bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled modification of starch in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles with tunable optical properties and their application in heavy metal sensing
Authors: Ban Deependra Kumar , Pratihar Swadesh Kumar , Paul Subhankar
Published: September 2015

The controlled modification of starch by heating enabled the synthesis of gold nanoparticles with controllable size and stability using starch alone as the reducing agent with a low concentration of alkali as catalyst.
The nature of Pd–carbene and Pd–halogen bonds in (bisNHC)PdX2 type catalysts: insights from density functional theory
Authors: Jagadeesan Rajangam , Velmurugan Gunasekaran , Venuvanalingam Ponnambalam
Published: September 2015

Pd–carbene and Pd–halogen play a key role in the catalytic activity of (bisNHC)PdX2 complexes and they can be fine-tuned with proper substitution in the carbene moiety and choosing a weakly coordinating halide ion.
Aminomethylpyrene-based imino-phenols as primary fluorescence switch-on sensors for Al3+ in solution and in Vero cells and their complexes as secondary recognition ensembles toward pyrophosphate
Authors: Mahapatra Ajit Kumar , Ali Syed Samim , Maiti Kalipada , Manna Saikat Kumar , Maji Rajkishor , Mondal Sanchita , Uddin Md. Raihan , Mandal Sukhendu , Sahoo Prithidipa
Published: September 2015

Three aminomethylpyrene-based salicyl-imines, viz.L1, L2 and L3 were designed and synthesized for Al3+ ion sensing.
Operative conversions of 3-carboxy-4-quinolones into 3-nitro-4-quinolones via ipso-nitration: potential antifilarial agents as inhibitors of Brugia malayi thymidylate kinase
Authors: Azad Chandra S. , Balaramnavar Vishal M. , Khan Imran A. , Doharey Pawan K. , Saxena Jitendra K. , Saxena Anil K.
Published: September 2015

An efficient, cost effective and green methodology for ipso nitration in the synthesis of the 3-nitro derivative of 3-carboxy 4-quinolones has been developed by the quantitative use of copper acetate and silver nitrate in water.
A flexible supercapacitor based on vertically oriented ‘Graphene Forest’ electrodes
Authors: Ma Yifei , Wang Mei , Kim Namhun , Suhr Jonghwan , Chae Heeyeop
Published: September 2015

A flexible supercapacitor was demonstrated with ‘graphene forest’ as electrodes. No capacitance loss was observed even with 100 000 times of bending.
FITC/suramin harboring silica nanoformulations for cellular and embryonic imaging/anti-angiogenic theranostics
Authors: Veeranarayanan Srivani , Poulose Aby Cheruvathoor , Sheikh Mohamed M. , Nagaoka Yutaka , Kashiwada Shosaku , Maekawa Toru , Sakthi Kumar D.
Published: September 2015

FITC/suramin loaded silica based nanoformulation for live medaka embryo imaging and anti-angiogenic vascular disruption for future combinatorial/alternative cancer theranostics.
Synthesis and characterization of conductive few layered graphene nanosheets using an anionic electrochemical intercalation and exfoliation technique
Authors: Sahoo Sumanta Kumar , Mallik Archana
Published: September 2015

Few layered conductive graphene nanosheets have been synthesized using a protic intercalate electrolyte in a two electrode electrochemical intercalation and exfoliation process.
BaGa2SnSe6: a new phase-matchable IR nonlinear optical material with strong second harmonic generation response
Authors: Li Xiaoshuang , Li Chao , Gong Pifu , Lin Zheshuai , Yao Jiyong , Wu Yicheng
Published: September 2015

BaGa2SnSe6exhibits a very strong NLO response of ∼5.2 AgGaS2and shows type-I phase-matchable behavior.
TCF7L2 activation is required for myelin regeneration in 5-FU-induced demyelinating mice
Authors: Tan Biqin , Wang Jing , Zhao Mengting , Hu Yan , Wang Jiajia , Yang Bo , He QiaoJun , Yang Xiao Chun , Weng Qinjie
Published: September 2015

Previous studies have shown that 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) could cause delayed myelin degeneration by inducing oligodendrocyte death.
Orphan nuclear receptor oestrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) plays a key role in hepatic cannabinoid receptor type 1-mediated induction of CYP7A1 gene expression
Authors: Zhang Yaochen , Kim Don-Kyu , Lee Ji-Min , Park Seung Bum , Jeong Won-IL , Kim Seong Heon , Lee In-Kyu , Lee Chul-Ho , Chiang John Y.L. , Choi Hueng-Sik
Published: September 2015

Bile acids are primarily synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and have important roles in dietary lipid absorption and cholesterol homoeostasis. Detailed roles of the orphan nuclear receptors regulating cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid synthesis, have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we report that oestrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) is a novel transcriptional regulator of CYP7A1 expression. Activation of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 receptor) signalling induced ERRγ-mediated transcription of the CYP7A1 gene. Overexpression of ERRγ increased CYP7A1 expression in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of ERRγ attenuated CYP7A1 expression. Deletion analysis of the CYP7A1 gene promoter and a ChIP assay revealed an ERRγ-binding site on the CYP7A1 gene promoter. Small heterodimer partner (SHP) inhibited the transcriptional activity of ERRγ and thus regulated CYP7A1 expression. Overexpression of ERRγ led to increased bile acid levels, whereas an inverse agonist of ERRγ, GSK5182, reduced CYP7A1 expression and bile acid synthesis. Finally, GSK5182 significantly reduced hepatic CB1 receptor-mediated induction of CYP7A1 expression and bile acid synthesis in alcohol-treated mice. These results provide the molecular mechanism linking ERRγ and bile acid metabolism.
Plant cytokinin signalling
Authors: Keshishian Erika A. , Rashotte Aaron M.
Published: September 2015

Cytokinin is an essential plant hormone that is involved in a wide range of plant growth and developmental processes which are controlled through its signalling pathway. Cytokinins are a class of molecules that are N6-substituted adenine derivatives, such as isopentenyl adenine, and trans- and cis-zeatin, which are common in most plants. The ability to perceive and respond to cytokinin occurs through a modified bacterial two-component pathway that functions via a multi-step phosphorelay. This cytokinin signalling process is a crucial part of almost all stages of plant life, from embryo patterning to apical meristem regulation, organ development and eventually senescence. The cytokinin signalling pathway involves the co-ordination of three types of proteins: histidine kinase receptors to perceive the signal, histidine phosphotransfer proteins to relay the signal, and response regulators to provide signal output. This pathway contains both positive and negative elements that function in a complex co-ordinated manner to control cytokinin-regulated plant responses. Although much is known about how this cytokinin signal is perceived and initially regulated, there are still many avenues that need to be explored before the role of cytokinin in the control of plant processes is fully understood.
Novel players fine-tune plant trade-offs
Authors: Gimenez-Ibanez Selena , Boter Marta , Solano Roberto
Published: September 2015

Jasmonates (JAs) are essential signalling molecules that co-ordinate the plant response to biotic and abiotic challenges, as well as co-ordinating several developmental processes. Huge progress has been made over the last decade in understanding the components and mechanisms that govern JA perception and signalling. The bioactive form of the hormone, (+)-7-iso-jasmonyl-l-isoleucine (JA-Ile), is perceived by the COI1–JAZ co-receptor complex. JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins also act as direct repressors of transcriptional activators such as MYC2. In the emerging picture of JA-Ile perception and signalling, COI1 operates as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that upon binding of JA-Ile targets JAZ repressors for degradation by the 26S proteasome, thereby derepressing transcription factors such as MYC2, which in turn activate JA-Ile-dependent transcriptional reprogramming. It is noteworthy that MYCs and different spliced variants of the JAZ proteins are involved in a negative regulatory feedback loop, which suggests a model that rapidly turns the transcriptional JA-Ile responses on and off and thereby avoids a detrimental overactivation of the pathway. This chapter highlights the most recent advances in our understanding of JA-Ile signalling, focusing on the latest repertoire of new targets of JAZ proteins to control different sets of JA-Ile-mediated responses, novel mechanisms of negative regulation of JA-Ile signalling, and hormonal cross-talk at the molecular level that ultimately determines plant adaptability and survival.
Florigens and antiflorigens: a molecular genetic understanding
Authors: Matsoukas Ianis G.
Published: September 2015

Florigens, the leaf-derived signals that initiate flowering, have been described as ‘mysterious’, ‘elusive’ and the ‘Holy Grail’ of plant biology. They are synthesized in response to appropriate photoperiods and move through the phloem tissue. It has been proposed that their composition is complex. The evidence that FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein and its paralogue TWIN SISTER OF FT (TSF) act as florigen, or represent at least part of it, in diverse plant species has attracted considerable attention. In Arabidopsis thaliana, inductive photoperiodic conditions perceived in the leaf lead to stabilization of CONSTANS protein, which induces FT and TSF transcription. When they have been translated in the phloem companion cells, FT and TSF enter the phloem stream and are conveyed to the shoot apical meristem, where they act together with FLOWERING LOCUS D to activate transcription of floral meristem identity genes, resulting in floral initiation. At least part of this model is conserved, with some variations in several species. In addition to florigen(s), a systemic floral inhibitor or antiflorigen contributes to floral initiation. This chapter provides an overview of the different molecules that have been demonstrated to have florigenic or antiflorigenic functions in plants, and suggests possible directions for future research.
Increased ubiquitination and reduced plasma membrane trafficking of placental amino acid transporter SNAT-2 in human IUGR
Authors: Chen Yi-Yung , Rosario Fredrick J. , Shehab Majida Abu , Powell Theresa L. , Gupta Madhulika B. , Jansson Thomas
Published: September 2015

Placental amino acid transport is decreased in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We have shown that mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling regulates system A amino acid transport by modulating the ubiquitination and plasma membrane trafficking of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT-2) in cultured primary human trophoblast cells. We hypothesize that IUGR is associated with (1) inhibition of placental mTORC1 and mTORC2 signalling pathways, (2) increased amino acid transporter ubiquitination in placental homogenates and (3) decreased protein expression of SNAT-2 in the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membrane (MVM). To test this hypothesis, we collected placental tissue and isolated MVM from women with pregnancies complicated by IUGR (n=25) and gestational age-matched women with appropriately grown control infants (n=19, birth weights between the twenty-fifth to seventy-fifth percentiles). The activity of mTORC1 and mTORC2 was decreased whereas the protein expression of the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-2 (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4-2; +72%, P<0.0001) and the ubiquitination of SNAT-2 (+180%, P<0.05) were increased in homogenates of IUGR placentas. Furthermore, IUGR was associated with decreased system A amino acid transport activity (–72%, P<0.0001) and SNAT-1 (–42%, P<0.05) and SNAT-2 (–31%, P<0.05) protein expression in MVM. In summary, these findings are consistent with the possibility that decreased placental mTOR activity causes down-regulation of placental system A activity by shifting SNAT-2 trafficking towards proteasomal degradation, thereby contributing to decreased fetal amino acid availability and restricted fetal growth in IUGR.
Thin viscous ferrofluid film in a magnetic field
Authors: Conroy Devin T. , Matar Omar K.
Published: September 2015

We consider a thin, ferrofluidic film flowing down an inclined substrate, under the action of a magnetic field, bounded above by an inviscid gas. Its dynamics are governed by a coupled system of the steady Maxwell’s, the Navier-Stokes, and the continuity equations. The magnetization of the film is a function of the magnetic field and may be prescribed by a Langevin function. We make use of a long-wave reduction in order to solve for the dynamics of the pressure and velocity fields inside the film. In addition, we investigate the problem in the limit of a large magnetic permeability. Imposition of appropriate interfacial conditions allows for the construction of an evolution equation for the interfacial shape via use of the kinematic condition. The resultant one-dimensional equations are solved numerically using spectral methods. The magnetic effects give rise to a non-local contribution. We conduct a parametric study of both the linear and nonlinear stabilities of the system in order to evaluate the effects of the magnetic field. Through a linear stability analysis, we verify that the Maxwell’s pressure generated from a normally applied magnetic field is destabilizing and can be used to control the size and shape of lobes and collars on the free surface. We also find that in the case of a falling drop, the magnetic field causes an increase in the velocity and capillary ridge of the drop.
Effect of high-k dielectric and ionic liquid gate on nanolayer black-phosphorus field effect transistors
Authors: Kamalakar M. Venkata , Madhushankar B. N. , Dankert André , Dash Saroj P.
Published: September 2015

Nanolayer black phosphorus (BP) is a direct bandgap semiconducting two dimensional crystal, showing immense promise for future nanoelectronic devices. Here, we report the effect of high-k dielectric and ionic-liquid gate in BP field effect transistors (BP FET). An ambipolar behavior is observed in pristine BP FETs with current modulation of 104. With a high-k HfO2 encapsulation, we observed identical switching performance in the BP FETs, however, with noticeable enhancement in mobility at room temperature. In comparison to the pristine device, the HfO2 encapsulation showed a contrasting decrease in mobility at lower temperatures. BP FETs with electric double layer ionic liquid gate showed a drastic improvement in the subthreshold swing (SS) to 173 mV/dec and operation voltages less than 0.5 V in comparison to solid state SiO2 back gated devices. Our results elucidate the effect of different electrostatic conditions on BP transistor channels and open up ways for further exploration of their prospects for nanoelectronic devices and circuits.
Drying of salt contaminated porous media: Effect of primary and secondary nucleation
Authors: Desarnaud Julie , Derluyn Hannelore , Molari Luisa , de Miranda Stefano , Cnudde Veerle , Shahidzadeh Noushine
Published: September 2015

The drying of porous media is of major importance for civil engineering, geophysics, petrophysics, and the conservation of stone artworks and buildings. More often than not, stones contain salts that can be mobilized by water (e.g., rain) and crystallize during drying. The drying speed is strongly influenced by the crystallization of the salts, but its dynamics remains incompletely understood. Here, we report that the mechanisms of salt precipitation, specifically the primary or secondary nucleation, and the crystal growth are the key factors that determine the drying behaviour of salt contaminated porous materials and the physical weathering generated by salt crystallization. When the same amount of water is used to dissolve the salt present in a stone, depending on whether this is done by a rapid saturation with liquid water or by a slow saturation using water vapor, different evaporation kinetics and salt weathering due to different crystallization pathways are observed.
The Widom line and dynamical crossover in supercritical water: Popular water models versus experiments
Authors: Corradini D. , Rovere M. , Gallo P.
Published: September 2015

In a previous study [Gallo et al., Nat. Commun. 5, 5806 (2014)], we have shown an important connection between thermodynamic and dynamical properties of water in the supercritical region. In particular, by analyzing the experimental viscosity and the diffusion coefficient obtained in simulations performed using the TIP4P/2005 model, we have found that the line of response function maxima in the one phase region, the Widom line, is connected to a crossover from a liquid-like to a gas-like behavior of the transport coefficients. This is in agreement with recent experiments concerning the dynamics of supercritical simple fluids. We here show how different popular water models (TIP4P/2005, TIP4P, SPC/E, TIP5P, and TIP3P) perform in reproducing thermodynamic and dynamic experimental properties in the supercritical region. In particular, the comparison with experiments shows that all the analyzed models are able to qualitatively predict the dynamical crossover from a liquid-like to a gas-like behavior upon crossing the Widom line. Some of the models perform better in reproducing the pressure-temperature slope of the Widom line of supercritical water once a rigid shift of the phase diagram is applied to bring the critical points to coincide with the experimental ones.
Spin-polarization inversion at small organic molecule/Fe4N interfaces: A first-principles study
Authors: Zhang Qian , Mi Wenbo
Published: September 2015

We report the first-principles calculations on the electronic structure and simulation of the spin-polarized scan tunneling microscopy graphic of the small organic molecules (benzene, thiophene, and cyclopentadienyl)/Fe4N interfaces. It is found that the plane of benzene and thiophene keeps parallel to Fe4N surface, while that of cyclopentadienyl does not. For all the systems, the organic molecules bind strongly with Fe4N. Due to the hybridization between molecule pz orbitals and d orbitals of Fe, i.e., Zener interaction, all the three systems realize the spin-polarization inversion, whereas the spatial spin-polarization inversion distribution shows different intensities influenced by the competition between the spin polarization of C pz and Fe d states.
Effects of non-thermal plasma on the electrical properties of an erythrocyte membrane
Authors: Lee Jin Young , Baik Ku Youn , Kim Tae Soo , Lim Jaekwan , Uhm Han S. , Choi Eun Ha
Published: September 2015

Non-thermal plasma is used here for membrane oxidation and permeabilization in which the electrical properties of an erythrocyte membrane are investigated after treatments. The zeta potential as measured by electrophoresis shows the increased negativity of the membrane surface potential (Ψs). The secondary electron emission coefficient (γ) measured by a focused ion beam shows a decrease in the dipole potential (Ψd) of lipid molecules. The voltage-sensitive fluorescent intensity as measured by flow cytometry shows a decrease in the trans-membrane potential (ΔΨ) through the lipid bilayer membrane. These results allow us to take a step forward to unveil the complex events occurring in plasma-treated cells.
Observation of reduced 1/f noise in graphene field effect transistors on boron nitride substrates
Authors: Kayyalha Morteza , Chen Yong P.
Published: September 2015

We have investigated the low frequency (f) flicker (also called 1/f) noise of single-layer graphene devices on h-BN (placed on SiO2/Si) along with those on SiO2/Si. We observe that the devices fabricated on h-BN have on average one order of magnitude lower noise amplitude compared with devices fabricated on SiO2/Si despite having comparable mobilities at room temperature. We associate this noise reduction to the lower densities of impurities and trap sites in h-BN than in SiO2. Furthermore, the gate voltage dependent noise amplitude shows a broad maximum at Dirac point for devices on h-BN, in contrast to the M-shaped behavior showing a minimum at Dirac point for devices on SiO2, consistent with the reduced charge inhomogeneity (puddles) for graphene on h-BN. This study demonstrates that the use of h-BN as a substrate or dielectric can be a simple and efficient noise reduction technique valuable for electronic applications of graphene and other nanomaterials.
Kapitza resistance at segregated boundaries in β-SiC
Authors: Goel N. , Webb E. B. , Oztekin A. , Rickman J. M. , Neti S.
Published: September 2015

The impact of grain-boundary segregation on the high-temperature Kapitza resistance of doped β-SiC using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation is investigated. In particular, low-angle, symmetric tilt grain boundaries are examined to assess the roles of dopant concentration and dopant/matrix interaction strength in determining the resistance. For relatively weak interaction strengths, dopant clustering predominates, and the Kapitza resistance increases significantly for small changes in dopant concentration. As the dopant/matrix interaction strength is increased, dopant layering is observed with a concomitant gradual increase in resistance with concentration. The different interaction strength regimes are investigated by mapping the spatial distribution of boundary temperatures and by quantifying the degree of spatial ordering at a boundary. It was found that dopant clustering leads to a heat flux parallel to the grain-boundary plane and to significant boundary disorder, partly explaining the observed increase in Kapitza resistance at the boundary.
Preface to Special Topic: Microfluidics in Drug Delivery
Authors: Stadler Brigitte
Published: September 2015

In this special topic of Biomicrofluidics, the importance of microfluidics in the field of drug delivery is highlighted. Different aspects from cell-drug carrier interactions, delivery vehicle assembly to novel drug delivery devices are considered. The contributing reviews and original articles illustrate the synergistic outcomes between these two areas of research with the aim to have a positive impact on biomedical applications.
Micromechanics model for predicting effective elastic moduli of porous ceramic matrices with randomly oriented carbon nanotube reinforcements
Authors: Poh Leslie , Della Christian , Ying Shengjie , Goh Cindy , Li Yun
Published: September 2015

Multi-step micromechanics-based models are developed to predict the overall effective elastic moduli of porous ceramic with randomly oriented carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcements. The presence of porosity in the ceramic matrix that has been previously neglected in the literature is considered in present analysis. The ceramic matrix with porosity is first homogenized using a classical Mori-Tanaka model. Then, the homogenized porous ceramic matrix with randomly oriented CNTs is analysed using two micromechanics models. The results predicted by the present models are compared with experimental and analytical results that have been reported in literature. The comparison shows that the discrepancies between the present analytical results and experimental data are about 10% for 4 wt% of CNTs and about 0.5% for 8 wt% CNTs, both substantially lower than the discrepancies currently reported in the literature.
Influence of the gate edge on the reverse leakage current of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Chen YongHe , Ma XiaoHua , Chen WeiWei , Hou Bin , Zhang JinCheng , Hao Yue
Published: September 2015

By comparing the Schottky diodes of different area and perimeter, reverse gate leakage current of AlGaN/GaN high mobility transistors (HEMT) at gate bias beyond threshold voltage is studied. It is revealed that reverse current consists of area-related and perimeter-related current. An analytical model of electric field calculation is proposed to obtain the average electric field around the gate edge at high revers bias and estimate the effective range of edge leakage current. When the reverse bias increases, the increment of electric field is around the gate edge of a distance of ΔL, and perimeter-related gate edge current keeps increasing. By using the calculated electric field and the temperature-dependent current-voltage measurements, the edge gate leakage current mechanism is found to be Fowler-Nordheim tunneling at gate bias bellows -15V caused by the lateral extended depletion region induced barrier thinning. Effective range of edge current of Schottky diodes is about hundred to several hundred nano-meters, and is different in different shapes of Schottky diodes.
Iron isotope composition of aqueous phases of a lowland environment
Authors: Schuth Stephan , Mansfeldt Tim
Published: September 2015

Environmental context Iron (Fe) isotope analysis is a powerful tool to understand the transport of Fe within and from soils to rivers. We determined Fe isotopes and Fe concentrations of soil solutions at different depths and found that the Fe isotope compositions are modified owing to adsorption onto Fe oxides, especially in the subsoil. Hence Fe-rich capillary rising groundwater or seeping Fe-rich surface water are depleted in Fe and potentially other metals in Fe oxide-rich soil horizons. Abstract The mobility of iron (Fe) in soils is strongly affected by redox conditions, which also affect Fe input into groundwater and rivers. Stable Fe isotope analyses allow further investigation of Fe translocation processes within, into and out of soils. Soil solutions taken from a Gleysol in a lowland area (NW Germany) at different depths revealed that Fe concentration and isotope ratios strongly varied with abundance of solid Fe oxides. Low δ56Fe values of –1.7 ‰ and minimum Fe concentrations of ~0.2mgL–1 were recorded in soil solutions of Fe-rich horizons. Soil solutions of a Fe-poor horizon, however, yielded higher δ56Fe values (–0.39 ‰) and Fe concentrations of up to 68mgL–1. The water of an adjacent drainage ditch featured δ56Fe values of –1.1 ‰, in strong contrast to +0.60 ‰ of short-range ordered Fe oxide deposits in the ditch bed. We attribute the coupled low δ56Fe values and Fe concentrations to combined adsorption and atom exchange between dissolved Fe and Fe oxides. Consequently Fe oxide-poor horizons had higher δ56Fe values and dissolved Fe concentrations. Outflow of Fe-rich groundwater and surface water during rainfall into rivers is responsible for high δ56Fe for Fe-oxide precipitates and low riverine δ56Fe values.
Identifying types of sex conversations in adolescent health maintenance visits
Authors: Alexander Stewart C. , Christ Sharon L. , Fortenberry J. Dennis , Pollak Kathryn I. , Østbye Truls , Bravender Terrill , Shields Cleveland G.
Published: September 2015

Background
Physician–adolescent sexuality discussions are a recommended element in health maintenance visits, but such discussions – if they occur at all – probably vary by adolescents’ characteristics and situations, and physicians’ personal beliefs and training. However, little is known about the form and content of physician–adolescent sexuality discussions during health maintenance visits. Methods: We evaluated 245 physician–adolescent sexuality conversations. Using latent class analysis, we identified conversation types based on 13 sexually related topics, which occurred in at least 10% of all conversations. Results: We found four discrete types of sexuality conversations, which differed in terms of emphasis, topics addressed as part of the sexual history and risk assessment, and topics addressed in anticipatory guidance. Inquiry about partnered sexual experience was typical across all conversation types, as well as over half including discussions about body development and protective behaviours. In all four types of conversation, sexuality discussions were typically embedded in a sequence of psychosocial and behavioural topics recommended for health maintenance visits. Conclusions: The presence of sexuality conversations in the majority of these visits suggests that physicians consider sexuality to be an important issue and part of their responsibility in caring for their adolescent patients. However, the substantial variability in the types of sexuality conversations, particularly the notable omissions of many key topics, supports the importance of teaching sexual health interview skills in medical school and residency, and as part of continuing medical education and quality improvement.
Backward multiple imputation estimation of the conditional lifetime expectancy function with application to censored human longevity data
Authors: Kong Jing , Klein Barbara E. K. , Klein Ronald , Wahba Grace
Published: September 2015

Significance

The expected lifetime of a subject given survival past a certain time, denoted as lifetime expectancy, is often estimated in the data context with right censoring, which is a form of missing data problem commonly arising in biomedical applications, e.g., clinical trials, meaning that time-to-event is observed only if it occurs prior to some prespecified time. We report an advanced and more flexible method where users are free to choose a base model to estimate lifetime expectancy by imputing the right-censored times in backward order to address data “missingness.” We use this innovative tool to explore the interesting and important issue of human aging providing individual attributes including gender, smoking, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and diseases.
Ill posedness of Bingham-type models for the downhill flow of a thin film on an inclined plane
Authors: Fusi L. , Farina A. , Rosso F.
Published: September 2015

In this paper we consider the flow of a thin layer of a Bingham-type material over an inclined plane with “small” tilt angle. A Bingham-type continuum is a material which behaves as a viscous fluid above a certain threshold (tied to the shear stress) and as a solid below such a threshold. We consider creeping flow and that the ratio between the thickness and the length of the layer is small, so that the lubrication approach is suitable. The unknowns of the model are the layer thickness, the position of the yield surface and the position of the advancing front. We first show that, though diverging in a neighborhood of the wetting front, the shear stress is integrable so that total dissipation is bounded. We then prove that the mathematical problem is inherently ill posed independently on the constitutive model selected for the solid domain. We therefore conclude that either the Bingham-type models are inappropriate to describe the thin film motion on an inclined surface or the lubrication technique fails in approximating such flows.
Probabilistically nilpotent Hopf algebras
Authors: Cohen Miriam , Westreich Sara
Published: September 2015

In this paper we investigate nilpotenct and probabilistically nilpotent Hopf algebras. We define nilpotency via a descending chain of commutators and give a criterion for nilpotency via a family of central invertible elements. These elements can be obtained from a commutator matrix

A
A

which depends only on the Grothendieck ring of

H
.

H.

When

H
H

is almost cocommutative we introduce a probabilistic method. We prove that every semisimple quasitriangular Hopf algebra is probabilistically nilpotent. In a sense we thereby answer the title of our paper Are we counting or measuring anything? by Yes, we are.
Semigroup 𝐶*-algebras of 𝑎𝑥+𝑏-semigroups
Authors: Li Xin
Published: September 2015

We study semigroupC∗C^*-algebras ofax+bax+b-semigroups over integral domains. The goal is to generalize several results aboutC∗C^*-algebras ofax+bax+b-semigroups over rings of algebraic integers. We prove results concerning K-theory and structural properties like the ideal structure or pure infiniteness. Our methods allow us to treatax+bax+b-semigroups over a large class of integral domains containing all noetherian, integrally closed domains and coordinate rings of affine varieties over infinite fields.
Sets of uniformly absolutely continuous norm in symmetric spaces of measurable operators
Authors: Dodds P. , de Pagter B. , Sukochev F.
Published: September 2015

We characterise sets of uniformly absolutely continuous norm in strongly symmetric spaces of

τ
\tau

-measurable operators. Applications are given to the study of relatively weakly compact and relatively compact sets and to compactness properties of operators dominated in the sense of complete positivity by compact or by Dunford-Pettis operators.
Sustaining the world's large marine ecosystems
Authors: Sherman Kenneth
Published: September 2015

In this essay, I review nearly six decades of a career in marine science and fisheries considering scientific contributions, successes, failures, and changes in my field of practice. My body of work has been in plankton research to support fisheries assessments, and in ecosystems programme development and implementation. I describe my early studies on Pacific plankton oceanography in relation to fisheries assessment, and subsequent studies of plankton oceanography and fisheries in relation to coastal ocean fisheries and management. Early in my career, realizing that applications of my published results and those of other fisheries ecologists were generally not included in fish stock assessments, I participated in a national planning group that introduced a system for marine resources monitoring, assessment, and prediction (MARMAP) that included primary productivity, ichthyoplankton, zooplankton, and oceanographic assessments as important components for large-scale fisheries ecology assessment. I joined with European colleagues in ICES to advance fisheries ecology studies in fish stock assessments in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1983, I conceived with Professor Lewis Alexander of the University of Rhode Island a system for assessing and managing marine resources within the spatial domain of ecologically delineated large marine ecosystems (LMEs). On behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in partnership with developing countries, international financial organizations, UN agencies, and NGOs, I am currently contributing scientific and technical advice to a global network of assessment and management projects in 22 LMEs with 110 developing countries and $3.1 billion in financial support. The participating countries are applying a modular framework of natural science and social science indicators for assessing the changing states of LMEs. I conclude the essay with a retrospective viewpoint on my career and changes over half a century of practicing the application of marine science in relation to sustaining the goods and services of the ocean Commons.
Open Globe Injuries Presenting With Normal or High Intraocular Pressure
Authors: Margo Jordan A. , Feldman Samantha , Addis Hampton , Bodanapally Uttam K. , Ellish Nancy , Saeedi Osamah
Published: September 2015

Objectives:

To determine the frequency, clinical characteristics, and visual outcomes of patients who present with high or normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and open globe injuries.

Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Setting:

University of Maryland Medical Center, a level 1 trauma center.

Patient or Study Population:

All cases of open globe injury presenting to The University of Maryland Medical Center from July 2005 to January 2014.

Observation:

Demographics, initial physical examination, computed tomography findings, IOP of the affected and unaffected eyes, and follow-up evaluations.

Main Outcome Measures:

(1) IOP 10 mm Hg or greater and (2) visual acuity.

Results:

Of 132 eyes presenting with open globe injury, IOP was recorded in 38 (28%). Mean IOP for the affected and unaffected eyes was 14±10.3 mm Hg and 16.6±4.1 mm Hg, respectively. Twenty-three (59.4%) eyes had IOP greater than 10 mm Hg. Six eyes (16.2%) had IOP greater than 21 mm Hg. Using bivariate analysis, IOP greater than 10 mm Hg was associated with posterior open globe injury (P=0.01), posterior hemorrhage (P=0.04), and intraconal retrobulbar hemorrhage (P=0.05). Adjusting for age, sex, and race, IOP greater than 10 mm Hg was associated with the presence of posterior open globe injury on clinical examination (P=0.04). Higher presenting IOP was found to predict light perception or worse vision (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that poor presenting vision was the best predictor of poor final vision (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

High IOP does not exclude open globe injury. It is a frequent finding in patients with open globe injuries and may be associated with posterior injury and poor visual prognosis.
Outcomes of Trabeculectomy With Transconjunctival Application Versus Subconjunctival Application of Mitomycin C
Authors: Kwong Tsong Qiang , Mahroo Omar , Scoppettuolo Elisabetta , Ansari Ejaz
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To compare outcomes and complication rates of trabeculectomy with either transconjunctival mitomycin C (MMC) or subconjunctival MMC application.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study—35 eyes in subconjunctival group and 29 eyes in transconjunctival group. All surgeries were performed by 1 surgeon (E.A.) at 1 center with an average follow-up duration of 40 to 51 months.

Results:

The mean percentage intraocular pressure reduction at final follow-up was with 44.4±25.3% reduction in the subconjunctival group compared with 48.0±24.6% reduction in the transconjunctival group, with no statistical significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.57). Both groups also showed a >40% reduction in intraocular pressure in approximately 67% of eyes. There were no cases of endophthalmitis. There was 1 reported case of choroidal hemorrhage following subconjunctival application of MMC. There were similar low rates of postoperative bleb leakage and requirement for postoperative application of 5-fluorouracil. There was a greater incidence of hyphema in the subconjunctival group (5 vs. 1) as well as choroidal effusions (8 vs. 4). One patient underwent revision of trabeculectomy and this was in the subconjunctival group.

Conclusion:

Transconjunctival application of MMC offers a safe and effective method of performing trabeculectomy with adjunctive MMC with lower rates of complication than subconjunctival application.
Flow Test to Predict Early Hypotony and Hypertensive Phase After Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) Surgical Implantation
Authors: Cheng Jason , Beltran-Agullo Laura , Buys Yvonne M. , Moss Edward B. , Gonzalez Johanna , Trope Graham E.
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To assess the validity of a preimplantation flow test to predict early hypotony [intraocular pressure (IOP)≤5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive visits and hypertensive phase (HP) (IOP>21 mm Hg) after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation.

Patients and Methods:

Prospective interventional study on patients receiving an AGV. A preimplantation flow test using a gravity-driven reservoir and an open manometer was performed on all AGVs. Opening pressure (OP) and closing pressure (CP) were defined as the pressure at which fluid was seen to flow or stop flowing through the AGV, respectively. OP and CP were measured twice per AGV. Patients were followed for 12 weeks.

Results:

In total, 20 eyes from 19 patients were enrolled. At 12 weeks the mean IOP decreased from 29.2±9.1 to 16.8±5.2 mm Hg (P<0.01). The mean AGV OP was 17.5±5.4 mm Hg and the mean CP was 6.7±2.3 mm Hg. Early (within 2 wk postoperative) HP occurred in 37% and hypotony in 16% of cases. An 18 mm Hg cutoff for the OP gave a sensitivity of 0.71, specificity of 0.83, positive predictive value of 0.71, and negative predictive value of 0.83 for predicting an early HP. A 7 mm Hg cutoff for the CP yielded a sensitivity of 1.0, specificity of 0.38, positive predictive value of 0.23, and negative predictive value of 1.0 for predicting hypotony.

Conclusions:

Preoperative OP and CP may predict early hypotony or HP and may be used as a guide as to which AGV valves to discard before implantation surgery.
Evaluation of Carotid Intima Media Thickness and Renal Artery Resistive Index in Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: A Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Gökce Sabite E. , Deren Tagmaç , Köz Özlem Gürbüz , Yilmaz Pinar , Başkan Ceyda , Duman Rahmi , Yarangümeli Ahmet A. , Kural Gülcan
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To investigate the significance of renal artery resistance and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES).

Materials and Methods:

In this prospective case-control study, 37 patients were involved and grouped as PES (n=19) and control groups (n=18). Ophthalmological evaluation included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness measurement, and optic disc evaluation. In addition, renal artery resistive index and CIMT measurements were taken for all patients and compared between the groups.

Results:

The 2 groups were similar with respect to age, sex, and family history of glaucoma. The mean CIMT in the PES group was found to be significantly higher compared with the control group (0.73±0.02 vs. 0.59±0.06 mm, P=0.003). Renal artery resistive indices were found to be higher in the PES group than in the control group, however, the difference was not significant (P=0.46). A moderate positive correlation between CIMT and renal artery resistive indices was detected (r=0.447, P=0.01). However, a higher correlation rate was detected when the analysis was made in the PES group only (r=0.603, P=0.01).

Conclusions:

CIMT increases in PES patients and also the renal artery resistance index has a tendency to increase. Patients with PES should be informed about potential systemic consequences of this syndrome.
Identification of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Cancer Tissue by Targeted Next-generation Sequencing
Authors: Montgomery Nathan D. , Parker Joel S. , Eberhard David A. , Patel Nirali M. , Weck Karen E. , Sharpless Norman E. , Hu Zhiyuan , Hayes David Neil , Gulley Margaret L.
Published: September 2015

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are oncogenic DNA viruses implicated in squamous cell carcinomas of several anatomic sites, as well as endocervical adenocarcinomas. Identification of HPV is an actionable finding in some carcinomas, potentially influencing tumor classification, prognosis, and management. We incorporated capture probes for oncogenic HPV strains 16 and 18 into a broader next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel designed to identify actionable mutations in solid malignancies. A total of 21 head and neck, genitourinary, and gynecologic squamous cell carcinomas and endocervical adenocarcinomas were sequenced as part of the UNCSeq project. Using p16 immunohistochemical results as the gold standard, we set a cutoff for proportion of aligned HPV reads that maximized performance of our NGS assay (92% sensitive, 100% specific for HPV). These results suggest that sequencing of oncogenic pathogens can be incorporated into targeted NGS panels, extending the clinical utility of genomic assays.
Is Low Positive JAK2 V617F Mutation Test Result Clinically Significant?: Multi-Institutional Study
Authors: Wu Xiaojun , Lee Joong Won , Peker Deniz , Spitzer Silvia G. , Laser Jordan , Reddy Vishnu V.B. , Harada Shuko
Published: September 2015

Objectives:

Acquired somatic mutation Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F is associated with various myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction has been widely adopted to detect mutation; however, the utility of low positive results is not well understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of low positivity of JAK2 V617F.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective analysis was performed for JAK2 V617F mutation tests performed using JAK2 MutaQuant kit (Ipsogen) in molecular laboratories at 2 major academic medical centers between 2010 and 2012. Cases with low positive JAK2 V617F, defined as 0.2% to 5% mutant allele, were documented. Chart review was performed for the clinical correlation.

Results:

A total of 1697 JAK2 V617F tests was performed. Forty-five cases (2.65%) yielded a low JAK2 V617F positivity (average 1.45%), the majority of which (n=26, 62%) had <1%. Eight cases had a history of MPN. The remaining cases were related to reactive conditions without a clonal disease. Our data indicate that a low positivity of JAK2 V617F can be seen in MPN as well as reactive conditions.

Conclusions:

An interpretation of JAK2 V617F status should not be performed simply following some arbitrary cutoff. Any low positivity of JAK2 V617F should be reported and a correlation with clinical information is warranted for proper interpretation.
Species range expansion constrains the ecological niches of resident butterflies
Authors: Audusseau Hélène , Vaillant Maryline Le , Janz Niklas , Nylin Sören , Karlsson Bengt , Schmucki Reto
Published: September 2015

Aim

Changes in community composition resulting from environmental changes modify biotic interactions and affect the distribution and density of local populations. Such changes are currently occurring in nettle-feeding butterflies in Sweden whereAraschnia levanahas recently expanded its range northward and is now likely to interact with the resident species (Aglais urticaeandAglais io). Butterfly occurrence data collected over years and across regions enabled us to investigate how a recent range expansion ofA. levanamay have affected the environmental niche of resident species.

Location

We focused on two regions of Sweden (Skåne and Norrström) whereA. levanahas and has not established, and two time-periods (2001-2006, 2009-2012) during its establishment in Skåne.

Methods

We performed two distinct analyses in each region using the PCA-env and the framework described in Broennimannet al. (2012). First, we described the main sources of variation in the environment. Second, in each time-period and region, we characterized the realized niches of our focal species across topographic and land use gradients. Third, we quantified overlaps and differences in realized niches between and within species over time.

Results

In Skåne,A. levanahas stabilized its distribution over time while the distribution of the native species has shifted. These shifts depicted a consistent pattern of avoiding overlap between the native species and the environmental space occupied byA. levana, and it was stronger forA. urticaethan forA. io. In both regions, we also found evidence of niche partitioning between native species.

Main conclusions

Interspecific interactions are likely to affect local species distributions. It appears that the ongoing establishment ofA. levanahas modified local biotic interactions, and induced shifts in resident species’ distributions. Among the mechanisms that can explain such patterns of niche partitioning, parasitoid-driven apparent competition may play an important role in this community.