bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents: a multi-national comparison of eleven countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Al Ani M. F. , Al Subhi L. K. , Bose S.
Published: January 2016

Regional cross-country profile of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This study examines the prevalence and differences of consuming F&V ≥5 times/d among adolescents in eleven EMR countries, and also describes differences in the proportions of taking F&V ≥5 times/d by sex, age and BMI. The study included 26 328 school adolescents (13–15 years) with complete data on consumption of F&V, age, sex, weight and height taken from the Global School-based Student Health Survey conducted in the EMR between 2005 and 2009. Overall, only 19·4 % of adolescents reported consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. The highest prevalence was reported in Djibouti (40·4 %) and the lowest was reported in Pakistan (10·0 %). Statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed across countries (P<0·05). With the exception of Oman, Libya and Djibouti, significantly more males than females ate F&V ≥5 times/d. Proportion of students consuming F&V ≥5 times/d also varied significantly in all counties based on BMI (P<0·0001), with students within normal BMI having the highest frequency. A negative trend was observed between age and the prevalence of taking F&V ≥5 times/d in most of the eleven EMR countries but Jordan, Djibouti and Morocco. The prevalence of adequate intake of F&V was low in the eleven EMR countries. There is a need for interventions to increase the prevalence of adolescents consuming F&V ≥5 times/d. Interventions should take into consideration psychosocial, environmental and socio-environmental factors influencing F&V intake within countries.
Plasmodium knowlesi transmission: integrating quantitative approaches from epidemiology and ecology to understand malaria as a zoonosis
Authors: BROCK P. M. , FORNACE K. M. , PARMITER M. , COX J. , DRAKELEY C. J. , FERGUSON H. M. , KAO R. R.
Published: January 2016

The public health threat posed by zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi appears to be growing: it is increasingly reported across South East Asia, and is the leading cause of malaria in Malaysian Borneo. Plasmodium knowlesi threatens progress towards malaria elimination as aspects of its transmission, such as spillover from wildlife reservoirs and reliance on outdoor-biting vectors, may limit the effectiveness of conventional methods of malaria control. The development of new quantitative approaches that address the ecological complexity of P. knowlesi, particularly through a focus on its primary reservoir hosts, will be required to control it. Here, we review what is known about P. knowlesi transmission, identify key knowledge gaps in the context of current approaches to transmission modelling, and discuss the integration of these approaches with clinical parasitology and geostatistical analysis. We highlight the need to incorporate the influences of fine-scale spatial variation, rapid changes to the landscape, and reservoir population and transmission dynamics. The proposed integrated approach would address the unique challenges posed by malaria as a zoonosis, aid the identification of transmission hotspots, provide insight into the mechanistic links between incidence and land use change and support the design of appropriate interventions.
“THE DEVIL'S CODE OF HONOR”: FRENCH INVASION AND THE RETURN OF HISTORY IN VANITY FAIR
Authors: Heitzman Matthew
Published: January 2016

The final chapter ofVanity Fair's account of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo opens with a scene of public panic in the streets of Brussels. As French cannons sound just outside of the Belgian capital, Thackeray captures the chaos that ensues as the English men and women, who have accompanied the army to Brussels and remained in the city during the battle, begin to receive reports that Napoleon's forces have defeated the Duke of Wellington's army and are marching on the city. Rumor reigns in Brussels as the English civilians seek out one another for increasingly inaccurate reports on the French progress towards the city, and civil tranquility collapses as the public consensus becomes that French forces will soon invade.
Demographically Corrected Normative Standards for the Spanish Language Version of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery
Authors: Casaletto Kaitlin B. , Umlauf Anya , Marquine Maria , Beaumont Jennifer L. , Mungas Daniel , Gershon Richard , Slotkin Jerry , Akshoomoff Natacha , Heaton Robert K.
Published: January 2016

Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnicity in the United States, yet there are limited well-validated neuropsychological tools in Spanish, and an even greater paucity of normative standards representing this population. The Spanish NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) is a novel neurocognitive screener; however, the original norms were developed combining Spanish- and English-versions of the battery. We developed normative standards for the Spanish NIHTB-CB, fully adjusting for demographic variables and based entirely on a Spanish-speaking sample. A total of 408 Spanish-speaking neurologically healthy adults (ages 18–85 years) and 496 children (ages 3–7 years) completed the NIH Toolbox norming project. We developed three types of scores: uncorrected based on the entire Spanish-speaking cohort, age-corrected, and fully demographically corrected (age, education, sex) scores for each of the seven NIHTB-CB tests and three composites (Fluid, Crystallized, Total Composites). Corrected scores were developed using polynomial regression models. Demographic factors demonstrated medium-to-large effects on uncorrected NIHTB-CB scores in a pattern that differed from that observed on the English NIHTB-CB. For example, in Spanish-speaking adults, education was more strongly associated with Fluid scores, but showed the strongest association with Crystallized scores among English-speaking adults. Demographic factors were no longer associated with fully corrected scores. The original norms were not successful in eliminating demographic effects, overestimating children’s performances, and underestimating adults’ performances on the Spanish NIHTB-CB. The disparate pattern of demographic associations on the SpanishversusEnglish NIHTB-CB supports the need for distinct normative standards developed separately for each population. Fully adjusted scores presented here will aid in more accurately characterizing acquired brain dysfunction among U.S. Spanish-speakers. (JINS, 2016,21, 364–374)
NONSEPARABLE PREFERENCES DO NOT RULE OUT AGGREGATE INSTABILITY UNDER BALANCED-BUDGET RULES: A NOTE
Authors: Abad Nicolas , Seegmuller Thomas , Venditti Alain
Published: January 2016

We investigate the role of nonseparable preferences in the occurrence of macroeconomic instability under a balanced-budget rule where government spending is financed by a tax on labor income. Considering a one-sector neoclassical growth model with a large class of nonseparable utility functions, we find that expectations-driven fluctuations occur easily when consumption and labor are Edgeworth substitutes or weak Edgeworth complements. Under these assumptions, an intermediate range of tax rates and a sufficiently low elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption lead to instability.
Longitudinal study of psychopathological, anthropometric and sociodemographic factors related to the level of Mediterranean diet adherence in a community sample of Spanish adolescents
Authors: Voltas Núria , Arija Victoria , Aparicio Estefania , Canals Josefa
Published: January 2016

Objective

The Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern has important health benefits; however, it seems that Spanish school-aged children have been abandoning this healthy pattern recently. We aimed to identify psychopathological, anthropometric and sociodemographic factors that may influence the risk of low MD adherence.

Design

Longitudinal study in three phases. MD adherence was assessed using the Krece Plus food questionnaire and psychopathological symptoms using the Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, Children’s Depression Inventory, Youth’s Inventory-4 and Eating Disorder Inventory-2. Anthropometric data were collected in the first and third phases.

Settings

All five representative areas in Reus, Spain.

Subjects

Adolescents (n241).

Results

Regardless of past and current BMI, socio-economic status was a protective factor for low MD adherence (OR=0·805,P=0·003) and a risk factor for high BMI (OR=0·718,P=0·002; OR=0·707,P=0·001). Regardless of socio-economic status, depression was involved with risk of low adherence (OR=1·069,P=0·021). Girls with lower MD adherence presented significantly higher scores for eating disorders measured using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (low adherence, mean 18·9 (sd13·5); high adherence, mean 8·9 (sd9·0),P=0·020) and the Youth Inventory-4 (low adherence, mean 5·2 (sd4·3); medium adherence, mean 3·6 (sd3·2),P=0·044). They also presented higher depression symptoms (low adherence, mean 17·7 (sd9·6); medium adherence, mean 12·3 (sd7·2),P=0·01) than girls with high adherence.

Conclusions

The results highlight the influence of psychosocial factors on levels of MD adherence. These factors need to be taken into account when developing prevention and health promotion initiatives.
School staff, parent and student perceptions of a Breakfast in the Classroom model during initial implementation
Authors: Folta Sara C , Carmichael Djang Holly , Halmo Megan , Metayer Nesly , Blondin Stacy A , Smith Kathleen S , Economos Christina D
Published: January 2016

Objective

To understand perspectives of stakeholders during initial district-wide implementation of a Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) model of the School Breakfast Program.

Design

Qualitative data were collected from twenty-nine focus groups and twenty interviews with stakeholders in a school district early in the process of implementing a BIC model of the School Breakfast Program.

Setting

Ten elementary schools within a large, urban school district in the USA that served predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minority students.

Subjects

Purposively selected stakeholders in elementary schools that had implemented BIC for 3–6 months: students (n 85), parents/guardians (n 86), classroom teachers (n 44), cafeteria managers (n 10) and principals (n 10).

Results

Four primary themes emerged, which were interpreted based on the Diffusion of Innovations model. School staff had changed their perceptions of both the relative disadvantages and costs related to time and effort of BIC over time; the majority of each stakeholder group expressed an appreciation for BIC; student breakfast consumption varied from day to day, related to compatibility of foods with child preferences; and stakeholders held mixed and various impressions of BIC’s potential impacts.

Conclusions

The study underscores the importance of engaging school staff and parents in discussions of BIC programming prior to its initiation to pre-emptively address concerns related to cost, relative disadvantages and compatibility with child preferences and school routines/workflow. Effectively communicating with stakeholders about positive impacts and nutritional value of the meals may improve support for BIC. These findings provide new information to policy makers, districts and practitioners that can be used to improve implementation efforts, model delivery and outcomes.
Cytotoxicity of crystals involves RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis
Authors: Mulay Shrikant R. , Desai Jyaysi , Kumar Santhosh V. , Eberhard Jonathan N. , Thomasova Dana , Romoli Simone , Grigorescu Melissa , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Popper Bastian , Vielhauer Volker , Zuchtriegel Gabriele , Reichel Christoph , Bräsen Jan Hinrich , Romagnani Paola , Bilyy Rostyslav , Munoz Luis E. , Herrmann Martin , Liapis Helen , Krautwald Stefan , Linkermann Andreas , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2016

Crystals cause injury in numerous disorders, and induce inflammation via the NLRP3 inflammasome, however, it remains unclear how crystals induce cell death. Here we report that crystals of calcium oxalate, monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and cystine trigger caspase-independent cell death in five different cell types, which is blocked by necrostatin-1. RNA interference for receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) or mixed lineage kinase domain like (MLKL), two core proteins of the necroptosis pathway, blocks crystal cytotoxicity. Consistent with this, deficiency of RIPK3 or MLKL prevents oxalate crystal-induced acute kidney injury. The related tissue inflammation drives TNF-α-related necroptosis. Also in human oxalate crystal-related acute kidney injury, dying tubular cells stain positive for phosphorylated MLKL. Furthermore, necrostatin-1 and necrosulfonamide, an inhibitor for human MLKL suppress crystal-induced cell death in human renal progenitor cells. Together, TNF-α/TNFR1, RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL are molecular targets to limit crystal-induced cytotoxicity, tissue injury and organ failure.
Spontaneous liquid crystal and ferromagnetic ordering of colloidal magnetic nanoplates
Authors: Shuai M. , Klittnick A. , Shen Y. , Smith G. P. , Tuchband M. R. , Zhu C. , Petschek R. G. , Mertelj A. , Lisjak D. , Čopič M. , Maclennan J. E. , Glaser M. A. , Clark N. A.
Published: January 2016

Ferrofluids are familiar as colloidal suspensions of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in aqueous or organic solvents. The dispersed particles are randomly oriented but their moments become aligned if a magnetic field is applied, producing a variety of exotic and useful magnetomechanical effects. A longstanding interest and challenge has been to make such suspensions macroscopically ferromagnetic, that is having uniform magnetic alignment in the absence of a field. Here we report a fluid suspension of magnetic nanoplates that spontaneously aligns into an equilibrium nematic liquid crystal phase that is also macroscopically ferromagnetic. Its zero-field magnetization produces distinctive magnetic self-interaction effects, including liquid crystal textures of fluid block domains arranged in closed flux loops, and makes this phase highly sensitive, with it dramatically changing shape even in the Earth’s magnetic field.
Correction: Corrigendum: High-performance n-type black phosphorus transistors with type control via thickness and contact-metal engineering
Authors: Perello David J. , Chae Sang Hoon , Song Seunghyun , Lee Young Hee
Published: January 2016

Nature Communications 6, Article number: 7809 (2015); Published 30 July 2015; Updated 28 January 2016 In Fig. 3 of this article, there are a number of errors in the colours used for the data points and curves. In Fig. 3b, the blue data should be green, referring to a thickness of ‘3.5 nm’, and the green data should be blue, referring to a thickness of ‘8 nm’.
SCFCyclin F-dependent degradation of CDC6 suppresses DNA re-replication
Authors: Walter David , Hoffmann Saskia , Komseli Eirini-Stavroula , Rappsilber Juri , Gorgoulis Vassilis , Sørensen Claus Storgaard
Published: January 2016

Maintenance of genome stability requires that DNA is replicated precisely once per cell cycle. This is believed to be achieved by limiting replication origin licensing and thereby restricting the firing of each replication origin to once per cell cycle. CDC6 is essential for eukaryotic replication origin licensing, however, it is poorly understood how CDC6 activity is constrained in higher eukaryotes. Here we report that the SCFCyclin F ubiquitin ligase complex prevents DNA re-replication by targeting CDC6 for proteasomal degradation late in the cell cycle. We show that CDC6 and Cyclin F interact through defined sequence motifs that promote CDC6 ubiquitylation and degradation. Absence of Cyclin F or expression of a stable mutant of CDC6 promotes re-replication and genome instability in cells lacking the CDT1 inhibitor Geminin. Together, our work reveals a novel SCFCyclin F-mediated mechanism required for precise once per cell cycle replication.
Toughness and strength of nanocrystalline graphene
Authors: Shekhawat Ashivni , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: January 2016

Pristine monocrystalline graphene is claimed to be the strongest material known with remarkable mechanical and electrical properties. However, graphene made with scalable fabrication techniques is polycrystalline and contains inherent nanoscale line and point defects—grain boundaries and grain-boundary triple junctions—that lead to significant statistical fluctuations in toughness and strength. These fluctuations become particularly pronounced for nanocrystalline graphene where the density of defects is high. Here we use large-scale simulation and continuum modelling to show that the statistical variation in toughness and strength can be understood with ‘weakest-link’ statistics. We develop the first statistical theory of toughness in polycrystalline graphene, and elucidate the nanoscale origins of the grain-size dependence of its strength and toughness. Our results should lead to more reliable graphene device design, and provide a framework to interpret experimental results in a broad class of two-dimensional materials.
PtrWRKY19, a novel WRKY transcription factor, contributes to the regulation of pith secondary wall formation in Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Yang Li , Zhao Xin , Yang Fan , Fan Di , Jiang Yuanzhong , Luo Keming
Published: January 2016

WRKY proteins are one of the largest transcription factor families in higher plants and play diverse roles in various biological processes. Previous studies have shown that some WRKY members act as negative regulators of secondary cell wall formation in pith parenchyma cells. However, the regulatory mechanism of pith secondary wall formation in tree species remains largely unknown. In this study, PtrWRKY19 encoding a homolog of Arabidopsis WRKY12 was isolated from Populus trichocarpa. PtrWRKY19 was expressed in all tissues tested, with highest expression in stems, especially in pith. PtrWRKY19 was located in the nucleus and functioned as a transcriptional repressor. Ectopic expression of PtrWRKY19 in an atwrky12 mutant successfully rescued the phenotype in pith cell walls caused by the defect of AtWRKY12, suggesting that PtrWRKY19 had conserved functions for homologous AtWRKY12. Overexpression of PtrWRKY19 in poplar plants led to a significant increase in the number of pith parenchyma cells. qRT-PCR analysis showed that lignin biosynthesis-related genes were repressed in transgenic plants. In transcient reporter assays, PtrWRKY19 was identified to repress transcription from the PtoC4H2 promoter containing the conserved W-box elements. These results indicated that PtrWRKY19 may function as a negative regulator of pith secondary wall formation in poplar.
Characterization of cosmetic sticks at Xiaohe Cemetery in early Bronze Age Xinjiang, China
Authors: Mai Huijuan , Yang Yimin , Abuduresule Idelisi , Li Wenying , Hu Xingjun , Wang Changsui
Published: January 2016

Cosmetics have been studied for a long time in the society and culture research and its consumption is regarded as a cultural symbol of human society. This paper focuses on the analysis of the red cosmetic sticks, found in Xiaohe Cemetery (1980–1450BC), Xinjiang, China. The structure of the red cosmetic sticks was disclosed by SR-μCT scanning (Synchrotron Radiation Micro-computed Tomography), while the chemical components were characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), Raman Spectroscopy and Proteomics. The results suggested that the cosmetic sticks were made from the cattle heart and covered with a layer of hematite powders as the pigment. Given the numerous red painted relics in Xiaohe Cemetery, this kind of cosmetic sticks might be used as a primitive form of crayon for makeup and painting. The usage of cattle hearts as cosmetic sticks is firstly reported up to our knowledge, which not only reveals the varied utilizations of cattle in Xiaohe Cemetery but also shows the distinctive religious function. Furthermore, these red cosmetic sticks were usually buried with women, implying that the woman may be the painter and play a special role in religious activities.
Haematuria on the Spanish Registry of Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Yuste Claudia , Rivera Francisco , Moreno Juan Antonio , López-Gómez Juan Manuel
Published: January 2016

Recent studies suggest a pathogenic role for glomerular haematuria among renal function. However, there is no data on the prevalence of haematuria from a large renal biopsy registry. We analysed the prevalence of gross (GH) and microscopic (mH) haematuria in 19,895 patients that underwent native renal biopsies from the Spanish Registry of Glomerulonephritis. Haematuria’s overall incidence was 63% (GH 8.6% and mH 55.1%), being more frequent in males (64.7% vs. 62.4%). GH was more prevalent in patients <18 years (21.3% vs. 7.7%). The commonest clinical presentation associated with GH was acute kidney injury (31.5%) and IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) (33.6%) was the most frequent histological finding. GH patients showed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower eGFR and proteinuria levels as compared with patients with mH and without haematuria. Moreover, mH was more prevalent in adults (56.3%). Nephrotic syndrome was the commonest clinical presentation in mH patients (32.2%) and IgAN (18.5%) the most frequent histological finding. In conclusion, haematuria, is a frequent urinalysis finding in patients underwent native renal biopsy. The most frequent histological finding in both GH and mH is IgAN. Whereas, GH is more frequent in young males with acute kidney injury, mH is commoner among adults with nephrotic syndrome.
Oral propranolol combined with topical timolol for compound infantile hemangiomas: a retrospective study
Authors: Ge Jing , Zheng Jiawei , Zhang Ling , Yuan Weien , Zhao Haiguang
Published: January 2016

Compound infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are problematic and usually require intervention. This retrospective study aimed to introduce a combined therapy of oral propranolol and topical timolol and evaluate its efficacy and safety. Eighty-nine infants with compound IHs were treated with oral propranolol 2 mg/kg/day divided 2 times per day and timolol maleate 0.5% gel 3 times per day, for at least 3 months. Two observers evaluated the hemangioma independently at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 months after the initiation of treatment. Changes in the hemangioma score values were evaluated using paired t test. Rebound growth and adverse effects were recorded. After treatment was completed, this combined therapy achieved clinical response in 100% of the patients (89/89). Significant positive effects were demonstrated at 1, 3, 6 months (p < 0.001), but not obvious after 6 months (p = 0.06). The response of IHs to the therapy was depending on the age at initial treatment. The average treatment duration was 6.48 (5.77–7.19) months. One patient (1.1%) relapsed after cessation of 6-month treatment and 7 children (7.8%) developed side effects. Our study suggested that oral propranolol combined with topical timolol treatment is very effective and well-tolerated for compound IHs, which can be used as a first line treatment.
Explosive Contagion in Networks
Authors: Gómez-Gardeñes J. , Lotero L. , Taraskin S. N. , Pérez-Reche F. J.
Published: January 2016

The spread of social phenomena such as behaviors, ideas or products is an ubiquitous but remarkably complex phenomenon. A successful avenue to study the spread of social phenomena relies on epidemic models by establishing analogies between the transmission of social phenomena and infectious diseases. Such models typically assume simple social interactions restricted to pairs of individuals; effects of the context are often neglected. Here we show that local synergistic effects associated with acquaintances of pairs of individuals can have striking consequences on the spread of social phenomena at large scales. The most interesting predictions are found for a scenario in which the contagion ability of a spreader decreases with the number of ignorant individuals surrounding the target ignorant. This mechanism mimics ubiquitous situations in which the willingness of individuals to adopt a new product depends not only on the intrinsic value of the product but also on whether his acquaintances will adopt this product or not. In these situations, we show that the typically smooth (second order) transitions towards large social contagion become explosive (first order). The proposed synergistic mechanisms therefore explain why ideas, rumours or products can suddenly and sometimes unexpectedly catch on.
Characterization of the GntR family regulator HpaR1 of the crucifer black rot pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris
Authors: Su Hui-Zhao , Wu Liu , Qi Yan-Hua , Liu Guo-Fang , Lu Guang-Tao , Tang Ji-Liang
Published: January 2016

The GntR family transcription regulator HpaR1 identified from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris has been previously shown to positively regulate the genes responsible for hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity and to autorepress its own expression. Here, we demonstrated that HpaR1 is a global regulator that positively regulates diverse biological processes, including xanthan polysaccharide production, extracellular enzyme activity, cell motility and tolerance to various stresses. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of HpaR1, we began with xanthan polysaccharide production, which is governed by a cluster of gum genes. These are directed by the gumB promoter. Disruption of HpaR1 significantly reduced gumB transcription and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that HpaR1 interacts directly with gumB promoter. DNase I footprint analysis revealed that HpaR1 and RNA polymerase were bound to the sequences extending from −21 to +10 and −41 to +29 relative to the transcription initiation site of gumB, respectively. Furthermore, in vitro transcription assays showed that HpaR1 facilitated the binding of RNA polymerase to gumB promoter, leading to an enhancement of its transcription. These results suggest that HpaR1 regulates gumB transcription via a mechanism similar but different to what was found, until now, to only be used by some MerR family transcription activators.
Effects of strain relaxation in Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films probed by polarization dependent X-ray absorption near edge structure
Authors: Zhang Bangmin , Chen Jingsheng , Yang Ping , Chi Xiao , Lin Weinan , Venkatesan T. , Sun Cheng-Jun , Heald Steve M. , Chow Gan Moog
Published: January 2016

The Mn K edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 films with different thicknesses on (001) LaAlO3 substrate was measured and the effects of strain relaxation on film properties were investigated. The films showed in-plane compressive and out-of-plane tensile strains. Strain relaxation occurred with increasing film thickness, affecting both lattice constant and MnO6 octahedral rotation. In polarization dependent XANES measurements using in-plane (parallel) and out-of-plane (perpendicular) geometries, the different values of absorption resonance energy Er confirmed the film anisotropy. The values of Er along these two directions shifted towards each other with increasing film thickness. Correlating with X-ray diffraction (XRD) results it is suggested that the strain relaxation decreased the local anisotropy and corresponding probability of electronic charge transfer between Mn 3d and O 2p orbitals along the in-plane and out-of-plane directions. The XANES results were used to explain the film-thickness dependent magnetic and transport properties.
Ultrafast strong-field photoelectron emission from biased metal surfaces: exact solution to time-dependent Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Zhang Peng , Lau Y. Y.
Published: January 2016

Laser-driven ultrafast electron emission offers the possibility of manipulation and control of coherent electron motion in ultrashort spatiotemporal scales. Here, an analytical solution is constructed for the highly nonlinear electron emission from a dc biased metal surface illuminated by a single frequency laser, by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation exactly. The solution is valid for arbitrary combinations of dc electric field, laser electric field, laser frequency, metal work function and Fermi level. Various emission mechanisms, such as multiphoton absorption or emission, optical or dc field emission, are all included in this single formulation. The transition between different emission processes is analyzed in detail. The time-dependent emission current reveals that intense current modulation may be possible even with a low intensity laser, by merely increasing the applied dc bias. The results provide insights into the electron pulse generation and manipulation for many novel applications based on ultrafast laser-induced electron emission.
Continuous particle separation using pressure-driven flow-induced miniaturizing free-flow electrophoresis (PDF-induced μ-FFE)
Authors: Jeon Hyungkook , Kim Youngkyu , Lim Geunbae
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we introduce pressure-driven flow-induced miniaturizing free-flow electrophoresis (PDF-induced μ-FFE), a novel continuous separation method. In our separation system, the external flow and electric field are applied to particles, such that particle movement is affected by pressure-driven flow, electroosmosis and electrophoresis. We then analyzed the hydrodynamic drag force and electrophoretic force applied to the particles in opposite directions. Based on this analysis, micro- and nano-sized particles were separated according to their electrophoretic mobilities with high separation efficiency. Because the separation can be achieved in a simple T-shaped microchannel, without the use of internal electrodes, it offers the advantages of low-cost, simple device fabrication and bubble-free operation, compared with conventional μ-FFE methods. Therefore, we expect the proposed separation method to have a wide range of filtering/separation applications in biochemical analysis.
Wind-blown Sand Electrification Inspired Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Based on Homogeneous Inorganic Materials Contact: A Theoretical Study and Prediction
Authors: Hu Wenwen , Wu Weiwei , Zhou Hao-miao
Published: January 2016

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on contact electrification between heterogeneous materials has been widely studied. Inspired from wind-blown sand electrification, we design a novel kind of TENG based on size dependent electrification using homogeneous inorganic materials. Based on the asymmetric contact theory between homogeneous material surfaces, a calculation of surface charge density has been carried out. Furthermore, the theoretical output of homogeneous material based TENG has been simulated. Therefore, this work may pave the way of fabricating TENG without the limitation of static sequence.
Cross-protection induced by Japanese encephalitis vaccines against different genotypes of Dengue viruses in mice
Authors: Li Jieqiong , Gao Na , Fan Dongying , Chen Hui , Sheng Ziyang , Fu Shihong , Liang Guodong , An Jing
Published: January 2016

Dengue viruses (DENVs) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) are closely related mosquito-borne flaviviruses that cause very high global disease burdens. Although cross-reactivity and cross-protection within flaviviruses have been demonstrated, the effect of JEV vaccination on susceptibility to DENV infection has not been well elucidated. In this study, we found that vaccination with the JEV inactivated vaccine (INV) and live attenuated vaccine (LAV) could induce cross-immune responses and cross-protection against DENV1-4 in mice. Despite the theoretical risk of immune enhancement, no increased mortality was observed in our mouse model. Additionally, low but consistently detectable cross-neutralizing antibodies against DENV2 and DENV3 were also observed in the sera of JEV vaccine-immunized human donors. The results suggested that both JEV-LAV and JEV-INV could elicit strong cross-immunity and protection against DENVs, indicating that inoculation with JEV vaccines may influence the distribution of DENVs in co-circulated areas and that the cross-protection induced by JEV vaccines against DENVs might provide important information in terms of DENV prevention.
Eco-friendly streamlined process for sporopollenin exine capsule extraction
Authors: Mundargi Raghavendra C. , Potroz Michael G. , Park Jae Hyeon , Seo Jeongeun , Tan Ee-Lin , Lee Jae Ho , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: January 2016

Sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) extracted from Lycopodium clavatum spores are an attractive biomaterial possessing a highly robust structure suitable for microencapsulation strategies. Despite several decades of research into SEC extraction methods, the protocols commonly used for L. clavatum still entail processing with both alkaline and acidolysis steps at temperatures up to 180 °C and lasting up to 7 days. Herein, we demonstrate a significantly streamlined processing regimen, which indicates that much lower temperatures and processing durations can be used without alkaline lysis. By employing CHN elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and dynamic image particle analysis (DIPA), the optimum conditions for L. clavatum SEC processing were determined to include 30 hours acidolysis at 70 °C without alkaline lysis. Extending these findings to proof-of-concept encapsulation studies, we further demonstrate that our SECs are able to achieve a loading of 0.170 ± 0.01 g BSA per 1 g SECs by vacuum-assisted loading. Taken together, our streamlined processing method and corresponding characterization of SECs provides important insights for the development of applications including drug delivery, cosmetics, personal care products and foods.
High efficiency integration of three-dimensional functional microdevices inside a microfluidic chip by using femtosecond laser multifoci parallel microfabrication
Authors: Xu Bing , Du Wen-Qiang , Li Jia-Wen , Hu Yan-Lei , Yang Liang , Zhang Chen-Chu , Li Guo-Qiang , Lao Zhao-Xin , Ni Jin-Cheng , Chu Jia-Ru , Wu Dong , Liu Su-Ling , Sugioka Koji
Published: January 2016

High efficiency fabrication and integration of three-dimension (3D) functional devices in Lab-on-a-chip systems are crucial for microfluidic applications. Here, a spatial light modulator (SLM)-based multifoci parallel femtosecond laser scanning technology was proposed to integrate microstructures inside a given ‘Y’ shape microchannel. The key novelty of our approach lies on rapidly integrating 3D microdevices inside a microchip for the first time, which significantly reduces the fabrication time. The high quality integration of various 2D-3D microstructures was ensured by quantitatively optimizing the experimental conditions including prebaking time, laser power and developing time. To verify the designable and versatile capability of this method for integrating functional 3D microdevices in microchannel, a series of microfilters with adjustable pore sizes from 12.2 μm to 6.7 μm were fabricated to demonstrate selective filtering of the polystyrene (PS) particles and cancer cells with different sizes. The filter can be cleaned by reversing the flow and reused for many times. This technology will advance the fabrication technique of 3D integrated microfluidic and optofluidic chips.
Air-mode photonic crystal ring resonator on silicon-on-insulator
Authors: Gao Ge , Zhang Yong , Zhang He , Wang Yi , Huang Qingzhong , Xia Jinsong
Published: January 2016

In this report, we propose and demonstrate an air-mode photonic crystal ring resonator (PhCRR) on silicon-on-insulator platform. Air mode is utilized to confine the optical field into photonic crystal (PhC) air holes, which is confirmed by the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulation. PhCRR structure is employed to enhance the light-matter interaction through combining the whispering-gallery mode resonance of ring resonator with the slow-light effect in PhC waveguide. In the simulated and measured transmission spectra of air-mode PhCRR, nonuniform free spectral ranges are observed near the Brillouin zone edge of PhC, indicating the presence of the slow-light effect. A maximum group index of 27.3 and a highest quality factor of 14600 are experimentally obtained near the band edge. Benefiting from the strong optical confinement in the PhC holes and enhanced light-matter interaction in the resonator, the demonstrated air-mode PhCRR is expected to have potential applications in refractive index sensing, on-chip light emitting and nonlinear optics by integration with functional materials.
Bio-inspired Plasmonic Nanoarchitectured Hybrid System Towards Enhanced Far Red-to-Near Infrared Solar Photocatalysis
Authors: Yan Runyu , Chen Min , Zhou Han , Liu Tian , Tang Xingwei , Zhang Ke , Zhu Hanxing , Ye Jinhua , Zhang Di , Fan Tongxiang
Published: January 2016

Solar conversion to fuels or to electricity in semiconductors using far red-to-near infrared (NIR) light, which accounts for about 40% of solar energy, is highly significant. One main challenge is the development of novel strategies for activity promotion and new basic mechanisms for NIR response. Mother Nature has evolved to smartly capture far red-to-NIR light via their intelligent systems due to unique micro/nanoarchitectures, thus motivating us for biomimetic design. Here we report the first demonstration of a new strategy, based on adopting nature’s far red-to-NIR responsive architectures for an efficient bio-inspired photocatalytic system. The system is constructed by controlled assembly of light-harvesting plasmonic nanoantennas onto a typical photocatalytic unit with butterfly wings’ 3D micro/nanoarchitectures. Experiments and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations demonstrate the structural effects on obvious far red-to-NIR photocatalysis enhancement, which originates from (1) Enhancing far red-to-NIR (700~1200 nm) harvesting, up to 25%. (2) Enhancing electric-field amplitude of localized surface plasmon (LSPs) to more than 3.5 times than that of the non-structured one, which promotes the rate of electron-hole pair formation, thus substantially reinforcing photocatalysis. This proof-of-concept study provides a new methodology for NIR photocatalysis and would potentially guide future conceptually new NIR responsive system designs.
Alterations of the cytoskeleton in human cells in space proved by life-cell imaging
Authors: Corydon Thomas J. , Kopp Sascha , Wehland Markus , Braun Markus , Schütte Andreas , Mayer Tobias , Hülsing Thomas , Oltmann Hergen , Schmitz Burkhard , Hemmersbach Ruth , Grimm Daniela
Published: January 2016

Microgravity induces changes in the cytoskeleton. This might have an impact on cells and organs of humans in space. Unfortunately, studies of cytoskeletal changes in microgravity reported so far are obligatorily based on the analysis of fixed cells exposed to microgravity during a parabolic flight campaign (PFC). This study focuses on the development of a compact fluorescence microscope (FLUMIAS) for fast live-cell imaging under real microgravity. It demonstrates the application of the instrument for on-board analysis of cytoskeletal changes in FTC-133 cancer cells expressing the Lifeact-GFP marker protein for the visualization of F-actin during the 24th DLR PFC and TEXUS 52 rocket mission. Although vibration is an inevitable part of parabolic flight maneuvers, we successfully for the first time report life-cell cytoskeleton imaging during microgravity and gene expression analysis after the 31st parabola showing a clear up-regulation of cytoskeletal genes. Notably, during the rocket flight the FLUMIAS microscope reveals significant alterations of the cytoskeleton related to microgravity. Our findings clearly demonstrate the applicability of the FLUMIAS microscope for life-cell imaging during microgravity, rendering it an important technological advance in live-cell imaging when dissecting protein localization.
Multiphoton photochemical crosslinking-based fabrication of protein micropatterns with controllable mechanical properties for single cell traction force measurements
Authors: Tong Ming Hui , Huang Nan , Zhang Wei , Zhou Zhuo Long , Ngan Alfonso Hing Wan , Du Yanan , Chan Barbara Pui
Published: January 2016

Engineering 3D microstructures with predetermined properties is critical for stem cell niche studies. We have developed a multiphoton femtosecond laser-based 3D printing platform, which generates complex protein microstructures in minutes. Here, we used the platform to test a series of fabrication and reagent parameters in precisely controlling the mechanical properties of protein micropillars. Atomic force microscopy was utilized to measure the reduced elastic modulus of the micropillars and transmission electron microscopy was used to visualize the porosity of the structures. The reduced elastic modulus of the micropillars associated positively and linearly with the scanning power. On the other hand, the porosity and pore size of the micropillars associated inversely and linearly with the scanning power and reagent concentrations. While keeping the elastic modulus constant, the stiffness of the micropillars was controlled by varying their height. Subsequently, the single cell traction forces of rabbit chondrocytes, human dermal fibroblasts, human mesenchymal stem cells and bovine nucleus pulposus cells (bNPCs) were successfully measured by culturing the cells on micropillar arrays of different stiffness. Our results showed that the traction forces of all groups showed positive relationship with stiffness and that the chondrocytes and bNPCs generated the highest and lowest traction forces, respectively.
Interictal spikes during sleep are an early defect in the Tg2576 mouse model of β-amyloid neuropathology
Authors: Kam Korey , Duffy Áine M. , Moretto Jillian , LaFrancois John J. , Scharfman Helen E.
Published: January 2016

It has been suggested that neuronal hyperexcitability contributes to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), so we asked how hyperexcitability develops in a common mouse model of β-amyloid neuropathology - Tg2576 mice. Using video-EEG recordings, we found synchronized, large amplitude potentials resembling interictal spikes (IIS) in epilepsy at just 5 weeks of age, long before memory impairments or β-amyloid deposition. Seizures were not detected, but they did occur later in life, suggesting that IIS are possibly the earliest stage of hyperexcitability. Interestingly, IIS primarily occurred during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, which is notable because REM is associated with increased cholinergic tone and cholinergic impairments are implicated in AD. Although previous studies suggest that cholinergic antagonists would worsen pathophysiology, the muscarinic antagonist atropine reduced IIS frequency. In addition, we found IIS occurred in APP51 mice which overexpress wild type (WT)-APP, although not as uniformly or as early in life as Tg2576 mice. Taken together with results from prior studies, the data suggest that surprising and multiple mechanisms contribute to hyperexcitability. The data also suggest that IIS may be a biomarker for early detection of AD.
An intensified π-hole in beryllium-doped boron nitride meshes: its determinant role in CO2 conversion into hydrocarbon fuels
Authors: Azofra Luis Miguel , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Sun Chenghua
Published: January 2016

DFT investigations on beryllium-doped boron nitride meshes or sheets (BNs) predict the existence of a very reactive kind of novel material capable of spontaneously reducing the first hydrogenation step in the CO2 conversion mechanism.
Possible isomers in ligand protected Ag11cluster ions identified by ion mobility mass spectrometry and fragmented by surface induced dissociation
Authors: Baksi Ananya , Harvey Sophie R. , Natarajan Ganapati , Wysocki Vicki H. , Pradeep Thalappil
Published: January 2016

Isomeric glutathione protected silver clusters have been detected using ion mobility mass spectrometry. This cluster has been fragmented by conventional collision induced dissociation and newly introduced surface induced dissociation.
A complete inorganic colour converter based on quantum-dot-embedded silicate glasses for white light-emitting-diodes
Authors: Han Karam , Im Won Bin , Heo Jong , Chung Woon Jin
Published: January 2016

A complete inorganic quantum dot color converter for a white LED is achieved using silicate-based quantum-dot-embedded glasses (QDEGs).
A visually detectable pH responsive zirconium metal–organic framework
Authors: Moon Su-Young , Howarth Ashlee J. , Wang Timothy , Vermeulen Nicolaas A. , Hupp Joseph T. , Farha Omar K.
Published: January 2016

A functionalized MOF, NU-1000–CNF, shows simultaneous hydrolysis of nerve agent simulants while visually sensing the acid byproducts produced.
Dissipative particle dynamics simulation study of poly(2-oxazoline)-based multicompartment micelle nanoreactor
Authors: Chun Byeong Jae , Fisher Christina Clare , Jang Seung Soon
Published: January 2016

We investigate multicompartment micelles for nanoreactor applications, using the DPD simulation method to characterize the internal structure and the distribution of the reactant.
Heterogeneous dynamics and its length scale in simple ionic liquid models: a computational study
Authors: Kim Soree , Park Sang-Won , Jung YounJoon
Published: January 2016

We numerically investigate the dynamic heterogeneity and its length scale found in coarse-grained ionic liquid model systems.
A multi-level quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics study of SN2 reaction at nitrogen: NH2Cl + OH−in aqueous solution
Authors: Lv Jing , Zhang Jingxue , Wang Dunyou
Published: January 2016

The potential of mean force, solvation contribution and the stationary points along the reaction pathway for the SN2 reaction at nitrogen: NH2Cl + OH−→ NH2OH + Cl−, in aqueous solution.
Beyond organic chemistry: aromaticity in atomic clusters
Authors: Boldyrev Alexander I. , Wang Lai-Sheng
Published: January 2016

We describe joint experimental and theoretical studies carried out collaboratively in the authors' labs for understanding the structures and chemical bonding of novel atomic clusters, which exhibit aromaticity.
Specific ion modulated thermoresponse of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes
Authors: Humphreys Ben A. , Willott Joshua D. , Murdoch Timothy J. , Webber Grant B. , Wanless Erica J.
Published: January 2016

Specific anion identity and concentration dictates the direction and magnitude of the shift in LCST for a pNIPAM brush determined by in situ ellipsometry, QCM-D and static contact angle measurements.
Transfer hydrogenation with abnormal dicarbene rhodium(iii) complexes containing ancillary and modular poly-pyridine ligands
Authors: Farrell Kevin , Melle Philipp , Gossage Robert A. , Müller-Bunz Helge , Albrecht Martin
Published: January 2016

Rhodium(iii) complexes with abnormal dicarbene and diimine ligands are transfer hydrogenation catalysts with visually distinct active and dormant states.
Half-sandwich nickel complexes with ring-expanded NHC ligands – synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in Kumada–Tamao–Corriu coupling
Authors: Banach Ł. , Guńka P. A. , Buchowicz W.
Published: January 2016

We report the synthesis and catalytic properties of novel [Ni(Cp)(X)(NHC)] complexes with ring-expanded NHC ligands of six-, seven-, and eight-membered heterocycles.
Structural characterization of aqueous solution poly(oligo(ethylene oxide) monomethyl methacrylate)-grafted silica nanoparticles
Authors: Lorenzo Arnaldo T. , Ponnapati Ramakrishna , Chatterjee Tirtha , Krishnamoorti Ramanan
Published: January 2016

The structure of aqueous dispersions of poly(oligo(ethylene oxide) monomethyl methacrylate)-grafted silica nanoparticles was characterized using contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering studies. Modeling the low hybrid concentration dispersion scattering data using a fuzzy sphere and a polydisperse core–shell model, demonstrated that the polymer chains are highly swollen in the dispersions as compared to the dimensions of the free polymer chains in dilute solution. At higher hybrid concentrations, the dispersions were well described using a Percus–Yevick approximation to describe the structure factor. These structural characterization tools are excellent starting points for effective molecular level descriptors of dewetting and macroscopic phase transitions for polymer tethered hybrid nanoparticle systems.