bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and experimental implementation of monitoring system in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Khelifi Fekher , Bradai Abbas , Kaddachi Med Lassaad , Rawat Priyanka
Published: October 2018

The identification of elderly activities through intelligent sensors in a smart home can effectively monitor the abnormal movements of residents in everyday life without adding supplementary loads caused by wearable sensors. To meet the question of societal stake where the need for a discrete and ambulatory follow‐up is required by the gerontologists, we propose the development of a new inside surveillance system based on multi‐sensor detection. Here, we propose a new mechanism for locating and detecting the elderly activities in a smart home. Moreover, the goal of our mechanism is to improve the supervision of areas and locate people effectively within wireless sensor networks. The contribution of this work is threefold: first, two different technologies of detection combined using the fuzzy logic method are used to minimize the error during the detection process. Second, the number of messages diffused to the base station is reduced through dynamic clustering method. Third, an optimal method for the selection of moving sensors is proposed for the localisation phase. We discuss in depth the proposed monitoring algorithm performance in terms of energy consumption, execution time, and location error. Furthermore, experiment results and relevant performance comparisons with related works are presented.
Artificial intelligence in Internet of things
Authors: Ghosh Ashish , Chakraborty Debasrita , Law Anwesha
Published: October 2018

Functioning of the Internet is persistently transforming from the Internet of computers (IoC) to the ‘Internet of things (IoT)’. Furthermore, massively interconnected systems, also known as cyber‐physical systems (CPSs), are emerging from the assimilation of many facets like infrastructure, embedded devices, smart objects, humans, and physical environments. What the authors are heading to is a huge ‘Internet of Everything in a Smart Cyber Physical Earth’. IoT and CPS conjugated with ‘data science’ may emerge as the next ‘smart revolution’. The concern that arises then is to handle the huge data generated with the much weaker existing computation power. The research in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) has been striving to give an answer to this problem. Thus, IoT with AI can become a huge breakthrough. This is not just about saving money, smart things, reducing human effort, or any trending hype. This is much more than that – easing human life. There are, however, some serious issues like the security concerns and ethical issues which will go on plaguing IoT. The big picture is not how fascinating IoT with AI seems, but how the common people perceive it – a boon, a burden, or a threat.
Planetary nebulae with UVIT
Authors: Kameswara Rao N. , De Marco O. , Krishna S. , Murthy J. , Ray A. , Sutaria F. , Mohan R.
Published: October 2018

The high excitation planetary nebula, NGC 6302, has been imaged in two far-ultraviolet (FUV) filters, F169M (Sapphire; λeff: 1608 Å) and F172M (Silica; λeff: 1717 Å) and two near-UV (NUV) filters, N219M (B15; λeff: 2196 Å) and N279N (N2; λeff: 2792 Å) with the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). The FUV F169M image shows faint emission lobes that extend to about 5 arcmin on either side of the central source. Faint orthogonal collimated jet-like structures are present on either side of the FUV lobes through the central source. These structures are not present in the two NUV filters or in the FUV F172M filter. Optical and infrared (IR) images of NGC 6302 show bright emission bipolar lobes in the east-west direction with a massive torus of molecular gas and dust seen as a dark lane in the north-south direction. The FUV lobes are much more extended and oriented at a position angle of 113°. They and the jet-like structures might be remnants of an earlier evolutionary phase, prior to the dramatic explosive event that triggered the Hubble type bipolar flows approximately 2200 years ago. The source of the FUV lobe and jet emission is not known, but is likely due to fluorescent emission from H2 molecules. The cause of the difference in orientation of optical and FUV lobes is not clear and, we speculate, could be related to two binary interactions.
Aktuelle Bewertung von Homocystein als Risikofaktor für Demenz
Authors: Obeid Rima
Published: October 2018

Mit zunehmendem Lebensalter steigen die Homocysteinwerte im Blutplasma, unter anderem bedingt durch einen Mangel an B-Vitaminen wie Folat und den Vitaminen B6 und B12. In jüngeren Studien erwies sich die Hyperhomocystämie als ein modifizierbarer Risikofaktor für Demenz. Eine Senkung des Plasma-Homocysteins bei Patienten mit leichter kognitiver Dysfunktion und mehr als 14µmol / l Gesamthomocystein könnte eventuell den kognitiven Leistungsabbau bremsen.
Evaluation of the static magnetic field interactions for a newly developed magnetic ophthalmic implant at 3 Tesla MRI
Authors: Bodenstein Ann-Kathrin , Lüpke Matthias , Seiler Christian , Goblet Frank , Nikolic Stephan , Hinze Ulf , Chichkov Boris , Windhövel Claudia , Bach Jan-Peter , Harder Lisa , Seifert Hermann
Published: October 2018

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the static magnetic field interactions for an ophthalmic-magnetic shunt implant with a ferromagnetic steel plate in a thin silicon layer. The plate is used for opening of a valve flap. Ten different sizes of this steel plate were investigated to characterize the relationship between the size of the metal and the magnetic forces of the static magnetic field of a 3.0 T MRI.

Materials and Methods The magnetic translation force Fz was quantified by determining the deflection angle using the deflection angle test (ASTM F 2052). The torque was qualitatively estimated by using a 5-point grading scale (0: no torque; + 4: very strong torque) according to Sommer et al. 11. For the visual investigation of the function of the metal plate both prototypes were positioned at the magnetic field’s spatial gradient and at the magnet’s isocenter. The stitches were exposed to the thousandfold of the translational force by a dynamometer.

Results The translational force was found to be 10 times greater than the weight of a single plate. The plates were exposed to a high torque (grade 3 to 4). The seams and the tissue withstood more than a thousandfold of the determined translational force. No spontaneous, uncontrolled opening of the valve flap was visible in the MRI, as a result of which the intraocular pressure could decrease considerably.

Conclusion Due to the small size of the plates the translational force and the torque will be compensated by the silicon layer and also by the fixation in the eye.

Key points: 

Citation Format
Transnasal Esophagoscopy—Our Experience
Authors: Rocke John , Ahmed Shadaba
Published: October 2018

Introduction Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is a widely used tool both in the diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting complaints within the head and the neck. This is because this investigative adjunct examination provides the advantage of visualizing above the level of the cricopharyngeus muscle when compared to the more widely used esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Objectives We have assessed if the implementation of TNE within a district general hospital (DGH) was feasible, and investigated if the resources of our patients could be better directed away from other investigations such as barium swallow and EGD in favor of this novel technique. The TNE technique has been largely applied in central teaching hospitals within the United Kingdom, but there are still no published reports of a DGH investigating its applicability in this smaller-sized clinical environment.

Method We have analyzed our theater database to find all the patients who had undergone TNE, and recorded their reason for presenting, the preceding investigations, and the procedural findings.

Results In most cases, the TNE was conducted without technical issues, and we were able to identify positive findings in 43% of the patients who underwent Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We were able to treat patients successfully during the investigation when a cricopharyngeal stricture or narrowing was found. A normal EGD did not preclude further investigations with TNE. All but one of our patients were treated as day-case procedures.

Conclusion Transnasal esophagoscopy can be successfully delivered within a DGH. A previous EGD does not mean that the TNE will not reveal positive findings due to its superior visualization of the pharynx and the upper esophagus.
Comparison of Pediatric Risk of Mortality III, Pediatric Index of Mortality 2, and Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 in Predicting Mortality in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Tyagi Priyamvada , Agrawal Mukesh , Tullu Milind
Published: October 2018

Aims To compare and validate the Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III, Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 2, and PIM 3 scores in a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (Indian setting).

Materials and Methods All consecutively admitted patients in the PICU of a public hospital (excluding those with unstable vital signs or cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 2 hours of admission, cardiopulmonary resuscitation before admission, and discharge or death in less than 24 hours after admission) were included. PRISM III, PIM 2, and PIM 3 scores were calculated. Mortality discrimination for the three scores was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and calibration was performed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

Results A total of 350 patients were included (male:female = 1.3:1) over the study duration of 18 months (median age: 12 months [interquartile range: 4–60 months]). Nearly half were infants (47.4%). Patients with central nervous system disease were the highest (22.8%) followed by cardiovascular system (20.6%). Mortality rate was 39.4% (138 deaths). The area under the ROC curve for the PRISM III score was 0.667, and goodness-of-fit test showed no significant difference between the observed and expected mortalities in any of these categories (p > 0.5), showing good calibration. Areas under the ROC curve for the PIM 2 and PIM 3 scores were 0.728 and 0.726, respectively. For both the scores, the goodness-of-fit test showed good calibration.

Conclusions Although all the three scores demonstrate good calibration, the PIM 2 and PIM 3 scores have an advantage regarding the better discrimination ability, ease of data collection, simplicity of computation, and inherent capacity of not being affected by treatment in PICU.
Photothermal effect in solid-state MWCNT: Possible signatures of thermal anisotropy
Authors: Sahadev Nishaina , Anappara Aji A.
Published: October 2018

The photothermal effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in solid-state was investigated by employing a sensitive heat detection technique, i.e., photo-Differential Scanning Calorimetry using an incoherent, broadband, continuous wave UV-visible light source of the range 250–450 nm. MWCNTs showed considerable photothermal activity, with the highest value recorded being ∼116.1 W/g arising from ∼ 0.2 mg of the sample under an illumination intensity of ∼ 706.8 mW/cm2. Moreover, a time-dependent two-step response in the heat output was obtained as soon as the irradiation source was turned ON or OFF. In view of the huge anisotropy in thermal conductivity as was reported in the case of MWCNTs, we attribute their origin to the quick detection of heat generated in the outer layer and a second gradual, delayed increase in heat output combining the contributions from the inner tubes as well, which gets conveyed to the exterior layer after a certain time-interval owing to the weak van der Waals interaction between the concentric tubes.
Eulerian variational formulations and momentum conservation laws for kinetic plasma systems
Authors: Sugama H. , Nunami M. , Satake S. , Watanabe T.-H.
Published: October 2018

The Eulerian variational principle for the Vlasov-Poisson-Ampère system of equations in a general coordinate system is presented. The invariance of the action integral under an arbitrary spatial coordinate transformation is used to obtain the momentum conservation law and the symmetric pressure in a more direct way than using the translational and rotational symmetries of the system. Next, the Eulerian variational principle is given for the collisionless drift kinetic equation, where particles' phase-space trajectories in given electromagnetic fields are described by Littlejohn's guiding center equations [R. G. Littlejohn, J. Plasma Phys. 29, 111 (1983)]. Then, it is shown that, in comparison with the conventional moment method, the invariance under a general spatial coordinate transformation yields a more convenient way to obtain the momentum balance as a three-dimensional vector equation in which the symmetric pressure tensor, the Lorentz force, and the magnetization current are properly expressed. Furthermore, the Eulerian formulation is presented for the extended drift kinetic system, for which, in addition to the drift kinetic equations for the distribution functions of all particle species, the quasineutrality condition and Ampère's law to determine the self-consistent electromagnetic fields are given. Again, the momentum conservation law for the extended system is derived from the invariance under the general spatial coordinate transformation. Besides, the momentum balances are investigated for the cases where the collision and/or external source terms are added to the Vlasov and drift kinetic equations.
A new toroidal x-ray crystal spectrometer for the diagnosis of high energy density plasmas at the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Bitter M. , Hill K. W. , Gao Lan , Kraus B. F. , Efthimion P. C. , Delgado-Aparicio L. , Pablant N. , Stratton B. , Schneider M. , Coppari F. , Kauffman R. , MacPhee A. G. , Ping Y. , Thorn D.
Published: October 2018

The here-described spectrometer was developed for the extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of high-density plasmas at the National Ignition Facility. It employs as the Bragg reflecting element a new type of toroidally bent crystal with a constant and very large major radius R and a much smaller, locally varying, minor radius r. The focusing properties of this crystal and the experimental arrangement of the source and detector make it possible to (a) fulfill the conditions for a perfect imaging of an ideal point source for each wavelength, (b) obtain a high photon throughput, (c) obtain a high spectral resolution by eliminating the effects of source-size broadening, and (d) obtain a one-dimensional spatial resolution with a high magnification perpendicular to the main dispersion plane.
Perspective: The promise of multi-cellular engineered living systems
Authors: Kamm Roger D. , Bashir Rashid , Arora Natasha , Dar Roy D. , Gillette Martha U. , Griffith Linda G. , Kemp Melissa L. , Kinlaw Kathy , Levin Michael , Martin Adam C. , McDevitt Todd C. , Nerem Robert M. , Powers Mark J. , Saif Taher A. , Sharpe James , Takayama Shuichi , Takeuchi Shoji , Weiss Ron , Ye Kaiming , Yevick Hannah G. , Zaman Muhammad H.
Published: October 2018

Recent technological breakthroughs in our ability to derive and differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells, organoid biology, organ-on-chip assays, and 3-D bioprinting have all contributed to a heightened interest in the design, assembly, and manufacture of living systems with a broad range of potential uses. This white paper summarizes the state of the emerging field of “multi-cellular engineered living systems,” which are composed of interacting cell populations. Recent accomplishments are described, focusing on current and potential applications, as well as barriers to future advances, and the outlook for longer term benefits and potential ethical issues that need to be considered.
A reconstruction method based on evolution of partial differential equation for the Laser-driven Ion-beam Trace Probe (LITP)
Authors: Yang X. , Xu T. , Xiao C. , Chen Y. , Wang T. , Lin C. , Xu M. , Yu Y. , Wang L. , Wang X.
Published: October 2018

The Laser-driven Ion-beam Trace Probe (LITP) is a new poloidal magnetic field (Bp) diagnostic method in tokamak devices. It measures the ion displacements which are linear integrations of Bp along the ion beam traces, and a proper tomography method is necessary for the Bp reconstruction. A tomography method based on the solution of partial differential equation is used. The diffusion term and perturbation term are used to avoid the divergence and smooth the reconstructed results. Numerical results show that both the diffusion term and the perturbation term obviously improved the reconstruction results of Bp for LITP.
Deep-ultraviolet-triggered neuromorphic functions in In-Zn-O phototransistors
Authors: Wang Juxiang , Chen Yang , Kong Ling-An , Fu Ying , Gao Yongli , Sun Jia
Published: October 2018

In recent years, photoelectronic synaptic devices have emerged as a platform for use in next-generation neuromorphic systems and artificial neural networks (ANNs). In this paper, we report an artificial photoelectronic synapse based on an ion-gel gated In-Zn-O phototransistor. The phototransistor is stimulated by a deep ultraviolet light spike, and it can process and store information in the form of an electric current. Key biological synaptic behaviors were investigated, including excitatory post-synaptic current and paired pulse facilitation. Furthermore, channel conduction can be changed by photoelectric synergy in order to simulate potentiation and depression behavior in the human brain. Most importantly, four forms of spike-timing dependent plasticity learning principles were realized by a photoelectric hybrid stimulation. Our studies provide a path towards hybrid photoelectronic ANNs capable of performing solar-blind sensitive tasks.
Mechanism of electron transport and bipolar resistive switching in lead oxide thin films
Authors: Petrov Anatoly A. , Andreeva Natalia V. , Ivanov Alexey S.
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we report a model that interprets the mechanism of bipolar resistive switching in thin metal oxide layers as a purely electronic process. Based on the experimental results, we find that the main transport mechanism in our compensated highly resistive semiconductor is related to space-charge-limited current traps. The S-shaped I–V characteristics of the structure layers of Pt/PbO/Pt with stable bipolar resistive switching demonstrate filamentary charge carrier injection in the bulk of the film. This leads to the formation of conductive filamentary areas in the metal-oxide film. We associate the transition from the high resistive state to the low resistive state (SET process) with the trap-filling limit being reached in the local conductive filamentary area, accompanied by the transition of this area to a state with a high degree of degeneracy. The stability of the conductive filament is provided by the potential barrier formed on the border with the main volume of the lead oxide compensated semiconductor film. The return to the initial state (RESET process) occurs at the injection of opposite charge carriers into the degenerate semiconductor in the local filamentary area, followed by the charge carrier recombination and transformation of this area into a highly resistive compensated semiconductor.
Origin of plasma-induced surface roughening and ripple formation during plasma etching: The crucial role of ion reflection
Authors: Hatsuse Takumi , Nakazaki Nobuya , Tsuda Hirotaka , Takao Yoshinori , Eriguchi Koji , Ono Kouichi
Published: October 2018

Plasma-induced surface roughening and ripple formation has been studied based on Monte Carlo simulations of plasma-surface interactions and feature profile evolution during Si etching in Cl-based plasmas, with emphasis being placed on the role and effects of ion reflection from microstructural feature surfaces on incidence. The simulation model included the effects of Cl+ ion reflection (and/or its penetration into substrates) through calculating the momentum and energy conservation in successive two-body elastic collisions with substrate Si atoms every ion incidence. The “reflection coefficient ri” was then further introduced in the model (0 ≤ ri ≤ 1), representing the fraction of ions incident on surfaces with the reflection/penetration calculation scheme turned on. The coefficient ri is, in a sense, a measure of the reflection probability for impacts of an ion species onto Si surfaces relative to that for Cl+ impacts. Simulations for ion incidence angles of θi = 0°, 45°, and 75° onto substrate surfaces with incident energies in the range Ei = 20−500 eV showed that as ri is slightly decreased from unity, the roughness decreases substantially, and the ripple formation fades away: the roughness remains at the low level of stochastic roughening during etching for decreased ri ≤ ri* ≈ 0.95−0.75 (the critical ri* tends to be lower at higher Ei and θi) with no ripple structures at off-normal θi. This elucidates that the ion reflection is indispensable in surface roughening and rippling during plasma etching, and their degree relies significantly on the reflectivity of ions. Simulations further showed that at intermediate off-normal θi = 45°, the ripple wavelength increases significantly with decreasing ri, while the increase in amplitude is relatively less significant; thus, sawtooth-like ripple profiles pronounced for ri = 1 tend to be collapsed with decreasing ri. These effects of reduced ion reflection on plasma-induced surface roughening and ripple formation are discussed in terms of effectively enhanced smoothing due to neutral reactants, which competes with the roughening and rippling caused by ion bombardment.
Characterization of dynamics and mechanism in the self-assembly of AOT reverse micelles
Authors: Urano Ryo , Pantelopulos George A. , Song Shanshan , Straub John E.
Published: October 2018

Reverse micelles (RMs) are recognized as a paradigm of molecular self-assembly and used in a variety of applications, such as chemical synthesis and molecular structure refinement. Nevertheless, many fundamental properties including their equilibrium size distribution, internal structure, and mechanism of self-assembly remain poorly understood. To provide an enhanced microscopic understanding of the assembly process and resulting structural distribution, we perform multiple nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) RM assembly, quantifying RM size, water core structure, and dynamics. Rapid assembly of smaller RM from a random mixture is observed to establish a constant AOT water loading within a nanosecond consistent with a diffusion-adsorption mechanism validated through the Monte-Carlo simulation of a model system. The structure of RM water cores and RM molecular volume during RM assembly is characterized during the AOT assembly process. A moment-closure equation is developed from a novel master equation model to elucidate the elementary events underlying the AOT self-assembly process. The resulting kinetic model is used to explore the role of monomer addition and dissociation, RM association and dissociation, and RM collision-induced exchange, all dependent on average RM size, which provides fundamental insight regarding the mechanisms and time scales for AOT RM self-assembly. The nascent dynamics that rapidly establish water loading, intermediate time scales of RM fusion, and longer time scale dynamics of inter-RM exchange essential in establishing the equilibrium condition are quantified through these kinetic models. Overall, this work provides insight into AOT RM self-assembly and provides a general theoretical framework for the analysis of the molecular self-assembly dynamics and mechanism.
Energy filtering in silicon nanowires and nanosheets using a geometric superlattice and its use for steep-slope transistors
Authors: Beckers Arnout , Thewissen Maarten , Sorée Bart
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates energy filtering in silicon nanowires and nanosheets by resonant electron tunneling through a geometric superlattice. A geometric superlattice is any kind of periodic geometric feature along the transport direction of the nanowire or nanosheet. Multivalley quantum-transport simulations are used to demonstrate the manifestation of minibands and minibandgaps in the transmission spectra of such a superlattice. We find that the presence of different valleys in the conduction band of silicon favors a nanowire with a rectangular cross section for effective energy filtering. The obtained energy filter can consequently be used in the source extension of a field-effect transistor to prevent high-energy electrons from contributing to the leakage current. Self-consistent Schrödinger-Poisson simulations in the ballistic limit show minimum subthreshold swings of 6 mV/decade for geometric superlattices with indentations. The obtained theoretical performance metrics for the simulated devices are compared with conventional III-V superlatticeFETs and TunnelFETs. The adaptation of the quantum transmitting boundary method to the finite-element simulation of 3-D structures with anisotropic effective mass is presented in Appendixes A and B. Our results bare relevance in the search for steep-slope transistor alternatives which are compatible with the silicon industry and can overcome the power-consumption bottleneck inherent to standard CMOS technologies.
Transport properties and thermoelectric effects in gated silicene superlattices
Authors: Guzmán E. J. , Navarro O. , Oubram O. , Rodríguez-Vargas I.
Published: October 2018

Low-dimensional thermoelectricity opens the possibility of improving the performance and the efficiency of thermoelectric devices by redistributing the electron density of states through the reduction of dimensionality. In this work, we explore this possibility in silicene by reducing its dimensionality through the periodic arrangement of gated electrodes, the so-called gated silicene superlattices. Silicene electrons were described quantum relativistically. The transmission, conductance, and thermoelectric properties were obtained with the transfer matrix method, the Landauer-Büttiker formalism, and the Cutler-Mott formula, respectively. We find that the redistribution of the density of states together with the intrinsic characteristics of silicene, the local bandgap and the large spin-orbit coupling, contribute to the enhancement of the thermoelectric properties. In particular, the Seebeck coefficient and the power factor reach values of a few mV/K and nW/K2. These findings in conjunction with the low thermal conductivity of silicene indicate that silicene-based nanostructures could be the basis of more efficient thermoelectric devices.
In an ionic liquid, high local friction is determined by the proximity to the charge network
Authors: Araque Juan C. , Margulis Claudio J.
Published: October 2018

Structural heterogeneity in Ionic Liquids (ILs) is to a large extent defined by nanoscale apolar pockets that act as spacers between strings of positive and negative charges that alternate. In contrast to this, recent work from our group and that of others appear to indicate that dynamic, energetic, and mechanical heterogeneities are governed by the charged part of the liquid. In this article, we study the dynamics of methane, a small apolar solute, in the family of ILs 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Im1,n+/NTf2−), with n = 2, 4, 8 at temperatures that make the viscosity for each liquid similar and around 8 cP. We do this in an attempt to equalize the effect of the solvent on the dynamics of the solute. In all cases, we find that solute proximity to charge-enhanced regions coincides with translationally caged regimes (high local friction) whereas the opposite is true in charge-depleted regions. In a way, these ILs behave like a liquid within a liquid where the charge network is the high friction component.
Can flow oscillations during flow boiling deteriorate the heat transfer coefficient?
Authors: Park I.W. , Ryu J. , Fernandino M. , Dorao C. A.
Published: October 2018

Two-phase flow instabilities have been identified as one of the impediments for achieving high heat flux in boiling systems due to their potential heat transfer deterioration. However, most of the fundamental characteristics of two-phase flow instabilities and the mechanisms leading to the heat transfer deterioration remain uncharted. In particular, up to what extent self-induced oscillations can deteriorate the heat transfer coefficient is not well understood. Here, we measure the flow boiling heat transfer coefficient under controlled oscillatory flow conditions. We show that flow oscillations can deteriorate the heat transfer coefficient significantly, but the deterioration depends on the amplitude and period of the oscillations. In particular, the deterioration is primarily a consequence of the dry-out at the wall that in turn increases the averaged wall temperature.
Enhancing the electrocaloric effect in a relaxor polymer by including minor normal ferroelectric phase
Authors: Lu Biao , Chen Xin , Zhang Tian , Lu S. G. , Zhang Q. M.
Published: October 2018

Generating a large caloric effect under a low applied field is critical for realizing high performance solid state caloric cooling. Here, we report that a large enhancement in the electrocaloric response at a moderate electric field level over a relatively broad temperature range can be achieved in the relaxor poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)] polymers by including the minor normal ferroelectric phase. We show that the terpolymer of P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) 69.7/30.3/6 mol. % which contains a minor normal ferroelectric phase, under a moderate electric field of 90 MV/m, can reach an adiabatic temperature change ΔT = 11 K, compared with ΔT = 6 K of the terpolymers with a pure relaxor phase under the same field. The results reveal that the presence of the minor ferroelectric phase facilitates the polarization switch in a temperature range near the ferroelectric transition while the relaxor phase maintains a large electrocaloric effect (ECE) over a broad temperature range, resulting in a large ECE over a relatively broad temperature range in the material.
A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Zn2+ Based on a C3-Symmetrical and Pre-Organized 2,2′,2″-Nitrilotribenzoic Acid Material
Authors: Wei Wenguang , Jin Yao , Han Tao , Du Bin , Zhi Xiujuan , Wei Chaojun , Yuan Sichun
Published: October 2018

A C3-symmetrical 4,4″,4⁗-nitrilotris(2′-methyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-carboxylic acid) (4) derived from nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) was found to selectively bind Zinc(ii) ions both in DMSO or MeOH. A synergistic effect of the anionic counter ion SO42− on the sensing behaviour of 4 to metal ions was clearly observed in DMSO. Interestingly, 4 showed a rapid hypochromatic shift in emission ascribed to the deprotonation and the concomitant formation of a 4–metal complex upon the addition of Zn2+ ions, instead of the bathochromic shift and emission enhancement attributed to the SO42−-involved hydrogen-bonding interaction for Ni2+, Li+, Mg2+, and Na+ ions at ratios below 1:1 in DMSO. The observed sensing process of sulfate salts associated with the SO42−-involved hydrogen-bonding interaction, deprotonation, and the concomitant complexation can also be clearly monitored by titration methods utilising UV-vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy in solution. In comparison with 4, compound 1 showed an obvious difference in the binding interaction with zinc sulfate in MeOH, probably owing to the decreased acidity. Anion-induced hydrogen-bonding interactions and deprotonation of the COOH protons in the excited state also endowed 4 versatile spectroscopic properties. The addition of F− and SO42− anions resulted in a remarkable enhancement probably related with a rigidifying effect. 2,2′,2″-Nitrilotribenzoic acid can be utilised as a potential scaffold to build a series of conjugated fluorescent sensors by its chelation effect owing to the rigid cavity pre-organised by the triphenylamine moiety and the carboxylic groups and the conjugation extension in the 4,4′,4″ positions.
Development of a wetland plant indicator list to inform the delineation of wetlands in New South Wales
Authors: Ling J. E. , Casanova M. T. , Shannon I. , Powell M.
Published: October 2018

Wetlands experience fluctuating water levels, so their extent varies spatially and temporally. This characteristic is widespread and likely to increase as global temperatures and evaporation rates increase. The temporary nature of wetlands can confound where a wetland begins and ends, resulting in unreliable mapping and determination of wetland areas for inventory, planning or monitoring purposes. The occurrence of plants that rely on the presence of water for part or all of their life history can be a reliable way to determine the extent of water-affected ecosystems. A wetland plant indicator list (WPIL) could enable more accurate mapping and provide a tool for on-ground validation of wetland boundaries. However, this introduces the problem of the definition of ‘wetland plant’, especially with species that can tolerate, or require, water level fluctuation, and that respond to flooding or drought by adjusting their morphology or phenology (i.e. ‘amphibious’ plants and those that grow only during drawdown). In this study we developed a WPIL through a process of expert elicitation. The expert decisions were compared and standardised for each species. It is envisaged that this work will lead to a comprehensive listing of wetland plants for Australia for the purposes of planning, mapping and management.
Ultrafast epithelial contractions provide insights into contraction speed limits and tissue integrity
Authors: Armon Shahaf , Bull Matthew Storm , Aranda-Diaz Andres , Prakash Manu
Published: October 2018

Significance

We report the fastest epithelial contractility observed to date in the primitive invertebrate
Trichoplax adhaerens
: Single-cell contraction events reduce cells’ apical area by 50% in one second, at least an order of magnitude faster than other examples. Typically, epithelial contractions enable embryonic systems to change shape during development. Their contractility machinery (actomyosin) is working against high load to achieve dramatic tissue deformation. Here we show that the same machinery can achieve the fast contraction we observe in
T. adhaerens
, in the lack of load. We also show that unique cell and tissue architecture indeed minimizes the load on a contracting cell. Finally, we suggest a physiological role for these contractions: maintaining the integrity of such a minimalistic tissue.
Discovery of a small-molecule inhibitor of specific serine residue BAD phosphorylation
Authors: Pandey Vijay , Wang Baocheng , Mohan Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya , Raquib Ainiah Rushdiana , Rangappa Shobith , Srinivasa Venkatachalaiah , Fuchs Julian E. , Girish Kesturu S. , Zhu Tao , Bender Andreas , Ma Lan , Yin Zhinan , Basappa  , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. , Lobie Peter E.
Published: October 2018

Significance

Despite the initial success of therapeutic agents targeting the
RAS
/
MAP
kinase and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling networks in oncology, development of acquired resistance to such therapeutics represents a significant challenge in successful disease management. BCL-2–associated death promoter (BAD) is a common and core downstream molecule for both the
RAS
/
MAP
kinase and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways and regulates cancer cell survival. In its unphosphorylated state, BAD sequesters BCL-2, which results in BAK/BAX activation and apoptosis. Herein, we identified and characterized a small molecule which specifically inhibits BAD phosphorylation on Ser99. This molecule may be therapeutically useful, either alone or in combination, to delay or obviate the development of resistance to other therapeutic agents.
Salmonella SipA mimics a cognate SNARE for host Syntaxin8 to promote fusion with early endosomes
Authors: Singh Pawan Kishor , Kapoor Anjali , Lomash Richa Madan , Kumar Kamal , Kamerkar Sukrut C. , Pucadyil Thomas J. , Mukhopadhyay Amitabha
Published: October 2018

SipA is a major effector of Salmonella, which causes gastroenteritis and enteric fever. Caspase-3 cleaves SipA into two domains: the C-terminal domain regulates actin polymerization, whereas the function of the N terminus is unknown. We show that the cleaved SipA N terminus binds and recruits host Syntaxin8 (Syn8) to Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCVs). The SipA N terminus contains a SNARE motif with a conserved arginine residue like mammalian R-SNAREs. SipAR204Q and SipA1–435R204Q do not bind Syn8, demonstrating that SipA mimics a cognate R-SNARE for Syn8. Consequently, Salmonella lacking SipA or that express the SipA1–435R204Q SNARE mutant are unable to recruit Syn8 to SCVs. Finally, we show that SipA mimicking an R-SNARE recruits Syn8, Syn13, and Syn7 to the SCV and promotes its fusion with early endosomes to potentially arrest its maturation. Our results reveal that SipA functionally substitutes endogenous SNAREs in order to hijack the host trafficking pathway and promote Salmonella survival.
PP2A-B55 promotes nuclear envelope reformation after mitosis in Drosophila
Authors: Mehsen Haytham , Boudreau Vincent , Garrido Damien , Bourouh Mohammed , Larouche Myreille , Maddox Paul S. , Swan Andrew , Archambault Vincent
Published: October 2018

As a dividing cell exits mitosis and daughter cells enter interphase, many proteins must be dephosphorylated. The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) with its B55 regulatory subunit plays a crucial role in this transition, but the identity of its substrates and how their dephosphorylation promotes mitotic exit are largely unknown. We conducted a maternal-effect screen in Drosophila melanogaster to identify genes that function with PP2A-B55/Tws in the cell cycle. We found that eggs that receive reduced levels of Tws and of components of the nuclear envelope (NE) often fail development, concomitant with NE defects following meiosis and in syncytial mitoses. Our mechanistic studies using Drosophila cells indicate that PP2A-Tws promotes nuclear envelope reformation (NER) during mitotic exit by dephosphorylating BAF and suggests that PP2A-Tws targets additional NE components, including Lamin and Nup107. This work establishes Drosophila as a powerful model to further dissect the molecular mechanisms of NER and suggests additional roles of PP2A-Tws in the completion of meiosis and mitosis.
Enlisting commensal microbes to resist antibiotic-resistant pathogens
Authors: Keith James W. , Pamer Eric G.
Published: October 2018

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is an all-too-common consequence of antibiotic use. Although antibiotic resistance among virulent bacterial pathogens is a growing concern, the highest levels of antibiotic resistance occur among less pathogenic but more common bacteria that are prevalent in healthcare settings. Patient-to-patient transmission of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a perpetual concern in hospitals. Many of these resistant microbes, such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, emerge from the intestinal lumen and invade the bloodstream of vulnerable patients, causing disseminated infection. These infections are associated with preceding antibiotic administration, which changes the intestinal microbiota and compromises resistance to colonization by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Recent and ongoing studies are increasingly defining commensal bacterial species and the inhibitory mechanisms they use to prevent infection. The use of next-generation probiotics derived from the intestinal microbiota represents an alternative approach to prevention of infection by enriching colonization with protective commensal species, thereby reducing the density of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and also reducing patient-to-patient transmission of infection in healthcare settings.
Preventing shrinkage defects in investment casting of SUS310 stainless steel feather keys
Authors: Huang Pei-Hsing , Huang Wei-Ju
Published: October 2018

In this study, we employed computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis technology to examine the casting scheme used in the fabrication of SUS310 stainless steel feather keys. Our focus was on the evolution of thermodynamic behavior and the formation of porosity defects in the casting scheme. Our results provide a valuable reference for the elimination of defects and the formulation of design solutions aimed at reducing the time and costs associated with trials and production development.
Investigation on machinability of the oxide layer in anodic oxidation of reaction-sintered silicon carbide by pure-water
Authors: Yang Xiaocui , Shen Xinmin , Li Zhizhong , Tu Qunzhang , Yin Qin
Published: October 2018

Oxidation-assisted polishing has been developed as an efficient method for precision machining of reaction-sintered silicon carbide (RS-SiC), and characteristic of the oxide layer is the critical factor to obtain a fine surface property. Machinability of the oxide layer obtained in anodic oxidation of RS-SiC by the pure-water under high-frequency-square-wave potential is investigated by the ceria slurry polishing in this study. Quantitative analysis of surface quality of the oxidized RS-SiC sample is conducted by the scanning white light interferometer (SWLI) measurement. Along with increase of the oxidation time, surface quality of the oxidized RS-SiC is changing better at the beginning, and rapidly deteriorated in further oxidation process. Surface qualities of the RS-SiC sample before oxidation, after oxidation, after HF etching, and after abrasive polishing, are compared by the SWLI measurement. Surface roughness rms after anodic oxidation for 60min is 189.004nm. After removing the oxide by ceria slurry polishing, the rms can reach 3.688nm. Meanwhile, there is no visible scratch on the new revealed surface. Therefore, combination of anodic oxidation of RS-SiC by pure water and abrasive polishing of oxide layer by ceria slurry can be considered as an efficient method to machine RS-SiC.
MetaSMC: a coalescent-based shotgun sequence simulator for evolving microbial populations
Authors: Liao Ki-Hok , Hon Wing-Kai , Tang Chuan-Yi , Hsieh Wen-Ping
Published: October 2018

Motivation

High-throughput sequencing technology has revolutionized the study of metagenomics and cancer evolution. In a relatively simple environment, a metagenomics sequencing data is dominated by a few species. By analyzing the alignment of reads from microbial species, single nucleotide polymorphisms can be discovered and the evolutionary history of the populations can be reconstructed. The ever-increasing read length will allow more detailed analysis about the evolutionary history of microbial or tumor cell population. A simulator of shotgun sequences from such populations will be helpful in the development or evaluation of analysis algorithms.

Results

Here, we described an efficient algorithm, MetaSMC, which simulates reads from evolving microbial populations. Based on the coalescent theory, our simulator supports all evolutionary scenarios supported by other coalescent simulators. In addition, the simulator supports various substitution models, including Jukes-Cantor, HKY85 and generalized time-reversible models. The simulator also supports mutator phenotypes by allowing different mutation rates and substitution models in different subpopulations. Our algorithm ignores unnecessary chromosomal segments and thus is more efficient than standard coalescent when recombination is frequent. We showed that the process behind our algorithm is equivalent to Sequentially Markov Coalescent with an incomplete sample. The accuracy of our algorithm was evaluated by summary statistics and likelihood curves derived from Monte Carlo integration over large number of random genealogies.

Availability and implementation

MetaSMC is written in C. The source code is available at https://github.com/tarjxvf/metasmc.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Young Carers in Northern Ireland: Perceptions of and Responses to Illness and Disability within the Family
Authors: McGibbon Marlene , Spratt Trevor , Davidson Gavin
Published: October 2018

This paper reports findings from a qualitative study undertaken with twenty-two young carers across Northern Ireland aged between eight and eighteen. It focuses on their experiences as informal care-givers in households where at least one family member was living with an illness and/or disability. While much has been written about the quantifiable aspects of informal care including the number of hours spent caring and the physical nature of caring tasks, this approach has tended to subsume individual experiences within the category ‘young carer’ and fails to differentiate between sub-populations of children and young people whose caring relationships may be very disparate. Whilst there has been a tendency to focus on the vulnerability of young carers, explanations as to why some experience greater physical, emotional and psycho-social difficulties than others are underdeveloped. It has been suggested that differential outcomes may be attributable to a capacity for resilience, which can lessen vulnerability. The study examined the protective and risk factors, which might help to promote or challenge the resilience of young carers. It was found that knowledge of and response to both the nature and trajectory of illness or disability contributed to young carers’ capacity for resilience.
Prevalence and prognosis of ischaemic and non-ischaemic myocardial fibrosis in older adults
Authors: Shanbhag Sujata M , Greve Anders M , Aspelund Thor , Schelbert Erik B , Cao J Jane , Danielsen Ragnar , þorgeirsson Guðmundur , Sigurðsson Sigurður , Eiríksdóttir Guðný , Harris Tamara B , Launer Lenore J , Guðnason Vilmundur , Arai Andrew E
Published: October 2018

Aims

Non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) can cause heart failure and death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) detects myocardial scar/fibrosis associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and NICM with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognosis of ischaemic and non-ischaemic myocardial fibrosis in a community-based sample of older adults.

Methods and results

The ICELAND-MI cohort, a substudy of the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik (AGES-Reykjavik) study, provided a well-characterized population of 900 subjects after excluding subjects with pre-existing heart failure. Late gadolinium enhancement CMR divided subjects into four groups: MI (n = 211), major (n = 54) non-ischaemic fibrosis (well-established, classic patterns, associated with myocarditis, infiltrative cardiomyopathies, or pathological hypertrophy), minor (n = 238) non-ischaemic fibrosis (remaining localized patterns not meeting major criteria), and a no LGE (n = 397) reference group. The primary outcome was time to death or first heart failure hospitalization. During a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 192 composite events occurred (115 deaths and 77 hospitalizations for incident heart failure). After inverse probability weighting, major non-ischaemic fibrosis [hazard ratio (HR) 3.2, P < 0.001] remained independently associated with the primary endpoint, while MI (HR 1.4, P = 0.10) and minor non-ischaemic LGE (HR 1.2, P = 0.39) did not. Major non-ischaemic fibrosis was associated with a poorer outcome than MI (HR = 2.3, P = 0.001) in the adjusted analysis.

Conclusion

Major non-ischaemic patterns of myocardial fibrosis portended worse prognosis than no fibrosis/scar in an older community-based cohort. Traditional risk factors largely accounted for the effect of MI and minor non-ischaemic LGE.