bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurological Complications after Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Tumours of the Spine
Authors: Biega Piotr , Guzik Grzegorz , Pitera Tomasz
Published: June 2017

Background. Postoperative impairment of neurological function is a rare but serious complication of surgical treatment of metastatic tumours located in the spine. This paper presents an analysis of the causes, symptoms and methods of treatment of spinal cord function impairment in the postoperative period.
Materials and methods. The study retrospectively analysed the treatment of 525 patients diagnosed with compression of neural structures and neurological deficits in the course of metastatic disease who were operated on in 2012-2015. The baseline degree of spinal cord damage was assessed with the Frankel scale. Surgical treatment methods were selected based on the results obtained with the Tomita system as well as the Tokuhashi and Bauer scores.
Results. A total of 8 (1.5%) cases of impaired neurological function were identified in the postoperative period. The spinal cord damage had no discernible cause in 6 cases. Symptoms of neurological function impairment occurred with a delay in 6 patients. In 2 cases, the symptoms were observed immediately after the end of the surgery. One patient demonstrated improved neurological status after revision surgery.
Conclusions. 1. Surgical decompression of the spinal cord in the course of neoplastic disease is rarely complicated by neurological function impairment. 2. Neurological complications occurred mainly after treatment of tumours located in the thoracic section of the spine. 3. Prognostic scores used for qualifying patients for appropriate surgical treatment focus mainly on patient survival and do not account for potential complications.
Active thrusting of the Longquan Fault in the central Sichuan basin, China, and the seismotectonic behavior in the Longmen Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt
Authors: Wang Maomao , Lin Aiming
Published: June 2017

Present‐day convergence within the Longmen Shan fold‐and‐thrust belt (LSFTB) was released by the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, which ruptured multiple thrust ramps beneath the range front structures. However, it is still unclear whether fault slip propagated eastward into the foreland, closer to densely populated areas around Chengdu. In this study, we provide constraints on the 3‐D subsurface structure, fault activity, and seismic hazards of the Longquan fault located in the central Sichuan basin, ~100 km east of the range front structures of the LSFTB. We develop a seismotectonic model and assess the activity of the Longquan fault by a combination of methods, including interpretation of seismic reflection profiles, analysis of satellite images, field mapping, trench logging, and radiocarbon dating. Our survey reveals that at least two surface‐rupturing events occurred on the Longquan fault. Our 3‐D structural model and evidence for Holocene faulting events on the Longquan fault reveals that upper crustal shortening in the Sichuan basin is accommodated by a frontal thrust system that is linked to the recently active range front blind structures by a shallow detachment. We suggest that dynamic weakening following fault activity at the Longmen Shan range front might unlock the updip portion of this shallow detachment, sending slip eastward into the foreland and to the surface along the Longquan thrust ramps. Our results have important implications for seismic hazards assessment of active frontal thrusts linked by upper crustal detachments in active fold‐and‐thrust belts around the world.
Magma reflection imaging in Krafla, Iceland, using microearthquake sources
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Brown Larry D. , Árnason Knútur , Águstsson Kristján , Blanck Hanna
Published: June 2017

The details of magma plumbing beneath active volcanoes remain a major challenge in geochemistry, geophysics, and volcanic hazard evaluation. Here we apply a relatively novel variation of seismic interferometry, which we call Virtual Reflection Seismic Profiling, to produce a high‐resolution image of a known crustal magma body. The technique takes advantage of recent advances in both seismic instrumentation (dense arrays) and seismic analysis (seismic interferometry). We have applied this technique to data recently acquired at an iconic volcanic system, Krafla, which lies on the mid‐Atlantic ridge as exposed in northern Iceland. What make this particular site exceptional are encounters with rhyolitic magma in two drill holes, K‐39 and Iceland Deep Drilling Project‐1 (IDDP‐1). These known magma bodies represent a unique calibration opportunity for surface geophysical measurements of magma distribution at depth. In this study, we produced a stacked, seismic reflection section by applying common depth point processing techniques to virtual shot gathers derived from interferometry of P waves from microearthquakes generated by tectonic, magmatic, and/or geothermal activity. We observe a strong, coherent reflection on the seismic section at a travel time corresponding to the depth at which magma was encountered in the IDDP‐1 wellbore. We interpret this reflection to be from magma or magma‐related fluids. Additional coherent reflections may correspond to other components of the magma plumbing beneath Krafla. These results represent a promising new technique for structural imaging with natural sources that can be applied to a wide array of geologic and energy problems that involve natural or induced seismic clusters.
Architecture of the crust and uppermost mantle in the northern Canadian Cordillera from receiver functions
Authors: Tarayoun Alizia , Audet Pascal , Mazzotti Stéphane , Ashoori Azadeh
Published: June 2017

The northern Canadian Cordillera (NCC) is an active orogenic belt in northwestern Canada characterized by deformed autochtonous and allochtonous structures that were emplaced in successive episodes of convergence since the Late Cretaceous. Seismicity and crustal deformation are concentrated along corridors located far (>200 to ~800 km) from the convergent plate margin. Proposed geodynamic models require information on crust and mantle structure and strain history, which are poorly constrained. We calculate receiver functions using 66 broadband seismic stations within and around the NCC and process them to estimate Moho depth and P‐to‐S velocity ratio (Vp/Vs) of the Cordilleran crust. We also perform a harmonic decomposition to determine the anisotropy of the subsurface layers. From these results, we construct simple seismic velocity models at selected stations and simulate receiver function data to constrain crust and uppermost mantle structure and anisotropy. Our results indicate a relatively flat and sharp Moho at 32 ± 2 km depth and crustal Vp/Vs of 1.75 ± 0.05. Seismic anisotropy is pervasive in the upper crust and within a thin (~10–15 km thick) sub‐Moho layer. The modeled plunging slow axis of hexagonal symmetry of the upper crustal anisotropic layer may reflect the presence of fractures or mica‐rich mylonites. The subhorizontal fast axis of hexagonal anisotropy within the sub‐Moho layer is generally consistent with the SE‐NW orientation of large‐scale tectonic structures. These results allow us to revise the geodynamic models proposed to explain active deformation within the NCC.
Source model for the Copahue volcano magma plumbing system constrained by InSAR surface deformation observations
Authors: Lundgren Paul , Nikkhoo Mehdi , Samsonov Sergey V. , Milillo Pietro , Gil‐Cruz Fernando , Lazo Jonathan
Published: June 2017

Copahue volcano straddling the edge of the Agrio‐Caviahue caldera along the Chile‐Argentina border in the southern Andes has been in unrest since inflation began in late 2011. We constrain Copahue's source models with satellite and airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation observations. InSAR time series from descending track RADARSAT‐2 and COSMO‐SkyMed data span the entire inflation period from 2011 to 2016, with their initially high rates of 12 and 15 cm/yr, respectively, slowing only slightly despite ongoing small eruptions through 2016. InSAR ascending and descending track time series for the 2013–2016 time period constrain a two‐source compound dislocation model, with a rate of volume increase of 13 × 106 m3/yr. They consist of a shallow, near‐vertical, elongated source centered at 2.5 km beneath the summit and a deeper, shallowly plunging source centered at 7 km depth connecting the shallow source to the deeper caldera. The deeper source is located directly beneath the volcano tectonic seismicity with the lower bounds of the seismicity parallel to the plunge of the deep source. InSAR time series also show normal fault offsets on the NE flank Copahue faults. Coulomb stress change calculations for right‐lateral strike slip (RLSS), thrust, and normal receiver faults show positive values in the north caldera for both RLSS and normal faults, suggesting that northward trending seismicity and Copahue fault motion within the caldera are caused by the modeled sources. Together, the InSAR‐constrained source model and the seismicity suggest a deep conduit or transfer zone where magma moves from the central caldera to Copahue's upper edifice.
Synthesis of Highly Porous Metal‐Free Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts in a Self‐Sacrificial Bacterial Cellulose Microreactor
Authors: Yu Jie , Sunarso Jaka , Zhuang Wei , Yang Guangming , Zhong Yijun , Zhou Wei , Zhu Zhonghua , Shao Zongping
Published: June 2017

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is often used as a carbon source for in situ carbonization into carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The main challenge for such CNFs lies in the low yield and very low apparent density of the product, which hamper their applications as electrode materials in batteries and fuel cells. Herein, BC pellicles (8 wt%) are simultaneously employed as a substrate and a sacrificial microreactor, thus allowing the carbonization in its unique porous network. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid serves as a carbon source and a nitrogen source, while cobalt plays the role of a recyclable pore‐creating template to create a 3D nitrogen‐doped graphite carbon with hierarchically porous structure (HPGC). The resultant HPGC exhibits a large specific surface area, high porosity, and large amount of structural defects, which translate into very high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and stability. The synthesis route, the catalyst structure, and the proposed mechanism open novel avenue and insights to develop next‐generation metal‐free ORR catalysts.
EDTA‐induced pseudothrombocytosis and citrate‐induced platelet agglutination in a patient with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Authors: Larsen Pia Bükmann , Vikeså Jonas , Friis‐Hansen Lennart
Published: June 2017

Key Clinical Message

Hematology analyzers sometimes generate spurious results. A patient had EDTA‐induced pseudothrombocytosis and platelet agglutination in citrate blood samples. This case verifies that addition of 1% paraformaldehyde to the citrate tubes can prevent platelet clumping. Further, it illustrates the advantages of having access to more than one platelet count method.
Ordination with any dissimilarity measure: a weighted Euclidean solution
Authors: Greenacre Michael
Published: June 2017

The classical approach to ordination is to use variants of the Euclidean distance to measure differences between samples (e.g., sites in a community study) based on their observation vectors (e.g., abundance counts for a set of species). Examples include Euclidean distance on standardized or log‐transformed data, on which principal component analysis and redundancy analysis are based; chi‐square distance, on which (canonical) correspondence analysis is based; and Hellinger distance, using square roots of relative values in each multivariate vector. Advantages of the Euclidean approach include the neat decomposition of variance and the ordination's optimal biplot display. To extend this approach to any non‐Euclidean or nonmetric dissimilarity, a simple solution is proposed, consisting of the estimation of a weighted Euclidean distance that optimally approximates the dissimilarities. This preliminary step preserves the good properties of the classical approach while giving two additional benefits as by‐products. Firstly, the estimated species weights, quantifying each species’ contribution to the dissimilarities, can be interpreted, and weights equal or close to zero can assist in variable selection. Secondly, the dimensionality remains that of the number of species, not the dimensionality inherent in the dissimilarities, which depends on the number of samples and can be considerably higher.
An Acoustic Tracking Approach for Medical Ultrasound Image Simulator
Authors: Chen Po-Heng , Hsieh Kai-Sheng , Huang Chih-Chung
Published: June 2017

Ultrasound examinations are a standard procedure in the clinical diagnosis of many diseases. However, the efficacy of an ultrasound examination is highly dependent on the skill and experience of the operator, which has prompted proposals for ultrasound simulation systems to facilitate training and education in hospitals and medical schools. The key technology of the medical ultrasound simulation system is the probe tracking method that is used to determine the position and inclination angle of the sham probe, since this information is used to display the ultrasound images in real time. This study investigated a novel acoustic tracking approach for an ultrasound simulation system that exhibits high sensitivity and is cost-effective. Five air-coupled ultrasound elements are arranged as a 1D array in front of a sham probe for transmitting the acoustic signals, and a 5 × 5 2D array of receiving elements is used to receive the acoustic signals from the moving transmitting elements. Since the patterns of the received signals can differ for different positions and angles of the moving probe, the probe can be tracked precisely by the acoustic tracking approach. After the probe position has been determined by the system, the corresponding ultrasound image is immediately displayed on the screen. The system performance was verified by scanning three different subjects as image databases: a simple commercial phantom, a complicated self-made phantom, and a porcine heart. The experimental results indicated that the tracking and angle accuracies of the presented acoustic tracking approach were 0.7 mm and 0.5°, respectively. The performance of the acoustic tracking approach is compared with those of other tracking technologies.
Why Mugabe Won
Authors: Chan Stephen , Gallagher Julia
Published: June 2017

The 2013 general elections in Zimbabwe were widely expected to mark a shift in the nation's political system, and a greater role for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. However, the results, surprisingly, were overwhelmingly in favour of long-time President Robert Mugabe, who swept the presidential, parliamentary and senatorial polls under relatively credible and peaceful conditions. In this book, a valuable and accessible read for both students and scholars working in African politics, and those with a general interest in the politics of the region, Stephen Chan and Julia Gallagher explore the domestic and international context of these landmark elections. Drawing on extensive research among political elites, grassroots activists and ordinary voters, Chan and Gallagher examine the key personalities, dramatic events, and broader social and political context of Mugabe's success, and what this means as Zimbabwe moves towards a future without Mugabe.
Vibration of Nearly Periodic Structures and Mistuned Bladed Rotors
Authors: Sinha Alok
Published: June 2017

This is the first comprehensive volume on nearly periodic structures and mistuned blade vibration. Alok Sinha presents fundamental concepts and state-of-the-art techniques in the analysis of free and forced response of a nearly periodic structure, weaving together his own work (covering thirty-five years of research in this field) with works by other researchers. He also discusses similarities between tools used in bladed rotor analysis and condensed matter physics. Specific subjects covered include the reasons behind mode localization, the reasons behind amplitude amplification of steady-state response, state-of-the-art computational techniques for mistuned bladed rotors including multistage rotors, identification of mistuning from measured response, vibration localization in linear atomic chains, and analysis of two-dimensional periodic structures.
Not-so-strange bedfellows: Documentation, description, and sociolinguistics in Gaza
Authors: Cotter William M.
Published: June 2017

Arabic is often investigated within dialectological frameworks that emerged in the 19thcentury, though that work now exists alongside decades of variationist sociolinguistic research. The latter method typically produces abundant data, recorded at very high quality, which lend themselves to being transcribed, described and preserved. This paper presents descriptive information on the Arabic dialect of Gaza City, based on recent sociolinguistic fieldwork conducted in the Gaza Strip with 39 speakers from the wider Gaza City community. These descriptive aspects of the dialect are presented as part of a broader discussion regarding the need for a more holistic integration of sociolinguistics and language description and documentation in work on understudied or endangered varieties of Arabic.
Mimitabu at Atalante, Gothenburg
Authors: Haglund Magnus
Published: June 2017

Why Swedish contemporary music over the past few decades has been such a provincial affair is a mystery. Most of the pieces receiving critical attention from the media are using neo-Romantic aesthetics – bombastic orchestral sounds more connected to the world of Richard Strauss than Helmut Lachenmann. Hearing this type of music, often characterised by its excesses of art nouveau ornamentations, one may wonder what century one is living in. Where is the contemporary world?
CHASING SONIC THREADS: DISENTANGLING THE ELECTROACOUSTIC TAPESTRY OF IRELAND
Authors: Dignam Barbara Jillian
Published: June 2017

This article seeks to initiate discourse around the vibrant and somewhat uncharted electroacoustic weave that significantly contributes to Ireland's musical tapestry through a consideration of six diverse threads: Softday, Jennifer Walshe, Karen Power, Linda Buckley, Fergal Dowling and Jonathan Nangle. Investigation of Ireland's recent electroacoustic scene will confirm that an emerging DIY aesthetic aligns with international trends of the past decade, with pop-up events, improvisation groups, experimental music collectives and intermedia festivals providing avenues for collaborative and creative expression. It will provide contrasting, yet interconnected examples of what will be termed ‘DIYing’ including a discussion of influences, concepts, practices and brief analyses of works. It is hoped that this article will see the beginning of a wider acknowledgement of the rich musical dialogues that are taking place.
THE EDIFICE AND THE FLIES, OR, THE CONTINUING ADVENTURES OF THE WORST COMPOSERS IN THE WORLD
Authors: Erwin Max
Published: June 2017

This short article draws on, without mentioning, a very large body of works written over a very long period of time which share a common critique of the musical canon of great works as traditionally conceived. Chief among the musicologists drawn from are Georgina Born and Lydia Goehr (especiallyThe Imaginary Museum of Musical Works). Readers familiar with these criticisms can safely skip to the final two sections, which explain why I am reinventing this particular musicological wheel at this moment in time. While I believe my framing is reasonably novel, I am under no illusions that the argument being made here is a new one. Nevertheless, the emphasis on community and practice feels urgent and perhaps merits retelling a story that is by now very old indeed.
X-ray powder diffraction data for (S)-Deschloroketamine hydrochloride, C13H18ClNO
Authors: Maixner J. , Jurásek B. , Kohout M. , Kuchař M. , Kačer P.
Published: June 2017

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for S-2-(methylamino)-2-phenylcyclohexan-1-one hydrochloride, C13H18ClNO, are reported [a = 6.578 (1) Å, b = 13.250 (2) Å, c = 15.096 (2) Å, β = 91.619 (3)°, unit-cell volume V = 1315(1) Å3, Z = 4, and space group P21]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P21 space group. No detectable impurities were observed.
In situ dynamic observations of perovskite crystallisation and microstructure evolution intermediated from [PbI6]4− cage nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Qin , Zhao Lichen , Wu Jiang , Gao Ke , Luo Deying , Jiang Yufeng , Zhang Ziyi , Zhu Chenhui , Schaible Eric , Hexemer Alexander , Wang Cheng , Liu Yi , Zhang Wei , Grätzel Michael , Liu Feng , Russell Thomas P. , Zhu Rui , Gong Qihuang
Published: June 2017

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have emerged as high-performance photovoltaic materials with their extraordinary optoelectronic properties. In particular, the remarkable device efficiency is strongly influenced by the perovskite crystallinity and the film morphology. Here, we investigate the perovskites crystallisation kinetics and growth mechanism in real time from liquid precursor continually to the final uniform film. We utilize some advanced in situ characterisation techniques including synchrotron-based grazing incident X-ray diffraction to observe crystal structure and chemical transition of perovskites. The nano-assemble model from perovskite intermediated [PbI6]4− cage nanoparticles to bulk polycrystals is proposed to understand perovskites formation at a molecular- or nano-level. A crystallisation-depletion mechanism is developed to elucidate the periodic crystallisation and the kinetically trapped morphology at a mesoscopic level. Based on these in situ dynamics studies, the whole process of the perovskites formation and transformation from the molecular to the microstructure over relevant temperature and time scales is successfully demonstrated.
Elastically driven intermittent microscopic dynamics in soft solids
Authors: Bouzid Mehdi , Colombo Jader , Barbosa Lucas Vieira , Del Gado Emanuela
Published: June 2017

Soft solids with tunable mechanical response are at the core of new material technologies, but a crucial limit for applications is their progressive aging over time, which dramatically affects their functionalities. The generally accepted paradigm is that such aging is gradual and its origin is in slower than exponential microscopic dynamics, akin to the ones in supercooled liquids or glasses. Nevertheless, time- and space-resolved measurements have provided contrasting evidence: dynamics faster than exponential, intermittency and abrupt structural changes. Here we use 3D computer simulations of a microscopic model to reveal that the timescales governing stress relaxation, respectively, through thermal fluctuations and elastic recovery are key for the aging dynamics. When thermal fluctuations are too weak, stress heterogeneities frozen-in upon solidification can still partially relax through elastically driven fluctuations. Such fluctuations are intermittent, because of strong correlations that persist over the timescale of experiments or simulations, leading to faster than exponential dynamics.
Expansion of the Tibetan Plateau during the Neogene
Authors: Wang Weitao , Zheng Wenjun , Zhang Peizhen , Li Qiang , Kirby Eric , Yuan Daoyang , Zheng Dewen , Liu Caicai , Wang Zhicai , Zhang Huiping , Pang Jianzhang
Published: June 2017

The appearance of detritus shed from mountain ranges along the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau heralds the Cenozoic development of high topography. Current estimates of the age of the basal conglomerate in the Qaidam basin place this event in Paleocene-Eocene. Here we present new magnetostratigraphy and mammalian biostratigraphy that refine the onset of basin fill to ∼25.5 Myr and reveal that sediment accumulated continuously until ∼4.8 Myr. Sediment provenance implies a sustained source in the East Kunlun Shan throughout this time period. However, the appearance of detritus from the Qilian Shan at ∼12 Myr suggests emergence of topography north of the Qaidam occurred during the late Miocene. Our results imply that deformation and mountain building significantly post-date Indo-Asian collision and challenge the suggestion that the extent of the plateau has remained constant through time. Rather, our results require expansion of high topography during the past 25 Myr.
Self-assembled three dimensional network designs for soft electronics
Authors: Jang Kyung-In , Li Kan , Chung Ha Uk , Xu Sheng , Jung Han Na , Yang Yiyuan , Kwak Jean Won , Jung Han Hee , Song Juwon , Yang Ce , Wang Ao , Liu Zhuangjian , Lee Jong Yoon , Kim Bong Hoon , Kim Jae-Hwan , Lee Jungyup , Yu Yongjoon , Kim Bum Jun , Jang Hokyung , Yu Ki Jun , Kim Jeonghyun , Lee Jung Woo , Jeong Jae-Woong , Song Young Min , Huang Yonggang , Zhang Yihui , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2017

Low modulus, compliant systems of sensors, circuits and radios designed to intimately interface with the soft tissues of the human body are of growing interest, due to their emerging applications in continuous, clinical-quality health monitors and advanced, bioelectronic therapeutics. Although recent research establishes various materials and mechanics concepts for such technologies, all existing approaches involve simple, two-dimensional (2D) layouts in the constituent micro-components and interconnects. Here we introduce concepts in three-dimensional (3D) architectures that bypass important engineering constraints and performance limitations set by traditional, 2D designs. Specifically, open-mesh, 3D interconnect networks of helical microcoils formed by deterministic compressive buckling establish the basis for systems that can offer exceptional low modulus, elastic mechanics, in compact geometries, with active components and sophisticated levels of functionality. Coupled mechanical and electrical design approaches enable layout optimization, assembly processes and encapsulation schemes to yield 3D configurations that satisfy requirements in demanding, complex systems, such as wireless, skin-compatible electronic sensors.
Yeast surface display identifies a family of evasins from ticks with novel polyvalent CC chemokine-binding activities
Authors: Singh Kamayani , Davies Graham , Alenazi Yara , Eaton James R. O. , Kawamura Akane , Bhattacharya Shoumo
Published: June 2017

Chemokines function via G-protein coupled receptors in a robust network to recruit immune cells to sites of inflammation. Due to the complexity of this network, targeting single chemokines or receptors has not been successful in inflammatory disease. Dog tick saliva contains polyvalent CC-chemokine binding peptides termed evasins 1 and 4, that efficiently disrupt the chemokine network in models of inflammatory disease. Here we develop yeast surface display as a tool for functionally identifying evasins, and use it to identify 10 novel polyvalent CC-chemokine binding evasin-like peptides from salivary transcriptomes of eight tick species in Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma genera. These evasins have unique binding profiles compared to evasins 1 and 4, targeting CCL2 and CCL13 in addition to other CC-chemokines. Evasin binding leads to neutralisation of chemokine function including that of complex chemokine mixtures, suggesting therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory disease. We propose that yeast surface display is a powerful approach to mine potential therapeutics from inter-species protein interactions that have arisen during evolution of parasitism in ticks.
Facile Fabrication of Nanofibrillated Chitin/Ag2O Heterostructured Aerogels with High Iodine Capture Efficiency
Authors: Gao Runan , Lu Yun , Xiao Shaoliang , Li Jian
Published: June 2017

Nanofibrillated chitin/Ag2O aerogels were fabricated for radioiodine removal. Chitin was first fabricated into nanofibers with abundant acetyl amino groups (–NHCOCH3) on the surface. Then, highly porous chitin nanofiber (ChNF) aerogels were obtained via freeze-drying. The ChNF aerogels exhibited a low bulk density of 2.19 mg/cm3 and a high specific surface area of 179.71 m2/g. Ag2O nanoparticles were evenly anchored on the surfaces of ChNF scaffolds via strong interactions with –NHCOCH3 groups, subsequently yielding Ag2O@ChNF heterostructured aerogels. The composites were used as efficient absorbents to remove radioiodine anions from water and capture a high amount of I2 vapor in the forms of AgI and iodine molecules. The adsorption capacity of the composite monoliths can reach up to 2.81 mmol/g of I− anions. The high adsorbability of the composite monolithic aerogel signifies its potential applications in radioactive waste disposal.
Erratum: Collective modes in multi-Weyl semimetals
Authors: Ahn Seongjin , Hwang E. H. , Min Hongki
Published: June 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 34023; published online: 30 September 2016; updated: 21 June 2017. This Article contains typographical errors, where all instances of \bm k should read k .
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of valepotriate derivatives as novel antitumor agents
Authors: Zhang Bo , Guo Ruiying , Hu Yongzhou , Dong Xiaowu , Lin Nengming , Dai Xiaoyang , Wu Honghai , Ma Shenglin , Yang Bo
Published: June 2017

A series of valepotriate derivatives with novel skeleton were synthesized from commercial available genipin. Among them, 1e exhibited significant anti-proliferation activity against H1975 cells by inducing mitochondrion-mediated apoptosis.
Reaction screening and optimization of continuous-flow atropine synthesis by preparative electrospray mass spectrometry
Authors: Falcone Caitlin E. , Jaman Zinia , Wleklinski Michael , Koswara Andy , Thompson David H. , Cooks R. Graham
Published: June 2017

Reaction mixtures are screened by droplet ES synthesis; optimum reagents and conditions as determined using MS analysis are then transferred to a microfluidic system. This rapid screening/optimization approach is applied to the synthesis of atropine.
Iodine-131-labeled, transferrin-capped polypyrrole nanoparticles for tumor-targeted synergistic photothermal-radioisotope therapy
Authors: Song Xuejiao , Liang Chao , Feng Liangzhu , Yang Kai , Liu Zhuang
Published: June 2017

Tumor-targeting nanoparticles based on transferrin-capped polypyrrole are fabricated by a one-step approach for combination cancer therapy with a remarkable synergistic therapeutic effect.
SNAr catalysis enhanced by an aromatic donor–acceptor interaction; facile access to chlorinated polyfluoroarenes
Authors: Senaweera Sameera , Weaver Jimmie D.
Published: June 2017

The use of TMSCl skews the thermodynamics of the Halex reaction, allowing catalysis and access to functionalized fluoroarenes.
Investigation of pH-dependent phosphate removal from wastewaters by membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI)
Authors: Huang Xin , He Di , Tang Wangwang , Kovalsky Peter , Waite T. David
Published: June 2017

Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) is a promising technology for the removal of charged species from aqueous feed streams.
The effects of ZSM-5 mesoporosity and morphology on the catalytic fast pyrolysis of furan
Authors: Gou Jinsheng , Wang Zhuopeng , Li Chao , Qi Xiaoduo , Vattipalli Vivek , Cheng Yu-Ting , Huber George , Conner William C. , Dauenhauer Paul J. , Mountziaris T. J. , Fan Wei
Published: June 2017

Improved selectivities to aromatics and olefins were achieved with mesoporous ZSM-5 and ZSM-5 nanocrystals with coke formed in micropores.
Multifunctional optofluidic lab-on-chip platform for Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic microfluidic analysis
Authors: Persichetti G. , Grimaldi I. A. , Testa G. , Bernini R.
Published: June 2017

A multifunctional platform for liquid spectroscopy is presented. Its performance is largely related to an optofluidic micro-jet waveguide approach.
A controlled alkaline treatment of Al-SBA-15: a facile route to adjust the chemical composition and synthesize an ordered mesoporous carbon material, CMK-3, possessing strong pressure resistant capability
Authors: Lin Sen , Liu Ruiyun , Li Niping , Guo Peng , Shi Lei
Published: June 2017

Alkaline-treated Al-SBA-15 exhibits excellent catalytic performance in the LDPE degradation reaction and its replica, CMK-3, has excellent structural stability.
Thermoresponsive laterally-branched polythiophene phenylene derivative as water-soluble temperature sensor
Authors: Chan Eddie Wai Chi , Baek Paul , De la Rosa Victor R. , Barker David , Hoogenboom Richard , Travas-Sejdic Jadranka
Published: June 2017

Polymers with thermoresponsive properties have received a strong interest due to their potential applications.
Characteristics of soy protein isolate/gum arabic-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions: influence of different preparation routes and pH
Authors: Kong Xiangzhen , Jia Cong , Zhang Caimeng , Hua Yufei , Chen Yeming
Published: June 2017

pH adjustment before or after homogenization with oil greatly influenced the droplet size and emulsifying stability of emulsions.
Facile synthesis of ZnO/CdS@ZIF-8 core–shell nanocomposites and their applications in photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Kong Rong-Mei , Zhao Yan , Zheng Yiqun , Qu Fengli
Published: June 2017

ZnO/CdS@ZIF-8 core–shell nanocomposites were fabricated which exhibited remarkable coherent function for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.
Self-assembly fabrication, microstructures and antibacterial performance of layer-structured montmorillonite nanocomposites with cationic silica nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Xiangshuo , Shi Ling , Zhang Junying , Cheng Jue , Wang Xiaodong
Published: June 2017

Layer-structured montmorillonite nanocomposites containing cationic silica nanoparticles were fabricated for an enhancement in thermal stability and antibacterial performance.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity for degrading phenol in seawater by TiO2-based catalysts under weak light irradiation
Authors: Wang Ting , Xu Zhi-yong , Wu Li-guang , Li Bing-rui , Chen Mei-xi , Xue Shi-yi , Zhu Yi-chen , Cai Jing
Published: June 2017

Given the small size and distribution of TiO2, catalysts with strong phenol adsorption showed high photodegradation efficiency in seawater.
Precursor preparation of Zn–Al layered double hydroxide by ball milling for enhancing adsorption and photocatalytic decoloration of methyl orange
Authors: Qu Jun , He Xiaoman , Li Xuewei , Ai Ziqiang , Li Yujie , Zhang Qiwu , Liu Xinzhong
Published: June 2017

The higher photocatalytic decoloration efficiency of the precursor than that of LDH because of the synergistic effect of intercalation and catalysis.
Half-metallicity of the bulk and (001) surface of NbFeCrAl and NbFeVGe Heusler compounds: a first-principles prediction
Authors: Li Y. , Liu G. D. , Wang X. T. , Liu E. K. , Xi X. K. , Wang W. H. , Wu G. H. , Dai X. F.
Published: June 2017

Using first-principles calculations based on density-functional theory, the structural, electronic and magnetic properties in the bulk and (001) surfaces of quaternary Heusler compounds NbFeCrAl and NbFeVGe are investigated.
Correction: Spectroscopic studies on the comparative refolding of guanidinium hydrochloride denatured hen egg-white lysozyme and Rhizopus niveus lipase assisted by cationic single-chain/gemini surfactants via artificial chaperone protocol
Authors: Gull Nuzhat , Ishtikhar Mohd , Alam Md. Sayem , Sabah Andrabi Syedah Noorul , Khan Rizwan Hasan
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘Spectroscopic studies on the comparative refolding of guanidinium hydrochloride denatured hen egg-white lysozyme and Rhizopus niveus lipase assisted by cationic single-chain/gemini surfactants via artificial chaperone protocol’ by Nuzhat Gull et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 28452–28460.
Tunable electromagnetic shielding properties of conductive poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Ni chain composite films with negative permittivity
Authors: Zhao Biao , Park Chul B.
Published: June 2017

In this study, we fabricated various poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/Ni-chain composites with different Ni contents using the solution processing and compression molding method.
Ascorbate protects the diheme enzyme, MauG, against self-inflicted oxidative damage by an unusual antioxidant mechanism
Authors: Ma Zhongxin , Davidson Victor L.
Published: June 2017

Ascorbate protects MauG from self-inactivation that occurs during the autoreduction of the reactive bis-FeIV state of its diheme cofactor. The mechanism of protection does not involve direct reaction with reactive oxygen species in solution. Instead, it binds to MauG and mitigates oxidative damage that occurs via internal transfer of electrons from amino acid residues within the protein to the high-valent hemes. The presence of ascorbate does not inhibit the natural catalytic reaction of MauG, which catalyzes oxidative post-translational modifications of a substrate protein that binds to the surface of MauG and is oxidized by the high-valent hemes via long-range electron transfer. Ascorbate was also shown to prolong the activity of a P107V MauG variant that is more prone to inactivation. A previously unknown ascorbate peroxidase activity of MauG was characterized with a kcat of 0.24 s−1 and a Km of 2.2 µM for ascorbate. A putative binding site for ascorbate was inferred from inspection of the crystal structure of MauG and comparison with the structure of soybean ascorbate peroxidase with bound ascorbate. The ascorbate bound to MauG was shown to accelerate the rates of both electron transfers to the hemes and proton transfers to hemes which occur during the multistep autoreduction to the diferric state which is accompanied by oxidative damage. A structural basis for these effects is inferred from the putative ascorbate-binding site. This could be a previously unrecognized mechanism by which ascorbate mitigates oxidative damage to heme-dependent enzymes and redox proteins in nature.
Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes in Neonates Undergoing Lung Resection for Congenital Lesions
Authors: Dutta Hemonta , Bora Madhuchanda , Saikia Diganta
Published: June 2017

Objective The purpose of this study is to review our experience with neonates and infants with congenital lung lesions emphasizing natural history, management, and outcomes.

Methods A total of 29 neonates and infants presented with congenital lung lesions between 2000 and 2015. Two patients died before surgery due to complications, and one patient refused surgery. Overall, 26 of them were subjected to surgical treatment and were included in the study. Demographic data, indications for surgery, operative procedure, complications, hospital stay, and follow-up were assessed.

Results A total of 26 children aged 5 to 122 days (mean: 35.5 days, 14 males) presented with various congenital lung malformations: congenital lobar emphysema in 10, congenital cystic adenomatous malformation in 8, bronchogenic cyst in 5, and pulmonary sequestration in 3 patients. Respiratory distress and respiratory tract infection were the most common presenting symptoms noted in 22 patients. In three patients the lesion was detected incidentally on chest X-ray. Lobectomy was the most common operation (19/26). Postoperative complications were noted in 12 patients. One patient died due to postoperative sepsis. Postoperative ventilation was required in 24 patients. Patients in the asymptomatic group recovered without any complications. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 15 years (median: 76.3 months). Only 12 patients received epidural anesthesia and had a better recovery than the other patients.

Conclusion Congenital lobar emphysema was the most common congenital lung lesion in our series. Respiratory distress and respiratory infection were the most common symptoms. Neonates and infants tolerated lung resection well. Use of epidural anesthesia led to less postoperative complications.
Prospective Comparison of Enfamil and Similac Liquid Human Milk Fortifier on Clinical Outcomes in Premature Infants
Authors: Monga Ranjan , Sampath Venkatesh , Ehrhart Barb , Kumar Navin
Published: June 2017

Objective To compare growth and metabolic outcomes of premature infants receiving either Enfamil liquid human milk fortifier (ELHMF) or Similac liquid human milk fortifier (SLHMF).

Study Design Infants born at ≤31 weeks' gestational age (GA) with birth weights <1,500 g and exclusively fed on human milk (mother's milk and/or donor milk) were prospectively assigned alternatively to one of the two liquid human milk fortifier (LHMF) groups. Baseline demographic, growth, enteral nutrition, and laboratory data were compared after fortification.

Results In total, 31 preterm infants were recruited (ELHMF = 16; SLHMF = 15) with a mean GA of 27.1 ± 2.1 weeks and birth weight of 993 ± 245 g. The SLHMF group had significantly better weight gain as measured by individual weight z-scores (p = 0.008), better median weight gain velocity (p = 0.014), and less metabolic acidosis (p = 0.016). Overall weight gain was significantly better on mother's own milk in both the fortifier groups. The SLHMF group showed a trend toward higher growth velocity on donor milk compared with ELHMF (p = 0.06). We also observed a higher reticulocyte count (p = 0.003) in the SLHMF group compared with the ELHMF group.

Conclusion In premature infants, between the two liquid human milk fortifiers, ELHMF fortifier is associated with relatively less weight gain and more metabolic acidosis.
Lungenmetastasenchirurgie bei Patienten mit fortgeschrittenen Weichteil- und Osteosarkomen
Authors: Macherey Sascha , Hekmat Khosro , Zarghooni Kourosh , Doerr Fabian , Heldwein Matthias , Wahlers Thorsten
Published: June 2017

Hintergrund Weichteil- und Osteosarkome sind häufig mit Lungenmetastasen vergesellschaftet. Patienten sind für eine kurative Metastasektomie geeignet, wenn der Primärtumor erfolgreich reseziert worden ist, sie lediglich pulmonale Metastasen aufweisen und die funktionelle Operabilität sowie die vollständige Metastasenresektion gewährleistet sind.

Material und Methoden Systematische Literaturrecherche und qualitative Analyse aller ab dem 01.01.2010 publizierten Fallserien über Patienten nach vollständiger Sarkomresektion und anschließender Lungenmetastasenchirurgie. Zielparameter waren operative Befunde, Überlebensdaten und Prognosefaktoren.

Ergebnisse Die Lungenmetastasenchirurgie ermöglicht ein medianes Postmetastasektomieüberleben von 8,76 bis 69,9 Monaten. Postoperativ werden nach Metastasektomie 5-Jahres-Überlebensraten zwischen 21,7 und 56,8% erreicht, dabei hängt die Prognose maßgeblich von der vollständigen Resektion aller Lungenmetastasen ab. Intrapulmonale Rezidive können nach kritischer Indikationsstellung reseziert werden und mit einer günstigen Prognose verbunden sein.

Schlussfolgerungen Für selektionierte Patienten mit Osteosarkomen und isolierter Lungenmetastasierung sollte die Metastasektomie die Therapie der Wahl sein. Patienten mit Weichteilsarkomen und isolierter pulmonaler Metastasierung können bei richtiger Indikationsstellung von einem chirurgischen Eingriff profitieren.
Exploring diagnostic and therapeutic implications of endoscopic mucosal resection in EUS-staged T2 esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gotink Annieke , Spaander Manon , Doukas Michael , Tang Thjon , Didden Paul , Wijnhoven Bas , Bruno Marco , Koch Arjun
Published: June 2017

Background and study aims Treatment strategies for clinical (c)T2N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are subject to debate owing to the relative inaccuracy of tumor staging by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), with profound implications in overstaged patients. We aimed to evaluate the final histological diagnosis of patients initially staged as having a cT2 tumor by EUS, and to assess the value of endoscopic reassessment by an interventional endoscopist, followed by an endoscopic resection when deemed feasible.

Patients and methods Two distinct cohorts of patients with cT2 EAC as determined by EUS were included: a retrospective surgical cohort of patients treated by primary esophagectomy, and a prospective cohort of patients who underwent an endoscopic reassessment by an interventional endoscopist. The main outcome measure was the final pathological (p)T stage.

Results We identified 134 patients with stage T2 EAC from the surgical cohort. In 72 patients treated by primary esophagectomy, 32/72 (44 %) were downstaged to a pT1 tumor. In 12/72 (17 %), the surgical resection specimen showed tumor characteristics that fulfilled the current criteria for a curative endoscopic resection. In 13 prospectively identified patients with cT2N0M0 EAC, an expert endoscopic reassessment was done. In 11/13 (85 %) the lesion appeared endoscopically resectable and a complete endoscopic resection was performed. Histology revealed a pT1 tumor in all 11 patients, with 5/13 (38 %) fulfilling current criteria for a curative endoscopic resection.

Conclusions In this study, 44 % of cT2 EACs were in fact pT1 tumors. Curative treatment by endoscopic resection was achieved in more than a third of these cases. To avoid an unnecessary esophagectomy, an endoscopic reassessment by an interventional endoscopist is recommended for all patients with cT2N0M0 EAC.
Characterization of the electron emission properties of hafnium nitride field emitter arrays at elevated temperatures
Authors: Gotoh Yasuhito , Ohue Wataru , Tsuji Hiroshi
Published: June 2017

The electron emission properties of hafnium nitride field emitter arrays with 10 000 emission tips in the triode configuration were investigated at room temperature, 100 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C. After cooling the sample to room temperature, the same measurements were repeated again. In the first high temperature test, the current-voltage curve at room temperature and 100 °C did not show a significant difference, but it shifted to a lower voltage for temperatures higher than 200 °C. In the second high temperature test, the current-voltage characteristics were quite similar to those obtained in the first high temperature test, except for the fact that the current-voltage curves at room temperature and 100 °C were lower than those in the first high temperature test. A Seppen-Katamuki analysis revealed that the emitter surface at temperatures less than 200 °C had a work function of about 4.3 eV once they had been heated up higher than 200 °C. At 300 °C, both for the first and second high temperature tests, the work function of the emitter was estimated to be approximately 3.1–3.3 eV, which was lower than the value expected from our previous study. The validity of the estimated work functions was confirmed by the fact that the experimentally obtained enhancement of the current and transconductance agreed with the values calculated from the theory using the estimated work function. Arguments were made for different situations such as changes in the apex radius or in a number of active tips.
Reconfigurable terahertz grating with enhanced transmission of TE polarized light
Authors: He J. W. , Wang X. K. , Xie Z. W. , Xue Y. Z. , Wang S. , Zhang Y.
Published: June 2017

We demonstrate an optically reconfigurable grating with enhanced transmission of TE-polarized waves in the terahertz (THz) waveband. This kind of grating is realized by projecting a grating image onto a thin Si wafer with a digital micromirror device (DMD). The enhanced transmission is caused by a resonance of the electromagnetic fields between the photoexcited strips. The position of the transmission peak shifts with the variation of the period and duty cycle of the photoinduced grating, which can be readily controlled by the DMD. Furthermore, a flattened Gaussian model was applied to describe the distribution of the photoexcited free carriers in the Si wafer, and the simulated transmittance spectra are shown to be in good agreement with the experimental results. In future, the photoexcited carriers could also be used to produce THz diffractive elements with reconfigurable functionality.