bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Effects of PCBs in Residences and Schools (HESPERUS): PCB – health Cohort Profile
Authors: Bräuner Elvira Vaclavik , Andersen Zorana Jovanovic , Frederiksen Marie , Specht Ina Olmer , Hougaard Karin Sørig , Ebbehøj Niels , Bailey Janice , Giwercman Aleksander , Steenland Kyle , Longnecker Matthew Paul , Bonde Jens Peter
Published: April 2016

Polychlorinated-biphenyls (PCBs) were introduced in the late 1920s and used until the 1970s when they were banned in most countries due to evidence of environmental build-up and possible adverse health effects. However they still persist in the environment, indoors and in humans. Indoor air in contaminated buildings may confer airborne exposure markedly above background regional PCB levels. To date, no epidemiological studies have assessed the health effects from exposure to semi-volatile PCBs in the indoor environment. Indoor air PCBs are generally less chlorinated than PCBs that are absorbed via the diet, or via past occupational exposure; therefore their health effects require separate risk assessment. Two separate cohorts of individuals who have either attended schools (n = 66,769; 26% exposed) or lived in apartment buildings (n = 37,185; 19% exposed), where indoor air PCB concentrations have been measured were created. An individual estimate of long-term airborne PCB exposure was assigned based on measurements. The cohorts will be linked to eight different national data sources on mortality, school records, residential history, socioeconomic status, and chronic disease and reproductive outcomes. The linking of indoor air exposures with health outcomes provides a dataset unprecedented worldwide. We describe a project, called HESPERUS (Health Effects of PCBs in Residences and Schools), which will be the first study of the long term health effects of the lower-chlorinated, semi-volatile PCBs in the indoor environment.
Refinement and growth enhancement of Al2Cu phase during magnetic field assisting directional solidification of hypereutectic Al-Cu alloy
Authors: Wang Jiang , Yue Sheng , Fautrelle Yves , Lee Peter D. , Li Xi , Zhong Yunbo , Ren Zhongming
Published: April 2016

Understanding how the magnetic fields affect the formation of reinforced phase during solidification is crucial to tailor the structure and therefor the performance of metal matrix in situ composites. In this study, a hypereutectic Al-40 wt.%Cu alloy has been directionally solidified under various axial magnetic fields and the morphology of Al2Cu phase was quantified in 3D by means of high resolution synchrotron X-ray tomography. With rising magnetic fields, both increase of Al2Cu phase’s total volume and decrease of each column’s transverse section area were found. These results respectively indicate the growth enhancement and refinement of the primary Al2Cu phase in the magnetic field assisting directional solidification. The thermoelectric magnetic forces (TEMF) causing torque and dislocation multiplication in the faceted primary phases were thought dedicate to respectively the refinement and growth enhancement. To verify this, a real structure based 3D simulation of TEMF in Al2Cu column was carried out and the dislocations in the Al2Cu phase obtained without and with a 10T high magnetic field were analysed by the transmission electron microscope.
Universal lineshapes at the crossover between weak and strong critical coupling in Fano-resonant coupled oscillators
Authors: Zanotto Simone , Tredicucci Alessandro
Published: April 2016

In this article we discuss a model describing key features concerning the lineshapes and the coherent absorption conditions in Fano-resonant dissipative coupled oscillators. The model treats on the same footing the weak and strong coupling regimes, and includes the critical coupling concept, which is of great relevance in numerous applications; in addition, the role of asymmetry is thoroughly analyzed. Due to the wide generality of the model, which can be adapted to various frameworks like nanophotonics, plasmonics, and optomechanics, we envisage that the analytical formulas presented here will be crucial to effectively design devices and to interpret experimental results.
Hospitalization risk factors for children’s lower respiratory tract infection: A population-based, cross-sectional study in Mongolia
Authors: Dagvadorj Amarjargal , Ota Erika , Shahrook Sadequa , Baljinnyam Olkhanud Purevdorj , Takehara Kenji , Hikita Naoko , Bavuusuren Bayasgalantai , Mori Rintaro , Nakayama Takeo
Published: April 2016

This study aimed to assess the potential risk factors for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)-related hospital admissions in Mongolian children. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Mongolia in 2013, and 1,013 mother–child pairs were included. Of the participating children, 38.9% were admitted to hospital with LRTIs. Home smoking, low birthweight, being a male child, exclusive breastfeeding and healthcare-seeking behaviour showed substantial association with LRTI-related hospital admissions. Number of cigarettes smoked by family members showed a dose-response relationship and increased hospital admissions. Strategies to prevent second-hand-smoke exposure from adult smokers, especially inside the home, are crucial to preventing LRTI-related hospital admissions for children in Mongolia. Improving rates of exclusive breastfeeding and increasing birthweight have great potential to decrease the likelihood of children acquiring a LRTI. Educational initiatives are also necessary for women who are less likely to seek out care for their children’s symptoms.
Ordered Monolayer Gold Nano-urchin Structures and Their Size Induced Control for High Gas Sensing Performance
Authors: Sabri Ylias M. , Kandjani Ahmad Esmaielzadeh , Ippolito Samuel J. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: April 2016

The synthesis of ordered monolayers of gold nano-urchin (Au-NU) nanostructures with controlled size, directly on thin films using a simple electrochemical method is reported in this study. In order to demonstrate one of the vast potential applications, the developed Au-NUs were formed on the electrodes of transducers (QCM) to selectively detect low concentrations of elemental mercury (Hg0) vapor. It was found that the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor device is enhanced by increasing the size of the nanospikes on the Au-NUs. The Au-NU-12 min QCM (Au-NUs with nanospikes grown on it for a period of 12 min) had the best performance in terms of transducer based Hg0 vapor detection. The sensor had 98% accuracy, 92% recovery, 96% precision (repeatability) and significantly, showed the highest sensitivity reported to date, resulting in a limit of detection (LoD) of only 32 μg/m3 at 75 °C. When compared to the control counterpart, the accuracy and sensitivity of the Au-NU-12 min was enhanced by ~2 and ~5 times, respectively. The results demonstrate the excellent activity of the developed materials which can be applied to a range of applications due to their long range order, tunable size and ability to form directly on thin-films.
The hibernating South American marsupial, Dromiciops gliroides, displays torpor-sensitive microRNA expression patterns
Authors: Hadj-Moussa Hanane , Moggridge Jason A. , Luu Bryan E. , Quintero-Galvis Julian F. , Gaitán-Espitia Juan Diego , Nespolo Roberto F. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: April 2016

When faced with adverse environmental conditions, the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides uses either daily or seasonal torpor to support survival and is the only known hibernating mammal in South America. As the sole living representative of the ancient Order Microbiotheria, this species can provide crucial information about the evolutionary origins and biochemical mechanisms of hibernation. Hibernation is a complex energy-saving strategy that involves changes in gene expression that are elicited in part by microRNAs. To better elucidate the role of microRNAs in orchestrating hypometabolism, a modified stem-loop technique and quantitative PCR were used to characterize the relative expression levels of 85 microRNAs in liver and skeletal muscle of control and torpid D. gliroides. Thirty-nine microRNAs were differentially regulated during torpor; of these, 35 were downregulated in liver and 11 were differentially expressed in skeletal muscle. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that the downregulated liver microRNAs were associated with activation of MAPK, PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways, suggesting their importance in facilitating marsupial torpor. In skeletal muscle, hibernation-responsive microRNAs were predicted to regulate focal adhesion, ErbB, and mTOR pathways, indicating a promotion of muscle maintenance mechanisms. These tissue-specific responses suggest that microRNAs regulate key molecular pathways that facilitate hibernation, thermoregulation, and prevention of muscle disuse atrophy.
Unsteady stagnation-point flow and heat transfer of a special third grade fluid past a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet
Authors: Naganthran Kohilavani , Nazar Roslinda , Pop Ioan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the unsteady stagnation-point boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a special third grade fluid past a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet has been studied. Similarity transformation is used to transform the system of boundary layer equations which is in the form of partial differential equations into a system of ordinary differential equations. The system of similarity equations is then reduced to a system of first order differential equations and has been solved numerically by using the bvp4c function in Matlab. The numerical solutions for the skin friction coefficient and heat transfer coefficient as well as the velocity and temperature profiles are presented in the forms of tables and graphs. Dual solutions exist for both cases of stretching and shrinking sheet. Stability analysis is performed to determine which solution is stable and valid physically. Results from the stability analysis depict that the first solution (upper branch) is stable and physically realizable, while the second solution (lower branch) is unstable.
Curcumin mediates oxaliplatin-acquired resistance reversion in colorectal cancer cell lines through modulation of CXC-Chemokine/NF-κB signalling pathway
Authors: Ruiz de Porras Vicenç , Bystrup Sara , Martínez-Cardús Anna , Pluvinet Raquel , Sumoy Lauro , Howells Lynne , James Mark I. , Iwuji Chinenye , Manzano José Luis , Layos Laura , Bugés Cristina , Abad Albert , Martínez-Balibrea Eva
Published: April 2016

Resistance to oxaliplatin (OXA) is a complex process affecting the outcomes of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with this drug. De-regulation of the NF-κB signalling pathway has been proposed as an important mechanism involved in this phenomenon. Here, we show that NF-κB was hyperactivated in in vitro models of OXA-acquired resistance but was attenuated by the addition of Curcumin, a non-toxic NF-κB inhibitor. The concomitant combination of Curcumin + OXA was more effective and synergistic in cell lines with acquired resistance to OXA, leading to the reversion of their resistant phenotype, through the inhibition of the NF-κB signalling cascade. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the up-regulation of three NF-κB-regulated CXC-chemokines, CXCL8, CXCL1 and CXCL2, in the resistant cells that were more efficiently down-regulated after OXA + Curcumin treatment as compared to the sensitive cells. Moreover, CXCL8 and CXCL1 gene silencing made resistant cells more sensitive to OXA through the inhibition of the Akt/NF-κB pathway. High expression of CXCL1 in FFPE samples from explant cultures of CRC patients-derived liver metastases was associated with response to OXA + Curcumin. In conclusion, we suggest that combination of OXA + Curcumin could be an effective treatment, for which CXCL1 could be used as a predictive marker, in CRC patients.
Predicting the epidemic threshold of the susceptible-infected-recovered model
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Quan-Hui , Zhong Lin-Feng , Tang Ming , Gao Hui , Stanley H. Eugene
Published: April 2016

Researchers have developed several theoretical methods for predicting epidemic thresholds, including the mean-field like (MFL) method, the quenched mean-field (QMF) method and the dynamical message passing (DMP) method. When these methods are applied to predict epidemic threshold they often produce differing results and their relative levels of accuracy are still unknown. We systematically analyze these two issues—relationships among differing results and levels of accuracy—by studying the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) model on uncorrelated configuration networks and a group of 56 real-world networks. In uncorrelated configuration networks the MFL and DMP methods yield identical predictions that are larger and more accurate than the prediction generated by the QMF method. As for the 56 real-world networks, the epidemic threshold obtained by the DMP method is more likely to reach the accurate epidemic threshold because it incorporates full network topology information and some dynamical correlations. We find that in most of the networks with positive degree-degree correlations, an eigenvector localized on the high k-core nodes, or a high level of clustering, the epidemic threshold predicted by the MFL method, which uses the degree distribution as the only input information, performs better than the other two methods.
Vibration from freight trains fragments sleep: A polysomnographic study
Authors: Smith Michael G. , Croy Ilona , Hammar Oscar , Persson Waye Kerstin
Published: April 2016

As the number of freight trains on railway networks increases, so does the potential for vibration exposure in dwellings nearby to freight railway lines. Nocturnal trains in particular are of particular importance since night-time exposure may interfere with sleep. The present work investigates the impact of vibration and noise from night-time freight trains on human sleep. In an experimental polysomnographic laboratory study, 24 young healthy volunteers with normal hearing were exposed to simulated freight pass-bys with vibration amplitudes of 0.7 and 1.4 mm/s either 20 or 36 times during the night. Stronger vibrations were associated with higher probabilities of event-related arousals and awakenings (p < 0.001) and sleep stage changes (p < 0.05). Sleep macrostructure was most affected in high vibration nights with 36 events, with increased wakefulness (p < 0.05), reduced continual slow wave sleep (p < 0.05), earlier awakenings (p < 0.05) and an overall increase in sleep stage changes (p < 0.05). Subjects reported sleep disturbance due to vibration (F(4,92) = 25.9, p < 0.001) and noise (F(4,92) = 25.9, p < 0.001), with the number of trains having an effect only for the 0.7 mm/s condition (p < 0.05). The findings show that combined vibration and noise from railway freight affects the natural rhythm of sleep, but extrapolation of significance for health outcomes should be approached with caution.
Phosphorylated IGFBP-1 as a non-invasive predictor of liver fat in NAFLD
Authors: Petäjä Elina M. , Zhou You , Havana Marika , Hakkarainen Antti , Lundbom Nina , Ihalainen Jarkko , Yki-Järvinen Hannele
Published: April 2016

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) is a potentially interesting marker for liver fat in NAFLD as it is exclusively produced by the liver and insulin is its main regulator. We determined whether measurement of fasting serum phosphorylated IGFBP-1 (fS-pIGFBP-1) helps to predict liver fat compared to routinely available clinical parameters and PNPLA3 genotype at rs738409. Liver fat content (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) was measured in 378 subjects (62% women, age 43 [30–54] years, BMI 32.7 [28.1–39.7] kg/m2, 46% with NAFLD). Subjects were randomized to discovery and validation groups, which were matched for clinical and biochemical parameters and PNPLA3 genotype. Multiple linear regression and Random Forest modeling were used to identify predictors of liver fat. The final model, % Liver Fat Equation’, included age, fS-pIGFBP-1, S-ALT, waist-to-hip ratio, fP-Glucose and fS-Insulin (adjusted R2 = 0.44 in the discovery group, 0.49 in the validation group, 0.47 in all subjects). The model was significantly better than a model without fS-pIGFBP-1 or S-ALT or S-AST alone. Random Forest modeling identified fS-p-IGFBP-1 as one of the top five predictors of liver fat (adjusted R2 = 0.39). Therefore, measurement of fS-pIGFBP-1 may help in non-invasive prediction of liver fat content.
Altered Intrinsic Regional Activity and Interregional Functional Connectivity in Post-stroke Aphasia
Authors: Yang Mi , Li Jiao , Li Yibo , Li Rong , Pang Yajing , Yao Dezhong , Liao Wei , Chen Huafu
Published: April 2016

Several neuroimaging studies have examined cerebral function in patients who suffer from aphasia, but the mechanism underlying this disorder remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined alterations in the local regional and remote interregional network cerebral functions in aphasia combined with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and interregional functional connectivity (FC) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 17 post-stroke aphasic patients, all having suffered a stroke in the left hemisphere, as well as 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, were enrolled in this study. The aphasic patients showed significantly increased intrinsic regional activity mainly in the contralesional mesial temporal (hippocampus/parahippocampus, [HIP/ParaHIP]) and lateral temporal cortices. In addition, intrinsic regional activity in the contralesional HIP/ParaHIP was negatively correlated with construction score. Aphasic patients showed increased remote interregional FC between the contralesional HIP/ParaHIP and fusiform gyrus, but reduced FC in the ipsilesional occipital and parietal cortices. These findings suggested that the intrinsic regional brain dysfunctions in aphasia were related to interregional functional connectivity. Changes in the intrinsic regional brain activity and associated remote functional connectivity pattern would provide valuable information to enhance the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of aphasia.
Reduced habituation of auditory evoked potentials indicate cortical hyper-excitability in Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Ethridge L E , White S P , Mosconi M W , Wang J , Byerly M J , Sweeney J A
Published: April 2016

Sensory hypersensitivities are common, clinically distressing features of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Preclinical evidence suggests this abnormality may result from synaptic hyper-excitability in sensory systems. This model predicts reduced sensory habituation to repeated stimulus presentation. Fourteen adolescents and adults with FXS and 15 age-matched controls participated in a modified auditory gating task using trains of 4 identical tones during dense array electroencephalography (EEG). Event-related potential and single trial time–frequency analyses revealed decreased habituation of the N1 event-related potential response in FXS, and increased gamma power coupled with decreases in gamma phase-locking during the early-stimulus registration period. EEG abnormalities in FXS were associated with parent reports of heightened sensory sensitivities and social communication deficits. Reduced habituation and altered gamma power and phase-locking to auditory cues demonstrated here in FXS patients parallels preclinical findings with Fmr1 KO mice. Thus, the EEG abnormalities seen in FXS patients support the model of neocortical hyper-excitability in FXS, and may provide useful translational biomarkers for evaluating novel treatment strategies targeting its neural substrate.
Dimensions of depressive symptoms and cingulate volumes in older adults
Authors: McLaren M E , Szymkowicz S M , O’Shea A , Woods A J , Anton S D , Dotson V M
Published: April 2016

Clinical depression and subthreshold depressive symptoms in older adults have been linked to structural changes in the cingulate gyrus. The cingulate comprises functionally distinct subregions that may have distinct associations with different types, or symptom dimensions, of depression. This study examined the relationship between symptom dimensions of depression and gray matter volumes in the anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate and isthmus of the cingulate in a nonclinical sample. The study included 41 community-dwelling older adults between the ages of 55 and 81. Participants received a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Subscale scores for depressed mood, somatic symptoms and lack of positive affect were calculated, and Freesurfer was used to extract cingulate gray matter volumes. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and volumes of cingulate subregions while controlling for sex, age and estimated total intracranial volume. Higher scores on the depressed mood subscale were associated with larger volumes in the left posterior cingulate and smaller volumes in the isthmus cingulate. Higher scores on the somatic symptoms subscale were significantly related to smaller volumes in the posterior cingulate. A trend was observed for a positive relationship between higher scores on the lack of positive affect subscale and larger volumes in the anterior cingulate cortex. These results are consistent with previous findings of altered cingulate volumes with increased depressive symptomatology and suggest specific symptom dimensions of depression may differ in their relationship with subregions of the cingulate.
Species-conserved reconfigurations of brain network topology induced by ketamine
Authors: Becker R , Braun U , Schwarz A J , Gass N , Schweiger J I , Weber-Fahr W , Schenker E , Spedding M , Clemm von Hohenberg C , Risterucci C , Zang Z , Grimm O , Tost H , Sartorius A , Meyer-Lindenberg A
Published: April 2016

Species-conserved (intermediate) phenotypes that can be quantified and compared across species offer important advantages for translational research and drug discovery. Here, we investigate the utility of network science methods to assess the pharmacological alterations of the large-scale architecture of brain networks in rats and humans. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in humans and a placebo-controlled two-group study in rats, we demonstrate that the application of ketamine leads to a topological reconfiguration of large-scale brain networks towards less-integrated and more-segregated information processing in both the species. As these alterations are opposed to those commonly observed in patients suffering from depression, they might indicate systems-level correlates of the antidepressant effect of ketamine.
A C60-aryne building block: synthesis of a hybrid all-carbon nanostructure
Authors: García D. , Rodríguez-Pérez L. , Herranz M. A. , Peña D. , Guitián E. , Bailey S. , Al-Galiby Q. , Noori M. , Lambert C. J. , Pérez D. , Martín N.
Published: April 2016

Covalent all-carbon few layer graphene and [60]fullerene conjugates can be easily formed from a versatile [60]fullerene-benzyne building block.
An experimental and theoretical study of intramolecular regioselective oxidations of 6-substituted 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline derivatives
Authors: Peralta-Cruz Javier , Díaz-Fernández Mónica , Ávila-Castro Alberto , Ortegón-Reyna David , Ariza-Castolo Armando
Published: April 2016

The long-range substituent effects on the Riley reaction mechanism were determined by NMR and DFT calculations.
Label-free colorimetric logic gates based on free gold nanoparticles and the coordination strategy between cytosine and silver ions
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Meng , Liu Haiyun , Ge Shenguang , Yu Jinghua
Published: April 2016

A colorimetric sensing strategy combined with logic gates was demonstrated by taking advantage of the dispersion and aggregation of gold nanoparticles.
Thiolated uridine substrates and templates improve the rate and fidelity of ribozyme-catalyzed RNA copying
Authors: Prywes Noam , Michaels Yale S. , Pal Ayan , Oh Seung Soo , Szostak Jack W.
Published: April 2016

Uridine contributes to slow and inaccurate RNA copying. 2-thio-uridine and 2-thio-ribo-thymidine may have improved ribozyme speed and accuracy in an RNA world.
Unraveling energy conversion modeling in the intrinsic persistent upconverted luminescence of solids: a study of native point defects in antiferromagnetic Er2O3
Authors: Huang Bolong
Published: April 2016

Lattice defects like anion Frenkel pair (a-Fr) works on transporting the O defect. For bio-window, it increases the electron transitions between high-coordinated O-defect and metastable a-Fr, a core–shell works to quench the low-coordinated O defect to reduce green band luminescences.
Correction: One step in situ synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles grown on reduced graphene oxide as an excellent fluorescent and photocatalyst material under sunlight irradiation
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Ojha Animesh K. , Patrice Donfack , Yadav Brajesh S. , Materny Arnulf
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘One step in situ synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles grown on reduced graphene oxide as an excellent fluorescent and photocatalyst material under sunlight irradiation’ by Animesh Kumar Ojha et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cp04457j.
Yolk–shell-structured mesoporous silica: a bifunctional catalyst for nitroaldol–Michael one-pot cascade reaction
Authors: An Juzeng , Cheng Tanyu , Xiong Xi , Wu Liang , Han Bin , Liu Guohua
Published: April 2016

A site-isolated yolk–shell-structured mesoporous silica for the nitroaldol–Michael one-pot enantio-relay reaction to convert aldehydes, nitromethane and acetylacetone to chiral diones is developed.
Thallophilic Tl(i)–Tl(i) contacts mediated by Tl–aryl interactions. A computational study
Authors: Weston Laura , Pownall Barnaby T. , Mair Francis S. , McDouall Joseph J. W.
Published: April 2016

Thallophilic interactions mediated by presence of coordinating anions provide 134 kJ mol−1 (M06-2X) electrostatic stabilisation.
Source identification, apportionment and toxicity of indoor and outdoor PM2.5airborne particulates in a region characterised by wood burning
Authors: Bravo-Linares Claudio , Ovando-Fuentealba Luis , Orellana-Donoso Sandra , Gatica Silvana , Klerman Francisca , Mudge Stephen M. , Gallardo Waldo , Pinaud Jean Paul , Loyola-Sepulveda Rodrigo
Published: April 2016

Wood burning makes a significant contribution to particulate matter in indoor and outdoor air.
Antioxidant capacity of foods for scavenging reactive oxidants and inhibition of plasma lipid oxidation induced by multiple oxidants
Authors: Niki Etsuo
Published: April 2016

Antioxidant capacity is assessed by the rate and amount of scavenging oxidants and inhibition of lipid oxidation induced by multiple oxidants.
Correction: 3D printed nervous system on a chip
Authors: Johnson Blake N. , Lancaster Karen Z. , Hogue Ian B. , Meng Fanben , Kong Yong Lin , Enquist Lynn W. , McAlpine Michael C.
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘3D printed nervous system on a chip’ by Blake N. Johnson et al., Lab Chip, 2016, 16, 1393–1400.
Chemical ecology of marine plankton
Authors: Schwartz Emily R. , Poulin Remington X. , Mojib Nazia , Kubanek Julia
Published: April 2016

A review of new studies from January 2013 to December 2014 covering chemically mediated ecological interactions in marine pelagic environments, including intraspecific and interspecific interaction, and ecosystem level effects of plankton chemical cues.
Influence of carbon convection field on high quality large single crystal diamonds morphology under high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Li Yadong , Jia Xiaopeng , Yan Bingmin , Chen Ning , Fang Chao , Li Yong , Sun Shishuai , Ma Hongan
Published: April 2016

The temperature and convection fields of a catalyst with three different heights were simulated in a temperature gradient growth (TGG) system under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions.
A composite with SiOxnanoparticles confined in carbon framework as an anode material for lithium ion battery
Authors: Sun Zixu , Wang Xinghui , Cai Tingwei , Meng Zhen , Han Wei-Qiang
Published: April 2016

A composite with ultrafine SiOx(x= 1.57, around 2 nm) nanoparticles confined in a carbon framework is synthesized by a simple thermopolymerization process and subsequent heat treatment.
Interfacial shear strength characterization of GMA-grafted UHMWPE fiber/epoxy/nano clay hybrid nanocomposite materials
Authors: Mohammadalipour Mohammad , Masoomi Mahmood , Ahmadi Mojtaba , Safi Somayeh
Published: April 2016

Interfacial properties of glycidyl methacrylate grafted ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers and nano clay/epoxy resin were characterized by a microdroplet test.
Engineering of glycyrrhizin capped gold nanoparticles for liver targeting: in vitro evaluation and in vivo biodistribution study
Authors: Borker Shaivee , Patole Milind , Moghe Alpana , Pokharkar Varsha
Published: April 2016

Glycyrrhizin reduced and stabilized gold nanoparticles as carriers of antiviral drug lamivudine. The presence of glycyrrhizin enhanced uptake and localization of drug loaded gold nanoparticles in hepatocytes.
Electrochemical properties of gold and glassy carbon electrodes electrografted with an anthraquinone diazonium compound using the rotating disc electrode method
Authors: Mooste M. , Kibena-Põldsepp E. , Marandi M. , Matisen L. , Sammelselg V. , Tammeveski K.
Published: April 2016

The RDE method was combined with the electrografting procedure to prepare thick AQ films on Au and glassy carbon electrodes.
Synthesis of hierarchical cobalt dendrites based on nanoflake self-assembly and their microwave absorption properties
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Shi Guimei , Shi Fa-Nian , Xu Ge , Qi Yuanyang , Li Da , Zhang Zhidong , Zhang Yajing , You Hongpeng
Published: April 2016

Hierarchical cobalt dendrites based on self-assembly of pentagonal-like building blocks exhibit excellent microwave absorption properties.
Correction: The synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of glycomonomers
Authors: Weaver Lucy G. , Singh Yogendra , Burn Paul L. , Blanchfield Joanne T.
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘The synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of glycomonomers’ by Lucy G. Weaver et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 31256–31264.
Optically and thermally activated shape memory supramolecular liquid crystalline polymers
Authors: Fu Shangyi , Zhang Hu , Zhao Yue
Published: April 2016

A supramolecular side-chain liquid crystalline polymer bearing azobenzene mesogens exhibits not only the triple-shape memory effect but also UV light-enabled spatiotemporal control of shape recovery.
Krill herd algorithm for automatic generation control with flexible AC transmission system controller including superconducting magnetic energy storage units
Authors: Guha Dipayan , Roy Provas Kumar , Banerjee Subrata
Published: April 2016

This study presents an optimisation technique, called krill herd algorithm (KHA), for the effectiveness and performance analysis of an interconnected automatic generation control (AGC) system. A two‐area multi‐unit hydro–hydro (HH–HH) power system equipped with classical I‐controller and two other test systems: namely, thermal–thermal, thermal–hydro which are widely available in literature are considered for design and analysis purpose. Eigenvalues analysis assesses that HH–HH power system is highly unstable under small load perturbation. To stabilise this power system, different frequency stabilisers such as superconducting magnetic energy storage, thyristor control phase shifter, static synchronous series compensator etc. are proposed in AGC system. Optimum gains of the controller and frequency stabiliser are evaluated using KHA. Integral square error criterion is used to minimise the area control error, which is considered as an objective function. The superiority of the proposed algorithm is checked by means of an extensive comparative analysis with the results published in recent research algorithms such as craziness‐based‐particle swarm optimisation and real coded genetic algorithm etc. for the same test system.
Partially Thrombosed Internal Maxillary Pseudoaneurysm after Gunshot Wound
Authors: Gold Menachem
Published: April 2016

A 29-year-old man arrived in our emergency department after being shot on the face. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple facial bone fractures along the bullet trajectory. On day 10 of admission, CT angiogram of the neck revealed a partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysm in the parapharyngeal fat pad. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with coil embolization. This report discusses diagnosis and treatment of a partially thrombosed internal maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm. Although digital subtraction angiography is the gold standard for pseudoaneurysm diagnosis, CT angiography may provide complimentary information, as seen in this case.
A second life for mobile phone batteries in light emitting diode solar home systems
Authors: Diouf Boucar
Published: April 2016

E-waste is certainly increasing to become a global issue. Fast evolution of mobile electronic devices leads to their premature replacement for always newer, faster, and nicer design and therefore may be a source of environmental pollution and contributes to global warming. Fortunately, due to the properties of the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery that powers them, there is in average 3 years of life left for the battery when the device is recycled or no longer in use after 2 years. This wastage can be valued by giving to the batteries a second life as energy storage for lighting. In fact, it can be a real opportunity for access to electricity in remote rural areas of developing countries for low cost and quality lighting. We present that used mobile phone batteries associated with a solar panel and a light emitting diode lamp can be a good replacement for candles or kerosene lamps that generate pollution, are hazardous, and only give poor lighting. Such a replacement can be done for much lower cost than current expenses, better quality of light, and contributes to poverty alleviation and job creation. This reduces wastage in developed countries and overcomes the challenges of cost and durability in small off-grid photovoltaic systems in non-electrified rural areas of developing countries. The creation of social incentive can have a real effect on the reduction of e-waste.
Deformation of nanotubes in peeling contact with flat substrate: An in situ electron microscopy nanomechanical study
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Zheng Meng , Wei Qing , Signetti Stefano , Pugno Nicola M. , Ke Changhong
Published: April 2016

Peeling of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures from flat substrates is an essential technique in studying their adhesion properties. The mechanical deformation of the nanostructure in the peeling experiment is critical to the understanding of the peeling process and the interpretation of the peeling measurements, but it is challenging to measure directly and quantitatively at the nanoscale. Here, we investigate the peeling deformation of a bundled carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber by using an in situ scanning electron microscopy nanomechanical peeling technique. A pre-calibrated atomic force microscopy cantilever is utilized as the peeling force sensor, and its back surface acts as the peeling contact substrate. The nanomechanical peeling scheme enables a quantitative characterization of the deformational behaviors of the CNT fiber in both positive and negative peeling configurations with sub-10 nm spatial and sub-nN force resolutions. Nonlinear continuum mechanics models and finite element simulations are employed to interpret the peeling measurements. The measurements and analysis reveal that the structural imperfections in the CNT fiber may have a substantial influence on its peeling deformations and the corresponding peeling forces. The research findings reported in this work are useful to the study of mechanical and adhesion properties of 1D nanostructures by using nanomechanical peeling techniques.
A comparative study on the frequency effects of the electrical characteristics of the pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in He/O2 and in Ar/O2 at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Pan Guangsheng , Tan Zhenyu , Pan Jie , Wang Xiaolong , Shan Chunhong
Published: April 2016

In this work, a comparative study on the frequency effects of the electrical characteristics of the pulsed dielectric barrier discharges in He/O2 and in Ar/O2 at atmospheric pressure has been performed by means of the numerical simulation based on a 1-D fluid model at frequencies below 100 kHz. The frequency dependences of the characteristic quantities of the discharges in the two gases have been systematically calculated and analyzed under the oxygen concentrations below 2%. The characteristic quantities include the discharge current density, the averaged electron density, the electric field, and the averaged electron temperature. Especially, the frequency effects on the averaged particle densities of the reactive species have also been calculated. This work gives the following significant results. For the two gases, there are two bipolar discharges in one period of applied voltage pulse under the considered frequency range and oxygen concentrations, as occurred in the pure noble gases. The frequency affects the two discharges in He/O2, but in Ar/O2, it induces a strong effect only on the first discharge. For the first discharge in each gas, there is a characteristic frequency at which the characteristic quantities reach their respective minimum, and this frequency appears earlier for Ar/O2. For the second discharge in Ar/O2, the averaged electron density presents a slight variation with the frequency. In addition, the discharge in Ar/O2 is strong and the averaged electron temperature is low, compared to those in He/O2. The total averaged particle density of the reactive species in Ar/O2 is larger than those in He/O2 by about one order of magnitude.
Fracto-emission in lanthanum-based metallic glass microwires under quasi-static tensile loading
Authors: Banerjee Amit , Jiang Chenchen , Lohiya Lokesh , Yang Yong , Lu Yang
Published: April 2016

Plastic deformation in metallic glasses is highly localized and often associated with shear banding, which may cause momentary release of heat upon fracture. Here, we report an explosive fracture phenomenon associated with momentary (∼10 ms) light emission (flash) in Lanthanum-based (LaAlNi) metallic glass microwires (dia. ∼50 μm) under quasi-static tensile loading. The load-displacement data as well as the visual information of the tensile deformation process were acquired through an in situ measurement set-up, which clearly showed nonlinear stress (σ)–strain (ϵ) curves prior to yielding and also captured the occurrence of the flash at high fracture stresses (∼1 GPa). Through the postmortem fractographic analysis, it can be revealed that the fracto-emission upon quasi-static loading could be mainly attributed to the localized adiabatic work accumulated at a very large elastic strain confined within the microscale sample volume, followed by a localized high temperature rise up to ∼1000 K at the fracture surface through localized energy dissipation. Our findings suggest that the La-based metallic glass microwires could be useful for energetic microchips, micro-ignition devices, and other functional applications.
First-principle and experiment investigation of MoS2@SnO2 nano-heterogeneous structures with enhanced humidity sensing performance
Authors: Lei Xiang , Yu Ke , Li Honglin , Tang Zheng , Guo Bangjun , Li Jinzhu , Fu Hao , Zhang Qingfeng , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: April 2016

In this work, we report the First-principle investigation and synthesis of MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure as high-performance humidity sensor by a two-step hydrothermal method. The first-principles calculations were performed to explain water molecule adsorption mechanism by applying density of state model to simulate the interaction between water molecule and sensing base material. The higher specific surface and the lower adsorption energy theoretically predicted the improvement on humidity sensing performance, which was confirmed by experiments testing. The MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure exhibited promoted humidity sensing characteristics on response time of 53 s and recovery time of 21 s, while switching the humidity between 11% relative humidity (RH) and 95% RH. The corresponding humidity sensing mechanisms of MoS2@SnO2 were elaborately interpreted. This work could bring forward a new design method on practical humidity sensing devices with an excellent stability and fast response by using MoS2@SnO2 heterostructure.
Converging shock wave focusing and interaction with a target
Authors: Nitishinskiy M. , Efimov S. , Antonov O. , Yanuka D. , Gurovich V. Tz. , Bernshtam V. , Fisher V. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: April 2016

Converging shock waves in liquids can be used efficiently in the research of the extreme state of matter and in various applications. In this paper, the recent results related to the interaction of a shock wave with plasma preliminarily formed in the vicinity of the shock wave convergence are presented. The shock wave is produced by the underwater electrical explosion of a spherical wire array. The plasma is generated prior to the shock wave's arrival by a low-pressure gas discharge inside a quartz capillary placed at the equatorial plane of the array. Analysis of the Stark broadening of Hα and Hβ spectral lines and line-to-continuum ratio, combined with the ratio of the relative intensities of carbon C III/C II and silicon Si III/Si II lines, were used to determine the plasma density and temperature evolution. It was found that during the first ∼200 ns with respect to the beginning of the plasma compression by the shock wave and when the spectral lines are resolved, the plasma density increases from 2 × 1017 cm−3 to 5 × 1017 cm−3, while the temperature remains at the same value of 3–4 eV. Further, following the model of an adiabatically imploding capillary, the plasma density increases >1019 cm−3, leading to the continuum spectra obtained experimentally, and the plasma temperature >30 eV at radii of compression of ≤20 μm. The data obtained indicate that the shock wave generated by the underwater electrical explosion of a spherical wire array retains its uniformity during the main part of its convergence.
Modulated heat pulse propagation and partial transport barriers in chaotic magnetic fields
Authors: del-Castillo-Negrete Diego , Blazevski Daniel
Published: April 2016

Direct numerical simulations of the time dependent parallel heat transport equation modeling heat pulses driven by power modulation in three-dimensional chaotic magnetic fields are presented. The numerical method is based on the Fourier formulation of a Lagrangian-Green's function method that provides an accurate and efficient technique for the solution of the parallel heat transport equation in the presence of harmonic power modulation. The numerical results presented provide conclusive evidence that even in the absence of magnetic flux surfaces, chaotic magnetic field configurations with intermediate levels of stochasticity exhibit transport barriers to modulated heat pulse propagation. In particular, high-order islands and remnants of destroyed flux surfaces (Cantori) act as partial barriers that slow down or even stop the propagation of heat waves at places where the magnetic field connection length exhibits a strong gradient. Results on modulated heat pulse propagation in fully stochastic fields and across magnetic islands are also presented. In qualitative agreement with recent experiments in large helical device and DIII-D, it is shown that the elliptic (O) and hyperbolic (X) points of magnetic islands have a direct impact on the spatio-temporal dependence of the amplitude of modulated heat pulses.
Dynamic and mechanical properties of supported lipid bilayers
Authors: Wu Hsing-Lun , Tsao Heng-Kwong , Sheng Yu-Jane
Published: April 2016

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) offer an excellent model system for investigating the physico-chemical properties of the cell membrane. In this work, dynamic and mechanical properties of SLBs are explored by dissipative particle dynamics simulations for lipids with different architectures (chain length, kink, and asymmetry associated with lipid tails). It is found that the lateral diffusivity (Dx) and flip-flop rate (FF) grow with increasing temperature in both gel and liquid phases and can be described by an Arrhenius-like expression. Three regimes can be clearly identified for symmetric and asymmetric saturated lipids but only two regimes are observed for kinked lipids. Both Dx and FF grow with decreasing tail length and increasing number of kinks. The stretching (KA) and apparent bending (KB) moduli exhibit concave upward curves with temperature and the minima are attained at Tm. In general, the minima of KA and KB decrease with the chain length and increase with number of kinks. The typical relation among the bending modulus, area stretching modulus, and bilayer thickness is still followed, KB = βKAh2 and β is much smaller in the gel phase. The dynamic and mechanical properties of lipids with asymmetric tails are found to situate between their symmetric counterparts.
Tunable magneto-granular phononic crystals
Authors: Allein F. , Tournat V. , Gusev V. E. , Theocharis G.
Published: April 2016

This paper reports on the study of the dynamics of 1D magneto-granular phononic crystals composed of a chain of spherical steel beads inside a properly designed magnetic field. This field is induced by an array of permanent magnets, located in a holder at a given distance from the chain. The theoretical and experimental results of the band gap structure are displayed, including all six degrees of freedom for the beads, i.e., three translations and three rotations. Experimental evidence of transverse-rotational modes of propagation is presented; moreover, by changing the strength of the magnetic field, the dynamic response of the granular chain is tuned. The combination of non-contact tunability with the potentially strong nonlinear behavior of granular systems ensures the suitability of magneto-granular phononic crystals as nonlinear, tunable mechanical metamaterials for use in controlling elastic wave propagation.
High-efficient photo-electron transport channel in SiC constructed by depositing cocatalysts selectively on specific surface sites for visible-light H2 production
Authors: Wang Da , Peng Yuan , Wang Qi , Pan Nanyan , Guo Zhongnan , Yuan Wenxia
Published: April 2016

Control cocatalyst location on a metal-free semiconductor to promote surface charge transfer for decreasing the electron-hole recombination is crucial for enhancing solar energy conversion. Based on the findings that some metals have an affinity for bonding with the specific atoms of polar semiconductors at a heterostructure interface, we herein control Pt deposition selectively on the Si sites of a micro-SiC photocatalyst surface via in-situ photo-depositing. The Pt-Si bond forming on the interface constructs an excellent channel, which is responsible for accelerating photo-electron transfer from SiC to Pt and then reducing water under visible-light. The hydrogen production is enhanced by two orders of magnitude higher than that of bare SiC, and 2.5 times higher than that of random-depositing nano-Pt with the same loading amount.
Communication: Towards catalytic nitric oxide reduction via oligomerization on boron doped graphene
Authors: Cantatore Valentina , Panas Itai
Published: April 2016

We use density functional theory to describe a novel way for metal free catalytic reduction of nitric oxide NO utilizing boron doped graphene. The present study is based on the observation that boron doped graphene and O—N=N—O− act as Lewis acid-base pair allowing the graphene surface to act as a catalyst. The process implies electron assisted N=N bond formation prior to N—O dissociation. Two N2 + O2 product channels, one of which favoring N2O formation, are envisaged as outcome of the catalytic process. Besides, we show also that the N2 + O2 formation pathways are contrasted by a side reaction that brings to N3O3− formation and decomposition into N2O + NO2−.