bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinearity optimization of dissipative-soliton fiber laser for generation of pulses with 350 kW peak power
Authors: Chi Han , Liu Bowen , Song Youjian , Hu Minglie , Chai Lu , Shen Weidong , Liu Xu , Wang Chingyue
Published: June 2018

We demonstrate a nonlinearity optimization method by altering distribution of passive fibers in a dissipative-soliton mode-locked fiber laser to level up output parameters. In the numerical simulation, we found that the passive fiber segment after gain fiber characterizes the highest average B-integral among fiber segments. By reducing the length of this fiber section and keeping the total passive fiber length as constant, the output pulse energy can be effectively scaled up while maintaining a short dechirped pulse duration, resulting in boosting peak power. With this method, 37-nJ pulses are generated from a dissipative-soliton mode-locked cladding pumped ytterbium-doped single-mode fiber laser in the experiment. The pulse can be dechirped to 66 fs with 350 kW peak power. Moreover, the pulse pedestal is suppressed by a vector-dispersion compressor.
Experimental study of the stability and dynamics of a two-dimensional ideal vortex under external strain
Authors: Hurst N. C. , Danielson J. R. , Dubin D. H. E. , Surko C. M.
Published: June 2018

The dynamics of two-dimensional (2-D) ideal fluid vortices is studied experimentally in the presence of an irrotational strain flow. Laboratory experiments are conducted using strongly magnetized pure electron plasmas, a technique which is made possible by the isomorphism between the drift–Poisson equations describing plasma dynamics transverse to the field and the 2-D Euler equations describing an ideal fluid. The electron plasma system provides an excellent opportunity to study the dynamics of a 2-D Euler fluid due to weak dissipation and weak 3-D effects, simple diagnosis and precise control. The plasma confinement apparatus used here was designed specifically to study vortex dynamics under the influence of external flow by applying boundary conditions in two dimensions. Additionally, vortex-in-cell simulations are carried out to complement the experimental results and to extend the parameter range of the studies. It is shown that the global dynamics of a quasi-flat vorticity profile is in good quantitative agreement with the theory of a piecewise-constant elliptical patch of vorticity, including the equilibria, dynamical orbits and stability properties. Deviations from the elliptical patch theory are observed for non-flat vorticity profiles; they include inviscid damping of the orbits and modified stability limits. The dependence of these phenomena on the flatness of the initial profile is discussed. The relationship of these results to other theoretical, numerical and experimental studies is also discussed.
A practice-based framework for understanding (informal) play as practice phenomena in organizations
Authors: Spraggon Martin , Bodolica Virginia
Published: June 2018

Play as practice literature has long been dominated by studies on the serious play. Focusing on a play that develops in artificial settings and requires managerial intervention, these studies overlook other playful manifestations, which are employee-driven and situated in the natural work habitat. This paper extends current play as practice reflections by adopting the notion of informal play as an alternative to prevailing views that espouses the employee rather than the managerial perspective. Drawing upon insights from play and practice literature, we incorporate five practice-based constructs into the systematic analysis of informal play in the world of work. We advance an integrative framework that highlights the constitutive relationships between the retained constructs and acknowledges different enactments of informal play for generating productive outcomes or cynically resisting authority. A multi-domain agenda for future inquiry that may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of informal play as practice in organizations concludes the paper.
Knowers by Nature and Their Burdens and Blessings: On John Goodwin's Arminian Turn
Authors: Parnham David
Published: June 2018

Much of John Goodwin's theological output can be viewed as a backlash against the “orthodox” doctrine of God. That God, as Goodwin conceived him, was too eager to command the “impossible” and too inclined to “delight” in the punishment of the noncompliant. During the early 1650s, Goodwin turned to the pagans in order to articulate the gracious countenance of a wise and equitable deity. In the process, he went close to canceling the operational distinction between grace and nature. For nature, according to Goodwin, preached unlettered sermons about “atonement.” And because, as Paul declared in Romans, the blessings of creation render the sins of creatures inexcusable, it is only because they willfully repudiate the deity's gracious overtures that pagans deprive themselves of excuse. The doctrine, as Goodwin presented it, horrified his many opponents. It seemed to them that Goodwin had lodged in the “free will” of rational creatures the power to attain salvation. He put himself on a collision course with the magisterial masters—Bucer, Vermigli, Calvin, Pareus, and others—whose lead he professed, in many respects, to follow. There is reason to suspect that Goodwin had been particularly indebted to Arminius, Episcopius, and Corvinus.
Early mapping of industrial tomato in Central and Southern Italy with Sentinel 2, aerial and RapidEye additional data
Authors: Vaglio Laurin Gaia , Belli Claudio , Bianconi Roberto , Laranci Pietro , Papale Dario
Published: June 2018

Timely crop information, i.e. well before harvesting time and at first stages of crop development, can benefit farmers and producer organizations. The current case study documents the procedure to deliver early data on planted tomato to users, showing the potential of Sentinel 2 (S2) to map tomato at the very beginning of the crop season, which is a challenging task. Using satellite data, integrated with ground and aerial data, an initial estimate of area planted with tomato and early tomato maps were generated in seven main production areas in Italy. Estimates of the amount of area planted with tomato provided similar results either when derived from field surveys or from remote-sensing-based classification. Tomato early maps showed a producer accuracy >80% in seven cases out of nine, and a user accuracy >80% in five cases out of nine, with differences attributed to the varying agricultural characteristics and environmental heterogeneity of the study areas. The additional use of aerial data improved producer accuracy moderately. The ability to identify abrupt growth changes, such as those caused by natural hazards, was also analysed: S2 detected significant changes in tomato growth between a hailstorm-affected area and a control area. The study suggests that S2, with enhanced spectral capabilities and open data policy, represents very valuable data, allowing crop monitoring at an early development stage.
Sugar Overflows and Teatro Obrero's Escalante Story
Authors: LLANA JAZMIN BADONG
Published: June 2018

Protesting against the Marcos regime in 1985, farm workers and other activists and their supporters from multisectoral groups are ‘massacred’ in front of the Escalante town hall by state police and paramilitary troops, resulting in the death of twenty persons. A year later, Teatro Obrero, the ‘cultural arm’ of the Negros Federation of Sugar Workers, stages a re-enactment of the massacre. Thirty-two years later, in 2017, the theatre group performs the re-enactment for the thirty-second time; the group has been doing the re-enactment every year since 1986. What is the reason for this fidelity to the restaging of a traumatic event? What is the logic of the repetition that happens relentlessly in the same way every year? Drawing from a co-performative engagement with Teatro Obrero and its re-enactment theatre, I argue that the reason may be found by looking at the long history of the sugar workers’ oppression, which spans centuries, and which is about more than Marcos and his repressive regime. The theatre has not changed because the social conditions that birthed it have not changed. It has become an intergenerational resource for the Escalante survivors who have once again lost their trust in promised change under the current national leadership.
Aeromagnetic Data Reveal Potential Seismogenic Basement Faults in the Induced Seismicity Setting of Oklahoma
Authors: Shah A. K. , Crain K.
Published: June 2018

New aeromagnetic survey data collected over north central Oklahoma image possible seismogenic faults in the crystalline basement. Linear earthquake sequences associated with induced seismicity suggest the reactivation of ancient basement faults, but few of these sequences are aligned with mapped faults. The new data show many earthquake sequences aligned with linear magnetic gradients or offsets between anomalies, while mapped faults, which mainly describe sedimentary cover, show limited correspondence with either. This strongly suggests significant structural differences between the crystalline basement and sedimentary cover. Furthermore, while the earthquakes are occurring on reactivated ancient faults, most of these faults have likely been inactive for millions of years. The magnetic data exhibit many gradient lineaments that are optimally oriented for fault slip, and the earthquake data suggest additional optimally oriented faults. Together these data suggest the presence of potentially numerous seismogenic faults throughout the region, which may contribute to high levels of induced seismicity.
Comparison of antibacterial activity of alexidine alone or as a final irrigant with sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine
Authors: da Silva Thaís M , Alves Flávio RF , Lutterbach Márcia TS , Paiva Maurício M , Ferreira Dennis de Carvalho
Published: June 2018

Aims:

To compare the antibacterial activity of alexidine (ALX) alone or as a final irrigant in combination with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), with the most common canal irrigants, NaOCl and chlorhexidine (CHX).

Materials and methods:

Ninety-four root fragments from extracted human teeth were infected with Enterococcus faecalis for 24 h and then distributed into 4 groups of 20 fragments each. The NaOCl, CHX and ALX groups were immersed in 1 ml of 2.5% NaOCl, 2% CHX, and 1% ALX for 10 min, respectively. The samples of the NaOCl+ALX group were immersed in 1 ml of 2.5% NaOCl for 10 min followed by 1% ALX for 10 min. Bacteriological samples were taken, cultured, and the colony-forming units were counted.

Results:

There was no significant differences among the experimental groups (P>0.05) except for the comparisons CHX versus ALX and NaOCl+ALX versus ALX (P=0.004). ALX alone was the worst irrigant. CHX and NaOCl+ALX eradicated all bacteria. All experimental groups were significantly more effective than the control group immersed in saline (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

The antibacterial effect of ALX alone was inferior to 2% CHX and 2.5% NaOCl. However, the combination of NaOCl with ALX as a final irrigant eradicated the biofilms.
Modular ssDNA binding and inhibition of telomerase activity by designer PPR proteins
Authors: Spåhr Henrik , Chia Tiongsun , Lingford James P. , Siira Stefan J. , Cohen Scott B. , Filipovska Aleksandra , Rackham Oliver
Published: June 2018

DNA is typically found as a double helix, however it must be separated into single strands during all phases of DNA metabolism; including transcription, replication, recombination and repair. Although recent breakthroughs have enabled the design of modular RNA- and double-stranded DNA-binding proteins, there are currently no tools available to manipulate single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Here we show that artificial pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins can be programmed for sequence-specific ssDNA binding. Interactions occur using the same code and specificity as for RNA binding. We solve the structures of DNA-bound and apo proteins revealing the basis for ssDNA binding and how hydrogen bond rearrangements enable the PPR structure to envelope its ssDNA target. Finally, we show that engineered PPRs can be designed to bind telomeric ssDNA and can block telomerase activity. The modular mode of ssDNA binding by PPR proteins provides tools to target ssDNA and to understand its importance in cells.
Chemical warfare between leafcutter ant symbionts and a co-evolved pathogen
Authors: Heine Daniel , Holmes Neil A. , Worsley Sarah F. , Santos Ana Carolina A. , Innocent Tabitha M. , Scherlach Kirstin , Patrick Elaine H. , Yu Douglas W. , Murrell J. Colin , Vieria Paulo C. , Boomsma Jacobus J. , Hertweck Christian , Hutchings Matthew I. , Wilkinson Barrie
Published: June 2018

Acromyrmex leafcutter ants form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus and with Pseudonocardia bacteria. Both are vertically transmitted and actively maintained by the ants. The fungus garden is manured with freshly cut leaves and provides the sole food for the ant larvae, while Pseudonocardia cultures are reared on the ant-cuticle and make antifungal metabolites to help protect the cultivar against disease. If left unchecked, specialized parasitic Escovopsis fungi can overrun the fungus garden and lead to colony collapse. We report that Escovopsis upregulates the production of two specialized metabolites when it infects the cultivar. These compounds inhibit Pseudonocardia and one, shearinine D, also reduces worker behavioral defenses and is ultimately lethal when it accumulates in ant tissues. Our results are consistent with an active evolutionary arms race between Pseudonocardia and Escovopsis, which modifies both bacterial and behavioral defenses such that colony collapse is unavoidable once Escovopsis infections escalate.
Quantum limit transport and destruction of the Weyl nodes in TaAs
Authors: Ramshaw B. J. , Modic K. A. , Shekhter Arkady , Zhang Yi , Kim Eun-Ah , Moll Philip J. W. , Bachmann Maja D. , Chan M. K. , Betts J. B. , Balakirev F. , Migliori A. , Ghimire N. J. , Bauer E. D. , Ronning F. , McDonald R. D.
Published: June 2018

Weyl fermions are a recently discovered ingredient for correlated states of electronic matter. A key difficulty has been that real materials also contain non-Weyl quasiparticles, and disentangling the experimental signatures has proven challenging. Here we use magnetic fields up to 95 T to drive the Weyl semimetal TaAs far into its quantum limit, where only the purely chiral 0th Landau levels of the Weyl fermions are occupied. We find the electrical resistivity to be nearly independent of magnetic field up to 50 T: unusual for conventional metals but consistent with the chiral anomaly for Weyl fermions. Above 50 T we observe a two-order-of-magnitude increase in resistivity, indicating that a gap opens in the chiral Landau levels. Above 80 T we observe strong ultrasonic attenuation below 2 K, suggesting a mesoscopically textured state of matter. These results point the way to inducing new correlated states of matter in the quantum limit of Weyl semimetals.
Nature of the metal-insulator transition in few-unit-cell-thick LaNiO3 films
Authors: Golalikhani M. , Lei Q. , Chandrasena R. U. , Kasaei L. , Park H. , Bai J. , Orgiani P. , Ciston J. , Sterbinsky G. E. , Arena D. A. , Shafer P. , Arenholz E. , Davidson B. A. , Millis A. J. , Gray A. X. , Xi X. X.
Published: June 2018

The nature of the metal-insulator transition in thin films and superlattices of LaNiO3 only a few unit cells in thickness remains elusive despite tremendous effort. Quantum confinement and epitaxial strain have been evoked as the mechanisms, although other factors such as growth-induced disorder, cation non-stoichiometry, oxygen vacancies, and substrate–film interface quality may also affect the observable properties of ultrathin films. Here we report results obtained for near-ideal LaNiO3 films with different thicknesses and terminations grown by atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy on LaAlO3 substrates. We find that the room-temperature metallic behavior persists until the film thickness is reduced to an unprecedentedly small 1.5 unit cells (NiO2 termination). Electronic structure measurements using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculation suggest that oxygen vacancies existing in the films also contribute to the metal-insulator transition.
Molecular principles underlying dual RNA specificity in the Drosophila SNF protein
Authors: Weber Gert , DeKoster Gregory T. , Holton Nicole , Hall Kathleen B. , Wahl Markus C.
Published: June 2018

The first RNA recognition motif of the Drosophila SNF protein is an example of an RNA binding protein with multi-specificity. It binds different RNA hairpin loops in spliceosomal U1 or U2 small nuclear RNAs, and only in the latter case requires the auxiliary U2A′ protein. Here we investigate its functions by crystal structures of SNF alone and bound to U1 stem-loop II, U2A′ or U2 stem-loop IV and U2A′, SNF dynamics from NMR spectroscopy, and structure-guided mutagenesis in binding studies. We find that different loop-closing base pairs and a nucleotide exchange at the tips of the loops contribute to differential SNF affinity for the RNAs. U2A′ immobilizes SNF and RNA residues to restore U2 stem-loop IV binding affinity, while U1 stem-loop II binding does not require such adjustments. Our findings show how U2A′ can modulate RNA specificity of SNF without changing SNF conformation or relying on direct RNA contacts.
Alternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints
Authors: Bezawork-Geleta Ayenachew , Wen He , Dong LanFeng , Yan Bing , Vider Jelena , Boukalova Stepana , Krobova Linda , Vanova Katerina , Zobalova Renata , Sobol Margarita , Hozak Pavel , Novais Silvia Magalhaes , Caisova Veronika , Abaffy Pavel , Naraine Ravindra , Pang Ying , Zaw Thiri , Zhang Ping , Sindelka Radek , Kubista Mikael , Zuryn Steven , Molloy Mark P. , Berridge Michael V. , Pacak Karel , Rohlena Jakub , Park Sunghyouk , Neuzil Jiri
Published: June 2018

Cell growth and survival depend on a delicate balance between energy production and synthesis of metabolites. Here, we provide evidence that an alternative mitochondrial complex II (CII) assembly, designated as CIIlow, serves as a checkpoint for metabolite biosynthesis under bioenergetic stress, with cells suppressing their energy utilization by modulating DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression. Depletion of CIIlow leads to an imbalance in energy utilization and metabolite synthesis, as evidenced by recovery of the de novo pyrimidine pathway and unlocking cell cycle arrest from the S-phase. In vitro experiments are further corroborated by analysis of paraganglioma tissues from patients with sporadic, SDHA and SDHB mutations. These findings suggest that CIIlow is a core complex inside mitochondria that provides homeostatic control of cellular metabolism depending on the availability of energy.
Scanning nuclear resonance imaging of a hyperfine-coupled quantum Hall system
Authors: Hashimoto Katsushi , Tomimatsu Toru , Sato Ken , Hirayama Yoshiro
Published: June 2018

Nuclear resonance (NR) is widely used to detect and characterise nuclear spin polarisation and conduction electron spin polarisation coupled by a hyperfine interaction. While the macroscopic aspects of such hyperfine-coupled systems have been addressed in most relevant studies, the essential role of local variation in both types of spin polarisation has been indicated in 2D semiconductor systems. In this study, we apply a recently developed local and highly sensitive NR based on a scanning probe to a hyperfine-coupled quantum Hall (QH) system in a 2D electron gas subject to a strong magnetic field. We succeed in imaging the NR intensity and Knight shift, uncovering the spatial distribution of both the nuclear and electron spin polarisation. The results reveal the microscopic origin of the nonequilibrium QH phenomena, and highlight the potential use of our technique in microscopic studies on various electron spin systems as well as their correlations with nuclear spins.
Optogenetic auditory fMRI reveals the effects of visual cortical inputs on auditory midbrain response
Authors: Leong Alex T. L. , Dong Celia M. , Gao Patrick P. , Chan Russell W. , To Anthea , Sanes Dan H. , Wu Ed X.
Published: June 2018

Sensory cortices contain extensive descending (corticofugal) pathways, yet their impact on brainstem processing – particularly across sensory systems – remains poorly understood. In the auditory system, the inferior colliculus (IC) in the midbrain receives cross-modal inputs from the visual cortex (VC). However, the influences from VC on auditory midbrain processing are unclear. To investigate whether and how visual cortical inputs affect IC auditory responses, the present study combines auditory blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) with cell-type specific optogenetic manipulation of visual cortex. The results show that predominant optogenetic excitation of the excitatory pyramidal neurons in the infragranular layers of the primary VC enhances the noise-evoked BOLD fMRI responses within the IC. This finding reveals that inputs from VC influence and facilitate basic sound processing in the auditory midbrain. Such combined optogenetic and auditory fMRI approach can shed light on the large-scale modulatory effects of corticofugal pathways and guide detailed electrophysiological studies in the future.
Author Correction: Mutations in VP1 and 5′-UTR affect enterovirus 71 virulence
Authors: Chang Ching-Kun , Wu Shang-Rung , Chen Ying-Chin , Lee Kuen-Jin , Chung Nai-Hsiang , Lu Yi-Ju , Yu Shu-Ling , Liu Chia-Chyi , Chow Yen-Hung
Published: June 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Low night temperature at veraison enhances the accumulation of anthocyanins in Corvina grapes (Vitis Vinifera L.)
Authors: Gaiotti Federica , Pastore Chiara , Filippetti Ilaria , Lovat Lorenzo , Belfiore Nicola , Tomasi Diego
Published: June 2018

Climate change is a major concern in grape production worldwide. Nights have been warming much faster than the days, raising attention on the effect of night temperatures on grape and wine composition. In this study we evaluated the effect of night temperatures on grape coloration in the cv. Corvina (Vitis viniferaL.). In 2015 and 2016 potted plants were cooled overnight (10–11 °C) during two berry ripening phases, veraison (TV) or post-veraison (TPV), and compared to control vines (C) grown at ambient night temperature (15–20 °C on average). Cooling treatment around veraison (TV) hastened berry anthocyanin accumulation, while the same treatment applied after veraison (TPV) was ineffective. Molecular analysis revealed an increased transcription of four key genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis (CHS3, F3H1, MYBA1 and UFGT) in TV treatment. These results suggest that the anthocyanin biosynthesis capacity was enhanced by cool nights during veraison. However, since the gene expression was not always temporally correlated to the increase in anthocyanin concentration, we speculate on the presence of mechanisms, such as enzymatic regulation or anthocyanin transport, which may contribute in determining the anthocyanin accumulation under low night temperatures.
Could vectors’ fear of predators reduce the spread of plant diseases?
Authors: Tholt G. , Kis A. , Medzihradszky A. , Szita É. , Tóth Z. , Havelda Z. , Samu F.
Published: June 2018

Predators influence the behaviour of prey and by doing so they potentially reduce pathogen transmission by a vector. Arthropod predators have been shown to reduce the consumption of plant biomass by pest herbivores, but their cascading non-consumptive effect on vector insects’ feeding behaviour and subsequent pathogen transmission has not been investigated experimentally before. Here we experimentally examined predator-mediated pathogen transmission mechanisms using the plant pathogen Wheat Dwarf Virus that is transmitted by the leafhopper, Psammotettix alienus. We applied in situ hybridization to localize which leaf tissues were infected with transmitted virus DNA in barley host plants, proving that virus occurrence is restricted to phloem tissues. In the presence of the spider predator, Tibellus oblongus, we recorded the within leaf feeding behaviour of the herbivore using electrical penetration graph. The leafhopper altered its feeding behaviour in response to predation risk. Phloem ingestion, the feeding phase when virus acquisition occurs, was delayed and was less frequent. The phase when pathogen inoculation takes place, via the secretion of virus infected vector saliva, was shorter when predator was present. Our study thus provides experimental evidence that predators can potentially limit the spread of plant pathogens solely through influencing the feeding behaviour of vector organisms.
Unmasking the negative greenhouse effect over the Antarctic Plateau
Authors: Sejas Sergio A. , Taylor Patrick C. , Cai Ming
Published: June 2018

A paradoxical negative greenhouse effect has been found over the Antarctic Plateau, indicating that greenhouse gases enhance energy loss to space. Using 13 years of NASA satellite observations, we verify the existence of the negative greenhouse effect and find that the magnitude and sign of the effect varies seasonally and spectrally. A previous explanation attributes this effect solely to stratospheric CO2; however, we surprisingly find that the negative greenhouse effect is predominantly caused by tropospheric water vapor. A recently developed principle-based concept is used to provide a complete account of the Antarctic Plateau’s negative greenhouse effect indicating that it is controlled by the vertical variation of temperature and greenhouse gas absorption. Our findings indicate that unique climatological conditions over the Antarctic Plateau—a strong surface-based temperature inversion and scarcity of free tropospheric water vapor—cause the negative greenhouse effect.
Retraction Note: Fractal Based Analysis of the Influence of Odorants on Heart Activity
Authors: Namazi Hamidreza , Kulish Vladimir V.
Published: June 2018

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38555; published online: 08 December 2016; updated: 01 June 2018 This Article has been retracted by Scientific Reports at the request of Nanyang Technological University. An investigation at Nanyang Technological University found that ethical approval for the reported experiments was not sought from their Internal Review Board.
Charged interfaces: electrochemical and mechanical effects
Authors: Vikrant K. S. N. , Chueh William C. , García R. Edwin
Published: June 2018

The electrochemical and mechanical effects of charged interfaces in substitutional ionic conductors for energy storage and conversion applications are quantified.
Human cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibition profile of three flavonoids isolated from Psoralea corylifolia: in silico predictions and experimental validation
Authors: Wang Lili , Hai Yue , Huang Nannan , Gao Xue , Liu Wenli , He Xin
Published: June 2018

Cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP)-associated metabolic studies in vitro have been considered cost-effective for predicting potential clinical drug/herb–drug interactions (DDI/HDI).
Volatile organic compound signature from co-culture of lung epithelial cell line withPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lawal Oluwasola , Knobel Hugo , Weda Hans , Bos Lieuwe D. , Nijsen Tamara M. E. , Goodacre Royston , Fowler Stephen J.
Published: June 2018

Bacterial volatile organic compounds have the potential to be utilised as diagnostic biomarkers for infections.
Controllable integration of ultrasmall noble metal nanoparticles into mesoporous silica matrixes by a self-assembly method
Authors: Sun Bo , Fu Tingjun , Zeng Hua Chun
Published: June 2018

Various noble metal nanoparticles smaller than 2 nm were immobilized into spherical mesoporous silica (30 nm) via a self-assembly method.
A case of extensive protein platination: the reaction of lysozyme with a Pt(ii)–terpyridine complex
Authors: Ferraro Giarita , Marzo Tiziano , Infrasca Teresa , Cilibrizzi Agostino , Vilar Ramon , Messori Luigi , Merlino Antonello
Published: June 2018

The interaction between a Pt(ii)–terpyridine cytotoxic compound and the model protein lysozyme has been investigated by X-ray crystallography and electrospray mass spectrometry under different experimental conditions. The compound shows a high reactivity with the model protein.
An anti-inflammatory molecular mechanism of action of α-mangostin, the major xanthone from the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana: an in silico, in vitro and in vivo approach
Authors: Mohan Syam , Syam Suvitha , Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim , Thangavel Neelaveni
Published: June 2018

α-Mangostin (αMN) is a xanthone present in the pericarp of Garcinia mangostana Linn.
An integrated approach (synthetic, structural and biological) to the study of aroylhydrazone salts
Authors: Vrdoljak Višnja , Prugovečki Biserka , Primožič Ines , Hrenar Tomica , Cvijanović Danijela , Parlov Vuković Jelena , Odžak Renata , Skočibušić Mirjana , Prugovečki Stjepan , Lovrić Jasna , Matković-Čalogović Dubravka , Cindrić Marina
Published: June 2018

A change of anion or aroylhydrazone substituent position results in salts of different connectivities, thermal stabilities and properties.
Enhanced light out-coupling efficiency of quantum dot light emitting diodes by nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Wang Shujie , Dou Xiaoyu , Chen Ling , Fang Yan , Wang Aqiang , Shen Huaibin , Du Zuliang
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we demonstrate the highly effective extraction of waveguided light from the active region of QLEDs by embedding internal grating patterns using a nanoimprint lithography technique.
Fluorous interaction induced self-assembly of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein for cisplatin delivery
Authors: Gao Sijia , Liu Xiangxiang , Wang Zhaocheng , Jiang Shidong , Wu Man , Tian Ye , Niu Zhongwei
Published: June 2018

Fluorous ponytail modified tobacco mosaic virus coat protein can form into spherical nanoparticles through fluorous interaction induced self-assembly.
A mild electroassisted synthesis of (hetero)arylphosphonates
Authors: Sengmany Stéphane , Ollivier Anthony , Le Gall Erwan , Léonel Eric
Published: June 2018

The first example of a nickel-catalyzed electrochemical coupling between dimethyl phosphite and (hetero)aryl halides to furnish (hetero)arylphosphonates is described.
Coupling CFD–DEM and microkinetic modeling of surface chemistry for the simulation of catalytic fluidized systems
Authors: Uglietti Riccardo , Bracconi Mauro , Maestri Matteo
Published: June 2018

A numerical framework is proposed to couple detailed microkinetic modeling and CFD–DEM for the simulation of gas–solid fluidized systems.
Adhesive bacterial amyloid nanofiber-mediated growth of metal–organic frameworks on diverse polymeric substrates
Authors: Zhang Cuizheng , Li Yingfeng , Wang Hongliang , He Sanfeng , Xu Yiyi , Zhong Chao , Li Tao
Published: June 2018

Adhesive curli nanofibers, bacterial biofilms' major protein component, were utilized to mediate the growth of MOFs on various polymeric substrates.
Radical difluoromethylthiolation of aromatics enabled by visible light
Authors: Li Jianbin , Zhu Dianhu , Lv Leiyang , Li Chao-Jun
Published: June 2018

A metal-catalyst-free and redox-neutral innate difluoromethylthiolation method enabled by visible light is described. This protocol employs a shelf-stable and readily available electrophilic difluoromethylthiolating reagent, PhSO2SCF2H, and converts a broad spectrum of arenes and heteroarenes to difluoromethylthioethers without noble metals and stoichiometric amount of additives.
Guidelines for Feature Matching Assessment of Brain–Computer Interfaces for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Authors: Pitt Kevin M. , Brumberg Jonathan S.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can provide access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices using neurological activity alone without voluntary movements. As with traditional AAC access methods, BCI performance may be influenced by the cognitive–sensory–motor and motor imagery profiles of those who use these devices. Therefore, we propose a person-centered, feature matching framework consistent with clinical AAC best practices to ensure selection of the most appropriate BCI technology to meet individuals' communication needs.

Method

The proposed feature matching procedure is based on the current state of the art in BCI technology and published reports on cognitive, sensory, motor, and motor imagery factors important for successful operation of BCI devices.

Results

Considerations for successful selection of BCI for accessing AAC are summarized based on interpretation from a multidisciplinary team with experience in AAC, BCI, neuromotor disorders, and cognitive assessment. The set of features that support each BCI option are discussed in a hypothetical case format to model possible transition of BCI research from the laboratory into clinical AAC applications.

Conclusions

This procedure is an initial step toward consideration of feature matching assessment for the full range of BCI devices. Future investigations are needed to fully examine how person-centered factors influence BCI performance across devices.
SCADA‐based wind turbine anomaly detection using Gaussian process models for wind turbine condition monitoring purposes
Authors: Pandit Ravi Kumar , Infield David
Published: June 2018

The penetration of wind energy into power systems is steadily increasing; this highlights the importance of operations and maintenance, and specifically the role of condition monitoring. Wind turbine power curves based on supervisory control and data acquisition data provide a cost‐effective approach to wind turbine health monitoring. This study proposes a Gaussian process (a non‐parametric machine learning approach) based algorithm for condition monitoring. The standard IEC binned power curve together with individual bin probability distributions can be used to identify operational anomalies. The IEC approach can also be modified to create a form of real‐time power curve. Both of these approaches will be compared with a Gaussian process model to assess both speed and accuracy of anomaly detection. Significant yaw misalignment, reflecting a yaw control error or fault, results in a loss of power. Such a fault is quite common and early detection is important to prevent loss of power generation. Yaw control error provides a useful case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and allows the advantages and limitations of the proposed methods to be determined.
Dependence on the environment of the abundance function of light-cone simulation dark matter haloes
Authors: Chira Maria , Plionis Manolis , Corasaniti Pier-Stefano
Published: June 2018

Aims. We study the dependence of the halo abundance function (AF) on different environments in a whole-sky ΛCDM light-cone halo catalogue extending to z ~ 0.65, using a simple and well-defined halo isolation criterion.

Methods. The isolation status of each individual dark matter halo is determined by the distance to its nearest neighbour, which defines the maximum spherical region devoid of halos above a threshold mass around it (although the true size of such region may be much larger since it is not necessarily spherical). A versatile double power-law Schechter function is used to fit the dark matter halo AF, and its derived parameters are studied as a function of halo isolation status.

Results. (a) Our function fits the halo abundances for all halo isolation statuses extremely well, while the well-established theoretical mass functions, integrated over the volume of the light-cone, provide an adequate but poorer fit than our phenomenological model. (b) As expected, and in agreement with other studies based on snap-shot simulations, we find significant differences of the halo abundance function as a function of halo isolation, indicating different rates of halo formation. The slope of the power law and the characteristic mass of the Schechter-like fitting function decrease with isolation, a result consistent with the formation of less massive haloes in lower density regions. (c) We find an unexpected upturn of the characteristic mass of the most isolated haloes of our sample. This upturn originates and characterises only the higher redshift regime (z ≳ 0.45), which probably implies a significant and recent evolution of the isolation status of the most isolated and most massive haloes.
Cosmic microwave background constraints in light of priors over reionization histories
Authors: Millea Marius , Bouchet François
Published: June 2018

Non-parametric reconstruction or marginalization over the history of reionization using cosmic microwave background data necessarily assumes a prior over possible histories. We show that different but reasonable choices of priors can shift current and future constraints on the reionization optical depth,τ, or correlated parameters such as the neutrino mass sum,Σmν, at the level of 0.3–0.4σ, meaning that this analysis is somewhat prior dependent. We point out some prior-related problems with the commonly used principal component reconstruction, concluding that the significance of some recent hints of early reionization inPlanck2015 data has been overestimated. We also present the first non-parametric reconstruction applied to newerPlanckintermediate (2016) data and find that the hints of early reionization disappear entirely in this more precise dataset. These results limit possible explanations of the EDGES 21cm signal which would have also significantly reionized the universe atz >   15. Our findings about the dependence on priors motivate the pursuit of improved data or searches for physical reionization models which can reduce the prior volume. The discussion here of priors is of general applicability to other non-parametric reconstructions, for example of the primordial power spectrum, of the recombination history, or of the expansion rate.
De quoi la bioéconomie est-elle le nom ? Genèse d’un nouveau référentiel d’action publique
Authors: Pahun Jeanne , Fouilleux Ève , Daviron Benoît
Published: June 2018

Au cours du XXe siècle, la bioéconomie a été définie dans divers champs académiques : étude des populations en biologie, modèles de gestion des ressources naturelles ou approche entropique de l’économie à la façon de Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen. Au début des années 2000, elle est érigée comme mot d’ordre institutionnel sous l’impulsion de l’OCDE puis de la Commission européenne, qui en font le fer de lance d’une croissance durable, substituant à l’usage des ressources fossiles une exploitation de la biomasse par les biotechnologies. La mise à l’agenda de la bioéconomie au niveau européen a été amorcée par les politiques de recherche et d’innovation, dont les processus de définition et de financement ont été fortement influencés par les acteurs industriels. Les recompositions potentielles induites par la bioéconomie dans le domaine agricole génèrent des tensions, car elles entrent en concurrence avec d’autres visions pour le futur de l’agriculture européenne.
The Revision Rhinoplasty Consult: The Art of Managing Expectations.
Authors: Marcus Benjamin
Published: June 2018

Rhinoplasty is widely acknowledged to be a challenging operation. The success of the operation has long been measured in anecdotal ways. As the surgeon—do I think the outcome is good? Does the patient tell me they are happy? At hand is an obvious issue with patients sometimes not returning to their original doctor. Other times they may have minor concerns that take minimal effort to correct. Does that constitute a revision? In most circles, the ultimate definition of revision rhinoplasty is a return to surgery with the intent to correct a functional or aesthetic concern that arose after the original procedure.
Die Botenstoffe der Muskeln
Authors: Hollmann Michael
Published: June 2018

2007 prägte die dänische Professorin Bente Klarlund Petersen erstmals den Begriff der Myokine. Heute sind mehrere Dutzend dieser Botenstoffe genauer
erforscht, die bei körperlicher Aktivität ausgeschüttet werden. Lesen Sie, warum Bewegung die beste Prävention für zahlreiche Erkrankungen ist.
Evaluation of the DOAC-Stop® Procedure to Overcome the Effect of DOACs on Several Thrombophilia Screening Tests
Authors: Favresse Julien , Lardinois Benjamin , Sabor Lina , Devalet Bérangère , Vandepapeliere Julie , Braibant Maximilien , Lessire Sarah , Chatelain Bernard , Jacqmin Hugues , Douxfils Jonathan , Mullier François
Published: June 2018

The impact of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on laboratory assays used for thrombophilia testing (e.g., antithrombin, protein S, protein C, lupus anticoagulant and activated protein-C resistance) is a well-known issue and may cause false-positive and -negative results. Therefore, the correct interpretation of tests that are performed in patients taking DOACs is mandatory to prevent misclassification and the subsequent clinical consequences. We aimed at evaluating the efficiency of a new and simple procedure (DOAC-Stop®; Haematex Research, Hornsby, Australia) to overcome the effect of all DOACs in real-life settings and to assess the percentage of erroneous results due to the presence of DOACs on thrombophilia screening tests. For this purpose, 135 DOAC-treated patients (38 apixaban, 40 dabigatran, 15 edoxaban, and 42 rivaroxaban) and 20 control patients were enrolled. A significant drop in apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban plasma concentrations following the DOAC-Stop® treatment was observed (74.8–8.2 ng/mL [p < 0.0001], 95.9–4.7 ng/mL [p < 0.0001], 102.1–8.8 ng/mL [p = 0.001], and 111.3–7.0 ng/mL [p < 0.0001], respectively). The DOAC-Stop® treatment was mostly effective to overcome the effect of DOACs on PTT-LA, dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT) screen, and dRVVT confirm tests. Using our procedures, false-positive results due to DOACs were observed only with lupus anticoagulant tests (up to 75%) and fell to zero after the DOAC-Stop® procedure, regardless of the DOAC considered. In conclusion, the DOAC-Stop® adsorbent procedure appeared to be an effective and simple way to overcome the interference of DOAC on coagulation tests and should facilitate the interpretation of thrombophilia screening tests in patients taking DOACs.
Continuous quasiperiodic Schrödinger operators with Gordon type potentials
Authors: Liu Wencai
Published: June 2018

Let us concern the quasi-periodic Schrödinger operator in the continuous case (Hy)(x) = −y′′(x) + V(x, ωx)y(x), where V:(R/Z)2→R is piecewisely γ-Hölder continuous with respect to the second variable. Let L(E) be the Lyapunov exponent of Hy = Ey. Define β(ω) as β(ω)=lim supk→∞−ln||kω||k. We prove that H admits no eigenvalue in regime {E∈R:L(E)<γβ(ω)}.
Mueller matrix ellipsometric study of multilayer spin-VCSEL structures with local optical anisotropy
Authors: Fördös T. , Postava K. , Jaffrès H. , Quang To D. , Pištora J. , Drouhin H. J.
Published: June 2018

Spin-laser structures such as spin-polarized vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are semiconductor devices in which the radiative recombination processes involving spin-polarized carriers result in an emission of circularly polarized photons. Nevertheless, additional linear in-plane anisotropies in the cavity, e.g., interfacial and surface anisotropies, generally lead to preferential linearly polarized laser emission and to possible coupling between modes. We present Mueller matrix ellipsometric study of non-intentionally doped InGaAs/GaAsP laser structures devoted for optical pumping operations in the spectral range from 0.73 to 6.4 eV in order to disentangle surface and quantum wells contributions to the linear optical birefringence of the structures. The measurement of full 4 × 4 Mueller matrix for multiple angles of incidence and in-plane azimuthal angles in combination with proper parametrization of optical functions has been used for extraction of optical permittivity tensor components along [110] and [110] crystal axis of surface strained layers and quantum wells grown on [001]-substrate. Such spectral dependence of optical tensor elements is crucial for modeling of spin-laser eigenmodes, resonance conditions, and also for understanding of sources of structure anisotropies.
Tunable fluid-solid metamaterials for manipulation of elastic wave propagation in broad frequency range
Authors: Zhang Quan , Zhang Kai , Hu Gengkai
Published: June 2018

Most current strategies for designing tunable locally resonant metamaterials are based on tuning the stiffness of the resonator; however, this approach presents a major shortcoming as the effective mass density is constant at a high frequency. Here, this paper reports a type of tunable locally elastic metamaterial—called “tunable fluid-solid composite.” The proposed metamaterial consists of several liquid or gas inclusions in a solid matrix, controlled through a pair of embedded pumps. Both the band gap and effective mass density at the high frequency can be tuned by controlling the liquid distribution in the unit cell, as demonstrated through a combination of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental testing. Finally, we show that the tunable fluid-solid metamaterial can be utilized to manipulate wave propagation over a broad frequency range, providing avenues for vibration isolation and wave guiding.
Study on a new self-sensing magnetorheological elastomer bearing
Authors: Li Rui , Zhou Mengjiao , Wang Minglian , Yang Ping-an
Published: June 2018

The complexity of a semi-active vibration isolation system results in the difficulty of realizing its role on impact load effectively. Thus, a new self-sensing bearing based on modified anisotropic magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) is proposed in this study. This self-sensing bearing was fabricated by dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbonyl iron particles into polydimethylsiloxane matrix under a magnetic field. The working conditions of the bearing were analyzed and decoupled. An optimal structure size of the bearing was selected and used for setting up the experiment test system. The self-sensing characteristic of the MRE bearing under the multi-field coupling of load and magnetic fields was then investigated by this test system. Results showed that the resistance of the modified MRE, in which a preload was applied by the bearing, could change approximately 28%–56% under extrusion force, mechanical force, and external magnetic field. The vibration isolation performance was tested based on the self-sensing characteristic. The bearing had excellent mechanical properties, which could reduce at least 30% of vibration. Thus, the modified MRE of the magnetorheological elastomer bearing could be simultaneously used as an actuator and a sensor.