bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Likelihood of a marine vessel accident from wind energy development in the Atlantic
Authors: Copping Andrea , Breithaupt Stephen , Whiting Jonathan , Grear Molly , Tagestad Jerry , Shelton Gregory
Published: November 2015

Offshore wind energy development is planned for areas off the Atlantic coast. Many of the planned wind development areas fall within traditional commercial vessel routes. In order to mitigate possible hazards to ships and to wind turbines, it is important to understand the potential for increased risk to commercial shipping from the presence of wind farms. Risk is identified as the likelihood that an occurrence will happen, and the consequences of that occurrence, should it occur. This paper deals with the likelihood of commercial vessel accidents, because of the development of offshore wind energy along the US Atlantic coast. Using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, historical shipping routes between ports in the Atlantic were identified, from Maine to the Florida Straits. The AIS data were also used as inputs to a numerical model that can simulate cargo, tanker and tug/towing vessel movement along typical routes. The model was used to recreate present day vessel movement, as well as to simulate future routing that may be required to avoid wind farms. By comparing the present and future routing of vessels, an analysis of potential maritime accidents was used to determine the increased marginal risk of vessel collisions, groundings and allisions with stationary objects, because of the presence of wind farms. The outcome of the analysis showed little increase in vessel collisions or allisions, and a decrease in groundings as more vessels were forced seaward by the wind farms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Epidemiology of Injuries in Football at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Authors: Webborn Nick , Cushman Daniel , Blauwet Cheri A. , Emery Carolyn , Derman Wayne , Schwellnus Martin , Stomphorst Jaap , Van de Vliet Peter , Willick Stuart E.
Published: October 2015

Background

The epidemiology of injury in Paralympic football has received little attention. A study of all sports at the London 2012 Paralympic Games identified football 5‐a‐side as the sport with the highest injury rate, meriting further detailed analysis, which may facilitate the development of strategies to prevent injuries.

Objective

To examine the injury rates and risk factors associated with injury in Paralympic football.

Design

Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of injuries to football 5‐a‐side and football 7‐a‐side athletes.

Setting

London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Participants

Participants included 70 football 5‐a‐side athletes and 96 football 7‐a‐side athletes. Athletes from all but one country chose to participate in this study.

Methods

The Paralympic Injury and Illness Surveillance System was used to track injuries during the Games, with data entered by medical staff.

Main Outcome Measurements

Injury incidence rate (IR) and injury incidence proportion (IP).

Results

The overall IR for football 5‐a‐side was 22.4 injuries/1000 athlete‐days (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.1‐33.8) with an IP of 31.4 injuries per 100 athletes (95% CI, 20.9‐43.6). In 5‐a‐side competition, 62.5% of injuries were associated with foul play. The overall IR for football 7‐a‐side was 10.4 injuries/1000 athlete‐days (95% CI, 5.4‐15.5), with an IP of 14.6 injuries per 100 athletes (95% CI, 7.5‐21.6). The most commonly injured body region in both sports was the lower extremity.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine IR and risk factors associated with injury in Paralympic football. Future studies are needed to determine mechanisms of injury and independent risk factors for injury, thus informing prevention strategies.
Spoken language usage events
Authors: CIENKI ALAN
Published: November 2015

abstract

As an explicitly usage-based model of language structure (Barlow & Kemmer, 2000), cognitive grammar draws on the notion of ‘usage events’ of language as the starting point from which linguistic units are schematized by language users. To be true to this claim for spoken languages, phenomena such as non-lexical sounds, intonation patterns, and certain uses of gesture should be taken into account to the degree to which they constitute the phonological pole of signs, paired in entrenched ways with conceptual content. Following through on this view of usage events also means realizing the gradable nature of signs. In addition, taking linguistic meaning as consisting of not only conceptual content but also a particular way of construing that content (Langacker, 2008, p. 43), we find that the forms of expression mentioned above play a prominent role in highlighting the ways in which speakers construe what they are talking about, in terms of different degrees of specificity, focusing, prominence, and perspective. Viewed in this way, usage events of spoken language are quite different in nature from those of written language, a point which highlights the need for differentiated accounts of the grammar of these two forms of expression taken by many languages.
Local meaning-negotiation, activity types, and the current-discourse-space model
Authors: LANGLOTZ ANDREAS
Published: November 2015

abstract

Any approach to interaction is confronted with the dilemma of reconciling the empirical fact that meaning is locally and interactionally managed, as shown by conversation analysis, with the fact that conversations are subject to genres that impose conventionalized expectations for allowable contributions and inferences, as advocated by the ethnography of communication. This theoretical paper attempts to overcome this challenge by integrating Langacker’s current-discourse-space model with Barsalou’s dynamic model of situated conceptualization. With reference to these frameworks, the paper sketches a grounded socio-cognitive model of meaning construction in context that combines the situated interactional negotiation of meaning with the discursive knowledge that underlies speech genres in the form of genre-simulators. To substantiate and illustrate the theoretical considerations, the paper draws on two extracts from spoken tourist-information transactions.
Evaluation of different methods to handle misreporting in obesity research: evidence from the Canadian national nutrition survey
Authors: Jessri Mahsa , Lou Wendy Y. , L’Abbé Mary R.
Published: November 2015

The association of dietary exposures with health outcomes may be attenuated or reversed as a result of energy intake (EI) misreporting. This study evaluated several methods for dealing with implausible recalls when analysing the association between dietary factors and obesity. We examined data from 16 187 Canadians aged ≥12 years in the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2. Under- and over-reporting were defined as the ratio of EI:estimated energy requirement <0·7 and >1·42, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression-generalised logit model was conducted to test the utility of different methods for handling misreporting, including (a) adjusting for variables related to misreporting, (b) excluding misreported recalls, (c) adjusting for reporting groups (under-, plausible and over-reporters), (d) adjusting for propensity score and (e) stratifying the analyses by reporting groups. In the basic model, EI showed a negative association with overweight (OR 0·988; 95 % CI 0·979, 0·998) and obesity (OR 0·989; 95 % CI 0·977, 0·999). Similarly, the association between total energy density and overweight (OR 0·670; 95 % CI 0·487, 0·923) and obesity (OR 0·709; 95 % CI 0·495, 1·016) was inverse. Among all methods of handling misreporting, adjusting for the reporting status revealed the most satisfactory results, where a positive association between EI and overweight (OR 1·037; 95 % CI 1·019, 1·055) and obesity (OR 1·109; 95 % CI 1·082, 1·137) was observed (P<0·0001), as well as direct positive associations between energy density and percentage energy from solid fats and added sugars with obesity (P<0·05). The results of this study can help advance knowledge about the relationship between dietary variables and obesity and demonstrate to researchers and nutrition policy makers the importance of adjusting for recall plausibility in obesity research, which is highly relevant in light of global obesity epidemic.
Changes in metabolites in maize seedlings under chlorsulfuron and cadmium stress
Authors: ZHAO L. J. , XIE J. F. , ZHANG H. , WANG Z. T. , FAN R. J. , LV J. L. , ZHANG M.
Published: November 2015

The herbicide chlorsulfuron is commonly applied to cereals and may persist in alkaline soil long enough to damage subsequent sensitive crops. Sewage water, a potential source of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), is used to irrigate agricultural soils in many developing countries. The current work evaluated the effects of the residual herbicide chlorsulfuron and Cd on maize seedlings, with particular attention to the mechanism of their action on plant growth. Maize seeds were planted in soil that had been sprayed with chlorsulfuron and Cd, after which residues in both seedlings and the soil were measured. The chlorsulfuron dose was correlated with the amount of residue found in seedlings but not in the soil. In all, 39 metabolites were identified in seedlings using the Automated Mass spectral Deconvolution and Identification System software program and the retention index method. The combination of chlorsulfuron and Cd significantly reduced multiple metabolites in the shikimate pathway, malic acid and citric acid production in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lactic acid, glucose, aspartic acid, asparagine and 3-glycerophosphoric acid production. In addition, chlorsulfuron caused an increase in multiple amino acids, including tyrosine, methionine and asparagine, and a marked decrease in caffeic and cinnamic acids (the secondary metabolites derived from the shikimate pathway and galactose). Finally, chlorsulfuron and Cd stress markedly increased shikimate acid, decreased 3-glycerophosphoric acid and caused negative correlations between the amounts of phenylalanine and tyrosine and those of quinic- and cinnamic-acid. In conclusion, chlorsulfuron and Cd did not have a synergistic effect on maize seedlings; rather, the combination of these pollutants had an antagonistic effect on some amino acids.
Stomach nematodes of three sympatric species of anatid birds off the coast of Patagonia
Authors: Agüero M.L. , Gilardoni C. , Cremonte F. , Diaz J.I.
Published: November 2015

The present study focuses on the nematode community in the stomachs of three sympatric anatid bird species from the Central Patagonian coast, Argentina. The bird species include the Chubut steamer duck,Tachyeres leucocephalus, the crested duck,Lophonetta specularioides,and the black-necked swan,Cygnus melancoryphus. Up to 138 nematodes representing five species were recovered from 10 of the 13 ducks examined, with an overall prevalence of 77% and a mean intensity of 13.8. Nematodes isolated from the gizzard wereStreptocara formosensisandSciadiocara legendrei(Acuariidae) inT. leucocephalus, andEpomidiostomum vogelsangi(Amidostomatidae) inC. melancoryphus, whereasEchinuria uncinata(Acuariidae) andTetrameres(Petrowimeres)fissispina(Tetrameriidae) were found in the proventiculus ofL. specularioides. In particular,S. legendreiwas registered for the first time in South America andT. leucocephalus, whereasT. fissispinarepresents a new record in Argentina andL. specularioides. Moreover,E. vogelsangiandE. uncinatawere isolated in Patagonia for the first time. The birds studied herein are sympatric in their distribution, and two of them are syntopic breeders; however, they were infected with different parasite species. This situation could be partially due to their diet or their seasonal movements, or a combination of both. Despite the low number of hosts examined, this work enhances our knowledge about parasites from a frequently occurring group of birds on the Patagonian coast, a subject that has not been studied extensively in South America.
Friedrich Berthold Reinke (1862–1919): brilliant yet troubled anatomist of the vocal fold
Authors: Senior A
Published: November 2015

Reinke's space is a critical laryngeal structure, and the eponym remains in current use in both clinical and research settings. However, little is known about the life of the German anatomist Friedrich Berthold Reinke. His name is missing from the otolaryngological histories, despite his work on the structure he described being responsible for a fundamental advance in our understanding of the larynx. Although brilliant, Reinke was described as impetuous and coarse by his colleagues, resulting in his academic career being cut short. Reinke's relative anonymity is thought to derive from the fact that he never defined himself as a laryngologist. Without question, Reinke's observations of the human vocal fold are substantive contributions, without which modern laryngology could not have evolved. This article aimed to summarise this brilliant yet troubled man's life and achievements, allowing appreciation for his singular genius and fundamental contribution to laryngology.
Parvoplaca nigroblastidiata, a new corticolous lichen (Teloschistaceae) in Europe, Turkey and Alaska
Authors: Arup Ulf , Vondrák Jan , Halıcı Mehmet Gökhan
Published: November 2015

In a recent phylogenetic analysis of the familyTeloschistaceaebased on three molecular markers, 31 genera were newly described or resurrected. One of these genera wasParvoplaca, currently including four species in which anthraquinones may be present or absent in the apothecia. We have re-analyzed the genus and propose one new species,P. nigroblastidiataArup, Halıcı & Vondrák, and one new combination,P. chelyae(Pérez-Vargas) Vondrák, Halıcı & Arup. The new species is known at present from Sweden, Turkey and Alaska. It is characterized by an endophloedal thallus, black blastidia produced in small spots and zeorin-lecanorine apothecia with an orange disc and black thalline margin. It is morphologically similar toCaloplaca turkuensis, but differs in the zeorine-lecanorine apothecia and the thalline margin that is dark grey-black instead of grey.
Microsoft Grammar and Style Checker (‘Consider Revising’)
Authors: Kostadinova Viktorija
Published: November 2015

I had never given much consideration to the influence of the Microsoft Word grammar and style checker on the average Microsoft Word user. Perhaps that is because I never felt quite bothered by it; as someone who has studied English for almost twenty years now, I always felt I could make my own decisions when it comes to grammar and style matters in English. This feeling, however, changed recently when, in a matter of days, the Microsoft Word grammar and style checker on my recently purchased laptop started disliking all my passive constructions, and suggested that I should replace them with active clauses. I was not impressed. (And even as I am writing this, a lot of the passive constructions in this text are underlined as ‘errors’.)
Englicious: Teaching English Grammar in Schools
Authors: Fletcher Rachel
Published: November 2015

Englicious is a new online library of resources for English language teachers that has been designed by the Survey of English Usage at UCL. It offers not only lesson plans and activities for use in the classroom, but a collection of Continuing Professional Development resources for teachers, all aimed at supporting the teaching of the new National Curriculum in England. There is a particular focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG), and especially on preparing pupils for the Year 3 and Year 6 SPaG tests, but users will also find materials covering many other aspects of English Language at both a primary and a secondary level.
Urbanity by its ‘smallest units’. Comments on ‘performing towns’
Authors: Kalmring Sven
Published: November 2015

Any reader expecting yet another contribution on the urbanization of Scandinavia will be misguided reading Axel Christophersen's contribution on ‘performing towns’. As the author makes very clear, he focuses onurbanityin the sense ofurban social practicerather than onurbanizationitself. The latter concept is straightforwardly dismissed as belonging to processual archaeology, and was trying to understand the town as abeingstructure and neglecting the dynamic role of its individual inhabitants as a ‘crucial historical driving force’ (p. 110). Christophersen also omits the classic discussion – actually besides Christianization one of the two most prominent topics in early medieval archaeology – on the designation and character of the earliest towns in the north, where early towns are merely defined as population centres ‘larger than a village and smaller than a city’ (p. 112). Instead, with the adoption ofpractice theory, Christophersen picks one heuristic approach from modern social theory (mentalism (subjectivistic/objectivistic), intersubjectivism, textualism and practice theory itself) for the analysis of social phenomena as routinized body/knowledge/things complexes (Reckwitz 2002, 257–58).
Urbanity as social practice
Authors: Christophersen Axel
Published: November 2015

I would like to thank the commenters for spending their time on critical and constructive responses to my paper ‘Performing towns’. The comments add valuable insights, knowledge, viewpoints and ideas, which significantly elucidate the possibilities as well as the limitations of approaching medieval urban communities from a social-practice theoretical perspective (SPT). The commenters have pointed at theoretical questions too superficially treated, the need for a more extensive knowledge base and, most importantly, the need for a broader discussion of the methodological and empirical consequences of an SPT approach in analysing everyday life in a Scandinavian urban community based on archaeological empirical data. Rather than giving individual feedback, I instead centre my reply around four topics that the commenters have raised and which relate closely to the paper's paramount issue and development potential.
In conversation with Leo S. Klejn
Authors: Leach Stephen
Published: November 2015

This interview discusses the comparison that Klejn draws between archaeology and forensic science. This is a comparison that has been made many times previously by many different archaeologists (and crime writers), but Klejn is unusual in that he explores the implications of their similarity. In his view it is archaeology rather than history that is most closely related to forensic science. The difference between archaeology and history is important because when this difference was ignored, in the Soviet Union, it was to the detriment of both disciplines. Hence Klejn's continued concern – that the difference between archaeology and history is still, to some extent, ignored. Other subjects discussed include Klejn's view of the role of theory in relation to practice, his criticisms of New Archaeology and postprocessual archaeology, typology, the underlying principles of archaeology, ethnogenesis and the history of archaeology. Of course, in an interview of this length not all of these subjects are covered in great depth but it is hoped that enough is said that the reader may appreciate something of the nature and originality of Klejn's views.
Vulnerable bodies, vulnerable systems
Authors: Philippopoulos-Mihalopoulos Andreas , Webb Thomas E.
Published: November 2015

In this paper we examine the concept of vulnerability as it relates to the materiality of systems, the exclusion of human physical corporeality, and social exclusion in Luhmann's theory of social autopoiesis. We ask whether a concept of vulnerability can be included in autopoiesis in order to better conceptualise social exclusion and the excluded, with a view to understanding how, if at all, the dangers posed by this exclusion are mitigated by autopoietic processes. We are emphatically not returning to the human subject over operational systems, but seek instead to develop an understanding of the embodied nature of humans and their vulnerability within an autopoietic framework. We argue that the awareness of the risks to social functional differentiation posed by unmanaged exclusion – disenchantment, disassociation and, most drastically, dedifferentiation – provided by our analysis indicates why hyper-exclusion must be mitigated.
Power in sovereignty and its self-legitimation: on the autopoietic semantics and contingency of popular sovereignty
Authors: Přibáň Jiří
Published: November 2015

This paper analyses sovereignty as part of multiple power operations and the self-referential semantics of positive law and politics regarding the concept of popular sovereignty. The interplay between power structures and the self-description of society as democratic polity with popular sovereignty reflects on the typically modern tension between democracy as a contingent form of government and democracy as an imagined stable form of social totality. Using autopoietic social systems theory, the author reformulates the concept of sovereignty as the specific semantics internally constructed by the functionally differentiated systems of politics and law beyond the image of Leviathan and its socially integrating force, and independently of state organisation and its limitations.
The Impact of Missing and Error-Prone Auxiliary Information on	Sparse-Matrix Sub-Population Parameter Estimates
Authors: Rutkowski Leslie , Zhou Yan
Published: November 2015

Abstract. Given a consistent interest in comparing achievement across sub-populations in international assessments such as TIMSS, PIRLS, and PISA, it is critical that sub-population achievement is estimated reliably and with sufficient precision. As such, we systematically examine the limitations to current estimation methods used by these programs. Using a simulation study along with empirical results from the 2007 cycle of TIMSS, we show that a combination of missing and misclassified data in the conditioning model induces biases in sub-population achievement estimates, the magnitude and degree to which can be readily explained by data quality. Importantly, estimated biases in sub-population achievement are limited to the conditioning variable with poor-quality data while other sub-population achievement estimates are unaffected. Findings are generally in line with theory on missing and error-prone covariates. The current research adds to a small body of literature that has noted some of the limitations to sub-population estimation.
Cross-National Comparisons of Teachers’ Knowledge and Misconceptions of ADHD
Authors: Sciutto Mark J. , Terjesen Mark D. , Kučerová Alena , Michalová Zdena , Schmiedeler Sandra , Antonopoulou Katerina , Shaker Norhan Z. , Lee Ji-yeon , Alkahtani Keetam , Drake Bradley , Rossouw Jaco
Published: November 2015

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most prevalent disorders of childhood and adolescence worldwide. Teachers are likely to play an important role in multiple stages of the help-seeking process (e.g., problem recognition) for children with ADHD. This study examined the relationship of prior exposure and ADHD training with teachers’ knowledge and misconceptions of the disorder in a multinational sample. Teachers ( N = 2,307) from 9 countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Iraq, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United States, and Vietnam) completed measures of ADHD knowledge, prior exposure, and education or training related to ADHD. There was considerable variability in overall levels of knowledge and specific misconceptions across the countries sampled. Although the predictors of ADHD knowledge varied considerably across countries, some form of professional training and prior exposure to ADHD was associated with greater knowledge in the majority of countries. Implications for teacher training and the role teachers can play in the help-seeking process are discussed.
Transmembrane protein sorting driven by membrane curvature
Authors: Strahl H. , Ronneau S. , González B. Solana , Klutsch D. , Schaffner-Barbero C. , Hamoen L. W.
Published: November 2015

The intricate structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells depends on the ability to target proteins to specific cellular locations. In most cases, we have a poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. A typical example is the assembly of bacterial chemoreceptors at cell poles. Here we show that the classical chemoreceptor TlpA ofBacillus subtilisdoes not localize according to the consensus stochastic nucleation mechanism but accumulates at strongly curved membrane areas generated during cell division. This preference was confirmed by accumulation at non-septal curved membranes. Localization appears to be an intrinsic property of the protein complex and does not rely on chemoreceptor clustering, as was previously shown forEscherichia coli. By constructing specific amino-acid substitutions, we demonstrate that the preference for strongly curved membranes arises from the curved shape of chemoreceptor trimer of dimers. These findings demonstrate that the intrinsic shape of transmembrane proteins can determine their cellular localization.
Visualizing the morphology of vortex lattice domains in a bulk type-II superconductor
Authors: Reimann T. , Mühlbauer S. , Schulz M. , Betz B. , Kaestner A. , Pipich V. , Böni P. , Grünzweig C.
Published: November 2015

Alike materials in the solid state, the phase diagram of type-II superconductors exhibit crystalline, amorphous, liquid and spatially inhomogeneous phases. The multitude of different phases of vortex matter has thence proven to act as almost ideal model system for the study of both the underlying properties of superconductivity but also of general phenomena such as domain nucleation and morphology. Here we show how neutron grating interferometry yields detailed information on the vortex lattice and its domain structure in the intermediate mixed state of a type-II niobium superconductor. In particular, we identify the nucleation regions, how the intermediate mixed state expands, and where it finally evolves into the Shubnikov phase. Moreover, we complement the results obtained from neutron grating interferometry by small-angle neutron scattering that confirm the spatially resolved morphology found in the intermediate mixed state, and very small-angle neutron scattering that confirm the domain structure of the vortex lattice.
Differential effect of caffeine intake in subjects with genetic susceptibility to Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kumar Prakash M. , Paing Swe Swe Thet , Li HuiHua , Pavanni R. , Yuen Y. , Zhao Y. , Tan Eng King
Published: November 2015

We examined if caffeine intake has a differential effect in subjects with high and low genetic susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disorder. A case control study involving 812 subjects consisting of PD and healthy controls were conducted. Caffeine intake assessed by a validated questionnaire and genotyping of PD gene risk variant (LRRK2 R1628P) was carried out. Compared to caffeine takers with the wild-type genotype (low genetic susceptibility), non-caffeine takers with R1628P variant (high genetic susceptibility) had a 15 times increased risk of developing PD (OR = 15.4, 95% CI = (1.94, 122), P = 0.01), whereas caffeine takers with R1628P (intermediate susceptibility) had a 3 times risk (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = (2.02, 4.66), P < 0.001). Caffeine intake would significantly reduce the risk of PD much more in those with high genetic susceptibility compared to those with low genetic susceptibility.
Lipid mediator profile in vernix caseosa reflects skin barrier development
Authors: Checa Antonio , Holm Tina , Sjödin Marcus O. D. , Reinke Stacey N. , Alm Johan , Scheynius Annika , Wheelock Craig E.
Published: November 2015

Vernix caseosa (VC) is a protective layer that covers the skin of most human newborns. This study characterized the VC lipid mediator profile and examined its relationship to gestational period, gender of the newborn and maternal lifestyle. VC collected at birth from 156 newborns within the ALADDIN birth cohort was analyzed and 3 different groups of lipid mediators (eicosanoids and related oxylipin analogs, endocannabinoids and sphingolipids) were screened using LC-MS/MS. A total of 54 compounds were detected in VC. A number of associations between lipid mediators and the gestational period were observed, including increases in the ceramide to sphingomyelin ratio as well as the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Gender-specific differences in lipid mediator levels were observed for all 3 lipid classes. In addition, levels of the linoleic acid oxidation products 9(10)-epoxy-12Z-octadecenoic and 12(13)-epoxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (EpOMEs) as well as 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (DiHOME) were increased in VC of children from mothers with an anthroposophic lifestyle. Accordingly, VC was found to be rich in multiple classes of bioactive lipid mediators, which evidence lifestyle, gender and gestational week dependencies. Levels of lipid mediators in VC may therefore be useful as early stage non-invasive markers of the development of the skin as a protective barrier.
Optical Imaging of Nonuniform Ferroelectricity and Strain at the Diffraction Limit
Authors: Vlasin Ondrej , Casals Blai , Dix Nico , Gutiérrez Diego , Sánchez Florencio , Herranz Gervasi
Published: November 2015

We have imaged optically the spatial distributions of ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity at the diffraction limit. Contributions to the birefringence from electro-optics –linked to ferroelectricity– as well as strain –arising from converse piezoelectric effects– have been recorded simultaneously in a BaTiO3 thin film. The concurrent recording of electro-optic and piezo-optic mappings revealed that, far from the ideal uniformity, the ferroelectric and piezoelectric responses were strikingly inhomogeneous, exhibiting significant fluctuations over the scale of the micrometer. The optical methods here described are appropriate to study the variations of these properties simultaneously, which are of great relevance when ferroelectrics are downscaled to small sizes for applications in data storage and processing.
Transfer of scarlet fever-associated elements into the group A Streptococcus M1T1 clone
Authors: Ben Zakour Nouri L. , Davies Mark R. , You Yuanhai , Chen Jonathan H. K. , Forde Brian M. , Stanton-Cook Mitchell , Yang Ruifu , Cui Yujun , Barnett Timothy C. , Venturini Carola , Ong Cheryl-lynn Y. , Tse Herman , Dougan Gordon , Zhang Jianzhong , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Beatson Scott A. , Walker Mark J.
Published: November 2015

The group A Streptococcus (GAS) M1T1 clone emerged in the 1980s as a leading cause of epidemic invasive infections worldwide, including necrotizing fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome1,2,3. Horizontal transfer of mobile genetic elements has played a central role in the evolution of the M1T1 clone4,5, with bacteriophage-encoded determinants DNase Sda16 and superantigen SpeA27 contributing to enhanced virulence and colonization respectively. Outbreaks of scarlet fever in Hong Kong and China in 2011, caused primarily by emm12 GAS8,9,10, led to our investigation of the next most common cause of scarlet fever, emm1 GAS8,9. Genomic analysis of 18 emm1 isolates from Hong Kong and 16 emm1 isolates from mainland China revealed the presence of mobile genetic elements associated with the expansion of emm12 scarlet fever clones10,11 in the M1T1 genomic background. These mobile genetic elements confer expression of superantigens SSA and SpeC and resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin. Horizontal transfer of mobile DNA conferring multi-drug resistance and expression of a new superantigen repertoire in the M1T1 clone should trigger heightened public health awareness for the global dissemination of these genetic elements.
Heterogeneity of miR-10b expression in circulating tumor cells
Authors: Gasch Christin , Plummer Prue N. , Jovanovic Lidija , McInnes Linda M. , Wescott David , Saunders Christobel M. , Schneeweiss Andreas , Wallwiener Markus , Nelson Colleen , Spring Kevin J. , Riethdorf Sabine , Thompson Erik W. , Pantel Klaus , Mellick Albert S.
Published: November 2015

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of cancer patients are recognized as important potential targets for future anticancer therapies. As mediators of metastatic spread, CTCs are also promising to be used as ‘liquid biopsy’ to aid clinical decision-making. Recent work has revealed potentially important genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity within CTC populations, even within the same patient. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and have emerged as potentially important diagnostic markers and targets for anti-cancer therapy. Here, we describe a robust in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol, incorporating the CellSearch® CTC detection system, enabling clinical investigation of important miRNAs, such as miR-10b on a cell by cell basis. We also use this method to demonstrate heterogeneity of such as miR-10b on a cell-by-cell basis. We also use this method to demonstrate heterogeneity of miR-10b in individual CTCs from breast, prostate and colorectal cancer patients.
Integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time detection of airborne microorganisms
Authors: Choi Jeongan , Kang Miran , Jung Jae Hee
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate an integrated micro-optofluidic platform for real-time, continuous detection and quantification of airborne microorganisms. Measurements of the fluorescence and light scattering from single particles in a microfluidic channel are used to determine the total particle number concentration and the microorganism number concentration in real-time. The system performance is examined by evaluating standard particle measurements with various sample flow rates and the ratios of fluorescent to non-fluorescent particles. To apply this method to real-time detection of airborne microorganisms, airborne Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis cells were introduced into the micro-optofluidic platform via bioaerosol generation and a liquid-type particle collection setup was used. We demonstrate successful discrimination of SYTO82-dyed fluorescent bacterial cells from other residue particles in a continuous and real-time manner. In comparison with traditional microscopy cell counting and colony culture methods, this micro-optofluidic platform is not only more accurate in terms of the detection efficiency for airborne microorganisms but it also provides additional information on the total particle number concentration.
Electrical level of defects in single-layer two-dimensional TiO2
Authors: Song X. F. , Hu L. F. , Li D. H. , Chen L. , Sun Q. Q. , Zhou P. , Zhang D. W.
Published: November 2015

The remarkable properties of graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have attracted increasing attention on two-dimensional materials, but the gate oxide, one of the key components of two-dimensional electronic devices, has rarely reported. We found the single-layer oxide can be used as the two dimensional gate oxide in 2D electronic structure, such as TiO2. However, the electrical performance is seriously influenced by the defects existing in the single-layer oxide. In this paper, a nondestructive and noncontact solution based on spectroscopic ellipsometry has been used to detect the defect states and energy level of single-layer TiO2 films. By fitting the Lorentz oscillator model, the results indicate the exact position of defect energy levels depends on the estimated band gap and the charge state of the point defects of TiO2.
Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles
Authors: Xu Wenxiang , Duan Qinglin , Ma Huaifa , Chen Wen , Chen Huisu
Published: November 2015

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials.
Three Dimensional Hybrids of Vertical Graphene-nanosheet Sandwiched by Ag-nanoparticles for Enhanced Surface Selectively Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Zhao Jing , Sun Mengtao , Liu Zhe , Quan Baogang , Gu Changzhi , Li Junjie
Published: November 2015

Three dimensional (3D) plasmonic nanostructure is perfect for the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and also very suitable for surface catalytic reaction, but how to design and fabricate is still a robust task. Here, we show a 3D plasmonic nanohybrid of vertical graphene-nanosheet sandwiched by Ag-nanoparticles on the silicon nanocone array substrate for enhanced surface catalytic reaction. By SERS detection, we find that this hierarchical nanohybrid structure is highly efficient in the enhancement of catalytic reaction, even at a very low concentration of 10−11 M, which is far better than previous reports by four orders of magnitude. A strong electric field enhancement produced in the 3D framework nanohybrids of graphene nanosheet/Ag-nanoparticles is responsible for this great enhancement of catalytic reaction, due to larger electron collective oscillation in the composite system. Especially the oxygen adsorbed on the graphene and Ag nanoparticles can be excited to triplet excited states and the electrons on the graphene and the nanoparticles can be effectively transferred to the oxygen, which plays very important role in molecular catalytic reactions. Our results demonstrate the contribution of graphene in plasmon-driven catalytic reactions, revealing a co-driven reaction process.This excellent SERS substrate can be used for future plasmon and graphene co-catalytic surface catalytic reactions, graphene-based surface plasmon sensors and so on.
Fluoxetine regulates mTOR signalling in a region-dependent manner in depression-like mice
Authors: Liu Xiao-Long , Luo Liu , Mu Rong-Hao , Liu Bin-Bin , Geng Di , Liu Qing , Yi Li-Tao
Published: November 2015

Previous studies have demonstrated that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has an important role in ketamine-induced, rapid antidepressant effects despite the acute administration of fluoxetine not affecting mTOR phosphorylation in the brain. However, the effects of long-term fluoxetine treatment on mTOR modulation have not been assessed to date. In the present study, we examined whether fluoxetine, a type of commonly used antidepressant agent, alters mTOR signaling following chronic administration in different brain regions, including the frontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. We also investigated whether fluoxetine enhanced synaptic protein levels in these regions via the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway and its downstream regulators, p70S6K and 4E-BP-1. The results indicated that chronic fluoxetine treatment attenuated the chronic, unpredictable, mild stress (CUMS)-induced mTOR phosphorylation reduction in the hippocampus and amygdala of mice but not in the frontal cortex or the hypothalamus. Moreover, the CUMS-decreased PSD-95 and synapsin I levels were reversed by fluoxetine and these effects were blocked by rapamycin only in the hippocampus. In conclusion, our findings suggest that chronic treatment with fluoxetine can induce synaptic protein expression by activating the mTOR signaling pathway in a region-dependent manner and mainly in the hippocampus.
Boulders on asteroid Toutatis as observed by Chang’e-2
Authors: Jiang Yun , Ji Jianghui , Huang Jiangchuan , Marchi Simone , Li Yuan , Ip Wing-Huen
Published: November 2015

Boulders are ubiquitously found on the surfaces of small rocky bodies in the inner solar system and their spatial and size distributions give insight into the geological evolution and collisional history of the parent bodies. Using images acquired by the Chang’e-2 spacecraft, more than 200 boulders have been identified over the imaged area of the near-Earth asteroid Toutatis. The cumulative boulder size frequency distribution (SFD) shows a steep slope of −4.4 ± 0.1, which is indicative of a high degree of fragmentation. Similar to Itokawa, Toutatis probably has a rubble-pile structure, as most boulders on its surface cannot solely be explained by impact cratering. The significantly steeper slope for Toutatis’ boulder SFD compared to Itokawa may imply a different preservation state or diverse formation scenarios. In addition, the cumulative crater SFD has been used to estimate a surface crater retention age of approximately 1.6 ± 0.3 Gyr.
Multiple Effects of the Second Fluid on Suspension Viscosity
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhao Hui , Li Weifeng , Xu Menghan , Liu Haifeng
Published: November 2015

Previous research has shown that adding a small amount of a second immiscible fluid to particulate suspension can result in a significant influence on viscosity. In this study, the effects of the second fluid addition over a small dosage range on the rheological properties of particle suspension were investigated. As the dosage of the second fluid was increased, the viscosity and yield stress initially decreased then increased and finally decreased again. The microstructure of the suspension was observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and showed three different states with the increasing dosage of the second fluid: a dispersive sate, cluster state and cell state in sequence. The presence of these states interpreted the non-monotonic trend of viscosity and yield stress in the suspensions.
Titration of gold nanoparticles in phase extraction
Authors: Cheng Han-Wen , Schadt Mark J. , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: November 2015

Spectrophotometric analysis of phase extraction determines the percentage of ion pairing and structural changes in the capping monolayer of gold nanoparticles.
Fluorogenic nanoreactor assembly with boosted sensing kinetics for timely imaging of cellular hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Heo Jeongyun , Lim Chang-Keun , Kim Youngsun , Cho Hong-Jun , Lee Yong-Deok , Maeng Joon-ho , Ahn Dae-Ro , Lee Sangyoup , Bang Joona , Park Soo Young , Kim Sehoon
Published: November 2015

Nanoscopic catalysis: a reactor-like nanoprobe with enzyme-like boosted sensing kinetics is reported.
A simple and controllable graphene-templated approach to synthesise 2D silica-based nanomaterials using water-in-oil microemulsions
Authors: Xue Yang , Ye Yun-Sheng , Chen Fang-Yan , Wang Hao , Chen Chao , Xue Zhi-Gang , Zhou Xing-Ping , Xie Xiao-Lin , Mai Yiu-Wing
Published: November 2015

Mechanism of growing silica film on GO surface in water/BnOH biphase systems.
Two-dimensional polymers: concepts and perspectives
Authors: Payamyar Payam , King Benjamin T. , Öttinger Hans Christian , Schlüter A. Dieter
Published: November 2015

The emerging class of 2D polymers is explored from physicochemical, synthetic, and analytical viewpoints. Prospects for their properties are provided.
Cyclopropenone-caged Sondheimer diyne (dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctadiyne): a photoactivatable linchpin for efficient SPAAC crosslinking
Authors: Sutton Dewey A. , Yu Seok-Ho , Steet Richard , Popik Vladimir V.
Published: November 2015

Photo double “click”: Irradiation of bis-cyclopropenone-masked dibenzocyclooctadiynes with UVA or violet light allows for the efficient derivatization of azide-tagged substrates with azide-bearing functional moieties.
Metal–organic frameworks based luminescent materials for nitroaromatics sensing
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Kang Zixi , Xin Xuelian , Sun Daofeng
Published: November 2015

During the various applications of MOFs, the photoluminescence properties of MOFs have received growing attention, especially for nitroaromatics (NACs) sensing. In this highlight, we summarize the progress in recent research in NACs sensing based on MOFs and sensing applications for nano-MOF type materials and MOF film.
Correction: Towards the rationalization of catalytic activity values by means of local hyper-softness on the catalytic site: a criticism about the use of net electric charges
Authors: Martínez-Araya Jorge Ignacio , Grand André , Glossman-Mitnik Daniel
Published: November 2015

Correction for ‘Towards the rationalization of catalytic activity values by means of local hyper-softness on the catalytic site: a criticism about the use of net electric charges’ by Jorge Ignacio Martínez-Araya et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cp03822g.
B-α-[AsW9O33]9− polyoxometalates incorporating hexanuclear uranium {U6O8}-like clusters bearing the UIV form or unprecedented mixed valence UIV/UVI involving direct UVIO–UIV bonding
Authors: Duval Sylvain , Sobanska Sophie , Roussel Pascal , Loiseau Thierry
Published: November 2015

Nanosized uranium clusters involving a rare UVIO–UIV bonding linkage are stabilized by the B-α-[AsW9O33] polyanionic unit.
Aggregation and interactions of chemical mechanical planarization nanoparticles with model biological membranes: role of phosphate adsorption
Authors: Liu Xitong , Chen Kai Loon
Published: November 2015

Adsorption of phosphate on chemical mechanical planarization nanoparticles can significantly impact the interactions between the nanoparticles and model cell membranes.
Microfluidic co-cultures with hydrogel-based ligand trap to study paracrine signals giving rise to cancer drug resistance
Authors: Patel Dipali , Gao Yandong , Son Kyungjin , Siltanen Christian , Neve Richard M. , Ferrara Katherine , Revzin Alexander
Published: November 2015

A microfluidic co-culture device was designed to selectively capture or “knock down” cell-secreted FGF-2 in order to validate its role as a paracrine signal driving cancer drug resistance in melanoma cells.
A fully integrated and automated microsystem for rapid pharmacogenetic typing of multiple warfarin-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms
Authors: Zhuang Bin , Han Junping , Xiang Guangxin , Gan Wupeng , Wang Shuaiqin , Wang Dong , Wang Lei , Sun Jing , Li Cai-Xia , Liu Peng
Published: November 2015

A fully integrated and automated microsystem consisting of disposable plastic chips for DNA extraction and PCR coupled with a reusable glass array-CE chip for rapid pharmacogenetic testing.
Boron based two-dimensional crystals: theoretical design, realization proposal and applications
Authors: Li Xian-Bin , Xie Sheng-Yi , Zheng Hui , Tian Wei Quan , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: November 2015

In this review, we summarize the recent developments of 2D boron based crystals. The theoretical design, possible experimental realization strategies and their potential technical applications are presented and discussed.
Layered nano-gratings by electron beam writing to form 3-level diffractive optical elements for 3D phase-offset holographic lithography
Authors: Yuan Liang (Leon) , Herman Peter R.
Published: November 2015

Three-level nano-grating phase masks fabricated by e-beam lithography provided a diamond-like symmetry in holographic exposure and promised 3D complete stopbands.
Azide-based heterobifunctional poly(ethylene oxide)s: NaN3-initiated “living” polymerization of ethylene oxide and chain end functionalizations
Authors: Yang Sera , Kim Youn , Kim Hyeong Cheol , Siddique Abu B. , Youn Gyusaang , Kim Hyun Jun , Park Hyeon Jong , Lee Jae Yeol , Kim Sehoon , Kim Jungahn
Published: November 2015

Sodium azide (NaN3)-initiated “living” ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and chain end functionalizations.