bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated determination of electron density from electric field measurements on the Van Allen Probes spacecraft
Authors: Zhelavskaya I. S. , Spasojevic M. , Shprits Y. Y. , Kurth W. S.
Published: May 2016

We present the Neural‐network‐based Upper hybrid Resonance Determination (NURD) algorithm for automatic inference of the electron number density from plasma wave measurements made on board NASA's Van Allen Probes mission. A feedforward neural network is developed to determine the upper hybrid resonance frequency, fuhr, from electric field measurements, which is then used to calculate the electron number density. In previous missions, the plasma resonance bands were manually identified, and there have been few attempts to do robust, routine automated detections. We describe the design and implementation of the algorithm and perform an initial analysis of the resulting electron number density distribution obtained by applying NURD to 2.5 years of data collected with the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrumentation suite of the Van Allen Probes mission. Densities obtained by NURD are compared to those obtained by another recently developed automated technique and also to an existing empirical plasmasphere and trough density model.
Compression of a multiphase mantle assemblage: Effects of undesirable stress and stress annealing on the iron spin state crossover in ferropericlase
Authors: Glazyrin Konstantin , Miyajima Nobuyoshi , Smith Jesse S. , Lee Kanani K. M.
Published: May 2016

Using synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction, we explore characteristic signatures for nonhydrostatic stresses and their effect on the spin state crossover of ferrous iron in (Mg, Fe)O ferropericlase (Fp) upon compression in a two‐phase mixture which includes an Al‐ and Fe‐bearing bridgmanite (Bm). We observe an influence of nonhydrostatic stresses on the spin state crossover starting pressure and width. The undesirable stresses discussed here include uniaxial deviatoric stress evolving in the diamond anvil cell and effects of intergrain interaction. While the former leads to a pressure overestimation, the latter one lowers the pressure of the onset for the high‐spin to low‐spin electronic transition in Fe2+ in ferropericlase (Mg, Fe)O with respect to hydrostatic conditions.
Estimation of global black carbon direct radiative forcing and its uncertainty constrained by observations
Authors: Wang Rong , Balkanski Yves , Boucher Olivier , Ciais Philippe , Schuster Gregory L. , Chevallier Frédéric , Samset Bjørn H. , Liu Junfeng , Piao Shilong , Valari Myrto , Tao Shu
Published: May 2016

Black carbon (BC) contributes to global warming by absorbing sunlight. However, the size of this contribution, namely, the direct radiative forcing (RF), ranges from +0.1 to +1.0 W m−2, largely due to differences between bottom‐up and observation‐based estimates. Current global models systematically underestimate BC radiation absorption relative to observations, which is often attributed to the underestimation of BC emissions. Several studies that adjusted emissions to correct biases of global aerosol models resulted in a revised upward estimate of the BC RF. However, the BC RF was never optimized against observations in a rigorous mathematical manner. Here we simulated the absorption of solar radiation by BC from all sources at the 10 km resolution by combining a highly disaggregated emission inventory with a nested aerosol climate model and a downscaling method. As a result, the normalized mean bias in BC radiation absorption was reduced from −51% to −24% in Asia and from −57% to −50% elsewhere. We applied a Bayesian method that makes the best account of all model, representativeness and observational uncertainties to estimate the BC RF and its uncertainty. Using the new emission inventory and high‐resolution model reduces uncertainty in BC RF from −101%/+152% to −70%/+71% over Asia and from −83%/+108% to −64%/+68% over other continental regions. Finally we derived an observationally constrained BC RF of 0.61 Wm−2 (0.16 to 1.40 as 90% confidence) as our best estimate. Our estimate implies that reduction in BC emissions would contribute to slow down global warming, but the contribution could be less than previously thought.
On the choice of analogue fluids in CO2 convective dissolution experiments
Authors: Jafari Raad Seyed Mostafa , Emami‐Meybodi Hamid , Hassanzadeh Hassan
Published: May 2016

Mixtures of ethylene glycol and methanol (EG‐MeOH) have been used as an analogue system (i.e., EG‐MeOH/water) in recent experiments in the context of convective dissolution of CO2 in deep saline aquifers. We have conducted a linear stability analysis of a gravitationally unstable diffusive boundary layer as well as direct numerical simulation of convective mixing involved in dissolution of EG‐MeOH species in water. We provide new evidences that EG‐MeOH does not resemble the dynamics of convective instabilities and subsequent mixing associated with dissolution of CO2 in water. It is found that there are fundamental differences in the evolution of the buoyancy‐driven instability and dynamics of convective mixing between CO2/water and a typical EG‐MeOH/water analogue system. Our results show that for a constant Rayleigh number, the onset of convective instabilities for EG‐MeOH/water can be different by an order of magnitude as compared with CO2/water. In addition, EG‐MeOH/water system reveals different dynamics associated with the convective mixing as compared to CO2/water system. This study improves our understanding of the instability behavior of analogue systems, their proper selection, and motivates further experiments.
Deliquescence‐induced wetting and RSL‐like darkening of a Mars analogue soil containing various perchlorate and chloride salts
Authors: Heinz Jacob , Schulze‐Makuch Dirk , Kounaves Samuel P.
Published: May 2016

Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are flow‐like features on Mars characterized by a local darkening of the soil thought to be generated by the formation and flow of liquid brines. One possible mechanism responsible for forming these brines could be the deliquescence of salts present in the Martian soil. We show that the JSC Mars‐1a analogue soil undergoes a darkening process when salts dispersed in the soil deliquesce, but forming continuous liquid films and larger droplets takes much longer than previously assumed. Thus, RSL may not necessarily require concurrent flowing liquid water/brine or a salt‐recharge mechanism, and their association with gullies may be the result of previously flowing water and deposited salts during an earlier warmer and wetter period. In addition, our results show that electrical conductivity measurements correlate well with the deliquescence rates and provide better overall characterization than either Raman spectroscopy or estimates based on deliquescence relative humidity.
MAVEN observations of magnetic flux ropes with a strong field amplitude in the Martian magnetosheath during the ICME passage on 8 March 2015
Authors: Hara Takuya , Luhmann Janet G. , Halekas Jasper S. , Espley Jared R. , Seki Kanako , Brain David A. , Hasegawa Hiroshi , McFadden James P. , Mitchell David L. , Mazelle Christian , Harada Yuki , Livi Roberto , DiBraccio Gina A. , Connerney John E. P. , Andersson Lailla , Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: May 2016

We present initial results of strong field amplitude flux ropes observed by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission around Mars during the interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) passage on 8 March 2015. The observed durations were shorter than 5 s and the magnetic field magnitudes peaked above 80 nT, which is a few times stronger than those usually seen in the magnetosheath barrier. These are the first unique observations that MAVEN detected such flux ropes with a strong field at high altitudes (>5000 km). Across these structures, MAVEN coincidentally measured planetary heavy ions with energies higher than a few keV. The spatial properties inferred from the Grad‐Shafranov equation suggest that the speed of the structure can be estimated at least an order of magnitude faster than those previously reported quiet‐time counterparts. Hence, the space weather event like the ICME passage can be responsible for generating the observed strong field, fast‐traveling flux ropes.
Turbulent mixing, restratification, and phytoplankton growth at a submesoscale eddy
Authors: Taylor J. R.
Published: May 2016

High‐resolution large‐eddy simulations are used to study the influence of submesoscale mixed layer instability and small‐scale turbulence on phytoplankton growth in light‐limited conditions. Four simulations are considered with small‐scale turbulence driven by varying levels of surface cooling. Significant small‐scale turbulence is seen even without surface forcing, and the downward mixing of phytoplankton is sufficient to briefly delay the developing bloom. Moderate and strong values of the constant surface heat flux (Q =− 10,−100 W/m2) are sufficient to prevent a bloom. In contrast to the critical depth hypothesis, the growth rate for phytoplankton does not appear to be controlled by the mixed layer depth. Instead, a comparison between the turbulent diffusivity above the compensation depth and a critical value predicted by the critical turbulence hypothesis closely matches the timing and magnitude of phytoplankton growth.
MMS observations of large guide field symmetric reconnection between colliding reconnection jets at the center of a magnetic flux rope at the magnetopause
Authors: Øieroset M. , Phan T. D. , Haggerty C. , Shay M. A. , Eastwood J. P. , Gershman D. J. , Drake J. F. , Fujimoto M. , Ergun R. E. , Mozer F. S. , Oka M. , Torbert R. B. , Burch J. L. , Wang S. , Chen L. J. , Swisdak M. , Pollock C. , Dorelli J. C. , Fuselier S. A. , Lavraud B. , Giles B. L. , Moore T. E. , Saito Y. , Avanov L. A. , Paterson W. , Strangeway R. J. , Russell C. T. , Khotyaintsev Y. , Lindqvist P. A. , Malakit K.
Published: May 2016

We report evidence for reconnection between colliding reconnection jets in a compressed current sheet at the center of a magnetic flux rope at Earth's magnetopause. The reconnection involved nearly symmetric inflow boundary conditions with a strong guide field of two. The thin (2.5 ion‐skin depth (di) width) current sheet (at ~12 di downstream of the X line) was well resolved by MMS, which revealed large asymmetries in plasma and field structures in the exhaust. Ion perpendicular heating, electron parallel heating, and density compression occurred on one side of the exhaust, while ion parallel heating and density depression were shifted to the other side. The normal electric field and double out‐of‐plane (bifurcated) currents spanned almost the entire exhaust. These observations are in good agreement with a kinetic simulation for similar boundary conditions, demonstrating in new detail that the structure of large guide field symmetric reconnection is distinctly different from antiparallel reconnection.
Seismic velocity structure of the Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates revealed by a joint inversion of ambient noise and regional earthquakes
Authors: Gao Haiying
Published: May 2016

The crust and upper mantle seismic structure, spanning from the Juan de Fuca and Gorda spreading centers to the Cascade back arc, is imaged with full‐wave propagation simulation and a joint inversion of ambient noise and regional earthquake recordings. The spreading centers have anomalously low shear wave velocity beneath the oceanic lithosphere. Around the Cobb axial seamount, we observe a low‐velocity anomaly underlying a relatively thin oceanic lithosphere, indicating its influence on the Juan de Fuca ridge. The oceanic Moho is clearly defined by a P velocity increase from 6.3 km/s to 7.5 km/s at about 6 km depth beneath the seafloor. The thickness of the oceanic plates is less than 40 km prior to subduction, and the structure of the oceanic lithosphere varies both along strike and along dip. Farther landward, very low velocity anomalies are observed above the plate interface along the Cascade fore arc, indicative of subducted sediments.
Nanoscale grain boundary channels in fracture cement enhance flow in mudrocks
Authors: Landry Christopher J. , Eichhubl Peter , Prodanović Maša , Wilkins Scott
Published: May 2016

Hydrocarbon production from mudrock or shale reservoirs typically exceeds estimates based on mudrock laboratory permeability measurements, with the difference attributed to natural fractures. However, natural fractures in these reservoirs are frequently completely cemented and thus assumed not to contribute to flow. We quantify the permeability of nanoscale grain boundary channels with mean apertures of 50–130 nm in otherwise completely cemented natural fractures of the Eagle Ford Formation and estimate their contribution to production. Using scanning electron imaging of grain boundary channel network geometry and a digital rock physics workflow of image reconstruction and direct flow modeling, we estimate cement permeability to be 38–750 nd, higher than reported permeability of Eagle Ford host rock (~2 nd) based on laboratory measurements. Our results suggest that effective fracture‐parallel mudrock permeability can exceed laboratory values by upward of 1 order of magnitude in shale reservoirs of high macroscopic cemented fracture volume fraction.
Philippine Sea and East Asian plate tectonics since 52 Ma constrained by new subducted slab reconstruction methods
Authors: Wu Jonny , Suppe John , Lu Renqi , Kanda Ravi
Published: May 2016

We reconstructed Philippine Sea and East Asian plate tectonics since 52 Ma from 28 slabs mapped in 3‐D from global tomography, with a subducted area of ~25% of present‐day global oceanic lithosphere. Slab constraints include subducted parts of existing Pacific, Indian, and Philippine Sea oceans, plus wholly subducted proto‐South China Sea and newly discovered “East Asian Sea.” Mapped slabs were unfolded and restored to the Earth surface using three methodologies and input to globally consistent plate reconstructions. Important constraints include the following: (1) the Ryukyu slab is ~1000 km N‐S, too short to account for ~20° Philippine Sea northward motion from paleolatitudes; (2) the Marianas‐Pacific subduction zone was at its present location (±200 km) since 48 ± 10 Ma based on a >1000 km deep slab wall; (3) the 8000 × 2500 km East Asian Sea existed between the Pacific and Indian Oceans at 52 Ma based on lower mantle flat slabs; (4) the Caroline back‐arc basin moved with the Pacific, based on the overlapping, coeval Caroline hot spot track. These new constraints allow two classes of Philippine Sea plate models, which we compared to paleomagnetic and geologic data. Our preferred model involves Philippine Sea nucleation above the Manus plume (0°/150°E) near the Pacific‐East Asian Sea plate boundary. Large Philippine Sea westward motion and post‐40 Ma maximum 80° clockwise rotation accompanied late Eocene‐Oligocene collision with the Caroline/Pacific plate. The Philippine Sea moved northward post‐25 Ma over the northern East Asian Sea, forming a northern Philippine Sea arc that collided with the SW Japan‐Ryukyu margin in the Miocene (~20–14 Ma).
Impact of aerosol direct effect on East Asian air quality during the EAST‐AIRE campaign
Authors: Wang Jing , Allen Dale J. , Pickering Kenneth E. , Li Zhanqing , He Hao
Published: May 2016

WRF‐Chem simulations were performed for the March 2005 East Asian Studies of Tropospheric Aerosols: an International Regional Experiment (EAST‐AIRE) Intensive Observation Campaign (IOC) to investigate the direct effects of aerosols on surface radiation and air quality. Domain‐wide, WRF‐Chem showed a decrease of 20 W/m2 in surface shortwave (SW) radiation due to the aerosol direct effect (ADE), consistent with observational studies. The ADE caused 24 h surface PM2.5 (particulate matter with diameter < 2.5 µm) concentrations to increase in eastern China (4.4%), southern China (10%), western China (2.3%), and the Sichuan Basin (9.6%), due to different aerosol compositions in these four regions. Conversely, surface 1 h maximum ozone was reduced by 2.3% domain‐wide and up to 12% in eastern China because less radiation reached the surface. We also investigated the impact of reducing SO2 and black carbon (BC) emissions by 80% on aerosol amounts via two sensitivity simulations. Reducing SO2 decreased surface PM2.5 concentrations in the Sichuan Basin and southern China by 5.4% and decreased ozone by up to 6 ppbv in the Sichuan Basin and Southern China. Reducing BC emissions decreased PM2.5 by 3% in eastern China and the Sichuan Basin but increased surface ozone by up to 3.6 ppbv in eastern China and the Sichuan Basin. This study indicates that the benefits of reducing PM2.5 associated with reducing absorbing aerosols may be partially offset by increases in ozone at least for a scenario when NOx and VOC emissions are unchanged.
Platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio could be a promising prognostic biomarker for survival of colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Hong‐Xin , Lin Kang , He Bang‐Shun , Pan Yu‐Qin , Ying Hou‐Qun , Hu Xiu‐Xiu , Xu Tao , Wang Shu‐Kui
Published: May 2016

Inflammation is one of the most important causes leading to colorectal carcinogenesis, and inflammatory biomarkers such as the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) might predict survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognostic value of PLR in CRC patients remains controversial. The prognostic value of PLR was comprehensively analyzed in 12 articles including 3541 CRC patients (10 for overall survival (OS), seven for disease‐free survival (DFS), three for recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and three for cancer‐specific survival (CSS)) in this study. The overall pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of PLR for OS, DFS, and CSS were significant at 1.29 (95% confidence interval, CI = 1.13–1.47, PH = 0.149), 1.43 (95% CI = 1.03–1.97, PH = 0.025), and 1.26 (95% CI = 1.04–1.52, PH = 0.223), respectively. However, there was no evidence of significance for RFS (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.98–1.70, PH = 0.231) in our study. Stratified analyses indicated elevated PLR was a predictor of poor OS (metastatic patients) and DFS (Caucasian population) and was also significantly associated with OS in univariate analysis (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14–1.60, PH = 0.532) and those only treated surgically (HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.10–1.70, PH = 1.080). However, our findings indicated that elevated PLR is a promising prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer, especially in metastatic Caucasian CRC patients.
Optical Filters
Authors: Piegari Angela
Published: May 2016

This article is an update of the original articlefilters, opticalin which the theory of optical filters, the basic physical phenomena, and several types of filters were described.

Starting from these concepts, a number of examples of filter applications are reported, showing the variety of wavelength ranges and filter dimensions that could be required.

Application fields such as automobiles and buildings, lighting and displays, laser facilities, and space and security are considered, as representative of different conditions of use. Traditional and more recent types of filters are described, taking into account the development of less conventional materials and structures.
Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers: High‐Power Operation
Authors: Liu Anping
Published: May 2016

An overview on high‐power fiber lasers and amplifiers is presented. The article includes a brief review of the fiber laser history, followed by the design rules of double‐cladding fibers for power scaling of the fiber lasers. Typical fiber laser systems, including pump configurations, resonator structures, and system layouts, are explained. Detailed information on key components and wavelength ranges are discussed. It covers high‐power fiber lasers operating at both continuous wave and pulsed modes, including a variety of pulsed systems ranging from actively mode‐locked lasers to passively mode‐locked lasers with pulse durations from femtoseconds to nanoseconds.
Halide Perovskites: Poor Man's High‐Performance Semiconductors
Authors: Stoumpos Constantinos C. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G.
Published: May 2016

Halide perovskites are a rapidly developing class of medium‐bandgap semiconductors which, to date, have been popularized on account of their remarkable success in solid‐state heterojunction solar cells raising the photovoltaic efficiency to 20% within the last 5 years. As the physical properties of the materials are being explored, it is becoming apparent that the photovoltaic performance of the halide perovskites is just but one aspect of the wealth of opportunities that these compounds offer as high‐performance semiconductors. From unique optical and electrical properties stemming from their characteristic electronic structure to highly efficient real‐life technological applications, halide perovskites constitute a brand new class of materials with exotic properties awaiting discovery. The nature of halide perovskites from the materials' viewpoint is discussed here, enlisting the most important classes of the compounds and describing their most exciting properties. The topics covered focus on the optical and electrical properties highlighting some of the milestone achievements reported to date but also addressing controversies in the vastly expanding halide perovskite literature.
Informativeness of wind data in linear Madden–Julian oscillation prediction
Authors: Allen Theodore L. , Mapes Brian E. , Cavanaugh Nicholas
Published: May 2016

Linear inverse models (LIMs) are used to explore predictability and information content of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO). Hindcast skill for outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) related to the MJO on intraseasonal timescales in the tropics has been examined for a variety of LIMs using OLR and optionally 200 and 850 hPa zonal wind information channels. The dependence of OLR hindcast skill on wind channels was evaluated by randomizing in time, averaging in space, or omitting data entirely. Results show positive prediction skill (relative to climatology) up to 3 weeks and wind information, mostly at the largest scales, adds 1–2 days of skill.
RETRACTION: Lentivirus‐mediated knockdown of M‐phase phosphoprotein 8 inhibits proliferation of colon cancer cells
Authors: Liang Xianjun , Liu Tongjun , Zhang Weizhong , Zhang Kai , Guo Shuai , Liang Jianhua
Published: May 2016

RETRACTION: M‐phase phosphoprotein 8 (MPP8) has been reported to be overexpressed in various human carcinoma cells and was associated with tumor malignant characters. However, its functional role in colon cancer (CRC) is still unclear. In the present study, lentivirus‐mediated short hairpin RNAs were designed to silence the MPP8 gene in CRC cells including RKO and SW1116 cells. The fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the knockdown efficiency of MPP8 by observing lentivirus‐mediated green fluorescent protein expression. MPP8 expression in infected RKO and SW1116 was evaluated by real‐time PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and colony formation. Flow cytometry was applied to measure cell cycle and apoptosis. Transwell assay was used to determine the effect of MMP8 silencing on cell migration. Our results demonstrated that loss of MPP8 inhibited cell proliferation and migration and promoted cell apoptosis. These results indicate that MPP8 plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells and suggest that silencing of MPP8 may be an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of CRC.
CoMn Layered Double Hydroxides/Carbon Nanotubes Architectures as High‐Performance Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Zhibin , Yu Chang , Han Xiaotong , Yang Juan , Zhao Changtai , Huang Huawei , Qiu Jieshan
Published: May 2016

The front cover artwork is provided by Jieshan Qiu, Chang Yu, and co‐workers, Dalian University of Technology (China). The work constructs an integrated system composed of ultrathin CoMn layered double hydroxides nanoplates and conductive carbon nanotube frameworks, delivering a highly electrocatalytic activity as oxygen evolution reaction catalysts. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/celc.201600116.
Metal‐Free Route for the Synthesis of 4‐Acyl‐1,2,3‐Triazoles from Readily Available Building Blocks
Authors: Thomas Joice , Goyvaerts Vince , Liekens Sandra , Dehaen Wim
Published: May 2016

Functionalized 1,2,3‐triazole heterocycles have been known for a long time and hold an extraordinary potential in diverse research areas ranging from medicinal chemistry to material science. However, the scope of therapeutically important 1‐substituted 4‐acyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazoles is much less explored, probably due to the lack of synthetic methodologies of good scope and practicality. Here, we describe a practical and efficient one‐pot multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of α‐ketotriazoles from readily available building blocks such as methyl ketones, N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal, and organic azides with 100 % regioselectivity. This reaction is enabled by the in situ formation of an enaminone intermediate followed by its 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction with an organic azide. We effectively utilized the developed strategy for the derivatization of various heterocycles and natural products, a protocol which is difficult or impossible to realize by other means.
Reducing Molecular Flexibility by Cyclization for Elucidation of Absolute Configuration by CD Calculations: Daurichromenic Acid
Authors: Mándi Attila , Swamy Mahadeva M. M. , Taniguchi Tohru , Anetai Masaki , Monde Kenji
Published: May 2016

Circular dichroism (CD) calculations of flexible natural products have been difficult because of the large number of low‐energy conformers and ambiguous Boltzmann distributions. In this article, through electronic (ECD) and vibrational (VCD) studies on a natural product, (+)‐daurichromenic acid, we demonstrate that derivatization of a flexible molecule can dramatically reduce its flexibility. This work also shows the usefulness of derivatization for diminishing computational expenses required for optimization and CD calculations, and for increasing the reliability of the assignment of absolute configuration. Chirality 28:453–459, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gas‐in‐place calculations in shale gas reservoirs using experimental adsorption data with adsorption models
Authors: Merey Sukru , Sinayuc Caglar
Published: May 2016

In this research, experimental adsorption measurements for a Dadas shale sample were conducted at various pressures (up to 13 790 kPa (2000 psia)) and temperatures (25, 50, and 75 °C) using pure methane (CH4). The effects of temperature and pressure on adsorption were observed. As pressure increases, CH4 adsorption increases. However, as temperature increases, CH4 adsorption decreases. Moreover, by using Langmuir isotherm and Ono‐Kondo models, experimental adsorption results were evaluated and adsorption isotherms were constructed. Although Ono‐Kondo and Langmuir isotherm models have similar fittings to the experimental adsorption data of Dadas shale, Ono‐Kondo models have several advantages. Different from Langmuir isotherms, the volume of adsorbed fluid, absolute adsorption data, and surface area of Dadas shale sample were predicted by Ono‐Kondo models. By comparing the results of the Ono‐Kondo monolayer and three‐layer models, the adsorption type of the Dadas shale sample was found as a monolayer (Type I). It was concluded that the Ono‐Kondo monolayer model is capable of fitting adsorption isotherms, especially at high pressures for shale samples. For initial gas‐in‐place calculations, the equations derived using the Langmuir isotherm were modified by the Ono‐Kondo monolayer model. For the first time, the Ono‐Kondo monolayer model was used in the formula of initial gas‐in‐place calculation. This formula provides better adsorption data evaluation, initial gas‐in‐place amounts, and adsorbed gas ratios in shale gas reservoir conditions compared to the values obtained with the Langmuir isotherm. This method is suggested to be used in flow and gas production simulations of shale gas reservoirs.
Production of P(3HB‐co‐3HHx) with Controlled Compositions by Recombinant Cupriavidus necator Re2058/pCB113 from Renewable Resources
Authors: Murugan Paramasivam , Chhajer Pragya , Kosugi Akihiko , Arai Takamitsu , Brigham Christopher J. , Sudesh Kumar
Published: May 2016

Mixtures of crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) and oil palm tree trunk sap (OPTS) as carbon sources for the biosynthesis of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (P(3HB‐co‐3HHx)) by the recombinant Cupriavidus necator strain Re2058/pCB113 were investigated. Shake flask cultures using CPKO as the sole carbon source produced 5.82 g/L of cell dry weight (CDW) with 73 wt% of PHA content and 44 mol% of 3‐hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx). When the total CPKO concentration in the cultures was increased from 2.5 to 7.5 g/L, a general pattern of decreasing 3HHx molar fraction (from 42 to 27 mol%) was observed in the resulting copolymer. In order to produce biopolymer with properties that resemble commodity plastics, the 3HHx molar fraction should be lowered to an optimal level of ∼12–20 mol%. The lowest 3HHx molar fraction (14 mol%) was obtained when a mixture of 4% (w/v) OPTS sugars and 1.5 g/L CPKO was used as the carbon source. The highest molar fraction of 3HHx produced (42 mol%) was observed when the cells were cultivated in 5 g/L of CPKO. 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR analyses confirmed the structure and monomer fraction of the different P(3HB‐co‐3HHx) polymers. This study has established a method to control the monomer molar fractions in P(3HB‐co‐3HHx) produced using a mixture of CPKO and sugars from OPTS.
Disassembly of Chromophore‐Guided DNA Duplexes through Site‐Selective Binding of Coralyne to Pyrene‐Modified Adenine Bases
Authors: Kim Ki Tae , Choi Tae Su , Kim Ka Young , Kim Hugh I. , Kim Byeang Hyean
Published: May 2016

Under ambient conditions the disassembly of self‐duplexes of PyA‐modified oligodeoxyadenylates (i.e., chromophore‐guided DNA assemblies) through intercalative binding of coralyne units to pyrene‐modified adenine (PyA) bases was carried out. The coralyne units, intercalated site‐selectively on the 3′ sides of the PyA units, are stabilized through π–π stacking interactions. This competitive intercalation destabilizes the stacking interactions of pairs of PyA units, resulting in dissociation of the self‐duplexes. This behavior, which is opposite to that of coralyne‐induced self‐duplex formation of natural oligodeoxyadenylates, was exploited to prepare new types of DNA modules that can be switched between two different duplex states.
Effective Potentials for Charge‐Helium and Charge‐Singly‐Ionized Helium Interactions in a Dense Plasma
Authors: Ramazanov T. S. , Amirov S. M. , Moldabekov Zh. A.
Published: May 2016

The effective electron (proton)‐He and electron (proton)‐He+ screened pair interaction potentials arising as a result of partial screening of the helium nucleus field by bound electrons, taking into account both screening by free charged particles and quantum diffraction effect in dense plasmas were derived. The impact of quantum effects on screening was analyzed. It was shown that plasma polarization around the atom leads to the additional repulsion (attraction) between the electron (proton) and the helium atom. The method of constructing the full electron (proton)‐He and electron (proton)‐He+ screened pair interaction potentials as the sum of the derived potentials with the polarization potential and exchange potential is discussed. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Charge and Mass Measurements of a Dust Particle in the Linear Quadrupole Trap
Authors: Syrovatka R. A. , Deputatova L. V. , Fiinov V. S. , Lapitsky D. S. , Pecherkin V. Ya. , Vasiyak L. M. , Vladimirov V. I.
Published: May 2016

The method of charge and mass measurements of a dust particle in the linear quadrupole trap has been developed. The method uses the free fall velocity of the particle for mass measurements and uses combination of the electric and gravitational fields to obtain particle charge. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Features of Phase Transitions in Models of Complex Plasma
Authors: Martynova I. A. , Iosilevskiy I. L.
Published: May 2016

Some features of melting curves and fluid‐crystal phase transitions in complex plasmas are under discussion. The base for a consideration is the well‐known phase diagram of dusty plasma (Hamaguchi, 1997) for an equilibrium charged system with the Yukawa potential in Γ − κ plane (Γ is the Coulomb non‐ideality parameter,κ is a screening parameter). This phase diagram is converted for a one‐component Yukawa system in ordinary density ‐ temperature plane. A melting curve is converted for this system in temperature ‐ pressure plane. There are some density gap estimations based on a hypothesis of similar melting properties in Yukawa systems and Soft Spheres systems. The initial phase diagram is also converted for two one‐temperature models of complex plasmas in density – temperature plane. Here simplified variants of complex plasmas models are considered as a thermodynamically equilibrium ensemble of classical Coulomb particles: a 2‐component electroneutral system of macro‐ and microions (+Z, −1) and a 3‐component electroneutral mixture of macroions and two kinds of microions (+Z, −1, +1). The resulting phase diagram for (+Z,−1) or (−Z,+1) in ln n − ln T plane has a form of a linear combination of crystalline and fluid zones separated by the boundaries Γ = const. Parameters and locations of these zones are analyzed in dependence on macroion charge number Z. There are huge negative pressure and negative compressibility areas in the initial phase diagram if one uses equations of state (Hamaguchi,1997) and (Khrapak, 2014). Thus, questions of thermodynamic stability and an existence of an additional phase transition gas‐liquid are discussed. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reflecting Boundary Conditions for Classical and Quantum Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Nonideal Plasmas
Authors: Lavrinenko Y. S. , Morozov I.V. , Valuev I. A.
Published: May 2016

The influence of boundary conditions for the classical and wave packet molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of nonideal electron‐ion plasma is studied. We start with the classical MD and perform a comprehensive study of convergence of the per‐particle potential energy and pressure with the number of particles using both the nearest image method (periodic boundaries) and harmonic reflective boundaries. As a result an error caused by finiteness of the simulation box is estimated. Moreover electron oscillations given by the spectra of the current autocorrelation function are analyzed for both types of the boundary conditions. A special attention is paid to the reflecting boundaries since they prevent wave packet spreading in the Wave Packet MD. To speed up classical MD simulations we use the GPU‐accelerated code
Evolutionary potential in the Alpine: trait heritabilities and performance variation of the dwarf willow Salix herbacea from different elevations and microhabitats
Authors: Sedlacek Janosch , Cortés Andrés J. , Wheeler Julia , Bossdorf Oliver , Hoch Guenter , Klápště Jaroslav , Lexer Christian , Rixen Christian , Wipf Sonja , Karrenberg Sophie , van Kleunen Mark
Published: May 2016

Alpine ecosystems are seriously threatened by climate change. One of the key mechanisms by which plants can adapt to changing environmental conditions is through evolutionary change. However, we still know little about the evolutionary potential in wild populations of long‐lived alpine plants. Here, we investigated heritabilities of phenological traits, leaf size, and performance traits in natural populations of the long‐lived alpine dwarf shrub Salix herbacea using relatedness estimates inferred from SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. Salix herbacea occurs in early‐ and late‐snowmelt microhabitats (ridges and snowbeds), and we assessed how performance consequences of phenological traits and leaf size differ between these microhabitats in order to infer potential for evolutionary responses. Salix herbacea showed low, but significant, heritabilities of leaf size, clonal and sexual reproduction, and moderate heritabilities of phenological traits. In both microhabitats, we found that larger leaves, longer intervals between snowmelt and leaf expansion, and longer GDD (growing‐degree days) until leaf expansion resulted in a stronger increase in the number of stems (clonal reproduction). In snowbeds, clonal reproduction increased with a shorter GDD until flowering, while the opposite was found on ridges. Furthermore, the proportion of flowering stems increased with GDD until flowering in both microhabitats. Our results suggest that the presence of significant heritable variation in morphology and phenology might help S. herbacea to adapt to changing environmental conditions. However, it remains to be seen if the rate of such an evolutionary response can keep pace with the rapid rate of climate change.
Receptor‐Targeted Luminescent Silver Bionanoparticles
Authors: Bunschoten Anton , Chin Patrick T. K. , Buckle Tessa , van der Linden Marte , Barendregt Arjan , Verheijen Marcel A. , van Leeuwen Fijs W. B.
Published: May 2016

Luminescent Ag nanoclusters (Ag‐NC) provide the next generation in bionanoparticles, wherein the luminescence (650 nm) and large Stokes shift of these inorganic nanoclusters are favorable for biological imaging. By combining these characteristics with those of human serum albumin (HSA; a protein capable of binding multiple endo‐ and exogenous compounds), the Ag nanoclusters can be shielded from the environment and functionalized with (receptor) targeting moieties. Encapsulation of the 1.5 nm Ag nanoclusters by HSA resulted in a threefold increase in luminescence intensity and a twofold increase of the luminescence lifetime (1.7 vs. 3.6 µs). To exemplify the potential of this targeted concept, we functionalized HSA‐Ag nanoparticles with chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) targeting peptides [Ac‐TZ14011(CO2H)]. The resulting Ac‐TZ14011‐HSA‐Ag nanoparticles demonstrated specific binding to CXCR4‐overexpressing tumor cells. Upon exposure to (ambient) light, particle‐functionalized tumor cells were killed. Combined, these experiments illustrate that HSA‐Ag nanoparticles may have a potential in biological imaging and possibly even in targeted theranostic applications.
The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Scale (LANSS) is not an adequate outcome measure of pressure ulcer‐related neuropathic pain
Authors: Rutherford C. , Nixon J.E. , Brown J.M. , Briggs M. , Horton M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Few pain assessment scales have been used in pressure ulcer (PU) research and none developed or validated for people with PUs. We examined the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) scale to determine its utility as an outcome measure for people with pressure area‐related pain.

Methods

Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs data from 728 participants underwent psychometric analyses: traditional tests for data quality, scaling assumptions, reliability and validity and a Rasch analysis including tests of fit, spread and targeting of item locations, response dependency, person separation index (reliability) and differential item functioning.

Results

Our findings offer support for a unidimensional scale; confirmatory factor analysis indicated a non‐significant chi‐square test of model fit [(df = 14) 23.48, p = 0.053]. However, some misfit was identified at the overall scale and individual item levels, and internal construct validity of the LANSS as an outcome measure for neuropathic pain in people with pressure area‐related pain was not supported; low to moderate item‐total correlations [Chi Square (df = 28) 55.546, p = 0.002] and inter‐item correlations (mean 0.117 and range from 0.063 to 0.415); and low Cronbach's alpha (0.549) and Person Separation Index (0.334).

Conclusions

Requirements for reliable and valid measurement do not support the use of the LANSS as an outcome measure in people with PUs at the individual level or as a generalized measurement scale of neuropathic pain across ulcer severity groups. Expanding the number of items to aid differentiation between neuropathic pain levels and improving scale reliability is recommended.

What does this study add?

The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs scale (LANSS) is not suitable as an outcome measure of pressure ulcer‐related neuropathic pain as it did not meet requirements for reliable and valid measurement in this population.
Layer‐by‐layer assembly of zeolite imidazolate framework‐8 as coating material for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Qu Qishu , Xuan Han , Zhang Kehua , Ding Yi , Xu Qin
Published: May 2016

In this work, open‐tubular capillary column coated with zeolite imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanocrystals was prepared by a layer‐by‐layer method. The coating was formed by growing ZIF‐8 nanocrystals on either bare fused silica capillary wall or the capillary column premodified with amino groups. The shape and the thickness of the coating formed by using these two methods were almost the same. However, the coverage of the ZIF‐8 crystals on the bare fused silica capillary wall was higher than that on the capillary column premodified with amino groups. The ZIF‐8 coated capillary column was evaluated for open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography. The effect of pH value, buffer concentration, and applied voltage on the separation of phenols was investigated. Good separation of nine phenolic isomers was achieved because of the strong interaction between unsaturated Zn sites and phenols. The column performance for o‐nitrophenol was as high as 208 860 plates m−1. The run‐to‐run, day‐to‐day, and column‐to‐column reproducibility of retention time and resolution for p‐nitrophenol and o‐nitrophenol were very good with RSDs of less than 6.5%.
An automated approach to Litchfield and Wilcoxon's evaluation of dose–effect experiments using the R package LW1949
Authors: Adams Jean V. , Slaght Karen S. , Boogaard Michael A.
Published: May 2016

The authors developed a package, LW1949, for use with the statistical software R to automatically carry out the manual steps of Litchfield and Wilcoxon's method of evaluating dose–effect experiments. The LW1949 package consistently finds the best fitting dose–effect relation by minimizing the chi-squared statistic of the observed and expected number of affected individuals and substantially speeds up the line-fitting process and other calculations that Litchfield and Wilcoxon originally carried out by hand. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:3058–3061. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Developmental toxicity of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (epoxide resin badge) during the early life cycle of a native amphibian species
Authors: Hutler Wolkowicz Ianina , Svartz Gabriela V. , Aronzon Carolina M. , Pérez Coll Christina
Published: May 2016

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is used in packaging materials, in epoxy adhesives, and as an additive for plastics, but it is also a potential industrial wastewater contaminant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the adverse effects of BADGE on Rhinella arenarum by means of standardized bioassays at embryo–larval development. The results showed that BADGE was more toxic to embryos than to larvae at all exposure times. At acute exposure, lethality rates of embryos exposed to concentrations of 0.0005 mg/L BADGE and greater were significantly higher than rates in the vehicle control, whereas lethality rates of larvae were significantly higher in concentrations of 10 mg/L BADGE and greater. The toxicity then increased significantly, with 96-h median lethal concentrations (LC50s) of 0.13 mg/L and 6.9 mg/L BADGE for embryos and larvae, respectively. By the end of the chronic period, the 336-h LC50s were 0.04 mg/L and 2.2 mg/L BADGE for embryos and larvae, respectively. This differential sensitivity was also ascertained by the 24-h pulse exposure experiments, in which embryos showed a stage-dependent toxicity, with blastula being the most sensitive stage and S.23 the most resistant. The most important sublethal effects in embryos were cell dissociation and delayed development, whereas the main abnormalities observed in larvae related to neurotoxicity, as scare response to stimuli and narcotic effect. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:3031–3038. © 2016 SETAC
Preferences for ‘New’ Treatments Diminish in the Face of Ambiguity
Authors: Harrison Mark , Marra Carlo A. , Bansback Nick
Published: May 2016

New products usually offer advantages over existing products, but in health care, most new drugs are ‘me‐too’, comparable in effectiveness and side effects to existing drugs, but with a more ambiguous evidence base around adverse effects. Despite this, new treatments drive increased health care spending, suggesting a preference for ‘newness’ in this setting. We explore (1) whether preferences for treatments labeled ‘new’ exist and (2) persist once the ambiguity in the evidence base reflecting newness is described. We use a Canadian general population sample (n = 2837) characterized by their innovativeness in adopting new products in normal markets. We found that innovators/early adopters (n = 173) had significant preferences for ‘newer’ treatments (B = 0.162, p = 0.038) irrespective of comparable benefits and side effects and all respondents had significant preferences for less ambiguity in benefit/side effect estimates. Notably, when ‘newness’ was combined with ambiguity, no significant preferences for new treatments were observed regardless of respondent innovativeness. We conclude that preferences for new products exist for some people in health care markets but disappear when the implication of ambiguity in the evidence base for new treatments is communicated. Physicians should avoid describing treatments as ‘new’ or be mindful to qualify the implications of ‘new’ treatments in terms of evidence ambiguity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shoulder morbidity after pectoralis major flap reconstruction
Authors: Refos Joel W. J. , Witte Birgit I. , de Goede Cees J. T. , de Bree Remco
Published: May 2016

Background

Donor site morbidity of pectoralis major pedicled flap (PMPF) is scarcely studied.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study on patients who underwent reconstructive surgery with a PMPF at least 6 months before was performed. Patients with a similar type neck dissection on both sides and PMPF on one side (n = 9) were assigned to group 1; patients with neck dissection and PMPF (n = 26) were assigned to group 2; and neck dissection only (n = 47) were assigned to group 3. All 3 groups filled out a shoulder disability questionnaire and underwent shoulder function tests. Pain of the shoulder was rated on a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were also asked if they had experienced stiffness of the shoulder during the previous week. Range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder was examined by one single examiner using an inclinometer, in accord with a standardized protocol. Radical neck dissection (RND), modified radical neck dissection (MRND), and selective neck dissection (SND) sides were separately analyzed.

Results

In group 2, shoulder morbidity was experienced more often (p = .065) than in group 3, particularly at the sides where an SND was performed (p = .010). Significant differences in prevalence of shoulder stiffness between PMPF and neck dissection sides and neck dissection only sides were found in the RND (p = .001) and MRND (p = .004) groups, but not in the SND group. A lower ROM of abduction (p = .026) was found in group 2 as compared to group 3.

Conclusion

Patients frequently have additional shoulder morbidity after PMPF harvest, particularly after SND. PMPF harvest adds to impairment of abduction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38:1221–1228, 2016