bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photolysis of graphene oxide in the presence of nitrate: implications for graphene oxide integrity in water and wastewater treatment
Authors: Duan Lin , Zhang Tong , Song Weihua , Jiang Chuanjia , Hou Yan , Zhao Weilu , Chen Wei , Alvarez Pedro J. J.
Published: November 2018

As the nitrate concentration increases, the dominant pathway of GO transformation changes from direct photolysis to indirect photolysis enhanced by the production of hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) during UV irradiation of nitrate.
Assistance of metal nanoparticles in photocatalysis – nothing more than a classical heat source
Authors: Sivan Yonatan , Un Ieng Wai , Dubi Yonatan
Published: November 2018

We show that the number of high energy non-thermal electrons in a metal under CW illumination is very low but much higher than in thermal equilibrium, implying that faster chemical reactions reported previously are extremely likely to originate from a pure thermal effect.
Changes in the nutrients of camels’ milk alter the functional features of the intestine microbiota
Authors: Shao Yuyu , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: November 2018

Heat treatment alters the nutritive quality of camels' milk and thus the intestine microbiota, but the effect of heat treatment-induced nutrient loss on the functional features of the intestine microbiota is unknown.
Atomic Spectrometry Update – a review of advances in environmental analysis
Authors: Bacon Jeffrey R. , Butler Owen T. , Cairns Warren R. L. , Cook Jennifer M. , Mertz-Kraus Regina , Tyson Julian. F.
Published: November 2018

This review covers advances in the analysis of air, water, plants, soils and geological materials by a range of atomic spectrometric techniques including atomic emission, absorption, fluorescence and mass spectrometry.
Enhanced parylene-C fluorescence as a visual marker for neuronal electrophysiology applications
Authors: Zhang Lingqian , Wei Mengping , Shao Linbo , Li Mingli , Dai Wangzhi , Cui Yaxuan , Li Zhihong , Zhang Chen , Wang Wei
Published: November 2018

This work presented a simple annealing method to significantly enhance the fluorescence of parylene-C and achieve sufficient intensity as a visual marker.
Combined multivariate analysis and machine learning reveals a predictive module of metabolic stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Fürtauer Lisa , Pschenitschnigg Alice , Scharkosi Helene , Weckwerth Wolfram , Nägele Thomas
Published: November 2018

A stress-responsive molecular core module was identified which supports the prediction of complex biochemical regulation under changing environmental conditions.
Structure and catalytic properties of novel copper isatin Schiff base complexes
Authors: Smirnov Andrey S. , Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Nikolaev Dmitriy N. , Manzhos Roman A. , Gurzhiy Vlad V. , Krivenko Alexander G. , Nikolaenko Kirill O. , Belyakov Alexander V. , Garabadzhiu Alexander V. , Davidovich Pavel B.
Published: November 2018

Isatin Schiff bases in combination with copper ions act as non-innocent ligands amplifying the alcohol oxidation process.
Curcumin nanoconjugate inhibits aggregation of N-terminal region (Aβ-16) of an amyloid beta peptide
Authors: Brahmkhatri Varsha P. , Sharma Naveen , Sunanda Punnepalli , D’Souza Aviva , Raghothama Srinivasarao , Atreya Hanudatta S.
Published: November 2018

A highly stable system of a polymeric nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin with gold nanoparticles decorated on the surface for inhibition of Aβ1–16 aggregation.
A highly sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe for the detection of hydrogen sulfide and its application in living cells and mice
Authors: Zhang Xin , Sun Runing , Duan Guofeng , Zhou Ziyan , Luo Yanjun , Li Wen , Zhang Liying , Gu Yueqing , Zha Xiaoming
Published: November 2018

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gaseous signalling molecule, has attracted attention in biochemical research.
Polypyrrole-modified magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotube-based magnetic solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by UHPLC-MS/MS for the analysis of sulfonamides in environmental water samples
Authors: Yuan Xucan , Wu Di , Liu Chu , Li Xianhui , Xiong Zhili , Zhao Longshan
Published: November 2018

Polypyrrole modified magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared and applied as an efficient adsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction.
Extending the family of quinolone antibacterials to new copper derivatives: self-assembly, structural and topological features, catalytic and biological activity
Authors: Xerras Panagiotis , Bacharidou Anna-Maria , Kalogiannis Stavros , Perdih Franc , Kirillova Marina V. , Kirillov Alexander M. , Turel Iztok , Psomas George
Published: November 2018

New copper(ii) compounds with quinolone pefloxacin were synthesized and fully characterized; they exhibit notable catalytic activity and promising biological profiles.
Significantly enhanced magnetoresistance in monolayer WTe2via heterojunction engineering: a first-principles study
Authors: Hu Lin , Kang Lei , Yang Jinlong , Huang Bing , Liu Feng
Published: November 2018

The large non-saturating magnetoresistance (MR) of bulk WTe2 is greatly reduced in thin films, and vdW heterojunction engineering can significantly enhance the MR effect.
Adhesion strategies ofDictyostelium discoideum– a force spectroscopy study
Authors: Kamprad Nadine , Witt Hannes , Schröder Marcel , Kreis Christian Titus , Bäumchen Oliver , Janshoff Andreas , Tarantola Marco
Published: November 2018

Dictyostelium discoideumcells rely on two different mechanisms for adhesion: wetting through conventional colloidal forces and stochastic nanocluster dynamics.
Two-dimensional beta-lead oxide quantum dots
Authors: Huang Weichun , Jiang Xiantao , Wang Yunzheng , Zhang Feng , Ge Yanqi , Zhang Ye , Wu Leiming , Ma Dingtao , Li Zhongjun , Wang Rui , Huang Ziyin N. , Dai Xiaoyu , Xiang Yuanjiang , Li Jianqing , Zhang Han
Published: November 2018

Ultra-small β-PbO QDs have been successfully fabricated and showed ultrafast carrier dynamics, excellent photoresponse behavior and stability under ambient conditions.
Folate receptor-targeted theranostic IrSx nanoparticles for multimodal imaging-guided combined chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Zhang Dong-Yang , Zheng Yue , Zhang Hang , Yang Gang-Gang , Tan Cai-Ping , He Liang , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: November 2018

IrSx-PEG-FA nanoparticles (NPs), fabricated by modifying IrSx with polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated to the targeting ligand folate (FA), were investigated for multimodal imaging and combined chemo-photothermal therapy.
Iron-catalyzed cascade addition/cyclization of 2-biphenyl isocyanides with toluenes: a highly efficient approach to 6-benzylated phenanthridines
Authors: Wang Liping , Xiong Weikang , Peng Yiyuan , Ding Qiuping
Published: November 2018

A highly efficient Fe-catalyzed cascade addition/cyclization of 2-biphenyl isocyanides with toluenes for the synthesis of 6-benzylated phenanthridines has been reported.
Thermo-resettable cross-linked polymers for reusable/removable adhesives
Authors: Das Sandip , Samitsu Sadaki , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Yamauchi Yoshihiro , Payra Debabrata , Kato Kazuaki , Naito Masanobu
Published: November 2018

Reusable and removable adhesives have been synthesized using dynamic Diels–Alder chemistry with high lap shear strength, good reusability and easy removability.
Ultrafine MoO3 nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon nanofibers as anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Xiu , Liu Yuan , Yan Xiaodong , Lan Jin-Le , Yu Yunhua , Yang Xiaoping
Published: November 2018

Ultrafine MoO3 nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon nanofibers boost anode performance.
Chalcopyrite bioleaching of an in situ leaching system by introducing different functional oxidizers
Authors: Huang Caoming , Qin Chong , Feng Xue , Liu Xueduan , Yin Huaqun , Jiang Luhua , Liang Yili , Liu Hongwei , Tao Jiemeng
Published: November 2018

Introducing different functional consortia into a native system revealed that complementary sulfur invaders greatly enhanced the community function.
In situinvestigation of the kinetics and microstructure during photopolymerization by positron annihilation technique and NIR-photorheology
Authors: Švajdlenková Helena , Šauša Ondrej , Peer Gernot , Gorsche Christian
Published: November 2018

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy is a sensitive tool for thein situstudy of the microstructural evolution during photopolymerization.
Zeolitic intralayer microchannels of magadiite, a natural layered silicate, to boost green organic synthesis
Authors: Ide Yusuke , Tominaka Satoshi , Kono Hiroyuki , Ram Rahul , Machida Akihiko , Tsunoji Nao
Published: November 2018

We discovered unexpected intralayer microchannels of magadiite, a natural layered silicate, and used it as additive in a TiO2photocatalytic system oxidizing toluene to realize efficient and selective synthesis of benzoic acid not achieved by conventional photocatalysts.
Molecular ejection transition in liquid crystal columns self-assembled from wedge-shaped minidendrons
Authors: Fall William S. , Yen Ming-Huei , Zeng Xiangbing , Cseh Liliana , Liu Yongsong , Gehring Gillian A. , Ungar Goran
Published: November 2018

A first-order mesophase transition between 4-dendron and 3-dendron columns, resulting from temperature-induced molecular ejection, is discovered and explained via statistical modelling.
Lithium poly-acrylic acid as a fast Li+ transport media and a highly stable aqueous binder for Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode electrodes
Authors: Su Anyu , Pang Qiang , Chen Xin , Dong Jiajun , Zhao Yingying , Lian Ruqian , Zhang Dong , Liu Bingbing , Chen Gang , Wei Yingjin
Published: November 2018

Lithium poly-acrylic acid facilitates Li+ ion transport through the electrode interface via reversible H+/Li+ exchange, constructs a stable electronic conductive network, and modifies the composition of the cathode-electrolyte interface film.
Sulfur-doped amorphous NiMoO4 on crystalline Fe2O3 nanorods for enhanced lithium storage performance
Authors: Yue Hailong , Wang Guangming , Jin Rencheng , Wang Qingyao , Cui Yuming , Gao Shanmin
Published: November 2018

Sulfur-doped amorphous NiMoO4 on crystalline Fe2O3 nanosheets has been fabricated, which demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance as the anode for lithium ion batteries.
Recent developments of transition metal phosphides as catalysts in the energy conversion field
Authors: Pei Yu , Cheng Yu , Chen Jiyi , Smith Will , Dong Pei , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Ye Mingxin , Shen Jianfeng
Published: November 2018

Catalysts play an important role in the energy conversion reaction process.
Ratiometric fluorescence probe for hydrazine vapor detection and biological imaging
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Huo Fangjun , Liu Tao , Yin Caixia
Published: November 2018

Hydrazine (N2H4) has been widely applied in most of the chemical industry; however, it is now believed that it can cause serious damage to protein and nucleic acid upon ingestion.
Rhodobacter
sphaeroides methionine sulfoxide reductase P reduces R- and S-diastereomers of methionine sulfoxide from a broad-spectrum of protein substrates
Authors: Tarrago Lionel , Grosse Sandrine , Siponen Marina I. , Lemaire David , Alonso Béatrice , Miotello Guylaine , Armengaud Jean , Arnoux Pascal , Pignol David , Sabaty Monique
Published: November 2018

Methionine (Met) is prone to oxidation and can be converted to Met sulfoxide (MetO), which exists as R- and S-diastereomers. MetO can be reduced back to Met by the ubiquitous methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr) enzymes. Canonical MsrA and MsrB were shown to be absolutely stereospecific for the reduction of S-diastereomer and R-diastereomer, respectively. Recently, a new enzymatic system, MsrQ/MsrP which is conserved in all gram-negative bacteria, was identified as a key actor for the reduction of oxidized periplasmic proteins. The haem-binding membrane protein MsrQ transmits reducing power from the electron transport chains to the molybdoenzyme MsrP, which acts as a protein-MetO reductase. The MsrQ/MsrP function was well established genetically, but the identity and biochemical properties of MsrP substrates remain unknown. In this work, using the purified MsrP enzyme from the photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides as a model, we show that it can reduce a broad spectrum of protein substrates. The most efficiently reduced MetO is found in clusters, in amino acid sequences devoid of threonine and proline on the C-terminal side. Moreover, R. sphaeroides MsrP lacks stereospecificity as it can reduce both R- and S-diastereomers of MetO, similarly to its Escherichia coli homolog, and preferentially acts on unfolded oxidized proteins. Overall, these results provide important insights into the function of a bacterial envelop protecting system, which should help understand how bacteria cope in harmful environments.
Gestational diabetes alters microRNA signatures in human feto-placental endothelial cells depending on fetal sex
Authors: Strutz Jasmin , Cvitic Silvija , Hackl Hubert , Kashofer Karl , Appel Hannah M. , Thüringer Andrea , Desoye Gernot , Koolwijk Pieter , Hiden Ursula
Published: November 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, have emerged as important, epigenetic regulators of endothelial function. Metabolic disturbances such as diabetes alter miRNA expression. In adults, the miRNA transcriptome as well as endothelial function differ between the sexes. Here, we hypothesized that metabolic disturbances associated with gestational diabetes (GDM) alter miRNA signatures in feto-placental endothelial cells (fpEC), dependent on fetal sex. We isolated human primary fpEC after normal and GDM-complicated pregnancies with male and female neonates and screened for differential miRNA expression using next-generation miRNA sequencing. To test for miRNAs commonly regulated in fpEC of female and male progeny, data were stratified for fetal sex and maternal body mass index (BMI). Analyses were also performed separately for female and male fpEC, again accounting for maternal BMI as covariate. Potential biological pathways regulated by the altered set of miRNAs were determined using mirPath software. Maternal GDM altered 26 miRNA signatures when male and female fpEC were analyzed together. Separate analysis of male versus female fpEC revealed 22 GDM affected miRNAs in the females and only 4 in the males, without overlap. Biological functions potentially modulated by the affected miRNAs related to ‘Protein Processing in Endoplasmic Reticulum’ and ‘Proteoglycans in Cancer’. Maternal GDM alters miRNA signatures in fpEC, and biological functions affected by these miRNAs relate to well-known adverse functional consequences of diabetes on endothelium. GDM effects were highly dependent on fetal sex with miRNA signatures in female fpEC being more susceptible to metabolic derangements of GDM than miRNAs in male fpEC.
The State of Dyslexia: Recent Legislation and Guidelines for Serving School-Age Children and Adolescents With Dyslexia
Authors: Ward-Lonergan Jeannene M. , Duthie Jill K.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of recent dyslexia legislation and guidelines pertaining to services for students with dyslexia in public school settings and to describe possible implications for speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Method

In recent years, there has been increased attention focused on effectively meeting the needs of students with dyslexia nationwide. The Decoding Dyslexia organization has chapters in all 50 states in the nation, and they have been instrumental in promoting public awareness of the importance of improving services for students with dyslexia. As a result, new legislation, policies and guidelines have been introduced and developed in many states. California is an example of 1 state that has recently passed legislation in this area and released guidelines that serve as recommendations related to this law. This article provides a broad overview of recent dyslexia legislation, with more specific information pertaining to recent legislation and guidelines in the state of California. Clinical implications for SLPs who serve this population in school settings are also discussed.

Conclusion

The information discussed in this article may serve as a useful model for states that are in the process of developing or revising their own policies or guidelines for meeting the needs of students with dyslexia.
Eligibility for Special Education in Elementary School: The Role of Diverse Language Experiences
Authors: Yamasaki Brianna L. , Luk Gigi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

We examined the association between language experience and elementary students' eligibility for special education in Massachusetts.

Method

A secondary descriptive data analysis was conducted on the anonymized demographic data obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Third, 4th, and 5th grade students were categorized into native English speakers, English-proficient bilinguals, and emerging bilinguals. Eligibility for free or reduced lunch was also considered. Proportions of students eligible for autism, communication disorders, and specific learning disabilities (including those with dyslexia) were calculated.

Results

A strong association was observed between students' language background and whether they were eligible for free/reduced lunch. Children eligible for free/reduced lunch were more likely to be eligible for special education. Relative to native English speakers, English-proficient bilingual students were less likely to be considered eligible for special education. However, for emerging bilinguals, eligibility was lowest in 3rd grade and highest in 5th grade. This observation was most apparent in the category of specific learning disabilities.

Conclusions

Students from diverse language and low-income backgrounds were disproportionately represented in special education. More substantial research–practice partnerships are warranted to understand how bilingual experience and socioeconomic status interact with eligibility for special education services in public school settings.
Elementary Grade Intervention Approaches to Treat Specific Learning Disabilities, Including Dyslexia
Authors: Al Otaiba Stephanie , Rouse Amy Gillespie , Baker Kristi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this narrative review of the literature is to provide a description of intensive interventions for elementary grade students with dyslexia, students with learning disabilities, and students with intensive reading and writing needs.

Method

First, we provide a brief overview of response to intervention. Second, we explain our theoretical framework for the review. Third, we describe evidence-based interventions, which are divided into predominantly reading or writing interventions. Fourth, we explain data-based individualization for these programs based on a taxonomy of intensity, and we provide an illustrative case study.

Conclusion

We conclude by describing a set of links to websites and technical assistance resources that may be helpful for speech-language pathologists, teachers, and other interventionists to stay current with this research base and to lead professional learning communities.
From Deficit Remediation to Capacity Building: Learning to Enable Rather Than Disable Students With Dyslexia
Authors: Rappolt-Schlichtmann Gabrielle , Boucher Alyssa R. , Evans Miriam
Published: November 2018

Purpose

In this article, we explore the deficit view of dyslexia and consider how it may narrow research so as to hamper the progress of scientific discovery and constrain best practices to the detriment of the overall well-being and growth of students with dyslexia. We consider the neurodiversity view of dyslexia as an alternative to the deficit view and explore how strengths-based approaches such as Universal Design for Learning can be used to support the overall well-being and development of students with dyslexia. Practical strategies are provided for applying a strengths-based approach in the speech-language pathologist setting to support students with dyslexia.

Method

We completed a focused literature review of the history of the deficit view of dyslexia, the alternate neurodiversity view, exceptional abilities related to dyslexia, and strategies for Universal Design for Learning.

Results

Although the research literature that deals with visual-spatial affordances associated with dyslexia is limited, there is significant evidence that a strengths-based approach to learning experience design can be leveraged by practitioners to improve student self-development, motivation, and academic outcomes.

Conclusion

We find that further research is needed to explore strengths associated with dyslexia and argue that a shift in mindset from the deficit view toward the neurodiversity view is required to build the capacity of students with dyslexia to thrive in learning and life.
Five Ways Speech-Language Pathologists Can Positively Impact Children With Dyslexia
Authors: Hogan Tiffany P.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this epilogue is to offer five ways speech-language pathologists can positively impact children with dyslexia, drawing from and expanding on the articles presented in this clinical forum on dyslexia.
High‐density impulse noise detection and removal using deep convolutional neural network with particle swarm optimisation
Authors: Khaw Hui Ying , Soon Foo Chong , Chuah Joon Huang , Chow Chee‐Onn
Published: November 2018

Most of the impulse denoisers are either median filter‐based or fuzzy filter‐based, which can only perform well in low noise conditions. This study presents an efficient convolutional neural network (CNN) with particle swarm optimisation (PSO) model for high‐density impulse noise removal. The proposed high‐density impulse noise detection and removal model mainly consists of two parts: the impulse noise removal and impulse noisy pixel detection for restoration. The authors’ model initially leverages the powerful ability of deep CNN architecture to separate noise from the noisy image, then adopts PSO to pinpoint the most optimised threshold values for detecting impulse noisy pixels. An ensemble of these algorithms is an intelligent and adaptive solution, producing a clean output while preserving significant pixel information. Targeting to solve high‐density impulse noise problems, the authors have trained their model with a massive collection of natural images and 14 standard testing images are used for validation purposes. In order to validate the robustness of the proposed method, different levels of high‐density impulse noise are considered. Based on the final denoised images, their model has proven its reliability, in terms of both visual quality and quantitative evaluation, on greyscale and colour images.
Semantic convex matrix factorisation for cross‐media retrieval
Authors: Fang Yixian , Ren Yuwei , Zhang Huaxiang
Published: November 2018

When utilising matrix factorisation to extract latent features for cross‐media retrieval, semantic information may be lost in the process of factorisation. In addition, many presented approaches directly mapped different modalities into an isomorphic semantic space to conduct the similarity measurement of different modalities, which also resulted in the loss of crucial information. To address these problems, a semantic convex matrix factorisation subspace learning approach is proposed for cross‐media retrieval between image and text. The proposed method can extract an intermediate‐level feature representation for the high dimensional image modality in order to weaken the loss of information, in the meantime, learn a semantic feature representation with semantic information for the lower dimension text modality to strengthen the discriminated capability. After that, the intermediate‐level feature representation of image is mapped into a latent semantic space by a projection matrix. Then the similarity of different modalities can be estimated in terms of uniform dimensional latent feature representations. Experimental results on three benchmark datasets demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach over several state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Structural pattern‐based approach for Betacam dropout detection in degraded archived media
Authors: Song Gihun , Roy Kaushik , Ahn Kiok , Wadud M. Abdullah‐Al‐ , Iqbal Md. Tauhid Bin , Chae Oksam
Published: November 2018

Detection of Betacam dropout defects that can occur in the digitisation process of old archived media has importance in the restoration of degraded data to a higher quality. Most of the existing methods rely on the temporal information of multiple consecutive frames to detect Betacam dropouts, which sometimes may not work well as several successive frames may contain a Betacam error at the same position. In this study, an automatic method of Betacam dropout error detection is proposed based on vertical patterns in a single frame. Hence, it is also applicable when temporal information‐based detectors fail. The results of performance tests done in real working environments demonstrate that the proposed Betacam dropout detection method performs much better than the existing methods.
Innovative method for traffic data imputation based on convolutional neural network
Authors: Zhuang Yifan , Ke Ruimin , Wang Yinhai
Published: November 2018

The quality of traffic data is crucial for modern transportation planning and operations. However, data could be missing for various reasons. Hence, the data imputation approaches which aim at predicting/replacing the missing data or bad data have been considered very important. The traditional traffic data imputation approaches mainly focus on using different probability models or regression methods to impute data, and they only take limited temporal or spatial information as inputs. Thus, they are not very accurate especially for data with a high missing ratio. To overcome the weaknesses of previous approaches, this study proposes an innovative traffic data imputation method, which first transforms the raw data into spatial‐temporal images and then implements a deep‐learning method on the images. The key idea of this approach is developing a convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based context encoder to reconstruct the complete image from the missing source. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time a CNN method has been incorporated for traffic data imputation. Experiments are conducted on three months of data from 256 loop detectors. Through comparison with two state‐of‐the‐art approaches, the results indicate that this new approach increases the imputation accuracy greatly and has a stable error distribution.
Partial discharge measurement and analysis in PPIs
Authors: Fu Pengyu , Zhao Zhibin , Li Xuebao , Cui Xiang , Wen Teng , Yang Zhuodong , Mo Shenyang , Zhang Peng
Published: November 2018

Electrical insulation capability is one of the most critical challenges for press‐pack insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), but the knowledge of its insulation failure mechanism is much less mature. To understand the insulation failure mechanism, partial discharge (PD) measurement and analysis in press‐pack IGBT (PPI) submodule were performed in this study. A dedicated PD measurement system for PPIs was designed and fabricated, and fast oscilloscope, PD detector and ultraviolet (UV) image camera were employed to observe the PD. PD‐induced insulation failure phenomenon in the submodule was observed under direct current voltage, and UV images indicated that the discharge occurred at the periphery of the die. Phase‐resolved PD (PRPD) analysis method for PPIs was developed and three elementary structures were used to simulate the PD in the electric field reinforcement areas identified by electric field analysis. According to PRPD patterns, the observed PD in the submodule was considered to be mainly caused by a mismatch between the electric field and critical electric field on the surface of passivation layers of the die. The inference was verified at different gas pressures because a decrease of PD inception voltage in the submodule and the bare die was observed at lower gas pressure.
Efficient low‐PAR radar waveform design method based on the alternating direction method of multipliers for multiple missions
Authors: Hao Tianduo , Cui Chen , Gong Yang , Li Yuncheng
Published: November 2018

This study addresses the low‐peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAR) radar waveform design problem to optimise the detection and estimation performance simultaneously in the presence of signal‐dependent clutter. The aim is to realise an effective trade‐off between maximising the output signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio (SINR) and mutual information (MI) under a low‐PAR constraint. In the existing method, this problem is solved via convex optimisation, but the high computational complexity of this method limits its application. Motivated by the decomposability and superior convergence of the alternating direction method of multipliers, the authors propose an efficient method to obtain the optimal waveform by converting the original non‐convex problem into simpler convex sub‐problems that can be solved efficiently. The simulation results illustrate that the optimal waveform can be obtained efficiently within the given low‐PAR range and that the synthesised waveform can provide a reasonable trade‐off between the detection and estimation performances. Compared with the existing method, the proposed method has reduced computational complexity without SINR and MI performance degradations.
Toward understanding the origin of asteroid geometries
Authors: Sugiura K. , Kobayashi H. , Inutsuka S.
Published: November 2018

More than a half of the asteroids in the main belt have irregular shapes with ratios of the minor to major axis lengths of less than 0.6. One of the mechanisms that create such shapes is collisions between asteroids. The relationship between the shapes of collisional outcomes and impact conditions such as impact velocities may provide information on the collisional environments and its evolutionary stages when those asteroids are created. In this study, we perform numerical simulations of collisional destruction of asteroids with radii 50 km and subsequent gravitational reaccumulation using smoothed-particle hydrodynamics for elastic dynamics with self-gravity, a model of rock fractures, and a model of friction in completely damaged rock. We systematically vary the impact velocity from 50 to 400 m s−1 and the impact angle from 5° to 45°. We investigate shapes of the largest remnants resulting from collisional simulations. As a result, various shapes (bilobed, spherical, flat, elongated, and hemispherical shapes) are formed through equal-mass and low-velocity (50−400 m s−1) impacts. We clarify a range of the impact angle and velocity to form each shape. Our results indicate that irregular shapes, especially flat shapes, of asteroids with diameters larger than 80 km are likely to be formed through similar-mass and low-velocity impacts, which are likely to occur in the primordial environment prior to the formation of Jupiter.
Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management and Treatment of Anal Dysplasia
Authors: Douaiher Jeffrey , Langenfeld Sean
Published: November 2018

The incidence of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) has been increasing over the years. AIN acts as a precursor lesion for anal squamous cell cancer. Factors leading to progression of AIN into malignancy are complex and involve grade of the lesion, human papillomavirus and HIV coinfection, as well as patient-related risk factors such as immunocompromised state and men who have sex with men. The multifaced aspects of this disease make its management challenging, as it involves several disciplines including pathology, primary care, infectious disease, and colorectal specialties. Each of these fields brings its own expertize to the management of AIN, and their collaborative, coordinated work culminates into best practice and optimized outcomes in the care of the AIN patient.
Influence of Vasoactive Infusions on Body Temperature During Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Kanchi Muralidhar , Menon Prashanth
Published: November 2018

Introduction Unintentional hypothermia in patients undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) under general anesthesia (GA) is a known complication. The wide sternotomy wound as well as low ambient operating room temperature further promotes heat loss. The changes in temperature could further be affected by the use of various vasoactive drugs by affecting the thermoregulatory response. This study is aimed to detect the temperature changes and the influence of vasoactive infusions on the temperature in the patients undergoing OPCABG under GA.

Aims The main purpose of this article is to assess the core and skin temperature changes during OPCABG surgery and to assess the effect of vasoactive infusion used intraoperatively on the core temperature

Settings and Design Single center, nonrandomized, open label, observational study.

Methods and material After informed consent and ethical clearance from institutional review board, 151 adult patients undergoing elective OPCABG surgeries under GA were included in the study. A common anesthetic protocol and warming strategy was used in all patients. The core temperature measured with a nasopharyngeal probe and the skin temperature measured at the palmar surface of the right index finger were recorded at induction, at 30 minutes intervals thereafter, and at end surgery. The demographic variables and the duration of surgery were also recorded. The type and dose of vasoactive agents used intraoperatively were also recorded. The study population was divided post hoc into groups and subgroups for further analysis.

Results All the patients showed a decrease in core temperature at end surgery. The temperature changes showed an initial exponential decrease in the first hour followed by a gradual decrease subsequently. The peripheral temperature showed a gradual increase from induction to end surgery. The temperature gradients showed a linear decrease with the core temperature and peripheral skin temperature reaching equilibrium at end surgery. The study population was divided into four groups depending on the type of vasoactive drugs received intraoperatively: vasoconstrictor (V), vasodilator (D), mixed vasoconstrictor and vasodilator (M), and no vasoactive drugs (N) group. The patients in the vasoconstrictor group had a higher core temperature at end surgery when compared with vasodilator group.

Conclusions OPCABG under GA results in decrease in core temperature. The decrease in temperature is exponential in the initial 1 hour followed by a more gradual decrease. The temperature changes are possibly affected by the vasoactive drugs used intraoperatively. The effect of vasoactive drugs on core temperature is higher when used during the initial exponential decrease in temperature. However, further adequately powered randomized controlled trials may be required to establish these findings.
Early-Onset Marfan Syndrome: A Case Series
Authors: Ardhanari Mohanageetha , Barbouth Deborah , Swaminathan Sethuraman
Published: November 2018

Mutations in fibrillin 1 cause Marfan syndrome (MFS), an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissue, with multisystem manifestations. In early-onset MFS, the physical characteristics are expressed much earlier than the classical MFS. Those affected by this form generally have their mutations restricted to the gene “hotspot” region of exons 24 to 32. Historically, affected individuals usually die within the first few years of life due to heart failure secondary to severe valvular insufficiency. We report three patients with early-onset MFS, whose clinical evolution has been remarkably positive, when compared with other reported cases in the literature.
Prognostic Importance of the Lymph Node Factor in Surgically Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tezel Cagatay , Dogruyol Talha , Alpay Levent , Akyıl Mustafa , Evman Serdar , Metin Serda , Baysungur Volkan , Yalcinkaya Irfan
Published: November 2018

Background Patients with N1 non-small cell lung cancer represent a heterogeneous population. The aim of this study is to determine the difference of survival rate between subtypes of N1 disease in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer patients and to compare the survival in these patients with multi-N1 and single N2 (skip metastasis) disease.

Methods Patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary resection in our institution between 2007 and 2014 with a pathological diagnosis of N1 and single N2 positive non-small cell lung cancer were included in the study. N1 positive patients were divided into three groups as single hilar; single interlobar, lobar, or segmental; and multiple N1 positive patients. These groups were compared among themselves as well as with incidentally found single N2 patients.

Results A total of 1,742 patients who had non-small cell lung cancer underwent anatomical lung resection. The survival was better in single hilar lymph nodes than other subtypes of N1 disease (p = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of survival between the other subtypes of N1 disease (p = 0.332). The difference in survival for single N2 disease compared with multi-N1 was not statistically significant (p = 0.054). Also, when we divided the groups as single and multi-N1, there was a significant difference in survival (p = 0.025).

Conclusion Single hilar lymph nodes with direct invasion have better survival rate than other subtypes of N1. Also, patients with multiple N1 positive lymph nodes have similar survival results compared with single N2 patients. Our results should be confirmed with larger series to better explain N1 disease.
Near-Infrared Imaging Using Intravenous Indocyanine Green at a Conventional Dose to Locate Pulmonary Metastases: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hamaji Masatsugu , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi Fengshi , Minami Manabu , Date Hiroshi
Published: November 2018

Intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) has been reported to localize intra-abdominal metastatic lesions in several clinical trials. Our pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of ICG fluorescence localization in pulmonary metastasectomy using a near-infrared fluorescence thoracoscope. Each patient received intravenous 0.25 or 0.5 mg/kg of ICG. The maximum diameter of the tumor on computed tomography ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 (median: 1.15) cm. Intravenous ICG injection localized pulmonary metastases in a portion (3 patients) of the enrolled patients. Our preliminary results provided us with important information to modify the study protocol.
Gas-species-dependence of microwave plasma propagation under external magnetic field
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki , Ohnishi Naofumi
Published: November 2018

In this study, the gas-species-dependence of plasma propagation was numerically investigated to maximize the thrust performance of a microwave rocket with a gas propellant tank. An external magnetic field was applied to the breakdown volume inside the rocket nozzle to suppress plasma propagation toward the exit of the nozzle. In the absence of the magnetic field, the speed of plasma propagation in argon was higher than that in nitrogen because of the smaller elastic collision frequency and faster electron diffusion. However, the relationship in terms of the speed of plasma propagation was reversed when the magnetic field was applied to the breakdown volume because of infrequent elastic collisions in argon. The speed of plasma propagation under the external magnetic field was theoretically modeled as 2D⊥νi and decreased with increasing value of the Hall parameter Ω in the region where Ω>1. It is, therefore, better to use a gaseous propellant that incurs a small elastic collision frequency in the microwave rocket supported by an external magnetic field, because a larger value of Ω suppresses plasma propagation and yields a superior thrust performance.
Coupling of state-resolved rovibrational coarse-grain model for nitrogen to stochastic particle method for simulating internal energy excitation and dissociation
Authors: Torres Erik , Magin Thierry E.
Published: November 2018

We propose to couple a state-resolved rovibrational coarse-grain model to a stochastic particle method for simulating internal energy excitation and dissociation of a molecular gas. A coarse-grained model for a rovibrational reaction mechanism of an ab initio database developed at the NASA Ames Research Center for the N2–N system is modified based on variably spaced energy bins. The thermodynamic properties of the modified coarse-grained model allow us to closely match those obtained with the full set of rovibrational levels over a wide temperature range, while using a number of bins significantly smaller than the complete mechanism. The chemical-kinetic behavior of equally and variably spaced bin formulations is compared by simulating internal energy excitation and dissociation of nitrogen in an adiabatic, isochoric reactor. We find that the variably spaced formulation is better suited for reproducing the dynamics of the full database at conditions of interest in the Earth atmospheric entry. Also in this paper, we discuss the details of our particle method implementation for the uniform rovibrational collisional bin model and describe changes to the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) collision algorithm, which become necessary to accommodate our state-resolved reaction mechanism for excitation and dissociation reactions. The DSMC code is then verified against equivalent master equation calculations. In these simulations, state-resolved cross sections are used in analytical form. These cross sections verify micro-reversibility relations for the rovibrational bins and allow for fast execution of the DSMC code. In our verification calculations, we obtain very close agreement for the concentrations profiles of N and N2, as well as the translational and rovibrational mode temperatures obtained independently through both methods. In addition to macroscopic moments, we compare discrete internal energy populations predicted at selected time steps via DSMC and the master equations. We observe good agreement between the two sets of results within the limits imposed by statistical scatter, which is inherent to particle-based DSMC solutions. As future work, the rovibrational coarse-grain model coupled to the particle method will allow us to study 3D reentry flow configurations.
An enhanced Bouc-Wen model for characterizing rate-dependent hysteresis of piezoelectric actuators
Authors: Gan Jinqiang , Zhang Xianmin
Published: November 2018

A classical Bouc-Wen model is widely applied in hysteresis modeling and compensation for piezoelectric ceramic actuators. However, the classical Bouc-Wen model cannot characterize rate-dependent hysteresis under excitations at high frequencies precisely. In this paper, an enhanced Bouc-Wen model is developed by introducing the frequency of input voltage based on the classical Bouc-Wen model. A number of experiments were conducted to characterize the rate-dependent hysteresis of piezoelectric ceramic actuators under sinusoidal excitations at a range of 1–150 Hz. The measured data were used to demonstrate the validity of the developed model. A method of parameter estimation based on the Matlab/Simulink parameter estimation tool is adopted to identify the parameters of models. The comparisons of experiments and simulations show that the developed model can describe rate-dependent hysteresis more accurately than the classical Bouc-Wen model. The modeling errors of the developed model were decreased by nearly 75% compared with that of the classical Bouc-Wen model. The root-mean-square error of the developed model is controlled in 0.1719 μm.
Convergence and completeness for square-well Stark resonant state expansions
Authors: Juhasz David , Kolesik Miro , Jakobsen Per Kristen
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we investigate the completeness of the Stark resonant states for a particle in a square-well potential. We find that the resonant state expansions for target functions converge inside the potential well and that the existence of this convergence does not depend on the depth of the potential well, V0. By analyzing the asymptotic form of the terms in these expansions, we prove some results on the relation between smoothness of target functions and the asymptotic rate of convergence of the corresponding resonant state expansion and show that the asymptotic rate of convergence is also independent of V0, but the absolute size terms in the series asymptotically goes as V0−1.
Active microrheology in corrugated channels
Authors: Puertas Antonio M. , Malgaretti Paolo , Pagonabarraga Ignacio
Published: November 2018

We analyze the dynamics of a tracer particle embedded in a bath of hard spheres confined in a channel of varying section. By means of Brownian dynamics simulations, we apply a constant force on the tracer particle and discuss the dependence of its mobility on the relative magnitude of the external force with respect to the entropic force induced by the confinement. A simple theoretical one-dimensional model is also derived, where the contribution from particle-particle and particle-wall interactions is taken from simulations with no external force. Our results show that the mobility of the tracer is strongly affected by the confinement. The tracer velocity in the force direction has a maximum close to the neck of the channel, in agreement with the theory for small forces. Upon increasing the external force, the tracer is effectively confined to the central part of the channel and the velocity modulation decreases, which cannot be reproduced by the theory. This deviation marks the regime of validity of linear response. Surprisingly, when the channel section is not constant, the effective friction coefficient is reduced as compared to the case of a plane channel. The transversal velocity, which cannot be studied with our model, follows qualitatively the derivative of the channel section, in agreement with previous theoretical calculations for the tracer diffusivity in equilibrium.
Time and position sensitive photon detector for coincidence measurements in the keV energy range
Authors: Ismail Iyas , Journel Loïc , Vacheresse Régis , Palaudoux Jérôme , Marin Thierry , Penent Francis , Simon Marc
Published: November 2018

The detection efficiency η of any particle detector is important, concerning acquisition time, but becomes even more critical when two particles are detected in coincidence, with a total efficiency η1η2, in order to allow a deeper understanding of complex processes induced by light or particle interaction with matter. Efficiency and resolution of a time and position sensitive x-ray detector are reported here. This system consists of a multilayer transmission photocathode and two micro-channel plates (MCPs) equipped with a delay line anode (DLA). The efficiency is found to be about 20% for Al Kα photons, while the spatial resolution is comparable to that of a standard DLA detector (about 100 μm). The fast response time of the detector combined with its efficiency should allow coincidence experiments between x-ray photons and other particles (electron, ions, etc.).