bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The routine use of the Edmonton Classification System for Cancer Pain in an outpatient supportive care center
Authors: Arthur Joseph , Yennurajalingam Sriram , Nguyen Linh , Tanco Kimberson , Chisholm Gary , Hui David , Bruera Eduardo
Published: October 2014

Objective:

There is no standardized and universally accepted pain classification system for the assessment and management of cancer pain in both clinical practice and research studies. The Edmonton Classification System for Cancer Pain (ECS–CP) is an assessment tool that has demonstrated value in assessing pain characteristics and response. The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between negative ECS–CP features and some pain-related variables like pain intensity and opioid use. We also explored whether the number of negative ECS–CP features was associated with higher pain intensity.

Method:

The electronic charts of 100 patients at an outpatient supportive care clinic in a comprehensive cancer center were reviewed for variables like patient characteristics, initial ECS–CP assessment, morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD), opioid rotation, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS), and use of adjuvant analgesics.

Results:

Some 91 of the 100 charts were eligible for analysis. The most common primary cancer type was gastrointestinal (22.1%). The median pain intensity was 6, and the median MEDD was 45 mg. Neuropathic pain was associated with higher median pain intensity (7 vs. 5, p = 0.007) and median MEDD requirement (83 vs. 30, p = 0.013). Psychological distress was associated with higher median pain intensity (7 vs. 5, p = 0.042). Incident pain was also associated with a trend toward higher pain intensity (6 vs. 5, p = 0.06). A higher number of negative ECS–CP features was associated with higher pain intensity (p = 0.01).

Significance of Results:

The ECS–CP was successfully completed in the majority of patients, demonstrating its utility in routine clinical practice. Neuropathic pain and psychological distress were associated with higher pain intensity. Also, neuropathic pain was associated with a higher MEDD. A higher sum of negative ECS–CP features was associated with higher pain intensity. Further studies will be needed to verify and explore these observations.
Blurring the boundaries between public and private health care services as an alternative explanation for the emergence of black medicine: the Israeli case
Authors: Filc Dani , Cohen Nissim
Published: October 2014

Black medicine represents the most problematic configuration of informal payments for health care. According to the accepted economic explanations, we would not expect to find black medicine in a system with a developed private service. Using Israel as a case study, we suggest an alternative yet a complimentary explanation for the emergence of black medicine in public health care systems – even though citizens do have the formal option to use private channels. We claim that when regulation is weak and political culture is based on ‘do it yourself’ strategies, which meant to solve immediate problems, blurring the boundaries between public and private health care services may only reduce public trust and in turn, contribute to the emergence of black medicine. We used a combined quantitative and qualitative methodology to support our claim. Statistical analysis of the results suggested that the only variable significantly associated with the use of black medicine was trust in the health care system. The higher the respondents’ level of trust in the health care system, the lower the rate of the use of black medicine. Qualitatively, interviewee emphasized the relation between the blurred boundaries between public and private health care and the use of black medicine.
Optical control of insulin release using a photoswitchable sulfonylurea
Authors: Broichhagen Johannes , Schönberger Matthias , Cork Simon C. , Frank James A. , Marchetti Piero , Bugliani Marco , Shapiro A. M. James , Trapp Stefan , Rutter Guy A. , Hodson David J. , Trauner Dirk
Published: October 2014

Sulfonylureas are widely prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Through their actions on ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, sulfonylureas boost insulin release from the pancreatic beta cell mass to restore glucose homeostasis. A limitation of these compounds is the elevated risk of developing hypoglycemia and cardiovascular disease, both potentially fatal complications. Here, we describe the design and development of a photoswitchable sulfonylurea, JB253, which reversibly and repeatedly blocks KATP channel activity following exposure to violet-blue light. Using in situ imaging and hormone assays, we further show that JB253 bestows light sensitivity upon rodent and human pancreatic beta cell function. Thus, JB253 enables the optical control of insulin release and may offer a valuable research tool for the interrogation of KATP channel function in health and T2DM.
Combined biophysical and soluble factor modulation induces cardiomyocyte differentiation from human muscle derived stem cells
Authors: Tchao Jason , Han Lu , Lin Bo , Yang Lei , Tobita Kimimasa
Published: October 2014

Cellular cardiomyoplasty has emerged as a novel therapy to restore contractile function of injured failing myocardium. Human multipotent muscle derived stem cells (MDSC) can be a potential abundant, autologous cell source for cardiac repair. However, robust conditions for cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation are not well established for this cell type. We have developed a new method for CM differentiation from human MDSC that combines 3-dimensional artificial muscle tissue (AMT) culture with temporally controlled biophysical cell aggregation and delivery of 4 soluble factors (microRNA-206 inhibitor, IWR-1, Lithium Chloride and BMP-4) (4F-AG-AMT). The 4F-AG-AMT displayed cardiac-like response to β-adrenergic stimulation and contractile properties. 4F-AG-AMT expressed major cardiac (NKX2-5, GATA4, TBX5, MEF2C) transcription factors and structural proteins. They also express cardiac gap-junction protein, connexin-43, similar to CMs and synchronized spontaneous calcium transients. These results highlight the importance of temporal control of biophysical and soluble factors for CM differentiation from MDSCs.
Trace detection of nitro aromatic explosives by highly fluorescent g-C3N4 nanosheets
Authors: Chen Hai-Yu , Ruan Lin-Wei , Jiang Xia , Qiu Ling-Guang
Published: October 2014

Ultrasonic assisted synthesised strong fluorescence g-C3N4 nanosheets with a quantum yield up to 32% for trace level explosives sensing.
Systematic optimization of a pyromellitic acid background electrolyte for capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV-vis detection and online pre-concentration analysis of thiosalt anions in treated mine tailings
Authors: Pappoe Michael , Bottaro Christina S.
Published: October 2014

An indirect CZE method was developed for the simultaneous determination of five thiosalt anions: sulfate (SO42−), thiosulfate (S2O32−), trithionate (S3O62−), tetrathionate (S4O62−) and pentathionate (S5O62−).
Tungsten nitride nanocrystals on nitrogen-doped carbon black as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Dong Youzhen , Li Jinghong
Published: October 2014

A WN/N-carbon black hybrid was synthesized through facile nucleation and growth of WN nanoparticles on simultaneously generated nitrogen-doped carbon black under ammonia annealing.
Synergistic catalysis-induced ring-opening reactions of 2-substituted 3,4-dihydropyrans with α-oxoketene dithioacetals
Authors: Liu Changhui , Taheri Amir , Lai Bingbing , Gu Yanlong
Published: October 2014

Synergistic catalysis enables ring-opening reactions of 2-substituted 3,4-dihydropyrans with α-oxoketene dithioacetals to proceed very well.
Structural characterization of environmentally relevant ternary uranyl citrate complexes present in aqueous solutions and solid state materials
Authors: Basile Madeline , Unruh Daniel K. , Flores Erin , Johns Adam , Forbes Tori Z.
Published: October 2014

Structural characterization of U(vi) : (Al(iii), Fe(iii)) : citrate complexes provides insight into the formation of polynuclear clusters present in environmentally-relevant aqueous solutions.
Five 8-hydroxyquinolinate-based coordination polymers with tunable structures and photoluminescent properties for sensing nitroaromatics
Authors: Zhang Liyan , Sun Liying , Li Xinyuan , Tian Yulan , Yuan Guozan
Published: October 2014

Five coordination polymers with different structures have been prepared. The tunable structures and photoluminescent properties for sensing nitroaromatics in five polymers were observed.
Si-mediated fabrication of reduced graphene oxide and its hybrids for electrode materials
Authors: Barman Barun Kumar , Nanda Karuna Kar
Published: October 2014

We demonstrate a Si-mediated environmentally friendly reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and the fabrication of hybrid electrode materials with multiwall carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. The reduction of GO is facilitated by the nascent hydrogen generated by the reaction between Si and KOH. The overall process consumes 10 to 15 μm of Si each time and the same Si substrate can be used multiple times.
The yeast galactose network as a quantitative model for cellular memory
Authors: Stockwell Sarah R. , Landry Christian R. , Rifkin Scott A.
Published: October 2014

We present a conceptual framework for interpreting new experiments and current ideas on memory in the yeast galactose metabolism network.
Layer-modulated synthesis of uniform tungsten disulfide nanosheet using gas-phase precursors
Authors: Park Jusang , Lee Wonseon , Choi Taejin , Hwang Sung-Hwan , Myoung Jae Min , Jung Jae-Hoon , Kim Soo-Hyun , Kim Hyungjun
Published: October 2014

We describe a synthesis process of WS2 nanosheets with layer controllability and high uniformity using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and WCl6 and H2S as gas-phase precursors.
Bidirectional macrocyclization of peptides by double multicomponent reactions
Authors: Ricardo Manuel G. , Morales Fidel E. , Garay Hilda , Reyes Osvaldo , Vasilev Dimitar , Wessjohann Ludger A. , Rivera Daniel G.
Published: October 2014

Peptide macrocyclization by multicomponent reactions.
Synthesis of novel symmetrical 2-oxo-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridines] by a reaction of oxindoles with 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes
Authors: A. Attanasi Orazio , A. Campisi Linda , De Crescentini Lucia , Favi Gianfranco , Mantellini Fabio
Published: October 2014

Synthesis of symmetrical 2-oxo-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridines]: a novel example of spirocyclic oxindoles bearing a quaternary centre at the 3-position.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of (−)-kainic acid analogues as phospholipase D-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands
Authors: Zanato Chiara , Watson Sonia , Bewick Guy S. , Harrison William T. A. , Zanda Matteo
Published: October 2014

A “click” 4-(1,2,3-triazolyl)-kainate derivative and its biotinylated version potently increase stretch-induced afferent firing in muscle spindles, probably acting through a hitherto uncloned phospholipase D (PLD)-coupled mGlu receptor.
Phosphonated conjugated polymers for polymer solar cells with a non-halogenated solvent process
Authors: Meng Bin , Fu Yingying , Xie Zhiyuan , Liu Jun , Wang Lixiang
Published: October 2014

Phosphonate moieties on the side chain make donor polymers suitable for polymer solar cells processed with non-halogenated solvent.
Easily measurable pH as an indicator of the effectiveness of the aqueous cholinium ionic liquid-based pretreatment of lignocellulose
Authors: An Yan-Xia , Li Ning , Zong Min-Hua , Lou Wen-Yong
Published: October 2014

Thirty-nine aqueous cholinium IL solutions were used to pretreat rice straw for improving the enzymatic saccharification. A strong correlation between the pH of aqueous IL solutions and their pretreatment effectiveness was observed.
Sonochemical synthesis and characterization of turbostratic MnNi(OH)2 layered double hydroxide nanoparticles for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Anandan Sambandam , Chen Chin-Yi , Wu Jerry J.
Published: October 2014

In this research, manganese and nickel transition metal layered double hydroxide nanoparticles (MnNi(OH)2) with a size of ∼100 nm have been successfully prepared using a sonochemical irradiation method for supercapacitor applications.
Molecular recognition in curved π-systems: effects of π-lengthening of tubular molecules on thermodynamics and structures
Authors: Matsuno Taisuke , Sato Sota , Iizuka Ryosuke , Isobe Hiroyuki
Published: October 2014

The thermodynamics and molecular structure of a supramolecular complex between a tubular molecule, (P)-(12,8)-[4]cyclo-2,8-anthanthrenylene, and fullerene were investigated.
Binary metal oxide: advanced energy storage materials in supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yufei , Li Laiquan , Su Haiquan , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: October 2014

Binary transition metal oxides (BTMOs) possess higher reversible capacity, better structural stability and electronic conductivity, and have been widely studied to be novel electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Temperature dependence of hole conductor free formamidinium lead iodide perovskite based solar cells
Authors: Aharon Sigalit , Dymshits Alexander , Rotem Amit , Etgar Lioz
Published: October 2014

This work reports on the temperature dependence of mixed perovskite cations, formamidinium and methylammonium, in hole conductor free solar cells.
Exposure to low dose cadmium enhances FL83B cells proliferation through down-regulation of caspase-8 by DNA hypermethylation
Authors: Wang Bo , Ji Kun , Wang Yue , Li Yang , Tang Yufeng , Gu Junlian , Cai Lu
Published: October 2014

Cadmium (Cd) is classified as a human carcinogen probably associated with epigenetic change.
Neuronal and astrocyte dysfunction diverges from embryonic fibroblasts in theNdufs4fky/fkymouse
Authors: Bird Matthew J. , Wijeyeratne Xiaonan W. , Komen Jasper C. , Laskowski Adrienne , Ryan Michael T. , Thorburn David R. , Frazier Ann E.
Published: October 2014

Mitochondrial dysfunction causes a range of early-onset neurological diseases and contributes to neurodegenerative conditions. The mechanisms of neurological damage however are poorly understood, as accessing relevant tissue from patients is difficult, and appropriate models are limited. Hence, we assessed mitochondrial function in neurologically relevant primary cell lines from a CI (complex I) deficient Ndufs4 KO (knockout) mouse (Ndufs4fky/fky) modelling aspects of the mitochondrial disease LS (Leigh syndrome), as well as MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts). Although CI structure and function were compromised in all Ndufs4fky/fky cell types, the mitochondrial membrane potential was selectively impaired in the MEFs, correlating with decreased CI-dependent ATP synthesis. In addition, increased ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation and altered sensitivity to cell death were only observed in Ndufs4fky/fky primary MEFs. In contrast, Ndufs4fky/fky primary isocortical neurons and primary isocortical astrocytes displayed only impaired ATP generation without mitochondrial membrane potential changes. Therefore the neurological dysfunction in the Ndufs4fky/fky mouse may partly originate from a more severe ATP depletion in neurons and astrocytes, even at the expense of maintaining the mitochondrial membrane potential. This may provide protection from cell death, but would ultimately compromise cell functionality in neurons and astrocytes. Furthermore, RET (reverse electron transfer) from complex II to CI appears more prominent in neurons than MEFs or astrocytes, and is attenuated in Ndufs4fky/fky cells.
Exploring synergy relationships between telematic services and functionalities using cluster analysis
Authors: Mbiydzenyuy Gideon , Persson Jan A. , Davidsson Paul
Published: October 2014

A method for assessing potential synergies among different sets of transport telematic services (TTSs) is suggested. An Intelligent Transport System enhances transport by delivering one or more TTSs. The ability to deliver multiple TTSs to address a wide range of stakeholder needs is gaining momentum, not only from a marketing perspective but also from a technological perspective. The total cost of TTSs can be reduced if they share functionalities (i.e., sub‐services provided by telematic systems). We show how this synergy can be assessed with the help of clustering methods. Knowledge about possible synergies of functionalities is useful in the (re)design and eventual deployment of TTSs, especially when the underlying telematic systems are able to support multiple TTSs. To adapt the clustering method for this purpose, we suggest a mathematical formulation of synergy among functionalities of TTSs. By applying the method to a set of 32 TTSs, we obtain a cluster formation of these TTSs according to their synergy measures. Overall, the results suggest that the joint implementation of TTSs targeted toward some problem domains can lead to significant cost savings, for example, Road User Charging, Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance, and Information on the Transport of extra large goods for the management of road transport infrastructure.
Self‐seeding synthesis of silver nanosheets with binary reduction in poly(vinylpyrrolidone)–sodium dodecyl sulphate aggregation microreactor
Authors: Fan Ye , Ren Yueping , Fang Yun , Wu Menjie
Published: October 2014

Silver (Ag) nanosheets were synthesised through a facile self‐seeding strategy with binary reduction in the poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)–sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) aggregation microreactor, in which the size and morphology of Ag nanoparticles were able to be regulated by concentration or pH dependence. In this approach, PVP and SDS built the microreactor together and served as a synthesis template; a trace of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) was employed to rapidly trigger the competitive formation of small Ag seeds, while PVP was responsible for the subsequent reduction and slow crystal growth. The size and morphology of the nanosheets could be gently regulated with the concentrations of PVP or SDS and the pH of the reaction solution; while the dramatic variance of size and morphology was primarily induced by NaBH4 concentration. Free PVP monomers with lower concentration induced irregular particles, while the lower concentration of NaBH4 led to the formation of small and regular nanosheets. Both particle size and morphology could be regulated with SDS concentration dependence if the SDS concentration was higher than the critical aggregation concentration. Higher SDS concentrations favoured smaller particle sizes and nanosheet formation. Two‐dimensional planar Ag nanostructures were generated at pH 9–10, where [Ag(NH3)2]+ existed at a stable complex ionisation state.
Properties of Pt-supported iron oxide ultra-thin films: Similarity of Hubbard-corrected and hybrid density functional theory description
Authors: Prada Stefano , Giordano Livia , Pacchioni Gianfranco , Noguera Claudine , Goniakowski Jacek
Published: October 2014

We report a first principles study on the properties of Pt(111)-supported FeO(111) monolayer. We confront results issued from PBE+U and HSE06 approximations, and analyze the impact of the more accurate hybrid description of the electronic structure of the metal/oxide interface on a large variety of calculated characteristics of this system. In particular, we analyze the behavior of its work function and its consequences on the spontaneous charging of adsorbed Au adatoms. We also consider the FeO2 nano-oxide phase and its peculiar oxygen storage characteristics, responsible for the unusual catalytic properties of FeOx/Pt system. We show that while the hybrid approximation does indeed substantially improve the electronic characteristics of iron oxide, of individual Au adatoms, or oxygen molecules, its overall impact on the calculated properties of the composed FeO/Pt system is very small. We assign this to the relatively small effect of the hybrid approximation on the band structure alignment. This shows that the less computationally demanding DFT+U approximation remains a fully adequate tool in theoretical studies on this kind of systems. This is particularly important for calculations on realistic systems, with large-size reconstructions induced by the lattice mismatch at the interface between the two materials.
A new MOF-5 homologue for selective separation of methane from C2 hydrocarbons at room temperature
Authors: He Yabing , Song Chengling , Ling Yajing , Wu Chuande , Krishna Rajamani , Chen Banglin
Published: October 2014

A new MOF-5 homologue compound UTSA-10 has been obtained under solvothermal conditions from a mixture of Zn(NO3)2⋅6H2O and commercially available linker, 2-methylfumaric acid, in N,N-dimethylformamide. The moderate surface area and suitable pore sizes enable the activated UTSA-10a to separate methane from C2 hydrocarbons at room temperature.
Design and development of a rheometer for biological fluids of limited availability
Authors: Scorza A. , Battista L. , Silvestri S. , Sciuto S. A.
Published: October 2014

From studies on the dynamic characterization of human bones, it is noticed that reference data on the viscous behavior of the bone marrow are quite poor. Dependently from marrow limited availability and its opacity, we have not been able to retrieve a tool of appropriate characteristics able to measure bone marrow viscosity. Therefore, principal techniques for the viscosity measurement have been preliminarily examined, and a device suitable for viscosity measurements of biological fluids has been realized. In particular, a rotational rheometer has been developed: it is a coaxial cylinders system, where the fluid flows dragged by the inner cylinder. The device is an absolute rheometer, that is, particularly useful as nowadays it is not known the classification of the bone as far as it concerns its viscous behavior. In this work a preliminary evaluation of the metrological characteristics of the measurement system has been carried out and its main metrological performances have been evaluated.
Ballistic thermal transport in a cylindrical semiconductor nanowire modulated with bridge contacts
Authors: Zhang Yong , Xie Zhong-Xiang , Yu Xia , Wang Hai-Bin , Li Ke-Min
Published: October 2014

Using the scattering-matrix method, we studied ballistic phonon transmission and thermal conductance at low temperatures in a cylindrical quantum wire with bridge contacts. The transmission coefficient exhibited a stepped profile, which became more evident as the bridge radius increased. When the dimensions of the bridge are identical to those of main wires, we observed a quantum platform of the thermal conductance, even in the presence of interface scattering. When the dimensions of the bridge are smaller than those of main wires, however, we could not observe the quantum platform. We also revealed other interesting physical properties, such as universal quantum thermal conductance and resonant transmission. A brief analysis of these results is given.
Calculations of the magnetic entropy change in amorphous through a microscopic anisotropic model: Applications to Dy70Zr30 and DyCo3.4 alloys
Authors: von Ranke P. J. , Nóbrega E. P. , Caldas A. , Alho B. P. , Ribeiro P. O. , Alvarenga T. S. T. , Lopes P. H. O. , de Sousa V. S. R. , Magnus A. , Carvalho G. , de Oliveira N. A.
Published: October 2014

We report theoretical investigations on the magnetocaloric effect, described by the magnetic entropy change in rare earth—transition metal amorphous systems. The model includes the local anisotropy on the rare earth ions in Harris-Plischke-Zuckermann assumptions. The transition metals ions are treated in terms of itinerant electron ferromagnetism and the magnetic moment of rare earth ions is coupled to the polarized d-band by a local exchange interaction. The magnetocaloric effect was calculated in DyCo3.4 system, which presents amorphous sperimagnetic configuration. The calculations predict higher refrigerant capacity in the amorphous DyCo3.4 than in DyCo2 crystal, highlighting the importance of amorphous magnetocaloric materials. Our calculation of the magnetocaloric effect in Dy70Zr30, which presents amorphous asperomagnetic configuration, is in good agreement with the experimental result. Furthermore, magnetic entropy changes associated with crystal-amorphous configurations change are estimated.
Observation of pedestal turbulence in edge localized mode-free H-mode on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak
Authors: Han X. , Zhang T. , Zhang S. B. , Wang Y. M. , Shi T. H. , Liu Z. X. , Kong D. F. , Qu H. , Gao X.
Published: October 2014

Two different pedestal turbulence structures have been observed in edge localized mode-free phase of H-mode heated by lower hybrid wave and RF wave in ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak. When the fraction of ICRF power PICRF/Ptotal exceeds 0.7, coherent mode is observed. The mode is identified as an electromagnetic mode, rotating in electron diamagnetic direction with a frequency around 50 kHz and toroidal mode number n = −3. Whereas when PICRF/Ptotal is less than 0.7, harmonic mode with frequency f = 40–300 kHz appears instead. The characteristics of these two modes are demonstrated preliminarily. The threshold value of heating power and also the plasma parameters are distinct.
Characterising the acceleration phase of blast wave formation
Authors: Fox T. E. , Robinson A. P. L. , Schmitz H. , Pasley J.
Published: October 2014

Intensely heated, localised regions in uniform fluids will rapidly expand and generate an outwardly propagating blast wave. The Sedov-Taylor self-similar solution for such blast waves has long been studied and applied to a variety of scenarios. A characteristic time for their formation has also long been identified using dimensional analysis, which by its very nature, can offer several interpretations. We propose that, rather than simply being a characteristic time, it may be interpreted as the definitive time taken for a blast wave resulting from an intense explosion in a uniform media to contain its maximum kinetic energy. A scaling relation for this measure of the acceleration phase, preceding the establishment of the blast wave, is presented and confirmed using a 1D planar hydrodynamic model.
Electric field induced fluorescence hysteresis of single molecules in poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Zhou Haitao , Qin Chengbing , Chen Ruiyun , Zhang Guofeng , Xiao Liantuan , Jia Suotang
Published: October 2014

Single molecule (SM) chips could serve as the fundamental devices in quantum information processing. In this context, a chip with the non-polar SMs of squaraine-derived rotaxanes embedded in a polar poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix was realized and the SM fluorescence hysteresis induced by the electric field was observed at room temperature. Here, we presented a model considering both of the electron transfer and space charge relaxation processes to explain the fluorescence hysteresis effect, and the model-based simulations agreed reasonably well with the experimental results.
Analysis of China's new energy conservation policy and the provincial decomposition of the energy consumption target
Authors: Wang Jing , Huang Weibin , Hu Yanlong , Chen Shijun , Li Jidong
Published: October 2014

To compensate for the limitation of the energy intensity indicator and to constrain energy consumption growth more directly and severely, China had decided to implement the Total Energy Consumption Control (TECC) policy during the 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP). This paper analyzes the situation of energy consumption in 3 scenarios based on the energy consumption trend during the 11th FYP, the energy intensity reduction target during the 12th FYP, and the TECC policy. The Energy Conservation Comprehensive Evaluation System (ECCES) which includes 5 indicators reflecting energy conservation responsibility and 3 indicators reflecting energy conservation difficulty has been built, and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy methods are used to determine the weights of 8 basic indicators. According to the ranking of comprehensive evaluation scores of ECCES, 30 provinces are divided into 5 clusters, which are assigned 3%, 3.5%, 4.2%, 5.5%, and 6.8% of controlled energy consumption growth rate, respectively. By comparing and analyzing energy consumption situations in 3 scenarios, we find that the TECC policy has the strongest constraint effect, and can achieve unification of provincial and national energy conservation goals. The provincial decomposition result of energy consumption controlled target of TECC policy roughly remains consistent with the current economic and energy development layout of China that the provinces in southeast coastal developed areas are assigned lower controlled energy consumption growth rate while the backward inland provinces are assigned higher growth rates.
Implementation of nitrogen-doped titanium-tungsten tunable heater in phase change random access memory and its effects on device performance
Authors: Tan Chun Chia , Zhao Rong , Shi Luping , Chong Tow Chong
Published: October 2014

Nitrogen-doped titanium-tungsten (N-TiW) was proposed as a tunable heater in Phase Change Random Access Memory (PCRAM). By tuning N-TiW's material properties through doping, the heater can be tailored to optimize the access speed and programming current of PCRAM. Experiments reveal that N-TiW's resistivity increases and thermal conductivity decreases with increasing nitrogen-doping ratio, and N-TiW devices displayed (∼33% to ∼55%) reduced programming currents. However, there is a tradeoff between the current and speed for heater-based PCRAM. Analysis of devices with different N-TiW heaters shows that N-TiW doping levels could be optimized to enable low RESET currents and fast access speeds.
A simple paper-based sensor fabricated by selective wet etching of silanized filter paper using a paper mask
Authors: Cai Longfei , Xu Chunxiu , Lin ShuoHong , Luo Jiating , Wu Meidie , Yang Fan
Published: October 2014

We developed a novel strategy for fabrication of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) by selective wet etching of hydrophobic filter paper using a paper mask having a specific design. The fabrication process consists of two steps. First, the hydrophilic filter paper was patterned hydrophobic by using trimethoxyoctadecylsilane (TMOS) solution as the patterning agent. Next, a paper mask penetrated with NaOH solution (containing 30% glycerol) was aligned onto the hydrophobic filter paper, allowing the etching of the silanized filter paper by the etching reagent. The masked region turned highly hydrophilic whereas the unmasked region remains highly hydrophobic. Thus, hydrophilic channels, reservoirs, and detection zones were generated and delimited by the hydrophobic barriers. The effects of some factors including TMOS concentration, etching temperature, etching time, and NaOH concentration on fabrication of μPAD were studied. Being free of any expensive equipment, metal mask and expensive reagents, this rapid, simple, and cost-effective method could be used to fabricate μPAD by untrained personnel with minimum cost. A flower-shaped μPAD fabricated by this presented method was applied to the glucose assay in artificial urine samples with good performance, indicating its feasibility as a quantitative analysis device. We believe that this method would be very attractive to the development of simple microfluidic devices for point-of-care applications in clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental protection.
Improved Beat Asynchrony Detection in Early Blind Individuals
Authors: Lerens Elodie , Araneda Rodrigo , Renier Laurent , De Volder Anne G
Published: October 2014

Although early blind (EB) individuals are thought to have a better musical sense than sighted subjects, no study has investigated the musical rhythm and beat processing abilities in EB individuals. Using an adaptive ‘up and down’ procedure, we measured the beat asynchrony detection threshold and the duration discrimination threshold, in the auditory and vibrotactile modalities in both EB and sighted control (SC) subjects matched for age, gender, and musical experience. We observed that EB subjects were better than SC in the beat asynchrony detection task; that is, they showed lower thresholds than SC, both in the auditory and in the vibrotactile modalities. In addition, EB subjects had a lower threshold than SC for duration discrimination in the vibrotactile modality only. These improved beat asynchrony detection abilities may contribute to the known excellent musical abilities often observed in many blind subjects.
Serpin latency transition at atomic resolution
Authors: Cazzolli Giorgia , Wang Fang , a Beccara Silvio , Gershenson Anne , Faccioli Pietro , Wintrode Patrick L.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Inhibitory serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) helps regulate blood clot clearance, and high levels of active PAI-1 are associated with poor cancer prognoses and cardiovascular diseases. PAI-1 transitions from an active form to an inactive, latent form via large structural rearrangements. Our simulations provide the first realistic atomistic characterization, to our knowledge, of this transition. They correctly predict the kinetic effects of mutations and explain why PAI-1 binding to specific molecules accelerates the transition. Structures from these simulations provide templates to design drugs that speed up the latency transition, with potentially important biomedical applications. Serpins are large proteins, and the first-passage times of the simulated conformational transitions are many orders of magnitude longer than the time intervals accessible using conventional molecular dynamics.
Redox chemistry in the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle
Authors: Pasek Matthew A. , Sampson Jacqueline M. , Atlas Zachary
Published: October 2014

Significance

Phosphorus is an important nutrient for living organisms. Phosphorus is generally considered to bear a 5+ oxidation state, but several lower redox states have been reported, including the toxic gas phosphine. We show here that the lower redox states of phosphorus are common in Florida water samples, and that based on the global concentration of phosphine, we might expect to see 5−15% of all dissolved phosphorus in a lower redox state.
eIF4AIII enhances translation of nuclear cap-binding complex–bound mRNAs by promoting disruption of secondary structures in 5′UTR
Authors: Choe Junho , Ryu Incheol , Park Ok Hyun , Park Joori , Cho Hana , Yoo Jin Seon , Chi Sung Wook , Kim Min Kyung , Song Hyun Kyu , Kim Yoon Ki
Published: October 2014

Significance

Two major cap-binding components can drive mammalian translation initiation: the nuclear cap-binding complex (CBC) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). Although eIF4E-dependent translation has been well characterized, the mechanism of CBC-dependent translation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the previously unappreciated role of eIF4AIII in CBC-dependent translation. eIF4AIII is traditionally considered a component of the exon junction complex loaded onto mRNAs after splicing. In addition, we found that eIF4AIII can be recruited to the 5′-end of CBC-associated mRNA and promotes the translation of CBC-associated mRNA by helping to unwind secondary structures in 5′UTR. Therefore, our data provide evidence that eIF4AIII is a translation initiation factor specifically required for translation of CBC-associated mRNAs.
Low-frequency calcium oscillations accompany deoxyhemoglobin oscillations in rat somatosensory cortex
Authors: Du Congwu , Volkow Nora D. , Koretsky Alan P. , Pan Yingtian
Published: October 2014

Significance

Spontaneous low-frequency oscillations (LFOs) of blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals in brain constitute the basis for mapping resting functional connectivity with functional MRI (fMRI). However the origin of these LFOs is not well understood. Using optical imaging we provide evidence that (
i
) LFOs in calcium (marker of cellular oscillations) show frequencies similar to those of deoxyhemoglobin (main contributor to the BOLD signal) and precede them by 5–6 s; (
ii
) hemodynamic slow oscillations (including LFOs in deoxyhemoglobin) also correlate with spontaneous neuronal firing activity (as assessed with slow local field potentials); and (
iii
) LFOs of deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) are observed in arteries, veins, and capillaries. These findings therefore corroborate the cellular basis underlying resting-state fMRI and indicate that oscillating HbR signals are detectable across the vascular tree.
Tracking metal ions through a Cu/Ag efflux pump assigns the functional roles of the periplasmic proteins
Authors: Chacón Kelly N. , Mealman Tiffany D. , McEvoy Megan M. , Blackburn Ninian J.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Many bacteria produce large periplasmic efflux pumps that impart resistance to excess toxic metal ions. The CusC(F)BA Cu
+
/Ag
+
efflux pump in
Escherichia coli
is one example. This pump’s mechanism is elusive because it is composed of four distinct proteins, three of which bind metal. By inserting a selenium probe sequentially into the metal-binding sites of the Cus proteins and loading them with Cu
+
and Ag
+
, the bound metal ions could be tracked via X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We found that CusB activates the CusA pump and that CusF is a metallochaperone to CusA. We propose that CusB deactivates CusA once metal ion levels in the cell decrease. These results will aid in combating metal ion resistance by pathogenic bacteria.
Sea level and global ice volumes from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene
Authors: Lambeck Kurt , Rouby Hélène , Purcell Anthony , Sun Yiying , Sambridge Malcolm
Published: October 2014

Significance

Several areas of earth science require knowledge of the fluctuations in sea level and ice volume through glacial cycles. These include understanding past ice sheets and providing boundary conditions for paleoclimate models, calibrating marine-sediment isotopic records, and providing the background signal for evaluating anthropogenic contributions to sea level. From ∼1,000 observations of sea level, allowing for isostatic and tectonic contributions, we have quantified the rise and fall in global ocean and ice volumes for the past 35,000 years. Of particular note is that during the ∼6,000 y up to the start of the recent rise ∼100−150 y ago, there is no evidence for global oscillations in sea level on time scales exceeding ∼200 y duration or 15−20 cm amplitude.
Transfer of noncoding DNA drives regulatory rewiring in bacteria
Authors: Oren Yaara , Smith Mark B. , Johns Nathan I. , Kaplan Zeevi Millie , Biran Dvora , Ron Eliora Z. , Corander Jukka , Wang Harris H. , Alm Eric J. , Pupko Tal
Published: October 2014

Significance

The rapid pace of evolution in bacteria is widely attributed to the promiscuous horizontal transfer and recombination of protein-coding genes. However, it has not been investigated if the same forces also drive the evolution of noncoding regulatory regions. Here, we establish that regulatory regions can “switch” between nonhomologous alternatives and that switching is ubiquitous, occurring across the bacterial domain. We show that regulatory switching has a strong impact on promoter architecture and expression divergence. Further, we demonstrate that regulatory transfer facilitates rapid phenotypic diversification of a human pathogen. This regulatory mobility enables bacterial genes to access a vast pool of potential regulatory elements, facilitating efficient exploration of the regulatory landscape.
Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Authors: Singh Kanwaljit , Connors Susan L. , Macklin Eric A. , Smith Kirby D. , Fahey Jed W. , Talalay Paul , Zimmerman Andrew W.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), encompassing impaired communication and social interaction, and repetitive stereotypic behavior and language, affects 1–2% of predominantly male individuals and is an enormous medical and economic problem for which there is no documented, mechanism-based treatment. In a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, daily oral administration for 18 wk of the phytochemical sulforaphane (derived from broccoli sprouts) to 29 young men with ASD substantially (and reversibly) improved behavior compared with 15 placebo recipients. Behavior was quantified by both parents/caregivers and physicians by three widely accepted measures. Sulforaphane, which showed negligible toxicity, was selected because it upregulates genes that protect aerobic cells against oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA-damage, all of which are prominent and possibly mechanistic characteristics of ASD.
Impact of mesophyll diffusion on estimated global land CO
2
fertilization
Authors: Sun Ying , Gu Lianhong , Dickinson Robert E. , Norby Richard J. , Pallardy Stephen G. , Hoffman Forrest M.
Published: October 2014

Significance

Understanding and accurately predicting how global terrestrial primary production responds to rising atmospheric CO
2
concentrations is a prerequisite for reliably assessing the long-term climate impact of anthropogenic fossil CO
2
emissions. Here we demonstrate that current carbon cycle models underestimate the long-term responsiveness of global terrestrial productivity to CO
2
fertilization. This underestimation of CO
2
fertilization is caused by an inherent model structural deficiency related to lack of explicit representation of CO
2
diffusion inside leaves, which results in an overestimation of CO
2
available at the carboxylation site. The magnitude of CO
2
fertilization underestimation matches the long-term positive growth bias in the historical atmospheric CO
2
predicted by Earth system models. Our study will lead to improved understanding and modeling of carbon–climate feedbacks.
CMG helicase and DNA polymerase ε form a functional 15-subunit holoenzyme for eukaryotic leading-strand DNA replication
Authors: Langston Lance D. , Zhang Dan , Yurieva Olga , Georgescu Roxana E. , Finkelstein Jeff , Yao Nina Y. , Indiani Chiara , O’Donnell Mike E.
Published: October 2014

Significance

All cells must replicate their chromosomes prior to cell division. This process is carried out by a collection of proteins, known as the replisome, that act together to unwind the double helix and synthesize two new DNA strands complementary to the two parental strands. The details of replisome function have been worked out for bacteria but are much less well understood for eukaryotic cells. We have developed a system for studying eukaryotic replisome function in vitro using purified proteins. Using this system, we have identified a direct interaction between the component that unwinds the DNA, the CMG (Cdc45-MCM-GINS) helicase, and the component that replicates the leading strand, DNA polymerase ε, to form a large helicase–polymerase holoenzyme comprising 15 separate proteins.
Is reading-aloud performance in megastudies systematically influenced by the list context?
Authors: Cortese Michael J. , Hacker Sarah , Schock Jocelyn , Santo Jonathan B.
Published: October 2014

To examine megastudy context effects, 585 critical words, each with a different orthographic rime, were placed at the beginning or end of a 2614-word megastudy of reading aloud. Sixty participants (30 participants in each condition) responded to these words. Specific predictors examined for change between beginning and end conditions were frequency, length, feedforward rime consistency, feedforward onset consistency, orthographic neighbourhood size, age of acquisition (AoA), and imageability. While it took longer to respond to items at the end of the experiment than items at the beginning of the experiment, there was very little change in the effects of the specific variables assessed. Thus, there is little evidence of list context effects influencing the estimates of the predictor variables in large-scale megastudies.
Categorization behaviour in adults, adolescents, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder adolescents: A comparative investigation
Authors: Vigo Ronaldo , Evans Steven W. , Owens Julie Sarno
Published: October 2014

Although significant progress has been made with respect to our understanding of categorization and concept learning behaviour in adults, much less is known about how this key capacity plays out with respect to more restrictive populations. This is unfortunate because much may be revealed about the nature of concept learning by examining the limits exhibited by special populations. With this tenet in mind, in what follows, we investigated key aspects of concept learning in terms of the unexplored comparative performance of three populations—adults, adolescents, and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To do so, we employed a novel parainformative experimental task involving categorical stimuli with four objects defined over three dimensions. The learning difficulty ordering for these types of three-dimensional stimuli has proven robust and has been replicated by several researchers. Indeed, in our experiment, we observed the same concept learning ordering in adults and adolescents, but not in ADHD adolescents: For example, the latter group showed greatly impaired categorization performance on stimuli characterized by an “exclusive-or” rule. However, categorization performance on such type of stimuli indicated good reliability in discriminating between adolescents with and without ADHD (receiver-operating characteristic, ROC = .82). We accurately predicted and accounted for these results using generalized invariance structure theory (GIST; Vigo, 2013. The GIST of concepts. Cognition, 129, 138–162), which posits that organisms detect invariance patterns in stimuli that are necessary precursors to concept formation.
Guidelines for genetic studies in single patients: lessons from primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Casanova Jean-Laurent , Conley Mary Ellen , Seligman Stephen J. , Abel Laurent , Notarangelo Luigi D.
Published: October 2014

Can genetic and clinical findings made in a single patient be considered sufficient to establish a causal relationship between genotype and phenotype? We report that up to 49 of the 232 monogenic etiologies (21%) of human primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) were initially reported in single patients. The ability to incriminate single-gene inborn errors in immunodeficient patients results from the relative ease in validating the disease-causing role of the genotype by in-depth mechanistic studies demonstrating the structural and functional consequences of the mutations using blood samples. The candidate genotype can be causally connected to a clinical phenotype using cellular (leukocytes) or molecular (plasma) substrates. The recent advent of next generation sequencing (NGS), with whole exome and whole genome sequencing, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, and gene editing technologies—including in particular the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology—offer new and exciting possibilities for the genetic exploration of single patients not only in hematology and immunology but also in other fields. We propose three criteria for deciding if the clinical and experimental data suffice to establish a causal relationship based on only one case. The patient’s candidate genotype must not occur in individuals without the clinical phenotype. Experimental studies must indicate that the genetic variant impairs, destroys, or alters the expression or function of the gene product (or two genetic variants for compound heterozygosity). The causal relationship between the candidate genotype and the clinical phenotype must be confirmed via a relevant cellular phenotype, or by default via a relevant animal phenotype. When supported by satisfaction of rigorous criteria, the report of single patient–based discovery of Mendelian disorders should be encouraged, as it can provide the first step in the understanding of a group of human diseases, thereby revealing crucial pathways underlying physiological and pathological processes.