bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Use on Overall Survival Among Patients Undergoing Resection for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Cerullo Marcelo , Gani Faiz , Chen Sophia Y. , Canner Joseph K. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: April 2017

Background

Pancreatic cancer has higher concentrations of angiotensin II compared with other cancers. This study sought to assess the effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on survival of patients undergoing resection using a large, nationally representative dataset.

Methods

Patients undergoing pancreatic cancer resection were identified in the Truven Health MarketScan database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the effect of ARB use on overall survival.

Results

A total of 4299 patients were identified, among whom 479 (11.1%) filled a prescription for an ARB. Mean patient age was 54.5 years (SD = 8.6 years); 2187 (51.1%) were female. Exactly 49.4% (n = 2125) of patients had a Charlson comorbidity index >2 at the time of surgery (n = 2125, 49.4%) and 59.6% (n = 2563) underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival at 1, 2, and 4 years were 62.8% (95% CI: 61.3–64.2%), 38.2% (95% CI: 36.6–39.8%), and 19.0% (95% CI: 17.1–21.0%), respectively. On multivariable analysis, ARB use was associated with a 24% decreased risk of death over the 5‐year period in which patients were under observation (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67–0.87, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

ARB use was associated with improved survival in patients undergoing resection of pancreatic cancer. Further research is required into the differential effect of ARBs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Clinical validity of biochemical and molecular analysis in diagnosing Leigh syndrome: a study of 106 Japanese patients
Authors: Ogawa Erika , Shimura Masaru , Fushimi Takuya , Tajika Makiko , Ichimoto Keiko , Matsunaga Ayako , Tsuruoka Tomoko , Ishige Mika , Fuchigami Tatsuo , Yamazaki Taro , Mori Masato , Kohda Masakazu , Kishita Yoshihito , Okazaki Yasushi , Takahashi Shori , Ohtake Akira , Murayama Kei
Published: April 2017

Leigh syndrome (LS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of infancy and early childhood. It is clinically diagnosed by typical manifestations and characteristic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Unravelling mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) dysfunction behind LS is essential for deeper understanding of the disease, which may lead to the development of new therapies and cure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical validity of various diagnostic tools in confirming MRC disorder in LS and Leigh‐like syndrome (LL). The results of enzyme assays, molecular analysis, and cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) measurements were examined. Of 106 patients, 41 were biochemically and genetically verified, and 34 had reduced MRC activity but no causative mutations. Seven patients with normal MRC complex activities had mutations in the MT‐ATP6 gene. Five further patients with normal activity in MRC were identified with causative mutations. Conversely, 12 out of 60 enzyme assays performed for genetically verified patients returned normal results. No biochemical or genetic background was confirmed for 19 patients. OCR was reduced in ten out of 19 patients with negative enzyme assay results. Inconsistent enzyme assay results between fibroblast and skeletal muscle biopsy samples were observed in 33% of 37 simultaneously analyzed cases. These data suggest that highest diagnostic rate is reached using a combined enzymatic and genetic approach, analyzing more than one type of biological materials where suitable. Microscale oxygraphy detected MRC impairment in 50% cases with no defect in MRC complex activities.
The 30th anniversary of Ecological Research: past, present, and future
Authors: Tsunoda Tomonori , Kusumoto Buntarou , Okada Kei‐ichi , Aoshima Yuko , Kume Atsushi
Published: April 2017

In 2016, Ecological Research (ER) celebrated its 30th anniversary. ER's goal is to be the leading ecological, evolutionary, and biodiversity journal in Asia. This article introduces the development of ER, improvements to its editorial system and their outcomes, and the strategies designed to achieve this goal. ER has already become a leading comprehensive and international publication as shown by statistical evidence and its strong editorial foundation. However, some members of the Ecological Society of Japan (ESJ) retain impressions of an old stereotype about ER. The discrepancy between the current status of the journal and its stereotype may explain why submissions from Japan remain static. A new article category for ER, Biodiversity in Asia, was created to encourage Asian studies. In addition, the Forum category is dedicated to promoting a broad understanding of the ESJ's various activities. To promote open science, the proportion of open access articles in the journal is increasing. The publication of Data papers has been accelerated to improve the public availability of excellent open data sets. ER symposia and seminars provide good opportunities for members to participate. ER financially supports the invitation of scientists internationally to facilitate research exchanges with other countries and consequently promotes the internationalization of the ESJ. The ESJ is open to the world's ecologists, and your participation in developing ER is welcome.
Tectonic evolution of the Arctic onshore and offshore regions of the West Siberian petroleum province
Authors: Kontorovich V.A. , Ayunova D.V. , Gubin I.A. , Kalinin A.Yu. , Kalinina L.M. , Kontorovich A.E. , Malyshev N.A. , Skvortsov M.B. , Solov’ev M.V. , Surikova E.S.
Published: April 2017

The paper deals with the South Kara regional depression covering the southern part of the Kara Sea and presents a comparative analysis of the geologic structure of potential exploration targets in the offshore and onshore regions of the study area. Regional tectonic processes are considered, and the main stages of the formation of large tectonic elements are reconstructed. A comparison of the anticline traps in the onshore parts of the study area and offshore Kara Sea regions is made.
Geochemical methods for prediction and assessment of shale oil resources (case study of the Bazhenov Formation)
Authors: Skvortsov M.B. , Dakhnova M.V. , Mozhegova S.V. , Kirsanov A.M. , Komkov I.K. , Paizanskaya I.L.
Published: April 2017

The paper presents approaches to characterization of shale source rocks using geochemical data for the case of the Bazhenov petroleum system in West Siberia. Regional patterns of oil distribution in the Bazhenov shale are shown to depend on their original total organic carbon (TOC) content and thermal maturity. The existing thermal maturity model for the Bazhenov Formation based on vitrinite reflectance (Rvto) of nearby beds has been updated using parameters measured by Rock-Eval pyrolysis (Tmax, HI, PC, and RC) for the shale itself. The results were used to quantify hydrocarbon resources in different maturity zones. The relationship between TOC and the presence of para-autochthonous oil found for logged zones in the Bazhenov section allows allocating and quantifying oil resources in unlogged beds.
SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK BY U.S. MEAT GOAT PRODUCERS
Authors: NYAUPANE NARAYAN , GILLESPIE JEFFREY , MCMILLIN KENNETH , HARRISON ROBERT , SITIENEI ISAAC
Published: April 2017

Using nationwide survey data, we investigate U.S. meat goat producer preferences and willingness to pay for meat goat breeding stock attributes. Discrete choice experiments were employed, and mixed logit and latent class models were used for analysis. Results showed that producers preferred animals that were highly masculine/feminine, had good structure and soundness, and were of the Boer breed, whereas they preferred fewer animals that were older, of Kiko and Spanish breeds, and priced higher. Significant preference heterogeneity was found among the respondents. Larger-scale producers had greater preference for high masculinity/femininity, good structure and soundness, and Boer bucks.
Whose Enlightenment?
Authors: Fillafer Franz L.
Published: April 2017

The Enlightenment seems out of kilter. Until fairly recently, its trajectories were beguilingly simple and straightforward. Devised by Western metropolitan masterminds, the Enlightenment was piously appropriated by their latter-day apprentices in Central and Eastern Europe. This process of benign percolation made modern science, political liberty, and religious toleration trickle down to East-Central Europe. The self-orientalizing of nineteenth-century Central European intellectuals reinforced this impression, making concepts that were ostensibly authentic and pristine at their “Western” sources seem garbled and skewed once appropriated in their region.
Call for papers: NJL Special Issue on Forensic Linguistics: European perspectives
Authors: Christensen Tanya Karoli , Mortensen Sune Sønderberg
Published: April 2017

The second issue of Volume 41 (autumn 2018) of the Nordic Journal of Linguistics will be a special issue devoted to forensic linguistics in the Nordic countries and in Europe. The issue will be edited by Tanya Karoli Christensen and Sune Sønderberg Mortensen.
Toxicological and biochemical basis of synergism between the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium and the insecticide matrine against Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)
Authors: Ali Shaukat , Zhang Can , Wang Zeqing , Wang Xing-Min , Wu Jian-Hui , Cuthbertson Andrew G S , Shao Zhenfang , Qiu Bao-Li
Published: April 2017

The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) was challenged with different combinations of matrine (insecticide) and Lecanicillium muscarium (entomopathogenic fungus). Our results revealed a synergistic relationship between matrine and L. muscarium on mortality and enzyme activities of B. tabaci. To illustrate the biochemical mechanisms involved in detoxification and immune responses of B. tabaci against both control agents, activities of different detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes were quantified. After combined application of matrine and L. muscarium, activities of carboxylestrease (CarE), glutathione-s-transferase (GSTs) and chitinase (CHI) decreased during the initial infection period. Acetylcholinestrase (AChE) activities increased during the entire experimental period, whereas those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) decreased during the later infection period. The increased mortality and suppression of enzymatic response of B. tabaci following matrine and L. muscarium application suggests a strong synergistic effect between both agents. The strong synergistic effect is possibly related to the disturbance of acetylcholine balance and changes in AchE activities of the whitefly as both matrine and L. muscarium target insect acetylcholine (Ach) receptors which in turn effects AchE production. Therefore, our results have revealed the complex biochemical processes involved in the synergistic action of matrine and L. muscarium against B. tabaci.
Novel glycoconjugated squaraine dyes for selective optical imaging of cancer cells
Authors: Shimi M. , Sankar Vandana , Rahim M. K. Abdul , Nitha P. R. , Das Suresh , Radhakrishnan K. V. , Raghu K. G.
Published: April 2017

Glycoconjugated squaraine dyes for selective internalisation in cancer cell lines are reported. The cancer cell selectivity was achieved through the “Warburg effect”.
1,3-N,O-Complexes of late transition metals. Ligands with flexible bonding modes and reaction profiles
Authors: Drover Marcus W. , Love Jennifer A. , Schafer Laurel L.
Published: April 2017

1,3-N,O-Chelating ligands are ubiquitous in nature owing to their occurrence as α-chiral amino acids in metalloproteins.
Droplet manipulation on a structured shape memory polymer surface
Authors: Park Jun Kyu , Kim Seok
Published: April 2017

Manipulation of a liquid droplet on a structured shape memory polymer surface with thermal Marangoni and morphological gradient forces.
Transformation of the ionic liquid [EMIM][B(CN)4] into anionic and neutral lanthanum tetracyanoborate coordination polymers by ionothermal reactions
Authors: Zottnick Sven H. , Finze Maik , Müller-Buschbaum Klaus
Published: April 2017

In ionothermal reactions, a room temperature borate-ionic liquid is directly transformed into coordination polymers by coordination to lanthanide cations.
Chemomechanical-force-induced folding–unfolding directly controls distinct fluorescence dual-color switching
Authors: Chen Jian , Ziegler Adam W. , Zhao Baoming , Wan Wei , Li Alexander D. Q.
Published: April 2017

Molecular folding and unfolding switch fluorescence color from orange to green; this molecular actuation-induced fluorescence color switching is highly reversible and shows remarkable fatigue resistance.
Studying structure and dynamics of self-assembled peptide nanostructures using fluorescence and super resolution microscopy
Authors: Pujals Sílvia , Tao Kai , Terradellas Adrià , Gazit Ehud , Albertazzi Lorenzo
Published: April 2017

Understanding the formation and properties of self-assembled peptide nanostructures is the basis for the design of new architectures for various applications.
A coordination strategy to realize a sextuply-bonded complex
Authors: Chen Yue , Hasegawa Jun-ya , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: April 2017

The synthesis of higher-order multiple bonds is a great challenge in chemistry. Several dinuclear transition metal complexes with sextuple bond have been proposed.
The effect of chain mobility on the coarsening process of co-continuous, immiscible polymer blends under quiescent melt annealing
Authors: Gong Tao , Bao Rui-Ying , Liu Zheng-Ying , Xie Bang-Hu , Yang Ming-Bo , Yang Wei
Published: April 2017

The relationship between the mobility of polymer molecular chains and the phase coarsening process of co-continuous, immiscible polymer blends under quiescent melt annealing is presented.
Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics studies of the mechanism of cysteine protease inhibition by peptidyl-2,3-epoxyketones
Authors: Arafet Kemel , Ferrer Silvia , González Florenci V. , Moliner Vicent
Published: April 2017

Cysteine proteases are the most abundant proteases in parasitic protozoa and they are essential enzymes to sustain the life cycle of several of them, thus becoming attractive therapeutic targets for the development of new inhibitors.
Experimental and theoretical investigations of infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra of glutamic acid complexes with Zn2+and Cd2+
Authors: Boles Georgia C. , Owen Cameron J. , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos , Armentrout P. B.
Published: April 2017

IRMPD of [Zn(Glu-H)ACN]+was particularly interesting because fragmentation of the amino acid was favored, rather than dissociation of the ACN ligand.
Effective management of polyethers through depolymerization to symmetric and unsymmetric glycol diesters using a proton-exchanged montmorillonite catalyst
Authors: Maeno Zen , Yamada Shota , Mitsudome Takato , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro
Published: April 2017

An efficient and practical method for catalytic depolymerization of polyethers to glycol diesters was developed using proton-exchanged montmorillonite.
Skin-derived precursors from human subjects with Type 2 diabetes yield dysfunctional vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Steinbach Sarah K. , Yau Terrence M. , Ouzounian Maral , Abdel-Qadir Husam , Chandy Mark , Waddell Thomas K. , Husain Mansoor
Published: April 2017

Objective: Few methods enable molecular and cellular studies of vascular aging or Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we report a new approach to studying human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) pathophysiology by examining VSMCs differentiated from progenitors found in skin. Approach and results: Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) were cultured from biopsies (N=164, ∼1 cm2) taken from the edges of surgical incisions of older adults (N=158; males 72%; mean age 62.7 ± 13 years) undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, and differentiated into VSMCs at high efficiency (>80% yield). The number of SKPs isolated from subjects with T2D was ∼50% lower than those without T2D (cells/g: 0.18 ± 0.03, N=58 versus 0.40 ± 0.05, N=100, P<0.05). Importantly, SKP-derived VSMCs from subjects with T2D had higher Fluo-5F-determined baseline cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations (AU: 1,968 ± 160, N=7 versus 1,386 ± 170, N=13, P<0.05), and a trend toward greater Ca2+ cycling responses to norepinephrine (NE) (AUC: 177,207 ± 24,669, N=7 versus 101,537 ± 15,881, N=20, P<0.08) despite a reduced frequency of Ca2+ cycling (events s−1 cell−1: 0.011 ± 0.004, N=8 versus 0.021 ± 0.003, N=19, P<0.05) than those without T2D. SKP-derived VSMCs from subjects with T2D also manifest enhanced sensitivity to phenylephrine (PE) in an impedance-based assay (EC50 nM: 72.3 ± 63.6, N=5 versus 3,684 ± 3,122, N=9, P<0.05), and impaired wound closure in vitro (% closure: 21.9 ± 3.6, N=4 versus 67.0 ± 10.3, N=4, P<0.05). Compared with aortic- and saphenous vein-derived primary VSMCs, SKP-derived VSMCs are functionally distinct, but mirror defects of T2D also exhibited by primary VSMCs. Conclusion: Skin biopsies from older adults yield sufficient SKPs to differentiate VSMCs, which reveal abnormal phenotypes of T2D that survive differentiation and persist even after long-term normoglycemic culture.
Dystrophinopathies and Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Sarkozy Anna , Scoto Mariacristina , Muntoni Francesco , Domingos Joana
Published: April 2017

Muscular dystrophies are a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases. The natural history of these disorders along with their management have changed mainly due to a better understanding of their pathophysiology, the evolution of standards of care, and new treatment options. Dystrophinopathies include both Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophies, but in reality they are a spectrum of muscle diseases caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the protein dystrophin. Duchenne's muscular dystrophy is the most common form of inherited muscle disease of childhood. The current standards of care considerably prolong independent ambulation and survival. Several therapeutic options either aiming at substituting/correcting the primary protein defect or limiting the progression of the dystrophic process are currently being explored in clinical trials.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are rare and heterogeneous conditions, characterized by weakness and wasting of the pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles. Originally classified into dominant and recessive, > 30 genetic forms of LGMDs are currently recognized. Further understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of LGMD will help identifying novel therapeutic approaches that can be tested in clinical trials.
Determination of the temperature dependency of the electrical parameters of CIGS solar cells
Authors: Theelen M. , Liakopoulou A. , Hans V. , Daume F. , Steijvers H. , Barreau N. , Vroon Z. , Zeman M.
Published: April 2017

Two types of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells, both designed for implementation in CIGS modules, were subjected to temperatures between 25 ºC and 105 ºC. Simultaneous exposure to AM1.5 illumination allowed the measurement of their electrical parameters at these temperatures. These two types of solar cells, produced with different deposition routes on soda lime glass (SLG) and polyimide (PI) substrates, showed large variations in the temperature dependency of their electrical parameters. It was shown that the temperature dependency of the open circuit voltage (Voc)  was dependent on its room temperature value: a high Voc at 25 °C led to a slower loss of Voc when the temperature was increased. For the Voc, the normalised temperature dependency varied between −0.28%/°C and −0.47%/°C, which is in agreement with the literature. The temperature dependency of the short circuit current density (Jsc) showed more surprising results: while the PI samples had the expected positive temperature dependency (0.03 to 0.32%/°C), the SLG samples showed a small negative impact of increasing temperature (−0.01 to −0.05%/°C). A correlation between the temperature dependencies of the Jsc and the ideality factor n was observed. Therefore, this difference in the temperature dependence of the Jsc could be caused by increased recombination for the SLG samples. Furthermore, the temperature coefficients of the fill factor (negative), efficiency (negative), and the series (slightly negative) and shunt (negative) resistances were calculated.
A memory efficient implementation scheme of Gauss error function in a Laguerre-Volterra network for neuroprosthetic devices
Authors: Li Will X. Y. , Cui Ke , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2017

Cognitive neural prosthesis is a manmade device which can be used to restore or compensate for lost human cognitive modalities. The generalized Laguerre-Volterra (GLV) network serves as a robust mathematical underpinning for the development of such prosthetic instrument. In this paper, a hardware implementation scheme of Gauss error function for the GLV network targeting reconfigurable platforms is reported. Numerical approximations are formulated which transform the computation of nonelementary function into combinational operations of elementary functions, and memory-intensive look-up table (LUT) based approaches can therefore be circumvented. The computational precision can be made adjustable with the utilization of an error compensation scheme, which is proposed based on the experimental observation of the mathematical characteristics of the error trajectory. The precision can be further customizable by exploiting the run-time characteristics of the reconfigurable system. Compared to the polynomial expansion based implementation scheme, the utilization of slice LUTs, occupied slices, and DSP48E1s on a Xilinx XC6VLX240T field-programmable gate array has decreased by 94.2%, 94.1%, and 90.0%, respectively. While compared to the look-up table based scheme, 1.0×1017 bits of storage can be spared under the maximum allowable error of 1.0×10−3. The proposed implementation scheme can be employed in the study of large-scale neural ensemble activity and in the design and development of neural prosthetic device.
Anomalous flatband voltage shift of AlFxOy/Al2O3 MOS capacitors: A consideration on dipole layer formation at dielectric interfaces with different anions
Authors: Fei Jiayang , Kunugi Ryota , Watanabe Takanobu , Kita Koji
Published: April 2017

We experimentally investigated the dipole layer formation at Al2O3/AlFxOy (x:y = 1:1 and 1:2.5) interfaces, which would be explicable by considering the anion density difference as the key parameter to determine the dipole direction at the dielectric interface with different anions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of Al2O3/AlF3 demonstrates a preferential migration of O from Al2O3 to AlF3 compared with F to the opposite direction which suggests that anion migration due to the density difference could determine the direction of the dipole layer formed at this interface. In addition, charge separation due to the difference in the anion valences could have certain effect simultaneously.
Probing the effects of surface hydrophobicity and tether orientation on antibody-antigen binding
Authors: Bush Derek B. , Knotts Thomas A.
Published: April 2017

Antibody microarrays have the potential to revolutionize molecular detection for many applications, but their current use is limited by poor reliability, and efforts to change this have not yielded fruitful results. One difficulty which limits the rational engineering of next-generation devices is that little is known, at the molecular level, about the antibody-antigen binding process near solid surfaces. Atomic-level structural information is scant because typical experimental techniques (X-ray crystallography and NMR) cannot be used to image proteins bound to surfaces. To overcome this limitation, this study uses molecular simulation and an advanced, experimentally validated, coarse-grain, protein-surface model to compare fab-lysozyme binding in bulk solution and when the fab is tethered to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The results show that the tether site in the fab, as well as the surface hydrophobicity, significantly impacts the binding process and suggests that the optimal design involves tethering fabs upright on a hydrophilic surface. The results offer an unprecedented, molecular-level picture of the binding process and give hope that the rational design of protein-microarrays is possible.
Spin orbit torque induced asymmetric depinning of chiral Néel domain wall in Co/Ni heterostructures
Authors: Ramu M. , Goolaup S. , Gan W. L. , Krishnia S. , Lim G. J. , Lew W. S.
Published: April 2017

In this letter, we report on distinct depinning of a chiral Néel domain wall (DW) driven by spin-orbit torque (SOT) in Co/Ni nanowires with symmetric potential barriers. In these structures, DW propagation was shown to be in the opposite direction to the electron flow as evidenced from current assisted DW depinning measurements. A transition from field dominated DW depinning to SOT dominated DW depinning was observed as the bias current was increased. For SOT dominated DW depinning, the Up-Down DW exhibits a larger depinning field as compared to the Down-Up DW. This is attributed to the interplay between the SOT and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in the structure.
Rotational resonance for a heteronuclear spin pair under magic-angle spinning in solid-state NMR
Authors: Kamihara Takayuki , Takegoshi K.
Published: April 2017

Rotational resonance (R2) is one of the widely applied techniques in solid-state NMR for recoupling a homonuclear dipolar interaction under magic-angle spinning (MAS). R2 occurs as the result of interference between the difference of the chemical shifts and MAS. In this work, we extend R2 to a heteronuclear dipolar interaction in the interaction frame of RF irradiation. Based on the average Hamiltonian theory, we show that the recoupling of the heteronuclear dipolar (I–S) interaction occurs at the recoupling conditions written as ΩI′±ΩS′=kωr (k=0,±1,±2), where ΩX′ is the RF offset for spin-X (X = I or S) scaled by RF irradiation. The new recoupling sequence for a heteronuclear spin pair is referred to as offset-driven cross polarization along the z axis (OD-CPZ). With the robustness for RF inhomogeneity and ten recoupling conditions to choose, OD-CPZ can be a useful frequency-selective cross polarization method. Experiments and numerical simulations are shown with the results of the theoretical analysis.
Nonlinear resistivity for magnetohydrodynamical models
Authors: Lingam M. , Hirvijoki E. , Pfefferlé D. , Comisso L. , Bhattacharjee A.
Published: April 2017

A new formulation of the plasma resistivity that stems from the collisional momentum-transfer rate between electrons and ions is presented. The resistivity computed herein is shown to depend not only on the temperature and density but also on all other polynomial velocity-space moments of the distribution function, such as the pressure tensor and heat flux vector. The full expression for the collisional momentum-transfer rate is determined and is used to formulate the nonlinear anisotropic resistivity. The new formalism recovers the Spitzer resistivity, as well as the concept of thermal force if the heat flux is assumed to be proportional to a temperature gradient. Furthermore, if the pressure tensor is related to viscous stress, the latter enters the expression for the resistivity. The relative importance of the nonlinear term(s) with respect to the well-established electron inertia and Hall terms is also examined. The subtle implications of the nonlinear resistivity, and its dependence on the fluid variables, are discussed in the context of magnetized plasma environments and phenomena such as magnetic reconnection.
Phase behavior of supported lipid bilayers: A systematic study by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Poursoroush Asma , Sperotto Maria Maddalena , Laradji Mohamed
Published: April 2017

Solid-supported lipid bilayers are utilized by experimental scientists as models for biological membranes because of their stability. However, compared to free standing bilayers, their close proximity to the substrate may affect their phase behavior. As this is still poorly understood, and few computational studies have been performed on such systems thus far, here we present the results from a systematic study based on molecular dynamics simulations of an implicit-solvent model for solid-supported lipid bilayers with varying lipid-substrate interactions. The attractive interaction between the substrate and the lipid head groups that are closest to the substrate leads to an increased translocation of the lipids from the distal to the proximal bilayer-leaflet. This thereby leads to a transbilayer imbalance of the lipid density, with the lipid density of the proximal leaflet higher than that of the distal leaflet. Consequently, the order parameter of the proximal leaflet is found to be higher than that of the distal leaflet, the higher the strength of lipid interaction is, the stronger the effect. The proximal leaflet exhibits gel and fluid phases with an abrupt melting transition between the two phases. In contrast, below the melting temperature of the proximal leaflet, the distal leaflet is inhomogeneous with coexisting gel and fluid domains. The size of the fluid domains increases with increasing the strength of the lipid interaction. At low temperatures, the inhomogeneity of the distal leaflet is due to its reduced lipid density.
Internal dynamics of semiflexible polymers with active noise
Authors: Eisenstecken Thomas , Gompper Gerhard , Winkler Roland G.
Published: April 2017

The intramolecular dynamics of flexible and semiflexible polymers in response to active noise is studied theoretically. The active noise may either originate from interactions of a passive polymer with a bath of active Brownian particles or the polymer itself is comprised of active Brownian particles. We describe the polymer by the continuous Gaussian semiflexible-polymer model, taking into account the finite polymer extensibility. Our analytical calculations predict a strong dependence of the polymer dynamics on the activity. In particular, active semiflexible polymers exhibit a crossover from a bending elasticity-dominated dynamics at weak activity to that of flexible polymers at strong activity. The end-to-end vector correlation function decays exponentially for times longer than the longest polymer relaxation time. Thereby, the polymer relaxation determines the decay of the correlation function for long and flexible polymers. For shorter and stiffer polymers, the relaxation behavior of individual active Brownian particles dominates the decay above a certain activity. The diffusive dynamics of a polymer is substantially enhanced by the activity. Three regimes can be identified in the mean square displacement for sufficiently strong activities: an activity-induced ballistic regime at short times, followed by a Rouse-type polymer-specific regime for any polymer stiffness, and free diffusion at long times, again determined by the activity.
Broadband microwave emission spectrum associated with kinetic instabilities in minimum-B ECR plasmas
Authors: Izotov I. , Kalvas T. , Koivisto H. , Kronholm R. , Mansfeld D. , Skalyga V. , Tarvainen O.
Published: April 2017

Plasmas of electron cyclotron resonance ion sources (ECRISs) are prone to kinetic instabilities due to the resonant heating mechanism resulting in anisotropic electron velocity distribution. Frequently observed periodic oscillations of extracted ion beam current in the case of high plasma heating power and/or strong magnetic field have been proven to be caused by cyclotron-type instabilities leading to a notable reduction and temporal variation of highly charged ion production. Thus, investigations of such instabilities and techniques for their suppression have become important topics in ECRIS research. The microwave emission caused by the instabilities contains information on the electron energy distribution and growth mechanism of the instability. The emission has been studied earlier in the frequency range of 8–14 GHz allowing us to deduce the probable excited mode. A more detailed study of the microwave emission spectrum of a minimum-B ECR plasma, sustained by 14 GHz microwave radiation, is presented in this work. It was found that the frequencies of the microwaves emitted by the plasma consist of several harmonics of the main band and extend from 6 GHz up to 25 GHz, being independent of the plasma parameters.
Micro-ring resonator quality factor enhancement via an integrated Fabry-Perot cavity
Authors: Wu Jiayang , Moein Tania , Xu Xingyuan , Ren Guanghui , Mitchell Arnan , Moss David J.
Published: April 2017

We propose and experimentally demonstrate the enhancement in the filtering quality (Q) factor of an integrated micro-ring resonator (MRR) by embedding it in an integrated Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity formed by cascaded Sagnac loop reflectors. By utilizing coherent interference within the FP cavity to reshape the transmission spectrum of the MRR, both the Q factor and the extinction ratio (ER) can be significantly improved. The device is theoretically analyzed and practically fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator wafer. Experimental results show that up to 11-times improvement in the Q factor, together with an 8-dB increase in the ER, can be achieved via our proposed method. The impact of varying structural parameters on the device performance is also investigated and verified by the measured spectra of the fabricated devices with different structural parameters.
Detection of subsurface cavity structures using contact-resonance atomic force microscopy
Authors: Ma Chengfu , Chen Yuhang , Arnold Walter , Chu Jiaru
Published: April 2017

To meet the surging demands for quantitative and nondestructive testing at the nanoscale in various fields, ultrasonic-based scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as contact-resonance atomic force microscopy (CR-AFM), have attracted increased attention. Despite considerable success in subsurface nanostructure or defect imaging, the detecting capabilities of CR-AFM have not been fully explored yet. In this paper, we present an analytical model of CR-AFM for detecting subsurface cavities by adopting a circular freestanding membrane structure as an equivalent cavity. The parameters describing the detection limits of CR-AFM for such structures include the detecting depth and the detectable area. These parameters are systematically studied for different cantilever eigenmodes for structures of different sizes and depths. The results show that the detecting depth depends on the structure size. The higher eigenmodes generally provide better detecting capabilities than the lower ones. For an experimental verification, samples were prepared by covering a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrate with open pores at its surface with HOPG flakes. CR-AFM imaging on the HOPG-covered area was carried out using different eigenmodes in order to detect the pores in the PMMA. In addition, the influence of the applied tip load is also discussed.
Probing microstructures of molybdenum disulfide quantum dots by resonant Raman scattering
Authors: Bai Ruipeng , Wang Peijie , Fang Yan
Published: April 2017

Research on the photoluminescence (PL) mechanism of MoS2 quantum dots (MQDs) has entered into a new age that involves analyzing the complicated microstructures of MQDs that are presumably significant for PL emission. However, microstructures of MQDs have not been clearly observed and thoroughly identified by conventional detection techniques. In this work, pure MQDs were fabricated by pulsed laser ablation along the direction parallel to basal planes of the MoS2 crystal in deionized water to enable resonant Raman measurements. Resonant Raman scattering (RRS) that corresponds to microstructures of MQDs, especially defects and disorders at the edges and surfaces of MQDs, is obtained, which is distinctly different from that of bulk and monolayer MoS2 and has not been characterized in such a direct method by RRS spectroscopy. The highest intensity of the defect-induced LA(M) peak at approximately 217 cm−1, which is similar to the D band of graphene, indicates the existence of enormous defects and disorders. Furthermore, the LA(M) peak is split into a shoulder at 212 cm−1 and a peak at 217 cm−1 which are due to double resonance processes derived from defects on the edges and disorders in the planes, respectively. More resonant two-phonon Raman processes appear because of the strong electron-phonon coupling at resonance. In addition, the typical phonon modes of MoS2 and Raman-silent phonon modes are analyzed and identified. This work indicates that the features of microstructures of MQDs can be convincingly and experimentally characterized by RRS spectroscopy.
Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction with W seed and capping layers
Authors: Almasi H. , Sun C. L. , Li X. , Newhouse-Illige T. , Bi C. , Price K. C. , Nahar S. , Grezes C. , Hu Q. , Khalili Amiri P. , Wang K. L. , Voyles P. M. , Wang W. G.
Published: April 2017

We present a study on perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with W as buffer and capping layers. A tunneling magnetoresistance of 138% and an interfacial magnetic anisotropy of 1.67 erg/cm2 were obtained in optimally annealed samples. However, after extended annealing at 420 °C, junctions with W layers showed extremely small resistance due to interdiffusion of W into the MgO barrier. In contrast, in Ta-based junctions, the MgO barrier remained structurally stable despite disappearance of magnetoresistance after extended annealing due to loss of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Compared with conventional tunnel junctions with in-plane magnetic anisotropy, the evolution of tunneling conductance suggests that the relatively low magnetoresistance in perpendicular tunnel junctions is related to the lack of highly polarized Δ1 conducting channel developed in the initial stage of annealing.
Three-dimensional piezoelectric energy harvester with spring and magnetic coupling
Authors: Wang Hai , Hu Feng , Wang Ke , Liu Yan , Zhao Wei
Published: April 2017

This letter proposes a three-dimensional piezoelectric energy harvester (3D PEH) that enables energy scavenging from vibrations in arbitrary directions. The proposed harvester comprises a spring, a primary beam, an inner beam, and two magnetic masses. The beams capture vibrations along their surface normal directions, and the spring, which acts as a mechanical energy buffer, is used to sense vibrations that occur parallel to the length direction of the inner beam. Magnetic coupling is introduced to perform frequency up-conversion and thus transfer vibration energy from the inner beam to the primary beam. As a benefit of the proposed structure, the 3D PEH can sense and convert all vibration energies occurring within the 3D space. When compared with use of the same beams in a linear configuration, the peak voltage of the proposed configuration is more than 3 V, and the bandwidths of voltages exceeding 5 V are wider by more than 3 Hz. Simultaneously, the primary beam resonant frequency is reduced by more than 6 Hz. Experimental results indicate that the proposed 3D PEH offers the advantages of higher open-circuit output voltages and wider frequency bandwidths at a lower resonant frequency.
TNSA and ponderomotive plasma production in enriched carbon polyethylene foils
Authors: Torrisi L. , Cutroneo M. , Ullschmied J.
Published: April 2017

Proton and carbon ion acceleration in a target-normal-sheath-acceleration regime produced by a laser intensity of 1016 W/cm2 was investigated using thin polyethylene foils. Measurements performed at the PALS facility in Prague demonstrate forward ion acceleration above 1 MeV per charge state. The ion acceleration is higher in thinner polymeric foils. In order to increase the emission yield of the proton and carbon ions, the target thickness should be enhanced, but this choice reduces drastically the ion acceleration. The use of highly absorbing stuff, such as carbon nanotubes embedded inside a polymer, enhances the ion acceleration but results in a broad ion energy distribution and a low amount of the highly accelerated ion species.
Force-gradient sensitive Kelvin probe force microscopy by dissipative electrostatic force modulation
Authors: Miyahara Yoichi , Grutter Peter
Published: April 2017

We report a Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) implementation using the dissipation signal of a frequency modulation atomic force microscopy that is capable of detecting the gradient of electrostatic force rather than electrostatic force. It features a simple implementation and faster scanning as it requires no low frequency modulation. We show that applying a coherent ac voltage with two times the cantilever oscillation frequency induces the dissipation signal proportional to the electrostatic force gradient which depends on the effective dc bias voltage including the contact potential difference. We demonstrate the KPFM images of a MoS2 flake taken with the present method are in quantitative agreement with those taken with the frequency modulated Kelvin probe force microscopy technique.
Observation of photon noise by cold-electron bolometers
Authors: Gordeeva A. V. , Zbrozhek V. O. , Pankratov A. L. , Revin L. S. , Shamporov V. A. , Gunbina A. A. , Kuzmin L. S.
Published: April 2017

We have observed the photon noise by measuring a response to the black body 350 GHz radiation and noise of the cold-electron bolometers (CEBs). The experimental results have been fit to the theoretical model of CEBs with two heat-balance equations. The measured noise has been decomposed into several terms with the help of theory. It is demonstrated that the photon noise exceeds any other noise components, which allows us to conclude that the bolometers measure the photon noise. Moreover, a peculiar shape of the noise dependence on the absorbed power originates completely from the photonic component according to the theory. In the additional experiment on heating of the cryostat plate together with the sample holder, we have observed the near independence of the noise on the electron temperature of the absorber, which has provided another proof of the presence of the photon noise in the first experiment. The least ratio between internal and photon noise equivalent powers, observed in our experiments, is 1.1 for the absorbed power of 1–2 pW.
Unifying mechanism for different fibrotic diseases
Authors: Wernig Gerlinde , Chen Shih-Yu , Cui Lu , Van Neste Camille , Tsai Jonathan M. , Kambham Neeraja , Vogel Hannes , Natkunam Yaso , Gilliland D. Gary , Nolan Garry , Weissman Irving L.
Published: April 2017

Significance

Severe human fibrotic diseases are devastating and without effective treatments. We found that c-JUN expression is increased in many human fibrotic diseases and that systemic induction of c-Jun in mice resulted in development of fibrosis of multiple organs. These results suggest that many fibrotic diseases share a common pathomechanism that converges on c-Jun induction. Thus, common treatment strategies could potentially be developed for these seemingly different fibrotic disease entities. Moreover, the in vivo c-Jun induction represents a mouse model for these devastating diseases that could be used for preclinical evaluation of candidate antifibrotic treatments. Indeed, we show that blockade of the antiphagocytotic signal CD47 and the AKT and VEGF receptor pathways reverses tissue fibrosis in mice.
Nuclear Shp2 directs normal embryo implantation via facilitating the ERα tyrosine phosphorylation by the Src kinase
Authors: Ran Hao , Kong Shuangbo , Zhang Shuang , Cheng Jianghong , Zhou Chan , He Bo , Xin Qiliang , Lydon John P. , DeMayo Francesco J. , Feng Gen-Sheng , Xia Guoliang , Lu Zhongxian , Wang Chao , Wang Haibin
Published: April 2017

Significance

Dysfunctional uterine receptivity is responsible for approximately 70% of implantation failures. This periimplantation event is dominated by ovarian hormones progesterone and estrogen functioning through their corresponding receptors, PR and ER, coupled with locally produced signaling molecules. However, the hierarchical landscape of the molecular pathways that govern this process remains largely unexplored. Here we show that Shp2, a classic cytoplasmic protein, is mainly located in the nuclei in uterine cells at periimplantation. Further investigation revealed that nuclear Shp2 enhances the Src kinase-mediated ERα tyrosine phosphorylation, facilitates ERα binding to
Pgr
promoter, and thus promotes the ERα transcription activity in periimplantation uteri. Our findings have high clinical significance in identifying novel therapeutic targets for the aberrant uterine receptivity and implantation failure.
Water as ice(s)
Authors: Finney John
Published: April 2017

‘Water as ice(s)’ describes the sixteen known crystalline phases of ice, starting with normal ice, as well as a potential seventeenth phase called cubic ice, for which they may be evidence elsewhere in the universe. The different crystalline structures of ice are shown on a phase diagram that depicts how changes in pressure and temperature affect the structure of ice. The Bernal–Fowler rules of ice structures are also explained. Ordered arrangements of water molecules all show four-coordinated geometry, but water shows great molecular versatility under pressure: hydrogen bond lengths and OOO angles can vary when forming the high pressure ice structures.
Water as a biomolecule
Authors: Finney John
Published: April 2017

Why is water biologically important? ‘Water as a biomolecule’ considers how water influences biological processes and what properties of the water molecule enable it to do so by focusing on the role of water in the structure and operation of enzymes. Water molecules are critical in maintaining the active structures of other biomolecules such as stabilizing proteins. It also asks: how can we be sure that water is essential to life? Could other molecules fill a similar role or roles? Could water be replaced by some other medium in some other life form elsewhere in the universe that can still metabolize and reproduce?
Some past and current controversies
Authors: Finney John
Published: April 2017

The structure, dynamics, and properties of water are pretty well understood. We have a good idea of its structure, and how that structure explains why its properties are sometimes different from those of a ‘normal’ liquid. A number of issues remain, which suggest there may still be some things about water that we don’t yet understand. ‘Some past and current controversies’ considers the concepts of ‘memory’ of water; polywater (a form of water that was thought to be denser and more stable than ordinary water); and whether surface ordering impacts on the biological role of water. These have largely been resolved, but the idea of two possible liquid structures of water still remains.
Smallpox
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: April 2017

The world was declared smallpox-free in 1980, but this endemic and pandemic disease had killed hundreds of millions of people over the preceding millennium. Smallpox was first described in fourth-century China, but the most deadly epidemics occurred from the early sixteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century. ‘Smallpox’ considers how the disease became such a killer in the Americas, explaining virgin soil epidemics. It also describes the development of vaccination by Edward Jenner in the late eighteenth century, which was a success, but major epidemics continued to break out. Once enough people had been vaccinated, smallpox, with no non-human host, had no place to go.
Cholera
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: April 2017

Cholera is caused by ingesting water contaminated with infected fecal matter. The disease spreads easily. Seven cholera pandemics have traveled the globe, the first starting in India in 1817. It was not until the 1830s that people began to see a link between poverty and cholera. During the 1854 London epidemic, John Snow, through his pioneering epidemiological work, realized the disease was waterborne. Then in 1883 Robert Koch discovered Vibrio cholerae in contaminated water. Since the 1960s, oral rehydration therapy has saved millions of lives, but cholera lives on, primarily in Africa, where lack of health infrastructure and poor sanitation allow it to thrive.