bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excited State Dynamics of Selected All-trans C40 Xanthophyll Carotenoids
Authors: Ehlers Florian , Scholz Mirko , Lenzer Thomas , Oum Kawon 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
We investigated the excited state dynamics of selected
all-trans C40 xanthophyll carotenoids by ultrafast
pump-supercontinuum probe (PSCP) spectroscopy in the spectral range
350–770 nm upon photoexcitation by a femtosecond laser
(ca. 80 fs pulse length) near 500 nm in
acetone. The following carotenoids were selected considering
a systematic variation of the number and position of carbonyl
(CO) and hydroxyl (OH) functional groups on the
β-ionone rings and the change of the effective conjugation
length of the polyene system: β-cryptoxanthin (1),
echinenone (2), 3-hydroxyechinenone (3), 3′-hydroxyechinenone (4), canthaxanthin (5), adonirubin (6) and
astaxanthin (7). The carotenoids featuring an increasing conjugation
length, for example, (1), (3) and (6), showed a systematically shorter
S1 lifetime of 8.7, 6.2 and 4.7 ps,
respectively. Carotenoids with OH groups adjacent to
a CO group showed slightly broader steady-state and transient
absorption bands, but the influence on the S1 lifetime was
minor compared to the case of CO substitution. Moreover, in all
cases we observed clearly visible “S* signals”, namely
a longer-lived characteristic S0 → S2 red-edge
absorption and a negative signal in the S0 → S2
bleach region. This spectral signature is assigned to highly
vibrationally excited molecules in the ground electronic state
S0
* which are generated by internal conversion from
S1. The S0
* species cool with a time constant of
9.2–9.6 ps in the case of the keto-substituted
carotenoids (2)–(7), whereas we obtain a larger value of
13.2 ps for (1) which does not have a keto group. Our
findings are supported by results from a global kinetic analysis
procedure.
Transport Properties of Topological Insulator Bi0.83Sb0.17 Nanowires
Authors: Konopko L.A. , Nikolaeva A.A. , Huber T.E. , Ansermet J.P. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTWe have investigated the transport properties of topological insulator based on single-crystal Bi0.83Sb0.17 nanowires. The single-crystal nanowire samples in the diameter range 200 nm – 1.1 μm were prepared by the high frequency liquid phase casting in a glass capillary using an improved Ulitovsky technique; they were cylindrical single-crystals with (1011) orientation along the wire axis. In this orientation, the wire axis makes an angle of 19.5o with the bisector axis C1 in the bisector-trigonal plane. Bi0.83Sb0.17 is a narrow gap semiconductor with energy gap at L point of Brillouin zone ΔE= 21 meV. In accordance with the measurements of the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the samples resistance increases with decreasing temperature, but at low temperatures decrease in the resistance is observed. This effect, decrease in the resistance, is a clear manifestation of the interesting properties of topological insulators - the presence on its surface of a highly conducting zone. The Arrhenius plot of resistance R in samples with diameter d=1.1 µm and d=200 nm indicates a thermal activation behavior with an activation gap ΔE= 21 and 35 meV, respectively, which proves the presence of the quantum size effect in these samples. We found that in the range of diameter 1100 nm - 200 nm when the diameter decreases the energy gap is growing as 1/d. We have investigated magnetoresistance of Bi0.83Sb0.17 nanowires at various magnetic field orientations. From the temperature dependences of Shubnikov de Haas oscillation amplitude for different orientation of magnetic field we have calculated the cyclotron mass mc and Dingle temperature TD for longitudinal and transverse (B||C3 and B||C2) directions of magnetic fields, which equal 1.96*10-2m0, 9.8 K, 8.5*10-3m0 , 9.4 K and 1.5*10-1m0 , 2.8 K respectively. The observed effects are discussed.
European Metrology Project for III-V Materials Based High Efficiency Multi-Junction Solar Cells
Authors: Cuenat Alexandre , Selezneva Ekaterina 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTSince July 2014, thirteen European metrology organizations are collaborating to address some of the main metrological challenges faced by the developments of high-efficiency III-V multi-junction solar cells (MJSC). III-V MJSC structures are made of a high number of layers, which makes a pure experimental optimization difficult and expensive; this also limits the uncertainty of cell calibration due to the complexity of their spectral response. The project is structured in three distinct parts:1)improved accuracy in materials and transport characterization for existing MJSC;2)improved accuracy and repeatability in traceable efficiency characterization for MJSC cells with three or more junctions and finally,3)metrology for advance concept such as coupling with thermoelectric, dilute nitride, quantum dots or growth on Silicon.Each part of the project is briefly introduced and we present NPL initial results in developing accurate and spatially resolved metrology to determine traceable and complete III -V material data sets.
ZnO thin films applied as pH sensor in EGFET devices
Authors: C. Fernandes Jessica , Mulato Marcelo 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTZinc oxide thin films prepared by sol-gel and doped with different aluminum percentages were deposited by spray-pyrolysis deposition techniques on FTO and ITO substrates. The films were applied as the sensitive layer of pH-sensors EGFET devices. ZnO:Al films on FTO substrates shows a decrease in sensor quality with the dopant percentage increase. The opposite occurs when the substrate was ITO. The best quality film to be used as pH-sensor on FTO substrates was the ZnO:Al (3%) with 29 mV/pH sensitivity value and linear adjust of 0.99. For ITO substrates the best quality was achieved for ZnO:Al (10%), with sensitivity about 30 mV/pH and 0.99 linear adjust.
ZnO Nanowire Based Photoconductor with High Photoconductive Gain
Authors: Mallampati Bhargav , Nair S. V. , Ruda H. E. , Philipose U. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTA high gain ZnO nanowire (NW) based photodetector was fabricated, which was sensitive to photoexcitation at or below 370 nm corresponding to the band-edge of ZnO. At an incident wavelength of 370 nm and a bias field of 5 kV/cm, the maximum responsivity was over 105 A/W corresponding to an extremely high photoconductive gain of the order of 106. Through this work we provide experimental evidence of the role of surface and defects in carrier dynamics, resulting in enhanced photoresponse. Using intensity and temperature dependence of the rise and decay rates of photocurrent, we present a detailed analysis that provides an estimate of the activation energies of carrier trapping mechanisms.
Size-dependence hydrophobicity in nanocrystalline talc produced by high-intensity planetary ball milling
Authors: Caban-Nevarez Rebeca , Perales Perez Oscar J 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTMicron-size talc samples were ground using a high-intensity planetary ball mill at different milling times as an attempt to reduce particle size and study the effect on the corresponding hydrophobicity. XRD and SEM results confirmed the decrease in the particle size. FTIR spectroscopy analyses revealed the talc characteristic bands centered on 669 cm-1 for the O-H bonds and 1018 cm-1 for the Si-O bonds, as well as a degradation in the talc structure for prolonged milling times. BET results indicate an increase of specific surface area, which also confirms particle size reduction, reaching a maximum at 1 h, after which the particles agglomerate. Contact angle measurements show a decrease in the hydrophobicity of talc after milling. Although talc retains its hydrophobicity after short milling periods, prolonged grinding causes the mineral to have a more hydrophilic character.
It’s All About Hormones!
Authors: Budin Wendy C. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTIn this column, the editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education introduces the Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care published by the National Partnership for Women & Families and reprinted with their permission. The editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth.
Early Fracture of a Vitamin-E-Infused, Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene Liner After Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Bates Michael D. , Mauerhan David R. 
Published: July 2015

Case:
A vitamin-E-infused, highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HXLPE) acetabular liner fractured without trauma less than twelve months after its implantation in a seventy-one-year-old woman.

Conclusion:
The remelting process utilized in the production of many commercially available HXLPE acetabular liners causes an immediate reduction in the fracture toughness of the material; however, it provides the benefit of oxidative stability, which prevents the loss of beneficial mechanical properties over time. Vitamin-E-infused HXLPE avoids the immediate decrease in fracture toughness by avoiding the remelting process. The case of our patient demonstrates that this material still can experience catastrophic failure despite acceptable component positioning.
Genome‐Wide Association Mapping of Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Accumulation Resistance in Maize
Authors: Warburton Marilyn L. , Tang Juliet D. , Windham Gary L. , Hawkins Leigh K. , Murray Seth C. , Xu Wenwei , Boykin Debbie , Perkins Andy , Williams W. Paul 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTContamination of maize (Zea mays L.) with aflatoxin, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus Link, has severe health and economic consequences. Efforts to reduce aflatoxin accumulation in maize have focused on identifying and selecting germplasm with natural host resistance factors, and several maize lines with significantly reduced aflatoxin accumulation have been identified. Past linkage mapping studies have identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) that consistently reduce aflatoxin levels in maize. In addition, an association mapping panel of 300 maize inbred lines was previously created specifically for the dissection of aflatoxin accumulation resistance. Here we report the results of a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) using this panel of testcrossed maize hybrids. Each of the inbred parents of the testcrossed hybrids was genotyped by sequencing to generate 261,184 robust single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the entire panel was phenotyped for aflatoxin accumulation following inoculation with A. flavus in multilocation, replicated field trials. Results uncovered 107 SNPs associated with aflatoxin accumulation in one or more environments in the association panel at a probability level between 9.78 × 10−6 and 2.87 × 10−10. Eight SNP trait associations were found with a false discovery rate (FDR) of less than 10% (p < 3.83 × 10−7). These SNPs occur within the sequence of three uncharacterized genes. Variants in 25 other genomic regions showing high association values over more than one environment are also presented. These genomic regions are undergoing validation studies and will be of use to dissect the resistance to aflatoxin accumulation and improve this trait.
Securitization and Insider Trading
Authors: Ryan Stephen G. , Tucker Jennifer Wu , Zhou Ying 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Securitizations are complex and opaque transactions. We hypothesize that bank insiders trade on private information about banks': (1) securitization-related recourse risks, (2) not-yet-reported current-quarter securitization income, and (3) securitization-based business model sustainability. We provide evidence that proxies for each of these types of insider information are positively associated with insider trading. Specifically, we find that net insider sales in the 2001Q2–2007Q2 pre-financial crisis quarters predict not-yet-reported non-performing securitized loans and securitization income for those quarters, and that net insider sales during 2006Q4 predict write-downs of securitization-related assets during the 2007Q3–2008Q4 crisis period. We find that net insider sales are more negatively associated with banks' subsequent stock returns in their securitization quarters than in other quarters. In supplemental analysis, we show that the above findings are driven by trades by banks' CEOs and CFOs, and that insiders avoid larger stock price losses through 10b5-1 plan sales than through non-plan sales.
Data Availability: All data are available from public sources.
Glycemic Variability and Diabetes Complications: Does It Matter? Of Course It Does!
Authors: Hirsch Irl B. 
Published: July 2015

There is no argument that improving mean levels of glycemic control as judged by assays for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduces the risks of microvascular complications and cardiovascular disease events in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, observations in some trials have suggested that targeting HbA1c to suggested targets may not always result in improved outcomes for people with long-standing type 2 diabetes. The reasons why the glycemic control strategies that primarily use HbA1c in these studies did not have predicted outcomes are not clear. Thus, controversy remains as to whether there are glycemic metrics beyond HbA1c that can be defined as effective measures that can be used in addition to HbA1c to help in assessing the risk of an individual developing diabetes complications. In this regard, the concept of “glycemic variability” (GV) is one metric that has attracted a lot of attention. GV can be simply defined as the degree to which a patient’s blood glucose level fluctuates between high (peaks) and low (nadir) levels. The best and most precise way to assess GV is also one that is still debated. Thus, while there is universal agreement that HbA1c is the current gold standard for the primary clinical target, there is no consensus as to whether other proposed glycemic metrics hold promise to provide additional clinical data or whether there should be additional targets beyond HbA1c. Therefore, given the current controversy, we provide a Point-Counterpoint debate on this issue. In the point narrative below, Dr. Hirsch provides his argument that fluctuations in blood glucose as assessed by GV metrics are deleterious and control of GV should be a primary treatment target. In the following counterpoint narrative, Dr. Bergenstal argues that there are better markers to assess the risk of diabetes than GV and provides his consideration of other concepts.
—William T. Cefalu
Editor in Chief, Diabetes Care
A Collaborative Quiz as an Opportunity for Self- and Other-Correction: Another Look at L2 Errors
Authors: Ewald Jennifer D. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract: Research has found that, during speaking activities, instances of students’ collaborative repair are most often lexicon-focused. Collaborative writing tasks have been credited with the potential to force students to confront broad issues, such as content and register, along with more narrow lexical and morphological choices. The present study explores interactions among 20 learners in an intermediate, university level Spanish course, as they collaborated on a small group quiz. The study reports the frequency of students’ error correction types, both self- and other-initiated, and analyzes the focus of their negotiations. Moreover, the investigation highlights this type of classroom assessment as an opportunity for learners to determine where linguistic difficulties lie and address them.
Intuitive Decision Making as the Culmination of Continuing Education: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Payne Leslie Karns 
Published: July 2015

The ability to make sound clinical decisions is the cornerstone of excellent nursing care and the goal of continuing nurse educators. Research has revealed that expert nurses make fewer errors in decision making; it also has shown differences in the decision-making process of expert nurses, compared with novice nurses. Specifically, expert nurses report a greater use of intuitive decision making. Accordingly, an important goal for continuing nurse educators is the development of intuitive decision making by nurses. This article proposes a pattern-based, constructivist educational framework that synthesizes Benner’s novice to expert (NTE) theory, Damascio’s somatic marker hypothesis (SMH), and Hammond’s cognitive continuum theory (CCT). This framework provides a foundation for continuing education that fosters the development of intuitive decision making in nurses. Although this framework needs further empirical validation, it is theoretically sound and applicable to all areas of nursing, and its implementation could help reduce errors in decision making by nurses, thus improving patient outcomes.J Contin Educ Nurs. 2015;46(7):326–332.
Molecular identification of two morphologically similar Eulecanium species: E. giganteum and E. kuwanai (Hemiptera: Coccidae)
Authors: Deng Jun , Li Hai-Bin , Wang Xu-Bo , Yu Fang , Zhang Yan-Zhou , Wu San-An 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMost species of the genus Eulecanium Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccidae) are important economic pests for ornamental plants and fruit trees. Two morphologically similar species, Eulecanium giganteum Shinji and E. kuwanai Kanda, are distributed mainly in China and are quite difficult to identify because of the paucity of distinguishing characteristics, which can only be observed in slide-mounted young, adult females. Furthermore, we demonstrate here that the species occur in sympatry and on many of the same host plants. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and the D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA were used for accurate identification of these two Eulecanium species from 19 different locations in China. The average K2P distances of COI sequences were 0.47% in E. kuwanai and 0.32% in E. giganteum, and the interspecific divergences varied from 7.23% to 8.34%. Neighbour-joining (NJ) trees of COI and 28S rDNA revealed two distinct non-overlapping clusters, respectively. Meanwhile, “best close match” analysis also showed that 100% of individuals were classified successfully using COI and 28 S sequences. Differentiating between E. giganteum and E. kuwanai is challenging when using ecological and morphological traits. In contrast, identification using DNA diagnostics appears to be very effective, especially when slide-mounted specimens are difficult to obtain.
Phosphocholine-Modified Macromolecules and Canonical Nicotinic Agonists Inhibit ATP-Induced IL-1β Release
Authors: Hecker Andreas , Küllmar Mira , Wilker Sigrid , Richter Katrin , Zakrzewicz Anna , Atanasova Srebrena , Mathes Verena , Timm Thomas , Lerner Sabrina , Klein Jochen , Kaufmann Andreas , Bauer Stefan , Padberg Winfried , Kummer Wolfgang , Janciauskiene Sabina , Fronius Martin , Schweda Elke K. H. , Lochnit Günter , Grau Veronika 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
IL-1β is a potent proinflammatory cytokine of the innate immune system that is involved in host defense against infection. However, increased production of IL-1β plays a pathogenic role in various inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, sepsis, stroke, and transplant rejection. To prevent detrimental collateral damage, IL-1β release is tightly controlled and typically requires two consecutive danger signals. LPS from Gram-negative bacteria is a prototypical first signal inducing pro–IL-1β synthesis, whereas extracellular ATP is a typical second signal sensed by the ATP receptor P2X7 that triggers activation of the NLRP3-containing inflammasome, proteolytic cleavage of pro–IL-1β by caspase-1, and release of mature IL-1β. Mechanisms controlling IL-1β release, even in the presence of both danger signals, are needed to protect from collateral damage and are of therapeutic interest. In this article, we show that acetylcholine, choline, phosphocholine, phosphocholine-modified LPS from Haemophilus influenzae, and phosphocholine-modified protein efficiently inhibit ATP-mediated IL-1β release in human and rat monocytes via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing subunits α7, α9, and/or α10. Of note, we identify receptors for phosphocholine-modified macromolecules that are synthesized by microbes and eukaryotic parasites and are well-known modulators of the immune system. Our data suggest that an endogenous anti-inflammatory cholinergic control mechanism effectively controls ATP-mediated release of IL-1β and that the same mechanism is used by symbionts and misused by parasites to evade innate immune responses of the host.
γ-Tilmanocept, a New Radiopharmaceutical Tracer for Cancer Sentinel Lymph Nodes, Binds to the Mannose Receptor (CD206)
Authors: Azad Abul K. , Rajaram Murugesan V. S. , Metz Wendy L. , Cope Frederick O. , Blue Michael S. , Vera David R. , Schlesinger Larry S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
γ-Tilmanocept (99mTc-labeled-tilmanocept or [99mTc]-tilmanocept) is the first mannose-containing, receptor-directed, radiolabeled tracer for the highly sensitive imaging of sentinel lymph nodes in solid tumor staging. To elucidate the mannose-binding receptor that retains tilmanocept in this microenvironment, human macrophages were used that have high expression of the C-type lectin mannose receptor (MR; CD206). Cy3-labeled tilmanocept exhibited high specificity binding to macrophages that was nearly abolished in competitive inhibition experiments. Furthermore, Cy3-tilmanocept binding was markedly reduced on macrophages deficient in the MR by small interfering RNA treatment and was increased on MR-transfected HEK 293 cells. Finally, confocal microscopy revealed colocalization of Cy3-tilmanocept with the macrophage membrane MR and binding of labeled tilmanocept to MR+ cells (macrophages and/or dendritic cells) in human sentinel lymph node tissues. Together these data provide strong evidence that CD206 is a major binding receptor for γ-tilmanocept. Identification of CD206 as the γ-tilmanocept–binding receptor enables opportunities for designing receptor-targeted advanced imaging agents and therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.
Contribution of MINCLE–SYK Signaling to Activation of Primary Human APCs by Mycobacterial Cord Factor and the Novel Adjuvant TDB
Authors: Ostrop Jenny , Jozefowski Katrin , Zimmermann Stephanie , Hofmann Katharina , Strasser Erwin , Lepenies Bernd , Lang Roland 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Trehalose-6,6-dimycolate (TDM), the mycobacterial cord factor, is an abundant cell wall glycolipid and major virulence factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its synthetic analog trehalose-6,6-dibehenate (TDB) is a new adjuvant currently in phase I clinical trials. In rodents, the C-type lectin receptors Mincle and Mcl bind TDB/TDM and activate macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) through the Syk–Card9 pathway. However, it is unknown whether these glycolipids activate human innate immune cells through the same mechanism. We performed in vitro analysis of TDB/TDM-stimulated primary human monocytes, macrophages, and DC; determined C-type lectin receptor expression; and tested the contribution of SYK, MINCLE, and MCL by small interfering RNA knockdown and genetic complementation. We observed a robust chemokine and cytokine release in response to TDB or TDM. MCSF-driven macrophages secreted higher levels of IL-8, IL-6, CCL3, CCL4, and CCL2 after stimulation with TDM, whereas DC responded more strongly to TDB and GM-CSF–driven macrophages were equally responsive to TDB and TDM. SYK kinase and the adaptor protein CARD9 were essential for glycolipid-induced IL-8 production. mRNA expression of MINCLE and MCL was high in monocytes and macrophages, with MINCLE and MCL proteins localized intracellularly under resting conditions. Small interfering RNA–mediated MINCLE or MCL knockdown caused on average reduced TDB- or TDM-induced IL-8 production. Conversely, retroviral expression in murine Mincle-deficient DC revealed that human MINCLE, but not MCL, was sufficient to confer responsiveness to TDB/TDM. Our study demonstrates that SYK–CARD9 signaling plays a key role in TDB/TDM-induced activation of innate immune cells in man as in mouse, likely by engagement of MINCLE.