bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contextual influence over deriving others' true beliefs using a relational triangulation perspective‐taking protocol (RT‐PTP‐M1)
Authors: Guinther Paul M.
Published: November 2017

This paper introduces the relational triangulation framework as a functional contextual expansion of the established Relational Frame Theory (Hayes, Barnes‐Holmes, & Roche, 2001) account of perspective‐taking. Initial support for the new framework is provided through data collected with a novel relational triangulation perspective‐taking protocol configured in the present study to show contextual influence over deriving true belief in others following the direct training of a “seeing leads to knowing” repertoire (Leslie & Frith, 1988). Eight verbally competent adults were directly trained to make operant discriminations on a first set of target stimuli (i.e., the identities of three distinct figurines) and then directly trained to make contextually controlled deictic pointing responses to a second set of target stimuli (i.e., to the relative location of a target beacon according to the signaled spatial perspective of the self vs. two others). The test for derivation was whether the stimuli that had directly acquired contextual control over deictic perspective‐taking during training would spontaneously exert contextual control over figurine discrimination relative to the spatial perspective of the two others. That is, passing the test for derivation required participants to infer that the others would “report what they were seeing” thesameway that the self would if the self were in their position, suggestingcoordinationof the self and others. Seven of the eight participants exhibited the intended derivation of the others' “true beliefs,” confirming successful relational triangulation perspective‐taking protocol configuration for this purpose.
A generalization of Gale's lemma
Authors: Alishahi Meysam , Hajiabolhassan Hossein
Published: November 2017

In this work, we present a generalization of Gale's lemma. Using this generalization, we introduce two sharp combinatorial lower bounds for and , the two classic topological lower bounds for the chromatic number of a graph G.
Photobiomodulation for traumatic brain injury and stroke
Authors: Hamblin Michael R.
Published: November 2017

There is a notable lack of therapeutic alternatives for what is fast becoming a global epidemic of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Photobiomodulation (PBM) employs red or near‐infrared (NIR) light (600–1100nm) to stimulate healing, protect tissue from dying, increase mitochondrial function, improve blood flow, and tissue oxygenation. PBM can also act to reduce swelling, increase antioxidants, decrease inflammation, protect against apoptosis, and modulate microglial activation state. All these mechanisms of action strongly suggest that PBM delivered to the head should be beneficial in cases of both acute and chronic TBI. Most reports have used NIR light either from lasers or from light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Many studies in small animal models of acute TBI have found positive effects on neurological function, learning and memory, and reduced inflammation and cell death in the brain. There is evidence that PBM can help the brain repair itself by stimulating neurogenesis, upregulating BDNF synthesis, and encouraging synaptogenesis. In healthy human volunteers (including students and healthy elderly women), PBM has been shown to increase regional cerebral blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and improve memory, mood, and cognitive function. Clinical studies have been conducted in patients suffering from the chronic effects of TBI. There have been reports showing improvement in executive function, working memory, and sleep. Functional magnetic resonance imaging has shown modulation of activation in intrinsic brain networks likely to be damaged in TBI (default mode network and salience network).
Zika virus: what we need to know?
Authors: Javed Farakh , Manzoor Khanzadi N. , Ali Mubashar , Haq Irshad U. , Khan Abid A. , Zaib Assad , Manzoor Sobia
Published: November 2017

Zika virus is one of the emerging viruses and is of significant threat to human health globally. It is a mosquito borne flavivirus similar to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses. It was reported about 5 decades ago and then it spreads to different parts of the world. Large outbreaks were reported on Yap Islands in 2007. Now it has gained wide attention globally by health communities. Major vector for virus transmission is Aedes aegypti mosquito. ZIKV infection is mostly asymptomatic but it is also responsible to cause mild influenza like illness to serious manifestations. There is no specific anti‐viral treatment is available for ZIKV infection. The virus disseminates very fast due to which it possesses a serious threat especially in those areas where there is lack of specific immunity against virus. Little knowledge is available on its transmission and pathogenicity. Although virus was discovered years ago but its genomic structure is not clearly understood yet. In this review we focus on the current knowledge of epidemiology of ZIKV, its transmission, its structural biology, different aspects of diagnosis and diagnostic challenges as well as highlighted appropriates antiviral drugs and vaccines regarding treatment.
Comparative Raman and visible near‐infrared spectroscopic studies of jarosite endmember mixtures and solid solutions relevant to Mars
Authors: Liu Changqing , Ling Zongcheng , Cao Fengke , Chen Jian
Published: November 2017

The chemical, structural and spectral properties of hydrated sulfate minerals are essential for their potential identifications and better understanding of martian aqueous history. Jarosite is an indicator of wet and acidic conditions on Mars. However, whether jarosites exist as solid solution phases or physical mixtures of endmembers is still an open question. In this study, we focused on comparisons of spectral characteristics (X‐ray diffraction, Raman, Visible and Near‐infrared) between Jarosite Solid Solutions (JSS) and corresponding Jarosite Physical Mixtures (JPM) with different molar ratios of endmembers (i.e. K‐jarosite to Na‐jarosite), in order to quantitatively characterize their spectral differences and mixing effects. For both X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectra, we find JPM have more overlapped peaks than JSS due to physical mixing effects of the formers, and the relative intensity of the overlapped peaks in K–Na JPM is relevant to the percentage of endmembers. On the other hand, JSS and JPM have strikingly similar Visible and Near‐infrared spectral features except the absorption features at 1950 and 2225 nm, where JPM have larger absorption depth. The detailed spectra properties of these two series of jarosite samples would provide a valuable database for current orbital remote sensing detections and future in situ Raman investigations on Mars (e.g. ExoMars and Mars 2020). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time prediction of pre‐cooked Japanese sausage color with different storage days using hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Feng Chao‐Hui , Makino Yoshio , Yoshimura Masatoshi , Rodríguez‐Pulido Francisco J
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Redness can greatly influence the freshness of sausages. A precise, rapid and noncontact analytical method or tool is needed to quantify the color. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an emerging technique that integrates spectroscopy and imaging to obtain the spectral and spatial information simultaneously. In the present study, the redness of cooked sausages stored up to 57 days was predicted using HSI in tandem with multivariate data analysis. The mean spectra of the sausages were extracted from the hyperspectral images. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and forward stepwise multiple regression (FSMR) models were used to develop the relavent spectral profiles with the redness of the cooked sausages.

RESULTS

Ten important wavelengths were selected based on the regression coefficient values from the PLSR model. The PLSR model established using the full wavelengths presented a good performance, with Rc of 0.934 and a root mean square error of calibration of 0.642 (redness ranged between 14.99 and 21.48). The prediction maps for demonstrating evolution of redness in sausages were developed for the first time using R statistics (R Foundation for Statistical Computing) and Matlab (MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, USA).

CONCLUSION

HSI combined with PLSR and FSMR can be used to quantify and visualize evolution of sausage redness under different storage days. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Metabolic profile of Kudiezi injection in rats by UHPLC coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Jingdan , Zhang Xiaoxue , Zhao Yangyang , Song Aihua , Sun Wei , Yin Ran
Published: November 2017

In this study, a reliable and sensitive ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry method was developed for the systematic study of the metabolic profile of Kudiezi injection in rat plasma, bile, urine, and feces after intravenous administration of a single dose. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (4.6 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) and the identification of prototype components and metabolites was achieved on a Bruker Solarix 7.0 T ultra‐high resolution spectrometer in negative ion mode. Results indicated that a total of 76 constituents including 29 prototype compounds and 47 metabolites (10 phase I metabolites and 37 phase II metabolites) were tentatively identified. And the metabolic pathways of these prototype compounds including hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, glucuronidation, and sulfate conjugation. In conclusion, the developed method with high resolution and sensitivity was effective for screening and identification of prototypes and metabolites of Kudiezi injection in vivo. Moreover, these results would provide significant information for further pharmacokinetic and pharmacological research of Kudiezi injection in vivo.
Polymeric Nanoparticles Induce NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Hu Qinglian , Zhao Fenghui , Guo Fengliang , Wang Chengcheng , Fu Zhengwei
Published: November 2017

Polymeric nanoparticles gain enormous interests in cancer therapy. Polyethylenimine (PEI) 25 kD is well known for its high transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity. PEI‐CyD (PC) was previously synthesized by conjugating low molecular PEI (M
w 600) with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CyD), which is shown to induce lower cytotoxicity than PEI 25 kD. In the current study, the in vivo immune response of branched PEI 25 kD and PC is investigated. Compared to PC/pDNA, exposure of PEI 25kD/pDNA induces higher level of immune‐stimulation evidenced by the increased spleen weight, phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophage, and proinflammatory cytokines in serum and liver. Importantly, administration of PEI 25 kD can greatly promote breast cancer metastasis in liver and lung tissues, which correlates with its ability to induce high oxidative stress and NLRP3‐inflammasome activation. These results suggest that polymeric nanocarriers have the potential to induce immune‐stimulation and cancer metastasis, which may affect their efficiency for cancer therapy.
Synthesis and Structural NMR Characterization of Novel PPG/PCL Conetworks Based upon Heterocomplementary Coupling Reactions
Authors: Jakisch Lothar , Garaleh Mazen , Schäfer Mareen , Mordvinkin Anton , Saalwächter Kay , Böhme Frank
Published: November 2017

A new approach to hybrid model network formation based upon heterocomplementary end‐linking of four‐arm star poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) and linear polypropylene glycol (PPG) precursors is demonstrated. Specifically, hydroxy‐terminated PCL(OH)4 and an amino‐terminated linear PPG(NH2)2 are reacted with a bifunctional coupling agent containing one carboxylic acid chloride group and one oxazinone group. PCL(OH)4 is first reacted with the former in a solution, and the so‐obtained oxazinone‐terminated intermediate is then reacted with PPG(NH2)2 to form a network both in the solution and in the melt. A strong effect of electron‐withdrawing groups on the reactivity of the oxazinone group, and thus on the network formation, is evidenced. Network structure and properties are studied by swelling experiments and low‐field multiple‐quantum (MQ) NMR, which confirm the successful formation of hybrid networks and provide information on the significant network inhomogeneities. On the methodological side, a reliable approach to MQ NMR data analysis for networks of variable degree of inhomogeneity is discussed.
Gel Electrolytes of Covalent Network Polybenzimidazole and Phosphoric Acid by Direct Casting
Authors: Kirkebæk Andreas , Aili David , Henkensmeier Dirk , Jensen Jens Oluf , Li Qingfeng
Published: November 2017

Polybenzimidazole membranes imbibed with phosphoric acid can support high proton conductivity at 120–200 °C, and have therefore emerged as the state‐of‐the‐art electrolytes for fuel cells operating in this temperature range. This work presents a novel and operationally simple methodology for preparing mechanically robust covalent network polybenzimidazole membranes containing up to 95 wt% phosphoric acid. Diamino‐terminal pre‐polymers of different chain lengths are first prepared, followed by addition of a trifunctional carboxylic acid. The crude solutions are cast and subsequently heat treated at up to 230 °C, yielding free‐standing membranes of networked polybenzimidazole with high proton conductivity at up to 180 °C and encouraging fuel cell performance.
Flap monitoring with continuous oxygen partial tension measurement in breast reconstructive surgery: A preliminary report
Authors: Trignano Emilio , Fallico Nefer , Fiorot Luca , Bolletta Alberto , Maffei Matteo , Ciudad Pedro , Maruccia Michele , Chen Hung‐Chi , Campus Gian Vittorio
Published: November 2017

Background

The best method for the postoperative monitoring of flaps in reconstructive surgery is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of an oxygen partial tension monitoring system for the postoperative follow‐up of a series of breast flaps, in addition to the traditional periodical clinical evaluations.

Patients and Methods

Twenty‐one consecutive female patients (mean age: 61 years) who underwent free‐ or pedicled‐flap reconstruction of the breast were included in the study. Fifteen patients had a deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction, while the remaining six patients underwent a transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap reconstruction. The Licox® Recon (Integra LifeSciences Corp, Plainsboro, New Jersey) system was used for the monitoring of the flaps. The oxygen partial tension (PtO2) values were displayed on the system monitor and registered with appropriate software for statistical analysis.

Results

A decreasing trend in the mean PtO2 values was observed over the first five postoperative days. The mean values registered in the first postoperative day were higher than those observed in the subsequent four days. Three patients were lost due to misplacement of the probe. Among the remaining 18 flaps, 3 (17%) reported a remarkable decrease in PtO2 values, with the mean PtO2 registered in the second postoperative day being significantly lower than in the other flaps (7.3 ± 0.7 vs. 17.0 ± 0.9; P‐value <.05). These three flaps have been promptly re‐explored, with a final flap failure rate of 5.5% (1 flap).

Conclusions

The continuous oxygen tension evaluation represents a promising method for the postoperative monitoring of breast reconstructive surgery flaps when used in combination with the traditional periodic clinical evaluations.
In Vitro Effects of Serotonin, Melatonin, and Other Related Indole Compounds on Amyloid‐β Kinetics and Neuroprotection
Authors: Hornedo‐Ortega Ruth , Da Costa Grégory , Cerezo Ana B. , Troncoso Ana M. , Richard Tristan , Garcia‐Parrilla M. Carmen
Published: November 2017

Scope

Amyloid‐β peptide is the main component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. The inhibition of amyloid‐β peptide assembly, the destabilization of amyloid‐β peptide aggregates, and the decrease of its cytotoxicity for the prevention of neuronal death are considered neuroprotective effects. In this work, the protective effects against amyloid‐β peptide aggregation and cytotoxicity of eight indolic compounds are evaluated: tryptophan, tryptamine, serotonin, tryptophol, N‐acetylserotonin, 3‐indoleacetic acid, tryptophan ethyl ester, and melatonin.

Methods and results

Thioflavin T spectroscopic assay, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, circular dichroism, NMR, cell viability (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay), quantitative PCR, and heme oxygenase activity are used. Serotonin is the most effective compound for inhibiting amyloid‐β peptide aggregation. Almost all the indolic compounds tested prevent amyloid‐β peptide‐induced and increase cell viability, being between 9 and 25%. Melatonin and serotonin are the most active. Moreover, serotonin increased the expression of SIRT‐1 and 2, heat shock protein 70, and heme oxygenase activity, this being a possible mechanism underlying the observed neuroprotective effect.

Conclusion

Melatonin and other related indolic compounds, mainly serotonin, show an inhibitory and destabilizing effect on amyloid‐β peptide fibril formation and they possess neuroprotective properties related to the vitagenes system.
β‐Cryptoxanthin Inhibits Angiogenesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Through Retinoic Acid Receptor
Authors: Quesada‐Gómez José Manuel , Santiago‐Mora Raquel , Durán‐Prado Mario , Dorado Gabriel , Pereira‐Caro Gema , Moreno‐Rojas José Manuel , Casado‐Díaz Antonio
Published: November 2017

Scope

β‐Cryptoxanthin is an abundant carotenoid in fruits and vegetables that can be quantified in human blood serum. Yet, contrary to other carotenoids, its effects on endothelial cells and angiogenesis remain unknown.

Methods and results

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) are treated with 0.01, 0.1, or 1 μm of β‐cryptoxanthin. Antioxidant activity is determined by its free radical scavenging and oxygen‐radical absorbance capacity. The effect on migration and formation of tubular structures is studied. Additionally, effect on angiogenesis is also analyzed using an in vivo model. β‐Cryptoxanthin exhibits scavenging ability, having an antioxidant effect on HUVEC. Interestingly, β‐cryptoxanthin reduces their migration and angiogenesis, even in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Additionally, such carotenoid inhibits in vivo angiogenesis induced by VEGF. In addition, treatment of HUVEC with LE540 (retinoic acid receptor [RAR] panantagonist) inhibits β‐cryptoxanthin antiangiogenic effect on HUVEC.

Conclusion

β‐Cryptoxanthin inhibits angiogenesis through RAR. Thus, this carotenoid and food containing it may be useful for the prevention and treatment of angiogenic pathologies. That includes tumoral growth and wet macular degeneration associated with aging. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the antioxidant effect and antiangiogenic activity of this carotenoid on HUVEC, both in vitro and in vivo.
Extracting Wair from the electron beam measurements of Domen and Lamperti
Authors: Tessier Frédéric , Cojocaru Claudiu D. , Ross Carl K.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The average energy expended by an energetic electron to create an ion pair in dry air, Wair, is a key quantity in radiation dosimetry. Although Wair is well established for electron energies up to about 3 MeV, there is limited data for higher energies. The measurements by Domen and Lamperti [Med. Phys. 3, 294–301 (1976)] using electron beams in the energy range from 15 to 50 MeV can, in principle, be used to deduce values for Wair, if the electron stopping power of graphite and air are known. A previous analysis of these data revealed an anomalous variation of 2% in Wair as a function of the electron energy. We use Monte Carlo simulation techniques to reanalyze the original data and obtain new estimates for Wair, and to investigate the source of the reported anomaly.

Methods

Domen and Lamperti (DL) reported the ratio of the response of a graphite calorimeter to that of a graphite ionization chamber for broad beams of electrons with energies between 15 and 50 MeV and at different depths in graphite (including depths well beyond the range of the primary electrons, i.e., in the bremsstrahlung photon regime). Using a detailed EGSnrc model of the DL apparatus, as well as up‐to‐date stopping powers, we compute the dose ratio between the ionization chamber cavity and the calorimeter core, for plane‐parallel electron beams. This dose ratio, multiplied by the DL measured ratio, provides a direct estimate for Wair.

Results

Despite an improved analysis of the original work, the extracted values of Wair still exhibit an increase as the mean electron energy at the point of measurement decreases below about 15 MeV. This anomalous trend is dubious physically, and inconsistent with extensive data for Wair obtained at lower energies. A thorough sensitivity analysis indicates that this trend is unlikely to stem from errors in extrapolation and correction procedures, uncertainties in electron stopping powers, or bias in calorimetry or ionization chamber measurements. However, we find that results are quite sensitive to the intrinsic graphite mass thickness of the detectors and to the incident beam energy.

Conclusions

The DL experiment provides data in an energy regime where the electron stopping power is insensitive to the mean excitation energy of graphite — an issue plaguing Wair experiments at lower energies. Unfortunately, state‐of‐the‐art scrutiny of the original data cannot explain the anomalous trend in terms of perturbation effects or extrapolation bias. It can only be understood in terms of speculative offsets in graphite mass thickness or beam energy. Therefore higher accuracy measurements for electron energies above 15 MeV are recommended to further resolve the value of Wair.
Heat and mass transfer in unsteady MHD slip flow of Casson fluid over a moving wedge embedded in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction: Numerical Solutions using Keller‐Box Method
Authors: Ullah Imran , Khan Ilyas , Shafie Sharidan
Published: November 2017

The hydromagnetic mixed convection flow of Casson fluid due to moving wedge embedded in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction and viscous dissipation is investigated. The Joule heating due to a magnetic field and porous medium heating is also considered. Similarity transformations are utilized to convert nonlinear partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The resulting equations are solved numerically via Keller‐box method. The numerical results are achieved for limiting cases and are revealed in close agreement with those of the results available in the literature. It is noticed that unsteadiness parameter thinning the velocity boundary layer while opposite to this was found in the thermal and concentration boundary layers. The dimensionless temperature is observed to be enhanced with increment in Eckert number.
Concurrent Detection of Protein Adsorption on Mixed Nanoparticles by Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation
Authors: Wang Ruimin , Chen Lan , Li Dexing , Liu Renxiao , Ge Guanglu
Published: November 2017

In mixtures of nanoparticles of various sizes or compositions, monitoring protein partitioning on their surfaces provides important information about particle–protein interactions during competitive adsorption. Utilizing the size‐resolving capability of differential centrifugal sedimentation, the adsorption of bovine serum albumin on multisize gold nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 20 to 100 nm or gold, silver, and silica nanoparticles with similar diameter can be concurrently observed. This method can be used to gain insight into nanoparticle–protein interactions based on analyses of curvature and relative abundance.
Long‐term Coarsening and Function‐time Evolution of an Initiator Powder
Authors: Maiti Amitesh , Olson Tammy Y. , Han T. Yong , Gee Richard H.
Published: November 2017

Long‐term effectiveness of high‐explosive devices necessitates maintaining a level of specific surface area of initiating powder components within specified margins. This ensures that ignition and detonation performance of the powder does not degrade significantly over time. Flow permeametry is a commonly employed surface characterization tool in this context, as embodied in the Fisher sub‐sieve surface area (FSSA). Recently we made alterations to the commercial permeametry apparatus that enables accurate in situ measurements of FSSA using only ∼100 mg samples. In this work we report on a 24‐month aging study in such modified sample holders at elevated temperatures of 40 °C and 60 °C. Through a process called time‐temperature‐superposition (TTS) the resulting isotherms are translated into a single master curve that predicts powder FSSA evolution over decades under ambient temperature conditions. We generate master curves for two different powders, i. e., pure PETN and 1 wt% added TriPEON, and show that the TriPEON‐doped powder coarsens at a rate a few times slower than the non‐doped powder. Activation barriers computed from the TTS shift factors shed some light on the coarsening mechanisms.
Influence of the neural microenvironment on prostate cancer
Authors: Coarfa Christian , Florentin Diego , Putluri NagiReddy , Ding Yi , Au Jason , He Dandan , Ragheb Ahmed , Frolov Anna , Michailidis George , Lee MinJae , Kadmon Dov , Miles Brian , Smith Christopher , Ittmann Michael , Rowley David , Sreekumar Arun , Creighton Chad J. , Ayala Gustavo
Published: November 2017

Background

Nerves are key factors in prostate cancer (PCa), but the functional role of innervation in prostate cancer is poorly understood. PCa induced neurogenesis and perineural invasion (PNI), are associated with aggressive disease.

Method

We denervated rodent prostates chemically and physically, before orthotopically implanting cancer cells. We also performed a human neoadjuvant clinical trial using botulinum toxin type A (Botox) and saline in the same patient, before prostatectomy.

Result

Bilateral denervation resulted in reduced tumor incidence and size in mice. Botox treatment in humans resulted in increased apoptosis of cancer cells in the Botox treated side. A similar denervation gene array profile was identified in tumors arising in denervated rodent prostates, in spinal cord injury patients and in the Botox treated side of patients. Denervation induced exhibited a signature gene profile, indicating translation and bioenergetic shutdown. Nerves also regulate basic cellular functions of non‐neoplastic epithelial cells.

Conclusion

Nerves play a role in the homeostasis of normal epithelial tissues and are involved in prostate cancer tumor survival. This study confirms that interactions between human cancer and nerves are essential to disease progression. This work may make a major impact in general cancer treatment strategies, as nerve/cancer interactions are likely important in other cancers as well. Targeting the neural microenvironment may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of human prostate cancer.
Comparison of Electrical Properties of Ni/n‐GaN Schottky Diodes on c‐Plane and m‐Plane GaN Substrates
Authors: Yamada Hisashi , Chonan Hiroshi , Takahashi Tokio , Shimizu Mitsuaki
Published: November 2017

The electrical properties of un‐doped and lightly Si‐doped GaN grown on c‐ and m‐plane GaN substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition are investigated. The step‐flow growth modes are realized for c‐ and m‐plane GaN epitaxial layer. The carbon contamination in the c‐plane GaN and m‐plane GaN, grown at 1120 °C and V/III = 1000, are found to be 1.4 × 1016 cm−3 and 5.0 × 1015 cm−3, respectively. The m‐plane GaN follows a linear correlation between the carrier concentration and the Si atomic concentration. The Ni/n‐GaN (Si; 1 × 1016 cm−3) Schottky vertical diodes on the c‐ and m‐plane GaN substrates reveal that the reverse current–voltage (I–V) curves are fitted by using the thermionic field emission model under the measured carrier concentration and the Schottky barrier height. The leakage current of the m‐plane GaN is three orders of magnitude larger than the c‐plane GaN, mostly due to the difference in the Schottky barrier height.
Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of β‐In2S3 Thin Films to be Applied on Cadmium Reduced Solar Cells
Authors: Galarza Gutiérrez Uziel , de Albor Aguilera María Lourdes , Hernández Vasquez Cesar , Flores Márquez Jose M. , González Trujillo Miguel A. , Jiménez Olarte Daniel , Aguilar Hernández Jorge R. , Remolina Millán Aduljay
Published: November 2017

In2S3 thin films are prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique to be applied as buffer layer in CdTe solar cells. CdTe photovoltaic devices are developed using In2S3 as “standard buffer layer” in order to reduce the CdS thickness used as window material. It is important to examine potential thin films in a prospective life cycle study, focusing on direct costs, resource availability, and environmental impacts. Open and closed CBD system influence on the In2S3 physical properties is analyzed. Stable tetragonal β‐In2S3 phase was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Electrical properties were determined by four‐point probe technique obtaining a resistivity value of 102 Ω cm. CdTe solar cells performance was studied by measuring J–V characteristics and spectral quantum efficiencies. These results reveal In2S3 thin films as buffer layer reduce the cadmium quantity used in solar cells manufacture and improve their current collection in blue wavelength region (300–500 nm).
Fabrication and Characterization of Graphene Heterostructures with Nitride Semiconductors for High Frequency Vertical Transistors
Authors: Giannazzo Filippo , Fisichella Gabriele , Greco Giuseppe , Schilirò Emanuela , Deretzis Ioannis , Lo Nigro Raffaella , La Magna Antonino , Roccaforte Fabrizio , Iucolano Ferdinando , Lo Verso Stella , Ravesi Sebastiano , Prystawko Pawel , Kruszewski Piotr , Leszczyński Mike , Dagher Roy , Frayssinet Eric , Michon Adrien , Cordier Yvon
Published: November 2017

The hot electron transistor (HET) is an unipolar majority carrier vertical device with great potential for high frequency (THz) applications. Recently, graphene (Gr) heterostructures with Nitrides have been considered as a promising material system to implement this device concept, with GaN/AlGaN (or GaN/AlN) working as emitter/emitter‐base barrier and Gr as the ultrathin base enabling ballistic transit of hot electrons. In this work, the main issues related to the fabrication of Gr/Nitrides heterojunctions are discussed. An optimized transfer procedure of large‐area Gr membranes onto AlGaN/GaN grown on Si(111) is illustrated. In particular, a soft O2 plasma pretreatment of the AlGaN surface is found to greatly improve the Gr adhesion, resulting in a reduced cracks density. A nanoscale electrical characterization of the obtained Gr/AlGaN/GaN heterostructures was carried out by conductive atomic force microscopy, to evaluate the effect of typical nanometric corrugations (wrinkles) of the Gr membrane on the current transport. These morphological features introduce resistive contributions both to the lateral current transport in the Gr membrane and to the vertical current injection across the heterojunction. The impact of these results on the relevant electrical parameters (i.e., the base resistance and the emitter‐base injection efficiency) of a HET based on this heterostructure is also discussed.
Reduced Contact Resistance and Improved Transistor Performance by Surface Plasma Treatment on Ohmic Regions in AlGaN/GaN HEMT Heterostructures
Authors: Yadav Yogendra Kumar , Upadhyay Bhanu B. , Meer Mudassar , Ganguly Swaroop , Saha Dipankar
Published: November 2017

A significantly reduced contact resistance and an improved DC and RF performance is demonstrated for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors by surface plasma treatments on ohmic regions in GaN‐based heterostructures. Various plasma processes using BCl3, Cl2, Ar, SF6, and their combinations are considered. While it is known that certain plasma treatments can remove native oxide and thereby reduce the ohmic contact resistance, detailed experiments are performed to further enhance the understanding. In addition, a second aspect of the plasma treatment is shown, where the controlled physical component of the etching process can improve the AlGaN surface morphology. This in turn can reduce the tunneling resistance for the carriers from the alloyed contact to the two‐dimensional electron gas. The contact resistance is found to decrease to 0.10 from 0.65 Ω mm for Ar, Cl2, and BCl3 treated sample in comparison to that of the control sample. The corresponding transconductance, saturation drain current, and unity current gain frequency are found to increase by 30, 37, and 41% for the high electron mobility transistors fabricated on the same sample.
Cobalt Gradient Evolution in Sputtered TiNiCuCo Films for Elastocaloric Cooling
Authors: Bumke Lars , Chluba Christoph , Ossmer Hinnerk , Zamponi Christiane , Kohl Manfred , Quandt Eckhard
Published: November 2017

Elastocaloric cooling demands for temperature changes larger than 30 K to become an alternative to classical vapour compression cooling systems. The principle of active regeneration allows to exceed the materials intrinsic adiabatic temperature change. The resulting temperature gradient of the cooling demonstrator leads to a change in the thermomechanical response along the regenerator bed, according to the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. A lowered efficiency as well as an increased probability of early breakdown of the device due to functional and especially structural fatigue are the result. These changes in the thermomechanical response are especially present in NiTi and NiTiCu‐based systems with a coefficient of about 7 and 10 MPa K−1, respectively. To address these issues for future applications a change in the transformation temperature along the shape memory alloy film, adapted to the temperature gradient of the regenerator, is required. Cobalt is well known to reduce the transformation temperatures, while maintaining the functional stability of the TiNiCu‐based films. In this study multilayer dc‐magnetron sputtering is used to fabricate TiNiCuCo films with a cobalt concentration gradient along the samples, which can be precisely tuned by changing the sputter conditions. Transformation gradients of 0.3 K mm−1 are obtained, showing the same functional stability and adiabatic temperature changes of about −11 K as their counterparts without transformation gradient. Under isothermal conditions, a sloped transformation plateau is observed corresponding to a highly directed martensitic transformation.
Structures and Polarity of III‐Nitrides: Phase Diagram Calculations Using Absolute Surface and Interface Energies
Authors: Akiyama Toru , Nakane Harunobu , Uchino Motoshi , Nakamura Kohji , Ito Tomonori
Published: November 2017

The structures and polarity of group‐III nitride semiconductors are theoretically investigated by calculating individual energy of polar surfaces and interfaces using density functional calculations. Using the surface and interface energies, we demonstrate phase diagrams as functions of temperature and pressure for polar AlN on 6H‐SiC(0001) substrate as well as polarity inversion of GaN on N‐polar AlN substrate. The calculated phase diagram for AlN on Si‐face SiC under H‐rich conditions reveals that the H‐terminated Al‐polar surfaces with substitutional Al atoms at AlN/SiC interface are stabilized over the wide range of Al pressure below 1320 K while that with N adatom are favorable for temperature beyond 1320 K. In contrast, the calculated phase diagram for GaN on N‐polar AlN substrate clarifies that the H‐terminated Ga‐polar surface with on N‐polar substrate with two monolayers of Al olverlayers is favorable over entire growth conditions. These results suggest that the stability of interface between III‐nitride and substrate rather than surface stability is crucial for the polarity of III‐nitrides.
The impact of argan oil on plasma lipids in humans: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Ursoniu Sorin , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Serban Maria‐Corina , Banach Maciej ,   Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta‐analysis Collaboration Group
Published: November 2017

The study aims to investigate the effect of argan oil on plasma lipid concentrations through a systematic review of the literature and a meta‐analysis of available randomized controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials that investigated the impact of at least 2 weeks of supplementation with argan oil on plasma/serum concentrations of at least 1 of the main lipid parameters were eligible for inclusion. Effect size was expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Meta‐analysis of data from 5 eligible trials with 292 participants showed a significant reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: −16.85 mg/dl, 95% CI [−25.10, −8.60], p < .001), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: −11.67 mg/dl, 95% CI [−17.32, −6.01], p < .001), and triglycerides (WMD: −13.69 mg/dl, 95% CI [−25.80, −1.58], p = .027) after supplementation with argan oil compared with control treatment, and plasma concentrations of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 4.14 mg/dl, 95% CI [0.86, 7.41], p = .013) were found to be increased. Argan oil supplementation reduces total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides and increases high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, larger clinical trials are needed to assess the impact of argan oil supplementation on other indices of cardiometabolic risk and on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes.
Panax notoginseng saponins attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway in natural aging rats
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Wang Jiao , Song Yanan , He Yumin , Zhang Changcheng , Liu Chaoqi , Zhao Haixia , Dun Yaoyan , Yuan Ding , Wang Ting
Published: November 2017

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) have been widely used in the cardiovascular system for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in China. In this study, we investigated the anti‐apoptotic effect of PNS on cardiomyocytes in the natural aging rat and explored the potential mechanisms regarding oxidative stress and mitochondrial function signaling pathways. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: adult control (3‐month old), aging control (24‐month old), and different doses of PNS‐treated aging rat groups (10, 30, 60 mg/kg/day, orally). After treatment of PNS or saline for 6 months, the effects of PNS on the cardiomyocytes were evaluated. Results showed that PNS significantly improved the morphological changes in myocardium, prevented the increase of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the aging rats, and improved mitochondrial dysfunction associated aging in a dose‐dependent manner. PNS also significantly reversed the down‐regulation of FoxO3a and Mn‐SOD and up‐regulated PGC‐1α, LC3β, and Beclin‐1 levels. Our data demonstrated that during aging, mitochondrial dysfunction caused an increase of oxidative damage, which played a key role in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. PNS exerted an anti‐apoptotic effect via attenuating oxidative damage through oxidative stress‐ and mitochondrial function‐related signaling pathways.
(Rg = He ∼ Rn,n = 1–4): In quest of the potential trapping ability of the aromatic ring
Authors: Li Zhuo Zhe , Li An Yong
Published: November 2017

A new series of divalent boron‐rare gas cations(Rg = He ∼ Rn,n = 1–4) have been predicted theoretically at the B3LYP, MP2, and CCSD(T) levels to present the structures, stability, charge distributions, bond natures, and aromaticity. The RgB bond energies are quite large for heavy rare gases and increase with the size of the Rg atom. Because of steric hindrance new Rg atoms introduced to the B4ring will weaken the RgB bond. Thus inthe RgB bond has the largest binding energy 90–100 kcal/mol.p‐has a slightly shorter RgB bond length and a larger bond energy thano‐. NBO and AIM analyses indicate that for the heavy Rg atoms Ar ∼ Rn the BRg bonds have character of typical covalent bonds. The energy decomposition analysis shows that the σ‐donation from rare gases to the boron ring is the major contribution to the RgB bonding. Adaptive natural density partitioning and nuclear‐independent chemical shift analyses suggest that bothandhave obvious aromaticity.
Toward aCorridistaConsciousness: Learning From One Transnational Youth's Critical Reading, Writing, and Performance of Mexican Corridos
Authors: de los Ríos Cati V.
Published: November 2017

This article examines instances of a U.S.–Mexican transnational youth honing his critical translingual literacy skills through his engagement with corridos, Mexican balladry in Spanish that often emphasizes injustice and border strife. The author relies on ethnographic classroom observations, the student's journals, and semistructured interviews to provide a glimpse into the complexities and sophistication of the bilingual youth's everyday language and literacy practices in an era of vehement anti‐immigrant rhetoric. This inquiry asks, (a) What do literacy practices deeply rooted in corridos look like? (b) How does one youth read and engage with the Mexican musical genre of corridos to make sense of his social and political world? and (c) What are the environments and educational settings that supported this literacy development? Findings detail a transnational youth'scorridista(balladeer) consciousness and its concomitant language and literacy practices that shape and are shaped by his participation in both his Tijuana communities of origin and his Los Angeles communities. Specifically, this study showcases a student's uses of literary devices, including allegory, to describe myriad forms of oppression and resistance found in corrido lyrics and throughout the lives of U.S.–Mexican transnational youths. Attention to literary genres that are often unsanctioned in traditional English‐medium classrooms and recognizing the complex cognitive abilities of bilinguals can harvest critical insight about literacy education in and out of school. Implications from this study highlight meaningful learning contexts for transnational adolescents’ literacies and how engagement of these literacies might be (re)conceptualized through an ethnic studies and Chicanx/Latinx Studies lens.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of an Acid‐modified TiO2 Surface for Degradation of the Azo Dye Remazol Red
Authors: Afrin Unjila , Mian Mohammad Rasel , Breedlove Brian K. , Hossain Md. Mufazzal
Published: November 2017

Effects of acid‐modified crystalline titania (TiO2) on the photocatalytic degradation of the azo dye Remazol Red (RR) were investigated in order to design an effective catalyst for removing azo dye compounds from contaminated waste streams. The mechanism for RR photodegradation with acid‐modified TiO2 (m‐TiO2) was investigated using UV‐visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Modification of the TiO2 surface with hydrochloric acid (HCl) resulted in enhanced RR photodecomposition in water. The RR photodecomposition reactions are 19% more efficient than those with pure commercial TiO2 under UV radiation. The coupling between RR and TiO2 was improved by treating TiO2 with HCl. As a result, transfer of electrons from the conduction band of TiO2 to the RR was enhanced. The modification of crystalline TiO2 surface with HCl is a useful method for enhancing photodegradation of RR.
Decoration of Ultrathin MoS2 Nanoflakes over MWCNTs: Enhanced Supercapacitive Performance through Electrode to Symmetric All‐Solid‐State Device
Authors: Karade Swapnil S. , Dubal Deepak P. , Sankapal Babasaheb R.
Published: November 2017

Ultrathin nanoflakes surface architecture of MoS2 thin film has been successfully decorated by simple and inexpensive chemical bath deposition onto dip and dry coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to compare electrochemical performance with respect to individual MWCNTs and MoS2 thin films on flexible stainless steel (SS) substrates. Two dimensional thin films of MWCNTs, MoS2 and MoS2/MWCNTs (MCT) have been characterized through X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photospectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning/transmission electron microscopes. The unique nanostructured morphology of well anchored nanoflakes over MWCNTs enhances the value of specific capacitance and improves the cycle stability compare to bare MoS2. Strikingly, all‐solid‐state (ASS) symmetric SS/MCT//MCT/SS supercapacitor device has been constructed using flexible stainless steel substrate with the aid of PVA‐LiClO4 gel electrolyte and results are discussed herein.
Calcination‐Dependent Morphology Transformation of Sol‐Gel‐ Synthesized MgO Nanoparticles
Authors: Jeevanandam Jaison , Chan Yen San , Danquah Michael K.
Published: November 2017

Sol‐gel synthesis is a widely accepted method of producing nanoparticles with high surface area‐to‐volume ratio and purity at relatively low temperatures. For metal oxide nanoparticle synthesis, sol‐gel maintains a good metal oxide composition with controlled chemical structure and the ability to fine‐tune morphology and size. Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical characteristics that have enabled a wide range of applications from catalysis to disease treatment. The potential features of MgO nanoparticles are significantly affected by their shape and size. However, research investigating the thermo‐molecular mechanisms governing the size and shape formation of MgO nanoparticles during sol‐gel synthesis is limited. This study investigates the effect of sol‐gel synthesis conditions on the shape and size as well as other functional features of MgO nanoparticles. The results demonstrated that the size and shape alterations of MgO nanoparticles were dependent on changes in calcination temperature and also the presence of periclase phase along with their crystallinity and functional groups. TEM analysis showed the morphological evolution during the synthesis process from spherical to hexagonal and from hexagonal to rod shape. By varying the calcination temperature and gelling agent composition in sol‐gel synthesis, MgO nanoparticles with different size distributions and morphologies can be generated for various applications. The current study reveals that the gelling agent is responsible for sol‐gel phase formation which eventually affects the calcination temperature for the formation of morphologically different MgO nanoparticles.
Heterogeneous Hydroamination over Supported Ionic Liquid‐ Stabilized Copper Ions and Its Mechanistic Study
Authors: Sengupta Manideepa , Das Subhasis , Bag Arijit , Lefebvre Frederic , Bordoloi Ankur
Published: November 2017

CuII ions immobilized on supported ionic liquid phase (Cu@SILP), using imidazolium‐based ionic liquids grafted on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and efficiently utilised as catalyst in selective heterogeneous hydroamination of aromatic terminal alkynes with anilines. Large turnover numbers (TON) and selectivity (> 99%) towards Markovnikov's addition product was achieved. To recognize the structure‐activity relationship, the catalyst was characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, solid state NMR. Further mechanistic pathway of hydroamination with Cu@SILP has been predicted by performing Density Functional Theory (DFT).
Development and Application of an NMR‐Based Assay for Polyphenol Oxidases
Authors: Li Yu , Zafar Ayesha , Kilmartin Paul A. , Reynisson Jóhannes , Leung Ivanhoe K. H.
Published: November 2017

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) are enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of phenolic compounds. We report a NMR‐based assay that can be used as a screening and validation tool for PPO activity modulators, which was demonstrated using a series of PPO inhibitors and antioxidants. This method is exemplified by work in tandem with virtual screening and molecular modelling, which led to the discovery of several novel PPO inhibitors.