bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IRS1 deficiency protects β-cells against ER stress-induced apoptosis by modulating sXBP-1 stability and protein translation
Authors: Takatani Tomozumi , Shirakawa Jun , Roe Michael W. , Leech Colin A. , Maier Bernhard F. , Mirmira Raghavendra G. , Kulkarni Rohit N.
Published: July 2016

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is among several pathological features that underlie β-cell failure in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Adaptor proteins in the insulin/insulin-like-growth factor-1 signaling pathways, such as insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) and IRS2, differentially impact β-cell survival but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that β-cells deficient in IRS1 (IRS1KO) are resistant, while IRS2 deficiency (IRS2KO) makes them susceptible to ER stress-mediated apoptosis. IRS1KOs exhibited low nuclear accumulation of spliced XBP-1 due to its poor stability, in contrast to elevated accumulation in IRS2KO. The reduced nuclear accumulation in IRS1KO was due to protein instability of Xbp1 secondary to proteasomal degradation. IRS1KO also demonstrated an attenuation in their general translation status in response to ER stress revealed by polyribosomal profiling. Phosphorylation of eEF2 was dramatically increased in IRS1KO enabling the β-cells to adapt to ER stress by blocking translation. Furthermore, significantly high ER calcium (Ca2+) was detected in IRS1KO β-cells even upon induction of ER stress. These observations suggest that IRS1 could be a therapeutic target for β-cell protection against ER stress-mediated cell death by modulating XBP-1 stability, protein synthesis, and Ca2+ storage in the ER.
The 14th Ile residue is essential for Leptin function in regulating energy homeostasis in rat
Authors: Xu Shuyang , Zhu Xianmin , Li Hong , Hu Youtian , Zhou Jinping , He Di , Feng Yun , Lu Lina , Du Guizhen , Hu Youjin , Liu Tiancheng , Wang Zhen , Ding Guohui , Chen Jiayu , Gao Shaorong , Wu Fang , Xue Zhigang , Li Yixue , Fan Guoping
Published: July 2016

LEPTIN (LEP) is a circulating hormone released primarily from white adipocytes and is crucial for regulating satiety and energy homeostasis in humans and animals. Using the CRISPR technology, we created a set of Lep mutant rats that carry either null mutations or a deletion of the 14th Ile (LEP∆I14) in the mature LEP protein. We examined the potential off-target sites (OTS) by whole-genome high-throughput sequencing and/or Sanger-sequencing analysis and found no OTS in mutant rats. Mature LEP∆I14 is incessantly produced and released to blood at a much elevated level due to the feedback loop. Structure modeling of binding conformation between mutant LEP∆I14 and LEPTIN receptor (LEPR) suggests that the conformation of LEP∆I14 impairs its binding with LEPR, consistent with its inability to activate STAT3-binding element in the luciferase reporter assay. Phenotypic study demonstrated that Lep∆I14 rats recapitulate phenotypes of Lep-null mutant rats including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hepatic steatosis, nephropathy and infertility. Compared to the existing ob/ob mouse models, this Lep∆I14/∆I14 rat strain provides a robust tool for further dissecting the roles of LEP in the diabetes related kidney disease and reproduction problem, beyond its well established function in regulating energy homeostasis.
LOCC indistinguishable orthogonal product quantum states
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Tan Xiaoqing , Weng Jian , Li Yongjun
Published: July 2016

We construct two families of orthogonal product quantum states that cannot be exactly distinguished by local operation and classical communication (LOCC) in the quantum system of "Equation missing"2k+i ⊗ "Equation missing"2l+j (i, j ∈ {0, 1} and i ≥ j ) and "Equation missing"3k+i ⊗ "Equation missing"3l+j (i, j ∈ {0, 1, 2}). And we also give the tiling structure of these two families of quantum product states where the quantum states are unextendible in the first family but are extendible in the second family. Our construction in the quantum system of "Equation missing"3k+i ⊗ "Equation missing"3l+j is more generalized than the other construction such as Wang et al.’s construction and Zhang et al.’s construction, because it contains the quantum system of not only "Equation missing"2k ⊗ "Equation missing"2l and "Equation missing"2k+1 ⊗ "Equation missing"2l but also "Equation missing"2k ⊗ "Equation missing"2l+1 and "Equation missing"2k+1 ⊗ "Equation missing"2l+1. We calculate the non-commutativity to quantify the quantumness of a quantum ensemble for judging the local indistinguishability. We give a general method to judge the indistinguishability of orthogonal product states for our two constructions in this paper. We also extend the dimension of the quantum system of "Equation missing"2k ⊗ "Equation missing"2l in Wang et al.’s paper. Our work is a necessary complement to understand the phenomenon of quantum nonlocality without entanglement.
Continuous hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran over alumina doped Cu/SiO2 catalyst: the potential of commercialization
Authors: Zheng Junlin , Zhu Junhua , Xu Xuan , Wang Wanmin , Li Jiwen , Zhao Yan , Tang Kangjian , Song Qi , Qi Xiaolan , Kong Dejin , Tang Yi
Published: July 2016

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) and its esters to produce γ-valerolactone (GVL) and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) is a key step for the utilization of cellulose derived LA. Aiming to develop a commercially feasible base metal catalyst for the production of GVL from LA, with satisfactory activity, selectivity and stability, Al2O3 doped Cu/SiO2 and Cu/SiO2 catalysts were fabricated by co-precipitation routes in parallel. The diverse physio-chemical properties of these two catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, dissociative N2O chemisorptions and Py-IR methods. The catalytic properties of these two catalysts were systematically assessed in the continuous hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate (EL) in a fixed-bed reactor. The effect of acidic property of the SiO2 substrate on the catalytic properties was investigated. To justify the potential of its commercialization, significant attention was paid on the initial activity, proper operation window, by-products control, selectivity and stability of the catalyst. The effect of reaction conditions, such as temperature and pressure, on the performance of the catalyst was also thoroughly studied. The development of alumina doped Cu/SiO2 catalyst strengthened the value-chain from cellulose to industrially important chemicals via LA and GVL.
Origin of Nanobubbles Electrochemically Formed in a Magnetic Field: Ionic Vacancy Production in Electrode Reaction
Authors: Aogaki Ryoichi , Sugiyama Atsushi , Miura Makoto , Oshikiri Yoshinobu , Miura Miki , Morimoto Ryoichi , Takagi Satoshi , Mogi Iwao , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: July 2016

As a process complementing conventional electrode reactions, ionic vacancy production in electrode reaction was theoretically examined; whether reaction is anodic or cathodic, based on the momentum conservation by Newton’s second law of motion, electron transfer necessarily leads to the emission of original embryo vacancies and dielectric polarization endows to them the same electric charge as trans- ferred in the reaction. Then, the emitted embryo vacancies immediately receive the thermal relaxation of solution particles to develop steady-state vacancies. After the vacancy production, nanobubbles are created by the collision of the vacancies in a vertical magnetic field.
Genome-scale DNA variant analysis and functional validation of a SNP underlying yellow fruit color in wild strawberry
Authors: Hawkins Charles , Caruana Julie , Schiksnis Erin , Liu Zhongchi
Published: July 2016

Fragaria vesca is a species of diploid strawberry being developed as a model for the octoploid garden strawberry. This work sequenced and compared the genomes of three F. vesca accessions: ‘Hawaii 4′, ‘Rügen’ and ‘Yellow Wonder’. Genome-scale analyses of shared and distinct SNPs among these three accessions have revealed that ‘Rügen’ and ‘Yellow Wonder’ are more similar to each other than they are to ‘Hawaii 4’. Though all three accessions are inbred seven generations, each accession still possesses extensive heterozygosity, highlighting the inherent differences between individual plants even of the same accession. The identification of the impact of each SNP as well as the large number of Indel markers provides a foundation for locating candidate mutations underlying phenotypic variations among these F. vesca accessions and for mapping new mutations generated through forward genetics screens. Through systematic analysis of SNP variants affecting genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulation, a candidate SNP in FveMYB10 was identified and then functionally confirmed to be responsible for the yellow color fruits made by many F. vesca accessions. As a whole, this study provides further resources for F. vesca and establishes a foundation for linking traits of economic importance to specific genes and variants.
Multivariate Neural Representations of Value during Reward Anticipation and Consummation in the Human Orbitofrontal Cortex
Authors: Yan Chao , Su Li , Wang Yi , Xu Ting , Yin Da-zhi , Fan Ming-xia , Deng Ci-ping , Hu Yang , Wang Zhao-xin , Cheung Eric F. C. , Lim Kelvin O. , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: July 2016

The role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in value processing is a focus of research. Conventional imaging analysis, where smoothing and averaging are employed, may not be sufficiently sensitive in studying the OFC, which has heterogeneous anatomical structures and functions. In this study, we employed representational similarity analysis (RSA) to reveal the multi-voxel fMRI patterns in the OFC associated with value processing during the anticipatory and the consummatory phases. We found that multi-voxel activation patterns in the OFC encoded magnitude and partial valence information (win vs. loss) but not outcome (favourable vs. unfavourable) during reward consummation. Furthermore, the lateral OFC rather than the medial OFC encoded loss information. Also, we found that OFC encoded values in a similar way to the ventral striatum (VS) or the anterior insula (AI) during reward anticipation regardless of motivated response and to the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and the VS in reward consummation. In contrast, univariate analysis did not show changes of activation in the OFC. These findings suggest an important role of the OFC in value processing during reward anticipation and consummation.
Identification, Characterization and X-ray Crystallographic Analysis of a Novel Type of Mannose-Specific Lectin CGL1 from the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Unno Hideaki , Matsuyama Kazuki , Tsuji Yoshiteru , Goda Shuichiro , Hiemori Keiko , Tateno Hiroaki , Hirabayashi Jun , Hatakeyama Tomomitsu
Published: July 2016

A novel mannose-specific lectin, named CGL1 (15.5 kDa), was isolated from the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Characterization of CGL1 involved isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), glycoconjugate microarray and frontal affinity chromatography (FAC). This analysis revealed that CGL1 has strict specificity for the mannose monomer and for high mannose-type N-glycans (HMTGs). Primary structure of CGL1 did not show any homology with known lectins but did show homology with proteins of the natterin family. Crystal structure of the CGL1 revealed a unique homodimer in which each protomer was composed of 2 domains related by a pseudo two-fold axis. Complex structures of CGL1 with mannose molecules showed that residues have 8 hydrogen bond interactions with O1, O2, O3, O4 and O5 hydroxyl groups of mannose. The complex interactions that are not observed with other mannose-binding lectins revealed the structural basis for the strict specificity for mannose. These characteristics of CGL1 may be helpful as a research tool and for clinical applications.
Transient Grating Spectroscopy in Magnetic Thin Films: Simultaneous Detection of Elastic and Magnetic Dynamics
Authors: Janušonis J. , Jansma T. , Chang C. L. , Liu Q. , Gatilova A. , Lomonosov A. M. , Shalagatskyi V. , Pezeril T. , Temnov V. V. , Tobey R. I.
Published: July 2016

Surface magnetoelastic waves are coupled elastic and magnetic excitations that propagate along the surface of a magnetic material. Ultrafast optical techniques allow for a non-contact excitation and detection scheme while providing the ability to measure both elastic and magnetic components individually. Here we describe a simple setup suitable for excitation and time resolved measurements of high frequency magnetoelastic waves, which is based on the transient grating technique. The elastic dynamics are measured by diffracting a probe laser pulse from the long-wavelength spatially periodic structural deformation. Simultaneously, a magnetooptical measurement, either Faraday or Kerr effect, is sensitive to the out-of-plane magnetization component. The correspondence in the response of the two channels probes the resonant interaction between the two degrees of freedom and reveals their intimate coupling. Unraveling the observed dynamics requires a detailed understanding of the spatio-temporal evolution of temperature, magnetization and thermo-elastic strain in the ferromagnet. Numerical solution of thermal diffusion in two dimensions provides the basis on which to understand the sensitivity in the magnetooptic detection.
The reemergence of long-term potentiation in aged Alzheimer’s disease mouse model
Authors: Huh Seonghoo , Baek Soo-Ji , Lee Kyung-Hwa , Whitcomb Daniel J. , Jo Jihoon , Choi Seong-Min , Kim Dong Hyun , Park Man-Seok , Lee Kun Ho , Kim Byeong C.
Published: July 2016

Mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been developed to study the pathophysiology of amyloid β protein (Aβ) toxicity, which is thought to cause severe clinical symptoms such as memory impairment in AD patients. However, inconsistencies exist between studies using these animal models, specifically in terms of the effects on synaptic plasticity, a major cellular model of learning and memory. Whereas some studies find impairments in plasticity in these models, others do not. We show that long-term potentiation (LTP), in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from this mouse, is impared at Tg2576 adult 6–7 months old. However, LTP is inducible again in slices taken from Tg2576 aged 14–19 months old. In the aged Tg2576, we found that the percentage of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons in hippocampal CA1-3 region is significantly decreased, and LTP inhibition or reversal mediated by NRG1/ErbB signaling, which requires ErbB4 receptors in PV interneurons, is impaired. Inhibition of ErbB receptor kinase in adult Tg2576 restores LTP but impairs depotentiation as shown in aged Tg2576. Our study suggests that hippocampal LTP reemerges in aged Tg2576. However, this reemerged LTP is an insuppressible form due to impaired NRG1/ErbB signaling, possibly through the loss of PV interneurons.
Arbitrarily tunable orbital angular momentum of photons
Authors: Pan Yue , Gao Xu-Zhen , Ren Zhi-Cheng , Wang Xi-Lin , Tu Chenghou , Li Yongnan , Wang Hui-Tian
Published: July 2016

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons, as a new fundamental degree of freedom, has excited a great diversity of interest, because of a variety of emerging applications. Arbitrarily tunable OAM has gained much attention, but its creation remains still a tremendous challenge. We demonstrate the realization of well-controlled arbitrarily tunable OAM in both theory and experiment. We present the concept of general OAM, which extends the OAM carried by the scalar vortex field to the OAM carried by the azimuthally varying polarized vector field. The arbitrarily tunable OAM we presented has the same characteristics as the well-defined integer OAM: intrinsic OAM, uniform local OAM and intensity ring and propagation stability. The arbitrarily tunable OAM has unique natures: it is allowed to be flexibly tailored and the radius of the focusing ring can have various choices for a desired OAM, which are of great significance to the benefit of surprising applications of the arbitrary OAM.
Network Analysis Implicates Alpha-Synuclein (Snca) in the Regulation of Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Calabrese Gina , Mesner Larry D. , Foley Patricia L. , Rosen Clifford J. , Farber Charles R.
Published: July 2016

The postmenopausal period in women is associated with decreased circulating estrogen levels, which accelerate bone loss and increase the risk of fracture. Here, we gained novel insight into the molecular mechanisms mediating bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, a model of human menopause, using co-expression network analysis. Specifically, we generated a co-expression network consisting of 53 gene modules using expression profiles from intact and OVX mice from a panel of inbred strains. The expression of four modules was altered by OVX, including module 23 whose expression was decreased by OVX across all strains. Module 23 was enriched for genes involved in the response to oxidative stress, a process known to be involved in OVX-induced bone loss. Additionally, module 23 homologs were co-expressed in human bone marrow. Alpha synuclein (Snca) was one of the most highly connected “hub” genes in module 23. We characterized mice deficient in Snca and observed a 40% reduction in OVX-induced bone loss. Furthermore, protection was associated with the altered expression of specific network modules, including module 23. In summary, the results of this study suggest that Snca regulates bone network homeostasis and ovariectomy-induced bone loss.
A 2-((4-Arylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenol ligated Pd(ii) complex: an efficient, versatile catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Keesara Srinivas , Parvathaneni Saiprathima
Published: July 2016

N,N,O-Tridentate palladium(ii) complex 4a was found to be an efficient catalyst for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides (iodo-, bromo- and chloro-), which afforded cross-coupling products in good to excellent yields.
Development of a polychlorinated biphenyl screening method with 3 μL of blood
Authors: Nose Kazutoshi , Yabushita Hisatoshi , Hirai Tetsuya , Tachikawa Tomiko
Published: July 2016

In the present study, we developed a method of screening for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by using 3 μL whole-blood samples accurately metered with a capillary tube on filter paper.
The cluster-assembled nanowires based on M12N12 (M = Al and Ga) clusters as potential gas sensors for CO, NO, and NO2 detection
Authors: Yong Yongliang , Jiang Huai , Li Xiaohong , Lv Shijie , Cao Jingxiao
Published: July 2016

Stable nanowires can be produced via the coalescence of M12N12 fullerene-like clusters and serve as promising gas sensors for CO, NO, and NO2 detection.
Pd catalyzed facile synthesis of cyclopenta[b]quinolin-1-one via sequential Sonogashira coupling and annulation. An unusual mode of ring closure, using sulphur as a soft nucleophile
Authors: Singh Radhey M. , Kumar Ritush , Bharadwaj Kishor Chandra , Gupta Tanu
Published: July 2016

Pd mediated one pot sequential Sonogashira coupling followed by annulation using o-alkynyl aldehyde is reported.
Kinetics simulation and a novel curing procedure to avoid thermal shock during the curing process of epoxy composites
Authors: Dong Hongxing , Li Yonghe , Zhang Jin , Liu Lijia , Cao Liying , Ming Pingjian , Liu Wenjing , Zhang Chunhong , Liu Lianhe , Wei Hao
Published: July 2016

Thermal shock effects during curing process of an EP resin system was clear reduced by utilizing a novel curing procedure established according to the simulated results.
Effects of Fe(ii) on microbial communities, nitrogen transformation pathways and iron cycling in the anammox process: kinetics, quantitative molecular mechanism and metagenomic analysis
Authors: Shu Duntao , He Yanling , Yue Hong , Yang Shucheng
Published: July 2016

Appropriate Fe(ii) concentration has been regarded as a significant factor for fast start-up of the anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidizing) process.
Competitive adsorption of a pool of pharmaceuticals onto a raw clay mineral
Authors: Thiebault T. , Boussafir M. , Le Forestier L. , Le Milbeau C. , Monnin L. , Guégan R.
Published: July 2016

The removal of a Pharmaceutically Active Compound (PhAC) pool using a well referenced clay mineral from Wyoming (SWy-2) as a geosorbent was studied for a better understanding of the environmental fate.
Novel electrochemical preparation of gold nanoparticles decorated on a reduced graphene oxide–fullerene composite for the highly sensitive electrochemical detection of nitrite
Authors: Rajkumar Chellakannu , Thirumalraj Balamurugan , Chen Shen-Ming , Palanisamy Selvakumar
Published: July 2016

In this study, we report a novel amperometric nitrite sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) decorated reduced graphene oxide–fullerene (RGO–C60) composite.
Superparamagnetic Fe3O4/MWCNTs heterostructures for high frequency microwave absorption
Authors: Yuan Honglei , Xu Yanling , Jia Huanxia , Zhou Shaomin
Published: July 2016

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanocrystals anchored on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated using co-precipitating technique which nicely integrates the magnetic and dielectric components into a synergistic microwave absorber.
Lignin-assisted solid-phase synthesis of nano-CuO for a photocatalyst with excellent catalytic activity and high performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Wu Fangsheng , Duan Yawei , Wang Yingying , Hao Chen , Ge Cunwang
Published: July 2016

CuO nanostructures were successfully synthesized using NaOH and Cu(NO3)2 as starting materials by an aminated lignin (AL)-assisted solid-phase method.
Design and development of a nanoemulsion system containing extract of Clinacanthus nutans (L.) leaves for transdermal delivery system by D-optimal mixture design and evaluation of its physicochemical properties
Authors: Che Sulaiman Intan Soraya , Basri Mahiran , Fard Masoumi Hamid Reza , Ashari Siti Efliza , Ismail Maznah
Published: July 2016

C. nutansis a well-known medicinal plant in South-East Asia that has attracted attention for its therapeutic characteristics. In this work, nanoemulsion has been chosen to be a carrier in encapsulation ofC. nutansextract for its potential in nanotechnology application.
Deposition of a hydrophilic nanocomposite-based coating on silicone hydrogel through a laser process to minimize UV exposure and bacterial contamination
Authors: Huang Guobang , Tse Wai Hei , Zhang Jin
Published: July 2016

Silicone hydrogel used as contact lens is deposited a nanocomposite coating by a matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE), which can protect eyes from UV exposure, and against bacterial contamination.
Antibacterial properties of silver dendrite decorated silicon nanowires
Authors: Alhmoud Hashim , Delalat Bahman , Ceto Xavier , Elnathan Roey , Cavallaro Alex , Vasilev Krasimir , Voelcker Nicolas H.
Published: July 2016

Silicon nanowires fabricated through Ag-assisted chemical etching were found to be effective bacterial-traps with strong antibacterial properties resulting from Ag-nanoclusters.
DABCO catalyzed unusual formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-acyl(or alkoxycarbonyl)-1,4-enediones with 2,3-butadienoates: effective access to highly functionalized pyrans
Authors: Meng Xiang-Suo , Jiang Shan , Xu Xiao-Yun , Wu Qiang-Xian , Gu Yu-Cheng , Shi De-Qing
Published: July 2016

A convenient and efficient DABCO-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-acyl(or alkoxycarbonyl)-1,4-enediones with 2,3-butadienoates is presented.
Rhenium(i) trinuclear rings as highly efficient redox photosensitizers for photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Rohacova Jana , Ishitani Osamu
Published: July 2016

Trinuclear Re(i)-rings were applied as redox photosensitizers in visible light-driven CO2 reduction in tandem with various catalysts, i.e., Re(i)-, Ru(ii)- and Mn(i)-diimine metal complex. The quantum yields for the Ru(ii) and Mn(i) catalysts were the among highest reported.
Multigrain electrospun nickel doped lithium titanate nanofibers with high power lithium ion storage
Authors: Abureden Salah , Hassan Fathy M. , Lui Gregory , Ahn Wook , Sy Serubbabel , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: July 2016

Novel in situ nickel doped 1-D lithium titanate nanofibers (Li4Ti5−xNixO12, where x = 0, 0.05 and 0.1) have been successfully synthesized using a facile electrospinning process.
Engineering DN hydrogels from regenerated silk fibroin and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)
Authors: Whittaker Jasmin L. , Dutta Naba K. , Zannettino Andrew , Choudhury Namita Roy
Published: July 2016

The development of biocompatible hydrogels that possess adequate elasticity and toughness to withstand mechanically active environments, remains a significant challenge for tissue engineering applications. In this study, a family of silk-based double network hydrogels have been fabricated that display elasticity closer to native cartilage.
Stimuli-responsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-2-methoxyethyl acrylate) core–shell microgels: facile synthesis, modulation of surface properties and controlled internalisation into cells
Authors: Melle Andrea , Balaceanu Andreea , Kather Michael , Wu Yaodong , Gau Elisabeth , Sun Wenjie , Huang Xiaobin , Shi Xiangyang , Karperien Marcel , Pich Andrij
Published: July 2016

Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-2-methoxyethyl acrylate) core–shell microgels as imaging/diagnostic system.
Audiologists Clarify Medicare Reimbursement Issues
Authors: Satterfield Lisa
Published: July 2016

Experts from nine organizations put their heads together to provide guidance on noncoverage notices, vestibular testing, contralateral routing of signal hearing aids and other confusing topics.
Bottom Line: Medicare Requires Physician Visit for Speech-Generating Devices
Authors: Kander Mark
Published: July 2016

SLPs' responsibilities don't change under the new rule, which is designed to reduce fraud, waste and abuse.
First Person on the Last Page: Keeping it Cool
Authors: Wigall Loleata
Published: July 2016

Audiologist Loleata Wigall uses her professional intuition to help her husband through cancer treatment.
The Future Present
Authors: Stone Jennifer , Rubel Edwin , Hillman Robert E. , Cutter Matthew , Mauszycki Shannon C. , Shannon Robert V. , Fridriksson Julius , Law Bridget Murray , Dronkers Nina F. , Patel Rupal , Haacke E. M.
Published: July 2016

These 11 up-and-coming technologies could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment of speech, language and hearing disorders.
Planet of Sound
Authors: Sweetow Robert W. , Rawool Vishakha W. , Helms Kerri A. , Fischer Maureen , Fligor Brian J. , Adrian Marcus , Wisneski Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2016

In a world where noise never stops, hearing threats bombard us every day. Take a tour of some of America’s noisiest environments—and bring your earplugs.
Sweet Home Chicago
Authors: Cutter Matthew
Published: July 2016

For convention attendees, Chicago offers a rich shared history with ASHA ... and a full slate of local activities and attractions.
Harnessing Brain Signals for Communication
Authors: Arbel Yael
Published: July 2016

The P300 Brain Computer Interface system converts people’s brain signals into words on a screen, enabling people who are completely paralyzed to communicate. The system records and analyzes brain activity in real time as the user focuses on conveying the intended message. The researchers behind this technology are working to develop a simplified version for efficient home use.
Bigger Caliber, Bigger Boom
Authors: Stewart Michael
Published: July 2016

Many Americans are unaware of the dangers firearms pose to hearing and the need to use protection every time they shoot.
It’s All About Relationships
Authors: Matlock Renee
Published: July 2016

To market your practice, look beyond advertising to making and sustaining connections. Here are some strategies to help.
SLP Turned Roller Derby Girl Takes Vegas
Authors: Rowden-Racette Kellie
Published: July 2016

Nelson is one of the newest recruits in a league that welcomes all ages—from college graduates to grandmothers—and enthralls crowds with some full-contact Roller Derby. Cheering her on rink side will be her coworkers from Nevada Early Intervention Services, where she works by day as a speech-language pathologist in early intervention.
What Makes for Effective Online Treatment?
Authors: Chmela Kristen
Published: July 2016

In November, Kristen Chmela—executive director of the Chmela Fluency Center in Long Grove, Ill.—chatted with participants from ASHA’s online conference, Case Studies in Fluency Disorders. The Leader listened in.
Policy Analysis: House to Consider Comprehensive Audiology Coverage Bill
Authors: Lusis Ingrida
Published: July 2016

New legislation would allow audiologists to provide treatment to Medicare beneficiaries.
Policy Analysis: Medicare Requires Two-Day Discharge Notification
Authors: Satterfield Lisa
Published: July 2016

Facilities must give patients two days' written notice that services will end.
Loan Forgiveness Passes in Two States—But Without Funding
Authors: Polovoy Carol
Published: July 2016

Texas and Mississippi leaders continue to lobby for funding that will help recruit SLPs and audiologists to public schools.
Spotlight on Special Interest Group 7, Aural Rehabilitation and Its Instrumentation
Authors: Cienkowski Kathleen
Published: July 2016

Health care is transitioning away from the traditional medical model to a patient-centered approach. Patient-centered care results in better adherence to rehabilitation protocols, especially for chronic health conditions that may include hearing loss. For many ASHA members not familiar with patient-centered care, SIG 7 can be a valuable resource for learning about key concepts and their clinical application
Building Respect, One Colleague at a Time
Authors: Koelsch Lindsey
Published: July 2016

Speech-language pathology assistants may struggle with the issue of professional respect, especially in states just beginning to recognize their role. Here’s how the first SLPA in Oklahoma meets this challenge head on.
Speaking of Associates: The Toughest Job I Always Wanted But Never Imagined
Authors: Krumm Michael
Published: July 2016

An SLPA becomes a quick study when he sees that learning Yankton Sioux culture is essential to his success at an Indian reservation school.
Spreading the Word: Start a Blog
Authors: Pierson Francine
Published: July 2016

Many speech-language pathologists and audiologists use blogs to better connect with communities of interest. But how do you know if blogging is for you?
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infection and Prognosis after Surgery of Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yamanashi Keiji , Fukui Motonari , Huang Cheng-Long , Marumo Satoshi
Published: July 2016

To investigate the association between pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria infection (PNTMI) and prognosis after pulmonary resection for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we retrospectively analyzed 391 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent surgery. Subjects were grouped based on with/without PNTMI defined by two criteria (12 and 23 PNTMI subjects). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding overall survival (p = 0.800 and p = 0.912 by two criteria). PNTMI was not identified as a significant factor associated with prognosis by either univariate or multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.950 and HR = 0.948, respectively).
Over Ten Years of Experience with a Modified Right Atrial Anastomosis in Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: Follow-up and Comparison with the Biatrial and Bicaval Technique
Authors: Panholzer Bernd , Fritzsche Katharina , Broch Ole , Renner Jochen , Friedrich Christine , Rahimi-Barfeh Azizolah , Reinecke Alexander , Cremer Jochen , Haneya Assad , Huenges Katharina
Published: July 2016

Background In 1997, a modified right atrial anastomosis (cavoatrial technique) for orthotopic heart transplantation (oHTx) was first developed in our institution. The purpose of this study is to report our long-term experience with this technique compared with biatrial and bicaval technique.

Methods Retrospectively, 202 consecutive oHTx between 1997 and 2013 were analyzed. The applied transplantation techniques were biatrial (n = 108), bicaval (n = 22), and cavoatrial (n = 72).

Results Demographic data were similar in all groups. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp time were significantly shorter in the biatrial group. Follow-up echocardiographic examination showed excellent results in all groups with no relevant differences. After 1 year, occurrence of severe tricuspid regurgitation (biatrial 1.9% vs bicaval 0.0% vs cavoatrial 1.4%) was low in all groups. Rate of permanent pacemaker implantations was also low (12.0% vs 5.0% vs 11.1%). There were no significant differences in survival between the groups.

Conclusion The cavoatrial technique can be a safe and simple alternative for heart transplantation. Easy handling and similar reduced postoperative complications encourage the use of this technique.
Microfluidic converging/diverging channels optimised for homogeneous extensional deformation
Authors: Zografos K. , Pimenta F. , Alves M. A. , Oliveira M. S. N.
Published: July 2016

In this work, we optimise microfluidic converging/diverging geometries in order to produce constant strain-rates along the centreline of the flow, for performing studies under homogeneous extension. The design is examined for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional flows where the effects of aspect ratio and dimensionless contraction length are investigated. Initially, pressure driven flows of Newtonian fluids under creeping flow conditions are considered, which is a reasonable approximation in microfluidics, and the limits of the applicability of the design in terms of Reynolds numbers are investigated. The optimised geometry is then used for studying the flow of viscoelastic fluids and the practical limitations in terms of Weissenberg number are reported. Furthermore, the optimisation strategy is also applied for electro-osmotic driven flows, where the development of a plug-like velocity profile allows for a wider region of homogeneous extensional deformation in the flow field.
Large-time behavior for the Vlasov/compressible Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Choi Young-Pil
Published: July 2016

We establish the large-time behavior for the coupled kinetic-fluid equations. More precisely, we consider the Vlasov equation coupled to the compressible isentropic Navier-Stokes equations through a drag forcing term. For this system, the large-time behavior shows the exponential alignment between particles and fluid velocities as time evolves. This improves the previous result by Bae et al. [Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 34, 4419–4458 (2014)] in which they considered the Vlasov/Navier-Stokes equations with nonlocal velocity alignment forces for particles. Employing a new Lyapunov functional measuring the fluctuations of momentum and mass from the averaged quantities, we refine assumptions for the large-time behavior of the solutions to that system.
Performance of microbial fuel cell using chemically synthesized activated carbon coated anode
Authors: Samsudeen N. , Chavan Shivanand , Radhakrishnan T. K. , Matheswaran Manickam
Published: July 2016

The effect of chemically synthesized activated carbon (AC) on the performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) was investigated in this study. Coconut fiber was used as a source material for synthesizing the AC. The AC with different ranges (5, 10, and 15 mg/cm2) was coated on the anode electrode surface to investigate and compare the performance of MFC with the control electrode (plain surface). The experimental results showed that the AC-5 (5 mg/cm2) coated electrode produced a peak power density (5.8 W/m3) which was higher than the control (plain) electrode (3.8 W/m3). The MFC performance in terms of power density and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency was increased with increasing loading quantity of AC. When an AC-15 (15 mg/cm2) coated was electrode used in the MFC, the highest power density of 9.5 W/m3 with a COD removal efficiency of 74.8% was observed. Cyclic voltammetry analysis visualized the clear enhancement in electrochemical activity with an AC coated electrode. The effect of wastewater COD concentration on the performance was also investigated. The AC derived from coconut fibers can be considered as a biocompatible material to enhance MFC performance.
Rheology of clustering protein solutions
Authors: Dharmaraj Vishnu L. , Godfrin P. Douglas , Liu Yun , Hudson Steven D.
Published: July 2016

High viscosity is a major challenge with protein therapeutics at extremely high concentrations. To overcome this obstacle, it is essential to understand the relationship between the concentration of a protein solution and its viscosity as a function of shear rate and temperature. Here, lysozyme is a model charged globular protein having both short-ranged attraction (SA) and long-ranged repulsion (LR) that promote the formation of dynamic clusters at high concentrations. We report viscosity measurements from a micro-capillary rheometer (using only several microliters of solution) over a wide range of lysozyme solution concentrations, shear rates, and temperatures. Solution structural relaxation dynamics are also probed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). As a result of lysozyme's SALR interactions, the viscosity increased dramatically across all shear rates with increasing concentration and decreasing temperature. While most of the solutions exhibited Newtonian behavior, shear thinning was exhibited at the highest concentration (480 g/l) and lowest temperatures at shear rates above approximately 104 s−1. The onset shear rate for thinning and a structural relaxation rate estimated from a slow-mode measured by DLS are compared. These measurements provide insights into the properties of protein solutions and their microscopic structural origins.
Practice manager expectations of new graduate registered nurses in Australian general practice: a national survey
Authors: Aggar Christina , Bloomfield Jacqueline G. , Stanton Cynthia , Baynie Catherine , Gordon Christopher J.
Published: July 2016

Practice managers are often involved in the employment of practice nurses and are likely to have a significant role in future transition programs in general practice. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore practice managers’ expectations of new graduate registered nurses working in general practice. A nation-wide web-based electronic survey distributed by the Australian Association of Practice Management was used to collect demographic data and practice managers’ expectations of new graduate nurses directly transitioning into general practice in their first year of practice. The sample was broadly representative of the Australian state and territory population numbers. Respondents were predominantly female with postgraduate qualifications. The findings of this study highlight that practice managers who currently work with practice nurses would be supportive of graduate registered nurses in general practice in their first year with preceptor support. The results of this study have important implications for nursing workforce development and it is recommended that such initiatives are widely introduced with appropriate financial support.
Causal inference and the data-fusion problem
Authors: Bareinboim Elias , Pearl Judea
Published: July 2016

We review concepts, principles, and tools that unify current approaches to causal analysis and attend to new challenges presented by big data. In particular, we address the problem of data fusion—piecing together multiple datasets collected under heterogeneous conditions (i.e., different populations, regimes, and sampling methods) to obtain valid answers to queries of interest. The availability of multiple heterogeneous datasets presents new opportunities to big data analysts, because the knowledge that can be acquired from combined data would not be possible from any individual source alone. However, the biases that emerge in heterogeneous environments require new analytical tools. Some of these biases, including confounding, sampling selection, and cross-population biases, have been addressed in isolation, largely in restricted parametric models. We here present a general, nonparametric framework for handling these biases and, ultimately, a theoretical solution to the problem of data fusion in causal inference tasks.
Six decades of the Hall–Petch effect – a survey of grain-size strengthening studies on pure metals
Authors: Cordero Z. C. , Knight B. E. , Schuh C. A.
Published: July 2016

Refining a metal’s grain size can result in dramatic increases in strength, and the magnitude of this strengthening increment can be estimated using the Hall–Petch equation. Since the Hall–Petch equation was proposed, there have been many experimental studies supporting its applicability to pure metals, intermetallics and multi-phase alloys. In this article, we gather the grain-size strengthening data from the Hall–Petch studies on pure metals and use this aggregated data to calculate best estimates of these metals’ Hall–Petch parameters. We also use this aggregated data to re-evaluate the various models developed to physically support the Hall–Petch scaling.
The Effects of Item Material on Encoding Strategies: Survival Processing Compared to the Method of Loci
Authors: Kroneisen Meike , Makerud Sven Einar
Published: July 2016

When imagining being stranded in the grasslands of a foreign land without any basic survival material, participants have a magnificent memory for words rated according to their usefulness in this particular situation. Numerous studies could demonstrate that survival processing boosts memory performance more than other memory enhancing techniques. The method of loci is an old mnemonic strategy used to enhance serial recall. This method encompasses navigating mentally through a familiar environment and placing the to-be-remembered items in specific locations. In the later recall phase, the participant re-imagines walking through the environment, “looking” for the to-be-remembered items. In two studies, we compared the survival scenario with the method of loci and two different control conditions. In addition, we manipulated the used word-material on two different dimensions (imageability and relevance) to analyse its influences on the two methods. For words high in imageability, we found that memory performance in the survival condition is comparable to the method of loci. However, for words low in imageability the method of loci proved to be more effective than survival processing. Furthermore, we found that survival relevance has a high impact on the amount of the survival processing effect, even when imageability is low.
Visuospatial and verbal memory in mental arithmetic
Authors: Clearman Jack , Klinger Vojtěch , Szűcs Dénes
Published: July 2016

Working memory allows complex information to be remembered and manipulated over short periods of time. Correlations between working memory and mathematics achievement have been shown across the lifespan. However, only a few studies have examined the potentially distinct contributions of domain-specific visuospatial and verbal working memory resources in mental arithmetic computation. Here we aimed to fill this gap in a series of six experiments pairing addition and subtraction tasks with verbal and visuospatial working memory and interference tasks. In general, we found higher levels of interference between mental arithmetic and visuospatial working memory tasks than between mental arithmetic and verbal working memory tasks. Additionally, we found that interference that matched the working memory domain of the task (e.g., verbal task with verbal interference) lowered working memory performance more than mismatched interference (verbal task with visuospatial interference). Findings suggest that mental arithmetic relies on domain-specific working memory resources.
Trends and Factors Influencing the Length, Compensatory Growth, and Size-Selective Mortality of Juvenile Bristol Bay, Alaska, Sockeye Salmon at Sea
Authors: Yasumiishi Ellen M. , Farley Ed V. , Ruggerone Gregory T. , Agler Beverly A. , Wilson Lorna I.
Published: July 2016

The productivity of Bristol Bay, Alaska, Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka increased during the mid-1970s. This increase is believed to be partially due to an increase in early marine growth associated with the 1976–1977 cool-to-warm shift in summer sea surface temperature (SST). The body size of juvenile salmon during their first year at sea is believed to regulate their ability to survive over winter. The back-calculated smolt length, first-year ocean growth, and total juvenile length of Sockeye Salmon from five Bristol Bay river systems (Egegik, Kvichak, Naknek, Ugashik, and Wood) and two smolt ages were used to examine trends and factors influencing total juvenile length, compensatory growth, and size-selective mortality in the first year in the ocean from 1962 to 2007. Juvenile length increased in relation to summer sea temperature, the 1977–2001 and 2002–2007 warm temperature regimes, smolt length, and compensatory growth. Compensatory growth—an inverse relationship between first-year ocean growth and smolt size—increased over time as well as after the 1976–1977 climate regime shift, was more common in age-1.0 fish than in age-2.0 juveniles, and was important in determining the length of juvenile Sockeye Salmon from the Wood River (the shorter fish among rivers and smolt ages). The coefficient of variation in length did not change with SST, suggesting that size-selective mortality occurred prior to the end of the first year at sea for all 10 fish groups. The predictor variables that were significant in the models varied among river systems and smolt ages. This study demonstrated that the frequency of compensatory growth and the total lengths of juvenile Sockeye Salmon during their first year at sea increased with summer SST (range, 7.5–10.5°C) in the eastern Bering Sea, a possible mechanism for the increased productivity of Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon associated with warmer sea temperatures.

Received June 2, 2015; accepted February 23, 2016