bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A flexible rechargeable quasi-solid-state Ni–Fe battery based on surface engineering exhibits high energy and long durability
Authors: Qiu Wenda , Xiao Hongbing , He Wenting , Li Yu , Tong Yexiang
Published: May 2018

With the rapid development of portable and wearable electronics, energy storage devices featuring high energy and power densities, long-cycle lifetime, environment friendliness, safe operation, lightweight, ultrathin thickness and flexibilityl have become increasingly important.
The unequivocal preponderance of biocomputation in clinical virology
Authors: Chun Sechul , Muthu Manikandan , Gopal Judy , Paul Diby , Kim Doo Hwan , Gansukh Enkhtaivan , Anthonydhason Vimala
Published: May 2018

Biocomputation in clinical virology.
A new red fluorophore with aggregation enhanced emission by an unexpected “One-step” protocol
Authors: Wang Rui , Hou Meili , Xu Zhigang , Tan Luxi , Zhong Cheng , Zhu Linna
Published: May 2018

Compound A1H2 was synthesized via the reductive Knoevenagel alkylation, whose nanoparticles exhibit bright red emission in aqueous solution.
P2X7 receptor antagonist delivery vehicle based on photocrosslinked amphiphilic hybrid gels
Authors: Aydin Derya , Kizilel Seda
Published: May 2018

We report here a method for the synthesis of a unique hybrid gel system for the sustained delivery of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) antagonist.
How the change of OMe substituent position affects the performance of spiro-OMeTAD in neutral and oxidized forms: theoretical approaches
Authors: Ashassi-Sorkhabi Habib , Salehi-Abar Parvin
Published: May 2018

Effect of changing the position of OMe substituent on the electrochemical and optical properties of spiro-MeOTAD hole conductor in neutral and oxidized forms for use in perovskite solar cells.
Enhancement of thermoelectric performance of PEDOT:PSS films by post-treatment with a superacid
Authors: Wang Xizu , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Yin Cailiu , Wang Fei , Zhu Qiang , Tang Tao , Yee Phang In , Xu Jianwei
Published: May 2018

Treatment of PEDOT:PSS films with a superacid results in remarkable improvement of thermoelectric performance with a power factor of 142 μW m−1K−2.
Design of a ratiometric two-photon probe for imaging of hypochlorous acid (HClO) in wounded tissues
Authors: Mao Zhiqiang , Ye Miantai , Hu Wei , Ye Xiaoxue , Wang Yanying , Zhang Huijuan , Li Chunya , Liu Zhihong
Published: May 2018

A ratiometric two-photon probe was designed to visualize HClO levels in tissues, revealing the generation of HClO in the wound-repairing process of mice for the first time.
Formation of self-limited, stable and conductive interfaces between garnet electrolytes and lithium anodes for reversible lithium cycling in solid-state batteries
Authors: He Minghui , Cui Zhonghui , Chen Cheng , Li Yiqiu , Guo Xiangxin
Published: May 2018

Modification of the garnet-type solid electrolyte with a 10 nm Sn thin-film improves the contact and wetting performance between the garnet and the lithium metal and, thus enables fast and reversible lithium transport across their interface by forming a self-limited, conductive Li–Sn intermediate layer.
Promoting magnesium sulfite oxidation via partly oxidized metal nanoparticles on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) in the magnesia desulfurization process
Authors: Li Meng , Qi Tieyue , Yang Ruoxi , Xiao Hui-Ning , Fang Zhimo , Hodge Stephen A. , James Tony D. , Wang Lidong , Mao Boyang
Published: May 2018

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission has become a crucial problem, especially in developing countries since it is one of the main reasons for the formation of acid precipitation.
Journal of Materials Chemistry A Editor’s choice web collection: “Recent advances in solar fuels and photocatalysis research”
Authors: Osterloh Frank E.
Published: May 2018

Frank E. Osterloh introduces a Journal of Materials Chemistry A Editor’s choice web collection on recent advances in solar fuels and photocatalysis research (https://rsc.li/PhotoCat).
PAMA–Arg brush-functionalized magnetic composite nanospheres for highly effective enrichment of phosphorylated biomolecules
Authors: Luo Bin , Zhou Xiaoxi , Jiang Peipei , Yi Qiangying , Lan Fang , Wu Yao
Published: May 2018

A novel polymer brush-functionalized magnetic composite nanosphere was successfully prepared, exhibiting large enrichment capacity, extremely high detection sensitivity, and high enrichment recovery in phosphorylated biomolecule enrichment.
The Cu/Cu2O nanocomposite as a p-type transparent-conductive-oxide for efficient bifacial-illuminated perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen You-Jyun , Li Ming-Hsien , Huang Jung-Chun-Andrew , Chen Peter
Published: May 2018

Novel Cu/Cu2O composite films as a p-type transparent-conductive-oxide for efficient bifacial-illuminated perovskite solar cells.
Dual-emissive nanocomposites based on Eu(iii) functionalized Cu(i)-coordination polymer for ratiometric fluorescent sensing and integrating Boolean logic operations
Authors: Zheng Xubin , Fan Ruiqing , Xing Kai , Wang Ani , Du Xi , Wang Ping , Yang Yulin
Published: May 2018

A dual-emissive fluorescence system based on a Eu(iii) functionalized Cu(i)-coordination polymer to recognize and connect multiple-components for integrating Boolean logic operations.
Origin of the green persistent luminescence of Eu-doped SrAl2O4from a multiconfigurationalab initiostudy of 4f7→ 4f65d1transitions
Authors: Ning Lixin , Huang Xiaoxiao , Huang Yucheng , Tanner Peter A.
Published: May 2018

The green persistent luminescence from SrAl2O4:Eu is assigned to Eu2+at the Sr2 site based on a multiconfigurationalab initiostudy.
Wide scan phased array patch antenna with mutual coupling reduction
Authors: Kiani‐Kharaji Mojtaba , Hassani Hamid Reza , Mohammad‐Ali‐Nezhad Sajad
Published: May 2018

A simple technique to reduce the mutual coupling between patch antenna arrays is proposed. Mutual coupling phenomena in patch antenna array are investigated and according to the coupling characteristics, a simple rectangular slot(s) placed in between the patch elements is proposed. An equivalent circuit of the proposed structure is obtained through the reciprocity method. In the proposed technique, the series equivalent circuit of the slot is used to reduce the mutual coupling level without changes to the back lobe as well as cross‐polarisation levels compared to conventional arrays. The mutual coupling reduction is >20 dB when compared with the conventional array. Applied to a phased array antenna, the reduction in the mutual coupling results in a wider scan range, up to 75°. A parametric study is carried out for different parameters of the slot that affect the mutual coupling and the scan range. A prototype of the antenna array is fabricated and the measured results are compared to the simulation.
Optimised approach based on hybrid MAC protocol for M2M networks
Authors: Saad Waleed , El‐Feshawy Somaya A. , Shokair Mona , Dessouky Mouad I.
Published: May 2018

In machine‐to‐machine (M2M) networks, the ability to access the radio channel requires a rigid design of a medium access control (MAC) protocol. Here, an optimised hybrid MAC protocol will be proposed which is composed of two main processes, the contending process and the transmission process. During contention process, the devices randomly contend the transmission opportunities with equal probabilities by using the conventional‐based slotted ALOHA (S‐ALOHA) mechanism. Only successful devices can assign a transmission slot during the transmission process by using the reservation‐based time division multiple access mechanism. Additionally, an optimisation problem will be formulated to obtain the maximum aggregated throughput. Moreover, the optimum relation between the contention and transmission periods under different number of devices is calculated. The optimisation problem is solved with the aid of mathematical analysis which is carried out through Monte Carlo simulation. Furthermore, extensive MATLAB programs are executed to study the system performance in terms of: the system throughput, the average packet delay, the success access ratio, and the reservation ratio. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid technique outperforms other related hybrid when compared.
Aerodynamic Design Based on Global Sensitivity Analysis Method
Authors: Xia Lu , Yang Meihua , Li Lang , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2018

To deal with the problem of the difficult optimization search and expensive computational cost caused by large-scale design variables, the hierarchical optimization design system based on the global sensitivity analysis method is established in this paper. The M-OAT method is used to analyze the global sensitivity of the design variables, according to the sensitivity information to layer design variables, then optimize the design variables in each hierarchy. Through the study of the hierarchical optimization design of airfoils and wings, compared with the normal parameter optimization design system, the hierarchical optimization design system based on the global sensitivity analysis method can reduce effectively the number of design variables in a single optimization, reduce the difficulty of the optimization search, improve the convergence speed of the optimization, gain better optimization results at the same time. For optimization design with large-scale design variables, the hierarchical optimization design system based on the global sensitivity analysis method is a sort of effective ways of design.
Improved Interacting Multiple Model Particle Filter Algorithm
Authors: Liu Qiaoran , Yang Xun
Published: May 2018

For the issue of limited filtering accuracy of interactive multiple model particle filter algorithm caused by the resampling particles don't contain the latest observation information, we made improvements on interactive multiple model particle filter algorithm in this paper based on mixed kalman particle filter algorithm. Interactive multiple model particle filter algorithm is proposed. In addition, the composed methods influence to tracking accuracy are discussed. In the new algorithm the system state estimation is generated with unscented kalman filter (UKF) first and then use the extended kalman filter (EKF) to get the proposal distribution of the particles, taking advantage of the measure information to update the particles' state. We compare and analyze the target tracking performance of the proposed algorithm of IMM-MKPF in this paper, IMM-UPF and IMM-EPF through the simulation experiment. The results show that the tracking accuracy of the proposed algorithm is superior to other two algorithms. Thus, the new method in this paper is effective. The method is of important to improve tracking accuracy further for maneuvering target tracking under the non-linear and non-Gaussian circumstances.
Vergleich der Masaoka-Koga-Klassifikation mit der neuen TNM-Klassifikation der IASLC/ITMIG für Thymome und Thymuskarzinome
Authors: Ried Michael , Eicher Maria-Magdalena , Neu Reiner , Kraus Dietmar , Inderhees Sebastian , Marx Alexander , Hofmann Hans-Stefan
Published: May 2018

Hintergrund Die Masaoka-Koga-Klassifikation beschreibt die Ausbreitung von malignen Thymustumoren. Ziel der Studie ist der Vergleich dieser Tumorklassifikation mit der neuen TNM-Klassifikation, um Unterschiede in der Stadienverteilung, klinische Anwendbarkeit und therapeutische Konsequenzen zu evaluieren.

Methoden Retrospektive Analyse aller operativ behandelten Patienten mit einem Thymom/Thymuskarzinom, die im Zeitraum von Januar 2005 bis Dezember 2015 in 2 thoraxchirurgischen Zentren behandelt wurden. Das exakte Tumorstadium wurde durch die Bildgebung, Auswertung der Operationsberichte und histologische Befunde festgelegt.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 118 Patienten (männlich 51%) mit einem mittleren Alter von 56 ± 14,8 Jahren eingeschlossen. Indikationen für die Operation waren der Primärtumor (n = 97), ein pleuraler Tumorbefall (n = 15) und das mediastinale Tumorrezidiv (n = 6). Die radikale Tumorresektion erfolgte in 92% der Fälle einzeitig (n = 109), während 9 Patienten (8%) zweizeitig operiert wurden. Eine operative Revision war bei n = 12 (10,1%) notwendig und die Letalität im Krankenhaus betrug 1,7% (n = 2). Da das Masaoka-Koga-Stadium I (n = 34) und II (n = 16) in der TNM-Klassifikation unter dem Stadium T1 (n = 58) zusammengefasst wird, umfasst dieses Stadium mehr Fälle als in der Masaoka-Koga-Klassifikation. Die lokal fortgeschrittenen Stadien (Masaoka-Koga-Stadium III n = 22 vs. UICC-Stadium IIIA + IIIB n = 20) und die metastasierten Stadien (Masaoka-Koga-Stadium IV n = 36 vs. UICC-Stadium IV n = 39) waren im Vergleich annähernd unverändert.

Schlussfolgerung Durch die neue TNM-Klassifikation ergaben sich Änderungen insbesondere in den Anfangsstadien (Downstaging), jedoch ohne therapeutische Konsequenz. Obwohl die Zuordnung zu den fortgeschrittenen Stadien fast unverändert blieb, bietet die neue TNM-Klassifikation hier klinisch relevante Differenzierungen.
The Supraclavicular Artery Perforator Flap: A Comparative Study of Imaging Techniques Used in Preoperative Mapping
Authors: Mahmood Kawa , Hamawandi Nzar , Mirza Aram , Hawas Jawad , Moreno Esther , Clavero Juan , Hankins Christopher , Masia Jaume , Sheriff Hemin
Published: May 2018

Background The supraclavicular artery flap is an excellent flap for head and neck reconstruction. The aim of this study is to assess imaging techniques to define the precise vascular boundaries of this flap.

Methods Six imaging techniques were used for supraclavicular artery mapping in 65 cases; handheld Doppler, triplex ultrasound, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, digital subtraction angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. We checked the site of the perforators, the course of a supraclavicular artery, and anatomical mapping of the supraclavicular artery.

Results Handheld Doppler identified perforators' sites in 80% of the cases but showed no results for the course of the vessel. Triplex ultrasound identified the site of perforators in 52.9%, and partial mapping of the course of a supraclavicular artery in 64.7% of the cases. Computerized tomography angiography showed the site of perforators in 60%, and the course of supraclavicular artery completely in 45%, and partially in an additional 30%of the cases examined. Magnetic resonance angiography showed negative results for all parameters. Digital subtraction angiography showed the partial course of a supraclavicular artery in 62.5%, but showed no perforators. Indocyanine green angiography showed the site of perforators in 60% and a partial course of supraclavicular artery distal to perforators in 60%.

Anatomical mapping of the vessel was possible with computerized tomography angiogram completely in 45%, and partially in 30%, and was also possible with indocyanine green angiography partially in 60%.

Conclusion Computerized tomography angiography showed best results in the mapping of the supraclavicular artery, but with an inability to define the perforator perfusion territories, and also with risks of irradiation, while indocyanine green angiography is a good alternative as it could precisely map the superficial course of the artery and angiosomes, with no radiation exposure.
An in situ thermo-mechanical rig for lattice strain measurement during creep using neutron diffraction
Authors: Wang Y. Q. , Kabra S. , Zhang S. Y. , Truman C. E. , Smith D. J.
Published: May 2018

A long-term high-temperature testing stress rig has been designed and fabricated for performing in situ neutron diffraction tests at the ENGIN-X beamline, ISIS facility in the UK. It is capable of subjecting metals to high temperatures up to 800 °C and uniaxial loading under different boundary conditions including constant load, constant strain, and elastic follow-up, each with minimum of external control. Samples are held horizontally between grips and connected to a rigid rig frame, a soft aluminium bar, and a stepper motor with forces up to 20 kN. A new three zone split electrical resistance furnace which generates a stable and uniform heat atmosphere over 200 mm length was used to heat the samples. An 8 mm diameter port at 45° to the centre of the furnace was made in order to allow the neutron beam through the furnace to illuminate the sample. The entire instrument is mounted on the positioner at ENGIN-X and has the potential ability to operate continuously while being moved in and out of the neutron diffraction beam. The performance of the rig has been demonstrated by tracking the evolution of lattice strains in type 316H stainless steel under elastic follow-up control at 550 °C.
Hydrothermal process assists undoped and Cr-doped semiconducting ZnO nanorods: Frontier of dielectric property
Authors: Debnath Tanumoy , Saha Papiya , Patra Nesla , Das Sukhen , Sutradhar Soumyaditya
Published: May 2018

The influence of the hydrothermal synthesis route on the grain morphology and thereby the modulation of dielectric response of undoped and Cr3+ ion doped semiconducting ZnO nanoparticles is investigated in this report. The X-ray diffraction study reveals that all the samples are in a polycrystalline single phase of a hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The field emission scanning electron microscopy study reveals the rod like structure of all the samples. The formation of synthesis route dependent morphology and the morphology dependent physical property of all the samples are the characteristic features of the present work and to date it has not been considered as the specific tool of dielectric property modulation by anyone else. The ultraviolet-visible measurement signifies the superior control over the charge density of the host semiconducting material due to the presence of Cr3+ ions in the structure of ZnO. In the photoluminescence measurement, no significant peak has been observed in the visible region. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constants of all the samples were investigated. The consequences of the dielectric measurement suggest that the hydrothermal synthesis route influences the growth mechanism of the semiconducting nanoparticles mostly towards the rod like structure and the doping element influences the charge density, nature of defects, and the defect densities inside the structure of ZnO nanomaterials. All these factors together make the semiconducting ZnO nanomaterials more effective for tailor made applications in magneto-dielectric devices.
Self-organized criticality: An interplay between stable and turbulent regimes of multiple anodic double layers in glow discharge plasma
Authors: Alex Prince , Carreras Benjamin Andres , Arumugam Saravanan , Sinha Suraj Kumar
Published: May 2018

The role of self-organized criticality (SOC) in the transformation of multiple anodic double layers (MADLs) from the stable to turbulent regime has been investigated experimentally as the system approaches towards critical behavior. The experiment was performed in a modified glow discharge plasma setup, and the initial stable state of MADL comprising three concentric perceptible layers was produced when the drift velocity of electrons towards the anode exceeds the electron thermal velocity (νd ≥ 1.3νte). The macroscopic arrangement of both positive and negative charges in opposite layers of MADL is attributed to the self-organization scenario. Beyond νd ≥ 3νte, MADL begins to collapse and approaches critical and supercritical states through layer reduction which continue till the last remaining layer of the double layer is transformed into a highly unstable radiant anode glow. The avalanche resulting from the collapse of MADL leads to the rise of turbulence in the system. Long-range correlations, a key signature of SOC, have been explored in the turbulent floating potential fluctuations using the rescaled-range analysis technique. The result shows that the existence of the self-similarity regime with self-similarity parameter H varies between 0.55 and 0.91 for time lags longer than the decorrelation time. The power law tail in the rank function, slowly decaying tail of the autocorrelation function, and 1/f behavior of the power spectra of the fluctuations are consistent with the fact that SOC plays a conclusive role in the transformation of MADL from the stable to turbulent regime. Since the existence of SOC gives a measure of complexity in the system, the result provides the condition under which complexity arises in cold plasma.
Effect of the geometry of confining media on the stability and folding rate of α-helix proteins
Authors: Wang Congyue , Piroozan Nariman , Javidpour Leili , Sahimi Muhammad
Published: May 2018

Protein folding in confined media has attracted wide attention over the past 15 years due to its importance to both in vivo and in vitro applications. It is generally believed that protein stability increases by decreasing the size of the confining medium, if the medium’s walls are repulsive, and that the maximum folding temperature in confinement is in a pore whose size D0 is only slightly larger than the smallest dimension of a protein’s folded state. Until recently, the stability of proteins in pores with a size very close to that of the folded state has not received the attention it deserves. In a previous paper [L. Javidpour and M. Sahimi, J. Chem. Phys. 135, 125101 (2011)], we showed that, contrary to the current theoretical predictions, the maximum folding temperature occurs in larger pores for smaller α-helices. Moreover, in very tight pores, the free energy surface becomes rough, giving rise to a new barrier for protein folding close to the unfolded state. In contrast to unbounded domains, in small nanopores proteins with an α-helical native state that contain the β structures are entropically stabilized implying that folding rates decrease notably and that the free energy surface becomes rougher. In view of the potential significance of such results to interpretation of many sets of experimental data that could not be explained by the current theories, particularly the reported anomalously low rates of folding and the importance of entropic effects on proteins’ misfolded states in highly confined environments, we address the following question in the present paper: To what extent the geometry of a confined medium affects the stability and folding rates of proteins? Using millisecond-long molecular dynamics simulations, we study the problem in three types of confining media, namely, cylindrical and slit pores and spherical cavities. Most importantly, we find that the prediction of the previous theories that the dependence of the maximum folding temperature Tf on the size D of a confined medium occurs in larger media for larger proteins is correct only in spherical geometry, whereas the opposite is true in the two other geometries that we study. Also studied is the effect of the strength of the interaction between the confined media’s walls and the proteins. If the walls are only weakly or moderately attractive, a complex behavior emerges that depends on the size of the confining medium.
New photoelectrical properties of InN: Interband spectra and fast kinetics of positive and negative photoconductivity of InN
Authors: Bushuykin P. A. , Andreev B. A. , Davydov V. Yu. , Lobanov D. N. , Kuritsyn D. I. , Yablonskiy A. N. , Averkiev N. S. , Savchenko G. M. , Krasilnik Z. F.
Published: May 2018

Using a Fourier transform spectrometer and a pulsed laser, we study spectra and kinetics of positive and negative photoconductivity (PC) along with other types of photoexcitation spectra of n-type InN epilayers with Hall concentrations from 3 × 1017 to 5 × 1019 cm−3 at room and low temperatures. The PC, absorption, and photoluminescence spectra of the investigated InN samples correspond to a degenerate homogenous direct band semiconductor. In contrast to previous works, we observed positive and negative PC with relaxation times in the nano- and microsecond ranges. The sign of PC depends on the temperature and the equilibrium carrier concentration.
Zombie states for description of structure and dynamics of multi-electron systems
Authors: Shalashilin Dmitrii V.
Published: May 2018

Canonical Coherent States (CSs) of Harmonic Oscillator have been extensively used as a basis in a number of computational methods of quantum dynamics. However, generalising such techniques for fermionic systems is difficult because Fermionic Coherent States (FCSs) require complicated algebra of Grassmann numbers not well suited for numerical calculations. This paper introduces a coherent antisymmetrised superposition of “dead” and “alive” electronic states called here Zombie State (ZS), which can be used in a manner of FCSs but without Grassmann algebra. Instead, for Zombie States, a very simple sign-changing rule is used in the definition of creation and annihilation operators. Then, calculation of electronic structure Hamiltonian matrix elements between two ZSs becomes very simple and a straightforward technique for time propagation of fermionic wave functions can be developed. By analogy with the existing methods based on Canonical Coherent States of Harmonic Oscillator, fermionic wave functions can be propagated using a set of randomly selected Zombie States as a basis. As a proof of principles, the proposed Coupled Zombie States approach is tested on a simple example showing that the technique is exact.
Study of surface atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma based on ultrathin laminated electrodes in air
Authors: Zhao Luxiang , Liu Wenzheng , Li Zhiyi , Ma Chuanlong
Published: May 2018

A method to generate large-area surface plasma in air by micro-discharge is proposed. Two ultrathin laminated electrode structures of non-insulating and insulating types were formed by using the nanoscale ITO conductive layer. The surface glow discharge in atmospheric air is realized in low discharge voltage by constructing the special electric field of two-dimensional unidirectional attenuation. In particular, the insulating electrode structure can avoid the loss of ITO electrodes so that the discharge stability can be increased, and the treated objects can be prevented from metal ion pollution caused by the electrode in the discharge. It has broad application prospects in the fields of aerodynamics and material surface treatment.
A wavelet ridge extraction method employing a novel cost function in two-dimensional wavelet transform profilometry
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Yang Yanxi
Published: May 2018

We present a new wavelet ridge extraction method employing a novel cost function in two-dimensional wavelet transform profilometry (2-D WTP). First of all, the maximum value point is extracted from two-dimensional wavelet transform coefficient modulus, and the local extreme value points over 90% of maximum value are also obtained, they both constitute wavelet ridge candidates. Then, the gradient of rotate factor is introduced into the Abid’s cost function, and the logarithmic Logistic model is used to adjust and improve the cost function weights so as to obtain more reasonable value estimation. At last, the dynamic programming method is used to accurately find the optimal wavelet ridge, and the wrapped phase can be obtained by extracting the phase at the ridge. Its advantage is that, the fringe pattern with low signal-to-noise ratio can be demodulated accurately, and its noise immunity will be better. Meanwhile, only one fringe pattern is needed to projected to measured object, so dynamic three-dimensional (3-D) measurement in harsh environment can be realized. Computer simulation and experimental results show that, for the fringe pattern with noise pollution, the 3-D surface recovery accuracy by the proposed algorithm is increased. In addition, the demodulation phase accuracy of Morlet, Fan and Cauchy mother wavelets are compared.
Effects of surface tension and viscosity on gold and silver sputtered onto liquid substrates
Authors: De Luna Mark M. , Gupta Malancha
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we study DC magnetron sputtering of gold and silver onto liquid substrates of varying viscosities and surface tensions. We were able to separate the effects of viscosity from surface tension by depositing the metals onto silicone oils with a range of viscosities. The effects of surface tension were studied by depositing the metals onto squalene, poly(ethylene glycol), and glycerol. It was found that dispersed nanoparticles were formed on liquids with low surface tension and low viscosity whereas dense films were formed on liquids with low surface tension and high viscosity. Nanoparticles were formed on both the liquid surface and within the bulk liquid for high surface tension liquids. Our results can be used to tailor the metal and liquid interaction to fabricate particles and films for various applications in optics, electronics, and catalysis.
Two-layer displacement flow of miscible fluids with viscosity ratio: Experiments
Authors: Etrati Ali , Alba Kamran , Frigaard Ian A.
Published: May 2018

We investigate experimentally the density-unstable displacement flow of two miscible fluids along an inclined pipe. This means that the flow is from the top to bottom of the pipe (downwards), with the more dense fluid above the less dense. Whereas past studies have focused on iso-viscous displacements, here we consider viscosity ratios in the range 1/10–10. Our focus is on displacements where the degree of transverse mixing is low-moderate, and thus a two-layer, stratified flow is observed. A wide range of parameters is covered in order to observe the resulting flow regimes and to understand the effect of the viscosity contrast. The inclination of the pipe (β) is varied from near horizontal β = 85° to near vertical β = 10°. At each angle, the flow rate and viscosity ratio are varied at fixed density contrast. Flow regimes are mapped in the (Fr, Re cos β/Fr)-plane, delineated in terms of interfacial instability, front dynamics, and front velocity. Amongst the many observations, we find that viscosifying the less dense fluid tends to significantly destabilize the flow. Different instabilities develop at the interface and in the wall-layers.
Measurement of elastic precursor decay in pre-heated aluminum films under ultra-fast laser generated shocks
Authors: Zuanetti Bryan , McGrane Shawn D. , Bolme Cynthia A. , Prakash Vikas
Published: May 2018

This article presents results from laser-driven shock compression experiments performed on pre-heated pure aluminum films at temperatures ranging from 23 to 400 °C. The samples were vapor deposited on the surface of a 500 μm thick sapphire substrate and mounted onto a custom holder with an integrated ring-heater to enable variable initial temperature conditions. A chirped pulse amplified laser was used to generate a pulse for both shocking the films and for probing the free surface velocity using Ultrafast Dynamic Ellipsometry. The particle velocity traces measured at the free surface clearly show elastic and plastic wave separation, which was used to estimate the decay of the elastic precursor amplitude over propagation distances ranging from 0.278 to 4.595 μm. Elastic precursors (which also correspond to dynamic material strength under uniaxial strain) of increasing amplitudes were observed with increasing initial sample temperatures for all propagation distances, which is consistent with expectations for aluminum in a deformation regime where phonon drag limits the mobility of dislocations. The experimental results show peak elastic amplitudes corresponding to axial stresses of over 7.5 GPa; estimates for plastic strain-rates in the samples are of the order 109/s. The measured elastic amplitudes at the micron length scales are compared with those at the millimeter length-scales using a two-parameter model and used to correlate the rate sensitivity of the dynamic strength at strain-rates ranging from 103 to 109/s and elevated temperature conditions. The overall trend, as inferred from the experimental data, indicates that the temperature-strengthening effect decreases with increasing plastic strain-rates.
Compact 3D quantum memory
Authors: Xie Edwar , Deppe Frank , Renger Michael , Repp Daniel , Eder Peter , Fischer Michael , Goetz Jan , Pogorzalek Stefan , Fedorov Kirill G. , Marx Achim , Gross Rudolf
Published: May 2018

Superconducting 3D microwave cavities offer state-of-the-art coherence times and a well-controlled environment for superconducting qubits. In order to realize at the same time fast readout and long-lived quantum information storage, one can couple the qubit to both a low-quality readout and a high-quality storage cavity. However, such systems are bulky compared to their less coherent 2D counterparts. A more compact and scalable approach is achieved by making use of the multimode structure of a 3D cavity. In our work, we investigate such a device where a transmon qubit is capacitively coupled to two modes of a single 3D cavity. External coupling is engineered so that the memory mode has an about 100 times larger quality factor than the readout mode. Using an all-microwave second-order protocol, we realize a lifetime enhancement of the stored state over the qubit lifetime by a factor of 6 with a fidelity of approximately 80% determined via quantum process tomography. We also find that this enhancement is not limited by fundamental constraints.
Iron under conditions close to the α−γ−ϵ triple point
Authors: Dewaele Agnès , Svitlyk Volodymyr , Bottin François , Bouchet Johann , Jacobs Jeroen
Published: May 2018

The stability domains and equations of state of α-Fe, ϵ-Fe, and γ-Fe have been measured using X-ray diffraction under conditions close to their triple point: 7≤P≤20 GPa and 480≤T≤820 K. Special attention was paid to ensure the hydrostatic compression of the sample, which was a single crystal at start. Narrow α−γ and α−ϵ coexistence domains were observed, while the γ−ϵ transformation appeared sluggish. The triple point is measured at 8.7 ± 1.0 GPa and 750 ± 30 K. Anharmonic effects are evidenced in the equation of state of ϵ-Fe and partly reproduced using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.
The generation of collimated γ-ray pulse from the interaction between 10 PW laser and a narrow tube target
Authors: Yu J. Q. , Hu R. H. , Gong Z. , Ting A. , Najmudin Z. , Wu D. , Lu H. Y. , Ma W. J. , Yan X. Q.
Published: May 2018

A scheme to radiate a highly collimated γ-ray pulse is proposed through the interaction between an ultra-intense laser pulse and a narrow tube target. The γ-ray pulse, with high conversion efficiency, can be generated as a result of electron acceleration in a longitudinal electric field. In a Particle-in-Cell simulation with a 10-PW laser, 18% of the laser energy is transferred into the forward γ-rays in a divergence angle less than 3°. It is also found that such a highly collimated γ-ray pulse can be produced with a large range of tube diameters and laser intensities. This scheme could be realized in experiment with the coming 10-PW class lasers in the near future.
Absolute Hugoniot measurements from a spherically convergent shock using x-ray radiography
Authors: Swift Damian C. , Kritcher Andrea L. , Hawreliak James A. , Lazicki Amy , MacPhee Andrew , Bachmann Benjamin , Döppner Tilo , Nilsen Joseph , Collins Gilbert W. , Glenzer Siegfried , Rothman Stephen D. , Kraus Dominik , Falcone Roger W.
Published: May 2018

The canonical high pressure equation of state measurement is to induce a shock wave in the sample material and measure two mechanical properties of the shocked material or shock wave. For accurate measurements, the experiment is normally designed to generate a planar shock which is as steady as possible in space and time, and a single state is measured. A converging shock strengthens as it propagates, so a range of shock pressures is induced in a single experiment. However, equation of state measurements must then account for spatial and temporal gradients. We have used x-ray radiography of spherically converging shocks to determine states along the shock Hugoniot. The radius-time history of the shock, and thus its speed, was measured by radiographing the position of the shock front as a function of time using an x-ray streak camera. The density profile of the shock was then inferred from the x-ray transmission at each instant of time. Simultaneous measurement of the density at the shock front and the shock speed determines an absolute mechanical Hugoniot state. The density profile was reconstructed using the known, unshocked density which strongly constrains the density jump at the shock front. The radiographic configuration and streak camera behavior were treated in detail to reduce systematic errors. Measurements were performed on the Omega and National Ignition Facility lasers, using a hohlraum to induce a spatially uniform drive over the outside of a solid, spherical sample and a laser-heated thermal plasma as an x-ray source for radiography. Absolute shock Hugoniot measurements were demonstrated for carbon-containing samples of different composition and initial density, up to temperatures at which K-shell ionization reduced the opacity behind the shock. Here we present the experimental method using measurements of polystyrene as an example.
Zirconium oxide surface passivation of crystalline silicon
Authors: Wan Yimao , Bullock James , Hettick Mark , Xu Zhaoran , Yan Di , Peng Jun , Javey Ali , Cuevas Andres
Published: May 2018

This letter reports effective passivation of crystalline silicon (c-Si) surfaces by thermal atomic layer deposited zirconium oxide (ZrOx). The optimum layer thickness and activation annealing conditions are determined to be 20 nm and 300 °C for 20 min. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy imaging shows an approximately 1.6 nm thick SiOx interfacial layer underneath an 18 nm ZrOx layer, consistent with ellipsometry measurements (∼20 nm). Capacitance–voltage measurements show that the annealed ZrOx film features a low interface defect density of 1.0 × 1011 cm−2 eV−1 and a low negative film charge density of −6 × 1010 cm−2. Effective lifetimes of 673 μs and 1.1 ms are achieved on p-type and n-type 1 Ω cm undiffused c-Si wafers, respectively, corresponding to an implied open circuit voltage above 720 mV in both cases. The results demonstrate that surface passivation quality provided by ALD ZrOx is consistent with the requirements of high efficiency silicon solar cells.
Recombinant β-defensin 126 promotes bull sperm binding to bovine oviductal epithelia
Authors: Lyons A. , Narciandi F. , Donnellan E. , Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J. , Farrelly C. O' , Lonergan P. , Meade K. G. , Fair S.
Published: May 2018

Primate β-defensin 126 regulates the ability of spermatozoa to bind to oviductal epithelial cells in vitro. Bovine β-defensin 126 (BBD126) exhibits preferential expression in the cauda epididymis of the bull, but there have been few studies on its functional role in cattle. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of BBD126 in bull sperm binding to bovine oviductal epithelial cell (BOEC) explants. BBD126 has been shown to be highly resistant to the standard methods of dissociation used in other species and, as a result, corpus epididymal spermatozoa, which have not been exposed to the protein, were used to study the functional role of BBD126. Corpus epididymal spermatozoa were incubated with recombinant (r) BBD126 in the absence or presence of anti-BBD126 antibody. Addition of rBBD126 significantly enhanced the ability of epididymal spermatozoa to bind to BOEC explants (P < 0.05). Anti-BBD126 antibody blocked the BBD126-mediated increase in sperm binding capacity. Ejaculated spermatozoa, which are coated with native BBD126 protein but also a large number of seminal plasma proteins in vivo, were incubated with rBBD126 in the absence or presence of the anti-BBD126 antibody. Addition of rBBD126 significantly enhanced the ability of ejaculated spermatozoa to bind to BOEC explants (P < 0.05), whereas rBBD126 also reduced corpus sperm agglutination (P < 0.05). These results suggest that, similar to the role of its analogue in the macaque, spermatozoa with more BBD126 in their acrosome may represent spermatozoa with more oviduct binding capacity.
Sperm morphology of the Rattini – are the interspecific differences due to variation in intensity of intermale sperm competition?
Authors: Pahl Tessa , McLennan Hanna J. , Wang Yun , Achmadi Anang S. , Rowe Kevin C. , Aplin Ken , Breed William G.
Published: May 2018

It is widely accepted that in mammals a causal relationship exists between postcopulatory sexual selection and relative testes mass of the species concerned, but how much it determines sperm size and shape is debatable. Here we detailed for the largest murine rodent tribe, the Rattini, the interspecific differences in relative testes mass and sperm form. We found that residual testes mass correlates with sperm head apical hook length as well as its angle, together with tail length, and that within several lineages a few species have evolved highly divergent sperm morphology with a reduced or absent apical hook and shorter tail. Although most species have a relative testes mass of 1–4%, these derived sperm traits invariably co-occur in species with much smaller relative testes mass. We therefore suggest that high levels of intermale sperm competition maintain a sperm head with a long apical hook and long tail, whereas low levels of intermale sperm competition generally result in divergent sperm heads with a short or non-existent apical hook and shorter tail. We thus conclude that sexual selection is a major selective force in driving sperm head form and tail length in this large tribe of murine rodents.
Revisiting the wet and dry ends of soil integral water capacity using soil and plant properties
Authors: Meskini-Vishkaee Fatemeh , Mohammadi Mohammad Hossein , Neyshabouri Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2018

The integral water capacity (IWC) approach takes into account various soil physical limitations for calculating plant available water. However, the IWC approach cannot distinguish the differences in water uptake between various plants. Therefore, the objectives of this study were i) to modify the approach to include plant physiological properties to redefine the wet and dry ends of the IWC, called IWCplant and ii) to evaluate the performance of the IWCplant approach using experimental data. The restrictions imposed by poor soil aeration and rapid drainage flux were calculated using both soil and plant properties to modify the wet end of the IWC. The soil hydraulic resistance was considered to redefine the dry end of the IWCplant. Based on these approaches, physically meaningful weighting functions were developed for three proposed limiting factors at both ends of the wet and dry ranges of soil. Experimental data were obtained from a greenhouse trial with wheat and canola plants in two soil textures (sandy loam and clay loam) for 2 years. The IWCplant obtained values of 0.202 and 0.205 m3 m–3 for wheat and 0.189 and 0.194 m3 m–3 for canola in sandy loam and clay loam soils, respectively. These differences in the IWCplant between wheat and canola in the same soils demonstrate the importance of plant properties to estimate actual plant available water using IWC. These differences would be even more appreciable for root systems with a wider range of different properties.
Human plasma and serum extracellular small RNA reference profiles and their clinical utility
Authors: Max Klaas E. A. , Bertram Karl , Akat Kemal Marc , Bogardus Kimberly A. , Li Jenny , Morozov Pavel , Ben-Dov Iddo Z. , Li Xin , Weiss Zachary R. , Azizian Azadeh , Sopeyin Anuoluwapo , Diacovo Thomas G. , Adamidi Catherine , Williams Zev , Tuschl Thomas
Published: May 2018

Significance

Nucleic acids mediate storage and expression of genetic information. Extracellular DNA (exDNA) and exRNA are traces of nucleic acids released from cells into the extracellular environment. Their use as disease biomarkers has been limited by technical challenges in their isolation caused by abundant RNA- and DNA-degrading enzymes in biofluids. Using isolation protocols developed especially for biofluids, we generated plasma and serum exRNA reference profiles from 13 healthy volunteers over time and determined the effect of critical clinical parameters such as gender and fasting. Surprisingly, we encountered one participant with dramatically increased endocrine-origin exRNA contributions stable over 1 year and detectable in all of his samples, thereby demonstrating the robustness of this approach and the clinical potential of circulating RNAs as biomarkers.
The pragmalinguistic dimensions of cultural borrowing
Authors: Sánchez Fajardo José A.
Published: May 2018

The concept of ‘cultural borrowing’ has been associated with the concept of interlinguistic borrowing, and not necessarily cultural diffusion, which might reveal typological disparities and conceptual incongruence. This article is thus aimed at examining the concept of cultural borrowing, in which its referential component is essential to determine the degree of cultural impact. To have a better understanding of this concept, a multidimensional categorization has been established to describe the leading features and components of the process of cultural assimilation. These dimensions, namely ‘unknown referent’, ‘semantic novelty’, ‘semantic plasticity’ and ‘pragmatic plasticity’, have been used to depict the cultural anglicization of Cuban lexis. Also, based on a dictionary-based compilation, a ‘cultural index’ has been established to shed more light on the multifaceted nature of cultural borrowing and ‘cultural density’, suggesting that such an index is not proportionally related to lexical productivity and frequency, but to the importation of unknown-referent-based cultural loans.
A cell-free screen of caveolae interactions
Authors: Short Ben
Published: May 2018

Researchers reconstitute caveolae assembly in cell-free extracts to investigate how these membrane microdomains interact with signaling proteins.