bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wilson Disease in the South Chinese Han Population
Authors: Cheng Nan , Wang Kai , Hu Wenbin , Sun Daoyin , Wang Xun , Hu Jiyuan , Yang Renmin , Han Yongzhu
Published: December 2014

Purpose:

To prospectively investigate the incidence and prevalence of Wilson disease (WD) in Chinese Han population in Anhui Province, to analyze the genetic mutations in individuals with WD, and to provide basic epidemiological data regarding WD in this Chinese Han population.

Methods:

Between November 2008 and June 2010, individuals aged from 7 to 75 years were screened for the cornea K-F ring in both eyes using slit lamp examination and random sampling methods based on age stratification and cluster level 1. The participants were from Anhui Province's Hanshan County, Jinzhai County, and Lixin County. The clinical manifestations of the brain, liver, kidney, skin, and other organs in each individual were also determined. Individuals with positive K-F rings and clinical manifestations indicative of WD underwent copper biochemistry evaluations, abdominal ultrasound testing, and ATP7B gene mutation screening to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of WD.

Results:

Of 153,370 individuals investigated in this study, nine were diagnosed with WD. In these WD individuals, three cases had neurological symptoms, one has hepatic symptoms, one was hepatic and neurological combined, and the other four cases were presymptomatic. Of the eight individuals in whom genetic mutations were detected, seven individuals had mutations in the ATP7B gene. The other individual had no ATP7B gene mutations but her copper biochemical test results met the diagnostic criteria for WD. The incidence and prevalence of WD in this population were approximately 1.96/100,000 and 5.87/100,000 respectively.

Conclusions:

The Chinese Han population had a higher average prevalence of WD than the populations of the United States or Europe.
Canadian Epileptologists’ Counseling of Drivers Amidst Guideline Inconsistencies
Authors: Jirsch Jeffrey , Gross Donald W. , Jette Nathalie , Federico Paolo , Dubeau Francois , Tellez-Zenteno Jose F. , Pohlmann-Eden Bernd , Burneo Jorge G. , McLachlan Richard , Ahmed Syed N. , Deacon Charles , Javidan Manouchehr , Nguyen Dang K. , Sadler R. Mark , Spiller Allison , Townsend Tiffany , Veilleux Martin , Wennberg Richard A. , Wiebe Samuel , Yankovsky Alexei
Published: December 2014

Background:

Epilepsy is a common medical condition for which physicians perform driver fitness assessments. The Canadian Medical association (CMA) and the Canadian Council of Motor transportation administrators (CCMTA) publish documents to guide Canadian physicians’ driver fitness assessments.

Objectives:

We aimed to measure the consistency of driver fitness counseling among epileptologists in Canada, and to determine whether inconsistencies between national guidelines are associated with greater variability in counseling instructions.

Methods:

We surveyed 35 epileptologists in Canada (response rate 71%) using a questionnaire that explored physicians’ philosophies about driver fitness assessments and counseling practices of seizure patients in common clinical scenarios. Of the nine scenarios, CCMTA and CMA recommendations were concordant for only two. Cumulative agreement for all scenarios was calculated using Kappa statistic. Agreement for concordant (two) vs. discordant (seven) scenarios were split at the median and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test.

Results:

Overall the agreement between respondents for the clinical scenarios was not acceptable (Kappa=0.28). For the two scenarios where CMa and CCMta guidelines were concordant, specialists had high levels of agreement with recommendations (89% each). A majority of specialists disagreed with CMa recommendations in three of seven discordant scenarios. The lack of consistency in respondents’ agreement attained statistical significance (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Canadian epileptologists have variable counseling practices about driving, and this may be attributable to inconsistencies between CMa and CCMta medical fitness guidelines. This study highlights the need to harmonize driving recommendations in order to prevent physician and patient confusion about driving fitness in Canada.
HOXA1 Mutations are Not Commonly Associated with Non-Syndromic Deafness
Authors: Abu-Amero Khaled K. , Hagr Abdulrahman al , Almomani Murad O. , Azad Taif Anwar , Alorainy Ibrahim A. , Oystreck Darren T. , Bosley Thomas M.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

Homozygous homeobox A1 (HOXA1) mutations cause a spectrum of abnormalities in humans including bilateral profound deafness. This study evaluates the possible role ofHOXA1mutations in familial, non-syndromic sensorineural deafness.

Methods:

Forty-eight unrelated Middle Eastern families with either consanguinity or familial deafness were identified in a large deafness clinic, and the proband from each family was evaluated by chart review, audiogram, neuroimaging, andHOXA1sequencing.

Results:

All 48 probands had normal neuro-ophthalmologic and general medical examinations except for refractive errors. All had congenital non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss that was symmetric bilaterally and profound (>90 dBHL) in 33 individuals and varied from 40 to 90 dBHL in the remainder. Thirty-nine of these individuals had neuroimaging studies, all documenting normal internal carotid arteries and normal 6th, 7th, and 8th cranial nerves bilaterally. Of these, 27 had normal internal ear structures with the remaining 12 having mild to modest developmental abnormalities of the cochlea, semicircular canals, and/or vestibular aqueduct. No patient had homozygousHOXA1mutations.

Conclusions:

None of these patients with non-syndromic deafness hadHOXA1mutations. None had major inner ear anomalies, obvious cerebrovascular defects, or recognized congenital heart disease.HOXA1is likely not a common cause of non-syndromic deafness in this Middle Eastern population.
The Effect of tPA on Inpatient Rehabilitation after Stroke: A Cost Comparison
Authors: Richardson Marina , Meyer Matthew , Teasell Robert
Published: December 2014

Background:

Tissue plasminogen activator has been found to significantly improve patient outcomes post stroke. Previous economic evaluations have adjusted for fewer admissions to inpatient rehabilitation but not for decreased length of stay in rehabilitation. Our objective was to estimate the potential cost savings associated with a decreased length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation for patients who receive tissue plasminogen activator compared to those who do not, in a Canadian context.

Methods:

Decreased length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation for patients who received tissue plasminogen activator compared to controls was reported previously in a population of 1962 patients admitted to hospital with an ischemic stroke in Ontario between July 1, 2003 and March 31, 2008. Average per diem cost savings associated with the use of tissue plasminogen activator were calculated using a literature based cost estimate. Sensitivity analysis varying the length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation was performed.

Results:

The estimated mean per diem cost of inpatient rehabilitation derived from the literature was $626. Based on previously reported estimates for reduced length of stay, receipt of tissue plasminogen activator was estimated to result in savings of $939 per patient during inpatient rehabilitation. Sensitivity analysis suggested that these cost savings could range from $501 to $1377 per patient on average.

Conclusions:

Future economic evaluations of tissue plasminogen activator should consider adjusting for shortened length of stay in inpatient rehabilitation for patients who receive tissue plasminogen activator.
Reversible Splenial Lesion Following Rapid Withdrawal of Carbamazepine
Authors: Pelz David , Kim Tae-Won , Park In-Seok , Kim Joong-Seok
Published: December 2014

A 19-year-old man with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) taking 200mg carbamazepine per day for six years was admitted to our hospital because of a medical certificate for soldiers. The dyskinesias were usually precipitated by sudden movements and these attacks occurred several times a day and had a brief duration (less than one minute). The drug was abruptly withdrawn seven days before the brain imaging and video-electroencephalography monitoring. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cytotoxic edema in the splenium, which were completely resolved three months later (Figure).
White Matter Repair: Skin-Derived Precursors as a Source of Myelinating Cells
Authors: Biernaskie Jeff , Miller Freda D.
Published: December 2014

Stem cell based therapies hold great promise for repair and functional restoration following neurological injury and disease. Skin-derived precursors (or “SKPs”) are a novel, multipotent somatic stem cell that resides within the mammalian dermis. SKPs persist within the skin throughout adulthood and yet intriguingly, exhibit many similarities to embryonic neural crest stem cells (NCSCs). For example, SKPs give rise to both neural and mesodermal cell types, and the former appear biased to peripheral nervous system fates. As such, SKPs are capable of generating Schwann cells, the myelinating glial cell of the peripheral nervous system. Here we discuss our current understanding of the biological origin of SKPs and specifically the potential therapeutic utility of SKPs as a highly accessible and autologous source of Schwann cells for remyelination and repair of the injured or diseased nervous system.
New Directions in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy: Matching Therapy with Pathogenesis
Authors: Antel Jack
Published: December 2014

All currently approved therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) modulate systemic immune components prior to their entry into the central nervous system (CNS). Available data indicate they lack impact on the progressive phases of disease; the more potent systemic immune-directed agents predispose to development of infectious or neoplastic disorders. Development of new agents that enhance disease stage related efficacy and limit systemic toxicity will need to consider the underlying mechanisms related to each phase of the clinical disorder, namely relapses, remission, and progression. This report focuses on disease related mechanisms ongoing within the CNS that contribute to the different phases of MS and how these may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Such mechanisms include CNS compartment specific immunologic properties especially as related to the innate immune system and neural cell-related properties that are determinants of the extent of actual tissue injury and repair (or lack thereof).
The effects of extracellular ATP and its receptor antagonists on pig oocytes during in vitro maturation
Authors: Wakizoe Erika , Ashizawa Koji , Sakamoto Shinsuke H. , Hemmi Koichiro , Kobayashi Ikuo , Tsuzuki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2014

We measured the ATP concentrations in the porcine follicular fluid derived from three sizes of follicles (small: <3 mm, medium: 3–6 mm, large: >6 mm in diameter). Then, the effects of pre-treatment (100 μM each for 30 min before maturation) with antagonists for extracellular ATP receptor P2X or P2Y on the nuclear maturation rate of cumulus-cell-enclosed (COs) or -denuded oocytes (DOs) up to the preovulatory stage in the presence or absence of 20 nM ATP (a similar concentration to that of medium-sized follicle fluid) were investigated. The antagonists used were pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS) or reactive blue 2 (RB2), for extracellular ATP receptor P2X and P2Y, respectively. In addition, the embryonic development rates of COs pre-treated with RB2 were also evaluated. It was found that when the follicular sizes increased, the ATP concentrations significantly decreased (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the nuclear maturation rates among all COs, regardless of pre-treatment with (+) or without (–) PPADS and in the presence (+) or absence (–) of ATP during maturation. In contrast, the nuclear maturation rate of the COs, but not DOs, in the ATP(–) RB2(+) group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the ATP(–) RB2(–) and ATP(+)RB2(–) groups. The pronuclear formation and blastocyst formation rates by parthenogenetic activation in the ATP(–) RB2(+) and ATP(+) RB2(+) groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in the ATP(–) RB2(–) group. In conclusion, it is suggested that the nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes may be influenced by the ATP receptor P2Y present in the cumulus cells.
ELIE HALEVY AND PHILOSOPHICAL RADICALISM
Authors: FROBERT LUDOVIC
Published: December 2014

In 1995, the Presses universitaires de France re-published (for the very first time in French) Elie Halévy's classic bookLa formation du radicalisme philosophique(first edition 1901–4). Startlingly, in the afterword of volume 1, Jean-Pierre Dupuy explained that even if this book on Bentham and his school of thought has been considered a classic and one of the first serious historical studies in any language, Halévy had been a “bad interpreter” of utilitarianism.
Wer trifft Entscheidungen in der Medizin – der Patient oder der Arzt?
Authors: Steurer Johann , Wertli Maria
Published: December 2014

Früher, in der Literatur wird das zumindest so beschrieben, verordnete der Arzt diagnostische Tests und eine Therapie ohne sich in allzu lange Diskussionen mit den Patienten einzulassen. Das Pendel bewegte sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten in die Gegenrichtung und heute muss der Patient – und dies zu Recht – mitentscheiden können, was mit ihm „medizinisch“ passiert. Die eine Form der Entscheidungsfindung wird als paternalistisches und die zweite als partizipatives Modell (shared decision making) bezeichnet. Voraussetzung für eine zwischen Patient und Arzt geteilte und auch gemeinsam getragene Entscheidung ist eine ausführliche, korrekte und verständliche Information des Patienten. Es gibt kein plausibles Argument den Wert des partizipativen Modells in Frage zu stellen. Es gilt aber im Auge zu behalten, dass Patienten ein Recht darauf haben nicht mit Informationen eingedeckt zu werden, die sie nicht wissen möchten. Auch gegen Transparenz, dem überall allgegenwärtigen Wort, ist nichts einzuwenden, trotzdem ist zu bedenken, dass Transparenz nicht schon „per se“ nur gut ist.
Operation bei asymptomatischer Inguinalhernie – unnötig?
Authors: Kohler Andreas , Beldi Guido
Published: December 2014

Bei Patienten mit asymptomatischen Inguinalhernie wurde bisher zur Prophylaxe von Inkarzerationen großzügig die Indikation zur Operation gestellt. Die Inkarzeration einer Inguinalhernie ist jedoch ein seltenes und bei rechtzeitigem Eingreifen gut behandelbares Krankheitsbild. Randomisierte Studien haben gezeigt, dass ein abwartendes, primär nicht operatives Vorgehen („Watchful Waiting“) möglich ist und Inkarzerationen die Ausnahme sind. Die Studien haben aber auch gezeigt, dass 50 bis 70 % der Patienten mit asymptomatischer Inguinalhernie im Verlauf von sieben Jahren wegen neu aufgetretenen Symptomen operationspflichtig werden. Eine abwartende Haltung bezüglich Operation ist sicher, jedoch muss der Patient über die Möglichkeit einer Zunahme der Beschwerden mit Notwendigkeit zur operativen Sanierung aufgeklärt werden.
Der Hausarzt staunt, der Facharzt wundert sich darüber – oder anders gefragt: Unnötige Operationen? – Ein fiktives Interview mit einem Hausarzt
Authors: Blunier Hans-Ulrich
Published: December 2014

Immer wieder kommt es aus Sicht des Hausarztes dazu, dass im Spital fragwürdige Indikationen für Interventionen gestellt werden. Wichtig wäre, dass genügend evidenzbasierte Studien vorhanden sind, damit unter Einbezug des Hausarztes auch die individuelle Evidenz des Patienten an vorderste Stelle gesetzt werden kann. Um an möglichst viele Daten mit möglichst wenig Aufwand zu gelangen, müssen Versorgungsstrukturen geschaffen werden, welche über die ganze Behandlungskette (Grundversorger, Spezialisten, Spitäler) die nötigen Daten der Patienten erfassen können. Dr. med. H. U. Blunier erklärt frisch von der Leber in einem fiktiven Interview, wie er seit Jahren mit Hartnäckigkeit im gesundheitlichen und politischen Umfeld sein Ziel verfolgt, institutionsübergreifende Patientenpfade zu entwickeln, um die Behandlungskette im Sinne einer integrierten Versorgung zu schließen.
The Mere Presence of a Cell Phone May be Distracting
Authors: Thornton Bill , Faires Alyson , Robbins Maija , Rollins Eric
Published: December 2014

Research consistently demonstrates the active use of cell phones, whether talking or texting, to be distracting and contributes to diminished performance when multitasking (e.g., distracted driving or walking). Recent research also has indicated that simply the presence of a cell phone and what it might represent (i.e., social connections, broader social network, etc.) can be similarly distracting and have negative consequences in a social interaction. Results of two studies reported here provide further evidence that the “mere presence” of a cell phone may be sufficiently distracting to produce diminished attention and deficits in task-performance, especially for tasks with greater attentional and cognitive demands. The implications for such an unintended negative consequence may be quite wide-ranging (e.g., productivity in school and the work place).
Social Classification Occurs at the Subgroup Level
Authors: Pattyn Sven , Rosseel Yves , Van Overwalle Frank , Van Hiel Alain
Published: December 2014

Although the categorization of novel social stimuli according to general qualities of gender, age, and race is known to be automatic and primordial, categorizing stimuli into more specific social subgroups (e.g., hippies or businesswomen) is much more informative and cognitively efficient. In this paper, we show that social stimuli are more likely to be grouped into subgroups with an intermediate degree of specificity than into broad, general categories or narrow, highly specific categories. Furthermore, we show that category membership at the intermediate subgroup level predicts social judgments more efficiently than category membership at a more general or more specific level. We discuss the consequences of our results for social cognition and cognitive categorization.
High speed and adaptable error correction for megabit/s rate quantum key distribution
Authors: Dixon A. R. , Sato H.
Published: December 2014

Quantum Key Distribution is moving from its theoretical foundation of unconditional security to rapidly approaching real world installations. A significant part of this move is the orders of magnitude increases in the rate at which secure key bits are distributed. However, these advances have mostly been confined to the physical hardware stage of QKD, with software post-processing often being unable to support the high raw bit rates. In a complete implementation this leads to a bottleneck limiting the final secure key rate of the system unnecessarily. Here we report details of equally high rate error correction which is further adaptable to maximise the secure key rate under a range of different operating conditions. The error correction is implemented both in CPU and GPU using a bi-directional LDPC approach and can provide 90–94% of the ideal secure key rate over all fibre distances from 0–80 km.
Nanowires for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Wang Zhong Lin , Lee Sangmin , Song Jinhui , Wang Xudong , Yang Rusen , Qin Yong , Hu Youfan , Xu Sheng , Zhu Guang , Xu Chen , Lee Minbaek
Published: December 2014

The nanogenerator (NG), first proposed for the purpose of self-powered nanotechnology in 2006, converts random mechanical energy into electric energy using piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowire (NW) arrays. The mechanism of the NG relies on the piezoelectric potential created in the NWs by an external strain: a dynamic straining of the NWs results in a transient flow of the electrons in the external load because of the driving force of the piezoelectric potential. The advantage of using NWs is that they can be triggered by tiny-scale physical motions. Further, the excitation frequency can range from one Hz to thousands of Hz, which makes NGs ideal for harvesting random energy in the environment. In our living environment, there exists an abundant amount of mechanical energy otherwise lost, such as light wind, body movement, muscle stretching, acoustic/ultrasonic waves, noises, mechanical vibration, and blood flow. Hence, the NW based piezoelectric NGs can provide a promising potential as energy harvester for solving the energy crisis and preserving environmental health. The objective of this chapter is to introduce the fundamentals of piezoelectric NW based NGs. We start from the synthesis of piezoelectric NWs, followed by a description of the fundamental principle of a NG based on a single NW. We then demonstrate the engineering approaches for achieving high output power by laterally and vertically integrating the contribution from thousands of NWs. Lastly, we show the prototype for self-powered systems and self-powered active sensors.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry of Lipids
Authors: Murphy Robert C
Published: December 2014

The emerging field of lipidomics has been made possible because of advances in mass spectrometry, and in particular tandem mass spectrometry of lipid ions generated by electrospray ionization. The ability to carry out basic biochemical studies of lipids using electrospray ionization is predicated upon understanding the behaviour of lipid derived ions following collision induced decomposition and mechanisms of product ion formation. During the past 20 years, a wealth of information has been generated about lipid molecules that are now analysed by mass spectrometry, however there is no central source where one can obtain basic information about how these very diverse biomolecules behave following collisional activation.

This book brings together, in one volume, this information so that investigators considering using tandem mass spectrometry to structurally characterize lipids or to quantitate their occurrence in a biological matrix, will have a convenient source to review mechanism of decomposition reactions related to the diversity of lipid structures.

A separate chapter is devoted to each of seven major lipid classes including fatty acids, eicosanoids and bioactive lipid mediators, fatty acyl esters and amides, glycerol esters, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and steroids. Mechanistic details are provided for understanding the pathways of formation of major product ions and ions used for structural characterization. In most cases specific ancillary information has been critical to understand the pathways, including isotope labeling and high resolution analysis of precursor and product ions. For a few specific examples such data is missing and pathways are proposed as a means to initiate further mass spectral experiments to prove or disprove pathway hypotheses. While this work largely centres on the lipid biochemistry of animal (mammalian) systems, general principles can be taken from the specific examples and applied to lipid biochemistry found in plants, fungi, prokaryotes and archeal organisms.
Biochemical changes of the endothelium in the murine model of NO-deficient hypertension
Authors: Pacia M. Z. , Mateuszuk L. , Chlopicki S. , Baranska M. , Kaczor A.
Published: December 2014

Alterations in the α-helix and β-sheet content and the lipid-to-protein ratio are the most striking features of hypertension development in the vascular endothelium.
Analysis of different Flos Chrysanthemum tea samples with the use of two-dimensional chromatographic fingerprints, which were interpreted by different multivariate methods
Authors: Ding Xiaoxiao , Ni Yongnian , Kokot Serge
Published: December 2014

Flos Chrysanthemum teas from different origins were analyzed by combining HPLC and GC-MS datasets with the aid of chemometrics, and their quality was basically evaluated.
Diffuse reflectance FTIR database for the interpretation of the spectra obtained with a handheld device on built heritage materials
Authors: Arrizabalaga Iker , Gómez-Laserna Olivia , Carrero José Antonio , Bustamante Julen , Rodríguez Azibar , Arana Gorka , Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: December 2014

FTIR handheld devices, working in the Diffuse Reflectance mode (DRIFT), are promising analytical instruments to perform in situ analyses on cultural heritage materials.
A fast-responsive mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe detecting endogenous hypochlorite in living RAW 264.7 cells and nude mouse
Authors: Xiao Hongde , Xin Kai , Dou Haifang , Yin Gui , Quan Yiwu , Wang Ruiyong
Published: December 2014

A very fast-responsive fluorescent probe for imaging mitochondrial ClO−was prepared. The probe was successfully applied in the imaging of endogenous ClO−in the mitochondria of RAW 264.7 cells and living nude mouse.
Oligo(ethylene glycol)-incorporated hybrid linear alkyl side chains for n-channel polymer semiconductors and their effect on the thin-film crystalline structure
Authors: Kim Ran , Kang Boseok , Sin Dong Hun , Choi Hyun Ho , Kwon Soon-Ki , Kim Yun-Hi , Cho Kilwon
Published: December 2014

Oligo(ethylene glycol)-incorporated hybrid linear alkyl side chains, serving as solubilizing groups, are designed and introduced into naphthalene-diimide-based n-channel copolymers.
The effect of donor content on the efficiency of P3HT:PCBM bilayers: optical and photocurrent spectral data analyses
Authors: Casalegno Mosé , Kotowski Dariusz , Bernardi Andrea , Luzzati Silvia , Po Riccardo , Raos Guido
Published: December 2014

A numerical analysis of optical absorption and photocurrent data reveals extensive interdiffusion in P3HT:PCBM bilayer devices.
Structural and silver/vanadium ratio effects on silver vanadium phosphorous oxide solution formation kinetics: Impact on battery electrochemistry
Authors: Bock David C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Esther S.
Published: December 2014

This study contains the first kinetic analyses of silver and vanadium solution formation from Ag0.48VOPO4·1.9H2O and Ag2VP2O8, in a non-aqueous battery electrolyte. The results presented here provide a framework for the quantitative and kinetic analyses of the dissolution of cathode materials which will aid the broader community in more fully understanding this battery failure mechanism.
The properties of Irn (n = 2–10) clusters and their nucleation on γ-Al2O3 and MgO surfaces: from ab initio studies
Authors: Chen Yongchang , Huo Miao , Chen Tong , Li Qiang , Sun Zhaolin , Song Lijuan
Published: December 2014

The adsorption and nucleation of Ir clusters on γ-Al2O3(001) and MgO(100) based on first-principles calculations.
Elastic strain effects on catalysis of a PdCuSi metallic glass thin film
Authors: Yang Yiyi , Adit Maark Tuhina , Peterson Andrew , Kumar Sharvan
Published: December 2014

Electrochemical catalytic response of a palladium-based (Pd–Cu–Si) metallic glass film to mechanically imposed uniaxial tensile and compressive stress–strain.
Terahertz disorder-localized rotational modes and lattice vibrational modes in the orientationally-disordered and ordered phases of camphor
Authors: Nickel Daniel V. , Ruggiero Michael T. , Korter Timothy M. , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: December 2014

Camphors' terahertz range spectra are measured and simulated, providing fundamental insight into the dynamics of its ordered and disordered phases.
Investigation of the electromagnetic absorption properties of Ni@TiO2 and Ni@SiO2 composite microspheres with core–shell structure
Authors: Zhao Biao , Shao Gang , Fan Bingbing , Zhao Wanyu , Zhang Rui
Published: December 2014

The core–shell Ni–SiO2 composite exhibits the best electromagnetic wave absorption in the GHz range with a minimum reflection loss of −40.0 dB, which is superior to those of Ni–TiO2 and Ni microspheres.
Rhenium and technetium complexes that bind to amyloid-β plaques
Authors: Hayne David J. , North Andrea J. , Fodero-Tavoletti Michelle , White Jonathan M. , Hung Lin W. , Rigopoulos Angela , McLean Catriona A. , Adlard Paul A. , Ackermann Uwe , Tochon-Danguy Henri , Villemagne Victor L. , Barnham Kevin J. , Donnelly Paul S.
Published: December 2014

[M(CO)3]+(M = Tc/Re) complexes with tridentate ligands with a stilbene functional group bind to amyloid-β plaques associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
Divalent ytterbium complexes with crown and heterocrown ethers
Authors: Bartlett Philip N. , Champion Martin J. D. , Light Mark. E. , Levason William , Reid Gillian , Richardson Peter W.
Published: December 2014

Unusual complexes of ytterbium(ii) stabilised by coordination to mixed O4X2-donor macrocyclic ligands (X = O, NH, S or Se) are described.
In vitro micro-physiological models for translational immunology
Authors: Ramadan Qasem , Gijs Martin A. M.
Published: December 2014

We review the recent development in functional microphysiological models and present an outlook on the opportunities for translational development in immunology.
Precise modular synthesis and a structure–property study of acid-cleavable star-block copolymers for pH-triggered drug delivery
Authors: Hu Jian , He Jinlin , Zhang Mingzu , Ni Peihong
Published: December 2014

A series of well-defined three-armed star-block copolymers (mPEG-a-PCL-a-)3 linked with acid-cleavable acetal groups have been prepared and used for the pH-triggered delivery of doxorubicin.
A novel donor–acceptor alternating copolymer based on angular-shaped benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]diselenophene for bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Jiang Youyu , Yang Mingyan , Huang Xuan , Gao Jianhong , Zhan Chun , Xiao Shengqiang
Published: December 2014

A new D–A copolymer PBDSe-DTBT, based on the angular-shaped benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene (BDP) unit with a selenium substitution, having both a low optical band gap of 1.71 eV and a deep HOMO level of −5.37 eV, has offered a promising average BHJ device efficiency of 5.6%.
High-dispersive FeS2on graphene oxide for effective degradation of 4-chlorophenol
Authors: Liu Wanpeng , Xu Lili , Li Xingfa , Shen Chensi , Rashid Sadia , Wen Yuezhong , Liu Weiping , Wu Xiaohua
Published: December 2014

High-dispersive FeS2particles on graphene oxide (FeS2@GO) was prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method for efficient removal and mineralization of aqueous 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under slightly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Facile and surfactant-free synthesis of Pd nanoparticles by the extract of the fruits of Piper longum and their catalytic performance for the Sonogashira coupling reaction in water under ligand- and copper-free conditions
Authors: Nasrollahzadeh Mahmoud , Mohammad Sajadi S. , Maham Mehdi , Ehsani Ali
Published: December 2014

This work reports a facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) by the extract of the fruits of Piper longum without any stabilizer or surfactant.
Real time studies of thiophene-based conjugated oligomer solidification
Authors: Mikayelyan Eduard , Bakirov Artem V. , Shcherbina Maxim A. , Chvalun Sergei N. , Ponomarenko Sergei A. , Grigorian Souren
Published: December 2014

Real time investigations of a solidification process of thiophene based oligomer system by simultaneous probing of the structure and the electrical response.
The anti-cancer activity of green tea, coffee and cocoa extracts on human cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells depends on both pro-oxidant and anti-proliferative activities of polyphenols
Authors: Krstic Maja , Stojadinovic Marija , Smiljanic Katarina , Stanic-Vucinic Dragana , Cirkovic Velickovic Tanja
Published: December 2014

Thein vitroanti-cervical cancer potency of tested polyphenol extracts is exhibited in the following order: green tea > coffee > cocoa, with only green tea showing both pro-oxidative and anti-proliferative action.
Enhanced electron field emission properties from hybrid nanostructures of graphene/Si tip array
Authors: Chang Tinghsun , Lu Fangwei , Kunuku Srinivasu , Leou Kehchyang , Tai Nyanhwa , Lin Inan
Published: December 2014

High efficiency with excellently stable electron field emitters based on monolayer graphene coated on well-aligned Si tip (graphene/SiT) arrays fabricated by a simple transfer method is demonstrated.
Formation of a metal–organic framework with high gas uptakes based upon amino-decorated polyhedral cages
Authors: Yun Ruirui , Cui Ranran , Qian Fujun , Cao Xiaoyan , Luo Shizhong , Zheng Baishu
Published: December 2014

An polyhedra porous MOF, with high selectivity of CO2 over, being formed by TRZ–Zn layer connected ATPA linker.
Hybrid ionogel electrolytes for high temperature lithium batteries
Authors: Lee Jin Hong , Lee Albert S. , Lee Jong-Chan , Hong Soon Man , Hwang Seung Sang , Koo Chong Min
Published: December 2014

Hybrid ionogels fabricated using 1 M LiTFSI in N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPTFSI) crosslinked with ladder-like structured poly(methacryloxypropyl)silsesquioxane (LPMASQ) were investigated as high temperature ionogel electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.
Correction: Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of Ga2O3 thin films
Authors: Ramachandran Ranjith K. , Dendooven Jolien , Botterman Jonas , Sree Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu , Poelman Dirk , Martens Johan A. , Poelman Hilde , Detavernier Christophe
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of Ga2O3 thin films’ by Ranjith K. Ramachandran et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 19232–19238.
Thermoresponsive block copolymer micelles with tunable pyrrolidone-based polymer cores: structure/property correlations and application as drug carriers
Authors: Sun X.-L. , Tsai P.-C. , Bhat R. , Bonder E. M. , Michniak-Kohn B. , Pietrangelo A.
Published: December 2014

Residue structure affects the physicochemical properties, drug loading efficiency, and thermoresponsive drug release profiles of block copolymer micelles with pyrrolidone-based polymer cores.
Gcn1 contacts the small ribosomal protein Rps10, which is required for full activation of the protein kinase Gcn2
Authors: Lee Su Jung , Swanson Mark J. , Sattlegger Evelyn
Published: December 2014

In eukaryotes, amino acid deprivation leads to the accumulation of uncharged tRNAs that are detected by Gcn2 (general control non-derepressible 2), which in turn phosphorylates eIF2α (α-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2), an essential process for overcoming starvation. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sensing amino acid shortages requires that Gcn2 binds directly to its effector protein Gcn1 and both must associate with the ribosome. Our hypothesis is that uncharged tRNAs occur in the ribosomal A-site and that Gcn1 is directly involved in transfer of this starvation signal to Gcn2. In the present paper, we provide evidence that Gcn1 directly contacts the small ribosomal protein S10 (Rps10). Gcn1 residues 1060–1777 showed a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) interaction with Rps10A. In vitro, Rps10A or Rps10B co-precipitated Gcn1[1060–1777] in an RNA-independent manner. rps10AΔ or rps10BΔ strains showed reduced eIF2α phosphorylation under replete conditions and shortly after onset of starvation, suggesting that Gcn1-mediated Gcn2 activation was impaired. Overexpression of GST-tagged Rps10 reduced growth under amino acid starvation and this was exacerbated by the Gcn1–M7A mutation known to impair Gcn1–ribosome interaction and Gcn2 activity. Under amino acid starvation, eEF3 (eukaryotic translation elongation factor 3) overexpression, known to weaken Gcn1 function on the ribosome, exacerbated the growth defect of rps10AΔ or rps10BΔ strains. Taken together, these data support the idea that Gcn1 contacts ribosome-bound Rps10 to efficiently mediate Gcn2 activation.
A reconsideration of the noise equivalent power and the data analysis procedure for the infrared imaging video bolometers
Authors: Pandya Shwetang N. , Peterson Byron J. , Kobayashi Masahiro , Pandya Santosh P. , Mukai Kiyofumi , Sano Ryuichi
Published: December 2014

The infrared imaging video bolometer (IRVB) used for measurement of the two-dimensional (2D) radiation profiles from the Large Helical Device has been significantly upgraded recently to improve its signal to noise ratio, sensitivity, and calibration, which ultimately provides quantitative measurements of the radiation from the plasma. The reliability of the quantified data needs to be established by various checks. The noise estimates also need to be revised and more realistic values need to be established. It is shown that the 2D heat diffusion equation can be used for estimating the power falling on the IRVB foil, even with a significant amount of spatial variation in the thermal diffusivity across the area of the platinum foil found experimentally during foil calibration. The equation for the noise equivalent power density (NEPD) is re-derived to include the errors in the measurement of the thermophysical and the optical properties of the IRVB foil. The theoretical value estimated using this newly derived equation matches closely, within 5.5%, with the mean experimental value. The change in the contribution of each error term of the NEPD equation with rising foil temperature is also studied and the blackbody term is found to dominate the other terms at elevated operating temperatures. The IRVB foil is also sensitive to the charge exchange (CX) neutrals escaping from the plasma. The CX neutral contribution is estimated to be marginally higher than the noise equivalent power (NEP) of the IRVB. It is also established that the radiation measured by the IRVB originates from the impurity line radiation from the plasma and not from the heated divertor tiles. The change in the power density due to noise reduction measures such as data smoothing and averaging is found to be comparable to the IRVB NEPD. The precautions that need to be considered during background subtraction are also discussed with experimental illustrations. Finally, the analysis algorithm with all the improvements is validated and found to reproduce the input power well within 10% accuracy. This article answers many fundamental questions relevant to the IRVB and illustrates the care to be exercised while processing the IRVB data.
Simple heuristic for the viscosity of polydisperse hard spheres
Authors: Farr Robert S.
Published: December 2014

We build on the work of Mooney [Colloids Sci. 6, 162 (1951)] to obtain an heuristic analytic approximation to the viscosity of a suspension any size distribution of hard spheres in a Newtonian solvent. The result agrees reasonably well with rheological data on monodispserse and bidisperse hard spheres, and also provides an approximation to the random close packing fraction of polydisperse spheres. The implied packing fraction is less accurate than that obtained by Farr and Groot [J. Chem. Phys. 131(24), 244104 (2009)], but has the advantage of being quick and simple to evaluate.
Two-color interferometer for the study of laser filamentation triggered electric discharges in air
Authors: Point Guillaume , Brelet Yohann , Arantchouk Leonid , Carbonnel Jérôme , Prade Bernard , Mysyrowicz André , Houard Aurélien
Published: December 2014

We present a space and time resolved interferometric plasma diagnostic for use on plasmas where neutral-bound electron contribution to the refractive index cannot be neglected. By recording simultaneously the plasma optical index at 532 and $\mathrm{1064\;\mathrm{n}\mathrm{m}}$1064nm, we are able to extract independently the neutral and free electron density profiles. We report a phase resolution of $\mathrm{30\;\mathrm{m}\mathrm{rad}}$30m rad , corresponding to a maximum resolution on the order of $\mathrm{4\times 10^{22}\;\mathrm{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{-3}}}$4×1022m−3 for the electron density, and of $\mathrm{10^{24}\;\mathrm{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{-3}}}$1024m−3 for the neutral density. The interferometer is demonstrated on centimeter-scale sparks triggered by laser filamentation in air with typical currents of a few tens of A.
Ultra-directional source of longitudinal acoustic waves based on a two-dimensional solid/solid phononic crystal
Authors: Morvan B. , Tinel A. , Vasseur J. O. , Sainidou R. , Rembert P. , Hladky-Hennion A.-C. , Swinteck N. , Deymier P. A.
Published: December 2014

Phononic crystals (PC) can be used to control the dispersion properties of acoustic waves, which are essential to direct their propagation. We use a PC-based two-dimensional solid/solid composite to demonstrate experimentally and theoretically the spatial filtering of a monochromatic non-directional wave source and its emission in a surrounding water medium as an ultra-directional beam with narrow angular distribution. The phenomenon relies on square-shaped equifrequency contours (EFC) enabling self-collimation of acoustic waves within the phononic crystal. Additionally, the angular width of collimated beams is controlled via the EFC size-shrinking when increasing frequency.
Self-imaging confirmed in plasmonic channel waveguides at visible wavelengths
Authors: Okamoto H. , Kusaka K. , Yamaguchi K. , Ohtsu T. , Haraguchi M. , Okamoto T.
Published: December 2014

We experimentally confirm self-imaging induced by multi-mode interference of plasmon polaritons in a channel waveguide at visible wavelengths. A designed plasmonic channel waveguide, fabricated as three structural segments at two different channel depths, operates as a single- and multi-mode waveguide. Illuminated by incident light of wavelength 635 nm, the channel plasmon polaritons propagate towards the output port if the length of the multi-mode waveguide is equivalent to twice the beat length for multi-mode interference. If the length of the multi-mode waveguide is equivalent to the beat length, only a few of these plasmon polaritons propagate to the output port as most of them are reflected at the far end of the multi-mode segment of the waveguide. Experimental results enable a clear characterization of self-imaging induced by the multi-mode interference of channel plasmon polaritons.
High performance transparent conductor of graphene wrapped copper/nickel microgrids
Authors: Wu Wei , Tassi Nancy G. , Walls Dennis J. , Zhang Lei , Willner Bruce
Published: December 2014

A high performance, highly stable transparent conducting structure based on microscale copper/nickel grids wrapped with graphene is presented. Graphene is selectively deposited on the surfaces of the microgrids by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method. The optical transmittance of the copper/nickel microgrid sample is ∼80% over the visible and near-infrared spectra with a very small sheet resistance of ∼0.58 Ω/sq. After the high temperature deposition of graphene, the sample's transmittance increases to be ∼90% due to the line width reduction of the microgrids while the sheet resistance also increases to ∼5 Ω/sq. The graphene layer is deposited to keep the copper/nickel surfaces from being oxidized in the air. Both stability testing and composition spectra results confirm the long-term stability of the copper/nickel microgrids wrapped with graphene.
A 0.14 THz relativistic coaxial overmoded surface wave oscillator with metamaterial slow wave structure
Authors: Guo Weijie , Wang Jianguo , Chen Zaigao , Wang Yue , Cai Libing , Wang Guangqiang , Qiao Hailiang
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a new kind of device for generating the high power terahertz wave by using a coaxial overmoded surface wave oscillator with metamaterial slow wave structure (SWS). A metallic metamaterial SWS is used to avoid the damage of the device driven by a high-voltage electron beam pulse. The overmoded structure is adopted to make it much easy to fabricate and assemble the whole device. The coaxial structure is used to suppress the mode competition in the overmoded device. Parameters of an electron beam and geometric structure are provided. Particle-in-cell simulation results show that the high power terahertz wave at the frequency of 0.14 THz is generated with the output power 255 MW and conversion efficiency about 21.3%.
Photo-isomerization effect of the azobenzene chain on the opto-mechanical behavior of nematic polymer: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Choi Joonmyung , Chung Hayoung , Yun Jung-Hoon , Cho Maenghyo
Published: December 2014

The opto-mechanical properties of a photo-responsive nematic polymer network (PRPN) are investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. For the implementation of the trans-to-cis isomerization of azo compounds, a switchable potential formalism for the N = N bond is applied to the crosslinked PRPN unit cell model. During the light switch-on and heating-up simulations at a wide range of temperatures, the scalar orientational order parameter for the mesogenic side group molecules, the effective photo-induced strain of the bulk polymer network, and the opto-mechanical properties are characterized. The correlation between the microstate which belongs to the molecular location and the macroscopically observed photostrain is identified according to the isomerization ratio of the diazene groups.
Electric- and exchange-field controlled transport through silicene barriers: Conductance gap and near-perfect spin polarization
Authors: Vargiamidis V. , Vasilopoulos P.
Published: December 2014

We study ballistic electron transport through silicene barriers, of width d and height U, in the presence of an exchange field M and a normal electric field Ez. Away from the Dirac point (DP), the spin- and valley-resolved conductances, as functions of U, exhibit resonances while close to it there is a pronounced dip that can be transformed into a transport gap by varying Ez. The charge conductance gc changes from oscillatory to a monotonically decreasing function of d beyond a critical Ez and this can be used to realize electric-field-controlled switching. Further, the field M splits each resonance of gc into two spin-resolved peaks. The spin polarization near the DP increases with Ez or M and becomes nearly perfect above certain of their values. Similar results hold for double barriers.
Integrated animal and cropping systems in single and multi-objective frameworks for enhancing the livelihood security of farmers and agricultural sustainability in Northern India
Authors: Behera U. K. , Kaechele H. , France J.
Published: December 2014

Fast degrading and declining land, water availability, biodiversity, environment and other natural resources, together with shrinking farm returns and reduced crop productivity caused by continuous and intensive cultivation of rice-wheat systems, necessitate diversification of farming in Northern India. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involving animals (livestock, fish, etc.) and cropping (cereals, trees, etc.) are recognised as an alternative for preserving ecosystems and enhancing livelihood security. A study was therefore undertaken under Northern Indian conditions to develop IFS models for various sizes of farm and to compare these models with the existing rice-wheat system for sustainability and profitability. The IFS models were developed in single objective (using linear programming) and multi-objective (using compromise programming) frameworks. Multi-objective analysis provides deeper insight into the problem as it caters directly for the multi-faceted needs of the farmers. These parallel methodologies offer a novel approach to modelling IFS to draw different farming scenarios for comparison. The IFS strategies developed show the potential to generate a greater farm income than with existing rice-wheat cropping for all sizes of farm. The study revealed that IFS offer more perspectives for an economically viable and sustainable agriculture for typical farms in Northern India.