bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the predictors of early readmission to psychiatric hospital
Authors: Tulloch A. D. , David A. S. , Thornicroft G.
Published: February 2015

Background.

Aims of this study are to explore the associations of readmission to psychiatric hospital over time, to develop a statistical model for early readmission to psychiatric hospital and to assess the feasibility of predicting early readmission.

Method.

The sample comprised 7891 general psychiatric discharges in South London, taken from a large anonymised repository of electronic patient records. We initially explored time to readmission using Cox regression – this included investigation of time-dependent effects. Subsequently, we used logistic regression to create a predictive model for 90-day readmission. We investigated the effect on readmission of a set of variables that included demographic variables, diagnosis and legal status during the index admission, previous service use, housing variables and individual item scores on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) at admission and at discharge.

Results.

Fifteen per cent of those discharged were readmitted within 90 days. Cox regression demonstrated that the estimated baseline hazard of readmission declined steeply after discharge and that the effects of several predictors, especially diagnosis, changed over time – most notably, personality disorder was associated with increased readmission relative to schizophrenia at the time of discharge, but did not significantly differ by 1-year postdischarge. In the logistic regression, increased readmission was associated with personality disorder diagnosis; shorter length of the index admission (excepting zero length admissions); number of discharges in the preceding 2 years; and having a high score at discharge on the HoNOS overactive and aggressive behaviour item, cognitive problems item or hallucinations and delusions items. Detention under Section 3 or a forensic section of the Mental Health Act during the index admission was associated with reduced readmission. The coefficient of discrimination for the logistic regression, which is equivalent to r2, was 0.04 and the estimated area under the receiver operating curve was 0.65.

Conclusions.

The association found between early readmission and personality disorder diagnosis merits further investigation, as does the possible trade-off between reduction in length of stay and increased readmission. Other novel findings such as the associations found with HoNOS item scores also merit replication. As with previous studies, we found that the rate of readmission declines steeply after hospital discharge, so that the period immediately subsequent to discharge is a period of comparatively high risk. However, prediction of early readmission within this high-risk group remains challenging – it seems most likely that many unmeasured influences operate subsequent to the time of discharge.
Suppression of nuclear spin bath fluctuations in self-assembled quantum dots induced by inhomogeneous strain
Authors: Chekhovich E.A. , Hopkinson M. , Skolnick M.S. , Tartakovskii A.I.
Published: February 2015

Interaction with nuclear spins leads to decoherence and information loss in solid-state electron-spin qubits. One particular, ineradicable source of electron decoherence arises from decoherence of the nuclear spin bath, driven by nuclear–nuclear dipolar interactions. Owing to its many-body nature nuclear decoherence is difficult to predict, especially for an important class of strained nanostructures where nuclear quadrupolar effects have a significant but largely unknown impact. Here, we report direct measurement of nuclear spin bath coherence in individual self-assembled InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots: spin-echo coherence times in the range 1.2–4.5 ms are found. Based on these values, we demonstrate that strain-induced quadrupolar interactions make nuclear spin fluctuations much slower compared with lattice-matched GaAs/AlGaAs structures. Our findings demonstrate that quadrupolar effects can potentially be used to engineer optically active III-V semiconductor spin-qubits with a nearly noise-free nuclear spin bath, previously achievable only in nuclear spin-0 semiconductors, where qubit network interconnection and scaling are challenging.
Fgk3 glycogen synthase kinase is important for development, pathogenesis and stress responses in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Qin Jun , Wang Guanghui , Jiang Cong , Xu Jin-Rong , Wang Chenfang
Published: February 2015

Wheat scab caused by Fusarium graminearum is an important disease. In a previous study, the FGK3 glycogen synthase kinase gene orthologous to mammalian GSK3 was identified as an important virulence factor. Although GSK3 orthologs are well-conserved, none of them have been functionally characterized in fungal pathogens. In this study, we further characterized the roles of FGK3 gene. The Δfgk3 mutant had pleiotropic defects in growth rate, conidium morphology, germination and perithecium formation. It was non-pathogenic in infection assays and blocked in DON production. Glycogen accumulation was increased in the Δfgk3 mutant, confirming the inhibitory role of Fgk3 on glycogen synthase. In FGK3-GFP transformants, GFP signals mainly localized to the cytoplasm in conidia but to the cytoplasm and nucleus in hyphae. Moreover, the expression level of FGK3 increased in response to cold, H2O2 and SDS stresses. In the Δfgk3 mutant, cold, heat and salt stresses failed to induce the expression of the stress response-related genes FgGRE2, FgGPD1, FgCTT1 and FgMSN2. In the presence of 80 mM LiCl, a GSK3 kinase inhibitor, the wild type displayed similar defects to the Δfgk3 mutant. Overall, our results indicate that FGK3 is important for growth, conidiogenesis, DON production, pathogenicity and stress responses in F. graminearum.
Comparative analysis of KRAS codon 12, 13, 18, 61 and 117 mutations using human MCF10A isogenic cell lines
Authors: Stolze Britta , Reinhart Stefanie , Bulllinger Lars , Fröhling Stefan , Scholl Claudia
Published: February 2015

KRAS mutations occur in one third of human cancers and cluster in several hotspots, with codons 12 and 13 being most commonly affected. It has been suggested that the position and type of amino acid exchange influence the transforming capacity of mutant KRAS proteins. We used MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells to establish isogenic cell lines that express different cancer-associated KRAS mutations (G12C, G12D, G12V, G13C, G13D, A18D, Q61H, K117N) at physiological or elevated levels and investigated the biochemical and functional consequences of the different variants. The overall effects of low-expressing mutants were moderate compared to overexpressed variants, but allowed delineation of biological functions that were related to specific alleles rather than KRAS expression level. None of the mutations induced morphological changes, migratory abilities, or increased phosphorylation of ERK, PDK1 and AKT. KRAS-G12D, G12V, G13D and K117N mediated EGF-independent proliferation, whereas anchorage-independent growth was primarily induced by K117N and Q61H. Both codon 13 mutations were associated with increased EGFR expression. Finally, global gene expression analysis of MCF10A-G13D versus MCF10A-G12D revealed distinct transcriptional changes. Together, we describe a useful resource for investigating the function of multiple KRAS mutations and provide insights into the differential effects of these variants in MCF10A cells.
Room temperature synthesis of cobalt-manganese-nickel oxalates micropolyhedrons for high-performance flexible electrochemical energy storage device
Authors: Zhang Yi-Zhou , Zhao Junhong , Xia Jing , Wang Lulu , Lai Wen-Yong , Pang Huan , Huang Wei
Published: February 2015

Cobalt-manganese-nickel oxalates micropolyhedrons were successfully fabricated by a room temperature chemical co-precipitation method. Interestingly, the Co0.5Mn0.4Ni0.1C2O4*nH2O micropolyhedrons and graphene nanosheets have been successfully applied as the positive and negative electrode materials (a battery type Faradaic electrode and a capacitive electrode, respectively) for flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors. More importantly, the as-assembled device achieved a maximum energy density of 0.46 mWh·cm−3, a decent result among devices with similar structures. The as-assembled device showed good flexibility, functioning well under both normal and bent conditions (0°–180°). The resulting device showed little performance decay even after 6000 cycles, which rendered the Co0.5Mn0.4Ni0.1C2O4*nH2O//Graphene device configuration a promising candidate for high-performance flexible solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors in the field of high-energy-density energy storage devices.
Li-ion battery shut-off at high temperature caused by polymer phase separation in responsive electrolytes
Authors: Kelly Jesse C. , Degrood Nicholas L. , Roberts Mark E.
Published: February 2015

Schematic of LTO/LFP battery with a thermally responsive electrolyte. The constant current discharge characteristics are shown at low and high temperature. The insets show the phase of the polymer in the cell at each temperature.
New knowledge and tools for crystal design: local coordination versus overall network topology and much more
Authors: Alexandrov Eugeny V. , Shevchenko Alexander P. , Asiri Abdullah A. , Blatov Vladislav A.
Published: February 2015

The problem of predicting crystal structures is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence systems.
Bis(μ-oxo) versus mono(μ-oxo)dicopper cores in a zeolite for converting methane to methanol: an in situ XAS and DFT investigation
Authors: Alayon Evalyn Mae C. , Nachtegaal Maarten , Bodi Andras , Ranocchiari Marco , van Bokhoven Jeroen A.
Published: February 2015

The zeolite framework stabilizes the mono(μ-oxo)dicopper core, which is the active species in methane to methanol conversion.
Computational investigations of the thermodynamic properties of size-selected water and Ar–water clusters: high-pressure transitions
Authors: Vítek Aleš , Arismendi-Arrieta D. J. , Rodríguez-Cantano R. , Prosmiti R. , Villarreal P. , Kalus R. , Delgado-Barrio G.
Published: February 2015

Phase-diagram of the Ar(H2O)20 cluster from classical parallel-tempering Monte Carlo simulations. Structural changes occur at the indicated A, B and C regions.
Trends in the adsorption and reactivity of hydrogen on magnesium silicate nanoclusters
Authors: Oueslati Ichraf , Kerkeni Boutheïna , Bromley Stefan T.
Published: February 2015

We investigate the potential role of ultrasmall silicate grains in interstellar hydrogen-based chemistry by modelling H adsorption and H2 formation/dissociation on nanosilicates.
Investigation of electron density changes at the onset of a chemical reaction using the state-specific dual descriptor from conceptual density functional theory
Authors: De Proft Frank , Forquet Valérian , Ourri Benjamin , Chermette Henry , Geerlings Paul , Morell Christophe
Published: February 2015

The electron density changes from reactants towards the transition state of a chemical reaction is expressed as a linear combination of the state-specific dual descriptors (SSDD) of the corresponding reactant complexes.
Standard free energy of the equilibrium between the trans-monomer and the cyclic-dimer of acetic acid in the gas phase from infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Goubet Manuel , Soulard Pascale , Pirali Olivier , Asselin Pierre , Réal Florent , Gruet Sébastien , Huet Thérèse R. , Roy Pascale , Georges Robert
Published: February 2015

The dimerization equilibrium of acetic acid in the gas phase at 298 K has been characterized from the analysis of jet-cooled and static cell infrared spectra supported by calculations.
Intermetallic germanides with non-centrosymmetric structures derived from the Yb3Rh4Sn13type
Authors: Gumeniuk R. , Schöneich M. , Kvashnina K. O. , Akselrud L. , Tsirlin A. A. , Nicklas M. , Schnelle W. , Janson O. , Zheng Q. , Curfs C. , Burkhardt U. , Schwarz U. , Leithe-Jasper A.
Published: February 2015

New germanides with composition RE3Pt4Ge13(RE = Y, Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Tm) have been prepared by high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis.
Opportunities for greener alternatives in chemical formulations
Authors: Jessop P. G. , Ahmadpour F. , Buczynski M. A. , Burns T. J. , Green II N. B. , Korwin R. , Long D. , Massad S. K. , Manley J. B. , Omidbakhsh N. , Pearl R. , Pereira S. , Predale R. A. , Sliva P. G. , VanderBilt H. , Weller S. , Wolf M. H.
Published: February 2015

Formulated products contain some components that need to be replaced because of identified or suspected negative effects on health or the environment.
Macrophage motility is driven by frontal-towing with a force magnitude dependent on substrate stiffness
Authors: Hind Laurel E. , Dembo Micah , Hammer Daniel A.
Published: February 2015

Motility is critical to macrophage function. Here we show that macrophages migrate through frontal towing, the magnitude of which depends on substrate stiffness.
Parallel feedback loops control the basal activity of the HOG MAPK signaling cascade
Authors: Sharifian Hoda , Lampert Fabienne , Stojanovski Klement , Regot Sergi , Vaga Stefania , Buser Raymond , Lee Sung Sik , Koeppl Heinz , Posas Francesc , Pelet Serge , Peter Matthias
Published: February 2015

Hog1-dependent feedback inhibits the Sln1 branch by directly phosphorylating Ssk2 and components of the sensory module.
Lead isotopic analysis of Antarctic snow using multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry
Authors: Bazzano Andrea , Latruwe Kris , Grotti Marco , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: February 2015

Precise and accurate lead isotopic analysis of Antarctic snow at the pg g−1 concentration level has been achieved by combining a total consumption sample introduction system with MC-ICP-MS.
A study of underwater stand-off laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for chemical analysis of objects in the deep ocean
Authors: Fortes F. J. , Guirado S. , Metzinger A. , Laserna J. J.
Published: February 2015

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of stand-off laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (ST-LIBS) for the analysis of distant submerged objects.
Effects of temperature on the preparation and characteristics of hydroxyapatite and its adsorptive properties toward lead
Authors: El Khal Hana , Harrouch Batis Narjès
Published: February 2015

This shows how the calcination temperature affects the hydroxyapatite composition and structure and how Pb2+is fixed on the external surface of its particles.
Anchoring H3PW12O40 on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified graphene oxide: enhanced adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity toward methyl orange
Authors: Xiao Weiming , Zhao Panpan , Deng Shengjun , Zhang Ning
Published: February 2015

A novel PW12/GO–NH2 hybrid was obtained via an impregnation method, which exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity.
Translating endoplasmic reticulum biology into the clinic: a role for ER-targeted natural products?
Authors: Pereira David M. , Valentão Patrícia , Correia-da-Silva Georgina , Teixeira Natércia , Andrade Paula B.
Published: February 2015

In this review, we present the current knowledge of ER biology and the hallmarks of ER stress, thus paving the way for presenting the natural products that have been described as being ER modulators, either stress inducers or ER protectors.
Modelling energy deposition in nanoscintillators to predict the efficiency of the X-ray-induced photodynamic effect
Authors: Bulin Anne-Laure , Vasil'ev Andrey , Belsky Andrei , Amans David , Ledoux Gilles , Dujardin Christophe
Published: February 2015

To evaluate the efficiency of the photodynamic effect induced by X-rays, we quantified the fraction of energy deposited in nanoscintillators after interactions with X or γ-rays, introducing ηnano as a new loss parameter.
Synthesis of liquid crystalline thioether-functionalized hydroxypropyl cellulose esters
Authors: Ohlendorf Peter , Greiner Andreas
Published: February 2015

Synthesis of novel, thermotropic hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) derivatives, completely esterified with functional thioether end groups and without crosslinking or chain degradation, showing cholesteric pitch heights in the visible range.
Self-assemblies of the six-armed star triblock ABC copolymer: pH-tunable morphologies and drug release
Authors: Zhou Ping , Liu Yu-Yang , Niu Lu-Ying , Zhu Jie
Published: February 2015

A well-defined six-armed star triblock copolymer s-(PDEA62-b-PMMA195-b-PPEGMA47)6 was synthesized by the core-first ATRP method. The star triblock copolymer shows pH-tunable self-assembly behavior. Interestingly, the reversible vesicle–micelle transition could be achieved by simply adjusting the surrounding pH.
Facile, green and affordable strategy for structuring natural graphite/polymer composite with efficient electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Jiang Xin , Yan Ding-Xiang , Bao Yu , Pang Huan , Ji Xu , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: February 2015

The mechanical mixing and hot compaction method was firstly used to fabricate graphite/polymer segregated composite for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding.
The actual potential distributions inside cavities under gas evolution and film formation conditions
Authors: Sun X. T. , Lin H. S. , Chen X. S. , Zhang C. Y. , Du R. X.
Published: February 2015

The non-uniform distribution of the electrode potential within submerged cavities is an important consideration in understanding the mechanisms of various electrochemical processes.
Characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles produced with carnauba wax for rosmarinic acid oral delivery
Authors: Madureira Ana Raquel , Campos Débora A. , Fonte Pedro , Nunes Sara , Reis Flávio , Gomes Ana Maria , Sarmento Bruno , Pintado Maria Manuela
Published: February 2015

Illustration of the final product of solid carnauba nanoparticles loaded with rosmarinic acid in the dried solid state suitable for food incorporation.
Synthesis and phase transition energy storage capability of a cross-linked PEG/LACE copolymer
Authors: Maimaiti Halidan , Xu Sumei , Aerken Xuekelaiti , Wumaier Minawar
Published: February 2015

In this paper, the preparation of a capsule-shaped cross-linked PEG/LACE copolymer by the cross-linking reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lauric acid cellulose ester (LACE) in the presence of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is described.
Silica grafted ammonium salts based on DABCO as heterogeneous catalysts for cyclic carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and epoxides
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Heidari Yasaman , Kozehgary Gholamreza
Published: February 2015

DABCO based ammonium salts immobilized on functionalized silica proved to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonate from epoxide and CO2 without the utilization of any organic solvent and any additives.
Solvent-free heterogeneous catalysis for cyanosilylation in a modified sodalite-type Cu(ii)-MOF
Authors: Zhang Ling-Juan , Han Cai-Yun , Dang Qin-Qin , Wang Yan-Hong , Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: February 2015

Modified sodalite-type Cu–BTT MOF is an active solvent-free heterogeneous catalyst for cyanosilylation. The catalyst loading is only one eleventh of that for related Mn–BTT but conversion of benzaldehyde is 96%. These properties make the modified MOF an ideal green catalyst.
Preparation of metal oxide thin films from organic-additive-free aqueous solutions by low-speed dip-coating
Authors: Uchiyama H. , Ito T. , Sasaki R. , Kozuka H.
Published: February 2015

Transparent, crack-free SnO2 and TiO2 precursor films were obtained from organic-additive-free aqueous solutions by low-speed dip-coating. The precursor films were crystallized to SnO2 and TiO2 by the heat treatment at 700 °C for 10 min in air.
Controllable microfluidic fabrication of Janus and microcapsule particles for drug delivery applications
Authors: Li Wenxiu , Dong Hua , Tang Guannan , Ma Ting , Cao Xiaodong
Published: February 2015

Janus and microcapsule particles are very attractive for drug delivery applications due to their capability of targeted and/or programmed drug release.
Large-scale controllable preparation and performance of hierarchical nickel microstructures by a seed-mediated solution hydrogen reduction route
Authors: Zhang Junhao , Yanagisawa Kazumichi , Yao Shanshan , Wong Hontung , Qiu Yushi , Zheng Hongjuan
Published: February 2015

Seed-mediated solution-hydrogen reduction route was developed to prepare nickel microstructures with controllable structures and properties, which is a green method for reducing the use and generation of hazardous substances.
Direct sequencing of a disulfide-linked peptide with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Gongyu , Pei Jiying , Yin Yue , Huang Guangming
Published: February 2015

Enhanced corona discharge was employed for in-spray dissociation of disulfide bonds, facilitating disulfide-containing peptide sequencing with ESI-MS/MS.
Tailoring nano-catalysts: turning gold nanoparticles on bulk metal oxides to inverse nano-metal oxides on large gold particles
Authors: Zhao Guofeng , Wu Xin-Ping , Chai Ruijuan , Zhang Qiaofei , Gong Xue-Qing , Huang Jun , Lu Yong
Published: February 2015

Inverse nano-oxide/large-gold-particle catalysts create an anti-sintering structure with a large interface thereby showing high activity/selectivity for the gas-phase alcohol oxidation with dramatic stability improvement.
Homoleptic low-valent polyazides of group 14 elements
Authors: Peerless Benjamin , Keane Theo , Meijer Anthony J. H. M. , Portius Peter
Published: February 2015

Combining low valent group 14 coordination centres with azido ligands results in stable E(N3)3−anions.
Mesostructured amorphous manganese oxides: facile synthesis and highly durable elimination of low-concentration NO at room temperature in air
Authors: Du Yanyan , Hua Zile , Huang Weimin , Wu Meiying , Wang Min , Wang Jin , Cui Xiangzhi , Zhang Lingxia , Chen Hangrong , Shi Jianlin
Published: February 2015

98% removal of 10 ppm NO is achieved for 237 h with no sign of deactivation with amorphous manganese oxides.
Lewis-acid induced disaggregation of dimeric arylantimony oxides
Authors: Kather Ralf , Svoboda Tomáš , Wehrhahn Maren , Rychagova Elena , Lork Enno , Dostál Libor , Ketkov Sergey , Beckmann Jens
Published: February 2015

The reaction of (Ph3SbO)2and [2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3SbO]2with B(C6F5)3provided the donor acceptor complexes Ph3SbOB(C6F5)3and 2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3SbOB(C6F5)3having significantly shorter Sb–O bonds than their parent compounds.
Anion transport across varying lipid membranes – the effect of lipophilicity
Authors: Spooner Michael J. , Gale Philip A.
Published: February 2015

The anion transport properties of a range of alkyl-substituted phenylthioureas were tested in vesicles of different lipid composition.
Branched dimerization of Tat peptide improves permeability to HeLa and hippocampal neuronal cells
Authors: Monreal I. Abrrey , Liu Qian , Tyson Katherine , Bland Tyler , Dalisay Doralyn S. , Adams Erin V. , Wayman Gary A. , Aguilar Hector C. , Saludes Jonel P.
Published: February 2015

A designed, dimeric analogue of TAT-peptide translocates through HeLa and primary neuronal cell membrane in a non-linear dependence on concentration.
Self-cleaning and superhydrophobic CuO coating by jet-nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique
Authors: Latthe Sanjay S. , Sudhagar P. , Ravidhas C. , Jennifer Christy A. , David Kirubakaran D. , Venkatesh R. , Devadoss Anitha , Terashima C. , Nakata K. , Fujishima Akira
Published: February 2015

The pocket-sized nebulizer equipped jet-spray coating of a monoclinic CuO crystallite surface showed excellent superhydrophobic self-cleaning properties owing to its compact crystallite texture and high surface roughness.
Anion and cation dynamics of sulfonylamide-based ionic liquids and the solid–liquid transitions
Authors: Imanari Mamoru , Fujii Kozo , Mukai Tomohiro , Mizushima Noriko , Seki Hiroko , Nishikawa Keiko
Published: February 2015

Temperature dependences of19FT1andT2values for [C1mim][NTf2] and dynamics of the anions.
Specific features of electronic structures and optical susceptibilities of g-BC3 and t-BC3 phases
Authors: Reshak A. H.
Published: February 2015

Details of comparison for some specific features of electronic structures and optical susceptibilities of g-BC3 and t-BC3 phases are provided.
H/D exchange in reactions of OH− with D2 and of OD− with H2 at low temperatures
Authors: Mulin Dmytro , Roučka Štěpán , Jusko Pavol , Zymak Illia , Plašil Radek , Gerlich Dieter , Wester Roland , Glosík Juraj
Published: February 2015

The H3O− isotopic system was studied by observing the endothermic and exothermic isotope exchange reactions OD− + H2 → OH− + HD and OH− + D2 → OD− + HD using a cryogenic ion trap.
Direct oxidation of amines to nitriles in the presence of ruthenium-terpyridyl complex immobilized on ILs/SILP
Authors: Pavel Octavian Dumitru , Goodrich Peter , Cristian Liliana , Coman Simona M. , Pârvulescu Vasile I. , Hardacre Christopher
Published: February 2015

Ru2Cl4(az-tpy)2was immobilized within a range of supported ionic liquids on silica. SILP operates as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in oxidation of long chain linear primary amines to corresponding nitriles.
Source apportionment of airborne nanoparticles in a Middle Eastern city using positive matrix factorization
Authors: Al-Dabbous Abdullah N. , Kumar Prashant
Published: February 2015

Airborne nanoparticles have been studied worldwide, but little is known about their sources in the Middle East region, where hot, arid and dusty climatic conditions generally prevail.
Synthesis and photosensitivity of isoxazolin-5-one glycosides
Authors: Becker Tobias , Kartikeya Prashant , Paetz Christian , von Reuß Stephan H. , Boland Wilhelm
Published: February 2015

An improved synthetic protocol is described, allowing the synthesis of novel and naturally occurring isoxazolin-5-one glycosides. The photohydrolysis efficiency and pH stability of the obtained isoxazolin-5-one glycosides was studied.
Modular design of profluorescent polymer sensors
Authors: Simpson Emily M. , Ristovski Zoran D. , Bottle Steven E. , Fairfull-Smith Kathryn E. , Blinco James P.
Published: February 2015

Through orthogonal coupling chemistries, the synthesis of profluorescent nitroxide containing polymers for applications as radical or redox sensors is achieved.
Effect of acidic returned fluid on the electric demulsification of crude oil emulsions
Authors: Tao Jun , Shi Peng , Fang Shenwen , Li Keyi , Duan Ming , Liu Pingli
Published: February 2015

The electric demulsification of emulsions in acidic and basic conditions were studied. Two aggregation models of droplets were obtained.
Mononuclear manganese(iii) complexes of bidentate NO donor Schiff base ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, magnetic and catecholase studies
Authors: Dutta Arpan , Biswas Surajit , Dolai Malay , Shaw Bikash Kumar , Mondal Abhishake , Saha Shyamal Kumar , Ali Mahammad
Published: February 2015

We have synthesized four mononuclear manganese(iii) complexes (1–4) of four closely related bidentate NO donor Schiff-base ligands, out of which three (2–4) were structurally characterized.
Molecular engineering of quinoxaline dyes toward more efficient sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Yang Li-Na , Li Shi-Cheng , Li Ze-Sheng , Li Quan-Song
Published: February 2015

N-annulated perylene-containing quinoxaline sensitizer (NIQ4) displays remarkable performance in light harvesting, electron injection, and dye regeneration.
Fabrication of host–guest UV-blocking materials by intercalation of fluorescent anions into layered double hydroxides
Authors: Wang Guirong , Xu Simin , Xia Chunhui , Yan Dongpeng , Lin Yanjun , Wei Min
Published: February 2015

A host–guest UV-blocking material was obtained by the intercalation of a fluorescent whitening agent into the layered double hydroxide, which can absorb and convert UV light into visible fluorescence emission instead of thermal radiation.
Homo- and heterometallic coordination networks based on linear trinuclear Co(ii) units: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties
Authors: Huang Wun-Jhih , Hsu Chia-Ju , Tsai Shao-Kang , He Hsiu-Yi , Ding Jaw-Jih , Hsu Ting-Wei , Yang Chun-Chuen , Chen Jhy-Der
Published: February 2015

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of a (1 + 3) self-catenated homometallic 3D net with the (36,410,511,6) topology and a 3p–3d heterometallic 3D net showing the (414·610·84)(42·64)(44·62) topology are reported.
A polyoxometalate-assisted approach for synthesis of Pd nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets: synergistic behaviour for enhanced electrocatalytic activity
Authors: Khadempir Sara , Ahmadpour Ali , Hamed Mosavian Mohammad T. , Ashraf Narges , Bamoharram Fatemeh F. , Mitchell Scott G. , de la Fuente Jesús M.
Published: February 2015

A novel activation step has been applied to the Pd/PMo12/GNSs nanohybrid, which enhances the electrocatalytic activity.
A model for aging under deformation field, residual stresses and strains in soft glassy materials
Authors: Joshi Yogesh M.
Published: February 2015

A simple model is proposed that explicitly considers the effect of evolving relaxation time and modulus on various rheological behaviors of soft glassy materials including thixotropy, yield stress, shear banding, and residual stress and strain.
Heterostructures of CuS nanoparticle/ZnO nanorod arrays on carbon fibers with improved visible and solar light photocatalytic properties
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Sun Yangang , Xiao Zhiyin , Li Wenyao , Li Bo , Huang Xiaojuan , Liu Xijian , Hu Junqing
Published: February 2015

Heterostructures of CuS nanoparticle/ZnO nanorod arrays on carbon fibers, prepared via a facile two-step solution reaction, exhibited remarkable visible light photocatalytic activity and will promote their practical application in eliminating pollutants from wastewater.
Testosterone induces leucocyte migration by NADPH oxidase-driven ROS- and COX2-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Chignalia Andreia Z. , Oliveira Maria Aparecida , Debbas Victor , Dull Randal O. , Laurindo Francisco R.M. , Touyz Rhian M. , Carvalho Maria Helena C. , Fortes Zuleica B. , Tostes Rita C.
Published: February 2015

The mechanisms whereby testosterone increases cardiovascular risk are not clarified. However, oxidative stress and inflammation seem to be determinants. Herein, we sought to determine whether exogenous testosterone, at physiological levels, induces leucocyte migration, a central feature in immune and inflammatory responses and the mediating mechanisms. We hypothesized that testosterone induces leucocyte migration via NADPH oxidase (NADPHox)-driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-dependent mechanisms. Sixteen-week-old Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal injection (5 ml) of either testosterone (10−7 mol/l) or saline. Rats were pre-treated with 5 ml of sodium salicylate (SS, non-selective COX inhibitor, 1.25×10−3 mol/l, 1 h prior to testosterone or saline), flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist, 10−5 mol/l), apocynin (NADPHox inhibitor, 3×10−4 mol/l), N-[2-Cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide (NS398, COX2 inhibitor, 10−4 mol/l) or saline, 4 h before testosterone or saline administration. Leucocyte migration was assessed 24 h after testosterone administration by intravital microscopy of the mesenteric bed. Serum levels of testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. NADPHox activity was assessed in membrane fractions of the mesenteric bed by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence and in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by HPLC. NADPHox subunits and VCAM (vascular cell adhesion molecule) expression were determined by immunoblotting. Testosterone administration did not change serum levels of endogenous testosterone, but increased venular leucocyte migration to the adventia, NADPHox activity and expression (P<0.05). These effects were blocked by flutamide. SS inhibited testosterone-induced leucocyte migration (P<0.05). Apocynin and NS398 abolished testosterone-induced leucocyte migration and NADPHox activity (P<0.05). Testosterone induces leucocyte migration via NADPHox- and COX2-dependent mechanisms and may contribute to inflammatory processes and oxidative stress in the vasculature potentially increasing cardiovascular risk.
Comparing Simultaneous Clinical Swallow Evaluations and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing: Findings and Consequences
Authors: Leder Steven B.
Published: February 2015

Introduction:

Simultaneous blinded comparisons between the results of a clinical swallowing evaluation (CSE) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) were performed.

Methods:

Raters were two groups of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with expertise in dysphagia. One group analyzed the FEES video alone and the other group analyzed the CSE video alone. No consistent agreement was found between the CSE and FEES raters regarding pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy and physiology, bolus flow characteristics, and oral diet recommendations.

Results:

There was also no consensus on the need for instrumental testing. Watching the CSE video alone prevented expert SLPs who use a CSE from determining pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy and physiology, bolus flow characteristics, silent aspiration, and making informed diet recommendations and intervention strategies. Watching the FEES video alone allowed expert SLPs who use FEES to determine pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy and physiology and bolus flow characteristics and make evidence-based oral diet recommendations.

Discussion:

A CSE does not have good clinical utility for determining pharyngeal dysphagia. The consequences of these results will be discussed.
Current Healthcare Climate: What Does it Mean for SLPs Managing Patients With Dysphagia?
Authors: Swigert Nancy
Published: February 2015

In every setting, as a result of the changes in reimbursement, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) need to re-think how services are provided to patients with dysphagia and feeding/swallowing disorders. In addition to implementing strategies to increase efficiency (and thus productivity), SLPs must understand the changes in the healthcare environment. It is advisable that they explore ways to make their services valuable to their facility in addition to direct patient care. It is also recommended that SLPs familiarize themselves with the challenges the facility faces and consider ways they can help the facility meet those challenges. They should seek to continually improve efficiency while keeping an eye on achieving patient outcomes and providing value. In this way, the SLP can remain an important member of the healthcare team.
Multiuser motion recognition system using smartphone LED luminescence
Authors: Oh Byung‐Hun , Kim Jung‐Hyun , Chung Kwang‐Woo , Hong Kwang‐Sook
Published: February 2015

A novel multiuser motion recognition system that uses a smartphone detection method and tracking interface is proposed. This multiuser motion recognition system provides a motion control interface between devices using an image‐based object tracking algorithm through smartphone light‐emitting diode (LED) luminescence. It requires just a universal serial bus (USB) camera and personal smartphone instead of expensive equipment to provide a motion control interface. It recognises the user's gestures by tracking three‐dimensional (3D) distance and the rotation angle of the smartphone, which acts essentially as a controller in the user's hand.
Super‐twisting observer for second‐order systems with time‐varying coefficient
Authors: Guzmán Eder , Moreno Jaime A.
Published: February 2015

Discontinuous Observers, in particular those based in the Super‐Twisting Algorithm, are able to estimate the unknown input of a system in finite time when the relative degree is one for all the time and the input is a Lipschitz function of time. The authors extend in this study this result for the case when the relative degree is not well defined for all the time because of the fact that the unknown input has a time‐varying coefficient that can be zero for some time intervals and that can also change its sign. The authors propose a discontinuous observer able to estimate the input in finite time and despite of its bounded but unknown velocity of change during the times the relative degree is well defined and one. They also provide a Lyapunov‐like analysis to show the convergence of the observer using multiple instead of a single Lyapunov function. It is shown that if the signal to be estimated is Persistently Exciting and its number of changes of signs is bounded in any bounded interval of time, then the observer converges globally, uniformly and in finite time to the true value. The authors use the observer as estimator of a time‐varying parameter and illustrate in an example its performance.
H6‐type transformerless single‐phase inverter for grid‐tied photovoltaic system
Authors: Islam Monirul , Mekhilef Saad
Published: February 2015

There has been an increasing interest in transformerless inverter for grid‐tied photovoltaic (PV) system because of the benefits of lower cost, smaller volume as well as higher efficiency compared with the ones with transformer. However, one of the technical challenges of the transformerless inverter is the safety issue of leakage current which needs to be addressed carefully. In addition, according to the international regulations, transformerless inverter should be capable of handling a certain amount of reactive power. In this study, a new H6‐type transformerless inverter for grid‐tied PV system is proposed that can eliminate the threat of leakage current. The proposed topology has also the capability to inject reactive power into the utility grid. Three‐level output voltage employing unipolar sinusoidal pulse‐width modulation can be achieved with the proposed topology. The proposed topology structure and detail operation principle with reactive power control are investigated. The relationship among the existing topologies and their reactive power control capability are also discussed. The proposed topology is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink software to initially verify the accuracy of theoretical explanations. Finally, a universal prototype rated 1 kW has been built and tested. The experimental results validate the theoretical analysis and simulation results.
Split‐phase switched‐capacitor ac–ac converter
Authors: Lazzarin Telles Brunelli , Moccelini Marcos Paulo , Barbi Ivo
Published: February 2015

This study proposes an ac–ac direct static power converter based on the switched‐capacitor (SC) principle, aimed at supplying a split‐phase system from an ac single‐phase voltage source. The main advantages of the proposed split‐phase SC converter are (i) the provision of three output voltages, two being equal to the input voltage and one being twice the input voltage, (ii) balanced output voltages even under unbalanced loads, (iii) the absence of magnetic elements in the power circuit, (iv) the stress voltages in all components being equal to the input voltage, (v) the ability to be bidirectional, (vi) high efficiency and (vii) high power density. These characteristics make the proposed converter suitable for modern applications where a split‐phase system needs to be generated from a renewable energy source, distributed generation system, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), battery bank, electric/hybrid vehicle, smart grid or even the electrical grid itself. To verify the performance of the proposed converter, a 1 kW prototype was built and tested with standard voltages, such as 110 V input voltage and 110 V/110 V/220 V output voltages. The efficiency, output voltage regulation, tests with input voltages of 16.6, 60 and 400 Hz and other experimental results are reported herein.
Mode-selected heat flow through a one-dimensional waveguide network
Authors: Riha Christian , Miechowski Philipp , Buchholz Sven S. , Chiatti Olivio , Wieck Andreas D. , Reuter Dirk , Fischer Saskia F.
Published: February 2015

Cross-correlated measurements of thermal noise are performed to determine the electron temperature in nanopatterned channels of a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure at 4.2 K. Two-dimensional (2D) electron reservoirs are connected via an extended one-dimensional (1D) electron waveguide network. Hot electrons are produced using a current Ih in a source 2D reservoir, are transmitted through the ballistic 1D waveguide, and relax in a drain 2D reservoir. We find that the electron temperature increase, ΔTe, in the drain is proportional to the square of the heating current Ih, as expected from Joule's law. No temperature increase is observed in the drain when the 1D waveguide does not transmit electrons. Therefore, we conclude that electron-phonon interaction is negligible for heat transport between 2D reservoirs at temperatures below 4.2 K. Furthermore, mode control of the 1D electron waveguide by application of a top-gate voltage reveals that ΔTe is not proportional to the number of populated subbands N, as previously observed in single 1D conductors. This can be explained with the splitting of the heat flow in the 1D waveguide network.
Magnetic properties of ultrathin tetragonal Heusler D22-Mn3Ge perpendicular-magnetized films
Authors: Sugihara A. , Suzuki K. Z. , Miyazaki T. , Mizukami S.
Published: February 2015

We investigated the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Manganese-germanium (Mn3Ge) films having the tetragonal D022 structure, with varied thicknesses (5–130 nm) prepared on chromium (Cr)-buffered single crystal MgO(001) substrates. A crystal lattice elongation in the in-plane direction, induced by the lattice mismatch between the D022-Mn3Ge and the Cr buffer layer, increased with decreasing thickness of the D022-Mn3Ge layer. The films exhibited clear magnetic hysteresis loops with a squareness ratio close to unity, and a step-like magnetization reversal even at a 5-nm thickness under an external field perpendicular to the film's plane. The uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant of the films showed a reduction to less than 10 Merg/cm3 in the small thickness range (≤20 nm), likely due to the crystal lattice elongation in the in-plane direction.
Fabrication of Fe nanowires on yittrium-stabilized zirconia single crystal substrates by thermal CVD methods
Authors: Kawahito A. , Yanase T. , Endo T. , Nagahama T. , Shimada T.
Published: February 2015

Magnetic nanowires (NWs) are promising as material for use in spintronics and as the precursor of permanent magnets because they have unique properties due to their high aspect ratio. The growth of magnetic Fe whiskers was reported in the 1960s, but the diameter was not on a nanoscale level and the growth mechanism was not fully elucidated. In the present paper, we report the almost vertical growth of Fe NWs on a single crystal yttrium-stabilized zirconia (Y0.15Zr0.85O2) by a thermal CVD method. The NWs show a characteristic taper part on the bottom growing from a trigonal pyramidal nucleus. The taper angle and length can be controlled by changing the growth condition in two steps, which will lead to obtaining uniformly distributed thin Fe NWs for applications.
Terahertz-driven magnetism dynamics in the orthoferrite DyFeO3
Authors: Reid A. H. M. , Rasing Th. , Pisarev R. V. , Dürr H. A. , Hoffmann M. C.
Published: February 2015

Terahertz (THz) driven magnetization dynamics are explored in the orthoferrite DyFeO3. A high-field, single cycle THz pulse is used to excite magnon modes in the crystal together with other resonances. Both quasi-ferromagnetic and quasi-antiferromagnetic magnon modes are excited and appear in time-resolved measurements of the Faraday rotation. Other modes are also observed in the measurements of the time-resolved linear birefringence. Analysis of the excitation process reveals that despite larger than expected electro-optical susceptibility, it is mainly the THz magnetic field that couples to the quasi-ferromagnetic and quasi-antiferromagnetic magnon branches.
Ferroelectric photovoltaic properties in doubly substituted (Bi0.9La0.1)(Fe0.97Ta0.03)O3 thin films
Authors: Katiyar R. K. , Sharma Y. , Barrionuevo D. , Kooriyattil S. , Pavunny S. P. , Young J. S. , Morell G. , Weiner B. R. , Katiyar R. S. , Scott J. F.
Published: February 2015

Doubly substituted [Bi0.9La0.1][Fe0.97Ta0.03]O3 (BLFTO) films were fabricated on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The ferroelectric photovoltaic properties of ZnO:Al/BLFTO/Pt thin film capacitor structures were evaluated under white light illumination. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current density were observed to be ∼0.20 V and ∼1.35 mA/cm2, respectively. The band gap of the films was determined to be ∼2.66 eV, slightly less than that of pure BiFeO3 (2.67 eV). The PV properties of BLFTO thin films were also studied for various pairs of planar electrodes in different directions in polycrystalline thin films.
Probing patterned defects on graphene using differential interference contrast observation
Authors: Yang Gwangseok , Kim Jihyun
Published: February 2015

We present here a simple optical-imaging technique for observing patterned defects on graphene. Photolithography was performed to limit areas on graphene that would be exposed to an oxygen plasma when it was introduced to generate defects on the graphene. The patterned defects were systematically characterized using conventional Nomarski differential interference contrast (DIC) observations with a nematic liquid crystal in conjunction with micro-Raman spectroscopy, which showed that the defects on graphene increased with increasing durations of oxygen-plasma treatment. Distinct differences in reflected-light Nomarski DIC were observed in the regions with defects. The combination of the DIC imaging and micro-Raman spectroscopy provides a fast, direct, and scalable method to evaluate the defects on graphene.
Enhanced laser-radiation-pressure-driven proton acceleration by moving focusing electric-fields in a foil-in-cone target
Authors: Zou D. B. , Zhuo H. B. , Yu T. P. , Wu H. C. , Yang X. H. , Shao F. Q. , Ma Y. Y. , Yin Y. , Ge Z. Y.
Published: February 2015

A foil-in-cone target is proposed to enhance stable laser-radiation-pressure-driven proton acceleration by avoiding the beam degradation in whole stage of acceleration. Two and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the guiding cone can substantially improve the spectral and spatial properties of the ion beam and lead to better preservation of the beam quality. This can be attributed to the focusing effect of the radial sheath electric fields formed on the inner walls of the cone, which co-move with the accelerated foil and effectively suppress the undesirable transverse explosion of the foil. It is shown that, by using a transversely Gaussian laser pulse with intensity of ∼2.74 × 1022 W∕cm2, a quasi-monoenergetic proton beam with a peak energy of ∼1.5 GeV/u, density ∼10nc, and transverse size ∼1λ0 can be obtained.
Multiple solutions for discrete periodic nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Sun Jijiang , Ma Shiwang
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we obtain infinitely many geometrically distinct solutions with exponential decay at infinity of the discrete periodic nonlinear Schrödinger equation Lun − ωun = ϱgn(un), n ∈ ℤ, where ω belongs to a spectral gap of the linear operator L, ϱ = ± 1, and the potential gn(s) is symmetric in s, asymptotically or super linear with more general hypotheses as s→∞ for all n ∈ ℤ. Our arguments are based on some abstract critical point theorems about strongly indefinite functional developed recently.