bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanogap Engineering for Enhanced Transmission of Wire Grid Polarizers in Mid-Wavelength Infrared Region
Authors: Kim Wonyoung , Kim Minsuk , Kim Tae Young , Choi Hyunjin , Jin Myung-Jong , Lee Kyu-Tae , Lee Minbaek , Hwangbo Chang Kwon
Published: March 2019

Wire-grid polarizers (WGPs) have been widely used in various fields, such as polarimetry, imaging, display, spectroscopy, and optical isolation. However, conventional WGPs used in diverse mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) applications show high reflection losses, which intrinsically arise from high refractive indices of their IR-transmitting substrates, such as silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). This study demonstrated the enhanced transmittance of a transverse magnetic (TM) wave that surpassed ~80% over the entire MWIR range from 3000 to 5000 nm in a narrow air gap of a WGP, where aluminum (Al) was selectively deposited on a nanopatterned Si substrate using an oblique angle deposition method. Moreover, a higher TM wave transmittance was achieved by reducing the air gaps of the WGPs in the nanopatterns, which were distinctly different from the traditional WGPs comprising metal wires patterned directly on a flat substrate. A finite-difference time-domain simulation was performed to investigate optical properties of the proposed WGPs, which showed that the electric field in the air nanogap was remarkably enhanced. The characteristic performances were further investigated using a combination of an effective medium approximation and an admittance diagram, revealing that the broadband transmission enhancement could be attributed to a combined effect of a strong electric field and a better admittance matching. The approach and results described in this paper hold promise for the design and the fabrication of high-quality WGPs, as well as their numerous applications.
Brain functional connectivity is altered in patients with Takotsubo Syndrome
Authors: Silva Ana Rita , Magalhães Ricardo , Arantes Carina , Moreira Pedro Silva , Rodrigues Mariana , Marques Paulo , Marques Jorge , Sousa Nuno , Pereira Vitor Hugo
Published: March 2019

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute, reversible cardiomyopathy. The central autonomic nervous system (ANS) is believed to play a role in this disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the patterns of brain functional connectivity in a sample of patients who had experienced a previous episode of TTS. Brain functional connectivity, both at rest and in response to the stressful stimulus of topical cold stimulation, was explored using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), network-based statistics (NBS) and graph theory analysis (GTA) in a population consisting of eight patients with a previous episode of TTS and eight sex- and age-matched controls. At rest, a network characterized by increased connectivity in the TTS group compared to controls and comprising elements of the central ANS was identified. GTA revealed increased local efficiency, clustering and strength in regions of the bilateral hippocampus in subjects with a previous episode of TTS. When stressed by local exposure to cold, the TTS group differed significantly from both a pre-stress baseline interval and from the control group, showing increased connectivity in a network that included the left amygdala and the right insula. Based on the results, patients with TTS display a reorganization of cortical and subcortical networks, including areas associated with the emotional response and autonomic regulation. The findings tend to support the hypothesis that a deregulation of autonomic control at the central level plays a significant role in this syndrome.
Antibacterial activity of ovatodiolide isolated from Anisomeles indica against Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Lien Hsiu-Man , Wu Hui-Yu , Hung Chiu-Lien , Chen Chih-Jung , Wu Chia-Lin , Chen Kuan-Wen , Huang Chao-Lu , Chang Sheau-Jiun , Chen Chia-Chang , Lin Hwai-Jeng , Lai Chih-Ho
Published: March 2019

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with high incidence of gastric diseases. The extensive therapy of H. pylori infection with antibiotics has increased its resistance rates worldwide. Ovatodiolide, a pure constituent isolated from Anisomeles indica, has been demonstrated to possess bactericidal activity against H. pylori. In this study, ovatodiolide inhibited the growth of both H. pylori reference strain and clinical multidrug-resistant isolates. Docking analysis revealed that ovatodiolide fits into the hydrophobic pocket of a ribosomal protein, RpsB. Furthermore, ovatodiolide inhibited bacterial growth by reducing levels of RpsB, which plays a crucial role in protein translation. Our results demonstrate that ovatodiolide binds to a ribosomal protein and interferes with protein synthesis. This study provides evidence that ovatodiolide has the potential to be developed into a potent therapeutic agent for treating H. pylori infection.
Frequency-specific activation of the peripheral auditory system using optoacoustic laser stimulation
Authors: Stahn Patricia , Lim Hubert H. , Hinsberger Marius P. , Sorg Katharina , Pillong Lukas , Kannengießer Marc , Schreiter Cathleen , Foth Hans-Jochen , Langenbucher Achim , Schick Bernhard , Wenzel Gentiana I.
Published: March 2019

Hearing impairment is one of the most common sensory deficits in humans. Hearing aids are helpful to patients but can have poor sound quality or transmission due to insufficient output or acoustic feedback, such as for high frequencies. Implantable devices partially overcome these issues but require surgery with limited locations for device attachment. Here, we investigate a new optoacoustic approach to vibrate the hearing organ with laser stimulation to improve frequency bandwidth, not requiring attachment to specific vibratory structures, and potentially reduce acoustic feedback. We developed a laser pulse modulation strategy and simulated its response at the umbo (1–10 kHz) based on a convolution-based model. We achieved frequency-specific activation in which non-contact laser stimulation of the umbo, as well as within the middle ear at the round window and otic capsule, induced precise shifts in the maximal vibratory response of the umbo and neural activation within the inferior colliculus of guinea pigs, corresponding to the targeted, modelled and then stimulated frequency. There was also no acoustic feedback detected from laser stimulation with our experimental setup. These findings open up the potential for using a convolution-based optoacoustic approach as a new type of laser hearing aid or middle ear implant.
Crotoxin promotes macrophage reprogramming towards an antiangiogenic phenotype
Authors: de Araújo Pimenta Luciana , de Almeida Maíra Estanislau S. , Bretones Marisa Langeani , Cirillo Maria Cristina , Curi Rui , Sampaio Sandra Coccuzzo
Published: March 2019

Crotoxin (CTX) is the primary toxin of South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. CTX reduces tumour mass, and tumour cell proliferation and these effects seem to involve the formation of new vessels. Angiogenesis has a key role in tumour growth and progression and is regulated by macrophage secretory activity. Herein, the effect of CTX on macrophage secretory activity associated with angiogenesis was investigated in vitro. Thymic endothelial cells (EC) were incubated in the presence of macrophages treated with CTX (12.5 nM) or supernatants of CTX-treated macrophages and endothelial cell proliferation, migration and adhesion activities, and the capillary-like tube formation in the matrigel-3D matrix was measured. Angiogenic mediators (MMP-2, VEGF and TNF-α) were measured in the cell culture medium. Macrophages pre-treated with CTX and supernatant of CTX-treated macrophages inhibited EC proliferation, adhesion to its natural ligands, and migration (as evaluated in a wound-healing model and Time Lapse assay) activities. Decreased capillary-like tube formation and MMP-2, VEGF and TNF-α levels in the supernatant of macrophages treated with CTX was also described. CTX promotes macrophage reprogramming towards an antiangiogenic phenotype.
High fabrication-tolerant narrowband perfect graphene absorber based on guided-mode resonance in distributed Bragg reflector
Authors: Lee Sangjun , Heo Hyungjun , Kim Sangin
Published: March 2019

We propose the narrowband perfect absorbers with enormously high fabrication tolerance, which consists of a low-contrast grating and a finite distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layer with an ultrathin absorbing medium (graphene). It is numerically shown that the proposed perfect absorber outperforms the previously proposed schemes in fabrication tolerance. According to the rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) and coupled mode theory (CMT) fitting, over a considerably wide range of grating width and thickness, the proposed absorber provides a proper ratio of leakage rate to loss rate while preserving resonant condition, so that almost perfect absorption (>99.9%) can be obtained. This result is attributed to the strong electric field confinement in the DBR region rather than the grating layer owing to lower index of grating compared to DBR. In addition, without degrading the fabrication tolerance, the bandwidth of the proposed absorber can be controlled by the DBR thickness (the number of pairs) and a narrow absorbing bandwidth of sub-nanometer is achieved with 8.5 Si/SiO2 pair stacked DBR.
Gold Dissolution from Ore with Iodide-Oxidising Bacteria
Authors: Khaing San Yee , Sugai Yuichi , Sasaki Kyuro
Published: March 2019

Gold leaching from ore using iodide-iodine mixtures is an alternative to gold cyanidation. This study evaluated the ability of iodide-oxidising bacteria to solubilise gold from ore that was mainly composed of gold, pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Eight bacterial strains were successfully isolated from brine. Those strains were incubated in a liquid culture medium containing ore with a gold content of 0.26 wt.% and pulp density of 3.3 w/v% to evaluate their abilities to mediate the dissolution of gold. The gold was solubilised completely within 30 days of incubation in the iodine-iodide lixiviant solution generated by three bacterial strains. One strain, in particular, completed the dissolution of gold within 5 days of incubation and was identified as a member of the genus Roseovarius. Thus, the possibility of bacterial gold leaching using iodide-oxidising bacteria was successfully demonstrated. Bioleaching gold with iodide would likely be more environmentally sustainable than traditional cyanide leaching. Further research is required to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of this approach.
Electrical stimulation enhances neuronal cell activity mediated by Schwann cell derived exosomes
Authors: Hu Ming , Hong Li , Liu Cheng , Hong Shasha , He Songming , Zhou Min , Huang Guotao , Chen Qian
Published: March 2019

Electrical stimulation (ES) therapy has good effects in patients with nervous system injury-related diseases. ES promotes nerve cell regeneration and stimulates Schwann cells to express neurotrophic factors. The incidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among elderly people is increasing. Some studies suggest that damage to the pudendal nerve is closely related to the pathogenesis of SUI. It has also been found that pelvic ES can reduce SUI symptoms in a rat model of SUI caused by pudendal nerve injury. Clinically, pelvic floor electrical stimulation is effective in patients with mild to moderate SUI. These studies indicate that ES may ameliorate damage to the pudendal nerve and thus achieve the goal of SUI treatment, although the mechanism of action of this treatment remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to clarify the relationships among ES, neural cells and Schwann cells at the cellular level. We applied ES to nerve cells at 100 mV/mm or 200 mV/mm for 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 h to investigate changes in nerve cell activity. We then co-cultured the nerve cells with Schwann cells to explore the influence of single-culture and co-culture conditions on the nerve cells. Compared to non-ES, ES of the nerve cells increased their activity. Compared to those in single culture, co-cultured nerve cells exhibited an additional increase in activity. We also found that Schwann cell derived exosomes could promote the activity of nerve cells, with glutamate and calcium ions playing a potential role in this process. These results suggest that the mutual regulation of neural cells and Schwann cells plays an important role in the process by which ES ameliorates neurological function, which may provide a basis for subsequent studies.
Optofluidic vapor sensing with free-space coupled 2D photonic crystal slabs
Authors: Liu Yonghao , Wang Shuling , Biswas Priyanka , Palit Prithviraj , Zhou Weidong , Sun Yuze
Published: March 2019

We report here a compact vapor sensor based on polymer coated two-dimensional (2D) defect-free photonic crystal slabs (PCS). The sensing mechanism is based on the resonance spectral shift associated with the Fano resonance mode in the PCS due to the vapor molecule adsorption and desorption induced changes in both polymer thickness and polymer refractive index (RI). Sensitivity due to RI and thickness change were theoretically investigated respectively. With three different thicknesses of OV-101 polymer coating, sensitivity and response time were experimentally evaluated for hexane and ethanol vapors. The polymer demonstrated roughly four times higher sensitivity towards the hexane vapor than ethanol vapor. The PCS sensor with thicker polymer coating showed higher sensitivity to both hexane and ethanol vapors but exhibiting longer response time.
Amplified visual detection of microRNA-378 through a T4 DNA ligase-mediated circular template specific to target and target-triggering rolling circle amplification
Authors: Liu Zhanmin , Wang Yanming , Li Liping , Li Junhai , Yuan Yuanyuan
Published: March 2019

MicroRNA-378 (miRNA-378) is widely regarded as a novel noninvasive serum biomarker for early detection of gastric cancer.
2,7-Diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes: novel asymmetric access and controlled bridge-opening
Authors: Peczkowski Gary R. , Craven Philip G. E. , Stead Darren , Simpkins Nigel S.
Published: March 2019

Organocatalysed asymmetric Michael additions of substituted triketopiperazines to enones afford products in high yield and enantiomeric ratio (er). Further modification delivers products possessing natural product (NP) scaffolds including diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, prolinamide and harmicine.
Quantum state-to-state study for (H−(D−),HD) collisions on two potential energy surfaces
Authors: He Xiaohu , Li Wenliang , Meng Huiyan , Li Chuanliang , Guo Guqing , Qiu Xuanbing , Wei Jilin
Published: March 2019

Revealing the reaction mechanisms of the H−/D− + HD reaction – an exact quantum dynamics study on two potential energy surfaces.
Anion coordination chemistry using O–H groups
Authors: Boer Stephanie A. , Foyle Emer M. , Thomas Chriso M. , White Nicholas G.
Published: March 2019

This review details the use of O–H⋯anion interactions in synthetic receptors, anion transport, self-assembly and catalysis.
Exploring competitive features of stationary sodium ion batteries for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Liu Tiefeng , Zhang Yaping , Jiang Zhanguo , Zeng Xianqing , Ji Jiapeng , Li Zeheng , Gao Xuehui , Sun Minghao , Lin Zhan , Ling Min , Zheng Junchao , Liang Chengdu
Published: March 2019

Owing to the four features summarized in this review, i.e., low-cost resource, high-power performance, all-climate adaptability and full-batty recyclability, sodium ion batteries show great promise for large-scale energy storage systems used for the application of renewable energy sources and smart grids.
Virtual screening in the design of ionic liquids as environmentally safe bactericides
Authors: Wyrzykowska Ewelina , Rybińska-Fryca Anna , Sosnowska Anita , Puzyn Tomasz
Published: March 2019

A four-step strategy for virtual screening in the design of safer products based on ionic liquids is presented.
3D hybrid perovskite solid solutions: a facile approach for deposition of nanoparticles and thin films via B-site substitution
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Mehmood Rana Farhat , Butt Arshad Farooq , Khan Malik Dilshad , Malik Mohammad Azad , Revaprasadu Neerish , Nunzi Jean-Michel , Sher Muhammad , Akhtar Javeed
Published: March 2019

CH3NH3Pb1−xCuxBr3 hybrid perovskite solid solutions as nanoparticles and thin films have been fabricated.
Catalyst-transfer polymerization of arylamines by the Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling
Authors: Grisorio Roberto , Suranna Gian Paolo
Published: March 2019

The control over the polymerization course of arylamines by the Buchwald–Hartwig reaction was achieved by the introduction of suitable functional groups onto the AB-type monomer.
Native mass spectrometry beyond ammonium acetate: effects of nonvolatile salts on protein stability and structure
Authors: Xia Zijie , DeGrandchamp Joseph B. , Williams Evan R.
Published: March 2019

Structures and stabilities of proteins investigated with native mass spectrometry can be affected by nonvolatile salts, including Tris buffer, in solution.
Correction: ESIPT-based ratiometric fluorescence probe for the intracellular imaging of peroxynitrite
Authors: Wu Luling , Wang Yang , Weber Maria , Liu Liyuan , Sedgwick Adam C. , Bull Steven D. , Huang Chusen , James Tony D.
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘ESIPT-based ratiometric fluorescence probe for the intracellular imaging of peroxynitrite’ by Luling Wu et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 9953–9956.
Enhanced photocatalysis for water splitting in layered tin chalcogenides with high carrier mobility
Authors: Li Xiaoteng , Zuo Xi , Jiang Xinxin , Li Dongmei , Cui Bin , Liu Desheng
Published: March 2019

We investigate the structural and electronic properties of SnX and SnX2 (X = S, Se) monolayers and further explore the separation and migration of photo-generated electrons/holes and redox capabilities.
Complete photodissociation dynamics of CF2I2in solution
Authors: Park Seongchul , Shin Juhyang , Yoon Hojeong , Pak Youngshang , Lim Manho
Published: March 2019

Photoexcited CF2I2in c-C6H12undergoes various secondary reactions including complex and isomer formation, after ultrafast two- or three-body dissociations.
Optical properties of aluminum intercalated magnesium nanoparticle square array: a computational study
Authors: Mokkath Junais Habeeb
Published: March 2019

Magnesium nanostructures have recently emerged as a vivid and amazing plasmonic material.
Materials design of perovskite solid solutions for thermochemical applications
Authors: Vieten Josua , Bulfin Brendan , Huck Patrick , Horton Matthew , Guban Dorottya , Zhu Liya , Lu Youjun , Persson Kristin A. , Roeb Martin , Sattler Christian
Published: March 2019

Perovskite solid solutions are screened both experimentally and through DFT to determine their redox properties for thermochemical applications.
Deep levels, charge transport and mixed conductivity in organometallic halide perovskites
Authors: Musiienko Artem , Moravec Pavel , Grill Roman , Praus Petr , Vasylchenko Igor , Pekarek Jakub , Tisdale Jeremy , Ridzonova Katarina , Belas Eduard , Landová Lucie , Hu Bin , Lukosi Eric , Ahmadi Mahshid
Published: March 2019

Understanding the type, formation energy and capture cross section of defects is one of the challenges in the field of organometallic halide perovskite (OMHP) devices.
Efficient and catalyst free synthesis of acrylic plastic precursors: methyl propionate and methyl methacrylate synthesis through reversible CO2 capture
Authors: Khokarale Santosh Govind , Mikkola Jyri-Pekka
Published: March 2019

Single solvent based, room temperature and catalyst free synthesis of acrylic plastic precursors namely methyl propionate and methacrylate was performed via reversible CO2 capture.
A recyclable route to produce biochar with a tailored structure and surface chemistry for enhanced charge storage
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Yu Chang , Ling Zheng , Yu Jinhe , Li Shaofeng , Zhao Changtai , Huang Hongling , Qiu Jieshan
Published: March 2019

A green and recyclable salt-mediated strategy was presented to produce biochar nanosheets with a tailored structure and surface chemistry for enhanced charge storage.
Group Means and Intersubject and Intrasubject Variability Estimates for Absolute and Relative (Categorical) Loudness Judgments of Typical Young Adult Listeners
Authors: Formby Craig , Yang Xin , Payne JoAnne , Parton Jason
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This brief research note is motivated by an ever-increasing need for typical repeated-measures loudness judgments and variability estimates of the kind necessary to conduct evidence-based treatment studies and clinical trials.

Method

These judgments and variability data, originally collected but not reported by
Formby, Payne, Yang, Wu, and Parton (2017)
, are presented here for relative (categorical) and absolute loudness judgments for typical young adult listeners with normal auditory function.

Results

As shown in this research note, these data may differ appreciably between young and older adult listeners with audiometric pure-tone thresholds within the clinically normal range.

Conclusion

In general, these findings highlight the need for good age-based, repeated-measures data for planning and powering evidence-based treatment studies and, specifically, for clinical trials that rely on categorical loudness judgments (i.e., as measured with the Contour Test of loudness;
Cox, Alexander, Taylor, & Gray, 1997
) as primary and secondary outcome measures.
Patterns of Recovery From Aphasia in the First 2 Weeks After Stroke
Authors: Wilson Stephen M. , Eriksson Dana K. , Brandt Temre H. , Schneck Sarah M. , Lucanie Jillian M. , Burchfield Annie S. , Charney Sara , Quillen Ian A. , de Riesthal Michael , Kirshner Howard S. , Beeson Pélagie M. , Ritter Leslie , Kidwell Chelsea S.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Recovery from aphasia after stroke has a decelerating trajectory, with the greatest gains taking place early and the slope of change decreasing over time. Despite its importance, little is known regarding evolution of language function in the early postonset period. The goal of this study was to characterize the dynamics and nature of recovery of language function in the acute and early subacute phases of stroke.

Method

Twenty-one patients with aphasia were evaluated every 2–3 days for the first 15 days after onset of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Language function was assessed at each time point with the Quick Aphasia Battery (Wilson, Eriksson, Schneck, & Lucanie, 2018), which yields an overall summary score and a multidimensional profile of 7 different language domains.

Results

On a 10-point scale, overall language function improved by a mean of 1.07 points per week, confidence interval [0.46, 1.71], with 19 of 21 patients showing positive changes. The trajectory of recovery was approximately linear over this time period. There was significant variability across patients, and patients with more impaired language function at Day 2 poststroke experienced greater improvements over the subsequent 2 weeks. Patterns of recovery differed across language domains, with consistent improvements in word finding, grammatical construction, repetition, and reading, but less consistent improvements in word comprehension and sentence comprehension.

Conclusion

Overall language function typically improves substantially and steadily during the first 2 weeks after stroke, driven mostly by recovery of expressive language. Information on the trajectory of early recovery will increase the accuracy of prognoses and establish baseline expectations against which to evaluate the efficacy of interventions.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7811876
Ultra‐wideband printed ridge gap waveguide hybrid directional coupler for millimetre wave applications
Authors: Mahmoud Ali Mohamed Mamdouh , Shams Shoukry I. , Sebak Abdelrazik
Published: March 2019

The evolution of a wireless communication system to the fifth generation is accompanied by a huge improvement in the performance of the communication system through providing high data rate with a better coverage area. Hence, 5G technology requires access to millimetre wavebands where more spectra are available for high‐speed applications. This technological progress motivates the research community to develop the essential microwave components, specially couplers, through the use of state of the art guiding structure such as printed ridge gap waveguide (PRGW). In this study, the design of ultra‐wideband 3‐dB planar quadrature hybrid coupler based on PRGW technology is proposed. A systematic design procedure for the proposed coupler is presented and illustrated. The proposed directional coupler is fabricated and measured, where the measured results show good agreement. The presented coupler covers over 26% bandwidth centred at 30 GHz. The presented coupler has a measured wide impedance bandwidth of a 26.5% centred at 30 GHz based on −10 dB threshold. The phase difference between output ports is over 23% relative bandwidth. On the other hand, the total bandwidth is limited by the amplitude imbalance, which has a bandwidth of 13% for ±  0.75 dB variation.
Multi‐frequency power system for renewable source integration in smart grid
Authors: Chitransh Varun , Veerachary Mummadi
Published: March 2019

This study presents a new power system enabled by power‐electronic technology for renewable source integration in micro‐grid. The micro‐grid is decoupled into multiple independent power channels. These power channels are used for any source to any load‐independent power transfer over the common power transmission line. This system works on the principle of frequency‐selective orthogonal power transfer and superposition theorem. To demonstrate the proposed power system, a laboratory‐scale prototype of an interconnected two‐source two‐load system is developed. The two sources independently transfer power to their respective loads at power transmission frequencies of 500 and 0 Hz (DC is also a valid frequency for power transmission), respectively, over the common power transmission path. Thus, a two‐source two‐load system is decoupled into two independent power channels. The proposed system is modular and scalable in structure and can be extended for any number of sources and loads. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed system is verified through simulations and experimental results which demonstrates independent transmission of 100 W power in each of the two power channels of the two source‐two load interconnected system.
Multi‐objective evolutionary approach to select security solutions
Authors: Lee Yunghee , Choi Tae Jong , Ahn Chang Wook
Published: March 2019

In many companies or organisations, owners want to deploy the most efficient security solutions at a low cost. The authors propose a way of choosing the optimised security method from many security methods by multi‐objective genetic algorithm (GA) considering cost and weakness decrease in this study. The proposed system can find the best security methods in various aspects of security issues. This study uses the NSGA‐II algorithm, which has been authorised in a variety of fields, to provide a comparison with old GAs. Their scheme has increased the dominant area by more than 30% compared with the previous scheme and can provide a more diverse solution set.
Real-Time Thermal Infrared Tracking Based on Collaborative Online and Offline Method
Authors: Zhang Ximing , Wang Mingang , Cao Lin
Published: March 2019

Most tracking-by-detection based trackers employ the online model update scheme based on the spatiotemporal consistency of visual cues. In presence of self-deformation, abrupt motion and heavy occlusion, these trackers suffer from different attributes and are prone to drifting. The model based on offline training, namely Siamese networks is invariant when suffering from the attributes. While the tracking speed of the offline method can be slow which is not enough for real-time tracking. In this paper, a novel collaborative tracker which decomposes the tracking task into online and offline modes is proposed. Our tracker switches between the online and offline modes automatically based on the tracker status inferred from the present failure tracking detection method which is based on the dispersal measure of the response map. The present Real-Time Thermal Infrared Collaborative Online and Offline Tracker (TCOOT) achieves state-of-the-art tracking performance while maintaining real-time speed at the same time. Experiments are carried out on the VOT-TIR-2015 benchmark dataset and our tracker achieves superior performance against Staple and Siam FC trackers by 3.3% and 3.6% on precision criterion and 3.8% and 5% on success criterion, respectively. The present method is real-time tracker as well.
An Automatic Thrust Calculation Method in Case of Engine Gear Missing in Flight Control Simulation System
Authors: Kang Zeyu , Cheng Yongmei , Cui Xiaodan , Li Hui , Wang Huibin
Published: March 2019

The paper proposes an automatic thrust calculation method in the case of engine gear missing. The trimmed linearization method is used to calculate the equivalent throttle opening between the two gears. An automatic thrust calculation method is presented which uses the equivalent throttle opening as weight coefficient. The speed control system which has introduced the equivalent throttle opening is designed, and the speed is controlled through the combination of the speed control system and the vertical speed control system. In this way, four basic modes are realized in flight simulation——climb, glide, given the yaw angle, given the roll angle, and the special speed control mode. It takes A320 aircraft for an example, the aerodynamic parameters and the Idletrust and Miltrust coefficients are obtained from JSBSim. Carry out flight control simulation on the above modes by building aircraft flight simulation model through Simulink. The results of the flight speed control show that the proposed method can achieve precise control of the speed in multi-flight modes.
Skin protection against UV radiation using thin films of cerium oxide
Authors: Ortiz E. , Martínez-Gómez L. , Valdés-Galicia J.F. , García R. , Anzorena M. , Martínez de la Escalera L.
Published: March 2019

In this work, we evaluated the efficiency of cerium oxide as sunscreen using titanium oxide as standard comparison material. Geant4 software was used to perform numerical simulation, we calculated the radiation dose that ultraviolet radiation deposits in a skin sample as a function of thin film thickness of the sunscreens. We found that in the interval between 5 and 15 nm of the thin film thickness and for wavelengths between 160 and 400 nm, cerium oxide has the potential to reduce the radiation dose more than 10% with respect to the same thickness band of titanium oxide. Using thin films of cerium oxide and titanium oxide with same thicknesses and greater than 45 nm, the difference in the attenuation of the radiation dose for both materials is less than 1%. The results lead us to propose cerium oxide as an alternative material to titanium oxide for the manufacture of sunscreens.
Analyse des risques en radiothérapie
Authors: Thellier S.
Published: March 2019

L’analyse des risques en radiothérapie participe directement à la radioprotection des patients et en est une composante essentielle. En France, des difficultés d’appropriation et d’utilisation ont émergé de l’application en radiothérapie de la méthode AMDEC (analyse des modes de défaillance, de leurs effets et de leur criticité) fondée sur l’analyse des modes de défaillance. Pour répondre aux besoins des analystes d’ouvrir la discussion sur les risques quotidiens et d’améliorer la sécurité des soins à l’échelle de l’organisation, le présent article propose de changer de cadre conceptuel. Les espaces de partage et d’exploration de la complexité du travail (EPECT) – expérimentés dans cette recherche – sont des espaces de discussion organisés qui proposent de mobiliser de nouveaux principes méthodologiques pour aider les analystes à faire le lien entre des situations de travail d’une équipe médicale et les situations risquées pour les patients traités par rayonnements ionisants. Cette approche de l’analyse des risques se veut positive car elle privilégie l’analyse de la performance d’une équipe plutôt que ses modes de défaillance. Au-delà de la conception d’une démarche d’analyse, cette recherche invite à questionner la transformation du travail, à analyser la cohérence des dimensions structurelles et opérationnelles de l’organisation et à adapter la conception des organisations.
Neurovaskuläre Erkrankungen – Ultraschalldiagnostik
Authors: Eicke Martin , Gröschel Klaus , Harrer-Haag Judith
Published: March 2019

Neurovaskuläre Erkrankungen gehören zu den häufigsten Erkrankungen im neurologischen Fachgebiet. Vor dem Hintergrund der immer älter werdenden Gesellschaft spielt der Schlaganfall und damit dessen Diagnostik eine herausragende Rolle. Für den Neurologen in eigener Hand ermöglicht der Ultraschall nicht nur die Einschätzung der Gefäßsituation in der Primärprophylaxe, sondern selbstverständlich v. a. beim akuten Schlaganfall bei Beantwortung der Fragestellung hinsichtlich einer Thrombektomie oder Thrombolyse. Auch im Verlauf hilft der Ultraschall bei der ätiologischen Zuordnung und somit wichtige Therapieentscheidungen zu treffen. Hier sind neben arteriosklerotischen Obstruktionen insbesondere Dissektionen zu nennen. In der Zukunft wird aufgrund der neuen Studienlage pro invasiver Therapie auch die sonografische Detektion eines kardialen Rechts-Links-Shunts mittels transkranieller Doppler- oder Duplexsonografie von noch größerer Bedeutung sein.

Nach therapeutischen Eingriffen insbesondere an der extrakraniellen Arteria carotis interna wird die Sonografie zur Beurteilung des Operations- oder Interventionsergebnisses und bei der Verlaufskontrolle genutzt. Ebenso gelingt mit dem Ultraschall auch die Verlaufsbeurteilung intrakranieller Stenosen. Wertvoll ist der transkranielle Ultraschall auch in der Diagnostik auf der Intensivstation, bspw. zur Detektion erhöhten Hirndrucks oder in der Hirntoddiagnostik. Andere Anwendungen sind bspw. die Detektion von intrakraniellen Vasospasmen nach Subarachnoidalblutungen, die Diagnostik von Vaskulitiden der hirnversorgenden Gefäße, und neuerdings auch der transorbitale Ultraschall bei ischämischen Ophthalmopathien. Therapeutisch wird der Ultraschall in der Neurologie bisher überwiegend auf wissenschaftlicher Basis im Rahmen von Studien zur Sonothrombolyse eingesetzt. Die Anwendung transkranieller Sonografie zeigte beim akuten Mediaverschluss eine höhere Rekanalisationsrate, es kam allerdings auch zu etwas häufigeren, statistisch nicht signifikanten symptomatischen Einblutungen.

In den meisten Fällen ist bei der alltäglichen Anwendung der Duplexsonografie der Vorzug zu geben, aber auch die einfache Dopplersonografie gehört nach wie vor zum Standardrepertoire der meisten Ultraschallabore.

In diesem Artikel möchten wir Ihnen über die wichtigsten Anwendungen des Ultraschalls in der Neurologie einen Überblick geben.
50 Jahre „Klinische Neurophysiologie“
Authors: Buchner Helmut
Published: March 2019

Die „Klinische Neurophysiologie“ feiert in diesem Jahr ihr 50-jähriges Gründungsjubiläum.

Das Jubiläum ist Anlass zur Betrachtung
55-jähriger Mann mit progredientem Hörverlust und Gangstörung
Authors: Dafotakis Manuel , Mull Michael
Published: March 2019

Ein 55 jähriger Bahnbeamter stellte sich in der Ambulanz aufgrund einer sich seit 3 Jahren schleichend entwickelnden Gangstörung vor. Im Vordergrund stünde eine fehlende Koordination beim Gehen; seiner Arbeit als Zugführer könne er kaum noch nachgehen und er sei seit einem halben Jahr krankgeschrieben „wegen Rücken“. Daneben habe er eine Hörminderung bemerkt und leide immer wieder unter nackenbetonten Kopfschmerzen. Körperlich habe er abgebaut. Zudem sei eine Depression festgestellt worden, weshalb er Antidepressiva einnehme. Er rauche viel. Alkohol konsumiere er jedoch seit einem Jahr gar nicht mehr, früher habe er jedoch „schon das ein oder andere Bier gekippt“.
50 Jahre „Klinische Neurophysiologie“
Authors: Dengler Reinhard
Published: March 2019

Die „Klinische Neurophysiologie“ wurde 1969 unter dem Namen „EEG-EMG, Zeitschrift für Elektroenzephalografie, Elektromyografie und verwandte Gebiete“ für den deutschsprachigen Raum gegründet. Gründungsherausgeber waren H. Caspers (Münster), R. Hess (Zürich), S. Kubicki (Berlin), J. Kugler (München), H. Petsche (Wien) und A. Struppler (München). Damals explodierte die klinische Neurophysiologie förmlich durch die enormen Fortschritte im Bereich der Medizinelektronik und die einsetzende Digitalisierung.
Quality of Life but not Cognition is Impacted by Radiotherapy in Patients with Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Crouzeix Genevieve , Morello Rémy , Thariat Juliette , Morera Julia , Joubert Michael , Reznik Yves
Published: March 2019

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are benign neoplasms that are first treated by surgery and secondary radiation therapy in case of residual tumor or regrowth. The consequences of surgery and radiotherapy are still debated. The objective of the work was to assess the impact of surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and pituitary deficiencies on long term health-related quality of life (QoL) and cognitive function among NFPA patients. Forty-six NFPA patients were studied after 9.6±7.5 years follow-up using: i) the MoCA questionnaire to detect mild cognitive disabilities, ii) the McNair and Kahn scale to assess perceived cognitive impairment, iii) the HADS questionnaire to score anxiety and depression, and iv) the SF-36 and QLS-H questionnaires to assess QoL. All NFPA patients had surgery and 54% patients had radiation therapy (RT+). The MoCA score was abnormal in 41% NFPA patients. Neither the type of surgery nor radiotherapy influenced the prevalence of cognitive disabilities. The depression score was higher in RT+than RT– patients. Overall, no alteration in SF-36 and QLS-H QoL scales were observed in NFPA patients when compared with the French reference population. Among NFPA patients, mental composite score, general health and vitality scores were altered in RT+compared to RT– patients. The presence of multiple pituitary axis deficiencies worsened general health and vitality scale scoring. Consistent follow-up had a beneficial impact on psycho-emotional dimensions of health. Surgery and radiotherapy had no adverse effects on cognitive functions, however, QoL was altered in RT+patients. These latter alterations may be partly related to pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Evaluation of Biochemical Conditions Allowing Bypass of Confirmatory Testing in The Workup of Primary Aldosteronism: A Retrospective Study in a French Hypertensive Population
Authors: Vivien Maud , Deberles Emilie , Morello Remy , Haddouche Aimi , Guenet David , Reznik Yves
Published: March 2019

The diagnostic workup for primary aldosteronism includes a screening step using the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) and a confirmatory step based on dynamic testing of aldosterone secretion autonomy. International guidelines suggest that precise clinical and biochemical conditions may allow the bypassing of the confirmatory step, however, data which validate hormone thresholds defining such conditions are lacking. At our tertiary center, we retrospectively examined a cohort of 173 hypertensive patients screened for PA by the ARR, of whom 120 had positive screening and passed a saline infusion test (SIT) or a captopril challenge test (CCT). Fifty-nine had PA, including 34 Conn adenomas and 25 with idiopathic aldosteronism (IA). Using a threshold of 160 pmol/l, post-SIT plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) identified PA with 86.4% sensitivity, 94.7% specificity, and a negative predictive value of 92.3%. Of those subjects with a high ARR and a PAC above 550 pmol/l, 93% had a positive SIT, while 100% of subjects with a high ARR, but a PAC under 240 pmol/l had a negative SIT. Our results thus validate the biochemical conditions defined in the French and US guidelines for bypassing the confirmatory step in the workup for PA diagnosis.
Epithelial (E)-Cadherin is a Novel Mediator of Platelet Aggregation and Clot Stability
Authors: Scanlon Vanessa , Teixeira Alexandra , Tyagi Tarun , Zou Siying , Zhang Ping-Xia , Booth Carmen , Kowalska M. , Bao Jialing , Hwa John , Hayes Vincent , Marks Michael , Poncz Mortimer , Krause Diane
Published: March 2019

Cadherins play a major role in mediating cell–cell adhesion, which shares many parallels with platelet–platelet interactions during aggregate formation and clot stabilization. Platelets express epithelial (E)-cadherin, but its contribution to platelet function and/or platelet production is currently unknown. To assess the role of E-cadherin in platelet production and function in vitro and in vivo, we utilized a megakaryocyte-specific E-cadherin knockout mouse model. Loss of E-cadherin in megakaryocytes does not affect megakaryocyte maturation, platelet number or size. However, platelet dysfunction in the absence of E-cadherin is revealed when conditional knockout mice are challenged with acute antibody-mediated platelet depletion. Unlike wild-type mice that recover fully, knockout mice die within 72 hours post-antibody administration, likely from haemorrhage. Furthermore, conditional knockout mice have prolonged tail bleeding times, unstable clot formation, reduced clot retraction and reduced fibrin deposition in in vivo injury models. Murine platelet aggregation in vitro in response to thrombin and thrombin receptor activating peptide is compromised in E-cadherin null platelets, while aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) is not significantly different. Consistent with this, in vitro aggregation of primary human platelets in response to thrombin is decreased by an inhibitory E-cadherin antibody. Integrin activation and granule secretion in response to ADP and thrombin are not affected in E-cadherin null platelets, but Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activation are attenuated, suggesting a that E-cadherin contributes to aggregation, clot stabilization and retraction that is mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/GSK3β signalling. In summary, E-cadherin plays a salient role in platelet aggregation and clot stability.
Effects of inner bubble on liquid jet breakup
Authors: Wu Zhao-Wei , Zhao Hui , Li Wei-Feng , Xu Jian-Liang , Wang Sheng , Liu Hai-Feng
Published: March 2019

In this study, the effects of the bubble on the liquid jet breakup process were investigated using a high-speed camera. The liquid jet containing bubbles revealed a considerable decrease in the breakup length when compared with the water jet without bubbles, which promoted the atomization performance significantly. Theoretical analysis was based on the classical linear stability theory and the equivalence of the initial jet diameter and velocity disturbance amplitude. We deduced a correlation between the breakup length ratio and the diameter of the bubbles, and the theoretical results showed good agreement with our experimental results. Our results also showed that the property of gas affected the breakup process of the liquid jet containing bubbles. The experimental findings indicated that lighter gases could realize a more significant decrease in the breakup length, which could then be attributed to the conservation of momentum of the fluid.
Modeling dynamic rotation of defect dipoles and poling time dependence of piezoelectric effect in ferroelectrics
Authors: Yang Chao , Sun Enwei , Yang Bin , Cao Wenwu
Published: March 2019

A phase field model combined with a kinetic Monte Carlo method has been used to describe the formation of domain structures in a ferroelectric system with rotatable defect dipoles. Our simulation shows that domain configurations are strongly dependent on the evolution of defect dipoles at different poling times. A smaller domain size with a larger piezoelectric coefficient can be obtained by optimizing the poling time, while long time poling will produce larger domains that could degrade piezoelectric effects. Our modeling results demonstrated the fundamental principle for enhancing the piezoelectric response by combining domain engineering with defect engineering through the control of the poling strategy.
Stability analysis of a thin film on a rotating cylinder with low airflow
Authors: Newell Heather , Viljoen Hendrik
Published: March 2019

This paper studies the operating conditions of a novel pesticide applicator, by analyzing the stability of a thin film on a rotating horizontal cylinder in the presence of low airflow. The analysis shows that the film is destabilized by the airflow, with a few notable further findings. First, when the airflow coincides with the angular velocity at the underside of the cylinder, the film becomes unstable at smaller wind speeds compared to airflow anti-parallel to the angular velocity. Second, in the absence of surface tension, the thin film model does not have a stable stationary state. The solution settles into an oscillatory state instead. Finally, an analytical solution is presented for the special case where the initial condition is a uniform film thickness. When surface tension is included in this analysis, the temporal terms decay when the stability condition is satisfied. Some of the modes decay very slowly, as confirmed by the multiple time scale analysis.
Investigation of stacking faults in MOVPE-grown zincblende GaN by XRD and TEM
Authors: Lee Lok Yi , Frentrup Martin , Vacek Petr , Kappers Menno J. , Wallis David J. , Oliver Rachel A.
Published: March 2019

X-ray diffraction and bright-field transmission electron microscopy are used to investigate the distribution and density of {111}-type stacking faults (SFs) present in a heteroepitaxial zincblende GaN epilayer with high phase purity, grown on a 3C-SiC/Si (001) substrate by metalorganic vapour-phase epitaxy. It is found that the 4° miscut towards the [110] direction of the substrate, which prevents the formation of undesirable antiphase domains, has a profound effect on the relative densities of SFs occurring on the different {111} planes. The two orientations of SFs in the [−110] zone, where the SF inclination angle with the GaN/SiC interface is altered by the 4° miscut, show a significant difference in density, with the steeper (111) SFs being more numerous than the shallower (−1−11) SFs by a factor of ∼5 at 380 nm from the GaN/SiC interface. In contrast, the two orientations of SFs in the [110] zone, which is unaffected by the miscut, have densities comparable with the (−1−11) SFs in the [−110] zone. A simple model, simulating the propagation and annihilation of SFs in zincblende GaN epilayers, reproduces the presence of local SF bunches observed in TEM data. The model also verifies that a difference in the starting density at the GaN/SiC interface of the two orientations of intersecting {111} SFs in the same zone reduces the efficiency of SF annihilation. Hence, (111) SFs have a higher density compared with SFs on the other three {111} planes, due to their preferential formation at the GaN/SiC interface caused by the miscut.