bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guideline and preliminary clinical practice results for dose specification and target delineation for postoperative radiotherapy for oral cavity cancer
Authors: Liu Shih‐Hua , Chao K.S. Clifford , Leu Yi‐Shing , Lee Jehn‐Chuan , Liu Chung‐Ji , Huang Yu‐Chuen , Chang Yi‐Fang , Chen Hong‐Wen , Tsai Jo‐Ting , Chen Yu‐Jen
Published: March 2014

Background

Surgery followed by radiotherapy (RT) is indicated for patients with high‐risk oral cavity cancer (OCC). Based on multi‐institutional reports, we developed a guideline for postoperative RT for patients with OCC.

Methods

A multidisciplinary OCC team was recruited to develop a questionnaire concerning details of risk‐factor categorization, target delineation, and dose specification. Thirty‐one radiation oncologists from 18 institutions completed the questionnaire, and data were subjected to extensive review to establish the guideline by expert meeting. In this study, we also report the results for patients treated in accordance with the guideline at our institution between 2007 and 2011.

Results

Forty‐one patients received RT compatible with this guideline with a median 26.8‐month follow‐up. Thirty‐two patients (78%) remained disease‐free, 6 (15%) developed locoregional recurrence (4 in‐field, 1 marginal, and 1 out‐field) and 4 (10%) developed distant metastasis. The overall 2‐year survival rate was 86.7%.

Conclusion

This guideline is promising and should be validated and refined in further clinical practice. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 933–939, 2015
Evaluation of the safety, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic effects following oral coadministration of immediate‐release morphine with ethanol in healthy male participants
Authors: Setnik Beatrice , Sokolowska Marta , Johnson Franklin , Oldenhof John , Romach Myroslava
Published: March 2014

Objective

This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of coadministered immediate‐release morphine and ethanol on safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic measures.

Methods

In the first stage of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, 16 healthy men with a history of moderate drinking received morphine 50 mg + ethanol 0.7 g/kg, morphine 50 mg + ethanol placebo, and morphine placebo + ethanol 0.7 g/kg. In the second stage, participants received either a lower (30 mg) or higher (80 mg) morphine dose (alone and in combination with ethanol) depending on their tolerability to treatments in stage 1. Safety, pharmacodynamic (including visual analog scales, pupillometry, capnography, and psychomotor and cognitive measures), and pharmacokinetic assessments were conducted.

Results

With the exception of one severe adverse event (AE), all others were mild or moderate in intensity. Morphine resulted in dose‐related increases in AEs. When morphine was administered with ethanol, similar AEs were observed (dizziness, headache, somnolence, nausea, and vomiting), but these were sometimes more frequent compared with those observed with either drug alone. No consistent additive or interaction effects were observed on pharmacodynamic measures. Ethanol had no apparent effects on the pharmacokinetics of morphine or its metabolites.

Conclusions

Coadministration of single doses of morphine and ethanol tested in this study did not affect the safety, pharmacodynamics, or pharmacokinetics of morphine or ethanol administered alone. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relations between Unsociability and Peer Problems in Chinese Children: Moderating Effect of Behavioural Control
Authors: Ding Xuechen , Weeks Murray , Liu Junsheng , Sang Biao , Zhou Ying
Published: March 2014

Unsociable children are likely to develop adjustment difficulties in Chinese society. The primary goal of the present study was to examine the moderating effect of behavioural control on the relation between unsociability and peer problems in Chinese children. Participants were fourth to eighth grade students in urban China (N = 787). Assessments of unsociability, shyness, peer problems and behavioural control were obtained from peer nominations and teacher ratings. Results indicated that unsociability was positively related to peer problems in Chinese children after controlling for shyness. Also, the relation between unsociability and peer problems was attenuated among children with higher behavioural control. Thus, behavioural control may be a buffering factor that serves to protect unsociable children from developing peer problems. Gender and age also moderated these associations. Results are discussed in terms of the meaning and implications of unsociability and behavioural control in Chinese culture. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐cultural sex differences in situational triggers of aggressive responses
Authors: Zajenkowska Anna , Mylonas Kostas , Lawrence Claire , Konopka Karolina , Rajchert Joanna
Published: March 2014

This paper examines male and female individual differences in situational triggers of aggressive responses (STAR) in three countries as well as cross‐cultural sex differences in trait aggression (aggression questionnaire, AQ). Convenience sampling was employed (university students) for the descriptive correlational study (Poland N = 300, 63% female, mean age 21.86, SD = 2.12; UK N = 196, 60% female, mean age 20.48, SD = 3.79; Greece N = 299, 57% female, mean age 20.71, SD = 4.42). The results showed that the STAR scale is an equivalent construct across all three countries. Overall, females were more sensitive to both provocation (SP) and frustration (SF) than males. When controlling for trait aggression, Polish and Greek females scored similarly in SP and higher than UK females. No sex differences in SP or SF were found in the UK sample. Additionally, Polish participants scored the highest in SP. Furthermore, when trait aggression was removed, the Greek participants were most sensitive to frustration, whereas Polish and English participants' SF did not differ. We discuss the results with regard to intercultural differences between investigated countries.
The real‐time quantification of autofluorescence spectrum shape for the monitoring of mitochondrial metabolism
Authors: Long Zac , Maltas Jeff , Zatt Michael C. , Cheng Jun , Alquist Erik J. , Brest Alex , Urayama Paul
Published: March 2014

The cellular proportion of free and protein‐bound NADH complexes is increasingly recognized as a metabolic indicator and biomarker. Because free and bound forms exhibit different fluorescence spectra, we consider whether autofluorescence shape sufficiently correlates with mitochondrial metabolism to be useful for monitoring in cellular suspensions. Several computational approaches for rapidly quantifying spectrum shape are used to detect Saccharomyces cereviseae response to oxygenation, and to the addition of mitochondrial functional modifiers and metabolic substrates. Observed changes appear consistent with previous studies probing free/protein‐bound proportions, making this a potentially useful approach for the real‐time monitoring of metabolism. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Attentional tradeoffs in the pigeon
Authors: Vyazovska O. V. , Teng Y. , Wasserman E. A.
Published: March 2014

We deployed the Multiple Necessary Cues (MNC) discrimination task to see if pigeons can simultaneously attend to four different dimensions of complex visual stimuli. Specifically, we trained nine pigeons (Columba livia) on a go/no go discrimination to peck only 1 of 16 compound stimuli created from all possible combinations of two stimulus values from four separable visual dimensions: shape (circle/square), size (large/small), line orientation (horizontal/vertical), and brightness (dark/light). Some of the pigeons had CLHD (circle, large, horizontal, dark) as the positive stimulus (S+), whereas others had SSVL (square, small, vertical, light) as the S+. We recorded touchscreen pecking during the first 15 s that each stimulus was presented on each training trial. Discrimination training continued until pigeons' rates of responding to all 15 negative stimuli (S‐s) fell to less than 15% of their response rates to the S+. All pigeons acquired the MNC discrimination, suggesting that they attended to all four dimensions of the multidimensional stimuli. Learning rate was similar for all four dimensions, indicating equivalent salience of the discriminative stimuli. The more dimensions along which the S‐s differed from the S+, the faster was discrimination learning, suggesting an added benefit from increasing perceptual disparities of the S‐s from the S+. Finally, evidence of attentional tradeoffs among the four dimensions was seen during discrimination learning, raising interesting questions concerning the possible control of behavior by elemental and configural stimuli.
The innovative safe fixative for histology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry techniques: “Pilot study using shellac alcoholic solution fixative”
Authors: Ali Jamal Awatif , Abd El‐Aziz Gamal Said , Hamdy Raid Mahmoud , Al‐Hayani Abdulmonem , Al‐Maghrabi Jaudah
Published: March 2014

The concerns over health and workplace hazards of formalin fixative, joined to its cross‐linking of molecular groups that results in suboptimal immunohistochemistry, led us to search for an innovative safe fixative. Shellac is a natural material which is used as a preservative in foods and pharmaceutical industries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the fixation adequacy and staining quality of histopathological specimens fixed in the “shellac alcoholic solution” (SAS), and also to determine the validity of immunohistochemical staining of SAS‐fixed material in comparison to those fixed in formalin. Fresh samples from 26 cases from various human tissues were collected at the frozen section room of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, and fixed in SAS fixative or in neutral buffered formaldehyde (NBF) for 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, and processed for paraffin sectioning. Deparaffinized sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunostained for different antigens. The tissues fixed in SAS for >18 h showed best staining quality of H&E comparable to NBF‐fixed tissues. Comparison of the immunohistochemical staining of different tissues yielded nearly equivalent readings with good positive nuclear staining quality in both fixatives. These findings support the fixation and preservation adequacy of SAS. Furthermore, it was concluded that the good staining quality obtained with SAS‐fixed tissues, which was more or less comparable with the quality obtained with the formalin fixed tissues, supports the validity of this new solution as a good innovative fixative. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:385–393, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variability of extreme precipitation over Yunnan Province, China 1960–2012
Authors: Li Yun‐Gang , He Daming , Hu Jin‐Ming , Cao Jie
Published: March 2014

This study investigated spatial and temporal variations of extreme precipitation over Yunnan Province during 1960–2012. On the basis of a dataset from 120 meteorological stations covering the region, ten precipitation indices derived from daily precipitation were computed and analysed. Our results indicate the precipitation indices showed spatially complex trends. Most precipitation indices present increasing trends in western Yunnan and decreasing trends in eastern Yunnan. The western, southern and central regions experienced an increase in consecutive dry days (CDDs) and decrease in consecutive wet days (CWDs). In addition, a widespread increase was also found in precipitation intensity over Yunnan. On a region‐wide scale, a weak decrease was observed in total precipitation, accompanied by an increase in precipitation intensity. CDDs tended to be prolonged while the CWDs tended to be shortened. The days with precipitation amounts totaling more than 10 mm and maximum 5‐day precipitation amount had decreasing but not significant trends. In contrast, insignificant increases were found for the maximum 1‐day precipitation and annual total precipitation exceeding 95th and 99th percentiles. The contribution of extreme precipitation to total precipitation increased during 1960–2012. Overall, occurrences of extreme precipitation are more concentrated in time. The weakening of the Asian summer monsoon strength and local topography had contribution to the variations of extreme precipitation over Yunnan. However, the forcing mechanisms are very complicated and need to be studied in subsequent work.
Structure of the C‐terminal domain of AspA (antigen I/II‐family) protein from Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Hall Michael , Nylander Åsa , Jenkinson Howard F. , Persson Karina
Published: March 2014

The pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes can cause an array of diseases in humans, including moderate infections such as pharyngitis (strep throat) as well as life threatening conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis and puerperal fever. The antigen I/II family proteins are cell wall anchored adhesin proteins found on the surfaces of most oral streptococci and are involved in host colonization and biofilm formation. In the present study we have determined the crystal structure of the C2–3‐domain of the antigen I/II type protein AspA from S. pyogenes M type 28. The structure was solved to 1.8 Å resolution and shows that the C2–3‐domain is comprised of two structurally similar DEv‐IgG motifs, designated C2 and C3, both containing a stabilizing covalent isopeptide bond. Furthermore a metal binding site is identified, containing a bound calcium ion. Despite relatively low sequence identity, interestingly, the overall structure shares high similarity to the C2–3‐domains of antigen I/II proteins from Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus mutans, although certain parts of the structure exhibit distinct features. In summary this work constitutes the first step in the full structure determination of the AspA protein from S. pyogenes.
Revelation 19.16's Inscribed Thigh: An Allusion to Gen 49.10b
Authors: Lear Sheree
Published: March 2014

The inscribed thigh of the rider on the white horse in Rev 19.16 is an allusion to an MT – like Gen 49.10b text. The phrase ‘inscribed on his thigh’ was a legitimate translation of the words found in Gen 49.10b at the time of the composition of Revelation.
The diversity of timber in Alvar Aalto's architecture: forests, shelter and safety
Authors: Isohauta Teija
Published: March 2014

In Alvar Aalto's architecture wood had an important role, symbolically and as a material. Aalto brought out the biological characteristics of wood and its relationship with human beings and with nature in his architecture. Aalto was a master at combining Finnish vernacular building with the European tradition and metamorphosing into some other material as he went along. Concrete, glass, wood and brick were all equally worthy materials.

In Aalto's architecture, the role of wood is based above all on the ease with which it can be worked, its heat insulation properties and the fact that it is pleasant to the touch. Trees themselves as symbols of growth and sources of form of different kinds, and forests as spatial outlines, however, gave wood a mythical character. To Aalto, wood was adapted as an argument for human warmth and humanism when, to his mind, Modernism, the International Style, began to become too stereotyped and estranged from the idealism Aalto associated with it. With time, wood became for Aalto more and more a material that was used for cladding buildings and worked as a space divider, a material that was employed to soften acoustics and was used in details for places that people were going to touch.

It could be said that, on the one hand, wood acted as decoration in Aalto's buildings, but on the other, the variations of form in the wooden detailing show a synthesis of Aalto's architecture.
Immersed at the water's edge: modern British and Australian seaside pools as sites of ‘Good living’
Authors: Lewi Hannah , Phillips Christine
Published: March 2014

This article re-examines the swimming pool as a potent building type embodying the salient characteristics of Modernity. Not only did the building of modern public swimming pools celebrate new materials, engineered solutions and technologies but they also reflected rapidly changing attitudes to the body, leisure and fitness in line with Modernist aspirations. Public pools thus created new communal places where relationships between social, natural and built environments could be explored and embraced.

In understanding these social and design aspirations to create the Modern ‘good life’, a set of English and Australian waterside open-air swimming pools and lidos of the 1930s – Scarborough (1915–1934), Tinside (1935), the Eastern Beach Reserve Geelong (1939) and the North Sydney pool (1936) – are described and compared in their past and present state. These seaside pools offered places for people to seek refuge within a setting which remains at once natural but also controlled and shaped, while also promoting the psychological and physiological benefits of open-air activities.

In re-appraising the fate of the public swimming pool today, the article concludes by highlighting two successful contemporary examples, the Badeschiff in Berlin (2009) and the Copenhagen Harbour Bath (2003). We argue that these new pools have grown out of precedents found in the early twentieth century but have reinvigorated the type by offering new interpretations of designing with nature, and providing facilities more relevant to current leisure and environmental trends. Their success lends support to the need for careful documentation and conservation of earlier surviving exemplars.
Louis I. Kahn, teacher
Authors: Williamson James F.
Published: March 2014

Louis I. Kahn was not only an architect of powerful buildings; he was also an unconventional teacher and a radical philosopher whose influence on his students was far-reaching. It is through his many former students, especially those in his Master's Class at the University of Pennsylvania, 1960–74, that Kahn's distinctive philosophy of education and unique pedagogy have continued to influence the teaching and making of architecture in the late modern era.

Focusing on a neglected area of Kahn scholarship, the author argues that Kahn's legacy as a teacher should be remembered as among his greatest accomplishments. The study examines Kahn's philosophy of education, his unique pedagogy, and his motives for teaching. It draws upon the author's experience as a student in the Master's Class and extensive research at the Louis I. Kahn Collection housed in Penn's Architectural Archives, the comprehensive repository of records relating to Kahn's academic and professional career. It is the first study to be based upon interviews with numerous fellow Master's Class alumni, reflecting the views expressed by Kahn's students about their teacher and the lasting impact of his teaching on their professional lives.
The marginal impact of ENGOs in different types of democratic systems
Authors: Böhmelt Tobias , Bernauer Thomas , Koubi Vally
Published: March 2014

Conventional wisdom suggests that environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) play a major role in pushing states towards more ambitious environmental policies. However, demonstrating that this presumption is in fact true is rather difficult, because the same system structures of democracies that may create more opportunities for ENGO activities are also, on their own, conducive to better environmental policies. This leaves open the possibility that the additional (marginal) impact of ENGOs on policy making is smaller than presumed. In trying to disentangle these effects, this paper examines the influence of ENGOs contingent on key structural characteristics of democratic systems. We develop the argument that presidential systems with a plurality electoral rule per se tend to provide more environmental public goods, which induces a smaller marginal impact of ENGOs. Conversely, parliamentary systems with a proportional representation electoral rule are likely to provide fewer environmental public goods, which allows for a larger marginal impact of ENGOs. We find robust empirical support for these hypotheses in analyses that focus on the ratification behavior of 75 democracies vis-à-vis 250 international environmental agreements in 1973–2002.
Transient response of dual-band-notched ultra-wideband antenna
Authors: Malik Jagannath , Kalaria Parth C. , Kartikeyan Machavaram V.
Published: March 2014

In the present study, an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna has been proposed using coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed with dual-band-notch characteristics. Slot-loaded radiator and U-shaped CPW resonator are used for band rejection at 3.5 and 5–6 GHz respectively to reduce interference with existing World interoperability for microwave access and wireless local area network systems. With an extended operating band (measured at 10 dB return loss) the antenna operates successfully over the entire UWB range (3.1–10.6 GHz) with a form factor of 30 × 20 × 1.524 mm3 on a commercially low-cost FR-4 substrate. Experimental measurement results are presented in support of the simulated results for the proposed antenna for practical application. The antenna has been successfully fabricated and measured, showing broadband matched impedance and good omnidirectional radiation pattern throughout the operating bandwidth. Measured time-domain analysis for both the orientations, i.e. face-to-face and side-by-side, yields excellent performance in the open environment scenario. With fairly good and consistent monopole such as omnidirectional radiation patterns in H-plane and linear transmission responses, the proposed antenna is well suited to be integrated within portable devices.
Antigen targeting to M cells for enhancing the efficacy of mucosal vaccines
Authors: Kim Sae-Hae , Jang Yong-Suk
Published: March 2014

Vaccination is one of the most successful applications of immunology and for a long time has depended on parenteral administration protocols. However, recent studies have pointed to the promise of mucosal vaccination because of its ease, economy and efficiency in inducing an immune response not only systemically, but also in the mucosal compartment where many pathogenic infections are initiated. However, successful mucosal vaccination requires the help of an adjuvant for the efficient delivery of vaccine material into the mucosa and the breaking of the tolerogenic environment, especially in oral mucosal immunization. Given that M cells are the main gateway to take up luminal antigens and initiate antigen-specific immune responses, understanding the role and characteristics of M cells is crucial for the development of successful mucosal vaccines. Especially, particular interest has been focused on the regulation of the tolerogenic mucosal microenvironment and the introduction of the luminal antigen into the lymphoid organ by exploiting the molecules of M cells. Here, we review the characteristics of M cells and the immune regulatory factors in mucosa that can be exploited for mucosal vaccine delivery and mucosal immune regulation.
Synthesis and f-element ligation properties of NCMPO-decorated pyridine N-oxide platforms
Authors: Ouizem Sabrina , Rosario-Amorin Daniel , Dickie Diane A. , Paine Robert T. , de Bettencourt-Dias A. , Hay Benjamin P. , Podair Julien , Delmau Lætitia H.
Published: March 2014

Syntheses of hybrid N-attached CMPO decorated pyridine N-oxide ligands, computational, spectroscopic and structural characterization of their coordination interactions with lanthanide ions and survey solvent extraction analyses are described.
Water-soluble 1,2,4-triazole with diethylene glycol monoethyl ether groups: synthesis, characterization and application as an electron injection layer for PLEDs
Authors: Wu Chia-Shing , Wu Yu-Sing , Chen Yun
Published: March 2014

A novel electron injection material 3OTAZ composed of an aromatic 1,2,4-triazolyl core with three diethylene glycol ether groups enhances electroluminescence of HY-PPV.
Metal-free B-doped graphene with efficient electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Sathe Bhaskar R. , Zou Xiaoxin , Asefa Tewodros
Published: March 2014

We report a facile and inexpensive wet synthetic method to electrocatalytically active, B-substituted graphene (B-SuG) by controlled substitution of the C atoms of graphene with B atoms using BH3-THF. The resulting material is shown to serve as an efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Solvent-free synthesis of new metal phosphite–oxalates with open-framework structures
Authors: Liu Lin , Luo Daibing , Li Defu , Lin Zhien
Published: March 2014

Two open-framework metal phosphite–oxalates with diamondoid and pillared-layered structures have been synthesized under solvent-free conditions.
Mechanistic pathways of aromatic nucleophilic substitution in conventional solvents and ionic liquids
Authors: Gazitúa Marcela , Tapia Ricardo A. , Contreras Renato , Campodónico Paola R.
Published: March 2014

Solvation effects on the reaction mechanism for nucleophilic substitution reactions have been kinetically evaluated in conventional solvents and ionic liquids.
Synthesis and identification of proposed biosynthetic intermediates of saxitoxin in the cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis (TA04) and the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense (Axat-2)
Authors: Tsuchiya Shigeki , Cho Yuko , Konoki Keiichi , Nagasawa Kazuo , Oshima Yasukatsu , Yotsu-Yamashita Mari
Published: March 2014

We synthesized the genetically predicted biosynthetic intermediates of saxitoxin (STX) (1),2,6and7, and identified2and6in microorganisms.
Inverse solvent effects in the heterogeneous and homogeneous epoxidation of cis-2-heptene with [2-percarboxyethyl]-functionalized silica and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid
Authors: Mello Rossella , Sarmiento-Monsalve Jeymy T. , Vargas-Oviedo Diana , Acerete Rafael , González-Núñez María Elena , Asensio Gregorio
Published: March 2014

The organized solvent layer on the solid surface determines the reaction rate in the heterogeneous epoxidation of cis-2-heptene.
Responsive cross-linked supramolecular polymer network: hierarchical supramolecular polymerization driven by cryptand-based molecular recognition and metal coordination
Authors: Wei Peifa , Li Shijun , Zhang Yanyan , Yu Yihua , Yan Xuzhou
Published: March 2014

A cation responsive cross-linked supramolecular polymer network (CSPN) with better material properties than that of a linear supramolecular polymer was constructed through hierarchical supramolecular polymerization driven by cryptand-based molecular recognition and metal coordination.
A single-step emulsion approach to prepare fluorescent nanoscale coordination polymers for bioimaging
Authors: Sun Zhiyong , Li Yangxue , Guan Xingang , Sun Tingting , Chen Li , Xie Zhigang , Jing Xiabin
Published: March 2014

A facile and convenient microemulsion method is demonstrated to prepare fluorescent nanoscale coordination polymers. And the nanoscale coordination polymers exhibited bright blue fluorescence and good biocompatibility, thus giving them the ability for bioimaging.
Thermally conductive and electrically insulating epoxy nanocomposites with silica-coated graphene
Authors: Pu Xue , Zhang Hao-Bin , Li Xiaofeng , Gui Chenxi , Yu Zhong-Zhen
Published: March 2014

Graphene was coated with SiO2 nanoparticles by a sol–gel approach and the coated graphene sheets are efficient in improving the thermal conductivity of epoxy while retaining its electrical insulation.
Layered double hydroxide composite monoliths with three-dimensional hierarchical channels: structural control and adsorption behavior
Authors: Tarutani Naoki , Tokudome Yasuaki , Nakanishi Kazuki , Takahashi Masahide
Published: March 2014

Layered double hydroxide monoliths with size-controllable macro/mesochannel for adsorbent application.
Novel metal–organic framework linkers for light harvesting applications
Authors: Foster Michael E. , Azoulay Jason D. , Wong Bryan M. , Allendorf Mark D.
Published: March 2014

The synthetic modularity of metal–organic frameworks affords the opportunity to tailor the electronic properties to achieve favorable orbital alignments with known electron acceptors, creating opportunities for a new class of functional electronic materials.
Total synthesis of propolisbenzofuran B
Authors: Jones Brian T. , Avetta Christopher T. , Thomson Regan J.
Published: March 2014

The first total synthesis of propolisbenzofuran B, a bioactive natural product isolated from honeybee propolis resin, is reported.
Multifunctional and robust covalent organic framework–nanoparticle hybrids
Authors: Pachfule Pradip , Panda Manas K. , Kandambeth Sharath , Shivaprasad S. M. , Díaz David Díaz , Banerjee Rahul
Published: March 2014

Highly stable COF supported Pd(0) and Pd(ii) nanoparticles (i.e.Pd(0)@Tppa-1 and Pd(ii)@TpPa-1) have been synthesized. Pd(0)@TpPa-1 serves as a robust and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for copper free Sonogashira and Heck coupling reactions under basic conditions, whereas Pd(ii)@TpPa-1 satisfactorily catalyzes intramolecular oxidative biaryl synthesis under acidic conditions.
Hybrid materials of polyaniline and acidic hexaniobate nanoscrolls: high polaron formation and improved thermal properties
Authors: Silva Claudio H. B. , Da Costa Ferreira Ana M. , Constantino Vera R. L. , Temperini Marcia L. A.
Published: March 2014

New hybrid materials of polyaniline and hexaniobate nanoscrolls were prepared by the mixture of the dispersions. These materials show high doping of polyaniline and high thermal stability.
Nanotopography as a trigger for the microscale, autogenous and passive lysis of erythrocytes
Authors: Pham Vy T. H. , Truong Vi Khanh , Mainwaring David E. , Guo Yachong , Baulin Vladimir A. , Al Kobaisi Mohammad , Gervinskas Gediminas , Juodkazis Saulius , Zeng Wendy R. , Doran Pauline P. , Crawford Russell J. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: March 2014

A mechano-responsive topology provides a highly active yet autogenous surface for erythrocyte lysis towards microfluidic haematology platforms.
The non-muscle functions of actinins: an update
Authors: Foley Kate S. , Young Paul W.
Published: March 2014

α-Actinins are a major class of actin filament cross-linking proteins expressed in virtually all cells. In muscle, actinins cross-link thin filaments from adjacent sarcomeres. In non-muscle cells, different actinin isoforms play analogous roles in cross-linking actin filaments and anchoring them to structures such as cell–cell and cell–matrix junctions. Although actinins have long been known to play roles in cytokinesis, cell adhesion and cell migration, recent studies have provided further mechanistic insights into these functions. Roles for actinins in synaptic plasticity and membrane trafficking events have emerged more recently, as has a ‘non-canonical’ function for actinins in transcriptional regulation in the nucleus. In the present paper we review recent advances in our understanding of these diverse cell biological functions of actinins in non-muscle cells, as well as their roles in cancer and in genetic disorders affecting platelet and kidney physiology. We also make two proposals with regard to the actinin nomenclature. First, we argue that naming actinin isoforms according to their expression patterns is problematic and we suggest a more precise nomenclature system. Secondly, we suggest that the α in α-actinin is superfluous and can be omitted.
Hearing Loss in Syndromic Craniosynostoses: Introduction and Consideration of Mechanisms
Authors: Agochukwu Nneamaka B. , Solomon Benjamin D. , Muenke Maximilian
Published: March 2014

Purpose

There are a number of craniosynostosis syndromes with hearing loss—including Muenke, Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon, Beare-Stevenson, Crouzon with acanthosis nigricans, and Jackson-Weiss syndromes—that result from mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes. Studies of FGFRs and their ligands, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), have revealed clues to the precise contribution of aberrant FGFR signaling to inner ear morphogenesis and the hearing loss encountered in craniosynostoses. The purpose of this article is to review basic studies of FGFRs with emphasis on their function and expression in the inner ear and surrounding structures.

Method

A Medline search was performed to find basic science articles regarding FGFR, their ligands, and their expression and relevant mouse models. Additional items searched included clinical descriptions and studies of individuals with FGFR-related craniosynostosis syndromes.

Results

The FGF signaling pathway is essential for the morphogensis and proper function of the inner ear and auditory sensory epithelium.

Conclusion

The variable auditory phenotypes seen in individuals with Muenke syndrome may have a genetic basis, likely due to multiple interacting factors in the genetic environment or modifying factors. Further analysis and studies of mouse models of Muenke syndrome, in particular, may provide clues to the specific effects of the defining mutation inFGFR3in the inner ear not only at birth but also into adulthood. In particular, investigations into these models may give insight into the variable expression and incomplete penetrance of this phenotype.
Harmonic self‐mode‐locking of optically pumped semiconductor disc laser
Authors: Gaafar M. , Möller C. , Wichmann M. , Heinen B. , Kunert B. , Rahimi‐Iman A. , Stolz W. , Koch M.
Published: March 2014

A saturable‐absorber‐free vertical‐external‐cavity surface‐emitting laser is presented which is harmonically modelocked. Modelocking is initiated via fine‐tuning of an aperture which is placed near one of the cavity's end mirrors. Fundamental modelocking is observed along with the second and third harmonic operations for increased optical pump powers. The system features pulse durations penetrating the femtosecond regime at a wavelength of 1014 nm.
Multivariable load current sensorless controller for universal active power filter
Authors: Ketzer Marcos Batista , Jacobina Cursino Brandão
Published: March 2014

The universal active power filter is one of most efficient solutions to problems related to energy quality. The topology integrates series and parallel active filter, and theoretically has the compensation capacity of both. The efficiency of compensation, however, is dependent on the control strategy implemented. Moreover, the controller determines the necessary number of sensors and measurement techniques, consequently, it determines associated costs. This study uses a multivariable approach for synthesis and development of a decoupled control. The proposed strategy uses only measuring of the input currents, thereby reducing the number of current sensors. The strategy is validated in simulation and experimentally in a 1.1 kVA laboratory prototype.
Interaction and dynamics of (alkylamide + electrolyte) deep eutectics: Dependence on alkyl chain-length, temperature, and anion identity
Authors: Guchhait Biswajit , Das Suman , Daschakraborty Snehasis , Biswas Ranjit
Published: March 2014

Here we investigate the solute-medium interaction and solute-centered dynamics in (RCONH2 + LiX) deep eutectics (DEs) via carrying out time-resolved fluorescence measurements and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations at various temperatures. Alkylamides (RCONH2) considered are acetamide (CH3CONH2), propionamide (CH3CH2CONH2), and butyramide (CH3CH2CH2CONH2); the electrolytes (LiX) are lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium bromide (LiBr), and lithium nitrate (LiNO3). Differential scanning calorimetric measurements reveal glass transition temperatures (Tg) of these DEs are ∼195 K and show a very weak dependence on alkyl chain-length and electrolyte identity. Time-resolved and steady state fluorescence measurements with these DEs have been carried out at six-to-nine different temperatures that are ∼100–150 K above their individual Tgs. Four different solute probes providing a good spread of fluorescence lifetimes have been employed in steady state measurements, revealing strong excitation wavelength dependence of probe fluorescence emission peak frequencies. Extent of this dependence, which shows sensitivity to anion identity, has been found to increase with increase of amide chain-length and decrease of probe lifetime. Time-resolved measurements reveal strong fractional power dependence of average rates for solute solvation and rotation with fraction power being relatively smaller (stronger viscosity decoupling) for DEs containing longer amide and larger (weaker decoupling) for DEs containing perchlorate anion. Representative all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of (CH3CONH2 + LiX) DEs at different temperatures reveal strongly stretched exponential relaxation of wavevector dependent acetamide self dynamic structure factor with time constants dependent both on ion identity and temperature, providing justification for explaining the fluorescence results in terms of temporal heterogeneity and amide clustering in these multi-component melts.
Design and testing of a novel piezoelectric micro-motor actuated by asymmetrical inertial impact driving principle
Authors: Zeng Ping , Sun Shujie , Li Li'an , Xu Feng , Cheng Guangming
Published: March 2014

In this paper, an asymmetrical inertial impact driving principle is first proposed, and accordingly a novel piezoelectrically actuated linear micro-motor is developed. It is driven by the inertial impact force generated by piezoelectric smart cantilever (PSC) with asymmetrical clamping locations during a driving cycle. When the PSC is excited by typical harmonic voltage signals, different equivalent stiffness will be induced due to its asymmetrical clamping locations when it is vibrating back and forth, leading to a tiny displacement difference on the two opposite directions in a cycle, and then the accumulation of tiny displacement difference will allow directional movements. A prototype of the proposed motor has been developed and investigated by means of experimental tests. The motion and dynamics characteristics of the prototype are well studied. The experimental results demonstrate that the resolution of the micro-motor is 0.02 μm, the maximum velocity is 16.87 mm/s, and the maximum loading capacity can reach up to 1 kg with a voltage of 100 V and 35 Hz.
Radiative cooling of ${\rm C}_7^-$C7−
Authors: Najafian K. , Pettersson M. S. , Dynefors B. , Shiromaru H. , Matsumoto J. , Tanuma H. , Furukawa T. , Azuma T. , Hansen K.
Published: March 2014

The spontaneous and photo-induced neutralization of ${\rm C}_7^-$C7− produced in a laser ablation source was measured in an electrostatic storage ring. The measurements provide three independent determinations of the radiative cooling of the ions, based on the short time spontaneous decay and on the integrated amplitude and the shape of the photo-induced neutralization signal. The amplitude of the photo-induced signal was measured between 0.5 ms and 35 ms and found to depend on photon wavelength and ion storage time. All three signals can be reproduced with identical thermal IR radiative cooling rates with oscillator strengths equal to theoretical predictions. In addition, the measurements provide the excitation energy distribution.
Thermally-assisted-occupation density functional theory with generalized-gradient approximations
Authors: Chai Jeng-Da
Published: March 2014

We extend the recently proposed thermally-assisted-occupation density functional theory (TAO-DFT) [J.-D. Chai, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 154104 (2012)] to generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) exchange-correlation density functionals. Relative to our previous TAO-LDA (i.e., the local density approximation to TAO-DFT), the resulting TAO-GGAs are significantly superior for a wide range of applications, such as thermochemistry, kinetics, and reaction energies. For noncovalent interactions, TAO-GGAs with empirical dispersion corrections are shown to yield excellent performance. Due to their computational efficiency for systems with strong static correlation effects, TAO-LDA and TAO-GGAs are applied to study the electronic properties (e.g., the singlet-triplet energy gaps, vertical ionization potentials, vertical electron affinities, fundamental gaps, and symmetrized von Neumann entropy) of acenes with different number of linearly fused benzene rings (up to 100), which is very challenging for conventional electronic structure methods. The ground states of acenes are shown to be singlets for all the chain lengths studied here. With the increase of acene length, the singlet-triplet energy gaps, vertical ionization potentials, and fundamental gaps decrease monotonically, while the vertical electron affinities and symmetrized von Neumann entropy (i.e., a measure of polyradical character) increase monotonically.
A differential dielectric spectroscopy setup to measure the electric dipole moment and net charge of colloidal quantum dots
Authors: Kortschot R. J. , Bakelaar I. A. , Erné B. H. , Kuipers B. W. M.
Published: March 2014

A sensitive dielectric spectroscopy setup is built to measure the response of nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid to an alternating electric field over a frequency range from 10−2 to 107 Hz. The measured complex permittivity spectrum records both the rotational dynamics due to a permanent electric dipole moment and the translational dynamics due to net charges. The setup consists of a half-transparent capacitor connected in a bridge circuit, which is balanced on pure solvent only, using a software-controlled compensating voltage. In this way, the measured signal is dominated by the contributions of the nanoparticles rather than by the solvent. We demonstrate the performance of the setup with measurements on a dispersion of colloidal CdSe quantum dots in the apolar liquid decalin.
Enhanced magnetoelectric effects in composite of piezoelectric ceramics, rare-earth iron alloys, and shape-optimized nanocrystalline alloys
Authors: Zhang Jitao , Li Ping , Wen Yumei , He Wei , Yang Aichao , Lu Caijiang
Published: March 2014

An enhancement for magnetoelectric (ME) effects is studied in a three-phase ME architecture consisting of two magnetostrictive Terfenol-D (Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.92) plates, a piezoelectric PZT (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) plate, and a pair of shape-optimized FeCuNbSiB nanocrystalline alloys. By modifying the conventional shape of the magnetic flux concentrator, the shape-optimized flux concentrator has an improved effective permeability (μeff) due to the shape-induced demagnetizing effect at its end surface. The flux concentrator concentrates and amplifies the external magnetic flux into Terfenol-D plate by means of changing its internal flux concentrating manner. Consequently, more flux lines can be uniformly concentrated into Terfenol-D plates. The effective piezomagnetic coefficients (d33m) of Terfenol-D plate and the ME voltage coefficients (αME) can be further improved under a lower magnetic bias field. The dynamic magneto-elastic properties and the effective magnetic induction of Terfenol-D are taken into account to derive the enhanced effective ME voltage coefficients (αME,eff), the consistency of experimental results and theoretical analyses verifies this enhancement. The experimental results demonstrate that the maximum d33m in our proposed architecture achieves 22.48 nm/A under a bias of 114 Oe. The maximum αME in the bias magnetic range 0–900 Oe reaches 84.73 mV/Oe under the low frequency of 1 kHz, and 2.996 V/Oe under the resonance frequency of 102.3 kHz, respectively. It exhibits a 1.43 times larger piezomagnetic coefficient and a 1.87 times higher ME voltage coefficient under a smaller magnetic bias of 82 Oe than those of a conventional Terfenol-D/PZT/Terfenol-D composite. These shape-induced magnetoelectric behaviors provide the possibility of using this ME architecture in ultra-sensitive magnetic sensors.
Bedload transport by a vertical jet impinging upon sediments
Authors: Sutherland Bruce R. , Dalziel Stuart
Published: March 2014

Laboratory experiments are performed to examine the formation of a crater in sediment by an impinging vertical turbulent jet. Light attenuation and a “depositometer,” which records conductivity through the bed from an array of electrodes, are used to measure the crater depth as a function of space and time. The onset of crater formation and deepening is best characterized in terms of the Rouse number, Rs (proportional to the particle settling speed divided by the centerline jet speed), rather than Shields number, Sh (proportional to the stress divided by the particle weight per unit area). The critical Rouse number, Rsc, is found to increase with the particle Reynolds number, Rep, as a power law with exponent 0.45 ± 0.03 for Rep ranging between 0.6 and 160. For smaller Rs, the crater is observed to deepen at a near-constant speed, while the crater radius remains constant. Bedload transport, measured in terms of the crater deepening speed, is determined to increase as Rep times the difference between Rsc and Rs.
A finite-temperature Monte Carlo algorithm for network forming materials
Authors: Vink Richard L. C.
Published: March 2014

Computer simulations of structure formation in network forming materials (such as amorphous semiconductors, glasses, or fluids containing hydrogen bonds) are challenging. The problem is that large structural changes in the network topology are rare events, making it very difficult to equilibrate these systems. To overcome this problem, Wooten, Winer, and Weaire [Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 1392 (1985)] proposed a Monte Carlo bond-switch move, constructed to alter the network topology at every step. The resulting algorithm is well suited to study networks at zero temperature. However, since thermal fluctuations are ignored, it cannot be used to probe the phase behavior at finite temperature. In this paper, a modification of the original bond-switch move is proposed, in which detailed balance and ergodicity are both obeyed, thereby facilitating a correct sampling of the Boltzmann distribution for these systems at any finite temperature. The merits of the modified algorithm are demonstrated in a detailed investigation of the melting transition in a two-dimensional 3-fold coordinated network.
Charge asymmetry in the rovibrationally excited HD molecule
Authors: Kirnosov Nikita , Sharkey Keeper , Adamowicz Ludwik
Published: March 2014

The recently developed method for performing all-particle non-Born-Oppenheimer variational calculations on diatomic molecular systems excited to the first excited rotational state and simultaneously vibrationally excited is employed to study the charge asymmetry and the level lifetimes of the HD molecule. The method uses all-particle explicitly correlated Gaussian functions. The nonlinear parameters of the Gaussians are optimized with the aid of the analytical energy gradient determined with respect to these parameters.
Preparation and magnetic properties of MnBi-based hard/soft composite magnets
Authors: Ma Y. L. , Liu X. B. , Gandha K. , Vuong N. V. , Yang Y. B. , Yang J. B. , Poudyal N. , Cui J. , Liu J. P.
Published: March 2014

Bulk anisotropic composite magnets based on MnBi/Co(Fe) exhibiting the different morphology of the soft magnetic phase were prepared by powder metallurgy processing. First, single-phase MnBi bulk magnets were produced with a maximum energy product [(BH)m] of 6.3 MGOe at room temperature. The nanoscale soft phase with the different morphology was then added to form a composite magnet. It was observed that addition of magnetic soft-phase nanoflakes causes a dramatic coercivity reduction. However, the addition of soft magnetic phase nanowires enhanced the composite magnetization without sacrificing the coercivity. Nevertheless, a kink was still observed on the demagnetization curves and the coercivity decreased when the soft-phase content was larger than 10 wt. %, which was caused by the agglomeration of the soft phase nanowires that also led to a decreased degree of texture.