bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput Thermoelectric Measurement Techniques
Authors: García-Cañadas Jorge , Min Gao
Published: October 2016

This chapter describes two novel measurement systems that were developed recently in order to meet the requirement of rapid characterization of thermoelectric materials and devices. The first system was developed based on an innovative multifunctional probe that serves as electrical contact, temperature sensor and heater. The system enables rapid measurements of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity in less than 20 s with the precision and accuracy comparable to the well-establish thermoelectric measurement systems. In addition, it can be modified to determine the thermal conductivity with a random error of 12%. The second system is based on the impedance spectroscopy, which exploits the frequency response of a thermoelectric system for the understanding of electrical and thermal transport processes. Thermoelectric impedance spectroscopy provides direct measurement of zT and proves to be a suitable technique for high-throughput applications. Furthermore, with assistance of equivalent circuits, it is possible to determine all key thermoelectric quantities for thermoelectric materials and devices.
Transferability of a coarse-grained atactic polystyrene model: the non-bonded potential effect
Authors: Xiao Qiang , Guo Hongxia
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we construct an efficient and simple coarse grained (CG) model for atactic polystyrene (PS) by using a 1 : 1 mapping scheme at 463 K and 1 atm pressure and derive the corresponding bonded and non-bonded potentials in the CG force field (FF) via a direct Boltzmann inversion approach and a combined structure-based and thermodynamic quantities-based CG method, respectively.
CO tolerance of Pt/FeOxcatalyst in both thermal catalytic H2oxidation and electrochemical CO oxidation: the effect of Pt deficit electron state
Authors: Liu Lequan , Zhou Feng , Kodiyath Rajesh , Ueda Shigenori , Abe Hideki , Wang Defa , Deng Youquan , Ye Jinhua
Published: October 2016

Decreased electron density of Pt in Pt/Fe enhances the mobility of adsorbed CO, suppresses Pt–CO bonding and prominently enhances CO-tolerance.
Deprotonation of formic acid in collisions with a liquid water surface studied by molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulations
Authors: Murdachaew Garold , Nathanson Gilbert M. , Benny Gerber R. , Halonen Lauri
Published: October 2016

Formic acid has a lower barrier to deprotonation at the air–water interface than in bulk liquid water.
Phthalocyanine based molecular spintronic devices
Authors: Barraud C. , Bouzehouane K. , Deranlot C. , Kim D. J. , Rakshit R. , Shi S. , Arabski J. , Bowen M. , Beaurepaire E. , Boukari S. , Petroff F. , Seneor P. , Mattana R.
Published: October 2016

Spin-dependent hybridization and spin excitation induce multiple magnetoresistance effects in phthalocyanine based spintronic devices.
Effect of the S-to-S bridge on the redox properties and H2activation performance of diiron complexes related to the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site
Authors: Cheng Minglun , Wang Mei , Zheng Dehua , Sun Licheng
Published: October 2016

Studies on diiron dithiolate complexes containing the same PNP ligand but different S-to-S bridges demonstrate that changing the S-to-S bridge can considerably alter the H2activation performance of [FeFe]-hydrogenase models.
Reactions facilitated by ligand design
Authors: Love Jason
Published: October 2016

Welcome to this themed issue of Dalton Transactions entitled “Reactions facilitated by ligand design”.
Intramolecular oxyacetoxylation of N-allylamides: an expeditious synthesis of oxazolines and oxazines by using a PhI(OAc)2/hydrogen fluoride–pyridine system
Authors: Ranjith Jala , Rajesh Nomula , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Radha Krishna Palakodety
Published: October 2016

The synthesis of oxazolines and oxazines fromN-allylamides was accomplishedviaan unprecedented reaction set.
A novel coelenterate luciferin-based luminescent probe for selective and sensitive detection of thiophenols
Authors: Yuan Mingliang , Ma Xiaojie , Jiang Tianyu , Zhang Chaochao , Chen Hui , Gao Yuqi , Yang Xingye , Du Lupei , Li Minyong
Published: October 2016

The first dual bioluminescent and chemiluminescent sensor for detecting thiophenols has been developed.
Noble metal-based materials in high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Yan Yan , Wang Tianyi , Li Xinran , Pang Huan , Xue Huaiguo
Published: October 2016

This review comprehensively summarizes and evaluates the recent progress in the research of noble metals and their composite electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Dual effects on constipation and diarrhea: protective potential of Radix Inulae lactones on irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Peng Ying , Wang Siqi , Wang Mengyue , Wang Fang , Yang Jingyu , Wu Chunfu , Li Xiaobo
Published: October 2016

Radix Inulae (RI) is commonly used to treat upper body pain, emesis, diarrhea and parasitic diseases in China.
Effects of Biofeedback on Control and Generalization of Nasalization in Typical Speakers
Authors: Heller Murray Elizabeth S. , Mendoza Joseph O. , Gill Simone V. , Perkell Joseph S. , Stepp Cara E.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of biofeedback on control of nasalization in individuals with typical speech.

Method

Forty-eight individuals with typical speech attempted to increase and decrease vowel nasalization. During training, stimuli consisted of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) tokens with the center vowels /a/ or /i/ in either a nasal or nonnasal phonemic context (e.g., /mim/ vs. /bib/), depending on the participant’s training group. Half of the participants had access to augmentative visual feedback during training, which was based on a less-invasive acoustic, accelerometric measure of vowel nasalization—the Horii oral–nasal coupling (HONC) score. During pre- and posttraining assessments, acoustically based nasalance was also measured from the center vowels /a/, /i/, /æ/, and /u/ of CVCs in both nasal and nonnasal contexts.

Results

Linear regressions indicated that both phonemic contexts (nasal or nonnasal) and the presence of augmentative visual feedback during training were significant predictors for changes in nasalance scores from pre- to posttraining.

Conclusions

Participants were able to change the nasalization of their speech following a training period with HONC biofeedback. Future work is necessary to examine the effect of such training in individuals with velopharyngeal dysfunction.
Multiuser untrusted relay networks with joint cooperative jamming and opportunistic scheduling under perfect and outdated CSI
Authors: Ding Fan , Wang Hui , Zhang Shengli , Dai Mingjun
Published: October 2016

A joint cooperative jamming and opportunistic scheduling (CJOS) scheme is proposed for a downlink multiuser relay network (MRN) with an untrusted fixed‐gain amplify‐and‐forward relay. Specifically, the source's confident message is protected by employing CJ at the destinations and multiuser diversity is harvested via OS. Unified tight approximation and asymptotic expressions for the system secrecy outage probability with perfect/outdated channel state information (CSI) are derived. Our results explicitly show that with perfect CSI, CJOS scheme can improve the secrecy diversity order from 1/2 in single‐user networks up to full diversity of 1 in MRNs. However, the outdated CSI degrades the secrecy diversity order from 1 to 1/2.
Developing and evaluating a mobile driver fatigue detection network based on electroencephalograph signals
Authors: Yin Jinghai , Hu Jianfeng , Mu Zhendong
Published: October 2016

The rapid development of driver fatigue detection technology indicates important significance of traffic safety. The authors’ main goals of this Letter are principally three: (i) A middleware architecture, defined as process unit (PU), which can communicate with personal electroencephalography (EEG) node (PEN) and cloud server (CS). The PU receives EEG signals from PEN, recognises the fatigue state of the driver, and transfer this information to CS. The CS sends notification messages to the surrounding vehicles. (ii) An android application for fatigue detection is built. The application can be used for the driver to detect the state of his/her fatigue based on EEG signals, and warn neighbourhood vehicles. (iii) The detection algorithm for driver fatigue is applied based on fuzzy entropy. The idea of 10‐fold cross‐validation and support vector machine are used for classified calculation. Experimental results show that the average accurate rate of detecting driver fatigue is about 95%, which implying that the algorithm is validity in detecting state of driver fatigue.
Asymmetrical DC bias analysis of the no‐load series transformer by using the TPFEM
Authors: Wang Shuaibing , Li Lin , Zhao Xiaojun , Xie Yuqing , Cai Linhai
Published: October 2016

The time‐periodic finite element method (TPFEM) is coupled with circuit equations to study the asymmetrical DC bias problems of series transformer in this study. The periodic characteristics of the current and the magnetic field are taken as the restraint conditions. Taking into account the external voltages and determining the equivalent thickness of the two‐dimensional magnetic system by calculating the magnetic field energy, the field–circuit coupled time‐periodic finite element equations are built. The locally convergent fixed‐point method is used to solve the non‐linear time‐varying equations by updating the fixed reluctivity. The calculated results agree well with those measured on a no‐load low‐voltage series transformer prototype under asymmetrical DC bias, which verifies the effectiveness of TPFEM in the DC bias calculation. The characteristics of the no‐load series transformer prototype under asymmetrical DC bias are analysed based on this method.
Electromagnetic modelling and detection of buried stator core faults
Authors: Bertenshaw David R. , Ho Choon W. , Smith A.C. , Sasic Mladen , Chan Trina
Published: October 2016

Interlamination insulation faults in the stator cores of large electrical machines can damage both winding insulation and stator core, thus confidence in electromagnetic test results is important. They may be validated by finite element (FE) methods, however the 3D models required for short faults are computationally challenged by laminated structures, requiring approximations. A homogenised 3D FE model was used to model faults buried in the teeth and yoke of the core, with a new experimental methodology developed to calibrate fault currents. Limitations were identified in modelling just a core section due to images and the constraint of axial packet air gaps on fault flux dispersion. A system of transverse 2D FE models of the principal fault flux paths in the core were constructed to estimate the differential impact on fault signals by the air gap presence and applied to the 3D FE model. Together with corrections for images this gave close predictions of experimental results, supporting the validity of the model. The verified electromagnetic test results now permit assessment of the threat that a detected buried fault presents.
Stator inter‐turn fault detection in closed‐loop controlled drive based on switching sideband harmonics in CMV
Authors: Liu He , Huang Jin , Hou Zhaowen , Yang Jiaqiang , Ye Ming
Published: October 2016

This study proposes a method for stator fault detection of inverter‐fed induction machine in closed‐loop control. The sideband response of inverter switching harmonics in common‐mode voltage (CMV) is employed to detect the stator inter‐turn fault, thus no additional injected signal is necessary. However, the PWM nature harmonics introduce undesired CMV signals, depending on the inherent imbalance or resistance asymmetry. For this reason, the CMV amplitude is not suitable to indicate the fault directly. In this study, the behaviour of switching harmonic is analysed first, and then a simple but efficient stator fault model is demonstrated. To suppress the adverse interference from inverter, an inter‐turn fault indicator is proposed by utilising both of the switching sidebands. This method can obtain fault location and severity with low sensitivity to steady operating condition and stator imbalance. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Benchmarking approach for empirical comparison of pricing models in DRMS
Authors: Azghandi Seif , Hopkinson Kenneth Mark , Laviers Kennard Robert
Published: October 2016

Demand response management systems often involve the use of pricing schemes to motivate the efficient use of electrical power. Achieving this efficiency requires the detection of electrical power patterns. The detection of these patterns normally involves use of non‐linear, quasi‐non‐linear, and at times linear data pattern detection models. The behavioural disparities of these models and specifically when used for a specific set of data make it hard to select the most efficient model. The contribution of this study is devising an empirical benchmark (reference) (perfect) control pricing (PCP) model through which various models are compared in order to select the most efficient model. In this study, the authors elect neural networks, sliding window–multiple linear regression, and a proportional controller models to be representative of non‐linear, quasi‐non‐linear, and linear models, respectively, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of PCP. The dataset used for demonstrating both the operation of PCP and the elected models for comparisons is collected from Green Button project and Pacific Gas and Electric.
Pyroelectric effect and polarization instability in self-assembled diphenylalanine microtubes
Authors: Esin A. , Baturin I. , Nikitin T. , Vasilev S. , Salehli F. , Shur V. Ya. , Kholkin A. L.
Published: October 2016

The natural ability of peptides and proteins to self-assemble into elongated fibrils is associated with several neurogenerative diseases. Diphenylalanine (FF) tubular structures that have the same structural motif as in Aβ-amyloid peptide (involved in Alzheimer's disease) are shown to possess remarkable physical properties ranging from piezoelectricity to electrochemical activities. In this work, we also discover a significant pyroelectric activity and measure the temperature dependence of the pyroelectric coefficient in the temperature range of 20–100 °C. Pyroelectric activity decreases with temperature contrary to most ferroelectric materials and significant relaxation of pyrocurrent is observed on cooling after heating above 50 °C. This unusual behavior is assigned to the temperature-induced disorder of water molecules inside the nanochannels. Pyroelectric coefficient and current and voltage figures of merit are estimated and future applications of pyroelectric peptide nanostructures in biomedical applications are outlined.
Change of the arc attachment mode and its effect on the lifetime in automotive high intensity discharge lamps
Authors: Alexejev Alexander , Flesch Peter , Mentel Jürgen , Awakowicz Peter
Published: October 2016

In modern cars, the new generation Hg-free high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, the so called xenon lamps, take an important role. The long lifetime of these lamps is achieved by doping the tungsten electrodes with thorium. Thorium forms a dipole layer on the electrode surface, thus reducing the work function of tungsten. However, thoriating the electrodes is also an issue of trade and transport regulation, so a substitute is looked into. This work shows the influence of the arc attachment mode on the lifetime of the lamps. The mode of the arc attachment changes during the run-up phase of automotive HID lamps after a characteristic time period depending, i.e., on the filling of the lamps, which is dominated by scandium. It will be shown that this characteristic time period for the change of the attachment mode determines the long term performance of Hg-free xenon lamps. Measurements attributing the mode change to the scandium density in the filling are presented. The emitter effect of scandium will be suggested to be the reason of the mode change.
Transition of exchange bias from the linear to oscillatory regime with the progression of surface oxidation of Ag@FeCo@Ag core@shell@shell nanoparticles
Authors: Takahashi M. , Mohan P. , Higashimine K. , Mott D. M. , Maenosono S.
Published: October 2016

The evolution of the exchange bias field was investigated in Ag@FeCo@Ag and AgAu@FeCo@AgAu core@shell@shell nanoparticles as a function of aging time. Because of the partial oxidation of the thin (∼2.5-nm thick) ferromagnetic (FM) FeCo intermediate shell to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) Co0.5Fe0.5O phase, exchange bias was clearly observed at the interface between the FM and AFM layers. The exchange bias field monotonically increased with aging time when the ratio between the volumes of the AFM (vAFM) and FM (vFM) layers, vAFM/vFM, was less than 2.8. However, the exchange bias field showed an oscillatory behavior with respect to vAFM/vFM, when vAFM/vFM>3.6. This oscillatory behavior probably results from the small interfacial area between the FM and AFM layers, which causes fluctuations of the surplus magnetization in the AFM shell. Using the exchange bias field within the linear regime, it is possible to sensitively estimate the thickness of the AFM layer (i.e., the surface oxide layer).
Short-period cyclic loading system for in situ X-ray observation of anelastic properties at high pressure
Authors: Yoshino Takashi , Yamazaki Daisuke , Tange Yoshinori , Higo Yuji
Published: October 2016

To determine the anelastic properties of materials of the Earth’s interior, a short-period cyclic loading system was installed for in situ X-ray radiographic observation under high pressure to the multi-anvil deformation DIA press at the bending magnet beam line BL04B1 at SPring-8. The hydraulic system equipped with a piston controlled by a solenoid was designed so as to enable producing smooth sinusoidal stress in a wide range of oscillation period from 0.2 to 100 s and generating variable amplitudes. Time resolved X-ray radiography imaging of the sample and reference material provides their strain as a function of time during cyclic loading. A synchrotron X-ray radiation source allows us to resolve their strain variation with time even at the short period (<1 s). The minimum resolved strain is as small as 10−4, and the shortest oscillation period to detect small strain is 0.5 s. Preliminary experimental results exhibited that the new system can resolve attenuation factor Q−1 at upper mantle conditions. These results are in quantitative agreement with previously reported data obtained at lower pressures.
Manifestation of anharmonic resonance in the interaction of intense ultrashort laser pulses with microstructured targets
Authors: Dalui Malay , Kundu M. , Madhu Trivikram T. , Ray Krishanu , Krishnamurthy M.
Published: October 2016

Identification of the basic processes responsible for an efficient heating of intense laser produced plasmas is one of the important features of high intensity laser matter interaction studies. Collisionless absorption due to the anharmonicity in the self-consistent electrostatic potential of the plasma, known as anharmonic resonance (AHR), has been proposed to be a basic mechanism but a clear experimental demonstration is needed. Here, we show that microstructured targets enhance X-ray emission and the polarization dependence ascribes the enhancement to anharmonic resonance heating. It is found that p-polarized pulses of 5×1017 W/cm2 intensity bring in a 16-fold enhancement in the X-ray emission in the energy range 20–350 keV compared to s-polarized pulses with microstructured targets. This ratio is 2 for the case of polished targets under otherwise identical conditions. Particle-in-cell simulations clearly show that AHR is the key absorption mechanism responsible for this effect.
Development of fast neutron pinhole camera using nuclear emulsion for neutron emission profile measurement in KSTAR
Authors: Izumi Y. , Tomita H. , Nakayama Y. , Hayashi S. , Morishima K. , Isobe M. , Cheon M. S. , Ogawa K. , Nishitani T. , Naka T. , Nakano T. , Nakamura M. , Iguchi T.
Published: October 2016

We have developed a compact fast neutron camera based on a stack of nuclear emulsion plates and a pinhole collimator. The camera was installed at J-port of Korea superconducting tokamak advanced research at National Fusion Research Institute, Republic of Korea. Fast neutron images agreed better with calculated ones based on Monte Carlo neutron simulation using the uniform distribution of Deuterium-Deuterium (DD) neutron source in a torus of 40 cm radius.
Epitaxial Ge2Sb2Te5 probed by single cycle THz pulses of coherent synchrotron radiation
Authors: Bragaglia V. , Schnegg A. , Calarco R. , Holldack K.
Published: October 2016

A THz-probe spectroscopy scheme with laser-induced single cycle pulses of coherent synchrotron radiation is devised and adapted to reveal the dynamic THz transmittance response in epitaxially grown phase change materials upon 800 nm fs-laser excitation. Amorphous (a-) and crystalline (c-) films of the prototypical Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) alloy are probed with single cycle THz pulses tuned to the spectral range of the highest absorption contrast at 2 THz. After an initial instantaneous sub-picosecond (ps) dynamic THz transmittance drop, the response of a-GST in that range is dominated only by a short recovery time τshort = 2 ps of the excited carriers. On the contrary, the behavior of the c-GST response displays a short decay of 0.85 ps followed by a long one τlong = 90 ps, suggesting that vacancy layers in an ordered c-GST play a role as dissipation channel for photo-induced free carriers.
van der Waals epitaxy of CdTe thin film on graphene
Authors: Mohanty Dibyajyoti , Xie Weiyu , Wang Yiping , Lu Zonghuan , Shi Jian , Zhang Shengbai , Wang Gwo-Ching , Lu Toh-Ming , Bhat Ishwara B.
Published: October 2016

van der Waals epitaxy (vdWE) facilitates the epitaxial growth of materials having a large lattice mismatch with the substrate. Although vdWE of two-dimensional (2D) materials on 2D materials have been extensively studied, the vdWE for three-dimensional (3D) materials on 2D substrates remains a challenge. It is perceived that a 2D substrate passes little information to dictate the 3D growth. In this article, we demonstrated the vdWE growth of the CdTe(111) thin film on a graphene buffered SiO2/Si substrate using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique, despite a 46% large lattice mismatch between CdTe and graphene and a symmetry change from cubic to hexagonal. Our CdTe films produce a very narrow X-ray rocking curve, and the X-ray pole figure analysis showed 12 CdTe (111) peaks at a chi angle of 70°. This was attributed to two sets of parallel epitaxy of CdTe on graphene with a 30° relative orientation giving rise to a 12-fold symmetry in the pole figure. First-principles calculations reveal that, despite the relatively small energy differences, the graphene buffer layer does pass epitaxial information to CdTe as the parallel epitaxy, obtained in the experiment, is energetically favored. The work paves a way for the growth of high quality CdTe film on a large area as well as on the amorphous substrates.
Inducing injection barrier by covalent functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes acting as Moiré crystals
Authors: Bonnet Roméo , Barraud Clément , Martin Pascal , Della Rocca Maria Luisa , Lafarge Philippe
Published: October 2016

Covalent functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes is a direct method to suppress the conduction of the outermost shell, subject to interactions with the environment. The rehybridized sp3 external shell of the functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes becomes naturally a hybrid injection barrier allowing the control of the contact resistances and the study of quantum transport in the more protected inner shells. Charge transport measurements performed on isolated multiwall carbon nanotubes of large diameter show an increase of the contact resistance and stabilization in the MΩ range. Electronic quantum properties of the inner shells are highlighted by the observation of superlattice structures in the conductance, recently attributed to the formation of a one-dimensional Moiré pattern.
Mechanically driven luminescence in a ZnS:Cu-PDMS composite
Authors: Sohn Kee-Sun , Timilsina Suman , Singh Satendra Pal , Choi Taekjib , Kim Ji Sik
Published: October 2016

The conventional mechanoluminescence (ML) mechanism of phosphors such as SrAl2O4:Eu and ZnS:Mn is known to utilize carrier trapping at shallow traps followed by stress (or strain)-induced detrapping, which leads to activator recombination in association with local piezoelectric fields. However, such a conventional ML mechanism was found to be invalid for the ZnS:Cu-embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite, due to the absence of luminescence with a rigid matrix and a negligibly small value of the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of the composite. An alternative mechanism, namely, the triboelectricity-induced luminescence has been proposed for the mechanically driven luminescence of a ZnS:Cu-PDMS composite.
Manipulating antiferromagnets with magnetic fields: Ratchet motion of multiple domain walls induced by asymmetric field pulses
Authors: Gomonay O. , Kläui M. , Sinova J.
Published: October 2016

Future applications of antiferromagnets (AFs) in many spintronics devices rely on the precise manipulation of domain walls. The conventional approach using static magnetic fields is inefficient due to the low susceptibility of AFs. Recently proposed electrical manipulation with spin-orbit torques is restricted to metals with a specific crystal structure. Here, we propose an alternative, broadly applicable approach: using asymmetric magnetic field pulses to induce controlled ratchet motion of AF domain walls. The efficiency of this approach is based on three peculiarities of AF dynamics. First, a time-dependent magnetic field couples with an AF order parameter stronger than a static magnetic field, which leads to higher mobility of the domain walls. Second, the rate of change of the magnetic field couples with the spatial variation of the AF order parameter inside the domain, and this enables a synchronous motion of multiple domain walls with the same structure. Third, tailored asymmetric field pulses in combination with static friction can prevent backward motion of domain walls and thus lead to the desired controlled ratchet effect. The proposed use of an external field, rather than internal spin-orbit torques, avoids any restrictions on size, conductivity, and crystal structure of the AF material. We believe that our approach paves a way for the development of AF-based devices based on the controlled motion of AF domain walls.
Characterization of thermoplastic microfiltration chip for the separation of blood plasma from human blood
Authors: Chen Pin-Chuan , Chen Chih-Chun , Young Kung-Chia
Published: October 2016

In this study, we developed a fully thermoplastic microfiltration chip for the separation of blood plasma from human blood. Spiral microchannels were manufactured on a PMMA substrate using a micromilling machine, and a commercial polycarbonate membrane was bonded between two thermoplastic substrates. To achieve an excellent bonding between the commercial membrane and the thermoplastic substrates, we used a two-step injection and curing procedure of UV adhesive into a ring-shaped structure around the microchannel to efficiently prevent leakage during blood filtration. We performed multiple filtration experiments using human blood to compare the influence of three factors on separation efficiency: hematocrit level (40%, 23.2%, and 10.9%), membrane pore size (5 μm, 2 μm, and 1 μm), and flow rate (0.02 ml/min, 0.06 ml/min, 0.1 ml/min). To prevent hemolysis, the pressure within the microchannel was kept below 0.5 bars throughout all filtration experiments. The experimental results clearly demonstrated the following: (1) The proposed microfiltration chip is able to separate white blood cells and red blood cells from whole human blood with a separation efficiency that exceeds 95%; (2) no leakage occurred during any of the experiments, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of bonding a commercial membrane with a thermoplastic substrate using UV adhesive in a ring-shaped structure; (3) separation efficiency can be increased by using a membrane with smaller pore size, by using diluted blood with lower hematocrit, or by injecting blood into the microfiltration chip at a lower flow rate.
Regulation of
MIR165/166
by class II and class III homeodomain leucine zipper proteins establishes leaf polarity
Authors: Merelo Paz , Ram Hathi , Pia Caggiano Monica , Ohno Carolyn , Ott Felix , Straub Daniel , Graeff Moritz , Cho Seok Keun , Yang Seong Wook , Wenkel Stephan , Heisler Marcus G.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Leaves, being the prime photosynthetic organ of plants, are critical in many ways to our current biosphere. A defining characteristic, which also optimizes their function, is their flat shape that depends on the correct patterning of their upper and lower tissues during development. Here, we show that the correct patterning of upper and lower leaf tissues depends on two types of transcription factors (class II and class III homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-ZIPs) that act together to repress a set of
miRNAs
(
MIR165/166
), which in turn, represses the activity of these transcription factors (class III HD-ZIPs). This three-way interaction maintains the balance of tissue identities during growth, leading to the formation of a flat leaf.
An evolutionarily conserved element in initiator tRNAs prompts ultimate steps in ribosome maturation
Authors: Shetty Sunil , Varshney Umesh
Published: October 2016

Significance

Ribosomes are complex molecular machines requiring an intricate pathway for their biogenesis. Deficiencies in ribosome biogenesis result in inefficient and inaccurate translation, causing cellular toxicities and ribosomopathies. As ribosomes have multiple functions during the translation process, how cells ensure fidelity of the newly synthesized ribosomes for their functions has remained unclear. The immature ribosomes possess rRNAs whose ends have not been fully processed. What licenses final trimming of immature rRNAs is also unclear. Here, using
Escherichia coli
, we show that participation of initiator tRNA via its universally conserved three consecutive GC base pairs, in the first round of the initiation complex formation licenses the final steps of ribosome biogenesis by signaling RNases to trim the immature 16S rRNAs.
Clonal expansion of CD8 T cells in the systemic circulation precedes development of ipilimumab-induced toxicities
Authors: Subudhi Sumit K. , Aparicio Ana , Gao Jianjun , Zurita Amado J. , Araujo John C. , Logothetis Christopher J. , Tahir Salahaldin A. , Korivi Brinda R. , Slack Rebecca S. , Vence Luis , Emerson Ryan O. , Yusko Erik , Vignali Marissa , Robins Harlan S. , Sun Jingjing , Allison James P. , Sharma Padmanee
Published: October 2016

Significance

Immune checkpoint therapies have garnered significant attention due to their ability to induce dramatic clinical responses in patients with various solid tumor malignancies, including prostate cancer. However, these therapeutic agents often elicit immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that may result in substantial morbidity. Early intervention can markedly reduce the severity of the irAEs, but biomarkers that allow for their early detection and guide their management are lacking. Based on peripheral blood samples collected longitudinally in two prostate cancer clinical trials, we propose CD8 T-cell clonal expansion within the systemic circulation as a potential correlative biomarker of immune-related adverse events that occur with ipilimumab therapy.
Exploring the aggregation free energy landscape of the amyloid-β protein (1–40)
Authors: Zheng Weihua , Tsai Min-Yeh , Chen Mingchen , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Protein aggregation and amyloid formation seem to be at the heart of the pathology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

A
β

protein has long been considered one of the protein components that contributes to the pathogenesis and the progression of the disease. The concepts of energy landscape analysis established in the theory of protein folding are applied here to create a quantitative image of the aggregation energy landscape of

A
β

. The resulting “amyloid funnel” not only helps visualize the complexity of the early stages of aggregation of WT

A
β

but also, predicts the effects of mutations at specific sites on aggregation behavior.
Mushroom spine dynamics in medium spiny neurons of dorsal striatum associated with memory of moderate and intense training
Authors: Bello-Medina Paola C. , Flores Gonzalo , Quirarte Gina L. , McGaugh James L. , Prado Alcalá Roberto A.
Published: October 2016

Significance

Interference with activity of cerebral structures, including the dorsal striatum, produces amnesia after moderate levels of training; such interference, nonetheless, becomes ineffective when animals are subjected to intense training procedures. The mechanisms that mediate the protective effect of intense training are unknown. This report shows an increase in relative density of mushroom spines in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the dorsal striatum, which depends upon the intensity of training; relative density of mushroom spines in MSNs of nucleus accumbens, on the other hand, is augmented after noncontingent administration of a foot-shock alone. These findings suggest that increased mushroom spinogenesis produced by intense training strengthens memory consolidation and facilitates transfer of information from the dorsal striatum to other cerebral structures.
Efficient ECH-assisted plasma start-up using trapped particle configuration in the versatile experiment spherical torus
Authors: An YoungHwa , Lee Jeongwon , Jo JongGab , Jung Bong-Ki , Lee HyunYeong , Chung Kyoung-Jae , Na Yong-Su , Hahm T.S. , Hwang Y.S.
Published: October 2016

An efficient and robust ECH (electron cyclotron heating)-assisted plasma start-up scheme with a low loop voltage and low volt-second consumption utilizing the trapped particle configuration (TPC) has been developed in the versatile experiment spherical torus (VEST). The TPC is a mirror-like magnetic field configuration providing a vertical magnetic field in the same direction as the equilibrium field. It significantly enhances ECH pre-ionization with enhanced particle confinement due to its mirror effect, and intrinsically provides an equilibrium field with a stable decay index enabling prompt plasma current initiation. Consequently, the formation of TPC before the onset of the loop voltage allows the plasma to start up with a lower loop voltage and lower volt-second consumption as well as a wider operation range in terms of ECH pre-ionization power and H2 filling pressure. The TPC can improve the widely-used field null configuration significantly for more efficient start-up when ECH pre-ionization is used. This can then be utilized in superconducting tokamaks requiring a low loop voltage start-up, such as ITER, or in spherical tori with limited volt-seconds. The TPC can be particularly useful in superconducting tokamaks with a limited current slew-rate of superconducting PF coils, as it can save volt-second consumption before plasma current initiation by providing prompt initiation with an intrinsic stable equilibrium field.
Prognostic Value of Transient Elastography in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Pérez-Latorre Leire , Rivero-Juárez Antonio , Hontañón Víctor , Díez Cristina , Cuenca Francisca , Martín-Carbonero Maria Luz , Montes María L. , Bellón José M. , Aldámiz-Echevarría Teresa , Carrero Ana , Rivero Antonio , González-García Juan , Berenguer Juan
Published: October 2016

Background

Our objective was to study the prognostic value of liver stiffness (LS) in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods

We analyzed HIV-infected patients with compensated CHC and at least 1 determination of LS. The primary outcome was the occurrence of liver-related events (LRE), namely, decompensation or hepatocellular carcinoma, whichever occurred first. We selected patients without sustained viral response (SVR) or end-of-treatment response (ETR) during follow-up and allocated them to an estimation cohort (EC) and a validation cohort (VC).

Results

The study population comprised 1292 patients. After a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 90 patients experienced LRE and 73 died. In the subgroup of 957 patients without SVR or ETR, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of LS for prediction of LRE in the EC (n = 634) and the VC (n = 323) were 0.87 and 0.88, respectively. The best cutoff value of LS to rule out LRE in the EC was 12 kPa, with a negative predictive value of 98.3% in the EC and 98.2% in the VC. Per each 1 kPa and 5 kPa increase above 12 kPa, the hazard ratio of LRE (taking into account death as a competing risk) was 1.07 (95% CI, 1.05–1.08) and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.31–1.46), respectively.

Conclusions

Liver stiffness is very accurate for predicting LRE in coinfected patients. Patients with an LS <12 kPa had a 98% probability of not developing LRE after a median follow-up of almost 6 years. Above the 12-kPa cutoff, the hazard of LRE increases proportionally with LS.
Correlations of In Vitro Assays for Assessing Cytotoxicity and Biocompatibility of Contact Lens Multipurpose Solutions
Authors: Huang Ling C. , Salvador-Silva Mercedes , Leang Ronika S.
Published: October 2016

Objectives:

To demonstrate correlations among in vitro assays used for assessing cytotoxicity of contact lens multipurpose solution (MPS) and propose the use of multiple assays as a part of preclinical evaluation for MPS biocompatibility assessment.

Methods:

The effect of four different MPS on cell cytotoxicity, metabolic activity, and membrane integrity was performed by evaluating toxicity, expression of tight junction protein zonula occludens-1, and transepithelial electrical resistance in human corneal epithelial cells and Chinese hamster fibroblast cells.

Results:

Cytotoxicity of four MPS was assayed with five different experimental systems at various concentrations. In vitro MPS-induced cytotoxicity was dependent on assay choice, concentration of MPS used, and duration of treatment. Overall, MPS-1 and MPS-2 were comparable to MPS-4 and better than MPS-3 in maintaining corneal barrier integrity and cell viability.

Conclusions:

In vitro cytotoxicity testing with MPS exposure to monolayer of cells in culture could be used as a tool to understand the potential cytotoxicity profiles of MPS and possibly a predictor of clinical outcome. Furthermore, MPS effects on in vitro cytotoxicity are best demonstrated by performing multiple assays to evaluate cell viability, metabolic activity, and membrane integrity during development.
Are Women Who Exit Colposcopy Without Treatment at Elevated Risk for Cervical Cancer?
Authors: Koné Péfoyo Anna J. , Wang Li , Gao Julia , Kupets Rachel
Published: October 2016

Objective

This study aims to estimate the risk of cervical cancer and impact of treatment and other factors in women referred for high-grade (HG) and low-grade (LG) cytologic changes and discharged from colposcopy.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study identified 14,787 and 41,916 women with a first-time HG and LG cytologic abnormality between 2007 and 2010 and underwent colposcopy within 1 year. Treatment status was determined within the episode of care. Incidence of cervical cancer postcolposcopy was determined up to March 2015. Logistic regression assessed impact of colposcopic care and patient factors on cancer risk.

Results

A total of 62% HG and 28.5% LG had treatment. A total of 28% and 37% with HG and LG abnormalities had only 1 colposcopic evaluation. Subsequent cancer incidence in the untreated HG group was 1.1% versus 0.3% in the treated group. For the LG group, cancer rates were 0.08% in both treatment groups. In the HG group, those with initial colposcopy only and no treatment had an elevated risk [adjusted odds ratio = 6.6 (95% CI = 3.9–11)] compared with treatment with multiple follow-ups. Other significant factors were advancing age and no screening postcolposcopy. For the LG group, those with initial colposcopy only were more at risk regardless of treatment [adjusted odds ratio = 3.8 (95% CI = 1.8–8.1)] compared with multiple colposcopies.

Conclusions

Women who are untreated, with index HG cytology, remain at elevated risk for cervical cancer when the colposcopic episode is limited to 1 examination. Centralized programs are required to ensure that such women are not discharged prematurely or lost to follow up from colposcopy and subsequent screening.
Outcome Comparison in Children Undergoing Extracorporeal Life Support Initiated at a Local Hospital by a Mobile Cardiorespiratory Assistance Unit or at a Referral Center*
Authors: d’Aranda Erwan , Pastene Bruno , Ughetto Fabrice , Cotte Jean , Esnault Pierre , Fouilloux Virginie , Mazzeo Cécilia , Mancini Julien , Lebel Stéphane , Paut Olivier
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

To compare characteristics and outcome in children undergoing extracorporeal life support initiated in an extracorporeal life support center or at the patient’s bedside in a local hospital, by means of a mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit.

Methods:

A retrospective study in a single PICU during 6 years. Extracorporeal life support was started either in our center (control group) or in the local hospital (mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group). The data collected were demographics, markers of patient’s preextracorporeal life support condition, and outcome.

Results:

One hundred twenty-six children underwent extracorporeal life support, 105 in the control group and 21 in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group. There was no difference between groups in terms of age, weight, or Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score. There was a significant difference in organ failure etiology between groups, with more respiratory cases in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (76.2%) and more cardiac surgery cases in the control group (60%;p< 0.001). The duration of extracorporeal life support was longer in the mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group than in the control group (10 [1–36] vs 5 [0–33] d;p= 0.003). PICU length of stay and mortality (60% vs 47.6%;p= 0.294) were not significantly different between the two groups. To allow comparison of a more homogenous population, a subgroup analysis was performed including only respiratory failure patients from the two groups (R-control group [n= 22] and R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group [n= 16]). PICU length of stay was 17 (3–64) days in the R-control group and 23 (1–45) days in the R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (p= 0.564), and PICU mortality rate was 54.5% in the R-control group and 43.8% in the R-mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit group (p= 0.511). There was no difference between the R-groups for age, weight, Pediatric Risk of Mortality II score, and markers of kidney or liver dysfunction, and lactate blood levels.

Conclusion:

Extracorporeal life support can be safely initiated at children’s bedside in the local hospital and then transported to the specialized referral center. Our results support the validity of an interregional organization of mobile cardiorespiratory assistance unit teams.
Making Improvements in the ED
Authors: Benner Christopher A. , Mora Erika , Mueller Emily , Seagull F. Jacob , Walkovich Kelly , Johnson Kaleena , Halverson Schuyler , Rothman Ed , Hucks George , Younger John G. , Nypaver Michele M.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Febrile neutropenic pediatric patients are at heightened risk for serious bacterial infections, and rapid antibiotic administration (in <60 minutes) improves survival. Our objectives were to reduce the time-to-antibiotic (TTA) administration and to evaluate the effect of overall emergency department (ED) busyness on TTA.

Methods

This study was a quality improvement initiative with retrospective chart review to reduce TTA in febrile children with underlying diagnosis of cancer or hematologic immunodeficiency who visited the pediatric ED. A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline (CPG) was implemented to improve TTA. The CPG's main focus was delivery of antibiotics before availability of laboratory data. We collected data on TTA during baseline and intervention periods. Concurrent patient arrivals to the ED per hour served as a proxy of busyness. Time to antibiotic was compared with the number of concurrent arrivals per hour. Analyses included scatter plot and regression analysis.

Results

There were 253 visits from October 1, 2010 to March 30, 2012. Median TTA administration dropped from 207 to 89 minutes (P < 0.001). Eight months after completing all intervention periods, the median had dropped again to 44 minutes with 70% of patients receiving antibiotics within 60 minutes of ED arrival. There was no correlation between concurrent patient arrivals and TTA administration during the historical or intervention periods.

Conclusions

Implementation of a CPG and process improvements significantly reduced median TTA administration. Total patient arrivals per hour as a proxy of ED crowding did not affect TTA administration. Our data suggest that positive improvements in clinical care can be successful despite fluctuations in ED patient volume.
Pharmacist Outpatient Prescription Review in the Emergency Department
Authors: Shah Dhara , Manzi Shannon
Published: October 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the frequency, type, and potential severity of errors intercepted by pharmacists on review of discharge prescriptions in a pediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational study conducted in the ED of a pediatric teaching hospital. A daily report of prescriptions from the previous day was reviewed by a pharmacist for safety and efficacy. If an intervention was deemed necessary, the prescriber was contacted for clarification. In situations where patient harm could occur, the physician performing follow-ups was contacted by phone. The interventions were categorized based on type and potential severity. Physician response rates and intervention acceptance rates were assessed.

Results

Approximately 23,600 prescriptions were reviewed during a 1-year period with 60 interventions (0.25% intervention rate). Of the 60 interventions, 3% were estimated to have no severity, 80% were estimated to have minor, 12% moderate, and 5% major potential severity. The most common types of interventions were optimization of therapy, drug overdose, or dose omission at 33%, 32%, and 14%, respectively. Eighty-five percent of physicians responded; 73% accepted the intervention whereas 27% provided a rationale for their decision. More importantly, valuable information was gained, allowing for implementation of system fixes to prevent future errors. On an average, pharmacists spent 45 minutes reviewing and clarifying prescriptions each day.

Conclusions

Pharmacists in the ED can provide a valuable service by reviewing discharge prescriptions. A small amount of time dedicated to this service can lead to detection of clinically significant preventable medication errors and optimization of prescription therapy.