bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesizing reconfigurable foot traces using a Klann mechanism
Authors: Sheba Jaichandar Kulandaidaasan , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Martínez-García Edgar , Tan-Phuc Le 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARYLegged locomotion systems have been effective in numerous robotic missions, and such locomotion is especially useful for providing better mobility over irregular landscapes. However, locomotion capabilities of robots are often constrained by a limited range of gaits and the associated energy efficiency. This paper presents the design of a novel reconfigurable Klann mechanism capable of producing a variety of useful gait cycles. Such an approach opens up new research avenues, opportunities and applications. The position analysis problem that arises when dealing with reconfigurable Klann mechanisms was solved here using a bilateration method, which is a distance-based formulation. By changing the linkage configurations, our aim was to generate a set of useful gaits for a legged robotic platform. In this study, five gait patterns of interest were identified, analysed and discussed that validate the feasibility of our approach and considerably extend the capabilities of the original design.
Findings on Advance Care Plans among Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Authors: Jeznach Anna , Tuokko Holly Anna , Garcia-Barrera Mauricio A. , Stajduhar Kelli 
Published: March 2015

RÉSUMÉLes personnes âgées qui ont une déficience cognitive et celles qui sont intactes cognitivement diffèrent apparemment par rapport à leur participation dans aspects de la planification préalable des soins (PPS). Utilisant les rapports d'informateurs dans l'Étude canadienne sur la santé et le vieillissement, nous avons examiné les différences entre les adultes décédés avec des troubles cognitives et les personnes âgées intactes dans les processus PPS en ce qui concerne: (1) des discussions ou dispositions pour les soins à la fin de vie; (2) la création de documents juridiques, et les résultats de PPS; (3) le lieu du décès; et (4) une mort qui conforme aux souhaits. Les personnes âgées qui ont été atteints de déficience cognitive étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir pris des arrangements pour un mandataire (RC = 1,90), et ont créé des documents juridiques (RC = 2,64 pour les préférences de soins de santé, RC = 2,00 pour nommer un décideur). Elles étaient moins susceptibles d'avoir discutées leurs préférences vis-à-vis les soins de fin de vie (OR = 0,62). Ces résultats suggèrent que PPS diffèrent chez les personnes souffrant de troubles cognitifs, indiquant un besoin pour une enquête plus approfondie. Ceci est une étape vers la compréhension de ce processus complexe dans un population particulièrement vulnérable.
Factors affecting fruit and vegetable school lunch waste in Wisconsin elementary schools participating in Farm to School programmes
Authors: Bontrager Yoder Andrea B , Foecke Leah L , Schoeller Dale A 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo examine characteristics potentially associated with school lunch fruit and vegetable waste, both overall and pre/post implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.DesignMulti-year (2010–2013) cross-sectional study using pre- and post-meal digital photographs of students’ school lunch trays to estimate fruit and vegetable availability and consumption. Fruit and vegetable items were categorized for factors suspected to impact waste: prior farm to school years, placement (main menu, salad bar), procurement (local, conventional), preparation (cooked, raw) and meal component (entrée, side, topping). Analyses to assess within-category differences in waste volume were performed using a Tobit model.SettingWisconsin elementary schools participating in farm to school programmes, USA.SubjectsChildren in third to fifth grade.ResultsMany within-factor differences were detected overall and/or across time. Cooked fruits were wasted less than raw, while cooked vegetables were wasted more than raw. Where identified, locally sourced items were wasted more than conventionally sourced (+0·1 cups, P<0·0001) and salad bar items more than main menu items (+0·01 cups, P<0·0001). Increasing prior farm to school years decreased waste (−0·02 cups, P<0·0001). Items previously tried were wasted at the same volume whether reported as liked or not. New school lunch meal pattern requirement implementation did not uniformly impact fruit and vegetable waste across all categories and there was no change in waste for seven of fifteen assessed categories.ConclusionsMany factors impact elementary students’ school lunch waste. These factors may be helpful for school food-service authorities to consider when planning school menus.
Towards a holistic approach, in international practice, to the design and implementation of initiatives to promote the rule of law at the national level
Authors: Ochoa S. Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper reflects on the conceptual approach adopted, in international practice, to the design and implementation of initiatives to promote the rule of law at the national level. It pays particular attention to the understanding, in international practice, of the relationship between the rule of law, democracy, human rights and development. It does so by looking especially at the practice of the UN, and taking into account many empirical and theoretical studies. After first examining the predominant paradigm in the rule of law field adopted by the international community until 2010, and the evolution of international practice thereafter, it concludes that the observance of the rule of law in a given country is determined by political and economic structures, cultural norms, institutions and laws. On this basis, and acknowledging the critical importance of the adopted concepts of rule of law, democracy and human rights, it finds the increasing recognition by the UN of the mutually reinforcing impact of these notions as adequate. This approach allows greater attention to be paid to several socio-economic and political issues that significantly affect the observance of the rule of law in many developing countries, the main recipients of the work of the international community in this field. Based on these findings, it indicates areas for reform.
A wideband right-angle transition between thin substrate integrated waveguide and rectangular waveguide based on multi-section structure
Authors: Li Teng , Dou Wenbin 
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a novel wideband right-angle transition between thin substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and rectangular waveguide (RWG) based on multi-section structure operating at center frequency 31.5 GHz is presented. A multi-section SIW with a rectangular aperture etched on the broad wall and two stepped ridges embedded in the RWG flange are introduced to obtain a wide impedance matching. The simulations show that the bandwidth with return loss better than 20 dB is about 17 GHz. In order to verify our designs, two back-to-back transitions with different lengths are fabricated and measured. The experimental results agree well with simulations. The proposed component shows an insertion loss less than 0.44 dB and a return loss better than 14.5 dB over 12.15 GH, which corresponds to 38.57% bandwidth.
Domestic accountability for sexual violence: The potential of specialized units in Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda
Authors: Seelinger Kim Thuy 
Published: March 2015

AbstractFrom 2011 to 2014, the Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law conducted qualitative research in Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda to identify accountability mechanisms and challenges related to sexual violence committed during periods of conflict or political unrest. This article shares two aspects of that research: first, it presents key challenges related to the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual violence committed during and after the periods of recent conflict. Second, it flags the emergence of specialized units tasked with investigating and prosecuting either sexual and gender-based violence or international crimes, noting the operational gap between these institutions. It notes that if not bridged, this gap may impede responses for the intersecting issue of sexual violence committed as an international crime. The article closes with recommendations for a more coordinated response and more accountability at the domestic level.
Visualizing the non-equilibrium dynamics of photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer with femtosecond X-ray pulses
Authors: Canton Sophie E. , Kjær Kasper S. , Vankó György , van Driel Tim B. , Adachi Shin-ichi , Bordage Amélie , Bressler Christian , Chabera Pavel , Christensen Morten , Dohn Asmus O. , Galler Andreas , Gawelda Wojciech , Gosztola David , Haldrup Kristoffer , Harlang Tobias , Liu Yizhu , Møller Klaus B. , Németh Zoltán , Nozawa Shunsuke , Pápai Mátyás , Sato Tokushi , Sato Takahiro , Suarez-Alcantara Karina , Togashi Tadashi , Tono Kensuke , Uhlig Jens , Vithanage Dimali A. , Wärnmark Kenneth , Yabashi Makina , Zhang Jianxin , Sundström Villy , Nielsen Martin M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractUltrafast photoinduced electron transfer preceding energy equilibration still poses many experimental and conceptual challenges to the optimization of photoconversion since an atomic-scale description has so far been beyond reach. Here we combine femtosecond transient optical absorption spectroscopy with ultrafast X-ray emission spectroscopy and diffuse X-ray scattering at the SACLA facility to track the non-equilibrated electronic and structural dynamics within a bimetallic donor–acceptor complex that contains an optically dark centre. Exploiting the 100-fold increase in temporal resolution as compared with storage ring facilities, these measurements constitute the first X-ray-based visualization of a non-equilibrated intramolecular electron transfer process over large interatomic distances. Experimental and theoretical results establish that mediation through electronically excited molecular states is a key mechanistic feature. The present study demonstrates the extensive potential of femtosecond X-ray techniques as diagnostics of non-adiabatic electron transfer processes in synthetic and biological systems, and some directions for future studies, are outlined.
Dynamic association of PfEMP1 and KAHRP in knobs mediates cytoadherence during Plasmodium invasion
Authors: Ganguly Akshay Kumar , Ranjan Priyatosh , Kumar Ashutosh , Bhavesh Neel Sarovar 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPlasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes display membrane knobs that are essential for their adherence to vascular endothelia and for prevention of clearance by the spleen. The knob associated histidine rich protein (KAHRP) is indispensable to knob formation and has been implicated in the recruitment and tethering of P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein–1 (PfEMP1) by binding to its cytoplasmic domain termed VARC. However, the precise mechanism of interaction between KAHRP and VARC is not very well understood. Here we report that both the proteins co-localize to membrane knobs of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes and have identified four positively charged linear sequence motifs of high intrinsic mobility on KAHRP that interact electrostatically with VARC in solution to form a fuzzy complex. The current study provides molecular insight into interaction between KAHRP and VARC in solution that takes place at membrane knobs.
Determining Chemically and Spatially Resolved Atomic Profile of Low Contrast Interface Structure with High Resolution
Authors: Nayak Maheswar , Pradhan P. C. , Lodha G. S. , Sokolov A. , Schäfers F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe present precise measurements of atomic distributions of low electron density contrast at a buried interface using soft x-ray resonant scattering. This approach allows one to construct chemically and spatially highly resolved atomic distribution profile upto several tens of nanometer in a non-destructive and quantitative manner. We demonstrate that the method is sensitive enough to resolve compositional differences of few atomic percent in nano-scaled layered structures of elements with poor electron density differences (0.05%). The present study near the edge of potential impurities in soft x-ray range for low-Z system will stimulate the activity in that field.
Differential Effects of AAV.BDNF and AAV.Ntf3 in the Deafened Adult Guinea Pig Ear
Authors: Budenz Cameron L. , Wong Hiu Tung , Swiderski Donald L. , Shibata Seiji B. , Pfingst Bryan E. , Raphael Yehoash 
Published: March 2015

AbstractCochlear hair cell loss results in secondary regression of peripheral auditory fibers (PAFs) and loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). The performance of cochlear implants (CI) in rehabilitating hearing depends on survival of SGNs. Here we compare the effects of adeno-associated virus vectors with neurotrophin gene inserts, AAV.BDNF and AAV.Ntf3, on guinea pig ears deafened systemically (kanamycin and furosemide) or locally (neomycin). AAV.BDNF or AAV.Ntf3 was delivered to the guinea pig cochlea one week following deafening and ears were assessed morphologically 3 months later. At that time, neurotrophins levels were not significantly elevated in the cochlear fluids, even though in vitro and shorter term in vivo experiments demonstrate robust elevation of neurotrophins with these viral vectors. Nevertheless, animals receiving these vectors exhibited considerable re-growth of PAFs in the basilar membrane area. In systemically deafened animals there was a negative correlation between the presence of differentiated supporting cells and PAFs, suggesting that supporting cells influence the outcome of neurotrophin over-expression aimed at enhancing the cochlear neural substrate. Counts of SGN in Rosenthal's canal indicate that BDNF was more effective than NT-3 in preserving SGNs. The results demonstrate that a transient elevation in neurotrophin levels can sustain the cochlear neural substrate in the long term.
Sequential Cobalt Magnetization Collapse in ErCo2: Beyond the Limits of Itinerant Electron Metamagnetism
Authors: Kozlenko D. P. , Burzo E. , Vlaic P. , Kichanov S. E. , Rutkauskas A. V. , Savenko B. N. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe itinerant electron metamagnetism (IEM) is an essential physical concept, describing magnetic properties of rare earth – transition metal (R-TM) intermetallics, demonstrating technologically important giant magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric effects. It considers an appearance of TM magnetization induced by spontaneous magnetization of surrounding R atoms, which provides significant response of the magnetic and transport properties on variation of external parameters (temperature, pressure, magnetic field) due to strong coupling between magnetic sublattices. The RCo2 compounds were generally considered as model systems for understanding of basic properties of IEM intermetallics. However, microscopic nature of magnetic properties still remains unclear. In our experimental and theoretical study of ErCo2 in a wide range of thermodynamic parameters a sequential collapse of cobalt sublattice magnetization in the background of nearly unchanged Er sublattice magnetization was revealed. The uncoupled magnetizations behavior challenges the IEM concept applicability and evidences more complex nature of magnetism in ErCo2 and related RCo2 systems.
Biodegradable Hydrophilic Polyurethane PEGU25 Loading Antimicrobial Peptide Bmap-28: A Sustained-release Membrane Able to Inhibit Bacterial Biofilm Formation in Vitro
Authors: Wang Jianzhong , Liu Qinyu , Tian Ye , Jian Zhongyu , Li Hong , Wang Kunjie 
Published: March 2015

AbstractCatheter-related infection makes up a large part of hospital infection and contributes 80% to all nosocomial urological infection, costing hundreds of millions dollar per year for treatment. Biodegradable hydrophilic material incorporating antibiotic substance is a promising way to prevent catheter-related infection. And antimicrobial peptide seems an optimal drug for its desirable antibiotic effect. In the current research, we produced a new kind of antibiotic material by incorporating antimicrobial peptide Bmap-28 with polyurethane PEGU25 and tested its effect on Proteus mirabilis in vitro. Compared with the control group, PEGU25 membrane incorporating Bmap-28 had a significant lower bacteria load after co-cultured with the Proteus mirabilis. And its antibiotic effect could be observed throughout the whole 7-day test. Also the Bmap-28 membrane could delay catheter obstruction caused by encrustation. Our findings reveal that PEGU25 incorporating Bmap-28 can well inhibit bacterial biofilm formation of common pathogens for catheter-related urinary tract infection in vitro, which makes it a promising antibiotic material for medical tubes for urology.
Functionalised MnVI-nanoparticles: an advanced high-valent magnetic catalyst
Authors: Khamarui Saikat , Saima Yasmin , Laha Radha M. , Ghosh Subhadeep , Maiti Dilip K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe discover MnVI-nanoparticles (NPs) bearing functional groups, high oxidation state, strong electron affinity, unique redox and paramagnetic nature, which opens up a new avenue to catalysis, magnetism and material application. However, its synthesis is challenging and remains unexplored because of associated serious difficulties. A simple benign synthetic strategy is devised to fabricate the high-valent NPs using mild reducing agent bromide, which transformed MnVII to valuable MnVI-species. The EELS-imaging of individual elements, ESI-MS, XPS and other techniques established its composition as Br(Me3SiO)MnVIO2. It revealed significantly improved magnetic moment (SQUID) with isotropic hyperfine splitting of six line spectrum (EPR). The high-oxidation state and incorporated-ligands of the metals present on the active surface of the NPs led to development of a general catalytic process for oxidative heterodifunctionalisation to C-C triple bond towards formation of a new O-C/N-C/S-C and C-C coupling cum cyclisation to biologically important flavones and their aza- and marcapto-analogues and valuable enaloxy synthons.
Electrolytic reduction of liquid metal oxides and its application to reconfigurable structured devices
Authors: Wang Jinqi , Appusamy Kanagasundar , Guruswamy Sivaraman , Nahata Ajay 
Published: March 2015

AbstractStructured metallic patterns are routinely used for a wide variety of applications, ranging from electronic circuits to plasmonics and metamaterials. Numerous techniques have been developed for the fabrication of these devices, in which the metal patterns are typically formed using conventional metals. While this approach has proven very successful, it does generally limit the ability to reconfigure the geometry of the overall device. Here, we demonstrate the ability to create artificially structured metallic devices using liquid metals, in which the configuration can be altered via the electrolysis of saline solutions or deionized water. We accomplish this using an elastomeric mold with two different sets of embedded microfluidic channels that are patterned and injected with EGaIn and water, respectively. The electrochemical reaction is then used to etch the thin oxide layer that forms on eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) in a controlled reproducible manner. Once the oxide layer is dissolved locally, the underlying liquid metal retracts away from the original position to a position where a new stable oxide layer can reform, which is equivalent to erasing a section of the liquid metal. To allow for full reconfigurability, the entire device can be reset by refilling all of the microchannels with EGaIn.
Both piston-like and rotational motions are present in bacterial chemoreceptor signaling
Authors: Yu Daqi , Ma Xiaomin , Tu Yuhai , Lai Luhua 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBacterial chemotaxis signaling is triggered by binding of chemo-effectors to the membrane-bound chemoreceptor dimers. Though much is known about the structure of the chemoreceptors, details of the receptor dynamics and their effects on signaling are still unclear. Here, by using molecular dynamics simulations and principle component analysis, we study the dynamics of the periplasmic domain of aspartate chemoreceptor Tar dimer and its conformational changes when binding to different ligands (attractant, antagonist and two attractant molecules). We found two dominant components (modes) in the receptor dynamics: a relative rotation of the two Tar monomers and a piston-like up-and-down sliding movement of the α4 helix. These two modes are highly correlated. Binding of one attractant molecule to the Tar dimer induced both significant piston-like downward movements of the α4 helix and strong relative rotations of the two Tar monomers, while binding of an antagonist or the symmetric binding of two attractant molecules to a Tar dimer suppresses both modes. The anti-symmetric effects of the relative rotation mode also explained the negative cooperativity between the two binding pockets. Our results suggest a mechanism of coupled rotation and piston-like motion for bacterial chemoreceptor signaling.
Engineering the Phase Front of Light with Phase-Change Material Based Planar lenses
Authors: Chen Yiguo , Li Xiong , Sonnefraud Yannick , Fernández-Domínguez Antonio I. , Luo Xiangang , Hong Minghui , Maier Stefan A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA novel hybrid planar lens is proposed to engineer the far-field focusing patterns. It consists of an array of slits which are filled with phase-change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). By varying the crystallization level of GST from 0% to 90%, the Fabry-Pérot resonance supported inside each slit can be spectrally shifted across the working wavelength at 1.55 µm, which results in a transmitted electromagnetic phase modulation as large as 0.56π. Based on this geometrically fixed platform, different phase fronts can be constructed spatially on the lens plane by assigning the designed GST crystallization levels to the corresponding slits, achieving various far-field focusing patterns. The present work offers a promising route to realize tunable nanophotonic components, which can be used in optical circuits and imaging applications.
GSK3 inhibitors CHIR99021 and 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime inhibit microRNA maturation in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wu Yongyan , Liu Fayang , Liu Yingying , Liu Xiaolei , Ai Zhiying , Guo Zekun , Zhang Yong 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWnt/β-catenin signalling plays a prominent role in maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). microRNAs (miRNAs) have critical roles in maintaining pluripotency and directing reprogramming. To investigate the effect of GSK3 inhibitors on miRNA expression, we analysed the miRNA expression profile of J1 mESCs in the absence or presence of CHIR99021 (CHIR) or 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO) by small RNA deep-sequencing. The results demonstrate that CHIR and BIO decrease mature miRNAs of most miRNA species, 90.4% and 98.1% of the differentially expressed miRNAs in BIO and CHIR treated cells were downregulated respectively. CHIR and BIO treatment leads to a slight upregulation of the primary transcripts of the miR-302–367 cluster and miR-181 family of miRNAs, these miRNAs are activated by Wnt/β-catenin signalling. However, the precursor and mature form of the miR-302–367 cluster and miR-181 family of miRNAs are downregulated by CHIR, suggesting CHIR inhibits maturation of primary miRNA. Western blot analysis shows that BIO and CHIR treatment leads to a reduction of the RNase III enzyme Drosha in the nucleus. These data suggest that BIO and CHIR inhibit miRNA maturation by disturbing nuclear localisation of Drosha. Results also show that BIO and CHIR induce miR-211 expression in J1 mESCs.