bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling lightwave in Riemann space by merging geometrical optics with transformation optics
Authors: Liu Yichao , Sun Fei , He Sailing
Published: January 2018

In geometrical optical design, we only need to choose a suitable combination of lenses, prims, and mirrors to design an optical path. It is a simple and classic method for engineers. However, people cannot design fantastical optical devices such as invisibility cloaks, optical wormholes, etc. by geometrical optics. Transformation optics has paved the way for these complicated designs. However, controlling the propagation of light by transformation optics is not a direct design process like geometrical optics. In this study, a novel mixed method for optical design is proposed which has both the simplicity of classic geometrical optics and the flexibility of transformation optics. This mixed method overcomes the limitations of classic optical design; at the same time, it gives intuitive guidance for optical design by transformation optics. Three novel optical devices with fantastic functions have been designed using this mixed method, including asymmetrical transmissions, bidirectional focusing, and bidirectional cloaking. These optical devices cannot be implemented by classic optics alone and are also too complicated to be designed by pure transformation optics. Numerical simulations based on both the ray tracing method and full-wave simulation method are carried out to verify the performance of these three optical devices.
Molecular determinants of Ca2+ sensitivity at the intersubunit interface of the BK channel gating ring
Authors: Li Qin , Li Yingxin , Wei Hua , Pan Hao-Min , Vouga Alexandre G. , Rothberg Brad S. , Wu Yunkun , Yan Jiusheng
Published: January 2018

The large-conductance calcium-activated K+ (BK) channel contains two intracellular tandem Ca2+-sensing RCK domains (RCK1 and RCK2), which tetramerize into a Ca2+ gating ring that regulates channel opening by conformational expansion in response to Ca2+ binding. Interestingly, the gating ring’s intersubunit assembly interface harbors the RCK2 Ca2+-binding site, known as the Ca2+ bowl. The gating ring’s assembly interface is made in part by intersubunit coordination of a Ca2+ ion between the Ca2+ bowl and an RCK1 Asn residue, N449, and by apparent intersubunit electrostatic interactions between E955 in RCK2 and R786 and R790 in the RCK2 of the adjacent subunit. To understand the role of the intersubunit assembly interface in Ca2+ gating, we performed mutational analyses of these putative interacting residues in human BK channels. We found that N449, despite its role in Ca2+ coordination, does not set the channel’s Ca2+ sensitivity, whereas E955 is a determinant of Ca2+ sensitivity, likely through intersubunit electrostatic interactions. Our findings provide evidence that the intersubunit assembly interface contains molecular determinants of Ca2+-sensitivity in BK channels.
Integrative approach using liver and duodenum RNA-Seq data identifies candidate genes and pathways associated with feed efficiency in pigs
Authors: Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis , Ballester Maria , Sánchez Juan Pablo , González-Rodríguez Olga , Revilla Manuel , Reyer Henry , Wimmers Klaus , Torrallardona David , Quintanilla Raquel
Published: January 2018

This study aims identifying candidate genes and pathways associated with feed efficiency (FE) in pigs. Liver and duodenum transcriptomes of 37 gilts showing high and low residual feed intake (RFI) were analysed by RNA-Seq. Gene expression data was explored through differential expression (DE) and weighted gene co-expression network analyses. DE analysis revealed 55 and 112 differentially regulated genes in liver and duodenum tissues, respectively. Clustering genes according to their connectivity resulted in 23 (liver) and 25 (duodenum) modules of genes with a co-expression pattern. Four modules, one in liver (with 444 co-expressed genes) and three in duodenum (gathering 37, 126 and 41 co-expressed genes), were significantly associated with FE indicators. Intra-module analyses revealed tissue-specific candidate genes; 12 of these genes were also identified as DE between individuals with high and low RFI. Pathways enriched by the list of genes showing DE and/or belonging to FE co-expressed modules included response to oxidative stress, inflammation, immune response, lipid metabolism and thermoregulation. Low overlapping between genes identified in duodenum and liver tissues was observed but heat shock proteins were associated to FE in both tissues. Our results suggest tissue-specific rather than common transcriptome regulatory processes associated with FE in pigs.
Development and validation of an HPLC-FLD technique for colistin quantification and its plasma monitoring in hospitalized patients
Authors: Pinho A. R. , Rocha M. J. , Alves G. , Falcão A. C. , Fortuna A. C.
Published: January 2018

A novel HPLC method with fluorescence detection was successfully developed and validated to accurately quantify colistin in plasma from patients treated with colistimethate sodium.
Absorbance enhancement of aptamers/GNP enables sensitive protein detection in rat brains
Authors: Mao Jinpeng , Xu Muzhen , Ji Wenliang , Zhang Meining
Published: January 2018

A simple strategy based on the absorbance enhancement of gold nanoparticle assembled aptamers for the detection of proteins, such as interferon-gamma, in rat brains was developed.
Ultra-low-temperature growth of CdS quantum dots on g-C3N4 nanosheets and their photocatalytic performance
Authors: Zhang Ruoyu , Huang Kai , Wei Hehe , Wang Dong , Ou Gang , Hussain Naveed , Huang Ziyun , Zhang Cheng , Wu Hui
Published: January 2018

CdS quantum dots deposited on carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets have been synthesized by ultra-low temperature (−60 °C) liquid phase precipitation reactions.
In situ induced core/shell stabilized hybrid perovskites via gallium(iii) acetylacetonate intermediate towards highly efficient and stable solar cells
Authors: Li Wenzhe , Zhang Cuiling , Ma Yunping , Liu Chong , Fan Jiandong , Mai Yaohua , Schropp Ruud E. I.
Published: January 2018

Introduction of gallium(iii) acetylacetonate (GaAA3) induced CsxFA1−xPbI3–[GaAA3]4 (0 < x < 1) core–shell hybrid-materials based perovskite solar cell with remarkably high stability.
ZnO nanoparticle preparation route influences surface reactivity, dissolution and cytotoxicity
Authors: Anders Catherine B. , Eixenberger Josh E. , Franco Nevil A. , Hermann Rebecca J. , Rainey Katherine D. , Chess Jordan J. , Punnoose Alex , Wingett Denise G.
Published: January 2018

The nZnO synthesis approach results in unique surface chemistries which influence agglomeration tendencies, dissolution potential, oxidative stress responses and NP-induced toxicity.
Isoenergic modification of whey protein structure by denaturation and crosslinking using transglutaminase
Authors: Stender Emil G. P. , Koutina Glykeria , Almdal Kristoffer , Hassenkam Tue , Mackie Alan , Ipsen Richard , Svensson Birte
Published: January 2018

The structural effect of denaturation of whey protein by heat or pH and subsequent crosslinking by transglutaminase.
Sensing local pH and ion concentration at graphene electrode surfaces using in situ Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Shi Haotian , Poudel Nirakar , Hou Bingya , Shen Lang , Chen Jihan , Benderskii Alexander V. , Cronin Stephen B.
Published: January 2018

We report a novel approach to probe the local ion concentration at graphene/water interfaces using in situ Raman spectroscopy.
Continuous-flow chemistry for the determination of comonomer reactivity ratios
Authors: Reis Marcus H. , Davidson Cullen L. G. , Leibfarth Frank A.
Published: January 2018

Continuous-flow chemistry provides an operationally simple and reproducible method for the determination of comonomer reactivity ratios in a single afternoon.
Tumor angiogenesis targeting and imaging using gold nanoparticle probe with directly conjugated cyclic NGR
Authors: Wu Minghao , Zhang Yanyan , Zhang Ying , Wu Mingjie , Wu Menglin , Wu Hongyi , Cao Lin , Li Liang , Li Xue , Zhang Xuening
Published: January 2018

Angiogenesis is a vital process for the growth and metastasis of malignant tumor.
Polyfluorene-based white light conjugated polymers incorporating orange iridium(iii) complexes: the effect of steric configuration on their photophysical and electroluminescent properties
Authors: Sun Jing , Wu Dongyu , Gao Long , Hou Minna , Lu Guojing , Li Jie , Zhang Xinwen , Miao Yanqin , Wang Hua , Xu Bingshe
Published: January 2018

Owing to large steric hindrance, white light hyperbranched conjugated polymers exhibited the best electroluminescent performance with suppression of triplet–triplet annihilation.
Engineering stem cell-derived 3D brain organoids in a perfusable organ-on-a-chip system
Authors: Wang Yaqing , Wang Li , Guo Yaqiong , Zhu Yujuan , Qin Jianhua
Published: January 2018

We present a new strategy to engineer hiPSC-derived 3D brain organoids by combining stem cell biology with organs-on-a-chip technology.
Double-exponential refractive index sensitivity of metal–semiconductor core–shell nanoparticles: the effects of dual-plasmon resonances and red-shift
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Cao Pengfei , Dou Jie , Cheng Lin , Niu Tiaoming , Zhang Guanmao
Published: January 2018

We present a new type of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor whose refractive index sensitivity can be improved by greatly increasing the plasmon wavelength red-shift of metal–semiconductor core–shell nanoparticles (CSNs).
Aromatization modulates the activity of small organic molecules as promoters for carbon–halogen bond activation
Authors: Yang Huan , Chu De-Zhao , Jiao Lei
Published: January 2018

The indoline/t-BuOK/O2 system was found to exhibit unprecedented high reactivity for promoting the BHAS reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides.
Phosphine-catalyzed [5+1] annulation of δ-sulfonamido-substituted enones withN-sulfonylimines: a facile synthesis of tetrahydropyridines
Authors: Zhou Leijie , Yuan Chunhao , Zeng Yuan , Liu Honglei , Wang Chang , Gao Xing , Wang Qijun , Zhang Cheng , Guo Hongchao
Published: January 2018

The first phosphine-catalyzed [5+1] annulation of enones withN-sulfonylimines works efficiently to give tetrahydropyridines.
Stereoselective cobalt-catalyzed halofluoroalkylation of alkynes
Authors: Wu Guojiao , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel
Published: January 2018

Stereoselective additions of functionalized reagents to unsaturated hydrocarbons are attractive due to the high atom economy, modularity and rapid generation of complexity. We report a stereoselective cobalt-catalyzed (E)-halofluoroalkylation of alkynes/alkenes that under mild conditions (2 mol% cat., 20 °C, acetone/water, 3 h). This reaction operates via a radical chain mechanism involving terminal halogen atom transfer which obviates the need for a stoichiometric sacrificial reductant.
Unusual consequences of donor and acceptor doping on the thermoelectric properties of the MgAg0.97Sb0.99 alloy
Authors: Liu Y. , Zhou D. Z. , Li Y. Q. , Hong A. J. , Sui J. H. , Liu J. M. , Ren Z. F.
Published: January 2018

MgAgSb alloys have been demonstrated to be one of the two best classes of low-temperature thermoelectric materials.
Internalization studies on zeolite nanoparticles using human cells
Authors: Vilaça Natália , Totovao Ricardo , Prasetyanto Eko Adi , Miranda-Gonçalves Vera , Morais-Santos Filipa , Fernandes Rui , Figueiredo Francisco , Bañobre-López Manuel , Fonseca António M. , De Cola Luisa , Baltazar Fátima , Neves Isabel C.
Published: January 2018

Internalization of zeolite L is a caveolin-mediated process, which is higher and faster in breast cancer cells than in normal cells.
Search of multiple hot spots on the surface of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase: structural, binding and antibacterial studies
Authors: Kaushik Sanket , Iqbal Naseer , Singh Nagendra , Sikarwar Juhi S. , Singh Prashant K. , Sharma Pradeep , Kaur Punit , Sharma Sujata , Owais Mohammad , Singh Tej P.
Published: January 2018

Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth) catalyzes the breakdown of peptidyl-tRNA into peptide and tRNA components. Pth from Acinetobacter baumannii (AbPth) was cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized in a native unbound (AbPth-N) state and in a bound state with the phosphate ion and cytosine arabinoside (cytarabine) (AbPth-C). Structures of AbPth-N and AbPth-C were determined at 1.36 and 1.10 Å resolutions, respectively. The structure of AbPth-N showed that the active site is filled with water molecules. In the structure of AbPth-C, a phosphate ion is present in the active site, while cytarabine is bound in a cleft which is located away from the catalytic site. The cytarabine-binding site is formed with residues: Gln19, Trp27, Glu30, Gln31, Lys152, Gln158 and Asp162. In the structure of AbPth-N, the side chains of two active-site residues, Asn70 and Asn116, were observed in two conformations. Upon binding of the phosphate ion in the active site, the side chains of both residues were ordered to single conformations. Since Trp27 is present at the cytarabine-binding site, the fluorescence studies were carried out which gave a dissociation constant (KD) of 3.3 ± 0.8 × 10−7 M for cytarabine. The binding studies using surface plasmon resonance gave a KD value of 3.7 ± 0.7 × 10−7 M. The bacterial inhibition studies using the agar diffusion method and the biofilm inhibition assay established the strong antimicrobial potential of cytarabine. It also indicated that cytarabine inhibited Gram-negative bacteria more profoundly when compared with Gram-positive bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. Cytarabine was also effective against the drug-resistant bacteria both alone as well as in combination with other antibiotics.
Insights into the effect of minor groove interactions and metal cofactors on mutagenic replication by human DNA polymerase β
Authors: Koag Myong-Chul , Lee Seongmin
Published: January 2018

DNA polymerases accommodate various base-pair conformations in the event of incorrect insertions. In particular, Watson–Crick-like dG:dTTP base pair has been observed at the insertion site of human DNA polymerase β (pol β). A potential factor contributing to the diverse conformations of base-pair mismatches is minor groove interactions. To gain insights into the effect of minor groove interactions on base-pair conformations, we generated an Asn279Ala polβ mutant that cannot make minor groove contacts with an incoming nucleotide. We conducted structural and kinetic studies of Asn279Ala polβ in complex with incoming dTTP and templating dG or O6-methyl-dG. The crystal structure of the Asn279Ala polβ-G:T complex showed a wobble dG:dTTP base pair, indicating that the previously observed Watson–Crick-like dG:dTTP conformation was induced by the minor groove contact. In contrast, O6-methyl-dG, an analog of the enol tautomer of guanine, formed a Watson–Crick-like base pair with dTTP in the absence of the minor groove contact. These results suggest that the Watson–Crick-like G:T base pair at the insertion site is formed by the rare enol tautomers of G or T, whose population is increased by the minor groove hydrogen bond with Asn279. Kinetic studies showed that Asn279Ala mutation decreased dG:dTTP misincorporation rate six-fold in the presence of Mg2+ but increased the rate three-fold in the presence of Mn2+, highlighting the effect of minor groove interactions and metal ions on promutagenic replication by polβ.
Partial analogue‐assisted digital low dropout regulator with transient body‐drive and 2.5× FOM improvement
Authors: Huang Mo , Lu Yan , Lu Xing
Published: January 2018

A partial analogue‐assisted (AA) digital low dropout regulator (D‐LDO) with also a transient body‐drive (BD) technique is proposed. The body of the power switches can be driven by the VOUT transient spike that is high‐pass coupled from the D‐LDO output when a load step occurs, for a temporary threshold voltage change. The BD technique thereby manages to provide more than 10% momentary output current. In addition, since the effectiveness of the AA loop is proportional to the ratio of the coupling capacitance and the parasitic capacitance, here, only about 1/5 of the most significant bit of the power switches are connected to the AA and BD networks. Therefore, the coupling capacitors are much reduced, comparing to the previous work. A simulated 100 mV undershoot is obtained under a 2‐to‐12 mA load step within 1 ns edge time, using only 40 pF total capacitor. A 0.09 ps figure‐of‐merit (FOM) of speed is thereby achieved, which is at least 2.5× better than state‐of‐the‐art works.
Microarray‐based cancer diagnosis: repeated cross‐validation‐based ensemble feature selection
Authors: Güney H. , Öztoprak H.
Published: January 2018

The influence of data resampling on ensemble methods, and repeated cross‐validation (RCV)‐based ensemble feature selection (FS) is proposed. To evaluate the proposed method, support vector machine and its extension and recursive feature elimination were used as the underlying classification and FS techniques, respectively. Experimental evaluation was performed using four microarray datasets. The results show that especially for extremely small signature sizes, increasing ensemble size increases both classification performance and the robustness of gene selection (stability) for both RCV and bootstrap (BS). However, for ensembles of the same size, RCV outperforms BS in terms of performance and especially stability. When compared to the top results obtained by two other studies in which BS is utilised, RCV performs similar or better in terms of area under the receiver operator curve and better in terms of stability.
Machine‐learning‐based system for multi‐sensor 3D localisation of stationary objects
Authors: Berz Everton L. , Tesch Deivid A. , Hessel Fabiano P.
Published: January 2018

Localisation of objects and people in indoor environments has been widely studied due to security issues and because of the benefits that a localisation system can provide. Indoor positioning systems (IPSs) based on more than one technology can improve localisation performance by leveraging the advantages of distinct technologies. This study proposes a multi‐sensor IPS able to estimate the three‐dimensional (3D) location of stationary objects using off‐the‐shelf equipment. By using radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology, machine‐learning models based on support vector regression (SVR) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) are proposed. A k‐means technique is also applied to improve accuracy. A computer vision (CV) subsystem detects visual markers in the scenario to enhance RFID localisation. To combine the RFID and CV subsystems, a fusion method based on the region of interest is proposed. We have implemented the authors’ system and evaluated it using real experiments. On bi‐dimensional scenarios, localisation error is between 9 and 29 cm in the range of 1 and 2.2 m. In a machine‐learning approach comparison, ANN performed 31% better than SVR approach. Regarding 3D scenarios, localisation errors in dense environments are 80.7 and 73.7 cm for ANN and SVR models, respectively.
Collaborative design of a telerehabilitation system enabling virtual second opinion based on fuzzy logic
Authors: Capecci Marianna , Ciabattoni Lucio , Ferracuti Francesco , Monteriù Andrea , Romeo Luca , Verdini Federica
Published: January 2018

Here, the authors present a low cost telerehabilitation system made up of a commercial red–green–blue depth (RGB‐D) camera and a web‐based platform. The authors goal is to monitor and assess subject movement providing acceptable and usable at‐home remote rehabilitation services without the presence of a clinician. Clinical goals, defined by physiotherapists, are firstly translated into motion analysis features. A Takagi Sugeno fuzzy inference system (FIS) is then proposed to evaluate and combine these features into scores. In this stage, the ‘collaborative design’ paradigm is used in depth and complete manner: the contribution of the clinician is not limited only to the rules definition but enters in the core of the evaluation algorithm through the definition of the fuzzy rules. A case study on low back pain rehabilitation involving 40 subjects, 5 exercises, and 4 physiotherapists is then presented to the effectiveness of the proposed system. Results of the validation of the system aimed at the assessment of the reliability of the proposed approach show high correlations between clinician evaluation and FIS scores. In this scenario, due to the high correlation, each FIS could represent a virtual alter‐ego of the physiotherapist which enable a real time and free second opinion.
The mystery of the “Kite” radio source in Abell 2626: Insights from new Chandra observations
Authors: Ignesti A. , Gitti M. , Brunetti G. , O’Sullivan E. , Sarazin C. , Wong K.
Published: January 2018

Context. We present the results of a new Chandra study of the galaxy cluster Abell 2626. The radio emission of the cluster shows a complex system of four symmetric arcs without known correlations with the thermal X-ray emission. The mirror symmetry of the radio arcs toward the center and the presence of two optical cores in the central galaxy suggested that they may be created by pairs of precessing radio jets powered by dual active galactic nuclei (AGNs) inside the core dominant galaxy. However, previous observations failed to observe the second jetted AGN and the spectral trend due to radiative age along the radio arcs, thus challenging this interpretation.

Aim. The new Chandra observation had several scientific objectives, including the search for the second AGN that would support the jet precession model. We focus here on the detailed study of the local properties of the thermal and non-thermal emission in the proximity of the radio arcs, in order to obtain further insights into their origin.

Methods. We performed a standard data reduction of the Chandra dataset deriving the radial profiles of temperature, density, pressure and cooling time of the intra-cluster medium. We further analyzed the two-dimensional (2D) distribution of the gas temperature, discovering that the south-western junction of the radio arcs surrounds the cool core of the cluster.

Results. We studied the X-ray surface brightness and spectral profiles across the junction, finding a cold front spatially coincident with the radio arcs. This may suggest a connection between the sloshing of the thermal gas and the nature of the radio filaments, raising new scenarios for their origin. A tantalizing possibility is that the radio arcs trace the projection of a complex surface connecting the sites where electrons are most efficiently reaccelerated by the turbulence that is generated by the gas sloshing. In this case, diffuse emission embedded by the arcs and with extremely steep spectrum should be most visible at very low radio frequencies.
Observing and modeling the poloidal and toroidal fields of the solar dynamo
Authors: Cameron R. H. , Duvall T. L. , Schüssler M. , Schunker H.
Published: January 2018

Context. The solar dynamo consists of a process that converts poloidal magnetic field to toroidal magnetic field followed by a process that creates new poloidal field from the toroidal field.

Aims. Our aim is to observe the poloidal and toroidal fields relevant to the global solar dynamo and to see if their evolution is captured by a Babcock-Leighton dynamo.

Methods. We used synoptic maps of the surface radial field from the KPNSO/VT and SOLIS observatories, to construct the poloidal field as a function of time and latitude; we also used full disk images from Wilcox Solar Observatory and SOHO/MDI to infer the longitudinally averaged surface azimuthal field. We show that the latter is consistent with an estimate of the longitudinally averaged surface azimuthal field due to flux emergence and therefore is closely related to the subsurface toroidal field.

Results. We present maps of the poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields of the global solar dynamo. The longitude-averaged azimuthal field observed at the surface results from flux emergence. At high latitudes this component follows the radial component of the polar fields with a short time lag of between 1−3 years. The lag increases at lower latitudes. The observed evolution of the poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields is described by the (updated) Babcock-Leighton dynamo model.
Ionised gas structure of 100 kpc in an over-dense region of the galaxy group COSMOS-Gr30 at z ~ 0.7
Authors: Epinat B. , Contini T. , Finley H. , Boogaard L. A. , Guérou A. , Brinchmann J. , Carton D. , Michel-Dansac L. , Bacon R. , Cantalupo S. , Carollo M. , Hamer S. , Kollatschny W. , Krajnović D. , Marino R. A. , Richard J. , Soucail G. , Weilbacher P. M. , Wisotzki L.
Published: January 2018

We report the discovery of a 104 kpc2 gaseous structure detected in [O ii]λλ3727, 3729 in an over-dense region of the COSMOS-Gr30 galaxy group at z ~ 0.725 with deep MUSE Guaranteed Time Observations. We estimate the total amount of diffuse ionised gas to be of the order of (~5 ± 3) × 1010 M⊙ and explore its physical properties to understand its origin and the source(s) of the ionisation. The MUSE data allow the identification of a dozen group members that are embedded in this structure through emission and absorption lines. We extracted spectra from small apertures defined for both the diffuse ionised gas and the galaxies. We investigated the kinematics and ionisation properties of the various galaxies and extended gas regions through line diagnostics (R23, O32, and [O iii]/Hβ) that are available within the MUSE wavelength range. We compared these diagnostics to photo-ionisation models and shock models. The structure is divided into two kinematically distinct sub-structures. The most extended sub-structure of ionised gas is likely rotating around a massive galaxy and displays filamentary patterns that link some galaxies. The second sub-structure links another massive galaxy that hosts an active galactic nucleus (AGN) to a low-mass galaxy, but it also extends orthogonally to the AGN host disc over ~ 35 kpc. This extent is likely ionised by the AGN itself. The location of small diffuse regions in the R23 vs. O32 diagram is compatible with photo-ionisation. However, the location of three of these regions in this diagram (low O32, high R23) can also be explained by shocks, which is supported by their high velocity dispersions. One edge-on galaxy shares the same properties and may be a source of shocks. Regardless of the hypothesis, the extended gas seems to be non-primordial. We favour a scenario where the gas has been extracted from galaxies by tidal forces and AGN triggered by interactions between at least the two sub-structures.
Analysis of efficiency of phosphates sorption by different granulation of selected reactive material
Authors: Kasprzyk Magda , Węgler Jarosław , Gajewska Magdalena
Published: January 2018

In the light of the need to find an effective way to remove phosphorus from wastewater, studies on the suitability of sorption materials in this process should be conducted. The aim of the study was to examine the potential benefits of using selected adsorbents to reduce orthophosphates from the model solution under steady conditions. The study was conducted on a laboratory scale using synthetic wastewater with concentration of P-PO4 in the range of 5-100 mg/dm3. Experiment has shown that fine-grained material M1 (0-2 mm) is highly effective at removal of phosphorus compounds at the level of 97.8% at the highest concentration of P-PO4. The sorption capacity achieved during the investigation was 9.6 mg/g, while the maximum sorption capacity from the Langmuir model could reach up to 256 mg/g. Material M2 (2-8 mm) did not show satisfactory sorption capacity (maximum calculated sorption capacity: 0.36 mg/g) and the effectiveness of phosphate reduction did not exceeded 6% at the lowest concentration of P-PO4.
Integration of thermal digital 3D model and a MASW (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave) as a means of improving monitoring of spoil tip stability
Authors: Lewińska Paulina , Matuła Rafał , Dyczko Artur
Published: January 2018

Spoil tips are anthropogenic terrain structures built of leftover (coal) mining materials. They consist mostly of slate and sandstone or mudstone but also include coal and highly explosive coal dust. Coal soil tip fires cause an irreversible degradation to the environment. Government organizations notice the potential problem of spoil tip hazard and are looking for ways of fast monitoring of their temperature and inside structure. In order to test new monitoring methods an experimental was performed in the area of spoil tip of Lubelski Węgiel „Bogdanka” S.A. A survey consisted of creating a 3D discreet thermal model. This was done in order to look for potential fire areas. MASW (Multichannel analysis of surface wave) was done in order to find potential voids within the body of a tip. Existing data was digitalized and a 3D model of object’s outside and inside was produced. This article provides results of this survey and informs about advantages of such an approach.
The analysis of the accuracy of spatial models using photogrammetric software: Agisoft Photoscan and Pix4D
Authors: Barbasiewicz Adrianna , Widerski Tadeusz , Daliga Karol
Published: January 2018

This article was created as a result of research conducted within the master thesis. The purpose of the measurements was to analyze the accuracy of the positioning of points by computer programs. Selected software was a specialized computer software dedicated to photogrammetric work. For comparative purposes it was decided to use tools with similar functionality. As the basic parameters that affect the results selected the resolution of the photos on which the key points were searched. In order to determine the location of the determined points, it was decided to follow the photogrammetric resection rule. In order to automate the measurement, the measurement session planning was omitted. The coordinates of the points collected by the tachymetric measure were used as a reference system. The resulting deviations and linear displacements oscillate in millimeters. The visual aspects of the cloud points have also been briefly analyzed.
A shift in the paradigm of energy cooperation between Russia and Northeast Asia countries facing new global and regional challenges: from predominant sale of energy resources to innovation and technology cooperation
Authors: Saneev Boris , Sokolov Alexander , Lagerev Anatoly , Popov Sergei , Ivanova Irina , Izbuldin Alexander , Korneyev Anatoly , Muzychuk Svetlana , Sokolov Dmitry
Published: January 2018

The paper is concerned with the specific features of Russia’s economic development in a new economic environment that caused the need to revise the priorities of energy policy. The research presents the initial conditions, targets and strategic directions of energy development in the East of the country. The focus is made on the priority lines of innovation and technology cooperation between Russia and Northeast Asian countries in the field of energy, and recommendations on necessary conditions and initiatives for their successful implementation are given.
Can a spontaneous collapse in flavour oscillations be tested at KLOE?
Authors: Simonov Kyrylo , Hiesmayr Beatrix C.
Published: January 2018

Why do we never see a table in a superposition of here and there? This problem gets a solution by so called collapse models assuming the collapse as a genuinely physical process. Here we consider two specific collapse models and apply them to systems at high energies, i.e. flavour oscillating neutral meson systems. We find on one hand a potentially new interpretation of the decay rates introduced by hand in the standard formalism and on the other hand that these systems at high energies constrain by experimental data the possible collapse scenarios.
Status and prospects for the PADME experiment at LNF
Authors: Gianotti Paola
Published: January 2018

The PADME collaboration aims to search for signals of a light dark photon A′ using the beam of the LNF LINAC. The experiment, approved by INFN at the end of 2015, foresees to detect A′, produced in the annihilation of positrons on a thin fixed target, by searching for missing mass signals. The detector construction is ongoing and should be completed within the end of 2017 in order to allow the collection of about 1013 positrons on target which are necessary to get a 10−3 sensitivity on the mixing parameter ε up to a dark photon mass of 23.7 MeV/c2.
Recent Results on Meson Decays from A2
Authors: Adlarson Patrik
Published: January 2018

Light meson decays are used to investigate topics related to fundamental aspects of particle physics. Precision measurements of meson Dalitz decays give input to theoretical evaluations of the Hadronic Light-by-Light contribution (HLbL) to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. The pseudoscalar η' decays allow for studies of topics like ππ scattering lengths, effective field theories and fundamental symmetries. The A2 collaboration, using the Crystal Ball/TAPS setup at MAMI, has recently published several high precision results on transition form factors which are related to HLbL. The value obtained for the slope parameter of the π0 electromagnetic (e/m) transition form factor (TFF) is απ = 0.030 ± 0.010tot. The slope parameters for the e/m TFFs of ηγ and ωπ0 are [see formula in PDF] and [see formula in PDF], respectively. In 2014 the collaboration had a dedicated experimental campaign for the production of η' mesons. One of the main goals was to measure the dynamics of η' → ηπ0π0 with high precision. An overview of the physics cases, the experimental setup and the results are given.
Low-energy antikaon-nuclei interactions studies by AMADEUS: from QCD with strangeness to neutron stars
Authors: Piscicchia K. , Curceanu C. , Cargnelli M. , Del Grande R. , Fabbietti L. , Marton J. , Scordo A. , Sirghi D. , Tucakovic I. , Vazquez Doce O. , Wycech S. , Zmeskal J. , Mandaglio G. , Martini M. , Moskal P.
Published: January 2018

The AMADEUS collaboration aims to provide unique quality results from K− hadronic interactions in light nuclear targets, in order to solve fundamental open questions in the non-perturbative strangeness QCD sector, like the controversial nature of the Λ(1405) state, the yield of hyperon formation below threshold, the yield and shape of multi-nucleon K− absorption, processes which are intimately connected to the possible existence of exotic antikaon multi-nucleon clusters and to the role of strangeness in neutron stars. AMADEUS takes advantage of the DAΦNE collider, which provides a unique source of monochromatic low-momentum kaons and exploits the KLOE detector as an active target, in order to obtain excellent acceptance and resolution data for K− nuclear capture on H, 4He, 9Be and 12C, both at-rest and in-flight.
Evaluation of a Cocooning Program on Infant Pertussis Infection in the Northern Territory
Authors: Webby Rosalind , Markey Peter , Krause Vicki , Overton Kristen
Published: January 2018

Since 2008, the Northern Territory (NT) Guidelines recommended delivering dTpa vaccine to postnatal women and all other household and close infant contacts. We aim to determine whether this pertussis cocooning strategy reduced infections in young infants in the NT. Infants < 12 months of age notified with pertussis and born at times when the cocooning strategy was in place (2009–2014) were compared with infants born preintervention (2002–2007). The proportion of cases of pertussis occurring in infants < 12 months of age was significantly higher in the preintervention period (6.7%) compared with the cocooning period (3.3%, p = 0.0067).
The Prevalence of Cosmetic Facial Plastic Procedures among Facial Plastic Surgeons
Authors: Sand Jordan , Han Albert , Nabili Vishad , Keller Gregory , Moayer Roxana
Published: January 2018

This is the first study to report on the prevalence of cosmetic facial plastic surgery use among facial plastic surgeons. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency with which facial plastic surgeons have cosmetic procedures themselves. A secondary aim is to determine whether trends in usage of cosmetic facial procedures among facial plastic surgeons are similar to that of nonsurgeons. The study design was an anonymous, five-question, Internet survey distributed via email set in a single academic institution. Board-certified members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) were included in this study. Self-reported history of cosmetic facial plastic surgery or minimally invasive procedures were recorded. The survey also queried participants for demographic data. A total of 216 members of the AAFPRS responded to the questionnaire. Ninety percent of respondents were male (n = 192) and 10.3% were female (n = 22). Thirty-three percent of respondents were aged 31 to 40 years (n = 70), 25% were aged 41 to 50 years (n = 53), 21.4% were aged 51 to 60 years (n = 46), and 20.5% were older than 60 years (n = 44). Thirty-six percent of respondents had a surgical cosmetic facial procedure and 75% has at least one minimally invasive cosmetic facial procedure. Facial plastic surgeons are frequent users of cosmetic facial plastic surgery. This finding may be due to access, knowledge base, values, or attitudes. By better understanding surgeon attitudes toward facial plastic surgery, we can improve communication with patients and delivery of care. This study is a first step in understanding use of facial plastic procedures among facial plastic surgeons.
Pediatric Gram-Negative Bacteremia: Hidden Agenda
Authors: Bukhari Elham , Alrabiaah Abdulkarim
Published: January 2018

Background Recently, new types of community-onset bacteremia have been introduced as healthcare associated (HCA) in which the infection onset started outside the hospital and there were interactions with the healthcare system. Little data exist differentiating community-acquired (CA) and HCA bacteremia from hospital-acquired bacteremia (HA).

Objectives This article determines differences in the epidemiological characteristics and bacteriology of community-onset (i.e., CA and HCA) and HA gram-negative bacteremia in Saudi pediatric patients.

Methods We conducted a prospective cohort of all pediatric patients diagnosed with gram-negative bacteremia at the King Khalid University Hospital over a year (2015). We received daily electronic notifications of all blood culture positive cases for gram-negative bacilli.

Results A total of 92 children were hospitalized with gram-negative bacteremia; among these 64 (71.1%) were with HA bacteremia, 20 (21.1%) with CA bacteremia, and 8 (7.8%) with HCA bacteremia. Urinary tract infection was common clinical presentation (50%) in the patients diagnosed with CA and HCA bacteremia. Up to 92% of HA bacteremia and 2% of CA bacteremia were presented with septic shock. The most common gram-negative bacteria causing bacteremia is Klebsiella pneumoniae, constituting almost 29.3% of all organisms, and was only isolated from HA bacteremia. The antimicrobial susceptibility among the 92 isolates showed that the organisms were nonextended spectrum β-lactamase (non-ESBL) in 90%, and 10% of the isolates were ESBL. There was a significant difference in the total frequency of isolates between CA and HA incidences, regardless of ESBL or non-ESBL (p < 0.001).

Conclusion The most common type of gram-negative bacteremia is HA bacteremia followed by the CA and HCA bacteremia.
Ueda-Therapie – Spastik lösen auf Japanisch
Authors: Braun Jennifer
Published: January 2018

Die Ueda-Therapie ist eine Hands-on-Technik, um einen pathologischen Hypertonus zu reduzieren. Sie ermöglicht auch schwerstbetroffenen Menschen ein verbessertes Bewegungsrepertoire.
Physiotherapeuten als wichtige Berater – Mangelware Gesundheitskompetenz
Authors: Weishaar Heide , Berens Eva-Maria , Vogt Dominique , Gille Svea , Horn Annett , Schmidt-Kaehler Sebastian , Schaeffer Doris
Published: January 2018

Gesundheitsinformationen zu finden, zu verstehen, zu bewerten und zu nutzen – das fällt mehr als jedem zweiten Deutschen schwer. Kein Wunder, wenn daher Patienten Übungen nicht umsetzen. Es fehlt an Gesundheitskompetenz. Wissenschaftler suchen nach Ursachen und Lösungen – Physiotherapeuten spielen dabei eine wesentliche Rolle.
Nur das Ende einer Spirale
Authors: Friesacher Heiner
Published: January 2018

Machtmissbrauch und Gewalt in der Intensivpflege Gewalt in Pflegebeziehungen ist ein schwieriges und lange Zeit tabuisiertes Thema.
Die Berichte in den Medien über Patiententötungen, jetzt gerade aktuell die Mordserie auf den Intensivstationen in Oldenburg und
Delmenhorst, schockieren uns und lösen Entsetzen aus. Gewalt gegen Schutzbefohlene steht so im Gegensatz zu unserer Vorstellung von guter
Pflege, dass wir fast reflexhaft von bedauerlichen Einzelfällen sprechen. Dabei zeigt aber eine nähere Beschäftigung mit dem Thema, dass es
erstens weder nur Einzelfälle sind und zweitens die Tötungen von Patienten nur das Ende einer Gewaltspirale darstellen, die viel subtiler
bei sprachlichen Entgleisungen und Vernachlässigungen beginnt.
The body politics of the urban age: reflections on surveillance and affect
Authors: Svenonius Ola
Published: January 2018

The article theorizes surveillance and affect in the context of urban security policy. Surveillance, as commonly understood, provides the means to “know” a person or a population, and to a certain extent to control or manage her/him/it. Hence, surveillance and knowledge are intimately tied together. New modes of surveillance are, therefore, also contingent upon new ways of knowing. This article discusses surveillance and affect in urban politics and let these concepts communicate with empirical research on urban security. The starting point is empirical research in three European cities on changes in local level security policy between 2000 and 2010. In all three cases, significant changes in the governance networks’ approaches about security were observed. These changes coincided with new developments in the use of surveillance technologies to increase feelings of security. In this process “performative” surveillance became a central aspect of urban security policy, with particular focus on affects related to fear of crime, old age, and gender. The article theorizes the relationship between security, surveillance, and affect. The argument put forward is that new security policies were instances of the production of a discourse in which the pre-cognitive, instinctual affects were increasingly targeted. The article shows how proponents of the new type of security governance articulate policy goals focusing on fear, threat, and surveillance. It contributes to a small body of literature on urban security and emotions by showing how cultural differences play out when similar policy goals that target citizens on the level of pre-cognitive affects are implemented.
Exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for advanced magnetic hyperthermia
Authors: Robles J. , Das R. , Glassell M. , Phan M. H. , Srikanth H.
Published: January 2018

We report a systematic study of the effects of core and shell size on the magnetic properties and heating efficiency of exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of spherical Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements showed high saturation magnetization for the nanoparticles at room temperature. Increasing core diameter (6.4±0.7, 7.8±0.1, 9.6±1.2 nm) and/or shell thickness (∼1, 2, 4 nm) increased the coercive field (HC), while an optimal value of saturation magnetization (MS) was achieved for the Fe3O4 (7.8±0.1nm)/CoFe2O4 (2.1±0.1nm) nanoparticles. Magnetic hyperthermia measurements indicated a large increase in specific absorption rate (SAR) for 8.2±1.1 nm Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles of same size. The SAR of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles increased from 199 to 461 W/g for 800 Oe as the thickness of the CoFe2O4 shell was increased from 0.9±0.5 to 2.1±0.1 nm. The SAR enhancement is attributed to a combination of the large MS and the large HC. Therefore, these Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles can be a good candidate for advanced hyperthermia application.
A polygonal double-layer coil design for high-efficiency wireless power transfer
Authors: Mao Shitong , Wang Hao , Mao Zhi-Hong , Sun Mingui
Published: January 2018

In this work, we present a novel coil structure for the design of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) systems via magnetic resonant coupling. The new coil consists of two layers of flat polygonal windings in square, pentagonal and hexagonal shapes. The double-layer coil can be conveniently fabricated using the print circuit broad (PCB) technology. In our design, we include an angle between the two layers which can be adjusted to change the area of inter-layer overlap. This unique structure is thoroughly investigated with respect to the quality factor Q and the power transfer efficiency (PTE) using the finite element method (FEM). An equivalent circuit is derived and used to explain the properties of the angularly shifted double-layer coil theoretically. Comparative experiments are conducted from which the performance of the new coil is evaluated quantitatively. Our results have shown that an increased shift angle improves the Q-factor, and the optimal PTE is achieved when the angle reaches the maximum. When compared to the pentagonal and hexagonal coils, the square coil achieves the highest PTE due to its lowest parasitic capacitive effects. In summary, our new coil design improves the performance of WPT systems and allows a formal design procedure for optimization in a given application.
Coercivity enhancement of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets by chemical bath deposition
Authors: Zhang Qiushuang , Guo Shuai , Yang Xiao , Zeng Jiling , Cao Xuejing , Chen Renjie , Yan Aru
Published: January 2018

The chemical bath deposition (CBD) method is used to diffuse the heavy rare earth element in order to obtain the high coercivity magnets with low heavy rare earth element. The jet mill powders are soaked in the alcohol suspension of Dy(CH3CHOHCH3)3 (Dy-ipa) so that Nd2Fe14B powder particles are surrounded by Dy-ipa homogeneously. By adding 1.0 wt. % Dy, the coercivity of magnet is increased from 14.47 kOe to 17.55 kOe with slight reduction of remanence after grain boundary diffusion (GBD) in the sintering and annealing processes. The temperature coefficient of coercivity optimizes from -0.629 %/°C to -0.605 %/°C as well as that of remanence improves from -0.108 %/°C to -0.100 %/°C. The CBD method is helpful for thermal stability and alignment either. The relation between the microstructure and the coercivity has been studied systematically.
Characteristic features of the magnetoresistance in the ferrimagnetic (Sr2FeMoO6-δ) – dielectric (SrMoO4) nanocomposite
Authors: Demyanov S. , Kalanda N. , Yarmolich M. , Petrov A. , Lee S.-H. , Yu S.-C. , Oh S. K. , Kim D.-H.
Published: January 2018

Magnetic metal-oxide compounds with high values of magnetoresistance (MR) have attracted huge interest for spintronic applications, among which Sr2FeMoO6-δ (SFMO) has been relatively less known compared to the cobaltites and manganites, despite 100% electrons spin-polarization degree and a high Curie temperature. Here, stable fabrication and systematic analysis of nanocomposites based on SFMO with SrMoO4 dielectric sheaths are presented. SFMO-SrMoO4 nanocomposites were fabricated as follows: synthesis of the SFMO single-phase nanopowders by the modified citrate-gel technique; compaction under high pressure; thermal treatment for sheaths formation around grains. The nanocomposite is observed to exhibit a transitional behavior of conductivity from metallic, which is characteristic for the SFMO to semiconductor one in the temperature range 4 – 300K under magnetic fields up to 10T. A negative MR is observed due to the spin-polarized charge carriers tunneling through dielectric sheaths. MR value reaches 43% under 8T at 10κ. The dielectric sheaths thickness was determined to be about 10 nm by electric breakdown voltage value at current-voltage characteristics curves. The breakdown is found to be a reversible process determined by collisional ionization of dielectric atoms in strong electric field depending on knocked-out electrons from the SrMoO4. It was found that MR changes sign in electric breakdown region, revealing the giant magnetoresistive properties.