bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the weekly cycle of NOx and CO emissions and their impacts on O3 in the Los Angeles‐South Coast Air Basin during the CalNex 2010 field campaign
Authors: Kim S.‐W. , McDonald B. C. , Baidar S. , Brown S. S. , Dube B. , Ferrare R. A. , Frost G. J. , Harley R. A. , Holloway J. S. , Lee H.‐J. , McKeen S. A. , Neuman J. A. , Nowak J. B. , Oetjen H. , Ortega I. , Pollack I. B. , Roberts J. M. , Ryerson T. B. , Scarino A. J. , Senff C. J. , Thalman R. , Trainer M. , Volkamer R. , Wagner N. , Washenfelder R. A. , Waxman E. , Young C. J.
Published: January 2016

We developed a new nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emission inventory for the Los Angeles‐South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) expanding the Fuel‐based Inventory for motor‐Vehicle Emissions and applied it in regional chemical transport modeling focused on the California Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) 2010 field campaign. The weekday NOx emission over the SoCAB in 2010 is 620 t d−1, while the weekend emission is 410 t d−1. The NOx emission decrease on weekends is caused by reduced diesel truck activities. Weekday and weekend CO emissions over this region are similar: 2340 and 2180 t d−1, respectively. Previous studies reported large discrepancies between the airborne observations of NOx and CO mixing ratios and the model simulations for CalNex based on the available bottom‐up emission inventories. Utilizing the newly developed emission inventory in this study, the simulated NOx and CO mixing ratios agree with the observations from the airborne and the ground‐based in situ and remote sensing instruments during the field study. The simulations also reproduce the weekly cycles of these chemical species. Both the observations and the model simulations indicate that decreased NOx on weekends leads to enhanced photochemistry and increase of O3 and Ox (=O3 + NO2) in the basin. The emission inventory developed in this study can be extended to different years and other urban regions in the U.S. to study the long‐term trends in O3 and its precursors with regional chemical transport models.
Linking the morphology of fluvial fan systems to aquifer stratigraphy in the Sutlej‐Yamuna plain of northwest India
Authors: van Dijk W. M. , Densmore A. L. , Singh A. , Gupta S. , Sinha R. , Mason P. J. , Joshi S. K. , Nayak N. , Kumar M. , Shekhar S. , Kumar D. , Rai S. P.
Published: January 2016

The Indo‐Gangetic foreland basin has some of the highest rates of groundwater extraction in the world, focused in the states of Punjab and Haryana in northwest India. Any assessment of the effects of extraction on groundwater variation requires understanding of the geometry and sedimentary architecture of the alluvial aquifers, which in turn are set by their geomorphic and depositional setting. To assess the overall architecture of the aquifer system, we used satellite imagery and digital elevation models to map the geomorphology of the Sutlej and Yamuna fan systems, while aquifer geometry was assessed using 243 wells that extend to ∼200 m depth. Aquifers formed by sandy channel bodies in the subsurface of the Sutlej and Yamuna fans have a median thickness of 7 and 6 m, respectively, and follow heavy‐tailed thickness distributions. These distributions, along with evidence of persistence in aquifer fractions as determined from compensation analysis, indicate persistent reoccupation of channel positions and suggest that the major aquifers consist of stacked, multistoried channel bodies. The percentage of aquifer material in individual boreholes decreases down fan, although the exponent on the aquifer body thickness distribution remains similar, indicating that the total number of aquifer bodies decreases down fan but that individual bodies do not thin appreciably, particularly on the Yamuna fan. The interfan area and the fan marginal zone have thinner aquifers and a lower proportion of aquifer material, even in proximal locations. We conclude that geomorphic setting provides a first‐order control on the thickness, geometry, and stacking pattern of aquifer bodies across this critical region.
Comparison of equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature variability and trends with Sr/Ca records from multiple corals
Authors: Alpert Alice E. , Cohen Anne L. , Oppo Delia W. , DeCarlo Thomas M. , Gove Jamison M. , Young Charles W.
Published: January 2016

Coral Sr/Ca is widely used to reconstruct past ocean temperatures. However, some studies report different Sr/Ca‐temperature relationships for conspecifics on the same reef, with profound implications for interpretation of reconstructed temperatures. We assess whether these differences are attributable to small‐scale oceanographic variability or “vital effects” associated with coral calcification and quantify the effect of intercolony differences on temperature estimates and uncertainties. Sr/Ca records from four massive Porites colonies growing on the east and west sides of Jarvis Island, central equatorial Pacific, were compared with in situ logger temperatures spanning 2002–2012. In general, Sr/Ca captured the occurrence of interannual sea surface temperature events but their amplitude was not consistently recorded by any of the corals. No long‐term trend was identified in the instrumental data, yet Sr/Ca of one coral implied a statistically significant cooling trend while that of its neighbor implied a warming trend. Slopes of Sr/Ca‐temperature regressions from the four different colonies were within error, but offsets in mean Sr/Ca rendered the regressions statistically distinct. Assuming that these relationships represent the full range of Sr/Ca‐temperature calibrations in Jarvis Porites, we assessed how well Sr/Ca of a nonliving coral with an unknown Sr/Ca‐temperature relationship can constrain past temperatures. Our results indicate that standard error of prediction methods underestimate the actual error as we could not reliably reconstruct the amplitude or frequency of El Niño–Southern Oscillation events as large as ± 2°C. Our results underscore the importance of characterizing the full range of temperature‐Sr/Ca relationships at each study site to estimate true error.
Validation of an operational product to determine L1 to Earth propagation time delays
Authors: Cash M. D. , Witters Hicks S. , Biesecker D. A. , Reinard A. A. , de Koning C. A. , Weimer D. R.
Published: January 2016

We describe the development and validation of an operational space weather tool to forecast propagation delay times between L1 and Earth using the Weimer and King (2008) tilted phase front technique. A simple flat plane convection delay method is currently used by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) to propagate the solar wind from a monitoring satellite located at L1 to a point upstream of the magnetosphere. This technique assumes that all observed solar wind discontinuities, such as interplanetary shocks and interplanetary coronal mass ejection boundaries, are in a flat plane perpendicular to the Sun‐Earth line traveling in the GSE X direction at the observed solar wind velocity. In reality, these phase plane fronts can have significantly tilted orientations, and by relying on a ballistic propagation method, delay time errors of ±15 min are common. In principle, the propagation time delay product presented here should more accurately predict L1 to Earth transit times by taking these tilted phase plane fronts into account. This algorithm, which is based on the work of Weimer and King (2008), is currently running in real time in test mode at SWPC as part of the SWPC test bed. We discuss the current algorithm performance, and via our detailed validation study, show that there is no significant difference between the two propagation methods when run in a real‐time operational environment.
Use of a flux‐based field capacity criterion to identify effective hydraulic parameters of layered soil profiles subjected to synthetic drainage experiments
Authors: Nasta Paolo , Romano Nunzio
Published: January 2016

This study explores the feasibility of identifying the effective soil hydraulic parameterization of a layered soil profile by using a conventional unsteady drainage experiment leading to field capacity. The flux‐based field capacity criterion is attained by subjecting the soil profile to a synthetic drainage process implemented numerically in the Soil‐Water‐Atmosphere‐Plant (SWAP) model. The effective hydraulic parameterization is associated to either aggregated or equivalent parameters, the former being determined by the geometrical scaling theory while the latter is obtained through the inverse modeling approach. Outcomes from both these methods depend on information that is sometimes difficult to retrieve at local scale and rather challenging or virtually impossible at larger scales. The only knowledge of topsoil hydraulic properties, for example, as retrieved by a near‐surface field campaign or a data assimilation technique, is often exploited as a proxy to determine effective soil hydraulic parameterization at the largest spatial scales. Comparisons of the effective soil hydraulic characterization provided by these three methods are conducted by discussing the implications for their use and accounting for the trade‐offs between required input information and model output reliability. To better highlight the epistemic errors associated to the different effective soil hydraulic properties and to provide some more practical guidance, the layered soil profiles are then grouped by using the FAO textural classes. For the moderately heterogeneous soil profiles available, all three approaches guarantee a general good predictability of the actual field capacity values and provide adequate identification of the effective hydraulic parameters. Conversely, worse performances are encountered for the highly variable vertical heterogeneity, especially when resorting to the “topsoil‐only” information. In general, the best performances are guaranteed by the equivalent parameters, which might be considered a reference for comparisons with other techniques. As might be expected, the information content of the soil hydraulic properties pertaining only to the uppermost soil horizon is rather inefficient and also not capable to map out the hydrologic behavior of the real vertical soil heterogeneity since the drainage process is significantly affected by profile layering in almost all cases.
Estimating transmissivity from single‐well pumping tests in heterogeneous aquifers
Authors: Pechstein Armin , Attinger Sabine , Krieg Ronald , Copty Nadim K.
Published: January 2016

Although aquifers are naturally heterogeneous, the interpretation of pumping tests is commonly performed under the assumption of aquifer homogeneity. This yields interpreted hydraulic parameters averaged over a domain of uncertain extent which disguises their relation to the underlying heterogeneity. In this study, we numerically investigate the sensitivity of the transient drawdown at the pumping well, to nonuniform distributions of transmissivity in confined aquifers. Frechet kernels and their time derivative are used to estimate two spatially averaged transmissivities, denoted the equivalent and interpreted transmissivity, Teq and Tin, respectively, for the case of single‐well pumping tests. Interrelating Teq and Tin is achieved by modeling Tin in terms of a distance dependent, radially heterogeneous field. In weakly heterogeneous aquifers, Teq approximates TPW, the local transmissivity at the pumped well. With increasing degree of heterogeneity, Teq deviates from TPW as pumping propagates. Tin starts at TPW, approaching the spatial geometric mean of transmissivity during late pumping times. Limits of the proposed spatial weighting functions are investigated by treating the interpreted storativity, Sest, as an indicator for flow connectivity. It is shown numerically that the spatial weights for Teq and Tin agree well to the underlying heterogeneity if
. Finally, implications for applying the concepts of Teq and Tin to heterogeneous domains, and, for real world applications are discussed. It is found that time‐dependent spatial averages of Tin agree well with estimates of the interpreted transmissivity from the Continuous‐Derivation method.
Hydrodynamics and sediment transport in a meandering channel with a model axial‐flow hydrokinetic turbine
Authors: Hill Craig , Kozarek Jessica , Sotiropoulos Fotis , Guala Michele
Published: January 2016

An investigation into the interactions between a model axial‐flow hydrokinetic turbine (rotor diameter, dT = 0.15 m) and the complex hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes within a meandering channel was carried out in the Outdoor StreamLab research facility at the University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. This field‐scale meandering stream with bulk flow and sediment discharge control provided a location for high spatiotemporally resolved measurements of bed and water surface elevations around the model turbine. The device was installed within an asymmetric, erodible channel cross section under migrating bed form and fixed outer bank conditions. A comparative analysis between velocity and topographic measurements, with and without the turbine installed, highlights the local and nonlocal features of the turbine‐induced scour and deposition patterns. In particular, it shows how the cross‐section geometry changes, how the bed form characteristics are altered, and how the mean flow field is distorted both upstream and downstream of the turbine. We further compare and discuss how current energy conversion deployments in meander regions would result in different interactions between the turbine operation and the local and nonlocal bathymetry compared to straight channels.
Representing spatial variability of forest snow: Implementation of a new interception model
Authors: Moeser D. , Mazzotti G. , Helbig N. , Jonas T.
Published: January 2016

A new interception model was integrated in a snowmelt model and for the first time the spatial variability of forest snow was effectively represented due to the inclusion of new forest structure metrics. The model was tested at 1273 field points surrounding Davos, Switzerland, that feature an extremely wide range of canopy and forest structure. The behavior of the new model was compared against a widely applied interception model. Due to the inclusion of novel forest structure parameters (mean distance to canopy and total gap area) in the new model, simulated interception mimicked the horizontal layout of canopy structure, while the standard interception model yielded fairly homogeneous interception estimations even under highly heterogeneous canopy conditions. The large variance of estimated interception between points using the new model translated into significant effects on under‐canopy snow water equivalent and snow depth. Precipitation conditions were also analyzed, and further differences between the models were related to storm intensity. In climates characterized by large storm events, the new interception model provides significantly higher interception estimations (i.e., lower under‐canopy snow) than the standard model, whereas in climates characterized by small storms events, the new model yields lower interception estimations (i.e., higher under‐canopy snow) in areas with moderately sized to large canopy gaps.
A lithofacies approach for modeling non‐Fickian solute transport in a heterogeneous alluvial aquifer
Authors: Bianchi Marco , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: January 2016

Stochastic realizations of lithofacies assemblage based on lithological data from a relatively small number of boreholes were used to simulate solute transport at the well‐known Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site in Mississippi (USA). With sharp vertical contrasts and lateral connectivity explicitly accounted for in the corresponding hydraulic conductivity fields, experimental results from a large‐scale tracer experiment were adequately reproduced with a relatively simple model based on advection and local dispersion. The geologically based model of physical heterogeneity shows that one well‐interconnected lithofacies, with a significantly higher hydraulic conductivity and accounting for 12% of the total aquifer volume, may be responsible for the observed non‐Fickian transport behavior indicated by the asymmetric shape of the plumes and by variations of the dispersion rate in both space and time. This analysis provides a lithological basis to the hypothesis that transport at MADE site is controlled by a network of high‐conductivity sediments embedded in a less permeable matrix. It also explains the calibrated value of the ratio of mobile to total porosities used in previous modeling studies based on the dual‐domain mass transfer approach. The results of this study underscore the importance of geologically plausible conceptualizations of the subsurface for making accurate predictions of the fate and transport of contaminants in highly heterogeneous aquifers. These conceptualizations may be developed through integration of raw geological data with expert knowledge, interpretation, and appropriate geostatistical methods.
Sediment deposition within and around a finite patch of model vegetation over a range of channel velocity
Authors: Liu Chao , Nepf Heidi
Published: January 2016

The interaction between flow and vegetation creates feedbacks to deposition that vary with channel velocity. This experimental study describes how channel velocity and stem‐generated turbulence influence the deposition within and around an emergent patch of model vegetation, with a particular focus on deposition within the patch. The Reynolds number threshold for stem‐scale turbulence generation was determined using velocity spectra and flow visualization. At high channel velocity resuspension occurred in the bare regions of the channel and a nonuniform spatial distribution of net deposition was observed around and within the patch. In contrast, at low channel velocity there was no (or limited) resuspension and a uniform distribution of net deposition was observed around and within the patch. The deposition inside the patch was enhanced, relative to a bare‐channel control, only when the following two criteria were met: (1) the absence of stem turbulence, and (2) the presence of sediment resuspension in the bare channel. Comparison to previous lab and field studies further support these criteria.
Neighborhood disadvantage and physical aggression in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of multilevel studies
Authors: Chang Ling‐Yin , Wang Mei‐Yeh , Tsai Pei‐Shan
Published: January 2016

Child and adolescent physical aggression are influenced by multiple contexts, such as peers, family, school, and neighborhood. However, the effect of neighborhoods on youth physical aggression remains unclear. The objective of this study was to quantitatively synthesize studies that have examined the effect of neighborhood disadvantage on physical aggression in children and adolescents and to identify potential moderators. We searched seven databases for articles published before April 25, 2015. Studies were considered eligible if they were published in peer‐reviewed journals, used multilevel data, controlled for neighborhood clustering, used physical aggression as the study outcome, and considered children or adolescents as the study population. Of the 152 eligible studies, we included 43 in the meta‐analysis. The results from the random‐effects model revealed that neighborhood disadvantage was positively and significantly associated with physical aggression (P < .001). Metaregression and moderator analyses further indicated a stronger association between neighborhood disadvantage and physical aggression among studies with younger participants, a higher percentage of female participants, and a longer follow‐up period (P < .05). Current findings, however, may not be generalized to other types of aggression. The observed neighborhood effects may also be limited because of the omission of studies that did not provide sufficient information for calculating the pooled effect. In summary, the results provide supporting evidence for the adverse effect of living in disadvantaged neighborhoods on physical aggression after adjusting for the individual‐level characteristics of children and adolescents. Interventions targeting structural contexts in neighborhoods are required to assist in reducing physical aggression in young people. Aggr. Behav. 42:441–454, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: van der Kolk Nicolien M. , Arts Peer , van Uden Ingeborg W. M. , Hoischen Alexander , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Netea Mihai G. , de Jong Brigit A.
Published: January 2016

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating disease of the brain, is typically diagnosed in immunocompromised persons. Here, we describe the diagnostic challenge of PML in an apparently immunocompetent patient. Thorough analyses, including cytokine release assays and whole exome sequencing, revealed a deficit in the antiviral interferon gamma production capacity of this patient and compound heterozygous mutations in BCL‐2‐associated athanogene 3. Interestingly, both factors are associated with reduced expression of John Cunningham virus T‐antigen, a protein that plays a key role in viral replication in infected cells. After validation in other patients, our findings may contribute to novel insights into the etiology and possibly treatment of PML.
Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between Serum Levels of High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein, Knee Bone Marrow Lesions, and Knee Pain in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhu Zhaohua , Jin Xingzhong , Wang Bing , Wluka Anita , Antony Benny , Laslett Laura L. , Winzenberg Tania , Cicuttini Flavia , Jones Graeme , Ding Changhai
Published: January 2016

Objective

To describe associations between serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), knee bone marrow lesions (BMLs), and knee pain, cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Patients (n = 192) with symptomatic knee OA (mean age 63 years, range 50–79, women 53%) were assessed at baseline and after 24 months. Serum hsCRP was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Knee BMLs were scored using the modified Whole‐Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Score from T2‐weighted fat‐supressed fast spin‐echo MRI. Knee pain was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.

Results

Quartiles of baseline serum hsCRP were associated with the presence of knee BMLs (prevalence ratio 1.07 per quartile [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00, 1.15]) and total knee pain scores (β 13.66 per quartile [95% CI 2.26, 25.07]) in multivariable analyses. Longitudinally, higher baseline hsCRP was associated with an increase in BML score (risk ratio 1.37 per quartile [95% CI 1.10, 1.70]), and change in hsCRP was positively associated with change in BML score (β 0.19 [95% CI 0.05, 0.34]) in adjusted analyses. Baseline hsCRP was not associated with change in total knee pain, but change in hsCRP was positively and significantly associated with change in total knee pain (β 4.71 [95% CI 0.48, 8.94]). This became nonsignificant after adjustment for changes in BML score.

Conclusion

In patients with knee OA, serum hsCRP is associated with knee BML scores and, to a lesser extent, pain both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally, suggesting that inflammation is linked with BMLs and their associated pain.
Axl, Ferritin, Insulin‐Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Type II as Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Mok Chi Chiu , Ding Hui Hua , Kharboutli Marwa , Mohan Chandra
Published: January 2016

Objective

To evaluate the performance of 4 serum protein markers for detecting concurrent clinical activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Consecutive patients who fulfilled ≥4 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE and healthy controls were recruited for serologic testing of 4 protein markers identified by antibody‐coated microarray screen, namely Axl, ferritin, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP‐2), and tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFRII). SLE disease activity was assessed by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and physician's global assessment (PGA). Levels of these markers were correlated with SLEDAI scores, and their sensitivity and specificity for clinical SLE activity were determined.

Results

A total of 94 SLE patients (98% women, mean ± SD age 28.7 ± 9.4 years, mean ± SD disease duration 5.4 ± 5.0 years) and 49 healthy controls were studied. Fifty‐two patients had clinically active SLE (defined as SLEDAI score ≥6 or having a flare). The serum concentrations of Axl, ferritin, IGFBP‐2, and TNFRII were significantly higher in patients with active SLE than in those with inactive SLE or in controls. The levels of these markers correlated strongly and significantly with anti–double stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA), C3, and clinical SLEDAI and PGA scores. These markers were more specific, but less sensitive, in detecting concurrent SLE activity than elevated anti‐dsDNA or depressed C3. Levels of Axl, TNFRII, and IGFBP‐2, but not ferritin, could differentiate active renal from active nonrenal or inactive SLE. The specificity of Axl and IGFBP‐2 for concurrent active lupus nephritis was higher than anti‐dsDNA or C3.

Conclusion

Serum proteomic markers are potentially useful for diagnosing SLE and monitoring disease activity. The performance of Axl and IGFBP‐2 in lupus nephritis should be further explored in a longitudinal cohort of SLE patients.
Can We Predict Those With Osteoarthritis Who Will Worsen Following a Chronic Disease Management Program?
Authors: Eyles Jillian P. , Mills Kathryn , Lucas Barbara R. , Williams Matthew J. , Makovey Joanna , Teoh Laurence , Hunter David J.
Published: January 2016

Objective

To identify predictors of worsening symptoms and overall health of the treated hip or knee joint following 26 weeks of a nonsurgical chronic disease management program for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to examine the consistency of these predictors across 3 definitions of worsening.

Methods

This prospective cohort study followed 539 participants of the program for 26 weeks. The 3 definitions of worsening included symptomatic worsening based on change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Global score (WOMAC‐G) measuring pain, stiffness, and function; a transition scale that asked about overall health of the treated hip or knee joint; and a composite outcome including both. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed for the 3 definitions of worsening.

Results

Complete data were available for 386 participants: mean age was 66.3 years, 69% were female, 85% reported knee joint pain as primary symptom (signal joint), 46% were waitlisted for total joint arthroplasty (TJA). TJA waitlist status, signal joint, 6‐Minute Walk Test (6MWT), depressive symptoms, pain, and age were independently associated with at least 1 definition of worsening. TJA waitlist status and 6MWT remained in the multivariate models for the transition and composite definitions of worsening.

Conclusion

Participants reporting worsening on the transition scale did not consistently meet the WOMAC‐G definition of worsening symptoms. TJA waitlist status was predictive of the composite definition of worsening, a trend apparent for the transition definition. However, variables that predict worsening remain largely unknown. Further research is required to direct comprehensive and targeted management of patients with hip and knee OA.
Hydroxychloroquine Serum Concentrations and Flares of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Longitudinal Cohort Analysis
Authors: Mok Chi Chiu , Penn Hannah J. , Chan Kar Li , Tse Sau Mei , Langman Loralie J. , Jannetto Paul J.
Published: January 2016

Objective

To study the relationship between serum hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) concentrations and flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a longitudinal cohort of patients.

Methods

Patients who fulfilled ≥4 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE and had been treated with HCQ for >6 months were studied. Blood was assayed for HCQ levels by tandem mass spectrometry. Patients were serially assessed for disease activity, using the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and flares (SELENA flares instrument). Comparison of the mean summated SLEDAI scores over time and rates of flares in groups with different HCQ levels was performed by the Kruskal‐Wallis test.

Results

A total of 276 SLE patients were studied (93% women, mean ± SD age 41.0 ± 13.8 years). The proportion of patients with HCQ levels <10 (total noncompliance), 10–500 (subtherapeutic), and >500 ng/ml (therapeutic) was 11%, 77%, and 12%, respectively. HCQ levels correlated significantly with the prescribed dose but not with body weight or renal function. The prescribed HCQ dose also correlated significantly with baseline SLEDAI scores, indicating that higher doses were used for more active manifestations. After a mean ± SD observation period of 32.5 ± 5.5 months, the mean summated SLEDAI score and the incidence of SLE flares was not statistically different among patients with different baseline HCQ levels. In a subgroup of 73 patients with serologic and clinical remission and having therapeutic HCQ levels, a trend of lower disease activity and fewer incidences of flares was observed.

Conclusion

Noncompliance and subtherapeutic serum HCQ levels were seen frequently in these SLE patients, which was partly due to the low prescribed dose. In patients in remission, higher HCQ concentrations were associated with a trend showing fewer flares over time.
Cooperative adaptive neural partial tracking errors constrained control for nonlinear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Shahvali Milad , Askari Javad
Published: January 2016

This paper considers the problem of partial tracking errors constrained for high‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems in strict‐feedback form. In the control design, radial‐based function neural networks are utilized to identify uncertain nonlinear functions, and a cooperative adaptive dynamic surface control is proposed to avoid the explosion of complexity in the backstepping technique. Based on the minimal learning parameter technique and the predefined performance approach, a novel cooperative adaptive neural network control method is developed. The proposed controller is able to guarantee that all the closed‐loop network signals are cooperative semi‐globally uniformly ultimately bounded, and partial tracking errors confine all times within the predefined bounds. Finally, simulation example and comparative example with previous methods are given to verify and clarify the effectiveness of the new design procedure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Penta‐Twinned Copper Nanorods: Facile Synthesis via Seed‐Mediated Growth and Their Tunable Plasmonic Properties
Authors: Luo Ming , Ruditskiy Aleksey , Peng Hsin‐Chieh , Tao Jing , Figueroa‐Cosme Legna , He Zhike , Xia Younan
Published: January 2016

The use of seed‐mediated growth as a versatile approach to the synthesis of penta‐twinned Cu nanorods with uniform diameters and controllable aspect ratios is reported. The success of this approach relies on our recent synthesis of uniform Pd decahedra, with sizes in the range of 6–20 nm. The Pd decahedral seeds can direct the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of Cu along the fivefold axis to produce nanorods with uniform diameters defined by the lateral dimension of the original seeds. Due to a large mismatch in the lattice constants between Cu and Pd (7.1%), the deposited Cu is forced to grow along one side of the Pd decahedral seed, generating a nanorod with an asymmetric distribution of Cu, with the Pd seed situated at one of the two ends. According to extinction spectra, the as‐obtained Cu nanorods can be stored in water under the ambient conditions for at least six months without noticeable degradation. This excellent stability allows us to systematically investigate the size‐dependent surface plasmon resonance properties of the penta‐twinned Cu nanorods. With the nanorod transverse modes positioned at 560 nm, the longitudinal modes can be readily tuned from the visible to the near‐infrared region by controlling the aspect ratio.
Strategies for Inorganic Incorporation using Neat Block Copolymer Thin Films for Etch Mask Function and Nanotechnological Application
Authors: Cummins Cian , Ghoshal Tandra , Holmes Justin D. , Morris Michael A.
Published: January 2016

Block copolymers (BCPs) and their directed self‐assembly (DSA) has emerged as a realizable complementary tool to aid optical patterning of device elements for future integrated circuit advancements. Methods to enhance BCP etch contrast for DSA application and further potential applications of inorganic nanomaterial features (e.g., semiconductor, dielectric, metal and metal oxide) are examined. Strategies to modify, infiltrate and controllably deposit inorganic materials by utilizing neat self‐assembled BCP thin films open a rich design space to fabricate functional features in the nanoscale regime. An understanding and overview on innovative ways for the selective inclusion/infiltration or deposition of inorganic moieties in microphase separated BCP nanopatterns is provided. Early initial inclusion methods in the field and exciting contemporary reports to further augment etch contrast in BCPs for pattern transfer application are described. Specifically, the use of evaporation and sputtering methods, atomic layer deposition, sequential infiltration synthesis, metal‐salt inclusion and aqueous metal reduction methodologies forming isolated nanofeatures are highlighted in di‐BCP systems. Functionalities and newly reported uses for electronic and non‐electronic technologies based on the inherent properties of incorporated inorganic nanostructures using di‐BCP templates are highlighted. We outline the potential for extension of incorporation methods to triblock copolymer features for more diverse applications. Challenges and emerging areas of interest for inorganic infiltration of BCPs are also discussed.
Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage: from Materials to Devices
Authors: Wen Lei , Li Feng , Cheng Hui‐Ming
Published: January 2016

Flexible electrochemical energy storage (FEES) devices have received great attention as a promising power source for the emerging field of flexible and wearable electronic devices. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have many excellent properties that make them ideally suited for use in FEES devices. A brief definition of FEES devices is provided, followed by a detailed overview of various structural models for achieving different FEES devices. The latest research developments on the use of CNTs and graphene in FEES devices are summarized. Finally, future prospects and important research directions in the areas of CNT‐ and graphene‐based flexible electrode synthesis and device integration are discussed.
Amide‐Functionalized Small Molecules as Solution‐Processed Electron Injection Layers in Highly Efficient Polymer Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wu Chen‐Hao , Tsai Kai‐Wei , Huang Wei‐Jhe , Wu Chen‐Yu , Chen Tsan‐Yao , Guo Tzung‐Fang , Hsu Yao‐Jane , Wen Ten‐Chin
Published: January 2016

An efficient polymer light‐emitting diode (PLED) is demonstrated using the solution‐processed octadecanamide (ODAD) as an electron injection layer (EIL). The ability for the EIL of ODAD to lower the electron injection barrier is systematically investigated by the analysis of structural analogs, photovoltaic measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Devices with ODAD/Al and 2‐phenylacetamide/Al cathodes show the higher luminance efficiency (8.5 and 11.0 cd A−1) than that with the Ca/Al cathode (5.9 cd A−1). On the contrary, the device with the octadecylamine/Al cathode shows the performance similar to that of the device with the Al cathode. It correlates the amide functional group with the enhanced electron injection. The corresponding photovoltaic measurements suggest the amide functional group be essential to decrease the work function (WF) of Al. XPS and UPS verify the mechanism for lowering electron injection barrier: the amide functional group forms the C–O–Al complex at the ODAD/Al interface to create the interfacial dipole for decreasing the WF of Al. This is the first demonstration that efficient PLEDs are achieved using amide‐functionalized small molecules as EILs. The work here paves the way for developing interfacial materials with the amide functional group to achieve efficient organic/polymer optoelectronics.
Visualization of Graphene on Various Substrates Based on Water Wetting Behavior
Authors: Xia Kailun , Jian Muqiang , Zhang Wenlin , Zhang Yingying
Published: January 2016

Graphene has unique water wetting properties, which have drawn great research interests recently. On the other side, water condensation and evaporation is a natural phenomenon in our daily life. Here, by combining the wetting properties of graphene and water condensation, a facile optical visualization approach is developed for graphene on a variety of substrates simply with the assistance of water vapor. Monolayer graphene becomes optically visible in several seconds with bellowing of water vapor. The wetting properties of monolayer graphene‐covered surface and uncovered surface on various substrates, including copper, pristine silicon (Si), HF‐treated Si, SiO2/Si, quartz, glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and micropatterned PDMS, are studied. It is shown that graphene is visible when it is not fully transparent to wetting for the underlying substrates. The different wetting behavior of graphene‐covered and uncovered surface leads to the difference in the distribution and morphology of water droplets, also gives rise to the interesting confining wall effect of the graphene edge, contributing to the observation of graphene. Moreover, this approach also enables distinguishing the monolayer and nonmonolayer graphene. This simple but powerful method is green, convenient, and repeatable, promising its great potential applications for graphene or other 2D materials.
The Origin of Oxygen Vacancies Controlling La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 Electronic and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Guo Haizhong , Wang Jia‐ou , He Xu , Yang Zhenzhong , Zhang Qinghua , Jin Kui‐juan , Ge Chen , Zhao Ruiqiang , Gu Lin , Feng Yaqing , Zhou Wenjia , Li Xiaolong , Wan Qian , He Meng , Hong Caihao , Guo Zhiying , Wang Can , Lu Huibin , Ibrahim Kurash , Meng Sheng , Yang Hao , Yang Guozhen
Published: January 2016

Mixed‐valence manganites gain increasing attentions thanks to their extraordinary properties including half‐metallicity and colossal magnetoresistive response, rendering them ideal candidate for oxide spintronics applications. Oxygen vacancies in oxides have been approved to be important functional defects and are effective to manipulating their multifunctional properties. To gain a deep insight into the roles of oxygen vacancies on regulating the atomic structure and electronic properties of the mixed‐valence manganites, two high‐quality epitaxial La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 films around a critical point (without/with oxygen vacancies) were designed and fabricated. From the experiments and theoretical calculations, it was found that the oxygen vacancies induce a weakening of Mn–O–Mn hybridized bond and an increase of concentration of Mn3+ ions, impair the double exchange between Mn3+ and Mn4+, and therefore lead to the transition from metal to insulator and the degraded magnetic properties. Our finding demonstrates a practical approach to tune the magnetic and transport properties of oxide thin films by precisely controlling the oxygen vacancies for high performance spintronics applications.
Direct Introduction of Dithiocarbamates onto Imidazoheterocycles under Mild Conditions
Authors: Jiao Jing , Wei Liang , Ji Xiao‐Ming , Hu Mao‐Lin , Tang Ri‐Yuan
Published: January 2016

This paper discloses an iodine‐mediated CH thiolation strategy for introduction of dithiocarbamates onto imidazoheterocycles under mild conditions. Imidazole derivatives, including imidazopyridines, imidazothiazoles, and benzoimidazoles, were well tolerated to afford diverse imidazoheterocycles‐dithiocarbamates compounds. These compounds are expected to be significant for drug discovery.

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Palladium‐Catalyzed [2+1] Cycloadditions Affording Vinylidenecyclopropanes as Precursors of 7‐Membered Carbocycles
Authors: Lepronier Aymeric , Achard Thierry , Giordano Laurent , Tenaglia Alphonse , Buono Gérard , Clavier Hervé
Published: January 2016

Palladium(II) acetate in association with secondary phosphine oxides provides an efficient catalytic system for [2+1] cycloadditions starting from oxanorbornene derivatives and tertiary propargyl esters giving rise to vinylidenecyclopropanes. This reaction is specific to bidentate phosphinito–phosphinous acid ligands generated from secondary phosphine oxides. The [2+1] cycloaddition was found broad in scope with a high tolerance to various functional groups. Moreover, vinylidenecyclopropanes were straightforwardly converted into oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐2‐ene derivatives through a palladium‐catalyzed ring‐expansion. Finally, the oxa bridge cleavage of oxatricyclic compounds yields functionalized 7‐membered carbocycles.

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Effects of Silicone Surfactant on the Properties of Open‐Cell Flexible Polyurethane Foams
Authors: Baferani A. Hasani , Keshavarz R. , Asadi M. , Ohadi A. R.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the effects of silicone surfactant on the mechanical, thermal, and acoustical properties of flexible polyurethane foams are studied. At first, by introducing the reactions of the foam production and expressing the stoichiometric relationships, a method is provided to select the amounts of the basic compounds for getting the desirable properties. By knowing the OH number of polyol and the NCO content of isocyanate after selecting an amount of a blowing agent for the reaction, the quantity of each compound to produce the desirable foam can be found. Then different foams with various amounts of surfactant are produced. By preparing proper samples, the mechanical, thermal, nonacoustical, and acoustical properties of the foams are measured or calculated by using different instruments. The nonacoustical properties are obtained based on two distinct methods, i.e., a semiphenomenological method and an indirect method. The obtained properties are validated by comparing the calculated theoretical sound absorption coefficients with the measured ones. The results show that with a small increase of surfactant, the acoustical properties of foam samples improve by about 50% without any significant changes in other mechanical and thermal properties of the foams. This improvement results from the variations of reticulation rate and cell size. In addition, the initial desirable porosity and density considered in the stoichiometric relations are fairly achieved in produced samples. These results validate the accuracy of the stoichiometric relations.
Silver‐Doped Zinc Oxide as a Nanofiller for Development of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) Blend Nanocomposites
Authors: Ramesan M. T. , Varghese Meghana , P Jayakrishnan , Periyat Pradeepan
Published: January 2016

Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)/silver‐doped zinc oxide (Ag‐doped ZnO) ternary blends were prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and conductivity studies. The FTIR and UV spectrum indicated the intermolecular interaction between the polar part of blend and the metal oxide nanoparticles. SEM and XRD patterns ascertained the structurally ordered arrangements of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. The DSC results showed that the addition of Ag‐doped ZnO particles to PVA/PVP decreases the thermal behavior such as glass transition and melting temperature of the blend. The TGA study indicated that the composites attained better thermal resistance than a pure blend and the thermal stability of the composite increases with an increase in the concentration of nanoparticles. The electrical properties such as AC conductivity and dielectric properties of the composites were increased with an increase in content of nanoparticles up to a certain concentration (5 wt%), and thereafter the value was found to decrease.
Millionfold Resistance Change in Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions Based on Nickelate Electrodes
Authors: Bruno Flavio Y. , Boyn Sören , Fusil Stéphane , Girod Stéphanie , Carrétéro Cécile , Marinova Maya , Gloter Alexandre , Xavier Stéphane , Deranlot Cyrile , Bibes Manuel , Barthélémy Agnès , Garcia Vincent
Published: January 2016

When electrons tunnel through an ultrathin ferroelectric, large variations of the tunnel transmission can result from the switching of the ferroelectric polarization. High‐quality ultrathin films of BiFeO3 with atomically flat terraces and single unit‐cell steps on epitaxial electrodes of LaNiO3 have been fabricated. The films crystallize in the pure polymorph of BiFeO3 with giant tetragonality; they show tunnel transport characteristics up to ten unit cells and a clear ferroelectric signal from scanning probe techniques. Sub‐micrometer solid‐state tunnel junctions defined from these heterostructures are switched by nanosecond voltage pulses. A complete reversal of the ferroelectric polarization results in large variations of the junction resistance, but partial switching of the polarization favors the reversibility of the resistance switching. Finally, the electrical transport characteristics of fully patterned tunnel junctions are investigated in the 300 K–80 K temperature range. Owing to the low resistivity of LaNiO3 electrodes, the junctions display record tunnel electroresistance values of more than 106 at 80 K combined with weak temperature dependences as expected for electron tunneling transport. These results will motivate further work to trigger metal–insulator transitions by electric‐field effects in ferroelectric tunnel junctions combined with strongly correlated nickelates.
Single‐Crystal Statistical Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Gerchikov Yulia , Shivananda Kammasandra Nanajunda , Sadeh Anat , Eichen Yoav , Tessler Nir
Published: January 2016

Field‐effect transistors (FET) are largely based on single crystals, amorphous films, or multiple (poly)crystalline layers. The single crystal that is known to exhibit the best performance in terms of mobility and stability is in fact only scarcely used in organic electronics, let alone in the context of low‐cost printing. Here a new FET design is presented, the statistical FET (SFET), which through a single additive step, requiring no alignment of the crystals with respect to the electrodes, can overcome the limitations imposed by the standard FET structure. This enables the use of crystal forming molecules in an additive manufacturing process, as printing is. This extra additive step can be utilized in passivating grain boundary related traps or dedoping. Several SFET onfigutrations are using several crystal forming molecules. This new structure may shift the synthetic effort toward crystal‐forming molecules.