bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aral's potential sources of dust for Moscow region
Authors: Shukurov Karim , Shukurova Lyudmila
Published: June 2019

Array of 7-day backward trajectories of air particles for Moscow were simulated for days of measurement of volume concentrations of aerosols with particle sizes of 0.1-1.0, 1.0-2.5 and 2.5-5.0 μm at the AERONET site in Moscow in 2001-2018. The CWT (concentration weighted trajectory) method, modified for the atmosphere column, was used to determine the potential sources of aerosols of these three fractions for Moscow region. Potential sources of extreme concentrations of these aerosols in the Moscow atmosphere and the atmospheric circulation pattern favored of their transport to Moscow have been identified.
Physical and Chemical Characterization of Dust Deposited in the Turan Lowland (Central Asia)
Authors: Groll Michael , Opp Christian , Issanova Gulnura , Vereshagina Natalya , Semenov Oleg
Published: June 2019

The desiccation of the Aral Sea ranks among the largest man-made ecological catastrophes and has become a global symbol for the overexploitation of limited resources and the environmental and socio-economic consequences caused thereby. Formerly the fourth largest inland lake, large parts of the Aral Sea have been transformed into a salty desert – the Aralkum. The exposed lake bed sediments are subject to wind erosion, resulting in white sand and dust storms which have been tracked over several hundred kilometres using remote sensing images. Dust deposition data, on the other hand, requires excessive field work over prolonged periods of time and thus is scarce. But this kind of ground-based monitoring provides valuable insights into the physical and chemical composition of the transported material. The dust transported from the Aralkum contains, among other things, salts, heavy metals and agrochemicals deposited in the Aral Sea over decades. It can contribute to soil salinization, damage crops and technical infrastructure and impair the human health in the region surrounding the Aralkum, making the analysis of the aeolian dust deposition highly relevant. In the study presented here passive dust deposition data from 23 meteorological stations in the Turan lowland have been collected between 2003 and 2012 and analyzed for their grain size, mineralogical, and chemical characterization in order to identify the influence the newly formed Aralkum has on the Central Asian dust dynamic.
Observation of rapid aerosol deposition according to AERONET data
Authors: Maslov Vladimir , Abdullaev Sabur , Nazarov Bahron
Published: June 2019

Measurements at the AERONET station in Dushanbe showed that the diurnal variations of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT), humidity, Ångström parameter depend on the stratification of the atmosphere. It is established that the dynamics of the aerosol in the ground inversion temperature layer is determined by the effect of double diffusion, which is manifested as a result of the difference in the diffusion coefficients of the components. As the temperature and aerosol concentration increase from the bottom to the top, vertical convection cells of the "salt finger" type are formed, which cause a rapid settling of dust by means of condensation of water vapor and coagulation of particles and water droplets.
Variations of the aerosol chemical composition during Asian dust storm at Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Authors: Fomba Khanneh Wadinga , Müller Konrad , Hofer Julian , Makhmudov Abduvosit N. , Althausen Dietrich , Nazarov Bahron I. , Abdullaev Sabur F. , Herrmann Hartmut
Published: June 2019

Aerosol chemical composition was characterized during the Central Asian Dust Experiment (CADEX) at Dushanbe (Tajikistan). Aerosol samples were collected during a period of 2 months from March to May 2015 using a high volume DIGITEL DHA-80 sampler on quartz fiber filters. The filters were analyzed for their ionic, trace metals as well as organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC) content. The aerosol mass showed strong variation with mass concentration ranging from 18 μg/m3 to 110 μg/m3. The mineral dust concentrations varied between 0.9 μg/m3 and 88 μg/m3. Days of high aerosol mass loadings were dominated by mineral dust, which made up to about 80% of the aerosol mass while organic matter and inorganic ions made up about 70% of the aerosol mass during days of low aerosol mass loadings. The mineral dust composition showed different trace metal signatures in comparison to Saharan dust with higher Ca content and Ca/Fe ratios twice as high as that observed in Saharan dust. Strong influence of anthropogenic activities was observed in the trace metal concentrations with Zn and Pb concentrations ranging from 7 to 197 ng/m3 and 2 to 20 ng/m3, respectively. Mineral dust and anthropogenic activities relating to traffic, combustion as well as metallurgical industrial emissions are identified as the sources of the aerosol during this period.
Composition of the isotopes on atmospheric aerosol of Tajikistan
Authors: Abdullaev Sabur , Maslov Vladimir , Nazarov Bahron , Kodirova Hikoyat , Karieva Rafika , Djuraev Аbdugani , Davlatshoev Тavallo
Published: June 2019

The results of the investigation of the isotopes distributions Tl-208, Pb-212, Ac-228, Pb-214, Bi-214, Th-234, Ra-226, Pb-210, Cs-137, Be-7 and K-40 in the samples of atmospheric aerosol of the southern, central and northern parts of Tajikistan are presented. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of Cs-137 and Th-234 isotopes (0.95), Cs-137 and Ra-226 (0.95), Ra-226 and Bi-214 (0.84), Ac-228 and Ra-226 (0.75), Pb-210 and Pb-214 (0.69), Ac-228 and Pb-214 (0.64), K-40 and Pb-212 (0.71), Cs-137 and Bi-214 (0.78), Th-234 and Pb-212 (0.67). Correlations between the concentrations of the remaining isotopes are insignificant or negative. The statistical data for dust intrusion shows that the concentration of isotopes K-40, Cs-137 and Bi-214 exceeds the background pollution level by hundreds of times, and the remaining isotopes - dozens of times.
Dust storm hazards
Authors: Middleton Nick
Published: June 2019

Dust storms originate in many of the world's drylands and frequently present hazards to human society, both within the drylands themselves but also outside drylands due to long-range transport of aeolian sediments. Desert dust hazards can occur where dust is entrained, during the transport phase, and on deposition. This paper draws on studies in physical geography, medical geology and geomorphology to discuss case studies of accelerated soil erosion, the health effects of air pollution caused by desert aerosols, injuries related to transport accidents caused by poor visibility during desert dust events, the spread of disease, and problems with water supplies and at solar power plants caused by dust deposition.
Lidar/radar approach to quantify the dust impact on ice nucleation in mid and high level clouds
Authors: Ansmann Albert , Mamouri Rodanthi-Elisavet , Bühl Johannes , Seifert Patric , Engelmann Ronny , Nisantzi Agyro , Hofer Julian , Baars Holger
Published: June 2019

We present the first attempt of a closure experiment regarding the relationship between ice nucleating particle concentration (INPC) and ice crystal number concentration (ICNC), solely based on active remote sensing. The approach combines aerosol and cloud observations with polarization lidar, Doppler lidar, and cloud radar. Several field campaigns were conducted on the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean from 2015-2018 to study heterogeneous ice formation in altocumulus and cirrus layers embedded in Saharan dust. A case study observed on 10 April 2017 is discussed in this contribution.
Atmospheric dust as a possible survival factor for bioaerosols
Authors: Noda Jun , Tomizawa Sota , Hoshino Buho , Munkhjargal Erdenebadrakh , Kawai Kei , Kai Kenji
Published: June 2019

In this study, we present some of the laboratory measurements of the viability of bioaerosols together with different environmental dust to understand the interaction among those components. Model airborne bacteria, DH5α Escherichia coli, was used to assess the dust affecting a viability reduction rate of the DH5α bacteria in a Teflon reaction chamber. The viability reduction rate of the DH5α model airborne bacteria was measured with a culture method. The DH5 α bacteria were nebulized into the chamber and airborne dust materials 1) Phosphate Buffer Solution (PBS) as a control, 2) desert sand from Mongolia and 3) sludge dust from the coastal area of Japan. The result indicated that the co-existence of DH5α with desert dust from Mongolia significantly decreased the viability and with the sludge dust from Japan significantly increased the viability of the airborne DH5α compare to the control PBS dust (p<0.05). Furthermore, soot as a model air pollutant was generated by a candle and mixed with a model airborne bacteria Mycobacterium smegmatis. The results indicated that the different types of airborne environmental dust influenced the viability of airborne bacteria with the DH5α experiments. Furthermore, the presence of soot indicated a possible protective effect of increasing the survival rate of Mycobacterium smegmatis.
Isoscalar and isovector kaon form factors from e+e− and τ data
Authors: Beloborodov Konstantin , Druzhinin Vladimir , Serednyakov Sergey
Published: June 2019

The recent precise measurements of the e+e−→ KS KL and e+e−→ K+K− cross sections and the hadronic spectral function of the τ−→ K−KS ντ decay are used to extract the isoscalar and isovector electromagnetic kaon form factors and their relative phase in a model independent way. The experimental results are compared with a fit based on the vector-meson-dominance model.
Measurement of the branching fractions of the decays τ−→ K−nπ0ντ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) and τ−→ π−nπ0ντ (n = 3, 4) by BABAR
Authors: Lusiani Alberto
Published: June 2019

We report preliminary measurements of the branching fractions of the decays τ−→ K−nπ0 ντ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) and τ−→ π−nπ0ντ (n = 3, 4), excluding the contributions that proceed through the decay of intermediate K0 and η mesons. The measurements are based on a data sample of 435 million τ pairs produced in e+e− collisions at and near the γ(4S) peak and collected with the BABAR detector in 1999–2008. The measured branching fractions are B(τ−→ K− ντ) = (7.174±0.033±0.213)×10−3, B(τ−→ K−π0ντ) = (5.054± 0.021 ± 0.148) × 10−3, B(τ−→ K−2π0ντ) = (6.151 ± 0.117 ± 0.338) × 10−4, B(τ−→ K−3π0ντ) = (1.246 ± 0.164 ± 0.238) × 10−4, B(τ−→ π−3π0ντ) = (1.168 ±0.006 ±0.038) ×10−2, B(τ−→ π−4π0ντ) = (9.020 ±0.400 ±0.652) × 10−4, where the ?rst uncertainty is statistical and the second one systematic.
Effect of recrystallization annealing temperature on texture and magnetic properties of 2.97% Si non-oriented silicon steel
Authors: Qiao Jiaolong , Liu Chuanxing , Guo Feihu , Xiang Li , Qiu Shengtao , Wang Haijun
Published: June 2019

The effect of recrystallization annealing at temperatures varying from 910 to 1060 °C on the texture and magnetic properties of cold-rolled sheets with 0.3 mm in thickness of 2.97 wt.% Si–0.59wt.% Al non-oriented silicon steel were investigated. With increasing of cold-rolled sheets annealing temperature, the average of the recrystallized grain sizes increased, because of higher temperature corresponds to a faster migration rate of grain boundaries. Increasing of grain size resulted in reducing of the hysteresis loss and core losses, as the number of grain boundary significantly reduced. However, the domain size and the eddy current loss would increase as the grain sizes continued to increase, and then affecting the core losses. The oversized microstructure (∼140 µm) in 1030 °C annealed sheet brought about an augment in P15/50 (∼2.27 W/kg) and (∼130 µm) in 1000 °C annealed sheet of P10/400 (∼12.84 W/kg). Furthermore, the textures of the final sheets were mainly made up of α*-fiber, γ-fiber and {001}<130> texture. The magnetic induction diminished with increasing of annealing temperature and this result could be attributed to the strengthening in γ-fiber (<111>//ND) and weakening in λ-fiber (<100>//ND) texture.
High prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and/or acromioclavicular joint resection
Authors: Brix Lone Dragnes , Thillemann Theis Muncholm , Bjørnholdt Karen Toftdahl , Nikolajsen Lone
Published: June 2019

Purpose: The aims of this prospective study were to determine the prevalence of pain 6 months after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) and/or acromioclavicular joint resection (AC resection), to reveal causes of the pain, and to identify risk factors for persistent pain.

Methods: Preoperatively, patients were tested for their endogenous capacity to modulate pain and completed questionnaires concerning psychological vulnerability. Patients with pain 6 months after surgery were examined by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon to reveal any shoulder pathology responsible for the pain.

Results: Data from 101 patients were available for analysis 6 months after surgery. Thirty-six patients had persistent pain: 32 underwent examination by the surgeon who identified shoulder pathology in ten patients, but not in the remaining 22 in whom ongoing insurance case, unemployment, and a general tendency to worry were risk factors for persistent pain.

Conclusion: The prevalence of persistent pain 6 months after ASD and/or AC resection was 35.6% (95% CI 26.1–45.8%) and the proportion of patients with shoulder pathology was 9.9%. An association between ongoing insurance case, unemployment, general tendency to worry (t-STAI), and unexplained persistent pain 6 months after surgery was found.
HNO-ärztliche Therapie des Schwindels bei älteren Patienten
Authors: Westhofen Martin
Published: June 2019

Gait disturbance and risk for falls of the elderly are a major problem for neurotologic diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic differentiation especially in the case of acute vestibular syndrome and in cases of chronic or recurrent paroxysmal vestibular deficits is mandatory for treatment indications. Criteria for medical, surgical conservative and surgical destructive therapy as well as for vestibular rehabilitation are outlined.
Schwindel und Blutdruck
Authors: Middeke Martin
Published: June 2019

Dizziness is most frequently caused by blood pressure dysregulation comprising a broad spectrum from constitutional and orthostatic hypotension to severe conditions like endocrinopathies and neurodegenerative diseases with autonomic dysfunction like in multiple system atrophy.
Paramphistomidose – eine Übersicht zu Epidemiologie und
klinischer Symptomatik
Authors: Wenzel Christoph , Küchler Andrea , Strube Christina , Knubben-Schweizer Gabriela
Published: June 2019

Die Paramphistomidose ist eine weltweit auftretende parasitäre Erkrankung bei
diversen Wiederkäuern, ausgelöst durch verschiedene Pansenegelarten (u. a.
Paramphistomum cervi, Calicophoron daubneyi und
Paramphistomum leydeni). In Europa sind lokale Vorkommen von
Pansenegelinfektionen bei Haus- und Wildwiederkäuern seit Jahrzehnten
beschrieben. Mittlerweile gibt es Hinweise, dass die Paramphistomidose an
Bedeutung gewinnt, denn in Großbritannien, Irland, Frankreich, Spanien, Belgien
und den Niederlanden wurden teilweise hohe Prävalenzen festgestellt. Aktuelle
Prävalenzdaten aus Deutschland liegen nicht vor. In neueren Untersuchungen in
Norddeutschland, Hessen und Bayern konnte Calicophoron daubneyi, die auch
in Europa aktuell am häufigsten vorkommende Pansenegelart, nachgewiesen werden.
Die Entwicklung des Pansenegels ist an Zwischenwirte aus der Familie der
Wasserlungenschnecken gebunden. Calicophoron daubneyi und der Große
Leberegel Fasciola hepatica teilen im Laufe ihrer Entwicklung den
gleichen Zwischenwirt, die Zwergschlammschnecke Galba truncatula. Der
Endwirt nimmt die infektiösen Metazerkarien auf. Im Dünndarm schlüpfen die
jungen Pansenegel und heften sich im Duodenum an. Danach wandern sie in den
Pansen ein, wo sie als Adulte anfangen, Eier auszuscheiden. Die Infektion kann
während der intestinalen Phase zu schwerem Durchfall und bei hoher
Befallsintensität zum Tod führen. Die ruminale Paramphistomidose verläuft in den
meisten Fällen subklinisch. Aktuell steht zur Diagnostik der koproskopische
Einachweis mittels Sedimentationsverfahren zur Verfügung. Aufgrund der
Ähnlichkeit besteht die Gefahr der Verwechslung mit Eiern des Großen Leberegels.
Die Paramphistomidose kann mit Oxyclozanid behandelt werden. Über die
Wirksamkeit anderer Wirkstoffe liegen widersprüchliche Ergebnisse vor. Umso
wichtiger erscheint die Prophylaxe dieser Parasitose. Bekämpfungsvorschläge
richten sich aufgrund der ähnlichen Epidemiologie nach den Empfehlungen, die zur
Vorbeugung der Fasziolose abgegeben werden. Ob es sich bei der Paramphistomidose
auch in Deutschland um eine sich ausbreitende Infektionskrankheit handelt, kann
aktuell noch nicht beurteilt werden.
Infektiös bedingte Aborte beim Rind – eigene Erfahrungen
und Untersuchungen aus dem Jahr 2018 (Januar–September)
Authors: Sodoma Eva , Mitterhuemer Simone , Krassnig Gerald , Stellnberger Karl , Reisp Katharina , Schmoll Friedrich , Dünser Michael
Published: June 2019

Gegenstand und Ziel Darstellung der Untersuchungsergebnisse von 150
Abortfällen beim Rind aus dem Jahr 2018 (Januar–September).

Material und Methoden Je nach Einsendematerial und Anforderung erfolgten
serologische, bakteriologische und/oder molekularbiologische Untersuchungen zum
Nachweis von in Österreich anzeigepflichtigen und nicht anzeigepflichtigen
Aborterregern.

Ergebnisse Neben rein tierpathogenen Infektionserregern konnten bei je 1
Tier Brucella melitensis, Salmonella Dublin und bei 2 Feten
Coxiella burnetii nachgewiesen werden.

Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass im Zusammenhang mit Aborten
immer eine besondere Sorgfaltspflicht hinsichtlich Schutz der exponierten Person
(Landwirt, Tierarzt, Laborpersonal) erforderlich ist. Auch mit dem
Wiederauftreten von lange nicht mehr aufgetretenen Tierseuchen ist jederzeit zu
rechnen, wie aus dem aktuellen Brucella-Nachweis ersichtlich wird.

Klinische Relevanz Wichtigste Voraussetzung für eine hohe Aufklärungsrate
bei infektiös bedingten Aborten stellt die Wahl des geeigneten Probenmaterials
dar, nämlich Fetus mit Plazenta und maternale Blutproben. Aufgrund des großen
Erregerspektrums ist die Abortdiagnostik umfangreich und aufwendig.
Endoscopic Transnasal Skull Base Surgery in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Kahilogullari Gokmen , Meco Cem , Beton Suha , Zaimoglu Murat , Ozgural Onur , Basak Hazan , Bozkurt Melih , Unlu Agahan
Published: June 2019

Introduction In pediatric patients, endoscopic transnasal surgery (ETNS) poses challenges because of the small size of the developing skull and narrow endonasal corridors.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ETNS in children by assessing our experience of endoscopic skull base surgery.

Materials and Methods All pediatric patients (n = 54) who were eligible for surgery using only the endonasal endoscopic approach at our tertiary center between 2012 and 2018 were included in this study. The surgeries were performed simultaneously by an endoscopic skull base team of neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists. Hormonal analyses were conducted before and after surgery in all patients with sellar/parasellar lesions. Patients older than 8 years underwent smell and visual testing.

Results In the 54 patients aged 1 to 17 years who underwent surgery, craniopharyngioma was the most common pathology (29.6%), followed by pituitary adenoma (22.2%). Gross total resection was achieved in 33 (76.7%) of 41 patients who underwent surgery because of the presence of tumors. All visual deficits improved, although one patient sustained olfactory deterioration. Sixteen (29.6%) patients presented with complications such as transient diabetes insipidus and temporary visual loss.

Conclusions Despite anatomy-related challenges in children, adequate results can be achieved with high rates of success, and the functional and anatomical integrity of the developing skull and nose of children can be preserved. In pediatric patients, ETNS is a safe and effective option for addressing various lesions along the skull base.
Why Should Clinicians Publish?
Authors: Choorakuttil Rijo Mathew
Published: June 2019

Often, in personal conversations, we hear several reasons including time, resources, and usefulness of published reports and of research itself for the lack of interest by clinicians to publish scientific manuscripts. The number of patients treated is considered a more useful indicator of clinical care acumen than the number of scientific manuscripts published. I argue that publishing a scientific manuscript that results from a research study is an integral part of clinical medicine and that lack of publishing renders clinical care incomplete.
Cultural change in animals: a flexible behavioural adaptation to human disturbance
Authors: Gruber Thibaud , Luncz Lydia , Mörchen Julia , Schuppli Caroline , Kendal Rachel L. , Hockings Kimberley
Published: June 2019

In recent decades, researchers have increasingly documented the impact of anthropogenic activities on wild animals, particularly in relation to changes in behaviour. However, whether human-induced behavioural changes in wildlife may be considered evidence of cultural evolution remains an open question. We explored whether behavioural responses to different types of human activities in species already known to display behaviour transmitted through social learning, particularly non-human primates (NHPs), are suggestive of cultural evolution in the wild. Results indicate that human influence on NHP cultural repertoires includes the modification and disappearance of existing cultural traits, as well as the invention of novel traditions with the potential to become cultural. These examples are found mostly in the domain of food acquisition, where animals modify their diet to include new resources, and adopt novel foraging strategies to avoid humans. In summary, this paper suggests that human activities can act as a catalyst for cultural change in animals, both in terms of threatening existing traditions and fostering new ones. The current situation may echo environmental changes thought to have triggered major behavioural adaptations in our own evolutionary history and thus be useful for research on human cultural evolution. As wildlife is increasingly exposed to humans and their activities, understanding how animal behaviour patterns and cultures are impacted and change in response to anthropogenic factors is of growing conservation importance.
Transient analysis of diffusion-induced deformation in a viscoelastic electrode
Authors: Suo Yaohong , Yang Fuqian
Published: June 2019

In this study, we analyze the transient diffuse-induced-deformation of an electrode consisting of the conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPY) by using the theories of linear viscoelasticity and diffusion-induced stress. We consider two constitutive relationships with dependence of viscosity on strain rate: Kelvin-Voigt model and three-parameter solid model. A numerical method is used to solve the problem of one-dimensional, transient diffusion-induced-deformation under potentiostatic operation. The numerical results reveal that the maximum displacement occurs at the free surface and the maximum stress occurs at the fixed end. The inertia term causes the stress to increase at the onset of lithiation. The stress decreases with increasing lithiation time and approaches zero for prolonged lithiation. Compared with the two different constitutive relationships between the Kelvin-Viogt model and three-parameter solid model, it can be found that the spatiotemporal distribution of lithium ion concentrations in the Kelvin-Viogt model is larger than that in the three-parameter solid model at the same moment, whereas the stress of the Kelvin-Viogt model is smaller owing to more than one spring in the three-parameter solid model.
Using eddy-current vibration absorbers to design locally resonant periodic structures
Authors: Guo Tong , Li Bin , Zhang Shengkun , Xu Yanlong
Published: June 2019

Flexural wave bandgaps of traditional periodic structures are narrow and difficult to tune. Damping is an important parameter for controlling those bandgaps, but structural damping is also generally difficult to design and change, which is why there have been relatively few studies that explore the role of damping in bandgap design in the past. In the present paper, adjustable eddy-current vibration absorbers (ECVAs) are used as local resonators installed on a beam. The flexural wave bandgap and the vibration response of the beam with periodic ECVAs with different damping constants are analyzed, and how the damping influences the bandgap and the transmissibility is revealed. The experimental results agree well with the simulation results. The flexural wave is attenuated strongly within the bandgap, and the upper boundary of the bandgap rises gradually with the damping constant of the resonator, thereby widening the bandgap. However, the resonator damping influences the lower boundary of the bandgap only weakly. Moreover, if the periodic ECVAs are mistuned by a small amount and the resonator damping is small, then the structure has a number of separate locally resonant bandgaps. With a sufficient amount of eddy-current damping, the separate bandgaps become interconnected to form a larger bandgap. The present approach is a new way to broaden locally resonant bandgaps.
Structural and optical study of Zn-doped As2Se3 thin films: Evidence for photoinduced formation of ZnSe nanocrystallites
Authors: Azhniuk Yu. M. , Solonenko D. , Sheremet E. , Dzhagan V. M. , Loya V. Yu. , Grytsyshche I. V. , Schulze S. , Hietschold M. , Gomonnai A. V. , Zahn D. R. T.
Published: June 2019

Amorphous Zn-doped As2Se3 films with a nominal zinc content x up to 10 at.% were prepared by thermal evaporation. Their structure is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The AFM data show a considerable increase of the film surface roughness for films with x > 5 at.%. A strong gradient of the Zn content decreasing into the film depth is confirmed by the EDX and XPS data. Heavily Zn-doped (above 7 at.%) As2Se3 films reveal photostructural changes in the course of the Raman measurements. New Raman features are attributed to TO and LO vibrations of ZnSe nanocrystallites formed in the film under laser illumination. Depending on the laser wavelength and power density, the ZnSe nanocrystallites can experience tensile strain in the film due to a non-thermal photoplastic effect in the As2Se3 film resulting in a partial removal of the material from the laser spot. The tensile strain value, estimated from the TO and LO phonon frequency shift, is shown to reach up to 2.9 GPa.
Numerical implementation of pseudo-spectral method in self-consistent mean field theory for discrete polymer chains
Authors: Park So Jung , Yong Daeseong , Kim Yeongyoon , Kim Jaeup U.
Published: June 2019

In the standard self-consistent field theory (SCFT), a polymer chain is modeled as an infinitely flexible Gaussian chain, and the partition function is calculated by solving a differential equation in the form of a modified diffusion equation. The Gaussian chain assumption makes the standard SCFT inappropriate for modeling of short polymers, and the discrete chain SCFT in which the partition function is obtained through recursive integrals has recently been suggested as an alternative method. However, the shape of the partition function integral makes this method much slower than the standard SCFT when calculated in the real space. In this paper, we implement the pseudospectral method for the discrete chain SCFT adopting the bead-spring or freely jointed chain (FJC) model, and a few issues such as the accurate discretization of the FJC bond function are settled in this process. With the adoption of the pseudospectral method, our calculation becomes as fast as that of the standard SCFT. The integral equation introduces a new boundary condition, the neutral boundary, which is not available in the standard SCFT solving the differential equation. This interesting physical situation is combined with the finite-range interaction model for the study of symmetric block copolymers within thin films. We find that the surface-perpendicular block copolymer lamellar phase becomes preferable to the surface-parallel one when both the top and bottom surfaces are neutral.
Instrument to characterize the wetting behavior of molten metal on a solid substrate under high magnetic field
Authors: Xiao Yubao , Liu Tie , Lu Zhengyang , Yuan Shuang , Li Guojian , Dong Shulin , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2019

A specially developed experimental platform to measure the wettability of molten metals on solid substrates under high magnetic fields in combination with the sessile drop method is presented in this work. The desired magnetic field was generated by a superconducting magnet containing a channel with a diameter of 300 mm, in which the main body of the experimental apparatus was installed. The developed setup was used to observe the in situ wetting behavior of a molten metal on a solid substrate and simultaneously record sample images in real time under a high magnetic field during the wetting process. Contact angles were determined by analyzing the recorded images with the help of analytical software. Experiments using a typical molten metal and a solid substrate were conducted. The results revealed that the wettability of the molten metal on the solid substrate was obviously improved under a high external magnetic field.
Large-area MoS2-MoOx heterojunction thin-film photodetectors with wide spectral range and enhanced photoresponse
Authors: Im Healin , Liu Na , Bala Arindam , Kim Sunkook , Choi Woong
Published: June 2019

We report the enhanced photoresponse in MoS2-MoOx heterojunction thin film structures on SiO2/Si substrates to demonstrate the feasibility of using them as highly responsive photodetectors with a wide spectral range from visible to near-ultraviolet light. Vertically stacked MoS2-MoOx heterojunction structures were obtained through two-step chemical vapor deposition composed of MoOx thin film deposition and subsequent sulfurization of the topmost region of as-deposited MoOx into MoS2. The formation of heterojunction structures was revealed by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Under an incident light of 405 nm and 638 nm in wavelength, our MoS2-MoOx heterojunction thin film structures exhibited significantly higher absorbance, photoresponsivity, and specific detectivity than MoOx thin films. Moreover, a highly uniform photoresponse was obtained throughout heterojunction thin film structures. These results demonstrate that MoS2-MoOx heterojunction thin film structures can be a potentially promising material system scalable into large-area photodiode arrays to build active-matrix high-energy-selective photodetectors.
Hanle spin precession in a two-terminal lateral spin valve
Authors: Spiesser A. , Fujita Y. , Saito H. , Yamada S. , Hamaya K. , Yuasa S. , Jansen R.
Published: June 2019

Spin voltages due to Hanle spin precession in a two-terminal (2T) device, composed of a silicon channel and two ferromagnetic tunnel contacts (Fe/MgO), are observed and explained. The 2T Hanle signals contain not only contributions due to spin transport from one electrode to the other but also local contributions from the spin accumulation in the Si created and detected at each of the two contacts separately. Consequently, the salient features of the 2T Hanle signals differ from those in nonlocal devices and the familiar correspondence between Hanle and spin-valve signals is absent. The local and transport contributions to the 2T Hanle signal can be disentangled and described by the same set of device parameters as the nonlocal Hanle signals.
Laboratory measurements of geometrical effects in the x-ray emission of optically thick lines for ICF diagnostics
Authors: Pérez-Callejo G. , Jarrott L. C. , Liedahl D. A. , Marley E. V. , Kemp G. E. , Heeter R. F. , Emig J. A. , Foord M. E. , Widmann K. , Jaquez J. , Huang H. , Rose S. J. , Wark J. S. , Schneider M. B.
Published: June 2019

Understanding the effects of radiative transfer in High Energy Density Physics experiments is critical for the characterization of the thermodynamic properties of highly ionized matter, in particular in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). We report on non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium experiments on cylindrical targets carried out at the Omega Laser Facility at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester NY, which aim to characterize these effects. In these experiments, a 50/50 mixture of iron and vanadium, with a thickness of 2000 Å and a diameter of 250 μm, is contained within a beryllium tamper, with a thickness of 10 μm and a diameter of 1000 μm. Each side of the beryllium tamper is then irradiated using 18 of the 60 Omega beams with an intensity of roughly 3 × 1014 W cm−2 per side, over a duration of 3 ns. Spectroscopic measurements show that a plasma temperature on the order of 2 keV was produced. Imaging data show that the plasma remains cylindrical, with geometrical aspect ratios (quotient between the height and the radius of the cylinder) from 0.4 to 2.0. The temperatures in this experiment were kept sufficiently low (∼1–2 keV) so that the optically thin Li-like satellite emission could be used for temperature diagnosis. This allowed for the characterization of optical-depth-dependent geometric effects in the vanadium line emission. Simulations present good agreement with the data, which allows this study to benchmark these effects in order to take them into account to deduce temperature and density in future ICF experiments, such as those performed at the National Ignition Facility.
Martensitic detwinning microstructures in crystalline materials - mechanical modeling with exact computation of relaxed energy: A time incremental formulation
Authors: Khan Muhammad Sabeel
Published: June 2019

In this article, we study and present a partially relaxed incremental variational formulation for the mechanical modeling of detwinning. A non-convex variational problem arises as consequence where the non-convexity of the associated energy function is due to the phase change during detwinning in crystalline materials. Based on partially relaxed energy and energy dissipation potential the equation quantifying the rate-independent inelastic evolution of detwinning microstructures is derived by employing the minimum-principle of dissipation potential. Evolution of detwinning microstructure is shown numerically by solving both the three dimensional partially relaxed variational problem and its one-dimensional reduced problem using finite element method. It is shown that the obtained solutions are mesh independent. Moreover, the computed results do not only demonstrate on the possible prediction of the detwin microstructures in crystalline materials but also depict the quasi-plastic behavior of the material under prescribed boundary conditions.
Omnidirectional magnetic resonant coupling wireless power transfer system with a cubic spiral transmitter
Authors: Wang Haiyue , Deng Lianwen , Luo Heng , Zhao Haonan , Huang Shengxiang , Xiao Jie , Liao Congwei
Published: June 2019

Though impressive advances of the extension of effective working distance for magnetic resonant coupling wireless power transfer system have been made over past decades, their applications have been severely limited by the requirement of unidirectional coaxial distribution for the transmitter and receiver. In this paper, an omnidirectional magnetic resonant coupling wireless power transfer system is proposed. The cubic spiral transmitter requires only a single power source, and the receiver receives power in all directions. The power transfer efficiency of the system is derived through an equivalent circuit model. And an impedance matching circuit which includes a pair of parallel and series capacitors is proposed for better stability and higher efficiency. In addition, geometrical parameters of the single power driven spiral transmitter structure are optimized to improve distribution uniformity for different directions. Thus the power transfer efficiency of the system, which depends on the distance between the transmitter and the receiver, is almost the same for different receiving angles. Finally, the theoretical analysis is verified by practical experimental results, which shows the power transfer efficiency of 60% at 150 mm.
Layertronic control of topological states in multilayer metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Crasto de Lima F. , Ferreira G. J. , Miwa R. H.
Published: June 2019

We investigate the layer localization control of two-dimensional states in multilayer metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). For finite stackings of (NiC4S4)3 MOFs, the weak van der Waals coupling between adjacent layers leads to a Fermi level dependent distribution of the electronic states in the monolayers. Such distribution is reflected in the topological edge states of multilayer nanoribbons. Moreover, by applying an external electric field parallel to the stacking direction, the spatial localization of the electronic states can be controlled for a chosen Fermi energy. This localization behavior is studied comparing density functional theory calculations with a kagome lattice tight-binding model. Furthermore, for infinite stacked nanoribbons, a new V-gutter Dirac state is found in the side surfaces, which allows anisotropic current control by tuning the Fermi energy. Our results can be immediately extended to other kagome MOFs with eclipsed stackings, introducing a new degree of freedom (layer localization) to materials design.
Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage examined through the preparation of D2 (v = 2, j = 0) and D2 (v = 2, j = 2, m = 0)
Authors: Perreault William E. , Mukherjee Nandini , Zare Richard N.
Published: June 2019

We study the conditions that must be met for successful preparation of a large ensemble in a specific target quantum state using Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage (SARP). In particular, we show that the threshold condition depends on the relative magnitudes of the Raman polarizability (r0v) and the difference of the optical polarizabilities (Δα00→vj) of the initial (v = 0, j = 0) and the target (v, j) rovibrational levels. Here, v and j are the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers, respectively. To illustrate how the operation of SARP is controlled by these two parameters, we experimentally prepared D2 (v = 2, j = 0) and D2 (v = 2, j = 2, m = 0) in a beam of D2 (v = 0, j = 0) molecules using a sequence of partially overlapping pump and Stokes laser pulses. By comparing theory and experiment, we were able to determine the Raman polarizability r02 ≈ 0.3 × 10−41 Cm/(V/m) and the difference polarizabilities Δα00→20 ≈ 1.4 × 10−41 Cm/(V/m) and Δα00→22 ≈ 3.4 × 10−41 Cm/(V/m) for the two Raman transitions. Our experimental data and theoretical calculations show that because the ratio r/Δα is larger for the (0,0) → (2,0) transition than the (0,0) → (2,2) transition, much less optical power is required to transfer a large population to the (v = 2, j = 0) level. Nonetheless, our experiment demonstrates that substantial population transfer to both the D2 (v = 2, j = 0) and D2 (v = 2, j = 2, m = 0) is achieved using appropriate laser fluences. Our derived threshold condition demonstrates that with increasing vibrational quantum number, it becomes more difficult to achieve large amounts of population transfer.
Has the 'Golden Age of Gas' bypassed Australia?
Authors: Stabler Joshua
Published: June 2019

In June 2011, the International Energy Agency released the 2011 World Energy Outlook (WEO) series that posed the thought-provoking question: ‘Are we entering a golden age of gas?’ In response to this bold question, this paper first investigates the world’s electricity supply by each fuel type and how the WEO expectations have changed over time. This helps define the progress of the world targets for the ‘Golden Age of Gas’. To provide context to Australian gas conditions, this paper delves deeply into two of the most important international markets in the world: USA and China. Each of these countries are placed in the five fastest growing gas production countries in the world but have had substantially different engagements with gas and their domestic electricity profiles. Each country’s response to the electricity generation-source dilemma has resulted in diametrically opposed carbon emission outcomes. Finally, this paper turns to the Australian experience with gas. As the fifth fastest growing gas producing nation, and now the largest liquefied natural gas exporter in the world, Australia has rapidly shifted from energy price isolation to having strong links to international energy prices. These international price linkages have been applied across both gas and coal markets and have occurred simultaneously with the combination of a wave of renewable energy construction, traditional energy generation exit and paralysed government policy. This leaves a revised question: has the Golden Age of Gas passed Australia?
Low cationicity is important for systemic in vivo efficacy of database-derived peptides against drug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens
Authors: Mishra Biswajit , Lakshmaiah Narayana Jayaram , Lushnikova Tamara , Wang Xiuqing , Wang Guangshun
Published: June 2019

As bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics continues to emerge, new alternatives are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important candidates. However, how AMPs are designed with in vivo efficacy is poorly understood. Our study was designed to understand structural moieties of cationic peptides that would lead to their successful use as antibacterial agents. In contrast to the common perception, serum binding and peptide stability were not the major reasons for in vivo failure in our studies. Rather, our systematic study of a series of peptides with varying lysines revealed the significance of low cationicity for systemic in vivo efficacy against Gram-positive pathogens. We propose that peptides with biased amino acid compositions are not favored to associate with multiple host factors and are more likely to show in vivo efficacy. Thus, our results uncover a useful design strategy for developing potent peptides against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Conflicting functional effects of xylem pit structure relate to the growth-longevity trade-off in a conifer species
Authors: Roskilly Beth , Keeling Eric , Hood Sharon , Giuggiola Arnaud , Sala Anna
Published: June 2019

Consistent with a ubiquitous life history trade-off, trees exhibit a negative relationship between growth and longevity both among and within species. However, the mechanistic basis of this life history trade-off is not well understood. In addition to resource allocation conflicts among multiple traits, functional conflicts arising from individual morphological traits may also contribute to life history trade-offs. We hypothesized that conflicting functional effects of xylem structural traits contribute to the growth-longevity trade-off in trees. We tested this hypothesis by examining the extent to which xylem morphological traits (i.e., wood density, tracheid diameters, and pit structure) relate to growth rates and longevity in two natural populations of the conifer species
Pinus ponderosa
. Hydraulic constraints arise as trees grow larger and xylem anatomical traits adjust to compensate. We disentangled the effects of size through ontogeny in individual trees and growth rates among trees on xylem traits by sampling each tree at multiple trunk diameters. We found that the oldest trees had slower lifetime growth rates compared with younger trees in the studied populations, indicating a growth-longevity trade-off. We further provide evidence that a single xylem trait, pit structure, with conflicting effects on xylem function (hydraulic safety and efficiency) relates to the growth-longevity trade-off in a conifer species. This study highlights that, in addition to trade-offs among multiple traits, functional constraints based on individual morphological traits like that of pit structure provide mechanistic insight into how and when life history trade-offs arise.
Morphine tolerance is attenuated in germfree mice and reversed by probiotics, implicating the role of gut microbiome
Authors: Zhang Li , Meng Jingjing , Ban Yuguang , Jalodia Richa , Chupikova Irina , Fernandez Irina , Brito Nivis , Sharma Umakant , Abreu Maria T. , Ramakrishnan Sundaram , Roy Sabita
Published: June 2019

Prolonged exposure to opioids results in analgesic tolerance, drug overdose, and death. The mechanism underlying morphine analgesic tolerance still remains unresolved. We show that morphine analgesic tolerance was significantly attenuated in germfree (GF) and in pan-antibiotic−treated mice. Reconstitution of GF mice with naïve fecal microbiota reinstated morphine analgesic tolerance. We further demonstrated that tolerance was associated with microbial dysbiosis with selective depletion in
Bifidobacteria
and
Lactobacillaeae.
Probiotics, enriched with these bacterial communities, attenuated analgesic tolerance in morphine-treated mice. These results suggest that probiotic therapy during morphine administration may be a promising, safe, and inexpensive treatment to prolong morphine’s efficacy and attenuate analgesic tolerance. We hypothesize a vicious cycle of chronic morphine tolerance: morphine-induced gut dysbiosis leads to gut barrier disruption and bacterial translocation, initiating local gut inflammation through TLR2/4 activation, resulting in the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, which drives morphine tolerance.
pHERV-W envelope protein fuels microglial cell-dependent damage of myelinated axons in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kremer David , Gruchot Joel , Weyers Vivien , Oldemeier Lisa , Göttle Peter , Healy Luke , Ho Jang Jeong , Kang T. Xu Yu , Volsko Christina , Dutta Ranjan , Trapp Bruce D. , Perron Hervé , Hartung Hans-Peter , Küry Patrick
Published: June 2019

Significance

There is a broad repertoire of immunomodulatory drugs that effectively treat the inflammatory aspects of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). However, axonal degeneration, which occurs mainly in progressive MS, is still not understood and cannot be treated pharmaceutically. As it is the major factor contributing to clinical disability in MS, it represents an unmet clinical need. A recently completed phase IIb study has demonstrated that anti-pathogenic human endogenous retrovirus type W (pHERV-W) envelope protein (ENV) treatment results in a significant decrease of neurodegenerative brain atrophy in treated MS patients. For these results, the work presented here offers an explanation by demonstrating that, via myeloid cells, pHERV-W ENV directly harms axons.