bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rigged configuration descriptions of the crystals B(∞) and B(λ) for special linear Lie algebras
Authors: Hong Jin , Lee Hyeonmi
Published: October 2017

The rigged configuration realization RC(∞) of the crystal B(∞) was originally presented as a certain connected component within a larger crystal. In this work, we make the realization more concrete by identifying the elements of RC(∞) explicitly for the An-type case. Two separate descriptions of RC(∞) are obtained. These lead naturally to isomorphisms RC(∞)≅T(∞) and RC(∞)≅T¯(∞), i.e., those with the marginally large tableau and marginally large reverse tableau realizations of B(∞), that may be computed explicitly. We also present two descriptions of the irreducible highest weight crystal B(λ) in terms of rigged configurations. These are obtained by combining our two descriptions of RC(∞), the two mentioned isomorphisms, and two existing realizations of B(λ) that were based on T(∞) and T¯(∞).
Static negative capacitance of a ferroelectric nano-domain nucleus
Authors: Sluka Tomas , Mokry Pavel , Setter Nava
Published: October 2017

Miniaturization of conventional field effect transistors (FETs) approaches the fundamental limits beyond which opening and closing the transistor channel require higher gate voltage swing and cause higher power dissipation and heating. This problem could be eliminated by placing a ferroelectric layer between the FET gate electrode and the channel, which effectively amplifies the gate voltage. The original idea of using a bulk ferroelectric negative capacitor suffers however from irreversible multi-domain ferroelectric switching, which does not allow us to stabilize static negative capacitance, while a recent reversible solution with super-lattices may be difficult to integrate onto FET. Here, we introduce a solution which provides static negative capacitance from a nano-domain nucleus. Phase-field simulations confirm the robustness of this concept, the conveniently achievable small effective negative capacitance and the potentially high compatibility of such a negative nano-capacitor with FET technology.
Assessing the degradation of compliant electrodes for soft actuators
Authors: Rosset Samuel , de Saint-Aubin Christine , Poulin Alexandre , Shea Herbert R.
Published: October 2017

We present an automated system to measure the degradation of compliant electrodes used in dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) over millions of cycles. Electrodes for DEAs generally experience biaxial linear strains of more than 10%. The decrease in electrode conductivity induced by this repeated fast mechanical deformation impacts the bandwidth of the actuator and its strain homogeneity. Changes in the electrode mechanical properties lead to reduced actuation strain. Rather than using an external actuator to periodically deform the electrodes, our measurement method consists of measuring the properties of an electrode in an expanding circle DEA. A programmable high voltage power supply drives the actuator with a square signal up to 1 kHz, periodically actuating the DEA, and thus stretching the electrodes. The DEA strain is monitored with a universal serial bus camera, while the resistance of the ground electrode is measured with a multimeter. The system can be used for any type of electrode. We validated the test setup by characterising a carbon black/silicone composite that we commonly use as compliant electrode. Although the composite is well-suited for tens of millions of cycles of actuation below 5%, we observe important degradation for higher deformations. When activated at a 20% radial strain, the electrodes suffer from important damage after a few thousand cycles, and an inhomogeneous actuation is observed, with the strain localised in a sub-region of the actuator only.
Use of a novel infrared wavelength-tunable laser Mueller-matrix polarimetric scatterometer to measure nanostructured optical materials
Authors: Vap Jason C. , Nauyoks Stephen E. , Benson Michael R. , Marciniak Michael A.
Published: October 2017

Nanostructured optical materials, for example, metamaterials, have unique spectral, directional, and polarimetric properties. Samples designed and fabricated for infrared (IR) wavelengths have been characterized using broadband instruments to measure specular polarimetric transmittance or reflectance as in ellipsometry or integrated hemisphere transmittance or reflectance. We have developed a wavelength-tunable IR Mueller-matrix (Mm) polarimetric scatterometer which uses tunable external-cavity quantum-cascade lasers (EC-QCLs) to tune onto and off of the narrowband spectral resonances of nanostructured optical materials and performed full polarimeteric and directional evaluation to more fully characterize their behavior. Using a series of EC-QCLs, the instrument is tunable over 4.37-6.54 μm wavelengths in the mid-wave IR and 7.41-9.71 μm in the long-wave IR and makes measurements both at specular angles, acting as a Mm polarimeter, and at off-specular angles, acting as a Mm scatterometer. Example measurements of an IR thermal metamaterial are shown.
Effect of far-field stresses and residual stresses incorporation in predicting fracture toughness of carbon nanotube reinforced yttria stabilized zirconia
Authors: Mahato Neelima , Nisar Ambreen , Mohapatra Pratyasha , Rawat Siddharth , Ariharan S. , Balani Kantesh
Published: October 2017

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a potential thermal insulating ceramic for high temperature applications (>1000 °C). YSZ reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was processed via spark plasma sintering to produce dense, crack-free homogeneous sample and avoid any degradation of MWNTs when sintered using conventional routes. Despite porosity, the addition of MWNT has a profound effect in improving the damage tolerance of YSZ by allowing the retention of tetragonal phase. However, at some instances, the crack lengths in the MWNT reinforced YSZ matrices have been found to be longer than the standalone counterparts. Therefore, it becomes inappropriate to apply Anstis equation to calculate fracture toughness values. In this regard, a combined analytical cum numerical method is used to estimate the theoretical fracture toughness and quantitatively analyze the mechanics of matrix cracking in the reinforced composite matrices incorporating the effects of various factors (such as far-field stresses, volume fraction of MWNTs, change in the modulus and Poisson's ratio values along with the increase in porosity, and bridging and phase transformation mechanism) affecting the fracture toughness of YSZ-MWNT composites. The results suggest that the incorporation of far-field stresses cannot be ignored in estimating the theoretical fracture toughness of YSZ-MWNT composites.
Transition of backward stimulated Raman scattering from absolute to convective instability via density modulation
Authors: Wang Y. X. , Feng Q. S. , Zhang H. C. , Wang Q. , Zheng C. Y. , Liu Z. J. , He X. T.
Published: October 2017

The effect of a static sinusoidal density modulation on the temporal growth rate of backward stimulated Raman scattering (BSRS) is discussed by kinetic theory and Vlasov simulation. One-dimensional Vlasov simulations show that the temporal growth rate will decrease with the increasing density modulation amplitude ε, which is consistent with the kinetic theory. Moreover, the transition from an absolute instability to a convective instability via the density modulation is also observed from the variation of the temporal growth rate of BSRS. The temporal growth rate in the case of density modulation wave-number ks=0.1kl (kl is wave-number of Langmuir wave) decreases faster with increasing ε than that in the case of ks=0.5kl because of the generation of more modes, which will make Landau damping of Langmuir waves stronger. In addition to the generation of other modes, the decrease of the resonant region where BSRS occurs with the increasing density modulation amplitude ε is also a reason for the reduction of the temporal growth rate.
A 7.2 keV spherical x-ray crystal backlighter for two-frame, two-color backlighting at Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility
Authors: Schollmeier M. S. , Knapp P. F. , Ampleford D. J. , Harding E. C. , Jennings C. A. , Lamppa D. C. , Loisel G. P. , Martin M. R. , Robertson G. K. , Shores J. E. , Smith I. C. , Speas C. S. , Weis M. R. , Porter J. L. , McBride R. D.
Published: October 2017

Many experiments on Sandia National Laboratories’ Z Pulsed Power Facility—a 30 MA, 100 ns rise-time, pulsed-power driver—use a monochromatic quartz crystal backlighter system at 1.865 keV (Si Heα) or 6.151 keV (Mn Heα) x-ray energy to radiograph an imploding liner (cylindrical tube) or wire array z-pinch. The x-ray source is generated by the Z-Beamlet laser, which provides two 527-nm, 1 kJ, 1-ns laser pulses. Radiographs of imploding, thick-walled beryllium liners at convergence ratios CR above 15 [CR=ri(0)/ri(t)] using the 6.151-keV backlighter system were too opaque to identify the inner radius ri of the liner with high confidence, demonstrating the need for a higher-energy x-ray radiography system. Here, we present a 7.242 keV backlighter system using a Ge(335) spherical crystal with the Co Heα resonance line. This system operates at a similar Bragg angle as the existing 1.865 keV and 6.151 keV backlighters, enhancing our capabilities for two-color, two-frame radiography without modifying the system integration at Z. The first data taken at Z include 6.2-keV and 7.2-keV two-color radiographs as well as radiographs of low-convergence (CR about 4-5), high-areal-density liner implosions.
Investigation of fast light-induced degradation of crystal silicon solar cells under the irradiation of a high-intensity monochromatic LED light source
Authors: Xi Xi , Shao Jianbo , Li Chao , Liu Guilin , Li Guohua , Zhu Yiqing , Wang Xiao , Qian Weiying , Chen Rulong
Published: October 2017

With the development of high-efficiency solar cells, the issue of industrial Si photovoltaic (PV) cells' light-induced degradation (LID) became even more serious. In this paper, a method for quick LID treatments was developed. A high-intensity monochromatic light source was used to realize a quick LID treatment, and 940-nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were selected to build a high-intensity LID treatment platform. The photon flux density output from this light source can reach 1.32 × 1023 m−2 s−1. From the simulation and calculation, the photons of 1.27× 1023 m−2 s−1 can be utilized by a 200-μm-thick typical Cz Si passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) under the illumination of this light source, whereas only 2.44 × 1021 m−2 s−1 photons can be used under the airmass 1.5 global (AM1.5G) conditions. Only 6 min of irradiation was needed under this monochromatic LED light source to reach the same amount of photons utilized by the cells under the AM1.5G illumination for 5 h. In the actual situation, the temperature in the LED LID chamber was ∼10 °C higher than that in the Xe-lamp condition. This slightly higher temperature induced the shortening of irradiation time further (only ∼5 min).
Emulating rough flux patterns in type-II superconducting cylinders using the elliptic critical-state model
Authors: Romero-Salazar C. , Hernández-Flores O. A. , Chumak O. , Pérez-Rodríguez F. , Chabanenko V.
Published: October 2017

We emulate rough magnetic flux fronts and induction contours in a long hard type-II superconducting cylinder, using the elliptic critical-state model. Specifically, using a current density with spatial periodicity we perform numerical calculations to obtain magnetic induction distributions of the sample in screened and trapped flux regimes. We found that tuning the parameters of our model, it is possible to achieve different roughening levels at the flux front as well as at the flux profiles behind it, complex current circulation paths, the formation of Meissner state islands or cavities, and the so-called remagnetization fronts.
BroadBand spoof surface plasmon polaritons coupler based on dispersion engineering of metamaterials
Authors: Meng Yueyu , Ma Hua , Wang Jiafu , Li Yongfeng , Li Zhiqiang , Qu Shaobo
Published: October 2017

The dispersion curves of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) are typically asymptotically nonlinear, with only one single intersection point with the dispersion curves of couplers. This means that wave-vector matching can be achieved only at a single frequency, leading to a narrow bandwidth of SSPP couplers. In this letter, we propose to achieve broadband SSPP couplers through dispersion engineering of metamaterials. To this end, we investigated the dispersion properties of a metallic patch array (MPA) that supports the propagation of TE-mode SSPPs at microwave frequencies. After this, we designed a planar metamaterial lens that can provide additional tangential wave-vectors to free space waves. By dispersion engineering, the dispersion curve of the coupled waves overlaps with that of SSPPs on the MPA in a broadband, resulting in high-efficiency broadband coupling of SSPPs. As an example, we demonstrated a broadband SSPP coupler with more than a bandwidth of 1 GHz in the X band. The method can be readily extended to millimeter-wave, terahertz, and other higher frequencies.
A study of accurate exchange-correlation functionals through adiabatic connection
Authors: Singh Rabeet , Harbola Manoj K.
Published: October 2017

A systematic way of improving exchange-correlation energy functionals of density functional theory has been to make them satisfy more and more exact relations. Starting from the initial generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals, this has culminated into the recently proposed SCAN (strongly constrained and appropriately normed) functional that satisfies several known constraints and is appropriately normed. The ultimate test for the functionals developed is the accuracy of energy calculated by employing them. In this paper, we test these exchange-correlation functionals—the GGA hybrid functionals B3LYP and PBE0 and the meta-GGA functional SCAN—from a different perspective. We study how accurately these functionals reproduce the exchange-correlation energy when electron-electron interaction is scaled as αVee with α varying between 0 and 1. Our study reveals interesting comparison between these functionals and the associated difference Tc between the interacting and the non-interacting kinetic energy for the same density.
Granular drainage from a quasi-2D rectangular silo through two orifices symmetrically and asymmetrically placed at the bottom
Authors: Maiti Ritwik , Das Gargi , Das Prasanta Kumar
Published: October 2017

Material flow in a rectangular quasi-two-dimensional silo discharging simultaneously through two orifices has been investigated. A number of variations of the proximity of the sidewall of the silo with an individual orifice and the distance between the two orifices have been tried. It has been observed that beyond a certain distance between the two orifices, a neutral axis parallel to the axes of the orifices can be identified. The neutral axis divides the flow field in the silo between two non-interfering zones each of which is created due to the flow through a single orifice. Flow field created by a single orifice on the other hand depends on its proximity to the sidewall. Based on the above observation, an extension of the kinematic model for material discharge through a single orifice has been extended for predicting the velocity field during simultaneous discharge through two orifices. Based on the distance between two orifices, the limitation of this model has also been predicted.
An intrinsic representation of atomic structure: From clusters to periodic systems
Authors: Li Xiao-Tian , Xu Shao-Gang , Yang Xiao-Bao , Zhao Yu-Jun
Published: October 2017

We have improved our distance matrix and eigen-subspace projection function (EPF) [X.-T. Li et al., J. Chem. Phys. 146, 154108 (2017)] to describe the atomic structure for periodic systems. Depicting the local structure of an atom, the EPF turns out to be invariant with respect to the choices of the unit cell and coordinate frame, leading to an intrinsic representation of the crystal with a set of EPFs of the nontrivial atoms. The difference of EPFs reveals the difference of atoms in local structure, while the accumulated difference between two sets of EPFs can be taken as the distance between configurations. Exemplified with the cases of carbon allotropes and boron sheets, our EPF approach shows exceptional rationality and efficiency to distinguish the atomic structures, which is crucial in structure recognition, comparison, and analysis.
Ionic transport and dielectric properties in NaNbO3 under high pressure
Authors: Wang Qinglin , Sang Dandan , Jiao Hui , Liu Cailong , Wang Wenjun , Han Yonghao , Ma Yanzhang , Gao Chunxiao
Published: October 2017

The ionic transport and dielectric behaviors in NaNbO3 were studied under pressures up to 29.1 GPa by in situ impedance spectroscopy measurements. The transport process consists of the ionic transfer and the Warburg diffusion process between sample/electrode diffusion layers. A dielectric relaxation with a giant dielectric constant at low frequencies is observed, which is attributed to the “Maxwell-Wagner” interfacial polarization. In the Pbcm phase, the increase in the interaction between the Na+ ions and the NbO6 octahedra results in the enhancement of vibration resonance damping. In the high-pressure phases, the decrease in the relative permittivity with pressure indicates the existence of space charge polarization of the interface layer besides the ionic polarization.
Liquid jet formation through the interactions of a laser-induced bubble and a gas bubble
Authors: Han Bing , Liu Liu , Zhao Xiong-Tao , Ni Xiao-Wu
Published: October 2017

The mechanisms of the liquid jet formation from the interaction of the laser-induced and gas bubble pair are investigated and compared with the jet formation from the interaction of the laser-induced anti-phase bubble pair. The strobe photography experimental method and numerical simulations are implemented to obtain the parameter space of the optimum liquid jet, i.e. highest speed and lowest diameter. It is found that due to the enhanced “catapult effect”, which is induced by the protrusion of the first bubble into the second bubble and the flip back of the elongated part of the first bubble, the optimum liquid jet of the second bubble of the laser-induced anti-phase bubble pair compared to that of the laser-induced and gas bubble pair is 54 %, 65 % and 11 % faster in speed, and 4 %, 44 % and 64 % smaller in diameter, for the 500 μm, 50 μm and 5 μm sized bubbles, respectively. The optimum dimensionless distance for the optimum jet of the laser-induced and the gas bubble is around 0.7, when the maximum bubble radius increases from ∼ 5μm to ∼500 μm, which is different from the laser-induced anti-phase bubble pairs. Besides, the optimum jet of the laser-induced bubble appeared when the bubbles are equal sized, while that of the gas bubble is independent of the relative bubble size, i.e. the liquid jet of the gas bubble has higher robustness in real liquid jet assisted applications when the laser-induced bubble size varies. However, the jet of bubble 2 could maintain a high speed (20 m/s - 35 m/s) and a low diameter (∼5 % of the maximum bubble diameter) over a big range of the dimensionless distance (0.6 - 0.9) for both of the 50 μm and 500 μm sized laser-induced equal sized anti-phase bubble pairs.
Probing the interface strain in a 3D-2D van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Sun Xin , Shi Jian , Washington Morris A. , Lu Toh-Ming
Published: October 2017

The interaction at a van der Waals (vdW) epitaxial interface is perceived to be too weak to induce substantial elastic strain in films due to the weak nature of dipole-dipole interactions. Recent research on discovering giant strain in vdW heterostructures in 2D-2D configurations has reformed such an understanding. In this letter, the study on strain was extended to the regime of 3D-2D vdW heterostructures. Using temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy, the strain behaviors were revealed, through the change of phonon frequency, at a vdW epitaxial interface of CdS-mica. Although the interface was free of interactions for relatively thick CdS films, it was found that at least 0.4% strain can be borne at the interface when the film was only 6 nm thick and the strain was estimated to be 1.2% if a two-monolayer can be grown. The finding suggests that non-trivial strain could be enabled in 3D-2D vdW heterostructures if the thickness can be well-controlled, providing an avenue for strain engineering. This work also indicated a different changing tendency in the linewidth of phonon scattering as a function of temperature, which may be related to defects and serve as a reference for studying the linewidth of ultrathin films.
Tailoring chain length and cross-link density in dielectric elastomer toward enhanced actuation strain
Authors: Zhang Quan-Ping , Liu Jun-Hua , Liu Hai-Dong , Jia Fei , Zhou Yuan-Lin , Zheng Jian
Published: October 2017

Adding ceramic or conductive fillers into polymers for increasing permittivity is a direct and effective approach to enhance the actuation strain of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Unfortunately, the major dielectric loss caused by weak interfaces potentially harms the electro-mechanical stability and lifetime of DEAs. Here, we construct a desired macromolecular network with a long chain length and low cross-link density to reduce the elastic modulus of silicone elastomers. Selecting a high molecular weight of polymethylvinylsiloxane and a low dose of the cross-linker leads the soft but tough networks with rich entanglements, poor cross-links, and a low amount of defects. Then, a ductile material with low elastic modulus but high elongation at break is obtained. It accounts for much more excellent actuation strain of Hl in comparison to that of the other silicone elastomers. Importantly, without other fillers, the ultralow dielectric loss, conductivity, and firm networks possibly promote the electro-mechanical stability and lifetime for the DEA application.
Communication: General variational approach to nuclear-quadrupole coupling in rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules
Authors: Yachmenev Andrey , Küpper Jochen
Published: October 2017

A general algorithm for computing the quadrupole-hyperfine effects in the rovibrational spectra of polyatomic molecules is presented for the case of ammonia (NH3). The method extends the general variational approach TROVE [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 245, 126–140 (2007)] by adding the extra term in the Hamiltonian that describes the nuclear quadrupole coupling, with no inherent limitation on the number of quadrupolar nuclei in a molecule. We applied the new approach to compute the nitrogen-nuclear-quadrupole hyperfine structure in the rovibrational spectrum of NH314. These results agree very well with recent experimental spectroscopic data for the pure rotational transitions in the ground vibrational and ν2 states and the rovibrational transitions in the ν1, ν3, 2ν4, and ν1 + ν3 bands. The computed hyperfine-resolved rovibrational spectrum of ammonia will be beneficial for the assignment of experimental rovibrational spectra, further detection of ammonia in interstellar space, and studies of the proton-to-electron mass variation.
A transition-state based rotational sudden (TSRS) approximation for polyatomic reactive scattering
Authors: Zhao Bin , Manthe Uwe
Published: October 2017

A transition-state based rotational sudden (TSRS) approximation for the calculation of differential and integral cross sections is introduced. The TSRS approach only requires data obtained from reactive scattering calculations for the vanishing total angular momentum (J = 0). It is derived within the quantum transition state framework and can be viewed as a generalization and improvement of existing J-shifting schemes. The TSRS approach assumes a sudden decay of the activated complex and separability of the overall rotation and motion in the internal coordinates. Depending on the choice of the body fixed frame, different variants of the TSRS can be derived. The TSRS approach is applied to the calculation of integral cross sections of various isotopomers of the H2O+H→H2+OH reaction, the reverse reaction H2+OH→H2O+H, and the H2O+Cl→HCl+OH reaction. Comparison with accurate close-coupling calculations and established approximate schemes shows that a scattering frame based TSRS approximation yields more accurate results than the centrifugal sudden approximation and standard J-shifting for the H2O+H→H2+OH reaction and all isotopomers studied. For the H2+OH→H2O+H and the H2O+Cl→HCl+OH reactions, the TSRS results as well as the results of the other approximate schemes agree well with the exact ones. The findings are rationalized by an analysis of the different contributions to the moment of inertia matrix at the transition state geometry.
Life cycle greenhouse gas evaluation of organic rankine cycle using refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste
Authors: Sununta Netchanakan , Sedpho Surat , Gheewala Shabbir H. , Sampattagul Sate
Published: October 2017

In Thailand, the rise in population and economic growth have caused waste generation to increase rapidly, leading to increases in greenhouse gases (GHGs) being released to the atmosphere from waste landfills. Application of waste-to-energy technology to produce electricity can reduce waste accumulation in landfills in addition to lessening the GHG emissions. This study aimed to evaluate life cycle GHG emissions from application of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) as waste-to-energy technology using refuse-derived fuel (RDF), which is produced from municipal solid waste, according to the life cycle assessment approach. The functional unit is defined as 1 kWh. The results indicate that the GHG emissions of 1 kWh of power generated from a RDF hybrid with an ORC power generation system are mostly contributed from RDF combustion in the operation stage, which accounts for 77% of the total. The RDF hybrid ORC shows fewer GHG emissions than the existing combustion-based power generation in Thailand, except for natural gas with the combined-cycle technology. The RDF hybrid ORC power generation can reduce 51.47% of GHG emissions when compared with an open dump, and 34.31% when compared with a landfill. The RDF hybrid ORC was also demonstrated as an environmentally friendly system that can be considered as a source of power generation in power planning in the future.
Crystallization of calcium oxalate dihydrate in a buffered calcium-containing glucose solution by irradiation with non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: Kurake Naoyuki , Tanaka Hiromasa , Ishikawa Kenji , Nakamura Kae , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Mizuno Masaaki , Ikehara Yuzuru , Hori Masaru
Published: October 2017

Oxalate was synthesized in the glucose solution by irradiation with non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP), in which the NEAPP plume contacted the solution surface, via the generation of several intermediate organic products such as gluconic acid. A thermodynamically unstable phase of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystallized rapidly during incubation of a NEAPP-irradiated glucose solution that contained calcium ions and was buffered at neutral pH. Longer irradiation times increased the growth rate and the number of seed crystals.
Measurement of magnetic field fluctuations and diamagnetic currents within a laser ablation plasma interacting with an axial magnetic field
Authors: Ikeda S. , Horioka K. , Okamura M.
Published: October 2017

The guiding of laser ablation plasmas with axial magnetic fields has been used for many applications, since its effectiveness has been proven empirically [L. Gray et al., J. Appl. Phys. 53(10), 6628 (1982); J. Wolowski, Laser Part. Beams 20(01), 113 (2002); M. Okamura et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 02A510 (2010); Y. Tsui et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 70(15), 1953 (1997); C. Pagano and J. Lunney, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 43(30), 305202 (2010)]. For more sophisticated and complicated manipulations of the plasma flow, the behavior of the magnetic field during the interaction and the induced diamagnetic current in the plasma plume needs to be clearly understood. To achieve the first milestone for establishing magnetic plasma manipulation, we measured the spatial and temporal fluctuations of the magnetic field caused by the diamagnetic current. We showed that the small fluctuations of the magnetic field can be detected by using a simple magnetic probe. We observed that the field penetrates to the core of the plasma plume. The diamagnetic current estimated from the magnetic field had temporal and spatial distributions which were confirmed to be correlated with the transformation of the plasma plume. Our results show that the measurement by the magnetic probe is an effective method to observe the temporal and spatial distributions of the magnetic field and diamagnetic current. The systematic measurement of the magnetic field variations is a valuable method to establish the magnetic field manipulation of the laser ablation plasma.
The impact of propagation and processing delays on amplitude and oscillation deaths in the presence of symmetry-breaking coupling
Authors: Zou Wei , Zhan Meng , Kurths Jürgen
Published: October 2017

We numerically investigate the impacts of both propagation and processing delays on the emergences of amplitude death (AD) and oscillation death (OD) in one system of two Stuart-Landau oscillators with symmetry-breaking coupling. In either the absence of or the presence of propagation delay, the processing delay destabilizes both AD and OD by revoking the stability of the stable homogenous and inhomogenous steady states. In the AD to OD transition, the processing delay destabilizes first OD from large values of coupling strength until its stable regime completely disappears and then AD from both the upper and lower bounds of the stable coupling interval. Our numerical study sheds new insight lights on the understanding of nontrivial effects of time delays on dynamic activity of coupled nonlinear systems.
Defining the electric field threshold optimizing prostate cancer treatment with irreversible electroporation
Authors: Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele
Published: October 2017

International group of researchers determine the irreversible electroporation electric field threshold needed to safely remove human prostate cancer tissue.
An Injectable Oxidized Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Polyacryloyl Hydrazide Hydrogel via Schiff Base Reaction
Authors: Sheng Xueying , Li Xian , Li Mengting , Zhang Renyi , Deng Shuang , Yang Wangkai , Chang Guanjun , Ye Xu
Published: October 2017

A series of injectable hydrogels was prepared by cross-linking oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (oxi-CMC) with polyacryloyl hydrazide (PAH) via a Schiff base reaction under physiological conditions. The hydrogels exhibited superior performance such as appropriate rheology properties, high swelling ratio, and low degradation rate. In phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37°C, the swelling ratio of the hydrogels ranged from 19 to 28 after 7 h, the degradation percentage of the oxi-CMC6/PAH3 hydrogel was ~47 % after 20 days. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein drug, the results of in vitro drug release studies demonstrated that the sustained release of BSA could be cooperatively controlled through drug diffusion and hydrogel degradation in PBS (pH 7.4) at 37°C, and the cumulative release percentage of BSA from a drug-loaded oxi-CMC6/PAH3 hydrogel was ~88 % after 8 days. The results signified that oxi-CMC6/PAH3 hydrogel could be potentially applied in the fields of drug delivery vehicles, tissue engineering, and cell encapsulation materials.
Reproduction and embryo viability of a range-limited tropical freshwater fish exposed to fluctuating hypoxia
Authors: Flint Nicole , Pearson Richard G. , Crossland Michael R.
Published: October 2017

Hypoxia can profoundly affect fish reproduction and larval development, but its effects on fish from tropical Australia are not well understood. In the present study, the effects of diel fluctuating hypoxia on reproduction and embryo viability were investigated for a range-limited tropical freshwater fish, namely the Utchee Creek rainbowfish (Melanotaenia utcheensis). The lethal level for adult rainbowfish after gradual oxygen depletion was ~7% dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation. After 28 days, the reproductive success of adult fish exposed to fluctuating hypoxia treatments was measured by fecundity, gonad health, egg incubation time, egg and larval mortality, viability and size of hatching larvae. Reproduction was impaired in the lowest sublethal treatment (minimum 10% DO saturation each day). No ill effects of parental exposure to diel fluctuating hypoxia on embryos were identified, and minor differences in temperature between aquaria had a greater effect on embryos than parental hypoxia treatments. Similarly, no effects of embryonic exposure to diel fluctuating hypoxia were identified. Utchee Creek rainbowfish appear to be more hypoxia tolerant than temperate species, in keeping with their habitat in warm lowland streams, but they are still susceptible to the increasing frequency and intensity of hypoxia possible with increasing temperature and reduced flow as a result of climate change.
Thermosensitivity of growth is determined by chaperone-mediated proteome reallocation
Authors: Chen Ke , Gao Ye , Mih Nathan , O’Brien Edward J. , Yang Laurence , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: October 2017

Significance

How do bacteria adapt to the diverse thermal niches on earth? Evidence accumulates in the protein sequence and structural determinants of thermosensitivity and mechanisms by which molecular chaperones aid protein folding. However, a comprehensive understanding of how thermoadaptation is achieved at the systems level is still missing. Here we reconstruct an integrated genome-scale protein-folding network for
Escherichia coli
, termed FoldME, that couples both contributing factors to the metabolic state of a cell. FoldME simulations reproduce the asymmetrical bacterial temperature response and delineate the multiscale strategies cells use to resist unfolding stresses induced by high temperature and destabilizing mutations in a single gene. The results highlight how global proteome allocation regulates thermoadaptation through balance between chaperones for folding and translational machinery for biosynthesis.
Mutator genomes decay, despite sustained fitness gains, in a long-term experiment with bacteria
Authors: Couce Alejandro , Caudwell Larissa Viraphong , Feinauer Christoph , Hindré Thomas , Feugeas Jean-Paul , Weigt Martin , Lenski Richard E. , Schneider Dominique , Tenaillon Olivier
Published: October 2017

Significance

Bacterial genomes are extremely diverse in size and composition. Biologists have long sought to explain such variability based on present-day selective and mutational forces. However, mutation rates can change dramatically over time, and experiments with hypermutable bacteria show that their genomes rapidly decay when propagated under the near absence of selection. Whether selection can prevent this decay is unclear. Here, we document the rapid genome decay of hypermutable bacteria even during tens of thousands of generations of sustained adaptation to a laboratory environment. These findings suggest the need to reexamine current ideas about the evolution of bacterial genomes, and they have implications for other hypermutable systems such as viruses and cancer cells.
Unique amalgamation of primary and secondary structural elements transform peptaibols into potent bioactive cell-penetrating peptides
Authors: Du Lin , Risinger April L. , Mitchell Carter A. , You Jianlan , Stamps Blake W. , Pan Ning , King Jarrod B. , Bopassa Jean C. , Judge Susan I. V. , Yang Zhibo , Stevenson Bradley S. , Cichewicz Robert H.
Published: October 2017

Significance

Using a combined approach relying on mass spectrometric analysis and molecular phylogeny, a fungus was identified that produced the gichigamins, which are peptaibols that contain a remarkable combination of structural features. The gichigamins possess a repeating α-residue/α-residue/β-residue motif creating a 311-P-helix secondary structure. These structural elements confer upon the gichigamins the unique ability among peptaibols to enter into cells whereupon they disrupt mitochondrial function. Semisynthetic modifications further enhanced gichigamin mitochondrial depolarization and cytotoxicity, while removing virtually all plasma-membrane pore-forming capabilities. These discoveries open vistas for engineering peptaibols into potent cytotoxins and intracellular delivery tools that are devoid of ion leakage effects.
Pathogenesis of hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD is driven by intra- and extrahepatic mechanisms
Authors: Ferrandino Giuseppe , Kaspari Rachel R. , Spadaro Olga , Reyna-Neyra Andrea , Perry Rachel J. , Cardone Rebecca , Kibbey Richard G. , Shulman Gerald I. , Dixit Vishwa Deep , Carrasco Nancy
Published: October 2017

Significance

Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD has yet to be characterized. Here we found that hypothyroidism induces NAFLD through a pleiotropic effect of thyroid hormones (THs) on insulin secretion and adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis in adipose tissue. A mild reduction in serum TH levels impairs insulin secretion, leading to impaired suppression of lipolysis and increased shuttling of fatty acids to the liver, where they induce NAFLD. Surprisingly, a severe reduction in serum TH levels protects against the development of NAFLD through a constitutive suppression of lipolysis. These results shed light on mechanisms that either induce or protect against NAFLD in hypothyroidism.
Topological phenomena in classical optical networks
Authors: Shi T. , Kimble H. J. , Cirac J. I.
Published: October 2017

Significance

We introduce a unique scheme to investigate topological behavior, using optical-passive elements and Kerr nonlinearities. Compared with previous proposals, the topological band gaps are dramatically broadened, leading to very robust edge modes. Our setup displays intriguing phenomena in the nonlinear regime, including instabilities and the production of squeezed light in the edge modes. This proposal promises unique avenues for engineering phases of light with topological character.
How truth wins in opinion dynamics along issue sequences
Authors: Friedkin Noah E. , Bullo Francesco
Published: October 2017

Significance

Investigations of the conditions of truth wins in social groups present mixed findings and have not included a network science modeling of the opinion dynamics that alter individuals’ positions. This paper presents evidence that an attention to such dynamics substantially clarifies how truth wins. The findings of our experiments on groups of human subjects suggest that the mixed findings on truth wins in social groups can be integrated as special-case realizations of a general model of opinion dynamics on influence networks.
SMELL-S and SMELL-R: Olfactory tests not influenced by odor-specific insensitivity or prior olfactory experience
Authors: Hsieh Julien W. , Keller Andreas , Wong Michele , Jiang Rong-San , Vosshall Leslie B.
Published: October 2017

Significance

Currently available smell testing methods can be confounded by the lack of prior experience or insensitivity to the odorants used in the test. This introduces a source of bias into clinical tests aimed at detecting patients with olfactory dysfunction. We have developed smell tests that use mixtures of 30 molecules that average out the variability in sensitivity to individual molecules. Because these mixtures have an unfamiliar smell and the tests are nonsemantic, their use eliminates differences in test performance due to familiarity with the smells or the words used to describe them. SMELL-S and SMELL-R facilitate smell testing in different populations, without the need to adapt test stimuli to account for differences in familiarity with the test odors.
Broad role for YBX1 in defining the small noncoding RNA composition of exosomes
Authors: Shurtleff Matthew J. , Yao Jun , Qin Yidan , Nottingham Ryan M. , Temoche-Diaz Morayma M. , Schekman Randy , Lambowitz Alan M.
Published: October 2017

Significance

Cells release vesicles containing selectively packaged cargo, including RNA, into the extracellular environment. Prior studies have identified RNA inside extracellular vesicles (EVs), but due to limitations of conventional sequencing methods, highly structured and posttranscriptionally modified RNA species were not effectively captured. Using an alternative sequencing approach (thermostable group II intron reverse transcriptase sequencing, TGIRT-seq), we found that EVs contain abundant small noncoding RNA species, including full-length transfer RNAs and Y RNAs. Using a knockout cell line, we obtained evidence that the RNA-binding protein YBX1 plays a role in sorting small noncoding RNAs into a subpopulation of EVs termed exosomes. These experiments expand our understanding of EV–RNA composition and provide insights into how RNA is sorted into EVs for cellular export.
Human papillomavirus oncoproteins induce a reorganization of epithelial-associated γδ T cells promoting tumor formation
Authors: Van hede Dorien , Polese Barbara , Humblet Chantal , Wilharm Anneke , Renoux Virginie , Dortu Estelle , de Leval Laurence , Delvenne Philippe , Desmet Christophe J. , Bureau Fabrice , Vermijlen David , Jacobs Nathalie
Published: October 2017

Significance

Of all tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, T cells bearing γδ T-cell receptors have been associated with the most favorable prognosis. However, we show here, in a mouse model of carcinogenesis induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins, that γδ T cells promoted the development of HPV-induced lesions. Indeed, HPV-oncoprotein expression induced an infiltration of γδ T cells producing IL-17A, a proangiogenic cytokine, and decreased density of antitumor Vγ5
+
γδ T subsets. Supporting the clinical relevance of our observations, IL-17A
+
γδ T cells were detected in human cervical cancer, where HPV oncoproteins are highly expressed, but not in less advanced cervical lesions. These results support the notion that viral oncoproteins can induce a switch from antitumoral to protumoral γδ T subsets in solid tumors.
Derivationally based homophony in French
Authors: Kerleroux Françoise
Published: October 2017

French reveals many cases of homophony, which raise the question of categorial flexibility. This paper analyses Verb/Noun pairs with identical form and compares them to Verb/Noun pairs with overt derivation. It is argued that French homophony phenomena are based on non-affixal derivational morphology (conversion). The study is conducted within the framework of lexical constructional morphology, with the underlying hypothesis that lexical units or lexemes used in the construction of complex lexemes are characterised by three correlated properties – phonological form, semantic interpretation and category. In this framework, the affixal formants are regarded as exponents of the derivation rules. The analysis concludes by returning to Saussure’s key proposals about the sign and its differential.
Two scoring procedures to evaluate memory and sequencing in auditory, visual and auditory-visual combined modalities
Authors: Pillai Roshni , Yathiraj Asha
Published: October 2017

Aim:

The present study was carried out to evaluate whether there exists a relation between two scoring procedures (score and span) to evaluate memory as well as sequencing within three modality conditions (auditory, visual and auditory-visual).

Methods:

The auditory memory and sequencing abilities of 30 typically developing children aged ≥7 to <9 years were determined using ‘Revised Auditory Memory and Sequencing Test in Indian-English’ (RAMST-IE) developed by Yathirajet al. Visual as well as auditory-visual memory and sequencing were assessed using visual and auditory-visual tests that were analogous to the auditory test. ‘Scores’ and ‘span’ were estimated for all three modality conditions, with the former scoring procedure being longer than the latter.

Results:

It was observed in all three modality conditions that the children performed better on the memory skill when compared to the sequencing skill. Further, after elimination of two outliers, Pearson’s correlation was carried out to check the relation between the two scoring procedures. It was observed that there was a significant moderate correlation between the two scoring measures (score and span) for the visual and auditory-visual modality conditions. This was seen for both memory and sequencing skills. However, for the auditory modality, a significant moderate correlation was observed for the sequencing skill and not for the memory skill.

Conclusion:

The results of the study indicate that the calculation of ‘span’ could be used instead of calculation of ‘scores’, when time is a constrain. This can be done only for the visual and for the auditory-visual modality conditions. However, it is recommended that if subtle memory problems are to be detected, the calculation of ‘scores’ would yield better results.
Radiotherapy for locally advanced resectable T3–T4 laryngeal cancer—does laryngeal preservation strategy compromise survival?
Authors: Yamazaki Hideya , Suzuki Gen , Nakamura Satoaki , Hirano Shigeru , Yoshida Ken , Konishi Koji , Teshima Teruki , Ogawa Kazuhiko
Published: October 2017

With the advancement of chemotherapy, a laryngeal preservation (LP) strategy was explored with the aim of improving maintenance of quality of life. Induction chemotherapy (ICT) following radiotherapy (RT) was considered a viable option because of its high initial response rate without hampering of overall survival (OS). Subsequently, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using CDDP became the standard of care for LP, showing the best LP ratio. For enhancing treatment intensity, ICT with taxan + CDDP + 5-FU (TPF-ICT) followed by RT showed superiority over ICT with CDDP + 5-FU (PF-ICT) followed by RT. Given that almost all randomized controlled trials investigating ICT include not only operable (endpoint, LP) but also inoperable (endpoint, OS) cases, physicians are faced with a dilemma regarding application in daily practice. In addition, increased treatment intensity causes augmentation of adverse events, which might reduce compliance. Thereafter, cetuximab, an effective drug with fewer adverse effects [bioradiotherapy (BRT)], emerged as another option. However, little evidence has confirmed its superiority over RT (or CCRT) in laryngeal cancer subpopulations. In spite of these developments, the OS of patients with laryngeal cancer has not improved for several decades. In fact, several studies indicated a decrease in OS during the 1990s, probably due to overuse of CCRT. Fortunately, the latter was not the case in most institutions. Currently, no other treatment has better OS than surgery. The eligibility criteria for LP and/or surgery largely depend upon the available expertise and experience, which differ from one institution to another. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team is required for the treatment of LP.