bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of rotational grazing management on nesting greater sage‐grouse
Authors: Smith Joseph T. , Tack Jason D. , Berkeley Lorelle I. , Szczypinski Mark , Naugle David E.
Published: September 2017

Grazing by domestic livestock is a ubiquitous land use in the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome of western North America. Widespread, long‐term population declines in greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have elicited concern about potential negative effects of livestock management practices on sage‐grouse populations. We evaluated how recently implemented rotational grazing systems affected sage‐grouse nesting habitat quality as part of a large‐scale, replicated, natural experiment in central Montana, USA. We used Bayesian methods to assess support for effects of rotational grazing management and rest from grazing on daily survival rates of nearly 500 sage‐grouse nests monitored over 6 years, and mixed effects models to test for effects of rotational grazing and rest on vegetation structure. Though nests on rotationally grazed ranches displayed a trend toward greater daily survival rates, the evidence for an effect was weak. There was no evidence that rest from grazing (≥12 months) increased daily survival rates. Furthermore, rotational grazing systems and rest had negligible effects on herbaceous vegetation height and cover relative to other grazing strategies used in the study area. Results do not support the hypothesis that rotational grazing systems or rest from grazing increase nest success in the northern Great Plains. Estimated nest success, however, was comparable to range‐wide averages, suggesting concealing cover for nests is unlikely to be limiting growth of this population regardless of grazing strategy. In light of these results and recent research questioning reported relationships between grass height and nest survival, maximization of hiding cover may be overemphasized in grazing management guidelines and policies. Rather, our findings suggest a variety of locally appropriate grazing strategies focused on fundamental range health principles may provide adequate habitat quality for nesting sage‐grouse. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
A methodology for assessing deployment trauma and its consequences in OEF/OIF/OND veterans: The TRACTS longitudinal prospective cohort study
Authors: McGlinchey Regina E. , Milberg William P. , Fonda Jennifer R. , Fortier Catherine Brawn
Published: September 2017

Many US veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq have multiple physical and psychiatric problems. A major focus of research has been on determining the effects of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), but mTBI is rarely diagnosed in the absence of co‐occurring conditions such as blast exposure, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, etc. These potentially interactive psychological and physical conditions produce complex patterns of cognitive, psychological, and physical symptoms that impede civilian reintegration and complicate efficient and effective treatment planning. The Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) has developed a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment of deployment trauma and its consequences in veterans of these wars. The prospective TRACTS longitudinal cohort study conducts state‐of‐the‐art assessments in the domains of biomedical function, lifetime head trauma, psychological function encompassing deployment experience and lifetime exposure to traumatic events, neuropsychological function, and structural and functional neuroimaging. The TRACTS longitudinal cohort study is the first of its kind to comprehensively evaluate lifetime incidence of TBI and PTSD in these veterans, in addition to those incurred during military deployment. The protocol has begun to reveal information that will help improve understanding of the complex pathophysiology associated with co‐occurring mTBI and related stress disorders.
Dosimetric comparison between helical tomotherapy and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Gu Qing , Lai Xiao‐jing , Yang Shuang‐yan , Feng Wei , Lin Xiao , Yu Xiao‐fu , Zheng Xiao
Published: September 2017

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of different radiotherapy techniques – tomotherapy (TOMO) and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – for patients with esophageal carcinoma on the basis of dosimetric analysis.

Methods

The target areas and organs at risk in 10 patients with esophageal carcinoma were underlined and transmitted to the Raystation and TOMO planning systems. The homogeneity index (HI) and conformal index (CI) values, and dose distributions to organs at risk were compared on the basis of dose–volume histograms parameters.

Results

The median of HI of gross planning target volume by TOMO (HI = 0.0575) showed superior homogeneity dose distribution compared with the IMRT technique (HI = 0.0735, P = 0.047). The median of CI of planning target volume by TOMO (CI = 0.785) showed improved conformity of dose distribution compared with IMRT (CI = 0.6825, P = 0.009). The median of the maximum dose to planning gross tumor volume (PGTV) and planning target volume by TOMO was significantly decreased compared with IMRT. The median of total lung doses, total heart doses, and maximum doses to the spinal cord were all significantly reduced by TOMO compared with IMRT.

Conclusions

Compared with IMRT, TOMO could provide better conformal target coverage, more homogeneity dose distribution, and significantly decreased the radiation dose to the lungs, heart, and spinal cord.
Efficiency Improvements in Solution‐Based CuInS2 Solar Cells Incorporating a Cl‐Doped ZnO Nanopillars Array
Authors: Di Iorio Y. , Berruet M. , Gau D. L. , Spera E. L. , Pereyra C. J. , Marotti R. E. , Vázquez M.
Published: September 2017

Solar cells are prepared combining ZnO as n‐type window In2S3 as buffer layer and CuInS2 as p‐type absorbing layer. Superstrate configuration is chosen so that all the materials could be prepared using inexpensive and eco‐friendly techniques, based on solution processed deposition methods and non‐toxic materials, avoiding vacuum high temperature Cd‐containing layers and KCN purification stages. Also, no further sulfurization treatment is involved in the preparation. To improve the collection efficiency, the cells are built using two different ZnO nanostructures (with and without Cl‐doping) and compared to the response of a cell prepared with just one dense ZnO layer. The photoresponse of the three different solar cells is analysed by J–V curves under illumination and intensity‐modulated photovoltage/photocurrent spectroscopy. A systematic characterization of the morphology and composition is carried out using X‐ray diffraction Raman confocal and electronic microscopy. The introduction of a nanostructured layer is not enough to produce a marked improvement in any of the electrical parameters. Instead, the presence of Cl‐doped nanopillars is shown to increase the efficiency of the solar cells up to a maximum value of 2.8%. A better series resistance together with a higher value for the charge collection efficiency contributes to explain the corresponding improvement in cell efficiency.
The Use of Perturbation Methods for the Study of the Effects of Configuration Interaction
Authors: CLAVERIE P. , DINER S. , MALRIEU J. P.
Published: September 2017

A variant (here after called Epstein‐Nesbet) of Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation treatment, corresponding to a new definition of the zeroth‐order Hamiltonian leads to a faster convergence than the usual partition (here after called Møller‐Plesset) of the exact Hamiltonian, when applied to the correlation problem. An illustration is given for the π system of the butadiene molecule. Some remarks are proposed concerning the convergence rate after the third order.

On décrit une variante (appellée ici Epstein‐Nesbet) de la méthode des perturbations de Rayleigh‐Schrödinger, qui correspond à une nouvelle définition de l'Hamiltonien d'ordre zéro, et qui donne pour le problème de corrélation une convergence plus rapide que la partition ordinaire (appellée ici Møller‐Plesset). On en donne une illustration pour le système π de la molécule de butadiène. On fait enfin quelques remarques sur la rapidité de convergence après le troisième ordre.

Es wird eine Variante (hier Epstein‐Nesbet genannt) der Rayleigh‐Schrödingerschen Störungsmethode beschrieben, die eine neue Definition des Hamiltonoperators nullter Ordnung entspricht, and die zu einer schnelleren Konvergenz für das Korrelationsproblem als die gewöhnliche Teilung (hier Møller‐Plesset genannt) des exakten Hamiltonoperators, führt. Eine Illustration wird für das π‐System des Butadienmoleküls gegeben. Schliesslich wird die Konvergenzgeschwindigkeit nach der dritten Ordnung diskutiert.
Modulation in Photophysical Properties of Fluorescent Imidazole Possessing 1,10‐Phenanthroline on Introduction of Ru(bipy)22+ towards Cation Sensing
Authors: Alreja Priya , Kaur Navneet
Published: September 2017

The cation binding affinities of imidazole possessing 1,10‐phenathroline (1) displayed remarkable variations on complexation with Ru(bipy)22+ (2). Both 1 and 2 displayed remarkable fluorescence in DMSO solution. The fluorescence emission intensity of 1 was quenched with several metal ions (Cu2+, Hg2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+). The phenanthroline N's owing to their excellent cation binding affinity would be responsible for this, but the 1:2 stoichiometry as revealed by job's plot pointed towards the participation of imidazole N and O atom of methoxy group of 1. Engaging the phenanthroline N's in metal binding was a step towards selectivity as 2 exhibited quenching with Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions only. 1:1 job's plot analysis for 2 once again ascertained the active involvement of imidazole N and O atom of methoxy group in cation sensing process.
Efficient Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Aromatic Carbonyls over a Nitrogen‐Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon Supported Nickel Catalyst
Authors: Li Mingming , Deng Jiang , Lan Yikai , Wang Yong
Published: September 2017

Hydrodeoxgenation of ketones or aldehydes allows for efficient transformation of oxygen containing raw materials into value‐added chemicals and biofuels, which calls for efficient but inexpensive alternative catalytic systems. In the present contribution, a nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon (NHPC) was fabricated in a “leavening” method, functioning as a superior support for the anchoring of highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles (Ni/NHPC with ∼ 6.5 nm Ni nanoparticles). When tested in hydrodeoxygenation of bio‐derived vanillin (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzaldehyde), this catalyst demonstrated much enhanced catalytic activity as compared to Ni/HPC (HPC means hierarchical porous carbon without nitrogen doping). A direct hydrogenolysis or hydrogenation‐hydrogenolysis reaction mechanism was proposed, which allows the present Ni/NHPC to exert full oxygen removal of a broad set of aromatic substrates with carbonyl or ‐OH at benzylic position. The modified electronic state of nickel interacted with nitrogen dopant and enhanced mass transfer contributed by the hierarchical porous structure of NHPC may be reasons for high reactivity.
Heteroatom‐Doped Carbon Nanotube and Graphene‐Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Li Jin‐Cheng , Hou Peng‐Xiang , Liu Chang
Published: September 2017

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key step that determines the performance of a variety of energy storage and conversion devices, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Heteroatom‐doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes have attracted increasing interest and hold great promise as efficient ORR catalysts to replace noble‐metal‐based catalysts, owing to their unique structure characteristics, excellent physicochemical properties, low cost, and rich resources. In this review, recent progress on the design, fabrication, and performance of heteroatom‐doped CNT‐ and graphene‐based catalysts is summarized, aiming to provide insights into the working mechanism of these heteroatom‐doped nanocarbons in ORR. The advantages, challenges that remain, and possible solutions of these nanocarbon‐based electrocatalysts are discussed. Finally, future developing trends of the CNT‐ and graphene‐based ORR catalysts are proposed.
Novel Principles and Nanostructuring Methods for Enhanced Thermoelectrics
Authors: Mori Takao
Published: September 2017

Thermoelectrics (TE), the direct solid‐state conversion of waste heat to electricity, is a promising field with potential wide‐scale application for power generation. Intrinsic conflicts in the requirements for high electrical conductivity but (a) low thermal conductivity and (b) a large Seebeck coefficient have made enhancing TE performance difficult. Several recent striking advances in the field are reviewed. In regard to the former conflict, notable bottom‐up nanostructuring methods for phonon‐selective scattering are discovered, namely using nanosheets, dislocations, and most strikingly a process to fabricate nano‐micropores leading to a 100% enhancement in the figure of merit (ZT ≈ 1.6) for rare‐earth‐free skutterudites. Porous materials are hitherto considered as having poor TE performance, so this is a new paradigm. In regard to the latter conflict, nanocomposite materials with hybrid effects and use of magnetism are emerging as novel bottom‐up methods to enhance TE. Material informatics efforts to identify high‐ZT materials are also reviewed.
Ultrathin, Washable, and Large‐Area Graphene Papers for Personal Thermal Management
Authors: Guo Yang , Dun Chaochao , Xu Junwei , Mu Jiuke , Li Peiyun , Gu Liwen , Hou Chengyi , Hewitt Corey A. , Zhang Qinghong , Li Yaogang , Carroll David L. , Wang Hongzhi
Published: September 2017

Freestanding, flexible/foldable, and wearable bifuctional ultrathin graphene paper for heating and cooling is fabricated as an active material in personal thermal management (PTM). The promising electrical conductivity grants the superior Joule heating for extra warmth of 42 °C using a low supply voltage around 3.2 V. Besides, based on its high out‐of‐plane thermal conductivity, the graphene paper provides passive cooling via thermal transmission from the human body to the environment within 7 s. The cooling effect of graphene paper is superior compared with that of the normal cotton fiber, and this advantage will become more prominent with the increased thickness difference. The present bifunctional graphene paper possesses high durability against bending cycles over 500 times and wash time over 1500 min, suggesting its great potential in wearable PTM.
Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of “Charge‐Inverted” Bis‐benzenedithiolato Complexes of Copper and Nickel
Authors: Schlindwein Simon H. , Ringenberg Mark R. , Nieger Martin , Gudat Dietrich
Published: September 2017

Quaternization of a phosphane‐functionalized benzene‐dithiol gave a phosphonio‐decorated product, which was reacted with copper and nickel salts to yield cationic metal‐bis(benzenedithiolene) complexes. Both the ligand and its complexes were fully characterized. The properties of the complexes were compared with those of previously known anionic complexes featuring identical metal coordination environments. UV/Vis and EPR studies indicate that the charge inversion induces only minor perturbations of the electronic structure of the complexes. Electrochemical studies indicated that the cationic species are more easily reducible and allowed to establish an unprecedented three‐membered electron transfer series involving +3/+2/+1 metal oxidation states of a copper bis‐dithiolene complex.
Pharaoh's Serpents: New Insights into a Classic Carbon Nitride Material
Authors: Miller Thomas S. , d'Aleo Anita , Suter Theo , Aliev Abil E. , Sella Andrea , McMillan Paul F.
Published: September 2017

The combustion of mercury(II) thiocyanate to form “Pharaoh's serpents” is a spectacular reaction first described nearly two centuries ago. The large volume of distinctive yellow branches that grow from a tiny quantity of flaming reactants makes this an enchanting demonstration, often used to depict the magic of chemistry. In recent years several videos of this bizarre process have “gone viral” online. Formally, the reaction should yield a carbon nitride with the ideal formula C3N4 along with HgS. However, since early characterization attempts there has been little further study of the materials produced. Herein we apply modern characterization techniques to reinvestigate the nature of the carbon nitride and its intimate relationship to the HgS produced. The HgS phase forms nanoparticles that decorate the surfaces of a C3N4 foam matrix. Both of these compounds are important wide‐gap semiconductors and we propose that the “Pharaoh's serpents reaction” could be used to produce a potentially important heterojunction nanocomposite materials that could be useful optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications.
Radiofrequency ablation of ventricular premature contraction originating from a native coronary cusp after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Tohoku Shota , Hiroshima Kenichi , Kuramitsu Shoichi , Nagashima Michio , Fukunaga Masato , An Yoshimori , Ando Kenji
Published: September 2017

We describe a case of radiofrequency ablation of ventricular premature contraction (VPC) originating from the left ventricular outflow tract after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The VPC origin was the native aortic valve annulus between the left and right coronary cusps. Radiofrequency ablation was successfully performed by manipulating the ablation catheter from the gap between the sinotubular junction and implanted valve.
The Impact of Party Cues on Manual Coding of Political Texts
Authors: Ennser-Jedenastik Laurenz , Meyer Thomas M.
Published: September 2017

Do coders of political texts incorporate prior beliefs about parties’ issue stances into their coding decisions? We report results from a coding experiment in which ten coders were each given 200 statements on immigration that were extracted from election manifestos. Party labels in these statements were randomly assigned (including a control category without party cues). Coders were more likely to code a statement as pro-immigration if it was attributed to the Greens and less likely choose the anti-immigration category if it was attributed to the populist radical right. No effect was found for mainstream parties of the center-left and center-right. The results also suggest that coders resort to party cues as heuristics when faced with ambiguous policy statements.
Alternative Muslim Modernities: Bosnian Intellectuals in the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires
Authors: Amzi-Erdogdular Leyla
Published: September 2017

The Habsburg takeover of Ottoman Bosnia Herzegovina (1878–1918) is conventionally considered the entry of this province into the European realm and the onset of its modernization. Treating the transition from one empire to another not as a radical break, but as in many respects continuity, reveals that the imperial context provided for the existence of overlapping affiliations that shaped the means by which modernity was mediated and embodied in the local experience. Drawing on Bosnian and Ottoman sources, this article analyzes Bosnian intellectuals’ conceptions of their particular Muslim modernity in a European context. It comparatively evaluates the ways in which they integrated the modernist discourse that developed in the Ottoman Empire and the broader Muslim world, and how they also contributed to that discourse. I show that their concern with modernity was not abstract but rather focused on concrete solutions that the Muslim modernists developed to challenges in transforming their societies. I argue that we must incorporate Islamic intellectual history, and cross-regional exchanges within it, to understand southeastern Europe's past and present, and that studies of Europe and the Middle East need to look beyond geohistorical and disciplinary divisions.
On Authoritarianism.A Review Essay
Authors: Meng Michael
Published: September 2017

A product of the nineteenth-century age of “isms,” authoritarianism describes a worldview that promotes the establishment of a hierarchical relation whereby one person or group dominates and governs another without recourse to either physical force or persuasion. Authoritarianism is the advocacy of authority as a source or origin that compels voluntary obedience without question. A person has authority if he or she can command someone to do something without having to do anything other than issue a command; which is to say that the person who obeys recognizes the authority of the person who commands as legitimate or correct. The word authority comes from the Latin,auctoritas, which Cicero employs to characterize the distinctive influence of the Senate in ancient Rome: “Power is with the people, authority with the Senate.” Whereas power (potestas) is political and relies on force or persuasion to command obedience, authority enjoys unequivocal obedience as a source beyond the contested realm of politics.
“I Thought of it at Work, in Ostend”: Urban Artisan Labour and Guild Ideology in the Later Medieval Low Countries
Authors: Dumolyn Jan
Published: September 2017

From the twelfth and certainly from the thirteenth century onwards, a social group of artisans with their own political and economic aspirations can be clearly delineated in Netherlandish towns. Bound through common skilled work, they made up a distinctive group with a self-image and a developing political vision and economic programme. Their “guild ideology” is increasingly clearly expressed in the sources they produced from the fourteenth century onwards as a self-confident group in urban society. Labour, certainly when organized within guild structures, was the cornerstone of community life, cultural experiences, and practical ethics. Even though there were socioeconomic differences among guildsmen and many geographical and chronological variations in the degree of political power they wielded, the ideal of artisan ideology in the late medieval Low Countries was one of a community of brotherly love and charity centred on the value of skilled labour.
Vladimir Putin’s Aspiration to Restore the Lost Russian Empire
Authors: Shinar Chaim
Published: September 2017

In this article, I argue that the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, by his political actions in Eastern Europe, the Baltic States and Central Asian countries, and his current actions in Ukraine, strives to re-establish the nineteenth-century Russian Empire, ignoring the principle of international law that protects the sovereignty of each nation-state over its territory. In order to achieve his goals Putin uses ‘soft force’ and social fermentation in Russian-speaking ‘near abroad’ nation-states of the former Soviet Union. He also uses a policy of weakening the economy of the target countries and uses the Russian chauvinism and irredentism as the basis of his policy.
Design of dual/tri-frequency impedance transformer with ultra-high transforming ratio
Authors: Barik Rusan Kumar , Karthikeyan S. S.
Published: September 2017

In this article, the design of a new dual-band impedance transformer with ultra-high transforming ratio (UHTR) is presented. The closed-form expressions are derived analytically using a lossless transmission-line theory. To practically validate the proposed design concept, two examples of dual-band transformer working at smaller and larger frequency ratios are designed for different load impedance of 500, 1000, and 1500 Ω. Finally, three prototypes of dual-band transformer with UHTR are designed, fabricated, and tested. For all these prototypes, different frequency ratios (two operating frequencies can be chosen arbitrarily) are considered. The measured return loss of the prototypes is better than 15 dB at all the operating frequencies. The measured results are matched very closely with the simulated results. This design is then extended to match a complex load at two different frequencies. The multi-band characteristic is obtained by decomposing a shorted stub into a stepped impedance section of the proposed structure. With the necessary derivation and analysis, a tri-frequency matching network is designed for a transforming ratio of 10.
Correction: Corrigendum: Conformational rearrangements in the transmembrane domain of CNGA1 channels revealed by single-molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Maity Sourav , Mazzolini Monica , Arcangeletti Manuel , Valbuena Alejandro , Fabris Paolo , Lazzarino Marco , Torre Vincent
Published: September 2017

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 7093 (2015); Published: 12 May 2015; Updated: 29 September 2017 An error was inadvertently introduced into the fifth sentence of the Abstract in the original version of this Article. The sentence should have stated ‘Force spectra determined that the S4 transmembrane domain is mechanically coupled to S5 in the open state, but S3 in the closed state’ and not ‘Force spectra determined that the S4 transmembrane domain is mechanically coupled to S5 in the closed state, but S3 in the open state’.
Oxic-anoxic regime shifts mediated by feedbacks between biogeochemical processes and microbial community dynamics
Authors: Bush Timothy , Diao Muhe , Allen Rosalind J. , Sinnige Ruben , Muyzer Gerard , Huisman Jef
Published: September 2017

Although regime shifts are known from various ecosystems, the involvement of microbial communities is poorly understood. Here we show that gradual environmental changes induced by, for example, eutrophication or global warming can induce major oxic-anoxic regime shifts. We first investigate a mathematical model describing interactions between microbial communities and biogeochemical oxidation-reduction reactions. In response to gradual changes in oxygen influx, this model abruptly transitions between an oxic state dominated by cyanobacteria and an anoxic state with sulfate-reducing bacteria and phototrophic sulfur bacteria. The model predictions are consistent with observations from a seasonally stratified lake, which shows hysteresis in the transition between oxic and anoxic states with similar changes in microbial community composition. Our results suggest that hysteresis loops and tipping points are a common feature of oxic-anoxic transitions, causing rapid drops in oxygen levels that are not easily reversed, at scales ranging from small ponds to global oceanic anoxic events.
Selective-area growth of single-crystal wurtzite GaN nanorods on SiOx/Si(001) substrates by reactive magnetron sputter epitaxy exhibiting single-mode lasing
Authors: Serban Elena Alexandra , Palisaitis Justinas , Yeh Chia-Cheng , Hsu Hsu-Cheng , Tsai Yu-Lin , Kuo Hao-Chung , Junaid Muhammad , Hultman Lars , Persson Per Ola Åke , Birch Jens , Hsiao Ching-Lien
Published: September 2017

Selective-area growth (SAG) of single-crystal wurtzite GaN nanorods (NRs) directly onto Si(001) substrates with un-etched native SiOx amorphous layer, assisted by a patterning TiNx mask fabricated by nanosphere lithography (NSL), has been realized by reactive magnetron sputter epitaxy (MSE). The GaN NRs were grown vertically to the substrate surface with the growth direction along c-axis in the well-defined nano-opening areas. A 5-step structural and morphological evolution of the SAG NRs observed at different sputtering times depicts a comprehensive growth model, listed in sequence as: formation of a polycrystalline wetting layer, predominating c-axis oriented nucleation, coarsening and coalescence of multi-islands, single NR evolution, and finally quasi-equilibrium crystal shape formation. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence spectroscopy shows a strong GaN bandedge emission with a uniform luminescence across the NRs, indicating that the SAG NRs are grown with high quality and purity. In addition, single-longitudinal-mode lasing, attributed to well-faceted NR geometry forming a Fabry–Pérot cavity, was achieved by optical pumping, paving a way for fabricating high-performance laser optoelectronics using MSE.
Biomarkers of inflammation and breast cancer risk: a case-control study nested in the EPIC-Varese cohort
Authors: Agnoli Claudia , Grioni Sara , Pala Valeria , Allione Alessandra , Matullo Giuseppe , Gaetano Cornelia Di , Tagliabue Giovanna , Sieri Sabina , Krogh Vittorio
Published: September 2017

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in women. Adipokines, and other inflammation molecules linked to adiposity, are suspected to be involved in breast carcinogenesis, however prospective findings are inconclusive. In a prospective nested case-control study within the EPIC-Varese cohort, we used conditional logistic regression to estimate rate ratios (RRs) for BC, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), in relation to plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, leptin, and adiponectin, controlling for BC risk factors. After a median 14.9 years, 351 BC cases were identified and matched to 351 controls. No marker was significantly associated with BC risk overall. Significant interactions between menopausal status and CRP, leptin, and adiponectin were found. Among postmenopausal women, high CRP was significantly associated with increased BC risk, and high adiponectin with significantly reduced risk. Among premenopausal women, high TNF-α was associated with significantly increased risk, and high leptin with reduced risk; interleukin-6 was associated with increased risk only in a continuous model. These findings constitute further evidence that inflammation plays a role in breast cancer. Interventions to lower CRP, TNF-α, and interleukin-6 and increase adiponectin levels may contribute to preventing BC.
Quantifying the evidence for co-benefits between species conservation and climate change mitigation in giant panda habitats
Authors: Li Renqiang , Xu Ming , Powers Ryan , Zhao Fen , Jetz Walter , Wen Hui , Sheng Qingkai
Published: September 2017

Conservationists strive for practical, cost-effective management solutions to forest-based species conservation and climate change mitigation. However, this is compromised by insufficient information about the effectiveness of protected areas in increasing carbon storage, and the co-benefits of species and carbon conservation remain poorly understood. Here, we present the first rigorous quantitative assessment of the roles of giant panda nature reserves (NRs) in carbon sequestration, and explore the co-benefits of habitat conservation and climate change mitigation. Results show that more than 90% of the studied panda NRs are effective in increasing carbon storage, with the mean biomass carbon density of the whole NRs exhibiting a 4.2% higher growth rate compared with lands not declared as NRs over the period 1988–2012, while this effectiveness in carbon storage masks important patterns of spatial heterogeneity across the giant panda habitats. Moreover, the significant associations have been identified between biomass carbon density and panda’s habitat suitability in ~85% NRs and at the NR level. These findings suggest that the planning for carbon and species conservation co-benefits would enhance the greatest return on limited conservation investments, which is a critical need for the giant panda after its conservation status has been downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable”.
Intra- and Inter-individual Variability of microRNA Levels in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid: Critical Implications for Biomarker Discovery
Authors: Yoon Hyejin , Belmonte Krystal C. , Kasten Tom , Bateman Randall , Kim Jungsu
Published: September 2017

MicroRNAs are emerging as promising biomarkers for diagnosis of various diseases. Notably, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contains microRNAs that may serve as biomarkers for neurological diseases. However, there has been a lack of consistent findings among CSF microRNAs studies. Although such inconsistent results have been attributed to various technical issues, inherent biological variability has not been adequately considered as a confounding factor. To address this critical gap in our understanding of microRNA variability, we evaluated intra-individual variability of microRNAs by measuring their levels in the CSF from healthy individuals at two time points, 0 and 48 hours. Surprisingly, the levels of most microRNAs were stable between the two time points. This suggests that microRNAs in CSF may be a good resource for the identification of biomarkers. However, the levels of 12 microRNAs (miR-19a-3p, miR-19b-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-25a-3p, miR-99a-5p, miR-101-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-194-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-223-3p, and miR-451a) were significantly altered during the 48 hours interval. Importantly, miRNAs with variable expression have been identified as biomarkers in previous studies. Our data strongly suggest that these microRNAs may not be reliable biomarkers given their intrinsic variability even within the same individual. Taken together, our results provide a critical baseline resource for future microRNA biomarker studies.
Comparison of phosphorylation and assembly of photosystem complexes and redox homeostasis in two wheat cultivars with different drought resistance
Authors: Chen Yang-Er , Cui Jun-Mei , Su Yan-Qiu , Zhang Chao-Ming , Ma Jie , Zhang Zhong-Wei , Yuan Ming , Liu Wen-Juan , Zhang Huai-Yu , Yuan Shu
Published: September 2017

Reversible phosphorylation of proteins and the assembly of thylakoid complexes are the important protective mechanism against environmental stresses in plants. This research was aimed to investigate the different responses of the antioxidant defense system and photosystem II (PSII) to osmotic stress between drought-resistant and drought-susceptible wheat cultivars. Results showed that the decrease in PSII photochemistry and six enzyme activities was observed in drought-susceptible wheat compared with drought-resistant wheat under osmotic stress. In addition, a lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death were found in the resistant wheat compared with the susceptible wheat under osmotic stress. Western blot analysis revealed that osmotic stress led to a remarkable decline in the steady state level of D1 protein in drought-susceptible wheat. However, the CP29 protein was strongly phosphorylated in drought-resistant wheat compared with the susceptible wheat under osmotic stress. Our results also showed that drought-resistant wheat presented higher phosphorylated levels of the light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), D1, and D2 proteins and a more rapid dephosphorylated rate than drought-susceptible wheat under osmotic stress. Furthermore, the PSII-LHCII supercomplexes and LHCII trimers were more rapidly disassembled in drought-susceptible wheat than the drought-resistant wheat under osmotic stress. These findings provide that reversible phosphorylation of thylakoid membrane proteins and assembly of thylakoid membrane complexes play important roles in plant adaptation to environmental stresses.
An effective signal enhancement strategy for sensing cysteine based on aluminium-initiated emission
Authors: Zou Wu , Chen Xuejiao , Huan Cheng , Gu Tingting , Xia Jiaoyun , Chen Can , Gong Fuchun
Published: September 2017

An efficient signal enhancement strategy for the detection of cysteine (Cys) was developed, which is based on the combination of a Cys-reduced reaction and the chelation of Al3+ with the Cys-promoted product.
Highly sensitive detection of epidermal growth factor receptor in lung cancer cells by aptamer-based target-/probe-mediated cyclic signal amplification
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Ma Fei , Zhang Qianyi , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: September 2017

We develop an antibody-free fluorescence method for the sensitive detection of epidermal growth factor receptor using aptamer-based target-/probe-mediated cyclic signal amplification.
Formation of gold composite nanowires using cold welding: a structure-based molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Zhou Hongjian , Xian Yuehui , Wu Runni , Hu Guoming , Xia Re
Published: September 2017

Cold welding between nanowires with various grain structures is researched using molecular dynamics simulation.
The mechanism of cesium ions immobilization in the nanometer channel of calcium silicate hydrate: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Jiang Jinyang , Wang Pan , Hou Dongshuai
Published: September 2017

The interfacial silicate tetrahedron provides the oxygen sites to associate with the Cs+ions and immobilize them in the surface cavity.
Synthesis of MnNi–SAPO-34 by a one-pot hydrothermal method and its excellent performance for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3
Authors: Li Rui , Li Zhibin , Chen Liqiang , Dong Yongli , Ma Shibo , Yuan Fulong , Zhu Yujun
Published: September 2017

MnNi–SAPO-34 with Mn and Ni incorporated in the framework of SAPO-34 prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis method exhibits excellent NH3-SCR activity, which is attributed to the strong interaction between the Mn and Ni species.
Computational exploration of ligand effects in copper-catalyzed boracarboxylation of styrene with CO2
Authors: Lv Xiangying , Wu Yan-Bo , Lu Gang
Published: September 2017

CO2 insertion is promoted by copper catalysts with more electron-rich monophosphine or less sterically hindered NHC ligands.
Freestanding transparent metallic network based ultrathin, foldable and designable supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Yan-Hua , Xu Jian-Long , Gao Xu , Sun Yi-Lin , Lv Jing-Jing , Shen Su , Chen Lin-Sen , Wang Sui-Dong
Published: September 2017

A freestanding transparent metallic network electrode is designed, fabricated and integrated for ultrathin, foldable and designable supercapacitor devices.
Simultaneously enhancing the power factor and reducing the thermal conductivity of SnTe via introducing its analogues
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wang Dongyang , Wu Haijun , Yin Meijie , Pei Yanling , Gong Shengkai , Huang Li , Pennycook Stephen J. , He Jiaqing , Zhao Li-Dong
Published: September 2017

An effective approach to simultaneously enhance the power factor and reduce the thermal conductivity was well elucidated in SnTeviaintroducing its analogues.
Correction: Can BECCS deliver sustainable and resource efficient negative emissions?
Authors: Fajardy Mathilde , Mac Dowell Niall
Published: September 2017

Correction for ‘Can BECCS deliver sustainable and resource efficient negative emissions?’ by Mathilde Fajardy et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, 10, 1389–1426.
Development of a soy protein isolate–carrageenan–quercetagetin non-covalent complex for the stabilization of β-carotene emulsions
Authors: Mao Like , Wang Weiyou , Tai Kedong , Yuan Fang , Gao Yanxiang
Published: September 2017

The current study investigated the application of a soy protein isolate (SPI), κ-carrageenan (CG) and quercetagetin (Qut) non-covalent complex in stabilizing β-carotene emulsions.
Eugenol bio-based epoxy thermosets: from cloves to applied materials
Authors: Faye Ibrahima , Decostanzi Mélanie , Ecochard Yvan , Caillol Sylvain
Published: September 2017

The development of high-performance materials from renewable resources is of paramount importance in a sustainable development context.
Improving photocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol over ZrO2–TiO2 by synergistic interaction between methanol and sulfite ions
Authors: Guerrero-Araque Diana , Acevedo-Peña Próspero , Ramírez-Ortega David , Gómez Ricardo
Published: September 2017

Reaction rate for 4-nitrophenol photoreduction over ZrO2–TiO2 increases 19 times due to the synergistic interaction between methanol and sulfite ions.
Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional gold and silver nanoparticles using leaf extract ofNaregamia alataand their applications in the catalysis and control of mastitis
Authors: Francis Sijo , Joseph Siby , Koshy Ebey P. , Mathew Beena
Published: September 2017

Phytoreduced nanoparticles have multi-functionalities due to their sustainable origin and biocompatible nature.
Facile synthesis, crystal structure and bioactivity evaluation of two novel barium complexes based on 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and o-ferrocenylcarbonyl benzoic acid
Authors: Xu Xiuling , Hu Fan , Shuai Qi
Published: September 2017

With a microwave method, two novel Ba(ii) complexes were synthesized for the first time and their allelopathic and antifungal activity was evaluated.
The development of novel Au/CaO nanoribbons from bifunctional building block for biodiesel production
Authors: Zhang Jiajia , Cui Fang , Xu Linxu , Pan Xinzi , Wang Xiaoqiang , Zhang Xiao , Cui Tieyu
Published: September 2017

Au/CaO nanoribbons with uniform distribution of dual metal nanoparticles were fabricated, which exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the transesterification reaction.
Free radical and RAFT polymerization of vinyl esters in metal–organic-frameworks
Authors: Hwang Jongkook , Lee Hui-Chun , Antonietti Markus , Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J.
Published: September 2017

In here, the reversible deactivation radical polymerization of vinyl esters inside metal–organic frameworks is presented for the first time.
Excellent mechanical performance and enhanced dielectric properties of OBC/SiO2 elastomeric nanocomposites: effect of dispersion of the SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhao Xing , Bai Lu , Bao Rui-Ying , Liu Zheng-Ying , Yang Ming-Bo , Yang Wei
Published: September 2017

A chain-like network structure and irregular dispersion of fillers are formed in OBC/SiO2 nanocomposites. Excellent mechanical performance and enhanced dielectric properties of OBC/SiO2 elastomeric nanocomposites are realized due to the peculiar chain-like network of the fillers.
Enhancement of thermal conductivity in polyamide-6/graphene composites via a “bridge effect” of silicon carbide whiskers
Authors: Song Na , Pan Haidong , Hou Xingshuang , Cui Siqi , Shi Liyi , Ding Peng
Published: September 2017

It is urgent to manufacture a polymer composite that has high thermal conductivity (especially in the through-plane direction) and mechanical properties simultaneously to meet the heat dissipation requirement of electronic devices.
High-efficiency thermoelectric Ba8Cu14Ge6P26: bridging the gap between tetrel-based and tetrel-free clathrates
Authors: Wang Jian , Lebedev Oleg I. , Lee Kathleen , Dolyniuk Juli-Anna , Klavins Peter , Bux Sabah , Kovnir Kirill
Published: September 2017

Synergy between tetrel- and pnictide-based clathrates: synthesis, crystal structure, and transport properties of a Ba8Cu14Ge6P26.
Enhancement of hole mobility in hybrid titanium dioxide/poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanocomposites by employing an oligothiophene dye as an interface modifier
Authors: Prashanthan K. , Thivakarasarma T. , Ravirajan P. , Planells M. , Robertson N. , Nelson J.
Published: September 2017

Hole-mobility in nanocrystalline TiO2/P3HT composites is increased by over an order of magnitude when the TiO2 surface is treated with a 3-hexylthiophene oligomer bearing a cyanoacrylic acid group (4T).
Energy transfer assisted solvent effects on CsPbBr3 quantum dots
Authors: Mei Jingjing , Wang Fei , Wang Yunpeng , Tian Cancan , Liu Hongzhen , Zhao Dongxu
Published: September 2017

In this work, the solvent effects of chemically synthesized CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) were investigated by dissolving the QDs into solvents of different polarities.
Distributed finite‐time tracking of second‐order multi‐agent systems: An edge‐based approach
Authors: Zhao Yu , Liu Yongfang , Wen Guanghui , Alotaibi N.D. , Shi Zhongke
Published: September 2017

Distributed finite‐time tracking problem of a multi‐agent system with second‐order non‐linear dynamics is studied in this article. Based on measurements of edges, a finite‐time tracking protocol is proposed without relying the complete position and velocity measurements. It means that the proposed protocol only requires a binary information between the neighbouring agent. By designing a carefully constructed Lyapunov function, the distributed finite‐time tracking problem is solved if the sub‐topology among the followers is connected and undirected and the topology of whole systems has a spanning tree with a leader been a root node. Furthermore, it has successfully estimated the finite settling time in theory with the proposed control protocol. The authors provide a numerical example to illustrate the effectiveness of the analytical results.
Exponential consensus of non‐linear multi‐agent systems with semi‐Markov switching topologies
Authors: Dai Jiangtao , Guo Ge
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the leader‐following consensus problem for non‐linear multi‐agent systems with semi‐Markov switching topologies. The dynamics of the leader agent and the follower agents is described by a general linear system. Since the transition rates of the semi‐Markov switching topologies are time‐varying, they are more general and practicable than the classic Markov switching topologies. A novel consensus protocol based on outdated states is proposed for multi‐agent systems. By a system transformation, the consensus problem of multi‐agent systems is converted into the stability problem of semi‐Markov switching systems. The controller design condition is derived utilising the semi‐Markov jump system theory and algebraic graph theory, which can guarantee that the multi‐agent systems achieve a consensus with an exponential decay rate. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
High‐resolution ISAR imaging based on two‐dimensional group sparse recovery
Authors: He Xingyu , Tong Ningning , Hu Xiaowei , Feng Weike
Published: September 2017

Owing to the sparsity of the space distribution of point scatterers, compressed sensing (CS) method is successfully applied in inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging. However, in addition to sparsity, ISAR images usually exhibit group sparse structure. Here, the authors propose a novel two‐dimensional (2D) group primal dual active set with continuation (2DGPDASC) algorithm to recover an ISAR image, which always exhibit 2D group sparse structure. This algorithm is based on the regularised least‐squares problem with an penalty model. At each iteration of the proposed method, it involves solving a least‐squares problem on the active set only, and exhibits a fast local convergence within a finite step. Experimental results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Hopped‐frequency waveform design for range sidelobe suppression in spectral congestion
Authors: Zhao Dehua , Wei Yinsheng , Liu Yongtan
Published: September 2017

By properly transmitting pulses through the clear frequency bands, the hopped‐frequency (HopF) waveform can achieve a large synthetic bandwidth while avoiding the complexity of wideband hardware as well as the mutual interference to/from adjacent RF users. To optimally design the HopF waveform with low range sidelobes under given spectral constraints, we propose a two‐step‐based approach in this paper. In the first step, a deterministic approach is presented to produce a rough approximation of the optimum solution to address the non‐convexity of the waveform design. In the second step, gradient method is applied to locally refine the solution obtained in the first step. The proposed design method is efficient as the main computation in the first step lies in solving a convex optimisation which can be achieved in polynomial time and the iterative operations in the second step can be implemented using non‐uniform fast Fourier transform. Experimental evidence suggests that the proposed method can produce near optimal solution in remarkably little time.
Contactless and Hassle Free Real Time Heart Rate Measurement with Facial Video
Authors: Singh Shubham , Rathee Neeru , Gupta Harsh , Zamboni Paolo , Singh Ajay
Published: September 2017

In the era of automation, an automatic and noninvasive tool is required for day-to-day health monitoring. Cardiac pulse being one of the vital physiological parameters has drawn attention of researchers for its measurement. In this article, the authors present an approach for automatic cardiac pulse measurement, using a typical webcam. In the presented approach, face region is detected and RGB traces are retrieved for the face region. FFT is applied on the extracted traces to compute power spectrum of the respective traces. The peaks of the power spectrum limited in the band region (0.75–4 Hz) are investigated to provide cardiac pulse measurement. The presented approach is hassle free in nature, and hence, can be adopted even in home environment. Experimental results represent the efficacy of the proposed approach.