bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction method of gate-to-drain capacitance by oxide spacer formation in tunnel field-effect transistor with elevated drain
Authors: Kwon Dae Woong , Kim Jang Hyun , Park Euyhwan , Lee Junil , Park Taehyung , Lee Ryoongbin , Kim Sihyun , Park Byung-Gook
Published: April 2016

A novel fabrication method is proposed to reduce large gate-to-drain capacitance (C
GD) and to improve AC switching characteristics in tunnel field-effect transistor (TFETs) with elevated drain (TFETED). In the proposed method, gate oxide at drain region (GDOX) is selectively formed through oxide deposition and spacer-etch process. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the GDOX are simply controlled by the amount of the oxide deposition and etch. Mixed-mode device and circuit technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations are performed to verify the effects of the GDOX thickness on DC and AC switching characteristics of a TFETED inverter. As a result, it is found that AC switching characteristics such as output voltage pre-shoot and falling/rising delay are improved with nearly unchanged DC characteristics by thicker GDOX. This improvement is explained successfully by reduced C
GD and positive shifted gate voltage (V
G) versus C
GD curves with the thicker GDOX.
Electrical and structural properties of BaCe0.85Ru0.05Y0.10O3−δ thin film prepared by RF magnetron sputtering
Authors: Ochi Masanori , Tsuchiya Takashi , Yamaguchi Shohei , Suetsugu Takaaki , Suzuki Naoya , Kobayashi Masaki , Minohara Makoto , Horiba Koji , Kumigashira Hiroshi , Higuchi Tohru
Published: April 2016

The a- and c-axes-oriented BaCe0.85Ru0.05Y0.10O3−δ (BCRY) thin films have been deposited on Nb-SrTiO3(100) substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Such BCRY thin films have mixed valence states of Ce4+ and Ce3+. The activation energies (E
A) for the conductivity of films thicker than 200 nm are 0.23–0.26 eV, which corresponds to half E
A of bulk ceramics, below 400 °C. The BCRY thin films exhibit ion conduction at the bulk region and electron–ion mixed conduction at the surface region. Proton conduction is also observed in the surface state in addition to the mixed conduction. The Fermi levels (E
F) locate at the middle position in the band gap region, although E
F of the BaCe0.90Y0.10O3−δ thin films locates on the valence band side. These results indicate that the Ru5+ ions and protons act as donor ions in BCRY thin films.
Improvement in performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with porous TiO2electrodes using squid ink particles
Authors: Matsuura Toshihiko , Nagai Sakura , Ogasawara Kou , Minato Ken-ichi , Sakai Mitsuo , Ueno Takashi
Published: April 2016

A potentially appealing alternative to the traditional fabrication process of TiO2film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was presented by utilizing water-soluble TiO2composite pastes containing size-controlled ink particles (SIPs) isolated from the squid. The mixture ratios of SIPs in the paste formulations affected the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). The highest PCE was achieved when the mixture ratio of SIPs was 20%. The process is highly reproducible and leads to a 35% increase in PCE compared with that in the DSSC without SIP addition. The utilization of SIPs in the fabrication of TiO2film electrodes enhanced the performance of DSSCs.
Detecting periodicities with Gaussian processes
Authors: Durrande Nicolas , Hensman James , Rattray Magnus , Lawrence Neil D.
Published: April 2016

We consider the problem of detecting and quantifying the periodic component of a function given noise-corrupted observations of a limited number of input/output tuples. Our approach is based on Gaussian process regression, which provides a flexible non-parametric framework for modelling periodic data. We introduce a novel decomposition of the covariance function as the sum of periodic and aperiodic kernels. This decomposition allows for the creation of sub-models which capture the periodic nature of the signal and its complement. To quantify the periodicity of the signal, we derive a periodicity ratio which reflects the uncertainty in the fitted sub-models. Although the method can be applied to many kernels, we give a special emphasis to the Matérn family, from the expression of the reproducing kernel Hilbert space inner product to the implementation of the associated periodic kernels in a Gaussian process toolkit. The proposed method is illustrated by considering the detection of periodically expressed genes in thearabidopsisgenome.
Interorganizational Alignment of Strategic Orientations in Supply Chains
Authors: Abbade Eduardo Botti
Published: April 2016

This study argues that Market Orientation, Learning Orientation, Innovation Orientation and Relationship Orientation provide synergic effects to organizations in organizational and interorganizational levels. Two theoretical frameworks are presented in this theoretical essay. The first one considers the organizational level. The second one is regarded to interorganizational relations. This study argues that actors might improve their results and increase joint performance through a strategic alignment along a supply chain. Besides, network features like positioning, structural holes and density might impact on joint performance achieved through this strategic alignment. Thus, this study suggests that Learning Orientation in a competitive environment might harm joint performance, considering that some actors might act opportunistically defending their knowledge acquisition. Future studies should be focused on issues like open innovation, opportunistic behavior and network structures.
Uncertainty in gridded CO2 emissions estimates
Authors: Hogue Susannah , Marland Eric , Andres Robert J. , Marland Gregg , Woodard Dawn
Published: April 2016

We are interested in the spatial distribution of fossil‐fuel‐related emissions of CO2 for both geochemical and geopolitical reasons, but it is important to understand the uncertainty that exists in spatially explicit emissions estimates. Working from one of the widely used gridded data sets of CO2 emissions, we examine the elements of uncertainty, focusing on gridded data for the United States at the scale of 1° latitude by 1° longitude. Uncertainty is introduced in the magnitude of total United States emissions, the magnitude and location of large point sources, the magnitude and distribution of non‐point sources, and from the use of proxy data to characterize emissions. For the United States, we develop estimates of the contribution of each component of uncertainty. At 1° resolution, in most grid cells, the largest contribution to uncertainty comes from how well the distribution of the proxy (in this case population density) represents the distribution of emissions. In other grid cells, the magnitude and location of large point sources make the major contribution to uncertainty. Uncertainty in population density can be important where a large gradient in population density occurs near a grid cell boundary. Uncertainty is strongly scale‐dependent with uncertainty increasing as grid size decreases. Uncertainty for our data set with 1° grid cells for the United States is typically on the order of ±150%, but this is perhaps not excessive in a data set where emissions per grid cell vary over 8 orders of magnitude.
Connection between the midlatitude mesosphere and sudden stratospheric warmings as measured by Rayleigh‐scatter lidar
Authors: Sox Leda , Wickwar Vincent B. , Fish Chad S. , Herron Joshua P.
Published: April 2016

While the mesospheric temperature anomalies associated with Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) have been observed extensively in the polar regions, observations of these anomalies at midlatitudes are much more sparse. The Rayleigh‐scatter lidar system, which operated at the Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences on the campus of Utah State University (41.7°N, 111.8°W), collected a very dense set of observations, from 1993 to 2004, over a 45–90 km altitude range. This paper focuses on Rayleigh lidar temperatures derived during the six major SSW events that occurred during the 11 year period when the lidar was operating and aims to characterize the local response to these midlatitude SSW events. In order to determine the characteristics of these mesospheric temperature anomalies, comparisons were made between the temperatures from individual nights during a SSW event and a climatological temperature profile. An overall disturbance pattern was observed in the mesospheric temperatures associated with SSW events, including coolings in the upper mesosphere and warmings in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere, both comparable to those seen at polar latitudes.
Holocene accumulation and ice flow near the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide ice core site
Authors: Koutnik Michelle R. , Fudge T. J. , Conway Howard , Waddington Edwin D. , Neumann Thomas A. , Cuffey Kurt M. , Buizert Christo , Taylor Kendrick C.
Published: April 2016

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide Core (WDC) provided a high‐resolution climate record from near the Ross‐Amundsen Divide in Central West Antarctica. In addition, radar‐detected internal layers in the vicinity of the WDC site have been dated directly from the ice core to provide spatial variations in the age structure of the region. Using these two data sets together, we first infer a high‐resolution Holocene accumulation‐rate history from 9.2 kyr of the ice‐core timescale and then confirm that this climate history is consistent with internal layers upstream of the core site. Even though the WDC was drilled only 24 km from the modern ice divide, advection of ice from upstream must be taken into account. We evaluate histories of accumulation rate by using a flowband model to generate internal layers that we compare to observed layers. Results show that the centennially averaged accumulation rate was over 20% lower than modern at 9.2 kyr before present (B.P.), increased by 40% from 9.2 to 2.3 kyr B.P., and decreased by at least 10% over the past 2 kyr B.P. to the modern values; these Holocene accumulation‐rate changes in Central West Antarctica are larger than changes inferred from East Antarctic ice‐core records. Despite significant changes in accumulation rate, throughout the Holocene the regional accumulation pattern has likely remained similar to today, and the ice‐divide position has likely remained on average within 5 km of its modern position. Continent‐scale ice‐sheet models used for reconstructions of West Antarctic ice volume should incorporate this accumulation history.
Cycling of black carbon in the ocean
Authors: Coppola Alysha I. , Druffel Ellen R. M.
Published: April 2016

Black carbon (BC) is a by‐product of combustion from wildfires and fossil fuels and is a slow‐cycling component of the carbon cycle. Whether BC accumulates and ages on millennial time scales in the world oceans has remained unknown. Here we quantified dissolved BC (DBC) in marine dissolved organic carbon isolated by solid phase extraction at several sites in the world ocean. We find that DBC in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans ranges from 1.4 to 2.6 μM in the surface and is 1.2 ± 0.1 μM in the deep Atlantic. The average 14C age of surface DBC is 4800 ± 620 14C years and much older in a deep water sample (23,000 ± 3000 14C years). The range of DBC structures and 14C ages indicates that DBC is not homogeneous in the ocean. We show that there are at least two distinct pools of marine DBC, a younger pool that cycles on centennial time scales and an ancient pool that cycles on >105 year time scales.
Solar wind‐generated current in the Lunar Dust Experiment
Authors: Xie Lianghai , Zhang Xiaoping , Zheng Yongchun , Guo Dawei
Published: April 2016

Measurements from the Lunar Dust Experiment (LDEX) show that the current associated with lofted lunar dust lacks an altitude dependence, implying that the current may come from other sources. Here we present some evidences for solar wind (SW)‐generated current. Direct SW influx on the nightside can cause a large current, and the backscattered energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) on the dayside can bring a good correlation between the current and SW density. It is found that the current favors a lower SW speed and a smaller SW incident angle, but the dependences are also affected by the solar zenith angle (SZA) and the scattering function of ENAs. Picked‐up ions can enhance the current when the angle between the convection electric field and LDEX's normal is larger than 90°. But when the angle is smaller than 90°, the enhancement is negligible.
Inter‐El Niño variability in CMIP5 models: Model deficiencies and future changes
Authors: Yun Kyung‐Sook , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Ha Kyung‐Ja
Published: April 2016

Inter‐El Niño variability, which represents the diversity in spatiotemporal evolution among El Niño events, has been identified using the first two leading modes of sea surface temperature anomalies along the equator. The first mode represents the transition from El Niño into La Niña and the second mode reveals El Niño's persistence through the following spring. Here we examine the ability of models to capture inter‐El Niño variability and predict future changes due to global warming using historical and Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 simulations of phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Most CMIP5 models realistically reproduce the first mode, but three fifths of the models fail to capture the second mode, with considerable intermodel diversity. The 10 best models are therefore selected according to a measurement of pattern correlation coefficients and normalized root‐mean‐square errors with respect to reproduction of the second mode. The results aggregated from the best models indicate that the first “transition” mode will remain unchanged from the present climate to the future climate; in contrast, the second “persistence” mode changes stochastically across the CMIP5 models. Consequently, we conclude that El Niño's transition into La Niña is the most dominant characteristic of simulated inter‐El Niño variability and will remain unswayed under global warming conditions. Model deficiency in simulating El Niño's persistence is a key source of uncertainty in modeling inter‐El Niño variability, resulting in difficulty predicting how certain characteristics of El Niño events may change with global warming.
Rethinking Minha Casa, Minha Vida: The Resurgence of Public Space
Authors: Eskes Nanda , Vieira André
Published: April 2016

Minha Casa Minha Vida (MCMV – My House, My Life) is a federal programme started in 2009 that provides low‐interest finance to construction companies in an attempt to plug the housing crisis and roll out millions of homes for low‐income families across Brazil. Architect Nanda Eskes of Atelier 77 and photographer André Vieira look at the impact that this fast‐track, hands‐off approach has had on the overall quality of housing provision and the urban environment; they also highlight some innovative initiatives that have been conceived to ameliorate its impact.
Linking the Formal and Informal: Favela Urbanisation and Social Housing in São Paulo
Authors: Serapião Fernando
Published: April 2016

São Paulo is Brazil's largest city with over 20 million inhabitants, 14 per cent of which live in informal settlements. Here author, critic and editor Fernando Serapião describes various housing initiatives led by Elisabete França during her two stints at the city's Secretaria de Habitação (SEHAB – Housing Secretariat), which employed design as a tool to upgrade and more fully integrate the city's favelas in the formal city.
Brasília: Life Beyond Utopia
Authors: Deckker Thomas
Published: April 2016

Brasília is renowned the world over for its realisation of a visionary Modernist plan, designed by Brazilian architect and planner Lúcio Costa (1902–98). The reality of the city's design and its development, as explained by architect, author and academic researcher Thomas Deckker, is, however, much more complex. Contrary to public perception, Brasília falls a long way short of being ‘a unified city’, though it is one that has prospered with a growing population and stronger economy than other Brazilian cities.
ChemInform Abstract: Aryl Sulfonates in Inversions at Secondary Carbohydrate Hydroxyl Groups: A New and Improved Route Toward 3‐Azido‐3‐deoxy‐β‐D‐galactopyranosides.
Authors: Peterson Kristoffer , Weymouth‐Wilson Alex , Nilsson Ulf J.
Published: April 2016

A new method of using benzenesulfonates and imidazylates as leaving groups at the secondary C3 galactopyranose carbon, instead of the commonly used less stable triflate leaving group is developed to afford an improved and robust route toward the title compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Aromatic Abietane Diterpenoids: Their Biological Activity and Synthesis
Authors: Gonzalez Miguel A.
Published: April 2016

Review: 176 refs.
Differences in marital status and mortality by race/ethnicity and nativity among California cancer patients
Authors: Martínez María Elena , Anderson Kristin , Murphy James D. , Hurley Susan , Canchola Alison J. , Keegan Theresa H. M. , Cheng Iona , Clarke Christina A. , Glaser Sally L. , Gomez Scarlett L.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

It has been observed that married cancer patients have lower mortality rates than unmarried patients, but data for different racial/ethnic groups are scarce. The authors examined the risk of overall mortality associated with marital status across racial/ethnic groups and sex in data from the California Cancer Registry.

METHODS

California Cancer Registry data for all first primary invasive cancers diagnosed from 2000 through 2009 for the 10 most common sites of cancer‐related death for non‐Hispanic whites (NHWs), blacks, Asians/Pacific Islanders (APIs), and Hispanics were used to estimate multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for marital status in relation to overall mortality by race/ethnicity and sex. The study cohort included 393,470 male and 389,697 female cancer patients and 204,007 and 182,600 deaths from all causes, respectively, through December 31, 2012.

RESULTS

All‐cause mortality was higher in unmarried patients than in married patients, but there was significant variation by race/ethnicity. Adjusted HRs (95% CIs) ranged from 1.24 (95% CI, 1.23‐1.26) in NHWs to 1.11 (95% CI, 1.07‐1.15) in APIs among males and from 1.17 (95% CI, 1.15‐1.18) in NHWs to 1.07 (95% CI, 1.04‐1.11) in APIs among females. All‐cause mortality associated with unmarried status compared with married status was higher in US‐born API and Hispanic men and women relative to their foreign‐born counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who have the cancers that contribute most to mortality, being unmarried is associated with worse overall survival compared with being married, with up to 24% higher mortality among NHW males but only 6% higher mortality among foreign‐born Hispanic and API females. Future research should pursue the identification of factors underlying these associations to inform targeted interventions for unmarried cancer patients. Cancer 2016;122:1570–8. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Electrochemical Biosensor Based on Bienzyme and Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated into an Os‐complex Thin Film for Continuous Glucose Detection in Human Saliva
Authors: Liu Jian , Sun Shanhui , Shang Hui , Lai Jiahui , Zhang Lili
Published: April 2016

Saliva opens a door for noninvasive and painless glucose testing since it reflects changes in the body physiology of diabetic individuals as compared to healthy ones. In this paper, a unique, disposable saliva biosensor has been developed for accurate, low cost, and continuous glucose monitoring. The biosensor exhibits linear dependence of the catalytic current upon glucose bulk concentration over the 0.05–1.5 mM range (R=0.998). A detection limit of 0.003 mM can be calculated considering three times the standard deviation of the blank signal divided by the sensitivity of the sensor. The selectivity of the biosensor was evaluated by adding the interferent species of lactate, ascorbic acid and uric acid into in 0.5 mM glucose; the nearly negligible interference current indicates its good selectivity. The operational stability of the biosensor was measured in 1 mM glucose over a 2 h period (RSD=3.27 %). A clinical trial on real‐time noninvasive salivary glucose monitoring was carried out on 30 individuals by measuring subjects’ salivary glucose and blood glucose in parallel. The results show that there is a good correlation of glucose levels in saliva and in blood 2 h after breakfast. Thus, the disposable biosensor would be a potential alternative for continuous glucose detection in human saliva.
Improvement of multistep WENO scheme and its extension to higher orders of accuracy
Authors: Ma Yankai , Yan Zhenguo , Zhu Huajun
Published: April 2016

This paper presents an efficient procedure for overcoming the deficiency of weighted essentially non‐oscillatory schemes near discontinuities. Through a thorough incorporation of smoothness indicators into the weights definition, up to ninth‐order accurate multistep methods are devised, providing weighted essentially non‐oscillatory schemes with enhanced order of convergence at transition points from smooth regions to a discontinuity, while maintaining stability and the essentially non‐oscillatory behavior. We also provide a detailed analysis of the resolution power and show that the solution enhancements of the new method at smooth regions come from their ability to render smoothness indicators closer to uniformity. The new scheme exhibits similar fidelity as other multistep schemes; however, with superior characteristics in terms of robustness and efficiency, as no logical statements or mapping function is needed. Extensions to higher orders of accuracy present no extra complexity. Numerical solutions of linear advection problems and nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws are used to demonstrate the scheme's improved behavior for shock‐capturing problems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of marine ecosystem services indicators: Experiences and lessons learned from 14 European case studies
Authors: Lillebø Ana I , Somma Francesca , Norén Katja , Gonçalves Jorge , Alves M Fátima , Ballarini Elisabetta , Bentes Luis , Bielecka Malgorzata , Chubarenko Boris V , Heise Susanne , Khokhlov Valeriy , Klaoudatos Dimitris , Lloret Javier , Margonski Piotr , Marín Atucha , Matczak Magdalena , Oen Amy MP , Palmieri Maria G , Przedrzymirska Joanna , Różyński Grzegorz , Sousa Ana I , Sousa Lisa P , Tuchkovenko Yurii , Zaucha Jacek
Published: April 2016

This article shares the experiences, observations, and discussions that occurred during the completing of an ecosystem services (ES) indicator framework to be used at European Union (EU) and Member States' level. The experience base was drawn from 3 European research projects and 14 associated case study sites that include 13 transitional-water bodies (specifically 8 coastal lagoons, 4 riverine estuaries, and 1 fjord) and 1 coastal-water ecosystem. The ES pertinent to each case study site were identified along with indicators of these ES and data sources that could be used for mapping. During the process, several questions and uncertainties arose, followed by discussion, leading to these main lessons learned: 1) ES identification: Some ES that do not seem important at the European scale emerge as relevant at regional or local scales; 2) ES indicators: When direct indicators are not available, proxies for indicators (indirect indicators) might be used, including combined data on monitoring requirements imposed by EU legislation and international agreements; 3) ES mapping: Boundaries and appropriate data spatial resolution must be established because ES can be mapped at different temporal and spatial scales. We also acknowledge that mapping and assessment of ES supports the dialogue between human well-being and ecological status. From an evidence-based marine planning-process point of view, mapping and assessment of marine ES are of paramount importance to sustainable use of marine natural capital and to halt the loss of marine biodiversity. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:726–734. © 2016 SETAC
Stakeholder involvement for management of the coastal zone
Authors: Oen Amy MP , Bouma Geiske M , Botelho Maria , Pereira Patrícia , Haeger-Eugensson Marie , Conides Alexis , Przedrzymirska Joanna , Isaksson Ingela , Wolf Christina , Breedveld Gijs D , Slob Adriaan
Published: April 2016

The European Union (EU) has taken the lead to promote the management of coastal systems. Management strategies are implemented by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), as well as the recent Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive. Most EU directives have a strong focus on public participation; however, a recent review found that the actual involvement of stakeholders was variable. The “Architecture and roadmap to manage multiple pressures on lagoons” (ARCH) research project has developed and implemented participative methodologies at different case study sites throughout Europe. These cases represent a broad range of coastal systems, and they highlight different legislative frameworks that are relevant for coastal zone management. Stakeholder participation processes were subsequently evaluated at 3 case study sites in order to assess the actual implementation of participation in the context of their respective legislative frameworks: 1) Byfjorden in Bergen, Norway, in the context of the WFD; 2) Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece, in the context of the MSFD; and 3) Nordre Älv Estuary, Sweden, in the context of the MSP Directive. An overall assessment of the evaluation criteria indicates that the ARCH workshop series methodology of focusing first on the current status of the lagoon or estuary, then on future challenges, and finally on identifying management solutions provided a platform that was conducive for stakeholder participation. Results suggest that key criteria for a good participatory process were present and above average at the 3 case study sites. The results also indicate that the active engagement that was initiated at the 3 case study sites has led to capacity building among the participants, which is an important intermediary outcome of public participation. A strong connection between participatory processes and policy can ensure the legacy of the intermediary outcomes, which is an important and necessary start toward more permanent resource management outcomes such as ecological and economic improvement. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:701–710. © 2016 SETAC
A novel brain image segmentation using intuitionistic fuzzy C means algorithm
Authors: Prabu C. , Bavithiraja S.V.M.G. , Narayanamoorthy S.
Published: April 2016

A process of splitting the image into pixel bands is the image segmentation. As medical imaging contain uncertainties, there are difficulties in classification of images into homogeneous regions. There is a need for segmentation algorithm for removing the noise from the medical image segmentation. The very popular algorithm is Fuzzy C‐Means (FCM) algorithm used for image segmentation. Fuzzy sets, rough sets, and the combination of fuzzy and rough sets play a prominent role in formalizing uncertainty, vagueness, and incompleteness in diagnosis. But it will use intensity values only which will be highly sensitive to noise. In this article, an Intuitionistic FCM (IFCM) algorithm is presented for clustering. Intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) sets are generalized sets and their elements are characterized by a membership value as well as nonmembership value. This IFCM has an uncertainty parameter which is called hesitation degree and a new objective function is integrated in the standard FCM based on IF entropy. The IFCM will provide better performance than FCM for image segmentation.
Influence of 6‐Hydroxydopamine Toxicity on α‐Synuclein Phosphorylation, Resting Vesicle Expression, and Vesicular Dopamine Release
Authors: Ganapathy Kavina , Datta Indrani , Sowmithra Sowmithra , Joshi Preeti , Bhonde Ramesh
Published: April 2016

Post mortem studies on familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease patient striatal tissue have shown that nearly 90% of α‐synuclein deposited in Lewy‐bodies is phosphorylated at serine‐129 (pSyn‐129) as opposed to only 4% in normal human brain. We aimed to find the influence of endogenous neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) on α‐synuclein phosphorylation, resting vesicles, and vesicular dopamine release. The relative distribution of pSyn‐129+ cells in apoptotic and non‐apoptotic populations at different 6‐OHDA concentrations was assessed along with changes in oxidant‐antioxidant system, mitochondrial membrane‐potential, and intracellular‐Ca2+. Exposing SH‐SY5Y cells to different concentrations of 6‐OHDA for 48 h showed cell‐death and apoptosis. Immunocytochemical analysis indicated an increase in pSyn‐129 with increasing 6‐OHDA concentration, and ELISA‐estimation showed a significant increase in the pSyn‐129 to α‐synuclein ratio. FACS analysis also showed a significant increase in pSyn‐129; and at sub‐lethal 6‐OHDA concentrations, pSyn‐129+ cells were primarily distributed in the non‐apoptotic population, suggesting that phosphorylation of α‐synuclein precedes apoptosis. At higher 6‐OHDA concentrations, the pSyn‐129+ cell count significantly increased in the apoptotic population and decreased in the non‐apoptotic population. Cytosolic co‐localization of α‐synuclein and ubiquitin was noticed at higher doses of 6‐OHDA. FACS analysis showed decrease in vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 (VMAT2) expression in 6‐OHDA‐treated cells, confirmed by reduction in functional dopamine‐release on KCl and ATP stimulation. Significant decrease in VMAT2 expression and vesicular dopamine‐release were observed with the lower 6‐OHDA concentration, together with mild occurrence of apoptosis and significant increase in phosphorylated α‐synuclein. This suggests that at sub‐lethal 6‐OHDA concentrations, the decrease in resting vesicles (VMAT2) and vesicular dopamine release are not attributable to apoptotic cell death and occur concomitantly with the phosphorylation of α‐synuclein. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2719–2736, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid and sensitive detection of fipronil and its metabolites in edible oils by solid‐phase extraction based on humic acid bonded silica combined with gas chromatography with electron capture detection
Authors: Peng Xi‐Tian , Li Yu‐Nan , Xia Hong , Peng Li‐Jun , Feng Yu‐Qi
Published: April 2016

Solid‐phase extraction based on humic acid bonded silica followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection was developed to determine fipronil and its metabolites in edible oil. To achieve the best extraction performance, we systematically investigated a series of solid‐phase extraction parameters. Under the optimized conditions, the method was validated according to linearity, recovery, and precision. Good linearities were obtained with R2 more than 0.9996 for all analytes. The limits of detection were between 0.3 and 0.5 ng/g, and the recoveries ranged from 83.1 to 104.0% at three spiked concentrations with intra‐ and interday relative standard deviation values less than 8.7%. Finally, the proposed method was applied to determine fipronil and its metabolites in 11 edible oil samples taken from Wuhan markets. Fipronil was detectable in four samples with concentrations ranging from 3.0 to 5.2 ng/g. In China, the maximum residue limits of fipronil in some vegetables and maize are 20 and 100 ng/g (GB/T 2763‐2014), respectively. The residues of fipronil and its metabolites in commercial edible oils might exhibit some potential threat to human health as a result of high consumption of edible oil as part of daily intake.
Determination of sulfadiazine in eggs using molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: He Xiuping , Tan Liju , Wu Wei , Wang Jiangtao
Published: April 2016

The development of a simple and effective method for the isolation and purification of sulfadiazine residues in food of animal origin is of great significance since it is a great danger to human health. An off‐line molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography method was proposed for the selective pretreatment and determination of sulfadiazine in eggs, rapidly and effectively. The molecularly imprinted polymer was proved to have a homogeneous spherical structure and porous surface morphology with excellent adsorption capacity of 5258 μg/g for sulfadiazine. The newly established method showed a good linearity in the range of 0–200 μg/L, low limits of detection (0.06 μg/L), acceptable reproducibility (RSD, 2.60–5.03%,n= 3), and satisfactory relative recoveries (78.22–86.10%). It was demonstrated that the proposed molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography method could be applied to determine sulfadiazine in eggs, which simplified the pretreatment procedure and improved the accuracy of the analysis process by reducing the loss of sulfadiazine in the fat‐removing procedure compared with traditional methods. Molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction with excellent selectivity and adsorption capacity is a simple, rapid, selective, and effective pretreatment method for the determination of sulfadiazine in egg samples.
Bone mineral density predicts posttransplant survival among hepatocellular carcinoma liver transplant recipients
Authors: Sharma Pratima , Parikh Neehar D. , Yu Jessica , Barman Pranab , Derstine Brian A. , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Wang Stewart C. , Su Grace L.
Published: April 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Recent data suggest that body composition features strongly affect post‐LT mortality. We examined the impact of body composition on post‐LT mortality in patients with HCC. Data on adult LT recipients who received Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease exception for HCC between February 29, 2002, and December 31, 2013, and who had a computed tomography (CT) scan any time 6 months prior to LT were reviewed (n = 118). All available CT scan Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine files were analyzed using a semiautomated high throughput methodology with algorithms programmed in MATLAB. Analytic morphomics measurements including dorsal muscle group (DMG) area, visceral and subcutaneous fat, and bone mineral density (BMD) were taken at the bottom of the eleventh thoracic vertebral level. Thirty‐two (27%) patients died during the median follow‐up of 4.4 years. The number of HCC lesions (hazard ratio [HR], 2.81; P < 0.001), BMD (HR = 0.90/Hounsfield units [HU]; P = 0.03), pre‐LT locoregional therapy (HR = 0.14; P < 0.001), and donor age (HR = 1.05; P < 0.001) were the independent predictors of post‐LT mortality. DMG area did not affect post‐LT survival. In conclusion, in addition to number of HCC lesions and pre‐LT locoregional therapy, low BMD, a surrogate for bone loss rather than DMG area, was independently associated with post‐LT mortality in HCC patients. Bone loss may be an early marker of deconditioning that precedes sarcopenia and may affect transplant outcomes. Liver Transplantation 22 1092–1098 2016 AASLD
Honokiol targets mitochondria to halt cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Pan Jing , Lee Yongik , Wang Yian , You Ming
Published: April 2016

Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer. Honokiol (HNK) is an important bioactive compound found in the bark of Magnolia tree, and has been shown to inhibit cancer growth and metastasis in many cell types in vitro and in animal models. Resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the major obstacle for cure of cancer. Combination of HNK with many traditional chemotherapeutic drugs as well as radiation sensitizes cancer cells to apoptotic death, suggesting that HNK not only directly inhibits primary cancers and metastasis, but also has potential to overcome drug resistance. Ultimately, this may mean that HNK could be combined with traditional chemotherapies administered at lower doses to significantly reduce toxicity, meanwhile enhance efficacy. As a natural compound, HNK is composed of polyphenols and has been described in many studies targeting multiple key cell signaling molecules. Mitochondria are the main hub for cellular energy production and play an important role in cell survival, and are the key target identified for HNK to mediate cancer cell death, survival, and metastasis. In this review, we have summarized different aspects of HNK's anti‐cancer effects from recent accumulated literature, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. This review is primarily focused on the effects of HNK on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, as well as the broader regulation of mitochondrial function and cancer cell metabolism.
Multiple regulations of Keap1/Nrf2 system by dietary phytochemicals
Authors: Qin Si , Hou De‐Xing
Published: April 2016

Keap1/Nrf2 system plays a critical role on cellular protection by regulating many antioxidant and detoxification enzyme genes through the antioxidant response element (ARE). Thus, it must work constantly to prevent the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) because excess ROS are associated with many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular complications, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Dietary phytochemicals widely distributing in fruits and vegetables have been considered to possess cancer chemopreventive potential through the induction of Keap1/Nrf2 system‐mediated antioxidant and detoxification enzymes in a variety of manners. The data are extensive and are not well classified on the molecular mechanisms. In this review, we first briefly introduce the current knowledge on Keap1/Nrf2 system regulation including Keap1‐dependent and Keap1‐independent cascades, and epigenetic pathway. Then, we summarize the molecular targets of Keap1/Nrf2 system by dietary phytochemicals, and finally review the crosstalk between Keap1/Nrf2 system and other cellular signaling pathways to regulate diverse chronic diseases by dietary phytochemicals. These comprehensive data will help us to understand the potential effects of dietary phytochemicals on the prevention of chronic diseases and maintenance of human health.
Neuroimaging in dementia: an update for the general clinician
Authors: Rayment Dane , Biju Maya , Zheng Rui , Kuruvilla Tarun
Published: April 2016

Structural neuroimaging is a fundamental part of a routine dementia assessment to rule out treatable causes of cognitive impairment, and to support early, accurate dementia subtype diagnosis. Dr Rayment and colleagues discuss the different types of imaging and when they should be used, as well as analysing some typical imaging findings from common dementia subtypes.
Fetal aortopulmonary window: case series and review of the literature
Authors: Fotaki A. , Novaes J. , Jicinska H. , Carvalho J. S.
Published: April 2016

Aortopulmonary window is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly characterized by communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery above the semilunar valves. Prenatal diagnosis is rare. We report four fetuses with aortopulmonary window and review the relevant literature. Approximately half of the reported cases had additional cardiac defects. None had chromosomal abnormalities. In cases with normal cardiac connections, the diagnosis can be made prenatally on the standard three‐vessel view, as seen in two of our cases. In one fetus with complete transposition of the great arteries, the diagnosis was made retrospectively on sagittal views. In the remaining case, the window was seen postnatally but could not be identified retrospectively due to the abnormal superoinferior relationship of the ventricles and vessels. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Digital Foreign Policy: How Digital Tools Can Further Europe's Foreign Policy Goals
Authors: Król Łukasz Antoni
Published: April 2016

The security threats Europe is now facing, such as hybrid warfare, propaganda campaigns and information warfare, frequently include a digital dimension. At the same time, digital tools offer an immense potential for change in the European neighbourhood, not least in their ability to equip and inspire pro-democracy protesters, particularly those facing a repressive security apparatus. Digital policy cannot therefore become an afterthought but needs to be deeply integrated into Europe's foreign policy and diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, the US's long-held Internet hegemony is beginning to fade, placing the EU in a good position to lead global Internet governance initiatives and ensure that they develop along open and liberal lines.
Six-year follow-up study of combined type ADHD from childhood to young adulthood: Predictors of functional impairment and comorbid symptoms
Authors: Cadman T , Findon J. , Eklund H. , Hayward H. , Howley D. , Cheung C. , Kuntsi J. , Glaser K. , Murphy D. , Asherson P.
Published: April 2016

Background

ADHD in childhood is associated with development of negative psychosocial and behavioural outcomes in adults. Yet, relatively little is known about which childhood and adulthood factors are predictive of these outcomes and could be targets for effective interventions. To date follow-up studies have largely used clinical samples from the United States with children ascertained at baseline using broad criteria for ADHD including all clinical subtypes or the use of DSM III criteria.

Aims

To identify child and adult predictors of comorbid and psychosocial comorbid outcomes in ADHD in a UK sample of children with DSM-IV combined type ADHD.

Method

One hundred and eighteen adolescents and young adults diagnosed with DSM-IV combined type ADHD in childhood were followed for an average of 6 years. Comorbid mental health problems, drug and alcohol use and police contact were compared for those with persistent ADHD, sub-threshold ADHD and population norms taken from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Study 2007. Predictors included ADHD symptomology and gender.

Results

Persistent ADHD was associated with greater levels of anger, fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety compared to sub-threshold ADHD. Comorbid mental health problems were predicted by current symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, but not by childhood ADHD severity. Both persistent and sub-threshold ADHD was associated with higher levels of drug use and police contact compared to population norms.

Conclusions

Young adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD showed increased rates of comorbid mental health problems, which were predicted by current levels of ADHD symptoms. This suggests the importance of the continuing treatment of ADHD throughout the transitional years and into adulthood. Drug use and police contact were more common in ADHD but were not predicted by ADHD severity in this sample.
Crowdsourced estimation of cognitive decline and resilience in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Allen Genevera I. , Amoroso Nicola , Anghel Catalina , Balagurusamy Venkat , Bare Christopher J. , Beaton Derek , Bellotti Roberto , Bennett David A. , Boehme Kevin L. , Boutros Paul C. , Caberlotto Laura , Caloian Cristian , Campbell Frederick , Chaibub Neto Elias , Chang Yu‐Chuan , Chen Beibei , Chen Chien‐Yu , Chien Ting‐Ying , Clark Tim , Das Sudeshna , Davatzikos Christos , Deng Jieyao , Dillenberger Donna , Dobson Richard J.B. , Dong Qilin , Doshi Jimit , Duma Denise , Errico Rosangela , Erus Guray , Everett Evan , Fardo David W. , Friend Stephen H. , Fröhlich Holger , Gan Jessica , St George‐Hyslop Peter , Ghosh Satrajit S. , Glaab Enrico , Green Robert C. , Guan Yuanfang , Hong Ming‐Yi , Huang Chao , Hwang Jinseub , Ibrahim Joseph , Inglese Paolo , Iyappan Anandhi , Jiang Qijia , Katsumata Yuriko , Kauwe John S.K. , Klein Arno , Kong Dehan , Krause Roland , Lalonde Emilie , Lauria Mario , Lee Eunjee , Lin Xihui , Liu Zhandong , Livingstone Julie , Logsdon Benjamin A. , Lovestone Simon , Ma Tsung‐wei , Malhotra Ashutosh , Mangravite Lara M. , Maxwell Taylor J. , Merrill Emily , Nagorski John , Namasivayam Aishwarya , Narayan Manjari , Naz Mufassra , Newhouse Stephen J. , Norman Thea C. , Nurtdinov Ramil N. , Oyang Yen‐Jen , Pawitan Yudi , Peng Shengwen , Peters Mette A. , Piccolo Stephen R. , Praveen Paurush , Priami Corrado , Sabelnykova Veronica Y. , Senger Philipp , Shen Xia , Simmons Andrew , Sotiras Aristeidis , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Tangaro Sabina , Tateo Andrea , Tung Yi‐An , Tustison Nicholas J. , Varol Erdem , Vradenburg George , Weiner Michael W. , Xiao Guanghua , Xie Lei , Xie Yang , Xu Jia , Yang Hojin , Zhan Xiaowei , Zhou Yunyun , Zhu Fan , Zhu Hongtu , Zhu Shanfeng ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2016

Identifying accurate biomarkers of cognitive decline is essential for advancing early diagnosis and prevention therapies in Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's disease DREAM Challenge was designed as a computational crowdsourced project to benchmark the current state‐of‐the‐art in predicting cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease based on high dimensional, publicly available genetic and structural imaging data. This meta‐analysis failed to identify a meaningful predictor developed from either data modality, suggesting that alternate approaches should be considered for prediction of cognitive performance.
Topological entropy in totally disconnected locally compact groups
Authors: GIORDANO BRUNO ANNA , VIRILI SIMONE
Published: April 2016

Let$G$be a topological group, let$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$be a continuous endomorphism of$G$and let$H$be a closed$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$-invariant subgroup of$G$. We study whether the topological entropy is an additive invariant, that is,$$\begin{eqnarray}h_{\text{top}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})=h_{\text{top}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\restriction _{H})+h_{\text{top}}(\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}),\end{eqnarray}$$where$\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}:G/H\rightarrow G/H$is the map induced by$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$. We concentrate on the case when$G$is totally disconnected locally compact and$H$is either compact or normal. Under these hypotheses, we show that the above additivity property holds true whenever$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}H=H$and$\ker (\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})\leq H$. As an application, we give a dynamical interpretation of the scale$s(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})$by showing that$\log s(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})$is the topological entropy of a suitable map induced by$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$. Finally, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the equality$\log s(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})=h_{\text{top}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D719})$to hold.