bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A combination method of the theory and experiment in determination of cutting force coefficients in ball-end mill processes
Authors: Kao Yung-Chou , Nguyen Nhu-Tung , Chen Mau-Sheng , Huang Shyh-Chour
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the cutting force calculation of ball-end mill processing was modeled mathematically. All derivations of cutting forces were directly based on the tangential, radial, and axial cutting force components. In the developed mathematical model of cutting forces, the relationship of average cutting force and the feed per flute was characterized as a linear function. The cutting force coefficient model was formulated by a function of average cutting force and other parameters such as cutter geometry, cutting conditions, and so on. An experimental method was proposed based on the stable milling condition to estimate the cutting force coefficients for ball-end mill. This method could be applied for each pair of tool and workpiece. The developed cutting force model has been successfully verified experimentally with very promising results.

Highlights By investigation of the stable cutting conditions in milling process, the linear function of average cutting force and feed per flute was successfully verified. A combined theoretical-experimental method was proposed with an effective model for the determination of cutting force coefficients in ball-end mill process.
Where is the Content?: Elementary Social Studies in Preservice Field Experiences
Authors: Hawkman Andrea M. , Castro Antonio J. , Bennett Linda B. , Barrow Lloyd H.
Published: June 2015

Anecdotal evidence has long lamented the status of social studies in elementary classrooms as observed by preservice teachers. As standardized testing has risen for mathematics and language arts, social studies has been pushed aside. In the aftermath of accountability legislation such as No Child Left Behind, research indicates that social studies is less visible in elementary classrooms due to an instructional focus on tested content areas (e.g. math, language arts, reading). In this study, approximately 90 elementary preservice teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course responded to a survey and indicated the frequency and quality of lessons they observed over the course of a single semester. Findings report that preservice elementary teachers witnessed few, if any, lessons in social studies in the elementary classroom. Implications for teacher education are discussed.
Anaemia prevalence may be reduced among countries that fortify flour
Authors: Barkley Jonathan S. , Wheeler Kathleen S. , Pachón Helena
Published: June 2015

The effectiveness of flour fortification in reducing anaemia prevalence is equivocal. The goal was to utilise the existing national-level data to assess whether anaemia in non-pregnant women was reduced after countries began fortifying wheat flour, alone or in combination with maize flour, with at least Fe, folic acid, vitamin A or vitamin B12. Nationally representative anaemia data were identified through Demographic and Health Survey reports, the WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System database and other national-level nutrition surveys. Countries with at least two anaemia surveys were considered for inclusion. Within countries, surveys were excluded if altitude was not consistently adjusted for, or if the blood-draw site (e.g. capillary or venous) or Hb quantification method (e.g. HemoCue or Cyanmethaemoglobin) differed. Anaemia prevalence was modelled for countries that had pre- and post-fortification data (n 12) and for countries that never fortified flour (n 20) using logistic regression models that controlled for time effects, human development index (HDI) and endemic malaria. After adjusting for HDI and malaria, each year of fortification was associated with a 2·4 % reduction in the odds of anaemia prevalence (PR 0·976, 95 % CI 0·975, 0·978). Among countries that never fortified, no reduction in the odds of anaemia prevalence over time was observed (PR 0·999, 95 % CI 0·997, 1·002). Among both fortification and non-fortification countries, HDI and malaria were significantly associated with anaemia (P< 0·001). Although this type of evidence precludes a definitive conclusion, results suggest that after controlling for time effects, HDI and endemic malaria, anaemia prevalence has decreased significantly in countries that fortify flour with micronutrients, while remaining unchanged in countries that do not.
Association between mild cognitive impairment and dementia and undernutrition among elderly people in Central Africa: some results from the EPIDEMCA (Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa) programme
Authors: Pilleron Sophie , Jésus Pierre , Desport Jean-Claude , Mbelesso Pascal , Ndamba-Bandzouzi Bébène , Clément Jean-Pierre , Dartigues Jean-François , Preux Pierre-Marie , Guerchet Maëlenn ,   the EPIDEMCA group (Maëlenn Guerchet, Bébène Ndamba-Bandzouzi, Pascal Mbelesso, Sophie Pilleron, Iléana Désormais, Philippe Lacroix, Victor Aboyans, Jean-Claude Desport, Pierre Jésus, Achille Tchalla, Benoît Marin, Jean-Pierre Clément, Jean-Charles Lambert, Jean-François Dartigues and Pierre-Marie Preux)
Published: June 2015

Several studies in Western countries have shown an association between cognitive disorders and low BMI or weight loss in elderly people. However, few data are available in Africa. We analysed the association between cognitive disorders and undernutrition among elderly people in Central Africa. A cross-sectional, multicentre, population-based study using a two-phase design was carried out in subjects aged 65 years and above in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Republic of Congo (ROC). All subjects were interviewed using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia, and those with low performance were clinically assessed by a neurologist and underwent further psychometrical tests. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV and Petersen's criteria were required for the diagnoses of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), respectively. Undernutrition was evaluated using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 24 cm, BMI < 18·5 kg/m2 and arm muscular circumference (AMC) < 5th percentile. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations. In CAR, MCI was associated with MUAC < 24 cm (OR 0·7, 95 % CI 0·4, 1·0) and dementia with BMI < 18·5 kg/m2 (OR 2·3, 95 % CI 1·6, 3·1), AMC < 5th percentile (OR 2·3, 95 % CI 1·1, 4·6) and MUAC < 24 cm (OR 1·8, 95 % CI 1·4, 2·4). In ROC, both MCI and dementia were associated with all markers of undernutrition, but only AMC < 5th percentile was significantly associated with MCI (OR 3·1, 95 % CI 1·9, 4·8). In conclusion, cognitive disorders were associated with undernutrition. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between MCI and undernutrition in CAR.
A comparison of the degree of implementation of marine biodiversity indicators by European countries in relation to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Authors: Hummel Herman , Frost Matt , Juanes José A. , Kochmann Judith , Castellanos Perez Bolde Carlos F. , Aneiros Fernando , Vandenbosch François , Franco João N. , Echavarri Beatriz , Guinda Xabier , Puente Araceli , Fernández Camino , Galván Cristina , Merino Maria , Ramos Elvira , Fernández Paloma , Pitacco Valentina , Alberte Madara , Wojcik Dagmara , Grabowska Monika , Jahnke Marlene , Crocetta Fabio , Carugati Laura , Scorrano Simonetta , Fraschetti Simonetta , García Patricia Pérez , Sanabria Fernández José Antonio , Poromov Artem , Iurchenko Anna , Isachenko Artem , Chava Alexandra , Pavloudi Christina , Bordeyne François , Andersen Simone Fie , Eronat Elizabeth Grace Tunka , Cakmak Taylan , Louizidou Paraskevi , Rico José , Ruci Stela , Corta Diego David , Mendez Sara , Rousou Maria , de Clippele Laurence , Eriksson Annukka , van Zanten Winnie , Diamant Anna , de Matos Valentina Kirienko Fernandes
Published: June 2015

The degree of development and operability of the indicators for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) using Descriptor 1 (D1) Biological Diversity was assessed. To this end, an overview of the relevance and degree of operability of the underlying parameters across 20 European countries was compiled by analysing national directives, legislation, regulations, and publicly available reports. Marked differences were found between countries in the degree of ecological relevance as well as in the degree of implementation and operability of the parameters chosen to indicate biological diversity. The best scoring EU countries were France, Germany, Greece and Spain, while the worst scoring countries were Italy and Slovenia. No country achieved maximum scores for the implementation of MSFD D1. The non-EU countries Norway and Turkey score as highly as the top-scoring EU countries. On the positive side, the chosen parameters for D1 indicators were generally identified as being an ecologically relevant reflection of Biological Diversity. On the negative side however, less than half of the chosen parameters are currently operational. It appears that at a pan-European level, no consistent and harmonized approach currently exists for the description and assessment of marine biological diversity. The implementation of the MSFD Descriptor 1 for Europe as a whole can therefore at best be marked as moderately successful.
Are free-floating planktonic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) common components of the pelagic fauna from the South Brazilian Bight?
Authors: Cabral Ana Caroline , Nogueira Júnior Miodeli , Nagata Renato Mitsuo , Brandini Frederico Pereira
Published: June 2015

We analysed 267 zooplankton samples collected in the South Brazilian Bight (SBB; 23–27°S) to determine whether hydroids, typically benthic, are common components of the pelagic SBB. Two species, Clytia arborescens, recorded for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean, and Clytia sp. were identified. While these planktonic hydroids were frequent or relatively so in shallow shelf waters (~23% of the samples <50 m isobaths, and 5% of the samples >100 m), abundances were low (up to 61 hydranths m−3) suggesting a low trophic impact. Such colonies are probably fragments of benthic colonies detached by storms and/or tides. Given the good condition of the coenosarc, existence of gastric content, and presence of reproductive structures, development of these species appears to be normal in the pelagic environment. Existence in the plankton may increase their capacity for dispersion.
Burden of major diarrheagenic protozoan parasitic co-infection among amoebic dysentery cases from North East India: a case report
Authors: NATH JOYOBRATO , HUSSAIN GULZAR , SINGHA BABY , PAUL JAISHREE , GHOSH SANKAR KUMAR
Published: June 2015

Intestinal diarrheagenic polyparasitic infections are among the major public health concerns in developing countries. Here we examined stool specimens by microscopy, DNA dot blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the co-infection of four principal protozoans among amoebic dysentery cases from Northeast Indian population. The multiplex PCR confirmedEntamoeba histolytica(8·1%),Entamoeba dispar(4·8%) and mixed infection of both the parasites (3·4%) in 68 of 356 stool specimens that were positive in microscopy and/or HMe probe based DNA dot blot screening. The prevailing parasite that co-exists withE. histolyticawasGiardia duodenalis(34·1%), followed byEnterocytozoon bieneusi(22·0%),Cryptosporidium parvum(14·6%) andCyclospora cayetanensis(7·3%,P= 0·017). Symptomatic participants (odds ratio (OR) = 4·07; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·06, 15·68;P= 0·041), monsoon season (OR = 7·47; 95% CI = 1·40, 39·84;P= 0·046) and participants with family history of parasitic infection (OR = 4·50; 95% CI = 1·16, 17·51;P= 0·030) have significant association with overall co-infection rate. According to molecular consensus, comprehensive microscopy yielded 3·4% (12/356) false-negative and 7·6% (27/356) false-positive outcome, suggesting an improved broad-spectrum PCR-based diagnostic is required to scale down the poor sensitivity and specificity as well as implementation of integrated control strategy.
Successful ageing and multi-dimensional poverty: the case of Peru
Authors: OLIVERA JAVIER , TOURNIER ISABELLE
Published: June 2015

This study investigated the determinants of Successful Ageing (SA) in a sample of 4,151 Peruvians aged between 65 and 80 years and living in poverty. A key contribution of this study is to combine the conceptual appeal of SA to measure wellbeing in old age with the multi-dimensional poverty counting approach developed in the economic literature. This setting allows for moving beyond the dichotomy of successful and usual ageing to take advantage of the full distribution of success along a set of dimensions of wellbeing. The data are drawn from the Encuesta de Salud y Bienestar del Adulto Mayor (ESBAM) survey, which is the baseline to evaluate the non-contributory public pension programme Pension 65. Nine indicators of SA have been used to assess the dimensions of physical health, functioning, cognition, emotional health and life satisfaction. The variables associated with a higher number of satisfied indicators were male gender, younger old age, literate, employed, low food insecurity, good nutritional status, normal blood pressure, absence of disabilities, non-smoker, empowerment, good self-esteem, absence of mental disability and less frequent contact with a social network. From a policy perspective, the results of this study report a remarkably stable effect of three variables affecting SA that can be relatively easy to measure, monitor and influence by public intervention. These variables are food security, nutrition quality and self-esteem.
Multi-view object instance recognition in an industrial context
Authors: Mustafa Wail , Pugeault Nicolas , Buch Anders G. , Krüger Norbert
Published: June 2015

We present a fast object recognition system coding shape by viewpoint invariant geometric relations and appearance information. In our advanced industrial work-cell, the system can observe the work space of the robot by three pairs of Kinect and stereo cameras allowing for reliable and complete object information. From these sensors, we derive global viewpoint invariant shape features and robust color features making use of color normalization techniques.

We show that in such a set-up, our system can achieve high performance already with a very low number of training samples, which is crucial for user acceptance and that the use of multiple views is crucial for performance. This indicates that our approach can be used in controlled but realistic industrial contexts that require—besides high reliability—fast processing and an intuitive and easy use at the end-user side.
Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on boar spermatozoa quality during freezing–thawing
Authors: Shen Tao , Jiang Zhong-Liang , Li Cong-Jun , Hu Xiao-Chen , Li Qing-Wang
Published: June 2015

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is known to be a natural antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cryoprotective effect of ALA on the motility of boar spermatozoa and its antioxidant effect on boar spermatozoa during freezing–thawing. Different concentrations (2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 or 10.0 mg/ml) of ALA were added to the extender used to freeze boar semen, and the effects on the quality and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities of frozen–thawed spermatozoa were assessed. The results indicated that the addition of ALA to the extender resulted in a higher percentage of motile spermatozoa post-thaw (P < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and catalase improved after adding ALA to the extender (P < 0.05). Artificial insemination results showed that pregnancy rate and litter size were significantly higher at 6.0 mg/ml in the ALA group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ALA conferred a cryoprotective capacity to the extender used for boar semen during the process of freezing–thawing, and the optimal concentration of ALA for the frozen extender was 6.0 mg/ml.
Plasticity in PYD assembly revealed by cryo-EM structure of the PYD filament of AIM2
Authors: Lu Alvin , Li Yang , Yin Qian , Ruan Jianbin , Yu Xiong , Egelman Edward , Wu Hao
Published: June 2015

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an essential cytosolic double-stranded DNA receptor that assembles with the adaptor, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and caspase-1 to form the AIM2 inflammasome, which leads to proteolytic maturation of cytokines and pyroptotic cell death. AIM2 contains an N-terminal Pyrin domain (PYD) that interacts with ASC through PYD/PYD interactions and nucleates ASCPYD filament formation. To elucidate the molecular basis of AIM2-induced ASCPYD polymerization, we generated AIM2PYD filaments fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) and determined its cryo-electron microscopic (cryo-EM) structure. The map showed distinct definition of helices, allowing fitting of the crystal structure. Surprisingly, the GFP-AIM2PYD filament is a 1-start helix with helical parameters distinct from those of the 3-start ASCPYD filament. However, despite the apparent symmetry difference, helical net and detailed interface analyses reveal minimal changes in subunit packing. GFP-AIM2PYD nucleated ASCPYD filament formation in comparable efficiency as untagged AIM2PYD, suggesting assembly plasticity in both AIM2PYD and ASCPYD. The DNA-binding domain of AIM2 is able to form AIM2/DNA filaments, within which the AIM2PYD is brought into proximity to template ASCPYD filament assembly. Because ASC is able to interact with many PYD-containing receptors for the formation of inflammasomes, the observed structural plasticity may be critically important for this versatility in the PYD/PYD interactions.
Erratum: Single-taxon field measurements of bacterial gene regulation controlling DMSP fate
Authors: Varaljay Vanessa A , Robidart Julie , Preston Christina M , Gifford Scott M , Durham Bryndan P , Burns Andrew S , Ryan John P , Marin III Roman , Kiene Ronald P , Zehr Jonathan P , Scholin Christopher A , Ann Moran Mary
Published: June 2015

Correction to: The ISME Journal (2015) 1677–1686; doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.23; published online 20 February 2015 A wording error in a sentence in the abstract misrepresented a main finding of the research. The sentence should read: Expression of the demethylation pathway was relatively greater duringa high-DMSP-producing dinoflagellate bloom, and expression of the cleavage pathway was greater in the presence of a mixed diatom and dinoflagellate community.
Bifunctional non-noble metal oxide nanoparticle electrocatalysts through lithium-induced conversion for overall water splitting
Authors: Wang Haotian , Lee Hyun-Wook , Deng Yong , Lu Zhiyi , Hsu Po-Chun , Liu Yayuan , Lin Dingchang , Cui Yi
Published: June 2015

Developing earth-abundant, active and stable electrocatalysts which operate in the same electrolyte for water splitting, including oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction, is important for many renewable energy conversion processes. Here we demonstrate the improvement of catalytic activity when transition metal oxide (iron, cobalt, nickel oxides and their mixed oxides) nanoparticles (∼20 nm) are electrochemically transformed into ultra-small diameter (2–5 nm) nanoparticles through lithium-induced conversion reactions. Different from most traditional chemical syntheses, this method maintains excellent electrical interconnection among nanoparticles and results in large surface areas and many catalytically active sites. We demonstrate that lithium-induced ultra-small NiFeOx nanoparticles are active bifunctional catalysts exhibiting high activity and stability for overall water splitting in base. We achieve 10 mA cm−2 water-splitting current at only 1.51 V for over 200 h without degradation in a two-electrode configuration and 1 M KOH, better than the combination of iridium and platinum as benchmark catalysts.
Colloidal metasurfaces displaying near-ideal and tunable light absorbance in the infrared
Authors: Rozin Matthew J. , Rosen David A. , Dill Tyler J. , Tao Andrea R.
Published: June 2015

Metasurfaces are ultrathin, two-dimensional arrays of subwavelength resonators that have been demonstrated to control the flow of light in ways that are otherwise unattainable with natural materials. These arrays are typically composed of metallic Ag or Au nanostructures shaped like split rings, nanowire pairs or nanorods (commonly referred to as meta-atoms) that are arranged to produce a collective optical response spanning an impressive range of properties, from the perfect absorption of incident light to superresolution imaging. However, metasurfaces pose major challenges in their fabrication over large areas, which can be prohibitively expensive and time consuming using conventional nanolithography techniques. Here we show that differently shaped colloidal nanocrystals can be organized into metasurface architectures using robust, scalable assembly methods. These metasurfaces exhibit extreme in-plane electromagnetic coupling that is strongly dependent on nanocrystal size, shape and spacing. Colloidal metasurfaces that display near-ideal electromagnetic absorbance can be tuned from the visible into the mid-infrared wavelengths.
Revealing the planar chemistry of two-dimensional heterostructures at the atomic level
Authors: Chou Harry , Ismach Ariel , Ghosh Rudresh , Ruoff Rodney S. , Dolocan Andrei
Published: June 2015

Two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals and their heterostructures are an intense area of study owing to their unique properties that result from structural planar confinement. Intrinsically, the performance of a planar vertical device is linked to the quality of its 2D components and their interfaces, therefore requiring characterization tools that can reveal both its planar chemistry and morphology. Here, we propose a characterization methodology combining (micro-) Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to provide structural information, morphology and planar chemical composition at virtually the atomic level, aimed specifically at studying 2D vertical heterostructures. As an example system, a graphene-on-h-BN heterostructure is analysed to reveal, with an unprecedented level of detail, the subtle chemistry and interactions within its layer structure that can be assigned to specific fabrication steps. Such detailed chemical information is of crucial importance for the complete integration of 2D heterostructures into functional devices.
Ganoderma lucidum reduces obesity in mice by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota
Authors: Chang Chih-Jung , Lin Chuan-Sheng , Lu Chia-Chen , Martel Jan , Ko Yun-Fei , Ojcius David M. , Tseng Shun-Fu , Wu Tsung-Ru , Chen Yi-Yuan Margaret , Young John D. , Lai Hsin-Chih
Published: June 2015

Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis. Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine with putative anti-diabetic effects. Here, we show that a water extract of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium (WEGL) reduces body weight, inflammation and insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Our data indicate that WEGL not only reverses HFD-induced gut dysbiosis—as indicated by the decreased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratios and endotoxin-bearing Proteobacteria levels—but also maintains intestinal barrier integrity and reduces metabolic endotoxemia. The anti-obesity and microbiota-modulating effects are transmissible via horizontal faeces transfer from WEGL-treated mice to HFD-fed mice. We further show that high molecular weight polysaccharides (>300 kDa) isolated from the WEGL extract produce similar anti-obesity and microbiota-modulating effects. Our results indicate that G. lucidum and its high molecular weight polysaccharides may be used as prebiotic agents to prevent gut dysbiosis and obesity-related metabolic disorders in obese individuals.
In-vivo detection of binary PKA network interactions upon activation of endogenous GPCRs
Authors: Röck Ruth , Bachmann Verena , Bhang Hyo-eun C , Malleshaiah Mohan , Raffeiner Philipp , Mayrhofer Johanna E , Tschaikner Philipp M , Bister Klaus , Aanstad Pia , Pomper Martin G , Michnick Stephen W , Stefan Eduard
Published: June 2015

Membrane receptor-sensed input signals affect and modulate intracellular protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Consequent changes occur to the compositions of protein complexes, protein localization and intermolecular binding affinities. Alterations of compartmentalized PPIs emanating from certain deregulated kinases are implicated in the manifestation of diseases such as cancer. Here we describe the application of a genetically encoded Protein-fragment Complementation Assay (PCA) based on the Renilla Luciferase (Rluc) enzyme to compare binary PPIs of the spatially and temporally controlled protein kinase A (PKA) network in diverse eukaryotic model systems. The simplicity and sensitivity of this cell-based reporter allows for real-time recordings of mutually exclusive PPIs of PKA upon activation of selected endogenous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in cancer cells, xenografts of mice, budding yeast and zebrafish embryos. This extends the application spectrum of Rluc PCA for the quantification of PPI-based receptor-effector relationships in physiological and pathological model systems.
Large and Tunable Polar-Toroidal Coupling in Ferroelectric Composite Nanowires toward Superior Electromechanical Responses
Authors: Chen W. J. , Zheng Yue , Wang Biao
Published: June 2015

The collective dipole behaviors in (BaTiO3)m/(SrTiO3)n composite nanowires are investigated based on the first-principles-derived simulations. It demonstrates that such nanowire systems exhibit intriguing dipole orders, due to the combining effect of the anisotropic electrostatic interaction of the nanowire, the SrTiO3-layer-modified electrostatic interaction and the multiphase ground state of BaTiO3 layer. Particularly, a strong polar-toroidal coupling that is tunable by the SrTiO3-layer thickness, temperature, external strains and electric fields is found to exist in the nanowires, with the appearance of fruitful dipole states (including those being purely polar, purely toroidal, both polar and toroidal, or distorted toroidal) and phase boundaries. As a consequence, an efficient cross control of the toroidal (polar) order by static (curled) electric field and superior piezoelectric and piezotoroidal responses, can be achieved in the nanowires. The result provides new insights into the collective dipole behaviors in nanowire systems.
Novel VN/C nanocomposites as methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction electrocatalyst in alkaline electrolyte
Authors: Huang K. , Bi K. , Liang C. , Lin S. , Zhang R. , Wang W. J. , Tang H. L. , Lei M.
Published: June 2015

A novel VN/C nanostructure consisting of VN nanoparticles and graphite-dominant carbon layers is synthesized by nitridation of V2O5using melamine as reductant under inert atmosphere. High crystalline VN nanoparticles are observed to be uniformly distributed in carbon layers with an average size ofca13.45 nm. Moreover, the electrocatalytic performance of VN/C towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolyte is fascinating. The results show that VN/C has a considerable ORR activity, including a 75 percent value of the diffusion-limited current density and a 0.11 V smaller value about the onset potential with respect to Pt/C catalyst. Moreover, the excellent methanol-tolerance performance of VN/C has also been verified with 3 M methanol. Combined with the competitive prices, this VN/C nanocomposite can serve as an appropriate non-precious methanol-tolerant ORR catalyst for alkaline fuel cells.
Realization of Multi-Stable Ground States in a Nematic Liquid Crystal by Surface and Electric Field Modification
Authors: Gwag Jin Seog , Kim Young-Ki , Lee Chang Hoon , Kim Jae-Hoon
Published: June 2015

Owing to the significant price drop of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and the efforts to save natural resources, LCDs are even replacing paper to display static images such as price tags and advertising boards. Because of a growing market demand on such devices, the LCD that can be of numerous surface alignments of directors as its ground state, the so-called multi-stable LCD, comes into the limelight due to the great potential for low power consumption. However, the multi-stable LCD with industrial feasibility has not yet been successfully performed. In this paper, we propose a simple and novel configuration for the multi-stable LCD. We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that a battery of stable surface alignments can be achieved by the field-induced surface dragging effect on an aligning layer with a weak surface anchoring. The simplicity and stability of the proposed system suggest that it is suitable for the multi-stable LCDs to display static images with low power consumption and thus opens applications in various fields.
dbEMT: an epithelial-mesenchymal transition associated gene resource
Authors: Zhao Min , Kong Lei , Liu Yining , Qu Hong
Published: June 2015

As a cellular process that changes epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays important roles in development and cancer metastasis. Recent studies on cancer metastasis have identified many new susceptibility genes that control this transition. However, there is no comprehensive resource for EMT by integrating various genetic studies and the relationship between EMT and the risk of complex diseases such as cancer are still unclear. To investigate the cellular complexity of EMT, we have constructed dbEMT (http://dbemt.bioinfo-minzhao.org/), the first literature-based gene resource for exploring EMT-related human genes. We manually curated 377 experimentally verified genes from literature. Functional analyses highlighted the prominent role of proteoglycans in tumor metastatic cascades. In addition, the disease enrichment analysis provides a clue for the potential transformation in affected tissues or cells in Alzheimer’s disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Moreover, the global mutation pattern of EMT-related genes across multiple cancers may reveal common cancer metastasis mechanisms. Our further reconstruction of the EMT-related protein-protein interaction network uncovered a highly modular structure. These results illustrate the importance of dbEMT to our understanding of cell development and cancer metastasis and also highlight the utility of dbEMT for elucidating the functions of EMT-related genes.
Origin of photovoltaic effect in superconducting YBa2Cu3O6.96 ceramics
Authors: Yang F. , Han M. Y. , Chang F. G.
Published: June 2015

We report remarkable photovoltaic effect in YBa2Cu3O6.96 (YBCO) ceramic between 50 and 300 K induced by blue-laser illumination, which is directly related to the superconductivity of YBCO and the YBCO-metallic electrode interface. There is a polarity reversal for the open circuit voltage Voc and short circuit current Isc when YBCO undergoes a transition from superconducting to resistive state. We show that there exists an electrical potential across the superconductor-normal metal interface, which provides the separation force for the photo-induced electron-hole pairs. This interface potential directs from YBCO to the metal electrode when YBCO is superconducting and switches to the opposite direction when YBCO becomes nonsuperconducting. The origin of the potential may be readily associated with the proximity effect at metal-superconductor interface when YBCO is superconducting and its value is estimated to be ~10–8 mV at 50 K with a laser intensity of 502 mW/cm2. Combination of a p-type material YBCO at normal state with an n-type material Ag-paste forms a quasi-pn junction which is responsible for the photovoltaic behavior of YBCO ceramics at high temperatures. Our findings may pave the way to new applications of photon-electronic devices and shed further light on the proximity effect at the superconductor-metal interface.
Divergence of dim-light vision among bats (order: Chiroptera) as estimated by molecular and electrophysiological methods
Authors: Liu He-Qun , Wei Jing-Kuan , Li Bo , Wang Ming-Shan , Wu Rui-Qi , Rizak Joshua D. , Zhong Li , Wang Lu , Xu Fu-Qiang , Shen Yong-Yi , Hu Xin-Tian , Zhang Ya-Ping
Published: June 2015

Dim-light vision is present in all bats, but is divergent among species. Old-World fruit bats (Pteropodidae) have fully developed eyes; the eyes of insectivorous bats are generally degraded and these bats rely on well-developed echolocation. An exception is the Emballonuridae, which are capable of laryngeal echolocation but prefer to use vision for navigation and have normal eyes. In this study, integrated methods, comprising manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI), f-VEP and RNA-seq, were utilized to verify the divergence. The results of MEMRI showed that Pteropodidae bats have a much larger superior colliculus (SC)/ inferior colliculus (IC) volume ratio (3:1) than insectivorous bats (1:7). Furthermore, the absolute visual thresholds (log cd/m2•s) of Pteropodidae (−6.30 and −6.37) and Emballonuridae (−3.71) bats were lower than those of other insectivorous bats (−1.90). Finally, genes related to the visual pathway showed signs of positive selection, convergent evolution, upregulation and similar gene expression patterns in Pteropodidae and Emballonuridae bats. Different results imply that Pteropodidae and Emballonuridae bats have more developed vision than the insectivorous bats and suggest that further research on bat behavior is warranted.
Genome-wide Association Study on Platinum-induced Hepatotoxicity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Cao Songyu , Wang Cheng , Ma Hongxia , Yin Rong , Zhu Meng , Shen Wei , Dai Juncheng , Shu Yongqian , Xu Lin , Hu Zhibin , Shen Hongbing
Published: June 2015

Platinum-based chemotherapy has been shown to improve the survival of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients; the platinum-induced toxicity severely impedes the success of chemotherapy. Genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), may contribute to patients’ responses to the platinum-based chemotherapy. To identify SNPs that modify the risk of hepatotoxicity in NSCLC patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy, we performed a genome-wide association scan in 334 subjects followed by a replication study among 375 subjects. Consistent associations with platinum-induced hepatotoxicity risk was identified for SNP rs2838566 located at 21q22.3, as the minor A allele could significantly increase the risk of liver injury (OR = 3.78, 95%CI = 1.99–7.19,P = 4.90 × 10−5for GWAS scan, OR = 1.89, 95%CI = 1.03–3.46,P = 0.039 for replication and OR = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.65–3.95,P = 2.55 × 10−5for pooled population). These results suggested that genetic variants at 21q22.3 may contribute to the susceptibility of platinum-induced hepatotoxicity in NSCLC patients.
Network-based survival-associated module biomarker and its crosstalk with cell death genes in ovarian cancer
Authors: Jin Nana , Wu Hao , Miao Zhengqiang , Huang Yan , Hu Yongfei , Bi Xiaoman , Wu Deng , Qian Kun , Wang Liqiang , Wang Changliang , Wang Hongwei , Li Kongning , Li Xia , Wang Dong
Published: June 2015

Ovarian cancer remains a dismal disease with diagnosing in the late, metastatic stages, therefore, there is a growing realization of the critical need to develop effective biomarkers for understanding underlying mechanisms. Although existing evidences demonstrate the important role of the single genetic abnormality in pathogenesis, the perturbations of interactors in the complex network are often ignored. Moreover, ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment still exist a large gap that need to be bridged. In this work, we adopted a network-based survival-associated approach to capture a 12-gene network module based on differential co-expression PPI network in the advanced-stage, high-grade ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. Then, regulatory genes (protein-coding genes and non-coding genes) direct interacting with the module were found to be significantly overlapped with cell death genes. More importantly, these overlapping genes tightly clustered together pointing to the module, deciphering the crosstalk between network-based survival-associated module and cell death in ovarian cancer.
Effect of gamma irradiation on the wear behaviour of human tooth enamel
Authors: Qing Ping , Huang Shengbin , Gao ShanShan , Qian LinMao , Yu HaiYang
Published: June 2015

Radiotherapy is a frequently used treatment for oral cancer. Extensive research has been conducted to detect the mechanical properties of dental hard tissues after irradiation at the macroscale. However, little is known about the influence of irradiation on the tribological properties of enamel at the micro- or nanoscale. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of gamma irradiation on the wear behaviour of human tooth enamel in relation to prism orientation. Nanoscratch tests, surface profilometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were used to evaluate the friction behaviour of enamel slabs before and after treatment with identical irradiation procedures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed to analyse the changes in crystallography and chemical composition induced by irradiation. Surface microhardness (SMH) alteration was also evaluated. The results showed that irradiation resulted in different scratch morphologies, friction coefficients and remnant depth and width at different loads. An inferior nanoscratch resistance was observed independent of prism orientation. Moreover, the variation of wear behaviours was closely related to changes in the crystallography, chemical composition and SMH of the enamel. Together, these measures indicated that irradiation had a direct deleterious effect on the wear behaviour of human tooth enamel.
Multivariate genetic determinants of EEG oscillations in schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder from the BSNIP study
Authors: Narayanan B , Soh P , Calhoun V D , Ruaño G , Kocherla M , Windemuth A , Clementz B A , Tamminga C A , Sweeney J A , Keshavan M S , Pearlson G D
Published: June 2015

Schizophrenia (SZ) and psychotic bipolar disorder (PBP) are disabling psychiatric illnesses with complex and unclear etiologies. Electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillatory abnormalities in SZ and PBP probands are heritable and expressed in their relatives, but the neurobiology and genetic factors mediating these abnormalities in the psychosis dimension of either disorder are less explored. We examined the polygenic architecture of eyes-open resting state EEG frequency activity (intrinsic frequency) from 64 channels in 105 SZ, 145 PBP probands and 56 healthy controls (HCs) from the multisite BSNIP (Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network on Intermediate Phenotypes) study. One million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were derived from DNA. We assessed eight data-driven EEG frequency activity derived from group-independent component analysis (ICA) in conjunction with a reduced subset of 10 422 SNPs through novel multivariate association using parallel ICA (para-ICA). Genes contributing to the association were examined collectively using pathway analysis tools. Para-ICA extracted five frequency and nine SNP components, of which theta and delta activities were significantly correlated with two different gene components, comprising genes participating extensively in brain development, neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Delta and theta abnormality was present in both SZ and PBP, while theta differed between the two disorders. Theta abnormalities were also mediated by gene clusters involved in glutamic acid pathways, cadherin and synaptic contact-based cell adhesion processes. Our data suggest plausible multifactorial genetic networks, including novel and several previously identified (DISC1) candidate risk genes, mediating low frequency delta and theta abnormalities in psychoses. The gene clusters were enriched for biological properties affecting neural circuitry and involved in brain function and/or development.
Developmental changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Bollmann S , Ghisleni C , Poil S-S , Martin E , Ball J , Eich-Höchli D , Edden R A E , Klaver P , Michels L , Brandeis D , O'Gorman R L
Published: June 2015

While the neurobiological basis and developmental course of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have not yet been fully established, an imbalance between inhibitory/excitatory neurotransmitters is thought to have an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD. This study examined the changes in cerebral levels of GABA+, glutamate and glutamine in children and adults with ADHD using edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We studied 89 participants (16 children with ADHD, 19 control children, 16 adults with ADHD and 38 control adults) in a subcortical voxel (children and adults) and a frontal voxel (adults only). ADHD adults showed increased GABA+ levels relative to controls (P=0.048), while ADHD children showed no difference in GABA+ in the subcortical voxel (P>0.1), resulting in a significant age by disorder interaction (P=0.026). Co-varying for age in an analysis of covariance model resulted in a nonsignificant age by disorder interaction (P=0.06). Glutamine levels were increased in children with ADHD (P=0.041), but there was no significant difference in adults (P>0.1). Glutamate showed no difference between controls and ADHD patients but demonstrated a strong effect of age across both groups (P<0.001). In conclusion, patients with ADHD show altered levels of GABA+ in a subcortical voxel which change with development. Further, we found increased glutamine levels in children with ADHD, but this difference normalized in adults. These observed imbalances in neurotransmitter levels are associated with ADHD symptomatology and lend new insight in the developmental trajectory and pathophysiology of ADHD.
How useful is molecular modelling in combination with ion mobility mass spectrometry for ‘small molecule’ ion mobility collision cross-sections?
Authors: Lapthorn Cris , Pullen Frank S. , Chowdhry Babur Z. , Wright Patricia , Perkins George L. , Heredia Yanira
Published: June 2015

Evaluation of N2(g) and He(g) MOBCAL collision cross section values from 20 compounds ∼ m/z 122 to 609.
Biomarker detection for disease diagnosis using cost-effective microfluidic platforms
Authors: Sanjay Sharma T. , Fu Guanglei , Dou Maowei , Xu Feng , Liu Rutao , Qi Hao , Li XiuJun
Published: June 2015

This article reviews recent advances of biomarker detection for disease diagnosis using various cost-effective microfluidic platforms.
Formation of copper nanoparticles on poly(thymine) through surface-initiated enzymatic polymerization and its application for DNA detection
Authors: Hu Weiwen , Ning Yong , Kong Jinming , Zhang Xueji
Published: June 2015

A DNA biosensor using polyT-templated CuNPs as the fluorescent probe and SIEP as the signal amplification strategy is proposed.
Study of the role of sugar fatty esters in explaining differences in the malt composition of barley analysed using vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics
Authors: Cozzolino D. , Degner S. , Eglinton J.
Published: June 2015

Chemometrics and infrared have been used to identify esters in barley malt.
Synthesis of conducting polymer nanospheres of high electrochemical activity
Authors: Kłucińska Katarzyna , Jaworska Ewa , Gryczan Piotr , Maksymiuk Krzysztof , Michalska Agata
Published: June 2015

We propose a novel approach to obtain conducting polymer nanoparticles with high electrochemical activity and a narrow size distribution.
Innovative use of the taxol binding peptide overcomes key challenges of stable and high drug loading in polymeric nanomicelles
Authors: Logie Jennifer , McLaughlin Christopher K. , Tam Roger Y. , Shoichet Molly S.
Published: June 2015

Incorporating a taxol binding peptide into the hydrophobic backbone of polymeric nanomicelles enhances docetaxel loading while maintaining serum stability.
A cheap and efficient catalyst with ultra-high activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Pan Weicheng , Zhang Shenghuan , He Fei , Gai Shili , Sun Yanbo , Yang Piaoping
Published: June 2015

Ni/SBA-15 catalyst with ultra-small particle size (7 nm), good dispersion, and ultra-high loading amount (57.4%) of Ni nanoparticles was prepared by a unique in situ thermal decomposition and reduction route. It exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability for 4-nitrophenol reduction.
Evidence for quantum effects in the predissociation of methylamine isotopologues
Authors: Epshtein Michael , Portnov Alexander , Bar Ilana
Published: June 2015

The H product distributions obtained from the predissociation of methylamine isotopologues are extremely sensitive to the energy difference between the initially prepared vibrational states and the conical intersections and not only to the nature of the pre-excited nuclear motions.
Structural morphologies of high-pressure polymorphs of strontium hydrides
Authors: Wang Yanchao , Wang Hui , Tse John S. , Iitaka Toshiaki , Ma Yanming
Published: June 2015

It is now known that the structure and properties of a material can be significantly altered under extreme compression.
Structural, electronic and energetic consequences of epigenetic cytosine modifications
Authors: Cysewski P. , Oliński R.
Published: June 2015

Substituent effects on guanine–cytosine and epigenetically modified cytosine stabilizes pairs via the electro-donating nature of the group attached to the C5 centre.
High coverage adsorption and co-adsorption of CO and H2 on Ru(0001) from DFT and thermodynamics
Authors: Zhao Peng , He Yurong , Cao Dong-Bo , Wen Xiaodong , Xiang Hongwei , Li Yong-Wang , Wang Jianguo , Jiao Haijun
Published: June 2015

The adsorption and co-adsorption of CO and H2 at different coverages on p(4 × 4) Ru(0001) have been computed using periodic density functional theory (GGA-RPBE) and atomistic thermodynamics.
Tunable water barrier properties of EVA by clay insertion?
Authors: Wilson R. , Follain N. , Tenn N. , Kumar S. Anil , Thomas S. , Marais S.
Published: June 2015

Nanoclay inclusion into a matrix largely reduces water permeability with a time-scale shift of water flux.
Crystallization of zirconia based thin films
Authors: Stender D. , Frison R. , Conder K. , Rupp J. L. M. , Scherrer B. , Martynczuk J. M. , Gauckler L. J. , Schneider C. W. , Lippert T. , Wokaun A.
Published: June 2015

Recrystallization kinetics of pulsed laser deposited amorphous 3YSZ and 8YSZ thin films leading to large differences in grain growth.
Surface-enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy of the KcsA potassium channel upon application of an electric field
Authors: Yamakata Akira , Shimizu Hirofumi , Oiki Shigetoshi
Published: June 2015

Surface-enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy coupled with an electrochemical system enables the potassium-induced specific structural change of the potassium channel.
Device characterization and optimization of small molecule organic solar cells assisted by modelling simulation of the current–voltage characteristics
Authors: Zuo Yi , Wan Xiangjian , Long Guankui , Kan Bin , Ni Wang , Zhang Hongtao , Chen Yongsheng
Published: June 2015

A new equivalent electrical model was built in terms of semiconductor theory to simulate the current–voltage characteristics and reveal these current losses in solution processed small molecule based devices.
Quantum dynamics of polyatomic dissociative chemisorption on transition metal surfaces: mode specificity and bond selectivity
Authors: Jiang Bin , Yang Minghui , Xie Daiqian , Guo Hua
Published: June 2015

Recent advances in quantum dynamical characterization of polyatomic dissociative chemisorption on accurate global potential energy surfaces are critically reviewed.
Catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 at low temperature
Authors: Shan Wenpo , Song Hua
Published: June 2015

This review presents recent studies on low-temperature NH3-SCR catalysts, particularly Mn-based oxides, V2O5/AC, and Cu-based small pore zeolites.