bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Molecular Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) (200/0.5) Infusion
Authors: Skrobek Wulf
Published: July 2016

In fluid therapy, colloid plasma substitutes are especially suitable for emergencies and mass disasters because they can be obtained in unlimited quantities and can be used immediately.

The initial volume effect is greater than that of Gelatin or HES 40 but is much weaker than 10% Dextran 40. In this respect, HES 200/0.5 is comparable with 6% Dextran 70. The volume effect of HES 200/0.5 lasts for about 3 hrs and thus is comparable to Gelatin, HES 40 or 10% Dextran. Six percent Dextran 70, however, lasts for 6–8 h. Ten percent HES 200/0.5 is more easy to regulate.

Hydroxyethyl starch does not influence the coagulability to the extent that can occur with Dextran.
Opening the Chest to Keep the Brain Alive in Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Authors: Alifimoff James K. , Safar Peter , Bircher Nicholas G.
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Standard closed-chest CPR (SCPR) produces only 6–30% of normal blood flow. It is unlikely that this can sustain the viability of the brain for more than a few minutes in most CPR attempts, although in occasional cases of human resuscitation external CPR for up to two hours has been followed by recovery of consciousness. Thus various methods have been employed to improve this low perfusion state. It has been shown that abdominal compression by hand or MAST-suit can augment carotid artery blood flow during CPR but causes complications. Openchest CPR (OCCPR) has also been proven to be hemodynamically superior to SCPR. Since neurologic recovery has been studied after prolonged periods of total circulatory arrest but not after prolonged periods of CPR, we compared the prolonged use of SCPR and OCCPR in terms of ability to sustain signs of cerebral functionduringCPR and permit cerebral recoveryafterCPR.
The ABC Sequence of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Authors: Crul Jan F. , Neursing Bart T. J. , Zimmerman Ariaen H. E.
Published: July 2016

From many recent publications and also from a pathophysiologic standpoint, it has become abundantly clear that probably the most important factor determining the outcome of any attempt at resuscitation is the period of time elapsed between the onset of the calamity and the initiation of “CPR.” In most of the reports on the effects of time-related variables the initiation of effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation is usually not clearly defined.

What exactly is meant by “initiation of CPR?” Since 1966 CPR has been instructed according to the “A-B-C-schedule.”
Anesthesia in the Field (Discussion to the Previous Papers in Section Six)
Authors: Pokorny Jiri
Published: July 2016

A major man-made disaster, like a nuclear attack, may suddenly reduce a highly developed country to very primitive conditions. The choice of anesthetics for the field depends on medical suitability, but, primarily upon a country's production possibilities in disaster conditions. Simple anesthesiological procedures must be preferred. Provisions are to be made for ketamine, atropine, narcotics (pethidine, morphine), in order to make possible intravenous/intramuscular anesthesia. For inhalation anesthesia, diethylether with a simple inhalation anesthesia apparatus is needed. Ether remains important for disaster conditions, because of its relative safety in less experienced hands and because its production is both cheap and simple. When possible, self-administered inhalation analgesia with methoxyflurane would greatly help to alleviate the suffering of the seriously wounded. In Czechoslovakia inhalation of methoxyflurane (AnecotanSPofA) from a simple “Analgizer” (vaporizer) proved to be of greatest help in mine casualties and in traffic accidents, before extrication of the casualties. As long as ether is considered as the “anesthetic for the field” it remains necessary to keep young anesthetists informed and skilled in ether anesthesia.
The American Red Cross
Authors: Dail C.P.
Published: July 2016

The American Red Cross is an independent, voluntary body dedicated to performing the relief obligations entrusted to it by the Congress of the United States. The American Red Cross is required by congressional charter (Act of Congress of January 5, 1905, as amended, 36 U.S. Code 3, Fifth) to undertake relief activities for the purpose of mitigating the suffering caused by disasters. A disaster is an occurrence such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, highwater, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, blizzard, pestilence, famine, fire, explosion, building collapse, transportation wreck, or other situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance.

Through internal planning, policy setting, and implementation, and cooperation with private and governmental bodies, the American Red Cross at all levels gives priority to preparing for and providing assistance in disasters of any size.
Computer Modeling for Disaster Planning (Nuclear Attack)
Authors: Hill Edward L. , Lyday Russell O.
Published: July 2016

Although none of us likes to think of nuclear war as a possibility, a truly prepared society evaluates the unthinkable. This paper specifically addresses a model for evaluating the medical situation of an area after a nuclear attack.

Consider the situation shown in Table 1 [all Tables and Figures follow the text], which shows an estimation of casualties resulting from a nuclear attack on an area with a preattack population of 9.5 million. The table indicates over half of the population survives and more than half of the survivors (about 3.4 million people) have injuries. This large number of injuries requires medical attention, and, if the area is unable to get outside help (as would be the case for nuclear war), only resources already available within the area could be used.
Emergency Medical Care for Mass Accidents in Prague, CSSR
Authors: Sefrna Bohumil , Rudolf Mikes
Published: July 2016

The Prague Emergency Service brought help in many cases of mass accidents with 30 to 120 injured persons (explosions, train crashes, plane crashes, tram crashes, etc.) during the years 1955–1979. We have discovered facts from our own experience and by comparison with disasters in other parts of our country. Prague's mobile ICU-type ambulance service has provided advanced resuscitation and life-support by physicians, since the early 1960s, also for multicasualty incidents.

It is necessary to reduce the consequences of mass injuries to a minimum. Some principal questions are: who is to be treated immediately, who can wait, where is help unnecessary?
A Hospital Plan for Mass Casualties in Egypt
Authors: Diwan Ruchdi H.
Published: July 2016

Our hospital which was initially devoted to deal with specialized branches of medicine, was rapidly transformed into a purely military one when mass casualties of war needed care. The design of the hospital was therefore changed. Operating theaters were shifted to safe underground floors. Intensive care units were placed near the operating theaters, and a large reception-identification area was prepared to receive victims brought by ambulance or helicopter. Quick-sorting of casualties according to priorities was dealt with in the reception area.

(1)Immediate group: This was dealt with on the spot by quick resuscitation measures. (2)Urgent group: These were immediately taken to the intensive care units or to the operating theaters. (3)Expectant group: These were taken to the wards.
Terrorist Bombing Experiences During 1975-1979 in Jerusalem
Authors: Adler Jakov , Golan E. , Golan J. , Yitzhaki M. , Ben-Hur N.
Published: July 2016

During 4½ years, 24 terrorist explosions occurred in Jerusalem. of 511 casualties, 340 were evacuated to the Emergency Department of our hospital. of a total of 272 admissions graded by the Injury Severity Score (ISS), 87% were light injuries, 2.9% medium and 10% severe. The high proportion of light injuries may be explained by the evacuation of all casualties to the nearest hospital by the public. The distribution of injuries to body areas is discussed. Head and neck injuries comprised 19.3% and extremity injuries 39%. The most common primary blast effect was acoustic trauma encountered in 16.3%. Solutions to the most commonly encountered problems in the Emergency Department are discussed.
Oil Rig Disaster in the North Sea
Authors: Bryne Helge , Dahl Eilif
Published: July 2016

Since oil was found under the North Sea in the mid 1960's, oil production now plays an important part in Norwegian economy. A major oil field isEkofisk, between Norway and Britain (Figure 1). TheAlexander Kielland, one of the rigs atEkofisk, was a mobile platform of the pentagon type, floating on 5 columns, 150 nautical miles of f the Norwegian coast. It was developed and built as a drilling rig, but was used as an accommodation platform since delivery in July 1976. OnMarch27,1980, theAlexander Kiellandrig lay at anchor on theEkofisk field, close to the production platform EDDA.
Preventable Blindness in Disasters: Visual Status Among Indochinese Refugees
Authors: Pizzarello Louis D.
Published: July 2016

A survey conducted among Indochinese refugees in Thailand in 1979, revealed significant levels of Vitamin A deficiency blindness (xerophthalmia). A Vitamin A supplementation program for children was implemented. Recent events in South East Asia have resulted in the mass movements of thousands of Kampucheans. These people underwent extreme deprivation for several years before migrating in large numbers to the Thai-Kampuchean border and later into Thailand. This massive influx of starving and ill men, women and children stimulated a large international relief effort aimed at providing food, shelter and health care. Under the supervision of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, several holding centers or camps were established within Thailand.

Early reports indicated severe problems with malnutrition among the children reaching these areas. Since these malnourished children were susceptible to a blinding affliction, xerophthalmia, Helen Keller International, a voluntary agency long interested in the disease, became alarmed. I was dispatched as a consultant public health ophthalmologist to the holding center for an on-site investigation.
Emergency Response to Nuclear Accident and Attack
Authors: Leaning-Link Jennifer , Kling Mitchell , Lord Mary E.
Published: July 2016

Disaster plans in response to a nuclear crisis involve extended forays into uncertainty. Controversy arises over whether or not a nuclear disaster or war might ever occur. Estimates of destructive parameters vary widely. Planning must take into account a wide range of issues, from the nature of radiation injury to the survival capacity of social systems. From the standpoint of analyzing possibilities for emergency response, we will discuss: l) medical effects of radiation; 2) severe core meltdown at a nuclear power plant; and 3) a scenario for a nuclear bomb explosion over one city in the USA, in the setting of a strategic nuclear exchange.
Three Major Disasters in Italy. Experiences of Niguarda-Ca'Granda Staff of Milan
Authors: Bozza-Marrubini Marialuisa
Published: July 2016

The medical and nursing staff of the Niguarda-Ca' Granda Hospital of Milano has been involved in three major disasters that occurred in Italy in the years 1976 and 1980: (1) the earthquake of May 6, 1976 in a northeastern region (Friuli); (2) the ICMESA plant explosion of July 10, 1976 in Seveso (Milano) and (3) the earthquake of November 23, 1980 in the region of Irpinia (Southern Italy).

Friuli Earthquake 1976

On May 7, 1976, about 12 hours after the earthquake struck, the Udine Hospital, located at about 15 km from the border of the disaster area, contacted by phone the director of the Ca' Granda Hospital in Milano, requesting a relief staff of operating room and ICU nurses. The Udine Hospital was undamaged and was overburdened by work for the surgical, orthopedic and medical treatment of the rescue victims. The staff requested was needed to relieve the exhausted local nursing staff. Extra staff was needed also to accompany ambulances with patients that, after initial triage and treatment, were evacuated to other hospitals outside the seismic area.
17. Can EMS Providers Adequately Assess Trauma Patients for Spinal Injury?
Authors: Brown Lawrence H. , Gough John E. , Simonds Wickham
Published: July 2016

Hypothesis: Assessments to rule out cervical spine injury performed by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel correlate well with assessments performed by emergency department (ED) physicians. Methods: EMS providers completed a data form based on their initial assessment of all immobilized adult patients. Data collected included the presence or absence of: neck pain/tenderness; altered mental status; history of loss of consciousness; drug/alcohol use; neurological deficit; and other painful/distracting injury. Immobilization was considered to be indicated if any one of the six physical findings was present. The ED physician caring for the patient completed an identical data form based on his/her assessment. Physicians and EMS providers were blinded to each other's assessments. The amount of discordance between the physician and EMS assessments was analyzed using McNemar's Chi-Square for matched pairs.

Results: Five-hundred-seventy-three patients were included in the study. Physician and EMS assessments matched in 78.7% (n = 451) of the cases. In 13.6% (n = 78) of the cases, the EMS assessment indicated immobilization, but the physician assessment did not. In 7.7% (n = 44) of the patients, the physician assessment indicated immobilization, but the EMS assessment did not. The discordance between assessments was statistically significant (p <0.001). The presence of neck pain or tenderness accounted for the most discordance.
26. Emergency Medical Services Transport of Patients Complaining of Headache: Does Mode of Arrival Suggest Serious Etiology?
Authors: O'Connor Robert E. , Nemer Jacqueline A. , Tallick Susan A , Reese Charles L.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: Headache is a very common complaint in emergency medicine. Its causes are myriad, ranging from benign to life-threatening. Patients who access emergency medical services (EMS), often do so after self-assessment has indicated high acuity. We conducted this study to determine if patients transported by EMS with a chief complaint of headache have a higher rate of serious etiology.

Methods: This observational, retrospective study, was conducted by consecutive review of charts on all patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) from December 1994 through May 1995 with a chief complaint of headache. Patients presenting with other manifestations of intracranial pathology (ICP), such as altered mental status or seizures, were excluded. Mode of arrival was determined to be either via emergency medical services (EMS) or other means. Patients were categorized as having serious (meningitis, hemorrhage, tumor) or benign (migraine, etc.) ICP, based final diagnosis. It was noted whether or not diagnostic studies (DS), such as CT scan and lumbar puncture, were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Yates corrected chi-square test.
61. Can Melatonin Improve Adaptation To Night Shift? A Pilot Study Using an Urban EMS System
Authors: Tremea Michael , James Mark , Jones Jeffrey , Krohmer Jon
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To determine whether melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is effective in helping prehospital personnel working consecutive night shifts reset their biological clock and minimize circadian rhythm disruption.

Methods: A double-blinded, randomized, cross-over study was performed using 12 paramedic volunteers. Paramedics were working a span of consecutive night (2300-0700) shifts and received either a melatonin capsule (6 mg) or placebo to be taken prior to each of the consecutive day sleeps. Each participants completed a total of four spans of consecutive night shifts (2-melatonin, 2-placebo). Collected data included daily sleep diaries, quantification of alcohol/caffeine consumed, and possible drug side-effects. Assessment of job performance, mood and alertness were measured every day using 10-cm visual analog scales (VAS).

Results: Analysis of sleep diaries demonstrated no significant difference (p >0.05) between the two treatments in respect to mean sleep latency (melatonin = 15.4 min. vs. placebo = 14.6 min), mean sleep duration (melatonin = 6.7 hrs. vs. placebo = 6.9 hrs), or subjectively rated sleep quality (melatonin = 5.8 VAS vs placebo = 5.6 VAS). Similarly, no significant benefits were noted between the mean VAS scores for daily job performance, mood and alertness. Adverse effects were rare, one patient taking melatonin reported a prolonged sedative effect.

Conclusion: Despite widespread belief in the benefits of melatonin as a hypnotic agent, no clinical benefits were noted in terms of daytime sleep or job performance in paramedics working consecutive night shifts.
65. The Evolution of the Prehospital Care of Pediatric Asthma
Authors: Ciccone Anthony , Irving Carol , Lavery Robert F. , Tortella Bartholomew J.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: The prevalence of asthma in the pediatric population is approximately 9% and the incidence of acute exacerbation in this population has been increasing. The purpose of this study was to determine if there has been a change in the pre-hospital presentation and treatment of pediatric asthma.

Methods: This observational study was a retrospective consecutive case series comparing pediatric (#18 yrs) asthmatics treated and transported by an inner city EMS system over two years. (1987, 1992). Data collected included patient demographics, prehospital treatment, and evaluated diagnostic criteria used by paramedics to initiate treatment. Students t test was performed for continuous data and contingency analysis (chisquare) for non-continuous data. A Wilks stepwise discriminant analysis was performed on 1987 and 1992 data to evaluate diagnostic factors.

Results: There were 407 transports in 1987 and 652 in 1992, representing a 60% increase. 237(56%) of patients received advanced life support (ALS) in 1987 and 344(53%) in 1992. Mean age of ALS patients in 1987 was 10.25 (±5.3) and was 8.03 (±2.8) in 1992 (p <0.001). Albuterol inhalation supplanted epinephrine (1987-205, 1992-1) and aminophylline (1987-15, 1992-1) as the treatment for asthma in our service system. The discriminant analysis revealed that in 1987, paramedics treatment decision making was influenced by age, cough, cold, and/or fever, home medications, accessory muscles, absence of wheezing, and normal respiratory rate. This changed in 1992 where only the presence or absence of wheezing and accessory muscle-use to be highly correlated with treatment decisions.
57. Feasibility of the Global Positioning Satellite System for Rural Aeromedical Transport
Authors: Pruitt Russell F. , Sing Ronald F. , Austin C. W. , Messick W. Joseph
Published: July 2016

Aeromedical navigation to the scene of an accident using navigational assistance computer mapping software (NACM) can be difficult in rural areas due to the lack of topographic landmarks. In these instances, navigation is made easier using the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system to determine latitude and longitude.

Purpose: To determine the reliability and feasibility of portable GPS receivers compared with our current system of NACM (MAP EXPERT®) in the navigation of aeromedical transport flights.

Design: A non-randomized prospective trial comparing flights using either GPS or NACM. Setting: Flight program at a Level I trauma center.

Methods: GPS receivers (for transmitting location) were carried by half the helicopters and ground EMS units. The NACM system was used to transmit the location of the accident to the other flights. Data on flight time, distance, and accident location were collected. Pilots and EMS personnel using the portable GPS system completed a questionnaire regarding accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.

Results: This study included 51 flights; GPS (n = 26) and NACM (n = 25). There was no difference in the miles flown per minute in the NACM group (1.69 miles/minute) compared with the GPS group (1.70 miles/minute). Pilots and EMS personnel rated the GPS reliable, accurate, and easy to use for navigation.
Null subjects in Middle English
Authors: WALKDEN GEORGE , RUSTEN KRISTIAN A.
Published: July 2016

This article investigates the occurrence and distribution of referential null subjects in Middle English. Whereas Modern English is the textbook example of a non-null-subject language, the case has recently been made that Old English permits null subjects to a limited extent, which raises the question of what happens in the middle period. In this article we investigate Middle English using data drawn from thePenn–Helsinki Parsed Corpus of Middle English Proseand the newParsed Corpus of Middle English Poetry, aiming to shed light on the linguistic and extralinguistic factors conditioning the alternation between null and overt subjects. Generalized mixed-effects logistic regression and random forests are used to assess the importance of the variables included. We show that the set of factors at play is similar to that found for Old English, and we document a near-complete disappearance of the null subject option by the end of the Middle English period.
Systematic review of the magnitude of change in prevalence and quantity of Salmonella after administration of pathogen reduction treatments on pork carcasses
Authors: Totton Sarah C. , Glanville Julie M. , Dzikamunhenga Rungano S. , Dickson James S. , O'Connor Annette M.
Published: July 2016

Objective:

In this systematic review, we summarized change in Salmonella prevalence and/or quantity associated with pathogen reduction treatments (washes, sprays, steam) on pork carcasses or skin-on carcass parts in comparative designs (natural or artificial contamination).

Methods:

In January 2015, CAB Abstracts (1910–2015), SCI and CPCI–Science (1900–2015), Medline® and Medline® In-Process (1946–2015) (OVIDSP), Science.gov, and Safe Pork (1996–2012) were searched with no language or publication type restrictions. Reference lists of 24 review articles were checked. Two independent reviewers screened 4001 titles/abstracts and assessed 122 full-text articles for eligibility. Only English-language records were extracted.

Results:

Fourteen studies (5 in commercial abattoirs) were extracted and risk of bias was assessed by two reviewers independently. Risk of bias due to systematic error was moderate; a major source of bias was the potential differential recovery of Salmonella from treated carcasses due to knowledge of the intervention. The most consistently observed association was a positive effect of acid washes on categorical measures of Salmonella; however, this was based on individual results, not a summary effect measure.

Conclusion:

There was no strong evidence that any one intervention protocol (acid temperature, acid concentration, water temperature) was clearly superior to others for Salmonella control.
Social Anxiety and Sociometric Nomination in Spanish Students of Compulsory Secondary Education
Authors: Delgado Beatriz , Inglés Cándido J. , Aparisi David , García-Fernández José M.
Published: July 2016

Adolescents with social anxiety can manifest great interference in their relationship with classmates and other peers, as well as in their school performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociometric nominations and assessment of students with high social anxiety by their peers and teachers, and to determine whether these assessments differ significantly between evaluators (peers vs. teachers), in a sample of 2022 (51.1% male) Spanish adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years. Social anxiety was assessed using the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Sociometric identification and assessment of various educational aspects of the students was performed through the Socio program and Teacher assessment scales, respectively. Results show that students with high social anxiety were nominated by peers as popular, rejected and neglected with the same frequency and proportionately less nominated as leaders, friendly, cooperative, and quarrelsome students than those without high social anxiety (d < .25). Teachers assessed the sociometric status of a student with low social anxiety in the same way as that of students with high social anxiety, although they considered the latter as less impulsive, less conflictive, less passive and more compliant with rules (d > .97). Finally, peers significantly nominated students with high social anxiety more as leaders, cooperative, quarrelsome, obedient and good students than their teachers (d < .42). In conclusion, this study shows that adolescents with high social anxiety are valued and nominated by their peers and teachers differently.
Association of germline genetic variants in RFC, IL15 and VDR genes with minimal residual disease in pediatric B-cell precursor ALL
Authors: Dawidowska Małgorzata , Kosmalska Maria , Sędek Łukasz , Szczepankiewicz Aleksandra , Twardoch Magdalena , Sonsala Alicja , Szarzyńska-Zawadzka Bronisława , Derwich Katarzyna , Lejman Monika , Pawelec Katarzyna , Obitko-Płudowska Agnieszka , Pawińska-Wąsikowska Katarzyna , Kwiecińska Kinga , Kołtan Andrzej , Dyla Agnieszka , Grzeszczak Władysław , Kowalczyk Jerzy R. , Szczepański Tomasz , Ziętkiewicz Ewa , Witt Michał
Published: July 2016

Minimal residual disease (MRD) enables reliable assessment of risk in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, little is known on association between MRD status and germline genetic variation. We examined 159 Caucasian (Slavic) patients with pediatric ALL, treated according to ALL-IC-BFM 2002/2009 protocols, in search for association between 23 germline polymorphisms and MRD status at day 15, day 33 and week 12, with adjustment for MRD-associated clinical covariates. Three variants were significantly associated with MRD: rs1544410 in VDR (MRD-day15); rs1051266 in RFC (MRD-day33, MRD-week12), independently and in an additive effect with rs10519613 in IL15 (MRD-day33). The risk alleles for MRD-positivity were: A allele of VDR (OR = 2.37, 95%CI = 1.07–5.21, P = 0.03, MRD-day15); A of RFC (OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.05–3.52, P = 0.03, MRD-day33 and MRD-week12, P < 0.01); A of IL15 (OR = 2.30, 95%CI = 1.02–5.18, P = 0.04, MRD-day33). The risk for MRD-day33-positive status was higher in patients with risk alleles in both RFC and IL15 loci than in patients with risk alleles in one locus or no risk alleles: 2 vs. 1 (OR = 3.94, 95% CI = 1.28–12.11, P = 0.024), 2 vs. 0 (OR = 6.75, 95% CI = 1.61–28.39, P = 0.012). Germline variation in genes related to pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of anti-leukemic drugs and to anti-tumor immunity of the host is associated with MRD status and might help improve risk assessment in ALL.
Molecular evolution and expression divergence of the Populus euphratica Hsf genes provide insight into the stress acclimation of desert poplar
Authors: Zhang Jin , Jia Huixia , Li Jianbo , Li Yu , Lu Mengzhu , Hu Jianjun
Published: July 2016

Heat shock transcription factor (Hsf) family is one of the most important regulators in the plant kingdom. Hsf has been demonstrated to be involved in various processes associated with plant growth, development as well as in response to hormone and abiotic stresses. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of Hsf family in desert poplar, Populus euphratica. Total of 32 genes encoding Hsf were identified and they were classified into three main classes (A, B and C). Gene structure and conserved motif analyses indicated that the members in each class were relatively conserved. Total of 10 paralogous pairs were identified in PeuHsf family, in which nine pairs were generated by whole genome duplication events. Ka/Ks analysis showed that PeuHsfs underwent purifying selection pressure. In addition, various cis-acting elements involved in hormone and stress responses located in the promoter regions of PeuHsfs. Gene expression analysis indicated that several PeuHsfs were tissue-specific expression. Compared to Arabidopsis, more PeuHsf genes were significantly induced by heat, drought and salt stresses (21, 19 and 22 PeuHsfs, respectively). Our findings are helpful in understanding the distinguished adaptability of P. euphratica to extreme environment and providing a basis for functional analysis of PeuHsfs in the future.
Boronic acid based imprinted electrochemical sensor for rutin recognition and detection
Authors: Wang Chunlei , Wang Qi , Zhong Min , Kan Xianwen
Published: July 2016

An electrochemical sensor based on boronic acid affinity and molecular imprinted polymer specific binding was developed for rutin dual-recognition and sensitive detection.
Enhanced catalysis of the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction using composites of molybdenum-based compounds, gold nanoparticles and carbon
Authors: Joshi Ubisha , Lee Jing , Giordano Cristina , Malkhandi Souradip , Yeo Boon Siang
Published: July 2016

Molybdenum-based compounds and gold nanoparticles, in the presence of carbon (BP-2000), interacted synergistically to enhance the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction.
Exploring the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of four-electron electrochemical reactions: electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution by metal oxides and biological systems
Authors: Wang Vincent C.-C.
Published: July 2016

Unifying the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.
TiO2@Ag/P (VDF-HFP) composite with enhanced dielectric permittivity and rather low dielectric loss
Authors: Xiao Xingrong , Xu Nuoxin , Jiang Yongchang , Zhang Qilong , Yu Enjie , Yang Hui
Published: July 2016

Ag-loaded TiO2 hybrid particles (TiO2@Ag) were synthesized as fillers and the TiO2@Ag/P(VDF-HFP) composites exhibited enhanced dielectric properties.
Ferroelectricity of low thermal-budget HfAlOx for devices with metal–ferroelectric–insulator–semiconductor structure
Authors: Chen Kuen-Yi , Chu Ka-Lip , Chen Pin-Hsuan , Wu Yung-Hsien
Published: July 2016

The effect of annealing temperature on the ferroelectricity of HfAlOx with Al concentration of 4.5% is physically and electrically investigated by metal–ferroelectric–insulator–semiconductor (MFIS) platform.
Correction: Facile fabrication of core/shell structured SiO2/polypyrrole nanoparticles with surface modification and their electrorheology
Authors: Kim Min Wook , Moon Il Jae , Choi Hyoung Jin , Seo Yongsok
Published: July 2016

Correction for ‘Facile fabrication of core/shell structured SiO2/polypyrrole nanoparticles with surface modification and their electrorheology’ by Min Wook Kim et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 56495–56502.
Online multi‐person tracking with two‐stage data association and online appearance model learning
Authors: Ju Jaeyong , Kim Daehun , Ku Bonhwa , Han David K. , Ko Hanseok
Published: July 2016

This study addresses the automatic multi‐person tracking problem in complex scenes from a single, static, uncalibrated camera. In contrast with offline tracking approaches, a novel online multi‐person tracking method is proposed based on a sequential tracking‐by‐detection framework, which can be applied to real‐time applications. A two‐stage data association is first developed to handle the drifting targets stemming from occlusions and people's abrupt motion changes. Subsequently, a novel online appearance learning is developed by using the incremental/decremental support vector machine with an adaptive training sample collection strategy to ensure reliable data association and rapid learning. Experimental results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method while demonstrating its compatibility with real‐time applications.
Sensitivity analysis of the vestigial signal defence‐based civil GNSS spoofing detection method
Authors: Zhang Zhenjun , Zhan Xingqun , Feng Shaojun , Ochieng Washington Yotto
Published: July 2016

The vestigial signal defence (VSD) method is used widely for GNSS spoofing detection through monitoring the vestigial signals within the receiver. Though the VSD has been extensively investigated in the open literature, its sensitivity in terms of detection and false alarm probabilities has not been analysed. This is addressed in this study. The sensitivity models including the vestigial signal‐to‐interference and noise ratio (SINR) and the detection and false alarm probabilities are mathematically formulated. The models are used to quantify and characterise the SINR and the detection and false alarm probabilities. It shows that the VSD is vulnerable to relatively strong spoofing signals. Strong spoofing signals significantly increase the noise floor in turn greatly decreasing the vestigial SINR, resulting in an unacceptable VSD detection performance. It also shows that the sensitivity could be improved with a higher sampling frequency and a longer integration time. It is therefore recommended to use a scheme that combines a long integration time and noise floor monitoring. The sensitivity models together with the recommendation scheme are validated by simulation.
Effect of total and pair configurational entropy in determining dynamics of supercooled liquids over a range of densities
Authors: Banerjee Atreyee , Nandi Manoj Kumar , Sastry Srikanth , Bhattacharyya Sarika Maitra
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we present a study of supercooled liquids interacting with the Lennard Jones potential and the corresponding purely repulsive (Weeks-Chandler-Andersen) potential, over a range of densities and temperatures, in order to understand the origin of their different dynamics in spite of their structures being similar. Using the configurational entropy as the thermodynamic marker via the Adam Gibbs relation, we show that the difference in the dynamics of these two systems at low temperatures can be explained from thermodynamics. At higher densities both the thermodynamical and dynamical difference between these model systems decrease, which is quantitatively demonstrated in this paper by calculating different parameters. The study also reveals the origin of the difference in pair entropy despite the similarity in the structure. Although the maximum difference in structure is obtained in the partial radial distribution function of the B type of particles, the rdf of AA pairs and AB pairs gives rise to the differences in the entropy and dynamics. This work supports the observation made in an earlier study [A. Banerjee et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 225701 (2014)] and shows that they are generic in nature, independent of density.
Development of birefringence imaging analysis method for observing cubic crystals in various phase transitions
Authors: Manaka Hirotaka , Yagi Genta , Miura Yoko
Published: July 2016

Optical birefringence imaging systems demonstrate a high potential for comprehensively investigating various phase transitions. To completely demonstrate such abilities, the temperature dependence of birefringence (Δn) was measured in Δn ≃ 0 materials (i.e., cubic crystals with imperfect crystallization) via a background subtraction method. As a result, highly accurate birefringence imaging at 384 × 288 pixels was obtained using phase transition processes as well as varying temperatures visually characterized by the spatial distribution of not only the retardance level but also the optical fast-axis azimuth.
A 3D printed superconducting aluminium microwave cavity
Authors: Creedon Daniel L. , Goryachev Maxim , Kostylev Nikita , Sercombe Timothy B. , Tobar Michael E.
Published: July 2016

3D printing of plastics, ceramics, and metals has existed for several decades and has revolutionized many areas of manufacturing and science. Printing of metals, in particular, has found a number of applications in fields as diverse as customized medical implants, jet engine bearings, and rapid prototyping in the automotive industry. Although many techniques are used for 3D printing metals, they commonly rely on computer controlled melting or sintering of a metal alloy powder using a laser or electron beam. The mechanical properties of parts produced in such a way have been well studied, but little attention has been paid to their electrical properties. Here we show that a microwave cavity (resonant frequencies 9.9 and 11.2 GHz) 3D printed using an Al-12Si alloy exhibits superconductivity when cooled below the critical temperature of aluminium (1.2 K), with a performance comparable with the common 6061 alloy of aluminium. Superconducting cavities find application in numerous areas of physics, from particle accelerators to cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments. The result is achieved even with a very large concentration of non-superconducting silicon in the alloy of 12.18%, compared with Al-6061, which has between 0.4% and 0.8%. Our results may pave the way for the possibility of 3D printing superconducting cavity configurations that are otherwise impossible to machine.
Experimental investigation of the detection mechanism in WSi nanowire superconducting single photon detectors
Authors: Gaudio Rosalinda , Renema Jelmer J. , Zhou Zili , Verma Varun B. , Lita Adriana E. , Shainline Jeffrey , Stevens Martin J. , Mirin Richard P. , Nam Sae Woo , van Exter Martin P. , de Dood Michiel J. A. , Fiore Andrea
Published: July 2016

We use quantum detector tomography to investigate the detection mechanism in WSi nanowire superconducting single photon detectors. To this purpose, we fabricated a 250 nm wide and 250 nm long WSi nanowire and measured its response to impinging photons with wavelengths ranging from λ = 900 nm to λ = 1650 nm. Tomographic measurements show that the detector response depends on the total excitation energy only. Moreover, for total absorbed energies >0.8 eV the current–energy relation is linear, similar to what was observed in NbN nanowires, whereas the current–energy relation deviates from linear behavior for total energies below 0.8 eV.
Multiple ink-jet printed zinc tin oxide layers with improved TFT performance
Authors: Sykora Benedikt , Wang Di , von Seggern Heinz
Published: July 2016

In the last two decades, metal-oxides, like zinc tin oxide (ZTO), are widely studied semiconductors for transistor applications. This study presents a simple, non-toxic, stable, and cost efficient precursor route for ZTO deposition by ink-jet printing. Such fabricated thin films are composed of an amorphous phase with embedded ZnO nanocrystals. The saturation mobility of ink-jet printed transistors increases from 0.05 cm2 V−1 s−1 for a single semiconducting layer to 7.8 cm2 V−1 s−1 for a transistor composed of 8 layers. This constitutes the highest saturation mobility of an ink-jet printed ZTO transistor reported so far. The devices exhibit large output currents (up to 38.7 mA) and high on/off ratios (exceeding 108). The large improvement in transistor performance with the number of layers is ascribed to an improved degree of substrate coverage confirmed by AFM investigations.
Design and implementation of grid multi-scroll fractional-order chaotic attractors
Authors: Chen Liping , Pan Wei , Wu Ranchao , Tenreiro Machado J. A. , Lopes António M.
Published: July 2016

This paper proposes a novel approach for generating multi-scroll chaotic attractors in multi-directions for fractional-order (FO) systems. The stair nonlinear function series and the saturated nonlinear function are combined to extend equilibrium points with index 2 in a new FO linear system. With the help of stability theory of FO systems, stability of its equilibrium points is analyzed, and the chaotic behaviors are validated through phase portraits, Lyapunov exponents, and Poincaré section. Choosing the order 0.96 as an example, a circuit for generating 2-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors is designed, and 2-D 9 × 9 grid FO attractors are observed at most. Numerical simulations and circuit experimental results show that the method is feasible and the designed circuit is correct.
Causal impact of magnetic fluctuations in slow and fast L–H transitions at TJ-II
Authors: van Milligen B. Ph. , Estrada T. , Carreras B. A. , Ascasíbar E. , Hidalgo C. , Pastor I. , Fontdecaba J. M. , Balbín R. ,   TJ-II Team
Published: July 2016

This work focuses on the relationship between L–H (or L–I) transitions and MHD activity in the low magnetic shear TJ-II stellarator. It is shown that the presence of a low order rational surface in the plasma edge (gradient) region lowers the threshold density for H-mode access. MHD activity is systematically suppressed near the confinement transition. We apply a causality detection technique (based on the Transfer Entropy) to study the relation between magnetic oscillations and locally measured plasma rotation velocity (related to Zonal Flows). For this purpose, we study a large number of discharges in two magnetic configurations, corresponding to “fast” and “slow” transitions. With the “slow” transitions, the developing Zonal Flow prior to the transition is associated with the gradual reduction of magnetic oscillations. The transition itself is marked by a strong spike of “information transfer” from magnetic to velocity oscillations, suggesting that the magnetic drive may play a role in setting up the final sheared flow responsible for the H-mode transport barrier. Similar observations were made for the “fast” transitions. Thus, it is shown that magnetic oscillations associated with rational surfaces play an important and active role in confinement transitions, so that electromagnetic effects should be included in any complete transition model.
Giant strain with low cycling degradation in Ta-doped [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2]TiO3 lead-free ceramics
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Tan Xiaoli
Published: July 2016

Non-textured polycrystalline [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2](Ti1−xTax)O3 ceramics are fabricated and their microstructures and electrical properties are characterized. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the coexistence of the rhombohedral R3c and tetragonal P4bm phases in the form of nanometer-sized domains in [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2]TiO3 with low Ta concentration. When the composition is x = 0.015, the electrostrain is found to be highly asymmetric under bipolar fields of ±50 kV/cm. A very large value of 0.62% is observed in this ceramic, corresponding to a large-signal piezoelectric coefficient d33* of 1240 pm/V (1120 pm/V under unipolar loading). These values are greater than most previously reported lead-free polycrystalline ceramics and can even be compared with some lead-free piezoelectric single crystals. Additionally, this ceramic displays low cycling degradation; its electrostrain remains above 0.55% even after undergoing 10 000 cycles of ±50 kV/cm bipolar fields at 2 Hz. Therefore, Ta-doped [Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2]TiO3 ceramics show great potential for large displacement devices.
Hydrogen-terminated diamond vertical-type metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors with a trench gate
Authors: Inaba Masafumi , Muta Tsubasa , Kobayashi Mikinori , Saito Toshiki , Shibata Masanobu , Matsumura Daisuke , Kudo Takuya , Hiraiwa Atsushi , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: July 2016

The hydrogen-terminated diamond surface (C-H diamond) has a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) layer independent of the crystal orientation. A 2DHG layer is ubiquitously formed on the C-H diamond surface covered by atomic-layer-deposited-Al2O3. Using Al2O3 as a gate oxide, C-H diamond metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) operate in a trench gate structure where the diamond side-wall acts as a channel. MOSFETs with a side-wall channel exhibit equivalent performance to the lateral C-H diamond MOSFET without a side-wall channel. Here, a vertical-type MOSFET with a drain on the bottom is demonstrated in diamond with channel current modulation by the gate and pinch off.
Study of structural, electrical, and dielectric properties of phosphate-borate glasses and glass-ceramics
Authors: Melo B. M. G. , Graça M. P. F. , Prezas P. R. , Valente M. A. , Almeida A. F. , Freire F. N. A. , Bih L.
Published: July 2016

In this work, phosphate-borate based glasses with molar composition 20.7P2O5–17.2Nb2O5–13.8WO3–34.5A2O–13.8B2O3, where A = Li, Na, and K, were prepared by the melt quenching technique. The as-prepared glasses were heat-treated in air at 800 °C for 4 h, which led to the formation of glass-ceramics. These high chemical and thermal stability glasses are good candidates for several applications such as fast ionic conductors, semiconductors, photonic materials, electrolytes, hermetic seals, rare-earth ion host solid lasers, and biomedical materials. The present work endorses the analysis of the electrical conductivity of the as-grown samples, and also the electrical, dielectric, and structural changes established by the heat-treatment process. The structure of the samples was analyzed using X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and density measurements. Both XRD and Raman analysis confirmed crystals formation through the heat-treatment process. The electrical ac and dc conductivities, σac and σdc, respectively, and impedance spectroscopy measurements as function of the temperature, varying from 200 to 380 K, were investigated for the as-grown and heat-treated samples. The impedance spectroscopy was measured in the frequency range of 100 Hz–1 MHz.
High thermoelectric potential of Bi2Te3 alloyed GeTe-rich phases
Authors: Madar Naor , Givon Tom , Mogilyansky Dmitry , Gelbstein Yaniv
Published: July 2016

In an attempt to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, associated with severe environmental effects, the current research is focused on the identification of the thermoelectric potential of p-type (GeTe)1−x(Bi2Te3)x alloys, with x values of up to 20%. Higher solubility limit of Bi2Te3 in GeTe, than previously reported, was identified around ∼9%, extending the doping potential of GeTe by the Bi2Te3 donor dopant, for an effective compensation of the high inherent hole concentration of GeTe toward thermoelectrically optimal values. Around the solubility limit of 9%, an electronic optimization resulted in an impressive maximal thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, of ∼1.55 at ∼410 °C, which is one of the highest ever reported for any p-type GeTe-rich alloys. Beyond the solubility limit, a Fermi Level Pinning effect of stabilizing the Seebeck coefficient was observed in the x = 12%–17% range, leading to stabilization of the maximal ZTs over an extended temperature range; an effect that was associated with the potential of the governed highly symmetric Ge8Bi2Te11 and Ge4Bi2Te7 phases to create high valence band degeneracy with several bands and multiple hole pockets on the Fermi surface. At this compositional range, co-doping with additional dopants, creating shallow impurity levels (in contrast to the deep lying level created by Bi2Te3), was suggested for further electronic optimization of the thermoelectric properties.