bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel biomarkers for prostate cancer: An evidence‐based review for use in clinical practice
Authors: Narayan Vikram M , Konety Badrinath R , Warlick Christopher
Published: March 2017

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease with disparate outcomes. Traditional clinical parameters are limited in their ability to differentiate between these cases, and there is uncertainty regarding management strategies. A number of novel biomarkers have emerged, but how best to use them at the point of care remains confusing. In the present review, we describe the most common novel biomarkers, their key supporting literature, and propose a meaningful algorithm for their use in clinical practice. To identify commercially available prostate cancer diagnostic tests, we carried out a PubMed literature search (through May 2016). Only English‐language studies were included. We restricted our search to studies published within the past 10 years in order to focus our review on novel data. Secondary sources were also examined. We identified 12 novel biomarkers and categorized them into broad areas of clinical practice: (i) early diagnosis and screening; (ii) staging and primary treatment selection; (iii) post‐treatment risk stratification; (iv) advanced disease prognosis and treatment response; and (v) emerging tests. Most validation studies rely on small retrospective cohorts and carry a high risk of bias; furthermore, most cohorts are restricted to Caucasians, with little to no representation of other geographic, racial or ethnic populations. Novel biomarkers for prostate cancer management, while potentially helpful, should not replace standard clinical information and physician judgment. They are currently best suited to serve as an adjunct to existing management tools. Clinicians should have a sound grasp of each biomarker‐based test's indications and limitations.
Individual factors that influence experiences and perceptions of stigma and discrimination towards people with mental illness in Ghana
Authors: Gyamfi Sebastian , Hegadoren Kathy , Park Tanya
Published: March 2017

People with a mental illness often encounter stigma and discrimination from a variety of sources, reinforcing negative self‐perceptions and influencing their health and well‐being. Even though support systems and attitudes of the general public act as powerful sources of stigma, views and perceptions held by people with mental illness also influence their sensitivity to the experiences they encounter. The aim of the present qualitative study was to examine perceptions of stigma and discrimination and self‐stigma in individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. This study adopted a narrative, descriptive method, using a semistructured interview guide to elicit participant perceptions regarding sources of stigma, discrimination, and personal factors that might influence their experiences. Twelve outpatients attending a clinic in Ghana were interviewed. Thematic content analysis was completed and augmented by field notes. Participants’ perceptions about personal impacts of stigma were found to be influenced by self‐stigma, anticipated stigma and discrimination, perceived discrimination, and their knowledge about their illness. For many participants, their views served to augment societal views, and thus reinforce negative self‐perceptions and their future. However, for other participants, their views served as a buffer in the face of environmental situations that reflect stigma and discrimination. Stigma is a complex, socially‐sanctioned phenomenon that can seriously affect the health of people with mental illness. As such, it requires coordinated strategies among public policy makers, governmental bodies, and health‐care providers to address stigma on a societal level, and to address its potential impacts on broad health outcomes for individuals with mental illness.
Commentary: What's in a word (or words) – on the relations among self‐regulation, self‐control, executive functioning, effortful control, cognitive control, impulsivity, risk‐taking, and inhibition for developmental psychopathology – reflections on Nigg (2017)
Authors: Eisenberg Nancy
Published: March 2017

In Nigg's excellent article, he deals with a variety of complex conceptual issues related to the constructs of self‐regulation and executive functioning (EF). Overall, I agree that the terminology proposed by Nigg should be adopted; moreover, the conceptual distinctions he provides should help the field to move forward with regard to the understanding of varied constructs related to self‐regulation. In the spirit of further clarification, I questioned Nigg's suggestions that (a) working memory should be considered as part of the construct of top‐down regulation and (b) planning is a higher level component of EF but not part of effortful control. In addition, I discussed my perspective on the role of automaticity in defining top‐down versus bottom‐up self‐regulatory processes and the role of flexibility in top‐down self‐regulatory processes and their relation to personality resiliency.
Commentary: Information‐processing in anxiety and depression – novel targets for translational research, a reflection on Lau and Waters (2017)
Authors: Arad Gal , Bar‐Haim Yair
Published: March 2017

Understanding psychopathology in the context of a developmental cognitive neuroscience approach entails the notion that specific individual differences in information processing can serve as both etiologic and maintaining factors in the development of specific disorders. It is posited that such mechanistic understanding of neurocognitive aberrations during development can then serve focused translational efforts in the form of cognitive bias modification treatments. In the review by Lau and Waters (this issue), an astute developmental model is suggested regarding the role of potential neurocognitive mechanisms in depression and anxiety in youth.
Editorial: Child psychology and psychiatry – using science to make a difference
Authors: Fearon R. M. Pasco
Published: March 2017

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry has, I think it is fair to say, a special place in the hearts of scientists and scientist‐practitioners working broadly in the field of developmental psychopathology. How would you put into words what it is we all love about the journal? Answers on a postcard please! For me, in addition to the high quality of the science, there is something unique about JCPP's open‐minded, eclectic yet rigorous and methodologically pluralistic style that makes it stand out from the rest.
Commentary: Extraordinary environments, extreme neuroplasticity and mental disorder – reflections on pathways from adversity to mental disorder prompted by McCrory, Gerin, and Viding (2017)
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J.S.
Published: March 2017

Neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to be shaped in response to environmental experience, has been claimed to resemble a double‐edged sword – potentiating growth and healing when individuals are exposed to normative, benign or therapeutic environments on the one hand, mediating mental disorder development in those exposed to adversity, on the other. However, questions about the scope and limits of neuroplasticity and, especially, its clinical significance, remain unanswered.
A decrease in eukaryotic elongation factor 2 phosphorylation is required for local translation of sensorin and long‐term facilitation in Aplysia
Authors: McCamphill Patrick K. , Ferguson Larissa , Sossin Wayne S.
Published: March 2017

Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)‐dependent protein synthesis is required for many forms of synaptic plasticity and memory, but the downstream pathways important for synaptic plasticity are poorly understood. Long‐term facilitation (LTF) in Aplysia is a form of synaptic plasticity that is closely linked to behavioral memory and an attractive model system for examining the important downstream targets for mTORC1 in regulating synaptic plasticity. Although mTORC1‐regulated protein synthesis has been strongly linked to translation initiation, translation elongation is also regulated by mTORC1 and LTF leads to an mTORC1‐dependent decrease in eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) phosphorylation. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the decrease in eEF2 phosphorylation is required for mTORC1‐dependent translation and plasticity. We show that the LTF‐induced decrease in eEF2 phosphorylation is blocked by expression of an eEF2 kinase (eEF2K) modified to be resistant to mTORC1 regulation. We found that expression of this modified kinase blocked LTF. LTF requires local protein synthesis of the neuropeptide sensorin and importantly, local sensorin synthesis can be measured using a dendra fluorescent protein containing the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of sensorin. Using this construct, we show that blocking eEF2 dephosphorylation also blocks the increase in local sensorin synthesis. These results identify decreases in eEF2 phosphorylation as a critical downstream effector of mTOR required for long‐term plasticity and identify an important translational target regulated by decreases in eEF2 phosphorylation.

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The role of complement inhibitors beyond controlling inflammation
Authors: Blom A. M.
Published: March 2017

The complement system is an arm of innate immunity that aids in the removal of pathogens and dying cells. Due to its harmful, pro‐inflammatory potential, complement is controlled by several soluble and membrane‐bound inhibitors. This family of complement regulators has been recently extended by the discovery of several new members, and it is becoming apparent that these proteins harbour additional functions. In this review, the current state of knowledge of the physiological functions of four complement regulators will be described: cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), CUB and sushi multiple domains 1 (CSMD1), sushi domain‐containing protein 4 (SUSD4) and CD59. Complement activation is involved in both the development of and defence against cancer. COMP expression is pro‐oncogenic, whereas CSMD1 and SUSD4 act as tumour suppressors. These effects may be related in part to the complex influence of complement on cancer but also depend on unrelated functions such as the protection of cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress conveyed by intracellular COMP. CD59 is the main inhibitor of the membrane attack complex, and its deficiency leads to complement attack on erythrocytes and severe haemolytic anaemia, which is now amenable to treatment with an inhibitor of C5 cleavage. Unexpectedly, the intracellular pool of CD59 is crucial for insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells. This finding is one of several relating to the intracellular functions of complement proteins, which until recently were only considered to be present in the extracellular space. Understanding the alternative functions of complement inhibitors may unravel unexpected links between complement and other physiological systems, but is also important for better design of therapeutic complement inhibition.
Overexpression of Yes‐associated protein and its association with clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Chengjie , Hu Zhigao , Lei Biao , Tang Bo , Yu Hongping , Qiu Xiaoqiang , He Songqing
Published: March 2017

Background

Yes‐associated protein (YAP) overexpression is reported to be associated with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but current studies have not explored the relationship between YAP expression with HCC clinicopathological features.

Methods

To assess these associations, a meta‐analysis was performed which included four eligible studies including 391 HCC cases and 334 controls. There were eight eligible studies to investigate the association between YAP expression in HCC and clinicopathological features of liver cancer patients. Literature was obtained from PubMed, Embase, Wangfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure.

Results

Analysis indicated that YAP expression in HCC was greater than in adjacent non‐tumour tissue (odds ratio [OR], 15.80, 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.53‐23.70, P<.00001; heterogeneity=.30). YAP overexpression in HCC was significantly associated with vascular invasion (OR, 2.21, 95% CI, 11.64‐2.97, P<.00001, heterogeneity=.10), less cellular differentiation (OR, 2.38, 95% CI, 1.61‐3.51, P<.00001, heterogeneity=.333), tumours larger than 5 cm (OR, 2.52, 95% CI, 1.75‐3.62, P<.00001; heterogeneity=.17) and TNM tumour stage I + II (OR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.28‐0.75, P=.00003, heterogeneity=.12).

Conclusions

Overexpression of YAP contributes to HCC formation, and its overexpression is associated with vascular invasion, low cellular differentiation tumours larger than 5 cm and TNM tumour stage III + IV.
Interleukin‐1 inhibition facilitates recovery from liver injury and promotes regeneration of hepatocytes in alcoholic hepatitis in mice
Authors: Iracheta‐Vellve Arvin , Petrasek Jan , Gyogyosi Benedek , Bala Shashi , Csak Timea , Kodys Karen , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: March 2017

Background & Aims

Inflammation and impaired hepatocyte regeneration contribute to liver failure in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Interleukin (IL)‐1 is a key inflammatory cytokine in the pathobiology of AH. The role of IL‐1 in liver regeneration in the recovery phase of alcohol‐induced liver injury is unknown.

Methods

In this study, we tested IL‐1 receptor antagonist to block IL‐1 signalling in a mouse model of acute‐on‐chronic liver injury on liver inflammation and hepatocyte regeneration in AH.

Results

We observed that inhibition of IL‐1 signalling decreased liver inflammation and neutrophil infiltration, and resulted in enhanced regeneration of hepatocytes and increased rate of recovery from liver injury in AH.

Conclusion

Our novel findings suggest that IL‐1 drives sustained liver inflammation and impaired hepatocyte regeneration even after cessation of ethanol exposure.
Hepatitis B s antigen kinetics during treatment with nucleos(t)ides analogues in patients with hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Striki Athanasia , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Deutsch Melanie , Kourikou Anastasia , Kontos George , Kranidioti Hariklia , Hadziyannis Emilia , Papatheodoridis George
Published: March 2017

Background/Aims

Serum hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) levels might be used as a predictor of virological breakthrough or of sustained off‐treatment virological response in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. We evaluated the changes of HBsAg in those patients under nucleos(t)ide analogue(s) [NA(s)] therapy for ≥12 months.

Methods

We included 99 HBeAg‐negative CHB patients treated with low‐genetic barrier NA(s) for a mean of 66 months (lamivudine: 66, adefovir: 6, lamivudine plus adefovir: 11 and telbivudine: 16) and 86 HBeAg‐negative CHB patients treated under entecavir or tenofovir for a mean of 30 months as the comparison group.

Results

Compared to baseline, HBsAg levels decreased by a median of 162, 1525, 943, 1545, 2163 and 3859 IU/mL at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of therapy with low‐genetic barrier NA(s) respectively. The 6‐, 12‐, 24‐, 36‐, 48‐ and 60‐month cumulative rates of HBsAg<100 IU/mL were 2%, 3%, 3%, 5%, 5% and 5%, and <1000 IU/mL 6%, 9%, 15%, 19%, 24% and 61% respectively. Baseline HBsAg levels were the only significant variable associated with the time to HBsAg drop <1000 IU/mL. HBsAg loss occurred in 3.0% of patients. The high‐genetic barrier NAs were not found to offer a greater or faster HBsAg decline.

Conclusions

In HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, long‐term therapy with low‐genetic barrier NA(s) decreases serum HBsAg levels, but the rate of decline is slow. Lower baseline HBsAg levels are significantly associated with on‐therapy HBsAg drop <1000 IU/mL. Serum HBsAg decline is similar during therapy with low‐ or high‐genetic barrier NAs.
The nature and emplacement of distal aqueous‐rich ejecta deposits from Hale crater, Mars
Authors: Grant John A. , Wilson Sharon A.
Published: March 2017

Hale crater formed in the Early to Middle Amazonian and is one of the best preserved large craters on Mars. We focus on the emplacement of previously mapped distal continuous ejecta and newly recognized discontinuous distal ejecta deposits reaching up to 450 km northeast of Hale. The distal continuous ejecta deposits are typically tens of meters thick, likely water‐rich, and subsequent dewatering of some resulted in flow along gradients of 10 m km‐1 for distances of tens of kilometers. The discontinuous distal ejecta are typically <10 m thick with volumes generally <0.5 km3 and embay Hale secondaries, which occur up to ~600 km from Hale. Both continuous and discontinuous distal ejecta deposits are typically smooth at scales of tens to hundreds of meters, relatively dark‐toned, devoid of eolian bedforms, inferred to be mostly fine‐grained, and were likely emplaced within hours to 1–2 days after impact. The occurrence of well‐preserved discontinuous distal ejecta at Hale is unusual compared to other large Martian craters and could be due to impact into an ice‐rich substrate that enabled their formation and (or) their survival after minimal postimpact degradation relative to older craters. The pristine nature of distal continuous and discontinuous distal deposits at Hale and the preservation of associated secondaries imply (1) low erosion rates after the Hale impact, comparable to those estimated elsewhere during the Amazonian; (2) the impact did not significantly influence long‐term global or regional scale geomorphic activity or climate; and (3) the Hale impact occurred after late alluvial fan activity in Margaritifer Terra.
Cheese supplemented with probiotics reduced the Candida levels in denture wearers—RCT
Authors: Miyazima TY , Ishikawa KH , Mayer MPA , Saad SMI , Nakamae AEM
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The access to probiotics should be facilitated in order to encourage their usage. We evaluated the effect of consumption of two experimental probiotic‐containing cheeses on the oral colonization of Candida in denture wearers.

Methods

Sixty denture wearers harboring oral Candida were randomly allocated in groups who received cheese supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (T1) or Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr‐32 (T2), daily for 8 weeks, and a control group (C) who received a control cheese. Oral samples were obtained through a mouthwash, and Candida levels were determined (CFU/mL) at baseline and after the 8‐week experimental period.

Results

At baseline, the mean levels of Candida spp. (log CFU/mL) were similar among the groups. However, the mean levels of Candida were significantly reduced in groups T1 and T2 but not in C (Tukey, p<.05). The reduction in Candida oral levels occurred independently on the colonizing Candida species, participant age, and use of bi‐ or unimaxillary dentures.

Conclusions

Daily consumption of cheese supplemented with probiotics, with either L. acidophilus NCFM or L. rhamnosus Lr‐32, was able to reduce the colonization of oral Candida in complete denture wearers, suggesting its potential in reducing the risk of oral candidiasis in this highly susceptible population.
Vertical differentiation in urban space: A case of Aizawl city
Authors: Saitluanga Benjamin L.
Published: March 2017

Cities are characterized by sociospatial differentiation. Intra‐urban inequality is found in cities across the world. Cities in the ‘peripheral south’ have been neglected in spite of their significant role in theoretical formulations and generalizations. The present paper attempts to argue that sociospatial differentiation is an inherent characteristic of cities, although the spatial form of inequality may vary depending on the specific culture and physical geography of the area. In the remote city of Aizawl in the eastern Himalayan region of India, multi‐storey buildings are cohabitated by higher and lower income classes ‐ the former were found at the top floors and the latter at the bottom floors. The vertical arrangement of income classes within a single building is seen as an adjustment strategy of the increasingly urbanized ‘tribal’ society in the hilly terrain of the city.
U.S. Political Parties and Support for Suicide Prevention
Authors: Lezine DeQuincy A.
Published: March 2017

As a public health problem, suicidal behavior demands a community‐level response, including government action. We aimed to test whether support for suicide prevention in the United States has been independent from political party affiliation (Democrat and Republican). Actions from both political parties have supported suicide prevention efforts. The only differences in support based on party affiliation showed greater support from the Democrat Party in one instance, and the Republican Party in the other. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that degree of support for suicide prevention cannot be predicted solely by political party.
Identification of the new HLA‐DQA1*01:15N allele in an Italian patient
Authors: Battarra M. , Condello R. , Testi M. , Stellitano C. , Andreani M.
Published: March 2017

The novel allele DQA1*01:15N differs from DQA1*01:03:01:01 by 1 nucleotide substitutions in exon 2.
Description of the novel HLA‐A allele, HLA‐A*11:229, identified by sequence‐based typing in a Chinese individual
Authors: Li W.‐X. , Chen L. , Yang R. , Ma Y. , Shen G.
Published: March 2017

HLA‐A*11:229 differs from
HLA‐A*11:01:01:01 by 1 nucleotide exchange at position 556 (G > A) with an amino exchange.
Age‐related variation in the cellular composition of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Hostetter Shannon J. , Clark Sandra K. , Gilbertie Jessica M. , Wiechert Sarah A. , Jones Doug E. , Sponseller Brett A.
Published: March 2017

Background

Previous reports reveal variation in the cellular composition of equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the profiles ofBALFfrom horses to assess age‐related differences. SerialBALFsamples were collected from the same individuals over a one‐year period to identify changes in individual animals as they aged.

Methods

Collection ofBALFwas performed on horses aged one week and one, 2, 6, and 12 months. Total nucleated cell count (TNCC), protein concentration, and cytology were assessed. Longitudinal analysis was performed and compared to healthy adults.

Results

Foals at one week and 6 months of age had significantly higherTNCCthan adults (medians: 320/μL, 285/μL, and 90/μL, respectively); no differences in total protein were found. Foals at one month had the highest proportion of macrophages (median: 87.3%), differing significantly from both yearlings and adults (medians: 45.5% and 48.7%, respectively). Foals aged one week and one month had significantly lower proportions of lymphocytes than yearlings and adults (medians: 3.2% and 4.7% vs 43.2% and 45.8%, respectively). Eosinophil percentage was lowest in foals aged one week, one month, and 2 months (median: 0.0%) and highest in foals aged 6 months (median: 2.2%). Mast cell percentages were highest in yearlings and adults (medians: 2.2% and 3.3%, respectively) and neutrophil percentage was highest in foals aged one week (13.7%).

Conclusions

Cytologic profiles ofBALFfrom foals and adult horses differed considerably. Significant changes inTNCCand percentages of lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils occurred with age.
Trichoscopic diagnosis of cutaneous Pelodera strongyloides infestation in a dog
Authors: Căpitan Rareş G. M. , Noli Chiara
Published: March 2017

Background

Pelodera strongyloides infestation has rarely been reported in dogs. It is a saprophytic free‐living nematode, found in moist decaying organic matter, whose L3 larval stages occasionally can invade the skin of dogs and humans. Larvae penetrate the follicular infundibula causing an erythematous and pruritic dermatitis. The disease is usually diagnosed by deep skin scraping or histopathology, with large numbers of parasites readily identified in hair follicles.

Case report

Pelodera strongyloides dermatitis was diagnosed in a six‐year‐old mixed breed dog presenting with alopecia, erythema and severe pruritus on the ventrum and limbs. The infestation was diagnosed by microscopic examination of plucked hair shafts and confirmed on microscopic examination of skin biopsies collected for histopathology. Only two of 10 deep skin scrapings gave positive findings. The nematode infestation was eradicated following two applications, 2 weeks apart, of a moxidectin/imidacloprid spot‐on product.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Skin scrapings are considered the diagnostic test of choice for P. strongyloides infestations. In this case, parasites were identified by hair trichograms more readily than by skin scrapings.
International, prospective haemovigilance study on methylene blue‐treated plasma
Authors: Noens L. , Vilariño Ma. D. , Megalou A. , Qureshi H.
Published: March 2017

Background and objectives

Methylene blue is a phenothiazine dye, which in combination with visible light has virucidal and bactericidal properties, disrupting the replication of a broad range of enveloped viruses and some non‐enveloped viruses. The study objective was to collect data on adverse reactions occurring with methylene blue plasma administered in a routine clinical practice environment and document their characteristics and severity.

Materials and methods

This was an open label, multicentre, non‐controlled, non‐randomized, non‐interventional study. Patients who receive a methylene blue plasma transfusion were observed for any signs and symptoms (adverse reactions) within 24 h safter the start of the transfusion, in different hospitals for a study duration of at least 1 year.

Results

A total of 19 315 methylene blue plasma units were transfused. There were eight patients with adverse reactions recorded during the study, one of them serious. Two had more than one reaction (two and four, respectively). Three patients had previous transfusions with methylene blue plasma only.

Conclusion

Methylene blue plasma has a very acceptable safety profile with a rate of serious adverse reactions of 0·5/10 000 units.
Equilibrium beach profiles: erosion and accretion balanced approach
Authors: Riazi Amin , Türker Umut
Published: March 2017

Estimating the magnitude of profile scale factor is currently based on the assumption that beach profiles are in equilibrium condition. However, this assumption cannot be applied to all beach profiles. In this article, a boundary based profile scale factor is proposed that through a normalized coordinate system leads to a unique global profile scale factor. The global profile scale factor helps to determine an initial linear beach profile. The amount of erosion and accretion that causes the initial linear profile to transform to the natural equilibrium beach profile (EBP) can be calculated. Accordingly, the balance between the amount of erosion and accretion will identify a turning point distinguishing the erosion and accretion areas on the profile. This turning point helps to evaluate whether the profile is in equilibrium condition or not. The proposed model was validated through various beach profiles resulting in high degrees of accuracy and reliability.
The President's Role on National Security Policies - the Case of Kosovo
Authors: Selimi Behar
Published: March 2017

The institution of the President in the Republic of Kosovo represents a new political and constitutional institution, as is the Republic itself. As such, he is still untested against constitutional responsibilities with which he is charged by the country's constitutions. Moreover, the President has not yet been tested on the security crisis management, as in reality he still cannot exercise all of his powers as Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, as these competencies for now are being exercised by the political and military structures of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO). However, in a constitutional and legal sense, the President of Kosovo enjoys all the powers for the realization of his constitutional role as a "representative of the unity of the people and guarantor of the democratic functioning of the institutions of the country'' and also as Commander of the Armed Forces with executive powers. Once the competences of the President in the authority of foreign policy are added then he appears to be one of the most powerful presidents, as compared with the presidents of parliamentary republics. It is exactly the powers of the President on national security issues that will be the topic of treatment in this paper, through an analysis not only the issues that are completely of the defense and security character, but also authorities dealing with other issues that can be used on behalf or in the name of national security.
In situ study of graphene crystallinity effect on field electron emission characteristics
Authors: Tang Shuai , Zhang Yu , Xu Ningsheng , Zhan Runze , Gong Li , Zhao Peng , Chen Jian , Liang Chaolun , Chen Jun , She Juncong , Deng Shaozhi
Published: March 2017

Crystallinity and field electron emission characteristics of few-layer graphene (FLG) have been investigated synchronously by using in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) to reveal their relationship. The crystallinity of a single FLG sheet is modified from polycrystalline to amorphous by TEM electron beam irradiation. In the meantime, the field electron emission measurement shows that the degradation of crystallinity has a negative effect on the field electron emission characteristics. This can be attributed to the violently decline of electrical conductivity of FLG. The results indicate that crystallinity is a key factor to the field electron emission of FLG, and thus, conditions leading to the degradation of crystallinity of FLG should be avoided.
Electrical properties of Cs3Sb photocathode emitters in panel device applications
Authors: Jeong Hyo-Soo , Keller Kris , Culkin Brad
Published: March 2017

Nonvacuum process technology was used to produce Cs3Sb photocathodes on substrates, and in situ panel devices were fabricated. The performance of the devices was characterized by measuring anode current as functions of the devices' operation times. An excitation light source with 475 nm wavelength was used for the photocathodes. The device has a simple diode structure, providing unique characteristics such as a large gap, vertical electron beam directionality, and resistance to surface contamination from ion bombardment and poisoning by outgassing species. Accordingly, Cs3Sb photocathodes function as flat emitters, and the emission properties of the photocathode emitters depend on the vacuum level of the devices. Improvement of current stability has been observed after conducting the electrical conditioning process to remove possible adsorbates on Cs3Sb flat emitters.
Surface preparation of freestanding GaN substrates for homoepitaxial GaN growth by rf-plasma MBE
Authors: Storm David F. , McConkie Thomas O. , Hardy Matthew T. , Katzer D. Scott , Nepal Neeraj , Meyer David J. , Smith David J.
Published: March 2017

The authors have investigated different methods for preparing the surfaces of freestanding, Ga-polar, hydride vapor-phase epitaxy grown GaN substrates to be used for homoepitaxial GaN growth by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy, respectively, were used to characterize the microstructure and to measure the concentrations of impurities unintentionally incorporated in the MBE-grown homoepitaxial GaN layers. Heating Ga-polar substrates to ∼1100 °C is as effective as a wet chemical clean for reducing impurity concentrations of oxygen, silicon, and carbon. The combination of an aggressive ex situ wet chemical clean with in situ Ga deposition and thermal desorption results in homoepitaxial GaN layer growth with very low residual impurity concentrations and without generating additional threading dislocations.
AlN/GaN/AlN resonant tunneling diodes grown by rf-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy on freestanding GaN
Authors: Storm David F. , Growden Tyler A. , Zhang Weidong , Brown Elliott R. , Nepal Neeraj , Katzer D. Scott , Hardy Matthew T. , Berger Paul R. , Meyer David J.
Published: March 2017

The authors report the growth by rf-plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy of AlN/GaN/AlN resonant tunneling diodes which exhibit stable, repeatable, and hysteresis-free negative differential resistance (NDR) at room temperature for more than 1000 bias sweeps between −2.5 and +5.5 V. The device layers were grown on freestanding, Ga-polar GaN substrates grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy and having a density of threading dislocations between 106 and 107 cm−2. The authors speculate that the repeatable NDR is facilitated by the low-dislocation density substrates.
MBE growth techniques for InAs-based nBn IR detectors
Authors: Sidor Daniel E. , Savich Gregory R. , Marozas Brendan T. , Du Xiaoyu , O'Loughlin Trevor A. , Jenkins Geoffrey D. , Hughes William D. , Morath Christian P. , Cowan Vincent M. , Wicks Gary W.
Published: March 2017

This manuscript describes an investigation of the effects of growth temperature on InAs epitaxial layers and InAs-based nBn detectors grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The motivation for this work is to improve the overall performance of InAs-based nBn detectors, which depends both on the bulk material quality of the individual device layers, particularly the infrared absorbing layer, as well as on the quality of the layer interfaces, particularly the interface between the absorber and barrier layers. Absorber layer bulk quality and absorber/barrier interface quality are presumably optimized by performing InAs growth at different temperatures, thus the preferred MBE growth strategy is not immediately apparent. InAs epitaxial layers of 2 μm thick are grown at several temperatures ranging from 420 to 490 °C, and are examined by differential interference contrast microscopy, atomic force microscopy, steady-state photoluminescence, and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. Absorber layers of 2 μm thick in nBn detectors are also grown at the same temperatures as the InAs single layers, and the resulting devices are evaluated on the basis of dark current density. Competitively high InAs material quality and low nBn dark current densities have been achieved across the range of investigated growth temperatures. The material quality of the InAs single epitaxial layers is found to improve monotonically with growth temperature over the investigated range, and likewise, the reverse saturation dark current density of the nBn detectors is found to decrease monotonically with growth temperature. nBn detectors with dark current density within a factor of 5 of Rule 07 are reported. Finally, it is noted that this work uses an InAs growth rate of 0.9 μm/h, whereas many other studies have chosen to use InAs growth rates in the range of 0.2–0.5 μm/h. The results of this study demonstrate that high performance InAs-based detectors can be grown at this more convenient rate.
In situ flashes of gallium technique for oxide-free epiready GaSb (100) surface
Authors: Mathews Sen , Schuler-Sandy Theodore , Kim Jong Su , Kadlec Clark , Kazemi Alireza , Dahiya Vinita , Ramirez David A. , Myers Stephen A. , Kuznetsova Yuliya V. , Krishna Sanjay
Published: March 2017

The authors report a novel in situ technique for desorption of native oxides from GaSb (100) substrates. In the proposed approach, flashes of atomic gallium (FLAG) are irradiated onto a heated substrate to convert the nonvolatile Ga2O3 to volatile Ga2O. The conventional thermal oxide desorption (TOD) technique was compared with the proposed FLAG technique. Reflection high energy electron diffraction was used to monitor the oxide desorption. Oxide desorption by the FLAG technique was observed at 470 °C, which is ∼80 °C lower than the TOD technique (550 °C). Atomic force microscopy of the GaSb buffer grown using the FLAG technique reveals an atomically smooth surface. Unipolar barrier midwave infrared detectors based on InAs/GaSb type II superlattices were grown using the two approaches. The dark current from a representative FLAG device measured at T = 77 K and Vb = −0.1 V was 5.28 × 10−6 A/cm2 compared with a reference TOD device which had a dark current of 8.96 × 10−4 A/cm2 measured under identical conditions. The quantum efficiency at λ = 4.5 μm, T = 77 K, Vb = 0 V was measured to be 51% for the FLAG detector and 24% for the reference TOD detector. The FLAG technique was tested on several substrates of varying thickness of the native oxide. Also, the number of Ga-flashes was optimized to get a good starting epiready surface. The authors believe that they have established a promising technique for the in situ preparation of an epiready growth surface without the need for any ex situ treatment.
Labor’s Denial: A Case Study of How Labor Used the Media and Public Relations to Block the First NBA–ABA Merger Attempt
Authors: Anderson William B.
Published: March 2017

The owners of professional basketball teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the American Basketball Association (ABA) wanted to merge the 2 leagues because a war between them over players had led to escalating salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) responded with a lawsuit to block the merger citing antitrust regulations. When the owners went to Congress to ask for a special antitrust exemption, they were denied. This case study discusses the impact of communication on legislative lobbying, specifically how the NBPA used direct and indirect lobbying techniques to block the first NBA–ABA merger attempt. This case study offers a means to understand how and why some entities succeed in their public debates, while others fail. For the scholar, this case study adds to the limited literature on legislative lobbying from a communication perspective. For the practitioner, this study provides some guidelines for the effective use of lobbying.
In the Game or in the Stands: A Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approach to the Processing and Experience of Sport Communication
Authors: Keene Justin Robert , Berke Collin , Nutting Brandon H.
Published: March 2017

This study, based on previous work, investigated the interaction of camera angle, arousing content, and an individual’s general and school-specific fanship on the cognitive processing of and emotional reactions to sport communication from a top-down and bottom-up perspective. Cognitive processing was defined as the resources available for encoding and was indexed using secondary-task reaction times, and self-reported positivity, negativity, and arousal were also measured as an index of emotional reactions. Results indicate that general and school-specific fanship have differential effects on cognitive processing and emotional reactions. In addition, in a replication of previous work, it would appear that different camera angles do not have different effects on cognitive processing. The implications of the top-down and bottom-up approach for the sport communication experience are discussed for both sport researchers and sport communication practitioners.
Physical angular momentum separation for QED
Authors: Sun Weimin
Published: March 2017

We study the non-uniqueness problem of the gauge-invariant angular momentum separation for the case of QED, which stems from the recent controversy concerning the proper definitions of the orbital angular momentum and spin operator of the individual parts of a gauge field system. For the free quantum electrodynamics without matter, we show that the basic requirement of Euclidean symmetry selects a unique physical angular momentum separation scheme from the multitude of the possible angular momentum separation schemes constructed using the various gauge-invariant extensions (GIEs). Based on these results, we propose a set of natural angular momentum separation schemes for the case of interacting QED by invoking the formalism of asymptotic fields. Some perspectives on such a problem for the case of QCD are briefly discussed.
Attenuation and amplification of the transient current in nanojunctions with time-varying gate potentials
Authors: Cuansing Eduardo C.
Published: March 2017

We study charge transport in a source-channel-drain system with a time-varying applied gate potential acting on the channel. We calculate both the current flowing from the source into channel and out of the channel into the drain. The current is expressed in terms of nonequilibrium Green’s functions. These nonequilibrium Green’s functions can be determined from the steady-state Green’s functions and the equilibrium Green’s functions of the free leads. We find that the application of the gate potential can induce current to flow even when there is no source-drain bias potential. However, the direction of the current from the source and the current to the drain are opposite, thereby resulting in no net current flowing within the channel. When a source-drain bias potential is present, the net current flowing to the source and drain can either be attenuated or amplified depending on the sign of the applied gate potential. We also find that the response of the system to a dynamically changing gate potential is not instantaneous, i.e., a relaxation time has to pass before the current settles into a steady value. In particular, when the gate potential is in the form of a step function, the current first overshoots to a maximum value, oscillates and then settles down to a steady-state value.
A spectral method to detect community structure based on distance modularity matrix
Authors: Yang Jin-Xuan , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: March 2017

There are many community organizations in social and biological networks. How to identify these community structure in complex networks has become a hot issue. In this paper, an algorithm to detect community structure of networks is proposed by using spectra of distance modularity matrix. The proposed algorithm focuses on the distance of vertices within communities, rather than the most weakly connected vertex pairs or number of edges between communities. The experimental results show that our method achieves better effectiveness to identify community structure for a variety of real-world networks and computer generated networks with a little more time-consumption.
A NONLINEAR ESTIMATION ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER BASED ON A VARIABLE STRUCTURE CONTROL LAW
Authors: AGUILERA R. CARREÑO , YU WEN , TOVAR RODRÍGUEZ J. C. , MOSQUEDA M. ANTONIO ACEVEDO , GOMEZ CORONEL S. L.
Published: March 2017

Electronic sensor devices in geophysical processes are required to measure and automate different tasks. Throughout history, people have created multiple type devices, but acoustics have an important application such as the content form description in deep wells, watersheds, lakes, caves, among others. The acoustic signal is capable of reflecting where other types of signals cannot operate, either by drawbacks or where fluid is displaced. A mathematical model is presented in this paper described in state space as a basic acoustic sensor description. The objective is to adjust the parameters allowing the acoustic device to describe a signal in its trajectory, representing in geophysical manner the cavity form. Therefore, the control is performed on the response of the acoustic sensor model, adjusted with a parameter estimation process. The simulation results counts convergence between the reference and identified signals.
EFFECTS OF FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FILTER ON MULTIFRACTAL ANALYSIS
Authors: DAI MEIFENG , ZONG YUE , WANG XIAOQIAN , SU WEIYI , SUN YU , HOU JIE
Published: March 2017

Fractal interpolation filter is proposed for the first time in the literatures to transform original signals. Using the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA), the authors investigate how the filter affects the multifractal scaling properties for both artificial and traffic signals. Specifically, the authors compare the multifractal scaling properties of signals before and after the transforms. It is shown that the fractal interpolation filter changes slightly the maximum value of the multifractal spectrum, while the values of spectrum width and maximum point of spectrum are much more affected by vertical scaling factor. The multifractal spectrum shrinks dramatically after the fractal interpolation filter. The fractal exponents in the signal change dramatically for the negative values of vertical scaling factor while remain stable otherwise. Thus, an appropriate vertical scaling factor can be found in order to minimize the effects of filter when one uses the fractal interpolation filter.
China’s Foreign Policy: A More Confident and Assertive China Amidst Global Uncertainties
Authors: LYE Liang Fook
Published: March 2017

Amidst growing protectionist and anti-globalisation sentiments, China has led the call for a free, open and inclusive multilateral order. It supports a multilateral trading regime, a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. It has launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank where it wields significant veto power. China is pushing for a new regional security architecture. While shaping the international order, China is upholding its sovereign claims over the South China Sea and Taiwan.
China’s Economy 2016/17: Seeking Growth with Stability Amidst External Uncertainty
Authors: WONG John
Published: March 2017

China’s economy ended 2016 with 6.7% growth. It formally ended its era of double-digit growth in 2012 with 7.7%. China has managed growth deceleration remarkably well by letting it slide gradually. This was achieved mainly by the government’s pro-growth policy intervention through expansionary fiscal and monetary policies. The government has recently refocused its macroeconomic policy from demand-side management to supply-side structural reforms, giving priority to reducing over-capacity and de-leveraging. For 2017, growth is expected to slow to 6.5% due to great uncertainties including the potentially hostile US economic policies of President Trump.
Rebuilding the Leninist Party in 2016
Authors: GORE Lance L P
Published: March 2017

In 2016 Chinese President Xi elevated himself to the “core” of the top leadership, beefed up intra-party supervision, and tried to resurrect the intra-party norms and traditions of intra-party political life developed in the Mao era. He also attempted to rebuild the ideological orthodoxy in order to restore the integrity and discipline of the Leninist party. The difficulties in applying Marxism to today’s reality led him to mainly resort to tightening ideological control.
Chinese Society in 2016: Stable but under Tightened Control
Authors: SHAN Wei
Published: March 2017

China enjoyed a relatively “stable” and peaceful 2016. This did not mean that social problems had been addressed, but indicated that the authorities had strengthened their capacity to maintain social stability. The middle class’ rising grievances over the deteriorating environment and the incompetent legal system have aroused collective action in cyberspace. The government has strengthened its control of non-governmental organisations and public opinion on the internet.
Taiwan’s Politics in 2016: Movement Government and Movement Society
Authors: QI Dongtao
Published: March 2017

Taiwanese President Tsai adopted a least provocative China policy. Negatively impacted social groups in Taiwan organised large scale protests against Tsai administration’s reforms. The main opposition party Kuomintang has been beset by an unpopular pro-China leader, open internal conflicts, lack of financial sources and low popularity. The Chinese government has frozen all official connections with Taiwan at the central level and blocked Taiwan’s participation in some international conferences. The Tsai-Trump phone conversation signals unstable Taiwan-China-US triangle relations in 2017.