bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Information Management for Research and Quality Assurance: The Comprehensive Renal Transplant Research Information System
Authors: Famure Olusegun , Phan Nicholas Anh-Tuan , Kim Sang Joseph
Published: May 2014

The Kidney Transplant Program at the Toronto General Hospital uses numerous electronic health record platforms housing patient health information that is often not coded in a systematic manner to facilitate quality assurance and research. To address this, the comprehensive renal transplant research information system was conceived by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Data analysis from comprehensive renal transplant research information system presented at programmatic retreats, scientific meetings, and peer-reviewed manuscripts contributes to quality improvement and knowledge in kidney transplantation.
Creating and Sustaining Value: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Authors: Chattergoon Saleem , Darling Shelley , Devitt Rob , Klassen Wolf
Published: May 2014

In 2011, the Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) began its journey towards developing a culture of continuous improvement. TEGH evolved to an organization-wide improvement system through a commitment to fiscal responsibility, practical innovation, team-based performance management, and daily management systems. This culture enabled the TEGH to achieve the lowest Emergency Department wait times for admitted patients in its local health integration network and reduce length of stay for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 46%.
Thalamic Stroke: Precursors and Outcomes for Ten Patients
Authors: Freeland Johanna , Levi Christopher , Hunter Mick
Published: May 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine susceptibility factors in thalamic stroke, as well as outcomes in order to identify rehabilitation needs.

Methods: Ten patients with thalamic stroke were interviewed and administered the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were examined to determine location and size of the lesion, as well as basilar artery size and anatomical variances in the circle of Willis.

Results: Risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and pre-existing heart conditions were identified. Circle of Willis variations were found in 6 of the 10 participants, with MR angiography indicating that the posterior communication artery was absent or failed to join the posterior cerebral artery. Basilar artery diameter measurements were no larger than normal. All participants reported post-stroke changes, including decreased coordination and mobility, poor balance, reduced energy, memory deficits and mood changes. Participants’ overall scores on cognitive tests were significantly lower than age-matched norms. Performance on the test domains of memory, fluency, language and attention were all significantly below age norms.

Conclusions: The variability of outcome measures demonstrates the difficulty of defining patterns of relationship between risk factors and severity of functional sequelae in thalamic stroke.
‘The televising of science is a process of television’: establishing Horizon, 1962–1967
Authors: BOON TIMOTHY
Published: May 2014

BBC Television's Horizon series, fifty years old on 2 May 2014, despite its significance to the history of the public culture of science, has been little studied. This microhistorical account follows the gestation and early years of the programme, demonstrating how it established a social and cultural account of science. This was a result of televisual factors, notably the determination to follow the format of the successful arts television programme Monitor. It illuminates how the processes of television production, with a handful of key participants – Aubrey Singer, Gerald Leach, Philip Daly, Gordon Rattray Taylor, Ramsay Short, Michael Peacock and Robert Reid – established the format of the programme. This occurred over seventeen months of prior preparation followed by three troubled years of seeking to establish a stable form. This was finally achieved in 1967 when the programme adopted a film documentary approach after extended attempts at making it as a studio-based magazine programme. The story has implications for understanding the social accounts of science that were circulating in the key decade of the 1960s.
A fuzzy multi-stage path-planning method for a robot in a dynamic environment with unknown moving obstacles
Authors: Mobadersany Pooya , Khanmohammadi Sohrab , Ghaemi Sehraneh
Published: May 2014

Path planning is one of the most important fields in robotics. Only a limited number of articles have proposed a practical way to solve the path-planning problem with moving obstacles. In this paper, a fuzzy path-planning method with two strategies is proposed to navigate a robot among unknown moving obstacles in complex environments. The static form of the environment is assumed to be known, but there is no prior knowledge about the dynamic obstacles. In this situation, an online and real-time approach is essential for avoiding collision. Also, the approach should be efficient in natural complex environments such as blood vessels. To examine the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, a drug delivery nanorobot moving in a complex environment (blood vessels) is supposed. The Monte Carlo simulation with random numbers is used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach, where the dynamic obstacles are assumed to appear in exponentially distributed random time intervals.
Call for papers: NJL Special Issue on Prosody in the Nordic Languages
Authors: Horne Merle , Roll Mikael
Published: May 2014

The second issue of Volume 38 (autumn 2015) of the Nordic Journal of Linguistics will be a special issue devoted to prosody in the Nordic languages. The special issue will be edited by Merle Horne and Mikael Roll.
Randomized Rumour Spreading: The Effect of the Network Topology
Authors: PANAGIOTOU KONSTANTINOS , PÉREZ-GIMÉNEZ XAVIER , SAUERWALD THOMAS , SUN HE
Published: May 2014

We consider the popular and well-studied push model, which is used to spread information in a given network with n vertices. Initially, some vertex owns a rumour and passes it to one of its neighbours, which is chosen randomly. In each of the succeeding rounds, every vertex that knows the rumour informs a random neighbour. It has been shown on various network topologies that this algorithm succeeds in spreading the rumour within O(log n) rounds. However, many studies are quite coarse and involve huge constants that do not allow for a direct comparison between different network topologies. In this paper, we analyse the push model on several important families of graphs, and obtain tight runtime estimates. We first show that, for any almost-regular graph on n vertices with small spectral expansion, rumour spreading completes after log2n + log n+o(log n) rounds with high probability. This is the first result that exhibits a general graph class for which rumour spreading is essentially as fast as on complete graphs. Moreover, for the random graph G(n,p) with p=c log n/n, where c > 1, we determine the runtime of rumour spreading to be log2n + γ (c)log n with high probability, where γ(c) = clog(c/(c−1)). In particular, this shows that the assumption of almost regularity in our first result is necessary. Finally, for a hypercube on n=2d vertices, the runtime is with high probability at least (1+β) ⋅ (log2n + log n), where β > 0. This reveals that the push model on hypercubes is slower than on complete graphs, and thus shows that the assumption of small spectral expansion in our first result is also necessary. In addition, our results combined with the upper bound of O(log n) for the hypercube (see [11]) imply that the push model is faster on hypercubes than on a random graph G(n, clog n/n), where c is sufficiently close to 1.
Heterogeneity in the smoking response to health shocks by out-of-pocket spending risk
Authors: Richards Michael R. , Marti Joachim
Published: May 2014

An existing literature demonstrates that adverse changes to health can lead to improvements in health behaviors. Although the exact explanations for these empirical findings are debated, some posit that individuals learn about their true health risks through health shocks. Updated health risk information can then induce changes in health behaviors. While we follow a learning framework, we argue that past work has neglected the role of health insurance and medically related financial risk within this decision making context. Using longitudinal data from 11 European countries, we investigate the impact of a new cardiovascular (CV) health shock on smoking decisions among older adults and examine whether personal exposure to medical spending risk influences the smoking response. We then explore two potential mechanisms for this link: larger updates to health risk beliefs and higher medical expenditures to incentivize behavior change. We find that CV shocks impact the propensity to smoke, with relatively more impact among individuals with high financial risk exposure to medical spending. We also see larger increases in out-of-pocket expenditures following a shock for this group – consistent with the latter mechanism for behavior change.
MiRNAs in peripheral artery disease - something gripping this way comes
Authors: Kloos Wanda , Vogel Britta , Blessing Erwin
Published: May 2014

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a marker disease for generalized atherosclerosis and represents one of the worlds major causes of morbidity and mortality. Many studies have tried to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in PAD onset, progression and prognosis. In the last decade, small non-coding RNAs, termed miRNAs, have emerged as a major research focus due to their regulating function of multiple gene sets. In the cardiovascular system, miRNAs not only impact on physiological pathways like cardiac development and angiogenesis, but also play an important role in disease mechanisms and progression of myocardial hypertrophy, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or arrhythmias. New insights lend considerable support to the concept of miRNAs serving as highly sensitive biomarkers and therapeutic targets. To date, a comprehensive understanding of miRNA regulation of angiogenesis and maintenance of vascular integrity in PAD remains less explored. In this review, we discuss current studies and highlight the potential of miRNAs not only to act as a diagnostic tool, but also to facilitate innovative strategies for gene therapy.
Hyperhomocysteinaemia, low folate concentrations and MTHFR C677T mutation in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Cao Hui , Hu Xinhua , Zhang Qiang , Li Jun , Liu Bing , Wang Junpeng , Shao Yang , Zhang Zhishen , Liu Chengwei , Hu Haidi , Zhang Jian , Xin Shijie
Published: May 2014

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) has been implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the association of Hcy, vitamin B12, and folate in patients with AAA has not been studied in China. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the relationship of vitamin B12, folic acid, and Hcy levels in AAA. Patients and methods: 463 patients who had AAA were included in this study. 463 control subjects were age- and sex-matched with the patients. In all of the subjects, we evaluated total plasma levels Hcy, vitamin B12, folic acid and the distribution of the C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation. Results: The mean plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in patients with AAA compared with controls (18.37 ± 6.97 vs. 12.89 ± 4.08 μmol/L, P < 0.001). The frequency of homozygous (TT) genotype in MTHFR C677T mutation was significantly higher in patients with AAA than that in control subjects (19.4 % vs. 11.9 %, P = 0.002). The fasting Hcy correlated negatively with folate (A r = - 0.311, P < 0.01; Control: r = - 0.348, P < 0.01). The aneurysm size was significantly greater (P < 0.001) in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia than that in patients with normal Hcy plasma levels. The size of the AAA had a linear correlation with the plasma Hcy level (r = 0.286; P< 0.001). Conclusions: Serum folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia were associated with an increased risk of AAA in Northeast China. The homozygous (TT) genotype of MTHFR gene mutation may be a crucial hereditary risk factor in AAA.
Madden–Julian Oscillation prediction skill of a new-generation global model demonstrated using a supercomputer
Authors: Miyakawa Tomoki , Satoh Masaki , Miura Hiroaki , Tomita Hirofumi , Yashiro Hisashi , Noda Akira T. , Yamada Yohei , Kodama Chihiro , Kimoto Masahide , Yoneyama Kunio
Published: May 2014

Global cloud/cloud system-resolving models are perceived to perform well in the prediction of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), a huge eastward -propagating atmospheric pulse that dominates intraseasonal variation of the tropics and affects the entire globe. However, owing to model complexity, detailed analysis is limited by computational power. Here we carry out a simulation series using a recently developed supercomputer, which enables the statistical evaluation of the MJO prediction skill of a costly new-generation model in a manner similar to operational forecast models. We estimate the current MJO predictability of the model as 27 days by conducting simulations including all winter MJO cases identified during 2003–2012. The simulated precipitation patterns associated with different MJO phases compare well with observations. An MJO case captured in a recent intensive observation is also well reproduced. Our results reveal that the global cloud-resolving approach is effective in understanding the MJO and in providing month-long tropical forecasts.
Controlled multistep synthesis in a three-phase droplet reactor
Authors: Nightingale Adrian M. , Phillips Thomas W. , Bannock James H. , de Mello John C.
Published: May 2014

Channel-fouling is a pervasive problem in continuous flow chemistry, causing poor product control and reactor failure. Droplet chemistry, in which the reaction mixture flows as discrete droplets inside an immiscible carrier liquid, prevents fouling by isolating the reaction from the channel walls. Unfortunately, the difficulty of controllably adding new reagents to an existing droplet stream has largely restricted droplet chemistry to simple reactions in which all reagents are supplied at the time of droplet formation. Here we describe an effective method for repeatedly adding controlled quantities of reagents to droplets. The reagents are injected into a multiphase fluid stream, comprising the carrier liquid, droplets of the reaction mixture and an inert gas that maintains a uniform droplet spacing and suppresses new droplet formation. The method, which is suited to many multistep reactions, is applied to a five-stage quantum dot synthesis wherein particle growth is sustained by repeatedly adding fresh feedstock.
Analytical Modelling of the Spread of Disease in Confined and Crowded Spaces
Authors: Goscé Lara , Barton David A. W. , Johansson Anders
Published: May 2014

Since 1927 and until recently, most models describing the spread of disease have been of compartmental type, based on the assumption that populations are homogeneous and well-mixed. Recent models have utilised agent-based models and complex networks to explicitly study heterogeneous interaction patterns, but this leads to an increasing computational complexity. Compartmental models are appealing because of their simplicity, but their parameters, especially the transmission rate, are complex and depend on a number of factors, which makes it hard to predict how a change of a single environmental, demographic, or epidemiological factor will affect the population. Therefore, in this contribution we propose a middle ground, utilising crowd-behaviour research to improve compartmental models in crowded situations. We show how both the rate of infection as well as the walking speed depend on the local crowd density around an infected individual. The combined effect is that the rate of infection at a population scale has an analytically tractable non-linear dependency on crowd density. We model the spread of a hypothetical disease in a corridor and compare our new model with a typical compartmental model, which highlights the regime in which current models may not produce credible results.
T7 bacteriophage induced changes of gold nanoparticle morphology: biopolymer capped gold nanoparticles as versatile probes for sensitive plasmonic biosensors
Authors: Kannan Palanisamy , Los Marcin , Los Joanna M. , Niedziolka-Jonsson Joanna
Published: May 2014

The morphological changes of gold nanoparticles induced by T7 virus (bacteriophage) and the determination of its femtomolar concentration by a plasmonic method are presented.
Fast and reversible insertion of carbon dioxide into zirconocene–alkoxide bonds. A mechanistic study
Authors: Brink Alice , Truedsson Ida , Fleckhaus André , Johnson Magnus T. , Norrby Per Ola , Roodt Andreas , Wendt Ola F.
Published: May 2014

In two consecutive equilibria the compound (Cp*)2Zr(OMe)2 undergoes insertion of CO2 to form the mono- and bis-hemicarbonates with a high rate.
Probing the cytotoxicity of CdS–MPA and CdSe–MUA QDs on the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus using MALDI-MS
Authors: Khan M. Shahnawaz , Gedda Gangaraju , Gopal Judy , Wu Hui-Fen
Published: May 2014

Toxicity of CdS and CdSe on bacterial pathogen investigated using MALDI-MS.
Determination of total maleic acid, fumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and benzoic acid in food by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Yiguang , Luo Haiying , Guo Xindong , Xian Yanping , Luo Donghui , Wu Yuluan
Published: May 2014

Hydrolysis reaction coupling to UPLC-MS/MS was employed for the determination of the total content of four organic acids in food.
Resonance light scattering for detecting fluoride ions based on the formation of a uranyl coordination supramolecular polymer
Authors: Shen Xing , Liao Lifu , Chen Lin , Xu Canhui , He Yunfei , Xiao Xilin , Lin Yingwu , Nie Changming
Published: May 2014

Illustrated procedure of detecting fluoride ions by the RLS method.
Improved host–guest electrochemical sensing of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic and uric acids in a β-cyclodextrin/Nafion®/polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Atta Nada F. , Galal Ahmed , Ali Shimaa M. , El-Said Dalia M.
Published: May 2014

A voltammetric method based on a combination of β-cyclodextrin, Nafion® and a gold electrode modified with poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene) has been successfully developed for the determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid or uric acid.
Diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 1,3,5,7-tetraol structural units using a Prins cyclisation–reductive cleavage sequence
Authors: Brun Elodie , Bellosta Véronique , Cossy Janine
Published: May 2014

Stereocontrolled access to all the diastereomers of 1,3,5,7-tetraol structural units was developed using a Prins cyclisation–reductive cleavage sequence.
Performance analysis of energy conversion via caloric effects in first-order ferroic phase transformations
Authors: Song Yintao
Published: May 2014

A rate-dependent thermodynamic model analyzes the performance of a novel thermal–electric energy conversion method.
Redox and acid–base properties of asymmetric non-heme (hydr)oxo-bridged diiron complexes
Authors: Jozwiuk Anna , Ingram Audrey L. , Powell Douglas R. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Chilton Nicholas F. , Murray Keith S. , Houser Robert P.
Published: May 2014

[(FeL)2(μ-OH)]+, [(FeL)2(μ-O)] and [(FeLNO2)2(μ-OH)]+, were synthesized and characterized. Electrochemical and chemical reduction of [(FeL)2(μ-OH)]BPh4 revealed disproportionation followed by proton transfer, and [(FeL)2(μ-O)] was formed upon exposure to oxygen.
Americium(iii) and europium(iii) complex formation with lactate at elevated temperatures studied by spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Barkleit Astrid , Kretzschmar Jerome , Tsushima Satoru , Acker Margret
Published: May 2014

Spectroscopic techniques (NMR and ATR FT-IR) in combination with calculations (DFT) show that the hydroxyl group of the lactate is deprotonated under complex formation with Eu(iii).
Solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays optimized for optical detection
Authors: Sawafta Furat , Clancy Bason , Carlsen Autumn T. , Huber Martin , Hall Adam R.
Published: May 2014

Controllable reduction of the local fluorescence around solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays enables optical recognition of molecular translocations and a route towards massively-parallel detection.
Softening of phospholipid membranes by the adhesion of silica nanoparticles – as seen by neutron spin-echo (NSE)
Authors: Hoffmann Ingo , Michel Raphael , Sharp Melissa , Holderer Olaf , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Polzer Frank , Farago Bela , Gradzielski Michael
Published: May 2014

The influence of silica nanoparticles on the dynamics of liposomes is studied by means of neutron spin-echo spectroscopy. It is found that they soften the phospholipid bilayer.
Sub-diffraction positioning of a two-photon excited and optically trapped quantum dot
Authors: Jauffred Liselotte , Kyrsting Anders , Arnspang Eva C. , Reihani S. Nader S. , Oddershede Lene B.
Published: May 2014

An optically trapped, two photon excited, and sub-diffraction tracked quantum dot explores the entire focal intensity volume.
Nano-impacts of bifunctional organic nanoparticles
Authors: Zhou Xiao-Fei , Cheng Wei , Compton Richard G.
Published: May 2014

The synthesis and characterization of Oil Blue Dye nanoparticles is reported along with their use for nano-impacts experiments in aqueous solution to quantify the size of bifunctional organic nanoparticles by both direct reduction and oxidation routes of individual bifunctional organic nanoparticles.
Flexible nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube/Co3O4paper and its oxygen reduction activity
Authors: Li Shan-Shan , Cong Huai-Ping , Wang Ping , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: May 2014

A new kind of flexible, nitrogen-doped graphene/carbon nanotube/Co3O4paper has been fabricated in large scale by a facile strategy that combines a self-assembly process with hydrothermal treatment, which shows potential as a promising oxygen reduction electrocatalyst.
ZIF-8 micromembranes for gas separation prepared on laser-perforated brass supports
Authors: Navarro Marta , Seoane Beatriz , Mateo Ester , Lahoz Ruth , de la Fuente Germán F. , Coronas Joaquín
Published: May 2014

MOF micromembranes of 20–32 μm diameter were prepared by synthesizing ZIF-8 on Nd:YAG laser-perforated 75 μm thick brass sheets (63/37 Cu/Zn). The membranes were applied to the separation of H2–CH4, He–CH4, CO2–CH4and O2–N2mixtures.
Electrochemical supercapacitor with polymeric active electrolyte
Authors: Chen Libin , Chen Yanru , Wu Jifeng , Wang Jianwei , Bai Hua , Li Lei
Published: May 2014

A supercapacitor with enhanced capacitance and energy retention was fabricated using sulfonated polyaniline as the active electrolyte and a semipermeable membrane as the separator.
Investigation on the adsorption properties of Cr(vi) ions on a novel graphene oxide (GO) based composite adsorbent
Authors: Chen Jian Hua , Xing Hai Tao , Guo Hong Xu , Weng Wen , Hu Shi Rong , Li Shun Xing , Huang Yi Hong , Sun Xue , Su Zhen Bo
Published: May 2014

In this study, we prepare a polyethyleneimine (PEI) and graphene oxide (GO) composite adsorbent through an amidation reaction between the amine groups of the PEI and the carboxyl groups of the GO.
Characterization of the histone methyltransferase PRDM9 using biochemical, biophysical and chemical biology techniques
Authors: Koh-Stenta Xiaoying , Joy Joma , Poulsen Anders , Li Rong , Tan Yvonne , Shim Yoonjung , Min Jung-Hyun , Wu Liling , Ngo Anna , Peng Jianhe , Seetoh Wei Guang , Cao Jing , Wee John Liang Kuan , Kwek Perlyn Zekui , Hung Alvin , Lakshmanan Umayal , Flotow Horst , Guccione Ernesto , Hill Jeffrey
Published: May 2014

PRDM proteins have emerged as important regulators of disease and developmental processes. To gain insight into the mechanistic actions of the PRDM family, we have performed comprehensive characterization of a prototype member protein, the histone methyltransferase PRDM9, using biochemical, biophysical and chemical biology techniques. In the present paper we report the first known molecular characterization of a PRDM9-methylated recombinant histone octamer and the identification of new histone substrates for the enzyme. A single C321P mutant of the PR/SET domain was demonstrated to significantly weaken PRDM9 activity. Additionally, we have optimized a robust biochemical assay amenable to high-throughput screening to facilitate the generation of small-molecule chemical probes for this protein family. The present study has provided valuable insight into the enzymology of an intrinsically active PRDM protein.
Interplay between Polo kinase, LKB1-activated NUAK1 kinase, PP1βMYPT1 phosphatase complex and the SCFβTrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Banerjee Sourav , Zagórska Anna , Deak Maria , Campbell David G. , Prescott Alan R. , Alessi Dario R.
Published: May 2014

NUAK1 (NUAK family SnF1-like kinase-1) and NUAK2 protein kinases are activated by the LKB1 tumour suppressor and have been implicated in regulating multiple processes such as cell survival, senescence, adhesion and polarity. In the present paper we present evidence that expression of NUAK1 is controlled by CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase), PLK (Polo kinase) and the SCFβTrCP (Skp, Cullin and F-boxβTrCP) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Our data indicate that CDK phosphorylates NUAK1 at Ser445, triggering binding to PLK, which subsequently phosphorylates NUAK1 at two conserved non-catalytic serine residues (Ser476 and Ser480). This induces binding of NUAK1 to βTrCP, the substrate-recognition subunit of the SCFβTrCP E3 ligase, resulting in NUAK1 becoming ubiquitylated and degraded. We also show that NUAK1 and PLK1 are reciprocally controlled in the cell cycle. In G2–M-phase, when PLK1 is most active, NUAK1 levels are low and vice versa in S-phase, when PLK1 expression is low, NUAK1 is more highly expressed. Moreover, NUAK1 inhibitors (WZ4003 or HTH-01-015) suppress proliferation by reducing the population of cells in S-phase and mitosis, an effect that can be rescued by overexpression of a NUAK1 mutant in which Ser476 and Ser480 are mutated to alanine. Finally, previous work has suggested that NUAK1 phosphorylates and inhibits PP1βMYPT1 (where PP1 is protein phosphatase 1) and that a major role for the PP1βMYPT1 complex is to inhibit PLK1 by dephosphorylating its T-loop (Thr210). We demonstrate that activation of NUAK1 leads to a striking increase in phosphorylation of PLK1 at Thr210, an effect that is suppressed by NUAK1 inhibitors. Our data link NUAK1 to important cell-cycle signalling components (CDK, PLK and SCFβTrCP) and suggest that NUAK1 plays a role in stimulating S-phase, as well as PLK1 activity via its ability to regulate the PP1βMYPT1 phosphatase.
Narrative Assessment and Intervention: A Clinical Tutorial on Extending Explicit Language Instruction and Progress Monitoring to All Students
Authors: Petersen Douglas , Spencer Trina D.
Published: May 2014

The majority of children who are culturally and linguistically diverse in the United States read below grade level. This disproportionate prevalence of reading difficulty is likely due to language-related factors. Although most of these children do not have language impairment, they do need explicit instruction in the use and comprehension of complex, academically-related language that is expected in public schools. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are particularly well suited to help guide this needed explicit language instruction and help implement language progress monitoring. In this clinical tutorial, we propose ways in which narrative assessment and intervention within a response to intervention framework can be carefully aligned and realistically carried out. We propose that narrative assessment and narrative intervention should become standard practice in schools to monitor language growth and provide explicit language instruction to students.
Interventions to Improve Oral Feeding Performance of Preterm Infants
Authors: Lau Chantal
Published: May 2014

This review presents a summary of our current understanding of the development of preterm infant oral feeding skills, the feeding issues they are facing, and evidence-based approaches that facilitate their transition from tube to oral feeding.

The field of infant oral feeding research is understudied as the recognition of its importance truly came about with the increased preterm population and the realization that a large number of these infants are not safe and competent oral feeders. It is understandable that this research has taken a “back seat” to the more immediate concerns of saving these babies’ lives. However, the time has now come when these infants make up a large proportion of patients referred to feeding specialists for unresolved oral feeding problems during their stay in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) as well as post-discharge. Unfortunately, due to the limited research so far conducted in this domain, available therapies are limited and lack evidence-based support. Fortunately, this growing medical concern is stimulating deeper research interests and funding.

It is hoped that the information provided will assist the development of systematic differential diagnostic approaches to address infant oral feeding issues.
Rethinking Rehab: Skill-Based Training for Swallowing Impairment
Authors: Huckabee Maggie-Lee , Macrae Phoebe
Published: May 2014

Current rehabilitation approaches for swallowing impairment are limited by a general lack of specificity to associated pathophysiology, with many of our practices focusing on increasing strength of muscle activation. However, alternative rehabilitative options are emerging. One of these speculates on the concept of “skill training” for swallowing rehabilitation in neurogenic dysphagia. The presumed intent of this approach is to modulate neural substrates and refine motor planning for swallowing using intrinsically generated cortical modulation and adaptive practice. This manuscript provides a discussion of skill training in the context of physical rehabilitation, illustrating how this information may translate to the diagnosis and remediation of swallowing impairment. This information prompts the consideration of more diverse swallowing pathophysiologies, beyond peripheral muscle weakness. The focus on skill training approaches provides a pathway by which greater specificity of diagnosis and treatment can occur.
Multi-component modeling of quasielastic neutron scattering from phospholipid membranes
Authors: Wanderlingh U. , D’Angelo G. , Branca C. , Conti Nibali V. , Trimarchi A. , Rifici S. , Finocchiaro D. , Crupi C. , Ollivier J. , Middendorf H. D.
Published: May 2014

We investigated molecular motions in the 0.3–350 ps time range of D2O-hydrated bilayers of 1-palmitoyl-oleoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine in the liquid phase by quasielastic neutron scattering. Model analysis of sets of spectra covering scale lengths from 4.8 to 30 Å revealed the presence of three types of motion taking place on well-separated time scales: (i) slow diffusion of the whole phospholipid molecules in a confined cylindrical region; (ii) conformational motion of the phospholipid chains; and (iii) fast uniaxial rotation of the hydrogen atoms around their carbon atoms. Based on theoretical models for the hydrogen dynamics in phospholipids, the spatial extent of these motions was analysed in detail and the results were compared with existing literature data. The complex dynamics of protons was described in terms of elemental dynamical processes involving different parts of the phospholipid chain on whose motions the hydrogen atoms ride.
Electronic transport in graphene-based heterostructures
Authors: Tan J. Y. , Avsar A. , Balakrishnan J. , Koon G. K. W. , Taychatanapat T. , O'Farrell E. C. T. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Eda G. , Castro Neto A. H. , Özyilmaz B.
Published: May 2014

While boron nitride (BN) substrates have been utilized to achieve high electronic mobilities in graphene field effect transistors, it is unclear how other layered two dimensional (2D) crystals influence the electronic performance of graphene. In this Letter, we study the surface morphology of 2D BN, gallium selenide (GaSe), and transition metal dichalcogenides (tungsten disulfide (WS2) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)) crystals and their influence on graphene's electronic quality. Atomic force microscopy analysis shows that these crystals have improved surface roughness (root mean square value of only ∼0.1 nm) compared to conventional SiO2 substrate. While our results confirm that graphene devices exhibit very high electronic mobility (μ) on BN substrates, graphene devices on WS2 substrates (G/WS2) are equally promising for high quality electronic transport (μ ∼ 38 000 cm2/V s at room temperature), followed by G/MoS2 (μ ∼ 10 000 cm2/V s) and G/GaSe (μ ∼ 2200 cm2/V s). However, we observe a significant asymmetry in electron and hole conduction in G/WS2 and G/MoS2 heterostructures, most likely due to the presence of sulphur vacancies in the substrate crystals. GaSe crystals are observed to degrade over time even under ambient conditions, leading to a large hysteresis in graphene transport making it a less suitable substrate.
Electromagnetic properties of NiZn ferrite nanoparticles and their polymer composites
Authors: Parsons P. , Duncan K. , Giri A. K. , Xiao J. Q. , Karna S. P.
Published: May 2014

The magnetic properties of polycrystalline NiZn ferrite nanoparticles synthesized using a polyol-reduction and coprecipitation reaction methods have been investigated. The effects on magnetization of synthesis approach, chemical composition, processing conditions, and on the size of nanoparticles on magnetization have been investigated. The measured room-temperature magnetization for the as-prepared magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) synthesized via polyol-reduction and coprecipitation is 69 Am2 kg−1 and 14 Am2 kg−1, respectively. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm spinel structure of the particles with an estimated grain size of ∼80 nm obtained from the polyol-reduction and 28 nm obtained from these coprecipitation techniques. Upon calcination under atmospheric conditions at different temperatures between 800 °C and 1000 °C, the magnetization, M, of the coprecipitated MNP increases to 76 Am2 kg−1 with an estimated grain size of 90 nm. The MNP-polymer nanocomposites made from the synthesized MNP in various loading fraction and high density polyethylene exhibit interesting electromagnetic properties. The measured permeability and permittivity of the magnetic nanoparticle-polymer nanocomposites increases with the loading fractions of the magnetic nanoparticles, suggesting control for impedance matching for antenna applications.
The construction of an electrode biasing system for driving plasma rotation in J-TEXT tokamak
Authors: Zhu T. Z. , Chen Z. P. , Sun Yue , Nan J. Y. , Liu H. , Zhuang G. , Wang Z. J.
Published: May 2014

A newly designed electrode biasing system has been constructed for driving plasma rotation in J-TEXT tokamak. To reduce the influence to the plasma, the system contains a pneumatic driving system so that it can reciprocate in a single discharge, with a stroke of about 5 cm in 100 ms. The power supply of the system can provide stable and adjustable dc voltage in the range of 0–700 V, with adjustable duration of 10–200 ms; its instantaneous power output can reach up to more than 200 kW. In addition, the power supply can also provide a multi-cycle voltage waveform, with adjustable pulse width and voltage amplitude. When applying a positive bias to the plasma, both an improvement of plasma confinement and the speed-up of plasma-edge toroidal rotation in the same direction of plasma current are observed in the experiments.
Monte Carlo model of a polychromatic laboratory based edge illumination x-ray phase contrast system
Authors: Millard T. P. , Endrizzi M. , Diemoz P. C. , Hagen C. K. , Olivo A.
Published: May 2014

A Monte Carlo model of a polychromatic laboratory based (coded aperture) edge illumination x-ray phase contrast imaging system has been developed and validated against experimental data. The ability for the simulation framework to be used to model two-dimensional images is also shown. The Monte Carlo model has been developed using the McXtrace engine and is polychromatic, i.e., results are obtained through the use of the full x-ray spectrum rather than an effective energy. This type of simulation can in future be used to model imaging of objects with complex geometry, for system prototyping, as well as providing a first step towards the development of a simulation for modelling dose delivery as a part of translating the imaging technique for use in clinical environments.
Topologically confined vortex oscillations in hybrid [Co/Pd]8-Permalloy structures
Authors: Heldt Georg , Bryan Matthew T. , Hrkac Gino , Stevenson Stephanie E. , Chopdekar Rajesh V. , Raabe Jörg , Thomson Thomas , Heyderman Laura J.
Published: May 2014

We report on a reciprocal magnetic interaction mechanism in micrometer-sized hybrid Co/Pd-Permalloy square elements. Time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism contrast together with micromagnetic simulations demonstrate that there exists a mutual imprint of vortices in the Permalloy and in the stripe domains of the Co/Pd. This results in a hybrid magnetic domain structure leading to a domain confined gyroscopic vortex precession. These observations open the exciting possibility for topological control of vortex core motion.
Disorder-induced transparency in a one-dimensional waveguide side coupled with optical cavities
Authors: Zhang Yongyou , Dong Guangda , Zou Bingsuo
Published: May 2014

Disorder influence on photon transmission behavior is theoretically studied in a one-dimensional waveguide side coupled with a series of optical cavities. For this sake, we propose a concept of disorder-induced transparency appearing on the low-transmission spectral background. Two kinds of disorders, namely, disorders of optical cavity eigenfrequencies and relative phases in the waveguide side coupled with optical cavities are considered to show the disorder-induced transparency. They both can induce the optical transmission peaks on the low-transmission backgrounds. The statistical mean value of the transmission also increases with increasing the disorders of the cavity eigenfrequencies and relative phases.
Communication: Helium nanodroplet isolation and rovibrational spectroscopy of hydroxymethylene
Authors: Leavitt Christopher M. , Moradi Christopher P. , Stanton John F. , Douberly Gary E.
Published: May 2014

Hydroxymethylene (HCOH) and its d1-isotopologue (HCOD) are isolated in low temperature helium nanodroplets following pyrolysis of glyoxylic acid. Transitions identified in the infrared spectrum are assigned exclusively to the trans-conformation based on previously reported anharmonic frequency computations [P. R. Schreiner, H. P. Reisenauer, F. C. Pickard, A. C. Simmonett, W. D. Allen, E. Mátyus, and A. G. Császár, Nature 453, 906 (2008); L. Koziol, Y. M. Wang, B. J. Braams, J. M. Bowman, and A. I. Krylov, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 204310 (2008)]. For the OH(D) and CH stretches, a- and b-type transitions are observed, and when taken in conjunction with CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ computations, lower limits to the vibrational band origins are determined. The relative intensities of the a- and b-type transitions provide the orientation of the transition dipole moment in the inertial frame. The He nanodroplet data are in excellent agreement with anharmonic frequency computations reported here and elsewhere, confirming an appreciable Ar-matrix shift of the OH and OD stretches and strong anharmonic resonance interactions in the high-frequency stretch regions of the mid-infrared.
Optimized fabrication and characterization of carbon nanotube spin valves
Authors: Samm J. , Gramich J. , Baumgartner A. , Weiss M. , Schönenberger C.
Published: May 2014

We report an improved fabrication scheme for carbon based nanospintronic devices and demonstrate the necessity for a careful data analysis to investigate the fundamental physical mechanisms leading to magnetoresistance. The processing with a low-density polymer and an optimised recipe allows us to improve the electrical, magnetic, and structural quality of ferromagnetic Permalloy contacts on lateral carbon nanotube (CNT) quantum dot spin valve devices, with comparable results for thermal and sputter deposition of the material. We show that spintronic nanostructures require an extended data analysis, since the magnetization can affect all characteristic parameters of the conductance features and lead to seemingly anomalous spin transport. In addition, we report measurements on CNT quantum dot spin valves that seem not to be compatible with the orthodox theories for spin transport in such structures.
Magnetocaloric effect in the low hysteresis Ni-Mn-In metamagnetic shape-memory Heusler alloy
Authors: Stern-Taulats Enric , Castillo-Villa Pedro O. , Mañosa Lluís , Frontera Carlos , Pramanick Sabyasachi , Majumdar Subham , Planes Antoni
Published: May 2014

We have studied magnetocaloric properties of a Ni-Mn-In metamagnetic shape-memory alloy especially designed in order to display low thermal hysteresis. Magnetization and calorimetric measurements under a magnetic field have been used in order to determine isothermal magnetic field-induced entropy changes. Results obtained indirectly from magnetization data, quasi-directly from isofield calorimetric measurements, and directly from isothermal calorimetric runs are systematic and agree well with each other. We have analyzed the reproducibility of magnetocaloric properties with cycling from direct isothermal calorimetric measurements. Due to low thermal hysteresis, we have found that about 80% of the transition entropy change, ΔSt ≃ 25 J/kg K, can be reversibly induced under successive application and removal of a field of 6 T.
Pulsed laser deposition of Mn doped CdSe quantum dots for improved solar cell performance
Authors: Dai Qilin , Sabio Erwin M. , Wang Wenyong , Tang Jinke
Published: May 2014

In this work, we demonstrate (1) a facile method to prepare Mn doped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) on Zn2SnO4 photoanodes by pulsed laser deposition and (2) improved device performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cells of the Mn doped QDs (CdSe:Mn) compared to the undoped QDs (CdSe). The band diagram of photoanode Zn2SnO4 and sensitizer CdSe:Mn QD is proposed based on the incident-photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) data. Mn-modified band structure leads to absorption at longer wavelengths than the undoped CdSe QDs, which is due to the exchange splitting of the CdSe:Mn conduction band by the Mn dopant. Three-fold increase in the IPCE efficiency has also been observed for the Mn doped samples.
Piezoelectric effect in InAs/InP quantum rod nanowires grown on silicon substrate
Authors: Anufriev Roman , Chauvin Nicolas , Khmissi Hammadi , Naji Khalid , Patriarche Gilles , Gendry Michel , Bru-Chevallier Catherine
Published: May 2014

We report on the evidence of a strain-induced piezoelectric field in wurtzite InAs/InP quantum rod nanowires. This electric field, caused by the lattice mismatch between InAs and InP, results in the quantum confined Stark effect and, as a consequence, affects the optical properties of the nanowire heterostructure. It is shown that the piezoelectric field can be screened by photogenerated carriers or removed by increasing temperature. Moreover, a dependence of the piezoelectric field on the quantum rod diameter is observed in agreement with simulations of wurtzite InAs/InP quantum rod nanowire heterostructures.
Structurally controllable spin spatial splitter in a hybrid ferromagnet and semiconductor nanostructure
Authors: Lu Mao-Wang , Cao Xue-Li , Huang Xin-Hong , Jiang Ya-Qing , Li Shuai
Published: May 2014

We theoretically investigate modulation of a tunable δ-potential to the lateral displacement of electrons across a magnetically modulated semiconductor nanostructure. Experimentally, this nanostructure can be produced by depositing a nanosized ferromagnetic stripe with in-plane magnetization on top of a semiconductor heterostructure, while the δ-potential can be realized by means of the atomic layer doping technique. Theoretical analysis reveals that this δ-doping can break the intrinsic symmetry in nanostructure and a considerable spin polarization in the lateral displacement will appear. Numerical calculations demonstrate that both magnitude and sign of spin polarization can be manipulated by changing the height and/or position of the δ-doping, giving rise to a structurally tunable spin spatial splitter.
Responses of rice to Fe2+ in aerated and stagnant conditions: growth, root porosity and radial oxygen loss barrier
Authors: Mongon Jenjira , Konnerup Dennis , Colmer Timothy D. , Rerkasem Benjavan
Published: May 2014

Lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) encounters flooded soils that are anaerobic and chemically reduced. Exposure of the roots to high soil Fe2+ concentrations can result in toxicity. Internal aeration delivering O2 to submerged roots via the aerenchyma is well understood, but the effect of Fe2+ on O2 transport in roots is less studied. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Fe2+ on growth and root aeration. O. sativa var. Amaroo was grown in aerobic and deoxygenated solutions with 0 mM, 0.18 mM, 0.36 mM, 0.54 mM or 0.72 mM Fe2+ using FeSO4.7H2O and a control with 0.05 mM Fe-EDTA. The treatments were imposed on 14-day-old plants (28–30 days old when harvested). Dry mass, shoot Fe concentration, root porosity and patterns of radial O2 loss (ROL) along roots were determined. In the aerobic solution, where Fe2+ was oxidised in the bulk medium, root dry mass increased with higher Fe2+; this was not the case in stagnant solutions, which had no significant root growth response, although Fe oxidation near the root surface was visible as a precipitate. In the highest Fe2+ treatment, shoot Fe concentrations in aerobic (667 mg kg–1) and stagnant (433 mg kg–1) solutions were below the level for toxicity (700 mg kg–1). Rice responded to high Fe2+ in aerobic conditions by increasing root porosity and inducing strong barriers to ROL. In stagnant conditions, root porosity was already high and the ROL barrier induced, so these root aeration traits were not further influenced by the Fe2+ concentrations applied.
The oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold motif is a poly(ADP-ribose)-binding domain that mediates DNA damage response
Authors: Zhang Feng , Chen Yibin , Li Mo , Yu Xiaochun
Published: May 2014

Significance

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a unique posttranslational modification during DNA damage response. However, the biological function of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is not clear. Here, we found that human ssDNA-binding protein 1 (hSSB1), a putative DNA-binding protein, recognizes poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) and participates in PAR-dependent DNA damage repair. hSSB1 contains an Oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold motif that is a well-known DNA/RNA binding domain. However, we unexpectedly found that the OB fold of hSSB1 is a PAR binding domain that recognizes the linkage of each ADP ribose unit in PAR. DNA damage-induced PAR recruits hSSB1 to the damage sites for DNA damage repair. Moreover, we found that several other OB folds also recognize PAR. Thus, our results reveal a previously unidentified molecular mechanism of PAR in DNA damage response.