bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Amyloid Cores in Prion Domains
Authors: Sant’Anna Ricardo , Fernández Maria Rosario , Batlle Cristina , Navarro Susanna , de Groot Natalia S. , Serpell Louise , Ventura Salvador
Published: September 2016

Amyloids consist of repetitions of a specific polypeptide chain in a regular cross-β-sheet conformation. Amyloid propensity is largely determined by the protein sequence, the aggregation process being nucleated by specific and short segments. Prions are special amyloids that become self-perpetuating after aggregation. Prions are responsible for neuropathology in mammals, but they can also be functional, as in yeast prions. The conversion of these last proteins to the prion state is driven by prion forming domains (PFDs), which are generally large, intrinsically disordered, enriched in glutamines/asparagines and depleted in hydrophobic residues. The self-assembly of PFDs has been thought to rely mostly on their particular amino acid composition, rather than on their sequence. Instead, we have recently proposed that specific amyloid-prone sequences within PFDs might be key to their prion behaviour. Here, we demonstrate experimentally the existence of these amyloid stretches inside the PFDs of the canonical Sup35, Swi1, Mot3 and Ure2 prions. These sequences self-assemble efficiently into highly ordered amyloid fibrils, that are functionally competent, being able to promote the PFD amyloid conversion in vitro and in vivo. Computational analyses indicate that these kind of amyloid stretches may act as typical nucleating signals in a number of different prion domains.
Maternal high-fat diet during lactation impairs thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue in offspring mice
Authors: Liang Xingwei , Yang Qiyuan , Zhang Lupei , Maricelli Joseph W , Rodgers Buel D. , Zhu Mei-Jun , Du Min
Published: September 2016

Maternal obesity and high-fat diet (HFD) predisposes offspring to obesity and metabolic diseases. Due to uncoupling, brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy via heat generation, mitigating obesity and diabetes. The lactation stage is a manageable period for improving the health of offspring of obese mothers, but the impact of maternal HFD during lactation on offspring BAT function is unknown. To determine, female mice were fed either a control or HFD during lactation. At weaning, HFD offspring gained more body weight and had greater body fat mass compared to the control, and these differences maintained into adulthood, which correlated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in HFD offspring. Adaptive thermogenesis of BAT was impaired in HFD offspring at weaning. In adulthood, HFD offspring BAT had lower Ucp1 expression and thermogenic activity. Mechanistically, maternal HFD feeding during lactation elevated peripheral serotonin, which decreased the sensitivity of BAT to sympathetic β3-adrenergic signaling. Importantly, early postnatal metformin administration decreased serotonin concentration and ameliorated the impairment of offspring BAT due to maternal HFD. Our data suggest that attenuation of BAT thermogenic function may be a key mechanism linking maternal HFD during lactation to persisted metabolic disorder in the offspring.
Microplastic fragments and microbeads in digestive tracts of planktivorous fish from urban coastal waters
Authors: Tanaka Kosuke , Takada Hideshige
Published: September 2016

We investigated microplastics in the digestive tracts of 64 Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) sampled in Tokyo Bay. Plastic was detected in 49 out of 64 fish (77%), with 2.3 pieces on average and up to 15 pieces per individual. All of the plastics were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Most were polyethylene (52.0%) or polypropylene (43.3%). Most of the plastics were fragments (86.0%), but 7.3% were beads, some of which were microbeads, similar to those found in facial cleansers. Eighty percent of the plastics ranged in size from 150 μm to 1000 μm, smaller than the reported size range of floating microplastics on the sea surface, possibly because the subsurface foraging behavior of the anchovy reflected the different size distribution of plastics between surface waters and subsurface waters.Engraulisspp. are important food for many humans and other organisms around the world. Our observations further confirm that microplastics have infiltrated the marine ecosystem and that humans may be exposed to them. Because microplastics retain hazardous chemicals, increase in fish chemical exposure by the ingested plastics is of concern. Such exposure should be studied and compared with that in the natural diet.
Interspecific sensitivity of bees towards dimethoate and implications for environmental risk assessment
Authors: Uhl Philipp , Franke Lea A. , Rehberg Christina , Wollmann Claudia , Stahlschmidt Peter , Jeker Lukas , Brühl Carsten A.
Published: September 2016

Wild and domesticated bee species are exposed to a variety of pesticides which may drive pollinator decline. Due to wild bee sensitivity data shortage, it is unclear if the honey bee Apis mellifera is a suitable surrogate species in the current EU risk assessment scheme. Furthermore, the underlying causes for sensitivity differences in bees are not established. We assessed the acute toxicity (median lethal dose, LD50) of dimethoate towards multiple bee species, generated a species sensitivity distribution and derived a hazardous dose (HD5). Furthermore, we performed a regression analysis with body weight and dimethoate toxicity. HD5 lower 95% confidence limit was equal to honey bee mean LD50 when applying a safety factor of 10. Body weight proved to be a predictor of interspecific bee sensitivity but did not explain the pattern completely. Using acute toxicity values from honey bees and a safety factor of 10 seems to cover the interspecific sensitivity range of bees in the case of dimethoate. Acute endpoints of proposed additional test species, the buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris and the red mason bee Osmia bicornis, do not improve the risk assessment for the entire group. However, this might not apply to other insecticides such as neonicotinoids.
Development of dopant-free conductive bioelastomers
Authors: Xu Cancan , Huang Yihui , Yepez Gerardo , Wei Zi , Liu Fuqiang , Bugarin Alejandro , Tang Liping , Hong Yi
Published: September 2016

Conductive biodegradable materials are of great interest for various biomedical applications, such as tissue repair and bioelectronics. They generally consist of multiple components, including biodegradable polymer/non-degradable conductive polymer/dopant, biodegradable conductive polymer/dopant or biodegradable polymer/non-degradable inorganic additives. The dopants or additives induce material instability that can be complex and possibly toxic. Material softness and elasticity are also highly expected for soft tissue repair and soft electronics. To address these concerns, we designed a unicomponent dopant-free conductive polyurethane elastomer (DCPU) by chemically linking biodegradable segments, conductive segments and dopant molecules into one polymer chain. The DCPU films which had robust mechanical properties with high elasticity and conductivity can be degraded enzymatically and by hydrolysis. It exhibited great electrical stability in physiological environment with charge. Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts survived and proliferated on these films exhibiting good cytocompatibility. Polymer degradation products were non-toxic. DCPU could also be processed into a porous scaffold and in an in vivo subcutaneous implantation model, exhibited good tissue compatibility with extensive cell infiltration over 2 weeks. Such biodegradable DCPU with good flexibility and elasticity, processability and electrical stability may find broad applications for tissue repair and soft/stretchable/wearable bioelectronics.
Ultraviolet-B Radiation (UV-B) Relieves Chilling-Light-Induced PSI Photoinhibition And Accelerates The Recovery Of CO2 Assimilation In Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Leaves
Authors: Zhang Zi-Shan , Jin Li-Qiao , Li Yu-Ting , Tikkanen Mikko , Li Qing-Ming , Ai Xi-Zhen , Gao Hui-Yuan
Published: September 2016

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) is generally considered to negatively impact the photosynthetic apparatus and plant growth. UV-B damages PSII but does not directly influence PSI. However, PSI and PSII successively drive photosynthetic electron transfer, therefore, the interaction between these systems is unavoidable. So we speculated that UV-B could indirectly affect PSI under chilling-light conditions. To test this hypothesis, the cucumber leaves were illuminated by UV-B prior or during the chilling-light treatment and the leaves were then transferred to 25 °C and low-light conditions for recovery. The results showed that UV-B decreased the electron transfer to PSI by inactivating the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), thereby protecting PSI from chilling-light-induced photoinhibition. This effect advantages the recoveries of PSI and CO2 assimilation after chilling-light stress, therefore should minimize the yield loss caused by chilling-light stress. Because sunlight consists of both UV-B and visible light, we suggest that UV-B-induced OEC inactivation is critical for chilling-light-induced PSI photoinhibition in field. Moreover, additional UV-B irradiation is an effective strategy to relieve PSI photoinhibition and yield loss in protected cultivation during winter. This study also demonstrates that minimizing the photoinhibition of PSI rather than that of PSII is essential for the chilling-light tolerance of the plant photosynthetic apparatus.
Analyses of optimal body mass index for infertile patients with either polycystic or non-polycystic ovary syndrome during assisted reproductive treatment in China
Authors: Wang Fang , Dai Wei , Yang Xin-hong , Guo Yi-hong , Sun Ying-pu
Published: September 2016

We observed the effect of body mass index (BMI) on pregnancy outcomes in Chinese patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART). All the patients were divided into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) group and non-PCOS group and then according to BMI, each group was subdivided into 6 subgroups: group 1 (BMI < 18 kg/m2), group 2 (18–20 kg/m2), group 3 (20–22 kg/m2), group 4 (22–24 kg/m2), group 5 (24–26 kg/m2) and group 6 (BMI > 26.0 kg/m2). We found that in 20 to 25-year-old patients, the pregnancy rate was not significantly correlated with BMI in PCOS patients; while in non-POCS patients, the pregnancy rate significantly decreased at the BMI cut-off point value of 24–26 kg/m2. The pregnancy rate significantly declined at the BMI cut-off point values of 22–24 kg/m2 and 18–20 kg/m2, respectively in 25 to 35-year-old and in over 35-year-old PCOS patients; while in over 25-year-old non-PCOS patients, no significant correlation between pregnancy rate and BMI was observed. We conclude that for under 25-year-old non-PCOS patients, ART should be performed after BMI is controlled under 26 kg/m2. For PCOS patients, if age is 25 to 35 years or over 35 years, BMI should be controlled below 24 kg/m2 or below 20 kg/m2, respectively.
Flexible all-polymer waveguide for low threshold amplified spontaneous emission
Authors: Smirnov José R. Castro , Zhang Qi , Wannemacher Reinhold , Wu Longfei , Casado Santiago , Xia Ruidong , Rodriguez Isabel , Cabanillas-González Juan
Published: September 2016

The fabrication of all polymer optical waveguides, based on a highly fluorescent conjugated polymer (CP) poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) and a mechanically flexible and biodegradable polymer, cellulose acetate (CA), is reported. The replication by hot embossing of patterned surfaces in CA substrates, onto which high quality F8BT films can be easily processed by spin coating, is exploited to produce an entirely plastic device that exhibits low optical loss and low threshold for amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). As a result, highly transparent and flexible waveguides are obtained, with excellent optical properties that remain unaltered after bending, allowing them to be adapted in various flexible photonic devices.
Use of Single-Layer g-C3N4/Ag Hybrids for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
Authors: Jiang Jizhou , Zou Jing , Wee Andrew Thye Shen , Zhang Wenjing
Published: September 2016

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates with high activity and stability are desirable for SERS sensing. Here, we report a new single atomic layer graphitic-C3N4 (S-g-C3N4) and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) hybrid as high-performance SERS substrates. The SERS mechanism of the highly stable S-g-C3N4/Ag substrates was systematically investigated by a combination of experiments and theoretical calculations. From the results of XPS and Raman spectroscopies, it was found that there was a strong interaction between S-g-C3N4 and Ag NPs, which facilitates the uniform distribution of Ag NPs over the edges and surfaces of S-g-C3N4 nanosheets, and induces a charge transfer from S-g-C3N4 to the oxidizing agent through the silver surface, ultimately protecting Ag NPs from oxidation. Based on the theoretical calculations, we found that the net surface charge of the Ag atoms on the S-g-C3N4/Ag substrates was positive and the Ag NPs presented high dispersibility, suggesting that the Ag atoms on the S-g-C3N4/Ag substrates were not likely to be oxidized, thereby ensuring the high stability of the S-g-C3N4/Ag substrate. An understanding of the stability mechanism in this system can be helpful for developing other effective SERS substrates with long-term stability.
New insights into the electrochemical detection application of p–p junction foam: the effects of the interfacial potential barrier
Authors: Ding Longjiang , Zhao Minggang , Fan Sisi , Li Hui , Ma Ye , Liang Jingjing , Chen Shougang
Published: September 2016

A novel theory of employing the potential barrier to controllably adjust the electrochemical signal is demonstrated. When the redox occurs, the operation of the sensors is largely controlled by the characteristics of the p–p junction potential barrier.
Electrospray soft-landing for the construction of non-covalent molecular nanostructures using charged droplets under ambient conditions
Authors: Hou Jian , Zheng Qingna , Badu-Tawiah Abraham K. , Xiong Caiqiao , Guan Cuizhong , Chen Suming , Nie Zongxiu , Wang Dong , Wan Lijun
Published: September 2016

An ambient electrospray soft-landing apparatus was designed to create surface-confined networks on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite through ion/surface interactions.
Mo2C quantum dot embedded chitosan-derived nitrogen-doped carbon for efficient hydrogen evolution in a broad pH range
Authors: Pu Zonghua , Wang Min , Kou Zongkui , Amiinu Ibrahim Saana , Mu Shichun
Published: September 2016

Mo2C QDs/NGCLs exhibit high catalytic activity and durability for the hydrogen evolution reaction in a broad pH range.
Mapping nanometric electronic property changes induced by an aryl diazonium sub-monolayer on HOPG
Authors: González M. C. R. , Carro P. , Vázquez L. , Creus A. H.
Published: September 2016

The morphology as well as the electric and electronic properties of aryl diazonium, in particular 4-nitrobenzene-diazonium (NBD), films on HOPG surfaces have been studied at the nanoscale level.
Solvent inhibition in the liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of 1,4-butanediol: understanding the catalyst behaviour from NMR relaxation time measurements
Authors: D'Agostino Carmine , Feaviour Mark R. , Brett Gemma L. , Mitchell Jonathan , York Andrew P. E. , Hutchings Graham J. , Mantle Mick D. , Gladden Lynn F.
Published: September 2016

Solvent inhibition over surfaces affects behaviour and performances of heterogeneous catalysts.
Water-dependent charge-transfer-induced spin transition of Prussian blue analogues
Authors: Ohmagari Hitomi , Ohtani Ryo , Nakaya Manabu , Ohba Masaaki , Nakamura Masaaki , Lindoy Leonard F. , Sato Osamu , Hayami Shinya
Published: September 2016

Na0.46Co[Fe(CN)6]0.78(H2O)1.31 shows a water-dependent charge-transfer-induced spin transition behavior caused by a change in coordination geometry at Co centers.
Hybrid organic–inorganic supramolecular hydrogel reinforced with CePO4 nanowires
Authors: Liu Chenyan , Xiang Guolei , Wu Yuchao , Barrow Steven J. , Rowland Matthew J. , Clarke David E. , Wu Guanglu , Scherman Oren A.
Published: September 2016

Supramolecular hydrogel reinforced with inorganic CePO4 nanowires.
Conjugated terpolymers synthesized by incorporating anthracene units into the backbones of the diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymers as electron donors for photovoltaic cells
Authors: Ju Huajun , Yang Yang , Wang Zhijie , Yang Sifen , Liu Zitong , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing
Published: September 2016

Three new conjugated D–A terpolymers PADPP1, PADPP2 and PADPP3, which contain diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) as electron acceptors and thiophene/anthracene as electron donors for photovoltaic cells, are described.
Glyconanoparticles with controlled morphologies and their interactions with a dendritic cell lectin
Authors: Yilmaz Gokhan , Messager Lea , Gleinich Anne S. , Mitchell Daniel A. , Battaglia Giuseppe , Becer C. Remzi
Published: September 2016

Well-defined amphiphilic block glycopolymers with equal mannose content have been self-assembled in aqueous solution to form glyconanoparticles with different morphologies.
Competitive adsorption/desorption of CO2/CH4 mixtures on anthracite from China over a wide range of pressures and temperatures
Authors: Zhang Yi , Chi Yuan , Liu Shuyang , Xing Wanli , Wang Lulu , Song Yongchen
Published: September 2016

The adsorption/desorption of CO2/CH4 mixtures with three different volume fractions was investigated at 294 K, 311 K, 333 K, and 353 K with pressures of up to 70 bar on anthracite from China using a high-pressure volumetric analyzer (HPVA II-200).
Enhanced dielectric properties of acrylic resin elastomer based nanocomposite with thermally reduced graphene nanosheets
Authors: Wang Gaoqiang , Wang Jingwen , Zhou Shuwei , Wu Senqiang
Published: September 2016

The graphene nanosheets prepared by thermal reduction was added to ARE to form a brand-new dielectric composite system.
Facile one-pot synthesis of magnetic Prussian blue core/shell nanoparticles for radioactive cesium removal
Authors: Chang Ling , Chang Shuquan , Chen Wei , Han Wei , Li Zheng , Zhang Zheng , Dai Yaodong , Chen Da
Published: September 2016

Magnetic Prussian blue/Fe3O4 core/shell nanoparticles for radioactive cesium removal were successfully fabricated via a facile one-pot method.
Dendrimer-functionalized LAPONITE® nanodisks loaded with gadolinium for T1-weighted MR imaging applications
Authors: Mustafa Rania , Zhou Benqing , Yang Jia , Zheng Linfeng , Zhang Guixiang , Shi Xiangyang
Published: September 2016

Dendrimer-functionalized LAPONITE® nanodisks loaded with gadolinium can be used as an efficient contrast agent for different MR imaging applications.
Effect of catalyst carbon supports on the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media: a comparative study
Authors: Molina-García Miguel A. , Rees Neil V.
Published: September 2016

Four common catalyst carbon supports are quantitatively compared in an integrated study towards the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media.
A one-pot method for the enhanced production of xylitol directly from hemicellulose (corncob xylan)
Authors: Ribeiro Lucília S. , Delgado Juan J. , de Melo Órfão José J. , Ribeiro Pereira Manuel Fernando
Published: September 2016

An efficient one-pot reaction system for converting hemicellulose (corncob xylan) into xylitol was developed by using a heterogeneous catalyst and water as solvent, without the presence of any acids.
Dual anion colorimetric and fluorometric sensing of arsenite and cyanide ions
Authors: Yadav Neetu , Singh Ashok Kumar
Published: September 2016

A naphthalene appended probe, 2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)hydrazine carbothioamide, was synthesized and found to recognize AsO2− and CN− ions with turn-on emission fluorescence over different anions in DMF–H2O (HEPES buffer, 7.2 pH) (9 : 1, v/v solution) medium.
Simultaneous in situ and ex situ growth of ultra-long Si3N4nanobelts with different optical properties
Authors: Hu Ping , Dong Shun , Li Minglun , Cheng Yuan , Sun Boqian
Published: September 2016

In situandex situgrowth of ultra-long Si3N4nanobelts (NBs) was simultaneously achievedviaan effective method with the raw materials of graphite, nanosilicon and nanosilica.
Organically-modified magnesium silicate nanocomposites for high-performance heavy metal removal
Authors: Yu Yichang , Hu Zhangjun , Chen Zhenyong , Yang Jiaxiang , Gao Hongwen , Chen Zhiwen
Published: September 2016

A disulfide-grafted polyethyleneimine (PES)@Mg2SiO4composite was synthesized, characterized, and used successfully to remove heavy metals from wastewater.
Higher-order structure formation of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) film during solvent evaporation
Authors: Wang Mengfan , Khasanah Khasanah , Sato Harumi , Takahashi Isao , Zhang Jianming , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: September 2016

Crystallization behavior of PHB from PHB/chloroform solution during solvent evaporation process.
Effect of distribution patterns of refractory overlayers on cyclic high temperature CO2 capture using waste oyster shell
Authors: Qin Kun , Wang TsingHai , Huang Jin-Chiang , Huang Chih-Hung , Hsieh Yi-Kong , Wang Chu-Fang , Tan Chung-Sung
Published: September 2016

Plasma treatment induces a thin CaZrO3 overlayer while the furnace treatment allows CaZrO3 as a wedge between CaO particles.
A new type of SO3H-functionalized magnetic-titania as a robust magnetically-recoverable solid acid nanocatalyst for multi-component reactions
Authors: Tabrizian Elham , Amoozadeh Ali
Published: September 2016

This paper highlights a novel synthetic strategy for the preparation of robust and magnetically-recoverable solid acid nanocatalysts.
Improving energy relay dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells by use of a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS)
Authors: Kolic Paulina E. , Siraj Noureen , Cong Mingyan , Regmi Bishnu P. , Luan Xinning , Wang Ying , Warner Isiah M.
Published: September 2016

Energy relay dyes based on GUMBOS displayed improved characteristics in comparison to respective parent dyes including solubility and solar efficiency.
Industrialization of tailoring spherical cathode material towards high-capacity, cycling-stable and superior low temperature performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Sun Zhonghui , Jiao Liansheng , Fan Yingying , Li Fenghua , Wang Dandan , Han Dongxue , Niu Li
Published: September 2016

Three different types of spherical cathodes (Li[Ni0.6Co0.2Mn0.2]O2) were synthesized via hydroxide co-precipitation method coupled with high temperature lithiation process.
Encapsulating sulfur into highly graphitized hollow carbon spheres as high performance cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Liu Shuangke , Hong Xiaobin , Li Yujie , Xu Jing , Zheng Chunman , Xie Kai
Published: September 2016

Encapsulating sulfur into a highly graphitized hollow carbon sphere (GHCS) is proposed as sulfur cathode, the S@GHCS delivers a high discharge capacity of ∼800 mA h g−1at 4C rate and high capacity retention of 93.7% after 240 cycles.
Polymorphism at 129 dictates metastable conformations of the human prion protein N-terminal β-sheet
Authors: Paz S. Alexis , Vanden-Eijnden Eric , Abrams Cameron F.
Published: September 2016

We study the thermodynamic stability of the native state of the human prion protein using a new free-energy method, replica-exchange on-the-fly parameterization.
A one-dimensional porous carbon-supported Ni/Mo2C dual catalyst for efficient water splitting
Authors: Yu Zi-You , Duan Yu , Gao Min-Rui , Lang Chao-Chao , Zheng Ya-Rong , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: September 2016

A new porous carbon-supported Ni/Mo2C composite exhibits high activity towards both the hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction for overall water splitting.
Novel concepts in functional resistive switching memories
Authors: Qian Kai , Nguyen Viet Cuong , Chen Tupei , Lee Pooi See
Published: September 2016

Recent progress in the functional RRAM is summarized, which will stimulate great interest in the research community for future electronics applications.
Breakup process of cylindrical viscous liquid specimens after a strong explosion in the core
Authors: Bang B. H. , Ahn C. S. , Kim D. Y. , Lee J. G. , Kim H. M. , Jeong J. T. , Yoon W. S. , Al-Deyab S. S. , Yoo J. H. , Yoon S. S. , Yarin A. L.
Published: September 2016

Basic understanding and theoretical description of the expansion and breakup of cylindrical specimens of Newtonian viscous liquid after an explosion of an explosive material in the core are aimed in this work along with the experimental investigation of the discovered phenomena. The unperturbed motion is considered first, and then supplemented by the perturbation growth pattern in the linear approximation. It is shown that a special non-trivial case of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability sets in being triggered by the gas pressure differential between the inner and outer surfaces of the specimens. The spectrum of the growing perturbation waves is established, as well as the growth rate found, and the debris sizes evaluated. An experimental study is undertaken and both the numerical and analytical solutions developed are compared with the experimental data. A good agreement between the theory and experiment is revealed. It is shown that the debris size λ, the parameter most important practically, scales with the explosion energy E as λ ∼ E−1/2. Another practically important parameter, the number of fingers N measured in the experiments was within 6%-9% from the values predicted numerically. Moreover, N in the experiments and numerical predictions followed the scaling law predicted theoretically, N∼me1/2, with me being the explosive mass.
A highly accurate and efficient algorithm for electrostatic interactions of charged particles confined by parallel metallic plates
Authors: Rostami Samare , Ghasemi S. Alireza , Nedaaee Oskoee Ehsan
Published: September 2016

We present an accurate and efficient algorithm to calculate the electrostatic interaction of charged point particles with partially periodic boundary conditions that are confined along the non-periodic direction by two parallel metallic plates. The method preserves the original boundary conditions, leading to an exact solution of the problem. In addition, the scaling complexity is quasilinear O(Nln(N)), where N is the number of particles in the simulation box. Based on the superposition principle in electrostatics, the problem is split into two electrostatic problems where each can be calculated by the appropriate Poisson solver. The method is applied to NaCl ultra-thin films where its dielectric response with respect to an external bias voltage is investigated. Furthermore, the total charge induced on the metallic boundaries can be calculated to an arbitrary precision.
Droplet sensing using small and compact high-Q planar resonator based on impedance matching technique
Authors: Lee Hee-Jo , Yook Jong-Gwan
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we demonstrate the sensing feasibility of the proposed high-Q resonator using a phosphate-buffered saline droplet at microwave frequencies. In the experimental results, the resonant frequency, signal level, and Q-factor of the S21-parameter with and without a 1-μl droplet were changed to about 230 MHz, 32 dB, and 1500, respectively. The resonator system was found to be suitable for droplet sensing with a small volume due to its small and compact scheme. This resonator system is expected to play an important role in droplet sensing with different dielectric constants.
High-pressure behavior of bromine confined in the one-dimensional channels of zeolite AlPO4-5 single crystals
Authors: Liu Zhaodong , Yao Zhen , Yao Mingguang , Lv Jiayin , Chen Shuanglong , Li Quanjun , Lv Hang , Wang Tianyi , Lu Shuangchen , Liu Ran , Liu Bo , Liu Jing , Chen Zhiqiang , Zou Bo , Cui Tian , Liu Bingbing
Published: September 2016

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study on the high-pressure behavior of bromine confined in the one-dimensional (1D) nanochannels of zeolite AlPO4-5 (AFI) single crystals. Raman scattering experiments indicate that loading bromine into AFI single crystals can lead to the formation of bromine molecular chains inside the nanochannels of the crystals. High-pressure Raman and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that high pressure can increase the length of the confined bromine molecular chains and modify the inter- and intramolecular interactions of the molecules. The confined bromine shows a considerably different high-pressure behavior to that of bulk bromine. The pressure-elongated bromine molecular chains can be preserved when the pressure is reduced to ambient pressure. Theoretical simulations explain the experimental results obtained from the Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. Furthermore, we find that the intermolecular distance between confined bromine molecules gradually becomes comparable to the intramolecular bond length in bromine molecules upon compression. This may result in the dissociation of the bromine molecules and the formation of 1D bromine atomic chains at pressures above 24 GPa. Our study suggests that the unique nanoconfinement has a considerable effect on the high-pressure behavior of bromine, and the confined bromine species concomitantly enhance the structural stability of the host AFI single crystals.
Laser beat frequency heating of a rippled density plasma
Authors: Vijay A. , Tripathi V. K.
Published: September 2016

Two collinear laser beams propagating through a rippled density plasma, with their frequency difference close to plasma frequency, resonantly excite a large amplitude plasma wave. The density ripple of suitable wavenumber slows down the plasma wave very significantly, leading to strong electron heating via the Landau damping of the plasma wave. An analytical framework of the process is developed and the electron temperature scaling with plasma density, laser power and laser frequency have been obtained. Its relevance to recent experiments on intense short pulse laser plasma interaction has been discussed.
Note: Characterization and test of a high input impedance RF amplifier for series nanowire detector
Authors: Wan Chao , Pei Yufeng , Jiang Zhou , Kang Lin , Wu Peiheng
Published: September 2016

We designed a high input impedance RF amplifier based on Tower Jazz’s 0.18 μm SiGe BiCMOS process for series nanowire detector. The characterization of its gain and input impedance with a vector network analyzer is described in detail for its specificity. The actual 15 dB gain should be the measured value subtracts 6 dB, which is easy to be ignored. Its input impedance can be equivalent to 6.7 kΩ ∥ 3.4 pF though fitting the measurement, whose accuracy is verified. The process of measurement provides a good reference to characterize the similar special amplifier with unmatched impedance.
Nano-scaled diffusional or dislocation creep analysis of single-crystal ZnO
Authors: Lin P. H. , Du X. H. , Chen Y. H. , Chen H. C. , Huang J. C.
Published: September 2016

The nanoindentation time-dependent creep experiments with different peak loads are conducted on c-plane (0001), a-plane (112¯0) and m-plane (101¯0) of single-crystal ZnO. Under nano-scaled indentation, the creep behavior is crystalline orientation-dependent. For the creep on (0001), the stress exponent at low loads is ∼1 and at high loads ∼4. The stress exponents under all loads are within 3∼7 for the creep on (112¯0) and (101¯0). This means that diffusion mechanism and dislocation mechanism is operative for different planes and loads. The relative difficulty of dislocations activation is an additional factor leading to the occurring of diffusion creep on the c-plane of single-crystal ZnO.
Three-dimensional stress-induced magnetic anisotropic constitutive model for ferromagnetic material in low intensity magnetic field
Authors: Sun Le , Liu Xin’en , Jia Dong , Niu Hongpan
Published: September 2016

Metal magnetic memory (MMM) technique is a promising tool for inspecting early damage in ferromagnetic components due to its high sensitivity to stress in weak geomagnetic field. However, the quantitative analysis methods for the MMM haven’t been sufficiently studied yet for absence of a reasonable constitutive model. A three-dimensional stress-induced magnetic anisotropic constitutive model is proposed in this paper to study magneto-mechanical coupling effect of the MMM. The model is developed in principal stress space and a linear relation between magnetization and magnetic field is employed for low intensity magnetic field. As a result, stress-induced magnetic anisotropy is represented by stress dependence of magnetic permeability in different directions, which is simple and convenient for applications in the MMM technique. Based on the model, the effect of stress on magnetic permeability and surface magnetic field is computed and compared with experimental data for a tensioned ferromagnetic specimen in low intensity magnetic field. The good consistency implies the validity of the proposed model.
The Nature of Uranium Occurrence in the Leaves of Coprosma Australis (A. Rich) Robinson
Authors: Whitehead RR Brooks NE , Peterson PJ
Published: September 2016

The distribution and chemical form of uranium was investigated in leaves collected from plants of C. australis (Rubiaceae) growing in a mineralized soil in the Buller Gorge, N.Z. Only small amounts of uranium � 10%) were found in a low molecular weight form. The predominant occurrence of uranium (65%) was as a uranium-RNA complex, which was isolated by high-voltage electrophoresis from an aqueous, extract of the freeze-dried leaves. Uranium (25%) was released from the solvent-extracted leaf residue by pepsin, thus revealing the presence of a uranium-protein complex. However, in view of the known dissociation constants for these two complexes, and other tests, it is clear that the majority of the uranium in vivo is in the form of a uranium-protein complex. This finding is confirmed by a differential centrifugation experiment, in which it was shown that at least 50% of the total uranium was bound to cell wall proteins.
researching networked insurgencies and foreign fighters in Eurasia
Authors: Ratelle Jean-François , Broers Laurence
Published: September 2016

Introducing this special issue of Caucasus Survey on networked insurgencies in Eurasia, this article discusses some of the key themes discussed in the issue. We present the case for the networked character of insurgencies in Eurasia, in which distinct insurgent fronts borrow, incorporate and transform ideas, goals and human experiences among themselves in a constantly shifting constellation. We briefly discuss the shifting role of networks and ideology in mediating Caucasian foreign fighter pathways to varying insurgent fronts in Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, the role of religious repression and the securitization of Salafism in security governance as a push factor, and the role and possible security threats that returning foreign fighters could present to their states of origin.
P3BSseq: parallel processing pipeline software for automatic analysis of bisulfite sequencing data
Authors: Luu Phuc-Loi , Gerovska Daniela , Arrospide-Elgarresta Mikel , Retegi-Carrión Sugoi , Schöler Hans R , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J
Published: September 2016

Motivation

Bisulfite sequencing (BSseq) processing is among the most cumbersome next generation sequencing (NGS) applications. Though some BSseq processing tools are available, they are scattered, require puzzling parameters and are running-time and memory-usage demanding.

Results

We developed P3BSseq, a parallel processing pipeline for fast, accurate and automatic analysis of BSseq reads that trims, aligns, annotates, records the intermediate results, performs bisulfite conversion quality assessment, generates BED methylome and report files following the NIH standards. P3BSseq outperforms the known BSseq mappers regarding running time, computer hardware requirements (processing power and memory use) and is optimized to process the upcoming, extended BSseq reads. We optimized the P3BSseq parameters for directional and non-directional libraries, and for single-end and paired-end reads of Whole Genome and Reduced Representation BSseq. P3BSseq is a user-friendly streamlined solution for BSseq upstream analysis, requiring only basic computer and NGS knowledge.

Availability and Implementation

P3BSseq binaries and documentation are available at: http://sourceforge.net/p/p3bsseq/wiki/Home/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Le Site d’auteur: un nouvel espace d’investigation critique
Authors: Hoffmann Benjamin
Published: September 2016

Cet article cherche à délimiter un nouvel espace d’investigation critique: le site internet d’auteur. Sa thèse centrale consiste à démontrer que la fonction de ce dernier excède sa finalité commerciale. Un nombre grandissant de sites internet mis en ligne par des écrivains contemporains diffusent des paratextes produits spécifiquement pour y trouver place: le partage en ligne de réflexions sur le travail littéraire fait du journal de l’écrivain un livre ouvert aux internautes. Par ailleurs, la publication en ligne de textes inédits témoigne de la capacité de cet espace de médiation à devenir un lieu de création à part entière. Cette étude s’appuie sur les résultats d’un questionnaire auquel ont répondu Antoine Bello, François Bon, Joël Dicker, Michaël Ferrier, Fabrice Humbert, Marc Levy, Édouard Louis, Marc Pautrel, Pia Petersen, Jean Rouaud, Gilbert Sinoué et Audrée Wilhelmy. Après avoir analysé les réponses fournies à ce questionnaire, cette étude s’interroge sur la capacité du site internet à offrir une forme de musée virtuel pour l’écrivain, rassemblant à la fois ses œuvres et les interventions critiques à leur sujet et opposant à la destruction et l’éparpillement des textes un nouvel accès, par l’intermédiaire du numérique, à la postérité.
The inherited patient on opioids
Authors: Owston Christopher L.
Published: September 2016

Chronic pain is a common problem, affecting more than 100 million people in the United States, and primary care providers are highly likely to encounter patients on chronic opioid therapy. Initial encounters with a new patient already on high-dose opioids can be difficult and lead to apprehension for both patient and provider. This article describes how to use current opioid prescribing guidelines, conduct a comprehensive pain assessment, and implement risk mitigation strategies to improve patient safety and effectively manage this patient population.
HINTS for differentiating peripheral from central causes of vertigo
Authors: Jaynstein Dayna
Published: September 2016

Dizziness and vertigo are common and difficult complaints encountered by providers. The differential diagnosis is large and varies from benign to life-threatening disorders. The true challenge becomes differentiating benign peripheral vertigo from central vertigo. The HINTS examination can help differentiate peripheral from central causes of dizziness and vertigo.
Takayasu arteritis: an update
Authors: Seyahi Emire
Published: September 2016

Purpose of review

Takayasu arteritis has long been considered as an uncommon disease, rather specific to the Far-East; however recent surveys show that the disease can be seen in all ethnicities around the world with increasing prevalence rates. Nowadays, it would not be fair to consider Takayasu arteritis as a rare disease.

Recent findings

Although involvement of the thoracic aorta and its branches was more common among females, males had a tendency toward limited involvement of the abdominal aorta and its branches. Pregnancy seems to cause serious risks for both maternal and fetal health. Takayasu arteritis frequently coexist with inflammatory bowel diseases and the two diseases may have common genetic background and molecular pathways. New imaging tools such as computerized tomography or magnetic resonance angiography, fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computerized tomography and recently contrast-enhanced ultrasonography are frequently used in the diagnosis and to assess vascular inflammation. Accumulating evidence shows that biological agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, tocilizumab and rituximab could be used effectively in refractory cases. The restenosis or occlusion risks are still high with vascular interventions. The mortality seems to be decreasing in recent years.

The ethiopathogenesis of the disease should be clarified. Our feature goals should be to discriminate better active inflammation from quiescent disease enabling more effective treatment.
Healthcare Resource Use and Costs in Long-Term Survivors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A 5-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study*
Authors: Ruhl A. Parker , Huang Minxuan , Colantuoni Elizabeth , Lord Robert K. , Dinglas Victor D. , Chong Alexandra , Sepulveda Kristin A. , Mendez-Tellez Pedro A. , Shanholtz Carl B. , Steinwachs Donald M. , Pronovost Peter J. , Needham Dale M.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the time-varying relationship of annual physical, psychiatric, and quality of life status with subsequent inpatient healthcare resource use and estimated costs.

Design:

Five-year longitudinal cohort study.

Setting:

Thirteen ICUs at four teaching hospitals.

Patients:

One hundred thirty-eight patients surviving greater than or equal to 2 years after acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Postdischarge inpatient resource use data (e.g., hospitalizations, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation facility stays) were collected via a retrospective structured interview at 2 years, with prospective collection every 4 months thereafter, until 5 years postacute respiratory distress syndrome. Adjusted odds ratios for hospitalization and relative medians for estimated episode of care costs were calculated using marginal longitudinal two-part regression. The median (interquartile range) number of inpatient admission hospitalizations was 4 (2–8), with 114 patients (83%) reporting greater than or equal to one hospital readmission. The median (interquartile range) estimated total inpatient postdischarge costs over 5 years were $58,500 ($19,700–157,800; 90th percentile, $328,083). Better annual physical and quality of life status, but not psychiatric status, were associated with fewer subsequent hospitalizations and lower follow-up costs. For example, greater grip strength (per 6 kg) had an odds ratio (95% CI) of 0.85 (0.73–1.00) for inpatient admission, with 23% lower relative median costs, 0.77 (0.69–0.87).

Conclusions:

In a multisite cohort of long-term acute respiratory distress syndrome survivors, better annual physical and quality of life status, but not psychiatric status, were associated with fewer hospitalizations and lower healthcare costs.
Spiroperidol, but not eticlopride or aripiprazole, produces gradual increases in descent latencies in the bar test in rats
Authors: Rocca Jeffery F. , Lister Joshua G. , Beninger Richard J.
Published: September 2016

Rats repeatedly exposed to the bar test following injections with a dopamine D2-like receptor antagonist such as haloperidol show increased descent latencies, suggesting that contextual stimuli may lose their ability to elicit approach and other responses. Here, we showed that rats took progressively longer to initiate descent from a horizontal bar across sessions following daily intraperitoneal treatment (paired group) with the D2-like receptor antagonist, spiroperidol (0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg), but not in the control group that received 0.25 mg/kg in their home cage and testing following saline. When both groups were tested following an injection of spiroperidol or following saline, a sensitized and a conditioned increase in descent latency, respectively, were observed in the paired but not in the unpaired group. No evidence of sensitization or conditioning was found with the substituted benzamide compound, eticlopride (0.15–0.5 mg/kg), or the D2-like receptor partial agonist, aripiprazole (0.25–0.5 mg/kg). The different effects of these agents on learning may be related to different region-specific affinities for dopamine receptors or differences in receptor dissociation profiles. We suggest that the behavioural changes observed in spiroperidol-treated rats may reflect inverse incentive learning.
Hand Allograft Saved by an Ultrathin Groin Flap
Authors: Château Joseph , Gazarian Aram , Boucher Fabien , Badet Lionel , Braye Fabienne , Saint-Cyr Michel , Mojallal Ali
Published: September 2016

We report a case of a young double-hand allotransplant patient who presented with a full-thickness skin necrosis of the dorsum of the left hand after vascular compromise of the allotransplantation. Considering the lack of viable dorsal tissue overlying the extensor tendons and the need for early hand rehabilitation, an ultrathin pedicled groin flap was used for the coverage. This procedure resulted in salvaging the allotransplantation, and the patient was able to successfully return to work after his surgery. To our knowledge, this is the only case of an upper extremity allotransplant salvaged by a pedicled flap.
Bilateral Maxillary Reconstruction Using Fibular Flap in Bisphosphonate-related Osteonecrosis
Authors: Sotsuka Yohei , Fujiwara Toshihiro , Kawai Kenichiro , Nishimoto Soh , Kakibuchi Masao
Published: September 2016

Recent reports have shown successful transfer of vascularized fibular flap in bisphosphonate-induced mandibular osteonecrosis. We present a case of a 50-year-old patient who presented with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of bilateral maxilla, which is reconstructed using a fibular flap.
A Case of Simultaneous Benign Metastasizing Leiomyomas and Disseminated Peritoneal Leiomyomatosis Following Endoscopic Power Morcellation for Uterine Disease
Authors: Park Beau Y. , Leslie Kevin O. , Chen Longwen , Vaszar Laszlo T. , Cornella Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2016

Extrauterine spread of leiomyomas is rare and most commonly occurs in the lungs. We present a case of simultaneous metastatic leiomyomatosis to the lungs and peritoneal cavity following laparoscopic myomectomy with power morcellation. The patient presented to our institution for further management where she underwent a robotically assisted hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Leiomyomatous implants measuring up to 2.4 cm were resected from bowel mesentery and bladder peritoneum. Subsequent serial computed tomography imaging confirmed stable pulmonary nodules without new intraperitoneal lesions. Increasing number of cases involving extrauterine spread of leiomyomas has been reported with the introduction of power morcellation. The exact pathogenesis is unknown but is likely multifactorial. We emphasize that although the incidence of spread of benign disease is low, it is important to recognize this phenomenon as we will likely continue to encounter similar cases in the coming years.
Bis[2-(2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazono)propionato]nickel(II) trihydrate. Erratum
Authors: Wu Wei-Ping , Zeng Feng-Chun , Wu Yu
Published: September 2016

In the paper by Wu et al. [Acta Cryst. (2007), E63, m2664], the metal atom was reported incorrectly.
Crystal structure and C—H...F hydrogen bonding in the fluorinated bis-benzoxazine: 3,3′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(6-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,3-benzoxazine)
Authors: Rivera Augusto , Rojas Jicli José , Ríos-Motta Jaime , Bolte Michael
Published: September 2016

The title fluorinated bisbenzoxazine, C18H18F2N2O2, crystallizes with one half-molecule in the asymmetric unit, which is completed by inversion symmetry. The fused oxazine ring adopts an approximately half-chair conformation. The two benzoxazine rings are oriented anti to one another around the central C—C bond. The dominant intermolecular interaction in the crystal structure is a C—H...F hydrogen bond between the F atoms and the axial H atoms of the OCH2N methylene group in the oxazine rings of neighbouring molecules. C—H...π contacts further stabilize the crystal packing.