bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creación de una geodatabase de los archivos geodésicos de la dirección general de catastro y geografía, Honduras
Authors: Sosa Reyes Yessica Yamileth , Villatoro Jessica
Published: August 2015

En el marco de la práctica profesional de la maestría en Ordenamiento y Gestión del Territorio, se desarrolló la creación de una Geodatabase en la Dirección General de Catastro y Geografía (DGCG), la que sería el comienzo para una base de datos más segura y organizada, que permita una mejor distribución de datos geográficos generando para ello una cartografía confiable y altamente calificada. La creación de la Geodatabase permitió ordenar archivos de la elaboración digital de las hojas cartográficas, mapas departamentales, mapas municipales, mapa oficial del territorio de Honduras y otros que se generan desde el departamento de cartografía de la DGCG.Para la creación de la Geodatabase se utilizo una metodología la cual consistió en un proceso secuencial de pasos que incluyen: generación de File Geodatabases, Feature data set y Features Class, seguido de la migración de datos digitales en formato shapefile elaborados en el programa Arc View al programa Arc Map de ESRI, en donde se encontraron archivos desde Shapefiles, Tablas, Raster y otros compatibles a la estructura de datos nativa. Al mismo tiempo se realizó una comparación de la base de datos creada con la ya existente, con el fin de detectar posibles deficiencias o mejoras potenciales tanto de la geodatabase como de la manera de creación de los archivos digitales generados dentro de la DGCG.Se concluye que la creación de una geodatabase para la DGCG permitirá a corto, mediano y largo plazo un manejo adecuado de la información, mejor edición, actualización y administración de datos geográficos del departamento de Cartografía de la DGCG.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 1 Primavera, 2015; 509-519
Montaje de un web map service (wms) para la Dirección General de Catastro y Geografía, Honduras
Authors: Marcela Norori Johana , Castellanos Zelaya Yeny
Published: August 2015

La escasez de medios para tener acceso a la información oficial territorial del país, genera las necesidades como ser la localización de la información geográfica del territorio y aun mas limita dar a conocer las instituciones oficiales que manejen dicha información, esto nos lleva a la exigencia principalmente dentro de los organismos nacionales reguladores de la información geográfica a conocer y buscar soluciones que cubran estas necesidades y que al mismo tiempo permitan tener acceso a los datos geográficos generados.Es en donde el aporte del presente proyecto como ser el montaje de un servidor de mapas web con la integración de la herramientas de los SIG, el Ordenamiento Territorial, los datos geográficos, las tecnologías, los estándares de servicio O.G.C y la apertura de este tiempo de poder usar los software libre que nos ha permitido compartir la información geoespacial del país y que esta a su vez sea de fácil localización en la web en donde una de las la finalidades del Web Map Service sea facilitar el manejo de la información geográfica al usuario final de una manera práctica, amigable y sin complicaciones que nos permiten las aplicaciones de los software libre, y lo más importante que este regulada por una institución oficial del gobierno como es la Dirección General de Catastro y Geografía.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 1 Primavera, 2015; 520-534
Falta de cobertura de los servicios de salud y factores de localización óptima
Authors: Santana Castañeda Giovanna , Aguilar Martínez Adrián Guillermo , Santana Juárez Marcela Virginia
Published: August 2015

El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar un diagnóstico actual de la localización de los servicios públicos de salud primarios, en relación a su estructura, dinámica y relaciones en la Zona Metropolitana de Toluca, y al mismo tiempo elaborar una propuesta desde el punto de vista de los factores necesarios para la localización óptima de dichos servicios.El principal argumento de este trabajo es que las desigualdades en los servicios de salud están determinadas por factores de localización, socioeconómicos, geográficos, de recursos, de servicios, normativos y por características propias de los individuos.Se presenta una propuesta sobre los criterios que desde el punto de vista holístico son necesarios para la ubicación óptima de los servicios señalados; estos criterios se refieren a los siguientes indicadores: (i) socioeconómicos (densidad de población, genero, edad, tasa de crecimiento, población derechohabiente, población analfabeta, viviendas con agua, drenaje y energía eléctrica, población económicamente activa y vías de comunicación); (ii) geográficos (elevaciones, cuerpos de agua, uso de suelo); (iii) de recursos y servicios (personal médico, unidades médicas, población usuaria o demanda).Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 1 Primavera, 2015; 373-394
Het episodisch geheugen en getuigenverhoor
Authors: Odinot Geralda , Boon Roel , Wolters Laura
Published: August 2015

What specialist police interviewers know about eyewitness memory

In this study, we examined what police interviewers know about factors that affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony. We asked 143 specialist investigative interviewers from the Dutch police to complete a questionnaire about eyewitness memory. The results indicate that the police interviewers have limited knowledge of episodic memory and accompanying interviewing issues. In addition, we analyzed the interview manual from the Dutch Police Academy on coverage of the topics in our questionnaire. The poor level of knowledge of the police interviewers was correlated with lack of knowledge in the manual. Results are discussed in relation to education in police interviewing in the Netherlands.
‘Onze kinderen zijn geen terroristen’
Authors: van San Marion
Published: August 2015

‘Our kids are not terrorists.’ The families of Belgian and Dutch jihadists on their loved ones’ departure for Syria

Since March 2013 a sizeable number of Belgian and Dutch youngsters have joined the armed conflict in Syria. According to recent estimates, Belgium has 438 foreign fighters in Syria, the Netherlands 160. Very little is known about who these people are and what made them decide to join the armed struggle. There is also a lack of information regarding their families. The research on which this article is based comprised interviews with twenty families with at least one member who has left for Syria. In addition, former teachers of these youngsters were asked to reflect on their students’ actions. The central questions of this article concern the views of family members on the youngsters’ decision to join the armed struggle, whether or not there were signs of radicalization prior to their leaving, and whether all of them actually did go through a process of radicalization.
Drawing Graphs with Few Arcs
Authors: Schulz André
Published: August 2015

Let G=(V,E) be a planar graph. An arrangement of circular arcs is called a composite arc-drawing of G, if its 1-skeleton is isomorphic to G. Similarly, a composite segment-drawing is described by an arrangement of straight-line segments. We ask for the smallest possible ground set of arcs/segments for a composite arc/segment-drawing. We present algorithms for constructing composite arc-drawings with a small ground set for trees, series-parallel graphs, planar 3-trees and general planar graphs. In the case where G is a tree, we also introduce an algorithm that realizes the vertices of the composite drawing on a O(n1.81) ×n grid. For each of the graph classes we provide a lower bound for the maximal size of the arrangement's ground set.
Dissociable roles of the inferior longitudinal fasciculus and fornix in face and place perception
Authors: Hodgetts Carl J , Postans Mark , Shine Jonathan P , Jones Derek K , Lawrence Andrew D , Graham Kim S
Published: August 2015

We tested a novel hypothesis, generated from representational accounts of medial temporal lobe (MTL) function, that the major white matter tracts converging on perirhinal cortex (PrC) and hippocampus (HC) would be differentially involved in face and scene perception, respectively. Diffusion tensor imaging was applied in healthy participants alongside an odd-one-out paradigm sensitive to PrC and HC lesions in animals and humans. Microstructure of inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF, connecting occipital and ventro-anterior temporal lobe, including PrC) and fornix (the main HC input/output pathway) correlated with accuracy on odd-one-out judgements involving faces and scenes, respectively. Similarly, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response in PrC and HC, elicited during oddity judgements, was correlated with face and scene oddity performance, respectively. We also observed associations between ILF and fornix microstructure and category-selective BOLD response in PrC and HC, respectively. These striking three-way associations highlight functionally dissociable, structurally instantiated MTL neurocognitive networks for complex face and scene perception.
KPNB1 mediates PER/CRY nuclear translocation and circadian clock function
Authors: Lee Yool , Jang A Reum , Francey Lauren J , Sehgal Amita , Hogenesch John B
Published: August 2015

Regulated nuclear translocation of the PER/CRY repressor complex is critical for negative feedback regulation of the circadian clock of mammals. However, the precise molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we report that KPNB1, an importin β component of the ncRNA repressor of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NRON) ribonucleoprotein complex, mediates nuclear translocation and repressor function of the PER/CRY complex. RNAi depletion of KPNB1 traps the PER/CRY complex in the cytoplasm by blocking nuclear entry of PER proteins in human cells. KPNB1 interacts mainly with PER proteins and directs PER/CRY nuclear transport in a circadian fashion. Interestingly, KPNB1 regulates the PER/CRY nuclear entry and repressor function, independently of importin α, its classical partner. Moreover, inducible inhibition of the conserved Drosophila importin β in lateral neurons abolishes behavioral rhythms in flies. Collectively, these data show that KPNB1 is required for timely nuclear import of PER/CRY in the negative feedback regulation of the circadian clock.
Registered report: Inhibition of BET recruitment to chromatin as an effective treatment for MLL-fusion leukemia
Authors: Fung Juan José , Kosaka Alan , Shan Xiaochuan , Danet-Desnoyers Gwenn , Gormally Michael , Owen Kate ,   Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology
Published: August 2015

The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology seeks to address growing concerns about reproducibility in scientific research by conducting replications of selected experiments from a number of high-profile papers in the field of cancer biology. The papers, which were published between 2010 and 2012, were selected on the basis of citations and Altmetric scores (Errington et al., 2014). This Registered report describes the proposed replication plan of key experiments from ‘Inhibition of bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) recruitment to chromatin as an effective treatment for mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL)-fusion leukemia’ by Dawson and colleagues, published in Nature in 2011 (Dawson et al., 2011). The experiments to be replicated are those reported in Figures 2A, 3D, 4B, 4D and Supplementary Figures 11A-B and 16A. In this study, BET proteins were demonstrated as potential therapeutic targets for modulating aberrant gene expression programs associated with MLL-fusion leukemia. In Figure 2A, the BET bromodomain inhibitor I-BET151 was reported to suppress growth of cells harboring MLL-fusions compared to those with alternate oncogenic drivers. In Figure 3D, treatment of MLL-fusion leukemia cells with I-BET151 resulted in transcriptional suppression of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2. Figures 4B and 4D tested the therapeutic efficacy of I-BET151 in vivo using mice injected with human MLL-fusion leukemia cells and evaluated disease progression following I-BET151 treatment. The Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology is a collaboration between the Center for Open Science and Science Exchange and the results of the replications will be published in eLife.
Relationship Between the Size of Metastatic Lymph Nodes and Positron Emission Tomographic/Computer Tomographic Findings in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Park Seong Yong , Kim Dae Joon , Jung Hee Suk , Yun Mi Jin , Lee Jeong Won , Park Cheol Keun
Published: August 2015

Background

We measured the sizes of metastatic lymph nodes and the relationships thereof by 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT). We identified risk factors for nodal upstaging in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Eighty‐five patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy with extensive mediastinal lymphadenectomy were assessed. Two radiologists blinded to pathology data reviewed PET/CT scans, evaluating both primary tumors and lymph node involvement. A pathologist examined all metastatic lymph nodes in terms of maximal diameter (LNmax), the size of the metastatic focus (Fmax), and the metastasis occupation ratio (MOR = Fmax/LNmax).

Results

The maximal tumor length averaged 2.9 ± 0.2 cm and the mean SUVmax of the primary lesion 5.3 ± 0.5. On PET/CT scans, 26 (30.6 %) patients exhibited nodal metastasis and 59 (69.4 %) did not. Pathology grades of pN0, pN1, pN2, and pN3 were assigned to 45 (52.9 %), 24 (28.2 %), 13 (15.3 %), and 3 (3.5 %) patients, respectively. Nodal upstaging was evident in 29 (34.1 %) cases. In 123 metastatic nodes of 4212 nodes dissected, the LNmax was 6.60 ± 0.39 mm, the Fmax 4.47 ± 0.35 mm, and the MOR 0.68 ± 0.03. Of 123 nodes, 85 (69.1 %) were retrieved from PET‐negative stations, and the LNmax and Fmax values of these nodes were 5.88 ± 0.42 and 3.75 ± 0.31 mm, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, tumor length (OR 1.666, p = 0.019) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 41.038, p < 0.001) were risk factors for nodal upstaging.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of nodal metastases were too small to detect via PET/CT imaging. Therefore, meticulous lymph node dissection might be helpful in ESCC patients.
Counselees’ Expressed Level of Understanding of the Risk Estimate and Surveillance Recommendation are Not Associated with Breast Cancer Surveillance Adherence
Authors: Albada Akke , van Dulmen Sandra , Dijkstra Henrietta , Wieffer Ivette , Witkamp Arjen , Ausems Margreet G. E. M.
Published: August 2015

We studied counselees’ expressed understanding of the risk estimate and surveillance recommendation in the final consultation for breast cancer genetic counseling in relation with their risk perception, worry and cancer surveillance adherence 1 year post‐counseling. Consecutive counselees were included from 2008 to 2010. Counselees with an indication for diagnostic DNA‐testing for themselves or a breast cancer affected relative were requested to complete online questionnaires before and after counseling and one year after counseling (N = 152–124). Self‐reported surveillance was compared to surveillance recommendations. Consultations were videotaped. Counselees’ reactions to the risks and recommendations were coded. Statements about the risk perception and surveillance intentions of breast cancer unaffected counselees were transcribed. Associations with outcomes were explored. Almost all breast cancer unaffected counselees (>90 %) reacted to their risk estimate with an utterance indicating understanding and this reaction was not significantly associated with their post‐visit risk perception alignment. Over one‐third (38.6 %) overestimated their risk post‐counseling. Few counselees (5.8 %) expressed surveillance intentions. One year after counseling, about three‐quarters (74.0 %) of the breast cancer unaffected counselees had adhered to the surveillance recommendation. Almost one‐quarter (23.3 %) had performed more mammograms/MRI scans than recommended, which was associated with prior mammography uptake (n = 47; X2 = 5.2; p = .02). Counselees’ post‐counseling overestimation of their risk, high levels of worry and high surveillance uptake were not reflected in their reactions to the counselor's information during the final visit.
Skeletal maturity of children with multiple osteochondromas: Is diminished stature due to a systemic influence?
Authors: Staal Heleen M. , Goud Annemarie L. , van der Woude Henk-Jan , Witlox Marianne Adhiambo , Ham S. John , Robben Simon G. F. , Dremmen Marjolein H. G. , van Rhijn Lodewijk W.
Published: August 2015

Background

Multiple ostechondromas (MO) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by mutated exostosin genes. It mostly affects the long bones and can lead to growth disturbances, especially disproportionate short stature. Both the local effect on growth plates and the systemic influence of the gene disorder on growth mechanisms might explain the diminished stature.

Purpose

The hypothesis of this study is that the diminished stature in adults with MO is due to a systemic influence, leading to early skeletal maturation and early closure of the growth plate. Therefore, in these patients the skeletal age in adolescence is hypothesized to be higher than the calendar age.

Methods

Radiographs of the left hand were collected from 50 MO-affected children. The skeletal age was calculated using these radiographs according to the Greulich–Pyle bone scale and was compared to the calendar age at the time of radiography.

Results

Children aged 3–12 years had a significantly lower skeletal age compared to their calendar age ( p = 0.030). Children aged 12–17 years had a significantly higher skeletal age ( p = 0.019), especially boys. Skeletal maturation in children with MO therefore differs from their peers.

Conclusion

In this study, the skeletal age in younger children with MO is lower than their calendar age. For adolescents, particularly boys, this is reversed, suggesting an earlier or faster closure of the growth plates. These findings support a systemic influence of the gene defect on growth rate.
TAPO: A combined method for the identification of tandem repeats in protein structures
Authors: Do Viet Phuong , Roche Daniel B. , Kajava Andrey V.
Published: August 2015

In recent years, there has been an emergence of new 3D structures of proteins containing tandem repeats (TRs), as a result of improved expression and crystallization strategies. Databases focused on structure classifications (PDB, SCOP, CATH) do not provide an easy solution for selection of these structures from PDB. Several approaches have been developed, but no best approach exists to identify the whole range of 3D TRs. Here we describe the TAndem PrOtein detector (TAPO) that uses periodicities of atomic coordinates and other types of structural representation, including strings generated by conformational alphabets, residue contact maps, and arrangements of vectors of secondary structure elements. The benchmarking shows the superior performance of TAPO over the existing programs. In accordance with our analysis of PDB using TAPO, 19% of proteins contain 3D TRs. This analysis allowed us to identify new families of 3D TRs, suggesting that TAPO can be used to regularly update the collection and classification of existing repetitive structures.
Three cellulosomal xylanase genes inClostridium thermocellum are regulated by both vegetative SigA (σA) and alternative SigI6 (σI6) factors
Authors: Sand Andy , Holwerda Evert K. , Ruppertsberger Natalie M. , Maloney Marybeth , Olson Daniel G. , Nataf Yakir , Borovok Ilya , Sonenshein Abraham L. , Bayer Edward A. , Lamed Raphael , Lynd Lee R. , Shoham Yuval
Published: August 2015

Clostridium thermocellum efficiently degrades crystalline cellulose by a high molecular weight protein complex, the cellulosome. The bacterium regulates its cellulosomal genes using a unique extracellular biomass‐sensing mechanism that involves alternative sigma factors and extracellular carbohydrate‐binding modules attached to intracellular anti‐sigma domains. In this study, we identified three cellulosomal xylanase genes that are regulated by the σI6/RsgI6 system by utilizingsigI6 andrsgI6 knockout mutants together with primer extension analysis. Our results indicate that cellulosomal genes are expressed from both alternative σI6 and σA vegetative promoters.
Outcomes of pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Srichumchit Supansa , Luewan Suchaya , Tongsong Theera
Published: August 2015

Objective

To compare pregnancy outcomes between women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with low‐risk pregnancies during implementation of the GDM practice guideline.

Methods

In a retrospective study, data were compared between women with singleton pregnancies complicated by GDM and control women with singleton low‐risk pregnancies who delivered at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand, between January 2002 and December 2012. All pregnant women were screened and managed for GDM as recommended by the National Diabetes Data Group.

Results

During the study period, 1350 pregnancies with GDM and 20421 low‐risk pregnancies met the study criteria and were included in the GDM group and the control group, respectively. The incidence of fetal macrosomia—the main outcome—was significantly higher in the GDM group (n = 270, 20.0%) than in the control group (n = 2776, 3.6%; adjusted odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.28–1.71; P < 0.001). The incidences of cesarean delivery, cephalopelvic disproportion, pregnancy‐induced hypertension, and shoulder dystocia were also significantly higher in the GDM group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Despite the practice guideline, adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal macrosomia, cesarean delivery, and pregnancy‐induced hypertension, were significantly higher among women with GDM. The findings warrant an effective audit system or improved adherence to the guideline.
The Dominant Narrative of Slavery in South Carolina's History Standards
Authors: Eargle Jeffrey C.
Published: August 2015

Using a critical analysis approach, I investigated the dominant narrative of slavery and African Americans prior to the Civil War in the 2011 South Carolina Social Studies Academic Standards Support Document for the 11th grade U.S. History course. Findings indicate that the Support Document does not offer a complete narrative of slavery and African Americans, perpetuates a negative image of African Americans, excludes themes of African American heroism, and maintains myths related to slavery. The dominant narrative found in the Support Document was compared to the scholarship of historians to construct a counter-narrative for teacher leaders to consider during curriculum development.
Soziale Beziehungen und schulrelevante Fähigkeiten von Kindern mit Down-Syndrom in integrativen Kindertagesstätten
Authors: Sarimski Klaus
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Es wird über eine Befragung von 30 Erzieherinnen berichtet, die Kinder mit Down-Syndrom in integrativen Kindertagesstätten betreuen. Es handelt sich dabei um Kinder, die gemeinsam mit anderen Kindern mit besonderem Förderbedarf in integrativen Gruppen oder als einziges Kind mit einer Behinderung in einem allgemeinen Kindergarten aufgenommen sind. Im Beobachtungsbogen PERIK, in einem Fragebogen zur Beurteilung von sozialen Beziehungen (CBC) sowie in einem Fragebogen zu Temperaments- und Verhaltensmerkmalen (TABS) zeigen sich bei etwa der Hälfte der Kinder unterdurchschnittliche Fähigkeiten zur Selbstregulation und (vor allem bei Jungen mit Down-Syndrom) eine unterdurchschnittliche Kontaktfähigkeit, die die sozialen Beziehungen zu den anderen Kindern der Gruppe beeinträchtigen. Gravierende Verhaltensauffälligkeiten der Kinder werden nicht häufiger beobachtet als bei Gleichaltrigen. Eine soziale Ausgrenzung durch die anderen Kinder wird nicht berichtet. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Blick auf den Unterstützungsbedarf der Kinder zur Förderung ihrer sozialen Teilhabe im Kindergarten und in inklusiven Schulkontexten diskutiert.
Grammatikverständnis von Kindern unterschiedlicher sprachlicher und sozioökonomischer Herkunft
Authors: Berendes Karin , Wagner Wolfgang , Meurers Detmar , Trautwein Ulrich
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. In diesem Beitrag wird untersucht, inwieweit Kinder verschiedener sprachlicher und sozioökonomischer Herkunft unterschiedliche Ergebnisse im Bereich Grammatikverständnis erzielen. Geprüft wurde hierbei, ob komplexe grammatische Strukturen eine besondere Hürde für Kinder mit nicht-deutscher Familiensprache und Kinder aus Familien mit niedrigem sozioökonomischem Status darstellen. Hierfür wurden auf der Basis von Daten des Nationalen Bildungspanels die Grammatikleistungen von etwa fünfjährigen Kindergartenkindern Differential Item Functioning-Analysen unterzogen. Als Prädiktoren zur Vorhersage relativer itemspezifischer Leistungsdifferenzen wurden verschiedene grammatische Merkmale herangezogen. Für die Kinder mit einem niedrigen sozioökonomischen Status zeigte sich im Vergleich mit den übrigen Kindern eine nahezu perfekte übereinstimmung der relativen Itemschwierigkeiten. Der Leistungsvergleich zwischen Kindern mit deutscher und Kindern mit nicht-deutscher Familiensprache zeigte dagegen teilweise deutliche gruppenspezifische Itemschwierigkeiten, wobei sich die spezifischen Itemschwierigkeiten bei Kindern mit nicht-deutscher Familiensprache u. a. durch eine Zunahme der Satzlänge erklären ließen.
Crystal defect-mediated band-gap engineering: a new strategy for tuning the optical properties of Ag2Se quantum dots toward enhanced hydrogen evolution performance
Authors: Cao Qi , Cheng Yi-Feng , Bi Han , Zhao Xuebing , Yuan Kaiping , Liu Qinghe , Li Qingqing , Wang Min , Che Renchao
Published: August 2015

Defect-rich Ag2Se QDs were prepared controllably for sensitizing TiO2 toward high-performance visible-light-driven hydrogen-evolution photocatalysts.
Multiple noncovalent interactions mediated one-pot therapeutic assemblies for the effective treatment of atherosclerosis
Authors: Dou Yin , Zhang Xiangjun , Xu Xiaoqiu , Zhou Xing , Han Songling , Wang Ruibing , Su Min , Li Xiaohui , Zhang Jianxiang
Published: August 2015

Therapeutic microspheres are engineered by multiple noncovalent interactions mediated one-pot assembly, which may serve as effective and safe therapeutics for atherosclerosis.
Iron metabolism and regulation by neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chan Yee Kwan , Sung Hye Kyoung , Sweeney Gary
Published: August 2015

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has recently become established as an important contributor to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, it is now viewed as an attractive candidate as a biomarker for various disease states, and in particular has recently become regarded as one of the best diagnostic biomarkers available for acute kidney injury. Nevertheless, the precise physiological effects of NGAL on the heart and the significance of their alterations during the development of heart failure are only now beginning to be characterized. Furthermore, the mechanisms via which NGAL mediates its effects are unclear because there is no conventional receptor signalling pathway. Instead, previous work suggests that regulation of iron metabolism could represent an important mechanism of NGAL action, with wide-ranging consequences spanning metabolic and cardiovascular diseases to host defence against bacterial infection. In the present review, we summarize rapidly emerging evidence for the role of NGAL in regulating heart failure. In particular, we focus on iron transport as a mechanism of NGAL action and discuss this in the context of the existing strong associations between iron overload and iron deficiency with cardiomyopathy.
Dynamics of oppositely charged emulsion droplets
Authors: Liu Zhou , Wyss Hans M. , Fernandez-Nieves Alberto , Shum Ho Cheung
Published: August 2015

We study the dynamics of two pinned droplets under the influence of an applied electric stress. We find that at a sufficiently strong field, this stress is sufficient to induce contact of the droplets. Interestingly, upon such contact, the dynamic behavior sensitively depends on the separation distance between the droplets. Besides the classical “coalescence” regime, we identify two other dynamic regimes: “fuse-and-split” and “periodic non-coalescence.” In the “fuse-and-split” regime, the droplets first fuse to form a jet, which subsequently breaks up into two droplets. In the “periodic non-coalescence” regime, the droplets contact and bounce away periodically without coalescence. Further analysis indicates that while the electric stress stretches the droplets into shapes that depend on the initial droplet separation, the surface tension stress dominates over the electric stress as soon as the droplets touch. We show that the shapes of the contacting droplets determine their subsequent dynamics. Our work provides a rationale for understanding the interplay between surface tension and electric stresses that govern the behavior of charged droplets and could inspire new methods for characterizing emulsion stability and surfactant performance.
Density-functional approach to the three-body dispersion interaction based on the exchange dipole moment
Authors: Proynov Emil , Liu Fenglai , Gan Zhengting , Wang Matthew , Kong Jing
Published: August 2015

We implement and compute the density functional nonadditive three-body dispersion interaction using a combination of Tang-Karplus formalism and the exchange-dipole moment model of Becke and Johnson. The computation of the C9 dispersion coefficients is done in a non-empirical fashion. The obtained C9 values of a series of noble atom triplets agree well with highly accurate values in the literature. We also calculate the C9 values for a series of benzene trimers and find a good agreement with high-level ab initio values reported recently in the literature. For the question of damping of the three-body dispersion at short distances, we propose two damping schemes and optimize them based on the benzene trimers data, and the fitted analytic potentials of He3 and Ar3 trimers fitted to the results of high-level wavefunction theories available from the literature. Both damping schemes respond well to the optimization of two parameters.
Formation of incoherent deformation twin boundaries in a coarse-grained Al-7Mg alloy
Authors: Jin S. B. , Zhang K. , Bjørge R. , Tao N. R. , Marthinsen K. , Lu K. , Li Y. J.
Published: August 2015

Deformation twinning has rarely been observed in coarse grained Al and its alloys except under some extreme conditions such as ultrahigh deformation strain or strain rates. Here, we report that a significant amount of Σ3 deformation twins could be generated in a coarse-grained Al-7 Mg alloy by dynamic plastic deformation (DPD). A systematic investigation of the Σ3 boundaries shows that they are Σ3{112} type incoherent twin boundaries (ITBs). These ITBs have formed by gradual evolution from copious low-angle deformation bands through 〈111〉-twist Σ boundaries by lattice rotation. These findings provide an approach to generate deformation twin boundaries in high stacking fault energy metallic alloys. It is suggested that high solution content of Mg in the alloy and the special deformation mode of DPD played an important role in formation of the Σ and ITBs.
Atmospheric pressure plasma chemical vapor deposition reactor for 100 mm wafers, optimized for minimum contamination at low gas flow rates
Authors: Anand Venu , Nair Aswathi R. , Shivashankar S. A. , Mohan Rao G.
Published: August 2015

Gas discharge plasmas used for thinfilm deposition by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) must be devoid of contaminants, like dust or active species which disturb the intended chemical reaction. In atmospheric pressure plasma systems employing an inert gas, the main source of such contamination is the residual air inside the system. To enable the construction of an atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) system with minimal contamination, we have carried out fluid dynamic simulation of the APP chamber into which an inert gas is injected at different mass flow rates. On the basis of the simulation results, we have designed and built a simple, scaled APP system, which is capable of holding a 100 mm substrate wafer, so that the presence of air (contamination) in the APP chamber is minimized with as low a flow rate of argon as possible. This is examined systematically by examining optical emission from the plasma as a function of inert gas flow rate. It is found that optical emission from the plasma shows the presence of atmospheric air, if the inlet argon flow rate is lowered below 300 sccm. That there is minimal contamination of the APP reactor built here, was verified by conducting an atmospheric pressure PECVD process under acetylene flow, combined with argon flow at 100 sccm and 500 sccm. The deposition of a polymer coating is confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the polymer coating contains only 5% of oxygen, which is comparable to the oxygen content in polymer deposits obtained in low-pressure PECVD systems.
Tunable sheathless microfluidic focusing using ion concentration polarization
Authors: Yoon Junghyo , Cho Youngkyu , Lee Jeong Hoon , Chung Seok
Published: August 2015

In this study, we developed a tunable sheathless focusing method for focusing micrometer- and nanometer-sized particles, using ion concentration polarization (ICP) in an ion-selective, resin-coated channel. The particle movement was regulated using an electric field, and by varying the flow rate and ionic strength of the liquid solution; various phenomena were observed, depending on the particle properties. Here, we provide insights into the physical basis of the ICP-focusing phenomena, and a statistical approach for analyzing the particle movement. This ICP-focusing technology is an approach that could be applied for the separation and sorting of various particles, including cells, proteins, and bacteria.
Effect of rapid thermal annealing on barrier height and 1/f noise of Ni/GaN Schottky barrier diodes
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh , Latzel M. , Christiansen S. , Kumar V. , Singh R.
Published: August 2015

Current-voltage (as a function of temperature), capacitance-voltage, and 1/f noise characteristics of Ni/GaN Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) as function of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) are studied. It is found that RTA treatments of SBDs at 450 °C for 60 s resulted in a significant improvement of ideality factor and Schottky barrier height: the ideality factor decreased from 1.79 to 1.12 and the barrier height increased from 0.94 to 1.13 eV. The spectral power density of current fluctuations in the diode subjected to RTA at 450 °C is found to be two orders of magnitude lower as compared to the as-deposited diode. Improved diode characteristics and decreased 1/f noise in RTA treated (450 °C/60 s) diode are attributed to reduced level of barrier inhomogeneities at the metal-semiconductor interface and explained within the framework of the spatial inhomogeneity model.
Enhanced near-infrared response of nano- and microstructured silicon/organic hybrid photodetectors
Authors: Đerek Vedran , Głowacki Eric Daniel , Sytnyk Mykhailo , Heiss Wolfgang , Marciuš Marijan , Ristić Mira , Ivanda Mile , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar
Published: August 2015

Heterojunctions between an organic semiconductor and silicon are an attractive route to extending the response of silicon photodiodes into the near infrared (NIR) range, up to 2000 nm. Silicon-based alternatives are of interest to replace expensive low band-gap materials, like InGaAs, in telecommunications and imaging applications. Herein, we report on the significant enhancement in NIR photodetector performance afforded by nano- and microstructuring of p-doped silicon (p-Si) prior to deposition of a layer of the organic semiconductor Tyrian Purple (TyP). We show how different silicon structuring techniques, namely, electrochemically grown porous Si, metal-assisted chemical etching, and finally micropyramids produced by anisotropic chemical etching (Si μP), are effective in increasing the NIR responsivity of p-Si/TyP heterojunction diodes. In all cases, the structured interfaces were found to give photodiodes with superior characteristics as compared with planar interface devices, providing up to 100-fold improvement in short-circuit photocurrent, corresponding with responsivity values of 1–5 mA/W in the range of 1.3–1.6 μm. Our measurements show this increased performance is neither correlated to optical effects, i.e., light trapping, nor simply to geometric surface area increase by micro- and nanostructuring. We conclude that the performance enhancement afforded by the structured p-Si/organic diodes is caused by a yet unresolved mechanism, possibly related to electric field enhancement near the sharp tips of the structured substrate. The observed responsivity of these devices places them closer to parity with other, well-established, Si-based NIR detection technologies.
Spin transport and accumulation in n+-Si using Heusler compound Co2FeSi/MgO tunnel contacts
Authors: Ishikawa Mizue , Sugiyama Hideyuki , Inokuchi Tomoaki , Hamaya Kohei , Saito Yoshiaki
Published: August 2015

We investigate spin transport and accumulation in n+-Si using Heusler compound Co2FeSi/MgO/Si on insulator (SOI) devices. The magnitudes of the non-local four- and three-terminal Hanle effect signals when using Heusler compound Co2FeSi/MgO/SOI devices are larger than when using CoFe/MgO/SOI devices, whereas the preparation methods of MgO layers on SOI are exactly same in both devices. Different bias voltage dependencies on the magnitude of spin accumulation signals are also observed between these devices. Especially, Co2FeSi/MgO/SOI devices show large spin accumulation signals compared with CoFe/MgO/SOI devices in the low bias voltage region less than ∼1000 mV in which the increase of the spin polarization is expected from the estimation of the density of states in Heusler compound Co2FeSi and CoFe under spin extraction conditions. These results indicate that the species of ferromagnetic material definitely affects the magnitude and behavior of the spin signals. The use of highly polarized ferromagnets such as Heusler compounds would be important for improving the spin polarization and the magnitude of spin signals through Si channels.
Measuring excited state lifetime of Rb atoms with pump-probe technique
Authors: Zeng X. , Boiko D. L.
Published: August 2015

A technique for measuring the excited state lifetime τex of optical transitions in alkali atoms is presented. It is a form of pump-probe technique based on time-resolved optical transmission through the atomic vapor cell. This technique can serve as an alternative to the traditionally used time-resolved photofluorescence methods when measuring alkali vapor cells with heavily quenched fluorescence, where the τex is expected to be on the order of a few nanoseconds, and the highly sensitive fluorescence detectors with sub-nanosecond temporal resolution that are required may not be available. We use this technique to measure the τex of Rb atoms in vapor cells with different buffer gas pressures.
Non-local detection of spin dynamics via spin rectification effect in yttrium iron garnet/SiO2/NiFe trilayers near simultaneous ferromagnetic resonance
Authors: Soh Wee Tee , Peng Bin , Ong C. K.
Published: August 2015

The spin rectification effect (SRE), a phenomenon that generates dc voltages from ac microwave fields incident onto a conducting ferromagnet, has attracted widespread attention due to its high sensitivity to ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) as well as its relevance to spintronics. Here, we report the non-local detection of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) spin dynamics by measuring SRE voltages from an adjacent conducting NiFe layer up to 200 nm thick. In particular, we detect, within the NiFe layer, SRE voltages stemming from magnetostatic surface spin waves (MSSWs) of the adjacent bulk YIG which are excited by a shorted coaxial probe. These non-local SRE voltages within the NiFe layer that originates from YIG MSSWs are present even in 200 nm-thick NiFe films with a 50 nm thick SiO2 spacer between NiFe and YIG, thus strongly ruling out the mechanism of spin-pumping induced inverse spin Hall effect in NiFe as the source of these voltages. This long-range influence of YIG dynamics is suggested to be mediated by dynamic fields generated from YIG spin precession near YIG/NiFe interface, which interacts with NiFe spins near the simultaneous resonance of both spins, to generate a non-local SRE voltage within the NiFe layer.
Haematology patients’ desire to access metropolitan hospital expertise
Authors: McGrath Pam
Published: August 2015

Objective To date, there is limited research to inform an understanding of cancer patients’ choice as to location of treatment. This paper makes a contribution by providing findings on a group of regional, rural and remote cancer patients, namely those diagnosed with a haematological malignancy, who have to relocate for specialist care in Queensland, Australia. Methods A descriptive qualitative method was used based on 45 in-depth interviews with haematology patients living in Queensland who were supported by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. Results Four key factors were found to affect the decision making of patients who prefer to travel to metropolitan hospitals for specialist haematology treatments, namely access to own doctor, bonds and familiarity with metropolitan staff, desire for ‘quality’ specialist care and a distrust of local clinical care and, for some, the absence of usual barriers to visiting the metropolitan area. Conclusions There are a group of patients who have experiences that lead them to distrust non-metropolitan hospitals and motivate them to travel long distances to attend specialist treating centres for ‘quality’ care. The literature affirms the concerns of this group. It is the hope and expectation in publishing this article that these patients’ concerns will be taken into consideration in the development of health services and policy so that eventually all regional, rural and remote patients will be provided with equitable choice with regard to the location of accessing specialist care. What is known about the topic? The literature on haematology patients’ experiences with and preferences for local verses metropolitan hospital treatment is limited. What does this paper add? To date, research on relocation for specialist treatment has documented the hardships for both patients and their families associated with distance from major treating hospitals. Although affirming the difficulties associated with travel and the desire of most haematology patients to be treated locally, this article completes the picture with detailed findings on a subset of patients who would prefer to travel to a metropolitan centre for treatment. What are the implications for practitioners? The issues with regard to relocation for specialist treatment are complex and associated with a range of ‘trade-offs’, both positive and negative, for haematology patients. Thus, with regard to both service delivery and health policy decision making, the full range of factors needs to be taken into consideration. This paper indicates that, for a subgroup of haematology patients, their experience and beliefs about issues of quality of care are paramount.
Enzymatic Digestion of Keratin for Preparing a pH-Sensitive Biopolymer Hydrogel
Authors: Li Tao , Yin Xiaochun , Zhai Wenzhong , He Yu-Feng , Wang Rong-Min
Published: August 2015

Keratin, a typical natural biopolymer, has been applied in the biomedical field due to its biocompatible, eco-friendly, and inexpensive characteristics. In this paper, pig hair keratin (PHK) was pre-treated and efficiently digested by enzyme to afford enzymatically digested pig hair keratin (E-PHK) with short polymer chains. Then, by using methacrylic acid (MAA), as a functional monomer, a novel keratin (E- PHK)-based biopolymer hydrogel (E-PHKPGel) was prepared via grafting copolymerization. It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The swelling behaviours, salt sensitivity, and release behaviours of E-PHKPGel were also investigated. As a result, the enzymatic digestion method was found to improve the swelling and release properties of PHK. The release behaviours of pH-sensitive E-PHKPGel were controllable by adjustment of the pH value. For the small molecular model drug (rhodamine B), the cumulative release rate was 89 % in 12 h at pH 7.2. For the macromolecular model drug (bovine serum albumin), the cumulative release rate reached 70.7 % in 12 h at pH 7.2. In conclusion, a simple and efficient enzymatic digestion method to PHK has been found. E-PHKPGel is expected to be used in the biomedical field as a sustained drug carrier as well as a humid medicinal material in the clinical nursing field.
Iconisation, attribution and branding in orthography
Authors: Sebba Mark
Published: August 2015

This paper discusses three processes relating to the social meaning of scripts and orthographies, all of which are potentially mediated by the role of script-as-image. One of these processes,iconisation, was introduced to the field by Irvine and Gal (2000) and is widely known.Attributionis a process which precedes iconisation, whereby a group of people associate a linguistic feature or language-related practice with a group of people who (supposedly) use that feature or engage in that practice. Orthographicbrandinginvolves a specific visual/graphical element of written language such as an alphabetic character. Through ‘branding,’ this element becomes an emblem of a group of people who use the element in question in their writing practices. Branding may involve iconisation, but the processes are distinct. This paper describes and distinguishes the three processes and provides examples from different languages and user communities.
The caveolin–cavin system plays a conserved and critical role in mechanoprotection of skeletal muscle
Authors: Lo Harriet P. , Nixon Susan J. , Hall Thomas E. , Cowling Belinda S. , Ferguson Charles , Morgan Garry P. , Schieber Nicole L. , Fernandez-Rojo Manuel A. , Bastiani Michele , Floetenmeyer Matthias , Martel Nick , Laporte Jocelyn , Pilch Paul F. , Parton Robert G.
Published: August 2015

Dysfunction of caveolae is involved in human muscle disease, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this paper, we have functionally characterized mouse and zebrafish models of caveolae-associated muscle disease. Using electron tomography, we quantitatively defined the unique three-dimensional membrane architecture of the mature muscle surface. Caveolae occupied around 50% of the sarcolemmal area predominantly assembled into multilobed rosettes. These rosettes were preferentially disassembled in response to increased membrane tension. Caveola-deficient cavin-1−/− muscle fibers showed a striking loss of sarcolemmal organization, aberrant T-tubule structures, and increased sensitivity to membrane tension, which was rescued by muscle-specific Cavin-1 reexpression. In vivo imaging of live zebrafish embryos revealed that loss of muscle-specific Cavin-1 or expression of a dystrophy-associated Caveolin-3 mutant both led to sarcolemmal damage but only in response to vigorous muscle activity. Our findings define a conserved and critical role in mechanoprotection for the unique membrane architecture generated by the caveolin–cavin system.