bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of parenting among mothers and fathers in relation to social anxiety among female adolescents
Authors: Bynion Teah‐Marie , Blumenthal Heidemarie , Bilsky Sarah A. , Cloutier Renee M. , Leen‐Feldner Ellen W.
Published: July 2017

Social anxiety is the most common anxiety disorder among youth; theoretical and empirical work suggest specific parenting behaviors may be relevant. However, findings are inconsistent, particularly in terms of maternal as compared to paternal effects. In the current study, we evaluated the indirect effects of perceived psychological control on the relation between anxious rearing behaviors and child social anxiety among 112 community‐recruited girls (ages 12–15 years). In addition to self‐report, adolescent participants completed a laboratory‐based social stress task. In line with hypotheses, results indicated indirect effects of psychological control on the relation between anxious rearing behaviors and child social anxiety in maternal but not paternal models. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and empirical implications for clarifying the role of parental relations in adolescent social anxiety.
Design and optimization of an RFID-enabled passport tracking system
Authors: Dukyil Abdulsalam , Mohammed Ahmed , Darwish Mohamed
Published: July 2017

The implementation of RFID technology has been subject to ever-increasing popularity in relation to the traceability of products as one of the most cutting edge technologies. Implementing such a technology leads to an increase in the visibility management of products. Notwithstanding this, RFID communication performance is potentially affected by interference between the RFID devices. It is also subject to additional costs in investment that should be taken into account. Consequently, seeking a cost-effective design with a desired communication performance for RFID-enabled systems has become a key factor in order to be competitive in today's markets. This study presents a cost and performance-effective design for a proposed RFID-enabled passport tracking system through the development of a multi-objective model that takes in account economic, performance and social criteria. The developed model is aimed at solving the design problem by (i) allocating the optimal numbers of related facilities that should be established and (ii) obtaining trade-offs among three objectives: minimising implementation and operational costs; minimising RFID reader interference; and maximising the social impact measured in the number of created jobs. To come closer to real design in terms of considering the uncertain parameters, the developed multi-objective model was developed in terms of a fuzzy multi-objective model (FMOM). To solve the fuzzy multi-objective optimization problem, two solution methods were used and a decision-making method was employed to select the final trade-off solution. A case study was applied to examine the applicability of the developed model and the proposed solution methods.

Highlights The problem is formulated as a fuzzy multi-objective programming model. Two solution methods are used to solve the optimization problem. A case study is investigated to examine the applicability of the model.
Morphological and molecular data supportLichina intermediaas a distinct austral-marine species in theL. pygmaeagroup
Authors: SCHULTZ Matthias
Published: July 2017

Morphological characteristics and analyses of molecular sequence data (ITS, mtSSU) indicate that the austral-marine lichenLichina pygmaeavar.intermediais distinct from the chiefly European marine speciesL. confinisandL. pygmaea. It is thus proposed to treat var.intermediaas a separate species.Lichina intermediadiffers fromL. confinischiefly in the distinctly corticated branches, and deviates fromL. pygmaeain the shorter and thinner branches. Diagnostic differences between the three species are summarized and distribution patterns discussed.
Health literacy and fruit and vegetable intake in rural Australia
Authors: Lim Siew , Beauchamp Alison , Dodson Sarity , O’Hara Jonathan , McPhee Crystal , Fulton Alexandra , Wildey Carol , Osborne Richard H
Published: July 2017

Objective

Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is important in the prevention of chronic disease. Health literacy is associated with health outcomes but its role in dietary behaviour has received little attention. The present study investigated the association between a multidimensional measure of health literacy, sociodemographic characteristics, and fruit and vegetable intake in rural Australia.

Design

A cross-sectional survey on intake of fruits and vegetables (servings/d), demographic characteristics and health literacy profile using a nine-scale Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Associations between health literacy and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed using logistic regression.

Setting

A large rural area of Victoria.

Subjects

Adults residing in the Grampians region (n1154; 61 % female, mean age 52 (sd17) years).

Results

The HLQ scale ‘Actively managing my health’ predicted (OR; 95 % CI) fruit (2·31; 1·87, 2·84) and vegetable (1·81; 1·45, 2·26) intake. The scales ‘Appraisal of health information’ (fruits: 1·73; 1·41, 2·13; vegetables: 1·49; 1·20, 1·86), ‘Social support for health’ (fruits: 1·31; 1·06, 1·63; vegetables: 1·40; 1·10, 1·76) and ‘Ability to find good health information’ (fruits: 1·25; 1·05, 1·48; vegetables: 1·36; CI 1·13, 1·63) also predicted fruit and vegetable intake. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, educational attainment and having private health insurance.

Conclusions

Health literacy, particularly being proactive, appraising information and having social support for health, is associated with greater fruit and vegetable intake. Future interventions should consider the health literacy needs of the community to improve fruit and vegetable intake.
Effects of psychological eating behaviour domains on the association between socio-economic status and BMI
Authors: Löffler Antje , Luck Tobias , Then Francisca S , Luck-Sikorski Claudia , Pabst Alexander , Kovacs Peter , Böttcher Yvonne , Breitfeld Jana , Tönjes Anke , Horstmann Annette , Löffler Markus , Engel Christoph , Thiery Joachim , Villringer Arno , Stumvoll Michael , Riedel-Heller Steffi G
Published: July 2017

Objective

The current study investigates potential pathways from socio-economic status (SES) to BMI in the adult population, considering psychological domains of eating behaviour (restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, emotional eating) as potential mediators stratified for sex.

Design

Data were derived from the population-based cross-sectional LIFE-Adult-Study. Parallel-mediation models were conducted to obtain the total, direct and indirect effects of psychological eating behaviour domains on the association between SES and BMI for men and for women.

Setting

Leipzig, Germany.

Subjects

We studied 5935 participants aged 18 to 79 years.

Results

Uncontrolled eating mediated the association between SES and BMI in men only and restrained eating in both men and women. Emotional eating did not act as mediator in this relationship. The total effect of eating behaviour domains on the association between SES and BMI was estimated as β=−0·03 (se 0·02; 95 % CI −0·062, −0·003) in men and β=−0·18 (se 0·02; 95 % CI −0·217, −0·138) in women.

Conclusions

Our findings do not indicate a strong overall mediation effect of the eating behaviour domains restrained eating, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating on the association between SES and BMI. Further research on other pathways of this association is strongly recommended. Importantly, our findings indicate that, independent from one’s social position, focusing on psychological aspects in weight reduction might be a promising approach.
Natural Resource Exploitation Could Reach New Depths
Authors: Lunn Jenny
Published: July 2017

The deep seafloor could provide humans with supplies of valuable metals, but opinion is divided as to whether sustainable exploitation is possible and worth the ecological and economic risk.
Seafloor Data from Lost Airliner Search Are Publicly Released
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: July 2017

Detailed maps of the bottom of the Indian Ocean reveal deep canyons and landslides but no wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing in 2014.
Salt Bridge Formation between the I-BAR Domain and Lipids Increases Lipid Density and Membrane Curvature
Authors: Takemura Kazuhiro , Hanawa-Suetsugu Kyoko , Suetsugu Shiro , Kitao Akio
Published: July 2017

The BAR domain superfamily proteins sense or induce curvature in membranes. The inverse-BAR domain (I-BAR) is a BAR domain that forms a straight “zeppelin-shaped” dimer. The mechanisms by which IRSp53 I-BAR binds to and deforms a lipid membrane are investigated here by all-atom molecular dynamics simulation (MD), binding energy analysis, and the effects of mutation experiments on filopodia on HeLa cells. I-BAR adopts a curved structure when crystallized, but adopts a flatter shape in MD. The binding of I-BAR to membrane was stabilized by ~30 salt bridges, consistent with experiments showing that point mutations of the interface residues have little effect on the binding affinity whereas multiple mutations have considerable effect. Salt bridge formation increases the local density of lipids and deforms the membrane into a concave shape. In addition, the point mutations that break key intra-molecular salt bridges within I-BAR reduce the binding affinity; this was confirmed by expressing these mutants in HeLa cells and observing their effects. The results indicate that the stiffness of I-BAR is important for membrane deformation, although I-BAR does not act as a completely rigid template.
Rapid signal enhancement method for nanoprobe-based biosensing
Authors: Dias Jorge T. , Svedberg Gustav , Nystrand Mats , Andersson-Svahn Helene , Gantelius Jesper
Published: July 2017

The introduction of nanomaterials as detection reagents has enabled improved sensitivity and facilitated detection in a variety of bioanalytical assays. However, high nanoprobe densities are typically needed for colorimetric detection and to circumvent this limitation several enhancement protocols have been reported. Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of universal, enzyme-free and versatile methods that can be readily applied to existing as well as new biosensing strategies. The novel method presented here is shown to enhance the signal of gold nanoparticles enabling visual detection of a spot containing <10 nanoparticles. Detection of Protein G on paper arrays was improved by a 100-fold amplification factor in under five minutes of assay time, using IgG-labelled gold, silver, silica and iron oxide nanoprobes. Furthermore, we show that the presented protocol can be applied to a commercial allergen microarray assay, ImmunoCAP ISAC sIgE 112, attaining a good agreement with fluorescent detection when analysing human clinical samples.
Emergence of superconductivity in doped H2O ice at high pressure
Authors: Flores-Livas José A. , Sanna Antonio , Graužinytė Miglė , Davydov Arkadiy , Goedecker Stefan , Marques Miguel A. L.
Published: July 2017

We investigate the possibility of achieving high-temperature superconductivity in hydrides under pressure by inducing metallization of otherwise insulating phases through doping, a path previously used to render standard semiconductors superconducting at ambient pressure. Following this idea, we study H2O, one of the most abundant and well-studied substances, we identify nitrogen as the most likely and promising substitution/dopant. We show that for realistic levels of doping of a few percent, the phase X of ice becomes superconducting with a critical temperature of about 60 K at 150 GPa. In view of the vast number of hydrides that are strongly covalent bonded, but that remain insulating up to rather large pressures, our results open a series of new possibilities in the quest for novel high-temperature superconductors.
Enhanced sensing and conversion of ultrasonic Rayleigh waves by elastic metasurfaces
Authors: Colombi Andrea , Ageeva Victoria , Smith Richard J. , Clare Adam , Patel Rikesh , Clark Matt , Colquitt Daniel , Roux Philippe , Guenneau Sebastien , Craster Richard V.
Published: July 2017

Recent years have heralded the introduction of metasurfaces that advantageously combine the vision of sub-wavelength wave manipulation, with the design, fabrication and size advantages associated with surface excitation. An important topic within metasurfaces is the tailored rainbow trapping and selective spatial frequency separation of electromagnetic and acoustic waves using graded metasurfaces. This frequency dependent trapping and spatial frequency segregation has implications for energy concentrators and associated energy harvesting, sensing and wave filtering techniques. Different demonstrations of acoustic and electromagnetic rainbow devices have been performed, however not for deep elastic substrates that support both shear and compressional waves, together with surface Rayleigh waves; these allow not only for Rayleigh wave rainbow effects to exist but also for mode conversion from surface into shear waves. Here we demonstrate experimentally not only elastic Rayleigh wave rainbow trapping, by taking advantage of a stop-band for surface waves, but also selective mode conversion of surface Rayleigh waves to shear waves. These experiments performed at ultrasonic frequencies, in the range of 400–600 kHz, are complemented by time domain numerical simulations. The metasurfaces we design are not limited to guided ultrasonic waves and are a general phenomenon in elastic waves that can be translated across scales.
Annexin A1 down-regulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is mediated via transcriptional control with direct involvement of miR-196a/b
Authors: Álvarez-Teijeiro Saúl , Menéndez Sofía T. , Villaronga M. Ángeles , Pena-Alonso Emma , Rodrigo Juan P. , Morgan Reginald O. , Granda-Díaz Rocío , Salom Cecilia , Fernandez M. Pilar , García-Pedrero Juana M.
Published: July 2017

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) down-regulation is an early and frequent event in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). In an attempt to identify the underlying mechanisms of reduced ANXA1 protein expression, this study investigated ANXA1 mRNA expression in HNSCC specimens by both in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR. Results showed a perfect concordance between the pattern of ANXA1 mRNA and protein detected by immunofluorescence in tumors, precancerous lesions and normal epithelia, reflecting that ANXA1 down-regulation occurs at transcriptional level. We also found that both miR-196a and miR-196b levels inversely correlated with ANXA1 mRNA levels in paired HNSCC tissue samples and patient-matched normal mucosa. In addition, endogenous levels of ANXA1 mRNA and protein were consistently and significantly down-regulated upon miR-196a and miR-196b over-expression in various HNSCC-derived cell lines. The direct interaction of both mature miR-196a and miR-196b was further confirmed by transfection with Anxa1 3′UTR constructs. Combined bioinformatics and functional analysis of ANXA1 promoter activity contributed to identify key regions and potential mediators of ANXA1 transcriptional control. This study unveils that, in addition to miR-196a, miR-196b also directly targets ANXA1 in HNSCC.
Conditions for escape of a rotor in a rotary nanobearing from short triple-wall nanotubes
Authors: Shi Jiao , Liu Ling-Nan , Cai Kun , Qin Qing-Hua
Published: July 2017

In a short nanobearing system made from carbon nanotubes, the rotor with high rotational frequency may escape from the stator, which may cause a stability problem to the system of a nanodevice with such a nanobearing. In the present work, nanobearings with tri-walled nanotubes are investigated to reveal the conditions for the moving away of the free inner tube from the high-speed rotating middle tube. Experimental results show that the escape happens when the radii difference between the two rotors is larger than 0.34 nm and the rotational frequency of the middle tube is higher than a critical value. And before the escape occurs, the rotational frequency of the inner tube is lower than this critical value. Due to the radii difference being larger than 0.34 nm, the two rotors are non-coaxial, and the centrifugal force of the inner tube results in strong radial and axial interactions between the edges of the two rotors. When the relative sliding speed is relatively high, an edge of the inner rotor will pass through the potential barrier at the adjacent edge of the middle rotor, and further escape from the middle rotor occurs. The selection of a longer middle rotor with smaller radius can increase the critical rotational frequency of the middle rotor.
Switchable phase and polarization singular beams generation using dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: He Yanliang , Li Ying , Liu Junmin , Zhang Xiaoke , Cai Yao , Chen Yu , Chen Shuqing , Fan Dianyuan
Published: July 2017

Singular beams which possess helical phase wavefront or spatially inhomogeneous polarization provide new freedom for optical field manipulation. However, conventional schemes to produce the singular beams have difficulty in realizing the flexible switch between different singular beams. In this work, we have experimentally demonstrated the capability of dielectric metasurfaces to generate three types of singular beams and switch between them at working wavelength of 1550 
nm. We have shown vortex beam and cylindrical vector beam generation with single metasurface and cylindrical vector vortex beam generation with two cascaded metasurfaces. Moreover, experimental demonstration on switching cylindrical vector beam into vortex beam has also been done by combining one quarter-wave plate and a Glan laser polarizer. The experimental results match well with the analysis from the Jones matrix calculations. The average conversion efficiency of cylindrical vector beam to vortex beam was estimated to be 47.7%, which was about 2.3% lower than the theoretical prediction.
Gyrocardiography: A New Non-invasive Monitoring Method for the Assessment of Cardiac Mechanics and the Estimation of Hemodynamic Variables
Authors: Jafari Tadi Mojtaba , Lehtonen Eero , Saraste Antti , Tuominen Jarno , Koskinen Juho , Teräs Mika , Airaksinen Juhani , Pänkäälä Mikko , Koivisto Tero
Published: July 2017

Gyrocardiography (GCG) is a new non-invasive technique for assessing heart motions by using a sensor of angular motion – gyroscope – attached to the skin of the chest. In this study, we conducted simultaneous recordings of electrocardiography (ECG), GCG, and echocardiography in a group of subjects consisting of nine healthy volunteer men. Annotation of underlying fiducial points in GCG is presented and compared to opening and closing points of heart valves measured by a pulse wave Doppler. Comparison between GCG and synchronized tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) data shows that the GCG signal is also capable of providing temporal information on the systolic and early diastolic peak velocities of the myocardium. Furthermore, time intervals from the ECG Q-wave to the maximum of the integrated GCG (angular displacement) signal and maximal myocardial strain curves obtained by 3D speckle tracking are correlated. We see GCG as a promising mechanical cardiac monitoring tool that enables quantification of beat-by-beat dynamics of systolic time intervals (STI) related to hemodynamic variables and myocardial contractility.
Observed crowding effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2-trans-enoyl-ACP (CoA) reductase enzyme activity are not due to excluded volume only
Authors: Rotta Mariane , Timmers Luis F. S. M. , Sequeiros-Borja Carlos , Bizarro Cristiano V. , de Souza Osmar N. , Santos Diogenes S. , Basso Luiz A.
Published: July 2017

The cellular milieu is a complex and crowded aqueous solution. Macromolecular crowding effects are commonly studied in vitro using crowding agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects, if any, of macromolecular synthetic crowding agents on the apparent steady-state kinetic parameters (K
m
, k
cat
, and k
cat
/K
m
) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2-trans-enoyl-ACP (CoA) reductase (InhA). Negligible effects on InhA activity were observed for ficoll 70, ficoll 400 and dextran 70. A complex effect was observed for PEG 6000. Glucose and sucrose showed, respectively, no effect on InhA activity and decreased k
cat
/K
m
for NADH and k
cat
for 2-trans-dodecenoyl-CoA. Molecular dynamics results suggest that InhA adopts a more compact conformer in sucrose solution. The effects of the crowding agents on the energy (E
a
and E
η
), enthalpy (∆H
#
), entropy (∆S
#
), and Gibbs free energy (∆G
#
) of activation were determined. The ∆G
#
values for all crowding agents were similar to buffer, suggesting that excluded volume effects did not facilitate stable activated ES
#
complex formation. Nonlinear Arrhenius plot for PEG 6000 suggests that “soft” interactions play a role in crowding effects. The results on InhA do not unequivocally meet the criteria for crowding effect due to exclude volume only.
Self-Powered Pressure Sensor with fully encapsulated 3D printed wavy substrate and highly-aligned piezoelectric fibers array
Authors: Fuh Yiin Kuen , Wang Bo Sheng , Tsai Chen-Yu
Published: July 2017

Near-field electrospinning (NFES) is capable of precisely deposit one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) highly aligned micro/nano fibers (NMFs) by electrically discharged a polymer solution. In this paper, a new integration of three-dimensional (3D) architectures of NFES electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) NMFs with the 3D printed topologically tailored substrate are demonstrated in a direct-write and in-situ poled manner, called wavy- substrate self-powered sensors (WSS). The fabrication steps are composed of the additive manufacture of 3D printed flexible and sinusoidal wavy substrate, metallization and NFES electrospun fibers in the 3D topology. This 3D architecture is capable of greatly enhancing the piezoelectric output. Finally, the proposed piezoelectrically integrated 3D architecture is applied to the self-powered sensors such as foot pressure measurement, human motion monitoring and finger-induced power generation. The proposed technique demonstrates the advancement of existing electrospinning technologies in constructing 3D structures and several promising applications for biomedical and wearable electronics.
A Modified Preserved Nasal and Lacrimal Flap Technique in Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Peng Wenyan , Tan Bowei , Wang Yandong , Wang Haiying , Wang Zhonghao , Liang Xuanwei
Published: July 2017

Here we describe a modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EES-DCR) for patients with epiphora secondary to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and evaluate its outcomes. Twenty-five patients with PANDO were retrospectively reviewed. Modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in EES-DCR was applied in all 27 eyes of 25 patients. The patients were evaluated with objective (anatomical patency) and subjective (symptomatic cure) success rates within the duration of follow-up. In the present study, all of the patients’ surgical procedures were successful. There were 2 cases of flap dislocation from the rhinostomy site 1 week post-operation. After a mean follow-up of 4.9 ± 1.8 months, the success rate of anatomical patency was 100% (27/27) and the success rate of symptomatic cure was 92.6% (25/27). No significant complications occurred intraoperatively. We concluded that the modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in EES-DCR for treating PANDO is simple and safe, can effectively cover the bare bone around the opened sac, and provide a similar or even better clinical outcome compared with other routine treatment techniques used for this condition.
Water-soluble phosphane-substituted cyclodextrin as an effective bifunctional additive in hydroformylation of higher olefins
Authors: Leblond J. , Potier J. , Menuel S. , Bricout H. , Machut-Binkowski C. , Landy D. , Tilloy S. , Monflier E. , Hapiot F.
Published: July 2017

Cyclodextrins substituted with a sulfophenyl phosphane show an excellent recognition ability towards higher olefins in aqueous biphasic Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation.
β-Fluorinated porpholactones and metal complexes: synthesis, characterization and some spectroscopic studies
Authors: Hu Ji-Yun , Wu Zhuo-Yan , Chai Ke , Yang Zi-Shu , Meng Yin-Shan , Ning Yingying , Zhang Jing , Zhang Jun-Long
Published: July 2017

We describe the synthesis of β-fluorinated porpholactones by oxidation of the fluorinated CC bond of the pyrrolic subunit in porphyrin using the “RuCl3 + Oxone®” protocol.
Surfactant-exfoliated 2D molybdenum disulphide (2D-MoS2): the role of surfactant upon the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: de-Mello Gabriella B. , Smith Lily , Rowley-Neale Samuel J. , Gruber Jonas , Hutton Simon J. , Banks Craig E.
Published: July 2017

The surfactant (sodium cholate) when used in the liquid exfoliation of 2D-MoS2has a detrimental effect upon its electrocatalytic activity compared to pristine 2D-MoS2(produced without a surfactant).
The effect of reduced graphene oxide on the catalytic activity of Cu–Cr–O–TiO2 to enhance the thermal decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate: an efficient fuel oxidizer for solid rocket motors and missiles
Authors: Kumar Harish , Tengli Prahalad N. , Mishra Vijay Kumar , Tripathi Pankaj , Bhushan Awani , Mishra Pradeep Kumar
Published: July 2017

Schematic image of rocket having solid composite propellant modified with prepared catalyst.
A nanocrystalline Co3O4@polypyrrole/MWCNT hybrid nanocomposite for high performance electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Haldorai Yuvaraj , Kim Heung Soo , Kim Joo-Hyung
Published: July 2017

In this study, a ternary hybrid nanocomposite of Co3O4@polypyrrole/MWCNT was prepared via oxidative polymerization of pyrrole monomer and a hybrid composite by a hydrothermal process.
Neutron reflectometry yields distance-dependent structures of nanometric polymer brushes interacting across water
Authors: Rodriguez-Loureiro Ignacio , Scoppola Ernesto , Bertinetti Luca , Barbetta Aurelio , Fragneto Giovanna , Schneck Emanuel
Published: July 2017

The conformation of interacting polymer brushes is of biological and technological importance as it affects interaction forces and shear friction.
Embedding of Mg-doped V2O5nanoparticles in a carbon matrix to improve their electrochemical properties for high-energy rechargeable lithium batteries
Authors: Xiao Fang , Song Xuexia , Li Zhaohui , Zhang Honglai , Zhang Lingjun , Lei Gangtie , Xiao Qizhen , Hu Zhongliang , Ding Yanhuai
Published: July 2017

Mg-doped V2O5@carbon spheres prepared using a PMAA microreactor possess improved electrochemical properties within the potential range of 1.5–4.0 V.
Low-dimensional hybrid perovskites as high performance anodes for alkali-ion batteries
Authors: Tathavadekar Mukta , Krishnamurthy Shrreya , Banerjee Aparna , Nagane Satyawan , Gawli Yogesh , Suryawanshi Anil , Bhat Suresh , Puthusseri Dhanya , Mohite Aditya D. , Ogale Satishchandra
Published: July 2017

Molecularly engineered low-dimensional hybrid perovskites are demonstrated as anode materials for alkali-ion batteries. The electrochemical performance can be dramatically improved by tuning the dimensionality of halide-perovskites from 3D to 2D to 1D.
Comparison of the polymorphs of VOPO4 as multi-electron cathodes for rechargeable alkali-ion batteries
Authors: Lin Yuh-Chieh , Hidalgo Marc F. V. , Chu Iek-Heng , Chernova Natasha A. , Whittingham M. Stanley , Ong Shyue Ping
Published: July 2017

VO6/VO5–PO4 frameworks govern electrochemical performance in VOPO4 polymorphs.
Aptamer-anchored di-polymer shell-capped mesoporous carbon as a drug carrier for bi-trigger targeted drug delivery
Authors: Zhang Yang , Chang Yan-Qin , Han Lu , Zhang Yue , Chen Ming-Li , Shu Yang , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: July 2017

Mesoporous carbon nanomaterials have found applications in drug delivery and cancer therapy.
Tunable half-metallic magnetism in an atom-thin holey two-dimensional C2N monolayer
Authors: Gong Sai , Wan Wenhui , Guan Shan , Tai Bo , Liu Chang , Fu Botao , Yang Shengyuan A. , Yao Yugui
Published: July 2017

Exploring two-dimensional (2D) materials with magnetic ordering is a focus of current research.
MoS2field-effect transistor with graphene contacts
Authors: Andleeb Shaista , Eom Jonghwa , Rauf Naz Nabila , Singh Arun Kumar
Published: July 2017

We report a simple methodology to improve the performance of graphene contacted bi-layer MoS2field-effect transistors by combination of nitrogen gas and deep-ultraviolet light treatment.
Effects of the intercalation rate on the layered crystal structures and stimuli-responsive color-change properties of polydiacetylene
Authors: Takeuchi Machi , Imai Hiroaki , Oaki Yuya
Published: July 2017

The layered structures and stimuli-responsive color-change properties of polydiacetylene, an organic layered material, are changed even in the partial intercalation states of the guest ions.
Effect of relative humidity and pre-annealing temperature on spin-coated zinc tin oxide films made via the metal–organic decomposition route
Authors: Son Y. , Liao A. , Peterson R. L.
Published: July 2017

Solution-processed zinc tin oxide thin-film transistor using metal–organic decomposition achieves wide process window in terms of ambient humidity during deposition.
Controlled morphology of MWCNTs driven by polymer-grafted nanoparticles for enhanced microwave absorption
Authors: Yun Seokjin , Kirakosyan Artavazd , Surabhi Srivathsava , Jeong Jong-Ryul , Choi Jihoon
Published: July 2017

A simple and robust platform, based on polymer-grafted nanoparticles to facilitate a controlled morphology of nano-fillers, provides a route for strategically designing nanostructured EM wave absorbers with a percolated MWCNT network as well as a controlled NP arrangement.
N-Glycosylation is required for FDNC5 stabilization and irisin secretion
Authors: Nie Yongwei , Liu Dongjun
Published: July 2017

Irisin, a myokine derived from the extracellular domain of FNDC5, has been shown to mediate thermogenesis of white adipose tissue. Biochemical data have shown that N-glycosylation of FNDC5 is unlikely to affect ligand or receptor activation of irisin. The N-glycosylation of FNDC5 remains poorly understood. In the present study, we analysed N-glycosylation sites of FNDC5 and found that two potential N-glycosylation sites (Asn36 and Asn81) could indeed be occupied by N-glycan. Furthermore we showed that the lack of N-glycosylation decreases the secretion of irisin, which is relevant to the instability of FNDC5 and the deficiency of cleavage of the signal peptide. We also found that the expression level of N-glycosylated FNDC5 was elevated after myoblast differentiation. These findings show that the secretion of irisin is modulated by N-glycosylation, which in turn enhances our understanding of the secretion of glycosylated irisin.
The helicase, DDX3X, interacts with poly(A)-binding protein 1 (PABP1) and caprin-1 at the leading edge of migrating fibroblasts and is required for efficient cell spreading
Authors: Copsey Alice C. , Cooper Simon , Parker Robert , Lineham Ella , Lapworth Cuzack , Jallad Deema , Sweet Steve , Morley Simon J.
Published: July 2017

DDX3X, a helicase, can interact directly with mRNA and translation initiation factors, regulating the selective translation of mRNAs that contain a structured 5′ untranslated region. This activity modulates the expression of mRNAs controlling cell cycle progression and mRNAs regulating actin dynamics, contributing to cell adhesion and motility. Previously, we have shown that ribosomes and translation initiation factors localise to the leading edge of migrating fibroblasts in loci enriched with actively translating ribosomes, thereby promoting steady-state levels of ArpC2 and Rac1 proteins at the leading edge of cells during spreading. As DDX3X can regulate Rac1 levels, cell motility and metastasis, we have examined DDX3X protein interactions and localisation using many complementary approaches. We now show that DDX3X can physically interact and co-localise with poly(A)-binding protein 1 and caprin-1 at the leading edge of spreading cells. Furthermore, as depletion of DDX3X leads to decreased cell motility, this provides a functional link between DDX3X, caprin-1 and initiation factors at the leading edge of migrating cells to promote cell migration and spreading.
Effects of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of VEGF on the ultrafiltration failure in a rat model of peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Wang Zhi-Kui , Wang Zhao-Xia , Liu Zhen-Ying , Ren Yue-Qin , Zhou Zhong-Qi
Published: July 2017

We investigated the effects of RNAi-mediated gene silencing of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on ultrafiltration failure (UFF) in rats with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Sprague–Dawley (SD) male rats were classified into normal, sham operation, and uremic model groups. Uremic rats were subcategorized into uremia, PD2, VEGF shRNA-2, vector-2, PD2 + Endostar, PD4, VEGF shRNA-4, Vector-4, and PD4 + Endostar groups. Peritoneal Equilibration Test (PET) was conducted to assess ultrafiltration volume (UFV) and mass transfer of glucose (MTG). mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect microvessel density (MVD). Compared with the normal group, decreased UFV and increased MTG were observed in rest of the groups. Compared with the uremia group, UFV decreased, while MTG, expression of VEGFs, and number of new blood capillaries increased in the PD2, Vector-2, PD4, and Vector-4 groups. The PD4 and Vector-4 groups exhibited lower UFV and higher MTG than the PD2 group. In the VEGF shRNA-2, PD2 + Endostar, VEGF shRNA-4, and in PD4 + Endostar group increased UFV, reduced MTG and expression of VEGF, and decreased number of new blood capillaries were detected. Compared with the PD4 group, in the VEGF shRNA-4 and PD4 + Endostar groups, UFV increased, MTG and expression of VEGF decreased, and number of new blood capillaries reduced. VEGF expression was negatively correlated with UFV, but positively correlated with MTG. The results obtained in the study revealed that down-regulation of VEGF by RNAi could be a novel target approach for the treatment of UFF.
Identification of optimal strategies for state transition of complex biological networks
Authors: Yuan Meichen , Hong Weirong , Li Pu
Published: July 2017

Complex biological networks typically contain numerous parameters, and determining feasible strategies for state transition by parameter perturbation is not a trivial task. In the present study, based on dynamical and structural analyses of the biological network, we optimized strategies for controlling variables in a two-node gene regulatory network and a T-cell large granular lymphocyte signaling network associated with blood cancer by using an efficient dynamic optimization method. Optimization revealed the critical value for each decision variable to steer the system from an undesired state into a desired attractor. In addition, the minimum time for the state transition was determined by defining and solving a time-optimal control problem. Moreover, time-dependent variable profiles for state transitions were achieved rather than constant values commonly adopted in previous studies. Furthermore, the optimization method allows multiple controls to be simultaneously adjusted to drive the system out of an undesired attractor. Optimization improved the results of the parameter perturbation method, thus providing a valuable guidance for experimental design.
Development of a Shortened Version of the Spatial Hearing Questionnaire (SHQ-S) for Screening Spatial-Hearing Ability
Authors: Ou Hua , Perreau Ann , Tyler Richard S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The Spatial Hearing Questionnaire (SHQ) was developed to address how to measure spatial-hearing ability in complex listening situations (Tyler, Perreau, & Ji, 2009). It has been translated and validated into various languages, including Chinese, Dutch, French, and Persian. Although the SHQ contains only 24 items, it could be time-consuming in a busy clinic to administer. The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a shortened version of the SHQ (SHQ-S) and to compare self-perceived spatial-hearing ability across adults with normal hearing (NH), hearing loss (HL), and cochlear implants (CIs).

Method

This was a retrospective study. The full version of the SHQ was administered to measure self-perceived spatial-hearing ability for 51 adults with NH at Augustana College, 47 adults with essentially mild to moderately severe sensorineural HL at Illinois State University, and 72 adult CI users at the University of Iowa. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for the full version for the data collected from adults with NH and HL. Appropriate items were chosen to develop the SHQ-S from the results of the exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was then applied to test the factor structure of the SHQ-S for all participants. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the self-perceived spatial-hearing performance scores between the 3 groups.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis revealed scores loaded on 2 factors. Six items from the full version were chosen accordingly. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that that a shortened version of 6 items is sufficient to measure spatial-hearing ability. The internal consistency reliability of the SHQ-S was high. The main effect of the one-way analysis of variance was significant for the groups,
F
(2, 167) = 36.0,
p
< .0001. The comparisons with the Tukey adjustment indicated that the NH group reported significantly better spatial-hearing ability than either the HL or the CI group (both adjusted
p
values < .05). There was no significant difference between the participants with HL and CI users.

Conclusions

The psychometric characteristics of the 6-item SHQ-S were similar to those of the full version of the SHQ. We conclude that the SHQ-S is a reliable and valid tool for measuring spatial-hearing ability and screening for spatial-hearing difficulties. Participants with NH reported better spatial-hearing ability than those with HL or with CIs, whereas the CI users and participants with HL perceived similar spatial-hearing ability in the present study.
Mapping the hot gas temperature in galaxy clusters using X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel’dovich imaging
Authors: Adam R. , Arnaud M. , Bartalucci I. , Ade P. , André P. , Beelen A. , Benoît A. , Bideaud A. , Billot N. , Bourdin H. , Bourrion O. , Calvo M. , Catalano A. , Coiffard G. , Comis B. , D’Addabbo A. , Désert F.-X. , Doyle S. , Ferrari C. , Goupy J. , Kramer C. , Lagache G. , Leclercq S. , Macías-Pérez J.-F. , Maurogordato S. , Mauskopf P. , Mayet F. , Monfardini A. , Pajot F. , Pascale E. , Perotto L. , Pisano G. , Pointecouteau E. , Ponthieu N. , Pratt G. W. , Revéret V. , Ritacco A. , Rodriguez L. , Romero C. , Ruppin F. , Schuster K. , Sievers A. , Triqueneaux S. , Tucker C. , Zylka R.
Published: July 2017

We propose a method to map the temperature distribution of the hot gas in galaxy clusters that uses resolved images of the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (tSZ) effect in combination with X-ray data. Application to images from the New IRAM KIDs Array (NIKA) andXMM-Newtonallows us to measure and determine the spatial distribution of the gas temperature in the merging cluster MACS J0717.5+3745, atz= 0.55. Despite the complexity of the target object, we find a good morphological agreement between the temperature maps derived from X-ray spectroscopy only – usingXMM-Newton(TXMM) andChandra(TCXO) – and the new gas-mass-weighted tSZ+X-ray imaging method (TSZX). We correlate the temperatures from tSZ+X-ray imaging and those from X-ray spectroscopy alone and find thatTSZXis higher thanTXMMand lower thanTCXOby ~ 10% in both cases. Our results are limited by uncertainties in the geometry of the cluster gas, contamination from kinetic SZ (~10%), and the absolute calibration of the tSZ map (7%). Investigation using a larger sample of clusters would help minimise these effects.
Postoperative Stiffening after Bicruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Al-Shakfa Fidaa , Moore James , Mychaltchouk Lydia , Iguer Khaled , Lavoie Frédéric
Published: July 2017

Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has recently experienced a resurgence of popularity. It may be a good option among a younger, more active population because it restores knee kinematics better than other prosthetic designs. Results obtained in the first 100 BCR TKAs implanted with a simplified gap-balancing technique are reported, with special attention paid to knee flexion, through comparison with a cohort of 100 posterior-stabilized (PS) TKAs. We conducted a retrospective comparative cohort study of 100 BCR TKAs (90 patients) and 100 PS TKAs (88 patients). Knees with a BCR TKA lost significantly more flexion PS TKA in the early postoperative period when their preoperative flexion was less than 130 degrees (loss of 40 degrees vs. loss of 24 degrees). Postoperative range of motion was similar between BCR TKA and PS TKA when preoperative knee flexion was 130 degrees or more, and when there was no preoperative flexion contracture. Postoperative stiffening seems to be more frequent and of greater magnitude after BCR TKA, compared with PS TKA, in patients suffering from preoperative flexion stiffness. Further investigation on the causes of this phenomenon is warranted.
Nanometer size hole fabrication in 2d ultrathin films with cluster ion beams
Authors: Insepov Z. , Ainabayev A. , Kirkpatrick S. , Walsh M. , Vyatkin A. F.
Published: July 2017

Gas cluster ion beams are proposed as a new tool for producing nanometer sized holes in ultrathin 2D films. Surfaces of films of graphene, graphene oxide, MoS2, and HOPG, and also silicon as a reference, were irradiated by Ar gas cluster ion beams (Exogenesis Corporation, Billerica, MA USA). The results were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Ar gas cluster ion acceleration energy was 30 keV and total ion fluences ranged from 1×108 to 1×1013 cm-2. Uniformly distributed holes, typically in the range of 10 to 25 nanometers in diameter, produced by the cluster ions, were observed on the surface of graphene oxide. To the best of our knowledge, this is first experimental observation of such holes.
It Takes an Act of Congress or Does It? Naming Practices of VA Facilities
Authors: Crosetto Alice , Atwood Thomas
Published: July 2017

The Veterans Health Administration, a division under the US Department of Veterans Affairs, oversees more than 1700 healthcare facilities that provide support for more than eight million veterans annually. These facilities, grouped under geographically organized networks, have 89 named after individuals. This research examines why these individuals have been honored. This study also examines the legislation involved in naming the facilities and the other means by which Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities have been named. Since veterans’ healthcare is under scrutiny, an investigation into the naming practices, the relationship between the Veterans Health Administration and Congress, and those who strongly advocate naming facilities may provide insight into the manner in which veterans are honored.
A tale of two independence movements: how do citizens encounter issues of international law and democratic theory?
Authors: Levintova Ekaterina
Published: July 2017

Foreign policy events, including secessionism and independence movements, become objectified for most citizens through media coverage. Accordingly, I look at the coverage of Kosovo's and Scotland's bids for independence in the two top national newspapers,The New York TimesandThe Washington Post.Scholarship in international law, democratic theory, and comparative politics might have valuable insights on independence processes, but it is the media frames inspired by these strands of theoretical literature that shape public opinion and/or reflect policy-makers’ preferences (and biases) in the foreign policy arena. I find that print media can engage in theoretically sophisticated coverage of secessionist movements, which often echoes scholarly insights derived from the relevant academic literature. The two European case studies show consistent application of tropes and frames that one would find in the academic publications on the subject. Yet these cases also illustrate profound differences in media framing not reducible to objective legal and political differences between the two events. US foreign policy considerations also appear to play a role in explaining variance in media frames.
Modelling of size distribution of blocky retained austenite in Si-containing bainitic steels
Authors: Guo L. , Roelofs H. , Lembke M. I. , Bhadeshia H. K. D. H.
Published: July 2017

A model for estimating the blocky retained austenite size distribution in Si-containing steels has been developed for the first time, based on the geometric partitioning of prior austenite grains by bainite sheaves. A random volume allocation method for the two new compartments formed by the formation of one bainite sheaf is adopted for reasons detailed in the text. Random selection of the compartment for subdivision is also employed at each step. The model has been verified experimentally using Si-containing bainitic steels.
Similarity in Romantic Couples’ Drinking Motivations and Drinking Behaviors
Authors: Kehayes Ivy-Lee L. , Mackinnon Sean P. , Sherry Simon B. , Leonard Kenneth E. , Stewart Sherry H.
Published: July 2017

Background

Research suggests that enhancement, conformity, social, coping-with-anxiety, and coping-with-depression drinking motives are linked to specific drinking outcomes in a theoretically expected manner. Social learning theory suggests that people who spend more time together emulate each other's behavior to acquire reinforcing outcomes. The present study sought to integrate drinking motives theory and social learning theory to investigate similarity in drinking behaviors and drinking motives in romantic couples. We hypothesized that couples would be more similar than chance in their drinking behaviors and motives. We also hypothesized that demographics reflecting time around and interactions with romantic partners (e.g., days spent drinking together) would positively correlate with similarity in drinking behaviors and motivations.

Methods

The present study tested hypotheses in 203 romantic couples. Participants completed a Timeline Follow-Back measure and the Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire—Revised to track their alcohol use and drinking motives. Similarity profiles were calculated using McCrae's ( J Pers Assess. 2008;90:105–109) coefficient of profile agreement, rpa.

Results

Couples were more similar in their drinking behavioral and motivational profiles than could be explained by chance. Days spent drinking together and days with face-to-face contact predicted increased similarity in drinking behavior profiles, but not similarity in drinking motives profiles.

Conclusions

Results are partially consistent with social learning theory and suggest that social influences within couples could be important intervention targets to prevent escalations in drinking.