bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new antimony-based organic–inorganic hybrid absorber with photoconductive response
Authors: Khan Asma , Han Shiguo , Liu Xitao , Tao Kewen , Dey Dhananjay , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: October 2018

We report a new lead-free organic–inorganic hybrid compound, which shows notable light-absorption, photoconductive properties and phase stability.
In situ synchrotron XAS study of the decomposition kinetics of ZDDP triboreactive interfaces
Authors: Dorgham Abdel , Parsaeian Pourya , Neville Anne , Ignatyev Konstantin , Mosselmans Fred , Masuko Masabumi , Morina Ardian
Published: October 2018

Surface chemistry of phosphate triboreactive layers formed on uncoated and DLC coated steel surfaces as revealed by a novel in situ synchrotron-tribotester.
Simultaneous measurement of multiple organic tracers in fine aerosols from biomass burning and fungal spores by HPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Xu Jingsha , He Jun , Xu Honghui , Ji Dongsheng , Snape Colin , Yu Huan , Jia Chunrong , Wang Chengjun , Gao Jianfa
Published: October 2018

Five organic tracers in fine aerosols can be simultaneously analysed by coupling ultrasonication and HPLC-MS/MS without a derivatization process.
Highly efficient gene release in spatiotemporal precision approached by light and pH dual responsive copolymers
Authors: Lu Hung-Hsun , Huang Cheng-Hung , Shiue Ting-Yun , Wang Fu-Sheng , Chang Ko-Kai , Chen Yunching , Peng Chi-How
Published: October 2018

Triblock copolymer, PEG-b-PDMAEMA-b-PPy, has been shown as an ideal carrier with remarkable siRNA condensation, high stability, efficient gene release, and negligible cytotoxicity for gene delivery.
Photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution from integrated photocatalysts adsorbed on NiO
Authors: Põldme Nils , O'Reilly Laura , Fletcher Ian , Portoles Jose , Sazanovich Igor V. , Towrie Michael , Long Conor , Vos Johannes G. , Pryce Mary T. , Gibson Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2018

A new approach to increasing the faradaic efficiency of dye-sensitised photocathodes for H2 evolution from water is described, using integrated photocatalysts based on a ruthenium 4,4′-diethoxycarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine chromophore linked via terpyridine or triazole to a Pd or Pt-based H+ reduction catalyst.
Post-transition state bifurcations induce dynamical detours in Pummerer-like reactions
Authors: Hare Stephanie R. , Li Ang , Tantillo Dean J.
Published: October 2018

A post-transition state bifurcation (PTSB) involved in a Pummerer-type rearrangement is characterized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations on potential energy stationary points and direct dynamics simulations.
Molecular design of near-infrared fluorescent Pdots for tumor targeting: aggregation-induced emissionversusanti-aggregation-caused quenching
Authors: Tsai Wei-Kai , Wang Chun-I. , Liao Chia-Hsien , Yao Chun-Nien , Kuo Tsai-Jhen , Liu Ming-Ho , Hsu Chao-Ping , Lin Shu-Yi , Wu Chang-Yi , Pyle Joseph R. , Chen Jixin , Chan Yang-Hsiang
Published: October 2018

This article presents the first work to fundamentally study the effect of steric hindrance in Pdot systems.
A highly efficient Z-scheme B-doped g-C3N4/SnS2photocatalyst for CO2reduction reaction: a computational study
Authors: Wang Yue-Lin , Tian Yu , Lang Zhong-Ling , Guan Wei , Yan Li-Kai
Published: October 2018

The CO2reduction reaction on Z-scheme B-doped g-C3N4/SnS2was investigated by DFT, exhibiting a highly efficient photocatalytic activity.
Direct storage of holes in ultrathin Ni(OH)2 on Fe2O3 photoelectrodes for integrated solar charging battery-type supercapacitors
Authors: Zhu Kaijian , Zhu Guoxiang , Wang Jun , Zhu Jixin , Sun Gengzhi , Zhang Yao , Li Ping , Zhu Yongfa , Luo Wenjun , Zou Zhigang , Huang Wei
Published: October 2018

A water oxidation side reaction on a photoelectrochemical charging supercapacitor is completely suppressed by controlling the thickness of a capacitive material.
Fangjing decoction relieves febrile seizures-induced hippocampal neuron apoptosis in rats via regulating the Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Xu Xian-ke , Wang Sun-yao , Chen Ying , Zhan Lu , Shao Zheng-yang , Lin Long , Yan Wei-chao , Mei Shu-fen
Published: October 2018

Background: Fangjing decoction is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that exhibits anticonvulsive effects in treating febrile seizures (FS). Its action mechanism and the regulation on Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway were revealed in the present study.

Methods: FS model was established in Sprague–Dawley rats with or without Fangjing decoction treatment. On day 5, following initiation of drug treatment, seizures were monitored. Hippocampal neuron apoptosis was assessed using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling method. The levels of Bax, protein kinase B (Akt), phospho-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, and p-mTOR proteins were analyzed using Western blotting. The content of hippocampal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured by using ELISA assay.

Results: Compared with the control group (n=8), Fangjing decoction effectively shortened escape latency and duration of FS and decreased the frequency of FS in rats (n=8). Concomitantly, the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, as well as Bax protein levels were also decreased in FS rats which were treated with Fangjing decoction. In addition, the Akt/mTOR signaling was found to be activated in rat hippocampus following FS, as evidenced by increased p-Akt and p-mTOR, while Fangjing decoction could inhibit the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling. Furthermore, the low GABA content in rat hippocampus following FS was significantly elevated by Fangjing decoction treatment. More importantly, SC79, a specific activator for Akt, apparently attenuated the protective effects of Fangjing decoction on FS rats.

Conclusion: These results suggest that Fangjing decoction protects the hippocampal neurons from apoptosis by inactivating Akt/mTOR pathway, which may contribute to mitigating FS-induced brain injury.
Biochemical significance of limonene and its metabolites: future prospects for designing and developing highly potent anticancer drugs
Authors: Mukhtar Yusif M. , Adu-Frimpong Michael , Xu Ximing , Yu Jiangnan
Published: October 2018

Monocyclic monoterpenes have been recognized as useful pharmacological ingredients due to their ability to treat numerous diseases. Limonene and perillyl alcohol as well as their metabolites (especially perillic acid and its methyl ester) possess bioactivities such as antitumor, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents. These therapeutic properties have been well documented. Based on the aforementioned biological properties of limonene and its metabolites, their structural modification and development into effective drugs could be rewarding. However, utilization of these monocyclic monoterpenes as scaffolds for the design and developments of more effective chemoprotective agents has not received the needed attention by medicinal scientists. Recently, some derivatives of limonene metabolites have been synthesized. Nonetheless, there have been no thorough studies on their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties as well as their inhibition against isoprenylation enzymes. In this review, recent research progress in the biochemical significance of limonene and its metabolites was summarized with emphasis on their antitumor effects. Future prospects of these bioactive monoterpenes for drug design and development are also highlighted.
Carcinogens and DNA damage
Authors: Barnes Jessica L. , Zubair Maria , John Kaarthik , Poirier Miriam C. , Martin Francis L.
Published: October 2018

Humans are variously and continuously exposed to a wide range of different DNA-damaging agents, some of which are classed as carcinogens. DNA damage can arise from exposure to exogenous agents, but damage from endogenous processes is probably far more prevalent. That said, epidemiological studies of migrant populations from regions of low cancer risk to high cancer risk countries point to a role for environmental and/or lifestyle factors playing a pivotal part in cancer aetiology. One might reasonably surmise from this that carcinogens found in our environment or diet are culpable. Exposure to carcinogens is associated with various forms of DNA damage such as single-stand breaks, double-strand breaks, covalently bound chemical DNA adducts, oxidative-induced lesions and DNA–DNA or DNA–protein cross-links. This review predominantly concentrates on DNA damage induced by the following carcinogens: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines, mycotoxins, ultraviolet light, ionising radiation, aristolochic acid, nitrosamines and particulate matter. Additionally, we allude to some of the cancer types where there is molecular epidemiological evidence that these agents are aetiological risk factors. The complex role that carcinogens play in the pathophysiology of cancer development remains obscure, but DNA damage remains pivotal to this process.
Patch‐monopole monopulse feed for deep reflectors
Authors: Miklavčič P. , Vidmar M. , Batagelj B.
Published: October 2018

A novel design for a simple and compact monopulse feed is presented for illuminating a deep reflector from the primary focal point, e.g. a rotationally symmetric single‐reflector parabolic antenna, with a diameter‐to‐focal‐distance ratio of around 0.4. The proposed feed is designed as a multimode circular cavity (cup) antenna. The elliptical patch excites a left‐hand‐circularly polarised mode for the sum channel. The monopole in the centre of the patch excites the orthogonal, linearly polarised mode for the difference channel. Two prototypes for such a feed were developed and fabricated, where the first was a proof‐of‐concept device and the second was a computer simulation‐optimised version. Both the simulations and the measurements of the optimised prototype are presented.
Hybrid trellis coded modulation (HTCM) for visible light communications
Authors: Richard Ndjiongue Alain , Ferreira Hendrik C.
Published: October 2018

The radio frequency spectrum has become very congested and scarce. A response to this dilemma is the implementation of visible light communications (VLC) technology, which is enabled by the dramatic development of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs). VLC has become the most popular emerging telecommunication technology. This is due to the interesting advantages that it provides, which include an unlicensed and large bandwidth, a high throughput capability and a low implementation cost. VLC needs a pivot network in medium and long distance transmissions. The amplify‐and‐forward scenario between the backbone network and VLC is cost‐effective owing to its simplicity when compared to the decode‐and‐forward scenario. MPSK‐CSK is a typical example of cascaded systems in AF scenario with VLC where the backbone channel utilises PSK to convey the message. In this paper, we investigate a forward error correction scheme for cascaded MPSK‐CSK systems. A convolutional encoder is added to the MPSK‐CSK scheme to construct the hybrid trellis coded modulation scheme. Selected 8HTCM systems using set partitioning are investigated and results for a Gaussian channel are presented. Numerical results reveal that 8HTCM achieves up to 2.129 dB of asymptotic coding gain when compared to the corresponding un‐coded MPSK‐CSK system.
Practical constrained dynamic positioning control for uncertain ship through the minimal learning parameter technique
Authors: Zhang Guoqing , Huang Chenfeng , Zhang Xianku , Zhang Weidong
Published: October 2018

In this note, a novel adaptive constrained control algorithm is proposed for dynamic positioning vessels in the presence of input amplitude and rate saturations. In the scheme, both kinematics and kinetics loops are augmented by the auxiliary system to deal with the saturation impact. Meanwhile, for merits of the command filters and minimal leering parameter technique, the cumbersome analytic derivatives of the virtual control law need not be required in the control design, and only two adaptive parameters are updated online to stabilise the effect of the model uncertainty and the external disturbance for each subsystem. Using the Lyapunov theory, the semi‐global uniformly ultimately bounded is proved for the closed‐loop system. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated by the numerical example in the presence of the simulated marine disturbance.
Insulin stabilisation in artificial pancreas: a positive control approach
Authors: Leyva Horacio , Quiroz Griselda , Carrillo Francisco A. , Femat Ricardo
Published: October 2018

In the therapy of type 1 diabetes, artificial pancreas (AP) involves the automatic insulin delivery. The control problem in AP has been formulated to regulate glucose into its physiological range without accounting for dynamical effects of the delivered insulin. To address this problem, a control scheme to stabilise the insulin is proposed. The method shows that insulin stabilisation is reached and it is further improved while glucose remains into its range. Glucose metabolism is represented by a physiological and compartmental mathematical model, which consists of three interconnected subsystems called glucose, insulin and glucagon subsystems. In particular, the insulin subsystem is a positive linear system, thus it is possible to exploit its properties to propose a stabilisation scheme via positive control. Two approaches are presented: one based on sliding mode theory, and other based on control Lyapunov function theory. Some conditions are stated for the existence of stabilising controllers that improve the stabilisation rate while they take advantage of the cascade structure of the physiological model to maintain glucose into its range. A further application of these schemes is regarding safety of AP, preventing hypoglycaemia and/or hyperinsulinemia induced by a possible overreaction of AP's control schemes.
Finite‐time stabilisation for a class of time‐delayed Markovian jumping systems with conic non‐linearities
Authors: Nie Rong , He Shuping , Luan Xiaoli
Published: October 2018

The finite‐time stabilisation for a class of time‐delayed Markovian jumping systems with conic nonlinearities is studied. The authors aim to design a suitable control law to stabilise the closed‐loop system during a specified finite time. An appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional method is given to ensure the existence of finite‐time stabilisation controller and the relevant sufficient conditions have been formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a simulation example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.
Analysing driving efficiency of mandatory lane change decision for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Cao Peng , Xu Zhandong , Fan Qiaochu , Liu Xiaobo
Published: October 2018

Mandatory lane change (MLC) is a critical step in formulating global route of an autonomous vehicle on the urban road network. Improper MLC decisions on arterial roads could jeopardise efficiency (travel cost) and reliability (possibility of failed lane change). However, the existing research studies seldom investigate the optimal MLC decision at the planning level to maximise the reliability‐based driving efficiency. This research aims at addressing two core strategic decision variables (MLC decision point on the road and maximum waiting time before giving up MLC). A series of simulation experiments for various scenarios are conducted for an arterial road to reveal their relationship. The results indicate that both identified decision variables inherently affect travel time spent on this road and the rate of failed MLCs, and a trade‐off exists between arterial travel time and the rate of failed MLCs. Based on the simulation analysis, an analytical lane‐level link performance (LLP) function is formulated to assess the impacts of MLC decisions on driving efficiency. The analysis validates that the optimal MLC strategic decision (MLC decision position and maximum waiting time) can be determined by maximising LLP function. It is promising to apply the proposed LLP function in lane‐level routing algorithm in the future.
Bi‐level optimiseddispatch strategy of electric supply–demand balance considering risk–benefit coordination
Authors: Xu Qingshan , Ji Yongli , Huang Qifeng , Sheng Yehong
Published: October 2018

With the development of smart grid and electricity market, schedulable resources of demand‐side attract great concern. To implement the balance between power supply and demand by utilising demand‐side schedulable resources, a bi‐level system is established and a bi‐level programming between independent system operator (ISO) and load aggregator (LA) is proposed in this study. LA in the lower level integrates decentralised schedulable resources and makes bidding plans by adopting the improved step‐wise bidding method in view of its risk attitudes, realising the unification of low risk and high profit. ISO in the upper level introduces the chance‐constrained programming method to make risk–benefit coordinated decisions considering uncertainties on the basic of bidding information and power supply–demand prediction. The simulation analyses show that the proposed bi‐level optimised strategy is effective for obtaining satisfactory decision schemes based on decision makers’ risk preferences.
Real-time simulation test-bed for an industrial gas turbine engine’s controller
Authors: Montazeri-Gh Morteza , Miran Fashandi Seyed Alireza , Abyaneh Soroush
Published: October 2018

A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test for a control unit of an industrial gas turbine engine is performed to evaluate the designed controller. Although the dynamic performance of the studied gas turbine is strictly related to the variable inlet guide vain (VIGV) position, one of the main challenges is to develop an engine model considering VIGV variations. The model should also be capable of real time simulation. Accordingly, the gas turbine is numerically modeled using bond graph concepts. To demonstrate the operational reliability of the engine’s control strategy, the control algorithm is implemented on an industrial hardware as an embedded system. This is then put into a HIL test along with the engine model. The actual component (controller) and the virtual engine model are the hardware and software parts of the HIL test, respectively. In this experiment, the interaction between the real part and the rest of the system is compared with that of the completely numerical model in which the controller is a simulated software-based model as is the engine itself. Finally, the results indicate that the physical constraints of the engine are successfully satisfied through the implementation of control algorithms on the utilized hardware.
Internistische Therapie von Weichteilsarkomen
Authors: Hartmann Jörg
Published: October 2018

Was ist neu?

Lokalisierte Stadien Niedriger Malignitätsgrad (Grading): keine Änderungen, i. d. R. alleinige Resektion. Hoher Malignitätsgrad: neoadjuvante, multimodale Ansätze bei Inoperabilität oder drohendem funktionellen Funktionsverlust. Die 2er-Kombination aus Anthrazyklin und Ifosfamid stellt weiterhin bez. der Systemtherapie den Standard in diesem Therapieansatz dar. Die pathologische Komplettremission nach neoadjuvanter Chemotherapie hat prognostische Bedeutung. Eine adjuvante (postoperative) Chemotherapie bei Hochrisiko-Sarkom hat den Evidenzgrad 2B.

Metastasiertes Stadium In der metastasierten Situation behauptet sich Adriamycin in mehreren Phase-II/III-Studien als Standard gegen Konkurrenzsubstanzen, neuerdings ergänzt durch einen monoklonalen PDGFRα-Antikörper Olaratumab. Diese vorübergehende Zulassung basiert auf einer randomisierten Phase-II-Studie. Eine konfirmatorische Phase III zur Bestätigung steht aus.

Zweitlinientherapien Bei refraktären Sarkomen ist Eribulin (beim Subtyp Liposarkom) zugelassen, neben den bekannten Substanzen Pazopanib (außer beim Liposarkom) und Trabectedin (insbesondere wirksam bei Lipo-, Leiomyosarkom).
Ernährung am Lebensende – ethische Aspekte
Authors: Frühwald Thomas
Published: October 2018

Was ist neu?

Ursachen der unzureichenden Nahrungsaufnahme Hier ist die Frage zu stellen, ob der Patient nicht essen kann oder nicht essen will. Um die jeweiligen Gründe herauszufinden ist ein interdisziplinäres Assessment erforderlich.

Sinn der künstlichen Ernährung am Lebensende Der Sinn einer enteralen und parenteralen künstlichen Ernährung im terminalen Stadium einer Krankheit wird hinterfragt. Aktuell gibt es keine Evidenz, dass insbesondere Patienten im fortgeschrittenen Stadium einer demenziellen Erkrankung durch eine solche Intervention einen Nutzen haben.

Indikation zur PEG-Sonde Künstliche Nahrungs- und Flüssigkeitszufuhr ist eine medizinische Behandlung. Die Entscheidung über ihren Beginn oder ihre Beendigung ist den gleichen Prinzipien unterworfen wie die Entscheidungen über andere – möglicherweise lebensverlängernde – medizinisch-therapeutische Maßnahmen. Sie bedarf einer medizinischen Indikation.
CBASP als stationäres Behandlungskonzept der therapieresistenten chronischen Depression: Eine Pilotstudie zum Zusammenhang von Nebenwirkungen und Therapieerfolg
Authors: Brakemeier Eva-Lotta , Herzog Philipp , Radtke Martina , Schneibel Rebecca , Breger Viola , Becker Manuel , Spies Jan , Jacobi Frank , Heider Jens , Normann Claus
Published: October 2018

Einleitung Stationäre Psychotherapien können u. a. aufgrund der kurzen, aber intensiven Behandlung Nebenwirkungen auslösen. In der vorliegenden Pilotstudie wurden daher bestimmte Nebenwirkungen eines multidisziplinären, stationären CBASP-Programms (Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy) für Patienten mit therapieresistenter chronischer Depression sowie deren Zusammenhang mit dem Therapieerfolg (Response-, Remissions- und Rückfallraten) untersucht.

Material & Methoden 50 Patienten mit therapieresistenter chronischer Depression nahmen an einem strukturierten 12-wöchigen, stationären CBASP-Programm teil. Nebenwirkungen wurden erfasst durch 1) eine Verschlechterung der depressiven Symptomatik im Fremdbericht bei Entlassung (Wert auf der Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, HDRS24) und 2) einem Selbstbeurteilungsfragebogen zur Erfassung von Nebenwirkungen in der stationären Psychotherapie (NESTAP), welcher von Patienten 6–12 Monate nach Entlassung ausgefüllt wurde.

Ergebnisse Nach der 12-wöchigen Behandlung konnten 84% der Patienten als Responder klassifiziert werden, von denen 44% das Remissionskriterium erfüllten. 16% waren Non-Responder, wobei kein Patient gemäß HDRS eine fremdbeurteilte Verschlechterung der depressiven Symptomatik zeigte. Sechs Monate nach Entlassung erlitten 40% der Responder einen Rückfall. Im NESTAP gaben 66% der Patienten an, dass sich während der Behandlung ihre Symptomatik vorübergehend verschlechtert habe. Bei diesen Patienten zeigte sich eine geringere Remissionsrate. Über 50% berichteten von interpersonellen Konflikten mit Teammitgliedern oder anderen Patienten, wobei kein Zusammenhang mit dem Therapieerfolg nachweisbar war. Schließlich berichteten über 50% der Patienten, nach Entlassung Veränderungen in sozialen Beziehungen erlebt zu haben. Diese Patienten hatten seltener einen Rückfall. Insgesamt gaben 94% aller Patienten an, mindestens eine der in dieser Studie erhobenen Nebenwirkungen erlebt zu haben.

Schlussfolgerung Diese Pilotstudie gibt trotz einiger Limitationen erste Hinweise, dass das stationäre CBASP-Programm Nebenwirkungen verursacht, wobei nur eine subjektiv wahrgenommene vorübergehende Verschlechterung den individuellen Therapieerfolg kurzfristig negativ zu beeinflussen scheint. Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, Nebenwirkungen im Kontext des kurz- und langfristigen Therapieerfolges zu untersuchen, um herauszufinden, wie relevant Nebenwirkungen sind.
Vergleichbarkeit verschiedener Analysen zur Stellung der Inzisiven im Fernröntgenseitenbild und am kieferorthopädischen Diagnostikmodell
Authors: Jungbauer Rebecca , Fechner Frank , Rudzki Ingrid , Proff Peter , Kirschneck Christian
Published: October 2018

Das Ziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war es, die Vergleichbarkeit der diagnostischen Interpretationen von 4 Kephalometrien (Tweed, Steiner, Ricketts, Hasund) und einer Modellanalyse (Korkhaus) bezüglich der sagittalen Stellung (Inklination und Position) der Inzisiven zu evaluieren.

Hierzu wurden von 92 zufällig ausgewählten Patienten (Alter: 10–11 Jahre) ohne kieferorthopädische Vorbehandlung Fernröntgenseitenbilder und Diagnostikmodelle vermessen.

Alle Aussagen zur dentobasalen Inklination und anterior-posterioren Position der Inzisiven im oberen und unteren Zahnbogen zeigten innerhalb der 4 Kephalometrien z.T. deutlich abweichende Ergebnisse. Die oberen Inzisiven waren z. B. nach der Ricketts-Analyse bei 75% der Patienten antepositioniert, gemäß der Hasund-Analyse nur bei 47,8%. Die höchste Übereinstimmung mit 84,8% ließ der Vergleich Steiner- zu Ricketts-Analyse für die Position der oberen Inzisiven erkennen. Die geringste Übereinstimmung von 30,4% zeigten die Ricketts- und Korkhaus-Analysen bezüglich der Position der unteren Inzisiven. Generell war die Übereinstimmung zwischen den 4 Kephalometrien höher als zur Modellanalyse.

Die teils erhebliche Inkongruenz der verschiedenen Analysen zeigt, dass für die patientenindividuelle Beurteilung der Stellung der Inzisiven die Kenntnis der jeweiligen Gesamtanalyse mit ihren Vor- und Nachteilen und gegebenenfalls Berücksichtigung verschiedener Analysen notwendig ist, bevor therapeutische Konsequenzen abgeleitet werden.
Current and Future Treatments for Graves’ Disease and Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Kotwal Anupam , Stan Marius
Published: October 2018

The course and pathogenesis of Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophthalmopathy are interdependent, influencing each other’s therapeutic choices. Multiple factors including geographic location, access to medical services, patient and physician preferences influence the management of these conditions. Graves’ disease is classically managed with one of three treatment options – antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and thyroidectomy. In recent years, there has been a shift towards antithyroid drugs, including long term therapy with these agents, given the advantage of avoiding hypothyroidism and the apparent safety of this approach. In addition, new therapies are (slowly) emerging, focusing on immunomodulation. Technological advances are opening doors to non-pharmaceutical interventions that aim to deal with both structural thyroid abnormalities as well as biochemical abnormalities of hyperthyroidism. Graves’ ophthalmopathy management is guided by its activity and severity status, with treatment options including smoking cessation, control of hyperthyroidism, local eye measures, glucocorticoids, selenium, orbital radiotherapy, and surgery. In addition to these established treatment choices, new immunotherapy-based approaches are being tested. Some of them (tocilizumab and teprotumumab) are very promising but further evaluation is needed before we can establish their role in clinical care. Agents identified as beneficial in Graves’ disease management will likely be tested in Graves’ ophthalmopathy as well. In the coming years, our main clinical responsibility will be to find the proper balance between the benefits and potential risks of these incoming therapies, and to identify the subgroups of patients where this ratio is most likely to favor a safe and successful therapeutic outcome.
Plasma Irisin Levels in Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes: Comparison with Healthy Controls
Authors: Tentolouris Anastasios , Eleftheriadou Ioanna , Tsilingiris Dimitrios , Anastasiou Ioanna , Kosta Ourania , Mourouzis Iordanis , Kokkinos Alexandros , Pantos Constantinos , Katsilambros Nikolaos , Tentolouris Nikolaos
Published: October 2018

Irisin is a myokine that increases energy expenditure. In this cross-sectional study, we examined for differences in plasma irisin concentrations between subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals and searched for associations between plasma irisin levels and clinical and biochemical characteristics as well as self-reported physical activity. A total of 79 subjects with type 1 diabetes [age 38.2±12.5 years, men/women (n): 27/52], were consecutively recruited. Moreover, 53 healthy controls, matched for age and body mass index with those with diabetes were recruited. Plasma irisin was measured with ELISA. Participants were asked about their physical activity during the last week. We also measured trunk and visceral fat. Circulating irisin levels were lower in subjects with diabetes than in controls [median value (interquartile range): 53.0 (35.2, 106.3) vs. 178.1 (42.6, 641.6) ng/ml, respectively, p<0.001]. In the group of diabetes, univariate analysis showed that irisin levels were associated with waist circumference (beta=–0.283, p=0.023), serum triglycerides (beta=–0.282, p=0.031), and trunk fat (beta=–0.324, p=0.012). In multivariate analysis after adjustment for potential confounders, irisin levels were associated independently only with waist circumference (beta=–0.403, p=0.005). Among controls, multivariate analysis demonstrated that irisin levels were associated with pack-years of smoking (beta=–0.563, p=0.012) and fasting triglycerides (beta=–0.338, p=0.041). Circulating irisin levels were lower in subjects with diabetes in comparison with healthy-matched controls. In conclusion, plasma irisin concentrations in subjects with diabetes were associated with waist circumference, while in controls with serum triglycerides and pack-years of smoking.
An extended depth-of-field imaging system with a non-rotationally symmetric phase mask
Authors: Xie Hongbo , He Lirong , Yang Lei , Mao Chensheng , Zhu Meng , Zhao Man , Li Jinlong , Yang Tong
Published: October 2018

Optical imaging system offers best performance across a range of applications such as machine vision, medical examination, security, and quality inspection in a production line. A typical imaging system is commonly sensitive to the defocus variations in the object plane location, which largely loses the transversal information of volume and brings inaccuracy to the comprehensive vision. Therefore, improvement of depth-of-field (DOF) with high resolution imaging remains a challenge for the conventional imaging system. Here we introduce a newly designed optical imaging system, mainly being composed of a standard Tessar lens and a non-absorptive rectangularly separable phase mask, whose corresponding optical point spread function is greatly invariant to defocus. An extended DOF image is restored by using the Tikhonov regularization algorithm and deconvolving the response function of the optical system. The proof-of-the-concept experimental results verify significantly extended DOF exceeding 40 times compared to the common optical imaging counterparts. Future work includes the use of a durable and high-transmittance phase mask to develop various large DOF optical configurations without loss of resolution.
Measurement of the toroidal radiation asymmetry during massive gas injection triggered disruptions on J-TEXT
Authors: Tong R. H. , Chen Z. Y. , Jiang Z. H. , Zhang X. L. , Cheng Z. F. , Liu L. Z. , Li W. , Yan W. , Wei Y. N. , Lin Z. F. , Huang Y. , Yang Z. J.
Published: October 2018

Disruptions have the potential to cause severe damage to large tokamaks like ITER. The mitigation of disruption damage is one of the essential issues for the tokamak. Massive gas injection (MGI) is a technique in which large amounts of a noble gas are injected into the plasma in order to safely radiate the plasma energy evenly over the entire plasma-facing wall. However, the radiated energy during the disruption triggered by massive gas injection is found to be toroidally asymmetric. In order to investigate the spatial and temporal structures of the radiation asymmetry, the radiated power diagnostics for the J-TEXT tokamak have been upgraded. The multi-channel arrays of absolute extreme ultraviolet photodiodes have been upgraded at four different toroidal positions to investigate the radiation asymmetries during massive gas injection. It is found that the toroidal asymmetry is associated with plasma properties and MGI induced MHD activities.
Local well-posedness for low regularity data for the higher dimensional Maxwell-Klein-Gordon system in Lorenz gauge
Authors: Pecher Hartmut
Published: October 2018

The Cauchy problem for the Maxwell-Klein-Gordon equations in the Lorenz gauge in n space dimensions (n ≥ 4) is shown to be locally well-posed for low regularity (large) data. The result relies on the null structure for the main bilinear terms, which was shown to be present not only in the Coulomb gauge but also in the Lorenz gauge by Selberg and Tesfahun, who proved global well-posedness for finite energy data in three space dimensions. This null structure is combined with product estimates for wave-Sobolev spaces. Crucial for the improvement are the solution spaces introduced by Klainerman-Selberg.
Using a 2-shock 1D platform at NIF to measure the effect of convergence on mix and symmetry
Authors: Kyrala G. A. , Pino J. E. , Khan S. F. , MacLaren S. A. , Salmonson J. D. , Ma T. , Masse L. , Tipton R. , Bradley P. A. , Rygg J. R. , Field J. E. , Tommasini R. , Ralph J. E. , Turnbull D. P. , Mackinnon A. J. , Benedetti L. R. , Bradley D. K. , Nagel S. , Celliers P. M. , Dewald E. , Dittrich T. R. , Berzak Hopkins L. , Izumi N. , Kervin M. L. , Kline J. , Yeamans C. , Hatarik R. , Sayre D. , Hartouni E. P. , Pak A. , Chen K. C. , Hoover D. E.
Published: October 2018

We describe the use of a robust new 1-D like implosion platform at the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Opt. Eng. 43, 2841 (2004)] to study the effect of convergence on mix and shape. Previous experiments suggest that nuclear yields and ion temperature degrade with increased convergence [M. D. Cable et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2316 (1994)] due to enhanced perturbation growth and mix, but little has been reported on the distortion of the shape with time. The 2-shock platform was developed [S. F. Khan et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 042708 (2016)] to maintain a high degree of sphericity during the whole implosion phase and has a thick, uniformly doped (1% Si) plastic CH shell to minimize the effect of mixing due to hydrodynamic feed-through from the outer ablator surface. An inner layer of deuterated plastic (CD) and hydrogen-tritium (DT) gas fill allows for the measurement of DT neutrons produced by the mix between the gas and ablator. DD neutrons provide information about the hot, unmixed CD region. By changing the fill gas density while keeping the capsule diameter, ablator thickness, and Au hohlraum conditions fixed, the x-ray hot spot convergence ratio was varied from 14 to 22. We find that the atomic mix (DT yield) grows linearly as a function of convergence, but since Tion changes as well, it does not necessarily mean that the amount or extent of mix grows linearly as well. We also find the DD yield, which is a measurement of the shell heating, saturates above a certain convergence.
An x-ray optic calibration facility for high energy density diagnostics
Authors: Kozioziemski B. J. , Ayers J. , Bell P. , Bradley D. K. , Descalle M.-A. , Hau-Riege S. , McCarville T. J. , Pardini T. , Pickworth L. A. , Vogel J. K. , Stone J. , Robinson J. , Ampleford D. J. , Ball C. R. , Bourdon C. J. , Fein J. R. , Wu M. , Ames A. , Bruni R. , Romaine S.
Published: October 2018

A facility to calibrate x-ray imaging optics was built at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to support high energy density (HED) and inertial confinement fusion (ICF) diagnostics such as those at the National Ignition Facility and the Sandia Z-Machine. Calibration of the spectral reflectivity and resolution of these x-ray diagnostics enable absolute determination of the x-ray flux and wavelengths generated in the HED and ICF experiments. Measurement of the optic point spread function is used to determine spatial resolution of the optic. This facility was constructed to measure (1) the x-ray reflectivity to ±5% over a spectral range from 5 to 60 keV; (2) point spread functions with a resolution of 50 μm (currently) and 13 μm (future) in the image plane; and (3) optic distance relative to the x-ray source and detector to within ±100 μm in each dimension. This article describes the capabilities of the calibration facility, concept of operations, and initial data from selected x-ray optics.
Characterization of the Mercury pulsed power x-ray source spectrum using multichannel density aerogel Cherenkov detectors
Authors: Meaney K. D. , Kim Y. , Herrmann H. W. , Young C. Y. , Archuleta T. A. , Hamilton C. E. , Duke D. L. , Haines T. J. , Corredor A. C. , Green J. A. , Fegenbush L. , Kaufman M. I. , Malone R. M. , Baker S. A. , Richardson S. , Zier J. , Engelbrecht J. , Culver A.
Published: October 2018

The Aerogel Cherenkov Detector for Cygnus (ACD/C) is a time-dependent, x-ray spectral detector that uses SiO2 aerogels spanning an index of refraction (n = 1.02–1.07) corresponding to a 1.1–2.3 MeV x-ray energy threshold. The ACD/C was developed for pulsed power x-ray sources like Cygnus located at the Nevada National Site and Mercury located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Aerogels sit between the measurement capabilities of gas (>2 MeV) and solids such as fused silica (>0.3 MeV). The detector uses an aluminum converter to Compton scatter incoming x-rays and create relativistic electrons, which produce Cherenkov light in an aerogel or a fused silica medium. The ACD/C was fielded at the NRL when Mercury was tuned to produce up to 4.8 MeV endpoint bremsstrahlung. Despite a high radiation and electromagnetic interference background, the ACD/C was able to achieve high signal over noise across five aerogel densities and fused silica, including a signal to noise for a 1.1 MeV aerogel threshold. Previous experiments at Cygnus observed a signal that was comparable to the noise (1×) at the same threshold. The ACD/C observed time-resolved rise and fall times for different energy thresholds of the photon spectrum. Monte Carlo simulations of the ACD/C’s aerogel response curves were folded with a simulation of Mercury’s photon energy spectrum and agree within the error to the observed result.
Evaluation of the fuel potential of sewage sludge mixtures with beech sawdust and lignite
Authors: Constantinescu Marius , Oancea Simona , Bucura Felicia , Ciucure Corina , Ionete Roxana Elena
Published: October 2018

Sewage sludge (SS) from municipal wastewater treatment has drawn serious attention of scientists around the world in the attempt to find feasible disposal methods. Therefore, in this work, a solution for valorisation of SS as solid fuel is proposed based on an advanced compositional investigation of SS versus conventional solid fuels, namely, lignite (L) and beech sawdust (BS). A characterisation in terms of proximate analysis and ultimate analysis was performed for the studied materials, both to SS, L, and BS as single fuel and to bi-component mixture formulas of SS and L/BS, in variable proportions of 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30. SS:BS based blends had higher hydrogen (from 4.43 wt. % to 5.14 wt. %) and carbon (from 30.76 wt. % to 40.12 wt. %) contents than the SS:L mixtures, very close to the one for BS (5.5 wt. % for hydrogen and 44.00 wt. % for carbon), indicating a more efficient release of energy during combustion. The combustion behaviour of SS and its blends with L and BS was also studied by thermogravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA) by heating the samples from ambient temperature up to 1100 °C at a rate of 20 °C/min under a nitrogen inert atmosphere. Analysis showed differences among SS, L, and BS, and the improvements were observed in the SS combustion profile after the addition of L or BS. The best potential as an alternative fuel was showed by the blends SS+L in a proportion of 30%:70% and SS+BS as a 30%:70% mixture. Additional information regarding the environmental risk induced by SS was obtained through the determination of the content of dioxines, furans, and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of dried sewage sludge and the calculation of the toxicity equivalent factor. The values were within acceptable limits, and therefore, the proposed solution for valorization of waste sewage sludge offers a feasible way to reduce the anthropogenic impact and to enhance the durable development of the society.
System-size expansion of the moments of a master equation
Authors: Peralta A. F. , Toral R.
Published: October 2018

We study an expansion method of the general multidimensional master equation, based on a system-size expansion of the time evolution equations of the moments. The method turns out to be more accurate than the traditional van Kampen expansion for the first and second moments, with an error that scales with system-size similar to an alternative expansion, also applied to the equations of the moments, called Gaussian approximation, with the advantage that it has less systematic errors. Besides, we analyze a procedure to find the solution of the expansion method and we show different cases where it greatly simplifies. This includes the analytical solution of the average value and fluctuations in the number of infected nodes of the SIS epidemic model in complex networks, under the degree-based approximation.
Optimized fringe removal algorithm for absorption images
Authors: Niu Linxiao , Guo Xinxin , Zhan Yuan , Chen Xuzong , Liu W. M. , Zhou Xiaoji
Published: October 2018

Optical absorption imaging is a basic detection technique for obtaining information from matter waves, in which the absorption signal can be obtained by comparing the recorded detection light field with the light field in the presence of absorption, thereby giving the spatial distribution of the atoms. The noise in detection arises mainly from differences between the two recorded light field distributions, which is difficult to avoid in experiments. In this work, we present an optimized fringe removal algorithm, developing a method to generate an ideal reference light field, avoiding the noise generated by the light field difference, and suppressing the noise signal to the theoretical limit. Using principal component analysis, we explore the optimal calculation area and how to remove noise information from the basis to allow optimal performance and speed. As an example, we consider scattering atomic peaks with a small number of atoms in a triangular lattice. Compared with the conventional processing method, our algorithm can reduce the measured atomic temperature variance by more than three times, giving a more reliable result.
A new B-dot probe circuit for magnetic diagnostics of radio frequency discharges
Authors: Zhao Kai , Liu Yong-Xin , Wen De-Qi , Economou Demetre J. , Wang You-Nian
Published: October 2018

Accurate magnetic measurements in radio frequency capacitively coupled plasmas (CCP) are challenging due to the presence of inherently strong electric fields and relatively weak magnetic fields. In this work, a new B-dot probe circuit is presented, comprising two variable capacitors in a tunable series resonance circuit, with a center-tapped, step-up transformer. The output characteristics of the probe are predicted using two distinct equivalent circuit models, one for the differential mode and the other for the common mode. A Helmholtz coil and a Faraday cup are used for experimental validation of the predicted probe output. By tuning the two variable capacitors in the circuit, the magnetic probe can achieve improved signal-to-noise ratio by amplifying the inductive signal, while suppressing capacitive coupling interference. Using the newly designed probe, magnetic measurements in typical CCP are presented.
Large surface charge accumulation in 2D MoS2/Sb2Te3 junction and its effect on junction properties: KPFM based study
Authors: Ahmad Mujeeb , Varandani Deepak , Mehta B. R.
Published: October 2018

In the present study, 2D-3D MoS2/Sb2Te3 (n-p) and MoS2/Bi2Te3 (n-n) heterojunctions with varying MoS2 thicknesses have been investigated using the Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy technique. Nanoscale maps of interface measurements based on the difference of surface potential (SP) maps in surface charge and back natural modes have been carried out. The 2D-3D heterojunctions with lower MoS2 thickness show a large difference in SP values in the two modes, which is observed to increase with a decrease in the MoS2 thickness. In comparison, samples with larger (bulk-like) MoS2 thickness show negligible SP differences, indicating complete Fermi level alignment, as expected in a normal bulk junction. The difference in the SP value in two modes represents large surface charge accumulation in the 2D layer due to a relatively high value of the depletion width required for achieving equilibrium in comparison to the atomic scale thickness of 2D MoS2. In limited earlier reports, the current-voltage behavior of metal—2D MoS2 junctions is explained on the basis of the Fermi level pinning effect, which is a very generic explanation given for bulk p-n heterojunctions and may not be applicable in 2D materials. The present study shows that surface charge accumulation has a large influence on the I-V characteristic of 2D junctions, and this may be a key factor influencing the physics of the 2D interface and their potential applications.
Realization of an ultra-high precision temperature control in a cryogen-free cryostat
Authors: Gao Bo , Pan Changzhao , Chen Yanyan , Song Yaonan , Zhang Haiyang , Han Dongxu , Liu Wenjing , Chen Hui , Luo Ercang , Pitre Laurent
Published: October 2018

Single-pressure refractive-index gas thermometry (SPRIGT) is a new type primary thermometry jointly developed by TIPC of CAS in China and LNE-Cnam in France. To realize a competitive uncertainty of 0.25 mK for the thermodynamic temperature measurement, a cryogen-free cryostat with high-stability better than 0.2 mK should be designed. This paper presented the first experimental results of temperature control for this cryostat. To realize this objective, multi-layer radiation shields combined with a thermal-resistance method were used to isolate the thermal-noise from surroundings. Besides, a new temperature control method based on a gas-type heat switch and proportional-integral-derivative control method was proposed, which was applicable to different temperature ranges by changing the working modes of the heat switch. After optimizing, the ultra-high precision temperature control in the range of 5–25 K has been fully realized, which was the temperature instability (with standard deviation) of 0.021 mK at 5.0 K, 0.05 mK at 5.7 K, 0.042 mK at 7.4 K, 0.029 mK at 14.3 K, and 0.022 mK at 25 K with the sampling time of 0.8 s. This was almost the best reporting result in the world and showed its great potential in SPRIGT.
Enhancement of thermoelectric properties of p-type single-filled skutterudites CexFeyCo4-ySb12 by tuning the Ce and Fe content
Authors: Kim Jungmin , Ohishi Yuji , Muta Hiroaki , Kurosaki Ken
Published: October 2018

CoSb3-based filled skutterudites are known as good n-type thermoelectric (TE) materials. However, the p-type ones have not been intensively investigated. In this study, we focus on Ce-filled Fe-substituted CoSb3 as p-type skutterudites, where Fe will act as a hole dopant. Polycrystalline samples with nominal compositions of CexFeyCo4-ySb12 (x = 0.8, 0.9, 1.0 and y = 3.0, 3.5) are synthesized and the high temperature TE properties are investigated. All the samples show the p-type conduction as we expected. It is found that the samples with y = 3.5 exhibit clearly lower κlat values than those of the samples with y = 3.0, meaning that the Fe/Co substitution is more predominant than the Ce filling for the κlat reduction. The maximum zT value observed in this study is 0.78 at 704 K for the sample with x = 1.0, y = 3.5, which is close to the best value reported so far for Ce-filled Fe-substituted CoSb3-based p-type skutterudites.