bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver DCE-MRI Registration in Manifold Space Based on Robust Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Feng Qianjin , Zhou Yujia , Li Xueli , Mei Yingjie , Lu Zhentai , Zhang Yu , Feng Yanqiu , Liu Yaqin , Yang Wei , Chen Wufan
Published: September 2016

A technical challenge in the registration of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MR) imaging in the liver is intensity variations caused by contrast agents. Such variations lead to the failure of the traditional intensity-based registration method. To address this problem, a manifold-based registration framework for liver DCE-MR time series is proposed. We assume that liver DCE-MR time series are located on a low-dimensional manifold and determine intrinsic similarities between frames. Based on the obtained manifold, the large deformation of two dissimilar images can be decomposed into a series of small deformations between adjacent images on the manifold through gradual deformation of each frame to the template image along the geodesic path. Furthermore, manifold construction is important in automating the selection of the template image, which is an approximation of the geodesic mean. Robust principal component analysis is performed to separate motion components from intensity changes induced by contrast agents; the components caused by motion are used to guide registration in eliminating the effect of contrast enhancement. Visual inspection and quantitative assessment are further performed on clinical dataset registration. Experiments show that the proposed method effectively reduces movements while preserving the topology of contrast-enhancing structures and provides improved registration performance.
Expansion and Contraction of the Indo-Pacific Tropical Rain Belt over the Last Three Millennia
Authors: Denniston Rhawn F. , Ummenhofer Caroline C. , Wanamaker Alan D. , Lachniet Matthew S. , Villarini Gabriele , Asmerom Yemane , Polyak Victor J. , Passaro Kristian J. , Cugley John , Woods David , Humphreys William F.
Published: September 2016

The seasonal north-south migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) defines the tropical rain belt (TRB), a region of enormous terrestrial and marine biodiversity and home to 40% of people on Earth. The TRB is dynamic and has been shown to shift south as a coherent system during periods of Northern Hemisphere cooling. However, recent studies of Indo-Pacific hydroclimate suggest that during the Little Ice Age (LIA; AD 1400–1850), the TRB in this region contracted rather than being displaced uniformly southward. This behaviour is not well understood, particularly during climatic fluctuations less pronounced than those of the LIA, the largest centennial-scale cool period of the last millennium. Here we show that the Indo-Pacific TRB expanded and contracted numerous times over multi-decadal to centennial scales during the last 3,000 yr. By integrating precisely-dated stalagmite records of tropical hydroclimate from southern China with a newly enhanced stalagmite time series from northern Australia, our study reveals a previously unidentified coherence between the austral and boreal summer monsoon. State-of-the-art climate model simulations of the last millennium suggest these are linked to changes in the structure of the regional manifestation of the atmosphere’s meridional circulation.
Closed head experimental traumatic brain injury increases size and bone volume of callus in mice with concomitant tibial fracture
Authors: Brady Rhys D , Grills Brian L , Church Jarrod E , Walsh Nicole C , McDonald Aaron C , Agoston Denes V , Sun Mujun , O’Brien Terence J , Shultz Sandy R , McDonald Stuart J
Published: September 2016

Concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and long bone fracture are commonly observed in multitrauma and polytrauma. Despite clinical observations of enhanced bone healing in patients with TBI, the relationship between TBI and fracture healing remains poorly understood, with clinical data limited by the presence of several confounding variables. Here we developed a novel trauma model featuring closed-skull weight-drop TBI and concomitant tibial fracture in order to investigate the effect of TBI on fracture healing. Male mice were assigned into Fracture + Sham TBI (FX) or Fracture + TBI (MULTI) groups and sacrificed at 21 and 35 days post-injury for analysis of healing fractures by micro computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry. μCT analysis revealed calluses from MULTI mice had a greater bone and total tissue volume and displayed higher mean polar moment of inertia when compared to calluses from FX mice at 21 days post-injury. Histomorphometric results demonstrated an increased amount of trabecular bone in MULTI calluses at 21 days post-injury. These findings indicate that closed head TBI results in calluses that are larger in size and have an increased bone volume, which is consistent with the notion that TBI induces the formation of a more robust callus.
Regulation of PCGEM1 by p54/nrb in prostate cancer
Authors: Ho Tsui-Ting , Huang Jianguo , Zhou Nanjiang , Zhang Ziqiang , Koirala Pratirodh , Zhou Xinchun , Wu Fangting , Ding Xianfeng , Mo Yin-Yuan
Published: September 2016

PCGEM1 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that is often upregulated in prostate cancer. However, little is known how PCGEM1 is regulated. In the present study, we show transcriptional regulation of PCGEM1 in response to androgen deprivation by p54/nrb. While ectopic expression of p54/nrb increases, suppression of p54/nrb by RNAi or knockout (KO) reduces PCGEM1. Moreover, rescue experiments indicate that re-expression of p54/nrb in KO cells restores the ability to induce PCGEM1, leading to upregulation of the androgen receptor splice variant AR3 which has been shown to play a role in castration resistance. Finally, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a known chemoprevention agent, is capable of suppressing PCGEM1 expression by preventing the interaction of p54/nrb with the PCGEM1 promoter. In particular, DIM reduces tumor growth by suppression of PCGEM1 and promoting apoptosis in the castrated xenograft mouse model. Together, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism of p54/nrb-mediated expression of PCGEM1 and AR3, contributing to castration resistance in prostate cancer.
Structure-based discovery of two antiviral inhibitors targeting the NS3 helicase of Japanese encephalitis virus
Authors: Fang Jin’e , Li Huan , Kong Dexin , Cao Shengbo , Peng Guiqing , Zhou Rui , Chen Huanchun , Song Yunfeng
Published: September 2016

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a flavivirus that threatens more than half of the world’s population. Vaccination can prevent the disease, but no specific antiviral drug is yet available for clinical therapy and the death rate caused by JEV can reach as high as 60%. The C-terminus of non-structural protein 3 (NS3) of flavivirus encodes helicase and has been identified as a potential drug target. In this study, high throughput molecular docking was employed to identify candidate JEV NS3 helicase inhibitors in a commercial library containing 250,000 compounds. Forty-one compounds were then tested for their ability to inhibit NS3 activity. Two compounds inhibited unwinding activity strongly but had no effect on the ATPase activity of the protein. Western blots, IFA and plaque reduction assays demonstrated that both compounds inhibited the virus in cell culture. The EC50s of the two compounds were 25.67 and 23.50 μM, respectively. Using simulated docking, the two compounds were shown to bind and block the NS3 RNA unwinding channel, consistent with the results of the enzyme inhibition tests. The atoms participating in intramolecular interaction were identified to facilitate future compound optimization.
A novel technique based on in vitro oocyte injection to improve CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in zebrafish
Authors: Xie Shao-Lin , Bian Wan-Ping , Wang Chao , Junaid Muhammad , Zou Ji-Xing , Pei De-Sheng
Published: September 2016

Contemporary improvements in the type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system offer a convenient way for genome editing in zebrafish. However, the low efficiencies of genome editing and germline transmission require a time-intensive and laborious screening work. Here, we reported a method based on in vitro oocyte storage by injecting oocytes in advance and incubating them in oocyte storage medium to significantly improve the efficiencies of genome editing and germline transmission by in vitro fertilization (IVF) in zebrafish. Compared to conventional methods, the prior micro-injection of zebrafish oocytes improved the efficiency of genome editing, especially for the sgRNAs with low targeting efficiency. Due to high throughputs, simplicity and flexible design, this novel strategy will provide an efficient alternative to increase the speed of generating heritable mutants in zebrafish by using CRISPR/Cas9 system.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable lysine-based waterborne polyurethane for soft tissue engineering applications
Authors: Hao Hongye , Shao Jingyu , Deng Ya , He Shan , Luo Feng , Wu Yingke , Li Jiehua , Tan Hong , Li Jianshu , Fu Qiang
Published: September 2016

Light-crosslinking waterborne polyurethanes (LWPUs) based on lysine possess appropriate elasticity for soft tissue repair, and can induce macrophages into a wound healing phenotype.
A thermoresponsive supramolecular copolymer hydrogel for the embolization of kidney arteries
Authors: Shi Xiaohuan , Gao Haijun , Dai Fengying , Feng Xuequan , Liu Wenguang
Published: September 2016

A thermoresponsive supramolecular p(N-acryloyl glycinamide-co-acrylamide) (PNAGA-PAAm) copolymer hydrogel was developed for the embolization of renal arteries in rabbits.
A novel approach for sulfur-doped hierarchically porous carbon with excellent capacitance for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Ji Hongmei , Wang Ting , Liu Yang , Lu Chunliang , Yang Gang , Ding Weiping , Hou Wenhua
Published: September 2016

A novel approach was developed to accomplish S-doping and pore-creation simultaneously, leading to the formation of hierarchically porous S-doped carbon with enhanced capacitance.
Beyond methylammonium lead iodide: prospects for the emergent field of ns2containing solar absorbers
Authors: Ganose Alex M. , Savory Christopher N. , Scanlon David O.
Published: September 2016

In this review we look beyond CH3NH3PbI3to otherns2containing solar absorbers, with the aim of identifying those materials likely to achieve high efficiencies.
Hydrothermal synthesis of high silica zeolite Y using tetraethylammonium hydroxide as a structure-directing agent
Authors: He Dawei , Yuan Danhua , Song Zhijia , Tong Yansi , Wu Yaqi , Xu Shutao , Xu Yunpeng , Liu Zhongmin
Published: September 2016

Zeolite Y with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 7.76 and outstanding thermal stability and hydrothermal stability is synthesized using TEAOH as an SDA.
Graphitic carbon nitride supported single-atom catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Xiyu , Cui Peng , Zhong Wenhui , Li Jun , Wang Xijun , Wang Zhaowu , Jiang Jun
Published: September 2016

Single-atom catalysts of TM@CN would lead to a new class of low-cost, durable and efficient OER catalysts.
Hypouricemic effects of Mesona procumbens Hemsl. through modulating xanthine oxidase activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Jhang Jhih-Jia , Ong Jia-Wei , Lu Chi-Cheng , Hsu Chin-Lin , Lin Jia-Hong , Liao Jiunn-Wang , Yen Gow-Chin
Published: September 2016

Uric acid is a metabolite obtained from purine by xanthine oxidase activity (XO) and high levels of serum uric acid leads to hyperuricemia and gout.
The key position: influence of staple location on constrained peptide conformation and binding
Authors: Keeling Kelly L. , Cho Okki , Scanlon Denis B. , Booker Grant W. , Abell Andrew D. , Wegener Kate L.
Published: September 2016

Investigations into optimal staple location for improved talin binding of constrained integrin-derived peptides.
Graphene papers: smart architecture and specific functionalization for biomimetics, electrocatalytic sensing and energy storage
Authors: Zhang Minwei , Hou Chengyi , Halder Arnab , Wang Hongzhi , Chi Qijin
Published: September 2016

We present a review of graphene papers regarding their smart assembly, functionalization and applications in biomimetics, sensors and energy devices.
Improving red radish anthocyanin yield and off flavor removal by acidified aqueous organic based medium
Authors: Wentian Chen , Eric Karangwa , Jingyang Yu , Shuqin Xia , Biao Feng , Xiaoming Zhang
Published: September 2016

In view of the high content of the highly stable anthocyanin in red radish roots, the plant is considered as a potent source of natural anthocyanins.
Effect of water film on the plastic deformation of monocrystalline copper
Authors: Shi Junqin , Zhang Yanan , Sun Kun , Fang Liang
Published: September 2016

The effect of a water film on the plastic deformation behavior and mechanism of monocrystalline copper are studied by molecular dynamics simulations.
Dipeptide-bonded stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography
Authors: Skoczylas Magdalena , Bocian Szymon , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: September 2016

Dipeptide-silica stationary phases were prepared and applied for the analysis of nucleic bases and nucleosides in HILIC mode.
The effect of pH on the properties of 3D welan gum–graphene oxide composite hydrogels and their excellent adsorption capacity
Authors: Jiao Jianmei , Xin Xia , Shen Jinglin , Song Zhaohua , Xie Zengchun , Xu Guiying
Published: September 2016

The effect of pH on welan gum hydrogel for dye adsorption and swelling ratio.
Epoxy coating modified by 2D MoS2/SDBS: fabrication, anticorrosion behaviour and inhibition mechanism
Authors: Zhao Xia , Zhang Binbin , Jin Zuquan , Chen Changwei , Zhu Qingjun , Hou Baorong
Published: September 2016

A 2D MoS2 nanosheet was prepared and treated by sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) to fabricate 2D MoS2/SDBS composite (2D-MSC) coating on carbon steel. The anticorrosion performance of coating was comprehensively investigated.
New insights into isopropylthiobenzene decomposition in supercritical water
Authors: Wang Jianxiong , He Fan , Li Yonghong , Sun Hongwei
Published: September 2016

Water acts as a catalyst and a reactant and alkanes could promote the decomposition of isopropylthiobenzene in SCW.
Phase transition and negative thermal expansion in orthorhombic Dy2W3O12
Authors: Cao Weigang , Li Qiang , Lin Kun , Liu Zhanning , Deng Jinxia , Chen Jun , Xing Xianran
Published: September 2016

Orthorhombic Dy2W3O12 shows NTE (−2.6 × 10−5 °C−1) in the temperature range of 150–500 °C. So far, this value is the largest coefficient of negative thermal expansion in the A2W3O12 family (A = rare earth element).
Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement for protein-observed 19F NMR as an enabling approach for efficient fragment screening
Authors: Hawk Laura M. L. , Gee Clifford T. , Urick Andrew K. , Hu Haitao , Pomerantz William C. K.
Published: September 2016

Protein-observed 19F (PrOF) NMR is an emerging tool for ligand discovery.
Breathing catalyst-supports: CO2 adjustable and magnetic recyclable “smart” hybrid nanoparticles
Authors: Feng Anchao , Wang Yun , Peng Liao , Wang Xiaosong , Yuan Jinying
Published: September 2016

A CO2 stimulated, magnetic recyclable catalyst with stable catalytic performance is designed and illustrated by the combination of recently developed chemistry on CO2 responsive polymers and nanoparticle technique.
Enhanced performance of lithium sulfur batteries with conductive polymer modified separators
Authors: Ma Guoqiang , Huang Feifei , Wen Zhaoyin , Wang Qingsong , Hong Xiaoheng , Jin Jun , Wu Xiangwei
Published: September 2016

The separators of Li–S batteries are modified with polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes, PPy nanowires and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), respectively.
Gold nanoflowers with tunable sheet-like petals: facile synthesis, SERS performances and cell imaging
Authors: Song C. Y. , Yang B. Y. , Chen W. Q. , Dou Y. X. , Yang Y. J. , Zhou N. , Wang L. H.
Published: September 2016

Gold nanoflowers with tunable sheet-like petals were controllably synthesized, and their SERS performances as well as their application in cell imaging were studied.
Iridium(iii) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline-based N^N ligands as highly selective luminescent G-quadruplex probes and application for switch-on ribonuclease H detection
Authors: Lu Lihua , Wang Wanhe , Yang Chao , Kang Tian-Shu , Leung Chung-Hang , Ma Dik-Lung
Published: September 2016

A study was performed to investigate the relationship between molecular structure and G4 sensing ability for a series of iridium(iii) complexes. The complex7was used to construct a G4-based assay for RNase H.
Cardiac troponin I exacerbates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury by inducing the adhesion of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells via a TLR4/NF-κB-dependent pathway
Authors: Han Yu , Liao Xiang , Gao Zhao , Yang Sufei , Chen Caiyu , Liu Yukai , Wang Wei Eric , Wu Gengze , Chen Xiongwen , Jose Pedro A. , Zhang Ye , Zeng Chunyu
Published: September 2016

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a biomarker for myocardial damage and risk stratification, may be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, which was ascribed to the effect of cTnI auto-antibodies. Whether or not cTnI itself has a direct impact on acute myocardial injury is unknown. To exclude the influence of cTnI antibody on the cardiac infarct size, we studied the effect of cTnI shortly after myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury when cTnI antibodies were not elevated. Pretreatment with cTnI augmented the myocardial infarct size caused by I/R, accompanied by an increase in inflammatory markers in the blood and myocardium. Additional experiments using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed that the detrimental effect of cTnI was related to cTnI-induced increase in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression and VCAM-1 mediated adhesion of human monocytes (THP-1) to HUVECs, which could be neutralized by VCAM-1 antibody. Both toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were involved in the signalling pathway, because blockade of either TLR4 or NF-κB inhibited the cTnI's effect on VCAM-1 expression and adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Moreover, TLR4 inhibition reduced cTnI-augmented cardiac injury in rats with I/R injury. We conclude that cTnI exacerbates myocardial I/R injury by inducing the adhesion of monocytes to vascular endothelial cells via activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Inhibition of TLR4 may be an alternative strategy to reduce cTnI-induced myocardial I/R injury.
Extreme learning machine for 60 GHz millimetre wave positioning
Authors: Liang Xiaolin , Zhang Hao , Lu Tingting , Gulliver Thomas Aaron
Published: September 2016

Extreme learning machine (ELM) has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its numerous applications in classification and regression. In this study, the authors investigate the performance of an ELM‐based threshold selection algorithm for 60 GHz millimetre wave time of arrival estimation using energy detector (ED). A hybrid metric based on the skewness, kurtosis, standard deviation, and slope of the ED values is employed. The optimal normalised threshold for different signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) is investigated, and the effects of the integration period and channel model are examined. Performance results are presented which show that the proposed ELM‐based algorithm provides high precision and better robustness than existing techniques over a wide range of SNRs for the IEEE 802.15.3c CM1.1 and CM2.1 channel models. Further, the performance is largely independent of the integration period and channel model.
Predictive controller design for a high‐frequency injection sensorless synchronous reluctance drive system
Authors: Liu Tian‐Hua , Haslim Hade Saputra , Tseng Shao‐Kai
Published: September 2016

This study proposes implementation of a predictive controller for a sensorless synchronous reluctance drive system. First, high‐frequency voltage is injected in the α‐axis. Then by measuring the α–β axis high‐frequency currents, the rotor position of the SynRM can be estimated. After that, a predictive speed controller is implemented to improve transient responses, load disturbance responses, and tracking responses. To demonstrate its viability, a proposed 560 W sensorless drive system is implemented by using a TMS‐320F‐28335 DSP made by Texas Instruments and some circuits. Experimental results clearly indicate that the proposed high‐frequency α‐axis voltage injection method with a predictive speed‐loop controller offers superior responses including faster transient responses, better load disturbance responses, and better tracking responses than a high‐frequency d–q axis voltage injection method with a PI speed‐loop controller.
Infrapatellar Fat Pad Excision during Total Knee Arthroplasty Did Not Alter the Patellar Tendon Length: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Dedeoğlu Süleyman , Çakar Murat , Çabuk Haluk , Bayraktar Tahsin , Gürbüz Hakan , İmren Yunus
Published: September 2016

Partial or total resection of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) helps surgeon improve access to lateral tibial plateau for better placement of the knee prosthesis. We aimed to investigate the effect of IPFP excision on clinical and radiologic outcomes including patellar tendon length (PTL), range of motion, and functional scores after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at 5-year follow-up. We retrospectively evaluated postoperative first X-rays (day 0) and postoperative final 5-year control views of 228 knees in patients with primary osteoarthritis who underwent TKA between September 2006 and December 2009 in our hospital. Exclusion criteria were patients who had lateral release, patellar resurfacing, septic or aseptic loosening, fracture around the replaced knee, any other prior knee surgery, or any systemic inflammatory disease. IPFP was completely resected in all knees to enhance surgical exposure and patellar mobilization. Radiologic evaluation of PTL was performed in early postoperative and 5-year control X-rays comparatively. The mean early postoperative PTL was 47.4 ± 6 (range: 35–72), the mean final postoperative PTL was 47 ± 6.3 (range: 33–68) (p = 0.1). The average preoperative flexion was 115 ± 11 degrees, whereas it was 111 ± 4 degrees, postoperatively (p = 0.73). Both the clinical and functional outcome scores improved in all patients. IPFP excision during TKA did not alter PTL at 5-year follow-up. A focus on other surgical and/or host-related factors may help clarify contradictory patellar tendon shortening reported in the literature.
Relationship between Widening and Position of the Tunnels and Clinical Results of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction to Knee Osteoarthritis: 30 Patients at a Minimum Follow-Up of 10 Years
Authors: Ayala-Mejias Juan , Garcia-Gonzalez Benjamin , Alcocer-Perez-España Luis , Berjano Pedro , Villafañe Jorge
Published: September 2016

To evaluate the relationship between tunnel position and widening and long-term clinical results in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a retrospective cohort of 30 patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with double semitendinous plus double gracilis (SAC technique) with longer than 10-year follow-up was selected. CT scans in the first 3 months and at final follow-up was evaluated. Position, angle, and widening of tunnels including Nebelung criteria were recorded in all CT scans. Physical, KT-1000, and clinical evaluation were performed at final follow-up. Outcomes and knee arthritis severity were evaluated at final follow-up. Mean follow-up was 11.2 ± 1.2. At final follow-up, 85 and 57% of tibial and femoral tunnels, respectively, developed some degree of enlargement. Frontal tibial angle (mean) was 72°, sagittal tibial angle 63°, frontal femoral angle 47°, sagittal femoral angle 20°, and tunnels divergence angle 36°. Preoperatively, KT-1000 30L and Lachman test scores were 5.52 and 5.79 respectively. In the last follow-up, 30L and manual Lachman test scores were 0.97 and 1.13, respectively (p < 0.001). In IKDC scale, pivot shift and Jerk tests showed 83 and 84% grade A results, respectively (p < 0.0001). In Fairbank scale, 23% worsened one grade and 27% worsened more than one grade (p < 0.005). Tibial tunnels widened more than femoral tunnels and further dilatation was found between intermediate and final follow-up. Higher incidence of tibial tunnel widening was observed in patients with tunnel verticalization. Tibial tunnel dilation was associated with long-term degenerative changes but not with final knee instability.
Characterization of optical quantum circuits using resonant phase shifts
Authors: Poot M. , Tang H. X.
Published: September 2016

We demonstrate that important information about linear optical circuits can be obtained through the phase shift induced by integrated optical resonators. As a proof of principle, the phase of an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer is determined. Then, the method is applied to a complex optical circuit designed for linear optical quantum computation. In this controlled-NOT gate with qubit initialization and tomography stages, the relative phases, as well as the coupling ratios of its directional couplers, are determined.
Introduction to focus issue: Patterns of network synchronization
Authors: Abrams Daniel M. , Pecora Louis M. , Motter Adilson E.
Published: September 2016

The study of synchronization of coupled systems is currently undergoing a major surge fueled by recent discoveries of new forms of collective dynamics and the development of techniques to characterize a myriad of new patterns of network synchronization. This includes chimera states, phenomena determined by symmetry, remote synchronization, and asymmetry-induced synchronization. This Focus Issue presents a selection of contributions at the forefront of these developments, to which this introduction is intended to offer an up-to-date foundation.
Simultaneous manipulation and observation of multiple ro-vibrational eigenstates in solid para-hydrogen
Authors: Katsuki Hiroyuki , Ohmori Kenji
Published: September 2016

We have experimentally performed the coherent control of delocalized ro-vibrational wave packets (RVWs) of solid para-hydrogen (p-H2) by the wave packet interferometry (WPI) combined with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). RVWs of solid p-H2 are delocalized in the crystal, and the wave function with wave vector k ∼ 0 is selectively excited via the stimulated Raman process. We have excited the RVW twice by a pair of femtosecond laser pulses with delay controlled by a stabilized Michelson interferometer. Using a broad-band laser pulse, multiple ro-vibrational states can be excited simultaneously. We have observed the time-dependent Ramsey fringe spectra as a function of the inter-pulse delay by a spectrally resolved CARS technique using a narrow-band probe pulse, resolving the different intermediate states. Due to the different fringe oscillation periods among those intermediate states, we can manipulate their amplitude ratio by tuning the inter-pulse delay on the sub-femtosecond time scale. The state-selective manipulation and detection of the CARS signal combined with the WPI is a general and efficient protocol for the control of the interference of multiple quantum states in various quantum systems.
Experimental study of surface curvature effects on aerodynamic performance of a low Reynolds number airfoil for use in small wind turbines
Authors: Shen Xiang , Avital Eldad , Paul Gordon , Rezaienia Mohammad Amin , Wen Pihua , Korakianitis Theodosios
Published: September 2016

This paper presents the wind tunnel experimental results to investigate the effects of surface gradient-of-curvature on aerodynamic performance of a low Reynolds number airfoil Eppler 387 for use in small-scale wind turbines. The prescribed surface curvature distribution blade design method is applied to the airfoil E387 to remove the gradient-of-curvature discontinuities and the redesigned airfoil is denoted as A7. Both airfoils are manufactured with high precision to reflect the design. Low-speed wind tunnel experiments are conducted to both airfoils at chord based Reynolds numbers 100 000, 200 000, and 300 000. Surface pressure measurements are used to calculate the lift and pitching-moment data, and the wake survey method is applied to obtain the drag data. The experimental results of E387 are compared with NASA Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel (LTPT) results for validation. The gradient-of-curvature discontinuities of E387 result in a larger laminar separation bubble which causes higher drag at lower angles of attack. As the angle of attack increases the separation bubble of the airfoil E387 moves faster towards the leading edge than that of A7, resulting in a premature bubble bursting and earlier stall on E387. The impact of the gradient-of-curvature distribution on the airfoil performance is more profound at higher angles of attack and lower Reynolds number. The aerodynamic improvements are integrated over the 3D geometry of a 3 kW small wind turbine, resulting in up to 10% increase in instantaneous power and 1.6% increase in annual energy production. It is experimentally concluded that an improved curvature distribution results in a better airfoil performance, leading to higher energy output efficiency.
Numerical solution of the quantum Lenard-Balescu equation for a non-degenerate one-component plasma
Authors: Scullard Christian R. , Belt Andrew P. , Fennell Susan C. , Janković Marija R. , Ng Nathan , Serna Susana , Graziani Frank R.
Published: September 2016

We present a numerical solution of the quantum Lenard-Balescu equation using a spectral method, namely an expansion in Laguerre polynomials. This method exactly conserves both particles and kinetic energy and facilitates the integration over the dielectric function. To demonstrate the method, we solve the equilibration problem for a spatially homogeneous one-component plasma with various initial conditions. Unlike the more usual Landau/Fokker-Planck system, this method requires no input Coulomb logarithm; the logarithmic terms in the collision integral arise naturally from the equation along with the non-logarithmic order-unity terms. The spectral method can also be used to solve the Landau equation and a quantum version of the Landau equation in which the integration over the wavenumber requires only a lower cutoff. We solve these problems as well and compare them with the full Lenard-Balescu solution in the weak-coupling limit. Finally, we discuss the possible generalization of this method to include spatial inhomogeneity and velocity anisotropy.
Formation and stability of crystalline and amorphous Al2O3 layers deposited on Ga2O3 nanowires by atomic layer epitaxy
Authors: Katz M. B. , Twigg M. E. , Prokes S. M.
Published: September 2016

Although the crystalline α and γ phases are the most stable forms of alumina, small-diameter (<6 nm) nanoparticles are known to be completely amorphous, due to the surface energy being correspondingly lower for the less stable non-crystalline phase. Al2O3 films with a thickness of 5 nm grown by low temperature (200 °C) atomic layer deposition (ALD) on small-diameter (<20 nm) Ga2O3 nanowires (NWs), however, are identified by transmission electron microscopy as belonging to the α, γ, and possibly θ crystalline phases of Al2O3, while films deposited on larger diameter (>20 nm) NWs are found to be amorphous. Indeed, until recently, all Al2O3, films deposited by low-temperature ALD using trimethylaluminum and water have been reported to be amorphous, regardless of film thickness or substrate. The formation of a crystalline ALD film can be understood in terms of the energetics of misfit dislocations that maintain the registry between the ALD film and the NW substrate, as well as the influence of strain and surface energy. The decreasing energy of co-axial misfit dislocations with NW diameter results in a corresponding decrease in the contribution of the Al2O3/Ga2O3 interface to the free energy, while the interfacial energy for an amorphous film is independent of the NW diameter. Therefore, for NW cores of sufficiently small diameter, the free energy contribution of the Al2O3/Ga2O3 interface is smaller for crystalline films than for amorphous films, thereby favoring the formation of crystalline films for small-diameter NWs. For ALD Al2O3 films of 10 nm thickness deposited on small-diameter Ga2O3 NWs, however, only the first 5 nm of the ALD film is found to be crystalline, possibly due to well-established kinetic limitations to low temperature epitaxial growth.
Quartz crystal microbalance and photoacoustic measurements in dental photocuring
Authors: Lima Marcenilda A. , Bastos Ivan N. , Cella Norberto
Published: September 2016

Photocured dental resins are used extensively in restorative procedures in dentistry. Inadequate curing reduces the lifetime of the dental restoration, and consequently it is essential to precisely measure the polymerisation kinetics. In this study, two techniques, Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) and Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS), were used to monitor the real-time cure and to obtain the optical absorption spectra of resins, respectively. From the PAS measurements, the precise peaks of absorption were identified, and were used as the appropriate wavelength of the photocuring light in the QCM monitoring. The combined use of these techniques allows reliable determination of the duration of the phases of physical and chemical changes that occur during photocuring. Two commercial dental resins were tested, and the results confirmed the advantages of using PAS and QCM to study polymerisation kinetics.
Simulation of entangled polymer solutions
Authors: Korolkovas Airidas , Gutfreund Philipp , Barrat Jean-Louis
Published: September 2016

We present a computer simulation of entangled polymer solutions at equilibrium. The chains repel each other via a soft Gaussian potential, appropriate for semi-dilute solutions at the scale of a correlation blob. The key innovation to suppress chain crossings is to use a pseudo-continuous model of a backbone which effectively leaves no gaps between consecutive points on the chain, unlike the usual bead-and-spring model. Our algorithm is sufficiently fast to observe the entangled regime using a standard desktop computer. The simulated structural and mechanical correlations are in fair agreement with the expected predictions for a semi-dilute solution of entangled chains.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study of H-bonding and proton transfer in the phosphoric acid–N,N-Dimethylformamide system
Authors: Fedorova Irina V. , Krestyaninov Michael A. , Safonova Lyubov P.
Published: September 2016

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations of phosphoric acid (H3PO4)–N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) mixtures over the whole composition range have been carried out. It has been found that the neutral molecules are the dominant species in this system. The concentration dependences of the average number of H-bonds per proton acceptor atom in P=O and C=O groups as well as per proton donor atom in DMFH+ ions towards phosphate species have been discussed. The H-bonding between components in all investigated mixtures of H3PO4 and DMF is possible. A significant fraction of the protonated DMF forms appears at phosphoric acid mole fraction higher than 0.37, indicating a high probability of proton transfer from phosphate species to oxygen atoms in C=O groups. The intermolecular proton transfer between phosphate species themselves is mainly observed when xH3PO4 > 0.19. Satisfactory agreement with available experimental data for structural characteristics of the investigated system was obtained.
Accurate model of electron beam profiles with emittance effects for pierce guns
Authors: Zeng Peng , Wang Guangqiang , Wang Jianguo , Wang Dongyang , Li Shuang
Published: September 2016

Accurate prediction of electron beam profile is one of the key objectives of electron optics, and the basis for design of the practical electron gun. In this paper, an improved model describing electron beam in Pierce gun with both space charge effects and emittance effects is proposed. The theory developed by Cutler and Hines is still applied for the accelerating region of the Pierce gun, while the motion equations of the electron beams in the anode aperture and drift tunnel are improved by modifying electron optics theory with emittance. As a result, a more universal and accurate formula of the focal length of the lens for the electron beam with both effects is derived for the anode aperture with finite dimension, and a modified universal spread curve considering beam emittance is introduced in drift tunnel region. Based on these improved motion equations of the electron beam, beam profiles with space charge effects and emittance effects can be theoretically predicted, which are subsequently approved to agree well with the experimentally measured ones. The developed model here is helpful to design more applicable Pierce guns at high frequencies.
The first measurement of plasma density in an ECRIS-like device by means of a frequency-sweep microwave interferometer
Authors: Mascali D. , Torrisi G. , Leonardi O. , Sorbello G. , Castro G. , Celona L. G. , Miracoli R. , Agnello R. , Gammino S.
Published: September 2016

The note presents the first plasma density measurements collected by a novel microwave interferometer in a compact Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRIS). The developed K-band (18.5 ÷ 26.5 GHz) microwave interferometry, based on the Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave method, has been able to discriminate the plasma signal from the spurious components due to the reflections at the plasma chamber walls, when working in the extreme unfavorable condition λp ≃ Lp ≃ Lc (λp, Lp, and Lc being the probing signal wavelength, the plasma dimension and the plasma chamber length, respectively). The note describes the experimental procedure when probing a high density plasma (ne > 1 ⋅ 1018 cm−3) produced by an ECRIS prototype operating at 3.75 GHz.
High spatial and temporal resolution measurement of mechanical properties in hydrogels by non-contact laser excitation
Authors: Hosoya N. , Terashima Y. , Umenai K. , Maeda S.
Published: September 2016

Gels have received increased attention as potential materials for biological materials because they can exhibit similar mechanical properties. One obstacle for using gels is that their mechanical properties are significantly altered by defects, such as an inhomogeneous crosslink density distribution. If these defects could be detected and the values and spatial distributions of mechanical properties in the gel could be determined, it would be possible to apply gels for several fields. To achieve the high spatial and temporal resolution measurement of mechanical properties in hydrogels, in our method, a conventional contact excitation device is replaced with a non-contact excitation using laser ablation for the input and magnetic resonance elastography to measure stress waves is replaced with the Schlieren method with a high-speed camera. Magnetic resonance elastography is a local measurement technique, and consequently, requires a lot of time to characterize a sample, as well as does not have sufficient spatial resolution to obtain a broad range of elasticity coefficients of gels. We use laser ablation to apply non-contact impulse excitations to gels to generate stress waves inside them. We can determine mechanical properties of gels using the stress waves’ propagation velocity.
Extraction of ions and electrons from audio frequency plasma source
Authors: Haleem N. A. , Abdelrahman M. M. , Ragheb M. S.
Published: September 2016

Herein, the extraction of high ion / electron current from an audio frequency (AF) nitrogen gas discharge (10 – 100 kHz) is studied and investigated. This system is featured by its small size (L= 20 cm and inner diameter = 3.4 cm) and its capacitive discharge electrodes inside the tube and its high discharge pressure ∼ 0.3 Torr, without the need of high vacuum system or magnetic fields. The extraction system of ion/electron current from the plasma is a very simple electrode that allows self-beam focusing by adjusting its position from the source exit. The working discharge conditions were applied at a frequency from 10 to 100 kHz, power from 50 – 500 W and the gap distance between the plasma meniscus surface and the extractor electrode extending from 3 to 13 mm. The extracted ion/ electron current is found mainly dependent on the discharge power, the extraction gap width and the frequency of the audio supply. SIMION 3D program version 7.0 package is used to generate a simulation of ion trajectories as a reference to compare and to optimize the experimental extraction beam from the present audio frequency plasma source using identical operational conditions. The focal point as well the beam diameter at the collector area is deduced. The simulations showed a respectable agreement with the experimental results all together provide the optimizing basis of the extraction electrode construction and its parameters for beam production.
Evidence for a single panmictic and genetically diverse population of the coconut crab Birgus latro (Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobitidae) on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Anagnostou C. , Schubart C. D.
Published: September 2016

For the coconut crab Birgus latro, Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean may be one of the last retreats where populations of this declining species are not threatened by overharvesting, as on many other mostly tropical Indo-Pacific islands within the species’ wide range. Nevertheless, the population on Christmas Island has experienced severe losses during the past decade owing to habitat destruction and road mortality. To assess the population’s evolutionary potential and identify the number of conservation units, we conducted a combined morphometric and population genetic analysis using microsatellite markers. The findings suggest that the population is genetically diverse and panmictic. Neither genetic nor morphometric analyses revealed any population substructuring. There was no genetic evidence for sex-biased dispersal. Single-sample estimators for the effective population size (Ne) ranged from 492 to infinity, with very wide confidence intervals; they should therefore be viewed with caution. It would be advisable to reanalyse Ne, preferably by temporal methods. Despite mixed results, there is stronger evidence against rather than for the occurrence of a recent genetic bottleneck. So far, the population of B. latro on Christmas Island may be considered as a single conservation management unit, this way simplifying future conservation efforts taken for this magnificent species.
Witnessing entanglement without entanglement witness operators
Authors: Pezzè Luca , Li Yan , Li Weidong , Smerzi Augusto
Published: September 2016

Significance

The experimental detection and theoretical characterization of entanglement in many-body systems is a mostly unsolved problem. Here we relate entanglement to the statistical speed measuring how quickly nearby states become distinguishable under the action of an arbitrary many-body Hamiltonian. The method is remarkably simple: We witness multipartite entanglement, just elaborating on published experimental data with ions and photons. The unveiled connection between the statistical speed and entanglement provides a unifying framework that can shed new light on quantum information science and quantum critical phenomena.
Tunable allosteric library of caspase-3 identifies coupling between conserved water molecules and conformational selection
Authors: Maciag Joseph J. , Mackenzie Sarah H. , Tucker Matthew B. , Schipper Joshua L. , Swartz Paul , Clark A. Clay
Published: September 2016

Significance

The interconversion of states in the caspase-3 native ensemble is affected by binding of ligands that either stabilize or destabilize active-site loops. It is not clear how the ensemble is regulated in cells, aside from modulating levels of endogenous caspase inhibitors. We describe a library of caspase-3 variants with activities that vary by more than four orders of magnitude and show that removal of conserved water molecules may provide a strategy to design novel allosteric inhibitors that globally destabilize the active conformation within the ensemble. Our results suggest that posttranslational modifications fine-tune caspase activity by disrupting conserved water networks, and our database provides an approach to examine caspase signaling in cells by modifying caspase-3 activity while simultaneously maintaining endogenous enzyme levels.
Mutant PFN1 causes ALS phenotypes and progressive motor neuron degeneration in mice by a gain of toxicity
Authors: Yang Chunxing , Danielson Eric W. , Qiao Tao , Metterville Jake , Brown Robert H. , Landers John E. , Xu Zuoshang
Published: September 2016

Significance

ALS is an incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of motor neurons leading to paralysis and death. To understand the disease mechanism and develop therapeutics, mammalian models that phenocopy human disease are crucial. For more than two decades, transgenic animals expressing mutant copper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene represented the only model that faithfully reproduced the human disease. Despite recent identification of new causal genes, construction of another mammalian model with progressive loss of motor neurons and concomitant clinical phenotypes has proven difficult. In this study, we have generated a transgenic mouse model by expressing mutant profilin 1. These mice replicate key features of human ALS and thus provide an in vivo system for study of disease mechanisms and development of therapeutics.
Suppression of NF-κB activity via nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery alters early cartilage responses to injury
Authors: Yan Huimin , Duan Xin , Pan Hua , Holguin Nilsson , Rai Muhammad Farooq , Akk Antonina , Springer Luke E. , Wickline Samuel A. , Sandell Linda J. , Pham Christine T. N.
Published: September 2016

Significance

Osteoarthritis is a common debilitating joint disease that affects millions in the United States and for which there are few therapeutic options. Critical barriers to the successful development of osteoarthritis treatment include limited understanding of the pathways governing early cartilage degradation and ineffective delivery of therapeutic agents to the resident chondrocytes in the avascular cartilage. Using a peptidic nanoparticle carrying siRNA that specifically suppresses NF-κB, we show that early antiinflammatory intervention reduces chondrocyte death caused by joint injury, a known predisposing factor for osteoarthritis. The peptidic nanoparticle deeply penetrates human cartilage to deliver its therapeutic cargo to the chondrocytes, demonstrating its ability to permeate the dense cartilage matrix. This approach promises to overcome the barriers to effectively treat osteoarthritis.
Antigen exposure shapes the ratio between antigen-specific Tregs and conventional T cells in human peripheral blood
Authors: Su Laura F. , del Alcazar Daniel , Stelekati Erietta , Wherry E. John , Davis Mark M.
Published: September 2016

Significance

Herein we used peptide–MHC tetramer staining and enrichment to identify antigen-specific Tregs directly ex vivo and found that most CD4
+
T-cell specificities, self or foreign, contain 5–15% Tregs. A notable exception is that two dominant influenza specificities contain very small proportions of Tregs. We demonstrated using human cord blood cells and murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection that antigen exposure can alter the balance between Tregs and conventional T cells in an antigen-specific and context-dependent manner. The ratio between specific Tregs and cognate effectors correlates with protective immunity in mice and T-cell dominance hierarchy in humans. Our finding provides insight into Treg specificity and highlights the importance of Treg and effector balance in an antigen-specific context.