bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of biochar preparation from the stem of Eichhornia crassipes using response surface methodology on adsorption of Cd2+
Authors: Zhou Runjuan , Zhang Ming , Zhou Jinhong , Wang Jinpeng
Published: November 2019

In this study, preparation of Eichhornia crassipes stem biochar (ECSBC) was optimized and applied for the removal of Cd2+ from aqueous solution. To obtain the best adsorption capacity of ECSBC, the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the preparation conditions of ECSBC (OECSBC). The interactions among heating time (X1), heating temperature (X2) and heating rate (X3) were designed by Box-Behnken Design (BBD) experiments. The software gave seventeen runs experiment within the optimal conditions towards two response variables (removal rate and adsorption capacity for Cd2+). The results showed that the mathematical model could fit the experimental data very well and the significance of the influence factors followed the order as heating temperature (X2) > heating rate (X3) > heating time (X1), and the influence of interaction term is: X1 and X2 (heating time and heating temperature) > X2 and X3 (heating temperature and heating rate) > X1 and X3 (heating time and heating rate). Based on the analysis of variance and the method of numerical expected function, the optimal conditions were heating time of 2.42 h, heating temperature of 393 °C, and heating rate of 15.56 °C/min. Under the optimum conditions, the predicted the maximum removal rate and adsorption capacity were 85.2724% and 21.168 mg/g, respectively, and the experimental value of removal rate and adsorption capacity for Cd2+ were 80.70% and 20.175 mg/g, respectively, the deviation from the predicted value were 5.36% and 4.69%. The results confirmed that the RSM can optimize the preparation conditions of ECSBC, and the adsorption capacity of OECSB was improved.
Superior Performances of B-doped LiNi0.84Co0.10Mn0.06O2 cathode for advanced LIBs
Authors: Lee Seung-Hwan , Jin Bong-Soo , Kim Hyun-Soo
Published: November 2019

Boron-doped Ni-rich LiNi0.84Co0.10Mn0.06O2 (B-NCM) cathode material is prepared and its electrochemical performances are investigated. The structural properties indicate that the incorporation of boron leads to highly-ordered layered structure and low cation disordering. All samples have high areal loadings of active materials (approximately 14.6 mg/cm2) that meets the requirement for commercialization. Among them, the 1.0 wt% boron-doped NCM (1.0B-NCM) shows the best electrochemical performances. The 1.0B-NCM delivers a discharge capacity of 205. 3 mAh g−1, cyclability of 93.1% after 50 cycles at 0.5 C and rate capability of 87.5% at 2 C. As a result, we can conclude that the 1.0B-NCM cathode can be regarded as a promising candidate for the next-generation lithium ion batteries.
Genetic structure of Mataco-Guaycurú speakers from Argentina and the extent of their genetic admixture with neighbouring urban populations
Authors: Sala Andrea , Caputo Mariela , Corach Daniel
Published: November 2019

Argentina hosts more than 30 Native American groups, who are widely distributed throughout the country. Mataco-Guaycurú speakers settled in the ecoregion of Gran Chaco and represent 26.7% of the extant aboriginal population of the country. To further investigate the genetic attributes of these speakers, we focused our attention on four aboriginal groups, namely, Wichí, Toba, Pilagá and Mocoví, belonging to the Mataco-Guaycurú linguistic group. Our main goal was to evaluate the interrelationships among the groups and the relationships of these groups with admixed urban populations and to assess correspondences between molecular analysis and historical information. A total of 890 samples (282 Native Americans and 608 inhabitants of admixed urban areas) were analysed. Genetic information was gathered from 15 autosomal STRs, 17 Y-STRs, entire mtDNA control region sequences, 24 AIM-SNPs and 46 AIM-DIPs. Native American signatures were detected in 97.9% of mtDNA lineages, 89.1% of Y-haplotypes and 90.3% to 96.9% of autosomal markers. Wichí exhibited the genetic composition with the largest Native American contribution among the groups and a weak signal of gene flow. This work provides extended genetic information of potential interest in the fields of molecular anthropology and forensic genetics.
Facile fabrication of titanosilicate zeolites with an unprecedented wide range of Si/Ti ratios by employing transition metal dichalcogenides as metal precursors
Authors: Liu Liangliang , Sun Yanwei , Liu Yi , He Gaohong , Liu Yi
Published: November 2019

Herein JDF-L1 titanosilicate zeolites with ultra-low Si/Ti ratios in the framework were facilely prepared via hydrothermal treatment of layered TiS2 precursors along with effective suppression of an undesired TiO2 impurity phase.
Crack-free high quality 2 μm-thick Al0.5Ga0.5N grown on a Si substrate with a superlattice transition layer
Authors: Huang Yingnan , Liu Jianxun , Sun Xiujian , Zhan Xiaoning , Sun Qian , Gao Hongwei , Feng Meixin , Zhou Yu , Ikeda Masao , Yang Hui
Published: November 2019

We reported the successful growth of a crack-free high-quality 2 μm-thick Al0.5Ga0.5N film with a smooth surface grown on planar Si by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition.
Synthesis, post-synthetic modification and stability of a 2D styryl ammonium lead iodide hybrid material
Authors: Peng Yong , Albero Josep , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: November 2019

A hybrid lead iodide material (HP1) having 4-vinylphenylene ammonium as the organic cation allows post-synthetic modification by radical copolymerization with styrene.
The next big thing for silicon nanostructures – CO2 photocatalysis
Authors: Sun Wei , Yan Xiaoliang , Qian Chenxi , Duchesne Paul N. , Hari Kumar Sai Govind , Ozin Geoffrey A.
Published: November 2019

Silicon nanostructures for the catalytic conversion of CO2 to value-added products.
Sustainable catalytic protocols for the solvent free epoxidation and anti-dihydroxylation of the alkene bonds of biorenewable terpene feedstocks using H2O2 as oxidant
Authors: Cunningham William B. , Tibbetts Joshua D. , Hutchby Marc , Maltby Katarzyna A. , Davidson Matthew G. , Hintermair Ulrich , Plucinski Pawel , Bull Steven D.
Published: November 2019

Solvent free catalytic epoxidation of biorenewable terpene feedstocks, including untreated crude sulfate turpentine.
Reactive spinning to achieve nanocomposite gel fibers: from monomer to fiber dynamically with enhanced anisotropy
Authors: Wei Peiling , Hou Kai , Chen Tao , Chen Guoyin , Mugaanire Innocent Tendo , Zhu Meifang
Published: November 2019

This work presented a facile reactive spinning method for generating nanocomposite gel fibers with high anisotropy from monomers/nanoparticle hybrid precursors.
Solvent-dependent regioselectivity of 2′-deoxyadenosine alkylation by 9-aminomethyl derivatives of SN38
Authors: Naumczuk B. , Bocian W. , Sitkowski J. , Kawęcki R. , Kozerski L.
Published: November 2019

The investigated compounds in DMSO solution unexpectedly alkylate the N9 nitrogen of 2′-deoxyadenosine, whereas the N6 nitrogen atom is alkylated in water solution.
Lutetium and yttrium complexes supported by an anilido-oxazoline ligand for polymerization of 1,3-conjugated dienes and ε-caprolactone
Authors: Li Wenqiang , Jiang Xinxin , So Yat-Ming , He Gaohong , Pan Yu
Published: November 2019

Lutetium and yttrium complexes supported by an anilido-oxazoline ligand exhibit highcis-1,4 stereoselectivity for 1,3-conjugated diene polymerization and high activity for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.
La(OTf)3-catalysed one-pot synthesis of pyrazole tethered imidazo[1,2-a]azine derivatives and evaluation of their light emitting properties
Authors: Sharma Shubham , Paul Avijit Kumar , Singh Virender
Published: November 2019

La(OTf)3catalysed one-pot facile protocol has been unfolded towards diversity-oriented synthesis of highly fluorescent pyrazole C-3(5) tethered imidazo[1,2-a]azines.
A minimalistic hydrolase based on co-assembled cyclic dipeptides
Authors: Kleinsmann Alexander J. , Nachtsheim Boris J.
Published: November 2019

Cyclic dipeptides based on proteinogenic amino acids form higher aggregates in water with an enzyme-like activity. Are they relevant for abiogenesis?
A polythreaded MnII-MOF and its super-performances for dye adsorption and supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Jiadi , Wang Zikai , Bi Rong , Mao Feifei , Wang Kuaibing , Wu Hua , Wang Xin
Published: November 2019

One new polythreaded MnII-MOF was successfully prepared by employing a tridentate N-donor ligand with three long arms. Its excellent performances in dye adsorption and supercapacitor have been investigated in detail.
Strategies for the deposition of LaFeO3 photocathodes: improving the photocurrent with a polymer template
Authors: Freeman Emma , Kumar Santosh , Celorrio Veronica , Park Min Su , Kim Jong Hak , Fermin David J. , Eslava Salvador
Published: November 2019

LaFeO3 photocathodes with high porosity and uniformity are developed through polymer templating with Triton X-100, improving charge separation and boosting photocurrents achieved.
An organic–inorganic semi-interpenetrating network ionogel electrolyte for high-voltage lithium metal batteries
Authors: Su Anyu , Guo Panlong , Li Jian , Kan Dongxiao , Pang Qiang , Li Tianqi , Sun Junqi , Chen Gang , Wei Yingjin
Published: November 2019

A new ionogel electrolyte with an organic–inorganic semi-interpenetrating network not only suppresses Li dendrite formation and Al current collector corrosion, but also improves Li+ transport capability and stability.
Construction of uniform buried pn junctions on pyramid Si photocathodes using a facile and safe spin-on method for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Li He , Liu Bin , Feng Shijia , Li Huimin , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: November 2019

Uniform buried pn junctions on pyramid Si photocathodes are constructed by spin coating using low viscosity dopants, which enhances the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers.
Understanding three-dimensionally interconnected porous oxide-derived copper electrocatalyst for selective carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Nguyen-Phan Thuy-Duong , Wang Congjun , Marin Chris M. , Zhou Yunyun , Stavitski Eli , Popczun Eric J. , Yu Yang , Xu Wenqian , Howard Bret H. , Stuckman Mengling Y. , Waluyo Iradwikanari , Ohodnicki Paul R. , Kauffman Douglas R.
Published: November 2019

The synergy between 3D interconnected porous network and dominant Cu(111) orientation of CuO-derived copper inverse opal catalysts has favored CO formation, significantly suppressed H2 evolution, and exhibited good 24 hour stability.
Amphiphilic phthalocyanines in polymeric micelles: a supramolecular approach toward efficient third-generation photosensitizers
Authors: Setaro Francesca , Wennink Jos W. H. , Mäkinen Petri I. , Holappa Lari , Trohopoulos Panagiotis N. , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo , van Nostrum Cornelus F. , de la Escosura Andres , Torres Tomas
Published: November 2019

This article describes a straightforward supramolecular strategy to encapsulate amphiphilic silicon phthalocyanines in polymeric micelles. A member of this new series of third-generation photosensitizers presents promising PDT activity.
Solid-state emissive organic chromophores: design, strategy and building blocks
Authors: Bera Manas Kumar , Pal Prasanta , Malik Sudip
Published: November 2019

Organic solid-state emissive materials have gained much attention in recent times due to their excellent optoelectronic properties leading to successful commercialization for organic electronics.
Highly efficient red thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials based on a cyano-containing planar acceptor
Authors: Wang Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Yuan-Lan , Tong Kaining , Ding Lei , Fan Jian , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: November 2019

A highly efficient red thermally activated delayed fluorescence material was realized via the introduction of multiple acceptor units into a rigid backbone.
Improved charge transport in fused-ring bridged hemi-isoindigo-based small molecules by incorporating a thiophene unit for solution-processed organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Zhang Guobing , Chen Ruikun , Sun Yue , Kang Boseok , Sun Mingxiang , Lu Hongbo , Qiu Longzhen , Cho Kilwon , Ding Yunsheng
Published: November 2019

Two acceptor–donor–acceptor small molecules based on fused ring as donor, and hemi-isoindigo units as acceptors were synthesized and characterized for solution-processed organic field-effect transistors.
Mechanism of AMPK-mediated apoptosis of rat gastric smooth muscle cells under high glucose condition
Authors: Zhang Xiang-zi , Zhang Mo-han , Fang Xue-sen , Cui Xiang-shu , Jin Zheng
Published: November 2019

To observe changes in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and phosphorylation changes in AMPK signaling pathway in gastric smooth muscle cells of rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP), investigate the effect of AMPK on apoptosis and explore the underlying mechanism. After establishing rat model of DGP, rats were divided into normal control (NC) and DGP groups. The phosphorylation changes in AMPK pathway were detected by AMPK Signaling Phospho-Antibody Array, and the apoptosis-related proteins were determined. Rat gastric smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro under different glucose conditions, and divided into normal and high glucose groups. The AMPK activity and intracellular Ca2+ changes in cells were observed. After AMPK silencing, cells were divided into high glucose-24h, high glucose-48h and high glucose-48h+siRNA groups. Changes in expression of apoptosis-related proteins were observed. AMPK activity and apoptosis rates were both increased in gastric smooth muscle tissues in DGP rats (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively). A total of 14 apoptosis-related differentially phosphorylated proteins were identified. Under high-glucose condition, AMPK activity and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in rat gastric smooth muscle cells were increased (both P<0.05). After AMPK silencing, p53 expression was decreased, Akt and p70 S6 ribosomal protein kinase (p70S6K) activities were were increased, Bcl-2 expression was increased, CaMKII activity was decreased in the high glucose-48h group. Under high-glucose condition, activated AMPK can directly or indirectly promote cells apoptosis by regulating the expression and activity of p53, Akt, p70S6K, Protein kinase A (PKA), Phospholipidol C (PLC)-β3, CaMKII, CaMKIV and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein1 (4E-BP1) in rat gastric smooth muscle cells.
Nanometric targeting of type 9 adenylyl cyclase in heart
Authors: Marsden Autumn N. , Dessauer Carmen W.
Published: November 2019

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) convert ATP into the classical second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Cardiac ACs, specifically AC5, AC6, and AC9, regulate cAMP signaling controlling functional outcomes such as heart rate, contractility and relaxation, gene regulation, stress responses, and glucose and lipid metabolism. With so many distinct functional outcomes for a single second messenger, the cell creates local domains of cAMP signaling to correctly relay signals. Targeting of ACs to A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) not only localizes ACs, but also places them within signaling nanodomains, where cAMP levels and effects can be highly regulated. Here we will discuss the recent work on the structure, regulation and physiological functions of AC9 in the heart, where it accounts for <3% of total AC activity. Despite the small contribution of AC9 to total cardiac cAMP production, AC9 binds and regulates local PKA phosphorylation of Yotiao-IKs and Hsp20, demonstrating a role for nanometric targeting of AC9.
Dapagliflozin not only improves hepatic injury and pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum stress, but also induces hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes expression in obese rats
Authors: Swe Myat Theingi , Thongnak Laongdao , Jaikumkao Krit , Pongchaidecha Anchalee , Chatsudthipong Varanuj , Lungkaphin Anusorn
Published: November 2019

Background: With an increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, exploring the effects and delineating the mechanisms of possible therapeutic agents are of critical importance. We examined the effects of SGLT2 inhibitor-dapagliflozin on insulin resistance, hepatic gluconeogenesis, hepatic injury and pancreatic ER stress in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were fed with normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Then high-fat rats were given vehicle (HF) or dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day; HFDapa) or metformin (30 mg/kg/day; HFMet) for another 4 weeks.

Results: We found that dapagliflozin ameliorated high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance. The fasting plasma glucose level was comparable among groups, although dapagliflozin treatment led to substantial glycosuria. Hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes, PEPCK, G6Pase and FBPase, expression was not different in HF rats compared with ND rats. Meanwhile, dapagliflozin-treated group exhibited the elevation of these enzymes in parallel with the rise of transcription factor CREB, co-factor PGC1α and upstream regulator SIRT1. Hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and NAFLD activity score as well as hepatic and pancreatic ER stress and apoptosis in obese rats were attenuated by dapagliflozin.

Conclusion: We conclude that dapagliflozin improved obesity-related insulin resistance, hepatic and pancreatic injury independent of fasting plasma glucose level. Of note, dapagliflozin-induced glycosuria apparently triggered the up-regulation of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes to prevent hypoglycemia.
A Qualitative Examination of User Perceptions of User-Driven and App-Controlled Hearing Technologies
Authors: Keidser Gitte , Matthews Nicole , Convery Elizabeth
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine how hearing aid candidates perceive user-driven and app-controlled hearing aids and the effect these concepts have on traditional hearing health care delivery.

Method

Eleven adults (3 women, 8 men), recruited among 60 participants who had completed a research study evaluating an app-controlled, self-fitting hearing aid for 12 weeks, participated in a semistructured interview. Participants were over 55 years of age and had varied experience with hearing aids and smartphones. A template analysis was applied to data.

Results

Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) prerequisites to the successful implementation of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (b) benefits and advantages of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (c) barriers to the acceptance and use of user-driven and app-controlled technologies, (d) beliefs that age is a significant factor in how well people will adopt new technology, and (e) consequences that flow from the adoption of user-driven and app-controlled technologies. Specifically, suggested benefits of the technology included fostering empowerment and providing cheaper and more discrete options, while challenges included lack of technological self-efficacy among older adults. Training and support were emphasized as necessary for successful adaptation and were suggested to be a focus of audiologic services in the future.

Conclusion

User perceptions of user-driven and app-controlled hearing technologies challenge the audiologic profession to provide adequate support and training for use of the technology and manufacturers to make the technology more accessible to older people.
Systematic Audiological Assessment of Auditory Functioning in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: De Keyser Kim , De Letter Miet , De Groote Evelien , Santens Patrick , Talsma Durk , Botteldooren Dick , Bockstael Annelies
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Alterations in primary auditory functioning have been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the current findings, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these alterations remain unclear, and the effect of dopaminergic medication on auditory functioning in PD has been explored insufficiently. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically investigate primary auditory functioning in patients with PD by using both subjective and objective audiological measurements.

Method

In this case–control study, 25 patients with PD and 25 age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent an audiological test battery consisting of tonal audiometry, short increment sensitivity index, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and speech audiometry. Patients with PD were tested in the on- and off-medication states.

Results

Increased OAE amplitudes were found when patients with PD were tested without dopaminergic medication. In addition, speech audiometry in silence and multitalker babble noise demonstrated higher phoneme scores for patients with PD in the off-medication condition. The results showed no differences in auditory functioning between patients with PD in the on-medication condition and healthy controls. No effect of disease stage or motor score was evident.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for a top-down involvement in auditory processing in PD at both central and peripheral levels. Most important, the increase in OAE amplitude in the off-medication condition in PD is hypothesized to be linked to a dysfunction of the olivocochlear efferent system, which is known to have an inhibitory effect on outer hair cell functioning. Future studies may clarify whether OAEs may facilitate an early diagnosis of PD.
Comparison of gait speeds from wearable camera and accelerometer in structured and semi‐structured environments
Authors: Schneider Bradley , Banerjee Tanvi , Grover Francis , Riley Michael
Published: November 2019

A feasibility study was conducted to investigate the use of a wearable gait analysis system for classifying gait speed using a low‐cost wearable camera in a semi‐structured indoor setting. Data were collected from 19 participants who wore the system during indoor walk sequences at varying self‐determined speeds (slow, medium, and fast). Gait parameters using this system were compared with parameters obtained from a vest comprising of a single triaxial accelerometer and from a marker‐based optical motion‐capture system. Computer‐vision techniques and signal processing methods were used to generate frequency‐domain gait parameters from each gait‐recording device, and those parameters were analysed to determine the effectiveness of the different measurement systems in discriminating gait speed. Results indicate that the authors’ low‐cost, portable, vision‐based system can be effectively used for in‐home gait analysis.
Single‐phase integrated converter with universal battery charging capability for plug‐in electric vehicles
Authors: Verma Khemendra , Srivastava Manaswi , Singh Tomar Pavan , Sandeep N. , Verma Arun Kumar
Published: November 2019

In this study, a new non‐isolated single‐stage integrated converter is proposed for plug‐in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) chargers with reduced weight and size. The integrated converter performs three modes of PHEV operation, i.e. plug‐in charging, propulsion, and regenerative braking modes, respectively. The proposed converter is used to charge a wide range of battery voltage. The proposed converter offers lower switching stress in the propulsion mode, which provides a greater lifetime. Despite the proposed converter having two inductors, the size of the inductors is reduced by one‐third in comparison to other benchmark topologies. Further, the design considerations of passive components are presented to achieve continuous conduction mode. A 70 kHz, 100 W experimental prototype using TMS320F28379D DSP controller is developed to validate the simulation results.
Height and attitude tracking control of an unmanned helicopter via a HDOB‐backstepping composite control method
Authors: Han Ling , Wang Xiangyu , Li Shihua , Liu Jiyu
Published: November 2019

This study studies the height and attitude tracking control problem of an unmanned helicopter system with disturbances. A composite controller based on the combination of harmonic disturbance observers and backstepping technique is proposed to achieve asymptotic tracking for height and attitude. Firstly, harmonic disturbance observers (HDOB) are designed to estimate the unknown disturbances affecting each channel. Then, a composite controller is proposed by integrating the backstepping control technique and the HDOB technique together to achieve the height and attitude tracking goal. Stability analysis of the closed‐loop system is given. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to verify the efficiency of the proposed control scheme.
Iron and steel ladles tracking management system based on RFID and WLAN
Authors: Zhou Jun , Niu Dan , Li Qi , Liu Jinbo
Published: November 2019

In the steel mills, in order to improve the circulation efficiency of iron ladles and steel ladles, save energy and promote the development of industrial automation, an iron ladles and steel ladles tracking management system based on radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless local area network (WLAN) is proposed in this study. Meanwhile, to obtain the optimal number of online iron ladles, the theory of queuing is proposed for optimising the logistics of iron ladles. The system uses RFID and readers to obtain relevant location information. WLAN is used to realise communication between the crane terminals and the main control. Two queuing models are analysed and compared, then the optimal solution of online iron ladles is quantitatively calculated. Moreover, in order to intuitively reflect the on‐site scheduling situation, a visualised operation interface is designed accordingly. The system has been used in a steel mill in Northeast China and achieved good performance.
Static gesture segmentation technique based on improved Sobel operator
Authors: Wang Xinzhi , Fang Yifan , Li Changdi , Gong Shenjian , Yu Lei , Fei Shumin
Published: November 2019

The gesture recognition technology based on computer vision can provide a more natural way of human–computer interaction, and become a research hotspot in the field of gesture recognition. This study proposes an improved Sobel operator which is used for static hand contour extraction. The method is based on the noise existing in the picture, and a bilateral filtering algorithm is employed to denoise and preserve the edges to a large extent. Based on the colour space, the elliptical skin colour model is used to extract the skin colour domain, and the hand is separated according to the block domain feature. Finally, in order to solve the oblique indirection problem of the traditional Sobel operator, two oblique direction templates are added and the weights are reassigned. Then the improved Sobel operator is used to extract the gesture edges, and compared with the classical extraction edge operator Laplace and Canny extraction effects. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has high efficiency and accuracy in static gesture segmentation in a simple environment.
Synchronisation of Lohe model on smooth curved surfaces
Authors: Zhang Jinxing , Wang Yingyu , Zhu Jiandong
Published: November 2019

In this study, the Lohe model limited on smooth curved surfaces is investigated. A necessary and sufficient condition of equilibria is obtained. Also, it is proved that the synchronisation can be achieved if the initial states lie in a half part of the state space and the interconnection graph is strongly connected. Finally, a numerical example is given to validate the obtained theoretical results.
Disturbance observer‐based L1 robust tracking control for single‐link flexible‐joint manipulator systems
Authors: Niu Chenbo , Shen Hong , Li Jiafeng , Yi Yang
Published: November 2019

In this study, a novel disturbance observer‐based (DOB) robust anti‐disturbance tracking control problem is discussed for a kind of single‐link flexible‐joint manipulator with separate types of disturbances. On the one hand, a disturbance observer is imported to estimate the modelable disturbances. On the other hand, the introduction of performance index optimises the impact of unmodelled disturbances on the system. A DOB proportional‐integral control input is proposed such that the stability of single‐link flexible‐joint manipulator can be ensured. Furthermore, the satisfactory disturbance rejection and attenuation performance with index can be obtained simultaneously. Finally, the simulation results verify this feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Study on the influence of ship collision upon propulsion shafting
Authors: Dong Liang-Xiong , Niu Yu-Sheng , Wen Xiao-Fei
Published: November 2019

In this study, a mathematical model of a struck ship based on the dynamic stiffness of the hull was developed; a comparison of the impact of collision in the models of dynamic stiffness and static stiffness, showed that the vibration amplitude in the dynamic stiffness was larger than that in the static stiffness in the stress accumulation stage. A simulation of shafting in colliding ships was performed based on a finite-element model using the ANSYS software, and the numerical simulation values and theoretical values were observed to be similar. To analyze the influence of ship collision on propulsion shafting, a test rig on ship collision based on dynamic stiffness was designed, and the experimental values agreed well with the numerical simulation values. From a practical perspective, this study could generate a map similar to an operating guide.
Experimental study on transmission performance of harmonic drive under multifactor interaction
Authors: Zhou Guangwu , Zhang Zhenhua , Zhang Hua
Published: November 2019

In space environment and complex working conditions, the harmonic drive is prone to performance degradation. The traditional performance analysis method cannot reveal the interaction among the factors. In this paper, a mathematical model of multifactor interaction analysis is built to analyze transmission performance of efficiency, stiffness, and starting torque in various temperature, vacuum, speed and torque. And the high performance gear transmission platform is independently designed and developed. The experimental research and mechanism analysis are carried out on the starting torque, stiffness and efficiency of the harmonic drive. Research shows that the multifactor interaction has an important impact on the transmission performance of harmonic drive. The approach provides some guidance for the application of harmonic drive in space.
Die Rechtsfrage: Dürfen Therapeuten kurz nach eigener Knie-OP behandeln?
Authors: Bossow Karsten
Published: November 2019

„Eine Therapeutin meldet sich nach einer Knie-OP wieder arbeitsfähig. Vorerst kann sie nur mit einer Orthese arbeiten. Darf sie dann überhaupt schon frisch operierte, instabile Patienten behandeln? Welche Konsequenzen hat es, wenn ein Unfall passiert?“

Therapeutin via E-Mail
Empathie – eine Schlüsselkompetenz?
Authors: Brand-Hörsting Birgit
Published: November 2019

Die Fähigkeit, anderen empathisch zu begegnen, sieht die Mitarbeiterführung als Schlüsselkompetenz an. Doch was heißt das eigentlich konkret? Und wo bleibt Empathie für mich selbst in meiner Rolle als Führungskraft? Ein Überblick.
Wenn die Motoneuronen verschwinden – Spinale Muskelatrophie als Ursache für Skoliosen
Authors: Fischer Markus
Published: November 2019

Skoliosen sind meist idiopathisch, nur in zehn Prozent der Fälle sind sie eine Folge von Fehlbildungen, Traumata und Erkrankungen von Muskulatur oder Nervensystem. Eine der Ursachen solcher sekundärer Skoliosen kann die spinale Muskelatrophie sein. Häufig entwickeln die Patienten die Symptome hierbei schleichend und langsam, weshalb die Erkrankung lange Zeit unerkannt bleiben kann.
„Man darf kein Mäuschen sein“ – Vera Dietz über ihre Aufgabe, ein interdisziplinäres Team zu leiten
Authors: Raß Lisa
Published: November 2019

Welche Eigenschaften muss man mitbringen, um 125 Mitarbeiter zu führen? Und wie trickst man sich aus, wenn man abends nur noch aufs Sofa will? Über das und mehr hat physiopraxis mit Vera Dietz, der 44-jährigen Therapieleiterin der Berufsgenossenschaftlichen Unfallklink Ludwigshafen, gesprochen.
Practical Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-phosphonic and -1-phosphinic Acids through Kabachnik–Fields and Aza-Pudovik Reaction
Authors: Hernández-Moreno Jesús Tadeo , Romero-Estudillo Ivan , Cativiela Carlos , Ordóñez Mario
Published: November 2019

We report here an alternative and practical method for the preparation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-phosphonic acid and the first synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-H-phosphinic and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-phenylphosphinic acids through Kabachnik–Fields and aza-Pudovik reaction. This methodology does not require any metallic catalyst and proceeds under mild reaction conditions.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Protected l-allo-Enduracididine and l-Enduracididine via Asymmetric Nitroaldol Reaction
Authors: Ohsawa Kosuke , Zhao Hongbin , Tokunaga Takuya , Thomas Carys , Ganesan A. , Masuda Yuichi , Doi Takayuki
Published: November 2019

The diastereoselecetive and scalable synthesis of cyclic guanidine-containing nonproteinoginic amino acids, enduracididines, has been achieved. Both diastereomers, l-allo-enduracididine and l-enduracididine, were prepared via catalyst-controlled asymmetric nitroaldol reaction with the aldehyde precursor derived from l-aspartic acid. The cyclic guanidine of di-Cbz-protected l-allo-enduracididine was fully protected with an allyl group to suppress nucleophilic side reactions. Introduced allyl group was efficiently removed via π-allylpalladium chemistry without attaching the Cbz group on the cyclic guanidine moiety.
Acute Complications in Total Wrist Arthroplasty: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Review
Authors: Eckhoff Michael D. , Bader Julia M. , Nesti Leon J. , Dunn John C.
Published: November 2019

Background The study sought to assess the patient-based variables, surgical risk factors, and postoperative conditions associated with readmission after total wrist arthroplasty (TWA).

Materials and Methods All patients undergoing TWA were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset from 2005 to 2016. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, surgical characteristics, and outcomes were examined to isolate predictors for readmission within 30 days postoperatively.

Results A total of 57 patients were identified to have undergone TWA. The average patients were 62.3 (13.8) years old, female (57.7%), and most were treated in the outpatient setting (67.3%). Comorbid conditions included smoking (17.3%), diabetes (15.4%), and chronic steroid therapy (15.4%). No complications were identified in the 30-day postoperative period. There was a trend for increasing utilization of TWA over the years included.

Conclusion TWA is a safe procedure with low complication rates in the acute postoperative period. Increasing utilization is likely a result of improved outcomes and cost-effectiveness of TWA.

Level of Evidence This is a Level II, prognostic study.
Expanding Phenotypic Spectrum of Cerebral Aspartate–Glutamate Carrier Isoform 1 (AGC1) Deficiency
Authors: Pfeiffer Brian , Sen Kuntal , Kaur Shagun , Pappas Kara
Published: November 2019

Case We are reporting the third unrelated case of cerebral aspartate–glutamate carrier isoform 1 (AGC1) deficiency. Patient is a 21-month-old Yemeni male who presented with refractory seizure disorder and developmental arrest. Neuroimaging showed cerebral volume loss and diminished N-acetylaspartate (NAA) peak. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous novel missense variant in the SLC25A12 gene. Patient's seizure frequency abated drastically following initiation of ketogenic diet.

Discussion and Conclusion Cerebral AGC1 deficiency results in dysfunction of mitochondrial malate aspartate shuttle, thereby prohibiting myelin synthesis. There are significant phenotypic commonalities between our patient and previously reported cases including intractable epilepsy, psychomotor delay, cerebral atrophy, and diminished NAA peak. Our report also provides evidence regarding beneficial effect of ketogenic diet in this rare neurometabolic epilepsy.
Early Treatment in Acute Severe Encephalopathy Caused by ATP1A2 Mutation of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine Type 2: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Du Ying , Li Chuan , Duan Feng-ju , Zhao Chao , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2019

Familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2) is an autosomal dominant inheritance disorder caused by ATP1A2 mutation, and the clinical spectrum is heterogeneous even with acute severe encephalopathy. However, up to now, early treatments against acute and severe attacks in FHM2 are still insufficient. Here, we report a 15-year-old female with intellectual disability due to FHM2 caused by a pathogenic ATP1A2 gene mutation, presenting mild-to-moderate headache at the onset, followed by confusion, complete right hemiparalysis, epileptic partial seizures, and conscious disturbance with rapid progression in acute attack. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy have revealed left extensive cerebral cortex edema, slightly decreased N-acetylaspartate for neuronal damage, and mildly increased lactate acid for mitochondrial dysfunction throughout the hemispheric swollen cortex. The patient is diagnosed as severe encephalopathy caused by FHM2. Based on literature review about pathophysiologic mechanism described in FHM2 recently, we use early treatments including prevention of glutamatergic excitotoxicity and protection of mitochondria function, as well as traditional antimigraine drug. The symptoms are all greatly improved and recovered within a short time, and follow-up MRI also shows complete disappearance of edema throughout the left hemispheric cortex. Altogether, the approach in our case may reduce the severity and duration of encephalopathy effectively, expend therapeutic options, and provide helpful references for acute severe encephalopathy in FHM2.
Escaping optimization traps: the role of cultural adaptation and cultural exaptation in facilitating open-ended cumulative dynamics
Authors: Winters James
Published: November 2019

Explaining the origins of cumulative culture, and how it is maintained over long timescales, constitutes a challenge for theories of cultural evolution. Previous theoretical work has emphasized two fundamental causal processes: cultural adaptation (where technologies are refined towards a functional objective) and cultural exaptation (the repurposing of existing technologies towards a new functional goal). Yet, despite the prominence of cultural exaptation in theoretical explanations, this process is often absent from models and experiments of cumulative culture. Using an agent-based model, where agents attempt to solve problems in a high-dimensional problem space, the current paper investigates the relationship between cultural adaptation and cultural exaptation and produces three major findings. First, cultural dynamics often end up in optimization traps: here, the process of optimization causes the dynamics of change to cease, with populations entering a state of equilibrium. Second, escaping these optimization traps requires cultural dynamics to explore the problem space rapidly enough to create a moving target for optimization. This results in a positive feedback loop of open-ended growth in both the diversity and complexity of cultural solutions. Finally, the results helped delineate the roles played by social and asocial mechanisms: asocial mechanisms of innovation drive the emergence of cumulative culture and social mechanisms of within-group transmission help maintain these dynamics over long timescales.
What the music said: narrative listening across cultures
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth , Wong Patrick C. M. , Simchy-Gross Rhimmon , McAuley J. Devin
Published: November 2019

Instrumental music can seem to tell engrossing stories without the use of words, but it is unclear what leads to this narrativization. Although past work has investigated narrative responses to abstract moving shapes, very little work has studied the emergence of narrative perceptions in response to nonlinguistic sound. We measured narrative responses to wordless Western and Chinese music in participants in the US and in a cluster of villages in a rural part of China using a Narrative Engagement (NE) scale developed specifically for this project. Despite profound differences in media exposure, musical habits, and narrative traditions, narrative listening was employed by many participants and associated with enjoyment in both groups; however, the excerpts that unleashed this response were culture-specific. We show that wordless sound is capable of triggering perceived narratives in two groups of listeners with highly distinct patterns of cultural exposure, reinforcing the notion that narrativization itself is a readily available mode of experiencing music. The particular sounds that trigger narrativization, however, rely on enculturation processes, as demonstrated by the within-culture consistency, but between-culture divergence in the specific excerpts that led to narrative engagement. Narratives can emerge in multiple modalities, including wordless sound, but association patterns specific to individual cultures critically shape how apparently abstract sound patterns come to acquire deep meaning and significance to people.
Atomistic analysis of nanoextrusion process for fabrication of gold nanowires
Authors: Wu Cheng-Da , Xu Wei-Xiang
Published: November 2019

The effects of extrusion temperature and velocity on extruded gold nanowires (NWs) are studied using molecular dynamics simulations based on the many-body embedded-atom potential. The effects are investigated in terms of atomic trajectories, common neighbor analysis, flow field, and the extruded NW length-pressing ram displacement curve. The simulation results show that NWs extruded at a temperature of 300 K are longer and have a more uniform cross-sectional area compared to those extruded at higher temperatures. Higher temperature increases the cross-sectional area of extruded NWs, whereas higher extrusion velocity decreases it. In the extrusion process, dislocations first nucleate around the mold outlet and propagate along the close-packed plane {111} toward the interior. The number of disordered structures significantly increases with increasing extrusion temperature and velocity.
Contact-less phonon detection with massive cryogenic absorbers
Authors: Goupy J. , Colas J. , Calvo M. , Billard J. , Camus P. , Germond R. , Juillard A. , Vagneron L. , De Jesus M. , Levy-Bertrand F. , Monfardini A.
Published: November 2019

We have developed a contactless technique for the real time measurement of athermal (Cooper-pair breaking) phonons in an absorber held at subkelvin temperatures. In particular, a thin-film aluminum superconducting resonator was realized on a 30 g high-resistivity silicon crystal. The lumped-element resonator is inductively excited/readout by a radio frequency microstrip feed-line deposited on another wafer; the sensor, a kinetic inductance detector, is readout without any physical contact or wiring to the absorber. The resonator demonstrates excellent electrical properties, particularly in terms of its internal quality factor. The detection of alphas and gammas in the massive absorber is achieved, with an RMS energy resolution of about 1.4 keV, which is already interesting for particle physics applications. The resolution of this prototype detector is mainly limited by the low (≈0.3 %) conversion efficiency of deposited energy to superconducting excitations (quasiparticles). The demonstrated technique can be further optimized and used to produce large arrays of athermal phonon detectors, for use in rare event searches such as dark matter direct detection, neutrinoless double beta decay, or coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering.
Application of symbolic recurrence to experimental data, from firearm prevalence to fish swimming
Authors: Boldini Alain , Karakaya Mert , Ruiz Marín Manuel , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: November 2019

Recurrence plots and recurrence quantification analysis are powerful tools to study the behavior of dynamical systems. What we learn through these tools is typically determined by the choice of a distance threshold in the phase space, which introduces arbitrariness in the definition of recurrence. Not only does symbolic recurrence overcome this difficulty, but also it offers a richer representation that book-keeps the recurrent portions of the phase space. Using symbolic recurrences, we can construct recurrence plots, perform quantification analysis, and examine causal links between dynamical systems from their time-series. Although previous efforts have demonstrated the feasibility of such a symbolic framework on synthetic data, the study of real time-series remains elusive. Here, we seek to bridge this gap by systematically examining a wide range of experimental datasets, from firearm prevalence and media coverage in the United States to the effect of sex on the interaction of swimming fish. This work offers a compelling demonstration of the potential of symbolic recurrence in the study of real-world applications across different research fields while providing a computer code for researchers to perform their own time-series explorations.
Endowing piezoelectric and anti-fouling properties by directly poling β-phase PVDF membranes with green diluents
Authors: Zhang Jianwen , Cao Peng , Cui Zhaoliang , Wang Qian , Fan Fan , Qiu Minghui , Wang Xiaozu , Wang Zhaohui , Wang Yong
Published: November 2019

Membrane fouling can be efficiently mitigated by the vibration of the piezoelectric membrane stimulated by AC signals, but it is still a challenge to fabricate piezoelectric membranes with great efficiency, low energy-consumption, and no harm to the environment during its preparation. The present work provides a new approach to poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes with piezoelectric properties by directly poling β-phase PVDF membranes using green diluents, which revealed better piezoelectric properties than poling α-phase PVDF membranes. Basically, absolute β-phase crystals of PVDF membranes were induced over thermally induced phase separation with the addition of Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC)/ionic liquid ([BMIM]PF6), which are regarded as green and environment-friendly diluents. To endow the piezoelectric property to the β-phase PVDF membrane, a poling process was necessarily conducted. The effect of the poling process on the membrane structure, morphologies, properties, and performances was investigated. Meanwhile, a vibration test for both of the poled and unpoled membranes was performed in an excitation of the alternating signal. The results demonstrated that the poling process positively endowed the piezoelectric property to the PVDF membranes. The membrane structure, morphologies, and performances of the membranes were also changed to some extent by the poling process. Additionally, filtrations of the poled membrane both with and without electrical signals were carried out to test their antifouling performance on the CaCO3 suspension system and BSA solution, respectively. It was observed that the stable flux of the membranes notably improved when subjected to an electrical AC signal. Thus, it depicted that the piezoelectric PVDF membrane directly poled from the β-phase possesses a promising antifouling performance due to its high piezoelectric vibration.