bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon nanofibers/polypyrrole nano metacomposites
Authors: Kou Xuechen , Yao Xiuchao , Qiu Jun
Published: August 2017

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs)/polypyrrole (PPy) nano metacomposites are prepared by in situ polymerization in this article. The negative permittivity and negative permeability of CNFs/PPy nano metacomposites are achieved simultaneously. CNFs/PPy composites form different morphologies with the increase in CNFs content. Complex conductive networks formed by overlapped CNFs are present in CNFs/PPy composites with 30 and 50 wt % CNFs. The negative permittivity of the CNFs/PPy composites is attributed to the plasma oscillation of delocalized electrons, and the negative permeability results from a large number of conductive loops. The appearance of negative permeability is accompanied by the decrease in resistivity, which reflects that a large number of conductive loops are derived from complex conductive networks. Double negative property appears in the frequency range 845–1000 MHz in CNFs/PPy composites with 30 wt % CNFs content and 825–1000 MHz in CNFs/PPy composites with 50 wt % CNFs content. CNFs/PPy composites present double negative property in a wider frequency range compared with MWCNTs/PPy nanocomposites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1724–1729
Influence of Cu Doping on the Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of the Mn2VAl Heusler Compound
Authors: Gavrea Radu , Bolinger Alfred , Pop Viorel , Isnard Olivier , Coldea Marin , Benea Diana
Published: August 2017

Detailed investigations on the electronic and magnetic properties of the Heusler compounds Mn2−xCuxVAl with L21 structure have been performed. Polycrystalline samples have been examined by X‐ray diffraction and magnetization measurements have been performed. The degrees of the B2 and L21 atomic ordering obtained from the intensity ratios of the X‐ray patterns have been determined. The Curie temperatures decrease with Cu content, ranging between 771 K (x = 0) and 580 K (x = 0.5). Additionally, electronic band structure calculations using the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker (KKR) Green's function method have been performed. The substitutional disorder was accounted by the means of the Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA). The site occupation considered in the calculations has been correlated with those obtained by the X‐ray experiments. Our study is giving an insight on the evolution of the half‐metallic fully compensated ferrimagnet (HMFi) character with disorder and Cu doping showing restrictions in obtaining of a HMFi by doping with 3d metals.
Planar p–n Junction Based on a TMDs/Boron Nitride Heterostructure
Authors: El Yumin Abdurrahman Ali , Yang Jie , Chen Qihong , Zheliuk Oleksandr , Ye Jianting
Published: August 2017

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are attracting growing interest for their prospective application in electronic and optical devices. As a leading material in researches of two‐dimensional (2D) electronics, although band structure is layer‐dependent, the TMDs show ambipolar properties. While optically excited light emission has been widely investigated, study on electrically generated emission is still limited. Taking the advantage of its ambipolarity and presence of direct band‐gap in monolayer, we developed an electrically driven light emitting device based on stacked 2D flakes to obtain sharp planar p–n junction in monolayer. Specifically, we have fabricated atomic‐layer TMDs/boron nitride (BN) artificial heterostructures using stacked h‐BN thin flake as a mask to partially cover the TMDs transistor channel allowing high‐density hole accumulation (p‐region) via localized exposure to gate‐controlled accumulation of anions. Transport through the junction shows typical diode‐like rectification current with accompanying strong and sharp light emission from the crystal edge of BN mask for the monolayer case.
Prediction of Large Enhancement of Electron Mobility in Direct Gap Ge1−xSnx Alloy
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Bratati , Sen Gopa , Basu Rikmantra , Mukhopadhyay Shyamal , Basu Prasanta Kumar
Published: August 2017

Group IV semiconductor‐based alloy Ge1−xSnx can be grown on Si platform and a crossover from indirect (L valleys) to direct gap (Γ valley) occurs for x > 0.08. The direct gap alloy shows promise for use in high‐speed electronic and photonic devices. An earlier study predicted that the electron mobility in the alloy would increase by a few orders of magnitude above the value for pure Ge. In that work, however, electrons were assumed to occupy only the low effective mass Γ valley and only the deformation potential acoustic phonon and alloy scatterings were considered. In the present work, we give a more realistic estimate of the values of electron mobility in direct gap GeSn alloy, considering the Γ and L valleys and the phonon (deformation potential acoustic, optical and intervalley), alloy, and impurity scatterings. The effect of strain, both tensile and compressive, on the mobility is also studied. It is found that for higher alloy composition and suitable strain, mobility values ∼2 × 105 cm−2/V · s, more than 50 times higher than the value in pure Ge (3900 cm2/V · s) may be achieved. This is attributed to increased separation between Γ and L valleys and consequent reduction in intervalley scattering.
Plants of theMelaleucaGenus as Antimicrobial Agents: From Farm to Pharmacy
Authors: Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Salehi Bahare , Varoni Elena Maria , Sharopov Farukh , Yousaf Zubaida , Ayatollahi Seyed Abdulmajid , Kobarfard Farzad , Sharifi‐Rad Mehdi , Afdjei Mohammad Hossain , Sharifi‐Rad Majid , Iriti Marcello
Published: August 2017

Plants belonging toMelaleucagenus (Myrtaceae family) are native to Oceania, where they have been used for ages by Aborigine people in Australian traditional medicine, mainly because of their broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity. Although,M. linariifolia,M. dissitiflora,and other species ofMelaleucacan also be used, the tea tree oil, an essential oil obtained fromM. alternifoliashows the longest history of medicinal uses. Tea tree oil contains for the 80–90% several monoterpenes (terpinen‐4‐ol,α‐terpinene, 1,8‐cineol, p‐cymene,α‐terpineol,α‐pinene, terpinolene, limonene, and sabinene). Sesquiterpenes and aromatic compounds further compose this oil. The essential oil ofMelaleucaspp. has been reported to possess effective antibacterial and antifungal propertiesin vitro. In particular, data show that 1,8‐cineol, terpinen‐4‐ol and methyl eugenol play the key role in mediating this oil's antimicrobial activity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Met Office convective‐scale ensemble, MOGREPS‐UK
Authors: Hagelin Susanna , Son Joohyung , Swinbank Richard , McCabe Anne , Roberts Nigel , Tennant Warren
Published: August 2017

Since 2012 the Met Office has been running a short‐range convective‐scale ensemble prediction system over the United Kingdom, known as MOGREPS‐UK. In this article we consider MOGREPS‐UK in its past, present and future configurations. We describe the evolution of the system during its first few years as an operational model and explain the rationale behind its development. The operational configuration of MOGREPS‐UK is evaluated using neighbourhood verification techniques which allow the comparison of ensemble and deterministic forecasts in a probabilistic sense. We compare the performance of MOGREPS‐UK to that of the higher‐resolution UK deterministic convective‐scale model, the UKV, and show that over a 3‐month long trial MOGREPS‐UK performs better for all variables considered. Plans of future upgrade options of MOGREPS‐UK that take advantage of the increased computing capacity at the Met Office are discussed. Three different options are compared: increasing the domain size (now implemented), decreasing the horizontal grid‐spacing, and increasing the number of ensemble members. Objective verification results from month‐long winter and summer trials show that all options have their benefits, with the most improvement seen with the increase in ensemble size, particularly for precipitation.
A cautionary note on the effects of laboratory air contaminants on ambient ionization mass spectrometry measurements
Authors: Kumbhani Sambhav R. , Wingen Lisa M. , Perraud Véronique , Finlayson‐Pitts Barbara J.
Published: August 2017

Rationale

Ambient ionization mass spectrometry methods are convenient, sensitive and require little sample preparation. However, they are susceptible to species present in air surrounding the mass spectrometer. This study identifies some challenges associated with the potential impacts of indoor air contaminants on ionization and analysis involving open‐air methods.

Methods

Unexpected effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from floor maintenance activities on ambient ionization mass spectrometry were studied using three different ambient ionization techniques. Extractive electrospray ionization (EESI), direct analysis in real time (DART) and ionization by piezoelectric direct discharge (PDD) plasma were demonstrated in this study to be affected by indoor air contaminants. Identification of contaminant vapors was verified by comparison with standards using EESI‐MS/MS product ion scans.

Results

Emissions of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether are identified from floor stripping and waxing solutions using three ambient ionization mass spectrometry techniques. These unexpected indoor air contaminants are capable of more than 75% ion suppression of target analytes due to their high volatility, proton affinity and solubility compared with the target analytes. The contaminant vapors are also shown to form adducts with one of the target analytes.

Conclusions

The common practice in MS analysis of subtracting a background air spectrum may not be appropriate if the presence of ionizable air contaminants alters the spectrum in unexpected ways. For example, VOCs released into air from floor stripping and waxing are capable of causing ion suppression of target analytes.
Fast terminal sliding‐mode finite‐time tracking control with differential evolution optimization algorithm using integral chain differentiator in uncertain nonlinear systems
Authors: Ma Ruizi , Zhang Guoshan , Krause Olav
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a fast terminal sliding‐mode tracking control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown parameters and system states combined with time‐varying disturbances. Fast terminal sliding‐mode finite‐time tracking systems based on differential evolution algorithms incorporate an integral chain differentiator (ICD) to feedback systems for the estimation of the unknown system states. The differential evolution optimization algorithm using ICD is also applied to a tracking controller, which provides unknown parametric estimation in the limitation of unknown system states for trajectory tracking. The ICD in the tracking systems strengthens the tracking controller robustness for the disturbances by filtering noises. As a powerful finite‐time control effort, the fast terminal sliding‐mode tracking control guarantees that all tracking errors rapidly converge to the origin. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified via simulations, and the results exhibit high‐precision output tracking performance in uncertain nonlinear systems.
Safety and Efficacy of Allogeneic Lung Spheroid Cells in a Mismatched Rat Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Cores Jhon , Hensley M. Taylor , Kinlaw Kathryn , Rikard S. Michaela , Dinh Phuong-Uyen , Paudel Dipti , Tang Junnan , Vandergriff Adam C. , Allen Tyler A. , Li Yazhou , Liu Jianhua , Niu Bo , Chi Yuepeng , Caranasos Thomas , Lobo Leonard J. , Cheng Ke
Published: August 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating interstitial lung disease characterized by the relentless deposition of extracellular matrix causing lung distortions and dysfunctions. The prognosis after detection is merely 3–5 years and the only two Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs treat the symptoms, not the disease, and have numerous side effects. Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment strategy for pulmonary fibrosis. Current animal and clinical studies focus on the use of adipose or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. We, instead, have established adult lung spheroid cells (LSCs) as an intrinsic source of therapeutic lung stem cells. In the present study, we compared the efficacy and safety of syngeneic and allogeneic LSCs in immuno-competent rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation in an effort to mitigate fibrosis development. We found that infusion of allogeneic LSCs reduces the progression of inflammation and fibrotic manifestation and preserves epithelial and endothelial health without eliciting significant immune rejection. Our study sheds light on potential future developments of LSCs as an allogeneic cell therapy for humans with pulmonary fibrosis.
Tuning Plasmonic Enhancement of Single Nanocrystal Upconversion Luminescence by Varying Gold Nanorod Diameter
Authors: Xue Yingxian , Ding Chengjie , Rong Youying , Ma Qiang , Pan Chengda , Wu E , Wu Botao , Zeng Heping
Published: August 2017

Plasmonic enhancement induced by metallic nanostructures is an effective strategy to improve the upconversion efficiency of lanthanide‐doped nanocrystals. It is demonstrated that plasmonic enhancement of the upconversion luminescence (UCL) of single NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/Mn2+ nanocrystal can be tuned by tailoring scattering and absorption cross sections of gold nanorods, which is synthesized wet chemically. The assembly of the single gold nanorod and single upconversion nanocrystal is achieved by the atomic force microscope probe manipulation. By selecting two kinds of gold nanorods with similar longitudinal surface plasmon resonance wavelength but different diameters (27.3 and 46.7 nm), which extinction spectra are separately dominant by the absorption and scattering, the maximum UCL enhancement by a factor of 110 is achieved with the 46.7 nm‐diameter gold nanorod, while it is 19 for the nanorod with the diameter of 27.3 nm. Such strong enhancement with the larger gold nanorod is due to stronger scattering ability and greater extent of the near‐field enhancement. The enhanced UCL shows a strong dependence on the excitation polarization relative to the nanorod long axis. Time‐resolved measurements and finite‐difference time‐domain simulations unveil that both excitation and emission processes of UCL are accelerated by the nanorod plasmonic effect.
Plasma Proteome Association and Catalytic Activity of Stealth Polymer‐Grafted Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Miaoyi , Siddiqui Ghizal , Gustafsson Ove J. R. , Käkinen Aleksandr , Javed Ibrahim , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Creek Darren J. , Ke Pu Chun , Davis Thomas P.
Published: August 2017

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is widely used as an antifouling and stealth polymer in surface engineering and nanomedicine. However, recent research has revealed adverse effects of bioaccumulation and immunogenicity following the administration of PEG, prompting this proteomic examination of the plasma protein coronae association with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) grafted with brushed PEG (bPEG) and an alternative, brushed phosphorylcholine (bPC). Using label‐free quantitation by liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry, this study determines protein abundances for the in vitro hard coronae of bare, bPC‐, and bPEG‐grafted IONPs in human plasma. This study also shows unique protein compositions in the plasma coronae of each IONP, including enrichment of coagulation factors and immunogenic complement proteins with bPEG, and enhanced binding of apolipoproteins with bPC. Functional analysis reveals that plasma protein coronae elevate the horseradish peroxidase‐like activities of the bPC‐ and bPEG‐IONPs by approximately twofold, an effect likely mediated by the diverse composition and physicochemical properties of the polymers as well as their associated plasma proteins. Taken together, these observations support the rational design of stealth polymers based on a quantitative understanding of the interplay between IONPs and the plasma proteome, and should prove beneficial for the development of materials for nanomedicine, biosensing, and catalysis.
Ulrike Kuhlmann 60 Jahre – herausragend in Wissenschaft, Normung und Praxis
Authors: Lindner Joachim
Published: August 2017

Frau Univ.‐Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Ulrike Kuhlmann zur Vollendung ihres 60. Lebensjahres gewidmet
Longitudinal growth assessment for prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in fetuses suspected to be small‐for‐gestational age
Authors: Caradeux J. , Eixarch E. , Mazarico E. , Basuki T. R. , Gratacos E. , Figueras F.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. However, distinguishing this condition from small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) remains elusive. A set of criteria has been proposed recently for such a purpose, including the degree of smallness, Doppler parameters and growth velocity. The aim of this study was to establish whether the use of growth velocity adds value to Doppler assessment in predicting adverse perinatal outcome among SGA‐suspected fetuses.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive singleton pregnancies with late (diagnosis ≥ 32.0 weeks) SGA (estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th centile). Longitudinal growth assessment was performed by calculation of EFW z‐velocity between diagnosis and last scan before delivery. Improvement in the association with and predictive performance of EFW z‐velocity for adverse perinatal outcome was compared against standard criteria of FGR evaluated before delivery (EFW < 3rd centile, abnormal uterine Doppler or abnormal cerebroplacental ratio).

Result

A total of 472 patients were evaluated prospectively for suspected SGA. Of these, 231 (48.9%) qualified as late FGR. Univariate analysis showed a significant trend towards higher frequency (14.5% vs 8.2%; P = 0.041) of EFW z‐velocity in the lowest decile in pregnancies with adverse perinatal outcome. Nonetheless, the addition of EFW z‐velocity improved neither the association with nor the predictive performance of standard criteria of FGR for adverse perinatal outcome.

Conclusions

Longitudinal assessment of fetal growth by means of EFW z‐velocity did not have any independent predictive value for adverse perinatal outcome when used in combination with Doppler in SGA‐suspected fetuses. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prenatal assessment of cerebellar vermian lobulation: fetal MRI with 3‐Tesla postmortem validation
Authors: Dovjak G. O. , Brugger P. C. , Gruber G. M. , Song J. W. , Weber M. , Langs G. , Bettelheim D. , Prayer D. , Kasprian G.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To optimize the imaging assessment of fetal hindbrain malformations, this observational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study aimed to assess whether fetal vermian lobulation can be quantified accurately and whether the relative growth of vermian lobules is uniform.

Methods

This retrospective study included singleton fetuses which underwent T2‐weighted MRI in vivo with a 1.5‐Tesla (T) scanner or within 24 h postmortem with a 3‐T scanner between January 2007 and November 2016 at the Medical University of Vienna. We included only those showing normal structural brain development on ultrasound and MRI and which had image quality appropriate for quantitative analysis, i.e. good image quality and a precise midsagittal slice. Fetal brains were segmented and, for all discernible vermian lobules, we determined the mean relative area contribution (MRAC, the proportion of the lobule relative to the total vermian area, in terms of number of voxels). Inter‐ and intrarater measurement variability of a representative selection (21 cases) was determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for voxel‐based differences. A linear regression model was used to assess the correlation between the relative size of each vermian lobule (i.e. MRAC) and gestational age.

Results

A total of 78 fetuses scanned in vivo aged 18–32 gestational weeks and seven fetuses scanned postmortem aged 16–30 weeks had a precise midsagittal slice and image quality sufficient for quantitative analysis. After 22 weeks of gestation, seven of the nine known vermian lobules could be discriminated reliably. The MRAC showed a mean ± SD difference of only 2.89 ± 3.01% between in‐vivo and postmortem measurements. The ICC of voxel‐based interrater differences was mean ± SD, 0.91 ± 0.05 and the intrarater ICC was 0.95 ± 0.03. Growth of cerebellar lobules was non‐uniform: the MRAC of culmen and DFT (declive + folium + tuber) increased with gestational age, whereas that of lingula, centralis, pyramis and nodulus decreased. The growth of the uvula showed no significant correlation with gestational age.

Conclusions

Fetal vermian lobulation can be assessed accurately and reliably after 22 weeks on precise midsagittal sequences with 1.5‐T T2‐weighted MRI. Fetal vermian lobules show non‐uniform growth, with expansion of DFT and culmen at the expense of the other vermian lobules. Evaluation and elucidation of vermian lobulation in normal fetuses should enable better characterization of fetuses with hindbrain malformations. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Reduced fetal movements and cerebroplacental ratio: evidence for worsening fetal hypoxemia
Authors: Binder J. , Monaghan C. , Thilaganathan B. , Morales‐Roselló J. , Khalil A.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To investigate the fetal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in women presenting with reduced fetal movements (RFM).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of data collected over an 8‐year period at a fetal medicine unit at a tertiary referral center. The cohort comprised 4500 singleton pregnancies presenting with RFM at or after 36 weeks' gestation and 1527 control pregnancies at a similar gestational age without RFM. Fetal biometry and Doppler parameters were recorded and converted into centiles and multiples of the median (MoM). CPR was defined as the ratio between the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) and the umbilical artery (UA) PI. Subgroup analysis for fetal size and for single vs multiple episodes of RFM was performed.

Results

Compared with controls, pregnancies with RFM had lower MCA‐PI MoM (median, 0.95 vs 0.97; P < 0.001) and CPR MoM (median, 0.97 vs 0.99; P = 0.018). Compared with women presenting with single episodes of RFM, pregnancies with multiple episodes (≥ 2 episodes) had lower CPR MoM (median, 0.94 vs 0.98; P = 0.003). On subgroup analysis for fetal size, compared with controls, appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses in the RFM group had lower MCA‐PI MoM (median, 0.96 vs 0.97; P = 0.003) and higher rate of CPR below the 5th centile (5.3% vs 3.6%; P = 0.015). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association of risk of recurrent RFM with maternal age (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99), non‐Caucasian ethnicity (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.97), estimated fetal weight centile (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02) and CPR MoM (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12–0.47).

Conclusion

Pregnancies complicated by multiple episodes of RFM show significantly lower CPR MoM and MCA‐PI MoM compared with those with single episodes and controls. This is likely to be due to worsening fetal hypoxemia in women presenting with recurrent RFM. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Blue Genes? Understanding and Mitigating Negative Consequences of Personalized Information about Genetic Risk for Depression
Authors: Lebowitz Matthew S. , Ahn Woo‐kyoung
Published: August 2017

Personalized genetic testing for vulnerability to mental disorders is expected to become increasingly common. It is therefore important to understand whether learning about one's genetic risk for a mental disorder has negative clinical implications, and if so, how these might be counteracted. Among participants with depressive symptoms, we administered a sham biochemical test purportedly revealing participants’ level of genetic risk for major depression. Participants told that they carried a genetic predisposition to depression expressed significantly lower confidence in their ability to cope with depressive symptoms than participants told they did not carry this predisposition. A short intervention providing education about the non‐deterministic nature of genes’ effects on depression fully mitigated this negative effect, however. Given the clinical importance of patient expectancies in depression, the notion that pessimism about one's ability to overcome symptoms could be exacerbated by genetic information—which will likely become ever more widely available—represents cause for concern. Education and counseling about the malleability of genetic effects may be an important tool for counteracting clinically deleterious beliefs that can be evoked by genetic test results. Genetic counselors may be able to help patients avoid becoming demoralized by learning they have a genetic predisposition to depression by providing education about the non‐deterministic role of biology in depression, and a brief audiovisual intervention appears to be an effective approach to delivering such education.
A Heat and Mass Transfer Model of a Silicon Pilot Furnace
Authors: Sloman Benjamin M. , Please Colin P. , Van Gorder Robert A. , Valderhaug Aasgeir M. , Birkeland Rolf G. , Wegge Harald
Published: August 2017

The most common technological route for metallurgical silicon production is to feed quartz and a carbon source (e.g., coal, coke, or charcoal) into submerged-arc furnaces, which use electrodes as electrical conductors. We develop a mathematical model of a silicon furnace. A continuum approach is taken, and we derive from first principles the equations governing the time evolution of chemical concentrations, gas partial pressures, velocity, and temperature within a one-dimensional vertical section of a furnace. Numerical simulations are obtained for this model and are shown to compare favorably with experimental results obtained using silicon pilot furnaces. A rising interface is shown to exist at the base of the charge, with motion caused by the heating of the pilot furnace. We find that more reactive carbon reduces the silicon monoxide losses, while reducing the carbon content in the raw material mixture causes greater solid and liquid material to build-up in the charge region, indicative of crust formation (which can be detrimental to the silicon production process). We also comment on how the various findings could be relevant for industrial operations.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Ameliorate Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chen Fengzhi , Zhang Haibo , Wang Zhiqiang , Ding Wei , Zeng Qinyu , Liu Wenbing , Huang Can , He Shuhua , Wei Anyang
Published: August 2017

Background

The efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in alleviating erectile dysfunction (ED) of diabetic rats has been demonstrated mainly through a paracrine effect. However, exosomes (EXOs), which are important bioactive substance vectors secreted by ADSCs, have never been associated with ED.

Aim

To investigate the effect of ADSC-derived EXOs on erectile function in a type 2 diabetic ED rat model.

Methods

EXOs were isolated from the supernatants of cultured ADSCs by ultracentrifugation. We constructed a type 2 diabetic rat model using a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin administered by intraperitoneal injection. In total, 24 diabetic rats were randomly assigned to three groups and were treated with an intracavernous injection of ADSC-derived EXOs, ADSCs, or phosphate buffered saline. Another eight age-matched rats underwent sham operation and composed the normal control group.

Outcomes

Intracavernous pressure and mean arterial pressure testing and histologic and western blot analyses were performed 4 weeks after the intracavernous injection.

Results

ADSC-derived EXOs and ADSCs administered by intracavernous injection led to an increase in the ratio of intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure compared with that for phosphate buffered saline treatment. Histologic and western blot analyses demonstrated an increased ratio of smooth muscle to collagen, increased expression of an endothelial marker (CD31), a smooth muscle marker (α-smooth muscle actin), and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of the apoptotic protein cleaved caspase-3 and apoptosis of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in the corpus cavernosum tissue after EXO or ADSC injection compared with values for the phosphate buffered saline treatment.

Clinical Translation

The present results are expected to provide a scientific foundation for clinical application in the near future.

Strengths and Limitations

Although the results demonstrated that intracavernous injection of ADSC-derived EXOs could ameliorate ED of diabetic rats, the optimum dose and times of injection remain for further study.

Conclusions

ADSC-derived EXOs, similarly to ADSCs, were capable of rescuing corpus cavernosum endothelial and smooth muscle cells by inhibiting apoptosis and thus promoting the recovery of erectile function in type 2 diabetic rats.
Introduction to Accelerator Dynamics
Authors: Peggs Stephen , Satogata Todd
Published: August 2017

How does a particle accelerator work? The most direct and intuitive answer focuses on the dynamics of single particles as they travel through an accelerator. Particle accelerators are becoming ever more sophisticated and diverse, from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN to multi-MW linear accelerators and small medical synchrotrons. This self-contained book presents a pedagogical account of the important field of accelerator physics, which has grown rapidly since its inception in the latter half of the last century. Key topics covered include the physics of particle acceleration, collision and beam dynamics, and the engineering considerations intrinsic to the effective construction and operation of particle accelerators. By drawing direct connections between accelerator technology and the parallel development of computational capability, this book offers an accessible introduction to this exciting field at a level appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, accelerator scientists, and engineers.
The Impact of EU Legislation on National Legal Systems: Towards a New Approach to EU – Member State Relations
Authors: VAN DEN BRINK Ton
Published: August 2017

How does EU legislation impact the Member States? Arguably, no other issue is more closely connected to national sovereignty. However, existing research has thus far failed to deliver a univocal answer to this question. Instead, quantitative research – from political scientists and public administration scholars – has resulted in very diverging conclusions. By contrast, the legal perspective on the relationship between the EU and its Member States has been dominated by a focus on the principles of conferral and subsidiarity, as well as on the delineation and use of EU powers. Such an approach makes it equally difficult to identify the actual and concrete impact of EU legislation. Yet, it is contended in this contribution that a legal perspective, focusing on the actual content of EU legislation, is needed to come to a better understanding of the EU’s legislative impact on the Member States.

The scope of application and the added value of EU legislation as well as national discretion therein are three key elements for determining the impact of EU legislation. The scope of application concerns the situations covered by EU legislation; added value regards the question of how EU legislation relates to other (pre-existing, overarching and adjacent) EU law. Policy choices and other room for manoeuvre for the Member States included in EU legislation makes for national discretion. Examples may be open norms or non-defined terms and concepts and the possibility to apply exceptions at the national level to general rules of EU legislation. Three areas of EU law are compared, each with a focus on a particular legislative act: migration law (the Family Reunification Directive); freedom to provide services (the Services Directive) and criminal law (the Framework decision on the European Arrest Warrant).
Exploring service innovation and value creation: The critical role of network relationships
Authors: Hsiao Yung-Chang
Published: August 2017

This study examines the role of service innovation, including service process, Information Technology infrastructure and customer acuity, on customer satisfaction from the network relationships perspective. This study tests the hypotheses in a sample of 136 companies, which is drawn from top 5,000 Taiwanese firms listed in the 2015 yearbook published by the China Credit Information Service Incorporation. The results indicate that service innovation is positively related to network relationships, and that network relationships have a positive effect on customer satisfaction. Also, the results provide evidence that network relationships play a mediating role between service innovation and customer satisfaction. The findings of this study contribute to the theoretical development of a conceptual model for explaining the interrelationships among service innovation, network relationships, and customer satisfaction. The empirical evidence of the Sobel test, in line with Baron and Kenny’s procedure and bootstrap analysis supports the process-oriented view and indicates that network relationships mediate the effect of service innovation on customer satisfaction. Finally, this study discusses managerial implications and highlights future research directions.
The stalked filter feederSiphusauctum lloydguntherin. sp. from the middle Cambrian (Series 3, Stage 5) Spence Shale of Utah: its biological affinities and taphonomy
Authors: Kimmig Julien , Strotz Luke C. , Lieberman Bruce S.
Published: August 2017

We describe a new species of enigmatic stalked filter feeder,Siphusauctum lloydguntheri, from the middle Cambrian (Series 3, Stage 5) Antimony Canyon locality of the Spence Shale of northern Utah. The described specimen is the only one known from the Spence Shale, represents the first occurrence ofSiphusauctumoutside the Burgess Shale, and is only the second described species from the genus.Siphusauctum lloydguntherin. sp. differs fromS.gregariumO’Brien and Caron, 2012 in the shape of its calyx and the position of the digestive tract. The new species provides some additional information about the possible affinities of enigmatic stalked Cambrian filter feeders, as well as the taphonomic pathways that lead to preservation ofSiphusauctum.
Managerial Ties, Market Orientation, and Export Performance: Chinese Firms Experience–ADDENDUM
Authors: Yan Hui , He Xinming , Cheng Binwu
Published: August 2017

In this addendum we provide further information on our results and findings as well as explanations and suggestions in relation to the low R2. Table 1 provides additional information i.e., the standard error of all estimates, exact p values instead of asterisks as the significance level on the base of Table 3 in the published manuscript.
Spectroscopic investigation of plasma evolution induced by double pulse laser in distilled water
Authors: ElRashedy Remah , Imam H. , Elsayed Khaled , Mansour Mohy
Published: August 2017

Considerable interest has been paid to laser-induced breakdown in liquid because of its wide application to medical issues of the eye and environmental monitoring. Therefore, the present work aims to study the phenomena of LIB in bulk distilled water generated in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) experiment. The effect of experimental parameters such as inter-pulse delay between the two lasers, laser pulse energy and detection time window have been studied to examine the temporal growth of the laser-induced plasma in bulk water. Electron density and plasma temperature have been determined. The Stark broadening profile has been utilized for the electron density determination where the hydrogen lines $H_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ and $H_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}$ have been used. A deviation between electron density values from the broadening of both lines has been observed and discussed. The electron density values are varied between $10\text{E}+18$ and $10\text{E}+17~\text{cm}^{-3}$ corresponding to the timing experimental parameters. The plasma temperature is varied over a range 16 000 $\text{K}$ to 10 700 $\text{K}$ due to the plasma’s temporal behaviour with experimental parameters.
White matter microstructure predicts longitudinal social cognitive outcomes after paediatric traumatic brain injury: a diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Ryan N. P. , Genc S. , Beauchamp M. H. , Yeates K. O. , Hearps S. , Catroppa C. , Anderson V. A. , Silk T. J.
Published: August 2017

Background

Deficits in social cognition may be among the most profound and disabling sequelae of paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the neuroanatomical correlates of longitudinal outcomes in this domain remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize social cognitive outcomes longitudinally after paediatric TBI, and to evaluate the use of sub-acute diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to predict these outcomes.

Methods

The sample included 52 children with mild complex-severe TBI who were assessed on cognitive theory of mind (ToM), pragmatic language and affective ToM at 6- and 24-months post-injury. For comparison, 43 typically developing controls (TDCs) of similar age and sex were recruited. DTI data were acquired sub-acutely (mean = 5.5 weeks post-injury) in a subset of 65 children (TBI = 35; TDC = 30) to evaluate longitudinal prospective relationships between white matter microstructure assessed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and social cognitive outcomes.

Results

Whole brain voxel-wise analysis revealed significantly higher mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) in the sub-acute TBI group compared with TDC, with differences observed predominantly in the splenium of the corpus callosum (sCC), sagittal stratum (SS), dorsal cingulum (DC), uncinate fasciculus (UF) and middle and superior cerebellar peduncles (MCP & SCP, respectively). Relative to TDCs, children with TBI showed poorer cognitive ToM, affective ToM and pragmatic language at 6-months post-insult, and those deficits were related to abnormal diffusivity of the sCC, SS, DC, UF, MCP and SCP. Moreover, children with TBI showed poorer affective ToM and pragmatic language at 24-months post-injury, and those outcomes were predicted by sub-acute alterations in diffusivity of the DC and MCP.

Conclusions

Abnormal microstructure within frontal-temporal, limbic and cerebro-cerebellar white matter may be a risk factor for long-term social difficulties observed in children with TBI. DTI may have potential to unlock early prognostic markers of long-term social outcomes.
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF COMPLEX TECHNOLOGIES: INTEGRATING VARIOUS ASPECTS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Authors: Lysdahl Kristin Bakke , Mozygemba Kati , Burns Jacob , Brönneke Jan Benedikt , Chilcott James B. , Ward Sue , Hofmann Bjørn
Published: August 2017

Objectives: Despite recent development of health technology assessment (HTA) methods, there are still methodological gaps for the assessment of complex health technologies. The INTEGRATE-HTA guidance for effectiveness, economic, ethical, socio-cultural, and legal aspects, deals with challenges when assessing complex technologies, such as heterogeneous study designs, multiple stakeholder perspectives, and unpredictable outcomes. The objective of this article is to outline this guidance and describe the added value of integrating these assessment aspects.

Methods: Different methods were used to develop the various parts of the guidance, but all draw on existing, published knowledge and were supported by stakeholder involvement. The guidance was modified after application in a case study and in response to feedback from internal and external reviewers.

Results: The guidance consists of five parts, addressing five core aspects of HTA, all presenting stepwise approaches based on the assessment of complexity, context, and stakeholder involvement. The guidance on effectiveness, health economics and ethics aspects focus on helping users choose appropriate, or further develop, existing methods. The recommendations are based on existing methods’ applicability for dealing with problems arising with complex interventions. The guidance offers new frameworks to identify socio-cultural and legal issues, along with overviews of relevant methods and sources.

Conclusions: The INTEGRATE-HTA guidance outlines a wide range of methods and facilitates appropriate choices among them. The guidance enables understanding of how complexity matters for HTA and brings together assessments from disciplines, such as epidemiology, economics, ethics, law, and social theory. This indicates relevance for a broad range of technologies.
Successional status, seed dispersal mode and overstorey species influence tree regeneration in tropical rain-forest fragments in Western Ghats, India
Authors: Osuri Anand M. , Chakravarthy Dayani , Mudappa Divya , Raman T. R. Shankar , Ayyappan N. , Muthuramkumar S. , Parthasarathy N.
Published: August 2017

The effects of fragmentation and overstorey tree diversity on tree regeneration were assessed in tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats, India. Ninety plots were sampled for saplings (1–5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh); 5×5-m plots) and overstorey trees (>9.55 cm dbh; 20×20-m plots) within two fragments (32 ha and 18 ha) and two continuous forests. We tested the hypotheses that fragmentation and expected seed-dispersal declines (1) reduce sapling densities and species richness of all species and old-growth species, and increase recruitment of early-successional species, (2) reduce the prevalence of dispersed recruits and (3) increase influence of local overstorey on sapling densities and richness. Continuous forests and fragments had similar sapling densities and species richness overall, but density and richness of old-growth species declined by 62% and 48%, respectively, in fragments. Fragments had 39% lower densities and 24% lower richness of immigrant saplings (presumed dispersed into sites as conspecific adults were absent nearby), and immigrant densities of old-growth bird-dispersed species declined by 79%. Sapling species richness (overall and old-growth) increased with overstorey species richness in fragments, but was unrelated to overstorey richness in continuous forests. Our results show that while forest fragments retain significant sapling diversity, losses of immigrant recruits and increased overstorey influence strengthen barriers to natural regeneration of old-growth tropical rain forests.
Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with paediatric bone sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Bini Ilaria , Asaftei Sebastian D. , Riggi Chiara , Tirtei Elisa , Manicone Rosaria , Biasin Eleonora , Basso Maria Eleonora , Agnoletti Gabriella , Fagioli Franca
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is an important side-effect in long-term childhood cancer survivors. We evaluated the incidence of and factors associated with anthracycline cardiotoxicity in a population of patients diagnosed with bone or soft tissue sarcoma.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with bone or soft tissue sarcoma, from 1995 to 2011, treated with anthracycline chemotherapy at our Centre and with a follow-up echocardiography carried out ⩾3 years from cardiotoxic therapy completion. Cardiac toxicity was graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.

Results

A total of 82 patients were eligible. The median age at treatment was 11.9 years (1.44–18). We evaluated the median cumulative anthracycline dose, age at treatment, sex, thoracic radiotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and high-dose cyclophosphamide treatment as possible risk factors for cardiotoxicity. The median cumulative anthracycline dose was 390.75 mg/m2(80–580). Of the 82 patients, 12 (14.6%) developed cardiotoxicity with grade ⩾2 ejection fraction decline: four patients were asymptomatic and did not receive any treatment; six patients were treated with pharmacological heart failure therapy; one patient with severe cardiomyopathy underwent heart transplantation and did not need any further treatment; and one patient died while waiting for heart transplantation. The median time at cardiac toxicity, from the end of anthracycline frontline chemotherapy, was 4.2 years (0.05–9.6). Cumulative anthracycline dose ⩾300 mg/m2(p 0.04) was the only risk factor for cardiotoxicity on statistical analyses.

Conclusions

In our population, the cumulative incidence of cardiotoxicity is comparable to rates in the literature. This underlines the need for primary prevention and lifelong cardiac toxicity surveillance programmes in long-term childhood cancer survivors.
A new modulator for digital RF power amplifiers utilizing a wavetable approach
Authors: Hühn Florian , Wentzel Andreas , Heinrich Wolfgang
Published: August 2017

This paper presents for the first time a wavetable-based coding scheme to generate a high-speed binary input signal for digital RF power amplifiers. The approach maximizes the utilization of the time domain handling capabilities of the pulse forming circuit. Key features are a greatly improved output spectrum purity in comparison with common digital modulators, the ability to adjust the modulator to any given pulse forming hardware and a built-in signal correction option that comes without additional computational cost. To give a first impression on the modulators behavior and its possibilities to adapt to different hardware constraints, simulations are carried out for different parameter variations and for different baseband bandwidths. Furthermore, the proposed concept is emulated with an arbitrary waveform generator to gather additional measurement data. For a 5 MHz wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) signal (6.5 dB peak-to-average power ratio) at 900 MHz, an error vector magnitude (EVM) of 0.26% and better than >58 dB adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) were recorded. To the authors’ knowledge, these are the best values achieved so far for a single-bit coding scheme without digital predistortion that still maintains maximum power coding efficiency.
Correction: Corrigendum: Phosphate steering by Flap Endonuclease 1 promotes 5′-flap specificity and incision to prevent genome instability
Authors: Tsutakawa Susan E. , Thompson Mark J. , Arvai Andrew S. , Neil Alexander J. , Shaw Steven J. , Algasaier Sana I. , Kim Jane C. , Finger L. David , Jardine Emma , Gotham Victoria J. B. , Sarker Altaf H. , Her Mai Z. , Rashid Fahad , Hamdan Samir M. , Mirkin Sergei M. , Grasby Jane A. , Tainer John A.
Published: August 2017

Nature Communications 8 Article number: 15855 (2017); Published: 27 June 2017; Updated: 7 August 2017 The financial support for this Article was not fully acknowledged. The Acknowledgements should have included the following: This research used resources of the Advanced Light Source and the StanfordSynchrotron Radiation Lightsource, which are DOE Office of Science User Facilities under contract no.