bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ursolic acid increases energy expenditure through enhancing free fatty acid uptake and β‐oxidation via an UCP3/AMPK‐dependent pathway in skeletal muscle
Authors: Chu Xia , He Xuan , Shi Zhiping , Li Chunjuan , Guo Fuchuan , Li Songtao , Li Ying , Na Lixin , Sun Changhao 
Published: May 2015

ScopeUrsolic acid (UA) is a triterpenoid compound with multifold biological functions. Our previous studies have reported that UA protects against high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and improves insulin resistance (IR). However, the potential mechanisms are still undefined. Free fatty acid (FFA) metabolism in skeletal muscle plays a central role in obesity and IR. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect and the potential mechanisms of UA on skeletal muscle FFA metabolism.Methods and resultsIn diet‐induced obese rats, 0.5% UA supplementation for 6 weeks markedly reduced body weight, increased energy expenditure, decreased FFA level in serum and skeletal muscle and triglyceride content in skeletal muscle. In vitro, the data provided directly evidence that UA significantly increased fluorescently labeled FFA uptake and 3H‐labeled palmitic acid β‐oxidation. UA‐activated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and downstream targets were involved in the increase of FFA catabolism. Moreover, upregulated uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) by UA contributed to AMPK activation via elevating adenosine monophosphate/adenosine triphosphate ratio.ConclusionUA increases FFA burning through enhancing skeletal muscle FFA uptake and β‐oxidation via an UCP3/AMPK‐dependent pathway, which provides a novel perspective on the biological function of UA against obesity and IR.
Resveratrol improves hepatic steatosis by inducing autophagy through the cAMP signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Yong , Chen Ming‐liang , Zhou Yong , Yi Long , Gao Yan‐xiang , Ran Li , Chen Shi‐hui , Zhang Ting , Zhou Xi , Zou Dan , Wu Bin , Wu Ying , Chang Hui , Zhu Jun‐dong , Zhang Qian‐yong , Mi Man‐tian 
Published: May 2015

ScopeResveratrol (RSV), a natural polyphenol, has been reported to attenuate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, its underlying mechanism is unclear. Autophagy was recently identified as a critical protective mechanism during NAFLD development. Therefore, we investigated the role of autophagy in the beneficial effects of RSV on hepatic steatosis.Methods and resultsVia Oil red O staining, triglyceride, and β‐hydroxybutyrate detection, we found that RSV decreased palmitate‐induced lipid accumulation and stimulated fatty acid β‐oxidation in hepatocytes. Based on Western blot assay, confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, we found that RSV induced autophagy in hepatocytes, whereas autophagy inhibition markedly abolished RSV‐mediated hepatic steatosis improvement. Moreover, RSV increased cAMP levels and the levels of SIRT1 (sirtuin 1), pPRKA (phosphorylated protein kinase A), and pAMPK (phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase), as well as SIRT1 activity in HepG2 cells. Incubation with inhibitors of AC (adenylyl cyclase), PRKA, AMPK, SIRT1, or with AC, PRKA, AMPK, or SIRT1 siRNA abolished RSV‐mediated autophagy. Similar results were obtained in mice with hepatic steatosis.ConclusionRSV improved hepatic steatosis partially by inducing autophagy via the cAMP‐PRKA‐AMPK‐SIRT1 signaling pathway, which provides new evidence regarding RSV's effects on NAFLD treatment.
Growth and characterization of Ga doped ZnSnAs2 thin films on InP substrates
Authors: Kato Takahiro , Uchiyama Takashi , Toyota Hideyuki , Uchitomi Naotaka 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe have grown Ga doped ZnSnAs2 thin films on InP substrates using all‐solid source MBE technique. Using the optimum substrate temperature of 340 ºC and Zn:Sn:As4 beam equivalent pressure ratio (BEPR) of 24:1:52, samples were prepared with different Ga concentration achieved by changing the Ga flux. Compositional analysis was performed using electron microprobe microanalysis (EMPA). We found that Ga concentration on the cation sites is 20.9% and 8.7%. XRD patterns of Ga doped samples showed only assignable to ZnSnAs2:Ga and InP substrate. The lattice constant decreases linearly from 0.5862 to 0.5829 nm with decreasing Ga concentration. The observed concentration dependence indicates that the lattice constant of the thin films can be controlled by Ga doping concentration. Hall coefficient and resistivity of Ga 8.7% doped sample can be well explained by the impurity band model. We were able to resolve the experimentally obtained carrier concentration pexp and mobility μexp into valence band carrier concentration pv with mobility μv and acceptor band carrier concentration pa with mobility μa. The computed apparent values papp and μapp are in good agreement with pexp and μexp, respectively. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimization of CIGSe bottom cell for spectral splitting device application
Authors: Jehl‐Li‐Kao Z. , Fukai Hirofumi , Matsuyama Isamu , Nakada T. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe investigate on narrow bandgap CIGSe solar cells for tandem application in a spectral splitting devices. Numerical simulations using SCAPS are performed to optimize the Ga content throughout the absorber layer, depending on the illumination condition (AM 1.5 and tandem conditions using two different splitting filters; 620 nm and 880 nm). The simulations show a strong dependence of the efficiency on the minimum bandgap of the absorber, but not on the depth of the narrow bandgap region. Narrow bandgap CIGSe solar cells are experimentally realized and electrically characterized. A similar trend as what was deduced from the simulation is observed on the experiments when the solar cells are characterized in the tandem conditions. For the 880 nm splitting filter, an efficiency of 5.5% is experimentally obtained with a minimum bandgap of 1.05 eV. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Temperature dependent spectroscopic ellipsometry of Ag2Se and Ag2S with phase transitions from ionic to superionic conductivity state
Authors: Alekperov O. , Gasimov N. , Khalilova Kh. , Shim Y. , Paucar R. , Abdulzade N. , Samedov O. , Jahangirli Z. , Nakhmedov E. , Wakita K. , Mamedov N. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTemperature dependent infrared (IR) and optical spectroscopic ellipsometry methods are used to investigate peculiarities of the transitions from the ionic conductivity to the superionic conductivity states in Ag2S and Ag2Se compounds. The structural phase transitions (SPTs), known as β→α transition in these semiconductors, are investigated also with spectroscopic ellipsometry methods. The electronic band structure of Ag2S at the SPT changes sharply from the monoclinic to the bcc phase, which occurs at T = 453 K in the super ionic conductivity state, where all the interband transitions in optic region, corresponding to the monoclinic structure of β‐phase, disappear. The α‐phase of Ag2S is characterised with new lines in the dielectric functions ε1 and ε2, which arise at 5‐6.5 eV. The interband transitions do not change in the SPT from the orthorhombic to the bcc in Ag2Se, which occurs at T > 406 K. In IR ellipsometry for the degenerated Ag2Se, the free carriers' plasma energy is displaced abruptly from ħω=0.075 eV at T=300 K to ħω=0.125 eV at T=338 K. The same effect is seen in the IR ellipsometry for Ag2S, where negative ε1 appears at T=434‐440 K. These facts indicate a drastic increase of the free carriers concentrations in both of the semiconductors at temperatures before the β→α SPT. In Ag2S the second abrupt shift of the free carriers plasma energy from 0.035eV to 0.1 eV occurs at T=453 K, corresponding to β→ α SPT. The second shift is due to the electronic band structure change of Ag2S. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
IR ellipsometry of silk fibroin films on Al nanoislands
Authors: Gasymov Oktay K. , Aydemirova Arzu , Alekperov Oktay , Aslanov Rasim B. , Khalilova Khuraman , Gasimov Nagi , Mamedov Nazim , Mamedova Irada , Babayev Sardar , Gasanov Namig 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInfrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) is a powerful tool for the characterization of various types of organic and inorganic films. In application to protein films, IRSE can be utilized to detect structural changes, orientation of specific group, etc. Because of sensitivity, enhanced IRSE will be very useful to study protein thin films. Here we show that fibroin films on Al mirror display surface‐enhanced infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (SEIRSE). AFM data indicate that nanoislands on the Al mirror are responsible for the plasmon‐enhanced mechanism. SEIRSE for fibroin films shows non‐uniform enhancement across the spectrum. Possible mechanisms of such enhancement are provided. Evidently, as proposed previously, at least two mechanisms, the electromagnetic (EM) and chemical, are expected to contribute to the enhancement. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Spectroscopy of the Alkali Diselenates A2Se2O7 (A = Li – Cs)
Authors: Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe reaction of alkali carbonates and selenium acid yielded the “pyroanions” [Se2O7]2– containing alkali diselenates. By varying the alkali carbonates we were able to synthesize and determinate the crystal structures of the whole row from Li to Cs. Li2Se2O7 crystallizes isotypic to Li2S2O7 [Pnma, Z = 4, a = 13.815(3), b = 8.452(2) c = 5.0585(10) Å]. The structure of Na2Se2O7 [P$\bar{1}$, Z = 2, a = 6.9896(14), b = 6.9938(14), c = 7.0829(14) Å, α = 83.32(3), β = 64.56(3), γ = 83.18(3)°] is isotypic to Ag2S2O7. A2Se2O7 (A = K, Rb) [A = K: C2/c, Z = 4, a = 12.851(3), b = 7.5677(15), c = 7.5677(15) Å, β = 93.35(3)°; A = Rb: C2/c, Z = 4, a = 13.118(3), b = 7.7963(16), c = 7.7811(16) Å, β = 94.03(3)°] are isotypic to K2S2O7. The crystal structure of Cs2Se2O7 [P$\bar{1}$, Z = 10, a = 7.7271(3), b = 16.2408(8), c = 18.4427(8) Å, α = 89.685(2), β = 89.193(2), γ = 76.251(2)°] seems to be isotypic to the averaged room‐temperature modification of Cs2S2O7. With exception of the caesium compound all diselenate anions show an ecliptic arrangement and can be therefore classified as dichromate‐like structures. In Cs2Se2O7 most of the [Se2O7]2– units have a staggered alignment. The transition between both orientations can be explained by the increase of the cations size. Additionally the vibrational spectra of A2Se2O7 with A = Li – Cs are discussed as well as the resulting bond forces.
Caring for dementia: A population‐based study examining variations in guideline‐consistent medical care
Authors: Sivananthan Saskia N. , Lavergne M. Ruth , McGrail Kimberlyn M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundEvidence indicates that early detection and management of dementia care can improve outcomes. We assess variations in dementia care based on processes outlined in clinical guidelines by the BC Ministry of Health.MethodA population‐based retrospective cohort study of community‐dwelling seniors using patient‐level administrative data in British Columbia, Canada. Guidelines measured: laboratory testing, imaging, prescriptions, complete examination, counseling, and specialist referral.ResultsOlder patients were less likely to receive guideline‐consistent medical care. Patients in higher income categories had higher odds of receiving counseling (confidence interval or CI 1.13–153) and referrals (15.1 CI 1.18–1.95) compared with those of lower income. Over a quarter of the cohort received an antipsychotic (28%) or nonrecommended benzodiazepine (26%). Individuals living within “rural” health authorities or of low income were more likely to receive antipsychotic treatment.ConclusionPatterns of inequality by age and income may signal barriers to care, particularly for management of dementia care processes.
Do Muscle Characteristics on Lumbar Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography Predict Future Low Back Pain, Physical Function, or Performance? A Systematic Review
Authors: Suri Pradeep , Fry Adrielle L. , Gellhorn Alfred C. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether lumbar muscle characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) can inform clinicians as to the course of future low back pain (LBP), functional limitations, or physical performance, in adults with or without LBP.TypeSystematic review.Literature ReviewWe searched PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL through October 2014 for articles published in English in which authors assessed lumbar muscle characteristics on conventional MRI/CT as predictors of future LBP, functional limitations, or physical performance in adults. Studies with only postsurgical subjects were excluded. Our search identified 3554 articles, of which 6 observational cohort studies were included in the final review.MethodologyWe used the Newcastle Ottawa Scale to evaluate potential bias. Data were extracted on study design, study population, sample size, participant characteristics, details of MRI/CT assessments, interventions, study outcomes, analysis methods, and study results. Because of heterogeneity between studies, we conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis.SynthesisAmong high‐quality studies, there was limited evidence that, for individuals with or without LBP, greater MRI‐detected multifidus cross‐sectional area at L5‐S1 predicted greater LBP intensity at 1‐year follow‐up, lesser erector spinae fat infiltration (FI) at L5‐S1 predicted greater LBP intensity at 15‐year follow‐up, and greater erector spinae side‐to‐side FI asymmetry at L3‐L4 predicted lower LBP frequency at 15‐year follow‐up; however, there was also limited evidence that all other MRI‐detected paraspinal muscle characteristics examined were not predictive of LBP incidence, prevalence, frequency, or intensity at follow‐up durations ranging from 1 to 15 years. There was limited evidence that greater CT‐detected trunk muscle FI predicted worse physical performance in older adults at 3‐year follow‐up, but that trunk muscle cross‐sectional area did not.ConclusionFew lumbar muscle characteristics have limited evidence for an association with future LBP and physical performance outcomes, and the vast majority have limited evidence for having no association with such outcomes.
Core Competencies in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ripoll Gallardo Alba , Djalali Ahmadreza , Foletti Marco , Ragazzoni Luca , Della Corte Francesco , Lupescu Olivera , Arculeo Chris , von Arnim Gotz , Friedl Tom , Ashkenazi Michael , Fisher Philipp , Hreckovski Boris , Khorram-Manesh Amir , Komadina Radko , Lechner Konstanze , Stal Marc , Patru Cristina , Burkle Frederick M. , Ingrassia Pier Luigi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDisaster response demands a large workforce covering diverse professional sectors. Throughout this article, we illustrate the results of a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies to identify existing competency sets for disaster management and humanitarian assistance that would serve as guidance for the development of a common disaster curriculum. A systematic review of English-language articles was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ERIC, and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if reporting competency domains, abilities, knowledge, skills, or attitudes for professionals involved disaster relief or humanitarian assistance. Exclusion criteria included abstracts, citations, case studies, and studies not dealing with disasters or humanitarian assistance. Thirty-eight papers were analyzed. Target audience was defined in all articles. Five references (13%) reported cross-sectorial competencies. Most of the articles (81.6%) were specific to health care. Eighteen (47%) papers included competencies for at least 2 different disciplines and 18 (47%) for different professional groups. Nursing was the most widely represented cadre. Eighteen papers (47%) defined competency domains and 36 (94%) reported list of competencies. Nineteen articles (50%) adopted consensus-building to define competencies, and 12 (31%) included competencies adapted to different professional responsibility levels. This systematic review revealed that the largest number of papers were mainly focused on the health care sector and presented a lack of agreement on the terminology used for competency-based definition. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:430–439)
Effect of external turbulence on the evolution of a wake in stratified and unstratified environments
Authors: Pal Anikesh , Sarkar Sutanu 
Published: May 2015

Direct numerical simulations are performed to study the evolution of a towed stratified wake subject to external turbulence in the background. A field of isotropic turbulence is combined with an initial turbulent wake field and the combined wake is simulated in a temporally evolving framework similar to that of Rind & Castro (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 710, 2012a, p. 482). Simulations are performed for external turbulence whose initial level varies between zero and a moderate intensity of up to 7 % relative to the free stream and whose initial integral length scale is of the same order as that of the wake turbulence. A series of simulations are carried out at a Reynolds number of 10 000 and Froude number of 3. Background turbulence, especially at a level of 3 % or above, is found to have substantial quantitative effects in the stratified simulations. Turbulence inside the wake increases due to the entrainment of external turbulence, and the energy transfer through turbulent production from mean to fluctuating velocity also increases, leading to reduced mean velocity. The profiles of normalized mean and turbulence quantities in the stratified wake exhibit little change in the vertical direction but the horizontal spread increases in comparison to the case with undisturbed background. The spatial organization of the internal wave field is disrupted even at the 1 % level of external turbulence. However, key characteristics of stratified wakes such as the formation of coherent pancake vortices and the long lifetime of the mean wake are robust to the presence of fluctuations in the background. A corresponding series of simulations for the unstratified situation is carried out at the same Reynolds number of 10 000 and with similar levels of external turbulence. The change of mean and turbulence statistics is found to be weaker in the unstratified cases compared with the corresponding stratified cases and also weaker relative to that found by Rind & Castro (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 710, 2012a, p. 482) at a similar level of external turbulence relative to the free stream and similar integral length scale. Theoretical arguments and additional simulations are provided to show that the level of external turbulence relative to wake turbulence (dissimilar between the present investigation and Rind & Castro (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 710, 2012a, p. 482)) is a key governing parameter in both stratified and unstratified backgrounds.
The mixing region in freely decaying variable-density turbulence
Authors: Movahed Pooya , Johnsen Eric 
Published: May 2015

A novel set-up is proposed to numerically study turbulent multimaterial mixing, starting from an unperturbed material interface between a light and a heavy fluid. We conduct direct numerical simulation (DNS) to better understand the role of density gradient alone on the turbulence, specifically with regard to the mixing region dynamics and anisotropy across scales. Freely decaying isotropic turbulent fields of different densities but identical kinematic viscosities are juxtaposed. The rationale for this strategy is that conventional turbulence scalings are based on kinetic energy per unit mass and kinematic viscosity. Thus, by matching the initial kinematics (root-mean-square velocity) and the dissipation (kinematic viscosity), the turbulence (kinetic energy per unit mass) decays at the same rate in both fluids. With this set-up, the effect of the density gradient alone on the turbulence can be considered, independently from other contributions (e.g. mismatch in kinetic energy per unit mass, acceleration field, etc.). We examine the mixing region dynamics at large and small scales for different density ratios and Reynolds numbers. After an initial transient, we observe a self-similar growth of the mixing region, which we explain via theoretical arguments verified by the DNS results. Inside the mixing region, the momentum of the heavier eddies causes the mean interface location to shift toward the light fluid. A higher density ratio leads to a wider, less molecularly mixed mixing region. Although anisotropy is evident at the large scales, the dissipation scales remain essentially isotropic, even at the highest density ratio under consideration (12:1). The intermittency of the velocity field exhibits isotropy, while the mass fraction field is more intermittent in the direction of the density gradient.
Mixed-Methods for Comparing Tobacco Cessation Interventions
Authors: Momin Behnoosh , Neri Antonio , Zhang Lei , Kahende Jennifer , Duke Jennifer , Green Sonya Goode , Malarcher Ann , Stewart Sherri L. 
Published: May 2015

Introduction: The National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) and National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) are both well-positioned to promote the use of population-based tobacco cessation interventions, such as state quitlines and Web-based interventions.Aims: This paper outlines the methodology used to conduct a comparative effectiveness research (CER) study of traditional and Web-based tobacco cessation and quitline promotion approaches.Methods: A mixed-methods study with three components was designed to address the effect of promotional activities on service usage and the comparative effectiveness of population-based smoking cessation activities across multiple states.Results/Findings: The cessation intervention component followed 7,902 smokers (4,307 quitline users and 3,595 Web intervention users) to ascertain prevalence of 30-day abstinence rates seven months after registering for smoking cessation services. User characteristics and quit success was compared across the two modalities. In the promotions component, reach and use of traditional and innovative promotion strategies were assessed for 24 states, including online advertising, state Web sites, social media, mobile applications, and their effects on quitline call volume. The partnership intervention component studied the extent of collaboration among six selected NCCCPs and NTCPs.Conclusions: This study will guide program staff and clinicians with evidence-based recommendations and best practices for implementation of tobacco cessation within their patient and community populations and establish an evidence base that can be used for decision making.
Conversion of a New Zealand 30-Metre Telecommunications Antenna into a Radio Telescope
Authors: Woodburn Lewis , Natusch Tim , Weston Stuart , Thomasson Peter , Godwin Mark , Granet Christophe , Gulyaev Sergei 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe conversion of a former 100-foot (30-m) telecommunications antenna (Earth Station) in New Zealand into a radio telescope is described. A specification of the antenna and the priorities for its actual conversion are initially presented. In describing the actual conversion, particular emphasis is given to mechanical and electrical components, as well as to the design of the telescope control system, telescope networking for VLBI operations, and telescope maintenance. Plans for RF, front- and back-end developments based upon radio astronomical priorities are outlined.