bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational support and depression among Chinese older adults: do gender and widowhood make a difference?
Authors: GUO MAN , CHI IRIS , SILVERSTEIN MERRIL
Published: December 2015

Using four-wave panel data of 1,327 older adults in rural China, this study examined potential gender and marital status differences in the relationships between three forms of intergenerational support (monetary, instrumental and emotional support) and the level of depression of the older adults. Results from a pooled time-series fixed-effects model showed that receiving and providing monetary support had a comparable beneficial effect on mothers and fathers, but mothers benefited more psychologically than fathers from closer relationships with their children. Exchanges in instrumental support was not related to either mothers' or fathers' level of depression. Widowhood further affected the gendered relationships between support and depression in that recently widowed fathers had a significantly higher level of depression when they received more monetary support from their children. In contrast, providing monetary support to children was associated with a significantly higher level of depression among recently widowed mothers. We explained the findings in the context of familial and gender norms in the Chinese culture and temporal needs for family support that link with bereavement coping stages among older adults. We argued that the gender and marital status patterns observed in this study are attributive to more fundamental differences in men's and women's social positions in the Chinese society.
Dynamics in the fundamental solution of a non-convex conservation law
Authors: Kim Yong-Jung , Lee Young-Ran
Published: December 2015

There is a huge jump in the theory of conservation laws if the convexity assumption is dropped. We study a scalar conservation law without the convexity assumption by monitoring the dynamics in the fundamental solution. We introduce three shock types in addition to the usual genuine shock: left-, right- and double-sided contacts. There are three kinds of phenomenon for these shocks, called branching, merging and transforming. All of these shocks and phenomena can be observed if the flux function has two inflection points. A comprehensive picture of a global dynamics of a non-convex flux is discussed in terms of characteristic maps and dynamical convex–concave envelopes.
On a singular semilinear elliptic problem with an asymptotically linear nonlinearity
Authors: Anello Giovanni , Faraci Francesca
Published: December 2015

In this paper we deal with a singular elliptic problem involving an asymptotically linear nonlinearity and depending on two positive parameters. We investigate the existence, uniqueness and non-existence of the minima of the functional associated with the problem and, by employing a natural and very general definition of a weak solution, we also obtain a bifurcation-type result.
Driving Skills Training for Older Adults: An Assessment of DriveSharp
Authors: Johnston Katherine A. , Borkenhagen David , Scialfa Charles T.
Published: December 2015

Les procédures de formation cognitive informatique visent à augmenter la sécurité en améliorant les compétences relatives à la conduite, comme la vitesse-de-traitement et le Useful Field of View. L'étude actuelle a évalué l'efficacité du DriveSharp dans la formation des conducteurs âgés dans un cadre de classe réaliste. Les participants (n = 24) ont assisté à 10 heures de cours de DriveSharp pendant 5 semaines. Les séances pré- et post-test ont evalués améliorations sur un essai dynamique de la perception du risque, Trails A et Trails B. Un groupe de contrôle (n = 18) a terminé seulement les séances pré- et post-test. En classe, les temps de formation étaient plus bas que prévus. L'amélioration des participants aux jeux ont stabilisée après la première évaluation, et le groupe de DriveSharp n'a pas démontré une amélioration significative des performances sur les tests, par rapport au groupe de contrôle. Parmi plusieurs questions relatives à la facilité d'utilisation, les plus problématiques étaient le malentendudes objectifs de la tâche et la différence entre la formation et l'évaluation. Il y a plusieurs implications pour ceux qui utilisent DriveSharp pour améliorer la sécurité des conducteurs âgés.
The treatment of HCV in patients with haemoglobinopathy in Kurdistan Region, Iraq: a single centre experience
Authors: HUSSEIN N. R. , TUNJEL I. , BASHARAT Z. , TAHA A. , IRVING W.
Published: December 2015

Various variables that might influence the rapid and sustained virological response to recombinant PEG-IFN-α-2a were explored in Iraqi HCV-infected patients with haemoglobinopathy. Forty-three patients were evaluated for the relationship between rapid virological response (RVR), IL-28B polymorphism, viral load, liver enzyme levels, blood group, ultrasound findings, or HCV genotype and the sustained virological response (SVR) achievement. The overall RVR was 55·81% while the overall SVR was 53·49%. SVR in patients that achieved RVR was 82·61% (P = 0·0004). A significant association was found between initial alanine transaminase levels and viral load with SVR achievement (P = 0·025) and (P = 0·004), respectively. Thirty-two (74%) out of 43 of our samples were host genotyped at the IL-28B locus as CC, a significant association was found between CC group and SVR achievement (P = 0·04). Of our samples, 23/43 (53%) were typed as HCV genotype 4, 10/43 (23%) as genotype 1, 9/43 (20·9%) as genotype 3 and 1/43 (2·3%) as genotype 2. A significant association was found between genotype 3 and SVR achievement (P = 0·006). Multivariate analysis showed that only RVR achievement independently associated with SVR in the Iraqi population (P = 0·00). These results can be used to classify the patients requiring the more expensive new direct-acting antiviral drugs.
Patient-level analysis of incident vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization and antibiotic days of therapy
Authors: McKINNELL J. A. , KUNZ D. F. , MOSER S. A. , VANGALA S. , TSENG C.-H. , SHAPIRO M. , MILLER L. G.
Published: December 2015

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections are a public health threat associated with increased patient mortality and healthcare costs. Antibiotic usage, particularly cephalosporins, has been associated with VRE colonization and VRE bloodstream infections (VRE BSI). We examined the relationship between antimicrobial usage and incident VRE colonization at the individual patient level. Prospective, weekly surveillance was undertaken for incident VRE colonization defined by negative admission but positive surveillance swab in a medical intensive care unit over a 17-month period. Antimicrobial exposure was quantified as days of therapy (DOT)/1000 patient-days. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse incident VRE colonization and antibiotic DOT, controlling for demographic and clinical covariates. Ninety-six percent (1398/1454) of admissions were swabbed within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) arrival and of the 380 patients in the ICU long enough for weekly surveillance, 83 (22%) developed incident VRE colonization. Incident colonization was associated in bivariate analysis with male gender, more previous hospital admissions, longer previous hospital stay, and use of cefepime/ceftazidime, fluconazole, azithromycin, and metronidazole (P< 0·05). After controlling for demographic and clinical covariates, metronidazole was the only antibiotic independently associated with incident VRE colonization (odds ratio 2·0, 95% confidence interval 1·2–3·3,P< 0·009). Our findings suggest that risk of incident VRE colonization differs between individual antibiotic agents and support the possibility that antimicrobial stewardship may impact VRE colonization and infection.
Obesity and diabetes: the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and glucose homeostasis
Authors: Abranches Monise Viana , Oliveira Fernanda Cristina Esteves de , Conceição Lisiane Lopes da , Peluzio Maria do Carmo Gouveia
Published: December 2015

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) epidemics, which have already spread, imply the possibility of both conditions being closely related. Thus, the goal of the present review was to draw a parallel between obesity, adipose tissue (AT) changes, and T2DM development. To this end, a search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE and SciELO databases, using the following key words and their combinations: obesity; diabetes; insulin resistance; diet; weight loss; adipocin; inflammation markers; and interleukins. Based on a literature review, AT dysfunction observed in obesity is characterised by adipocyte hypertrophy, macrophage infiltration, impaired insulin signalling and insulin resistance. In addition, there is release of inflammatory adipokines and an excessive amount of NEFA promoting ectopic fat deposition and lipotoxicity in muscle, liver and pancreas. Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that the conception of AT as a passive energy storage organ should be replaced by a dynamic endocrine organ, which regulates metabolism through a complex adipocyte communication with the surrounding microenvironment. The present review demonstrates how glucose homeostasis is changed by AT dysfunction. A better understanding of this relationship enables performing nutritional intervention strategies with the goal of preventing T2DM.
The role of nutrition on cognition and brain health in ageing: a targeted approach
Authors: Monti Jim M. , Moulton Christopher J. , Cohen Neal J.
Published: December 2015

Animal experiments and cross-sectional or prospective longitudinal research in human subjects suggest a role for nutrition in cognitive ageing. However, data from randomised controlled trials (RCT) that seek causal evidence for the impact of nutrients on cognitive ageing in humans often produce null results. Given that RCT test hypotheses in a rigorous fashion, one conclusion could be that the positive effects of nutrition on the aged brain observed in other study designs are spurious. On the other hand, it may be that the design of many clinical trials conducted thus far has been less than optimal. In the present review, we offer a blueprint for a more targeted approach to the design of RCT in nutrition, cognition and brain health in ageing that focuses on three key areas. First, the role of nutrition is more suited for the maintenance of health rather than the treatment of disease. Second, given that cognitive functions and brain regions vary in their susceptibility to ageing, those that especially deteriorate in senescence should be focal points in evaluating the efficacy of an intervention. Third, the outcome measures that assess change due to nutrition, especially in the cognitive domain, should not necessarily be the same neuropsychological tests used to assess gross brain damage or major pathological conditions. By addressing these three areas, we expect that clinical trials of nutrition, cognition and brain health in ageing will align more closely with other research in this field, and aid in revealing the true nature of nutrition’s impact on the aged brain.
Inbreeding depression and the cost of inbreeding on seed germination
Authors: Baskin Jerry M. , Baskin Carol C.
Published: December 2015

We review the literature on effects of inbreeding depression (ID) on seed germination for 743 case studies of 233 species in 64 families. For 216 case studies, we also review the relationship between mass and germination in inbred vs. outbred seeds. Inbred seeds germinated equally well as outbred seeds in 51.1% of 743 case studies, but better than outbred seeds in only 8.1%. Inc. 50.5% of 216 cases, mass of inbred seeds was equal to (38.0%) or larger than (12.5%) that of outbred seeds. The magnitude of ID spans most of the − 1 to +1 range for relative performance for germination of inbred vs. outbred seeds; in contrast to what might be expected, seed germinability often is not negatively correlated with the coefficient of inbreeding (F) or positively corrected with population genetic diversity; neither heterosis nor outbreeding depression for germination is common in crosses between populations; and ID in most endemics is low and does not differ from that of widespread congeners. Our results on the effects of ID on seed mass and germination do not agree with the limited number of comparisons Darwin (1876) made on the effects of selfing vs. outcrossing on these two life-history traits. Recommendations are made on how to improve dormancy breaking and germination procedures in order to make the results of studies on ID more relevant to the natural world.
Development of Functional Surfaces on High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) via Gas-Assisted Etching (GAE) Using Focused Ion Beams
Authors: Sezen Meltem , Bakan Feray
Published: December 2015

Irradiation damage, caused by the use of beams in electron and ion microscopes, leads to undesired physical/chemical material property changes or uncontrollable modification of structures. Particularly, soft matter such as polymers or biological materials is highly susceptible and very much prone to react on electron/ion beam irradiation. Nevertheless, it is possible to turn degradation-dependent physical/chemical changes from negative to positive use when materials are intentionally exposed to beams. Especially, controllable surface modification allows tuning of surface properties for targeted purposes and thus provides the use of ultimate materials and their systems at the micro/nanoscale for creating functional surfaces. In this work, XeF2 and I2 gases were used in the focused ion beam scanning electron microscope instrument in combination with gallium ion etching of high-density polyethylene surfaces with different beam currents and accordingly different gas exposure times resulting at the same ion dose to optimize and develop new polymer surface properties and to create functional polymer surfaces. Alterations in the surface morphologies and surface chemistry due to gas-assisted etching-based nanostructuring with various processing parameters were tracked using high-resolution SEM imaging, complementary energy-dispersive spectroscopic analyses, and atomic force microscopic investigations.
High-Resolution Imaging and Spectroscopy at High Pressure: A Novel Liquid Cell for the Transmission Electron Microscope
Authors: Tanase Mihaela , Winterstein Jonathan , Sharma Renu , Aksyuk Vladimir , Holland Glenn , Liddle James A.
Published: December 2015

We demonstrate quantitative core-loss electron energy-loss spectroscopy of iron oxide nanoparticles and imaging resolution of Ag nanoparticles in liquid down to 0.24 nm, in both transmission and scanning transmission modes, in a novel, monolithic liquid cell developed for the transmission electron microscope (TEM). At typical SiN membrane thicknesses of 50 nm the liquid-layer thickness has a maximum change of only 30 nm for the entire TEM viewing area of 200×200µm.
Migrating trust: contextual determinants of international migrants’ confidence in political institutions
Authors: Voicu Bogdan , Tufiş Claudiu D.
Published: December 2015

This paper considers the case of the international migrants’ confidence in political institutions, from a social embeddedness perspective on political trust. We use country-level aggregates of confidence in institutions as indicators of specific cultures of trust, and by employing data from the European Values Study, we test two competing hypotheses. First, as confidence in institutions depends on the values formed during early childhood, the international migrant’s confidence in political institutions in the current country of residency will be influenced by the confidence context from the country of origin. Second, the host country may have different norms of trust in political institutions, and a process of re-socialization may occur. Therefore, the immigrants’ confidence in institutions is influenced by two confidence contexts: one from the origin country and one from the host country. The time spent in the two cultures, along with other characteristics from these contexts, shape the interaction effects we tested in multilevel cross-classified models.
Verhindern von unerwünschten Arzneimittelereignissen mit Hilfe von elektronischen Entscheidungsunterstützungssystemen
Authors: Salili Ali Reza , Hammann Felix , Taegtmeyer Anne B.
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung. Unerwünschte Arzneimittelereignisse sind ein grosses Risiko für Patienten und ein alltägliches klinisches Problem mit potentiellen Haftungsfolgen. CPOE-Systeme („Computerized Physician Order Entry“ bzw. „Computerized Provider Order Entry“-Systeme) in Kombination mit elektronischen Systemen zur klinischen Entscheidungsunterstützung („Clinical Decision Support System“ = „CDSS“) sind im Trend und zielen nicht nur auf die Reduktion von Verordnungsfehlern, sondern ermöglichen eine rasche Reaktion auf potentiell vermeidbare Arzneimittelinteraktionen. Der effektive Nutzen solcher Systeme ist aber bis dato noch nicht definitiv geklärt. Dieser Artikel fokussiert auf den aktuellen Stand der Entwicklung von CPOE-/CDS-Systemen, deren Nutzen und Risiken, Zukunftsperspektiven und Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten.
5-Oxoprolin (Pyroglutaminsäure) Azidose unter Paracetamol – Eine Differentialdiagnose der metabolischen Azidose mit erhöhter Anionenlücke
Authors: Weiler Stefan , Bellmann Romuald , Kullak-Ublick Gerd A.
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung. In seltenen Fällen ist eine metabolische Azidose mit stark erweiterter Anionenlücke bei chronischer Paracetamol Therapie auf eine 5-Oxoprolin (Pyroglutaminsäure) Akkumulation zurück zu führen. Begleitende Risikofaktoren, wie Malnutrition, Alkoholabusus, Nieren- oder Lebererkrankungen, Komedikation mit Flucloxacillin, Vigabatrin, Netilmicin oder Sepsis wurden beschrieben. Eine medikamentös induzierte Inhibition der Glutathion Synthetase oder der 5-Oxoprolinase führt zur 5-Oxoprolinerhöhung in Serum und Urin. Andere häufigere Differentialdiagnosen, wie Laktatazidose, Intoxikationen oder Ketoazidose sollten ausgeschlossen werden. Potentiell auslösende Medikamente sollten gestoppt werden, während 5-Oxoprolinkonzentrationen quantifiziert werden können. Bisher unbekannten oder in der Fachinformation des betreffenden Medikamentes ungenügend erwähnte unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen sollten einem regionalen Pharmacovigilance Zentrum zur Signaldetektion gemeldet werden. 5-Oxoprolin Azidose wird demnächst als potentiell unerwünschte Arzneimittelreaktion in den Schweizer Fachinformationen von Paracetamol aufgenommen.
Störungstypische Erziehungsfaktoren bei Aufmerksamkeits- und Angststörungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Asbrand Julia , Lerach Teresa , Tuschen-Caffier Brunna
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die Erziehungsfaktoren Negativität und Kontrolle werden sowohl im Zusammenhang mit der Aufmerksamkeits-Defizit-Hyperaktivitäts-Störung (ADHS) als auch mit Angststörungen (AS) diskutiert. Fragestellung: Unklar ist bislang, ob ADHS und AS gleichermaßen mit negativer Erziehung zusammenhängen oder ob verschiedene Erziehungsfaktoren bei den jeweiligen Störungsbildern eine störungstypische Rolle spielen. Methode: Einschlägige Studien aus dem Zeitraum von 1994 bis 2014 wurden systematisch analysiert. Neben generellen Zusammenhängen wurden moderierende Faktoren ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Während kindliche ADHS verstärkt mit elterlicher Negativität, zum Teil aber auch mit Kontrolle, assoziiert ist, zeigt sich bei kindlichen AS insbesondere ein Zusammenhang mit elterlicher Kontrolle. Die Ergebnisse werden von verschiedenen Faktoren wie Erhebungsmethode (Fragebogen vs. Beobachtung) und Medikation moderiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Störungstypische Zusammenhänge zwischen kindlicher Psychopathologie und Erziehungsfaktoren betonen die Relevanz gegenüberstellender Forschung von ADHS und AS und können Implikationen für eine störungsorientierte Psychotherapie haben.
Rethinking the immune properties of bilirubin in viral hepatitis: from bench to bedside
Authors: Corral‐Jara Karla F , Trujillo‐Ochoa Jorge L , Realpe Mauricio , Panduro Arturo , Roman Sonia , Fierro Nora A
Published: December 2015

Communication between the immune system and metabolic components can be exemplified by the process of heme catabolism. The immunomodulatory functions of the enzymes, substrates and active products related to catabolism of the heme group have been extensively studied. Bilirubin (BR), the final breakdown product of heme, is primarily considered to be a toxic waste product but has recently been considered to be an immunomodulatory metabolite. Through mechanisms that include intracellular signaling and transcriptional control, BR affects those immune cell functions that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. During the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis, the heme degradation pathway is disrupted, resulting in changes to normal BR concentrations. These alterations have been previously studied mainly as a consequence of the infection. However, little is known about the potential immunomodulatory role played by BR in the development of infectious hepatocellular diseases. Differences in BR levels in the context of viral hepatitis are likely to provide important insights into the metabolite‐mediated mechanisms controlling the immune responses underlying both the long‐term persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the resolution of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection during the acute phase. In this review, the cross‐talk between heme catabolism and immune function is described in detail. Special emphasis is given to discoveries that hold promise for identifying immunologic features of metabolic products in the resolution of viral diseases.
Jurassic climate mode governed by ocean gateway
Authors: Korte Christoph , Hesselbo Stephen P. , Ullmann Clemens V. , Dietl Gerd , Ruhl Micha , Schweigert Günter , Thibault Nicolas
Published: December 2015

The Jurassic (∼201–145 Myr ago) was long considered a warm ‘greenhouse’ period; more recently cool, even ‘icehouse’ episodes have been postulated. However, the mechanisms governing transition between so-called Warm Modes and Cool Modes are poorly known. Here we present a new large high-quality oxygen-isotope dataset from an interval that includes previously suggested mode transitions. Our results show an especially abrupt earliest Middle Jurassic (∼174 Ma) mid-latitude cooling of seawater by as much as 10 °C in the north–south Laurasian Seaway, a marine passage that connected the equatorial Tethys Ocean to the Boreal Sea. Coincidence in timing with large-scale regional lithospheric updoming of the North Sea region is striking, and we hypothesize that northward oceanic heat transport was impeded by uplift, triggering Cool Mode conditions more widely. This extreme climate-mode transition provides a counter-example to other Mesozoic transitions linked to quantitative change in atmospheric greenhouse gas content.
A small-gap electrostatic micro-actuator for large deflections
Authors: Conrad Holger , Schenk Harald , Kaiser Bert , Langa Sergiu , Gaudet Matthieu , Schimmanz Klaus , Stolz Michael , Lenz Miriam
Published: December 2015

Common quasi-static electrostatic micro actuators have significant limitations in deflection due to electrode separation and unstable drive regions. State-of-the-art electrostatic actuators achieve maximum deflections of approximately one third of the electrode separation. Large electrode separation and high driving voltages are normally required to achieve large actuator movements. Here we report on an electrostatic actuator class, fabricated in a CMOS-compatible process, which allows high deflections with small electrode separation. The concept presented makes the huge electrostatic forces within nanometre small electrode separation accessible for large deflections. Electrostatic actuations that are larger than the electrode separation were measured. An analytical theory is compared with measurement and simulation results and enables closer understanding of these actuators. The scaling behaviour discussed indicates significant future improvement on actuator deflection. The presented driving concept enables the investigation and development of novel micro systems with a high potential for improved device and system performance.
Avalanching strain dynamics during the hydriding phase transformation in individual palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Ulvestad A. , Welland M. J. , Collins S. S. E. , Harder R. , Maxey E. , Wingert J. , Singer A. , Hy S. , Mulvaney P. , Zapol P. , Shpyrko O. G.
Published: December 2015

Phase transitions in reactive environments are crucially important in energy and information storage, catalysis and sensors. Nanostructuring active particles can yield faster charging/discharging kinetics, increased lifespan and record catalytic activities. However, establishing the causal link between structure and function is challenging for nanoparticles, as ensemble measurements convolve intrinsic single-particle properties with sample diversity. Here we study the hydriding phase transformation in individual palladium nanocubesin situusing coherent X-ray diffractive imaging. The phase transformation dynamics, which involve the nucleation and propagation of a hydrogen-rich region, are dependent on absolute time (aging) and involve intermittent dynamics (avalanching). A hydrogen-rich surface layer dominates the crystal strain in the hydrogen-poor phase, while strain inversion occurs at the cube corners in the hydrogen-rich phase. A three-dimensional phase-field model is used to interpret the experimental results. Our experimental and theoretical approach provides a general framework for designing and optimizing phase transformations for single nanocrystals in reactive environments.
A universal self-charging system driven by random biomechanical energy for sustainable operation of mobile electronics
Authors: Niu Simiao , Wang Xiaofeng , Yi Fang , Zhou Yu Sheng , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: December 2015

Human biomechanical energy is characterized by fluctuating amplitudes and variable low frequency, and an effective utilization of such energy cannot be achieved by classical energy-harvesting technologies. Here we report a high-efficient self-charging power system for sustainable operation of mobile electronics exploiting exclusively human biomechanical energy, which consists of a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator, a power management circuit to convert the random a.c. energy to d.c. electricity at 60% efficiency, and an energy storage device. With palm tapping as the only energy source, this power unit provides a continuous d.c. electricity of 1.044 mW (7.34 W m−3) in a regulated and managed manner. This self-charging unit can be universally applied as a standard ‘infinite-lifetime’ power source for continuously driving numerous conventional electronics, such as thermometers, electrocardiograph system, pedometers, wearable watches, scientific calculators and wireless radio-frequency communication system, which indicates the immediate and broad applications in personal sensor systems and internet of things.
Transcriptome analysis identifies genes involved in adventitious branches formation of Gracilaria lichenoides in vitro
Authors: Wang Wenlei , Li Huanqin , Lin Xiangzhi , Yang Shanjun , Wang Zhaokai , Fang Baishan
Published: December 2015

Tissue culture could solve the problems associated with Gracilaria cultivation, including the consistent supply of high-quality seed stock, strain improvement and efficient mass culture of high-yielding commercial strains. However, STC lags behind that of higher plants because of the paucity of genomic information. Transcriptome analysis and the identification of potential unigenes involved in the formation and regeneration of callus or direct induction of ABs are essential. Herein, the CK, EWAB and NPA G. lichenoides transcriptomes were analyzed using the Illumina sequencing platform in first time. A total of 17,922,453,300 nucleotide clean bases were generated and assembled into 21,294 unigenes, providing a total gene space of 400,912,038 nucleotides with an average length of 1,883 and N 50 of 5,055 nucleotides and a G + C content of 52.02%. BLAST analysis resulted in the assignment of 13,724 (97.5%), 3,740 (26.6%), 9,934 (70.6%), 10,611 (75.4%), 9,490 (67.4%) and 7,773 (55.2%) unigenes were annotated to the NR, NT, Swiss-Prot, KEGG, COG and GO databases, respectively and the total of annotated unigenes was 14,070. A total of 17,099 transcripts were predicted to possess open reading frames, including 3,238 predicted and 13,861 blasted based on protein databases. In addition, 3,287 SSRs were detected in G.lichenoides, providing further support for genetic variation and marker-assisted selection in the future. Our results suggest that auxin polar transport, auxin signal transduction, crosstalk with other endogenous plant hormones and antioxidant systems, play important roles for ABs formation in G. lichenoides explants in vitro. The present findings will facilitate further studies on gene discovery and on the molecular mechanisms underlying the tissue culture of seaweed.
The influence of mid-latitude storm tracks on hot, cold, dry and wet extremes
Authors: Lehmann Jascha , Coumou Dim
Published: December 2015

Changes in mid-latitude circulation can strongly affect the number and intensity of extreme weather events. In particular, high-amplitude quasi-stationary planetary waves have been linked to prolonged weather extremes at the surface. In contrast, analyses of fast-traveling synoptic-scale waves and their direct influence on heat and cold extremes are scarce though changes in such waves have been detected and are projected for the 21st century. Here we apply regression analyses of synoptic activity with surface temperature and precipitation in monthly gridded observational data. We show that over large parts of mid-latitude continental regions, summer heat extremes are associated with low storm track activity. In winter, the occurrence of cold spells is related to low storm track activity over parts of eastern North America, Europe and central- to eastern Asia. Storm tracks thus have a moderating effect on continental temperatures. Pronounced storm track activity favors monthly rainfall extremes throughout the year, whereas dry spells are associated with a lack thereof. Trend analyses reveal significant regional changes in recent decades favoring the occurrence of cold spells in the eastern US, droughts in California and heat extremes over Eurasia.
Rapid Dissolving-Debonding Strategy for Optically Transparent Paper Production
Authors: Chen Jinbo , Han Xiaogang , Fang Zhiqiang , Cheng Fan , Zhao Bin , Lu Pengbo , Li Jun , Dai Jiaqi , Lacey Steven , Elspas Raphael , Jiang Yuhao , Liu Detao , Hu Liangbing
Published: December 2015

Transparent paper is an alternative substrate for electronic devices due to its unique properties. However, energy-intensive and/or time-consuming procedures currently limit the scalable production of transparent paper. In this report, we demonstrate a rapid process to fabricate optically transparent paper with regenerative cellulose fibers (RCFs) by employing a dissolving-debonding strategy. The RCFs have an average width of 19.3 μm and length of several hundred microns and are prepared into transparent paper by vacuum filtration. This new dissolving-debonding approach enables high production efficiency while creating transparent paper with excellent optical and mechanical properties.
Measurement of Two-Photon Absorption Cross Section of Metal Ions by a Mass Sedimentation Approach
Authors: Ma Zhuo-Chen , Chen Qi-Dai , Han Bing , Liu Xue-Qing , Song Jun-Feng , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: December 2015

The photo-reduction of metal ions in solution induced by femtosecond laser is an important and novel method for fabricating three-dimensional metal microstructures. However, the nonlinear absorption cross section of metal ions remains unknown because its measurement is difficult. In the present study, a method based on Two-Photon Excited Sedimentation (TPES) is proposed to measure the two-photon absorption cross section (TPACS) of metal ions in solution. The power-squared dependence of the amount of sediment on the excitation intensity was confirmed, revealing that 800 nm femtosecond laser induced reduction of metal ions was a two photon absorption process. We believe that the proposed method may be applied to measure the TPACS of several metal ions, thereby opening a new avenue towards future analysis of two-photon absorption materials.
HDR Brachytherapy Dose Distribution is Influenced by the Metal Material of the Applicator
Authors: Wu Chin-Hui , Liao Yi-Jen , Shiau An-Cheng , Lin Hsin-Yu , Hsueh Liu Yen-Wan , Hsu Shih-Ming
Published: December 2015

Applicators containing metal have been widely used in recent years when applying brachytherapy to patients with cervical cancer. However, the high dose rate (HDR) treatment-planning system (TPS) that is currently used in brachytherapy still assumes that the treatment environment constitutes a homogeneous water medium and does not include a dose correction for the metal material of the applicator. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the HDR 192Ir dose distribution in cervical cancer patients when performing brachytherapy using a metal-containing applicator. Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements and Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) code were used to explore the doses to the rectum and bladder when using a Henschke applicator containing metal during brachytherapy. When the applicator was assumed to be present, the absolute dose difference between the TLD measurement and MCNPX simulation values was within approximately 5%. A comparison of the MCNPX simulation and TPS calculation values revealed that the TPS overestimated the International Commission of Radiation Units and Measurement (ICRU) rectum and bladder reference doses by 57.78% and 49.59%, respectively. We therefore suggest that the TPS should be modified to account for the shielding effects of the applicator to ensure the accuracy of the delivered doses.
III-nitride tunable cup-cavities supporting quasi whispering gallery modes from ultraviolet to infrared
Authors: Shubina T. V. , Pozina G. , Jmerik V. N. , Davydov V. Yu. , Hemmingsson C. , Andrianov A. V. , Kazanov D. R. , Ivanov S. V.
Published: December 2015

Rapidly developing nanophotonics needs microresonators for different spectral ranges, formed by chip-compatible technologies. In addition, the tunable ones are much in demand. Here, we present site-controlled III-nitride monocrystal cup-cavities grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The cup-cavities can operate from ultraviolet to near-infrared, supporting quasi whispering gallery modes up to room temperature. Besides, their energies are identical in large ’ripened’ crystals. In these cavities, the refractive index variation near an absorption edge causes the remarkable effect of mode switching, which is accompanied by the spatial redistribution of electric field intensity with concentration of light into a subwavelength volume. Our results shed light on the mode behavior in semiconductor cavities and open the way for single-growth-run manufacturing the devices comprising an active region and a cavity with tunable mode frequencies.
Visible-light active conducting polymer nanostructures with superior photocatalytic activity
Authors: Ghosh Srabanti , Kouame Natalie Amoin , Remita Samy , Ramos Laurence , Goubard Fabrice , Aubert Pierre-Henri , Dazzi Alexandre , Deniset-Besseau Ariane , Remita Hynd
Published: December 2015

The development of visible-light responsive photocatalysts would permit more efficient use of solar energy and thus would bring sustainable solutions to many environmental issues. Conductive polymers appear as a new class of very active photocatalysts under visible light. Among them poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is one of the most promising conjugated polymer with a wide range of applications. PEDOT nanostructures synthesized in soft templates via chemical oxidative polymerization demonstrate unprecedented photocatalytic activities for water treatment without the assistance of sacrificial reagents or noble metal co-catalysts and turn out to be better than TiO2 as benchmark catalyst. The PEDOT nanostructures exhibit a narrow band gap (E = 1.69 eV) and are characterized by excellent ability to absorb light in visible and near infrared region. The novel PEDOT-based photocatalysts are very stable with cycling and can be reused without appreciable loss of activity. Interestingly, hollow micrometric vesicular structures of PEDOT are not effective photocatalysts as compared to nanometric spindles suggesting size and shape dependent photocatalytic properties. The visible-light active photocatalytic properties of the polymer nanostructures present promising applications in solar light harvesting and broader fields.
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Based Non-Volatile Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications using 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide ionic liquid
Authors: Khanmirzaei Mohammad Hassan , Ramesh S. , Ramesh K.
Published: December 2015

Gel polymer electrolytes using imidazolium based ionic liquids have attracted much attention in dye-sensitized solar cell applications. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), sodium iodide (NaI), 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (MPII) as ionic liquid (IL), ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) are used for preparation of non-volatile gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) system (HPC:EC:PC:NaI:MPII) for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. The highest ionic conductivity of 7.37 × 10−3 S cm−1 is achieved after introducing 100% of MPII with respect to the weight of HPC. Temperature-dependent ionic conductivity of gel polymer electrolytes is studied in this work. XRD patterns of gel polymer electrolytes are studied to confirm complexation between HPC polymer, NaI and MPII. Thermal behavior of the GPEs is studied using simultaneous thermal analyzer (STA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSSCs are fabricated using gel polymer electrolytes and J-V centeracteristics of fabricated dye sensitized solar cells were analyzed. The gel polymer electrolyte with 100 wt.% of MPII ionic liquid shows the best performance and energy conversion efficiency of 5.79%, with short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage and fill factor of 13.73 mA cm−2, 610 mV and 69.1%, respectively.
Flexible Sensory Platform Based on Oxide-based Neuromorphic Transistors
Authors: Liu Ning , Zhu Li Qiang , Feng Ping , Wan Chang Jin , Liu Yang Hui , Shi Yi , Wan Qing
Published: December 2015

Inspired by the dendritic integration and spiking operation of a biological neuron, flexible oxide-based neuromorphic transistors with multiple input gates are fabricated on flexible plastic substrates for pH sensor applications. When such device is operated in a quasi-static dual-gate synergic sensing mode, it shows a high pH sensitivity of ~105 mV/pH. Our results also demonstrate that single-spike dynamic mode can remarkably improve pH sensitivity and reduce response/recover time and power consumption. Moreover, we find that an appropriate negative bias applied on the sensing gate electrode can further enhance the pH sensitivity and reduce the power consumption. Our flexible neuromorphic transistors provide a new-concept sensory platform for biochemical detection with high sensitivity, rapid response and ultralow power consumption.
Analysis of histone modifications at human ribosomal DNA in liver cancer cell
Authors: Yu Feng , Shen Xingyong , Fan Li , Yu Zhaocai
Published: December 2015

Human liver cancer is the cancer commonly seen clinically. The transcription of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is a critical step for cells and epigenetic marks such as post-translational histone modifications have been involved in the regulation of rDNA transcription. But less is known about the pathogenesis of the liver cancers concerning the rDNA transcription regulation. Here we aligned the ChIP-seq data of histone modification markers and CTCF to the human genome assembly which contains a single rDNA repeat in human liver cancer cell and validated their distribution with ChIP-QPCR. Human liver cancer cell possesses a higher enrichment of H3K4me1 and H3K27me3 at ~28 kb within the intergenic spacer (IGS) of rDNA and a higher enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac upstream of TSS. Furtherly, we studied whether UBF could affect histone modification markers and CTCF at rDNA in human liver cancer cell. UBF depletion leads to a decrease of gene activation mark H3K4me3 across the rDNA promoter. And other histone modification marks and CTCF were not altered after UBF depletion. Taken together, our data showed a high resolution map of histone modification marks at rDNA in human liver cancer cell and provide novel evidence to decipher chromatin-mediated regulation of rDNA in liver cancer.
Knockdown of a nutrient amino acid transporter gene LdNAT1 reduces free neutral amino acid contents and impairs Leptinotarsa decemlineata pupation
Authors: Fu Kai-Yun , Guo Wen-Chao , Ahmat Tursun , Li Guo-Qing
Published: December 2015

A Leptinotarsa decemlineata SLC6 NAT gene (LdNAT1) was cloned. LdNAT1 was highly expressed in the larval alimentary canal especially midgut. LdNAT1 mRNA levels were high right after the molt and low just before the molt. JH and a JH analog pyriproxyfen activated LdNAT1 expression. RNAi of an allatostatin gene LdAS-C increased JH and upregulated LdNAT1 transcription. Conversely, silencing of a JH biosynthesis gene LdJHAMT decreased JH and reduced LdNAT1 expression. Moreover, 20E and an ecdysteroid agonist halofenozide repressed LdNAT1 expression, whereas a decrease in 20E by RNAi of an ecdysteroidogenesis gene LdSHD and disruption of 20E signaling by knockdown of LdE75 and LdFTZ-F1 activated LdNAT1 expression. Thus, LdNAT1 responded to both 20E and JH. Moreover, knockdown of LdNAT1 reduced the contents of cysteine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine and serine in the larval bodies and increased the contents of these amino acids in the larval feces. Furthermore, RNAi of LdNAT1 inhibited insulin/target of rapamycin pathway, lowered 20E and JH titers, reduced 20E and JH signaling, retarded larval growth and impaired pupation. These data showed that LdNAT1 was involved in the absorption of several neutral amino acids critical for larval growth and metamorphosis.
Tunable Broadband Radiation Generated Via Ultrafast Laser Illumination of an Inductively Charged Superconducting Ring
Authors: Bulmer John , Bullard Thomas , Dolasinski Brian , Murphy John , Sparkes Martin , Pangovski Krste , O’Neill William , Powers Peter , Haugan Timothy
Published: December 2015

An electromagnetic transmitter typically consists of individual components such as a waveguide, antenna, power supply and an oscillator. In this communication we circumvent complications associated with connecting these individual components and instead combine them into a non-traditional, photonic enabled, compact transmitter device for tunable, ultrawide band (UWB) radiation. This device is a centimeter scale, continuous, thin film superconducting ring supporting a persistent super-current. An ultrafast laser pulse (required) illuminates the ring (either at a point or uniformly around the ring) and perturbs the super-current by the de-pairing and recombination of Cooper pairs. This generates a microwave pulse where both ring and laser pulse geometry dictates the radiated spectrum’s shape. The transmitting device is self contained and completely isolated from conductive components that are observed to interfere with the generated signal. A rich spectrum is observed that extends beyond 30 GHz (equipment limited) and illustrates the complex super-current dynamics bridging optical, THz and microwave wavelengths.
Quantitative analysis of changes in the phosphoproteome of maize induced by the plant hormone salicylic acid
Authors: Wu Liuji , Hu Xiuli , Wang Shunxi , Tian Lei , Pang Yanjie , Han Zanping , Wu Liancheng , Chen Yanhui
Published: December 2015

Phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in regulating various physiological and biochemical processes. Our previous study identified several protein kinases responsive to SA, suggesting that phosphorylation events play an important role in the plant response to SA. In this study, we characterized the phosphoproteome of maize in response to SA using isotope tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology and TiO2 enrichment method. Based on LC-MS/MS analysis, we found a total of 858 phosphoproteins among 1495 phosphopeptides. Among them, 291 phosphopeptides corresponding to 244 phosphoproteins were found to be significantly changed after SA treatment. The phosphoproteins identified are involved in a wide range of biological processes, which indicate that the response to SA encompasses a reformatting of major cellular processes. Furthermore, some of the phosphoproteins which were not previously known to be involved with SA were found to have significantly changed phosphorylation levels. Many of these changes are phosphorylation decreases, indicating that other currently unknown SA signaling pathways that result in decreased phosphorylation of downstream targets must be involved. Our study represents the first attempt at global phosphoproteome profiling in response to SA and provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by SA.
Functional trait responses to grazing are mediated by soil moisture and plant functional group identity
Authors: Zheng Shuxia , Li Wenhuai , Lan Zhichun , Ren Haiyan , Wang Kaibo
Published: December 2015

Abundant evidence has shown that grazing alters plant functional traits, community structure and ecosystem functioning of grasslands. Few studies, however, have tested how plant responses to grazing are mediated by resource availability and plant functional group identity. We examined the effects of grazing on functional traits across a broad range of species along a soil moisture gradient in Inner Mongolia grassland. Our results showed that trait syndromes of plant size (individual biomass) and shoot growth (leaf N content and leaf density) distinguished plant species responses to grazing. The effects of grazing on functional traits were mediated by soil moisture and dependent on functional group identity. For most species, grazing decreased plant height but increased leaf N and specific leaf area (SLA) along the moisture gradient. Grazing enhanced the community-weighted attributes (leaf NCWM and SLACWM), which were triggered mainly by the positive trait responses of annuals and biennials and perennial grasses and increased relative abundance of perennial forbs. Our results suggest that grazing-induced species turnover and increased intraspecific trait variability are two drivers for the observed changes in community weighted attributes. The dominant perennial bunchgrasses exhibited mixed tolerance–resistance strategies to grazing and mixed acquisitive–conservative strategies in resource utilization.