bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going flat: examining heterogeneity in the soda–obesity relationship by subgroup and place of birth among Asian Americans
Authors: Alcalá Héctor E , Sharif Mienah Z
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine if the association between soda consumption and obesity is uniform among Asian-American population subgroups.

Design

We conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses on odds of being obese among seven Asian subgroups and by place of birth using data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey.

Setting

An omnibus population-based health survey.

Subjects

Non-institutionalized adults, aged 18 years or over, residing in California (n 36 271).

Results

Despite low levels of soda consumption in several Asian-American ethnic groups, soda consumption increased the odds of being obese among Chinese, Koreans and Other Asians but not for Whites. Obesity risk varied across Asian subgroups and by place of birth within these subgroups.

Conclusions

More public health efforts addressing soda consumption in Asian-American communities are needed as a strategy for not only preventing chronic diseases but also disparities, considering the varying levels of soda intake across subgroups. Results support the growing body of literature critiquing acculturation theory in immigrant health research by documenting inconsistent findings by place of birth. Future research should take into account the heterogeneity among Asian Americans to advance our understanding of health outcomes and disparities.
Annual community patterns are driven by seasonal switching between closely related marine bacteria
Authors: Ward Christopher S , Yung Cheuk-Man , Davis Katherine M , Blinebry Sara K , Williams Tiffany C , Johnson Zackary I , Hunt Dana E
Published: February 2017

Marine microbes exhibit seasonal cycles in community composition, yet the key drivers of these patterns and microbial population fidelity to specific environmental conditions remain to be determined. To begin addressing these questions, we characterized microbial dynamics weekly for 3 years at a temperate, coastal site with dramatic environmental seasonality. This high-resolution time series reveals that changes in microbial community composition are not continuous; over the duration of the time series, the community instead resolves into distinct summer and winter profiles with rapid spring and fall transitions between these states. Here, we show that these community shifts involve switching between closely related strains that exhibit either summer or winter preferences. Moreover, taxa repeat this process annually in both this and another temperate coastal time series, suggesting that this phenomenon may be widespread in marine ecosystems. To address potential biogeochemical impacts of these community changes, PICRUSt-based metagenomes predict seasonality in transporters, photosynthetic proteins, peptidases and carbohydrate metabolic pathways in spite of closely related summer- and winter-associated taxa. Thus, even small temperature shifts, such as those predicted by climate change models, could affect both the structure and function of marine ecosystems.
Color-selective holographic retroreflector array for sensing applications
Authors: Ahmed Rajib , Yetisen Ali K , Yun Seok Hyun , Butt Haider
Published: February 2017

Corner cube retroreflectors (CCRs) have applications in sensors, image processing, free space communication and wireless networks. The ability to construct low-loss wavelength filters embedded in CCRs can enable the development of wavelength multiplexing, tunable lasers and photonic integrated circuits. Here we created an ~10-μm-thick holographic corner cube retroreflector (HCCR) array that acted as a color-selective wavelength filter and diffracted light at broad angles. Angle-resolved spectral measurements showed that the Bragg peak of the diffracted light from the HCCR array could be tuned from 460 to 545 nm by varying the incident angle. The HCCR array also exhibited a wavelength-selective tuning capability based on the rotation angle in the visible spectrum. HCCRs projected holographic images with the rotational property in the far field. The utility of the HCCR was demonstrated as optical temperature and relative humidity sensors that produced a visible colorimetric response for rapid diagnostics.
Hyperactivation of Nrf2 in early tubular development induces nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
Authors: Suzuki Takafumi , Seki Shiori , Hiramoto Keiichiro , Naganuma Eriko , Kobayashi Eri H. , Yamaoka Ayaka , Baird Liam , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Sato Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masayuki
Published: February 2017

NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) regulates cellular responses to oxidative and electrophilic stress. Loss of Keap1 increases Nrf2 protein levels, and Keap1-null mice die of oesophageal hyperkeratosis because of Nrf2 hyperactivation. Here we show that deletion of oesophageal Nrf2 in Keap1-null mice allows survival until adulthood, but the animals develop polyuria with low osmolality and bilateral hydronephrosis. This phenotype is caused by defects in water reabsorption that are the result of reduced aquaporin 2 levels in the kidney. Renal tubular deletion of Keap1 promotes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus features, confirming that Nrf2 activation in developing tubular cells causes a water reabsorption defect. These findings suggest that Nrf2 activity should be tightly controlled during development in order to maintain renal homeostasis. In addition, tissue-specific ablation of Nrf2 in Keap1-null mice might create useful animal models to uncover novel physiological functions of Nrf2.
Adaptation with transcriptional regulation
Authors: Shi Wenjia , Ma Wenzhe , Xiong Liyang , Zhang Mingyue , Tang Chao
Published: February 2017

Biochemical adaptation is one of the basic functions that are widely implemented in biological systems for a variety of purposes such as signal sensing, stress response and homeostasis. The adaptation time scales span from milliseconds to days, involving different regulatory machineries in different processes. The adaptive networks with enzymatic regulation (ERNs) have been investigated in detail. But it remains unclear if and how other forms of regulation will impact the network topology and other features of the function. Here, we systematically studied three-node transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs), with three different types of gene regulation logics. We found that the topologies of adaptive gene regulatory networks can still be grouped into two general classes: negative feedback loop (NFBL) and incoherent feed-forward loop (IFFL), but with some distinct topological features comparing to the enzymatic networks. Specifically, an auto-activation loop on the buffer node is necessary for the NFBL class. For IFFL class, the control node can be either a proportional node or an inversely-proportional node. Furthermore, the tunability of adaptive behavior differs between TRNs and ERNs. Our findings highlight the role of regulation forms in network topology, implementation and dynamics.
Elastic and mechanical softening in boron-doped diamond
Authors: Liu Xiaobing , Chang Yun-Yuan , Tkachev Sergey N. , Bina Craig R. , Jacobsen Steven D.
Published: February 2017

Alternative approaches to evaluating the hardness and elastic properties of materials exhibiting physical properties comparable to pure diamond have recently become necessary. The classic linear relationship between shear modulus (G) and Vickers hardness (HV), along with more recent non-linear formulations based on Pugh’s modulus extending into the superhard region (HV > 40 GPa) have guided synthesis and identification of novel superabrasives. These schemes rely on accurately quantifying HV of diamond-like materials approaching or potentially exceeding the hardness of the diamond indenter, leading to debate about methodology and the very definition of hardness. Elasticity measurements on such materials are equally challenging. Here we used a high-precision, GHz-ultrasonic interferometer in conjunction with a newly developed optical contact micrometer and 3D optical microscopy of indentations to evaluate elasticity-hardness relations in the ultrahard range (HV > 80 GPa) by examining single-crystal boron-doped diamond (BDD) with boron contents ranging from 50–3000 ppm. We observe a drastic elastic-mechanical softening in highly doped BDD relative to the trends observed for superhard materials, providing insight into elasticity-hardness relations for ultrahard materials.
Intraspecific N and P stoichiometry of Phragmites australis: geographic patterns and variation among climatic regions
Authors: Hu Yu-Kun , Zhang Ya-Lin , Liu Guo-Fang , Pan Xu , Yang Xuejun , Li Wen-Bing , Dai Wen-Hong , Tang Shuang-Li , Xiao Tao , Chen Ling-Yun , Xiong Wei , Song Yao-Bin , Dong Ming
Published: February 2017

Geographic patterns in leaf stoichiometry reflect plant adaptations to environments. Leaf stoichiometry variations along environmental gradients have been extensively studied among terrestrial plants, but little has been known about intraspecific leaf stoichiometry, especially for wetland plants. Here we analyzed the dataset of leaf N and P of a cosmopolitan wetland species, Phragmites australis, and environmental (geographic, climate and soil) variables from literature and field investigation in natural wetlands distributed in three climatic regions (subtropical, temperate and highland) across China. We found no clear geographic patterns in leaf nutrients of P. australis across China, except for leaf N:P ratio increasing with altitude. Leaf N and N:P decreased with mean annual temperature (MAT), and leaf N and P were closely related to soil pH, C:N ratio and available P. Redundancy analysis showed that climate and soil variables explained 62.1% of total variation in leaf N, P and N:P. Furthermore, leaf N in temperate region and leaf P in subtropical region increased with soil available P, while leaf N:P in subtropical region decreased with soil pH. These patterns in P. australis different from terrestrial plants might imply that changes in climate and soil properties can exert divergent effects on wetland and terrestrial ecosystems.
Fandom Biases Retrospective Judgments Not Perception
Authors: Huff Markus , Papenmeier Frank , Maurer Annika E. , Meitz Tino G. K. , Garsoffky Bärbel , Schwan Stephan
Published: February 2017

Attitudes and motivations have been shown to affect the processing of visual input, indicating that observers may see a given situation each literally in a different way. Yet, in real-life, processing information in an unbiased manner is considered to be of high adaptive value. Attitudinal and motivational effects were found for attention, characterization, categorization, and memory. On the other hand, for dynamic real-life events, visual processing has been found to be highly synchronous among viewers. Thus, while in a seminal study fandom as a particularly strong case of attitudes did bias judgments of a sports event, it left the question open whether attitudes do bias prior processing stages. Here, we investigated influences of fandom during the live TV broadcasting of the 2013 UEFA-Champions-League Final regarding attention, event segmentation, immediate and delayed cued recall, as well as affect, memory confidence, and retrospective judgments. Even though we replicated biased retrospective judgments, we found that eye-movements, event segmentation, and cued recall were largely similar across both groups of fans. Our findings demonstrate that, while highly involving sports events are interpreted in a fan dependent way, at initial stages they are processed in an unbiased manner.
Prevalence and characteristics of pks genotoxin gene cluster-positive clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ying-Tsong , Lai Yi-Chyi , Tan Mei-Chen , Hsieh Li-Yun , Wang Jann-Tay , Shiau Yih-Ru , Wang Hui-Ying , Lin Ann-Chi , Lai Jui-Fen , Huang I-Wen , Lauderdale Tsai-Ling
Published: February 2017

The pks gene cluster encodes enzymes responsible for the synthesis of colibactin, a genotoxin that has been shown to induce DNA damage and contribute to increased virulence. The present study investigated the prevalence of pks in clinical K. pneumoniae isolates from a national surveillance program in Taiwan, and identified microbiological and molecular factors associated with pks-carriage. The pks gene cluster was detected in 67 (16.7%) of 400 isolates from various specimen types. Multivariate analysis revealed that isolates of K1, K2, K20, and K62 capsular types (p < 0.001), and those more susceptible to antimicrobial agents (p = 0.001) were independent factors strongly associated with pks-carriage. Phylogenetic studies on the sequence type (ST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns indicated that the pks-positive isolates belong to a clonal group of ST23 in K1, a locally expanding ST65 clone in K2, a ST268-related K20 group, and a highly clonal ST36:K62 group. Carriage of rmpA, iutC, and ybtA, the genes associated with hypervirulence, was significantly higher in the pks-positive isolates than the pks-negative isolates (95.5% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001). Further studies to determine the presence of hypervirulent pks-bearing bacterial populations in the flora of community residents and their association with different disease entities may be warranted.
Texture Analysis and Synthesis of Malignant and Benign Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Lung Cancer on Computed Tomography
Authors: Pham Tuan D. , Watanabe Yuzuru , Higuchi Mitsunori , Suzuki Hiroyuki
Published: February 2017

Texture analysis of computed tomography (CT) imaging has been found useful to distinguish subtle differences, which are in- visible to human eyes, between malignant and benign tissues in cancer patients. This study implemented two complementary methods of texture analysis, known as the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and the experimental semivariogram (SV) with an aim to improve the predictive value of evaluating mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer. The GLCM was explored with the use of a rich set of its derived features, whereas the SV feature was extracted on real and synthesized CT samples of benign and malignant lymph nodes. A distinct advantage of the computer methodology presented herein is the alleviation of the need for an automated precise segmentation of the lymph nodes. Using the logistic regression model, a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 90%, and area under curve of 0.89 were obtained in the test population. A tenfold cross-validation of 70% accuracy of classifying between benign and malignant lymph nodes was obtained using the support vector machines as a pattern classifier. These results are higher than those recently reported in literature with similar studies.
A highly reproducible quantitative viral outgrowth assay for the measurement of the replication-competent latent HIV-1 reservoir
Authors: Fun Axel , Mok Hoi Ping , Wills Mark R. , Lever Andrew M.
Published: February 2017

Cure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains elusive due to the persistence of HIV in a latent reservoir. Strategies to eradicate latent infection can only be evaluated with robust, sensitive and specific assays to quantitate reactivatable latent virus. We have taken the standard peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) based viral outgrowth methodology and from it created a logistically simpler and more highly reproducible assay to quantify replication-competent latent HIV in resting CD4+ T cells, both increasing accuracy and decreasing cost and labour. Purification of resting CD4+ T cells from whole PBMC is expedited and achieved in 3 hours, less than half the time of conventional protocols. Our indicator cell line, SupT1-CCR5 cells (a clonal cell line expressing CD4, CXCR4 and CCR5) provides a readily available standardised readout. Reproducibility compares favourably to other published assays but with reduced cost, labour and assay heterogeneity without compromising sensitivity.
Computational methods using genome-wide association studies to predict radiotherapy complications and to identify correlative molecular processes
Authors: Oh Jung Hun , Kerns Sarah , Ostrer Harry , Powell Simon N. , Rosenstein Barry , Deasy Joseph O.
Published: February 2017

The biological cause of clinically observed variability of normal tissue damage following radiotherapy is poorly understood. We hypothesized that machine/statistical learning methods using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) would identify groups of patients of differing complication risk, and furthermore could be used to identify key biological sources of variability. We developed a novel learning algorithm, called pre-conditioned random forest regression (PRFR), to construct polygenic risk models using hundreds of SNPs, thereby capturing genomic features that confer small differential risk. Predictive models were trained and validated on a cohort of 368 prostate cancer patients for two post-radiotherapy clinical endpoints: late rectal bleeding and erectile dysfunction. The proposed method results in better predictive performance compared with existing computational methods. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis are used to identify key biological processes and proteins that were plausible based on other published studies. In conclusion, we confirm that novel machine learning methods can produce large predictive models (hundreds of SNPs), yielding clinically useful risk stratification models, as well as identifying important underlying biological processes in the radiation damage and tissue repair process. The methods are generally applicable to GWAS data and are not specific to radiotherapy endpoints.
Correction: Corrigendum: Hydrogen overproducing nitrogenases obtained by random mutagenesis and high-throughput screening
Authors: Barahona Emma , Jiménez-Vicente Emilio , Rubio Luis M.
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38291; published online: 02 December 2016; updated: 24 February 2017 This Article contains a typographical error in the Conclusions section. “In this work, we have re-engineered the natural H2 sensing system of R. capsulatus and combined it with FACS for the high-throughput selection of nitrogenase variants with enhanced H2 production that independently retain their N2 fixation activity”.
Direct mapping of electrical noise sources in molecular wire-based devices
Authors: Cho Duckhyung , Lee Hyungwoo , Shekhar Shashank , Yang Myungjae , Park Jae Yeol , Hong Seunghun
Published: February 2017

We report a noise mapping strategy for the reliable identification and analysis of noise sources in molecular wire junctions. Here, different molecular wires were patterned on a gold substrate, and the current-noise map on the pattern was measured and analyzed, enabling the quantitative study of noise sources in the patterned molecular wires. The frequency spectra of the noise from the molecular wire junctions exhibited characteristic 1/f2 behavior, which was used to identify the electrical signals from molecular wires. This method was applied to analyze the molecular junctions comprising various thiol molecules on a gold substrate, revealing that the noise in the junctions mainly came from the fluctuation of the thiol bonds. Furthermore, we quantitatively compared the frequencies of such bond fluctuations in different molecular wire junctions and identified molecular wires with lower electrical noise, which can provide critical information for designing low-noise molecular electronic devices. Our method provides valuable insights regarding noise phenomena in molecular wires and can be a powerful tool for the development of molecular electronic devices.
Meta-analysis of optical low-coherence reflectometry versus partial coherence interferometry biometry
Authors: Huang Jinhai , McAlinden Colm , Huang Yingying , Wen Daizong , Savini Giacomo , Tu Ruixue , Wang Qinmei
Published: February 2017

A meta-analysis to compare ocular biometry measured by optical low-coherence reflectometry (Lenstar LS900; Haag Streit) and partial coherence interferometry (the IOLMaster optical biometer; Carl Zeiss Meditec). A systematic literature search was conducted for articles published up to August 6th 2015 in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Embase, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and Wanfang Data. A total of 18 studies involving 1921 eyes were included. There were no statistically significant differences in axial length (mean difference [MD] 0 mm; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.08 to 0.08 mm; p = 0.92), anterior chamber depth (MD 0.02 mm; 95% CI −0.07 to 0.10 mm; p = 0.67), flat keratometry (MD −0.05 D; 95% CI −0.16 to 0.06 D; p = 0.39), steep keratometry (MD −0.09 D; 95% CI −0.20 to 0.03 D; p = 0.13), and mean keratometry (MD −0.15 D; 95% CI −0.30 to 0.00 D; p = 0.05). The white to white distance showed a statistically significant difference (MD −0.14 mm; 95% CI −0.25 to −0.02 mm; p = 0.02). In conclusion, there was no difference in the comparison of AL, ACD and keratometry readings between the Lenstar and IOLMaster. However the WTW distance indicated a statistically significant difference between the two devices. Apart from the WTW distance, measurements for AL, ACD and keratometry readings may be used interchangeability with both devices.
Reducing the Ideal Shear Strengths of ZrB2 by High Efficient Alloying Elements (Ag, Au, Pd and Pt)
Authors: Dai Fu-Zhi , Zhou Yanchun
Published: February 2017

Activating the plasticity of ZrB2is a promising approach to improve its key properties for applications in hypersonic vehicles, including high temperature strength and thermal shock resistance. The present work demonstrates that ideal shear strength of ZrB2, which is a good indicator of the critical stress for dislocation nucleation, can be significantly reduced by dissolving of appropriate alloying elements. Analyzing on the bonding nature of ZrB2reveals that choosing alloying elements with low energy valence electrons will prevent electron transferring from alloying element to the electron deficient B-B π orbits, which will reduce the local stability of the region surrounding the alloying element. Under the criterion, elements withdelectrons tending to be full-filled (Ag, Au, Pd and Pt, the full-filled state is associated with low energy level) are selected as promising candidates with their prominent efficiency in reducing ideal shear strengths verified by first-principles calculations. The results provide useful guidelines for further designs of ZrB2based materials, especially for improving their mechanical properties.
An overall and dose-response meta-analysis of red blood cell distribution width and CVD outcomes
Authors: Hou Haifeng , Sun Tao , Li Cheng , Li Yuanmin , Guo Zheng , Wang Wei , Li Dong
Published: February 2017

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is the coefficient of variation of red blood cell size, considered to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to comprehensively synthesize previous studies on RDW and CVD outcomes through an overall and dose-response meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched systematically for English and Chinese language publications up to November 30, 2015. We extracted data from publications matching our inclusion criteria for calculating pooled hazard ratio (HR), which was used to assess prognostic impact of RDW on CVD. Twenty-seven articles, consisting of 28 studies and 102,689 participants (mean age 63.9 years, 63,703 males/36,846 females, 2,140 gender-unmentioned subjects) were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled HRs are 1.12 (95% CI = 1.09–1.15) for the association of all-cause mortality (ACM) per 1% increase of RDW, 1.12(95% CI = 1.08–1.17) for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) per 1% increase of RDW. A dose-response curve relating RDW increase to its effect on CVD outcomes was established (pcurve < 0.001). For every 1-unit increase of RDW, there is an increased risk of occurrence of ACM (pooled HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.02–1.04) and MACEs (pooled HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06). This study indicates RDW may be a prognostic indicator for CVD outcomes.
Comparison of nanoparticular hydroxyapatite pastes of different particle content and size in a novel scapula defect model
Authors: Hruschka Veronika , Tangl Stefan , Ryabenkova Yulia , Heimel Patrick , Barnewitz Dirk , Möbus Günter , Keibl Claudia , Ferguson James , Quadros Paulo , Miller Cheryl , Goodchild Rebecca , Austin Wayne , Redl Heinz , Nau Thomas
Published: February 2017

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) has good biocompatibility and the potential to support bone formation. It represents a promising alternative to autologous bone grafting, which is considered the current gold standard for the treatment of low weight bearing bone defects. The purpose of this study was to compare three bone substitute pastes of different HA content and particle size with autologous bone and empty defects, at two time points (6 and 12 months) in an ovine scapula drillhole model using micro-CT, histology and histomorphometry evaluation. The nHA-LC (38% HA content) paste supported bone formation with a high defect bridging-rate. Compared to nHA-LC, Ostim® (35% HA content) showed less and smaller particle agglomerates but also a reduced defect bridging-rate due to its fast degradation The highly concentrated nHA-HC paste (48% HA content) formed oversized particle agglomerates which supported the defect bridging but left little space for bone formation in the defect site. Interestingly, the gold standard treatment of the defect site with autologous bone tissue did not improve bone formation or defect bridging compared to the empty control. We concluded that the material resorption and bone formation was highly impacted by the particle-specific agglomeration behaviour in this study.
Encryption key distribution via chaos synchronization
Authors: Keuninckx Lars , Soriano Miguel C. , Fischer Ingo , Mirasso Claudio R. , Nguimdo Romain M. , Van der Sande Guy
Published: February 2017

We present a novel encryption scheme, wherein an encryption key is generated by two distant complex nonlinear units, forced into synchronization by a chaotic driver. The concept is sufficiently generic to be implemented on either photonic, optoelectronic or electronic platforms. The method for generating the key bitstream from the chaotic signals is reconfigurable. Although derived from a deterministic process, the obtained bit series fulfill the randomness conditions as defined by the National Institute of Standards test suite. We demonstrate the feasibility of our concept on an electronic delay oscillator circuit and test the robustness against attacks using a state-of-the-art system identification method.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of a Family with Hereditary Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Identifies a Rare Structural Variant Involving CSF2RA/CRLF2/IL3RA Gene Disruption
Authors: Chiu Chih-Yung , Su Shih-Chi , Fan Wen-Lang , Lai Shen-Hao , Tsai Ming-Han , Chen Shih-Hsiang , Wong Kin-Sun , Chung Wen-Hung
Published: February 2017

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary disease in which the abnormalities in alveolar surfactant accumulation are caused by impairments of GM-CSF pathway attributing to defects in a variety of genes. However, hereditary PAP is extremely uncommon and a detailed understanding in the genetic inheritance of PAP in a family may provide timely diagnosis, treatment and proper intervention including genetic consultation. Here, we described a comprehensive analysis of genome and gene expression for a family containing one affected child with a diagnosis of PAP and two other healthy siblings. Family-based whole-genome analysis revealed a homozygous deletion that disruptsCSF2RA, CRLF2, andIL3RAgene in the pseudoautosomal region of the X chromosome in the affected child and one of asymptomatic siblings. Further functional pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes in IL-1β-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells highlighted the insufficiency of immune response in the child with PAP, especially the protection against bacterial infection. Collectively, our results reveal a novel allele as the genetic determinant of a family with PAP and provide insights into variable expressivity and incomplete penetrance of this rare disease, which will be helpful for proper genetic consultation and prompt treatment to avoid mortality and morbidity.
Graphene flakes obtained by local electro-exfoliation of graphite with a STM tip
Authors: Rubio-Verdú C. , Sáenz-Arce G. , Martinez-Asencio J. , Milan D. C. , Moaied M. , Palacios J. J. , Caturla M. J. , Untiedt C.
Published: February 2017

Graphene flakes obtained by electro-exfoliation of graphite with a STM tip at the edge of a terrace: experiments, ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations.
Models for biomedical interfaces: a computational study of quinone-functionalized amorphous silica surface features
Authors: Corno Marta , Delle Piane Massimo , Choquet Patrick , Ugliengo Piero
Published: February 2017

The structural and IR features of amorphous silica surfaces, functionalized byortho-benzoquinone groups, were computed to obtain a deeper knowledge of multifunctional coatings with antimicrobial properties.
Green click synthesis of β-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles in water in the presence of a Cu(ii)–azide catalyst: a new function for Cu(ii)–azide complexes
Authors: Noshiranzadeh Nader , Emami Marzieh , Bikas Rahman , Kozakiewicz Anna
Published: February 2017

A new method for preparing 1,2,3-triazols via a [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction is introduced. The effect of reaction temperature on the epoxide ring opening reactions is also investigated.
Laccase-mediated in situ oxidation of dopa for bio-inspired coloration of silk fabric
Authors: Jia Weini , Wang Qiang , Fan Xuerong , Dong Aixue , Yu Yuanyuan , Wang Ping
Published: February 2017

The mechanism of the biological coloration of silk fabric by laccase-mediated in situ oxidation of dopa is revealed.
pH-sensitive polymeric micelles for the Co-delivery of proapoptotic peptide and anticancer drug for synergistic cancer therapy
Authors: Mozhi Anbu , Ahmad Israr , Okeke Chukwunweike Ikechukwu , Li Chan , Liang Xing-Jie
Published: February 2017

pH-sensitive polymeric micelles for targeted co-delivery of mitochondria-damaged proapoptotic peptide and DTX for synergistic cancer therapy.
The reactive wetting kinetics of interfacial tension: a reaction-limited model
Authors: Ren Yongbin , Zhou Rongsheng , Zhu Dingyi , Zhang Teng
Published: February 2017

The variation of dynamic interfacial tension has been measured and explained on the basis of a new reaction-limited model.
Investigation of antioxidant and detoxifying capacities of some date cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) irrigated with sewage water
Authors: Abdulaal Wesam H. , Zeyadi Mustafa , Baothman Othman A. S. , Zamzami Mazin A. , Choudhry Hani , Almulaiky Yaaser Q. , Saleh Rashad M. , Mohamed Saleh A.
Published: February 2017

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of irrigation by municipal water (MW) and sewage water (SW) on antioxidant and detoxifying capacities of some commercial Saudi date cultivars, Agwa, Anbr and Safawi (Phoenix dactyliferaL.).
Preparation of dithiocarbamate polymer brush grafted nanocomposites for rapid and enhanced capture of heavy metal ions
Authors: Wang Xin , Jing Shiyao , Liu Yingying , Qiu Xiumin , Tan Yebang
Published: February 2017

A core-brush nanocomposite for rapid and enhanced adsorption of heavy metal ions was explored by combining SI-ATRP and DTC functionalization.
Proton conductors produced by chemical modifications of carbon allotropes, perovskites and metal organic frameworks
Authors: Karim Mohammad Razaul , Hatakeyama Kazuto , Koinuma Michio , Hayami Shinya
Published: February 2017

Proton conductors are necessary in fuel cells, hydrogen separation, steam electrolysis, sensors and biological transport systems. Advances in the development of proton conductors from carbon allotropes, perovskites, ceramics and metal organic frameworks have been reviewed.
Aggregation-induced emission properties of hydrothermally synthesized Cu–In–S quantum dots
Authors: Mou Mingyao , Wu Yi , Niu Qianqian , Wang Yuanqi , Yan Zhengyu , Liao Shenghua
Published: February 2017

This article reports water-soluble Cu–In–S QDs with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties that can be induced by both an organic solvent and cations.
Synthetic insect antifreeze peptides modify ice crystal growth habit
Authors: Kong Charles H. Z. , Leung Ivanhoe K. H. , Sarojini Vijayalekshmi
Published: February 2017

Synthetic antifreeze peptides based on the hyperactive antifreeze protein modify the shape of ice crystals and show enhanced antifreeze activity with the addition of a small molecule.
Substrate and band bending effects on monolayer FeSe on SrTiO3(001)
Authors: Xu Meiling , Song Xianqi , Wang Hui
Published: February 2017

The FeSe/Ti2O-type-STO interface model can explain the experimental observation of the electronic band structure and obtained electron count per Fe atom.
Observation of perpendicular exchange bias in an Ir-doped Fe2O3/Co ultrathin film system
Authors: Ye S. , Pati S. P. , Shiokawa Y. , Al-Mahdawi M. , Nozaki T. , Sahashi M.
Published: February 2017

The perpendicular exchange bias of an Fe2O3 thin film coupled with a ferromagnet was observed for the first time.
Raman spectroscopic characterization of light rare earth ions: La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+and Sm3+– hydration and ion pair formation
Authors: Rudolph Wolfram W. , Irmer Gert
Published: February 2017

Raman spectra of aqueous La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+and Sm3+– perchlorate solutions were measured and weak strongly polarized Raman bands were detected at 343 cm−1, 344 cm−1, 347 cm−1, 352 cm−1and 363 cm−1, respectively. Figure: Raman spectrum of a 0.202 mol L−1Ce(ClO4)3solution.
Deep level trapped defect analysis in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells by deep level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Heo Sung , Seo Gabseok , Lee Yonghui , Lee Dongwook , Seol Minsu , Lee Jooho , Park Jong-Bong , Kim Kihong , Yun Dong-Jin , Kim Yong Su , Shin Jai Kwang , Ahn Tae Kyu , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: February 2017

We report the presence of defects in CH3NH3PbI3, which is one of the main factors that deteriorates the performance of perovskite solar cells.
Aerosol climate change effects on land ecosystem services
Authors: Unger N. , Yue X. , Harper K. L.
Published: February 2017

A coupled global aerosol–carbon–climate model is applied to assess the impacts of aerosol physical climate change on the land ecosystem services gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP) in the 1996–2005 period. Aerosol impacts are quantified on an annual mean basis relative to the hypothetical aerosol-free world in 1996–2005, the global climate state in the absence of the historical rise in aerosol pollution. We examine the separate and combined roles of fast feedbacks associated with the land and slow feedbacks associated with the ocean. We consider all fossil fuel, biofuel and biomass burning aerosol emission sources as anthropogenic. The effective radiative forcing for aerosol–radiation interactions is −0.44 W m−2and aerosol–cloud interactions is −1.64 W m−2. Aerosols cool and dry the global climate system by −0.8 °C and −0.08 mm per day relative to the aerosol-free world. Without aerosol pollution, human-induced global warming since the preindustrial would have already exceeded the 1.5 °C aspirational limit set in the Paris Agreement by the 1996–2005 decade. Aerosol climate impacts on the global average land ecosystem services are small due to large opposite sign effects in the tropical and boreal biomes. Aerosol slow feedbacks associated with the ocean strongly dominate impacts in the Amazon and North American Boreal. Aerosol cooling of the Amazon by −1.2 °C drives NPP increases of 8% or +0.76 ± 0.61 PgC per year, a 5–10 times larger impact than estimates of diffuse radiation fertilization by biomass burning aerosol in this region. The North American Boreal suffers GPP and NPP decreases of 35% due to aerosol-induced cooling and drying (−1.6 °C, −0.14 mm per day). Aerosol–land feedbacks play a larger role in the eastern US and Central Africa. Our study identifies an eco-climate teleconnection in the polluted earth system: the rise of the northern hemisphere mid-latitude reflective aerosol pollution layer causes long range cooling that protects Amazon NPP by 8% and suppresses boreal NPP by 35%.
Close contacts and noncovalent interactions in crystals
Authors: Murray Jane S. , Resnati Giuseppe , Politzer Peter
Published: February 2017

Close contacts, defined as interatomic separations less than the sum of the respective van der Waals radii, are commonly invoked to identify attractive nonbonded interactions in crystal lattices. While this is often effective, it can also be misleading because (a) there are significant uncertainties associated with van der Waals radii, and (b) it may not be valid to attribute the interactions solely to specific pairs of atoms. The interactions within crystal lattices are Coulombic, and the strongest positive and/or negative regions do not always correspond to the positions of atoms; they are sometimes located between atoms. Examples of both types are given and discussed, focusing in particular upon σ-hole interactions.
Robust iron-carbide nanoparticles supported on alumina for sustainable production of gasoline-range hydrocarbons
Authors: Jang Sanha , Kang Shin Wook , Chun Dong Hyun , Lee Ho-Tae , Yang Jung-Il , Jung Heon , Jeong Heon-Do , Nam Ki Min , Park Ji Chan
Published: February 2017

A robust iron-carbide/alumina catalyst shows excellent catalytic performance for selective production of liquid fuels.
Dynamic conductance characteristics in HfOx-based resistive random access memory
Authors: Chen Ying-Chen , Chang Yao-Feng , Wu Xiaohan , Zhou Fei , Guo Meiqi , Lin Chih-Yang , Hsieh Cheng-Chih , Fowler Burt , Chang Ting-Chang , Lee Jack C.
Published: February 2017

Schematic of RESET analysis by dynamic conductance of I–V curve in HfOx-based resistive switching memory.
Acid-catalyzed tandem reaction for the synthesis of pyridine derivatives via CC/C(sp3)–N bond cleavage of enones and primary amines
Authors: Mao Zhong-Yuan , Liao Xiao-Yun , Wang Heng-Shan , Wang Chun-Gu , Huang Ke-Bin , Pan Ying-Ming
Published: February 2017

2,4,6-Trisubstituted pyridines can be generated from an acid-catalyzed tandem reaction via CC/C(sp3)–N bond cleavage of enones and primary amines.
Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles through lysosomal and mitochondrial pathways
Authors: Jin Yi , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Huifang , Chen Shizhu , Gao Chunyue , Ge Kun , Zhang Cuimiao , Zhang Jinchao
Published: February 2017

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAPs) cause apoptosis of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells through oxidative stress-induced lysosomal and mitochondrial pathway.
Impact of the number of o-carboranyl ligands on the photophysical and electroluminescent properties of iridium(iii) cyclometalates
Authors: Van Nghia Nguyen , Park Sunghee , An Youngjoon , Lee Junseong , Jung Jaehoon , Yoo Seunghyup , Lee Min Hyung
Published: February 2017

Iridium cyclometalates with mono-, bis-, and tris-o-carboranyl ligands function as highly efficient green phosphorescent emitters in both solution- and vacuum-processed PhOLEDs.
220 GHz high spatial resolution detector with above‐chip mounted dielectric lens
Authors: Shi Junyu , Cui Dasheng , Hao Haidong , Deng Changjiang , Lv Xin
Published: February 2017

A novel and low‐cost solution to improve the radiation patterns of the on‐chip patch antenna at 220 GHz is proposed. The radiation performances are enhanced by mounting the lens on the patch. The air cavity in the lens not only reduces the focal length, but also provides space for chip integration. The imaging chip and antenna are fabricated and an experimental platform is built. The responsivity and radiation patterns are measured. The 3 dB beamwidths of the with‐lens detector in the E and H planes are 8° and 7°, respectively. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results is obtained.
Microstrip fed planar endfire circularly polarised antenna with enhanced bandwidth
Authors: Yao Yali , Zhang Fushun , Zhang Fan
Published: February 2017

A wideband planar endfire circularly polarised loop antenna is proposed. The antenna is fed by a microstrip line with a novel ground plane instead of a coaxial probe. The microstrip line part and the loop part generate the vertical polarisation and the horizontal polarisation, respectively. Two stubs added on the loop contribute to the bandwidth improvement. The proposed antenna achieves wide impedance bandwidth (|S11| < −10 dB) and wide 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth, both of which can cover the frequency range from 8.0 to 12.5 GHz (43.9%).
Open‐source python‐OpenDSS interface for hybrid simulation of PV impact studies
Authors: Hariri Ali , Newaz Alvi , Faruque Md Omar
Published: February 2017

This study introduces an open‐source Python‐OpenDSS simulation tool where the phasor simulation software OpenDSS is interfaced with an electromagnetic transient (EMT) program‐type simulation tool implemented in Python environment. The tool is designed to perform impact study of photovoltaic (PV) integration in distribution systems. It is composed of an EMT model of a grid‐tied PV system interfaced with a phasor model of the distribution network. The proposed tool provides an add‐on that expands OpenDSS capabilities in order to perform various PV impact studies that cannot be performed inherently by OpenDSS since they require detailed modelling. This study describes the methodology and theory behind the interfacing of the EMT model with OpenDSS. The tool is tested with various case studies using the IEEE 37‐bus system with multiple interconnected PV systems. The tool is validated by comparing its results with those of a full EMT model of the IEEE 37‐bus system simulated using SimPowerSystems. The results indicate that the hybrid tool offers significant advantages over single‐rate simulations that use either full phasor or full EMT simulation approach. It provides faster simulation time and less computational intensity, and the accuracy is remarkably close to the full blown, more complex and slower, EMT simulation.
Numerical study on the geometrical parameters affecting the aerodynamic performance of Invelox
Authors: Anbarsooz Morteza , Hesam Mohammad Sadegh , Moetakef‐Imani Behnam
Published: February 2017

High wind velocities are required for wind projects to be economically efficient. To increase the wind speed, the concept of ducted wind turbines has been introduced in recent decades. Among them is the Invelox, which can capture the wind from all directions and funnel the collected air to the ground level. Primary results have shown that this design can increase the overall efficiency of a wind project. In this study, the effects of the main geometrical parameters affecting the aerodynamic performance of the Invelox are numerically studied. The effects of the inlet area, the diameter of the Venturi section and the height of the funnel on the wind speed increment inside the Venturi section have been determined. Results show that the inlet area and the Venturi cross section area have the most significant effects on the speed ratio (SR) of the Invelox, while the funnel height and air velocity have minor effects. In the case of appropriate selection of the geometry parameters, velocity increments up to 1.9 are achievable. Finally, the effects of adding a horizontal axis wind turbine inside the Venturi on its power coefficient are studied. Results show that Invelox greatly enhances the turbine maximum power coefficient. However, it decreases the tip speed ratio corresponding to the maximum power coefficient.
Turn rate estimation using range rate measurements for fast manoeuvring tracking
Authors: Frencl Victor B. , do Val João B.R. , Mendes Rafael S. , Zuñiga Yusef C.
Published: February 2017

In critical tracking problems, it is important to follow fast manoeuvring targets and use each measurement at disposal to best estimate a fast curvilinear trajectory. The turn rate is important to that end, but it is not generally available for measurements in radar systems. This study develops a method that uses the information of the range rate, typically a fairly accurate measurement, together with the coordinate point measurement, in order to improve the turn rate estimation. It introduces an estimation method that applies a compatibility check between the range rate measurement and the estimated velocity projection on the range direction. Disagreement between these quantities indicates a turn rate change, leading to one step corrections. The particle filter combined with best linear unbiased estimator filters is used to improve state estimations and likelihood functions and the corrections are introduced independently to each particle. For comparisons, a method from the literature and the proposed method are implemented, tested and compared. Performance error analysis indicates the effectiveness of the present method for fast manoeuvrers.
Photovoltaic performance of an alternating cold–hot method deposited CdSe thin films
Authors: Jiang Yaoyao , Li Yan , Wang Danyu , Mo Deqing , Zhong Fuxin , Gao Yunpeng , Zhu Yinian
Published: February 2017

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) thin films were prepared on indium tin oxide substrate by an alternating cold–hot method, in which cadmium nitrate solution was used as a cold deposition solution, while sodium selenite and potassium borohydride mixed solution was used as a hot deposition solution. The influences of the preparation conditions such as the concentration of Cd(NO3)2, the number of deposition cycle and the cycle time, on the photoelectric performance of the sample under simulated sunlight were explored. The results show that the CdSe thin film prepared under the reaction conditions of 0.06 mol/l Cd(NO3)2 at the tenth deposition cycle (30 s per cycle) reaches the highest photovoltage of 0.285 V. Under the simulated solar illumination, the open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit currents are 0.419 V and 5.57 mA/cm2, respectively. X‐ray diffraction indicates that the strongest diffraction peak at 42.215° of the (111) crystal plane is corresponding to 15.15 nm CdSe nanocrystals. Scanning electron microscopy observation shows that the thickness of the CdSe film is about 200 nm and the size of the spherical and uniformly dispersed nanocrystals is around 50 nm.
Synthesis of a functionalised phosphazene‐containing nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite with enhanced flame retardancy
Authors: Zhao Shishi , He Meng , Xu Jianzhong , Ma Haiyun
Published: February 2017

Poly(cyclotriphosphazene‐co‐4,4′‐sulphonyldiphenol) nanotubes (PZS) were synthesised via an in situ template method under mild conditions and applied on epoxy resin (EP) as a novel flame retardant. The PZS nanotubes were characterised by SEM, TEM, EDS and element mapping and the flammability was investigated by microscale combustion calorimeter and limited oxygen index (LOI) tests. The results showed a significant improvement of the carbonisation ability and flame retardancy of The PZS/EP nanocomposites. Under merely 3% of addition of PZS nanotubes, the LOI value was increased to 30.1 from 26.6, the peak of heat release rate was reduced to 335 W/g, about 40% lower than that of neat EP. The great improvement of flame retardancy can be ascribed to the formation of graphene‐like structure during combustion of PZS/EP nanocomposites.