bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical investigation of magnetoelectric surface acoustic wave characteristics of ZnO/Metglas layered composite
Authors: Huang Liang , Lyu Qingqing , Wen Dandan , Zhong Zhiyong , Zhang Huaiwu , Bai Feiming
Published: January 2016

The surface acoustic wave properties of piezoelectric/magnetostrictive layered structures consisting of insulating ZnO and metallic Metglas with giant Δ E effect were studied based on a stable scattering matrix method. Only the first Rayleigh mode was found with phase velocity between 2200 m/s and 2650 m/s, and the maximum electro-mechanical coupling coefficient about 1%. It was found that the center frequency of ZnO/Metglas is highly sensitive on the change of magnetic field, up to 440 MHz/Oe. However, there is a cutoff Young’s modulus of Metglas for different designs of SAW, below which the Rayleigh mode will disappear. For a magnetoelectric SAW design with the center frequency of 335 MHz and covering a full magnetic field range from -1.4 to +1.4 Oe, the frequency sensitivity is 212 MHz/Oe, equivalent to a magnetic field sensitivity of 5 × 10−12 Tesla. Unlike conventional magnetoelectric bulk laminates or film stacks, the detection of frequency shift instead of electrical charge allows not only shrinkage of device volume but also a broad frequency band detection of weak magnetic field.
Flat band degeneracy and near-zero refractive index materials in acoustic crystals
Authors: Wu Shiqiao , Mei Jun
Published: January 2016

A Dirac-like cone is formed by utilizing the flat bands associated with localized modes in an acoustic crystal (AC) composed of a square array of core-shell-structure cylinders in a water host. Although the triply-degeneracy seems to arise from two almost-overlapping flat bands touching another curved band, the enlarged view of the band structure around the degenerate point reveals that there are actually two linear bands intersecting each other at the Brillouin zone center, with another flat band passing through the same crossing point. The linearity of dispersion relations is achieved by tuning the geometrical parameters of the cylindrical scatterers. A perturbation method is used to not only accurately predict the linear slopes of the dispersions, but also confirm the linearity of the bands from first principles. An effective medium theory based on coherent potential approximation is developed, and it shows that a slab made of the AC carries a near-zero refractive index around the Dirac-like point. Full-wave simulations are performed to unambiguously demonstrate the wave manipulating properties of the AC structures such as perfect transmission, unidirectional transmission and wave front shaping.
Doping effect on photoabsorption and charge-separation dynamics in light-harvesting organic molecule
Authors: Ohmura Satoshi , Tsuruta Kenji , Shimojo Fuyuki , Nakano Aiichiro
Published: January 2016

Using ab-initio theoretical methods, we demonstrate possible enhancement of photo-conversion efficiency of an organic solar cell via intentional doping in molecular graphene-fullerene heterojunction [the hexabenzocoronene (HBC)-triethylene glycol (TEG)–C60 molecule]. Photoabsorption analysis indicates oxygen substitution into HBC leads to an extension of the spectra up to an infrared regime. A quantum-mechanical molecular dynamics simulation incorporating nonadiabatic electronic transitions reveals that a dissociated charge state (D+ and A-) in the O-doped system is more stable than the pristine case due to the presence of an effective barrier by the TEG HOMO/LUMO level. We also find that oxygen doping in HBC enhances the intermolecular carrier mobility after charge separation. On the other hand, the pristine molecule undergoes rapid recombination between donor and acceptor charges at the interface. These analyses suggest that the graphene oxidation opens a new window in the application of organic super-molecules to solar cells.
Versatile function of nanostructured-ZnO sensors using photo-assisted method
Authors: Lee Ching-Ting , Chen Chia-Hsun , Chiu Ying-Shuo
Published: January 2016

The vertical ZnO nanorod array was grown as the piezoelectric pressure sensors. By taking advantages of the induced conductivity of the ZnO nanorod array under light illumination, the nanostructured-ZnO pressure sensors exhibited the improved sensitivity of 7.89 μA ⋅ cm2/mN compared to 0.027 μA ⋅ cm2/mN of the ones without light illumination. Moreover, the sensing current of the nanostructured-ZnO pressure sensors depended on the ultraviolet wavelength and power density. Consequently, the sensors could be applied as versatile function of pressure sensors, light wavelength sensors, and light power density sensors.
Empirical and biophysical estimations of human cochlea’s psychophysical tuning curve sharpness
Authors: Chan Wei Xuan , Kim Namkeun , Yoon Yong-Jin
Published: January 2016

Despite the advances in cochlear research, the estimation of auditory nerve fiber frequency tuning of human cochlea is mostly based on psychophysical measurements. Although efforts had been made to estimate human frequency tuning sharpness from various physiological measurements which are less species dependent such as the compound action potential and stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emission delay, conclusions on the relative frequency tuning sharpness compared with that of other mammals vary. We simulated the biophysical human cochlea’s tuning curve based on physiological measurements of human cochlea and compared the human frequency tuning sharpness with results from empirical methods as well as experimental data of other mammalian cochleae. The compound action potential are more accurate at frequencies below 3 kHz while the stimulus frequency-otoacoustic emission delay are more accurate at frequencies above 1 kHz regions. The results from mechanical cochlear models, with support from conclusions of the other two empirical methodologies, suggest that the human frequency tuning sharpness at frequencies below 1 kHz is similar to common laboratory mammals but is exceptionally sharp at higher frequencies.
Human phosphatase CDC14A is recruited to the cell leading edge to regulate cell migration and adhesion
Authors: Chen Nan-Peng , Uddin Borhan , Voit Renate , Schiebel Elmar
Published: January 2016

Significance

Cell migration and adhesion play critical roles in animal development and tumor metastasis and are regulated by protein phosphorylation. Here we identified the human phosphatase hCDC14A (human cell-division cycle 14A) as F-actin binding protein at the leading edge that regulates both processes. Loss of hCDC14A activity promotes cell mobility and reduces cell adhesion. Importantly, cells devoid of hCDC14A activity were more invasive in a colony-forming assay. Database analysis indicates that
hCDC14A
expression is frequently down-regulated in cancer tissues and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Thus, the promigratory impact of hCDC14A inactivation upon the F-actin cytoskeleton supports tumor proliferation and metastasis. This hCDC14A function is clearly distinct from the mitotic functions of the budding and fission yeast orthologs Cdc14/Flp1.
A Shift in Bloater Consumption in Lake Michigan between 1993 and 2011 and Its Effects on Diporeia and Mysis Prey
Authors: Pothoven Steven A. , Bunnell David B.
Published: January 2016

Bioenergetics modeling was used to determine individual and population consumption by Bloater Coregonus hoyi in Lake Michigan during three time periods with variable Bloater density: 1993–1996 (high), 1998–2002 (intermediate), and 2009–2011 (low). Despite declines in Bloater abundance between 1993 and 2011, our results did not show any density‐dependent compensatory response in annual individual consumption, specific consumption, or proportion of maximum consumption consumed. Diporeia spp. accounted for a steadily decreasing fraction of annual consumption, and Bloater were apparently unable to eat enough Mysis diluviana or other prey to account for the loss of Diporeia in the environment. The fraction of production of both Diporeia and Mysis that was consumed by the Bloater population decreased over time so that the consumption‐to‐production ratio for Diporeia + Mysis was 0.74, 0.26, and 0.14 in 1993–1996, 1998–2002, and 2009–2011, respectively. Although high Bloater numbers in the 1980s to 1990s may have had an influence on populations of Diporeia, Bloater were not the main factor driving Diporeia to a nearly complete disappearance because Diporeia continued to decline when Bloater predation demands were lessening. Thus, there appears to be a decoupling in the inverse relationship between predator and prey abundance in Lake Michigan. Compared with Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, the other dominant planktivore in the lake, Bloater have a lower specific consumption and higher gross conversion efficiency (GCE), indicating that the lake can support a higher biomass of Bloater than Alewife. However, declines in Bloater GCE since the 1970s and the absence of positive responses in consumption variables following declines in abundance suggest that productivity in Lake Michigan might not be able to support the same biomass of Bloater as in the past.
Computer vision profiling of neurite outgrowth dynamics reveals spatiotemporal modularity of Rho GTPase signaling
Authors: Fusco Ludovico , Lefort Riwal , Smith Kevin , Benmansour Fethallah , Gonzalez German , Barillari Caterina , Rinn Bernd , Fleuret Francois , Fua Pascal , Pertz Olivier
Published: January 2016

Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) control the cytoskeletal dynamics that power neurite outgrowth. This process consists of dynamic neurite initiation, elongation, retraction, and branching cycles that are likely to be regulated by specific spatiotemporal signaling networks, which cannot be resolved with static, steady-state assays. We present NeuriteTracker, a computer-vision approach to automatically segment and track neuronal morphodynamics in time-lapse datasets. Feature extraction then quantifies dynamic neurite outgrowth phenotypes. We identify a set of stereotypic neurite outgrowth morphodynamic behaviors in a cultured neuronal cell system. Systematic RNA interference perturbation of a Rho GTPase interactome consisting of 219 proteins reveals a limited set of morphodynamic phenotypes. As proof of concept, we show that loss of function of two distinct RhoA-specific GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) leads to opposite neurite outgrowth phenotypes. Imaging of RhoA activation dynamics indicates that both GAPs regulate different spatiotemporal Rho GTPase pools, with distinct functions. Our results provide a starting point to dissect spatiotemporal Rho GTPase signaling networks that regulate neurite outgrowth.
Zds1/Zds2–PP2ACdc55 complex specifies signaling output from Rho1 GTPase
Authors: Jonasson Erin M. , Rossio Valentina , Hatakeyama Riko , Abe Mitsuhiro , Ohya Yoshikazu , Yoshida Satoshi
Published: January 2016

Budding yeast Rho1 guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) plays an essential role in polarized cell growth by regulating cell wall glucan synthesis and actin organization. Upon cell wall damage, Rho1 blocks polarized cell growth and repairs the wounds by activating the cell wall integrity (CWI) Pkc1–mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. A fundamental question is how active Rho1 promotes distinct signaling outputs under different conditions. Here we identified the Zds1/Zds2–protein phosphatase 2ACdc55 (PP2ACdc55) complex as a novel Rho1 effector that regulates Rho1 signaling specificity. Zds1/Zds2–PP2ACdc55 promotes polarized growth and cell wall synthesis by inhibiting Rho1 GTPase-activating protein (GAP) Lrg1 but inhibits CWI pathway by stabilizing another Rho1 GAP, Sac7, suggesting that active Rho1 is biased toward cell growth over stress response. Conversely, upon cell wall damage, Pkc1–Mpk1 activity inhibits cortical PP2ACdc55, ensuring that Rho1 preferentially activates the CWI pathway for cell wall repair. We propose that PP2ACdc55 specifies Rho1 signaling output and that reciprocal antagonism between Rho1–PP2ACdc55 and Rho1–Pkc1 explains how only one signaling pathway is robustly activated at a time.
Defective control of pre–messenger RNA splicing in human disease
Authors: Chabot Benoit , Shkreta Lulzim
Published: January 2016

Examples of associations between human disease and defects in pre–messenger RNA splicing/alternative splicing are accumulating. Although many alterations are caused by mutations in splicing signals or regulatory sequence elements, recent studies have noted the disruptive impact of mutated generic spliceosome components and splicing regulatory proteins. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of how the altered splicing function of RNA-binding proteins contributes to myelodysplastic syndromes, cancer, and neuropathologies.
Lipid droplets go nuclear
Authors: Farese Robert V. , Walther Tobias C.
Published: January 2016

Lipid droplets (LDs) are sometimes found in the nucleus of some cells. In this issue, Ohsaki et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201507122) show that the nuclear membrane, promyelocytic leukemia bodies, and the protein PML-II play a role in nuclear LD formation, suggesting functional relationships between these structures.
Sharon Dent: The unfolding SAGA of chromatin-modifying proteins
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: January 2016

Dent studies how chromatin-modifying proteins regulate development and cancer.
Functors given by kernels, adjunctions and duality
Authors: Gaitsgory Dennis
Published: January 2016

Let

X
1

X_1

and

X
2

X_2

be schemes of finite type over a field of characteristic

0
0

. Let

Q
Q

be an object in the category

D
−
m
o
d

(

X
1

×

X
2

)

\mathrm {D-mod}(X_1\times X_2)

and consider the functor

F
:

D
−
m
o
d

(

X
1

)
→

D
−
m
o
d

(

X
2

)

F:\mathrm {D-mod}(X_1)\to \mathrm {D-mod}(X_2)

defined by

Q
Q

. Assume that

F
F

admits a right adjoint also defined by an object

P
P

in

D
−
m
o
d

(

X
1

×

X
2

)

\mathrm {D-mod}(X_1\times X_2)

. The question that we pose and answer in this paper is how

P
P

is related to the Verdier dual of

Q
Q

. We subsequently generalize this question to the case when

X
1

X_1

and

X
2

X_2

are no longer schemes but Artin stacks, where the situation becomes much more interesting.
Antimicrobial cathelicidin peptide LL-37 inhibits the pyroptosis of macrophages and improves the survival of polybacterial septic mice
Authors: Hu Zhongshuang , Murakami Taisuke , Suzuki Kaori , Tamura Hiroshi , Reich Johannes , Kuwahara-Arai Kyoko , Iba Toshiaki , Nagaoka Isao
Published: January 2016

LL-37 is the only known member of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides in humans. In addition to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities, LL-37 can modulate various inflammatory reactions. We previously revealed that LL-37 suppresses the LPS/ATP-induced pyroptosis of macrophages in vitro by both neutralizing the action of LPS and inhibiting the response of P2X7 (a nucleotide receptor) to ATP. Thus, in this study, we further evaluated the effect of LL-37 on pyroptosis in vivo using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis model. As a result, the intravenous administration of LL-37 improved the survival of the CLP septic mice. Interestingly, LL-37 inhibited the CLP-induced caspase-1 activation and pyroptosis of peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, LL-37 modulated the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in both peritoneal fluids and sera, and suppressed the activation of peritoneal macrophages (as evidenced by the increase in the intracellular levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α). Finally, LL-37 reduced the bacterial burdens in both peritoneal fluids and blood samples. Together, these observations suggest that LL-37 improves the survival of CLP septic mice by possibly suppressing the pyroptosis of macrophages, and inflammatory cytokine production by activated macrophages and bacterial growth. Thus, the present findings imply that LL-37 can be a promising candidate for sepsis because of its many functions, such as the inhibition of pyroptosis, modulation of inflammatory cytokine production and antimicrobial activity.
Quantifying usability: an evaluation of a diabetes mHealth system on effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction metrics with associated user characteristics
Authors: Georgsson Mattias , Staggers Nancy
Published: January 2016

Objective Mobile health (mHealth) systems are becoming more common for chronic disease management, but usability studies are still needed on patients’ perspectives and mHealth interaction performance. This deficiency is addressed by our quantitative usability study of a mHealth diabetes system evaluating patients’ task performance, satisfaction, and the relationship of these measures to user characteristics.

Materials and Methods We used metrics in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9241-11 standard. After standardized training, 10 patients performed representative tasks and were assessed on individual task success, errors, efficiency (time on task), satisfaction (System Usability Scale [SUS]) and user characteristics.

Results Tasks of exporting and correcting values proved the most difficult, had the most errors, the lowest task success rates, and consumed the longest times on task. The average SUS satisfaction score was 80.5, indicating good but not excellent system usability. Data trends showed males were more successful in task completion, and younger participants had higher performance scores. Educational level did not influence performance, but a more recent diabetes diagnosis did. Patients with more experience in information technology (IT) also had higher performance rates.

Discussion Difficult task performance indicated areas for redesign. Our methods can assist others in identifying areas in need of improvement. Data about user background and IT skills also showed how user characteristics influence performance and can provide future considerations for targeted mHealth designs.

Conclusion Using the ISO 9241-11 usability standard, the SUS instrument for satisfaction and measuring user characteristics provided objective measures of patients’ experienced usability. These could serve as an exemplar for standardized, quantitative methods for usability studies on mHealth systems.
Beneficial Properties of Argon After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Early Treatment Reduces Mortality and Influences Hippocampal Protein Expression*
Authors: Höllig Anke , Weinandy Agnieszka , Liu Jingjin , Clusmann Hans , Rossaint Rolf , Coburn Mark
Published: January 2016

Objectives:

Until now, treatment ameliorating early brain injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage has been nonexistent. Here, we evaluate the neuroprotective properties of argon after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage with mortality as the primary endpoint and functional outcome, as well as hippocampal cellular and molecular stress response as secondary endpoints.

Design:

Randomized controlled animal study.

Setting:

University research laboratory.

Subjects:

Ninety-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Interventions:

One hour after subarachnoid hemorrhage induction via endovascular perforation technique or sham surgery, a breathing gas mixture containing 50 vol% argon/50 vol% oxygen (argon group) or 50 vol% nitrogen/50 vol% oxygen (control group) was applied for 1 hour.

Measurements and Main Results:

The primary objective was mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Additionally, outcome was assessed via 1) neurologic testing and 2) an open-field test 24 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage, 3) protein analysis of hippocampal samples for hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and heme oxygenase 1, and 4) immunohistochemistry of hippocampal slices to quantify vital neurons. Animals were euthanized 6, 24, or 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage or sham surgery. Occurrence of premature death (death prior to scheduled euthanasia) was assessed. Postconditioning with argon resulted in a reduction of risk with respect to premature death to 20.6% compared with the control group (95% CI, 4.39–96.7). Body weight was higher in the argon group over the entire observation period (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the neuroscore (p = 0.550). Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and heme oxygenase 1 in the hippocampus was increased in the argon group. Higher quantity of vital neurons in the hippocampal samples of the argon group was discovered 24 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

Argon application after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage met the primary endpoint of reducing the risk of mortality. In addition, higher body weight indicating good overall condition was observed in the argon group over the entire observation period. Regarding the mechanism of action, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α–induced heme oxygenase 1 expression resulting in improved survival of neurons may contribute to the beneficial effect of argon application after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Microvesicle Tissue Factor Activity and Interleukin-8 Levels are Associated with Mortality in Patients with Influenza A/H1N1 Infection
Authors: Rondina Matthew T. , Tatsumi Kohei , Bastarache Julie A. , Mackman Nigel
Published: January 2016

Objectives:

To identify plasma biomarkers that can be early predictors of mortality in critically ill patients with primary influenza A/H1N1.

Design:

A prospective, multicenter, case-cohort pilot study.

Setting: Three academic ICUs.

Patients:

Fifteen patients with primary influenza A/H1N1 that included seven survivors and eight nonsurvivors. For comparison, age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 27) were also studied.

Interventions:

Plasma was prepared from whole blood drawn on ICU admission in patients with influenza (ICU day 1). Microvesicle tissue factor activity, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, and D-dimers were measured as procoagulant markers and markers of activation of coagulation. Plasma cytokine levels were measured on the same blood samples in a subset of 12 patients with influenza using the Luminex Multi-Analyte Profiling system (Luminex Corporation, DeSoto, TX). Patients were followed up for the primary outcome of 28-day mortality.

Measurements and Main Results:

The average admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of the patients was 25.5 ± 9.3, 60% of patients had shock, and the 28-day mortality rate was 53.3% (n = 8/15). Patients with influenza had dysregulated indices of coagulation and inflammation compared with controls. Among the markers of activation of coagulation measured on ICU day 1, only increased microvesicle tissue factor activity was significantly associated with subsequent influenza-related mortality (5.6 ± 1.2 pg/mL in nonsurvivors vs 1.8 ± 0.8 pg/mL in survivors; p < 0.05). Interleukin-8 was significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (71.8 ± 29.1 pg/mL, n = 5 vs 17.3 ± 3.7 pg/mL, n = 7; p < 0.05). In addition, microvesicle tissue factor activity and interleukin-8 levels were significantly and positively correlated (r
2 = 0.60; p = 0.003). Other cytokines, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, and D-dimer were not different between nonsurvivors and survivors and did not correlate with illness severity or mortality.

Conclusions:

This study identifies an association between plasma interleukin-8 and microvesicle tissue factor activity measured on admission in patients with severe, primary influenza A/H1N1 infection and subsequent mortality. Thus, these biomarkers may serve as very early prognostic markers for patients with influenza A/H1N1.
Treatment of Slow Transit Constipation With Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Authors: Tian Hongliang , Ding Chao , Gong Jianfeng , Ge Xiaolong , McFarland Lynne V. , Gu Lili , Wei Yao , Chen Qiyi , Zhu Weiming , Li Jieshou , Li Ning
Published: January 2016

Background:

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for functional gastrointestinal disease. We launched a clinical study to examine the safety and efficacy of FMT for slow transit constipation (STC).

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-four patients with STC, aged from 20 to 74 were enrolled in this prospective open-label study. Patients received FMT on 3 consecutive days through nasojejunal tubes and followed up for 12 weeks after treatment. Rate of clinical improvement and remission, Wexner constipation scale, Bowel movement per week, and gastrointestinal quality-of-life index were evaluated.

Results:

The rate of clinical improvement and remission based on clinical activity at week 12 was 50% (12/24) and 37.5% (9/24), respectively. The patient’s stool frequency increased from a mean of 1.8 (SD 1.3) per week pre-FMT to 4.1 (SD 2.6) at week 12 post-FMT without laxative usage (P<0.01). The stool consistency showed a tendency to improve after FMT administration. Comparison of pre-FMT and post-FMT Wexner constipation scores demonstrated a significant reduction between baseline (14.1±3.3) and the first week (9.8±4.9), which was maintained up to the following 12 weeks (7.5±3.2; P<0.01). Compared with baseline, significant overall improvements were also seen in gastrointestinal quality-of-life index score at week 1, week 2, week 4, week 8, and week 12 of follow-up (P<0.01). The improvements were accompanied by the decline of colonic transit time. No severe adverse events during the whole FMT procedure follow-up except for venting (6/24), abdominal pain (3/24), bloating (2/24), and diarrhea (7/24).

Conclusion:

This is a pilot study demonstrating that FMT was safe and may have the potential to improve symptoms in patients with STC.
Epithelioid Schwannomas
Authors: Hart Jesse , Gardner Jerad M. , Edgar Mark , Weiss Sharon W.
Published: January 2016

The histologic features and outcome of 58 cases of epithelioid schwannoma were studied to determine the significance of atypical histologic features. Cases were retrieved from personal consultation files from 1999 to 2013. Patients (31 male and 26 female patients) ranged in age from 14 to 80 years (median, 38 y). Two patients had schwannomatosis 1. Tumors developed in the dermis/subcutis (n=56) or muscle (n=2) of the upper extremity (34.5%), lower extremity (34.5%), thorax/abdomen/back (18%), and less common anatomic locations including the scalp, neck, lip, and breast. They ranged in size from 0.25 to 4.5 cm (median, 2.0 cm). Typically circumscribed and surrounded by a perineurium, they comprised single or small groups of epithelioid schwann cells with a moderate amphophilic cytoplasm and occasional nuclear pseudoinclusions. Stroma varied from myxoid to hyalinized, often with thick-walled vessels (55 cases). Mitotic rate ranged from 0 to 9 mitoses/10 high-power field (HPF) (2.37 mm2) in the most active areas (mean, 2 to 3 mitoses/10 HPFs). Thirteen cases (22%) were “atypical,” defined by a high mitotic rate (≥3 mitoses per 10 HPFs) and nuclear size variation (≥3:1). All (56/56) expressed S100 protein; type IV collagen invested groups or individual cells (16/17). Melanoma markers were negative, except for melan A (1 case). Follow-up in 39 patients (median, 78 mo; range, 6 to 174 mo) indicated that 31 (79%) were alive without disease (including 9/13 atypical cases; median, 78 mo), 7 (18%) were alive with unknown status, and 1 patient had died of unrelated causes. One tumor recurred, but none metastasized. Epithelioid schwannomas, even those with atypical features, are benign and do not constitute a histologic continuum with epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, which typically occur in deep soft tissues and have more anaplastic features.
Reasons for Drug Administration Problems and Perceived Needs for Assistance of Patients, Family Caregivers, and Nurses: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Lampert Anette , Haefeli Walter E. , Seidling Hanna M.
Published: January 2016

Objective

Investigation of drug administration problems, respective causes, and needs for assistance.

Methods

Focus group discussions with patients, family caregivers, and nurses were conducted using a semi-structured interview guideline for a focused exploration of the participants’ drug administration experiences and perceived needs for assistance. All discussions were audio-recorded and video-recorded, verbatim transcribed, and analyzed according to Mayring’s qualitative content analysis.

Results

In total, 6 focus group discussions were conducted. The qualitative content analysis revealed that patients and family caregivers frequently trivialized drug administration, were unaware of errors, and primarily blamed the dosage form of causing administration problems. Nurses also considered health-care system–related conditions and patient factors as potential causes of administration problems.

Conclusions

The administration problems and perceived causes were multifaceted and often directed toward inappropriate dosage forms or health-care system–related conditions rather than critically questioning the medicine user’s administration skills. To increase medicine users’ motivation to scrutinize wrong administration practices, health-care professionals should consider individual perspectives on administration problems and perceived causes, assist medicine users’ to identify the true cause of a distinct problem, and provide individualized support.
Localization of Interictal Epileptic Spikes With MEG: Optimization of an Automated Beamformer Screening Method (SAMepi) in a Diverse Epilepsy Population
Authors: Scott Jonathan M. , Robinson Stephen E. , Holroyd Tom , Coppola Richard , Sato Susumu , Inati Sara K.
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

To describe and optimize an automated beamforming technique followed by identification of locations with excess kurtosis (g2) for efficient detection and localization of interictal spikes in patients with medically refractory epilepsy.

Methods:

Synthetic aperture magnetometry with g2 averaged over a sliding time window (SAMepi) was performed in seven patients with focal epilepsy and five healthy volunteers. The effect of varied window lengths on detection of spiking activity was evaluated.

Results:

Sliding window lengths of 0.5 to 10 seconds performed similarly, with 0.5- and 1-second windows detecting spiking activity in 1 of the 3 virtual sensor locations with highest kurtosis. These locations were concordant with the region of eventual surgical resection in these seven patients who remained seizure-free at 1 year. Average g2 values increased with increasing sliding window length in all subjects. In healthy volunteers, kurtosis values stabilized in data sets longer than 2 minutes.

Conclusions:

SAMepi using g2 averaged over 1-second sliding time windows in data sets of at least 2 minutes of duration reliably identified interictal spiking and the presumed seizure focus in these seven patients. Screening the five locations with highest kurtosis values for spiking activity is an efficient and accurate technique for localizing interictal activity using magnetoencephalography.

Significance:

SAMepi should be applied using the parameter values and procedure described for optimal detection and localization of interictal spikes. Use of this screening procedure could significantly improve the efficiency of magnetoencephalography analysis if clinically validated.
Building a genomic framework for prospective MRSA surveillance in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Reuter Sandra , Török M. Estée , Holden Matthew T.G. , Reynolds Rosy , Raven Kathy E. , Blane Beth , Donker Tjibbe , Bentley Stephen D. , Aanensen David M. , Grundmann Hajo , Feil Edward J. , Spratt Brian G. , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: January 2016

The correct interpretation of microbial sequencing data applied to surveillance and outbreak investigation depends on accessible genomic databases to provide vital genetic context. Our aim was to construct and describe a United Kingdom MRSA database containing over 1000 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genomes drawn from England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland over a decade. We sequenced 1013 MRSA submitted to the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy by 46 laboratories between 2001 and 2010. Each isolate was assigned to a regional healthcare referral network in England and was otherwise grouped based on country of origin. Phylogenetic reconstructions were used to contextualize MRSA outbreak investigations and to detect the spread of resistance. The majority of isolates (n = 783, 77%) belonged to CC22, which contains the dominant United Kingdom epidemic clone (EMRSA-15). There was marked geographic structuring of EMRSA-15, consistent with widespread dissemination prior to the sampling decade followed by local diversification. The addition of MRSA genomes from two outbreaks and one pseudo-outbreak demonstrated the certainty with which outbreaks could be confirmed or refuted. We identified local and regional differences in antibiotic resistance profiles, with examples of local expansion, as well as widespread circulation of mobile genetic elements across the bacterial population. We have generated a resource for the future surveillance and outbreak investigation of MRSA in the United Kingdom and Ireland and have shown the value of this during outbreak investigation and tracking of antimicrobial resistance.
Genome-Wide Characterization of Maize Small RNA Loci and Their Regulation in the required to maintain repression6-1 (rmr6-1) Mutant and Long-Term Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Lunardon Alice , Forestan Cristian , Farinati Silvia , Axtell Michael J. , Varotto Serena
Published: January 2016

Endogenous small RNAs (sRNAs) contribute to gene regulation and genome homeostasis, but their activities and functions are incompletely known. The maize genome has a high number of transposable elements (TEs; almost 85%), some of which spawn abundant sRNAs. We performed sRNA and total RNA sequencing from control and abiotically stressed B73 wild-type plants and rmr6-1 mutants. RMR6 encodes the largest subunit of the RNA polymerase IV complex and is responsible for accumulation of most 24-nucleotide (nt) small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). We identified novel MIRNA loci and verified miR399 target conservation in maize. RMR6-dependent 23-24 nt  siRNA loci were specifically enriched in the upstream region of the most highly expressed genes. Most genes misregulated in rmr6-1 did not show a significant correlation with loss of flanking siRNAs, but we identified one gene supporting existing models of direct gene regulation by TE-derived siRNAs. Long-term drought correlated with changes of miRNA and sRNA accumulation, in particular inducing down-regulation of a set of sRNA loci in the wild-typeleaf.
Nuclear Function of Subclass I Actin-Depolymerizing Factor Contributes to Susceptibility in Arabidopsis to an Adapted Powdery Mildew Fungus
Authors: Inada Noriko , Higaki Takumi , Hasezawa Seiichiro
Published: January 2016

Actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) are conserved proteins that function in regulating the structure and dynamics of actin microfilaments in eukaryotes. In this study, we present evidence that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) subclass I ADFs, particularly ADF4, functions as a susceptibility factor for an adapted powdery mildew fungus. The null mutant of ADF4 significantly increased resistance against the adapted powdery mildew fungus Golovinomyces orontii. The degree of resistance was further enhanced in transgenic plants in which the expression of all subclass I ADFs (i.e. ADF1–ADF4) was suppressed. Microscopic observations revealed that the enhanced resistance of adf4 and ADF1-4 knockdown plants (ADF1-4Ri) was associated with the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and cell death specific to G. orontii-infected cells. The increased resistance and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in ADF1-4Ri were suppressed by the introduction of mutations in the salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid-signaling pathways but not by a mutation in the ethylene-signaling pathway. Quantification by microscopic images detected an increase in the level of actin microfilament bundling in ADF1-4Ri but not in adf4 at early G. orontii infection time points. Interestingly, complementation analysis revealed that nuclear localization of ADF4 was crucial for susceptibility to G. orontii. Based on its G. orontii-infected-cell-specific phenotype, we suggest that subclass I ADFs are susceptibility factors that function in a direct interaction between the host plant and the powdery mildew fungus.
Catalyst film preparation for efficient growth of carbon nanotubes filled with iron nanowires
Authors: Tamaki Eisuke , Sato Hideki , Kubonaka Nobuo , Fujiwara Yuji
Published: January 2016

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) filled with iron nanowires (Fe@CNTs) were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition on substrates with catalyst thin film coatings. The Fe@CNTs showed magnetic shape anisotropy due to the high aspect ratio shape of the nanowires. Here, the authors examined how the conditions of catalyst films (Fe and Ni), i.e., crystal structures and oxidation states, influenced the growth characteristics and the magnetic properties of the Fe@CNTs. The conditions of the catalyst films depended on whether vacuum deposition or sputter deposition was used. The coercivity of the Fe@CNTs was influenced by the conditions of the catalyst films. Their results showed that the sputter-deposited Ni film, which had the smallest grain size and lowest oxidation, showed the highest coercivity.
Hydration force fluctuations in hydrophilic planar systems
Authors: Kanduč Matej , Netz Roland R.
Published: January 2016

Utilizing all-atom simulations with explicit solvent, the authors model hydrophilic surfaces interacting across water at a fixed chemical potential. They extract the hydration forces acting between the surfaces and assess force fluctuations as well as interlamellar water number fluctuations. The trends obtained from the simulations are captured by a continuum-based description with effective model parameters. The significance of fluctuations depends on surface hydrophilicity and rigidity. The authors show that the force fluctuations play an important role in kinetic processes in systems with lateral sizes smaller than several tens of nanometers.
Probing carbonyl–water hydrogen-bond interactions in thin polyoxazoline brushes
Authors: Kroning Annika , Furchner Andreas , Adam Stefan , Uhlmann Petra , Hinrichs Karsten
Published: January 2016

Temperature-responsive oxazoline-based polymer brushes have gained increased attention as biocompatible surfaces. In aqueous environment, they can be tuned between hydrophilic and hydrophobic behavior triggered by a temperature stimulus. This transition is connected with changes in molecule–solvent interactions and results in a switching of the brushes between swollen and collapsed states. This work studies the temperature-dependent interactions between poly(2-oxazoline) brushes and water. In detail, thermoresponsive poly(2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazoline), nonresponsive hydrophilic poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), as well as a copolymer of the two were investigated with in situ infrared ellipsometry. Focus was put on interactions of the brushes' carbonyl groups with water molecules. Different polymer–water interactions could be observed and assigned to hydrogen bonding between C=O groups and water molecules. The switching behavior of the brushes in the range of 20–45 °C was identified by frequency shifts and intensity changes of the amide I band.
Evaluation of biomolecular distributions in rat brain tissues by means of ToF-SIMS using a continuous beam of Ar clusters
Authors: Nakano Shusuke , Yokoyama Yuta , Aoyagi Satoka , Himi Naoyuki , Fletcher John S. , Lockyer Nicholas P. , Henderson Alex , Vickerman John C.
Published: January 2016

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) provides detailed chemical structure information and high spatial resolution images. Therefore, ToF-SIMS is useful for studying biological phenomena such as ischemia. In this study, in order to evaluate cerebral microinfarction, the distribution of biomolecules generated by ischemia was measured with ToF-SIMS. ToF-SIMS data sets were analyzed by means of multivariate analysis for interpreting complex samples containing unknown information and to obtain biomolecular mapping indicated by fragment ions from the target biomolecules. Using conventional ToF-SIMS (primary ion source: Bi cluster ion), it is difficult to detect secondary ions beyond approximately 1000 u. Moreover, the intensity of secondary ions related to biomolecules is not always high enough for imaging because of low concentration even if the masses are lower than 1000 u. However, for the observation of biomolecular distributions in tissues, it is important to detect low amounts of biological molecules from a particular area of tissue. Rat brain tissue samples were measured with ToF-SIMS (J105, Ionoptika, Ltd., Chandlers Ford, UK), using a continuous beam of Ar clusters as a primary ion source. ToF-SIMS with Ar clusters efficiently detects secondary ions related to biomolecules and larger molecules. Molecules detected by ToF-SIMS were examined by analyzing ToF-SIMS data using multivariate analysis. Microspheres (45 μm diameter) were injected into the rat unilateral internal carotid artery (MS rat) to cause cerebral microinfarction. The rat brain was sliced and then measured with ToF-SIMS. The brain samples of a normal rat and the MS rat were examined to find specific secondary ions related to important biomolecules, and then the difference between them was investigated. Finally, specific secondary ions were found around vessels incorporating microspheres in the MS rat. The results suggest that important biomolecules related to cerebral microinfarction can be detected by ToF-SIMS.
Effect of radiation induced charging on gate-all-around NMOS devices
Authors: Kambour Kenneth E. , Kouhestani Camron , Nguyen Duc D. , Devine Roderick A. B.
Published: January 2016

The need for more reliable and radiation hard complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatible devices coupled with an ever increasing shrinkage of device dimensions has led naturally to interest in metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors having nontraditional geometries. One such geometry is the gate-all-around transistor, which has been suggested to be less sensitive than its planar counterpart to the effect of charge build-up at the semiconductor–insulator interface such as that induced by irradiation. In order to explore the radiation hardness of such a structure, the effect of radiation on gate-all-around n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor devices was investigated by computing the effect of charging on the threshold voltage of the device. The radiation sensitivity in ideal structures is explored, and the greater radiation sensitivity found experimentally in some devices is explained.
Segment fusion of ToF-SIMS images
Authors: Milillo Tammy M. , Miller Mary E. , Fischione Remo , Montes Angelina , Gardella Joseph A.
Published: January 2016

The imaging capabilities of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) have not been used to their full potential in the analysis of polymer and biological samples. Imaging has been limited by the size of the dataset and the chemical complexity of the sample being imaged. Pixel and segment based image fusion algorithms commonly used in remote sensing, ecology, geography, and geology provide a way to improve spatial resolution and classification of biological images. In this study, a sample of Arabidopsis thaliana was treated with silver nanoparticles and imaged with ToF-SIMS. These images provide insight into the uptake mechanism for the silver nanoparticles into the plant tissue, giving new understanding to the mechanism of uptake of heavy metals in the environment. The Munechika algorithm was programmed in-house and applied to achieve pixel based fusion, which improved the spatial resolution of the image obtained. Multispectral and quadtree segment or region based fusion algorithms were performed using ecognition software, a commercially available remote sensing software suite, and used to classify the images. The Munechika fusion improved the spatial resolution for the images containing silver nanoparticles, while the segment fusion allowed classification and fusion based on the tissue types in the sample, suggesting potential pathways for the uptake of the silver nanoparticles.
Three-dimensional imaging of cholesterol and sphingolipids within a Madin-Darby canine kidney cell
Authors: Yeager Ashley N. , Weber Peter K. , Kraft Mary L.
Published: January 2016

Metabolic stable isotope incorporation and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling performed on a Cameca NanoSIMS 50 were used to image the 18O-cholesterol and 15N-sphingolipid distributions within a portion of a Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell. Three-dimensional representations of the component-specific isotope distributions show clearly defined regions of 18O-cholesterol and 15N-sphingolipid enrichment that seem to be separate subcellular compartments. The low levels of nitrogen-containing secondary ions detected at the 18O-enriched regions suggest that these 18O-cholesterol-rich structures may be lipid droplets, which have a core consisting of cholesterol esters and triacylglycerides.
Enhanced UV photodetector response and recovery times using a nonpolar ZnO sensing layer
Authors: Chao Chung-Hua , Weng Wei-Jie , Wei Da-Hua
Published: January 2016

A plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system was used to fabricate ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors based on polar and nonpolar zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films combined with interdigitated platinum top electrodes. The performance of photodetectors was demonstrated by current–voltage characteristics and time-dependent photoresponse measurements. Both polar and nonpolar detectors showed a prominent photocurrent gain under UV light illumination, compared with dark conditions. However, the response and recovery times for the nonpolar detectors were significantly faster compared to the polar detectors. These variations in response and recovery times can be explained by the dipole effect between the electrode and sensing thin film, which is due to the adsorption and desorption of gas molecules on polar and nonpolar ZnO thin film surfaces.
Design optimizations of InGaAsN(Sb) subcells for concentrator photovoltaic systems
Authors: Cheriton Ross , Wilkins Matthew M. , Sharma Pratibha , Valdivia Christopher E. , Trojnar Anna H. , Schriemer Henry , Hinzer Karin , Gupta James , Bouzazi Boussairi , Kolhatkar Gitanjali , Boucherif Abderraouf , Jaouad Abdelatif , Fafard Simon , Aimez Vincent , Arès Richard
Published: January 2016

The InGaAsN(Sb) material system is an attractive candidate for use in lattice-matched four-junction (4J) solar cells based on germanium substrates. Design optimizations for an InGaAsN(Sb) subcell are proposed for optimal power conversion efficiency within a 4J solar cell under a highly concentrated AM1.5D solar spectrum. The performance of the subcell is modeled using drift-diffusion simulations using Crosslight Apsys. An InGaAsN(Sb) test subcell was fabricated to obtain realistic materials parameters for the optimization of subcell performance. A thin InGaAsN(Sb) subcell is suggested for operation at 1000 Sun illumination intensities at low carrier lifetimes and mobilities.