bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron paramagnetic resonance of a copper doped [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] hybrid perovskite framework
Authors: Šimėnas Mantas , Ciupa Aneta , Usevičius Gediminas , Aidas Kęstutis , Klose Daniel , Jeschke Gunnar , Mączka Mirosław , Völkel Georg , Pöppl Andreas , Banys Jūras
Published: April 2018

We present an EPR study of the structural phase transition in a copped doped dimethylammonium zinc formate hybrid perovskite framework.
An empirical model for magnetic field dependent resistivity and magnetoresistance in manganites: application on polycrystalline charge-ordered La0.4Gd0.1Ca0.5MnO3
Authors: Krichene A. , Boujelben W. , Mukherjee S. , Shah N. A. , Solanki P. S.
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we have investigated the electrical and magnetic response of a La0.4Gd0.1Ca0.5MnO3 polycrystalline sample.
Cu–Mg–Zr/SiO2 catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of ethylene carbonate to methanol and ethylene glycol
Authors: Tian Jingxia , Chen Wei , Wu Peng , Zhu Zhirong , Li Xiaohong
Published: April 2018

A Cux–Mgy–Zrz/SiO2 catalyst with a total metal loading of 60 wt% prepared by a deposition–precipitation method was applied for the selective hydrogenation of ethylene carbonate to methanol and ethylene glycol in a fixed-bed reactor.
Cobalt–nickel alloy catalysts for hydrosilylation of ketones synthesized by utilizing metal–organic framework as template
Authors: Bennedsen Niklas R. , Kramer Søren , Mielby Jerrik J. , Kegnæs Søren
Published: April 2018

The facile synthesis of CoNi@NC materials from a MOF precursor is reported along with the catalytic properties in ketone hydrosilylation.
Direct liquid-phase phenol-to-aniline amination using Pd/C
Authors: Cuypers Thomas , Tomkins Patrick , De Vos Dirk E.
Published: April 2018

Here, we report the first direct amination of phenol with ammonia into primary anilines in the liquid phase using Pd/C.
Iodide reagent controlled reaction pathway of iodoperoxidation of alkenes: a high regioselectivity synthesis of α- and β-iodoperoxidates under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Gao Xiaofang , Yang Hongling , Cheng Chen , Jia Qi , Gao Fang , Chen Hongxiang , Cai Qun , Wang Chuangjian
Published: April 2018

A highly atom-economical, efficient and environmentally friendly iodoperoxidation of alkenes with TBHP and iodide/iodine is reported.
N-Acetyl-3-aminopyrazoles block the non-canonical NF-kB cascade by selectively inhibiting NIK
Authors: Pippione Agnese C. , Sainas Stefano , Federico Antonella , Lupino Elisa , Piccinini Marco , Kubbutat Michael , Contreras Jean-Marie , Morice Christophe , Barge Alessandro , Ducime Alex , Boschi Donatella , Al-Karadaghi Salam , Lolli Marco L.
Published: April 2018

Resulting from hit-to-lead optimization, the aminopyrazole3ais a NIK inhibitor selective over 44 kinases.
Improving the stability and reusability of dextranase by immobilization on polyethylenimine modified magnetic particles
Authors: Wang Yajie , Wang Qiang , Song Xiaoping , Cai Jingjing
Published: April 2018

The stability and reusability of dextranase were improved by immobilizing it on polyethylenimine modified magnetic particles.
Cinchona derivatives as sustainable and recyclable homogeneous organocatalysts for aza-Markovnikov addition
Authors: Nagy Sándor , Fehér Zsuzsanna , Kisszékelyi Péter , Huszthy Péter , Kupai József
Published: April 2018

Aza-Markovnikov additions were achieved with up to 98% yields using cinchona based organocatalysts that were recycled by organic solvent nanofiltration.
Design and synthesis of a multifunctional porous N-rich polymer containing s-triazine and Tröger's base for CO2 adsorption, catalysis and sensing
Authors: Cui Yuanzheng , Du Jianfeng , Liu Yuchuan , Yu Yue , Wang Shun , Pang Hao , Liang Zhiqiang , Yu Jihong
Published: April 2018

A multifunctional porous N-rich polymer containing s-triazine and Tröger's base was synthesized. It shows selective adsorption for CO2, colorimetric performance for HCl and good catalytic activity in the Knoevenagel condensation.
Tuning the structure and properties of a multiferroic metal–organic-framework via growing under high magnetic fields
Authors: Hu Lin , Wang Zhe , Wang Hui , Qu Zhe , Chen Qianwang
Published: April 2018

High magnetic field-induced synthesis has been demonstrated to tune the structure and properties of the multiferroic metal–organic framework [(CH3)2NH2][Mn(HCOO)3].
Synergistic effects of pH and organosolv lignin addition on the enzymatic hydrolysis of organosolv-pretreated loblolly pine
Authors: Lai Chenhuan , Tu Maobing , Yong Qiang , Yu Shiyuan
Published: April 2018

The effect of ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL) on enzymatic hydrolysis was examined at pH 4.8–6.0.
Sulfur compounds reactivity in the ODS of model and real feeds on W–SBA based catalysts
Authors: Estephane G. , Lancelot C. , Blanchard P. , Toufaily J. , Hamiye T. , Lamonier C.
Published: April 2018

Comparison of model and real feedstocks oxidative desulfurization on tungsten based catalysts supported on SBA.
POSS-enhanced thermosensitive hybrid hydrogels for cell adhesion and detachment
Authors: Tong Yudong , Zhang Yuanhao , Liu Yangyang , Cai Haibo , Zhang Weian , Tan Wen-Song
Published: April 2018

Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based substrates have presented great promise in cell sheet engineering.
Production of renewable long-chained cycloalkanes from biomass-derived furfurals and cyclic ketones
Authors: Liu Qiying , Zhang Caihong , Shi Ning , Zhang Xinghua , Wang Chenguang , Ma Longlong
Published: April 2018

Renewable cyclic alkanes were produced in high yield via condensation of biomass-based furfurals and cyclic ketones followed by hydrodeoxygenation.
Heterogeneous Co-catalyzed direct 2-alkylation of azoles with ethers
Authors: Yang Ke , Li Dashan , Zhang Lei , Chen Qun , Tang Tiandi
Published: April 2018

The direct 2-alkylation of oxazoles and thiazoles with ethers through cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction using Co-containing mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 as the heterogeneous catalyst is described.
Synthesis of highly fluorescent Cu/Au bimetallic nanoclusters and their application in a temperature sensor and fluorescent probe for chromium(iii) ions
Authors: Nie Furong , Ga Lu , Ai Jun , Wang Yong
Published: April 2018

The Cu/Au BNCs have been successfully synthesized as a temperature sensor and it successful detection Cr3+.
High temperature gas sensing performances of silicon carbide nanosheets with an n–p conductivity transition
Authors: Sun Lian , Han Cheng , Wu Nan , Wang Bing , Wang Yingde
Published: April 2018

Novel silicon carbide nanosheets were synthesized by a carbothermal reduction reaction. We studied their high-temperature gas sensing properties and the mechanism of n–p conductivity transition during gas sensing tests.
Integration of isothermal amplification with quantum dot-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer for simultaneous detection of multiple microRNAs
Authors: Hu Juan , Liu Ming-hao , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: April 2018

The integration of quantum dot-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer with rolling circle amplification enables simultaneous sensitive detection of multiple microRNAs.
A self-cooling and flame-retardant electrolyte for safer lithium ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Lihua , Wang Qingsong , Li Ke , Ping Ping , Jiang Lin , Sun Jinhua
Published: April 2018

A composite electrolyte was designed with a double protection mechanism with self-cooling and flame-retardant effects to reduce the flammability of the electrolyte in lithium ion batteries.
Tightly bound polyelectrolytes enhance enzyme proteolysis and destroy amyloid aggregates
Authors: Evstafyeva Diana B. , Izumrudov Vladimir A. , Muronetz Vladimir I. , Semenyuk Pavel I.
Published: April 2018

We demonstrated the ability of sulfated polymers to enhance proteolysis of the bound enzyme and protease-resistant amyloid fibrils. In case of enzymes, complexes with tightly bound polymers (sulfated polymers and supercharged polycations) can be disrupted to recovery enzymatic activity.
Flocking transitions in confluent tissues
Authors: Giavazzi Fabio , Paoluzzi Matteo , Macchi Marta , Bi Dapeng , Scita Giorgio , Manning M. Lisa , Cerbino Roberto , Marchetti M. Cristina
Published: April 2018

Cell–cell aligning interactions promote collective directed migration and impact on structure and dynamics of dense tissues.
Negative normal stress differencesN1–N2in a low concentration capillary suspension
Authors: Natalia Irene , Zeiler Nicole , Weiß Moritz , Koos Erin
Published: April 2018

Negative normal stress differences are reported in capillary suspensions,i.e.particle suspensions in a two-fluid system that creates strong capillary attraction, at a solid concentration of 25%. This volume fraction has heretofore been too low to show such normal stress differences.
Facilitated polymer capture by charge inverted electroosmotic flow in voltage-driven polymer translocation
Authors: Buyukdagli Sahin
Published: April 2018

The optimal functioning of nanopore-based sequencing tools necessitates rapid polymer capture by anionic membrane pores. This goal can be achieved by polyvalent cation addition that inverts the direction of the electroosmotic flow. The inverted flow drags the polymer in the trans direction and speeds up its capture by the nanopore.
Hierarchical assembly and superior sodium storage properties of a sea-sponge structured C/SnS@C nanocomposite
Authors: Chen Shipei , Xing Ke , Wen Jiahao , Wen Ming , Wu Qingsheng , Cui Yi
Published: April 2018

A novel sea-sponge structured C/SnS@C nanocomposite exhibits excellent cyclability over 2000 cycles as sodium-ion batteries.
Low-crystalline tungsten trioxide anode with superior electrochemical performance for flexible solid-state asymmetry supercapacitor
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Wang Haiyan , Deng Jiang , Xu Chunmei , Wang Yong
Published: April 2018

Assembling a flexible solid-state asymmetry SC, based on LC-WO3in situ grown on porous carbon cloth, achieves an energy density of 7.6 mW h cm−3 and excellent cycling stability with 92% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles.
Synthesis of ultrathin wrinkle-free PdCu alloy nanosheets for modulating d-band electrons for efficient methanol oxidation
Authors: Fan Jinchang , Yu Shansheng , Qi Kun , Liu Chang , Zhang Lei , Zhang Haiyan , Cui Xiaoqiang , Zheng Weitao
Published: April 2018

The ingenious surface and electronic structures endow the ultrathin wrinkle-free Pd4Cu1nanosheets with enhanced methanol oxidation performance.
Carbon-based catalysts by structural manipulation with iron for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Wang Yao , Chen Wei , Chen Yong , Wei Bin , Chen Linhui , Peng Lishan , Xiang Rui , Li Jing , Wang Zhongchang , Wei Zidong
Published: April 2018

A facile structural manipulation of carbon-based catalysts by iron is reported, producing a catalyst superior to Pt/C in ORR activity.
Switchable synthesis of p- and n-type Cu–In–S grooved pyramid-like microcrystals for unassisted photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Feng Xiaoyang , Li Rui , Wang Menglong , Chen Yubin
Published: April 2018

A photoelectrochemical tandem cell based on p- and n-type switchable Cu–In–S microcrystals with a grooved pyramid-like morphology is developed for unassisted water splitting.
Super-flexible bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide doped graphene transparent conductive electrodes for photo-stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Heo Jin Hyuck , Shin Dong Hee , Song Dae Ho , Kim Do Hun , Lee Sang Jin , Im Sang Hyuk
Published: April 2018

Super-flexible bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide (TFSA)-doped graphene transparent conducting electrode (GR TCE)-based FAPbI3 − xBrx perovskite solar cells with 18.9% power conversion efficiency (PCE) for a rigid device and 18.3% for a flexible one are demonstrated because the TFSA-doped GR TCE reveals high conductivity and high transmittance.
Amorphous polyphosphate, a smart bioinspired nano-/bio-material for bone and cartilage regeneration: towards a new paradigm in tissue engineering
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Schröder Heinz C. , Müller Werner E. G.
Published: April 2018

Physiological amorphous polyphosphate nano/micro-particles, injectable and implantable, attract and stimulate MSCs into implants for tissue regeneration.
Inorganic polymerization: an attractive route to biocompatible hybrid hydrogels
Authors: Montheil Titouan , Echalier Cécile , Martinez Jean , Subra Gilles , Mehdi Ahmad
Published: April 2018

The sol–gel process is one of the main techniques leading to hybrid hydrogels that can be used in a wide scope of applications, especially in the biomedical field.
Preparation of a porous NiO array-patterned film and its enhanced electrochromic performance
Authors: Ren Yang , Zhou Xiaoge , Zhang Hu , Lei Li , Zhao Gaoyang
Published: April 2018

An array-patterned porous NiO film has been fabricated using a novel photochemical etching technology – a photosensitive sol–gel method.
Dopant-free hole transport materials based on alkyl-substituted indacenodithiophene for planar perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Xiaoyuan , Rezaee Ehsan , Shan Haiquan , Xu Jiaju , Zhang Yin , Feng Yaomiao , Dai Junfeng , Chen Zhi-Kuan , Huang Wei , Xu Zong-Xiang
Published: April 2018

The IDTC6-TPA backbone enables a tight molecular arrangement stacked by π–π interactions (3.399 Å), and the device fabricated using IDTC6-TPA shows superior PCE (15.43%) and higher stability compared with that of the HTM spiro-MeOTAD with dopant (17.1%).
Functionalized phenylimidazole-based facial-homoleptic iridium(iii) complexes and their excellent performance in blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Kwon Youngjae , Han Si Hyun , Yu Seokhyeon , Lee Jun Yeob , Lee Kang Mun
Published: April 2018

Novel phenylimidazole-based blue-emitting iridium complexes were prepared and they showed the excellent electroluminescent performance.
Self-assembling epitaxial growth of a single crystalline CoFe2O4 nanopillar array via dual-target pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Zhong Gaokuo , An Feng , Bitla Yugandhar , Wang Jinbin , Zhong Xiangli , Ye Mao , Zhang Yi , Gao Wenpei , Pan Xiaoqing , Xie Shuhong , Li Jiangyu
Published: April 2018

Magnetic nanopillars are promising for a variety of technological applications, though the template-free fabrication of magnetic nanopillar arrays with good crystallinity and uniform distribution remains a substantial challenge.
Sodium bicarbonate loading limits tubular cast formation independent of glomerular injury and proteinuria in Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Ray Sarah C. , Patel Bansari , Irsik Debra L. , Sun Jingping , Ocasio Hiram , Crislip Gene R. , Jin Chunhua H. , Chen JianKang , Baban Babak , Polichnowski Aaron J. , O’Connor Paul M.
Published: April 2018

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) slows the decline in kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet the mechanisms mediating this effect remain unclear. The Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat develops hypertension and progressive renal injury when fed a high salt diet; however, the effect of alkali loading on kidney injury has never been investigated in this model. We hypothesized that NaHCO3 protects from the development of renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive rats via luminal alkalization which limits the formation of tubular casts, which are a prominent pathological feature in this model. To examine this hypothesis, we determined blood pressure and renal injury responses in Dahl SS rats drinking vehicle (0.1 M NaCl) or NaHCO3 (0.1 M) solutions as well as in Dahl SS rats lacking the voltage-gated proton channel (Hv1). We found that oral NaHCO3 reduced tubular NH4+ production, tubular cast formation, and interstitial fibrosis in rats fed a high salt diet for 2 weeks. This effect was independent of changes in blood pressure, glomerular injury, or proteinuria and did not associate with changes in renal inflammatory status. We found that null mutation of Hv1 also limited cast formation in Dahl SS rats independent of proteinuria or glomerular injury. As Hv1 is localized to the luminal membrane of TAL, our data suggest that alkalization of the luminal fluid within this segment limits cast formation in this model. Reduced cast formation, secondary to luminal alkalization within TAL segments may mediate some of the protective effects of alkali loading observed in CKD patients.
Histograms of sequences: a novel representation for human interaction recognition
Authors: Cavent Aytac , Ikizler‐Cinbis Nazli
Published: April 2018

This study presents a novel representation based on hierarchical histogram of local feature sequences for human interaction recognition. The authors’ method basically combines the power of discriminative sequence mining and histogram representation for the effective recognition of human interactions. Our framework involves extracting visual features from the videos first, and then mining sequences of the visual features that occur consequently in space and time. After the mining step, we represent each video with a histogram pyramid of such sequences. We also propose to use soft clustering in the visual word construction step, such that more information‐rich histograms can be obtained. The authors’ experimental results on challenging human interaction recognition data sets indicate that the proposed algorithm performs on par with the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Power production prediction of wind turbines using a fusion of MLP and ANFIS networks
Authors: Morshedizadeh Majid , Kordestani Mojtaba , Carriveau Rupp , Ting David S.‐K. , Saif Mehrdad
Published: April 2018

Access to accurate power production prediction of a wind turbine in future hours enables operators to detect possible underperformance and anomalies in advance. This may enable more proactive and strategic operations optimisation. This study examines common Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) data over a period of 20 months for 21 pitch regulated 2.3 MW turbines. In this study, an algorithm is proposed to impute values of data that are missing, out‐of‐range, or outliers. It is shown that an appropriate combination of a decision tree and mean value for imputation can improve the data analysis and prediction performance by the creation of a smoother dataset. In addition, principal component analysis is employed to extract parameters with power production influence based on all available signals in the SCADA data. Then, a new data fusion technique is applied, combining dynamic multilayer perceptron (MLP) and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) networks to predict future performance of wind turbines. This prediction is made on a scale of one‐hour intervals. This novel combination of feature extraction, imputation, and MLP/ANFIS fusion performs well with favourably low prediction error levels. Thus, such an approach may be a valuable tool for turbine power production prediction.
Fault ride‐through enhancement in DFIG with control of stator flux using minimised series voltage compensator
Authors: da Silveira Sandro Elisson , Silva Sidelmo M. , Cardoso Filho Braz J.
Published: April 2018

Wind energy systems based on doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) are very sensitive to grid disturbances, mainly voltage sags, which can cause rotor and stator overcurrents and rotor overvoltage, resulting in turbines shutdown or even damage to the converter connected to the rotor. Besides, the transmission system operators have been issuing strict grid codes, which require the wind energy conversion system (WECS) to keep operating during grid disturbances and supplying reactive power to the system, if necessary. Due to difficulties to access the offshore DFIGs, avoiding damages and shutdowns in these WECS is paramount. In order to overcome this problem, this article proposes the control of the generator stator flux through a series voltage compensator (SVC) with minimised components. The proposed SVC draws power from the grid through a transformer with a single turn in the primary side (single turn primary transformer) and injects power in the system through an LC filter, without any series transformer. The control of the generator stator flux reduces considerably the stator and rotor current as well as the rotor voltage, allowing the generator to ride‐through the grid disturbances.
Extended X-ray emission in PKS 1718−649
Authors: Beuchert T. , Rodríguez-Ardila A. , Moss V. A. , Schulz R. , Kadler M. , Wilms J. , Angioni R. , Callingham J. R. , Gräfe C. , Krauß F. , Kreikenbohm A. , Langejahn M. , Leiter K. , Maccagni F. M. , Müller C. , Ojha R. , Ros E. , Tingay S. J.
Published: April 2018

PKS 1718−649 is one of the closest and most comprehensively studied candidates of a young active galactic nucleus (AGN) that is still embedded in its optical host galaxy. The compact radio structure, with a maximal extent of a few parsecs, makes it a member of the group of compact symmetric objects (CSO). Its environment imposes a turnover of the radio synchrotron spectrum towards lower frequencies, also classifying PKS 1718−649 as gigahertz-peaked radio spectrum (GPS) source. Its close proximity has allowed the first detection of extended X-ray emission in a GPS/CSO source with Chandra that is for the most part unrelated to nuclear feedback. However, not much is known about the nature of this emission. By co-adding all archival Chandra data and complementing these datasets with the large effective area of XMM-Newton, we are able to study the detailed physics of the environment of PKS 1718−649. Not only can we confirm that the bulk of the ≲kiloparsec-scale environment emits in the soft X-rays, but we also identify the emitting gas to form a hot, collisionally ionized medium. While the feedback of the central AGN still seems to be constrained to the inner few parsecs, we argue that supernovae are capable of producing the observed large-scale X-ray emission at a rate inferred from its estimated star formation rate.
Kosten-Effektivitäts- und Kosten-Nutzwert-Analysen der Antirefluxmedizin
Authors: Gockel Ines , Lange Undine Gabriele , Schürmann Olaf , Jansen-Winkeln Boris , Sibbel Rainer , Lyros Orestis , von Dercks Nikolaus
Published: April 2018

Einleitung Die laparaskopische Antirefluxplastik und die medikamentöse Therapie mit Säureblockern sind Goldstandard der Therapie der gastroösophagealen Refluxerkrankung. Aufgrund begrenzter Ressourcen bei gleichzeitig steigenden Gesundheitsbedürfnissen und -kosten sollen in der vorliegenden Arbeit beide Methoden nicht nur hinsichtlich des medizinisch besten Resultats, sondern auch in Bezug auf ihre gesundheitsökonomische Überlegenheit untersucht werden.

Methodik Es erfolgte eine elektronische Literaturanalyse in den Datenbanken MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, ISRCTN (International Standard Randomization Controlled Trial Number) sowie in der NHS Economic Evaluation Database bis 01/2017. Eingeschlossen wurden nur Studien, welche als Zielparameter die Effektgrößen QALY (=Quality-Adjusted Life Years) (unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Lebensqualitäts-Scores) im Vergleich von laparoskopischer Fundoplikatio und medikamentöser Therapie umfassten. Kriterien, anhand derer die Studien gegenübergestellt und verglichen wurden, waren die Effektgrößen QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) bzw. daraus resultierend ICER (Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio=inkrementelle Kosten-Effektivitäts-Relation)/ICUR (Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio=inkrementelle Kosten-Nutzen-Relation). Je inkludierter Publikation wurde anhand dieser Parameter die Superiorität des jeweiligen Verfahrens herausgearbeitet.

Resultate Es konnten insgesamt 18 vergleichende Studien in der aktuellen Literatur zu o. g. Suchbegriffen identifiziert werden, die die definierten Einschlußkriterien erfüllten. 6 Studien konnten final in unsere Analysen eingeschlossen werden. Es zeigt sich bei 3 der 6 analysierten Publikationen eine bessere Kosteneffektivität zugunsten der laparoskopischen Fundoplikatio. Limitationen sind aufgrund unterschiedlicher Zeithorizonte, Evidenzlevel der Studien und zugrundeliegender Ressourcen/Kosten der Analysen, verschiedener Gesundheitssysteme und angewandter Lebensqualitäts-Instrumente gegeben.

Schlussfolgerung Künftige prospektiv-randomisierte Studien müssen diesen Vergleich noch ausführlicher untersuchen. Zudem findet sich ein großes Potenzial für weitere Studien in der gesundheitsökonomischen Beurteilung von Früherkennungs- und Präventionsmaßnahmen der Refluxerkrankung bzw. des Barrett-Ösophagus und -Karzinoms.
Editorial
Authors: Cantisani Vito
Published: April 2018

Dear Colleagues,

it is a pleasure to introduce the present issue of Ultrasound International Open 2018.
Anabolic Activity of a Soy Extract and Three Major Isoflavones in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: Zheng Wenya , Hemker Marie , Xie Mingyong , Soukup Sebastian , Diel Patrick
Published: April 2018

Isoflavones have been reported to stimulate muscle growth. The aim of this in vitro study was to examine anabolic activity and associated molecular mechanisms of a soy extract (SoyEx), isoflavone aglycones, and a mixture simulating the composition of SoyEx in C2C12 myotubes. C2C12 cells were differentiated into myotubes. The effects of SoyEx, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and the mixture of genistein-daidzein-glycitein (Mix) on myotube diameter and number were determined. In addition, the expression of genes and proteins associated with anabolic activity was analyzed. Treatment with SoyEx, genistein, and Mix led to a significant increase of myotube diameter and an increase of the number of myotubes per area compared to the control cell. The increase of diameter by SoyEx was antagonized by an antiestrogen, not by an antiandrogen. Furthermore, gene expressions of insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 and its receptor (IGF-1R), as well as protein expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC), were significantly increased by SoyEx, genistein, and Mix. The effects induced by genistein and Mix were comparable to SoyEx. In conclusion, SoyEx displays an anabolic activity in C2C12 myotubes by binding to ER and modulating IGF-1 and MHC expression. Our studies with isoflavone aglycones and Mix indicate that the isoflavone aglycone with the highest anabolic bioactivity in SoyEx is genistein.
Synthesis of 2-Aryl-3-(arylselanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines: Copper­-Catalyzed One-Pot, Two-Step Se-Arylation of Selenium with Imidazopyridines and Triarylbismuthanes
Authors: Matsumura Mio , Yasuike Shuji , Kondo Kaito , Kanasaki Keiko , Murata Yuki , Kakusawa Naoki
Published: April 2018

A simple and general method for the synthesis of 2-aryl-3-(arylselanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines is described. A one-pot, two-step reaction between triarylbismuthanes and diimidazopyridyl diselenides, generated from imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and Se powder in the presence of CuI and 1,10-phenanthroline, affords 3-selanylimidazopyridines in moderate to excellent yields under aerobic conditions. The reactions proceed efficiently and the selenium and all the aryl groups on bismuth are transferred to the coupling products. Triarylbismuthanes give better results compared to other aryl donors containing elements such as boron, silicon, tin, and iodine.
Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure 1′,2′-cis-dideoxy, -dideoxydi­dehydro, -ribo and -deoxy Carbocyclic Nucleoside Analogues
Authors: Meier Chris , Weising Simon , Dekiert Patrick , Schols Dominique , Neyts Johan
Published: April 2018

We describe a short and stereospecific synthesis of different series of 1′,2′-cis-disubstituted carbocyclic nucleoside analogues. All-natural nucleobases or their precursors are coupled in a microwave-assisted Mitsunobu-type reaction with enantiomerically pure (1R,2S)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)cyclopent-3-enol. By modifying the cyclopentene scaffold, our synthetic strategy gives access to a series of 1′,2′-cis-disubstituted carbocyclic nucleoside analogues of the dideoxy (dd), di­deoxydidehydro (d4) or the ribo series. The ribo series is synthesized in a more convenient way compared to a previous route. The deoxy series of 1′,2′-cis-disubstituted carbocyclic nucleoside analogues is prepared following an earlier reported approach. This synthesis involves the microwave-assisted coupling of (1R,2S,3S)-3-(benzyloxy)-2-[(benzyl­oxy)methyl]cyclopentan-1-ol with the appropriate nucleobases.
Comparative Evaluation between Single Noncompression Miniplate and Two Noncompression Miniplates in the Treatment of Mandibular Angle Fractures
Authors: Mondal Shubhamoy , Singh Gaurav , Mishra Madan , Gaur Amit , Srivastava Abhinav
Published: April 2018

This study was conducted to compare the outcome of single noncompression miniplate versus two noncompression miniplates in the treatment of mandibular angle fracture. A total of 40 patients were divided into two groups: Group I ( n = 20), patients were treated by single miniplate at superior border of mandible by intraoral approach; Group II ( n = 20), patients were treated by one miniplate at superior border of mandible, intraorally, and another at the lateral aspect of angle, transbuccally by trocar and cannula. Comparative evaluation was done at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks and 6 months. The findings of this study suggest that there was no significant difference in postoperative complications (malocclusion, pain, swelling, infection, facial nerve injury, wound dehiscence, plate exposure) and bite force between the two groups.
Clinical Use of Navigation in Lateral Skull Base Surgery: Results of a Multispecialty National Survey among Skull Base Surgeons in Germany
Authors: Ottenhausen Malte , Lenarz Thomas , Jödicke Andreas
Published: April 2018

Objective To analyze the current clinical use of navigation at the lateral skull base among skull base surgeons in Germany.

Methods A web-based questionnaire was provided to surgeons being head of the department and member of one of the following scientific societies: German Society of Head and Neck Surgery, Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Neurosurgery, and German Skull Base Society. Replies were recorded anonymously. The questionnaire included the estimated case load per year and percent of surgery performed with navigation (middle and posterior fossa), type of navigation, estimates of intraoperative inaccuracy, and reasons for not using navigation.

Results Eighty nine out of 99 replies met requirements for final analysis. Overall, 37% of skull base surgeons use navigation on a regular basis (15% use no navigation). Optical tracking is more frequently used than magnetic tracking (71 vs 19). At the middle fossa, ENT surgeons split into routine users (n = 10/36) and rare users (n = 16/36), the latter stating navigation inaccuracy as a major reason for neglecting navigation. Neurosurgeons use navigation at the middle fossa significantly more often and criticize navigation inaccuracy less. At the posterior fossa, navigation is used less frequently by both ENT and neurosurgeons with similar rates of estimated inaccuracy.

Conclusions A moderate use of navigation at the lateral skull base was demonstrated. Insufficient accuracy causes ENT surgeons to frequently omit navigation at the middle fossa (not neurosurgeons) and posterior fossa (also neurosurgeons). Higher intraoperative navigation accuracy is needed to enhance the use of navigation at the lateral skull base.
Volumetry in the Assessment of Pituitary Adenoma Resection: Endoscopy versus Microscopy
Authors: Wang Anthony , Shah Ashish , Sidani Charif , Gaynor Brandon , Dockrell Simon , Burks S. , Sargi Zoukaa , Casiano Roy , Morcos Jacques
Published: April 2018

Background Assessment of the extent of resection after surgical resection of pituitary adenomas is most commonly reported in terms of the presence or absence of residual tumor. A quantitative comparison of volumetric resection between endonasal endoscopy (EE) and microsurgery (MS) has rarely been done.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on a consecutive series of 154 patients with pituitary adenomas treated by the same surgeon at a single institution. We employed volumetric analysis pre- and postoperatively on two cohorts of pituitary adenoma patients treated through MS (n = 37) versus EE approach (n = 117).

Results Volumetric analysis revealed a higher incidence of complete resection (64.4 vs. 56.8%) and mean volume reduction in the EE cohort (92.7 vs. 88.4%), although not significant. Recurrence rates were significantly lower in the EE group (7.7% vs 24.3%, p = 0.015). Subgroup analysis identified that patients with preoperative tumor volumes >1 mL were less likely to recur through EE (7.8 vs. MS: 29.6%; p = 0.0063). A higher incidence of complete resection was also noted in patients with favorable Knosp grades (0–1) (EE: 87.8 vs. MS: 63.2%; p = 0.036). Postoperative complication rates were not significantly different between both techniques.

Conclusion Both microscopy and endoscopy are well-tolerated, effective approaches in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Our series demonstrated that EE may be superior to MS in preventing tumor recurrence and achieving a complete resection in certain subsets of patients. EE provides a slight advantage in tumor control outcomes that may justify the paradigm shift to pure endoscopy at our center.
Spezielle Palliativmedizin bei nicht-onkologischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Bausewein Claudia
Published: April 2018

Palliative medicine has become an integral part of the German healthcare system in recent years. However, patients with non-malignant diseases have less access to palliative care than patients with oncological diseases. These patients comprise a heterogeneous group of chronic lung and heart diseases, neurological and geriatric diseases. Their symptom burden and their palliative care needs are similar to those of oncological patients, but earlier in the disease process. Physical aspects of the disease process are different from psychological, social and spiritual aspects. General medical and specialized palliative care should be offered depending on the complexity of patient’s needs. Screening tools are helpful in identifying patients who need palliative care early in the course of the disease. Advance planning should be an integral part of caring for these patients.
In-situ laser nano-patterning for ordered InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dot growth
Authors: Zhang Wei , Shi Zhenwu , Huo Dayun , Guo Xiaoxiang , Zhang Feng , Chen Linsen , Wang Qinhua , Zhang Baoshun , Peng Changsi
Published: April 2018

A study of in-situ laser interference nano-patterning on InGaAs wetting layers was carried out during InAs/GaAs (001) quantum dot molecular beam epitaxy growth. Periodic nano-islands with heights of a few atomic layers were obtained via four-beam laser interference irradiation on the InGaAs wetting layer at an InAs coverage of 0.9 monolayer. The quantum dots nucleated preferentially at edges of nano-islands upon subsequent deposition of InAs on the patterned surface. When the nano-islands are sufficiently small, the patterned substrate could be spontaneously re-flattened and an ordered quantum dot array could be produced on the smooth surface. This letter discusses the mechanisms of nano-patterning and ordered quantum dot nucleation in detail. This study provides a potential technique leading to site-controlled, high-quality quantum dot fabrication.
A high-performance polydimethylsiloxane electrospun membrane for cell culture in lab-on-a-chip
Authors: Moghadas Hajar , Saidi Mohammad Said , Kashaninejad Navid , Nguyen Nam-Trung
Published: April 2018

Thin porous membranes are important components in a microfluidic device, serving as separators, filters, and scaffolds for cell culture. However, the fabrication and the integration of these membranes possess many challenges, which restrict their widespread applications. This paper reports a facile technique to fabricate robust membrane-embedded microfluidic devices. We integrated an electrospun membrane into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device using the simple plasma-activated bonding technique. To increase the flexibility of the membrane and to address the leakage problem, the electrospun membrane was fabricated with the highest weight ratio of PDMS to polymethylmethacrylate (i.e., 6:1 w/w). The membrane-integrated microfluidic device could withstand a flow rate of up to 50 μl/min. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that such a compartmentalized microfluidic platform could be successfully used for cell culture with the capability of providing a more realistic in vivo-like condition. Human lung cancer epithelial cells (A549) were seeded on the membrane from the top microchannel, while the continuous flow of the culture medium through the bottom microchannel provided a shear-free cell culture condition. The tortuous micro-/nanofibers of the membrane immobilized the cells within the hydrophobic micropores and with no need of extracellular matrix for cell adhesion and cell growth. The hydrophobic surface conditions of the membrane were suitable for anchorage-independent cell types. To further extend the application of the device, we qualitatively showed that rinsing the membrane with ethanol prior to cell seeding could temporarily render the membrane hydrophilic and the platform could also be used for anchorage-dependent cells. Due to the three-dimensional (3D) topography of the membranes, three different configurations were observed, including individual single cells, monolayer cells, and 3D cell clusters. This cost-effective and robust compartmentalized microfluidic device may open up new avenues in translational medicine and pharmacodynamics research.
Continuous adjustment of threshold voltage in carbon nanotube field-effect transistors through gate engineering
Authors: Zhong Donglai , Zhao Chenyi , Liu Lijun , Zhang Zhiyong , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: April 2018

In this letter, we report a gate engineering method to adjust threshold voltage of carbon nanotube (CNT) based field-effect transistors (FETs) continuously in a wide range, which makes the application of CNT FETs especially in digital integrated circuits (ICs) easier. Top-gated FETs are fabricated using solution-processed CNT network films with stacking Pd and Sc films as gate electrodes. By decreasing the thickness of the lower layer metal (Pd) from 20 nm to zero, the effective work function of the gate decreases, thus tuning the threshold voltage (Vt) of CNT FETs from −1.0 V to 0.2 V. The continuous adjustment of threshold voltage through gate engineering lays a solid foundation for multi-threshold technology in CNT based ICs, which then can simultaneously provide high performance and low power circuit modules on one chip.
“Trampoline” ejection of organic molecules from graphene and graphite via keV cluster ions impacts
Authors: Verkhoturov Stanislav V. , Gołuński Mikołaj , Verkhoturov Dmitriy S. , Geng Sheng , Postawa Zbigniew , Schweikert Emile A.
Published: April 2018

We present the data on ejection of molecules and emission of molecular ions caused by single impacts of 50 keV C602+ on a molecular layer of deuterated phenylalanine (D8Phe) deposited on free standing, 2-layer graphene. The projectile impacts on the graphene side stimulate the abundant ejection of intact molecules and the emission of molecular ions in the transmission direction. To gain insight into the mechanism of ejection, Molecular Dynamic simulations were performed. It was found that the projectile penetrates the thin layer of graphene, partially depositing the projectile’s kinetic energy, and molecules are ejected from the hot area around the hole that is made by the projectile. The yield, Y, of negative ions of deprotonated phenylalanine, (D8Phe-H)−, emitted in the transmission direction is 0.1 ions per projectile impact. To characterize the ejection and ionization of molecules, we have performed the experiments on emission of (D8Phe-H)− from the surface of bulk D8Phe (Y = 0.13) and from the single molecular layer of D8Phe deposited on bulk pyrolytic graphite (Y = 0.15). We show that, despite the similar yields of molecular ions, the scenario of the energy deposition and ejection of molecules is different for the case of graphene due to the confined volume of projectile-analyte interaction. The projectile impact on the graphene-D8Phe sample stimulates the collective radial movement of analyte atoms, which compresses the D8Phe layer radially from the hole. At the same time, this compression bends and stretches the graphene membrane around the hole thus accumulating potential energy. The accumulated potential energy is transformed into the kinetic energy of correlated movement upward for membrane atoms, thus the membrane acts as a trampoline for the molecules. The ejected molecules are effectively ionized; the ionization probability is ∼30× higher compared to that obtained for the bulk D8Phe target. The proposed mechanism of ionization involves tunneling of electrons from the vibrationally excited area around the hole to the molecules. Another proposed mechanism is a direct proton transfer exchange, which is suitable for a bulk target: ions of molecular fragments (i.e., CN−) generated in the impact area interact with intact molecules from the rim of this area. There is a direct proton exchange process for the system D8Phe molecule + CN−.
Significantly improved surface morphology of N-polar GaN film grown on SiC substrate by the optimization of V/III ratio
Authors: Deng Gaoqiang , Zhang Yuantao , Yu Ye , Yan Long , Li Pengchong , Han Xu , Chen Liang , Zhao Degang , Du Guotong
Published: April 2018

In this paper, N-polar GaN films with different V/III ratios were grown on vicinal C-face SiC substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. During the growth of N-polar GaN film, the V/III ratio was controlled by adjusting the molar flow rate of ammonia while keeping the trimethylgallium flow rate unchanged. The influence of the V/III ratio on the surface morphology of N-polar GaN film has been studied. We find that the surface root mean square roughness of N-polar GaN film over an area of 20 × 20 μm2 can be reduced from 8.13 to 2.78 nm by optimization of the V/III ratio. Then, using the same growth conditions, N-polar InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were grown on the rough and the smooth N-polar GaN templates, respectively. Compared with the LED grown on the rough N-polar GaN template, dramatically improved interface sharpness and luminescence uniformity of the InGaN/GaN MQWs are achieved for the LED grown on the smooth N-polar GaN template.
Dual-mode nonlinear instability analysis of a confined planar liquid sheet sandwiched between two gas streams of unequal velocities and prediction of droplet size and velocity distribution using maximum entropy formulation
Authors: Dasgupta Debayan , Nath Sujit , Bhanja Dipankar
Published: April 2018

Twin fluid atomizers utilize the kinetic energy of high speed gases to disintegrate a liquid sheet into fine uniform droplets. Quite often, the gas streams are injected at unequal velocities to enhance the aerodynamic interaction between the liquid sheet and surrounding atmosphere. In order to improve the mixing characteristics, practical atomizers confine the gas flows within ducts. Though the liquid sheet coming out of an injector is usually annular in shape, it can be considered to be planar as the mean radius of curvature is much larger than the sheet thickness. There are numerous studies on breakup of the planar liquid sheet, but none of them considered the simultaneous effects of confinement and unequal gas velocities on the spray characteristics. The present study performs a nonlinear temporal analysis of instabilities in the planar liquid sheet, produced by two co-flowing gas streams moving with unequal velocities within two solid walls. The results show that the para-sinuous mode dominates the breakup process at all flow conditions over the para-varicose mode of breakup. The sheet pattern is strongly influenced by gas velocities, particularly for the para-varicose mode. Spray characteristics are influenced by both gas velocity and proximity to the confining wall, but the former has a much more pronounced effect on droplet size. An increase in the difference between gas velocities at two interfaces drastically shifts the droplet size distribution toward finer droplets. Moreover, asymmetry in gas phase velocities affects the droplet velocity distribution more, only at low liquid Weber numbers for the input conditions chosen in the present study.
Reversible electrical-field control of magnetization and anomalous Hall effect in Co/PMN-PT hybrid heterostructures
Authors: Wang J. , Huang Q. K. , Lu S. Y. , Tian Y. F. , Chen Y. X. , Bai L. H. , Dai Y. , Yan S. S.
Published: April 2018

Room-temperature reversible electrical-field control of the magnetization and the anomalous Hall effect was reported in hybrid multiferroic heterojunctions based on Co/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7Ti0.3O3 (PMN-PT). We demonstrate herein that electrical-field-induced strain and oxygen-ion migration in ZnO/Co/PMN-PT junctions exert opposing effects on the magnetic properties of the Co sublayer, and the competition between these effects determines the final magnitude of magnetization. This proof-of-concept investigation opens an alternative way to optimize and enhance the electrical-field effect on magnetism through the combination of multiple electrical manipulation mechanisms in hybrid multiferroic devices.
Wetting of water on graphene nanopowders of different thicknesses
Authors: Bera Bijoyendra , Shahidzadeh Noushine , Mishra Himanshu , Belyaeva Liubov A. , Schneider Grégory F. , Bonn Daniel
Published: April 2018

We study the wetting of graphene nanopowders by measuring the water adsorption in nanopowder flakes of different flake thicknesses. Chemical analysis shows that the graphene flakes, especially the thin ones, might exist in the partially oxidized state. We observe that the thinnest graphene nanopowder flakes do not adsorb water at all, independent of the relative humidity. Thicker flakes, on the other hand, do adsorb an increasing amount of water with increasing humidity. This allows us to assess their wetting behavior which is actually the result of the competition between the adhesive interactions of water and graphene and the cohesive interactions of water. Explicit calculation of these contributions from the van der Waals interactions confirms that the adhesive interactions between very thin flakes of graphene oxide and water are extremely weak, which makes the flakes superhydrophobic. “Liquid marble” tests with graphene nanopowder flakes confirm the superhydrophobicity. This shows that the origin of the much debated “wetting transparency” of graphene is due to the fact that a single graphene or graphene oxide layer does not contribute significantly to the adhesion between a wetting phase and the substrate.
Avalanche multiplication in AlGaN-based heterostructures for the ultraviolet spectral range
Authors: Hahn L. , Fuchs F. , Kirste L. , Driad R. , Rutz F. , Passow T. , Köhler K. , Rehm R. , Ambacher O.
Published: April 2018

AlxGa1-xN based avalanche photodiodes grown on sapphire substrate with Al-contents of x = 0.65 and x = 0.60 have been examined under back- and frontside illumination with respect to their avalanche gain properties. The photodetectors suitable for the solar-blind ultraviolet spectral regime show avalanche gain for voltages in excess of 30 V reverse bias in the linear gain mode. Devices with a mesa diameter of 100 μm exhibit stable avalanche gain below the break through threshold voltage, exceeding a multiplication gain of 5500 at 84 V reverse bias. A dark current below 1 pA can be found for reverse voltages up to 60 V.