bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peroxidase activity of the coronene bisimide supramolecular architecture and its applications in colorimetric sensing of H2O2 and glucose
Authors: Yang Meiding , Zhou Huipeng , Li Yongxin , Zhang Qingfeng , Li Juanmin , Zhang Cuiyun , Zhou Chuibei , Yu Cong
Published: March 2017

Distinct peroxidase-like catalytic activity of small organic probe self-assembled nanofibers is reported for the first time.
A comparison study to investigate the effect of the drug-loading site on its delivery efficacy using double hydrophilic block copolymer-based prodrugs
Authors: Zhou Xufeng , Chang Cong , Zhou Yang , Sun Lu , Xiang Hua , Zhao Sijie , Ma Liwei , Zheng Guohua , Liu Mingzhu , Wei Hua
Published: March 2017

Two types of thermo-sensitive DHBCs-based micelle prodrugs with drug tethered to the hydrophilic shell or encapsulated with the hydrophobic core was fabricated, and compared further for their drug delivery efficacy.
Efficient Raman scattering response and large piezoelectricity in noncentrosymmetric MnHg(SCN)4 crystals
Authors: Liu Xitao , Long Peiqing , Wang Xinqiang , Gao Zeliang , Lü Yadong , Yi Zhiguo
Published: March 2017

Noncentrosymmetric MnHg(SCN)4 crystals show an efficient Raman scattering response and large piezoelectricity.
Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
Authors: Chandran Raj , Bhanuprabhakar Rajmohan , Sumukhan Sivakumar
Published: March 2017

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess is a rare infection of the spinal cord with less than 120 cases reported since its first description by Hart in 1830. It is usually associated with abnormalities of the spinal cord or documented source of infection or immunodeficiency, requiring clinical radiological suspicion for accurate diagnosis. The first case is a middle-aged healthy woman without any underlying risk factors, presented with progressive paraparesis, in whom prompt, accurate diagnosis with contrast magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping followed by early surgery was possible, which resulted in the favorable neurological outcome. The second case is a 10-year-old boy with paraparesis whose definite treatment and surgery was delayed due to a delay in accurate clinical and radiological diagnosis which resulted in poor outcomes. Hence, we try to establish that prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment can result in a favorable neurological outcome, though the prognosis, in general, is poor in this clinical condition. A review of literature in support of our cases is given.
Tooth in Intracranial Compartment after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pereira Benedito , Holanda Radmila , Targino Neto José , Holanda Luciano
Published: March 2017

A 25-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency room presenting headaches after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 30 days before, when he collided frontally with another driver. After a skull radiography, the presence of a foreign body was observed in the frontal sinus. A cranial computed tomography (CT) scan found that it was a tooth. The patient underwent surgical treatment for the removal of the tooth. Traumatic brain injury caused by non-missile penetrating objects is unusual, and has been described in case reports in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, no similar reports can be found in the literature.
Underdiagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or Worse Lesion in Women with a Previous Colposcopy-Guided Biopsy Showing CIN 1
Authors: Souza Carlos André Scheler de , Discacciati Michelle Garcia , d'Otavianno Maria Gabriela , Bergo Silvia Maria , Traue Markus , Andrade Liliana Aparecida Lucci de Angelo , Zeferino Luiz Carlos
Published: March 2017

Objective Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure.

Methods Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: “CIN 1 or less” and “CIN 2 or worse.”

Results The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site.

Conclusions The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.
Texas Pulse Oximetry Project: A Multicenter Educational and Quality Improvement Project for Implementation of Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Using Pulse Oximetry
Authors: Gong Alice , Livingston Judith , Creel Liza , Ocampo Elena , McKee-Garrett Tiffany , Guillory Charleta
Published: March 2017

Objective Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a leading cause of death in infants. Newborn screening (NBS) by pulse oximetry allows early identification of CCHD in asymptomatic newborns. To improve readiness of hospital neonatal birthing facilities for mandatory screening in Texas, an educational and quality improvement (QI) project was piloted to identify an implementation strategy for CCHD NBS in a range of birthing hospitals.

Study Design Thirteen Texas hospitals implemented standardized CCHD screening by pulse oximetry. An educational program was devised and a tool kit was created to facilitate education and implementation. Newborn nursery nurses' knowledge was assessed using a pre- and posttest instrument.

Results The nurses' knowledge assessment improved from 71 to 92.5% (p < 0.0001). Of 11,322 asymptomatic newborns screened after 24 hours of age, 11 had a positive screen, with 1 confirmed case of CCHD. Pulse oximetry CCHD NBS had sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 99.91%, false-positive rate of 0.088%, positive predictive value of 9.09%, and negative predictive value of 100%.

Conclusion Our educational program, including a tool kit, QI processes, and standardized pulse oximetry CCHD NBS, is applicable for a range of hospital birthing facilities and may facilitate wide-scale implementation, thereby improving newborn health.
Chemical Composition, Antiprotozoal and Cytotoxic Activities of Indole Alkaloids and Benzofuran Neolignan of Aristolochia cordigera
Authors: Pereira Marcos , da Silva Tito , Aguiar Anna , Oliva Glaucius , Guido Rafael , Yokoyama-Yasunaka Jenicer , Uliana Silvia , Lopes Lucia
Published: March 2017

This is a comparative study on the intraspecific chemical variability of Aristolochia cordigera species, collected in two different regions of Brazil, Biome Cerrado (semiarid) and Biome Amazônia (coastal). The use of GC-MS and statistical methods led to the identification of 56 compounds. A higher percentage of palmitone and germacrene-D in the hexanes extracts of the leaves of plants from these respective biomes was observed. Phytochemical studies on the extracts led to the isolation and identification of 19 known compounds, including lignans, neolignans, aristolochic acids, indole-β-carboline, and indole alkaloids. In addition, two new indole alkaloids, 3,4-dihydro-hyrtiosulawesine and 6-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)hyrtiosulawesine, were isolated and a new neolignan, cis-eupomatenoid-7, was obtained in a mixture with its known isomer eupomatenoid-7. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by 1D- and 2D-NMR. The occurrence of indole alkaloids is being described for the first time in the Aristolochiaceae family. Moreover, the in vitro susceptibility of intracellular amastigote and promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis to the alkaloids and eupomatenoid-7 were evaluated. This neolignan exhibited low activity against promastigotes (IC50 = 46 µM), while the alkaloids did not show inhibitory activity. The new alkaloid 6-O-(β-glucopyranosyl)hyrtiosulawesine exhibited activity in the low micromolar range against Plasmodium falciparum, with an IC50 value of 5 µM and a selectivity index higher than 50.
Incipient ferroelectric to a possible ferroelectric transition in Te4+ doped calcium copper titanate (CaCu3Ti4O12) ceramics at low temperature as evidenced by Raman and dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Barman Nabadyuti , Singh Priyank , Narayana Chandrabhas , Varma K. B. R.
Published: March 2017

Partial replacement of Ti4+ by Te4+ ions in calcium copper titanate lattice improved its dielectric behaviour mostly due to cubic-to-tetragonal structural transformation and associated distortion in TiO6 octahedra. The relative permittivity values (23–30 x 103) of Te4+ doped ceramics is more than thrice that of un-doped ceramics (8 x 103) at 1 kHz. A decreasing trend in relative permittivity with increasing temperature (50–300 K) is observed for all the samples. Barrett’s formula, as a signature of incipient ferroelectricity, is invoked to rationalize the relative permittivity variation as a function of temperature. A systematic investigation supported by temperature dependent Raman studies reveal a possible ferroelectric transition in Te4+ doped ceramic samples below 120 K. The possible ferroelectric transition is attributed to the interactions between quasi-local vibrations associated with the micro-clusters comprising TiO6 and TeO6 structural units and indirect dipole-dipole interactions of off-center B–cations (Ti4+ and Te4+) in double perovskite lattice.
Existence and exponential stability for impulsive stochastic partial functional differential equations
Authors: Xiao Shuiming , Chen Huabin
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the existence and uniqueness, the exponential stability, and the almost sure exponential stability of mild solution for impulsive stochastic partial functional differential equations with finite delay are considered. Some sufficient conditions are established for our concerned problems, and some existing results are generalized and improved. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the obtained results.
Why I am optimistic about the silicon-photonic route to quantum
computing
Authors: Rudolph Terry
Published: March 2017

This is a short overview explaining how building a large-scale, silicon-photonic quantum computer has been reduced to the creation of good sources of 3-photon entangled states (and may simplify further). Given such sources, each photon needs to pass through a small, constant, number of components, interfering with at most 2 other spatially nearby photons, and current photonics engineering has already demonstrated the manufacture of thousands of components on two-dimensional semiconductor chips with performance that, once scaled up, allows the creation of tens of thousands of photons entangled in a state universal for quantum computation. At present the fully integrated, silicon-photonic architecture we envisage involves creating the required entangled states by starting with single-photons produced non-deterministically by pumping silicon waveguides (or cavities) combined with on-chip filters and nanowire superconducting detectors to herald that a photon has been produced. These sources are multiplexed into being near-deterministic, and the single photons then passed through an interferometer to non-deterministically produce small entangled states—necessarily multiplexed to near-determinism again. This is followed by a “ballistic” scattering of the small-scale entangled photons through an interferometer such that some photons are detected, leaving the remainder in a large-scale entangled state which is provably universal for quantum computing implemented by single-photon measurements. There are a large number of questions regarding the optimum ways to make and use the final cluster state, dealing with static imperfections, constructing the initial entangled photon sources and so on, that need to be investigated before we can aim for millions of qubits capable of billions of computational time steps. The focus in this article is on the theoretical side of such questions.
Analog isolated electronic dynamometer based on a magnetoresistive current sensor
Authors: Arcos Carrasco C. , Ramírez Muñoz D. , Ravelo Arias S. I. , Sánchez Moreno J. , Maset Sancho E. , Garrigós Sirvent A.
Published: March 2017

In this work, an electronic system is presented to measure the force applied by a solenoid. The originality of the work is focused on the use of a magnetoresistive current sensor to provide the isolation barrier needed in the actual industrial plant where the solenoids are working. The design of the electronic system is presented as well as experimental measurements as a result of a calibration process showing a negligible hysteresis with that specific sensor. The magnetoresistive current sensor is used to develop transmission functions rather than playing its usual sensing roles.
Influence of molecular vibrations on the valence electron momentum distributions of adamantane
Authors: Morini Filippo , Watanabe Noboru , Kojima Masataka , Deleuze Michael Simon , Takahashi Masahiko
Published: March 2017

We report an electron momentum spectroscopy study of vibrational effects on the electron momentum distributions of the outer valence orbitals of adamantane (C10H16). The symmetric noncoplanar (e, 2e) experiment has been carried out at an incident electron energy of 1.2 keV. Furthermore, theoretical calculations of the electron momentum distributions with vibrational effects being involved have been performed using the harmonic analytical quantum mechanical and Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics approaches. In spite of the complex nature of the vibrational structure of this large molecule, both approaches provide overall quantitative insights into the results of the experiment. Comparisons between experiment and theory have shown that ground state nuclear dynamics appreciably affects the momentum profiles of the 7t2, {2t1 + 3e}, and {5t2 + 5a1} orbitals. It has been demonstrated that changes in the momentum profiles are mainly due to the vibrational motions associated with the CH bonds.
On predicting receptivity to surface roughness in a compressible infinite swept wing boundary layer
Authors: Thomas Christian , Mughal Shahid , Ashworth Richard
Published: March 2017

The receptivity of crossflow disturbances on an infinite swept wing is investigated using solutions of the adjoint linearised Navier-Stokes equations. The adjoint based method for predicting the magnitude of stationary disturbances generated by randomly distributed surface roughness is described, with the analysis extended to include both surface curvature and compressible flow effects. Receptivity is predicted for a broad spectrum of spanwise wavenumbers, variable freestream Reynolds numbers, and subsonic Mach numbers. Curvature is found to play a significant role in the receptivity calculations, while compressible flow effects are only found to marginally affect the initial size of the crossflow instability. A Monte Carlo type analysis is undertaken to establish the mean amplitude and variance of crossflow disturbances generated by the randomly distributed surface roughness. Mean amplitudes are determined for a range of flow parameters that are maximised for roughness distributions containing a broad spectrum of roughness wavelengths, including those that are most effective in generating stationary crossflow disturbances. A control mechanism is then developed where the short scale roughness wavelengths are damped, leading to significant reductions in the receptivity amplitude.
Pair potential modeling of atomic rearrangement in GeTe-Sb2Te3 superlattice via first-principles calculations
Authors: Song Young-Sun , Kim Jeongwoo , Jhi Seung-Hoon
Published: March 2017

We study the nature of atomic rearrangement during the phase-change processes in the superlattice of GeTe and Sb2Te3 by developing a new approach combining the first-principles calculations and a pair-potential model. We investigate the phase-change process in terms of energy changes from individual pairs or atoms by applying the pair (atom)-projection analysis to the intermediate structures between the initial and final states obtained from the climbing-image nudged elastic band method. Among the prototypical steps that can lead to the atomic layer rearrangement, we find that the required energy for the phase change is dominated by specific atoms responsible for the intrinsic energy barrier and the response to external pressure. Our approach of combining the first-principles methods and pair potential model with the projecting analysis can be a very efficient method in revealing the detailed atomic motions and the mechanism of fast atomic transition of the phase-change materials.
Elucidating gigahertz acoustic modulation of extraordinary optical transmission through a two-dimensional array of nano-holes
Authors: Ulbricht R. , Sakuma H. , Imade Y. , Otsuka P. H. , Tomoda M. , Matsuda O. , Kim H. , Park G.-W. , Wright O. B.
Published: March 2017

The ultrafast modulation of light transmitted by a metamaterial making up an extraordinary optical transmission geometry is investigated by means of optical pump-probe spectroscopy. Using a sample consisting of a lattice of square nano-holes in a gold film on a glass substrate, we monitor the high-frequency oscillations in the intensity of transmitted infrared light. A variety of gigahertz acoustic modes, involving the opening and shutting motion of the holes as well as the straining of the glass substrate below the holes, are revealed to be active in the optical modulation. Numerical simulations of the transient deformations and strain fields elucidate the nature of the vibrational modes contributing most strongly to the variations in optical transmission, and point to the hole-area modulation as the dominant effect. Potential applications include ultrafast acousto-optic modulators.
Vancomycin-resistant gene identification from live bacteria on an integrated microfluidic system by using low temperature lysis and loop-mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: Chang Wen-Hsin , Yu Ju-ching , Yang Sung-Yi , Lin Yi-Cheng , Wang Chih-Hung , You Huey-Ling , Wu Jiunn-Jong , Lee Mel S. , Lee Gwo-Bin
Published: March 2017

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is a kind of enterococci, which shows resistance toward antibiotics. It may last for a long period of time and meanwhile transmit the vancomycin-resistant gene (vanA) to other bacteria. In the United States alone, the resistant rate of Enterococcus to vancomycin increased from a mere 0.3% to a whopping 40% in the past two decades. Therefore, timely diagnosis and control of VRE is of great need so that clinicians can prevent patients from becoming infected. Nowadays, VRE is diagnosed by antibiotic susceptibility test or molecular diagnosis assays such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and polymerase chain reaction. However, the existing diagnostic methods have some drawbacks, for example, time-consumption, no genetic information, or high false-positive rate. This study reports an integrated microfluidic system, which can automatically identify the vancomycin resistant gene (vanA) from live bacteria in clinical samples. A new approach using ethidium monoazide, nucleic acid specific probes, low temperature chemical lysis, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been presented. The experimental results showed that the developed system can detect the vanA gene from live Enterococcus in joint fluid samples with detection limit as low as 10 colony formation units/reaction within 1 h. This is the first time that an integrated microfluidic system has been demonstrated to detect vanA gene from live bacteria by using the LAMP approach. With its high sensitivity and accuracy, the proposed system may be useful to monitor antibiotic resistance genes from live bacteria in clinical samples in the near future.
Nonlinear simulation and linear stability analysis of viscous fingering instability of viscoelastic liquids
Authors: Shokri H. , Kayhani M. H. , Norouzi M.
Published: March 2017

In this study, the viscous fingering instability of miscible displacement involving a viscoelastic fluid is investigated using both linear stability analysis and computational fluid dynamics for the first time. The Oldroyd-B model is used as the constitutive equation of a viscoelastic fluid. Here, it is assumed that one of the displacing fluids or the displaced one is viscoelastic. In linear stability analysis, the quasi-steady state approximation and six order shooting method are used to predict the growth rate of the disturbance in the flow. It is shown that the flow is more stabilized when the elasticity (Weissenberg number) of the displaced or displacing viscoelastic fluid is increased. In the nonlinear simulation, using the spectral method based on Hartley transforms and the fourth-order Adams-Bashforth technique, the effect of the viscoelastic fluid on this instability has been studied. Evaluation of concentration contours, mixing length, sweep efficiency, and transversely average concentration show that the elasticity has a significant effect on the fingering instability and the flow becomes more stable by increasing the Weissenberg number.
Short time dynamics determine glass forming ability in a glass transition two-level model: A stochastic approach using Kramers’ escape formula
Authors: Toledo-Marín J. Quetzalcóatl , Naumis Gerardo G.
Published: March 2017

The relationship between short and long time relaxation dynamics is obtained for a simple solvable two-level energy landscape model of a glass. This is done through means of the Kramers’ transition theory, which arises in a very natural manner to calculate transition rates between wells. Then the corresponding stochastic master equation is analytically solved to find the population of metastable states. A relation between the cooling rate, the characteristic relaxation time, and the population of metastable states is found from the solution of such equation. From this, a relationship between the relaxation times and the frequency of oscillation at the metastable states, i.e., the short time dynamics, is obtained. Since the model is able to capture either a glass transition or a crystallization depending on the cooling rate, this gives a conceptual framework in which to discuss some aspects of rigidity theory, for example.
Methane dissociation process in inductively coupled Ar/H2/CH4 plasma for graphene nano-flakes production
Authors: Mohanta Antaryami , Lanfant Briac , Asfaha Mehari , Leparoux Marc
Published: March 2017

The role of hydrogen and methane dissociation process in induction plasma synthesis of graphene nano-flakes (GNF) is studied by the optical emission spectroscopy of Ar/H2/CH4 plasma. The condensation of C2 species formed due to methane decomposition produces GNF, which depends on pressure. Electron impact and dehydrogenation processes dissociate methane, which promotes and hinders the GNF production, respectively. The effect of hydrogen is insignificant on quality, size and morphology of the GNF. The CH4 flow rate has no influence on particle temperature but has effect on cooling rate at the point of nucleation and, therefore, on production rate and thickness of GNF.
Perfect spin filtering, rectifying and negative differential resistance effects in armchair graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Zhang Dan , Long Mengqiu , Zhang Xiaojiao , Cui Liling , Li Xinmei , Xu Hui
Published: March 2017

Using the non-equilibrium Green's function method combined with the spin-polarized density functional theory, we calculate the electronic and transport properties of the armchair graphene nanoribbons with a special edge hydrogenation (S-AGNRs). The results show S-AGNRs are ferromagnetic bipolar magnetic semiconductors with 2μB magnetic moment, and the B or N atom doping can make S-AGNRs convert to up-spin dominated or down-spin dominated half metal. Therefore, a 100% spin-filtering effect has been realized in the corresponding devices. Furthermore, the negative differential resistance phenomenon can also be found. The B and N atoms co-doping can construct a PN junction, and the rectification ratio is as high as 1010.
Solid H2 versus solid noble-gas environment: Influence on photoinduced hydrogen-atom transfer in matrix-isolated 4(3H)-pyrimidinone
Authors: Lapinski Leszek , Nowak Maciej J. , Rostkowska Hanna
Published: March 2017

UV-induced transformations have been studied for 4(3H)-pyrimidinone monomers isolated in low-temperature Ar, Ne, n-D2, and n-H2 matrices. The observed photochemical behavior of the compound drastically depended on the solid matrix environment. For 4(3H)-pyrimidinone isolated in solid Ar, the UV-induced phototautomeric transformation was clearly the dominating process, leading to a nearly quantitative conversion of the oxo reactant into the hydroxy product. For solid Ne environment, the oxo → hydroxy transformation was still the major photoprocess, but yielding less of the hydroxy product (ca. 64% of the yield in solid Ar). For 4(3H)-pyrimidinone isolated in solid n-H2, the oxo → hydroxy phototautomeric conversion did not occur (or occurred at a very tiny scale). Also for deuterated 4(3D)-pyrimidinone isolated in solid hydrogen, the analogous oxo → deuteroxy phototransformation was not observed. Finally, for the compound trapped in solid n-D2, the oxo → hydroxy phototautomerism clearly occurred, but the yield of the hydroxy tautomer was small (ca. 18% of the yield in solid Ar). Apart from hydrogen-atom-transfer processes, two other phototransformations: generation of open-ring conjugated ketene and valence Dewar isomer were observed for the compound isolated in Ar, Ne, n-D2, and n-H2 matrices.
In-situ atomic force microscopy observation revealing gel-like plasticity on a metallic glass surface
Authors: Lu Y. M. , Zeng J. F. , Huang J. C. , Kuan S. Y. , Nieh T. G. , Wang W. H. , Pan M. X. , Liu C. T. , Yang Y.
Published: March 2017

It has been decade-long and enduring efforts to decipher the structural mechanism of plasticity in metallic glasses; however, it still remains a challenge to directly reveal the structural change, if any, that precedes; and dominant plastics flow in them. Here, by using the dynamic atomic force microscope as an “imaging” as well as a “forcing” tool, we unfold a real-time sequence of structural evolution occurring on the surface of an Au-Si thin film metallic glass. In sharp contrast to the common notion that plasticity comes along with mechanical softening in bulk metallic glasses, our experimental results directly reveal three types of nano-sized surface regions, which undergo plasticity but exhibit different characters of structural evolution following the local plasticity events, including stochastic structural rearrangement, unusual local relaxation and rejuvenation. As such, yielding on the metallic-glass surface manifests as a dynamic equilibrium between local relaxation and rejuvenation as opposed to shear instability in bulk metallic-glasses. Our finding demonstrates that plasticity on the metallic glass surface of Au-Si metallic glass bears much resemblance to that of the colloidal gels, of which nonlinear rheology rather than shear instability governs the constitutive behavior of plasticity.
Negative thermal expansion properties in tetragonal NbPO5 from the first principles studies
Authors: Li Tao , Fu Xiaonan , Chang Dahu , Sun Qiang , Wang Fei
Published: March 2017

By using the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory combined with quasi-harmonic approximation, we have studied the geometric structural, thermal properties, and the negative thermal expansion (NTE) properties of tetrahedral NbPO5. The variations of cell parameter and cell volume of tetrahedral NbPO5 with temperature show that it displays NTE behavior in the range of 473-800 K along a-axis and the corresponding average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is approximately -0.766 ×10−6 K−1, while the c cell parameter and the cell volume display positive thermal expansion behaviors. These results are in consistent well with the experiment observations. Further vibrational modes analysis, together with Grüneisen parameters calculations, revealed that the transverse vibration of O corner atoms accompanying the rocking motions of corner-shared NbO6 octahedron and PO4 tetrahedron dominate the negative thermal properties of tetrahedral NbPO5. Our findings will provide an understanding for the underlying mechanisms of the NTE in oxides materials.
Passivation of multiple-quantum-well Ge0.97Sn0.03/Ge p-i-n photodetectors
Authors: Morea Matthew , Brendel Corinna E. , Zang Kai , Suh Junkyo , Fenrich Colleen S. , Huang Yi-Chiau , Chung Hua , Huo Yijie , Kamins Theodore I. , Saraswat Krishna C. , Harris James S.
Published: March 2017

We study the effect of surface passivation on pseudomorphic multiple-quantum-well Ge0.97Sn0.03/Ge p-i-n photodetectors. A combination of ozone oxidation to form GeOx and GeSnOx on the surface of the diodes followed by atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 for protection of these native oxides provides reduced dark current. With a temperature-dependent investigation of dark current, we calculate the activation energy to be 0.26 eV at a bias of −0.1 V and 0.05 eV at −1 V for the sample passivated by this ozone method. Based on these activation energy results, we find that the current is less dominated by bulk tunneling at lower reverse bias values; hence, the effect of surface passivation is more noticeable with nearly an order-of-magnitude improvement in dark current for the ozone-passivated sample compared to control devices without the ozone treatment at a voltage of −0.1 V. Passivation also results in a significant enhancement of the responsivity, particularly for shorter wavelengths, with 26% higher responsivity at 1100 nm and 16% higher performance at 1300 nm.
Contact resonance AFM to quantify the in-plane and out-of-plane loss tangents of polymers simultaneously
Authors: Rezaei E. , Turner J. A.
Published: March 2017

Contact resonance atomic force microscope (AFM) methods are used to quantify the elastic and viscoelastic properties of numerous materials including polymers. More recently, U-shaped AFM thermalevers have been developed to allow the local heating of samples, and the resonances of these probes are much more complex. These probes also allow the in-plane and out-of-plane tip-sample motion to be excited independently at the same location using a Lorentz force excitation. Here, such a probe is used to determine the in-plane and out-of-plane viscoelastic properties at the same location. The approach is demonstrated with respect to the indentation and shear loss tangents on high-density polyethylene and polystyrene.
Solid state tungsten oxide hydrate/tin oxide hydrate electrochromic device prepared by electrochemical reactions
Authors: Nishiyama Kentaro , Matsuo Ryo , Sasano Junji , Yokoyama Seiji , Izaki Masanobu
Published: March 2017

The solid state electrochromic device composed of tungsten oxide hydrate (WO3(H2O)0.33) and tin oxide hydrate (Sn(O,OH)) has been constructed by anodic deposition of WO3(H2O)0.33 and Sn(O,OH) layers and showed the color change from clear to blue by applying voltage through an Au electrode.
Preparation of flexible carbon nanotube ropes for low-voltage heat generator
Authors: Han Bao Jun , Liu Ting , Huang Zhi Juan , Chen De Ming , Zhu Yi Song , Zhou Cai Ying , Li Ye Sheng , Yin Yan Hong , Wu Zi Ping
Published: March 2017

Carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes (∼1.5 mm in diameter and ∼3000 mm in length) possessing a high degree of flexibility were prepared by twisting CNT socks with the use of rotating motors. Such ropes were not only highly flexible but also dense and homogenous. The structure also allowed the ropes to be easily manipulated without any damage. When the ropes were employed as a heat generator, white incandescence on the rope could be clearly observed even at a low voltage. The properties of the ropes were also validated by observing that water could be boiled after heating for several minutes at a voltage of 15 V. Furthermore, the content of elements in the water before and after heating was unchanged, which demonstrated the structural stability of the ropes. The results indicated the excellent heat transfer performance of the flexible ropes and exhibited potential for use in portable and safe heat generator technology.
FEM thermal analysis of Cu/diamond/Cu and diamond/SiC heat spreaders
Authors: Denu Garuma Abdisa , Mirani Jibran Hussain , Fu Jiao , Liu Zongchen , Wang Hongxing
Published: March 2017

The effects of thermal stress resulting from thermal cooling in copper/diamond/copper heat spreader is investigated using finite element method. A similar model of diamond/SiC heat spreader is compared without addition of interlayer. The effect of carbide interlayer in reduction of interfacial thermal stress is investigated. The results show that the carbide interlayer film thickness is critical in stress reduction for a copper/diamond/copper heat spreader device. Diamond/SiC device has lower interfacial stress without interlayer. The study of mechanical and thermal property of diamond heat spreader is useful for optimal designs of efficient heat spreader for electronic components.
Solar-blind ultraviolet photodetector based on (LaAlO3)0.3-(SrAl0.5Ta0.5O3)0.7 single crystal
Authors: Du Jian-yu , Ge Chen , Xing Jie , Li Jian-kun , Jin Kui-juan , Yang Jing-ting , Guo Hai-zhong , He Meng , Wang Can , Lu Hui-bin , Yang Guo-zhen
Published: March 2017

A solar-blind ultraviolet photodetector based on perovskite (LaAlO3)0.3-(SrAl0.5Ta0.5O3)0.7 (LSAT) single crystal has been fabricated. The Deep Ultra Violet (DUV)/Ultra Violet (UV) (200 versus 290 nm) ratio is more than three orders of magnitude under the applied bias voltage 200 V. Under illumination at 200 nm, the responsivity of this ultraviolet photodetector reaches 4 mA/W at 200 V bias. The corresponding quantum efficiency and detectivity are 2.76% and 1×1011 cm⋅Hz0.5/W, respectively. The ultrafast response with a rise time of 563 ps and full width half maximum (FWHM) of 1.085 ns is obtained. The high sensitivity, ultrafast response speed, and good signal-to-noise ratio demonstrate that the LSAT photodetector could be a promising candidate as the solar-blind ultraviolet photodetector.
Magnetic light cloaking control in the marine planktonic copepod Sapphirina
Authors: Kashiwagi H. , Mizukawa Y. , Iwasaka M. , Ohtsuka S.
Published: March 2017

We investigated the light cloaking behavior of the marine planktonic copepod Sapphirina under a magnetic field. Optical interferences in the multi-laminated guanine crystal layer beneath the dorsal body surface create a brilliant structural color, which can be almost entirely removed by changing the light reflection. In the investigation, we immersed segments of Sapphirina in seawater contained in an optical chamber. When the derived Sapphirina segments were attached to the container surface, they were inert to magnetic fields up to 300 mT. However, when the back plate segments were attached to the substrate at a point, with most of the plate floating in the seawater, the plate rotated oppositely to the applied magnetic field. In addition, the brilliant parts of the Sapphirina back plate rotated backward and forward by changing the magnetic field directions. Our experiment suggests a new model of an optical micro-electro-mechanical system that is controllable by magnetic fields.
Electroluminescence property improvement by adjusting quantum wells’ position relative to p-doped region in InGaN/GaN multiple-quantum-well light emitting diodes
Authors: Chen P. , Zhao D. G. , Jiang D. S. , Long H. , Li M. , Yang J. , Zhu J. J. , Liu Z. S. , Li X. J. , Liu W. , Li X. , Liang F. , Liu J. P. , Zhang B. S. , Yang H.
Published: March 2017

The hole distribution and electroluminescence property improvement by adjusting the relative position between quantum wells and p-doped region in InGaN/GaN multiple-quantum-well structures are experimentally and theoretically investigated. Five designed samples with different barrier layer parameters of multiple-quantum-well structure are grown by MOCVD and then fabricated into devices. The electroluminescence properties of these samples are measured and compared. It is found that the output electroluminescence intensity of samples is enhanced if the position of quantum wells shifts towards p-side, while the output power is reduced if their position is shifted towards the n-side. The theoretical calculation of characteristics of these devices using the simulation program APSYS agrees well with the experimental data, illustrating that the effect of relative position between p-doped region and quantum wells on the improvement of hole distribution and electroluminescence performance is significant, especially for InGaN/GaN multiple-quantum-well devices operated under high injection condition.
Absolute-magnetic-field measurement using nanogranular in-gap magnetic sensor with second-harmonic and liquid-nitrogen-temperature operation
Authors: Tsukada Keiji , Yasugi Takuya , Majima Yatsuse , Sakai Kenji , Kiwa Toshihiko
Published: March 2017

To detect the absolute magnetic field, such as the earth’s magnetic field, a linear magnetic response, a zero point, and thermal stability are required. We thus propose an operating method and sensor probe consisting of a nanogranular in-gap magnetic sensor (GIGS), an operational amplifier integrated circuit, and a modulation coil. The sensor probe was operated in second-harmonic mode at a liquid-nitrogen (Liq. N2) temperature. When an AC magnetic field was applied to GIGS, the second-harmonic signal was generated and modulated by the outer magnetic field to be measured. After lock-in detection, the modulated output signal showed good linearity and a zero point. Moreover, higher sensitivity and low noise with low thermal fluctuation was obtained by the cooling at Liq. N2 temperature.
Development of nonresonant elliptical vibration cutting device based on parallel piezoelectric actuator
Authors: Jieqiong Lin , Jinguo Han , Mingming Lu , Yan Gu , Wenhui Zhu
Published: March 2017

Because of its unique intermittent cutting and friction reversal characteristics, elliptical vibration cutting (EVC) has become the most promising method for machining of otherwise difficult-to-machine materials in recent years. However, some problems remain in the research towards development of EVC devices. In this paper, with the intention of solving the existing problems of EVC devices, a nonresonant-type EVC device that is driven by two parallel piezoelectric stacks is developed. After the principle of the device is introduced, the stiffness of the EVC device is calculated, and device simulations and experimental evaluations are performed. In addition, the performance of the EVC device is also tested. The experimental results show that the maximum strokes of the two directional mechanisms operating along the X- and Z-axes can reach 16.78 μm and 15.35 μm, respectively, and the motion resolutions in the X-axis and Z-axis directions both reach approximately 50 nm. Finally, a curved surface cutting experiment is carried out to verify the performance of the developed device.
Health and well being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people aged 50 years and over
Authors: Hughes Mark
Published: March 2017

Objectives
The aim of the present study was to examine the health and well being of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, the health issues that concern them, the services they use and challenges accessing services.

Methods
This study comprised a survey of the health and well being of 312 LGBTI people aged 50 years and over in New South Wales. The survey included the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) measure of health-related quality of life, the Kessler 10 (K10) measure of psychological distress, and the three-item Loneliness Scale.

Results
Higher levels of psychological distress, lower mental health and greater loneliness were found among this sample than is typically found in the general population. Mental health was lower among carers and those not in a relationship, while psychological distress was greater among those living alone and those experiencing higher rates of loneliness. The most commonly accessed health service was a general practitioner (GP), with most respondents reporting that they were open about their sexuality to their GP and that they had a regular GP. Some reported difficulties accessing health services because of their gender or sexual diversity.

Conclusions
Although many older LGBTI people are well, both physically and mentally, they do appear to face increased risk of certain health issues compared with the general population.

What is known about the topic?
Overseas research indicates that older LGBTI people may be at greater risk of certain physical and mental health conditions than the general population.

What does this paper add?
This paper provides Australian data, using well-validated instruments, on the health and well being of older LGBTI people. It provides evidence of the health issues that older LGBTI people are most concerned about and the barriers they face in accessing services.

What are the implications for practitioners?
It is important for health practitioners to be aware that older LGBTI people appear to be at increased risk of certain physical and mental health issues, such as loneliness and psychological distress. Providing opportunities for clients to identify their gender or sexual diversity may assist in monitoring risk factors and enable referral to promote healthy aging.
Supporting return to work through appropriate certification: a systematic approach for Australian primary care
Authors: Papagoras Harry , Pizzari Tania , Coburn Paul , Sleigh Kevin , Briggs Andrew M.
Published: March 2017

Primary care practitioners play a critical role in supporting return to work (RTW) and minimising the detrimental physical and psychosocial sequelae of unnecessary and prolonged work absence in injured and ill workers. Accurate and consistent certification of capacity is an essential component of this role that has been scrutinised recently given the identified variation in certification practices between and within professions. This Perspective outlines the importance of correct certification of capacity for injured workers and provides a RTW flowchart to support systematised and appropriate certification. The flowchart is aimed at primary care practitioners (e.g. general practitioners or physiotherapists). The flowchart was developed at the Transport Accident Commission and WorkSafe Victoria as a guide for Australian primary care practitioners when certifying capacity. A more systematised approach to certification coupled with professional education and support may reduce variations and inaccuracies in certification, improve RTW rates and reduce the increasing burden of disease related to workplace injuries.
Association analysis of molecular markers with traits under drought stress in safflower
Authors: Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Arzani Ahmad , Mohammadi-Nejad Ghasem
Published: March 2017

This study was performed to identify marker loci associated with important agronomic traits and oil content under two moisture conditions and find stable associations in test environments in a worldwide collection of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Association analysis was conducted between eight important traits and 341 polymorphic AFLP markers produced by 10 primer combinations (EcoRI/MseI) in 100 safflower genotypes. The results of population structure analysis identified three main subpopulations possessing significant genetic differences revealed by analysis of molecular variance. Association analysis explained the highest percentage of trait variation for seed yield (38%) under drought-stress conditions and number of seeds per capitulum (27.75%) under normal conditions. Four markers (M51/E41-6, M51/E41-4, M61/E40-6 and M62/E40-17) in drought-stress conditions and two markers (M62/E40-35 and M47/E37-13) in normal conditions were simultaneously associated with seed and oil yield. The markers stably associated with traits in all test environments included M62/E40-35 with seed yield in normal conditions, M62/E40-17 with seed yield in drought stress conditions, and M62/E41-11 with oil yield in drought-stress conditions. Significant relationships were identified between oil content and three markers (M61/E40-6, M47/E37-8 and M51/E32-9) under drought-stress conditions, and three markers (M61/E2-2, M61/E40-6 and M51/E41-12) under normal conditions. Among them, M51/E32-9 and M61/E2-2 markers showed stable association with oil content under drought-stress and normal conditions, respectively. Detected markers would be useful in marker-assisted breeding programs for safflower improvement in arid and semi-arid area.
Cell differentiation in nitrogen-fixing nodules hosting symbiosomes
Authors: Tsyganova Anna V. , Kitaeva Anna B. , Tsyganov Viktor E.
Published: March 2017

The nitrogen-fixing nodule is a unique ecological niche for rhizobia, where microaerobic conditions support functioning of the main enzyme of nitrogen fixation, nitrogenase, which is highly sensitive to oxygen. To accommodate bacteria in a symbiotic nodule, the specialised infected cells increase in size owing to endoreduplication and are able to shelter thousands of bacteria. Bacteria are isolated from the cytoplasm of the plant cell by a membrane-bound organelle-like structure termed the symbiosome. It is enclosed by a symbiosome membrane, mainly of plant origin but with some inclusion of bacterial proteins. Within the symbiosome, bacterial cells differentiate into bacteroids a form that is specialised for nitrogen fixation. In this review, we briefly summarise recent advances in studies of differentiation both of symbiosomes and of the infected cells that accommodate them. We will consider the role of CCS52A, DNA topoisomerase VI, tubulin cytoskeleton rearrangements in differentiation of infected cells, the fate of the vacuole, and the distribution of symbiosomes in the infected cells. We will also consider differentiation of symbiosomes, paying attention to the role of NCR peptides, vesicular transport to symbiosomes, and mutant analysis of symbiosome development in model and crop legumes. Finally, we conclude that mechanisms involved in redistribution organelles, including the symbiosomes, clearly merit much more attention.