bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the singlet–triplet energy splittings in transition metal-capped carbon chains
Authors: Li Peizhi , Yang Zhipeng , Zhang Zhong , Pu Liang , King R. Bruce
Published: January 2020

Density functional theory and molecular orbital analysis suggest that the odd–even alternation of singlet–triplet energy separations is a general feature of transition metal-capped carbon chains, determined primarily by the carbon chains.
Oil-in-water emulsions based on hydrophobic eutectic systems
Authors: van Osch Dannie J. G. P. , van Spronsen Jaap , Esteves A. Catarina C. , Tuinier Remco , Vis Mark
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate that oil-in-water emulsions can be prepared from hydrophobic eutectic systems and that their stability is controlled by the solubility of the individual components of the eutectic mixture.
High-performing Ir- and Pt-containing catalysts based on mesoporous beta zeolite for the selective ring opening of decalin
Authors: Suárez Natalia , Arribas María A. , Moreno Andrés , Martínez Agustín
Published: January 2020

Iridium dispersed on mesoporous beta zeolite obtained by desilication exhibits outstanding catalytic performance in the selective ring opening of decalin.
High-capacity thermochemical CO2 dissociation using iron-poor ferrites
Authors: Zhai Shang , Rojas Jimmy , Ahlborg Nadia , Lim Kipil , Cheng Chung Hon Michael , Xie Chenlu , Toney Michael F. , Jung In-Ho , Chueh William C. , Majumdar Arun
Published: January 2020

Dissociation of CO2 to form CO can play a key role in decarbonizing our energy system. Fe-poor ferrites exhibit significantly higher capacity for thermochemical CO2 dissociation than state-of-the-art materials such as ceria and perovskites.
Fast synthesis of hierarchical Al-free Ti-BEA plate-like nanocrystals from low-templated dry gel via a steam-assisted conversion method
Authors: Luo Yuying , Zhu Yadong , Pan Jianguo , Chen Xiaohui
Published: January 2020

A hierarchical nanosized Ti-BEA zeolite prepared via a green steam-assisted conversion (SAC) method.
Addressing matrix effects for 193 nm excimer LA-ICP-MS analyses of Fe-rich sulfides and a new predictive model
Authors: Steenstra E. S. , Berndt J. , Klemme S. , van Westrenen W. , Bullock E. S. , Shahar A.
Published: January 2020

Matrix effects during ns-LA-ICP-MS analyses of Fe-rich sulfides were quantified for many trace elements by comparison of elemental concentrations obtained by LA-ICP-MS and electron microprobe (EPMA) for many synthetic sulfides.
Joint forces of direct, single particle, CE– and HPLC–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques for the examination of gold nanoparticle accumulation, distribution and changes inside human cells
Authors: Kruszewska Joanna , Kulpińska Dominika , Grabowska-Jadach Ilona , Matczuk Magdalena
Published: January 2020

The intracellular localization and transformation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are among the crucial aspects in future applications in cancer therapy. In the context of the study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)-based techniques were effectively applied to reveal the fate of AuNPs internalized in cancerous MCF-7 cells. Direct ICP-MS was used to obtain quantitative information about the distribution rate of gold from the AuNPs in the cells, namely their membranes, cytosol as well as nuclei. Moreover, the combination of capillary electrophoresis and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with ICP-MS was used as a tool to probe and compare for the effective monitoring of the speciation changes of the gold-containing forms in the cytosol. The chemical nature (ionic vs. nano) of the metal detected in the cytosol was verified via ICP-MS in a single-particle mode, confirming the stability of the nanomaterials and the absence of ionic gold forms inside the cells.
Metal organic framework/chitosan foams functionalized with polyethylene oxide as a sorbent for enrichment and analysis of bisphenols in beverages and water
Authors: Li Shuo , Si Huizhong , Li Jianshu , Jia Mengtian , Hou Xiaohong
Published: January 2020

MIL-53(Al)/CS/PEO foam as a sorbent for the vortex assisted solid phase extraction of a trace amount of five bisphenols in beverages and water.
Clay-supported anisotropic Au-modified N,S-doped TiO2 nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and esterification reactions
Authors: Praneeth Neeli Venkat Sai , Paria Santanu
Published: January 2020

Kaolinite clay supported doped TiO2 and anisotropic gold deposited visible light induced plasmonic nanocatalysts for dye degradation and esterification reactions.
Recent developments in self-resistance gene directed natural product discovery
Authors: Yan Yan , Liu Nicholas , Tang Yi
Published: January 2020

This review covers recent natural product research directed by self-resistance genes, which bridges the gap between activity-guided and genome-driven approaches.
Electronic and transport properties of zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons with nonmetallic atom terminations
Authors: Sun L. , Zhang Z. H. , Wang H. , Li M.
Published: January 2020

Using the first-principles method based on density-functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function, the electronic properties of zigzag ZPNRs terminated with NM atoms, as well as a pristine case, were studied systematically.
A study on the photocatalytic degradation performance of a [KNbO3]0.9-[BaNi0.5Nb0.5O3−δ]0.1 perovskite
Authors: Zhang Duoying , Lv Shan , Luo Zhi
Published: January 2020

In this study, [KNbO3]0.9-[BaNi0.5Nb0.5O3−δ]0.1 (KBNNO) perovskite powder was synthesized via a conventional solid-phase reaction method.
In vivo evaluation of the anti-obesity effects of combinations of Monascus pigment derivatives
Authors: Choe Deokyeong , Jung Hyun Ho , Kim Daehwan , Shin Chul Soo , Johnston Tony Vaughn , Ku Seockmo
Published: January 2020

The combination of threonine and tryptophan derivatives of Monascus pigment showed the high anti-obesity effect in mice.
A high-performance trace level acetone sensor using an indispensable V4C3Tx MXene
Authors: Zhao Wei-Na , Yun Na , Dai Zhen-Hua , Li Ye-Fei
Published: January 2020

A high-performance acetone sensor utilizing an emerging indispensable V4C3Tx MXene is described via combining experimental results with theoretical study.
Simple, fast and environmentally friendly method to determine ciprofloxacin in wastewater samples based on an impedimetric immunosensor
Authors: Lamarca Rafaela Silva , Faria Ricardo Adriano Dorledo de , Zanoni Maria Valnice Boldrin , Nalin Marcelo , Lima Gomes Paulo Clairmont Feitosa de , Messaddeq Younès
Published: January 2020

In this study an impedimetric immunosensor was developed in order to determine ciprofloxacin (CIP) in wastewater samples, an emergent contaminant widely found in wastewater samples.
Benzyl isothiocyanate fumigation inhibits growth, membrane integrity and mycotoxin production inAlternaria alternata
Authors: Wang Tiaolan , Li Yongcai , Bi Yang , Zhang Miao , Zhang Tingting , Zheng Xiaoyuan , Dong Yupeng , Huang Yi
Published: January 2020

The antifungal activity of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) against pear pathotype-Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of pear black spot, and its possible mechanisms were studied.
Cerium oxide nanoparticle functionalized lignin as a nano-biosorbent for efficient phosphate removal
Authors: Liu Xiaohuan , He Xia , Zhang Jiantao , Yang Jiayao , Xiang Xiaofei , Ma Zhongqing , Liu Lina , Zong Enmin
Published: January 2020

An inexpensive, high stability, and good reusability nano-biosorbent L-NH2@Ce for efficient phosphate removal was fabricated by a facile method.
Eupatilin alleviates airway remodeling via regulating phenotype plasticity of airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Li Yanqi , Ren Rong , Wang Lijun , Peng Kan
Published: January 2020

Childhood asthma is a common chronic airway disease, and its severe form remains a challenge. Eupatilin is a bioactive natural flavone that has been found to possess potential anti-asthma activity. However, the roles of eupatilin in asthma remain to be elucidated. In the present study, airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were applied for the in vitro investigation since their phenotype plasticity make great contribution to airway remodeling during asthma pathogenesis. Our results showed that eupatilin suppressed the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced proliferation and migration of ASMCs. Exposure of ASMCs to eupatilin increased the expressions of contractile markers smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) and myocardin, whereas expressions of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins type I collagen (Coll I) and fibronectin were reduced. Furthermore, eupatilin treatment reversed the activation of nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and AKT pathways caused by TGF-β1 in ASMCs. These findings suggested that eupatilin might attenuate airway remodeling via regulating phenotype plasticity of ASMCs.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: report of rare cases
Authors: Zhang Lei , Huang Xiaofeng , Zhou Ting , Cao Hongbao
Published: January 2020

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare, locally aggressive malignant neoplasm that derives from cutaneous eccrine/apocrine glands. MAC is classified as an eccrine/apocrine gland tumor and usually occurs in the skin. Here, we characterized and compared two cases of MAC. One is extremely rare in terms of its occurrence in the tongue. The other occurred in the lip, which is common. Histories of disease, diagnosis, and differentials were reviewed by the attending physicians. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) slides were evaluated by an experienced pathologist. Immunological markers for malignant eccrine/apocrine gland tumors were used to characterize the tumor’s nature. The examined markers included EMA, CK5/6, CK8/18, CK7, CK20, p63, S-100, Calponin, CD10, MYB, Bcl-2, Her-2, CD34, SMA, p53, CD43, CD117, and Ki-67. Both patients were males, presented with painless lumps in the lower lip and in the tongue, respectively. Both lumps were similar in terms of appearance, being whitish, and infiltrative with irregular borders. Both tumors also had similar histological features with nests of bland keratinocytes, cords, and ductal differentiation filled with Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive eosinophilic material. In both cases, circular or ovary tumor cells invaded into muscles and nerves. All tumor cells were CK5/6, CK8/18, EMA, and CK7 positive. Particularly, keratinocytes were p63 positive, and paraductal cells were p63, S-100, and SMA positive. Therefore, the rare case of MAC in the tongue appears to derive from the salivary gland.
Evidence-Based Practices and Outcomes for Children with Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Walker Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This forum provides an overview of current research and clinical practice for children with mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss. Historically, there has been ambiguity surrounding the need for intervention in this population. Our goal is to explore the literature on outcomes and treatment so that audiologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, physicians, and families can be confident in the clinical decision-making process when working with these children. To that end, topics include (a) progression of mild hearing loss in children; (b) the impact of mild or unilateral hearing loss on language, listening, and cognitive abilities; (c) research and reviews on intervention approaches; and (d) listening effort and fatigue in unilateral hearing loss.

Conclusion

Uncertainty about outcomes and treatment approaches for children with mild or unilateral hearing loss leads to inconsistent intervention and increased developmental risk. We hope that this forum will generate productive discussion among researchers and clinicians to ensure that all children with hearing loss reach their full potential.
Where Do We Go From Here? Some Messages to Take Forward Regarding Children With Mild Bilateral and Unilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Lewis Dawna E.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This epilogue discusses messages that we can take forward from the articles in the forum. A common theme throughout the forum is the ongoing need for research. The forum begins with evidence of potential progressive hearing loss in infants with mild bilateral hearing loss, who may be missed by current newborn hearing screening protocols, and supports the need for consensus regarding early identification in this population. Consensus regarding management similarly is a continuing need. Three studies add to the growing body of evidence that children with mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss are at risk for difficulties in speech understanding in adverse environments, as well as delays in language and cognition, and that difficulties may persist beyond early childhood. Ambivalence regarding if and when children with mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss should be fitted with personal amplification also impacts management decisions. Two articles address current evidence and support the need for further research into factors influencing decisions regarding amplification in these populations. A third article examines new criteria to determine hearing aid candidacy in children with mild hearing loss. The final contribution in this forum discusses listening-related fatigue in children with unilateral hearing loss. The absence of research specific to this population is evidence for the need for further investigation. Ongoing research that addresses difficulties experienced by children with mild bilateral and unilateral hearing loss and potential management options can help guide us toward interventions that are specific for the needs of these children.
Progressive Hearing Loss in Children With Mild Bilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Fitzpatrick Elizabeth M. , Nassrallah Flora , Vos Bénédicte , Whittingham JoAnne , Fitzpatrick Jessica
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study investigated progressive hearing loss in a cohort of children who were identified with permanent mild bilateral hearing loss.

Method

This population-based study included 207 children with permanent mild bilateral hearing loss, diagnosed and followed from 2003 to 2016 in 1 region of Canada. Clinical characteristics and initial audiologic results were collected prospectively at diagnosis, and audiologic information was updated. Changes in hearing levels between the 1st and most recent assessment were analyzed to determine progressive hearing loss. Clinical characteristics were compared between children with progressive and stable hearing loss. The association between risk indicators and progressive hearing loss was explored through logistic regression.

Results

A total of 47.4% (94 of 207) had progressive hearing loss in at least 1 ear, and 50% (47 of 94) of those experienced more than 20-dB average drop in thresholds. For these 94 children, a total of 147 ears were affected, and 116 (78.9%) ears experienced sufficient change in thresholds to be coded as a worse category of hearing loss. In the subset of 85 children with more than 5 years of audiologic follow-up, 56.4% (53/85) showed a decrease in hearing. Of the total sample of 207 children, 137 (66.2%) continued to have mild hearing loss in the better ear. There was no association between the risk factors examined (family history of hearing loss, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, or presence of a syndrome) and progressive hearing loss.

Conclusion

This study found that almost half of children with mild bilateral hearing loss showed a decrease in hearing in at least 1 ear. One third of the children first diagnosed with mild hearing loss in the better ear now have moderate or worse hearing loss in both ears. These findings point to the importance of careful long-term monitoring of children who present with mild hearing loss.
Performance of Children With Hearing Loss on an Audiovisual Version of a Nonword Repetition Task
Authors: Al-Salim Sarah , Moeller Mary Pat , McGregor Karla K.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The aims of this study were to (a) determine if a high-quality adaptation of an audiovisual nonword repetition task can be completed by children with wide-ranging hearing abilities and to (b) examine whether performance on that task is sensitive to child demographics, hearing status, language, working memory, and executive function abilities.

Method

An audiovisual version of a nonword repetition task was adapted and administered to 100 school-aged children grouped by hearing status: 35 with normal hearing, 22 with mild bilateral hearing loss, 17 with unilateral hearing loss, and 26 cochlear implant users. Participants also completed measures of vocabulary, working memory, and executive function. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze performance on the nonword repetition task.

Results

All children were able to complete the nonword repetition task. Children with unilateral hearing loss and children with cochlear implants repeated nonwords with less accuracy than normal-hearing peers. After adjusting for the influence of vocabulary and working memory, main effects were found for syllable length and hearing status, but no interaction effect was observed.

Conclusions

The audiovisual nonword repetition task captured individual differences in the performance of children with wide-ranging hearing abilities. The task could act as a useful tool to aid in identifying children with unilateral or mild bilateral hearing loss who have language impairments beyond those imposed by the hearing loss.
Auditory Comprehension in School-Aged Children With Normal Hearing and With Unilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Griffin Amanda M. , Poissant Sarah F. , Freyman Richard L.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to measure auditory comprehension performance in school-aged children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) and with normal hearing (NH) in quiet and in the presence of child-produced two-talker babble (TTB).

Method

Listeners were school-aged children (7–12 years) with permanent UHL (n= 25) or NH (n= 14). Comprehension of three short stories taken from the Test of Narrative Language (Gillam & Pearson, 2004) was measured in quiet and in the presence of TTB at two signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs): (a) +6 dB and (b) the individualized SNR required to achieve 50% sentence understanding in the presence of the same TTB masker in a prior study (Griffin, Poissant, & Freyman, 2019). Target/masker spatial configuration was 0°/±60° azimuth.

Results

As a group, subjects with UHL demonstrated auditory comprehension abilities in favorable listening environments (i.e., quiet, +6 dB SNR) that were statistically equivalent to the NH group. However, in the most challenging listening condition (individualized SNR), many subjects with UHL demonstrated poorer comprehension performance than their age-matched peers with NH. Comprehension abilities were not associated with degree of UHL, unaided speech intelligibility index at 65 dB SPL in the impaired ear, side of UHL, or sex.

Conclusions

As a group, children with UHL demonstrated deficits in auditory comprehension compared to age-matched peers with NH in challenging listening environments. Findings highlight the importance of ensuring good SNRs for children with UHL.
Double Hamming distance‐based 2D reordering method for scan‐in power reduction and test pattern compression
Authors: Zhang Minghe , Kuang Jishun , Huang Jing
Published: January 2020

A double Hamming distance‐based 2D reordering method is proposed for a test set with don't care bits (Xs) to reduce scan‐in power and compress test patterns. In this method, the rows and columns in the test set are reordered sequentially so that similar rows or columns are aggregated together. Being different from other reordering‐based methods, the authors' method reorders every two rows or columns with more identical bits closer in the whole reordering process, where more Xs are clustered. Each X is then replaced with 0 or 1 using minimum transition filling scheme to minimise '1‐0' and '0‐1' logical state transitions. A small number of the logic state transitions cause low switching activity, which not only reduces scan‐in power consumption but also facilitates code‐based test pattern compression. Experimental results show that their proposed method achieves peak and average power reductions of 18.01 and 12.97% compared to the state‐of‐the‐art method, respectively. Furthermore, the compression ratio of alternating shifted frequency directed run‐length coding is improved to 73.76% in average utilising their proposed method.
Vibration control for a flexible single‐link manipulator and its application
Authors: He Xiuyu , Zhang Shuang , Ouyang Yuncheng , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2020

This study focuses on vibration control design of a flexible single‐link manipulator (FSLM) system and discusses its application on an experimental platform. A spatiotemporal mathematic model is presented to formulate dynamical behaviour of the FSLM system, and only a boundary controller mounted on the hub is designed to drive the link for tracking a given angular position and to reduce elastic deflection simultaneously. Under the boundary vibration control scheme, states of the system are ensured to converge exponentially to the equilibrium position. Moreover, numerical simulations demonstrate the correctness of theoretical proof for the stability analysis and the reasonability of boundary control design. Experiment validation implemented on the Quanser laboratory platform illustrates the same conclusion as well.
Boundary dynamic feedback control for a class of semi‐linear distributed parameter systems
Authors: Zhou Yanjiu , Cui Baotong
Published: January 2020

The dynamic output feedback control for a class of semi‐linear distributed parameter systems with a non‐constant (spatially‐varying) diffusion rate described by partial differential equations is studied. The considered system is endowed with boundary actuation available and boundary feedback controllers are designed. Meanwhile, both domain‐averaged and boundary‐valued measurements, two different ways of output measurements, are taken into account. Based on these two different methods of measurements, the corresponding boundary feedback control laws are designed, respectively. Using Wirtinger's inequality, the resulting closed‐loop systems depending on observers and controllers are obtained in terms of the Lyapunov method. With the sufficient conditions of the linear matrix inequality, the stability of the system is subsequently obtained by the designed observer and controller. The final numerical simulations are given to illustrate the validity of the results graphically.
Magnetic hyperthermia behaviour of Co and reduced GO nanocomposites
Authors: Kakavand Anahita , Sadrnezhaad Sayed Khatiboleslam
Published: January 2020

Co‐precipitation of CoCl2. 6H2 O with graphene oxide (GO) and heating at 400°C for 4 h under hydrogen resulted in the construction of cobalt/reduced GO (Co/rGO) nanocomposite utilisable in magnetic thermal therapy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry, and X‐ray diffraction methods characterised the samples. Time–temperature curves of the samples containing 30, 50, 70, and 100 µg ml−1 Co/rGO nanoparticles (NPs) suspended in phosphate‐buffered saline were determined at different specific heating rates. Magnetic‐field response of Co/rGO nanocomposites was better than CoNPs and GO. The biological behaviour of the powders was investigated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Co/rGO nanocomposites showed an acceptable biocompatibility behaviour, whereas the CoNPs demonstrated toxic conduct.
Research on the typical microstructures and contact angles of hydrophobic plant leaves
Authors: Yi Meirong , Wu Liting , Liu Luqi , Zhang Pengxiang , Li Xiaobing
Published: January 2020

As well known, plant leaves exhibit a striking diversity of surface structures through billions of years of evolution. However, there are many issues remain unknown in the surface wettability of plant leaves. In this work, four kinds of typical plant leaves found in Nanchang University were introduced, by means of wettability and surface micromorphology with the aid of contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy. The surface structural models of these leaves with respect to their surface morphologies were established in terms of bionics. Meanwhile, the apparent contact angles on given surfaces were calculated using the Cassie–Baxter model. In addition, the effects of geometrical parameters of leaf surfaces on the contact angle were investigated using the Matlab software.
Effects of crystal orientation and temperature on the deformation mechanism and mechanical property of Cu nanowire
Authors: Pang Weiwei , Yu Siyuan , Lin Zhijie , Zhao Yizhe , Yin Fuxing
Published: January 2020

The effects of crystallographic direction and temperature on the deformation mechanism and properties of Cu nanowire (NW) are studied via systematic simulations and theoretical analysis. It is found that the elastic module, yield stress and yield strain are quite different for five oriented NWs. As the crystallographic orientation of NW varies, both the yield stress and the yield strain firstly reduce to the minimum value, then gradually increase. Furthermore, the evolutions of flow stress after yield point are also obviously different for five oriented NWs, which are associated with the plastic deformation mechanisms. With the crystallographic orientation of NW varying, the simulated atomic snapshots show that the dominant deformation mechanism transforms from the shuffling‐assisted single dislocation‐nucleation to the collective dislocation‐nucleation, then to the twinning migration, and finally to the combination of dislocation glide and micro‐twinning. According to the normal stress perpendicular to the slip plane and shear stress on the slip plane, the authors theoretically predict the deformation mechanisms for different oriented NWs, which turn to be in good consistent with the authors’ observed deformation mechanisms. Besides, they also propose that the temperature effects are different for different oriented NWs.
Controlled synthesis of monodisperse core–shell γ‐Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles with well‐dispersed γ‐Fe2O3 seeds
Authors: Li Keran , Yan Jiahe , Luo Lang , He Zhiheng , Zhou Lingling , Gao Feng
Published: January 2020

Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles with well‐dispersed γ‐Fe2O3 seeds were prepared in aqueous solution using a simple one‐step method. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and Raman spectrum were used to characterise the morphology and structure of γ‐Fe2O3 and γ‐Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles. The concentration of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) was found to be very influential in the control of the morphology of γ‐Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles. Water‐soluble monodisperse γ‐Fe2O3@SiO2 nanoparticles with well‐dispersed γ‐Fe2O3 seeds were successfully synthesised when the concentration of TMAOH is 0.015 M.
Preparation of titanium carbide nanosheet and tribological properties of copper matrix composites
Authors: Xue Maoquan
Published: January 2020

TiC nanosheets with a thickness of about 50 nm were successfully prepared via solvent thermal etching Ti3AlC2 in hydrofluoric acid solution at 120°C. TiC reinforced copper‐matrix composites with a content of 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12 wt% were prepared by powder metallurgy with copper powder and TiC nanosheet as raw materials. The friction and wear behaviours of copper matrix composites were tested on a ball on disc under dry sliding conditions. The results showed that TiC particles were evenly distributed on the substrate and had a good combination with the substrate. The friction coefficient and wear scar widths of the composites gradually decreased with the increase of TiC nanosheet content, the maximum reduction of friction and wear was achieved under the content of 7 wt% for the TiC nanosheets. The increase in load causes the increase of friction coefficient and wear scar widths. The wear of pure copper is mainly adhesive wear and peel wear. The addition of TiC nanosheets improves the bearing capacity of copper matrix composites, and the wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear.
Salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for incompletely resected esophageal or gastric neoplasms (case series)
Authors: Kinoshita Satoshi , Nishizawa Toshihiro , Ochiai Yasutoshi , Fujimoto Ai , Takabayashi Kaoru , Kato Motohiko , Goto Osamu , Maehata Tadateru , Yahagi Naohisa , Uraoka Toshio
Published: January 2020

Background and study aims Given that positive lateral margins indicate possible residual carcinoma, salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) should be considered for curative therapy. Presence of submucosal fibrosis, however, makes the procedure difficult to perform. We present our case series to discuss the feasibility of salvage ESD and the timing of the procedure.
Over-the-scope clip vs epinephrine with clip for first-line hemostasis in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a propensity score match analysis
Authors: Mangiafico Santi , Pigò Flavia , Bertani Helga , Caruso Angelo , Grande Giuseppe , Sgamato Costantino , Manta Raffaele , Conigliaro Rita
Published: January 2020

Background and study aims The over-the-scope clip (OTSC) is a novel tool used to improve the maintenance of hemostasis for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB); however, studies on the comparison with “conventional” techniques are lacking. In this study, we aimed to compare first-line endoscopic hemostasis achieved using conventional techniques with that achieved using OTSC placement for NVUGIB.

Patients and methods From January 2007 to March 2018, 793 consecutive patients underwent upper endoscopy with the hemostasis procedure. Among them, 327 patients were eligible for inclusion (112 patients had OTSC placement and 215 underwent conventional hemostasis). After propensity score matching and adjustment for confounding factors, 84 patients were stratified into the “conventional” group and 84 into the OTSC group. Patient characteristics and outcomes (rebleeding rate, mortality rate within 30 days, and adverse events) were compared between the two groups.

Results In the unmatched cohort, hemostasis with OTSC was more frequent in cases of duodenal ulcers with Forrest Ia to IIa and in patients with a higher Rockall score compared with the “conventional group”. In the matched cohort, 93 % of the patients in the “conventional group” underwent hemostasis with epinephrine + through-the-scope clip. Rebleeding events were significantly less frequent in the OTSC group (8 % vs 20 %, 95 %CI 3 – 16 vs 12 – 30; P = 0.02); however, the mortality rate in the two groups was not significantly different (6 % vs 2 %, 95 %CI 1 – 8 vs 2 – 13; P = 0.4).

Conclusions OTSC is a safe and effective tool for achieving hemostasis, and we recommend its use as the first-line therapy for lesions with a high risk of rebleeding and in patients with a high risk Rockall score.
The ‘step-clipping’ method: a guide for identifying a previously bleeding colonic diverticulum
Authors: Tamari Hirosato , Aoyama Taiki , Shigita Kenjiro , Asayama Naoki , Fukumoto Akira , Mukai Shinichi , Nagata Shinji
Published: January 2020

Background and study aims Unsatisfactory detectability of a previously bleeding diverticulum by colonoscopy results from difficulty in precisely locating the target lesion, even with presence of an extravasation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the step-clipping method to overcome this limitation.

Patients and methods Step-clipping was indicated for patients with colonic diverticular bleeding and presence of extravasation on CECT, but with absence of active bleeding on subsequent colonoscopy. The target diverticulum was identified by comparing computed tomography images before and after step clipping, which provided a positional relationship between each clip and the target lesion.

Results Based on data from 21 consecutive cases meeting our inclusion criteria (14 men and 7 women; mean age, 73.2 years), the target diverticulum was endoscopically identified in 20 cases (95 %), in a median time of 5 minutes, and successfully treated. No adverse events were observed with the step-clipping method.

Conclusion Step-clipping provided easy guidance to the target site for treatment in a short time, despite spontaneous cessation of bleeding at the diverticulum.
Endoscopic radial incision and cutting for Crohn’s Disease-associated intestinal stricture: a pilot study
Authors: Moroi Rintaro , Shiga Hisashi , Kuroha Masatake , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Nochioka Kotaro , Kakuta Yoichi , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: January 2020

Background and study aims Intestinal stricture associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) is usually treated by endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) or stricture plasty. Although EBD is effective and safe for such strictures, refractory stricture after EBD poses a problem. Hence, other novel approaches for these refractory strictures are required. On the other hand, the efficacy of radial incision and cutting (RIC) method for esophageal stricture after esophagogastric surgery is reported. In this pilot study, we adopted the RIC technique for five CD patients with refractory intestinal stricture to dilate their strictures. We conducted the RIC procedure using an electric needle knife with a ceramic tip on the top of the needle. Four cases were of anastomotic stricture after ileocecal resection and the remaining one case was of stricture due to mucosal healing. The RIC procedure was successful for all five patients. Average procedure time was 18.6 minutes. One patient developed delayed bleeding after RIC. There were no cases of perforation. RIC could be an alternative therapy for intestinal stricture associated with CD. Further studies should be conducted to clarify its efficacy and safety.
Large-scale excited-state calculation using dynamical polarizability evaluated by divide-and-conquer based coupled cluster linear response method
Authors: Yoshikawa Takeshi , Yoshihara Jyunya , Nakai Hiromi
Published: January 2020

This study attempted to propose an efficient scheme at the coupled cluster linear response (CCLR) level to perform large-scale excited-state calculations of not only local excitations but also nonlocal ones such as charge transfers and transitions between delocalized orbitals. Although standard applications of fragmentation techniques to the excited-state calculations brought about the limitations that could only deal with local excitations, this study solved the problem by evaluating the excited states as the poles of dynamical polarizability. Because such an approach previously succeeded at the time-dependent density functional theory level [H. Nakai and T. Yoshikawa, J. Chem. Phys. 146, 124123 (2017)], this study was considered as an extension to the CCLR level. To evaluate the dynamical polarizability at the CCLR level, we revisited three equivalent formulas, namely, coupled-perturbed self-consistent field (CPSCF), random phase approximation (RPA), and Green’s function (GF). We further extended these formulas to the linear-scaling methods based on the divide-and-conquer (DC) technique. We implemented the CCLR with singles and doubles (CCSDLR) program for the six schemes, i.e., the standard and DC-type CPSCF, RPA, and GF. Illustrative applications of the present methods demonstrated the accuracy and efficiency. Although the standard three treatments could exactly reproduced the conventional frequency-domain CCSDLR results, their computational costs were commonly higher than that of the conventional ones due to large amount of computations for individual frequencies of the external electric field. The DC-type treatments, which approximately reproduced the conventional results, could achieve quasilinear scaling computational costs. Among them, DC-GF was found to exhibit the best performance.
Size- and position-dependent bifurcations of chemical microoscillators in confined geometries
Authors: Vanag Vladimir K.
Published: January 2020

The present theoretical study deals with microparticles (beads) that contain an immobilized Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction catalyst. In the theoretical experiment, a BZ bead is immersed in a small water droplet that contains all of the BZ reaction reagents but no catalyst. Such heterogeneous reaction-diffusion BZ systems with the same BZ reactant concentrations demonstrate various dynamic modes, including steady state and low-amplitude, high-amplitude, and mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs). The emergence of such dynamics depends on the sizes of the bead and water droplet, as well as on the location of the bead inside the droplet. MMO emergence is explained by time-delayed positive feedback in combination with a canard phenomenon. If two identical BZ beads are immersed in the same droplet, many different dynamic modes including chaos are observed.
Stellar rotation effects on the stellar winds
Authors: Shivamoggi B. K.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this paper is to give detailed systematic considerations to clarify and provide insights and a qualitative guide into the role of the azimuthal wind flow in the stellar-rotation braking mechanism. For this purpose, we make use of the Weber-Davis [Astrophys. J. 148, 217 (1967)] magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) version of Parker's [Astrophys. J. 128, 664 (1958)] stellar wind model. For the case when the magnetic field is primarily radial (as that near the surface of a star), the Weber-Davis [Astrophys. J. 148, 217 (1967)] “slow” magnetosonic critical point becomes Parker's [Astrophys. J. 128, 664 (1958)] sonic critical point, and the azimuthal wind flow can be approximated by corotation. Stellar rotation is shown to cause the sonic critical point to occur lower in the corona, and so the stellar wind experiences a stronger “afterburner” (as in an aircraft jet engine) action in the corona. Our results show that stellar rotation leads to considerably enhanced stellar wind acceleration even for moderate rotators like the sun. On the other hand, the stellar wind is shown to experience an immensely enhanced acceleration in a narrow shell near the star for strong rotators. This is underscored by the sonic critical point occurring considerably lower in the corona for strong rotators, hence supporting a huge afterburner action in the corona for such stars. For strong rotators, this sonic critical point is shown to be determined only by the basic stellar parameters such as mass M and angular velocity Ω∗, which signify the dominance of centrifugal and magnetic drivings in accelerating the stellar wind for such stars. Stellar rotation causes the physical throat section of the effective “de Laval” nozzle associated with the stellar wind flow to become narrower and the nozzle to also have a larger flare, indicative of an enhanced flow acceleration. The de Laval nozzle analogy does not, however, comply with the density drop in the stellar wind correctly. Thus, stellar rotation leads to tenuous and faster stellar wind flows without changes in the mass flux and hence enables protostars and strong rotators to lose their angular momentum quickly.
Non-Archimedean Coulomb gases
Authors: Zúñiga-Galindo W. A. , Torba Sergii M.
Published: January 2020

This article aims to study the Coulomb gas model over the d-dimensional p-adic space. We establish the existence of equilibrium measures and the Γ-limit for the Coulomb energy functional when the number of configurations tends to infinity. For a cloud of charged particles confined into the unit ball, we compute the equilibrium measure and the minimum of its Coulomb energy functional. The p-adic Coulomb energy is the continuum limit of the minus a hierarchical Hamiltonian attached to a spin glass model with a p-adic coupling.
Intense carbon beams production with an all permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance ion source for heavy ion medical machine
Authors: Li J. Q. , Cao Y. , Sun L. T. , Zhang X. Z. , Guo J. W. , Fang X. , Wang H. , Zhao H. W.
Published: January 2020

LAPECR3 (Lanzhou All Permanent magnet Electron cyclotron Resonance ion source No. 3) had been developed as an ion injector of Heavy Ion Medical Machine (HIMM) accelerator facility since 2009. The first HIMM accelerator facility was built in Wuwei city in 2015, and the LAPCER3 ion source has delivered C5+ ion beam to HIMM for more than 1000 days in the past four years. In order to improve the performance of the LAPECR3 ion source for intense carbon beams production, continuous research and development work has been made. The recently developed LAPECR3 ion source together with the new low-energy beam transportation can provide better performance in terms of both beam intensity and quality. This paper will generally review the LAPECR3 ion source operation status for HIMM, and the recent improvement will be presented, especially the stable beams production of C4+ and C5+.
Synthesis of SmFe5 intermetallic compound
Authors: Saito Tetsuji , Nishio-Hamane Daisuke
Published: January 2020

The SmFe5 intermetallic compound was synthesized using the melt-spinning technique. A TEM study revealed that the as-rapidly quenched SmFe5 melt-spun ribbon consisted of fine SmFe5 grains. Subsequent annealing at various temperatures resulted in crystal growth of the SmFe5 grains. The SmFe5 melt-spun ribbon annealed at 1073 K still consisted of SmFe5 grains together with a small amount of SmFe3 grains. The specimen annealed at 1073 K exhibited a coercivity of 1.2 kOe.
Elastomer based force sensor fabricated by 3D additive manufacturing
Authors: Kisic Milica , Blaz Nelu , Zivanov Ljiljana , Damnjanovic Mirjana
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper is an investigation of the additive manufacturing for the realization of a low-cost sensor and its application for force measurements. The proposed sensor consists of an inductor, an elastic spacer and a smooth ferrite plate. The inductor is fabricated by 3D printing technology. The spacer is realized in the form of an elastic mesh which was realized by employing 3D printing technology for mold fabrication in which is poured liquid silicone elastomer Ecoflex. The commercially available ferrite material is used as a magnetic part of the sensor. The dimensions of the developed sensor with casing are 25.2 x 29.3 x 7.7 mm3. The working principle of the sensor bases on the changes of inductance, when the distance between the inductor and the ferrite decreases due to the compression of the spacer with applied force. The proposed sensor is designed, fabricated and finally characterized within the force range from 0 to 2 N.
Dynamic broadening alters triplet extinction coefficients in fluorene oligomers and polymers
Authors: Cook Andrew R. , Girimonti Anthony , Sreearunothai Paiboon , Asaoka Sadayuki , Miller John R.
Published: January 2020

We report Tn ← T1 spectra and extinction coefficients, ε, and other properties as functions of chain length for a series of fluorene oligomers, oFn, and polymers, pFn, with n = 2–84 repeat units. We find that ε increases with length, peaking at 159 400 M−1 cm−1 for oF3 and then decreases for longer chains. ε does not scale with 1/n or e−n to reach a constant value at long length, as predicted by the commonly applied oligomer extrapolation approximation, although spectral shifts, oscillator strengths, and transition dipole moments do reach limiting values for chains near 10 units long. While computations describe the triplet in oF2 and oF3 as having similar geometries with a single flattened dihedral angle between units, computations and simulations suggest that in longer oligomers motion along the chains of the short 2–3 unit, the long T1 state is probably the source of the unusual changes in ε. These occur because hopping along the chain is sufficiently fast that the dihedrals between fluorene units cannot fully relax. At a length near 10 units, hopping and dihedral angle changes produce a steady state distribution of geometries with only small changes from the ground state, which persist for longer chains. Additional decreases in ε from pF28 to pF84 are plausibly due to a small number of chain defects which result in loss of triplets.
Spin-split valence bands of the ferromagnetic insulator Cr2Ge2Te6 studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Jiang Wenxiang , Yang Zhongqiang , Li Yunlong , Wang Guohua , Jing Qiang , Guan Dandan , Ma Jie , Zhang Wentao , Qian Dong
Published: January 2020

The low-energy electronic structure of a ferromagnetic insulator Cr2Ge2Te6 was studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). A broadening of the ARPES spectra, which we ascribe to a splitting of the valence band, has been observed at low temperature. Through temperature dependent measurements, we found that the band splitting presented a transition at ∼60–70 K, which is consistent with the ferromagnetic transition temperature of Cr2Ge2Te6. Therefore, we suggested that the splitting of the valence band is due to the spin polarization effect of Te 5p states by Cr 3d states, which is compatible with the superexchange coupling through Cr-Te-Cr to form long-range ferromagnetic order in Cr2Ge2Te6.
Adaptive Markov state model estimation using short reseeding trajectories
Authors: Wan Hongbin , Voelz Vincent A.
Published: January 2020

In the last decade, advances in molecular dynamics (MD) and Markov State Model (MSM) methodologies have made possible accurate and efficient estimation of kinetic rates and reactive pathways for complex biomolecular dynamics occurring on slow time scales. A promising approach to enhanced sampling of MSMs is to use “adaptive” methods, in which new MD trajectories are “seeded” preferentially from previously identified states. Here, we investigate the performance of various MSM estimators applied to reseeding trajectory data, for both a simple 1D free energy landscape and mini-protein folding MSMs of WW domain and NTL9(1–39). Our results reveal the practical challenges of reseeding simulations and suggest a simple way to reweight seeding trajectory data to better estimate both thermodynamic and kinetic quantities.
Generation and evaluation of an ensemble of wildland fire simulations
Authors: Allaire Frédéric , Filippi Jean-Baptiste , Mallet Vivien
Published: January 2020

Numerical simulations of wildfire spread can provide support in deciding firefighting actions but their predictive performance is challenged by the uncertainty of model inputs stemming from weather forecasts, fuel parameterisation and other fire characteristics. In this study, we assign probability distributions to the inputs and propagate the uncertainty by running hundreds of Monte Carlo simulations. The ensemble of simulations is summarised via a burn probability map whose evaluation based on the corresponding observed burned surface is not obvious. We define several properties and introduce probabilistic scores that are common in meteorological applications. Based on these elements, we evaluate the predictive performance of our ensembles for seven fires that occurred in Corsica from mid-2017 to early 2018. We obtain fair performance in some of the cases but accuracy and reliability of the forecasts can be improved. The ensemble generation can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time and could be used in an operational context provided that sufficient computational resources are available. The proposed probabilistic scores are also appropriate in a calibration process to improve the ensembles.