bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Inhibits Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Migration Induced by Tissue Factor/Factor VIIa Complex
Authors: Sato Yuichiro , Asada Yujiro , Marutsuka Kousuke , Hatakeyama Kinta , Kamikubo Yuichi , Sumiyoshi Akinobu
Published: July 2018

Tissue factor (TF), a transmembrane glycoprotein, forms a high affinity complex with factor Vll/VIIa (FVIIa) and thereby initiates blood coagulation. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is an endogenous protease inhibitor of TF/FVIIa-initiated coagulation. We previously reported that TF was a strong chemotactic factor for cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In this study, we examined the contribution of FVIIa and the effect of TFPI to TF-induced cultured SMC migration. TF/FVIIa complex showed a strong migration ability, however, neither TF alone nor FVIIa induced SMC migration. TF/FVIIa treated by a serine protease inhibitor and the complex of TF and inactivated FVIIa (DEGR-FVIIa) did not stimulate SMC migration. Pretreatment with hirudin and the antibodies to a-thrombin and factor X had no effect on TF/FVIIa-induced SMC migration, although a-thrombin and factor Xa also induced SMC migration respectively. TFPI markedly inhibited TF/FVIIa-induced SMC migration in a concentration-dependent manner, but did not affect the SMC migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, basic fibro blast-growth factor (bFGF), or a-thrombin. These results indicate that the catalytic activity of TF/FVIIa complex is important on SMC migration, and TFPI can reduce SMC migration as well as thrombosis.
Co-inheritance of the 20210A Allele of the Prothrombin Gene Increases the Risk of Thrombosis in Subjects with Familial Thrombophilia
Authors: Makris M , Preston F E , Beauchamp N J , Cooper P C , Daly M E , Hampton K K , Bayliss P , Peake I R , Miller G J
Published: July 2018

The presence of the 20210A allele of the prothrombin (PT) gene has recently been shown to be a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. This is probably mediated through increased plasma prothrombin levels. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of the prothrombin 20210A allele in control subjects and in subjects with recognised thrombophilia and to establish whether the additional inheritance of the PT 20210A allele is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. 101 subjects with a history of venous thromboembolism and diagnosed as having either factor V Leiden (R506Q) or heritable deficiencies of protein C, protein S or antithrombin were studied. The prevalence of the PT 20210A allele in this group was compared with the results obtained for 150 control subjects. In addition, the relationships were examined between genetic status and the number of documented thromboembolic episodes, and between plasma prothrombin levels and possession of the PT 20210A allele. 8 (7.9%) of the 101 patients were also heterozygous for the PT 20210A allele. This compares with 0.7% in the control subjects (p = 0.005). After exclusion of patients on warfarin, the mean plasma prothrombin of 113 subjects without 20210A was 1.09 U/ml, as compared with 1.32 U/ml in 8 with the allele (p = 0.0002). Among the 101 patients with either factor V Leiden, protein S deficiency, protein C deficiency or antithrombin deficiency, the age adjusted mean (SD) number of venous thromboembolic episodes at diagnosis was 3.7 (1.5) in those with the PT 20210A allele, as compared with 1.9 (1.1) in those without (p = 0.0001). We have demonstrated that the prevalence of the PT 20210A allele is significantly greater in subjects with venous thrombosis and characterised heritable thrombophilia than in normal control subjects and that the additional inheritance of PT 20210A is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We have also confirmed that plasma prothrombin levels are significantly greater in subjects possessing the PT 20210A compared with those who do not.
The Treatment of Bleeding in Acquired Haemophilia with Recombinant Factor VIIa: A Multicentre Study
Authors: Hay C R M , Negrier C , Ludlam C A
Published: July 2018

Recombinant factor Vila was used to treat 38 patients with acquired haemophilia participating in the Novoseven compassionate-use program. 19 were male, median age 59, range 2-89 years. The median pre-treatment anti-human (H) and anti-porcine (P) inhibitor titre was H 43 BU/ml (range 1-4500) and P 4.5 BU/ml (range 0-1600). Recombinant factor VIIa was used as first-line therapy for 14 bleeding episodes and as salvage-therapy for 60 episodes which failed to respond to blood-product therapy given for a median of four days (range 1-21 days) prior to treatment with rVIIa. Pre-rVIIa treatment was not reported for four episodes. The indications for treatment were 7 haemarthroses, 40 muscle haematomas, 20 urinary or GI haemorrhages and 3 surgical interventions. The median starting dose of rVIIa was 90.4 ug/kg (range 45-181). A median of 28 doses (range 1-541) were given per episode, over a median 3.9 days (range 0-43).

Efficacy was assessed clinically 8 and 24 h after the start of rVIIa and at the end of treatment. A good response was obtained in all 14 bleeds for which rVIIa was used as first-line therapy. The response after 24 h of rVIIa salvage-therapy for 60 bleeds was good in 75%, partial in 17% and poor in 8%. Efficacy was unreported in 4 cases. The median prothrombin time (PTT) shortened from 12 s (range 9.3-20) pre-treatment to 8.8 s (range 6-14) during treatment. The clinical response did not correlate with the dose of rVIIa used, the type of bleed or the degree of shortening of the PTT following rVIIa infusion.

Three patients died from haemorrhagic complications of acquired haemophilia. This mortality of 7.9% is lower than previously reported for this condition. Although one patient developed DIC during treatment with rVIIa, this was probably attributable to hypovolaemic shock, massive transfusion and the use of PCCs. This study demonstrates that rVIIa is a safe, useful and effective treatment for bleeding in patients with acquired haemophilia.
Electronic Health Record Interactions through Voice: A Review
Authors: Kumah-Crystal Yaa , Pirtle Claude , Whyte Harrison , Goode Edward , Anders Shilo , Lehmann Christoph
Published: July 2018

Background Usability problems in the electronic health record (EHR) lead to workflow inefficiencies when navigating charts and entering or retrieving data using standard keyboard and mouse interfaces. Voice input technology has been used to overcome some of the challenges associated with conventional interfaces and continues to evolve as a promising way to interact with the EHR.

Objective This article reviews the literature and evidence on voice input technology used to facilitate work in the EHR. It also reviews the benefits and challenges of implementation and use of voice technologies, and discusses emerging opportunities with voice assistant technology.

Methods We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify articles that discuss the use of voice technology to facilitate health care work. We searched MEDLINE and the Google search engine to identify relevant articles. We evaluated articles that discussed the strengths and limitations of voice technology to facilitate health care work. Consumer articles from leading technology publications addressing emerging use of voice assistants were reviewed to ascertain functionalities in existing consumer applications.

Results Using a MEDLINE search, we identified 683 articles that were reviewed for inclusion eligibility. The references of included articles were also reviewed. Sixty-one papers that discussed the use of voice tools in health care were included, of which 32 detailed the use of voice technologies in production environments. Articles were organized into three domains: Voice for (1) documentation, (2) commands, and (3) interactive response and navigation for patients. Of 31 articles that discussed usability attributes of consumer voice assistant technology, 12 were included in the review.

Conclusion We highlight the successes and challenges of voice input technologies in health care and discuss opportunities to incorporate emerging voice assistant technologies used in the consumer domain.
Spinopelvic Sagittal Alignment after Microendoscopic Laminotomy in Patients with Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Dohzono Sho , Hori Yusuke , Takahashi Shinji , Suzuki Akinobu , Terai Hidetomi , Nakamura Hiroaki , Toyoda Hiromitsu
Published: July 2018

Background and Study Aims Spinopelvic sagittal balance is important in managing lumbar diseases. We evaluated the change in spinal sagittal alignment after microendoscopic laminotomy in patients with low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS).

Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 87 patients who underwent microendoscopic laminotomy. We enrolled 35 patients with DS and 52 patients without DS. Spinopelvic parameters were evaluated, including the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence (PI). Primary outcome was a change in spinopelvic alignment between the baseline and latest follow-up values (DS group versus non-DS group). Secondary outcomes were the relationships between improved global sagittal alignment and preoperative spinopelvic parameters.

Results Both groups showed significantly alleviated low back pain (LBP), leg pain, and leg numbness. Preoperative SVA and PI were significantly higher in the DS group than in the non-DS group (p < 0.05). SVA significantly decreased and LL significantly increased in the DS group (p < 0.05), whereas those parameters did not differ significantly from before versus after surgery in the non-DS group. In both groups, SVA improvement correlated significantly with preoperative SVA (DS: r = 0.702; non-DS: r = 0.397). There was also a significant intergroup difference in the correlation coefficient (z = 1.98; r = 0.048).

Conclusions SVA and LL significantly improved after microscopic laminotomy in patients with low-grade DS and neurologic symptoms. SVA improvement in the DS group was correlated with preoperative spinopelvic sagittal imbalance. The strength of those correlations was greater in the DS group than in the non-DS group.
Durability of the Mitroflow Pericardial Prosthesis: Influence of Patient–Prosthesis Mismatch and New Anticalcification Treatment
Authors: Blasi Stefania , Ravenni Giacomo , Celiento Michele , De Martino Andrea , Milano Aldo D. , Bortolotti Uberto
Published: July 2018

Background The Mitroflow pericardial bioprosthesis (MPB) has been recently associated with a high incidence of early structural failures, questioning its validity as cardiac valve substitute. We have therefore reviewed our experience with this device.

Materials and Methods A total of 398 patients with a mean age of 75 ± 7 years (58% above the age of 75 years) had aortic valve replacement with a Mitroflow prosthesis (2005–2015). Most patients had calcific aortic stenosis (86%) and were in sinus rhythm (89%). Mean EuroSCORE II was 5.5 ± 6.2. Mean follow-up was 4 ± 2 years (range: 4 months to 10 years), which was 100% complete.

Results Hospital mortality was 6.5%; at discharge, 25% of patients had a moderate patient–prosthesis mismatch and none had a severe mismatch. Cumulative incidence of structural valve deterioration in the entire series was 2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1–4) at 5 years and 7% (95% CI: 4–14) at 8 years. Significant factors influencing MPB durability were age ≤ 65 years (p < 0.001) and the presence of patient–prosthesis mismatch (p = 0.01). No cases of structural valve deterioration were observed in patients with the new prosthetic model incorporating an anticalcification treatment the first 4 years of follow-up.

Conclusions The Mitroflow prosthesis has shown satisfactory results in the first decade of use. Durability appears adversely influenced by patient age and patient–prosthesis mismatch. Thus, a careful valve size selection and implantation in patients >65 years of age appears to be associated with excellent valve durability in the aortic position. Whether the new anticalcification treatment will provide a more durable prosthesis must be verified at a longer follow-up.
Normal Point of Care Glucose Values after Birth in the Well-Baby Nursery
Authors: Levy-Khademi Floris , Perry Assaf , Klinger Gil , Herscovici Tina , Kasirer Yair , Bromiker Ruben
Published: July 2018

Objective Normal initial blood glucose values in healthy newborns are not well defined and are subject to controversy. Despite substantive research, there is no single initial value of glucose that can be used with certainty of safety in newborns, and thus various protocols and cutoffs have been proposed.

Study Design We sought to characterize the normal values of blood glucose levels in a large cohort of neonates admitted to the well-baby nursery in Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The blood glucose levels were measured with a point of care (POC) glucometer (Accu-Chek Performa) within 180 minutes after birth.

Results The study population included 3,912 newborns with a mean birth weight of 3,322 ± 439 g and a mean gestational age of 39.4 ± 1.3 weeks. Sampling was performed at a median age of 73 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 55–92 minutes). Median glucose concentration was 58 (IQR, 51–67) mg/dL, and first, third, and fifth percentiles were 34, 39, and 41 mg/dL, respectively.

Conclusion Our data describe the normal range of POC blood glucose levels in healthy neonates on admission to the nursery. Extreme low levels were rare.
The pressure tensor across a liquid-vapour interface
Authors: Braga Carlos , Smith Edward R. , Nold Andreas , Sibley David N. , Kalliadasis Serafim
Published: July 2018

Inhomogeneous fluids exhibit physical properties that are neither uniform nor isotropic. The pressure tensor is a case in point, key to the mechanical description of the interfacial region. Kirkwood and Buff and, later, Irving and Kirkwood, obtained a formal treatment based on the analysis of the pressure across a planar surface [J. G. Kirkwood and F. P. Buff, J. Chem. Phys. 17(3), 338 (1949); J. H. Irving and J. G. Kirkwood, J. Chem. Phys. 18, 817 (1950)]. We propose a generalisation of Irving and Kirkwood’s argument to fluctuating, non-planar surfaces and obtain an expression for the pressure tensor that is not smeared by thermal fluctuations at the molecular scale and corresponding capillary waves [F. P. Buff et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 15, 621–623 (1965)]. We observe the emergence of surface tension, defined as an excess tangential stress, acting exactly across the dividing surface at the sharpest molecular resolution. The new statistical mechanical expressions extend current treatments to fluctuating inhomogeneous systems far from equilibrium.
Enhanced electrical behavior from the galvanic effect in Ag-Cu alloy electrode conductive bridging resistive switching memory
Authors: Tseng Yi-Ting , Chen I-Chieh , Chang Ting-Chang , Huang J. C. , Shih Chih-Cheng , Zheng Hao-Xuan , Chen Wen-Chung , Wang Ming-Hui , Huang Wei-Chen , Chen Min-Chen , Ma Xiao-Hua , Hao Yue , Sze Simon M.
Published: July 2018

In this study, an Ag-Cu alloy was chosen as the electrode in conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM), with results indicating a significant decrease in forming voltage. In addition, resistive switching characteristics as well as a retention test indicated better stability and a resistive switching window of at least an order. The switching time of the Ag-Cu alloy CBRAM is shorter than that of both Ag and Cu electrode CBRAMs under fast current-voltage (fast I-V). The experimental result indicated that the mechanism was dominated by the galvanic effect. Active atoms (Ag) captured electrons of inactive atoms (Cu) and generated metallic ions (Cu ions) in the alloy electrode. Cu ions drifted into the insulator and generated a conductive path when applying voltage bias. The use of this alloy as an electrode in CBRAM can significantly decrease forming voltage and enhance CBRAM characteristics.
On availability of the optimal regimes in a Knudsen Cs-Ba thermionic converter at high emitter temperatures
Authors: Kuznetsov V. I. , Ender A. Ya. , Babanin V. I.
Published: July 2018

A thermionic energy converter (TIC) functioning in collisionless regime at high emitter temperatures demonstrates very high output performance. In practice, such a regime has been realized at moderate temperatures (up to 2300 K) when its inter-electrode gap is filled with Cs and Ba vapors. Changing the Ba vapor pressure, one can vary the emitter work function and obtain optimum output performances, moreover maximum output power being available with any emitter material. The higher the emitter temperature, the more pronounced a shift of this maximum is toward higher Ba pressure, and at high temperature a TIC happens to be working in the collision regime before the maximum power point. We have analysed some experimental data in the literature when studying the emission parameters of refractory metals in the presence of the Ba vapor as well as in the Cs-Ba TIC experiments. Through our analysis, as well as results on the TIC optimization, the Ba optimum pressure is evaluated to obtain maximum power at the high emitter temperature for a set of refractory metals. We conclude that the maximum output performance of the Knudsen TIC with W and Re emitters can be reached up to the emitter temperature as high as 2600 K.
Probing the effect of solvation on photoexcited 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole via ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopic studies
Authors: Kayal Surajit , Roy Khokan , Lakshmanna Y. Adithya , Umapathy Siva
Published: July 2018

2-(2′-Hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) molecule is known to exhibit efficient excited state intramolecular proton transfer. As a consequence, it shows fluorescence with a large Stokes shift (∼10 000 cm−1) in non-polar solvents. However, fluorescence in polar solvents has a dual-band which corresponds to the emission from both the enol* and the keto* forms. Also, the excited state lifetime significantly varies with the solvent polarity. Recently, Mohammed et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 115, 7550 (2011)] have shown that the excited state of HBT in acetonitrile (ACN) relaxes back to its ground electronic state through two competitive decay pathways, i.e., intramolecular proton transfer and intramolecular twisting between hydroxyphenyl and benzothiazole units in contrast to its behavior when it is in tetrachloroethene, a non-polar solvent. Here, by following the time-evolution of vibrational features of excited state HBT in ACN through ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy, we demonstrate a direct evidence for the involvement of torsional motion leading to an ultrashort lifetime of HBT. The time evolution of the C7-N vibrational frequency exhibited a red-shift in its peak position, clearly indicating the evolution of the initially planar cis-keto* form to the more twisted keto* form. Density functional theory calculations also well corroborate the experimental findings. Furthermore, wavepacket analysis of this mode reveals a strong correlation with the torsional motion in ACN.
Half-cycle terahertz surface waves with MV/cm field strengths generated on metal wires
Authors: Teramoto Kensuke , Tokita Shigeki , Terao Tokinori , Inoue Shunsuke , Yasuhara Ryo , Nagashima Takeshi , Kojima Sadaoki , Kawanaka Junji , Mori Kazuaki , Hashida Masaki , Sakabe Shuji
Published: July 2018

Irradiating a metal wire with an intense femtosecond laser pulse induces a terahertz (THz) surface wave that travels along the wire. Here, the characteristics of the THz surface wave generated by the laser–wire interaction are investigated in detail by using an electro-optical method to determine the dependence of surface wave properties on laser energy and wire diameter. The surface wave is distributed by the Hankel function in the wire radial direction. On the wire surface, the electric field is estimated to be MV/cm. The peak electric field of the surface wave and the conversion efficiency from laser energy to surface wave energy are found to be proportional to the laser energy raised to the power of 0.67 and 0.3, respectively.
Pinch-off masses of very viscous fluids extruded from dies of arbitrary shape
Authors: Tronnolone Hayden , Stokes Yvonne M.
Published: July 2018

The extrusion of slender very viscous fluid cylinders from dies of arbitrary geometry is modeled to approximate the mass of the first drop to pinch off. The model neglects inertia, which, although important to the dynamics near pinch-off, does not have a significant impact on the drop mass. Extrudate swell is also assumed to be negligible. The model is able to compute the pinch-off mass for fluid cylinders with cross-sectional geometries of any connectivity. By way of illustration, pinch-off masses are computed for epicycloidal cross sections, two touching circular rods, and circular cylinders with a single circular hole placed both centrally and off-centre. It is shown that the drop mass may be controlled by altering either the extrusion conditions or the die geometry.
Surface acoustic waves in strain-engineered K0.7Na0.3NbO3 thin films
Authors: Liang Sijia , Dai Yang , von Helden L. , Schwarzkopf J. , Wördenweber R.
Published: July 2018

Epitaxial K0.7Na0.3NbO3 thin films are grown via metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on (110)-oriented TbScO3. The films are strained due to the substrate–film lattice mismatch and therefore exhibit a strong and anisotropic modification of all its ferroelectric properties. The compressive in-plane strain leads to a reduction of the ferroelectric transition temperature from approximately 700 K for unstrained K0.7Na0.3NbO3 to 324 K and 330 K with maximum permittivities of 10 270 and 13 695 for the main crystallographic directions [001]TSO and [11¯0]TSO, respectively. Moreover, the quite thin films (approx. 30 nm thick) exhibit very large piezoelectric properties. For instance, surface acoustic waves with intensities of up to 4.7 dB are recorded for wave propagation along the [11¯0]TSO direction. The signal is smaller (up to 1.3 dB) along [001]TSO, whilst for the intermediate direction [11¯2]TSO, the signal seems to vanish (<0.1 dB). The results indicate that the choice of material, (K,Na)NbO3, in combination with strain-engineering via epitaxial growth onto lattice-mismatched substrates represents a promising way to optimize ferroelectric materials for piezoelectric thin-film applications.
Far-field constant-gradient laser accelerator of electrons in an ion channel
Authors: Khudik Vladimir N. , Zhang Xi , Wang Tianhong , Shvets Gennady
Published: July 2018

We predict that electrons in an ion channel can gain ultra-relativistic energies by simultaneously interacting with a laser pulse and, counter-intuitively, with a decelerating electric field. The crucial role of the decelerating field is to maintain high-amplitude betatron oscillations, thereby enabling constant rate energy flow to the electrons via the inverse ion channel laser mechanism. Multiple harmonics of the betatron motion can be employed. Injecting electrons into a decelerating phase of a laser wakefield accelerator is one practical implementation of the scheme.
Coexistence of two structural relaxation processes in monohydroxy alcohol–alkyl halogen mixtures: Dielectric and rheological studies
Authors: Bierwirth S. Peter , Gainaru Catalin , Böhmer Roland
Published: July 2018

Evidence for the existence of two glass transitions is found in binary mixtures of monohydroxy alcohols with an aprotic alkyl halide by means of dielectric spectroscopy and, markedly, also shear rheology. In the mechanical data, an enormous separation of two components becomes obvious for suitable compositions. The observation of bimodal motional heterogeneity is possible despite the fact that the glass transition temperatures of these substances differ by only 40 K. Obviously, the hydrogen-bond driven formation of supramolecular structures in one of the mixture components facilitates the emergence of dynamic contrast which for other binary liquids was so far only observed in the presence of much larger glass transition temperature differences.
Non-equilibrium phenomena and kinetic pathways in self-assembled polyelectrolyte complexes
Authors: Wu Hao , Ting Jeffrey M. , Werba Olivia , Meng Siqi , Tirrell Matthew V.
Published: July 2018

Polyelectrolyte complexation has been conventionally focused on the thermodynamic states, where assemblies have equilibrated in solutions. Far less attention has been given to complex systems that are kinetically trapped at non-equilibrium states. A combination of time-resolved dynamic light scattering, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM) was employed here to investigate the internal structures and morphological evolution of non-equilibrium aggregates forming from a pair of two strong block polyelectrolytes over wide time and length scales. The role of formation pathways of electrostatically driven aggregates was assessed using two processing protocols: direct dissolution and salt annealing. The former led to thermodynamically stable products, while the latter resulted in kinetically trapped transient structures. After adding salt, the metastable structures gradually transformed into stable products. Cryo-TEM images showed the interconnected irregular morphologies of the aggregates, and SAXS data revealed the presence of fuzzy globular complexes with Rg ∼ 10 nm within them. A two-step process in the time-dependent structural transformation was found and characterized by a fast breakdown of interconnected transient aggregates followed by a slow redistribution of the incipient individual electrostatic assemblies. Furthermore, the prolonged aggregate disintegration process fitting to a stretched exponential function unveiled the broad relaxation distribution and significant structural heterogeneity in these polyelectrolyte complex nanoaggregates. This work brings new insight into the comprehension of non-equilibrium phenomena in self-assembled electrostatic assemblies and represents a first step toward constructing far-from-equilibrium polyelectrolyte complexes de novo for future applications.
Analytical and numerical study of perpendicularly propagating kinetic mode in magnetized plasmas with Vasyliunas-Cairns distribution
Authors: Usman Malik M. , Masood W. , Mujtaba A. H. , Mirza Arshad M.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we have investigated the perpendicularly propagating kinetic mode employing the Vasyliunas-Cairns (VC) distribution. We have obtained the linear dispersion relation for Bernstein waves for two electron species and explored it both analytically and numerically. We have shown that Bernstein waves with the Vasyliunas-Cairns distribution exhibit a significant departure from the results reported earlier with Maxwellian and dual kappa distributions especially in the long wavelength regime. We have found that the parameters Λc and Λh, that represent the nonthermal percentage of cold and hot electrons in Cairns distribution, play a unique and vital role in determining the behavior of Bernstein modes in the VC distribution which has no parallel in Maxwellian and dual kappa distribution functions. Our study may be beneficial to understand the propagation characteristics of Bernstein waves in space plasmas where departure from Maxwellian behavior has been divulged by many expeditions in space.
Assessing the performance of the Tao-Mo semilocal density functional in the projector-augmented-wave method
Authors: Jana Subrata , Patra Abhilash , Samal Prasanjit
Published: July 2018

We assess the performance of the recently proposed Tao-Mo (TM) semilocal exchange-correlation functional [J. Tao and Y. Mo, Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 073001 (2016)] using the projector-augmented-wave method with the plane wave basis set. The meta-generalized gradient approximation level semilocal functional constructed by Tao-Mo is an all-purpose exchange-correlation functional for the quantum chemistry and solid-state physics. The exchange of the TM functional is based on the density matrix expansion technique together with the slowly varying fourth order gradient expansion. The correlation functional corresponding to the exchange is based on the one-electron self-interaction-free Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria functional. Our test includes solid-state lattice constants, bulk moduli, bandgaps, cohesive energies, magnetic moments and vacancy-formation energies of transition metals. It is observed that in the plane wave basis, the TM functional performs accurately in predicting all the solid state properties at the semilocal level.
Two-shot measurement of spatial coherence
Authors: Bhattacharjee Abhinandan , Aarav Shaurya , Jha Anand K.
Published: July 2018

We propose and demonstrate an interferometric scheme for measuring the two-dimensional two-point cross-spectral density function in a two-shot manner. Our scheme comprises a Michelson interferometer with a converging lens in one of the arms of the interferometer, and the cross-spectral density function of an input optical field gets encoded in the intensity distribution of the output interferograms. This scheme works for any cross-spectral density function that is real and that depends on the spatial coordinates only through their difference. Using this scheme, we report measurements of several lab-synthesized cross-spectral density functions with very good agreement with theory. Our measurement technique can be very important for applications that are based on utilizing the partial spatial coherence properties of optical fields.
Rare slips in fluctuating synchronized oscillator networks
Authors: Hindes Jason , Schwartz Ira B.
Published: July 2018

We study rare phase slips due to noise in synchronized Kuramoto oscillator networks. In the small-noise limit, we demonstrate that slips occur via large fluctuations to saddle phase-locked states. For tree topologies, slips appear between subgraphs that become disconnected at a saddle-node bifurcation, where phase-locked states lose stability generically. This pattern is demonstrated for sparse networks with several examples. Scaling laws are derived and compared for different tree topologies. On the other hand, for dense networks slips occur between oscillators on the edges of the frequency distribution. If the distribution is discrete, the probability-exponent for large fluctuations to occur scales linearly with the system size. However, if the distribution is continuous, the probability is a constant in the large network limit, as individual oscillators fluctuate to saddles while all others remain fixed. In the latter case, the network’s coherence is approximately preserved.
Eshelby description of highly viscous flow—Half model, half theory
Authors: Buchenau U.
Published: July 2018

A recent description of the highly viscous flow ascribes it to irreversible thermally activated Eshelby transitions, which transform a region of the undercooled liquid to a different structure with a different elastic misfit to the viscoelastic surroundings. The description is extended to include reversible Eshelby transitions, with the Kohlrausch exponent β as a free parameter. The model answers several open questions in the field.
Crystal structure characteristics, intrinsic properties, and vibrational spectra of non-stoichiometric Ca1+xWO4 ceramics
Authors: Li Jianzhu , Wang Jing , Fu Guangen , Xing Chao , Yin Xunqian , Qiao Hengyang , Chen Huiling , Qi Zeming , Wang Qing , Shi Feng
Published: July 2018

Non-stoichiometric Ca1+xWO4 ceramics were determined in a composition range of −0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.04 by a conventional solid-state method. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the main phase is a tetragonal scheelite structure. Scanning electron microscopy images exhibited dense and uniform grains. The vibrational modes were assigned and illustrated in particular. A positive correlation exists between the full-width at half-maximum values of the Bg(Ca) Raman modes and the intrinsic losses simulated according to the damping factor and also a negative correlation between the Raman shifts of the ν4 (Bg) modes and the dielectric constants calculated by the Clausius-Mossotti (C-M) equation. The intrinsic properties of the samples were calculated by the four-parameter semi-quantum (FPSQ) model based on the far-infrared reflectivity spectra, which agreed well with those values obtained by the C-M and damping equations. At x = −0.01, the Ca0.99WO4 ceramic sintered at 1150 °C possesses the intrinsic properties of εr = 10.62 and tan δ = 4.62 × 10−4 based on C-M and damping equations and εr = 10.19 and tan δ = 2.35 × 10−4 deduced from the FPSQ model.
Towards superconductivity in p-type delta-doped Si/Al/Si heterostructures
Authors: Ramanayaka A. N. , Kim Hyun-Soo , Hagmann J. A. , Murray R. E. , Tang Ke , Meisenkothen F. , Zhang H. R. , Bendersky L. A. , Davydov A. V. , Zimmerman Neil M. , Richter C. A. , Pomeroy J. M.
Published: July 2018

In pursuit of superconductivity in p-type silicon (Si), we are using a single atomic layer of aluminum (Al) sandwiched between a Si substrate and a thin Si epi-layer. The delta layer was fabricated starting from an ultra high vacuum (UHV) flash anneal of Si(100) surface, followed by physical vapor deposition of Al monolayer. To activate the Al dopants, the sample was then annealed in-situ at 550 °C for 1 min. The Si capping layer was electron-beam evaporated in-situ at room temperature, followed by an ex-situ anneal at 550 °C for 10 min to recrystallize the Si capping layer. Low temperature magnetotransport measurements yield a maximum hole mobility of 20 cm2/V/s at a carrier density 1.39 × 1014 holes/cm2, which corresponds to ≈ (0.93 ± 0.1) holes per dopant atom. No superconductivity was observed in these devices even at T < 300 mK. Atom probe tomography and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses suggest that the Al dopants become distributed over ≈ (17 to 25) nm thickness. Redistribution of Al dopants reduces Al atomic concentration in Si matrix below the critical density to observe superconductivity.
Combined microscopy and spectroscopy method achieves atomic resolution in directional bond spectral analyses
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: July 2018

A technique that combines scanning electron microscopy with electron energy-loss spectroscopy helps characterize bonds within strontium titanate with atom-level spatial resolution.
Germination ecology of Sonchus oleraceus L. in the northern region of Australia
Authors: Manalil Sudheesh , Ali Hafiz Haider , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: July 2018

In Australia, Sonchus oleraceus has been emerging as a major weed in conservation agricultural systems. The effect of environmental factors on germination and emergence of S. oleraceus was assessed on populations collected from Gatton (SOG) and St. George (SOS) regions of Australia, which are high and low rainfall regions respectively. Germination of both populations responded similarly to various environmental factors studied. Although S. oleraceus seeds germinated under a broad range of temperatures (15/5, 20/10, 25/15 and 30/20°C day/night), germination was lower at 15/5°C. There was only 47–53% germination under dark conditions compared with 62–87% under alternating light–dark. Germination was only 2 and 3% at –0.8 MPa osmotic potential for SOG and SOS populations respectively, and no germination occurred at –1 MPa. Germination was 6 and 8% at 200 mM NaCl for SOG and SOS populations respectively. Although S. oleraceus seed germination exceeded 80% for pH 6–7, germination was reduced at pH outside this range. Germination was 83 and 87% for SOG and SOS populations respectively at the soil surface; and emergence decreased with increasing depth, with none from seeds buried at 6 cm depth. Wheat residue amount within the range of 0–2000 kg ha–1 did not alter germination; however, germination was significantly reduced when the crop residue amount increased to 4000 kg ha–1 and the lowest germination was at 6000 kg ha–1. The potential to germinate under diverse environmental conditions correlates with the widespread occurrence of this weed in the northern region of Australia. High residue amounts and occasional tillage leading to deep burial of seeds may reduce its emergence and incidence.
Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) seed persistence and germination temperature tolerance
Authors: Bebawi Faiz F. , Campbell Shane D. , Mayer Robert J.
Published: July 2018

Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) is a highly invasive, naturalised Weed of National Significance in Australia due to its economic, environmental and social impacts. It outcompetes native pastures and fuels intense fires in northern Australian rangelands. To aid management of current infestations and to better understand its potential distribution, this study determined the germination response of gamba grass under a range of constant (13°C−48°C) and alternating (11/7°C–52/42°C) temperature regimes and quantified the potential longevity of soil seed banks. The effect of different soil types, levels of pasture cover and burial depths on seed longevity was investigated in the Dry Tropics of northern Queensland.
Germination of gamba grass occurred under a wide range of both constant (17°C−39°C) and alternating day/night temperatures (16/12°C–47/39°C), although the level of germination declined at the lower and higher temperature ranges. At the cooler temperatures, seed viability was not affected, but seeds went into a state of dormancy. The highest level of seed viability was recorded at the lowest constant temperature regime (13°C) and at the two lowest alternating temperatures (11/7°C and 16/12°C). A gradual but variable decline in viability occurred thereafter with increasing temperatures. At the higher temperature range (e.g. constant temperatures of 39°C−43°C and alternating temperatures of 47/39°C) both dormancy and loss of seed viability were occurring, but once alternating and constant temperatures reached above 47/39°C and 43°C all seeds were rendered unviable after 9 and 6 weeks respectively.
In the Dry Tropics of northern Queensland, viability of seeds was <1% after 12 months and nil after 24 months, irrespective of soil type or vegetation cover. However, burial depth had a significant effect, with surface located seeds exhibiting a faster rate of decline in germination and viability than seeds buried below ground (i.e. 2.5–10 cm). These findings have implications for the duration of control/eradication programs (i.e. seed persistence) and also suggest that gamba grass has the potential to greatly expand its current distribution into the relatively cooler southern latitude areas of Australia.
FGFR1-mediated protocadherin-15 loading mediates cargo specificity during intraflagellar transport in inner ear hair-cell kinocilia
Authors: Honda Akira , Kita Tomoko , Seshadri Shri Vidhya , Misaki Kazuyo , Ahmed Zamal , Ladbury John E. , Richardson Guy P. , Yonemura Shigenobu , Ladher Raj K.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Hair cells, the inner ear mechanosensory receptors, are responsible for hearing and balance. This occurs through a specialized apical organelle known as the hair bundle, which is made up of actin-based projections called stereocilia and a microtubule-based kinocilium. These are connected to each other by filaments of proteins composed of cadherin-23 and protocadherin-15 (Pcdh15). Removal of Pcdh15 from the hair cell results in a malformed hair bundle and impacts function. We asked how Pcdh15 is transported into the kinocilium and uncovered a mechanism involving phosphorylation by the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1. Our data suggest a mechanism of hair-cell specialization in which novel interactions enable molecules to enter novel subcellular locations that generate new morphologies and functions.
Osterixfunctions downstream of anti-Müllerian hormone signaling to regulate Müllerian duct regression
Authors: Mullen Rachel D. , Wang Ying , Liu Bin , Moore Emma L. , Behringer Richard R.
Published: July 2018

Significance

In mammals, each embryo forms both male and female reproductive tract progenitor tissues. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) secreted by fetal testes acts on mesenchyme cells adjacent to Müllerian duct (MD) epithelium, the progenitor tissue of female reproductive tract, to induce MD epithelial regression. While AMH and early AMH signaling components are elucidated, downstream gene networks directing this process are largely unknown. A global nonbiased approach using whole-transcriptome sequencing of fetal MD mesenchymal cells identified 82 factors as potential target genes of AMH includingOsterix(Osx). Our findings provide in vivo evidence thatOsxis an AMH-induced gene that regulates MD regression. Identification ofOsxmay provide key insights into gene-regulatory networks underlying MD regression, male sex differentiation, and mesenchyme–epithelial interactions.
Quantitative measurements of protein−surface interaction thermodynamics
Authors: Kurnik Martin , Ortega Gabriel , Dauphin-Ducharme Philippe , Li Hui , Caceres Amanda , Plaxco Kevin W.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Protein−surface interactions play important roles across biology, medicine, and biotechnologies. Specifically, while proteins are often found associated with biological surfaces in the cell (e.g., biomembranes), where they retain their structure and augment surface function, proteins tend to unfold on and irreversibly adhere to artificial surfaces, limiting our ability to leverage their functionality in technologies such as biosensors, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery vehicles. In response, we describe here an experimental approach by which we can measure the thermodynamic consequences of protein−surface interactions, suitable for answering long-standing questions regarding the physicochemical origins of these interactions. The resulting understanding should facilitate rational optimization of the biocompatibility of artificial surfaces used in a wide range of biomolecule-based technologies.
Climate mediates the biodiversity–ecosystem stability relationship globally
Authors: García-Palacios Pablo , Gross Nicolas , Gaitán Juan , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Securing the stable delivery of ecosystem services related to plant biomass (e.g., food, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility) is a pressing issue under ongoing climate change. Biodiversity increases ecosystem stability, but climate change may alter this positive relationship. We coupled a field survey of plant diversity conducted in drylands worldwide with remote sensing estimates of primary productivity to show a strong climate dependency of the biodiversity–ecosystem stability relationship. Our findings suggest that land management should be adapted to the aridity conditions if we aim to secure stable plant production. For instance, promoting higher species richness may represent a simple yet effective strategy to stabilize plant biomass over time in the face of the increasing aridity forecasted for drylands worldwide.
Histone methyltransferase Smyd1 regulates mitochondrial energetics in the heart
Authors: Warren Junco S. , Tracy Christopher M. , Miller Mickey R. , Makaju Aman , Szulik Marta W. , Oka Shin-ichi , Yuzyuk Tatiana N. , Cox James E. , Kumar Anil , Lozier Bucky K. , Wang Li , Llana June García , Sabry Amira D. , Cawley Keiko M. , Barton Dane W. , Han Yong Hwan , Boudina Sihem , Fiehn Oliver , Tucker Haley O. , Zaitsev Alexey V. , Franklin Sarah
Published: July 2018

Significance

Smyd1 is a muscle-specific histone methyltransferase, and its role in the regulation of growth and differentiation in skeletal and cardiac muscle is well established. However, despite the persistent expression of Smyd1 in postnatal cardiomyocytes, the role of Smyd1 in the adult heart is largely unknown. We show that Smyd1 regulates energy metabolism in the heart. Cardiac-specific ablation of Smyd1 in the mouse adult heart resulted in global downregulation of mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, concurrent with reduced mitochondrial respiration capacity. We further demonstrate that the regulation of Smyd1 in metabolism is through transcriptional control of PGC-1α, a key regulator of mitochondrial energetics. Thus, our data reveal a role for Smyd1 as a master regulator of cardiac energetics.
Roles for ClpXP in regulating the circadian clock in
Synechococcus elongatus
Authors: Cohen Susan E. , McKnight Briana M. , Golden Susan S.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Protein degradation is critical for modulating cellular responses to the environment. Here, we show that proteome remodeling by ClpX, ClpP1, and ClpP2 controls circadian clock function in
Synechococcus elongatus
PCC 7942. The results suggest that protein degradation by the ClpXP1P2 protease is required to maintain normal periodicity of the circadian clock and to limit the temporal range over which the phase can be reset in response to darkness. Moreover, ClpX-mediated protein unfolding, independent of its functions with the ClpP protease subunits, is required to relieve a clock-induced cell division checkpoint. Together, the results suggest that the circadian clock and ClpX act together to time the window in every 24-h day in which cell division is inhibited.
Cellular clearance of circulating transthyretin decreases cell-nonautonomous proteotoxicity in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Madhivanan Kayalvizhi , Greiner Erin R. , Alves-Ferreira Miguel , Soriano-Castell David , Rouzbeh Nirvan , Aguirre Carlos A. , Paulsson Johan F. , Chapman Justin , Jiang Xin , Ooi Felicia K. , Lemos Carolina , Dillin Andrew , Prahlad Veena , Kelly Jeffery W. , Encalada Sandra E.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Evidence suggests that transthyretin (TTR) amyloid diseases result from rate-limiting dissociation of TTR tetramers secreted from the liver into monomers, followed by monomer misfolding and misassembly into a spectrum of aggregates that compromise postmitotic tissue function, including peripheral nerve function. It is unknown how TTR aggregation leads to the demise of neurons cell nonautonomously. Herein we introduce transgenic
Caenorhabditis elegans
models of TTR amyloidosis that exhibit aggregation and quantifiable cell nonautonomous neuronal phenotypes, including impaired pain sensation, as seen in humans, and altered neuronal morphology. Neuronal dysfunction can be exacerbated by eliminating distal macrophage-like cells that degrade TTR and ameliorated by treating the transgenic worms with TTR RNAi or a TTR kinetic stabilizer, strategies that also delay human polyneuropathy.
Dirac semimetal in
β
-CuI without surface Fermi arcs
Authors: Le Congcong , Wu Xianxin , Qin Shengshan , Li Yinxiang , Thomale Ronny , Zhang Fu-Chun , Hu Jiangping
Published: July 2018

Significance

Since the discovery of Dirac semimetals in 3D, open Fermi arcs on side surface terminations have predominantly been suggested to be the concomitant experimental fingerprint of their nontrivial topological character. Surface Fermi arcs, however, are not a protected topological feature of Dirac semimetals, which we predict will manifest itself in the example of

β

-cuprous iodide. The microscopic mechanism underlying the transition from open Fermi arcs to closed Fermi pockets in this material is explicitly revealed. Our study provides a concise example to show the lack of topological protection of surface Fermi arcs in Dirac semimetals and, as such, deepens the fundamental understanding of topological semimetals in general.