bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-transparent photovoltaic glazing based on electrodeposited CIGS solar cells on patterned molybdenum/glass substrates
Authors: Sidali Tarik , Bou Adrien , Coutancier Damien , Chassaing Elisabeth , Theys Bertrand , Barakel Damien , Garuz Richard , Thoulon Pierre-Yves , Lincot Daniel
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a new way of preparing semi-transparent solar cells using Cu(In1−xGax)Se2 (CIGS) chalcopyrite semiconductors as absorbers for BIPV applications is presented. The key to the elaboration process consists in the co-electrodeposition of Cu-In-Ga mixed oxides on submillimetric hole-patterned molybdenum substrate, followed by thermal reduction to metallic alloys and selenisation. This method has the advantage of being a selective deposition technique where the thin film growth is carried out only on Mo covered areas. Thus, after annealing, the transparency of the sample is always preserved, allowing light to pass through the device. A complete device (5 × 5 cm2) with 535 μm diameter holes and total glass aperture of around 35% shows an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 400 mV. Locally, the I-V curves reveal a maximum efficiency of 7.7%, VOC of 460 mV, JSC of 24 mA.cm−2 in an area of 0.1 cm2 with 35% aperture. This efficiency on the semi-transparent area is equivalent to a record efficiency of 11.9% by taking into account only the effective area.
Chalcogenide glass-ceramic with self-organized heterojunctions: application to photovoltaic solar cells
Authors: Zhang Xianghua , Korolkov Ilia , Fan Bo , Cathelinaud Michel , Ma Hongli , Adam Jean-Luc , Merdrignac Odile , Calvez Laurent , Lhermite Hervé , Brizoual Laurent Le , Pasquinelli Marcel , Simon Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2018

In this work, we present for the first time the concept of chalcogenide glass-ceramic for photovoltaic applications with the GeSe2–Sb2Se3–CuI system. It has been demonstrated that thin films, deposited with the sputtering technique, are amorphous and can be crystallized with appropriate heat treatment. The thin film glass-ceramic behaves as a p-type semiconductor, even if it contains p-type Cu2GeSe3and n-type Sb2Se3. The conductivity of Sb2Se3has been greatly improved by appropriate iodine doping. The first photovoltaic solar cells based on the association of iodine-doped Sb2Se3and the glass-ceramic thin films give a short-circuit current density JSCof 10 mA/cm2and an open-circuit voltage VOCof 255 mV, with a power conversion efficiency of about 0.9%.
Tim-3
Authors: Granier Clémence , Gey Alain , Dariane Charles , Mejean Arnaud , Timsit Marc-Olivier , Blanc Charlotte , Verkarre Virginie , Radulescu Camélia , Fabre Elisabeth , Vano Yann , Oudard Stéphane , Badoual Cécile , Tartour Éric
Published: March 2018

Les lymphocytes T (LT) exprimant de multiples molécules de co-stimulation inhibitrices (PD-1, Tim-3, Lag-3, etc.) perdent leur activité anti-tumorale. PD-1 est une cible thérapeutique majeure dans le traitement du cancer, mais son expression isolée ne signe pas une dysfonction. Tim-3 est exprimée par de nombreux types cellulaires et inhibe les LT effecteurs ou augmente l’activité des cellules suppressives. Au sein de nombreuses tumeurs, les lymphocytes T-CD8 co-exprimant PD-1 et Tim-3 perdent leur fonctionnalité et sont de mauvais pronostic. De plus, Tim-3 apparaît comme un biomarqueur de résistance au blocage de l’axe PD-1/PD-L1. L’efficacité anti-tumorale d’un double blocage PD-1 et Tim-3 dans des modèles précliniques conforte ce rationnel de cibler Tim-3 pour lever certaines résistances à l’immunothérapie.
La motivation dans tous ses K
Authors: Le Bouc Raphaël , Pessiglione Mathias
Published: March 2018

La motivation peut être définie comme la fonction qui oriente et active le comportement. Nous résumons dans cette revue les acquis récents des neurosciences concernant les bases cérébrales des fonctions motivationnelles. En clinique neuropsychiatrique, les troubles de la motivation sont fréquents et actuellement évalués par des échelles qui ne renseignent pas sur les mécanismes sous-jacents. Nous présentons ici une nouvelle approche, dite computationnelle. Elle consiste à phénotyper le comportement des patients dans des tests de motivation, au moyen de modèles computationnels. Ces phénotypes computationnels caractérisent l’état du patient et pourraient aider au suivi et à la personnalisation du traitement.
Modelling of additive manufacturing processes: a review and classification
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Foteinopoulos Panagis
Published: March 2018

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a very promising technology; however, there are a number of open issues related to the different AM processes. The literature on modelling the existing AM processes is reviewed and classified. A categorization of the different AM processes in process groups, according to the process mechanism, has been conducted and the most important issues are stated. Suggestions are made as to which approach is more appropriate according to the key performance indicator desired to be modelled and a discussion is included as to the way that future modelling work can better contribute to improving today's AM process understanding.
Training bei Patellarsehnen-Tendinopathie – Schmerzfrei und isometrisch
Authors: Kadlec Daniel
Published: March 2018

Frustrierend, langwierig und anfangs schmerzhaft – das sind wohl die häufigsten Assoziationen zum Jumpers Knee. Bei der Reha von Patienten mit Patellar-Tendinopathie ist Geduld gefragt – und ein schmerzfreies, isometrisches Training mit hohen Belastungen wie dem tendoneuroplastischen Training.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal cancer in elderly patients with relative indications for endoscopic treatment
Authors: Qi Zhi-Peng , Chen Tao , Li Bing , Ren Zhong , Yao Li-Qing , Shi Qiang , Cai Shi-Lun , Zhong Yun-Shi , Zhou Ping-Hong
Published: March 2018

Background According to the Japanese Esophageal Society (JES) guidelines, early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the muscularis mucosae (M3) or upper submucosal (SM1) layers are relative indications for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Additional esophagectomy or chemoradiotherapy is recommended for patients with relative indications after evaluation. However, elderly patients (≥ 60 years) with relative indications in China often refuse additional treatment because of the debilitating side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of elderly patients with relative indications who did not undergo additional treatment after ESD.

Methods Data from elderly patients with relative indications who underwent ESD for early esophageal SCC between January 2008 and December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Stricture and recurrence, and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates were compared with patients with absolute indications for ESD.

Results 158 elderly patients were included and analyzed (89 in the absolute indications group and 69 in the relative indications group). The baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. During 56 months (range 1 – 108) of follow-up, the postoperative stricture rates were similar in the absolute and relative indications groups (21.3 % vs. 31.9 %; P  = 0.13). The hazard ratio (HR) for PFS in the absolute vs. the relative indications groups was 1.025 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.36 – 2.95; P = 0.96). The 5-year PFS rates were 90.5 % (95 %CI 83.44 – 97.56) and 90.8 % (95 %CI 83.74 – 97.86) for the absolute and relative indications groups, respectively. The HR for overall survival in the absolute vs. the relative indications groups was 0.564 (95 %CI 0.13 – 2.52; P = 0.45). The 5-year overall survival rates were 96.6 % (95 %CI 92.88 – 100) and 95.6 % (95 %CI 90.70 – 100) for the absolute and relative indications groups, respectively.

Conclusions Based on this study, regular follow-up without additional treatment may be considered as another choice for elderly patients with early esophageal SCC and relative indications after ESD.
What's New in Grade II and Grade III Gliomas?
Authors: Wick Wolfgang , Miller Julie
Published: March 2018

The majority of World Health Organization grade II and grade III gliomas harbor heterozygous mutations in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), and tumors with an IDH wild-type status show molecular features of a glioblastoma and simply may constitute a separate disease entity. This discovery has led to a profound shift in the way that gliomas are classified and, consequently, how treatment decisions are made. We will review the current understanding of IDH-mutant gliomagenesis and the preclinical models being used to investigate the underlying biology of these tumors and to explore new therapeutic options for these patients. We further summarize the results of recent pivotal trials addressing treatment of grade II and grade III gliomas and highlight promising IDH-mutant-specific therapies on the horizon.
New Directions in the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Authors: Reitman Zachary , Winkler Frank , Elia Andrew
Published: March 2018

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. The current standard of care for GBM is maximal resection followed by postoperative radiation with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide. Despite this multimodality treatment, the median survival for GBM remains marginally better than 1 year. In the past decade, genome-wide analyses have uncovered new molecular features of GBM that have refined its classification and provided new insights into the molecular basis for GBM pathogenesis. Here, we review these molecular features and discuss major clinical trials that have recently defined the field. We describe genetic alterations in isocitrate dehydrogenase, ATRX, the telomerase promoter, and histone H3 variants that promote GBM tumorigenesis and have altered GBM categorization. We also discuss intratumoral genetic heterogeneity as one explanation for therapeutic failures and explain how ultra-long extensions of glioma cells, called tumor microtubes, mediate therapeutic resistance. These findings provide new insights into GBM biology and offer hope for the development of next-generation therapies.
Imaging Criteria in Neuro-oncology
Authors: Nowosielski Martha , Wen Patrick
Published: March 2018

The identification of more effective therapies for brain tumors has been limited in part by the lack of reliable criteria for determining response and progression. Since its introduction in 1990, the MacDonald criteria have been used in neuro-oncology clinical trials to determine response, but they fail to address issues such as pseudoprogression, pseudoresponse, and nonenhancing tumor progression that have arisen with more recent therapies. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group, a multidisciplinary international group consisting of neuro-oncologists, medical oncologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and neuropsychologists, was formed to improve response assessment and clinical trial endpoints in neuro-oncology. Although it was initially focused on response assessment for gliomas, the scope of the RANO group has been broadened to include brain metastases, leptomeningeal metastases, spine tumors, pediatric brain tumors, and meningiomas. In addition, subgroups have focused on response assessment during immunotherapy and use of positron emission tomography, as well as determination of neurologic function, clinical outcomes assessment, and seizures. The RANO criteria are currently a collective work in progress, and refinements will be needed in the future based on data from clinical trials and improved imaging techniques.
Moraxella osloensis Bacteremia in an Immunocompetent Child
Authors: Purohit Prashant , Sadek Sherif Abdul Latif , Tak Komal , Emara Maha , Bafna Ritu , Al-Obaid Ina'am Ahmad , Habibi Nazima , Mustafa Abu Salim
Published: March 2018

Moraxella osloensis has been reported in the literature as a rare cause of sepsis, central nervous system infection, chest infection, and endophthalmitis. In the present case, the organism was isolated from the blood of an 8-year-old immunocompetent boy. It could not be identified with VITEK-2 and API-20NE (bioMerieux SA, Marcy-l'Etoile, France). Latex-based bacterial antigen test (BD Directigen Meningitis Combo Test; Becton, Dickinson and Company, Sparks, Maryland, United States) was positive for Neisseria meningitidis A/Y. It was identified as M. osloensis using matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) (Vitek MS, bioMerieux, Marcy-l'Etoile) (confidence level 99.9%) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (99% sequence identity). The child responded well to ampicillin, and was discharged home after 4 days, on oral amoxicillin–clavulanic acid for the next 7 days. M. osloensis is a rare cause of bacteremia. It may masquerade as N. meningitidis in the routine tests performed in the routine microbiology laboratories. It is imperative to confirm the identification with MALDI-TOF or a molecular method to remove the false positive diagnosis of N. meningitidis, and to avoid the unnecessary use of prophylaxis with rifampicin or ciprofloxacin.
Book Review - Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery
Authors: Silva Gilvan Aguiar da , da Silva Elton Gomes
Published: March 2018

In the present article, we review the book Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery, by British neurosurgeon Dr. Henry Marsh, a book that can offer a significant contribution to medical education regarding the ethics and vocation for neurosurgery.
Hand-Exoskelette – Den Traum vom Greifen erfüllen
Authors: Nann Marius , Soekadar Surjo R.
Published: March 2018

Selbstständig Kartoffelchips essen oder eine Tasse Kaffee trinken. Solche Aufgaben sind für Menschen mit Hand- und Fingerlähmungen meist eine große Hürde oder gar unmöglich. Das könnte sich bald ändern. Ein internationales Forscherteam entwickelte ein neuralgesteuertes Hand-Exoskelett, das Signale vom Gehirn überträgt und selbst feinste Fingerbewegungen ermöglicht.
Die Rechtsfrage: Können Eltern mir verbieten, mich mit dem verordnenden Arzt auszutauschen?
Authors: Bossow Karsten
Published: March 2018

Die Mutter eines Therapiekindes hat mir abends um 20 Uhr per SMS mitgeteilt, dass ich meinen physiotherapeutischen Befund auf keinen Fall dem behandelnden Arzt schicken soll. Am nächsten Tag hat sie – wieder per SMS – die Therapie abgebrochen. Ein anschließendes Telefongespräch konnte die Situation nicht klären. Was kann, darf und muss ich denn nun dem Arzt mitteilen?

Therapeutin via Facebook
Musiktherapie in der neurologischen
Frührehabilitation
Authors: Lüdke Renate
Published: March 2018

Welche Möglichkeiten gibt es, und wie grenzt sich die Musiktherapie von anderen
Therapieformen ab bzw. wie ergänzen diese sich? In folgendem Fallbeispiel aus
dem Klinikalltag der Frühreha sollen diese Aspekte beleuchtet und die Methoden
der Musiktherapie ausführlicher erläutert werden. Ein Schwerpunkt wird dabei auf
der therapeutischen Beziehung liegen, die bei der Musiktherapie mit Patienten
mit erworbenen Hirnschäden einen wichtigen Stellenwert einnimmt.
Musiktherapie bei Parkinson-Erkrankung
Authors: Mainka Stefan
Published: March 2018

Musik bietet nicht nur Unterhaltung und ästhetischen Genuss. Sie birgt für
Betroffene der Parkinson-Krankheit auch eine Reihe von therapeutischen
Potenzialen: Die Beweglichkeit und das Gehen können sich ebenso verbessern wie
die Feinmotorik. Auch das Singen hat heilende Wirkung. Der Artikel schildert,
dass dies alles auch ohne musikalische Vorerfahrung und besonderes Talent
gelingen kann.
Wie wirksam ist Musik in der
Neurorehabilitation?
Authors: Geipel Josephine , Weller Franziska
Published: March 2018

Musik hebt die Laune, steigert die Leistungsfähigkeit und hilft uns, unsere
Gefühle zu regulieren. Ihre Rhythmen verbinden sich mit biologischen Rhythmen,
unterstützen Bewegung und Motivation. Diese Effekte macht sich die
Neurorehabilitation zunutze.
Dimensions of Transnationalism
Authors: Tudor Alyosxa
Published: March 2018

This article identifies and analyses links between conceptualisations of trans-gender and trans-national, and aims for a critical redefinition of political agency. Through an examination of theories on transing, passing and performativity in queer-, trans- and transnational feminist knowledge production—illustrated by discursive examples from transgender communities and Romanian migrant communities—I call for a conceptualisation of entangled power relations that does not rely on fixed, pre-established categories, but defines subjectivity through risk in political struggle. I suggest that ‘transing’ the nation and ‘transing’ gender could be thought as critical moves for a radical deconstruction of gendered and national belonging. Rather than provide a static definition of the term ‘transnationalism’, the article explores potentials and limits of going beyond ‘the national’ and ‘gender’, and intervenes in forms of minority nationalism that reproduce racism, sexism, heteronormativity and gender binary as the norm of Western national belonging. In particular, building on Jasbir Puar's (2007) conceptualisation of homonationalism, the article shows how forms of nationalism in Western transgender and migrant communities rely on a combination of heteronormative binary gendering and the exertion of racism. While a conventionalised approach to transnationalism defines the term as a political strategy based on transnational politics, I play with suggesting different dimensions of transnationalism: it could mean ‘transgender nationalism’; the ‘assimilation of transgendered persons to the Western nation’; or ‘cross-border-nationalism’, a form of nationalism often established in migrant communities that constructs the diaspora as a nationalist extension of the homeland. My focus, therefore, is on analysing privilegings, contradictions and ambivalences in gendering, racialising and nationalising ascriptions of (non)belonging. Overall, and as an alternative to romanticised knowledge productions of crossing national and gendered borders, I suggest a power-sensitive epistemological and methodological shift in thinking entangled power relations, belonging and subjectivity in transnational feminist knowledge productions.
Truth after post-truth: for a Strong Programme in Discourse Studies
Authors: Angermuller Johannes
Published: March 2018

Contemporary post-truth discourses put the constructivist foundations of Discourse Studies to a test. According to critical observers, discourse analysts have been playing into the hands of Trump, Brexit and right-wing populists by politicising scientific knowledge and undermining the idea of scientific truth. In order to respond to these concerns, this article outlines a Strong Programme in Discourse Studies. While the Strong Programme insists on truths as discursive constructions, in no way does it claim that all ideas have the same truth value or that an idea can become true because somebody wants it to be true. The Strong Programme makes the case for discourse research that is constructivist (it asks how truths are constructed practically) without being relativist (all ideas do not have the same normative quality). Taking inspiration from debates in Science and Technology Studies of the 1970s, the Strong Programme formulates principles for discourse researchers dealing with conflicting truth claims. Discourse analytical explanations of truths of first-order participants and of second-order observers should be symmetrical, heterogeneous, multi-perspectival and reflexive. The Strong Programme discourse research is grounded in the founding traditions of “French” and “Critical” Discourse Studies, which have struggled over questions of truth and reality since the beginning. While critically interrogating the structuralist heritage of these strands, the Strong Programme insists on the practices of making and unmaking ideas through language use no matter whether they appear as true or false to participants and observers. Discourse Studies are encouraged to critically reflect on how hierarchies between knowledges are not only represented but, through their representation, also constituted through discursive practices.
Si doped GaP layers grown on Si wafers by low temperature PE-ALD
Authors: Gudovskikh A. S. , Uvarov A. V. , Morozov I. A. , Baranov A. I. , Kudryashov D. A. , Nikitina E. V. , Bukatin A. A. , Zelentsov K. S. , Mukhin I. S. , Levtchenko A. , Le Gall S. , Kleider J.-P.
Published: March 2018

Low-temperature plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) was successfully used to grow silicon (Si) doped amorphous and microcrystalline gallium phosphide (GaP) layers onto p-type Si wafers for the fabrication of n-GaP/p-Si heterojunction solar cells. PE-ALD was realized at 380 °C with continuous H2 plasma discharge and the alternate use of phosphine and trimethylgallium as sources of P and Ga atoms, respectively. The layers were doped with silicon thanks to silane (SiH4) diluted in H2 that was introduced as a separated step. High SiH4 dilution in H2 (0.1%) allows us to deposit stoichiometric GaP layers. Hall measurements performed on the GaP:Si/p-Si structures reveal the presence of an n-type layer with a sheet electron density of 6–10 × 1013 cm−2 and an electron mobility of 13–25 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 300 K. This is associated with the formation of a strong inversion layer in the p-Si substrate due to strong band bending at the GaP/Si interface. GaP:Si/p-Si heterostructures exhibit a clear photovoltaic effect, with the performance being currently limited by the poor quality of the p-Si wafers and reflection losses at the GaP surface. This opens interesting perspectives for Si doped GaP deposited by PE-ALD for the fabrication of p-Si based heterojunction solar cells.
Calculation of density of states of transition metals: From bulk sample to nanocluster
Authors: Krasavin Andrey V. , Borisyuk Petr V. , Vasiliev Oleg S. , Zhumagulov Yaroslav V. , Kashurnikov Vladimir A. , Kurelchuk Uliana N. , Lebedinskii Yuriy Yu.
Published: March 2018

A technique is presented of restoring the electronic density of states of the valence band from data of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The originality of the technique consists in using a stochastic procedure to solve an integral equation relating the density of states and the experimental X-ray photoelectron spectra via the broadening function. To obtain the broadening function, only the XPS spectra of the core levels are needed. The results are presented for bulk sample of gold and tungsten and nanoclusters of tantalum; the possibility of using the results to determine the density of states of low-dimensional structures, including ensembles of metal nanoclusters, is demonstrated.
Large eddy simulation of spanwise rotating turbulent channel flow with dynamic variants of eddy viscosity model
Authors: Jiang Zhou , Xia Zhenhua , Shi Yipeng , Chen Shiyi
Published: March 2018

A fully developed spanwise rotating turbulent channel flow has been numerically investigated utilizing large-eddy simulation. Our focus is to assess the performances of the dynamic variants of eddy viscosity models, including dynamic Vreman’s model (DVM), dynamic wall adapting local eddy viscosity (DWALE) model, dynamic σ (Dσ) model, and the dynamic volumetric strain-stretching (DVSS) model, in this canonical flow. The results with dynamic Smagorinsky model (DSM) and direct numerical simulations (DNS) are used as references. Our results show that the DVM has a wrong asymptotic behavior in the near wall region, while the other three models can correctly predict it. In the high rotation case, the DWALE can get reliable mean velocity profile, but the turbulence intensities in the wall-normal and spanwise directions show clear deviations from DNS data. DVSS exhibits poor predictions on both the mean velocity profile and turbulence intensities. In all three cases, Dσ performs the best.
Computational study of aortic hemodynamics for patients with an abnormal aortic valve: The importance of secondary flow at the ascending aorta inlet
Authors: Pirola S. , Jarral O. A. , O'Regan D. P. , Asimakopoulos G. , Anderson J. R. , Pepper J. R. , Athanasiou T. , Xu X. Y.
Published: March 2018

Blood flow in the aorta is helical, but most computational studies ignore the presence of secondary flow components at the ascending aorta (AAo) inlet. The aim of this study is to ascertain the importance of inlet boundary conditions (BCs) in computational analysis of flow patterns in the thoracic aorta based on patient-specific images, with a particular focus on patients with an abnormal aortic valve. Two cases were studied: one presenting a severe aortic valve stenosis and the other with a mechanical valve. For both aorta models, three inlet BCs were compared; these included the flat profile and 1D through-plane velocity and 3D phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging derived velocity profiles, with the latter being used for benchmarking. Our results showed that peak and mean velocities at the proximal end of the ascending aorta were underestimated by up to 41% when the secondary flow components were neglected. The results for helical flow descriptors highlighted the strong influence of secondary velocities on the helical flow structure in the AAo. Differences in all wall shear stress (WSS)-derived indices were much more pronounced in the AAo and aortic arch (AA) than in the descending aorta (DAo). Overall, this study demonstrates that using 3D velocity profiles as inlet BC is essential for patient-specific analysis of hemodynamics and WSS in the AAo and AA in the presence of an abnormal aortic valve. However, predicted flow in the DAo is less sensitive to the secondary velocities imposed at the inlet; hence, the 1D through-plane profile could be a sufficient inlet BC for studies focusing on distal regions of the thoracic aorta.
Enhanced electron emission from coated metal targets: Effect of surface thickness on performance
Authors: Madas Saibabu , Mishra S. K. , Upadhyay Kahaly Mousumi
Published: March 2018

In this work, we establish an analytical formalism to address the temperature dependent electron emission from a metallic target with thin coating, operating at a finite temperature. Taking into account three dimensional parabolic energy dispersion for the target (base) material and suitable thickness dependent energy dispersion for the coating layer, Fermi Dirac statistics of electron energy distribution and Fowler’s mechanism of the electron emission, we discuss the dependence of the emission flux on the physical properties such as the Fermi level, work function, thickness of the coating material, and operating temperature. Our systematic estimation of how the thickness of coating affects the emission current demonstrates superior emission characteristics for thin coating layer at high temperature (above 1000 K), whereas in low temperature regime, a better response is expected from thicker coating layer. This underlying fundamental behavior appears to be essentially identical for all configurations when work function of the coating layer is lower than that of the bulk target work function. The analysis and predictions could be useful in designing new coated materials with suitable thickness for applications in the field of thin film devices and field emitters.
A constitutive rheological model for agglomerating blood derived from nonequilibrium thermodynamics
Authors: Tsimouri Ioanna Ch. , Stephanou Pavlos S. , Mavrantzas Vlasis G.
Published: March 2018

Red blood cells tend to aggregate in the presence of plasma proteins, forming structures known as rouleaux. Here, we derive a constitutive rheological model for human blood which accounts for the formation and dissociation of rouleaux using the generalized bracket formulation of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Similar to the model derived by Owens and co-workers [“A non-homogeneous constitutive model for human blood. Part 1. Model derivation and steady flow,” J. Fluid Mech. 617, 327–354 (2008)] through polymer network theory, each rouleau in our model is represented as a dumbbell; the corresponding structural variable is the conformation tensor of the dumbbell. The kinetics of rouleau formation and dissociation is treated as in the work of Germann et al. [“Nonequilibrium thermodynamic modeling of the structure and rheology of concentrated wormlike micellar solutions,” J. Non-Newton. Fluid Mech. 196, 51–57 (2013)] by assuming a set of reversible reactions, each characterized by a forward and a reverse rate constant. The final set of evolution equations for the microstructure of each rouleau and the expression for the stress tensor turn out to be very similar to those of Owens and co-workers. However, by explicitly considering a mechanism for the formation and breakage of rouleaux, our model further provides expressions for the aggregation and disaggregation rates appearing in the final transport equations, which in the kinetic theory-based network model of Owens were absent and had to be specified separately. Despite this, the two models are found to provide similar descriptions of experimental data on the size distribution of rouleaux.
Validation of gyrokinetic simulations with measurements of electron temperature fluctuations and density-temperature phase angles on ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Freethy S. J. , Görler T. , Creely A. J. , Conway G. D. , Denk S. S. , Happel T. , Koenen C. , Hennequin P. , White A. E. ,   ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: March 2018

Measurements of turbulent electron temperature fluctuation amplitudes, δTe⊥/Te, frequency spectra, and radial correlation lengths, Lr(Te⊥), have been performed at ASDEX Upgrade using a newly upgraded Correlation ECE diagnostic in the range of scales k⊥<1.4 cm−1, kr<3.5 cm−1 (k⊥ρs<0.28 and krρs<0.7). The phase angle between turbulent temperature and density fluctuations, αnT, has also been measured by using an ECE radiometer coupled to a reflectometer along the same line of sight. These quantities are used simultaneously to constrain a set of ion-scale non-linear gyrokinetic turbulence simulations of the outer core (ρtor = 0.75) of a low density, electron heated L-mode plasma, performed using the gyrokinetic simulation code, GENE. The ion and electron temperature gradients were scanned within uncertainties. It is found that gyrokinetic simulations are able to match simultaneously the electron and ion heat flux at this radius within the experimental uncertainties. The simulations were performed based on a reference discharge for which δTe⊥/Te measurements were available, and Lr(Te⊥) and αnT were then predicted using synthetic diagnostics prior to measurements in a repeat discharge. While temperature fluctuation amplitudes are overestimated by >50% for all simulations within the sensitivity scans performed, good quantitative agreement is found for Lr(Te⊥) and αnT. A validation metric is used to quantify the level of agreement of individual simulations with experimental measurements, and the best agreement is found close to the experimental gradient values.
Study of additive manufactured microwave cavities for pulsed optically pumped atomic clock applications
Authors: Affolderbach C. , Moreno W. , Ivanov A. E. , Debogovic T. , Pellaton M. , Skrivervik A. K. , de Rijk E. , Mileti G.
Published: March 2018

Additive manufacturing (AM) of passive microwave components is of high interest for the cost-effective and rapid prototyping or manufacture of devices with complex geometries. Here, we present an experimental study on the properties of recently demonstrated microwave resonator cavities manufactured by AM, in view of their applications to high-performance compact atomic clocks. The microwave cavities employ a loop-gap geometry using six electrodes. The critical electrode structures were manufactured monolithically using two different approaches: Stereolithography (SLA) of a polymer followed by metal coating and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of aluminum. The tested microwave cavities show the desired TE011-like resonant mode at the Rb clock frequency of ≈6.835 GHz, with a microwave magnetic field highly parallel to the quantization axis across the vapor cell. When operated in an atomic clock setup, the measured atomic Rabi oscillations are comparable to those observed for conventionally manufactured cavities and indicate a good uniformity of the field amplitude across the vapor cell. Employing a time-domain Ramsey scheme on one of the SLA cavities, high-contrast (34%) Ramsey fringes are observed for the Rb clock transition, along with a narrow (166 Hz linewidth) central fringe. The measured clock stability of 2.2 × 10−13 τ−1/2 up to the integration time of 30 s is comparable to the current state-of-the-art stabilities of compact vapor-cell clocks based on conventional microwave cavities and thus demonstrates the feasibility of the approach.
Influence of hydrophobicity on ice accumulation process under sleet and wind conditions
Authors: Xu Ke , Hu Jianlin , Shu Lichun , Jiang Xingliang , Huang Zhengyong
Published: March 2018

Glaze, the most dangerous ice type in natural environment, forms during sleet weather, which is usually accompanied with wind. The icing performance of hydrophobic coatings under the impact of wind needs further research. This paper studies the influence of hydrophobicity on ice accumulation process under sleet and wind conditions by computer simulations and icing tests. The results indicate that the heat dissipation process of droplets on samples with various hydrophobicity will be accelerated by wind significantly and that a higher hydrophobicity cannot reduce the cooling rate effectively. However, on different hydrophobic surfaces, the ice accumulation process has different characteristics. On a hydrophilic surface, the falling droplets form continuously water film, which will be cooled fast. On superhydrophobic surface, the frozen droplets form ice bulges, which can shield from wind and slow down the heat dissipation process. These ice accumulation characteristics lead to the difference in ice morphology and make a higher hydrophobic surface to have a lower ice mass growth rate in long period icing tests. As a conclusion, superhydrophobic coating remain icephobic under wind and sleet conditions.
Occurrence of polyploidy in populations of Acacia dealbata in south-eastern Tasmania and cytotypic variation in reproductive traits
Authors: Nghiem Q. C. , Griffin A. R. , Harwood C. E. , Harbard J. L. , Le S. , Price A. , Koutoulis A.
Published: March 2018

The frequency of polyploid trees in 10 populations of the predominantly diploid species Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata Link in south-eastern Tasmania was determined using flow cytometry. At seven of the sites, all trees were diploid. At two sites, single triploid genets were found and, at a third, two tetraploids. Microsatellite markers were used to confirm that triploid trees distributed over an area of at least 930 m2 at the major study site were all ramets of a single genet. Three diploid clones were also confirmed at this site. The 16-grain polyads from the triploid genet were significantly larger than those from diploids, but only the diploid pollen showed any viability in vitro. At three months the green pods on diploids averaged 36 mm and contained four developing seeds per pod. Pods on the triploid were only 13 mm long, with no developing seeds. In spite of maturing pods, two of the diploids did not yield full seed, whereas two other diploids averaged only 0.1 seeds per pod. Seeds were not produced on triploid trees. The low reproductive output is discussed with reference to the breeding system and the impact of clonality on effective cross-pollination.
Analysis of trichloroethene vapour in soil-gas samples using solid-sorbent tubes with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Duncan Candice M. , Mainhagu Jon , Lin Dan , Brusseau Mark L.
Published: March 2018

Environmental contextChlorinated chemicals are priority contaminants that pose significant risk to human health, and require state-of-the-art sampling techniques for varying matrices. A soil-gas sampling method was developed for the quantification of vapours of trichloroethene, a major chlorinated contaminant, present just above the groundwater zone. The method addresses sampling times, volumes and low-level trichloroethene concentrations.
AbstractA sampling method for determining vapour concentrations of chlorinated contaminants, specifically trichloroethene (TCE), present in the vadose zone has been developed, and was applied at the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site. The method, modified from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Manual of Analytical Methods # 1022 for ambient-air sampling of TCE, is targeted to situations requiring cost-effective sample collection, particularly for cases in which concentrations are at or below maximum contaminant. In our method, TCE vapour is sampled using a solid-sorbent tube. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry is used to confirm and quantify the presence of TCE. The results of laboratory tests demonstrate a maximum TCE vapour load of ~22 mg before breakthrough to the secondary sorbent-tube section, and an extraction efficiency of ~97%. The results of a performance comparison test conducted in the field show that concentrations obtained with the sorbent tube samplers (~5 μg/L) are similar to those obtained with the use of standard summa canisters (~3 μg/L). The quantitative detection limit for the new method was 0.03 μg/L under the operative conditions, a significant improvement on current analytical methods. The results indicate that use of the sorbent-tube method will be effective for vapour sample collection at sites contaminated with volatile organic compounds, particularly in characterising low concentrations for applications such as assessing groundwater contamination risk and the need for remedial action via soil vapour extraction or other methods.
Phosphorus deficiency alters scaling relationships between leaf gas exchange and associated traits in a wide range of contrasting Eucalyptus species
Authors: Bahar Nur H. A. , Gauthier Paul P. G. , O'Sullivan Odhran S. , Brereton Thomas , Evans John R. , Atkin Owen K.
Published: March 2018

Phosphorus (P) limitation is known to have substantial impacts on leaf metabolism. However, uncertainty remains around whether P deficiency alters scaling functions linking leaf metabolism to associated traits. We investigated the effect of P deficiency on leaf gas exchange and related leaf traits in 17 contrasting Eucalyptus species that exhibit inherent differences in leaf traits. Saplings were grown under controlled-environment conditions in a glasshouse, where they were subjected to minus and plus P treatments for 15 weeks. P deficiency decreased P concentrations and increased leaf mass per area (LMA) of newly-developed leaves. Rates of photosynthesis (A) and respiration (R) were also reduced in P-deficient plants compared with P-fertilised plants. By contrast, P deficiency had little effect on the temperature sensitivity of R. Irrespective of P treatment, on a log-log basis A and R scaled positively with increasing leaf nitrogen concentration [N] and negatively with increasing LMA. Although P deficiency had limited impact on A-R-LMA relationships, rates of CO2 exchange per unit N were consistently lower in P-deficient plants. Our results highlight the importance of P supply for leaf carbon metabolism and show how P deficiencies (i.e. when excluding confounding genotypic and environmental effects) can have a direct effect on commonly used leaf trait scaling relationships.
Differential protein expression reveals salt tolerance mechanisms of Desmostachya bipinnata at moderate and high levels of salinity
Authors: Asrar Hina , Hussain Tabassum , Gul Bilquees , Khan M. Ajmal , Nielsen Brent L.
Published: March 2018

A proteomics approach was used to investigate salt tolerance mechanisms of Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf. Plants were subjected to 0 mM (control), 100 mM (moderate) and 400 mM (high) NaCl. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified with available databases. Optimal plant fresh weight was found at moderate salinity but declined at high salinity. Water potential, osmotic potential, Na+/K+ ratio, leaf electrolyte leakage, sugars and proline were altered at high salinity. However, water potential, proline content and electrolyte leakage were maintained at moderate salinity; Na+ and K+ concentrations increased, whereas sugars and osmotic potential decreased. Comparative proteome analysis revealed 103 salt responsive proteins. At moderate salinity, most of the proteins involved in energy metabolism, transport, antioxidative defence and cell growth were either unchanged or increased. Proteins related to amino-acid metabolism were decreased while those associated with secondary metabolism were accumulated. At high salinity, amino-acid metabolism and dehydration responses were evident; proteins of energy metabolism, transport and stress defence were downregulated. These results suggest that an efficient defence system, improved transport of water and metabolites, increased cell wall lignification and regulation of energy and carbohydrate metabolism allowed better potential for plant growth under moderately saline conditions.
Factors influencing integrated wellbeing in older Chinese outpatients with chronic diseases
Authors: Huang Fei , Li Hongyu
Published: March 2018

To evaluate wellbeing and its determinants among older Chinese outpatients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), outpatients (aged ≥60 years) with NCDs between September 2012 and September 2014 were enrolled in the study by convenience sampling. Each subject completed an integrated wellbeing questionnaire for subjective, psychological and social dimensions of wellbeing. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, ANOVA, Spearman rank correlation and multivariate regression analysis to identify correlates of wellbeing status. The average integrated wellbeing score was 52.57 out of 98, with maximum of 72. Educational background and monthly income were positively associated with wellbeing (Spearman r=0.226 and 0.394 respectively; all P<0.001). The number of co-morbid conditions and the disease duration showed a negative correlation with wellbeing (Spearman r=–0.373 and –0.538 respectively; all P<0.001). Lack of access to health insurance, being single and presence of complications were associated with lower wellbeing (all P≤0.001). As the first study using an integrated wellbeing model, the results suggested wellbeing promotion among older outpatients with chronic diseases, especially those with lower income, lower education level, those who lack health insurance, single individuals, those with co-morbid conditions, longer disease duration and those with complications.
Links SU-Sex: development of a screening tool for health-risk sexual behaviours related to substance use among men who have sex with men
Authors: Goyette Mathieu , Flores-Aranda Jorge , Bertrand Karine , Pronovost Frédérick , Aubut Valérie , Ortiz Roberto , Saint-Jacques Marianne
Published: March 2018

Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have distinctive substance use (SU), which is more often linked to a sexual context than it is for their heterosexual peers. Screening of MSM’s SU, its sexual contexts and the associated risks, is of clinical and public health concern. This paper aims to describe the preliminary development of a screening tool for health-risk sexual behaviours related to SU and to make recommendations for its potential use. Methods: Community-based participatory research and transdisciplinary approaches guided the development process. The Links SU-Sex screening tool is the result of the integration of findings from a scoping review and from four meetings among SU and sexual health experts (n = 19), consisting of researchers, community stakeholders, as well as substance-using MSM. Results: The Links SU-Sex questionnaire consists of 64 items divided into 13 components that focus on the links between SU and sexual health. It addresses the contexts in which SU occurs, its frequency, its perceived influence, as well as MSM’s concerns about these various links. In accordance with current knowledge, the interpretation of the instrument offers feedback that is based on the respondents’ answers to the various components assessed. Conclusions: The Links SU-Sex represents a potential screening tool that rests on a robust development process supporting its content validity that aims to identify MSM at risk or with concerns surrounding the influence of their SU on their sexual health. The psychometric qualities and the interpretation validity both remain to be established.
A ‘scoping review' of qualitative literature about engagement with HIV care in Indonesia
Authors: Lazuardi Elan , Bell Stephen , Newman Christy E.
Published: March 2018

Background The Indonesian response to HIV has been informed largely by quantitative evidence. This review examines what is known about the Indonesian HIV care cascade from published qualitative research. Methods: A ‘scoping review’ method was used to synthesise and interpret the findings of 17 eligible peer-reviewed publications. Results: Qualitative findings are reported in relation to two themes. Factors influencing successful engagement include a lack of HIV-related knowledge among clients, fear of stigma or lack of privacy/confidentiality at services, limited accessibility and affordability, and poor linkages between services. Factors affecting the broader response include a failure to adapt programs to specific socio-cultural settings, political issues in the distribution of donor funding, distrust and poor communication between service users and providers, the need for cultural privacy in particular community settings, and systemic experiences of gendered stigmatisation. Conclusions: Enhancing understanding of the Indonesian context would benefit from future qualitative research on HIV care in urban settings, describing the experiences of the most at-risk populations, and examining the role of clinics and providers in delivering HIV care in an increasingly decentralised health system.
Energy dissipation and fluctuations in a driven liquid
Authors: del Junco Clara , Tociu Laura , Vaikuntanathan Suriyanarayanan
Published: March 2018

Significance

Characterizing how energy consumption changes the properties of model nonequilibrium systems, particularly those with time-dependent steady states, remains an open problem—one that is key to advancing our understanding of a wide range of experimental and biological systems. Here, we derive a relation between the work done on a system of particles driven by time-periodic forces and the force fluctuations in the system. This relation gives us information about how pushing the system out of equilibrium modifies its structure and transport properties and leads to phase separation. Our results suggest ways to explore how energy dissipation can be used to tune the properties of nonequilibrium materials.
Accessing morphosyntactic information is preserved at old age, except for irregulars
Authors: Reifegerste Jana , Clahsen Harald
Published: March 2018

The current study examined morphological priming in older individuals using two complex phenomena of German inflection. Study 1 examined inflected adjectives which encode multiple morphosyntactic features using regular affixes. Study 2 targeted inflected verb forms which also encode multiple features, but in this case using idiosyncratic stem variants. Study 1 revealed priming effects indicating efficient access of morphosyntactic features from inflected word forms with regular affixes. Study 2 showed that the same individuals were less efficient at accessing morphosyntactic features from marked stems. We argue that this contrast reflects age-related memory decline, which affects feature access from (lexically conditioned) stem variants more than feature access from lexically unconditioned regular forms.