bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optic nerve appearance as a predictor of visual outcome in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Micieli Jonathan A , Bruce Beau B , Vasseneix Caroline , Blanch Richard J , Berezovsky Damian E , Peragallo Jason H , Newman Nancy J , Biousse Valérie
Published: December 2018

Background/aims

It remains unclear whether the presence of optic disc haemorrhages (ODH) or cotton wool spots (CWS) at presentation in patients with papilloedema from idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has prognostic value. The aim of this study was to determine if optic disc appearance at presentation predicts visual outcome in patients with IIH.

Methods

Retrospective study of 708 eyes of 360 consecutive patients with IIH who had baseline optic disc photographs before or within 30 days of their diagnostic lumbar puncture and initiation of medical treatment. Optic disc photographs were independently graded by three ophthalmologists in a standardised manner. Visual function was assessed using Snellen converted to logMAR visual acuity, Humphrey mean deviation and visual field grade.

Results

At least one ODH was found in 201 (28.4%) eyes, at least one CWS was found in 101 (14.3%) eyes and 88 eyes had both ODH and CWS (12.4%). At presentation, Frisén grade was associated with the presence and severity of ODH and CWS (p<0.001). ODH were associated with a worse visual acuity and CWS were associated with a worse visual field grade and mean deviation at presentation (p<0.05). Frisén grade was associated with worse visual function at presentation and final follow-up (p<0.001). Neither ODH nor CWS at presentation were associated with visual function at final follow-up when controlling for the Frisén grade.

Conclusions and relevance

ODH and CWS at baseline are not independent predictors of final visual function in IIH when controlling for the severity of papilloedema.
Appraising the value of evidence generation activities: an HIV modelling study
Authors: Woods Beth , Rothery Claire , Anderson Sarah-Jane , Eaton Jeffrey W , Revill Paul , Hallett Timothy B , Claxton Karl
Published: December 2018

Introduction

The generation of robust evidence has been emphasised as a priority for global health. Evidence generation spans a wide range of activities including clinical trials, surveillance programmes and health system performance measurement. As resources for healthcare and research are limited, the desirability of research expenditure should be assessed on the same basis as other healthcare resources, that is, the health gains from research must be expected to exceed the health opportunity costs imposed as funds are diverted to research rather than service provision.

Methods

We developed a transmission and costing model to examine the impact of generating additional evidence to reduce uncertainties on the evolution of a generalised HIV epidemic in Zambia.

Results

We demonstrate three important points. First, we can quantify the value of additional evidence in terms of the health gain it is expected to generate. Second, we can quantify the health opportunity cost imposed by research expenditure. Third, the value of evidence generation depends on the budgetary policies in place for managing HIV resources under uncertainty. Generating evidence to reduce uncertainty is particularly valuable when decision makers are required to strictly adhere to expenditure plans and when transfers of funds across geographies/programmes are restricted.

Conclusion

Better evidence can lead to health improvements in the same way as direct delivery of healthcare. Quantitative appraisals of evidence generation activities are important and should reflect the impact of improved evidence on population health, evidence generation costs and budgetary policies in place.
Implementation of tranexamic acid for bleeding trauma patients: a longitudinal and cross-sectional study
Authors: Coats Timothy J , Fragoso-Iñiguez Marisol , Roberts Ian
Published: December 2018

Objective

To describe the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in trauma care in England and Wales since the Clinical Randomization of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Hemorrhage (CRASH-2) trial results were published in 2010.

Methods

A national longitudinal and cross-sectional study using data collected through the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN), the clinical audit of major trauma care for England and Wales. All patients in the TARN database injured in England and Wales were included apart from those with an isolated traumatic brain injury, with a primary outcome of the proportion of patients given TXA and the secondary outcome of time to treatment.

Results

Among 228 250 patients, the proportion of trauma patients treated with TXA increased from near zero in 2010 to 10% (4593) in 2016. In 2016, most patients (82%) who received TXA did so within 3 hours of injury, however, only 30% of patients received TXA within an hour of injury. Most (80%) of the patients who had an early blood transfusion were given TXA. Patients treated with TXA by an ambulance paramedic received treatment at a median of 49 min (IQR 33–72) compared with 111 min (IQR 77–162) for patients treated in hospital.

Conclusions

There is a low proportion of patients treated with TXA across the range of injury severity and the range of physiological indicators of severity of bleeding. Most patients receive treatment within the existing target of 3 hours from injury, however there remains the potential to further improve major trauma outcomes by the earlier treatment of a wider patient group.
Novel prognostic histopathological grading system in oral squamous cell carcinoma based on tumour budding and cell nest size shows high interobserver and intraobserver concordance
Authors: Boxberg Melanie , Bollwein Christine , Jöhrens Korinna , Kuhn Peer-Hendrik , Haller Bernhard , Steiger Katja , Wolff Klaus-Dietrich , Kolk Andreas , Jesinghaus Moritz , Weichert Wilko
Published: December 2018

Aims

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) is a common tumour entity with a variable, partially highly aggressive clinical course. Recently, we proposed a novel (three-tiered) clinically useful grading scheme strongly associated with patient outcome in OSCC, consisting of a sum score of the histomorphological patterns tumour budding and cell nest size which outperforms WHO based grading algorithms currently in use. The aim of our study was to probe for interobserver and intraobserver reliability of this novel grading system.

Methods

108 OSCC were retrospectively scored according to the proposed grading scheme by three independent pathologists—two experienced head and neck pathologists and one pathologist in training—blinded to each other’s scoring results.

Results

The Cohen’s Kappa (κ) values for concordance rates between experienced pathologists wereκ=0.97 for the overall grade,κ=0.97 for budding activity andκ=0.91 for cell nest size, indicating a strong interobserver reliability of our proposed grading system. Initial interobserver agreement was markedly lower with the pathologist in training (κ=0.55 for overall grade) but improved significantly after a training session (κ=0.87 for overall grade). Intraobserver concordance was high (κ=0.95 for overall grade), indicating a high reproducibility of the algorithm.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study indicates that OSCC grading based on our proposed novel scheme yields an excellent inter-reader and intrareader agreement, further supporting the suitability of this grading system for routine pathological practice.
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease: practical considerations
Authors: Juryńczyk Maciej , Jacob Anu , Fujihara Kazuo , Palace Jacqueline
Published: December 2018

The field of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases has recently broadened to include a new condition associated with pathogenic serum antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). This is distinct from multiple sclerosis (MS) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). MOG antibody-associated disease phenotypes are varied and range from classical neuromyelitis optica to acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis and cortical encephalitis. The diagnosis depends on using a reliable, specific and sensitive assay of the antibody. Clinical and imaging features of MOG-associated syndromes overlap with AQP4 antibody NMOSD but can be usually distinguished from MS: in particular, the silent lesions typical of MS that progressively increase lesion volume are rare in MOG antibody disease. The disease can relapse but medium-term immunosuppression appears to be protective. Permanent disability, particularly severe ambulatory and visual disability, is less frequent than in AQP4 antibody NMOSD and usually results from the onset attack. However, sphincter and sexual dysfunction after a transverse myelitis is common. Here we review the practical aspects of diagnosing and managing a patient with MOG antibody-associated disease.
Proprioceptive Recognition with Artificial Neural Networks Based on Organizations of Spinocerebellar Tract and Cerebellum
Authors: Guang Hui , Ji Linhong
Published: December 2018

Muscle kinematics and kinetics are nonlinearly encoded by proprioceptors, and the changes in muscle length and velocity are integrated into Ia afferent. Besides, proprioceptive signals from multiple muscles are probably mixed in afferent pathways, which all lead to difficulties in proprioceptive recognition for the cerebellum. In this study, the artificial neural networks, whose organizations are biologically based on the spinocerebellar tract and cerebellum, are utilized to decode the proprioceptive signals. Consistent with the controversy of the proprioceptive division in the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, the spinocerebellar tract networks incorporated two distinct inferences, (1) the centralized networks, which mixed Ia, II, and Ib and processed them together; (2) the decentralized networks, which processed Ia, II, and Ib afferents separately. The cerebellar networks were based on the Marr–Albus model to recognize the kinematic states. The networks were trained by a specific movement, and the trained networks were subsequently required to predict kinematic states of six movements. The results demonstrated that the centralized networks, which were more consistent with the physiological findings in recent years, had better recognition accuracy than the decentralized networks, and the networks were still effective even when proprioceptive afferents from multiple muscles were integrated.
RGB-D Image Multi-Target Detection Method Based on 3D DSF R-CNN
Authors: Hu Qi , Zhai Lang
Published: December 2018

At present, the application of deep learning algorithms in two-dimensional color image detection is being continuously innovated and broken. With the popularity of depth cameras, color image detection methods with depth information need to be upgraded. To solve this problem, a multi-target detection algorithm based on 3D DSF R-CNN (Double Stream Faster R-CNN, Convolution Neural Network based on Candidate Region) is proposed in this paper. The RGB information and the depth information of the image are given to two input elements of the convolution network with the same structure and weight sharing, and an optimal fusion weight algorithm is used to determine the weight of the fusion target in accordance with the recognition accuracy of the recognition targets under the single modal information, so as to ensure the most efficient fusion result. After several convolution operations, the independent features are extracted and the two networks are fused according to the optimal weights in the convolution layer. With the conducting of convolution and extract the fused features, and finally get the output through the full link layer. Compared with the previous two-dimensional convolution network algorithm, this algorithm improves the detection rate and success rate while ensuring the detection time. The experimental result shows that this method has strong robustness for complex illumination and partial occlusion, and has excellent detection results under non-restrictive conditions.
A Low Power and Low Current-Mismatch Charge Pump with Dynamic Current Compensation
Authors: Liu Lianxi , Gao Shaopu , Mu Junchao , Zhu Zhangming
Published: December 2018

A novel low power charge pump (CP) that minimizes the mismatch between the charging and the discharging currents is proposed in this paper. The switching circuit with dynamic current compensation is used to reduce the power consumption of the proposed CP. In addition, precise current replication which makes use of the resistors and the low offset operational amplifiers (OTA) can enable a reduction in current mismatch caused by process mismatch. Meanwhile, the high output impedance can reduce the current mismatch caused by the channel length modulation effect. Based on the 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m deep-Nwell CMOS process, the proposed CP can reduce the overall power consumption by 56% compared with the CP without current compensation, reduce the current mismatch caused by process mismatch to less than 0.9% and reduce the current mismatch caused by the channel length modulation effect to less than 0.01% over the output voltage ranging from 0.3 to 1.5[Formula: see text]V with 1.8[Formula: see text]V supply.
Amplifier-Aware Content-Based Precoder Design for Hierarchical Image Transmission over a Realistic MIMO-OFDM Channel
Authors: Sohtsinda Hermann , Perrine Clency , Bachir Smail , Duvanaud Claude , Chatellier Christian
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes the design of a precoder in MIMO systems dedicated to JPEG Wireless (JPWL) (ISO/IEC 15444-11) image transmission which jointly takes into account the channel noise and the nonlinear distortions due to the high power amplifier (HPA) used in the transmitter. MIMO-OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) systems dedicated to image transmission rely only on the Channel State Information (CSI) and the image content to design their precoding solutions. However, the nonlinear behavior of the HPA used at the front-end is not taken into account when designing the current precoders. In order to ensure the QoS of the transmitted image, a large level back-off is usually applied to avoid the nonlinear distortions generated by the HPA. In addition, the Input Back-off (IBO) value is statically chosen and does not depend on the other parameters of the link such as the instantaneous MIMO channel status, the modulation order and the scalability of the JPWL content. This may reduce both the global energy efficiency and the transmission quality of the Radio-Frequency (RF) link. Therefore, this work proposes a new precoding scheme to allocate the total available power while dynamically adjusting the optimal power IBO value according to the HPA parameters, the instantaneous channel status and the image content to be transmitted. Numerical results using a commercial HPA model under the IEEE 802.11n standard show that the proposed power allocation algorithm improves the visual quality of the received JPWL images compared to the state-of-the-art over a realistic radio channel model.
Global Multiprocessor Scheduling with Job Level Priority Assignment
Authors: Yang Tao , Deng Qingxu
Published: December 2018

In the field of real-time multiprocessor scheduling, researchers have found that global scheduling on average results in better resource utilization than partitioned scheduling, and is more robust in the presence of timing errors. In this paper, we present a global scheduling algorithm JPA with Job-level Priority Assignment for sporadic task systems that can be viewed as a generalization of both FPS and EDF. We also introduce JPA's efficient variant, which greatly reduces the runtime overhead comparing with JPA. As will be shown by the experiments, JPA indeed exhibits much better performance than the state-of-the-art multiprocessor scheduling/analysis techniques based on FPS and EDF.
Boolean Difference Technique for Detecting All Missing Gate and Stuck-at Faults in Reversible Circuits
Authors: Mondal Joyati , Mondal Bappaditya , Kole Dipak Kumar , Rahaman Hafizur , Das Debesh Kumar
Published: December 2018

Quantum reversible circuit is a new emerging technology attracting the researchers. A reversible circuit is composed of reversible gates. One example of reversible gate is Toffoli gate. A Toffoli gate (also known as [Formula: see text]-CNOT) has two components — the control and the target. Initially, stuck-at fault and other fault models were used for modeling defects in quantum reversible circuits. Later, a new fault model known as missing gate fault model was introduced, which is more effective in capturing the errors in quantum reversible circuit. Boolean Difference is already a known technique to detect stuck-at faults in conventional CMOS circuit. In this paper, Boolean Difference method is applied to derive the test set for detecting each stuck-at fault and missing gate fault in a reversible circuit. Then an optimization algorithm is used to derive an optimal test set, which will detect all possible faults in a circuit. The method is valid also for other fault models.
Free subgroups in maximal subgroups of skew linear groups
Authors: Hai Bui Xuan , Khanh Huynh Viet
Published: December 2018

The study of the existence of free groups in skew linear groups have begun since the last decades of the 20th century. The starting point is the theorem of Tits (1972), now often referred to as Tits’ Alternative, stating that every finitely generated subgroup of the general linear group [Formula: see text] over a field [Formula: see text] either contains a non-cyclic free subgroup or it is solvable-by-finite. In this paper, we study the existence of non-cyclic free subgroups in maximal subgroups of an almost subnormal subgroup of the general skew linear group over a locally finite division ring.
L-spaces, left-orderability and two-bridge knots
Authors: Ba Idrissa
Published: December 2018

We show that the 3-fold cyclic branched cover of any genus 2 two-bridge knot [Formula: see text] is an L-space and its fundamental group is not left-orderable. Therefore, the family of 3-fold cyclic branched cover of any genus 2 two-bridge knot [Formula: see text] verifies the [Formula: see text]-space conjecture. We also show that if [Formula: see text] is a two-bridge knot with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], then the fundamental group of the 5-fold cyclic branched cover of [Formula: see text] is not left-orderable, which will complete the proof that the fundamental group of the 5-fold cyclic branched cover of any genus 1 two-bridge knot is not left-orderable.
Properties of Neutron stars with hyperon cores in parametrized hydrostatic conditions
Authors: Sen Debashree , Banerjee Kinjal , Jha T. K.
Published: December 2018

Models of neutron stars (NSs) with hyperon cores are constructed with an effective chiral model in mean-field approximation. The hyperon couplings are fixed by reproducing their experimentally determined binding energies. The impact of these couplings on population of different particles and the equation of state (EoS) are studied in this work. The global properties of NSs like gravitational mass, radius, baryonic mass and central density are calculated using parametrized Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations (PTOVs) with special emphasis on two effects of pressure — one contributing to total mass density and the other to self-gravity of the star. We find that with PTOV solutions in static conditions, a softer EoS (including hyperons) can also lead to massive stellar configurations of NSs, which are in good agreement with the observed maximum mass bound of [Formula: see text] (PSR J0348-0432). Estimates of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], obtained with the PTOV equations, are consistent with the recent findings of the same from the data analysis of gravitational waves (GW170817) observation.
FFRT properties of hypersurfaces and their F-signatures
Authors: Alhazmy Khaled , Katzman Mordechai
Published: December 2018

This paper studies properties of certain hypersurfaces in prime characteristic: we give sufficient and necessary conditions for some classes of such hypersurfaces to have Finite [Formula: see text]-representation Type (FFRT) and we compute the [Formula: see text]-signatures of these hypersurfaces. The main method used in this paper is based on finding explicit matrix factorizations.
Cogalois theory and drinfeld modules
Authors: Sánchez–Mirafuentes Marco Antonio , Salas–Torres Julio Cesar , Villa–Salvador Gabriel
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we generalize the results of [M. Sánchez-Mirafuentes and G. Villa–Salvador, Radical extensions for the Carlitz module, J. Algebra 398 (2014) 284–302] to rank one Drinfeld modules with class number one. We show that, in the present form, there does not exist a cogalois theory for Drinfeld modules of rank or class number larger than one. We also consider the torsion of the Carlitz module for the extension [Formula: see text].
Balance for relative cohomology of complexes
Authors: Di Zhenxing , Lu Bo , Zhao Junxiu
Published: December 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be an arbitrary ring. We use a strict [Formula: see text]-resolution [Formula: see text] of a complex [Formula: see text] with finite [Formula: see text]-projective dimension, where [Formula: see text] denotes a subcategory of right [Formula: see text]-modules closed under extensions and direct summands and admits an injective cogenerator [Formula: see text], to define the [Formula: see text]th relative cohomology functor [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text]. If a complex [Formula: see text] has finite [Formula: see text]-injective dimension, then one can use a dual argument to define a notion of a relative cohomology functor [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a subcategory of right [Formula: see text]-modules closed under extensions and direct summands and admits a projective generator. Under several orthogonal conditions, we show that there exists an isomorphism [Formula: see text] of relative cohomology groups for each [Formula: see text]. This result simultaneously encompasses a balance result of Holm on Gorenstein projective and injective modules, a balance result of Sather-Wagstaff, Sharif and White on Gorenstein projective and injective modules with respect to semidualizing modules, and a balance result of Liu on Gorenstein projective and injective complexes. In particular, as an application of this result, we extend the above balance result of Sather-Wagstaff, Sharif and White to the setting of complexes.
A non-commutative analogue of Costa’s first conjecture
Authors: Li Weiqing , Liu Dong
Published: December 2018

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be arbitrary fixed integers. We prove that there exists a ring [Formula: see text] such that: (1) [Formula: see text] is a right [Formula: see text]-ring; (2) [Formula: see text] is not a right [Formula: see text]-ring for each non-negative integer [Formula: see text]; (3) [Formula: see text] is not a right [Formula: see text]-ring [Formula: see text]for [Formula: see text], for each non-negative integer [Formula: see text]; (4) [Formula: see text] is a right [Formula: see text]-coherent ring; (5) [Formula: see text] is not a right [Formula: see text]-coherent ring. This shows the richness of right [Formula: see text]-rings and right [Formula: see text]-coherent rings, and, in particular, answers affirmatively a problem posed by Costa in [D. L. Costa, Parameterizing families of non-Noetherian rings, Comm. Algebra 22 (1994) 3997–4011.] when the ring in question is non-commutative.
Domination number of graphs associated with rings
Authors: Hashemi Ebrahim , Abdi Mona , Alhevaz Abdollah , Su Huadong
Published: December 2018

The present work aims to exploit the interplay between the algebraic properties of rings and the graph-theoretic structures of their associated graphs. Let [Formula: see text] be an associative (not necessarily commutative) ring. We focus on the domination number of the zero-divisor graph [Formula: see text], the compressed zero-divisor graph [Formula: see text] and the unit graph [Formula: see text]. We find some relations between the domination number of the zero-divisor graph and that of the compressed zero-divisor graph. Moreover, some relations between the domination number of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], as well as the relations between the domination number of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are studied.
Galois groups of doubly even octic polynomials
Authors: Altmann Anna , Awtrey Chad , Cryan Sam , Shannon Kiley , Touchette Madeleine
Published: December 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be an irreducible polynomial with rational coefficients, [Formula: see text] the number field defined by [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] the Galois group of [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text], and let [Formula: see text] be the Galois group of [Formula: see text]. We investigate the extent to which knowledge of the conjugacy class of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] determines the conjugacy class of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. We show that, in general, knowledge of [Formula: see text] does not automatically determine [Formula: see text], except when [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text] (the cyclic group of order 4). In this case, we show [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to a non-split extension of [Formula: see text] (the dihedral group of order 8) by [Formula: see text]. We also show that [Formula: see text] is completely determined when [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a perfect square. In this case, [Formula: see text].
Co–Fe Bimetal Phosphate Composite Loaded on Reduced Graphene Oxide for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Zhu Guoxing , Xie Xulan , Xiao Lisong , Li Xiaoyun , Shen Xiaoping , Liu Yuanjun
Published: December 2018

Development of high-performance nonprecious metal-based catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial to improve the efficiency of water electrolysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting for harvesting and storage of solar energy. Herein, Co–Fe phosphates and their composites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method, which then acted as oxygen evolution reaction catalysts. In 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution, the as-obtained optimal composite, Co–Fe phosphate/rGO, can catalyze oxygen evolution reaction with a very sharp onset potential and a small over-potential of 338[Formula: see text]mV to achieve a current density of 10[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. It was found that in these Co–Fe phosphates, the optimal Co:Fe ratio is 0.75:0.25. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of the Co–Fe phosphate/rGO composite would benefit from the synergistic effects between Fe and Co species, as well as rGO substrate providing conductive channels. The formed Co–Fe phosphate/rGO electrocatalysts can be the promising replacement of precious metal-based catalysts for more practical and cost-efficient water splitting.
Enhanced Selectivity for Oriented Catalyzing Tetracycline by the Functional Inorganic Imprinted ZnFe2O4@Ag3PO4/SiO2 Photocatalyst with Excellent Stability
Authors: Lu Ziyang , Yu Zehui , Song Minshan , Liu Xinlin , Liu Yang , Yan Yongsheng , Huo Pengwei , Dong Hongjun , Chen Fei , Han Song
Published: December 2018

A novel functional inorganic imprinted ZnFe2O4@Ag3PO4/SiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile sol–gel method combined with the surface imprinting technique, which possessed excellent stability. By optimizing the amount of materials, we determine the preferable addition amounts of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and tetracycline to be 0.06[Formula: see text]mL and 0.06[Formula: see text]g, respectively. This as-prepared functional inorganic imprinted ZnFe2O4@Ag3PO4/SiO2 photocatalyst was proved to not only exhibit high photocatalytic activity (the photodegradation rate was 61.52% under the simulated sunlight irradiation of 60[Formula: see text]min), but also possess a strong oriented ability to selectively recognize and photocatalyze tetracycline (the coefficient of selectivity ([Formula: see text] was 5.14 for ciprofloxacin and 3.63 for gatifloxacin). Moreover, the functional inorganic imprinted ZnFe2O4@Ag3PO4/SiO2 photocatalyst prepared with SiO2 as the inorganic imprinted layer has good stability and can be recycled many times. This work not only puts forward a novel design idea of functional semiconductor materials but also is expected to be widely applied to the oriented catalysis for a target substance according to the practical requirement.
Enhanced Microwave Absorption Properties of Metal Organic Framework (MOF)-Derived Carbonaceous ZnO Incorporated Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites
Authors: Liu Zhongfei , Yuan Jiangtao , Zhang Hui , Xiong Kuangwei , Jin Shaowei , Wang Peihong
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the MOFs-derived carbonaceous ZnO and RGO (carbonaceous ZnO/RGO) composites have been prepared by the wet chemical method and carbonization process. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electromagnetic parameters of carbonaceous ZnO/RGO composites are investigated by the vector network analyzer. The results exhibit carbonaceous ZnO/RGO composites have a maximum absorption of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB at 6[Formula: see text]GHz with thickness of 3.5[Formula: see text]mm and the effective absorption (below [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB) bandwidth is up to 1.92[Formula: see text]GHz (from 5.28 to 7.2[Formula: see text]GHz). Thus, the carbonaceous ZnO/RGO composites have great potential in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption.
Adaptive Slicing Method for Three-Dimensional Microstructures with Free-Form Surfaces in Two Photon Polymerization Microfabrication
Authors: Jing Xian , Wang Kaixuan , Lin Jieqiong , Liu Peng , Kan Yudi , Zheng Xu , Sun Jie , Li Yingchun
Published: December 2018

Slicing reference data and adaptive slicing algorithm are the key issues to find out appropriate layer thicknesses of three-dimensional (3D) microstructures with free-form surface in two photon polymerization (TPP). In the present work, an adaptive slicing method (ASM) was proposed to improve the fabricating efficiency of 3D microstructures with free-form surface in TPP microfabrication. In the proposed method, slicing reference data were obtained by intersecting a series of vertical planes with the triangular patch format along characteristic directions. Maximum acceptable chordal height played a role as judging criteria to obtain appropriate layer thicknesses. What’s more, typical 3D microstructures with free-form surfaces were fabricated with uniform slicing method (USM) and the proposed ASM, respectively. The comparison results showed that the proposed method effectively improved fabricating efficiency, guaranteeing an acceptable surface quality at the same time. This work was expected to provide references for improving fabrication efficiency of complex 3D microstructures in TPP.
Carbon Nanotubes-Supported Well-Dispersed Pd Nanoparticles for the Efficiently Selective Hydrogenation of Benzoic Acid to Synthesize Cyclohexane Carboxylic Acid
Authors: Hu Yin , Chen Wei , Wu Qi , Xie Xin , Song Weiguo
Published: December 2018

Pd and carbon nanotube (CNT) composites were prepared by well-dispersed deposition of Pd nanoparticles on commercial CNT, and applied to the selective hydrogenation of benzoic acid (BA) to synthesize cyclohexane carboxylic acid (CCA). The catalysts and the hydrogenation products were analyzed by XRD, TEM, TG, FTIR, UV-Vis absorption, GC and GC-MS, respectively. Hydrogenation process was also optimized through varying the reaction parameters. The results demonstrate that Pd/CNT catalysts possess the highest hydrogenation efficiency, give the full conversion of BA and 100.0% selectivity towards CCA at the optimal hydrogenation conditions, by comparing with some commercial hydrogenation catalysts and Pd/C catalysts with commercial carbonaceous supports. The excellent hydrogenation performance of Pd/CNT is attributed to the stable crystalline CNT support and the high dispersion of Pd nanoparticles. In addition, the protic solvent is also beneficial to lower the activation energy barrier of BA hydrogenation, and further to improve the hydrogenation rate. This work implies that CNT can be potentially chosen as an effective carbonaceous support to prepare Pd/C catalyst with an outstanding performance of BA selective hydrogenation.
Direct Electrodeposition to Fabricate 3D Graphene Network Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Tadalafil
Authors: Xin Changzheng , Gao ShanShan , Din Yaxin , Wu Yanju , Wang Fei
Published: December 2018

In this work, pulse potential method (PPM) was presented to fabricate directly three-dimensional graphene (3DG) network on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The morphological characteristic of 3DG network were investigated by means of Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical experiments. The 3DG network as a new voltammetric material was used to develop a high-sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of tadalafil. Electrochemical tests showed that the 3DG network can help to enhance response due to the large accessible surface area as well as its excellent conductivity. Under the optimum conditions, the electrochemical response showed a linear relationship with tadalafil concentrations in the range of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text]L[Formula: see text], and a low detection limit of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol[Formula: see text]L[Formula: see text] was achieved for tadalafil. Moreover, the fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, stability, reproducibility and repeatability, which make it very suitable for analytical applications for the trace level determination of tadalafil.
Effect of Cation Distribution on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mg Substituted Nanosized Manganese Ferrites
Authors: Mohammadi Seyed Taghi , Nazirzadeh Mehdi , Nanakar Hassan
Published: December 2018

In the present investigation, A series of Mg-Mn ferrite nanopowders with composition MgxMn[Formula: see text]Fe2O4 (with [Formula: see text], 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Thereafter, the obtained powders were pressed separately to form pellets, and sintered at 1250∘C for 3[Formula: see text]h at air atmosphere. Finally, the samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer (AGFM) and Curie temperature measuring instrument. The lattice constant and distribution of cation in the tetrahedral and octahedral sites have been deduced through XRD data analysis. The XRD pattern confirmed the existence of single phase of cubic spinel crystal structure with the lattice parameter ranging from 8.49 Å (for MnFe2O4) to 8.35 Å (for MgFe2O4). This behavior was attributed to the ionic radii. STEM micrographs exhibit that the particles are spherically shaped and agglomerated with particle size ranging 50–90[Formula: see text]nm quite consistent with particle size obtained from XRD data. The average crystallite size was 70[Formula: see text]nm. Magnetization decreases with increasing Mg concentration except for [Formula: see text], where it shows increasing trend. Curie temperature measurements exhibit increasing trend with increase in magnesium content. The variation of the saturation magnetization and Curie temperature with increasing concentration of the Mg[Formula: see text] ions can be explained on the basis of cation distribution, strengthening A–B interaction and Neel’s two sub-lattice.
S, N Co-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots Decorated C-Doped ZnO Nanotaper Photoanodes for Solar Cells Applications
Authors: Majumder Tanmoy , Dhar Saurab , Chakraborty Pinak , Debnath Kamalesh , Mondal Suvra Prakash
Published: December 2018

Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped graphene quantum dots (SNGQDs) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The doping of S, N atoms and chemical bonding in SNGQDs has been investigated by XPS measurements. Our as-grown SNGQDs showed strong UV (wavelength [Formula: see text]261–341[Formula: see text]nm) and visible absorption (wavelength [Formula: see text]261–341[Formula: see text]nm) and demonstrated excitation-dependent photoemission in visible spectrum. Photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic properties of SNGQDs sensitized carbon-doped ZnO nanotaper (C-ZnO NT) photoanodes has been studied in detail. SNGQD sensitized photoanodes demonstrated superior photoconversion efficiency ([Formula: see text]1.46% and incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) [Formula: see text]92.48% at 340[Formula: see text]nm. Quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) has been fabricated using SNGQDs sensitized C-ZnO NT photoandoes and demonstrated maximum power conversion efficiency ([Formula: see text]0.59%.
Dynamics of a stochastic heroin epidemic model with bilinear incidence and varying population size
Authors: Liu Shitao , Zhang Liang , Zhang Xiao-Bing , Li Aibing
Published: December 2018

We investigate a stochastic heroin epidemic model with bilinear incidence and varying population size. Sufficient criteria for the extinction of the drug abusers and the existence of ergodic stationary distribution for the model are established by constructing suitable stochastic Lyapunov functions. By analyzing the sensitivity of the threshold of spread, we obtain that prevention is better than cure. Numerical simulations are carried out to confirm the analytical results.
A model of a human heart via graph nano topological spaces
Authors: Nawar Ashraf S. , El Atik Abd El Fattah A.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, new forms of nano topological spaces through a neighborhood system of vertices for a digraph will be presented and studied. We apply the connection between digraph theory and nano topological spaces in the human heart as an example in real life. We have a blood flow system in the human heart with respect to oxygenated and deoxygenated blood circulation. Our study will be definitely helpful to develop a tool in solving the blood flow system in the human heart. Finally, we have succeeded in improving Proposition 1.6 in [7] and Proposition 4.4.1 in [11].
Robust delay-dependent stability of uncertain inertial neural networks with impulsive effects and distributed-delay
Authors: Yu Tianhu , Liu Shengqiang , Wang Huamin , Cui Yingjia , Cao Dengqing
Published: December 2018

The robust stability problem of uncertain inertial neural networks with impulsive effects and distributed-delay is considered in the present paper. The average impulsive interval and differential inequality for delay differential equations are used to obtain the global exponential stability of the inertial neural networks. The robust distributed-delay-dependent stability criteria here are proposed in terms of both linear matrix inequalities and algebraic inequalities. Our results can not only be used to obtain the stability of the uncertain inertial neural network with impulsive disturbance, but also be utilized to design the impulsive control for the uncertain inertial neural networks. The novel criteria complement and extend the previous works on uncertain inertial neural network with/without impulsive effects. Typical numerical examples are used to test the validity of the developed stability criteria finally.
Synthesis and catalytic performance of graphene oxide-Au nanorings composites
Authors: Shen Tong , Li Zhong , Jiang Yue , Luo Zai-Gang
Published: December 2018

A simple and facile method is described for the in situ synthesis of graphene oxide-Ag nanoplates (GO-AgNPs) hybrid structure and then served as sacrificial templates for producing graphene oxide-Au nanorings (GO-AuNRs) by galvanic replacement taken place on the GO surface. The catalytic activity of the resulting hybrid nanomaterial has been investigated for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The results showed that the rate constant of GO-AuNRs nanomaterials was 0.205[Formula: see text]min[Formula: see text] and the samples showed significant enhancement in catalytic activity.
High thermal conductivity of pure dense SiC ceramics prepared via HTPVT
Authors: Deng Yuchen , Zhang Yaming , Zhang Nanlong , Zhi Qiang , Wang Bo , Yang Jianfeng
Published: December 2018

Pure dense silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics were obtained via the high-temperature physical vapor transport (HTPVT) method using graphite paper as the growth substrate. The phase composition, the evolution of microstructure, the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity at RT to 200∘C were investigated. The obtained samples had a relative density of higher than 98.7% and a large grain size of 1[Formula: see text]mm, the samples also had a room-temperature thermal conductivity of [Formula: see text] and with the temperature increased to 200∘C, the thermal conductivity still maintained at [Formula: see text].
Dual-mode conversion luminescent properties of PbF2:Er3+, Yb3+ phosphors
Authors: Liu Hong-Wei , Sun Jia-Liang , Wang Yi-Fan , Ma Xiao-Yi , Li Biao , Bai Zhao-Hui , Zhang Xi-Yan
Published: December 2018

PbF2: Er[Formula: see text], Yb[Formula: see text] phosphors with the property of dual-mode conversion were prepared successfully by the high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The structure and luminescence properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence spectrum method. The luminescence mechanisms of the samples under single ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) light source excitation and UV[Formula: see text]IR co-excitation were analyzed. Under 376, 980 and 1550[Formula: see text]nm excitation, the phosphors showed intense green and red emission, the green emission (520–570[Formula: see text]nm) and the red emission (650–680[Formula: see text]nm) originated from the 2H[Formula: see text]I[Formula: see text], 4S[Formula: see text]I[Formula: see text] and 4F[Formula: see text]I[Formula: see text] transitions of Er[Formula: see text] ions, respectively. The fluorescence enhancement effect was observed in the UV and IR co-excited samples, which is derived from the infrared photon reabsorption of the ions at metastable energy levels.
Total coloring conjecture for vertex, edge and neighborhood corona products of graphs
Authors: Vignesh Radhakrishnan , Geetha Jayabalan , Somasundaram Kanagasabapathi
Published: December 2018

A total coloring of a graph [Formula: see text] is an assignment of colors to the elements of the graph [Formula: see text] such that no adjacent vertices and edges receive the same color. The total chromatic number of a graph [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is the minimum number of colors that suffice in a total coloring. Behzad and Vizing conjectured that for any simple graph [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the maximum degree of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove the tight bound of the total coloring conjecture for the three types of corona products (vertex, edge and neighborhood) of graphs.
A numerical method for improving seismic resistance of concrete based on its meso-scale damage mechanisms
Authors: Sun Bin
Published: December 2018

In this study, reliable image-based meso-scale damage evolution simulation of concrete can be executed by considering its heterogeneous meso-components. Meso-scale damage evolution of concrete with different meso-components are simulated and analyzed here, which can be used to optimize seismic resistance of concrete. As a case study, seismic damage process of a reinforced concrete (RC) column with different meso-component parameters are simulated. From the simulation results, it can be seen that improvement of the properties of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) can significantly improve the seismic performance of RC columns. The established reliable damage evolution simulation of concrete can supply a useful numerical tool to study the method for improving seismic performance of RC column such as optimizing concrete’s meso-model parameters.
Designs of Biomaterials and Microenvironments for Neuroengineering
Authors: Yang Yanru , Zhang Yuhua , Chai Renjie , Gu Zhongze
Published: December 2018

Recent clinical research on neuroengineering is primarily focused on biocompatible materials, which can be used to provide electroactive and topological cues, regulate the microenvironment, and perform other functions. Novel biomaterials for neuroengineering have been received much attention in the field of research, including graphene, photonic crystals, and organ-on-a-chip. Graphene, which has the advantage of high mechanical strength and chemical stability with the unique electrochemical performance for electrical signal detection and transmission, has significant potential as a conductive scaffolding in the field of medicine. Photonic crystal materials, known as a novel concept in nerve substrates, have provided a new avenue for neuroengineering research because of their unique ordered structure and spectral attributes. The “organ-on-a-chip” systems have shown significant prospects for the developments of the solutions to nerve regeneration by mimicking the microenvironment of nerve tissue. This paper presents a review of current progress in the designs of biomaterials and microenvironments and provides case studies in developing nerve system stents upon these biomaterials. In addition, we compose a conductive patterned compounded biomaterial, which could mimic neuronal microenvironment for neuroengineering by concentrating the advantage of such biomaterials.
Applying EBM Model and Grey Forecasting to Assess Efficiency of Third-Party Logistics Providers
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Day Jen-Der , Nguyen Thi-Kim-Lien
Published: December 2018

A third-party logistics (TLP) provider’s outsourcing mode is developed to support the economic activities for various industries. The aim of this research is to assess the efficiency of 10 large TPL providers from past to future by integrating the GM (1,1) model in grey forecasting and an epsilon-based measure model (EBM) in data envelopment analysis (DEA). The GM (1,1) model is utilized to formulate a forecast data in the future over period from 2018 to 2022. Then, via EBM model, past–current–future data are used for computing efficiency of these providers. The empirical values show that 115 cases comprise 79 efficiency cases and 36 inefficiency cases. CHRW, ECHO, and UPS get strong efficiency and keep a stable efficiency score in whole term. EXPD and KRRYF do not achieve efficiency during the period from 2013 to 2022. Excluding CHRW, ECHO, and UPS, seven TPL providers demonstrate upward trend and downward trends in every term. The increasing and decreasing variation index of 10 third-party logistics providers will help customers to select the best TPL providers.