bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of GDP-l-fucose from exogenous fucose through the salvage pathway in Mortierella alpina
Authors: Wang Hongchao , Zhang Chen , Yang Qin , Feng Jinghan , Chen Haiqin , Gu Zhennan , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Chen Yong Q.
Published: April 2016

This study is the first to report a comprehensive characterization of GDP-l-fucose pyrophosphorylase (GFPP) in a fungus.
Synthesis of a super-hydrophobic Ni–ITO nanocomposite with pine-cone and spherical shaped micro-nanoarchitectures by pulse electrodeposition and its electrocatalytic application
Authors: Sivasakthi P. , Ramesh Bapu G. N. K. , Chandrasekaran Maruthai , Sreejakumari S. S.
Published: April 2016

Super-hydrophobic Ni–ITO nanocomposite for electro reduction of nitro benzene.
Sensitive CE-ECL method with AuNPs-enhanced signal for the detection of β-blockers and the study of drug–protein interactions
Authors: Duan Hong-Bing , Cao Jun-Tao , Wang Hui , Liu Yan-Ming
Published: April 2016

A sensitive capillary electrophoresis (CE) system coupled with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium (ii) is described for the detection of propranolol (Pro) and acebutolol (Ace).
High performance 5-aminotetrazole-based energetic MOF and its catalytic effect on decomposition of RDX
Authors: Qu Xiaoni , Yang Qi , Han Jing , Wei Qing , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping , Gao Shengli
Published: April 2016

The energetic compound [Ag2(5-ATZ)(N3)] (1) features a compacted 3D framework structure, remarkable thermostability above 300 °C and perfect detonation performance. Remarkably, 1 can accelerate effectively the thermal decomposition of RDX.
A phosphotungstic acid self-anchored hybrid proton exchange membrane for direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Xu Xin , Wang Haining , Lu Shanfu , Peng Sikan , Xiang Yan
Published: April 2016

DMFCs based on a phosphotungstic acid self-anchored membrane exhibit comparable performance with that of Nafion212.
Size-dependent CdSe quantum dot–lysozyme interaction and effect on enzymatic activity
Authors: Das Kishan , Rawat Kamla , Patel Rajan , Bohidar H. B.
Published: April 2016

Size-dependent (2.5 and 6.3 nm) interaction of MPA modified hydrophilic CdSe quantum dots with lysozyme are reported.
Shape and stoichiometry control of bismuth selenide nanocrystals in colloidal synthesis
Authors: Jiang Yan , Hao Mengmeng , Jiang Liangxing , Liu Fangyang , Liu Yexiang
Published: April 2016

Temperature-dependent synthesis of hexagonal, disk-like and octahedron-like Bi–Se nanocrystals.
Micro-fibrillated cellulose reinforced eco-friendly polymeric resin from non-edible ‘Jatropha curcas’ seed waste after biodiesel production
Authors: Rahman Muhammad M. , Netravali Anil N.
Published: April 2016

Eco-friendly polymeric resin with desirable mechanical and physical properties was developed from non-edible protein extracted from Jatropha curcas (Jatropha) seed cake, so far considered as an agro-waste after oil extraction for bio-diesel conversion.
PLA-based thermogel for the sustained delivery of chemotherapeutics in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Yun-Long , Wang Han , Qiu Ying-Kun , Loh Xian Jun
Published: April 2016

This work represents the first time that poly(PEG/PPG/PLA urethane) has been used for the delivery of drugs to tumours in vivo and the encouraging results point to the potential for further development of this thermogel platform for anti-cancer applications.
Lesion orientation of O4-alkylthymidine influences replication by human DNA polymerase η
Authors: O'Flaherty D. K. , Patra A. , Su Y. , Guengerich F. P. , Egli M. , Wilds C. J.
Published: April 2016

Conformation of the α-carbon of O4-alkylthymidine was shown to exert an influence on human DNA polymerase η (hPol η) bypass. Crystal structures of hPol η·DNA·dNTP ternary complexes reveal a unique conformation adopted by O4-methylthymidine, where the nucleobase resides nestled at the active site ceiling where hydrogen-bonding with the incoming nucleotide is prevented.
NIR in, far-red out: developing a two-photon fluorescent probe for tracking nitric oxide in deep tissue
Authors: Mao Zhiqiang , Feng Wenqi , Li Zhen , Zeng Lingyu , Lv Weijie , Liu Zhihong
Published: April 2016

The first far-red emissive, two-photon fluorescent probe for nitric oxide was rationally designed and applied in detecting nitric oxide in both cells and tissues.
Unexpected fluorescent emission of graft sulfonated-acetone–formaldehyde lignin and its application as a dopant of PEDOT for high performance photovoltaic and light-emitting devices
Authors: Hong Nanlong , Xiao Jingyang , Li Yuda , Li Yuan , Wu Ying , Yu Wei , Qiu Xueqing , Chen Runfeng , Yip Hin-Lap , Huang Wei , Cao Yong
Published: April 2016

Unconventional fluorescence emission of non-conjugated lignin-SAF (GSL) was reported and GSL-doped PEDOT showed high performance in organic electronics.
Expression signature of lncRNAs and their potential roles in cardiac fibrosis of post-infarct mice
Authors: Qu Xuefeng , Song Xiaotong , Yuan Wei , Shu You , Wang Yuying , Zhao Xuyun , Gao Ming , Lu Renzhong , Luo Shenjian , Zhao Wei , Zhang Yue , Sun Lihua , Lu Yanjie
Published: April 2016

The present study aimed to investigate whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in cardiac fibrogenesis induced by myocardial infarction (MI). The differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in peri-infarct region of mice 4 weeks after MI were selected for bioinformatic analysis including gene ontology (GO) enrichment, pathway and network analysis. Left ventricular tissue levels of lncRNAs and mRNAs were compared between MI and sham control mice, using a false discovery rate (FDR) of <5%. Out of 55000 lncRNAs detected, 263 were significantly up-regulated and 282 down-regulated. Out of 23000 mRNAs detected, 142 were significantly up-regulated and 67 down-regulated. Among the differentially expressed lncRNAs, 53 were up-regulated by ≥2.0-fold change and 37 down-regulated by ≤0.5-fold change. Nine up-regulated and five down-regulated lncRNAs were randomly selected for quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verification. GO and pathway analyses revealed 173 correlated lncRNA–mRNA pairs for 57 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 20 differentially expressed genes which are related to the development of cardiac fibrosis. We identified TGF-β3 as the top-ranked gene, a critical component of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways in cardiac fibrosis. NONMMUT022554 was identified as the top-ranked lncRNA, positively correlated with six up-regulated genes, which are involved in the extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interactions and the phosphoinositid-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signalling pathway. Our study has identified the expression signature of lncRNAs in cardiac fibrosis induced by MI and unravelled the possible involvement of the deregulated lncRNAs in cardiac fibrosis and the associated pathological processes.
Forkhead box O (FOXO) 3 modulates hypoxia-induced autophagy through AMPK signalling pathway in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Chi Yunpeng , Shi Conghong , Zhao Yang , Guo Chengjun
Published: April 2016

Autophagy is promoted as a response to such environmental stress conditions as ATP depletion and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Multiple signalling pathways, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), are indicated to promote autophagy in ischaemic/hypoxic (I/R) heart. However, it's far more to clarify the orchestrated cross-talk between AMPK and other signalling pathways in the autophagy. In the present study, we investigated the autophagy induction by hypoxia in Rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes with LC3-EGFP reporter, EM and Western blot analysis. Then, we examined the promotion of forkhead box O (FOXO) 3, one member of FOXO transcriptional protein family, by hypoxia in Rat H9C2 cells and determined the mediation of FOXO 3 in the hypoxia-induced autophagy in H9C2 cells. In addition, we investigated the role of AMPK signalling in the FOXO3-mediated, hypoxia-induced autophagy in H9C2 cells. It was demonstrated that hypoxia induced significant autophagy in H9C2 cells, via promoting autophagic vesicles, inducing the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and up-regulating autophagy-related (ATG) markers. Moreover, FOXO3 was up-regulated by the hypoxia in H9C2 cells; and the knockdown of FOXO3 significantly reduced the hypoxia-induced autophagy. In addition, AMPK signalling was significantly promoted by hypoxia in H9C2 cells, and the chemical manipulation of AMPK exerted significant influence on the hypoxia-induced autophagy and on the FOXO3 level. In conclusion, FOXO3 regulated the hypoxia-induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes, and AMPK mediated the FOXO3 promotion during the autophagy induction by hypoxia, implying the key regulatory role of FOXO3 and AMPK signalling in the hypoxia-induced autophagy in cardiomyocytes.
Tobacco toxins deposited on surfaces (third hand smoke) impair wound healing
Authors: Dhall Sandeep , Alamat Raquelle , Castro Anthony , Sarker Altaf H. , Mao Jian-Hua , Chan Alex , Hang Bo , Martins-Green Manuela
Published: April 2016

Third hand smoke (THS) is the accumulation of second hand smoke (SHS) toxins on surfaces in homes, cars, clothing and hair of smokers. It is known that 88M US nonsmokers ≥3 years old living in homes of smokers are exposed to THS toxicants and show blood cotinine levels of ≥0.05 ng/ml, indicating that the toxins are circulating in their circulatory systems. The goal of the present study is to investigate the mechanisms by which THS causes impaired wound healing. We show that mice living under conditions that mimic THS exposure in humans display delayed wound closure, impaired collagen deposition, altered inflammatory response, decreased angiogenesis, microvessels with fibrin cuffs and a highly proteolytic wound environment. Moreover, THS-exposed mouse wounds have high levels of oxidative stress and significantly lower levels of antioxidant activity leading to molecular damage, including protein nitration, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage that contribute to tissue dysfunction. Furthermore, we show that elastase is elevated, suggesting that elastin is degraded and the plasticity of the wound tissue is decreased. Taken together, our results lead us to conclude that THS toxicants delay and impair wound healing by disrupting the sequential processes that lead to normal healing. In addition, the lack of elastin results in loss of wound plasticity, which may be responsible for reopening of wounds.
Postextubation Dysphagia in Critical Patients: A First Report From the Largest Step-Down Intensive Care Unit in Greece
Authors: Malandraki Georgia A. , Markaki Vasiliki , Georgopoulos Voula C. , Psychogios Loukia , Nanas Serafim
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This study provided preliminary data on the occurrence and impact of postextubation dysphagia in the largest Greek step-down intensive care unit (ICU) over 2 years.

Method

A retrospective observational cohort study of patients referred for swallowing assessment postextubation was conducted from November, 2011, to August, 2013.

Results

Of the 357 patients admitted to the unit during this period, 87, aged 55.8 ± 18.1 years (61 male, 26 female), were referred and evaluated. Of these, 2.3% were found to have no dysphagia, and 21.8% and 75.9% were diagnosed with mild and moderate/severe dysphagia, respectively. Across severity levels, 23% of patients in the unit were found to have dysphagia. Patients with moderate/severe dysphagia were more likely to have had prolonged intubation (> 48 hr;
p
= .02) and exhibit signs of aspiration (
p
= .002) than those with no or mild dysphagia. Prolonged intubation was associated with increased likelihood of moderate/severe dysphagia by a factor of 12 (
p
= .042, odds ratio = 12.355) compared to short intubation. Moderate/severe dysphagia was correlated with pneumonia (
p
= .02), feeding tube placement (
p
= .004) and in-hospital mortality (
p
= .034).

Conclusion

In this sample, moderate/severe dysphagia was correlated with prolonged intubation, and was found to increase the risk for pneumonia and in-hospital mortality. Our results suggest the importance of early dysphagia management in critical patients in Greece and globally.
Test-Retest of Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (P300) with Pure Tone and Speech Stimuli
Authors: Perez Ana , Ziliotto Karin , Pereira Liliane
Published: April 2016

Introduction Long latency auditory evoked potentials, especially P300, have been used for clinical evaluation of mental processing. Many factors can interfere with Auditory Evoked Potential - P300 results, suggesting large intra and inter-subject variations.

Objective The objective of the study was to identify the reliability of P3 components (latency and amplitude) over 4–6 weeks and the most stable auditory stimulus with the best test-retest agreement.

Methods Ten normal-hearing women participated in the study. Only subjects without auditory processing problems were included. To determine the P3 components, we elicited long latency auditory evoked potential (P300) by pure tone and speech stimuli, and retested after 4–6 weeks using the same parameters. We identified P300 latency and amplitude by waveform subtraction.

Results We found lower coefficient of variation values in latency than in amplitude, with less variability analysis when speech stimulus was used. There was no significant correlation in latency measures between pure tone and speech stimuli, and sessions. There was a significant intrasubject correlation between measures of latency and amplitude.

Conclusion These findings show that amplitude responses are more robust for the speech stimulus when compared with its pure tone counterpart. The P300 indicated stability for latency and amplitude measures when the test-retest was applied. Reliability was higher for amplitude than for latency, with better agreement when the pure tone stimulus was used. However, further research with speech stimulus is needed to clarify how these stimuli are processed by the nervous system.
Flourishing as a dialectical balance: emerging insights from second-wave positive psychology
Authors: Lomas Tim
Published: April 2016

Positive psychology, an emergent branch of scholarship concerned with wellbeing and flourishing, initially defined itself by a focus on “positive” emotions and qualities. However, critics soon pointed out that this binary logic—classifying phenomena as either positive or negative, and valorising the former while disparaging the latter—could be problematic. For example, apparently positive qualities can be harmful to wellbeing in certain circumstances, while ostensibly dysphoric emotional states may on occasion promote flourishing. Responding to these criticisms, over recent years a more nuanced “second wave” of positive psychology has been developing, in which wellbeing is recognized as involving a dialectical balance of light and dark aspects of life. This article introduces this emergent second wave, arguing that it is characterized by four dialectical principles. First, the principle of appraisal states that it is difficult to categorically identify phenomena as either positive or negative, since such appraisals are fundamentally contextually dependent. Second, the principle of co-valence holds that many states and qualities at the heart of flourishing, such as love, are actually a complex blend of lightanddark elements. Third, the principle of complementarity posits that not only are such phenomena co-valenced, but that their dichotomous elements are in fact co-creating, two intertwined sides of the same coin. Finally, the principle of evolution allows us to understand second-wave positive psychology as itself being an example of a dialectical process. This article is published as part of a collection entitled “On balance: lifestyle, mental health and wellbeing”.
Understanding the breakdown of classic two-phase theory and spray atomization at engine-relevant conditions
Authors: Dahms Rainer N.
Published: April 2016

A generalized framework for multi-component liquid injections is presented to understand and predict the breakdown of classic two-phase theory and spray atomization at engine-relevant conditions. The analysis focuses on the thermodynamic structure and the immiscibility state of representative gas-liquid interfaces. The most modern form of Helmholtz energy mixture state equation is utilized which exhibits a unique and physically consistent behavior over the entire two-phase regime of fluid densities. It is combined with generalized models for non-linear gradient theory and for liquid injections to quantify multi-component two-phase interface structures in global thermal equilibrium. Then, the Helmholtz free energy is minimized which determines the interfacial species distribution as a consequence. This minimal free energy state is demonstrated to validate the underlying assumptions of classic two-phase theory and spray atomization. However, under certain engine-relevant conditions for which corroborating experimental data are presented, this requirement for interfacial thermal equilibrium becomes unsustainable. A rigorously derived probability density function quantifies the ability of the interface to develop internal spatial temperature gradients in the presence of significant temperature differences between injected liquid and ambient gas. Then, the interface can no longer be viewed as an isolated system at minimal free energy. Instead, the interfacial dynamics become intimately connected to those of the separated homogeneous phases. Hence, the interface transitions toward a state in local equilibrium whereupon it becomes a dense-fluid mixing layer. A new conceptual view of a transitional liquid injection process emerges from a transition time scale analysis. Close to the nozzle exit, the two-phase interface still remains largely intact and more classic two-phase processes prevail as a consequence. Further downstream, however, the transition to dense-fluid mixing generally occurs before the liquid length is reached. The significance of the presented modeling expressions is established by a direct comparison to a reduced model, which utilizes widely applied approximations but fundamentally fails to capture the physical complexity discussed in this paper.
Electron beam-generated Ar/N2 plasmas: The effect of nitrogen addition on the brightest argon emission lines
Authors: Lock E. H. , Petrova Tz. B. , Petrov G. M. , Boris D. R. , Walton S. G.
Published: April 2016

The effect of nitrogen addition on the emission intensities of the brightest argon lines produced in a low pressure argon/nitrogen electron beam-generated plasmas is characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. In particular, a decrease in the intensities of the 811.5 nm and 763.5 nm lines is observed, while the intensity of the 750.4 nm line remains unchanged as nitrogen is added. To explain this phenomenon, a non-equilibrium collisional-radiative model is developed and used to compute the population of argon excited states and line intensities as a function of gas composition. The results show that the addition of nitrogen to argon modifies the electron energy distribution function, reduces the electron temperature, and depopulates Ar metastables in exchange reactions with electrons and N2 molecules, all of which lead to changes in argon excited states population and thus the emission originating from the Ar 4p levels.
Strong enhancement of cage effects in water photolysis caused by interatomic Coulombic decay
Authors: Jabbari Ghazal , Sadri Keyvan , Cederbaum Lorenz S. , Gokhberg Kirill
Published: April 2016

The impact of the solvent on the photodissociation of embedded molecules has been intensively investigated in the last decades. Collisions of photofragments with the solvating atoms or molecules can change their kinetic energy distribution or even lead to the de-excitation of the dissociating molecule to a bound electronic state quenching the dissociation. In this article we show that this cage effect is strongly enhanced if interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) of the excited state becomes allowed. Ab initio calculations in H2O–Cl− cluster show that the ultra-fast dissociation of water in the Ã excited state is strongly quenched by ICD. We found that this very efficient quenching is due to two factors. First, the lifetimes of the Ã state due to ICD are short ranging between 6 and 30 fs. Second, nuclear dynamics is dominated by the chattering motion of the H atom between O and Cl− allowing ICD to act for longer times. We hope that this work will be an important first step in clarifying the impact of ICD on photodissociation of embedded molecules.
Electron energy loss spectroscopy of plasmon resonances in titanium nitride thin films
Authors: Herzing Andrew A. , Guler Urcan , Zhou Xiuli , Boltasseva Alexandra , Shalaev Vladimir , Norris Theodore B.
Published: April 2016

The plasmon resonance characteristics of refractory TiN thin films were analyzed using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). A bulk plasmon resonance was observed at 2.81 eV and a weaker surface plasmon resonance peak was detected at 2.05 eV. These findings are compared to finite-difference time-domain simulations based on measured optical data. The calculated values for both the bulk and surface resonances (2.74 eV and 2.15 eV, respectively) show reasonable agreement with those measured via EELS. The amplitude of the experimentally observed surface resonance was weaker than that typically encountered in noble metal nanostructures, and this is discussed in the context of electron density and reduced spatial confinement of the resonance mode in the thin-film geometry.
Theoretical and numerical evaluation of polarimeter using counter-circularly-polarized-probing-laser under the coupling between Faraday and Cotton-Mouton effect
Authors: Imazawa Ryota , Kawano Yasunori , Itami Kiyoshi
Published: April 2016

This study evaluated an effect of an coupling between the Faraday and Cotton-Mouton effect to a measurement signal of the Dodel-Kunz method which uses counter-circular-polarized probing-laser for measuring the Faraday effect. When the coupling is small (the Faraday effect is dominant and the characteristic eigenmodes are approximately circularly polarized), the measurement signal can be algebraically expressed and it is shown that the finite effect of the coupling is still significant. When the Faraday effect is not dominant, a numerical calculation is necessary. The numerical calculation under an ITER-like condition (Bt = 5.3 T, Ip = 15 MA, a = 2 m, ne = 1020 m−3 and λ = 119 μm) showed that difference between the pure Faraday rotation and the measurement signal of the Dodel-Kunz method was an order of one degree, which exceeds allowable error of ITER poloidal polarimeter. In conclusion, similar to other polarimeter techniques, the Dodel-Kunz method is not free from the coupling between the Faraday and Cotton-Mouton effect.
Shock compression of polyvinyl chloride
Authors: Neogi Anupam , Mitra Nilanjan
Published: April 2016

This study presents shock compression simulation of atactic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) using ab-initio and classical molecular dynamics. The manuscript also identifies the limits of applicability of classical molecular dynamics based shock compression simulation for PVC. The mechanism of bond dissociation under shock loading and its progression is demonstrated in this manuscript using the density functional theory based molecular dynamics simulations. The rate of dissociation of different bonds at different shock velocities is also presented in this manuscript.
Enhanced betatron radiation in strongly magnetized plasma
Authors: Pan K. Q. , Zheng C. Y. , Cao L. H. , Liu Z. J. , He X. T.
Published: April 2016

Betatron radiation in strongly magnetized plasma is investigated by two dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The results show that the betatron radiation in magnetized plasmas is strongly enhanced and is more collimated compared to that in unmagnetized plasma. Single particle model analysis shows that the frequency and the amplitude of the electrons's betatron oscillation are strongly influenced by the axial external magnetic field and the axial self-generated magnetic field. And the 2D PIC simulation shows that the axial magnetic field is actually induced by the external magnetic field and tends to increase the betatron frequency. By disturbing the perturbation of the plasma density in the laser-produced channel, the hosing instability is also suppressed, which results in a better angular distribution and a better symmetry of the betatron radiation.
Wafer-scale controlled exfoliation of metal organic vapor phase epitaxy grown InGaN/GaN multi quantum well structures using low-tack two-dimensional layered h-BN
Authors: Ayari Taha , Sundaram Suresh , Li Xin , El Gmili Youssef , Voss Paul L. , Salvestrini Jean Paul , Ougazzaden Abdallah
Published: April 2016

Recent advances in epitaxial growth have led to the growth of III-nitride devices on 2D layered h-BN. This advance has the potential for wafer-scale transfer to arbitrary substrates, which could improve the thermal management and would allow III-N devices to be used more flexibly in a broader range of applications. We report wafer scale exfoliation of a metal organic vapor phase epitaxy grown InGaN/GaN Multi Quantum Well (MQW) structure from a 5 nm thick h-BN layer that was grown on a 2-inch sapphire substrate. The weak van der Waals bonds between h-BN atomic layers break easily, allowing the MQW structure to be mechanically lifted off from the sapphire substrate using a commercial adhesive tape. This results in the surface roughness of only 1.14 nm on the separated surface. Structural characterizations performed before and after the lift-off confirm the conservation of structural properties after lift-off. Cathodoluminescence at 454 nm was present before lift-off and 458 nm was present after. Electroluminescence near 450 nm from the lifted-off structure has also been observed. These results show that the high crystalline quality ultrathin h-BN serves as an effective sacrificial layer—it maintains performance, while also reducing the GaN buffer thickness and temperature ramps as compared to a conventional two-step growth method. These results support the use of h-BN as a low-tack sacrificial underlying layer for GaN-based device structures and demonstrate the feasibility of large area lift-off and transfer to any template, which is important for industrial scale production.
Correlation of proton irradiation induced threshold voltage shifts to deep level traps in AlGaN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Z. , Cardwell D. , Sasikumar A. , Kyle E. C. H. , Chen J. , Zhang E. X. , Fleetwood D. M. , Schrimpf R. D. , Speck J. S. , Arehart A. R. , Ringel S. A.
Published: April 2016

The impact of proton irradiation on the threshold voltage (VT) of AlGaN/GaN heterostructures is systematically investigated to enhance the understanding of a primary component of the degradation of irradiated high electron mobility transistors. The value of VT was found to increase monotonically as a function of 1.8 MeV proton fluence in a sub-linear manner reaching 0.63 V at a fluence of 1 × 1014 cm−2. Silvaco Atlas simulations of VT shifts caused by GaN buffer traps using experimentally measured introduction rates, and energy levels closely match the experimental results. Different buffer designs lead to different VT dependences on proton irradiation, confirming that deep, acceptor-like defects in the GaN buffer are primarily responsible for the observed VT shifts. The proton irradiation induced VT shifts are found to depend on the barrier thickness in a linear fashion; thus, scaling the barrier thickness could be an effective way to reduce such degradation.
High pressure elasticity and thermal properties of depleted uranium
Authors: Jacobsen M. K. , Velisavljevic N.
Published: April 2016

Studies of the phase diagram of uranium have revealed a wealth of high pressure and temperature phases. Under ambient conditions the crystal structure is well defined up to 100 gigapascals (GPa), but very little information on thermal conduction or elasticity is available over this same range. This work has applied ultrasonic interferometry to determine the elasticity, mechanical, and thermal properties of depleted uranium to 4.5 GPa. Results show general strengthening with applied load, including an overall increase in acoustic thermal conductivity. Further implications are discussed within. This work presents the first high pressure studies of the elasticity and thermal properties of depleted uranium metal and the first real-world application of a previously developed containment system for making such measurements.
Communication: An adaptive configuration interaction approach for strongly correlated electrons with tunable accuracy
Authors: Schriber Jeffrey B. , Evangelista Francesco A.
Published: April 2016

We introduce a new procedure for iterative selection of determinant spaces capable of describing highly correlated systems. This adaptive configuration interaction (ACI) determines an optimal basis by an iterative procedure in which the determinant space is expanded and coarse grained until self-consistency. Two importance criteria control the selection process and tune the ACI to a user-defined level of accuracy. The ACI is shown to yield potential energy curves of N2 with nearly constant errors, and it predicts singlet-triplet splittings of acenes up to decacene that are in good agreement with the density matrix renormalization group.
Crystal size induced reduction in thermal hysteresis of Ni-Ti-Nb shape memory thin films
Authors: Li K. , Li Y. , Yu K. Y. , Liu C. , Gibson D. , Leyland A. , Matthews A. , Fu Y. Q.
Published: April 2016

Ni41.7Ti38.8Nb19.5 shape memory alloy films were sputter-deposited onto silicon substrates and annealed at various temperatures. A narrow thermal hysteresis was obtained in the Ni-Ti-Nb films with a grain size of less than 50 nm. The small grain size, which means an increase in the volume fraction of grain boundaries, facilitates the phase transformation and reduces the hysteresis. The corresponding less transformation friction and lower heat transfer during the shear process, as well as reduced spontaneous lattice distortion, are responsible for this reduction of the thermal hysteresis.
Anderson localization of graphene by helium ion irradiation
Authors: Naitou Y. , Ogawa S.
Published: April 2016

Irradiation of a single-layer graphene (SLG) with accelerated helium ions (He+) controllably generates defect distributions, which create a charge carrier scattering source within the SLG. We report direct experimental observation of metal-insulator transition in SLG on SiO2/Si substrates induced by Anderson localization. This transition was investigated using scanning capacitance microscopy by monitoring the He+ dose conditions on the SLG. The experimental data show that a defect density of more than ∼1.2% induced Anderson localization. We also investigated the localization length by determining patterned placement of the defects and estimated the length to be several dozen nanometers. These findings provide valuable insight for patterning and designing graphene-based nanostructures using helium ion microscopy.
Electron and ion kinetics in three-dimensional confined microwave-induced microplasmas at low gas pressures
Authors: Tang Jiali , Yu Xinhai , Wang Zhenyu , Tu Shan-Tung , Wang Zhengdong
Published: April 2016

The effects of the gas pressure (pg), microcavity height (t), Au vapor addition, and microwave frequency on the properties of three-dimensional confined microwave-induced microplasmas were discussed in light of simulation results of a glow microdischarge in a three-dimensional microcavity (diameter dh = 1000 μm) driven at constant voltage loading on the drive electrode (Vrf) of 180 V. The simulation was performed using the PIC/MCC method, whose results were experimentally verified. In all the cases we investigated in this study, the microplasmas were in the γ-mode. When pg increased, the maximum electron (ne) or ion density (nAr+) distributions turned narrow and close to the discharge gap due to the decrease in the mean free path of the secondary electron emission (SEE) electrons (λSEE-e). The peak ne and nAr+ were not a monotonic function of pg, resulting from the two conflicting effects of pg on ne and nAr+. The impact of ions on the electrode was enhanced when pg increased. This was determined after comparing the results of ion energy distribution function (IEDFs) at various pg. The effects of t on the peaks and distributions of ne and nAr+ were negligible in the range of t from 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The minimum t of 0.6 mm for a steady glow discharge was predicted for pg of 800 Pa and Vrf of 180 V. The Au vapor addition increased the peaks of ne and nAr+, due to the lower ionization voltage of Au atom. The acceleration of ions in the sheaths was intensified with the addition of Au vapor because of the increased potential difference in the sheath at the drive electrode.
Paired octamer rings of retinoschisin suggest a junctional model for cell–cell adhesion in the retina
Authors: Tolun Gökhan , Vijayasarathy Camasamudram , Huang Rick , Zeng Yong , Li Yan , Steven Alasdair C. , Sieving Paul A. , Heymann J. Bernard
Published: April 2016

Significance

Loss of retinoschisin (RS1)-mediated retinal cell–cell adhesion in the retina is the underlying cause of X-linked retinoschisis, leading to vision impairment in young males. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we show that RS1 forms paired back-to-back octameric rings. This molecular architecture provides a structural basis for understanding the disruptive effect of many disease-related mutants, because it localizes residues that are involved in the proper assembly of the oligomer. The back-to-back ring pairing is reminiscent of other junctional proteins, where multiple interactions between arrays of the same or similar proteins on two opposing membranes form a strong adhesion plaque.
α/β-Hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6) negatively regulates the surface delivery and synaptic function of AMPA receptors
Authors: Wei Mengping , Zhang Jian , Jia Moye , Yang Chaojuan , Pan Yunlong , Li Shuaiqi , Luo Yiwen , Zheng Junyuan , Ji Jianguo , Chen Jianguo , Hu Xinli , Xiong Jingwei , Shi Yun , Zhang Chen
Published: April 2016

Significance

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are major postsynaptic receptors that mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. The proper functioning of AMPARs is essential for brain function; AMPAR dysfunction can cause multiple neurologic disorders, including autism. Native AMPARs are macromolecular complexes associated with a variety of auxiliary proteins, including α/β-hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6), which was recently identified. However, the physiological significance of the ABHD6–AMPAR association has not been investigated. Here, using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we show that ABHD6 negatively regulates the surface delivery and synaptic function of AMPARs in neurons. The cytoplasmic tail of GluA1, but not the hydrolase activity of ABHD6, is essential for this functional interaction. Thus, these new findings expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing AMPAR trafficking in the brain.
The shapes of bird beaks are highly controlled by nondietary factors
Authors: Bright Jen A. , Marugán-Lobón Jesús , Cobb Samuel N. , Rayfield Emily J.
Published: April 2016

Significance

We show that beak and skull shapes in birds of prey (“raptors”) are strongly coupled and largely controlled by size. This relationship means that, rather than being able to respond independently to natural selection, beak shapes are highly constrained to evolve in a particular way. The main aspects of shape variation seem to correspond with specific genes active during development. Because raptors are not each other’s closest relatives, similar shape constraints may therefore have been present in the ancestors of all modern songbirds, including Darwin’s finches, the classic example of explosive evolution in birds. If this hypothesis is true, then such classic examples may be unusual, needing first to break a genetic lock before their beaks could evolve new shapes.
δ-COP modulates Aβ peptide formation via retrograde trafficking of APP
Authors: Bettayeb Karima , Chang Jerry C. , Luo Wenjie , Aryal Suvekshya , Varotsis Dante , Randolph Lisa , Netzer William J. , Greengard Paul , Flajolet Marc
Published: April 2016

Significance

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques resulting from the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides produced via sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Cleavages happen concomitantly with APP trafficking from the plasma membrane to late endosomes. However, the role of an early trafficking pathway, the coat protein complex I (COPI)-dependent trafficking, has been overlooked. The present study demonstrates that, using a complex set of imaging technologies coupled to biochemical experiments, COPI subunit δ (δ-COP) affects the biology of APP, including its subcellular localization, cell surface expression, and trafficking, as well as its metabolism. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the physiological relevance of δ-COP in AD pathogenesis.
Seriously, Get to Know Your Audience
Authors: Nguyen Vivian
Published: April 2016

A version of this article was originally published on the Canadian Science Publishing blog as part of the series “Making Waves: The Future of #Scicomm in Fisheries Sciences.” The series was spawned from the science communication session held at last year's Annual Meeting in Portland. An introduction to the blog series is available at cdnsciencepub.com/blog.
Impact and Outcomes: The Ethical Perils of Distancing in Peacebuilding Grant Solicitations
Authors: Neufeldt Reina
Published: April 2016

This paper explores the moral values that are embedded in peacebuilding funder discourse that affect the focus and locus of peacebuilding projects. The paper analyses the moral values embedded in a set of USAID grant solicitations between 2008 and 2014, which focus on inter-communal relationship-building within peacebuilding projects. This set of solicitations is intriguing because it suggests that there are efforts underway to fund creative, locally led peacebuilding efforts in ways that contradict general bureaucratic processes and norms. The efforts, however, are nascent and point to a series of tensions involved in large bureaucracies funding peacebuilding. Ultimately, the paper argues that particular duties and consequences are prioritised, which limits authentic relationships and genuine responses to needs.
Color Constancy, Illumination, and Matching
Authors: Davies Will
Published: April 2016

Color constancy is a foundational and yet puzzling phenomenon. Standard appearance invariantism is threatened by the psychophysical matching argument, which is taken to favor variantism. This argument, however, is inconclusive. The data at best support a pluralist view: color constancy is sometimes variantist, sometimes invariantist. I add another potential explanation of these data, complex invariantism, which adopts an atypical six-dimensional model of color appearance. Finally, I prospect for a unifying conception of constancy among two neglected notions: discriminatory color constancy and relational color constancy. The former arguably marks a common core capacity that is present across widely differing viewing contexts.
Seasonal and developmental differences in blubber stores of beluga whales in Bristol Bay, Alaska using high-resolution ultrasound
Authors: Cornick Leslie A. , Quakenbush Lori T. , Norman Stephanie A. , Pasi Coral , Maslyk Pamela , Burek Kathy A. , Goertz Caroline E. C. , Hobbs Roderick C.
Published: April 2016

Diving mammals use blubber for a variety of structural and physiological functions, including buoyancy, streamlining, thermoregulation, and energy storage. Estimating blubber stores provides proxies for body condition, nutritional status, and health. Blubber stores may vary topographically within individuals, across seasons, and with age, sex, and reproductive status; therefore, a single full-depth blubber biopsy does not provide an accurate measure of blubber depth, and additional biopsies are limited because they result in open wounds. We examined high-resolution ultrasound as a noninvasive method for assessing blubber stores by sampling blubber depth at 11 locations on beluga whales in Alaska. Blubber mass was estimated as a proportion of body mass (40% from the literature) and compared to a function of volume calculated using ultrasound blubber depth measurements in a truncated cone. Blubber volume was converted to total and mass-specific blubber mass estimates based on the density of beluga blubber. There was no significant difference in mean total blubber mass between the 2 estimates (R2 = 0.88); however, body mass alone predicted only 68% of the variation in mass-specific blubber stores in juveniles, 7% for adults in the fall, and 33% for adults in the spring. Mass-specific blubber stores calculated from ultrasound measurements were highly variable. Adults had significantly greater blubber stores in the fall (0.48±0.02kg/kgMB) than in the spring (0.33±0.02kg/kgMB). There was no seasonal effect in juveniles. High-resolution ultrasound is a more powerful, noninvasive method for assessing blubber stores in wild belugas, allowing for precise measurements at multiple locations.
Trabeculectomy With Moorfields Conjunctival Closure Technique Offers Safety Without Astigmatism Induction
Authors: Willekens Koen , Pinto Luìs A. , Delbeke Heleen , Vandewalle Evelien , Stalmans Ingeborg
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety profile and possible change in corneal astigmatism following trabeculectomy with a fornix-based conjunctival flap which is closed with 4 corneal groove-embedded sutures.

Materials and Methods:

Patients scheduled for a primary trabeculectomy were included in this single center, prospective trial between February and April 2013. Refractive status was assessed with an automated refractokeratometer preoperatively and at months 1, 3, 6, and 18 postoperatively, together with clinical assessment of intraocular pressure, visual acuity, postoperative complications, and medication use. Preoperative and postoperative variables were compared using paired samples t tests and vector analysis for corneal astigmatism change was performed.

Results:

Forty-four eyes of 44 patients were included. Vector analysis showed a transient significant with-the-rule shift in astigmatism without influence on spherical equivalent. Visual acuity was transiently reduced in the first month but recovered to preoperative values with no need to change optical correction. Two patients developed postoperative wound leakage, which was successfully treated with a bandage corneoscleral contact lens.

Conclusions:

Trabeculectomy with a fornix-based conjunctival flap closed by 4 corneal groove-embedded sutures results in a low complication rate. This safe suturing technique induces a transient shift of with-the-rule astigmatism, reverting to the preoperative values within 3 months of surgery. Adjustments to refractive correction are recommended to be postponed until after this period.
Development of a BPPV Algorithm for Earlier Physical Therapy Consultation in the Acute Care Setting
Authors: McArdle Kelly Duszak , Hyon Alicia , Thielman Gregory
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

Diagnosing and managing individuals with dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo are a challenge in health care. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common source of these symptoms. Individuals are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, causing overuse of medical testing or hospitalizations, suboptimal care, and increased costs. Physical therapists (PTs) are often overlooked in the consultation process until medical testing is completed. Practice pattern differences among the medical and rehabilitation communities and a lack of established interdisciplinary guidelines exist. This case report highlights the potential for resolution of these problems.

Methods:

An individual with symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, shoulder and neck pain, and imbalance was admitted to an acute care hospital for a 5-day length of stay. PT was not consulted until admission day 3 after medical workup and when left posterior canalithiasis was suspected. This led to the development of a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo consultant algorithm the medical and PT staff could use as a screen in determining if PT consultation was necessary. The medical and PT staff were given an in-service.

Results:

Symptoms were successfully alleviated with PT intervention, including a canalith repositioning maneuver and education.

Conclusion:

Barriers, including clinical competency and delayed consultation, resulted in an increased length of stay and costs. Internal education and algorithm development for PT referral were generated. Earlier PT consultation in collaboration with medical workup may decrease health care costs and improve quality of care.
The Comparative Double-Blind Clinical Study in Antihelmintic Efficacy Between Thai Traditional Herbal Formulae and Mebendazole
Authors: Srichaikul Buavaroon , Samappito Supachai , Wongyai Surapote , Bakker Gordon
Published: April 2016

This study was carried out in Mahasarakham Primary Healthcare Centre, Mahasarakham province in the area of Northeastern of Thailand. The experiment was randomized controlled trial in the clinical study to examine the efficacy of Thai Traditional Herbal Formula (TTHF) in the treatment of antihelmintic activity of mixed worm infections in human. The 2 experimental groups consisted of 10 patients, and 5 patients for control group with inclusion and exclusion criteria, who were screened by the selection of mixed worm infection symptom samples. The investigation and extraction of worm eggs per gram (EPG) of patient feces method were performed with Ether–Formalin Sedimentation test. The percentage of reduction of EPG of patient feces were collected, counted, and confirmed by parasitologist, and the clinical efficacy was investigated by the physician and the pharmacist. The percent EPG data were collected before and after the treatment with TTHF and with mebendazole. The result showed that TTHF had higher efficacy in antihelmintic activity than mebendazole and placebo, which had the percent reduction of EPG of feces as 93.69 in TTHF and percent reduction of EPG of feces as 87.50 in mebendazole. The suggestion of this study should increase the number of samples of worm-infected patients, which the samples can be identified with the specific helminths genus and species to obtain the efficacy by the treatment using TTHF and mebendazole comparatively.