bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of microRNA-374 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human SCC cells by targeting Gadd45a through P53 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Xiao-Jing , Li Zhi-Feng , Wang Jiu-Jiang , Han Zhao , Liu Zhao , Liu Bao-Guo
Published: July 2017

The present study investigated the effects of microRNA-374 (miR-374) on human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis through P53 signaling pathway by targeting growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein 45 α (Gadd45a). Skin samples were collected from patients with skin SCC and normal skin samples. Expression of miR-374, Gadd45a, P53, P73, P16, c-myc, bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. A431 and SCL-1 cells were divided into blank, negative control (NC), miR-374 mimics, miR374 inhibitors, siRNA–Gadd45a, and miR-374 inhibitors + siRNA–Gadd45a groups. Their proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis were evaluated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, scratch test, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry. SCC skin tissues exhibited decreased expression of miR-374, P73, P16, Bax caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increased levels of Gadd45a, P53, c-myc, and Bcl-2 compared with the normal skin tissues. The miR-374 inhibitors group exhibited decreased expression of miR-374, P73, P16, Bax caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increased expression of Gadd45a, P53, c-myc, and Bcl-2, enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and reduced apoptosis compared with the blank and NC groups; the miR-374 mimics group followed opposite trends. Compared with the blank and NC groups, the miR-374 inhibitors + siRNA–Gadd45a group showed decreased miR-374 level; the siRNA–Gadd45a group showed elevated levels of P73, P16, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, decreased levels of Gadd45a, P53, c-myc, and Bcl-2, reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accelerated apoptosis. miR-374 induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of SCC cells through P53 signaling pathway by down-regulating Gadd45a.
Grammatical Morphology in Monolingual and Bilingual Children With and Without Language Impairment: The Case of Dutch Plurals and Past Participles
Authors: Boerma Tessel , Wijnen Frank , Leseman Paul , Blom Elma
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Grammatical morphology is often a locus of difficulty for both children with language impairment (LI) and bilingual children. In contrast to previous research that mainly focused on verbal tense and agreement markings, the present study investigated whether plural and past participle formation can disentangle the effects of LI and bilingualism and, in addition, can point to weaknesses of LI that hold across monolingual and bilingual contexts.

Method

Monolingual and bilingual children with and without LI (
n
= 33 per group) were tested at 2 waves with a word formation task that elicited Dutch noun plurals and past participles. The quantity and quality of errors as well as children's development over time were examined.

Results

The plural formation task discriminated between monolingual children with and without LI, but a less differentiated picture emerged in the bilingual group. Moreover, plural accuracy showed fully overlapping language profiles of monolinguals with LI and bilinguals without LI, in contrast to accuracy scores on the past participle formation task. Error analyses suggested that frequent omission of participial affixes may be indicative of LI, irrespective of lingual status.

Conclusion

The elicited production of past participles may support a reliable diagnosis of LI in monolingual and bilingual learning contexts.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5165689
Iterative frequency‐domain inter‐carrier interference cancellation for coded SEFDM
Authors: Park Kyeongwon , Kim Haeun , Lee Arim , Kang Donghoon , Oh Wangrok
Published: July 2017

Spectrally efficient FDM (SEFDM) was proposed as a spectrally efficient scheme. An iterative fast Fourier transform (FFT) detector jointly operating with a channel decoder was also proposed for coded SEFDM. Unfortunately, the iterative FFT detector requires relatively high complexity for some bandwidth compression factors. A new detection scheme for the coded SEFDM is proposed. In the proposed scheme, the inter‐carrier interference is iteratively estimated and cancelled in frequency domain. The proposed scheme not only offers virtually identical performance but also requires less complexity compared with the iterative FFT detector.
Distributed finite‐time formation tracking control of multi‐agent systems via FTSMC approach
Authors: Han Tao , Guan Zhi‐Hong , Liao Rui‐Quan , Chen Jie , Chi Ming , He Ding‐Xin
Published: July 2017

This study investigates the finite‐time formation tracking control problem for multi‐agent systems. The objective is to control all the follower agents to converge into the desired formation in finite time while the geometric centre of the follower agents tracks the leader agent's trajectory in finite time simultaneously. Then, the distributed finite‐time formation tracking protocols are proposed via the fast terminal sliding mode control (FTSMC) scheme. On the basis of algebraic graph theory, properties of the Laplacian matrix and finite‐time stability theory, it is shown that the distributed formation tracking can be achieved in finite time under the proposed control protocol. Two numerical simulation examples are employed to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Grid impedance estimation for islanding detection and adaptive control of converters
Authors: Ghanem Abdelhady , Rashed Mohamed , Sumner Mark , Elsayes Mohamed A. , Mansy Ibrahim I.I.
Published: July 2017

Power system (grid) impedance is time varying due to the changing structure of the power system configuration and it can have a considerable influence on the control and stability of grid connected converters. This study presents an online grid impedance estimation method using the output switching current ripple of a space vector pulse‐width modulator‐based grid connected converter. The proposed impedance estimation method is derived from the discretised system model using two consecutive samples within a single switching period. The estimated impedance is used for islanding detection and online current controller parameter tuning. Theoretical analysis and MATLAB simulation results are presented to verify the proposed method and its effectiveness is validated using experimental testing.
Cooperative robotic networks for underwater surveillance: an overview
Authors: Ferri* Gabriele , Munafò* Andrea , Tesei Alessandra , Braca Paolo , Meyer Florian , Pelekanakis Konstantinos , Petroccia Roberto , Alves João , Strode Christopher , LePage Kevin
Published: July 2017

Underwater surveillance has traditionally been carried out by means of surface and undersea manned vessels equipped with advanced sensor systems. This approach is often costly and manpower intensive. Marine robotics is an emerging technological area that enables the development of advanced networks for underwater surveillance applications. In contrast with the use of standard assets, these advanced networks are typically composed of small, low‐power, and possibly mobile robots, which have limited endurance, processing and wireless communication capabilities. When deployed in a region of interest, these robots can cooperatively form an intelligent network achieving high performance with significant features of scalability, adaptability, robustness, persistence and reliability. Such networks of robots can be the enabling technology for a wide range of applications in the maritime domain. However, they also introduce new challenges for underwater distributed sensing, data processing and analysis, autonomy and communications. The main thrust of this study is to review the underwater surveillance scenario within a framework of four research areas: (i) underwater robotics, (ii) acoustic signal processing, (iii) tracking and distributed information fusion, and (iv) underwater communications networks. Progress in each of these areas as well as future challenges is presented.
Smart strategy to synthesis silver‐based heterogeneous photocatalysts grown from molybdenum oxide precursor
Authors: Wei Wei , Jiang Zhi Feng , Jing Jun Jie , Lv Xiao Meng , Xie Ji Min
Published: July 2017

Three silver‐based photocatalysts, Ag@AgBr, Ag2Mo2O7, and Ag2MoO4‐MoO3, were successfully synthesised by a smart hydrothermal strategy using molybdenum oxide as precursor in surfactant‐assisted processes. The correlation among crystal structure and properties in the photocatalysts are discussed in detail. In addition to morphology control, the bromine source effect of adding surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide in hydrothermal synthesis of plasmonic silver incorporated silver bromide photocatalyst was also found. The obtained Ag@AgBr showed higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue than other samples due to super sensitivity of AgBr to light and the surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles in the region of visible light.
Heat Versus Basic Conditions: Intramolecular Dehydro-Diels–Alder Reaction of 1-Indolyl-1,6-heptadiynes for the Selective Synthesis of Substituted Carbazoles
Authors: Sakakura Akira , Kudoh Takayuki , Fujisawa Syo , Kitamura Megumi
Published: July 2017

The intramolecular dehydro-Diels–Alder reaction of 1-indolyl-1,6-heptadiynes proceeds smoothly under rather mild heating conditions to give substituted carbazoles in moderate to good yields. The reaction of 7-aryl-1-indolyl-1,6-heptadiynes under heating gives the corresponding carbazoles chemoselectively in high yields, whereas the reaction under basic conditions gives naphthalenes as major products.
Potassium tert-Butoxide Mediated Arylation of 2-Substituted Malononitriles Using Diaryliodonium Salts
Authors: Han Jianwei , Wang Limin , Qian Xiaofei , Xu Bowen
Published: July 2017

Direct arylation of 2-substituted malononitriles using diaryliodonium salts without involving transition-metal catalysts was developed. By using potassium tert-butoxide as a promoter, the desired 2-substituated α-arylmalononitriles derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields of 55–96%. This synthetic method provided an efficient way to prepare a variety of 2-substituted arylmalononitriles which were useful in agrochemicals.
Pitfalls in Diffusion-Weighted and Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Pediatric Brain
Authors: Agarwal Nivedita , Tekes Aylin , Poretti Andrea , Meoded Avner , Huisman Thierry
Published: July 2017

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that are based on differences in the diffusion rate of water molecules in brain tissue. DWI and DTI are widely used in pediatric neuroradiology to evaluate a wide spectrum of brain diseases. The interpretation of DWI and DTI images requires a basic knowledge of the underlying physics to detect potential pitfalls and avoid misinterpretation. Several DWI pitfalls are related to the dependency of DWI images not only on the diffusivity of water molecules, but also on various additional MRI phenomena such as the T1- and T2- relaxation characteristics and MRI-related artifacts. In addition, knowledge about the age of the child and interval between the onset of injury and acquisition of DWI/DTI images is important. Finally, qualitative evaluation (“eye-balling”) maybe misleading, and the application of quantitative measurements of DTI scalars may avoid misdiagnosis.
Decreased Rac1 Cardiac Expression in Nitrofen-Induced Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Nakamura Hiroki , Zimmer Julia , Puri Prem
Published: July 2017

Aim The high incidence of cardiac malformations in humans and animal models with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is well known. The hypoplasia of left heart is common among fetuses with CDH and has been identified as a poor prognostic factor. However, the precise mechanisms underlying cardiac maldevelopment in CDH are not fully understood. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) plays a key role in cardiomyocyte polarity and embryonic heart development. Deficiency of Rac1 is reported to impair elongation and cytoskeletal organization of cardiomyocytes, resulting in congenital cardiac defects. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that Rac1 expression is downregulated in the developing hearts of rats with nitrofen-induced CDH.

Materials and Methods Following ethical approval (REC1103), time-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats received nitrofen or vehicle on gestational day 9 (D9). Fetuses were sacrificed on D18 and D21 and divided into CDH and control (CTRL) (n = 6 for each group and time point). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and confocal–immunofluorescence microscopy were performed to detect cardiac gene and protein expression of Rac1.

Main Results qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that Rac1 expression was significantly decreased in the CDH group compared with controls (p < 0.05). Confocal–immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that Rac1 cardiac expression was markedly decreased in the CDH group compared with controls.

Conclusion Decreased cardiac Rac1 expression in the nitrofen-induced CDH suggests that Rac1 deficiency during morphogenesis may impair structural cardiac remodeling, resulting in congenital cardiac defects.
Feasibility of transnasal endoscopy in screening for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: de Faria Anderson , Dias Carlos , Dias Moetzsohn Luciana , de Castro Carvalho Silas , Ferrari Tereza , Nunes Arantes Vitor
Published: July 2017

Background and study aims Screening for esophageal and gastric varices is indicated for patients with portal hypertension or cirrhosis. Typically, conventional endoscopy is used; however, the need for sedation increases the costs and risks, especially in cirrhotic patients. Use of transnasal endoscopy with an ultrathin endoscope enables study of the upper gastrointestinal tract without the need for sedation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of transnasal endoscopy in screening for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with chronic liver disease.

Patients and methods This was a prospective study in which transnasal endoscopy was carried out in patients with cirrhosis or portal hypertension who had indications for screening of esophageal and gastric varices. The following variables were evaluated: demographical data, duration of procedure, patient tolerance and acceptance, adverse events (AEs), endoscopic findings and interobserver agreement related to portal hypertension alterations (kappa index).

Results A total of 50 patients entered the study. The most common cause of liver disease was chronic viral hepatitis (66 %). Among the cirrhotic patients, most of the patients were Child-Pugh A (74 %). In 5 patients (10 %), nasal intubation was not possible. Two patients (4 %) experienced minor epistaxis. Tolerance was excellent or good in 92 % according with a visual analogic scale. In 16 patients (32 %), esophageal varices were detected and in 2 patients (4 %) gastric varices were detected. The mean duration of the procedure was 7 minutes.

Conclusions Transnasal endoscopy is feasible, effective and well tolerated for screening of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with chronic liver disease. It can be performed in outpatient clinics safely and without the use of sedation.
Performance report cards increase adenoma detection rate
Authors: Sey Michael , Liu Andy , Asfaha Samuel , Siebring Victoria , Jairath Vipul , Yan Brian
Published: July 2017

Background and study aims Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important measure of colonoscopy quality, as are polyp, advanced ADR, and adenocarcinoma detection rates. We investigated whether performance report cards improved these outcome measures.

Patients and methods Endoscopists were given report cards comparing their detection rates to the institutional mean on an annual basis. Detection rates were evaluated at baseline, 1 year after report cards (Year 1), and 2 years after report cards (Year 2). Endoscopists were unaware of the study and received no other interventions. The primary outcome was ADR and secondary outcomes were polyp detection rate (PDR), advanced ADR, and adenocarcinoma detection rate. Multivariate regression was performed to adjust for temporal trends in patient, endoscopists, and procedural factors.

Results Seventeen physicians performed 3,118 screening colonoscopies in patients with positive FOBT or family history of colon cancer. The ADR increased from 34.5 % (baseline) to 39.4 % (Year 1) and 41.2 % (Year 2) (P = 0.0037). The PDR increased from 45 % (baseline) to 48.8 % (Year 1) and 51.8 % (Year 2) (P = 0.011). There was no significant improvement in advanced ADR or adenocarcinoma detection rates. On multivariate analysis, the ADR increased by 22 % in Year 1 (P = 0.03) and 30 % in Year 2 (P = 0.008). Among physicians with a baseline ADR < 25 %, improvement in ADR was even greater, increasing 2.2 times by the end of the study (P = 0.004). Improvements in ADR were not correlated with specialty although gastroenterologists were 52 % more likely to find an adenoma than general surgeons.

Conclusions Annual performance report cards increased adenoma detection rates, especially among physicians with low ADR < 25 %.
Ideal relaxation of the Hopf fibration
Authors: Smiet Christopher Berg , Candelaresi Simon , Bouwmeester Dirk
Published: July 2017

Ideal magnetohydrodynamics relaxation is the topology-conserving reconfiguration of a magnetic field into a lower energy state where the net force is zero. This is achieved by modeling the plasma as perfectly conducting viscous fluid. It is an important tool for investigating plasma equilibria and is often used to study the magnetic configurations in fusion devices and astrophysical plasmas. We study the equilibrium reached by a localized magnetic field through the topology conserving relaxation of a magnetic field based on the Hopf fibration in which magnetic field lines are closed circles that are all linked with one another. Magnetic fields with this topology have recently been shown to occur in non-ideal numerical simulations. Our results show that any localized field can only attain equilibrium if there is a finite external pressure, and that for such a field a Taylor state is unattainable. We find an equilibrium plasma configuration that is characterized by a lowered pressure in a toroidal region, with field lines lying on surfaces of constant pressure. Therefore, the field is in a Grad-Shafranov equilibrium. Localized helical magnetic fields are found when plasma is ejected from astrophysical bodies and subsequently relaxes against the background plasma, as well as on earth in plasmoids generated by, e.g., a Marshall gun. This work shows under which conditions an equilibrium can be reached and identifies a toroidal depression as the characteristic feature of such a configuration.
Energy transfer, pressure tensor, and heating of kinetic plasma
Authors: Yang Yan , Matthaeus William H. , Parashar Tulasi N. , Haggerty Colby C. , Roytershteyn Vadim , Daughton William , Wan Minping , Shi Yipeng , Chen Shiyi
Published: July 2017

Kinetic plasma turbulence cascade spans multiple scales ranging from macroscopic fluid flow to sub-electron scales. Mechanisms that dissipate large scale energy, terminate the inertial range cascade, and convert kinetic energy into heat are hotly debated. Here, we revisit these puzzles using fully kinetic simulation. By performing scale-dependent spatial filtering on the Vlasov equation, we extract information at prescribed scales and introduce several energy transfer functions. This approach allows highly inhomogeneous energy cascade to be quantified as it proceeds down to kinetic scales. The pressure work, −(P·∇)·u, can trigger a channel of the energy conversion between fluid flow and random motions, which contains a collision-free generalization of the viscous dissipation in collisional fluid. Both the energy transfer and the pressure work are strongly correlated with velocity gradients.
Fundamental study of an industrial reactive HPPMS (Cr,Al)N process
Authors: Bobzin K. , Brögelmann T. , Kruppe N. C. , Engels M. , von Keudell A. , Hecimovic A. , Ludwig A. , Grochla D. , Banko L.
Published: July 2017

In this work, a fundamental investigation of an industrial (Cr,Al)N reactive high power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) process is presented. The results will be used to improve the coating development for the addressed application, which is the tool coating for plastics processing industry. Substrate-oriented plasma diagnostics and deposition of the (Cr,Al)N coatings were performed for a variation of the HPPMS pulse frequency with values from f = 300 Hz to f = 2000 Hz at constant average power P = 2.5 kW and pulse length ton = 40 μs. The plasma was investigated using an oscilloscope, an intensified charge coupled device camera, phase-resolved optical emission spectroscopy, and an energy-dispersive mass spectrometer. The coating properties were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, cantilever stress sensors, nanoindentation, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Regarding the plasma properties, it was found that the average energy within the plasma is nearly constant for the frequency variation. In contrast, the metal to gas ion flux ratio is changed from JM/JG = 0.51 to JM/JG = 0.10 for increasing frequency. Regarding the coating properties, a structure refinement as well as lower residual stresses, higher universal hardness, and a changing crystal orientation from (111) to (200) were observed at higher frequencies. By correlating the plasma and coating properties, it can be concluded that the change in the gas ion to metal ion flux ratio results in a competitive crystal growth of the film, which results in changing coating properties.
Dynamics of supercooled liquid and plastic crystalline ethanol: Dielectric relaxation and AC nanocalorimetry distinguish structural α- and Debye relaxation processes
Authors: Chua Y. Z. , Young-Gonzales A. R. , Richert R. , Ediger M. D. , Schick C.
Published: July 2017

Physical vapor deposition has been used to prepare glasses of ethanol. Upon heating, the glasses transformed into the supercooled liquid phase and then crystallized into the plastic crystal phase. The dynamic glass transition of the supercooled liquid is successfully measured by AC nanocalorimetry, and preliminary results for the plastic crystal are obtained. The frequency dependences of these dynamic glass transitions observed by AC nanocalorimetry are in disagreement with conclusions from previously published dielectric spectra of ethanol. Existing dielectric loss spectra have been carefully re-evaluated considering a Debye peak, which is a typical feature in the dielectric loss spectra of monohydroxy alcohols. The re-evaluated dielectric fits reveal a prominent dielectric Debye peak, a smaller and asymmetrically broadened peak, which is identified as the signature of the structural α-relaxation and a Johari-Goldstein secondary relaxation process. This new assignment of the dielectric processes is supported by the observation that the AC nanocalorimetry dynamic glass transition temperature, Tα, coincides with the dielectric structural α-relaxation process rather than the Debye process. The combined results from dielectric spectroscopy and AC nanocalorimetry on the plastic crystal of ethanol suggest the occurrence of a Debye process also in the plastic crystal phase.
A critical evaluation of perturbation theories by Monte Carlo simulation of the first four perturbation terms in a Helmholtz energy expansion for the Lennard-Jones fluid
Authors: van Westen Thijs , Gross Joachim
Published: July 2017

The Helmholtz energy of a fluid interacting by a Lennard-Jones pair potential is expanded in a perturbation series. Both the methods of Barker-Henderson (BH) and of Weeks-Chandler-Andersen (WCA) are evaluated for the division of the intermolecular potential into reference and perturbation parts. The first four perturbation terms are evaluated for various densities and temperatures (in the ranges ρ*=0−1.5 and T*=0.5−12) using Monte Carlo simulations in the canonical ensemble. The simulation results are used to test several approximate theoretical methods for describing perturbation terms or for developing an approximate infinite order perturbation series. Additionally, the simulations serve as a basis for developing fully analytical third order BH and WCA perturbation theories. The development of analytical theories allows (1) a careful comparison between the BH and WCA formalisms, and (2) a systematic examination of the effect of higher-order perturbation terms on calculated thermodynamic properties of fluids. Properties included in the comparison are supercritical thermodynamic properties (pressure, internal energy, and chemical potential), vapor-liquid phase equilibria, second virial coefficients, and heat capacities. For all properties studied, we find a systematically improved description upon using a higher-order perturbation theory. A result of particular relevance is that a third order perturbation theory is capable of providing a quantitative description of second virial coefficients to temperatures as low as the triple-point of the Lennard-Jones fluid. We find no reason to prefer the WCA formalism over the BH formalism.
Measurement of residual carbon in chamber of Shenguang II laser facility
Authors: Shang W. L. , Zhang W. H. , Yu R. Z. , Zhu T. , Wang F. , Yang J. M. , Liu S. Y. , Jiang S. E.
Published: July 2017

It is reported that in National Ignition Facility's shock timing campaign, there is a 2 μm layer of residual air condensation on the cold laser entrance hole window, and residual gas level of ∼5×10−6 Torr (∼6.6×10−4 Pa) in the chamber [Robey et al., Phys. Plasmas 19, 042706 (2012)]. On Shenguang (SG) II and III laser facilities, a nominal residual gas level in the chamber is ∼10−2 Pa in experiment. In this work, the residual Carbon (C) level in the SG II chamber is investigated experimentally using a transmission grating spectrometer (TGS). The experimental result shows that there is a clear C K edge (280–300 eV), which implies that there is residual C condensation on the charge-coupled device (CCD) silicon oxide layer. The effect of the C condensation on the CCD response is studied with a condensed-C-foil model. With the modified CCD responses, the unfolded spectra by TGS are shown, and the significant C K edge decreases as the C foil thickness increases. Compared to the simulated C K edge depth, the measured spectrum presents that the condensed C foil thickness is 27 nm in the SG II chamber. The correction ratio for the TGS measured flux is 1.165, and there is an insignificant effect on the M band (>1800 eV) fraction measurement in SG II.
Super-soliton dust-acoustic waves in four-component dusty plasma using non-extensive electrons and ions distributions
Authors: El-Wakil S. A. , Abulwafa Essam M. , Elhanbaly Atalla A.
Published: July 2017

Based on Sagdeev pseudo-potential and phase-portrait, the dynamics of four-component dust plasma with non-extensively distributed electrons and ions are investigated. Three distinct types of nonlinear waves, namely, soliton, double layer, and super-soliton, have been found. The basic features of such waves are high sensitivity to Mach number, non-extensive parameter, and dust temperature ratio. It is found that the multi-component plasma is a necessary condition for super-soliton's existence, having a wider amplitude and a larger width than the regular soliton. Super-solitons may also exist when the Sagdeev pseudo-potential curves admit at least four extrema and two roots. In our multi-component plasma system, the super-solitons can be found by increasing the Mach number and the non-extensive parameter beyond those of double-layers. On the contrary, the super-soliton can be produced by decreasing the dust temperature ratio. The conditions of the onset of such nonlinear waves and its merging to regular solitons have been studied. This work shows that the obtained nonlinear waves are found to exist only in the super-sonic Mach number regime. The obtained results may be of wide relevance in the field of space plasma and may also be helpful to better understand the nonlinear fluctuations in the Auroral-zone of the Earth's magnetosphere.
Sub-picometer multi-wavelength detector based on highly sensitive nanomechanical resonator
Authors: Maeda Etsuo , Kometani Reo
Published: July 2017

The wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) method for near infrared (NIR) optical fiber (1530–1565 nm) is the system that is wildly used for intercontinental communication. WDM achieves high-speed and large-capacity communication, but costs a lot because the high-resolution (∼10 pm) wavelength locker for wavelength stabilization only corresponds to a single wavelength. In this report, we propose a highly sensitive sub-picometer multi-wavelength detector that substitutes a typical single-wavelength detector for WDM. Our wavelength detector consists of a narrow band (FWHM < 10 nm) photonic absorber with an aligned gold nano-fin array on a high-Q (Q-factor > 20 000) nanomechanical resonator. The photonic absorber confines and transforms the illuminated NIR light wave into thermal stress, and then, the thermal stress in the nanomechanical resonator will appear as the eigenfrequency shift of the nanomechanical resonator. Through experimental works with an NIR laser and optical Doppler vibration meter, the sensitivity of our wavelength detector was determined to be 0.196 pm in the 10-nm-range of the NIR region. Our sub-picometer multi-wavelength detector will achieve a fast, wide-band, and cost-effective optical communication system.
Phononic crystal Luneburg lens for omnidirectional elastic wave focusing and energy harvesting
Authors: Tol S. , Degertekin F. L. , Erturk A.
Published: July 2017

We explore a phononic crystal Luneburg lens through design, fabrication, and analysis for omnidirectional elastic wave focusing and enhanced energy harvesting both numerically and experimentally. The proposed lens is formed using hexagonal unit cells with blind holes of different diameters, which are determined according to the Luneburg lens refractive index distribution obtained by finite-element simulations of the lowest asymmetric mode Lamb wave band structure. Wave simulations are performed numerically under plane wave excitation from a line source, and focusing is observed at the opposite border of the lens with respect to the incident wave direction. Numerically simulated elastic wave focusing results are validated through a set of experiments. Omnidirectionality is demonstrated by testing the lens under plane wave excitation for different angles of incidence. With piezoelectric energy harvesters located at the boundary of the phononic crystal Luneburg lens, more than an order of magnitude larger power output can be extracted as compared to the baseline case of energy harvesting without the lens under the same plane wave excitation.
Ferroelectric transistors with monolayer molybdenum disulfide and ultra-thin aluminum-doped hafnium oxide
Authors: Yap Wui Chung , Jiang Hao , Liu Jialun , Xia Qiangfei , Zhu Wenjuan
Published: July 2017

In this letter, we demonstrate ferroelectric memory devices with monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as the channel material and aluminum (Al)-doped hafnium oxide (HfO2) as the ferroelectric gate dielectric. Metal-ferroelectric-metal capacitors with 16 nm thick Al-doped HfO2 are fabricated, and a remnant polarization of 3 μC/cm2 under a program/erase voltage of 5 V is observed. The capability of potential 10 years data retention was estimated using extrapolation of the experimental data. Ferroelectric transistors based on embedded ferroelectric HfO2 and MoS2 grown by chemical vapor deposition are fabricated. Clockwise hysteresis is observed at low program/erase voltages due to slow bulk traps located near the 2D/dielectric interface, while counterclockwise hysteresis is observed at high program/erase voltages due to ferroelectric polarization. In addition, the endurances of the devices are tested, and the effects associated with ferroelectric materials, such as the wake-up effect and polarization fatigue, are observed. Reliable writing/reading in MoS2/Al-doped HfO2 ferroelectric transistors over 2 × 104 cycles is achieved. This research can potentially lead to advances of two-dimensional (2D) materials in low-power logic and memory applications.
Linoleic (LA) and linolenic (ALA) acid concentrations in follicular fluid of prepubertal goats and their effect on oocyte in vitro maturation and embryo development
Authors: Roura Montserrat , Catalá María G. , Soto-Heras Sandra , Hammami Sondes , Izquierdo Dolors , Fouladi-Nashta Ali , Paramio Maria-Teresa
Published: July 2017

In this study we assessed the concentration of linoleic acid (LA) and linolenic acid (ALA) in follicular fluid of prepubertal goats according to follicle size (<3 mm or ≥3 mm) by gas chromatography and tested the addition of different LA and ALA (LA : ALA) concentration ratios (50 : 50, 100 : 50 and 200 : 50 µM) to the IVM medium on embryo development, mitochondrial activity, ATP concentration and relative gene expression (RPL19, ribosomal protein L19; SLC2A1, facilitated glucose transporter 1; ATF4, activating transcription factor 4; GPX1, glutathione peroxidase 1; HSPA5, heat-shock protein family A 70 kDa; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; DNMT1, DNA methyltransferase 1; GCLC, glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit; SOD1, superoxide dismutase 1). Oocytes were in vitro matured, fertilised or parthenogenetically activated and zygotes were cultured following conventional protocols. LA concentration ranged from 247 to 319 µM and ALA concentration from 8.39 to 41.19 µM without any effect of follicle size. Blastocyst production from the different groups was: control FCS (22.33%) and BSA (19.63%), treatments 50 : 50 (22.58%), 100 : 50 (21.01%) and 200 : 50 (9.60%). Oocytes from the 200 : 50 group presented higher polyspermy and mitochondrial activity compared with controls and the rest of the treatment groups. No differences were observed in ATP concentration or relative expression of the genes measured between treatment groups. In conclusion, the low number of blastocysts obtained in the 200 : 50 group was caused by a high number of polyspermic zygotes, which could suggest that high LA concentration impairs oocyte membranes.
English in Pakistani public education
Authors: Channa Liaquat Ali
Published: July 2017

The article reviews the past, present, and future position of English in the Pakistani language-in-education policy for the Pakistani government schools. The article first traces how the English language came to Pakistan, and underlines the social domains in which English is commonly used at the present time. The article highlights the fact that English has enjoyed the highest social position in Pakistan since the country’s establishment in 1947. Taking this fact into account, the article traces historically the status of the English language in the language-in-education policy for the government schools since 1947 to the present time. I argue that students from the elite and non-elite English medium schools end up being more literate in English and having better access to social mobility than the students from the Pakistani government schools because of the low quality education and the poor instruction of English as a subject taught through traditional teaching methods of imitation and memorization. In order to reduce the gap, although the recent National Education Policy (NEP 2009) of Pakistan has recommended not only teaching English as a compulsory subject in grade one onward but also using it as a medium of instruction in grade four onward for the content subjects such as science and mathematics in the Pakistani government schools, the current predicament of Pakistani public education raises questions and controversies about the successful implementation of the policy. The main suggestion of the paper is the fact that since teachers are the major agents of change in realizing such curriculum reforms at their classroom level (Fullan & Stiegelbauer, 1991), their perspectives, perceptions and attitudes must be sought as well as included in such policy making processes. Because the voices of Pakistani government teachers are overlooked in such top-down language policies, this paper implies that the their experiences, attitudes, and perspectives about the present and future role of English in public language-in-education policies need to be explored to better understand the potential future implications for Pakistani teachers and their education. Such steps not only make policies inclusive but also gauge how far such English initiatives are facilitative in raising the quality of education and developing English language literacy in Pakistan.
Education, language policy and language use in the Philippines
Authors: Symaco Lorraine Pe
Published: July 2017

The roles of language policy and language practice and use in education have been regarded to influence the efficacy of teaching and learning in the school setting. With the rise of globalisation and internationalisation of services in education, the objective of producing manpower that is equipped to the demands of the knowledge-based economy has realigned government policies worldwide to put education at the forefront of its development plans. From the rise of English language as ‘the’ language for globalisation calls for a more inclusive and locally- oriented mother-tongue based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), this article will discuss broadly the dynamics of language, access and influence, and will look at the Philippines as a country case study of explicit and implicit declarations in language policy and use, as affecting the education sector, and access to the labour market.
The light within
Authors: Koller Veronika
Published: July 2017

This paper contributes to the study of religious metaphor by combining discourse analysis with cognitive semantics. In particular, it engages in a diachronic study of 30 pamphlets written by British Quakers and addressed to the general public to investigate the consistency of metaphor use in that genre across three and a half centuries. Consistency is seen as metaphors recording the same source domains and/or scenarios and/or lexical realisations across time, with maximum consistency meeting all three criteria.

Utilising the notions of genre and discourse community along with metaphor domains and scenarios, the analysis shows that among 19 metaphor domains that occur in texts from at least two different centuries, just under 60 per cent are highly or maximally consistent, with domains of maximum consistency being the largest group. The changing purposes of the pamphlet genre and the evolving social and historical contexts do not diminish this long-term metaphor consistency.

This overall finding is explained with recourse to the dual-processing/representation theory of religious cognition, which posits a difference between theological and basic everyday representations and processing of God concepts. Quakerism shows an overall lack of abstract theology, with Quakers instead establishing various metaphors for God to express their lived experience of the divine. The remarkable consistency of metaphors in Quaker pamphlets suggests that Quakerism makes God concepts intuitively meaningful and relevant.
Assessing Reading Ability for Psychological Testing in Forensic Assessments: An Investigation with the WRAT-4 and MMPI-2-RF
Authors: Himsl Kiera , Burchett Danielle , Tarescavage Anthony M. , Glassmire David M.
Published: July 2017

This study examined the association between two measures of WRAT-4 reading ability—Word Reading and Sentence Comprehension—and two well-validated measures of inconsistent responding—MMPI-2-RF Variable Response Inconsistency (VRIN-r) and True Response Inconsistency (TRIN-r) among 136 forensic inpatients (90 men, 46 women). It was hypothesized that WRAT-4 Sentence Comprehension would demonstrate stronger associations with VRIN-r than WRAT-4 Word Reading. It was also hypothesized that there may be a minimal association between Sentence Comprehension and TRIN-r. Although WRAT-4 Word Reading was not significantly correlated with VRIN-r ( rs = −.17, p = .07) or TRIN-r ( rs = −.10, p = .31), Sentence Comprehension was significantly correlated with VRIN-r ( rs = −.27, p = .01). A hierarchical regression predicting VRIN-r scores indicated that WRAT-4 Sentence Comprehension significantly accounted for an additional 5.4% of the variance in VRIN-r scores after accounting for self-reported education level and Word Reading ( p = .03). However, Word Reading did not significantly account for any additional variance in VRIN-r after accounting for Education and Sentence Comprehension (incremental R2 = .001, p = .74). These results suggest that Sentence Comprehension (rather than Word Reading) should be assessed prior to administering psychological testing, especially in forensic settings.
The Renewable Fuel Standard in Competitive Equilibrium: Market and Welfare Effects
Authors: Moschini GianCarlo , Lapan Harvey , Kim Hyunseok
Published: July 2017

We construct a tractable multi‐market equilibrium model designed to evaluate alternative biofuel policies. The model integrates the U.S. agricultural sector with the energy sector and it explicitly considers both U.S. ethanol and biodiesel production. The model provides a structural representation of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) policies, and it uses the arbitrage conditions defining the core value of renewable identification number prices to identify the relevant competitive equilibrium conditions. The model is parameterized, based on elasticities and technical coefficients from the literature, to represent observed 2015 data. The model is simulated to analyze alternative scenarios, including repeal of the RFS, projected 2022 RFS mandates, and optimal (second‐best) mandates. The results confirm that the current RFS program considerably benefits the agriculture sector, but also leads to overall welfare gains for the United States (mostly via beneficial terms of trade effects). Implementation of projected 2022 mandates, which would require further expansion of biodiesel production, would lead to a considerable welfare loss (relative to 2015 mandate levels). Constrained (second‐best) optimal mandates would entail more corn‐based ethanol and less biodiesel than currently mandated.
Activity Engagement Among Older Adult Spousal Caregivers
Authors: Queen Tara L , Butner Jonathan , Berg Cynthia A , Smith Jacqui
Published: July 2017

Objective

Spousal caregiving can have strong implications for health and wellbeing given the strain and burden associated with the role. Maintaining activity engagement is important for late-life health and wellbeing, and may be a possible contributing mechanism to caregiver health and wellbeing. This paper examined longitudinal changes in activity engagement and asks how spousal caregiving status and caregiver age related to longitudinal activity engagement in a sample of older adults.

Method

Data from four waves of the Health and Retirement study were used to model associations between periods of being a spousal caregiver, age, and engagement in physical, social, self-care, passive, and novel information processing activities over a 6-year period.

Results

Caregiving status was associated with declines in physical activity engagement over time. Older age was associated with fewer physical and more self-care and passive activities.

Discussion

Caregivers’ declines in participation in physical activities may be an important indicator for preservation of health and management of caregiving stress.
Posterior Upper Rib Excision for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome---Feasibility and Early Outcomes
Authors: Aghayev Kamran , Ciklatekerlio Ozcan
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

There are several surgical treatment options for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (n-TOS). However, the first rib has been shown to be the common denominator of all TOS forms and the degree of its resection has been shown to correlate with the long-term success.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the feasibility of posterior upper rib excision (PURE) and report early outcomes.

METHODS

Nine patients presented with signs and symptoms of n-TOS. Preoperative evaluation involved physical and neurological examination, arm visual analog score (VAS), cervical X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, and brachial plexus MRI. All patients were operated at a single institution by a single surgeon. Postoperatively, clinical and radiological data were collected.

RESULTS

There were 2 men and 7 women in the study with 10 procedures performed. The age range was 18 to 45 with mean of 36.6 yr. Mean preoperative arm visual analog scale score was 7.8. The patients underwent posterior upper rib excision (PURE) by a single surgeon. One patient had bilateral surgery. The causes of TOS were fibrous bands, enlarged C7 transverse processes, narrow scalene triangle, and accessory ribs. All patients improved after surgery in terms of arm pain and quality of life. Postoperative mean visual analog scale score was 1.1 at 6 mo. In addition, neurological examination was normal at 6 mo postoperatively and all patients returned to their previous full-time jobs.

CONCLUSION

Posterior upper rib excision is a feasible surgical option for n-TOS.
Selective Cervical Denervation for Cervical Dystonia: Modification of the Bertrand Procedure
Authors: Wilson Thomas J , Spinner Robert J
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Cervical dystonia, commonly referred to as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological disorder characterized by aberrant, involuntary contraction of the muscles of the neck and shoulders. One surgical option that can be considered is selective cervical denervation.

OBJECTIVE

To report our modification of the Bertrand procedure for selective cervical denervation.

METHODS

Our modification of the Bertrand procedure for selective cervical denervation is reported with intraoperative photographs and schematic depictions of the operative steps.

RESULTS

We report our modification of the Bertrand procedure for selective cervical denervation, which consists of a combination of C2-6 denervation, myectomy of the splenius capitis and/or semispinalis capitis, myotomy of the levator scapulae when indicated, and myotomy and selection denervation of the sternocleidomastoid. The combination of techniques utilized depends on the subtype and severity of cervical dystonia.

CONCLUSION

Our modification of the original Bertrand procedure for selective cervical denervation represents an alternative surgical strategy for the treatment of cervical dystonia, with the potential advantages and disadvantages discussed.
Combatting the opioid epidemic: Baltimore’s experience and lessons learned
Authors: Wen Leana S , Warren Katherine E
Published: July 2017

In the midst of a national opioid crisis, Baltimore City witnessed 393 deaths from drug and alcohol overdose in 2015. With an estimated 25 000 residents who are addicted to heroin or other opioids, Baltimore has been profoundly affected by the opioid epidemic. Other resources have commented on federal, state-based, and provider responses to the opioid crisis. This article examines what may be done at the city level based on the experiences of the Baltimore City Health Department. Local jurisdictions must play a critical role in addressing the U.S. opioid crisis through public health coalitions, overdose prevention, treatment expansion, and anti-stigma education.