bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terrorists or national heroes? Politics and perceptions of the OUN and the UPA in Ukraine
Authors: Katchanovski Ivan
Published: July 2015

This study analyzes controversies and public attitudes concerning the Bandera faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN-B), the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and Stepan Bandera in Ukraine. The research question is: Which factors affect attitudes toward the OUN-B, the UPA and Bandera in contemporary Ukraine? This article employs comparative and regression analyses of surveys commissioned by the author and conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in 2009 and 2013 to determine the effects of regional and other factors on attitudes toward these organizations and the OUN-B leader. The study shows that regional factors and perceptions of these organizations’ involvement in mass murder were the strongest predictors of the views concerning the OUN-B, the UPA and Bandera. Their public support is strongest in Galicia and weakest in the East and the South, in particular, in Donbas and Crimea, two major conflict areas since the “Euromaidan.”
DISAPPOINTMENT AVERSION PREMIUM PRINCIPLE
Authors: Cheung Ka Chun , Chong Wing Fung , Elliott Robert , Yam Sheung Chi Phillip
Published: July 2015

In recent years, the determination of premium principle under various non-expected utility frameworks has become popular, such as the pioneer works by Tsanakas and Desli (2003) and Kaluszka and Krzeszowiec (2012). We here revisit the problem under another prevalent behavioral economic theory, namely the Disappointment Aversion (DA) Theory proposed by Gul (1991). In this article, we define and study the properties of theDA premium principle, which builds on the equivalent utility premium principle. We derive various properties of this premium principle, such as non-negative and no unjustified risk loading, translation invariance, monotonicity, convexity, positive (non-)homogeneity, independent (non-)additivity, comonotonic (non-)additivity and monotonicity with respect to the extent of disappointment. A generalized Arrow–Pratt approximation is also established. Explicit representations of the premium principle are obtained for linear and exponential utilities, and they reveal that the premium principle proposed echoes the capital reserve regulatory requirement in practice.
Stemming the tide: promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Tol W. A.
Published: July 2015

The first World Health Organization's global action plan for mental health recognizes the importance of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders, through the inclusion of one of four objectives focused on this crucial area of research and practice. This paper aims to provide an ‘aerial view’ of the field of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Starting with reasons why promotion and prevention need to take center stage in global mental health efforts, the paper provides a framework and four general principles to guide such efforts: a socio-ecological perspective (place); an inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach (collaboration), a developmental perspective (timing), and a participatory and empowerment approach (strengths), or PaCTS. Evidence-based examples of mental health promotion, universal, selective, and indicated prevention are described.
Surgical Site Infection After Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Cohort Study Using a Hospital Database
Authors: Grammatico-Guillon Leslie , Baron Sabine , Rosset Philippe , Gaborit Christophe , Bernard Louis , Rusch Emmanuel , Astagneau Pascal
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Hip or knee arthroplasty infection (HKAI) leads to heavy medical consequences even if rare.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the routine use of a hospital discharge detection algorithm of prosthetic joint infection as a novel additional tool for surveillance.

METHODS

A historic 5-year cohort study was built using a hospital database of people undergoing a first hip or knee arthroplasty in 1 French region (2.5 million inhabitants, 39 private and public hospitals): 32,678 patients with arthroplasty code plus corresponding prosthetic material code were tagged. HKAI occurrence was then tracked in the follow-up on the basis of a previously validated algorithm using International Statistical Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision, codes as well as the surgical procedures coded. HKAI density incidence was estimated during the follow-up (up to 4 years after surgery); risk factors were analyzed using Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 604 HKAI patients were identified: 1-year HKAI incidence was1.31%, and density incidence was 2.2/100 person-years in hip and 2.5/100 person-years in knee. HKAI occurred within the first 30 days after surgery for 30% but more than 1 year after replacement for 29%. Patients aged 75 years or older, male, or having liver diseases, alcohol abuse, or ulcer sore had higher risk of infection. The inpatient case fatality in HKAI patients was 11.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The hospital database method used to measure occurrence and risk factors of prosthetic joint infection helped to survey HKAI and could optimize healthcare delivery.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(10):1198–1207
The plundering of the ship graves from Oseberg and Gokstad: an example of power politics?
Authors: Bill Jan , Daly Aoife
Published: July 2015

Not the least of the unusual revelations that have come from the wonderfully preserved ninth-century Norwegian ship burials at Oseberg and Gokstad, is the fact that both had been later broken into—by interlopers who defaced the ship, damaged the grave goods and pulled out and dispersed the bones of the deceased. These ‘mound-breakers’ helpfully left spades and stretchers in place, and through the application of some highly ingenious dendrochronology our authors have been able to date the break-ins with some precision. Mound-breaking, it seems, took place during the domination of Norway by Harald Bluetooth in the tenth century as part of an extensive campaign which included subduing local monuments as well as converting Scandinavians to Christianity. The old mounds retained such power in the landscape that it was worth desecrating them and disinterring their occupants a century after their burial.
Newborn twins from prehistoric mainland Southeast Asia: birth, death and personhood
Authors: Halcrow Siân , Tayles Nancy , Inglis Raelene , Higham Charles
Published: July 2015

Double infant burials in unusually high numbers occurred at Khok Phanom Di during a phase associated with immigration and some evidence of early agricultural practices. A study of their stratigraphic context and relative ages led to the interpretation that these were twins. Through an exploration of the medical and anthropological literature of twins, and in conjunction with their mortuary context, the authors conclude that these babies died of natural causes at, or soon after, birth.
Making time work: sampling floodplain artefact frequencies and populations
Authors: Evans Christopher , Tabor Jonathan , Linden Marc Vander
Published: July 2015

The expansion of large-scale excavation in Britain and parts of Continental Europe, funded by major development projects, has generated extensive new datasets. But what might we be losing when surfaces are routinely stripped by machines? Investigation by hand of ploughsoils and buried soils in the Fenlands of eastern England reveals high densities of artefacts and features that would often be destroyed or overlooked. These investigations throw new light on the concept of site sequences where features cut into underlying ground may give only a limited and misleading indication of the pattern and timing of prehistoric occupation. The consequential loss of data has a particular impact on estimates of settlement density and population numbers, which may have been much higher than many current estimates envisage.
Rock-cut stratigraphy: sequencing the Lalibela churches
Authors: Fauvelle-Aymar François-Xavier , Bruxelles Laurent , Mensan Romain , Bosc-Tiessé Claire , Derat Marie-Laure , Fritsch Emmanuel
Published: July 2015

The rock-cut churches of Ethiopia have long intrigued visitors and historians – and have frustrated archaeologists seeking their sequence of construction. Do they belong to one grand ceremonial monastic plan, or a long-lived ritual centre, continually refashioned over time? Since the churches are cut into live rock, the conventional signals of archaeological phasing are hard to find. The authors address these problems at the famous site of Lalibela, showing that, embedded in the cuts and openings, the spoil heaps, and even in the now vanished sediments, the stratigraphic sequence is there to be read.
‘Gifts for the gods’: lake-dwellers' macabre remedies against floods in the Central European Bronze Age
Authors: Menotti Francesco , Jennings Benjamin , Gollnisch-Moos Hartmut
Published: July 2015

The lake-dwellings of the Circum-Alpine region have long been a rich source of detailed information about daily life in Bronze Age Europe, but their location made them vulnerable to changes in climate and lake level. At several Late Bronze Age examples, skulls of children were found at the edge of the lake settlement, close to the encircling palisade. Several of the children had suffered violent deaths, through blows to the head from axes or blunt instruments. They do not appear to have been human sacrifices, but the skulls may nonetheless have been offerings to the gods by communities faced with the threat of environmental change.
Geophysical survey at Late Bronze Age fortresses: comparing methods in the diverse geological contexts of Armenia
Authors: Lindsay Ian , Leon Jeffrey , Smith Adam T. , Wiktorowicz Conner
Published: July 2015

Geophysical techniques now available to archaeology have the potential to provide large-scale survey data that can map the buried structures of extensive and complex sites. Recent work at two Late Bronze Age hilltop fortresses in the mountainous volcanic terrain of Armenia provides an excellent illustration of their potential. Magnetometry revealed an unknown residential complex at Tsaghkahovit. Across the plain at Gegharot, where magnetometry was less successful, ground-penetrating radar identified terracing extending down the western slope of the hill below the fortress, greatly increasing the size of the occupied area. Combined with targeted excavations, these geophysical approaches are providing novel insights into the unusual political relations between fortress-based sovereigns and mobile subjects in central Armenia.
OBSERVATIONS ON GAUSSIAN UPPER BOUNDS FOR NEUMANN HEAT KERNELS
Authors: CHOULLI MOURAD , KAYSER LAURENT , OUHABAZ EL MAATI
Published: July 2015

Given a domain ${\rm\Omega}$ of a complete Riemannian manifold ${\mathcal{M}}$, define ${\mathcal{A}}$ to be the Laplacian with Neumann boundary condition on ${\rm\Omega}$. We prove that, under appropriate conditions, the corresponding heat kernel satisfies the Gaussian upper bound $$\begin{eqnarray}h(t,x,y)\leq \frac{C}{[V_{{\rm\Omega}}(x,\sqrt{t})V_{{\rm\Omega}}(y,\sqrt{t})]^{1/2}}\biggl(1+\frac{d^{2}(x,y)}{4t}\biggr)^{{\it\delta}}e^{-d^{2}(x,y)/4t}\quad \text{for}~t>0,~x,y\in {\rm\Omega}.\end{eqnarray}$$ Here $d$ is the geodesic distance on ${\mathcal{M}}$, $V_{{\rm\Omega}}(x,r)$ is the Riemannian volume of $B(x,r)\cap {\rm\Omega}$, where $B(x,r)$ is the geodesic ball of centre $x$ and radius $r$, and ${\it\delta}$ is a constant related to the doubling property of ${\rm\Omega}$. As a consequence we obtain analyticity of the semigroup $e^{-t{\mathcal{A}}}$ on $L^{p}({\rm\Omega})$ for all $p\in [1,\infty )$ as well as a spectral multiplier result.
ARITHMETIC PROPERTIES OF PARTITION QUADRUPLES WITH ODD PARTS DISTINCT
Authors: WANG LIUQUAN
Published: July 2015

Let $\text{pod}_{-4}(n)$ denote the number of partition quadruples of $n$ where the odd parts in each partition are distinct. We find many arithmetic properties of $\text{pod}_{-4}(n)$ including the following infinite family of congruences: for any integers ${\it\alpha}\geq 1$ and $n\geq 0$, $$\begin{eqnarray}\text{pod}_{-4}\biggl(3^{{\it\alpha}+1}n+\frac{5\cdot 3^{{\it\alpha}}+1}{2}\biggr)\equiv 0~(\text{mod}~9).\end{eqnarray}$$ We also establish some internal congruences and some Ramanujan-type congruences modulo 2, 5 and 8 satisfied by $\text{pod}_{-4}(n)$.
LIPSCHITZ RETRACTION OF FINITE SUBSETS OF HILBERT SPACES
Authors: KOVALEV LEONID V.
Published: July 2015

Finite subset spaces of a metric space $X$ form a nested sequence under natural isometric embeddings $X=X(1)\subset X(2)\subset \cdots \,$. We prove that this sequence admits Lipschitz retractions $X(n)\rightarrow X(n-1)$ when $X$ is a Hilbert space.
On fractional heat equations with non-local initial conditions
Authors: de Andrade Bruno , Cuevas Claudio , Soto Herme
Published: July 2015

In this paper we consider the problem of existence of mild solutions to semilinear fractional heat equations with non-local initial conditions. We provide sufficient conditions for existence and regularity of such solutions.
Biological traits suggest a niche overlap between two grapsid crabs sharing the rocky intertidal of the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Arab A. , Kazanjian G. , Bariche M.
Published: July 2015

The current study investigated basic biological features for two co-occurring shore crabs Pachygrapsus marmoratus and P. transversus in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Differences in population structure, reproductive periods and settlement patterns were studied along the coast of Lebanon. Sizes of sampled individuals ranged from 4 to 37 mm carapace width (CW) for P. marmoratus and from 3.5 to 24 mm CW for P. transversus. Males were larger than females in both species, each of them exhibiting different size frequency distributions. Both male and female proportions were similar for P. marmoratus while males dominated the population of P. transversus. Fecundity and egg sizes were higher in P. marmoratus and fecundity was directly related to body size for the two crabs. Size structures differed between studied locations showing size restrictions for specific size-classes. Females from both species remained ovigerous for about 5 months, with P. transversus (May–August) started 1 month after P. marmoratus. Larger sized females displayed higher fecundities. The recruitment of juveniles lasted 5 months for both P. marmoratus (December–May) and P. transversus (November–April). Our results showed that niche partitioning occurred between the two species, where P. marmoratus starts incubating earlier than P. transversus while young of the year of the latter settle earlier on the reefs, taking advantage of convenient seawater temperatures and thus minimizing competition. This study shed some light on the populations of grapsid crabs living in the eastern Mediterranean and provided baseline information on the biology and ecology of the two congeneric shore crabs and their interactions.
Difficult questions in music education
Authors: FAUTLEY MARTIN , MURPHY REGINA
Published: July 2015

In the last editorial of the British Journal of Music Education (Fautley & Murphy, 2015) we gave some thought to the various ways in which music education manifests itself in teaching and learning situations in a variety of contexts. One of the many roles that the BJME fulfils is to document the changing nature of music education, as represented in the articles which are submitted to it, and subsequently published. But this does not mean that we should not also be asking difficult questions as to what the purposes of music education are, or might be. This is particularly the case when we consider the international nature of the readership of the BJME. What counts as music education in one national context may be very different from that which is practised elsewhere.
Marrying “Well”: Debating Consanguinity, Matrimonial Law, and Brazilian Legal Medicine, 1890–1930
Authors: Otovo Okezi
Published: July 2015

On August 28, 1919, Brazil's most famous pediatrician, Dr. Carlos Arthur Moncorvo Filho, addressed his colleagues at the illustrious National Academy of Medicine in Rio de Janeiro, reminding them that consanguineous marriage was the topic of the moment. Dr. Moncorvo Filho's insistence that “everyone knew why” was a reference to a proposal made before the Senate just three months prior by Senators Eloy de Souza of the state of Pernambuco and Álvaro de Carvalho of São Paulo. The senators proposed that language prohibiting marriage between blood relatives in the recently ratified Brazilian Civil Code be amended to allow for special juridical or medical dispensation. Souza and Carvalho, with the backing of the Catholic Church and a minority of members of the Brazilian Institute of Attorneys, supported permitting marriage between third-degree relatives under special circumstances. At issue for the attorneys was how the law would deal with situations in which couples had a compelling need to marry within the third degree of kinship. A recent case of an uncle who had “deflowered” his niece and then offered to “remedy the damage” through marriage brought this issue to public debate. Marriages between uncles and their nieces and aunts and their nephews (third-degree relations) were traditional in Brazil, and Brazilian law had a long history of yielding to custom and context. However, under the new laws of the 30-year-old republic, this type of marriage was no longer legal, having been specifically prohibited by the 1916 Civil Code. Senators Souza and Carvalho, both lawyers by training, proposed reforming the Code, while their ultimately unsuccessful amendment sparked vigorous debate in both legal and medical circles on the validity of marriage restrictions within the third degree of consanguinity. As a result, physicians at Brazil's leading medical schools and their jurist counterparts at the law schools took sides on this critical issue, dividing themselves into rival camps of consanguinistas and anticonsanguinistas.
The myocardial and coronary histopathology and pathogenesis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Cole Charles R. , Eghtesady Pirooz
Published: July 2015

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome has the greatest mortality rate among all CHDs and without palliation is uniformly fatal. Despite noble efforts, the aetiology of this syndrome is unknown and a cure remains elusive. The genetic and anatomic heterogeneity of hypoplastic left heart syndrome supports a rethinking of old hypotheses and warrants further investigation into the histological and vascular variations recognised with this syndrome. In an effort to elucidate the pathogenesis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, this review will focus on its unique myocardial and coronary pathology as well as evaluate the association of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with the endocardial fibroelastosis reaction.
A Long Night in the Emergency Department during the Baltimore, Maryland (USA) Riots
Authors: Jenkins J. Lee , Mason Missy
Published: July 2015

JenkinsJL,
MasonM..
A long night in the emergency department during the Baltimore, Maryland (USA) riots. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015; 30(4):1–2.
Measuring Cognition in Bipolar Disorder with Psychosis Using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery
Authors: Sperry Sarah H. , O’Connor Lauren K. , Öngür Dost , Cohen Bruce M. , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Lewandowski Kathryn E.
Published: July 2015

Given the substantial overlap in cognitive dysfunction between bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), we examined the utility of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)—developed for use in SZ—for the measurement of cognition in patients with BD with psychosis (BDP) and its association with community functioning. The MCCB, Multnomah Community Ability Scale, and measures of clinical symptoms were administered to participants with BDP (n=56), SZ (n=37), and healthy controls (HC) (n=57). Groups were compared on clinical and cognitive measures; linear regressions examined associations between MCCB and community functioning. BDP and SZ groups performed significantly worse than HC on most neurocognitive domains; BDP and HC did not differ on Social Cognition. Patients with BDP performed better than patients with SZ on most cognitive measures, although groups only differed on social cognition, working memory, verbal memory, and the composite after controlling for clinical variables. MCCB was not associated with community functioning. The MCCB is an appropriate measure of neurocognition in BDP but does not appear to capture social cognitive deficits in this population. The addition of appropriate social cognitive measures is recommended. (JINS, 2015, 21, 468–472)
Developmental origins, behaviour change and the new public health
Authors: Barker M.
Published: July 2015

A developmental approach to public health focuses attention on better nourishing girls and young women, especially those of low socio-economic status, to improve mothers’ nutrition and thereby the health of future generations. There have been significant advances in the behavioural sciences that may allow us to understand and support dietary change in young women and their children in ways that have not previously been possible. This paper describes some of these advances and aims to show how they inform this new approach to public health. The first of these has been to work out what is effective in supporting behaviour change, which has been achieved by careful and detailed analysis of behaviour change techniques used by practitioners in intervention, and of the effectiveness of these in supporting change. There is also a new understanding of the role that social and physical environments play in shaping our behaviours, and that behaviour is influenced by automatic processes and ‘habits’ as much as by reflective processes and rational decisions. To be maximally effective, interventions therefore have to address both influences on behaviour. An approach developed in Southampton aims to motivate, support and empower young women to make better food choices, but also to change the culture in which those choices are being made. Empowerment is the basis of the new public health. An empowered public demand for better access to better food can go a long way towards improving maternal, infant and family nutrition, and therefore the health of generations to come.
Multivariate Dynamic Prediction of Ischemic Infarction and Tissue Salvage as a Function of Time and Degree of Recanalization
Authors: Kemmling André , Flottmann Fabian , Forkert Nils Daniel , Minnerup Jens , Heindel Walter , Thomalla Goetz , Eckert Bernd , Knauth Michael , Psychogios Marios , Langner Soenke , Fiehler Jens
Published: July 2015

Benefit of endovascular recanalization beyond established treatment time windows likely exists in select stroke patients. However, there is currently no imaging model that predicts infarction adjusting for elapsed time between the pathologic snapshot of admission imaging until endovascular recanalization. We trained and cross validated a multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) that uses computer tomography perfusion and clinical data to quantify patient-specific dynamic change of tissue infarction depending on degree and time of recanalization. Multicenter data of 161 patients with proximal anterior circulation occlusion undergoing endovascular therapy were included. Multivariate voxelwise infarct probability was calculated within the GLM. The effect of increasing time to treatment and degree of recanalization on voxelwise infarction was calculated in each patient. Tissue benefit of successful relative to unsuccessful recanalization was shown up to 15 hours after onset in individual patients and decreased nonlinearly with time. On average, the relative reduction of infarct volume at the treatment interval of 5 hours was 53% and this salvage effect decreased by 5% units per hour to <5% after 10 additional hours to treatment. Treatment time-adjusted multivariate prediction of infarction by perfusion and clinical status may identify patients who benefit from extended time to recanalization therapy.
Mechanism of Brain Targeting by Dexibuprofen Prodrugs Modified with Ethanolamine-Related Structures
Authors: Li Yanping , Zhou Yangyang , Jiang Jiayu , Wang Xinyi , Fu Yao , Gong Tao , Sun Xun , Zhang Zhirong
Published: July 2015

The first molecular insights into how prodrugs modified with ethanolamine-related structures target the brain were generated using an in vitro BBB model and in situ perfusion technique. Prodrugs were delivered safely and efficiently to the brain through tight interaction with the anionic membrane of brain capillary endothelial cells, observed as a shift in zeta potential, followed by uptake into the cells. Prodrugs III and IV carrying primary and secondary amine modifications appeared to enter the brain via energy-independent passive diffusion. In contrast, besides the passive diffusion, prodrugs I and II carrying tertiary amine modifications also appeared to enter via an active process that was energy and pH dependent but was independent of sodium or membrane potential. This active process involved, at least in part, the pyrilamine-sensitive H+/OC antiporter, for which the N,N-diethyl-based compound II showed a much lower affinity than the N,N-dimethyl-based compound I, likely due to steric hindrance. These new insights into brain-targeting mechanisms may help guide efforts to design new prodrugs.
Causative role of left aIPS in coding shared goals during human–avatar complementary joint actions
Authors: Sacheli Lucia M. , Candidi Matteo , Era Vanessa , Aglioti Salvatore M.
Published: July 2015

Successful motor interactions require agents to anticipate what a partner is doing in order to predictively adjust their own movements. Although the neural underpinnings of the ability to predict others’ action goals have been well explored during passive action observation, no study has yet clarified any critical neural substrate supporting interpersonal coordination during active, non-imitative (complementary) interactions. Here, we combine non-invasive inhibitory brain stimulation (continuous Theta Burst Stimulation) with a novel human–avatar interaction task to investigate a causal role for higher-order motor cortical regions in supporting the ability to predict and adapt to others’ actions. We demonstrate that inhibition of left anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS), but not ventral premotor cortex, selectively impaired individuals’ performance during complementary interactions. Thus, in addition to coding observed and executed action goals, aIPS is crucial in coding ‘shared goals’, that is, integrating predictions about one’s and others’ complementary actions.
Novel drug target identification for the treatment of dementia using multi-relational association mining
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Phuong , Priami Corrado , Caberlotto Laura
Published: July 2015

Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition of the brain in which there is a progressive and permanent loss of cognitive and mental performance. Despite the fact that the number of people with dementia worldwide is steadily increasing and regardless of the advances in the molecular characterization of the disease, current medical treatments for dementia are purely symptomatic and hardly effective. We present a novel multi-relational association mining method that integrates the huge amount of scientific data accumulated in recent years to predict potential novel targets for innovative therapeutic treatment of dementia. Owing to the ability of processing large volumes of heterogeneous data, our method achieves a high performance and predicts numerous drug targets including several serine threonine kinase and a G-protein coupled receptor. The predicted drug targets are mainly functionally related to metabolism, cell surface receptor signaling pathways, immune response, apoptosis and long-term memory. Among the highly represented kinase family and among the G-protein coupled receptors, DLG4 (PSD-95) and the bradikynin receptor 2 are highlighted also for their proposed role in memory and cognition, as described in previous studies. These novel putative targets hold promises for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of dementia.
High efficiency silicon solar cell based on asymmetric nanowire
Authors: Ko Myung-Dong , Rim Taiuk , Kim Kihyun , Meyyappan M. , Baek Chang-Ki
Published: July 2015

Improving the efficiency of solar cells through novel materials and devices is critical to realize the full potential of solar energy to meet the growing worldwide energy demands. We present here a highly efficient radial p-n junction silicon solar cell using an asymmetric nanowire structure with a shorter bottom core diameter than at the top. A maximum short circuit current density of 27.5 mA/cm2 and an efficiency of 7.53% were realized without anti-reflection coating. Changing the silicon nanowire (SiNW) structure from conventional symmetric to asymmetric nature improves the efficiency due to increased short circuit current density. From numerical simulation and measurement of the optical characteristics, the total reflection on the sidewalls is seen to increase the light trapping path and charge carrier generation in the radial junction of the asymmetric SiNW, yielding high external quantum efficiency and short circuit current density. The proposed asymmetric structure has great potential to effectively improve the efficiency of the SiNW solar cells.
Pathogenic diversity amongst serotype C VGIII and VGIV Cryptococcus gattii isolates
Authors: Rodrigues Jéssica , Fonseca Fernanda L. , Schneider Rafael O. , Godinho Rodrigo M. da C. , Firacative Carolina , Maszewska Krystyna , Meyer Wieland , Schrank Augusto , Staats Charley , Kmetzsch Livia , Vainstein Marilene H. , Rodrigues Marcio L.
Published: July 2015

Cryptococcus gattii is one of the causative agents of human cryptococcosis. Highly virulent strains of serotype B C. gattii have been studied in detail, but little information is available on the pathogenic properties of serotype C isolates. In this study, we analyzed pathogenic determinants in three serotype C C. gattii isolates (106.97, ATCC 24066 and WM 779). Isolate ATCC 24066 (molecular type VGIII) differed from isolates WM 779 and 106.97 (both VGIV) in capsule dimensions, expression of CAP genes, chitooligomer distribution and induction of host chitinase activity. Isolate WM 779 was more efficient than the others in producing pigments and all three isolates had distinct patterns of reactivity with antibodies to glucuronoxylomannan. This great phenotypic diversity reflected in differential pathogenicity. VGIV isolates WM 779 and 106.97 were similar in their ability to cause lethality and produced higher pulmonary fungal burden in a murine model of cryptococcosis, while isolate ATCC 24066 (VGIII) was unable to reach the brain and caused reduced lethality in intranasally infected mice. These results demonstrate a high diversity in the pathogenic potential of isolates of C. gattii belonging to the molecular types VGIII and VGIV.
Aerial projection of three-dimensional motion pictures by electro-holography and parabolic mirrors
Authors: Kakue Takashi , Nishitsuji Takashi , Kawashima Tetsuya , Suzuki Keisuke , Shimobaba Tomoyoshi , Ito Tomoyoshi
Published: July 2015

We demonstrate an aerial projection system for reconstructing 3D motion pictures based on holography. The system consists of an optical source, a spatial light modulator corresponding to a display and two parabolic mirrors. The spatial light modulator displays holograms calculated by computer and can reconstruct holographic motion pictures near the surface of the modulator. The two parabolic mirrors can project floating 3D images of the motion pictures formed by the spatial light modulator without mechanical scanning or rotating. In this demonstration, we used a phase-modulation-type spatial light modulator. The number of pixels and the pixel pitch of the modulator were 1,080 × 1,920 and 8.0 μm × 8.0 μm, respectively. The diameter, the height and the focal length of each parabolic mirror were 288 mm, 55 mm and 100 mm, respectively. We succeeded in aerially projecting 3D motion pictures of size ~2.5 mm3 by this system constructed by the modulator and mirrors. In addition, by applying a fast computational algorithm for holograms, we achieved hologram calculations at ~12 ms per hologram with 4 CPU cores.
RalB regulates contractility-driven cancer dissemination upon TGFβ stimulation via the RhoGEF GEF-H1
Authors: Biondini Marco , Duclos Guillaume , Meyer-Schaller Nathalie , Silberzan Pascal , Camonis Jacques , Parrini Maria Carla
Published: July 2015

RalA and RalB proteins are key mediators of oncogenic Ras signaling in human oncogenesis. Herein we investigated the mechanistic contribution of Ral proteins to invasion of lung cancer A549 cells after induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with TGFβ. We show that TGFβ-induced EMT promotes dissemination of A549 cells in a 2/3D assay, independently of proteolysis, by activating the Rho/ROCK pathway which generates actomyosin-dependent contractility forces that actively remodel the extracellular matrix, as assessed by Traction Force microscopy. RalB, but not RalA, is required for matrix deformation and cell dissemination acting via the RhoGEF GEF-H1, which associates with the Exocyst complex, a major Ral effector. Indeed, uncoupling of the Exocyst subunit Sec5 from GEF-H1 impairs RhoA activation, generation of traction forces and cell dissemination. These results provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the control of cell invasion by RalB via a cross-talk with the Rho pathway.
Parity-dependent State Engineering and Tomography in the ultrastrong coupling regime
Authors: Felicetti S. , Douce T. , Romero G. , Milman P. , Solano E.
Published: July 2015

Reaching the strong coupling regime of light-matter interaction has led to an impressive development in fundamental quantum physics and applications to quantum information processing. Latests advances in different quantum technologies, like superconducting circuits or semiconductor quantum wells, show that the ultrastrong coupling regime (USC) can also be achieved, where novel physical phenomena and potential computational benefits have been predicted. Nevertheless, the lack of effective decoupling mechanism in this regime has so far hindered control and measurement processes. Here, we propose a method based on parity symmetry conservation that allows for the generation and reconstruction of arbitrary states in the ultrastrong coupling regime of light-matter interactions. Our protocol requires minimal external resources by making use of the coupling between the USC system and an ancillary two-level quantum system.
Rapid and Sensitive Isothermal Detection of Nucleic-acid Sequence by Multiple Cross Displacement Amplification
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Yan , Ma Ai-Jing , Li Dong-Xun , Luo Li-Juan , Liu Dong-Xin , Jin Dong , Liu Kai , Ye Chang-Yun
Published: July 2015

We have devised a novel amplification strategy based on isothermal strand-displacement polymerization reaction, which was termed multiple cross displacement amplification (MCDA). The approach employed a set of ten specially designed primers spanning ten distinct regions of target sequence and was preceded at a constant temperature (61–65 °C). At the assay temperature, the double-stranded DNAs were at dynamic reaction environment of primer-template hybrid, thus the high concentration of primers annealed to the template strands without a denaturing step to initiate the synthesis. For the subsequent isothermal amplification step, a series of primer binding and extension events yielded several single-stranded DNAs and single-stranded single stem-loop DNA structures. Then, these DNA products enabled the strand-displacement reaction to enter into the exponential amplification. Three mainstream methods, including colorimetric indicators, agarose gel electrophoresis and real-time turbidity, were selected for monitoring the MCDA reaction. Moreover, the practical application of the MCDA assay was successfully evaluated by detecting the target pathogen nucleic acid in pork samples, which offered advantages on quick results, modest equipment requirements, easiness in operation and high specificity and sensitivity. Here we expounded the basic MCDA mechanism and also provided details on an alternative (Single-MCDA assay, S-MCDA) to MCDA technique.
Small-signal modulation characteristics of a polariton laser
Authors: Zunaid Baten Md , Frost Thomas , Iorsh Ivan , Deshpande Saniya , Kavokin Alexey , Bhattacharya Pallab
Published: July 2015

Use of large bandgap materials together with electrical injection makes the polariton laser an attractive low-power coherent light source for medical and biomedical applications or short distance plastic fiber communication at short wavelengths (violet and ultra-violet), where a conventional laser is difficult to realize. The dynamic properties of a polariton laser have not been investigated experimentally. We have measured, for the first time, the small signal modulation characteristics of a GaN-based electrically pumped polariton laser operating at room temperature. A maximum −3 dB modulation bandwidth of 1.18 GHz is measured. The experimental results have been analyzed with a theoretical model based on the Boltzmann kinetic equations and the agreement is very good. We have also investigated frequency chirping during such modulation. Gain compression phenomenon in a polariton laser is interpreted and a value is obtained for the gain compression factor.
TGFβ1 secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells through lncRNA-ZEB2NAT
Authors: Zhuang Junlong , Lu Qun , Shen Bing , Huang Xiaojing , Shen Lan , Zheng Xi , Huang Ruimin , Yan Jun , Guo Hongqian
Published: July 2015

Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) patients at muscle invasive stage have poor clinical outcome, due to high propensity for metastasis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the principal constituents of the tumor stroma, play an important role in tumor development. However, it is unclear whether CAFs from UBC induce cell invasion and which signaling pathway is involved. Herein, we found that conditional medium from UBC CAFs (CAF-CM) enhanced the invasion of UBC cells. CAF-CM induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating expression levels of EMT-associated markers in UBC cells. Higher concentration of TGFβ1 in CAF-CM, comparing with the CM from adjacent normal fibroblast, led to phosphorylation of Smad2 in UBC cells. Additionally, inhibition of TGFβ1 signaling decreased the EMT-associated gene expression and cancer cell invasion. Interestingly, a long non-coding RNA, ZEB2NAT, was demonstrated to be essential for this TGFβ1-dependent process. ZEB2NAT depletion reversed CAF-CM-induced EMT and invasion of cancer cells, as well as reduced the ZEB2 protein level. Consistently, TGFβ1 mRNA expression is positively correlated with ZEB2NAT transcript and ZEB2 protein levels in human bladder cancer specimens. Our data revealed a novel mechanism that CAFs induces EMT and invasion of human UBC cells through the TGFβ1-ZEB2NAT-ZEB2 axis.
Preferential enhancement of laser-driven carbon ion acceleration from optimized nanostructured surfaces
Authors: Dalui Malay , Wang W.-M. , Trivikram T. Madhu , Sarkar Subhrangsu , Tata Sheroy , Jha J. , Ayyub P. , Sheng Z. M. , Krishnamurthy M.
Published: July 2015

High-intensity ultrashort laser pulses focused on metal targets readily generate hot dense plasmas which accelerate ions efficiently and can pave way to compact table-top accelerators. Laser-driven ion acceleration studies predominantly focus on protons, which experience the maximum acceleration owing to their highest charge-to-mass ratio. The possibility of tailoring such schemes for the preferential acceleration of a particular ion species is very much desired but has hardly been explored. Here, we present an experimental demonstration of how the nanostructuring of a copper target can be optimized for enhanced carbon ion acceleration over protons or Cu-ions. Specifically, a thin (≈0.25 μm) layer of 25–30 nm diameter Cu nanoparticles, sputter-deposited on a polished Cu-substrate, enhances the carbon ion energy by about 10-fold at a laser intensity of 1.2×1018  W/cm2. However, particles smaller than 20 nm have an adverse effect on the ion acceleration. Particle-in-cell simulations provide definite pointers regarding the size of nanoparticles necessary for maximizing the ion acceleration. The inherent contrast of the laser pulse is found to play an important role in the species selective ion acceleration.
Creating Anti-icing Surfaces via the Direct Immobilization of Antifreeze Proteins on Aluminum
Authors: Gwak Yunho , Park Ji-in , Kim Minjae , Kim Hong Suk , Kwon Myong Jong , Oh Seung Jin , Kim Young-Pil , Jin EonSeon
Published: July 2015

Cryoprotectants such as antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and sugar molecules may provide a solution for icing problems. These anti-icing substances protect cells and tissues from freezing by inhibiting ice formation. In this study, we developed a method for coating an industrial metal material (aluminum, Al) with AFP from the Antarctic marine diatom, Chaetoceros neogracile (Cn-AFP), to prevent or delay ice formation. To coat Al with Cn-AFP, we used an Al-binding peptide (ABP) as a conjugator and fused it with Cn-AFP. The ABP bound well to the Al and did not considerably change the functional properties of AFP. Cn-AFP-coated Al (Cn-AFP-Al) showed a sufficiently low supercooling point. Additional trehalose coating of Cn-AFP-Al considerably delayed AFP denaturation on the Al without affecting its antifreeze activity. This metal surface–coating method using trehalose-fortified AFP can be applied to other metals important in the aircraft and cold storage fields where anti-icing materials are critical.
Exciton-photon correlations in bosonic condensates of exciton-polaritons
Authors: Kavokin Alexey V. , Sheremet Alexandra S. , Shelykh Ivan A. , Lagoudakis Pavlos G. , Rubo Yuri G.
Published: July 2015

Exciton-polaritons are mixed light-matter quasiparticles. We have developed a statistical model describing stochastic exciton-photon transitions within a condensate of exciton polaritons. We show that the exciton-photon correlator depends on the rate of incoherent exciton-photon transformations in the condensate. We discuss implications of this effect for the quantum statistics of photons emitted by polariton lasers.
Feeding on Beauveria bassiana-treated Frankliniella occidentalis causes negative effects on the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri
Authors: Wu Shengyong , Gao Yulin , Xu Xuenong , Wang Dengjie , Li Juan , Wang Haihong , Wang Endong , Lei Zhongren
Published: July 2015

The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana and the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri are both potential biocontrol agents for their shared host/prey Frankliniella occidentalis. The combination of the two agents may enhance biological control of F. occidentalis if the fungus does not negatively affect N. barkeri. This study evaluated the indirect effects of B. bassiana strain SZ-26 on N. barkeri mediated by F. occidentalis using the age-stage, two-sex life table. When fed on the first instar larvae of F. occidentalis that had been exposed for 12 h to the SZ-26 suspension, the developmental time of preadult N. barkeri was significantly longer and the longevity and fecundity were significantly lower than that of N. barkeri fed on untreated F. occidentalis. The mean generation time (T), net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ), intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and predation rates were correspondingly affected. The data showed that B. bassiana has indirect negative effects on N. barkeri population dynamics via influencing their prey F. occidentalis larvae, which indicates that there is a risk in combining B. bassiana with N. barkeri simultaneously for the biocontrol of F. occidentalis. The probable mechanism for the negative effects is discussed.
Angiotensin type 1a receptor deficiency decreases amyloid β-protein generation and ameliorates brain amyloid pathology
Authors: Liu Junjun , Liu Shuyu , Matsumoto Yukino , Murakami Saki , Sugakawa Yusuke , Kami Ayako , Tanabe Chiaki , Maeda Tomoji , Michikawa Makoto , Komano Hiroto , Zou Kun
Published: July 2015

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by neuronal loss and cerebral accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) and lowering the generation of Aβ is a pivotal approach in the strategy of Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Midlife hypertension is a major risk factor for the future onset of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and the use of some antihypertensive drugs may decrease the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is largely unknown how the blood pressure regulation system is associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Here we found that the deficiency of angiotensin type 1a receptor (AT1a), a key receptor for regulating blood pressure, significantly decreased Aβ generation and amyloid plaque formation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The lack of AT1a inhibited the endocleavage of presenilin-1 (PS1), which is essential for γ-secretase complex formation and Aβ generation. Notably, the ligand of AT1a, angiotensin II, enhanced Aβ generation, PS1 endocleavage and γ-secretase complex formation. Our results suggest that AT1a activation is closely associated with Aβ generation and brain amyloid accumulation by regulating γ-secretase complex formation. Thus, removal of life style factors or stresses that stimulate AT1a to elevate blood pressure may decrease Aβ generation and brain amyloid accumulation, thereby preventing the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
High-Throughput Cancer Cell Sphere Formation for Characterizing the Efficacy of Photo Dynamic Therapy in 3D Cell Cultures
Authors: Chen Yu-Chih , Lou Xia , Zhang Zhixiong , Ingram Patrick , Yoon Euisik
Published: July 2015

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), wherein light sensitive non-toxic agents are locally and selectively activated using light, has emerged as an appealing alternative to traditional cancer chemotherapy. Yet to date, PDT efficacy has been mostly characterized using 2D cultures. Compared to 2D cultures, 3D sphere culture generates unique spatial distributions of nutrients and oxygen for the cells that better mimics the in-vivo conditions. Using a novel polyHEMA (non-adherent polymer) fabrication process, we developed a microfluidic sphere formation platform that can (1) generate 1,024 uniform (size variation <10%) cancer spheres within a 2 cm by 2 cm core area, (2) culture spheres for more than 2 weeks and (3) allow the retrieval of spheres. Using the presented platform, we have successfully characterized the different responses in 2D and 3D cell culture to PDT. Furthermore, we investigated the treatment resistance effect in cancer cells induced by tumor associated fibroblasts (CAF). Although the CAFs can enhance the resistance to traditional chemotherapy agents, no significant difference in PDT was observed. The preliminary results suggest that the PDT can be an attractive alternative cancer therapy, which is less affected by the therapeutic resistance induced by cancer associated cells.
Determination of trace amounts of iron by a simple fluorescence quenching method
Authors: Taher Mohammad Ali , Asadollahzadeh Hamideh , Fazelirad Hamid
Published: July 2015

A simple and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method based on the reaction of iron and tiron in acidic medium is developed for the determination of Fe(iii), which gives an intense fluorescence quenching that was measured at 345 nm (excitation at 292 nm).
Direct electrochemistry and bioelectrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase entrapped in a self-supporting nanoporous gold electrode: a new strategy to improve the orientation of immobilized enzymes
Authors: Lu Lu , Dong Yanjie , Wang Junwei , Li Qianqian , Wu Xia
Published: July 2015

In an air/water-stable IL, a self-supporting NPGE was first prepared for improving the orientation and biosensing ability of immobilized HRP.
One-step synthesis of water-soluble fluorescent copper nanoparticles for label-free detection of manganese ions
Authors: Ma Shih-Yuan , Yeh Yi-Chun
Published: July 2015

A one-step method for the synthesis of water soluble fluorescent copper nanoparticles stabilized by 3-mercaptopropoic acid and histidine for detection of manganese ions.