bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial analysis by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry on amorphous silicon
Authors: Kim Shin Hye , Kim Jeongkwon , Jo Seung-Hyun , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Kim Kyung Joong , Yoon Sohee
Published: December 2016

Lipid profiling in nine bacterial species has been accomplished by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) using amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film with 100 nm thickness. Lipid ions could be generated by LDI on a-Si regardless of ion acquisition modes because of a thermal property of a-Si to govern laser-induced surface heating. In a comparative study of lipid profiling in Bacillus lichemiformis by LDI-MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), LDI-MS on a-Si shows a higher efficiency in lipid and lipopeptide detection than MALDI-MS. A total of 53 peaks of lipid ions generated by LDI on a-Si in both acquisition modes for m/z 400–1200 was 1.6 times more than that detected by MALDI-MS using three organic matrices—2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone monohydrate. Also, the authors demonstrate by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) that LDI-MS provides high detection coverage through whole sample area. MSI results show the detection yield in LDI on a-Si is 94.8% calculated by counting the number of points detected in the analyte ion signal in a whole spot. It means that reproducible detection of lipid ions by LDI-MS is possible even if laser is randomly irradiated at any position within the bacterial sample area applied on a-Si. Lipid profiling by LDI-MS on a-Si was applied to bacterial differentiation of nine bacterial species conducted by performing principal component analysis. Nine bacterial species are successfully distinguishable from each other by LDI-MS lipid profiling.
Peptide engineered microcantilevers for selective chemical force microscopy and monitoring of nanoparticle capture
Authors: Munz Martin , Bella Angelo , Ray Santanu , Bell Nia C. , Shard Alexander G. , Minelli Caterina
Published: December 2016

Engineered peptides capable of binding to silica have been used to provide contrast in chemical force microscopy and tested for their capacity to selectively capture silica nanoparticles (NPs). Gold coated atomic force microscopy (AFM) microcantilevers with integrated tips and colloidal probes were functionalized with engineered peptides through a thiol group of a terminal cysteine which was linked via a glycine trimer to a 12-mer binding sequence. The functionalized probes demonstrated a significantly increased binding force on silicon oxide areas of a gold-patterned silicon wafer, whereas plain gold probes, and those functionalized with a random permutation of the silica binding peptide motif or an all-histidine sequence displayed similar adhesion forces to gold and silicon oxide. As the functionalized probes also allowed contact mode imaging subsequently to the adhesion mapping, also the associated friction contrast was measured and found to be similar to the adhesion contrast. Furthermore, the adsorption of silica NPs onto planar gold surfaces functionalized in the same manner was observed to be selective. Notably, the surface coverage with silica NPs was found to decrease with increasing pH, implying the importance of electrostatic interactions between the peptide and the NPs. Finally, the adsorption of silica NPs was monitored via the decrease in fundamental resonance frequency of an AFM microcantilever functionalized with silica binding peptides.
Influence of gaseous environments on beryllium–tungsten and tungsten surfaces investigated by XPS
Authors: Marin Alexandru , Lungu Cristian P. , Porosnicu Corneliu
Published: December 2016

Beryllium–tungsten and tungsten layers were deposited by thermionic vacuum arc technique in gaseous environments, in order to simulate the plasma–wall phenomena appearing during fusion device operation. In-depth x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations highlighted the chemical changes on (Be-W) and W systems subjected to different plasma environments similar to a fusion device: deuterium, neon, helium, nitrogen, and oxygen. The metallic feature among oxides of beryllium can be detected only for deuterium and neon plasma atmosphere. Tungsten displays only the metallic contribution for the mentioned plasmas, deuterium, and neon. Full oxidation state of tungsten (W6+) is found in Be-W system for nitrogen and oxygen plasma environment deposition and for W system in oxygen atmosphere. Finally, the nitrogen atmosphere has a protective behavior by increasing the metallic feature followed by a decrease in the W oxidation state, from 19.7% for oxygen plasma to 31.5% for nitrogen plasma and 14.0% to 6.6%, respectively.
Use of a buried loop layer as a detector of interstitial flux during oxidation of SiGe heterostructures
Authors: Martin Thomas P. , Aldridge Henry L. , Jones K. S. , Camillo-Castillo Renata A.
Published: December 2016

The injection of interstitials from oxidation of Si and SiGe has been investigated quantitatively using transmission electron microscope (TEM) to monitor the growth of a layer of implantation induced dislocation loops. The layer of loops was introduced via a 50 keV P implant at a dose of 2 × 1014/cm2 followed by annealing at 750 °C. Subsequently, silicon–germanium containing heterostructures, consisting of a 5 nm silicon cap on top of either a 20 nm Si0.7Ge0.3 layer or 25 nm Si layer were grown on the implanted wafers. The wafers were then oxidized, and the trapped interstitials in the dislocation loops were determined via quantitative plan view TEM. It is shown that the SiGe layer and the inherent epitaxial interfaces are fully transparent to a flux of interstitials arising from the oxidizing interface. As expected, oxidation of the Si control and Si on SiGe result in strong interstitial injection. However, for the latter sample, as the oxidation front proceeds into the SiGe layer, interstitial injection is reduced and eventually halts as the Ge accumulates at the oxidizing SiGe interface. At 900 °C after 2 h in dry O2, the oxidizing interface injects 3 × 1014/cm2 of interstitials and this value drops to below 1 × 1013/cm2 after oxidation of SiGe. These finding are consistent with the concept that the presence of Ge decreases the strain at the interface, reducing interstitial injection.
Subdiffraction plasmonic lens lithography prototype in stepper mode
Authors: Liu Minggang , Zhao Chengwei , Luo Yunfei , Zhao Zeyu , Wang Yanqin , Gao Ping , Wang Changtao , Luo Xiangang
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the authors present a low-cost and high-resolution lithography prototype by utilizing surface plasmons. In the surface plasmon lithography (SPL) prototype, a metal-photoresist-metal plasmonic cavity lens is adopted to amplify evanescent waves, thereby addressing the issues of poor fidelity, low contrast, and short working distance suffered from the conventional near-field optical lithography. The authors achieved the photoresist patterns with high resolution, high contrast, and high exposure depth experimentally by using an Hg lamp with 365 nm wavelength. Hole array patterns with radius of 50 nm and period of 160 nm were realized. Moreover, the grating array patterns with line width of 32(60) nm and period of 64(120) nm were successfully achieved. Furthermore, the authors introduced a step exposure method to fabricate a 5 × 5 array of grating patterns with a step length of 300 μm and the uniform patterns cover the whole area of about 2 × 2 mm2. Step exposure is valuable, which makes SPL have the ability to obtain a large-area pattern exposure, especially in the condition that the mask area is far smaller than the exposure region. It is believed that this prototype provides a low-cost, high-throughput, and high-resolution nanofabrication route for fabricating nanostructure devices.
Effects of various bias and temperature stresses on low-frequency noise properties of amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors
Authors: Kim Hee-Joong , Jeong Chan-Yong , Bae Sang-Dae , Kwon Hyuck-In
Published: December 2016

The authors investigate the low-frequency noise (LFN) properties of amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) under various bias and temperature stress conditions. After application of a gate-to-source bias (VGS) stress, the LFN properties hardly change. However, the LFN increases (especially, at low drain currents) after application of simultaneous VGS and drain-to-source bias (VDS) stresses. The LFNs measured before and after the stresses are well-fitted using the correlated number fluctuation-mobility fluctuation (Δn-Δμ) model, and the extracted values of the border trap density (NT) and the Coulomb scattering coefficient (αS) increase from 1018 eV−1 cm−3 and 105 V s/C to 1.53 × 1019 eV−1 cm−3 and 106 V s/C, respectively, after application of simultaneous gate- and drain-bias stresses (VGS = VDS = 20 V) for 1000 s at room temperature. This phenomenon is mainly attributed to the high electric-field-induced electronic trap generation inside the a-IGZO active layer. The increase in temperature during application of the simultaneous gate- and drain-bias stress accelerates the increase of LFN after the stress. The values of NT and αS are increased to 9.53 × 1019 eV−1 cm−3 and 8 × 106 V s/C, respectively, after the application of simultaneous gate- and drain-bias stresses for 1000 s at 80 °C, which are much higher than those extracted after the application of simultaneous gate- and drain-bias stresses at room temperature. This result shows that a high electric field combined with a high temperature significantly increases the density of electronic trap states which degrades the LFN properties in a-IGZO TFTs.
Electric potential screening on metal targets submitted to reactive sputtering
Authors: Corbella Carles , Marcak Adrian , von Keudell Achim , de los Arcos Teresa
Published: December 2016

A very thin oxide layer is formed on top of metal surfaces that are submitted to reactive magnetron sputtering in an oxygen atmosphere. Having a few atomic monolayers thickness (1–5 nm), this oxide top layer shows properties of an electric insulator that retards the flux of incident ions. Here, the authors show that this layer can be modeled as a parallel combination of capacitance and resistance. The basic sputtering processes on the oxide layer have been mimicked by means of particle beam experiments in an ultra-high-vacuum reactor. Hence, quantified beams of argon ions and oxygen molecules have been sent to aluminum, chromium, titanium, and tantalum targets. The formation and characteristics of the oxide top layer have been monitored in situ by means of an electrostatic collector and quartz crystal microbalance. The charge build-up at the oxide layer interfaces generates a screening potential of the order of 1–10 V, which shows linear correlation with the total current through the target. The secondary electron yields of the oxides show the expected behavior with ion energies (500–1500 eV), thereby showing that this parameter is not significantly distorted by the screening potential. Charging kinetics of the oxide layer is investigated by means of time-resolved current measurements during bombardment with square-wave modulated ion fluxes. Finally, the dependence of secondary electron emission with surface oxidation state and surface charging issues in pulsed plasmas are studied within the context of the Berg's model.
Plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of molybdenum carbide and nitride with bis(tert-butylimido)bis(dimethylamido) molybdenum
Authors: Bertuch Adam , Keller Brent D. , Ferralis Nicola , Grossman Jeffrey C. , Sundaram Ganesh
Published: December 2016

Molybdenum carbonitride films were deposited using plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition techniques with (tBuN)2(NMe2)2Mo at temperatures ranging from 80 to 300 °C. The elemental composition of the molybdenum carbonitride films were analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with a MoCxNy composition extending from carbide, MoC0.45N0.08 to nitride MoC0.06N1.40 (x: 0.06–0.45; y: 0.08–1.40). The film composition, electrical properties, and optical properties are strongly dependent upon the % N2 in H2 of the plasma gas stream, as well as the process temperature. The molybdenum carbide film (MoC0.45N0.08) deposited at 150 °C achieved an electrical resistivity (ρ) value of 170 μΩ cm and exhibited superconducting behavior with a transition temperature (Tc) of 8.8 K. Nitrogen rich molybdenum carbonitride films (MoC0.28N0.44) deposited at 250 °C with 6% N2 in the plasma gas showed a microcrystalline fine grained structure with a measured ρ = 200 μΩ cm. Film thickness and optical properties were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry with a measured growth per cycle extending from 0.36 to 0.56 Å/cycle. The measured optical properties extend across a broad range; refractive index (n: 3.1–3.4), and dielectric constant (k: 1.5–3.18). Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction of the MoCxNy films indicate a fine grained crystal structure, with a transition from a cubic MoC1−x phase for the carbide to a face center cubic γ-Mo2N1±x phase for the nitride films.
Atomic layer deposition of h-BN(0001) on RuO2(110)/Ru(0001)
Authors: Jones Jessica , Beauclair Brock , Olanipekun Opeyemi , Lightbourne Sherard , Zhang Mofei , Pollok Brittany , Pilli Aparna , Kelber Jeffry
Published: December 2016

The direct epitaxial growth of multilayer BN by atomic layer deposition is of critical significance for two dimensional device applications. To date, however, epitaxial growth has only been reported on graphene or on transition metal surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) demonstrate layer-by-layer BN epitaxy on a monolayer of RuO2(110) formed on a Ru(0001) substrate. Growth was accomplished with BCl3/NH3 cycles at 600 K substrate temperature and subsequent annealing in ultrahigh vacuum. This yielded stoichiometric BN layers, Cl impurities levels of ≲1 at. %, and an average BN film thickness linearly proportional to the number of BCl3/NH3 cycles. XPS data indicate negligible charge transfer or band bending for the BN/RuO2 interface. LEED data indicate a 30° rotation between the coincident BN and oxide lattices. The atomic layer epitaxy of BN on an oxide surface suggests new routes to the direct growth and integration of graphene and BN with industrially important substrates, including Si(100).
Soft nanoimprint mold with rigid relief features for improved pattern transfer
Authors: Menahem Liran , Schvartzman Mark
Published: December 2016

Rigid nanoimprint molds offer the best possible pattern-transfer fidelity and resolution, but are also sensitive to surface contamination and defects. Alternatively, soft nanoimprint molds are insensitive to defects and can imprint nonplanar surfaces, but have limited resolution. Here, the author combined the advantages of the rigid and soft molds by producing a novel mold, in which rigid relief features are chemically attached to a soft substrate. The features were produced by electron-beam patterning of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) on a sacrificial substrate, and mechanically transferred to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The attachment of the HSQ to PDMS is most likely due to Si–O–Si bonds formed on their interface. Using this molds, the authors obtained nanoimprinted pattern transfer with the fidelity typical for the hard molds. They found that a mold-release agent is essential to prevent the detachment of the rigid features from PDMS. To this end, the authors applied fluorinated silane onto the mold surface and showed that functionalized silane monolayers can effectively modify the surface properties of spin-on-glass materials like HSQ.
Low-temperature atomic layer deposition-grown Al2O3 gate dielectric for GaN/AlGaN/GaN MOS HEMTs: Impact of deposition conditions on interface state density
Authors: Ťapajna Milan , Válik Lukáš , Gucmann Filip , Gregušová Dagmar , Fröhlich Karol , Haščík Štefan , Dobročka Edmund , Tóth Lajos , Pécz Béla , Kuzmík Ján
Published: December 2016

The oxide/semiconductor interface state density (Dit) in Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron mobility transistor (MOS-HEMT) structures with gate oxides grown by atomic layer deposition at low deposition temperature is analyzed in this work. MOS-HEMT structures with Al2O3 gate oxide were deposited at 100 and 300 °C using trimethylaluminum precursor and H2O and O3 oxidation agents. The structures were found to show negative net charge at oxide/barrier interface with density (Nint) of 1013 cm−2, which was attributed to the reduction of barrier surface donor density (NDS). Dit was determined using capacitance transient techniques, and the results were assessed by the simulations of the capacitance–voltage characteristics affected by interface traps. The results indicate a lower interface quality of the sample with Al2O3 grown using O3 agent compared to those with H2O, even though the former provided lowest gate leakage among the analyzed structures. Moreover, to uncover the NDS nature, Dit distributions determined here were compared to that reported previously on devices with Nint close to zero, i.e., with fully compensated surface barrier polarization charge by NDS [Ťapajna et al., J. Appl. Phys. 116, 104501 (2014)]. No clear correlation between Dit and NDS was concluded, indicating the nature of NDS to be different from that of interface states in the energy range analyzed here.
Function-fit model for the rate of conducting filament generation in constant voltage-stressed multilayer oxide stacks
Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez A. , Suñé J. , Miranda E. , González M. B. , Campabadal F.
Published: December 2016

A simple function-fit model is proposed for the rate of conducting filament generation in Al2O3/HfO2-based multilayer stacks subjected to a constant voltage stress. During degradation, the devices exhibit stepwise current–time (I-t) characteristics that can be straightforwardly linked to the triggering of multiple breakdown events. The stochastic nature of this stepwise behavior is phenomenologically modeled by means of a nonhomogeneous Poisson process for the arrival rate of the individual failure events. In this work, it is shown that a power-law model for the failure rate in combination with an equivalent circuit representation of the device under stress accounts for the evolution of the I-t curve, providing a first-order estimation of the stress time required to reach a targeted leakage current level. The roles played by the device area and stress voltage on the breakdown dynamics are also investigated.
Target strength distributions of Pacific sardine schools: Model results at 500 Hz to 10 kHz
Authors: Love Richard H. , Fialkowski Joseph M. , Jagielo Thomas H.
Published: December 2016

Schools of fish can cause interference for long-range active sonars. The degree of interference depends heavily on the target strengths of the schools. However, there are few measurements and limited modeling of school target strengths in the frequency ranges of these sonars. During the summers of 2009 through 2013, a comprehensive set of measurements of the characteristics of Pacific sardine schools was collected off the west coast of the United States. This data set has enabled model estimates of the target strength distributions of these schools to be made at frequencies between 500 Hz and 10 kHz. This paper describes the sardine school data, its use in the modeling, the modeling procedures, and the target strength distributions obtained. The analysis indicates that, given the rates at which high target strengths occurred at all frequencies of interest, Pacific sardine schools could be a significant source of interference for long-range active sonars operating in their vicinity.
Effect of dispersion on the convergence rate for Green's function retrieval
Authors: Yoritomo John Y. , Weaver Richard L.
Published: December 2016

Much information about wave propagation in a variety of structures has been obtained from Green's function retrieval by noise correlation. Here it is examined how dispersion affects Green's function retrieval and, in particular, its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). On recalling how the inherent spread of a signal due to band limitation is augmented by spread due to dispersion and propagation distance, and how both affect amplitude, it is argued that SNR in highly dispersive media can be substantially lowered by strong dispersion. It is argued that this is most relevant for gravity waves over large propagation distances in the ocean or atmosphere. In particular, it is discussed that dispersion could explain recent retrieval failure from surface gravity wave noise in the ocean. Methods are considered to ameliorate the poor SNR due to dispersion. Numerical simulation is used to substantiate the analytic results.
Enhanced auditory spatial performance using individualized head-related transfer functions: An event-related potential study
Authors: Wisniewski Matthew G. , Romigh Griffin D. , Kenzig Stephanie M. , Iyer Nandini , Simpson Brian D. , Thompson Eric R. , Rothwell Clayton D.
Published: December 2016

This study examined event-related potential (ERP) correlates of auditory spatial benefits gained from rendering sounds with individualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). Noise bursts with identical virtual elevations (0°–90°) were presented back-to-back in 5–10 burst “runs” in a roving oddball paradigm. Detection of a run's start (i.e., elevation change detection) was enhanced when bursts were rendered with an individualized compared to a non-individualized HRTF. ERPs showed increased P3 amplitudes to first bursts of a run in the individualized HRTF condition. Condition differences in P3 amplitudes and behavior were positively correlated. Data suggests that part of the individualization benefit reflects post-sensory processes.
Direct observation of DNA dynamics in semidilute solutions in extensional flow
Authors: Hsiao Kai-Wen , Sasmal Chandi , Ravi Prakash J. , Schroeder Charles M.
Published: December 2016

The dynamic behavior of semidilute polymer solutions is governed by an interplay between solvent quality, concentration, molecular weight, and flow type. Semidilute solutions are characterized by large fluctuations in polymer concentration, wherein polymer coils interpenetrate but may not be topologically entangled at equilibrium. In nonequilibrium flows, it is generally thought that polymer chains can “self-entangle” in semidilute solutions, thereby leading to entanglements in solutions that are nominally unentangled at equilibrium. Despite recent progress in the field, we still lack a complete molecular-level understanding of the dynamics of polymer chains in semidilute solutions. In this work, we use single molecule techniques to investigate the dynamics of dilute and semidilute solutions of λ-phage deoxyribonucleic acid in planar extensional flow, including polymer relaxation from high stretch, transient stretching dynamics in step-strain experiments, and steady-state stretching in flow. Our results are consistent with a power-law scaling of the longest polymer relaxation time τ∼(c/c*)0.48 in semidilute solutions, where c is the polymer concentration and c* is the overlap concentration. Based on these results, an effective excluded volume exponent ν ≈ 0.56 was found, which is in good agreement with recent bulk rheological experiments. We further studied the nonequilibrium stretching dynamics of semidilute polymer solutions, including transient (1 c*) and steady-state (0.2 c* and 1 c*) stretching dynamics in planar extensional flow using an automated microfluidic trap. Our results show that polymer stretching dynamics in semidilute solutions is a strong function of concentration. In particular, a decrease in transient polymer stretch in semidilute solutions at moderate Weissenberg number (Wi) compared to dilute solutions is observed. Moreover, our experiments reveal a milder coil-to-stretch transition for semidilute polymer solutions at 0.2 c* and 1 c* compared to dilute solutions. Interestingly, a unique set of molecular conformations during the transient stretching process for single polymers in semidilute solutions is observed, which suggests transient stretching pathways for polymer chains in semidilute solutions are qualitatively different compared to dilute solutions due to intermolecular interactions. Taken together, this work provides a molecular framework for understanding the nonequilibrium stretching dynamics of semidilute solutions in strong flows.
Two Photon Polymerization Micro/Nanofabrication of Suspended Nanorods in Organically Modified Ceramics
Authors: Lin Jieqiong , Jing Xian , Lu Mingming , Gu Yan , Yu Baojun , Tang Jiating , Zheng Xu
Published: December 2016

Organically modified ceramics are used as photoresistors in the present work. The role of every ingredient played in two photon polymerization process is analyzed. A simple, compact and easy to locate experimental scheme is designed to fabricate nanorods in Ormocer. Based on the threshold theory of photon intensity, the lateral size dependences and vertical size dependences of nanorods on laser power and scanning speed are investigated, respectively. Through systematically changing processing parameters, a 136[Formula: see text]nm Ormocer suspended nanorod which is beyond diffraction limit resolution is obtained when [Formula: see text]m/s, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mW. By this means, two photon polymerization techniques show great potential to obtain a limiting resolution of Ormocer. What is more, micro gear, micro chair, photonic crystal and micro annular lens are fabricated in two photon polymerization in order to exhibit excellent mechanical and optical property of Ormocer.
Multi-stage martensitic transformation in Ni-rich NiTi shape memory alloys
Authors: Wang Xiebin , Verlinden Bert , Kustov Sergey
Published: December 2016

Precipitation hardening is an effective way to improve the functional stability of NiTi shape memory alloys. The precipitates, mainly Ni4Ti3, could be introduced by aging treatment in Ni-rich NiTi alloys. However, the presence of Ni4Ti3 precipitates could disturb the transformation behavior, resulting in the multi-stage martensitic transformation (MMT). With the presence of MMT, it is difficult to control the transformation behavior, and thus limits the applicability of NiTi alloys. In this work, previous efforts on explaining the observed MMT are summarized. The difficulties in developing a unified explanation are discussed, and a possible way to avoid the MMT is proposed.
TiO2 nanotube array with “multi-layer” walled structure and its vulnerability to water
Authors: Xue Chaorui , Hu Shengliang , Liu Wei , Chang Qing , Yonezawa Tetsu , Yang Jinlong
Published: December 2016

“Multi-layer” walled TiO2 nanotube array has been prepared by anodization with post-treatment of ethanol. Two post-treatment methods, which were ethanol and water treatment respectively, exerted a marked and different effect on the structure of nanotube. With ethanol immersion, the “multi-layer” walled nanotube can be obtained, while water treatment cannot produce the “multi-layer” walled structure. The main reason could be the uptake of carbon and fluoride during anodization process. Compared with “single-layer” walled TiO2 nanotube, “multi-layer” walled TiO2 nanotube demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity.
Potent Heterogeneous Catalyst for Low Temperature Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexanol by Molecular Oxygen
Authors: ur Rashid Haroon , Sohail Ahmad M. , Sadiq Mohammad , Aman Razia
Published: December 2016

Platinum supported on zirconium dioxide catalyst was prepared by standard method and characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, BET surface area and pore size analyzer, and FT-IR. The catalyst was screened for its catalytic activity in a model reaction, selective oxidation of cyclohexanol. The only one major product, cyclohexanone 31%, with 99.8% selectivity was obtained. Experimental data was analyzed through different kinetic models and we deduced that the reaction follows Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. The apparent activation energy for the model reaction was calculated as 45 kJ/mole. The catalyst was regenerated several times with same efficiency.
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Attenuates Cardiac and Hepatic Injury in Doxorubicin Rat Model by Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis
Authors: Gao Yunan , Yang Hongxiao , Fan Yanbin , Li Lin , Fang Jiahui , Yang Wei
Published: December 2016

Doxorubicin (DOX) remains the most effective anticancer agent which is widely used in several adult and pediatric cancers, but its application is limited for its cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Hydrogen, as a selective antioxidant, is a promising potential therapeutic option for many diseases. In this study, we found that intraperitoneal injection of hydrogen-rich saline (H2 saline) ameliorated the mortality, cardiac dysfunction, and histopathological changes caused by DOX in rats. Meanwhile, serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin (ALB), tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also attenuated after H2 saline treatment. What is more, we further demonstrated that H2 saline treatment could inhibit cardiac and hepatic inflammation and apoptosis relative proteins expressions by western blotting test. In conclusion, our results revealed a protective effect of H2 saline on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis.
Coalescing Aid Influences on Acrylic Latexes Property and Film Formation Process
Authors: Yi Wang , Zhonghua Chen , Fei Yu
Published: December 2016

The coalescing aid of propylene glycol phenyl ether (PPh) influences on the latexes system and its film formation process have been demonstrated in this paper. The latexes with different Tg are synthesized by seeded semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. The PPh have a significant impact on the water evaporation stage, in which PPh decreased the water evaporation rate for a low Tg latex system but accelerated the rate for a high Tg latex. This result was quantified using Routh-Russel model which was a useful model for the prediction of the latex particle deformation mechanisms. The different amounts of PPh can change the latex particle deformation mechanisms. The TGA results show that the PPh still exist in the latexes films during drying. The microstructures of the latex film which dry under 70°C with the PPh for different time display that the PPh can accelerate the polymer molecules motion and the diffusion rate for the latex coalescence stage.
Multidisciplinary Treatment for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: Review of the Literature
Authors: Mo Shaobo , Cai Guoxiang
Published: December 2016

Peritoneum is one of the common sites of metastasis in advanced stage colorectal cancer patients. Colorectal cancer patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) are traditionally believed to have poor prognosis, which indicates it is of no value to adopt surgical treatment. With the advancement of surgical techniques, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and multidisciplinary treatment in recent years, the cognition and treatment strategies of colorectal peritoneal metastases (CPM) have changed dramatically. In terms of prognosis, CPM under the palliative systemic treatment shows an inferior outcome compared with nonperitoneal metastasis. Nevertheless, some CPM patients amenable to the complete peritoneal cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC may achieve long-term survival. The prognostic factors of CPM comprise peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction score (CC score), the presence of extraperitoneal metastasis (liver, etc.), Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS), Japanese peritoneal staging, and so forth. Taken together, literature data suggest that a multimodality approach combining complete peritoneal CRS plus HIPEC, systemic chemotherapy, and targeted therapy may be the best treatment option for PM from colorectal cancer.
Scenario Based Municipal Wastewater Estimation: Development and Application of a Dynamic Simulation Model
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhao Tingsheng , Zhou Aijiao , Zhang Zhengzhu , Liu Wen
Published: December 2016

This paper develops causal loop diagrams and a system dynamics model for estimation of wastewater quantity changes as a function of future socioeconomic development and the municipal water environment of the city under the influence of several key factors. Using Wuhan (a city with population more than 10 million in China) as a case study, the variability of Wuhan’s wastewater quantity and water environment is modeled under different development patterns by year 2030. Nine future scenarios are designed by assigning different values to those key factors, including GDP growth rate, water consumption of annual ten thousand GDP, and wastewater treatment fee. The results show that (1) GDP growth leads to an increase in municipal wastewater quantity, but an increase in wastewater treatment fee can be in favor of reducing urban water pollution, and (2) the impact of per ten thousand yuan GDP water consumption on the amount of municipal wastewater is larger in the near future, while the impact of GDP growth rate is much larger in the long term. The dynamic model has proven to be reliable for simulating the municipal wastewater changes, and it could help decision makers to make the scientific and reasonable decisions.
A Two-Dimensional Numerical Investigation of Transport of Malaria-Infected Red Blood Cells in Stenotic Microchannels
Authors: Wang Tong , Tao Yong , Rongin Uwitije , Xing Zhongwen
Published: December 2016

The malaria-infected red blood cells experience a significant decrease in cell deformability and increase in cell membrane adhesion. Blood hemodynamics in microvessels is significantly affected by the alteration of the mechanical property as well as the aggregation of parasitized red blood cells. In this study, we aim to numerically study the connection between cell-level mechanobiological properties of human red blood cells and related malaria disease state by investigating the transport of multiple red blood cell aggregates passing through microchannels with symmetric stenosis. Effects of stenosis magnitude, aggregation strength, and cell deformability on cell rheology and flow characteristics were studied by a two-dimensional model using the fictitious domain-immersed boundary method. The results indicated that the motion and dissociation of red blood cell aggregates were influenced by these factors and the flow resistance increases with the increase of aggregating strength and cell stiffness. Further, the roughness of the velocity profile was enhanced by cell aggregation, which considerably affected the blood flow characteristics. The study may assist us in understanding cellular-level mechanisms in disease development.
Protective Effect of PPARγAgonists on Cerebellar Tissues Oxidative Damage in Hypothyroid Rats
Authors: Baghcheghi Yousef , Beheshti Farimah , Salmani Hossein , Soukhtanloo Mohammad , Hosseini Mahmoud
Published: December 2016

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists on cerebellar tissues oxidative damage in hypothyroid rats. The animals included seven groups: group I (control), the animals received drinking water; group II, the animals received 0.05% propylthiouracil (PTU) in drinking water; besides PTU, the animals in groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII, were injected with 20 mg/kg vitamin E (Vit E), 10 or 20 mg/kg pioglitazone, and 2 or 4 mg/kg rosiglitazone, respectively. The animals were deeply anesthetized and the cerebellar tissues were removed for biochemical measurements. PTU administration reduced thiol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the cerebellar tissues while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites. Vit E, pioglitazone, and rosiglitazone increased thiol, SOD, and CAT in the cerebellar tissues while reducing MDA and NO metabolites. The results of present study showed that, similar to Vit E, both rosiglitazone and pioglitazone as PPARγagonists exerted protective effects against cerebellar tissues oxidative damage in hypothyroid rats.
Subureteral Injection with Small-Size Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Copolymer: Is It Really Efficient?
Authors: Üre Iyimser , Gürocak Serhat , Tan Özgür , Farahvash Amirali , Senol Cem , Gümüstas Hüseyin , Atay Irfan , Deniz Nuri
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of patients with vesicoureteral reflux, which were treated with subureteral injection of small-size (80–120 μm) dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (Dx/HA). Data of 75 children (105 renal units) who underwent STING procedure with small-size Dx/HA for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in our clinic between 2008 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative reflux grade and side, injection indication, postoperative urinary infections and urinary symptoms, voiding cystourethrogram, and renal scintigraphy results were evaluated. The success rate of the procedure was 100% in patients with grades 1 and 2 reflux, 91% in patients with grade 3 reflux, and 82.6% in patients with grade 4. Overall success rate of the treated patients was 97%. Endoscopic subureteric injection with Dx/HA procedure has become a reasonable minimally invasive alternative technique to open surgery, long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, and surveillance modalities in treatment of VUR in terms of easy application, low costs and complication rates, and high success rates. Injection material composed of small-size dextranomer microspheres seems superior to normal size Dx/HA, together with offering similar success with low cost.
Changes in Cardiac Varices and Their Clinical Significance after Eradication of Esophageal Varices by Band Ligation
Authors: Park Seung Woon , Seo Yeon Seok , Lee Han Ah , Park Sang Jung , Kim Tae Hyung , Lee Jae Min , Suh Sang Jun , Choi Hyuk Soon , Kim Eun Sun , Keum Bora , Jung Young Kul , Kim Ji Hoon , An Hyonggin , Yim Hyung Joon , Jeen Yoon Tae , Yeon Jong Eun , Lee Hong Sik , Chun Hoon Jai , Byun Kwan Soo , Um Soon Ho , Kim Chang Duck
Published: December 2016

Background and Aims. Cardiac varices (CVs) in patients with type 1 gastroesophageal varices (GOV1s) usually disappear with treatment for esophageal varices (EVs) by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). However, whether this applies to patients treated with endoscopic band ligation (EBL) for EVs remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of EVs eradication by EBL on CVs.Methods. We included cirrhotic patients whose EVs had been eradicated using EBL and excluded those who had been treated using EIS, those who had received endoscopic therapy for CVs, and those who were combined with hepatocellular carcinoma.Results. A total of 123 patients were enrolled. The age was 59.7 ± 11.7 years, and 96 patients (78.0%) were men. Thirty-eight patients (30.9%) had EVs only, while 85 (69.1%) had GOV1s. After EVs eradication, the CVs disappeared in 55 patients (64.7%). EVs recurred in 40 patients, with recurrence rates at 1, 2, and 3 years of 16.0%, 29.6%, and 35.6%, respectively, the recurrence being more frequent in patients who had undergone EBL for secondary prophylaxis and in those with persisting CVs after EVs eradication (P=0.003).Conclusions. CVs frequently disappeared when EVs were eradicated using EBL in patients with GOV1s. Persistence of CVs after EVs eradication by EBL was associated with EVs recurrence.
Recommendations and Improvements for the Evaluation of Integrated Community-Wide Interventions Approaches
Authors: van Koperen Tessa M. , Renders Carry M. , Spierings Eline J. M. , Hendriks Anna-Marie , Westerman Marjan J. , Seidell Jacob C. , Schuit Albertine J.
Published: December 2016

Background. Integrated community-wide intervention approaches (ICIAs) are implemented to prevent childhood obesity. Programme evaluation improves these ICIAs, but professionals involved often struggle with performance. Evaluation tools have been developed to support Dutch professionals involved in ICIAs. It is unclear how useful these tools are to intended users. We therefore researched the facilitators of and barriers to ICIA programme evaluation as perceived by professionals and their experiences of the evaluation tools. Methods. Focus groups and interviews with 33 public health professionals. Data were analysed using a thematic content approach. Findings. Evaluation is hampered by insufficient time, budget, and experience with ICIAs, lack of leadership, and limited advocacy for evaluation. Epidemiologists are regarded as responsible for evaluation but feel incompetent to perform evaluation or advocate its need in a political environment. Managers did not prioritise process evaluations, involvement of stakeholders, and capacity building. The evaluation tools are perceived as valuable but too comprehensive considering limited resources. Conclusion. Evaluating ICIAs is important but most professionals are unfamiliar with it and management does not prioritise process evaluation nor incentivize professionals to evaluate. To optimise programme evaluation, more resources and coaching are required to improve professionals’ evaluation capabilities and specifically the use of evaluation.
Human Nasal Myiasis Caused byOestrus ovisin the Highlands of Cusco, Peru: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hoyer P. , Williams R. R. , Lopez M. , Cabada M. M.
Published: December 2016

Myiasis is the infestation by dipterous larvae. The larvae can infect intact or decaying tissue including the skin or epithelial surfaces of the orbits, nose, and genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. We report a case of primary obligatory nasal myiasis byOestrus ovisin a 56-year-old man from Cusco in Peru. He presented with nasal pruritus, congestion, and sneezing white “cottony” material. The material was identified asO. ovislarvae. A literature review of publications reporting nasal myiasis caused byO. ovisis presented.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastric Adenoma and Gastric Cancer in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Tak Dae Hyun , Moon Hee Seok , Kang Sun Hyung , Sung Jae Kyu , Jeong Hyun Yong
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims. To evaluate the incidence of gastric adenoma and gastric cancer in colorectal cancer patients, as well as the clinicopathological features that affect their incidence.Methods. Among patients who underwent surgery after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer between January 2004 and December 2013 at Chungnam National University Hospital, 142 patients who underwent follow-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were assigned to the patient group. The control group included 426 subjects randomly selected. The patient group was subdivided into two: one that developed gastric adenoma or cancer and one that did not. Clinicopathological characteristics were compared between these groups.Results. In total, 35 (24.6%) colorectal cancer patients developed a gastric adenoma or gastric cancer, which was higher than the number in the control group (20 [4.7%] patients;p<0.001). Age, alcohol history, and differentiation of colorectal cancer were associated with higher risks of gastric adenoma or gastric cancer, with odds ratios of 1.062, 6.506, and 5.901, respectively.Conclusions. In colorectal cancer patients, screening with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is important, even if no lesions are noted in the upper gastrointestinal tract at colorectal cancer diagnosis. Endoscopic screening is particularly important with increasing age, history of alcohol consumption, and poor cancer differentiation.
Flexural Behavior of High-Volume Steel Fiber Cementitious Composite Externally Reinforced with Basalt FRP Sheet
Authors: Kim Seungwon , Park Cheolwoo
Published: December 2016

High-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs) are characterized by unique tensile strain hardening and multiple microcracking behaviors. The HPFRCC, which demonstrates remarkable properties such as strength, ductility, toughness, durability, stiffness, and thermal resistance, is a class of fiber cement composite with fine aggregates. It can withstand tensile stresses by forming distributed microcracks owing to the embedded fibers in the concrete, which improve the energy absorption capacity and apparent ductility. This high energy absorbing capacity can be enhanced further by an external stiff fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). Basalt fabric is externally bonded as a sheet on concrete materials to enhance the durability and resistance to fire and other environmental attacks. This study investigates the flexural performance of an HPFRCC that is externally reinforced with multiple layers of basalt FRP. The HPFRCC considered in the study contains steel fibers at a volume fraction of 8%.
Higher Sensitivity and Earlier Identification of Celiac Disease Autoimmunity by a Nonradioactive Assay for Transglutaminase Autoantibodies
Authors: Zhao Zhiyuan , Miao Dongmei , Waugh Kathleen , Taki Iman , Dong Fran , Liu Edwin , Rewers Marian , Liu Yu , Yu Liping
Published: December 2016

Higher sensitive transglutaminase autoantibody (TGA) assay will detect the onset of celiac disease (CD) autoimmunity earlier. In developing a nonradioactive assay for TGA, we utilized electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology and compared it to a high-performance radioimmunoassay (RIA) currently being used to screen patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and genetically at-risk individuals for CD. We selected 183 T1D patients with 60 patients having received biopsy and analyzed 396 sequential samples from 73 young children longitudinally followed up with TGA seroconversion, with 27 undergoing biopsy. In addition, 112 age-matched healthy control subjects were included in the study. With the 99th percentile of specificity, the ECL assay detected significantly more TGA positivity among patients with T1D (133/183) than RIA (114/183) and more of the sequential samples (34%) from 73 children than RIA (18%). The TGA assay performed by ECL was positive in all 59 subjects with villous atrophy. Among 73 longitudinally followed up children, ECL assay had earlier detection of TGA on 34 children by a mean of 2.5 years. In conclusion, the new TGA assay by ECL has a higher sensitivity than the current RIA assay and may better predict the onset of CD.
Fast-Growing Meningioma in a Woman Undergoing Fertility Treatments
Authors: Patterson Adam , Elashaal Abdurrahim
Published: December 2016

Meningiomas have long been known to be associated with sexual hormones. We discuss here the case of a woman with a huge meningioma that rapidly grew over the course of a couple years while the patient was simultaneously taking fertility treatments. There is substantial evidence suggesting that fertility treatments can fuel the growth of meningiomas. The potential risks should be considered in women with a previous or family history of meningiomas who plan to undergo fertility treatment. These patients need to be evaluated and a screening imaging of brain MRI (Magnetic Resonant Imaging) should be offered in the middle or toward the end of such a treatment to control and prevent complications of these meningiomas.