bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining employment and care-giving: how differing care intensities influence employment patterns among middle-aged women in Germany
Authors: Kelle Nadiya
Published: November 2018

Given an ageing population and increased participation by women in the labour force, the relationship between unpaid care and the availability of women to the labour force is gaining in importance as an issue. This article assesses the impact of unpaid care on transitions into employment by women aged between 45 and 59 years. It uses the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) from the years 2001–2014 to estimate Cox regression models for 6,201 employed women. The results indicate that women with higher caring responsibilities and women with lower caring responsibilities are heterogeneous in terms of the socio-economic characteristics that they exhibit: higher-intensity care providers tend to have a lower level of educational attainment and a weaker attachment to the labour force than women with less-intensive caring responsibilities. Furthermore, while women with more-intensive caring roles are highly likely to exit the labour market altogether, female carers with less-intensive roles seem to be able to combine work and care better. These results highlight the importance of providing more affordable institutional and professional care services, especially for low- and medium-income families.
Controlling the Law: Legal Pluralism in China's South-West Minority Regions
Authors: Kaup Katherine P.
Published: November 2018

Millions of China's ethnic minority citizens remain subject to competing legal standards, even as state officials strive to strengthen a unified notion of state law. Minority customary law continues to bind many minority citizens in both civil and criminal arenas and often conflicts directly with state law. What happens when these laws conflict? Based on fieldwork in Yunnan, this article shows how local officials and communities navigate legal pluralism and what legal and policy provisions guide them. Granting local judges discretionary authority to set aside state law in favour of customary law, although seemingly undermining law enforcement, may in the long run be the best path to strengthening rule of law in China's minority regions.
Prevalence of comorbidities in cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: a retrospective study
Authors: Alqahtani F.Y. , Aleanizy F.S. , Ali El Hadi Mohamed R. , Alanazi M. S. , Mohamed N. , Alrasheed M. M. , Abanmy N. , Alhawassi T.
Published: November 2018

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a life-threatening respiratory disease with a high case fatality rate; however, its risk factors remain unclear. We aimed to explore the influence of demographic factors, clinical manifestations and underlying comorbidities on mortality in MERS-CoV patients. Retrospective chart reviews were performed to identify all laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-COV infection in Saudi Arabia that were reported to the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia between 23 April 2014 and 7 June 2016. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the effect of sex, age, clinical presentation and comorbidities on mortality from MERS-CoV. A total of 281 confirmed MERS-CoV cases were identified: 167 (59.4%) patients were male and 55 (20%) died. Mortality predominantly occurred among Saudi nationals and older patients and was significantly associated with respiratory failure and shortness of breath. Of the 281 confirmed cases, 160 (56.9%) involved comorbidities, wherein diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease were significantly associated with mortality from MERS-CoV and two or three comorbidities significantly affected the fatality rates from MERS-CoV. The findings of this study show that old age and the existence of underlying comorbidities significantly increase mortality from MERS-CoV.
Editorial
Authors: Eberl Hermann , Ward John
Published: November 2018

Biofilms are colonies of microorganisms, usually growing on solid-liquid interfaces, consisting of cells and a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Such colonies are often elaborately structured and highly dynamic, expanding through cell division and recruitment of cells from outside, and contracting via individual cells or flocs (groups of cells and biofilm matrix) detachment from the biofilm surface. Even amongst simplest single species bacterial biofilms, the behaviour (phenotype) of individual cells is highly heterogenous across the biofilm due to microenvironment variation (e.g. nutrient concentration, pH) and cell-cell signalling (quorum sensing); consequently, many researchers consider biofilms as more akin to multi-cellular organisms rather than a colony of autonomous individual cells.
Calculation of Last Closed Drift Shells for the 2013 GEM Radiation Belt Challenge Events
Authors: Albert J. M. , Selesnick R. S. , Morley S. K. , Henderson M. G. , Kellerman A. C
Published: November 2018

Radiation belt behavior is often analyzed in terms of adiabatic invariants, of which the third roughly characterizes the radial distance of particle drift shells. The outermost, or last closed drift shell, can be an important boundary for numerical modeling, especially for drift‐averaged treatments such as three‐dimensional diffusion codes. Here we discuss calculation of the last closed drift shell, using the widely used International Radiation Belt Environment Modeling (IRBEM) Library, the LanlGeoMag code, and a guiding center code named AFRL‐Shell, in conjunction with a variety of current magnetic field models. We present results for the four events in 2013, comprising the radiation belt challenge organized by the Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Belt Modeling focus group of the Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) program.
Modeling Neutron Emissions in High Energy Atmospheric Phenomena
Authors: Diniz G. , Rutjes C. , Ebert U. , Ferreira I. S. , São Sabbas E. F. M. T.
Published: November 2018

Neutron emissions with different durations have been observed during thunderstorms. These neutrons can be produced by microsecond to millisecond fast Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flashes correlated with lightning, or by Gamma‐ray Glows lasting several seconds to minutes. In both cases, the neutrons are produced through a photonuclear reaction of gamma rays in the energy range of 10 to 30 MeV with nuclei of air molecules. Here we present simulations of gamma‐ray beams propagating downward from different source altitudes. In our analysis the primary photons with energies between 10 and 30 MeV are separated into four energy intervals, each of 5 MeV width. From these data, arbitrary spectra of primary photons and of their products can be composed. Our results indicate that the neutrons are created essentially along the trajectory of the primary photons and that they reach ground within a transversal area of radius below 500 m. This lateral spreading is dominated by neutron diffusion due to collisions with air molecules. A secondary longer lasting photon pulse at sea level is predicted as well by our simulations. We have introduced this Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flash afterglow already in (Rutjes et al. 2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL075552). It is due to neutron capture by air molecules, and it has recently been observed by Bowers et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL075071) and Enoto et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature24630).
Direct Observations of Fine Primary Particles From Residential Coal Burning: Insights Into Their Morphology, Composition, and Hygroscopicity
Authors: Zhang Yinxiao , Yuan Qi , Huang Dao , Kong Shaofei , Zhang Jian , Wang Xinfeng , Lu Chunying , Shi Zongbo , Zhang Xiaoye , Sun Yele , Wang Zifa , Shao Longyi , Zhu Jihao , Li Weijun
Published: November 2018

Emissions of residential coal burning are an important contributor to air pollution in developing countries, but few studies have yet comprehensively characterized the physicochemical properties of individual primary particles from residential coal burning. Fine primary particles emitted from eight types of coal with low, medium, and high maturity were collected in the flaming and burn‐out stages in a typical residential stove. Based on morphology and composition of individual particles, they were divided into six types: organic matter (OM), OM‐S, soot‐OM, S‐rich, metal, and mineral particles. Low‐maturity coals (e.g., lignite) dominantly emitted soot‐OM particles in the flaming stage, the medium‐maturity coals (e.g., medium‐maturity bituminous coals) emitted abundant OM particles, and high‐maturity coals (e.g., anthracite) emitted abundant OM‐S particles. We found that carbonaceous particles from coal burning significantly decreased with an increase of coal maturity and that soot particles were mainly formed in the flaming stage of low‐maturity coals under higher burning temperatures. We concluded that coal maturity and burning temperature both determine particulate properties in coal emissions. In addition, OM and soot particles from residential coal burning displayed extremely weak hygroscopicity, while inorganic salts within individual particles determined particle hygroscopic growth. Understanding the characteristics of particulate matter emitted from residential coal burning is helpful to trace sources of ambient particles and clarify their possible aging mechanism in air influenced by coal burning emissions. Our results suggest that air quality improvements can benefit substantially from the replacement of low‐ and medium‐maturity coals with high‐maturity coals, natural gas, or electricity in rural areas.
Comment on “Application of Analytical Diffusion Models to Outcrop Observations: Implications for Mass Transport by Fluid Flow Through Fractures” by Antonellini et al. (2017)
Authors: Trinchero Paolo , Sidborn Magnus , Puigdomenech Ignasi
Published: November 2018

Antonellini et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019864) presented a detailed analysis of alteration halos observed in outcrops of a fractured rock system. We point out here the need for a critical discussion on the low value of dissolved oxygen concentration used in the boundary water of their analytical models. Moreover, we argue that the model used by Antonellini et al. (2017) to evaluate the time for fracture filling is not consistent with the hypotheses used by the same authors to analyze the alteration halos. We propose here an alternative explanation along with an alternative model for fracture filling by precipitation of hydroxide minerals. Unlike the model used by Antonellini et al. (2017), in the model presented here, the time for fracture filling, defined as the time when the relative fracture aperture is equal to a given minimum threshold, does not depend on the initial fracture aperture.
Proteome evolution under non-substitutable resource limitation
Authors: Tamminen Manu , Betz Alexander , Pereira Aaron Louis , Thali Marco , Matthews Blake , Suter Marc J.-F. , Narwani Anita
Published: November 2018

Resource limitation is a major driver of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of organisms. Short-term responses to resource limitation include plastic changes in molecular phenotypes including protein expression. Yet little is known about the evolution of the molecular phenotype under longer-term resource limitation. Here, we combine experimental evolution of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under multiple different non-substitutable resource limitation regimes with proteomic measurements to investigate evolutionary adaptation of the molecular phenotype. We demonstrate convergent proteomic evolution of core metabolic functions, including the Calvin-Benson cycle and gluconeogenesis, across different resource limitation environments. We do not observe proteomic changes consistent with optimized uptake of particular limiting resources. Instead, we report that adaptation proceeds in similar directions under different types of non-substitutable resource limitation. This largely convergent evolution of the expression of core metabolic proteins is associated with an improvement in the resource assimilation efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus into biomass.
Genetic dissection of the miR-200–Zeb1 axis reveals its importance in tumor differentiation and invasion
Authors: Title Alexandra C. , Hong Sue-Jean , Pires Nuno D. , Hasenöhrl Lynn , Godbersen Svenja , Stokar-Regenscheit Nadine , Bartel David P. , Stoffel Markus
Published: November 2018

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism for cancer progression and metastasis. Numerous in vitro and tumor-profiling studies point to the miR-200–Zeb1 axis as crucial in regulating this process, yet in vivo studies involving its regulation within a physiological context are lacking. Here, we show that miR-200 ablation in the Rip-Tag2 insulinoma mouse model induces beta-cell dedifferentiation, initiates an EMT expression program, and promotes tumor invasion. Strikingly, disrupting the miR-200 sites of the endogenous Zeb1 locus causes a similar phenotype. Reexpressing members of the miR-200 superfamily in vitro reveals that the miR-200c family and not the co-expressed and closely related miR-141 family is responsible for regulation of Zeb1 and EMT. Our results thus show that disrupting the in vivo regulation of Zeb1 by miR-200c is sufficient to drive EMT, thus highlighting the importance of this axis in tumor progression and invasion and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Selectively exciting quasi-normal modes in open disordered systems
Authors: Davy Matthieu , Genack Azriel Z.
Published: November 2018

Transmission through disordered samples can be controlled by illuminating a sample with waveforms corresponding to the eigenchannels of the transmission matrix (TM). But can the TM be exploited to selectively excite quasi-normal modes and so control the spatial profile and dwell time inside the medium? We show in microwave and numerical studies that spectra of the TM can be analyzed into modal transmission matrices of rank unity. This makes it possible to enhance the energy within a sample by a factor equal to the number of channels. Limits to modal selectivity arise, however, from correlation in the speckle patterns of neighboring modes. In accord with an effective Hamiltonian model, the degree of modal speckle correlation grows with increasing modal spectral overlap and non-orthogonality of the modes of non-Hermitian systems. This is observed when the coupling of a sample to its surroundings increases, as in the crossover from localized to diffusive waves.
mTORC1 is a key mediator of RON-dependent breast cancer metastasis with therapeutic potential
Authors: Faham Najme , Zhao Ling , Welm Alana L.
Published: November 2018

Metastasis is the biggest challenge in treating breast cancer, and it kills >40,000 breast cancer patients annually in the US. Aberrant expression of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase in breast tumors correlates with poor prognosis and has been shown to promote metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern how RON promotes metastasis, and how to block it, are still largely unknown. We sought to determine critical effectors of RON using a combination of mutational and pharmacologic strategies. High-throughput proteomic analysis of breast cancer cells upon activation of RON showed robust phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6. Further analysis revealed that RON strongly signals through mTORC1/p70S6K, which is mediated predominantly by the PI3K pathway. A targeted mutation approach to modulate RON signaling validated the importance of PI3K/mTORC1 pathway for spontaneous metastasis in vivo. Finally, inhibition of mTORC1 with an FDA-approved drug, everolimus, resulted in transient shrinkage of established RON-dependent metastases, and combined blockade of mTORC1 and RON delayed progression. These studies have identified a key downstream mediator of RON-dependent metastasis in breast cancer cells and revealed that inhibition of mTORC1, or combined inhibition of mTORC1 and RON, may be effective for treatment of metastatic breast cancers with elevated expression of RON.
Chemical controls on the propagation rate of fracture in calcite
Authors: Ilgen A. G. , Mook W. M. , Tigges A. B. , Choens R. C. , Artyushkova K. , Jungjohann K. L.
Published: November 2018

Calcite (CaCO3) is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust, and it is susceptible to subcritical chemically-driven fracturing. Understanding chemical processes at individual fracture tips, and how they control the development of fractures and fracture networks in the subsurface, is critical for carbon and nuclear waste storage, resource extraction, and predicting earthquakes. Chemical processes controlling subcritical fracture in calcite are poorly understood. We demonstrate a novel approach to quantify the coupled chemical-mechanical effects on subcritical fracture. The calcite surface was indented using a Vickers-geometry indenter tip, which resulted in repeatable micron-scale fractures propagating from the indent. Individual indented samples were submerged in an array of aqueous fluids and an optical microscope was used to track the fracture growth in situ. The fracture propagation rate varied from 1.6 × 10−8 m s−1 to 2.4 × 10−10 m s−1. The rate depended on the type of aqueous ligand present, and did not correlate with the measured dissolution rate of calcite or trends in zeta-potential. We postulate that chemical complexation at the fracture tip in calcite controls the growth of subcritical fracture. Previous studies indirectly pointed to the zeta-potential being the most critical factor, while our work indicates that variation in the zeta-potential has a secondary effect.
US10 Protein Is Crucial but not Indispensable for Duck Enteritis Virus Infection in Vitro
Authors: Ma Yunchao , Zeng Qiurui , Wang Mingshu , Cheng Anchun , Jia Renyong , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Zhao Xin-Xin , Liu Mafeng , Zhu Dekang , Chen Shun , Zhang Shaqiu , Liu Yunya , Yu Yanling , Zhang Ling , Chen Xiaoyue
Published: November 2018

To investigate the function of the duck enteritis virus (DEV) tegument protein US10, we generated US10 deletion and revertant mutants (ΔUS10 and US10FRT) via two-step RED recombination based on an infectious BAC clone of DEV CHv-BAC-G (BAC-G). In multistep growth kinetic analyses, ΔUS10 showed an approximately 100-fold reduction in viral titer, while the genome copies decreased only 4-fold compared to those of BAC-G. In one-step growth kinetic analyses, there were no significant differences in genome copies among BAC-G, ΔUS10 and US10FRT, but ΔUS10 still showed a 5- to 20-fold reduction in viral titer, and the replication defect of ΔUS10 was partially reversed by infection of US10-expressing cells. The transcription levels of Mx, OASL, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in ΔUS10-infected duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs) were significantly upregulated, while TLR3 was downregulated compared with those in BAC-G-infected DEFs. Taken together, these data indicated that US10 is vital for DEV replication and is associated with transcription of some immunity genes.
Integrative Bone Metabolomics—Lipidomics Strategy for Pathological Mechanism of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Mouse Model
Authors: Zhao Hongxia , Li Xiaoqun , Zhang Dianying , Chen Haiyan , Chao Yufan , Wu Kaiwen , Dong Xin , Su Jiacan
Published: November 2018

Osteoporosis, characterized by bone mass reduction and increased fractures, has become a global health problem that seriously affects the health of people, especially postmenopausal women; however, the current pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, bilateral ovariectomy was performed to establish an OVX mouse model of osteoporosis. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based lipidomics in combination with metabolomics were used to analyze the femur tissue of osteoporosis mice. We found that 11 polar metabolites and 93 lipid metabolites were significantly changed and were involved in amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and lipid metabolism. Among the lipids, fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and sterols showed robust changes. These results revealed that several metabolic disorders caused by changes in the hormone levels in OVX, especially disordered lipid metabolism, are closely related to the imbalance between bone resorption and formation and may underlie the development of PMOP. The data generated via lipidomics and metabolomics presented in this study shows good applicability and wide coverage in the construction of the metabolic profile of bone tissue. Therefore, this approach may provide the pathway focusing and data support at the metabolite level for the in-depth mechanism of PMOP.
Brain volumetric alterations accompanied with loss of striatal medium-sized spiny neurons and cortical parvalbumin expressing interneurons in Brd1+/− mice
Authors: Qvist Per , Eskildsen Simon F. , Hansen Brian , Baragji Mohammad , Ringgaard Steffen , Roovers Jolien , Paternoster Veerle , Molgaard Simon , Corydon Thomas Juhl , Stødkilde-Jørgensen Hans , Glerup Simon , Mors Ole , Wegener Gregers , Nyengaard Jens R. , Børglum Anders D. , Christensen Jane H.
Published: November 2018

Schizophrenia is a common and severe mental disorder arising from complex gene-environment interactions affecting brain development and functioning. While a consensus on the neuroanatomical correlates of schizophrenia is emerging, much of its fundamental pathobiology remains unknown. In this study, we explore brain morphometry in mice with genetic susceptibility and phenotypic relevance to schizophrenia (Brd1+/− mice) using postmortem 3D MR imaging coupled with histology, immunostaining and regional mRNA marker analysis. In agreement with recent large-scale schizophrenia neuroimaging studies, Brd1+/− mice displayed subcortical abnormalities, including volumetric reductions of amygdala and striatum. Interestingly, we demonstrate that structural alteration in striatum correlates with a general loss of striatal neurons, differentially impacting subpopulations of medium-sized spiny neurons and thus potentially striatal output. Akin to parvalbumin interneuron dysfunction in patients, a decline in parvalbumin expression was noted in the developing cortex of Brd1+/− mice, mainly driven by neuronal loss within or near cortical layer V, which is rich in corticostriatal projection neurons. Collectively, our study highlights the translational value of the Brd1+/− mouse as a pre-clinical tool for schizophrenia research and provides novel insight into its developmental, structural, and cellular pathology.
Camouflaged Nanosilver with Excitation Wavelength Dependent High Quantum Yield for Targeted Theranostic
Authors: Girigoswami Agnishwar , Yassine Wafic , Sharmiladevi Palani , Haribabu Viswanathan , Girigoswami Koyeli
Published: November 2018

The present study shows the thorough investigations on optical properties and hydrodynamic diameters of glutathione (GSH) stabilized nanosilver clusters (AgNC) at different stages of synthesis and engineering for the optimized absolute quantum yield to generate fluorescent images of Dalton Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) tumour bearing mice. The initial increment of quantum yield was wavelength dependent and finally it became 0.509 which was due to the camouflaging or entrapment of AgNC in macrophages membranes. The potentiality of macrophages membrane camouflaged silver nanoclusters (AgM) was reflected in the cell viability assay and confocal based live dead cell assay where the AgM has better cell killing effect compared to AgNC with reduced dosage and in vivo mice imaging generated the clear visualization at the tumour sites. Therefore, from the present study, it can be considered that the camouflaged nanosilver can be used for targeted theranostic applications.
Altered Populations of Unconventional T Cell Lineages in Patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Authors: Mitchell Jenée , Kvedaraite Egle , von Bahr Greenwood Tatiana , Henter Jan-Inge , Pellicci Daniel G. , Berzins Stuart P. , Kannourakis George
Published: November 2018

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) lesions are defined by the presence of CD1a+/CD207+ myeloid cells, but many other immune cells are present including unconventional T cells, which have powerful immunoregulatory functions. Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in LCH. We characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. Such abnormalities are associated with immune dysregulation in other disease settings and are therefore potentially important in LCH. Our study is the first to recognize alterations to MAIT cell proportions in patients with LCH. This finding along with other abnormalities identified amongst unconventional T cells could potentially influence the onset and progression of LCH, thereby highlighting potential targets for new immune based therapies.
Multiple Human-Behaviour Indicators for Predicting Lung Cancer Mortality with Support Vector Machine
Authors: Ni Du , Xiao Zhi , Zhong Bo , Feng Xiaodong
Published: November 2018

Lung cancer is still one of the most common causes of death around the world, while there is overwhelming evidence that the environment and lifestyle factors are predominant causes of most sporadic cancers. However, when applying human-behaviour indicators to the prediction of cancer mortality (CM), we are often caught in a dilemma with inadequate sample size. Thus, this study extracted 30 human-behaviour indicators of seven categories (air pollution, tobacco smoking & alcohol consumption, socioeconomic status, food structure, working culture, medical level, and demographic structure) from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Database and World Health Organization Mortality Database for 13 countries (1998–2013), and employed Support Vector Machine (SVM) to examine the weights of 30 indicators across the 13 countries and the power for predicting lung CM for the years between 2014–2016. The weights of different human-behaviour indicators indicate that every country has its own lung cancer killers, that is, the human-behaviour indicators are country specific; Moreover, SVM has an excellent power in predicting their lung CM. The average accuracy in prediction offered by SVM can be as high as 96.08% for the 13 countries tested between 2014 and 2016.
Fluorescence based detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water using hydrophobic interactions
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Weng Jiaying , Stromberg A. J. , Hilt J. Z. , Dziubla T. D.
Published: November 2018

Despite increasing controls in their production and disposal, persistent organic pollutants in water, even at concentrations below parts per million, represent an ongoing environmental health risk.
A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for simultaneously distinguishing and sequentially detecting H2S and various thiol species in solution and in live cells
Authors: Qiao Dan , Shen Tangliang , Zhu Mengyuan , Liang Xiao , Zhang Lu , Yin Zheng , Wang Binghe , Shang Luqing
Published: November 2018

A novel dual-channel mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe (NCR) was rationally designed for simultaneously distinguishing and sequentially sensing H2S, Cys/Hcy, and GSH.
Mild dynamic kinetic resolution of amines by coupled visible-light photoredox and enzyme catalysis
Authors: Yang Qiong , Zhao Fengqian , Zhang Na , Liu Mingke , Hu Huanhuan , Zhang Jingjie , Zhou Shaolin
Published: November 2018

A mild and efficient dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of amines was achieved by combining visible-light-induced photoredox catalysis and enzyme catalysis. This dual catalytic system was appropriate for both monoamines and 1,4-diamines.
Confinement of aqueous mixtures of ionic liquids between amorphous TiO2 slit nanopores: electrostatic field induction
Authors: Mohammadpour Fatemeh , Heydari Dokoohaki Maryam , Zolghadr Amin Reza , Ghatee Mohammad Hadi , Moradi Mahmood
Published: November 2018

Electrostatic potential in the vicinity of the surface is induced when aqueous mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs) are confined between a slit nanopore of amorphous but not crystalline TiO2 semiconductors.
Solvation energies of the proton in methanol revisited and temperature effects
Authors: Malloum Alhadji , Fifen Jean Jules , Conradie Jeanet
Published: November 2018

Various functionals assessing solvation free energies and enthalpies of the proton in methanol.
Correction: Developing force fields when experimental data is sparse: AMBER/GAFF-compatible parameters for inorganic and alkyl oxoanions
Authors: Kashefolgheta Sadra , Vila Verde Ana
Published: November 2018

Correction for ‘Developing force fields when experimental data is sparse: AMBER/GAFF-compatible parameters for inorganic and alkyl oxoanions’ by Sadra Kashefolgheta et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 20593–20607.
Two cyclotriveratrylene metal–organic frameworks as effective catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation and CO2 cycloaddition with epoxides
Authors: Kang Da-Wei , Han Xue , Ma Xin-Jun , Liu Ying-Ying , Ma Jian-Fang
Published: November 2018

In this work, we report two MOFs assembled with a novel imidazole-functionalized cyclotriveratrylene ligand, where 1 and 2 could be used as efficient catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation and CO2 cycloaddition with epoxides, respectively.
Facile synthesis of metal nanoparticles decorated magnetic hierarchical carbon microtubes with polydopamine-derived carbon layer for catalytic applications
Authors: Miao Teng , Zheng Jing , Wang Jianping , Xu Jingli , Alharbi Njud S. , Zhang Min
Published: November 2018

Herein, we present a facile method to fabricate a hybrid material of metallic NPs (Cu, Ni, Co) uniformly distributed on magnetic carbon hollow microtubes with a carbon layer derived from polydopamine.
The catalytic behaviour in aqueous-phase hydrogenation over a renewable Ni catalyst derived from a perovskite-type oxide
Authors: Chen Chun , Fan Ruoyu , Gong Wanbing , Zhang Haimin , Wang Guozhong , Zhao Huijun
Published: November 2018

Water is inevitably associated with the production of bio-derived platform molecules, but most supported metallic catalysts have poor water compatibility.
Laser focusing geometry effects on laser-induced plasma and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in bulk water
Authors: Tian Ye , Wang Lintao , Xue Boyang , Chen Qian , Li Ying
Published: November 2018

The influences of laser focusing geometry on laser-induced plasma and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in bulk water are investigated by using fast imaging and spectroscopic techniques.
Upconversion-chameleon-driven DNA computing: the DNA-unlocked inner-filter-effect (DU-IFE) for operating a multicolor upconversion luminescent DNA logic library and Its biosensing application
Authors: Fan Daoqing , Wang Erkang , Dong Shaojun
Published: November 2018

Upconversion-chameleon-driven DNA computing: the DNA-Unlocked Inner-Filter-Effect (DU-IFE) between upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and OxTMB is reported and applied to operate the first RGB UC luminescent DNA logic library and biosensing.
Using light, X-rays and electrons for evaluation of the nanostructure of layered materials
Authors: Djamil John , Hansen Anna-Lena , Backes Claudia , Bensch Wolfgang , Schürmann Ulrich , Kienle Lorenz , Düvel Andre , Heitjans Paul
Published: November 2018

Unveiling the nanostructure of ball-milled MoS2 on different length scales by analyses of X-ray data, UV-Vis spectra and TEM images.
Crystallographic plane and topography-dependent growth of semipolar InGaN nanorods on patterned sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Shen Jian , Zheng Yulin , Xu Zhenzhu , Yu Yuefeng , Gao Fangliang , Zhang Shuguang , Gan Yang , Li Guoqiang
Published: November 2018

A patterned sapphire substrate with exposed high-index crystallographic planes, with well-organized step-terrace structures, facilitates the growth of well-aligned semipolar InGaN nanorods.
Corygaline A, a hexahydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloid with an unusual carbon skeleton from Corydalis bungeana Turcz.
Authors: Gao Chang , Gu Xiaoting , Wang Xin , Cao Huikun , Lin Bin , Liu Youping , Di Xin
Published: November 2018

A novel hexahydrobenzophenanthridine alkaloid, corygaline A (1), was isolated from Corydalis bungeana Turcz.
Asymmetric synthesis of β-amino ketones by using cinchona alkaloid-based chiral phase transfer catalysts
Authors: Li Weihua , Wang Yifeng , Xu Danqian
Published: November 2018

A highly enantioselective nucleophilic addition of ketones to versatile imines catalyzed by chiral PTC has been developed, and the process affords the Mannich reaction products with tertiary stereocenters in good to high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. This protocol is effective for gram scale reaction.
Wideband horn antenna based on multi‐substrate layer technology
Authors: Yao Xianxun , Sun Guolin
Published: November 2018

A metal horn antenna fed by a co‐planner waveguide with ground (CPWG) is designed and fabricated. To integrate and connect other active elements of the system, the CPWG is designed by multi‐substrate PCB technology. A transition in the PCB layer concatenating the CPWG and the microstrip line has provided a continuous structure to lead the electric field from RF circuit into the horn. A ridge waveguide is used to widen the bandwidth. The simulated and measured results show that the proposed antenna has a broad impedance bandwidth of 33.1% (from 20.5 to 28.6 GHz) for |S11|<–10 dB and the radiation patterns also satisfy the requirements over the bandwidth.
Differentially fed impedance‐transforming directional coupler
Authors: Janisz K. , Piekarz I. , Staszek K. , Wincza K. , Gruszczynski S.
Published: November 2018

In this Letter, a differentially fed impedance‐transforming directional coupler is considered. The utilisation of recently introduced unequal‐width differentially fed coupled conductors allows for setting independently terminating impedances for each of coupled lines as well as for coupling control in a chosen dielectric stack‐up. The theoretical analysis is confirmed by experimental verification, in which an impedance transforming 70–50 Ω 3 dB single‐section directional coupler has been designed and measured.
Investigation of Water-in-Biodiesel Emulsion Characteristics Produced by Ultrasonic Homogenizer
Authors: Karim Zainal Ambri Abdul , Tee Degen , Khan Mohammed Yahaya , Hagos Ftwi Yohaness
Published: November 2018

Limited studies had been conducted using water-in-diesel emulsion produced from ultrasonic homogenizing method. In this study, Water-in-Biodiesel Emulsions (WiBE) produced using ultrasonic homogenizer were characterized and studied for their physical and chemical properties through various laboratory investigations. The data were then compared with WiBE produced using mechanical homogeniser by the current researchers. Physical characterization tests were carried out on 24 WiBE emulsions produced using an ultrasonic bath, with water percentage of 9%, 12% and 15%, HLB value of 6, 7, 8 and 9, and surfactant dosage of 5% and 10%. The water droplets produced using ultrasonic homogeniser were found to be evenly distributed and generally smaller in size. The density and viscosity values of these emulsions were found to be uniformly larger than WiBE produced using mechanical homogeniser. Emulsions with 15% water exceeded the density threshold, indicating the limits of the amount of water which can be added to the biodiesel fuel. Also, it was found that for viscosity, the HLB is limited to HLB 9 for higher surfactant dosage.
Preliminary Results of Numerical Simulation of Slug Flow in a Regular T-Junction
Authors: Tran Minh , Memon Zeeshan , Pao William , Hashim Fakhruldin M
Published: November 2018

Excessive liquid carryover in T-junction due to splitting nature of two-phase flow causes serious issues in piping system. A three-dimensional numerical model is employed to investigate two-phase flow split behavior of slug flow in a circular-section regular T-junction with 0.0752 m diameter. The Volume of Fraction method combined with k-ε turbulence model and initial sinusoidal perturbation in ANSYS FLUENT is adopted to characterize the effect of slug flow behavior on the phase separation efficiency. The preliminary result reveals that the simulation work can study slug flow split in great detail and the slug characteristic plays an important role in understanding split behavior.
Microstructural analysis of Al6063/sic with calcium additives for hardness enhancement
Authors: Bakthavatchalam Balaji , Habib Khairul , Patil Namdev , Hussein Omar A
Published: November 2018

Microstructural Analysis plays an important role in enhancing the mechanical properties of metals and composites. Usually Aluminium Silicon Carbide (Al6063/SiC) alloys are mixed with strontium, sodium and antimony for high durability even though they are toxic and costly. As an alternative calcium is used as an alloying element to improve the mechanical property of Al6063/Sic alloy. In this paper Al6063 is chosen as the matrix material while Sic is used as a reinforcement where calcium powder is added to modify the silicon phase of the composite. Finally, concentration of Silicon carbide is varied from 0 to 150 mg to produce four specimens of Al6063 alloy and it is subjected to microstructure analysis which showed the reduction of grain size and therefore improvement in the hardness from 52.9 HV to 58.4 HV and decrease in the wear loss from 3.97 to 3.27 percentage.
Optimal Vector Control Of Kite Tethers For Maximum Power Extraction From High Altitude Winds & Kite Designing
Authors: Chandrashekar Bongu , Kasavaraju Anirudh , Saravanakumar R.
Published: November 2018

High altitude power generation using kites is a method of harvesting wind power using tethered kites at high altitudes. The present wind turbines used for wind power generation which are placed at a height of 200 to 300 ft above the ground where the wind speed is not high and are highly variable. So power generation using kites helps us to generate power from the winds which have high velocity and are highly predictable at high altitudes. In this paper we will discuss about the designing of the kite through software and finding the algorithm for the parafoil kite using optimal vector method to extract maximum power from the wind as well as kite designing.
A review on electric two wheelers
Authors: Sapee Syazwana , Nafiz Daing Mohamad , Yusop Ahmad Fitri , Basrawi Mohamad Firdaus , Rasid Azri Hizami , Hassan Muhammad Hadi , Xiaoxia Jiang
Published: November 2018

South East Asian cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok rely heavily on motorcycles. A huge number of urban residents depend on motorcycles for all types of activities such as working, ridehailing and delivery services, going to school or leisure. According to Malaysia Automotive Association (MMA) statistics, there are about 13 million registered motorcycles in Malaysia as of August 2017. The pollutants that a four-stroke-engine 50 cc motorcycle emits per kilometre are usually much higher than a 2-litre passenger car; 2.7 times higher for CO and 6.7 times higher for HC and NOX. Controlling excessive air pollution and emissions levels generated by the use of a motorcycle is one of the keys to improving air quality. Electric two-wheelers have been well adopted in Asia Pacific countries like China and Taiwan. This paper provides extensive review and analysis on development history, environmental and mobility impacts, challenge and limitation of electric two-wheelers from around the world and the potential of its emergence in Malaysia.
Impact of Photovoltaic Plant Outputs in Distribution Networks
Authors: Jamali Abid Ali , Nor Nursyarizal Mohd , Ibrahim Taib , Romlie Mohd Fakhizan , Khan Zahid
Published: November 2018

This paper evaluates the potential of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (QASP), Pakistan and examines its impact on distribution networks. To estimate the PV plant yields, solar park’s historical hourly weather data from the years 2000 - 2014 is used. For handling of such huge data, the yearly data is partitioned into four seasons. Further, the seasonal data is modelled by using Beta Probability Density Function (PDF) and a 24 hour solar curve for each season is generated. The solar farm power outputs are tested in IEEE 33 bus distribution network by using time-varying seasonal hourly loads, meanwhile system losses and bus voltages are calculated. The results show that with the passage of time, the impact of solar PV power on reduction of system losses gradually decrease due to yearly degradation of PV module efficiency. System losses at end of PV farm life are 10 - 12% higher than those losses as in the first year. Furthermore, low voltage buses also pose to risk as system voltages also start to decrease. From the analysis, it is suggested that for maintaining the quality of network, time varying detailed assessments should be performed during the calculations of sizing of distributed generation.
Experimental study and FEM analysis of forward hot dieless spinning
Authors: Sedighi Mohammad , Jalili Iraj , Kasaeian-Naeini Mehdi
Published: November 2018

In this study, the forward hot dieless spinning method is employed in order to fabricate conical tubes using thick aluminum. The process is first examined numerically and then verified by an experimental work. In the numerical study, a 3-D dynamic explicit model is used to solve a common problem in the modeling of the spinning process, the tube is fixed and the roller rotates around the tube. The strain distribution in the tube at various forming passes is studied. The numerical results show that the circumferential strain distribution in different positions of the tube has a negative value whose value increases toward the free end of the tube. Besides, the results indicate that the hardness of the sample increases by about 18% due to the hot dieless spinning process and such a hardness augmentation is obvious along the thickness of the formed tube.
Vorher reden hilft
Authors: Kaider Manuel
Published: November 2018

Um Menschen vor einer Operation optimal auf den Eingriff vorzubereiten, hat sich
seit vielen Jahren in den USA das präoperative Anästhesiepflegegespräch bewährt.
Es kann vorhandene Ängste, perioperative Komplikationen und postoperative
Schmerzen bei den Patienten mindern – und leistet gleichzeitig einen wertvollen
Beitrag zur Qualitätssteigerung der Pflege.
Ein besonderer Fall
Authors: Ott Markus
Published: November 2018

Die Melioidose ist eine bakterielle Infektion, die Organe und Gewebe des gesamten
Körpers befallen kann. Auch wenn sie in unseren Breiten eher selten vorkommt,
sollte sie bei entsprechenden Anzeichen als mögliche Ursache in Betracht gezogen
werden. Als Beispiel für den Verlauf und die Behandlung dient der Fall eines
Mannes aus Queensland, Australien, mit neurologischer Manifestation einer
Melioidose.
Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz: Psyche in Gefahr
Authors: Andersen Gabriele
Published: November 2018

Jeder Arbeitgeber muss überprüfen, ob seine Teams durch psychische Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz gefährdet sind. Das „Wie“ sorgt oft für Unsicherheit. Doch wird die gesetzliche Vorgabe richtig genutzt, können alle profitieren. Ein Erfahrungsbericht vom UKE in Hamburg.
Organisation: Agilität im Krankenhaus – Chance oder Utopie?
Authors: Oldhafer Martina , Nolte Felix
Published: November 2018

Das Thema Agilität erlebt seit einigen Jahren enorme Beachtung. Im Kliniksektor hört man davon jedoch kaum etwas. Das Change-Management des Universitätsklinikums Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) untersucht, inwiefern agile Ansätze und Methoden auch für Krankenhäuser nützlich sein können.
Chronische Wunden: Die Haut ist ein Spiegel der Seele
Authors: Grether Thomas
Published: November 2018

Gäbe es mehr psychosomatische Dermatologen, würde in vielen Fällen die Haut schneller und besser heilen. kma sprach dazu mit Prof. Dr. med. Uwe Gieler – er ist psychosomatischer Dermatologe an der Universitätsklinik in Gießen.
Contained Herniated Lumbar Disc: CT- and Fluoroscopy-Guided Automated Percutaneous Discectomy—A Revival
Authors: Gallo Giacomo , Nicolas Stacoffe , Federico Torre , Theumann Nicolas , Guinebert Sylvain , Thouvenin Yann , Cornelis François , Hauger Olivier , Amoretti Nicolas
Published: November 2018

The combination of a new device and dual guidance (computed tomography [CT] and fluoroscopy) is similar to other percutaneous devices in achieving a mechanical decompression of the disc. The difference, however, is that the target of the decompression with the current technique is the herniated disc itself. The goal of this combined technique is to create a space, an “olive” around the probe, allowing a decrease in pressure inside the hernia. Percutaneous discectomy under combined CT and fluoroscopic guidance is a minimally invasive spine surgery that should be considered as an alternative to surgery in properly selected patients.
Retrosigmoid Intradural Suprameatal Approach for Petroclival Meningioma
Authors: Ishi Yukitomo , Terasaka Shunsuke , Motegi Hiroaki
Published: November 2018

Background Anterior transpetrosal approach and the combined transpetrosal approach are the major surgical approaches for petroclival meningiomas. However, anterior petrosectomy is not preferable in cases with postoperative venous drainage disorder of the sylvian vein due to anatomical variations. Here we present a case of the successful removal of petroclival meningioma by the retrosigmoid intradural suprameatal approach (RISA).

Case Presentation The patient was a 59-year-old woman with incidentally detected right petroclival meningioma. Although she had no neurological deficit, the tumor manifested with gradual growth on annual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during an 8-year follow-up. Three-dimensional computed tomography venography (3D–CTV) revealed sphenobasal type of the sylvian vein throughout the lateral side of the foramen ovale. Because the suprameatal tubercle was an obstacle to observe the Meckel's cave, RISA was selected for complete tumor excision. RISA could provide an excellent operative field around the Meckel's cave to confirm the remnant tumor. Postoperative MRI showed no evidence of the tumor, and the patient was discharged without any neurological deficit.

Conclusion RISA can provide a favorable operative field for petroclival meningioma, particularly for cases with high risk of postoperative complications related to the sylvian vein.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/cfci_zk0StU.
Conceptos Biomecánicos de las Suturas Tendinosas
Authors: Alonso Pérez-Barquero Jaime , Fernández Sabaté Elena , Sánchez-Alepuz Eduardo
Published: November 2018

El objetivo de una sutura tendinosa es que sea lo suficientemente resistente para permitir una movilidad activa precoz. Para ello, los cirujanos deben comprender las características biomecánicas de las suturas tendinosas. El objetivo de este artículo es recoger los aspectos fundamentales de los estudios biomecánicos, así como los principales factores que influyen en la resistencia de una sutura, tanto en tenorrafias primarias como en el caso de injertos y transferencias. Estudios in vitro o in vivo, con tracción lineal o curvilínea, cíclicos o de tracción única, son algunos de los factores que hemos de tener en cuenta a la hora de analizar un estudio sobre suturas tendinosas, así como conocer los principales parámetros físicos que analizan. Así mismo el material, el diámetro, la configuración, el número de hebras, el tipo de agarre al tendón, la tensión de la sutura, el tipo de nudo y la configuración de la sutura epitendinosa son los principales factores que influyen en la resistencia de las suturas primaria. En el caso de los injertos y transferencias, el número de entrelazaos y el tipo de puntos utilizados, son los principales aspectos que influyen en la sutura tipo Pulvertaft y sus alternativas.