bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of jumping phenomenon on response of package under random vibration
Authors: Fang Ke , Wang Zhi‐Wei
Published: July 2018

Because asymmetric contact is characteristic of the package surface, jumping phenomenon may happen under strong random vibration. To study the influence of jumping phenomenon on package response, a piecewise linear random vibration model is established. By applying Fokker‐Planck‐Kolmogorov (FPK) equation method, distribution of displacement composed of Gaussian distribution and exponential distribution is obtained. After that, distribution of maxima of displacement composed of Rayleigh distribution and exponential distribution is obtained. The proportion of time taken by loss of contact in a single cycle is studied under different peak of displacements. When the peak of displacement is from 1 to 3, the period is from 2π to 2.56π, and proportion of time taken by loss of contact is from 0% to near 50%. By applying the relation between peak of displacement and contact force, distribution of maxima of contact force can be obtained as translational Rayleigh distribution, which is also proved by numerical simulation and experiment respectively. Moreover, by numerical simulation, distribution of acceleration and time history of modified displacement are obtained. It is found that when Root‐Mean‐Square (RMS) value of displacement signal increases, probability of loss of contact becomes greater, and the time cost by the same number of cycles will be prolonged. By experiment, distribution of acceleration and acceleration Power Spectral Density (PSD) are obtained. It is found that when random excitation increases, the probability of −g increases and the frequency corresponding to peak of acceleration PSD declines. It indicates that the loss of contact causes the decline of the central frequency.
Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on an Aminopropyl‐functionalized Silica‐Magnetite Composite as a Recyclable Catalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura Reactions
Authors: Lati Monireh Pourghasemi , Naeem Muhammad Iqbal , Alinia‐Asli Mokhtar , Shirini Farhad , Rezvani Mohammad Ali , Åkermark Björn , Johnston Eric V. , Verho Oscar
Published: July 2018

Herein, we describe the straightforward synthesis and thorough characterization of a magnetically‐separable heterogeneous catalyst comprised of 1–3 nm‐sized Pd nanoparticles immobilized on a mesoporous silica‐magnetite composite (Pd0‐AmP‐SMC). Catalytic evaluations were conducted using Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐couplings as the model reactions, for which this Pd nanocatalyst exhibited high performance in an environmentally‐friendly solvent mixture. Additionally, this Pd nanocatalyst could be re‐used up to five cycles without any observable loss of activity, and separation of the catalyst could be conveniently done by a magnet.
High‐Coulombic‐Efficiency Carbon/Li Clusters Composite Anode without Precycling or Prelithiation
Authors: Tian Ran , Duan Huanan , Guo Yiping , Li Hua , Liu Hezhou
Published: July 2018

Lithium metal has attracted much research interest as a possible anode material for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries in recent years. However, its practical use is severely limited by uncontrollable deposition, volume expansion, and dendrite formation. Here, a metastable state of Li, Li cluster, that forms between LiC6 and Li dendrites when over‐lithiating carbon cloth (CC) is discovered. The Li clusters with sizes in the micrometer and submicrometer scale own outstanding electrochemical reversibility between Li+ and Li, allowing the CC/Li clusters composite anode to demonstrate a high first‐cycle coulombic efficiency (CE) of 94.5% ± 1.0% and a stable CE of 99.9% for 160 cycles, which is exceptional for a carbon/lithium composite anode. The CC/Li clusters composite anode shows a high capacity of 3 mAh cm−2 contributed by both Li+ intercalation and Li‐cluster formation, and excellent cycling stability with a signature sloping voltage profile. Furthermore, the CC/Li clusters composite anode can be assembled into full cells without precycling or prelithiation. The full cells containing bare CC as the anode and excessive LiCoO2 as the cathode exhibit high specific capacity and good cyclic stability in 200 cycles, stressing the advantage of controlled formation of Li clusters.
Purification and activity research of hypoglycemic components from the extract of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves
Authors: Han Tian , Wang Wei , Cao Xueli
Published: July 2018

Mulberry leaf is a traditional therapy for diabetes. A simple ion‐exchange resin column chromatography method to separate active hypoglycemic components from the extract of Morus alba L. leaves was investigated in this study. The resins (001 × 7, HD‐2 and HZ202) used in this study were common and economical. Five pure compounds including myo‐inositol (1), 1‐deoxynojirimycin (2), 2‐O‐α‐d‐galactopyranosyl‐1‐deoxynojirimycin (3), fagomine (4), and 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐(2‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl)‐d‐arabinitol (5) were obtained. The structures of the obtained components were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The results of an in vitro assay indicated that all of the obtained compounds exhibited significant α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities. Among of the five obtained compounds, 1‐deoxynojirimycin showed the strongest inhibitory activity against both sucrase and maltase.
Local hybrid functionals: Theory, implementation, and performance of an emerging new tool in quantum chemistry and beyond
Authors: Maier Toni M. , Arbuznikov Alexei V. , Kaupp Martin
Published: July 2018

The state of the art in the development, implementation, validation, and application of local hybrid functionals with position‐dependent exact‐exchange admixture is reviewed comprehensively. Starting from the general formulation of a local hybrid functional, possible constructions of local mixing functions to determine the position dependence are scrutinized in terms of their exact properties as well as their desirable features. The gauge problem pertaining to the ambiguity of exchange‐energy densities is discussed. “Smoking guns” for the gauge problem are identified, and the first calibration functions to improve the match of the exact and semi‐local exchange‐energy densities are compared. In view of the appearance of nonstandard exact‐exchange integrals, a crucial aspect is the efficient implementation of local hybrid functionals. This has been achieved recently using a resolution of the identity and/or semi‐numerical techniques, both for ground‐state energies and gradients, and for linear‐response time‐dependent density functional theory. The validation and early applications of local hybrids are reviewed, including thermochemistry, reaction barriers, structures and vibrational frequencies, electric and magnetic properties, as well as electronic excitation spectra.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Software > Quantum Chemistry
Titanic’s mirage, part 2: Did a mysterious mirage‐associated haze camouflage the iceberg?
Authors: Zinkova Mila
Published: July 2018

The Titanic saga has mystified people for more than a century. One of the most debated questions is why the iceberg was spotted too late to avoid the collision. A recent theory declares that the lookouts could not have seen the iceberg earlier because a mirage‐associated haze camouflaged it. Many Titanic researchers do not believe the haze was real. Lord Mersey, British Wreck Commissioner, said, I mean the evidence before and after the accident is that the sky was perfectly clear, and therefore if the evidence of the haze is to be accepted, it must have been some extraordinary natural phenomenon. This article (the second of four articles that look into the Titanic mirage theory) discusses the hazardous nature of icebergs, examines the testimonies of the Titanic’s lookouts and other eyewitnesses in regards to the haze, and offers some arguments regarding a few natural phenomena that could explain the origin of the haze. The article argues that the haze could very well have been real – and not due to some extraordinary phenomenon, nor a mirage, but rather due to a relatively common phenomenon known as ‘sea smoke’.
Reactivity of a Bicyclo[2.1.1]hexene Germylene towards Elemental Chalcogens
Authors: Dong Zhaowen , Schmidtmann Marc , Müller Thomas
Published: July 2018

The reaction of stable hafnocene‐based bicyclo[2.1.1]hexene type germylene with elemental sulfur, selenium, and tellurium gives access to 2,4‐dichalcogena‐1,3‐digermetanes. These strongly colored four membered germanium heterocycles are produced as a mixture of cis and trans‐isomers and are characterized by NMR and UV spectroscopy and by the results of an XRD analysis.
Addressing the B-physics anomalies in a fundamental Composite Higgs model
Authors: Marzocca David
Published: July 2018

Abstract

I present a model addressing coherently the naturalness problem of the electroweak scale and the observed pattern of deviations from the Standard Model in semileptonic decays of B mesons. The Higgs and the two scalar leptoquarks responsible for the B-physics anomalies,

$$ {S}_1=\left(\overline{\mathbf{3}},\mathbf{1},1/3\right) $$

S
1

=

3
¯

,
1
,
1
/
3

and

$$ {S}_3=\left(\overline{\mathbf{3}},\mathbf{3},1/3\right) $$

S
3

=

3
¯

,
3
,
1
/
3

, arise as pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons of a new strongly coupled sector at the multi-TeV scale. I focus on an explicit realization of such a dynamics in terms of a new strongly coupled gauge interaction and extra vectorlike fermions charged under it. The model presents a very rich phenomenology, ranging from flavour observables, Higgs and electroweak precision measurements, and direct searches of new states at the LHC.
Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Groundwater Quality of Jamshedpur Urban Agglomeration in Precambrian Terrain, Eastern India
Authors: Kant Nishi , Singh Prasoon Kumar , Kumar Bijendra
Published: July 2018

Systematic and comprehensive analysis with integration of geochemical methods, multivariate statistical analysis, and quality for drinking and irrigation uses were carried out on forty-two groundwater samples to elucidate the regional factors and processes influencing the geochemical composition of groundwater. Groundwater geochemistry revealed that the abundance of Ca2+ and Na+ was contributed by weathering of carbonate and sodium bearing minerals, while higher HCO3− and Cl– resulted from dissolution of carbonic and salt deposits. The rock weathering is the dominant mechanism controlling the major ion chemistry of groundwater as well as anthropogenic activities. The dominant hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater was Ca-Mg-SO4 and Ca-Mg-Cl. About 33% of the groundwater samples have negative values of chloro-alkaline index revealing chloro-alkaline disequilibrium and the reaction as a cation–anion exchange reaction, while in 67% of the samples, the values are positive, indicating a base–exchange reaction. The saturation index reveals the presence of calcareous nodules, containing a mixture of calcite. The suitability for domestic uses as per BIS 2012 and WHO 2009 for drinking water reaveals that high concentrations of EC, TDS, SO42−, Cl– and F– makes it unsuitable for drinking and domestic uses. Quality assessment for irrigation uses suggest that the groundwater is of excellent to good category, which can be used for irrigation without any serious hazards. Higher salinity and magnesium hazard values at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater for irrigation.
Pricing schemes for air traffic services through multi-level approaches
Authors: Guettaf Rabah , Mora-Camino Félix
Published: July 2018

This article addresses the problem of air traffic service (ATS) pricing over a domestic air transportation system with either private or public ATS providers. In both cases, to take into account feedback effects on the air transportation market, it is considered that the adopted pricing approaches can be formulated through optimization problems where an imbedded optimization problem is concerned with the supply of air transportation (offered seat capacity and tariffs for each connection). Under mild assumptions in both situations the whole problem can be reformulated as a mathematical program with linear objective function and quadratic constraints. A numerical application is performed to compare both pricing schemes when different levels of taxes are applied to air carriers and passengers.
Regenerative Sports Medicine: Past, Present, and Future (Adapted From the PASSOR Legacy Award Presentation; AAPMR; October 2016)
Authors: Borg‐Stein Joanne , Osoria Hector L. , Hayano Todd
Published: July 2018

Regenerative medicine has shown dramatic expanse and evolution in the past decade. Within that milieu, physiatrists are taking an active role in research, clinical care delivery, and education. The purpose of this review is to provide a balance among evidence, theory, experience, clinical trends, and the foreseeable future. We focus on the literature that reports the research with the best methodology in each practice area, recognizing that the level of evidence varies substantially among different treatment modalities and conditions. The following elements are included: an overview of the evolution of currently available regenerative techniques, evidence base for each available modality (prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate and stem cells, adipose‐derived stem cells, and amniotic tissue products), general principles in the application of these treatments, and discussion and a vision of what lies ahead. We expect that practitioners will use this review to facilitate clinical decision making and to provide a core knowledge base to assist when counseling patients.

Level of Evidence

IV
Ravens Reconsidered: Raiding And Theft Among Tubu-Speakers In Northern Chad
Authors: Scheele Judith
Published: July 2018

From the outside, northern Chad has long been seen as an area of lawlessness, defined primarily by its inhabitants’ alleged propensity for raiding and thieving. From the inside, northern Chad indeed appears as an area that thrives on a rhetoric of predation. This, however, is perhaps best understood not in terms of “crime,” but rather as a striving for personal autonomy, as a public denial of reciprocity in a context where notions of bounded moral community and indeed of long-term social strategies of exchange are not much in evidence.
Return to Pre-Injury Work Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kahan Michael , Jones Kelly M. , Balalla Shivanthi , McPherson Kathryn , Stedman Elisabeth , Feigin Valery L.
Published: July 2018

Objective: Adults are at risk for unemployment following a moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Less is known about employment patterns following mild TBI. This study aims to examine patterns of return to pre-injury job in adults following mild TBI over a 12-month post injury period, and to investigate factors associated with return to work. Methods: It is a prospective longitudinal study of 205 adults (aged ≥16 years at injury) identified as part of a larger population-based incidence study in the Waikato, New Zealand. In-person assessments were completed at baseline (within 14 days) and 1-, 6-, and 12-month post-injury. Results: A total of 159 (77.6%) adults returned to their pre-injury job at baseline and 185 (90.2%) returned within 12 months. Of those who did not return to their pre-injury job at baseline (n= 46), younger age at injury (≤30 years,p= .02) and poor overall neurocognitive functioning at 1-month (p= .02) was associated with non-return to pre-injury job at 12 months. Conclusion: In a sample of employed adults, the majority returned to their pre-injury job shortly after injury. Cognitive functioning and younger age at time of injury may be associated with delayed return to work. Interventions to support younger workers may facilitate their return to work.
Bulk temperature and heat transport in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection of fluids with temperature-dependent properties
Authors: Weiss Stephan , He Xiaozhou , Ahlers Guenter , Bodenschatz Eberhard , Shishkina Olga
Published: July 2018

We critically analyse the different ways to evaluate the dependence of the Nusselt number ($\mathit{Nu}$) on the Rayleigh number ($\mathit{Ra}$) in measurements of the heat transport in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection under general non-Oberbeck–Boussinesq conditions and show the sensitivity of this dependence to the choice of the reference temperature at which the fluid properties are evaluated. For the case when the fluid properties depend significantly on the temperature and any pressure dependence is insignificant we propose a method to estimate the centre temperature. The theoretical predictions show very good agreement with the Göttingen measurements by He et al. (New J. Phys., vol. 14, 2012, 063030). We further show too the values of the normalized heat transport $\mathit{Nu}/\mathit{Ra}^{1/3}$ are independent of whether they are evaluated in the whole convection cell or in the lower or upper part of the cell if the correct reference temperatures are used.
ASSESSING THE VALUE OF INNOVATIVE MEDICAL DEVICES AND DIAGNOSTICS: THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR AND RELEVANT CLAIMS OF BENEFIT
Authors: Campbell Bruce , Campbell Mark , Dobson Lee , Higgins Joanne , Dillon Bernice , Marlow Mirella , Pomfrett Chris J.D.
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

Large numbers of new medical devices and diagnostics are developed and health services need to identify which ones offer real advantages. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has introduced a system for assessing technologies that are often notified by companies, based on claims made for their benefits to patients, the National Health Service, and the environment.

Methods:

Detailed scrutiny of claims made for the benefits of products and the corresponding evidence, seeking associations between these and the selection of products for full evaluation to produce NICE guidance.

Results:

Between 2009 and 2015 a NICE committee considered 169 technologies, of which it selected 74 (44 percent) for full evaluation, based on the claims of benefit and the evidence available. An average of 7.5 claims were made per technology; the total number did not influence selection but presence of studies supporting all the claims (p < .001) or any of the claims (p < .05) had a positive influence, as did claims for quicker patient recovery (p < .001). A greater number of studies to support the claims made selection more likely (p < .001), as did cohort studies (p < .05) and surveys (p < .05) but, unexpectedly, not randomized trials. The Medical Device Directive class had no influence.

Conclusions:

This study presents categories of claims that may be useful to those developing new products and to others engaged in health technology assessment. It illustrates the importance of relevant evidence and of having a clear vision of the place of new products in care pathways from an early stage.
STRATEGIC PEASANT AND AUTONOMOUS LOCAL MARKET: REVISITING THE RURAL ECONOMY IN MODERN CHINA
Authors: Kuroda Akinobu
Published: July 2018

Depending on conditions, Chinese peasants strategically adopted one of two types of transactions: either a single one-time transaction without reference to any particular buyer, or repeated transactions dependent on one regular broker. Based on the different sizes of market zones and responding to seasonality, Chinese peasant households allotted their labour to maximize income and avert risk. Generally, in early modern China, the volume of exchanges among peasants was much greater than the volume of exchanges between peasants and merchants from towns. One-time transactions were dominant not only by the choice of peasants for concluding local transactions but also by the petit traders who connected villages and towns. Thus, price movements in local currencies such as copper coins in local marketplaces did not follow the movements of inter-regional trade made in silver. Maintaining the independence of local trade, local merchants established a system for settlements through account books and issued native notes to respond to chronic shortages of currency. In Japan, peasant households showed similar characteristics of seasonal allocation and division of intra-household labour, but in the nineteenth century were less dependent on local marketplaces and maintained more continuous relationships among villagers as well as with merchants from towns. The differences between China and Japan during the early modern era, when economies depended heavily on small-size peasant households with less specialization, reveals the inadequacy of conventional conceptions of markets such as Smithian growth, which ignore the differences between local trade and inter-regional trade, and underestimate the importance of proximate exchanges among peasants, which reflected their desire for a higher degree of freedom when making transactions.
Chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oil from Eucalyptus occidentalis leaves against two stored product pests
Authors: Bande-Borujeni Shokoofeh , Zandi-Sohani Nooshin , Ramezani Leila
Published: July 2018

Attempts have been made in recent years to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and seek alternative and innovative methods for pest control. We conducted a study on the chemical composition ofEucalyptus occidentalisessential oil and investigated the fumigant, contact and repellent effects againstTribolium castaneum(Herbst) (Col: Tenebrionidae) andRhyzopertha dominica(F.) (Col: Bostrichidae). The major components were τ-cadinol (17.20), 1,8-cineol (15.5%), α-cadinol (14%) and α-pinene (9.21%). The contact toxicity experiment showed that the oil was more toxic toR. dominica(LD50value 0.82 μL/cm) than toT. castaneum(LD50value 0.99 μL/cm) and showed the same fumigant toxicity for both insects according to the 95% confidence limit of LC50. The repellency againstT. castaneumwas more than forR. dominicaand increased from 14 to 75% forR. dominicaand 22 to 78% forT. castaneumafter 2 h. These results suggest thatE. occidentalisessential oil is a potential candidate for use as a natural repellent and insecticide for stored-product insect pests.
A review of recent discoveries of exceptionally preserved fossil fishes from the Gogo sites (Late Devonian, Western Australia)
Authors: Long John A. , Trinajstic Kate M.
Published: July 2018

Significant new material of Late Devonian Gogo Formation fish fossils is still surfacing. Collecting in the past decade has uncovered the first Gogo shark fossils (Gogoselachusplus another new undescribed taxon), the first acanthodian (Halmacanthodes ahlbergi), the first coelacanth, as well as the first placoderm embryos. Recent studies have elucidated the nature of placoderm claspers, pelvic girdles, synarcuals and embryos, the structure of their teeth, a description of well-preserved muscles in placoderms, and how muscles attach to bones. Molecular biomarkers have also been identified in Gogo fossils. There are now five basal ray-fin fishes in the fauna, including one undescribed new taxon. The lungfish fauna from Gogo is the most diverse known for any Devonian site, with 10 genera and 12 species. The dermal skeleton and endocast of the dipteridRhinodipterus kimberleyensishave been described in detail from CT scans; and the ontogenetic stages of neurocranium formation inGriphognathus. New specimens of the tetrapodomorph fishGogonasus andrewsaehave shed further light on its endocranium, pectoral girdle and fin. Through their exceptional preservation of both hard and varied kinds of soft tissues, the Gogo fishes remain crucial for resolving key debates on the diversification, physiology, biomechanics and phylogenetic relationships of early gnathostomes.
Symposium in Honor of Irving I. Gottesman (December 29, 1930–June 29, 2016)
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: July 2018

The June 2016 death of our esteemed colleague, Dr Irving I. Gottesman, was felt as an extreme loss at so many levels by colleagues, students, friends, and family across the globe. Irv's stellar contributions to the field of twin research will continue to be remembered and cited for many years to come. In commemoration of his life and work, I organized a symposium at the 16th meeting of theInternational Society for Twin Studies, held in Madrid, Spain, November 16–18, 2017. The panelists included mostly former students, as well as colleagues, who presented their scientific research and personal remarks reflecting Irv's profound influence in shaping their lives and careers. A chronology of Irv's academic positions and honors is included in the introduction to this special issue ofTwin Research and Human Genetics, followed by brief sketches of the panel participants; their scholarly papers and personal reflections follow.
Clean Energy Gains Ground
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: July 2018

A new report documents the rise of clean energy despite the Trump administration’s focus on fossil fuels. Several Congress members call renewable energy a bipartisan issue that’s good for the economy.
Droplet Controlled Growth Dynamics in Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Nitride Semiconductors
Authors: Azadmand Mani , Barabani Luca , Bietti Sergio , Chrastina Daniel , Bonera Emiliano , Acciarri Maurizio , Fedorov Alexey , Tsukamoto Shiro , Nötzel Richard , Sanguinetti Stefano
Published: July 2018

The growth dynamics of Ga(In)N semiconductors by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy (PAMBE) at low temperatures (T = 450 °C) is here investigated. The presence of droplets at the growth surface strongly affects the adatom incorporation dynamics, making the growth rate a decreasing function of the metal flux impinging on the surface. We explain this phenomenon via a model that considers droplet effects on the incorporation of metal adatoms into the crystal. A relevant role is played by the vapor-liquid-solid growth mode that takes place under the droplets due to nitrogen molecules directly impinging on the droplets. The role of droplets in the growth dynamics here observed and modeled in the case of Nitride semiconductors is general and it can be extended to describe the growth of the material class of binary compounds when droplets are present on the surface.
Author Correction: Osmotic modulation of chromatin impacts on efficiency and kinetics of cell fate modulation
Authors: Lima A. F. , May G. , Díaz-Colunga J. , Pedreiro S. , Paiva A. , Ferreira L. , Enver T. , Iborra F. J. , Pires das Neves R.
Published: July 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Stratifying ocean sampling globally and with depth to account for environmental variability
Authors: Costello Mark John , Basher Zeenatul , Sayre Roger , Breyer Sean , Wright Dawn J.
Published: July 2018

With increasing depth, the ocean is less sampled for physical, chemical and biological variables. Using the Global Marine Environmental Datasets (GMED) and Ecological Marine Units (EMUs), we show that spatial variation in environmental variables decreases with depth. This is also the case over temporal scales because seasonal change, surface weather conditions, and biological activity are highest in shallow depths. A stratified sampling approach to ocean sampling is therefore proposed whereby deeper environments, both pelagic and benthic, would be sampled with relatively lower spatial and temporal resolutions. Sampling should combine measurements of physical and chemical parameters with biological species distributions, even though species identification is difficult to automate. Species distribution data are essential to infer ecosystem structure and function from environmental data. We conclude that a globally comprehensive, stratification-based ocean sampling program would be both scientifically justifiable and cost-effective.
Estrogen Action in the Epithelial Cells of the Mouse Vagina Regulates Neutrophil Infiltration and Vaginal Tissue Integrity
Authors: Li Shuai , Herrera Gerardo G. , Tam Keila K. , Lizarraga Jacob S. , Beedle My-Thanh , Winuthayanon Wipawee
Published: July 2018

In the female reproductive tract, the innate immune system is modulated by two sex steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone. A cyclical wave of neutrophils in the vaginal lumen is triggered by chemokines and correlates with circulating estrogen levels. Classical estrogen signaling in the female reproductive tract is activated through estrogen receptor α (encoded by the Esr1 gene). To study the role of estrogen action in the vagina, we used a mouse model in which Esr1 was conditionally ablated from the epithelial cells (Wnt7acre/+; Esr1f/f). Histological evidence showed that in response to a physical stress, the lack of ESR1 caused the vaginal epithelium to deteriorate due to the absence of a protective cornified layer and a reduction in keratin production. In the absence of ESR1 in the vaginal epithelial tissue, we also observed an excess of neutrophil infiltration, regardless of the estrous cycle stage. The histological presence of neutrophils was found to correlate with persistent enzymatic activity in the cervical-vaginal fluid. Together, these findings suggest that ESR1 activity in the vaginal epithelial cells is required to maintain proper structural integrity of the vagina and immune response, both of which are necessary for protecting the vagina against physical damage and resetting the vaginal environment.
Generation of reconfigurable optical traps for microparticles spatial manipulation through dynamic split lens inspired light structures
Authors: Lizana Angel , Zhang Haolin , Turpin Alex , Van Eeckhout Albert , Torres-Ruiz Fabian A. , Vargas Asticio , Ramirez Claudio , Pi Francesc , Campos Juan
Published: July 2018

We present an experimental method, based on the use of dynamic split-lens configurations, useful for the trapping and spatial control of microparticles through the photophoretic force. In particular, the concept of split-lens configurations is exploited to experimentally create customized and reconfigurable three-dimensional light structures, in which carbon coated glass microspheres, with sizes in a range of 63–75 μm, can be captured. The generation of light spatial structures is performed by properly addressing phase distributions corresponding to different split-lens configurations onto a spatial light modulator (SLM). The use of an SLM allows a dynamic variation of the light structures geometry just by modifying few control parameters of easy physical interpretation. We provide some examples in video format of particle trapping processes. What is more, we also perform further spatial manipulation, by controlling the spatial position of the particles in the axial direction, demonstrating the generation of reconfigurable three-dimensional photophoretic traps for microscopic manipulation of absorbing particles.
Enduring Lagrangian coherence of a Loop Current ring assessed using independent observations
Authors: Beron-Vera Francisco J. , Olascoaga María J. , Wang Yan , Triñanes Joaquín , Pérez-Brunius Paula
Published: July 2018

Ocean flows are routinely inferred from low-resolution satellite altimetry measurements of sea surface height assuming a geostrophic balance. Recent nonlinear dynamical systems techniques have revealed that surface currents derived from altimetry can support mesoscale eddies with material boundaries that do not filament for many months, thereby representing effective transport mechanisms. However, the long-range Lagrangian coherence assessed for mesoscale eddy boundaries detected from altimetry is constrained by the impossibility of current altimeters to resolve ageostrophic submesoscale motions. These may act to prevent Lagrangian coherence from manifesting in the rigorous form described by the nonlinear dynamical systems theories. Here we use a combination of satellite ocean color and surface drifter trajectory data, rarely available simultaneously over an extended period of time, to provide observational evidence for the enduring Lagrangian coherence of a Loop Current ring detected from altimetry. We also seek indications of this behavior in the flow produced by a data-assimilative system which demonstrated ability to reproduce observed relative dispersion statistics down into the marginally submesoscale range. However, the simulated flow, total surface and subsurface or subsampled emulating altimetry, is not found to support the long-lasting Lagrangian coherence that characterizes the observed ring. This highlights the importance of the Lagrangian metrics produced by the nonlinear dynamical systems tools employed here in assessing model performance.
High-contrast switching and high-efficiency extracting for spontaneous emission based on tunable gap surface plasmon
Authors: Hao He , Ren Juanjuan , Duan Xueke , Lu Guowei , Khoo Iam Choon , Gong Qihuang , Gu Ying
Published: July 2018

Controlling spontaneous emission at optical scale lies in the heart of ultracompact quantum photonic devices, such as on-chip single photon sources, nanolasers and nanophotonic detectors. However, achiving a large modulation of fluorescence intensity and guiding the emitted photons into low-loss nanophotonic structures remain rather challenging issue. Here, using the liquid crystal-tuned gap surface plasmon, we theoretically demonstrate both a high-contrast switching of the spontaneous emission and high-efficiency extraction of the photons with a specially-designed tunable surface plasmon nanostructures. Through varying the refractive index of liquid crystal, the local electromagnetic field of the gap surface plasmon can be greatly modulated, thereby leading to the swithching of the spontaneous emission of the emitter placed at the nanoscale gap. By optimizing the material and geometrical parameters, the total decay rate can be changed from 103γ0 to 8750γ0, [γ0 is the spontaneous emission rate in vacuum] with the contrast ratio of 85. Further more, in the design also enables propagation of the emitted photons along the low-loss phase-matched nanofibers with a collection efficiency of more than 40%. The proposal provides a novel mechanism for simultaneously switching and extracting the spontaneous emitted photons in hybrid photonic nanostructures, propelling the implementation in on-chip tunable quantum devices.
Analysis of the genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with phenylketonuria in mainland China
Authors: Li Nana , He Chunhua , Li Jing , Tao Jing , Liu Zhen , Zhang Chunyan , Yuan Yuan , Jiang Hui , Zhu Jun , Deng Ying , Guo Yixiong , Li Qintong , Yu Ping , Wang Yanping
Published: July 2018

Mutations in the gene encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) are associated with various degrees of phenylketonuria (PKU). The aim of our study was to define the genotype-phenotype correlations of mutations in the PAH gene that cause phenylketonuria (PKU) among the Chinese mainland population. Mutations in the PAH gene were analysed by next-generation sequencing, and a genotype-phenotype correlation analysis was performed in 1079 patients. Fifteen “null + null” genotypes, including four homoallelic and eleven heteroallelic genotypes, were clearly associated with classic PKU. Five functionally hemizygous (p.E280K, p.R252Q, p.E56D, p.S310F and p.T372R) and four compound heterozygous (p.T278I/p.S359L, p.R408W/p.R243Q, p.F161S/p.R243Q and p.F161S/p.R413P) genotypes were clearly associated with classic PKU. Ten functionally hemizygous genotypes, p.G257V, p.R158W, p.L255S, p.G247V, p.F161S, p.R158Q, p.V388M, p.I65T, p.I324N and p.R400K, were frequently associated with classic PKU. Three functionally hemizygous genotypes, p.P147L, p.I95del and p.F331S, and four compound heterozygous genotypes, p.G257V/p.R408Q, p.A434D/p.R413P, p.R243Q/p.A47E and p.R241C/p.G239D, were consistently correlated with mild PKU. Three functionally hemizygous genotypes, p.H107R, p.Q419R and p.F392I, and nine compound heterozygous genotypes (p.G312V/p.R241C, p.R243Q/p.V230I, p.R243Q/p.A403V, p.R243Q/p.Q419R, p.R243Q/p.R53H, p.R243Q/p.H107R, p.R241C/p.R408Q, p.R241C/p.H220P and p.R53H/p.R400K) were consistent with mild hyperphenylalaninaemia (MHP). Our study provides further support for the hypothesis that the PAH genotype is the main factor that determines the phenotype of PKU.
First principles calculation of the nonhydrostatic effects on structure and Raman frequency of 3C-SiC
Authors: Lei Liu , Li Yi , Hong Liu , Ying Li , Chun-Qiang Zhuang , Long-Xing Yang , Gui-Ping Liu
Published: July 2018

For understanding the quantitative effect of nonhydrostatic stress on properties of material, the crystal structure and Raman spectra of 3C-SiC under hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic stress were calculated using a first-principles method. The results show that the lattice constants (a, b, and c) under nonhydrostatic stresses deviate those under hydrostatic stress. The differences of the lattice constants under hydrostatic stress from nonhydrostatic stresses with differential stress were fitted by linear equation. Nonhydrostatic stress has no effect on density of 3C-SiC at high pressure, namely the equations of state of 3C-SiC under hydrostatic stress are same as those under nonhydrostatic stress. The frequencies and pressure dependences of LO and TO modes of 3C-SiC Raman spectra under nonhydrostatic stress are just same as those under hydrostatic stress. Under nonhydrostatic stress, there are four new lines with 361, 620, 740, and 803 cm−1 appeared in the Raman spectra except for the LO and TO lines because of the reduction of structure symmetry. However the frequencies and pressure dependences of the four Raman modes remain unchanged under different nonhydrostatic stresses. Appearance of new Raman modes under nonhydrostatic stress and the linear relationship of the differences of lattice constants under hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic stresses with differential stress can be used to indicate state of stress in high pressure experiments. The effect of nonhydrostatic stress on materials under high pressure is complicated and our calculation would help to understanding state of stress at high pressure experiments.
Effective lagrangian for axial anomaly and its applications in Dirac and Weyl semimetals
Authors: Chen Chih-Yu , Hu C. D. , Lin Yeu-Chung
Published: July 2018

A gauge invariant effective lagrangian for the fermion axial anomaly is constructed. The dynamical degree of freedom for fermion field is preserved. Using the anomaly lagrangian, the scattering cross section of pair production γγ → e−e+ in Dirac or Weyl semimetal is computed. The result is compared with the corresponding result from Dirac lagrangian. It is found that anomaly lagrangain and Dirac lagrangian exhibit the same E ⋅ B pattern, therefore the E ⋅ B signature may not serve a good indicator of the existence of axial anomaly. Because anomaly generates excessive right-handed electrons and positrons, pair production can give rise to spin current by applying gate voltage and charge current with depositing spin filters. These experiments are able to discern genuine anomaly phenomena.
Automated analysis of lipid drug-response markers by combined fast and high-resolution whole cell MALDI mass spectrometry biotyping
Authors: Weigt David , Sammour Denis A. , Ulrich Timon , Munteanu Bogdan , Hopf Carsten
Published: July 2018

Recent advances in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry have enabled whole cell-MALDI mass spectrometry biotyping of drug-treated cultured cells for rapid monitoring of known abundant pharmacodynamic protein markers such as polyacetylated histones. In contrast, generic and automated analytical workflows for discovery of such pharmacodynamic markers, in particular lipid markers, and their use in cellular tests of drug-like compounds are still lacking. Here, we introduce such a workflow and demonstrate its utility for cellular drug-response monitoring of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors in K562 leukemia cells: First, low-molecular mass features indicating drug responses are computationally extracted from groups of MALDI-TOF mass spectra. Then, the lipids/metabolites corresponding to these features are identified by MALDI-Fourier transformation mass spectrometry. To demonstrate utility of the method, we identify the potassium adduct of phosphatidylcholine PC(36:1) as well as heme B, a marker for erythroid differentiation, as markers for a label-free MALDI MS-based test of cellular responses to BCR-ABL inhibitors. Taken together, these results suggest that MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of lipids and other low molecular mass metabolites could support cell-based drug profiling.
Positive Platinum anomalies at three late Holocene high magnitude volcanic events in Western Hemisphere sediments
Authors: Tankersley Kenneth Barnett , Dunning Nicholas P. , Owen Lewis A. , Huff Warren D. , Park Ji Hoon , Kim Changjoo , Lentz David L. , Sparks-Stokes Dominique
Published: July 2018

Changes in the global atmospheric budget of platinum reportedly correspond to explosive volcanic eruptions. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) elemental analysis we examined eight widely separated stratified sites to evaluate the geographic extent of three late Holocene high magnitude volcanic events. We found characteristic Pt anomalies across the Western Hemisphere dating to the Laki, Iceland (CE 1783–1784), Kuwae, Vanuatu (CE 1452–1453), and Eldgjá, Iceland (CE 934) explosive volcanic eruptions. Pt anomalies in sediments over a broad geographic area indicate distinctive time-correlative atmospheric deposition rates of platinum-rich volcanic ash. These anomalies provide new chronostratigraphic markers for these late Holocene high magnitude volcanic eruptions, which are especially valuable in the Western Hemisphere in strata with limited chronometric control. Pt anomalies provide an important tracer for the age of these volcanic events and ultimately a new chronostratigraphic marker in archaeological, geological, palynological, and paleontological sediments.
Anti-fatigue effects of small-molecule oligopeptides isolated fromPanax quinquefoliumL. in mice
Authors: Li Di , Ren Jin-wei , Zhang Ting , Liu Rui , Wu Lan , Du Qian , Li Yong
Published: July 2018

American ginseng (Panax quinquefoliumL.) was reported to have extensive biological activities and pharmaceutical properties.
Preparation of Z-scheme AgI/Bi5O7I plate with high visible light photocatalytic performance by phase transition and morphological transformation of BiOI microspheres at room temperature
Authors: Yang Nan , Lv Xiang , Zhong Suting , Qian Danlin , Han Sujuan , Li Dongnan , Geng Xueqi , Fang Hongbiao , Jiang Wei
Published: July 2018

Z-scheme AgI/Bi5O7I plate composite fabricated at room temperature through phase transition and morphological transformation process with high photocatalytic activity.
Towards a 3D GeSbTe phase change memory with integrated selector by non-aqueous electrodeposition
Authors: Huang Ruomeng , Kissling Gabriela P. , Kashtiban Reza , Noori Yasir J. , Cicvarić Katarina , Zhang Wenjian , Hector Andrew L. , Beanland Richard , Smith David C. , Reid Gillian , Bartlett Philip N. , de Groot C. H. (Kees)
Published: July 2018

The design and fabrication of a 2D passive phase change memory matrix by non-aqueous electrodeposition of confined Ge–Sb–Te cells.
Non-carbon coating: a new strategy for improving lithium ion storage of carbon matrix
Authors: Sun Lanju , Liu Wei , Cui Yongpeng , Zhang Yuan , Wang Huanlei , Liu Shuang , Shan Baohong
Published: July 2018

A new strategy is proposed for a non-carbon film coating to improve the lithium storage of a porous biomass-derived carbon matrix.
Distributions of manganese in diverse human cancers provide insights into tumour radioresistance
Authors: Doble Philip A. , Miklos George L. Gabor
Published: July 2018

We show that measuring manganese levels in tumours of cancer patients is predictive for their radiation treatment.
Host–guest complexation of ionic liquid with α- and β-cyclodextrins: a comparative study by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and COSY
Authors: Banjare Manoj Kumar , Behera Kamalakanta , Satnami Manmohan L. , Pandey Siddharth , Ghosh Kallol K.
Published: July 2018

The inclusion complexation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulphate [Bmim][OS] with host α- and β-cyclodextrins (CDs) has been explored by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and COSY methods. The insertion of a guest molecule into the cavity of CD is clearly reflected by changes in 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR chemical shift values and COSY NMR suggest that both H-bonding and electrostatic interactions involved to the complexation.
Rhodol-based thallium sensors for cellular imaging of potassium channel activity
Authors: Dutter Brendan F. , Ender Anna , Sulikowski Gary A. , Weaver C. David
Published: July 2018

A rhodol-based thallium sensor improves upon currently used fluorescein-based sensors for imaging potassium channel activity.
Chemoenzymatic macrocycle synthesis using resorcylic acid lactone thioesterase domains
Authors: Heberlig Graham W. , Brown Jesse T. C. , Simard Ryan D. , Wirz Monica , Zhang Wei , Wang Meng , Susser Leah I. , Horsman Mark E. , Boddy Christopher N.
Published: July 2018

Resorcylate acid lactone thioesterases can synthesize a variety of macrolactone and macrolactams, as well as a cyclicdepsipeptide.
Green synthesis of safe zero valent iron nanoparticles by Myrtus communis leaf extract as an effective agent for reducing excessive iron in iron-overloaded mice, a thalassemia model
Authors: Eslami Shahram , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Ali , Biparva Pourya
Published: July 2018

Green synthesis of Myrtus communis-Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles (MC-ZVINs) was carried out in an alkaline environment.
Inactivation of an urban wastewater indigenousEscherichia colistrain by cerium doped zinc oxide photocatalysis
Authors: Zammit Ian , Vaiano Vincenzo , Iervolino Giuseppina , Rizzo Luigi
Published: July 2018

Doping of ZnO with cerium at 0.04 : 1 Ce : Zn at/at gives substantial improvements in rate of photocatalytic inactivation ofE. coliover undoped ZnO.
Can surface reactivity of mixed crystals be predicted from their counterparts? A case study of (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 topological insulators
Authors: Volykhov Andrey A. , Sánchez-Barriga Jaime , Batuk Maria , Callaert Carolien , Hadermann Joke , Sirotina Anna P. , Neudachina Vera S. , Belova Alina I. , Vladimirova Nadezhda V. , Tamm Marina E. , Khmelevsky Nikolay O. , Escudero Carlos , Pérez-Dieste Virginia , Knop-Gericke Axel , Yashina Lada V.
Published: July 2018

The behavior of mixed crystals (Bi,Sb)2Te3 and its correlation with the properties of their constituents is comprehensively explored.
Clinical syndromes associated with Coenzyme Q10 deficiency
Authors: Alcázar-Fabra María , Trevisson Eva , Brea-Calvo Gloria
Published: July 2018

Primary Coenzyme Q deficiencies represent a group of rare conditions caused by mutations in one of the genes required in its biosynthetic pathway at the enzymatic or regulatory level. The associated clinical manifestations are highly heterogeneous and mainly affect central and peripheral nervous system, kidney, skeletal muscle and heart. Genotype–phenotype correlations are difficult to establish, mainly because of the reduced number of patients and the large variety of symptoms. In addition, mutations in the same COQ gene can cause different clinical pictures. Here, we present an updated and comprehensive review of the clinical manifestations associated with each of the pathogenic variants causing primary CoQ deficiencies.