bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of icotinib with and without radiation therapy on patients with EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases
Authors: Fan Yun , Xu Yanjun , Gong Lei , Fang luo , Lu Hongyang , Qin Jing , Han Na , Xie Fajun , Qiu Guoqin , Huang Zhiyu
Published: March 2017

EGFR-TKIs and radiation therapy (RT) are the principal treatment for patients with brain metastases (BM) and EGFR mutant NSCLC. However, the optimal use of brain RT for patients with asymptomatic BM remains undefined. A total of 152 patients were identified. 58 patients were excluded. Of the remaining 97 patients, 56 patients received upfront RT followed by icotinib, including WBRT or SRS. 41 patients received icotinib therapy alone. The mOS from diagnosis of BM was 27.0 months for the whole cohort (95% CI, 23.9–30.1 months). There was no difference in OS between the RT followed by icotinib group and the icotinib alone group (31.9 vs. 27.9 months, P = 0.237), and similar results were found in the SRS subgroup (35.5 vs. 27.9 months, P = 0.12). Patients with the EGFR Del19 mutation had a longer OS than patients with the exon 21 L858R mutation (32.7 vs. 27.4, P = 0.037). Intracranial progression-free survival (PFS) was improved in the patients who received RT followed by icotinib compared to those receiving icotinib alone (22.4 vs. 13.9 months, P = 0.043). Patients with EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma and BM treated with icotinib exhibited prolonged survival. A longer duration of intracranial control was observed with brain RT.
Molecular epidemiology of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis caused by coxsackie A type 24 variant in China, 2004–2014
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhao Na , Huang Xiaodan , Jin Xiuming , Geng Xingyi , Chan Ta-Chien , Liu Shelan
Published: March 2017

To understand control interventions, the molecular epidemiology of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) was investigated from 2004 to 2014.A total of 613,485 AHC cases (annualized cases 55,771) with two deaths were included. Our findings showed that AHC was reported in all provinces, predominantly in Southern and Eastern China. The incidence rates were highest in 2007 (5.65/100,000) and 2010 (21.78/100,000) respectively. A clear seasonal pattern was identified with a peak from August to October. AHC cases occurred in all age groups; however, five to 14 years was the predominant group [23.06%, 133, 510/578,909]. The median age was 24 years (one month~97 years). The median duration from onset to diagnosis was 1.5 days, and there was no difference between the <15, 15~60 and >60-year-old patients [p = 0.0653]. The phylogenetic analysis of 100 nonstructural proteins (3C) and 84 structural proteins (VP1) revealed that AHC outbreaks were caused by Coxsackievirus A24 variant. Genotypes G4-c5a, G4-c5b, and G4-c3 co-circulated with both temporal and geographical overlaps. In conclusion, despite the overall steady decline in the number of AHC cases since the peak in 2010, it still remains a serious public health problem in Southern and Eastern China that targets on the school aged children under 15 years old.
Structural insights into the nucleotide base specificity of P2X receptors
Authors: Kasuya Go , Fujiwara Yuichiro , Tsukamoto Hisao , Morinaga Satoshi , Ryu Satoshi , Touhara Kazushige , Ishitani Ryuichiro , Furutani Yuji , Hattori Motoyuki , Nureki Osamu
Published: March 2017

P2X receptors are trimeric ATP-gated cation channels involved in diverse physiological processes, ranging from muscle contraction to nociception. Despite the recent structure determination of the ATP-bound P2X receptors, the molecular mechanism of the nucleotide base specificity has remained elusive. Here, we present the crystal structure of zebrafish P2X4 in complex with a weak affinity agonist, CTP, together with structure-based electrophysiological and spectroscopic analyses. The CTP-bound structure revealed a hydrogen bond, between the cytosine base and the side chain of the basic residue in the agonist binding site, which mediates the weak but significant affinity for CTP. The cytosine base is further recognized by two main chain atoms, as in the ATP-bound structure, but their bond lengths seem to be extended in the CTP-bound structure, also possibly contributing to the weaker affinity for CTP over ATP. This work provides the structural insights for the nucleotide base specificity of P2X receptors.
Hunting promotes spatial reorganization and sexually selected infanticide
Authors: Leclerc M. , Frank S. C. , Zedrosser A. , Swenson J. E. , Pelletier F.
Published: March 2017

Harvest can affect the ecology and evolution of wild species. The removal of key individuals, such as matriarchs or dominant males, can disrupt social structure and exacerbate the impact of hunting on population growth. We do not know, however, how and when the spatiotemporal reorganization takes place after removal and if such changes can be the mechanism that explain a decrease in population growth. Detailed behavioral information from individually monitored brown bears, in a population where hunting increases sexually selected infanticide, revealed that adult males increased their use of home ranges of hunter-killed neighbors in the second year after their death. Use of a hunter-killed male’s home range was influenced by the survivor’s as well as the hunter-killed male’s age, population density, and hunting intensity. Our results emphasize that hunting can have long-term indirect effects which can affect population viability.
Novel Model of Tendon Regeneration Reveals Distinct Cell Mechanisms Underlying Regenerative and Fibrotic Tendon Healing
Authors: Howell Kristen , Chien Chun , Bell Rebecca , Laudier Damien , Tufa Sara F. , Keene Douglas R. , Andarawis-Puri Nelly , Huang Alice H.
Published: March 2017

To date, the cell and molecular mechanisms regulating tendon healing are poorly understood. Here, we establish a novel model of tendon regeneration using neonatal mice and show that neonates heal via formation of a ‘neo-tendon’ that differentiates along the tendon specific lineage with functional restoration of gait and mechanical properties. In contrast, adults heal via fibrovascular scar, aberrant differentiation toward cartilage and bone, with persistently impaired function. Lineage tracing identified intrinsic recruitment of Scx-lineage cells as a key cellular mechanism of neonatal healing that is absent in adults. Instead, adult Scx-lineage tenocytes are not recruited into the defect but transdifferentiate into ectopic cartilage; in the absence of tenogenic cells, extrinsic αSMA-expressing cells persist to form a permanent scar. Collectively, these results establish an exciting model of tendon regeneration and uncover a novel cellular mechanism underlying regenerative vs non-regenerative tendon healing.
Interlocked benzenes in triangular π-architectures: anchoring groups dictate ion binding and transmission
Authors: Shekar S. Chandra , Kumar Meena Sanjay , Swathi R. S.
Published: March 2017

Graphynes and graphenylenes – potential materials for lithium ion batteries.
Colloidal characterization of CuO nanoparticles in biological and environmental media
Authors: Ortelli Simona , Costa Anna Luisa , Blosi Magda , Brunelli Andrea , Badetti Elena , Bonetto Alessandro , Hristozov Danail , Marcomini Antonio
Published: March 2017

The relationships between the physicochemical properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and their adverse health and environmental effects are still unclear.
3D multilayered plasmonic nanostructures with high areal density for SERS
Authors: Lee MinKyoung , Jeon Tae Yoon , Mun ChaeWon , Kwon Jung-Dae , Yun Jungheum , Kim Shin-Hyun , Kim Dong-Ho , Chang Seung-Cheol , Park Sung-Gyu
Published: March 2017

Highly efficient 3D plasmonic nanostructures with high areal density for SERS are reported.
Dually crosslinkable SiO2@polysiloxane core–shell nanoparticles for flexible gate dielectric insulators
Authors: Lee Eunkyung , Jung Jiyoung , Choi Ajeong , Bulliard Xavier , Kim Jung-Hwa , Yun Youngjun , Kim Jooyoung , Park Jeongil , Lee Sangyoon , Kang Youngjong
Published: March 2017

A hybrid gate dielectric material for flexible OTFT is developed by using core–shell nanoparticles (SiO2@PSRXL) where the core and the shell consist of silica nanoparticles and polysiloxane resin, respectively.
Solvent modified spin crossover in an iron(iii) complex: phase changes and an exceptionally wide hysteresis
Authors: Phonsri Wasinee , Harding Phimphaka , Liu Lujia , Telfer Shane G. , Murray Keith S. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Ross Tamsyn M. , Jameson Guy N. L. , Harding David J.
Published: March 2017

The impact of solvent on spin crossover is explored with T1/2 varying by 200 K and hysteresis up to 80 K.
Effective suppression of interfacial charge recombination by a 12-crown-4 substituent on a double-anchored organic sensitizer and rotating disk electrochemical evidence
Authors: Li Chun-Ting , Wu Feng-Ling , Liang Chia-Jung , Ho Kuo-Chuan , Lin Jiann T.
Published: March 2017

A crown-ether-substituted double-anchored organic dye suppressed charge recombination with iodide and cobalt redox mediators to reach the efficiencies of 10.12% (under 1 sun) and 11.17% (under 0.1 sun).
Reprogrammable ultra-fast shape-transformation of macroporous composite hydrogel sheets
Authors: Guo Hongyu , Cheng Jian , Wang Jianying , Huang Peng , Liu Yijing , Jia Zheng , Chen Xiaoyuan , Sui Kunyan , Li Teng , Nie Zhihong
Published: March 2017

A same hybrid hydrogel sheet rapidly transforms into various shapes under near-infrared light irradiation. The transformation relies on the photo-thermal-induced asymmetric shrinking of the hydrogel material, which is further verified by finite element modeling.
Plasmonic Cu1.8S nanocrystals as saturable absorbers for passively Q-switched erbium-doped fiber lasers
Authors: Liu Mingyi , Zhou Donglei , Jia Zhixu , Li Zhenrui , Li Nan , Li Siqing , Kang Zhe , Yi Jun , Zhao Chujun , Qin Guanshi , Song Hongwei , Qin Weiping
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate a passively Q-switched Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped fiber laser by using a filmy sodium carboxymethylcellulose-based Cu1.8S nanocrystals saturable absorber.
A sensitive ratiometric electrochemical biosensor based on DNA four-way junction formation and enzyme-assisted recycling amplification
Authors: Cui Lin , Lu Mengfei , Yang Xiao-yun , Tang Bo , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: March 2017

We develop a ratiometric electrochemical biosensor for DNA assay based on DNA four-way junction formation and enzyme-assisted recycling amplification.
Encapsulation of a compartmentalized cytoplasm mimic within a lipid membrane by microfluidics
Authors: Sobrinos-Sanguino Marta , Zorrilla Silvia , Keating Christine D. , Monterroso Begoña , Rivas Germán
Published: March 2017

Microdroplets in microfluidics and permeable GUVs encapsulating LLPS-systems provide improved platforms for analysing the impact of compartmentalization on biological processes.
Controlled defunctionalisation of biobased organic acids
Authors: Verduyckt Jasper , De Vos Dirk E.
Published: March 2017

Considerable progress has been made in the field of hydrogenation, decarboxylation and deamination of both citric and amino acids to valuable chemicals, which is why they should be (re)considered as valid biobased platform chemicals.
Effects of the locality of a potential derived from hybrid density functionals on Kohn–Sham orbitals and excited states
Authors: Kim Jaewook , Hong Kwangwoo , Hwang Sang-Yeon , Ryu Seongok , Choi Sunghwan , Kim Woo Youn
Published: March 2017

The locality of the Kohn–Sham potential in hybrid DFT results in physically meaningful virtual orbitals more suitable to excited state calculations.
Non-equilibrium assembly of microtubules: from molecules to autonomous chemical robots
Authors: Hess H. , Ross Jennifer L.
Published: March 2017

Biological systems have evolved to harness non-equilibrium processes from the molecular to the macro scale.
Ligands and complexes based on piperidine and their exploitation of the ring opening polymerisation of rac-lactide
Authors: McKeown Paul , Brown-Humes James , Davidson Matthew G. , Mahon Mary F. , Woodman Timothy J. , Jones Matthew D.
Published: March 2017

Ligands based on 2-aminomethyl piperidine have been prepared, complexed to a variety of metals and tested for their ability to polymerise lactide.
Direct observation of enhanced water and carbon dioxide reactivity on multivalent metal oxides and their composites
Authors: Huang Yi-Lin , Pellegrinelli Christopher , Geller Aaron , Liou Sz-Chian , Jarry Angelique , Wang Luning , Yu Yi , Bluhm Hendrik , Crumlin Ethan J. , Gaskell Karen J. , Eichhorn Bryan W. , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: March 2017

Direct observation of water and carbon dioxide reactivity on metal oxides and their composites.
Unexpected formation of [5]helicenes from hexaarylbenzenes containing pyrrole moieties
Authors: Ammon Felix , Sauer Stephanie Theresia , Lippert Rainer , Lungerich Dominik , Reger David , Hampel Frank , Jux Norbert
Published: March 2017

Surprisingly helical: a pyrrolic [5]helicene embedded into a six-membered ring framework is preferred over a heterocyclic pendant of hexabenzocoronene.
Transition-metal-free oxidative reaction of hydrazines and potassium metabisulfite for preparation of sulfonohydrazides
Authors: Wang Yang , Du Bingnan , Sha Wanxing , Mei Haibo , Han Jianlin , Pan Yi
Published: March 2017

A coupling reaction for the synthesis of sulfonohydrazides from two types of hydrazines and K2S2O5 under air was developed.
Review on the mass transfer performance of CO2 absorption by amine-based solvents in low- and high-pressure absorption packed columns
Authors: Afkhamipour Morteza , Mofarahi Masoud
Published: March 2017

An overview on the experimental works for obtaining KGCO2aV for low- and high-pressure absorption packed columns.
Pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen-rich graphene for high-performance supercapacitors and metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR and OER
Authors: Faisal Shaikh Nayeem , Haque Enamul , Noorbehesht Nikan , Zhang Weimin , Harris Andrew T. , Church Tamara L. , Minett Andrew I.
Published: March 2017

A facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene with high atomic percentages of pyridinic N and graphitic N is reported. The synthesized materials show superior capacitance performance and metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysis of ORR and OER.
Correction: Hydrolysis and condensation of a benzocyclobutene-functionalized precursor for the synthesis of high performance low-K polymers
Authors: Cheng Yuanrong , Chen Wenhao , Li Zhuo , Zhu Tangwei , Zhang Ziyu , Jin Yunxia
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘Hydrolysis and condensation of a benzocyclobutene-functionalized precursor for the synthesis of high performance low-K polymers’ by Yuanrong Cheng et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 14406–14412.
Dead lithium: mass transport effects on voltage, capacity, and failure of lithium metal anodes
Authors: Chen Kuan-Hung , Wood Kevin N. , Kazyak Eric , LePage William S. , Davis Andrew L. , Sanchez Adrian J. , Dasgupta Neil P.
Published: March 2017

A mechanistic analysis of voltage shape changes in lithium metal anodes explains how dead lithium causes capacity fade and failure.
Effects of proton irradiation on structural and electrochemical charge storage properties of TiO2 nanotube electrodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Smith Kassiopeia A. , Savva Andreas I. , Deng Changjian , Wharry Janelle P. , Hwang Sooyeon , Su Dong , Wang Yongqiang , Gong Jue , Xu Tao , Butt Darryl P. , Xiong Hui
Published: March 2017

The effects of proton irradiation on nanostructured metal oxides have been investigated.
Facilely synthesized pH-responsive fluorescent polymer dots entrapping doped and coupled doxorubicin for nucleus-targeted chemotherapy
Authors: Guo Yixiao , Cao Fengwen , Li Yao , Xiong Liqin
Published: March 2017

The combination of physical doping and chemical coupling can significantly enhance the drug loading/release efficiency and improve the effect of cancer treatment. Based on this strategy, PEG-Dox doped and coupled PFBT polymer dots were optimized as a nucleus-targeted drug delivery platform for tumor therapy.
Glycerol/PEDOT:PSS coated woven fabric as a flexible heating element on textiles
Authors: Moraes Maria R. , Alves Alexandra C. , Toptan Fatih , Martins Marcos S. , Vieira Eliana M. F. , Paleo Antonio J. , Souto Antonio P. , Santos Washington L. F. , Esteves Maria F. , Zille Andrea
Published: March 2017

A cost-competitive, flexible and safe thermoelectric polyamide 6,6 (PA66) fabric coated with glycerol-doped PEDOT:PSS (PEDOT:PSS + GLY) for use in large area textiles as a heating element in several applications.
Coded transceive spatial modulation with block Markov superposition transmission
Authors: Wang Leijun , Ma Xiao
Published: March 2017

A new multiple‐input multiple‐output system, referred to as transceive spatial modulation (TRSM), which integrates transmit spatial modulation (SM) and receive SM. In the TRSM system, information bits are carried by the conventional amplitude–phase modulation as well as by the indices of both the transmit and the receive antennas. To improve the bit‐error‐rate performance, block Markov superposition transmission (BMST) is applied to the TRSM, resulting in BMST‐TRSM, where BMST is a recently proposed coding scheme and can be easily designed according to the spectral efficiency requirement. To reduce the computational complexity, a layered (suboptimal) soft detection algorithm is presented, which delivers a list of candidate spatial points (antenna combinations) first. Numerical results show that the proposed TRSM system performs well over the Rayleigh fading channels.
Effect of circumferential segmentation of permanent magnets on rotor loss in fractional‐slot concentrated‐winding machines
Authors: Ji Jinghua , Luo Jianhua , Zhao Wenxiang , Zheng Junqiang , Zhang Ying
Published: March 2017

Permanent‐magnet (PM) segmentation is a plain and valid way for eddy current (EC) loss reduction in fractional‐slot concentrated‐winding (FSCW) machines and it has no passive effect on the machine itself. In this study, compared with PM asymmetrical segmentation, the authors prove that symmetrical segmentation adopted by most scholars, in general, is the optimal choice by using both analytical method (AM) and time‐stepped transient finite‐element method (FEM), when the skin effect is neglected. Furthermore, two surface‐mounted PM machines with FSCW are proposed to investigate the effect of PM symmetrical segmentation on EC loss in rotor PMs. The actual effect of PM segmentation is to cut off the EC path and increase the resistance value in return circuit, thus decreasing EC density in PMs. In addition, some theoretical expressions evaluating the EC loss with consideration of magnet segmentation effect are derived step by step. Finally, Maxwell FEM software is used to verify the theoretical analysis, showing that the proposed AM is able to accurately predict the EC loss with different segmented numbers.
Copper-Catalyzed Oxidation of Alkanes under Mild Conditions
Authors: Garcia-Bosch Isaac
Published: March 2017

The selective functionalization of C–H bonds is a critical step in the majority of synthetic organic pathways. Our research lab, among others, takes inspiration from the reactivity of Cu-dependent metalloenzymes to design catalytic systems for the C–H oxidation of challenging substrates (i.e., alkanes). In this Synpacts article, we summarize our recent findings on the Cu-catalyzed peroxidation of C–H bonds with H2O2 under mild conditions.
Vibrational and vibrational-torsional interactions in the 0–600 cm−1 region of the S1 ← S spectrum of p-xylene investigated with resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy
Authors: Tuttle William D. , Gardner Adrian M. , O’Regan Kieran B. , Malewicz William , Wright Timothy G.
Published: March 2017

We assign the 0–600 cm−1 region of the S1 ← S0 transition in p-xylene (p-dimethylbenzene) using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. In the 0–350 cm−1 range as well as the intense origin band, there are a number of torsional and vibration-torsion (vibtor) features. The latter are discussed in more detail in Paper I [A. M. Gardner et al., J. Chem. Phys. 146, 124308 (2017)]. Here we focus on the origin and the 300–600 cm−1 region, where vibrational bands and some vibtor activity are observed. From the origin ZEKE spectrum, we derive the ionization energy of p-xylene as 68200 ± 5 cm−1. The assignment of the REMPI spectrum is based on the activity observed in the ZEKE spectra coupled with knowledge of the vibrational wavenumbers obtained from quantum chemical calculations. We assign several isolated vibrations and a complex Fermi resonance that is found to comprise contributions from both vibrations and vibtor levels, and we examine this via a two-dimensional ZEKE spectrum. A number of the vibrational features in the REMPI and ZEKE spectra of p-xylene that have been reported previously are reassigned and now largely consist of totally symmetric contributions. We briefly discuss the appearance of non-Franck-Condon allowed transitions. Finally, we find remarkably similar spectral activity to that in the related disubstituted benzenes, para-difluorobenzene, and para-fluorotoluene.
Heavy ion linear accelerator for radiation damage studies of materials
Authors: Kutsaev Sergey V. , Mustapha Brahim , Ostroumov Peter N. , Nolen Jerry , Barcikowski Albert , Pellin Michael , Yacout Abdellatif
Published: March 2017

A new eXtreme MATerial (XMAT) research facility is being proposed at Argonne National Laboratory to enable rapid in situ mesoscale bulk analysis of ion radiation damage in advanced materials and nuclear fuels. This facility combines a new heavy-ion accelerator with the existing high-energy X-ray analysis capability of the Argonne Advanced Photon Source. The heavy-ion accelerator and target complex will enable experimenters to emulate the environment of a nuclear reactor making possible the study of fission fragment damage in materials. Material scientists will be able to use the measured material parameters to validate computer simulation codes and extrapolate the response of the material in a nuclear reactor environment. Utilizing a new heavy-ion accelerator will provide the appropriate energies and intensities to study these effects with beam intensities which allow experiments to run over hours or days instead of years. The XMAT facility will use a CW heavy-ion accelerator capable of providing beams of any stable isotope with adjustable energy up to 1.2 MeV/u for 238U50+ and 1.7 MeV for protons. This energy is crucial to the design since it well mimics fission fragments that provide the major portion of the damage in nuclear fuels. The energy also allows damage to be created far from the surface of the material allowing bulk radiation damage effects to be investigated. The XMAT ion linac includes an electron cyclotron resonance ion source, a normal-conducting radio-frequency quadrupole and four normal-conducting multi-gap quarter-wave resonators operating at 60.625 MHz. This paper presents the 3D multi-physics design and analysis of the accelerating structures and beam dynamics studies of the linac.
Direction-dependent elastic properties and phononic behavior of PMMA/BaTiO3 nanocomposite thin films
Authors: Alonso-Redondo E. , Gueddida A. , Huesmann H. , El Abouti O. , Tremel W. , El Boudouti E. H. , Djafari-Rouhani B. , Fytas G.
Published: March 2017

Determination of the anisotropic mechanical properties of nanostructured hybrid films is of great importance to improve fabrication and to enable reliable utility. Here, we employ spontaneous Brillouin light spectroscopy to record the phononic dispersion relation along the two symmetry directions in a supported PMMA (poly(methylmethacrylate))-BaTiO3 hybrid superlattice (SL) with a lattice constant of about 140 nm. Several dispersive elastic modes are resolved for in-plane wave propagation, whereas along the periodicity direction the SL opens a wide propagation stop band for hypersonic phonons and near UV photons both centered at about 280 nm. A thorough theoretical analysis based on the finite element method quantitatively captures the band diagrams along the two main symmetry directions, helps identify the large density mismatch effect on the unexpectedly low sound phase velocity, and reveals significant anisotropy of the SL elastic tensor. Phonon propagation is a sensitive index of the structure, density, and the mechanical moduli of nanocomposite films.
Multistability of phase-locking in equal-frequency Kuramoto models on planar graphs
Authors: Delabays Robin , Coletta Tommaso , Jacquod Philippe
Published: March 2017

The number N of stable fixed points of locally coupled Kuramoto models depends on the topology of the network on which the model is defined. It has been shown that cycles in meshed networks play a crucial role in determining N because any two different stable fixed points differ by a collection of loop flows on those cycles. Since the number of different loop flows increases with the length of the cycle that carries them, one expects N to be larger in meshed networks with longer cycles. Simultaneously, the existence of more cycles in a network means more freedom to choose the location of loop flows differentiating between two stable fixed points. Therefore, N should also be larger in networks with more cycles. We derive an algebraic upper bound for the number of stable fixed points of the Kuramoto model with identical frequencies, under the assumption that angle differences between connected nodes do not exceed π/2. We obtain N≤∏k=1c[2⋅Int(nk/4)+1], which depends both on the number c of cycles and on the spectrum of their lengths {nk}. We further identify network topologies carrying stable fixed points with angle differences larger than π/2, which leads us to conjecture an upper bound for the number of stable fixed points for Kuramoto models on any planar network. Compared to earlier approaches that give exponential upper bounds in the total number of vertices, our bounds are much lower and therefore much closer to the true number of stable fixed points.
Spring-driven high speed valve for massive gas injection in tokamaks
Authors: Dibon M. , Mank K. , Pautasso G. , Griener M. , Herrmann A. , Mertens V. , Neu R. , Ploeckl B. , Rohde V.
Published: March 2017

A new high speed gas valve was developed for disruption mitigation studies in the tokamak ASDEX Upgrade. The valve was designed to operate inside the vacuum vessel to reduce the time of flight of the injected gas and to prevent dispersion of the gas cloud before the gas reaches the plasma. A spring-driven mechanism was chosen for the valve as it is robust against the high magnetic fields and electromagnetic disturbances inside the vessel. The internal gas reservoir (128 cm3) of the valve, which holds the mitigation gas, is opened within 1.5 ms, and the maximal stroke between the valve plate and nozzle (diameter 13 mm) is 4.5 mm. This allows a peak flow rate of 72 kPam3/s after 1 ms which was determined both analytically and numerically. The highest gas velocity (approximately 560 m/s) is reached 0.6 ms after the valve is opened. The gas cloud expands in a pear shape with an opening angle of 49°.
Geostrophic tripolar vortices in a two-layer fluid: Linear stability and nonlinear evolution of equilibria
Authors: Reinaud J. N. , Sokolovskiy M. A. , Carton X.
Published: March 2017

We investigate equilibrium solutions for tripolar vortices in a two-layer quasi-geostrophic flow. Two of the vortices are like-signed and lie in one layer. An opposite-signed vortex lies in the other layer. The families of equilibria can be spanned by the distance (called separation) between the two like-signed vortices. Two equilibrium configurations are possible when the opposite-signed vortex lies between the two other vortices. In the first configuration (called ordinary roundabout), the opposite signed vortex is equidistant to the two other vortices. In the second configuration (eccentric roundabouts), the distances are unequal. We determine the equilibria numerically and describe their characteristics for various internal deformation radii. The two branches of equilibria can co-exist and intersect for small deformation radii. Then, the eccentric roundabouts are stable while unstable ordinary roundabouts can be found. Indeed, ordinary roundabouts exist at smaller separations than eccentric roundabouts do, thus inducing stronger vortex interactions. However, for larger deformation radii, eccentric roundabouts can also be unstable. Then, the two branches of equilibria do not cross. The branch of eccentric roundabouts only exists for large separations. Near the end of the branch of eccentric roundabouts (at the smallest separation), one of the like-signed vortices exhibits a sharp inner corner where instabilities can be triggered. Finally, we investigate the nonlinear evolution of a few selected cases of tripoles.
Near-field dynamics of parallel twin jets in cross-flow
Authors: Zang B. , New T. H.
Published: March 2017

The present study examines the near-field flow developments and dynamics of parallel twin jets in cross-flow (TJICF) configured with jet-to-jet separation distances of 1.5 to 3 jet diameters (D) and velocity ratios of 2, 4, and 6. Both laser-induced fluorescence and particle-image velocimetry measurements were made along the streamwise and cross-stream planes in order to investigate the effects of the separation distance and velocity ratio upon the deflected jet and the formation of counter-rotating vortex-pairs (CVPs) within the near-field region. Results show that each jet in the parallel TJICF configuration attains higher cross-flow entrainment and produces greater jet half-widths than a single jet in cross-flow (SJICF). Moreover, as the separation distance decreases to 1.5D, the twin jets interact closer to the jet exit such that organized leading-edge and lee-side vortices are present along the symmetry plane. Cross-stream results indicate that the pair of inner vortices associated with the two resulting CVPs is being induced to move towards each other along the symmetry plane, where their opposite-signed vorticities annihilate with each other eventually. As such, the vorticity transition from two CVPs into a resulting single CVP takes place quickly within the near-field region when the separation distance is sufficiently small. Streamwise circulation decays determined for parallel TJICF show that their circulations increase moderately when the two CVPs begin to interact with each other. Further examination into the Reynolds shear stresses indicates that there exists substantial flow shear stress as the pair of inner vortices interacts, which yields higher entrainment level of the cross-flow fluid in regions adjacent to the symmetry plane. As a result, the near-field jet trajectories for each jet in the parallel TJICF are always lower than that of the corresponding SJICF when the separation distance is small, regardless of the velocity ratios.
Non-Fickian diffusion of methanol in mesoporous media: Geometrical restrictions or adsorption-induced?
Authors: Zhokh Alexey , Strizhak Peter
Published: March 2017

The methanol mass transfer in the mesoporous silica and alumina/zeolite H-ZSM-5 grains has been studied. We demonstrate that the methanol diffusion is characterized as a time-fractional for both solids. Methanol transport occurs in the super-diffusive regime, which is faster comparing to the Fickian diffusion. We show that the fractional exponents defining the regime of transport are different for each porous grain. The difference between the values of the fractional exponents is associated with a difference in the energetic strength of the active sites of the surface of the media of different chemical nature as well as the geometrical restrictions of the porous media. Increasing by six-fold, the pore diameter leads to a 1.1 fold increase of the fractional exponent. Decreasing by three-fold, the methanol desorption energy results into the same increasing the fractional exponent. Our findings support that mainly the adsorption process, which is defined by the energetic disorder of the corresponding surface active sites, is likely to be the driving force of the abnormality of the mass transfer in the porous media. Therefore, the fractional exponent is a fundamental characteristic which is individual for each combination of the porous solid and diffusing species.
Perspective: Found in translation: Quantum chemical tools for grasping
non-covalent interactions
Authors: Pastorczak Ewa , Corminboeuf Clémence
Published: March 2017

Today’s quantum chemistry methods are extremely powerful but rely upon complex quantities such as the massively multidimensional wavefunction or even the simpler electron density. Consequently, chemical insight and a chemist’s intuition are often lost in this complexity leaving the results obtained difficult to rationalize. To handle this overabundance of information, computational chemists have developed tools and methodologies that assist in composing a more intuitive picture that permits better understanding of the intricacies of chemical behavior. In particular, the fundamental comprehension of phenomena governed by non-covalent interactions is not easily achieved in terms of either the total wavefunction or the total electron density, but can be accomplished using more informative quantities. This perspective provides an overview of these tools and methods that have been specifically developed or used to analyze, identify, quantify, and visualize non-covalent interactions. These include the quantitative energy decomposition analysis schemes and the more qualitative class of approaches such as the Non-covalent Interaction index, the Density Overlap Region Indicator, or quantum theory of atoms in molecules. Aside from the enhanced knowledge gained from these schemes, their strengths, limitations, as well as a roadmap for expanding their capabilities are emphasized.
Evaluation of an activity and rumination monitor in dairy cattle grazing two types of forages
Authors: Molfino Juan , Clark Cameron E. F. , Kerrisk Kendra L. , García Sergio C.
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of a newer version of an activity- and rumination-monitoring system by comparison against direct visual observations, for the following three different types of behaviour: grazing, resting (described as lying or standing idle) and ruminating for cows grazing either annual ryegrass or chicory-based swards. Eight non-lactating Holstein–Friesian cows were fitted with the sensor tags, and grazed on annual ryegrass pasture for a target consumption of 10 kg DM ryegrass/cow.day for 7 days. The experiment was then repeated with cattle offered a similar allowance of chicory. Observations were conducted by two trained observers in two observation periods each day, to capture the above described behaviours. In each period, electronic behavioural measurements were recorded continuously by the sensors, while visual observations were also continuous (during observation periods), and the two datasets were matched. On average, each cow was visually observed for 87.2 min/day. For each behavioural state (at 1-min intervals, n = 6963), probability of agreement, sensitivity, specificity and positive predicted value were determined for grazing as 98%, 98.3%, 97.3% and 98.9% respectively, for resting as 80%, 77.5%, 99.1% and 92.9% and for ruminating as 87%, 86.9%, 98.4% and 90.68%. Concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Pearson correlations (r) were used to investigate the relationships between visual observations and data generated from the tags. Different behaviours were analysed separately. Significant correlations were found for the three behaviours (grazing: CCC = 0.99, r = 0.99; resting: CCC = 0.95, r = 0.97; ruminating: CCC = 0.80, r = 0.80), with no differences detected between the two forages. We conclude that, under the conditions of the present study, the activity- and rumination-monitoring system tag measured grazing, resting and ruminating behaviours with high accuracy on the basis of comparison to visual observations.
Transition state mimics are valuable mechanistic probes for structural studies with the arginine methyltransferase CARM1
Authors: van Haren Matthijs J. , Marechal Nils , Troffer-Charlier Nathalie , Cianciulli Agostino , Sbardella Gianluca , Cavarelli Jean , Martin Nathaniel I.
Published: March 2017

Significance

The posttranslational methylation of arginine is a widespread epigenetic modification catalyzed by the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). Dysregulation of PRMT expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases including human cancers. An atomic-scale understanding of the PRMT catalytic mechanism is crucial for both fundamental biological and pharmacological applications. Despite intense efforts, crystal structures of PRMT complexes with long peptides and full-length substrates have not been solved because of their inherent instability. To address this issue, we describe peptide-based transition state mimics that form stable complexes with the PRMT enzyme coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 resulting in high-resolution cocrystal structures. Our findings provide an exciting approach to understanding PRMT substrate recognition and the regulation of arginine methylation.
Localized hepatic lobular regeneration by central-vein–associated lineage-restricted progenitors
Authors: Tsai Jonathan M. , Koh Pang Wei , Stefanska Ania , Xing Liujing , Walmsley Graham G. , Poux Nicolas , Weissman Irving L. , Rinkevich Yuval
Published: March 2017

Significance

After partial hepatectomy, the adult mammalian liver regenerates through the mobilization of all hepatocytes characterized by a few cycles of cell division and subsequent hypertrophy with loss of global architecture. We have discovered a form of regeneration in the neonatal mouse liver, specific to the first week of life, where we observe numerous rounds of cell division and reconstitution of lobe architecture much like in amphibian limbs. This regenerative process is characterized by clonal expansion of select hepatocyte-specific stem or progenitors that localize to the central vein and is one of the first characterized instances of true mammalian regeneration.
From Education to Practice: Addressing Opioid Misuse through Health Care Provider Training: A Special Issue of Substance Abuse Journal
Authors: Gordon Adam J. , Harding John Daniel
Published: March 2017

Opioid misuse may be ignored by providers who are unwilling or not confident in engaging the complex nature of substance use disorders among their patient populations. Addiction is a complex disease, and although providers often are comfortable in identifying, assessing, and treating the complex diseases of their patients, basic knowledge and skills of identification, assessment, and treatment expertise involving opioids for pain, addressing opioid misuse, and treatment of opioid use disorder are lacking. Initiatives to improve knowledge of opioid use, misuse, and opioid use disorder among health care providers are emerging. In this issue of the Substance Abuse journal, we examine the science and evidence base of educational interventions and public initiatives addressing opioid use and addiction. These initiatives include naloxone rescue awareness and programs, community-based training initiatives, and system or public health approaches to improve student, trainee, and clinician education/training revolving around opioid misuse and opioid use disorder. We call on stakeholders to fund more research to investigate and implement the proven means to educate undergraduate students, graduate trainees, and clinicians regarding pain and addiction. We also recognize the 2016 peer reviewers of our journal who have performed meritorious, volunteer service to advance the science of addiction.
Contextual constraint and preview time modulate the semantic preview effect: Evidence from Chinese sentence reading
Authors: Li Nan , Wang Suiping , Mo Luxi , Kliegl Reinhold
Published: March 2017

Word recognition in sentence reading is influenced by information from both preview and context. Recently, semantic preview effect (SPE) was observed being modulated by the constraint of context, indicating that context might accelerate the processing of semantically related preview words. Besides, SPE was found to depend on preview time, which suggests that SPE may change with different processing stages of preview words. Therefore, it raises the question of whether preview time-dependent SPE would be modulated by contextual constraint. In this study, we not only investigated the impact of contextual constraint on SPE in Chinese reading but also examined its dependency on preview time. The preview word and the target word were identical, semantically related or unrelated to the target word. The results showed a significant three-way interaction: The SPE depended on contextual constraint and preview time. In separate analyses for low and high contextual constraint of target words, the SPE significantly decreased with an increase in preview duration when the target word was of low constraint in the sentence. The effect was numerically in the same direction but weaker and statistically nonsignificant when the target word was highly constrained in the sentence. The results indicate that word processing in sentences is a dynamic process of integrating information from both preview (bottom-up) and context (top-down).
After development? In defence of sustainability
Authors: Hannis Mike
Published: March 2017

The Paris Agreement was a success only for the carbon traders, sequestrators and geoengineers who are now expected to ‘balance emissions with removals’ by 2050, against a background of continued economic growth. If this is sustainable development, it is indeed discredited. But the problem is with the ‘sustainable development’ paradigm, not with the idea of sustainability. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals explicitly call for intensified economic growth and are clearly incompatible with the allegedly overarching goal of ecological sustainability. To aim at this very different goal is simply to aim at living in a way that does not contain the seeds of its own destruction. Far from invalidating this objective, diagnoses of crisis make its pursuit more urgent than ever. ‘Why aim at sustainability?’ is an odd question to pose, but one that may nonetheless produce illuminating answers. One answer derives from intergenerational obligations, but this may not even be the most important. An orientation towards sustainability is also beneficial in its own right, since it is a key part of aiming at the good life.
Osteopontin inhibits osteoblast responsiveness through the down-regulation of focal adhesion kinase mediated by the induction of low–molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase
Authors: Kusuyama Joji , Bandow Kenjiro , Ohnishi Tomokazu , Hisadome Mitsuhiro , Shima Kaori , Semba Ichiro , Matsuguchi Tetsuya
Published: March 2017

Osteopontin (OPN) is an osteogenic marker protein. Osteoblast functions are affected by inflammatory cytokines and pathological conditions. OPN is highly expressed in bone lesions such as those in rheumatoid arthritis. However, local regulatory effects of OPN on osteoblasts remain ambiguous. Here we examined how OPN influences osteoblast responses to mechanical stress and growth factors. Expression of NO synthase 1 (Nos1) and Nos2 was increased by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts. The increase of Nos1/2 expression was abrogated by both exogenous OPN overexpression and recombinant OPN treatment, whereas it was promoted by OPN-specific siRNA and OPN antibody. Moreover, LIPUS-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a crucial regulator of mechanoresponses, was down-regulated by OPN treatments. OPN also attenuated hepatocyte growth factor–induced vitamin D receptor (Vdr) expression and platelet-derived growth factor–induced cell mobility through the repression of FAK activity. Of note, the expression of low–molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP), a FAK phosphatase, was increased in both OPN-treated and differentiated osteoblasts. CD44 was a specific OPN receptor for LWW-PTP induction. Consistently, the suppressive influence of OPN on osteoblast responsiveness was abrogated by LMW-PTP knockdown. Taken together, these results reveal novel functions of OPN in osteoblast physiology.
Myosin activity drives actomyosin bundle formation and organization in contractile cells of theCaenorhabditis elegansspermatheca
Authors: Wirshing Alison C. E. , Cram Erin J.
Published: March 2017

Stress fibers—contractile actomyosin bundles—are important for cellular force production and adaptation to physical stress and have been well studied within the context of cell migration. However, less is known about actomyosin bundle formation and organization in vivo and in specialized contractile cells, such as smooth muscle and myoepithelial cells. The Caenorhabditis elegans spermatheca is a bag-like organ of 24 myoepithelial cells that houses the sperm and is the site of fertilization. During ovulation, spermathecal cells are stretched by oocyte entry and then coordinately contract to expel the fertilized embryo into the uterus. Here we use four-dimensional confocal microscopy of live animals to observe changes to spermathecal actomyosin network organization during cell stretch and contraction. Oocyte entry is required to trigger cell contraction and concomitant production of parallel actomyosin bundles. Actomyosin bundle size, connectivity, spacing, and orientation are regulated by myosin activity. We conclude that myosin drives actomyosin bundle production and that myosin activity is tightly regulated during ovulation to produce an optimally organized actomyosin network in C. elegans spermathecae.
Introduction
Authors: Miller Kiri
Published: March 2017

The introduction provides an overview of dance games and the five major thematic areas explored in the book: surveillance, control, and consent; performativity and embodied difference; kinesthetic listening; the virtual transmission of embodied practice; and choreographic labor. Each theme offers different insights into how dance games function as intimate media. This chapter includes a brief history of dance games and the music/rhythm games that preceded them, and a comparative account of the affordances of the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect as motion-sensing interfaces. It lays out the research methodologies employed for this project, including digital ethnography and “do-it-yourself/do-it-again” ethnography (DIY/DIA), and situates the book with respect to related scholarship on performance, digital media, participatory culture, and popular music.
I See You, I See You!
Authors: Miller Kiri
Published: March 2017

This chapter investigates the private/public tensions built into digital dance gameplay. Dance games offer private dance lessons using surveillance technologies. This core contradiction makes the games function as engines of humor, shame, pride, suspicion, trust, and intimacy as players perform game choreography in a range of social contexts. The chapter addresses themes of control, consent, spectatorship, and social risk by analyzing marketing strategies, industry reviews, and early player reception of the Just Dance and Dance Central games. It offers a technical overview of the Wii and Kinect systems, shows how players test and evaluate each system’s perceptual capacities, and introduces the concepts of “kinesthetic vision” and “virtual proprioception.” Dance gameplay brings together the performance conventions and technical affordances of videogames, social media platforms, and user-facing cameras integrated into consumer media devices, yielding complex dynamics of seeing-and-being-seen.