bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining a New Method to Studying Velopharyngeal Structures in a Child With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
Authors: Kollara Lakshmi , Schenck Graham , Jaskolka Michael , Perry Jamie L.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

To date, no studies have imaged the velopharynx in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) without the use of sedation. Dysmorphology in velopharyngeal structures has been shown to have significant negative implications on speech among these individuals. This single case study was designed to assess the feasibility of a child-friendly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning protocol in this clinically challenging population and to determine the utility of this MRI protocol for future work in this area.

Method

One 6-year-old White girl diagnosed with 22q11.2 DS was imaged using a child-friendly, nonsedated MRI protocol. Quantitative and qualitative measures of the velopharyngeal area and associated structures were evaluated, and comparisons were made to age-matched control subjects with normal velopharyngeal anatomy.

Results

MRI data were successfully obtained using the child-friendly scanning protocol in the subject in the present study. Quantitative and qualitative differences of the levator muscle and associated velopharyngeal structures were noted. Using these MRI and structural analyses methods, insights related to muscle morphology can be obtained and considered as part of the research and clinical examination of children with 22q11.2 DS.

Conclusion

The imaging protocol described in this study presents an effective means to counteract difficulties in imaging young children.
A Diagnostic Marker to Discriminate Childhood Apraxia of Speech From Speech Delay: IV. The Pause Marker Index
Authors: Shriberg Lawrence D. , Strand Edythe A. , Fourakis Marios , Jakielski Kathy J. , Hall Sheryl D. , Karlsson Heather B. , Mabie Heather L. , McSweeny Jane L. , Tilkens Christie M. , Wilson David L.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Three previous articles provided rationale, methods, and several forms of validity support for a diagnostic marker of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), termed the pause marker (PM). Goals of the present article were to assess the validity and stability of the PM Index (PMI) to scale CAS severity.

Method

PM scores and speech, prosody, and voice precision-stability data were obtained for participants with CAS in idiopathic, neurogenetic, and complex neurodevelopmental disorders; adult-onset apraxia of speech consequent to stroke and primary progressive apraxia; and idiopathic speech delay. Three studies were completed including criterion and concurrent validity studies of the PMI and a temporal stability study of the PMI using retrospective case studies.

Results

PM scores were significantly correlated with other signs of CAS precision and stability. The best fit of the distribution of PM scores to index CAS severity was obtained by dividing scores into 4 ordinal severity classifications: mild, mild-moderate, moderate-severe, and severe. Severity findings for the 4 classifications and retrospective longitudinal findings from 8 participants with CAS supported the validity and stability of the PMI.

Conclusion

Findings support research and clinical use of the PMI to scale the severity of CAS.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for linear strong structural controllability and observability of n ‐link underactuated planar robot with multiple active intermediate links
Authors: Xin Xin
Published: April 2017

This study concerns an n ‐link underactuated planar robot connected to a fixed base by n revolute joints in a vertical plane. The linear strong structural controllability and observability of such a robot around the upright equilibrium point, where all the links are in the upright position, are investigated. This study aims to solve an open problem regarding the linear strong structural controllability and observability of such a robot with only active intermediate links rather than the first or last link. This paper proves that it is linearly strongly structurally controllable and observable (linearly controllable and observable regardless of its mechanical parameters), if and only if there are at least two active adjacent links among the intermediate links with measurable corresponding link angles. Specifically, first, if there are two active adjacent links among the intermediate links with measurable corresponding link angles, without making any other assumptions about any link of the robot, this paper proves that the robot is linearly strongly structurally controllable and observable. Second, when the robot only has two or more active intermediate links with measurable corresponding link angles, if there are no active intermediate adjacent links, this study proves that the robot is linearly strongly structurally uncontrollable and unobservable by presenting a constructive example to show that there always exists a set of mechanical parameters that renders the robot linearly uncontrollable and unobservable.
Simple MOSFET gating delay scheme for SMPS start‐up in the standby power reduction circuit
Authors: Lee Dong‐Hee
Published: April 2017

This study presents a simple ultra‐low standby power control analogue circuit for home appliances using an AC power relay and charge capacitor for the gating delay of metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) to control the power relay. In the standby mode, the AC power is fully disconnected by the relay to the home appliance, and connected by the user input action. To make sure there is enough time for the SMPS and the main MCU initialization, a simple charge capacitor and parallel connected sustaining signal are proposed. The capacitor saves the power during the user input action, and discharges to sustain the gating of MOSFET up to the SMPS activation. After start‐up the SMPS and main MCU of home appliance, user input can be detected by the main MCU of home appliance, and the main MCU produces the sustain signal to keep the turn‐on state. In the turn‐off operation, the main MCU cuts off the sustaining signal by detecting of the user input signal. After the user input action to turn‐off the power, the main AC power can be disconnected after the discharging of capacitor. The operating modes and power consumptions are analysed in the simulation and experimental results.
Generalised two target localisation using passive monopulse radar
Authors: Jardak Seifallah , Ahmed Sajid , Alouini Mohamed‐Slim
Published: April 2017

The simultaneous lobing technique, also known as monopulse technique, has been widely used for fast target localisation and tracking purposes. Many works focused on accurately localising one or two targets lying within a narrow beam centred around the monopulse antenna boresight. In this study, a new approach is proposed, which uses the outputs of four antennas to rapidly localise two point targets present in the hemisphere. If both targets have the same elevation angle, the proposed scheme cannot detect them. To detect such targets, a second set of antennas is required. In this study, to detect two targets at generalised locations, the antenna array is divided into multiple overlapping sets each of four antennas. Two algorithms are proposed to combine the outputs from multiple sets and improve the detection performance. Simulation results show that the algorithm is able to localise both targets with <2° mean square error in azimuth and elevation.
Shape‐controlled silver NPs for shape‐dependent biological activities
Authors: Sadeghi Fatemeh , Yazdanpanah Abolfazl , Abrishamkar Amirbabak , Moztarzadeh Fatholah , Ramedani Arash , Pouraghaie Sevda , Shirinzadeh Haji , Samadikuchaksaraei Ali , Chauhan N.P.S. , Hopkinson L. , Sefat Farshid , Mozafari Masoud
Published: April 2017

The most important issue during synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is to avoid particle agglomeration and adhesion. There have been several attempts to use special substances such as organic surfactants, polymers and stable ligands for this purpose. In this study, silver NPs were synthesised with and without gelatin macromolecules, as a green natural biopolymer, which resulted in NPs with varying shapes and sizes. The effect of morphological characteristics on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the synthesised NPs were studied, by comparing Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) versus Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria as well as fungi (Candida albicans) by calculation of minimal inhibition concentration value. The results corresponded well with the assumptions on the effects of shape and size on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the studied NPs.
Synthesis of Fused Furans and Thiophenes via Ruthenium-Catalyzed Atom-Transfer [2+2+1] Cycloadditions of α,ω-Diynes
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiko
Published: April 2017

Furans and thiophenes are important five-membered heterocyclic compounds that are found in natural products, functional materials, and pharmaceutics. This account outlines our studies on ruthenium-catalyzed atom-transfer [2+2+1] cycloadditions toward the synthesis of fused furans and thiophenes.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Furans using Dimethyl Sulfoxide as the Oxygen ­Donor

3 Synthesis of 2-Silylfurans Using Nitrones as Oxygen Donors

4 Synthesis of Thiophenes Using Thiocarbonyls as Sulfur Donors

5 Conclusions
Dorsal Augmentation with Homologous Rib
Authors: Kridel Russell , Sturm Angela
Published: April 2017

Dorsal augmentation grafts are used to reconstruct and raise the nasal dorsum in patients with dorsal saddling due to trauma, infection, or previous nasal surgery, as well as in patients with a narrow, congenitally low, and/or wide dorsum. Alloplastic implants and various biomaterials are available for grafting, each with advantages and disadvantages. Although autologous septal cartilage is a preferable and often convenient source of cartilage, it is frequently not sufficient for large volume dorsal augmentation, nor is it available in patients who have had septoplasty, infection, previous rhinoplasty with grafting, or significant trauma. Ear cartilage may be used but it is difficult to make homogenous and smooth, and dorsal irregularities can be seen in the long term especially in thin-skinned patients. For these reasons, we frequently use irradiated costal cartilage from tissue banks as our grafting source, thereby eliminating the morbidity of harvesting the patient's own rib. Proper surgical techniques, the use of antibiotics, and proper sculpting and placement of the cartilage limits complications such as warping, resorption, infection, and extrusion. Irradiated homograft costal cartilage grafts have been used successfully in large numbers of patients with long-term follow-up with low complication rates and serve as a welcome alternative to harvesting a patient's rib cartilage.
Understanding Approaches to the Dorsal Hump
Authors: Barrett Dane , Casanueva Fernando , Wang Tom
Published: April 2017

Dorsal hump reduction is a central component of western aesthetic rhinoplasty. Surgical success begins with knowledge of aesthetic ideals and accurate preoperative analysis. Knowledge of the patient's distortion from aesthetic ideals informs approach, technique, and instrument selection. Both endonasal and external approaches are suitable for dorsal hump reduction, though the latter affords more versatility when other surgical modifications are necessary. The main techniques consist of en bloc, Skoog, and component resection. Each has their distinct advantage, though a surgeon's comfort level with each should impact technique selection. Completion of the dorsal reduction often leaves a defect that must be reconstructed. Failure to anticipate the potential long-term sequelae and appropriately manage the dorsal defect can lead to a poor result and patient dissatisfaction.
Aesthetics of the Nasal Dorsum: Proportions, Light, and Shadow
Authors: Krane Natalie , Markey Jeffrey , Moneta Lauren , Kim Michael
Published: April 2017

Due to its central location, the nose plays a prominent role in facial aesthetics. As tastes have shifted and techniques have advanced, the accepted “ideal” appearance and proportions of the nose have evolved over time. By assessing the aesthetics of the nasal dorsum through the use of lines and angles, one can more precisely elucidate a goal for the patient's postoperative nasal shape, which should, in turn, guide the surgeon to execute specific operative maneuvers needed to achieve that contour. In assessing the aesthetics of the nasal dorsum, practitioners calculate and observe aspects such as the paired dorsal aesthetic lines, the nasofrontal angle, and the nasofacial angle. There is also additional consideration given to nasal tip position as this must fit harmoniously with the shape of the dorsum. In contrast to the established aesthetic lines and angles, using nasal geometric polygons for the aesthetic evaluation and development of operative goals in rhinoplasty has recently been described in the literature. Constructed ideals, in the form of proportions, lines, and angles, should be used with caution, as there are many factors to consider in the aesthetic analysis of the nasal dorsum, including ethnic differences, and subjective and changing views of beauty.
Absorbable Implant to Treat Nasal Valve Collapse
Authors: Nicoló Marion , Stelter Klaus , Sadick Haneen , Bas Murat , Berghaus Alexander
Published: April 2017

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an absorbable implant for lateral cartilage support in subjects with nasal valve collapse (NVC) with 12 months follow-up.

Methods Thirty subjects with Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score ≥ 55 and isolated NVC were treated; 14 cases were performed in an operating suite under general anesthesia and 16 cases were performed in a clinic-based setting under local anesthesia. The implant, a polylactic acid copolymer, was placed with a delivery tool within the nasal wall to provide lateral cartilage support. Subjects were followed up through 12 months postprocedure.

Results Fifty-six implants were placed in 30 subjects. The mean preoperative NOSE score was 76.7 ± 14.8, with a range of 55 to 100. At 12 months, the mean score was 35.2 ± 29.2, reflecting an average within-patient reduction of –40.9 ± 31.2 points. The majority (76%) of the subjects were responders defined as having at least one NOSE class improvement or a NOSE score reduction of at least 20%. There were no adverse changes in cosmetic appearance at 12 months postprocedure. Three implants in three subjects required retrieval within 30 days postprocedure and resulted in no clinical sequelae.

Conclusion This study demonstrates safety and effectiveness of an absorbable implant for lateral cartilage support in subjects with NVC at 12 months postprocedure.
Aerobic Exercise Decreases Lung Inflammation by IgE Decrement in an OVA Mice Model
Authors: Camargo Hizume-Kunzler Deborah , Greiffo Flavia R. , Fortkamp Bárbara , Ribeiro Freitas Gabriel , Keller Nascimento Juliana , Regina Bruggemann Thayse , Melo Avila Leonardo , Perini Adenir , Bobinski Franciane , Duarte Silva Morgana , Rocha Lapa Fernanda , Paula Vieira Rodolfo , Vargas Horewicz Verônica , Soares dos Santos Adair Roberto , Cattelan Bonorino Kelly
Published: April 2017

Aerobic exercise (AE) reduces lung function decline and risk of exacerbations in asthmatic patients. However, the inflammatory lung response involved in exercise during the sensitization remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of exercise for 2 weeks in an experimental model of sensitization and single ovalbumin-challenge. Mice were divided into 4 groups: mice non-sensitized and not submitted to exercise (Sedentary, n=10); mice non-sensitized and submitted to exercise (Exercise, n=10); mice sensitized and exposed to ovalbumin (OVA, n=10); and mice sensitized, submitted to exercise and exposed to OVA (OVA+Exercise, n=10). 24 h after the OVA/saline exposure, we counted inflammatory cells from bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), lung levels of total IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-1ra, measurements of OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE, and VEGF and NOS-2 expression via western blotting. AE reduced cell counts from BALF in the OVA group (p<0.05), total IgE, IL-4 and IL-5 lung levels and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 titers (p<0.05). There was an increase of NOS-2 expression, IL-10 and IL-1ra lung levels in the OVA groups (p<0.05). Our results showed that AE attenuated the acute lung inflammation, suggesting immunomodulatory properties on the sensitization process in the early phases of antigen presentation in asthma.
Hypothesis of Ascension in Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Klingelhoefer L. , Reichmann H.
Published: April 2017

Different clinical stages are observed in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Non-motor symptoms define in particular the prodromal period of PD whereas primary motor symptoms such as bradykinesia with rigidity, resting tremor or postural instability are mandatory for the diagnosis of PD. Important non-motor symptoms are olfactory dysfunction, constipation, depression and sleep disturbances. Corresponding to the clinical course of PD, the Braak staging system postulates that the neuropathological process of PD starts in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gut and in the olfactory bulb. From there, Parkinson pathology spreads by transsynaptic cell-to-cell transfer via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system in a rostrocranial direction. If the central nervous system is reached, typical neuropathological changes of PD with selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the Substantia nigra pars compacta, the formation of Lewy bodies, reactive gliosis and progressive central neurodegeneration appear. Evidence of clinical, pathological and animal studies supporting these hypotheses are summarised in this review article. α-synuclein as PD-specific pathology was found in the olfactory bulb, the ENS, the submandibular gland, the intermediolateral nucleus of the spinal cord and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. In an animal model, in which mice are treated with the pesticide rotenone chronically and intragastrically, we could almost completely reproduce the typical pathological and clinical features of PD as well as their development in a chronological and regional sequence.
Ärztliche Koordination in Pflegeheimen als ein Baustein menschenwürdiger Palliativarbeit – eine systematische Literaturübersicht
Authors: Fredersdorf F. , Moser S. , Mathis G.
Published: April 2017

Hintergrund Die medizinische Versorgung in Pflegeheimen ist in manchen Bereichen unbefriedigend. Zur ärztlichen Koordination für multiprofessionelle Maßnahmen gibt es wenig klare Vorgaben. Es wurde eine systematische Literaturanalyse durchgeführt, inwiefern ärztliche Koordination im Pflegeheim die Lage verbessern kann.

Methode In Datenbanken (CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, Psyndex) wurde von 2000 – 2014 mit folgenden Schlüsselwörtern gesucht: nursing homes AND nursing home physician OR nursing home doctor OR geriatrics OR gerontologic care OR primary health care AND cooperation OR coordination. Dasselbe wurde dort und in Verlagskatalogen in deutscher Sprache durchgeführt: Pflegeheim ODER Altenheim UND ärztliche Kooperation ODER ärztliche Koordination ODER ärztliche Versorgung.

Ergebnisse Von den 537 ersten Treffern wurden in 3 Schritten schließlich 34 als ganze Arbeiten (Projektberichte, systematische Literaturanalysen und Originalarbeiten) analysiert. Die Definitionen und Zugänge zur ärztlichen Koordination sind recht inhomogen. Speziell in den Projektarbeiten zeigte sich, dass multiprofessionelle Arbeit zu besserer Versorgungsqualität, mehr Zufriedenheit im Betreuungsteam und schließlich zu einer Kostenreduktion führen kann.

Schlussfolgerungen Unter Mitwirkung einer ärztlichen Koordination hat multiprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit eine positive Wirkung in den Pflegeheimen. Allerdings ist das Berufsbild des Arztes im Pflegeheim inhaltlich und strukturell wenig definiert.
Low-carbon scenarios for the power generation sector in Korea
Authors: Jung TaeYong , Park Chan
Published: April 2017

According to the Paris Agreement, the global community agreed that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would be stabilized by the end of this century within the temperature increase of 2 °C. Many countries are phasing-out coal-fired power plants domestically and internationally in order to mitigate CO2 emissions. In this paper, CO2 emission projections for the power sector in Korea under different scenarios through 2029 are examined. Since the power generation sector in Korea is one of the main sources of CO2 emissions, low-carbon options in this sector with their implications for changing the energy mix and incremental costs are compared with the official basic plan in this sector. To project the power generations and the associated CO2 emissions under different scenarios, the Asia Integrated Model of the computable general equilibrium approach for Korea is used. The simulation results tell us that the CO2 emission reduction for the power sector in Korea is feasible with the incremental costs of power generation between −25.7 and 452.4 USD per ton of CO2 in 2029, depending on the energy mix under different scenarios. The policy implication is clear that the low-carbon pathways for the power sector are feasible with the social consensus that the extra burden of CO2 reduction cost will be considered.
Brownian motion as a new probe of wettability
Authors: Mo Jianyong , Simha Akarsh , Raizen Mark G.
Published: April 2017

Understanding wettability is crucial for optimizing oil recovery, semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical industry, and electrowetting. In this letter, we study the effects of wettability on Brownian motion. We consider the cases of a sphere in an unbounded fluid medium, as well as a sphere placed in the vicinity of a plane wall. For the first case, we show the effects of wettability on the statistical properties of the particles’ motion, such as velocity autocorrelation, velocity, and thermal force power spectra over a large range of time scales. We also propose a new method to measure wettability based on the particles’ Brownian motion. In addition, we compare the boundary effects on Brownian motion imposed by both no-slip and perfect-slip flat walls. We emphasize the surprising boundary effects on Brownian motion imposed by a perfect-slip wall in the parallel direction, such as a higher particle mobility parallel to a perfect flat wall compared to that in the absence of the wall, as well as compared to a particle near a no-slip flat wall.
Cooperative structural transitions in amyloid-like aggregation
Authors: Steckmann Timothy , Bhandari Yuba R. , Chapagain Prem P. , Gerstman Bernard S.
Published: April 2017

Amyloid fibril aggregation is associated with several horrific diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Creutzfeld-Jacob, diabetes, Parkinson’s, and others. Although proteins that undergo aggregation vary widely in their primary structure, they all produce a cross-β motif with the proteins in β-strand conformations perpendicular to the fibril axis. The process of amyloid aggregation involves forming myriad different metastable intermediate aggregates. To better understand the molecular basis of the protein structural transitions and aggregation, we report on molecular dynamics (MD) computational studies on the formation of amyloid protofibrillar structures in the small model protein ccβ, which undergoes many of the structural transitions of the larger, naturally occurring amyloid forming proteins. Two different structural transition processes involving hydrogen bonds are observed for aggregation into fibrils: the breaking of intrachain hydrogen bonds to allow β-hairpin proteins to straighten, and the subsequent formation of interchain H-bonds during aggregation into amyloid fibrils. For our MD simulations, we found that the temperature dependence of these two different structural transition processes results in the existence of a temperature window that the ccβ protein experiences during the process of forming protofibrillar structures. This temperature dependence allows us to investigate the dynamics on a molecular level. We report on the thermodynamics and cooperativity of the transformations. The structural transitions that occurred in a specific temperature window for ccβ in our investigations may also occur in other amyloid forming proteins but with biochemical parameters controlling the dynamics rather than temperature.
Broadband metamaterial for optical transparency and microwave absorption
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Cheng Qiang , Yang Jin , Zhao Jie , Cui Tie Jun
Published: April 2017

We present a metamaterial for simultaneous optical transparency and microwave absorption in broadband, which can be used as an optically transparent radar-wave absorber. The proposed metamaterial absorber is made of windmill-shaped elements with the reflection spectra featured by three absorption bands. By properly tailoring the resonances of the structure, we achieve the optimized metamaterial absorptivity that is greater than 90% from 8.3 to 17.4 GHz. In the meantime, excellent optical transmittance is achieved by use of the indium tin oxide (ITO) film with moderate surface resistance, implying that the optical properties of the metamaterial are hardly affected by the periodic meta-atoms. Both numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the good performance of the proposed metamaterial, thereby enabling a wide range of applications such as ultrathin detectors and photovoltaic solar cells in the future.
A reconfigurable cryogenic platform for the classical control of quantum processors
Authors: Homulle Harald , Visser Stefan , Patra Bishnu , Ferrari Giorgio , Prati Enrico , Sebastiano Fabio , Charbon Edoardo
Published: April 2017

The implementation of a classical control infrastructure for large-scale quantum computers is challenging due to the need for integration and processing time, which is constrained by coherence time. We propose a cryogenic reconfigurable platform as the heart of the control infrastructure implementing the digital error-correction control loop. The platform is implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that supports the functionality required by several qubit technologies and that can operate close to the physical qubits over a temperature range from 4 K to 300 K. This work focuses on the extensive characterization of the electronic platform over this temperature range. All major FPGA building blocks (such as look-up tables (LUTs), carry chains (CARRY4), mixed-mode clock manager (MMCM), phase-locked loop (PLL), block random access memory, and IDELAY2 (programmable delay element)) operate correctly and the logic speed is very stable. The logic speed of LUTs and CARRY4 changes less then 5%, whereas the jitter of MMCM and PLL clock managers is reduced by 20%. The stability is finally demonstrated by operating an integrated 1.2 GSa/s analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a relatively stable performance over temperature. The ADCs effective number of bits drops from 6 to 4.5 bits when operating at 15 K.
Plasma plume dynamics, rebound, and recoating of the ablation target in pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Ojeda-G-P Alejandro , Schneider Christof W. , Döbeli Max , Lippert Thomas , Wokaun Alexander
Published: April 2017

The effects of the type of background gas and pressure on the spatial distributions of plume species have been investigated by time and space resolved imaging in vacuum, 1 × 10−2 mbar and 1 × 10−1 mbar O2 and Ar. The ablation of La0.4Ca0.6MnO3 in vacuum shows dissimilar arrival times for the different neutral species and a backscattering of the impinging species from the substrate. At 1 × 10−2 mbar, a species-dependent plume splitting appears and preferential scattering of the lighter elements is detected generating a cation off-stoichiometry along the plume axis. In addition at 1 × 10−1 mbar the plume expansion in this relatively high pressure traps a portion of the background gas against the substrate holder, thereby creating a transient high local pressure with remarkable effects once the plume reaches the substrate. In an Ar background, a rebound wave is seen, which travels backwards and recoats/contaminates the target with a different composition than the original target. In O2, in addition to the rebound, a long-lived volume of excited species is created, which consists mainly of LaO I. The rebound has important effects on the film composition and is background gas dependent. The same effects are also detected during Ag ablation and are probably valid for most target materials.
Using deposition rate to increase the thermal and kinetic stability of vapor-deposited hole transport layer glasses via a simple sublimation apparatus
Authors: Kearns Kenneth L. , Krzyskowski Paige , Devereaux Zachary
Published: April 2017

Deposition rate is known to affect the relative stability of vapor-deposited glasses; slower rates give more stable materials due to enhanced mobility at the free surface of the film. Here we show that the deposition rate can affect both the thermodynamic and kinetic stabilities of N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine (TPD) and N,N′-di-[(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl]-1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (NPD) glasses used as hole transport layers for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). A simple, low-vacuum glass sublimation apparatus and a high vacuum deposition chamber were used to deposit the glass. 50 μm thick films were deposited in the sublimation apparatus and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry while 75 nm thick films were prepared in the high vacuum chamber and studied by hot-stage spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The thermodynamic stability from both preparation chambers was consistent and showed that the fictive temperature (Tfictive) was more than 30 K lower than the conventional glass transition temperature (Tg) at the slowest deposition rates. The kinetic stability, measured as the onset temperature (Tonset) where the glass begins to transform into the supercooled liquid, was 16-17 K greater than Tg at the slowest rates. Tonset was systematically lower for the thin films characterized by SE and was attributed to the thickness dependent transformation of the glass into the supercooled liquid. These results show the first calorimetric characterization of the stability of glasses for OLED applications made by vapor deposition and the first direct comparison of deposition apparatuses as a function of the deposition rate. The ease of fabrication will create an opportunity for others to study the effect of deposition conditions on glass stability.
Deposition of ZnO based thin films by atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition for application in solar cells
Authors: Nguyen Viet Huong , Resende João , Jiménez Carmen , Deschanvres Jean-Luc , Carroy Perrine , Muñoz Delfina , Bellet Daniel , Muñoz-Rojas David
Published: April 2017

The use of Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (AP-SALD) has gained popularity in the last decade. The success of this technique relies on the possibility to deposit thin films in a fast, vacuum-free, low-cost, low-damage, and high throughput way. In this work, we present ZnO and Aluminium doped ZnO (AZO) films deposited by AP-SALD at low temperature (<220 °C) with high uniformity and conformity. The ZnO films present a high transparency of 80%–90% in the visible range, with a tuneable band-gap, between 3.30 eV and 3.55 eV, controlled by the deposition temperature. The carrier density reaches values greater than 3 × 1019 cm−3, while the electron mobility of the films is as high as 5.5 cm2 V−1 s−1, resulting in an optimum resistivity of 5 × 10−2 Ω cm. By doping ZnO with aluminium, the resistivity decreases down to 5.57 × 10−3 Ω cm, as a result of a significant increase in the carrier density up to 4.25 × 1020 cm−3. The combination of ZnO thin films with p-type cuprous oxide (Cu2O), deposited by aerosol assisted metal organic chemical vapor deposition, allowed the formation of oxide-based pn junctions. The dark I-V characteristic curve confirms a rectifying behaviour, opening the window for the production of all-oxide solar cells completely by chemical vapour deposition methods. We also show the potential of AP-SALD to deposit AZO as a transparent conductive oxide layer for silicon heterojunction solar cells.
Discretized modeling of beads-on-a-string morphology from electrically driven, conducting, and viscoelastic polymer jets
Authors: Divvela Mounica Jyothi , Joo Yong Lak
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we provide a theoretical investigation of axisymmetric instabilities observed during electrospinning, which lead to beads-on-a-string morphology. We used a discretized method to model the instability phenomena observed in the jet. We considered the fluid to be analogous to a bead-spring model. The motion of these beads is governed by the electrical, viscoelastic, surface tension, aerodynamic drag, and gravitational forces. The bead is perturbed at the nozzle, and the growth of the instability is observed over time, and along the length of the jet. We considered both lower electrical conducting polyisobutylene (PIB)-based Boger fluids and highly electrical conducting, polyethylene oxide (PEO)/water systems. In PIB fluids, the onset of the axisymmetric instability is predominantly based on the capillary mode, and the growth rate of the instability is decreased with the viscoelasticity of the jet. However, in the PEO/water system, the instability is electrically driven, and a significant increase in the growth rate of the instability is observed with the increase in the voltage. Our predictions from the discretized model are in good agreement with the previous linear stability analysis and experimental results. Our results also revealed the non-stationary behavior of the disturbance, where the amplitude of the perturbation is observed to be oscillating. Furthermore, we showed that the discretized model is also used to observe the non-axisymmetric behavior of the jet, which can be further used to study the bending instability in electrospinning.
Study of magnetic ordering in the perovskite manganites Pr0.6Sr0.4CrxMn1-xO3
Authors: Ge X. S. , Wu L. Q. , Li S. Q. , Li Z. Z. , Tang G. D. , Qi W. H. , Zhou H. J. , Xue L. C. , Ding L. L.
Published: April 2017

Powder samples of the ABO3 perovskite manganites Pr0.6Sr0.4CrxMn1-xO3 (0.00≤x≤0.30) were synthesized using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that all the samples had a single-phase orthorhombic structure. By analyzing magnetic parameters on the basis of the O2p itinerant electron model, we found that there are two magnetic transition temperatures, TCM and TCP, corresponding to changes in the magnetic ordering for the Mn and Pr cations, respectively. The magnetic moments of Mn3+ and Cr3+ cations within the B sublattice show canted ferromagnetic coupling, and the magnetic moments of the Pr cations within the A sublattice also show canted ferromagnetic coupling. However, the total magnetic moment of the A sublattice shows antiferromagnetic coupling against that of the B sublattice. The assumption of the canted ferromagnetic coupling within the B sublattice was confirmed using magnetoresistance experimental results.
High precision modeling of a damped oscillation in coherent phonon signals by Bayesian inference
Authors: Aihara S. , Hamamoto M. , Iwamitsu K. , Okada M. , Akai I.
Published: April 2017

By Bayesian inference with Metropolis algorithm, we have succeeded highly accurate estimation of a vibrational frequency as well as an initial phase for a damped oscillation contained in coherent phonon signals. Although a rise and damping profile of such vibrating signal impedes high precision estimation in conventional methods based on plane-waves expansion, the Bayesian inference makes it possible to obtain posterior probability distributions of all parameters in an appropriate physical model. On coherent phonon signals with a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼16dB, the probability distribution width of the vibrating frequency becomes two-orders of magnitude smaller than the Fourier spectral width. In addition, we can also estimate the initial phase with an accuracy on the order of 10 milli-radians as well as other parameters.
Electric field dependence of the giant magnetic anisotropy of Ru monolayer on MgO(001) substrate
Authors: Kitaoka Y. , Imamura H.
Published: April 2017

Magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of a Ru monolayer on MgO(001) substrate under the application of an electric field is investigated by using first-principles calculations. Owing to the large spin orbit coupling in Ru atoms, both MAE and its rate of change against electric field are about 3 times as large as those of an Fe monolayer on MgO(001) substrate. The change rate of MAE of Ru/MgO has an opposite sign to that of Fe/MgO, which originates from the modification of the band structure near the Fermi energy around Γ¯ point caused by the application of an electric field.
Molecular couplings and energy exchange between DNA and water mapped by femtosecond infrared spectroscopy of backbone vibrations
Authors: Liu Yingliang , Guchhait Biswajit , Siebert Torsten , Fingerhut Benjamin P. , Elsaesser Thomas
Published: April 2017

Molecular couplings between DNA and water together with the accompanying processes of energy exchange are mapped via the ultrafast response of DNA backbone vibrations after OH stretch excitation of the water shell. Native salmon testes DNA is studied in femtosecond pump-probe experiments under conditions of full hydration and at a reduced hydration level with two water layers around the double helix. Independent of their local hydration patterns, all backbone vibrations in the frequency range from 940 to 1120 cm–1 display a quasi-instantaneous reshaping of the spectral envelopes of their fundamental absorption bands upon excitation of the water shell. The subsequent reshaping kinetics encompass a one-picosecond component, reflecting the formation of a hot ground state of the water shell, and a slower contribution on a time scale of tens of picoseconds. Such results are benchmarked by measurements with resonant excitation of the backbone modes, resulting in distinctly different absorption changes. We assign the fast changes of DNA absorption after OH stretch excitation to structural changes in the water shell which couple to DNA through the local electric fields. The second slower process is attributed to a flow of excess energy from the water shell into DNA, establishing a common heated ground state in the molecular ensemble. This interpretation is supported by theoretical calculations of the electric fields exerted by the water shell at different temperatures.
Dissection of the genetic architecture for soybean seed weight across multiple environments
Authors: Teng Weili , Feng Lei , Li Wen , Wu Depeng , Zhao Xue , Han Yingpeng , Li Wenbin
Published: April 2017

Seed weight (SW), measured as mass per seed, significantly affects soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) yield and the quality of soybean-derived food. The objective of the present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistatic QTLs associated with SW in soybean across 129 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Dongnong 46 (100-seed weight, 20.26 g) and ‘L-100 (4.84 g). Phenotypic data were collected from this population after it was grown in nine environments. A molecular genetic map including 213 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed, which distributed in 18 of 20 chromosomes (linkage groups). This map encompassed ~3623.39 cM, with an average distance of 17.01 cM between markers. Nine QTLs associated with SW were identified. These QTLs explained 1.07–18.43% of the observed phenotypic variation in the nine different environments, and the phenotypic variation explained by most QTLs was 5–10%. Among these nine QTLs, qSW-3 (Satt192) and qSW-5 (Satt568) explained 2.33–9.96% and 7.26–15.11% of the observed phenotypic variation across eight tested environments, respectively. QTLs qSW-8 (Satt514) and qSW-9 (Satt163) were both identified in six environments and explained 8.99–16.40% and 3.68–18.43% of the observed phenotypic variation, respectively. Nine QTLs had additive and/or additive × environment interaction effects, and the environment-independent QTLs often had higher additive effects. Moreover, nine epistatic pairwise QTLs were identified in different environments. Understanding the existence of additive and epistatic effects of SW QTLs could guide the choice of which reasonable SW QTL to manipulate and could predict the outcomes of assembling a large number of SW QTLs with marker-assisted selection of soybean varieties with desirable SW.
A sneak peek at training English-medium instructors in China
Authors: Cheng Rui
Published: April 2017

English-medium Instruction (EMI) has become increasingly common in non-English speaking countries such as China. EMI instructors’ inadequate English proficiency has been reported as a major hindrance to successful EMI. This study examined EMI instructors’ perceptions on the effectiveness of overseas training programs. The participants of the study were 75 instructors from 20 universities in a big metropolis in China who were engaged in a four-month international assignment in one of the universities in Australia, Canada and the US between 2009 and 2010. Data sources included survey and written reports. Constant comparison was applied to generate common themes. Results indicated that the instructors regarded the training programs that focused more heavily on pedagogy as more effective and hoped for more context-specific pedagogy applicable to Chinese educational systems. They perceived the training programs with an emphasis on supervised teaching practices as more effective. Implications are provided for EMI instructors and administrators.
CLIL theory and empirical reality – Two sides of the same coin?
Authors: Rumlich Dominik
Published: April 2017

This article summarizes the essential theoretical and empirical findings of a large-scale doctoral dissertation study on content and language integrated learning (CLIL) streams at German secondary schools (Gymnasium) with up to three content subjects taught in English (Rumlich, 2016). A theoretical account rooted in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL), language acquisition and educational psychology provides the basis for the development of a comprehensive longitudinal model of general EFL proficiency, which incorporates cognitive, affective-motivational, and further individual variables.

In a second step, the model is used to estimate the effects of CLIL on general EFL proficiency, EFL self-concept and interest over a span of two school years (Year 6 to Year 8). The statistical evaluation of the quasi-experimental data from 1,000 learners finds large initial differences prior to CLIL due to selection, preparation, and class composition effects brought about by the implementation of CLIL within streams. After two years, the analyses found no CLIL-related benefits for general EFL proficiency or interest in EFL classes and solely a minor increase in EFL self-concept that might be attributable to CLIL. The results make a strong claim for comprehensive longitudinal model-based evaluations and the inclusion of selection, preparation, and class composition effects when conducting research on CLIL programmes in similar settings. The findings also suggest that not all language competences and affective-motivational dispositions might benefit from CLIL (the way it is currently taught in Germany) to the same extent.
Vector-borne diseases in the Caribbean: history and current status.
Authors: Gibson K. E. , Fitzpatrick D. M. , Stone D. , Noel T. P. , MacPherson C. N. L.
Published: April 2017

The Caribbean consists of island chains surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to neighbouring mainland countries. The tropical climate and its historic and continued influx of both humans and animals from throughout the world have contributed to the region's plethora of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Both human and animal VBDs are of health and economic importance to the Caribbean. Some of these are zoonotic, complicating control and elimination attempts. Although efforts have been ongoing for over a century in the identification and prevention of VBDs in the Caribbean, limited resources have curtailed VBD diagnosis, surveillance, control and research. These deficiencies have been highlighted by the recent chikungunya and Zika virus disease outbreaks. The purpose of this review is to examine the history of VBDs in the Caribbean, evaluate the current status of the most important VBDs in the region, and identify the VBD threats for the future and how these might be addressed.
MPK9 and MPK12 function in SA-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Khokon Md Atiqur Rahman , Salam Mohammad Abdus , Jammes Fabien , Ye Wenxiu , Hossain Mohammad Anowar , Okuma Eiji , Nakamura Yoshimasa , Mori Izumi C , Kwak June M , Murata Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2017

Salicylic acid (SA) induces stomatal closure sharing several components with abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) signaling. We have previously shown that two guard cell-preferential mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), MPK9 and MPK12, positively regulate ABA signaling and MeJA signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we examined whether these two MAPKs are involved in SA-induced stomatal closure using genetic mutants and a pharmacological, MAPKK inhibitor. Salicylic acid induced stomatal closure in mpk9 and mpk12 single mutants but not in mpk9 mpk12 double mutants. The MAPKK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited SA-induced stomatal closure in wild-type plants. Salicylic acid induced extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular ROS accumulation, and cytosolic alkalization in the mpk9, mpk12, and mpk9 mpk12 mutants. Moreover, SA-activated S-type anion channels in guard cells of wild-type plants but not in guard cells of mpk9 mpk12 double mutants. These results imply that MPK9 and MPK12 are positive regulators of SA signaling in Arabidopsis guard cells.
Defects in ER–endosome contacts impact lysosome function in hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Allison Rachel , Edgar James R. , Pearson Guy , Rizo Tania , Newton Timothy , Günther Sven , Berner Fiamma , Hague Jennifer , Connell James W. , Winkler Jürgen , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer , Beetz Christian , Winner Beate , Reid Evan
Published: April 2017

Contacts between endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) promote endosomal tubule fission, but the mechanisms involved and consequences of tubule fission failure are incompletely understood. We found that interaction between the microtubule-severing enzyme spastin and the ESCRT protein IST1 at ER–endosome contacts drives endosomal tubule fission. Failure of fission caused defective sorting of mannose 6-phosphate receptor, with consequently disrupted lysosomal enzyme trafficking and abnormal lysosomal morphology, including in mouse primary neurons and human stem cell–derived neurons. Consistent with a role for ER-mediated endosomal tubule fission in lysosome function, similar lysosomal abnormalities were seen in cellular models lacking the WASH complex component strumpellin or the ER morphogen REEP1. Mutations in spastin, strumpellin, or REEP1 cause hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a disease characterized by axonal degeneration. Our results implicate failure of the ER–endosome contact process in axonopathy and suggest that coupling of ER-mediated endosomal tubule fission to lysosome function links different classes of HSP proteins, previously considered functionally distinct, into a unifying pathway for axonal degeneration.