bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ovarian cycle in Devario aequipinnatus with emphasis on oogenesis
Authors: de Jesus-Silva Laíza Maria , de Oliveira Pricila Viana , da Silva Ribeiro Cristiéle , Ninhaus-Silveira Alexandre , Veríssimo-Silveira Rosicleire
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to understand how germ cell development occurs in females of Devario aequipinnatus, by morphologically describing oogenesis and the reproductive phases. Sexually mature females of D. aequipinnatus (n = 70) were obtained from commercial fisheries and delivered to the Laboratório de Ictiologia Neotropical, UNESP, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil. The ovaries were removed, fragmented and fixed following the usual techniques for light microscopy. The stages of ovarian development in D. aequipinnatus begin with the oogonia, which proliferate into new cells or differentiate into prophasic oocytes that, at the end of this process, form the ovarian follicle and end folliculogenesis. In the previtellogenic stage, the oocytes were characterized mainly by the gradual loss of basophilia and an increase in oocyte diameter. Vitellogenesis was marked mainly by the incorporation of yolk granules. Mature oocytes were defined by their migration from the nucleus to the micropyle. Postovulatory follicles and atresic oocytes were also observed. The reproductive phases were classified as: immature, early and final developing, spawning capable, regressing and regenerating. Therefore, the development of an understanding of cell modifications that occurs up to oogenesis is a basic step that is essential for the description of the reproductive biology of D. aequipinnatus, given the lack of information about the reproductive aspects of this species.
Dietary intake in the early years and its relationship to BMI in a bi-ethnic group: the Born in Bradford 1000 study
Authors: Mahoney Samuel , Bryant Maria , Sahota Pinki , Barber Stuart
Published: April 2018

Objective

To assess relationships between dietary intake at age 12, 18 and 36 months and BMIZ-scores at age 36 months in a bi-ethnic group.

Design

A prospective cohort study comparing cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Exposures included dietary intake at 12, 18 and 36 months (FFQ) with an outcome of BMIZ-score at age 36 months.

Setting

Born in Bradford 1000 study, Bradford, UK.

Subjects

Infants at age 12 months (n722; 44 % White British, 56 % Pakistani), 18 months (n779; 44 % White British, 56 % Pakistani) and 36 months (n845; 45 % White British, 55 % Pakistani).

Results

Diet at age 12 months was not associated with BMIZ-score at age 36 months. Higher consumption of vegetables at 18 and 36 months was associated with a lower BMIZ-score at 36 months (model coefficient (95 % CI): −0·20 (−0·36, −0·03) and −0·16 (−0·31, −0·02), respectively). Higher consumption of high-fat chips at age 36 months was associated with a lower BMIZ-score at age 36 months (−0·16 (−0·32, 0·00)). Overall, White British children had higher 36-month BMIZ-scores than Pakistani children (adjusted mean difference (95 % CI): 0·21 (0·02, 0·41)).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that dietary intake at 18 and 36 months was somewhat related to BMIZ-score at age 36 months and suggest the importance of early interventions aimed at establishing healthy eating behaviours.
Feasibility and impact study of a reward-based mobile application to improve adolescents’ snacking habits
Authors: De Cock Nathalie , Van Lippevelde Wendy , Vangeel Jolien , Notebaert Melissa , Beullens Kathleen , Eggermont Steven , Deforche Benedicte , Maes Lea , Goossens Lien , Verbeken Sandra , Moens Ellen , Vervoort Leentje , Braet Caroline , Huybregts Lieven , Kolsteren Patrick , Van Camp John , Lachat Carl
Published: April 2018

Objective

Adolescents’ snacking habits are driven by both explicit reflective and implicit hedonic processes. Hedonic pathways and differences in sensitivity to food rewards in addition to reflective determinants should be considered. The present study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a mobile phone-delivered intervention, incorporating explicit reflective and implicit rewarding strategies, on adolescents’ snack intake.

Design

Adolescents (n 988; mean age 14·9 (sd 0·70) years, 59·4 % boys) completed a non-randomized clustered controlled trial. Adolescents (n 416) in the intervention schools (n 3) were provided with the intervention application for four weeks, while adolescents (n 572) in the control schools (n 3) followed the regular curriculum. Outcomes were differences in healthy snacking ratio and key determinants (awareness, intention, attitude, self-efficacy, habits and knowledge). Process evaluation data were collected via questionnaires and through log data of the app.

Results

No significant positive intervention effects on the healthy snack ratio (b=−3·52 (se 1·82), P>0·05) or targeted determinants were observed. Only 268 adolescents started using the app, of whom only fifty-five (20·5 %) still logged in after four weeks. Within the group of users, higher exposure to the app was not significantly associated with positive intervention effects. App satisfaction ratings were low in both high and low user groups. Moderation analyses revealed small positive intervention effects on the healthy snack ratio in high compared with low reward-sensitive boys (b=1·38 (se 0·59), P<0·05).

Conclusions

The intervention was not able to improve adolescents’ snack choices, due to low reach and exposure. Future interventions should consider multicomponent interventions, teacher engagement, exhaustive participatory app content development and tailoring.
Distinguishing the Signs of Fungal and Burial-Induced Degradation in Waterlogged Wood from Biskupin (Poland) by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Tamburini Diego , Cartwright Caroline R. , Cofta Grzegorz , Zborowska Magdalena , Mamoňová Miroslava
Published: April 2018

A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of pine (Pinus sylvestris) and oak (Quercussp.) wood samples exposed to various types of natural degradation is presented with the aim of discussing the correct identification of multiple degradation signs in waterlogged wood. This is part of an experiment performed at the archeological site of Biskupin (Poland) to evaluate the dynamics of short-term wood degradation during reburial and the suitability of excavated wood as substrate for the fungal attack. The final aim is to support and inform thein situconservation strategy currently applied to archeological woods. To replicate the burial conditions, wood samples were put into lake water and peat. The samples were removed from the burial environments after 4, 6, 8, and 10 years, and then exposed to laboratory-controlled attack by a brown rot fungusConiophora puteanaand a white rot fungusCoriolus versicolor. SEM images were acquired for all samples before and after the fungal attack. The results showed a slight degradation occurred in the burial environments (soft rot and bacteria). In addition, both typical and previously neglected features of fungal attack were observed, highlighting that the extent of the fungal decay varies according to the previous degree of wood degradation. Some comparisons are provided with archeological wood samples from the Biskupin site.
Can stabilization and symmetry breakings give rise to life in the process of the universe evolution?
Authors: Kim Choong Sun
Published: April 2018

Biogenesis can be understood as the final process of the Universe's evolution, from Planck scale down to nuclear scale to atomic scale to molecular scale, then finally to bioscale, with the breaking of relevant symmetries at every step. By assuming the simplest definition of life, that life is just a molecular system which can reproduce itself (auto-reproducing molecular system – ARMS) and has such kinetic ability (kineto-molecular system), at least for its microscopic level, as to respond actively to its surrounding environments, we tried to explain the origin of life, taking the final step of the Universe evolution. We found a few clues for the origin of life, such as: (1) As the Universe expands and gets extremely cold, biogenesis can take place by ARMS, new level of stabilization may be achievable only at ‘locally cold places’ (LCPs), such as comets. (2) There must be the parity breaking in the bioscale stabilization process, which can be violated spontaneously, or dynamically by the van der Waals forces possible only at LCPs. (3) The rule of bioparity breaking is universal within the biohorizon. So we will find, e.g. only left-handed amino acids in all living beings dwelling within our Galaxy. (4) The idea of biogenesis through the bioscale stabilization in the evolution of the Universe looks very consistent with Panspermia hypothesis and supports it by providing a viable answer for life's origin at such LCPs.
An NDC approach to helping pensioners cope with the cost of long-term care
Authors: VIDAL-MELIA CARLOS , VENTURA-MARCO MANUEL , PLA-PORCEL JAVIER
Published: April 2018

This paper explores a notional defined contribution (NDC) approach aimed at helping pensioners to cope with the cost of long-term care (LTC). It develops the necessary technicalities to fully integrate an LTC benefit, graded according to the annuitant's degree of disability, into a generic NDC retirement framework with a minimum pension benefit for both contingencies. It also discusses the policy implications of various issues that should be taken into account before any decision is made to put the model into practice. Finally, to enable policymakers to better understand how the proposal would function, the paper includes a realistic numerical example.
JEAN-PAUL SARTRE THE EUROPEAN
Authors: MCDONNELL HUGH
Published: April 2018

Jean-Paul Sartre's 1961 famous and infamous preface to Frantz Fanon'sThe Wretched of the Earthhas engendered the common impression of Sartre as an intellectual who was particularly hostile to Europe. In revising this perception, this article reviews Sartre's engagement with the idea of Europe over many decades. This certainly included critique, but also nuanced and positive considerations of what Europe and being European meant. This thinking about Europe is to be situated, first, in terms of Sartre's evolving philosophical project to reconcile freedom and facticity, and second, in political and intellectual contestations over Europe in the context of fascism and the Second World War, postwar international relations, and the emergence of the Third World. Sartre's contribution to these debates was an adumbration of a “knotted Europe,” the provincialization of Europe whilst retaining a commitment to universalism, and a notion of Europe as an ongoing project rather than an ossified identity.
New plant type trait characterization and development of core set among indica and tropical japonica genotypes of rice
Authors: Jyothi B. , Divya B. , Subba Rao L. V. , Laxmi Bhavani P. , Revathi P. , Raghuveer Rao P. , Rachana B. , Padmavathi G. , Aravind Kumar J. , Gireesh C. , Anantha M. S. , Abdul Fiyaz R. , Suvarna Rani C. , Ranganatha A. R. G.
Published: April 2018

This study was conducted to characterize new plant type (NPT) traits among 650 genetically diverse rice genotypes of tropical japonica and indica and to establish an initial core set for NPT traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits assessed except flag length and width and leaf angles. Dendrogram categorized the genotypes into five distinct duration groups. Genotypes viz., Pumphamah, IRGC5097, IRGC37015, IRGC43741, IRGC50448, IRGC53089, IRGC39111, IRGC18021, Haorei Machang, IRGC44069, IRGC8269, Thangmoi, IRGC33130 and IRGC29772 were identified as possessing strong culm. Long panicles with a length of more than 35 cm were found in IRGC8269, IRGC9147, IRGC14694, IRGC19642, IRGC27435, IRGC39111, IRGC31051, IRGC26011and IRGC25892. Ideal leaf angle of NPT genotypes of 5°, 10° and 20° of flag leaf, 1st and 2nd leaves was not found in any genotype but with a combination of 5°, 10° and 10° was observed in IRGC63102 and IRGC66644. NPT flag leaf length and width of 50 and 2 cm, respectively, was seen in ‘Kemenya Kepeu’ and ‘IRGC29772’. High grain number of more than 350 was observed in IRGC53089, IRGC31063 and Azhoghi. A total of 72 genotypes were found with a combination of one or more ideal plant type traits of which, hierarchical cluster analysis based on genetic distances selected 32 as NPT core set. This core set will serve as an ideal genetic resource for breeding programs aimed at NPT development.
Mechanistic studies on the N-alkylation of amines with alcohols catalysed by iridium(i) complexes with functionalised N-heterocyclic carbene ligands
Authors: Jiménez M. Victoria , Fernández-Tornos Javier , González-Lainez Miguel , Sánchez-Page Beatriz , Modrego F. Javier , Oro Luis A. , Pérez-Torrente Jesús J.
Published: April 2018

Experimental and theoretical studies give support for an iridium-catalyzed C–N bond formation.
Efficient C–C coupling of bio-based furanics and carbonyl compounds to liquid hydrocarbon precursors over lignosulfonate derived acidic carbocatalysts
Authors: Konwar Lakhya Jyoti , Samikannu Ajaikumar , Mäki-Arvela Päivi , Mikkola Jyri-Pekka
Published: April 2018

Synthesis of jet fuel (branched hydrocarbon) precursors from bio based furanics and carbonyls over highly stable, active acidic carbocatalysts derived from Na-lignosulfonate.
Multiple mechanisms applied byLactobacillus pentosusAT6 to mute the lethal effects ofSalmonellain a mouse model
Authors: Liu Junsheng , Gu Zhennan , Lu Wenwei , Hu Diangeng , Zhao Xi , Huang Hongxuan , Zhang Hao , Zhao Jianxin , Chen Wei
Published: April 2018

Lactobacillus pentosusAT6 mutes the lethal effects ofSalmonella viamultiple mechanisms.
Sn4+ doping induced novel morphological evolution in zinc titanate heteronanostructures and studies on their optical properties
Authors: Sharma Urvashi , Pethaiyan Jeevanandam
Published: April 2018

Novel morphological evolution has been demonstrated in Sn4+ doped zinc titanate heteronanostructures synthesized via an ethylene glycol mediated route.
Synthesis and applications of nanoporous perovskite metal oxides
Authors: Huang Xiubing , Zhao Guixia , Wang Ge , Irvine John T. S.
Published: April 2018

Perovskite-type metal oxides have been widely investigated and applied in various fields in the past several decades due to their extraordinary variability of compositions and structures with targeted physical and chemical properties (e.g., redox behaviour, oxygen mobility, electronic and ionic conductivity).
A flexible doubly interpenetrated metal–organic framework with gate opening effect for highly selective C2H2/C2H4 separation at room temperature
Authors: Chen Di-Ming , Liu Xiao-Hui , Zhang Jia-Hui , Liu Chun-Sen
Published: April 2018

A flexible doubly interpenetrated MOF is realized at room temperature, whose pore spaces could accommodate a significant amount of C2H2 at room temperature via the gate-opening effect but exclude C2H4 and C2H6 outside.
Aromatic sulfonium polyoxomolybdates: tuning the photochromic properties through substitutions on the counter ion moiety
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , Pradeep Chullikkattil P.
Published: April 2018

A series of aromatic sulfonium Keggin hybrids have been developed which exhibited excellent photochromic properties under UV irradiation. The photo-coloration speed of these hybrids could be fine-tuned by changing the substituents on the sulfonium counter ion moiety.
Immobilization of carbonyl rhenium tripods on the surface of a trinickel-substituted Dawson-type polyoxotungstate
Authors: Jia Jiage , Ma Pengtao , Zhang Panpan , Zhang Dongdi , Zhang Chao , Niu Jingyang , Wang Jingping
Published: April 2018

A monomeric trinickel(ii)-substituted phosphotungstate [H9P2W15O62Ni3]9− ion is stabilized by grafting three {Re(CO)3} organometallic groups on the surface of a trinickel cluster for the first time. The resulting polyanions [P2W15O56Ni3(H2O)3(μ3-OH)3(Re(CO)3)3]6− stacked along the a-axis to form a wavy line.
Self-assembly study of nanometric spheres from polyoxometalate-phenylalanine hybrids, an experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Nikoloudakis Emmanouil , Karikis Kostas , Laurans Maxime , Kokotidou Chrysoula , Solé-Daura Albert , Carbó Jorge J. , Charisiadis Asterios , Charalambidis Georgios , Izzet Guillaume , Mitraki Anna , Douvas Antonios M. , Poblet Josep M. , Proust Anna , Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Published: April 2018

Polyoxometalate-amino acid hybrids (POM-FandPOM-FF) self-assemble into spherical architectures with high reproducibility in several “good–bad” solvent mixtures.
A high-performance and long-lived Rh nanocatalyst for hydroformylation of styrene
Authors: Xue Xiuru , Song Ying , Xu Yicheng , Wang Yanhua
Published: April 2018

The highest TON of 101 850 was achieved in the hydroformylation of styrene with recyclable thermoregulated phase-separable Rh nanoparticles as a catalyst.
Biologically activehalo-substituted ferrocenyl thioureas: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and DFT calculations
Authors: Asghar Faiza , Rana Sadaf , Fatima Saira , Badshah Amin , Lal Bhajan , Butler Ian S.
Published: April 2018

The DNA binding affinity of ferrocenyl complexes explored by CV and UV ascertain them as noble DNA binders. The computational measurements correlate well with the outcomes of electrochemistry and bio-activities.
Effective hydrothermal grafting of Eosin Y onto TiO2 nanoparticles towards stable photocatalysts for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Huang Weiping , Lei Yonggang , Li Yanan , Xue Yuan , Wang Fang , Min Shixiong
Published: April 2018

Simple hydrothermal grafting of EY onto TiO2 without the use of a coupling reagent affords a stable visible-light-driven photocatalyst for H2 evolution.
Marrying SPR excitation and metal–support interactions: unravelling the contribution of active surface species in plasmonic catalysis
Authors: Geonmonond Rafael S. , Quiroz Jhon , Rocha Guilherme F. S. R. , Oropeza Freddy E. , Rangel Clara J. , Rodrigues Thenner S. , Hofmann Jan P. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Ando Rômulo A. , Camargo Pedro H. C.
Published: April 2018

We studied the contribution from active surface oxide species in SPR-mediated oxidation reactions.
Chirality induction of achiral polydialkylfluorenes by chiral solvation: odd–even and side chain length dependence
Authors: Zhao Yin , Chen Hailing , Yin Lu , Cheng Xiaoxiao , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiulin
Published: April 2018

An “odd–even” effect for the chiral β-phase of polydialkylfluorene/limonene aggregates was first observed, depending on the odd–even alkyl side chain length.
Metal-free aerobic oxidative direct C–H amination of electron-deficient alkenes via photoredox catalysis
Authors: Xin Jing-Rui , He Yan-Hong , Guan Zhi
Published: April 2018

The first example of photocatalytic dehydrogenative cross-coupling of electron-poor alkenes with azoles has been reported.
Cluster-mediated assembly enables step-growth copolymerization from binary nanoparticle mixtures with rationally designed architectures
Authors: Zhang Xianfeng , Lv Longfei , Wu Guanhong , Yang Dong , Dong Angang
Published: April 2018

Multicomponent nanoparticle chains structurally analogous to random, block, and alternating copolymers, respectively, have been fabricated by a cluster-mediated self-assembly process.
Thermoreversible crystallization-driven aggregation of diblock copolymer nanoparticles in mineral oil
Authors: Derry Matthew J. , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Ryan Anthony J. , Armes Steven P.
Published: April 2018

Poly(behenyl methacrylate)-stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles are prepared in mineral oil via polymerization-induced self-assembly. Such nanoparticles are colloidally stable at 50 °C but undergo reversible crystallization-driven aggregation at 25 °C.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of single Au nanorods
Authors: Liu Tao , Li Meng , Wang Yongjie , Fang Yimin , Wang Wei
Published: April 2018

Monochromatic dark-field microscopy coupled with high-frequency potential modulation leads to non-faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of single Au nanorods.
Ultrathin dendritic IrTe nanotubes for an efficient oxygen evolution reaction in a wide pH range
Authors: Shi Qiurong , Zhu Chengzhou , Du Dan , Wang Jin , Xia Haibing , Engelhard Mark H. , Feng Shuo , Lin Yuehe
Published: April 2018

The ultrathin and dendritic IrTe nanotubes, synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction, exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward OER with a wide pH range.
VO2/TiO2bilayer films for energy efficient windows with multifunctional properties
Authors: Top Işıl , Binions Russell , Warwick Michael E. A. , Dunnill Charles W. , Holdynski Marcin , Abrahams Isaac
Published: April 2018

VO2/TiO2bi-layer thermochromic films made using ElFi-AACVD exhibit PSH behaviour dependent on the morphology of the VO2under-layer.
Piezoelectricity of strongly polarized ferroelectrics in prototropic organic crystals
Authors: Horiuchi Sachio , Tsutsumi Jun’ya , Kobayashi Kensuke , Kumai Reiji , Ishibashi Shoji
Published: April 2018

Prototropic organic ferroelectrics exhibited direct and converse piezoelectric effects, which were found to increase with the magnitude of spontaneous polarization.
“To Be Quite Honest, If It Wasn't for Videogames I Wouldn't Have a Social Life at All”: Motivations of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder for Playing Videogames as Leisure
Authors: Finke Erinn H. , Hickerson Benjamin D. , Kremkow Jennifer M. D.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Leisure activities are underutilized as a context for intervention in the field of speech-language pathology despite the fact that leisure can be an important context for skill development. The current study investigated the perceptions of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who play videogames as their primary leisure activity regarding the role of videogames in their lives and their motivations for playing videogames.

Method

Qualitative interview methodology was used to investigate the experiences of 10 18–24-year-olds with ASD. Information was collected about the role of videogames in the lives of adolescents and young adults with ASD and the perceived benefits of playing videogames.

Results

Results indicated the participants perceived playing videogames to have a positive impact on their lives and their development. The motivations for playing videogames described are similar to those reported by typically developing populations.

Conclusions

Videogaming is a popular leisure pursuit for adolescents and young adults with and without ASD. Speech-language pathologists should consider how videogame play may be a useful context for teaching new communication, social, and language.
Solar activity over nine millennia: A consistent multi-proxy reconstruction
Authors: Wu C. J. , Usoskin I. G. , Krivova N. , Kovaltsov G. A. , Baroni M. , Bard E. , Solanki S. K.
Published: April 2018

Aims.The solar activity in the past millennia can only be reconstructed from cosmogenic radionuclide proxy records in terrestrial archives. However, because of the diversity of the proxy archives, it is difficult to build a homogeneous reconstruction. All previous studies were based on individual, sometimes statistically averaged, proxy datasets. Here we aim to provide a new consistent multi-proxy reconstruction of the solar activity over the last 9000 yr, using all available long-span datasets of10Be and14C in terrestrial archives.

Methods.A new method, based on a Bayesian approach, was applied for the first time to solar activity reconstruction. A Monte Carlo search (using theχ2statistic) for the most probable value of the modulation potential was performed to match data from different datasets for a given time. This provides a straightforward estimate of the related uncertainties. We used six10Be series of different lengths (from 500–10 000 yr) from Greenland and Antarctica, and the global14C production series. The10Be series were resampled to match wiggles related to the grand minima in the14C reference dataset. The stability of the long data series was tested.

Results.The Greenland Ice-core Project (GRIP) and the Antarctic EDML (EPICA Dronning Maud Land)10Be series diverge from each other during the second half of the Holocene, while the14C series lies in between them. A likely reason for the discrepancy is the insufficiently precise beryllium transport and deposition model for Greenland, which leads to an undercorrection of the GRIP series for the geomagnetic shielding effect. A slow 6–7 millennia variability with lows at ca. 5500 BC and 1500 AD in the long-term evolution of solar activity is found. Two components of solar activity can be statistically distinguished: the main component, corresponding to the “normal” moderate level, and a component corresponding to grand minima. A possible existence of a component representing grand maxima is indicated, but it cannot be separated from the main component in a statistically significant manner.

Conclusions.A new consistent reconstruction of solar activity over the last nine millennia is presented with the most probable values of decadal sunspot numbers and their realistic uncertainties. Independent components of solar activity corresponding to the main moderate activity and the grand-minimum state are identified; they may be related to different operation modes of the dynamo.
AGN mass estimates in large spectroscopic surveys: the effect of host galaxy light
Authors: Varisco Ludovica , Sbarrato Tullia , Calderone Giorgio , Dotti Massimo
Published: April 2018

Virial–based methods for estimating active supermassive black hole masses are now commonly used on extremely large spectroscopic quasar catalogs. Most spectral analyses, though, do not pay enough attention to the detailed continuum decomposition. To understand how this affects virial mass estimates, we test the influence of host galaxy light on them, along with a Balmer continuum component. A detailed fit with the new spectroscopic analysis software QSFIT demonstrates that the presence or absence of continuum components does not significantly affect the virial-based results for our sample. Taking a host galaxy component into consideration or not, instead, affects the emission line fitting in a more pronounced way at lower redshifts, where in fact we observe dimmer quasars and more visible host galaxies.
Investigation of the cosmic ray population and magnetic field strength in the halo of NGC 891
Authors: Mulcahy D. D. , Horneffer A. , Beck R. , Krause M. , Schmidt P. , Basu A. , Chyży K. T. , Dettmar R.-J. , Haverkorn M. , Heald G. , Heesen V. , Horellou C. , Iacobelli M. , Nikiel-Wroczyński B. , Paladino R. , Scaife A. M. M. , Sridhar Sarrvesh S. , Strom R. G. , Tabatabaei F. S. , Cantwell T. , Carey S. H. , Grainge K. , Hickish J. , Perrot Y. , Razavi-Ghods N. , Scott P. , Titterington D.
Published: April 2018

Context.Cosmic rays and magnetic fields play an important role for the formation and dynamics of gaseous halos of galaxies.

Aims.Low-frequency radio continuum observations of edge-on galaxies are ideal to study cosmic-ray electrons (CREs) in halos via radio synchrotron emission and to measure magnetic field strengths. Spectral information can be used to test models of CRE propagation. Free–free absorption by ionized gas at low frequencies allows us to investigate the properties of the warm ionized medium in the disk.

Methods.We obtained new observations of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891 at 129–163 MHz with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and at 13–18 GHz with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) and combine them with recent high-resolution Very Large Array (VLA) observations at 1–2 GHz, enabling us to study the radio continuum emission over two orders of magnitude in frequency.

Results.The spectrum of the integrated nonthermal flux density can be fitted by a power law with a spectral steepening towards higher frequencies or by a curved polynomial. Spectral flattening at low frequencies due to free–free absorption is detected in star-forming regions of the disk. The mean magnetic field strength in the halo is 7 ± 2μG. The scale heights of the nonthermal halo emission at 146 MHz are larger than those at 1.5 GHz everywhere, with a mean ratio of 1.7 ± 0.3, indicating that spectral ageing of CREs is important and that diffusive propagation dominates. The halo scale heights at 146 MHz decrease with increasing magnetic field strengths which is a signature of dominating synchrotron losses of CREs. On the other hand, the spectral index between 146 MHz and 1.5 GHz linearly steepens from the disk to the halo, indicating that advection rather than diffusion is the dominating CRE transport process. This issue calls for refined modelling of CRE propagation.

Conclusions.Free–free absorption is probably important at and below about 150 MHz in the disks of edge-on galaxies. To reliably separate the thermal and nonthermal emission components, to investigate spectral steepening due to CRE energy losses, and to measure magnetic field strengths in the disk and halo, wide frequency coverage and high spatial resolution are indispensable.
Eingeschliffene Paradigmen überdenken und neue Felder erforschen
Authors: Freye Reimund
Published: April 2018

Der Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN) in Berlin fand 2017 zusammen mit der World Psychiatric Association (WPA) statt. Diskutiert wurden das tägliche Brot’ des Psychiaters wie etwa neue Erkenntnisse zur Behandlung von Schizophrenie mit Antipsychotika, aber es wurde auch ein Blick in die Zukunft der Disziplin geworfen. Hier kann die Einbeziehung der Epigenetik in diagnostische und therapeutische überlegungen eventuell einmal ebenso eine wichtige Rolle spielen wie die Nutzbarmachung von großen Datenmengen, die – intelligent ausgewertet – dem Patienten helfen kÖnnten, Prodromalsymptome einer neuerlichen Krankheitsepisode zuverlässiger zu erkennen. Und bei dem großen Feld der Demenzerkrankungen müssen m#x00F6;glicherweise ganz neue Wege beschritten werden, um endlich spürbare Fortschritte zu erzielen.
Bessere Symptomkontrolle und mehr Lebensqualität mit der Apomorphin-Pumpe
Authors: Grübler Beate
Published: April 2018

Mindestens jeder zehnte Patient mit einem idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndrom (IPS) entwickelt im Verlauf der Erkrankung motorische Komplikationen, die mit einer oralen Dopamin-Ersatztherapie nicht ausreichend behandelt werden können. Die subkutane Gabe von Apomorphin über eine Medikamentenpumpe führt zu einer kontinuierlichen dopaminergen Stimulation und einer deutlichen Verbesserung der Symptomatik.
Changes in Autonomic Tone in Premature Infants Developing Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Al-Shargabi Tareq , Reich Daniel , Govindan R. , Shankar Somya , Metzler Marina , Cristante Caitlin , McCarter Robert , Sandler Anthony , Said Mariam , Plessis Adre
Published: April 2018

Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a complication of prematurity with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers capable of identifying infants at risk for developing NEC. We sought to determine the autonomic nervous system antecedents of NEC in premature infants, using heart rate variability (HRV).

Materials and Methods HRV was quantified by retrieving archived electrocardiogram (EKG) data from 30 premature infants from 4 days prior, through 4 days after, the clinical NEC diagnosis. HRV metrics were compared with those on the diagnosis day using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results HRV metrics showed a depression of autonomic tone that preceded the clinical NEC diagnosis by 2 days, and which recovered to baseline by 2 days after diagnosis (area under the curve [AUC] < 0.7). The pattern of HRV change was significantly associated with the clinical severity of NEC (stage II vs. stage III).

Conclusion Our studies suggest that readily accessible metrics of autonomic depression might expedite the diagnosis of NEC and its severity in a clinically meaningful manner. Clearly, these studies need to be extended prospectively to determine the diagnostic utility of this approach.
Stürze bei Patienten mit leichtem und fortgeschrittenem Parkinson-Syndrom und ihre Prophylaxe durch Physiotherapie
Authors: Ziegler K.
Published: April 2018

Stürze sind markante klinische Meilensteine der Parkinsonerkrankung. Sie treten hauptsächlich in fortgeschrittenen Phasen der Erkrankung auf, doch auch zu Beginn gibt es ein Sturzrisiko, das häufig unterschätzt ist. Verglichen zur gesunden, altersentsprechenden Bevölkerung ist das Sturzrisiko mindestens verdreifacht, und mit einer großen Gefahr von Frakturen, insbesondere des Femurhalses, verknüpft. Hohe Kosten, Krankenhauseinweisungen, Beeinträchtigungen der Lebensqualität von Patienten und Angehörigen sind die Folge. Prädiziert werden Stürze vor allem durch vorangegangene Ereignisse, Schwierigkeiten beim gleichzeitigen Ausführen von Zusatzaufgaben während des Gehens, Zuteilung zum Typ des postural-instability- gait-disorder (PIGD), Freezing und Gleichgewichtsdefiziten. Ein standardisiertes Assessment hilft, die Ursachen zu identifizieren und maßgeschneiderte Interventionen auszuwählen. Sturzprävention bedarf Elementen zum Kraft- und Gleichgewichtstraining, zur Vermeidung und Überwindung von Freezing, Wohnraumanpassung und Hilfsmittelversorgung. Sturzprophylaxe sollte in den frühen Stadien beginnen, da dann die Effektivität größer ist. Allgemeine Tipps zur Vorbeugung vor Bewegungsmangel, Gehtraining mit kognitiven Zusatzaufgaben sowie komplexe, die Balanceleistungen forcierende Bewegungsformen wie Tai Chi und Tanz sind geeignete Angebote.
Seltene neuroimmunologische Syndrome mit Autoantikörpern gegen ZNS-Antigene
Authors: Lerche H. , Leypoldt F. , Balint B.
Published: April 2018

Das klinische Spektrum von Erkrankungen mit Antikörpern gegen ZNS-Antigene expandiert rasch und umfasst sowohl neurologische als auch psychiatrische Manifestationsformen. Insbesondere autoimmune Syndrome assoziiert mit neu entdeckten Antikörpern gegen Oberflächenantigene auf Neuronen, wie z. B. Rezeptoren oder rezeptorassoziierte Proteine, erlangen zunehmend an Bedeutung, da die Antikörper pathogenetisch relevant sind und in ihrer Gesamtheit eine neue Gruppe von Erkrankungen definieren, die meist gut auf immunmodulierende Therapien ansprechen. Auch wenn diese Erkrankungen insgesamt als selten gelten, verdienen sie besondere Beachtung, da eine frühzeitige Therapie ein entscheidender prognostischer Faktor ist. Dementsprechend wichtig ist die Erkennung und Diagnosestellung.

In diesem Übersichtsartikel behandeln wir das klinische Spektrum der Syndrome mit antineuronalen und -glialen Autoantikörpern, und beleuchten insbesondere charakteristische Präsentationen hinsichtlich Symptomatik und Altersgruppe, und gewisse Warnzeichen („red flags“), die entscheidende Hinweise auf die Diagnose darstellen.
Feasibility of track-based multiple scattering tomography
Authors: Jansen H. , Schütze P.
Published: April 2018

We present a tomographic technique making use of a gigaelectronvolt electron beam for the determination of the material budget distribution of centimeter-sized objects by means of simulations and measurements. In both cases, the trajectory of electrons traversing a sample under test is reconstructed using a pixel beam-telescope. The width of the deflection angle distribution of electrons undergoing multiple Coulomb scattering at the sample is estimated. Basing the sinogram on position-resolved estimators enables the reconstruction of the original sample using an inverse radon transform. We exemplify the feasibility of this tomographic technique via simulations of two structured cubes—made of aluminium and lead—and via an in-beam measured coaxial adapter. The simulations yield images with FWHM edge resolutions of (177 ± 13) μm and a contrast-to-noise ratio of 5.6 ± 0.2 (7.8 ± 0.3) for aluminium (lead) compared to air. The tomographic reconstruction of a coaxial adapter serves as experimental evidence of the technique and yields a contrast-to-noise ratio of 15.3 ± 1.0 and a FWHM edge resolution of (117 ± 4) μm.
Low intrinsic carrier density LSMO/Alq3/AlOx/Co organic spintronic devices
Authors: Riminucci Alberto , Graziosi Patrizio , Calbucci Marco , Cecchini Raimondo , Prezioso Mirko , Borgatti Francesco , Bergenti Ilaria , Dediu Valentin Alek
Published: April 2018

The understanding of spin injection and transport in organic spintronic devices is still incomplete, with some experiments showing magnetoresistance and others not detecting it. We have investigated the transport properties of a large number of tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum-based organic spintronic devices with an electrical resistance greater than 5 MΩ that did not show magnetoresistance. Their transport properties could be described satisfactorily by known models for organic semiconductors. At high voltages (>2 V), the results followed the model of space charge limited current with a Poole-Frenkel mobility. At low voltages (∼0.1 V), that are those at which the spin valve behavior is usually observed, the charge transport was modelled by nearest neighbor hopping in intra-gap impurity levels, with a charge carrier density of n0 = (1.44 ± 0.21) × 1015 cm−3 at room temperature. Such a low carrier density can explain why no magnetoresistance was observed.
Control, synchronization, and enhanced reliability of aperiodic oscillations in the Mercury Beating Heart system
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Parmananda P.
Published: April 2018

Experiments involving the Mercury Beating Heart (MBH) oscillator, exhibiting irregular (aperiodic) dynamics, are performed. In the first set of experiments, control over irregular dynamics of the MBH oscillator was obtained via a superimposed periodic voltage signal. These irregular (aperiodic) dynamics were recovered once the control was switched off. Subsequently, two MBH oscillators were coupled to attain synchronization of their aperiodic oscillations. Finally, two uncoupled MBH oscillators were subjected, repeatedly, to a common stochastic forcing, resulting in an enhancement of their mutual phase correlation.
X-ray emission reduction and photon dose lowering by energy loss of fast electrons induced by return current during the interaction of a short-pulse high-intensity laser on a metal solid target
Authors: Compant La Fontaine A.
Published: April 2018

During the interaction of a short-pulse high-intensity laser with the preplasma produced by the pulse's pedestal in front of a high-Z metal solid target, high-energy electrons are produced, which in turn create an X-ray source by interacting with the atoms of the converter target. The current brought by the hot electrons is almost completely neutralized by a return current j→ driven by the background electrons of the conductive target, and the force exerted on the hot electrons by the electric field E→ which induces Ohmic heating j→.E→, produced by the background electrons, reduces the energy of the hot electrons and thus lowers the X-ray emission and photon dose. This effect is analyzed here by means of a simple 1-D temperature model which contains the most significant terms of the relativistic Fokker-Planck equation with electron multiple scattering, and the energy equations of ions, hot, and cold electrons are then solved numerically. This Ohmic heating energy loss fraction τOh is introduced as a corrective term in an improved photon dose model. For instance, for a ps laser pulse with 10 μm spot size, the dose obtained with a tantalum target is reduced by less than about 10% to 40% by the Ohmic heating, depending upon the plasma scale length, target thickness, laser parameters, and in particular its spot size. The laser and plasma parameters may be optimized to limit the effect of Ohmic heating, for instance at a small plasma scale length or small laser spot size. Conversely, others regimes not suitable for dose production are identified. For instance, the resistive heating is enhanced in a foam target or at a long plasma scale length and high laser spot size and intensity, as the mean emission angle θ0 of the incident hot electron bunch given by the ponderomotive force is small; thus, the dose produced by a laser interacting in a gas jet may be inhibited under these circumstances. The resistive heating may also be maximized in order to reduce the X-ray emission to lower the radiation level for instance in a safety radiological goal.
Effects of optical attenuation, heat diffusion, and acoustic coherence in photoacoustic signals produced by nanoparticles
Authors: Alba-Rosales J. E. , Ramos-Ortiz G. , Escamilla-Herrera L. F. , Reyes-Ramírez B. , Polo-Parada L. , Gutiérrez-Juárez G.
Published: April 2018

The behavior of the photoacoustic signal produced by nanoparticles as a function of their concentration was studied in detail. As the concentration of nanoparticles is increased in a sample, the peak-to-peak photoacoustic amplitude increases linearly up to a certain value, after which an asymptotic saturated behavior is observed. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these observations, we evaluate the effects of nanoparticles concentration, the optical attenuation, and the effects of heat propagation from nano-sources to their surroundings. We found that the saturation effect of the photoacoustic signal as a function of the concentration of nanoparticles is explained by a combination of two different mechanisms. As has been suggested previously, but not modeled correctly, the most important mechanism is attributed to optical attenuation. The second mechanism is due to an interference destructive process attributed to the superimposition of the photoacoustic amplitudes generated for each nanoparticle, and this explanation is reinforced through our experimental and simulations results; based on this, it is found that the linear behavior of the photoacoustic amplitude could be restricted to optical densities ≤0.5.
Accurate reconstruction of the jV-characteristic of organic solar cells from measurements of the external quantum efficiency
Authors: Meyer Toni , Körner Christian , Vandewal Koen , Leo Karl
Published: April 2018

In two terminal tandem solar cells, the current density - voltage (jV) characteristic of the individual subcells is typically not directly measurable, but often required for a rigorous device characterization. In this work, we reconstruct the jV-characteristic of organic solar cells from measurements of the external quantum efficiency under applied bias voltages and illumination. We show that it is necessary to perform a bias irradiance variation at each voltage and subsequently conduct a mathematical correction of the differential to the absolute external quantum efficiency to obtain an accurate jV-characteristic. Furthermore, we show that measuring the external quantum efficiency as a function of voltage for a single bias irradiance of 0.36 AM1.5g equivalent sun provides a good approximation of the photocurrent density over voltage curve. The method is tested on a selection of efficient, common single-junctions. The obtained conclusions can easily be transferred to multi-junction devices with serially connected subcells.
Phase reduction and synchronization of a network of coupled dynamical elements exhibiting collective oscillations
Authors: Nakao Hiroya , Yasui Sho , Ota Masashi , Arai Kensuke , Kawamura Yoji
Published: April 2018

A general phase reduction method for a network of coupled dynamical elements exhibiting collective oscillations, which is applicable to arbitrary networks of heterogeneous dynamical elements, is developed. A set of coupled adjoint equations for phase sensitivity functions, which characterize the phase response of the collective oscillation to small perturbations applied to individual elements, is derived. Using the phase sensitivity functions, collective oscillation of the network under weak perturbation can be described approximately by a one-dimensional phase equation. As an example, mutual synchronization between a pair of collectively oscillating networks of excitable and oscillatory FitzHugh-Nagumo elements with random coupling is studied.
Momentum balance and stresses in a suspension of spherical particles in a plane Couette flow
Authors: Rahmani Mona , Hammouti Abdelkader , Wachs Anthony
Published: April 2018

Non-Brownian suspension of monodisperse spherical particles, with volume fractions ranging between ϕ = 0.05 and 0.38 and particle Reynolds numbers ranging between Rep = 0.002 and 20, in plane Couette shear flows is investigated using three-dimensional particle-resolved numerical simulations. We examine the effects of volume fraction and particle Reynolds number on the macroscopic and microscopic stresses in the fluid phase. The effective viscosity of the suspension is in a good agreement with the previous empirical and experimental studies. At Rep = 20, however, the effective viscosity increases significantly compared to the lower particle Reynolds number simulations in the Stokes flow regime. Examining the stresses over the depth of the Couette gap reveals that this increase in wall shear stresses at high particle Reynolds numbers is mainly due to the significantly higher particle phase stress contributions. Next, we examine the momentum balance in the fluid and particle phase for different regimes to assess the significance of particle/particle interaction and fluid and particle inertia. At the highest particle Reynolds number and volume fraction, the particle inertia plays a dominant role in the momentum balance and the fluid inertia is non-negligible, while the short-lived contact forces are negligible compared to these effects. For all other regimes, the fluid inertia is negligible, but the particle inertia and contact forces are important in the momentum balance. Reynolds stresses originated from velocity fluctuations do not contribute significantly to the suspension stresses in any of the regimes we have studied, while the reduction in the shear-induced particle rotation can be a reason for higher wall shear stress at Rep = 20. Finally, we study the kinematics of particles, including their velocity fluctuations, rotation, and diffusion over the depth of the Couette gap. The particle diffusion coefficients in the cross flow direction exhibit an abrupt increase at Rep = 20.
Simple and complex chimera states in a nonlinearly coupled oscillatory medium
Authors: Bolotov Maxim , Smirnov Lev , Osipov Grigory , Pikovsky Arkady
Published: April 2018

We consider chimera states in a one-dimensional medium of nonlinear nonlocally coupled phase oscillators. In terms of a local coarse-grained complex order parameter, the problem of finding stationary rotating nonhomogeneous solutions reduces to a third-order ordinary differential equation. This allows finding chimera-type and other inhomogeneous states as periodic orbits of this equation. Stability calculations reveal that only some of these states are stable. We demonstrate that an oscillatory instability leads to a breathing chimera, for which the synchronous domain splits into subdomains with different mean frequencies. Further development of instability leads to turbulent chimeras.
Magnetosonic cnoidal waves and solitons in a magnetized dusty plasma
Authors: Kaur Nimardeep , Singh Manpreet , Saini N. S.
Published: April 2018

An investigation of magnetosonic nonlinear periodic (cnoidal) waves is presented in a magnetized electron-ion-dust (e−i−d) plasma having cold dust fluid with inertialess warm ions and electrons. The reductive perturbation method is employed to derive the Korteweg-de Vries equation. The dispersion relation for magnetosonic cnoidal waves is determined in the linear limit. The magnetosonic cnoidal wave solution is derived using the Sagdeev pseudopotential approach under the specific boundary conditions. There is the formation of only positive potential magnetosonic cnoidal waves and solitary structures in the high plasma-β limit. The effects of various plasma parameters, viz., plasma beta (β), σ (temperature ratio of electrons to ions), and μd (ratio of the number density of dust to electrons) on the characteristics of magnetosonic cnoidal waves are also studied numerically. The findings of the present investigation may be helpful in describing the characteristics of various nonlinear excitations in Earth's magnetosphere, solar wind, Saturn's magnetosphere, and space/astrophysical environments, where many space observations by various satellites confirm the existence of dust grains, highly energetic electrons, and high plasma-β.