bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ISFET pH Sensitivity: Counter-Ions Play a Key Role
Authors: Parizi Kokab B. , Xu Xiaoqing , Pal Ashish , Hu Xiaolin , Wong H. S. Philip 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe Field Effect sensors are broadly used for detecting various target analytes in chemical and biological solutions. We report the conditions under which the pH sensitivity of an Ion Sensitive Field Effect transistor (ISFET) sensor can be significantly enhanced. Our theory and simulations show that by using pH buffer solutions containing counter-ions that are beyond a specific size, the sensor shows significantly higher sensitivity which can exceed the Nernst limit. We validate the theory by measuring the pH response of an extended gate ISFET pH sensor. The consistency and reproducibility of the measurement results have been recorded in hysteresis free and stable operations. Different conditions have been tested to confirm the accuracy and validity of our experiment results such as using different solutions, various oxide dielectrics as the sensing layer and off-the-shelf versus IC fabricated transistors as the basis of the ISFET sensor.
Assessing Current and Future Freshwater Flood Risk from North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones via Insurance Claims
Authors: Czajkowski Jeffrey , Villarini Gabriele , Montgomery Marilyn , Michel-Kerjan Erwann , Goska Radoslaw 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe most recent decades have witnessed record breaking losses associated with U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs). Flood-related damages represent a large portion of these losses, and although storm surge is typically the main focus in the media and of warnings, much of the TC flood losses are instead freshwater-driven, often extending far inland from the landfall locations. Despite this actuality, knowledge of TC freshwater flood risk is still limited. Here we provide for the first time a comprehensive assessment of the TC freshwater flood risk from the full set of all significant flood events associated with U.S. landfalling TCs from 2001 to 2014. We find that the areas impacted by freshwater flooding are nearly equally divided between coastal and inland areas. We determine the statistical relationship between physical hazard and residential economic impact at a community level for the entire country. These results allow us to assess the potential future changes in TC freshwater flood risk due to changing climate pattern and urbanization in a more heavily populated U.S. Findings have important implications for flood risk management, insurance and resilience.
Saturday Driving Restrictions Fail to Improve Air Quality in Mexico City
Authors: Davis Lucas W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPolicymakers around the world are turning to license-plate based driving restrictions in an effort to address urban air pollution. The format differs across cities, but most programs restrict driving once or twice a week during weekdays. This paper focuses on Mexico City, home to one of the oldest and best-known driving restriction policies. For almost two decades Mexico City’s driving restrictions applied during weekdays only. This changed recently, however, when the program was expanded to include Saturdays. This paper uses hourly data from pollution monitoring stations to measure the effect of the Saturday expansion on air quality. Overall, there is little evidence that the program expansion improved air quality. Across eight major pollutants, the program expansion had virtually no discernible effect on pollution levels. These disappointing results stand in sharp contrast to estimates made before the expansion which predicted a 15%+ decrease in vehicle emissions on Saturdays. To understand why the program has been less effective than expected, the paper then turns to evidence from subway, bus, and light rail ridership, finding no evidence that the expansion was successful in getting drivers to switch to lower-emitting forms of transportation.
Fear of predation drives stable and differentiated social relationships in guppies
Authors: Heathcote Robert J. P. , Darden Safi K. , Franks Daniel W. , Ramnarine Indar W. , Croft Darren P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSocial relationships can have important consequences for fitness in animals. Whilst numerous studies have shown that individuals often join larger groups in response to perceived predation risk (i.e. fear of predation), the importance of predation risk in driving the formation and stability of social relationships within groups has been relatively ignored. We experimentally tested how predation threat influenced fine-scale social network structure using Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). When perceived predation risk was high, individuals developed stable and more differentiated social ties compared to when perceived risk was low. Intriguingly, social differentiation coincided with shoals being somewhat smaller under high-perceived risk, suggesting a possible conflict between forming stable social relationships and larger social groups. Individuals most at risk of predation (large and bold individuals) showed the most exaggerated responses in several social measures. Taken together, we provide the first experimental evidence that proximate risk of predation can increase the intensity of social relationships and fine-scale social structure in animal populations.
TERT promoter mutations and Ki-67 labeling index as a prognostic marker of papillary thyroid carcinomas: combination of two independent factors
Authors: Matsuse Michiko , Yabuta Tomonori , Saenko Vladimir , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Nishihara Eijun , Suzuki Keiji , Yamashita Shunichi , Miyauchi Akira , Mitsutake Norisato 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough most papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) have a good prognosis, a small but certain fraction shows aggressive behavior. Therefore, a novel and well-performing molecular marker is needed. In the present study, we assessed the impact of the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAF mutations and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) as a prognostic marker in PTC patients. Of 400 PTC samples, 354 were successfully genotyped for both TERT promoter/BRAF and analyzed for Ki-67 LI. Based on the combination of the mutational status and Ki-67 LI, the cases were categorized into three groups: high-, middle-, and low-risk. The recurrence rates of low-, middle-, and high-risk group were 1.9% (6 of 323), 18.2% (4 of 22), and 44.4% (4 of 9), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analyses demonstrated that there were statistical differences between any two groups. The hazard ratios for recurrence remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, tumor size, and extrathyroidal extension (low vs. middle: 8.80, 95% CI: 2.35–32.92, p = 0.001; middle vs. high: 6.255, 95% CI: 1.13–34.51, p = 0.035). In conclusion, the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAFV600E mutations and Ki-67 LI performed excellent in predicting PTC recurrence and may be clinically useful.
Early life antibiotic exposure affects pancreatic islet development and metabolic regulation
Authors: Li Jiaying , Yang Kaiyuan , Ju Tingting , Ho Tracy , McKay Catharine A. , Gao Yanhua , Forget Shay K. , Gartner Stephanie R. , Field Catherine J. , Chan Catherine B. , Willing Benjamin P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractChildhood antibiotic exposure has been recently linked with increased risk of metabolic disease later in life. A better understanding of this association would potentially provide strategies to reduce the childhood chronic disease epidemic. Therefore, we explored the underlying mechanisms using a swine model that better mimics human infants than rodents, and demonstrated that early life antibiotic exposure affects glucose metabolism 5 weeks after antibiotic withdrawal, which was associated with changes in pancreatic development. Antibiotics exerted a transient impact on postnatal gut microbiota colonization and microbial metabolite production, yet changes in the expression of key genes involved in short-chain fatty acid signaling and pancreatic development were detected in later life. These findings suggest a programming effect of early life antibiotic exposure that merits further investigation.
Ballistic thermal transport in silicon nanowires
Authors: Maire Jeremie , Anufriev Roman , Nomura Masahiro 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe have experimentally investigated the impact of dimensions and temperature on the thermal conductivity of silicon nanowires fabricated using a top-down approach. Both the width and temperature dependences of thermal conductivity agree with those in the existing literature. The length dependence of thermal conductivity exhibits a transition from semi-ballistic thermal phonon transport at 4 K to fully diffusive transport at room temperature. We additionally calculated the phonon dispersion in these structures in the framework of the theory of elasticity and showed that the thermal conductance increases with width. This agrees with our experimental observations and supports the pertinence of using the modified phonon dispersion at low temperatures.
Levofloxacin loaded mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffold for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects
Authors: Wang Qi , Chen Cheng , Liu Wen , He Xiaoqiang , Zhou Nian , Zhang Dongli , Gu Hongchen , Li Jidong , Jiang Jiaxing , Huang Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractChronic osteomyelitis is a prolonged persistent disease accompanied by bone destruction and sequestrum formation, it is very difficult to treat. Antibiotic loaded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been used in clinical. However, when PMMA was implanted in the body, the deficiencies is that it is non-biodegradable and a second operation is needed. Here, we synthesize a novel levofloxacin loaded mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffolds, and evaluated the therapeutic effect in treating chronic osteomyelitis with bone defects in rabbit model compared with bulk PMMA. X-ray, Micro CT, gross pathology as well as immunohistochemical staining were performed at predesignated time points (1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks). Our results demonstrated that the efficiency of mesoporous silica microspheres/nano-hydroxyapatite/polyurethane composite scaffolds loaded with 5 mg levofloxacin was much better at treating bone defects than the other groups. This novel synthetic scaffold may provide a solution for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.
Drivers of Cape Verde archipelagic endemism in keyhole limpets
Authors: Cunha Regina L. , Assis Jorge M. , Madeira Celine , Seabra Rui , Lima Fernando P. , Lopes Evandro P. , Williams Suzanne T. , Castilho Rita 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOceanic archipelagos are the ideal setting for investigating processes that shape species assemblages. Focusing on keyhole limpets, generaFissurellaandDiodorafrom Cape Verde Islands, we used an integrative approach combining molecular phylogenetics with ocean transport simulations to infer species distribution patterns and analyse connectivity. Dispersal simulations, using pelagic larval duration and ocean currents as proxies, showed a reduced level of connectivity despite short distances between some of the islands. It is suggested that dispersal and persistence driven by patterns of oceanic circulation favouring self-recruitment played a primary role in explaining contemporary species distributions. Mitochondrial and nuclear data revealed the existence of eight Cape Verde endemic lineages, seven withinFissurella, distributed across the archipelago, and one withinDiodorarestricted to Boavista. The estimated origins for endemicFissurellaandDiodorawere 10.2 and 6.7 MY, respectively. Between 9.5 and 4.5 MY, an intense period of volcanism in Boavista might have affectedDiodora, preventing its diversification. Having originated earlier,Fissurellamight have had more opportunities to disperse to other islands and speciate before those events. Bayesian analyses showed increased diversification rates inFissurellapossibly promoted by low sea levels during Plio-Pleistocene, which further explain differences in species richness between both genera.
Alterations in the carnitine cycle in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Mucerino Sabrina , Di Salle Anna , Alessio Nicola , Margarucci Sabrina , Nicolai Raffaella , Melone Mariarosa A. B. , Galderisi Umberto , Peluso Gianfranco 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disease that leads to intellectual deficit, motor disability, epilepsy and increased risk of sudden death. Although in up to 95% of cases this disease is caused by de novo loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene, it is a multisystem disease associated also with mitochondrial metabolic imbalance. In addition, the presence of long QT intervals (LQT) on the patients’ electrocardiograms has been associated with the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death. In the attempt to shed light on the mechanism underlying heart failure in RTT, we investigated the contribution of the carnitine cycle to the onset of mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiac tissues of two subgroups of RTT mice, namely Mecp2+/− NQTc and Mecp2+/− LQTc mice, that have a normal and an LQT interval, respectively. We found that carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 A/B and carnitine acylcarnitine translocase were significantly upregulated at mRNA and protein level in the heart of Mecp2+/− mice. Moreover, the carnitine system was imbalanced in Mecp2+/− LQTc mice due to decreased carnitine acylcarnitine transferase expression. By causing accumulation of intramitochondrial acylcarnitines, this imbalance exacerbated incomplete fatty acid oxidation, which, in turn, could contribute to mitochondrial overload and sudden death.
Final report on COOMET key comparison of capacitance at 10 pF (COOMET.EM-K4)
Authors: Velychko O , Akhmadov O 
Published: February 2017

An intercomparison of capacitance at 10 pF has taken place within the framework of COOMET. The intercomparison, piloted by State Enterprise 'Ukrmetrteststandard'-UMTS (Ukraine), has involved seven laboratories, including one who is a member of another regional metrological organization-APMP (NMIJ/AIST, Japan). The results presented in this report appear to show that there are significant differences between some laboratories' representations of the farad. However, the agreement demonstrated by the intercomparison provides confidence in maintaining traceability for the capacitance at 10 pF. Proposed to link the results from this key comparison to the CCEM-K4 comparison. VNIIM (Russia) and PTB (Germany) are linking NMIs as far as they participated in CCEM-K4.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Final report on COOMET supplementary comparison of capacitance at 100 pF (COOMET.EM-S4)
Authors: Velychko O , Akhmadov O 
Published: February 2017

An intercomparison of capacitance at 100 pF has taken place within the framework of COOMET. The intercomparison, piloted by State Enterprise 'Ukrmetrteststandard'-UMTS (Ukraine), has involved seven laboratories, including one who is a member of another regional metrological organization-APMP (NMIJ/AIST, Japan). The results presented in this report appear to show that there are significant differences between some laboratories' representations of the farad. However, the agreement demonstrated by the intercomparison provides confidence in maintaining traceability for the capacitance at 100 pF.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Accidental Gamma Irradiation Dosimetry Using Clothing
Authors: Kamenopoulou V. , Barthe J. , Hickman C. , Portal G. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Further studies have been pursued in order to develop a method for gamma accident dosimetry using clothing. A non-destructive technique, electron spin resonance (ESR), is used to obtain dosimetric information. Several different fabrics and various physical and chemical treatments are investigated.
Neutron Dosimetry Studies Using the New Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories Bubble-Damage Detector
Authors: Perks C.A. , Devine R.T. , Harrison K.G. , Goodenough R.J. , Hunt J.B. , Johnson T.L. , Reil G.L. , Schwartz R.B. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories are developing a new, direct reading, neutron detector called the bubble-damage detector. This paper reports on experiments to evaluate it for neutron dosimetry. The neutron energy responses, for detectors irradiated in free air and for detectors attached to phantoms, were measured using a variety of neutron sources. The results indicate that the detectors have an acceptable dose equivalent response to neutrons with energies in the range 3 keV - 14 MeV. The bubble-damage detector has a very high neutron sensitivity (up to 1.0 ± 0.2 bubbles.µSv-1), zero background and negligible sensitivity to gamma rays. However, the detectors suffered a substantial loss in neutron sensitivity with storage time before irradiation, a large variation in sensitivity with temperature during irradiation, and poor stability of the bubbles after irradiation. If these problems can be overcome with production detectors, this type of detector will have considerable potential for applications in neutron dosimetry where rapid readout of the dose equivalent is required.
Dead-time Corrections and Effects of Dead-Time on the Counting Statistics of G-M Counters Used in Mixed Neutron-Gamma Radiation Dosimetry
Authors: Sabol J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
A new method for the dead-time correction based on the measurement of time intervals between the successive detector pulses is described. The final result in terms of true count rate or total number of pulses can be directly obtained without prior knowledge of the dead-time involved. For this purpose a formula derived from modified Poisson statistics is proposed. The method may be utilised especially in dosimetry systems with G-M counters, exhibiting a non-extended dead-time, used for evaluation of the dose caused by a gamma component in mixed neutron-gamma radiation fields. In addition, the count rate error due to the dead-time effects is also taken into consideration.
Variation of Time-Averaged Outdoor Radon Concentrations over a Distance of About 50 Kilometres
Authors: Put L.W. , de Meijer R.J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Time-averaged outdoor radon concentrations (TORC) have been measured over a one year period in the northeastern part of the Netherlands using passive dosemeters. The grid size in these measurements was 5 km. Values obtained in this investigation correspond well with those obtained in a national survey a few years earlier. No indication was found for rapid changes in the TORC values. At all 43 locations total ? ray intensities were also measured. TORC values and ? ray intensities seem to be slightly correlated with soil composition; no clear correlation exists between TORC and ? ray intensity.
Variation of Time-Averaged Indoor and Outdoor Radon Concentrations with Time, Location and Sampling Height
Authors: Put L.W. , de Meijer R.J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
To study the long-term variations of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations time-averaged radon concentrations were measured in and around two dwellings over a period of almost five years. The integration times for passive dosemeters ranged from 4 to about 18 months. Also studied was the variation of the concentration in a living room and a crawl space as a function of the position of the dosemeters. The outdoor radon concentration was determined as a function of sampling height and position relative to building materials. The relevance of the results for the measuring practice and for the evaluation of radon surveys is discussed.
Radon Control and Remedies in Buildings
Authors: Cliff K.D. , Britten J.R. , Dixon D.W. , Gardner P.H. , Richardson P.A.T. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The Government in the UK has decided that remedial action to reduce exposure from radon daughters in existing houses should be taken where the annual effective dose equivalent exceeds an Action Level of 20 mSv. Future houses should be designed so that the annual dose from radon daughters does not exceed an Upper Bound of 5 mSv. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 impose statutory control on exposure to radon daughters in the workplace. Field and laboratory studies of effective methods to reduce radon concentrations in buildings in the UK are in progress. An account of this work is presented.
Studies of PTTL and OSL in TLD-400
Authors: Allen P. , McKeever S.W.S. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
We present data on the mechanisms of phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in single crystal CaF2:Mn (3%) and in TLD-400 chips. The TL peak under study is the main dosimetry peak near 275 oC. From measurements of the excitation spectra for PTTL it is found that the maximum transfer rate occurs when the wavelength of the illuminating light is 280 nm. This corresponds to the wavelength of an absorption peak which remains in the sample following initial irradiation and heating to 400 oC. This wavelength also corresponds to a complex peak which is seen in the OSL excitation spectra of irradiated samples. Possible models based on optical stimulation of electrons and diffusion of excited F centres are discussed.
Dosimetric Characteristics of Specially Prepared Clothing Material
Authors: Lapraz D. , Iacconi P. , Alessandri M.F. , Barthe J. , Portal G. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Some of the characteristics are presented of a textile sample specially prepared according to our specifications, for accident dosimetry of appropriate workers. The estimation of doses is made be thermally stimulated exoelectron emission (TSEE), thermoluminescence (TL) and photo-induced thermoluminescence (PITL).
Dosimetric Characteristics of LiF:Mg,Cu,P TL Phosphor Prepared at ININ, Mexico
Authors: Azorin J. , Gutiérrez A. , Niewiadomski T. , González P. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Among the various TL dosemeters produced in this laboratory, LiF:Mg,Cu,P has turned out to be of special interest. The preparation and dosimetric characteristics of this new LiF dosemeter are reported and a description of the preparation method is presented. Its glow curve structure and TL response dependence with gamma exposure, re-usability, fading, sensitivity and energy dependence are studied along with those of LiF (TLD-100). The new LiF:Mg,Cu,P exhibits a dosimetric peak at 475 K. Its TL response is linear from 100 µGy. It is stable and re-usable without significant loss of sensitivity. Its sensitivity is about 25 times higher than that of commercial LiF (TLD-100) and its energy dependence similar. These and other characteristics render this dosemeter useful in diverse applications of radiation dosimetry.