bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon annulation of ortho-vinylanilines with dimethyl sulfoxide to access 4-aryl quinolines
Authors: Yuan Jin , Yu Jin-Tao , Jiang Yan , Cheng Jiang
Published: January 2017

A palladium-catalyzed annulation ofortho-vinylanilines with dimethyl sulfoxide was developed to access 4-aryl quinolines in moderate to good yields.
Functionalizing natural polymers with alkoxysilane coupling agents: reacting 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane with poly(γ-glutamic acid) and gelatin
Authors: Connell L. S. , Gabrielli L. , Mahony O. , Russo L. , Cipolla L. , Jones J. R.
Published: January 2017

Functionalisation of polymers using organosilanesvianucleophilic attack of the epoxide rings is successful under mild pH when the polymers contain carboxylic groups.
Reduction- and thermo-sensitive core-cross-linked polypeptide hybrid micelles for triggered and intracellular drug release
Authors: Gao Yuanfeng , Dong Chang-Ming
Published: January 2017

To address the dynamic instability, premature burst drug release, and lack of intracellular stimuli-sensitivity of current polymeric nanocarriers, a novel type of reduction- and thermo-sensitive core-cross-linked polypeptide hybrid micelle was developed.
Application of a mild hydrothermal method to the synthesis of mixed transition-metal(ii)/uranium(iv) fluorides
Authors: Felder Justin , Yeon Jeongho , Smith Mark , zur Loye Hans-Conrad
Published: January 2017

The synthesis and properties of two families of mixed metal U(iv)/M(ii) fluorides via a mild hydrothermal method.
Asymmetric hydrogenation of α-hydroxy ketones with an iridium/f-amphox catalyst: efficient access to chiral 1,2-diols
Authors: Wu Weilong , Xie Yun , Li Pan , Li Xiuxiu , Liu Yuanhua , Dong Xiu-Qin , Zhang Xumu
Published: January 2017

We successfully applied f-amphox ligands to the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-hydroxy ketones to afford chiral 1,2-diols with excellent results.
The role of layer-by-layer, compact TiO2 films in dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells
Authors: Coppo Rodolfo L. , Farnum Byron H. , Sherman Benjamin D. , Murakami Iha Neyde Y. , Meyer Thomas J.
Published: January 2017

The use of nanoTiO2 compact layers as inner layers in dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cell enhanced photocurrents by as much as 53%.
Hypothalamic and inflammatory basis of hypertension
Authors: Khor Sinan , Cai Dongsheng
Published: January 2017

Hypertension is a major health problem with great consequences for public health. Despite its role as the primary cause of significant morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease, the pathogenesis of essential hypertension remains largely unknown. The central nervous system (CNS) in general, and the hypothalamus in particular, are intricately involved in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Over the last several decades, the understanding of the brain's role in the development of hypertension has dramatically increased. This brief review is to summarize the neural mechanisms of hypertension with a focus on neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter involvement, highlighting recent findings that suggest that hypothalamic inflammation disrupts key signalling pathways to affect the central control of blood pressure, and therefore suggesting future development of interventional strategies that exploit recent findings pertaining to the hypothalamic control of blood pressure as well as the inflammatory–sympathetic mechanisms involved in hypertension.
Pulsed floating-type Langmuir probe for measurements of electron energy distribution function in plasmas
Authors: Choi Ikjin , Kim Aram , Lee Hyo-Chang , Kim Dong-Hwan , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: January 2017

A floating type Langmuir probe was studied to measure the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in plasmas. This method measures the current (I)-voltage (V) curve with rising and falling variations based on a floating potential by using charge-discharge characteristics of the series capacitor when a square-pulse voltage is applied. In addition, this method measures the EEDF by using the alternating current (ac) superposition method. The measured EEDFs were in good agreement with results from a conventional single Langmuir probe. This technique could be applied as a plasma diagnostic method in the capacitively coupled plasma where the plasma potential is extremely high or the processing plasma where the deposition gas is used.
Universal conformal ultrathin dielectrics on epitaxial graphene enabled by a graphene oxide seed layer
Authors: Nath A. , Kong B. D. , Koehler A. D. , Anderson V. R. , Wheeler V. D. , Daniels K. M. , Boyd A. K. , Cleveland E. R. , Myers-Ward R. L. , Gaskill D. K. , Hobart K. D. , Kub F. J. , Jernigan G. G.
Published: January 2017

The amphiphilic nature of graphene oxide (GO) is exploited as a seed layer to facilitate the ultrathin and conformal high-κ metal oxide (MOX) deposition on defect-free epitaxial graphene (EG) by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Three different high-κ metal oxides (Al2O3, HfO2 and TiO2) with various thicknesses (4–20 nm) were grown on ultrathin (1.5 nm) GO seed layers on EG. The quality of such dielectrics was examined by fabricating various metal-insulator-graphene (MIG) type devices. For MIG tunnel devices, on-off ratios of 104 and 103 were obtained for 4 nm Al2O3 and HfO2 dielectric layers, respectively. Additionally, no defect/trap assisted conduction behavior was observed. Graphene field effect transistors (GFETs) with bi-layer metal oxide stack (6 nm TiO2/14 nm HfO2) demonstrated a peak on-state current of 0.16 A/mm, an on-resistance of 6.8 Ω mm, an Ion/Ioff ratio of ∼4, and a gate leakage current below 10 pA/mm at Vds = 1 V and Vgs = 4 V. Capacitance-voltage measurement of the same GFETs exhibited a low hysteresis and nearly ideal dielectric constants. These results demonstrate a simple yet cost-effective universal way of wafer-scale ultrathin high-κ dielectrics deposition on epitaxial graphene by ALD.
On the two-dimensional structure of short gravity waves in a wind wave tank
Authors: Zavadsky Andrey , Benetazzo Alvise , Shemer Lev
Published: January 2017

Experiments on wind-waves in a laboratory tank are carried out for a variety of operational conditions. In addition to using a conventional wave gauge to determine the temporal variation of the surface elevation at the sensor location, independent measuring techniques such as 3D reconstruction of stereo video images and 2D laser slope gauge are applied in order to gain information on the three-dimensional structure of the wind-wave field. The consistency of results obtained by different methods under identical forcing conditions is examined to establish the limits of applicability and accuracy of each method. The accumulated results on the spatial and temporal coherence of the surface elevation variation, on the directional wave spectra, and on the probability distribution of the instantaneous surface slope directions demonstrate that the wind-wave field is essentially three-dimensional and short-crested.
The influence of wavelength-dependent absorption and temperature gradients on temperature determination in laser-heated diamond-anvil cells
Authors: Deng Jie , Du Zhixue , Benedetti Laura Robin , Lee Kanani K. M.
Published: January 2017

In situ temperature measurements in laser-heated diamond-anvil cells (LHDACs) are among the most fundamental experiments undertaken in high-pressure science. Despite its importance, few efforts have been made to examine the alteration of thermal radiation spectra of hot samples by wavelength-dependent absorption of the sample itself and temperature gradients within the sample and their influence on temperature measurements while laser heating. In this study, we take (Mg, Fe)O ferropericlase as an example to evaluate the effects of these two factors. Iron-rich ferropericlase shows strong wavelength-dependent absorption in the wavelength range used to determine temperature, which, together with temperature gradients can account for largely aliased apparent temperatures in some experiments obtained by Wien fitting of detected thermal radiation intensities (e.g., an offset of ∼700 K for a 3300 K melting temperature). In general, wavelength-dependent absorption and temperature gradients of samples are two key factors to consider in order to rigorously constrain temperatures, which have been largely ignored in previous LHDAC studies.
Path integrals, supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and the Atiyah-Singer index theorem for twisted Dirac
Authors: Fine Dana S. , Sawin Stephen
Published: January 2017

Feynman’s time-slicing construction approximates the path integral by a product, determined by a partition of a finite time interval, of approximate propagators. This paper formulates general conditions to impose on a short-time approximation to the propagator in a general class of imaginary-time quantum mechanics on a Riemannian manifold which ensure that these products converge. The limit defines a path integral which agrees pointwise with the heat kernel for a generalized Laplacian. The result is a rigorous construction of the propagator for supersymmetric quantum mechanics, with potential, as a path integral. Further, the class of Laplacians includes the square of the twisted Dirac operator, which corresponds to an extension of N = 1/2 supersymmetric quantum mechanics. General results on the rate of convergence of the approximate path integrals suffice in this case to derive the local version of the Atiyah-Singer index theorem.
Vibrational properties of anhydrous and partially hydrated uranyl fluoride
Authors: Kirkegaard M. C. , Langford J. , Steill J. , Anderson B. , Miskowiec A.
Published: January 2017

Uranyl fluoride (UO2F2) is a hygroscopic powder with two main structural phases: an anhydrous crystal and a partially hydrated crystal of the same R3¯m symmetry. The formally closed-shell electron structure of anhydrous UO2F2 is amenable to density functional theory calculations. We use density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) to calculate the vibrational frequencies of the anhydrous crystal structure and employ complementary inelastic neutron scattering and temperature-dependent Raman scattering to validate those frequencies. As a model closed-shell actinide, we investigated the effect of LDA, GGA, and non-local vdW functionals as well as the spherically averaged Hubbard +U correction on vibrational frequencies, electronic structure, and geometry of anhydrous UO2F2. A particular choice of Ueff=5.5 eV yields the correct U–Oyl bond distance and vibrational frequencies for the characteristic Eg and A1g modes that are within the resolution of experiment. Inelastic neutron scattering and Raman scattering suggest a degree of water coupling to the lattice vibrations in the more experimentally accessible partially hydrated UO2F2 system, with the symmetric stretching vibration shifted approximately 47 cm−1 lower in energy compared to the anhydrous structure. Evidence of water interaction with the uranyl ion is present from a two-peak decomposition of the uranyl stretching vibration in the Raman spectra and anion–hydrogen stretching vibrations in the inelastic neutron scattering spectra. A first-order dehydration phase transition temperature is definitively identified to be 125 °C using temperature-dependent Raman scattering.
Microfluidic metamaterial sensor: Selective trapping and remote sensing of microparticles
Authors: Shih Kailing , Pitchappa Prakash , Manjappa Manukumara , Ho Chong Pei , Singh Ranjan , Lee Chengkuo
Published: January 2017

We experimentally demonstrate the integration of a microfluidic trap array on top of metamaterial resonators for size selective trapping and remote sensing of microparticles. A split-ring resonator (SRR) design supports strongly confined electric field in the capacitive split gap at the fundamental inductive-capacitive resonance mode. The tightly confined electric field in the SRR gap forms a hot-spot that has become an enabling platform for sensing applications. Here, we extend the concept of metamaterial sensing to “trapping and sensing” by fabricating trapezoidal shaped structures near the split gap that enables trapping of microparticles in the split-gap region of each SRR. The proposed microfluidic metamaterial sensor enables sensing of different refractive index microparticles in terms of change in the transmitted amplitude and resonance frequency of the fundamental resonance mode operating in the terahertz spectral region. The proposed approach exploits the advantages offered by microfluidics, metamaterials, and terahertz technologies to form an ideal platform for ultra-sensitive, label-free, remote, and non-destructive detection of micro-substances.
Influence of thermal vibrations on polarization switching in the model of local fields
Authors: Leschhorn Andreas , Kliem Herbert
Published: January 2017

A microscopic model to simulate the polarization dynamics, the model of local fields, is improved by considering thermal vibrations. The model is based on a sequence of single dipole flips which are thermally activated. The time to flip a single dipole depends on its deterministic transition rate which depends on the local electric field and on a probabilistic factor. In each step, the dipole with the shortest flip time is switched. Thermal vibrations of the dipoles cause changes of the distances between the dipoles. The variation of distances effects variations of the local field at the dipoles. In the framework of the extended model, these variations are considered by multiplying the local fields in each step with a Gaussian distributed random number. The model is applied to simulate polarization switching and polarization hysteresis loops of two and of three dimensional systems based on the barium titanate structure. The simulations yield intrinsic dead layers close to the electrodes and around defects which cannot be switched even in very strong fields. These nonswitchable layers are nuclei for domains and thus nuclei for polarization switching. The switching time of the system vastly decreases with the amplitude of the thermal vibrations. Moreover, the thermal vibrations enable the polarization switching in low external fields and decrease the coercive fields.
Molecular modeling of transmembrane delivery of paclitaxel by shock waves with nanobubbles
Authors: Lu Xue-mei , Yuan Bing , Zhang Xian-ren , Yang Kai , Ma Yu-qiang
Published: January 2017

The development of advanced delivery strategies for anticancer drugs that can permeate through cellular membranes is urgently required for biomedical applications. In this work, we investigated the dynamic transmembrane behavior of paclitaxel (PTX), a powerful anticancer drug, under the combined impact of shock waves and nanobubbles, by using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations show that the PTX molecule experiences complicated motion modes during the action process with the membrane, as a consequence of its interplay with the lipid bilayer and water, under the joint effect of the shock wave and nanobubble. Moreover, it was found that the transmembrane movement of PTX is closely associated with the conformation changes of PTX, as well as the structural changes of the membrane (e.g., compression and poration in membrane). The nanobubble collapse induced by the shock wave, the proper PTX location with respect to the nanobubble, and a suitable nanobubble size and shock impulse are all necessary for the delivery of PTX into the cell. This work provides a molecular understanding of the interaction mechanism between drug molecules and cell membranes under the influence of shock waves and nanobubbles, and paves the way for exploiting targeted drug delivery systems that combine nanobubbles and ultrasound.
Description of second-order three-dimensional magnetic neutral points
Authors: Yang Shu-Di
Published: January 2017

Local configurations of three-dimensional magnetic nulls with pure second order expansions are investigated, both potentially and nonpotentially. The basic magnetic structures are classified and visualized according to the configurations of their electric current, which is of first order. A principle of constructing a 2nd order null is proposed.
Novel low-voltage subterahertz-range radial backward wave oscillator
Authors: Chen Zaigao , Wang Jianguo , Wang Yue
Published: January 2017

To increase the output power of compact low-voltage subterahertz-range vacuum electron devices (VEDs) to hundreds of watts and overcome the difficulties of the fabrication and assembly, a novel low-voltage subterahertz-range radial backward wave oscillator (BWO), in which the electron beam emits radially inward and interacts with the slow wave structures (SWSs) machined on a planar plate, is presented in this paper. Compared to the VEDs where the axial electron beam or planar sheet electron beam is adopted, the dispersion curve of the proposed radial BWO is independent of the radius and azimuthal coordinate. Hence, the power capacity is increased by using the overmoded SWSs, and the azimuthal asymmetrical modes cannot be excited.
Temperature effect on femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of glass sample
Authors: Wang Ying , Chen Anmin , Jiang Yuanfei , Sui Laizhi , Wang Xiaowei , Zhang Dan , Tian Dan , Li Suyu , Jin Mingxing
Published: January 2017

In this study, we observed the evolution of the spectral emission intensity of a glass sample with the increase of sample temperature, laser energy, and delay time in femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs-LIBS). In the experiment, the sample was uniformly heated from 22 °C to 200 °C, the laser energy was changed from 0.3 mJ to 1.8 mJ, and the delay time was adjusted from 0.6 μs to 3.0 μs. The results indicated that increasing the sample temperature could enhance the emission intensity and reduce the limits of detection, which is attributed to the increase in the ablated mass and the plasma temperature. And the spectral intensity increases with the increase of the laser energy and the delay time, however, the spectral line intensity no longer increases when the laser pulse energy and delay time reach a certain value. This study will lead to a further improvement in the applications of fs-LIBS.
Modeling of radiative divertor experiments with argon seeding for H-mode plasma in EAST
Authors: Yang Zhongshi , Chen Jingbo , Coster D. P. , Duan Yanmin , Wang Liang , Ding Fang , Xu Jichan , Zang Qing , Wang Tengfei , Yan Ning , Zhang Tao , Zhang Ling , Wu Jinhua , Peng Yueng-Kay Martin , Luo Guang-Nan
Published: January 2017

To obtain a quantitative understanding of the recent radiative divertor experiments and to give an instructive prediction for the future relative work performed on EAST, the 2D numerical tool SOLPS has been used to investigate the argon seeded EAST H-mode plasmas. The simulations were mainly based on a typical H-mode discharge with lower single null divertor configuration, in which the partially detached divertor plasma has been achieved due to the argon seeding. First the perpendicular particle and energy transport coefficients for particle density diffusivity D⊥, electron and ion conduction, χ⊥i,e were radially varied to determine the edge transport barrier in H-mode plasma by comparing the simulated upstream profiles of electron temperature (Te) and electron density (ne) with the edge Thomson scattering data. Then the reduction of the particle flux, static pressure, and the peak heat load onto the lower outer divertor target have been reproduced by radiative divertor simulations in agreement with the experimental measurements, which demonstrated that the argon seeding is effective to mitigate the heat load onto the divertor target and achieve partially detached plasma during the H-mode discharge. The simulations also revealed that the strongest radiation occurred near the X-point and in the divertor region for short pulsed argon seeding with a relatively low puffing rate in agreement with bolometer measurements.
Study of atmospheric-pressure glow discharge plasma jets based on analysis of electric field
Authors: Liu Wenzheng , Ma Chuanlong , Cui Weisheng , Yang Xiao , Wang Tahan , Chen Xiuyang
Published: January 2017

To achieve an atmospheric-pressure glow discharge (APGD) in a long electrode gap and generate large-diameter atmospheric-pressure glow discharge plasma jets (APGDPJs), an electrode, adopting the mode of a dielectric barrier discharge with a non-uniform dielectric thickness, was used. For the analysis of the electric field profile of the electrode, the strong electric field areas that could easily generate discharge could initially be formed in the non-uniform gap. Additionally, the distribution of the electric field with high intensity in the short gap and low intensity in the long gap was not likely to result in a filament discharge. Experiments indicate that the electrode could not only achieve APGD in the discharge gap by using air and nitrogen, but also generate stable nitrogen APGDPJs with a diameter of 3.5 mm. This was a relatively large diameter achieved for a glow discharge nitrogen plasma jet device.
Controlling surface plasmon polaritons at femtosecond timescales on an aluminum-coated grating
Authors: Wang Kuidong , Chen Long , Zhang Haijuan , Chen Jie
Published: January 2017

Femtosecond optical control of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) has paved an efficient way for the development of high-speed plasmonic switches. However, the mechanism of the ultrafast plasmonic modulation is unclear. Here, using time-resolved optical pump-probe technique, we obtained an ultrafast plasmonic modulation with a sub-100-fs switching time on an aluminum-coated grating in frequency degenerate experiments at the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) condition. We found that the high-speed plasmonic modulation primarily results from the coherent nonlinear interaction of the optical and SPP pulses, combining degenerate measurements at both SPR and non-SPR conditions and non-degenerate experiments. The switching time was measured experimentally with a range of laser pulse widths and estimated theoretically to be eventually limited by the plasmon damping time.
Next steps to crack the code on tight Permian Toolachee and Patchawarra sandstones of the Cooper Basin, southwest Queensland
Authors: Johnson Raymond L. , Nguyen Lan , Russell Terry
Published: January 2017

Historic wells drilled by Real Energy Corporation Limited (Real Energy) in the Windorah Trough (Cooper Basin, southwest Queensland) characterised the Toolachee and Patchawarra formations as being gas-charged, tight-gas, sandstone/lacustrine shale sequences having layers of coaly source rock with high total organic content and moderate hydrocarbon indices.
Consistent with being tight-gas reservoirs, drill stem tests have mostly either failed to produce gas or resulted in non-commercial flow rates. To date, North American methodologies for tight and shale gas extraction have not been consistently successful when applied in non-normal stress regimes outside of North America (i.e. Cooper Basin, China, Poland, Middle East, etc).
Real Energy anticipated that North American technologies and practices were not likely to be directly applicable, as noted by published case studies for Australian shale gas wells (Johnson and Greenstreet, 2003; Pitkin et al, 2012; Scott et al, 2013; Johnson et al, 2015). Thus, it became an imperative to evaluate any methodologies or technologies more applicable for the Australian strike-slip to transpressional stress regimes to prevent fracture misalignment or disorientation, effects that result in ineffective fracture stimulation.
Overall, a more scientific approach must be applied to developing and understanding the most efficient reservoir stimulation processes (e.g. drilling techniques, rock mechanical properties determination, well azimuth, perforating schema, and well interval selection) to optimise the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV).
In this extended abstract the authors take the first steps at defining the stimulation strategies required for these tight sandstones using data and results from two case study wells. The authors outline the well observations and report key lessons in a cooperative spirit to solicit industry feedback and further technologies that can aid development of fit-for-purpose technologies to facilitate extraction of these largely untapped resources across the undeveloped troughs and flanks of the Cooper Basin.
Informing health promotion in rural men's sheds by examination of participant health status, concerns, interests, knowledge and behaviours
Authors: Misan Gary M. H. , Oosterbroek Chloe , Wilson Nathan J.
Published: January 2017

Issue addressed

Despite the growth of Australian men's sheds, the body of evidence regarding the health status of members, their health concerns, interests, help‐ or health‐seeking behaviour and their preferred format for receiving health information is limited.

Methods

The study involved a cross‐sectional study design with data collected from 11 rural South Australian (SA) men's sheds. The survey collected information across 5 domains: demographics; health history, status, concerns and interests; health knowledge; help‐seeking behaviours and health information format preferences.

Results

Data from 154 shed members were available for analysis. Rural SA sheds primarily cater for older, retired, lesser educated men from lower socioeconomic strata. The key health issues were age‐related chronic conditions yet self‐reported health status remained high. The GP was the preferred source of health advice. Key knowledge deficits were in the areas of reproductive and psychological health. The preferred mode for health education was hands‐on or kinaesthetic approaches as opposed to seminars or internet based information.

Conclusions

Priority topics for health promotion programs should include prostate disorders, reproductive and sexual health issues, psychological health, risk factors for common chronic disease and bowel cancer. Programs should incorporate hands‐on education approaches. Shed and shed member diversity should be considered when designing programs.

So what?

A better understanding of what ails men's shed members, what concerns and interests them in terms of health, where they go for health advice and their preferred format for receiving health information increases the likelihood of developing health promotion programs that better engage with this target group.
The effect of fuel moisture content on the spread rate of forest fires in the absence of wind or slope
Authors: Rossa Carlos G.
Published: January 2017

Most studies on the effect of fuel moisture content (FMC) on forest fire behaviour focus on dead fuel moisture; mechanisms of fire spread in live vegetation are considered to remain unexplained by current theory and modelling. In this work, an empirical model for quantifying the effect of FMC on the ratio between spread rate and fuel bed height of fires in the absence of wind or slope was proposed. The model was fitted using data from laboratory experiments, carried out in fuel beds representative of natural litter and shrubland fuel complexes in a wide range of FMC (6–179%), and tested against data from field experiments and wildfires. The pattern of spread rate variation with FMC, namely its reduced rate for values above ~80%, was explained by the ratio between fuel low heat content and energy required for ignition.
Adenylate cyclase A acting on PKA mediates induction of stalk formation by cyclic diguanylate at the
Dictyostelium
organizer
Authors: Chen Zhi-Hui , Singh Reema , Cole Christian , Lawal Hajara Mohammed , Schilde Christina , Febrer Melanie , Barton Geoffrey J. , Schaap Pauline
Published: January 2017

Significance

Organizers are small groups of cells in developing embryos that secrete signals to control behaviors such as cell differentiation or cell movement of larger groups. In Dictyostelia, the apical tip is the site where differentiation of the fruiting body stalk initiates. The cause of tip-specific stalk formation has been unclear, but we show here that the more widely produced stalk-inducing signal cyclic diguanylate activates cAMP synthesis by adenylate cyclase A, which is specifically expressed at the apical tip. cAMP next activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which then triggers stalk differentiation.
Evidence for opposing roles of Celsr3 and Vangl2 in glutamatergic synapse formation
Authors: Thakar Sonal , Wang Liqing , Yu Ting , Ye Mao , Onishi Keisuke , Scott John , Qi Jiaxuan , Fernandes Catarina , Han Xuemei , Yates John R. , Berg Darwin K. , Zou Yimin
Published: January 2017

Significance

The signaling mechanisms mediating glutamatergic synapse assembly are fundamental to our understanding of neural circuit function, plasticity, and disorders, but have remained elusive. We provide direct evidence that two components of the conserved planar cell polarity signaling pathway, which assembles asymmetric cell–cell junctions, have opposing functions in glutamatergic synapse formation. Celsr3 promotes assembly whereas Vangl2 inhibits assembly, suggesting that this signaling mechanism is accessible for both positive and negative regulation and is also a candidate pathway for mediating synaptic plasticity.
Deletion of admB gene encoding a fungal ADAM affects cell wall construction in Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Kobayashi Takuji , Maeda Hiroshi , Takeuchi Michio , Yamagata Youhei
Published: January 2017

Mammals possess a unique signaling system based on the proteolytic mechanism of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) on the cell surface. We found two genes encoding ADAMs in Aspergillus oryzae and named them admA and admB. We produced admA and admB deletion strains to elucidate their biological function and clarify whether fungal ADAMs play a similar role as in mammals. The ∆admA∆admB and ∆admB strains were sensitive to cell wall-perturbing agents, congo red, and calcofluor white. Moreover, the two strains showed significantly increased weights of total alkali-soluble fractions from the mycelial cell wall compared to the control strain. Furthermore, ∆admB showed MpkA phosphorylation at lower concentration of congo red stimulation than the control strain. However, the MpkA phosphorylation level was not different between ∆admB and the control strain without the stimulation. The results indicated that A. oryzae AdmB involved in the cell wall integrity without going through the MpkA pathway.
Characteristics of proteinaceous additives in stabilizing enzymes during freeze-thawing and -drying
Authors: Shimizu Takanori , Korehisa Tamayo , Imanaka Hiroyuki , Ishida Naoyuki , Imamura Koreyoshi
Published: January 2017

Protein-stabilizing characteristics of sixteen proteins during freeze-thawing and freeze-drying were investigated. Five enzymes, each with different instabilities against freezing and dehydration, were employed as the protein to be stabilized. Proteinaceous additives generally resulted in greater enzyme stabilization during freeze-thawing than sugars while the degree of stabilization for basic lysozyme and protamine were inferior to that of neutral and acidic proteins. Freeze-drying-induced inactivation of enzyme was also reduced by the presence of a proteinaceous additive, the extent of which was lower than that for a sugar. In both freeze thawing and freeze drying, the enzymes stabilization by the proteinaceous additive increased with increasing additive concentration. The enhancement of enzyme inactivation caused by pH change was also reduced in the presence of proteinaceous additives. The combined use of a sugar such as sucrose and dextran tended to increase the stabilizing effect of the proteinaceous additive.
Prognostic Factors for Length of Enforced Forensic Treatment with Special Focus on Personality Disorder
Authors: Spaans Marleen , de Beurs Edwin , Rinne Thomas , Spinhoven Philip
Published: January 2017

The predictive value of personality disorder (PD) on treatment length of offenders detained in high security psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands was studied on 536 male patients (mean age 34.0 years, SD = 10.5, range: 18.0–68.8) with a 76.5% PD prevalence. Results showed that PD did not independently predict length of enforced treatment. A subgroup of patients with only PD and no comorbid major mental disorder had a shorter treatment length. This study has isolated separate factors that can shorten or prolong treatment and can provide a focus for both policy and (clinical) decision makers in the enforced treatment process.
How players exploit variability and regularity of game actions in female volleyball teams
Authors: Ramos Ana , Coutinho Patrícia , Silva Pedro , Davids Keith , Mesquita Isabel
Published: January 2017

Variability analysis has been used to understand how competitive constraints shape different behaviours in team sports. In this study, we analysed and compared variability of tactical performance indices in players within complex I at two different competitive levels in volleyball. We also examined whether variability was influenced by set type and period. Eight matches from the 2012 Olympics competition and from the Portuguese national league in the 2014–2015 season were analysed (1496 rallies). Variability of setting conditions, attack zone, attack tempo and block opposition was assessed using Shannon entropy measures. Magnitude‐based inferences were used to analyse the practical significance of compared values of selected variables. Results showed differences between elite and national teams for all variables, which were co‐adapted to the competitive constraints of set type and set periods. Elite teams exploited system stability in setting conditions and block opposition, but greater unpredictability in zone and tempo of attack. These findings suggest that uncertainty in attacking actions was a key factor that could only be achieved with greater performance stability in other game actions. Data suggested how coaches could help setters develop the capacity to play at faster tempos, diversifying attack zones, especially at critical moments in competition.
Selection and stabilization of endocytic sites by Ede1, a yeast functional homologue of human Eps15
Authors: Lu Rebecca , Drubin David G.
Published: January 2017

During clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), endocytic-site maturation can be divided into two stages corresponding to the arrival of the early and late proteins at the plasma membrane. The early proteins are required to capture cargo and position the late machinery, which includes proteins involved in actin assembly and membrane scission. However, the mechanism by which early-arriving proteins select and stabilize endocytic sites is not known. Ede1, one of the earliest proteins recruited to endocytic sites, facilitates site initiation and stabilization. Deletion of EDE1 results in fewer CME initiations and defects in the timing of vesicle maturation. Here we made truncation mutants of Ede1 to better understand how different domains contribute to its recruitment to CME sites, site selection, and site maturation. We found that the minimal domains required for efficient Ede1 localization at CME sites are the third EH domain, the proline-rich region, and the coiled-coil region. We also found that many strains expressing ede1 truncations could support a normal rate of site initiation but still had defects in site-maturation timing, indicating separation of Ede1 functions. When expressed in yeast, human Eps15 localized to the plasma membrane, where it recruited late-phase CME proteins and supported productive endocytosis, identifying it as an Ede1 functional homologue.
An informative approach on differential abundance analysis for time-course metagenomic sequencing data
Authors: Luo Dan , Ziebell Sara , An Lingling
Published: January 2017

Motivation

The advent of high-throughput next generation sequencing technology has greatly promoted the field of metagenomics where previously unattainable information about microbial communities can be discovered. Detecting differentially abundant features (e.g. species or genes) plays a critical role in revealing the contributors (i.e. pathogens) to the biological or medical status of microbial samples. However, currently available statistical methods lack power in detecting differentially abundant features contrasting different biological or medical conditions, in particular, for time series metagenomic sequencing data. We have proposed a novel procedure, metaDprof, which is built upon a spline-based method assuming heterogeneous error, to meet the challenges of detecting differentially abundant features from metagenomic samples by comparing different biological/medical conditions across time. It contains two stages: (i) global detection on features and (ii) time interval detection for significant features. The detection procedures in both stages are based on sound statistical support.

Results

Compared with existing methods the new method metaDprof shows the best performance in comprehensive simulation studies. Not only can it accurately detect features relating to the biological condition or disease status of samples but it also can accurately detect the starting and ending time points when the differences arise. The proposed method is also applied to a real metagenomic dataset and the results provide an interesting angle to understand the relationship between the microbiota in mouse gut and diet type.

Availability and Implementation

R code and an example dataset are available at https://cals.arizona.edu/∼anling/sbg/software.htm

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Development of a real-time internal and external marker tracking system for particle therapy: a phantom study using patient tumor trajectory data
Authors: Cho Junsang , Cheon Wonjoong , Ahn Sanghee , Jung Hyunuk , Sheen Heesoon , Park Hee Chul , Han Youngyih
Published: January 2017

Target motion–induced uncertainty in particle therapy is more complicated than that in X-ray therapy, requiring more accurate motion management. Therefore, a hybrid motion-tracking system that can track internal tumor motion and as well as an external surrogate of tumor motion was developed. Recently, many correlation tests between internal and external markers in X-ray therapy have been developed; however, the accuracy of such internal/external marker tracking systems, especially in particle therapy, has not yet been sufficiently tested. In this article, the process of installing an in-house hybrid internal/external motion-tracking system is described and the accuracy level of tracking system was acquired. Our results demonstrated that the developed in-house external/internal combined tracking system has submillimeter accuracy, and can be clinically used as a particle therapy system as well as a simulation system for moving tumor treatment.
Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yavin Daniel , Casha Steven , Wiebe Samuel , Feasby Thomas E , Clark Callie , Isaacs Albert , Holroyd-Leduc Jayna , Hurlbert R. John , Quan Hude , Nataraj Andrew , Sutherland Garnette R. , Jette Nathalie
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND: Due to uncertain evidence, lumbar fusion for degenerative indications is associated with the greatest measured practice variation of any surgical procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current evidence on the comparative safety and efficacy of lumbar fusion, decompression-alone, or nonoperative care for degenerative indications.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (up to June 30, 2016). Comparative studies reporting validated measures of safety or efficacy were included. Treatment effects were calculated through DerSimonian and Laird random effects models.

RESULTS: The literature search yielded 65 studies (19 randomized controlled trials, 16 prospective cohort studies, 15 retrospective cohort studies, and 15 registries) enrolling a total of 302 620 patients. Disability, pain, and patient satisfaction following fusion, decompression-alone, or nonoperative care were dependent on surgical indications and study methodology. Relative to decompression-alone, the risk of reoperation following fusion was increased for spinal stenosis (relative risk [RR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.28) and decreased for spondylolisthesis (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.83). Among patients with spinal stenosis, complications were more frequent following fusion (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.18-2.96). Mortality was not significantly associated with any treatment modality.

CONCLUSION: Positive clinical change was greatest in patients undergoing fusion for spondylolisthesis while complications and the risk of reoperation limited the benefit of fusion for spinal stenosis. The relative safety and efficacy of fusion for chronic low back pain suggests careful patient selection is required (PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews number, CRD42015020153).
Factors Associated With Pre- and Postoperative Seizures in 1033 Patients Undergoing Supratentorial Meningioma Resection
Authors: Chen William C. , Magill Stephen T. , Englot Dario J. , Baal Joe D. , Wagle Sagar , Rick Jonathan W. , McDermott Michael W.
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for pre- and postoperative seizures in supratentorial meningiomas are understudied compared to other brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To report seizure frequency and identify factors associated with pre- and postoperative seizures in a large single-center population study of patients undergoing resection of supratentorial meningioma.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 1033 subjects undergoing resection of supratentorial meningioma at the author's institution (1991-2014). Multivariate regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with pre- and postoperative seizures.

RESULTS: Preoperative seizures occurred in 234 (22.7%) subjects. At 5 years postoperative, probability of seizure freedom was 89.9% among subjects without preoperative seizures and 62.2% with preoperative seizures. Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of preoperative seizures: presence of  ≥1 cm peritumoral edema (odds ratio [OR]: 4.45, 2.55-8.50), nonskull base tumor location (OR: 2.13, 1.26-3.67), greater age (OR per unit increase: 1.03, 1.01-1.05), while presenting symptom of headache (OR: 0.50, 0.29-0.84) or cranial nerve deficit (OR: 0.36, 0.17-0.71) decreased odds of preoperative seizures. Postoperative seizures after discharge were associated with preoperative seizures (OR: 5.70, 2.57-13.13), in-hospital seizure (OR: 4.31, 1.28-13.67), and among patients without preoperative seizure, occurrence of medical or surgical complications (OR 3.39, 1.09-9.48). Perioperative anti-epileptic drug use was not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative seizures.

CONCLUSIONS: Nonskull base supratentorial meningiomas with surrounding edema have the highest risk for preoperative seizure. Long-term follow-up showing persistent seizures in meningioma patients with preoperative seizures raises the possibility that these patients may benefit from electrocorticographic mapping of adjacent cortex and resection of noneloquent, epileptically active cortex.
Localized recombining plasma in G166.0+4.3: A supernova remnant with an unusual morphology
Authors: Matsumura Hideaki , Uchida Hiroyuki , Tanaka Takaaki , Tsuru Takeshi Go , Nobukawa Masayoshi , Nobukawa Kumiko Kawabata , Itou Makoto
Published: January 2017

We observed the Galactic mixed-morphology supernova remnant G166.0+4.3 with Suzaku. The X-ray spectrum in the western part of the remnant is well represented by a one-component ionizing plasma model. The spectrum in the northeastern region can be explained by two components. One is an Fe-rich component with electron temperature $kT_{\rm e} = 0.87_{-0.03}^{+0.02}\:$keV. The other is a recombining plasma (RP) component of lighter elements with kTe = 0.46 ± 0.03 keV, initial temperature kTinit = 3 keV (fixed), and ionization parameter $n_{\rm e}t = (6.1_{-0.4}^{+0.5}) \times 10^{11}\:$cm−3 s. As the formation process of the recombining plasma, both rarefaction and thermal conduction scenarios are considered. The former would not be favored since we found the recombining plasma only in the northeastern region, whereas the latter would explain the origin of the RP. In the latter scenario, an RP is anticipated where blast waves in part of the remnant are in contact with cool dense gas. The emission measure suggests higher ambient gas density in the northeastern region. The morphology of the radio shell and a GeV gamma ray emission also suggest a molecular cloud in the region.
Risk for cancer among people living with AIDS, 1997–2012: the São Paulo AIDS–cancer linkage study
Authors: Tanaka Luana F. , Latorre Maria R.D.O. , Gutierrez Eliana B. , Curado Maria P. , Froeschl Guenter , Heumann Christian , Herbinger Karl-Heinz
Published: January 2017

Previous studies have reported an increased risk for certain types of cancer in the HIV-infected population. The aim of this study was to assess the risk for cancer in people with AIDS (PWA) in comparison with the general population in São Paulo (Brazil), between 1997 and 2012. A population-based registry linkage study was carried out to assess the risk for cancer, using a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) approach. A total of 480 102 person-years, of which 337 941 (70.4%) person-years were men, were included in the analysis. Around 2074 cancer cases were diagnosed among PWA, of which 51.0% were non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC). The risk for AIDS-defining cancers and NADC in the male population with AIDS was significantly higher than that in the general population (SIR=27.74 and 1.87, respectively), as it was in the female population with AIDS compared with the general population (SIR=8.71 and 1.44, respectively). Most virus-related NADC occurred at elevated rates among PWA: anal cancer (SIR=33.02 in men and 11.21 in women), liver (SIR=4.35 in men and 4.84 in women), vulva and vagina (SIR=6.78 in women) and Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR=5.84 in men and 2.71 in women). Lung (SIR=2.24 in men and 2.60 in women) and central nervous system (SIR=1.92 in men and 3.48 in women) cancers also occurred at increased rates. Cancer burden among PWA in São Paulo was similar to that described in high-income countries such as the USA and Italy following the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy. As coinfection with oncogenic viruses disproportionally affects this population, virus-related cancers accounted for a great share of excessive cases.
Hepatic Progression-free and Overall Survival After Regional Therapy to the Liver for Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Abbott Andrea M. , Doepker Matthew P. , Kim Youngchul , Perez Matthew C. , Gandle Cassandra , Thomas Kerry L. , Choi Junsung , Shridhar Ravi , Zager Jonathan S.
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

Regional therapy for metastatic melanoma to the liver represents an alternative to systemic therapy. Hepatic progression-free survival (HPFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of patients with liver metastases from cutaneous or uveal melanoma treated with yttrium-90 (Y90), chemoembolization (CE), or percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) was conducted.

Results:

Thirty patients (6 Y90, 10 PHP, 12 CE, 1 PHP then Y90, 1 CE then PHP) were included. Multivariate analysis showed improved HPFS for PHP versus Y90 (P=0.004), PHP versus CE (P=0.02) but not for CE versus Y90. PFS was also significantly different: Y90 (54 d), CE (52 d), PHP (245 d), P=0.03. PHP treatment and lower tumor burden were significant predictors of prolonged PFS on multivariate analysis. Median OS from time of treatment was longest, but not significant, for PHP at 608 days versus Y90 (295 d) and CE (265 d), P=0.24. Only PHP treatment versus Y90 and lower tumor burden had improved OS on multivariate analysis (P=0.03, 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions:

HPFS and PFS were significantly prolonged in patients treated with PHP versus CE or Y90. Median OS in PHP patients was over double that seen in Y90 or CE patients but was significant only between PHP and Y90.