bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life After Endoscopic Lumbar Sympathectomy for Primary Plantar Hyperhidrosis
Authors: Rieger Roman , Pedevilla Sonja , Lausecker Johannes
Published: December 2014

Background

Primary plantar hyperhidrosis is characterised by excessive secretion of the sweat glands of the feet and may lead to significant limitations in private and professional lifestyle. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the effect of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ESL) on the quality of life (QL) of patients with primary plantar hyperhidrosis.

Methods

Bilateral ESL was performed on 52 patients, 31 men and 21 women with primary plantar hyperhidrosis. Perioperative morbidity and clinical results were evaluated in all patients after a mean follow‐up of 15 months. Postoperative QL was examined with the SF‐36V2 questionnaire and the hyperhidrosis‐specific questionnaires devised by Milanez de Campos and Keller.

Results

All procedures were carried out endoscopically with no perioperative morbidity. Plantar hyperhidrosis was eliminated in 50 patients (96 %) and two patients (4 %) suffered a relapse. Unwanted side effects occurred in the form of compensatory sweating in 34 (65 %) and in the form of postsympathectomy neuralgia in 19 patients (37 %). Ninety six percentage of patients were satisfied with the postoperative result and 88 % would have the surgery repeated. The SF‐36V2 questionnaire revealed a significant improvement of QL after lumbar sympathectomy in physical health (physical component summary, p < 0.01) as well as mental health (mental component summary, p < 0.05). Improved QL was also demonstrated in the Milanez de Campos questionnaire in the dimensions functionality/social interactions (p < 0.01), intimacy (p < 0.01), emotionality (p < 0.01) and specific circumstances (p < 0.01) as well as in the Keller questionnaire in the area of plantar hyperhidrosis (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The performance of an ESL in patients with primary plantar hyperhidrosis leads to the effective elimination of excessive sweat secretion of the feet and to an increase in QL.
Enhanced humanization and affinity maturation of neutralizing anti‐hepatitis B virus preS1 antibody based on antigen–antibody complex structure
Authors: Kim Jin Hong , Gripon Philippe , Bouezzedine Fidaa , Jeong Mun Sik , Chi Seung-Wook , Ryu Seong-Eon , Hong Hyo Jeong
Published: December 2014

To improve a previously constructed broadly neutralizing hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐specific preS1 humanized antibody (HzKR127), we further humanized it through specificity‐determining residue (SDR) grafting. Moreover, we improved affinity by mutating two residues in heavy‐chain complementarity‐determining regions (CDR), on the basis of the crystal structure of the antigen–antibody complex. HzKR127‐3.2 exhibited 2.5‐fold higher affinity and enhanced virus‐neutralizing activity compared to the original KR127 antibody and showed less immunogenic potential than HzKR127. Enhanced virus‐neutralizing activity was achieved by the increased association rate, providing insights into engineering potent antibody therapeutics for HBV immunoprophylaxis. HzKR127‐3.2 may be a good candidate for HBV immunoprophylaxis.
Brand authenticity: An integrative framework and measurement scale
Authors: Morhart Felicitas , Malär Lucia , Guèvremont Amélie , Girardin Florent , Grohmann Bianca
Published: December 2014

Although brand authenticity is gaining increasing interest in consumer behavior research and managerial practice, literature on its measurement and contribution to branding theory is still limited. This article develops an integrative framework of the concept of brand authenticity and reports the development and validation of a scale measuring consumers' perceived brand authenticity (PBA). A multi‐phase scale development process resulted in a 15‐item PBA scale measuring four dimensions: credibility, integrity, symbolism, and continuity. This scale is reliable across different brands and cultural contexts. We find that brand authenticity perceptions are influenced by indexical, existential, and iconic cues, whereby some of the latters' influence is moderated by consumers' level of marketing skepticism. Results also suggest that PBA increases emotional brand attachment and word‐of‐mouth, and that it drives brand choice likelihood through self‐congruence for consumers high in self‐authenticity.
Fiscal Governance in the Eurozone: How Effectively Does the Stability and Growth Pact Limit Governmental Debt in the Euro Countries?
Authors: Koehler Sebastian , König Thomas
Published: December 2014

The European sovereign debt crisis continues to hold Europe and the world captive. Will the euro and the fiscal mechanism of the eurozone survive? And how effective is the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP)? Do the euro countries generally fail to comply with the rules of fiscal governance, or does the eurozone need a more member-specific fiscal mechanism? This article examines whether and how the SGP influenced the development of government debt making in the euro countries after the introduction of the common currency. While the SGP could not prevent euro countries from exceeding their deficits, this study’s synthetic control analysis reveals that the mechanism has effectively reduced the overall government debt of euro countries since 1999. In particular, donor countries were able to control governmental spending, while many recipient countries—including Greece, Portugal and Italy—have increased government debt ever since, resulting in the European sovereign debt crisis. This suggests that while the SGP effectively constrained overall government debt making, a more sophisticated mechanism is required for safeguarding compliance in large recipient countries.
Inflated Expectations: How Government Partisanship Shapes Monetary Policy Bureaucrats’ Inflation Forecasts
Authors: Gandrud Christopher , Grafström Cassandra
Published: December 2014

Governments’ party identifications can indicate the types of economic policies they are likely to pursue. A common rule of thumb is that left-party governments are expected to pursue policies for lower unemployment, but which may cause inflation. Right-party governments are expected to pursue lower inflation policies. How do these expectations shape the inflation forecasts of monetary policy bureaucrats? If there is a mismatch between the policies, bureaucratsexpectgovernments to implement, and those that theyactuallydo, forecasts will be systematically biased. Using US Federal Reserve Staff’s forecasts we test for executive partisan biases. We find that irrespective of actual policy and economic conditions forecasters systematically overestimate future inflation during left-party presidencies and underestimate future inflation during right-party ones. Our findings suggest that partisan heuristics play an important part in monetary policy bureaucrats’ inflation expectations.
Energetic particles in magnetotail reconnection
Authors: Peng Ivy Bo , Vencels Juris , Lapenta Giovanni , Divin Andrey , Vaivads Andris , Laure Erwin , Markidis Stefano
Published: December 2014

We carried out a 3D fully kinetic simulation of Earth's magnetotail magnetic reconnection to study the dynamics of energetic particles. We developed and implemented a new relativistic particle mover in iPIC3D, an implicit Particle-in-Cell code, to correctly model the dynamics of energetic particles. Before the onset of magnetic reconnection, energetic electrons are found localized close to current sheet and accelerated by lower hybrid drift instability. During magnetic reconnection, energetic particles are found in the reconnection region along thex-line and in the separatrices region. The energetic electrons are first present in localized stripes of the separatrices and finally cover all the separatrix surfaces. Along the separatrices, regions with strong electron deceleration are found. In the reconnection region, two categories of electron trajectory are identified. First, part of the electrons are trapped in the reconnection region, bouncing a few times between the outflow jets. Second, part of the electrons pass the reconnection region without being trapped. Different from electrons, energetic ions are localized on the reconnection fronts of the outflow jets.
Representations of Homotopy Lie–Rinehart Algebras
Authors: VITAGLIANO LUCA
Published: December 2014

I propose a definition of left/right connection along a strong homotopy Lie–Rinehart algebra. This allows me to generalise simultaneously representations up to homotopy of Lie algebroids and actions ofL∞algebras on graded manifolds. I also discuss the Schouten-Nijenhuis calculus associated to strong homotopy Lie–Rinehart connections.
Intestinal colonization of broiler chickens byCampylobacterspp. in an experimental infection study
Authors: BAHRNDORFF S. , GARCIA A. B. , VIGRE H. , NAUTA M. , HEEGAARD P. M. H. , MADSEN M. , HOORFAR J. , HALD B.
Published: December 2014

Consumption of poultry meat is considered as one of the main sources of human campylobacteriosis, and there is clearly a need for new surveillance and control measures based on quantitative data onCampylobacterspp. colonization dynamics in broiler chickens. We conducted four experimental infection trials, using four isolators during each infection trial to evaluate colonization of individual broiler chickens byCampylobacter jejuniover time. Individual and pooled faecal samples were obtained at days 4, 7 and 12 post-inoculation (p.i.) and caecal samples at day 12 p.i. There were large differences between broiler chickens in the number ofC. jejuniin caecal and faecal material. Faecal samples ofC. jejuniranged from 4·0 to 9·4 log c.f.u./g and from 4·8 to 9·3 log c.f.u./g in the caeca. Faecal c.f.u./g decreased with time p.i. Most variation in c.f.u. for faecal and caecal samples was attributed to broiler chickens and a minor part to isolators, whereas infection trials did not affect the total variance. The results showed that pooled samples within isolators had lower c.f.u./g compared to the arithmetic mean of the individual samples. There was a significant correlation between faecal c.f.u./g at days 4 and 7 p.i., days 7 and 12 p.i. and for caecal and faecal c.f.u./g at day 12 p.i.
Moral Enhancement, Gnosticism, and Some Philosophical Paradoxes
Authors: BARILAN Y. M.
Published: December 2014

This article examines the concept of moral enhancement from two different perspectives. The first is a bottom-up approach, which aims at identifying fundamental moral traits and subcapacities as targets for enhancement. The second perspective, a top-down approach, is holistic and in line with virtue ethics. Both perspectives lead to the observation that alterations of material and social conditions are the most reliable means to improve prosocial behavior overall.

Moral enhancement as a preventive measure invokes Gnostic narratives on the allegedly fallen status of human nature, its search for salvation, and the dependence of the laity on heteronomous salvific interventions. The allure of the preventive kind of enhancement is attributable to its religious hues.

Owing to the absence of clarity regarding moral enhancement and of metrics to evaluate its progress, humanity is at risk of prioritizing unclear and unsubstantiated measures of preventive diminishment at the expense of celebrating human capacities and joys.
Evolution of DOHaD: the impact of environmental health sciences
Authors: Haugen A. C. , Schug T. T. , Collman G. , Heindel J. J.
Published: December 2014

Environmental exposures have a significant influence on the chronic health conditions plaguing children and adults. Although the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) paradigm historically has focused on nutrition, an expanding body of research specifically communicates the effects of chemical exposures on early-life development and the propagation of non-communicable disease across the lifespan. This paper provides an overview of 20 years of research efforts aimed at identifying critical windows of susceptibility to environmental exposures and the signaling changes and epigenetic influences associated with disease progression. DOHaD grants funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1991, 2001 and 2011 are identified by grant-analysis software, and each portfolio is analyzed for exposures, disease endpoints, windows of exposure, study design and impact on the field based on publication data. Results show that the 1991 and 2001 portfolios comprised metals, PCBs and air pollutants; however, by 2011, the portfolio has evolved to include or expand the variety of endocrine disruptors, pesticides/persistent organic pollutants and metals. An assortment of brain-health endpoints is most targeted across the portfolios, whereas reproduction and cancer increase steadily over the same time period, and new endpoints like obesity are introduced by 2011. With mounting evidence connecting early-life exposures to later-life disease, we conclude that it is critical to expand the original DOHaD concept to include environmental chemical exposures, and to continue a research agenda that emphasizes defining sensitive windows of exposure and the mechanisms that cause disease.
Stem cell differentiation increases membrane-actin adhesion regulating cell blebability, migration and mechanics
Authors: Sliogeryte Kristina , Thorpe Stephen D. , Lee David A. , Botto Lorenzo , Knight Martin M.
Published: December 2014

This study examines how differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells regulates the interaction between the cell membrane and the actin cortex controlling cell behavior. Micropipette aspiration was used to measure the pressure required for membrane-cortex detachment which increased from 0.15 kPa in stem cells to 0.71 kPa following chondrogenic differentiation. This effect was associated with reduced susceptibility to mechanical and osmotic bleb formation, reduced migration and an increase in cell modulus. Theoretical modelling of bleb formation demonstrated that the increased stiffness of differentiated cells was due to the increased membrane-cortex adhesion. Differentiated cells exhibited greater F-actin density and slower actin remodelling. Differentiated cells also expressed greater levels of the membrane-cortex ezrin, radixin, moeisin (ERM) linker proteins which was responsible for the reduced blebability, as confirmed by transfection of stem cells with dominant active ezrin-T567D-GFP. This study demonstrates that stem cells have an inherently weak membrane-cortex adhesion which increases blebability thereby regulating cell migration and stiffness.
Two-Dimensional Ordering of Solute Nanoclusters at a Close-Packed Stacking Fault: Modeling and Experimental Analysis
Authors: Kimizuka Hajime , Kurokawa Shu , Yamaguchi Akihiro , Sakai Akira , Ogata Shigenobu
Published: December 2014

Predicting the equilibrium ordered structures at internal interfaces, especially in the case of nanometer-scale chemical heterogeneities, is an ongoing challenge in materials science. In this study, we established an ab-initio coarse-grained modeling technique for describing the phase-like behavior of a close-packed stacking-fault-type interface containing solute nanoclusters, which undergo a two-dimensional disorder-order transition, depending on the temperature and composition. Notably, this approach can predict the two-dimensional medium-range ordering in the nanocluster arrays realized in Mg-based alloys, in a manner consistent with scanning tunneling microscopy-based measurements. We predicted that the repulsively interacting solute-cluster system undergoes a continuous evolution into a highly ordered densely packed morphology while maintaining a high degree of six-fold orientational order, which is attributable mainly to an entropic effect. The uncovered interaction-dependent ordering properties may be useful for the design of nanostructured materials utilizing the self-organization of two-dimensional nanocluster arrays in the close-packed interfaces.
Calibration diagnostic and updating strategy based on quantitative modeling of near-infrared spectral residuals
Authors: Yu Hua , Small Gary W.
Published: December 2014

Near-infrared spectral residuals are used to develop diagnostic and model updating procedures to enhance the performance of multivariate calibrations.
Highly reversible capacity at the surface of a lithium-rich manganese oxide: a model study using an epitaxial film system
Authors: Taminato S. , Hirayama M. , Suzuki K. , Yamada N. L. , Yonemura M. , Son J. Y. , Kanno R.
Published: December 2014

The surface region of a lithium-rich manganese oxide Li2MnO3 is intrinsically active at the electrochemical interface and exhibits a high discharge capacity over 300 mA h g−1 in the fiftieth cycle.
Crystallization of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Drisko Glenna L. , Carretero-Genevrier Adrian , Perrot Alexandre , Gich Martí , Gàzquez Jaume , Rodriguez-Carvajal Juan , Favre Luc , Grosso David , Boissière Cédric , Sanchez Clément
Published: December 2014

Amorphous structured silica can now be crystallized to pure α-quartz under relatively mild conditions, while preserving initial complex architectures.
Electrochemical hydrogenation of a homogeneous nickel complex to form a surface adsorbed hydrogen-evolving species
Authors: Martin Daniel J. , McCarthy Brian D. , Donley Carrie L. , Dempsey Jillian L.
Published: December 2014

A Ni(ii) complex with nitrogen and sulfur donor ligands degrades electrochemically in the presence of acid in acetonitrile to form an electrode adsorbed film that catalytically evolves hydrogen.
Effect of strain on the electronic and optical properties of Ge–Si dome shaped nanocrystals
Authors: Neupane Mahesh R. , Rahman Rajib , Lake Roger K.
Published: December 2014

An atomistic study of Ge-core–Si-shell nanocrystals gives a detailed picture of how strain and confinement effect the electronic and optical properties.
Solution-phase hierarchical self-organization of ultralong Se nanowires into diverse macroarchitectures and their enhanced field emission
Authors: Guo Xueli , Fang Lihui , Tan Yiwei
Published: December 2014

A variety of self-organized superstructures of ultralong Se nanowires and their superior field emission characteristics are demonstrated in this contribution.
Probing disease-related proteins with fluorogenic composite materials
Authors: He Xiao-Peng , Zang Yi , James Tony D. , Li Jia , Chen Guo-Rong
Published: December 2014

We summarise the development and application of fluorogenic composite materials (FCMs) based on graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for detection of disease related proteins on both the molecular and cellular levels.
Inactivation kinetics and mechanisms of viral and bacterial pathogen surrogates during urine nitrification
Authors: Bischel Heather N. , Schertenleib Ariane , Fumasoli Alexandra , Udert Kai M. , Kohn Tamar
Published: December 2014

Biological nitrification stabilizes nutrients in urine for fertilizer production but is insufficient as a stand-alone technology for sanitization of source-separated urine.
Synthesis of CuS flowers exhibiting versatile photo-catalyst response
Authors: Tanveer Muhammad , Cao Chuanbao , Aslam Imran , Ali Zulfiqar , Idrees Faryal , Khan Waheed Samraiz , Tahir Muhammad , Khalid Syed , Nabi Ghulam , Mahmood Asif
Published: December 2014

A controlled synthesis of CuS microflowers through sonochemical technique is carried out and their excellent and versatile natural light driven photodegradation capability has been witnessed.
Sequential Michael addition thiol–ene and radical-mediated thiol–ene reactions in one-pot produced sequence-ordered polymers
Authors: Yu Lei , Wang Long-Hai , Hu Zong-Tao , You Ye-Zi , Wu De-Cheng , Hong Chun-Yan
Published: December 2014

Sequential Michael addition-based thiol–ene and free radical mediated thiol–ene reactions for preparing sequence-ordered polymers are reported for the first time.
Solubilization and co-solubilization of carbamazepine and nifedipine in mixed micellar systems: insights from surface tension, electronic absorption, fluorescence and HPLC measurements
Authors: Maswal Masrat , Chat Oyais Ahmad , Jabeen Suraya , Ashraf Uzma , Masrat Rohi , Shah Rais Ahmad , Dar Aijaz Ahmad
Published: December 2014

We present single and simultaneous solubilization of carabamezipine and nifedipine in mixed micelles.
A robust and low-cost strategy to prepare Cu2ZnSnS4 precursor solution and its application in Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells
Authors: Tian Qingwen , Cui Yong , Wang Gang , Pan Daocheng
Published: December 2014

The metal chalcogenides are excellent choices as absorbers and buffer-layers in thin film solar cells.
Novel Cu2S quantum dots coupled flower-like BiOBr for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light
Authors: Wang Baoxiang , An Weijia , Liu Li , Chen Wei , Liang Yinghua , Cui Wenquan
Published: December 2014

The BiOBr act as excellent supporting materials to improve the dispersion of the Cu2S QDs and the well-matched overlapping band-structures greatly accelerate the separation of photogenerated carriers.
Interfacial healing of carbon fiber composites in the presence of gold nanoparticles as localized “nano-heaters”
Authors: Cao Zhenxing , Wang Rongguo , Hao Lifeng , Jiao Weicheng , Yang Fan , Wang Qi , Liu Wenbo , Zhang Boyu , Lu Xiaolong , He Xiaodong
Published: December 2014

In this paper, interfacial healing was achieved in carbon fiber composites via local heating generated by photothermal effect of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs).
Facile fabrication of highly flexible graphene paper for high-performance flexible lithium ion battery anode
Authors: Kim Mokwon , Kim Do Youb , Kang Yongku , Park O. Ok
Published: December 2014

A highly flexible graphene paper assembled from graphene nanoplatelets and graphene oxides is fabricated and shows high electrochemical performance as a Li-ion battery anode.
Surface modification of intraocular lenses with hyaluronic acid and lysozyme for the prevention of endophthalmitis and posterior capsule opacification
Authors: Wang Bailiang , Lin Quankui , Jin Tingwei , Shen Chenghui , Tang Junmei , Han Yuemei , Chen Hao
Published: December 2014

Posterior capsule opacification is one of the complications of cataract surgery caused by the adhesion and reproduction of residual human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) on the posterior capsule.
Corrosion behavior of a bipolar plate of carbon–polythene composite in a vanadium redox flow battery
Authors: Liu Huijun , Yang Lingxu , Xu Qian , Yan Chuanwei
Published: December 2014

The corrosion behavior of the bipolar plate of carbon–polythene composite (BPCPC) and the effect of corrosion on the mechanical strength of BPCPC in a vanadium redox flow battery are investigated by electrochemical methods.
Hybrid annealing method synthesis of Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 composites with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Jin-Bei , Kong Ling-Bin , Xing Man , Shi Ming , Luo Yong-Chun , Kang Long
Published: December 2014

A lithium rich composite cathode electrode material Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 was synthesized using the hybrid annealing method.
Correction: Synthesis of chitosan–gelatin molecularly imprinted membranes for extraction of l-tyrosine
Authors: Zheng Xue-Fang , Lian Qi , Yang Hua
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Synthesis of chitosan–gelatin molecularly imprinted membranes for extraction of l-tyrosine’ by Xue-Fang Zheng et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 42478–42485.
Correction: Partially embedded gold nanoislands in a glass substrate for SERS applications
Authors: Yaseen Mohammad Tariq , Chen Minfeng , Chang Yia-Chung
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Partially embedded gold nanoislands in a glass substrate for SERS applications’ by Mohammad Tariq Yaseen et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 55247–55251.
Correction: Metal-free synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes by the cyclotrimerization of enaminones or alkynes in water
Authors: Wan Jie-Ping , Lin Yunfang , Hu Kaikai , Liu Yunyun
Published: December 2014

Correction for ‘Metal-free synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes by the cyclotrimerization of enaminones or alkynes in water’ by Jie-Ping Wan et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 20499–20505.
Mesoporous alumina–zirconia–organosilica composites for CO2 capture at ambient and elevated temperatures
Authors: Gunathilake Chamila , Jaroniec Mietek
Published: December 2014

New ternary and binary composite mesostructures consisting of alumina, zirconia and organosilica with isocyanurate bridging groups were synthesized via co-condensation of suitable precursors in the presence of a triblock copolymer, Pluronic P123.
Sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride decorated with graphene quantum dots for an efficient metal-free electrocatalyst
Authors: Xu Chenyu , Han Qing , Zhao Yang , Wang Lixia , Li Yang , Qu Liangti
Published: December 2014

A rational assembly of graphene quantum dots in situ decorated onto sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for an efficient electrocatalyst.
Effects of functional groups on the structure, physicochemical and biological properties of mesoporous bioactive glass scaffolds
Authors: Zhao Shichang , Zhang Jianhua , Zhu Min , Zhang Yadong , Liu Zhongtang , Ma Yanyu , Zhu Yufang , Zhang Changqing
Published: December 2014

Functionalization of biomaterials with specific functional groups is one of the most straightforward strategies to induce specific cell responses to biomaterials.
A targeted, image-guided and dually locked photoresponsive drug delivery system
Authors: Karthik S. , Prashanth Kumar B. N. , Gangopadhyay Moumita , Mandal Mahitosh , Singh N. D. Pradeep
Published: December 2014

We have developed a new targeted image-guided photoresponsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on a dual locking strategy.
Bisphenol-A exposure alters memory consolidation and hippocampal CA1 spine formation through Wnt signaling in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Liu Zhi-Hua , Yang Ye , Ge Meng-Meng , Xu Li , Tang Yuqing , Hu Fan , Xu Yi , Wang Hui-Li
Published: December 2014

Based on Wnt signaling pathway, this study aims to further mechanistically understand memory alteration after BPA exposure.
Expression of the Shh/Bmp4 signaling pathway during the development of anorectal malformations in a male rat model of prenatal exposure to di(n-butyl) phthalate
Authors: Li En-Hui , Liang Sheng-Jie , Sun Wen-Lan , Xu Dong-Liang , Hong Yan , Xia Shu-Jie , Jiang Jun-Tao
Published: December 2014

Sonic hedgehog (Shh)/bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) is an androgen-regulated signaling pathway that has been shown to be crucial for embryonic development.
“Resonance” phenomena in a magnetic system under simultaneous torsion and pressure
Authors: Zavorotnev Yu. D. , Pashinskaya E. G.
Published: December 2014

The types of distributions of the structural and magnetic order parameters under torsion and pressure applied perpendicular to the “easy axis” of a ferromagnet are studied. It is found that these interactions cause two-sided single-phase and antiphase spatial amplitude modulations of the ordering parameters. Increased pressure leads to an increase in the amplitude of the modulations of the order parameter. Possible cases of resonance phenomena in the structural and magnetic subsystems are pointed out.
Thermodynamic anomalous Hall effect: The quantum regime
Authors: Okulov V. I. , Pamyatnykh E. A. , Lonchakov A. T.
Published: December 2014

A quantum statistical description of the anomalous Hall effect is developed within the framework of the previously proposed thermodynamic mechanism of the anomalous Hall effect in weakly magnetic electron systems with spontaneous spin polarization. A qualitative explanation of the physical nature of the thermodynamic mechanism is followed by a general formulation of the quantum theory of the effect, based on accounting for the local-equilibrium currents. The behavior of the magnetic field dependences and quantum magnetic oscillations of the physical parameters characterizing the anomalous Hall effect is discussed.
The structure of water around the compressibility minimum
Authors: Skinner L. B. , Benmore C. J. , Neuefeind J. C. , Parise J. B.
Published: December 2014

Here we present diffraction data that yield the oxygen-oxygen pair distribution function, gOO(r) over the range 254.2–365.9 K. The running O-O coordination number, which represents the integral of the pair distribution function as a function of radial distance, is found to exhibit an isosbestic point at 3.30(5) Å. The probability of finding an oxygen atom surrounding another oxygen at this distance is therefore shown to be independent of temperature and corresponds to an O-O coordination number of 4.3(2). Moreover, the experimental data also show a continuous transition associated with the second peak position in gOO(r) concomitant with the compressibility minimum at 319 K.
Markovian master equation for a classical particle coupled with arbitrary strength to a harmonic bath
Authors: Gelin Maxim F.
Published: December 2014

We consider a classical point particle bilinearly coupled to a harmonic bath. Assuming that the evolution of the particle is monitored on a timescale which is longer than the characteristic bath correlation time, we derive the Markovian master equation for the probability density of the particle. The relaxation operator of this master equation is evaluated analytically, without invoking the perturbation theory and the approximation of weak system-bath coupling. When the bath correlation time tends to zero, the Fokker-Planck equation is recovered. For a finite bath correlation time, the relaxation operator contains contributions of all orders in the system-bath coupling.
On the modeling and nonlinear dynamics of autonomous Silva-Young type chaotic oscillators with flat power spectrum
Authors: Kengne Jacques , Kenmogne Fabien
Published: December 2014

The nonlinear dynamics of fourth-order Silva-Young type chaotic oscillators with flat power spectrum recently introduced by Tamaseviciute and collaborators is considered. In this type of oscillators, a pair of semiconductor diodes in an anti-parallel connection acts as the nonlinear component necessary for generating chaotic oscillations. Based on the Shockley diode equation and an appropriate selection of the state variables, a smooth mathematical model (involving hyperbolic sine and cosine functions) is derived for a better description of both the regular and chaotic dynamics of the system. The complex behavior of the oscillator is characterized in terms of its parameters by using time series, bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents' plots, Poincaré sections, and frequency spectra. It is shown that the onset of chaos is achieved via the classical period-doubling and symmetry restoring crisis scenarios. Some PSPICE simulations of the nonlinear dynamics of the oscillator are presented in order to confirm the ability of the proposed mathematical model to accurately describe/predict both the regular and chaotic behaviors of the oscillator.
On the density limit in the helicon plasma sources
Authors: Kotelnikov Igor A.
Published: December 2014

Existence of the density limit in the helicon plasma sources is revisited. The low- and high-frequency regimes of a helicon plasma source operation are distinguished. In the low-frequency regime with ω<ωciωce, the density limit is deduced from the Golant-Stix criterion of the accessibility of the lower hybrid resonance. In the high-frequency case, ω>ωciωce, an appropriate limit is given by the Shamrai-Taranov criterion. Both these criteria are closely related to the phenomenon of the coalescence of the helicon wave with the Trivelpiece-Gould mode. We draw a conclusion that the derived density limits are not currently achieved in existing devices, perhaps, because of high energy cost of gas ionization.
Progress in indirect and direct-drive planar experiments on hydrodynamic instabilities at the ablation front
Authors: Casner A. , Masse L. , Delorme B. , Martinez D. , Huser G. , Galmiche D. , Liberatore S. , Igumenshchev I. , Olazabal-Loumé M. , Nicolaï Ph. , Breil J. , Michel D. T. , Froula D. , Seka W. , Riazuelo G. , Fujioka S. , Sunahara A. , Grech M. , Chicanne C. , Theobald M. , Borisenko N. , Orekhov A. , Tikhonchuk V. T. , Remington B. , Goncharov V. N. , Smalyuk V. A.
Published: December 2014

Understanding and mitigating hydrodynamic instabilities and the fuel mix are the key elements for achieving ignition in Inertial Confinement Fusion. Cryogenic indirect-drive implosions on the National Ignition Facility have evidenced that the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor Instability (RTI) is a driver of the hot spot mix. This motivates the switch to a more flexible higher adiabat implosion design [O. A. Hurricane et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 056313 (2014)]. The shell instability is also the main candidate for performance degradation in low-adiabat direct drive cryogenic implosions [Goncharov et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 056315 (2014)]. This paper reviews recent results acquired in planar experiments performed on the OMEGA laser facility and devoted to the modeling and mitigation of hydrodynamic instabilities at the ablation front. In application to the indirect-drive scheme, we describe results obtained with a specific ablator composition such as the laminated ablator or a graded-dopant emulator. In application to the direct drive scheme, we discuss experiments devoted to the study of laser imprinted perturbations with special phase plates. The simulations of the Richtmyer-Meshkov phase reversal during the shock transit phase are challenging, and of crucial interest because this phase sets the seed of the RTI growth. Recent works were dedicated to increasing the accuracy of measurements of the phase inversion. We conclude by presenting a novel imprint mitigation mechanism based on the use of underdense foams. The foams induce laser smoothing by parametric instabilities thus reducing the laser imprint on the CH foil.
Ablation of high-Z material dust grains in edge plasmas of magnetic fusion devices
Authors: Marenkov E. D. , Krasheninnikov S. I.
Published: December 2014

The model, including shielding effects of high-Z dust grain ablation in tokamak edge plasma, is presented. In a contrast to shielding models developed for pellets ablation in a hot plasma core, this model deals with the dust grain ablation in relatively cold edge plasma. Using some simplifications, a closed set of equations determining the grain ablation rate Γ is derived and analyzed both analytically and numerically. The scaling law for Γ versus grain radius and ambient plasma parameters is obtained and confirmed by the results of numerical solutions. The results obtained are compared with both dust grain models containing no shielding effects and the pellet ablation models.
Detector-device-independent quantum key distribution
Authors: Lim Charles Ci Wen , Korzh Boris , Martin Anthony , Bussières Félix , Thew Rob , Zbinden Hugo
Published: December 2014

Recently, a quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme based on entanglement swapping, called measurement-device-independent QKD (mdiQKD), was proposed to bypass all measurement side-channel attacks. While mdiQKD is conceptually elegant and offers a supreme level of security, the experimental complexity is challenging for practical systems. For instance, it requires interference between two widely separated independent single-photon sources, and the secret key rates are dependent on detecting two photons—one from each source. Here, we demonstrate a proof-of-principle experiment of a QKD scheme that removes the need for a two-photon system and instead uses the idea of a two-qubit single-photon to significantly simplify the implementation and improve the efficiency of mdiQKD in several aspects.
Integrated modeling of temperature profiles in L-mode tokamak discharges
Authors: Rafiq T. , Kritz A. H. , Tangri V. , Pankin A. Y. , Voitsekhovitch I. , Budny R. V. ,   JET EFDA Contributors
Published: December 2014

Simulations of doublet III-D, the joint European tokamak, and the tokamak fusion test reactor L-mode tokamak plasmas are carried out using the PTRANSP predictive integrated modeling code. The simulation and experimental temperature profiles are compared. The time evolved temperature profiles are computed utilizing the Multi-Mode anomalous transport model version 7.1 (MMM7.1) which includes transport associated with drift-resistive-inertial ballooning modes (the DRIBM model [T. Rafiq et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 082511 (2010)]). The tokamak discharges considered involved a broad range of conditions including scans over gyroradius, ITER like current ramp-up, with and without neon impurity injection, collisionality, and low and high plasma current. The comparison of simulation and experimental temperature profiles for the discharges considered is shown for the radial range from the magnetic axis to the last closed flux surface. The regions where various modes in the Multi-Mode model contribute to transport are illustrated. In the simulations carried out using the MMM7.1 model it is found that: The drift-resistive-inertial ballooning modes contribute to the anomalous transport primarily near the edge of the plasma; transport associated with the ion temperature gradient and trapped electron modes contribute in the core region but decrease in the region of the plasma boundary; and neoclassical ion thermal transport contributes mainly near the center of the discharge.
Magneto-optical spectra of transition metal dichalcogenides: A comparative study
Authors: Ho Yen-Hung , Chiu Chih-Wei , Su Wu-Pei , Lin Ming-Fa
Published: December 2014

Following our previous work [Ho et al., Phys. Rev. B 89, 155316 (2014)], we systematically calculate the magneto-optical properties of various transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers. The intrinsic spin-orbit coupling gives rise to the spin-split electronic states, while a perpendicular magnetic field further induces a valley splitting. In magneto-optical spectra with linearly polarized light, spectral features are spin and valley-polarized. Compounds are different from one another in terms of transition energies and appearance of twin peaks. Our numerical results can serve as a guide for future experimental identification.
“U-turn” feature in the efficiency-versus-current curve of GaInN/GaN light-emitting diodes
Authors: Lin Guan-Bo , Shan Qifeng , Wang Yaqi , Li Ting , Schubert E. Fred
Published: December 2014

The onset of the efficiency droop in GaInN/GaN blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), i.e., the maximum-efficiency point, typically occurs at current densities of 1–10 A/cm2 and the efficiency decreases monotonically beyond the onset. At typical operating current densities (10–100 A/cm2), LEDs are strongly affected by the droop. At cryogenic temperatures, an increase in the efficiency, i.e., a “U-turn” feature, is found in the droop regime of the efficiency-versus-current curve. The occurrence of the U-turn feature coincides with a distinct increase in device conductivity, which is attributed to an enhancement in p-type conductivity that in turn increases the injection efficiency.
Origin of the high work function and high conductivity of MoO3
Authors: Guo Yuzheng , Robertson John
Published: December 2014

The large work function of MoO3 of 6.6 eV is due to its closed shall character and the dipole layer created by planes of terminal O1 oxygen sites which lower the electrostatic potential of the inner Mo-O units. These O1 sites arise from the high stoichiometry of MoO3. The O vacancy is most stable at the 2-fold O2 site. It is a shallow donor and has a small formation energy in the O poor limit so that MoO3 easily becomes a degenerate semiconductor.
Making a hydrophoretic focuser tunable using a diaphragm
Authors: Yan Sheng , Zhang Jun , Chen Huaying , Alici Gursel , Du Haiping , Zhu Yonggang , Li Weihua
Published: December 2014

Microfluidic diagnostic devices often require handling particles or cells with different sizes. In this investigation, a tunable hydrophoretic device was developed which consists of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab with hydrophoretic channel, a PDMS diaphragm with pressure channel, and a glass slide. The height of the hydrophoretic channel can be tuned simply and reliably by deforming the elastomeric diaphragm with pressure applied on the pressure channel. This operation allows the device to have a large operating range where different particles and complex biological samples can be processed. The focusing performance of this device was tested using blood cells that varied in shape and size. The hydrophoretic channel had a large cross section which enabled a throughput capability for cell focusing of ∼15 000 cells s−1, which was more than the conventional hydrophoretic focusing and dielectrophoresis (DEP)-active hydrophoretic methods. This tunable hydrophoretic focuser can potentially be integrated into advanced lab-on-a-chip bioanalysis devices.
Passivation effects in B doped self-assembled Si nanocrystals
Authors: Puthen Veettil B. , Wu Lingfeng , Jia Xuguang , Lin Ziyun , Zhang Tian , Yang Terry , Johnson Craig , McCamey Dane , Conibeer Gavin , Perez-Würfl Ivan
Published: December 2014

Doping of semiconductor nanocrystals has enabled their widespread technological application in optoelectronics and micro/nano-electronics. In this work, boron-doped self-assembled silicon nanocrystal samples have been grown and characterised using Electron Spin Resonance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The passivation effects of boron on the interface dangling bonds have been investigated. Addition of boron dopants is found to compensate the active dangling bonds at the interface, and this is confirmed by an increase in photoluminescence intensity. Further addition of dopants is found to reduce the photoluminescence intensity by decreasing the minority carrier lifetime as a result of the increased number of non-radiative processes.
Forage growing as an incentive to improve smallholder beef production in Cambodia
Authors: Bush R. D. , Young J. R. , Suon S. , Ngim M. S. , Windsor P. A.
Published: December 2014

A major challenge for large ruminant improvement projects in developing countries is smallholder farmer engagement that promotes the value of knowledge in informed decision making. Most large ruminant smallholder farmers in Cambodia are considered to be livestock keepers and will become livestock producers only if they recognise the production and financial benefits from improved health and management practices. The benefits of growing and feeding five introduced forage species was investigated as a potential entry point for smallholder farmer engagement in southern Cambodia. The mean chemical composition, digestibility and estimated metabolisable energy (ME; MJ/kg DM) of introduced forages at 30 days after first harvest were comparable to published values. An initial establishment of 52 fodder plots covering 2.6 ha in 2008 expanded to 1306 plots covering 45 ha, including non-project farmers from surrounding areas. The establishment of forage plots in high-intervention project villages provided an improvement in average daily liveweight gain of cattle and saved farmers up to 2 h labour per day. This strategy provided a platform for increased uptake and adoption of livestock health and production interventions.
Comparison of the growth and meat tenderness of Brahman and F1 Senepol × Brahman steers
Authors: Schatz T. J. , Thomas S. , Geesink G.
Published: December 2014

The growth of 116 Brahman (BRAH) and 96 F1 Senepol × Brahman (F1 SEN) steers grazing improved Buffel pasture in the Northern Territory was compared. Average growth was 10 kg higher in F1 SEN during grazing in the 9 months following weaning. Twenty-five steers of each genotype were compared for feedlot performance and meat quality. There was no significant difference in feedlot growth over 73 days in a commercial feedlot. On average F1 SEN carcasses graded two boning groups lower in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system. While M. longissimus samples from both genotypes were quite tender (shear force <4 kg), F1 SEN samples were found to be significantly more tender than BRAH (−0.44 kg) by shear force testing. These results indicate that crossbreeding with a tropically adapted Bos taurus breed, such as the Senepol, may be a viable method for cattle producers with Brahman herds in northern Australia to improve the meat quality of the cattle they produce.
Thermoregulatory differences in lactating dairy cattle classed as efficient or inefficient based on residual feed intake
Authors: DiGiacomo K. , Marett L. C. , Wales W. J. , Hayes B. J. , Dunshea F. R. , Leury B. J.
Published: December 2014

It is suggested that one-third of the inter-animal differences in efficiency is explained by differences in digestion, heat production, body composition and activity; while the remaining variation is the result of energy expenditure due to biological processes such as ion pumps and mitochondrial function. Inefficient animals may be wasting energy on inefficient processes resulting in increased heat production that may be reflected by differences in skin and core temperature. While the association between heat production and residual feed intake (RFI) has been touched on, it is yet to be fully elucidated. It is hypothesised that more efficient animals will expend less energy as heat, which will be reflected by differences in core and skin temperature measures. Fifty-four primiparous, Holstein-Friesian cows previously assessed for RFI (26 inefficient/high RFI, 28 efficient/low RFI) were selected and drafted into outdoor holding yards for measurements on two occasions (once during lactation and once during the non-lactating ‘dry’ period). Measures of body temperature were obtained using an infrared (IR) camera to obtain skin (surface) temperatures at multiple locations [muzzle, eye, jaw, ear, leg (front and back), rump, shoulder, teat, udder, side and tail] and rectal temperatures were measured using a digital thermometer. Respiration rates (RR) were obtained by counting the number of flank movements in 1 min. A subset of 16 cows (8 efficient and 8 inefficient) were utilised for further IR imagery in an undercover environment (to eliminate the influences of external environments). Skin temperature measurement obtained using an IR camera during the outdoor period demonstrated that inefficient cows had higher (0.65°C) teat temperatures (P = 0.05). Rectal temperature and RR were not influenced by efficiency group. When IR images were obtained undercover inefficient cows tended to have higher shoulder (0.85°C) and neck (0.98°C) temperatures than efficient cows (P < 0.087); while udder temperature was significantly greater (1.61°C) for inefficient than efficient cows (P = 0.018). These data indicate that some of the differences in efficiency may be attributed to differences in thermoregulation, as reflected by differences in skin (but not core) temperature and that IR imagery is a suitable method for determining these differences in a non-invasive manner. Further research is required to further establish these relationships, and the measurement of skin temperatures should be undertaken indoors to eliminate external environmental influences.