bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Normative perspectives on financial inclusion: Facts beyond statistics
Authors: Varghese George , Viswanathan Lakshmi
Published: May 2018

The paper is an attempt to understand and differentiate the significance of financial inclusion in the context of India wherein a large population is deprived of financial services, which are very much essential for an overall economic and inclusive growth. The paper discusses the problem of financial exclusion and the socioeconomic impact of financial inclusion on the underprivileged. We go a step further through a normative discussion of India's journey so far in this respect and highlight the impediments to financial inclusion. The paper also suggests a few critical dimensions that are to be taken care of so as to accelerate deep‐rooted penetration of financial services.
Effects of different sterilization processes on the properties of a novel 3D‐printed polycaprolactone stent
Authors: Guerra Antonio J. , Cano Paula , Rabionet Marc , Puig Teresa , Ciurana Joaquim
Published: May 2018

Bioresorbable stents (BRS) offer the potential to improve long‐term patency rates by providing support just long enough for the artery to heal itself. While manufacturing methods to produce BRS using the appropriate architecture, material and mechanical studies, etc., have received much attention, the effects subsequent sterilization methods have on BRS properties are overlooked. Sterilization process can change a device's properties. This work presents the effects ethanol, ultraviolet light (UV), and antibiotic sterilization processes at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 hours have on a novel 3D‐printed polycaprolactone stent. The stents were analysed using sterility tests, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, for molecular weight, and degradation tests. Results have shown ethanol to be an effective sterilization treatment as it barely affected the material's properties. On the other hand, UV had a considerable influence (mainly produced by the photodegradation of UV irradiation) on crystallinity and molecular weight. Lastly, while antibiotic sterilization did not affect crystallinity to the same degree, it did substantially reduce the molecular weight of the samples. Ethanol results in being the best sterilization method for the high material requirements that medical devices such as stents have.
Shape memory properties of dynamically vulcanized poly(lactic acid)/nitrile butadiene rubber (PLA/NBR) thermoplastic vulcanizates: The effect of ACN content in NBR
Authors: Wang Yanpeng , Zhang Chunhua , Ren Yanrong , Ding Tao , Yuan Daosheng , Chen Yukun
Published: May 2018

Morphology structure and interfacial interaction are crucial factors for shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates. In this study, shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were prepared through dynamic vulcanization. The influence of acrylonitrile (ACN) content on the morphology, compatibility, shape memory property, and mechanical property was investigated. A co‐continuous structure was observed. The interfacial compatibilization between PLA and NBR phases occurred, resulting in a significantly improved interface adhesion and interfacial interaction, which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. With such a novel structure, the PLA/NBR TPVs owned an excellent shape memory property and further improved with increasing ACN content of NBR, which could be explained that the cross‐linked continuous NBR phase provided a stronger recovery driving force. In the meantime, tensile strength and elongation at break of TPVs increased with increase in ACN content. It is concluded that the preparation of dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic vulcanizate with co‐continuous structure and strong interfacial adhesion is beneficial to obtain outstanding shape memory effect.
The importance of validating intracranial bleeding diagnoses in The Health Improvement Network, United Kingdom: Misclassification of onset and its impact on the risk associated with low‐dose aspirin therapy
Authors: Cea Soriano Lucía , Gaist David , Soriano‐Gabarró Montse , García Rodríguez Luis A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To evaluate misclassification of intracranial bleeding (ICB) onset in The Health Improvement Network and assess its impact on risk associated with low‐dose aspirin preventive therapy.

Methods

A total of 199 049 new users of low‐dose aspirin and 1:1 matched non‐users were followed to identify incident ICB cases with validation involving manual review of patient records and linked hospital data. The index date was the date of the recorded diagnosis (initial cases). After a second manual review including free text comments, the index date was backdated to the first symptom date; prevalent cases were excluded. Two nested case‐control analyses were undertaken: using initial cases and using final cases (with backdated index date). Current, recent, and past low‐dose aspirin use was defined as 0 to 7, 8 to 90, and 91 to 365 days before the index date, respectively.

Results

Among 1635 initial and 1611 final ICB cases, there were, respectively, 37% vs 38% current users of low‐dose aspirin, 10% vs 8% recent users, and 7% vs 7% past users. Current users with duration <3 months accounted for 6% of initial cases and 4% of final cases. Compared with never use, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) using initial and final cases, respectively, were current use 0.97 (0.84‐1.12) vs 0.97 (0.84‐1.12); <3 months current use, 1.65 (1.28‐2.13) vs 1.13 (0.85‐1.50); recent use 1.52 (1.24‐1.88) vs 1.10 (0.88‐1.37); and past use 1.30 (1.03‐1.64) vs 1.17 (0.92‐1.48).

Conclusions

Misclassifying ICB onset in The Health Improvement Network marginally impacts the categorization of low‐dose aspirin use yet notably affects estimates of associated risk.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of robot‐assisted vs. open partial nephrectomy
Authors: Buse Stephan , Hach Carolin E. , Klumpen Phillip , Schmitz Karoline , Mager Rene , Mottrie Alexandre , Haferkamp Axel
Published: May 2018

Background

The cost‐effectiveness of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) vs. the open procedure is not established.

Methods

We estimated in‐hospital complications and the cost of RAPN vs. open partial nephrectomy (OPN) using an economic model. Costs incurred both intraoperatively and in hospital were considered. US data were extracted from existing literature.

Results

Mean in‐hospital costs were $14,824 (95% CI $13,368–$16,898) for RAPN and $15,094 (95% CI $13,491–$17,140) for OPN. Complications after RAPN occurred in 23.3% (95% CI 20.0–25.8%) and after OPN in 36.1% (95% CI 35.6–36.6%) of the patients. In a sensitivity analysis, limited centre experience was associated with relevant increase in RAPN cost and consequently in low cost‐effectiveness.

Conclusions

In this economic model based on US data, RAPN resulted in nominally lower cost but fewer perioperative complications than OPN. RAPN was not cost‐effective in less experienced centres.
Nonhierarchical Heterostructured Fe2O3/Mn2O3 Porous Hollow Spheres for Enhanced Lithium Storage
Authors: Ren Wenhao , Liu Dongna , Sun Congli , Yao Xuhui , Tan Jian , Wang Chongmin , Zhao Kangning , Wang Xuanpeng , Li Qi , Mai Liqiang
Published: May 2018

High capacity transition‐metal oxides play significant roles as battery anodes benefiting from their tunable redox chemistry, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the application of these conversion‐type electrodes is hampered by inherent large volume variation and poor kinetics. Here, a binary metal oxide prototype, denoted as nonhierarchical heterostructured Fe2O3/Mn2O3 porous hollow spheres, is proposed through a one‐pot self‐assembly method. Beyond conventional heteromaterial, Fe2O3/Mn2O3 based on the interface of (104)Fe2O3 and (222)Mn2O3 exhibits the nonhierarchical configuration, where nanosized building blocks are integrated into microsized spheres, leading to the enhanced structural stability and boosted reaction kinetics. With this design, the Fe2O3/Mn2O3 anode shows a high reversible capacity of 1075 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, an outstanding rate capability of 638 mA h g−1 at 8 A g−1, and an excellent cyclability with a capacity retention of 89.3% after 600 cycles.
Mass Measurements Reveal Preferential Sorption of Mixed Solvent Components in Porous Nanoparticles
Authors: Modena Mario M. , Hirschle Patrick , Wuttke Stefan , Burg Thomas P.
Published: May 2018

The interplay of physical and chemical properties at the nanometer scale provides porous nanoparticles with unique sorption and interaction capabilities. These properties have aroused great interest toward this class of materials for application ranging from chemical and biological sensing to separation and drug delivery. However, so far the preferential uptake of different components of mixed solvents by porous nanoparticles is not measured due to a lack of methods capable of detecting the resulting change in physical properties. Here, a new method, nanomechanical mass correlation spectroscopy, is used to reveal an unexpected dependence of the effective mass density of porous metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles on the chemistry of the solvent system and on the chemical functionalization of the MOF's internal surface. Interestingly, the pore size of the nanoparticles is much too large for the exclusion of small solvent molecules by steric hindrance. The variation of effective density of the nanoparticles with the solvent composition indicates that a complex solvent environment can form within or around the nanoparticles, which may substantially differ from the solvent composition.
Nanoscale “Noise‐Source Switching” during the Optoelectronic Switching of Phase‐Separated Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Myungjae , Cho Duckhyung , Kim Jeongsu , Shin Narae , Shekhar Shashank , Hong Seunghun
Published: May 2018

A method is developed to directly map nanoscale “noise‐source switching” phenomena during the optoelectronic switching of phase‐separated polymer nanocomposites of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) molecules dispersed in a polystyrene (PS) matrix. In the method, electrical current and noise maps of the nanocomposite film are recorded using a conducting nanoprobe, enabling the mapping of a conductivity and a noise‐source density. The results provide evidence for a repeated modulation in noise sources, a “noise‐source switching,” in each stage of a switching cycle. Interestingly, when the nanocomposite is “set” by a high bias, insulating PS‐rich phases shows a drastic decrease in a noise‐source density which becomes lower than that of conducting TTF‐PCBM‐rich phases. This can be attributed to a trap filling by charge carriers generated from a TTF (donor)–PCBM (acceptor) complex. In addition, when the film is exposed to UV, an optical switching occurs due to chemical reactions which lead to irreversible changes on the noise‐source density and conductivity. The method provides a new insight on noise‐source activities during the optoelectronic switching of polymer nanocomposites and thus can be a powerful tool for basic noise research and applications in organic memory devices.
A Fully Biodegradable Battery for Self‐Powered Transient Implants
Authors: Huang Xueying , Wang Dan , Yuan Zhangyi , Xie Wensheng , Wu Yixin , Li Rongfeng , Zhao Yu , Luo Deng , Cen Liang , Chen Binbin , Wu Hui , Xu Hangxun , Sheng Xing , Zhang Milin , Zhao Lingyun , Yin Lan
Published: May 2018

Biodegradable transient devices represent an emerging type of electronics that could play an essential role in medical therapeutic/diagnostic processes, such as wound healing and tissue regeneration. The associated biodegradable power sources, however, remain as a major challenge toward future clinical applications, as the demonstrated electrical stimulation and sensing functions are limited by wired external power or wireless energy harvesters via near‐field coupling. Here, materials' strategies and fabrication schemes that enable a high‐performance fully biodegradable magnesium–molybdenum trioxide battery as an alternative approach for an in vivo on‐board power supply are reported. The battery can deliver a stable high output voltage as well as prolonged lifetime that could satisfy requirements of representative implantable electronics. The battery is fully biodegradable and demonstrates desirable biocompatibility. The battery system provides a promising solution to advanced energy harvesters for self‐powered transient bioresorbable implants as well as eco‐friendly electronics.
A Generalizable Top‐Down Nanostructuring Method of Bulk Oxides: Sequential Oxygen–Nitrogen Exchange Reaction
Authors: Lee Lanlee , Kang Byungwuk , Han Suyoung , Kim Hee‐eun , Lee Moo Dong , Bang Jin Ho
Published: May 2018

A thermal reaction route that induces grain fracture instead of grain growth is devised and developed as a top‐down approach to prepare nanostructured oxides from bulk solids. This novel synthesis approach, referred to as the sequential oxygen–nitrogen exchange (SONE) reaction, exploits the reversible anion exchange between oxygen and nitrogen in oxides that is driven by a simple two‐step thermal treatment in ammonia and air. Internal stress developed by significant structural rearrangement via the formation of (oxy)nitride and the creation of oxygen vacancies and their subsequent combination into nanopores transforms bulk solid oxides into nanostructured oxides. The SONE reaction can be applicable to most transition metal oxides, and when utilized in a lithium‐ion battery, the produced nanostructured materials are superior to their bulk counterparts and even comparable to those produced by conventional bottom‐up approaches. Given its simplicity and scalability, this synthesis method could open a new avenue to the development of high‐performance nanostructured electrode materials that can meet the industrial demand of cost‐effectiveness for mass production.
Metal Nanoparticle Carbon Gel Composites in Environmental Water Sensing Applications
Authors: Niu Pengfei , Gich Martí , Roig Anna , Fernández‐Sánchez César
Published: May 2018

The synthesis of organic‐inorganic nanocomposites that can interact with different environmental pollutants and can be mass‐produced are very promising materials for the fabrication of chemical sensor devices. Among them, metal (or metal oxide) nanoparticles doped conductive porous carbon composites can be readily applied to the production of electrochemical sensors and show enhanced sensitivity for the measurement of water pollutants, thanks to the abundant accessible and functional sites provided by the interconnected porosity and the metallic nanoparticles, respectively. In this personal account, an overview of several synthesis routes of porous carbon composites containing metallic nanoparticles is given, paying special attention to those based on sol‐gel techniques. These are very powerful to synthesize hybrid porous materials that can be easily processed into powders and thin films, so that they can be implemented in electrode fabrication processes based on screen‐printing and lithography techniques, respectively. We emphasize the sol‐gel routes developed in our group for the synthesis of bismuth or gold nanoparticle doped porous carbon composites applied to fabricate electrochemical sensors that can be scaled down to produce miniaturized on‐chip sensing devices for the sensitive detection of heavy metal pollutants in water. The trend towards the miniaturization of electrochemical sensors to be readily employed as analytical tools in environmental monitoring follow the market requirements of rapid and accurate on‐site analysis, small sample consumption and waste production, as well as potential for continuous or semi‐continuous in‐situ determination of a wide variety of target analytes.
Recent Advances in the Separation of Rare Earth Elements Using Mesoporous Hybrid Materials
Authors: Hu Yimu , Florek Justyna , Larivière Dominic , Fontaine Frédéric‐Georges , Kleitz Freddy
Published: May 2018

Over the past decades, the need for rare earth elements (REEs) has increased substantially, mostly because these elements are used as valuable additives in advanced technologies. However, the difference in ionic radius between neighboring REEs is small, which renders an efficient sized‐based separation extremely challenging. Among different types of extraction methods, solid‐phase extraction (SPE) is a promising candidate, featuring high enrichment factor, rapid adsorption kinetics, reduced solvent consumption and minimized waste generation. The great challenge remains yet to develop highly efficient and selective adsorbents for this process. In this regard, ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs) possess high specific surface area, tunable pore size, large pore volume, as well as stable and interconnected frameworks with active pore surfaces for functionalization. Such features meet the requirements for enhanced adsorbents, not only providing huge reactional interface and large surface capable of accommodating guest species, but also enabling the possibility of ion‐specific binding for enrichment and separation purposes. This short personal account summarizes some of the recent advances in the use of porous hybrid materials as selective sorbents for REE separation and purification, with particular attention devoted to ordered mesoporous silica and carbon‐based sorbents.
De.mem adds membrane technology with large market potential to its proprietary technology portfolio
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: May 2018

Singaporean–Australian decentralised water and wastewater treatment business De.mem Ltd recently added new hollow-fibre forward osmosis membrane technology to its portfolio. The company says that it has the potential to provide substantial cost-savings for customers that currently rely on expensive zero liquid discharge processes and evaporators.
Temporal Variability of Dissolved Organic Radiocarbon in the Deep North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Druffel Ellen R M , Griffin Sheila , Wang Ning , Walker Brett D
Published: May 2018

We report marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) ∆14C from seawater collected from the North central Pacific Ocean (NCP) in 2015. These measurements show DOC ∆14C values averaged –235±5‰ (n=3) in the mixed layer (24–81 m) and –544±5‰ (n=5) in the deep water (1500–5139 m). A comparison of these data with two previously published DOC ∆14C profiles from the NCP in 1985 and 1987 reveals that deep DOC ∆14C values have decreased. We discuss several possible mechanisms that could cause such a shift in DOC ∆14C values, including spatial inhomogeneity and temporal variability due to changes in the dissolution and ∆14C value of surface derived particles in the deep sea. We find that forthcoming profiles of DOC ∆14C results from the NCP will determine the primary mechanisms controlling deep DOC ∆14C distributions, and changes over the past three decades.
Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection: a systematic review
Authors: Graepp Fontoura Iolanda , Soeiro Barbosa David , Paes Antonio Marcus de Andrade , Santos Floriacy Stabnow , Santos Neto Marcelino , Fontoura Volmar Morais , Costa Jackson Mauricio Lopes , Abreu Silva Ana Lúcia
Published: May 2018

Coinfection with human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become an emerging public health problem in several parts of the world, with high morbidity and mortality rates. A systematic review was carried out in the literature available in PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs related to HVL associated with HIV coinfection, seeking to analyze epidemiological, clinical and laboratory aspects. Of the 265 articles found, 15 articles were included in the qualitative analysis, which referred to the results of HVL treatment in patients coinfected with HIV. In the published articles between 2007 and 2015, 1171 cases of HVL/HIV coinfection were identified, 86% males, average age 34 years, liposomal amphotericin B was the most commonly used drug, cure rates 68 and 20% relapses and 19% deaths, five different countries, bone marrow was used in 10/15 manuscripts. HVL/HIV coinfection is a major challenge for public health, mainly due to the difficulty in establishing an accurate diagnosis, low response to treatment with high relapse rates and evolution to death. In addition, these two pathogens act concomitantly for the depletion of the immune system, contributing to worsening the clinical picture of these diseases, which requires effective surveillance and epidemiological control measures.
Mis-modelling Singapore: China's Challenges in Learning from the City-state
Authors: Thompson Mark R. , Ortmann Stephan
Published: May 2018

Singapore exemplifies what China strives for: resilient authoritarianism despite advanced development with good governance and political stability. But lessons Chinese observers draw from the Southeast Asian city-state have been selective, leading to misconceptions. We focus on three key areas in which Chinese observers claim inspiration from the “Singapore model.” The first, Singapore's “Asian values” discourse which is seen to provide an ideological defense of non-democratic rule, overestimates the impact of top-down conservative culturalism while underestimating the difficulty of propagating Confucianism in officially still communist China. Second, while elections in Singapore are seen to bolster the ruling People Action Party's legitimacy in Singapore, they have been implemented to such a limited extent in China that any legitimation gain is unlikely. Finally, the chief lesson derived from Singapore's fight against corruption, the importance of a committed leadership, ignores the importance of the rule of law in Singapore, a legacy of colonialism very different from China's post-totalitarian trajectory.
Feature evaluation and selection for condition monitoring using a self-organizing map and spatial statistics
Authors: Silva Rui G. , Wilcox Steven J.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a novel approach to sensor-based feature evaluation and selection using a self-organizing map and spatial statistics as a combined technique applied to tool condition monitoring of the turning process. This approach takes advantage of the unique features of unsupervised neural networks combined with spatial statistics to perform analyses into the contributions of the different sensor-based features, carrying large quantities of noise, to achieve a classification of tool wear and a quantitative measure of each feature's suitability. This method does not assume a prior direct correlation between features avoiding misconstructions inherent to common approaches that assume that only obviously correlated features should be considered for condition monitoring. Instead, and taking advantage of neural networks ability to perform non-linear modeling, it has allowed a prior modeling of the process and then analyzed each feature's contribution toward classification. It was found that some of the commonly used features have proven to have a significant contribution to the classification of cutting tool wear, whereas others adversely affect classification performance. Further, it is demonstrated that the proposed combined technique can be used extensively to quantitatively evaluate the contribution of different features toward system monitoring in the presence of noisy data.
A retrospective comparison of intensity-modulated arc therapy and 3-dimensional conformal approaches in the planning of grade 3 gliomas
Authors: Sheazadi Lubna , Appleyard Robert , Foley Natalie , Foran Bernadette
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the extent to which intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) for high-grade gliomas is comparable with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in relation to the dose delivered to normal brain tissue (NBT), planning target volume (PTV) conformity and the dose delivered to brainstem and optic chiasma.

Method

A total of 16 randomly selected 3DCRT treatment plans of grade 3 gliomas were re-planned using an IMAT planning technique and dose–volume histograms were compared. Primary outcomes were maximum, mean, 1/3 and 2/3 doses to NBT outside the PTV. Also the maximum, mean, D50 and D20 doses to PTV. Secondary outcomes were maximum and mean doses to the brainstem and optic chiasm. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare data.

Results

IMAT led to a statistically significant increase in mean dose to NBT (34·4 versus 33·3 Gy, (p=0·047) but a statistically significant reduction in maximum dose to NBT (62·7 versus 63·8 Gy, p=0·004) compared with 3DCRT. IMAT led to statistically significant reductions in maximum, D50 and D20 doses to the PTV (63·3 versus 64·7 Gy, p=0·001; 60·0 versus 60·7 Gy, p=0·001 and 60·5 versus 61·8 Gy, p=0·002, respectively). No statistically significant differences were seen in doses to brainstem and optic chiasm.

Conclusion

IMAT is at least comparable with 3DCRT in relation to minimising dose to NBT and ensuring good PTV conformity. Doses delivered to organs at risk using IMAT were also comparable with 3DCRT. This study supports the continued use of IMAT for the treatment of high-grade gliomas.
Global untargeted serum metabolomic analyses nominate metabolic pathways responsive to loss of expression of the orphan metallo β-lactamase, MBLAC1
Authors: Gibson Chelsea L. , Codreanu Simona G. , Schrimpe-Rutledge Alexandra C. , Retzlaff Cassandra L. , Wright Jane , Mortlock Doug P. , Sherrod Stacy D. , McLean John A. , Blakely Randy D.
Published: May 2018

Using a metabolomics approach, we nominate pathways sensitive to loss of the metallo β-lactamase, MBLAC1.
Recent advances in an organ-on-a-chip: biomarker analysis and applications
Authors: Li Xian , Tian Tian
Published: May 2018

Recent advances in high-throughput biomarker analysis based on an organ-on-a-chip and its applications in drug development.
Redox-triggered intracellular siRNA delivery
Authors: Mutlu Agardan N. Basaran , Sarisozen Can , Torchilin Vladimir P.
Published: May 2018

Stimuli-sensitive nanoformulation achieved successful intracellular siRNA delivery and GFP downregulation due to GSH-triggered disulfide bond breakage and PEG-de-shielding without toxicity.
Influence of riboflavin on the oxidation kinetics of unsaturated fatty acids at the air/aqueous interface revealed by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Ma Yingxue , Hou Jian , Hao Wenying , Liu Jianchuan , Meng Lingwei , Lu Zhou
Published: May 2018

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) slows down the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids at the air/aqueous interface.
A new class of triphenylamine-based novel sensitizers for DSSCs: a comparative study of three different anchoring groups
Authors: Patil Dinesh , Jadhav Manoj , Avhad Kiran , Chowdhury Towhid H. , Islam Ashraful , Bedja Idriss , Sekar Nagaiyan
Published: May 2018

Triphenylamine-based dyes with chloro groups suitably placed on their π-linkers affect DSSC efficiency.
Combined spectroscopic and TDDFT study of single-double anthocyanins for application in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Prima E. C. , Nuruddin A. , Yuliarto B. , Kawamura G. , Matsuda A.
Published: May 2018

This research investigates single-double anthocyanins experimentally and theoretically for the first time.
Over 800% efficiency enhancement of all-inorganic quantum-dot light emitting diodes with an ultrathin alumina passivating layer
Authors: Ji Wenyu , Shen Huaibin , Zhang Han , Kang Zhihui , Zhang Hanzhuang
Published: May 2018

The interactions between QDs and s-NiO can be largely suppressed through introducing a ultrathin Al2O3passivating layer. This highest current efficiency (external quantum efficiency) of 34.1 cd A−1(8.1%) is achieved.
Resonant silicon nanoparticles with controllable crystalline states and nonlinear optical responses
Authors: Makarov Sergey , Kolotova Lada , Starikov Sergey , Zywietz Urs , Chichkov Boris
Published: May 2018

We propose a novel method to control the cooling rates and, thus, the optical properties of femtosecond-laser-printed silicon nanoparticles.
Photocarrier dynamics in monolayer phosphorene and bulk black phosphorus
Authors: Zereshki Peymon , Wei Yaqing , Ceballos Frank , Bellus Matthew Z. , Lane Samuel D. , Pan Shudi , Long Run , Zhao Hui
Published: May 2018

We report a combined theoretical and experimental study on photocarrier dynamics in monolayer phosphorene and bulk black phosphorus.
The light-up fluorescence of AgNCs in a “DNA bulb”
Authors: Guo Yahui , Shen Fumiao , Cheng Yuliang , Xie Yunfei , Yu Hang , Yao Weirong , Li Hung-Wing , Qian He , Pei Renjun
Published: May 2018

A “bulb”-like DNA structure was firstly used as a synthesizing template, and bright AgNCs were obtained with a quantum yield of 17.2%.
On the stabilization of ferroelectric negative capacitance in nanoscale devices
Authors: Hoffmann Michael , Pešić Milan , Slesazeck Stefan , Schroeder Uwe , Mikolajick Thomas
Published: May 2018

Stabilization criteria for ferroelectric negative capacitance are more restrictive than previously thought, but downscaling of lateral device dimensions improves stability.
Highly stable and porous porphyrin-based zirconium and hafnium phosphonates – electron crystallography as an important tool for structure elucidation
Authors: Rhauderwiek Timo , Zhao Haishuang , Hirschle Patrick , Döblinger Markus , Bueken Bart , Reinsch Helge , De Vos Dirk , Wuttke Stefan , Kolb Ute , Stock Norbert
Published: May 2018

A highly porous and stable Zr-MOF containing a planar porphyrin-based tetraphosphonic acid was synthesized and characterized regarding its sorption properties and chemical stability.
Insensitizing control for linear and semi-linear heat equations with partially unknown domain
Authors: Lissy Pierre , Privat Yannick , Simporé Yacouba
Published: May 2018

We consider a semi-linear heat equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions and globally Lipschitz nonlinearity, posed on a bounded domain of ℝN (N ∈ ℕ*), assumed to be an unknown perturbation of a reference domain. We are interested in an insensitizing control problem, which consists in finding a distributed control such that some functional of the state is insensitive at the first order to the perturbations of the domain. Our first result consists of an approximate insensitization property on the semi-linear heat equation. It rests upon a linearization procedure together with the use of an appropriate fixed point theorem. For the linear case, an appropriate duality theory is developed, so that the problem can be seen as a consequence of well-known unique continuation theorems. Our second result is specific to the linear case. We show a property of exact insensitization for some families of deformation given by one or two parameters. Due to the nonlinearity of the intrinsic control problem, no duality theory is available, so that our proof relies on a geometrical approach and direct computations.
Modelling the role of opportunistic diseases in coinfection
Authors: Marvá Marcos , Bravo de la Parra Rafael , Venturino Ezio
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we formulate a model for evaluating the effects of an opportunistic disease affecting only those individuals already infected by a primary disease. The opportunistic disease act on a faster time scale and it is represented by an SIS epidemic model with frequency-dependent transmission. The primary disease is governed by an SIS epidemic model with density-dependent transmission, and we consider two different recovery cases. The first one assumes a constant recovery rate whereas the second one takes into account limited treatment resources by means of a saturating treatment rate. No demographics is included in these models.

Our results indicate that misunderstanding the role of the opportunistic disease may lead to wrong estimates of the overall potential amount of infected individuals. In the case of constant recovery rate, an expression measuring this discrepancy is derived, as well as conditions on the opportunistic disease imposing a coinfection endemic state on a primary disease otherwise tending to disappear. The case of saturating treatment rate adds the phenomenon of backward bifurcation, which fosters the presence of endemic coinfection and greater levels of infected individuals. Nevertheless, there are specific situations where increasing the opportunistic disease basic reproduction number helps to eradicate both diseases.
Anthropometric measurements in Ponseti treated clubfeet
Authors: Agarwal Anil , Rastogi Anuj
Published: May 2018

Introduction: We measured the foot dimensions in the Ponseti treated idiopathic clubfeet to compare differences in foot sizes, if any.

Patient and Methods: The foot length and width in unaffected, unilateral and bilateral clubfeet were measured and analysed statistically.

Results: Average follow up was 22.2 months. Bilateral feet were similar in size. The unilateral affected feet matched in size with contralateral unaffected feet. The size difference between bilateral and unilateral affected feet was not significant. The bilateral feet were significantly smaller than age matched unaffected feet [in length 0.8 cm (6.1%); p = 0.03 and in width 0.2 cm, (3.7%); p = 0.03]. The unilateral foot was comparable with contralateral unaffected foot both during and post bracing.

Conclusions: Post Ponseti treatment, inter bilateral, unilateral affected versus unaffected, bilateral versus unilateral affected feet matched in size. The overall clubfeet size especially those with bilateral disease were significantly shorter than unaffected side. The Ponseti managed unilateral foot size was comparable with unaffected foot during the bracing duration and size comparability was maintained even after bracing protocol of 3 years was over.
Ältere Autofahrer: Gefahr oder Gefährdete?
Authors: Lukas Albert
Published: May 2018

Was ist neu?

Bedeutung der Mobilität Zahlreiche Studien der letzten Jahre belegen die Bedeutung des Autofahrens für ältere Menschen, sowie dessen Einfluss auf das mentale, körperliche und soziale Wohlbefinden von Senioren.

Die aktuelle Unfallstatistik Nach den absoluten Unfallzahlen stellen ältere Autofahrer nach wie vor keine besonders auffällige Risikogruppe dar. Zwar stiegen in den letzten Jahren insgesamt die Unfallzahlen von Senioren, verglichen mit der Hochrisikogruppe der 18 – 24-Jährigen verursachen sie aber immer noch deutlich weniger Unfälle. Wenn Senioren allerdings einen Unfall verursachen, sind sie häufig die Hauptverursacher und tragen aufgrund ihrer höheren Vulnerabilität die schwereren Unfallfolgen.

Maßnahmen zur Sicherstellung Nach wie vor gibt es keinen wissenschaftlichen Beweis über den Nutzen regelmäßiger Fahrtauglichkeitsuntersuchungen ab einem bestimmten Alter.

Fahreignung und höheres Lebensalter Trainingsprogramme können eine gute Gelegenheit für ältere Verkehrsteilnehmer darstellen, auf altersbedingte physische und kognitive Veränderungen aufmerksam zu werden und zu reagieren.

Assessment der Fahreignung Das Sehvermögen, die Kognition und die motorische Funktion zählen zu den drei Schlüsseldomänen des Autofahrens. Nach wie vor ist nicht geklärt, welche Assessments am besten die Fahreignung eines Seniors abbilden. Am ehesten wird man ein ganzes Set unterschiedlicher kognitiver und funktioneller Assessments anwenden müssen. Goldstandard ist nach wie vor die Fahrprobe.
Die tubulointerstitielle Nephritis (medikamentös/infektiös)
Authors: Strutz Frank , Grupp Clemens
Published: May 2018

Was ist neu?

Ursachen Bei der akuten Form der tubulointerstitiellen Nephritis (TIN) sind meist allergische Reaktionen auf Medikamente die Ursache, neben Antibiotika zunehmend auch Protonenpumpenhemmer. Bei den infektiösen Formen war zuletzt eine Zunahme von Hanta-Virus-Infektionen zu beobachten. Relativ neu beschrieben ist die IgG4-assoziierte Form.

Diagnostik Eine definitive Diagnose der TIN ist nur mittels Nierenbiopsie möglich. Diese wird selten gewonnen, sodass von einer hohen Dunkelziffer auszugehen ist. Die IgG4-assoziierte Form weist spezifische histologische Veränderungen auf. Essenziell ist eine sorgfältige Anamnese. Laborchemisch typisch, aber wenig spezifisch ist ein Anstieg der Retentionsparameter bei geringgradiger Proteinurie und nicht glomerulärer Hämaturie. Definitiv gesicherte Marker für das Vorliegen einer TIN sind bislang nicht validiert.

Therapie Die wichtigste therapeutische Maßnahme besteht im Ausschalten eines potenziellen Auslösers. Medikamentöse Therapie der ersten Wahl sind Glukokortikoide, obgleich die studienbasierte Evidenz sehr schmal ist und überwiegend auf älteren Daten beruht.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Properties of Bifunctional Allocolchicine Derivatives
Authors: Fedorov Alexey , Gracheva Iuliia , Svirshchevskaya Elena , Faerman Vladimir , Beletskaya Irina
Published: May 2018

Based on the natural antimitotic agent colchifoline as a lead structure, a series of novel bifunctional allocolchicine congeners were synthesized from commercial colchicine. The new derivatives maintain good cytotoxicity against T3M4, MiaPaCa-2, and PANC-1 cell lines. The presence of functional groups simplifies further modifications of the prepared structures and the design of novel colchicine-derived antitumor compounds with desired pharmacological properties.
Surgical Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis: A Single Tertiary Center Experience
Authors: Nachum Eyal , Sternik Leonid , Kassif Yigal , Raanani Ehud , Hay Ilan , Shalabi Amjad , Buber Jonathan
Published: May 2018

Background Although surgery is the sole therapeutic option for patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP), reports on high postoperative mortality rates have led to hesitant surgery referral. The aim of this study was to report the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical pericardiectomy (SP) from a large tertiary center.

Methods Between January 2005 and January 2017, 55 consecutive patients underwent SP after comprehensive echocardiography, computed tomography, and hemodynamic studies. Detailed clinical, imaging, surgical techniques and follow-up outcomes were recorded.

Results The most common etiology was idiopathic (n = 27, 49%) and 33 patients (60%) were in functional class 3/4. Sixteen patients (29%) underwent concomitant interventions during SP, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used in these, as well as in four additional cases. Complete resection, independent of CPB, was achieved in 96%. One patient died during the index hospitalization, and four (7%) needed re-explorations due to bleeding. While 12 patients (22%) died during a mean follow-up of 52 ± 39 months, only 1 death was due to right heart failure. Functional class significantly improved (with a p-value < 0.001), diuretics were discontinued in all, and significant reductions of right atrial pressures were recorded. None of these outcomes differed as a result of concomitant interventions at the time of SP.

Conclusion Short- and long-term outcomes of SP, performed either alone or concomitantly with other procedures, indicate high safety and favorable clinical and hemodynamic efficacy for the treatment of CP.
Periphere arterielle Verschlusskrankheit – Entwicklungen zur Morbidität und Letalität in Deutschland
Authors: Malyar Nasser , Freisinger Eva , Reinecke Holger
Published: May 2018

Was ist neu?

Morbidität der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit Die Mehrheit der Patienten mit peripherer arterieller Verschlusskrankheit (pAVK) ist asymptomatisch. Bundesweite Analysen belegen einen überproportionalen Anstieg der pAVK, insbesondere des Anteils der Patienten mit einer schweren Form der pAVK, der sogenannten chronisch-kritischen Ischämie.

Trends hinsichtlich Risikofaktoren und Komorbiditäten, Amputation und Letalität Systematische Analysen zeigen, dass die Rate an Komorbiditäten und kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren bei pAVK-Patienten stetig ansteigt, hier insbesondere Nieren- und Herzinsuffizienz. Verlaufsanalysen zeigen einen Rückgang der Major-Amputationsrate in den letzten Jahren, wenn auch auf Kosten eines Anstiegs der Minor-Amputationen. Die Gesamtzahl der ischämischen Amputationen bleibt jedoch weiterhin hoch (> 50 000/Jahr). Amputation und Letalität korrelieren mit dem klinischen Stadium (Schweregrad) der pAVK.

Ursachenforschung für die fehlende Prognoseverbesserung Die Prognose hinsichtlich Amputation und Letalität bei pAVK-Patienten ist im Vergleich zum historischen Kollektiv unverändert schlecht. Die spezifischen Ursachen dafür sind bisher nicht eindeutig geklärt, jedoch dürfte die mangelhafte Umsetzung der evidenzbasierten Therapieempfehlungen und Sekundärprävention eine wichtige Ursache und somit eine Zielgröße zukünftiger Therapiestrategie darstellen.
The future of OHS inspections using intrinsically safe mobile technology
Authors: Shibi Naaman , Ahlgren Karl V.
Published: May 2018

The use of mobile technology is the future of conducting occupational health and safety (OHS) inspection; it addresses many current issues and streamlines the safety inspection process. Performing safety inspections in hazardous areas requires the safety inspector to carry only intrinsically safe (IS) devices certified for the hazardous area. With the introduction of smart phone and tablets, there is now a range of IS devices (Zone 1 and Zone 2) that allow mobile devices to be used in hazardous areas for safety inspections. These new IS devices allow the use of various types of more widespread mobile devices. The technology is extremely flexible and allows for inspection processes to be modified in line with new regulations, standards and organisation specific OHS needs. The benefit of using mobile devices is further clear when considering the lengthy list of new features available to the user. The possibilities through embracing the technological revolution cannot be understated.
Australia's LNG wars – an industry under fire
Authors: Kavonic Saul
Published: May 2018

As the construction of Australia’s impressive liquefied natural gas (LNG) arsenal (that included multiple world firsts) ends, new weapons and tactics will now be employed. The industry is coming under fire politically, and new battle fronts are emerging as renewables rise in the power generation mix. Amidst the brave new industry landscape, some Australian LNG projects and companies will advance and add value, while others will retreat.
In this paper I ask the questions ‘how will the Australian LNG industry survive in the face of softer prices; and how will industry strategy be adapted?’ I will provide an outlook for Australia’s LNG sector and how it will continue the fight for market share at the global level. Cost will be king and Australia will march forward if the troops can be rallied. I highlight the challenges that the industry faces from various policy fronts, and discuss the risks posed by the ever growing multitude of cries for government intervention across the sector, as friendly fire from policy makers hamper progress. I critically analyse the case for domestic gas reinforcements: will a west east pipeline come to the rescue, or will Queensland LNG ‘advance to the rear’, or perhaps the world’s largest LNG exporter turn importer?
Opportunities for more value remain for the brave as Australia faces a new gas paradigm amidst tumultuous global conditions.
Australian onshore petroleum acreage and releases 2018
Authors: Alexander Elinor
Published: May 2018

This paper is a compilation of information provided by state and territory jurisdictions about onshore acreage and its availability for petroleum exploration in 2018. Australian state and territory governments continue to research and promote petroleum prospectivity to stimulate local and international investment in petroleum exploration by generating new exploration concepts and opportunities, facilitating discoveries and fostering new ideas to assist the nation’s upstream petroleum sector to keep on delivering the maximum net benefits to all Australians.
Present and future policy directions that relate to onshore petroleum exploration are described, particularly for jurisdictions that are not making petroleum acreage available this year.
Contracting with small businesses: include unfair terms in your standard form contracts at your peril
Authors: Freeman Anne
Published: May 2018

Many companies operating in the oil and gas space might think that the Australian Consumer Law has little impact on them. However, in November 2016, amendments were made to the Competition and Consumer Act extending the unfair contract terms regime under that legislation beyond dealings with individual consumers to small businesses.
This reform has potential far-reaching consequences for companies in the oil and gas sector which use standard form contracts with suppliers of goods and services. A standard form contract is one that is prepared by one party to the contract where the other party has little or no opportunity to negotiate the terms. If the contract counterparty is a small business (employing less than 20 employees) and if the upfront price is no more than $300 000 or $1 million if the contract is for more than 12 months, it is caught by this regime. If the standard form contract contains terms which are unfair, those terms may be declared void and there may be other consequences, including orders for monetary redress, penalties and the entire contract being avoided.
This extended abstract will explain the business to business unfair contracts regime, including what contracts it affects, which contracts and terms are excluded from the regime, and it will examine, by way of some case studies, the types of terms which have been found to be unfair.
Rock typing and facies identification using fractal theory and conventional petrophysical logs
Authors: Koochak Roozbeh , Haghighi Manouchehr , Sayyafzadeh Mohammad , Bunch Mark
Published: May 2018

Rock typing or subdivision of a reservoir either vertically or laterally is an important task in reservoir characterisation and production prediction. Different depositional environments and diagenetic effects create rocks with different grain size distribution and grain sorting. Rock typing and zonation is usually made by analysing log data and core data (mercury injection capillary pressure and permeability measurement). In this paper, we introduce a new technique (approach) for rock typing using fractal theory in which resistivity logs are the only required data.
Since resistivity logs are sensitive to rock texture, in this study, deep conventional resistivity logs are used from eight different wells. Fractal theory is applied to our log data to seek any meaningful relationship between the variability of resistivity logs and complexity of rock fabric. Fractal theory has been previously used in many stochastic processes which have common features on multiple scales. The fractal property of a system is usually characterised by a fractal dimension. Therefore, the fractal dimension of all the resistivity logs is obtained.
The results of our case studies in the Cooper Basin of Australia show that the fractal dimension of resistivity logs increases from 1.14 to 1.29 for clean to shaly sand respectively, indicating that the fractal dimension increases with complexity of rock texture. The fractal dimension of resistivity logs is indicative of the complexity of pore fabric, and therefore can be used to define rock types.