bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Disaggregation Methods in Flow Variables of Economic Data: Comparison Study
Authors: Ajao Isaac O. , Ayoola Femi J. , Iyaniwura Joseph O.
Published: February 2017

Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Nigeria using observed annual time-series data for the period 1981-2012 was studied. Five different econometric disaggregation techniques, namely the Denton, Denton-Cholette, Chow-Lin-maxlog, Fernandez, and Litterman-maxlog, are used for quarterisation. We made use of quarterly Export and Import as the indicator variables while disaggregating annual into quarterly data. The time series properties of estimated quarterly series were examined using various methods for measuring the accuracy of prediction such as, Theil's Inequality Coefficient, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Absolute Mean Difference (MAD), and Correlation Coefficients. Results obtained showed that export and import are not good indicators for predicting GDP for Nigeria is concerned for the period covered. Denton method proved to be the worst using Mean Absolute Difference (MAD) and Theil’s Inequality Coefficient. However, RSME% and Pearson’s correlation coefficient gave robust values for Litterman-maxlog, thereby making it the best method of temporal disaggregation of Nigeria GDP.
Medialization thyroplasty in glottis insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paralysis and after laser cordectomies – preliminary report
Authors: Rzepakowska Anna , Osuch-Wójcikiewicz Ewa , Sielska-Badurek Ewelina , Niemczyk Kazimierz
Published: February 2017

Medialization thyroplasty (type I) is surgical procedure performed on the thyroid cartilage. The major indication for this surgery is significant glottis insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold paresis. However the proce¬dure is also performed after vocal fold resections during cordectomy.
The aim: The evaluation of voice results in patients after medialisation throplasty.
Material and methods: In Otolaryngology Department of Medical University of Warsaw there were performed so far 8 thyroplasty procedures under local anaesthesia with implantation of medical silicon protesis. 6 patients had unilat¬eral vocal fold paresis and the rest two underwent in the past laser cordectomy due to T1a vocal carcinoma.
Results: There were no complications during and post the surgery. The follow up examination in 1st , 3rd, 6th i 12th months postoperatively revealed for all patients significant improvement of glottal closure in laryngeal videostrobos¬copy. The voice quality improved both in perceptual evaluation (GRBAS scale) and acoustic analysis (F0, jitter, shim¬mer, NHR) in both patients groups. However the rate of improvement was much more significant in group with uni¬lateral vocal fold paresis. In all patients the maximum phonation time (MPT) increased. The self-evaluation of voice quality with Voice Handicap Index questionnaire confirmed also individual improvement.
Conclusions: The speech rehabilitations is not successful in each patient with glottis insufficiency. The medialisation thyroplasty remains the standard procedure for permanent improvement of voice quality in those cases.
Wzrost częstości występowania brodawczaków odwróconych masywu szczękowo-sitowego – analiza epidemiologiczna
Authors: Zydroń Roland , Greczka Grażyna , Wierzbicka Małgorzata
Published: February 2017

W ostatnich latach zaobserwowano znaczący wzrost częstości występowania brodawczaków odwróconych (IP) w stabilnej populacji. Celem pracy była analiza występowania IP w latach 2002–2012 w odniesieniu do czynników epidemiologicznych oraz rozpoczęcie dyskusji o problemach związanych z ewidencją częstości występowania tych łagodnych guzów, nie ujętych jak dotąd w oficjalnych rejestrach. Badanie objęło grupę 69 chorych leczonych z powodu IP w Klinice Otolaryngologii i Onkologii Laryngologicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu. Od 2006 roku obserwujemy znaczący wzrost chorych zgłaszających się do kliniki z powodu IP. Wyodrębniono dwie podgrupy – pierwsza obejmowała 11 chorych leczonych w latach 2002–2006, do drugiej zaliczono 58 chorych leczonych w latach 2007–2012. Grupy te następnie porównano ze sobą. Pomimo znaczącej różnicy w liczbie chorych w dwóch analizowanych okresach, nie stwierdzono istotnych statystycznie różnic związanych z lokalizacją guza (p>0,05), stopniem zaawansowania (p=0,16), czasem trwania objawów (p=0,39), miejscem zamieszkania, paleniem tytoniu (p=0,41). Wiek chorych był jedyną zmienną, która różniła się w sposób istotny statystycznie (48,45 vs. 56,93 lat; p=0,043569); średnia wieku chorych w drugim analizowanym okresie była wyższa.
Philosophical Theatricality: Castellucci’s staging of Hölderlin’s "Oedipus the Tyrant"
Authors: Hyldig Keld
Published: February 2017

In 2015, the Italian director Romeo Castellucci staged Oedipus the Tyrant at Schaubühne in Berlin. The staging was based on the German poet-philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin’s translation, which is known for its peculiar linguistic, philosophical, and theatrical approaches to Greek tragedy. The article examines how Castellucci in continuation of Hölderlin’s translation and commentaries to the tragedy, staged Oedipus as a theatrical – and philosophical – confrontation between religious and rational approaches to knowledge. The staging was seemingly simple, showing a group of nuns performing Oedipus in a monastery. However, the nuns’ Christian and feminine performance of the pagan and masculine tragedy formed the base of a metatheatrical and philosophical complexity in and between different approaches to knowledge. The philosophical complexity of the staging was reinforced through other metatheatrical elements, as for example a film projection showing Romeo Castellucci getting tear gas sprayed in his eyes, which made the relation between physical reality and fictional representation an issue.
Searching for a Space for Conversation A study on how environment affects the articulation of the art experience among opera audiences at The Royal Danish Theatre
Authors: Lawaetz Anna , Gram Nina , Østerby Christina
Published: February 2017

“Tell me about your experience in the theatre today”. Even though theatres (with this question) may seek honest, personal, and in depth answers from the audience, this question often results in superficial responds focused on what the audience suspect the theatre wants to hear. It can thus be difficult to get personal and detailed knowledge about the audiences’ experience. In a time, where theatres with different means (co-creation, participation etc.) try to keep audience loyal and engaged, this knowledge is important. In our project, we explore how different situations, locations, questions etc. affect conversations about art experiences and in this article we describe our “search for a space for conversation”. We explore how the space affects the conversation, and how the setting can emphasize certain elements. What happens to the conversation if we sit around an ordinary meeting table, if we walk and talk outside the art institution or if we talk inside the auditorium, where we had the original art experience? This explorative study is part of the project “A Suitcase of Methods”, which is housed by The Royal Danish Theatre and financially supported by The Bikuben Foundation.
Dancing with the Dragon: Orality and (body) language(s) in a live performance of Beowulf
Authors: Kaplan Jeff
Published: February 2017

This paper theorizes on the function of language and embodiment in northern European storytelling through a self-reflex analysis of the author’s experience performing Beowulf in its original dialect, as a solo, while dancing. Beowulf is Min Nama involved memorizing approximately 80 minutes of the medieval Beowulf epic in its original West Anglo-Saxon dialect (lines 2200—2766, Beowulf’s encounter with the dragon). Grappling with bardic verse for recitation in experimental live performance uncovered new facets in ancient performance texts.  Working with the Beowulf poem for stage revealed the mnemonic quality of alliteration, the pervasive use of rhythmic patterns to signal shifts in ideas (a strategy similar to West African dance), and perhaps “deep rhythms” present in medieval northern Europe. As impetus for choreography, the verse contains rhythmic information, corresponding to musical/dance concepts such as pick-ups, counterpoint, and syncopation.  Beowulf is Min Nama also required a theory of dialect for Old English, which the author based on modern Swedish, medieval Frisian, and modern Frisian — especially the voices of Frisian poets Tsjêbbe Hettinga and Albertina Soepboer. The project thus provides an entrée into the nexus between ancient and modern storytelling, and concludes that contemporary Frisian poetry represents a direct inheritor to ancient solo performance forms.
Gait changes in a line of mice artificially selected for longer limbs
Authors: Sparrow Leah M. , Pellatt Emily , Yu Sabrina S. , Raichlen David A. , Pontzer Herman , Rolian Campbell
Published: February 2017

In legged terrestrial locomotion, the duration of stance phase, i.e., when limbs are in contact with the substrate, is positively correlated with limb length, and negatively correlated with the metabolic cost of transport. These relationships are well documented at the interspecific level, across a broad range of body sizes and travel speeds. However, such relationships are harder to evaluate within species (i.e., where natural selection operates), largely for practical reasons, including low population variance in limb length, and the presence of confounding factors such as body mass, or training. Here, we compared spatiotemporal kinematics of gait in Longshanks, a long-legged mouse line created through artificial selection, and in random-bred, mass-matched Control mice raised under identical conditions. We used a gait treadmill to test the hypothesis that Longshanks have longer stance phases and stride lengths, and decreased stride frequencies in both fore- and hind limbs, compared with Controls. Our results indicate that gait differs significantly between the two groups. Specifically, and as hypothesized, stance duration and stride length are 8–10% greater in Longshanks, while stride frequency is 8% lower than in Controls. However, there was no difference in the touch-down timing and sequence of the paws between the two lines. Taken together, these data suggest that, for a given speed, Longshanks mice take significantly fewer, longer steps to cover the same distance or running time compared to Controls, with important implications for other measures of variation among individuals in whole-organism performance, such as the metabolic cost of transport.
A Case of Surgical Resection for Superficial Esophageal Cancer With a Single Giant N4 Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Shimakawa Takeshi , Naritaka Yoshihiko , Asaka Shinichi , Miyazawa Miki , Shimazaki Asako , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Yokomizo Hajime , Yoshimatsu Kazuhiko , Shiozawa Shunichi , Katsube Takao
Published: February 2017

Superficial thoracic esophageal cancer with a solitary metastasis to a lymph node outside the usual target area of lymphadenectomy is extremely rare. We report a case of superficial esophageal cancer with a solitary, giant metastasis to the right upper deep cervical lymph node that was treated with surgery. A 57-year-old man presented to our institution with a chief complaint of a mass in the right neck. Fine needle cytology showed squamous cell carcinoma. No lesion was found in the pharyngolaryngeal area or the lungs. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus. Detailed examinations showed no other lymph node enlargement or metastasis to distant organs. The patient was diagnosed with esophageal cancer with a solitary lymph node metastasis (N4; No.102upR). Subtotal esophagectomy and 3-field lymphadenectomy were performed. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. At 3 years postsurgery, no recurrence has been found. We think this case is extremely rare.
The effect of moisture source and synoptic conditions on precipitation isotopes in arid central Asia
Authors: Wang Shengjie , Zhang Mingjun , Crawford Jagoda , Hughes Catherine E. , Du Mingxia , Liu Xuemei
Published: February 2017

The stable isotope composition of precipitation has been widely applied to trace moisture sources. In the westerly dominated areas of central Asia, the isotopic composition of precipitation significantly correlates with surface air temperature, and the temperature effect is widely accepted. However, the significance of isotopes in tracing water vapor source is not clear for this region, and a further investigation using event‐based observations is still needed. Based on a network around the Tianshan Mountains, the westerly regime of precipitation isotopes is investigated. Although the seasonality of precipitation isotopes for the northern and southern basins of the Tianshan Mountains is similar, the more arid climate and leeward landform of the southern basin lead to weak moisture transport and relatively enriched oxygen isotopes. Of the synoptic systems resulting in heavy precipitation, the central Asian vortex more commonly leads to depleted isotopic ratios in precipitation, which is related to the contribution of northerly moisture and/or surface moisture. The specific humidity‐adjusted Lagrangian diagnostic indicates that the heavy precipitation on the southern basin stations usually has relatively local moisture sources in this arid climate and that terrestrial moisture evaporated from Europe and central Asia, rather than marine moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, is more likely to be the direct moisture source. A sensitivity analysis for target height and adjusting threshold of specific humidity is also applied to the improved Lagrangian diagnostic. Overall, the findings were unaffected by different conditions, and the moisture was more likely to be locally sourced, as indicated by higher specific humidity thresholds.
Global‐scale river network extraction based on high‐resolution topography and constrained by lithology, climate, slope, and observed drainage density
Authors: Schneider A. , Jost A. , Coulon C. , Silvestre M. , Théry S. , Ducharne A.
Published: February 2017

To improve the representation of surface and groundwater flows, global land surface models rely heavily on high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs). River pixels are routinely defined as pixels with drainage areas that are greater than a critical drainage area (Acr). This parameter is usually uniform across the globe, and the dependence of drainage density on many environmental factors is often overlooked. Using the 15″ HydroSHEDS DEM as an example, we propose the calibration of a spatially variable Acr as a function of slope, lithology, and climate, to match drainage densities from reference river networks at a 1:50,000 scale in France and Australia. Two variable Acr models with varying complexities were derived from the calibration, with satisfactory performances compared to the reference river networks. Intermittency assessment is also proposed. With these simple tools, river networks with natural heterogeneities at the 1:50,000 scale can be extracted from any DEM.
Variability of diurnal tide in the MLT region over Tirunelveli (8.7°N), India: Consistency between ground‐ and space‐based observations
Authors: Singh Dupinder , Gurubaran S.
Published: February 2017

Atmospheric tides propagating upward into the mesosphere‐lower thermosphere region carry the variability from the lower atmosphere and influence the energy and momentum budgets of this region and above. A comprehensive understanding of these variabilities thus becomes important. In this work, we study the seasonal and interannual variabilities of the diurnal tides, in particular, the migrating DW1 (westward, wave number 1) tide and the nonmigrating DE3 (eastward, wave number 3) tide from two different platforms. Long‐term observations from the MF radar at Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E) constitute one data set. Temperature and wind data from Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry and TIMED Doppler Interferometer observations from the TIMED satellite mission constitute the other. Continuous radar observations yield long data records with high temporal resolution. Space‐based observations, on the other hand, are relatively short but provide spatiotemporal information, the latter being useful in separating migrating and nonmigrating components. In this work, the consistency between the tidal signatures obtained from the ground‐ and space‐based platforms is examined and subtle differences between the two data sets are brought out. One particular feature pertains to a possible solar cycle influence on the diurnal tide, a feature which is more prominently seen in radar observations, though restricted to a certain epoch of the solar cycle. A solar cycle dependence of the zonal mean densities observed in satellite data sets at similar altitudes appears to be a plausible source for the observed solar cycle signature in the diurnal tide, although the role of other agencies in modulating the diurnal tide activity in the solar cycle time periods cannot be ruled out.
Implementation of antenna space and beam diversities in a K band FMCW radar system for the short‐range vehicular detections
Authors: Chou Hsi‐Tseng , Chang Tsang‐Pin
Published: February 2017

This paper presents the design of a frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system for the short‐range vehicle detections at K band. The antenna system employs phased arrays to control the radiation patterns to simplify the signal process complexity, which are implemented separately for the transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX), respectively. In particular, the space and angular beam diversities are implemented for RX channels to enhance the detection accuracy. The system is implemented at 24.125 GHz with a bandwidth of 250 MHz, which is used to realize a linear frequency modulation with a TX power of 1 mW. The detection is determined by considering the peak values of signal responses obtained by performing the fast Fourier transform over the signals received by the two RX channels. In this paper, the system architecture is first overviewed, the antenna designs are afterward presented to show their radiation characteristics, and finally, the system is experimentally examined to demonstrate the feasibility.
Focusing of internal tides by near‐inertial waves
Authors: Cuypers Y. , Bouruet‐Aubertot P. , Vialard J. , McPhaden M. J.
Published: February 2017

The refraction of internal waves by lower‐frequency near‐inertial waves has been predicted theoretically, but never observed before. Here, we report observations of semi‐diurnal internal tides generated by the rough topography of the Central Indian Ridge, in the presence of a strong, lower‐frequency near‐inertial wave field generated by a tropical storm. The semi‐diurnal internal tide energy is trapped within upward propagating bands with a periodicity close to the inertial period. A ray‐tracing model suggests that this trapping results from the internal tide refraction by the shear associated with near‐inertial waves. This yields a strong increase of the internal tide energy and shear in space‐time regions where the background flow focuses the rays, leading to the formation of caustics. This mechanism may increase vertical mixing generated by baroclinic tides in the vicinity of mid‐ocean ridges in tropical regions.
Why does the MJO detour the Maritime Continent during austral summer?
Authors: Kim Daehyun , Kim Hyerim , Lee Myong‐In
Published: February 2017

Eastward propagation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) detours the Maritime Continent (MC) region southward during austral summer, exhibiting enhanced convective activity preferentially in the southern part of the MC area with much weaker anomalies in the central MC area. Column‐integrated moist static energy budget of the MJO is analyzed to understand the processes responsible for the MJO detouring. Results show that zonal and meridional moisture advection is the essential process to the MJO detouring, causing the difference between the southern and central MC regions in the moisture recharge before and during the MJO onset. Further analysis reveals that moisture advection by MJO perturbation winds acting upon the background moisture gradient has the dominant contribution to the regional contrast between the central and southern MC areas. The zonal moisture advection is greater in the southern MC region because the zonal gradient of the background moisture field is much steeper in the southern MC area than in the central MC area. The onset of the Australian monsoon in austral summer contributes to the establishment of the sharp zonal moisture gradient in the southern MC region. The meridional moisture advection is weaker in the central MC area because meridional wind anomalies associated with the MJO vary regionally, presumably through interactions with the topography and land‐sea contrast.
Highly Anisotropic Suspended Planar‐Array Chips with Multidimensional Sub‐Micrometric Biomolecular Patterns
Authors: Agusil Juan Pablo , Torras Núria , Duch Marta , Esteve Jaume , Pérez‐García Lluïsa , Samitier Josep , Plaza José A.
Published: February 2017

Suspended planar‐array (SPA) chips embody millions of individual miniaturized arrays to work in extremely small volumes. Here, the basis of a robust methodology for the fabrication of SPA silicon chips with on‐demand physical and chemical anisotropies is demonstrated. Specifically, physical traits are defined during the fabrication process with special focus on the aspect ratio, branching, faceting, and size gradient of the final chips. Additionally, the chemical attributes augment the functionality of the chips with the inclusion of complete coverage or patterns of selected biomolecules on the surface of the chips with contact printing techniques, offering an extremely high versatility, not only with the choice of the pattern shape and distribution but also in the choice of biomolecular inks to pattern. This approach increases the miniaturization of printed arrays in 3D structures by two orders of magnitude compared to those previously demonstrated. Finally, functional micrometric and sub‐micrometric patterned features are demonstrated with an antibody binding assay with the recognition of the printed spots with labeled antibodies from solution. The selective addition of physical and chemical attributes on the suspended chips represents the basis for future biomedical assays performed within extremely small volumes.
Ultra‐Lightweight and Highly Adaptive All‐Carbon Elastic Conductors with Stable Electrical Resistance
Authors: Wang Han , Lu Weibang , Di Jiangtao , Li Da , Zhang Xiaohua , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang , Zheng Lianxi , Li Qingwen
Published: February 2017

The rapid development of wearable electronics needs flexible conductive materials that have stable electrical properties, good mechanical reliability, and broad environmental tolerance. Herein, ultralow‐density all‐carbon conductors that show excellent elasticity and high electrical stability when subjected to bending, stretching, and compression at high strains, which are superior to previously reported elastic conductors, are demonstrated. These all‐carbon conductors are fabricated from carbon nanotube forms, with their nanotube joints being selectively welded by amorphous carbon. The joint‐welded foams have a robust 3D nanotube network with fixed nodes and mobile nanotube segments, and thus have excellent electrical and mechanical stabilities. They can readily scale up, presenting a new type of nonmetal elastic conductor for many possible applications.
Ultrahigh Carrier Mobility Achieved in Photoresponsive Hybrid Perovskite Films via Coupling with Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Li Feng , Wang Hong , Kufer Dominik , Liang Liangliang , Yu Weili , Alarousu Erkki , Ma Chun , Li Yangyang , Liu Zhixiong , Liu Changxu , Wei Nini , Wang Fei , Chen Lang , Mohammed Omar F. , Fratalocchi Andrea , Liu Xiaogang , Konstantatos Gerasimos , Wu Tom
Published: February 2017

Organolead trihalide perovskites have drawn substantial interest for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications due to their remarkable physical properties and low processing cost. However, perovskite thin films suffer from low carrier mobility as a result of their structural imperfections such as grain boundaries and pinholes, limiting their device performance and application potential. Here we demonstrate a simple and straightforward synthetic strategy based on coupling perovskite films with embedded single‐walled carbon nanotubes. We are able to significantly enhance the hole and electron mobilities of the perovskite film to record‐high values of 595.3 and 108.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. Such a synergistic effect can be harnessed to construct ambipolar phototransistors with an ultrahigh detectivity of 3.7 × 1014 Jones and a responsivity of 1 × 104 A W−1, on a par with the best devices available to date. The perovskite/carbon nanotube hybrids should provide a platform that is highly desirable for fields as diverse as optoelectronics, solar energy conversion, and molecular sensing.
Ratiometric Photoacoustic Molecular Imaging for Methylmercury Detection in Living Subjects
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Sheng , Ma Ying , Lin Jing , Wang Hai‐Yan , Gu Yueqing , Chen Xiaoyuan , Huang Peng
Published: February 2017

Photoacoustic molecular imaging is an emerging and promising diagnostic tool for heavy metal ions detection. Methylmercury (MeHg+) is one of the most potent neurotoxins, which damages the brain and nervous system of human beings through fish consumption. The development of a selective and sensitive method for MeHg+ detection is highly desirable. In this Communication, we develope a chemoselective photoacoustic sensor (LP‐hCy7) composed of the liposome (LP) and MeHg+‐responsive near‐infrared (NIR) cyanine dye (hCy7) for MeHg+ detection within living subjects, such as zebrafish and mouse. The as‐prepared LP‐hCy7 nanoprobe displays unique dual‐shift NIR absorbance peaks and produces a normalized turn‐on response after the reaction of MeHg+ and hCy7 through a mercury‐promoted cyclization reaction. The absorbance intensities of LP‐hCy7 nanoprobe at 690 and 860 nm are decreased and increased, respectively. The ratiometric photoacoustic signal (PA860/PA690) is noticeably increased in the presence of MeHg+. These findings not only provide a ratiometric photoacoustic molecular imaging probe for the detection of metal ions in vivo, but also provides a tool for spectroscopic photoacoustic molecular imaging.
Quasinormal modes of BTZ black hole and Hawking‐like radiation in graphene
Authors: Kandemir B. S. , Ertem Ümit
Published: February 2017

The Bañados‐Teitelboim‐Zanelli (BTZ) black hole model corresponds to a solution of (2+1)‐dimensional Einstein gravity with negative cosmological constant, and by a conformal rescaling its metric can be mapped onto the hyperbolic pseudosphere surface (Beltrami trumpet) with negative curvature. Beltrami trumpet shaped graphene sheets have been predicted to emit Hawking radiation that is experimentally detectable by a scanning tunnelling microscope. Here, for the first time we present an analytical algorithm that allows variational solutions to the Dirac Hamiltonian of graphene pseudoparticles in BTZ black hole gravitational field by using an approach based on the formalism of pseudo‐Hermitian Hamiltonians within a discrete‐basis‐set method. We show that our model not only reproduces the exact results for the real part of quasinormal mode frequencies of (2+1)‐dimensional spinless BTZ black hole, but also provides analytical results for the real part of quasinormal modes of spinning BTZ black hole, and also offers some predictions for the observable effects with a view to gravity‐like phenomena in a curved graphene sheet.

image
Die historische Drehbrücke über die Meiningen
Authors: Braun Michael
Published: February 2017

Nach dem Preußischen Gesetz vom 14. Mai 1908 wurde zwischen den mecklenburgischen Orten Barth und Prerow auf der Ostseehalbinsel Darß eine gut 12 km lange Eisenbahnstrecke zur Erschließung der dortigen Inselkette erbaut und am 1. Dezember 1910 in Betrieb genommen, in einer Zeit also, als auch die Ostseeinsel Usedom mit einer Eisenbahnstrecke erschlossen wurde [1–3]. Dazu war die Überquerung des sogenannten Meiningenstroms mit einer Brücke erforderlich. Zuvor ermöglichte eine Kettenfähre hier das Passieren.
Phase‐Pure P2‐Na0.7(1−x)[LixMn1−x]Oδ as a Cathode Material for Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Jiaolong , Yu Denis Y. W.
Published: February 2017

Na0.7MnO2 is a potential high‐capacity cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries. Typical Na0.7MnO2 material synthesized with quenching after annealing shows a P2 structure with orthorhombic distortion. However, the material is not stable when stored in ambient atmosphere and shows poor cycle performance during charge/discharge. In this study, we synthesized phase‐pure P2‐Na0.7(1−x)[LixMn1−x]Oδ without orthorhombic distortion by adding Li into the precursor. We show that the material can be synthesized even with natural cooling, and is stable when exposed to air. Electrochemical tests and ex situ X‐ray diffraction studies reveal that the phase‐pure material exhibits fewer phase transitions and less structural degradation upon Na+ de‐intercalation/intercalation, resulting in enhanced cycle performance. For example, Na0.64[Li0.09Mn0.91]O2.07 delivers an initial discharge capacity of 170.9 mAh g−1 with capacity retention of 61.1 % (104.4 mAh g−1) after 100 cycles. This is significantly better than the cycle performance of the distorted P2‐Na0.7MnOδ tested under the same conditions.
Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Flower‐Like Bi2WO6 Loaded with MnOx
Authors: Gu Songhui , Wang Lingzhi , Zhang Jinlong
Published: February 2017

Bi2WO6 was modified with MnOx via a photodeposition method. Multiple techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–vis and XPS were applied to investigate the structures, morphologies and optical characteristics of the as‐prepared sample. The nanostructured composites were formed with MnOx loaded on the surface of flower‐like Bi2WO6, where MnOx exists as a mixed‐valence manganese of Mn3+ and Mn4+ as verified by XPS. The photocatalytic activity of the MnOx/Bi2WO6 composites was evaluated by using rhodamine B (RhB) as a target organic pollutant under visible light irradiation. The as‐prepared MnOx/Bi2WO6 composites exhibited much higher photocatalytic activities than pure Bi2WO6. The enhanced activities were attributed to the interfacial transfer of photogenerated holes from Bi2WO6 to MnOx, leading to effective way to improve photocatalytic efficiency, which may be extended to a strategy for other semiconductor. Based on the experimental results, a possible mechanism of MnOx for the enhancement of visible light performance was proposed.
Study on influence of additive and host ions on deformation characteristics of alkali halide crystals by strain‐rate cycling tests during the Blaha effect
Authors: Kohzuki Yohichi , Ohgaku Tomiyasu
Published: February 2017

Strain‐rate cycling tests associated with ultrasonic oscillation were carried out between the strain rates () of 1.1×10−5 s−1 and 5.6×10−5 s−1 for NaBr:Li+ or K+ single crystals from 77 K up to the room temperature. Superposition of oscillatory stress during plastic deformation causes a stress drop (Δτ). By using the stress change (Δτ') due to the strain‐rate cycling keeping the stress amplitude constant, Δτ'/Δln was given as a measurement of the strain‐rate sensitivity (λ) of flow stress. The relative curve of and λ has a stair‐like shape for the two kinds of crystals at low temperature (T). That is to say, the curve has two bending points and two plateau regions and λ between the two bending points decreases gradually with increasing . The activation energy (G0) etc. concerned with the break‐away of a dislocation from the isotropic strain around additive cation could be obtained on the basis of three relative curves (τp vs. T, λp vs. T, and τp vs. V) fitting the Cottrell‐Bilby relation to the experimental results. τp is Δτ value of first bending point at low stress decrement and λp is the difference between λ at first plateau place and at second one on the curve of vs. λ. V is the activation volume obtained from λp. As a result, it was found that Li+ ions are slightly weaker than K+ ones as weak obstacles to dislocation motion in the crystals. Furthermore, the additive Li+ or K+ ions act as still weaker obstacles to dislocation motion in NaBr host crystal as against NaCl because of a slight reduction in G0.
Type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus in South Asian women in the United States
Authors: Gadgil Meghana D. , Oza‐Frank Reena , Kandula Namratha R. , Kanaya Alka M.
Published: February 2017

Aims

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The incidence of both GDM and type 2 diabetes is exceedingly high in South Asian populations. However, the risk of type 2 diabetes after GDM in South Asian women in the United States is unknown.

Methods

South Asians aged 40 to 84 years without known cardiovascular disease were enrolled in a community‐based cohort called Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study. A history of GDM was elicited through self‐report, and type 2 diabetes was ascertained by an oral glucose tolerance test. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the odds of type 2 diabetes after GDM history in this cross‐sectional analysis.

Results

About 9.7% of women in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study self‐reported a history of GDM, and were significantly younger, with higher mean diastolic blood pressure and self‐reported weight at age 20 and 40 years than women without a history of GDM. In a model adjusted for age, weight at age 40, family history of diabetes, education, income, physical activity, caloric intake, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, women with a history of GDM had increased odds of having type 2 diabetes compared with women without GDM (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.3, 7.5).

Conclusions

A history of GDM further increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in US South Asian women. Our findings underscore the importance of early postpartum screening in a population at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Methods to identify the prey of invertebrate predators in terrestrial field studies
Authors: Birkhofer Klaus , Bylund Helena , Dalin Peter , Ferlian Olga , Gagic Vesna , Hambäck Peter A. , Klapwijk Maartje , Mestre Laia , Roubinet Eve , Schroeder Martin , Stenberg Johan A. , Porcel Mario , Björkman Christer , Jonsson Mattias
Published: February 2017

Predation is an interaction during which an organism kills and feeds on another organism. Past and current interest in studying predation in terrestrial habitats has yielded a number of methods to assess invertebrate predation events in terrestrial ecosystems. We provide a decision tree to select appropriate methods for individual studies. For each method, we then present a short introduction, key examples for applications, advantages and disadvantages, and an outlook to future refinements. Video and, to a lesser extent, live observations are recommended in studies that address behavioral aspects of predator–prey interactions or focus on per capita predation rates. Cage studies are only appropriate for small predator species, but often suffer from a bias via cage effects. The use of prey baits or analyses of prey remains are cheaper than other methods and have the potential to provide per capita predation estimates. These advantages often come at the cost of low taxonomic specificity. Molecular methods provide reliable estimates at a fine level of taxonomic resolution and are free of observer bias for predator species of any size. However, the current PCR‐based methods lack the ability to estimate predation rates for individual predators and are more expensive than other methods. Molecular and stable isotope analyses are best suited to address systems that include a range of predator and prey species. Our review of methods strongly suggests that while in many cases individual methods are sufficient to study specific questions, combinations of methods hold a high potential to provide more holistic insights into predation events. This review presents an overview of methods to researchers that are new to the field or to particular aspects of predation ecology and provides recommendations toward the subset of suitable methods to identify the prey of invertebrate predators in terrestrial field research.
Abiotic habitat thresholds for salmonid over‐summer survival in intermittent streams
Authors: Woelfle‐Erskine Cleo , Larsen Laurel G. , Carlson Stephanie M.
Published: February 2017

Intermittent streams lose surface flow during part of the year but can provide important habitat for imperiled fishes in residual pools. However, extended intermittency can drive high mortality as pool contraction decreases pool quality, and some pools dry completely. We evaluated the influence of a suite of abiotic habitat characteristics on the over‐summer survival of two imperiled salmonid fishes (coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch; steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) at four study sites on two tributaries of Salmon Creek (Sonoma County, California, USA) from 2012 to 2014, during deepening drought conditions. Study sites spanned an intermittency gradient from continuous flow to near‐dry conditions, and included alluvial and bedrock stream reaches. We estimated over‐summer survival at the pool scale from fish presence–absence data based on paired early‐late summer snorkel surveys. We measured pool dimensions and water quality parameters monthly (more frequently during summer dry down) and, in 2013 and 2014, recorded water quality with continuous loggers in selected pools. We performed: (1) logistic regression in a generalized linear modeling framework to identify factors limiting over‐summer survival and (2) classification trees using the random forests ensemble learning method to identify abiotic thresholds for sustaining salmonids. Results suggested that different factors governed mortality of the two species. Coho salmon, which tended to survive in large, deep pools, were limited by minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. In contrast, steelhead trout, which tended to survive in pools with large surface area, were sensitive to pool geometry and temperature. Both species persisted for weeks in large pools with low DO levels, including in pools where at least part of the water column reached sublethal or lethal levels. Our results suggest that shallow, lateral hyporheic flow may be important for maintaining DO and temperatures suitable for sustaining salmonids in isolated pools, whereas groundwater discharge originating from deeper flow paths may generate low‐DO conditions that inhibit salmonid persistence. Geomorphically complex watersheds with a variety of pool geometries and high rates of lateral hyporheic exchange are those most likely to serve as “sanctuary reaches” for imperiled Pacific salmonid populations in semi‐arid regions in the context of a changing climate.
Configurational Simulations and Theoretical Calculations of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers of Histamine and 2‐(Trifluoromethyl)acrylic Acid Based on Computational Chemistry
Authors: Wang Shuai‐shuai , Yang Bo‐wen , Zhu Qiu‐jin
Published: February 2017

In this article, we provide a theoretical discussion on the interactions between a template molecule and functional monomer(s) in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Density functional theory (DFT) was used to compute the 3D structures, natural bond orbital, and binding energy in the template–monomer(s) complexes. Histamine (HA) and 2‐(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (TFMAA) were, respectively, selected as the template and the monomer. The computational process was performed according to B3LYP method with 6‐311 + (d,p) basis set under the different HA–TFMAA ratios from 1:1 to 1:10. The computational results show that the HA–TFMAA complex at the ratio of 1:5 yields no consequence. Furthermore, the HA–TFMAA complex at the ratio of 1:5 allowed the minimum binding energy and the steadiest condition, with four hydrogen bonds. Configurational simulations and theoretical calculations of the template–monomer complex can be used as an appropriate guiding tool for manufacturing MIPs with high specificity and selectivity, thereby avoiding repeated experiments and wastage of substantial time and investment.
One‐Pot Reaction of Amidrazones, Phthaloyl Chloride, and Triethyl Amine: Synthesis of 1‐(1′,2′,4′‐Triazole)‐2‐Benzoic Acid
Authors: Aly Ashraf A. , Brown Alan B. , Shawky Ahmed M.
Published: February 2017

One‐pot reaction of equimolar amounts of phthaloyl chloride and N‐aryl‐benzamidrazones in the presence of two equivalents of triethylamine (Et3N), gave at r.t. 4‐aryl‐3‐(o‐carboxyphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoles in good yields. The structure of the obtained products was proved by IR, mass, NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. The mechanism of product formation is discussed.
New application of chitosan‐grafted polyaniline in dispersive solid‐phase extraction for the separation and determination of phthalate esters in milk using high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Razavi Nourolhoda , Sarafraz Yazdi Ali
Published: February 2017

Chitosan‐grafted polyaniline was synthesized and applied as a sorbent for the preconcentration of phthalate esters in dispersive solid‐phase extraction. By coupling dispersive solid‐phase extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography and response surface methodology (central composite design), a reliable, sensitive, and cost‐effective method for simultaneous determination of phthalate esters including dimethyl phthalate, di‐n‐butyl phthalate, and di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate was developed. The morphology of sorbent had been studied by scanning electron microscopy and its chemical structure confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under optimum condition, good linearity was observed in the range of 5.0–5000.0 ng/mL. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) and limits of quantification (S/N = 10) were 0.1–0.3 and 0.3–1 ng/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations were less than 8.8%. Finally, this procedure was employed for extraction of trace amounts of phthalic acid esters in milk samples, the relative recoveries ranged from 82 to 103%.
Pepsin as a biomarker for laryngopharyngeal reflux in children with laryngomalacia
Authors: Luebke Kendra , Samuels Tina L. , Chelius Thomas H. , Sulman Cecille G. , McCormick Michael E. , Kerschner Joseph E. , Johnston Nikki , Chun Robert H.
Published: February 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Laryngomalacia is a common cause of newborn stridor. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been associated with laryngomalacia. Although pepsin, a component of LPR, has been associated with inflammatory diseases of the aerodigestive tract, its presence in the airways of laryngomalacia patients is unknown.

Study Design

Prospective case‐control study comparing patients under age 3 years with laryngomalacia to children without laryngomalacia.

Methods

Children less than 3 years old undergoing supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia or surgery unrelated to the airway, without a history of laryngomalacia, reflux, or respiratory disease, were offered enrollment. Supraglottic lavage samples (3 mL) were obtained from all subjects. Two‐millimeter arytenoid biopsies were collected from laryngomalacia patients. Pepsin Western blot and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed.

Results

Ten laryngomalacia and five control subjects were enrolled. Pepsin was detected in lavages of laryngomalacia patients (8/10) but absent in controls (0/5; P = .007). Pepsin was observed more frequently in lavages (8/10) than biopsies (4/10; P = .046) of laryngomalacia subjects. Higher median pepsin concentration was observed in laryngomalacia than control lavages (P = .025).

Conclusions

Pepsin in supraglottic specimens demonstrated an association with laryngomalacia, supporting a role for refluxed pepsin in laryngomalacia. These data corroborate previous work implicating pepsin in inflammatory diseases of the upper airways. Further studies are warranted to investigate the contribution of pepsin to the pathophysiology of laryngomalacia.

Level of Evidence

3b. Laryngoscope, 127:2413–2417, 2017
Infections and vaccinations as possible triggers of inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Limaye Vidya , Smith Caroline , Koszyca Barbara , Blumbergs Peter , Otto Sophia
Published: February 2017

Introduction

The role of vaccinations and infections in triggering idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) has not been confirmed.

Methods

Among patients with histologically confirmed myositis, infections or vaccinations administered prior to myositis onset were determined. The characteristics of this group were compared with controls (myositis patients without prior infection or vaccination).

Results

The frequency of IIM with a prior vaccination was 20 of 206 (9.7%), infection was 29 of 206 (14%), and either vaccination or infection was 49 of 206 (23.8%). Dermatomyositis (DM) was more frequent among patients with preceding vaccination (P = 0.03) or prior infections (P = 0.02) than among controls. Antibodies to Ro52 were more frequent among patients with preceding vaccination than among controls (P = 0.002).

Discussion

Although causality is not shown, the occurrence of prior infection or vaccination in 24% of patients with IIM prompts further inquiry. The overrepresentation of DM in those with preceding vaccination and the possible role of antibodies to Ro52 in susceptibility to vaccine‐induced myositis require confirmation. Muscle Nerve 56: 987–989, 2017
Fundamentals of diffusion MRI physics
Authors: Kiselev Valerij G.
Published: February 2017

Diffusion MRI is commonly considered the “engine” for probing the cellular structure of living biological tissues. The difficulty of this task is threefold. First, in structurally heterogeneous media, diffusion is related to structure in quite a complicated way. The challenge of finding diffusion metrics for a given structure is equivalent to other problems in physics that have been known for over a century. Second, in most cases the MRI signal is related to diffusion in an indirect way dependent on the measurement technique used. Third, finding the cellular structure given the MRI signal is an ill‐posed inverse problem. This paper reviews well‐established knowledge that forms the basis for responding to the first two challenges. The inverse problem is briefly discussed and the reader is warned about a number of pitfalls on the way.
Challenging learning goals improve performance in dynamically complex microworld simulations
Authors: Yang Miles M. , Jiang Hong , Gary Michael Shayne
Published: February 2017

The use of microworld simulators in classrooms and in experimental research has grown rapidly in recent years. Advocates suggest microworlds enhance learning compared with traditional instructional materials alone. However, people often have difficulty understanding the dynamics of microworld simulations, and learning and performance on microworlds typically plateau far below even simple behavioral benchmarks. Research from organization psychology suggests that assigning specific goals improves task learning and performance. This paper reports the results of two laboratory studies that examine the effects of two types of goals and two levels of goal difficulty on performance outcomes in the widely used People Express Microworld. We find that challenging compared with moderate learning goals result in higher performance outcomes. In contrast, there is no difference in performance outcomes between challenging and moderate performance goals. The findings show that including challenging learning goals in microworld instructional materials in classrooms and in experimental research will increase performance. Copyright © 2017 System Dynamics Society