bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The formation of nanocrystalline ZrO2 nuclei in a Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glass – a combined XANES and TEM study
Authors: Kleebusch Enrico , Patzig Christian , Krause Michael , Hu Yongfeng , Höche Thomas , Rüssel Christian
Published: September 2017

The high economic importance of glass ceramics based on Li2O/Al2O3/SiO2 (LAS) is mainly due to their low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), which make these materials suitable candidates for a number of applications. The exact mechanism of the crystallization processes in LAS glasses is still not fully understood. The present work focuses on the formation and development of nanocrystalline ZrO2 within an LAS base composition which contains only ZrO2 as nucleating agent. Using a combination of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques, the temporal evolution of the ZrO2 nanocrystal formation is described. It is found that the formation of ZrO2 is initiated by liquid-liquid phase separation droplets with high Zr content, which eventually evolve into the nanocrystalline ZrO2 precipitations. This process is accompanied by a gradual change of the coordination of the tetravalent Zr ions from sixfold in the glass to eightfold in the crystals. The diameters of the ZrO2 crystals stay well below 4 nm, even at late stages. The degree of crystallization at each step of the crystallization process is deduced, and from that, the Avrami coefficient n is determined to be n ≈ 1, which describes a barrier-limited crystal growth process.
Biological effects of dosing aerobic exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in rats
Authors: Dalise Stefania , Cavalli Loredana , Ghuman Harmanvir , Wahlberg Brendon , Gerwig Madeline , Chisari Carmelo , Ambrosio Fabrisia , Modo Michel
Published: September 2017

Aerobic exercise (AE) and non-aerobic neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) are common interventions used in physical therapy. We explored the dose-dependency (low, medium, high) of these interventions on biochemical factors, such as brain derived neurotrophic growth factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Klotho, in the blood and brain of normal rats, as well as a treadmill-based maximum capacity test (MCT). A medium dose of AE produced the most improvement in MCT with dose-dependent changes in Klotho in the blood. A dose-dependent increase of BDNF was evident following completion of an NMES protocol, but there was no improvement in MCT performance. Gene expression in the hippocampus was increased after both AE and NMES, with IGF-1 being a signaling molecule that correlated with MCT performance in the AE conditions, but also highly correlated with VEGF-A and Klotho. Blood Klotho levels can serve as a biomarker of therapeutic dosing of AE, whereas IGF-1 is a key molecule coupled to gene expression of other molecules in the hippocampus. This approach provides a translatable paradigm to investigate the mode and mechanism of action of interventions employed in physical therapy that can improve our understanding of how these factors change under pathological conditions.
The Experimental Demonstration of High Efficiency Interaction-free Measurement for Quantum Counterfactual-like Communication
Authors: Liu Chao , Liu Jinhong , Zhang Junxiang , Zhu Shiyao
Published: September 2017

We present an interaction-free measurement with quantum Zeno effect and a high efficiency η = 74.6% ± 0.15%. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, this measurement can be used to implement a quantum counterfactual-like communication protocol. Instead of a single photon state, we use a coherent light as the input source and show that the output agrees with the proposed quantum counterfactual communication protocol according to Salih et al. Although the counterfactuality is not achieved due to the presence of a few photons in the public channel, we show that the signal light is nearly absent in the public channel, which exhibits a proof-of-principle quantum counterfactual-like property of communication.
Genome-wide association study Identified multiple Genetic Loci on Chilling Resistance During Germination in Maize
Authors: Hu Guanghui , Li Zhao , Lu Yuncai , Li Chunxia , Gong Shichen , Yan Shuqin , Li Guoliang , Wang Mingquan , Ren Honglei , Guan Haitao , Zhang Zhengwei , Qin Dongling , Chai Mengzhu , Yu Juping , Li Yu , Yang Deguang , Wang Tianyu , Zhang Zhiwu
Published: September 2017

Maize (Zea mays, L.) cultivation has expanded greatly from tropical to temperate zones; however, its sensitivity to chilling often results in decreased germination rates, weak seedlings with reduced survival rates, and eventually lower yields. We conducted germination tests on the maize-282-diverse-panel (282 inbred lines) under normal (25 °C) and chilling (8 °C) conditions. Three raw measurements of germination were recorded under each condition: 1) germination rate, 2) days to 50% germination, and 3) germination index. Three relative traits were derived as indicators of cold-tolerance. By using the 2,271,584 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the panel from previous studies, and genome-wide association studies by using FarmCPU R package to identify 17 genetic loci associated with cold tolerance. Seven associated SNPs hit directly on candidate genes; four SNPs were in high linkage disequilibrium with candidate genes within 366 kb. In total, 18 candidate genes were identified, including 10 candidate genes supported by previous QTL studies and five genes supported by previous gene cloning studies in maize, rice, and Arabidopsis. Three new candidate genes revealed by two associated SNPs were supported by both QTL analyses and gene cloning studies. These candidate genes and associated SNPs provide valuable resources for future studies to develop cold-tolerant maize varieties.
Low body surface area predicts hepatotoxicity of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ikeda Satoshi , Sekine Akimasa , Baba Tomohisa , Yamanaka Yumie , Sadoyama Shinko , Yamakawa Hideaki , Oda Tsuneyuki , Okuda Ryo , Kitamura Hideya , Okudela Koji , Iwasawa Tae , Ohashi Kenichi , Takemura Tamiko , Ogura Takashi
Published: September 2017

After the commercialization of nintedanib in Japan, a high incidence of hepatotoxicity resulting in treatment interruption was noted in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients treated with nintedanib in our hospital. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors for hepatotoxicity of nintedanib. Sixty-eight consecutive cases of IPF newly treated with nintedanib at a dose of 150 mg twice daily from September 2015 to September 2016 were enrolled: 46 patients (67.6%) exhibited aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation and 16 patients (23.5%) also had a Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade ≥2. Body surface area (BSA) was significantly lower in the CTCAE grade ≥2 group than in another group. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the association between BSA and AST/ALT elevation with CTCAE grade ≥2 was statistically significant. Eight of 10 patients who resumed nintedanib at a reduced dose of 100 mg twice daily after interruption due to hepatotoxicity did not again develop AST/ALT elevation. In conclusion, a low BSA was associated with hepatotoxicity of nintedanib at a dose of 150 mg twice daily. It would be a good option for patients with a small physique to start nintedanib at a dose of 100 mg twice daily and then increase if possible after confirming its safety.
Analyzing the Molecular Kinetics of Water Spreading on Hydrophobic Surfaces via Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Zhao Lei , Cheng Jiangtao
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we report molecular kinetic analyses of water spreading on hydrophobic surfaces via molecular dynamics simulation. The hydrophobic surfaces are composed of amorphous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with a static contact angle of ~112.4° for water. On the basis of the molecular kinetic theory (MKT), the influences of both viscous damping and solid-liquid retarding were analyzed in evaluating contact line friction, which characterizes the frictional force on the contact line. The unit displacement length on PTFE was estimated to be ~0.621 nm and is ~4 times as long as the bond length of C-C backbone. The static friction coefficient was found to be ~$${10}^{-3}$$

10

−
3

Pa·s, which is on the same order of magnitude as the dynamic viscosity of water, and increases with the droplet size. A nondimensional number defined by the ratio of the standard deviation of wetting velocity to the characteristic wetting velocity was put forward to signify the strength of the inherent contact line fluctuation and unveil the mechanism of enhanced energy dissipation in nanoscale, whereas such effect would become insignificant in macroscale. Moreover, regarding a liquid droplet on hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces, an approximate solution to the base radius development was derived by an asymptotic expansion approach.
Development of Fluorescent Probes that Target Serotonin 5-HT2B Receptors
Authors: Azuaje Jhonny , López Paula , Iglesias Alba , de la Fuente Rocío A. , Pérez-Rubio José M. , García Diego , Stępniewski Tomasz Maciej , García-Mera Xerardo , Brea José M. , Selent Jana , Pérez Dolores , Castro Marián , Loza María I. , Sotelo Eddy
Published: September 2017

Some 5-HT2Bfluorescent probes were obtained by tagging 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-propan-2-amine (DOI) with a subset of fluorescent amines. Some of the resulting fluorescent ligands showed excellent affinity and selectivity profiles at the 5-HT2Breceptors (e.g.12b), while retain the agonistic functional behaviour of the model ligand (DOI). The study highlighted the most salient features of the structure-activity relationship in this series and these were substantiated by a molecular modelling study based on a receptor-driven docking model constructed on the basis of the crystal structure of the human 5-HT2Breceptor. One of the fluorescent ligands developed in this work, compound12i, specifically labelled CHO-K1 cells expressing 5-HT2Breceptors and not parental CHO-K1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.12ienables imaging and quantification of specific 5-HT2Breceptor labelling in live cells by automated fluorescence microscopy as well as quantification by measurements of fluorescence intensity using a fluorescence plate reader.
Fungicidal activity of peptides encoded by immunoglobulin genes
Authors: Polonelli Luciano , Ciociola Tecla , Sperindè Martina , Giovati Laura , D’Adda Tiziana , Galati Serena , Travassos Luiz R. , Magliani Walter , Conti Stefania
Published: September 2017

Evidence from previous works disclosed the antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumour and/or immunomodulatory activity exerted, through different mechanisms of action, by peptides expressed in the complementarity-determining regions or even in the constant region of antibodies, independently from their specificity and isotype. Presently, we report the selection, from available databases, of peptide sequences encoded by immunoglobulin genes for the evaluation of their potential biological activities. Synthetic peptides representing the translated products of J lambda and J heavy genes proved to act in vitro against pathogenic fungi, entering yeast cells and causing their death, and exerted a therapeutic effect in a Galleria mellonella model of infection by Candida albicans. No haemolytic, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were observed on mammalian cells. These findings raise the hypothesis that antibodies could be the evolutionary result of the adaptive combination of gene products ancestrally devoted to innate antimicrobial immunity.
Mechanisms of silver nanoparticle toxicity to the coastal marine diatom Chaetoceros curvisetus
Authors: Lodeiro Pablo , Browning Thomas J. , Achterberg Eric P. , Guillou Aurélie , El-Shahawi Mohammad S.
Published: September 2017

Inputs of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to marine waters continue to increase yet mechanisms of AgNPs toxicity to marine phytoplankton are still not well resolved. This study reports a series of toxicity experiments on a representative coastal marine diatom speciesChaetoceros curvisetususing the reference AgNP, NM-300K. Exposure to AgNPs resulted in photosynthetic impairment and loss of diatom biomass in proportion to the supplied AgNP dose. The underlying mechanism of toxicity was explored via comparing biological responses in parallel experiments. Diatom responses to AgNP, free Ag(I) species, and dialysis bag-retained AgNP treatments showed marked similarity, pointing towards a dominant role of Ag(I) species uptake, rather than NPs themselves, in inducing the toxic response. In marked contrast to previous studies, addition of the organic complexing agent cysteine (Cys) alongside Ag only marginally moderated toxicity, implying AgCys−complexes were bioavailable to this diatom species. A preliminary field experiment with a natural phytoplankton community in the southeast Atlantic Ocean showed no significant toxic response at a NM-300 K concentration that resulted in ~40% biomass loss in the culture studies, suggesting a modulating effect of natural seawaters on Ag toxicity.
Characterizing the virome of Ixodes ricinus ticks from northern Europe
Authors: Pettersson John H.-O. , Shi Mang , Bohlin Jon , Eldholm Vegard , Brynildsrud Ola B. , Paulsen Katrine Mørk , Andreassen Åshild , Holmes Edward C.
Published: September 2017

RNA viruses are abundant infectious agents and present in all domains of life. Arthropods, including ticks, are well known as vectors of many viruses of concern for human and animal health. Despite their obvious importance, the extent and structure of viral diversity in ticks is still poorly understood, particularly in Europe. Using a bulk RNA-sequencing approach that captures the complete transcriptome, we analysed the virome of the most common tick in Europe – Ixodes ricinus. In total, RNA sequencing was performed on six libraries consisting of 33 I. ricinus nymphs and adults sampled in Norway. Despite the small number of animals surveyed, our virus identification pipeline revealed nine diverse and novel viral species, phylogenetically positioned within four different viral groups – bunyaviruses, luteoviruses, mononegavirales and partitiviruses – and sometimes characterized by extensive genetic diversity including a potentially novel genus of bunyaviruses. This work sheds new light on the virus diversity in I. ricinus, expands our knowledge of potential host/vector-associations and tick-transmitted viruses within several viral groups, and pushes the latitudinal limit where it is likely to find tick-associated viruses. Notably, our phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of tick-specific virus clades that span multiple continents, highlighting the role of ticks as important virus reservoirs.
Chromatin remodeling system p300-HDAC2-Sin3A is involved in Arginine Starvation-Induced HIF-1α Degradation at the ASS1 promoter for ASS1 Derepression
Authors: Tsai Wen-Bin , Long Yan , Chang Jeffrey T. , Savaraj Niramol , Feun Lynn G. , Jung Manfred , Chen Helen H. W. , Kuo Macus Tien
Published: September 2017

Argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1) is the key enzyme that controls biosynthesis of arginine (Arg). ASS1 is silenced in many human malignancies therefore, these tumors require extracellular Arg for growth. The Arg-degrading recombinant protein, pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20), has been in clinical trials for targeting Arg auxotrophic tumors by Arg starvation therapy. Resistance to Arg starvation is often developed through reactivation of ASS1 expression. We previously demonstrated that ASS1 silencing is controlled by HIF-1α and Arg starvation-reactivated ASS1 is associated with HIF-1α downregulation. However, mechanisms underlying ASS1 repression and HIF-1α turnover are not known. Here, we demonstrate that interplay of p300-HDAC2-Sin3A in the chromatin remodeling system is involved in HIF-1α degradation at the ASS1 promoter. The histone acetyltransferase p300 is normally associated with the ASS1 promoter to maintain acetylated H3K14ac and H3K27ac for ASS1 silencing. Arg starvation induces p300 dissociation, allowing histone HDAC2 and cofactor Sin3A to deacetylate these histones at the ASS1 promoter, thereby facilitating HIF-1α-proteasomal complex, driven by PHD2, to degrade HIF-1α in situ. Arg starvation induces PHD2 and HDAC2 interaction which is sensitive to antioxidants. This is the first report describing epigenetic regulation of chromosomal HIF-1α turnover in gene activation that bears important implication in cancer therapy.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of core functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions in denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Mei , Guo Jianhua , Wu Di , Hua Zheng-Shuang , Chen Guang-Hao , Lu Hui
Published: September 2017

Denitrifying sulfur conversion-assisted enhanced biological phosphorus removal (DS-EBPR) has recently been developed for simultaneously removing nitrogen and phosphorus from saline sewage with minimal sludge production. This novel process could potentially enable sustainable wastewater treatment. Yet, the core functional bacteria and their roles are unknown. Here, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing coupled with principal coordinates analysis and ANOVA with Tukey’s test to unravel the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of functional bacteria and their synergetic and competitive interactions. We did not find any obvious spatial heterogeneity within the bacterial population in different size-fractionated sludge samples, but the main functional bacteria varied significantly with operation time. Thauera was enriched (9.26~13.63%) as become the core functional genus in the DS-EBPR reactors and links denitrifying phosphorus removal to sulfide oxidation. The other two functional genera were sulfate-reducing Desulfobacter (4.31~12.85%) and nitrate-reducing and sulfide-oxidizing Thiobacillus (4.79~9.92%). These bacteria cooperated in the DS-EBPR process: Desulfobacter reduced sulfate to sulfide for utilization by Thiobacillus, while Thauera and Thiobacillus competed for nitrate and sulfide as well as Thauera and Desulfobacter competed for acetate. This study is the first to unravel the interactions among core functional bacteria in DS-EBPR, thus improving our understanding of how this removal process works.
The Mobility Enhancement of Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Transistors via Low-temperature Crystallization using a Tantalum Catalytic Layer
Authors: Shin Yeonwoo , Kim Sang Tae , Kim Kuntae , Kim Mi Young , Oh Saeroonter , Jeong Jae Kyeong
Published: September 2017

High-mobility indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) are achieved through low-temperature crystallization enabled via a reaction with a transition metal catalytic layer. For conventional amorphous IGZO TFTs, the active layer crystallizes at thermal annealing temperatures of 600 °C or higher, which is not suitable for displays using a glass substrate. The crystallization temperature is reduced when in contact with a Ta layer, where partial crystallization at the IGZO back-channel occurs with annealing at 300 °C, while complete crystallization of the active layer occurs at 400 °C. The field-effect mobility is significantly boosted to 54.0 cm2/V·s for the IGZO device with a metal-induced polycrystalline channel formed at 300 °C compared to 18.1 cm2/V·s for an amorphous IGZO TFT without a catalytic layer. This work proposes a facile and effective route to enhance device performance by crystallizing the IGZO layer with standard annealing temperatures, without the introduction of expensive laser irradiation processes.
The role of transcriptional factor p63 in regulation of epithelial barrier and ciliogenesis of human nasal epithelial cells
Authors: Kaneko Yakuto , Kohno Takayuki , Kakuki Takuya , Takano Ken-ichi , Ogasawara Noriko , Miyata Ryo , Kikuchi Shin , Konno Takumi , Ohkuni Tsuyoshi , Yajima Ryoto , Kakiuchi Akito , Yokota Shin-ichi , Himi Tetsuo , Kojima Takashi
Published: September 2017

Disruption of nasal epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and ciliary dysfunction are found in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyps (NPs), along with an increase of p63-positive basal cells and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. To investigate these mechanisms, primary cultures of HNECs transfected with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT-HNECs) were transfected with siRNAs of TAp63 and ΔNp63, treated with the NF-kB inhibitor curucumin and inhibitors of HDACs, and infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In TERT-HNECs, knockdown of p63 by siRNAs of TAp63 and ΔNp63, induced claudin-1 and -4 with Sp1 activity and enhanced barrier and fence functions. The knockdown of p63 enhanced the number of microvilli with the presence of cilia-like structures. Treatment with curcumin and inhibitors of HDACs, or infection with RSV prevented expression of p63 with an increase of claudin-4 and the number of microvilli. The knockdown or downregulation of p63 inhibited phospho-p38MAPK, and the p38MAPK inhibitor downregulated p63 and upregulated the barrier function. Thus, epithelial barrier and ciliogenesis of nasal epithelium are regulated in a p63-negative manner in normal and upper airway diseases. Understanding of the regulation of p63/p38 MAPK/NF-κB may be important in the therapy for airway allergy and its drug delivery system.
Systems Identification and Characterization of Cell Wall Reassembly and Degradation Related Genes in Glycine max (L.) Merill, a Bioenergy Legume
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Amjad , Rehman Hafiz Mamoon , Imtiaz Muhammad , Baloch Faheem Shehzad , Lee Jeong Dong , Yang Seung Hwan , Lee Soo In , Chung Gyuhwa
Published: September 2017

Soybean is a promising biomass resource for generation of second-generation biofuels. Despite the utility of soybean cellulosic biomass and post-processing residues in biofuel generation, there is no comprehensive information available on cell wall loosening and degradation related gene families. In order to achieve enhanced lignocellulosic biomass with softened cell walls and reduced recalcitrance, it is important to identify genes involved in cell wall polymer loosening and degrading. Comprehensive genome-wide analysis of gene families involved in cell wall modifications is an efficient stratagem to find new candidate genes for soybean breeding for expanding biofuel industry. We report the identification of 505 genes distributed among 12 gene families related to cell wall loosening and degradation. 1262 tandem duplication events contributed towards expansion and diversification of studied gene families. We identified 687 Simple Sequence Repeat markers and 5 miRNA families distributed on 316 and 10 genes, respectively. Publically available microarray datasets were used to explore expression potential of identified genes in soybean plant developmental stages, 68 anatomical parts, abiotic and biotic stresses. Co-expression networks revealed transcriptional coordination of different gene families involved in cell wall loosening and degradation process.
Correction: Rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio in squamous cell carcinomas with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS): a proof-of-concept demonstration
Authors: Woolman Michael , Tata Alessandra , Dara Delaram , Meens Jalna , D'Arcangelo Elisa , Perez Consuelo J. , Prova Shamina Saiyara , Bluemke Emma , Ginsberg Howard J. , Ifa Demian , McGuigan Alison , Ailles Laurie , Zarrine-Afsar Arash
Published: September 2017

Correction for ‘Rapid determination of the tumour stroma ratio in squamous cell carcinomas with desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS): a proof-of-concept demonstration’ by Michael Woolman et al., Analyst, 2017, 142, 3250–3260.
Hybrid mesoporous silica nanocarriers with thermovalve-regulated controlled release
Authors: Ribeiro T. , Coutinho E. , Rodrigues A. S. , Baleizão C. , Farinha J. P. S.
Published: September 2017

Thermo-activated pumping release from core–shell hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles resembles a “sponge” and is regulated by the polymeric shell morphology.
An experimental and computational framework for engineering multifunctional nanoparticles: designing selective anticancer therapies
Authors: Aires A. , Cadenas J. F. , Guantes R. , Cortajarena A. L.
Published: September 2017

Engineered nanomedicines:This work opens a way to the rational design of multifunctionalized nanoparticles with defined targeting and cytotoxic properties.
Rational skeletal rigidity of conjugated microporous polythiophenes for gas uptake
Authors: Liu Haining , Li Qing , Li Qiqi , Jin Wang , Li Xiaoming , Hameed Abdul , Qiao Shanlin
Published: September 2017

A step by step increase of the skeleton rigidity of the polythiophene networks P-TTT, P-THIDT and P-DTBDT by monomer design. The monomers’ rigidity had intense influence on the stacking morphology and porosity structure of the obtained polythiophenes.
Facile synthesis of thermo-, pH-, CO2- and oxidation-responsive poly(amido thioether)s with tunable LCST and UCST behaviors
Authors: Zhang Hongcan , Zhang Jian , Dai Wenxue , Zhao Youliang
Published: September 2017

Multi-responsive N-substituted poly(amido thioether) copolymers synthesized by one-pot amine–thiol–acrylate polyaddition could exhibit composition-dependent and stimuli-triggered single or double thermoresponsivity.
Rhodamine 6G hydrazone with coumarin unit: a novel single-molecule multianalyte (Cu2+ and Hg2+) sensor at different pH value
Authors: Xu Zhou-Qing , Mao Xian-Jie , Wang Yuan , Wu Wei-Na , Mao Pan-Dong , Zhao Xiao-Lei , Fan Yun-Chang , Li Hui-Jun
Published: September 2017

An effective colourimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for Cu2+ in neutral aqueous media was synthesised. Moreover, the probe could sense Hg2+ with fluorescence enhancement at high pH.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of BiOI under visible light irradiation by the modification of MoS2
Authors: Bu Yuzhen , Xu Junli , Li Yawen , Liu Qian , Zhang Xia
Published: September 2017

The suitable modification of MoS2 with 3D hierarchical BiOI could improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers.
In silico studies of solvated F19W amyloid β (11–40) trimer
Authors: Ngo Son Tung , Luu Xuan-Cuong , Nguyen Minh Tung , Le Chinh N. , Vu Van V.
Published: September 2017

REMD studies shows that F19W mutation does not change in the overall structure of Aβ11–40 trimer significantly but increases it flexibility, consistent with the observed formation of the same fibril structures at slower rates.
Preparation of efficient oligomer-based bulk-heterojunction solar cells from eco-friendly solvents
Authors: Popović Duško , Ata Ibrahim , Krantz Johannes , Lucas Sebastian , Lindén Mika , Mena-Osteritz Elena , Bäuerle Peter
Published: September 2017

A series of A–D–A type co-oligomers used as donors in organic solar cells are presented. Devices prepared exclusively from non-halogenated solvents via doctor-blading gave power conversion efficiencies of up to 7%.
Harmonic injection scheme for harmonic reduction of three‐phase controlled converters
Authors: Eltamaly Ali M.
Published: September 2017

High harmonics in supply currents of three‐phase controlled/uncontrolled converters are creating many problems to the power system and customers at point of common coupling. Third harmonic current injection technique is an excellent option for harmonic reduction of these converters. Minimum total harmonic distortion (THD) for any firing angle of controlled converter is function in phase‐angle and amplitude of harmonic injection current that can be controlled by single‐phase controlled converter and boost converter, respectively. A novel scheme with three bidirectional switches and single‐phase controlled converter to circulate the injection current to supply currents has been introduced. This novel scheme is compared to the state‐of‐the‐art system using zigzag transformer. A novel mathematical analysis showing the optimum values for components on the harmonic injection path at minimum THD and the corresponding efficiency for the proposed scheme and state‐of‐the‐art scheme is introduced. Two lab prototypes for these two schemes have been implemented, discussed, and compared to show the benefits of using the new proposed scheme. The results show the superiority of the new proposed scheme.
Synthesis and near‐infrared quantum cutting of Tb3+, Yb3+ codoped GdBa3B9O18 phosphors
Authors: Liu Tiezheng , Cai Juan , Cui Yan , Song Zhe , He Ming , Zhao Hongwei , Zhang Zhihua , Tao Hualong
Published: September 2017

Tb3+ and Yb3+ codoped GdBa3B9O18 phosphors were synthesised by high‐temperature solid‐state method. The intensity of visible emission decreases with the increasing of the Yb3+ concentration. While in the infrared range, the emission peaks at 980 and 1018 nm which originate from the 2 F5/2 →2 F7/2 transition of Yb3+ are observed and the intensity increases with the increasing of Yb3+ concentration till 10 mol%. So the cooperative energy transfer from Tb3+ to Yb3+ is demonstrated. Based on emission spectra and luminescence life time measurements, the intrinsic quantum efficiency was calculated to approach 139%.
The Retrocorporeal Artery: An Alternative Route for Endovascular Treatment of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Mohimen Aneesh , Kannath Santhosh , Rajan Jayadevan
Published: September 2017

Endovascular transarterial embolization with liquid embolic agents is the primary modality of treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae. However, adequate distal percolation of the embolic material may not be achieved in all cases due to varying angiographic characteristics, necessitating further surgical treatment. In such situations, the presence of a retrocorporeal branch of the contralateral radicular artery may provide an alternative route to approach and embolization of the fistula. We describe two cases of treatment failure through the primary arterial feeder that was successful embolized through the retrocorporeal artery. The technical detail of this approach is briefly discussed.
Effectiveness of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Variceal Bleeding: An Audit from a Tertiary Care Center in North India
Authors: Gupta Arun , Mehta Ajay , Mishra Nitin , Bansal Rajendra , Yadav Ajit
Published: September 2017

Variceal bleeding is one of the most feared complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective minimally invasive option to achieve adequate decompression of the portal system. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and complications of TIPS in patients presenting with variceal bleed. It was a retrospective study done in a tertiary care center in North India in cirrhotic patients with acute or recurrent variceal bleed who underwent TIPS from April 2010 to October 2013. All the patients were followed up till April 2014. We could successfully implant TIPS in 100% of our patients with 100% success rate in controlling variceal bleeding immediately and during the follow-up period. Our primary patency rate was 94.5% and overall patency rate was 100%. Major TIPS-related complication was hepatic encephalopathy in 20% of patients; 7 of 22 patients died during the follow-up period. TIPS is a safe and effective procedure for control of acute or recurrent variceal bleed. Emerging evidence in favor of early TIPS is further going to expand its indication in variceal bleed. Hepatic encephalopathy was the major procedure-related complication in our study consistent with previous literature reports.
Befunderhebung neurokognitiver Prozesse – Top-down fördert Teilhabe
Authors: Preiner Christina , Jeller Melanie
Published: September 2017

Berücksichtigen Ergotherapeuten Aktivität und Partizipation bereits in der Befunderhebung, kommen sie damit nicht nur der Forderung der ICF nach, sondern sichern sich auch ihre Vorreiterrolle im interprofessionellen Team. Neben Bottom-up-Assessments sollten sie darum mindestens ein Top-down-Assessment in ihrem Repertoire haben.
Technisch-physikalische Qualitätssicherung
Authors: Donsch Paul , Kirsch Carl-Martin
Published: September 2017

Neben der Qualitätskontrolle entsprechend dem Arzneimittelgesetz (AMG) muss im technisch-physikalischen Bereich eine rigide Qualitätssicherung stattfinden. Im Folgenden sind die Auflagen entsprechend der „Richtlinie Strahlenschutz in der Medizin (RStSch)“ festgelegt. Darüber hinaus existieren eine Reihe von Hinweisen und Empfehlungen im Rahmen der DIN-Normen, die es gilt ebenfalls zu beachten.
Can Cut-Off-Values for Tumor Size or Patient Age in Breast Ultrasound Reduce Unnecessary Biopsies or is it all About Bi-rads?– A Retrospective Analysis of 763 Biopsied T1-Sized Lesions
Authors: Holzer-Fruehwald Laura , Meissnitzer Matthias , Weber Michael , Holzer Stephan , Hergan Klaus , Weismann Christian
Published: September 2017

Aims and Objectives To assess whether it is possible to establish a size cut-off-value for sonographically visible breast lesions in a screening situation, under which it is justifiable to obviate a biopsy and to evaluate the grayscale characteristics of the identified lesions.

Materials and Methods Images of sonographically visible and biopsied breast lesions of 684 patients were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for the following parameters: size, shape, margin, lesion boundary, vascularity, patient’s age, side of breast, histological result, and initial BI-RADS category. Statistical analyses (t-test for independent variables, ROC analyses, binary logistic regression models, cross-tabulations, positive/negative predictive values) were performed using IBM SPSS (Version 21.0).

Results Of all 763 biopsied lesions, 223 (29.2%) showed a malignant histologic result, while 540 (70.8%) were benign. Although we did find a statistically significant correlation of malignancy and lesion size (p=0.031), it was not possible to define a cut-off value, under which it would be justifiable to obviate a biopsy in terms of sensitivity and specificity (AUC: 0.558) at any age. Lesions showing the characteristics of a round or oval shape, a sharp delineation and no echogenic rim (n=112) were benign with an NPV of 99.1%.

Conclusion It is not possible to define a cut-off value for size or age, under which a biopsy of a sonographically visible breast lesion can be obviated in the screening situation. The combination of the 3 grayscale characteristics, shape (round or oval), margin (circumscribed) and no echogenic-rim sign, showed an NPV of 99.1%. Therefore, it seems appropriate to classify such lesions as BI-RADS 2.
Achtsamkeit in der Therapie – Präsent sein, innehalten und loslassen
Authors: Kümmel Winfried
Published: September 2017

Wie gelingt Achtsamkeit im Umgang mit psychisch kranken Menschen? Kann sie sich unter Umständen auch ungünstig auswirken? Hier ist Fingerspitzengefühl gefragt, meint Winfried Kümmel. Und man muss zunächst klar unterscheiden zwischen einer achtsamen Haltung und den entsprechenden Übungen.
Influence of Age, BMI, Gender and Lumbar Level on T1ρ Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Lumbar Discs in Healthy Asymptomatic Adults
Authors: Gübitz Raphael , Lange Tobias , Gosheger Georg , Heindel Walter , Allkemper Thomas , Stehling Christoph , Gerss Joachim , Kanthak Christian , Schulte Tobias
Published: September 2017

Purpose To assess the T1ρ range of lumbar intervertebral discs in healthy asymptomatic individuals at 1.5 T and to investigate the influence of age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and lumbar level on T1ρ relaxation.

Materials and Methods In a prospective study, a total of 81 volunteers aged 20 – 80 years were included in this study and divided into three age groups (A: 20 – 39y; B: 40 – 59y; C: 60 – 80y). All of the volunteers underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 T with acquisition of sagittal T1ρ images. The calculated T1ρ relaxation times were correlated with age, BMI, gender, and lumbar level relative to the total disc, the annulus fibrosus, and the nucleus pulposus.

Results Age had a significant influence on T1ρ relaxation times at all lumbar levels, with increasing age being associated with reduced relaxation times. There was also a significant difference between age groups A vs. C and B vs. C (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.0149, respectively). No significant differences in T1ρ relaxation time were observed between men and women (P > 0.05). BMI showed a significant negative correlation with T1ρ relaxation times (P < 0.0001). Analysis of the lumbar level revealed a significant decrease in relaxation times from L1/2 to L5 / S1 (P = 0.0013).

Conclusion Increasing age correlated significantly with advanced lumbar disc degeneration in asymptomatic individuals, particularly in those aged 60 or older. Increasing BMI correlated significantly with increasing degeneration. The lower discs showed more degeneration than the upper ones.

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Implicit stereotypes and the predictive brain: cognition and culture in “biased” person perception
Authors: Hinton Perry
Published: September 2017

Over the last 30 years there has been growing research into the concept of implicit stereotypes. Particularly using the Implicit Associations Test, it has been demonstrated that experimental participants show a response bias in support of a stereotypical association, such as “young” and “good” (and “old” and “bad”) indicating evidence of an implicit age stereotype. This has been found even for people who consciously reject the use of such stereotypes, and seek to be fair in their judgement of other people. This finding has been interpreted as a “cognitive bias”, implying an implicit prejudice within the individual. This article challenges that view: it is argued that implicit stereotypical associations (like any other implicit associations) have developed through the ordinary working of “the predictive brain”. The predictive brain is assumed to operate through Bayesian principles, developing associations through experience of their prevalence in the social world of the perceiver. If the predictive brain were to sample randomly or comprehensively then stereotypical associations would not be picked up if they did not represent the state of the world. However, people are born into culture, and communicate within social networks. Thus, the implicit stereotypical associations picked up by an individual do not reflect a cognitive bias but the associations prevalent within their culture—evidence of “culture in mind”. Therefore to understand implicit stereotypes, research should examine more closely the way associations are communicated within social networks rather than focusing exclusively on an implied cognitive bias of the individual.
China and global economic stratification in an interdependent world
Authors: Grell-Brisk Marilyn
Published: September 2017

This article examines the contemporary rise of China and its new role on the global stage within the context of semiperipheral mobility. Unlike earlier discourse on the rise of China that revolved around questions of hegemonic ascent, the focus here is on the impact of China’s advancement within the structural confines of the modern capitalist world-economy. What happens when a country like China, which makes up close to 20% of the world’s population, moves from peripheral state to semiperipheral state in a short period of time? Immanuel Wallerstein had argued that stratification of the world-economy took the shape of a three-layered structure with majority of the world’s population at the bottom, a decidedly smaller middle stratum, and a small percentage at the top of the hierarchy. Through an examination of global economic stratification from 1990 through 2015, China’s movement into the semiperiphery is shown to dramatically change the shape of this three-layered structure. This change that sometimes causes the distribution to appear quad-modal or multimodal is primarily because of the movement of more of the world’s population into the middle stratum of world-economy. This massive movement toward the middle is unprecedented. Furthermore, this new shape of the stratified world economy, will create an increasing amount of pressure on the countries in the middle that may translate into open military aggression and/or at the same time, a rise in regional and multilateral organizations such as the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.
Deposition and spin polarization study of Fe4N thin films with (111) orientation
Authors: Li Xuan , Osofsky M. S. , Jensen Kevin L. , Li Hongshi , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2017

We have successfully deposited Fe4N thin films with (111) out-of-plane orientation on thermally oxidized Si substrates using a facing-target-sputtering system. A Ta/Ru composite buffer layer was adopted to improve the (111) orientation of the Fe4N thin films. The N2 partial pressure and substrate temperature during sputtering were optimized to promote the formation of the Fe4N phase. Furthermore, we measured the transport spin polarization of (111) oriented Fe4N by the point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) technique. The spin polarization ratio was determined to be 0.50 using a modified BTK model. The film thickness dependence of the spin polarization was also investigated. The spin polarization of Fe4N measured by PCAR does not show degradation as the sample thickness was reduced to 10nm.
Knotting probability of self-avoiding polygons under a topological constraint
Authors: Uehara Erica , Deguchi Tetsuo
Published: September 2017

We define the knotting probability of a knot K by the probability for a random polygon or self-avoiding polygon (SAP) of N segments having the knot type K. We show fundamental and generic properties of the knotting probability particularly its dependence on the excluded volume. We investigate them for the SAP consisting of hard cylindrical segments of unit length and radius rex. For various prime and composite knots, we numerically show that a compact formula describes the knotting probabilities for the cylindrical SAP as a function of segment number N and radius rex. It connects the small-N to the large-N behavior and even to lattice knots in the case of large values of radius. As the excluded volume increases, the maximum of the knotting probability decreases for prime knots except for the trefoil knot. If it is large, the trefoil knot and its descendants are dominant among the nontrivial knots in the SAP. From the factorization property of the knotting probability, we derive a sum rule among the estimates of a fitting parameter for all prime knots, which suggests the local knot picture and the dominance of the trefoil knot in the case of large excluded volumes. Here we remark that the cylindrical SAP gives a model of circular DNA which is negatively charged and semiflexible, where radius rex corresponds to the screening length.
Taguchi analysis of parameters for small-diameter single wall carbon nanotube growth
Authors: Kang DaeJin , Yang Sisi , Wang Bo , Chen Jihan , Dhall Rohan , Hou Bingya , Kang Jimin , Cronin Stephen B.
Published: September 2017

Small diameter single wall carbon nanotubes are desirable for various physical and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes. Here, we report the sensitivities of parameters and the optimal conditions for small diameter carbon nanotube growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These results were obtained using the Taguchi method, which is commonly used to find the optimal parameters of various processes. The possible parameter ranges given by the experimental equipment and laboratory conditions, we attempted several times to determine the proper ranges, using photoluminescence (PL) imaging to determine the exact positions of suspended carbon nanotubes on the quartz substrates after synthesis. The diameters of the carbon nanotubes were then determined from the radial breathing modes (RBM) using Raman spectroscopy with a 785nm wavelength laser. Among the 4 major parameters listed above, we concluded that the temperature was the most significant parameter in determining carbon nanotube diameter, hydrogen flow rate was the second most significant, the ethanol and argon gas flow rate was the third, and finally time was the least significant factor.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles: A chicken and egg problem
Authors: Kramer David
Published: September 2017

Although the cost of fuel cells has rapidly decreased, the lack of a fueling infrastructure limits their use in vehicles.
The emergent physics of animal locomotion
Authors: Sponberg Simon
Published: September 2017

Many physiological systems must work together to enable movement in animals and other organisms. Neuromechanics explores how those systems interact with each other and the environment.
Modelling the comparative growth, water use and productivity of the perennial legumes, tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) in dryland mixed farming systems
Authors: Chen Chao , Smith Andrew , Ward Phil , Fletcher Andrew , Lawes Roger , Norman Hayley
Published: September 2017

Tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) has been proposed as an alternative perennial forage legume to lucerne in the mixed farming zone of Australia. Simulation of growth and production of tedera would be a useful tool for assessing its integration into Australian farming systems and agronomic and management options. This paper describes the development and testing of a model of the growth and development of tedera in Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM). The existing APSIM-Lucerne was modified to develop APSIM-Tedera. The key physiological parameters for tedera were obtained from the literature or by measuring and comparing the phenology and growth characteristics of tedera and lucerne in glasshouse experiments and partially from field experiments. The model was tested using data from a diverse range of soil and climatic conditions. Using the modelling approach, the production of tedera and lucerne was also assessed with long-term (1951–2015) weather data at Arthur River, Western Australia. Biomass simulations of tedera (n = 26, observed mean = 510 kg dry mass ha–1) explained 66% of the observed variation in field experiments (root mean square deviation = 212 kg dry mass ha–1). Long-term simulations of a 4-year pasture phase showed that more total annual biomass (5600 kg ha–1) would be obtained from lucerne than tedera if the pasture forage was harvested four times a year. Less biomass (400 kg ha–1) was also simulated for tedera in summer under this management. When the pasture forage was harvested when biomass was more than 2000 kg ha–1, tedera and lucerne produced similar accumulated biomass in the second (8000 kg ha–1), third (12 000 kg ha–1) and fourth (15 000 kg ha–1) years, but much less in the first 2 years for tedera. The model can be used for assessing tedera production, agronomic and management options in the Mediterranean climate of Australia. The present preliminary study indicates that tedera is not as effective as lucerne for total biomass production, but it may provide useful feed in situations where the summer-autumn feed gap is a major constraint to production. Further research is also necessary to determine the potential role of tedera in areas where lucerne is not well adapted.