bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extreme hydrophobicity and omniphilicity of high-aspect-ratio silicon structures
Authors: Kwak Moon Kyu , Park Cheol Woo , Hwang Kwang-Il , Park Choon Man , Jeong Hoon Eui , Choi Jun Ho
Published: April 2015

We present an application of high-aspect-ratio (high-AR) silicon structures (black silicon) with high water repellency and good wettability by oils and solvents. The fabrication of black silicon consists of a deep reactive-ion etching process for extremely-high-AR silicon structures and surface treatment with C 4 F 8 gas. Such high-AR structures were found to be highly resistant against wetting by water, but they also have good wetting characteristics with respect to certain liquids such as ethanol, hexane and mineral oil. To determine the relationship between the AR of nanostructures and wetting selectivity, four different black silicon samples with different pattern heights were used. The static contact angles of various liquid were measured for the analysis of wetting properties of the four black silicon samples. To explore feasible applications, ethanol–water separation was performed as a miniaturized experimental simulation of environmental remediation.
Fatigue and material characteristics of a hot-formed AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Suh Chang-Min , Hor Kwang-Ho , Nahm Seung-Hoon , Suh Min-Soo
Published: April 2015

Magnesium alloys are known to be hard-forming materials at room temperature owing to their material structure. This study analyzes the optimal temperature conditions of warm-forming and the forming process by using a high-pressure laminating test and FM analysis, respectively. The effect of temperatures on the fatigue limit was examined from the collected specimens by analyzing the material properties after the fatigue test. The material formed at a temperature of 230°C shows occasional defects, but the best forming quality was obtained at 270°C. The optimal temperature for the forming process was found to be 250°C considering the material quality and thermal efficiency. The overall fatigue life of specimens decreases with an increase in the processing temperature. The fatigue limit of AZ31 formed at 250°C was approximately 100 MPa after 106 cycles.
Influence of annealing temperatures on corrosion resistance of magnesium thin film-coated electro-galvanized steel
Authors: Lee Myeong-Hoon , Kim Yeon-Won , Lee Seul-Gee , Kang Jae-Wook , Park Jun-Mu , Moon Kyung-Man , Kim Yun-Hae
Published: April 2015

To improve the corrosion resistance of an electro-galvanized steel sheet, we deposited magnesium film on it using a vacuum evaporation method and annealed the films at 250–330°C. The zinc–magnesium alloy is consequently formed by diffusion of magnesium into the zinc coating. From the anodic polarization test in 3% NaCl solution, the films annealed at 270–290°C showed better corrosion resistance than others. In X-ray diffraction analysis, ZnMg 2 was detected throughout the temperature range, whereas Mg 2 Zn 11 and FeZn 13 were detected only in the film annealed at 310°C. The depth composition profile showed that the compositions of Mg at 270–290°C are evenly and deeply distributed in the film surface layer. These results demonstrate that 270–290°C is a proper temperature range to produce a layer of MgZn 2 intermetallic compound to act as a homogenous passive layer.
Comparison on welding mode characteristics of arc heat source for heat input control in hybrid welding of aluminum alloy
Authors: Song Moo-Keun , Kim Jong-Do , Oh Jae-Hwan
Published: April 2015

Presently in shipbuilding, transportation and aerospace industries, the potential to apply welding using laser and laser-arc hybrid heat sources is widely under research. This study has the purpose of comparing the weldability depending on the arc mode by varying the welding modes of arc heat sources in applying laser-arc hybrid welding to aluminum alloy and of implementing efficient hybrid welding while controlling heat input. In the experimental study, we found that hybrid welding using CMT mode produced deeper penetration and sounder bead surface than those characteristics produced during only laser welding, with less heat input compared to that required in pulsed arc mode.
Temperature effect of friction and wear characteristics for solid lubricating graphite
Authors: Kim Yeonwook , Kim Jaehoon
Published: April 2015

Graphite is one of the effective lubricant additives due to its excellent high-temperature endurance and self-lubricating properties. In this study, wear behavior of graphite used as sealing materials to cut off hot gas is evaluated at room and elevated temperature. Wear occurs on graphite seal due to the friction of driving shaft and graphite. Thus, a reciprocating wear test to evaluate the wear generated for the graphite by means of the relative motion between a shaft material and a graphite seal was carried out. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate for the changes of applied load and sliding speed were compared under different temperature conditions considering the actual operating environment. Through SEM observation of the worn surface, the lubricating film was observed and compared with test conditions.
Corrosion and tribological properties of basalt fiber reinforced composite materials
Authors: Ha Jin Cheol , Kim Yun-Hae , Lee Myeong-Hoon , Moon Kyung-Man , Park Se-Ho
Published: April 2015

This experiment has examined the corrosion and tribological properties of basalt fiber reinforced composite materials. There were slight changes of weight after the occurring of corrosion based on time and H 2 SO 4 concentration, but in general, the weight increased. It is assumed that this happens due to the basalt fiber precipitate. Prior to the corrosion, friction-wear behavior showed irregular patterns compared to metallic materials, and when it was compared with the behavior after the corrosion, the coefficient of friction was 2 to 3 times greater. The coefficient of friction of all test specimen ranged from 0.1 to 0.2. Such a result has proven that the basalt fiber, similar to the resin rubber, shows regular patterns regardless of time and H 2 SO 4 concentration because of the space made between resins and reinforced materials.
Development of green nanocomposites reinforced by cellulose nanofibers extracted from paper sludge
Authors: Takagi Hitoshi , Nakagaito Antonio N. , Kusaka Kazuya , Muneta Yuya
Published: April 2015

Cellulose nanofibers have been showing much greater potential to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of polymer-based composite materials. The purpose of this study is to extract the cellulose nanofibers from waste bio-resources; such as waste newspaper and paper sludge. The cellulosic raw materials were treated chemically and physically in order to extract individualized cellulose nanofiber. The combination of acid hydrolysis and following mechanical treatment resulted in the extraction of cellulose nanofibers having diameter of about 40 nm. In order to examine the reinforcing effect of the extracted cellulose nanofibers, fully biodegradable green nanocomposites were fabricated by composing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin with the extracted cellulose nanofibers, and then the tensile tests were conducted. The results showed that the enhancement in mechanical properties was successfully obtained in the cellulose nanofiber/PVA green nanocomposites.
Removal of borate by coprecipitation with Mg/Al layered double hydroxide
Authors: Kurashina Masashi , Inoue Tatsuki , Tajima Chihiro , Kanezaki Eiji
Published: April 2015

Borate has been used for various industrial products and excessive dose of boron is harmful to humans. We investigated the removal of borate by direct coprecipitation with Mg / Al layered double hydroxide. In this study, the maximum removal of boron was 90% when Mg 30 mmol and Al 15 mmol at pH = 10 were used for 498 mg/l as B. The boron adsorption isotherms could be fitted to Langmuir model. The calculated constant Ws, saturation limit of boron adsorption, is 25 ± 2 mg/g and it is larger than that of ion exchange reaction (Ws = 15±1 mg/g ).
Effect of spacer layer on enhancement and quenching of photoluminescence by surface plasmon
Authors: Zhang Dongyan , Murakami Ri-Ichi
Published: April 2015

Metal nanoparticles have the ability to localize and strongly enhance the incident electromagnetic field due to the surface plasmon polariton. The coupling between AuNPs and ZnO thin films affects their emission properties. In this study, we prepared the ZnO / Al 2 O 3/ AuNPs multilayer films, and investigated the effect of spacer layer on enhancement and quenching of photoluminescence by surface plasmon. The emission intensities of the thin films vary when Al 2 O 3 space layer with different thickness was embedded in the ZnO / Au films, consistent with theoretical predictions. The photoluminescence modulation is also made via controlling the polarization of the excitation source. The photoluminescence anisotropy of these systems shows that enhanced photoluminescence can be achieved through coupling of the emission from ZnO with the surface plasmon resonance of AuNPs .
LPG and NH3 sensing characteristics of DC electrochemically deposited Co3O4 films
Authors: Shelke P. N. , Khollam Y. B. , Gunjal S. D. , Koinkar P. M. , Jadkar S. R. , Mohite K. C.
Published: April 2015

Present communication reports the LPG and NH 3 sensing properties of Co 3 O 4 films prepared on throughly cleaned stainless steel (SS) and copper ( CU ) substrates by using DC electrochemical deposition method followed by air annealing at 350°C/2 h. The resultant films are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The LPG and NH 3 gas sensing properties of these films are measured at room temperature (RT) by using static gas sensing system at different concentrations of test gas ranging from ~ 25 ppm to 350 ppm. The XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies clearly indicated the formation of pure cubic spinel Co 3 O 4 in all films. The LPG and NH 3 gas sensing properties of films showed (i) the increase in sensitivity factor (S.F.) with gas concentrations and (ii) more sensibility to LPG as compared to NH 3 gas. In case of NH 3 gas (conc. ~ 150 ppm) and LPG gas (conc. ~ 60 ppm) sensing, the maximum S.F. = 270 and 258 are found for the films deposited on CU substrates, respectively. For all films, the response time (3–5 min.) is found to be much higher than the recovery time (30–50 sec). For all films, the response and recovery time are found to be higher for LPG as compared to NH 3 gas. Further, repeatability–reproducibility in gas sensing properties is clearly noted by analysis of data for number of cycles recorded for all films from different set of depositions.
Transformation of ZnO nanorods into nanotubes and their field emission studies
Authors: Khare Ruchita , More Mahendra A. , Chakravarty Disha
Published: April 2015

Synthesis of vertically well-aligned ZnO nanorods on Au coated silicon substrate by a facile electrochemical route has been carried out. The transformation of as-deposited ZnO nanorods into nanotubes was achieved via simple, single step, chemical etching process using KOH as etchant. The influence of various parameters of the etching, such as concentration of the etchant, bath temperature and duration on morphological features of the ZnO nanotubes has been investigated. It is observed that formation of ZnO nanotubes with smooth inner and outer surfaces is achieved when the etching was performed at 65°C for 1 h duration, and at higher bath temperatures and longer durations, over etching of nanorods takes place. Field emission investigations of the ZnO nanorods and nanotubes were carried out at base pressure of 1 × 10-8 mbar. The values of turn-on field, corresponding to emission current density of 1 μA/cm2 were observed to be 7.2 V/μm and 8.4 V/μm, corresponding to ZnO nanorods and nanotubes emitter respectively, and emission current density of ~ 352.5 μA/cm2 has been drawn from the ZnO nanotubes emitter at an applied field of 13.77 V/μm. The ZnO nanotubes emitter exhibits excellent emission current stability at the preset value of 1 μA over duration of 3 h, indicating its potential as electron source for practical applications.
Glucose sensor based on conducting polyaniline nanowire electrode junction
Authors: Koinkar Pankaj , Gaikwad Sumedh , Bodkhe Gajanan , Deshmukh Megha , Patil Harshada , Rushi Arti , Shirsat Mahendra D. , Kim Yun-Hae , Mulchandani Ashok
Published: April 2015

In the present investigation, a glucose sensor based on conducting polyaniline nanowire electrode junction (CPNEJ) has been reported. The CPNEJ platform was modified by glucose oxidase by cross-linking in the presence of glutaraldehyde. The signal transduction mechanism of the sensor is based on the change in micro electrode junction conductance as a result of glucose oxidation induced change in the polymer redox state. Small size of CPNEJ sensor causes to regenerate enzyme naturally without need of redox mediators, as a result it consumes minimum amount of oxygen and also gives very fast response. This sensor exhibited good linear response range from 1 mM to 20 mM of glucose concentration with excellent sensitivity of 12 μA/mM.
High-pressure effect on the chain-like crystal structure of the semiconductors TlFeSe2 and TlFeS2
Authors: Asgerov E. B. , Dang N. T. , Ismayilov D. I. , Kichanov S. E. , Mehdiyeva R. N. , Madadzada A. I. , Jabarov S. H. , Kerimova E. M. , Lukin E. V.
Published: April 2015

The crystal structure of the semiconductors TlFeSe 2 and TlFeS 2 has been studied by mean of neutron diffraction at room temperature and high pressure up to 4.2 GPa and 5.2 GPa, respectively. The chain-like monoclinic crystal structure with space group C2/m remains unchanged in both compounds in the entire pressure range. The anisotropic lattice compression and the large difference in the bulk modulus and the compressibility coefficients of the structural parameters of the two compounds have been observed. The mechanism of the observed phenomena was discussed. The enhancement of the one-dimensional antiferromagnetic and metallic character was predicted.
Bayesian Stable Mixture Model of State Densities of Generalized Chua's Circuit
Authors: Savaci F. Acar , Yilmaz Serpil
Published: April 2015

In this paper, the probability density functions (PDFs) of the states of Generalized Chua's Circuit (GCC) have been modeled by Finite Mixture α-Stable (FMαS) distributions which is a Bayesian mixture model of α-stable distributions and it provides semiparametric characterization for the distributions of multiscroll chaotic attractors. Fully Bayesian approach has been applied to estimate the mixture parameters of multimodal distributions corresponding to the multiscroll chaotic attractors.
Periodic Flows to Chaos Based on Discrete Implicit Mappings of Continuous Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Luo Albert C. J.
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a semi-analytical method for periodic flows in continuous nonlinear dynamical systems. For the semi-analytical approach, differential equations of nonlinear dynamical systems are discretized to obtain implicit maps, and a mapping structure based on the implicit maps is employed for a periodic flow. From mapping structures, periodic flows in nonlinear dynamical systems are predicted analytically and the corresponding stability and bifurcations of the periodic flows are determined through the eigenvalue analysis. The periodic flows predicted by the single-step implicit maps are discussed first, and the periodic flows predicted by the multistep implicit maps are also presented. Periodic flows in time-delay nonlinear dynamical systems are discussed by the single-step and multistep implicit maps. The time-delay nodes in discretization of time-delay nonlinear systems were treated by both an interpolation and a direct integration. Based on the discrete nodes of periodic flows in nonlinear dynamical systems with/without time-delay, the discrete Fourier series responses of periodic flows are presented. To demonstrate the methodology, the bifurcation tree of period-1 motion to chaos in a Duffing oscillator is presented as a sampled problem. The method presented in this paper can be applied to nonlinear dynamical systems, which cannot be solved directly by analytical methods.
Stochastic Path Model of Polaroid Polarizer for Bell's Theorem and Triphoton Experiments
Authors: Werbos Paul J.
Published: April 2015

Depending on the outcome of the triphoton experiment now underway, it is possible that the new local realistic Markov Random Field (MRF) models will be the only models now available to correctly predict both that experiment and Bell's theorem experiments. The MRF models represent the experiments as graphs of discrete events over space-time. This paper extends the MRF approach to continuous time, by defining a new class of realistic model, the stochastic path model, and showing how it can be applied to ideal polaroid type polarizers in such experiments. The final section discusses possibilities for future research, ranging from uses in other experiments or novel quantum communication systems, to extensions involving stochastic paths in the space of functions over continuous space. As part of this, it derives a new Boltzmann-like density operator over Fock space, which predicts the emergent statistical equilibria of nonlinear Hamiltonian field theories, based on our previous work of extending the Glauber–Sudarshan P mapping from the case of classical systems described by a complex state variable α to the case of classical continuous fields. This extension may explain the stochastic aspects of quantum theory as the emergent outcome of nonlinear PDE in a time-symmetric universe.
Prediction of Solid Recirculation Rate and Solid Volume Fraction in an Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed
Authors: Gujjula Ravi , Mangadoddy Narasimha
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a numerical study of gas and solid flow in an internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB). Two-fluid Eulerian model with kinetic theory of granular flow option for solid phase stress closure and various drag laws were used to predict the hydrodynamic behavior of ICFB. 2D and 3D geometries were used to run the simulations. The 2D simulation results by various drag laws show that the Arastoopour and Gibilaro drag models able to predict the fluidization dynamics in terms of flow patterns, void fractions and axial velocity fields close to the experimental data. The effect of superficial gas velocity, presence of draft tube on solid hold-up distribution, solid circulation pattern, and variations in gas bypassing fraction for the 3D ICFB are investigated. The mechanism governing the solid circulation and solids concentration in an ICFB has been explained based on gas and solid dynamics obtained from the simulations. Predicted total granular temperature distributions in the draft tube and annular zones qualitatively agree with experimental data. The total granular temperature tends to increase with increasing solids concentration in the dilute region (ε < 0.1) and decreases with an increase of solids concentration in the dense region (ε > 0.1). In the dense zone, the decreasing trend in the granular temperature is mainly due to the reduction of the mean free path of the solid particles.
THE FEEDING OF THE NINE BILLION — A CASE FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN AGRICULTURE
Authors: THURNER THOMAS WOLFGANG , ZAICHENKO STANISLAV
Published: April 2015

This paper studies technology creation and transfer of 95 Russian research and technology organisations (RTOs) into producer organisations in agriculture and mining. Previous findings suggested that in agriculture, the barriers for technology adaption are particularly high due to technological conservatism and the atomic structure of the industry. Although RTOs in agriculture publish more and register more patents, they struggle to translate their success into transfer activities. While technology transfer in mining goes well hand in hand with applied research, RTOs in agriculture either build on new technologies or generate revenues through ready-to-use services. The explanation for this rather short-term oriented demand for services of Russia's RTOs lies in the financial situation of client organisations. The vast majority complain about their dire lack of financial means to pay for new technologies. Consequently, agricultural producers do not generate enough revenues to pursue future opportunities, with far reaching consequences. The situation could get better if the RTOs and the client would agree to longer-lasting relationships.
A CLIMATE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ENHANCES THE SUCCESS OF FRONT END TEAMS
Authors: NIENABER ANN-MARIE I. , HOLTORF VERENA , LEKER JENS , SCHEWE GERHARD
Published: April 2015

This paper contributes to the discussion about initiative in teams at the front end of new product development processes (innovative teams). In contrast to the general opinion presented in the literature, this study points out that unstructured innovative teams are as much initiative in developing new ideas or in finding quick solutions when compared to structured innovative teams. Therefore we analyse the relationship between teamwork quality and team initiative in structured and unstructured teams at the front end of a new product development process and, in particular, we focus on a climate of psychological safety. To examine this relationship, data were collected by surveying 100 team members from different departments in a multinational company. It has been pointed out in the literature previously that where a team leader provides little structure at the micro level for team members there is a negative effect on the displays of initiative in the very early stages of the innovation process. However we can demonstrate that this effect can be reduced by a climate of psychological safety. Thus, it can be stated that unstructured teamwork combined with a climate of psychological safety is the way for teams at the front end of a new product development process to be successful.
Dynamics of Bimolecular Reactions in Solution
Authors: Orr-Ewing Andrew J.
Published: April 2015

Mechanisms of bimolecular chemical reactions in solution are amenable to study on picosecond timescales, both by transient absorption spectroscopy and by computer simulation. The dynamics of exothermic reactions of CN radicals and of Cl and F atoms with organic solutes in commonly used solvents are contrasted with the corresponding dynamics in the gas phase. Many characteristics of the gas-phase reaction dynamics persist in solution, such as efficient energy release to specific vibrational modes of the products. However, additional complexities associated with the presence of the solvent are open to investigation. These features of liquid-phase reactions include the role of solvent-solute complexes, solvent caging, coupling of the product motions to the solvent bath, thermalization of internally excited reaction products, incipient hydrogen bond formation, and involvement of charge-separated states that arise from proton transfer.
The role of spinal GABAergic circuits in the control of phrenic nerve motor output
Authors: Marchenko Vitaliy , Ghali Michael G. Z. , Rogers Robert F.
Published: April 2015

While supraspinal mechanisms underlying respiratory pattern formation are well characterized, the contribution of spinal circuitry to the same remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that intraspinal GABAergic circuits are involved in shaping phrenic motor output. To this end, we performed bilateral phrenic nerve recordings in anesthetized adult rats and observed neurogram changes in response to knocking down expression of both isoforms (65 and 67 kDa) of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65/67) using microinjections of anti-GAD65/67 short-interference RNA (siRNA) in the phrenic nucleus. The number of GAD65/67-positive cells was drastically reduced on the side of siRNA microinjections, especially in the lateral aspects of Rexed's laminae VII and IX in the ventral horn of cervical segment C4, but not contralateral to microinjections. We hypothesize that intraspinal GABAergic control of phrenic output is primarily phasic, but also plays an important role in tonic regulation of phrenic discharge. Also, we identified respiration-modulated GABAergic interneurons (both inspiratory and expiratory) located slightly dorsal to the phrenic nucleus. Our data provide the first direct evidence for the existence of intraspinal GABAergic circuits contributing to the formation of phrenic output. The physiological role of local intraspinal inhibition, independent of descending direct bulbospinal control, is discussed.
STAT3 and HIF1α Signaling Drives Oncogenic Cellular Phenotypes in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Rad Ellie , Dodd Kayleigh , Thomas Laura , Upadhyaya Meena , Tee Andrew
Published: April 2015

Therapeutic options are limited for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) and clinical trials using drug agents have so far been unsuccessful. This lack of clinical success is likely attributed to high levels of intratumoral molecular heterogeneity and variations in signal transduction within MPNSTs. To better explore the variance of malignant signaling properties within heterogeneous MPNSTs, four MPNST cell lines (ST8814, S462, S1844.1, and S1507.2) were used. The data demonstrate that small-molecule inhibition of the MET proto-oncogene and mTOR had variable outcome when preventing wound healing, cell migration, and invasion, with the S462 cells being highly resistant to both. Of interest, targeted inhibition of the STAT3 transcription factor suppressed wound healing, cell migration, invasion, and tumor formation in all four MPNST lines, which demonstrates that unlike MET and mTOR, STAT3 functions as a common driver of tumorigenesis in NF1-MPNSTs. Of clinical importance, STAT3 knockdown was sufficient to block the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)1α, HIF2α, and VEGF-A in all four MPNST lines. Finally, the data demonstrate that wound healing, cell migration, invasion, and tumor formation through STAT3 are highly dependent on HIF signaling, where knockdown of HIF1α ablated these oncogenic facets of STAT3.

Implications: This research reveals that aberrant STAT3 and HIF1a activity drives tumor progression in MPNSTs, indicating that inhibition of the STAT3/HIF1α/VEGF-A signaling axis is a viable treatment strategy. Mol Cancer Res; 13(7); 1149–60. ©2015 AACR.
Leptin in Depressive Episodes: Is There a Difference between Unipolar and Bipolar Depression?
Authors: Cordas Gisele , Gazal Marta , Schuch Eduardo M. , Spessato Bárbara C. , Branco Jerônimo , Jansen Karen , Oses Jean P. , Quevedo Luciana A. , Souza Luciano D.M. , Pinheiro Ricardo T. , Portela Luiz Valmor , da Silva Ricardo A. , Lara Diogo R. , Kaster Manuella P. , Ghisleni Gabriele
Published: April 2015

Objective: The present study investigated whether peripheral leptin levels are associated with current depressive episodes in a cross-sectional study nested within a population-based study. Methods: The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 5.0 was used to assess the presence of current depressive episodes. The sample was composed of 206 subjects (103 controls and 103 subjects with a current depressive episode) paired by gender, BMI and age. Medication use and lifestyle characteristics were self-reported. Results: Serum leptin levels were lower in currently depressive subjects (10.9 ± 12.0 ng/ml) than in the control group (20.3 ± 24.0 ng/ml; p = 0.023). According to the clinical diagnosis, individuals with bipolar depression present lower leptin levels (8.4 ± 8.1 ng/ml) than those with unipolar depression (12.0 ± 13.4 ng/ml) and the control group (20.3 ± 24.0 ng/ml; p = 0.031). In addition, ANCOVA showed that leptin is an independent factor associated with current depressive episodes (p = 0.018). Conclusion: A decreased leptin level might be a useful peripheral marker associated with depressive episodes in the context of bipolar disorder.
Pancreatic Atrophy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Receiving Long-Term Treatment with Sorafenib
Authors: Ganten Maria-Katharina , Schuessler Max , Bruckner Thomas , Ganten Tom M. , Koschny Ronald
Published: April 2015

Objective: To date, sorafenib is the only approved systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pancreatic atrophy has recently been reported in 2 patients as a novel side effect after long-term sorafenib treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and radiological data of patients with advanced HCC with long-term treatment of sorafenib (median 279 days, range 153-826 days). Pancreata were semi-manually segmented section by section to calculate the pancreas volumes before and under sorafenib treatment. Results: Sorafenib reduced pancreatic volume in 18/19 (95%) HCC patients with a mean pancreatic volume loss of 25% (p = 0.002). Pancreatic volume loss depended on the dose (r = 0.36) and exposure time of sorafenib (r = 0.35) and was detectable as early as after 3 months of sorafenib treatment and already after a cumulative sorafenib dose of <100 g. Median overall survival was 13.2 months (range 7.8-31.3 months) but did not correlate with sorafenib-induced pancreatic volume reduction (hazard ratio 1.002, 95% confidence interval 0.981-1.060, p = 0.24). Conclusion: We could confirm pancreatic atrophy as a novel adverse event of sorafenib therapy in HCC patients, correlating with sorafenib dose and exposure time.
Intrinsic platelet reactivity before start with clopidogrel as predictor for on-clopidogrel platelet function and long-term clinical outcome
Authors: Valina Christian M. , Bömicke Timo , Amann Michael , Stratz Christian , Nührenberg Thomas , Trenk Dietmar , Neumann Franz-Josef , Hochholzer Willibald
Published: April 2015

High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity is associated with worse clinical outcome. Previous data suggest that intrinsic platelet reactivity before initiation of clopidogrel contributes significantly to on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity. It is unknown whether intrinsic reactivity can sufficiently predict on-clopidogrel reactivity and therefore identify patients with insufficient response to clopidogrel before initiation of treatment and at risk for worse clinical outcome. This analysis included 765 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary stent implantation. Platelet reactivity was assessed by light transmission aggregometry (5 µM ADP) before administration of clopidogrel 600mg and after intake of first maintenance dose of clopidogrel on day 1 following coronary stenting. Patients were followed for up to seven years. The combined primary endpoint was death of any cause or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Intrinsic and on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity were significant correlated (r=0.31; p < 0.001). Among all tested clinical and genetic factors including the cytochrome P450 2C19*2 polymorphism, intrinsic platelet reactivity was the strongest predictor for on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity. However, intrinsic platelet reactivity could only explain 8 % of variability of on-clopidogrel platelet function. Only on-treatment platelet reactivity was predictive for long-term clinical outcome (HR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.05–2.05; p = 0.02) whereas intrinsic platelet reactivity was not (HR 1.03, 95 % CI 0.74–1.43; p = 0.86). In conclusion, intrinsic platelet reactivity before initiation of clopidogrel is the strongest predictor of early on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity but can only explain a minor proportion of its variability and is not significantly associated with clinical outcome. Thus, baseline testing cannot substitute on-clopidogrel platelet function testing.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT00457236).
Endothelial Plasticity Drives Arterial Remodeling Within the Endocardium After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Miquerol Lucile , Thireau Jérome , Bideaux Patrice , Sturny Rachel , Richard Sylvain , Kelly Robert G.
Published: April 2015

Rationale:

Revascularization of injured, ischemic, and regenerating organs is essential to restore organ function. In the postinfarct heart, however, the mechanisms underlying the formation of new coronary arteries are poorly understood.

Objective:

To study vascular remodeling of coronary arteries after infarction.

Methods and Results:

We performed permanent left coronary ligation on
Connexin40-GFP
mice expressing green fluorescent protein (
GFP
) in endothelial cells of coronary arteries but not veins, capillaries, or endocardium. GFP
+
endothelial foci were identified within the endocardium in the infarct zone. These previously undescribed structures, termed endocardial flowers, have a distinct endothelial phenotype (Cx40
+
, VEGFR2
+
, and endoglin
−
) to the surrounding endocardium (Cx40
−
, VEGFR2
−
, and endoglin
+
). Endocardial flowers are contiguous with coronary vessels and associated with subendocardial smooth muscle cell accumulation. Genetic lineage tracing reveals extensive endothelial plasticity in the postinfarct heart, showing that endocardial flowers develop by arteriogenesis of Cx40
−
cells and by outgrowth of pre-existing coronary arteries. Finally, endocardial flowers exhibit angiogenic features, including early VEGFR2 expression and active proliferation of adjacent endocardial and smooth muscle cells.

Conclusions:

Arterial endothelial foci within the endocardium reveal extensive endothelial cell plasticity in the infarct zone and identify the endocardium as a site of endogenous arteriogenesis and source of endothelial cells to promote vascularization in regenerative strategies.
Parasitodiplogaster salicifoliae n. sp. (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) from Ficus ingens and F. salicifolia in South Africa
Authors: Wöhr Meike , Greeff Jaco M. , Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: April 2015

Parasitodiplogaster salicifoliae n. sp. was isolated from Ficus salicifolia and F. ingens from South Africa and is described and depicted herein. Molecular sequence (D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA and a fragment of mtCOI) and morphological comparisons with P. australis from F. virens from Australia support a monophyletic lineage of fig wasp-associated diplogastrids within what is currently accepted as Parasitodiplogaster from figs in the subgenus Urostigma, section Urostigma, subsection Urostigma. This ranking within Parasitodiplogaster is conditional upon examination of more material from figs from the subsection Urostigma from its putative centre of origin (Indo-Australasia) because the morphology (presence of one prodelphic ovary vs two amphidelphic ovaries and several other autapomorphic features) and molecular data are suggestive of a potentially well-defined radiation of nematode species. Parasitodiplogaster salicifoliae n. sp. can be typologically distinguished from its nearest known relative, P. australis, by the male genital papillae number and arrangement, as well as spicule shape.
Remarks on the type species of Rhigonema Cobb, 1898 (Rhigonematoidea: Rhigonematidae) and Heth Cobb, 1898 (Ransomnematoidea: Hethidae)
Authors: Hunt David J.
Published: April 2015

Additional information onRhigonema brevicollum, the type of the genusRhigonema, and onHethjuli, the type of the genusHeth, is presented based on original, hitherto unpublished, descriptions held in the Cobb Archive at the USDA, Beltsville, MD, USA. Both species were originally published as small annotated illustrations in a general work, although the promised full descriptions were never published by Cobb. The genusRhigonemais shown to be based on a species lacking a vaginal diverticulum in the female genital system, but having a long, Type 2, ovejector. The genusDudekemia, originally differentiated fromRhigonemaon an assumed (and erroneous) difference in female genital tract form, is confirmed as a junior synonym ofRhigonema. A full description of both sexes ofHethjuliis also provided, again based on Cobb’s original notes, thereby defining the type species with greater precision than was previously possible.
A Comparative Analysis of China and India: Ancient Patriarchy, Women’s Liberation, and Contemporary Gender Equity Education
Authors: Lee Yuen Ting
Published: April 2015

Scholars have become increasingly fascinated with cross-cultural approaches to various disciplines in order to understand the concept of globalization. However, a joint historical and comparative approach to gender equity education in China and India is adopted much less in the academic world. This article aims to fill this lacuna by looking at both countries across time and culture in order to develop a holistic perspective. It argues that both countries are optimistically targeting “greater” gender equality in education. The rate of progress in each country varies in accordance with the influences of the country’s own patriarchal system, cultural and gender beliefs, and efforts to change such beliefs. It concludes that China better performs at achieving gender equality in education than India.
Women Chiefs and Post War Reconstruction in Sierra Leone
Authors: Day Lynda R.
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the role of women chiefs in post war reconstruction in Sierra Leone, particularly the connection between women chiefs with the movement for women’s equality and economic empowerment. Contrary to scholarship which views culturally based traditional structures, including chieftaincy, as counterproductive to progressive change, I argue that traditional women chiefs have contributed to the movement for gender justice and gender equity and could be key to shaping and promoting both an agenda and an ideology for women’s social and political advancement on a local level. The study is based on fieldwork conducted in Sierra Leone from 1982 to 2012 and includes semi-structured interviews with women chiefs and other key players before, during, and after the war, as well as sources such as newspaper articles, journal and book publications and archival materials.
Locating the Informal in the Formal?
Authors: McGough Fredanna M.
Published: April 2015

This paper explores the influences that led to the development of the Free Health Care Initiative (fhci), which requires the provision of free health services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under the age of five years. The paper will explore the impact of the policy on women actors as both recipients and informal providers of health care in post-war Sierra Leone. Since the end of the Sierra Leone civil war in 2002, there has been much focus on maternal and child health issues due to the staggeringly high maternal and child mortality rates, when compared to the rest of the world. Currently, international considerations exist such as the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (cedaw) and the Millennium Development Goals (mdgs) to ensure nations are responsive to women’s health concerns. These often externally driven policies may not be based on internal motivation, and may have negative local consequences.

Although the fhci has improved accessibility of clinical services provided by the government by eliminating user fees, a provision was made to eliminate the services of traditional birth attendants (tbas), who historically provided affordable birth services for women in rural regions of Sierra Leone. The new health policy thus criminalizes the actions of tbas, stripping them of the ability to practice their craft and earn a living. This paper examines the sometimes-contradictory results inherent when international laws and mandates get translated into local contexts and problematizes the uni-dimensional ways in which women’s empowerment is often promoted.
Whose Seat will become Reserved?
Authors: Ibrahim Aisha Fofana
Published: April 2015

Post-war reconstruction efforts in Sierra Leone combined with global discourses around issues of democracy and participation have, to some extent, created a space for political engagement of traditionally marginalized groups, including women. Women’s political engagement has, in recent times, centered around a campaign for a 30% constitutionally mandated gender quota system which, it is believed, will be the most effective way to get more female representation in legislatures as well as close the wide gap that exists numerically between both genders in the public sphere. This paper seeks to examine women’s engagement with political processes in Sierra Leone, their long and unsuccessful struggle for a quota system and how all of this fits into a wider struggle for gender justice in Sierra Leone. The main argument raised in this paper is that the gender quota campaign is fraught with challenges because women in the struggle, especially female parliamentarians, have found it difficult to go beyond the borders of their political parties’ ideological stance, and organizational boundaries to collectively and successfully advance the campaign. In addition, the campaign seems to be more centralized in the capital with little or no engagement at the community level. Moreover, because of the widening political divide, meaningfully engaging an elite male cadre that has variedly resisted women’s full and equal participation in the public sphere remains a challenge.
Walking a Tightrope
Authors: Desmet Ellen , Op de Beeck Hanne , Vandenhole Wouter
Published: April 2015

In Flanders, a child and youth impact report (JoKER) must accompany all legislative proposals based on an initiative of the Flemish government, that have a direct impact on the interests of persons under the age of 25. This article presents the results of the first in-depth evaluation carried out of this impact assessment instrument. Based on multiple data collection techniques (including an electronic survey and focus groups), JoKER was critically evaluated as to its scope, quality, process, support and control, effectiveness and impact. The evaluation required maintaining a balance between various perspectives and tensions. A major challenge concerns the tension between mainstreaming JoKER in the more general regulatory impact assessment (ria), on the one hand, and preserving the specificity of a youth and children’s rights perspective, on the other.
The Fifth Commandment
Authors: Giordano Simona
Published: April 2015

Having contact with each other is one of the most fundamental aspects of the parental-filial relationship. When it comes to this very fundamental aspect of the relationship, an incongruence is apparent: parents have aprima facieright to have contact with their children; children do not have a corresponding right to have contact with their parents. A parent, at least in England, can disconnect entirely from the life of his/her children. This paper argues that this may make certain forms of child neglectde factolawful. This paper also draws a parallel between parental denial of contact and parental child abduction, and argues that there are important similarities between the two, so far overlooked by the literature on child maltreatment. This paper concludes that if parents have a right to have contact with their children, then in principle children should also have a right to have contact with their parents.
Comment on “On History and Policy: Time in the Age of Neoliberalism”
Authors: Streeck Wolfgang
Published: April 2015

It is not only economics that needs to regain a sense of history but also much of social science. Like economists social scientists need to liberate themselves from a Newtonian clockwork view of the world, and from a view of social reality as an emanation and arbitrary illustration of universal laws governing social life in general. Social science needs a renewed awareness of its origins in a systematic theory of historical social development and evolution, of endogenous social dynamics, and of directionality of social and institutional change, especially in contemporary capitalism, free from historical teleology and economic determinism.
The Ontological Significance of the History of Science
Authors: Stoliarova Olga
Published: April 2015

This paper discusses the history of science in the light of ontology. The research problem is defined as the following question: can the discipline known as the philosophical history of science (or history and philosophy of science, hps), which was inspired in large part by Kantian criticism and historicism, be turned against a transcendental (subjective) standpoint and revert us to the what Alfred North Whitehead called the “pre-Kantian modus of thoughts” – that is to ontology?

The first part of the paper considers the history of science in the form of transcendental historicism (entailing a universal teleology of reason). It shows that transcendental historicism speaks against ontology because it neglects a real history of nature in favor of ideal (subjective) conditions for the possibility of ‘nature’.

The key question of the second part of the paper is formulated as follows: what are the ontological premises under which the question relating to the historical conditions for the possibility of ‘nature’ replaces the question relating to nature-as-it-really-is? (The contrast between the presence of quotation marks in the first part of the previous sentence and their absence in the second part emphasizes the clash between these two approaches). Answering this question reveals that the philosophical history of science is able to give ontology its due because it is able to reveal a historically changeable ontology of the transcendental (subjective) standpoint itself. This means that the philosophical history of science is able to testify to the existence of a history that is more than a subject who thinks it.
Three new species of Xyris (Xyridaceae) from the Espinhaço Range, Brazil
Authors: Wanderley Maria das Graças Lapa , Mota Nara F. O.
Published: April 2015

Three new species of Xyris from Brazil are described and illustrated. Xyris nevata is characterized by bracts with conspicuous veins and a reddish androecium and gynoecium; X. pulchella also exhibits a reddish androecium and gynoecium, and is further characterized by its small size and terete to subterete leaf blades; X. rostrata has a turbinate spike and bracts with a rostrate-acuminate apex. Commentary is provided for each species on habitat, distribution, phenology and conservation status, and the new species are compared with morphologically similar species.
Lagerstroemia densa (Lythraceae), a new species from Daqing Mountain, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomic Region, China
Authors: Gu Cuihua , MA DAN DAN , ZHU XU DAN , TEMBROCK LUKE R. , WANG XIAN
Published: April 2015

The new species Lagerstroemia densa from Daqing Mountain, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomic Region (China) is described and illustrated. The morphological characteristics of the new species and two morphologically similar species are compared. The new species resembles L. subcostata in leaf shape but differs mainly in petal color, floral tube morphology and indumentum, and the shape of the capsule, and is similar to L. excelsa in the shape of the floral tube lobes and inflorescences, from which it differs by its glabrous, acute leaves, racemiform inflorescences, and glabrous calyx lobes.
A new sea star of the genus Leptasterias (Asteroidea: Asteriidae) from the Aleutian Islands
Authors: CLARK ROGER N. , JEWETT STEPHEN C.
Published: April 2015

A new species of asteriid sea star of the genus Leptasterias (Order Forcipulatida) is described from the nearshore waters of the Aleutian Islands. Leptaterias tatei sp. nov. is distinguished from Leptasterias stolacantha Fisher, 1930, by the characteristics of the spines and pedicellariae. Geographic distribution is discussed and a key to the five-rayed Leptasterias of the Aleutian Islands is provided.