bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eyelid Reconstruction: Pediculated versus Non-Pediculated
Authors: Frimmel Sonja , Kniestedt Christoph , Chaloupka Karla
Published: January 2018

Background To compare the functional and cosmetic outcome of pediculated versus free anterior and posterior lamella reconstruction after large eyelid defects due to malignancy excision.

Patients and Methods A retrospective study over 2 years with 12 patients matching the criterion of pediculated versus non-pediculated transplants out of a cohort of 124 tumor excisions. The mean age was 76 ± 8 years of the 7 male and 5 female patients. In the majority of cases, more than half of the eyelid was excised. The posterior lamella was always reconstructed with tarsal tissue, and the anterior lamella mostly with an upper eyelid skin graft. The postoperative follow-up time was between 2 months and 1 year.

Results Nodular basal cell carcinoma was the prevailing histology (6 patients). The reconstruction techniques included a Hughes procedure (four patients) or a free tarsal graft with a pediculated skin flap (four patients), respectively. In the remaining four patients, a combination of pediculated/free anterior AND posterior lamellae was performed. Four patients had a one-stage and eight patients a 2nd stage procedure with a mean time until tarsoconjunctival flap reopening of 16 ± 2 days.

Conclusions No difference was found in the final functional outcome in pediculted versus free grafts. The cosmetic result was better in anterior lamella reconstructions with a pediculated flap, which usually allows a one-stage procedure. The 2nd stage procedure could be performed after 2 weeks without any complications.
Reduced Growth Hormone Secretion is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children
Authors: Liang Shuang , Yu Zhen , Song Xiaobo , Wang Yu , Li Meng , Xue Jiang
Published: January 2018

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between arginine-levodopa-induced growth hormone (GH) secretion and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children. This study includes a total of 84 obese and 43 normal weight children. The obese subjects are divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD. Clinical examination, anthropometric and laboratory examinations, and liver ultrasonography are assessed for all participants. The obese group had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (p<0.001) compared with the control group. Children with NAFLD had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower IGF-1 (p=0.022) compared with non-NAFLD group. Results from logistic regression model showed that only peak GH after stimulation test was inversely associated with NAFLD (p=0.015), while body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with NAFLD (p=0.03). Among 84 obese children and adolescents, peak stimulated GH was negatively associated with alanine aminotransferase (r=–0.394, p<0.001), BMI (r=–0.571, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (r=–0.223, p=0.041), diastolic blood pressure (r=–0.272, p=0.012), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r=–0.369, p=0.001), insulin (r=–0.382, p<0.001), and positively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.275, p=0.011). Our study confirms a significant inverse relationship between NAFLD and GH response to standard stimulation testing in obese children without known hypothalamic/pituitary disease.
New Tirucallane-Type Triterpenoids from Guarea guidonia
Authors: Hernandez Vanessa , De Leo Marinella , Cotugno Roberta , Braca Alessandra , De Tommasi Nunziatina , Severino Lorella
Published: January 2018

The aerial parts of Guarea guidonia afforded three new tirucallane-type triterpenoids: 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),8(9),24(25)-trien-7α,11α-dihydroxy-21,23-epoxy-3,11-olide, named guareolide (1), 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),7(8),24(25)-trien-21-hydroxy-21,23-epoxy-3-oic acid, named guareoic acid A (2), and 3,4-seco-tirucalla-4(28),7(8),24(25)-trien-21,23-epoxy-3-oic acid, named guareoic acid B (3), of which 1 possessed an unusual seven-membered lactone ring. Seven known terpenes were also isolated and characterized as flindissone, 7-acetyldihydronomilin, picroquassin E, boscartol C, and cneorubins A, B, and X. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods including one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The isolates were investigated for their potential cytotoxic activity on Jurkat, HeLa, and MCF7 cancer cell lines. Flindissone and compound 2 showed an antiproliferative activity in all cell lines. Further studies revealed that flindissone, the most active compound, induced in Jurkat and HeLa cells both cytostatic and cytotoxic responses.
Multi-objective bi-level planning of active distribution networks considering network transfer capability and dispersed energy storage systems
Authors: Liu Jia , Cheng Haozhong , Tian Yuan , Zeng Pingliang , Yao Liangzhong
Published: January 2018

This study proposes an expansion planning method to maximize the benefits of feeder interconnection and distributed generation (DG) allocation in active distribution networks (ADNs). The proposed method considers four active management schemes (i.e., on-load tap-changer voltage control, DG curtailment, DG power factor control, and demand side management) and uncertainties (i.e., contingencies, load fluctuation, and DG output power). The network transfer capability of the ADN after an N-1 contingency and the optimization of dispersed energy storage systems for peak shaving and renewable energy compensation are also integrated in this study. The reinforcements deemed in this method are wiring reformation, new wiring, substation expansion, and DG installation. The objectives of the model in this paper are cost and security. The system security is evaluated by a defined security margin index under restoration after a contingency. Numerical results are presented for a modified 104-bus distribution network to verify the proposed method.
Characterization of an electrothermal plasma source for fusion transient simulations
Authors: Gebhart T. E. , Baylor L. R. , Rapp J. , Winfrey A. L.
Published: January 2018

The realization of fusion energy requires materials that can withstand high heat and particle fluxes at the plasma material interface. In this work, an electrothermal (ET) plasma source has been designed as a transient heat flux source for a linear plasma material interaction device. An ET plasma source operates in the ablative arc regime driven by a DC capacitive discharge. The current channel width is defined by the 4 mm bore of a boron nitride liner. At large plasma currents, the arc impacts the liner wall, leading to high particle and heat fluxes to the liner material, which subsequently ablates and ionizes. This results in a high density plasma with a large unidirectional bulk flow out of the source exit. The pulse length for the ET source has been optimized using a pulse forming network to have durations of 1 and 2 ms. The peak currents and maximum source energies seen in this system are 1.9 kA and 1.2 kJ for the 2 ms pulse and 3.2 kA and 2.1 kJ for the 1 ms pulse, respectively. This work is a proof of the principal project to show that an ET source produces electron densities and heat fluxes comparable to those anticipated in transient events in large future magnetic confinement fusion devices. Heat flux, plasma temperature, and plasma density were determined for each shot using infrared imaging and optical spectroscopy techniques. This paper will discuss the assumptions, methods, and results of the experiments.
Interfacial sharpness and intermixing in a Ge-SiGe multiple quantum well structure
Authors: Bashir A. , Gallacher K. , Millar R. W. , Paul D. J. , Ballabio A. , Frigerio J. , Isella G. , Kriegner D. , Ortolani M. , Barthel J. , MacLaren I.
Published: January 2018

A Ge-SiGe multiple quantum well structure created by low energy plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, with nominal well thickness of 5.4 nm separated by 3.6 nm SiGe spacers, is analysed quantitatively using scanning transmission electron microscopy. Both high angle annular dark field imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy show that the interfaces are not completely sharp, suggesting that there is some intermixing of Si and Ge at each interface. Two methods are compared for the quantification of the spectroscopy datasets: a self-consistent approach that calculates binary substitutional trends without requiring experimental or computational k-factors from elsewhere and a standards-based cross sectional calculation. Whilst the cross section approach is shown to be ultimately more reliable, the self-consistent approach provides surprisingly good results. It is found that the Ge quantum wells are actually about 95% Ge and that the spacers, whilst apparently peaking at about 35% Si, contain significant interdiffused Ge at each side. This result is shown to be not just an artefact of electron beam spreading in the sample, but mostly arising from a real chemical interdiffusion resulting from the growth. Similar results are found by use of X-ray diffraction from a similar area of the sample. Putting the results together suggests a real interdiffusion with a standard deviation of about 0.87 nm, or put another way—a true width defined from 10%–90% of the compositional gradient of about 2.9 nm. This suggests an intrinsic limit on how sharp such interfaces can be grown by this method and, whilst 95% Ge quantum wells (QWs) still behave well enough to have good properties, any attempt to grow thinner QWs would require modifications to the growth procedure to reduce this interdiffusion, in order to maintain a composition of ≥95% Ge.
Efficiency of quarantine and self-protection processes in epidemic spreading control on scale-free networks
Authors: Esquivel-Gómez Jose de Jesus , Barajas-Ramírez Juan Gonzalo
Published: January 2018

One of the most effective mechanisms to contain the spread of an infectious disease through a population is the implementation of quarantine policies. However, its efficiency is affected by different aspects, for example, the structure of the underlining social network where highly connected individuals are more likely to become infected; therefore, the speed of the transmission of the decease is directly determined by the degree distribution of the network. Another aspect that influences the effectiveness of the quarantine is the self-protection processes of the individuals in the population, that is, they try to avoid contact with potentially infected individuals. In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of quarantine and self-protection processes in preventing the spreading of infectious diseases over complex networks with a power-law degree distribution [P(k)∼k−ν] for different ν values. We propose two alternative scale-free models that result in power-law degree distributions above and below the exponent ν = 3 associated with the conventional Barabási-Albert model. Our results show that the exponent ν determines the effectiveness of these policies in controlling the spreading process. More precisely, we show that for the ν exponent below three, the quarantine mechanism loses effectiveness. However, the efficiency is improved if the quarantine is jointly implemented with a self-protection process driving the number of infected individuals significantly lower.
Experimental study of oscillating plates in viscous fluids: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flow physics and hydrodynamic forces
Authors: Shrestha Bishwash , Ahsan Syed N. , Aureli Matteo
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we present a comprehensive experimental study on harmonic oscillations of a submerged rigid plate in a quiescent, incompressible, Newtonian, viscous fluid. The fluid-structure interaction problem is analyzed from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives via a detailed particle image velocimetry (PIV) experimental campaign conducted over a broad range of oscillation frequency and amplitude parameters. Our primary goal is to identify the effect of the oscillation characteristics on the mechanisms of fluid-structure interaction and on the dynamics of vortex shedding and convection and to elucidate the behavior of hydrodynamic forces on the oscillating structure. Towards this goal, we study the flow in terms of qualitative aspects of its pathlines, vortex shedding, and symmetry breaking phenomena and identify distinct hydrodynamic regimes in the vicinity of the oscillating structure. Based on these experimental observations, we produce a novel phase diagram detailing the occurrence of distinct hydrodynamic regimes as a function of relevant governing nondimensional parameters. We further study the hydrodynamic forces associated with each regime using both PIV and direct force measurement via a load cell. Our quantitative results on experimental estimation of hydrodynamic forces show good agreement against predictions from the literature, where numerical and semi-analytical models are available. The findings and observations in this work shed light on the relationship between flow physics, vortex shedding, and convection mechanisms and the hydrodynamic forces acting on a rigid oscillating plate and, as such, have relevance to various engineering applications, including energy harvesting devices, biomimetic robotic system, and micro-mechanical sensors and actuators.
A reversible transition in liquid Bi under pressure
Authors: Emuna M. , Matityahu S. , Yahel E. , Makov G. , Greenberg Y.
Published: January 2018

The electrical resistance of solid and liquid Bi has been measured at high pressures and temperatures using a novel experimental design for high sensitivity measurements utilizing a “Paris-Edinburgh” toroid large volume press. An anomalous sharp decrease in resistivity with increasing temperature at constant pressures was observed in the region beyond melting which implies a possible novel transition in the melt. The proposed transition was observed across a range of pressures both in heating and cooling cycles of the sample demonstrating its reversibility. From the measurements it was possible to determine a “phase-line” of this transition on the Bi pressure-temperature phase diagram terminating at the melting curve.
Graphical method for analyzing wide-angle x-ray diffraction
Authors: Chen XiaoHui , Xue Tao , Liu DongBing , Yang QingGuo , Luo BinQiang , Li Mu , Li XiaoYa , Li Jun
Published: January 2018

Wide-angle X-ray diffraction on large-scale laser facility is a well-established experimental method, which is used to study the shock response of single crystal materials by recording X-rays diffracted from numerous lattice planes. We present a three-dimensional graphical method for extracting physical understanding from the raw diffraction data in shocked experiments. This method advances beyond the previous iterative process by turning abstract diffraction theories in shock physics into mathematic issues, providing three-dimensional visualization and quick extraction of data characteristics. The capability and versatility of the method are exhibited by identifying lattice planes for single crystal samples with different orientations and quantitatively measuring the lattice compression and rotation under dynamic loading.
Streak camera imaging of single photons at telecom wavelength
Authors: Allgaier Markus , Ansari Vahid , Eigner Christof , Quiring Viktor , Ricken Raimund , Donohue John Matthew , Czerniuk Thomas , Aßmann Marc , Bayer Manfred , Brecht Benjamin , Silberhorn Christine
Published: January 2018

Streak cameras are powerful tools for temporal characterization of ultrafast light pulses, even at the single-photon level. However, the low signal-to-noise ratio in the infrared range prevents measurements on weak light sources in the telecom regime. We present an approach to circumvent this problem, utilizing an up-conversion process in periodically poled waveguides in Lithium Niobate. We convert single photons from a parametric down-conversion source in order to reach the point of maximum detection efficiency of commercially available streak cameras. We explore phase-matching configurations to apply the up-conversion scheme in real-world applications.
UV-photodetector based on NiO/diamond film
Authors: Chang Xiaohui , Wang Yan-Feng , Zhang Xiaofan , Liu Zhangcheng , Fu Jiao , Fan Shuwei , Bu Renan , Zhang Jingwen , Wang Wei , Wang Hong-Xing , Wang Jingjing
Published: January 2018

In this study, a NiO/diamond UV-photodetector has been fabricated and investigated. A single crystal diamond (SCD) layer was grown on a high-pressure-high-temperature Ib-type diamond substrate by using a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition system. NiO films were deposited directly by the reactive magnetron sputtering technique in a mixture gas of oxygen and argon onto the SCD layer. Gold films were patterned on NiO films as electrodes to form the metal-semiconductor-metal UV-photodetector which shows good repeatability and a 2 orders of magnitude UV/visible rejection ratio. Also, the NiO/diamond photodetector has a higher responsivity and a wider response range in contrast to a diamond photodetector.
Addressing global uncertainty and sensitivity in first-principles based microkinetic models by an adaptive sparse grid approach
Authors: Döpking Sandra , Plaisance Craig P. , Strobusch Daniel , Reuter Karsten , Scheurer Christoph , Matera Sebastian
Published: January 2018

In the last decade, first-principles-based microkinetic modeling has been developed into an important tool for a mechanistic understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. A commonly known, but hitherto barely analyzed issue in this kind of modeling is the presence of sizable errors from the use of approximate Density Functional Theory (DFT). We here address the propagation of these errors to the catalytic turnover frequency (TOF) by global sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. Both analyses require the numerical quadrature of high-dimensional integrals. To achieve this efficiently, we utilize and extend an adaptive sparse grid approach and exploit the confinement of the strongly non-linear behavior of the TOF to local regions of the parameter space. We demonstrate the methodology on a model of the oxygen evolution reaction at the Co3O4 (110)-A surface, using a maximum entropy error model that imposes nothing but reasonable bounds on the errors. For this setting, the DFT errors lead to an absolute uncertainty of several orders of magnitude in the TOF. We nevertheless find that it is still possible to draw conclusions from such uncertain models about the atomistic aspects controlling the reactivity. A comparison with derivative-based local sensitivity analysis instead reveals that this more established approach provides incomplete information. Since the adaptive sparse grids allow for the evaluation of the integrals with only a modest number of function evaluations, this approach opens the way for a global sensitivity analysis of more complex models, for instance, models based on kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.
Electrodeposited Cu2O doped with Cl: Electrical and optical properties
Authors: Pelegrini S. , Tumelero M. A. , Brandt I. S. , Della Pace R. D. , Faccio R. , Pasa A. A.
Published: January 2018

For understanding the electrical and optical properties of electrodeposited Cl-doped Cu2O thin films, we have studied layers with increasing thickness and Cl concentrations of 0.8 and 1.2 at. %. The deposits were characterized by measuring the charge transport, the optical reflectance, and the photoluminescence. No significant decrease of electrical resistivity was observed in doped samples compared to undoped ones. A decrease of about five orders of magnitude was measured and ascribed to the presence of pinholes, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analyses. From optical measurements, we concluded that the Cl atoms are incorporated into substitutional sites of Cu2O lattices in agreement with photoluminescence results showing a strong reduction in the peak intensity of VO+2 defects in comparison to undoped layers. Computational calculation using density functional theory has pointed out high formation energy for single Cl related defects, but low formation energy for Cl-defect complexes, such as ClO + VCu, that strongly compensate the carriers generated by the Cl doping.
Geometrical contribution to the anomalous Nernst effect in TbFeCo thin films
Authors: Ando Ryo , Komine Takashi
Published: January 2018

The geometrical contribution to the anomalous Nernst effect in magnetic thin films was experimentally investigated by varying the aspect ratios and electrode configurations. The bar-type electrode configuration induces a short-circuit current near both edges of electrodes and decreases the effective Nernst voltage, while the point-contact (PC) electrode exploits the intrinsic Nernst voltage. In a sample with PC electrodes, as the sample width along the transverse direction of the thermal flow increases, the Nernst voltage increases monotonically. Thus, a much wider element with PC electrodes enables us to bring out a larger Nernst voltage by utilizing perpendicularly magnetized thin films.
Enhancement of wind energy harvesting by interaction between vortex-induced vibration and galloping
Authors: He Xuefeng , Yang Xiaokang , Jiang Senlin
Published: January 2018

Most wind energy harvesters (WEHs) that have been reported in the literature collect wind energy using only one type of wind-induced vibration, such as vortex-induced vibration (VIV), galloping, and flutter or wake galloping. In this letter, the interaction between VIV and galloping is used to improve the performance of WEHs. For a WEH constructed by attaching a bluff body with a rectangular cross-section to the free end of a piezoelectric cantilever, the measures to realize the interaction are theoretically discussed. Experiments verified the theoretical prediction that the WEHs with the same piezoelectric beam may demonstrate either separate or interactive VIV and galloping, depending on the geometries of the bluff bodies. For the WEHs with the interaction, the wind speed region of the VIV merges with that of the galloping to form a single region with high electrical outputs, which greatly increases the electrical outputs at low wind speeds. The interaction can be realized even when the predicted galloping critical speed is much higher than the predicted VIV critical speed. The proposed interaction is thus an effective approach to improve the scavenging efficiencies of WEHs operating at low wind speeds.
Confined-path interference suppressed quantum correction on weak antilocalization effect in a BiSbTeSe2 topological insulator
Authors: Qin Lai-Xiang , Pan Xin-Chen , Song Feng-Qi , Zhang Liang , Sun Zhang-Hao , Li Ming-Qiang , Gao Peng , Lin Ben-Chuan , Huang Shiu-Ming , Zhu Rui , Xu Jun , Lin Fang , Lu Hai-Zhou , Yu Dapeng , Liao Zhi-Min
Published: January 2018

We have studied the magnetoconductance in a topological insulator BiSbTeSe2 with different probe lengths. The magnetoconductance correction reduces by a factor of 2 when the probe length is comparable to the phase coherence length, Lφ, and the related weak antilocalization prefactor, α, reduces by a factor of 2. Lφ is independent of the probe length and follows the T−0.5, corresponding to the two-dimensional electron-electron interaction. α shows similar back-gate voltage dependence and Lφ is almost the same in both short and long channels. This indicates that the widely reported surface-to-bulk coupling is not the dominant mechanism of the α reduction. Moreover, non-saturating magnetoresistances are observed and coincided with each other in the short and long channels. The reduced α is deemed to be due to the quantum correction effect caused by the geometries and electrode distribution. The finding here will further the understanding of the transport properties of the topological insulators and unveil exotic quantum phenomena.
High spatial frequency periodic structures formation on silicon using near UV femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Cahyadi Rico S. , Torralva Ben , Yalisove Steven M.
Published: January 2018

Observation of a nanoscale island-like periodic surface structure in silicon using 390 nm ultrafast laser irradiation in vacuum is reported. A strong correlation is observed between the island structure and the formation of a high-spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structure below the single pulse melt threshold. Further hexagonal and quasi-hexagonal arrangements of the islands concurrent with bifurcation suggest the existence of a strain ordering mechanism. Island bifurcation suggests a high stress state induced by point-defect generation during and after femtosecond laser induced band-gap closure.
57Fe Mössbauer and Co Kβ x-ray emission spectroscopic investigations of La-Co and La substituted strontium hexaferrite
Authors: Oura Momoko , Nagasawa Nobumoto , Ikeda Shugo , Shimoda Aiko , Waki Takeshi , Tabata Yoshikazu , Nakamura Hiroyuki , Hiraoka Nozomu , Kobayashi Hisao
Published: January 2018

In the ferrite magnets, the magnetoplumbite-type strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) is an important base material with a relatively high Curie temperature. The La-Co substitution in the Sr hexaferrites ((Sr,La)(Fe,Co)12O19) significantly improves magnetic coercivity. We have investigated the electronic states of Sr1−xLaxFe12−yCoyO19 by 57Fe Mössbauer and Co Kβ x-ray emission spectroscopies using the single-crystalline samples. The Co Kβ x-ray emission spectrum shows that all Co2+ ions are in the high-spin state. The hyperfine parameters extracted from the observed 57Fe Mössbauer spectra clearly show the Co and La substitution dependences at two Fe sites of the five crystallographically nonequivalent Fe sites, revealing that most Co2+ ions occupy the 4f1 and 2a Fe sites in Sr1−xLaxFe12−yCoyO19. These Co site occupations are consistent with the higher magnetic coercivity without a decrease in remanent magnetization in the La-Co substituted Sr hexaferrites.
Improved power factor in low thermal conductive Fe2VAl-based full-Heusler thin films by composition-control with off-axis sputtering method
Authors: Fukatani N. , Kurosaki Y. , Yabuuchi S. , Nishide A. , Hayakawa J.
Published: January 2018

We demonstrate the improved power factor in full-Heusler Fe2VAl1−xSix thin films using precise composition-control with the off-axis sputtering method. The valence electron concentration per atom was varied from 5.9 to 6.1 by manipulating the target substrate off-axis distance in addition to changing the sputtering target composition, resulting in an improved power factor up to 3.0 mW/K2 m in the off-stoichiometric composition of Fe1.93V1.05Al0.77Si0.24. The films had a polycrystalline structure with an average grain size of 40–50 nm. The cumulative lattice thermal conductivity calculation as a function of phonon mean free path revealed that the small grain size in the thin film contributed to a lowered lattice thermal conductivity of 3.8 W/Km. As a result, the figure of merit ZT of 0.15 at 50 °C was obtained, and it is the highest value in the Fe2VAl1−xSix system.
The response analysis of fractional-order stochastic system via generalized cell mapping method
Authors: Wang Liang , Xue Lili , Sun Chunyan , Yue Xiaole , Xu Wei
Published: January 2018

This paper is concerned with the response of a fractional-order stochastic system. The short memory principle is introduced to ensure that the response of the system is a Markov process. The generalized cell mapping method is applied to display the global dynamics of the noise-free system, such as attractors, basins of attraction, basin boundary, saddle, and invariant manifolds. The stochastic generalized cell mapping method is employed to obtain the evolutionary process of probability density functions of the response. The fractional-order ϕ6 oscillator and the fractional-order smooth and discontinuous oscillator are taken as examples to give the implementations of our strategies. Studies have shown that the evolutionary direction of the probability density function of the fractional-order stochastic system is consistent with the unstable manifold. The effectiveness of the method is confirmed using Monte Carlo results.
Resistive switching characteristics of isolated core-shell iron oxide/germanium nanocrystals epitaxially grown on Si substrates
Authors: Matsui Hideki , Ishibe Takafumi , Terada Tsukasa , Sakane Shunya , Watanabe Kentaro , Takeuchi Shotaro , Sakai Akira , Kimura Shigeru , Nakamura Yoshiaki
Published: January 2018

The core-shell nanostructure of epitaxial Fe3O4 nanocrystals over Ge nuclei showed a large Off/On resistance ratio (∼100), which was the largest value in Fe3O4 materials. The nanocrystals with an average diameter of ∼20 nm were grown epitaxially on Si substrates, whose areal density was high (∼1011 cm−2), and each nanocrystal was isolated from each other. The electrical measurement of the individual isolated nanocrystals by conductive-atomic force microscopy showed the bipolar-type resistive switching in local voltage-current curves, depending on the Fe-O composition. It was also revealed that activation sites for resistive switching were the Fe3O4/Ge interfaces, where electric-field-induced compositional variation caused large resistive changes. This demonstrated the possibility of developing resistance random access memory devices based on ubiquitous materials.
A robust frequency doubling cavity makes a transportable laser source for use in a UV optical clock
Authors: Majors J. H.
Published: January 2018

A simple, sealed bowtie cavity for frequency doubling with a nonlinear crystal maintains alignment in accelerations exceeding those caused by transportation.
Temperature dependence of high-performance, wide bandgap diode reveals barrier characteristics
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: January 2018

Thermionic emission theory helps describe how temperature affects the properties of gallium oxide, putting it closer to widespread use in power semiconductors.
Radiocarbon Dating at the Museum of Applied Science Victoria 1952–70: a Pioneer Venture
Authors: Rae Ian D.
Published: January 2018

The Museum of Applied Science in Melbourne committed in the earlier 1950s to the development of a radiocarbon dating laboratory that would provide dates for carbonaceous material obtained by archaeologists and anthropologists. Progress through the 1950s was very slow due to under-resourcing and -staffing, but Victorian researchers obtained results by sending material to New Zealand and the USA for dating. The laboratory was officially opened in 1961 but few dates emerged. While the process for obtaining carbon dioxide from carbonaceous material, operated by chemist Anne Bermingham, was satisfactory, the apparatus for counting the carbon-14 decompositions, built by her and a series of electronics technicians was never satisfactory. The radiocarbon laboratorywas closed at the end of 1970, bywhich time several other dating services had opened in Australia.
Life history characteristics of the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis from the central west Pacific
Authors: Grant Michael I. , Smart Jonathan J. , White William T. , Chin Andrew , Baje Leontine , Simpfendorfer Colin A.
Published: January 2018

In the central west Pacific region, silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) are commonly taken in fisheries, forming up to 95% of incidental elasmobranch bycatch. The present study examined the life history of silky sharks (n=553) from Papua New Guinean waters. Age was analysed using sectioned vertebrae, and a multimodel approach was applied to the length-at-age data to fit growth models. Females ranged in length from 65.0- to 253.0-cm total length (TL), with the oldest estimated at 28 years. Males ranged in length from 68.4 to 271.3cm TL and were aged to a maximum of 23 years. The logistic model provided the best fitting growth parameter estimates of length at birth L0=82.7cm TL, growth coefficient g=0.14year–1 and asymptotic length L∞=261.3cm TL for the sexes combined. Females reached sexual maturity at 204cm TL and 14.0 years, whereas males reached maturity at 183cm TL and 11.6 years. The average litter size from 28 pregnant females was 8 (range of 3–13). The growth parameters and late ages of sexual maturation for silky sharks in the central west Pacific suggest a significant risk from fisheries exploitation without careful population management.
Heteromeric interactions regulate butyrophilin (BTN) and BTN-like molecules governing γδ T cell biology
Authors: Vantourout Pierre , Laing Adam , Woodward Martin J. , Zlatareva Iva , Apolonia Luis , Jones Andrew W. , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Malim Michael H. , Hayday Adrian C.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Although gamma delta (γδ) T cells compose an evolutionarily conserved third lineage of diversified lymphocytes, alongside αβ T cells and B cells, they can seem overtly different across species and tissues. Thus, human blood γδ cells show butyrophilin (BTN)3A1-dependent responses to metabolites (“phosphoantigens”) not seen by rodent γδ cells, whereas some rodent, γδ-rich compartments, notably in the skin, lack obvious human counterparts. Recently, however, mouse and human intraepithelial gut γδ cells were found to be regulated by pairings of BTN-like genes. This study now shows that BTN3A1 also functions as a pairing, with its subcellular trafficking and optimal activity both regulated by BTN3A2. Hence, seemingly diverse γδ cell biologies across species and tissues are underpinned by conserved mechanisms.
MERS-CoV and H5N1 influenza virus antagonize antigen presentation by altering the epigenetic landscape
Authors: Menachery Vineet D. , Schäfer Alexandra , Burnum-Johnson Kristin E. , Mitchell Hugh D. , Eisfeld Amie J. , Walters Kevin B. , Nicora Carrie D. , Purvine Samuel O. , Casey Cameron P. , Monroe Matthew E. , Weitz Karl K. , Stratton Kelly G. , Webb-Robertson Bobbie-Jo M. , Gralinski Lisa E. , Metz Thomas O. , Smith Richard D. , Waters Katrina M. , Sims Amy C. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Baric Ralph S.
Published: January 2018

Convergent evolution dictates that diverse groups of viruses will target both similar and distinct host pathways to manipulate the immune response and improve infection. In this study, we sought to leverage this uneven viral antagonism to identify critical host factors that govern disease outcome. Utilizing a systems-based approach, we examined differential regulation of IFN-γ–dependent genes following infection with robust respiratory viruses including influenza viruses [A/influenza/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1-VN1203) and A/influenza/California/04/2009 (H1N1-CA04)] and coronaviruses [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV)]. Categorizing by function, we observed down-regulation of gene expression associated with antigen presentation following both H5N1-VN1203 and MERS-CoV infection. Further examination revealed global down-regulation of antigen-presentation gene expression, which was confirmed by proteomics for both H5N1-VN1203 and MERS-CoV infection. Importantly, epigenetic analysis suggested that DNA methylation, rather than histone modification, plays a crucial role in MERS-CoV–mediated antagonism of antigen-presentation gene expression; in contrast, H5N1-VN1203 likely utilizes a combination of epigenetic mechanisms to target antigen presentation. Together, the results indicate a common mechanism utilized by H5N1-VN1203 and MERS-CoV to modulate antigen presentation and the host adaptive immune response.
Artificial intelligence exploration of unstable protocells leads to predictable properties and discovery of collective behavior
Authors: Points Laurie J. , Taylor James Ward , Grizou Jonathan , Donkers Kevin , Cronin Leroy
Published: January 2018

Significance

Exploring and understanding the emergence of complex behaviors is difficult even in “simple” chemical systems since the dynamics can rest on a knife edge between stability and instability. Herein, we study the complex dynamics of a simple protocell system, comprising four-component oil droplets in an aqueous environment using an automated platform equipped with artificial intelligence. The system autonomously selects and performs oil-in-water droplet experiments, and then records and classifies the behavior of the droplets using image recognition. The data acquired are then used to build predictive models of the system. Physical properties such as viscosity, surface tension, and density are related to behaviors, as well as to droplet behavioral niches, such as collective swarming.
Complement pathway gene activation and rising circulating immune complexes characterize early disease in HIV-associated tuberculosis
Authors: Esmail Hanif , Lai Rachel P. , Lesosky Maia , Wilkinson Katalin A. , Graham Christine M. , Horswell Stuart , Coussens Anna K. , Barry Clifton E. , O’Garra Anne , Wilkinson Robert J.
Published: January 2018

The transition between latent and active tuberculosis (TB) occurs before symptom onset. Better understanding of the early events in subclinical disease will facilitate the development of diagnostics and interventions that improve TB control. This is particularly relevant in the context of HIV-1 coinfection where progression of TB is more likely. In a recent study using [
18
F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-
d
-glucose positron emission/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) on 35 asymptomatic, HIV-1–infected adults, we identified 10 participants with radiographic evidence of subclinical disease, significantly more likely to progress than the 25 participants without. To gain insight into the biological events in early disease, we performed blood-based whole genome transcriptomic analysis on these participants and 15 active patients with TB. We found transcripts representing the classical complement pathway and Fcγ receptor 1 overabundant from subclinical stages of disease. Levels of circulating immune (antibody/antigen) complexes also increased in subclinical disease and were highly correlated with C1q transcript abundance. To validate our findings, we analyzed transcriptomic data from a publicly available dataset where samples were available in the 2 y before TB disease presentation. Transcripts representing the classical complement pathway and Fcγ receptor 1 were also differentially expressed in the 12 mo before disease presentation. Our results indicate that levels of antibody/antigen complexes increase early in disease, associated with increased gene expression of C1q and Fcγ receptors that bind them. Understanding the role this plays in disease progression may facilitate development of interventions that prevent this, leading to a more favorable outcome and may also be important to diagnostic development.
Ebola virus proteins NP, VP35, and VP24 are essential and sufficient to mediate nucleocapsid transport
Authors: Takamatsu Yuki , Kolesnikova Larissa , Becker Stephan
Published: January 2018

Significance

Large complexes composed of the viral genome encapsidated by viral proteins (capsid or nucleocapsid) need to be transported from the sites of viral genome synthesis to the sites of budding within infected cells. For the highly pathogenic Ebola virus, as for many other viruses, it is not completely understood how this transport is accomplished and which viral components are necessary for transport-competent nucleocapsids. Using live-cell imaging in combination with a surrogate system to analyze nucleocapsid transport under biosafety level 2 conditions, we show that the Ebola virus proteins nucleoprotein, VP35, and VP24 are necessary and sufficient to form transport-competent nucleocapsids. The technical approach developed here is applicable to study the transport of other viruses and to characterize antivirals.
Robust prediction of individual creative ability from brain functional connectivity
Authors: Beaty Roger E. , Kenett Yoed N. , Christensen Alexander P. , Rosenberg Monica D. , Benedek Mathias , Chen Qunlin , Fink Andreas , Qiu Jiang , Kwapil Thomas R. , Kane Michael J. , Silvia Paul J.
Published: January 2018

Significance

People’s capacity to generate creative ideas is central to technological and cultural progress. Despite advances in the neuroscience of creativity, the field lacks clarity on whether a specific neural architecture distinguishes the highly creative brain. Using methods in network neuroscience, we modeled individual creative thinking ability as a function of variation in whole-brain functional connectivity. We identified a brain network associated with creative ability comprised of regions within default, salience, and executive systems—neural circuits that often work in opposition. Across four independent datasets, we show that a person’s capacity to generate original ideas can be reliably predicted from the strength of functional connectivity within this network, indicating that creative thinking ability is characterized by a distinct brain connectivity profile.
Confirmation of intersubunit connectivity and topology of designed protein complexes by native MS
Authors: Sahasrabuddhe Aniruddha , Hsia Yang , Busch Florian , Sheffler William , King Neil P. , Baker David , Wysocki Vicki H.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Recent advancements in computational protein design have enabled the generation of proteins and protein complexes that are not present in nature. A current major limitation of the research is in the subsequent structural characterization. The commonly used techniques—X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-EM—are time- and resource-consuming and heavily rely on sample quantity and quality. These limitations are particularly problematic for protein complexes. In this work, we show the applicability of native MS ion mobility coupled with surface-induced dissociation as a structural biology screening tool for designed proteins. We show that information about stoichiometry, intersubunit connectivity, and complex topology is rapidly gained by this SID-IM-MS methodology.
Communication in context: Interpreting promises in an experiment on competition and trust
Authors: Casella Alessandra , Kartik Navin , Sanchez Luis , Turban Sébastien
Published: January 2018

Significance

Does competition increase deception? Competition is likely to induce inflated promises, but are these promises believed, and are they followed through? We argue that the question requires care in the definition of deception. We report on an experiment where competition does indeed inflate promises, but the promises are neither believed literally nor discarded. Bigger promises are interpreted by both sides as signals of equitable intentions, without being meant or read literally. Behavior does not follow the letter of the promise, but we argue that the deviation is not perceived as deception—the language code has changed. Analyses of competition, deception, and trust need to take into account the shared understanding of the message itself.
Human airway branch variation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Smith Benjamin M. , Traboulsi Hussein , Austin John H. M. , Manichaikul Ani , Hoffman Eric A. , Bleecker Eugene R. , Cardoso Wellington V. , Cooper Christopher , Couper David J. , Dashnaw Stephen M. , Guo Jia , Han MeiLan K. , Hansel Nadia N. , Hughes Emlyn W. , Jacobs David R. , Kanner Richard E. , Kaufman Joel D. , Kleerup Eric , Lin Ching-Long , Liu Kiang , Lo Cascio Christian M. , Martinez Fernando J. , Nguyen Jennifer N. , Prince Martin R. , Rennard Stephen , Rich Stephen S. , Simon Leora , Sun Yanping , Watson Karol E. , Woodruff Prescott G. , Baglole Carolyn J. , Barr R. Graham ,   for the MESA Lung and SPIROMICS investigators
Published: January 2018

Significance

The human airway tree is a filter of noxious particulate matter, the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We demonstrate that variation in central airway tree branching occurs in over one-quarter of the general population and increases COPD susceptibility, particularly among smokers. We show that these central airway branch variants are biomarkers of altered distal lung structure, the primary site of COPD pathobiology. Finally, we demonstrate the heritability of central airway branch variants within families and identify and replicate an association with
FGF
10
. These findings suggest that central airway branch variants, easily detectable by computed tomography, represent heritable biomarkers of widely altered lung structure and a COPD susceptibility factor.
Differing roles of CD1d2 and CD1d1 proteins in type I natural killer T cell development and function
Authors: Sundararaj Srinivasan , Zhang Jingjing , Krovi S. Harsha , Bedel Romain , Tuttle Kathryn D. , Veerapen Natacha , Besra Gurdyal S. , Khandokar Yogesh , Praveena T. , Le Nours Jérôme , Matsuda Jennifer L. , Rossjohn Jamie , Gapin Laurent
Published: January 2018

MHC class I-like CD1 molecules have evolved to present lipid-based antigens to T cells. Differences in the antigen-binding clefts of the CD1 family members determine the conformation and size of the lipids that are presented, although the factors that shape CD1 diversity remain unclear. In mice, two homologous genes, CD1D1 and CD1D2, encode the CD1d protein, which is essential to the development and function of natural killer T (NKT) cells. However, it remains unclear whether both CD1d isoforms are equivalent in their antigen presentation capacity and functions. Here, we report that CD1d2 molecules are expressed in the thymus of some mouse strains, where they select functional type I NKT cells. Intriguingly, the T cell antigen receptor repertoire and phenotype of CD1d2-selected type I NKT cells inCD1D1−/−mice differed from CD1d1-selected type I NKT cells. The structures of CD1d2 in complex with endogenous lipids and a truncated acyl-chain analog of α-galactosylceramide revealed that its A′-pocket was restricted in size compared with CD1d1. Accordingly, CD1d2 molecules could not present glycolipid antigens with long acyl chains efficiently, favoring the presentation of short acyl chain antigens. These results indicate that the two CD1d molecules present different sets of self-antigen(s) in the mouse thymus, thereby impacting the development of invariant NKT cells.
The role of obesity in exceptionally slow US mortality improvement
Authors: Preston Samuel H. , Vierboom Yana C. , Stokes Andrew
Published: January 2018

Significance

Some have speculated that the rising prevalence of obesity may explain why the rate of mortality improvement in the United States has declined relative to other wealthy countries. This paper estimates that rising body mass index (BMI) has reduced the annual rate of improvement in US death rates between 1988 and 2011 by more than half a percentage point—equivalent to a 23% relative reduction in the rate of mortality decline—a large amount by international standards. The increase in BMI has reduced life expectancy at age 40 by 0.9 years in 2011 and accounted for 186,000 excess deaths that year. Rising BMI has prevented the United States from enjoying the full benefits of factors working to improve mortality.