bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel bis-cyclic guanidines as potent membrane-active antibacterial agents with therapeutic potential
Authors: Teng Peng , Nimmagadda Alekhya , Su Ma , Hong Yuzhu , Shen Ning , Li Chunpu , Tsai Ling-Yu , Cao Jessica , Li Qi , Cai Jianfeng
Published: October 2017

A class of small dimeric cyclic guanidine derivatives was designed to display potent and broad spectrum antibacterial activity.
Magnetic properties and luminescence sensing of five coordination polymers based on a rigid terphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid
Authors: Gao Ling-Ling , Zhao Qian-Nan , Li Miao-Miao , Fan Li-Ming , Niu Xiao-Yan , Wang Xiao-Qing , Hu Tuo-Ping
Published: October 2017

Five terphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid based on CPs with variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities and luminescence sensing of small organic molecules.
CO2adsorption and separation in covalent organic frameworks with interlayer slipping
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Malani Ateeque , Medhekar Nikhil V. , Babarao Ravichandar
Published: October 2017

In layered COFs, slipping results in non-monotonous variation in CO2adsorption and higher uptakes were found near a slipping distance of 10 Å.
Manipulation of fullerene superstructures by complexing with polycyclic aromatic compounds
Authors: Tang Qin , Zhang Shufang , Liu Xinbang , Sumita Masato , Ishihara Shinsuke , Fuchs Harald , Ji Qingmin , Shrestha Lok Kumar , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: October 2017

Fullerene superstructures with various nanofeatures were fabricated by the intercalation of polycyclic aromatic compounds (naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene) during the growth of fullerene crystals.
Cu0-Loaded organo-montmorillonite with improved affinity towards hydrogen: an insight into matrix–metal and non-contact hydrogen–metal interactions
Authors: Sennour Radia , Shiao Tze Chieh , Arus Vasilica Alisa , Tahir M. Nazir , Bouazizi Nabil , Roy René , Azzouz Abdelkrim
Published: October 2017

Thioglycerol-functionalized organo-montmorillonite with highly stabilized Cu0 nanoparticles was found to favor the reversible capture of hydrogen under ambient conditions mainly through physical interaction.
Distribution of aluminum over different T-sites in ferrierite zeolites studied with aluminum valence to core X-ray emission spectroscopy
Authors: Bohinc R. , Hoszowska J. , Dousse J.-Cl. , Błachucki W. , Zeeshan F. , Kayser Y. , Nachtegaal M. , Pinar A. B. , van Bokhoven J. A.
Published: October 2017

The potential of valence to core Al X-ray emission spectroscopy to determine aluminum distribution in ferrierite zeolites was investigated.
Distinct oligomerization and fibrillization dynamics of amyloid core sequences of amyloid-beta and islet amyloid polypeptide
Authors: Sun Yunxiang , Wang Bo , Ge Xinwei , Ding Feng
Published: October 2017

The amyloid core sequences of amyloid-β (Aβ) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), Aβ16–22 and IAPP22–28, feature distinct aggregation free landscape.
Enhanced room-temperature ferromagnetism on (In0.98−xCoxSn0.02)2O3 films: magnetic mechanism, optical and transport properties
Authors: Shen Luhang , An Yukai , Zhang Rukang , Zhang Pan , Wu Zhonghua , Yan Hui , Liu Jiwen
Published: October 2017

The paper provides new insight for understanding the mechanism of the magnetic interactions in Co/Sn codoped In2O3 films.
Monomeric and dimeric coordinatively saturated and substitutionally inert Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes as anticancer drug candidates
Authors: Notaro Anna , Gasser Gilles
Published: October 2017

Monomeric and dimeric coordinatively saturated and substitutionally inert Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes with anticancer properties are reviewed.
Two-step hydrothermally synthesized carbon nanodots/WO3 photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Song Bo , Wang Tingting , Sun Honggang , Shao Qian , Zhao Junkai , Song Kaikai , Hao Luhan , Wang Li , Guo Zhanhu
Published: October 2017

The markedly enhanced photocatalytic activity of C-dots/WO3 is ascribed to the effective separation and transfer of photo-excited charges.
Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-coated titanate nanotubes: towards a new safe nanocarrier
Authors: Sallem Fadoua , Boudon Julien , Heintz Olivier , Séverin Isabelle , Megriche Adel , Millot Nadine
Published: October 2017

Chitosan-coated titanate nanotubes as promising new nanocarriers: two different approaches, two different behaviors.
Complex molecular surfaces and interfaces: concluding remarks
Authors: Amabilino David B. , Tait Steven L.
Published: October 2017

This paper is derived from our concluding remarks presentation and the ensuing conversations at theFaraday Discussionsmeeting onComplex Molecular Surfaces and Interfaces, Sheffield, UK, 24th–26th July 2017. This meeting was comprised of sessions on understanding the interaction of molecules with surfaces and their subsequent organisation, reactivity or properties from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. This paper attempts to put these presentations in the wider context and focuses on topics that were debated during the meeting and where we feel that opportunities lie for the future development of this interdisciplinary research area.
An environmentally benign and efficient synthesis of substituted benzothiazole-2-thiols, benzoxazole-2-thiols, and benzimidazoline-2-thiones in water
Authors: Liu Xing , Liu Min , Xu Wan , Zeng Meng-Tian , Zhu Hui , Chang Cai-Zhu , Dong Zhi-Bing
Published: October 2017

An efficient and practical method for the one-step synthesis of benzothiazole-2-thiols, benzoxazole-2-thiols and benzimidazoline-2-thiones in water was described.
Transport properties of single-component organic conductors, TED derivatives
Authors: Kobayashi Yuka , Vaney Jean-Baptiste , Mori Takao , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Terauchi Takeshi , Takeda Yoshihiko , Yagyu Shinjiro
Published: October 2017

Narrow-gap organic semiconductors with high conductivity and mobility toward thermoelectric and optical device applications were designed.
Design of abrasion resistant super-antiwetting nylon surfaces
Authors: Li Guoqing , Joo Lee Hoon , Michielsen Stephen
Published: October 2017

Abrasion resistant super-antiwetting nylon surface designed through a three-step wet chemistry steps
Single component Mn-doped perovskite-related CsPb2ClxBr5−x nanoplatelets with a record white light quantum yield of 49%: a new single layer color conversion material for light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wu Hao , Xu Shuhong , Shao Haibao , Li Lang , Cui Yiping , Wang Chunlei
Published: October 2017

2D nanoplatelets as host material for Mn can dramatically enhance the energy transfer rate constant, realizing pure white-light emitting.
Substoichiometric ribose methylations in spliceosomal snRNAs
Authors: Krogh Nicolai , Kongsbak-Wismann Martin , Geisler Carsten , Nielsen Henrik
Published: October 2017

Sequencing-based profiling of spliceosomal snRNA demonstrates substoichiometric methylation at cap-proximal and internal sites that may impact splicing and protein production.
Photo-induced DNA cleavage by zinc-substituted myoglobin with a redesigned active center
Authors: Shi Zhen-Hua , Du Ke-Jie , He Bo , Gao Shu-Qin , Wen Ge-Bo , Lin Ying-Wu
Published: October 2017

Artificial nucleases were constructed by the redesign of the heme center in myoglobin (Mb) and replacement of the native heme with zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), which exhibit tunable photo-induced DNA cleavage activity.
Visible light-induced selective aerobic oxidative transposition of vinyl halides using a tetrahalogenoferrate(iii) complex catalyst
Authors: Li Sanliang , Zhu Bo , Lee Richmond , Qiao Baokun , Jiang Zhiyong
Published: October 2017

A visible light-induced aerobic oxidative transposition of vinyl halides to access significant α-halo ketones has been developed by using a novel tetrahalogenoferrate(iii) complex photocatalyst.
Band structure engineering of borophane by first principles calculations
Authors: Wang Zhi-Qiang , Lü Tie-Yu , Wang Hui-Qiong , Feng Yuan Ping , Zheng Jin-Cheng
Published: October 2017

Applying shear strain is an effective approach to open the band gap for W- and C-borophane.
Tuning the transport and magnetism in a Cr–Bi2Se3topological insulator by Sb doping
Authors: Tung Y. , Chong C. W. , Liao C. W. , Chang C. H. , Huang S. Y. , Chuang P. Y. , Lee M. K. , Cheng C. M. , Li Y. C. , Liu C. P. , Huang J. C. A.
Published: October 2017

High-quality crystalline (Cr,Sb)-doped Bi2Se3(Cr-BSS) films were synthesized using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
SPIONs/DOX loaded polymer nanoparticles for MRI detection and efficient cell targeting drug delivery
Authors: Shang Le , Wang Qiu-yue , Chen Kang-long , Qu Jing , Zhou Qing-han , Luo Jian-bin , Lin Juan
Published: October 2017

Reducible polydopamine coated magnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs@PDA) for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection and cell targeting drug delivery.
Highly diastereoselective crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation of 1,3-disubstituted-tetrahydro-β-carbolines in water
Authors: Meng Tian-Zhuo , Shi Xiao-Xin , Qu Hui-Ya , Zhang Yi , Huang Zhong-Shou , Fan Qi-Qi
Published: October 2017

A green and highly stereoselective method for the synthesis of cis or trans-1,3-disubstituted-tetrahydro-β-carbolines has been developed using water as the solvent.
Efficient and straightforward click synthesis of structurally related dendritic triazoles
Authors: Mangione M. I. , Spanevello R. A. , Anzardi M. B.
Published: October 2017

Structurally related triazolic dendrimers were efficiently synthesized applying CuAAC reaction.
Efficient hypochlorous acid (HClO) productionviaphotoelectrochemical solar energy conversion using a BiVO4-based photoanode
Authors: Iguchi Shoji , Miseki Yugo , Sayama Kazuhiro
Published: October 2017

BiVO4/WO3/FTO multilayer photoelectrode was found to be suitable for the photoelectrochemical Cl−oxidation into HClO with high current efficiency and low external bias.
Comment on “Relating side chain organization of PNIPAm with its conformation in aqueous methanol” by D. Mukherji, M. Wagner, M. D. Watson, S. Winzen, T. E. de Oliveira, C. M. Marques and K. Kremer, Soft Matter, 2016, 12, 7995
Authors: Pica Andrea , Graziano Giuseppe
Published: October 2017

We try to clarify some issues that were raised by an article that appeared in Soft Matter, 2016, 12, 7995. PNIPAM cononsolvency is not due to the bridging mechanism of MeOH molecules; it is caused by geometric-energetic frustration.
Green synthesis of a Se/HPCF–rGO composite for Li–Se batteries with excellent long-term cycling performance
Authors: Zeng Lingxing , Chen Xi , Liu Renpin , Lin Liangxu , Zheng Cheng , Xu Lihong , Luo Fenqiang , Qian Qingrong , Chen Qinghua , Wei Mingdeng
Published: October 2017

A Se/HPCF–rGO composite was synthesized as a highly stable cathode material for Li–Se batteries.
Hollow ZnCdS dodecahedral cages for highly efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen generation
Authors: Chen Jianmin , Chen Junying , Li Yingwei
Published: October 2017

A novel approach, combining sulfurization and cation-exchange processes, is developed to fabricate hollow ZnCdS rhombic dodecahedral cages from ZIF-8, which exhibit superior catalytic activity and durability for hydrogen evolution from water splitting under cocatalyst-free and visible-light driven conditions.
Sustainable polymeric material for the facile and repetitive removal of oil-spills through the complementary use of both selective-absorption and active-filtration processes
Authors: Rather Adil Majeed , Jana Nirban , Hazarika Prateeti , Manna Uttam
Published: October 2017

Superhydrophobic cotton (SHC) with exemplary physical and chemical durability is capable of removing repeatedly diverse types of oil contaminants, through both the selective absorption and gravity-driven active-filtration processes.
OleA Glu117 is key to condensation of two fatty-acyl coenzyme A substrates in long-chain olefin biosynthesis
Authors: Jensen Matthew R. , Goblirsch Brandon R. , Christenson James K. , Esler Morgan A. , Mohamed Fatuma A. , Wackett Lawrence P. , Wilmot Carrie M.
Published: October 2017

In the interest of decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, microbial hydrocarbon biosynthesis pathways are being studied for renewable, tailored production of specialty chemicals and biofuels. One candidate is long-chain olefin biosynthesis, a widespread bacterial pathway that produces waxy hydrocarbons. Found in three- and four-gene clusters, oleABCD encodes the enzymes necessary to produce cis-olefins that differ by alkyl chain length, degree of unsaturation, and alkyl chain branching. The first enzyme in the pathway, OleA, catalyzes the Claisen condensation of two fatty acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) molecules to form a β-keto acid. In this report, the mechanistic role of Xanthomonas campestris OleA Glu117 is investigated through mutant enzymes. Crystal structures were determined for each mutant as well as their complex with the inhibitor cerulenin. Complemented by substrate modeling, these structures suggest that Glu117 aids in substrate positioning for productive carbon–carbon bond formation. Analysis of acyl-CoA substrate hydrolysis shows diminished activity in all mutants. When the active site lacks an acidic residue in the 117 position, OleA cannot form condensed product, demonstrating that Glu117 has a critical role upstream of the essential condensation reaction. Profiling of pH dependence shows that the apparent pKa for Glu117 is affected by mutagenesis. Taken together, we propose that Glu117 is the general base needed to prime condensation via deprotonation of the second, non-covalently bound substrate during turnover. This is the first example of a member of the thiolase superfamily of condensing enzymes to contain an active site base originating from the second monomer of the dimer.
Second‐order DAC MES for SAR ADCs
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Wen Guangjun , Sun Nan
Published: October 2017

The successive approximation register (SAR) ADCs suffer from capacitor mismatch when considered for high‐precision applications. Recently, a mismatch error shaping (MES) technique suitable for SAR ADCs has been proposed, by which the DAC mismatch error is first‐order highpass shaped. The MES technique to the second‐order is generalised. A concrete implementation of the second‐order MES is presented. Theoretical analysis and simulations verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed technique. Compared to the previous one, the proposed second‐order MES shows significantly improved shaping effect.
Motion compensation for TDM MIMO radar by sparse reconstruction
Authors: Hu Xueyao , Lu Man , Li Yang , Wang Yanhua
Published: October 2017

A motion‐compensation method that applies sparse reconstruction (SR) to reconstruct the Doppler spectrum of targets based on a random transmission scheme is proposed for time‐division multiplexing (TDM) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar. Since the random transmission can eliminate the characteristic of periodic time‐delay in conventional TDM scheme between transmit cycles, the angle information of a target is not affected by its motion. Therefore, the angle and velocity are no longer coupled with each other and can be estimated separately. This method not only overcome the space–frequency coupling problem but also enhances the unambiguous Doppler interval. Another advantage is that the method is valid even when the estimated target velocity is ambiguous. The results reported here offer the possibility of utilising SR to solve conventional TDM MIMO problems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by experimental results.
Randomness evaluation of key generation based on optical OFDM system in visible light communication networks
Authors: Al‐Moliki Y.M. , Alresheedi M.T. , Al‐Harthi Y.
Published: October 2017

Recently, the authors proposed a physical‐layer key generation scheme for optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques in an indoor scenario. The key generation protocol exploits bipolar and real‐valued optical OFDM samples to create confidential keys. It determines a chunk of cyclic prefix samples positioned in the space of small channel impact to generate the confidential keys during the session duration. This key‐generation approach offers strong computational security to counter passive eavesdroppers and key creation on the fly, with zero bit‐mismatch rates. In this Letter, the authors evaluate the randomness of the confidential keys produced from the recently proposed key‐generation protocol to validate if the keys are truly random. The authors apply a statistical test suite of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to test randomness. The results demonstrate that the keys generated from the proposed key generation system pass all the tests. The results also demonstrate that the proposed key generation system provides uncorrelated keys with an approximately equal probability of bits (discrete uniform distribution) on an average, which yields a high security system against statistical attacks.
Improving physical‐layer security for primary users in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Xu Ding , Li Qun
Published: October 2017

In this study, the authors investigate the physical‐layer security in a cognitive radio network where both the secondary user (SU) and the primary user (PU) are facing security threats from the malicious eavesdroppers. To protect the PU, the SU acts as a friendly jammer to interfere with the eavesdroppers by splitting a certain portion of the transmit power for sending the jamming noise. The problem of optimising SU scheduling, power allocation and power splitting ratio to maximise the SU ergodic secrecy rate subject to the PU secrecy outage constraint with imperfect channel state information available at the SU is investigated based on the dual optimisation method. In addition, a greedy algorithm is also proposed for minimising the PU secrecy outage probability. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithms are effective in improving the PU secrecy performance in terms of secrecy outage probability as well as providing secure communications for the SU.
Adaptive type‐2 fuzzy system for synchronisation and stabilisation of chaotic non‐linear fractional order systems
Authors: Jafari Pouria , Teshnehlab Mohammad , Tavakoli‐Kakhki Mahsan
Published: October 2017

This study proposes an adaptive interval type‐2 Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (IT2 TSK) fuzzy system with a supervisory mode to control and stabilise a certain class of non‐linear fractional order systems. In this study, a fractional order adaptation law is derived which adjusts the free parameters and bounds them by utilising a projection algorithm. The global Mittag–Leffler stability of the closed‐loop system is proved in the sense that all the involved signals are uniformly bounded. Moreover, if the non‐linear system tends to be unstable, a supervisory controller starts cooperating with the adaptive IT2 TSK fuzzy controller to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system. In addition, a new inference mechanism for the adaptive IT2 TSK fuzzy system is introduced for which the antecedent part is chosen as a type‐2 fuzzy set and the consequent parameters are represented as interval sets. According to the practical nature of the proposed inference equation, it would be applicable in online and real‐time applications. Numerical simulations show the validity and effectiveness of the introduced control strategy for stabilisation and control of a general class of non‐linear fractional order systems perturbed by disturbance and uncertainty.
Comparative studies on two electromagnetic repulsion mechanisms for high‐speed vacuum switch
Authors: Zhang Mingzhi , Wang Yi , Li Peng , Wen Huabin
Published: October 2017

The electromagnetic repulsion mechanism (ERM) is highly consistent with the operation mechanisms of the high‐speed switch (HSS) owing to its simple structure and fast response capability. To investigate the performance difference between the coil–disk ERM and the coil–coil ERM, the authors adopt the finite element models for simulations with the aid of ANSYS Maxwell software. Then, an HSS prototype based on the mechanism of permanent magnet closing and repulsion force opening is developed to verify the numerical simulations. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that under the same excitation conditions, the coil–disk ERM has shorter inherent open time, while the coil–coil ERM has shorter full stroke time. Moreover, it is shown that the difference between the full stroke times of the two mechanisms gradually decreases with the increasing discharging energy.
Body‐centric wireless hospital patient monitoring networks using body‐contoured flexible antennas
Authors: Catherwood Philip A. , Bukhari Syed S. , Watt Gareth , Whittow William G. , McLaughlin James
Published: October 2017

This study presents empirical results from a measurement campaign to investigate futuristic body‐centric medical mesh networks for a hospitalised patient using flexible body‐contouring antennas. It studies path loss in a medical environment (in a hospital bed in an open hospital ward) for ultra‐wideband (UWB) and four narrowband schemes concurrently. It firstly investigates the antenna contouring effects due to mounting the flexible antennas on various body surfaces, then uses statistical analysis to explore optimal body locations for a master node to inform the allocation of processing power (assuming point‐to‐point link from other nodes). Results indicated how the most suitable body location varies depending on the posture and frequency scheme used. Also investigated are best route selections for multi‐hop mesh network topologies for opportunistic networking for each of the presented postures and frequencies; this reveals how fewer hops were required to navigate around the narrowband network compared to UWB which effectively reduces required processing power and data traffic. Understanding how disparate body‐centric medical devices communicate with one another in a body‐mesh network is instrumental to the strategic and informed development of next generation healthcare patient monitoring solutions.
Balanced and energy‐efficient multi‐hop techniques for routing in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Fawzy Abd Elwahab , Shokair Mona , Saad Waleed
Published: October 2017

In Wireless Sensor Networks, the power resources of the nodes are significantly restricted. Hence, a special treatment for their available energy is deeply required. In long distance transmission, Multi‐Hop (MH) techniques are preferred. Although MH minimizes the amount of energy cost consumed by each node along the path but finding the optimal routing path between nodes is still very interesting issues. This paper proposes a Balanced and Energy Efficient MH (BEEMH) algorithm that is developed based on Dijkstra algorithm. It gives great interest to the residual energy of nodes; hence higher energy nodes are exclusively elected to work as relays. Moreover, the total energy consumption at both TX and RX has been merged to model the weight of links between nodes. Finally, Dijkstra algorithm is employed to efficiently search for the minimum cost path. Furthermore, two proposed MH protocols are introduced. Both are mainly based on the BEEMH algorithm. MATLAB simulator has been used to evaluate BEEMH in comparison with other conventional algorithms such as; minimum transmission energy (MTE), energy saving oriented least‐hop routing algorithm (ESLHA), and energy saving‐oriented routing algorithm based on Dijkstra (ESRAD) under various scenarios of network models. Then the performance of our proposed protocols is compared with the related MH protocols.
Stability Analysis of Decoupled Time-stepping Schemes for the Specialized Conduction System/myocardium Coupled Problem in Cardiology
Authors: Mani Aouadi S. , Mbarki W. , Zemzemi N.
Published: October 2017

The Purkinje network is the rapid conduction system in the heart. It ensures the physiological spread of the electrical wave in the ventricles. In this work, we consider a problem that models the coupling between the Purkinje network and the myocardium. We first prove the stability of the space semi-discretized problem. Then we present four different strategies for solving the Purkinje/ myocardium coupling. The strategies are based on different time discretization of the coupling terms. The first scheme is fully coupled, where the coupling terms are considered implicit. The second and the third schemes are based on Gauss-Seidel time-splitting schemes where one coupling term is considered explicit and the other is implicit. The last is a Jacobi-like time-splitting scheme where both coupling terms are considered explicit. Our main result is the proof of the stability of the three considered schemes under the same restriction on the time step. Moreover, we show that the energy of the problem is slightly affected by the time-splitting schemes. We illustrate the theoretical result by different numerical simulations in 2D. We also conduct 3D simulations using physiologically detailed ionic models.
Mild, Efficient, and Regioselective Synthesis of Diiodophenyl­boronic Acid Derivatives via Metal–Iodine Exchange of 5-Substituted 1,2,3-Triiodoarenes
Authors: Al-Zoubi Raed , Ibdah Abdellatif , Al-Jammal Walid , Al-Zoubi Mazhar , Almasalma Ahmad , McDonald Robert
Published: October 2017

Unique 2,6-diiodophenylboronic acid and 2,3-diiodophenylboronic acid derivatives have been synthesized via regioselective metal–iodine exchange (MIE) of 5-substituted 1,2,3-triiodoarenes. The regio­selectivity of the reaction per se is remarkably controlled by the nature of the C5 substituent providing the desired diiodophenylboronic acids in moderate to good yields and with high site selectivity. The diiodophenylboronic acids were then examined for in vitro antimicrobial activity against four strains of bacteria Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Serratia marcescens (ATCC 27117) and one fungal strain Candida albicans using well diffusion assay and dilution method. It indicated that 5-fluoro-2,3-diiodophenylboronic acid possesses the most potent antibacterial and antifungal activity with MIC of 2.6 mg/mL for M. luteus and C. albicans. This report discloses a one-step protocol to access hitherto unknowns 2,6-diiodophenylboronic acid and 2,3-diiodophenylboronic acid derivatives that is scalable, good in scope, no chromatography is needed, and these compounds are difficult to prepare by other means.
l-Phenylalanine Triflate as Organocatalyst for Divergent ­Approaches to Trisubstituted Hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and 1,4-Diazepane Derivatives
Authors: Jiang Jun , Zhang Miao , Wu Wen-Biao , Lu Hai-Bo , Shi Yu-Long , Li Jian-Jun
Published: October 2017

The convergent synthesis of two biologically significant classes of trisubstituted hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and 1,4-diazepane derivatives from readily available aromatic aldehydes, ketones, and ethane-1,2-diamine is reported. This protocol is promoted by the highly effective l-phenylalanine triflate catalyst through intermolecular annulation, and tolerates a variety of functional groups with excellent yields.
A Novel Use of a Novel Drug: Preoperative Nasal Preparation with Dexmedetomidine for Transnasal Transsphenoidal Neurosurgery Approach in Skull Base Neurosurgery
Authors: Hrishi Ajay , Lionel Karen , Nair Prakash
Published: October 2017

Introduction Transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) approach is preferred for surgical excision of the pituitary gland. Despite its numerous merits, the TNTS approach creates wide fluctuations in hemodynamic parameters that are attributed to the routine application of adrenaline-soaked nasal packing and the intense noxious stimulus during the surgery.

Aims To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine for preoperative nasal passage preparation on the surgical field visualization and hemodynamic profile of patients during TNTS surgery.

Material and Methods Cotton strips soaked in dexmedetomidine were used for nasal preparation. The primary outcomes studied were the quality of surgical field visualization through the endoscope and the amount of bleeding that occurred while raising the nasal mucosal flap. The secondary outcomes assessed were the intraoperative anesthetic and analgesic requirement and the hemodynamic profile.

Statistical Analysis Data from the study were summarized as mean and SD. Associations were tested using chi-square test for nonparametric data and for continuous variables ANOVA for repeated measures. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant and < 0.01 as highly significant. SPSS 17.0 was used for analysis.

Results Seventeen (85%) patients had a Formmer's score of 1, which was an excellent surgical field quality. Two (10%) patients had a Formmer's score of 2, and one (5%) had a Formmer's score of 3. There were no statistically significant variations in heart rate and blood pressure with reduced anesthetic requirement.

Conclusion Intranasal dexmedetomidine provides good surgical field conditions with the added advantage of lesser hemodynamic fluctuations.
Potential Surgical Exposure of the Parapharyngeal Internal Carotid Artery by Endonasal, Transoral, and Transcervical Approaches
Authors: Tanjararak Kangsadarn , Upadhyay Smita , Thiensri Thanakorn , Muto Jun , Roongpuvapaht Boonsam , Prevedello Daniel , Carrau Ricardo
Published: October 2017

Objectives Endoscopic and endoscopic-assisted approaches to the parapharyngeal space have been reported; however, their potential for vascular exposure has not been previously assessed. This study aims to compare the potential exposure and control of the parapharyngeal internal carotid artery (ppICA) via various approaches.

Design and Main Outcome Measures Ten cadaveric specimens were dissected bilaterally, exposing the ppICA via endonasal, transoral, and transcervical approaches. Length of the exposed vessel and potential control were assessed (feasibility and time required to place an encircling suture).

Results Endoscopic transoral and transcervical–transmandibular approaches expose a significantly longer segment of the ppICA (6.89 and 7.09 cm) than the transoral and endonasal approaches. Vascular control was achieved via endoscopic-endonasal, endoscopic-transoral, and open techniques in 121.6, 64.8, and 5.2 seconds, respectively.

Conclusion Histopathology, goals of surgery, and familiarity of the surgeon with each technique may ultimately determine the choice of approach; however, this study suggests that exposure of the ppICA by endoscopic-assisted transoral approach is comparable to that of a transcervical–transmandibular approach. Vascular control was feasible under elective circumstances. However, the difficulty varied widely, potentially reflecting the challenges of controlling an injured ppICA. However, one must note that active bleeding obscures the surgical field in ways that may impair ppICA control. Furthermore, the results may not reflect clinical scenarios where tumor distorts the surgical field.

Nonetheless, the study suggests that, in properly selected patients, the endoscopic-assisted transoral approach avoids problems associated with unsightly scars, mandibular osteotomy, and facial nerve manipulation, whereas, the transcervical–transmandibular approach offers the swiftest vascular control.
Patient Satisfaction Outcomes after Robotic Arm-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Short-Term Evaluation
Authors: Marchand Robert , Sodhi Nipun , Khlopas Anton , Sultan Assem , Harwin Steven , Malkani Arthur , Mont Michael
Published: October 2017

Robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RATKA) presents a potential, new added value for orthopedic surgeons. In today's health care system, a major determinant of value can be assessed by patient satisfaction scores. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to analyze patient satisfaction outcomes between RATKA and manual total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Specifically, we used the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) to compare (1) pain scores, (2) physical function scores, and (3) total patient satisfaction outcomes in manual and RATKA patients at 6 months postoperatively. In this study, 28 cemented RATKAs performed by a single orthopedic surgeon at a high-volume institution were analyzed. The first 7 days were considered as an adjustment period along the learning curve. Twenty consecutive cemented RATKAs were matched and compared with 20 consecutive cemented manual TKAs performed immediately. Patients were administered a WOMAC satisfaction survey at 6 months postoperatively. Satisfaction scores between the two cohorts were compared and the data were analyzed using Student's t-tests. A p-value < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. The mean pain score, standard deviation (SD), and range for the manual and robotic cohorts were 5 ± 3 (range: 0–10) and 3 ± 3 (range: 0–8, p < 0.05), respectively. The mean physical function score, SD, and range for the manual and robotic cohorts were 9 ± 5 (range: 0–17) and 4 ± 5 (range, 0–14, p = 0.055), respectively. The mean total patient satisfaction score, SD, and range for the manual and robotic cohorts were 14 points (range: 0–27 points, SD: ± 8) and 7 ± 8 points (range: 0–22 points, p < 0.05), respectively. The results from this study further highlight the potential of this new surgical tool to improve short-term pain, physical function, and total satisfaction scores. Therefore, it appears that patients who undergo RATKA can expect better short-term outcomes when compared with patients who undergo manual TKA.
Erweiterte pathohistologische Kriterien zur Bewertung der Langzeitprognose des Magenkarzinoms
Authors: Dittmar Yves , Rauchfuss Falk , Dondorf Felix , Ardelt Michael , Scheuerlein Hubert , Settmacher Utz
Published: October 2017

Hintergrund Das Magenkarzinom zählt zu den häufigsten Tumorerkrankungen weltweit. Trotz zahlreicher Innovationen in der Diagnostik und Therapie ist die Prognose weiterhin schlecht, da die Detektion der Erkrankung auf tumorassoziierte Symptome angewiesen ist, welche in der Mehrzahl der Fälle spät auftreten. Eine weitere Verbesserung der Behandlungsergebnisse kann durch eine differenziertere und individuellere Bewertung der Tumorbiologie erzielt werden. Wir stellen hierzu eine umfangreiche Analyse potenziell prognostisch bedeutsamer Faktoren vor.

Material und Methoden In einer prospektiv fortgeführten Tumordatenbank wurden von 1995 bis 2011 Daten von 923 Patienten mit Magenkarzinom zusammengetragen. Es erfolgte eine monovariate und multivariate Faktorenanalyse. Für die statistische Analyse wurde das Programm SPSS Version 19.0 verwendet. Die Literaturrecherche erfolgte mithilfe von Medline.

Ergebnisse 748 Patienten wurden chirurgisch exploriert. Die Resektionsrate betrug 87 % mit einer Morbidität und Letalität von 27 und 9 % (2004 bis 2011: 13 und 5 %). 36 und 29 % der Patienten zeigten ein 5-Jahres- bzw. 10-Jahres-Überleben. Das 5- und 10-Jahres-Gesamtüberleben nach kurativer Resektion betrug 58 und 46 %. Die TNM-assoziierten Kriterien, die Tumorgröße, das histologische Wuchsmuster, die intestinale Metaplasie, die Tumorlage und die Lauren-Klassifikation hatten in der monovariaten Analyse einen statistisch signifikanten Einfluss. Multivariat erwiesen sich die kurative Resektion, der Lymphknotenstatus und die Tumorgröße als unabhängige Prognosefaktoren. 90 % der 238 Tumorrezidive traten innerhalb der ersten 5 Jahre auf. Das mediane rezidivfreie Intervall betrug 16 Monate. Je nach Rezidivart waren unterschiedliche Überlebenszeiten festzustellen. Für die 228 Patienten mit nodal negativem, kurativ reseziertem Magenkarzinom zeigte sich eine deutlich bessere Langzeitprognose. Monovariat analysierte Prognosefaktoren waren der diffuse Typ nach Lauren, die Tumorgröße, das nicht tubuläre histologische Wuchsmuster, das weibliche Geschlecht und der Nachweis einer Serosainfiltration durch den Primärtumor. In der multivariaten Analyse erwies sich die Tumorgröße als unabhängiger signifikanter Prognosefaktor (p = 0,05).

Schlussfolgerung Die Auswertung der Daten zeigt, dass die Bewertung des Magenkarzinoms durch weitere, bislang nicht etablierte Faktoren sinnvoll erweitert werden kann. Der Benefit einer individuell strukturierten Therapie und Nachsorge auf der Basis erweiterter Kriterien sollte in zukünftigen Studien geprüft werden.
Multifunctional, angle dependent antireflection, and hydrophilic properties of SiO2 inspired by nano-scale structures of cicada wings
Authors: Zada Imran , Zhang Wang , Sun Peng , Imtiaz Muhammad , Abbas Waseem , Zhang Di
Published: October 2017

Inspired by the multifunctional properties of cicada wings, we have precisely replicated biomorphic SiO2 with antireflective structures (ARSs) using a simple, inexpensive, and highly effective sol-gel ultrasonic method. The biomorphic replica of SiO2 was directly achieved from a cicada template at high calcination. The biomorphic SiO2 not only inherited the ARS effectively but also exhibited the excellent angle dependent antireflective properties over a wide range of incident angles (10°–60°). The change in reflectance spectra (visible wavelength) of biomorphic SiO2 was observed from 0.3% to 3.3% with the increasing incident angles. The smooth surface of the SiO2 crystal without nanostructures showed a high reflection of 9.2% compared to the biomorphic SiO2 with ARS. These excellent antireflective properties of biomorphic SiO2 can be attributed to the nanoscale structures which introduce a gradient in the refractive index between air and the material surface via ARS. In the meantime, biomorphic SiO2 demonstrates high hydrophilic properties due to the existence of nanostructures on its surface. These multifunctional properties of biomorphic SiO2, angle dependent antireflective properties, and hydrophilicity with high thermal stability may have potential applications in solar cells and antifogging optical materials.
Time evolution and asymmetry of a laser produced blast wave
Authors: Tubman E. R. , Scott R. H. H. , Doyle H. W. , Meinecke J. , Ahmed H. , Alraddadi R. A. B. , Bolis R. , Cross J. E. , Crowston R. , Doria D. , Lamb D. , Reville B. , Robinson A. P. L. , Tzeferacos P. , Borghesi M. , Gregori G. , Woolsey N. C.
Published: October 2017

Studies of a blast wave produced from carbon rods and plastic spheres in an argon background gas have been conducted using the Vulcan laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. A laser of 1500 J was focused onto these targets, and rear-side observations of an emission front were recorded using a fast-framing camera. The emission front is asymmetrical in shape and tends to a more symmetrical shape as it progresses due to the production of a second shock wave later in time, which pushes out the front of the blast wave. Plastic spheres produce faster blast waves, and the breakthrough of the second shock is visible before the shock stalls. The results are presented to demonstrate this trend, and similar evolution dynamics of experimental and simulation data from the FLASH radiation-hydrodynamics code are observed.
Opinion diversity and community formation in adaptive networks
Authors: Yu Y. , Xiao G. , Li G. , Tay W. P. , Teoh H. F.
Published: October 2017

It is interesting and of significant importance to investigate how network structures co-evolve with opinions. In this article, we show that, a simple model integrating consensus formation, link rewiring, and opinion change allows complex system dynamics to emerge, driving the system into a dynamic equilibrium with the co-existence of diversified opinions. Specifically, similar opinion holders may form into communities yet with no strict community consensus; and rather than being separated into disconnected communities, different communities are connected by a non-trivial proportion of inter-community links. More importantly, we show that the complex dynamics may lead to different numbers of communities at the steady state with a given tolerance between different opinion holders. We construct a framework for theoretically analyzing the co-evolution process. Theoretical analysis and extensive simulation results reveal some useful insights into the complex co-evolution process, including the formation of dynamic equilibrium, the transition between different steady states with different numbers of communities, and the dynamics between opinion distribution and network modularity.
Ultra-low thermal expansion realized in giant negative thermal expansion materials through self-compensation
Authors: Shen Fei-Ran , Kuang Hao , Hu Feng-Xia , Wu Hui , Huang Qing-Zhen , Liang Fei-Xiang , Qiao Kai-Ming , Li Jia , Wang Jing , Liu Yao , Zhang Lei , He Min , Zhang Ying , Zuo Wen-Liang , Sun Ji-Rong , Shen Bao-Gen
Published: October 2017

Materials with zero thermal expansion (ZTE) or precisely tailored thermal expansion are in urgent demand of modern industries. However, the overwhelming majority of materials show positive thermal expansion. To develop ZTE or negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials as compensators has become an important challenge. Here, we present the evidence for the realization of ultra-low thermal expansion in Mn–Co–Ge–In particles. The bulk with the Ni2In-type hexagonal structure undergoes giant NTE owing to a martensitic magnetostructural transition. The major finding is that the thermal expansion behavior can be totally controlled by modulating the crystallinity degree and phase transition from atomic scale. Self-compensation effect leads to ultra-low thermal expansion with a linear expansion coefficient as small as +0.68 × 10−6/K over a wide temperature range around room temperature. The present study opens an avenue to reach ZTE particularly from the large class of giant NTE materials based on phase transition.
Averaging of elastic constants for polycrystals
Authors: Blaschke Daniel N.
Published: October 2017

Many materials of interest are polycrystals, i.e., aggregates of single crystals. Randomly distributed orientations of single crystals lead to macroscopically isotropic properties. Here, we briefly review strategies of calculating effective isotropic second and third order elastic constants from the single crystal ones. Our main emphasis is on single crystals of cubic symmetry. Specifically, the averaging of third order elastic constants has not been particularly successful in the past, and discrepancies have often been attributed to texturing of polycrystals as well as to uncertainties in the measurement of elastic constants of both poly and single crystals. While this may well be true, we also point out here shortcomings in the theoretical averaging framework.
Enhancement of phase-matched third harmonic generation via soliton self-frequency shift cancellation in a fluorotellurite microstructured fiber
Authors: Yao Chuanfei , Zhao Zhipeng , Jia Zhixu , Li Qing , Qin Guanshi , Ohishi Yasutake , Qin Weiping
Published: October 2017

We report the enhancement of phase-matched third harmonic generation (THG) via soliton self-frequency shift cancellation (SSFSC) in a fluorotellurite microstructured fiber (FTMF) pumped by a 1560 nm femtosecond fiber laser. The FTMF has two zero-dispersion wavelengths of 891 and 2012 nm for its slow axis. As the pump laser is polarized along the slow axis of the FTMF, phase matched THG at 629 nm is observed in the FTMF when the Raman soliton red-shifts to 1913 nm and the effective index at 1913 nm for the fundamental propagation mode matches with that at 629 nm for the high order propagation mode for a pump power of ∼25.2 mW. Interestingly, the THG at 629 nm is enhanced very much when the Raman soliton meets the second zero-dispersion wavelength of the slow axis and further SSFSC occurs with increasing the pump power. Such an enhancement is due to the unchanged operating wavelength of the Raman soliton with an increase in the pump power when SSFSC occurs and the resulting increase in the interaction length between the Raman soliton and third harmonic. Our results show that high efficient THG with a designed wavelength can be obtained via SSFSC in dispersion engineered optical fibers.
The influence of Cr and Ni on the character of magnetic phase transition in LaFe11.52-xMxSi1.48 alloys
Authors: Zong S. T. , Long Y.
Published: October 2017

The critical content of the substitution element M for Fe in LaFe11.52-xMxSi1.48 (M=Ni/Cr) alloys was studied. When the content exceeds the critical content of the element M, the nature of magnetic transition of the alloy changes from first order to second. And the relationship between phase formation and magnetic properties in LaFe11.52-xMxSi1.48 (M=Ni/Cr) alloys near critical value of Ni/Cr has been discussed sufficiently. The critical content of Ni element is x=0.08 and that of Cr is x=0.25. With the increase of Cr content, the α-Fe grows up obviously in LaFe11.52-xCrxSi1.48 alloys. The impact of partial substitution of Ni for Fe is superior to that of Cr on the magnetic properties of 1:13 phase. The substitution elements and the content of those elements have different effects on the nature of magnetic transition and magnetic entropy changes of LaFe11.52-xMxSi1.48 alloys.
Electric-field control of conductance in metal quantum point contacts by electric-double-layer gating
Authors: Shibata K. , Yoshida K. , Daiguji K. , Sato H. , Ii T. , Hirakawa K.
Published: October 2017

An electric-field control of quantized conductance in metal (gold) quantum point contacts (QPCs) is demonstrated by adopting a liquid-gated electric-double-layer (EDL) transistor geometry. Atomic-scale gold QPCs were fabricated by applying the feedback-controlled electrical break junction method to the gold nanojunction. The electric conductance in gold QPCs shows quantized conductance plateaus and step-wise increase/decrease by the conductance quantum, G0 = 2e2/h, as EDL-gate voltage is swept, demonstrating a modulation of the conductance of gold QPCs by EDL gating. The electric-field control of conductance in metal QPCs may open a way for their application to local charge sensing at room temperature.
A platform for exploding wires in different media
Authors: Han Ruoyu , Wu Jiawei , Qiu Aici , Zhou Haibin , Wang Yanan , Yan Jiaqi , Ding Weidong
Published: October 2017

A platform SWE-2 used for single wire explosion experiments has been designed, established, and commissioned. This paper describes the design and initial experiments of SWE-2. In summary, two pulsed current sources based on pulse capacitors and spark gaps are adopted to drive sub-microsecond and microsecond time scale wire explosions in a gaseous/liquid medium, respectively. In the initial experiments, a single copper wire was exploded in air, helium, and argon with a 0.1-0.3 MPa ambient pressure as well as tap water with a 283-323 K temperature, 184-11 000 μS/cm conductivity, or 0.1-0.9 MPa hydrostatic pressure. In addition, the diagnostic system is introduced in detail. Energy deposition, optical emission, and shock wave characteristics are briefly discussed based on experimental results. The platform was demonstrated to operate successfully with a single wire load. These results provide the potential for further applications of this platform, such as plasma-matter interactions, shock wave effects, and reservoir simulations.