bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gait Speed rather than Dynapenia Is a Simple Indicator for Complex Care Needs: A Cross-sectional Study Using Minimum Data Set
Authors: Huang Tzu-Ya , Liang Chih-Kuang , Shen Hsiu-Chu , Chen Hon-I , Liao Mei-Chen , Chou Ming-Yueh , Lin Yu-Te , Chen Liang-Kung
Published: August 2017

The impact of dynapenia on the complexity of care for residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) remains unclear. The present study evaluated associations between dynapenia, care problems and care complexity in 504 residents of Veterans Care Homes (VCHs) in Taiwan. Subjects with dynapenia, defined as low muscle strength (handgrip strength <26 kg), were older adults with lower body mass index (BMI), slow gait speed, and higher numbers of Resident Assessment Protocol (RAP) triggers. After adjusting for age, education, BMI, and Charlson’s comorbidity index (CCI), only age, education, BMI and gait speed were independently associated with higher numbers of RAP triggers, but not dynapenia or handgrip strength (kg). Dividing subjects into groups based on quartiles of gait speed, those with gait speed ≤0.803 m/s were significantly associated with higher complexity of care needs (defined as ≥4 RAP triggers) compared to the reference group (gait speed >1 m/s). Significantly slow gait speed was associated with RAP triggers, including cognitive loss, poor communication ability, rehabilitation needs, urinary incontinence, depressed mood, falls, pressure ulcers, and use of psychotropic drugs. In conclusion, slow gait speed rather than dynapenia is a simple indicator for higher complexity of care needs of older male LTCF residents.
The linear artifact in enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Zuo Chengguo , Mi Lan , Yang Shasha , Guo Xinxing , Xiao Hui , Liu Xing
Published: August 2017

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable ancillary test in the diagnosis and management of chorioretinal disease. The evaluation of choroid thickness using OCT has become the focus of clinical applications. We report a linear artifact that acts as a confounding factor in choroidal thickness measurements by enhanced depth imaging OCT. We found that the linear artifact is located stably at a depth of 485 μm beneath the retinal pigment epithelium in 81.88% of subjects. The study suggested that the linear artifact was a confounding factor in assessing choroidal thickness and that caution should be used in the interpretation of the choroidal thickness, especially when it is approximately 485 μm.
Surveillance Bias in Cancer Risk After Unrelated Medical Conditions: Example Urolithiasis
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Hemminki Otto , Försti Asta , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Li Xinjun
Published: August 2017

We analysed cancer risks in patients with urinary tract stones but some features of the generated results alarmed us about possible surveillance bias, which we describe in this report. We used nationwide Swedish hospital records to identify patients with urinary tract stones (N = 211,718) and cancer registration data for cancer patients for years 1987 to 2012. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancer were calculated after the last medical contact for urinary tract stones. All cancers were increased after kidney (SIR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.50–1.58), ureter (1.44, 1.42–1.47), mixed (1.51, 1.44–1.58) and bladder stones (1.63, 1.57–1.70). The risk of kidney cancer was increased most of all cancers after kidney, ureter and mixed stones while bladder cancer was increased most after bladder stones. All SIRs decreased steeply in the course of follow-up time. Tumour sizes were smaller in kidney cancer and in situ colon cancers were more common in patients diagnosed after urinary tract stones compared to all patients. The results suggest that surveillance bias influenced the result which somewhat surprisingly appeared to extend past 10 years of follow-up and include cancers at distant anatomical sites. Surveillance bias may be difficult to avoid in the present type of observational studies in clinical settings.
The Us2 Gene Product of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 modulates NF-κB activation by targeting TAK1
Authors: Lu Xuan , Huang Changjing , Zhang Yi , Lin Yong , Wang Xueyu , Li Qian , Liu Shi , Tang Jingfeng , Zhou Li
Published: August 2017

HSV-2 is one of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens worldwide and HSV-2 infection triggers cytokine and chemokine production. However, little is known about which HSV-2 genes engage in the regulation of NF-κB signaling and what mechanisms are involved. In a screen of the unique short (Us) regions of HSV-2, we observed that HSV-2 Us2 activates NF-κB signaling. We additionally indicated that deficiencies of Us2 decrease HSV-2 WT mediated NF-κB activation and cytokine and chemokine production, and overexpression of Us2 showed opposite effects. Co-immunoprecipitations indicated that Us2 interacted with TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a serine/threonine kinase essential for NF-κB activation, and Us2 has the ability to regulate the TAK1-mediated pathway and induces TAK1 downstream signaling. Further studies verified that Us2 induced the phosphorylation of TAK1, resulting in the activation of TAK1 mediated downstream signaling. The role of Us2 in HSV-2 induced NF-κB pathways was also confirmed in the Us2-deficient mutant and HSV-2 WT infected mice. Our results indicate that HSV-2 Us2 gene product binds to TAK1 to positively regulate NF-κB signaling and, for the first time, provide insights into the molecular mechanism.
Genetic polymorphisms of lncRNA-p53 regulatory network genes are associated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy toxicities and efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Wang Youhong , Guo Zhen , Zhao Yu , Jin Yi , An Liang , Wu Bin , Liu Zhaoqian , Chen Xiaoping , Chen Xiang , Zhou Honghao , Wang Hui , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2017

The relevance of the transcription factor p53 in cancer is inarguable, and numerous lncRNAs are involved in the p53 regulatory network as either regulators or effectors, triggering a transcriptional response that causes either cell arrest or apoptosis following DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner. Despite the fact that the therapeutic response is improved in NPC, heterogeneity among people remains with regard to the susceptibility of adverse effects and the efficacy of treatments. Therefore, we analysed eight potentially functional SNPs of five genes in the lncRNA-p53 regulatory network in a discovery cohort of 505 NPC patients. By performing multivariate logistic regression, the impact of genetic variations on the efficacy and risk of CRT-induced toxicities was investigated. The most dramatic finding was that the MEG3 rs10132552 CC genotype had a greater than three-fold increased risk of developing grade 3–4 anaemia (OR = 3.001, 95%CI = 1.355–6.646, P = 0.007). Furthermore, the rs10132552 CT genotype had a better response to treatment (OR = 0.261, 95%CI = 0.089–0.770, P = 0.015). Individuals carrying LINC-ROR rs2027701 with one or two variant alleles had significant associations with a reduced risk of neutropaenia (OR = 0.503, 95%CI = 0.303–0.835, P = 0.008). In conclusion, our results suggested that genetic polymorphisms of the lncRNA-p53 regulatory network could play a potential role in reducing treatment-related toxicities and improving outcomes for NPC patients.
Actinobacterial Rare Biospheres and Dark Matter Revealed in Habitats of the Chilean Atacama Desert
Authors: Idris Hamidah , Goodfellow Michael , Sanderson Roy , Asenjo Juan A. , Bull Alan T.
Published: August 2017

The Atacama Desert is the most extreme non-polar biome on Earth, the core region of which is considered to represent the dry limit for life and to be an analogue for Martian soils. This study focused on actinobacteria because they are keystone species in terrestrial ecosystems and are acknowledged as an unrivalled source of bioactive compounds. Metagenomic analyses of hyper-arid and extreme hyper-arid soils in this desert revealed a remarkable degree of actinobacterial ‘dark matter’, evidenced by a detected increase of 34% in families against those that are validly published. Rank-abundance analyses indicated that these soils were high-diversity habitats and that the great majority of designated ‘rare’ genera (up to 60% of all phylotypes) were always rare. These studies have enabled a core actinobacterial microbiome common to both habitats to be defined. The great majority of detected taxa have not been recovered by culture dependent methods, neither, with very few exceptions, has their functional ecology been explored. A microbial seed bank of this magnitude has significance not just for Atacama soil ecosystem resilience but represents an enormous untapped resource for biotechnology discovery programmes in an era where resistance to existing antibiotics is rapidly becoming a major threat to global health.
Ferromagnetic mechanism in organic photovoltaic cells with closed-shell structures
Authors: Yang Liu , Han Shixuan , Ma Xiaolei , Qin Wei , Xie Shijie
Published: August 2017

We construct a model to reveal the spin polarization or ferromagnetism observed in organic composite nw-P3HT/C60 with closed-shell structures. Different from the organic ferromagnets with open-shell structures, the ferromagnetism of nw-P3HT/C60 comes from the charge transfers from the polymer to the small molecules. The transferred electrons become spin polarized and they are coupled together through the holes in the polymer. Finally, a ferromagnetic order appears in the pure organic composite. The magnetic moment of the system is mainly provided by the spin polarized small molecules. The magnetization is dependent upon the density of the transferred charges, which is consistent to our experimental observations. Our investigation also shows that some new spin phenomena may appear in excited states for organic semiconductors which is absent in the ground states.
Facile single-stranded DNA sequencing of human plasma DNA via thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase template switching
Authors: Wu Douglas C. , Lambowitz Alan M.
Published: August 2017

High-throughput single-stranded DNA sequencing (ssDNA-seq) of cell-free DNA from plasma and other bodily fluids is a powerful method for non-invasive prenatal testing, and diagnosis of cancers and other diseases. Here, we developed a facile ssDNA-seq method, which exploits a novel template-switching activity of thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptases (TGIRTs) for DNA-seq library construction. This activity enables TGIRT enzymes to initiate DNA synthesis directly at the 3′ end of a DNA strand while simultaneously attaching a DNA-seq adapter without end repair, tailing, or ligation. Initial experiments using this method to sequence E. coli genomic DNA showed that the TGIRT enzyme has surprisingly robust DNA polymerase activity. Further experiments showed that TGIRT-seq of plasma DNA from a healthy individual enables analysis of nucleosome positioning, transcription factor-binding sites, DNA methylation sites, and tissues-of-origin comparably to established methods, but with a simpler workflow that captures precise DNA ends.
Linking persistent negative symptoms to amygdala–hippocampus structure in first-episode psychosis
Authors: Makowski C , Bodnar M , Shenker J J , Malla A K , Joober R , Chakravarty M M , Lepage M
Published: August 2017

Early persistent negative symptoms (PNS) following a first episode of psychosis (FEP) are linked to poor functional outcome. Reports of reduced amygdalar and hippocampal volumes in early psychosis have not accounted for heterogeneity of symptoms. Age is also seldom considered in this population, a factor that has the potential to uncover symptom-specific maturational biomarkers pertaining to volume and shape changes within the hippocampus and amygdala. T1-weighted volumes were acquired for early (N=21), secondary (N=30), non-(N=44) PNS patients with a FEP, and controls (N=44). Amygdalar–hippocampal volumes and surface area (SA) metrics were extracted with the Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT)-Brain algorithm. Linear mixed models were applied to test for a main effect of group and age × group interactions. Early PNS patients had significantly reduced left amygdalar and right hippocampal volumes, as well as similarly lateralized negative age × group interactions compared to secondary PNS patients (P<0.017, corrected). Morphometry revealed decreased SA in early PNS compared with other patient groups in left central amygdala, and in a posterior region when compared with controls. Early and secondary PNS patients had significantly decreased SA as a function of age compared with patients without such symptoms within the right hippocampal tail (P<0.05, corrected). Significant amygdalar–hippocampal changes with age are linked to PNS after a FEP, with converging results from volumetric and morphometric analyses. Differential age trajectories suggest an aberrant maturational process within FEP patients presenting with PNS, which could represent dynamic endophenotypes setting these patients apart from their non-symptomatic peers. Studies are encouraged to parse apart such symptom constructs when examining neuroanatomical changes emerging after a FEP.
Correlating the potentiometric selectivity of cyclosporin-based electrodes with binding patterns obtained from electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry
Authors: Zahran Elsayed M. , Paeng Ki-Jung , Badr Ibrahim H. A. , Hume David , Lynn Bert C. , Daniel Johnson R. , Bachas Leonidas G.
Published: August 2017

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry ESI-MS is a powerful technique for screening ionophore binding selectivities in sensors applications.
Perovskite-based photodetectors: materials and devices
Authors: Wang Huan , Kim Dong Ha
Published: August 2017

A comprehensive progress in photoresponsive material systems, diverse device configurations, and mechanism evaluations of perovskite photodetectors.
Multi-residue analysis of selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater samples by stir-bar sorptive extraction followed by liquid desorption and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Klančar A. , Zakotnik M. , Roškar R. , Trontelj J.
Published: August 2017

New organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals have been recently classified as emerging pollutants.
Analysis of the surface functional groups of organic nanoparticles formed in furfural vapour photonucleation using a rupture event scanning technique
Authors: Dultseva G. G. , Dubtsov S. N. , Dultsev F. N. , Kobzeva T. V. , Nekrasov D. V.
Published: August 2017

The surface functional groups of organic nanoparticles formed in furfural photonucleation were identified with the help of rupture event scanning.
Amino acid profiling from fingerprints, a novel methodology using UPLC-MS
Authors: van Helmond Ward , Kuijpers Chris-Jan , van Diejen Elise , Spiering Jincey , Maagdelijn Brent , de Puit Marcel
Published: August 2017

The chemical composition of fingerprints is becoming more important in forensic case work. We have developed a novel method for the extraction of amino acids from fingerprints. The isolation and analysis occurs without derivatisation.
A biomass derived N/C-catalyst for the electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Yang Yiran , He Fei , Shen Yanfei , Chen Xinghua , Mei Hao , Liu Songqin , Zhang Yuanjian
Published: August 2017

An all-in-one (carbon source, self-template, and heteroatom) biomass precursor to develop an electrocatalyst for highly selective and energy-saving H2O2 production.
Solvent-controlled selective synthesis of biphenols and quinones via oxidative coupling of phenols
Authors: More Nagnath Yadav , Jeganmohan Masilamani
Published: August 2017

A regioselective synthesis of unsymmetrical and symmetrical biphenols and binaphtholsviaoxidative coupling of phenols or naphthols in the presence of K2S2O8in CF3COOH under ambient conditions is described.
An AIE-based fluorescent test strip for the portable detection of gaseous phosgene
Authors: Xie Huiting , Wu Yinglong , Zeng Fang , Chen Junjie , Wu Shuizhu
Published: August 2017

An AIE-based ratiometric fluorescent test strip was developed for portable point-of-use detection of gaseous phosgene.
Controllable access to multi-substituted imidazoles via palladium(ii)-catalyzed C–C coupling and C–N condensation cascade reactions
Authors: Yu Haihua , Xiao Li , Yang Xicheng , Shao Liming
Published: August 2017

A novel and efficient protocol for the controllable synthesis of various di-, tri- and tetra-substituted imidazoles via cascade palladium catalyzed C–C coupling followed by intramolecular C–N bond formation was developed.
Planar 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole-based dyes functionalized via triple bonds as exceedingly efficient solid-state fluorophores
Authors: Niu Yahui , Xu Longfei , Wang Qin , Wu Haoran , Zhang Yanrong
Published: August 2017

Two planar 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole-based dyes without sterically bulky groups as exceedingly efficient solid-state fluorophores due to the absence of strong π–π intermolecular interaction.
Chemical epitaxy of CdSe on GaAs
Authors: Friedman Ofir , Korn Dor , Ezersky Vladimir , Golan Yuval
Published: August 2017

Chemical epitaxy of CdSe thin films on GaAs(100) and GaAs(111) substrates.
Photoexcitation dynamics of p-nitroaniline and N,N-dimethyl-p-nitroaniline in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-cation based ionic liquids with different alkyl-chain lengths
Authors: Kimura Y. , Ibaraki S. , Hirano R. , Sugita Y. , Yasaka Y. , Ueno M.
Published: August 2017

Back electron transfer and vibrational energy relaxation of p-nitroaniline and N,N-dimethyl-p-nitroaniline in ionic liquids were investigated using transient absorption spectroscopy.
Coordination change, lability and hemilability in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Morris Russell E. , Brammer Lee
Published: August 2017

Deformation or cleavage/reformation of metal–ligand bonds in MOFs lies at the heart of chemical/thermal stability and dynamic/flexible behaviour, provides avenues for post-synthetic modification, and can enable novel or improved performance for a variety of applications.
Room temperature transmetallation from tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane to cyclometallated iridium(iii)
Authors: Maity Ayan , Kölsch Jonas C. , Na Hanah , Teets Thomas S.
Published: August 2017

Transmetallation with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane produces bis-cyclometallated iridium complexes with a perfluorophenyl ancillary ligand.
Peroptronic devices: perovskite-based light-emitting solar cells
Authors: Kim Hak-Beom , Yoon Yung Jin , Jeong Jaeki , Heo Jungwoo , Jang Hyungsu , Seo Jung Hwa , Walker Bright , Kim Jin Young
Published: August 2017

Electron transport layers are used to minimize energetic barriers to electron injection and extraction in methylammonium lead bromide films, allowing photocurrent generation and light emission from “peroptronic” light-emitting solar cells.
A comparison of signal suppression and particle size distributions for ns- and fs-LA of metallic samples by LA-ETV-ICPMS
Authors: Yilmaz Hale Ceren , Hattendorf Bodo
Published: August 2017

The influence of thermal treatment of laser-generated aerosols in a graphite furnace electrothermal vaporization (ETV) unit was investigated.
Solubilization of seven hydrophobic pesticides in quaternary ammonium based eco-friendly ionic liquid aqueous systems
Authors: Chen Chong , Liu Fengmao , Fan Tengfei , Zhou Qizhen , Peng Qingrong
Published: August 2017

Quaternary ammonium based ionic liquids can be used as eco-friendly solvents/solubilizers for pesticide formulation processing without organic solvents.
The effect of an ancillary ligand proton on the photophysical properties of some RuIIN6cores: a proton valve
Authors: Patra Shanti G. , Zangrando Ennio , Datta Dipankar
Published: August 2017

The proton of the ancillary ligand (lig) in [Ru(bpy/phen)2(lig)]2+decides whether a Ru(ii)N6core will be emissive or not.
A photovoltaic self-powered gas sensor based on a single-walled carbon nanotube/Si heterojunction
Authors: Liu L. , Li G. H. , Wang Y. , Wang Y. Y. , Li T. , Zhang T. , Qin S. J.
Published: August 2017

A self-powered gas sensor activated by visible light which can detect trace concentrations of gas molecules without an external power source.
CaF2nanoparticles as surface carriers of GCAP1, a calcium sensor protein involved in retinal dystrophies
Authors: Marino Valerio , Borsatto Alberto , Vocke Farina , Koch Karl-Wilhelm , Dell'Orco Daniele
Published: August 2017

CaF2nanoparticles constitute biocompatible nano-carriers for the calcium sensor protein GCAP1 preserving its biological function.
High surface coverage of a self-assembled monolayer by in situ synthesis of palladium nanodeposits
Authors: Herrer Lucía , Sebastian Victor , Martín Santiago , González-Orive Alejandro , Pérez-Murano Francesc , Low Paul J. , Serrano José Luis , Santamaría Jesús , Cea Pilar
Published: August 2017

Nascent metal|monolayer|metal devices have been fabricated by depositing palladium, by growing palladium nanodeposits through a CO-confined growth method.
A novel mechanism for red emission carbon dots: hydrogen bond dominated molecular states emission
Authors: Zhang Tianxiang , Zhu Jinyang , Zhai Yue , Wang He , Bai Xue , Dong Biao , Wang Haiyu , Song Hongwei
Published: August 2017

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as novel fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties; however, red emission is still rare, has a relatively low efficiency, and its mechanism remains ambiguous.
Real-time monitoring of plasmon-induced proton transfer of hypoxanthine in serum
Authors: Zhou Binbin , Li Shaofei , Tang Xianghu , Li Pan , Cao Xiaomin , Yu Borong , Yang Liangbao , Liu Jinhuai
Published: August 2017

Intramolecular proton transfer of hypoxanthine, induced by application of a laser on the surface of a bare noble nanomaterial, was monitored in real time using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
Surface oxidation and thermoelectric properties of indium-doped tin telluride nanowires
Authors: Li Zhen , Xu Enzhi , Losovyj Yaroslav , Li Nan , Chen Aiping , Swartzentruber Brian , Sinitsyn Nikolai , Yoo Jinkyoung , Jia Quanxi , Zhang Shixiong
Published: August 2017

The In-doped SnTe nanowire surface is composed of In2O3, SnO2, Te and TeO2which can be readily removed by argon ion sputtering.
“Y”-shape armed amphiphilic star-like copolymers: design, synthesis and dual-responsive unimolecular micelle formation for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Fan Xiaoshan , Wang Xiaoyuan , Cao Mengya , Wang Chenguang , Hu Zhiguo , Wu Yun-Long , Li Zibiao , Loh Xian Jun
Published: August 2017

Dual stimuli-responsive unimolecular micelles from “Y”-shape armed amphiphilic star-like copolymer are designed for controlled drug delivery.
Fast synthesis of Li2S–P2S5–LiI solid electrolyte precursors
Authors: Phuc Nguyen Huu Huy , Yamamoto Tokoharu , Muto Hiroyuki , Matsuda Atsunori
Published: August 2017

A one-pot synthesis of Li2S–P2S5–LiI solid electrolyte precursors in a short time of 30 min is demonstrated by using ethyl propionate as a solvent.
A pH-sensitive multifunctional fluorescent probe based on N-annulated perylene for the sensitive and selective detection of hypochlorous acid
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Yan Yongchao , Peng Qing , Wang Jian , Hang Yandi , Hua Jianli
Published: August 2017

The pH-sensitive multifunctional fluorescent probePNPMbased onN-annulated perylene was firstly developed for detecting HOCl selectively. And the probe could detect pH and HOCl simultaneously, and was successfully employed to detect HOCl in serum and water samples.
A luminescent metal–organic framework as an ideal chemosensor for nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: He Hongming , Chen Si-Hang , Zhang De-Yu , Yang En-Cui , Zhao Xiao-Jun
Published: August 2017

A 2D luminescent MOF serves as an ideal chemosensor for nitroaromatic compounds, especially for TNP, via luminescent quenching.
Correction: Soluble fluorene–benzothiadiazole polymer-grafted graphene for photovoltaic devices
Authors: He Junying , Bao Feng , Yan Shuang , Weng Fangqing , Ma Rui , Liu Yanping , Ding Hao
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Soluble fluorene–benzothiadiazole polymer-grafted graphene for photovoltaic devices’ by Junying He et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 35950–35956.
Correction: Millifluidic synthesis of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles and their application in bioimaging
Authors: Hong Liying , Cheung Tai-Lok , Rao Nanxi , Ouyang Qingling , Wang Yue , Zeng Shuwen , Yang Chengbin , Dang Cuong , Chong Peter Han Joo , Liu Liwei , Law Wing-Cheung , Yong Ken-Tye
Published: August 2017

Correction for ‘Millifluidic synthesis of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles and their application in bioimaging’ by Liying Hong, Tai-Lok Cheung et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 36819–36832.
Elastic deformation of soft coatings due to lubrication forces
Authors: Wang Yumo , Tan Matthew R. , Frechette Joelle
Published: August 2017

Elastic deformation of rigid materials with soft coatings (stratified materials) due to lubrication forces can also alter the interpretation of dynamic surface forces measurements and prevent contact formation between approaching surfaces.
Polymer conformation in nanoscopic soft confinement
Authors: Kuttich Björn , Grillo Isabelle , Schöttner Sebastian , Gallei Markus , Stühn Bernd
Published: August 2017

We study the conformation of a polymer (polyethylene glycol) in a nanoscopic soft confinement with attractive walls. On a local scale the conformation is compressed, while the overall size adopts the size of the confinement.
More than 10% efficiency and one-week stability of Si photocathodes for water splitting by manipulating the loading of the Pt catalyst and TiO2 protective layer
Authors: Fan Ronglei , Dong Wen , Fang Liang , Zheng Fengang , Shen Mingrong
Published: August 2017

Highly efficient and stable Si photocathodes were fabricated for water splitting by manipulating the loading of the Pt catalyst and TiO2 protective layer.
Cross-linked Na2VTi(PO4)3@C hierarchical nanofibers as high-performance bi-functional electrodes for symmetric aqueous rechargeable sodium batteries
Authors: Dong Jing , Zhang Guoming , Wang Xiaoguang , Zhang Sen , Deng Chao
Published: August 2017

Bi-functional Na2VTi(PO4)3 with high (V3+/V4+) and low (Ti3+/Ti4+) potential redox couples provides a new clue to construct symmetric aqueous sodium batteries.
Online autogenerated congestion control for high‐speed transfer over high BDP networks
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Wang Junfeng , Liu Lixiang
Published: August 2017

With the exponential growth of network bandwidth and application requirements, the existing transmission control protocols have led to the issues of efficiency and applicability. In order to solve the network utility issues and accelerate the data delivery legitimately, the swift and self‐learned transmission methods have attracted attention gradually due to its adaptability and predictability. In this research, we propose a high‐speed transport protocol, called Hita, based on network performance learning framework to cope with high‐speed transfer challenge over high bandwidth delay product networks. The key idea of Hita is to select preferable network performance metrics to reflect network property variability and build corresponding window control model. The proposed protocol, which adopts the online‐learning methods, establishes the relation model between the transmission performance metrics and the corresponding congestion window. Afterwards, by determining the direction of window adjustment, the optimal sending window size can be predicted and approached quickly. Numerical results show that Hita can use the limited bandwidth more adequately. For simulation experiments, Hita achieves higher throughput while maintaining a lower packet delay comparing with other protocols. Moreover, Hita shows good performance in terms of intra‐protocol fairness, friendliness and protocol stability. For real‐world network experiments, Hita achieves more throughput than the other high‐speed protocols as well.
Complex‐domain stability criteria for fractional‐order linear dynamical systems
Authors: Zhou J.
Published: August 2017

This paper proposes stability criteria claimed in complex domains for dynamical systems that are described by fractional commensurate order linear time‐invariant (FCO‐LTI) state‐space equations (thus endowed with FCO transfer functions) by means of the argument principle in complex analysis. Based on appropriate Cauchy integral contours or their shifting ones, the stability conditions are necessary and sufficient, without inter‐domain transformation and independent of pole/eigenvalue computing and distribution testing. The proposed criteria are implementable graphically with locus plotting as using Nyquist‐like criteria or numerically without locus plotting. The criteria apply to a variety of FCO‐LTI systems, which can be single and multiple in fractional calculus, scalar and multivariable in input/output dimensionality. The criteria can also be exploited in regular‐order systems without modification. Case studies are included to illustrate the main results.
Steady‐state analysis of delay interconnected positive systems and its application to formation control
Authors: Ebihara Yoshio , Peaucelle Dimitri , Arzelier Denis
Published: August 2017

This study is concerned with the analysis and synthesis of delay interconnected positive systems. For delay‐free cases, it has been shown very recently that the output of the interconnected positive system converges to a positive scalar multiple of a prescribed positive vector under mild conditions on positive subsystems and a non‐negative interconnection matrix. This result is effectively used for formation control of multi‐agent systems with positive dynamics. The goal of this study is to prove that this steady‐state property is essentially preserved under any constant (and hence bounded) communication delay. In the context of formation control, this preservation indicates that the desired formation is achieved robustly against communication delays, even though the resulting formation is scaled depending on initial conditions for the state. To ensure the achievement of the steady‐state property, the authors need to prove rigorously that the delay interconnected positive system has stable poles only except for a pole of degree one at the origin, even though it has infinitely many poles, in general. For the rigorous proof, we newly develop frequency‐domain (s ‐domain) analysis for delay interconnected positive systems, which has not been studied for delay‐free cases.
Input‐to‐state stabilisation for a general non‐linear system with time‐varying input delay
Authors: Cai Xiushan , Meng Lingxin , Lin Cong , Zhang Wei , Liu Leibo
Published: August 2017

The authors investigate input‐to‐state stabilisation for a general non‐linear system with input delay and disturbance. With an infinite‐dimensional backstepping transformation, the original system is transferred to a target system. A delay‐compensating and disturbances attenuating control law is designed for this kind of non‐linear systems. Stability of the target system is first proved by constructing a Lyapunov functional. Equivalence of norms for original and target system is deduced. Further, input‐to‐state stabilisation for the original system under the delay‐compensating control law is drawn.
Sampled‐data control of asynchronously switched non‐linear systems via T–S fuzzy model approach
Authors: He Hangfeng , Xianwen Gao , Qi Wenhai
Published: August 2017

This study deals with switched non‐linear systems subject to sampled‐data control. The states and switching signals of controllers in this study are both considered to be sampled. The corresponding closed‐loop systems are modelled as asynchronously switched T–S fuzzy systems with time‐varying delay. Based on asynchronous switching approach and time‐varying delay approach, the state feedback controllers are designed in terms of a strict linear matrix inequality. Moreover, the switching strategy is studied to guarantee the exponential stability of the systems. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Modelling and detection of live tree‐related high impedance fault in distribution systems
Authors: Bahador Nooshin , Namdari Farhad , Matinfar Hamid Reza
Published: August 2017

Despite the importance of high‐impedance fault (HIF) modelling as a key issue in numerous power system studies, there is no single model accurately representing the behaviour of each type of HIFs. Tree‐related HIF (THIF) is a complex type that occurs when a power line comes in contact with a live tree. Given that available models for HIF cannot represent the expected behaviour of a live THIF, the need for a more accurate model seems obvious. So, in this study, based on experimental data obtained from measurements, the effective factors in HIF caused by live trees are studied and a new mathematical model of THIF provided in order to present the effects of both environmental conditions and biological classification. This model represents low and high frequency behaviours of THIFs, which are, respectively, derived in block‐oriented feed‐forward form and sinusoidal functions. Moreover, this study proposes a hybrid technique based on the combination of kernel density estimation and wavelet analysis to perform a feature extraction from THIF signals.
Assessing hydropower operational profitability considering energy and reserve markets
Authors: Helseth Arild , Fodstad Marte , Askeland Magnus , Mo Birger , Nilsen Odd Bjarte , Pérez‐Díaz Juan Ignacio , Chazarra Manuel , Guisández Ignacio
Published: August 2017

The authors analyse the operational profitability of a hydropower system selling both energy and reserve capacity in a competitive market setting. A mathematical model based on stochastic dynamic programming is used to compute the water values for the system considering different power plant configurations. The uncertainties in inflow and both energy and reserve capacity prices are considered through a discrete Markov chain. Subsequently, the system operation is simulated based on the obtained water values to assess system performance and expected revenues from the two markets. The model is applied in a case study for a Norwegian hydropower producer, showing how the power plant operation changes and profitability increases when considering sale of reserve capacity. The authors emphasise on how the water values are influenced by the opportunity to sell reserve capacity, and assess how the representation of non‐convex relationships in the water value computations as well as simulation influence the profitability.
Systematic transient characterisation of graphene NEMS switch for ESD protection
Authors: Chen Qi , Ng Jimmy , Li Cheng , Lu Fei , Wang Chenkun , Zhang Feilong , Xie Ya‐Hong , Wang Albert
Published: August 2017

Integrated circuits (ICs) require robust and low‐parasitic on‐chip electrostatic discharging (ESD) protection. Compared to conventional in‐Si PN‐junction‐based ESD protection structures, a novel above‐IC graphene nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) switch (gNEMS) ESD protection structure features low parasitic effects and superior current and heat handling capability. This work reports a systematic transient characterisation of gNEMS ESD switches by transmission line pulse (TLP) measurement for human body model ESD protection, revealing transient ESD discharging behaviours related to device dimensions and TLP pulse shapes. It provides practical design guidelines for using gNEMS switch as on‐chip ESD protection for ICs. Unlike in‐Si ESD protection structures, the new gNEMS ESD switch devices can be made in the back‐end‐of‐line of ICs through three‐dimensional heterogeneous integration.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Pyrrolizidines, Indolizidines and
Quinolizidines via a Double Reductive Cyclisation Protocol
Authors: Davies Stephen , Fletcher Ai , Roberts Paul , Thomson James
Published: August 2017

This account describes an overview of the asymmetric syntheses of pyrrolizidines, indolizidines and quinolizidines via a common double reductive cyclisation protocol. The highly diastereoselective conjugate addition of an enantiopure lithium amide to an α,β-unsaturated ester incorporating a terminal C=C bond installed the nitrogen-bearing stereogenic centre and was followed by enolate functionalisation to introduce the second olefinic functionality. Alternatively, conjugate addition to the corresponding α-alkenyl α,β-unsaturated ester followed by α-protonation of the intermediate enolate may also be used to access the cyclisation precursor. After oxidation of the two terminal olefinic units to give the corresponding dialdehyde, tandem hydrogenolysis/hydrogenation was employed to efficiently construct the azabicyclic core of each target molecule. This double reductive cyclisation strategy was successfully utilised in the syntheses of 13 azabicyclic alkaloids or closely related analogues.

1 Introduction

2 Asymmetric Syntheses of (–)-Isoretronecanol and (–)-Trachelanthamidine

3 Asymmetric Syntheses of (+)-Trachelanthamidine [(+)-Laburnine], (+)-Tashiromine and (+)-epi-Lupinine

4 Asymmetric Syntheses of (–)-Hastanecine, (–)-Turneforcidine and (–)-Platynecine

5 Asymmetric Syntheses of (–)-Macronecine, (–)-Petasinecine, (–)-1-epi-Macronecine, (+)-1-epi-Petasinecine and (+)-2-epi-Rosmarinecine

6 Conclusion
Synthesis of Enaminones by a Palladium-Catalyzed Four-Component Carbonylative Addition Reaction
Authors: Wang Liangguang , Zhou Xiaoyu , Ma Juan , Chen Xia
Published: August 2017

A palladium-catalyzed carbonylative addition reaction of aryl bromides, amines, and alkynes has been developed. The reaction ­occurs readily in N,N-dimethylformamide with PdCl2(PPh3)2 as a catalyst to give the corresponding enaminones in medium to excellent yields. Furthermore, a mechanism for the palladium-catalyzed four-component carbonylative addition reaction is proposed.
Effects of Notchplasty on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ranuccio Francesco , Familiari Filippo , Tedesco Giuseppe , La Camera Francesco , Gasparini Giorgio
Published: August 2017

Purpose Notchplasty is a complementary surgical procedure often performed during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with the aim to widen the intercondylar notch and to avoid graft impingement. The aim of this review was to analyze the current literature evidence concerning the effects of notchplasty on clinical outcome after primary ACLR.

Methods Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and MEDLINE were used to search English language studies, from January 1990 to July 2015, concerning the effects of the notchplasty on ACLR, using the following keywords: “ACL” OR “anterior cruciate ligament” OR “ACL reconstruction” OR “anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction” AND “notch” OR “notchplasty” OR “intercondylar notch”. Randomized and nonrandomized trials, case series, technical notes, biomechanical studies and radiological study were included.

Results At the final screening 16 studies were included. Despite widely used, the usefulness of notchplasty during ACLR remains unclear. Some concerns emerged regarding potential harmful effects of notchplasty, mostly related to the knee biomechanics and postoperative blood loss. Notchplasty can be useful in the treatment of arthrofibrosis and in presence of bony spurs of the notch both in primary and revision surgery. However, the level of evidence of available literature is poor and there is a strong need for randomized controlled trials investigating the role of notchplasty on ACLR.

Conclusion We suggest being aware of potential complications following notchplasty during ACLR before deciding to perform notchplasty in primary ACLR, reserving it for the surgical management of arthrofibrosis, treatment of notch osteophytosis and revision ACLR.

Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of level II-IV studies.
Die E-Zigarette: mit Volldampf ins Abenteuer?
Authors: Rüther Tobias
Published: August 2017

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,

die Tabakabhängigkeit ist immer noch die Suchterkrankung, die weltweit die meisten durch Tod oder Behinderung verlorenen Lebensjahre produziert. Durch eine gute Tabakkontrollpolitik sowie evidenzbasierte psychotherapeutische und medikamentöse Therapiemöglichkeiten ist es gelungen, die Raucherprävalenz in den letzten Jahren deutlich zu senken. Seit einigen Jahren katapultiert sich nun ein neues Inhalationsprodukt auf den Markt: die E-Zigarette.
Positionspapier: Suchtmedizinische und gesundheitspolitische Chancen und Risiken durch den Gebrauch von E-Zigaretten
Authors: Rüther Tobias , Backmund Markus , Bischof Gallus , Lange Nikolaus , Missel Peter , Preuß Ulrich , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen , Thomasius Rainer , Batra Anil
Published: August 2017

In diesem Positionspapier der Dachgesellschaft Sucht (Deutsche Suchtgesellschaft – Dachverband der Suchtfachgesellschaften (DSG)) sollen einige Punkte in der aktuellen Diskussion um die E-Zigarette besonders hervorgehoben werden: Empfehlungen zur Risikoreduktion, Verwendung bei der Tabakentwöhnung, Regulierung analog der Tabakkontrollmaßnahmen, Prävention sowie zur Forschung werden gegeben. Generell kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass in Relation zum konventionellen Zigarettenrauch die Schädlichkeit des Aerosols der E-Zigarette um ein Vielfaches geringer ist und die E-Zigarette bei der Tabakentwöhnung eingesetzt werden kann, wenn leitliniengerechte psychotherapeutische und/oder medikamentöse Maßnahmen zur Tabakentwöhnung nicht wirksam sind oder nicht gewünscht werden. Das Gefährdungspotenzial der E-Zigarette und ihr Einsatz zur Risikominimierung oder zur Tabakentwöhnung müssen jedoch weiter erforscht werden.
Frequency transitions in phononic four-wave mixing
Authors: Ganesan Adarsh , Do Cuong , Seshia Ashwin
Published: August 2017

This work builds upon the recent demonstration of a phononic four-wave mixing pathway mediated by parametric resonance. In such a process, drive tones fd1 and fd2 associated with a specific phonon mode interact such that one of the drive tones also parametrically excites a second mode at a sub-harmonic frequency and such interactions result in a frequency comb fd12±nfd1−fd2. However, the specific behaviour associated with the case where both drive tones can independently excite the sub-harmonic phonon mode has not been studied or previously described. While it may be plausible to expect the merger of two frequency combs fd12±nfd1−fd2 and fd22±nfd1−fd2, this paper indicates that only one of these mechanisms is selected and also shows an interesting transition linked to this process. The frequency transitions from fd12±nfd1−fd2 to fd22±nfd1−fd2 holds promise for computing applications.
Research Update: Synthesis of sub-15-nm diameter silver nanowires through a water-based hydrothermal method: Fabrication of low-haze 2D conductive films
Authors: Jang Hae-Won , Kim Yong-Hoe , Lee Ki-Wook , Kim Yoon-Mi , Kim Jin-Yeol
Published: August 2017

We synthesized ultra-thin Ag nanowire (Ag NWs) with sub-15 nm diameters and aspect ratios of 1000 through a water-based high-pressure hydrothermal method in the presence of a tetrabutylammonium dichlorobromide organic salt and glucose reducing agent. In the crystal growth stage, the diameter of the NWs could be controlled by adjusting the pressure, and 15-nm diameter wires were obtained at a pressure of 190 psi. These 2D conductive Ag NW network films showed an excellent optical performance with low haze value of ≤1.0% and 94.5% transmittance at a low sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq.
Encapsulation of epitaxial silicene on ZrB2 with NaCl
Authors: Wiggers F. B. , Yamada-Takamura Y. , Kovalgin A. Y. , de Jong M. P.
Published: August 2017

Silicene and other two-dimensional materials, such as germanene and stanene, have chemically reactive surfaces and are prone to oxidation in air, and thus require an encapsulation layer for ex situ studies or integration in an electronic device. In this work, we investigated NaCl as an encapsulation material for silicene. NaCl was deposited on the surface of epitaxial silicene on ZrB2(0001) thin films near room temperature and studied using synchrotron-based high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy. The deposition of NaCl resulted in dissociative chemisorption, where the majority of epitaxial silicene reacted to form Si–Clx species.
External electric field effects on Schottky barrier at Gd3N@C80/Au interface
Authors: Onishi Koichi , Nakashima Fumihiro , Jin Ge , Eto Daichi , Hattori Hayami , Miyoshi Noriko , Kirimoto Kenta , Sun Yong
Published: August 2017

The effects of the external electric field on the height of the Schottky barrier at the Gd3N@C80/Au interface were studied by measuring current-voltage characteristics at various temperatures from 200 K to 450 K. The Gd3N@C80 sample with the conduction/forbidden/valence energy band structure had a face-centered cubic crystal structure with the average grain size of several nanometers. The height of the Gd3N@C80/Au Schottky barrier was confirmed to be 400 meV at a low electric field at room temperature. Moreover, the height decreases with the increasing external electric field through a change of permittivity in the Gd3N@C80 sample due to a polarization of the [Gd3]9+−[N3−+C806−] dipoles in the Gd3N@C80 molecule. The field-dependence of the barrier height can be described using a power math function of the electric field strength. The results of the field-dependent barrier height indicate that the reduction in the Schottky barrier is due to an image force effect of the transport charge carrier at the Gd3N@C80/Au interface.
Positive zeta potential of a negatively charged semi-permeable plasma membrane
Authors: Sinha Shayandev , Jing Haoyuan , Das Siddhartha
Published: August 2017

The negative charge of the plasma membrane (PM) severely affects the nature of moieties that may enter or leave the cells and controls a large number of ion-interaction-mediated intracellular and extracellular events. In this letter, we report our discovery of a most fascinating scenario, where one interface (e.g., membrane-cytosol interface) of the negatively charged PM shows a positive surface (or ζ) potential, while the other interface (e.g., membrane-electrolyte interface) still shows a negative ζ potential. Therefore, we encounter a completely unexpected situation where an interface (e.g., membrane-cytosol interface) that has a negative surface charge density demonstrates a positive ζ potential. We establish that the attainment of such a property by the membrane can be ascribed to an interplay of the nature of the membrane semi-permeability and the electrostatics of the electric double layer established on either side of the charged membrane. We anticipate that such a membrane property can lead to such capabilities of the cell (in terms of accepting or releasing certain kinds of moieties as well regulating cellular signaling) that was hitherto inconceivable.
The world’s smallest capacitive dilatometer, for high-resolution thermal expansion and magnetostriction in high magnetic fields
Authors: Küchler R. , Wörl A. , Gegenwart P. , Berben M. , Bryant B. , Wiedmann S.
Published: August 2017

For the characterization of novel quantum phases of matter, it is often required to study materials under multi-extreme conditions, in particular down to very low temperatures and in very high magnetic fields. We developed the world’s smallest high-resolution capacitive dilatometer suitable for temperatures down to 10 mK and usage in high magnetic fields up to 37.5 T. Despite the extreme miniaturization, the capacitive dilatometer can resolve length changes down to 0.01 Å. This is an unprecedented resolution in a capacitive dilatometer of this compact size. Many cryogenic devices have limited space. Due to the extremely reduced cell size (3 cm3, 12 g), implementation or new applications in many of these sample space lacking devices are now possible. As an important example, the minute device can now be rotated in any standard cryostat, including dilution refrigerators or the commercial physical property measurement system. The present super compact design provides also for high resolution thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements in a 15.2 mm diameter tube, enabling its use in the 32 mm bore, 37.5 T Bitter magnet at the High Field Magnet Laboratory in Nijmegen down to a temperature of 300 mK.