bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of canola oil consumption on memory, synapse and neuropathology in the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lauretti Elisabetta , Praticò Domenico
Published: December 2017

In recent years consumption of canola oil has increased due to lower cost compared with olive oil and the perception that it shares its health benefits. However, no data are available on the effect of canola oil intake on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Herein, we investigated the effect of chronic daily consumption of canola oil on the phenotype of a mouse model of AD that develops both plaques and tangles (3xTg). To this end mice received either regular chow or a chow diet supplemented with canola oil for 6 months. At this time point we found that chronic exposure to the canola-rich diet resulted in a significant increase in body weight and impairments in their working memory together with decrease levels of post-synaptic density protein-95, a marker of synaptic integrity, and an increase in the ratio of insoluble Aβ 42/40. No significant changes were observed in tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation. Taken together, our findings do not support a beneficial effect of chronic canola oil consumption on two important aspects of AD pathophysiology which includes memory impairments as well as synaptic integrity. While more studies are needed, our data do not justify the current trend aimed at replacing olive oil with canola oil.
ciaR impacts biofilm formation by regulating an arginine biosynthesis pathway in Streptococcus sanguinis SK36
Authors: Zhu Bin , Ge Xiuchun , Stone Victoria , Kong Xiangzhen , El-Rami Fadi , Liu Yan , Kitten Todd , Xu Ping
Published: December 2017

Streptococcus sanguinis is an early colonizer of the tooth surface and competes with oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans to maintain oral health. However, little is known about its mechanism of biofilm formation. Here, we show that mutation of the ciaR gene, encoding the response regulator of the CiaRH two-component system in S. sanguinis SK36, produced a fragile biofilm. Cell aggregation, gtfP gene expression and water-insoluble glucan production were all reduced, which suggested polysaccharide production was decreased in ΔciaR. RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR revealed that arginine biosynthesis genes (argR, argB, argC, argG, argH and argJ) and two arginine/histidine permease genes (SSA_1568 and SSA_1569) were upregulated in ΔciaR. In contrast to ΔciaR, most of strains constructed to contain deletions in each of these genes produced more biofilm and water-insoluble glucan than SK36. A ΔciaRΔargB double mutant was completely restored for the gtfP gene expression, glucan production and biofilm formation ability that was lost in ΔciaR, indicating that argB was essential for ciaR to regulate biofilm formation. We conclude that by promoting the expression of arginine biosynthetic genes, especially argB gene, the ciaR mutation reduced polysaccharide production, resulting in the formation of a fragile biofilm in Streptococcus sanguinis.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates photoreceptor cell autophagy after retinal detachment
Authors: Xie Jia , Zhu Ruilin , Peng Yuan , Gao Wenna , Du Jiantong , Zhao Liang , Chi Ying , Yang Liu
Published: December 2017

Photoreceptor cell death is the ultimate process underlying many retinal diseases, including retinal detachment (RD). Both autophagy and inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), participate in photoreceptor cell death after RD. In this study, we examined whether TNF-α inhibition would impact the autophagy of photoreceptors and reduce the death of photoreceptors after retinal detachment (RD). RD models were created in C57BL/6J mice by a subretinal injection of 1% hyaluronic acid. The TNF-α inhibitor infliximab was administered via intraperitoneal injection two hours before RD. The levels of TNF-α and the autophagy-related proteins Atg5 and LC3B were assayed by immunofluorescence at 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days following RD. Apoptosis was examined at 3 days post-detachment via TUNEL assays. Photoreceptor cell counts were assessed at 7 days after RD. After RD, the protein levels of LC3B and Atg5 increased and reached a peak at 3 days, which decreased at 7 days. The expression of LC3B and Atg5 was prolonged and increased at a slower rate with TNF-α inhibition. The moderate augmentation and extension of autophagy through TNF-α inhibition resulted in the reduction of apoptosis and the enhancement of photoreceptor cell survival.
Structural analysis of the complex between influenza B nucleoprotein and human importin-α
Authors: Labaronne Alice , Milles Sigrid , Donchet Amélie , Jensen Malene Ringkjøbing , Blackledge Martin , Bourhis Jean-Marie , Ruigrok Rob W. H. , Crépin Thibaut
Published: December 2017

Influenza viruses are negative strand RNA viruses that replicate in the nucleus of the cell. The viral nucleoprotein (NP) is the major component of the viral ribonucleoprotein. In this paper we show that the NP of influenza B has a long N-terminal tail of 70 residues with intrinsic flexibility. This tail contains the Nuclear Location Signal (NLS). The nuclear trafficking of the viral components mobilizes cellular import factors at different stages, making these host-pathogen interactions promising targets for new therapeutics. NP is imported into the nucleus by the importin-α/β pathway, through a direct interaction with importin-α isoforms. Here we provide a combined nuclear magnetic resonance and small-angle X-ray scattering (NMR/SAXS) analysis to describe the dynamics of the interaction between influenza B NP and the human importin-α. The NP of influenza B does not have a single NLS nor a bipartite NLS but our results suggest that the tail harbors several adjacent NLS sequences, located between residues 30 and 71.
Local Production of Activated Factor X in Atherosclerotic Plaque Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence
Authors: Sanada Fumihiro , Muratsu Jun , Otsu Rei , Shimizu Hideo , Koibuchi Nobutaka , Uchida Kazutaka , Taniyama Yoshiaki , Yoshimura Shinichi , Rakugi Hiromi , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: December 2017

Our previous study demonstrated that coagulation factor Xa (FXa) induced endothelial cell senescence, resulting in inflammation and impaired angiogenesis. This mechanism is dictated through protease-activated receptors, PARs, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5), and p53. Activation of PARs contributes to the pathophysiology of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Thus, we speculated that similar mechanism might participate in the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. In the present study, we successfully identified the cells that produced FX/Xa in atherosclerosis using human atherosclerotic plaques obtained from carotid endarterectomy. In situ hybridization for FX revealed that FX was generated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells. Then, we examined the effects of FXa on the growth of VSMC in vitro. The present study revealed that chronic FXa stimulation significantly induced the senescence of VSMC with concomitant upregulation of IGFBP-5 and p53. Inhibition of FXa signaling with rivaroxaban or knock down of IGFBP-5 significantly reduced FXa-induced VSMC senescence and inflammatory cytokine production. Finally, we confirmed that FXa and IGFBP-5 are co-distributed in atherosclerotic plaques. In conclusion, induction of senescence of VSMC induced by locally produced FX/Xa may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis.
Intracellular investigation on the differential effects of 4 polyphenols on MCF-7 breast cancer cells by Raman imaging
Authors: Mignolet A. , Wood B. R. , Goormaghtigh E.
Published: December 2017

Nucleus evidenced from RamanI1235/I2844in breast cancer MCF-7 live cells.
A reversible fluorescent probe based on CN isomerization for the selective detection of formaldehyde in living cells andin vivo
Authors: Song Xinyu , Han Xiaoyue , Yu Fabiao , Zhang Jinjin , Chen Lingxin , Lv Changjun
Published: December 2017

A reversible fluorescent probe for the selective imaging of formaldehyde in living cells, tissues andin vivo.
Ex vivodetection and quantification of gold nanoparticles in human seminal and follicular fluids
Authors: Bitounis Dimitrios , Klein Jean-Philippe , Mery Lionel , El-Merhie Amira , Forest Valérie , Boudard Delphine , Pourchez Jérémie , Cottier Michèle
Published: December 2017

A detailed, clinically-oriented method for the extraction of low-ppm Au nanoparticles from human seminal and follicular fluids enable their bulk and nanoscale characterization.
The effect of amorphous TiO2 in P25 on dye-sensitized solar cell performance
Authors: Al-Attafi Kadhim , Nattestad Andrew , Wu Qijie , Ide Yusuke , Yamauchi Yusuke , Dou Shi Xue , Kim Jung Ho
Published: December 2017

P25 is one of the most widely used forms of titanium(iv) oxide (TiO2), routinely utilised in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs), where it is often employed as a control, in spite of its poorly defined nature and the typically low device efficiency.
K2MnII2(H2O)2C2O4(HPO3)2: a new 2D manganese(ii) oxalatophosphite with double-layered honeycomb sheets stabilized by potassium ions
Authors: Orive Joseba , Sivasamy Ramesh , Fernández de Luis Roberto , Mosquera Edgar , Arriortua María I.
Published: December 2017

A novel 2D manganese(ii) phosphite containing oxalate bridges with double layered honeycomb sheets encouraged us to propose a new structural classification for metal oxalatophosphites with anionic frameworks.
Growth of {100}-faceted NaFeTiO4 crystals with a tunable aspect ratio from a NaCl–Na2SO4 binary flux
Authors: Sudare Tomohito , Kawaura Daiki , Yubuta Kunio , Hayashi Fumitaka , Teshima Katsuya
Published: December 2017

The controlled growth of NaFeTiO4 crystals with needle and planar bar shapes from a NaCl–Na2SO4 binary flux with different compositions.
Controllable synthesis of nanostructured BaSO4and BaSO3crystals on the basis of DMSO oxidation chemistry
Authors: Qiao Xianshu , Zhang Fei , Sha Feng , Zhao Jing , Shi Huihu , Zhang Jianbin
Published: December 2017

Controllable synthesis of BaSO4or BaSO3crystals on the basis of a SO2release method.
Ultrafast dye regeneration in a core–shell NiO–dye–TiO2 mesoporous film
Authors: Tian Lei , Föhlinger Jens , Pati Palas Baran , Zhang Zhibin , Lin Junzhong , Yang Wenxing , Johansson Malin , Kubart Tomas , Sun Junliang , Boschloo Gerrit , Hammarström Leif , Tian Haining
Published: December 2017

Ultrafast dye regeneration within 500 fs was monitored in a dye sensitized NiO–TiO2 core–shell electrode.
Less hindered ligands give improved catalysts for the nickel catalysed Grignard cross-coupling of aromatic ethers
Authors: Harkness Gavin J. , Clarke Matthew L.
Published: December 2017

The challenging reaction of unactivated ortho-substituted aromatic ethers with Grignard reagents has been found to be most effectively catalysed using nickel complexes of less sterically hindered ligands.
Phosphine-free cobalt pincer complex catalyzed Z-selective semi-hydrogenation of unbiased alkynes
Authors: Landge Vinod G. , Pitchaimani Jayaraman , Midya Siba P. , Subaramanian Murugan , Madhu Vedichi , Balaraman Ekambaram
Published: December 2017

A molecularly defined NNN-type cobalt pincer complex catalyzed semi-hydrogenation of unbiased alkynes to Z-selective alkenes is reported. The reaction operates at a low temperature (50–80 °C), phosphine ligand-free, and base-free conditions with no additive required.
Towards sustainable kinetic resolution, a combination of bio-catalysis, flow chemistry and bio-based solvents
Authors: Iemhoff Andree , Sherwood James , McElroy Con R. , Hunt Andrew J.
Published: December 2017

The esterification of 2-phenylpropionic acid was investigated as a model system for enzyme catalysed (CALB, Novozyme 435) reactions in bio-based solvents.
Cyclic olefin copolymer as an X-ray compatible material for microfluidic devices
Authors: Denz Manuela , Brehm Gerrit , Hémonnot Clément Y. J. , Spears Heidi , Wittmeier Andrew , Cassini Chiara , Saldanha Oliva , Perego Eleonora , Diaz Ana , Burghammer Manfred , Köster Sarah
Published: December 2017

Fabrication of X-ray compatible microfluidic devices by hot embossing, and characterization for small angle X-ray scattering.
Correction: Revisiting syntheses of Ti(iv)/H2PO4–HPO4 functional ion-exchangers, properties and features
Authors: Trublet Mylène , Rusanova Daniela , Antzutkin Oleg N.
Published: December 2017

Correction for ‘Revisiting syntheses of Ti(iv)/H2PO4–HPO4 functional ion-exchangers, properties and features’ by Mylène Trublet et al., New J. Chem., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03065g.
Interplay of spectral diffusion and phonon-broadening in individual photo-emitters: the case of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Jeantet A. , Chassagneux Y. , Claude T. , Lauret J. S. , Voisin C.
Published: December 2017

Exciton–phonon interactions are responsible for the nanotube photoluminescence profile while spectral diffusion rigidly shifts this spectrum.
Efficient skyrmion transport mediated by a voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy gradient
Authors: Wang Xuan , Gan W. L. , Martinez J. C. , Tan F. N. , Jalil M. B. A. , Lew W. S.
Published: December 2017

We demonstrate numerically that skyrmions can be transported efficiently with a voltage-controlled stepped magnetic anisotropy gradient.
3D interconnected porous carbon nanosheets/carbon nanotubes as a polysulfide reservoir for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Yang Wu , Yang Wang , Song Ailing , Sun Gang , Shao Guangjie
Published: December 2017

3D interconnected porous carbon nanosheets/carbon nanotubes as the host for lithium–sulfur batteries are synthesized via a simple one-pot pyrolysis strategy.
Strong up-conversion luminescence of rare-earth doped oxide films enhanced by gap modes on ZnO nanowires
Authors: Wu Jinlei , Cao Baosheng , Rino Luis , Fang Yurui , Hu Li , Zhang Zhenyi , Huang Yingzhou , Dong Bin
Published: December 2017

Ag/nw-ZnO/RE composite film demonstrated UC increase up to two orders of magnitude by electric field enhancement of nw-ZnO gap modes.
Quantum optical emulation of molecular vibronic spectroscopy using a trapped-ion device
Authors: Shen Yangchao , Lu Yao , Zhang Kuan , Zhang Junhua , Zhang Shuaining , Huh Joonsuk , Kim Kihwan
Published: December 2017

Here, we present the first quantum device that generates a molecular spectroscopic signal with the phonons in a trapped ion system, using SO2 as an example.
Imaging multiple microRNAs in living cells using ATP self-powered strand-displacement cascade amplification
Authors: Meng Xiangdan , Dai Wenhao , Zhang Kai , Dong Haifeng , Zhang Xueji
Published: December 2017

Herein, we design a smart autonomous ATP self-powered strand displacement cascade amplification (SDCA) system for highly sensitive multiple intracellular miRNA detection.
New periodically variable speed limits rule for highways with mathematical model and simulation
Authors: Wen Jianghui , Jiang Zewu , Zhang Suiyuan , Wu Chaozhong , Ran Bin
Published: December 2017

Variable speed limits (VSL) are used to balance traffic safety and transportation efficiency on the highway. However, driver satisfaction usually affects both aspects because human behaviour is an important factor in the traffic system. Therefore, this study aims to propose a VSL rule that combines traffic flow, risk level and driver satisfaction. First, the authors present a physical model of the lane‐changing process, and the psychology of drivers when judging whether to change lanes is measured by mathematical expectation and membership functions. Considering the above three factors as target functions, a new VSL rule for two‐lane highways and a periodic VSL rule for three‐lane highways are formulated. Simulation results indicate that the rule for two‐lane highways has good performance in the three aspects, but when it is extended to the three‐lane situation, the driver satisfaction does not improve significantly. However, the periodic speed limit rule can help increase driver satisfaction. Therefore, the VSL rules that are proposed reveal a potentially highly effective way to improve the vehicle speed on the highway and advance rule making.
Influence of system aspects on fading at mm‐waves
Authors: Dupleich Diego , Iqbal Naveed , Schneider Christian , Häfner Stephan , Müller Robert , Skoblikov Sergii , Luo Jian , Del Galdo Giovanni , Thomä Reiner
Published: December 2017

This contribution presents propagation measurements at 60 GHz in indoor non‐line of sight scenarios. Besides analysing the measurements, the authors have considered several system aspects, such as bandwidth and directivity in order to investigate the small‐scale behaviour of the radio channel after beam‐forming. The results show that due to the high resolution in the angular and time domain achievable by large antenna arrays and wideband signals, the fading is significantly reduced and the equivalent transmission channel becomes more sparse and deterministic. These insights represent an essential source of information for future systems design and the ongoing channel modelling activities for systems operating at mm‐waves.
Energy curtailment of DC series–parallel connected offshore wind farms
Authors: Lakshmanan Padmavathi , Guo Jingli , Liang Jun
Published: December 2017

This study presents an analysis of the energy curtailment caused by the DC series–parallel collection systems of HVDC connected offshore wind farms. Wind speed differences between the series connected wind turbines cause unequal voltages at the DC output of the wind turbines. This can lead to unacceptable over‐voltage or under‐voltage conditions. The over‐voltage and under‐voltage conditions on the turbine DC outputs can be avoided by curtailing the power outputs of the wind turbines, which will result in loss of wind power. The annual energy curtailment due to the over‐voltage limits of turbine DC–DC converters is analysed for a 200 MW DC series–parallel wind farm. The impact of wake effects on the energy curtailment losses is quantified and demonstrated with a case study.
Power management in PV‐battery‐hydro based standalone microgrid
Authors: Kewat Seema , Singh Bhim , Hussain Ikhlaq
Published: December 2017

This work deals with the frequency regulation, voltage regulation, power management and load levelling of solar photovoltaic (PV)‐battery‐hydro based microgrid (MG). In this MG, the battery capacity is reduced as compared to a system, where the battery is directly connected to the DC bus of the voltage source converter (VSC). A bidirectional DC–DC converter connects the battery to the DC bus and it controls the charging and discharging current of the battery. It also regulates the DC bus voltage of VSC, frequency and voltage of MG. The proposed system manages the power flow of different sources like hydro and solar PV array. However, the load levelling is managed through the battery. The battery with VSC absorbs the sudden load changes, resulting in rapid regulation of DC link voltage, frequency and voltage of MG. Therefore, the system voltage and frequency regulation allows the active power balance along with the auxiliary services such as reactive power support, source current harmonics mitigation and voltage harmonics reduction at the point of common interconnection. The experimental results under various steady state and dynamic conditions, exhibit the excellent performance of the proposed system and validate the design and control of proposed MG.
Range jamming suppression with a coupled sequential estimation algorithm
Authors: Cui Guolong , Yu Xianxiang , Yuan Ye , Kong Lingjiang
Published: December 2017

This study deals with the target detection problem embedded in multiple range jamming which is usually employed to mask the useful signal or deceive the radar systems. Exploiting the observation that the waveform of the range jamming would be not identical to the probing signal of the radar system, the authors propose a coupled sequential estimation algorithm to obtain simultaneously the range profiles of target and jamming. Each iteration of the proposed algorithm designs a set of linear filters for each range bin based on the minimisation of the output average power by utilising the obtained range profiles of target and jamming at the last iteration. The proposed algorithm is capable of eliminating the jamming in the target range profiles and shares very low range sidelobes. The numerical simulations are provided to prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm also in comparison with the matched filter.
Research on probabilistic optimal power flow of distribution system with multilayer structure based on energy router
Authors: Weijie Dong , Lijuan Hu , Wanxing Sheng , Keyan Liu , Xiaoli Meng , Pan Deng
Published: December 2017

The core connotation of global energy interconnection is to realise the large‐scale utilisation and sharing of renewable energy, especially distributed renewable energy. In order to realise energy sharing over a wide area and stabilise the impact of intermittent and random output distributed renewable energy on distribution network (DN) under global energy interconnection, a multilayer structure based on energy router for DN is proposed first. Then a multi‐objective optimal power flow (OPF) model for the multilayer structure DN is established, which is aimed at the lowest cost of power generation, the minimum pollutant treatment cost and the minimum active power loss. This paper proposes the steady‐state power flow model of the energy router embedded DN and formulates the model of OPF problem. Case studies are carried out on a modified IEEE 33‐bus distribution system. The role of the energy router on improving the system voltage level is discussed. The results show that the energy router is able to regulate bus voltages of the system, and system operation status is greatly improved.
Activation of Michael Acceptors by Halogen-Bond Donors
Authors: Breugst Martin , von der Heiden Daniel , Detmar Eric , Kuchta Robert
Published: December 2017

Extending earlier studies on iodine catalysis, experimental investigations show that various halogen-bond donors can also be employed to accelerate the Michael addition between trans-crotonophenone and indole. Solvent as well as counteranion effects have been analyzed, and kinetic and computational investigations provide additional insights into the mode of activation.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Female Patients—Present Scenario
Authors: Itzhaki Ben Zadok Osnat , Orvin Katia , Kornowski Ran
Published: December 2017

Since the publication of the pivotal PARTNER study, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure has been established as a noninferior alternative to the traditional aortic valve replacement surgery in severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with high-surgical risk. Approximately 50% of patients undergoing TAVR are females, and cumulative findings from various worldwide cohorts have shown sex-related differences in short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. Notably, most data indicate improved long-term mortality in female patients. These differences are partly the results of distinct anatomical and physiologic characteristics in female patients, compared with male patients. Nevertheless, recent data from intermediate-surgical risk cohorts have demonstrated that sex-related mortality differences are less apparent. Here, we review the latest literature on the influence of patient's sex on TAVR morbidity and mortality and discuss possible explanations for the outcomes presented.
Prophylactic Measures to Prevent Soft Tissue Abnormalities after Trauma
Authors: Sokoya Mofiyinfolu , Ducic Yadranko , Sawhney Raja
Published: December 2017

The goal of any reconstructive procedure is a complete return to premorbid form and function. Unfortunately, a return of pretraumatic form is routinely not considered during surgical planning. This leads to uncontrolled contracture of the soft tissue elements and permanent disfigurement. The goal of this article is to review interventions that improve soft tissue healing and long-term outcomes.
Repair of the Malpositioned Lower Lid
Authors: Chan David , Sokoya Mofiyinfolu , Ducic Yadranko
Published: December 2017

Complications from surgical approaches to the orbit can be associated with debilitating morbidity and negative surgical outcomes. The surgeon must be familiar with the different factors that predispose a patient to these complications and be facile with techniques to avoid them. In this article, the authors discuss the surgical anatomy of the lower eyelid, as well as various complications that result from eyelid surgery, including lower lid retraction, ectropion, entropion, canthal malposition, and midface descent. They also discuss various management techniques that are employed in addressing these complications.
Complications of Facial Trauma of the Fronto-orbital Region
Authors: Cleveland Patrick , Smith Jesse
Published: December 2017

Traumatic injuries to the orbitofrontal region place some of the most important structures of the face at risk: the eyes, frontal skull, and brain. A thorough knowledge of complications from resultant trauma, and from attempted surgical corrections, is necessary to offer patients the best outcomes, ensuring proper healing with excellent long-term results.
Biosimilars und das Wirtschaftlichkeitsgebot
Authors: Münnch T.
Published: December 2017

Biosimilars unterliegen der Wirtschaftlichkeitsprüfung nach § 106 SGB V. Die konkrete Art der Prüfung hat Einfluss auf das ärztliche
Verordnungsverhalten. In der Richtgrößenprüfung führt die Verordnung von Biosimilars in der Regel zwar nicht zu einem Regress, wohl aber
erst einmal zur Einleitung eines Prüfverfahrens. Ab 2017 wird die Richtgrößenprüfung entfallen. Die stattdessen zu erwartenden
Wirkstoffprüfungen auf regionaler Ebene können Quoten für das Verhältnis von Biosimilars zu Originalpräparaten vorgeben und bei einer
Zielverfehlung zu Regressen führen. Erste Vereinbarungen auf regionaler Ebene über konkrete Prüfverfahren sind im Laufe des Jahres zu
erwarten.
Coexistence between silent and bursting states in a biophysical Hodgkin-Huxley-type of model
Authors: Stankevich Nataliya , Mosekilde Erik
Published: December 2017

Classification of the dynamical mechanisms that support bistability between bursting oscillations and silence has not yet been clarified in detail. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the coexistence of a stable equilibrium point with a state of continuous bursting can occur in a slightly modified, biophysical model that describe the dynamics of pancreatic beta-cells. To realize this form of coexistence, we have introduced an additional voltage-dependent potassium current that is activated in the region around the original, unstable equilibrium point. It is interesting to note that this modification also leads the model to display a blue-sky catastrophe in the transition region between chaotic and bursting states.
Studies on the InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures with low sheet resistance
Authors: Zhang Yachao , Wang Zhizhe , Xu Shengrui , Chen Dazheng , Bao Weimin , Zhang Jinfeng , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: December 2017

High quality InAlN/InGaN/InAlN/InGaN double channel heterostructures were proposed and grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Benefiting from the adoption of the pulsed growth method and Two-Step AlN interlayer, the material quality and interface characteristics of the double channel heterostructures are satisfactory. The results of the temperature-dependent Hall effect measurement indicated that the transport properties of the double channel heterostructures were superior to those of the traditional single channel heterostructures in the whole test temperature range. Meanwhile, the sheet resistance of the double channel heterostructures reached 218.5 Ω/□ at 300 K, which is the record of InGaN-based heterostructures. The good transport properties of the InGaN double channel heterostructures are beneficial to improve the performance of the microwave power devices based on nitride semiconductors.
Picosecond-precision multichannel autonomous time and frequency counter
Authors: Szplet R. , Kwiatkowski P. , Różyc K. , Jachna Z. , Sondej T.
Published: December 2017

This paper presents the design, implementation, and test results of a multichannel time interval and frequency counter developed as a desktop instrument. The counter contains four main functional modules for (1) performing precise measurements, (2) controlling and fast data processing, (3) low-noise power suppling, and (4) supplying a stable reference clock (optional rubidium standard). A fundamental for the counter, the time interval measurement is based on time stamping combined with a period counting and in-period two-stage time interpolation that allows us to achieve wide measurement range (above 1 h), high precision (even better than 4.5 ps), and high measurement speed (up to 91.2 × 106 timestamps/s). The frequency is measured up to 3.0 GHz with the use of the reciprocal method. Wide functionality of the counter includes also the evaluation of frequency stability of clocks and oscillators (Allan deviation) and phase variation (time interval error, maximum time interval error, time deviation). The 8-channel measurement module is based on a field programmable gate array device, while the control unit involves a microcontroller with a high performance ARM-Cortex core. An efficient and user-friendly control of the counter is provided either locally, through the built-in keypad or/and color touch panel, or remotely, with the aid of USB, Ethernet, RS232C, or RS485 interfaces.
Manipulating broadband polarization conversion in metamaterials
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Liu Hong , Jiang Zhongjiao , Lv Tingting , Guan Chunying , Shi Jinhui
Published: December 2017

In this work, we investigate a hybrid metamaterial consisting of square split wires and cut-wires on a dielectric substrate. The metamaterial can exhibit a broadband cross-polarization conversion for both reflected and transmitted waves in the frequency range of about 10 GHz. We can coherently modulate the broadband linear and circular polarization conversions in the standing wave formed by two counterpropagating coherent beams. At electric antinodes and nodes, the metamaterial undergoes enhanced or vanishing polarization conversion due to interferometric effect. In particular, the broadband polarization conversion can be freely applied to different polarized waves and its efficiency can be easily accomplished via phase modulation between two input beams. The coherent control scheme enables the metamaterial to achieve a dynamic broadband modulation of the polarization state and is of importance for all-optical data processing and polarization crosstalk elimination.
Towards a covariant smoothing procedure for gravitational theories
Authors: van den Hoogen R. J.
Published: December 2017

A well-defined smoothing or averaging procedure is highlighted which could be used to address the issue of averaging in gravitational theories for cosmology. A critical component of this averaging procedure is the development of a bi-local calculus through parallel transport which is required to facilitate the integration of tensor fields over a finite region. One popular and arguably natural choice is to parallel transport along geodesics with respect to the Levi-Civita connection. Alternatively, one may choose to parallel transport along arbitrary curves with respect to a flat connection. When one demands that the averaging or smoothing procedure results in a reasonably differentiable averaged object, then within the path independent approach, additional restrictions are required. Further, it is illustrated that the averaging operators of Zalaletdinov are precisely the parallel propagators along arbitrary curves with respect to a flat connection having a covariantly constant torsion.
Atomistic simulations of the equation of state and hybridization of liquid carbon at a temperature of 6000 K in the pressure range of 1–25 GPa
Authors: Dozhdikov V. S. , Basharin A. Yu. , Levashov P. R. , Minakov D. V.
Published: December 2017

The equation of state and the structure of liquid carbon are studied by molecular simulation. Both classical and quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) are used to calculate the equation of state and the distribution of chemical bonds at 6000 K in the pressure range 1–25 GPa. Our calculations and results of other authors show that liquid carbon has a fairly low density on the order of 1.2–1.35 g/cm3 at pressures about 1 GPa. Owing to the coordination number analysis, this fact can be attributed to the high content of sp1-bonded atoms (more than 50% according to our ab initio computations). Six empirical potentials have been tested in order to describe the density dependence of pressure and structure at 6000 K. As a result, only one potential, ReaxFF/lg, was able to reproduce the QMD simulations for both the equation of state and the fraction of sp1, sp2, sp3-bonded atoms.
Halogen bonding properties of 4-iodopyrazole and 4-bromopyrazole explored by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations
Authors: Cooper Graham. A. , Medcraft Chris , Littlefair Josh D. , Penfold Thomas J. , Walker Nicholas R.
Published: December 2017

The combination of halogen- and hydrogen-bonding capabilities possessed by 4-bromopyrazole and 4-iodopyrazole has led to them being described as “magic bullets” for biochemical structure determination. Laser vaporisation was used to introduce each of these 4-halopyrazoles into an argon gas sample undergoing supersonic expansion prior to the recording of the rotational spectra of these molecules by chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Data were obtained for four isotopologues of 4-bromopyrazole and two isotopologues of 4-iodopyrazole. Isotopic substitutions were achieved at the hydrogens attached to the pyrrolic nitrogen atoms of both 4-halopyrazoles and at the bromine atom of 4-bromopyrazole. The experimentally determined nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χaa(X) and χbb(X)−χcc(X), of the halogen atoms (where X is the halogen atom) of each molecule are compared with the results of the ab initio calculations and those for a range of other halogen-containing molecules. It is concluded that each of 4-bromopyrazole and 4-iodopyrazole will form halogen bonds that are broadly comparable in strength to those formed by CH3X and CF3X.
Double-ring structure formation of intense ion beams with finite radius in a pre-formed plasma
Authors: Hu Zhang-Hu , Wang Xiao-Juan , Zhao Yong-Tao , Wang You-Nian
Published: December 2017

The dynamic structure evolution of intense ion beams with a large edge density gradient is investigated in detail with an analytical model and two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, with special attention paid to the influence of beam radius. At the initial stage of beam–plasma interactions, the ring structure is formed due to the transverse focusing magnetic field induced by the unneutralized beam current in the beam edge region. As the beam-plasma system evolves self-consistently, a second ring structure appears in the case of ion beams with a radius much larger than the plasma skin depth, due to the polarity change in the transverse magnetic field in the central regions compared with the outer, focusing field. Influences of the current-filamentation and two-stream instability on the ring structure can be clearly observed in PIC simulations by constructing two different simulation planes.
Communication: Mechanochemical fluctuation theorem and thermodynamics of self-phoretic motors
Authors: Gaspard Pierre , Kapral Raymond
Published: December 2017

Microscopic dynamical aspects of the propulsion of nanomotors by self-phoretic mechanisms are considered. Propulsion by self-diffusiophoresis relies on the mechanochemical coupling between the fluid velocity field and the concentration fields induced by asymmetric catalytic reactions on the motor surface. The consistency between the thermodynamics of this coupling and the microscopic reversibility of the underlying molecular dynamics is investigated. For this purpose, a mechanochemical fluctuation theorem for the joint probability to find the motor at position r after n reactive events have occurred during the time interval t is derived, starting from coupled Langevin equations for the translational, rotational, and chemical fluctuations of self-phoretic motors. An important result that follows from this analysis is the identification of an effect that is reciprocal to self-propulsion by diffusiophoresis, which leads to a dependence of the reaction rate on the value of an externally applied force.
Coupled magnetic and elastic dynamics generated by a shear wave propagating in ferromagnetic heterostructure
Authors: Azovtsev A. V. , Pertsev N. A.
Published: December 2017

Using advanced micromagnetic simulations, we describe the coupled elastic and magnetic dynamics induced in ferromagnet/normal metal bilayers by shear waves generated by the attached piezoelectric transducer. Our approach is based on the numerical solution of a system of differential equations, which comprises the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation and the elastodynamic equation of motion, both allowing for the magnetoelastic coupling between spins and lattice strains. The simulations have been performed for heterostructures involving a Fe81Ga19 layer with the thickness ranging from 100 to 892 nm and a few-micrometer-thick film of a normal metal (Au). We find that the traveling shear wave induces inhomogeneous magnetic dynamics in the ferromagnetic layer, which generally has an intermediate character between coherent magnetization precession and the pure spin wave. Owing to the magnetoelastic feedback, the magnetization precession generates two additional elastic waves (shear and longitudinal), which propagate into the normal metal. Despite such complex elastic dynamics and reflections of elastic waves at the Fe81Ga19|Au interface, periodic magnetization precession with the excitation frequency settles in the steady-state regime. The results obtained for the magnetization dynamics at the Fe81Ga19|Au interface are used to evaluate the spin current pumped into the Au layer and the accompanying charge current caused by the inverse spin Hall effect. The calculations show that the dc component of the charge current is high enough to be detected experimentally even at small strains ∼10−4 generated by the piezoelectric transducer.
Microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of nanocrystalline W-Mo thin films
Authors: Martinez G. , Ramana C. V.
Published: December 2017

The effect of sputtering pressure on the surface/interface microstructure, crystal phase, mechanical properties and electrical characteristics of nanocrystalline W-Mo films is reported. The W-Mo films (≈300 nm) with variable microstructure were deposited under variable argon (Ar) sputtering pressure (PAr), which is varied in the range of 3-19 mTorr. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that the W-Mo films crystallize in thermodynamically stable α-phase of W. However, the crystal-quality degradation occurs for W-Mo films deposited at higher PAr due to difference in the adatom mobilities. The average grain size (d) of the W-Mo films was in the range of 11-24 nm; grain size decreases with increasing PAr. The effect of PAr and associated microstructure are significant on the mechanical characteristics; the hardness (H) and modulus of elasticity (Er) of W-Mo films deposited at lower PAr were higher but decreases continuously with increasing PAr. The W-Mo films deposited under optimum sputtering pressure exhibit superior mechanical characteristics: H=40 GPa, Er=275 GPa, H/Er=0.8, and H3/Er2=0.145 GPa, which are higher compared to pure, α-phase W-films. The W-Mo films deposited at PAr=3-9 mTorr exhibit high resistivity≈350-400 μΩ-cm, which decreases to 150-200 μΩ-cm for films deposited at higher PAr. Based on the results, structure-mechanical-electrical property correlation in W-Mo films is established.
Trigonometry for the heavens
Authors: Van Brummelen Glen
Published: December 2017

The stars and planets move not on a flat surface but on the celestial sphere. So ordinary plane trigonometry isn’t adequate to describe their motion.
Purine derivatives with antituberculosis activity
Authors: Gruzdev Dmitry A. , Musiyak Vera V. , Levit Galina L. , Krasnov Victor P. , Charushin Valery N.
Published: December 2017

The review summarizes the data published over the last 10 – 15 years concerning the key groups of purine derivatives with antituberculosis activity. The structures of purines containing heteroatoms (S, O, N), fragments of heterocycles, amino acids and peptides, in the 6-position, as well as of purine nucleosides are presented. The possible targets for the action of such compounds and structure – activity relationship are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the most active compounds, which are of considerable interest as a basis for the development of efficient antituberculosis drugs.

The bibliography includes 99 references.
Arynes, diaryliodonium salts and azine N-oxides in transition metal-free electrophilic N-arylation
Authors: Bugaenko Dmitry I. , Karchava Alexander V. , Yurovskaya Marina A.
Published: December 2017

The main approach to the synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic amines is based on palladium- and copper-catalyzed N-arylation reactions. Although these methods are highly efficient and provide extensive opportunities for the synthesis of (het)arylamines with various structures and properties, they have some limitations related to the catalysts used and reaction conditions. This review addresses alternative approaches to N-(het)arylation that have been extensively developed in the past decade and are based on the use of arynes, diaryliodonium salts and azine N-oxides as electrophilic (het)arylating agents. Because of mild reaction conditions and no need for catalysts and strong bases, these N-(het)arylation methods are attractive for various synthetic applications and open up new possibilities for the preparation of valuable organic compounds inaccessibleviatraditional catalytic methods. The attention is focussed on publications of the last decade. The bibliography includes 112 references.
Methods for the synthesis of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes
Authors: Tomilov Yury V. , Menchikov Leonid G. , Novikov Roman A. , Ivanova Olga A. , Trushkov Igor V.
Published: December 2017

The interest in cyclopropane derivatives is caused by the facts that, first, the three-carbon ring is present in quite a few natural and biologically active compounds and, second, compounds with this ring are convenient building blocks for the synthesis of diverse molecules (acyclic, alicyclic and heterocyclic). The carbon–carbon bonds in cyclopropane are kinetically rather inert; hence, they need to be activated to be involved in reactions. An efficient way of activation is to introduce vicinal electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents into the ring; these substrates are usually referred to as donor-acceptor cyclopropanes. This review gives a systematic account of the key methods for the synthesis of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes. The most important among them are reactions of nucleophilic alkenes with diazo compounds and iodonium ylides and approaches based on reactions of electrophilic alkenes with sulfur ylides (the Corey – Chaykovsky reaction). Among other methods used for this purpose, noteworthy are cycloalkylation of CH-acids, addition of α-halocarbonyl compounds to alkenes, cyclization via 1,3-elimination, reactions of alkenes with halocarbenes followed by reduction, the Simmons – Smith reaction and some other. The scope of applicability and prospects of various methods for the synthesis of donor-acceptor cyclopropanes are discussed.

The bibliography includes 530 references.
Effect of quality control, density and allele frequency of markers on the accuracy of genomic prediction for complex traits in Nellore cattle
Authors: Bresolin Tiago , Rosa Guilherme Jordão de Magalhães , Valente Bruno Dourado , Espigolan Rafael , Gordo Daniel Gustavo Mansan , Braz Camila Urbano , Fernandes Júnior Gerardo Alves , Magalhães Ana Fabrícia Braga , Garcia Diogo Anastacio , Frezarim Gabriela Bonfá , Leão Guilherme Fonseca Carneiro , Carvalheiro Roberto , Baldi Fernando , Nunes de Oliveira Henrique , Galvão de Albuquerque Lucia
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to test the impact of quality control, density and allele frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers on the accuracy of genomic predictions, using three traits with different heritabilities and two methods of prediction in a Nellore cattle population genotyped with the Illumina Bovine HD Assay. A total of 1756; 3150 and 3119 records of age at first calving (AFC); weaning weight (WW) and yearling weight (YW), respectively, were used. Three scenarios with different exclusion thresholds for minor allele frequency (MAF), deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and correlation between SNP pairs (r2) were constructed for all traits: (1) high rigor (S1): call rate <0.98, MAF <0.05, HWE with P <10−5, and r2 >0.999; (2) Moderate rigor (S2): call rate <0.85 and MAF <0.01; (3) Low rigor (S3): only non-autosomal SNP and those mapped on the same position were excluded. Additionally, to assess the prediction accuracy from different markers density, six panels (10K, 50K, 100K, 300K, 500K and 700K) were customised using the high-density genotyping assay as reference. Finally, from the markers available in high-density genotyping assay, six groups (G) with different minor allele frequency bins were defined to estimate the accuracy of genomic prediction. The range of MAF bins was approximately equal for the traits studied: G1 (0.000–0.009), G2 (0.010–0.064), G3 (0.065–0.174), G4 (0.175–0.325), G5 (0.326–0.500) and G6 (0.000–0.500). The Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Predictor and BayesCπ methods were used to estimate the SNP marker effects. Five-fold cross-validation was used to measure the accuracy of genomic prediction for all scenarios. There were no effects of genotypes quality control criteria on the accuracies of genomic predictions. For all traits, the higher density panel did not provide greater prediction accuracies than the low density one (10K panel). The groups of SNP with low MAF (MAF ≤0.007 for AFC, MAF ≤0.009 for WW and MAF ≤0.008 for YW) provided lower prediction accuracies than the groups with higher allele frequencies.
MotI (DgrA) acts as a molecular clutch on the flagellar stator protein MotA in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Subramanian Sundharraman , Gao Xiaohui , Dann Charles E. , Kearns Daniel B.
Published: December 2017

Significance

Bacterial flagella are nanomachines rotated by powerful motors and drive motility that is often associated with virulence. Regulators that inhibit motor function are potentially reversible and arrest flagellar rotation either as a brake, to increase resistance, or as a clutch, to cut power to the machine, analogous to their counterparts in a car. Here we show that MotI of
Bacillus subtilis
acts like a molecular clutch by interacting with the power-transducing protein MotA and separating it from the drivetrain protein FliG. We further demonstrate that partial motility inhibition by clutch proteins decreases swimming speed.
Democratic credentials and the ‘other(s)’ in the discourse of the SpanishPartido Popular,1977–2015
Authors: Atkinson David , Ramblado Cinta
Published: December 2017

In this paper we argue that aspects of the discourse of the governing party in Spain at the time of writing, thePartido Popular, and its predecessor (1976–1989),Alianza Popular, reveal a marked continuity in its self-presentation and its representation of its adversaries, spanning the entire period from its origins in the immediate post-Franco period of the late 1970s to the present. We conclude that the type of construction we describe can be found in the discourse of many of the party’s most prominent figures, that it is central to the entire historical trajectory ofAP/PP, and in some cases is in the process of becoming if anything more explicit.