bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colossal electromagnon excitation in the non-cycloidal phase of TbMnO3 under pressure
Authors: Aupiais Ian , Mochizuki Masahito , Sakata Hideaki , Grasset Romain , Gallais Yann , Sacuto Alain , Cazayous Maximilien
Published: November 2018

The magnetoelectric coupling, i.e., cross-correlation between electric and magnetic orders, is a very desirable property to combine functionalities of materials for next-generation switchable devices. Multiferroics with spin-driven ferroelectricity presents such a mutual interaction concomitant with magneto-active and electro-active excitations called electromagnons. TbMnO3 is a paradigmatic material in which two electromagnons have been observed in the cycloidal magnetic phase. However, their observation in TbMnO3 is restricted to the cycloidal spin phase and magnetic ground states that can support the electromagnon excitation are still under debate. Here, we show by performing Raman spectroscopy measurements under pressure that the lower-energy electromagnon (4 meV) disappears when the ground state enters from a cycloidal phase to an antiferromagnetic phase (E-type). On the contrary, the magneto-electric activity of the higher-energy electromagnon (8 meV) increases in intensity by one order of magnitude. Using microscopic model calculations, we demonstrate that the lower-energy electromagnon, observed in the cycloidal phase, originates from a higher harmonic of the magnetic cycloid, and we determine that the symmetric exchange-striction mechanism is at the origin of the higher-energy electromagnon which survives even in the E-type phase. The colossal enhancement of the electromagnon activity in TbMnO3 paves the way to use multiferroics more efficiently for generation, conversion and control of spin waves in magnonic devices.
Three-dimensional kinematics of canine hind limbs: in vivo, biplanar, high-frequency fluoroscopic analysis of four breeds during walking and trotting
Authors: Fischer Martin S. , Lehmann Silvia V. , Andrada Emanuel
Published: November 2018

The first high-precision 3Din vivohindlimb kinematic data to be recorded in normal dogs of four different breeds (Beagle, French bulldog, Malinois, Whippet) using biplanar, high-frequency fluoroscopy combined with a 3D optoelectric system followed by a markerless XROMM analysis (Scientific Rotoscoping, SR or 3D-2D registration process) reveal a) 3D hindlimb kinematics to an unprecedented degree of precision and b) substantial limitations to the use of skin marker-based data. We expected hindlimb kinematics to differ in relation to body shape. But, a comparison of the four breeds sets the French bulldog aside from the others in terms of trajectories in the frontal plane (abduction/adduction) and long axis rotation of the femur. French bulldogs translate extensive femoral long axis rotation (>30°) into a strong lateral displacement and rotations about the craniocaudal (roll) and the distal-proximal (yaw) axes of the pelvis in order to compensate for a highly abducted hindlimb position from the beginning of stance. We assume that breeds which exhibit unusual kinematics, especially high femoral abduction, might be susceptible to a higher long-term loading of the cruciate ligaments.
Large-scale in-silico statistical mutagenesis analysis sheds light on the deleteriousness landscape of the human proteome
Authors: Raimondi Daniele , Orlando Gabriele , Tabaro Francesco , Lenaerts Tom , Rooman Marianne , Moreau Yves , Vranken Wim F.
Published: November 2018

Next generation sequencing technologies are providing increasing amounts of sequencing data, paving the way for improvements in clinical genetics and precision medicine. The interpretation of the observed genomic variants in the light of their phenotypic effects is thus emerging as a crucial task to solve in order to advance our understanding of how exomic variants affect proteins and how the proteins’ functional changes affect human health. Since the experimental evaluation of the effects of every observed variant is unfeasible, Bioinformatics methods are being developed to address this challenge in-silico, by predicting the impact of millions of variants, thus providing insight into the deleteriousness landscape of entire proteomes. Here we show the feasibility of this approach by using the recently developed DEOGEN2 variant-effect predictor to perform the largest in-silico mutagenesis scan to date. We computed the deleteriousness score of 170 million variants over 15000 human proteins and we analysed the results, investigating how the predicted deleteriousness landscape of the proteins relates to known functionally and structurally relevant protein regions and biophysical properties. Moreover, we qualitatively validated our results by comparing them with two mutagenesis studies targeting two specific proteins, showing the consistency of DEOGEN2 predictions with respect to experimental data.
Silibinin, A Natural Blend In Polytherapy Formulation For Targeting Cd44v6 Expressing Colon Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Patel Shanaya , Waghela Bhargav , Shah Kanisha , Vaidya Foram , Mirza Sheefa , Patel Saumya , Pathak Chandramani , Rawal Rakesh
Published: November 2018

Colon cancer stem cells have been attributed to poor prognosis, therapeutic resistance and aggressive nature of the malignancy. Recent reports associated CD44v6 expression with relapse, metastasis and reduced 5-year survival of colon cancer patients, thereby making it a potential therapeutic target. Thus, in this study, comprehensive prediction and screening of CD44v6 against 1674 lead compounds was conducted. Silibinin was identified as a potential compound targeting CD44v6. Inorder to substantiate these findings, the cytotoxic effect of 5FU, Silibinin and 5FU+ Silibinin was assessed on human colon carcinoma cell line HCT116 derived CD44+ subpopulation. 5FU+ Silibinin inhibited cell proliferation of CD44+ subpopulation at lower concentration than Silibinin standalone. Further, corresponding to CD44v6 knockdown cells, 5FU+ Silibinin treatment significantly decreased CD44v6, Nanog, CTNNB1 and CDKN2A expression whereas increased E-cadherin expression in HCT116 derived CD44+ cells. Moreover, synergistic effect of these drugs suppressed sphere formation, inhibited cell migration, triggered PARP cleavage and perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby activating intrinsic apoptotic pathways and induced autophagic cell death. Importantly, 5FU+ Silibinin could inhibit PI3K/MAPK dual activation and arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. Thus, our study suggests that inhibition of CD44v6 attenuates stemness of colon cancer stem cells and holds a prospect of potent therapeutic target.
Systematic Analysis of SIN3 Histone Modifying Complex Components During Development
Authors: Barnes Valerie L. , Laity Kelly A. , Pilecki Maksymilian , Pile Lori A.
Published: November 2018

Establishment and maintenance of histone acetylation levels are critical for metazoan development and viability. Disruption of the balance between acetylation and deacetylation by treatment with chemical histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors results in loss of cell proliferation, differentiation and/or apoptosis. Histone deacetylation by the SIN3 complex is essential in Drosophila and mice, as loss of the scaffolding factor SIN3 or the associated HDAC results in lethality. The objective of this study is to elucidate contributions of SIN3 complex components to these essential processes. We used the Drosophila model organism to carry out a systematic functional analysis of the SIN3 complex. We find that SIN3 associated proteins are essential for viability and cell proliferation during development. Additionally, tissue specific reduction of SIN3 complex components results in abnormal wing development. Interestingly, while knockdown of each factor resulted in similar phenotypes, their individual effects on recruitment of SIN3 to polytene chromosomes are distinct. Reduction of some factors leads to large changes in the morphology of the chromosome and/or greatly reduced SIN3 binding. These findings suggest that while individual SIN3 complex components work through distinct molecular mechanisms, they each make a substantial contribution to the overall function of this highly conserved histone deacetylase complex.
Controlled compensation via non-equilibrium electrons in ZnO
Authors: Xie Xiuhua , Li Binghui , Zhang Zhenzhong , Wang Shuangpeng , Shen Dezhen
Published: November 2018

Doping wide-band-gap semiconductor with impurities always accompanied spontaneous compensation of opposite charged intrinsic defects, which lead to invalid control of the type of free carriers. We demonstrate an effectual route to overcoming such detrimental defects formation during doping by suppressing Fermi level shifting using non-equilibrium carriers gathering on the polar epitaxial surfaces. Non-equilibrium carriers are generated by ultraviolet light excited interband transitions (photon energy greater than bandgap). Because the p-type dopants are compensated by non-equilibrium electrons at metal-polar surfaces, donor-type native defects are inhibited. This new doping strategy provides an attractive solution to self-compensation problems in wide–band-gap semiconductors with spontaneous polarization of the future.
Endogenous calcitonin regulates lipid and glucose metabolism in diet-induced obesity mice
Authors: Nakamura Misa , Nomura Sachiko , Yamakawa Tadashi , Kono Ryohei , Maeno Akihiro , Ozaki Takashi , Ito Akitoshi , Uzawa Toyonobu , Utsunomiya Hirotoshi , Kakudo Kennichi
Published: November 2018

Calcitonin (CT) plays an important role in calcium homeostasis, and its precursor, proCT, is positively associated with the body mass index in the general human population. However, the physiological role of endogenous CT in the regulation of metabolism remains unclear. Knockout mice with gene-targeted deletion of exon 4 of Calca (CT KO) were generated by targeted modification in embryonic stem cells. Male mice were used in all experiments and were fed a slightly higher fat diet than the standard diet. The CT KO mice did not exhibit any abnormal findings in appearance, but exhibited weight loss from 15 months old, i.e., significantly decreased liver, adipose tissue, and kidney weights, compared with wild-type control mice. Furthermore, CT KO mice exhibited significantly decreased fat contents in the liver, lipid droplets in adipose tissues, serum glucose, and lipid levels, and significantly increased insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin levels. CT significantly promoted 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and suppressed adiponectin release. These results suggested that CT gene deletion prevents obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in aged male mice. This is the first definitive evidence that CT may contribute to glucose and lipid metabolism in aged male mice, possibly via decreased adiponectin secretion from adipocytes.
Similarity-based future common neighbors model for link prediction in complex networks
Authors: Li Shibao , Huang Junwei , Zhang Zhigang , Liu Jianhang , Huang Tingpei , Chen Haihua
Published: November 2018

Link prediction aims to predict the existence of unknown links via the network information. However, most similarity-based algorithms only utilize the current common neighbor information and cannot get high enough prediction accuracy in evolving networks. So this paper firstly defines the future common neighbors that can turn into the common neighbors in the future. To analyse whether the future common neighbors contribute to the current link prediction, we propose the similarity-based future common neighbors (SFCN) model for link prediction, which accurately locate all the future common neighbors besides the current common neighbors in networks and effectively measure their contributions. We also design and observe three MATLAB simulation experiments. The first experiment, which adjusts two parameter weights in the SFCN model, reveals that the future common neighbors make more contributions than the current common neighbors in complex networks. And two more experiments, which compares the SFCN model with eight algorithms in five networks, demonstrate that the SFCN model has higher accuracy and better performance robustness.
Author Correction: High-altitude wind resources in the Middle East
Authors: Yip Chak Man Andrew , Gunturu Udaya Bhaskar , Stenchikov Georgiy L.
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Transcriptome profiling in the spathe of Anthurium andraeanum ‘Albama’ and its anthocyanin-loss mutant ‘Xueyu’
Authors: Li Zhiying , Wang Jiabin , Fu Yunliu , Gao Yu , Lu Hunzhen , Xu Li
Published: November 2018

Anthurium andraeanum is a popular tropical ornamental plant. Its spathes are brilliantly coloured due to variable anthocyanin contents. To examine the mechanisms that control anthocyanin biosynthesis, we sequenced the spathe transcriptomes of ‘Albama’, a red-spathed cultivar of A. andraeanum, and ‘Xueyu’, its anthocyanin-loss mutant. Both long reads and short reads were sequenced. Long read sequencing produced 805,869 raw reads, resulting in 83,073 high-quality transcripts. Short read sequencing produced 347.79 M reads, and the subsequent assembly resulted in 111,674 unigenes. High-quality transcripts and unigenes were quantified using the short reads, and differential expression analysis was performed between ‘Albama’ and ‘Xueyu’. Obtaining high-quality, full-length transcripts enabled the detection of long transcript structures and transcript variants. These data provide a foundation to elucidate the mechanisms regulating the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in A. andraeanum.
A comparison of analytical methods for measuring concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in biological samples
Authors: Rezayi Majid , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid , Tavakoly Sany Seyedeh Belin , Fani Mona , Avan Amir , Pasdar Zahra , Ferns Gordon A. , Abouzari-Lotf Ebrahim , Amiri Iraj S.
Published: November 2018

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the principal circulating metabolite of vitamin D.
Selective nitrogen doping of graphene oxide by laser irradiation for enhanced hydrogen evolution activity
Authors: Zheng Wenjing , Zhang Yan , Niu Kaiyang , Liu Tao , Bustillo Karen , Ercius Peter , Nordlund Dennis , Wu Junqiao , Zheng Haimei , Du Xiwen
Published: November 2018

Selective nitrogen doping of graphene oxide with a high pyridinic N ratio for enhanced hydrogen evolution activity was achieved by using a laser irradiation method.
Synthesis of chiral chromanols via a RuPHOX–Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of chromones
Authors: Ma Yujie , Li Jing , Ye Jianxun , Liu Delong , Zhang Wanbin
Published: November 2018

Chiral chromanols and their derivatives have been synthesized via a RuPHOX–Ru catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of chromones in high yields, >20 : 1 drs and with up to 99.9% ee. The control experiments showed that the asymmetric hydrogenation of the CC double bond occurs first followed by the reduction of the CO double bond.
Lewis acid catalysis: regioselective hydroboration of alkynes and alkenes promoted by scandium triflate
Authors: Mandal Souvik , Verma Piyush Kumar , Geetharani K.
Published: November 2018

An unprecedented scandium-catalysed hydroboration of alkynes and alkenes has been achieved with HBpin in presence of catalytic amount of NaBHEt3.
Correction: CuAAC click chemistry for the enhanced detection of novel alkyne-based natural product toxins
Authors: Hems Edward S. , Wagstaff Ben A. , Saalbach Gerhard , Field Robert A.
Published: November 2018

Correction for 'CuAAC click chemistry for the enhanced detection of novel alkyne-based natural product toxins' by Edward S. Hems et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 12234–12237.
Conformational and structural stability of the single molecule and hydrogen bonded clusters of para aminobenzoic acid in the gas and solution phases
Authors: Rosbottom Ian , Toroz Dimitrios , Hammond Robert B. , Roberts Kevin J.
Published: November 2018

The structures of α- and β-para aminobenzoic acid are deconstructed into their hydrogen bonding molecular structural building blocks, where they are analysed usingab initioquantum mechanical calculations of their conformation and cluster stability in solution.
One-step in situ synthesis of BiOCl/(BiO)2CO3 composite photocatalysts with exposed high-energy {001} facets
Authors: Chen Yingying , Zhou Yan , Dong Qimei , Ding Hanming
Published: November 2018

BiOCl/(BiO)2CO3 composites with reactive exposed {001} facets have been synthesized by a one-step in situ solvothermal method. The synergistic effect of type-II band alignment and exposed high-energy facets enhances photocatalytic activity.
Co-crystallization and polymorphic behaviour of 5-fluorouracil
Authors: Enkelmann Dennis D. , Handelmann Jens , Schauerte Carsten , Merz Klaus
Published: November 2018

Hydrogen donors and acceptors in 5-fluorouracil allow the formation of co-crystalline compounds with nontoxic co-formers of the GRAS list and an alternative target-oriented synthon approach from methanol or ethanol to form II of 5-fluorouracil is presented.
Fine tuning of magnetization relaxation parameters of the DyO+ single ion magnet in a hydroxy/fluoro-apatite solid solution
Authors: Kazin Pavel E. , Zykin Mikhail A. , Trusov Lev A. , Vasiliev Alexander V. , Kolesnik Irina V. , Schnelle Walter , Felser Claudia , Jansen Martin
Published: November 2018

Variation of the crystal environment of DyO+ regulates the energy barrier for magnetization reversal and the rate of quantum tunneling of magnetization.
Extended Hamiltonian molecular dynamics: semiclassical trajectories with improved maintenance of zero point energy
Authors: Shu Yinan , Dong Sijia S. , Parker Kelsey A. , Bao Junwei L. , Zhang Linyao , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: November 2018

We present a new semiclassical molecular dynamics method designed to improve the treatment of the zero-point energy in quasiclassical trajectories.
The non-covalently bound SO⋯H2O system, including an interpretation of the differences between SO⋯H2O and O2⋯H2O
Authors: Misiewicz Jonathon P. , Noonan Julia A. , Turney Justin M. , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: November 2018

Despite the interest in sulfur monoxide (SO) among astrochemists, spectroscopists, inorganic chemists, and organic chemists, its interaction with water remains largely unexplored.
Immobilization of enzymes on an organic–inorganic hybrid network consisting of Dawson-type polyoxotungstate and a zinc(ii)-biimidazole complex moiety
Authors: Zhu Haotian , Du Jing , Lu Ying , Su Fang , Li Yangguang
Published: November 2018

A new polyoxometalate (POM)-based organic–inorganic hybrid compound {[(Zn(H2biim)2)3(P2W18O62)]·6H2O}n(1) shows excellent enzyme-loading capability for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and can be used as a new catalyst for trace H2O2detection in solution.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel Fe3O4@SiO2–BenzIm-Fc[Cl]/BiOCl nano-composite and its efficient catalytic activity in the ultrasound-assisted synthesis of diverse chromene analogs
Authors: Mohammadi Reza , Esmati Somayeh , Gholamhosseini-Nazari Mahdi , Teimuri-Mofrad Reza
Published: November 2018

A new magnetic nano-catalyst bearing ionic liquid, ferrocene and BiOCl was synthesized and its catalytic activities were evaluated in the synthesis of a wide variety of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromene derivatives (54 compounds) under ultrasound irradiation.
Magnetic ionic liquids based on transition metal complexes with N-alkylimidazole ligands
Authors: Chand Deepak , Farooq Muhammad Qamar , Pathak Arjun K. , Li Jingzhe , Smith Emily A. , Anderson Jared L.
Published: November 2018

Nickel(ii), cobalt(ii) and manganese(ii) N-alkylimidazole bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide magnetic ionic liquids were synthesized from their chloride intermediates and their physicochemical properties studied.
Organocatalytic enantioselective functionalization of indoles in the carbocyclic ring with cyclic imines
Authors: Vila Carlos , Tortosa Arturo , Blay Gonzalo , Muñoz M. Carmen , Pedro José R.
Published: November 2018

An organocatalytic enantioselective functionalization in the carbocyclic ring of indoles with benzoxathiazine 2,2-dioxides is described using a quinine-derived bifunctional organocatalyst.
High‐power‐density high‐efficiency LLC converter with an adjustable‐leakage‐inductance planar transformer for data centers
Authors: He Peiwen , Mallik Ayan , Cooke Gary , Khaligh Alireza
Published: November 2018

LLC converters can achieve high efficiency, high‐ power density, wide gain range, and galvanic isolation. This study presents a high‐power‐density and high‐efficiency LLC converter with an adjustable‐leakage‐inductance planar transformer for the DC–DC conversion in data center power supplies. A planar transformer with adjustable leakage inductance is modelled and developed to provide an accurate design for resonant frequency and voltage gain. A detailed power loss analysis is performed. Furthermore, a thermal model is provided to aid in heat sink design. GaN devices are used in the converter to achieve high‐switching frequency and low‐switching loss. A 450 kHz, 360–400 VDC input, 12 VDC output, 750 W LLC converter prototype with an adjustable‐leakage‐inductance planar transformer is built and tested. The power density of the system is 15.4 W/cm3 including an auxiliary power supply. The peak efficiency of the overall system is over 95%.
Impact of the 3D source geometry on time-delay measurements of lensed type-Ia supernovae
Authors: Bonvin V. , Tihhonova O. , Millon M. , Chan J. H. -H. , Savary E. , Huber S. , Courbin F.
Published: November 2018

It has recently been proposed that gravitationally lensed type-Ia supernovae can provide microlensing-free time-delay measurements provided that the measurement is taken during the achromatic expansion phase of the explosion and that color light curves are used rather than single-band light curves. If verified, this would provide both precise and accurate time-delay measurements, making lensed type-Ia supernovae a new golden standard for time-delay cosmography. However, the 3D geometry of the expanding shell can introduce an additional bias that has not yet been fully explored. In this work, we present and discuss the impact of this effect on time-delay cosmography with lensed supernovae and find that on average it leads to a bias of a few tenths of a day for individual lensed systems. This is negligible in view of the cosmological time delays predicted for typical lensed type-Ia supernovae but not for the specific case of the recently discovered type-Ia supernova iPTF16geu, whose time delays are expected to be smaller than a day.
Rheumatische Fehlstellungen an der HWS unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der C1/C2-Stabilität – Aktuelle Diagnostik und Therapiestrategien
Authors: Kothe Ralph
Published: November 2018

Durch den zunehmenden Einsatz von Biologika hat sich das klinische Erscheinungsbild der rheumatoiden Arthritis (RA) in der täglichen Praxis verändert. Patienten mit einer isolierten atlanto-axialen Instabilität sind seltener geworden. Dafür rücken Patienten mit therapierefraktären Schmerzsyndromen der oberen Halswirbelsäule (HWS) und komplexen rheumatischen Deformitäten mit neurologischen Problemen vermehrt in den klinischen Fokus. Biologika können die Manifestation einer rheumatischen Instabilität an der HWS bei vielen Patienten verhindern, haben aber keinen Einfluss auf den klinischen Verlauf bei bereits bestehender biomechanischer Instabilität oder hartnäckigen Schmerzsyndromen aufgrund von knöchernen Destruktionen. Hier ist die operative Therapie für die meisten Patienten die einzig sinnvolle Behandlungsoption. Für die Fusion des atlanto-axialen Gelenkes stehen verschiedene Techniken mit hoher Fusionsrate und geringer eingriffsbedingter Morbidität zur Verfügung. Dabei sind die Besonderheiten der RA zu berücksichtigen (Knochendestruktion, Erweiterung der Vertebralisfurche, Biologikatherapie). Bei komplexen zervikalen Instabilitäten sind langstreckige Fusionen vom Okziput bis in die obere BWS notwendig. Die verbesserten operativen Techniken ermöglichen auch bei dieser schwierigen Patientengruppe eine sichere und komplikationsarme operative Versorgung.
The Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Southworth Taylor , Naveen Neal , Tauro Tracy , Leong Natalie , Cole Brian
Published: November 2018

With average life expectancy and the rising prevalence of obesity, osteoarthritis (OA) is creating an increasingly large financial and physical burden on the U.S. population today. As the body ages and experiences trauma, articular cartilage surfaces in joints are gradually worn away, leading to OA. Traditionally, treatment options have included lifestyle modifications, pain management, and corticosteroid injections, with joint replacement reserved for those who have exhausted nonsurgical measures. More recently, hyaluronic acid, micronized dehydrated human amniotic/chorionic membrane tissue, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have started to gain traction. PRP has been shown to have both anti-inflammatory effects through growth factors such as transforming growth factor-β and insulin-like growth factor 1, and stimulatory effects on mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts. Multiple studies have indicated that PRP is superior to hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in terms of improving patient-reported pain and functionality scores. Unfortunately, there are many variations in PRP preparation, and lack of standardization in factors, such as speed and duration of centrifugation, leads to wide ranges of platelet and leukocyte concentrations. This review examines the current literature addressing the use of PRP in symptomatic knee OA and addresses suggestions for future studies in this area.
Neurointensivmedizin: aneurysmatische Subarachnoidalblutung – State of the Art
Authors: Müller Daniela , Müller Oliver
Published: November 2018

Die spontane, nicht traumatische Subarachnoidalblutung ist eine lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung, die mit vielfältigen Komplikationen und einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität vergesellschaftet ist. In den ersten 24 Stunden hat die Ausschaltung der Blutungsursache Vorrang. Die Patienten sollen intensivmedizinisch überwacht und behandelt werden. Stringente Diagnostik und konsequente Behandlung verbessern das Outcome der Patienten nachweislich.
Traumatische Verletzungen des zentralen Nervensystems
Authors: Walter Johannes , Zweckberger Klaus
Published: November 2018

Traumatische Verletzungen des zentralen Nervensystems stellen die Folge einer äußeren Gewalteinwirkung auf Gehirn oder Rückenmark dar. Sowohl das Schädel-Hirn-Trauma als auch das spinale Trauma sind dynamische Krankheitsbilder, die besondere Anforderungen an Diagnostik und Therapie stellen und somit in spezialisierten Zentren versorgt werden sollten.
Using a direct current (DC) glow discharge electrode as a non-invasive impedance probe for measuring electron density
Authors: Gillman Eric D. , Tejero Erik , Blackwell David , Amatucci W. E.
Published: November 2018

A small RF signal is applied to the anode of a low pressure (P ≤ 200 mTorr), low temperature (Te ≤ 3 eV) direct current (DC) glow discharge operating at an electron density of ne ∼ 106 cm−3. The discharge is modeled as a collection of capacitive, resistive, and inductive circuit elements that have resonances at particular frequencies, much like an RLC circuit. The location of these resonances in frequency space provides information about the plasma parameters. In this work, an electrode that is used to sustain a DC glow discharge is also used to probe the impedance of the discharge. The benefit of this approach is that it is not necessary to insert a physical probe that could introduce perturbations or contaminate the discharge. Experiments were performed to demonstrate this non-invasive impedance probing method for extracting the plasma discharge density at various neutral gas pressures and discharge voltages and currents from changes to the input impedance of the anode. Comparisons between densities extracted with this method and Langmuir probe measurements showed overall good agreement.
Two dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of metal targets under irradiation of intense proton beams: Effects of target materials
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhao Yong-Tao , Ren Jie-Ru , Wu Dong , Liu Wei , Feng Guan-Song , Ma Wen-Cai , Cheng Rui , Xiao Guo-Qing , Hoffmann Dieter H. H. , Xu Zhong-Feng
Published: November 2018

The hydrodynamic behavior of metal targets when heated by intense proton beams was simulated numerically. The dependence of the achieved warm dense matter state for targets with different materials was investigated by means of a computer code based on two-dimensional fluid models with quantum corrections. Under the irradiation of a proton beam with an energy of 10 MeV, a particle number of 7.9 × 107, and a pulse duration of 10 ps, the numerical simulation results show that the achieved state is significantly influenced by the Winger-Seitz radius rs of materials.
Effects of nitrogen on the interface density of states distribution in 4H-SiC metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors: Super-hyperfine interactions and near interface silicon vacancy energy levels
Authors: Anders Mark A. , Lenahan Patrick M. , Edwards Arthur H. , Schultz Peter A. , Van Ginhoven Renee M.
Published: November 2018

The performance of silicon carbide (SiC)-based metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is greatly enhanced by a post-oxidation anneal in NO. These anneals greatly improve effective channel mobilities and substantially decrease interface trap densities. In this work, we investigate the effect of NO anneals on the interface density of states through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) measurements. EDMR measurements on 4H-silicon carbide (4H-SiC) MOSFETs indicate that NO annealing substantially reduces the density of near interface SiC silicon vacancy centers: it results in a 30-fold reduction in the EDMR amplitude. The anneal also alters post-NO anneal resonance line shapes significantly. EDMR measurements exclusively sensitive to interface traps with near midgap energy levels have line shapes relatively unaffected by NO anneals, whereas the measurements sensitive to defects with energy levels more broadly distributed in the 4H-SiC bandgap are significantly altered by the anneals. Using DFT, we show that the observed change in EDMR linewidth and the correlation with energy levels can be explained by nitrogen atoms introduced by the NO annealing substituting into nearby carbon sites of silicon vacancy defects.
Transient analysis of luminescent coupling effects in multi-junction solar cells
Authors: Tayagaki Takeshi , Reichmuth S. Kasimir , Helmers Henning , Siefer Gerald
Published: November 2018

We investigate the luminescent coupling (LC) effects in a four-junction GaInP/GaAs//GaInAsP/GaInAs concentrator solar cell based on transient open-circuit voltage (Voc) measurements under monochromatic illumination. Photocurrent generation in the non-absorbing GaInAs bottom subcell due to LC from upper subcells shows superlinear behavior with increasing light intensity. Along with this, a Voc enhancement is observed and quantified for illumination intensities that span almost six orders of magnitude. The Voc increase is explained and studied using a series-connected diode model including subcell shunt resistances, capacitances, and LC effects. The impact of unilluminated subcells on the subcell Voc determination is discussed for multi-junction solar cells. Finally, in the analysis of the LC generated photocurrent, namely, the coupling factor from the GaInAsP to the non-absorbing GaInAs subcell, a characteristic dependency on bias voltage is shown and explained by a result of competing photo- and electroluminescence mechanisms.
Nuclear spin blockade of laser ignition of intramolecular rotation in the model boron rotor B13+11
Authors: Grohmann Thomas , Haase Dietrich , Jia Dongming , Manz Jörn , Yang Yonggang
Published: November 2018

The boron rotor B13+11 consists of a tri-atomic inner “wheel” that may rotate in its pseudo-rotating ten-atomic outer “bearing”—this concerted motion is called “contorsion.” B13+11 in its ground state has zero contorsional angular momentum. Starting from this initial state, it is a challenge to ignite contorsion by a laser pulse. We discover, however, that this is impossible, i.e., one cannot design any laser pulse that induces a transition from the ground to excited states with non-zero contorsional angular momentum. The reason is that the ground state is characterized by a specific combination of irreducible representations (IRREPs) of its contorsional and nuclear spin wavefunctions. Laser pulses conserve these IRREPs because hypothetical changes of the IRREPs would require nuclear spin flips that cannot be realized during the interaction with the laser pulse. We show that all excited target states of B13+11 with non-zero contorsional angular momentum have different IRREPs that are inaccessible by laser pulses. Conservation of nuclear spins thus prohibits laser-induced transitions from the non-rotating ground to rotating target states. We discover various additional constraints imposed by conservation of nuclear spins, e.g., laser pulses can change clockwise to counter-clockwise contorsions or vice versa, but they cannot stop them. The results are derived in the frame of a simple model.
Doubling the thermoelectric power factor of earth abundant tin nitride thin films through tuned (311) orientation by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Sabeer N. A. Muhammed , Paulson Anju , Pradyumnan P. P.
Published: November 2018

Thermoelectricity has been considered a promising green energy source for mankind. This method of energy generation poses challenges due to scarcity of the constituent elements of the efficient thermoelectric materials. The development of high performance materials for thermoelectric generation is limited with the co-responsive nature of transport parameters. In this work, earth abundant tin nitride (Sn3N4) thin films were deposited by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering and investigated its thermoelectric response. The electron bands of the prepared thin films were actively aligned to optimize the trade-off between the Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity for the enhancement of power factor (S2σ). The reduction in nitrogen gas pressure of reactive sputtering reduced both working pressure and the amount of reactive nitrogen. This experimental approach of combined effect introduced preferred orientation (PO) and stoichiometric variations simultaneously in the fabricated thin films. The increased scattering associated with preferred orientation and increased carrier concentration associated with stoichiometric variations converged the conduction band along with shifting of Fermi energy toward the conduction band minimum. The engineered band structure of tin nitride thin film realized over 2-fold hike in power factor up to 390 μW/m-K2 at 250 °C with a Seebeck coefficient of −144 μV/K and resistivity of 53.11 μΩ-m. This study reveals the potential nature of the earth abundant nitrides in the field of renewable energy generation. The experimental strategy adopted in this study provides an alternative approach to engineer the band structure of a thin film for optimized transport parameters.
Letter: Magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability in an elastic-medium slab
Authors: Piriz S. A. , Piriz A. R. , Tahir N. A.
Published: November 2018

We have performed the linear analysis for the incompressible magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability of an elastic-medium slab. Whilst for the thickest slabs, the stabilization provided by the magnetic field adds up to the stabilizing effects of the elasticity, a competition phenomenon is found for the thinnest ones which makes them less stable as larger is the magnetic field. In such cases, the magnetic field reduces the slab relative deformation in detriment of the elasticity stabilizing efficiency and the slab becomes more unstable than when a single stabilizing mechanism is present. Implications for the trigger of crust quakes in magnetars are discussed.
Hybrid metamaterials combining pentamode lattices and phononic plates
Authors: Krushynska A. O. , Galich P. , Bosia F. , Pugno N. M. , Rudykh S.
Published: November 2018

We propose a design strategy for hybrid metamaterials with alternating phononic plates and pentamode units that produce complete bandgaps for elastic waves. The wave control relies on the simultaneous activation of two scattering mechanisms in the constituent elements. The approach is illustrated by numerical results for a configuration comprising phononic plates with cross-like cavities. We report complete bandgaps of tunable width due to variations of geometric parameters. We show that the wave attenuation performance of the hybrid metamaterials can be further enhanced through implementation of lightweight multiphase material compositions. These give rise to efficient wave attenuation in challenging low-frequency regions. The proposed design strategy is not limited to the analyzed cases alone and can be applied to various designs of phononic plates with cavities, inclusions or slender elements.
1230 V β-Ga2O3 trench Schottky barrier diodes with an ultra-low leakage current of <1 μA/cm2
Authors: Li Wenshen , Hu Zongyang , Nomoto Kazuki , Zhang Zexuan , Hsu Jui-Yuan , Thieu Quang Tu , Sasaki Kohei , Kuramata Akito , Jena Debdeep , Xing Huili Grace
Published: November 2018

β-Ga2O3 vertical trench Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) are realized, demonstrating superior reverse blocking characteristics than the co-fabricated regular SBDs. Taking advantage of the reduced surface field effect offered by the trench metal-insulator-semiconductor structure, the reverse leakage current in the trench SBDs is significantly suppressed. The devices have a higher breakdown voltage of 1232 V without optimized field management techniques, while having a specific on-resistance (Ron,sp) of 15 mΩ cm2. An ultra-low leakage current density of <1 μA/cm2 is achieved before breakdown, the lowest among all reported Ga2O3 Schottky barrier diodes. Fast electron trapping and slow de-trapping near the Al2O3/Ga2O3 interface are observed by repeated C-V measurements, which show an interface state ledge and positive shifts of flat-band voltages with increasing voltage stress. By comparison between pulsed and DC measurements, the device self-heating effect and the trapping effect are uncoupled. It is found that the trapping effect at the trench sidewall affects the on-resistance of the trench SBDs, even under pulsed conditions. With reduced trapping effect and better field management technique, the trench SBDs could further harvest the promising material properties of β-Ga2O3.
On the phase state of thin silver wire cores during a fast electric explosion
Authors: Romanova V. M. , Ivanenkov G. V. , Mingaleev A. R. , Ter-Oganesyan A. E. , Tilikin I. N. , Shelkovenko T. A. , Pikuz S. A.
Published: November 2018

The results of laser (shadow and interferometric) studies of thin silver wire cores during a nanosecond electric explosion in vacuum are presented. Experiments were performed with a small Micro-4 generator (the charge voltage is 20 kV, and the current rise rate is 100 A/ns). The analysis of the data obtained showed that, despite a considerable energy deposition (a few atomization energies) into matter at the resistive stage of the discharge, a conductor is not completely evaporated. This is related to the features of the metal–dielectric transition which occurs nonuniformly in different load regions. Processes proceeding in the case of a rapid energy deposition to a conductor are qualitatively interpreted. It was shown that in this case the bond energy as the unit of measurement of the deposited energy is more appropriate than the energy of atomisation.
Operating regimes and contact resistance of side-bonded contacts to thin heavily doped semiconductor nanowires
Authors: Shukkoor Anvar Abdul , Karmalkar Shreepad
Published: November 2018

In many nano-wire (NW) devices and during NW characterization, the contact is bonded on the surface or the side of the NW. The prior model of such side-bonded contacts assumes partial NW depletion and purely radial tunneling, both restricted to the contacted region. However, the real space-charge extends to the non-contacted NW, aided by the fringing field, and depletes the contacted NW fully for small NW radius, R. In addition, there are non-radial tunneling and generation-recombination near the contact edge. Supported by numerical calculations, the present work shows that when all the effects are included, different regimes of operation manifest in a side-bonded contact, and the space-charge and contact resistance can differ widely from prior predictions. Our calculations span contacts with barrier height, ϕb0 = 0.4–0.8 V on n-type silicon NWs of R = 7.5–20 nm and doping Nd = 1018–1020 cm−3 and include the effects of dielectric confinement, NW length, surface defects, image force barrier lowering, and heavy doping. We find that a side-bonded contact gets fully depleted at the contact edge for Nd≤αFD[4εsψ0/qR2], where ψ0 = contact potential and αFD = 0.73 (0.88) for air (SiO2) ambient. Furthermore, the behavior of a side-bonded contact approaches that of an end-bonded contact for Nd≤αEB[4εsψ0/qR2], where αEB = 0.16 (0.30), while surface space-charge widths in the two contacts match over a much wider Nd range for SiO2 ambient. We express the radial depletion width in the NW as an explicit function of the contact potential based on an available implicit relation.
A metasurface optical modulator using voltage-controlled population of quantum well states
Authors: Sarma Raktim , Campione Salvatore , Goldflam Michael , Shank Joshua , Noh Jinhyun , Le Loan T. , Lange Michael D. , Ye Peide D. , Wendt Joel , Ruiz Isaac , Howell Stephen W. , Sinclair Michael , Wanke Michael C. , Brener Igal
Published: November 2018

The ability to control the light-matter interaction with an external stimulus is a very active area of research since it creates exciting new opportunities for designing optoelectronic devices. Recently, plasmonic metasurfaces have proven to be suitable candidates for achieving a strong light-matter interaction with various types of optical transitions, including intersubband transitions (ISTs) in semiconductor quantum wells (QWs). For voltage modulation of the light-matter interaction, plasmonic metasurfaces coupled to ISTs offer unique advantages since the parameters determining the strength of the interaction can be independently engineered. In this work, we report a proof-of-concept demonstration of a new approach to voltage-tune the coupling between ISTs in QWs and a plasmonic metasurface. In contrast to previous approaches, the IST strength is here modified via control of the electron populations in QWs located in the near field of the metasurface. By turning on and off the ISTs in the semiconductor QWs, we observe a modulation of the optical response of the IST coupled metasurface due to modulation of the coupled light-matter states. Because of the electrostatic design, our device exhibits an extremely low leakage current of ∼6 pA at a maximum operating bias of +1 V and therefore very low power dissipation. Our approach provides a new direction for designing voltage-tunable metasurface-based optical modulators.
Identifying palliative care needs in residential care
Authors: Liyanage Thilini , Mitchell Geoffrey , Senior Hugh
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy, feasibility and acceptability of the surprise question (SQ) in combination with a clinical prediction tool (Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool (SPICT)) in identifying residents who have palliative care needs in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Australia. A prospective cohort study in two RACFs containing both high-level care (including dementia) and low-level care beds. Directors of Nursing screened 187 residents at risk of dying by 12 months using first the SQ, and if positive, then the SPICT. At 12-months follow-up, deaths, hospitalisations, use of palliative care services, end-of-life care and clinical indicators were recorded. The SQ had a sensitivity of 70%, a specificity of 69.6%, a positive predictive value of 40.6% and a negative predictive value of 88.7% for death. All residents identified by the SQ had at least two general indicators of deterioration, while 98.8% had at least one disease-specific indicator on the SPICT. The SPICT marginally increased the ability to identify residents in need of proactive end-of-life planning. A combination of the SQ and the SPICT is effective in predicting palliative care needs in residents of aged care facilities, and may trigger timely care planning.
Acceleration and delay in bilingual, trilingual and multilingual German-Romance children
Authors: Arnaus Gil Laia , Müller Natascha
Published: November 2018

A production test with 91 bilingual, trilingual and multilingual children (who acquire more than three languages) elicited finite verbs in German. In comparison with monolinguals, the children were accelerated with respect to finite verb placement in main clauses. FollowingBiberauer & Richards (2006), the EPP feature of T can be satisfied in different ways across languages: If a DP is necessary, which is the case for adult German, it can either be raised from Spec,vP to Spec,TP (in which case the finite verb surfaces in non-clause-final position) or it is pied-piped to Spec,TP. In the latter case, the whole vP is placed in the specifier of TP, giving rise to V-final patterns. The bilingual, trilingual and multilingual children prefer Spec-raising to Spec-pied-piping. We argue that the choice of the means for EPP satisfaction in the German of the multilingual children is influenced by the respective Romance language (French/Spanish).
Translanguaging revisited
Authors: Rosiers Kirsten
Published: November 2018

This article takes a translanguaging perspective and is based on linguistic-ethnographic research. It investigates the participants’ interactional engagement with their linguistic repertoire in two multilingual Belgian primary classrooms and the pedagogical potential of these practices. Analyses demonstrate that teachers can transform translanguaging as a pedagogy into practice by permitting pupils to interact, thereby co-constructing knowledge and valorizing their own and others’ translanguaging. The article also shows how translanguaging practices are influenced by changes in evolving constellations and dynamics of a group, by content, and by socio-situational, cognitive and linguistic factors. At the same time, the article highlights challenges for translanguaging research, policy and pedagogy. With respect to further studies in this area, reflection is recommended on the definition of translanguaging and the integration of speakers’ attitudes in research. In terms of policy, the article considers as to how best to reconcile a multilingual reality with a monolingual educational ideology and reflects on the relationship between macro level interventions and micro-interactional practices. For pedagogy, four challenges are highlighted: the degree of acceptance of translanguaging practices in schools, the commitment to developing the school language for academic tasks, the need to pay attention to the unequal treatment of languages, and the implementation of an innovative approach with a focus on teachers and the creation of a powerful learning environment.