bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurectomy of C2 for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia: Case Report
Authors: Magalhães Marcelo José Silva de , Nunes Bruno Lopes
Published: January 2018

Occipital neuralgia (ON) is an uncommon cause of headache, and it is characterized by a stabbing paroxysmal pain that radiates to the occipital region. The present study includes a review of the literature and a case report. The etiology of this pathology can vary from traumas, infections, compressions of nerves or vertebrae, skull base surgeries, to degenerative changes and congenital anomalies. However, most of the time, the etiology is considered idiopathic. The diagnosis is essentially clinical. However, it is crucial that other types of primary headache are excluded. The treatment for ON may be based on nerve blocks, medications or surgeries. Neurectomy of the second spinal nerve is among the surgical techniques available.
Neonatal Outcomes Associated with Noncephalic Presentation at Delivery in Preterm Birth
Authors: Post Annalisa , Swamy Geeta , Grotegut Chad , Wood Amber
Published: January 2018

Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of noncephalic presentation on neonatal outcomes in preterm delivery.

Study Design In this study a secondary analysis of the BEAM trial was performed. It included women with singleton, liveborn, and nonanomalous fetuses. Neonatal outcomes were compared in noncephalic versus cephalic presentation. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each outcome with logistic regression while controlling for possible confounders. A stratified analysis by mode of delivery was also performed in this study.

Results A total of 458 noncephalic deliveries were compared with 1,485 cephalic deliveries. In multivariate analysis, noncephalic presentation was associated with increased risk of death in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or death at <15 months corrected gestational age (cGA), and a decreased risk of IVH. The risk of death persisted in stratified analysis, with increased risk of death at <15 months cGA in noncephalic neonates born via cesarean delivery. In the vaginal delivery group, there was an increased risk of death at <15 months cGA and NICU death.

Conclusion After controlling for possible confounders, neonates who are noncephalic at delivery have higher risk for death <15 months cGA and death in the NICU while their risk of IVH is reduced. The risk of death persisted in stratified analyses by mode of delivery.
Die Homöopathie in der stationären Psychiatrie
Authors: Bitter Andrea
Published: January 2018

Die Integration der Homöopathie in die stationäre psychiatrische Behandlung weist spezifische Herausforderungen auf, welche im stationären Setting, der homöopathischen Methodik und im Patienten begründet sein können. Wie die Einführung eines Homöopathie-Konzepts bei entsprechenden Voraussetzungen und Unterstützung von Seiten der ärztlichen Leitung und der Geschäftsführung erfolgreich verlaufen kann, wird in diesem Erfahrungsbericht rückblickend auf 6-jährige homöopathische Tätigkeit in der psychiatrischen Klinik in Angermünde gezeigt.
Homöopathie in der Onkologie: Die Wertigkeit der „As if“-Symptome
Authors: Frass Michael
Published: January 2018

Nebenwirkungen der Chemo- und Strahlentherapie stellen eine große Belastung für Krebspatienten dar. Diese Nebenwirkungen können durch Homöopathie effektiv reduziert werden. Diese Kasuistik zeigt, dass die Berücksichtigung von „As if“-Symptomen dabei einen zusätzlichen Vorteil darstellen kann. „As if“-Symptome sind geprägt durch den spontanen Bericht des Patienten. Zudem sind sie in ihrer nur durch den Patienten beobachteten Form nicht durch Suggestion von außen beeinflusst.
The global politics of an urban age: creating 'cities for all' in the age of financialisation
Authors: Robin Enora , Brill Frances
Published: January 2018

Our globalised and increasingly urban world demands an understanding of how ideas about how to build cities travel to become embedded in places. In this context, private actors operating across borders such as investors, real estate developers, international consultants, global construction companies and engineering firms appear as key agents of change in cities. However, real estate developers’ interactions with local stakeholders and their role in territorialising global financial strategies have been relatively under-explored in urban studies and global discussions about our 'urban future', especially within discussions on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA). This paper aims to initiate future research on this topic, providing some preliminary reflections on the role of developers as key transfer agents in the global movement of capital and its anchoring in places through the transformation of the urban built environment. In this way, we hope to offer some clarity on the transnational movement of financial capital to new places and markets, asking how real estate developers contribute to the dissemination of a global capitalist logic across cities, and what challenges this poses to the implementation of the NUA? To do so, the piece brings together insights from policy mobility literature and recent work on the financialisation of urban developments with the aim of critically assessing whether and how some of the key objectives of the NUA can be achieved in a context characterised by heavy involvement by real estate actors in city-making.
Generalized delta functions and their use in quantum optics
Authors: Brewster R. A. , Franson J. D.
Published: January 2018

The Dirac delta function δ(x) is widely used in many areas of physics and mathematics. Here we consider the generalization of a Dirac delta function to allow the use of complex arguments. We show that the properties of a generalized delta function are very different from those of a Dirac delta function and that they behave more like a pole in the complex plane. We use the generalized delta function to derive the Glauber-Sudarshan P-function, P(α), for a Schrödinger cat state in a surprisingly simple form. Aside from their potential applications in classical electromagnetism and quantum optics, these results provide insight into the ability of the diagonal P-function to describe density operators with off-diagonal elements.
Comparing the ISO-recommended and the cumulative data-reduction algorithms in S-on-1 laser damage test by a reverse approach method
Authors: Zorila Alexandru , Stratan Aurel , Nemes George
Published: January 2018

We compare the ISO-recommended (the standard) data-reduction algorithm used to determine the surface laser-induced damage threshold of optical materials by the S-on-1 test with two newly suggested algorithms, both named “cumulative” algorithms/methods, a regular one and a limit-case one, intended to perform in some respects better than the standard one. To avoid additional errors due to real experiments, a simulated test is performed, named the reverse approach. This approach simulates the real damage experiments, by generating artificial test-data of damaged and non-damaged sites, based on an assumed, known damage threshold fluence of the target and on a given probability distribution function to induce the damage. In this work, a database of 12 sets of test-data containing both damaged and non-damaged sites was generated by using four different reverse techniques and by assuming three specific damage probability distribution functions. The same value for the threshold fluence was assumed, and a Gaussian fluence distribution on each irradiated site was considered, as usual for the S-on-1 test. Each of the test-data was independently processed by the standard and by the two cumulative data-reduction algorithms, the resulting fitted probability distributions were compared with the initially assumed probability distribution functions, and the quantities used to compare these algorithms were determined. These quantities characterize the accuracy and the precision in determining the damage threshold and the goodness of fit of the damage probability curves. The results indicate that the accuracy in determining the absolute damage threshold is best for the ISO-recommended method, the precision is best for the limit-case of the cumulative method, and the goodness of fit estimator (adjusted R-squared) is almost the same for all three algorithms.
A comprehensive alpha-heating model for inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Christopherson A. R. , Betti R. , Bose A. , Howard J. , Woo K. M. , Campbell E. M. , Sanz J. , Spears B. K.
Published: January 2018

A comprehensive model is developed to study alpha-heating in inertially confined plasmas. It describes the time evolution of a central low-density hot spot confined by a compressible shell, heated by fusion alphas, and cooled by radiation and thermal losses. The model includes the deceleration, stagnation, and burn phases of inertial confinement fusion implosions, and is valid for sub-ignited targets with ≤10× amplification of the fusion yield from alpha-heating. The results of radiation-hydrodynamic simulations are used to derive realistic initial conditions and dimensionless parameters for the model. It is found that most of the alpha energy (∼90%) produced before bang time is deposited within the hot spot mass, while a small fraction (∼10%) drives mass ablation off the inner shell surface and its energy is recycled back into the hot spot. Of the bremsstrahlung radiation emission, ∼40% is deposited in the hot spot, ∼40% is recycled back in the hot spot by ablation off the shell, and ∼20% leaves the hot spot. We show here that the hot spot, shocked shell, and outer shell trajectories from this analytical model are in good agreement with simulations. A detailed discussion of the effect of alpha-heating on the hydrodynamics is also presented.
In situ imaging of the soldering reactions in nanoscale Cu/Sn/Cu and Sn/Cu/Sn diffusion couples
Authors: Yin Qiyue , Gao Fan , Gu Zhiyong , Wang Jirui , Stach Eric A. , Zhou Guangwen
Published: January 2018

The soldering reactions of three-segmented Sn/Cu/Sn and Cu/Sn/Cu diffusion couples are monitored by in-situ transmission electron microscopy to reveal the metallurgical reaction mechanism and the associated phase transformation pathway. For Sn/Cu/Sn diffusion couples, there is no ε-Cu3Sn formation due to the relatively insufficient Cu as compared to Sn. Kirkendall voids form initially in the Cu segment and then disappear due to the volume expansion associated with the continued intermetallic compound (IMC) formation as the reaction progresses. The incoming Sn atoms react with Cu to form η-Cu6Sn5, and the continuous reaction then transforms the entire nanowire to η-Cu6Sn5 grains with remaining Sn. With continued heating slightly above the melting point of Sn, an Sn-rich liquid phase forms between η-Cu6Sn5 grains. By contrast, the reaction in the Cu/Sn/Cu diffusion couples results in the intermetallic phases of both Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 and the development of Cu6Sn5 bulges on Cu3Sn grains. Kirkendall voids form in the two Cu segments, which grow and eventually break the nanowire into multiple segments.
Critical current measurements of high-temperature superconducting short samples at a wide range of temperatures and magnetic fields
Authors: Ma Hongjun , Liu Huajun , Liu Fang , Zhang Huahui , Ci Lu , Shi Yi , Lei Lei
Published: January 2018

High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) are potential materials for high-field magnets, low-loss transmission cables, and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) due to their high upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) and critical temperature (Tc). The critical current (Ic) of HTS, which is one of the most important parameters for superconductor application, depends strongly on the magnetic fields and temperatures. A new Ic measurement system that can carry out accurate Ic measurement for HTS short samples with various temperatures (4.2–80 K), magnetic fields (0–14 T), and angles of the magnetic field (0°–90°) has been developed. The Ic measurement system mainly consists of a measurement holder, temperature-control system, background magnet, test cryostat, data acquisition system, and DC power supply. The accuracy of temperature control is better than ±0.1 K over the 20–80 K range and ±0.05 K when measured below 20 K. The maximum current is over 1000 A with a measurement uncertainty of 1%. The system had been successfully used for YBa2Cu3O7-x(YBCO) tapes Ic determination with different temperatures and magnetic fields.
3D printed high performance strain sensors for high temperature applications
Authors: Rahman Md Taibur , Moser Russell , Zbib Hussein M. , Ramana C. V. , Panat Rahul
Published: January 2018

Realization of high temperature physical measurement sensors, which are needed in many of the current and emerging technologies, is challenging due to the degradation of their electrical stability by drift currents, material oxidation, thermal strain, and creep. In this paper, for the first time, we demonstrate that 3D printed sensors show a metamaterial-like behavior, resulting in superior performance such as high sensitivity, low thermal strain, and enhanced thermal stability. The sensors were fabricated using silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), using an advanced Aerosol Jet based additive printing method followed by thermal sintering. The sensors were tested under cyclic strain up to a temperature of 500 °C and showed a gauge factor of 3.15 ± 0.086, which is about 57% higher than that of those available commercially. The sensor thermal strain was also an order of magnitude lower than that of commercial gages for operation up to a temperature of 500 °C. An analytical model was developed to account for the enhanced performance of such printed sensors based on enhanced lateral contraction of the NP films due to the porosity, a behavior akin to cellular metamaterials. The results demonstrate the potential of 3D printing technology as a pathway to realize highly stable and high-performance sensors for high temperature applications.
Managing excitons for high performance hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes by using a simple planar heterojunction interlayer
Authors: Shi Changsheng , Sun Ning , Wu Zhongbin , Chen Jiangshan , Ahamad Tansir , Alshehri Saad M. , Ma Dongge
Published: January 2018

High performance hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) were fabricated by inserting a planar heterojunction interlayer between the fluorescent and phosphorescent emitting layers (EMLs). The maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 19.3%, current efficiency of 57.1 cd A−1, and power efficiency (PE) of 66.2 lm W−1 were achieved in the optimized device without any light extraction enhancement. At the luminance of 1000 cd m−2, the EQE and PE remained as high as 18.9% and 60 lm W−1, respectively, showing the reduced efficiency-roll. In order to disclose the reason for such high performance, the distribution of excitons was analyzed by using ultra-thin fluorescent and phosphorescent layers as sensors. It was found that the heterojunction interlayer can efficiently separate the singlet and triplet excitons, preventing the triplet excitons from being quenched by the fluorescent emitter. The introduction of the heterojunction interlayer between the fluorescent and phosphorescent EMLs should offer a simple and efficient route to fabricate the high performance hybrid WOLEDs.
Modelling the effect of acoustic waves on the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformation in a solution: Including mass transportation
Authors: Haqshenas S. R. , Ford I. J. , Saffari N.
Published: January 2018

Effects of acoustic waves on a phase transformation in a metastable phase were investigated in our previous work [S. R. Haqshenas, I. J. Ford, and N. Saffari, “Modelling the effect of acoustic waves on nucleation,” J. Chem. Phys. 145, 024315 (2016)]. We developed a non-equimolar dividing surface cluster model and employed it to determine the thermodynamics and kinetics of crystallisation induced by an acoustic field in a mass-conserved system. In the present work, we developed a master equation based on a hybrid Szilard-Fokker-Planck model, which accounts for mass transportation due to acoustic waves. This model can determine the kinetics of nucleation and the early stage of growth of clusters including the Ostwald ripening phenomenon. It was solved numerically to calculate the kinetics of an isothermal sonocrystallisation process in a system with mass transportation. The simulation results show that the effect of mass transportation for different excitations depends on the waveform as well as the imposed boundary conditions and tends to be noticeable in the case of shock waves. The derivations are generic and can be used with any acoustic source and waveform.
Low voltage operation of IGZO thin film transistors enabled by ultrathin Al2O3 gate dielectric
Authors: Ma Pengfei , Du Lulu , Wang Yiming , Jiang Ran , Xin Qian , Li Yuxiang , Song Aimin
Published: January 2018

An ultrathin, 5 nm, Al2O3 film grown by atomic-layer deposition was used as a gate dielectric for amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The Al2O3 layer showed a low surface roughness of 0.15 nm, a low leakage current, and a high breakdown voltage of 6 V. In particular, a very high gate capacitance of 720 nF/cm2 was achieved, making it possible for the a-IGZO TFTs to not only operate at a low voltage of 1 V but also exhibit desirable properties including a low threshold voltage of 0.3 V, a small subthreshold swing of 100 mV/decade, and a high on/off current ratio of 1.2 × 107. Furthermore, even under an ultralow operation voltage of 0.6 V, well-behaved transistor characteristics were still observed with an on/off ratio as high as 3 × 106. The electron transport through the Al2O3 layer has also been analyzed, indicating the Fowler–Nordheim tunneling mechanism.
Slowing down of alpha particles in ICF DT plasmas
Authors: He Bin , Wang Zhi-Gang , Wang Jian-Guo
Published: January 2018

With the effects of the projectile recoil and plasma polarization considered, the slowing down of 3.54 MeV alpha particles is studied in inertial confinement fusion DT plasmas within the plasma density range from 1024 to 1026 cm−3 and the temperature range from 100 eV to 200 keV. It includes the rate of the energy change and range of the projectile, and the partition fraction of its energy deposition to the deuteron and triton. The comparison with other models is made and the reason for their difference is explored. It is found that the plasmas will not be heated by the alpha particle in its slowing down the process once the projectile energy becomes close to or less than the temperature of the electron or the deuteron and triton in the plasmas. This leads to less energy deposition to the deuteron and triton than that if the recoil of the projectile is neglected when the temperature is close to or higher than 100 keV. Our model is found to be able to provide relevant, reliable data in the large range of the density and temperature mentioned above, even if the density is around 1026 cm−3 while the deuteron and triton temperature is below 500 eV. Meanwhile, the two important models [Phys. Rev. 126, 1 (1962) and Phys. Rev. E 86, 016406 (2012)] are found not to work in this case. Some unreliable data are found in the last model, which include the range of alpha particles and the electron-ion energy partition fraction when the electron is much hotter than the deuteron and triton in the plasmas.
Heating power at the substrate, electron temperature, and electron density in 2.45 GHz low-pressure microwave plasma
Authors: Kais A. , Lo J. , Thérèse L. , Guillot Ph.
Published: January 2018

To control the temperature during a plasma treatment, an understanding of the link between the plasma parameters and the fundamental process responsible for the heating is required. In this work, the power supplied by the plasma onto the surface of a glass substrate is measured using the calorimetric method. It has been shown that the powers deposited by ions and electrons, and their recombination at the surface are the main contributions to the heating power. Each contribution is estimated according to the theory commonly used in the literature. Using the corona balance, the Modified Boltzmann Plot (MBP) is employed to determine the electron temperature. A correlation between the power deposited by the plasma and the results of the MBP has been established. This correlation has been used to estimate the electron number density independent of the Langmuir probe in considered conditions.
Saturation scalings of toroidal ion temperature gradient turbulence
Authors: Terry P. W. , Faber B. J. , Hegna C. C. , Mirnov V. V. , Pueschel M. J. , Whelan G. G.
Published: January 2018

The emerging understanding of instability-driven plasma-turbulence saturation in terms of energy transfer to stable modes in the same scale range as the instability is employed to derive a saturation theory for the toroidal branch of ion temperature gradient turbulence that provides the scaling of turbulence and zonal flow levels for all physical parameters. The theory is based on the eigenmode decomposition of a nonlinear fluid model, which is subjected to a statistical closure and simplified via an ordering expansion consistent with zonal-flow catalyzed energy transfer from the unstable mode to the stable mode at large scale. Solution of the closed energy balance equations yields a turbulence level that is proportional to the ratio of the zonal flow damping rate and the inverse of the triplet correlation time of the zonal-flow catalyzed wavenumber triplet interaction. The zonal flow energy is proportional to the ratio of the growth rate and the inverse triplet correlation time. The saturation scalings are applied to the ion heat flux, showing that it has a factor proportional to the quasilinear heat flux and a correction factor that includes the inverse of the triplet correlation time and a reduction due to the stable mode.
Spectral tuning of optical coupling between air-mode nanobeam cavities and individual carbon nanotubes
Authors: Machiya H. , Uda T. , Ishii A. , Kato Y. K.
Published: January 2018

We demonstrate control over optical coupling between air-suspended carbon nanotubes and air-mode nanobeam cavities by spectral tuning. Taking advantage of the large dielectric screening effects caused by adsorbed molecules, laser heating is used to blueshift the nanotube photoluminescence. A significant increase in the cavity peak is observed when the nanotube emission is brought into resonance, and the spontaneous emission enhancement is estimated from the photoluminescence spectra. We find that the enhancement shows good correlation with the spectral overlap of the nanotube emission and the cavity peak. Our technique offers a convenient method for controlling the optical coupling of air-suspended nanotubes to photonic structures.
Compressive response and deformation mechanisms of vertically aligned helical carbon nanotube forests
Authors: Scheffer V. C. , Thevamaran R. , Coluci V. R.
Published: January 2018

We study the dynamic compressive response of vertically aligned helical carbon nanotube forests using a mesoscale model. To describe the compressive response, the model includes the helical geometry of the constituent coils, the entanglement between neighboring coils, and the sideway interactions among coils. Coarse-grained simulations show forest densification and stress localization, which are caused by different deformation mechanisms such as coil packing, buckling, and crushing. We find that these mechanisms depend on the initial overlap between coils and lead to a nonlinear stress-strain behavior that agrees with recent impact experiments. The nonlinear stress-strain behavior was shown to be composed of an initial linear increase of stress in strain followed by an exponential growth. These regimes are an outcome of the characteristics of both the individual coils and the entangled morphology of the forests.
Degradation effect of Auger recombination and built-in polarization field on GaN-based light-emitting diodes
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Saba Kiran , Han Dong-Pyo , Muhammad Nazeer , Farwa Shabieh , Rafiq Muhammad , Saba Tanzila
Published: January 2018

In this work, theoretical investigation of the influence of Auger recombination coefficient and built-in polarization field on the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) in terms of lateral-vertical single quantum well (SQW) as well as multiquantum well (MQW) GaN-based blue light-emitting diodes are presented. The degradation effect of the built-in polarization field on the IQE of vertical light-emitting diodes is used to strengthening the Auger recombination coefficient in comparison to lateral light-emitting diodes. This result has been found consistent in both single-as well as multi-quantum well structures. In addition, when Auger recombination coefficient has been included in the analysis, vertical multiquantum well structure shows more degradation in the IQE in comparison to the lateral structures. The effect has been dominant in vertical MQW case.
Characterization of spin-transfer-torque effect induced magnetization dynamics driven by short current pulses
Authors: Meyer T. , Brächer T. , Heussner F. , Serga A. A. , Naganuma H. , Mukaiyama K. , Oogane M. , Ando Y. , Hillebrands B. , Pirro P.
Published: January 2018

We present a time-resolved study of the magnetization dynamics in a microstructured Cr|Heusler|Pt waveguide driven by the spin-Hall-effect and the spin-transfer-torque effect via short current pulses. In particular, we focus on the determination of the threshold current at which the spin-wave damping is compensated. We have developed an alternative method based on the temporal evolution of the magnon density at the beginning of an applied current pulse at which the magnon density deviates from the thermal level. Since this method does not depend on the signal-to-noise ratio, it allows for a robust and reliable determination of the threshold current which is important for the characterization of any future application based on the spin-transfer-torque effect.
Electrohydrodynamic stability of a plasma-liquid interface
Authors: Holgate J. T. , Coppins M. , Allen J. E.
Published: January 2018

Many plasma applications involve the plasma coming into contact with a liquid surface. Previous analyses of the stability of such liquid surfaces have neglected the presence of the sheath region between the bulk plasma and the liquid. Large electric fields, typically in excess of several MV m−1, and strong ion flows are present in this region. This paper considers a linear perturbation analysis of a liquid-sheath interface in order to find the marginal condition for instability. This condition shows that molten metal surfaces in tokamak edge plasmas are stable against the electric field, if a normal sheath is formed, due to the impact of ions on the surface. The stabilization of the liquid surface by ion bombardment is encouraging for the ongoing development of plasma-liquid technologies.
Optical and electrical properties of the transparent conductor SrVO3 without long-range crystalline order
Authors: Boileau A. , Cheikh A. , Fouchet A. , David A. , Escobar-Galindo R. , Labbé C. , Marie P. , Gourbilleau F. , Lüders U.
Published: January 2018

It has been shown recently that the perovskite oxide SrVO3 is a transparent conductor with optical and electrical properties outreaching those of the most used material indium tin oxide (ITO). These properties, observed in the crystalline phase, imply the strong potential of SrVO3 for use as a lower cost alternative to ITO, but the possible integration of this perovskite oxide material in actual electronic devices is still an open question. One of the possible approaches for the integration of oxide materials is the use of amorphous thin films, allowing low thermal budgets to preserve the performances of the electronic device. Therefore, in this study, the electrical and optical properties of amorphous or poorly crystallized thin SrVO3 films are investigated.
Surface modification of graphene using HBC-6ImBr in solution-processed OLEDs
Authors: Cheng Tsung-Chin , Ku Ting-An , Huang Kuo-You , Chou Ang-Sheng , Chang Po-Han , Chang Chao-Chen , Yue Cheng-Feng , Liu Chia-Wei , Wang Po-Han , Wong Ken-Tsung , Wu Chih-I
Published: January 2018

In this work, we report a simple method for solution-processed organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), where single-layer graphene acts as the anode and the hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene exfoliating agent (HBC-6ImBr) provides surface modification. In SEM images, the PEDOT:PSS solution fully covered the graphene electrode after coating with HBC-6ImBr. The fabricated solution-processed OLEDs with a single-layer graphene anode showed outstanding brightness at 3182 cd/m2 and current efficiency up to 6 cd/A which is comparable to that of indium tin oxide films, and the OLED device brightness performance increases six times compared to tri-layer graphene treated with UV-Ozone at the same driving voltage. This method can be used in a wide variety of solution-processed organic optoelectronics on surface-modified graphene anodes.
The transmission spectrum of sound through a phononic crystal subjected to liquid flow
Authors: Declercq Nico F. , Chehami Lynda , Moiseyenko Rayisa P.
Published: January 2018

The influence of liquid-flow up to 7 mm/s is examined on transmission spectra of phononic crystals, revealing a potential use for slow liquid-flow measurement techniques. It is known that transmission of ultrasound through a phononic crystal is determined by its periodicity and depends on the material characteristics of the crystal's constituents. Here, the crystal consists of metal rods with the space in between filled with water. Previous studies have assumed still water in the crystal, and here, we consider flowing liquid. First, the crystal bandgaps are investigated in still water, and the results of transmission experiments are compared with theoretical band structures obtained with the finite element method. Then, changes in transmission spectra are investigated for different speeds of liquid flow. Two situations are investigated: a crystal is placed with a principal symmetry axis in the flow direction (ΓX) and then at an angle (ΓM). The good stability of the bandgap structure of the transmission spectrum for both directions is observed, which may be of importance for the application of phononic crystals as acoustic filters in an environment of flowing liquid. Minor transmission amplitude changes on the other hand reveal a possibility for slow liquid flow measurements.
Supplementation of dairy cows with commercial concentrate or ground maize grain under cut-and-carry or grazing of cultivated pastures in small-scale systems in the highlands of central Mexico
Authors: Velarde-Guillén J. , Estrada-Flores J. G. , Rayas-Amor A. A. , Vicente F. , Martínez-Fernández A. , Heredia-Nava D. , Celis-Alvarez M. D. , Aguirre-Ugarte I. K. , Galindo-González E. , Arriaga-Jordán C. M.
Published: January 2018

Small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) in Mexico represent over 78% of dairy farms and 37% of milk production. In the central highlands, many SSDS base the feeding of herds on irrigated cultivated pastures (mostly cut-and-carry), straws, and large amounts of commercial concentrates that result in high feeding costs and low economic sustainability. Intensive grazing may result in lower feeding costs when compared with cut-and-carry strategies. The high protein content of pasture may meet requirements of dairy cows with moderate milk yield (16–20 kg milk/cow.day), so that lower protein supplements, like ground maize grain, may substitute for commercial concentrates. An on-farm experiment following a participatory rural research approach was undertaken with seven farmers evaluating commercial concentrate (CC) or ground maize grain (MG) as supplement; and two pasture managements, grazing (G) or cut-and-carry (C) of irrigated ryegrass/white clover pastures to assess productive performance and feeding costs. Six farmers participated with four milking cows each and one farmer with two groups of four milking cows in a 2 by 2 factorial experiment. Daily milk yield per cow before the experiment was used as covariate. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. There is a trend in G for higher protein content in milk (P < 0.10). CC showed higher body condition score than MG with a significant interaction for body condition score with the highest body condition score in CCC (P < 0.05). Feeding costs were 15% higher per kg of milk yield and 19% per kg of energy-corrected milk under cut-and-carry but no statistical differences were detected (P > 0.05) in comparison with the grazing strategy. Supplementing with home-grown ground maize grain resulted in 28.5% higher margins per kg of milk produced. Implementing grazing involves less work burden for small-scale dairy farmers, and combined with home-grown grains as supplement is a viable option that may reduce feeding costs in these systems.
Host and parasite thermal ecology jointly determine the effect of climate warming on epidemic dynamics
Authors: Gehman Alyssa-Lois M. , Hall Richard J. , Byers James E.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Experiments and modeling demonstrate that vital rates of a host and parasite respond differently to temperature, with local parasite extinction in the coastal southeastern United States predicted under climate warming. Quantifying and comparing thermal performance curves for multiple host and parasite traits can help identify locations and temperature regimes in which parasitism could decrease or increase under future warming, depending on the temperature difference between host and parasite performance optima. We suggest that such comparative work might resolve conflicting predictions of whether hosts or parasites have the upper hand in a warming world.
Testing the impact and durability of a group malleability intervention in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Authors: Goldenberg Amit , Cohen-Chen Smadar , Goyer J. Parker , Dweck Carol S. , Gross James J. , Halperin Eran
Published: January 2018

Significance

The importance of psychological factors in conflict resolution has been well established in laboratory experiments. However, these factors have rarely been examined in longitudinal field experiments. The goal of the current project was to address this gap by comparing the effectiveness of psychological interventions during a period of extensive violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. An intervention that spoke to the idea that groups can change and improve over time (a group malleability intervention) proved superior to a control intervention in improving attitudes, hope, and willingness to make concessions, even 6 months after the intervention. These findings provide evidence from a longitudinal field experiment that group malleability interventions can increase openness to conflict resolution.
Freshwater salinization syndrome on a continental scale
Authors: Kaushal Sujay S. , Likens Gene E. , Pace Michael L. , Utz Ryan M. , Haq Shahan , Gorman Julia , Grese Melissa
Published: January 2018

Significance

Salinization and alkalinization impact water quality, but these processes have been studied separately, except in arid regions. Globally, salinization has been largely attributed to agriculture, resource extraction, and land clearing. Alkalinization has been attributed to recovery from acidification, with less recognition as an environmental issue. We show that salinization and alkalinization are linked, and trends in these processes impact most of the drainage area of the United States. Increases in salinity and alkalinity are caused by inputs of salts containing strong bases and carbonates that originate from anthropogenic sources and accelerated weathering. We develop a conceptual model unifying our understanding of salinization and alkalinization and its drivers and impacts on fresh water in North America over the past century.
Power law tails in phylogenetic systems
Authors: Qin Chongli , Colwell Lucy J.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Covariance analysis of protein sequence alignments can predict structure and function from sequence alignments alone. Current methodologies typically assume that sequences are independent, notwithstanding their phylogenetic relationships. This corruption constrains the alignments for which covariance analysis can be used. It is critically important to control for phylogeny and understand how phylogeny contaminates signal. This paper presents a mathematical analysis that argues that there is a distinctive signature of phylogeny in the covariance matrix, allowing us to identify modes that are corrupted by phylogeny. This signature is present in large protein sequence alignments, explaining recent covariance analyses, and provides an important step toward decoupling phylogenetic effects from biologically meaningful interactions.
Ion dissolution mechanism and kinetics at kink sites on NaCl surfaces
Authors: Joswiak Mark N. , Doherty Michael F. , Peters Baron
Published: January 2018

Significance

Ion desolvation limits the rate of elementary ion-attachment steps during ionic crystal growth from aqueous solution. However, the desolvation mechanism and solvent coordinates are unknown, so crystal dissolution/growth rates remain difficult to compute. This work identifies solvent reaction coordinates for detachment/attachment of Cl
−
and Na
+
from kink sites on NaCl crystals. We find that the larger Cl
−
limits the overall rate of NaCl dissolution in water because its size prevents water from accessing the kink site during detachment. Our findings show how ion and solvent characteristics influence the kinetics of NaCl growth and dissolution. This work also provides generalizable solvent coordinates and rate expressions for efficient calculations of crystal growth and dissolution rates.
Functional characterization of the mucus barrier on the
Xenopus tropicalis
skin surface
Authors: Dubaissi Eamon , Rousseau Karine , Hughes Gareth W. , Ridley Caroline , Grencis Richard K. , Roberts Ian S. , Thornton David J.
Published: January 2018

Significance

The production of mucus helps to trap pathogens, preventing their entry into the body, while it also acts as an interface for many important physiological events (e.g., gas and nutrient exchange). In mammalian models, a detailed study of mucus and its component parts is hindered by the difficulty in accessing these internally located tissues. The
Xenopus tropicalis
tadpole skin offers a complementary nonmammalian model system to study mucosal epithelia. Using this, we identify a mucin, similar to human mucins, that protects against infection. This system offers an experimentally tractable approach to study mucins and the mucus barrier and their role in conferring protection at mucosal surfaces.
Chemical encoding of risk perception and predator detection among estuarine invertebrates
Authors: Poulin Remington X. , Lavoie Serge , Siegel Katherine , Gaul David A. , Weissburg Marc J. , Kubanek Julia
Published: January 2018

Significance

Chemical cues are essential to marine life, particularly for detecting predators. Despite decades of research, almost nothing is known of the molecular nature of these waterborne cues. This prevents us from assessing environmental variation and impacts of these cues and from understanding and manipulating predator–prey signaling pathways. Leveraging natural chemical variation in the urine of a predatory crab using metabolomics, the chemical profiles of urine from crabs fed different diets were revealed to be predictive of their fear-inducing potency. This pattern led us to identify the major constituents of the chemical cue used by mud crab prey to detect and avoid their predator. This investigation serves as a blueprint for investigating the molecular nature of these community-structuring waterborne cues.
Predicting tipping points in mutualistic networks through dimension reduction
Authors: Jiang Junjie , Huang Zi-Gang , Seager Thomas P. , Lin Wei , Grebogi Celso , Hastings Alan , Lai Ying-Cheng
Published: January 2018

Significance

Complex systems in many fields, because of their intrinsic nonlinear dynamics, can exhibit a tipping point (point of no return) at which a total collapse of the system occurs. In ecosystems, environmental deterioration can lead to evolution toward a tipping point. To predict tipping point is an outstanding and extremely challenging problem. Using complex bipartite mutualistic networks, we articulate a dimension reduction strategy and establish its general applicability to predicting tipping points using a large number of empirical networks. Not only can our reduced model serve as a paradigm for understanding the tipping point dynamics in real world ecosystems for safeguarding pollinators, the principle can also be extended to other disciplines to address critical issues, such as resilience and sustainability.
Pf
CDPK1 is critical for malaria parasite gametogenesis and mosquito infection
Authors: Bansal Abhisheka , Molina-Cruz Alvaro , Brzostowski Joseph , Liu Poching , Luo Yan , Gunalan Karthigayan , Li Yuesheng , Ribeiro José M. C. , Miller Louis H.
Published: January 2018

Significance

We have shown in this study that the malaria parasite can rapidly evolve to adapt for loss of an “essential” kinase,
Pf
CDPK1.
Pf
CDPK1 could not be disrupted in the wild-type parasite. However, we were able to disrupt CDPK1 in the transgenic parasites adapted for reduced kinase activity of mutant
Pf
CDPK1. Strategic disruption of
Pf
CDPK1 highlights the importance of understanding the compensatory mechanisms, especially for targets belonging to multigene families. Our study unequivocally demonstrates that
Pf
CDPK1 is critical for mosquito infections and its disruption leads to defective gametogenesis. Our study also suggests involvement of CDPK1 in regulation of sexual stage-specific genes during the asexual proliferation. Targeting
Pf
CDPK1 may be a good strategy for developing transmission-blocking drugs.
Troy+ brain stem cells cycle through quiescence and regulate their number by sensing niche occupancy
Authors: Basak Onur , Krieger Teresa G. , Muraro Mauro J. , Wiebrands Kay , Stange Daniel E. , Frias-Aldeguer Javier , Rivron Nicolas C. , van de Wetering Marc , van Es Johan H. , van Oudenaarden Alexander , Simons Benjamin D. , Clevers Hans
Published: January 2018

Significance

Adult mammalian tissues contain stem cells that contribute to tissue homeostasis and regeneration, with potential therapeutic applications. Specialized niches regulate their fate. Here we evaluated quantitatively how the subependymal zone niche regulates neural stem cell (NSC) number in the adult mouse brain. Using knock-in reporter alleles and single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that the Wnt target
Tnfrsf19/
Troy identifies both active and quiescent NSCs. Using the Ki67-iresCreER mouse model, we found that dividing stem cells have long-term self-renewal potential. We propose a model where the fate of NSCs is coupled to their density within a closed niche. Our results suggest a new mechanism for regulating adult stem cell number, which might be deregulated in brain malignancies and in aging.
Modeling lethal X-linked genetic disorders in pigs with ensured fertility
Authors: Matsunari Hitomi , Watanabe Masahito , Nakano Kazuaki , Enosawa Shin , Umeyama Kazuhiro , Uchikura Ayuko , Yashima Sayaka , Fukuda Toru , Klymiuk Nikolai , Kurome Mayuko , Kessler Barbara , Wuensch Annegret , Zakhartchenko Valeri , Wolf Eckhard , Hanazono Yutaka , Nagaya Masaki , Umezawa Akihiro , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Nagashima Hiroshi
Published: January 2018

Significance

The development of therapies for rare and intractable genetic disorders represents a significant unmet medical need. Disease model pigs characterized by physiological, anatomical, and pathogenetic similarities to humans allow translational studies to be performed, yielding valuable data that can be extrapolated to patients. The establishment of an efficient reproduction system is a key element in the practical application of disease model pigs, which often suffer from reproductive inability due to severe symptoms. Here, we showed that the valuable trait of genetically modified disease model pigs can be maximized by generating unique chimeric boars composed of mutant and normal cells.
Melanopsin- and L-cone–induced pupil constriction is inhibited by S- and M-cones in humans
Authors: Woelders Tom , Leenheers Thomas , Gordijn Marijke C. M. , Hut Roelof A. , Beersma Domien G. M. , Wams Emma J.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Human retinas contain five light-responsive cell types: rods; short (S)-, mid (M)-, and long (L)-wavelength–sensitive cones; and melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells. Intrinsically light-sensitive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) also relay rod and cone information to brain areas involved in nonvisual responses, such as pupil constriction. Cones allow for visual color discrimination. How cone-dependent color discrimination affects nonvisual responses is poorly understood. We show that selectively activating L-cones or melanopsin constricts the pupil whereas S- or M-cone activation paradoxically dilates the pupil. Intrinsically photosensitive RGCs therefore appear to signal color on yellow/blue and red/green scales, with blue and green cone shifts being processed as brightness decrements. These findings are crucial in understanding brightness coding for visual and nonvisual responses such as circadian entrainment and alerting effects of light.
Suppression of frontal eye field neuronal responses with maintained fixation
Authors: Mirpour Koorosh , Bolandnazar Zeinab , Bisley James W.
Published: January 2018

Significance

In natural viewing, such as reading or scene perception, fixation can be extended temporally when subjects look at a word or object that is important or requires more processing. Numerous models have suggested that this could occur by a suppressive mechanism. Here, we show that responses in the frontal eye field (FEF) are suppressed when animals maintain fixation on a stimulus that may give them a reward. This suggests that FEF may be able to modulate the temporal flow of eye movements in natural viewing using enhanced activity to generate eye movements and suppression to maintain fixation.
In situ detection of live-to-dead bacteria ratio after inactivation by means of synchronous fluorescence and PCA
Authors: Li Runze , Goswami Umang , King Maria , Chen Jie , Cesario Thomas C. , Rentzepis Peter M.
Published: January 2018

Significance

The in situ and rapid detection of live and dead bacteria is crucial for preventing health care-associated infection in hospitals, field clinics, and other areas such as monitoring wound healings. Traditionally, determining the number of pathogenic organism involves specimen collection, appropriate culture on agar plates within laboratory environments, and counting the colony-forming units. These are very time-consuming procedures and could therefore increase the risk of infection or even death. In this paper, we demonstrate that the live/dead bacteria ratio after UV radiation and antibiotic treatment may be obtained easily, through a handheld spectrophotometer integrated with principal component analysis. Such procedures may provide a new way for the rapid detection and classification of live and dead bacteria in situ within minutes.
Tolerogenic nanoparticles restore the antitumor activity of recombinant immunotoxins by mitigating immunogenicity
Authors: Mazor Ronit , King Emily M. , Onda Masanori , Cuburu Nicolas , Addissie Selamawit , Crown Devorah , Liu Xiu-Fen , Kishimoto Takashi Kei , Pastan Ira
Published: January 2018

Significance

Protein-based drugs are very active in treating cancer, but their efficacy is limited by the formation of neutralizing antidrug antibodies (ADAs). Recombinant immunotoxins are proteins that are very effective in patients with leukemia, in whom immunity is suppressed, but induce ADAs, which compromise their activity, in patients with intact immunity. Here we used an immunomodulator that is encapsulated in a nanoparticle delivery system (SVP-R) to induce specific immune tolerance to immunotoxins in mice. SVP-R induces immune tolerance, prevents ADA formation, and prevents the drug neutralization and clearance that results in restoration of its antitumor activity. Importantly, the combination is also efficacious in mice with preexisting antibodies, indicating that this approach can benefit patients who often have such antibodies.