bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile synthesis of a heterogeneous Li2TiO3/TiO2 nanocomposite with enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Li Zhong , Chen Yang , Shen Jie , Cui Xiaoli
Published: May 2017

A novel Li2TiO3/TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesized by a combination of anodization and hydrothermal processes and an enhanced photoelectrochemical response was demonstrated.
Electrocatalysts composed of a Co(acetylacetonate)2 molecule and refluxed graphene oxide for an oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Shim Yeonjun , Sa Young Jin , Shin Yunseok , Oh Junghoon , Ju Hyunchul , Joo Sang Hoon , Park Sungjin
Published: May 2017

Co-Based organometallic species, Co-O4-O, on the graphene-based materials showed electrocatalytic activity for ORR.
Laterally stretched polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: synthesis of dibenzophenanthroheptaphene and tetrabenzotriphenylenopyranthrene derivatives
Authors: Alameddine Bassam , Anju Rajamohanan Sobhana , Shetty Suchetha , Baig Noorullah , Al-Sagheer Fakhreia , Al-Mousawi Saleh , Jenny Titus Andreas
Published: May 2017

The synthesis of new extended trapezoidal PAHs is shown. Tetra-alkylation of the most stretched derivative induces a contorted structure.
Vancomycin-hybrid bimetallic Au/Ag composite nanoparticles: preparation of the nanoparticles and characterization of the antibacterial activity
Authors: Lu Zhentan , Zhang Jiaqi , Yu Zhenguo , Liu Xing , Zhang Zhifeng , Wang Wenwen , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Yuedan , Wang Dong
Published: May 2017

The Bimetallic Au/Ag composite nanoparticles have enhanced antibacterial activity and weak bacterial resistance.
Exacerbation of oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced blood–brain barrier disruption: potential pathogenic role of interleukin-9 in ischemic stroke
Authors: Tan Sha , Shan Yilong , Wang Yuge , Lin Yinyao , Liao Siyuan , Deng Zhezhi , Zhou Li , Cai Wei , Zeng Qin , Zhang Lei , Zhang Bingjun , Men Xuejiao , Li Haiyan , Hu Xueqiang , Wu Changyou , Peng Lisheng , Lu Zhengqi
Published: May 2017

Interleukin (IL)-9 exerts a variety of functions in autoimmune diseases. However, its role in ischemic brain injury remains unknown. The present study explored the biological effects of IL-9 in ischemic stroke (IS). We recruited 42 patients newly diagnosed with IS and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The expression levels of IL-9 and percentages of IL-9-producing T cells, including CD3+CD4+IL-9+ and CD3+CD8+IL-9+ cells, were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients and control individuals. We also investigated the effects of IL-9 on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) following oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and the potential downstream signaling pathways. We found that patients with IS had higher IL-9 expression levels and increased percentages of IL-9-producing T cells in their PBMCs. The percentages of CD3+CD4+IL-9+ and CD3+CD8+IL-9+ T cells were positively correlated with the severity of illness. In in vitro experiments using bEnd.3 cells, exogenously administered IL-9 exacerbated the loss of tight junction proteins (TJPs) in cells subjected to OGD plus reoxygenation (RO). This effect was mediated via activation of IL-9 receptors, which increased the level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as well as through up-regulated phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and 3 and down-regulated phosphorylated protein kinase B/phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling. These results indicate that IL-9 has a destructive effect on the BBB following OGD, at least in part by inducing eNOS production, and raise the possibility of targetting IL-9 for therapeutic intervention in IS.
Genome instability: a conserved mechanism of ageing?
Authors: Vijg Jan , Dong Xiao , Milholland Brandon , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2017

DNA is the carrier of genetic information and the primary template from which all cellular information is ultimately derived. Changes in the DNA information content through mutation generate diversity for evolution through natural selection but are also a source of deleterious effects. It has since long been hypothesized that mutation accumulation in somatic cells of multicellular organisms could causally contribute to age-related cellular degeneration and death. Assays to detect different types of mutations, from base substitutions to large chromosomal aberrations, have been developed and show unequivocally that mutations accumulate in different tissues and cell types of ageing humans and animals. More recently, next-generation sequencing-based methods have been developed to accurately determine the complete landscape of base substitution mutations in single cells. The first results show that the somatic mutation rate is much higher than the germline mutation rate and that base substitution loads in somatic cells are high enough to potentially affect cellular function.
Fast visualisation of massive data based on viewpoint motion model
Authors: Wen Chang , Li Lu , Xie Kai
Published: May 2017

To display massive data accurately and in real time, a visualisation algorithm based on the viewpoint motion model is proposed. A Hilbert‐R tree is constructed to index massive data. Further, the massive data is divided into a visible area, a potential area, and an unloading area using the viewpoint motion model. According to the index, corresponding data blocks are loaded into the memory, and data blocks of the visible area further transferred into the graphic processing unit (GPU) memory for rendering. When the viewpoint is changed, the data block of the potential area in the memory is directly loaded into the GPU. Experimental results show that under the premise of ensuring the quality of rendering, massive data can be displayed interactively, and the speed of displaying increases by 36–78%.
Dynamic voltage frequency scaling‐aware refresh management for 3D DRAM over processor architecture
Authors: Lim J. , Kim H. , Oh H. , Kang S.
Published: May 2017

Three‐dimensional integrated systems that combine large‐capacity dynamic random access memory (DRAM) with high‐performance processors represent a promising solution to implementing high‐performance computing. However, in such configurations stacked DRAM cells will inevitably be exposed to high temperatures generated by the processor, thereby necessitating DRAMs with high refresh rates driven by embedded temperature sensors. In this Letter, a thermally aware refresh‐control method that accounts for abrupt changes in temperature and thermal distribution using low‐power techniques such as dynamic voltage frequency scaling is proposed. Comparisons with previous systems via single‐ and eight‐core simulations reveal that the proposed method improves efficiency with no additional overhead.
Implementation of a low‐power LVQ architecture on FPGA
Authors: Chalbi Najoua , Boubaker Mohamed , Hedi Bedoui Mohamed
Published: May 2017

This study presents an architecture‐optimising methodology for embedding an learning vector quantization (LVQ) neural network on an field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. The embedded architecture contains both learning and decision circuitry and is optimised towards the lowest power/energy consumption. The low‐power/energy architecture is obtained through the selection of the best one amongst a number of architectures produced by FPGA software design tools that combine power, area and the ergonomic utilisation of internal FPGA resources. A complete characterisation of power at the architectural level was carried out using the Xpower tool. An analytical power model was determined by the following parameters: area, delay and LVQ topology. Concerning the authors’ architecture, there is a 28% gain in the area design. Moreover, it consumes 8% power in the nanoboard 3000 compared with the other ones.
Low‐power 10‐bit 100 MS/s pipelined ADC in digital CMOS technology
Authors: Singh Anil , Rawat Veena , Agarwal Alpana
Published: May 2017

A 10‐bit pipelined analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC) at a sampling rate of 100 MS/s utilising only metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) transistors is presented and designed in 1.8 V 0.18 μm standard digital complementary MOS (CMOS) n‐well technology. The internal gain of value 2 of the intermediate stages is achieved by using a charge‐pump‐based concept that avoids the use of power‐area inefficient operational amplifier. All the capacitors are realised by capacitors implemented by metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSCAPs) that allows easy integration with any inexpensive standard digital CMOS technology, and altogether giving low area‐power‐cost solution. A low DC gain CMOS differential amplifier in source follower configuration is used and low gain effects are calibrated digitally in the background. Peak differential non‐linearity (DNL) improves from −1/+0.27 least significant bit (LSB) to −0.43/+0.57 LSB and peak integral non‐linearity (INL) is reduced from −9.56/+9.3 LSB to within range of ±0.5 LSB after calibration. Also signal‐to‐noise plus distortion ratio (SNDR) and spurious‐free dynamic range (SFDR) increase to 65.4 and 72.08 dB, respectively, after calibration.
Heuristic thermal sensor allocation methods for overheating detection of real microprocessors
Authors: Li Xin , Wei Xueting , Zhou Wei
Published: May 2017

Modern microprocessors utilise embedded thermal sensors to continuously monitor the chip's temperature during runtime. However, the overheating locations change temporally and spatially depending on the various workloads running on the chip. Furthermore, on‐chip thermal sensor readings are highly affected by noise due to fabrication fluctuations and randomness, which makes the task of thermal monitoring particularly challenging. In this study, the authors first establish overheating detection models to address the thermal sensor allocation problem under two different conditions when the on‐chip thermal sensor observations are corrupted by noise. On this basis, a heuristic method based on genetic algorithm is proposed to find a near‐optimal thermal sensor allocation solution, which can make overheating detection probability significantly improved with a greatly reduced execution time. They also propose a hybrid algorithm to identify the optimal thermal sensor placement for each individual chip block or component. Moreover, they develop an oil‐based cooling system and utilise infrared thermal imaging techniques to capture the thermal traces of a real dual‐core microprocessor when running various workloads. The experiments demonstrate that the authors’ proposed thermal sensor allocation methods obviously outperform several common allocation approaches in terms of overheating detection, which can provide an accurate and reliable thermal monitoring.
Gaussian normal basis multiplier over GF(2m) using hybrid subquadratic‐and‐quadratic TMVP approach for elliptic curve cryptography
Authors: Chiou Che Wun , Sun Yuh‐Sien , Lee Cheng‐Min , Lin Jim‐Min , Chuang Tai‐Pao , Lee Chiou‐Yng
Published: May 2017

In recent years, subquadratric‐and‐quadratric Toeplitz matrix–vector product (TMVP) computations are widely used for the implementation of binary field multiplication in elliptic curve cryptography. Pure subquadratric TMVP structure involves significantly less space complexity and long computational delay, while quadratric TMVP structure involves larger space complexity and less computation delay. To optimise the tradeoff between time and space complexities, this study presents a novel hybrid multiplier for Gaussian normal basis (GNB) in GF(2m) which combines subquadratic and quadratic structures. From the theoretical analysis, it is shown that the proposed hybrid multiplier can save ∼18% space complexity and 12% time complexity than the existing GNB multiplier with pure TMVP decomposition.
Channel quality estimation metrics in cognitive radio networks: a survey
Authors: Elderini Tarek , Kaabouch Naima , Reyes Hector
Published: May 2017

The rapid growth of wireless communication systems around the world has led to a significant demand for more radio spectrum resources. Radio spectrum regulators are facing several challenges due to spectrum scarcity caused not only by increased demand but also by inefficient management of this resource. Currently, the spectrum is statically allocated to licensed users even though some of them use this resource intermittently. This has resulted in underutilisation of the spectrum and therefore, spectrum scarcity for new users. Cognitive radio aims at solving this problem through dynamic spectrum access, which uses spectrum holes opportunistically. A cognitive radio can select the best channel available at a particular location and time. To accomplish that goal, the system requires some criteria, or channel quality estimation metrics, to rank the channels that it potentially could use. In this study, the authors present a survey on several channel quality estimation metrics such as bit error rate, signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio, outage probability, channel quality estimation index, spectrum sensing accuracy of secondary user, and the idle state duration expectation.
Half‐ZF beamforming scheme for downlink two‐user multiple input single output‐based non‐orthogonal multiple access systems
Authors: Cai Wenbo , Lv Guocheng , Jin Ye
Published: May 2017

The authors investigate the beamforming (BF) problem to minimise the power consumption for the downlink 2‐user multiple input single output‐based non‐orthogonal multiple access system. Inspired from the conventional zero‐forcing (ZF) scheme, they propose the Half‐ZF scheme which only mitigates the interference introduced by the signal of the cell‐interior user through the ZF method. Meanwhile, the interference introduced by the signal of the cell‐edge user is removed through the SIC technology. We derive the closed‐form expression for the BF vectors of the two users under the Half‐ZF scheme. The optimal power consumption for the Half‐ZF scheme is analysed and the corresponding solution of the BF factors are also obtained. Compared with the conventional ZF scheme, both the Half‐ZF scheme and the existing quasi‐degradation (QD) scheme can achieve lower power consumption than the ZF scheme. However, the Half‐ZF scheme can achieve this advantage under more relaxed conditions. Consequently, the Half‐ZF scheme consumes lower power than the QD scheme when combined with the ZF scheme in practical systems.
Control design for interval type‐2 polynomial fuzzy‐model‐based systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Li Yuandi , Lam Hak‐Keung , Zhang Lixian
Published: May 2017

In this study, the problems of stabilisation for interval type‐2 polynomial fuzzy systems with time‐varying delay and parameter uncertainties are investigated. The objective is to design a state‐feedback interval type‐2 polynomial fuzzy controller such that the closed‐loop control system is asymptotically stable. The conditions for the existence of such a controller are delay dependent and membership function dependent in terms of sum‐of‐squares (SOS). Based on a basic lemma to deal with the delay terms, the authors formulate and solve the problem with more flexibility due to imperfect premise matching that the number of rules and premise membership functions are not necessary the same between the interval type‐2 polynomial fuzzy model and interval type‐2 polynomial fuzzy controller. Piecewise linear membership functions approximations enclosing the original lower and upper membership functions are employed to facilitate the stability analysis. A numerical example indicates the effectiveness of the derived results.
filtering for T–S fuzzy complex networks subject to sensor saturation via delayed information
Authors: Sheng Suying , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: May 2017

This study addresses a distributed filtering problem for discrete‐time Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy complex networks with sensor saturation, where nodes and filters are connected via a shared communication network. It is supposed that each node's output measurement transmitted to its filter according to Round‐Robin scheduling protocol. Based on a non‐parallel distributed compensation strategy, distributed filters are constructed, where the coupling matrix between filters could be different from the one between nodes and the parameters of the filters depend on current and delayed membership functions. The augmented filtering error system is represented as a discrete‐time fuzzy system with time‐varying delays. By applying a novel nonquadratic Lyapunov functional that depends on current and delayed membership functions, and combined with a Abel lemma‐based finite‐sum inequality, distributed regional filters are designed such that the local and exponential stability of the augmented filtering error system is ensured and the performance requirement is satisfied. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness and less conservatism of the proposed method.
Location error resilient geographical routing for vehicular ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Kasana Reena , Kumar Sushil , Kaiwartya Omprakash , Yan Wei , Cao Yue , Abdullah Abdul Hanan
Published: May 2017

The efficiency and scalability of geographical routing depend on the accuracy of location information of vehicles. Each vehicle determines its location using global positioning system (GPS) or other positioning systems. Related literature in geographical routing implicitly assumes accurate location information. However, this assumption is unrealistic considering the accuracy limitation of GPS and obstruction of signals by road side environments. The inaccurate location information results in performance degradation of geographical routing protocols in vehicular environments. In this context, this study proposes a location error resilient geographical routing (LER‐GR) protocol. Rayleigh distribution‐based error calculation technique is utilised for assessing error in the location of neighbouring vehicles. Kalman filter‐based location prediction and correction technique is developed to predict the location of the neighbouring vehicles. The next forwarding vehicle is selected based on the least error in location information. Simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of LER‐GR in realistic environments, considering junction‐based as well as real map‐based road networks. The comparative performance evaluation attests the location error resilient capability of LER‐GR in a vehicular environment.
Asymmetric arc‐shaped vortex‐induced electromagnetic generator for harvesting energy from low‐velocity flowing water
Authors: Lin Zhiwei , Zhao Jiangxin , Zhao Nian , Awais Qasim , Liu Jun , Wen Yumei , Li Ping , Yang Jin
Published: May 2017

In this study, a novel small‐scale electromagnetic energy harvester is designed and optimised, which aims at addressing the limitations of existing approaches in output power scavenged from low‐velocity flowing water. Instead of conventional cantilever beams, an asymmetric arc‐shaped elastic beam is implemented to disrupt flow, leading to its oscillation in the induced unsteady flow field. An electromagnetic transducer is utilised to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. Furthermore, the effects of the structure asymmetry and curvature on the electrical outputs are investigated to optimise the scavenging energy capability. A prototype with the volume of 152.4 cm3 is fabricated and tested. A maximum open‐circuit voltage of 1440 mV is obtained at 0.409 m/s, and the harvester generates an output power of 0.503 mW when it is connected to an external load of 110 Ω. The small‐scale harvester shows great potential for applying in wireless sensor networks.
Optimal sizing and allocation of battery energy storage systems with wind and solar power DGs in a distribution network for voltage regulation considering the lifespan of batteries
Authors: Khalid Mehmood Khawaja , Khan Saad Ullah , Lee Soon‐Jeong , Haider Zunaib Maqsood , Rafique Muhammad Kashif , Kim Chul‐Hwan
Published: May 2017

The lifespan of a battery in battery energy storage systems (BESSs) is affected by various factors such as the operating temperature of the battery, depth of discharge, and magnitudes of the charging/discharging currents supplied to or drawn from the battery. In this study, the optimal location and size of a BESS are found for voltage regulation in a distribution system while increasing the lifespan of the battery. Various factors that affect the lifespan of a battery are considered and modelled. The problem is formulated as a multi‐objective optimisation problem with two‐objective functions. The first objective function calculates the energy losses in the system, whereas the second objective function represents the total investment cost of the distributed generator (DG) and BESS installations. Wind and solar DGs with uncertainties in their output powers are also considered with the BESSs. An elitist non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm‐II with a utopian point method is used to solve the optimisation problem. Furthermore, an IEEE 906 bus European low‐voltage test feeder and eight test cases are considered for this study. The results show reduced losses and cost, improvement in the voltage profile, and extended lifespan of the batteries.
Characterisation of microparticle transport driven by ionic current conditions in electrically polarised aqueous solutions
Authors: Nagura Ryo , Doi Kentaro , Kawano Satoyuki
Published: May 2017

Molecular transport technology is one of the hottest topics in micro‐ and nanofluidics. Target molecules are often transported by electric forces, e.g. capillary electrophoresis (EP), gel EP, biological and artificial nanopores. On the other hand, such methods are sometimes disturbed by surrounding environments because the surface effects tend to be prominent. The surface charges on the channel walls cause peculiar liquid flows in micro‐ and nanochannels. Thus, the isolation of electrophoretic transport from the fluidic effects is important to achieve the precise control of targets in confined spaces. In this study, a novel technique to control the transport of microparticles is proposed, where a liquid flow is involved by applying electric body forces. The direction of electrically charged microparticles is controlled by the electric forces not only on the particle but also in the liquid. Herein, an electrohydrodynamic flow is applied by preparing electrically polarised solutions. In this setup, the transport direction of particles can be changed depending on the electric forces by excessive ions, which is estimated by measuring electric conductivity.
One‐step synthesis of alpha‐MnS nanosheets for supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Li Meng , Liang Jun , Chai Yao , Li Deli , Lu Jiaxue , Li Li
Published: May 2017

Two‐dimensional manganese sulphide (MnS) nanosheets have been successfully synthesised by a facile, fast, moderate (< 200°C) hydrothermal method. Through the examination of X‐ray powder diffraction method, the crystal structure of the sample is proved to be cubic crystal system and the polymorph is alpha‐MnS. Through scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM), the morphology is observed to be nanosheet with the thickness of 15–30 nm. The alpha‐MnS nanosheets electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitor. The supercapacitor shows a high specific capacity of 667.40 F g−1 at a scan rate 1 mV s−1, 344.51 F g−1 at current density of 0.5 A g−1 and a high capacitance retention about 93% after 5000 charge–discharge cycles.
Carbon nanotubes reinforced copper composite with uniform CNT distribution and high yield of fabrication
Authors: Zheng Liangfu , Sun Jianren , Chen Quanfang
Published: May 2017

Dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in metal matrix composites has been an unsolved issue since the discovery of CNTs. This paper presents a newly developed fabrication process of bulk Cu/CNT composite with uniformly distributed CNTs. That is, copper encapsulated CNTs powders were firstly fabricated by an electrochemical deposition where CNTs can be completely dispersed in the copper electrolyte assisted by sonication, and then the fabricated composite powders were used to make bulk Cu/CNT composite by a powder metallurgy process. The increment in microhardness of Cu/CNT composite after compaction and sintering was observed to be ∼47.6% per 1% CNTs. The developed fabrication process of Cu/CNT composite powders by electrochemical co‐deposition can be scaled up to meet specific application needs, and a similar process is expected to be applicable for other metals.
Baseline characterisation and monitoring protocols for development of shale and tight gas resources, northern Perth Basin
Authors: Hortle Allison , Rachakonda Praveen Kumar , George Suman , Myers Matt , White Cameron
Published: May 2017

CSIRO, in collaboration with Latent Petroleum, AWE Limited, Origin Energy, Norwest Energy and the WA Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) have established a research program into methods of calculating baseline values of environmental indicators and monitoring techniques during development of tight gas resources in the northern Perth Basin. As part of the project, a desktop review of available groundwater monitoring data around the sponsors’ permit areas was conducted, along with measurements of ambient methane (CH4) concentrations.
The groundwater study indicated a lack of monitoring wells within the permit areas, apart from those being monitored by explorers, and provides a valuable update to the regional groundwater models built by the WA Department of Water (DoW). The mobile CH4 survey measured ambient levels of CH4 across the basin, and CH4 concentrations were close to those measured at the Cape Grim atmospheric research station (Tasmania). The soil-gas flux survey measured very low or negative CH4 flux, closely associated with carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, indicating the flux rate was controlled by microbial action.
The outcomes of the project are intended to assist operators to address community assurance, adhere to or surpass regulatory requirements and establish industry best practice standards.
Effects of Gold Nanoparticles and Gold Anti-Arthritic Compounds on Inflammation Marker Expression in Macrophages
Authors: James Lloyd R. A. , Sluyter Ron , Dillon Carolyn T. , Ralph Stephen F.
Published: May 2017

The ability of aurothiomalate and auranofin to alter the production of several cellular mediators of inflammation by RAW264.7 macrophages, was compared with each other and that of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Addition of auranofin was found to have a pronounced ability to lower the production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS respectively), as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), by macrophages that were subsequently treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate production of the mediators. In contrast, prior treatment of the cells with either aurothiomalate or Au NPs had either little or no significant effect on production of RNS and ROS. Treatment of the macrophages with Au NPs had a small effect on production of TNF by cells that were subsequently stimulated with LPS; however, the effect was much smaller than that elicited by auranofin. Similarly, aurothiomalate had a small but significant effect on production of IL-10. Varying the size of the Au NPs or the identity of the protective sheath surrounding the nanoparticles did not have a significant effect on the production of RNS or ROS by LPS-stimulated macrophages. The results of some of these investigations are discussed in the light of other studies reported in the literature. In addition, results obtained by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are presented that provide evidence for the accumulation of gold within macrophages exposed to Au NPs.
Studies on Orpiment (As2S3) Quantum Dots and their Self-Assemblies
Authors: Wu Jinzhu , Feng Yaxiu , Lin Haishu , Ho Paul C.
Published: May 2017

The natural mineral orpiment (As2S3) has long been used in traditional medicines for various diseases, although it is poorly soluble and has resulting low bioavailability. In this study, orpiment quantum dots (QDs) belonging to rare V–VI binary QDs were first synthesised through top-down and bottom-up routes, in which a mixture of ethanolamine and triethanolamine was used as a coordinating solvent. The as-synthesised orpiment QDs have a narrow size distribution, superior solubility, strong blue photoluminescence emission, and good stability. Preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity studies show that orpiment QDs are less cytotoxic for human normal dermal fibroblast cells but more potent against murine melanoma B16 cells through induction of apoptosis. Moreover, self-assemblies of orpiment QDs were fabricated through destroying the protective surface ligand layer surrounding the inner orpiment cores by addition of an acid. The underlying driving force is probably competitive reactions between the surface amine ligand and the introduced acid, leading to the exposure of the bare inner orpiment cores with high surface energy.
Understanding Second Language Processing
Authors: Dyson Bronwen Patricia , Håkansson Gisela
Published: May 2017

This book aims to help researchers and teachers interested in language processing and Processability Theory (PT) to understand this theory and its applications. PT is an influential account of second language processing which hypothesizes that, due to the architecture of language processing, learners acquire second languages in developmental stages. This book lays out PT’s predictions and research on the development of diverse target languages – particularly English and Scandinavian languages – by learners of various categories. It discusses the typological issues facing PT and its contribution to an understanding of variation and cognitive constraints on pedagogy. However, the book also raises a critical eye to the literature which, after almost twenty years of evolution, requires explanation, clarification and, in some cases, extension. Why do some phenomena belong to different stages in different languages? Why are important types of variation under-represented? Is teaching as constrained as proposed in PT?
Heritage language use among Turkish and Vietnamese mothers in Germany
Authors: Schnoor Birger , Lotter Vivian , Schwenke-Lam Trang
Published: May 2017

In this study we investigate heritage language use among Turkish and Vietnamese mothers in Germany. We suggest that exclusive use of the heritage language in mother-child interactions is affected by an interplay of structural characteristics in the family environment as well as mothers’ rational expectations aimed towards their language use. We seek to provide an appropriate explanation for mothers’ heritage language use by expanding the usual model through the integration of further types of rationalities. Our results strongly confirm recent findings that immigrants’ heritage language use is mostly linked to the respective social environment and its opportunity structures. The use of the heritage language between immigrant mothers and their children is therefore mainly influenced by situational instrumental rationality aimed towards interactional pragmatism. Interestingly, we did not find any negative relation between mothers’ exclusive heritage language use with their child and mothers’ strategic instrumentally rational expectations aimed towards their child’s future educational success.
Biscriptality and heritage language maintenance
Authors: Brehmer Bernhard , Usanova Irina
Published: May 2017

The paper deals with the script choices made by bilingual Russian-German children when they are asked to compose texts in their Russian heritage language. Furthermore, the relationship between script choice and overall proficiency in the heritage language is investigated. We compare two different age groups of bilingual children. The analysis reveals that knowledge of the Cyrillic script is not dependent on their age upon arrival in Germany. Even those who use the Cyrillic script for writing in Russian sometimes use Latin graphemes. The appearance of Latin graphemes can be treated as an unconscious negative transfer from German, but also sometimes as a purposeful transfer to substitute for complex Cyrillic graphemes. Most of the factors used for assessing language proficiency (e.g. morphological correctness, mean length of sentences, etc.) are related to script choice, but significant effects were found only for task accomplishment.
Dominant language transfer in heritage languages
Authors: Moro Francesca , van Suchtelen Pablo Irizarri
Published: May 2017

Heritage languages (HL), like other contact varieties, are subject to considerable transfer. However, the question remains of whether structures are really transferred from one language to another. Two case studies, one about datives in heritage Spanish, and the other about resultatives in heritage Ambon Malay, serve as a basis for discussion around the nature of structural transfer in HLs. The main conclusion is that structural transfer can be characterized as a redistribution of already available structures, driven by lexical and conceptual properties. In order to account for this, we explain structural transfer in terms of cross-linguistic activation in a psycholinguistic model inspired by Hartsuiker et al. (2004).
Overarching consonant alternations
Authors: Oranskaia Tatiana
Published: May 2017

This pilot research project addresses the interlanguage transfer of phonetic-phonemic phenomena in a trilingual situation: Bundeli-Hindi (L1-L2, not standard – standard) bidialectism extended by L3 English. The audio data analysis focuses on semantically and grammatically empty cross-phonemic consonant alternations that are not conditioned by phonotactics. Their transfer points to a specific transfer type, involving systemic relations. I introduce an alternation rate index as a tool to assess the dependence of cross-phonemic interlanguage alternations on linguistic and sociolinguistic parameters. The results of the analysis indicate that cross-phonemic alternations are unilaterally transferred from Bundeli to Hindi and English and that the alternation rate is inversely related to the socio-educational level and language proficiency as well as to the level of language standardisation.
Teaching academic discourse practices in multilingual classrooms
Authors: Lange Imke , Beckmann Vera , Galling Isabella
Published: May 2017

Students’ success in school is closely linked to the mastering of academic language. In the context of linguistic und socio-cultural diversity, teaching practices which support students’ acquisition of this capability have become increasingly important. Empirical research in this field, however, is scarce. The video study Bildungssprachförderliches Lehrerhandeln (‘Teaching practices of academic language support’ – BilLe) analyzes the teaching of academic discourse practices in regular multilingual classrooms with a focus on teachers’ activities. The project is embedded in intercultural educational research focusing on curriculum development. For the purpose of this study, expert teachers were video-taped in regular lessons in various types of schools, grades and subjects. Based on content-based analyses (low-inference video coding) and interpretive video interaction analyses this article presents results from the part of the BilLe study that focused on a primary school.
Before the complementizer
Authors: Cruschina Silvio , Remberger Eva-Maria
Published: May 2017

In this paper we investigate the distributional, morphosyntactic, and semantic properties of a particular construction found in Romance, as well as in other languages such as English. This construction involves a class of elements that appear in sentence-initial position and that are followed by a complementizer introducing a root clause (a CP in generativist terms). This class may comprise underived attributes (adjectives) and derived attributes (adverbs), depending on the specific language. We claim that these adverbial constructions, as a result of grammaticalization, can be analysed as structurally equivalent to other constructions with similar speaker-oriented meanings, such as quotative and reportative constructions. A further or alternative process of grammaticalization, instead, has yielded new adverbial forms which morphologically include the complementizer.
Cognitive Grammar in Contemporary Fiction
Authors: Harrison Chloe
Published: May 2017

This book proposes an extension of Cognitive Grammar (Langacker 1987, 1991, 2008) towards a cognitive discourse grammar, through the unique environment that literary stylistic application offers. Drawing upon contemporary research in cognitive stylistics (Text World Theory, deixis and mind-modelling, amongst others), the volume scales up central Cognitive Grammar concepts (such as construal, grounding, the reference point model and action chains) in order to explore the attenuation of experience – and how it is simulated – in literary reading. In particular, it considers a range of contemporary texts by Neil Gaiman, Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Safran Foer, Ian McEwan and Paul Auster. This application builds upon previous work that adopts Cognitive Grammar for literary analysis and provides the first extended account of Cognitive Grammar in contemporary fiction.
Critical Notice: James A Harris’ Hume: an intellectual biography, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015
Authors: Kraal Anders
Published: May 2017

James Harris’s new Hume biography offers, among other things, ‘a series of conjectures as to what Hume’s intentions were in writing in the particular ways that he did about human nature, politics, economics, history, and religion’. The biography is particularly novel with regard to Hume’s intentions when writing about religion, which, Harris argues (in opposition to recent developments in Hume scholarship), were rather benign. Harris fails to appreciate the full extent of the difficulties attaching to his series of conjectures, however.
Structurexplor: a platform for the exploration of structural features of RNA secondary structures
Authors: Glouzon Jean-Pierre Séhi , Perreault Jean-Pierre , Wang Shengrui
Published: May 2017

Discovering function-related structural features, such as the cloverleaf shape of transfer RNA secondary structures, is essential to understand RNA function. With this aim, we have developed a platform, named Structurexplor, to facilitate the exploration of structural features in populations of RNA secondary structures. It has been designed and developed to help biologists interactively search for, evaluate and select interesting structural features that can potentially explain RNA functions.

Availability and implementation

Structurxplor is a web application available at http://structurexplor.dinf.usherbrooke.ca. The source code can be found at http://jpsglouzon.github.io/structurexplor/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Implementation of a Large System-Wide Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Linkage to Care Program for Baby Boomers
Authors: Castrejón Mariana , Chew Kara W. , Javanbakht Marjan , Humphries Romney , Saab Sammy , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: May 2017

Background

We implemented and evaluated a large health system-wide hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and linkage to care program for persons born between 1945 and 1965 (“baby boomers”).

Methods

An electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support (CDS) tool for HCV screening for baby boomers was introduced in August 2015 for patients seen in the outpatient University of California, Los Angeles healthcare system setting. An HCV care coordinator was introduced in January 2016 to facilitate linkage to HCV care. We compared HCV testing in the year prior (August 2014–July 2015) to the year after (August 2015–July 2016) implementation of the CDS tool. Among patients with reactive HCV antibody testing, we compared outcomes related to the care cascade including HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, HCV RNA positivity, and linkage to HCV specialty care.

Results

During the study period, 19606 participants were screened for HCV antibody. Hepatitis C virus antibody screening increased 145% (from 5676 patients tested to 13930 tested) after introduction of the CDS intervention. Screening increased across all demographic groups including age, sex, and race/ethnicity, with the greatest increases among those in the older age groups. The addition of an HCV care coordinator increased follow-up HCV RNA testing for HCV antibody positive patients from 83% to 95%. Ninety-four percent of HCV RNA positive patients were linked to care postimplementation.

Conclusions

Introduction of an EHR CDS tool and care coordination markedly increased the number of baby boomers screened for HCV, rates of follow-up HCV RNA testing, and linkage to specialty HCV care for patients with chronic HCV infection.
Detection of mcr-1-Carrying Escherichia coli Causing Bloodstream Infection in a New York City Hospital: Avian Origins, Human Concerns?
Authors: Macesic Nenad , Green Daniel , Wang Zheng , Sullivan Sean B. , Shim Kevin , Park Sarah , Whittier Susan , Furuya E. Yoko , Gomez-Simmonds Angela , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin
Published: May 2017

The spread of mcr-1 in the United States remains poorly defined. mcr-1-producing Escherichia coli that also carried blaSHV-12 was detected in a hospitalized patient. No additional cases were identified during screening of 801 Gram-negative isolates. Genomic sequencing identified an IncX4 mcr-1- harboring plasmid and ST117 clonal background associated with avian pathogenic E coli.
Uncertainty Traps*
Authors: Fajgelbaum Pablo D. , Schaal Edouard , Taschereau-Dumouchel Mathieu
Published: May 2017

We develop a theory of endogenous uncertainty and business cycles in which short-lived shocks can generate long-lasting recessions. In the model, higher uncertainty about fundamentals discourages investment. Since agents learn from the actions of others, information flows slowly in times of low activity and uncertainty remains high, further discouraging investment. The economy displays uncertainty traps: self-reinforcing episodes of high uncertainty and low activity. Although the economy recovers quickly after small shocks, large temporary shocks may have long-lasting effects on the level of activity. The economy is subject to an information externality but uncertainty traps may remain in the efficient allocation. Embedding the mechanism in a standard business cycle framework, we find that endogenous uncertainty increases the persistence of large recessions and improves the performance of the model in accounting for the Great Recession.
How to Deliver a More Persuasive Message Regarding Addiction as a Medical Disorder
Authors: Humphreys Keith
Published: May 2017

Many members of our field are frustrated that the public does not see addiction as a legitimate medical disorder which should be compassionately addressed as a health problem rather than a criminal justice problem. Although some attribute the disconnect to the public's lack of scientific knowledge or attachment to outdated moral views regarding substance use, this commentary suggests that the problem may well be our own messaging. We would be more persuasive if we acknowledged that addiction is different from most medical disorders because of its high negative externalities, and that this understandably makes the public more scared of and angry about addiction than they are about conditions like asthma, type II diabetes, and hypertension. Relatedly, because of the amount of violence and other crimes associated with addiction, we should acknowledge that the public's belief that law enforcement has an important role to play in responding to addiction has a rational basis.
Accuracy of Capillary and Arterial Whole Blood Glucose Measurements Using a Glucose Meter in Patients under General Anesthesia in the Operating Room
Authors: Karon Brad S. , Donato Leslie J. , Larsen Chelsie M. , Siebenaler Lindsay K. , Wells Amy E. , Wood-Wentz Christina M. , Shirk-Marienau Mary E. , Curry Timothy B.
Published: May 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a glucose meter with surgical patients under general anesthesia in the operating room.

Methods

Glucose measurements were performed intraoperatively on 368 paired capillary and arterial whole blood samples using a Nova StatStrip (Nova Biomedical, USA) glucose meter and compared with 368 reference arterial whole blood glucose measurements by blood gas analyzer in 196 patients. Primary outcomes were median bias (meter minus reference), percentage of glucose meter samples meeting accuracy criteria for subcutaneous insulin dosing as defined by Parkes error grid analysis for type 1 diabetes mellitus, and accuracy criteria for intravenous insulin infusion as defined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Time under anesthesia, patient position, diabetes status, and other variables were studied to determine whether any affected glucose meter bias.

Results

Median bias (interquartile range) was −4 mg/dl (−9 to 0 mg/dl), which did not differ from median arterial meter bias of −5 mg/dl (−9 to −1 mg/dl; P = 0.32). All of the capillary and arterial glucose meter values met acceptability criteria for subcutaneous insulin dosing, whereas only 89% (327 of 368) of capillary and 93% (344 of 368) arterial glucose meter values met accuracy criteria for intravenous insulin infusion. Time, patient position, and diabetes status were not associated with meter bias.

Conclusions

Capillary and arterial blood glucose measured using the glucose meter are acceptable for intraoperative subcutaneous insulin dosing. Whole blood glucose on the meter did not meet accuracy guidelines established specifically for more intensive (e.g., intravenous insulin) glycemic control in the acute care environment.
Use of Paley Classification and SUPERankle Procedure in the Management of Fibular Hemimelia
Authors: Kulkarni Ruta M. , Arora Nitish , Saxena Sagar , Kulkarni Sujay M. , Saini Yadwinder , Negandhi Rajiv
Published: May 2017

Background:

Fibular hemimelia is the most common deficiency involving the long bones. Paley classification is based on the ankle joint morphology, identifies the basic pathology, and helps in planning the surgical management. Reconstruction surgery encompasses foot deformity correction and limb length equalization. The SUPERankle procedure is a combination of bone and soft tissue procedures that stabilizes the foot and addresses all deformities.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 29 consecutive patients (29 limb segments), surgically treated between December 2000 and December 2014. Among the 29 patients, 27 were treated with reconstructive procedures. Type 1 (8 patients) cases were treated with only limb lengthening, and correction of tibial deformities. Type 2 (7 patients) cases were treated by distal tibial medial hemiepiphysiodesis or supramalleolar varus osteotomy. In type 3 (10 patients) cases, the foot deformity was corrected using the SUPERankle procedure. Type 4 (2 patients) cases were treated with supramalleolar osteotomy along with posteromedial release and lateral column shortening. In a second stage, limb lengthening was performed, using the Ilizarov technique. In the remaining 2 patients (type 3A and type 3C), amputation was performed using Syme technique as a first choice of treatment.

Results:

The results were evaluated using Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov scoring. Excellent results were obtained in 15 of 27 (55%) patients. Six (22%) patients had good results, 4 (14.8%) had fair results, and 2 (7%) had poor results. Mean limb length discrepancy at initial presentation was 3.55 cm (range: 2 to 5.5 cm) which significantly improved to 1.01 cm (range: 0 to 3 cm) after treatment (P=0.015).

Conclusions:

Our results and a review of the literature clearly suggest that limb reconstruction according to Paley classification, is an excellent option in the management of fibular hemimelia. Our 2-staged procedure (SUPERankle procedure followed by limb lengthening) helps in reducing the complications of limb lengthening and incidence of ankle stiffness. Performing the first surgery at an earlier age (below 5 y) plays a significant role in preventing recurrent foot deformities.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.