bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pemafibrate, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator, improves the pathogenesis in a rodent model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Ogawa Yuji , Tomeno Wataru , Imajo Kento , Fujita Koji , Yoneda Masato , Takizawa Toshiaki , Saito Satoru , Nagashima Yoji , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: February 2017

The efficacy of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-agonists (e.g., fibrates) against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in humans is not known. Pemafibrate is a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α modulator that can maximize the beneficial effects and minimize the adverse effects of fibrates used currently. In a phase-2 study, pemafibrate was shown to improve liver dysfunction in patients with dyslipidaemia. In the present study, we first investigated the effect of pemafibrate on rodent models of NASH. Pemafibrate efficacy was assessed in a diet-induced rodent model of NASH compared with fenofibrate. Pemafibrate and fenofibrate improved obesity, dyslipidaemia, liver dysfunction, and the pathological condition of NASH. Pemafibrate improved insulin resistance and increased energy expenditure significantly. To investigate the effects of pemafibrate, we analysed the gene expressions and protein levels involved in lipid metabolism. We also analysed uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) expression. Pemafibrate stimulated lipid turnover and upregulated UCP3 expression in the liver. Levels of acyl-CoA oxidase 1 and UCP3 protein were increased by pemafibrate significantly. Pemafibrate can improve the pathogenesis of NASH by modulation of lipid turnover and energy metabolism in the liver. Pemafibrate is a promising therapeutic agent for NAFLD/NASH.
Visual information and expert’s idea in Hurst index estimation of the fractional Brownian motion using a diffusion type approximation
Authors: Taheriyoun Ali R. , Moghimbeygi Meisam
Published: February 2017

An approximation of the fractional Brownian motion based on the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process is used to obtain an asymptotic likelihood function. Two estimators of the Hurst index are then presented in the likelihood approach. The first estimator is produced according to the observed values of the sample path; while the second one employs the likelihood function of the incremental process. We also employ visual roughness of realization to restrict the parameter space and to obtain prior information in Bayesian approach. The methods are then compared with three contemporary estimators and an experimental data set is studied.
Photocatalytic TMO-NMs adsorbent: Temperature-Time dependent Safranine degradation, sorption study validated under optimized effective equilibrium models parameter with standardized statistical analysis
Authors: Wahab Rizwan , Khan Farheen , Kaushik Nagendra Kumar , Musarrat Javed , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A.
Published: February 2017

In this paper, chemically synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs), were employed for two processes: one is photocatalytic degradation and second one adsorption for the sorption of safranine (SA) dye in an aqueous medium at pH = 12.01. The optimized analytes amount (nano-adsorbent = 0.10 g, conc. range of SA dye 56.13 ppm to 154.37 ppm, pH = 12.01, temperature 303 K) reached to equilibrium point in 80 min, which acquired for chemical adsorption-degradation reactions. The degredated SA dye data’s recorded by UV-visible spectroscopy for the occurrence of TMO-NMs of CuO-NPs at anticipated period of interval. The feasible performance of CuO-NPs was admirable, shows good adsorption capacity qm = 53.676 mg g−1 and most convenient to best fitted results establish by linear regression equation, corresponded for selected kinetic model (pseudo second order (R2 = 0.9981), equilibrium isotherm models (Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubnin-Radushkevich (D-R), Temkin, H-J and Halsey), and thermodynamic parameters (∆H° = 75461.909 J mol−1, ∆S° = 253.761 J mol−1, ∆G° = −1427.93 J mol−1, Ea = 185.142 J mol−1) with error analysis. The statistical study revealed that CuO-NPs was an effective adsorbent certified photocatalytic efficiency (η = 84.88%) for degradation of SA dye, exhibited more feasibility and good affinity toward adsorbate, the sorption capacity increases with increased temperature at equilibrium point.
Solvent Chemistry in the Electronic Cigarette Reaction Vessel
Authors: Jensen R. Paul , Strongin Robert M. , Peyton David H.
Published: February 2017

Knowledge of the mechanism of formation, levels and toxicological profiles of the chemical products in the aerosols (i.e., vapor plus particulate phases) of e-cigarettes is needed in order to better inform basic research as well as the general public, regulators, and industry. To date, studies of e-cigarette emissions have mainly focused on chromatographic techniques for quantifying and comparing the levels of selected e-cigarette aerosol components to those found in traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes heat and aerosolize the solvents propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY), thereby affording unique product profiles as compared to traditional cigarettes. The chemical literature strongly suggests that there should be more compounds produced by PG and GLY than have been reported in e-cigarette aerosols to date. Herein we report an extensive investigation of the products derived from vaporizing PG and GLY under mild, single puff conditions. This has led to the discovery of several new compounds produced under vaping conditions. Prior reports on e-cigarette toxin production have emphasized temperature as the primary variable in solvent degradation. In the current study, the molecular pathways leading to enhanced PG/GLY reactivity are described, along with the most impactful chemical conditions promoting byproduct production.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhou Xi-Lei , Li Yong-Qiang , Zhu Wei-Guo , Yu Chang-Hua , Song Ya-Qi , Wang Wan-Wei , He Dong-Cheng , Tao Guang-Zhou , Tong Yu-Suo
Published: February 2017

The present study evaluated the clinical and prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). A total of 517 patients with ESCC were enrolled and analysed retrospectively. The NLR was calculated at three time points: baseline, post-treatment, and at the time of tumor progression. Elevated NLR was defined as a ratio ≥5. High NLR at baseline was present in 204 (39%) patients and was significantly correlated with larger tumour size, advanced TNM stage, worse ECOG performance status, and dCRT response (p < 0.05). At a median follow-up of 17 months, patients with higher NLR at baseline had poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). On multivariate analysis, elevated NLR at baseline was independently associated with PFS and OS (HR = 1.529, p < 0.001 for PFS; HR = 1.856, p < 0.001 for OS). In addition, patients with high pre- and post-treatment NLR demonstrated worse clinical outcomes than other groups. Our results suggest that NLR is an independent prognostic indicator for patients with ESCC undergoing dCRT and changes in NLR level with treatment may indicate therapeutic benefit.
Microglia preconditioned by oxygen-glucose deprivation promote functional recovery in ischemic rats
Authors: Kanazawa Masato , Miura Minami , Toriyabe Masafumi , Koyama Misaki , Hatakeyama Masahiro , Ishikawa Masanori , Nakajima Takashi , Onodera Osamu , Takahashi Tetsuya , Nishizawa Masatoyo , Shimohata Takayoshi
Published: February 2017

Cell-therapies that invoke pleiotropic mechanisms may facilitate functional recovery in stroke patients. We hypothesized that a cell therapy using microglia preconditioned by optimal oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) is a therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke because optimal ischemia induces anti-inflammatory M2 microglia. We first delineated changes in angiogenesis and axonal outgrowth in the ischemic cortex using rats. We found that slight angiogenesis without axonal outgrowth were activated at the border area within the ischemic core from 7 to 14 days after ischemia. Next, we demonstrated that administration of primary microglia preconditioned by 18 hours of OGD at 7 days prompted functional recovery at 28 days after focal cerebral ischemia compared to control therapies by marked secretion of remodelling factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and transforming growth factor-β polarized to M2 microglia in vitro/vivo. In conclusion, intravascular administration of M2 microglia preconditioned by optimal OGD may be a novel therapeutic strategy against ischemic stroke.
Loss of OxyR reduces efficacy of oxygen respiration in Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Wan Fen , Shi Miaomiao , Gao Haichun
Published: February 2017

In many bacteria, OxyR is the major regulator controlling cellular response to H2O2. A common phenotype resulting from OxyR loss is reduced growth rate, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We demonstrated in Shewanella oneidensis, an important research model for applied and environmental microbes, that the defect is primarily due to an electron shortage to major terminal oxidase cytochrome cbb3. The loss of OxyR leads to enhanced production of electron carriers that compete for electrons against cytochrome cbb3, cytochrome bd in particular. We further showed that the oxyR mutation also results in increased production of menaquinone, an additional means to lessen electrons to cytochrome cbb3. Although regulation of OxyR on these biological processes appears to be indirect, these data indicate that the regulator plays a previously underappreciated role in mediating respiration.
Smoothened is a poor prognosis factor and a potential therapeutic target in glioma
Authors: Tu Yiming , Niu Mingshan , Xie Peng , Yue Chenglong , Liu Ning , Qi Zhenglei , Gao Shangfeng , Liu Hongmei , Shi Qiong , Yu Rutong , Liu Xuejiao
Published: February 2017

Malignant gliomas are associated with a high mortality rate. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of novel targeted therapeutics. Aberrant Hedgehog signaling has been directly linked to glioma. GDC-0449 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling that blocks the activity of smoothened (Smo). In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the smoothened inhibitor GDC-0449 on cell proliferation in human gliomas. We found that high expression of smoothened in glioma is a predictor of short overall survival and poor patient outcome. Our data suggest that GDC-0449 significantly inhibits the proliferation of glioma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Our results demonstrate that GDC-0449 can effectively inhibit the migration and invasion of glioma cells. Furthermore, GDC-0449 treatment significantly suppressed glioma cell xenograft tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, GDC-0449 treatment markedly decreases the expression levels of key Hedgehog pathway component genes (Shh, Patched-1, Patched-2, smoothened, Gli1 and Gli2). These results indicate that GDC-0449 works through targeting the Hedgehog pathway. Taken together, our study suggests that smoothened could be used as a prognostic marker and molecular therapeutic target for glioma.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of effects of dietary fish oil on total fatty acid composition in mouse skin
Authors: Wang Peiru , Sun Min , Ren Jianwei , Djuric Zora , Fisher Gary J. , Wang Xiuli , Li Yong
Published: February 2017

Altering the fatty acid (FA) composition in the skin by dietary fish oil could provide therapeutic benefits. Although it has been shown that fish oil supplementation enhances EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) abundance in the skin, comprehensive skin FA profiling is needed. We established a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method, which allows precise quantification of FA profile using small (<24 mm2 for mice and <12 mm2 for humans) skin specimens that can be readily obtained from live mice and humans. We determined mouse skin FA composition after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of consuming a control diet or a diet supplemented with fish oil. Fish oil markedly enhanced EPA and DHA in mouse skin within 2 weeks, and this increase plateaued after 4 weeks. The FA composition in mouse skin was different from that of serum, indicating that skin has homeostatic control of FA metabolism. Mice fed the control diet designed to simulate Western human diet displayed similar skin FA composition as that of humans. The present study presents a validated method for FA quantification that is needed to investigate the mechanisms of actions of dietary treatments in both mouse and human skin.
Zinc removal from aqueous solution using a deionization pseudocapacitor with a high-performance nanostructured birnessite electrode
Authors: Liu Lihu , Luo Yao , Tan Wenfeng , Liu Fan , Suib Steven L. , Zhang Yashan , Qiu Guohong
Published: February 2017

Nanostructured birnessite is facilely prepared as a deionization pseudocapacitor electrode material for high-efficiency Zn2+ removal from aqueous solution.
Template-free single pot synthesis of SnS2@Cu2O/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoflowers for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Hatui Goutam , Chandra Nayak Ganesh , Udayabhanu G. , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Pathak Devendra Deo
Published: February 2017

A template-free one-pot hydrothermal route was adopted for the facile synthesis of SnS2@Cu2O/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoflowers for supercapacitor electrode materials.
A quantitative method for analysis of mixtures of homologues and stereoisomers of hemicucurbiturils that allows us to follow their formation and stability
Authors: Fomitšenko Maria , Peterson Anna , Reile Indrek , Cong Hang , Kaabel Sandra , Prigorchenko Elena , Järving Ivar , Aav Riina
Published: February 2017

Cyclic and linear oligomers of hemicucurbiturils have large difference in UV absorbance.
Ratiometric captopril assay based on the recovery of the Bi(iii)-quenched yellow fluorescence of dually emitting carbon nanodots
Authors: Chen Ping , Lao Haili , Qu Fei , You Jinmao
Published: February 2017

Dual emissions of carbon nanodots, as a ratiometric nanosensor, could be used to detect captopril based on the switch effect of Bi3+.
A chiral ion-pair photoredox organocatalyst: enantioselective anti-Markovnikov hydroetherification of alkenols
Authors: Yang Zhongbo , Li Han , Li Sujia , Zhang Ming-Tian , Luo Sanzhong
Published: February 2017

A chiral ion-pair photoredox organocatalyst was reported to facilitate visible-light-meditated asymmetric anti-Markovnikov hydroetherification of alkenols with high reactivity and moderate enantioselectivity.
Adjusting the band structure and defects of ZnO quantum dots via tin doping
Authors: Yang Weimin , Zhang Bing , Zhang Qitu , Wang Lixi , Song Bo , Ding Yong , Wong C. P.
Published: February 2017

The structures and band structures of Sn doped ZnO were investigated by density functional theory as well as experiment.
Room temperature methane sensing properties of α-Fe2−xCuxO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Haifeng , Peng Tongjiang , Sun Hongjuan , Xie Ruishi , Ma Guohua
Published: February 2017

α-Fe2−xCuxO3 nanoparticles can be considered a potential candidate for methane detection at room temperature.
Elucidation of hierarchical metallophthalocyanine buffer layers in bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Khan M. Alam , Farva Umme
Published: February 2017

Figure depicting J–V and EQE efficiency employing metallophthalocyanines.
Enhanced positive temperature coefficient behavior of the high-density polyethylene composites with multi-dimensional carbon fillers and their use for temperature-sensing resistors
Authors: Zha Jun-Wei , Wu Dong-Hong , Yang Yu , Wu Yun-Hui , Li Robert K. Y. , Dang Zhi-Min
Published: February 2017

The synergistic effect of the modified CB and MWNT can improve the service time of positive temperature coefficient materials under harsh thermal control conditions.
Dynamic covalent chemistry of imine polymers at the liquid/solid interface investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Yu Yanxia , Lin Jianbin , Lei Shengbin
Published: February 2017

How a dynamic covalent library adapts to the presence of a surface is of fundamental importance for the design of adaptive materials. Our investigation demonstrates that the surface markedly rearrange the composition of the DCC libraries.
Self-nanofibrillation strategy to an unusual combination of strength and toughness for poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Xie Lan , Sun Xin , Tian Yaozhu , Dong Fuping , He Min , Xiong Yuzhu , Zheng Qiang
Published: February 2017

The self-nanofibrillation strategy paves a new way to an unprecedented combination of strength and toughness for pure PLA.
Tube in tube ZnO/ZnCo2O4 nanostructure synthesized by facile single capillary electrospinning with enhanced ethanol gas-sensing properties
Authors: Alali Khaled Tawfik , Liu Jingyuan , Liu Qi , Li Rumin , Li Zhanshuang , Liu Peili , Aljebawi Kassem , Wang Jun
Published: February 2017

Tube in tube nanostructure of ZnO/ZnCo2O4 was achieved using electrospinning technology. The complex tubular structure and n–p heterojunction are potential reasons for the excellent gas sensing performance of ZnO/ZnCo2O4 tube in tube nanostructure.
Novel columnar metallomesogens based on cationic platinum(ii) complexes without long peripheral chains
Authors: Geng Hao , Luo KaiJun , Cheng HaoMin , Zhang ShiLin , Ni HaiLiang , Wang HaiFeng , Yu WenHao , Li Quan
Published: February 2017

Phosphorescent cationic platinum(ii) complexes without any peripheral flexible chains around the platinum(ii) center show thermotropic columnar liquid crystal properties.
Synthesis of magnetic carbonaceous acids derived from hydrolysates of Jatropha hulls for catalytic biodiesel production
Authors: Zhang Fan , Tian Xiaofei , Shah Mazloom , Yang Wenjing
Published: February 2017

Magnetic carbonaceous acid derived fromJatrophahulls achieved 96.5% biodiesel yield with catalyst recovery of 94.3% in 5-cycle uses.
Role of a phenothiazine/phenoxazine donor in solid ionic conductors for efficient solid state dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Vaghasiya Jayraj V. , Sonigara Keval K. , Prasad Jyoti , Beuvier Thomas , Gibaud Alain , Soni Saurabh S.
Published: February 2017

Efficient electron donors, phenothiazine (PTZ)/phenoxazine (POZ) substituted imidazolium (IMI) and benzimidazolium (BIMI) iodide solid organic ionic conductors (SOICs) possessing good thermal stability and high conductivity are synthesized and used as electrolytes in solid state dye solar cell (ss-DSSC).
Taking advantage of the disadvantage: employing the high aqueous instability of amorphous calcium carbonate to realize burst drug release within cancer cells
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Shaoqing , Yu Qin , Hu Fuqiang , Yuan Hong
Published: February 2017

The high aqueous instability of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), which will lead to a burst release of its payload, has generally been recognized as the major obstacle for its further application in nanomedicine.
Investigation of the interactions between methylene blue and intramolecular G-quadruplexes: an explicit distinction in electrochemical behavior
Authors: Cao Ting , Zhang Fang-Ting , Cai Liang-Yuan , Zhou Ying-Lin , Buurma Niklaas J. , Zhang Xin-Xiang
Published: February 2017

An explicit difference for binding affinity between MB and different intramolecular G-quadruplexes was quickly and easily obtained by an electrochemical method.
Smart and designable graphene–SiO2 nanocomposites with multifunctional applications in silicone elastomers and polyaniline supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Hualan , Liu Risheng , Yang Cheng , Hao Qingli , Wang Xin , Gong Kai , Wu Jirong , Hu Yingqian , Li Zhifang , Jiang Jianxiong
Published: February 2017

A nonmetallic oxide, SiO2, was demonstrated to be effective in elevating the performances of graphene-based PANI supercapacitors and polysiloxane elastomers.
The influence of hydrogen bonding on N-methyldiethanolamine-extended polyurethane solid–solid phase change materials for energy storage
Authors: Cao Hongwei , Qi Feixuanyu , Liu Ruowang , Wang Fengtao , Zhang Caixia , Zhang Xiaoni , Chai Yuye , Zhai Lanlan
Published: February 2017

The ordered microstructure and microphase separation improved the crystallinity of soft segments, and enhanced the enthalpy of NPU more than those of BPU.
Low-toxic metal halide perovskites: opportunities and future challenges
Authors: Hu Hang , Dong Binghai , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2017

Over the past few years, lead halide perovskites have emerged as a class of dominant semiconductor materials in the photovoltaic (PV) field with an unprecedented sharp enhancement of power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 22.1%, as well as in other promising optoelectronic applications due to their extraordinary and unique properties.
Investigation of piezoelectric property and nanodomain structures for PIN–PZ–PMN–PT single crystals as a function of crystallographic orientation and temperature
Authors: He Wenhui , Li Qiang , Sun Yue , Xi Xiaoqing , Zhang Yiling , Yan Qingfeng
Published: February 2017

The anisotropy of nanodomain structures and the domain switching in the Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–PbZrO3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 system were investigated systematically.
Ferroelectric crystal Ca9Yb(VO4)7in the series of Ca9R(VO4)7non-linear optical materials (R = REE, Bi, Y)
Authors: Lazoryak Bogdan I. , Aksenov Sergey M. , Stefanovich Sergey Yu. , Dorbakov Nikolai G. , Belov Dmitriy A. , Baryshnikova Oksana V. , Morozov Vladimir A. , Manylov Mikhail S. , Lin Zhoubin
Published: February 2017

Factors influencing the nonlinear optical properties and ferroelectric domain structures of Ca9Yb(VO4)7and other whitlockite-type laser crystals are revealed.
Speaking Tongues Are Actively Braced
Authors: Gick Bryan , Allen Blake , Roewer-Després François , Stavness Ian
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Bracing of the tongue against opposing vocal-tract surfaces such as the teeth or palate has long been discussed in the context of biomechanical, somatosensory, and aeroacoustic aspects of tongue movement. However, previous studies have tended to describe bracing only in terms of contact (rather than mechanical support), and only in limited phonetic contexts, supporting a widespread view of bracing as an occasional state, peculiar to specific sounds or sound combinations.

Method

The present study tests the pervasiveness and effortfulness of tongue bracing in continuous English speech passages using electropalatography and 3-D biomechanical simulations.

Results

The tongue remains in continuous contact with the upper molars during speech, with only rare exceptions. Use of the term
bracing
(rather than merely
contact
) is supported here by biomechanical simulations showing that lateral bracing is an active posture requiring dedicated muscle activation; further, loss of lateral contact for onset /l/ allophones is found to be consistently accompanied by contact of the tongue blade against the anterior palate. In the rare instances where direct evidence for contact is lacking (only in a minority of low vowel and postvocalic /l/ tokens), additional biomechanical simulations show that lateral contact is maintained against pharyngeal structures dorsal to the teeth.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results indicate that tongue bracing is both pervasive and active in running speech and essential in understanding tongue movement control.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Neurofibromatosis Type 2 Patient with a Novel MRI-Compatible Auditory Brainstem Implant
Authors: Shew Matthew , Bertsch Judson , Camarata Paul , Staecker Hinrich
Published: February 2017

Auditory brainstem implantation has become a key technique for the rehabilitation of hearing in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2. The nature of this devastating genetic disease requires ongoing MRI for the patient's lifespan. Today, most auditory brainstem implants require removal of the magnet that connects the internal device to the external speech processor to undergo imaging as their disease progresses. Patients have the option of having a short procedure to have the magnet taken out and replaced each time, or alternately using a headband to secure the processor over the receiver coil of the internal device. Novel magnet technology has led to the development of a freely rotating magnet that can be used inside the magnetic field of an MRI scanner without losing magnet strength and without being displaced from the body of the device. We report one of the first patients implanted with a Med-El Synchrony ABI in the United States who subsequently underwent successful imaging with MRI 1.5 tesla to follow for other existing schwannomas.
Endovascular Treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Improves Clinical Symptoms and Signs
Authors: Silva João , Conti Mario , Aguiar Guilherme , Jory Mauricio , Monzillo Paulo , Veiga José
Published: February 2017

Introduction New physiopathological concepts regarding idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) recommend the endovascular treatment in refractory patients with transverse sinus stenosis.

Objectives To assess the role of the transverse sinus stenting treatment in the symptomatology of patients with IIH.

Method Clinically refractory patients with impaired venous drainage of the transverse sinus were submitted to cerebral angiographies. Patients with pre and post-stenotic pressure gradients > 8 mmHg were submitted to endovascular treatment.

Results Seven patients underwent cerebral angiography with manometry. Stenting was performed in six cases after pressure gradient assessment. All cases showed improvements in headache and resolution of papilledema.

Discussion and Conclusion Although the role of endovascular therapy should be further studied, our data suggest it may improve the clinical symptoms and signs of IIH in selected patients.
Wie hoch sind die Kosten für die zehn häufigsten Todesursachen in Deutschland in den letzten drei Jahren vor dem
Tod?
Authors: Geringer A , Klötzer J , Christiansen S
Published: February 2017

Ziel Aufgrund des demografischen Wandels wird zukünftig mit einer Kostensteigerung im deutschen Gesundheitswesen gerechnet. Eine
Theorie besagt, dass die Kosten in den letzten Lebensjahren vor dem Tod besonders hoch sind. Es war deswegen das Ziel der vorliegenden
Studie, die Kosten in den letzten drei Lebensjahren vor dem Tod bei den zehn häufigsten Todesursachen in Deutschland zu untersuchen.

Methodik Im Zeitraum von 2011 bis 2015 wurden alle Verstorbenen, die älter als 20 Jahre waren, ermittelt. Aus dieser Gesamtgruppe
wurden gemäß der Todesursachenstatistik des Statistischen Bundesamtes die Verstorbenen den zehn häufigsten Todesursachen in Deutschland
zugeordnet. Für alle Gruppen wurden der Mittelwert und die Standardabweichung des Alters, das Geschlechtsverhältnis und die Kosten in den
letzten drei Jahren vor dem Tod berechnet. Danach wurden die Kosten nach Lebensdekaden aufgeschlüsselt. Die statistische Analyse der Daten
erfolgte mit dem Kolmogorov-Smirnov-, dem Kruskal-Wallis- und dem Dunn-Test.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 18 887 Verstorbene mit einem mittleren Alter von 72,0 ± 13,1 Jahren identifiziert (Männer: 66,1 %, Frauen
33,9 %). Die Datenanalyse zeigte, dass alle zehn zum Tode führenden Erkrankungen in den letzten drei Jahren vor dem Tod signifikant mehr
Kosten verursachten, als im Mittel in der Gesamtgruppe anfielen (p < 0,001). Dabei stiegen in allen Gruppen die Kosten zum Todeszeitpunkt
hin an. Die Analyse der Lebensdekaden zeigte einen Kostenabfall mit zunehmendem Alter.

Schlussfolgerung Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass die Art der Erkrankung Einfluss auf die Höhe der Kosten vor dem Tod hat. Diese
Kosten steigen mit der Nähe zum Todeszeitpunkt an und fallen mit zunehmendem Alter ab.
Electron correlation by polarization of interacting densities
Authors: Whitten Jerry L.
Published: February 2017

Coulomb interactions that occur in electronic structure calculations are correlated by allowing basis function components of the interacting densities to polarize dynamically, thereby reducing the magnitude of the interaction. Exchange integrals of molecular orbitals are not correlated. The modified Coulomb interactions are used in single-determinant or configuration interaction calculations. The objective is to account for dynamical correlation effects without explicitly introducing higher spherical harmonic functions into the molecular orbital basis. Molecular orbital densities are decomposed into a distribution of spherical components that conserve the charge and each of the interacting components is considered as a two-electron wavefunction embedded in the system acted on by an average field Hamiltonian plus r12−1. A method of avoiding redundancy is described. Applications to atoms, negative ions, and molecules representing different types of bonding and spin states are discussed.
Modification of flow perturbations in a laminar separation bubble by heat transfer
Authors: Boiko A. V. , Dovgal A. V. , Sorokin A. M.
Published: February 2017

Laminar boundary layer separation in conditions of localized heat transfer is investigated at low subsonic velocity through wind-tunnel measurements and linear stability analysis. A backward-facing step flow is subjected to a stationary temperature variation generated by Peltier elements installed on the test model directly downstream of the separation line. The experimental and theoretical data clarify the response of velocity disturbances in the separation region to the temperature variation, the latter appearing primarily as a modifier of the initial wave spectrum of the amplifying separated layer oscillations.
Dissolution in anisotropic porous media: Modelling convection regimes from onset to shutdown
Authors: De Paoli Marco , Zonta Francesco , Soldati Alfredo
Published: February 2017

In the present study, we use direct numerical simulations to examine the role of non-isotropic permeability on solutal convection in a fluid-saturated porous medium. The dense solute injected from the top boundary is driven downwards by gravity and follows a complex time-dependent dynamics. The process of solute dissolution, which is initially controlled by diffusion, becomes dominated by convection as soon as fingers appear, grow, and interact. The dense solute finally reaches the bottom boundary where, due to the prescribed impermeable boundary, it starts filling the domain so to enter the shutdown stage. We present the entire transient dynamics for large Rayleigh-Darcy numbers, Ra, and non-isotropic permeability. We also try to provide suitable and reliable models to parametrize it. With the conceptual setup presented here, we aim at mimicking the process of liquid CO2 sequestration into geological reservoirs.
Benchmark of the local drift-kinetic models for neoclassical transport simulation in helical plasmas
Authors: Huang B. , Satake S. , Kanno R. , Sugama H. , Matsuoka S.
Published: February 2017

The benchmarks of the neoclassical transport codes based on the several local drift-kinetic models are reported here. Here, the drift-kinetic models are zero orbit width (ZOW), zero magnetic drift, DKES-like, and global, as classified in Matsuoka et al. [Phys. Plasmas 22, 072511 (2015)]. The magnetic geometries of Helically Symmetric Experiment, Large Helical Device (LHD), and Wendelstein 7-X are employed in the benchmarks. It is found that the assumption of E×B incompressibility causes discrepancy of neoclassical radial flux and parallel flow among the models when E×B is sufficiently large compared to the magnetic drift velocities. For example, Mp≤0.4 where Mp is the poloidal Mach number. On the other hand, when E×B and the magnetic drift velocities are comparable, the tangential magnetic drift, which is included in both the global and ZOW models, fills the role of suppressing unphysical peaking of neoclassical radial-fluxes found in the other local models at Er≃0. In low collisionality plasmas, in particular, the tangential drift effect works well to suppress such unphysical behavior of the radial transport caused in the simulations. It is demonstrated that the ZOW model has the advantage of mitigating the unphysical behavior in the several magnetic geometries, and that it also implements the evaluation of bootstrap current in LHD with the low computation cost compared to the global model.
Equation of motion for the solvent polarization apparent charges in the polarizable continuum model: Application to time-dependent CI
Authors: Pipolo Silvio , Corni Stefano , Cammi Roberto
Published: February 2017

The dynamics of the electrons for a molecule in solution is coupled to the dynamics of its polarizable environment, i.e., the solvent. To theoretically investigate such electronic dynamics, we have recently developed equations of motion (EOM) for the apparent solvent polarization charges that generate the reaction field in the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) for solvation and we have coupled them to a real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT TDDFT) description of the solute [S. Corni et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 119, 5405 (2014)]. Here we present an extension of the EOM-PCM approach to a Time-Dependent Configuration Interaction (TD CI) description of the solute dynamics, which is free from the qualitative artifacts of RT TDDFT in the adiabatic approximation. As tests of the developed approach, we investigate the solvent Debye relaxation after an electronic excitation of the solute obtained either by a π pulse of light or by assuming the idealized sudden promotion to the excited state. Moreover, we present EOM for the Onsager solvation model and we compare the results with PCM. The developed approach provides qualitatively correct real-time evolutions and is promising as a general tool to investigate the electron dynamics elicited by external electromagnetic fields for molecules in solution.
Photoionization cross section and binding energy of single dopant in hollow cylindrical core/shell quantum dot
Authors: Feddi E. , El-Yadri M. , Dujardin F. , Restrepo R. L. , Duque C. A.
Published: February 2017

In this study, we have investigated the confined donor impurity in a hollow cylindrical-shell quantum dot. The charges are assumed to be completely confined to the interior of the shell with rigid walls. Within the framework of the effective-mass approximation and by using a simple variational approach, we have computed the donor binding energy as a function of the shell sizes in order to study the behavior of the electron-impurity attraction for a very small thickness. Our results show that the binding energy of a donor impurity placed at the center of cylindrical core/shell dots depends strongly on the shell size. The binding energy increases when the shell-wideness becomes smaller and shows the same behavior as in a simple cylindrical quantum dot. A special case has been studied, which corresponds to the ratio between the inner and outer radii near to one (a/b → 1) for which our model gives a non-significant behavior of the impurity binding energy. This fact implies the existence of a critical value (a/b) for which the binding energy of the donor impurity tends to the limit value of 4 effective Rydbergs as in a 2D quantum well. We also analyse the photoionization cross section considering only the in-plane incident radiation polarization. We determine its behavior as a function of photon energy, shell size, and donor position. The measurement of photoionization in such systems would be of great interest to understand the optical properties of carriers in quantum dots.
Quantum graphs: PT-symmetry and reflection symmetry of the spectrum
Authors: Kurasov P. , Majidzadeh Garjani B.
Published: February 2017

Not necessarily self-adjoint quantum graphs—differential operators on metric graphs—are considered. Assume in addition that the underlying metric graph possesses an automorphism (symmetry) P. If the differential operator is PT-symmetric, then its spectrum has reflection symmetry with respect to the real line. Our goal is to understand whether the opposite statement holds, namely, whether the reflection symmetry of the spectrum of a quantum graph implies that the underlying metric graph possesses a non-trivial automorphism and the differential operator is PT-symmetric. We give partial answer to this question by considering equilateral star-graphs. The corresponding Laplace operator with Robin vertex conditions possesses reflection-symmetric spectrum if and only if the operator is PT-symmetric with P being an automorphism of the metric graph.
Local entropy of a nonequilibrium fermion system
Authors: Stafford Charles A. , Shastry Abhay
Published: February 2017

The local entropy of a nonequilibrium system of independent fermions is investigated and analyzed in the context of the laws of thermodynamics. It is shown that the local temperature and chemical potential can only be expressed in terms of derivatives of the local entropy for linear deviations from local equilibrium. The first law of thermodynamics is shown to lead to an inequality, not equality, for the change in the local entropy as the nonequilibrium state of the system is changed. The maximum entropy principle (second law of thermodynamics) is proven: a nonequilibrium distribution has a local entropy less than or equal to a local equilibrium distribution satisfying the same constraints. It is shown that the local entropy of the system tends to zero when the local temperature tends to zero, consistent with the third law of thermodynamics.
Preliminary experimental investigation of an X-band Cerenkov-type high power microwave oscillator without guiding magnetic field
Authors: Guo Liming , Shu Ting , Li Zhiqiang , Ju Jinchuan , Fang Xiaoting
Published: February 2017

Among high power microwave (HPM) generators without guiding magnetic field, Cerenkov-type oscillator is expected to achieve a relatively high efficiency, which has already been realized in X-band in our previous simulation work. This paper presents the preliminary experimental investigations into an X-band Cerenkov-type HPM oscillator without guiding magnetic field. Based on the previous simulation structure, some modifications regarding diode structure were made. Different cathode structures and materials were tested in the experiments. By using a ring-shaped graphite cathode, microwave of about one hundred megawatt level was generated with a pure center frequency of 9.14 GHz, and an efficiency of about 1.3%. As analyzed in the paper, some practical issues reduce the efficiency in experiments, such as real features of the electron beam, probable breakdown regions on the cathode surface which can damage the diode, and so forth.
Contrasting conduction mechanisms of two internal barrier layer capacitors: (Mn, Nb)-doped SrTiO3 and CaCu3Ti4O12
Authors: Tsuji Kosuke , Chen Wei-Ting , Guo Hanzheng , Lee Wen-Hsi , Guillemet-Fritsch Sophie , Randall Clive A.
Published: February 2017

The d.c. conduction is investigated in the two different types of internal barrier layer capacitors, namely, (Mn, Nb)-doped SrTiO3 (STO) and CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Capacitance - Voltage (C-V) analysis are performed to estimate the effective electric field at a grain boundary, EGB. Then, the d.c. conduction mechanism is discussed based on the J (Current density)-EGB characteristics. Three different conduction mechanisms are successively observed with the increase of EGB in both systems. In (Mn, Nb)-doped STO, non-linear J-EGB characteristics is temperature dependent at the intermediate EGB and becomes relatively insensitive to the temperature at the higher EGB. The J- EGB at each regime is explained by the Schottky emission (SE) followed by Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling. Based on the F-N tunneling, the breakdown voltage is then scaled by the function of the depletion layer thickness and Schottky barrier height at the average grain boundary. The proposed function shows a clear linear relationship with the breakdown. On the other hand, F-N tunneling was not observed in CCTO in our measurement. Ohmic, Poole-Frenkel (P-F), and SE are successively observed in CCTO. The transition point from P-F and SE depends on EGB and temperature. A charge-based deep level transient spectroscopy study reveals that 3 types of trap states exist in CCTO. The trap one with Et ∼ 0.65 eV below the conduction band is found to be responsible for the P-F conduction.
Parametric analysis of mechanically driven compositional patterning in SiGe substrates
Authors: Kaiser Daniel , Han Sang M. , Sinno Talid
Published: February 2017

A recently demonstrated approach for creating structured compositional gradients in the near-surface region of SiGe substrates is studied parametrically using a multiresolution coarse-grained lattice kinetic Monte Carlo simulation method. In the “stress patterning” process, a patterned elastic stress field is generated in the SiGe substrate by pressing an array of micro-indenters into it. The stressed substrate is then thermally annealed to drive the atomic diffusion in which the larger Ge atoms are pushed away from the areas of compressive stress. By varying a subset of the parameters that characterize the high-dimensional input space of the process (e.g., indenter spacing, indenter tip shape, and indenter array symmetry) we show that technologically interesting compositional configurations may be readily generated. In particular, we show that it is theoretically possible to generate arrays of well-delineated nanoscale regions of high Ge content surrounded by essentially pure Si. Such configurations may be useful as Ge “quantum dots” that exhibit three-dimensional quantum confinement, which have otherwise been very challenging to create with high degrees of size and spatial uniformity. These simulation results will be instrumental in guiding future experimental demonstrations of stress patterning.
Electroelastodynamics of flexoelectric energy conversion and harvesting in elastic dielectrics
Authors: Moura Adriane G. , Erturk Alper
Published: February 2017

Flexoelectricity is the generation of electric polarization by the application of a non-uniform mechanical strain field, i.e., a strain gradient. This phenomenon is exhibited by all elastic dielectrics, but is expected to be significant only at very small scales. Energy harvesting is a potential future application area of flexoelectricity to enable next-generation ultra-low-power MEMS/NEMS devices by converting ambient vibrations into electricity. In this paper, an electroelastodynamic framework is presented and analyzed for flexoelectric energy harvesting from strain gradient fluctuations in centrosymmetric dielectrics, by accounting for the presence of a finite electrical load across the surface electrodes as well as two-way electromechanical coupling, and capturing the size effect. The flexoelectric energy harvester model is based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and it assumes the main source of polarization to be static bulk flexoelectricity. Following recent efforts on the converse flexoelectric effect in finite samples, the proposed model properly accounts for thermodynamically consistent, symmetric direct and converse coupling terms. The transverse mode flexoelectric coupling coefficient (k) is obtained analytically as a direct measure of energy conversion; its dependence on the cantilever thickness and a material Figure of Merit (FoM) is shown. Size effects are further demonstrated by simulations of the electromechanical frequency response for a Strontium Titanate (STO) energy harvester at different geometric scales. It is obtained that the flexoelectric coupling coefficient of an STO cantilever for the fundamental bending mode increases from k≈3.5×10−7 to k≈0.33 as the thickness is reduced from mm- to nm-level. A critique of the experimentally identified large flexoelectric coefficient for Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) from the literature is also given with a coupling coefficient perspective.
Quartz tuning fork as a probe of surface oscillations
Authors: Todoshchenko I. , Savin A. , Haataja M. , Kaikkonen J.-P. , Hakonen P. J.
Published: February 2017

Quartz tuning forks are high-quality mechanical oscillators widely used in low temperature physics as viscometers, thermometers, and pressure sensors. We demonstrate that a fork placed in liquid helium near the surface of solid helium is very sensitive to the oscillations of the solid-liquid interface. We developed a double-resonance read-out technique, which allowed us to detect oscillations of the surface with an accuracy of 1 Å in 10 s. Using this technique, we have investigated crystallization waves in 4He down to 10 mK. In contrast to previous studies of crystallization waves, our measurement scheme has very low dissipation, on the order of 20 pW, which allows us to carry out experiments even at sub-mK temperatures. We propose to use this scheme in the search for crystallization waves in 3He, which exist only at temperatures well below 0.5 mK. The suggested technique can also be used for accurate displacement detection in a large variety of systems.
Understanding the destabilization of a resistive drift mode in EAST core plasmas
Authors: Li Erzhong , Xu L. , Guo W. , Chen K. , Lyu B. , Shen Y. , Hu L. ,   EAST Contributors
Published: February 2017

A low-frequency oscillation driven by heavy impurities is frequently observed in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) H-mode discharges accompanied by an Edge Localized Mode-free duration. This instability has been identified as a resistive drift mode according to a two-fluid simulation, showing that the mode stability is determined by the gradient of resistivity profile. Furthermore, the analytic theory also demonstrates that the mode is destabilized by the sharp impurity density gradient agreeing to the observation of intrinsic Mo (Molybdenum) concentration. The destabilization conditions have been derived like LN,z<23LT,z (LN,z and LT,z are the scale lengths of density and temperature of impurity, respectively). Calculations based on the analytical theory reproduce the characteristic of the mode, which is in agreement with the experimental observations.
Economic dispatch with CHP and wind power using probabilistic sequence theory and hybrid heuristic algorithm
Authors: Wu Chenyu , Jiang Ping , Sun Yong , Zhang Chenglong , Gu Wei
Published: February 2017

The injection of wind power continues to increase rapidly all over the world. Hence, it is necessary for dispatchers to take uncertainties into consideration when they make economic dispatch plans. In northeastern China, because wind power utilization is usually limited by the strong interdependency between the heat and power supply, establishing an optimization model becomes more complex when the power network contains both wind farms and combined heat and power (CHP) units. In this paper, we establish a novel chance constrained programming model based on the probabilistic sequence theory, which redefines the spinning reserve constraints and power flow constraints to make the calculation and analysis easier. A two-stage hybrid heuristic method based on the sequential quadratic programming and genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed in this study. The GA is applied to tackle chance constraints that cannot be transformed into a deterministic model by the quantile method. Moreover, both dynamic economic dispatch and day-ahead economic dispatch are simulated through different cases. Finally, the results demonstrate that to facilitate wind power integration, it may be a good choice to distribute a greater heat load to CHP units with lower efficiency.