bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Early Human Ovum
Authors: Madrazo Alfonso , Woo T‐H.
Published: January 2017

An early embryo at stage 5 of development is presented. The specimen's estimated age of about ten days makes it one of the youngest human products of conception on record. As such, it provides information on the earliest phases of human development.
Second Trimester Abortion with Prostaglandin F2α
Authors: Chatterjee Tapan K. , Niles Lalitha
Published: January 2017

A clinical trial comparing 40‐mg and 50‐mg intraamniotic dose schedules of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is described. The trial included 48 patients at 15‐20 weeks' gestation, with 20 receiving a 40‐mg dose of PGF2α and 28 receiving a 50‐mg dose of PGF2α. The success rates for the two groups were 85% and 93%, respectively. All nulliparous patients who had 50 mg of PGF2α and all multiparous patients who had 40 mg of PGF2α aborted within the 48‐hour trial period. The mean induction‐to‐abortion interval with the 50‐mg dose was two hours shorter than that with the 40‐mg dose. All patients who had 40 mg of PGF2α over 16 weeks' gestation aborted within the trial period. In patients who had 50 mg of PGF2α, the period of gestation did not influence the induction‐to‐abortion interval. Minor side effects, primarily vomiting or diarrhea, were observed in 65% and 93% of the patients who had 40‐mg and 50‐mg doses, respectively. We conclude that intraamniotic administration of 50 mg of PGF2α successfully induces midtrimester abortion in nulliparous patients, whereas a 40‐mg dose suffices for multiparous women.
A Comparative Study of Standard‐Dose and Low‐Dose Oral Contraceptives in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Bairagi R. , Razzaque A. , Obaidullah M. , Measham A. R. , Khan A. R.
Published: January 2017

Fieldworkers in a rural area of Bangladesh distributed two kinds of oral contraceptives to women accepting this method; 286 women received a standard‐dose oral contraceptive and 366 women one mile away were given a low‐dose pill of the same formulation. Continuation rates at 12 months were 86% for the standard‐dose and 75% for the low‐dose pill. Worker performance accounted for some of the difference, but the results suggest that the lower‐dose pill is less acceptable in rural Bangladesh than the standard‐dose pill of the same formulation.
Intrauterine Devices: Present and Future
Authors: Guillebaud John
Published: January 2017

Although the mortality associated with the use of intrauterine contraception is low, its morbidity is probably higher than that associated with oral contraception. Much anxiety has been generated and whole programs prejudiced by lack of attention to detail during counseling, the fitting of intrauterine devices and follow‐up. This paper draws attention to the shared etiology of many of the important adverse effects of the method, the fact that several become increasingly rare with increasing age of the user, and other factors that can assist in choosing the right device for the right woman. Likely future trends are also predicted.
Ketamine for Minor Gynecologic Surgery
Authors: Akinyemi O. O. , Awasthi S. N.
Published: January 2017

Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is a hypnotic useful for premedication. Four milligrams given orally, intramuscularly or intravenously, is more effective than many other agents, including diazepam, in attenuating the psychic sequelae of ketamine administration. This study compares the efficacy of intravenous administration of 2 mg of lorazepam with that of 10 mg of diazepam. The results reveal that the lower dose of lorazepam is superior to 10 mg of diazepam in taming ketamine sequelae. Therefore, lorazepam is suggested for use instead of the higher dose of diazepam.
Prediction of skin sensitization potency using machine learning approaches
Authors: Zang Qingda , Paris Michael , Lehmann David M. , Bell Shannon , Kleinstreuer Nicole , Allen David , Matheson Joanna , Jacobs Abigail , Casey Warren , Strickland Judy
Published: January 2017

The replacement of animal use in testing for regulatory classification of skin sensitizers is a priority for US federal agencies that use data from such testing. Machine learning models that classify substances as sensitizers or non‐sensitizers without using animal data have been developed and evaluated. Because some regulatory agencies require that sensitizers be further classified into potency categories, we developed statistical models to predict skin sensitization potency for murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) and human outcomes. Input variables for our models included six physicochemical properties and data from three non‐animal test methods: direct peptide reactivity assay; human cell line activation test; and KeratinoSens™ assay. Models were built to predict three potency categories using four machine learning approaches and were validated using external test sets and leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. A one‐tiered strategy modeled all three categories of response together while a two‐tiered strategy modeled sensitizer/non‐sensitizer responses and then classified the sensitizers as strong or weak sensitizers. The two‐tiered model using the support vector machine with all assay and physicochemical data inputs provided the best performance, yielding accuracy of 88% for prediction of LLNA outcomes (120 substances) and 81% for prediction of human test outcomes (87 substances). The best one‐tiered model predicted LLNA outcomes with 78% accuracy and human outcomes with 75% accuracy. By comparison, the LLNA predicts human potency categories with 69% accuracy (60 of 87 substances correctly categorized). These results suggest that computational models using non‐animal methods may provide valuable information for assessing skin sensitization potency. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo feasibility test using transparent carbon nanotube‐coated polydimethylsiloxane sheet at brain tissue and sciatic nerve
Authors: Wang Caifeng , Oh Sangjin , Lee Hyun Ah , Kang Jieun , Jeong Ki‐Jae , Kang Seon Woo , Hwang Dae Youn , Lee Jaebeom
Published: January 2017

Carbon nanotubes, with their unique and outstanding properties, such as strong mechanical strength and high electrical conductivity, have become very popular for the repair of tissues, particularly for those requiring electrical stimuli. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐based elastomers have been used in a wide range of biomedical applications because of their optical transparency, physiological inertness, blood compatibility, non‐toxicity, and gas permeability. In present study, most of artificial nerve guidance conduits (ANGCs) are not transparent. It is hard to confirm the position of two stumps of damaged nerve during nerve surgery and the conduits must be cut open again to observe regenerative nerves after surgery. Thus, a novel preparation method was utilized to produce a transparent sheet using PDMS and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via printing transfer method. Characterization of the PDMS/MWNT (PM) sheets revealed their unique physicochemical properties, such as superior mechanical strength, a certain degree of electrical conductivity, and high transparency. Characterization of the in vitro and in vivo usability was evaluated. PM sheets showed high biocompatibility and adhesive ability. In vivo feasibility tests of rat brain tissue and sciatic nerve revealed the high transparency of PM sheets, suggesting that it can be used in the further development of ANGCs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1736–1745, 2017.
Caspase mediated beclin‐1 dependent autophagy tuning activity and apoptosis promotion by surface modified hausmannite nanoparticle
Authors: Mondal Souvik , Giri Anupam , Zhang Yunjiao , Kumar Pal Samir , Zhou Wei , Wen Long‐ping
Published: January 2017

Hidden effects of nano‐materials to induced autophagy, a lysosomal degradative pathway, remain an exciting topic, in the level of material‐protein interaction and subsequent cellular signaling features. Here, our studies show that surface modified hausmannite nanoparticles (Mn3O4 NPs) can uniformly cleave/splice Beclin‐1 protein and alter cellular mechanism on the emphasis of tuning autophagy and subsequently promote enhancement of apoptosis. Details investigation of Beclin‐1 dependency and its uniform cleavage/splice pattern by surface modified Mn3O4 NPs, shows tuning of cellular mechanism on emphasis of caspase mediated autophagy tuning. Our findings will also clarify the conflict between apoptosis‐autophagy on the basis of its unique property derived from surface chemistry modulation, in context of Beclin‐1 eminent cleavage/splice which remarks novel effect of Beclin‐1 dependent tuning of autophagosomes formation and switch to enhance apoptotic index, mediates by PI3KC3 cleavage and caspase activation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1299–1310, 2017.
Electronic structure of stoichiometric and reduced ZnO from periodic relativistic all electron hybrid density functional calculations using numeric atom‐centered orbitals
Authors: Viñes Francesc , Illas Francesc
Published: January 2017

The atomic and electronic structure of stoichiometric and reduced ZnO wurtzite has been studied using a periodic relativistic all electron hybrid density functional (PBE0) approach and numeric atom‐centered orbital basis set with quality equivalent to aug‐cc‐pVDZ. To assess the importance of relativistic effects, calculations were carried out without and with explicit inclusion of relativistic effects through the zero order regular approximation. The calculated band gap is ∼0.2 eV smaller than experiment, close to previous PBE0 results including relativistic calculation through the pseudopotential and ∼0.25 eV smaller than equivalent nonrelativistic all electron PBE0 calculations indicating possible sources of error in nonrelativistic all electron density functional calculations for systems containing elements with relatively high atomic number. The oxygen vacancy formation energy converges rather fast with the supercell size, the predicted value agrees with previously hybrid density functional calculations and analysis of the electronic structure evidences the presence of localized electrons at the vacancy site with a concomitant well localized peak in the density of states ∼0.5 eV above the top of the valence band and a significant relaxation of the Zn atoms near to the oxygen vacancy. Finally, present work shows that accurate results can be obtained in systems involving large supercells containing up to ∼450 atoms using a numeric atomic‐centered orbital basis set within a full all electron description including scalar relativistic effects at an affordable cost. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Sodium Alginate on the Properties of Thermosensitive Hydrogels
Authors: Wu Jie , Wu Zongmei , Sun Xuejiao , Yuan Shichao , Zhang Ruling , Lu Qingliang , Yu Yueqin
Published: January 2017

Sodium alginate (SA) was combined with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) to prepare thermosensitive hydrogels through semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) and fully interpenetrating polymer network (full‐IPN). The thermosensitive, swelling, mechanical, and thermal properties of pure PNIPAAm, SA/PNIPAAm semi‐IPN, and Ca‐alginate/PNIPAAm full‐IPN hydrogels were investigated. The formation of semi‐IPN and full‐IPN significantly improved the hydrogels’ swelling capability and mechanical properties without altering their thermosensitivity. 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐Fu) was selected as a model drug to study the release behaviors of the hydrogels. It was found that in vitro controlled drug release from semi‐IPN hydrogels showed an initial release burst, followed by a slower and sustained release, before reaching equilibrium. Full‐IPN hydrogels showed slow and sustained release during the whole process. Temperature and pH were found to affect the rate of drug release. Ca‐alginate/PNIPAAm full‐IPN hydrogels have potential application as drug delivery matrices in controlled drug release.
Modulation of long‐term endothelial‐barrier integrity is conditional to the cross‐talk between Akt and Src signaling
Authors: Gao Fei , Sabbineni Harika , Artham Sandeep , Somanath Payaningal R.
Published: January 2017

Although numerous studies have implicated Akt and Src kinases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1)‐induced endothelial‐barrier regulation, a link between these two pathways has never been demonstrated. We determined the long‐term effects of Akt inhibition on Src activity and vice versa, and in turn, on the human microvascular endothelial cell (HMEC) barrier integrity at the basal level, and in response to growth factors. Our data showed that Akt1 gene knockdown increases gap formation in HMEC monolayer at the basal level. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt, but not Src resulted in exacerbated VEGF‐induced vascular leakage and impaired Ang‐1‐induced HMEC‐barrier protection in vitro at 24 hr. Whereas inhibition of Akt had no effect on VEGF‐induced HMEC gap formation in the short term, inhibition of Src blunted this process. In contrast, inhibition of Akt disrupted the VEGF and Ang‐1 stabilized barrier integrity in the long‐term while inhibition of Src did not. Interestingly, both long‐term Akt inhibition and Akt1 gene knockdown in HMECs resulted in increased Tyr416 phosphorylation of Src. Treatment of HMECs with transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGFβ1) that inhibited Akt Ser473 phosphorylation in the long‐term, activated Src through increased Tyr416 phosphorylation and decreased HMEC‐barrier resistance. The effect of TGFβ1 on endothelial‐barrier breakdown was blunted in Akt1 deficient HMEC monolayers, where endothelial‐barrier resistance was already impaired compared to the control. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a direct cross‐talk between Akt and Src in endothelial‐barrier regulation.
A Friedrichs–Maz'ya inequality for functions of bounded variation
Authors: Rondi Luca
Published: January 2017

The aim of this short note is to give an alternative proof, which applies to functions of bounded variation in arbitrary domains, of an inequality by Maz'ya that improves Friedrichs inequality. A remarkable feature of such a proof is that it is rather elementary, if the basic background in the theory of functions of bounded variation is assumed. Nevertheless, it allows to extend all the previously known versions of this fundamental inequality to a completely general version. In fact the inequality presented here is optimal in several respects.

As already observed in previous proofs, the crucial step is to provide conditions under which a function of bounded variation on a bounded open set, extended to zero outside, has bounded variation on the whole space. We push such conditions to their limits. In fact, we give a sufficient and necessary condition if the open set has a boundary with σ‐finite surface measure and a sufficient condition if the open set is fully arbitrary. Via a counterexample we show that such a general sufficient condition is sharp.
Rapid chemical shift encoding with single‐acquisition single‐slab 3D GRASE
Authors: Kim Hahnsung , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Sohn Chul‐Ho , Park Jaeseok
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of chemical shift encoded, single‐slab 3D GRASE for rapid fat–water separation within a single acquisition.

Methods

The proposed method incorporates signal‐to‐noise‐ratio‐optimal chemical shift encoding into single‐slab 3D GRASE with variable flip angles. Chemical shift induced phase information was encoded in succession to different positions in k‐space by inserting phase encoding blips between adjacent lobes of the oscillating readout gradients. To enhance imaging efficiency, signal prescription‐based variable flip angles were used in the long refocusing pulse train. After echo‐independent phase correction, missing signals in k‐echo space were interpolated using convolution kernels that span over all echoes. Fat–water separation in a single acquisition was performed using both multi‐echo fast spin echo and GRASE as compared to conventional multiacquisition fast spin echo with echo shifts.

Results

The proposed single‐slab 3D GRASE shows superior performance in accurately delineating cartilage structures compared to its counterpart, multi‐echo 3D fast spin echo. Compared with multiacquisition fast spin echo with three echo shifts (63 min), the proposed method substantially speeds up imaging time (7 min), and achieves 0.6 mm isotropic resolution in knee imaging with reduced artifacts and noise.

Conclusion

We successfully demonstrated the feasibility of rapid chemical shift encoding and separation using the proposed, single‐acquisition single‐slab 3D GRASE for high resolution isotropic imaging within clinically acceptable time. Magn Reson Med 78:1852–1861, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Neuroblastoma causes alterations of the intestinal microbiome, gut hormones, inflammatory cytokines, and bile acid composition
Authors: Castellani Christoph , Singer Georg , Kaiser Margarita , Kaiser Thomas , Huang Jianfeng , Sperl Daniela , Kashofer Karl , Fauler Guenter , Guertl‐Lackner Barbara , Höfler Gerald , Till Holger
Published: January 2017

Objective

To assess the effect of neuroblastoma (NB) on the intestinal microbiome, metabolism, and inflammatory parameters in a murine model.

Materials and Methods

Athymic Hsd:Fox1nu mice received subperitoneal implantation of human NB cells (MHH‐NB11) (tumor group, TG) or culture medium (sham group). Following 10 weeks of tumor growth, all animals were sacrificed to collect total white adipose tissue (WAT). Luminex assays were performed for gut hormone and inflammation marker analysis. Bile acids were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in feces and serum. The microbiome of the ileal content was determined by 16S rDNA next‐generation sequencing.

Results

At 10 weeks, tumors masses in the TG reached a mean weight of 1.10 g (interquartile range 3.45 g) associated with a significant reduction in WAT. Furthermore, in the TG, there was a marked reduction in leptin and an increase in glucagon‐like peptide 1 serum levels. Moreover, the TG mice displayed a pro‐inflammatory profile, with significant increases in monocyte chemotactic protein 1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin‐10. Lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid were significantly decreased in the stool of TG mice. Significant alterations of the intestinal microbiome were found in the ileal contents of the TG.

Conclusions

The present study provides a first glimpse that human NB in a murine model induces tumor cachexia associated with alterations in metabolic and inflammatory parameters, as well as changes in the intestinal microbiota. Since the intestinal microbiome is known to contribute to the host's ability to harvest energy, a favorable modulation of the intestinal microbiome in tumor patients could potentially represent a novel therapeutic target to prevent tumor‐associated cachexia.
Hygrothermal characterization of polyimide–titanium‐based fibre metal laminate
Authors: Hu Yubing , Li Huaguan , Fu Xuelong , Zhang Xian , Tao Jie , Xu Jiang
Published: January 2017

Polyimide‐based composites are currently being used on structures for both military and civilian aircraft. A major concern with these materials is the effect of long‐term exposure to service environments on their physical and mechanical properties. Hygrothermal ageing experiment was performed to understand the long‐term moisture absorption behaviour of carbon‐fibre reinforced polyimide (CF/P) and polyimide–titanium‐based fibre metal laminates (FMLs) in this work. Specimens were hygrothermal conditioned at 85°C, 95% relative humidity (RH) from 250 h to 1,000 h. Then, the moisture absorption of the specimens was determined. It was observed that the moisture absorption in the FMLs was quite slow according to the barrier function of the metal. More significantly, the mechanical properties of the CF/P and FMLs, obtained from flexure and interlaminar shear test, were affected by ageing with the reduction of flexure and interlaminar shear strength. Also, the decay mechanism of the mechanical property caused by hygrothermal ageing was further verified by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) techniques. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2819–2825, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Assessing the accuracy of opioid overdose and poisoning codes in diagnostic information from electronic health records, claims data, and death records
Authors: Green Carla A. , Perrin Nancy A. , Janoff Shannon L. , Campbell Cynthia I. , Chilcoat Howard D. , Coplan Paul M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess positive predictive value (PPV), relative to medical chart review, of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐9/10 diagnostic codes for identifying opioid overdoses and poisonings.

Methods

Data were obtained from Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Northern California. Diagnostic data from electronic health records, submitted claims, and state death records from Oregon, Washington, and California were linked. Individual opioid‐related poisoning codes (e.g., 965.xx and X42), and adverse effects of opioids codes (e.g., E935.xx) combined with diagnoses possibly indicative of overdoses (e.g., respiratory depression), were evaluated by comparison with chart audits.

Results

Opioid adverse effects codes had low PPV to detect overdoses (13.4%) as assessed in 127 charts and were not pursued. Instead, opioid poisoning codes were assessed in 2100 individuals who had those codes present in electronic health records in the period between the years 2008 and 2012. Of these, 10/2100 had no available information and 241/2100 were excluded potentially as anesthesia‐related. Among the 1849 remaining individuals with opioid poisoning codes, 1495 events were accurately identified as opioid overdoses; 69 were miscodes or misidentified, and 285 were opioid adverse effects, not overdoses. Thus, PPV was 81%. Opioid adverse effects or overdoses were accurately identified in 1780 of 1849 events (96.3%).

Conclusions

Opioid poisoning codes have a predictive value of 81% to identify opioid overdoses, suggesting ICD opioid poisoning codes can be used to monitor overdose rates and evaluate interventions to reduce overdose. Further research to assess sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value are ongoing. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of maleinized linseed oil as biobased plasticizer in poly(lactic acid)‐based formulations
Authors: Ferri Jose M , Garcia‐Garcia Daniel , Montanes Nestor , Fenollar Octavio , Balart Rafael
Published: January 2017

The use of maleinized linseed oil (MLO) as a potential biobased plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) industrial formulations with improved toughness was evaluated. MLO content varied in the range 0–20 phr (parts by weight of MLO per hundred parts by weight of PLA). Mechanical, thermal and morphological characterizations were used to assess the potential of MLO as an environmentally friendly plasticizer for PLA formulations. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry revealed a noticeable decrease in the glass transition temperature of about 6.5 °C compared to neat PLA. In addition, the cold crystallization process was favoured with MLO content due to the increased chain mobility that the plasticizer provides. PLA toughness was markedly improved in formulations with 5 phr MLO, while maximum elongation at break was obtained for PLA formulations plasticized with MLO content in the range 15–20 phr. Scanning electron microscopy revealed evidence of plastic deformation. Nevertheless, phase separation was detected in plasticized PLA formulations with high MLO content (above 15–20 phr MLO), which had a negative effect on overall toughness. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Film deposition and consolidation during thin glove coagulant dipping
Authors: Groves Robert , Routh Alexander F.
Published: January 2017

In this article, we examine the rate of film build‐up and the evolution of polymer volume fraction in coagulant dipped films. The results are for nitrile and natural rubber compounds. We describe a model for the build‐up of a latex film that coagulates onto a former as a wet gel and consolidates by a wet sintering process. We achieve this by applying diffusion and reaction kinetics for the coagulant transporting from a former into the latex bath. Wet sintering, the underlying mechanism for serum exudation from the wet gel, is modelled for a consolidating aggregate of latex particles. The parameters used in the models are either measured in separate experiments or are available from the literature. We compare the model predictions with the experimental results. The first, rapid, stage of film build‐up is modelled successfully by simple diffusion of the coagulant cations. At longer dwell times, it is found that the reaction between coagulant and surfactant is the primary mechanism for the rate reduction. The rate of consolidation of the wet gel could be modelled reasonably well using a previously developed equation for latex film formation. The rate was chiefly dependent on the stress relaxation modulus of the polymer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1633–1648
Effect of aerobic exercise on cancer‐associated cognitive impairment: A proof‐of‐concept RCT
Authors: Campbell K.L. , Kam J.W.Y. , Neil‐Sztramko S.E. , Liu Ambrose T. , Handy T.C. , Lim H.J. , Hayden S. , Hsu L. , Kirkham A.A. , Gotay C.C. , McKenzie D.C. , Boyd L.A.
Published: January 2017

Background

Change in cognitive ability is a commonly reported adverse effect by breast cancer survivors. The underlying etiology of cognitive complaints is unclear and to date, there is limited evidence for effective intervention strategies. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function in older adults and animal models treated with chemotherapy. This proof‐of‐concept randomized controlled trial tested the effect of aerobic exercise versus usual lifestyle on cognitive function in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Women, aged 40 to 65 years, postmenopausal, stages I to IIIA breast cancer, and who self‐reported cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy treatment, were recruited and randomized to a 24‐week aerobic exercise intervention (EX; n = 10) or usual lifestyle control (CON; n = 9). Participants completed self‐report measures of the impact of cognitive issues on quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Cognitive version 3), objective neuropsychological testing, and functional magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 24 weeks.

Results

Compared to CON, EX had a reduced time to complete a processing speed test (trail making test‐A) (‐14.2 seconds, P < .01; effect size 0.35). Compared to CON, there was no improvement in self‐reported cognitive function and effect sizes were small. Interestingly, lack of between‐group differences in Stroop behavioral performance was accompanied by functional changes in several brain regions of interest in EX compared to CON at 24 weeks.

Conclusion

These findings provide preliminary proof‐of‐concept results for the potential of aerobic exercise to improve cancer‐related cognitive impairment and will serve to inform the development of future trials.
100‐nm thick single‐phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents over 10%
Authors: Li Xiaohang , Wang Shuo , Liu Hanxiao , Ponce Fernando A. , Detchprohm Theeradetch , Dupuis Russell D.
Published: January 2017

Growing thicker BAlN films while maintaining single‐phase wurtzite structure and boron content over 10% has been challenging. In this study, we report on the growth of 100 nm‐thick single‐phase wurtzite BAlN films with boron contents up to 14.4% by MOCVD. Flow‐modulated epitaxy was employed to increase diffusion length of group‐III atoms and reduce parasitic reactions between the metalorganics and NH3. A large growth efficiency of ∼2000 μm mol−1 was achieved as a result. Small B/III ratios up to 17% in conjunction with high temperatures up to 1010 °C were utilized to prevent formation of the cubic phase and maintain wurtzite structure.
Borders and Barriers: challenges of Fisheries Management and Conservation in Open Systems
Authors: Siddons S. F. , Pegg M. A. , Klein G. M.
Published: January 2017

Large rivers often bisect geopolitical boundaries where management goals may be at odds for a shared fishery, creating fragmented management zones. Fragmentation due to physical barriers may further impact the fishery by reducing fish passage. Our goal was to estimate basin‐wide parameters (i.e. movement, survival and capture probabilities) of a large‐river species known to move throughout watersheds. We tagged13 892 Channel Catfish in the Red River of the North (Red River) and Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, and collected 553 recaptures. We estimated 2.2% of catfish are moving from the Red River to Lake Winnipeg each month and 9.4%, primarily large (>600 mm) individuals, moved upstream through a dam (monthly). Approximately 5.6% of catfish moved to the USA each month, and only one fish returned. Our results suggest the lower reaches of the Red River may be a source population for the USA, where survival is lower, and Lake Winnipeg. The complex movements of Channel Catfish throughout the Red River, across barriers and international boundaries, suggest conservation and management of fish populations should be watershed wide. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inkjet‐Printed Lithium–Sulfur Microcathodes for All‐Printed, Integrated Nanomanufacturing
Authors: Milroy Craig A. , Jang Seonpil , Fujimori Toshihiko , Dodabalapur Ananth , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: January 2017

Improved thin‐film microbatteries are needed to provide appropriate energy‐storage options to power the multitude of devices that will bring the proposed “Internet of Things” network to fruition (e.g., active radio‐frequency identification tags and microcontrollers for wearable and implantable devices). Although impressive efforts have been made to improve the energy density of 3D microbatteries, they have all used low energy‐density lithium‐ion chemistries, which present a fundamental barrier to miniaturization. In addition, they require complicated microfabrication processes that hinder cost‐competitiveness. Here, inkjet‐printed lithium–sulfur (Li–S) cathodes for integrated nanomanufacturing are reported. Single‐wall carbon nanotubes infused with electronically conductive straight‐chain sulfur (S@SWNT) are adopted as an integrated current‐collector/active‐material composite, and inkjet printing as a top‐down approach to achieve thin‐film shape control over printed electrode dimensions is used. The novel Li–S cathodes may be directly printed on traditional microelectronic semicoductor substrates (e.g., SiO2) or on flexible aluminum foil. Profilometry indicates that these microelectrodes are less than 10 µm thick, while cyclic voltammetry analyses show that the S@SWNT possesses pseudocapacitive characteristics and corroborates a previous study suggesting the S@SWNT discharge via a purely solid‐state mechanism. The printed electrodes produce ≈800 mAh g−1 S initially and ≈700 mAh g−1 after 100 charge/discharge cycles at C/2 rate.
Boosted large-scale production and purification of a thermostable archaeal phosphotriesterase-like lactonase for organophosphate decontamination
Authors: Restaino Odile Francesca , Borzacchiello Maria Giovanna , Scognamiglio Ilaria , Porzio Elena , Manco Giuseppe , Fedele Luigi , Donatiello Cinzia , De Rosa Mario , Schiraldi Chiara
Published: January 2017

Thermostable phosphotriesterase-like lactonases (PLLs) from extremophile archaea, like SsoPox from Sulfolobus solfataricus, are attractive biotechnological tools with industrial applications as organophosphate decontaminants, but their manufacturing still remains an unresolved issue because of the high costs and the low production yields. In this paper, for the first time, an efficient biotechnological process for the production and purification of a recombinant, engineered PLL, SsoPox W263F, expressed in E. coli, has been set up by studying new induction strategies, by designing high cell density cultivations and a new membrane-based downstream process. In fed batches, the enzyme production was boosted of 69-fold up to 4660.0 U L−1 using galactose as inducer in the replacement of IPTG; the process was scalable from 2.5 up to 150 L. By coupling a single thermo-precipitation step and an ultrafiltration process, a total enzyme recovery of 77% with a purity grade of almost 80% was reached.
Probability on Trees and Networks
Authors: Lyons Russell , Peres Yuval
Published: January 2017

Starting around the late 1950s, several research communities began relating the geometry of graphs to stochastic processes on these graphs. This book, twenty years in the making, ties together research in the field, encompassing work on percolation, isoperimetric inequalities, eigenvalues, transition probabilities, and random walks. Written by two leading researchers, the text emphasizes intuition, while giving complete proofs and more than 850 exercises. Many recent developments, in which the authors have played a leading role, are discussed, including percolation on trees and Cayley graphs, uniform spanning forests, the mass-transport technique, and connections on random walks on graphs to embedding in Hilbert space. This state-of-the-art account of probability on networks will be indispensable for graduate students and researchers alike.
Random fields of bounded variation and computation of their variation intensity
Authors: Galerne Bruno
Published: January 2017

The main purpose of this paper is to define and characterize random fields of bounded variation, that is, random fields with sample paths in the space of functions of bounded variation, and to study their mean total variation. Simple formulas are obtained for the mean total directional variation of random fields, based on known formulas for the directional variation of deterministic functions. It is also shown that the mean variation of random fields with stationary increments is proportional to the Lebesgue measure, and an expression of the constant of proportionality, called thevariation intensity, is established. This expression shows, in particular, that the variation intensity depends only on the family of two-dimensional distributions of the stationary increment random field. When restricting to random sets, the obtained results give generalizations of well-known formulas from stochastic geometry and mathematical morphology. The interest of these general results is illustrated by computing the variation intensities of several classical stationary random field and random set models, namely Gaussian random fields and excursion sets, Poisson shot noises, Boolean models, dead leaves models, and random tessellations.
Comparison of time-inhomogeneous Markov processes
Authors: Rüschendorf Ludger , Schnurr Alexander , Wolf Viktor
Published: January 2017

Comparison results are given for time-inhomogeneous Markov processes with respect to function classes with induced stochastic orderings. The main result states the comparison of two processes, provided that the comparability of their infinitesimal generators as well as an invariance property of one process is assumed. The corresponding proof is based on a representation result for the solutions of inhomogeneous evolution problems in Banach spaces, which extends previously known results from the literature. Based on this representation, an ordering result for Markov processes induced by bounded and unbounded function classes is established. We give various applications to time-inhomogeneous diffusions, to processes with independent increments, and to Lévy-driven diffusion processes.
Uniform approximation of the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross process via exact simulation at random times
Authors: Milstein Grigori N. , Schoenmakers John
Published: January 2017

In this paper we uniformly approximate the trajectories of the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) process. At a sequence of random times the approximate trajectories will be even exact. In between, the approximation will be uniformly close to the exact trajectory. From a conceptual point of view, the proposed method gives a better quality of approximation in a path-wise sense than standard, or even exact, simulation of the CIR dynamics at some deterministic time grid.
A stochastic differential game for quadratic-linear diffusion processes
Authors: Luo Shangzhen
Published: January 2017

In this paper we study a stochastic differential game between two insurers whose surplus processes are modelled by quadratic-linear diffusion processes. We consider an exit probability game. One insurer controls its risk process to minimize the probability that the surplus difference reaches a low level (indicating a disadvantaged surplus position of the insurer) before reaching a high level, while the other insurer aims to maximize the probability. We solve the game by finding the value function and the Nash equilibrium strategy in explicit forms.
A retrospective study comparing agar plate culture, indirect immunofluorescence and real-time PCR for the diagnosis ofStrongyloides stercoralisinfection
Authors: BUONFRATE DORA , PERANDIN FRANCESCA , FORMENTI FABIO , BISOFFI ZENO
Published: January 2017

Strongyloides stercoralisis a parasite that can cause death in immunocompromised people. A proper diagnosis is hence essential. The real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT–PCR) is a novel, promising diagnostic method, that detects the DNA of the parasite in stool samples. In this retrospective study, we compared the sensitivity of agar plate coproculture (APC), an in-house immunofluorescence test (IFAT) and an in-house RT–PCR for the diagnosis ofS. stercoralisinfection. The study sample was composed by 223 samples. Samples resulting positive to APC, IFAT and RT–PCR were 20, 140 and 25, respectively. When sensitivity was calculated against a composite reference standard, serology confirmed the best performance (sensitivity 95%), followed by RT–PCR (57%) and APC (45%). In conclusion, in a non-endemic setting, serology is the best screening method, while the combination of APC and RT–PCR does not seem a reasonable approach to increase sensitivity. Both methods can have a role as confirmatory tests for selected cases.
Nest site selection patterns of a local Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopteruspopulation in Turkey
Authors: ŞEN BİLGECAN , TAVARES JOSÉ P. , BİLGİN C. CAN
Published: January 2017

We report the size and density of an Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey and provide insight into its nest site selection patterns. The study was carried out at Beypazarı (Turkey), holding one of the densest Egyptian Vulture populations (six pairs per 100 km2) in the Western Palearctic. Random Forests analysis revealed that human impact was a potential factor governing the distribution of nest sites, as the pairs clearly preferred to breed away from nearby villages, towns or roads. Utilisation of elevation gradient and aspect was similar to other studied populations, with the probability of nesting increasing at lower altitudes and for south-facing cliffs. Nearest-neighbour distance between nests was about 1.5 km, indicating territorial behaviour when choosing nest sites at the local scale. Our findings provide guidance for nature conservation NGOs and related government bodies for their various actions including designation of Important Bird Areas, regulation of mining practices and preparation of environmental impact assessments.
Raised Eyebrows
Authors: Minkin Louisa
Published: January 2017

I'm standing in front of a ‘painting’ by Niki de Saint Phalle called ‘Green Sky’. It happens that I'm standing in front of it in Tokyo where the intense nihon-spectral activity on my eu-retina might indeed make the sky green.
The Art of Assemblage: Styling Neolithic Art
Authors: Jones Andrew Meirion
Published: January 2017

The art of Neolithic Britain and Ireland consists of a variety of curvilinear and geometric motifs pecked into stone (in open-air rock art or passage tombs) or carved into portable artefacts of chalk, stone or antler. Because of its abstract nature the art has proved problematic for archaeologists. Initially archaeologists assumed the art was representational; now most scholars have abandoned this view, and simply approach the art stylistically. Here I argue that stylistic analysis is insufficient to understand this art: instead the process of making provides a fuller understanding of this art. It is argued that the practice of assemblage is a key aspect of the process of making.
Archaeology and Assemblage
Authors: Hamilakis Yannis , Jones Andrew Meirion
Published: January 2017

Assemblage is a concept common to a number of academic disciplines, most notably archaeology and art, but also geology and palaeontology. Archaeology can claim a special link to the term assemblage, though novel approaches to the concept of assemblage have recently been adopted from the fields of philosophy and political theory. These approaches, bracketed under the term ‘new materialism’, are discussed here. The introduction to this collection of papers outlines these approaches and evaluates their usefulness for archaeological practice and interpretation.
LIBERTY AND THE CONSTITUTION
Authors: Moore Michael S.
Published: January 2017

The article uses the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the same-sex marriage caseObergefell v. Hodgesas the springboard for a general enquiry into the nature and existence of a constitutional right to liberty under the American Constitution. The discussion is divided into two main parts. The first examines the meaning and the justifiability of there being a moral right to liberty as a matter of political philosophy. Two such rights are distinguished and defended: first, a right not to be coerced by the state when the state is motivated by improper reasons (prominent among which are paternalistic reasons); and second, a right not to be coerced by the state when there are insufficient justifying reasons for the state to do so, irrespective of how such state coercion may be motivated. Neither right is regarded as “absolute,” and so it is morally permissible for the state to override such rights in certain circumstances. The second part of the article examines the distinct and additional considerations that must be taken into account when these two moral rights to liberty are fashioned into corresponding legal rights under American constitutional law. Both such rights survive the transformation, but each becomes altered somewhat in its content. This legal transformation includes recognition of the nonabsolute nature of moral rights, such recognition taking the form of some doctrine of “compelling state interests.” The discussion in these two main parts of the article is prefaced with a defense of the article's use of political philosophy to inform constitutional law, a defense motivated by Chief Justice Robert's denunciation of such an approach to constitutional law in his opinion inObergefell.
Disclosure of mental health problems: findings from an Australian national survey
Authors: Reavley N. J. , Morgan A. J. , Jorm A. F.
Published: January 2017

Aims.

The aim of the current study was to carry out a national population-based survey to assess the proportion of people disclosing mental health problems in a variety of settings. A further aim was to explore respondent characteristics associated with disclosure.

Methods.

In 2014, telephone interviews were carried out with 5220 Australians aged 18+, 1381 of whom reported a mental health problem or scored highly on a symptom screening questionnaire. Questions covered disclosure of mental health problems to friends, intimate partners, other family members, supervisors or other colleagues in the workplace, teachers, lecturers or other students in the educational institution, health professionals and others in the community. Other than for intimate partners or supervisors, participants were asked whether or not they told everybody, some people or no one. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model the correlates of disclosure in each setting.

Results.

For friends and family, respondents were more likely to disclose to some people than to everyone or to no one. In most other domains, non-disclosure was most common, including in the workplace, where non-disclosure to supervisors was more likely than disclosure. Disclosure was associated with having received treatment or with support in all settings except healthcare, while it was only associated with discrimination in two settings (healthcare and education).

Conclusions.

Disclosure of mental health problems does not appear to be linked to discrimination in most settings, and is typically associated with receiving support. Selective or non-disclosure may be particularly critical in workplaces, education and healthcare settings.
Erlebte Beteiligung an der Zielsetzung
Authors: Hoppe Johannes , Rau Renate
Published: January 2017

Zusammenfassung. Aktuelle Befragungen beschreiben Zielvereinbarungen als eine Ursache von Zeit- und Leistungsdruck, und in der Folge, für Stress. In der vorliegenden Studie wird untersucht, ob vorgegebene oder vereinbarte Leistungsziele mit negativen oder positiven Beanspruchungsfolgen in Beziehung stehen. An der Untersuchung nahmen 162 Beschäftigte einer deutschen Bank teil. Die Leistungsziele der Beschäftigten wurden in mindestens jährlich stattfindenden Mitarbeitergesprächen festgelegt. Erfasst wurden die erlebte Beteiligung an der Zielsetzung (Vorgabe oder Vereinbarung), die Wahrscheinlichkeit, die eigenen Leistungsziele erreichen zu können (erlebte Realisierbarkeit), der erlebte Tätigkeitsspielraum sowie Angst und Engagement. Wir nehmen an, dass erlebte Beteiligung an der Zielsetzung mit der erlebten Realisierbarkeit des Leistungsziels und dem erlebten Tätigkeitsspielraum zusammenhängt – über die persönliche Beziehung zwischen Führenden und Geführten hinaus. Ferner erwarten wir, dass wahrgenommene Arbeitsmerkmale den Zusammenhang zwischen erlebter Beteiligung an der Zielsetzung und Beanspruchungsfolgen vermitteln. Die Ergebnisse hierarchischer Regressionsanalysen und paralleler Mediationsmodelle unterstützen die aufgestellten Hypothesen. Die Erkenntnisse sollten bei der Implementierung des Führens durch Ziele in Unternehmen und insbesondere zur Einhaltung geltender gesetzlicher Standards berücksichtigt werden.
Top 10 Eos.org Articles of 2016
Authors: Richman Barbara
Published: January 2017

From habitable zones around aging stars to anomalies in a stratospheric wind pattern, here's a list of some of last year's most popular stories.
Shifting molecular localization by plasmonic coupling in a single-molecule mirage
Authors: Raab Mario , Vietz Carolin , Stefani Fernando Daniel , Acuna Guillermo Pedro , Tinnefeld Philip
Published: January 2017

Over the last decade, two fields have dominated the attention of sub-diffraction photonics research: plasmonics and fluorescence nanoscopy. Nanoscopy based on single-molecule localization offers a practical way to explore plasmonic interactions with nanometre resolution. However, this seemingly straightforward technique may retrieve false positional information. Here, we make use of the DNA origami technique to both control a nanometric separation between emitters and a gold nanoparticle, and as a platform for super-resolution imaging based on single-molecule localization. This enables a quantitative comparison between the position retrieved from single-molecule localization, the true position of the emitter and full-field simulations. We demonstrate that plasmonic coupling leads to shifted molecular localizations of up to 30 nm: a single-molecule mirage.