bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Base free N-alkylation of anilines with ArCH2OH and transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes/ketones catalyzed by the complexes of η5-Cp*Ir(iii) with chalcogenated Schiff bases of anthracene-9-carbaldehyde
Authors: Dubey Pooja , Gupta Sonu , Singh Ajai K.
Published: January 2018

Base free transfer hydrogenation and N-alkylation of aniline with benzyl alcohol were catalyzed by Ir(iii) complexes (0.1–0.5 mol%).
Synthesis of hierarchical porous carbon from metal carbonates towards high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Liang Chu , Liang Sheng , Xia Yang , Gan Yongping , Fang Libin , Jiang Yinzhu , Tao Xinyong , Huang Hui , Zhang Jun , Zhang Wenkui
Published: January 2018

Hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) has become increasingly important in tackling global environmental and energy-related challenges.
MBene (MnB): a new type of 2D metallic ferromagnet with high Curie temperature
Authors: Jiang Zhou , Wang Peng , Jiang Xue , Zhao Jijun
Published: January 2018

Inspired by 3D MAB, we propose a new concept of 2D MBenes, among which MnB metal exhibits stable ferromagnetism (FM) and high Curie temperature.
Rolling up graphene oxide sheets through solvent-induced self-assembly in dispersions
Authors: Tang Bo , Xiong Zhiyuan , Yun Xiawei , Wang Xiaogong
Published: January 2018

Nanoscrolls of graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated through dropwise addition of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) into the aqueous dispersion of GO.
Small-molecule anticancer agents kill cancer cells by harnessing reactive oxygen species in an iron-dependent manner
Authors: Fedorka Sara R. , So Kevin , Al-Hamashi Ayad A. , Gad Ibtissam , Shah Ronit , Kholodovych Veronika , Alqahtani Hanan D. , Taylor William R. , Tillekeratne L. M. Viranga
Published: January 2018

In the course of generating a library of open-chain epothilones, we discovered a new class of small molecule anticancer agents that has no effect on tubulin but instead kills selected cancer cell lines by harnessing reactive oxygen species in an iron-dependent manner.
Performance enhancement of a polydimethylsiloxane membrane for effectiven-butanol pervaporation by bonding multi-silyl-functional MCM-41
Authors: Si Zhihao , Hu Song , Cai Di , Qin Peiyong , Xu Qinghong
Published: January 2018

The compatibility and total flux of a polydimethylsiloxane membrane were significantly improved by bonding multi-silyl-functional MCM-41.
The influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the semi-blunt puncture behavior of woven fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF)
Authors: Wang Fei-Fei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Hao , Xu Lan , Wang Ping , Guo Chong-bin
Published: January 2018

Fabrics are widely applied in various fields, such as body armor, aerospace industry and military equipment.
A proton conductor electrolyte based on molten CsH5(PO4)2 for intermediate-temperature fuel cells
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Zhang Yichong , Ribeiorinha Paulo , Li Haibin , Kong Xiangyang , Boaventura Marta
Published: January 2018

An proton conductor electrolyte membrane, in which molten CsH5(PO4)2 is held in a matrix made of PBI polymer and SiO2 powder, is prepared for intermediate-temperature fuel cells.
Simultaneous voltammetric detection of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid using a poly(2-(N-morpholine)ethane sulfonic acid)/RGO modified electrode
Authors: Zhang Keying , Zhang Na , Zhang Li , Wang Hongyan , Shi Hongwei , Liu Qiao
Published: January 2018

A sensitive electrochemical sensor for simultaneously detecting dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid.
Highly transparent and flexible polyaniline mesh sensor for chemiresistive sensing of ammonia gas
Authors: Cai Jingxuan , Zhang Cuiping , Khan Arshad , Liang Chuwei , Li Wen-Di
Published: January 2018

A new solution to flexible transparent polyaniline sensors by introducing hierarchical structures with regular micro meshes and solution-processed fabrication.
Catalytic vinylogous cross-coupling reactions of rhenium vinylcarbenoids
Authors: Chen Ji , Wu Jimmy
Published: January 2018

We report the first example of the rhenium-catalyzed allylation reaction of indolyl compounds by means of cross-coupling with propargyl ethers as non-obvious allylating reagents.
Flexible gel-state thermoelectrochemical materials with excellent mechanical and thermoelectric performances based on incorporating Sn2+/Sn4+ electrolyte into polymer/carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Wu Guangbao , Xue Yufeng , Wang Lei , Wang Xin , Chen Guangming
Published: January 2018

Novel gel-state thermoelectrochemical (TEC) materials are designed by incorporating Sn2+/Sn4+ electrolytes into polymer/carbon nanotube composites.
Dielectric elastomer actuators with increased dielectric permittivity and low leakage current capable of suppressing electromechanical instability
Authors: Caspari Philip , Dünki Simon J. , Nüesch Frank A. , Opris Dorina M.
Published: January 2018

A dielectric elastomer with increased permittivity and excellent dielectric and electromechanical properties suitable to transducer applications was developed.
Facile fabrication of shape-controlled CoxMnyOβ nanocatalysts for benzene oxidation at low temperatures
Authors: Wang Xiuyun , Zhao Weitao , Zhang Tianhua , Zhang Yongfan , Jiang Lilong , Yin Shuangfen
Published: January 2018

We report a new strategy for the design and construction of CoxMnyOβ for C6H6 oxidation, a representative VOC.
Reevaluating Order Effects in the Binaural Bithermal Caloric Test
Authors: Burnette Elizabeth , Piker Erin G. , Frank-Ito Dennis
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a significant order effect exists in the binaural bithermal caloric test.

Method

Fifteen volunteers (mean age = 24.3 years, range = 18–38 years) with no history of vestibular disorder, hearing loss, concussion, or neurological disease underwent caloric testing on 3 occasions. Irrigations were randomized using 8 possible order combinations. The parameters of interest included unilateral weakness, directional preponderance, total response from the right ear, and total response from the left ear.

Results

Order effects were analyzed using 2 methods. The first analysis was done looking at the 8 possible orders. We also had an a priori established hypothesis that the first irrigation tested would influence the calculation of unilateral weakness more than the other 3 irrigations. To test this hypothesis, the 8 orders were condensed into 4 order conditions based on the first irrigation. The effect of order was determined using analysis of variance tests. Although the first irrigation tended to be the largest, no significant effects were observed.

Conclusions

This experiment demonstrated that while there is great inter-individual and intra-individual variability in caloric test results, the order of irrigations had no significant effect in the test. Future studies may explore the effects of nonphysiological factors on test results.
Performance on Auditory and Visual Tasks of Inhibition in English Monolingual and Spanish–English Bilingual Adults: Do Bilinguals Have a Cognitive Advantage?
Authors: Desjardins Jamie L. , Fernandez Francisco
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Bilingual individuals have been shown to be more proficient on visual tasks of inhibition compared with their monolingual counterparts. However, the bilingual advantage has not been evidenced in all studies, and very little is known regarding how bilingualism influences inhibitory control in the perception of auditory information. The purpose of the current study was to examine inhibition of irrelevant information using auditory and visual tasks in English monolingual and Spanish–English bilingual adults.

Method

Twenty English monolinguals and 19 early balanced Spanish–English bilinguals participated in this study. All participants were 18–30 years of age, had hearing thresholds < 25 dB HL from 250 to 8000 Hz, bilaterally (American National Standards Institute, 2003), and were right handed. Inhibition was measured using a forced-attention dichotic consonant–vowel listening task and the Simon task, a nonverbal visual test.

Results

Both groups of participants demonstrated a significant right ear advantage on the dichotic listening task; however, no significant differences in performance were evidenced between the monolingual and bilingual groups in any of the dichotic listening conditions. Both groups performed better on the congruent trial than on the incongruent trial of the Simon task and had significantly faster response times on the congruent trial than on the incongruent trial. However, there were no significant differences in performance between the monolingual and bilingual groups on the visual test of inhibition.

Conclusions

No significant differences in performance on auditory and visual tests of inhibition of irrelevant information were evidenced between the monolingual and bilingual participants in this study. These findings suggest that bilinguals may not exhibit an advantage in the inhibition of irrelevant information compared with monolinguals.
The supernova-regulated ISM
Authors: Väisälä M. S. , Gent F. A. , Juvela M. , Käpylä M. J.
Published: January 2018

Context.Efforts to compare polarization measurements with synthetic observations from magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) models have previously concentrated on the scale of molecular clouds.

Aims.We extend the model comparisons to kiloparsec scales, taking into account hot shocked gas generated by supernovae and a non-uniform dynamo-generated magnetic field at both large and small scales down to 4 pc spatial resolution.

Methods.We used radiative transfer calculations to model dust emission and polarization on top of MHD simulations. We computed synthetic maps of column densityNH, polarization fractionp, and polarization angle dispersionS, and studied their dependencies on important properties of MHD simulations. These include the large-scale magnetic field and its orientation, the small-scale magnetic field, and supernova-driven shocks.

Results.Similar filament-like structures ofSas seen in thePlanckall-sky maps are visible in our synthetic results, although the smallest scale structures are absent from our maps. Supernova-driven shock fronts andSdo not show significant correlation. Instead,Scan clearly be attributed to the distribution of the small-scale magnetic field. We also find that the large-scale magnetic field influences the polarization properties, such that, for a given strength of magnetic fluctuation, a strong plane of the sky mean field weakens the observedS, while strengtheningp. The anticorrelation ofpandS, and decreasingpas a function ofNHare consistent across all synthetic observations. The magnetic fluctuations follow an exponential distribution, rather than Gaussian characteristic of flows with intermittent repetitive shocks.

Conclusions.The observed polarization properties and column densities are sensitive to the line-of-sight distance over which the emission is integrated. Studying synthetic maps as the function of maximum integration length will further help with the interpretation of observations. The effects of the large-scale magnetic field orientation on the polarization properties are difficult to be quantified from observations solely, but MHD models might turn out to be useful for separating the effect of the large-scale mean field.
The XMM Cluster Outskirts Project (X-COP): Thermodynamic properties of the intracluster medium out to R200 in Abell 2319
Authors: Ghirardini V. , Ettori S. , Eckert D. , Molendi S. , Gastaldello F. , Pointecouteau E. , Hurier G. , Bourdin H.
Published: January 2018

Aims. We present the joint analysis of the X-ray and Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) signals in Abell 2319, the galaxy cluster with the highest signal-to-noise ratio in SZ Planck maps and that has been surveyed within our XMM-Newton Cluster Outskirts Project (X-COP), a very large program which aims to grasp the physical condition in 12 local (z < 0.1) and massive (M200 > 3 × 1014 M⊙) galaxy clusters out to R200 and beyond.

Methods. We recover the profiles of the thermodynamic properties by the geometrical deprojection of the X-ray surface brightness, of the SZ Comptonization parameter, and accurate and robust spectroscopic measurements of the gas temperature out to 3.2 Mpc (1.6 R200), 4 Mpc (2 R200), and 1.6 Mpc (0.8 R200), respectively. We resolve the clumpiness of the gas density to be below 20% over the entire observed volume. We also demonstrate that most of this clumpiness originates from the ongoing merger and can be associated with large-scale inhomogeneities (the “residual” clumpiness). We estimate the total mass through the hydrostatic equilibrium equation. This analysis is done both in azimuthally averaged radial bins and in eight independent angular sectors, enabling us to study in detail the azimuthal variance of the recovered properties.

Results. Given the exquisite quality of the X-ray and SZ datasets, their radial extension, and their complementarity, we constrain at R200 the total hydrostatic mass, modelled with a Navarro–Frenk–White profile at very high precision (M200 = 10.7 ± 0.5stat. ± 0.9syst. × 1014 M⊙). We identify the ongoing merger and how it is affecting differently the gas properties in the resolved azimuthal sectors. We have several indications that the merger has injected a high level of non-thermal pressure in this system: the clumping free density profile is above the average profile obtained by stacking Rosat/PSPC observations; the gas mass fraction recovered using our hydrostatic mass profile exceeds the expected cosmic gas fraction beyond R500; the pressure profile is flatter than the fit obtained by the Planck Collaboration; the entropy profile is flatter than the mean profile predicted from non-radiative simulations; the analysis in azimuthal sectors has revealed that these deviations occur in a preferred region of the cluster. All these tensions are resolved by requiring a relative support of about 40% from non-thermal to the total pressure at R200.
Diastereoselective One-Pot Tandem Synthesis of Chromenopyridodiazepinones through 1,4- and 1,6-Aza-Conjugate Additions/Heterocyclizations
Authors: Talhi Oualid , Silva Artur , Bouchama Abdelghani , Hassaine Ridha , Taibi Nadia , Mendes Ricardo , Almeida Paz Fillipe , Bachari Khaldoun
Published: January 2018

We report an efficient one-pot synthesis of a novel series of chromenopyridodiazepinone polyheterocycles by a catalyst-free nucleo­philic addition of ethane-1,2-diamine to (E,E)-3-[3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl]-2-styrylchromones at room temperature under mild conditions. The reaction proceeds by a tandem process involving 1,4- and 1,6-aza-conjugate additions of one amino group of ethane-1,2-diamine to the α,β-unsaturated (3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl) and the α,β,γ,δ-diunsaturated (2-styrylchromone) carbonyl system of the precursor, followed by imine condensation of the remaining amino group to generate the chromenopyridodiazepinone polyheterocycle. All compounds were characterized by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray crystallography.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Healthy Individuals with Continuous Heparin Infusion
Authors: Williams Jonathan , Autori Paula , Kidd Stephen , Piazza Gregory , Connors Molly , Czeisler Charles , Scheuermaier Karine , Duffy Jeanne , Klerman Elizabeth , Scheer Frank , Kozak Marjorie , Driscoll Sheila , Goldhaber Samuel
Published: January 2018

The risk for developing heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in healthy individuals is thought to be low, but monitoring recommendations remain controversial. Therefore, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify the incidence of thrombocytopenic events in a healthy research population exposed and re-exposed to continuous intravenous (IV) unfractionated heparin. The Division of Sleep Medicine and the Centre for Clinical Investigations at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, instituted a standardized platelet monitoring procedure for all research protocols that involved heparin to detect platelet count decreases. Protocol-related frequent blood sampling required use of continuous IV unfractionated heparin infusion (5,000 unit/L in 0.45% saline at 40 mL/h) to maintain line patency over extended periods of IV access. From the years 2009 to 2012, a total of 273 healthy volunteers enrolled in Sleep Medicine research protocols met study criteria as having been exposed and/or re-exposed to continuously infused intravenous heparin for at least 4 hours. The mean continuous heparin exposure time was 88 ± 82 SD hours with a total of 397 heparin exposure and re-exposure events. Platelet count measurements were obtained on 629 occasions, representing a range from 2 to 9 draws per participant. No platelet count decrease of more than 50% was detected. There were no detected adverse bleeding or thrombotic events. In this retrospective study of healthy volunteers involved in a rigorously applied inpatient platelet monitoring protocol, heparin exposure and re-exposure did not lower platelet concentration and, therefore, does not appear to be associated with increased risk of HIT in this population.
Surgical Accuracy of an Early Intervention Knee Implant Instrumentation System
Authors: Lowry Mike , Buza John , Liu James , Rosenbaum Heather , Lavery Jessica , Bosco Joseph , Walker Peter
Published: January 2018

Accuracy of component and limb alignment are critical parameters for the long-term success of unicompartmental knee implants. In this study, we performed a laboratory evaluation of an instrumentation system which was designed for an early intervention (EI) type of unicompartmental knee. The accuracy of fit was evaluated by implanting in 20 sawbones full leg models. The overall alignment of the limb was compared pre- and postoperatively. The accuracy of placement of each component on its bone was measured. The mean overall alignment angle in the frontal plane was within 1° of target with less than 1° standard deviation. The components were positioned in frontal and sagittal planes with maximum errors of 2°. The angular accuracy was better than in studies reported in the literature for manual instruments, and almost approached the accuracy of computer-assisted systems. The position of the femoral component in the recess was within 1 mm in most cases but the sagittal flexion angle was variable with a standard deviation of 6°. Evaluation of a surgical technique in this way was a valuable method for determining accuracy and for highlighting any deficiencies in the system which could then be corrected.
Conservative versus Surgical Therapy in Managing Patients with Facial Nerve Palsy Due to the Temporal Bone Fracture
Authors: Abbaszadeh-Kasbi Ali , Kouhi Ali , Ashtiani Mohammad Taghi Khorsandi , Anari MahtabRabbani , Yazdi AlirezaKarimi , Emami Hamed
Published: January 2018

Facial nerve paralysis is classified into immediate or delayed-onset palsy, and affected patients should be treated through conservative or surgical therapy. Appropriate treatment is somewhat debated as well as proper time for performing surgery. This study aimed to assess treatment outcome between conservatively and surgically treated groups and to determine the appropriate time of surgery in selected patients for surgery. Twenty-four patients from April 2008 to July 2015 were included. Performing decompression surgery within the first 2 months following the trauma accompanies a better prognosis ( p-value < 0.05). Eleven patients were managed conservatively, and 4 of them demonstrated immediate onset and 7 indicated delayed onset. Nine patients obtained normal nerve function, one patient had partial palsy, and one of them had complete palsy. There was no significant difference in the rate of recovery between types of the treatment ( p-value > 0.05). Decompression surgery is recommended in the first 2 months after the trauma for immediate onset and also complete degeneration on electroneuronography.
Acute Myocardial Injury in Association with Metformin Toxicity
Authors: Garg Ashish , Sánchez-Solano Nataly , Gorla Sudheer , Swaminathan Sethuraman
Published: January 2018

Metformin is one of the most commonly used oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Toxicity related to accidental or intentional ingestion of metformin is well reported in the pediatric literature. We report a case of transient acute myocardial injury documented by biochemical and electrophysiological evidences in an adolescent male who presented with intentional ingestion of a large dose of metformin. To our knowledge, this is the first such case of documented reversible myocardial injury in relation to metformin toxicity to be reported in the pediatric literature.
Anticoagulation and Mortality Rates among Hospitalized Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Piazza Gregory , Hurwitz Shelley , Harrigan Lindsay , Jenkins Kathryn , Hohlfelder Benjamin , Fanikos John , Goldhaber Samuel
Published: January 2018

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased rate of mortality, heart failure, and stroke. We conducted an observational study to assess the relationship between anticoagulation and adverse clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with AF. We performed a 5,000-consecutive-patient retrospective cohort analysis of anticoagulation prescription and 90-day outcomes in patients with AF hospitalized at Brigham and Women's Hospital from May 2008 to September 2014. All-cause mortality at 90 days was 5.4%. The frequency of death between hospital discharge and day 90 was lower in patients who were anticoagulated at discharge (2.8 vs. 7.1%, p < 0.001). Anticoagulation prescription at discharge was associated with a 60% reduction in death between discharge and day 90, after adjustment for confounding factors. Major adverse events at day 90, including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding, were more frequent in patients who were not prescribed anticoagulation at discharge (16.5 vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, prescription of anticoagulation at discharge predicted a lower mortality (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.3–0.53) and lower major adverse event rate (adjusted OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.54–0.76) by day 90. In conclusion, all-cause mortality at 90 days was high among inpatients with AF. Patients with AF who were not prescribed anticoagulation at discharge had an increased risk of death at 90 days. Hospitalization represents a special opportunity to optimize cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, including anticoagulation.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone and Inhibin B Levels in Obese Boys; Relations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Buyukinan Muammer , Atar Muge , Pirgon Ozgur , Kurku Huseyin , Erdem S. , Deniz Isa
Published: January 2018

Objective Obesity may reduce sertoli cell functions in men. The aim of the study was to investigate antimullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B levels (sertoli cell markers) in obese boys and their relations to cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin sensitivity index, aortic intima media thickness (aIMT) and high sensitive c-reactive protein (hsCRP).

Patients, methods 121 obese and 38 healthy lean adolescents were included in the study. Serum AMH, inhibin B, gonadotropins, total testosterone, lipids, hsCRP, glucose and insulin levels were detected and analyzed. Insulin resistance was analyzed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). aIMT was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.

Results Serum AMH, inhibin B and total testosterone levels were lower in the obese adolescents (p=0.01, p=0.009 and p=0.002, respectively). aIMT measurements (p<0.001, 0.63±0.09 and 0.47±0.06 mm, respectively) and hsCRP levels (p<0.001, 2.5±0.4 and 0.66±0.69 mg/L, respectively) were significantly increased in the obese group. Obese with IR group had decreased AMH levels (p=0.02, 53.0±20.5 and 66.7±19.5 ng/mL, respectively) and increased triglycerides, HOMA-IR, aIMT measurements than non-IR obese group. AMH levels were correlated negatively with body mass index (r:−0.108, p=0.03), HOMA-IR (r:−0.358, p=0.003) and fasting insulin levels (r:−0.389, p=0.001) in obese group with IR.

Conclusion We found that concentrations of both sertoli cell markers (AMH and inhibin B) were significantly lower in obese pubertal boys especially in obese with IR. Obesity and IR might be important factors for the sertoli cell impairment in pubertal boys.
Fluctuations and large deviations of Reynolds stresses in zonal jet dynamics
Authors: Bouchet F. , Marston J. B. , Tangarife T.
Published: January 2018

The Reynolds stress, or equivalently the average of the momentum flux, is key to understanding the statistical properties of turbulent flows. Both typical and rare fluctuations of the time averaged momentum flux are needed to fully characterize the slow flow evolution. The fluctuations are described by a large deviation rate function that may be calculated either from numerical simulation or from theory. We show that, for parameter regimes in which a quasilinear approximation is accurate, the rate function can be found by solving a matrix Riccati equation. Using this tool, we compute for the first time the large deviation rate function for the Reynolds stress of a turbulent flow. We study a barotropic flow on a rotating sphere and show that the fluctuations are highly non-Gaussian. This work opens up new perspectives for the study of rare transitions between attractors in turbulent flows.
Low-temperature thermal reduction of graphene oxide: In situ correlative structural, thermal desorption, and electrical transport measurements
Authors: Lipatov Alexey , Guinel Maxime J.-F. , Muratov Dmitry S. , Vanyushin Vladislav O. , Wilson Peter M. , Kolmakov Andrei , Sinitskii Alexander
Published: January 2018

Elucidation of the structural transformations in graphene oxide (GO) upon reduction remains an active and important area of research. We report the results of in situ heating experiments, during which electrical, mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements were carried out correlatively. The simultaneous electrical and temperature programmed desorption measurements allowed us to correlate the onset of the increase in the electrical conductivity of GO by five orders of magnitude at about 150 °C with the maxima of the rates of desorption of H2O, CO, and CO2. Interestingly, this large conductivity change happens at an intermediate level of the reduction of GO, which likely corresponds to the point when the graphitic domains become large enough to enable percolative electronic transport. We demonstrate that the gas desorption is intimately related to (i) the changes in the chemical structure of GO detected by XPS and Raman spectroscopy and (ii) the formation of nanoscopic holes in GO sheets revealed by TEM. These in situ observations provide a better understanding of the mechanism of the GO thermal reduction.
The role of geodesic acoustic mode on reducing the turbulent transport in the edge plasma of tokamak
Authors: Geng K. N. , Kong D. F. , Liu A. D. , Lan T. , Yu C. X. , Zhao H. L. , Yan L. W. , Cheng J. , Zhao K. J. , Dong J. Q. , Duan X. R. , Chen R. , Zhang T. , Zhang S. B. , Gao X. , Li J. , Xie J. L. , Li H. , Liu W. D.
Published: January 2018

Three sets of triple probe arrays (four-tip) are applied to study the transport properties at the edge of a HL-2A tokamak. The Geodesic Acoustic Mode (GAM) exhibits intermittent characteristics during the discharge. The radial particle flux has been studied in different phases corresponding to the variable GAM intensity. The experimental results reveal that the radial particle flux contributed by the ambient turbulence (20 kHz–100 kHz) has been suppressed by 13% during the GAM bursts, contrasting weak GAM cases. Power of density fluctuations and coherence between density and potential fluctuations contribute to most reduction of the particle flux, while changing the cross phase between the density and potential fluctuations and the suppression of power of potential fluctuations hardly contribute to it. These results suggest that the GAM can regulate the turbulent transport mainly by changing the amplitude of ambient turbulence, rather than the cross phase between density and potential fluctuations.
Influence of inner-arc curvature and number of cladding rings on confinement loss in a hypocycloid-shaped kagome hollow-core photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Fan Zhenkai , Li Shuguang , Fu Bo , Wang Baozhu , Zhang Wan
Published: January 2018

A hypocycloid-shaped hollow-core photonic crystal fiber is proposed and investigated numerically, taking account of the inhibited coupling mechanism for light guidance. The results show that the curvature of the internal arcs surrounding the core has a very significant impact on the confinement loss, whereas the number of cladding rings has only a weak influence. For an arc curvature of 1 with three cladding rings, a confinement loss of just ∼10 dB/km can be achieved for a bandwidth of 1000 nm covering the range from 1 to 2 μm.
Note: An approach to 1000 T using the electro-magnetic flux compression
Authors: Nakamura D. , Sawabe H. , Takeyama S.
Published: January 2018

The maximum magnetic field obtained by the electro-magnetic flux compression technique was investigated with respect to the initial seed magnetic field. It was found that the reduction in the seed magnetic field from 3.8 T to 3.0 T led to a substantial increase in the final peak magnetic field. The optical Faraday rotation method with a minimal size probe evades disturbances from electromagnetic noise and shockwave effects to detect such final peak fields in a reduced space of an inner wall of the imploding liner. The Faraday rotation signal recorded the maximum magnetic field increased significantly to the highest magnetic field of 985 T approaching 1000 T, ever achieved by the electro-magnetic flux compression technique as an indoor experiment.
Potential output purity of completely positive maps
Authors: King Christopher
Published: January 2018

The notion of potential output purity of a completely positive map is introduced as a generalization of the regularized output purity. An upper bound is derived for this quantity, and for several classes of maps (including CQ (classical-quantum), QC (quantum-classical), Hadamard channels), it is shown that potential purity does not exceed the standard output purity. As an application, the potential purity is used to bound the logarithmic Sobolev constant of a product of depolarizing channel semigroups.
Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of AlN responding to low energy particle radiation
Authors: Xi Jianqi , Liu Bin , Zhang Yanwen , Weber William J.
Published: January 2018

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of low energy recoil events in wurtzite AlN have been performed to determine threshold displacement energies, defect production and evolution mechanisms, role of partial charge transfer during the process, and the influence of irradiation-induced defects on the properties of AlN. The results show that the threshold displacement energies, Ed, along the direction parallel to the basal planes are smaller than those perpendicular to the basal planes. The minimum Ed values are determined to be 19 eV and 55 eV for N and Al atom, respectively, which occur along the [1¯1¯20] direction. In general, the threshold displacement energies for N are smaller than those for Al atom, indicating the N defects would be dominant under irradiation. The defect production mechanisms have been analyzed. It is found that charge transfer and redistribution for both the primary knock-on atom and the subsequent recoil atoms play a significant role in defect production and evolution. Similar to the trend in oxide materials, there is a nearly linear relationship between Ed and the total amount of charge transfer at the potential energy peak in AlN, which provides guidance on the development of charge-transfer interatomic potentials for classic molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the response behavior of AlN to low energy irradiation is qualitatively investigated. The existence of irradiation-induced defects significantly modifies the electronic structure, and thus affects the magnetic, electronic and optical properties of AlN. These findings further enrich the understanding of defects in the wide bandgap semiconductor of AlN.
Study of plasma parameters in a pulsed plasma accelerator using triple Langmuir probe
Authors: Borthakur S. , Talukdar N. , Neog N. K. , Borthakur T. K.
Published: January 2018

A Triple Langmuir Probe (TLP) has been used to study plasma parameters of a transient plasma produced in a newly developed Pulsed Plasma Accelerator system. In this experiment, a TLP with a capacitor based current mode biasing circuit was used that instantaneously gives voltage traces in an oscilloscope which are directly proportional to the plasma electron temperature and density. The electron temperature (Te) and plasma density (ne) of the plasma are measured with the help of this probe and found to be 24.13 eV and 3.34 × 1021/m3 at the maximum energy (−15 kV) of the system, respectively. An attempt was also made to analyse the time-dependent fluctuations in plasma parameters detected by the highly sensitive triple probe. In addition to this, the variation of these parameters under different discharge voltages was studied. The information obtained from these parameters is the initial diagnostics of a new device which is to be dedicated to study the impact of high heat flux plasma stream upon material surfaces inside an ITER like tokamak.
Electrical conduction on the surface of ferroelectric PbTiO3 thin film induced by electrolyte gating
Authors: Nishino Ryutaro , Kozuka Yusuke , Uchida Masaki , Kagawa Fumitaka , Kawasaki Masashi
Published: January 2018

We demonstrate a fairly high sheet conductance (∼1 μS) from 300 K to 10 K on the surface of ferroelectric PbTiO3 thin films in an electric double layer transistor configuration. Applying a positive gate voltage, n-type operation takes place with a high on-off ratio exceeding 105 and a high sheet electron density of 4 × 1013 cm−2. Temperature dependence of the sheet resistance changes from thermal activation-type at low gate voltage (∼3 V) to disordered two-dimensional conduction with a weak temperature dependence at high gate voltage (∼5 V). This behavior is quite different from those in BaTiO3 cases, where strong localization takes place below 100 K in electrostatically or chemically doped BaTiO3 thin films. The absence of instability to a lower symmetry crystal structure may play a role in the case of tetragonal PbTiO3.
A sp2+sp3 hybridized carbon allotrope transformed from AB stacking graphyne and THD-graphene
Authors: Zhang Yu , Shang Jiacheng , Fu Weida , Zeng Li , Tang Tao , Cai Yingxiang
Published: January 2018

New carbon allotropes can be designed by combining sp, sp2 and sp3 three hybridization states. And the hybridization states or coordination numbers of carbon atoms can be changed by applying high pressure on carbon materials. In this study, a common high pressure phase (named as TBBC) transformed from AB-stacking graphyne or THD-graphene is predicted. Its kinetic stability is examined using finite displacement method. We find that the sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon atoms behave different vibration features at high frequency region. Both graphene-like and diamond-like vibration peaks occurs. Phase transition energy barriers from both graphyne and THD-graphene to TBBC are estimated. Electronic structure calculations show that the TBBC is an indirect semiconductor with a bandgap of 0.66 eV. The ideal tensile strength of TBBC is high in [0001] and [11¯00] directions, but is weak along [12¯10] direction.
Azoloazines as A2a receptor antagonists. Structure – activity relationship
Authors: Savateev Konstantin V. , Ulomsky Evgeny N. , Butorin Ilya I. , Charushin Valery N. , Rusinov Vladimir L. , Chupakhin Oleg N.
Published: January 2018

Non-xanthine inhibitors of the adenosine A2a receptor of the azoloazine series are good candidates for use as drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and sepsis. This review systematizes and summarizes the structure – activity relationships in the series of triazoloazines, including annulated pyrimidines, pyrazines and triazines, as well as their tricyclic fused analogues. The above relationships for such systems are analyzed. The structures of the most efficient functional moieties from the point of view of affinity for the A2a receptor and selectivity for other types of adenosine receptors (A1, A2b, A3) are presented.

The bibliography includes 71 references.
Nanocomposites based on tubular and onion nanostructures of molybdenum and tungsten disulfides: inorganic design, functional properties and applications
Authors: Yu Polyakov Alexander , Zak Alla , Tenne Reshef , Goodilin Eugene A , Solntsev Konstantin A
Published: January 2018

The review concerns the development and the state-of-the-art in studies on the surface modification methods aimed at fabricating promising nanocomposites based on multilayer inorganic tubular and onion (fullerene-like) MoS2 and WS2 nanostructures. The synthetic details and structural features of these materials are considered. Considerable attention is paid to targeted functionalization of molybdenum and tungsten disulfide nanostructures and to fundamental principles that underlie their ability to chemical interactions. The functional properties and applications of the obtained materials are described.

The bibliography includes 183 references.
Nanostructured silver sulfide: synthesis of various forms and their application
Authors: Sadovnikov Stanislav I. , Rempel Andrey A. , Gusev Aleksandr I.
Published: January 2018

The results of experimental studies on nanostructured silver sulfide are analyzed and generalized. The influence of small particle size on nonstoichiometry of silver sulfide is discussed. Methods for the synthesis of various forms of nanostructured Ag2S including nanopowders, stable colloidal solutions, quantum dots, core – shell nanoparticles and heteronanostructures are described. The advantages and drawbacks of different synthetic procedures are analyzed. Main fields of application of nanostructured silver sulfide are considered.

The bibliography includes 184 references.
Assessment of crop-management strategies to improve soybean resilience to climate change in Southern Brazil
Authors: Battisti Rafael , Sentelhas Paulo C. , Parker Phillip S. , Nendel Claas , Câmara Gil M. De S. , Farias José R. B. , Basso Claudir J.
Published: January 2018

Management is the most important handle to improve crop yield and resilience under climate change. The aim of this study was to evaluate how irrigation, sowing date, cultivar maturity group and planting density can contribute for increasing the resilience of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) under future climate in southern Brazil. Five sites were selected to represent the range of Brazilian production systems typical for soybean cultivation. Yields were obtained from a crop-model ensemble (CROPGRO, APSIM and MONICA). Three climate scenarios were evaluated: baseline (1961–2014), and two future climate scenarios for the mid-century (2041–70) with low (+2.2°C, A1BLs) and high (+3.2°C, A1BHs) deltas for air temperature and with atmospheric [CO2] of 600 ppm. Supplementary irrigation resulted in higher and more stable yields, with gains in relation to a rainfed crop of 543, 719, 758 kg ha–1, respectively, for baseline, A1BLs and A1BHs. For sowing date, the tendencies were similar between climate scenarios, with higher yields when soybean was sown on 15 October for each simulated growing season. Cultivar maturity group 7.8 and a plant density of 50 plants m−2 resulted in higher yields in all climate scenarios. The best crop-management strategies showed similar tendency for all climate scenarios in Southern Brazil.
Phosphatidylinositol-(4, 5)-bisphosphate regulates calcium gating of small-conductance cation channel TMEM16F
Authors: Ye Wenlei , Han Tina W. , Nassar Layla M. , Zubia Mario , Jan Yuh Nung , Jan Lily Yeh
Published: January 2018

Significance

TMEM16F, a small-conductance Ca
2+
-activated cation channel that permeates Ca
2+
, is required for the Ca
2+
-activated phospholipid scramblase activity. The Ca
2+
-activated Ca
2+
-conductance mediated by TMEM16F constitutes positive feedback, with potentially deleterious outcomes if not tightly regulated. We performed electrophysiological recordings to show that Ca
2+
-gating of TMEM16F depends on TMEM16F interaction with PIP
2
, a minor yet functionally significant phospholipid constituent in the plasma membrane. Elevated intracellular Ca
2+
promotes PIP
2
hydrolysis by membrane-tethered phospholipases, thereby causing TMEM16F inactivation and likely rendering protection from Ca
2+
-overloading and cytotoxicity. Given that TMEM16F plays significant roles in blood coagulation and immune responses, our study will help reveal how signaling pathways involving phosphoinositides could potentially contribute to these physiological processes.
Relevance of packing to colloidal self-assembly
Authors: Cersonsky Rose K. , van Anders Greg , Dodd Paul M. , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Understanding how structural order forms in matter is a key challenge in designing materials. In the 1920s, Pauling proposed packing as a mechanism for driving structural order based on observed correlations between the structure of crystals and the mathematical packing of hard spheres. We study the ordering of several systems of hard colloids in which structural order correlates with mathematical packing and find, surprisingly, that structural order cannot arise from packing. Our approach provides statistical mechanics approaches for investigating the mathematics of packing and raises questions about the role of packing in determining the structural order of matter.
Evidence that asymmetry of the membrane/cytoskeletal complex in human red blood cell ghosts is responsible for their biconcave shape
Authors: Hoffman Joseph F.
Published: January 2018

Significance

The compositional basis for the biconcave shape of the human red blood cell is unknown. The present work used red blood cell ghosts, which retain the ability to become biconcave discs, which were centrifuged as spheres onto coated coverslips. It was found that during their centrifugation, they became oriented with a dense band located in an equatorial plane of the sphered ghost. When the ghosts were transformed into biconcave discs, they collapsed in place with the dense band in the rim. These shape changes were recorded microscopically. These results indicate that the biconcave shape depends on differences in the density between their rim and the dimple regions and specify that the underlying cytoskeletal complex is asymmetrically distributed.
Sexual Dimorphism of Resting-State Network Connectivity in Healthy Ageing
Authors: Jamadar Sharna D , Sforazzini Francesco , Raniga Parnesh , Ferris Nicholas J , Paton Bryan , Bailey Michael J , Brodtmann Amy , Yates Paul A , Donnan Geoffrey A , Ward Stephanie A , Woods Robyn L , Storey Elsdon , McNeil John J , Egan Gary F ,   ASPREE Investigator Group
Published: January 2018

Objectives

The onset of many illnesses is confounded with age and sex. Increasing age is a risk factor for the development of many illnesses, and sexual dimorphism influences brain anatomy, function, and cognition. Here, we examine frequency-specific connectivity in resting-state networks in a large sample (n = 406) of healthy aged adults.

Method

We quantify frequency-specific connectivity in three resting-state networks known to be implicated in age-related decline: the default mode, dorsal attention, and salience networks, using multiband functional magnetic resonance imaging. Frequency-specific connectivity was quantified in four bands: low (0.015–0.027 Hz), moderately low (0.027–0.073 Hz), moderately high (0.073–0.198 Hz), and high (0.198–0.5 Hz) frequency bands, using mean intensity and spatial extent. Differences in connectivity between the sexes in each of the three networks were examined.

Results

Each network showed the largest intensity and spatial extent at low frequencies and smallest extent at high frequencies. Males showed greater connectivity than females in the salience network. Females showed greater connectivity than males in the default mode network.

Discussion

Results in this healthy aged cohort are compatible with those obtained in young samples, suggesting that frequency-specific connectivity, and differences between the sexes, are maintained into older age. Our results indicate that sex should be considered as an influencing factor in studies of resting-state connectivity.
Sources of variation in stomach contents of predators of Atlantic herring in the Northwest Atlantic during 1973–2014
Authors: Deroba Jonathan J
Published: January 2018

Spatial and temporal variation in stomach-contents data is often unquantified or combined in such a way (e.g. averaged among years) that true signal in diets may be lost. Using a delta approach, this paper fits generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to the amount of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) identified in predator stomachs using only data from stomachs in which herring occurred, and to the probability that a stomach contained herring. Both the amount of herring in stomachs and the probability of a stomach containing herring varied seasonally, spatially, and among years. Of the random effects in each GAMM, the effect of predator species had the largest variance. An index of herring abundance derived from the stomach-contents data was generally consistent with recent herring stock assessments. The temporal and spatial variation in the stomach-contents data suggested that the effect of averaging or combining stomach-contents data among years, seasons, or areas may lead to falsely precise or biased estimates from multispecies assessments or in estimates of consumption, and may restrain the relevance of static foodweb models.
Time Course of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin Levels During the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin Infections
Authors: Jenkins Timothy C , Haukoos Jason S , Cotton Eleanor , Weitzenkamp David , Frank Daniel N , Burman William J
Published: January 2018

In a pilot study of 22 patients with an acute bacterial skin infection, serum levels of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin tended to be elevated at presentation and declined within 3–5 days of treatment. Further study of a biomarker-guided treatment strategy to reduce antibiotic overuse in skin infections is warranted.
Building Connections With Patients and Families in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Matchett Debbie , Haddad Michel , Volland Jennifer
Published: January 2018

Consumers are increasingly becoming the voice and impetus for hospital organizational change in the United States. This is in part due to their increased stake in cost sharing with hospitals, health systems, and the ambulatory setting and revisions to health plans with higher deductibles and copays. With customers wanting services better, faster, and more economical than in the past, organizations need to break the ceiling on improvement levels for exceeding expectations of patient experience. Of interest is the hospital critical care area, because of the heightened patient needs, support, and resources that are required in this acute setting. Bluewater Health, located in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, is a top-industry performer on the patient experience access-to-care dimension. Much can be learned from the multiple practices it has used to create an environment that embraces patients and families to the fullest extent, ensuring the resources needed for optimizing care are received.