM could be very effective for quantitative analysis of VLP production. This study provides important information about structural and mechanochemical properties of Sf9 cells which are closely related with biological function. SCANNING 38:735–742, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Software product assurance at the German space agency
Authors: Prause Christian R. , Bibus Markus , Dietrich Carsten , Jobi Wolfgang
Published: April 2016

The DLR Space Administration designs and implements the German space program. While project management rests with the agency, suppliers are contracted for building the space devices and their software. As opposed to many other domains, these are often unique devices with uncommon and custom‐built peripherals. Its software is specifically developed for a single mission only and controls critical functionality. A small coding error can mean the loss of a mission. For this reason, customer and supplier collaborate to improve products and processes to achieve better software at the end of a project. We discuss quality in the context of space projects, and report a cross‐sectional view from a customer's perspective on various management tools for influencing suppliers' processes and product quality: standards, single‐source tailoring and cross‐company product assurance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impression Management, Super PACs and the 2012 Republican Primary
Authors: Katz Nathan
Published: April 2016

Super Political Action Committees (PACs) are new organizations within American politics allowing for unlimited donations to candidate campaigns. Super PACs helped make the 2012 Republican primary the most well‐funded primary in American history. Both candidates and Super PACs spend much of their money on televised campaign ads. My study of the 2012 Republican primary expands existing literature concerning political impression management by examining advertising imagery in the era of Super PACs. I developed a typology of performance types from a qualitative content analysis of television advertisements for both candidates and Super PACs. The significance of Super PACs as they interact and overlap with the images of candidate ads calls for analysis of the changing front stage in the political realm.
Impact of wind on secondary regulating power and energy in the Spanish system
Authors: Olea J. , Lobato E. , Egido I. , Fernandez‐Bernal F.
Published: April 2016

The objective of this paper is to assess if high penetrations of wind power influence regulating secondary reserve requirements in the Spanish power system including three different topics: (i) needed ramps of variation of regulating power, (ii) amount of total regulating power and (iii) regulating energy. The results (both technical and economical) derived in this paper are based on the net load curve, defined as the difference between the load curve of the system and the wind generation curve. Since wind power does not provide yet secondary regulating reserve, net load represents the load that must be balanced by units providing the AGC service. Thus, the comparison of the three topics (ramps, regulating power and regulating energy) required by the net load with the ones required by the load curve represents the influence of wind on AGC requirements. Historical values of total demand and wind production with a 1 min resolution of the Spanish power system, collected for 2010 (when the wind share was close to 20%), are employed to derive significant conclusions. The analysis of this paper concludes that the main impact of wind in the Spanish system lies on the secondary regulating energy, while the required ramp rate and secondary reserve nearly not affected. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE ESTIMATES OF RIESZ TRANSFORMS ASSOCIATED TO SCHRÖDINGER OPERATORS
Authors: DENG QINGQUAN , DING YONG , YAO XIAOHUA
Published: April 2016

Let$H=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}+V$be a Schrödinger operator with some general signed potential$V$. This paper is mainly devoted to establishing the$L^{q}$-boundedness of the Riesz transform$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FB}H^{-1/2}$for$q>2$. We mainly prove that under certain conditions on$V$, the Riesz transform$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FB}H^{-1/2}$is bounded on$L^{q}$for all$q\in [2,p_{0})$with a given$2<p_{0}<n$. As an application, the main result can be applied to the operator$H=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}+V_{+}-V_{-}$, where$V_{+}$belongs to the reverse Hölder class$B_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}$and$V_{-}\in L^{n/2,\infty }$with a small norm. In particular, if$V_{-}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}|x|^{-2}$for some positive number$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FB}H^{-1/2}$is bounded on$L^{q}$for all$q\in [2,n/2)$and$n>4$.
Sense of Belonging to School in 15-Year-Old Students
Authors: Marksteiner Tamara , Kruger Susanne
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Worldwide, students’ health and subjective well-being increasingly are regarded as important. One central noncognitive aspect that threatens students’ well-being and that is related to students’ socioeconomic background is whether they feel they belong to their social context (e.g., school) or instead feel socially ostracized. The present study investigated the relation between parents’ education and students’ sense of belonging to school and the role of students’ and parents’ attitudes toward school as mediators across different countries. The results indicate that students whose parents have a higher education level feel less socially excluded. As expected, students’ attitude functions as a mediator: The more educated the students’ parents, the more positive the students’ attitudes toward school. Likewise, the more positive their attitude, the stronger they indicated a feeling of social belonging and the less they indicated feeling socially excluded. Further, more individualistic countries show a weaker effect.
Substrate-decoupled, bulk-acoustic wave gyroscopes: Design and evaluation of next-generation environmentally robust devices
Authors: Serrano Diego E. , Zaman Mohammad F. , Rahafrooz Amir , Hrudey Peter , Lipka Ron , Younkin Duane , Nagpal Shin , Jafri Ijaz , Ayazi Farrokh
Published: April 2016

This paper reports on a new type of high-frequency mode-matched gyroscope with significantly reduced dependencies on environmental stimuli such as temperature, vibration, and shock. A novel stress-isolation system is used to effectively decouple an axis-symmetric bulk-acoustic wave (BAW) vibratory gyro from its substrate, minimizing the effect that external sources of error have on the offset and scale factor of the device. Substrate-decoupled (SD) BAW gyros with a resonance frequency of 4.3 MHz and Q values near 60 000 were implemented using the high aspect ratio poly and single-crystal silicon (HARPSS) process to achieve ultra-narrow capacitive gaps. Wafer-level packaged sensors were interfaced with a customized application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to achieve low variations in the offset across temperature (±26° s−1 from −40 to 85 °C), supreme random-vibration immunity (0.012° s−1 gRMS−1) and excellent shock rejection. With a scale factor of 800 μV (°s−1)−1, the SD-BAW gyro system attains a large full-scale range (±1250° s−1) with a non-linearity of less than 0.07%. A measured angle-random walk (ARW) of 0.39°/√h and a bias instability of 10.5°h−1 are dominated by the thermal and flicker noise of the integrated circuit (IC), respectively. Additional measurements using external electronics show bias-instability values as low as 3.5°h−1, which are limited by feed-through signals coupled from the drive loop to the sense channel, which can be further reduced through proper re-routing of the gyroscope pin-out configuration.
Biofluorescence in Catsharks (Scyliorhinidae): Fundamental Description and Relevance for Elasmobranch Visual Ecology
Authors: Gruber David F. , Loew Ellis R. , Deheyn Dimitri D. , Akkaynak Derya , Gaffney Jean P. , Smith W. Leo , Davis Matthew P. , Stern Jennifer H. , Pieribone Vincent A. , Sparks John S.
Published: April 2016

Biofluorescence has recently been found to be widespread in marine fishes, including sharks. Catsharks, such as the Swell Shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) from the eastern Pacific and the Chain Catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) from the western Atlantic, are known to exhibit bright green fluorescence. We examined the spectral sensitivity and visual characteristics of these reclusive sharks, while also considering the fluorescent properties of their skin. Spectral absorbance of the photoreceptor cells in these sharks revealed the presence of a single visual pigment in each species. Cephaloscyllium ventriosum exhibited a maximum absorbance of 484 ± 3 nm and an absorbance range at half maximum (λ1/2max) of 440–540 nm, whereas for S. retifer maximum absorbance was 488 ± 3 nm with the same absorbance range. Using the photoreceptor properties derived here, a “shark eye” camera was designed and developed that yielded contrast information on areas where fluorescence is anatomically distributed on the shark, as seen from other sharks’ eyes of these two species. Phylogenetic investigations indicate that biofluorescence has evolved at least three times in cartilaginous fishes. The repeated evolution of biofluorescence in elasmobranchs, coupled with a visual adaptation to detect it; and evidence that biofluorescence creates greater luminosity contrast with the surrounding background, highlights the potential importance of biofluorescence in elasmobranch behavior and biology.
Role of oxidants in enhancing dewaterability of anaerobically digested sludge through Fe (II) activated oxidation processes: hydrogen peroxide versus persulfate
Authors: Song Kang , Zhou Xu , Liu Yiqi , Gong Yanyan , Zhou Beibei , Wang Dongbo , Wang Qilin
Published: April 2016

Improving dewaterability of sludge is important for the disposal of sludge in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study, for the first time, investigated the Fe(II) activated oxidization processes in improving anaerobically digested sludge (ADS) dewaterability. The combination of Fe(II) (0–100 mg/g total solids (TS)) and persulfate (0–1,000 mg/g TS) under neutral pH as well as the combination of Fe(II) (0–100 mg/g TS) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) (0–1,000 mg/g TS) under pH 3.0 were used to examine and compare their effect on the ADS dewaterability enhancement. The highest ADS dewaterability enhancement was attained at 25 mg Fe(II)/g TS and 50 mg HP/g TS, when the CST (CST: the capillary suction time, a sludge dewaterability indicator) was reduced by 95%. In contrast, the highest CST reduction in Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning was 90%, which was obtained at 50 mg Fe(II)/g TS and 250 mg persulfate/g TS. The results showed that Fe(II)-HP conditioning was comparable with Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning in terms of highest CST reduction. Economic analysis suggested that the Fe(II)-HP conditioning was more promising for improving ADS dewaterability compared with Fe(II)-persulfate conditioning, with the saving being up to $65,000 per year in a WWTP with a population equivalent of 100,000.
Two-Dimensional NMR Lineshape Analysis
Authors: Waudby Christopher A. , Ramos Andres , Cabrita Lisa D. , Christodoulou John
Published: April 2016

NMR titration experiments are a rich source of structural, mechanistic, thermodynamic and kinetic information on biomolecular interactions, which can be extracted through the quantitative analysis of resonance lineshapes. However, applications of such analyses are frequently limited by peak overlap inherent to complex biomolecular systems. Moreover, systematic errors may arise due to the analysis of two-dimensional data using theoretical frameworks developed for one-dimensional experiments. Here we introduce a more accurate and convenient method for the analysis of such data, based on the direct quantum mechanical simulation and fitting of entire two-dimensional experiments, which we implement in a new software tool, TITAN (TITration ANalysis). We expect the approach, which we demonstrate for a variety of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, to be particularly useful in providing information on multi-step or multi-component interactions.
Modulation of Protein Fouling and Interfacial Properties at Carbon Surfaces via Immobilization of Glycans Using Aryldiazonium Chemistry
Authors: Zen Federico , Angione M. Daniela , Behan James A. , Cullen Ronan J. , Duff Thomas , Vasconcelos Joana M. , Scanlan Eoin M. , Colavita Paula E.
Published: April 2016

Carbon materials and nanomaterials are of great interest for biological applications such as implantable devices and nanoparticle vectors, however, to realize their potential it is critical to control formation and composition of the protein corona in biological media. In this work, protein adsorption studies were carried out at carbon surfaces functionalized with aryldiazonium layers bearing mono- and di-saccharide glycosides. Surface IR reflectance absorption spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance were used to study adsorption of albumin, lysozyme and fibrinogen. Protein adsorption was found to decrease by 30–90% with respect to bare carbon surfaces; notably, enhanced rejection was observed in the case of the tested di-saccharide vs. simple mono-saccharides for near-physiological protein concentration values. ζ-potential measurements revealed that aryldiazonium chemistry results in the immobilization of phenylglycosides without a change in surface charge density, which is known to be important for protein adsorption. Multisolvent contact angle measurements were used to calculate surface free energy and acid-base polar components of bare and modified surfaces based on the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good model: results indicate that protein resistance in these phenylglycoside layers correlates positively with wetting behavior and Lewis basicity.
TCF7L2 involvement in estradiol- and progesterone-modulated islet and hepatic glucose homeostasis
Authors: Dong Fengqin , Ling Qi , Ye Dan , Zhang Zhe , Shu Jing , Chen Guoping , Fei Yang , Li Chengjiang
Published: April 2016

To evaluate the role of TCF7L2, a key regulator of glucose homeostasis, in estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4)-modulated glucose metabolism, mouse insulinoma cells (MIN6) and human liver cancer cells (hepG2 and HUH7) were treated with physiological concentrations of E2 or P4 in the up- and down-regulation of TCF7L2. Insulin/proinsulin secretion was measured in MIN6 cells, while glucose uptake and production were evaluated in liver cancer cells. E2 increased insulin/proinsulin secretion under both basal and stimulated conditions, whereas P4 increased insulin/proinsulin secretion only under glucose-stimulated conditions. An antagonistic effect, possibly concentration-dependent, of E2 and P4 on the regulation of islet glucose metabolism was observed. After E2 or P4 treatment, secretion of insulin/proinsulin was positively correlated with TCF7L2 protein expression. When TCF7L2 was silenced, E2- or P4-promoted insulin/proinsulin secretion was significantly weakened. Under glucotoxicity conditions, overexpression of TCF7L2 increased insulin secretion and processing. In liver cancer cells, E2 or P4 exposure elevated TCF7L2 expression, enhanced the activity of insulin signaling (pAKT/pGSK), reduced PEPCK expression, subsequently increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and decreased glucose production. Silencing TCF7L2 eliminated effects of E2 or P4. In conclusion, TCF7L2 regulates E2- or P4-modulated islet and hepatic glucose metabolism. The results have implications for glucose homeostasis in pregnancy.
Bioactivity Focus of α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) Leads to Effective Multifunctional Aldose Reductase Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Laitao , Li Yi-Fang , Yuan Sheng , Zhang Shijie , Zheng Huanhuan , Liu Jie , Sun Pinghua , Gu Yijun , Kurihara Hiroshi , He Rong-Rong , Chen Heru
Published: April 2016

Bioactivity focus on α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) scaffold results in a small library of novel multifunctional aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibitors. All the entities displayed good to excellent inhibition with IC5072–405 nM. (R,E)-N-(3-(2-acetamido-3-(benzyloxy)propanamido)propyl)-2-cyano-3-(4-hydroxy phenyl)acrylamide (5f) was confirmed as the most active inhibitor (IC5072.7 ± 1.6 nM), and the best antioxidant.5fbound to ALR2 with new mode without affecting the aldehyde reductase (ALR1) activity, implicating high selectivity to ALR2.5fwas demonstrated as both an effective ALR2 inhibitor (ARI) and antioxidant in a chick embryo model of hyperglycemia. It attenuated hyperglycemia-induced incidence of neural tube defects (NTD) and death rate, and significantly improved the body weight and morphology of the embryos.5frestored the expression of paired box type 3 transcription factor (Pax3), and reduced the hyperglycemia-induced increase of ALR2 activity, sorbitol accumulation, and the generation of ROS and MDA to normal levels. All the evidences support that5fmay be a potential agent to treat diabetic complications.
Blastomere removal from cleavage-stage mouse embryos alters placental function, which is associated with placental oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Yao Qi , Chen Li , Liang Yuanjiao , Sui Liucai , Guo Li , Zhou Jingwei , Fan Kai , Jing Jun , Zhang Yunhai , Yao Bing
Published: April 2016

Blastomere biopsy is an essential technique in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a screening test that can detect genetic abnormalities of embryos before their transfer into uterus. Our results showed that the weights of fetuses derived from biopsied embryos were lower than that of non-biopsied counterparts at E12.5, E15.5, and E18.5. The ratio of fetal/placental (F/P) weights in the biopsied group was significantly lower than that in the non-biopsied group at E18.5. At E18.5, the mRNAs for selected glucose transporters, system A amino acid transporters, system L amino acid transporters, and imprinted genes were downregulated in the placentae of biopsied group, and the GLUT1 and CAT3 protein levels were decreased too. More apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL in the placentae of biopsied group. Placentae from biopsied embryos exhibited lower levels of SOD and GSH. Furthermore, the concentration of MDA increased in the placentae from biopsied group. The levels of IL1B, IL6, and TNFA also significantly increased in the placentae of biopsied group. This study suggested that placental function may be sensitive to blastomere biopsy procedures, and placental oxidative stress and inflammation associated with blastomere biopsy may be critical factors of abnormal placental function and further influence the fetal development.
Simultaneous removal of elemental mercury and NO from simulated flue gas using a CeO2 modified V2O5–WO3/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Zhao Lingkui , Li Caiting , Wang Yan , Wu Huiyu , Gao Lei , Zhang Jie , Zeng Guangming
Published: April 2016

The redox cycle (V4+ + Ce4+ ↔ V5+ + Ce3+) over V2O5–WO3/TiO2–CeO2 plays a key role in Hg0 oxidation and NO conversion.
Co-promoted MoO3nanoclusters for hydrodesulfurization
Authors: Singh Rupesh , Kunzru Deepak , Sivakumar Sri
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we report the synthesis of ultrasmall Co-promoted MoO3nanoclusters (∼2 nm) supported over γ-Al2O3possessing an increased number of Mo edge atoms, using colloidal synthesis for hydrodesulfurization reaction.
Propentdyopent: the scaffold of a heme metabolite as an electron reservoir in transition metal complexes
Authors: Gautam R. , Chang T. M. , Astashkin A. V. , Lincoln K. M. , Tomat E.
Published: April 2016

The dipyrrin-1,9-dione scaffolds of heme metabolite propendyopent host ligand-based radicals in homoleptic, pseudo-tetrahedral complexes of Co(ii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii), and Zn(ii).
Charge transport and optical properties of the complexes of indigo wrapped over carbon nanotubes
Authors: Joshi Ankita , Ramachandran C. N.
Published: April 2016

Novel non-covalent complexes of carbon nanotubes with indigo are explored using dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations.
Interfacial organization of achiral porphyrins via unidirectional compression: a general method for chiroptical porphyrin assemblies of selected chirality
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wang Yanping , Chen Penglei , Rong Yunlong , Liu Minghua
Published: April 2016

A general method based on an LS technique of a unidirectional compression geometry is launched to control the supramolecular chirality of interfacial assemblies of achiral porphyrins.
Structural, thermal, dielectric and phonon properties of perovskite-like imidazolium magnesium formate
Authors: Mączka Mirosław , Marinho Costa Nathalia Leal , Gągor Anna , Paraguassu Waldeci , Sieradzki Adam , Hanuza Jerzy
Published: April 2016

Studies of perovskite-like [C3N2H5][Mg(HCOO)3] revealed a temperature-induced phase transition at 451 K and pressure-induced phase transitions near 3 and 7 GPa.
Fe(100)–(borazine)n=1–4–Fe(100): a multifunctional spin diode with spin valve action
Authors: Koley Sayantanu , Sen Sabyasachi , Saha Snehasish , Chakrabarti Swapan
Published: April 2016

Borazine and its oligomer can act as multifunctional spin quantum device with simultaneous spin diode and spin valve features.
Effect of doping level of colored TiO2 nanotube arrays fabricated by electrochemical self-doping on electrochemical properties
Authors: Kim Choonsoo , Kim Seonghwan , Hong Sung Pil , Lee Jaehan , Yoon Jeyong
Published: April 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the doping level of blue and black TiO2 NTAs on their electrochemical properties, including the capacitive and oxidant-generating properties.
Observation of stable HO4+ and DO4+ ions from ion–molecule reactions in helium nanodroplets
Authors: Renzler Michael , Ralser Stefan , Kranabetter Lorenz , Barwa Erik , Scheier Paul , Ellis Andrew M.
Published: April 2016

Experimental observation of the enhanced stability of the HO4+ ion has been made in a study using helium nanodroplets.
The internal-strain tensor of crystals for nuclear-relaxed elastic and piezoelectric constants: on the full exploitation of its symmetry features
Authors: Erba Alessandro
Published: April 2016

Symmetry features of the internal-strain tensor of crystals are discussed and a computational approach is devised for their full exploitation in the ab initio calculation of nuclear-relaxed elastic and piezoelectric constants of materials.
In situ temperature measurements of reaction spaces under microwave irradiation using photoluminescent probes
Authors: Ano Taishi , Kishimoto Fuminao , Sasaki Ryo , Tsubaki Shuntaro , Maitani Masato M. , Suzuki Eiichi , Wada Yuji
Published: April 2016

We demonstrate in situ temperature-measurements conducted under microwave irradiation, for obtaining the accurate temperature of chemical reaction nanospaces.
Switchable ionic liquids based on di-carboxylic acids for one-pot conversion of biomass to an advanced biofuel
Authors: Liszka Michael J. , Kang Aram , Konda N. V. S. N. Murthy , Tran Kim , Gladden John M. , Singh Seema , Keasling Jay D. , Scown Corinne D. , Lee Taek Soon , Simmons Blake A. , Sale Kenneth L.
Published: April 2016

We describe a novel class of ionic liquids based on di-carboxylic acids that have high pretreatment efficiency and are compatible with both commercial enzyme mixtures and microbial fermentation host organisms.
3D printed microfluidic devices: enablers and barriers
Authors: Waheed Sidra , Cabot Joan M. , Macdonald Niall P. , Lewis Trevor , Guijt Rosanne M. , Paull Brett , Breadmore Michael C.
Published: April 2016

3D printing has the potential to significantly change the field of microfluidics.
Brønsted base-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of α-ketoesters, imines, and diethyl phosphite utilizing [1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement
Authors: Kondoh Azusa , Terada Masahiro
Published: April 2016

A three-component coupling reaction of α-ketoesters, imines, and diethyl phosphite under Brønsted base catalysis was developed by utilizing the [1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement.
Enantio- and diastereoselective polymerization: asymmetric allylic alkylation catalyzed by a planar-chiral Cp′Ru complex
Authors: Kanbayashi Naoya , Hosoda Kazuki , Okamura Taka-aki , Aoshima Sadahito , Onitsuka Kiyotaka
Published: April 2016

In this study, we examined the regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective polymerization using asymmetric allylic alkylation catalyzed by a planar-chiral cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium (Cp′Ru) complex ((S)-1).
Preparation and properties of nylon 6/sulfonated graphene composites by an in situ polymerization process
Authors: Wang Chunhua , Hu Feng , Yang Kejian , Hu Tianhui , Wang Wenzhi , Deng Rusheng , Jiang Qibin , Zhang Hailiang
Published: April 2016

Nylon 6/sulfonated graphene composites with high thermal conductivity, good mechanical properties and excellent processability were prepared using sulfonated graphene as a precursor by an in situ polymerization process.
Why host to dopant energy transfer is absent in the MgAl2O4:Eu3+ spinel? And exploring Eu3+ site distribution and local symmetry through its photoluminescence: interplay of experiment and theory
Authors: Gupta Santosh K. , Ghosh P. S. , Pathak Nimai , Kadam R. M.
Published: April 2016

Local site occupancy of Eu3+ in combustion synthesized MgAl2O4 spinel and host → Eu3+ energy transfer dynamics is investigated using photoluminescence and DFT calculations.
Expeditious synthesis of the tetrasaccharide cap domain of the Leishmania donovani lipophosphoglycan using one-pot glycosylation reactions
Authors: Mukherjee Mana Mohan , Basu Nabamita , Ghosh Rina
Published: April 2016

Expeditious syntheses of the tetrasaccharide cap related to the lipophosphoglycan ofLeishmania donovaniwere achieved by sequential one-pot glycosylation reactions.
A novel single-phase warm white emission phosphor Sr3YAl2O7.5:Bi3+,Eu3+ with energy transfer for UV white LEDs
Authors: Wang Yichao , Ding Jianyan , Li Yanyan , Yang Linfen , Ding Xin , Wang Yuhua
Published: April 2016

A series of color-tunable warm white-light emitting phosphors Sr3YAl2O7.5:xBi3+, yEu3+.
Electrocatalysis by H2–O2 membrane-free fuel cell enzymes in aqueous microenvironments confined by an ionic liquid
Authors: Wang Yiduo , Esterle Thomas F. , Armstrong Fraser A.
Published: April 2016

A synaptic enzyme fuel cell comprising wet hydrogenase and bilirubin oxidase electrodes surrounded by ionic liquid shell.
Pediatric Audiology Report: Assessment and Revision of an Audiology Report Written to Parents of Children With Hearing Impairment
Authors: Donald Ashleigh J. , Kelly-Campbell Rebecca J.
Published: April 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate a typical pediatric diagnostic audiology report to establish its readability and comprehensibility for parents and, second, to revise the report to improve its readability, as well as the comprehension, sense of self-efficacy, and positive opinions of parent readers.

Method

In Experiment 1, a mock audiology report was evaluated via a readability analysis and semistructured interviews with 5 parents. In Experiment 2, the report was revised using best practice guidelines and parental recommendations from Experiment 1. The revision was verified by randomly assigning 32 new parent participants to read either the revised or unrevised report before their comprehension, self-efficacy, and opinions were assessed.

Results

In Experiment 1, results confirmed that the report was difficult to read and understand. In Experiment 2, parents who read the revised report had significantly greater comprehension, self-efficacy, and opinion ratings than those who read the unrevised report. In addition, the readability of the revised report was markedly improved compared with the unrevised report.

Conclusions

This study shows that pediatric diagnostic audiology reports can be revised to adhere to best practice guidelines and yield improved readability, in addition to improving the comprehension, sense of self-efficacy, and positive opinions of parents of children with hearing impairment.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963664
Hybrid finite element and Brownian dynamics method for charged particles
Authors: Huber Gary A. , Miao Yinglong , Zhou Shenggao , Li Bo , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: April 2016

Diffusion is often the rate-determining step in many biological processes. Currently, the two main computational methods for studying diffusion are stochastic methods, such as Brownian dynamics, and continuum methods, such as the finite element method. A previous study introduced a new hybrid diffusion method that couples the strengths of each of these two methods, but was limited by the lack of interactions among the particles; the force on each particle had to be from an external field. This study further develops the method to allow charged particles. The method is derived for a general multidimensional system and is presented using a basic test case for a one-dimensional linear system with one charged species and a radially symmetric system with three charged species.
High-order rogue wave solutions for the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations-II
Authors: Zhao Li-Chen , Guo Boling , Ling Liming
Published: April 2016

We study on dynamics of high-order rogue wave in two-component coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. Based on the generalized Darboux transformation and formal series method, we obtain the high-order rogue wave solution without the special limitation on the wave vectors. As an application, we exhibit the first, second-order rogue wave solutions and the superposition of them by computer plotting. We find the distribution patterns for vector rogue waves are much more abundant than the ones for scalar rogue waves, and also different from the ones obtained with the constrain conditions on background fields. The results further enrich and deepen our realization on rogue wave excitation dynamics in such diverse fields as Bose-Einstein condensates, nonlinear fibers, and superfluids.
Gyrokinetic particle simulation of beta-induced Alfven-acoustic eigenmode
Authors: Zhang H. S. , Liu Y. Q. , Lin Z. , Zhang W. L.
Published: April 2016

The beta-induced Alfven-acoustic eigenmode (BAAE) in toroidal plasmas is verified and studied by global gyrokinetic particle simulations. When ion temperature is much lower than electron temperature, the existence of the weakly damped BAAE is verified in the simulations using initial perturbation, antenna excitation, and energetic particle excitation, respectively. When the ion temperature is comparable to the electron temperature, the unstable BAAE can be excited by realistic energetic particle density gradient, even though the stable BAAE (in the absence of energetic particles) is heavily damped by the thermal ions. In the simulations with reversed magnetic shear, BAAE frequency sweeping is observed and poloidal mode structure has a triangle shape with a poloidal direction similar to that observed in tokamak experiments. The triangle shape changes the poloidal direction, and no frequency sweeping is found in the simulations with normal magnetic shear.
The structure of a magnetic-field front propagating non-diffusively in low-resistivity multi-species plasma
Authors: Rubinstein B. , Doron R. , Maron Y. , Fruchtman A. , Mehlhorn T. A.
Published: April 2016

We report on the first experimental verification of the traveling-wave-like picture of a magnetic-field and an associated electric potential hill propagating non-diffusively in low resistivity plasma. High spatial resolution spectroscopic method, developed here, allowed for obtaining the detailed shape of the propagating magnetic-field front. The measurements demonstrated that the ion separation, previously claimed, results from the reflection of the higher charge-to-mass ratio ions from the propagating potential hill and from climbing the hill by the lower charge-to-mass ratio ions. This ion dynamics is found to be consistent with the observed electron density evolution.
Remarkable photocurrent in heterojunctions of n-La0.9Hf0.1MnO3/i-SrTiO3/p-Si at room temperature
Authors: Liu Xiangbo , Jin Libin , Lu Huibin , Gao Ju
Published: April 2016

Controllable manipulation for electrical transport in manganite-based heterojunctions have been desired and studied all the time due to their promising applications in electronic and spintronic devices. We report heterojunctions composed by n-type La0.9Hf0.1MnO3 and p-type Si with a SrTiO3 interlayer. The junctions reveal the formation of n-i-p junction in a wide temperature range of 20–300 K. Under illumination of 630 nm light, remarkable photocurrent has been observed. The photosensitivity (IS), defined as the ratio of photocurrent to dark current, reaches over 1200% under −3 V bias and illumination of red light with 10 mW cm−2 at room temperature. Even light power density is as low as 0.2 mW cm−2, IS is still over 200% under −1.5 V bias. The injection of photo-carriers could be responsible for the observed phenomenon. Such manipulative features by light illumination and bias should be of great potential for functional light sensors.
Exchange bias training relaxation in spin glass/ferromagnet bilayers
Authors: Chi Xiaodan , Rui Wenbin , Du Jun , Zhou Shiming , Du An , Hu Yong
Published: April 2016

A canonical spin glass (SG) FeAu layer is fabricated to couple to a soft ferromagnet (FM) FeNi layer. Below the SG freezing temperature, exchange bias (EB) and training are observed. Training in SG/FM bilayers is insensitive to cooling field and may suppress the EB or change the sign of the EB field from negative to positive at specific temperatures, violating from the simple power-law or the single exponential function derived from the antiferromagnet based systems. In view of the SG nature, we employ a double decay model to distinguish the contributions from the SG bulk and the SG/FM interface to training. Dynamical properties during training under different cooling fields and at different temperatures are discussed, and the nonzero shifting coefficient in the time index as a signature of slowing-down decay for SG based systems is interpreted by means of a modified Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm.
Effect of Förster-mediated triplet-polaron quenching and triplet-triplet annihilation on the efficiency roll-off of organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: van Eersel H. , Bobbert P. A. , Janssen R. A. J. , Coehoorn R.
Published: April 2016

We report the results of a systematic study of the interplay of triplet-polaron quenching (TPQ) and triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) on the efficiency roll-off of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with increasing current density. First, we focus on OLEDs based on the green phosphorescent emitter tris[2-phenylpyridine]iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)3) and the red phosphorescent dye platinum octaethylporphyrin. It is found that the experimental data can be reproduced using kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations within which TPQ and TTA are due to a nearest-neighbor (NN) interaction, or due to a more long-range Förster-type process. Furthermore, we find a subtle interplay between TPQ and TTA: decreasing the contribution of one process can increase the contribution of the other process, so that the roll-off is not significantly reduced. Furthermore, we find that just analyzing the shape of the roll-off is insufficient for determining the relative role of TPQ and TTA. Subsequently, we investigate the wider validity of this picture using kMC simulations for idealized but realistic symmetric OLEDs, with an emissive layer containing a small concentration of phosphorescent dye molecules in a matrix material. Whereas for NN-interactions the roll-off can be reduced when the dye molecules act as shallow hole and electron traps, we find that such an approach becomes counterproductive for long-range TTA and TPQ. Developing well-founded OLED design rules will thus require that more quantitative information is available on the rate and detailed mechanism of the TPQ and TTA processes.
Multilayer MgB2 superconducting quantum interference filter magnetometers
Authors: Galan Elias , Melbourne Thomas , Davidson Bruce A. , Xi X. X. , Chen Ke
Published: April 2016

We report two types of all-MgB2 superconductive quantum interference filter (SQIF) magnetometers that can measure absolute magnetic fields with high sensitivity. In one configuration, the SQIFs were made of 20 multilayer nonplanar all-MgB2 superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) connected in parallel with loop areas ranging in size from 0.4 to 3.6 μm2. These devices are sensitive to magnetic fields parallel to the substrate and show a single antipeak from 3 to 16 K with a maximum transfer function of ∼16 V/T at 3 K and a field noise of ∼110 pT/Hz1/2 above 100 Hz at 10 K. In a second configuration, the SQIFs were made with 16 planar SQUIDs connected in parallel with loop areas ranging in size from 4 μm2 to 25 μm2 and are sensitive to the magnetic fields perpendicular to the substrate. The planar SQIF shows a single antipeak from 10 to 22 K with a maximum transfer function of 7800 V/T at 10 K and a field noise of ∼70 pT/Hz1/2 above 100 Hz at 20 K.
Synthesis of gold structures by gold-binding peptide governed by concentration of gold ion and peptide
Authors: Kim Jungok , Kim Dong-Hun , Lee Sylvia J , Rheem Youngwoo , Myung Nosang V , Hur Hor-Gil
Published: April 2016

Although biological synthesis methods for the production of gold structures by microorganisms, plant extracts, proteins, and peptide have recently been introduced, there have been few reports pertaining to controlling their size and morphology. The gold ion and peptide concentrations affected on the size and uniformity of gold plates by a gold-binding peptide Midas-11. The higher concentration of gold ions produced a larger size of gold structures reached 125.5 μm, but an increased amount of Midas-11 produced a smaller size of gold platelets and increased the yield percentage of polygonal gold particles rather than platelets. The mechanisms governing factors controlling the production of gold structures were primarily related to nucleation and growth. These results indicate that the synthesis of gold architectures can be controlled by newly isolated and substituted peptides under different reaction conditions.
Regulating cell–cell junctions from A to Z
Authors: Hardin Jeff
Published: April 2016

Epithelial sheets often present a “cobblestone” appearance, but the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of this arrangement are unclear. In this issue, Choi et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201506115) show that afadin and ZO-1 regulate tension and maintain zonula adherens architecture in response to changes in contractility.
Spatial positioning of CFTR’s pore-lining residues affirms an asymmetrical contribution of transmembrane segments to the anion permeation pathway
Authors: Gao Xiaolong , Hwang Tzyh-Chang
Published: April 2016

The structural composition of CFTR’s anion permeation pathway has been proposed to consist of a short narrow region, flanked by two wide inner and outer vestibules, based on systematic cysteine scanning studies using thiol-reactive probes of various sizes. Although these studies identified several of the transmembrane segments (TMs) as pore lining, the exact spatial relationship between pore-lining elements remains under debate. Here, we introduce cysteine pairs in several key pore-lining positions in TM1, 6, and 12 and use Cd2+ as a probe to gauge the spatial relationship of these residues within the pore. We find that inhibition of single cysteine CFTR mutants, such as 102C in TM1 or 341C in TM6, by intracellular Cd2+ is readily reversible upon removal of the metal ion. However, the inhibitory effect of Cd2+ on the double mutant 102C/341C requires the chelating agent dithiothreitol (DTT) for rapid reversal, indicating that 102C and 341C are close enough to the internal edge of the narrow region to coordinate one Cd2+ ion between them. We observe similar effects of extracellular Cd2+ on TM1/TM6 cysteine pairs 106C/337C, 107C/337C, and 107C/338C, corroborating the idea that these paired residues are physically close to each other at the external edge of the narrow region. Although these data paint a picture of relatively symmetrical contributions to CFTR’s pore by TM1 and TM6, introducing cysteine pairs between TM6 and TM12 (348C/1141C, 348C/1144C, and 348C/1145C) or between TM1 and TM12 (95C/1141C) yields results that contest the long-held principle of twofold pseudo-symmetry in the assembly of ABC transporters’ TMs. Collectively, these findings not only advance our current understanding of the architecture of CFTR’s pore, but could serve as a guide for refining computational models of CFTR by imposing physical constraints among pore-lining residues.
Extraordinarily high conductivity of flexible adhesive films by hybrids of silver nanoparticle–nanowires
Authors: Ajmal C Muhammed , Menamparambath Mini Mol , Choi Hyouk Ryeol , Baik Seunghyun
Published: April 2016

Highly conductive flexible adhesive (CFA) film was developed using micro-sized silver flakes (primary fillers), hybrids of silver nanoparticle–nanowires (secondary fillers) and nitrile butadiene rubber. The hybrids of silver nanoparticle–nanowires were synthesized by decorating silver nanowires with silver nanoparticle clusters using bifunctional cysteamine as a linker. The dispersion in ethanol was excellent for several months. Silver nanowires constructed electrical networks between the micro-scale silver flakes. The low-temperature surface sintering of silver nanoparticles enabled effective joining of silver nanowires to silver flakes. The hybrids of silver nanoparticle–nanowires provided a greater maximum conductivity (54 390 S cm−1) than pure silver nanowires, pure multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles in nitrile butadiene rubber matrix. The resistance change was smallest upon bending when the hybrids of silver nanoparticle–nanowires were employed. The adhesion of the film on polyethylene terephthalate substrate was excellent. Light emitting diodes were successfully wired to the CFA circuit patterned by the screen printing method for application demonstration.
Higher order symmetries of real hypersurfaces in ℂ³
Authors: Kolar Martin , Meylan Francine
Published: April 2016

We study nonlinear automorphisms of Levi degenerate hypersurfaces of finite multitype. By results of Kolar, Meylan, and Zaitsev in 2014, the Lie algebra of infinitesimal CR automorphisms may contain a graded component consisting of nonlinear vector fields of arbitrarily high degree, which has no analog in the classical Levi nondegenerate case, or in the case of finite type hypersurfaces in

C

2

\mathbb C^2

. We analyze this phenomenon for hypersurfaces of finite Catlin multitype with holomorphically nondegenerate models in complex dimension three. The results provide a complete classification of such manifolds. As a consequence, we show on which hypersurfaces 2-jets are not sufficient to determine an automorphism. The results also confirm a conjecture about the origin of nonlinear automorphisms of Levi degenerate hypersurfaces, formulated by the first author for an AIM workshop in 2010.