bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,4-Dihydropyridyl complexes of magnesium: synthesis by pyridine insertion into the magnesium–silicon bond of triphenylsilyls and catalytic pyridine hydrofunctionalization
Authors: Lemmerz L. E. , Spaniol T. P. , Okuda J.
Published: May 2018

Magnesium triphenylsilyl complexes [Mg(SiPh3)2(THF)2] and [(Me3TACD)Mg(SiPh3)] ((Me3TACD)H = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) serve as precursors for 1,4-dihydropyridyl complexes of magnesium which are active in the hydroboration of pyridine.
Tannic acid-mediated synthesis of dual-heteroatom-doped hollow carbon from a metal–organic framework for efficient oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Wu Mengchen , Li Congling , Zhao Jing , Ling Yun , Liu Rui
Published: May 2018

Herein, we report an original strategy to fabricate N/B co-doped hollow carbon (denoted as NB–HC) with the assistance of tannic acid.
Optical tweezing using tunable optical lattices along a few-mode silicon waveguide
Authors: Pin C. , Jager J.-B. , Tardif M. , Picard E. , Hadji E. , de Fornel F. , Cluzel B.
Published: May 2018

On-chip optical trapping and manipulation of beads and bacteria using near-field optical lattices in few modes silicon waveguide are demonstrated.
Uniquely integrated Fe-doped Ni(OH)2 nanosheets for highly efficient oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions
Authors: Ren Jin-Tao , Yuan Ge-Ge , Weng Chen-Chen , Chen Lei , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: May 2018

Uniquely integrated Fe-doped Ni(OH)2 nanosheets deposited on conductive Ni foam were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method, and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions.
Phase-pure pentlandite Ni4.3Co4.7S8 binary sulfide as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution
Authors: Tang Yongfu , Yang Hongbin , Sun Jiaojiao , Xia Meirong , Guo Wenfeng , Yu Like , Yan Jitong , Zheng Jia , Chang Limin , Gao Faming
Published: May 2018

An efficient non-noble bifunctional electrocatalyst for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in the same electrolyte.
Sodium storage in a promising MoS2–carbon anode: elucidating structural and interfacial transitions in the intercalation process and conversion reactions
Authors: Wang Rutao , Wang Shijie , Zhang Yabin , Jin Dongdong , Tao Xinyong , Zhang Li
Published: May 2018

Structural and interfacial transitions in intercalation and conversion processes on a MoS2–carbon composite are elucidated towards the fabrication of a high-performance sodium-ion capacitor.
Enhanced lithium storage performances of novel layered nickel germanate anodes inspired by the spatial arrangement of lotus leaves
Authors: Li Hui-Si , Qu Jin , Hao Shu-Meng , Wang Zhen-Zhen , Zhang Yu-Jiao , Yu Zhong-Zhen
Published: May 2018

Inspired by spatial arrangement of lotus leaves, chemically bonded Ni3Ge2O5(OH)4/RGO hybrid with this unique architecture exhibits excellent specific capacity.
Facile synthesis of a two-dimensional layered Ni-MOF electrode material for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Cunrong , Zhang Qi , Zhang Kai , Xiao Zhenyu , Yang Yu , Wang Lei
Published: May 2018

A 2D Ni-MOF was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and used as an electrode for SCs.
Bacterial cellulose-poly(acrylic acid-co-N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide) interpenetrated networks for the controlled release of fertilizers
Authors: Zaharia Anamaria , Radu Anita-Laura , Iancu Stela , Florea Ana-Mihaela , Sandu Teodor , Minca Iulian , Fruth-Oprisan Victor , Teodorescu Mircea , Sarbu Andrei , Iordache Tanta-Verona
Published: May 2018

In this study, composite hydrogels with interpenetrated polymer networks (IPNs), based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly(acrylic acid-co-N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide) (PAA) were synthesized by radical polymerization.
Introducing 12 new dyes for use with oligonucleotide functionalised silver nanoparticles for DNA detection with SERS
Authors: Pala L. , Mabbott S. , Faulds K. , Bedics M. A. , Detty M. R. , Graham D.
Published: May 2018

12 new Raman active dyes are reported to increase the SERS intensity upon hybridisation of a targeted DNA to oligonucleotide-NP conjugates and can be potentially used together in a multiplex.
The effect of meat processing methods on changes in disulfide bonding and alteration of protein structures: impact on protein digestion products
Authors: He Jing , Zhou Guanghong , Bai Yun , Wang Chao , Zhu Shuran , Xu Xinglian , Li Chunbao
Published: May 2018

Processing caused different levels of formation of disulfide bonds, and associated it with protein structure changes and digested products.
Immediate separation of microneedle tips from base array during skin insertion for instantaneous drug delivery
Authors: Jun Hyesun , Ahn Myun-Hwan , Choi In-Jeong , Baek Seung-Ki , Park Jung-Hwan , Choi Seong-O
Published: May 2018

Insertion-responsive microneedles (IRMNs) have been developed that can enable instantaneous drug delivery without applying patches through immediate tip separation upon insertion.
Preparation of thermo-responsive drug-loaded nanofibrous films created by electrospinning
Authors: Li Jianbo , Peng Chengwei , Wang Zhimei , Ren Jie
Published: May 2018

Thermosensitive and biocompatible PNLA/PLLA drug-loaded nanofibrous films with different morphologies and controlled drug release behaviors by electrospinning technique.
Engineering of a near-infrared fluorescent probe for real-time simultaneous visualization of intracellular hypoxia and induced mitophagy
Authors: Liu Yongchao , Teng Lili , Chen Lanlan , Ma Hongchang , Liu Hong-Wen , Zhang Xiao-Bing
Published: May 2018

A near-infrared fluorescent probe has been developed for real-time simultaneous visualization of intracellular hypoxia and the subsequent induced mitophagy.
Chemical heterogeneity in interfacial layers of polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Siyang , Liu Siqi , Narayanan Suresh , Zhang Chongfeng , Akcora Pinar
Published: May 2018

A lower molecular weight of the matrix enhances the reinforcement of PMMA adsorbed nanoparticles in PMA composites above the Tg of both polymers.
Cationic poly(ester amide) dendrimers: alluring materials for biomedical applications
Authors: Lancelot Alexandre , González-Pastor Rebeca , Clavería-Gimeno Rafael , Romero Pilar , Abian Olga , Martín-Duque Pilar , Serrano José L. , Sierra Teresa
Published: May 2018

Cationic poly(ester amide) dendrons that constitute an interesting option for the design of biocompatible and biodegradable dendritic nanocarriers for therapeutic applications.
Unraveling luminescence mechanisms in zero-dimensional halide perovskites
Authors: Han Dan , Shi Hongliang , Ming Wenmei , Zhou Chenkun , Ma Biwu , Saparov Bayrammurad , Ma Ying-Zhong , Chen Shiyou , Du Mao-Hua
Published: May 2018

Zero-dimensional (0D) halides perovskites, in which anionic metal-halide octahedra (MX6)4− are separated by organic or inorganic countercations, have recently shown promise as excellent luminescent materials.
Solution-processed ZnO/SnO2 bilayer ultraviolet phototransistor with high responsivity and fast photoresponse
Authors: Choi Hojoong , Seo Sehun , Lee Jong-Hoon , Hong Sang-Hyun , Song Jaesun , Kim Seungkyu , Yim Sang-Youp , Lee Kwanghee , Park Seong-Ju , Lee Sanghan
Published: May 2018

Enhanced UV photoresponse characteristics through insertion of a SnO2 carrier transport layer with high field effect mobility.
Spotlight on the transglutaminase 2 gene: a focus on genomic and transcriptional aspects
Authors: Bianchi Nicoletta , Beninati Simone , Bergamini Carlo M.
Published: May 2018

The type 2 isoenzyme is the most widely expressed transglutaminase in mammals displaying several intra- and extracellular activities depending on its location (protein modification, modulation of gene expression, membrane signalling and stabilization of cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix) in relation to cell death, survival and differentiation. In contrast with the appreciable knowledge about the regulation of the enzymatic activities, much less is known concerning its inducible expression, which is altered in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. In this context, we first summarize the gene's basic features including single-nucleotide polymorphism characterization, epigenetic DNA methylation and identification of regulatory regions and of transcription factor-binding sites at the gene promoter, which could concur to direct gene expression. Further aspects related to alternative splicing events and to ncRNAs (microRNAs and lncRNAs) are involved in the modulation of its expression. Notably, this important gene displays transcriptional variants relevant for the protein's function with the occurrence of at least seven transcripts which support the synthesis of five isoforms with modified catalytic activities. The different expression of the TG2 (type 2 transglutaminase) variants might be useful for dictating the multiple biological features of the protein and their alterations in pathology, as well as from a therapeutic perspective.
SMAD3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism increased the risk of osteoarthritis
Authors: Yang Hao-Yu , Hu Wen-Hao , Jiang Tao , Zhao Hui
Published: May 2018

A growing body of evidence suggested that smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism was associated with the risk of osteoarthritis. However, the results of previous studies were conflicting. In the present study, we assessed whether smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism was associated with the risk of osteoarthritis by the meta-analysis. We searched in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and CNKI. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Seven papers involving 11 studies (5344 cases and 9080 controls) analyzed the association between smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism and osteoarthritis risk. This meta-analysis confirmed that smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism increased the risk of osteoarthritis. Stratification analysis of ethnicity found that rs12901499 polymorphism increased the risk of osteoarthritis among both Asians and Caucasians [G vs A: Asians, OR and 95%CI, 1.34(1.07, 1.69), P=0.012; Caucasians, OR and 95%CI, 1.21(1.13, 1.29), P<0.001]. In addition, subgroup analysis by type of osteoarthritis revealed that smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism was correlated with the increased risk of hip osteoarthritis, but not associated with knee osteoarthritis. Sensitivity analysis did not draw different findings. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicates that smad family member 3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism increased the risk of osteoarthritis.
From intra- to extracellular vesicles: extracellular vesicles in developmental signalling
Authors: Gradilla Ana-Citlali , Simon Eléanor , Aguilar Gustavo , Guerrero Isabel
Published: May 2018

Signalling from cell-to-cell is fundamental for determining differentiation and patterning. This communication can occur between adjacent and distant cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-based structures thought to facilitate the long-distance movement of signalling molecules. EVs have recently been found to allow the transport of two major developmental signalling pathways: Hedgehog and Wnt. These signalling molecules undergo crucial post-translational lipid modifications, which anchor them to membranes and impede their free release into the extracellular space. Preparation of these ligands in EVs involves intracellular vesicle sorting in an endocytosis-dependent recycling process before secretion. In the present review, we discuss the most recent advances with regard to EV involvement in developmental signalling at a distance. We focus on the role of the protein complexes involved in EV genesis, and provide a comprehensive perspective of the contribution of these complexes to intracellular vesicle sorting of developmental signals for their extracellular secretion, reception and transduction.
Dynamic heuristic for the recomposition of service function chain
Authors: Yi Bo , Wang Xingwei , Huang Min
Published: May 2018

Network function virtualisation and software‐defined networking are two emerging technologies which together enable a new service provisioning paradigm called service function chain (SFC). However, the SFC should be scalable enough to accommodate one or more service functions joining or leaving it during its lifecycle. In this work, the authors first formulate this problem as an integer linear programming (ILP) model, and then address this ILP model to obtain the optimal solution. Due to the extremely high execution time for solving the ILP model, they next proposed a dynamic heuristic to solve this problem. In particular, the proposed heuristic leverages two kinds of strategies to handle the scale‐in (i.e. removing existing service functions from SFCs) and scale‐out (i.e. adding new service functions to SFCs) requests. Since each SFC has a corresponding service function path (SFP) constructed, the first kind of strategy proposes to serve the arriving scale‐in and scale‐out requests based on the in‐use SFP, while the second kind of strategy intends to optimise the in‐use SFP to achieve low cost and packet loss probability proactively. Finally, the experimental results indicate that the proposed heuristic can achieve better performance than the existing algorithm.
On the performance of three‐dimensionalantenna arrays in millimetre wave propagation environments
Authors: Tan Weiqiang , Li Xiao , Xie Dongqing , Tan Weijie , Fan Lisheng , Jin Shi
Published: May 2018

In order to reap the full scale of benefits of millimetre wave (mmWave) massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems, the design of antenna arrays at the transmitter or receiver becomes more critical due to the propagation characteristic at mm‐frequencies. In this study, the authors investigate the performance of two types of antenna array, namely uniform rectangular planar array (URPA) and uniform cylindrical array (UCYA). The channel behaviour is presented in full‐dimensional mmWave propagation conditions by considering both the azimuth and elevation dimensions. The squared inner product and singular value spread are studied for URPA and UCYA configurations, these properties reveal the effective interference and channel's stability of antenna array. The authors also evaluate the achievable rate with the equal power allocation and water‐pouring power allocation schemes. Simulation results show that under the same system configurations, the performance that includes the radiation pattern, the channel eigenvalue distribution, the effective interference, and the achievable rate, of UCYA configuration always outperforms that of URPA configuration. Therefore, it can be concluded that in three‐dimensional propagation environments, the UCYA configuration is especially appealing for mmWave MIMO systems.
Identification of continuous‐time switched linear systems from low‐rate sampled data
Authors: Keshvari‐Khor Hadi , Karimpour Ali , Pariz Naser
Published: May 2018

This study is about the identification problem of continuous‐time switched linear systems from low‐rate sampled data. The main problem in the identification of such systems, when the sampling rate is low, is that the sampling instances do not coincide with the switching times. Therefore, some of the measured samples are generated from more than one subsystem. This problem was first observed during the sampling of a step‐up DC–DC converter at the rate of 100 kHz. The current study aims to explain the theoretical aspects of the identification problem of continuous‐time switched linear systems, and to offer a new method for estimating of subsystem parameters plus the switching times. The proposed method accurately determines the switching times which might be between two consecutive sampling instances. The results obtained from the proposed method are used to determine the switching times and parameters of an experimental DC–DC boost converter.
Robust control for time‐fractional diffusion processes: application in temperature control of an alpha silicon carbide cutting tool
Authors: Sayyaf Negin , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh
Published: May 2018

Different real‐world processes can be described by a linear model parameterised with respect to the process operating point, as an uncertain parameter. The family of transport processes with long memory is a kind of these processes which are characterised by the parameterised time‐fractional diffusion equations. This study proposes a generalised iso‐damping feature for achieving the phase margin invariance regardless of the uncertain parameter variations in control of time‐fractional diffusion processes. Also, the study suggests an analytical method to tune stabilising fractional‐order proportional–integral/proportional–derivative controllers for adjusting a desired value for the phase margin at a desired gain crossover frequency, while the proposed robustness criterion is satisfied in control of time‐fractional diffusion processes. Furthermore, conditions for solvability of the problem and stability of the obtained control system are analytically derived. Finally, an example on robust temperature control of the cutting edge in alpha silicon carbide cutting tools is presented to confirm the effectiveness of the obtained achievements.
Periodic constraint‐tightening MPC for switched PV battery operation
Authors: Hashikura Kotaro , Namba Kazuki , Kojima Akira
Published: May 2018

Charge–discharge schedules of photovoltaic (PV) batteries are planned based on the prediction of solar irradiance, and various methods have been studied to cope with prediction uncertainty. Among them, the switching of charge–discharge schedules could be a measure for keeping supply–demand balance against abrupt weather changes. Those methods motivate a PV battery operation problem to retain the trackability of the secondary reference even when the primary schedule is ongoing. This study addresses the periodic operation of PV battery systems subject to the reference switching, and designs a switching model predictive control (MPC) to track the primary and secondary references with guaranteed feasibility. The proposed MPC design also incorporates the constraint‐tightening technique, by which the operational limits are kept under the prediction error associated with each of the schedules. In order to utilise the design freedom in compensating the prediction error, the authors construct the constraint‐tightening gain based on economic dispatching control, and discuss the features in terms of design simplicity and fuel cost efficiency.
Modular zero‐voltage switching converter for direct current microgrid applications
Authors: Lin Bor‐Ren
Published: May 2018

This study presents a high‐voltage zero‐voltage switching converter with balance capacitors in the direct current microgrid. In the proposed converter, full‐bridge circuits with primary‐series and secondary‐parallel connection are used for high‐voltage input and high‐current output applications. The series connection of full‐bridge circuits reduces the voltage rating of power switches in each full‐bridge circuit cell. Therefore, high‐speed power metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors are employed to reduce the converter size. Flying capacitors are connected between each full‐bridge circuits so that the input split voltages can be balanced automatically in every switching period without using the complexity control scheme. The phase‐shift pulse‐width modulation scheme is used to regulate the output voltage. The power switches can be turned on at zero voltage due to the energy stored in the output inductors or primary leakage inductors and the switching losses are reduced. The output sides of the full‐bridge circuits are connected in parallel to reduce the current ratings of transformer secondary windings and passive power components. Finally, experiments are provided to validate the characteristics and usefulness of the proposed converter in microgrid applications.
Investigating the environmental and socio‐economic impacts of grid‐tied photovoltaic and on‐shore wind systems in Bangladesh
Authors: Nurunnabi Md , Roy Naruttam Kumar , Mahmud Md Apel
Published: May 2018

Current power generation scenarios all over the world are not climate friendly as the generation systems are mainly dependent on fossil fuels that produce greenhouse gas (GHG). As renewable energies (especially solar and wind energies) have the sustainable characteristics, by replacing the conventional energy system with them, it is possible to significantly contribute to reducing the dependency on fossil fuels as well as GHG emissions. Though biomass is the primary renewable source in Bangladesh, this study is exploring new options in photovoltaic (PV) and on‐shore wind in the 0.5–2 MW capacity range. This research presents environmental and socio‐economic impacts of grid‐connected hybrid (PV/wind) power systems by investigating the potentials of the solar and wind energy with considering various sensitivity variables for two different locations, namely Magnama and Dinajpur, in Bangladesh. The main goal of this research is to generate the lowest possible adverse socio‐economic and environmental impacts ensuring a certain degree of monetary benefits. Three sizes of plants have been chosen for quantifying the variations in socio‐economic and environmental impacts. It is found that the proposed model of the hybrid power system can maximise the benefits by reducing the adverse effects of conventional power plants.
VLTI-GRAVITY measurements of cool evolved stars
Authors: Wittkowski M. , Rau G. , Chiavassa A. , Höfner S. , Scholz M. , Wood P. R. , de Wit W. J. , Eisenhauer F. , Haubois X. , Paumard T.
Published: May 2018

Context. Dynamic model atmospheres of Mira stars predict variabilities in the photospheric radius and in atmospheric molecular layers which are not yet strongly constrained by observations.

Aims. Here we measure the variability of the oxygen-rich Mira star R Peg in near-continuum and molecular bands.

Methods. We used near-infrared K-band spectro-interferometry with a spectral resolution of about 4000 obtained at four epochs between post-maximum and minimum visual phases employing the newly available GRAVITY beam combiner at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI).

Results. Our observations show a continuum radius that is anti-correlated with the visual lightcurve. Uniform disc (UD) angular diameters at a near-continuum wavelength of 2.25 μm are steadily increasing with values of 8.7 ± 0.1 mas, 9.4 ± 0.1 mas, 9.8 ± 0.1 mas, and 9.9 ± 0.1 mas at visual phases of 0.15, 0.36, 0,45, 0.53, respectively. UD diameters at a bandpass around 2.05 μm, dominated by water vapour, follow the near-continuum variability at larger UD diameters between 10.7 mas and 11.7 mas. UD diameters at the CO 2–0 bandhead, instead, are correlated with the visual lightcurve and anti-correlated with the near-continuum UD diameters, with values between 12.3 mas and 11.7 mas.

Conclusions. The observed anti-correlation between continuum radius and visual lightcurve is consistent with an earlier study of the oxygen-rich Mira S Lac, and with recent 1D CODEX dynamic model atmosphere predictions. The amplitude of the variation is comparable to the earlier observations of S Lac, and smaller than predicted by CODEX models. The wavelength-dependent visibility variations at our epochs can be reproduced by a set of CODEX models at model phases between 0.3 and 0.6. The anti-correlation of water vapour and CO contributions at our epochs suggests that these molecules undergo different processes in the extended atmosphere along the stellar cycle. The newly available GRAVITY instrument is suited to conducting longer time series observations, which are needed to provide strong constraints on the model-predicted intra- and inter-cycle variability.
Uncertainties for Swiss LWR spent nuclear fuels due to nuclear data
Authors: Rochman Dimitri A. , Vasiliev Alexander , Dokhane Abdelhamid , Ferroukhi Hakim
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a study of the impact of the nuclear data (cross sections, neutron emission and spectra) on different quantities for spent nuclear fuels (SNF) from Swiss power plants: activities, decay heat, neutron and gamma sources and isotopic vectors. Realistic irradiation histories are considered using validated core follow-up models based on CASMO and SIMULATE. Two Pressurized and one Boiling Water Reactors (PWR and BWR) are considered over a large number of operated cycles. All the assemblies at the end of the cycles are studied, being reloaded or finally discharged, allowing spanning over a large range of exposure (from 4 to 60 MWd/kgU for ≃9200 assembly-cycles). Both UO2 and MOX fuels were used during the reactor cycles, with enrichments from 1.9 to 4.7% for the UO2 and 2.2 to 5.8% Pu for the MOX. The SNF characteristics presented in this paper are calculated with the SNF code. The calculated uncertainties, based on the ENDF/B-VII.1 library are obtained using a simple Monte Carlo sampling method. It is demonstrated that the impact of nuclear data is relatively important (e.g. up to 17% for the decay heat), showing the necessity to consider them for safety analysis of the SNF handling and disposal.
Limonoids from Aphanamixis polystachya Leaves and Their Interaction with Hsp90
Authors: Camero César Muñoz , Vassallo Antonio , De Leo Marinella , Temraz Abeer , De Tommasi Nunziatina , Braca Alessandra
Published: May 2018

A phytochemical study of n-hexane, CHCl3, and CHCl3-MeOH extracts of Aphanamixis polystachya leaves led to the isolation of 10 compounds. Five of them turned out to be new natural compounds, including two mexicanolide-type (1, 2) and three polyoxyphragmalin-type (3–5) limonoids, together with two known andirobin-type limonoids (6, 7) and three phenolic derivatives. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods to be 8-hydro-14,15-en-cabralin (1), 3-deacetyl-8-hydro-cabralin-14,15-en-3-one (2), 20,22-dihydroxy-21,23-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran khayanolide A (3), 1-deacetyl-3-dehydroxy-3-oxokhaysenelide E (4), and meliaphanamixin A (5). All compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. The ability of the isolated limonoids to interact with the molecular chaperone Hsp90 was tested. Compounds 6 and 7 were the most active.
Massive Retropharyngeal Hematoma with Airway Obstruction after Minor Injury
Authors: Sobti Shivender , Grewal Sarvpreet , John Paul , Grover Ashwani
Published: May 2018

Retropharyngeal hematoma can cause life-threatening airway compromise. We present a case of massive retropharyngeal hematoma following minor injury. The patient required immediate tracheostomy followed by evacuation of hematoma and cervical stabilization.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Prognosis of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kumar Raghuvendra , Ghosh Subhasis , Dhibar Tapan , Kumar Abhishek
Published: May 2018

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Long-term clinical outcome following TBI can be difficult to predict. Evaluation of the degree of severity of injury and prediction of outcome are important for the management of these patients.

Objective To evaluate whether degree of severity of injury and outcome in moderate to severe TBI is possible by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS).

Materials and Methods Patients with moderate (Glasgow coma scale [GCS] 9–13) and severe head injury (GCS: 5–8), within 1 week of trauma with their normal computed tomographic (CT) scan findings, their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) finding, and neurologic status were investigated with single-voxel proton MRS (1H-MRS). The study included 51 patients and 24 controls.

Result The MRS study revealed lower ratio of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho) and NAA/creatine (Cr) and higher ratio of Cho/Cr and lactate level compared with the control group. The ratio of NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Cho/Cr were statistically significant with initial GCS (p = < 0.00001, r = 0.7595; p = < 0.00001, r = 0.7506; and p < 0.00001, r = −0.5923, respectively), and these ratios were also statistically significant with Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) (p < 0.00001, r = 0.8498, p < 0.00001, r =0.9323, p < 0.00001, r = −0.9082, respectively). The ratio of NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Cho/Cr were also statistically significant with severity of injury (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion MRS can quantify damage after TBI and may be a method of assessing severity and outcome in TBI.
Cerebral Infarction in a Child after Moderate Brain Trauma: A Case Report
Authors: Gohil Dhaval , Devi Bhagavatula , Bhat Dhananjaya , Shukla Dhaval
Published: May 2018

Intracranial hematomas and contusions are common entity after traumatic brain injury in children and young population. However, cerebral infarction after traumatic head injury is a rare entity with frequency ranging from 1.9 to 10.4%. We herein report a case of cerebral infarction in right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and parts of middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory after moderate head injury in a 14-year-old boy, in whom computed tomographic (CT) scan of the brain was performed 3.5 hours after injury, which showed specks of pneumocephalus in sellar suprasellar region, and 12 hours after injury showed right ACA territory infarct and evolving infarct in right MCA territory. Bony injury included right orbital roof and right sphenoid wing linear undisplaced fractures. Possible mechanism for development of infarction is right internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection by fractured bone fragments and/or thrombosis. The patient developed hemiplegia on second day after trauma. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was done, which was suggestive of raised ICP. The patient underwent right fronto-temporo-parieto craniotomy and decompression (tissue sent for histopathologic analysis) and augmentative duraplasty with bone flap replacement on fifth day after trauma. Histopathology was suggestive of cerebral infarct with hemorrhage. The patient was improved at follow-up, 10 months after trauma after rehabilitation, and physiotherapy to modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 3. Hence delayed CT scan plays a vital role in detecting developing posttraumatic infarcts, and rigorous rehabilitation care is necessary for clinical improvement.
Relation between extracellular Chemistry and Patient Outcome for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury within the First 24 hours: A Microdialysis Study
Authors: Igarashi Yutaka , Yokobori Shoji , Onda Hidetaka , Masuno Tomohiko , Yokota Hiroyuki
Published: May 2018

Object Many studies have reported that extracellular chemistry is related to the outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). No study has reported that extracellular chemistry predicts outcome in less than 3 days. Moreover, in other studies, both focal brain and diffuse brain injuries have been often discussed. The authors focused on the relationship between extracellular chemistry in a shorter period and the outcome of patients with focal brain injury.

Methods By using intracerebral microdialysis monitoring, extracellular fluid concentrations of glucose, lactate, glycerol, glutamate, lactate/pyruvate (L/P), and lactate/glucose (L/G) were determined in 30 patients with severe TBI for initial 24 hours. The results were analyzed between favorable and unfavorable, and between survival and mortality.

Results The medians of glycerol and L/P in the favorable group were significantly lower than those in the unfavorable group (124 µmol/L vs. 808 µmol/L, p = 0.002; 31 vs. 48, p = 0.021, respectively). All parameters apart from glutamate differed significantly between the survival and mortality groups (glucose, 25 mmol/L vs. 77 mmol/L, p = 0.035; lactate, 38 mmol/L vs. 73 mmol/L, p = 0.018; glycerol, 168 µmol/L vs. 1462 µmol/L, p = 0.002; glutamate, 14 µmol/L vs. 95 µmol/L, p = 0.019; L/P, 32 vs. 124, p < 0.001; L/G, 1.46 vs. 4.52, p = 0.004).

Conclusion Cerebral extracellular glycerol and L/P was the most reliable predictor of outcomes in patients with focal brain injury and can discriminate between favorable and unfavorable outcomes for the first 24 hours, using the threshold of 200 and 40, respectively.
Cranial Vault Fractures in Civilian Head Injury: Clinical and Radiologic Predictors of Seizures and the Fracture Seizure Index: A Prospective Single-Center Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Uche Enoch , Okorie Emeka , Onyia Ephraim , Iloabachie Izuchukwu , Matthew Mesi , Amuta Dubem , Mezue Wilfred
Published: May 2018

Study Objectives To determine the risk factors of posttraumatic seizures (PTS) among patients with civilian head injury and skull vault fractures.

Methods A 5-year prospective cohort study of patients with skull fractures presenting to our center from March 2013 to February 2017.

Results Of 637 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), 135 (21.2%) patients sustained calvarial fractures, 91 (72%) were from road traffic accidents (RTAs), and most were young adult males (M:F = 11.6, mean age = 29.1 ± 2.3 years, 95% CL). Linear fractures in 69 patients and depressed fractures in 50 (39.7%) were the common fracture types. Seventy-seven (61.1%) patients had cerebral contusions, 31 (24.6%) had extradural hematoma (EDH), and 21 (16.7%) patients had Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ≤ 8. Twenty-five (18.5%) patients suffered early PTS, and five had late PTS. Among nonfracture patients (n = 361), 31 (8.6%) had seizures. Seizures occurred more in the fracture subgroup (χ2
= 10.1, p < 0.05, df = 1) and earlier (χ2
= 5.9, p = 0.027, df = 1). Fractures and seizures followed a similar trend in occurrence. Among patients with vault fractures, severe head injury, contusions, and intracranial hematoma, the relative risk and odds for early seizures followed a trend predicted by a statistical index—the fracture seizure index (FSI). Late PTS did not show a statistical relationship with early PTS (χ2
= 2.98, df = 1, p > 0.05).

Conclusion GCS score ≤8, depressed fracture and multifocal cerebral contusions are predictors of early PTS. Seizure risk associated with fractures and other lesions can be predicted by the FSI.
Unusual Clinical and Imaging Presentation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Roy Kaushik , Saha Suniti K. , Ghosh Partha
Published: May 2018

Various clinical and radiologic presentations of chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) are reported in the literature. Therefore, sometimes the presentation of a patient with chronic SDH often creates confusion regarding decision making. Here, the authors present three cases of chronic SDH, in which the clinical presentation, radiology, and operative findings were unusual. In the first case, the patient presented with acute extradural hematoma like clinical as well as radiologic presentation but intraoperatively found to have chronic calcified SDH, whereas another case with history of bilateral ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting at childhood presented with large head with discharging sinus at the forehead. Radiologic and operative findings were very much unusual. Intraoperatively, the bilateral subdural collection was found to have fungus-like projections with subdural space communicating with the forehead sinus. In another case, a 10-year-old girl with history of VP shunting at age of 6 months presented with left hemiparesis of subacute onset. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed biconvex lesion at the right parietal region intraoperatively. The authors found the shell-like lesion with inner and outer membrane calcified, within which the subdural collection was present. In these three cases, they observed the very unusual mode of presentation of chronic SDH, and in the literature such mode of presentation and operative findings of such type are very rare.
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: Impact of Opioid Prescribing Protocol at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Authors: Nadeau Robert , Hasstedt Kristopher , Sunstrum Ashley Brooke , Wagner Chad , Tu Harold
Published: May 2018

Prescription opioid medications continue to be abused on an epidemic level and have been shown to be a “gateway” drug to heroin abuse. Individuals experimenting with opioids commonly fall in the 10- to 19-year age range in which dentists are the highest prescribers. To reduce the number of excess opioids, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Minnesota, developed and implemented an evidence-based opioid prescribing policy. Data were collected via electronic health record for the previous year and compared with the year following the protocol implementation. The results showed a drastic decrease (>46%) in the number of prescriptions given over a 1-year period. All departments reported a decrease in opioid prescriptions and the average number of tablets per prescription. The concern of undertreating pain was not found to be significant, as there was no increase in after-hours calls, recall appointments, or documentable emergency room visits. The results support the efficacy of an opioid prescribing policy's ability to lower the frequency and number of opioids given to patients, while still adequately treating patients’ pain. Continued evaluation and modifications of the protocol and close monitoring of prescriber habits will enhance patients’ pain control while also limiting the number of opioids available for abuse.
Comparison of Simulation-Based versus Live Tissue–Based Ocular Trauma Training on Novice Ophthalmologists: Repair of Marginal Eyelid Laceration Model
Authors: Sykes Sean , Chou Eva , Mazzoli Robert , Pasternak Joseph , Ryan Denise , Sia Rose , Colyer Marcus
Published: May 2018

Introduction Simulation training in medical education provides the ability to teach valuable surgical skills in an environment free of risk to patients. Surgical simulation in ophthalmology continues to evolve as new technologies advance, though widespread use in ophthalmology outside of cataract surgery simulation is lacking. Here, we present a study into the efficacy of surgical simulation for eyelid laceration repair when compared with standard tissue-based instruction.

Materials and Methods The study included 43 ophthalmology residents and 16 staff ophthalmologists from the Ocular Trauma Surgery Laboratory (OTSL) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). After initial evaluation on their ability to repair marginal eyelid lacerations on a porcine eye, residents were randomized to receive training in marginal eyelid repair technique from faculty preceptors using either traditional porcine tissue or the Ocular and Craniofacial Trauma Treatment Training System (Medical Device and Simulation Laboratory). They were then reevaluated after training. Participating staff also underwent initial evaluation, self-guided training, and post-training evaluation. Outcome measures included successful repair of laceration, number of sutures required to close a 10-mm wound, time required to repair, and the following graded on a scale of 1–4 (1—poor, 2—fair, 3—good, 4—excellent): tarsal plate reconstruction and margin approximation.

Results Among residents, improved scores in marginal approximation were noted after training when comparing scores both within the simulator-trained group (pre-training score: 2.0, post-training score: 3.0; p = 0.03) and between the simulator (SIM) and live tissue (LIVE) groups (SIM: 3.0, LIVE: 2.0 p = 0.03). Neither residents nor staff demonstrated significant differences between SIM versus LIVE in other metrics evaluated. Response in a post-study survey was favorable to simulator training, with 79% noting the simulator was helpful in teaching skills, and 83% noting they would use the simulator again.

Conclusion Simulator technology for teaching marginal eyelid laceration repair appears to be noninferior to traditional tissue-based instruction. Additionally, it appears to be superior when evaluating the ability to approximate the eyelid margin appropriately. Simulators are safe and ethical alternatives to tissue-based instruction, and are favorably received among trainees, and therefore warrant additional investigation and development for ophthalmic surgical training.
Comprehensive Surgical Strategies for the Management of Pachydermoperiostosis
Authors: Taichao Du , Fuling Luo , Hengguang Zhao
Published: May 2018

The cosmetic and functional deformities induced by thickened folds and furrows are the main complaints of patients in pachydermoperiostosis (PDP). However, traditional drug therapy only has a limited effect for its unclear genetic pathogenesis. Surgical treatment has now become one of the optimal strategies mainly aiming for its cosmetic improvement. Here we describe a comprehensive management of PDP approached with surgical procedure thereby showing markedly improved cosmetic outcome. Experientially, the surgical treatment of PDP is effective and may be preferentially recommended for PDP patients especially of severe degree.
Car Travel-Related Thrombosis: Fact or Fiction?
Authors: Favaloro Emmanuel , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: May 2018

The condition sometimes referred to as “economy class syndrome,” and also known as “traveler's thrombosis,” is a distinctive pathological condition characterized by occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a patient who has recently experienced a long journey (i.e., ≥ 4 h). Typically, the identified travel is by airplane, but travel with other vehicles, such as trains, trucks, buses, or cars, could potentially qualify as contributing to VTE events. Although the enhanced risk of VTE after long haul flights is now widely acknowledged, albeit potentially overhyped, the risk of venous thrombosis after prolonged travel by other modes of transport, in particular, by cars, is less well appreciated. Current evidence, collected from some epidemiological studies, suggests that if any risk of VTE can be attributed to prolonged and uninterrupted car travels, and we give moderate credibility to such an association, the risk may be similar to that already proven for long haul flights. The risk is especially high in individuals undergoing uninterrupted car journeys lasting 4 hours or longer, in vehicles with a narrow seat-pitch, and in particularly would affect those with pre-existing acquired or inherited prothrombotic conditions. The putative biological mechanisms basically entail venous stasis and edema, which are often compounded by a certain degree of hypercoagulability. When these factors are combined with preexistent prothrombotic conditions, the risk may be substantially magnified. In this perspective, then, ‘car thrombosis’ may be regarded as a trigger rather than a risk factor for venous thrombosis. Although the current evidence is certainly not solid enough to endorse the use of general chemical prophylaxis for lowering the risk of car-related VTE, a set of possible precautionary measures, with no or very little side effects, may be suggested before planning prolonged car travels, especially for at risk individuals.
Electrostatic wave modulation in collisional pair-ion plasmas
Authors: Sikdar Arnab , Adak Ashish , Ghosh Samiran , Khan Manoranjan
Published: May 2018

The effects of ion-neutral collision on the electrostatic wave packets in the absence of the magnetic field in a pair-ion plasma have been investigated. Considering a two-fluid plasma model with the help of the standard perturbation technique, two distinct electrostatic modes have been observed, namely, a low-frequency ion acoustic mode and a high-frequency ion plasma mode. The dynamics of the modulated wave is governed by a damped nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Damping of the soliton occurs due to the ion-neutral collision. The analytical and numerical investigation reveals that the ion acoustic mode is both stable and unstable, which propagates in the form of dark solitons and bright solitons, respectively, whereas the ion plasma mode is unstable, propagating in the form of a bright soliton. Results are discussed in the context of the fullerene pair-ion plasma experiments.
Quasi-variational coupled-cluster theory: Performance of perturbative treatments of connected triple excitations
Authors: Black Joshua A. , Knowles Peter J.
Published: May 2018

Quasi-variational coupled-cluster methods are applied to a selection of diatomic molecules. The potential energy curves, spectroscopic constants, and size consistency errors are calculated and compared to those obtained from both single- and multi-reference methods. The effects of connected triple excitations are introduced with either the standard perturbative (T) formulation, or in the renormalised form, and its symmetrised approximation. It is found that the renormalised ansatz is significantly superior to the standard formulation when describing bond breaking and that in most circumstances, the computationally simpler symmetrisation gives nearly identical results.
Novel phases and superconductivity of tin sulfide compounds
Authors: Gonzalez Joseph M. , Nguyen-Cong Kien , Steele Brad A. , Oleynik Ivan I.
Published: May 2018

Tin sulfides, SnxSy, are an important class of materials that are actively investigated as novel photovoltaic and water splitting materials. A first-principles evolutionary crystal structure search is performed with the goal of constructing the complete phase diagram of SnxSy and discovering new phases as well as new compounds of varying stoichiometry at ambient conditions and pressures up to 100 GPa. The ambient phase of SnS2 with P3¯m1 symmetry remains stable up to 28 GPa. Another ambient phase, SnS, experiences a series of phase transformations including α-SnS to β-SnS at 9 GPa, followed by β-SnS to γ-SnS at 40 GPa. γ-SnS is a new high-pressure metallic phase with Pm3¯m space group symmetry stable up to 100 GPa, which becomes a superconductor with a maximum Tc = 9.74 K at 40 GPa. Another new metallic compound, Sn3S4 with I4¯3d space group symmetry, is predicted to be stable at pressures above 15 GPa, which also becomes a superconductor with relatively high Tc = 21.9 K at 30 GPa.
Pulse-based electron spin transient nutation measurement of BaTiO3 fine particle: Identification of controversial signal around g = 2.00
Authors: Sawai Takatoshi , Yamaguchi Yoji , Kitamura Noriko , Date Tomotsugu , Konishi Shinya , Taga Kazuya , Tanaka Katsuhisa
Published: May 2018

Two dimensional pulse-based electron spin transient nutation (2D-ESTN) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for determining the spin quantum number and has been applied to BaTiO3 fine powder in order to identify the origin of the continuous wave electron spin resonance (CW-ESR) signal around g = 2.00. The signal is frequently observed in BaTiO3 ceramics, and the correlation between the signal intensity and positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) properties has been reported to date. The CW-ESR spectrum of BaTiO3 fine particles synthesized by the sol-gel method shows a typical asymmetric signal at g = 2.004. The 2D-ESTN measurements of the sample clearly reveal that the signal belongs to the S = 5/2 high spin state, indicating that the signal is not due to a point defect as suggested by a number of researchers but rather to a transition metal ion. Our elemental analysis, as well as previous studies, indicates that the origin of the g = 2.004 signal is due to the presence of an Fe3+ impurity. The D value (second-order fine structure parameter) reveals that the origin of the signal is an Fe3+ center with distant charge compensation. In addition, we show a peculiar temperature dependence of the CW-ESR spectrum, suggesting that the phase transition behavior of a BaTiO3 fine particle is quite different from that of a bulk single crystal. Our identification does not contradict a vacancy-mediated mechanism for PTCR. However, it is incorrect to use the signal at g = 2.00 as evidence to support the vacancy-mediated mechanism.