bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Band engineering of two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites for solar utilization: the relationship between chemical components and electronic properties
Authors: Chen An , Zhang Xu , Zhang Zihe , Yao Sai , Zhou Zhen
Published: April 2019

We changed the chemical components of RP all-inorganic perovskites, investigated the relationship between chemical components and electronic properties by means of first-principles computations and discussed the potential of designed materials in solar utilization.
Fabrication of strong internal electric field ZnS/Fe9S10 heterostructures for highly efficient sodium ion storage
Authors: Zhang Chengzhi , Han Fei , Ma Jianmin , Li Zheng , Zhang Fuquan , Xu Shaohua , Liu Hongbo , Li Xuanke , Liu Jinshui , Lu An-Hui
Published: April 2019

Heterostructure anode material have been developed by engineering internal electric field to boost charge carrier transport for high-rate and high-capacity sodium ion storage.
Following the in-plane disorder of sodiated hard carbon through operando total scattering
Authors: Mathiesen Jette K. , Väli Ronald , Härmas Meelis , Lust Enn , Fold von Bülow Jon , Jensen Kirsten M. Ø. , Norby Poul
Published: April 2019

Mechanisms of ion insertion in hard carbon and the corresponding structural impact on the graphene layer.
Bismuth ferrite: an abnormal perovskite with electrochemical extraction of ions from A site
Authors: Ma Chao-Jie , Chen Ya , Zhu Cheng , Chen Qi , Song Wei-Li , Jiao Shuqiang , Chen Haosen , Fang Daining
Published: April 2019

An abnormal electrochemical extraction of ions from the A site is observed in perovskite BiFeO3, different from a conventional perovskite.
Novel two-dimensional molybdenum carbides as high capacity anodes for lithium/sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Yu Yadong , Guo Zhonglu , Peng Qiong , Zhou Jian , Sun Zhimei
Published: April 2019

MoxCy monolayers and their potential application as anodes for LIBs/SIBs.
Functional study of the association of CHI3L1 polymorphisms with asthma susceptibility in the Southwest Chinese Han population
Authors: Chen Guo , Zhang Miao-Miao , Wang Yu , Wu Shou-Quan , Wang Ming-Gui , He Jian-Qing
Published: April 2019

Background: Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is involved in the Th2 cell mediated pathway, tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Correlations of CHI3L1 gene polymorphisms with asthma in previous studies have been inconsistent. The present study was designed to investigate the association between CHI3L1 polymorphisms and asthma in the southwest Chinese Han population. Methods: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs4950928 and rs10399931, were genotyped in 410 asthma patients and 418 healthy controls from Southwest China. Dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis was performed to detect allele-dependent promoter activity of CHI3L1 variants in HEK293 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect the relative mRNA expression associated with different genotypes of CHI3L1 rs10399931. A meta-analysis was performed using data collected from previously published reports and the present study. Results: No significant association was found between rs4950928 and asthma. The rs10399931 CT/TT genotype increased the risk of asthma under the dominant model (P = 0.031, OR = 1.428, 95% CI, 1.033–1.974), while the CT genotype showed the same tendency under the heterozygous model (P = 0.003, OR = 1.680, 95% CI, 1.186–2.380). No statistically significant difference was found between alleles T and C of rs10399931in the dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis (P = 0.201). The rs10399931 CT/TT genotypes reduced the relative mRNA expression detected by real-time quantitative PCR (P = 0.002). There was no significant association between the CHI3L1 rs4950928 polymorphism and the risk of asthma in the meta-analysis. Conclusion: In the southwest Chinese Han population, the CHI3L1 rs10399931 CT/TT genotypes may increase the risk of asthma. rs10399931 may be a functional variant of CHI3L1 due to its effect on mRNA expression.
Notch signaling pathway regulates CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells function in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Yang Lu , Zhao Ke-Lei , Qin Lei , Ji Dan-Xia , Zhang Bin , Zheng Peng-Fei , Qin Yong-Mei
Published: April 2019

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells contribute to cancer progression and prognosis. However, regulatory factors associated with Tregs–Th17 balance were not completely understood. We previously demonstrated an immune-modulatory capacity by Notch signaling inactivation to reverse Tregs–Th17 disequilibrium in chronic hepatitis C. Thus, the aim of current study was to assess the role of Notch signaling in modulation Tregs and Th17 cells function in gastric cancer (GC) patients. A total of 51 GC patients and 18 normal controls (NCs) were enrolled. Notch1 and Notch2 mRNA expressions were semiquantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Tregs/Th17 percentages, transcriptional factors, and cytokines production were investigated in response to the stimulation of Notch signaling inhibitor DAPT. Both Notch1 and Notch2 mRNA expressions were elevated in GC tissues and peripheral bloods in GC patients. CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Tregs and Th17 cells percentage was also elevated in GC patients compared with in NCs. DAPT treatment did not affect frequency of either circulating Tregs or Th17 cells, however, reduced FoxP3/RORγt mRNA expression and interleukin (IL)-35/IL-17 production in purified CD4+ T cells from GC patients. Moreover, blockade of Notch signaling also inhibited the suppressive function of purified CD4+CD25+CD127dim/− Tregs from GC patients, which presented as elevation of cellular proliferation and IL-35 secretion. The current data further provided mechanism underlying Tregs–Th17 balance in GC patients. The link between Notch signaling and Th cells might lead to a new therapeutic target for GC patients.
PDK-1 mediated Hippo–YAP–IRS2 signaling pathway and involved in the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Wang Guofang , Liu Xiaomei , Xie Jiali , Meng Jinfei , Ni Xiaoqin
Published: April 2019

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK-1), a gatekeeper enzyme, was involved in cancer progression, such as tumor angiogenesis, cell survival, and growth. Recent evidence indicated that PDK-1 may be involved in lung cancer, however, the function and underlying mechanism of PDK-1 is remaining unclear. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the role and mechanisms of PDK-1 in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We first observed that PDK-1 was highly expressed in NSCLC cell lines. PDK-1 silence resulted in the inhibition of NSCLC cell survival. Also, cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity were increased by PDK-1 knockdown in H1299 and A549 cells. Attenuation of PDK-1 expression blocked YAP and insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) expression, and PDK-1 silence suppressed IRS2 expression dependent on Hippo–YAP signaling pathway. Moreover, further studies confirmed that YAP or IRS2 overexpression reversed the action of PDK-1 in NSCLC cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that PDK1/Hippo–YAP/IRS2 signaling pathway plays a critical role in NSCLC cell survival and apoptosis.
Hsa_circ_0004370 promotes esophageal cancer progression through miR-1294/LASP1 pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhenyang , Lin Wenwei , Gao Lei , Chen Keqing , Yang Chuangcai , Zhuang Linwei , Peng Shuai , Kang Mingqiang , Lin Jiangbo
Published: April 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) formed by back-splicing play multiple roles in the occurrence and development of cancer. Here, we found that hsa_circ_0004370 was up-regulated in both esophageal cancer (EC) tissues and cell lines. Loss function of hsa_circ_0004370 by si-RNA significantly suppressed proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis in both EC cell lines. The sponging of miR-1294 by hsa_circ_0004370 was bioinformatically predicted and subsequently verified by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Further, hsa_circ_0004370 involved in the up-regulation of LASP1 by sponging miR-1294. Besides, the inhibition of the down-regulated hsa_circ_0004370 on cell malignant behaviors was rescued by miR-1294 inhibitor. Finally, this rescue effect was abrogated by suppressing the expression of LASP1. The results present here suggest that hsa_circ_0004370 functions as an oncogene on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion via miR-1294/LASP1 axis.
Are SGLT2 polymorphisms linked to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease? Prospective study and meta-analysis
Authors: Drexel Heinz , Leiherer Andreas , Saely Christoph H. , Brandtner Eva Maria , Geiger Kathrin , Vonbank Alexander , Fraunberger Peter , Muendlein Axel
Published: April 2019

Inhibition of the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) reduces cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with atherosclerotic, cardiovascular disease. So far, a link between common genetic variations of the SGLT2 encoding gene SLC5A2 and glucose homeostasis as well as cardiovascular disease has not been established. The present study, therefore, aimed to investigate SLC5A2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in relation to type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) and prospectively the incidence of cardiovascular events. We genotyped the SLC5A2 tagging SNPs rs9934336, rs3813008, and rs3116150 in a total of 1684 high risk cardiovascular patients undergoing coronary angiography, including 400 patients with T2DM. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis combining results from the present study and the literature. Variant rs9934336 was significantly associated with decreased HbA1c (P = 0.023). Further, rs9934336 was significantly inversely associated with the presence of T2DM in univariate (OR = 0.82 [0.68–0.99]; P = 0.037) as well as in multivariate analysis (OR = 0.79 [0.65–0.97]; P = 0.023). The association between rs9934336 and T2DM was confirmed in a meta-analysis including results from two previous observations which by themselves had failed to show a significant association of the polymorphism with T2DM (OR = 0.86 [0.78–0.95]; P = 0.004). Polymorphisms rs3813008 and rs3116150 were associated neither with glycemic parameters nor with T2DM. None of the SNPs tested was significantly associated with the baseline presence of CAD or the incidence of cardiovascular events. We conclude that genetic variation within the SLC5A2 gene locus is significantly related to the manifestation of T2DM.
CircLMTK2 acts as a novel tumor suppressor in gastric cancer
Authors: He Jian , Chen Jie , Ma Ben , Jiang Li , Zhao Guangfa
Published: April 2019

Recently, circRNAs have been found to play regulatory roles in cancer. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics and effect of circLMTK2, and its potential role as a novel biomarker in cases of gastric cancer (GC). About 111 pairs of clinical tissues from patients were collected for circLMTK2 expression investigation. Afterward, the relationship of circLMTK2 expression level and clinical features, such as survival, tumor size and so on, were analyzed, along with a multivariate Cox hazards analysis. Finally, malignant biological properties, like cell viability and mobility, were explored in cell line MGC-803. We found that circLMTK2 was a stable circRNA generated from the back-spliced Exon 10 and Exon 11 of the LMTK2 gene in GC cells. CircLMTK2 expression was significantly down-regulated in gastric carcinoma tissue specimens (P<0.001) compared with its expression in paired normal tissues. Furthermore, a Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that lower levels of circLMTK2 expression were associated with decreased overall survival (OS) (P<0.001), and a multivariate Cox hazards analysis showed that high circLMTK2 expression was an independent factor for OS. Afterward, overexpression of circLMTK2 was performed in gastric cancer cell line MGC-803, and results indicated that malignant biological properties were inhibited by circLTMK2 overexpression. The present study showed the first evidence that circLMTK2 was down-regulated in GC, suggesting it as a novel biomarker for prognosis, and also as a therapeutic target in treatment of GC.
Hydroxyurea promotes TET1 expression and induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Teng Songsong , Ma Chunhui , Yu Yinxian , Yi Chengqing
Published: April 2019

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins are abnormally expressed in various cancers. Osteosarcoma cells were treated with hydroxyurea to investigate the expression pattern of TET proteins in these cells. The expression of TET1 was increased in U2OS cells after treatment with hydroxyurea. In addition, hydroxyurea increased cell apoptosis and altered the cell cycle. TET proteins catalyze the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC); therefore, 5mC and 5hmC levels were evaluated. Increased 5hmC levels were observed after the hydroxyurea treatment. Experiments examining cell apoptosis and the cell cycle after knockdown and overexpression of TET1 were conducted to further investigate whether TET1 expression affected cell growth. The overexpression of TET1 increased cell apoptosis and inhibited cell growth. Taken together, TET1 expression regulated proliferation and apoptosis in U2OS cells, changes that were associated with 5hmC levels.
Culturing primary neurons from rat hippocampus and cortex
Authors: Sahu Madhusmita Priyadarshini , Nikkilä Outi , Lågas Seija , Kolehmainen Sulo , Castrén Eero
Published: April 2019

Primary neurons from rodent brain hippocampus and cortex have served as important tools in biomedical research over the years. However, protocols for the preparation of primary neurons vary, which often lead to conflicting results. This report provides a robust and reliable protocol for the production of primary neuronal cultures from the cortex and hippocampus with minimal contribution of non-neuronal cells. The neurons were grown in serum-free media and maintained for several weeks without any additional feeder cells. The neuronal cultures maintained according to this protocol differentiate and by 3 weeks develop extensive axonal and dendritic branching. The cultures produced by this method show excellent reproducibility and can be used for histological, molecular and biochemical methods.
From the Thirties to post-war reconstruction. The Land Reclamation Consortia and rural architecture in Italy.
Authors: Monica Luca , Bergamaschi Luca
Published: April 2019

This investigation highlights a new conception of design space in architecture, in the relationship between settlement and land, rooted in architectural historical studies and research on rural and agrarian economy and unlocks a potential regeneration and restoration of the rural villages of Italy’s cultural heritage. In Italy, the theme of rural architecture has gained momentum ever since the spread of the Modern Movement, reviving settlement and spatial principles as a moral lesson for the general development of new aesthetics and a new society. Innovative concepts inspired by Arrigo Serpieri such as “Integral Land Reclamation”, and long-standing institutions such as the Land Reclamation Consortia, became official law in 1933, and played a crucialrole in this process, particularly in consolidating new architectural thinking that was to endure up to post-war reconstruction and beyond, until our own times. Paradoxically, ideologically opposing phenomena, settlements related to the extensive land reclamation of the Fascist period and the rural redevelopment of the Fifties, were somehow based on comparable theoretical and operational aspects. We can recognize these ideas by looking at the most interesting experiments developed in these two periods: the city of Sabaudia designed by Piccinato, and the village of La Martella at Matera designed by Quaroni (and sponsored by Adriano Olivetti). The quest for a new “moral aesthetic” of architecture undertaken by leading representatives of Italian Rationalism was to re-emerge in the neorealism of post-war reconstruction.
The safeguard of a rural landscape and of its use. Study on the western-south of Lazio (Italy).
Authors: Lombardini Nora
Published: April 2019

The paper analyses the policy of the preservation and enhancement (from the economic point of view) of the rural landscape in the western-south of Lazio, and especially in the territory of Agro Pontino. The final act of the reclaimed land, during the Fascism, was realized with the development of the main preservation laws on what, nowadays, is defined as “cultural heritage” but, at that time, was described as “things of historical and artistic interests” and “natural beauties”.

The development of the policy of the Italian preservation went in parallel with a deep interesting on the rural world, representing the base of the national economy.

The paper starts from the Italian liberal policy of the first decade of the 20th century, considering the maturing attention on the Italian territory between the needs of the economic emergencies (and the rural settlement planning) and the necessary attention of the land management.

The investigation on the interaction of the economic interests with the cultural (and political) necessity of the safeguard of the national territorymust underline the role of public and private interests, and their influence, on the use of the territories and on the realization of the marshes of the Agro Pontino, a new reclaimed geographical area, very close the beautiful land of the ancient Vulcan of Lazio (nowadays “Parco dei Castelli Romani”).
Rural development in Belarus: the “agrogrodok”: between rural and urban?
Authors: Slivinskaya Liudmila
Published: April 2019

The article explores a phenomenon of agrogorodok originated and implemented as state policy of rural revitalization in the former Soviet country of Belarus beginning with 2005-2010 State Programme for Rural Revival & Development and continuing in further 5-years programmes up till now. The term “agrogorodok” is defined as a new type of rural settlement which features public facilities, industrial, social and transport infrastructures to ensure a high (here: compared to urban) standard of living for its residents and residents of adjacent territories [1].Wherein in terms of population it remains well below the size of a town and belongs to the lowest level of rural settlements. Currently over 1500 such settlements have been created (against targeted number of 1481 till 2010 as set in [1]). The article is to assess critically the policy against the so-called heroic tradition of modernist thinking to reform way of living via large-scale top-down state-led planning projects combining affordable housing, built public infrastructure as applied to declining rural areas. Further, for the current discourse on territorial development is focused almost exclusively on urbanisation, such specific approach targeting rural while having in its core the idea of some sort of urbanisation (understood as approaching urban standard of living in rural areas) is needed to be conceptualised to find its place in addressing and reinventing rurality in urban world. Such invention of a new type aiming at reconciling urban and rural is to be defined and conceptualised as a contribution into typology. The historical context of a post-soviet country, where continued aggressive state intervention into inter alia rural areas had produced distinct configurations of rural settlements in their transition from traditional to modern, also enriches such exploration of transformative power of ideologies / policy towards landscape. The article, tracing almost 15 years of policy implementation, reveals yet one more failed promise of salvation grinning through the gap between concept and its real appearance.
The krushchkevka and the dom kultura: urban lifestyles in a rural setting
Authors: Zhukova Oksana , Bell Simon
Published: April 2019

Collectivisation in the Soviet Union, including the Baltic States, involved many aspects related to living conditions and architecture. One of the dominant images of village centres in Estonia and Latvia is that of the standardised urban forms of blocks of flats and other buildings such as schools and administrative buildings. On collectivisation, new village centres arose, promising “Urban lifestyles in a rural setting”. There are very few designs for blocks of flats – standardisation came in with Krushchev and the first generation of flats built of white brick became known as Krushchevki. Alongside these were buildings to serve as places where the new Soviet cultural activities could take place – the Dom Kultura which, in contrast to the standard flats, was often of a special one-off design. These can often be found to be abandoned and derelict nowadays, since they have no function and represented the Soviet regime. The objective of this study was to examine the plans and initial proposals for several kolkhoz centres and, using computer aided-design, to recreate 3D models of the building ensemble as it was originally planned, to compare this to what was actually built and to what remains now and the extent to which they are still used. We found that while the standard flats were built according to plan, external landscape features were often omitted. The unique designs of the culture houses often contained many interesting Modernist or even post-modernist features but changed during construction and were often built of poor materials and finishes. They were vandalised, robbed of materials and are now abandoned in many cases. Their architects often went on to make a post-Soviet career and there is considerable interest in their designs. They represent a lost legacy of the period.
Kniegelenknahe Korrekturosteotomien
Authors: Dickschas Jörg , Staubli Alex , Harrer Jörg
Published: April 2019

Kniegelenknahe Korrekturosteotomien bei unikompartimenteller Gonarthrose haben in den letzten Jahren eine starke Renaissance erlebt. Sie müssen als Alternative zum monokompartimentellen oder kompletten Gelenkersatz mit bedacht werden.
Finite Element Analysis and Biomechanical Testing of the New MiniMIS Short Stem
Authors: Trieb Klemens , Huber Dominik , Sonntag Robert , Kretzer Jan Philippe
Published: April 2019

Introduction In hip arthroplasty a trend towards short stem prostheses is observed. The aim of this study is to investigate the finite element analysis and biomechanical fatigue performance of a new short stem prosthesis.

Methods A finite element analysis was used to simulate the stresses during neck and stem loading according to the ISO standards. Numerical analysis with applied forces of up to 6 kN were performed in the vertical direction on a femoral neck-preserving stem (MiniMIS). During experimental testing, 10 million cycles with a maximum load of 5.34 kN using the worst case of a XL ceramic head (36 mm) were applied. This was followed by a Locati test, where the load was increased until failure of the stem.

Results For all stems, stress values below the limits according to the ISO 5832-3 standard (yield strength of 800 N/mm2) were calculated by the finite element analysis. In the biomechanical tests, the total number of 10 million cycles with a maximum load of 5.34 kN was reached in all cases without any visible signs of implant damage. The estimated load to failure after stem testing was 2.16 kN (required by ISO 7206-4: 1.2 kN) and after neck testing > 9.35 kN (required by ISO 7206-6: 5.4 kN).

Summary The presented finite element calculation and subsequent biomechanical testing show that the design of this stem meets the essential mechanical requirements given by the ISO and a material failure is not expected in all variants tested under the applied boundary conditions.
Necrobiosis lipoidica – Klinische Charakteristika und therapeutische Ansätze
Authors: Erfurt-Berge C. , Schliep S.
Published: April 2019

Die Necrobiosis lipoidica ist eine seltene granulomatöse Dermatose, die sich vornehmlich an den Streckseiten der unteren Extremitäten mit gelblich-bräunlichen Plaques manifestiert. Ulzerationen können den Verlauf erschweren. Klare Therapieempfehlungen fehlen, da aufgrund der geringen Patientenzahlen keine großen randomisierten Studien vorliegen. Neben dem Einsatz von Glukokortikoiden scheinen Fumarsäureester und Biologika therapeutisch vielversprechend.
Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular α-C–H Amination via Ring-Opening Cyclization Strategy to Quinazolin-4-ones: Development and Application in Rutaecarpine Synthesis
Authors: Patel Srilaxmi M. , Chada Harika , Biswal Sonali , Sharma Sonika , Sharada Duddu S.
Published: April 2019

A copper-catalyzed intramolecular α-C–H amination has been developed for the synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives from commercially available isatoic anhydride and primary and secondary benzylamines via ring-opening cyclization (ROC). This method shows good functional group tolerance and allows access to a range of 2-aryl, 2-alkyl, and spiroquinazolinone derivatives. However, 2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one was synthesized from 2-amino-N-isopropylbenzamide by C–C bond cleavage, and N-benzyl-2-(methylamino)benzamide afforded 1-methyl-2-phenylquinazolin-4(1H)-one along with 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one by N–C bond cleavage for aromatization. It is the first general method to construct the potentially useful 2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one by copper-catalyzed intramolecular C–H amination. Also this ROC strategy has been successfully applied to the synthesis of quinazolinone alkaloid rutaecarpine.
Recent Advances in Electrochemical Oxidative Cross-Coupling for the Construction of C–S Bonds
Authors: Song Chunlan , Liu Kun , Dong Xin , Chiang Chien-Wei , Lei Aiwen
Published: April 2019

With the importance of sulfur-containing organic molecules, developing methodologies toward C–S bond formation is a long-standing goal, and, to date, considerable progress has been made in this area. Recent electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling reactions for C–S bond formation allow the synthesis of sulfur-containing molecules from more effective synthetic routes with high atom economy under mild conditions. In this review, we highlight the vital progress in this novel research arena with an emphasis on the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the organic electrochemistry reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Electrochemical Oxidative Sulfonylation for the Formation of C–S Bonds

2.1 Applications of Sulfinic Acid Derivatives for the Formation of C–S Bonds

2.2 Applications of Sulfonylhydrazide Derivatives for the Formation of C–S Bonds

3 Electrochemical Oxidative Thiolation for the Formation of C–S Bonds

3.1 Applications of Disulfide Derivatives for the Formation of C–S Bonds

3.2 Applications of Thiophenol Derivatives for the Formation of C–S Bonds

4 Electrochemical Oxidative Thiocyanation for the Formation of C–S Bonds

5 Electrochemical Oxidative Cyclization for the Formation of C–S Bonds

6 Conclusion
Comparison of a once Daily with a twice Daily Subcutaneous Low Molecular Weight Heparin Regimen in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Charbonnier Bernard A. , Fiessinger Jean-Noël , Banga J. D. , Wenzel Ernst , d’Azemar Pascal , Sagnard Luc ,   FRAXODI group
Published: April 2019

Background: Clinical trials have been performed to compare with standard heparin a once or a twice daily regimen of low-molecular-weight heparin but no direct comparison has been done between these two low-molecular-weight heparin regimens in terms of efficacy and safety with a long-term clinical evaluation.

Methods: Patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis, confirmed by venography were randomly assigned to either nadroparin (10,250 AXa IU/ml) twice daily or nadroparin (20,500 AXa IU/ml) once daily for at least 5 days. Regimens were adjusted to bodyweight. Oral anticoagulants were started on day 1 or 2 and continued for 3 months. Patients were followed up for 3 months. The composite outcome of venous thromboembolism and death possibly related to pulmonary embolism was the primary measure of efficacy. Major bleeding was the principal measure of safety. The study was designed to show equivalence between the two regimens.

Results: Recurrent thromboembolic events or death possibly related to pulmonary embolism were reported in 13 patients in the once daily group (4.1%) and in 24 patients of the twice daily group (7.2%): (absolute difference 3.1% in favor of the once daily regimen; 95% confidence interval -6.6%, +0.5%). Major bleeding episodes during nadroparin treatment occurred in 4 (1.3%) and 4 patients (1.2%) in the once and twice daily groups, respectively.

Conclusions: A nadroparin regimen of one injection per day is at least as effective and safe as the same total daily dose divided over two injections for the treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis.
Higher order regularity and blow-up criterion for semi-dissipative and ideal Boussinesq equations
Authors: Manna Utpal , Panda Akash A.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we establish local-in-time existence and uniqueness of strong solutions in Hs for s>n2 to the viscous, zero thermal-diffusive Boussinesq equations in Rn,n=2,3. Beale-Kato-Majda type blow-up criterion has been established in three dimensions with respect to the BMO-norm of the vorticity. We further prove the local-in-time existence for nonviscous and fully ideal Boussinesq systems in Rn,n=2,3. Moreover, we establish blow-up criterion for nonviscous Boussinesq system in three dimensions and for fully ideal Boussinesq system in both two and three dimensions. Commutator estimates from the work of Kato and Ponce [Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 41, 891 (1988)] and Fefferman et al. [J. Funct. Anal. 267, 1035 (2014)] play important roles in the calculations.
A Penrose type inequality for graphs over Reissner-Nordström-anti-deSitter manifold
Authors: Chen Daguang , Li Haizhong , Zhou Tailong
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we use the inverse mean curvature flow to establish an optimal Minkowski type inequality, a weighted Alexandrov-Fenchel inequality for the mean convex star-shaped hypersurfaces in the Reissner-Nordström-anti-deSitter manifold, and a Penrose type inequality for asymptotically locally hyperbolic manifolds which can be realized as graphs over the Reissner-Nordström-anti-deSitter manifold.
Nm-sized cryogenic hydrogen clusters for a laser-driven proton source
Authors: Grieser S. , Aurand B. , Aktan E. , Bonaventura D. , Büscher M. , Cerchez M. , Engin I. , Leßmann L. , Mannweiler C. , Prasad R. , Willi O. , Khoukaz A.
Published: April 2019

A cryogenic hydrogen cluster-jet target is described which has been used for laser-plasma interaction studies. Major advantages of the cluster-jet are, on the one hand, the compatibility to pulsed high repetition lasers as the target is operated continuously and, on the other hand, the absence of target debris. The cluster-jet target was characterized using the Mie-scattering technique allowing to determine the cluster size and to compare the measurements with an empirical formula. In addition, an estimation of the cluster beam density was performed. The system was implemented at the high power laser system ARCTURUS, and the measurements show the acceleration of protons after irradiation of the cluster target by high intensity laser pulses with a repetition rate of 5 Hz.
Enhancement of surface discharge in catalyst pores in dielectric barrier discharges
Authors: Gu Jian-Guo , Zhang Ya , Gao Ming-Xiang , Wang Hong-Yu , Zhang Quan-Zhi , Yi Lin , Jiang Wei
Published: April 2019

The generation of high-density plasmas on the surface of porous catalysts is very important for plasma catalysis, as it determines the active surface of the catalyst that is available for the reaction. In this work, we investigate the mechanism of surface and volume plasma streamer formation and propagation near micro-sized pores in dielectric barrier discharges operating in air at atmospheric pressure. A two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision model is used to model the individual kinetic behavior of plasma species. Our calculations indicate that the surface discharge is enhanced on the surface of the catalyst pores compared with the microdischarge inside the catalyst pores. The reason is that the surface ionization wave induces surface charging along the catalyst pore sidewalls, leading to a strong electric field along the pore sidewalls, which in turn further enhances the surface discharge. Therefore, highly concentrated reactive species occur on the surfaces of the catalyst pores, indicating high-density plasmas on the surface of porous catalysts. Indeed, the maximum electron impact excitation and ionization rates occur on the pore surface, indicating the more pronounced production of excited state and electron-ion pairs on the pore surface than inside the pore, which may profoundly affect the plasma catalytic process.
Comparison between density functional theory and density functional tight binding approaches for finding the muon stopping site in organic molecular crystals
Authors: Sturniolo Simone , Liborio Leandro , Jackson Samuel
Published: April 2019

Finding the possible stopping sites for muons inside a crystalline sample is a key problem of muon spectroscopy. In a previous study, we suggested a computational approach to this problem when dealing with muonium, the pseudoatom formed by a positive muon that has captured an electron, using density functional theory software in combination with a random structure searching approach that relies on a Poisson sphere distribution. In this work, we test this methodology further by applying it to muonium in three organic molecular crystal model systems: durene, bithiophene, and tetracyanoquinodimethane. Using the same sets of random structures, we compare the performance of density functional theory software CASTEP and the much faster lower level approximation of Density Functional Tight Binding provided by DFTB+ combined with the use of the 3ob-3-1 parameter set. We show the benefits and limitations of such an approach, and we propose the use of DFTB+ as a viable alternative to more cumbersome simulations for routine site-finding in organic materials. Finally, we introduce the Muon Spectroscopy Computational Project software suite, a library of Python tools meant to make these methods standardized and easy to use.
Permeability of immobile rings of membrane inclusions to in-plane flow
Authors: Sokolov Yulia , Diamant Haim
Published: April 2019

We study the flow of membranal fluid through a ring of immobile particles mimicking, for example, a fence around a membrane corral. We obtain a simple closed-form expression for the permeability coefficient of the ring as a function of the particles’ line fraction. The analytical results agree with those of numerical calculations and are found to be robust against changes in particle number and corral shape. From the permeability results, we infer the collective diffusion coefficient of lipids through the ring and discuss possible implications for collective lipid transport in a crowded membrane.
Global simulation of ion temperature gradient instabilities in a field-reversed configuration
Authors: Bao J. , Lau C. K. , Lin Z. , Wang H. Y. , Fulton D. P. , Dettrick S. , Tajima T.
Published: April 2019

We investigate the global properties of drift waves in the beam driven field-reversed configuration (FRC), the C2-U device, in which the central FRC and its scrape-off layer (SOL) plasma are connected with the formation sections and divertors. The ion temperature gradient modes are globally connected and unstable across these regions, while they are linearly stable inside the FRC separatrix. The unstable global drift waves in the SOL show an axially varying structure that is less intense near the central FRC region and the mirror throat areas, while being more robust in the bad curvature formation exit areas.
Modeling realistic multiphase flows using a non-orthogonal multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Fei Linlin , Du Jingyu , Luo Kai H. , Succi Sauro , Lauricella Marco , Montessori Andrea , Wang Qian
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we develop a three-dimensional multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM) based on a set of non-orthogonal basis vectors. Compared with the classical MRT-LBM based on a set of orthogonal basis vectors, the present non-orthogonal MRT-LBM simplifies the transformation between the discrete velocity space and the moment space and exhibits better portability across different lattices. The proposed method is then extended to multiphase flows at large density ratio with tunable surface tension, and its numerical stability and accuracy are well demonstrated by some benchmark cases. Using the proposed method, a practical case of a fuel droplet impacting on a dry surface at high Reynolds and Weber numbers is simulated and the evolution of the spreading film diameter agrees well with the experimental data. Furthermore, another realistic case of a droplet impacting on a super-hydrophobic wall with a cylindrical obstacle is reproduced, which confirms the experimental finding of Liu et al. [“Symmetry breaking in drop bouncing on curved surfaces,” Nat. Commun. 6, 10034 (2015)] that the contact time is minimized when the cylinder radius is comparable with the droplet radius.
Topological insulator based Tamm plasmon polaritons
Authors: Lu Hua , Li Yangwu , Yue Zengji , Mao Dong , Zhao Jianlin
Published: April 2019

Topological insulators as relatively new quantum materials with the topologically protected conducting Dirac surface state reveal fantastic electronic and photonic characteristics. The photonic behaviors of topological insulators are particularly significant for exploring their optical phenomena and functional devices. Here, we present the generation of Tamm plasmon polaritons (TPPs) in a topological insulator multilayer structure consisting of a Bi1.5Sb0.5Te1.8Se1.2 (BSTS) nanofilm and a one-dimensional photonic crystal (PC). The results illustrate that the TPP electric field can locally concentrate between the BSTS nanofilm and PC, contributing to the improved light-BSTS interaction with a 3-fold enhancement of light absorption. It is also found that the near-infrared TPP response can be dynamically tailored by adjusting the PC layer thickness, BSTS nanofilm thickness, and angle of incident light. The theoretical calculations are in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations. Additionally, the TPP field intensity and light-topological insulator interaction are capable of being further reinforced by introducing a dielectric spacer between the BSTS nanofilm and PC. Our results will enrich the optical characteristics and application potential of topological insulators.
High saturation magnetization and low magnetic anisotropy Fe-CN martensite thin film
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: April 2019

Fe16N2 thin films possess high saturation magnetization (Ms) and high magnetic crystalline anisotropy (Ku) simultaneously. For application in magnetic recording and electrical machine, soft magnetic materials with high Ms and low Ku are desirable. In this report, carbon was doped into FeN thin films. Fe-CN martensite thin films, also named “Minnealloy,” were fabricated by a facing target sputtering system. The Fe-CN martensite phase was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements confirmed the high Ms property even though ordered Fe-CN was not formed. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study was carried out to reveal the carbon and nitrogen electronic environment. The Ku value was obtained from the M-H loop and the law to approach saturation with reasonable consistency around 1–2 × 106 erg/cc, which is about five to ten times smaller than that of the ordered Fe16N2 thin film (1–2 × 107 erg/cc). The combination of high Ms and low saturation fields makes the Fe-CN martensite thin film a potential candidate for the magnetic write head and other applications.
Propositional counter-factual definiteness and the EPR paradox
Authors: Bolotin Arkady
Published: April 2019

In an empirical logic, an experimentally verifiable proposition P relating to a quantum system is assigned the value of either true of false if the system is in the pure state that belongs or, respectively, does not belong to the Hilbert subspace that represents P. Determined in such a way, truth or falsity of P can be termed “a factual truth-value” of P. In this present paper, it is proposed to consider “a counter-factual truth-value” of P, i.e., either of the values, true or false, that might have been taken by P if the system had been in a pure state belonging to a Hilbert subspace that does not represent P. The assumption that it is always possible to speak meaningfully of counter-factual truth-values of experimental propositions can be called “the hypothesis of propositional counter-factual definiteness.” As shown in this paper, this hypothesis lies at the basis of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (known as EPR) paradox, a striking and influential thought experiment intended to defy predictions of quantum mechanics, such as the one where measurements of spin along the different axes are incompatible. The purpose of this paper is to show that this hypothesis can be falsified by declining to paste together invariant-subspace lattices of contexts associated with the system (in other words, Boolean algebras or blocks) into one Hilbert lattice. Without such pasting, the EPR paradoxical inference cannot be reached.
Load distribution measurement instrument for oscillating follower cam mechanism
Authors: Ming Shi-lin , Wang Jun-feng , Cai Zhen-bing , Li Zheng-yang , Wang Xiao-guang , Jing Jian-ying , Zhou Zhong-rong
Published: April 2019

Cam mechanism is widely applied in industry because it can help achieve various complex motions of the follower via the cam contour design. However, its performance is significantly affected by the wear condition. This study proposes a load distribution measurement instrument to assist the study on friction and wear regularities of oscillating follower cam mechanisms through obtaining the normal pressure (F) and friction force (Ff) distributions along the cam profile. In the instrument, F and Ff are automatically calculated via a MATLAB program based on the geometry and the measured rotary resistance torque and rotary angle of the cam. The latter two parameters are obtained through a static torque sensor and a rotary encoder built in servo motor in real time, respectively. An experimental test was conducted and the cam morphology after service was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Results show that the wear condition of the cam is significantly related to the corresponding F and Ff. Complex load parameters of oscillating follower cam mechanisms can be provided by this instrument, which is crucial in understanding the friction and wear behaviors of cams and finding the vulnerable position.
Analysis of vibrational autoionization of CaF Rydberg states
Authors: Jiang Jun , Barnum Timothy J. , Coy Stephen L. , Field Robert W.
Published: April 2019

We report calculations of vibrational autoionization rates of CaF Rydberg states, based on the results of a global multi-channel quantum defect theory (MQDT) fit. Our goal is to use intuitive physical models to interpret and extend the results from the MQDT calculations and, in particular, to characterize the physical mechanisms for the interaction between the Rydberg electron and the ion-core. The calculations indicate that, among the six strongly l-mixed core-penetrating (CP) Rydberg series of CaF, the n.36 p^Π Rydberg series has the fastest Δv = 1 vibrational autoionization rate, which is at least four times larger than that for the other CP Rydberg series, in agreement with experimental results. We first demonstrate that the rotational level dependence of the vibrational autoionization rate of the n.36 p^Π series is satisfactorily explained by l-uncoupling interactions, which differ for the positive and negative Kronig symmetry levels. Next, we interpret the relative vibrational autoionization rates of all six CP Rydberg series in the context of a valence-precursor (VP) model. The VP model is a consequence of Mulliken’s rule, which states that the innermost lobe of the Rydberg wavefunction remains invariant in both the nodal position and shape for members of the same Rydberg series. The electronic properties of the six VP states, which are the terminus states (lowest-n) of each of the six CP Rydberg series, are further characterized in terms of a ligand-field model, providing insight into the intimate relationship between the Rydberg electron density in the ion-core region and the vibrational autoionization rate.
An inclinometer using movable electrode in a parallel plate capacitive structure
Authors: Khan S. M. , Qaiser N. , Hussain M. M.
Published: April 2019

We present an inclinometer which incorporates a movable electrode acting as a pendulum inside a parallel plate capacitor. The movable electrode acts as the bottom plate while the top plate is a fixed metal with varying area in the shape of a triangle. When the bottom plate moves under the influence of gravity, the overlapping area of the two plates of the parallel plate capacitor varies corresponding to a change in capacitance. The relation between the angle of tilt, overlapping area, and output capacitance is derived which is used to covert the output capacitance to the tilt angle. The inclinometer has a range of 50° with a resolution of 0.38° and a response time of ∼130 ms. This design has a pronounced advantage over current methods of making inclinometer. Generally, inclinometers incorporate MEMS-based accelerometers which need complex interface circuitry and are expensive to produce while having redundant features that are not required for inclinometers. Other specialized inclinometers use fluids that are prone to environmental changes and complex to manufacture due to the presence of fluids.
A review of nonlinear hysteresis modeling and control of piezoelectric actuators
Authors: Gan Jinqiang , Zhang Xianmin
Published: April 2019

Piezoelectric actuators are gradually playing an important role in precision positioning applications due to their extremely fine resolution, fast responses, and large actuating forces. However, the existence of hysteresis behaviors makes a big influence on their positioning accuracies. To get high positioning accuracies, hysteresis modeling and control of piezoelectric actuators are meaningful and necessary. This paper reviews different models and control approaches of piezoelectric actuators. Novel categories of both hysteresis models and control approaches are presented. Furthermore, comparisons of different hysteresis models reveal that rate-dependent differential-based modeling is the future research focus. Comparisons of control approaches of piezoelectric actuators are presented and feedforward-feedback control and feedback control are the emphasis in the future.