bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knee Position during Surgical Wound Closure in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Review
Authors: Faour Mhamad , Sodhi Nipun , Khlopas Anton , Piuzzi Nicolas , Stearns Kim , Krebs Viktor , Higuera Carlos , Mont Michael
Published: November 2017

Study areas concerning maximizing knee range of motion (ROM) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have come under focus by surgeons. Among the perioperative factors that were identified to affect ROM after TKAs is knee position during surgical wound closure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the impact of knee position during TKA wound closure on: (1) postoperative ROM, (2) wound-related complications, (3) Knee Society Score (KSS), (4) postoperative pain, and (5) muscle strength and home functional recovery. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar using various combinations of the following search terms: “wound closure,” “knee position,” “surgical closure,” and “knee arthroplasty.” The studies were evaluated for outcomes after TKA and stratified based on the knee position at surgical closure. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven studies were analyzed. The total number of patients included was 516 patients (259 patients in the flexion group and 257 patients in the full extension group). Based on the reviewed literature, wound closure in flexion was associated with significant improvement in ROM recovery at earlier follow-ups after TKA (four positive and three neutral studies), better early postoperative pain scores (two positive and one neutral study), and faster physical recovery (two positive studies) (better muscle strength and early achievement of physical therapy milestones) compared with wound closure in extension. No difference was found between wound closure in flexion compared with closure in extension in terms of long-term ROM recovery, long-term postoperative pain scores, wound-related complications (seven neutral studies), knee function measured by KSS (five neutral studies), or patient satisfactions after TKA. Although the current review is limited by the number of studies that are available in the literature, it demonstrates that overall, compared with extension, surgical wound closure in flexion may provide better ROM, faster recovery, comparable patient satisfaction, and no risk of higher wound complications.
Implementation of an optical diagnosis strategy saves costs and does not impair clinical outcomes of a fecal immunochemical test-based colorectal cancer screening program
Authors: Vleugels Jasper , Greuter Marjolein , Hazewinkel Yark , Coupé Veerle , Dekker Evelien
Published: November 2017

Background and study aims In an optical diagnosis strategy, diminutive polyps that are endoscopically characterized with high confidence are removed without histopathological analysis and distal hyperplastic polyps are left in situ. We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of optical diagnosis.

Methods Using the Adenoma and Serrated pathway to Colorectal CAncer (ASCCA) model, we simulated biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening in individuals aged 55 – 75 years. In this program, we compared an optical diagnosis strategy with current histopathology assessment of all diminutive polyps. Base-case assumptions included 76 % high-confidence predictions and sensitivities of 88 %, 91 %, and 88 % for endoscopically characterizing adenomas, sessile serrated polyps, and hyperplastic polyps, respectively. Outcomes were colorectal cancer burden, number of colonoscopies, life-years, and costs.

Results Both the histopathology strategy and the optical diagnosis strategy resulted in 21 life-days gained per simulated individual compared with no screening. For optical diagnosis, €6 per individual was saved compared with the current histopathology strategy. These cost savings were related to a 31 % reduction in colonoscopies in which histopathology was needed for diminutive polyps. Projecting these results onto the Netherlands (17 million inhabitants), assuming a fully implemented FIT-based screening program, resulted in an annual undiscounted cost saving of € 1.7 – 2.2 million for optical diagnosis.

Conclusion Implementation of optical diagnosis in a FIT-based screening program saves costs without decreasing program effectiveness when compared with current histopathology analysis of all diminutive polyps. Further work is required to evaluate how endoscopists participating in a screening program should be trained, audited, and monitored to achieve adequate competence in optical diagnosis.
ICG-Fluoreszenzcholangiografie im Vergleich zur konventionellen Röntgencholangiografie im Rahmen einer laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie
Authors: Pax Viktoria , Schneider-Koriath Sylke , Scholz Martin , Wießner Reiko , Ludwig Kaja
Published: November 2017

Einleitung Die Inzidenzrate einer Gallengangverletzung (BDI) im Rahmen einer laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie (LC) beträgt 0,3%. Eine routinemäßige Anwendung der intraoperativen Röntgencholangiografie (IOC) wird jedoch aufgrund der zusätzlichen Kosten und der Strahlenbelastung kontrovers diskutiert. Ziel dieser Studie war die klinische Evaluation der Fluoreszenzcholangiografie (FC).

Material und Methoden Die vorliegende prospektive Studie umfasste 230 Patienten, die sich einer LC unterzogen haben. 170 Patienten erhielten sowohl eine FC als auch eine IOC entsprechend einem standardisierten Protokoll. In weiteren 60 Fällen wurden die Ergebnisse der FC mit einer LC ohne eine simultane Cholangiografie verglichen. Anschließend erfolgte die Analyse der Daten hinsichtlich des zeitlichen Aufwands und der Identifikation von biliären Strukturen.

Ergebnisse Das Durchschnittsalter und der Durchschnitts-BMI betrugen 54,4 ± 15,7 Jahre und 27,9 ± 5,7 kg/m² bei einer mittleren Operationszeit von 67,6 ± 23,3 min. Der zeitliche Aufwand der FC war dabei deutlich geringer als derjenige der IOC (1,5 ± 0,9 vs.7,3 ± 5,0 min). Die Detektionsraten für Ductus cysticus (DC) sowie Ductus hepaticus communis (DHC) im Rahmen einer FC betrugen vor Dissektion am Calot-Dreieck 67,5 bzw. 66,2% und währenddessen 95,9 bzw. 71,2%. Ein BMI > 25 kg/m² und männliches Geschlecht reduzierten signifikant die Darstellbarkeit der Strukturen. Der Nachweis einer galligen Sekretion aus dem Gallenblasenbett gelang in 3 Fällen (1,8%) durch eine FC. In 2 Fällen (1,2%) wurde der Abgang des DC aus dem Ductus hepaticus dexter durch IOC dargestellt und in einem Fall (0,6%) bereits durch FC beschrieben. Intraduktale Aussparungen ließen sich bei 9 Patienten (5,3%) mithilfe einer IOC und bei einem Patienten (0,6%) durch eine FC nachweisen. Bei Verzicht auf eine zusätzliche intraoperative Diagnostik betrugen die Detektionsraten von DC und DHC60,0 bzw. 43,3%, mithilfe einer FC80,0 bzw. 53,3%. Dementsprechend bestätigten die Operateure in 70,0% der Fälle eine Erhöhung der operativen Sicherheit durch eine FC.

Schlussfolgerung Die FC ist eine einfache, nicht invasive Methode zur Echtzeitdarstellung der Gallengangsanatomie während einer LC. Eine schnelle Identifizierung von anatomischen Normvarianten und galliger Sekretion aus dem Gallenblasenbett erhöht die operative Sicherheit und ermöglicht die simultane Versorgung. Bei Vorliegen einer intraabdominalen Adipositas besitzt die Untersuchung eine limitierte Aussagekraft.
Zur Unfallwahrscheinlichkeit von Senioren bei der Nutzung von
E-Bikes
Authors: Weiss Raphael , Juhra Christian , Wieskötter Britta , Weiss Udo , Jung Susanne , Raschke Michael
Published: November 2017

Hintergrund Deutschland ist eine Radfahrnation mit über 70 Mill.
Fahrrädern. Bedingt durch die technische Weiterentwicklung wurden im Jahr 2010
deutschlandweit bereits 200 000 E-Bikes (Oberbegriff für elektrobetriebene
Fahrräder, beinhaltet auch Pedelecs) verkauft, 2013 waren dies bereits 410 000.
Aktuell werden deutschlandweit mehr als 1,6 Mill. Elektrofahrräder genutzt. Eine
der größten Nutzergruppen sind Senioren. Unfallforscher befürchten ein erhöhtes
Unfall-/Verletzungsrisiko.

Methode Ein Jahr lang wurden alle Radverkehrsunfälle, speziell die
Elektrofahrradunfälle unter Beteiligung von Senioren, in 23 Krankenhäusern des
TraumaNetzwerks NordWest und der örtlich zuständigen Polizeibehörden erhoben und
analysiert.

Ergebnisse Ein Vergleich der Elektrofahrrad fahrenden Senioren mit der
Gruppe der ebenfalls elektrounterstützt Rad fahrenden Jüngeren ergab im ersten
Ansatz ein höheres Verletzungsrisiko. Die weitere vergleichende Analyse der
schwerverletzten Senioren, die ein elektrounterstütztes Fahrrad fuhren, mit
denen, die ein konventionelles Fahrrad nutzten, widersprach dem jedoch. Eine
statistische Signifikanz blieb aus. Die Unfallwahrscheinlichkeit erhöhte sich
mit dem Alter, nicht jedoch mit dem Fahrradtyp.

Schlussfolgerung Unfallvermeidend könnten, neben einem spezifischen
Fahrtraining, medizinische Vorsorgeuntersuchungen zur Früherkennung von
Leistungseinbußen, speziell im Bereich kognitiver Verarbeitungsprozesse und des
Gleichgewichts, wirken. Sie sollten zukünftig selbstverständlicher Bestandteil
der Gesundheitsvorsorge und damit der Beratungsleistung der niedergelassenen
Ärzte sein.
A hybrid method for solar cell parameter estimation
Authors: Ayala-Mató F. , Seuret-Jiménez D. , Escobedo-Alatorre J. J. , Vigil-Galán O. , Courel Maykel
Published: November 2017

This work reports the results obtained from applying a non-linear optimization method to the I-V characteristic of a GaAlP/GaAlAs/Ge solar cell. Modifications done to the Hooke–Jeeves method are reported. Later, this method was combined with a semi-analytical approach. This provides the starting conditions for the modified Hooke-Jeeves method. Our proposal was validated by comparing its results to the ones obtained by other methods. When minimizing the difference between the experimental measurements of the I-V characteristic and a theoretical model of the solar cell, good agreements are found, and this is reflected in a reduced relative error, under 2%. In this way, the parameters forming the theoretical model are estimated.
Modulated ion acoustic waves in a plasma with Cairns-Gurevich distribution
Authors: El-Labany S. K. , El-Taibany W. F. , Zedan N. A.
Published: November 2017

The amplitude modulation of ion acoustic envelope solitary waves in the presence of Cairns-Gurevich distributed electrons has been investigated. Using a reductive perturbation technique, a modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation has been derived. The modulational instability (MI) and its dependence on the system physical parameters and the combined effects of trapped and nonthermal electrons have been analyzed. It is found that the MI maximum growth rate increases (decreases) as the nonthermality (trapping) parameter increases. The present results could be applicable in explaining the basic features of localized electrostatic disturbance in space observations such as the solar energetic particle flows in interplanetary space and the energetic particle events in the Earth's magnetosphere and also in the laser plasma interaction.
Transparent indium-tin oxide/indium-gallium-zinc oxide Schottky diodes formed by gradient oxygen doping
Authors: Ho Szuheng , Yu Hyeonggeun , So Franky
Published: November 2017

Amorphous InGaZnO (a-IGZO) is promising for transparent electronics due to its high carrier mobility and optical transparency. However, most metal/a-IGZO junctions are ohmic due to the Fermi-level pinning at the interface, restricting their device applications. Here, we report that indium-tin oxide/a-IGZO Schottky diodes can be formed by gradient oxygen doping in the a-IGZO layer that would otherwise form an ohmic contact. Making use of back-to-back a-IGZO Schottky junctions, a transparent IGZO permeable metal-base transistor is also demonstrated with a high common-base gain.
A dynamic point-load test for quantifying rock dynamic strength parameters
Authors: Yu Changyi , Yao Wei , Xu Ying , Xia Kaiwen
Published: November 2017

The point-load test (PLT) has been widely used in the field and in the laboratory to estimate the strength of rock materials. The PLT is easy and quick to perform and it is suitable for samples with irregular shapes and therefore has found wide applications. The measured point-load strength (PLS) is considered as a strength index and it has been correlated to the rock compressive strength. To address the engineering applications where the loading is dynamic, the PLT is extended to its dynamic version in this study. The dynamic loading is exerted to the rock specimen using a split Hopkinson pressure bar system. Two conical steel platens are attached to the incident bar and transmitted bar, respectively, to apply the point load to the disc specimen. To enable quasi-static analysis, the pulse shaper technique is utilized to achieve the dynamic force balance. The flexibility of the dynamic PLT method is demonstrated by the application to a well-studied granitic rock—Laurentian granite. The correlation between the dynamic PLS and the dynamic strength of the same rock is established.
Fast determination of the current loss mechanisms in textured crystalline Si-based solar cells
Authors: Nakane Akihiro , Fujimoto Shohei , Fujiwara Hiroyuki
Published: November 2017

A quite general device analysis method that allows the direct evaluation of optical and recombination losses in crystalline silicon (c-Si)-based solar cells has been developed. By applying this technique, the current loss mechanisms of the state-of-the-art solar cells with ∼20% efficiencies have been revealed. In the established method, the optical and electrical losses are characterized from the analysis of an experimental external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum with very low computational cost. In particular, we have performed the EQE analyses of textured c-Si solar cells by employing the experimental reflectance spectra obtained directly from the actual devices while using flat optical models without any fitting parameters. We find that the developed method provides almost perfect fitting to EQE spectra reported for various textured c-Si solar cells, including c-Si heterojunction solar cells, a dopant-free c-Si solar cell with a MoOx layer, and an n-type passivated emitter with rear locally diffused solar cell. The modeling of the recombination loss further allows the extraction of the minority carrier diffusion length and surface recombination velocity from the EQE analysis. Based on the EQE analysis results, the current loss mechanisms in different types of c-Si solar cells are discussed.
Large N expansions for the Laguerre and Jacobi β-ensembles from the loop equations
Authors: Forrester Peter J. , Rahman Anas A. , Witte Nicholas S.
Published: November 2017

The β-ensembles of random matrix theory with classical weights have many special properties. One is that the loop equations specifying the resolvent and corresponding multipoint correlators permit a derivation at the general order of the correlator via Aomoto’s method from the theory of the Selberg integral. We use Aomoto’s method to derive the full hierarchy of loop equations for Laguerre and Jacobi β-ensembles and use these to systematically construct the explicit form of the 1/N expansion at low orders. This allows us to give the explicit form of corrections to the global density and allows various moments to be computed, complementing results available in the literature motivated by problems in quantum transport.
Exploiting NiTi shape memory alloy films in design of tunable high frequency microcantilever resonators
Authors: Stachiv I. , Sittner P. , Olejnicek J. , Landa M. , Heller L.
Published: November 2017

Shape memory alloy (SMA) films are very attractive materials for microactuators because of their high energy density. However, all currently developed SMA actuators utilize martensitic transformation activated by periodically generated heating and cooling; therefore, they have a slow actuation speed, just a few Hz, which restricts their use in most of the nanotechnology applications such as high frequency microcantilever based physical and chemical sensors, atomic force microscopes, or RF filters. Here, we design tunable high frequency SMA microcantilevers for nanotechnology applications. They consist of a phase transforming NiTi SMA film sputtered on the common elastic substrate material; in our case, it is a single-crystal silicon. The reversible tuning of microcantilever resonant frequencies is then realized by intentionally changing the Young's modulus and the interlayer stress of the NiTi film by temperature, while the elastic substrate guarantees the high frequency actuation (up to hundreds of kHz) of the microcantilever. The experimental results qualitatively agree with predictions obtained from the dedicated model based on the continuum mechanics theory and a phase characteristic of NiTi. The present design of SMA microcantilevers expands the capability of current micro-/nanomechanical resonators by enabling tunability of several consecutive resonant frequencies.
Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger system: Dinucleon field
Authors: Ran Yanping , Shi Qihong
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we consider the 3-dimensional Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger system under the dinucleon interactions. By introducing the atomic spaces and establishing local Strichartz estimates for the perturbed Schrödinger equation to overcome the lack of compactness in whole space, we prove the unique solvability in the energy space. Additionally, we derive a Lipschitz estimate in a weak topology for the linearized equations to obtain the continuous dependence on the initial data.
The effect of laser wavelength on the delay time of laser triggered vacuum switch
Authors: Xin Yinan , He Zhenghao , Liu Yuchen
Published: November 2017

The study on the influence of laser wavelength on the initial plasma properties of laser-triggered vacuum switch (LTVS) is not only beneficial to understanding the trigger mechanism but also to optimizing its design for miniaturization and generalization. In this paper, the one-dimensional heat conduction model of the target was developed and then the effect of laser wavelength on the depth of laser ablation and the quantity of initial plasma were investigated experimentally and theoretically with the laser absorption rate. The theoretical analysis was in good agreement with experimental measurement of the delay time of the LTVS. It is clear that the shorter the wavelength, the shorter the delay time will be after the LTVS is triggered.
Theory and simulation of anode spots in low pressure plasmas
Authors: Scheiner Brett , Barnat Edward V. , Baalrud Scott D. , Hopkins Matthew M. , Yee Benjamin T.
Published: November 2017

When electrodes are biased above the plasma potential, electrons accelerated through the associated electron sheath can dramatically increase the ionization rate of neutrals near the electrode surface. It has previously been observed that if the ionization rate is great enough, a double layer separates a luminous high-potential plasma attached to the electrode surface (called an anode spot or fireball) from the bulk plasma. Here, results of the first 2D particle-in-cell simulations of anode spot formation are presented along with a theoretical model describing the formation process. It is found that ionization leads to the build-up of an ion-rich layer adjacent to the electrode, forming a narrow potential well near the electrode surface that traps electrons born from ionization. It is shown that anode spot onset occurs when a quasineutral region is established in the potential well and the density in this region becomes large enough to violate the steady-state Langmuir condition, which is a balance between electron and ion fluxes across the double layer. A model for steady-state properties of the anode spot is also presented, which predicts values for the anode spot size, double layer potential drop, and form of the sheath at the electrode by considering particle, power, and current balance. These predictions are found to be consistent with the presented simulation and previous experiments.
MgO monolayer epitaxy on Ni (100)
Authors: Sarpi B. , Putero M. , Hemeryck A. , Vizzini S.
Published: November 2017

The growth of two-dimensional oxide films with accurate control of their structural and electronic properties is considered challenging for engineering nanotechnological applications. We address here the particular case of MgO ultrathin films grown on Ni (100), a system for which neither crystallization nor extended surface ordering has been established previously in the monolayer range. Using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Auger Electron Spectroscopy, we report on experiments showing MgO monolayer (ML) epitaxy on a ferromagnetic nickel surface, down to the limit of atomic thickness. Alternate steps of Mg ML deposition, O2 gas exposure, and ultrahigh vacuum thermal treatment enable the production of a textured film of ordered MgO nano-domains. This study could open interesting prospects for controlled epitaxy of ultrathin oxide films with a high magneto-resistance ratio on ferromagnetic substrates, enabling improvement in high-efficiency spintronics and magnetic tunnel junction devices.
Assessment of energy security in MedRing countries and regional trends towards renewable energy deployment
Authors: Chentouf Mohammed , Allouch Mohamed
Published: November 2017

Energy security is considered as an important driving force for sustaining socio-economic growth of any nation. The Mediterranean countries (particularly MedRing countries) are witnessing a steady economic growth backed with a relative political stability and improvement of living standards. Moreover, an enormous potential in terms of fossil and renewable energies is still not fully explored in this region. Hence, the establishment of an integrated regional approach for managing the energy sector will most likely enhance energy security and regional cooperation between MedRing countries following the ultimate goal of answering the growing energy demand in the upcoming decades. The aim of this study is to (1) evaluate the levels of energy security in those countries using four selected indicators and (2) highlight their orientations towards the deployment of renewable energy as an important pillar for ensuring the security of the energy systems in these countries. The results showed that the MedRing countries are highly dependent on imported fossil fuels (except for exporting countries such as Algeria, Libya, and Egypt), and thus, the major share of their CO2 emissions are resulting from the energy sector. On the other hand, renewable and nuclear energies seem to be the ideal alternatives for enhancing energy security and creating mutual benefits for the two shores of the Mediterranean basin.
Decisive role of nuclear quantum effects on surface mediated water dissociation at finite temperature
Authors: Litman Yair , Donadio Davide , Ceriotti Michele , Rossi Mariana
Published: November 2017

Water molecules adsorbed on inorganic substrates play an important role in several technological applications. In the presence of light atoms in adsorbates, nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) influence the structural stability and the dynamical properties of these systems. In this work, we explore the impact of NQEs on the dissociation of water wires on stepped Pt(221) surfaces. By performing ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with van der Waals corrected density functional theory, we note that several competing minima for both intact and dissociated structures are accessible at finite temperatures, making it important to assess whether harmonic estimates of the quantum free energy are sufficient to determine the relative stability of the different states. We thus perform ab initio path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) in order to calculate these contributions taking into account the conformational entropy and anharmonicities at finite temperatures. We propose that when adsorption is weak and NQEs on the substrate are negligible, PIMD simulations can be performed through a simple partition of the system, resulting in considerable computational savings. We then calculate the full contribution of NQEs to the free energies, including also anharmonic terms. We find that they result in an increase of up to 20% of the quantum contribution to the dissociation free energy compared with the harmonic estimates. We also find that the dissociation process has a negligible contribution from tunneling but is dominated by zero point energies, which can enhance the rate of dissociation by three orders of magnitude. Finally we highlight how both temperature and NQEs indirectly impact dipoles and the redistribution of electron density, causing work function changes of up to 0.4 eV with respect to static estimates. This quantitative determination of the change in the work function provides a possible approach to determine experimentally the most stable configurations of water oligomers on the stepped surfaces.
Kinetic Monte Carlo model of breakup of nanowires into chains of nanoparticles
Authors: Gorshkov Vyacheslav , Privman Vladimir
Published: November 2017

A kinetic Monte Carlo approach is applied for studying shape instability of nanowires that results in their breaking up into chains of nanoparticles. Our approach can be used to explore the dynamical features of the process that correspond to experimental findings, but that cannot be interpreted by continuum mechanisms reminiscent of the description of the Plateau-Rayleigh instability in liquid jets. For example, we observe long-lived dumbbell-type fragments and other typical non-liquid-jet characteristics of the process, as well as confirm the observed lattice-orientation dependence of the breakup process of single-crystal nanowires. We provide snapshots of the process dynamics, and elaborate on the nanowire-end effects, as well as on the morphology of the resulting nanoparticles.
Virial coefficients of anisotropic hard solids of revolution: The detailed influence of the particle geometry
Authors: Herold Elisabeth , Hellmann Robert , Wagner Joachim
Published: November 2017

We provide analytical expressions for the second virial coefficients of differently shaped hard solids of revolution in dependence on their aspect ratio. The second virial coefficients of convex hard solids, which are the orientational averages of the mutual excluded volume, are derived from volume, surface, and mean radii of curvature employing the Isihara–Hadwiger theorem. Virial coefficients of both prolate and oblate hard solids of revolution are investigated in dependence on their aspect ratio. The influence of one- and two-dimensional removable singularities of the surface curvature to the mutual excluded volume is analyzed. The virial coefficients of infinitely thin oblate and infinitely long prolate particles are compared, and analytical expressions for their ratios are derived. Beyond their dependence on the aspect ratio, the second virial coefficients are influenced by the detailed geometry of the particles.
Vibrational spectra of halide-water dimers: Insights on ion hydration from full-dimensional quantum calculations on many-body potential energy surfaces
Authors: Bajaj Pushp , Wang Xiao-Gang , Carrington Tucker , Paesani Francesco
Published: November 2017

Full-dimensional vibrational spectra are calculated for both X−(H2O) and X−(D2O) dimers (X = F, Cl, Br, I) at the quantum-mechanical level. The calculations are carried out on two sets of recently developed potential energy functions (PEFs), namely, Thole-type model energy (TTM-nrg) and many-body energy (MB-nrg), using the symmetry-adapted Lanczos algorithm with a product basis set including all six vibrational coordinates. Although both TTM-nrg and MB-nrg PEFs are derived from coupled-cluster single double triple-F12 data obtained in the complete basis set limit, they differ in how many-body effects are represented at short range. Specifically, while both models describe long-range interactions through the combination of two-body dispersion and many-body classical electrostatics, the relatively simple Born-Mayer functions employed in the TTM-nrg PEFs to represent short-range interactions are replaced in the MB-nrg PEFs by permutationally invariant polynomials to achieve chemical accuracy. For all dimers, the MB-nrg vibrational spectra are in close agreement with the available experimental data, correctly reproducing anharmonic and nuclear quantum effects. In contrast, the vibrational frequencies calculated with the TTM-nrg PEFs exhibit significant deviations from the experimental values. The comparison between the TTM-nrg and MB-nrg results thus reinforces the notion that an accurate representation of both short-range interactions associated with electron density overlap and long-range many-body electrostatic interactions is necessary for a correct description of hydration phenomena at the molecular level.
Space-charge-limited currents in CIS-based solar cells
Authors: Zelenina A. , Werner F. , Elanzeery H. , Melchiorre M. , Siebentritt S.
Published: November 2017

Non-linear shunts in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells have been well described mathematically using the model of a space-charge-limited current, but their physical origin remained unclear so far. We study space-charge-limited currents on Cu-rich CuInSe2 (CIS) devices, which represent a very suitable system: the devices always exhibit non-linear shunts with a very pronounced behavior. Here, we demonstrate a fundamental difference in the transport mechanism between the Cu-rich-based device and the conventional Cu-poor one. We discuss the location of a space-charge-limited current by comparing devices containing various component layers with Ohmic contacts. We confirm that Cu-rich CIS and cadmium sulfide layers alone do not create a non-linear shunt. Our experimental results demonstrate that the origin of the non-linear behavior is located at the interface between the absorber and buffer layers. Temperature dependent current-voltage measurements performed on Cu-rich-based CIS devices are discussed in agreement with a space-charge-limited current theory suggesting the model of an insulator with traps.
The complexity of translationally invariant low-dimensional spin lattices in 3D
Authors: Bausch Johannes , Piddock Stephen
Published: November 2017

In this theoretical paper, we consider spin systems in three spatial dimensions and consider the computational complexity of estimating the ground state energy, known as the local Hamiltonian problem, for translationally invariant Hamiltonians. We prove that the local Hamiltonian problem for 3D lattices with face-centered cubic unit cells and 4-local translationally invariant interactions between spin-3/2 particles and open boundary conditions is QMAEXP-complete, where QMAEXP is the class of problems which can be verified in exponential time on a quantum computer. We go beyond a mere embedding of past hard 1D history state constructions, for which the local spin dimension is enormous: even state-of-the-art constructions have local dimension 42. We avoid such a large local dimension by combining some different techniques in a novel way. For the verifier circuit which we embed into the ground space of the local Hamiltonian, we utilize a recently developed computational model, called a quantum ring machine, which is especially well suited for translationally invariant history state constructions. This is encoded with a new and particularly simple universal gate set, which consists of a single 2-qubit gate applied only to nearest-neighbour qubits. The Hamiltonian construction involves a classical Wang tiling problem as a binary counter which translates one cube side length into a binary description for the encoded verifier input and a carefully engineered history state construction that implements the ring machine on the cubic lattice faces. These novel techniques allow us to significantly lower the local spin dimension, surpassing the best translationally invariant result to date by two orders of magnitude (in the number of degrees of freedom per coupling). This brings our models on par with the best non-translationally invariant construction.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for a non-linear Schrödinger equation with non-local regional diffusion
Authors: Alves Claudianor O. , Torres Ledesma César E.
Published: November 2017

In this article, we are interested in the following non-linear Schrödinger equation with non-local regional diffusion (−Δ)ρ𝜖αu+u=f(u)in Rn, where ϵ > 0, 0 < α < 1, and (−Δ)ρ𝜖α is a variational version of the regional Laplacian, whose range of scope is a ball with radius ρϵ(x) = ρ(ϵx) > 0, where ρ is a continuous function. We give general conditions on ρ and f which assure the existence and multiplicity of solution for the cited problem.
Control-Growth and Photocatalytic Activities of Low-Dimensional Bi2Fe4O9 Crystals
Authors: Liang Shao-wei , Yang Qing
Published: November 2017

Low-dimensional Bi2Fe4O9 nanosheets and microrods have been selectively prepared by a solvothermal method, from which the growth of the Bi2Fe4O9 crystals can be controlled by the variation of reaction conditions. Structure determination showed that the nanosheets are mainly exposed by {001} facets while the microrods are exposed by {110} facets. Absorption spectra revealed that there are two bandgaps observed for both nanosheets (at 1.9 and 1.55 eV) and microrods (1.7 and 1.45 eV), and they both would be available for the sunlight photocatalysis efficiently due to the intensive absorption ability in a wide region. Photocatalytic investigation demonstrated that the overall photocatalytic performance of the microrods is prior to that of the nanosheets due to the variation of bandgaps and exposed facets. The present report provides a useful alternative strategy for the controlling growth of nanostructures and/or microcrystals besides the present demonstration of the Bi2Fe4O9 crystals with different bandgaps and facets that would be able to tune the corresponding photocatalytic ability selectively.
Novel Bi2MoO6 Nanosheets/Vertical TiO2 Nanorods Arrays Heterojunction with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Gao Xiang , Xue Jia-wei , Luo Ying , Zhu Xiao-di , Sun Song , Bao Jun , Wang Wen-dong
Published: November 2017

Novel Bi2MoO6/TiO2 heterojunction was fabricated by growing Bi2MoO6 nanosheets arrays on the vertically aligned TiO2 nanorods arrays via a two-step solvothermal method. The obtained Bi2MoO6/TiO2 hierarchical heterojunction showed excellent visible light photoelectrochemical performance. Compared with the pure TiO2 and Bi2MoO6, the photocurrent density of the heterojunction was increased 57 and 29 times, respectively. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation rate of the Bi2MoO6/TiO2 for photoelectrocatalytic water-splitting was about 6 times higher than that of the pure Bi2MoO6. The improved performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of enhanced absorption of visible light, increase of migration rate and separation efficiency of photo-induced carriers.
Wood anatomy of Australian mirbelioids and allies (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)
Authors: Stepanova A. V. , Oskolski A. A. , Van Wyk B.-E.
Published: November 2017

Detailed wood anatomical data for 22 species from 11 genera belonging to the tribes Bossiaeeae, Mirbelieae and Hypocalypteae (Fabaceae, subfamily Papilionoideae) are presented. No wood traits to distinguish clearly between the three tribes were found. On the contrary, they share a common character, namely, short vessel elements (distinctly shorter than in the tribe Baphieae, their sister group). This may be interpreted as a synapomorphy for the three tribes. The presence of numerous strongly branched protuberances in chambers of the vestured intervessel pits is seemingly an ancestral condition for this group. The occurrence of tanniniferous tubes in some Daviesia and Gastrolobium species is coherent with a close relationship between the mirbelioid clade and Hypocalypus, the only legume genus where these structures have previously been reported. The accumulation of tannins in ray cells can start at an early stage of their differentiation. The formation of tanniniferous tubes is seemingly a result of uneven elongation of ray cells with and without tannin deposits. In general, wood anatomical characters support the hypothesis (originally proposed in the pre-DNA era, based on morphological, cytological and chemical data) that the monotypic South African tribe Hypocalyptieae has the Australian tribes Bossiaeeae and Mirbelieae as its closest relatives, rather than Cape genistoid legumes.
Utilising aversive conditioning to manage the behaviour of K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes (Canis dingo)
Authors: Appleby Rob , Smith Bradley , Bernede Lilia , Jones Darryl
Published: November 2017

K’gari (Fraser Island) offers a rare opportunity for people to observe and encounter wild dingoes. Occasionally, however, such encounters can entail dingoes acting in a threatening or aggressive manner towards people, resulting in human injury and, in one tragic case, death. A suite of approaches aimed at minimising the risk to human safety posed by dingoes have been implemented on the island, including fencing, island-wide warning signage, and regulations against feeding. Despite such measures, negative encounters continue, and in cases where dingoes are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk, they are usually destroyed. In searching for non-lethal management alternatives, attempts have been made to modify undesirable dingo behaviour through aversive conditioning, but results to date have either been mixed or largely disappointing. Here we review a wide array of research that has utilised aversive stimuli in an effort to modify and manage the behaviour of wild animals, with a particular focus on related predators such as coyotes and wolves. We identified eight major categories of experimental research: conditioned taste aversion/avoidance (CTA), electric fencing, fladry, chemical repellents, fear-evoking stimuli, physical repellents, aversive collars/devices and hard release procedures. We then outline each of these categories in more detail, complete with pertinent examples of successes and failures as well as advantages and disadvantages. We conclude that some approaches offer promise within three main areas of incident mitigation experimentation: dingo exclusion (e.g. electric fencing), personal protection (mild chemical irritant sprays, sturdy umbrellas) and remedial aversive conditioning (e.g. shock collars). Other approaches, such as CTA and sublethal projectiles are not recommended. Like any approach, aversive conditioning is not a panacea, but it does offer promise in filling gaps in current management and as an alternative to lethal control.
Mortal threat: Latvian Jews at the dawn of Nazi occupation
Authors: Eglitis Daina S. , Bērziņš Didzis
Published: November 2017

In late June 1941, Nazi Germany stormed the borders of the Soviet Union, occupying the three Baltic republics within weeks. By the end of 1941, a significant proportion of the Jewish population had been murdered by German forces and local collaborators. In the days before full Nazi occupation of the territory, Latvia's Jews confronted the question of whether to flee into the Russian interior or stay in their communities. History shows that this would be a critical choice. Testimonies and memoirs of Jewish survivors illuminate the competing motivations to leave or to remain. This article highlights the key factors that figured into these calculations and the interaction between individual agency and structural opportunities and obstacles in determining where Latvia's Jews were when Holocaust in their homeland began.
Afro-euphoria: is Ghana’s economy an exception to the growth paradox?
Authors: Akolgo Isaac Abotebuno
Published: November 2017

The result of Ghana's 2016 presidential election was evidence of previously perceived governance failure and ‘suffering’ among the populace. This Briefing assesses the extent to which that contradicts the euphoria surrounding growing African economies.
The prognostic value of physiological and physical characteristics in youth soccer: A systematic review
Authors: Murr Dennis , Raabe Johannes , Höner Oliver
Published: November 2017

Talent identification and selection in soccer is typically based on subjective evaluations of experienced coaches. Recently, there has been a trend to complement these subjective assessments with objective tests. However, there is currently no comprehensive overview of the prognostic relevance of objective measurements in youth soccer. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study was to systematically review published empirical studies related to the prognostic relevance of physiological (e.g. endurance and speed) and physical characteristics (i.e. height and weight). Of 6876 initially identified studies, nine articles were included. In those studies, endurance (nine studies), change of direction (seven), height (seven), and weight (seven) received the most meaningful consideration within the literature. In regard to physiological predictors, between 16 and 29 effect sizes were tested for endurance, sprint, and change of direction, and about half of them were found to be significant with small to moderate effects (0.37 ≤ Mdn(d) ≤ 0.57). In addition, while only investigated in two studies all tested effect sizes for repeated sprint ability were found to be significant. Despite their frequent consideration in the literature, low numbers of significant effect sizes (≤ 26%) and magnitude (0.23 ≤ Mdn(d) ≤ 0.29) were found for the physical predictors height and weight. Overall, results appear to be dependent on the respective study design and, in particular, moderator variables (i.e. soccer development stage, performance level T1/T2, prognostic period, and sample size). Consequently, additional research seems warranted to more comprehensively investigate the predictive relevance of the individual characteristics using more homogeneous study designs.
Improved cognitive performance in preadolescent Danish children after the school‐based physical activity programme “FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe – A cluster‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lind Rune Rasmussen , Geertsen Svend Sparre , Ørntoft Christina , Madsen Mads , Larsen Malte Nejst , Dvorak Jiri , Ritz Christian , Krustrup Peter
Published: November 2017

Objective: Recent studies have shown promising effects of physical activity on cognitive function, but there is a need to investigate this link in real‐life settings such as schools. Hence, the objective of the present pilot study was to investigate whether the school‐based physical activity programme “FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe could improve cognitive performance in preadolescent Danish children. Methods: The pilot study used an 11‐week cluster‐randomised intervention study design. School classes were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG) (n = 93 children, age = 11.8, s = 0.2 years), which performed the obligatory daily school‐based physical activity (5 × 45 minutes per week); or an intervention group (IG) (n = 838 children, age = 11.9, s = 0.4 years), which substituted 2 × 45 minutes per week of the daily school physical activity with the “FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe programme. The programme combines small‐sided football games, drills and health education. Cognitive performance was evaluated at baseline and follow‐up. Results: The IG improved their cognitive performance compared to the CG for psychomotor function (56, sx– = 22 ms, p < .001), attention (39, sx– = 17 ms, p = .012) and working memory (79, sx– = 35 ms, p = .020). Conclusion: This pilot study provides evidence that the school‐based physical activity programme “FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe can improve cognitive performance in preadolescent Danish schoolchildren. Future studies should attempt to disentangle the effects of “FIFA 11 for Health” for Europe on cognitive performance by investigating the characteristics of the programme's physical activity.
DRC2/CCDC65 is a central hub for assembly of the nexin–dynein regulatory complex and other regulators of ciliary and flagellar motility
Authors: Bower Raqual , Tritschler Douglas , Mills Kristyn VanderWaal , Heuser Thomas , Nicastro Daniela , Porter Mary E.
Published: November 2017

DRC2 is a subunit of the nexin–dynein regulatory complex linked to primary ciliary dyskinesia. Little is known about the impact of drc2 mutations on axoneme composition and structure. We used proteomic and structural approaches to reveal that DRC2 coassembles with DRC1 to attach the N-DRC to the A-tubule and mediate interactions with other regulatory structures.
The Economic and Health Effects of the 2014 Chemical Spill in the Elk River, West Virginia
Authors: Guilfoos Todd , Kell Dalton , Boslett Andrew , Hill Elaine L
Published: November 2017

In January 2014, Freedom Industries spilled 4‐methylcyclohexylmethanol, a chemical foaming agent used in coal processing, from a storage facility into the Elk River in West Virginia. This chemical spill, one of the most significant in U.S. history, adversely affected the drinking water supply of over 300,000 individuals in the Charleston, West Virginia Metropolitan area. We use synthetic control methods to estimate the casual effects on macro‐economic growth and infant health outcomes from this water crisis. We find a significant decrease in 5‐minute Apgar Scores, a measure of how babies fare in the birthing process and outside of the womb, after the chemical spill. We do not find significant effects for infant birthweight or gestational age. We find a statistically insignificant decrease of per capita GDP in the Charlestown, West Virginia area compared to the synthetic control of 3% two years after the chemical spill.
Connecting the Language Classroom and the Wild: Re-enactments of Language Use Experiences
Authors: Lilja Niina , Piirainen-Marsh Arja
Published: November 2017

Using multimodal conversation analysis, this article analyses language learning as an in situ process during a teacher-assigned, experientially based pedagogical activity. The activity involved a three-part pedagogical structure, where learners first prepared for and then participated in real-life service encounters, and later reflected on their experiences back in the classroom. The analysis details how the co-constructed telling sequences through which novice second language users re-enact their experiences create an occasion for language-focused activity. We argue that the actions through which the participants display and sustain an orientation to an interactional practice as an object of learning make visible a learning project. The findings illuminate the practices through which language-focused activity is initiated, sustained, and managed to enable in situ learning. They also show how re-enactments function in storytelling and display a novice learner’s interactional competence. Finally, the findings illustrate how experiences gained in everyday social activities can be ‘harvested and reflected upon’ (Wagner 2015: 77) in the classroom and contribute to recent initiatives to develop teaching practices that support learning in-the-wild.