bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile solvothermal synthesis of novel hetero-structured CoNi–CuO composites with excellent microwave absorption performance
Authors: Gao Shengshuai , Zhou Nan , An Qingda , Xiao Zuoyi , Zhai Shangru , Shi Zhan
Published: September 2017

Novel hetero-structured CoNi–CuO composite microspheres with excellent microwave absorption performance were fabricated via a facile solvothermal pathway.
Acid-promoted oxidative methylenation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with DMSO: application to the three-component synthesis of Hantzsch-type pyridines
Authors: Xue LuLu , Cheng Guolin , Zhu Ruifeng , Cui Xiuling
Published: September 2017

A series of polysubstituted pyridines and methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds were prepared in high yields from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and DMSO, wherein DMSO serves as solvent, carbon source, and oxidant.
Effect of high DMSO concentration on albumin during freezing and vitrification
Authors: Jena Sampreeti , Aksan Alptekin
Published: September 2017

This is a light microscopy image taken of the frozen solution at −20 °C during equilibrium freezing. The freeze concentrate surrounding the ice crystals, comprises unfrozen water and solutes (DMSO and albumin). The bright rectangle is the IR aperture.
An asymmetric wettable chitosan–silk fibroin composite dressing with fixed silver nanoparticles for infected wound repair: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Liu Jinglong , Qian Zhiyong , Shi Quan , Yang Shuo , Wang Qianxin , Liu Bo , Xu Juan , Guo Ximin , Liu Haifeng
Published: September 2017

The treatment of large-area infected wounds remains a significant challenge, as there is no effective wound dressing for infected wound healing applicable to clinical applications.
Solid-contact Ca2+-selective electrodes based on two-dimensional black phosphorus as ion-to-electron transducers
Authors: Kou Lijuan , Fu Minglang , Liang Rongning
Published: September 2017

A solid-contact Ca2+-selective electrode with two-dimensional black phosphorus as the solid contact was developed for the first time.
Porous high specific surface area-activated carbon with co-doping N, S and P for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Mengjiao , Li Danyang , Yan Yan , Guo Teng , Pang Huan , Xue Huaiguo
Published: September 2017

Porous high specific surface area activated carbon with co-doping N, S and P for high-performance supercapacitors.
Sequential one-pot three-step synthesis of polysubstituted 4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole systems
Authors: Bonacorso Helio G. , Dal Forno Gean M. , Wiethan Carson , Ketzer Alex , Zanatta Nilo , Frizzo Clarissa P. , Martins Marcos A. P. , Stradiotto Mark
Published: September 2017

Sequential one-pot, three-step synthesis of polysubstituted 4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles.
Large magnetocaloric effect and critical behavior in La0.7Ba0.2Ca0.1Mn1−xAlxO3
Authors: Zaidi M. A. , Dhahri J. , Zeydi I. , Alharbi T. , Belmabrouk H.
Published: September 2017

The structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of La0.7Ba0.2Ca0.1Mn1−xAlxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) perovskite manganite oxides have been investigated.
Extremely low coercivity in Fe3O4 thin film grown on Mg2TiO4 (001)
Authors: Liu X. H. , Liu W. , Zhang Z. D.
Published: September 2017

The Fe3O4 film grown on Mg2TiO4 (001) shows an extremely small coercivity as low as around 7 Oe from the Verwey transition to room temperature. This low coercivity is close to that of the single-crystal bulk but several times smaller than that of the sample on MgO (001).
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors in clinical trials
Authors: Yeh Tzu-Lan , Leissing Thomas M. , Abboud Martine I. , Thinnes Cyrille C. , Atasoylu Onur , Holt-Martyn James P. , Zhang Dong , Tumber Anthony , Lippl Kerstin , Lohans Christopher T. , Leung Ivanhoe K. H. , Morcrette Helen , Clifton Ian J. , Claridge Timothy D. W. , Kawamura Akane , Flashman Emily , Lu Xin , Ratcliffe Peter J. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Pugh Christopher W. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: September 2017

Four compounds in clinical trials for anaemia treatment are potent inhibitors of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), but differ in potency and how they interact with HIF at the PHD active site.
Hyperfine adjustment of flexible pore-surface pockets enables smart recognition of gas size and quadrupole moment
Authors: He Chun-Ting , Ye Zi-Ming , Xu Yan-Tong , Zhou Dong-Dong , Zhou Hao-Long , Chen Da , Zhang Jie-Peng , Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: September 2017

Continuous pore-size adjustments are achieved in a series of ultramicroporous MOFs, giving flexible pore-surface pockets for the smart recognition of highly similar gases and high gas separation/storage performances.
Tertiary amine synthesis via reductive coupling of amides with Grignard reagents
Authors: Xie Lan-Gui , Dixon Darren J.
Published: September 2017

A new iridium catalyzed reductive coupling reaction of Grignard reagents and tertiary amides affording functionalised tertiary amine products is described.
The photochemical alkylation and reduction of heteroarenes
Authors: McCallum T. , Pitre S. P. , Morin M. , Scaiano J. C. , Barriault L.
Published: September 2017

The functionalization of heteroarenes has been integral to the structural diversification of medicinally active molecules such as quinolines, pyridines, and phenanthridines.
High-performance bioelectrocatalysts created by immobilization of an enzyme into carbon-coated composite membranes with nano-tailored structures
Authors: Itoh Tetsuji , Shibuya Yuuta , Yamaguchi Akira , Hoshikawa Yasuto , Tanaike Osamu , Tsunoda Tatsuo , Hanaoka Taka-aki , Hamakawa Satoshi , Mizukami Fujio , Hayashi Akari , Kyotani Takashi , Stucky Galen D.
Published: September 2017

We have achieved direct electron transfer between enzymes and electrodes through establishment of a regular enzyme array by encapsulation it in a carbon-coated composite membrane with mesoporous silica nanotubes (C/F127MST).
Retracted Article: Novel mesoporous amorphous B–N–O–H nanofoam as an electrode for capacitive dye removal from water
Authors: Chen Ming Ming , Wei Da , Chu Wei , Hou Li Ping , Tong Dong Ge
Published: September 2017

B–N–O–H nanofoam could capacitively separate methylene blue from other dyes owing to its strong coordination ability with methylene blue.
Understanding the breathing phenomena in nano-ZIF-7 upon gas adsorption
Authors: Cuadrado-Collados Carlos , Fernández-Català Javier , Fauth François , Cheng Yongqiang Q. , Daemen Luke L. , Ramirez-Cuesta Anibal J. , Silvestre-Albero Joaquín
Published: September 2017

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering measurements have been applied to evaluate the breathing phenomena in small nanocrystals of ZIF-7 upon gas adsorption.
Facile one-pot photosynthesis of stable Ag@graphene oxide nanocolloid core@shell nanoparticles with sustainable localized surface plasmon resonance properties
Authors: Kim Young-Kwan , Kim Seongchan , Cho Sung-Pyo , Jang Hongje , Huh Hyun , Hong Byung Hee , Min Dal-Hee
Published: September 2017

Stable Ag@graphene oxide nanocolloid (GON) core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized by photochemical reaction.
An optimal inventory model with interaction of lot size, production rate and lead-time in a fuzzy back-order system
Authors: Priyan S. , Mala P. , Tiwari S.
Published: September 2017

This paper examines the decision-making about the interaction of lot size, production rate and lead time between a vendor and a buyer with the consideration of trade credit and fuzzy back-order rate. We assume that the lead time demand is distribution free and the back-order rate is triangular fuzzy number. An economic model is design to determine the optimal lot-size, production rate and lead time while minimizing system total cost. A minimax approach is applied to tackle the model and designed an iterative algorithm to obtain the optimal strategy. Numerical example and sensitivity analyses are given to demonstrate the performance of the proposed methodology and to highlight the differences between crisp and the fuzzy cases. This paper provides optimal decision support tools for managers in the form of mathematical model that improve operational, tactical, and strategic decision making in the fuzzy system. This paper aims to raise the awareness of managers with regard to realistic inventory problems.
Allocating nodes to hubs for minimizing the hubs processing resources: A case study
Authors: Balma Ali , Mrad Mehdi
Published: September 2017

This paper addresses the problem of allocating the terminal nodes to the hub nodes in a telecommunication network. Since the flow processing induces some undesirable delay, the objective is to minimize the total flow processed by the hubs. This study focuses on a real life network of the tunisian operator Tunisie Telecom whose operations managers are concerned by the quality of service. We provide three compact formulations that give optimal solutions for networks of large size. In particular, the last two are obtained by applying the Reformulation-Linearization Technique to a nonlinear formulation of the problem. The latter formulation derived within this approach is the most computationally effective, as pointed out by the computational experiments conducted on the real life network of Tunisie Telecom with 110 nodes and 5 hubs. Finally, we discuss and compare between the single allocation and double allocation configurations.
Polarization characteristics of gold-coated microdisk resonators
Authors: Yin Yiheng , Niu Yanxiong , Dai Lingling , Ding Ming
Published: September 2017

The transmission properties and electric-field distribution characteristics of crescent-shaped and fully gold-coated silica microdisk resonators are studied under different polarizations. The transmissivity of the crescent-shaped gold-coated microresonator under TE polarization shows a shift in resonance wavelength relative to that of the resonator without a gold coating, whereas the weakening and elimination of resonance are observed under TM polarization. For the microresonators with a full gold coating, the transmissivity under TE polarization demonstrates a nearly horizontal line and the spectrum under TM polarization displays a stronger resonance. Additionally, the electric-field distributions display properties of both types of structure: the resonance for the TE polarization shows the electric-field confinement, while the hybrid dielectric-surface plasmon polaritons modes are observed for TM polarization. Furthermore, the slow propagation effect observed in the crescent-shaped gold-coated microresonator is discussed and the dependence of transmission on gold thickness is investigated.
Apparatus to control and visualize the impact of a high-energy laser pulse on a liquid target
Authors: Klein Alexander L. , Lohse Detlef , Versluis Michel , Gelderblom Hanneke
Published: September 2017

We present an experimental apparatus to control and visualize the response of a liquid target to a laser-induced vaporization. We use a millimeter-sized drop as target and present two liquid-dye solutions that allow a variation of the absorption coefficient of the laser light in the drop by seven orders of magnitude. The excitation source is a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at its frequency-doubled wavelength emitting nanosecond pulses with energy densities above the local vaporization threshold. The absorption of the laser energy leads to a large-scale liquid motion at time scales that are separated by several orders of magnitude, which we spatiotemporally resolve by a combination of ultra-high-speed and stroboscopic high-resolution imaging in two orthogonal views. Surprisingly, the large-scale liquid motion upon laser impact is completely controlled by the spatial energy distribution obtained by a precise beam-shaping technique. The apparatus demonstrates the potential for accurate and quantitative studies of laser-matter interactions.
Influence of plasma-generated reactive species on the plasmid DNA structure and plasmid-mediated transformation of Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Lee Geon Joon , Choi Min Ah , Kim Daewook , Kim Jun Young , Ghimire Bhagirath , Choi Eun Ha , Kim Seong Hwan
Published: September 2017

The influence of plasma-generated reactive species on the conformation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and the transformation efficiency of Escherichia coli cells were studied. An atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was used to generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in an aqueous solution. When E. coli cells were transformed, the transformation efficiency of E. coli with the APPJ-treated plasmid was lower than with the APPJ-untreated plasmid. Transformation efficiency was reduced due to structural modification and degradation of the pDNA by the APPJ. Plasma treatment caused structural modification of the plasmid from the supercoiled form to the linear form, and also decreased the amount of plasmid by degrading the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure accompanied by disruption of nucleobases and DNA strand breakage. The formation of linear plasmid from supercoiled plasmid by the APPJ treatment was verified through electrophoretic analysis of the NdeI restriction enzyme-cut supercoiled plasmid. The structural modification and/or decrease in the amount of pDNA are attributed to the RONS from the plasma itself and to those derived from the interaction of plasma radicals with the aqueous solution. The effect of plasma treatment on the transformation efficiency of E. coli cells was more pronounced with the linear plasmid than with the supercoiled plasmid, indicating that the linear plasmid is more vulnerable to RONS. Overall, these results revealed that plasma-generated RONS can modify the structural and optical properties of bacterial pDNA, thus affecting its biological function.
Co-adsorption of water and oxygen on GaN: Effects of charge transfer and formation of electron depletion layer
Authors: Wang Qi , Puntambekar Ajinkya , Chakrapani Vidhya
Published: September 2017

Species from ambient atmosphere such as water and oxygen are known to affect electronic and optical properties of GaN, but the underlying mechanism is not clearly known. In this work, we show through careful measurement of electrical resistivity and photoluminescence intensity under various adsorbates that the presence of oxygen or water vapor alone is not sufficient to induce electron transfer to these species. Rather, the presence of both water and oxygen is necessary to induce electron transfer from GaN that leads to the formation of an electron depletion region on the surface. Exposure to acidic gases decreases n-type conductivity due to increased electron transfer from GaN, while basic gases increase n-type conductivity and PL intensity due to reduced charge transfer from GaN. These changes in the electrical and optical properties, as explained using a new electrochemical framework based on the phenomenon of surface transfer doping, suggest that gases interact with the semiconductor surface through electrochemical reactions occurring in an adsorbed water layer present on the surface.
Planarized nanophotonic sensor for real-time fluid sensing
Authors: Liu Yazhao , Salemink H. W. M.
Published: September 2017

A planarized on-chip nanophotonic sensor based on a photonic crystal cavity is realized in this work. The sensor was embedded in a solid protecting material (flowable oxide) with perfect filled holes: this eliminates problems of fouling in practical applications. The functional area of the sensor is created by carefully removing the protecting material only on the top surface of the cavity. A wavelength shift of 7.5 nm was observed in experiment which is very close to a simulation result of 9.0 nm for sensing water (n=1.33) and crude oil (n=1.45) samples. Swift and accurate sensing was verified by a real-time dynamic measurement with rapidly alternating analytes in a microfluid channel.
Operator structures and quantum one-way LOCC conditions
Authors: Kribs David W. , Mintah Comfort , Nathanson Michael , Pereira Rajesh
Published: September 2017

We conduct the first detailed analysis in quantum information of recently derived operator relations from the study of quantum one-way local operations and classical communications (LOCC). We show how operator structures such as operator systems, operator algebras, and Hilbert C*-modules naturally arise in this setting. We make use of these structures to derive new results and bounds in the study of one-way LOCC, and we use the approach to uncover new derivations of some previously established results.
The BioFragment Database (BFDb): An open-data platform for computational chemistry analysis of noncovalent interactions
Authors: Burns Lori A. , Faver John C. , Zheng Zheng , Marshall Michael S. , Smith Daniel G. A. , Vanommeslaeghe Kenno , MacKerell Alexander D. , Merz Kenneth M. , Sherrill C. David
Published: September 2017

Accurate potential energy models are necessary for reliable atomistic simulations of chemical phenomena. In the realm of biomolecular modeling, large systems like proteins comprise very many noncovalent interactions (NCIs) that can contribute to the protein’s stability and structure. This work presents two high-quality chemical databases of common fragment interactions in biomolecular systems as extracted from high-resolution Protein DataBank crystal structures: 3380 sidechain-sidechain interactions and 100 backbone-backbone interactions that inaugurate the BioFragment Database (BFDb). Absolute interaction energies are generated with a computationally tractable explicitly correlated coupled cluster with perturbative triples [CCSD(T)-F12] “silver standard” (0.05 kcal/mol average error) for NCI that demands only a fraction of the cost of the conventional “gold standard,” CCSD(T) at the complete basis set limit. By sampling extensively from biological environments, BFDb spans the natural diversity of protein NCI motifs and orientations. In addition to supplying a thorough assessment for lower scaling force-field (2), semi-empirical (3), density functional (244), and wavefunction (45) methods (comprising >1M interaction energies), BFDb provides interactive tools for running and manipulating the resulting large datasets and offers a valuable resource for potential energy model development and validation.
Dissipative structures, machines, and organisms: A perspective
Authors: Kondepudi Dilip , Kay Bruce , Dixon James
Published: September 2017

Self-organization in nonequilibrium systems resulting in the formation of dissipative structures has been studied in a variety of systems, most prominently in chemical systems. We present a study of a voltage-driven dissipative structure consisting of conducting beads immersed in a viscous medium of oil. In this simple system, we observed remarkably complex organism-like behavior. The dissipative structure consists of a tree structure that spontaneously forms and moves like a worm and exhibits many features characteristic of living organisms. The complex motion of the beads driven by the applied field, the dipole-dipole interaction between the beads, and the hydrodynamic flow of the viscous medium result in a time evolution of the tree structure towards states of lower resistance or higher dissipation and thus higher rates of entropy production. The resulting end-directed evolution manifests as the tree moving to locations seeking higher current, the current that sustains its structure and dynamics. The study of end-directed evolution in the dissipative structure gives us a means to distinguish the fundamental difference between machines and organisms and opens a path for the formulation of physics of organisms.
Irreversibility and the breaking of resonance-antiresonance symmetry
Authors: Ordonez Gonzalo , Hatano Naomichi
Published: September 2017

We consider open quantum systems modeled as discrete lattices. Using a simple model of a single-site coupled to two leads as an example, we show that the time evolution of these systems can be analyzed in terms of an explicitly time-reversal symmetric resolution of unity. This resolution of unity includes both resonant states, which decay in the future, and anti-resonant states, which decay in the past. We show that a time-reversal invariant state contains both resonant and anti-resonant components with equal weights. However, this symmetry is automatically broken as the system evolves in time, with the resonant component becoming much larger than the anti-resonant component for t > 0 (and vice versa for t < 0). We argue that irreversibility is a manifestation of this symmetry breaking. We also compare our present approach with the subdynamics approach developed by Prof. Prigogine and collaborators. Finally, we suggest an extension of our present approach from the level of wave functions to the level of density matrices.
Near-hydrophobic-surface flow measurement by micro-3D PTV for evaluation of drag reduction
Authors: Ichikawa Y. , Yamamoto K. , Yamamoto M. , Motosuke M.
Published: September 2017

This study reports the estimation of drag reduction effect, which is obtained from slip flow measurement in hydrophobic microchannels by direct measurement of near-wall velocity distribution. To reveal laminar drag reduction effect of hydrophobic surfaces, it is necessary to investigate near-microstructured-surface flow. In this study, we employed a hydrophobic surface, which has longitudinal microribs and microgrooves oriented parallel to the water flow direction in a microchannel, and measured a near-microstructured-surface flow by astigmatism particle tracking velocimetry (APTV) that enables to obtain the three-dimensional and three-component velocity profile. From the flow measurement results, the curvature and profile of liquid–gas interfaces formed at the microgrooves were obtained. Additionally, since the APTV has the ability to measure the three-dimensional velocity distribution near interfaces, it is possible to determine the shear stress on the interfaces if the interface position is known. Moreover, the procedure about a numerical simulation, which used the experimental results as a boundary condition was examined, and its verification in terms of the drag reduction effect estimation was conducted by comparing with experimental results.
Plasma flow reactor for steady state monitoring of physical and chemical processes at high temperatures
Authors: Koroglu Batikan , Mehl Marco , Armstrong Michael R. , Crowhurst Jonathan C. , Weisz David G. , Zaug Joseph M. , Dai Zurong , Radousky Harry B. , Chernov Alex , Ramon Erick , Stavrou Elissaios , Knight Kim , Fabris Andrea L. , Cappelli Mark A. , Rose Timothy P.
Published: September 2017

We present the development of a steady state plasma flow reactor to investigate gas phase physical and chemical processes that occur at high temperature (1000 < T < 5000 K) and atmospheric pressure. The reactor consists of a glass tube that is attached to an inductively coupled argon plasma generator via an adaptor (ring flow injector). We have modeled the system using computational fluid dynamics simulations that are bounded by measured temperatures. In situ line-of-sight optical emission and absorption spectroscopy have been used to determine the structures and concentrations of molecules formed during rapid cooling of reactants after they pass through the plasma. Emission spectroscopy also enables us to determine the temperatures at which these dynamic processes occur. A sample collection probe inserted from the open end of the reactor is used to collect condensed materials and analyze them ex situ using electron microscopy. The preliminary results of two separate investigations involving the condensation of metal oxides and chemical kinetics of high-temperature gas reactions are discussed.
Sequence dependent aggregation of peptides and fibril formation
Authors: Hung Nguyen Ba , Le Duy-Manh , Hoang Trinh X.
Published: September 2017

Deciphering the links between amino acid sequence and amyloid fibril formation is key for understanding protein misfolding diseases. Here we use Monte Carlo simulations to study the aggregation of short peptides in a coarse-grained model with hydrophobic-polar (HP) amino acid sequences and correlated side chain orientations for hydrophobic contacts. A significant heterogeneity is observed in the aggregate structures and in the thermodynamics of aggregation for systems of different HP sequences and different numbers of peptides. Fibril-like ordered aggregates are found for several sequences that contain the common HPH pattern, while other sequences may form helix bundles or disordered aggregates. A wide variation of the aggregation transition temperatures among sequences, even among those of the same hydrophobic fraction, indicates that not all sequences undergo aggregation at a presumable physiological temperature. The transition is found to be the most cooperative for sequences forming fibril-like structures. For a fibril-prone sequence, it is shown that fibril formation follows the nucleation and growth mechanism. Interestingly, a binary mixture of peptides of an aggregation-prone and a non-aggregation-prone sequence shows the association and conversion of the latter to the fibrillar structure. Our study highlights the role of a sequence in selecting fibril-like aggregates and also the impact of a structural template on fibril formation by peptides of unrelated sequences.
Fully-resolved prolate spheroids in turbulent channel flows: A lattice Boltzmann study
Authors: Eshghinejadfard Amir , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Thévenin Dominique
Published: September 2017

Particles are present in many natural and industrial multiphase flows. In most practical cases, particle shape is not spherical, leading to additional difficulties for numerical studies. In this paper, DNS of turbulent channel flows with finite-size prolate spheroids is performed. The geometry includes a straight wall-bounded channel at a frictional Reynolds number of 180 seeded with particles. Three different particle shapes are considered, either spheroidal (aspect ratio λ=2 or 4) or spherical (λ=1). Solid-phase volume fraction has been varied between 0.75% and 1.5%. Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is used to model the fluid flow. The influence of the particles on the flow field is simulated by immersed boundary method (IBM). In this Eulerian-Lagrangian framework, the trajectory of each particle is computed individually. All particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions are considered (four-way coupling). Results show that, in the range of examined volume fractions, mean fluid velocity is reduced by addition of particles. However, velocity reduction by spheroids is much lower than that by spheres; 2% and 1.6%, compared to 4.6%. Maximum streamwise velocity fluctuations are reduced by addition of particle. By comparing particle and fluid velocities, it is seen that spheroids move faster than the fluid before reaching the same speed in the channel center. Spheres, on the other hand, move slower than the fluid in the buffer layer. Close to the wall, all particle types move faster than the fluid. Moreover, prolate spheroids show a preferential orientation in the streamwise direction, which is stronger close to the wall. Far from the wall, the orientation of spheroidal particles tends to isotropy.
An elucidation of the paradox of 3D fluid system susceptibility to quasi-2D turbulence
Authors: Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele
Published: September 2017

Experimental physicists at Australian National University review research on the physical underpinnings of quasi-2D turbulence in 3D thick fluid layers.
Tunable antenna radome based on graphene frequency selective surface
Authors: Qu Meijun , Rao Menglou , Li Shufang , Deng Li
Published: September 2017

In this paper, a graphene-based frequency selective surface (FSS) is proposed. The proposed FSS exhibits a tunable bandpass filtering characteristic due to the alterable conductivity of the graphene strips which is controlled by chemical potential. Based on the reconfigurable bandpass property of the proposed FSS, a cylindrical antenna radome is designed using the FSS unit cells. A conventional omnidirectional dipole can realize a two-beam directional pattern when it is placed into the proposed antenna radome. Forward and backward endfire radiations of the dipole loaded with the radome is realized by properly adjusting the chemical potential. The proposed antenna radome is extremely promising for beam-scanning in terahertz and mid-infrared plasmonic devices and systems when the gain of a conventional antenna needs to be enhanced.
Researchers demonstrate breakthrough piezoelectric possibility with Mg-Nb-AlN
Authors: Blaustein Rich
Published: September 2017

With seminal experimentation, Japanese researchers show that Mg-Nb added to AlN increases the piezoelectric effect with Nb exhibiting multiple valences.
What the Convention requires
Authors: Wallace Derek
Published: September 2017

How can conduct be enforced when governmental relations are entirely reliant on linguistic exchange? This is the question at stake in such jurisdictions as the United Nations when nations sign up to legally non-binding commitments. The few commentators in this area hold that non-enforceability gives states the upper hand in this relationship. The research reported here, however, challenges that conclusion. By looking at textual exchanges of reporting and assessment respectively between the New Zealand government and the Committee on the Rights of the Child over a twenty year period, this paper identifies the linguistic and rhetorical strategies by which each party attempts to orient the conduct of the other. The conclusion reached, which can still only be provisional, is that, through nothing other than unwavering reiteration of its mandate, the UN committee gradually exhausts the evasive and countering tactics of the state party to bring about a degree of compliance.
“An orgy of licence?” Democracy and property redistribution in Poland and the Baltics in their international context, 1918–1926
Authors: Richter Klaus
Published: September 2017

The article argues that property redistribution was a major tool of democratization and nationalization in Poland and the Baltics. It provided governments with a means to give peasants a stake in the new democratic states, thus empower the new titular nations and at the same time marginalize former elites, who became national minorities. The most significant acts of property redistribution were the land reforms passed between 1919 and 1925, which achieved the status of founding charters of the new states. Activists of the disenfranchised minorities conceptualized minority protection as the “Magna Carta” of the international order, which should contain the principle of national self-determination and thus safeguard private property, the protection of which was not clearly regulated by international law. By examining the contingencies of the aftermath of the war in East Central Europe as well as discussions about changing conceptions of property ownership in both East Central and Western Europe, the article shows that land reform was meant to counter Bolshevism, but, at the same time, created the impression abroad that the new states themselves displayed revolutionary tendencies and did not respect private property — an image that became a significant argument of interwar territorial revisionists.
Effects of catechins and caffeine on the development of atherosclerosis in mice
Authors: Liu Litong , Nagai Izumi , Gao Ying , Matsushima Yoshibumi , Kawai Yoshichika , Sayama Kazutoshi
Published: September 2017

Atherosclerosis is one of the diseases related to metabolic syndrome which is caused by obesity. Previous reports have shown that green tea and its components have anti-obesity effect. We examined whether catechins and caffeine can prevent the development of atherosclerosis by oral administration, singly or in combination to the atherosclerosis model mice. Results demonstrated that the number of atherosclerotic regions in the aorta was significantly reduced by the combined treatment, and the atherosclerotic area was also improved. Serum HDL-C increased by caffeine single treatment, but no effect on the TG and TC by any treatments. Moreover, ECG illuviated to atheromatous lesions in aorta and the illuviation was enhanced by caffeine. The mRNA expression levels of LOX-1 and TNF-α showed a tendency to suppress by the combined treatment. These results indicated that the combined administration of catechins and caffeine has the inhibitory effect on the development of atherosclerosis in mice.
Electrification pathways for Kenya–linking spatial electrification analysis and medium to long term energy planning
Authors: Moksnes Nandi , Korkovelos Alexandros , Mentis Dimitrios , Howells Mark
Published: September 2017

In September 2015 UN announced 17 Sustainable Development goals (SDG) from which goal number 7 envisions universal access to modern energy services for all by 2030. In Kenya only about 46% of the population currently has access to electricity. This paper analyses hypothetical scenarios, and selected implications, investigating pathways that would allow the country to reach its electrification targets by 2030. Two modelling tools were used for the purposes of this study, namely OnSSET and OSeMOSYS. The tools were soft-linked in order to capture both the spatial and temporal dynamics of their nature. Two electricity demand scenarios were developed representing low and high end user consumption goals respectively. Indicatively, results show that geothermal, coal, hydro and natural gas would consist the optimal energy mix for the centralized national grid. However, in the case of the low demand scenario a high penetration of stand-alone systems is evident in the country, reaching out to approximately 47% of the electrified population. Increasing end user consumption leads to a shift in the optimal technology mix, with higher penetration of mini-grid technologies and grid extension.
A utility maximizing and privacy preserving approach for protecting kinship in genomic databases
Authors: Kale Gulce , Ayday Erman , Tastan Oznur
Published: September 2017

Motivation

Rapid and low cost sequencing of genomes enabled widespread use of genomic data in research studies and personalized customer applications, where genomic data is shared in public databases. Although the identities of the participants are anonymized in these databases, sensitive information about individuals can still be inferred. One such information is kinship.

Results

We define two routes kinship privacy can leak and propose a technique to protect kinship privacy against these risks while maximizing the utility of shared data. The method involves systematic identification of minimal portions of genomic data to mask as new participants are added to the database. Choosing the proper positions to hide is cast as an optimization problem in which the number of positions to mask is minimized subject to privacy constraints that ensure the familial relationships are not revealed. We evaluate the proposed technique on real genomic data. Results indicate that concurrent sharing of data pertaining to a parent and an offspring results in high risks of kinship privacy, whereas the sharing data from further relatives together is often safer. We also show arrival order of family members have a high impact on the level of privacy risks and on the utility of sharing data.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/tastanlab/Kinship-Privacy

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Omics AnalySIs System for PRecision Oncology (OASISPRO): a web-based omics analysis tool for clinical phenotype prediction
Authors: Yu Kun-Hsing , Fitzpatrick Michael R , Pappas Luke , Chan Warren , Kung Jessica , Snyder Michael
Published: September 2017

Precision oncology is an approach that accounts for individual differences to guide cancer management. Omics signatures have been shown to predict clinical traits for cancer patients. However, the vast amount of omics information poses an informatics challenge in systematically identifying patterns associated with health outcomes, and no general purpose data mining tool exists for physicians, medical researchers and citizen scientists without significant training in programming and bioinformatics. To bridge this gap, we built the Omics AnalySIs System for PRecision Oncology (OASISPRO), a web-based system to mine the quantitative omics information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). This system effectively visualizes patients’ clinical profiles, executes machine-learning algorithms of choice on the omics data and evaluates the prediction performance using held-out test sets. With this tool, we successfully identified genes strongly associated with tumor stage, and accurately predicted patients’ survival outcomes in many cancer types, including adrenocortical carcinoma. By identifying the links between omics and clinical phenotypes, this system will facilitate omics studies on precision cancer medicine and contribute to establishing personalized cancer treatment plans.

Availability and implementation

This web-based tool is available at http://tinyurl.com/oasispro; source codes are available at http://tinyurl.com/oasisproSourceCode.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Differences in Small Plot and On-Farm Trials for Yield Response to Foliar Fungicide in Soybean
Authors: Kandel Yuba R. , Hunt Catherine L. , Kyveryga Peter M. , Mueller Tristan A. , Mueller Daren S.
Published: September 2017

Soybean yield response variability to foliar fungicide applications was evaluated in on-farm replicated strip trials (OFTs) and small-plot trials (SPTs) from 2008 through 2015 in Iowa. A total of 230 OFTs and 49 SPTs were compared for yield response to pyraclostrobin, pyraclostrobin + fluxapyroxad, or trifloxystrobin + prothioconazole fungicides. OFTs (18 to 55 m wide and 200 to 800 m long strips) were harvested with farmers’ combines equipped with yield monitors and GPS, while SPTs (3.0 to 4.6 m wide and 10.7 to 15.3 m long plots) were harvested by small research plot combines. Variance component and power analyses were conducted with a subset of data consisting of 12 OFTs and SPTs, each with pyraclostrobin and evaluated in 2008 and 2009. While average yield responses were similar, the residual random yield variation was smaller in OFTs than SPTs. Power analysis showed that SPTs need more replications than OFTs to detect the same overall treatment differences. To detect a yield response of 134 kg/ha, it would require at least three treatment replications with 12 locations in OFTs and seven replications with 12 locations in SPTs. Researchers need to acknowledge the differences in statistical power of detecting yield responses to foliar fungicide on soybean in different types of field experiments, especially with smaller plot sizes in situations with less foliar disease.
Academic Achievement Deficits and Their Neuropsychological Correlates in Children Born Extremely Preterm
Authors: Akshoomoff Natacha , Joseph Robert M. , Taylor H. Gerry , Allred Elizabeth N. , Heeren Timothy , O'Shea Thomas M. , Kuban Karl C. K.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the risks associated with learning disabilities (LDs) in a large sample of children born extremely preterm. We predicted higher than expected rates of LD, particularly in math, and children with LD in math, reading, or both would have lower intelligence quotients (IQs) and specific patterns of neuropsychological deficits.

Methods:

We evaluated academic achievement, rates of LD, and their neuropsychological correlates in the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGANs) Study cohort of 10-year-old children born at 23 to 27 weeks gestational age. Primary analyses focused on children without intellectual disability (verbal IQ > 70 and nonverbal IQ > 70; N = 668). Low achievement was defined as a standard score ≤85 on the reading or math measures.

Results:

The risk of low math achievement scores (27%) was 1.5 times higher than the risk of low reading achievement scores (17%). Children were classified as having LD based on low achievement criteria in reading only (RD, 6.4% of sample), math only (MD, 16.2%), both reading and math (RD/MD, 8.3%), or no reading or math disabilities (No LD, 69.1%). Although all 3 LD groups had multiple neuropsychological weaknesses compared with the No LD group, the RD and MD groups had different patterns of neuropsychological impairment.

Conclusion:

These children from the ELGAN cohort had higher than expected rates of LD, particularly in mathematics, even after taking socioeconomic status into consideration. These results indicate specific cognitive weaknesses that differ between extremely preterm children with RD and MD.
Audiological Outcomes and Map Characteristics in Children With Perimodiolar and Slim Straight Array Cochlear Implants in Opposite Ears
Authors: Park Lisa R. , Teagle Holly F. B. , Brown Kevin D. , Gagnon Erika B. , Woodard Jennifer S. , Buchman Craig A.
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To identify differences in outcomes and map characteristics in pediatric bilateral cochlear implants with modiolar conforming and lateral wall arrays in opposite ears.

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric referral center.

Patients:

Fourteen children who received a perimodiolar array in one ear and a slim straight array in the opposite ear in sequential surgeries.

Interventions:

None.

Main Outcome Measures:

Consonant-nucleus-consonant test (CNC) word recognition score, battery life, power levels, electrical compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds, and electrical threshold and comfort charge levels.

Results:

Speech perception outcomes were poorer in the lateral wall ears than the perimodiolar ears, and scores in the bilateral condition were better than with the lateral wall device alone. Sequential placement was a factor with differences in preoperative candidacy time correlating with greater difference in speech perception. There was no difference in charge levels between ears, in spite of higher ECAP threshold values for the lateral wall devices.

Conclusion:

While bilateral speech perception was good, speech perception with the lateral wall device alone was poorer. This cannot be explained solely by the device, as differences in preoperative candidacy time were a significant factor. ECAP thresholds are significantly higher for lateral wall electrodes, but that did not translate in to higher psychophysical measurements.
Vascular Complications and Use of a Distal Perfusion Cannula in Femorally Cannulated Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Ranney David N. , Benrashid Ehsan , Meza James M. , Keenan Jeffrey E. , Bonadonna Desiree , Mureebe Leila , Cox Mitchell W. , Daneshmand Mani A.
Published: September 2017

Femoral arterial cannulation in adult venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) predisposes patients to ipsilateral limb ischemia. Placement of a distal perfusion catheter (DPC) is one of few techniques available to prevent or manage this complication. Although frequently used, the indications for and timing of DPC placement are poorly characterized, and no guidelines are available to guide its use. The purpose of this study was to compare the incidences of vascular complications and limb ischemia between patients who did and did not receive a DPC at the time of primary ECMO cannulation. Between June 2009 and April 2015, 132 adults underwent VA ECMO cannulation at our institution. Of the 80 femoral cannulations comprising this retrospective single-center study cohort, 14 (17.5%) received a DPC at the time of primary cannulation. Demographics, indications for ECMO, and cardiovascular history and risk factors were not significantly different between comparison groups. Median arterial cannula size was 17 French in both groups. Vascular complications occurred in 2 of the 14 patients with initial DPC (14.3%) compared with 21 of 66 without initial DPC (31.8%; p = 0.188). Limb ischemia occurred in 2 of 14 patients in the DPC group (14.3%) and 15 of 66 in the non-DPC group (22.7%; p = 0.483). In-hospital mortality was comparable between groups. DPC placement at the time of primary cannulation may lower the incidence of limb ischemia. The benefit of DPC placement once evidence of limb ischemia is apparent remains unclear.
Pilot Study of the Tart Cherry Juice for the Treatment of Insomnia and Investigation of Mechanisms
Authors: Losso Jack N. , Finley John W. , Karki Namrata , Liu Ann G. , Prudente Alfredo , Tipton Russell , Yu Ying , Greenway Frank L.
Published: September 2017

Background:

Insomnia is common in the elderly and is associated with chronic disease, but use of hypnotics increases the incidence of falls. Montmorency tart cherry juice has improved insomnia by self-report questionnaire.

Study Question:

Is insomnia confirmed by polysomnography and is tryptophan availability a potential mechanism for treating insomnia?

Study Design:

A placebo-controlled balanced crossover study with subjects older than 50 years and insomnia were randomized to placebo (2 weeks) or cherry juice (2 weeks) (240 mL 2 times/d) separated by a 2-week washout.

Measures and Outcomes:

Sleep was evaluated by polysomnography and 5 validated questionnaires. Serum indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio, and prostaglandin E2 were measured. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were stimulated with interferon-gamma, and the ability of cherry juice procyanidin to inhibit IDO which degrades tryptophan and stimulates inflammation was measured. The content of procyanidin B-2 and other major anthocyanins in cherry juice were determined.

Results:

Eleven subjects were randomized; 3 with sleep apnea were excluded and referred. The 8 completers with insomnia increased sleep time by 84 minutes on polysomnography (P = 0.0182) and sleep efficiency increased on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P = 0.03). Other questionnaires showed no significant differences. The serum kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio decreased, as did the level of prostaglandin E2 (both P < 0.05). In vitro, cherry juice procyanidin B-2 dose-dependently inhibited IDO.

Conclusions:

Cherry juice increased sleep time and sleep efficiency. Cherry juice procyanidin B-2 inhibited IDO, increased tryptophan availability, reduced inflammation, and may be partially responsible for improvement in insomnia.
Incidences of Pancreatic Malignancy and Mortality in Patients With Untreated Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms Undergoing Surveillance
Authors: Lensing Rutger J. , Bipat Shandra
Published: September 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to pool incidences of increased cyst size, malignant branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs), pancreatic malignancy, and pancreatic malignancy-related death during follow-up (FU) of BD-IPMN patients.

Methods

Searches were performed from January 2010 to April 2016. All hits were checked on inclusion criteria, and outcomes were extracted. Incidences were pooled. Three subgroups were defined: (1) including only BD-IPMN patients, (2) short-interval FU (maximum 6 months), and (3) long-interval FU (>6 months).

Results

Thirty-one articles were enrolled, including 8455 patients (mean age, 66.4 years). Twenty-two studies included subgroup 1; 10 and 6 studies included, respectively, subgroups 2 and 3. Incidence of increased cyst size was 17.4%. In subgroups 1, 2, and 3, incidences were, respectively, 20.0%, 17.2%, and 31.7%. Incidence of malignant BD-IPMN was 2.5. In subgroups 1, 2, and 3, incidences were, respectively, 3.0%, 2.4%, and 3.3%. Incidence of pancreatic malignancy was 2.6%. In subgroups 1, 2, and 3, incidences were, respectively, 2.3%, 1.2%, and 4.0%. Incidence of death was 0.5%. In subgroups 1, 2, and 3, incidences were, respectively, 0.4%, 0.04%, and 0.12%.

Conclusions

Although not significant, all incidences on long-interval FU were higher; therefore, short-interval FU seems necessary to find resectable lesions.