bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
X-ray powder diffraction data for three red azo pigments: sodium, barium, and ammonium lithol salts
Authors: Rafalska-Łasocha Alicja , Grzesiak-Nowak Marta , Goszczycki Piotr , Ostrowska Katarzyna , Łasocha Wiesław
Published: June 2017

Lithol reds belong to the group of azo pigments, which were popular artists’ colouring materials in the first half of the twentieth century. These pigments were also used in many branches of industry. Here, we report X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space groups for three compounds from this group: sodium (E)-2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)naphthalene-1-sulphonate monohydrate (Na lithol red), monoclinic, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 33.343(7), b = 6.667(2), c = 16.397(4) Å, β = 90.83°, V = 3644.51 Å3, Z = 8; barium (E)-2-[(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl]naphthalene-1-sulphonate trihydrate (Ba lithol red), monoclinic, space group P21/m, with cell parameters a = 17.758(9), b = 6.209(4), c = 16.857(8) Å, β = 92.07°, V = 1857.39 Å3, Z = 2; and ammonium (E)-2-[(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl]naphthalene-1-sulphonate monohydrate (NH4 lithol red), monoclinic, space group P2/c, with cell parameters a = 17.721(5), b = 6.428(3), c = 16.911(5) Å, β = 100.31(3)°, V = 1895.31 Å3, and Z = 4. In the first and third cases we synthesised the pigments in their monohydrate form, performed X-ray powder diffraction measurements, and indexed all of the obtained diffraction maxima. In the case of the barium compound, despite many efforts in the course of the synthesis procedure, the powder diffraction patterns of the obtained samples were not of the best quality. Nevertheless, we indexed the best one and found a reliable space group and cell parameters.
Does certificate of need law enhance competition in inpatient care market? An empirical analysis
Authors: Paul Jomon A. , Ni Huan , Bagchi Aniruddha
Published: June 2017

This article investigates the impact of Certificate of Need (CON) laws on competition in the inpatient care market. One of the major criticisms of these laws is that it may hinder competition in the health care market, which can lead to higher prices. However, from a theoretical standpoint, CON laws could also promote competition by limiting excessive expansion from incumbents. Our main conclusion is that CON laws by and large enhanced competition in the inpatient market during the period of our study. This indicates that the effects of CON laws to hinder predatory behavior could dominate its effects of preventing new entrants into the inpatient care market. We do not find statistically significant evidence to reject the exogeneity assumption of either CON laws or their stringency in our study. We also find factors such as proportion of population aged 18–44, proportion of Asian American population, obesity rate, political environment, etc., in a state significantly impact competition. Our findings could shed some light to public policy makers when deciding the appropriate health programs or legislative framework to promote health care market competition and thereby facilitate quality health care.
Abseitsentscheidungen von Schiedsrichterassistenten im Fußball
Authors: Schnyder Urs , Schmid Daniel , Lippens Volker , Hossner Ernst-Joachim
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie zielt auf die Rekonstruktion von Subjektiven Theorien von Schiedsrichterassistenten zur Abseitsbeurteilung im Fußball. Hierzu wurden mit 16 männlichen Schweizer Elite-Schiedsrichterassistenten halbstandardisierte Interviews unter Einbeziehung der Heidelberger Struktur-Lege-Technik durchgeführt. Strukturaggregationen wie qualitative Inhaltsanalysen führten auf höchster Ebene zu einer Unterscheidung von Entscheidungsvoraussetzungen und Beurteilungskriterien (neben unterstützenden Strategien). Zu den Voraussetzungen gehören Erfahrung, Regelkenntnisse, Fitness, das Einhalten der Abseitslinie, Konzentration und Selbstvertrauen, nachgeordnet auch Geduld und die Idee des „Im Zweifel laufen lassen“, während als Beurteilungskriterien Ballabgabe (visuell-peripher und auditiv), Antizipation, Hilfsmittel, der Grundsatz des „Erster Gedanke ist der richtige“, erneut das Einhalten der Abseitslinie sowie, wechselwirkend mit dem „Wait & See“-Prinzip, die „Fototechnik“ genannt werden. In Gegenüberstellung mit wissenschaftlichen Hypothesen und Befunden untermauern die Erkenntnisse die praktische Relevanz sportwissenschaftlicher Studien und zeigen zugleich Forschungsbedarf auf, etwa hinsichtlich der Bestimmung des Moments der Ballabgabe sowie hinsichtlich psychischer Grundlagen der Beurteilung von Abseitssituationen.
Pay-for-Performance and Interpersonal Deviance
Authors: Gläser Daniel , van Gils Suzanne , Van Quaquebeke Niels
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Many organizations use pay-for-performance (PfP) programs in order to fuel employee motivation and performance. In the present article, we argue that PfP may also increase employees’ interpersonal deviance (i.e., active harming behavior toward coworkers) because it might induce social comparison and competition. In order to uncover the underlying process, we further argue that this effect should be particularly pronounced for employees who are high in individual competitiveness, that is, employees who have a strong desire for interpersonal comparison and aspire to be better than others. A cross-sectional field study (N = 250) and two experiments (N = 92; N = 192) provide support for our interaction hypothesis. We discuss the theoretical implications regarding PfP and competitiveness, and offer suggestions concerning the practical implementation of PfP.
Necroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases: a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Tang Mi-bo , Luo Hai-yang , Shi Chang-he , Xu Yu-ming
Published: June 2017

Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of chronic progressive disorders characterized by neuronal loss. Necroptosis, a recently discovered form of programmed cell death, is a cell death mechanism that has necrosis-like morphological characteristics. Necroptosis activation relies on the receptor-interacting protein (RIP) homology interaction motif (RHIM). A variety of RHIM-containing proteins transduce necroptotic signals from the cell trigger to the cell death mediators RIP3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). RIP1 plays a particularly important and complex role in necroptotic cell death regulation ranging from cell death activation to inhibition, and these functions are often cell type and context dependent. Increasing evidence suggests that necroptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, small molecules such as necrostatin-1 are thought inhibit necroptotic signaling pathway. Understanding the precise mechanisms underlying necroptosis and its interactions with other cell death pathways in neurodegenerative diseases could provide significant therapeutic insights. The present review is aimed at summarizing the molecular mechanisms of necroptosis and highlighting the emerging evidence on necroptosis as a major driver of neuron cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Sorafenib tosylate inhibits directly necrosome complex formation and protects in mouse models of inflammation and tissue injury
Authors: Martens Sofie , Jeong Manhyung , Tonnus Wulf , Feldmann Friederike , Hofmans Sam , Goossens Vera , Takahashi Nozomi , Bräsen Jan Hinrich , Lee Eun-Woo , Van der Veken Pieter , Joossens Jurgen , Augustyns Koen , Fulda Simone , Linkermann Andreas , Song Jaewhan , Vandenabeele Peter
Published: June 2017

Necroptosis contributes to the pathophysiology of several inflammatory, infectious and degenerative disorders. TNF-induced necroptosis involves activation of the receptor-interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 (RIPK1/3) in a necrosome complex, eventually leading to the phosphorylation and relocation of mixed lineage kinase domain like protein (MLKL). Using a high-content screening of small compounds and FDA-approved drug libraries, we identified the anti-cancer drug Sorafenib tosylate as a potent inhibitor of TNF-dependent necroptosis. Interestingly, Sorafenib has a dual activity spectrum depending on its concentration. In murine and human cell lines it induces cell death, while at lower concentrations it inhibits necroptosis, without affecting NF-κB activation. Pull down experiments with biotinylated Sorafenib show that it binds independently RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL. Moreover, it inhibits RIPK1 and RIPK3 kinase activity. In vivo Sorafenib protects against TNF-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Altogether, we show that Sorafenib can, next to the reported Braf/Mek/Erk and VEGFR pathways, also target the necroptotic pathway and that it can protect in an acute inflammatory RIPK1/3-mediated pathology.
Jahn-Teller distortion driven magnetic polarons in magnetite
Authors: Huang H. Y. , Chen Z. Y. , Wang R. -P. , de Groot F. M. F. , Wu W. B. , Okamoto J. , Chainani A. , Singh A. , Li Z. -Y. , Zhou J. -S. , Jeng H. -T. , Guo G. Y. , Park Je-Geun , Tjeng L. H. , Chen C. T. , Huang D. J.
Published: June 2017

The first known magnetic mineral, magnetite, has unusual properties, which have fascinated mankind for centuries; it undergoes the Verwey transition around 120 K with an abrupt change in structure and electrical conductivity. The mechanism of the Verwey transition, however, remains contentious. Here we use resonant inelastic X-ray scattering over a wide temperature range across the Verwey transition to identify and separate out the magnetic excitations derived from nominal Fe2+ and Fe3+ states. Comparison of the experimental results with crystal-field multiplet calculations shows that the spin–orbital dd excitons of the Fe2+ sites arise from a tetragonal Jahn-Teller active polaronic distortion of the Fe2+O6 octahedra. These low-energy excitations, which get weakened for temperatures above 350 K but persist at least up to 550 K, are distinct from optical excitations and are best explained as magnetic polarons.
Interfacial engineering of metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions for efficient and stable photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Digdaya Ibadillah A. , Adhyaksa Gede W. P. , Trześniewski Bartek J. , Garnett Erik C. , Smith Wilson A.
Published: June 2017

Solar-assisted water splitting can potentially provide an efficient route for large-scale renewable energy conversion and storage. It is essential for such a system to provide a sufficiently high photocurrent and photovoltage to drive the water oxidation reaction. Here we demonstrate a photoanode that is capable of achieving a high photovoltage by engineering the interfacial energetics of metal–insulator–semiconductor junctions. We evaluate the importance of using two metals to decouple the functionalities for a Schottky contact and a highly efficient catalyst. We also illustrate the improvement of the photovoltage upon incidental oxidation of the metallic surface layer in KOH solution. Additionally, we analyse the role of the thin insulating layer to the pinning and depinning of Fermi level that is responsible to the resulting photovoltage. Finally, we report the advantage of using dual metal overlayers as a simple protection route for highly efficient metal–insulator–semiconductor photoanodes by showing over 200 h of operational stability.
Imaging the real space structure of the spin fluctuations in an iron-based superconductor
Authors: Chi Shun , Aluru Ramakrishna , Grothe Stephanie , Kreisel A. , Singh Udai Raj , Andersen Brian M. , Hardy W. N. , Liang Ruixing , Bonn D. A. , Burke S. A. , Wahl Peter
Published: June 2017

Spin fluctuations are a leading candidate for the pairing mechanism in high temperature superconductors, supported by the common appearance of a distinct resonance in the spin susceptibility across the cuprates, iron-based superconductors and many heavy fermion materials. The information we have about the spin resonance comes almost exclusively from neutron scattering. Here we demonstrate that by using low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy we can characterize the spin resonance in real space. We show that inelastic tunnelling leads to the characteristic dip-hump feature seen in tunnelling spectra in high temperature superconductors and that this feature arises from excitations of the spin fluctuations. Spatial mapping of this feature near defects allows us to probe non-local properties of the spin susceptibility and to image its real space structure.
Behavioral abnormalities with disruption of brain structure in mice overexpressing VGF
Authors: Mizoguchi Takahiro , Minakuchi Hiroko , Ishisaka Mitsue , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Hara Hideaki
Published: June 2017

VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a neuropeptide induced by nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This peptide is involved in synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and neurite growth in the brain. Patients with depression and bipolar disorder have lower-than-normal levels of VGF, whereas patients with schizophrenia and other cohorts of patients with depression have higher-than-normal levels. VGF knockout mice display behavioral abnormalities such as higher depressive behavior and memory dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether upregulation of VGF affects brain function. In the present study, we generated mice that overexpress VGF and investigated several behavioral phenotypes and the brain structure. These adult VGF-overexpressing mice showed (a) hyperactivity, working memory impairment, a higher depressive state, and lower sociality compared with wild-type mice; (b) lower brain weight without a change in body weight; (c) increased lateral ventricle volume compared with wild-type mice; and (d) striatal morphological defects. These results suggest that VGF may modulate a variety of behaviors and brain development. This transgenic mouse line may provide a useful model for research on mental illnesses.
Building mud castles: a perspective from brick-laying termites
Authors: Zachariah Nikita , Das Aritra , Murthy Tejas G. , Borges Renee M.
Published: June 2017

Animal constructions such as termite mounds have received scrutiny by architects, structural engineers, soil scientists and behavioural ecologists but their basic building blocks remain uncharacterized and the criteria used for material selection unexplored. By conducting controlled experiments on Odontotermes obesus termites, we characterize the building blocks of termite mounds and determine the key elements defining material choice and usage by these accomplished engineers. Using biocement and a self-organized process, termites fabricate, transport and assemble spherical unitary structures called boluses that have a bimodal size distribution, achieving an optimal packing solution for mound construction. Granular, hydrophilic, osmotically inactive, non-hygroscopic materials with surface roughness, rigidity and containing organic matter are the easiest to handle and are crucial determinants of mass transfer during mound construction. We suggest that these properties, along with optimal moisture availability, are important predictors of the global geographic distribution of termites.
Polarized Distribution of Active Myosin II Regulates Directional Migration of Cultured Olfactory Ensheathing Cells
Authors: Zheng Cheng-gen , Zhang Fan , Bao Xiao-mei , Wu Shi-yang , Wang Peng , Zhou Jia-nan , Gao Yuan , Teng Hong-lin , Wang Ying , Huang Zhi-hui
Published: June 2017

Migration of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is critical for development of olfactory system and essential for neural regeneration after OEC transplantation into nerve injury site. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of directional migration of OECs remain unclear. In this study, we found that in migrating OECs, phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC, active myosin II) displayed a polarized distribution, with the leading front exhibiting higher than soma and trailing process. Over-expression of GFP-MLC significantly reduced OEC migration. Moreover, decreasing this front-to-rear difference of myosin II activity by the frontal application of a ML-7 (myosin II inhibitors) gradient induced the collapse of leading front and reversed soma translocation of OECs, whereas, increasing this front-to-rear difference of myosin II activity by the rear application of a ML-7 or BDM gradient or the frontal application of a Caly (myosin II activator) gradient accelerated the soma translocation of OECs. Finally, myosin II as a downstream signaling of repulsive factor Slit-2 mediated the reversal of soma translocation induced by Slit-2. Taken together, these results suggest that the polarized distribution of active myosin II regulates the directional migration of OECs during spontaneous migration or upon to extracellular stimulation such as Slit-2.
Prediction of Chromatin Accessibility in Gene-Regulatory Regions from Transcriptomics Data
Authors: Jung Sascha , Angarica Vladimir Espinosa , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A. , Buckley Noel J. , del Sol Antonio
Published: June 2017

The epigenetics landscape of cells plays a key role in the establishment of cell-type specific gene expression programs characteristic of different cellular phenotypes. Different experimental procedures have been developed to obtain insights into the accessible chromatin landscape including DNase-seq, FAIRE-seq and ATAC-seq. However, current downstream computational tools fail to reliably determine regulatory region accessibility from the analysis of these experimental data. In particular, currently available peak calling algorithms are very sensitive to their parameter settings and show highly heterogeneous results, which hampers a trustworthy identification of accessible chromatin regions. Here, we present a novel method that predicts accessible and, more importantly, inaccessible gene-regulatory chromatin regions solely relying on transcriptomics data, which complements and improves the results of currently available computational methods for chromatin accessibility assays. We trained a hierarchical classification tree model on publicly available transcriptomics and DNase-seq data and assessed the predictive power of the model in six gold standard datasets. Our method increases precision and recall compared to traditional peak calling algorithms, while its usage is not limited to the prediction of accessible and inaccessible gene-regulatory chromatin regions, but constitutes a helpful tool for optimizing the parameter settings of peak calling methods in a cell type specific manner.
Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with Pine Wood Nematode Resistance in Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.)
Authors: Liu Qinghua , Wei Yongcheng , Xu Liuyi , Hao Yanping , Chen Xuelian , Zhou Zhichun
Published: June 2017

Pine wilt disease caused by pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, PWN) is a severe forest disease of the genus Pinus. Masson pine as an important timber and oleoresin resource in South China, is the major species infected by pine wilt disease. However, the underlying mechanism of pine resistance is still unclear. Here, we performed a transcriptomics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes associated with resistance to PWN infection. By comparing the expression profiles of resistant and susceptible trees inoculated with PWN at 1, 15, or 30 days post-inoculation (dpi), 260, 371 and 152 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in resistant trees and 756, 2179 and 398 DEGs in susceptible trees were obtained. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that the most significant biological processes were “syncytium formation” in the resistant phenotype and “response to stress” and “terpenoid biosynthesis” in the susceptible phenotype at 1 and 15 dpi, respectively. Furthermore, some key DEGs with potential regulatory roles to PWN infection, including expansins, pinene synthases and reactive oxidation species (ROS)-related genes were evaluated in detail. Finally, we propose that the biosynthesis of oleoresin and capability of ROS scavenging are pivotal to the high resistance of PWN.
Generation of novel patient-derived CIC-
DUX4 sarcoma xenografts and cell lines
Authors: Oyama Rieko , Takahashi Mami , Yoshida Akihiko , Sakumoto Marimu , Takai Yoko , Kito Fusako , Shiozawa Kumiko , Qiao Zhiwei , Arai Yasuhito , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Araki Yoshihiro , Endo Makoto , Kawai Akira , Kondo Tadashi
Published: June 2017

CIC-DUX4 sarcoma (CDS) is a group of rare, mesenchymal, small round cell tumours that harbour the unique CIC-DUX4 translocation, which causes aberrant gene expression. CDS exhibits an aggressive course and poor clinical outcome, thus novel therapeutic approaches are needed for CDS treatment. Although patient-derived cancer models are an essential modality to develop novel therapies, none currently exist for CDS. Thus, the present study successfully established CDS patient-derived xenografts and subsequently generated two CDS cell lines from the grafted tumours. Notably, xenografts were histologically similar to the original patient tumour, and the expression of typical biomarkers was confirmed in the xenografts and cell lines. Moreover, the xenograft tumours and cell lines displayed high Src kinase activities, as assessed by peptide-based tyrosine kinase array. Upon screening 119 FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs, we found that only actinomycine D and doxorubicin were effectively suppress the proliferation among the drugs for standard therapy for Ewing sarcoma. However, we identified molecular targeting reagents, such as bortezomib and crizotinib that markedly suppressed the growth of CDS cells. Our models will be useful modalities to develop novel therapeutic strategies against CDS.
Planar binary-phase lens for super-oscillatory optical hollow needles
Authors: Chen Gang , Wu Zhixiang , Yu Anping , Zhang Kun , Wu Jing , Dai Luru , Wen Zhongquan , He Yinghu , Zhang Zhihai , Jiang Senlin , Wang Changtao , Luo Xiangang
Published: June 2017

Optical hollow beams are suitable for materials processing, optical micromanipulation, microscopy, and optical lithography. However, conventional optical hollow beams are diffraction-limited. The generation of sub-wavelength optical hollow beams using a high numerical aperture objective lens and pupil filters has been theoretically proposed. Although sub-diffraction hollow spot has been reported, nondiffracting hollow beams of sub-diffraction transverse dimensions have not yet been experimentally demonstrated. Here, a planar lens based on binary-phase modulation is proposed to overcome these constraints. The lens has an ultra-long focal length of 300λ. An azimuthally polarized optical hollow needle is experimentally demonstrated with a super-oscillatory transverse size (less than 0.38λ/NA) of 0.34λ to 0.42λ, where λ is the working wavelength and NA is the lens numerical aperture, and a large depth of focus of 6.5λ. For a sub-diffraction transverse size of 0.34λ to 0.52λ, the nondiffracting propagation distance of the proposed optical hollow needle is greater than 10λ. Numerical simulation also reveals a good penetrability of the proposed optical hollow needle at an air-water interface, where the needle propagates through water with a doubled propagation distance and without loss of its super-oscillatory property. The proposed lens is suitable for nanofabrication, optical nanomanipulation, super-resolution imaging, and nanolithography applications.
Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) protects from metabolic endotoxemia by modifying gut microbiota in obese rats fed high fat/sucrose diet
Authors: Sánchez-Tapia Mónica , Aguilar-López Miriam , Pérez-Cruz Claudia , Pichardo-Ontiveros Edgar , Wang Mei , Donovan Sharon M. , Tovar Armando R. , Torres Nimbe
Published: June 2017

Current efforts are directed to reducing the gut dysbiosis and inflammation produced by obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether consuming nopal, a vegetable rich in dietary fibre, vitamin C, and polyphenols can reduce the metabolic consequences of obesity by modifying the gut microbiota and preventing metabolic endotoxemia in rats fed a high fat and sucrose diet. With this aim, rats were fed a high fat diet with 5% sucrose in the drinking water (HFS) for 7 months and then were fed for 1 month with HFS + 5% nopal (HFS + N). The composition of gut microbiota was assessed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Nopal modified gut microbiota and increased intestinal occludin-1 in the HFS + N group. This was associated with a decrease in metabolic endotoxemia, glucose insulinotropic peptide, glucose intolerance, lipogenesis, and metabolic inflexibility. These changes were accompanied by reduced hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress in adipose tissue and brain, and improved cognitive function, associated with an increase in B. fragilis. This study supports the use of nopal as a functional food and prebiotic for its ability to modify gut microbiota and to reduce metabolic endotoxemia and other obesity-related biochemical abnormalities.
Investigation of the degradation of pitch-based carbon fibers properties upon insufficient or excess thermal treatment
Authors: Lim Tae Hwan , Yeo Sang Young
Published: June 2017

To overcome the disadvantages of discontinuous conventional batch extruders, a continuous screw extruder is introduced to manufacture pitch-based carbon fibers. For a carbon fiber preparation process, an oxidation time of 8 h was determined to be optimal for obtaining desirable mechanical properties of the fibers acquiring employing the screw extruder. It is hypothesized that the differences in the properties of the carbon fibers fabricated utilizing the batch and screw extruders originate from the melt spinning time; therefore, a combined equation for the total amount of heat treatment from the pitch precursor through the oxidation process is established in this study. The crystallinity of the carbon fibers is confirmed to correspond to the differences in mechanical properties as the oxidation time increases. The poor mechanical properties of the carbon fibers that are insufficiently oxidized are a result of irregular oxidation from the sheath to the core of the fiber cross section. However, the over-oxidized carbon fibers also show poor mechanical properties than the optimal fibers. This result further affirms that excessive oxidation times cause unstable chemical bonding, which interrupts the formation of stable crystal structures after carbonization.
Energetics and the molecular structure of an ion-paired supramolecular system in water
Authors: Cruz-Vásquez Octavio , Bernal-Sánchez Lan Jade , Cervantes Ruy , Tiburcio Jorge , Rojas Aarón
Published: June 2017

The thermodynamics parameters for the association in water of the supramolecular ion pair [PQT][DSDB24C8] were determined by calorimetry and NMR. The results show an exergonic association, characterized by π–π stacking interactions as well as hydrogen and electrostatic bonding between host and guest.
Membrane-based methods of virus concentration from water: a review of process parameters and their effects on virus recovery
Authors: Shi Hang , Pasco Elodie V. , Tarabara Volodymyr V.
Published: June 2017

A critical analysis of how concentration process parameters impact virus recovery during primary concentration of water samples.
Solids retention time, influent antibiotic concentrations, and temperature as selective pressures for antibiotic resistance in activated sludge systems
Authors: Neyestani Majid , Dickenson Eric , McLain Jean , Obergh Victoria , Quinones Oscar , Rock Channah , Gerrity Daniel
Published: June 2017

This paper evaluates changes in antibiotic resistance during biological wastewater treatment.
Cholesterol lowering by Pediococcus acidilactici LAB4 and Lactobacillus plantarum LAB12 in adult zebrafish is associated with improved memory and involves an interplay between npc1l1 and abca1
Authors: Lim Fei Tieng , Lim Siong Meng , Ramasamy Kalavathy
Published: June 2017

P. acidilacticiLAB4 andL. plantarumLAB12 lowered cholesterol in adult zebrafishviaintestinal/hepaticnpc1l1andabca1modulation as well as brainappa, which was correlated with improved spatial learning and memory.
Comparison of dairy desserts produced with a potentially probiotic mixed culture and dispersions obtained from Gracilaria birdiae and Gracilaria domingensis seaweeds used as thickening agents
Authors: Tavares Estevam Adriana Carneiro , de Almeida Michele Correia , de Oliveira Tiago Almeida , Florentino Eliane Rolim , Alonso Buriti Flávia Carolina , Porto Ana Lúcia Figueiredo
Published: June 2017

Best results were achieved forG. domingensisseaweed.
Laser-engraved carbon nanotube paper for instilling high sensitivity, high stretchability, and high linearity in strain sensors
Authors: Xin Yangyang , Zhou Jian , Xu Xuezhu , Lubineau Gilles
Published: June 2017

Sensors based on carbon nanotube papers with high crack density can attain ultrahigh sensitivity, high stretchability and high linearity.
Ultra-high sensitivity infra-red detection and temperature effects in a graphene–tellurium nanowire binary hybrid
Authors: Pradhan Avradip , Roy Ahin , Tripathi Shalini , Som Anirban , Sarkar Depanjan , Mishra Jayanta Kumar , Roy Kallol , Pradeep T. , Ravishankar N. , Ghosh Arindam
Published: June 2017

Ultra-high photoresponsivity has been achieved in graphene–TeNW binary hybrid devices in the telecommunication regime at low temperature.
Covalent bonding-assisted nanotransfer lithography for the fabrication of plasmonic nano-optical elements
Authors: Hwang Soon Hyoung , Jeon Sohee , Kim Myung Ju , Choi Dae-Geun , Choi Jun-Hyuk , Jung Joo-Yun , Kim Kwang-Seop , Lee Jihye , Jeong Jun Ho , Youn Jae Ryoun
Published: June 2017

Covalent bonding-assisted nanotransfer lithography provides a means of achieving large-area and high-aspect-ratio nano-optical elements with a simple roll-to-plate process.
Expression of concern: Organocatalytic stereoselective synthesis of passifloricin A
Authors: Kelly Richard
Published: June 2017

Expression of concern for ‘Organocatalytic stereoselective synthesis of passifloricin A’ by Pradeep Kumar et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2012, 10, 1820–1825.
Radical polymerization in the presence of a peroxide monomer: an approach to branched vinyl polymers
Authors: Jiang Qimin , Li Jiating , Huang Wenyan , Zhang Dongliang , Chen Jianhai , Yang Hongjun , Xue Xiaoqiang , Jiang Bibiao
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we report radical polymerization in the presence of a peroxide monomer for the preparation of branched vinyl polymers.
Novel photoacid generators for cationic photopolymerization
Authors: Klikovits Nicolas , Knaack Patrick , Bomze Daniel , Krossing Ingo , Liska Robert
Published: June 2017

Novel cationic photoinitiators based on the non-nucleophilic [Al(OC(CF3)3)4]− anion were prepared and their high efficiency was presented in comparison to benchmark systems.
Pt-embedded-CeO2hollow spheres for enhancing CO oxidation performance
Authors: Wu Ke , Zhou Liang , Jia Chun-Jiang , Sun Ling-Dong , Yan Chun-Hua
Published: June 2017

Pt-embedded-CeO2hollow spheres are successfully synthesized and show enhanced catalytic performance toward CO oxidation reaction.
Selective syntheses of diversely substituted 2-hydroxy-4′-hydroxybenzophenones through [4 + 2] or [3 + 3] annulation of penta-3,4-dien-2-ones with 3-formylchromones
Authors: Shi Xiaonan , He Yan , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: June 2017

A selective synthesis of 2-hydroxy-4′-hydroxybenzophenones or their 3′-acylated counterparts via the cascade reactions of 3-formylchromones with diversely substituted penta-3,4-dien-2-ones is presented.
Received signal strength indication‐based localisation method with unknown path‐loss exponent for HVDC electric field measurement
Authors: Gu Xiaolan , Cui Yong , Wang Qiusheng , Yuan Haiwen , Zhao Luxing , Wu Guifang
Published: June 2017

The electric field environment under high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines is an important design consideration. In the wireless sensor networks for electric field measurement system under the HVDC transmission lines, it is necessary to obtain the electric field distribution with multiple sensors. The accurate localisation of sensing nodes is essential to the analysis of measurement results. However, most current techniques are limited to constant measurement environment with fixed and known path‐loss exponent. Here, the authors report a localisation method based on received signal strength indication with unknown path‐loss exponent for the localisation of one‐dimensional linear topology wireless networks in the electric field measurement system. The optimisation method is utilised to obtain the optimal pass‐loss parameter without involving the previous environment parameters. Afterwards, simulations are employed to demonstrate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing with other methods.
Improved discrete‐time Kalman filtering within singular value decomposition
Authors: Kulikova Maria V. , Tsyganova Julia V.
Published: June 2017

This study presents a new Kalman filter (KF) implementation useful in applications where the accuracy of numerical solution of the associated Riccati equation might be crucially reduced by influence of roundoff errors. Since the appearance of the KF in 1960s, it has been recognised that the factored form of the KF is preferable for practical implementation. The most popular and beneficial techniques are found in the class of square‐root algorithms based on the Cholesky decomposition of error covariance matrix. Another important matrix factorisation method is the singular value decomposition (SVD) and, hence, further encouraging implementations might be found under this approach. The analysis presented here exposes that the previously proposed SVD‐based KF variant is still sensitive to roundoff errors and poorly treats ill‐conditioned situations, although the SVD‐based strategy is inherently more stable than the conventional KF approach. In this study, the authors design a new SVD‐based KF implementation for enhancing the robustness against roundoff errors, provide its detailed derivation, and discuss the numerical stability issues. A set of numerical experiments are performed for comparative study. The obtained results illustrate that the new SVD‐based method is algebraically equivalent to the conventional KF and to the previously proposed SVD‐based method, but it outperforms the mentioned techniques for estimation accuracy in ill‐conditioned situations.
Voltage stability analysis in radial smart distribution grids
Authors: Beigvand Soheil Derafshi , Abdi Hamdi , Singh Sri Niwas
Published: June 2017

Stability studies in distribution smart grids (SGs) are very important due to the increased penetration of distributed energy resource making bidirectional flow of electric power. This paper presents two novel fast voltage stability indices (VSIs) applicable to the radial distribution SGs based on the real‐time measured voltage data only, obtained by the SG infrastructures such as smart metering device. Each VSI depends on the system bus voltages and does not need additional calculations such as power flow solution, converting the actual distribution network into two‐bus equivalent system etc. In other words, for a radial system with n ‐node, the voltage stability analysis is carried out by parallel n ‐microprocessor units independently. The concentrator units can collect and evaluate the computational results and decide about control actions directly or indirectly depending on the system requirements. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed indicators are tested on a 41‐node radial distribution system. Six load models including constant and composite types have been considered, and also SG in various states of operation and four types of distributed generation are analysed. The comparison results demonstrate that the proposed VSIs are fast and effective to identify the most sensitive node of the radial grids to the voltage collapse based on the smart infrastructures.
Cost‐based allocation model for hybrid power system considering solar, wind and thermal generations separately
Authors: Bhowmik Debashish , Sinha Ashoke Kumar
Published: June 2017

Utilisation of renewable energy, especially solar and wind have placed a great impact on the power flow and line losses in the hybrid power system. This study presents a novel structure to the effective assessment of renewable energy on the hybrid power system from a distinct generator to all demands separately, via which the share of power coming from a particular generator and fed to the particular loads, and to rest of the line networks has been traced in a power system under normal as well as hybrid situation. The proposed method is humble, robust and effective in the resolution attained. To simplify the investigation, the solution to a sample case study is provided using the proposed approach. The modified technique has been experimented on an IEEE 14‐bus test system with thermal, solar‐thermal, wind‐thermal and solar‐wind‐thermal generations. A wind generator of 10.2235 MW with wind speed 5.1376 m/s and a solar power generation of 2.7567 MW with rated photovoltaic panel voltage of 24 V has been integrated into the system to comprehend the influence of the renewable generation of the power system. Correspondingly the outcomes of both the conditions under the projected algorithm of the test systems are compared.
Solution techniques for transient stability‐constrained optimal power flow – Part II
Authors: Geng Guangchao , Abhyankar Shrirang , Wang Xiaoyu , Dinavahi Venkata ,   IEEE PES Task Force on Interfacing Techniques for Solution Tools
Published: June 2017

Transient stability‐constrained optimal power flow is an important emerging problem with power systems pushed to the limits for economic benefits, dense and larger interconnected systems, and reduced inertia due to expected proliferation of renewable energy resources. In this study, two more approaches: single machine equivalent and computational intelligence are presented. Also discussed are various application areas, and future directions in this research area. A comprehensive resource for the available literature, publicly available test systems, and relevant numerical libraries is also provided.
Asymmetric‐double‐sided modulation for fast load transition in a semi‐dual‐active‐bridge converter
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Hu Song , Sun Chuan , Zhang Yi‐Fan
Published: June 2017

To eliminate the dc bias current generated during load‐change transition, the asymmetric‐double‐sided modulation (ADSM) control is applied to a semi‐dual‐active‐bridge converter. Although the converter has three main different operation modes, the ADSM control can effectively remove the dc bias current during load‐change transition among different modes in one or two high‐frequency cycles. Theoretical analyses for different cases of transition are presented. Verifications through experimental test are also included. Besides the effectiveness, the involved calculation in ADSM control is quite simple and the only needed parameter is the converter voltage gain, which makes it easy for actual implementation.
Cascade self‐tuning control architecture for QoS‐aware MAC in WSN
Authors: Hu Yansu , Gao Ang , Xu Tangwen , Li Lixin
Published: June 2017

Wireless sensor network (WSN) has proposed requirements more than just data collection and transmission. Different types of traffics call for different quality of service (QoS) demands. However, for the nature of uncertainty of wireless link and unpredictability of traffic transmission, it is very hard to distribute resources to different traffics precisely ahead of time. Based on the cascade self‐tuning control, this study proposes the cascade self‐tuning architecture for FD‐MAC (CSFD‐MAC) architecture. Taking the advantage of feedback theory, CSFD‐MAC decouples contention window (CW) adaption and active time (AT) adaption into two separated cascading control loops. CW controller aims for the absolute node‐to‐node delay to a fixed value and AT controller guarantees the relative delay ratio. The software simulations illustrate the validity of controller design and the hardware experiments demonstrate the ability of CSFD‐MAC in the absolute delay control as well as the proportional delay differentiation. More important, CSFD‐MAC which takes AT as a controlled variable, not only has a much more superior performance in the metrics of delay and throughput compared with other QoS‐aware MAC, but also has the advantage of efficient power management.
Ancillary Studies in Evaluating Pediatric Brain Death
Authors: McDonald Mark , Henderson Natalie
Published: June 2017

When confounding variables exist that inhibit the ability to diagnose brain death clinically in pediatric patients, ancillary tests may provide additional information for the practitioner in evaluating for the presence or absence of brain death. Multiple options exist but differ in availability, ease of administration, cost, safety profile, and reliability to accurately diagnose brain death. An important desirable quality of an ancillary test is eliminating false positives, which imply brain death when brain death is in fact not present. More commonly available ancillary studies include electroencephalograms, brain angiography through various modalities, brain stem auditory evoked potentials, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound. At this time, there is not an ancillary test with 100% reliability in diagnosing brain death that can replace the clinical brain death exam. Therefore, practitioners need to understand the strengths and limitations of the ancillary studies available at their hospital.
Parental Internet Use and Health Information Seeking Behavior Comparing Elective and Emergency Pediatric Surgical Situations
Authors: Wong Michael , Sivasegaran Daveraj , Choo Candy , Nah Shireen
Published: June 2017

Introduction This study evaluates usage patterns of online health information in parents with children undergoing elective or emergency surgical procedures.

Materials and Methods We prospectively surveyed parents of children admitted to our institution for common emergency (appendicectomy, abscess drainage, gonadal torsion) or elective (herniotomy, orchidopexy) operations between March and September 2016. Each completed an anonymized modification of a previously published survey comprising 19 questions on demographic data, Internet usage, and review of Internet resources. Chi-square tests were used for categorical data with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results Eighty-four parents were surveyed: 50(59.5%) elective and 34(40.5%) emergency procedures, with no refusals. Majority were mothers (n = 53; 63.1%). Despite high home Internet availability (n = 81; 96.4%) and high casual Internet usage rates (74 parents, 88.1%, reported daily use), just 38 (76%) parents from the elective group and 24 (70.6%) from the emergency group went online to access their child's admitting condition. Friends and family were more likely to be approached for information in elective (n = 27; 54%) and emergency groups (n = 24;70.6%) than general practitioners or other health care workers. When condition-specific online information was sought, more than 95% felt that the information concurred with the doctor's. Most common reasons were for more information on the condition (n = 56; 90.3%) and on medical treatment (n = 52; 83.9%). Eighteen (18/62; 29%) parents reported excessively technical information. No significant difference in behavior was found comparing elective and emergency groups.

Conclusion Approximately one quarter of parents do not access condition-specific online medical information despite high Internet penetration rates. More than half depend on friends and family for additional information, reflecting societal and cultural norms in our population. Surgeons must incorporate awareness of these behaviors during counselling
„Vom Leben geschlagen“ – Validierung der deutschen Version der Defeat Scale (DS-d)
Authors: Forkmann Thomas , Stenzel Jana-Sophie , Rath Dajana , Glaesmer Heide , Teismann Tobias
Published: June 2017

Einleitung Defeat und Entrapment spielen als transdiagnostisch bedeutsame Faktoren bei der Entstehung von Depression, Angst, Traumafolgestörungen und Suizidalität eine Rolle. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, erstmals eine deutsche Version der Defeat-Scale (DS-d) zur Messung von Defeat vorzustellen und erste Validitätsbelege zu präsentieren.

Material und Methoden Es wurden mittels einer Online-Befragung Daten von N=480 Personen erhoben (74% weiblich; MAlter=28,5, SDAlter=11,1, Range: 18–80 Jahre); 14,2% der Teilnehmer gaben an, derzeit psychisch erkrankt zu sein, 8,5% berichteten von mind. einem Suizidversuch in der Vergangenheit. Alle Teilnehmer füllten die DS-d, die Entrapment Scale, das Rasch-basierte Depressionsscreening, das Depressive Symptoms Inventory – Suicidality Subscale, den Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised, den Childhood Trauma Screener und den Fragebogen Generalized Anxiety Disorders 2 aus. Die faktorielle Validität der DS-d wurde mittels einer 1-faktoriellen konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalyse (KFA) überprüft. Zudem wurden die interne Konsistenz, konvergente Validität (Korrelation mit den anderen erhobenen Maßen), und Kriteriumsvalidität (hinsichtlich Suizidalität) ermittelt.

Ergebnisse Nach Zulassen einer Residualkorrelation zwischen 2 invers formulierten Items wurde ein zufriedenstellender Fit zum einfaktoriellen Modell erreicht (RMSEA=0,077, TLI=0,94, NFI=0,93, CFI=0,95; Itemladungen>0,56). Der Summenwert der DS-d korrelierte hoch mit Depression (r=0,87), Entrapment (r=0,83) und Suizidalität (r=0,70), sowie moderat mit den anderen Konstrukten. Personen mit Suizidgedanken und Suizidverhalten in der Vorgeschichte zeigten höhere Defeatwerte als Personen ohne Suizidalität.

Diskussion Die 1-dimensionale Struktur der englischen Version konnte bei der DS-d nach Zulassen einer Residualkorrelation zwischen 2 invers gepolten Items bestätigt werden. Die konvergente Validität der DS-d wird durch die überzeugenden Zusammenhänge mit benachbarten Konstrukten unterstützt. Die Zusammenhänge mit suizidalen Gedanken und Verhalten sprechen für die Kriteriumsvalidität der DS-d. Offen ist, inwieweit Defeat und Entrapment abgrenzbare Konstrukte sind, da sich in Übereinstimmung mit der Literatur ein sehr hoher Zusammenhang zwischen beiden fand.

Schlussfolgerung Es konnte erstmals eine deutsche Version der Defeat Scale vorgestellt werden, die gute psychometrische Eigenschaften hinsichtlich interner Konsistenz und Validität zeigt.