bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-Hospital Care Quality Program
Authors: Pascarelli Emil , Ciorciari Anthony
Published: July 2016

Paramedic units have awakened a new concept in prehospital care in the USA. New emergency medical services (EMS) administrations, better educated personnel, and mass public awareness through media events have all contributed to the change.

Operational changes designed to tighten control of the emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic came about through deployment of ambulances and categorization and designation of emergency hospitals. Clinical changes have given the EMS responder, particularly the paramedic, a great deal of freedom in the care given to patients. The paramedic, who uses subjective criteria, can administer care ranging from Standard First Aid to advanced cardiology. Subjective control should be rigid for the EMT or paramedic, when cognitive abilities include only knowledge, comprehension and application, but not for those who have had a chance to exercise analytic and synthetic skills in pre-hospital training programs.
Feasibility of Teaching Resuscitation by Television in Brazil
Authors: Lane John C. , Nagase Yeichi
Published: July 2016

Of the 110 million people in Brazil, only 4% to 6% read regularly; nevertheless, 50% have access to a television set. Instructors, audio-visual training aids, and manikins are virtually non-existent. The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through television (TV). Two representative groups were taught in this study: 1) high school students; and 2) regular army recruits. The first group because 50% of the population is under age 18; the second group of 18 to 19 years because they better represent the general population.
Educational Graffiti: Better Use of the Bathroom Wall
Authors: Grogono Alan W. , Jastremski Michael S. , Nugent William
Published: July 2016

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) lessens mortality and morbidity following cardiac arrest and has gained widespread acceptance. However, the cognitive and psychomotor skills achieved at the initial training sessions tend to deteriorate fairly quickly. Experience or retraining can help to preserve these skills. The authors felt that repetitive exposure to the principal facts might achieve the same purpose. Furthermore they viewed the time spent in the bathroom (lavatory) as an untapped educational resource for instructing a group of individuals; a suitable poster taped on a bathroom wall would repeatedly present the key information to a captive audience. Judging by the graffiti already present, the audience is presumably accustomed to reading in this environment. This paper reports two trials: in the first, posters were displayed in an undergraduate dormitory followed by a test of theoretical knowledge; in the second, the posters were displayed in hospital bathrooms used by nurses followed by a test of theoretical and practical ability.
Education and Training of Medical Students and Physicians in Emergency Medicine in the German Democratic Republic
Authors: Röse Wolfgang
Published: July 2016

The effectiveness even of the best organized emergency medical services (EMS) system depends on the level of knowledge and the abilities of those persons who are the first at the scene. Only on few occasions will that be a physician specialist in resuscitology. So it seems necessary to educate and train laymen, medical students, and physicians in life saving methods. This should be done in a uniform way concerning organization and contents. In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), we try to perform this task on a nationwide basis.
Vehicle Crash Rescue Skills and Residency Training in Emergency Medicine
Authors: Harrison Robert R. , Maull Kimball I. , Boyan C. Paul
Published: July 2016

Recent advances in the resuscitation and stabilization skills of prehospital emergency care providers have done much to improve the quality of immediate care provided to suddenly ill or injured patients. Although much of the innovation and leadership in this area has been provided by emergency department physicians, most of them still lack an adequate appreciation of the circumstances under which these skills are executed. While many physicians participate in prehospital care teaching and evaluation of the system, most have not gained personal experience in those aspects of care foreign to hospital environment. They are particularly unacquainted with the intricacies of rescuing patients from automobile accidents and similar entrapments. It is not unusual, however, for an accident victim to spend half of the time required for the prehospital phase of emergency medical care undergoing extrication, and in many cases this must be done before full advanced life support measures may be initiated.
Perspectives of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Authors: Nagel Eugene
Published: July 2016

Many of the world leaders in emergency medicine and in disaster medicine systems have made advances in these fields, and I compliment them on the accomplishments that I have seen over the years. Dr. Safar charged me to look ahead, if that is possible, and offer some perspective—obviously my own—on the next five to ten years. Hopefully, our future can be controlled in certain limits. Toynbee philosophized that when new and unanticipated challenges are presented, they represent great opportunity for response. If we fail to respond or if we respond in an inappropriate way, we may become a fossil in history—in this case, in the history of medicine. I have attempted to look at important challenges that I see in emergency medicine, and to predict from these a course that I think represents a proper response.

The first challenge, one that you have heard of before, clearly is the most important one. It is the challenge of limited or relative resources. The term “relative” means that fraction of a country's or region's output or wherewithall that is available in a logical or rational way for emergency medicine.
On-the-Scene Triage with a Rapid Response Vehicle
Authors: Dreifuss Rodney , Pascarelli Emil
Published: July 2016

Perhaps the greatest operational problem faced by the New York City Emergency Medical Service (EMS) today is the sheer volume of calls entering the system, and the fact that many of those requests for medical aid are not life-threatening emergencies requiring ambulance transport. This creates two situations that New York City is all too familiar with: (l) ambulances are not available for true emergencies; and (2) response times for ambulances to arrive at the scene of an emergency are extended.

A four-month pilot “on-scene triage” program was initiated by EMS as a possible solution to these problems. The program ran from May to August of 1980. A marked EMS car was designated as the “Triage Car” and was in operation during those hours when ambulance requests were at their peak (usually two to ten PM).
Treatment of Life-Threatened Victims of Accidents within and outside the Hospital
Authors: Lüders Kristian , Fellmann Erich , Ungeheuer Edgar
Published: July 2016

The problems of improving care of life-threatened victims of accidents influence the organization, equipment and training of hospitals, staff and physicians. Our review of the helicopter rescue program at Frankfurt/Main, introduced in 1972, clarifies the following: Nearly 200 annual daylight sorties underline a strong demand for helicopter activities in the densely populated Rhein-Main area. Unnecessary dispatches were made only in 16% of calls. The helicopter is stationed near the city of Frankfurt/Main at the BG Unfallklinik, a department specializing chiefly in traumatic and orthopedic surgery. The surgeons of this department are well trained in emergency interventions. They are competent to make triage decisions. When necessary, endotracheal intubation, resuscitation, and infusion therapy are performed immediately.
Intubation with an “Airway Intubator”
Authors: Williams R. Tudor
Published: July 2016

Airway Intubators are obtainable from Williams Airway Intubator Limited, 405–206 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary T2P0W7 Canada

The Airway Intubator serves two purposes: as an oropharyngeal airway and, should the need arise, an endotracheal tube can be passed through the center of the airway intubator into the trachea without the need for further instrumentation.

Sykes, in 1937, described a divided airway made of aluminum; following the introduction of the endotracheal tube, both halves of the airway were removed leaving the endotracheal tube in place. A plastic airway, as designed in the 1970's by Berman, consisted of a tunnel along its whole length so that an endotracheal tube was compelled to follow this pathway.

With the advent of plastic endotracheal tubes with a relatively fixed radius of curvature, the airway intubator has been more successful than its predecessors, both as an oropharyngeal airway and as a means of intubating the trachea.
A Multiple Purpose Airway Endoscope
Authors: MacAllister Niall , Beaudry Robert , MacMurray Adele , Brock Ben , Zorab John
Published: July 2016

Since early recorded use of the endotracheal catheter for controlled ventilation of the lung and protection of the airway from aspiration, the protection of airway integrity has been inconsistently obtained and not without significant morbidity.

Trauma is the leading cause of death between the ages of 1 and 40. The three most common causes of trauma related death are inadequate ventilation, inadequate circulation and massive hemorrhage. Thus high priority must be given to airway management, breathing and circulation. The efficiency of the former is essential to optimal circulatory adjustment. No presently available instrument fulfills these needs within a single system.
Advantages of Open Chest Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (OCCPR)
Authors: Bircher Nicholas G. , Safar Peter
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Although the hemodynamic superiority of open chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation has long been recognized, its advantages with respect to the brain have only recently been investigated. Yashon demonstrated the ability of open chest CPR to maintain EEG activity during prolonged resuscitation. Alifimoff showed improved cerebral reco-very in dogs after open chest CPR. Byrne has demonstrated that internal cardiac massage can provide nearly normal cerebral blood flow in dogs as opposed to the 30% of normal seen during standard CPR, which consists of 60 chest compressions per min with a ventilation interposed after every fifth compression and 50% compression duration.
Sternal Compression before Ventilation in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Authors: Lesser Raymond , Bircher Nicholas , Safar Peter , Stezoski William
Published: July 2016

The CPR committee of the Dutch Heart Association currently recommends for the management of sudden cardiac arrest, the initiation of external cardiac compressions before airway control and ventilation, which may be termed the “CAB” sequence. This differs from the ABC sequence, recommended by the American Heart Association, in which the patient is ventilated first. Supporters of the CAB sequence reason that, since most sudden cardiac deaths are due to ventricular fibrillation, the blood in the arterial system should be well oxygenated at the onset of such an episode. We conducted these studies to characterize the decline in arterial blood gases during 5 min of cardiac arrest, followed by external cardiac compressions alone, vs followed by external cardiac compressions with ventilation. In addition, we studied the decline in arterial blood gases and ventricular fibrillation without therapy.
Is the Use of Calcium Helpful in Cardiac Resuscitation? Experimental and Clinical Studies
Authors: Meuret G. , Roth V. , Borcherding D. , Scholler K. L.
Published: July 2016

The effect of positive inotropic agents on circulation and ventricular fibrillation threshold are not fully understood during the influence of metabolic acidosis during circulatory arrest. This is the same case with alkalosis, caused by the over-correction of sodium bicarbonate. Furthermore, the role of calcium during CPR is not clear.

Therefore, we investigated the influence of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis with and without the administration of the positive inotropic substances epinephrine and calcium upon contractility and ventricular fibrillation threshold.
Clinical Course of 61 Serious Immersion Incidents
Authors: Harries Mark G.
Published: July 2016

Retrospective studies of the mechanisms of drowning are difficult to make for a number of reasons. First, the severity of the immersion incident is hard to classify; therefore, conclusions drawn from the outcome of a number of incidents grouped together may be erroneous. Second, confusion results from traditional attempts to separate victims into those who immerse in salt water from those who immerse in fresh. This is an analysis of 61 individual cases of immersion published in the last 20 years, but not previously subjected to group analysis such as those published by Modell, Conn and Simcock.

Results

In 61 cases reviewed, males outnumbered females by almost 4 to 1 (48/13), 17 died and 44 survived (Table 1). When placed in age groups, those most at risk fell into the 0–5 years old group, comprising 43% of the total; but this group also contained the greatest proportion of survivors (Figure 1).
Actions of the World Health Organizations (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) in Disasters
Authors: Gunn S. William A.
Published: July 2016

In essence, the United Nations Organization was born out of disaster to avert disaster. Be they the work of nature or of man, catastrophic emergencies are not rare occurrences and all studies indicate that they are increasing in frequency and severity.

Within the international community, the UN and its component organizations is only one of the three principal partners in disaster relief. The other are the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) – including the Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGS) – and the bilateral donor countries. Collaboration among these sectors is vital if international action is to be effective.

This article deals with the UN System only, and in particular with the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in disaster relief and preparedness.
The International Society of Emergency Medical Services (ISEMS)
Authors: Gemma William
Published: July 2016

In September 1980 at the International Aeromedical Evacuation Congress held in Munich, West Germany, the International Society of Emergency Medical Services (ISEMS) was formed. The purpose of this new society is to develop, promote, and improve EMS throughout the world. The founding members came from sixteen nations and represented such regions as Africa, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East.

This new organization, ISEMS, provides a permanent, ongoing focal point for studies and serves as a global clearinghouse for EMS technical assistance, training, management, and evaluation. The Society remains on an international level, and its eligible membership consists of all persons who participate in EMS throughout the world. The publication of a scientific journal for all EMS personnel is planned. Through ISEMS, International Centers of Excellence will be established to provide technical assistance to countries for improvement of their EMS programs; training seminars and educational programs will also be sponsored. In addition, annually sponsored meetings in key cities in various countries of the world are planned.
40. MVCs: Five Most Frequent Sources of Injury
Authors: Gough John E. , Hunt Richard C.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To determine the most frequent sources of injuries from the interior of motor vehicles involved in crashes.

Methods: We searched the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Accident Sampling System to determine the most frequent sources of injuries. This database includes sources of injuries resulting from crashes from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1992.
53. A Descriptive Analysis of Air Medical Directors in the United States
Authors: Rinnert Kathy J. , Blumen Ira J. , Zanker Michael , Gabram Sheryl G. A.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: The practice of helicopter emergency medical services is variable in its mission profile, crew configuration, and transport capabilities. We sought to describe the characteristics of physician air medical directors in the United States.

Methods: We surveyed medical directors concerning their education, training, transport experience, and roles/responsibilities in critical care air transport programs.

Results: Two page surveys were mailed to 281 air medical services. Three programs merged or were dissolved. Data from 122/278 (43.9%) air medical directors were analyzed. One-hundred eleven respondents reported residency training in: Emergency Medicine (EM) 44 (39.6%), Internal Medicine (IM) 18 (16.2%), General Surgery (GS) 18 (16.2%), Family Practice (FP) 12 (10.8%), dual-trained (EM/IM, EM/FP, IM/FP) 11 (9.9%) and others 8 (7.2%). Medical directors’ roles/responsibilities consist, most frequently of: drafting protocols 108 (88.5%), QA/CQI activities 104 (85.3%), crew training 98 (80.3%), and administrative negotiations 95 (77.7%).
64. Difficulties with Advanced Airway Procedures Due to Portable Suction Equipment: Survey of Paramedics
Authors: Kozak Richard , Bean Walter
Published: July 2016

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify potential problems associated with prehospital advanced airways by assessing the utilization, complications, and education associated with the use of portable suction equipment.

Methods: Fifty-one paramedics serving a university medical center were anonymously surveyed. The survey consisted of questions regarding: utilization, difficulties, bad outcomes, and training associated with portable suction equipment.

Results: Six of the paramedics set up and check suction equip ment for every airway procedure. The rest perform daily checks or rarely test equipment. Twenty-three medics reported equipment malfunctions: dead battery (12), improper set-up (5), clogged tubing (6). Twenty-six of the paramedics reported having at least one bad outcome due to malfunction of suction equipment. These were cases of failed intubation following at least one attempt. Seven bad outcomes were attributed to lack of suction equipment at scene. Paramedics carry suction equipment to the scene for less than twenty-five percent of calls. Three suction units were in use: S-SCORT (32), S-SCORT Jr. (11), and Impact (8). There was no difference in utilization or bad outcomes by unit type. Ninety-eight percent of the paramedics reported some type of formal training on use of suction equipment during airway procedures.
72. The “EMS Miss”-Frequency and Reasons Underlying Seriously Ill Patients Lack of Utilization of the EMS System
Authors: Jahn Timothy W. , Brown John F. , Miller Steven W. , McNulty Peggy
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To determine the reasons why patients with potentially serious complaints present to the Emergency Department by a non-EMS mode of transportation.

Methods: Prospective patient survey distributed during a one-month period to patients presenting to a military emergency department. Surveys were entered into a data base program and descriptive, parametric and non-parametric statistical tests utilized to examine characteristics of the two groups.

Results: The only significant difference between the ambulance and non-ambulance groups of the 158 participants was patient sex.
Introducing a special issue with a focus on systematic reviews
Authors: Sargeant J. M. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: July 2016

Systematic reviews answer specific review questions by following structured steps and employing specific methods to reduce the risk of bias and to maximize transparency in the process of the review, and systematic review methodology differs from traditional narrative reviews in many ways. As a journal devoted to reviews, it is appropriate that Animal Health Research Reviews (AHRR) includes this approach to reviews of the literature. The aim of this special issue of AHRR was to illustrate the scope of articles that can be considered for submission to the systematic review section of this journal for prospective authors and readers.
Taking Seriously Ingroup Self-Evaluation, Meta-Prejudice, and Prejudice in Analyzing Interreligious Relations
Authors: Putra Idhamsyah Eka
Published: July 2016

The present study aims to understand the conditions where prejudice can be predicted by ingroup and outgroup meta-prejudice. The data collecting was disseminated toward Muslim and Christian participants (N= 362) living in Maumere, Flores Island, Indonesia. In Flores, Christianity is the largest religion and Islam is the second. Across two samples, the effects of ingroup and outgroup meta-prejudice on prejudice were found to be moderated by ingroup self-evaluation. It shows that at high level (but not low) of positive ingroup self-evaluation, ingroup and outgroup meta-prejudice were found to predict prejudice. The results suggest that it is important to consider how group members evaluate their own group and how group members think what others are thinking, in the study pertaining to intergroup relations.
Toe elevation manoeuvre to assess venous reflux in comparison to manual calf compression and release
Authors: Habenicht Michael , Rabe Eberhard , Amsler Felix , Mendoza Erika
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Background: In the daily office setting, flow and reflux in leg veins is assessed to investigate patients with chronic venous disease. Valsalva manoeuvre and manual calf compression and release are frequent manoeuvres used to elicit blood flow in leg veins. Toe elevation manoeuvre (TEM) was proposed as a further alternative to provoke blood flow in veins. We compared both methods. Patients and methods: Patients consulting a venous office referring no previous treatment on their leg veins were evaluated with duplex ultrasound in the standing position. Age, body mass index, C of CEAP, venous clinics severity score, diameter of great saphenous vein and reflux duration at proximal thigh following TEM and manual calf compression and release were assessed. Results: In total, 53 legs were evaluated with both manoeuvres, applied in a randomised sequence. Reflux >0.5s was found in 40 legs (group “reflux”) and no reflux in 13 legs (group “no reflux”). No significant difference was found following manual calf compression and release or TEM (2.11s vs. 2.31s in “reflux-group” and 0.11s vs. 0.13s in “no-reflux-group”), but good correlation was found between both with Pearson’s test (r=0.72). Conclusions: Both manoeuvres showed a good correlation with respect to reflux detection and reflux duration. The advantage of TEM is the easy and painless performance, low fatigability and independence from examiner.
Antiphospholipid antibodies and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease - a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gavier Beatriz , Vazquez Fernando , Gandara Esteban
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Background: Despite being an important risk factor for venous thromboembolism and ischaemic stroke, the role of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with peripheral arterial disease remains a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of persistently elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of electronic databases including MEDLINE, EUROPUBMED and EMBASE to assess the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Case-control studies were included if they reported the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Two reviewers (FV and EG) independently assessed the eligibility of all articles. The primary outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease, along with the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Our initial electronic search identified 128 relevant abstracts, of which two studies were included. Antiphospholipid antibodies were found in 50/571 patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease and 13/490 of the controls, OR 3.32 (95 % CI = 1.49 to 7.4). In those with critical limb ischaemia, the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies was elevated compared to controls, pooled OR 4.78 (95 % CI = 2.37 to 9.65). Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of persistently elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies is increased in patients with lower extremity peripheral diseases when compared to healthy controls, especially in those with critical limb ischaemia.
Shape-shifting colloids via stimulated dewetting
Authors: Youssef Mena , Hueckel Theodore , Yi Gi-Ra , Sacanna Stefano
Published: July 2016

The ability to reconfigure elementary building blocks from one structure to another is key to many biological systems. Bringing the intrinsic adaptability of biological systems to traditional synthetic materials is currently one of the biggest scientific challenges in material engineering. Here we introduce a new design concept for the experimental realization of self-assembling systems with built-in shape-shifting elements. We demonstrate that dewetting forces between an oil phase and solid colloidal substrates can be exploited to engineer shape-shifting particles whose geometry can be changed on demand by a chemical or optical signal. We find this approach to be quite general and applicable to a broad spectrum of materials, including polymers, semiconductors and magnetic materials. This synthetic methodology can be further adopted as a new experimental platform for designing and rapidly prototyping functional colloids, such as reconfigurable micro swimmers, colloidal surfactants and switchable building blocks for self-assembly.
Electric-field-driven magnetization switching and nonlinear magnetoelasticity in Au/FeCo/MgO heterostructures
Authors: Ong P. V. , Kioussis Nicholas , Amiri P. Khalili , Wang K. L.
Published: July 2016

Voltage-induced switching of magnetization, as opposed to current-driven spin transfer torque switching, can lead to a new paradigm enabling ultralow-power and high density instant-on nonvolatile magnetoelectric random access memory (MeRAM). To date, however, a major bottleneck in optimizing the performance of MeRAM devices is the low voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) efficiency (change of interfacial magnetic anisotropy energy per unit electric field) leading in turn to high switching energy and write voltage. In this work, employing ab initio electronic structure calculations, we show that epitaxial strain, which is ubiquitous in MeRAM heterostructures, gives rise to a rich variety of VCMA behavior with giant VCMA coefficient (~1800 fJ V−1m−1) in Au/FeCo/MgO junction. The heterostructure also exhibits a strain-induced spin-reorientation induced by a nonlinear magnetoelastic coupling. The results demonstrate that the VCMA behavior is universal and robust in magnetic junctions with heavy metal caps across the 5d transition metals and that an electric-field-driven magnetic switching at low voltage is achievable by design. These findings open interesting prospects for exploiting strain engineering to harvest higher efficiency VCMA for the next generation MeRAM devices.
Phylogeography and population genetics of Schizothorax o’connori: strong subdivision in the Yarlung Tsangpo River inferred from mtDNA and microsatellite markers
Authors: Guo Xiang-Zhao , Zhang Gui-Rong , Wei Kai-Jian , Yan Ruo-Jin , Ji Wei , Yang Rui-Bin , Wei Qi-Wei , Gardner Jonathan P. A.
Published: July 2016

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a biodiversity hotspot, resulting from its geological history, contemporary environment and isolation. Uplift of the QTP and Quaternary climatic oscillations are hypothesised to have influenced the genetic diversity, population structure and dynamics of all QTP endemic species. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by assaying variation at two mitochondrial DNA regions (cytochrome b and control region) and at 12 microsatellite loci of seven populations of the endemic fish, Schizothorax o’connori from the Yarlung Tsangpo River (YLTR) on the QTP. Analyses revealed one group of six populations to the west, above the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon (YTGC), and a second group to the east below the YTGC. Estimates of the timing of this east-west split indicate that these groups represent evolutionarily significant units that have evolved separately and rapidly in the middle Pleistocene, at the time of the Kunlun-Huanghe Movement A Phase and the Naynayxungla glaciation. Population dynamic analyses indicate that S. o’connori experienced a pronounced late Pleistocene expansion during the last interglacial period. The results of this study support the hypotheses that the QTP uplift and Quaternary climatic oscillations have played important roles in shaping the population genetics and dynamics of this endemic fish.
High-performance perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 thin films for solar cells prepared by single-source physical vapour deposition
Authors: Fan Ping , Gu Di , Liang Guang-Xing , Luo Jing-Ting , Chen Ju-Long , Zheng Zhuang-Hao , Zhang Dong-Ping
Published: July 2016

In this work, an alternative route to fabricating high-quality CH3NH3PbI3 thin films is proposed. Single-source physical vapour deposition (SSPVD) without a post-heat-treating process was used to prepare CH3NH3PbI3 thin films at room temperature. This new process enabled complete surface coverage and moisture stability in a non-vacuum solution. Moreover, the challenges of simultaneously controlling evaporation processes of the organic and inorganic sources via dual-source vapour evaporation and the heating process required to obtain high crystallization were avoided. Excellent composition with stoichiometry transferred from the powder material, a high level of tetragonal phase-purity, full surface coverage, well-defined grain structure, high crystallization and reproducibility were obtained. A PCE of approximately 10.90% was obtained with a device based on SSPVD CH3NH3PbI3. These initial results suggest that SSPVD is a promising method to significantly optimize perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 solar cell efficiency.
Two fatty acyl reductases involved in moth pheromone biosynthesis
Authors: Antony Binu , Ding Bao-Jian , Moto Ken’Ichi , Aldosari Saleh A. , Aldawood Abdulrahman S.
Published: July 2016

Fatty acyl reductases (FARs) constitute an evolutionarily conserved gene family found in all kingdoms of life. Members of the FAR gene family play diverse roles, including seed oil synthesis, insect pheromone biosynthesis, and mammalian wax biosynthesis. In insects, FAR genes dedicated to sex pheromone biosynthesis (pheromone-gland-specific fatty acyl reductase, pgFAR) form a unique clade that exhibits substantial modifications in gene structure and possesses unique specificity and selectivity for fatty acyl substrates. Highly selective and semi-selective ‘single pgFARs’ produce single and multicomponent pheromone signals in bombycid, pyralid, yponomeutid and noctuid moths. An intriguing question is how a ‘single reductase’ can direct the synthesis of several fatty alcohols of various chain lengths and isomeric forms. Here, we report two active pgFARs in the pheromone gland of Spodoptera, namely a semi-selective, C14:acyl-specific pgFAR and a highly selective, C16:acyl-specific pgFAR, and demonstrate that these pgFARs play a pivotal role in the formation of species-specific signals, a finding that is strongly supported by functional gene expression data. The study envisages a new area of research for disclosing evolutionary changes associated with C14- and C16-specific FARs in moth pheromone biosynthesis.
Unique sex chromosome systems in Ellobius: How do male XX chromosomes recombine and undergo pachytene chromatin inactivation?
Authors: Matveevsky Sergey , Bakloushinskaya Irina , Kolomiets Oxana
Published: July 2016

Most mammalian species have heteromorphic sex chromosomes in males, except for a few enigmatic groups such as the mole voles Ellobius, which do not have the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The Ellobius (XX ♀♂"Equation missing") system of sex chromosomes has no analogues among other animals. The structure and meiotic behaviour of the two X chromosomes were investigated for males of the sibling species Ellobius talpinus and Ellobius tancrei. Their sex chromosomes, despite their identical G-structure, demonstrate short synaptic fragments and crossover-associated MLH1 foci in both telomeric regions only. The chromatin undergoes modifications in the meiotic sex chromosomes. SUMO-1 marks a small nucleolus-like body of the meiotic XX. ATR and ubiH2A are localized in the asynaptic area and the histone γH2AFX covers the entire XX bivalent. The distribution of some markers of chromatin inactivation differentiates sex chromosomes of mole voles from those of other mammals. Sex chromosomes of both studied species have identical recombination and meiotic inactivation patterns. In Ellobius, similar chromosome morphology masks the functional heteromorphism of the male sex chromosomes, which can be seen at meiosis.
Elucidating pharmacodynamic interaction of silver nanoparticle - topical deliverable antibiotics
Authors: Thirumurugan G. , Seshagiri Rao J. V. L. N. , Dhanaraju M. D.
Published: July 2016

In order to exploit the potential benefits of antimicrobial combination therapy, we need a better understanding of the circumstances under which pharmacodynamic interactions expected. In this study, Pharmacodynamic interactions between silver nanoparticle (SNP) and topical antibiotics such as Cefazolin (CEF), Mupirocin (MUP), Gentamycin (GEN), Neomycin (NEO), Tetracycline (TET), Vancomycin (VAN) were investigated using the MIC test, Combination assay followed by Fractional Inhibitory concentration Index and Agar well diffusion method. SNP + MUP, SNP + NEO, SNP + VAN combinations showed Synergism (SN) and SNP + CEF, SNP + GEN, SNP + TET showed Partial synergism (PS) against Staphylococcus aureus. Four combinations (SNP + CEF, SNP + MUP, SNP + GEN, SNP + VAN) showed SN, SNP + TET showed PS and Indifferent effect (ID) were observed for SNP + NEO against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SN was observed for SNP + CEF, SNP + GEN, SNP + NEO, SNP + TET and SNP + MUP showed ID, SNP + VAN showed PS against Escherichia coli. In addition, we elucidated the possible mechanism involved in the pharmacodynamic interaction between SNP-topical antibiotics by increased ROS level, membrane damage following protein release, K+ leakage and biofilm inhibition. Thus, our findings support that conjugation of the SNP with topical antibiotics have great potential in the topical formulation when treating complex resistant bacterial infections and where there is a need of more concentration to kill pathogenic bacteria.
Effect of ionic liquid treatment on the ultrastructural and topochemical features of compression wood in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
Authors: Kanbayashi Toru , Miyafuji Hisashi
Published: July 2016

The morphological and topochemical changes in wood tissues in compression wood of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) upon treated with two types of ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim][Cl]) and 1-ethylpyridinium bromide ([EtPy][Br]) were investigated. Compression wood tracheids were swollen by both ionic liquids but their swelling behaviors were different in the types of ionic liquids used. Under the polarized light, we confirmed that crystalline cellulose in compression wood is amorphized by [C2mim][Cl] treatment whereas it changes slightly by [EtPy][Br] treatment. Raman microscopic analyses revealed that [C2mim][Cl] can preferentially liquefy polysaccharides in compression wood whereas [EtPy][Br] liquefy lignin. In addition, the interaction of compression wood with ionic liquids is different for the morphological regions. These results will assist in the use of ionic liquid treatment of woody biomass to produce valuable chemicals, bio-fuels, bio-based composites and other products.
A biosynthesis-inspired approach to over twenty diverse natural product-like scaffolds
Authors: Firth James D. , Craven Philip G. E. , Lilburn Matthew , Pahl Axel , Marsden Stephen P. , Nelson Adam
Published: July 2016

A synthetic approach to diverse natural product-like scaffolds was developed that was broadly inspired by diterpene biosynthesis.
Repeatable mechanochemical activation of dynamic covalent bonds in thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Imato Keiichi , Kanehara Takeshi , Nojima Shiki , Ohishi Tomoyuki , Higaki Yuji , Takahara Atsushi , Otsuka Hideyuki
Published: July 2016

Repeated mechanical activation of diarylbibenzofuranone-based mechanophores incorporated in segmented polyurethane elastomers is demonstrated.
Cobalt-catalyzed chelation assisted C–H allylation of aromatic amides with unactivated olefins
Authors: Yamaguchi Takuma , Kommagalla Yadagiri , Aihara Yoshinori , Chatani Naoto
Published: July 2016

The reaction of aromatic amides with unactivated olefins in the presence of Co(OAc)2 gave allylated products, not vinylated products.
Goblet-shaped pentanuclear lanthanide clusters assembled with a cyclen derivative ligand exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation
Authors: Wang Gaoji , Wei Yongqin , Wu Kechen
Published: July 2016

Two goblet-shaped 5Ln clusters have been assembled. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that both compounds feature a novel homometallic appended cubane geometry. The magnetic study on 1 suggests the presence of anti-ferromagnetic interactions, whereas 2 exhibits SMM behavior.
D–D–A dyes with phenothiazine–carbazole/triphenylamine as double donors in photopolymerization under 455 nm and 532 nm laser beams
Authors: Zhou T. F. , Ma X. Y. , Han W. X. , Guo X. P. , Gu R. Q. , Yu L. J. , Li J. , Zhao Y. M. , Wang Tao
Published: July 2016

In order to enhance electron-donating ability, four novel organic dyes (CPC, TPC, CPN and TPN) with double electron donors have been designed and synthesized.
Preparation and characterization of foamy poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate-co-l-phenylalanine)/bioglass composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Cui Ning , Qian Junmin , Wang Jinlei , Ji Chuanlei , Xu Weijun , Wang Hongjie
Published: July 2016

Novel foamy scaffolds of poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) and poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate-co-l-phenylalanine) were fabricatedviaa combination of a sintered NaCl templating method and ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides.
Synthesis, characterization and properties of amino acid ionic liquids derived from the triaminocyclopropenium cation
Authors: Curnow Owen J. , Yunis Ruhamah
Published: July 2016

Amino acid ionic liquids based on the triaminocyclopropenium cation form a variety of structural types depending on the amino acid. Dications were obtained with Lys, His, Arg, and Cys.
H3PW12O40/TiO2–In2O3: a visible light driven type-II heterojunction photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid
Authors: Heng Huimin , Gan Qiang , Meng Pengcheng , Liu Xia
Published: July 2016

H3PW12O40/TiO2–In2O3, a visible light driven type-II heterojunction photocatalyst, displays enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of imidacloprid.
A new synthetic approach to fused nine-ring systems of the indolo[3,2-b]carbazole family through double Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C–H arylation
Authors: Irgashev Roman A. , Kazin Nikita A. , Kim Grigory A. , Rusinov Gennady L. , Charushin Valery N.
Published: July 2016

A series of new fused 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives, having nine-ring ladder-type structure, has been synthesized by regioselective Pd-catalyzed cyclization.
New synthetic strategy targeting well-defined α,ω-telechelic polymethylenes with hetero bi-/tri-functionalities via polyhomologation of ylides initiated by new organic boranes based on catecholborane and post functionalization
Authors: Xu Fang , Dong Peng , Cui Kun , Bu Shi-Zheng , Huang Jin , Li Guang-Yu , Jiang Tao , Ma Zhi
Published: July 2016

Diverse well-defined α,ω-telechelic polymethylenes with hetero bi-/tri-functionalities were synthesized by a tandem strategy combining polyhomologation with post functionalization using end-capping reagents and esterification.
Near-infrared luminescence of Nd3+and Yb3+complexes using a polyfluorinated pyrene-based β-diketonate ligand
Authors: George T. M. , Varughese S. , Reddy M. L. P.
Published: July 2016

Highly efficient near-infrared emitting Nd3+and Yb3+complexes have been developed based on a new polyfluorinated pyrene-appended β-diketonate ligand.
Studies on the structural, quantitative and semi-quantitative analyses of NiO–GDC nanocomposites
Authors: Niño Galeano Miguel Ángel , Mangalaraja Ramalinga Viswanathan , Jiménez Rodríguez José Antonio , López Marta , Ávila Ricardo E. , Sanhueza Felipe
Published: July 2016

A simultaneous analysis of the crystallite size and strain of xNiO·(1 − x)GDC nanopowders prepared in stoichiometric proportions of x = 0, 0.1, 0.2… to 1 was performed by a self-sustained combustion (SC) process and calcination of the thus-synthesized nanopowders at 600 °C.
Solution-processable small molecule semiconductors based on pyrene-fused bisimidazole and influence of alkyl side-chain on the charge transport
Authors: Wen Hui , Gong Xiaohui , Han Pei , Lin Baoping , Zhang Lei , Ye Shanghui , Sun Ying , Zhang Xueqin , Yang Hong
Published: July 2016

Soluble small molecule semiconductors based on pyrene-fused biimidazole and side-chain effects on the semiconducting properties.
DCPO based nanoparticles as a near-infrared fluorescent probe for Cathepsin B
Authors: Bao Bin , Liu Yaqian , Wang Lei , Lu Wei
Published: July 2016

In this article we designed a Cathepsin B-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe which can self-assemble into nano-micelles.
High lithium ion battery performance enhancement by controlled carbon coating of TiO2 hierarchically porous hollow spheres
Authors: Jin Jun , Ren Xiao-Ning , Lu Yi , Zheng Xian-Feng , Wang Hong-En , Chen Li-Hua , Yang Xiao-Yu , Li Yu , Su Bao-Lian
Published: July 2016

Hierarchical TiO2/carbon hollow spheres have been designed and prepared for enhanced lithium storage due to the synergy of the hollow structure, carbon layer and newly formed numerous ∼5 nm Li2Ti2O4 on the surface of the TiO2 nanocrystals.
Theoretical insight into the binding affinity enhancement of serine with the uranyl ion through phosphorylation
Authors: Wu Qun-Yan , Wang Cong-Zhi , Lan Jian-Hui , Chai Zhi-Fang , Shi Wei-Qun
Published: July 2016

Various type complexes of uranyl ion with serine and phosphoserine were investigated which showed phosphorylation induced binding affinity enhancement of serine with the uranyl ion.
Corrosion behaviour of plasma electrolytic oxidation coated AZ91 Mg alloy: influence of laser surface melting pretreatment
Authors: Liu Cancan , Liang Jun , Zhou Jiansong , Li Qingbiao , Peng Zhenjun , Wang Lingqian
Published: July 2016

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was performed on a laser surface melting (LSM) modified AZ91 Mg alloy.
Performance analysis of a subset‐based coherent FFH system with spatial modulation in Rayleigh fading channels with multitone jamming
Authors: He Yishan , Cheng Yufan , Fang Jun , Yang Yan , Wu Gang , Dong Binhong , Li Shaoqian
Published: July 2016

Conventionally, fast frequency hopping (FFH) is regarded as a non‐coherent system, which has inevitable shortcomings in low spectral efficiency. To achieve a high spectral efficiency while maintaining a favourable bit error ratio (BER) performance in FFH systems, in this study, the authors extend their previously proposed subset‐based coherent FFH (S‐CFFH) scheme with the aid of spatial modulation (SM). Furthermore, they derive the closed‐form expressions of the pairwise error probability and asymptotically BER bound for the S‐CFFH/SM maximum‐likelihood receivers in the presence of multitone jamming and highly frequency‐selective Rayleigh fading channels, where the perfect and imperfect channel state information are both considered. The authors’ analysis and simulation results show that, the proposed S‐CFFH/SM scheme outperforms both the conventional non‐coherent FFH and the S‐CFFH schemes, in terms of spectral efficiency and BER, respectively.
Robust coordinated transmission for cooperative small cell networks
Authors: Kim Yonggang , Park Kyung‐Joon , Park Daeyoung , Lim Hyuk
Published: July 2016

Within a macrocell with a large coverage area, multiple small cells are deployed such that each small cell base station (SBS) supports wireless service demands from user equipments (UEs). Each UE can be simultaneously served by multiple SBSs for quality of service (QoS) enhancement. When there exist hotspot areas with a number of UEs, the SBSs near the hotspot areas may experience a higher resource utilisation level than those outside of the hotspot areas, resulting in a shortage of available resources. The authors propose a robust resource‐utilisation‐based coordinated transmission for heterogeneous networks with a locally different level of traffic demands. In the utilisation‐based coordinated transmission, low‐utilisation SBSs with a small number of UEs are selected to serve a newly joining UE because they have more capacity to serve requests with bursty traffic demand. They further formulate the selection of cooperative SBSs as a robust optimisation problem in order to ensure that UEs have sufficiently high signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratios, even with channel estimation inaccuracy and strong interference from non‐cooperative SBSs. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method guarantees robust and efficient service performance in heterogeneous small cell networks.
Optimised sensor network for transmitter localisation and radio environment mapping
Authors: Ezzati Nematollah , Taheri Hasan , Tugcu Tuna
Published: July 2016

Location and power estimation of the radio transmitters is an efficient method of providing the radio environment maps in terms of database size and computation time. In this study, a novel efficient approach for estimating the power and location of active transmitters in the predefined geo‐location is presented and the excellent results of this method are compared with other methods. Then, the raising question about number of required receiver sensors in the network area is discussed and an analytical relation is derived for this purpose. To perform experiment, the authors used distributed receivers in a site and conveyed their collected information about the received power in the specified bandwidth to the fusion centre. The results of this study are verified by both numerical simulations and experimental tests.
Hyperspherical coupled channel calculations of energy and structure of 4He–4He–Li+ and its isotopic combinations
Authors: Liu Min-min , Wu Meng-Shan , Han Hui-li , Shi Ting-yun
Published: July 2016

The ground state vibrational energy and spatial features of 4He–4He–Li+ and its triatomic isotopic complexes are studied using the slow variable discretization (SVD) method in the hyperspherical coordinates for the zero total angular momentum. Our results show that the dominant structure of the system is an isosceles triangle with the shorter side associated with the two Li+–He distances using the sum-of-potential approximation. Corrections caused by the induced dipole-induced dipole interactions on the He atoms are also investigated. The effects are seen to be small and have a minor influence on the binding energy and the structure of present system. The results are also compared with the full ab initio calculations including all the three-body interactions and information of three-body corrections is obtained.