bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Genetics of human bone formation
Authors: Boudin Eveline , Van Hul Wim
Published: April 2017

Throughout life, bone is continuously remodelled to be able to fulfil its multiple functions. The importance of strictly regulating the bone remodelling process, which is defined by the sequential actions of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, is shown by a variety of disorders with abnormalities in bone mass and strength. The best known and most common example of such a disorder is osteoporosis, which is marked by a decreased bone mass and strength that consequently results in an increased fracture risk. As osteoporosis is a serious health problem, a large number of studies focus on elucidating the aetiology of the disease as well as on the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of osteoporotic patients. These studies have demonstrated that a large amount of variation in bone mass and strength is often influenced by genetic variation in genes encoding important regulators of bone homeostasis. Throughout the years, studies into the genetic causes of osteoporosis as well as several rare monogenic disorders with abnormal high or low bone mass and strength have largely increased the knowledge on regulatory pathways important for bone resorption and formation. This review gives an overview of genes and pathways that are important for the regulation of bone formation and that are identified through their involvement in monogenic and complex disorders with abnormal bone mass. Furthermore, novel bone-forming strategies for the treatment of osteoporosis that resulted from these discoveries, such as antibodies against sclerostin, are discussed as well.
Moving Beyond Managing Realized Genomic Relationship in Long-Term Genomic Selection
Authors: De Beukelaer Herman , Badke Yvonne , Fack Veerle , De Meyer Geert
Published: April 2017

Long-term genomic selection (GS) requires strategies that balance genetic gain with population diversity, to sustain progress for traits under selection, and to keep diversity for future breeding. In a simulation model for a recurrent selection scheme, we provide the first head-to-head comparison of two such existing strategies: genomic optimal contributions selection (GOCS), which limits realized genomic relationship among selection candidates, and weighted genomic selection (WGS), which upscales rare allele effects in GS. Compared to GS, both methods provide the same higher long-term genetic gain and a similar lower inbreeding rate, despite some inherent limitations. GOCS does not control the inbreeding rate component linked to trait selection, and, therefore, does not strike the optimal balance between genetic gain and inbreeding. This makes it less effective throughout the breeding scheme, and particularly so at the beginning, where genetic gain and diversity may not be competing. For WGS, truncation selection proved suboptimal to manage rare allele frequencies among the selection candidates. To overcome these limitations, we introduce two new set selection methods that maximize a weighted index balancing genetic gain with controlling expected heterozygosity (IND-HE) or maintaining rare alleles (IND-RA), and show that these outperform GOCS and WGS in a nearly identical way. While requiring further testing, we believe that the inherent benefits of the IND-HE and IND-RA methods will transfer from our simulation framework to many practical breeding settings, and are therefore a major step forward toward efficient long-term genomic selection.
GRAMATINIAI POEZIJOS VERTIMO ASPEKTAI: OSKARO MILAŠIAUS EILĖRAŠČIO „LA BER LINE ARR ETÉE DA NS LA NUIT“ VERTIMŲ ANALIZĖ
Authors: Černiuvienė Liucija
Published: April 2017

Poezijos vertimas ir poezijos vertimų analizė nuolat yra aktualūs vertimų tyrinėtojams: viena vertus, dėl galimų tirti aspektų gausos, kita vertus – dėl to, kad poezijos vertimai apskritai nedaug tyrinėti. Oskaras Milašius, lietuvių kilmės prancūzų poetas, yra bene gausiausiai verstas į lietuvių kalbą. Straipsnyje kiek neįprastu poezijos vertimų tyrinėjimui gramatiniu aspektu analizuojami keturi skirtingų vertėjų to paties eilėraščio vertimai. Toks aspektas pasirinktas remiantis Romano Jakobsono mintimi, jog poezijos gramatika gali virsti gramatikos poezija. Būtent gramatikos poezijos vaidmuo Oskaro Milašiaus eilėraštyje „La berline arretee dans la nuit“ ir šio eilėraščio vertimuose yra kalbamojo straipsnio analizės pagrindas.
BENDROSIOS KOMPETENCIJOS IR VERTĖJŲ RENGIMAS
Authors: Maskaliūnienė Nijolė , Kaminskienė Ligija
Published: April 2017

Lietuvoje, kaip ir visoje Europoje, atsiranda vis daugiau vertimo studijų programų, pagal kurias rengiami tiek plataus profilio, tiek labiau specializuotų krypčių vertėjai. Be to, vertimas jau yra įtrauktas į beveik visų filologijos krypčių studijų programas, todėl vertimo studijų programų siekinių ir jomis ugdomų kompetencijų klausimai labai aktualūs. 2013 m. rudenį Europos Komisijos iniciatyva jau trečią kartą bus skelbiamas konkursas norintiesiems tapti Europos vertimo raštu magistro programų tinklo (angl. European Master’s in Translation, EMT) nariais. Šios iniciatyvos tikslas – Europoje užtikrinti aukščiausios kokybės vertimo studijas, todėl būti šio tinklo nare turėtų būti kiekvienos vertimo studijų programos siekiamybė, nes dėl griežtų atrankos kriterijų tinklo nariais gali tapti tik geriausias vertimo studijų programas siūlančios institucijos. Vilniaus universiteto Filologijos fakulteto Vertimo studijų katedra treji metai yra Europos vertimo raštu magistro programų tinklo narė, todėl jau turi sukaupusi šio tinklo programoms keliamų uždavinių įgyvendinimo patirties. Padėtis darbo rinkoje taip pat nuolat keičiasi, todėl šiandien vertėjų rengimui keliami reikalavimai ateityje gali pasikeisti, bet pagrindiniai principai ir ugdomos kompetencijos turi išliekamąją vertę, nors, suprantama, bus tobulinamos. Šiame straipsnyje aptarsime tik tas vertėjų kompetencijas, kurios vadinamos bendrosiomis, arba transversaliosiomis, nes dėl straipsnio apimties specialiosioms, arba profesinėms, kompetencijoms negalėtume skirti pakankamai dėmesio. Kita vertus, transversaliosios kompetencijos paprastai keičiasi daug lėčiau, jos taikomos ne tik kuriai nors vienai programų grupei, bet ir visoms programoms ar net kiekvienam piliečiui individualiai, todėl tikėtina, kad pagrindiniai jas apibrėžiantys principai ir metodai bus tinkami gana ilgai. Be to, aptariant bendrąsias kompetencijas būtina atsižvelgti į visą kompetencijų sąvokos atsiradimo ir diegimo praktikos kontekstą, kuriam taip pat skirsime nemažai dėmesio.
PROBLEMINIAI EKSPLIKAVIMO VERTIME ASPEKTAI
Authors: Darbutaitė Rasa
Published: April 2017

Straipsnio tikslas – aptarti pagrindinius eksplikavimo reiškinio aspektus, kuriuos vertimo tyrėjai vertina nevienareikšmiškai: apibrėžties problematiką, eksplikavimo klasifikaciją, eksplikavimo vertime žodžiu ir raštu skirtumus ir galimas eksplikavimo priežastis. Atkreipiamas dėmesys į konteksto svarbą sinchroniniame vertime ir aptariami komunikacinės rizikos vengimo, kaip pagrindinės eksplikavimo priežasties, trūkumai. Straipsnyje eksplikavimo sinchroniniame vertime ypatumai apžvelgiami pasitelkiant vertimo iš vokiečių kalbos į lietuvių kalbą pavyzdžius iš Europos Parlamento plenarinių sesijų.
LOGINIŲ JUNGČIŲ VARTOJIMO SAVITUMAS PRANCŪZŲ IR LIETUVIŲ KALBŲ TEISĖS TEKSTUOSE: VERTIMO ASPEKTAI
Authors: Černiuvienė Liucija , Dambrauskas Antanas
Published: April 2017

Teisės tekstų vertimų analizė yra itin aktuali mūsų dienų vertimo teoretikams ir praktikams: daugiakalbėje Europos Sąjungoje teisės aktų vertimų į nacionalines kalbas gausu, teisės tekstų vertimas taip pat užima nemenką nacionalinių vertimo rinkų dalį. Straipsnyje analizuojama teisės tekstų vertimo specifika, konkrečiai – loginių jungčių vartojimo savitumas prancūzų ir lietuvių kalbų teisės tekstuose ir teisės tekstų vertimuose iš prancūzų kalbos į lietuvių kalbą. Analizė aktuali, nes loginės jungtys nemažai tirtos prancūzų kalbininkų, bet beveik nenagrinėtos lietuvių kalbininkų. Tyrimo objektas – loginių jungčių vartojimas Europos Sąjungos Teisingumo Teismo sprendimuose prancūzų kalba ir tų sprendimų vertimai į lietuvių kalbą, taip pat Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucinio Teismo nutarimų tekstai lietuvių kalba. Gauti rezultatai gretinami siekiant nustatyti loginių jungčių vartojimo savitumą prancūzų ir lietuvių kalbų teisės tekstuose ir ištirti, ar vertėjai laikosi lietuvių teisės kalbai būdingų normų, ar jų vertimams būdinga prancūzų teisės kalbos interferencija.
TRANSLATING FROM LITHUANIAN INTO ITALIAN: FIVE YEARS AFTER TURIN 2007
Authors: Cerri Adriano
Published: April 2017

This review deals with the most recent translations from Lithuanian into Italian. It is intended as a sequel to previous works (e.g. Dini 2007b; Dini, Klioštoraitytė 2009). The focus is the years 2008–2012. All the translations which appeared in this period are reviewed with two objectives in mind: a) to update the data; b) to analyse the situation after the 2007 Turin Book Fair, where Lithuania was the guest of honour. The analysis suggests both negative and positive conclusions. Compared to the period 2005–2008, there was a drop in the number of translations. This may have been a natural effect after the rapid growth due to the Fair; however, the drop in translations can be largely attributed to the economic crisis. In fact, the 2011 Bologna Children’s Book Fair did not cause the same surge in the market of translation. Regrettably, some translators who worked in the pre-Turin years have not continued; thus, the small number of translators is currently a problem. On the other hand, there are also positive signs. Several important and highquality translations have appeared recently. The efforts of the few main translators have even increased over the years and, finally, some new translators and new publishing companies are slowly emerging.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Urinary Tract Infection–Related Renal Scarring: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hewitt Ian K. , Pennesi Marco , Morello William , Ronfani Luca , Montini Giovanni
Published: April 2017

CONTEXT:

Acute pyelonephritis may result in renal scarring. Recent prospective studies have shown a small benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing symptomatic and febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs), while being underpowered to detect any influence in prevention of renal damage.

OBJECTIVES:

Review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on UTI-related renal scarring.

DATA SOURCES:

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register electronic databases were searched for studies published in any language and bibliographies of identified prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed and published between 1946 and August 2016.

STUDY SELECTION:

Subjects 18 years of age or younger with symptomatic or febrile UTIs, enrolled in prospective RCTs of antibiotic prophylaxis where 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid scans were performed at entry into the study and at late follow-up to detect new scar formation.

DATA EXTRACTION:

The literature search, study characteristics, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and risk of bias assessment were independently evaluated by 2 authors.

RESULTS:

Seven RCTs (1427 subjects) were included in the meta-analysis. Our results show no influence of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing renal scarring (pooled risk ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–1.26) as did a subanalysis restricted to those subjects with vesicoureteral reflux (pooled risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–1.24).

LIMITATIONS:

Limitations include the small number of studies, short duration of follow-up, and insufficient children with high-grade dilating reflux and/or renal dysplasia enrolled in the studies.

CONCLUSIONS:

Antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated for the prevention of renal scarring after a first or second symptomatic or febrile UTI in otherwise healthy children.
TRANSFORMACIONES EN LA FORMACIÓN ACADÉMICA DE LA ESCUELA DE SERVICIO SOCIAL, 1942-1970
Authors: Angulo Brenes Sonia
Published: April 2017

El propósito principal de este artículo es analizar las diferentes transformaciones en la formación académica de la Escuela de Servicio Social en el período de 1942 a 1970; para esto, se revisan las diversas fuentes desde actas del Consejo Universitario hasta los Planes de Estudio; y se examina las tendencias, las rupturas y las continuidades tanto de la formación académica como de los fundamentos del Trabajo Social en su relación con la sociedad costarricense. La formación ha transmutado constantemente a partir de elementos como el proyecto de creación de la Escuela de Servicio Social propuesto por Héctor Beeche y su respectivo ingreso a la Universidad de Costa Rica, el vínculo con las instituciones relacionadas con la política social, la influencia de los organismos internacionales, el afianzamiento de la relación teoría-práctica, la configuración de los métodos clásicos para la intervención social (propios de Trabajo Social), y el avance al pasar de preparar agentes técnicos a un cuerpo de profesionales formados para atender las manifestaciones de la “cuestión social” en Costa Rica.
PERCEPCIÓN Y MIEDO AL CRIMEN: REVISIÓN DE ARTÍCULOS EN ESPAÑOL 2004-2014
Authors: García-Castro Juan Diego , Barrantes Umaña Beatriz
Published: April 2017

Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de artículos científicos en español de psicología social sobre percepción y miedo a la criminalidad, publicados durante la década del 2004 al 2014 en las bases de datos Redalyc, Dialnet, Scielo y Google Académico. Se encontraron 52 artículos. A partir de un análisis de contenido se agruparon los estudios en cinco categorías: perspectivas críticas, miedo al crimen, medición de la criminalidad, percepción de la criminalidad y medios de comunicación. Los resultados señalan que la investigación se ha caracterizado por una visión crítica y descriptiva del tema. Se discute la necesidad de prestar mayor atención a las mediciones y el impacto del miedo al crimen, diferenciar conceptualmente y metodológicamente la percepción del miedo, y estudiar modelos cuasi-experimentales que prueben intervenciones de reducción del miedo y beneficien la salud mental.
ACUERDOS Y COMPROMISOS: FAMILIAS Y PROGRAMAS SOCIALES DESDE UNA MIRADA TEÓRICA
Authors: Picasso Risso Florencia
Published: April 2017

El presente artículo procura contribuir a la reflexión teórica sobre los encuentros entre las familias beneficiarias y los programas sociales en el contexto latinoamericano. Se busca reflexionar cómo se produce la recepción de las políticas sociales, en relación a los sujetos vulnerados en sus derechos y qué sucede a partir de tales intervenciones. Desde esta premisa inicial vinculada a la tesis doctoral, parte el presente artículo que procura desarrollar una aproximación teórica a estas interrogantes, a la luz de la mirada de Habermas, Bourdieu y Berger y Luckmann. La reflexión despierta varias pistas teóricas atrayentes para tensionar las prácticas, expectativas, posibilidades e imposiciones, desde la lógica familiar-institucional-profesional y en el marco de la intervención de la política pública. En este sentido, resulta una tríada potente para abordar el objeto de estudio.
JÓVENES UNIVERSITARIOS: PERCEPCIONES Y ENCUESTAS SOBRE CONFLICTO ARMADO Y PAZ EN COLOMBIA
Authors: Wilches Tinjacá Jaime Andrés , Hernández Pérez Mauricio
Published: April 2017

El artículo tiene como objetivo identificar los referentes conceptuales y las estrategias metodológicas que se han utilizado para dar cuenta de las reacciones de la sociedad civil, en torno al proceso de paz que se adelanta entre el gobierno de Juan Manuel Santos y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Luego de realizado este rastreo se evidenció, que las encuestas asociadas a las percepciones son la estrategia privilegiada de centros de pensamiento, investigadores y medios de comunicación, para justificar sus perspectivas de análisis frente a una salida negociada del conflicto armado. De acuerdo a lo anterior, se formuló una propuesta metodológica encaminada a realizar una encuesta a quinientos jóvenes universitarios de instituciones de educación superior públicas y privadas.Los resultados evidenciaron que las preguntas asociadas a la bipolaridad guerra - paz son más fáciles de responder que las asociadas al reconocimiento de actores, discursos y estrategias que han incidido en la comprensión del enfrentamiento bélico en Colombia. Aún más complejo cuando se solicita proponer soluciones o ideas en un posible escenario de posconflicto. Por último, se proponen algunas consideraciones finales que invitan a construir estrategias pedagógicas que logren incidir en las personas jóvenes, como actores claves para movilizar prejuicios, desconocimientos e indiferencias en los retos que supone la construcción de paz.
Molecular Imprinting of Polymeric Core-Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Moral Natalia Pérez , Mayes Andrew G.
Published: April 2017

In order to evaluate the compatibility of structured nanoparticles produced by aqueous emulsion polymerisation with the non-covalent imprinting procedure, a number of imprinted polymeric nanoparticles have been synthesised by seeded emulsion polymerisation in the presence and absence of a porogenic solvent. Propranolol was chosen as the template molecule using methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as functional monomer and crosslinker respectively. The influence of the porogen and the amount of template added was studied by measuring the capacity of the polymeric particles to rebind template both in organic and aqueous buffers by radioligand binding assay. By increasing the amount of template from 0.5 to 6% (mol/mol with respect to monomers) the specific rebinding was increased from 2% to 24% in aqueous buffer and to 31% in a toluene based assay. The influence of the porosity was also established when the rebinding was performed in an organic solvent.
Oligonucleotide Imprinting in Aqueous Environment
Authors: Batra Dolly , Shea Kenneth J.
Published: April 2017

The development of synthetic receptors that recognize nucleotide bases and their derivatives is an important area of research [1-3]. Applications are envisioned in separation science, biosensors, drug therapy and genetic engineering. Previously in this laboratory, we have developed a molecularly imprinted synthetic receptor for 9-ethyladenine (9-EA). The network polymer has an affinity for adenine and its derivatives with an average association constant (Ka) of 75,000 M–1 in CHCl3 [4]. When a 9-EA imprinted polymer was used as the chromatographic support, adenine eluted at 27 minutes using 92.5/5/0/2.5 CH3CN/H2O/CH3CO2H as the mobile phase, while cytosine, guanine and thymine derivatives all eluted close to the void volume (2.0 min). In addition, imprinted polymers have been made with complementary binding sites for cytosine and guanine [5], as well as other nucleotide base analogues [6].

The extension of these results to construct robust receptors for oligonucleotides requires fundamental changes in imprinting strategies. Most importantly, since oligonucleotides are water soluble, strategies that employ EGDMA/MAA formulations in organic solvents will need to be replaced with those that do not compromise the interactions between template (the oligo) and functional monomer.

Initially, the imprinting of a 2'-deoxyadenosine dimer (1) was attempted. Due to the hydrophilicity of a DNA oligomer, it was difficult to find a suitable organic solvent that would solubilize the oligomers without disrupting the template's interaction with the polymer matrix [7]. To combat the solubility problems and to insure the homogeniety of the polymerization solution, we examined various polymer formulations with organic and/or aqueous-based solvents that would dissolve the template without disrupting these key interactions.
A Highly Sensitive and Selective Surface-Enhanced Nanobiosensor
Authors: Haes Amanda J. , Van Duyne Richard P.
Published: April 2017

Nanosphere lithography (NSL) derived triangular Ag nanoparticles were used to create an extremely sensitive and specific optical biological and chemical nanosensor. Using simple UV-vis spectroscopy, biotinylated surface-confined Ag nanoparticles were used to detect streptavidin down to one picomolar concentrations. The system was tested for nonspecific binding interactions with bovine serum albumin and was found to display virtually no adverse results. The extremely sensitive and selective response of the Ag nanoparticle sensor indicates an exciting use for biological and chemical sensing.
A Self-Locking Technique With Fast Response and High Sensitivity for Micro-Cantilever Based Sensing of Analytes
Authors: Mehta A. , Muralidharan G. , Passian A. , Cherian S. , Ferrell T.L. , Thundat T.
Published: April 2017

MEMS based microcantilevers have been employed as sensors in both liquid and ambient conditions. One scheme for detection is based upon monitoring the change in microcantilever resonant frequency as a function of the adsorbed analyte concentration. However, the sensitivity is limited by the accuracy of the frequency measurements, which is a function of the Q-factor of the vibrating element and the measurement bandwidth. In this paper, we present a feedback scheme for self-locking amplification of the small-amplitude thermal oscillations of the microcantilever. Using this approach, we demonstrate an improvement in the Q-factor by two to three orders of magnitude as compared to that of the undriven microcantilever. Use of this technique eliminates the need for lock-in detection and results in improved response times for sensor applications. Experiments using the proposed feedback amplification technique show improved sensitivity for the detection of biological molecules in liquids, and for adsorbed vapors under ambient conditions.
Chemical Sensing With Resistive Microcantilevers
Authors: Muralidharan G. , Wig A. , Pinnaduwage L. A. , Hedden D. L. , Datskos P. G. , Thundat T. , Lareau R. T.
Published: April 2017

MEMS-based microcantilevers have been proposed for a variety of biological and chemical sensing applications. Measuring the magnitude of microcantilever deflection due to adsorption-induced bending, and following the variation in the resonant frequency of the microcantilevers due to the adsorbed mass are two techniques commonly employed for sensing analytes. Apart from possessing a high level of sensitivity to small changes in mass, microcantilevers are also very sensitive to small changes in temperature and hence the flow of heat. One way of achieving high sensitivity in thermal measurements is by using a bimaterial microcantilever and measuring its deflection as a result of thermal fluctuations. Commercially available piezoresistive microcantilevers are an example of bimaterial cantilevers and in this study, we propose the use of such cantilevers for sensing explosives. We show that sensing can be accomplished by following the differences in the thermal response of the cantilevers introduced by the presence of explosives adsorbed from the vapor phase onto the surface of the cantilever. We discuss the issues involved in determining the sensitivity of detection and selectivity of detection.
Micromirror Arrays for High Temperature Operation
Authors: Almasri Mahmoud F. , Frazier Bruno A.
Published: April 2017

This paper describes the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of electroplated metal electrostatic torsion micromirror arrays. The goal is to develop novel micromirror arrays optimized for high temperature operation for use in epitaxial growth systems such as MOCVD and MBE to define device structure and hence eliminate the need for etching and lithography. The metallic micromirror arrays were fabricated with a hexagonal shape and with diameters of 0.5 mm2 and 1mm2. The micromirror arrays were structurally composed of primarily electroplated nickel, a mechanically durable material with a high glass transition temperature and with controllable residual stress. The torsion beam was designed with a straight bar and serpentine shape in order to optimize the voltage necessary to tilt the micromirror by ± 10°. A finite element model built in Ansys has been employed to determine the micromirror geometries and performance. A voltage of 130 volts was required to rotate the mirror with a serpentine shape beams by 10°. In addition, the mirror was operated at a resonant frequency of 2.2 kHz.
Investigating Narrow Plasmons in Nanoparticle Arrays Fabricated Using Electron Beam Lithography.
Authors: Hicks Erin M. , Gunnarrsson Linda , Rindevicius Tomas , Zou Shengli , Kasemo Bengt , Käll Mikael , Schatz Goerge C. , Spears Kenneth G. , Duyne Richard P. Van
Published: April 2017

The improvement of nanofabrication is one of the driving forces behind advancements in the fields of electronics, photonics and sensors. Precise control over nanoscale architecture is an essential aspect in relating new size-dependent material properties. Direct writing methods such as Electron Beam Lithography (EBL), enable precise “user-defined” writing of nanostructures in a wide range of materials. Using electrodynamics calculations, Schatz and coworkers have discovered one dimensional array structures built from spherical silver nanoparticles that produce remarkably narrow plasmon resonance spectra upon irradiation with light that is polarized perpendicularly to the array axis. In order to investigate these interactions, precise control of nanoparticle orientation, size, shape and spacing is necessary. If the overall structures have excessive defects then the effect may not be seen. To have the best control over array fabrication and to look at these interactions experimentally, EBL was used to construct lines of circular cylinders of varying interparticle spacings. Dark field microscopy was used to look at overall sample homogeneity and collect the single particle plasmon resonance spectrum. Additionally, a UV-visible spectrometer with a variable angle stage was used to look at the bulk line properties. With experimental verification of the theory will lead to not only a more thorough understanding of the underlying principles of nanophotonics, but also application in biosensing, that potentially improve on current technologies.
Synthesis of Nanoscale Devices for Neural Electrophysiological Imaging
Authors: Dell'Acqua-Bellavitis Ludovico M. , Ballard Jake D. , Bizios Rena , Siegel Richard W.
Published: April 2017

A device with nanometric resolution in space and millisecond resolution in time, intended for neural electrophysiological imaging applications, is being developed and fabricated for in vitro experimentation. The device consists of (i) an integrated circuit (IC) platform and (ii) a carbon nanotube/polymethylmethacrylate composite construct. Arrays of equi-spaced multiple gold electrodes were fabricated using combined e-beam and optical lithography to achieve three types of IC platforms with three different scales of resolution. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized on silicon dioxide substrates using a chemical vapor deposition method. Subsequently, the carbon nanotube arrays were infiltrated with in situ polymerized polymethylmethacrylate to achieve electrical insulation between adjacent nanotube bundles. The composite construct was fabricated and exhibited electrical conductivity and connectivity between two faces of the composite along the length of the nanotubes. The carbon nanotube arrays grown on silicon dioxide exhibited uniform length and a high level of alignment, which was preserved subsequent the in situ polymerization process. The devices can be deployed as an interface between ICs and mammalian cells.
Thermally Stimulated Electron Emission from Scratched Metal Surfaces
Authors: Nakayama Keiji , Matamura Hitoshi
Published: April 2017

In order to have a knowledge on electron emission from wearing metal surfaces under frictional heating, we investigated thermally stimulated electron emission (TSEE) phenomena together with thermoelectronic emission for 14 kinds of scratched metal surfaces, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, W, Pd, Pt, Ag and Au. The scratched metal surfaces in ambient air were thermally stimulated in a constant heating rate ranged from 1.3 to 4.4 °C/s from room temperature to 700 °C in a residual gas pressure of 10-4Pa in a vacuum chamber. During the stimulation, a channeling type secondary electron multiplier detected the electrons emitted from the scratched metal surfaces. The TSEE glow curves and the integrated electron emission intensities over tested temperature range for the metals are presented and the emission mechanisms are discussed.
Fabrication Methods for Improved Electromechanical Behavior in Piezoelectric Membranes
Authors: Robinson M.C. , Hayenga P.D. , Cho J.H. , Richards C.D. , Richards R.F. , Bahr D.F.
Published: April 2017

Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical to electrical energy under stretching and bending conditions. Optimizing the coupling conversion is imperative to the electromechanical behavior of a micromachined membrane's performance. This paper discusses analytical calculations that were devised to determine the microscale structure that minimizes residual stress and outlines the implementation of fabrication technique variations including three different electrode configurations, trenching around the membrane, and reducing the total composite residual stress of the support structure using compressive silicon oxide. Lead zirconacte titanate (PZT) films between 1 and 3 μm thick with a ratio of Zr to Ti of 40:60 were deposited onto 3 mm square silicon membranes. The total tensile stress in the composite structure reaches 100 MPa during standard fabrication processing. Utilizing analytical calculations, a structure was determined that lowered the residual stress of the composite to 11 MPa and increased the electromechanical coupling 35 times. Changing the geometry of the electrode coverage decreased the residual stress of the composite by 40%. Trenching around the membrane provided a membrane with boundary conditions that approached simply supported and decreased the composite residual stress by another 16%. A comparison of the electromechanical behavior for these structures will be discussed, showing a route towards increasing electromechanical coupling in PZT MEMS.
Space Charge Limited Current in Porous Silicon with traces of Nitrogen Dioxide
Authors: Borini Stefano , Rossi Andrea M. , Boarino Luca , Amato Giampiero
Published: April 2017

The discovery of the steep increase of electrical conductivity in Porous Silicon (PS) samples in contact with Nitrogen Dioxide, NO2, opens the possibility to study the electrical conduction processes in nanostructured systems from a completely new point of view. The system undergoes a change of conductivity of 5 orders of magnitude when exposed to few ppm of NO2, whereas the free charge concentration increases by only one order of magnitude in the same pressure range. Upon NO2 exposure the system transition from an “insulator-like” to a “semiconductor-like” behaviour can be studied by means of several techniques. In this paper, the results from a Space Charge Limited Current (SCLC) study unambiguously demonstrate the change of the charging status of defects upon NO2exposure, and explain some “exotic” effects recently reported.
Atomic Force Microscopy Probe with Integrated Loop and Shielded Leads for Micromagnetic Sensing
Authors: Lagally D.P. , Karbassi A. , Wang Y. , Paulson C.A. , Weide D. W. van der
Published: April 2017

The effort to produce an instrument that can achieve high spatial resolution, nondestructive, surface and sub-surface imaging for a variety of materials comes with many challenges. One approach, magnetic resonance-force microscopy (MRFM), lies at the nexus of two sensitive technologies: magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MFM uses a magnetic tip in a standard atomic force microscope (AFM) to obtain magnetic information about a surface. A difference in the magnetic moments of surface atoms in different regions on the surface varies the cantilever resonance. MRI, on the other hand, uses the spin states of magnetically biased atoms to differentiate between chemical species.
In-Situ Pretreatment Approach for Surface Deterioration Alleviation Amidst Thermal Desorption of Si(100)
Authors: Pun A.F. , Wang X. , Meeks J.B. , Durbin S.M , Zheng J.P.
Published: April 2017

Within this article, a novel in-situ method is proposed as a modification of thermal desorption utilizing pretreatment which can be applied to systems subject to material deposition, substrate heating, and creation of non-oxidizing environments (vacuum or inert atmosphere). Following the theoretical development of this proposed method, involving the fue ling of the oxide-reduction reaction with segregated sacrificial material, the method is demonstrated experimentally on Si (100) wafers utilizing ex-situ atomic force microscopy for resulting surface topography analysis and in-situreflective high-energy electron diffraction for crystalline information during the modified thermal desorption progression.
Surface Electronic States and Electrostatic Attractive Forces between Metals or Semiconductor and Tribocharged Polymers
Authors: Momose Yoshihiro , Umeki Masahiro , Suzuki Daisuke , Nakayama Keiji
Published: April 2017

A new simple method for measuring a long-range electrostatic attractive force between metal and semiconductor substrate and charged polymer surfaces has been developed to make clear the effect of the electronic nature of substrate surfaces. Nickel, titanium, and silicon wafer substrates were subjected to various surface pretreatments. The surfaces of polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene sheets were positively and negatively charged by triboelectrification, respectively. A progressive increase in the attractive force was observed with a decrease in the distance between the substrate and polymer surfaces. The magnitude of the attractive force was greatly influenced by the substrate pretreatments and the polymers with the oppositely charged surface. The electronic nature of the substrate surfaces evaluated by temperature programmed photoelectron emission method was well correlated with the attractive force. The electrostatic induction generated at the substrate surface is considered to govern the attractive force.
Strain Transduction in Conductor-Modified Polymers
Authors: Hantsoo Eerik T. , Chial Vanessa B. , Zhao Yanan , Chan Kevin C. , Rose Klint A. , Wu Kenneth S. , Pruitt Beth L.
Published: April 2017

We present the fabrication and electromechanical characterization of a class of polymeric high-elongation strain sensors. Samples of polydimethylsiloxane were coated with Creative Materials, Inc.'s 123-27 Electrically Conductive Silicone Ink and the resistance behavior was evaluated in uniaxial tensile tests. Large strains (up to 100%) were observed with monotonically increasing resistance changes. A clear, linear trend up to 65% strain dominated the resistance vs. strain behavior then resistance increased non-linearly. Image processing of the film coupled with a finite element conduction simulation indicate the change in resistance is primarily a geometric effect. Both the conduction path and the polydimethylsiloxane substrate break completely around 100% strain. The samples exhibit a gauge factor of approximately 10.
Characterization of Ti/TiN and TiN Conductive Layer for High Temperature MEMS Devices
Authors: Lange Peter , Ohlsen Birger , Puls Sebastian , Syre Joerg
Published: April 2017

The effects of temperature on micro heaters made of Ti/TiN stacks and pure TiN layers on bulk micromachined membranes have been studied. Ti/TiN stacks show a thermal stability up to 380°C, beyond that temperature an enhanced interaction within the stack and/or with adjacend layers leads to a degradation of the resistance. The pure TiN layers withstand temperatures up to 600 °C, this limitation is only given by the mechanical stability of the membran stack, which is destroyed beyond this temperature. These layers are suitable for sensors in which an elevated temperature provided by heating lines on a membran for thermal isolation and fast response is necessary for functionality.
Exchange Spring Type Magnet Realized in FePt/Fe Multilayers Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Gu Yousong , Zhang Dayong , Zhan Xiaoyuan , Ji Zhen , Zhen Xiaolan , Zhang Yue
Published: April 2017

Series of FePt/Fe multilayers with different layer thicknesses have been deposited on Si substrates by magnetron sputtering and post annealing at different temperatures and durations. The structure, surface morphology, composition, and magnetic properties of the deposited films have been characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and VSM. It is found that after annealing at temperatures above 500°C, FePt phase undergoes a phase transition from disorder fcc into ordered fct structure, and become a hard magnetic phase. For [FePt/Fe]n multilayer with varying Fe layer thickness, lattice constants and grain sizes change with Fe layer thickness and annealing temperature. The coercivities of [FePt/Fe]n multilayers decrease with Fe layer deposition time, and the energy product (BH)max shows a maximum with Fe layer thickness. Optimization on layer thickness leads a high (BxH)max value of 15.2MGOe for [FePt(8min)/Fe(4min)]8. The effects of quick annealing and Ag underlayer on the structure and magnetic properties were also studied.
A Fabrication of a Novel Microfluidic Reactor Microsynthesis of MIP's Particles
Authors: Choi Kyung M. , Rogers John A. , Shea Kenneth J.
Published: April 2017

Microfabrication offers us the ability to fabricate numerous active devices at the micro-scale by patterning features on a variety of substrates for developing small devices in nanotechnology. Since materials scientists and chemists have been looking for unconventional approaches in the synthesis of novel materials, we introduce here a novel strategy of fabricating microfluidic reactors. A new microfluidic reactor was designed and fabricated for the microscale synthesis of materials, which has not been possible from conventional bulk syntheses. The microreactor presents a continuous, dynamic droplet generation. Using the microfluidic reactor, we demonstrate here a microfluidic synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), which is useful for bio- or chemical sensor applications due to its specific molecular recognition functions. Since the particle size of MIP's system directly affects their affinity capability in molecular recognitions, uniform MIPs’ particles at the nano- or micro-scale were produced via the microfluidic technique to achieve high sensitivity by developing ‘monoclonal’ MIPs particles, which have only high affinity binding sites.
PENELITIAN PEMANFAATAN BUNGKIL KELAPA DALAM BUDIDAYA Artemia salina DI TAMBAK
Authors: Hersapto Hersapto , Yunus Yunus , Setyadi Irwan
Published: April 2017

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui cara aplikasi bungkil kelapa yang paling baik dalam produksi biomassa artemia. Penelitian menggunakan petakan tambak sebanyak 12 buah dengan 4 perlakuan yang dicobakan adalah: a) pemberian awal bungkil kelapa 15 kg dan susulan 3 kg setiap 7 hari; b) pemberian awal bungkil kelapa 15 kg dan dedak 7,5 kg, dengan susulan 3 kg bungkil kelapa dan 1,5 kg dedak setiap 7 hari; c) pemberian pupuk awal urea 10 ppm dan TSP 5 ppm ditambah bungkil kelapa 214 g setiap hari; dan d) pemberian pupuk awal urea 10 ppm dan TSP 5 ppm ditambah bungkil kelapa 450 g setiap hari.
UJI DAYA HAMBAT BERBAGAI JENIS BAKTERI TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN Vibrio harveyi PADA PEMELIHARAAN LARVA KEPITING BAKAU (Scylla serrata)
Authors: Taufik Imam , Zafran Zafran
Published: April 2017

Rendahnya sintasan larva kepiting bakau (Scylla sercata) antara lain disebabkan karena infeksi bakteri Vibrio haruel-i. Upaya penanggulangan yang efektif dan aman dapat dilakukan secara biologis dengan memanfaatkan bakteri lain yang bersifat sebagai kompetitor bagi V. harueyi.
PENGARUH SUHU INKUBASI DAN JENIS BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT TERHADAP KECEPATAN FERMENTASI DAN MUTU ORGANOLEPTIK SOSIS IKAN
Authors: Heruwati Endang Sri , Sudariastuti Endang , Indriati Ninuk
Published: April 2017

Suatu penelitian untuk melihat pengaruh suhu dan jenis bakteri asam laktat terhadapkecepatan fermentasi dan rnutu organoleptik sosis ikan telah dilakukan. Perlakuan jenis bakteri asam laktat yang dipilih adalah (1) bakteri Lactobacillus plantarum, (2) L. fermentum, dan (3) campuran keduanya (1:1), sedangkan perlakuan suhu inkubasi adalah 10'; 20' dan 30" C. Pengamatan terhadap jumlah bakteri asam laktat, produksi asam laktat, pH, mutu organoleptik, dan jumlah basa menguap (TVB) dilakukan setiap dua hari selama 8 hari fermentasi.
PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN STARTER BAKTERI ASAM LAKTAT PADA PEMBUATAN BEKASAM IKAN SEPAT (Trichogaster trichopterus) TERHADAP MUTU DAN DAYA AWETNYA
Authors: Murtini Jovita Tri
Published: April 2017

Penelitian pengolahan bekasam ikan sepat dengan sumber karbohidrat tape nasi yangditambah dengan surnber bakteri asam laktat, yaitu cairan asinan kubis dan sawi, telahdilakukan untuk memperbaiki mutu dan daya awetnya.
Briefing: Lateritic soil and calcined kaolin for earth embankments
Authors: Okonkwo Ugochukwu Nnatuanya
Published: April 2017

Compacted lateritic soil treated with calcined kaolin was considered as a potential material for construction works in this study. The tests carried out were consistency limit, compaction, unconfined compressive strength and shear strength tests. The calcined kaolin contents were 2·5, 5·0, 7·5, 10·0 and 12·5%, all measured by weight of the dry soil. The specimens of the soil mixtures were prepared using two compaction energy levels – namely, the British standard light (BSL) and West African standard (WAS) – at moulding water contents of −2, 0, +2, +4% of the optimum moisture content. The results showed that consistency limits and optimum moisture content reduced, while the maximum dry density rose with increase in calcined kaolin content. The compressive strength improved up to 97 and 115% for BSL and WAS, respectively, while shear strength increased by 137·80% with calcined kaolin content up to 12·5%. The compacted lateritic soil without treatment could not satisfy the compressive strength requirement for some earth embankments such as liners, but up to 5% treatment of calcined kaolin at the optimum moisture content was found suitable for BSL and WAS.
Effect of relative stiffness on moment redistribution in reinforced high-strength concrete beams
Authors: Lou Tiejiong , Lopes Sergio M. R. , Lopes Adelino V.
Published: April 2017

Moment redistribution in continuous concrete beams is primarily a structural aspect of behaviour, since it is a consequence of structural redundancy. However, the current design codes do not take this structural characteristic into consideration and therefore may not be reasonable when predicting the permissible moment redistribution. In this paper, moment redistribution in reinforced high-strength concrete (HSC) beams is analysed, focusing on the effect of relative stiffness represented by the structure-related parameter ρs2/ρs1 (where ρs1 and ρs2 are the tensile steel ratios over positive and negative moment regions, respectively). A numerical evaluation was conducted on two-span continuous beams made of HSC having a cylinder compressive strength of 90 MPa. A wide range of ρs2/ρs1 was produced by varying either ρs1 or ρs2 from 0·81% to 6·06%. The results show that the ρs2/ρs1 ratio is a critical parameter influencing the global moment redistribution behaviour. Modifications to the Canadian Standards Association and American Concrete Institute equations are proposed for calculating the moment redistribution at the ultimate state. By introducing the parameter ρs2/ρs1, the proposed modified equations are shown to have an excellent fit to the actual redistribution values.
LOUD AND CLEAR: THE EFFECT OF PROTEST SIGNALS ON CONGRESSIONAL ATTENTION*
Authors: Fassiotto Magali , Soule Sarah A.
Published: April 2017

We examine the effect of public protest on policy by considering how protests may matter to lawmakers. Research on this topic suggests that protest signals information to lawmakers about citizen preferences. Empirical work finds that the strength of the signal sent by protest can influence its effectiveness in achieving desired policy goals. We build on this insight by arguing that signal clarity is also important. Public protests sending focused and clear messages to lawmakers are more likely to impact policy than protests with unfocused messages. Using data on women's protests from 1961–1995, we confirm past findings on the importance of signal strength and find support for our new argument about the importance of signal clarity.
HALF A LOAF IS (NOT) BETTER THAN NONE: HOW AUSTERITY-RELATED GRIEVANCES AND EMOTIONS TRIGGERED PROTESTS IN SPAIN*
Authors: Galais Carol , Lorenzini Jasmine
Published: April 2017

Demonstrations have become more visible across Europe since the Great Recession. To clarify the connection between crisis and protest, we open the black box of crisis-related grievances, suggesting a typology for this subjective phenomenon and addressing the mediating role of emotions on protest. Using panel data, we explore the dimensionality of thirty different items that Spanish citizens have claimed to endure as a consequence of the crisis, and then we test their potential of these grievances as triggers of protest. Results show that both financial deprivation and grievances related to worker-citizens' status and rights encourage protest activity. Crisis-related grievances trigger negative emotions, and curiously enough, both anger and anxiety boost protest. Our findings hold, regardless of political ideology, previous participation, or perceptions of self-efficacy.
Latest Developments and Future Perspectives in the Field Of Obesity
Authors: Pérez-Pevida Belén ,   Section of Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, UK, Miras Alexander D ,   Section of Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, UK
Published: April 2017

The prevalence of obesity is increasing exponentially worldwide, becoming an international public health issue that affects quality of life, increases the risk of illness and raises healthcare costs in countries in all parts of the world. In this editorial, we analyse the latest progress in the management of obesity and associated cardiovascular risk factors, and summarise the latest randomised controlled trials that have had the biggest influence on the current changes we are experiencing in obesity management.