bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing of the fecal microbiota of commercial pigs at five growth stages from birth to shipment
Authors: Han Geon Goo , Lee Jun-Yeong , Jin Gwi-Deuk , Park Jongbin , Choi Yo Han , Kang Sang-Kee , Chae Byung Jo , Kim Eun Bae , Choi Yun-Jaie
Published: April 2018

The intestinal microbiota affect various physiological traits of host animals such as brain development, obesity, age, and the immune system. In the swine industry, understanding the relationship between intestinal microbiota and growth stage is essential because growth stage is directly related to the feeding system of pigs, thus we studied the intestinal microbiota of 32 healthy pigs across five sows at 10, 21, 63, 93, and 147 d of ages. The intestinal microbiota were altered with growth of pigs and were separated into three distinct clusters. The relative abundance of several phyla and genera were significantly different between growth stages. We observed co-occurrence pattern of the intestinal microbiota at each growth stage. In addition, we predicted the functions of the intestinal microbiota and confirmed that several KEGG pathways were significantly different between growth stages. We also explored the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and innate factors such as the maternal effect and gender. When pigs were young, innate factors affected on construction of intestinal microbiota, however this tendency was disappeared with growth. Our findings broaden the understanding of microbial ecology, and the results will be used as a reference for investigating host-microbe interactions in the swine industry.
Electronic and optical responses of quasi-one-dimensional phosphorene nanoribbons to strain and electric field
Authors: Zhang Longlong , Hao Yuying
Published: April 2018

Electronic and optical responses of zigzag- and armchair-edge quasi-one-dimensional phosphorene nanoribbons (Q1D-PNRs) to strain and external field are comparatively studied based on the tight-binding calculations. The results show that: (i) Zigzag-edge Q1D-PNR has the metallic ground state; applying global strains can not open the gap at the Fermi level but applying the electric field can achieve it; the direct/indirect character of the field-induced gap is determined by the electron-hole symmetry; an electric-field-enhanced optical absorption of low-energy photons is also predicted. (ii) Armchair-edge Q1D-PNR turns out an insulator with the large direct band gap; the inter-plane strain modulates this gap non monotonically while the in-plane one modulates it monotonically; in addition, the gap responses to electric fields also show strong direction dependence, i. e., increasing the inter-plane electric field will monotonically enlarge the gap but the electric field along the width direction modulates the gap non monotonically with three characteristic response regions.
Cardiac hypertrophy limits infarct expansion after myocardial infarction in mice
Authors: Iismaa Siiri E. , Li Ming , Kesteven Scott , Wu Jianxin , Chan Andrea Y. , Holman Sara R. , Calvert John W. , Haq Ahtesham ul , Nicks Amy M. , Naqvi Nawazish , Husain Ahsan , Feneley Michael P. , Graham Robert M.
Published: April 2018

We have previously demonstrated that adult transgenic C57BL/6J mice with CM-restricted overexpression of the dominant negative W
v
mutant protein (dn-c-kit-Tg) respond to pressure overload with robust cardiomyocyte (CM) cell cycle entry. Here, we tested if outcomes after myocardial infarction (MI) due to coronary artery ligation are improved in this transgenic model. Compared to non-transgenic littermates (NTLs), adult male dn-c-kit-Tg mice displayed CM hypertrophy and concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in the absence of an increase in workload. Stroke volume and cardiac output were preserved and LV wall stress was markedly lower than that in NTLs, leading to a more energy-efficient heart. In response to MI, infarct size in adult (16-week old) dn-c-kit-Tg hearts was similar to that of NTL after 24 h but was half that in NTL hearts 12 weeks post-MI. Cumulative CM cell cycle entry was only modestly increased in dn-c-kit-Tg hearts. However, dn-c-kit-Tg mice were more resistant to infarct expansion, adverse LV remodelling and contractile dysfunction, and suffered no early death from LV rupture, relative to NTL mice. Thus, pre-existing cardiac hypertrophy lowers wall stress in dn-c-kit-Tg hearts, limits infarct expansion and prevents death from myocardial rupture.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on the Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Jiang Ming-Yan , Hwang Jyh-Chang , Feng I-Jung
Published: April 2018

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are associated with insulin resistance and are at higher risk to develop diabetes mellitus (DM). SLE and DM could lead to renal failure respectively. However, it is unknown whether DM increases the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in SLE patients. This study aimed to evaluate potential synergistic effect of DM on SLE patients for development of ESRD. We conducted this study by using National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. We recruited SLE patients with newly-diagnosed DM as the study cohort. A comparison cohort at a 1:1 ratio of SLE patients without DM matched by age, sex, age at the diagnosis of SLE, duration between diagnosis of SLE and DM, and various comorbidities through propensity score matching were recruited. After 5.01 ± 3.13 years follow-up, the incidence of ESRD was significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group (Incidence rate ratio: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.70–4.32). After control of confounding factors, DM was not an independent risk factor of ESRD. After starting dialysis, DM patients had a similar mortality rate to those without DM. In summary, SLE patients superimposed with subsequent DM are associated with potentially higher risk to develop ESRD.
Oxidation of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons in the tropospheric aqueous phase: kinetic mechanism development and modelling
Authors: Hoffmann Erik H. , Tilgner Andreas , Wolke Ralf , Böge Olaf , Walter Arno , Herrmann Hartmut
Published: April 2018

An aqueous-phase chemistry mechanism for the oxidation of aromatic compounds in the atmosphere is developed based on available kinetic data. Detailed model studies successfully describe the oxidation and functionalization of monoaromatic compounds in the atmosphere.
Ionic liquid-modified luffa sponge fibers for dispersive solid-phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides from water and tea beverage samples
Authors: Wang Huazi , Liu Chaoran , Huang Xiaodong , Jia Chendi , Cao Yang , Hu Lu , Lu Runhua , Zhang Sanbing , Gao Haixiang , Zhou Wenfeng , Xu Donghui
Published: April 2018

Ionic liquid-modified luffa sponge fibers were used as efficient and environmentally friendly sorbents in the dispersive solid-phase extraction method.
One-step isothermal detection of multiple KRAS mutations by forming SNP specific hairpins on a gold nanoshell
Authors: Chung Chan Ho , Kim Joong Hyun
Published: April 2018

We developed a one-step isothermal method for typing multiple KRAS mutations using a designed set of primers to form a hairpin on a gold nanoshell upon being ligated by a SNP specific DNA ligase after binding of targets.
Self-assembled two-dimensional gold nanoparticle film for sensitive nontargeted analysis of food additives with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Yiping , Yu Wenfang , Yang Benhong , Li Pan
Published: April 2018

CTAB-functionalized Au NP film as SERS active substrate prepared by the evaporation-driven self-assembly strategy demonstrated high sensitivity and reproducibility for the detection of different food additives.
Self-templated synthesis of heavily nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres
Authors: Lin Jie , Zhao Wei , Qian Meng , Liu Kun , Xu Jijian , Huang Fuqiang
Published: April 2018

Formation of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheresviaspace-confined thermal decomposition of a single source precursor zinc carbodiimide.
Singular wavelength dependence on the sensitization of lanthanides by graphene quantum dots
Authors: McDowell Meredith , Metzger Andrew , Wang Chong , Bao Jiming , Tour James M. , Martí Angel A.
Published: April 2018

Graphene quantum dots can photosensitize the emission of terbium cations with a photoluminescence efficiency that increases at shorter wavelengths.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-based ruthenium-hydride catalysts for the synthesis of unsymmetrically functionalized double-decker silsesquioxanes
Authors: Żak Patrycja , Delaude Lionel , Dudziec Beata , Marciniec Bogdan
Published: April 2018

The [RuHCl(CO)(SIDip)(PCy3)] complex efficiently catalyzes the (E)-selective silylative coupling of divinyl-substituted double-decker silsesquioxanes with two distinctly substituted styrenes.
Self-templated fabrication of FeMnO3 nanoparticle-filled polypyrrole nanotubes for peroxidase mimicking with a synergistic effect and their sensitive colorimetric detection of glutathione
Authors: Chi Maoqiang , Chen Sihui , Zhong Mengxiao , Wang Ce , Lu Xiaofeng
Published: April 2018

A self-templated synthesis of FeMnO3 nanoparticle-filled polypyrrole nanotubes for peroxidase mimicking with a synergistic effect have been developed.
N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed annulation of ynals with amidines: access to 1,2,6-trisubstituted pyrimidin-4-ones
Authors: Xie Yangxi , Wang Jian
Published: April 2018

A thiazolium-catalyzed annulation of ynals and amidines has been reported to construct pyrimidin-4-ones.
Development of DNA aptamers targeting low-molecular-weight amyloid-β peptide aggregatesin vitro
Authors: Chakravarthy Madhuri , AlShamaileh Hadi , Huang He , Tannenberg Rudi K. , Chen Suxiang , Worrall Simon , Dodd Peter R. , Veedu Rakesh N.
Published: April 2018

We have developed a novel functional nucleic acid aptamer to amyloid-β peptide 1–40 (Aβ1–40) and investigated its potential to detect Aβ peptide fragments in neuropathologically confirmed Alzheimer brain hippocampus tissues samples.
A hemicyanine based ratiometric fluorescence probe for mapping lysosomal pH during heat stroke in living cells
Authors: Wu Luling , Wang Yang , James Tony D. , Jia Nengqin , Huang Chusen
Published: April 2018

Heat stroke is a lethal condition which can cause dysfunction in the central nervous system, multi-organ damage and even death.
Controllable assembly of rectangular macrocycles bearing different numbers of unsaturated sites based on half-sandwich iridium fragments
Authors: Dang Li-Long , Lin Yue-Jian , Jin Guo-Xin
Published: April 2018

Three novel rectangular metallacycles without unsaturated metal sites and with one or two unsaturated metal sites have been constructed from pyrazine-2,3-diamine and/or 2,3-dihydroxy-quinoxaline proligands.
Molecular dynamics simulations of carbon nanotube porins in lipid bilayers
Authors: Vögele Martin , Köfinger Jürgen , Hummer Gerhard
Published: April 2018

Carbon nanotube porins embedded in lipid membranes are studied by molecular dynamics simulations.
One-step preparation of an antibacterial chitin/Zn composite from shrimp shells using urea-Zn(OAc)2·2H2O aqueous solution
Authors: Feng Mi , Lu Xingmei , Jiang Kun , Zhang Jie , Xin Jiayu , Shi Chunyan , Wang Kefeng , Zhang Suojiang
Published: April 2018

An antibacterial chitin/Zn composite was obtained from shrimp shells using urea-Zn(OAc)2·2H2O (U–Zn) aqueous solution in one step.
Halloysite nanotubes sandwiched between chitosan layers: novel bionanocomposites with multilayer structures
Authors: Bertolino Vanessa , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Lazzara Giuseppe , Milioto Stefana , Parisi Filippo
Published: April 2018

Multilayer chitosan/halloysite bionanocomposites with promising properties were prepared by a novel sequential casting procedure.
Hierarchical concave layered triangular PtCu alloy nanostructures: rational integration of dendritic nanostructures for efficient formic acid electrooxidation
Authors: Wu Fengxia , Lai Jianping , Zhang Ling , Niu Wenxin , Lou Baohua , Luque Rafael , Xu Guobao
Published: April 2018

One-pot synthesis of 3D PtCu hierarchical concave layered triangular nanostructures with excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability to formic acid oxidation is reported.
Functional integration and self-template synthesis of hollow core–shell carbon mesoporous spheres/Fe3O4/nitrogen-doped graphene to enhance catalytic activity in DSSCs
Authors: Yao Jixin , Zhang Kang , Wang Wen , Zuo Xueqin , Yang Qun , Tang Huaibao , Wu Mingzai , Li Guang
Published: April 2018

A double carbon-based nanocomposite combining Fe3O4 nanoparticles and N-graphene nanosheets was constructed and demonstrated ultrahigh corrosion resistance.
Tuning the ease of formation of on-surface metal-adatom coordination polymers featuring diketones
Authors: Papageorgiou Anthoula C. , Li Jiang , Oh Seung Cheol , Zhang Bodong , Sağlam Özge , Guo Yuanyuan , Reichert Joachim , Marco A. Belén , Cortizo-Lacalle Diego , Mateo-Alonso Aurelio , Barth Johannes V.
Published: April 2018

On copper and silver, ortho-benzoquinone moieties act as catecholates with facile metal adatom chelation by decoupling from the metal surface.
Recent progress in heavy atom-free organic compounds showing unexpected intersystem crossing (ISC) ability
Authors: Zhao Jianzhang , Chen Kepeng , Hou Yuqi , Che Yuanyuan , Liu Lang , Jia Dianzeng
Published: April 2018

The intersystem crossing (ISC) of the heavy atom-free triplet photosensitizers was summarised, including the spin–orbit charge transfer ISC mechanism.
NFSI-participated intermolecular aminoazidation of alkene through iron catalysis
Authors: Lei Bowen , Wang Xiaojiao , Ma Lifang , Li Yan , Li Ziyuan
Published: April 2018

An iron-catalysed intermolecular vicinal aminoazidation of alkene with NFSI is reported, with broader alkene scope comparing to previously reported aminoazidation.
Physical foundation of the fluid particle dynamics method for colloid dynamics simulation
Authors: Furukawa Akira , Tateno Michio , Tanaka Hajime
Published: April 2018

Colloid dynamics is significantly influenced by many-body hydrodynamic interactions mediated by a suspending fluid.
Modeling the free-radical polymerization of hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA): a molecular dynamics and graph theory approach
Authors: Torres-Knoop Ariana , Kryven Ivan , Schamboeck Verena , Iedema Piet D.
Published: April 2018

The combination of molecular dynamics simulations and graph theory tools provides important insight into polymerization processes.
Improved visual/infrared colour fusion method with double‐opponency colour constancy mechanism
Authors: Yuan Xingsheng , Zhao Wei , Wang Zhengzhi
Published: April 2018

To solve problems that colour distortion and low resolution of infrared and visible colour fusion images, the authors propose a fusion method based on the double‐opponency colour constancy mechanism of human vision. First, Waxman's fusion method which imitated the neuro‐dynamics mechanism of the rattlesnake bimodal cell is used to fuse the visible light with the source multi‐band images to generate pseudo‐colour images. Second, a double‐opponent colour constancy computation model based on Rodieck's double difference‐of‐Gaussian is proposed to obtain the estimate of an illuminant of colour fusion images. Finally, the colour fusion images are corrected by the diagonal transformation model based on the cone adaptive mechanism. They also propose to use the three‐dimensional RGB histogram to analyse the colour distribution of colour fusion images. In the comparison experiments with other approaches using the three‐dimensional RGB histogram, one can see that the proposed fusion method gives colour image coinciding well with natural colour distribution and satisfies human perception needs.
High‐gain pattern reconfigurable micro‐strip dipole antenna with a gain enhancing partially reflecting surface
Authors: Barakali Beyit , Ford Kenneth Lee , Khamas Salam
Published: April 2018

A beam reconfigurable antenna with high gain is presented with low complexity switching capability. The design consists of a printed dipole antenna with reconfigurable parasitic elements that are combined with a partially reflecting surface to provide main lobe radiation pattern switching between boresight and close to end‐fire at an operating frequency of 1.81 GHz. The reconfigurability is achieved using only two PIN diodes and the measured gain of the antenna is 8.5 dBi gain at boresight and 14.3 dBi towards the end‐fire direction.
Adverse Cerebral Outcomes after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery—More Than a Decade of Experience in a Single Center
Authors: Consalvi Carrie , Healey Allison , Rivera Bridget , Poulin Katherine , Mohr Rephael , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Loberman Dan
Published: April 2018

Background Nonfatal strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and reversible ischemic neurological deficits (RIND) after elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are devastating clinical problems. The anesthesiologist, surgical and intensive care teams in a community hospital adopted a strategy developed in an effort to minimize these adverse outcome events.

The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of and predictors for perioperative adverse neurologic events.

Methods A historical cohort study of 1,108 consecutive CABG patients operated between 2002 and 2014. Outcomes were defined as (1) a new neurologic damage (a new stroke, TIA, or RIND) and (2) a new neurologic damage or 30 days mortality.

Results Adverse cerebral outcomes occurred in 16 patients (1.4 percent). Nine patients had postoperative stroke, six suffered TIAs, and one had postoperative RIND.

In multivariate analysis, older age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.14), congestive heart failure (OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.22–10.49) and prior stroke (OR 6.27, 95% CI 1.78–22.03) were significantly associated with increased risk of new neurologic damage. These parameters were also significantly associated with increased risk of the combined outcome (new neurologic damage/mortality).

Conclusions A low incidence rate of adverse cerebral outcomes after CABG in community hospital can be achieved with the use of the suggested surgical intensive care, and anesthetic strategy. Advanced age, congestive heart failure, and prior stroke are associated with adverse outcomes.
The Impact of RSV-Associated Respiratory Disease on Children in Asia
Authors: Divarathne Maduja , Ahamed Rukshan , Noordeen Faseeha
Published: April 2018

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are leading contributors to the global infectious disease burden, which is estimated to be 112,900,000 disability adjusted life years. Viruses contribute to the etiology of ARTIs in a big way compared with other microorganisms. Since the discovery of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) 61 years ago, the virus has been recognized as a major cause of ARTI and hospitalization in children. The morbidity and mortality attributable to RSV infection appear to be higher in infants < 3 months and in those with known risk factors such as prematurity, chronic lung, and congenital heart diseases. Crowded living conditions, exposure to tobacco smoke, and industrial or other types of air pollution also increase the risk of RSV-associated ARTI. Many epidemiological studies have been conducted in developed countries to understand the seasonal patterns and risk factors associated with RSV infections. Dearth of information on RSV-associated morbidity and mortality in Asian and developing countries indicates the need for regional reviews to evaluate RSV-associated disease burden in these countries. Epidemiological studies including surveillance is the key to track the disease burden including risk factors, seasonality, morbidity, and mortality associated with RSV infection in these countries. These data will contribute to improve the clinical diagnosis and plan preventive strategies in resource-limited developing countries.
Preferences and Practices of U.S. Ophthalmology Residency Program Directors Regarding Post-interview Communication with Residency Applicants
Authors: Chen Allison , Tran Elaine , Clark Melissa , Scott Ingrid , Greenberg Paul
Published: April 2018

Importance Little is known about the perspectives and practices of U.S. ophthalmology residency program directors (PDs) regarding communication between PDs and applicants during the post-interview residency match period.

Objective To investigate the preferences and practices of ophthalmology residency PDs regarding post-interview communication between PDs and residency applicants during the residency match period.

Design and Setting Web-based anonymous survey.

Participants Directors of ophthalmology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Results The response rate was 64% (74/116). The majority (75%; 55/73) of PDs preferred that PDs and residency applicants not communicate during the post-interview period; the main reasons were that such communication was not ethical and not productive. In addition, 62% (46/74) of PDs believed that the Ophthalmology Matching Program should institute a policy of no post-interview communication between applicants and faculty during the residency match period.

Conclusion and Relevance The majority of U.S. ophthalmology residency PDs favor instituting a policy of no post-interview communication between applicants and faculty during the residency match period.
Differenzialdiagnose der CK-Erhöhung
Authors: Kley Rudolf , Schmidt-Wilcke Tobias , Vorgerd Matthias
Published: April 2018

Eine erhöhte Aktivität der Kreatinkinase (CK) im Serum ist in der Regel ein Indikator für eine Muskelschädigung. Eine HyperCKämie ist häufig ein Zufallsbefund und sollte, insbesondere bei asymptomatischen Patienten, zunächst nach mehrtägiger Vermeidung körperlicher Belastung kontrolliert werden. Zudem sprechen Daten aus neueren Studien dafür, dass die aktuellen Normwerte nach oben hin korrigiert werden müssen. Diese Übersichtsarbeit enthält einen Algorithmus zur differenzialdiagnostischen Abklärung einer CK-Erhöhung bei Patienten ohne muskuläre Beschwerdesymptomatik. Auf neurologischem Fachgebiet können insbesondere Myopathien und Neuropathien mit Beteiligung des 2. Motoneurons Ursache für eine symptomatische HyperCKämie sein, wobei CK-Werte über 1000 U/L (16,7 μkat/L) eher für eine primäre Muskelerkrankung sprechen. Zu den Erkrankungen mit sehr hohen CK-Werten zählen einige Formen der Muskeldystrophien, idiopathischen Myositiden und metabolischen Myopathien. Andererseits schließt ein normaler oder nur leicht erhöhter CK-Wert eine Myopathie nicht aus. Das individuelle diagnostische Vorgehen (z. B. Bildgebung der Muskulatur, spezielle Laboruntersuchungen, Muskelbiopsie und genetische Analysen) hängt vom klinischen Phänotyp und den Ergebnissen der elektrophysiologischen Untersuchungen ab. Eine HyperCKämie kann auch als Nebenwirkung bei zahlreichen Medikamenten, einschließlich Statinen, auftreten. Bei asymptomatischen Patienten kann eine Statin-assoziierte CK-Erhöhung bis zum 5-Fachen des oberen Grenzwertes toleriert werden. Bei höheren CK-Werten und/oder assoziierten muskulären Beschwerden sollte die LDL-Cholesterin-senkende Therapie neu festgelegt werden. Eine Rhabdomyolyse ist ein potentiell lebensgefährlicher Zustand und geht mit deutlichen CK-Erhöhungen einher. Zur Therapie in der akuten Phase gehören eine Sicherstellung der Nierenfunktion und ein Ausgleich von metabolischen Störungen.
Operative Erfahrung und Ausbildungszufriedenheit von Assistenzärzten in der Augenheilkunde in Bayern: Ergebnisse eines Onlinesurveys mit Evaluation der ophthalmochirurgischen Ausbildungsanteile
Authors: Kastl Gregor , Köffler Nadja
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden Ergebnisse einer Onlineumfrage zu den Ausbildungserfahrungen und der Ausbildungs(un)zufriedenheit bayerischer Assistenzärzte in der Augenheilkunde mit Fokus auf ihre Einschätzung der ophthalmochirurgischen Ausbildungsanteile vorgestellt. Ausgangspunkt der Untersuchung bilden Studien und Erfahrungsberichte der letzten Jahre, die bereits in Ansätzen die Vernachlässigung einer Förderung ophthalmochirurgischer Kompetenzen im Rahmen der Facharztausbildung und die Unzufriedenheit der Assistenzärzte im Bereich der ophthalmochirurgischen Ausbildung herausstellen konnten.

Methode Im März 2017 wurden 219 Assistenzärzte in Bayern per E-Mail dazu aufgerufen, die Qualität ihrer ophthalmochirurgischen Ausbildung per Onlinesurvey anhand von 38 geschlossenen und offenen Fragen einzuschätzen und zu bewerten.

Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Umfrage eröffnen, dass sich 69% der Nachwuchsaugenärzte unzufrieden mit den operativen Ausbildungsanteilen erklären und dabei in 54% der Fälle die aus ihrer Sicht wenig überzeugende Ausbildungsmotivation ihrer Ausbilder bemängeln. Diese Ergebnisse stehen in Spannung zum Anliegen einer fundierten Ausbildung mit ophthalmochirurgischer Förderung, das über 90% der Befragten artikulieren. Ausgehend von den definierten ophthalmochirurgischen Eingriffen in der Weiterbildungsordnung für Assistenzärzte in Bayern, konnten Defizite im Bereich der Lid- und Tränenwegschirurgie sowie der operativen Tätigkeit an geraden Augenmuskeln identifiziert werden.

Schlussfolgerung Die in diesem Beitrag vorgestellte Umfrage ist aufgrund der Rücklaufquote und Reichweite als Pilotstudie auszuweisen. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen jedoch die Notwendigkeit einer deutschlandweiten Ausdehnung der Erhebung, um zukünftig ein umfassendes Bild bedarfsorientierter Verbesserungsansätze in Bezug auf die ophthalmochirurgischen Ausbildung in Deutschland formulieren zu können. Der operativen Ausbildung, in Hinblick auf die in der Weiterbildungsordnung katalogisierten und daher durchzuführenden ophthalmologischen Eingriffe, sollte gemäß Einschätzung der Befragten mehr Zeit und Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet werden.
Komplette vertikale Transposition der Vertikalmotoren modifiziert nach Foster als Operationstechnik für Abduzensparese
Authors: Heede Santa
Published: April 2018

Einleitung Seit 1907 haben sich international verschiedene Transpositionsmanöver bei einer Abduzensparese etabliert. 1935 beschrieb OʼConnor als Erster eine komplette Vertikalmotorentransposition, die Foster 1997 mit einer posterioren Sklerafixation der Transplantate verstärkte. Die durch die „Foster-Naht“ verstärkte Kompletttransposition der geraden Vertikalmotoren gehört zu den wirkungsvollsten Operationstechniken zur Verbesserung der Abduktion. Ziel dieser Studie war es, bei Patienten mit einer Abduzensparalyse das Ergebnis einer solchermaßen verstärkten Muskeltransposition zu beurteilen.

Methoden und Ergebnisse Die durch eine Foster-Naht verstärkte komplette Transposition der geraden Vertikalmotoren wurde im Jahr 2014 bei 5 Patienten mit einer Abduzensparese durchgeführt. Zwei der Patienten erhielten eine Botoxinjektion in den M. medialis: ein Patient 3 Monate postoperativ und ein Patient während der Operation. Einer der Patienten hatte 1 Jahr zuvor eine kombinierte Horizontalmotorenoperation erhalten. Bei 3 der Patienten, die eine reine Transposition mit Foster-Naht erhielten, wurde der präoperative Fernschielwinkel (Median: + 56,6 PD, Streubreite: + 40 – + 80 PD) im Mittel um 39,6 PD reduziert (Median; Streubreite: 34 – 50 PD), die Abduktion wurde im Mittel um 3 mm verbessert (Streubreite: + 2 – + 4 mm). Bei den anderen 2 Patienten, bei denen die Transposition der Vertikalmotoren mit Vor- bzw. Zusatzoperationen an den Horizontalmotoren verbunden war, wurde der präoperative Fernschielwinkel (+ 25 bzw. + 126 PD) um 20 bzw. 81 PD reduziert. Die Adduktion wurde um 4 bzw. 8 mm verbessert. Zwei Patienten entwickelten nach der Transpositionsoperation eine dezente vertikale Abweichung für die Ferne bis maximal 4 PD. Bei keinem der Patienten traten Komplikationen auf, eine Vorderabschnittsischämie wurde nicht diagnostiziert. Die Hebung bzw. Senkung wurde bei allen Patienten nur sehr gering beeinflusst. Diplopie im Aufblick oder Abblick trat nicht auf.

Zusammenfassung Eine komplette Transposition der Vertikalmotoren, verstärkt mit der posterioren Skleranaht, ist eine wirkungsvolle und sichere Operationsmethode und kann in vielen Fällen eine zusätzliche Rücklagerung des M. rectus medialis ersparen. Die Hebung bzw. Senkung wird durch diese Technik nur sehr gering beeinflusst. Diversen Studien zufolge ist die Gefahr einer Vorderabschnittsischämie gering.
Gap-mode-assisted light-induced switching of sub-wavelength magnetic domains
Authors: Scheunert G. , McCarron R. , Kullock R. , Cohen S. R. , Rechav K. , Kaplan-Ashiri I. , Bitton O. , Hecht B. , Oron D.
Published: April 2018

Creating sub-micron hotspots for applications such as heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is a challenging task. The most common approach relies on a surface-plasmon resonator (SPR), whose design dictates the size of the hotspot to always be larger than its critical dimension. Here, we present an approach which circumvents known geometrical restrictions by resorting to electric field confinement via excitation of a gap-mode (GM) between a comparatively large Gold (Au) nano-sphere (radius of 100 nm) and the magnetic medium in a grazing-incidence configuration. Operating a λ=785 nm laser, sub-200 nm hot spots have been generated and successfully used for GM-assisted magnetic switching on commercial CoCrPt perpendicular magnetic recording media at laser powers and pulse durations comparable to SPR-based HAMR. Lumerical electric field modelling confirmed that operating in the near-infrared regime presents a suitable working point where most of the light's energy is deposited in the magnetic layer, rather than in the nano-particle. Further, modelling is used for predicting the limits of our method which, in theory, can yield sub-30 nm hotspots for Au nano-sphere radii of 25–50 nm for efficient heating of FePt recording media with a gap of 5 nm.
The deposition of thin titanium-nitrogen coatings on the surface of PCL-based scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering
Authors: Kudryavtseva Valeriya , Stankevich Ksenia , Kibler Elina , Golovkin Alexey , Mishanin Alexander , Bolbasov Evgeny , Choynzonov Evgeny , Tverdokhlebov Sergei
Published: April 2018

Biodegradable polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering is a promising technology for therapies of patients suffering from the loss of tissue or its function including cardiac tissues. However, limitations such as hydrophobicity of polymers prevent cell attachment, cell conductivity, and endothelialization. Plasma modification of polymers allows producing materials for an impressive range of applications due to their unique properties. Here, we demonstrate the possibility of bioresorbable electrospun polycaprolacton (PCL) scaffold surface modification by reactive magnetron sputtering of the titanium target in a nitrogen atmosphere. The influence of the plasma treatment time on the structure and properties of electrospun PCL scaffolds was studied. We show that the plasma treatment does not change the physico-mechanical properties of electrospun PCL scaffolds, leads to an increase in PCL scaffold biocompatibility, and, simultaneously, increases their hydrophilicity. In conclusion, this modification method opens a route to producing scaffolds with enhanced biocompatibility for tissue engineered vascular grafts.
Study of the normal emissivity of molybdenum during thermal oxidation process
Authors: Xu Yihan , Li Longfei , Yu Kun , Liu Yufang
Published: April 2018

The infrared normal spectral emissivity of the oxidized molybdenum was measured during thermal oxidation process, and the integral emissivity was calculated from the data of spectral emissivity. It is found that the surface oxidation has a remarkable effect on the spectral emissivity of molybdenum, and the spectral emissivity curves become more fluctuant with the increase in oxidation time. The integral emissivity grows exponentially with the oxidation time at 773 K, remains almost constant at 823 K, and fluctuates at 873 and 923 K. The X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the X-ray diffraction, and the scanning electron microscopy were employed to analyze the changes in surface composition and surface morphology. The results show that the most probable reason for the variation of integral emissivity is the change in surface roughness caused by the variation in the size and shape of oxide particle on specimen surface.
Flexoelectricity in ATiO3 (A = Sr, Ba, Pb) perovskite oxide superlattices from density functional theory
Authors: Plymill Austin , Xu Haixuan
Published: April 2018

Flexoelectric coefficients for several bulk and superlattice perovskite systems are determined using a direct approach from first principles density functional theory calculations. A strong enhancement in the longitudinal flexoelectric coefficient has been observed in the 1SrTiO3/1PbTiO3 superlattice with alternating single atomic layers of SrTiO3 and PbTiO3. It was found that atomistic displacement, charge response under strain, and interfaces affect the flexoelectric properties of perovskite superlattice systems. These factors can be used to tune this effect in dielectrics. It was further found that the calculated Born effective charge for an ion under the influence of strain can differ significantly from the bulk value. These insights can be used to help search for more effective flexoelectric materials to be implemented in electromechanical devices.
Magnetic field dependence of photocurrent in thermally evaporated rubrene-based devices
Authors: Chen Lixiang , Lei Yanlian , Zhang Qiaoming , Zhang Yong , Jia Weiyao , Xiong Zuhong
Published: April 2018

The magnetic field response of photocurrent in thermally evaporated rubrene-based single layer devices was investigated, with the results revealing a change of sign in magneto-photocurrent (MPC) with a change of bias. Specifically, under forward bias, there was a positive MPC for |B| > 50 mT, while otherwise there was a negative MPC at smaller fields, forming a “W” shape at low magnetic fields. In contrast, the sign of the MPC was completely changed under reverse bias, forming an “M” shape at low magnetic fields (|B| < 50 mT). Our study suggests that the observed MPC was not only related to the singlet fission (SF) process itself but also strongly dependent on the subsequent decay routes of triplets in rubrene. The triplet-charge reaction and triplet dissociation superimposed on SF under magnetic fields were proposed to account for the different MPC under forward and reverse bias, respectively. Moreover, the magnitude of both the positive and negative MPC could be promoted by avoiding the triplet loss channel of triplet-triplet annihilation in the rubrene devices.
Inner edge magnetisms in carbon honeycombs
Authors: Liu Xiaofei , Guo Wanlin
Published: April 2018

We show by comprehensive ab initio calculations that sp2 carbon honeycombs recently synthesised by Krainyukova et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 055501 (2016)] exhibit antiferromagnetism, not only at the inner edge of the zigzag ribbon component but also at the chain of sp2 carbon that joins three zigzag ribbons. The π antiferromagnetism at the joint chain has spin orientations that alternatively change along the axis and stems from a super-exchange mechanism. Along with the spin-polarization, the joint chain conduction channel opens an energy gap. The spin-polarization of the zigzag edge due to the magnetic instability of the localized edge states is less stable in energy. Through hole doping, the zigzag edge antiferromagnetism is enhanced and stabilized as the magnetic ground state, along with the re-opening of the joint chain conduction channel. When the carbon honeycombs are reconstructed into sp3-sp2 hybrid honeycombs, the π states of the joint are diminished, but the zigzag edge magnetism is preserved. Our results propose carbon honeycombs as novel magnetic carbon with competing polarization configurations.
High spatial resolution detection of low-energy electrons using an event-counting method, application to point projection microscopy
Authors: Salançon Evelyne , Degiovanni Alain , Lapena Laurent , Morin Roger
Published: April 2018

An event-counting method using a two-microchannel plate stack in a low-energy electron point projection microscope is implemented. 15 μm detector spatial resolution, i.e., the distance between first-neighbor microchannels, is demonstrated. This leads to a 7 times better microscope resolution. Compared to previous work with neutrons [Tremsin et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. A 592, 374 (2008)], the large number of detection events achieved with electrons shows that the local response of the detector is mainly governed by the angle between the hexagonal structures of the two microchannel plates. Using this method in point projection microscopy offers the prospect of working with a greater source-object distance (350 nm instead of 50 nm), advancing toward atomic resolution.
Humidity effects on surface dielectric barrier discharge for gaseous naphthalene decomposition
Authors: Abdelaziz Ayman A. , Ishijima Tatsuo , Seto Takafumi
Published: April 2018

Experiments are performed using dry and humid air to clarify the effects of water vapour on the characteristics of surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) and investigate its impact on the performance of the SDBD for decomposition of gaseous naphthalene in air stream. The current characteristics, including the discharge and the capacitive currents, are deeply analyzed and the discharge mechanism is explored. The results confirmed that the humidity affected the microdischarge distribution without affecting the discharge mode. Interestingly, it is found that the water vapour had a significant influence on the capacitance of the reactor due to its deposition on the discharge electrode and the dielectric, which, in turn, affects the power loss in the dielectric and the total power consumed in the reactor. Thus, the factor of the humidity effect on the power loss in the dielectric should be considered in addition to its effect on the attachment coefficient. Additionally, there was an optimum level of the humidity for the decomposition of naphthalene in the SDBD, and its value depended on the gas composition, where the maximum naphthalene decomposition efficiency in O2/H2O is achieved at the humidity level ∼10%, which was lower than that obtained in air/H2O (∼28%). The results also revealed that the role of the humidity in the decomposition efficiency was not significant in the humidified O2 at high power level. This was attributed to the significant increase in oxygen-derived species (such as O atoms and O3) at high power, which was enough to overcome the negative effects of the humidity.
Low damage electrical modification of 4H-SiC via ultrafast laser irradiation
Authors: Ahn Minhyung , Cahyadi Rico , Wendorf Joseph , Bowen Willie , Torralva Ben , Yalisove Steven , Phillips Jamie
Published: April 2018

The electrical properties of 4H-SiC under ultrafast laser irradiation in the low fluence regime (<0.50 J/cm2) are presented. The appearance of high spatial frequency laser induced periodic surface structures is observed at a fluence near 0.25 J/cm2 and above, with variability in environments like in air, nitrogen, and a vacuum. In addition to the formation of periodic surface structures, ultrafast laser irradiation results in possible surface oxidation and amorphization of the material. Lateral conductance exhibits orders of magnitude increase, which is attributed to either surface conduction or modification of electrical contact properties, depending on the initial material conductivity. Schottky barrier formation on ultrafast laser irradiated 4H-SiC shows an increase in the barrier height, an increase in the ideality factor, and sub-bandgap photovoltaic responses, suggesting the formation of photo-active point defects. The results suggest that the ultrafast laser irradiation technique provides a means of engineering spatially localized structural and electronic modification of wide bandgap materials such as 4H-SiC with relatively low surface damage via low temperature processing.
Impact of channel thickness on the performance of an E-mode p-channel MOSHFET in GaN
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , De Souza Maria Merlyne
Published: April 2018

Introduction of positive polarization charge by utilising an AlGaN cap layer between the gate oxide and the channel is one of the promising techniques to deplete a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) to achieve an E-mode p-channel GaN MOSHFET. The results from TCAD simulations indicate that the off-state leakage increases by orders of magnitude for channel layers thicker than 20 nm in this structure. Biasing the two-dimensional electron gas beneath the 2DHG helps alleviate this limitation at the cost of reducing on-current. Scaling the access regions and combining the two techniques allow maximum benefit in terms of on-state current, negative threshold voltage, and the on/off current ratio.
Manipulation of polarization anisotropy in bare InAs and InAs/GaSb core-shell nanowires
Authors: Patra Atanu , Roy Anushree , Gomes Umesh Prasad , Zannier Valentina , Ercolani Daniele , Sorba Lucia
Published: April 2018

In this article, we compare the excitation wavelength dependence of the polarization anisotropy (ρ) of an internal field induced Raman scattering signal in individual bare InAs and InAs/GaSb core-shell nanowires. The measured value of ρ of the Raman scattering intensity for InAs/GaSb core-shell nanowires has a minimum at ∼500 nm, while for the bare InAs nanowire, the value of ρ monotonically increases over the same range of wavelengths. We have modeled the scattering intensities of both systems by considering the joint role of Raman tensor components and confinement of electromagnetic radiation inside the nanowire at two orthogonal polarization configurations of the electromagnetic radiation. The theoretical results allow us to understand that the observed behavior of ρ is related to the nanowire geometry and to the difference in the wavelength dependence of the dielectric constants of InAs and GaSb. This work shows the possibility of manipulating the polarization anisotropy by selecting suitable diameters and materials for the core and the shell of the nanowire. We also report a six-fold increase in Raman scattering intensity due to the GaSb shell on InAs nanowires.
Experimental analysis of the flow near the boundary of random porous media
Authors: Wu Zhenxing , Mirbod Parisa
Published: April 2018

The aim of this work is to experimentally examine flow over and near random porous media. Different porous materials were chosen to achieve porosity ranging from 0.95 to 0.99. In this study, we report the detailed velocity measurements of the flow over and near random porous material inside a rectangular duct using a planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. By controlling the flow rate, two different Reynolds numbers were achieved. We determined the slip velocity at the interface between the porous media and free flow. Values of the slip velocity normalized either by the maximum flow velocity or by the shear rate at the interface and the screening distance K1/2 were found to depend on porosity. It was also shown that the depth of penetration inside the porous material was larger than the screening length using Brinkman’s prediction. Moreover, we examined a model for the laminar coupled flow over and inside porous media and analyzed the permeability of a random porous medium. This study provided detailed analysis of flow over and at the interface of various specific random porous media using the PIV technique. This analysis has the potential to serve as a first step toward using random porous media as a new passive technique to control the flow over smooth surfaces.
Detection of vapor nanobubbles by small angle neutron scattering (SANS)
Authors: Popov Emilian , He Lilin , Dominguez-Ontiveros Elvis , Melnichenko Yuri
Published: April 2018

Experiments using boiling water on untreated (roughness 100–300 nm) metal surfaces using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) show the appearance of structures that are 50–70 nm in size when boiling is present. The scattering signal disappears when the boiling ceases, and no change in the signal is detected at any surface temperature condition below saturation. This confirms that the signal is caused by vapor nanobubbles. Two boiling regimes are evaluated herein that differ by the degree of subcooling (3–10 °C). A polydisperse spherical model with a log-normal distribution fits the SANS data well. The size distribution indicates that a large number of nanobubbles exist on the surface during boiling, and some of them grow into large bubbles.
Communication: Photoinduced carbon dioxide binding with surface-functionalized silicon quantum dots
Authors: Douglas-Gallardo Oscar A. , Sánchez Cristián Gabriel , Vöhringer-Martinez Esteban
Published: April 2018

Nowadays, the search for efficient methods able to reduce the high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has turned into a very dynamic research area. Several environmental problems have been closely associated with the high atmospheric level of this greenhouse gas. Here, a novel system based on the use of surface-functionalized silicon quantum dots (sf-SiQDs) is theoretically proposed as a versatile device to bind carbon dioxide. Within this approach, carbon dioxide trapping is modulated by a photoinduced charge redistribution between the capping molecule and the silicon quantum dots (SiQDs). The chemical and electronic properties of the proposed SiQDs have been studied with a Density Functional Theory and Density Functional Tight-Binding (DFTB) approach along with a time-dependent model based on the DFTB framework. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that proposes and explores the potential application of a versatile and friendly device based on the use of sf-SiQDs for photochemically activated carbon dioxide fixation.
Radiofrequency generation by coherently moving fluxons
Authors: Dobrovolskiy O. V. , Sachser R. , Huth M. , Shklovskij V. A. , Vovk R. V. , Bevz V. M. , Tsindlekht M. I.
Published: April 2018

A lattice of Abrikosov vortices in type II superconductors is characterized by a periodic modulation of the magnetic induction perpendicular to the applied magnetic field. For a coherent vortex motion under the action of a transport current, the magnetic induction at a given point of the sample varies in time with a washboard frequency fWB = v/d, where v is the vortex velocity and d is the distance between the vortices in the direction of motion. Here, by using a spectrum analyzer connected to a 50 nm-wide Au nanowire meander near the surface of a superconducting Nb film, we detect an ac voltage induced by coherently moving fluxons. The voltage is peaked at the washboard frequency, fWB, and its subharmonics, fTOF = fWB/5, determined by the antenna width. By sweeping the dc current value, we reveal that fWB can be tuned from 100 MHz to 1.5 GHz, thereby demonstrating that patterned normal metal/superconductor nanostructures can be used as dc-tunable generators operating in the radiofrequency range.