bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallite size dependent exchange bias in MgFe2O4 thin films on Si(100)
Authors: Mallick Kingshuk , Anil Kumar P. S.
Published: August 2018

Single phase materials showing large Exchange Bias (EB) at elevated temperatures are highly desirable for their technological advantage. However, the fundamental interactions leading to the effect are often very complex and ill-understood. Here, we report the observation of EB in single phase (111) oriented MgFe2O4(MFO) thin films on MgO buffered Si(100). The effect is seen to persist till a significantly higher temperature of 110 K. Measurements on stoichiometric powder MFO showed the absence of EB, lower coercivity, and an enhanced saturation magnetization in comparison to thin films. This suggests the modified exchange interaction in the thin films possibly due to the presence of growth induced magnetic and structural disorder. Investigation on the nature of this EB produced some results which are akin to a conventional FM/AFM coupled system like the training effect. However, the same could not explain the observed variation in coercivity and the exchange bias field with temperature and cooling fields. We propose the existence of a disordered layer with random spin orientations at the crystalline grain boundaries of our film, promoting the AFM interaction between the ordered ferrimagnetic grains once field cooled below the spin freezing temperature. This generates a unidirectional anisotropy along the field direction which manifests as a loop shift in hysteresis measurements. A further study shows that the EB field can be varied systematically by changing the thickness of the thin films. This indicates a simple way to tune the disorder for achieving desirable magnetic properties in single phase magnetic thin films.
Comparative study of structural and electronic properties of GaSe and InSe polytypes
Authors: Srour Juliana , Badawi Michael , El Haj Hassan Fouad , Postnikov Andrei
Published: August 2018

Equilibrium crystal structures, electron band dispersions, and bandgap values of layered GaSe and InSe semiconductors, each being represented by four polytypes, are studied via first-principles calculations within the density functional theory. A number of practical algorithms to take into account dispersion interactions are tested, from empirical Grimme corrections to many-body dispersion schemes. Due to the utmost technical accuracy achieved in the calculations, nearly degenerate energy-volume curves of different polytypes are resolved, and the conclusions concerning the relative stability of competing polytypes drawn. The predictions are done as for how the equilibrium between different polytypes will be shifted under the effect of hydrostatic pressure. The band structures are inspected under the angle of identifying features specific for different polytypes and with respect to modifications of the band dispersions brought about by the use of modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) scheme for the exchange-correlation potential. As another way to improve the predictions of bandgaps values, hybrid functional calculations according to the HSE06 scheme are performed for the band structures, and the relation with the mBJ results are discussed. Both methods nicely agree with the experimental results and with state-of-the-art GW calculations. Some discrepancies are identified in cases of close competition between the direct and indirect gap (e.g., in GaSe); moreover, the accurate placement of bands revealing relatively localized states is slightly different according to mBJ and HSE06 schemes.
Shaped incoherent light for control of kinetics: Optimization of up-conversion hues in phosphors
Authors: Laforge François O. , Kirschner Matthew S. , Rabitz Herschel A.
Published: August 2018

We propose a method for interactively controlling multi-species atomic and molecular systems with incoherent light. The technique is referred to as shaped incoherent light for control (SILC), which entails dynamically tailoring the spectrum of a broadband incoherent source to control atomic and molecular scale kinetics. Optimal SILC light patterns can be discovered with adaptive learning techniques where the system’s observed response is fed back to the control for adjustment aiming to improve the objective. To demonstrate this concept, we optimized a SILC source to optimally control the evolving hue in near-IR to visible upconverting phosphors, which share many similarities with chemical reaction kinetics including non-linear behavior. Thus, the results suggest that SILC may be a valuable tool for the control of chemical kinetics with tailored incoherent light.
Observation of bimolecular recombination in high mobility semiconductor Bi2O2Se using ultrafast spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Chunhui , Tong Tong , Liu Yujie , Meng Yafei , Nie Zhonghui , Wang Xuefeng , Xu Yongbing , Shi Yi , Zhang Rong , Wang Fengqiu
Published: August 2018

Bi2O2Se is emerging as a high mobility functional material for optoelectronics, but its fundamental optical properties remain less well studied. Here, ultrafast photocarrier dynamics in single crystal Bi2O2Se is investigated by pump fluence-dependent, broadband ultrafast spectroscopy. Our results reveal that bimolecular recombination plays an important role in the photocarrier relaxation process, and a room-temperature bimolecular recombination constant of (1.29 ± 0.42) × 10−9 cm−3 s−1 is obtained for Bi2O2Se. Such a level of the recombination constant combined with a high mobility (∼1006 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 200 K for Bi2O2Se) suggests that Bi2O2Se can be a promising material for photovoltaic applications.
Stretchable ferroelectric nanoribbon and the mechanical stability of its domain structures
Authors: Chen Yun , Yu Jing , Xiong Liqun , Xiong Weiming , Zhang Xiaoyue , Zheng Yue
Published: August 2018

The high stability to maintain stored information under mechanical deformation is an essential requirement for the practical applications of stretchable electronics. In addition to storage stability, large deformation and easy fabrication are also desirable features for stretchable devices. In this work, we use wavy P(VDF-TrFE) nanoribbons to achieve a mechanical deformation of more than 20%, and the fabricating procedure eliminates the need for complicated etching steps and lithographic masks. The stored information, which is written on the ribbons in the form of ferroelectric domains, is able to remain unchanged after large mechanical deformation. After 10 000 stretching/releasing cycles, the polarization orientation remains the same with very little change of the intensity. These P(VDF-TrFE) nanoribbons with large deformation and high stability demonstrate great potential for the enhanced storage performance of future stretchable electronics.
Half-volt operation of IGZO thin-film transistors enabled by ultrathin HfO2 gate dielectric
Authors: Ma Pengfei , Sun Jiamin , Liang Guangda , Li Yunpeng , Xin Qian , Li Yuxiang , Song Aimin
Published: August 2018

Amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) enabled by an ultrathin, 5 nm, HfO2 film grown by atomic-layer deposition were fabricated. An ultra-low operation voltage of 1 V was achieved by a very high gate capacitance of 1300 nF/cm2. The HfO2 layer showed excellent surface morphology with a low root-mean-square roughness of 0.20 nm and reliable dielectric properties, such as low leakage current and high breakdown electric field. As such, the a-IGZO TFTs exhibit desirable properties such as low power devices, including a small subthreshold swing of 75 mV/decade, a low threshold voltage of 0.3 V, and a high on/off current ratio of 8 × 106. Furthermore, even under an ultralow operation voltage of 0.5 V, the on/off ratio was also up to 1 × 106. The electron transport through the HfO2 layer has also been analyzed, indicating the Poole-Frenkel emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling mechanisms in different voltage ranges.
On the relationship between electrical and electro-optical characteristics of InAs/InP quantum dot lasers
Authors: Mikhelashvili V. , Eyal O. , Khanonkin I. , Banyoudeh S. , Sichkovskyi V. , Reithmaier J. P. , Eisenstein G.
Published: August 2018

This paper addresses the electrical and electro-optical characteristics of InAs/InP quantum dot (QD) laser diodes operating under continuous wave in the temperature range of 285 K to 353 K. Experimental data together with a model lead to an identification of the current flow mechanism in all the important drive regimes: very low bias (pre radiation regime), the exponential region of the current-voltage (I-V) curve, and in the nonlinear range where spontaneous and stimulated emission take place. The analysis discriminates among bias regions where the influences of the QD or the optical confinement layers dominate. Additionally, parameters and non-nonlinear processes under injection into the active region are described here for the first time. A high level injection (spontaneous, as well as stimulation emission regimes) results in non-linear I-V characteristics. Above the threshold, the recombination rate increases due to rapid “pinning” of the quasi-Fermi levels leading to an anomalous kink of the power exponent voltage characteristics. This manifests itself as a non-linear differential resistance increase even at elevated temperatures, up to 353 K. Capacitance voltage measurements reveal some peculiarities, namely, well defined capacitance peaks related to the QDs, hysteresis, and a low frequency negative capacitance phenomenon which enhance the laser potential functional capability.
Energetic macroscopic representation control method for a hybrid-source energy system including wind, hydrogen, and fuel cell
Authors: Yuan Tiejiang , Dong Xiaoshun , Chen Xiangping , Cao Wenping , Hu Juan , Liu Chuang
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a new control method for a hybrid energy system. A wind turbine, a hydrogen energy storage system, and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell are utilized in the system to balance the load and supply. The system is modeled in MATLAB/Simulink and is controlled by an improved energetic macroscopic representation (EMR) method in order to match the load profile with wind power. The simulation and test results have proved that (1) the proposed system is effective to meet the varying load demand with fluctuating wind power inputs, (2) the hybrid energy storage system can improve the stability and fault-ride-through performance of the system, and (3) the dynamic response of the proposed system is satisfactory to operate with wind turbines, energy storage, and fuel cells under EMR control.
Experimental considerations to observe two ionizing fronts in systems with a sharp absorption edge
Authors: Keiter Paul A. , VanDervort Robert , Cearley Griffin , Johnsen Eric , Drake R. Paul
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the experimental requirements to observe two shock fronts driven by a single x-ray source in systems with a sharp absorption edge. We consider systems where the peak of the x-ray radiation drive coincides with the K-edge of the carbon, which occurs at a photon energy of 284 eV, causing photons to be deposited in two regions. The low-energy photons (E < 284 eV) penetrate further and drive the main shock, while the higher-energy photons (E > 284 eV) are absorbed in the ablated plasma. These higher-energy photons create an ionization front, which then produces a second shock, termed an edge-shock. Using a different radiation-hydrodynamics code and different opacity and equation of state tables, we replicate the previous work and build upon them to explore the conditions required to form the edge shock. We find that having the material K-edge coincide with the spectral domain of the radiation source is necessary but not sufficient on its own to drive the edge-shock.
Residual bubble volume formed behind a sphere plunging into liquid bath (meniscus breakdown with finite velocity of sphere penetration)
Authors: Katoh Kenji , Wakimoto Tatsuro , Ueda Yoshiaki , Iguchi Manabu
Published: August 2018

The residual bubble formed from spherical particles plunging into a liquid bath has an important effect on the performance of CaO particles used for the desulfurization of melted iron. Previous work has theoretically estimated the residual bubble volume resulting from quasi-static sphere immersion by applying the energy minimization principle to the gas–liquid interface meniscus at its rupture [Katoh et al., “Residual bubble formed behind a sphere plunging into liquid bath (in Japanese),” Jpn. J. Multiphase Flow 28, 547–553 (2015)]. Here, we propose a method to theoretically estimate the residual bubble volume for sphere penetration with a finite velocity from 0.05 to 30 mm/s into a liquid bath. To do so, the meniscus rupture at the sphere’s critical depth was calculated via a dynamic equation in which the energy gradient along the sphere surface was considered as the driving force to move the triple-phase contact line. The bubble volume was then estimated by calculating the system energy at the meniscus breakpoint and by using the principle of minimum energy. The model results were verified experimentally for a variety of liquids, showing that the proposed model can be used for estimation of the residual bubble volume.
Dust density waves in a dc flowing complex plasma with discharge polarity reversal
Authors: Jaiswal S. , Pustylnik M. Y. , Zhdanov S. , Thomas H. M. , Lipaev A. M. , Usachev A. D. , Molotkov V. I. , Fortov V. E. , Thoma M. H. , Novitskii O. V.
Published: August 2018

We report on the observation of the self-excited dust density waves in the dc discharge complex plasma. The experiments were performed under microgravity conditions in the Plasmakristall-4 facility on board the International Space Station. In the experiment, the microparticle cloud was first trapped in an inductively coupled plasma and then released to drift for some seconds in a dc discharge with constant current. After that, the discharge polarity was reversed. DC plasma containing a drifting microparticle cloud was found to be strongly non-uniform in terms of microparticle drift velocity and plasma emission in accordance with [Zobnin et al., Phys. Plasmas 25, 033702 (2018)]. In addition to that, non-uniformity in the self-excited wave pattern was observed: In the front edge of the microparticle cloud (defined as head), the waves had larger phase velocity than in the rear edge (defined as tail). Also, after the polarity reversal, the wave pattern exhibited several bifurcations: Between each of the two old wave crests, a new wave crest has formed. These bifurcations, however, occurred only in the head of the microparticle cloud. We show that spatial variations of electric field inside the drifting cloud play an important role in the formation of the wave pattern. Comparison of the theoretical estimations and measurements demonstrate the significant impact of the electric field on the phase velocity of the wave. The same theoretical approach applied to the instability growth rate showed agreement between estimated and measured values.
Effects of modulation p doping in InAs quantum dot lasers on silicon
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Jung Daehwan , Norman Justin C. , Patel Pari , Chow Weng W. , Bowers John E.
Published: August 2018

We investigate, both experimentally and theoretically, the gain characteristics of modulation p-doped 1.3 μm quantum dot lasers epitaxially grown on silicon. Gain spectra and transparency points are measured for structurally identical lasers with varying levels of p doping in the active region. A many-body model is employed to facilitate understanding of the material gain characteristics. It has been found that appropriate p doping greatly reduces transparency and improves differential gain. It is also found that the improvements saturate with excessive doping because of the increase in nonradiative carrier recombination.
Large modulation of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in a BiFeO3/Al2O3/Pt/Co/Pt multiferroic heterostructure via spontaneous polarizations
Authors: Liu P. F. , Miao J. , Xu Z. D. , Jakob G. , Liu Q. , Ren Z. Y. , Meng K. K. , Wu Y. , Chen J. K. , Xu X. G. , Jiang Y.
Published: August 2018

Magnetism control has a variety of applications in magnetic storage and spintronic devices. Instead of the control of direct magnetoelectric coupling via strain, voltage, and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, the polarization-dependent coupling in multiferroic materials such as BiFeO3 is employed for the electric-field control of magnetizations in this work. A perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) has been realized in a BiFeO3/Al2O3/Pt/Co/Pt multiferroic structure at room temperature. Interestingly, a distinct change of coercivity field (∼400%) has been observed in the structure with opposite polarization directions, which can be attributed to the different oxidation degree at the Pt/Co interface. This spontaneous polarization-controlled switching not only provides us a platform to study the interfacial effect in multiferroic heterostructures but also paves the way to manipulate PMA or even spin orbit torque through oxygen vacancies.
High performance blue-emitting organic light-emitting diodes from thermally activated delayed fluorescence: A guest/host ratio study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Fuentes-Hernandez Canek , Zhang Yadong , Cooper Matthew W. , Barlow Stephen , Marder Seth R. , Kippelen Bernard
Published: August 2018

Emitters displaying thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) can lead to highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Such emitters are usually incorporated into the emissive layer (EML) at a relatively low concentration (<20 wt. %) with respect to a host material, a guest-host approach inherited from conventional fluorescent or phosphorescent OLEDs. Here, detailed studies on OLEDs, in which the concentration of oBFCzTrz (a blue-emitter displaying TADF) in a DPEPO host was varied from 8 to 100 wt. %, reveals that oBFCzTrz displays ambipolar transport and limited fluorescence-quenching due to aggregation. For instance, a neat film of oBFCzTrz maintains a photoluminescence quantum yield of 82%. We demonstrate that OLEDs with an EML having an oBFCzTrz concentration of 50 wt. % in DPEPO yield a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 25.5% with an EQE roll-off of 10% in the range from 10 to 1000 cd/m2 and Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage color coordinates of (0.20, 0.44). OLEDs with smaller or larger oBFCzTrz concentrations display smaller maximum EQE values. OLEDs with a neat oBFCzTrz EML display a maximum EQE of 14.0%. Time-resolved electroluminescent decay studies, and analysis using a simple model, reveal significant differences in transport, trapping, and recombination in these devices.
Activation of buried p-GaN in MOCVD-regrown vertical structures
Authors: Li Wenshen , Nomoto Kazuki , Lee Kevin , Islam S. M. , Hu Zongyang , Zhu Mingda , Gao Xiang , Xie Jinqiao , Pilla Manyam , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili Grace
Published: August 2018

Thermal activation of buried p-type GaN is investigated in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition-regrown vertical structures, where the buried p-GaN is re-passivated by hydrogen during regrowth. The activation is performed by exposing the buried p-GaN through etched sidewalls and characterized by reverse breakdown measurements on vertical diodes. The effect of the n-type doping level on the activation has been observed. After 725 °C/30 min annealing in a dry air environment, the buried p-GaN with a regrown unintentionally-doped (UID) capping layer is sufficiently activated due to significant Mg-incorporation in the UID layer, allowing for hydrogen up-diffusion. With an additional regrown n+-GaN capping layer (i.e., in n+/i/p-n diodes), only lateral diffusion of H out of the exposed mesa sidewall is permitted. A critical lateral dimension between 10 and 20 μm is found for the n+/i/p-n diodes, under which the buried p-GaN is sufficiently activated. The diodes with activated buried p-GaN achieved up to 1200 V breakdown voltage, indicating that over 28% of the Mg dopants is activated. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of sidewall p-GaN activation in achieving high breakdown voltage pertinent to GaN vertical power devices, while providing guidelines on the required device geometry.
Exotic electronic structures of SmxCe3−xOy (x = 0-3; y = 2-4) clusters and the effect of high neutral density of low-lying states on photodetachment transition intensities
Authors: Topolski Josey E. , Kafader Jared O. , Marrero-Colon Vicmarie , Iyengar Srinivasan S. , Hratchian Hrant P. , Jarrold Caroline Chick
Published: August 2018

Lanthanide (Ln) oxide clusters have complex electronic structures arising from the partially occupied Ln 4f subshell. New anion photoelectron (PE) spectra of SmxCe3−xOy− (x = 0–3; y = 2–4) along with supporting results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest interesting x and y-dependent Sm 4f subshell occupancy with implications for Sm-doped ionic conductivity of ceria, as well as the overall electronic structure of the heterometallic oxides. Specifically, the Sm centers in the heterometallic species have higher 4f subshell occupancy than the homonuclear Sm3Oy−/Sm3Oy clusters. The higher 4f subshell occupancy both weakens Sm—O bonds and destabilizes the 4f subshell relative to the predominantly O 2p bonding orbitals in the clusters. Parallels between the electronic structures of these small cluster systems with bulk oxides are explored. In addition, unusual changes in the excited state transition intensities, similar to those observed previously in the PE spectra of Sm2O− and Sm2O2− [J. O. Kafader et al., J. Chem. Phys. 146, 194310 (2017)], are also observed in the relative intensities of electronic transitions to excited neutral state bands in the PE spectra of SmxCe3−xOy− (x = 1–3; y = 2, 4). The new spectra suggest that the effect is enhanced with lower oxidation states and with an increasing number of Sm atoms, implying that the prevalence of electrons in the diffuse Sm 6s-based molecular orbitals and a more populated 4f subshell both contribute to this phenomenon. Finally, this work identifies challenges associated with affordable DFT calculations in treating the complex electronic structures exhibited by these systems, including the need for a more explicit treatment of strong coupling between the neutral and PE.
Natural Products Isolated from Endemic Tasmanian Vascular Plants
Authors: Deans Bianca J. , de Salas Miguel , Smith Jason A. , Bissember Alex C.
Published: August 2018

Tasmania is the south-eastern island state of Australia. It is geographically isolated and is recognised for both its rich diversity of plant species and high degree of endemism. Although 530 endemic Tasmanian vascular plant species are known, natural products have only been isolated from 27 of these species (~5.1 %), representing 3 classes (Dicotyledonae, Monocotyledonae, and Gymnospermae), 12 families, and 14 genera. Terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids are the major classes of compound that have been isolated from these species. This report provides the first review of the natural products isolated from endemic Tasmanian plant species and covers ~70 years of research in this area.
Co-inoculation of lucerne (Medicago sativa) with an AM fungus and a rhizobium reduces occurrence of spring black stem and leaf spot caused by Phoma medicaginis
Authors: Gao Ping , Li Yingde , Guo Yane , Duan Tingyu
Published: August 2018

Spring black stem and leaf spot of lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.), caused by Phoma medicaginis, is an important disease in temperate regions of the world. It is now a serious disease threatening global lucerne production. This experiment was designed to test the combined effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Funneliformis mosseae and the rhizobium Sinorhizobium medicae on growth, nutrient uptake and disease severity in lucerne. The results showed that F. mosseae increased plant phosphorus and nitrogen uptake and plant dry weight, and this beneficial effect was enhanced when in association with S. medicae. Rhizobial and AM fungal effects were mutually promoting; inoculation with AM fungus significantly increased the formation of root nodules, and inoculation with rhizobium increased the percentage of root length colonised by AM fungus (P < 0.05). After infection with P. medicaginis, typical leaf spot symptoms with the lowest disease incidence and disease index occurred on plants that were host to both F. mosseae and S. medicae. Plants with both symbiotic microorganisms had higher activities (concentrations) of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, lignin, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein and jasmonic acid. Therefore, the tested AM fungus (F. mosseae) and rhizobium (S. medicae) have the potential to reduce damage and yield loss in lucerne from spring black stem and leaf spot caused by P. medicaginis.
Biotechnological perspectives of microorganisms isolated from the Polar Regions
Authors: Shcherbakova Viktoria , Troshina Olga
Published: August 2018

Polar permanently frozen grounds cover more than 20% of the earth's surface, and about 60% of the Russian territories are permafrost. In the permafrost environments, the combination of low temperature and poor availability of liquid water make these habitats extremely inhospitable for life. To date, both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods have shown that permafrost is a habitat for microorganisms of all three domains: Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. An overview of applying psychrophilic and psychrotolerant bacteria and archaea isolated from Arctic and Antarctic permafrost ecosystems in biotechnological processes of wastewater treatment, production of cold-adapted enzymes, etc. is discussed here. The study of existing collections of microorganisms isolated from permanently cold habitats, improved methods of sampling and enrichment will increase the potential biotechnological applications of permafrost bacteria and archaea producing unique biomolecules.
C-terminal kink formation is required for lateral gating in BamA
Authors: Lundquist Karl , Bakelar Jeremy , Noinaj Nicholas , Gumbart James C.
Published: August 2018

Significance

Nearly all outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) in Gram-negative bacteria are inserted via the

β

-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex. Molecular dynamics simulations have revealed a persistent C-terminal strand kink of the core BAM component, BamA, which permits BamA to open laterally to the membrane. Experiments show that inhibiting kinking makes bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. Kink-induced lateral gating may catalyze OMP insertion through a local disruption of the membrane, a pathway into the membrane, or both.
Differential inhibition of pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons along the rostrocaudal axis of anterior piriform cortex
Authors: Large Adam M. , Vogler Nathan W. , Canto-Bustos Martha , Friason F. Kathryn , Schick Paul , Oswald Anne-Marie M.
Published: August 2018

Significance

In most primary sensory cortical areas, sensory information is topographically organized. The spatial mapping of sensory features has proven useful in elucidating circuit mechanisms that underlie sensory representations in the brain. The piriform cortex is postulated to play a prominent role in the formation of odor percepts but lacks a topographic representation for odor information. Consequently, the circuit mechanisms underlying odor processing have remained elusive. We show spatial patterning of inhibition along the rostrocaudal axis of piriform cortex that differs with respect to excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms revealed that inhibitory circuits differ in rostral vs. caudal piriform cortex. This rostrocaudal spatial organization could provide a scaffold for investigating circuit computations during odor processing.
Jung and Deleuze: Enchanted Openings to the Other: A Philosophical Contribution
Authors: McMillan Christian
Published: August 2018

This paper draws from resources in the work of Deleuze to critically examine the notion of organicism and holistic relations that appear in historical forerunners that Jung identifies in his work on synchronicity. I interpret evidence in Jung’s comments on synchronicity that resonate with Deleuze’s interpretation of repetition and time and which challenge any straightforward foundationalist critique of Jung’s thought. A contention of the paper is that Jung and Deleuze envisage enchanted openings onto relations which are not constrained by the presupposition of a bounded whole, whether at the level of the macrocosm or the microcosm. Openings to these relations entail the potential for experimental transformation beyond sedentary habits of thought which are blocked by a disenchanting ‘image of thought’ that stands in need of critique. Other examples of enchanted openings in Jung’s work are signposted in an effort to counter their marginalisation in some post-Jungian critiques and to signal their potential value from a Deleuzian perspective.
Structures of the fungal dynamin-related protein Vps1 reveal a unique, open helical architecture
Authors: Varlakhanova Natalia V. , Alvarez Frances J.D. , Brady Tyler M. , Tornabene Bryan A. , Hosford Christopher J. , Chappie Joshua S. , Zhang Peijun , Ford Marijn G.J.
Published: August 2018

Dynamin-related proteins (DRPs) are large multidomain GTPases required for diverse membrane-remodeling events. DRPs self-assemble into helical structures, but how these structures are tailored to their cellular targets remains unclear. We demonstrate that the fungal DRP Vps1 primarily localizes to and functions at the endosomal compartment. We present crystal structures of a Vps1 GTPase–bundle signaling element (BSE) fusion in different nucleotide states to capture GTP hydrolysis intermediates and concomitant conformational changes. Using cryoEM, we determined the structure of full-length GMPPCP-bound Vps1. The Vps1 helix is more open and flexible than that of dynamin. This is due to further opening of the BSEs away from the GTPase domains. A novel interface between adjacent GTPase domains forms in Vps1 instead of the contacts between the BSE and adjacent stalks and GTPase domains as seen in dynamin. Disruption of this interface abolishes Vps1 function in vivo. Hence, Vps1 exhibits a unique helical architecture, highlighting structural flexibilities of DRP self-assembly.
The inositol 5-phosphatase INPP5K participates in the fine control of ER organization
Authors: Dong Rui , Zhu Ting , Benedetti Lorena , Gowrishankar Swetha , Deng Huichao , Cai Yiying , Wang Xiangming , Shen Kang , De Camilli Pietro
Published: August 2018

INPP5K (SKIP) is an inositol 5-phosphatase that localizes in part to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We show that recruitment of INPP5K to the ER is mediated by ARL6IP1, which shares features of ER-shaping proteins. Like ARL6IP1, INPP5K is preferentially localized in ER tubules and enriched, relative to other ER resident proteins (Sec61β, VAPB, and Sac1), in newly formed tubules that grow along microtubule tracks. Depletion of either INPP5K or ARL6IP1 results in the increase of ER sheets. In a convergent but independent study, a screen for mutations affecting the distribution of the ER network in dendrites of the PVD neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans led to the isolation of mutants in CIL-1, which encodes the INPP5K worm orthologue. The mutant phenotype was rescued by expression of wild type, but not of catalytically inactive CIL-1. Our results reveal an unexpected role of an ER localized polyphosphoinositide phosphatase in the fine control of ER network organization.
RETRACTED: How Does Climate Change Make a State More Fragile?
Authors: He Zhaoying , Hu Xiao , Yuan Zhengrong , Du Juan , Yang Junyan
Published: August 2018

This paper studies the degree of state fragility and the influence of climate change on fragility by the building of a state fragility assessment model. Firstly, based on the collected data, we constructed a three-level fragility assessment system. Five comprehensive indexes of the government, safety, society, climate and economy are obtained by PCA (Principal Component Analysis) from 16 representative primary indicators. The weights of five indexes are determined by the Entropy Method. Finally, we got the SFI (State Fragility Index) through the MADM (Multi-Attribute Decision Making) model. Secondly, we selected the Central African Republic and chose the year of 2014 as the sample which had the largest increasing rate to study how the variable of climate change impacted on a state’s fragility. We found that there was a drought increasing its CSI and Economy Fragility Index (EFI) and consequently made the state more fragile. Then we use the TSM (Time Series Method) to predict the fragility index of Central Africa in 2014 without the impact of climate change. The improvements can be seen from the declines in its state fragility (from 1.75 to 1.68) and the results of the CSI and EFI.
The Metabolic Syndrome Does Not Affect Development of Collateral Circulation in the Poststenotic Swine Kidney
Authors: Zhang Xin , Kim Seo Rin , Ferguson Christopher M , Ebrahimi Behzad , Hedayat Ahmad F , Lerman Amir , Lerman Lilach O
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The collateral circulation is important in maintenance of blood supply to the ischemic kidney distal to renal artery stenosis (RAS). Obesity metabolic syndrome (MetS) preserves renal blood flow (RBF) in the stenotic kidney, but whether this is related to an increase of collateral vessel growth is unknown. We hypothesized that MetS increased collateral circulation around the renal artery.

METHODS

Twenty-one domestic pigs were randomly divided into unilateral RAS fed an atherogenic (high-fat/high-fructose, MetS-RAS) or standard diet, or controls (n = 7 each). RBF, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the peristenotic collateral circulation were assessed after 10 weeks using multidetector computed tomography (CT) and the intrarenal microcirculation by micro-CT. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was studied in the renal artery wall, kidney, and perirenal fat. Renal fibrosis and stiffness were examined by trichrome and magnetic resonance elastography.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, RBF and GFR were decreased in RAS, but not in MetS-RAS. MetS-RAS formed peristenotic collaterals to the same extent as RAS pigs but induced greater intrarenal microvascular loss, fibrosis, stiffness, and inflammation. MetS-RAS also attenuated VEGF expression in the renal tissue compared with RAS, despite increased expression in the perirenal fat.

CONCLUSIONS

MetS does not interfere with collateral vessel formation in the stenotic kidney, possibly because decreased renal arterial VEGF expression offsets its upregulation in perirenal fat, arguing against a major contribution of the collateral circulation to preserve renal function in MetS-RAS. Furthermore, preserved renal function does not protect the poststenotic kidney from parenchymal injury.
Brain Activity Tracks Population Information Sharing by Capturing Consensus Judgments of Value
Authors: Doré B P , Scholz C , Baek E C , Garcia J O , O’Donnell M B , Bassett D S , Vettel J M , Falk E B
Published: August 2018

Information that is shared widely can profoundly shape society. Evidence from neuroimaging suggests that activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), a core region of the brain’s valuation system tracks with this sharing. However, the mechanisms linking vmPFC responses in individuals to population behavior are still unclear. We used a multilevel brain-as-predictor approach to address this gap, finding that individual differences in how closely vmPFC activity corresponded with population news article sharing related to how closely its activity tracked with social consensus about article value. Moreover, how closely vmPFC activity corresponded with population behavior was linked to daily life news experience: frequent news readers tended to show high vmPFC across all articles, whereas infrequent readers showed high vmPFC only to articles that were more broadly valued and heavily shared. Using functional connectivity analyses, we found that superior tracking of consensus value was related to decreased connectivity of vmPFC with a dorsolateral PFC region associated with controlled processing. Taken together, our results demonstrate variability in the brain’s capacity to track crowd wisdom about information value, and suggest (lower levels of) stimulus experience and vmPFC–dlPFC connectivity as psychological and neural sources of this variability.
In Vitro Activities of Ceftaroline/Avibactam, Ceftazidime/Avibactam, and Other Comparators Against Pathogens From Various Complicated Infections in China
Authors: Zhou Menglan , Cheng Jingwei , Liu Yali , Hu Yunjian , Liu Yingmei , Lu Juan , Zhang Shufang , Yu Yunsong , Huang Xun , Yang Qing , Liao Kang , Jin Yan , Huang Wenxiang , Feng Xianju , Yang Qiwen , Xu Yingchun
Published: August 2018

Background

We conducted a national antimicrobial surveillance study of both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms isolated from hospitalized patients. This report presents data on antimicrobial susceptibility among 4998 organisms collected in China between 2012 and 2014.

Method

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and susceptibilities of ceftaroline/avibactam (CPA), ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) and a range of comparative agents were determined according to guidelines established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Results

The highest overall susceptibility levels for all Enterobacteriaceae during the study period were observed for CPA, CZA, doripenem (DOR), meropenem (MEM), and amikacin (AMK), which were all >90%. However, both CPT and CAZ alone and in combination with avibactam showed low activities for Acinetobacter spp., whereas CPA and CZA exhibited MIC90 values for Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were reduced by 4- and 8-fold, respectively, compared with those of CPT and CAZ. High susceptibilities of Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa to colistin and P. aeruginosa to AMK were observed. For the gram-positive strains, no significant activity changes were seen for Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and viridans group streptococci to CPT or CAZ alone or in combination with avibactam, whereas Streptococcus pneumoniae and β-hemolytic Streptococcus showed almost 100% susceptibility to both CPT and CPA.

Conclusion

The addition of 4 mg/L avibactam greatly increased the activities of CPT and CAZ against most Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa isolates, whereas no significant changes were observed in Acinetobacter spp. or any of the gram-positive strains.
Improving asylum seekers’ health awareness in a Hungarian refugee reception centre
Authors: Marek Erika , D’Cruz Gibson , Katz Zoltan , Szilard Istvan , Berenyi Karoly , Feiszt Zsofia
Published: August 2018

Due to its long border of the European Union Schengen Area, Hungary has long been affected by the rapidly growing inward migration towards the EU, which has become more acute in recent years. Inadequate access to healthcare among migrants has been widely reported and this may be due to a vast array of factors and may result in poorer health outcomes. Between August 2014 and April 2015 a questionnaire survey was conducted among migrants from a range of countries residing in the largest Hungarian refugee reception centre to establish participants’ health knowledge and access to healthcare in Hungary (medical assessment, vaccination, etc.). The survey was complemented with an educational program which aimed to increase participants’ awareness of healthcare provision and to promote the prevention of the infectious diseases that are common in Europe. The results showed that half the participants (52%) had no information of healthcare provision and the majority (61%) did not participate in any medical assessment since arriving in the reception centre. Since under-immunization may be a potential risk for the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases for recipient countries, it was alarming that a significant proportion of African participants (21%) reported not having received any childhood vaccinations. Data demonstrated deficiencies in participants’ health knowledge and also an urgent need to address mental health problems of arriving migrants. This article offers a valuable insight into the role of health educational interventions conducted for asylum seekers in refugee reception centres and discusses a number of practical application aspects for future educational programs.
Evidence on the Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Incident Depression From the South African National Income Dynamics Study 2008–2015: Mental Health Implications for a Resource-Limited Setting
Authors: Tomita Andrew , Manuel Jennifer I
Published: August 2018

Introduction

As a leading global disease risk factor, cigarette smoking has declined in some developed countries, but its health consequences are not well established in sub-Saharan Africa. This is particularly evident in South Africa, where few investigations have quantified the dually neglected challenges of cigarette smoking and depression, despite decades of research from developed countries. We investigated the association between cigarette smoking and incident depression, with the hypothesis that adolescents are particularly vulnerable.

Methods

Panel data from the South African National Income Dynamics Study, a nationally representative sample of households at follow-up periods (years 2008–2015), were used. Our incident cohort consists of 14 118 adult participants who were depression free at baseline. The generalized estimating equation models were fitted to assess the association between current cigarette smoking and incident depression.

Results

Current cigarette smoking among individuals aged at least 15 was significantly associated with incidents of depression among men (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.34), but not women. When the analyses were restricted to a sample population of older adolescents (ages 15–19), current cigarettes smoking was significantly associated with incident depression in both men (aRR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.18 to 2.88) and women (aRR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.15 to 5.29).

Conclusion

The results suggest an important relationship between cigarette smoking and incident depression, particularly among older adolescents, who are developmentally vulnerable and socioeconomically disadvantaged to experiencing depression. There is a considerable need to implement and prioritize culturally and developmentally appropriate prevention and cessation measures to reduce cigarette smoking and depression directed at adolescent populations.

Implications

There has been little population level research into the role of smoking on depression in sub-Saharan Africa, a region classified as a tobacco epidemic in the making. Our results have major implications for the often neglected crosscutting issues of tobacco control (Sustainable Development Goal 3.9) and mental health (Sustainable Development Goal 3.4). They indicate the role of smoking on depression, with the association being particularly pronounced among adolescent who are developmentally vulnerable and socioeconomically disadvantaged, and emphasize the need to implement and prioritize prevention and cessation measures directed at this population.
Disruption of G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) reduced abdominal fat deposition and altered fatty acid composition in chicken
Authors: Park Tae Sub , Park Joonghoon , Lee Jeong Hyo , Park Jeong-Woong , Park Byung-Chul
Published: August 2018

Chicken as a food source is one of the most widespread domestic animals, and it has been used extensively as a research model. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) system is the most efficient and reliable tool for precise genome‐targeted modification and has generated considerable excitement for industrial applications, as well as biologic science. Unlike in mammals, germline‐transmittable primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chicken were used as an alternative strategy for the production of genetically altered chickens. Here, by combining the CRISPR‐Cas9 platform and germ cell‐mediated germline transmission, we generated G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2)knockout (KO)chickens, and G0S2 null KO chickens showed a dramatic reduction of abdominal fat deposition without affecting other economic traits. Additionally, G0S2 null KO chickens had altered fatty acid compositions in their blood and abdominal fat compared with wild‐type chickens under normal dietary conditions. The global mRNA sequencing data showed that G0S2 disruption in chickens would activate the adipose tissue‐specific peroxisomal oxidation pathway, and enoyl‐coenzyme A (CoA), hydratase/3‐hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase might be a target molecule in metabolic homeostasis in the chicken adipose tissue. Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR‐Cas9 system with chicken PGCs can facilitate the production of specific genome‐edited chickens for practical applications, as well as basic research.—Park, T. S., Park, J., Lee, J. H., Park, J.‐W., Park, B.‐C., Disruption of G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) reduced abdominal fat deposition and altered fatty acid composition in chicken. FASEB J. 33, 1188–1198 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Evaluating the Effectiveness of ATI Nurse’s Touch™ on BSN Student Soft Skills: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Hoffman Jenni L. , Myler Linda , Hines Sandra
Published: August 2018

Students in health care today are very different than those of past generations. Health care education requires both innovation and creativity to meet the changing needs of students. Soft skills such as leadership, communication, nursing informatics, technology, and professionalism can sometimes be lost in pursuit of scientific knowledge. The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a product designed to assist in the development of soft skills in a bachelor of science in nursing curriculum. This research did not support the additive value of this particular product but recommended further research at other curricular levels.
Prophylactic Pregabalin to Decrease Pain During Medication Abortion
Authors: Friedlander EmmaKate B. , Soon Reni , Salcedo Jennifer , Davis James , Tschann Mary , Kaneshiro Bliss
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate whether prophylactic pregabalin reduces pain experienced with medication abortion.

METHODS:

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of women initiating medication abortion with mifepristone and buccal misoprostol up to 70 days of gestation. Participants were randomized to 300 mg oral pregabalin or a placebo immediately before misoprostol. The primary outcome was maximum pain on an 11-point numerical rating scale, reported using real-time electronic surveys over 72 hours. Secondary outcomes included pain at each time point, ibuprofen and narcotic use, side effects, and satisfaction. We estimated that 110 women would be required to have 80% power to detect a difference in pain of 1.3 points.

RESULTS:

Between June 2015 and October 2016, 241 women were screened and 110 were randomized (56 pregabalin, 54 placebo). Three were lost to follow-up. The primary outcome of mean maximum pain in the pregabalin group was 5.0±2.6 vs 5.5±2.2 in the placebo group (P=.32). Excluding medication taken before the study capsule, ibuprofen was used by 64% (35/55) of the pregabalin group vs 87% (45/52) placebo (P<.01). Narcotics were used by 29% (16/55) of the pregabalin group vs 50% (26/52) placebo (P<.03). More dizziness (P<.001), sleepiness (P<.04), and blurred vision (P<.05) occurred in the pregabalin group. Satisfaction scores for the analgesic regimen were higher in the pregabalin group (very satisfied: 47% vs 22%; P=.006).

CONCLUSION:

Compared with placebo, 300 mg pregabalin coadministered with misoprostol during medication abortion did not significantly decrease maximum pain scores. Women who received pregabalin were less likely to require any ibuprofen or narcotic and were more likely to report higher satisfaction with analgesia, despite an increase in dizziness, sleepiness, and blurred vision.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02782169.