bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient method for regioselective ring opening of epoxides by amines under microwave irradiation using Bi(NO3)3·5H2O as a catalyst
Authors: Bansal Shobha , Kumar Yogendra , Pippal Parveen , Das Dipak K. , Pramanik Panchanan , Singh Prabal P.
Published: March 2017

Bi(NO3)3·5H2O a highly efficient environmentally benign catalyst, is used for the nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides with aromatic, aliphatic and heteroaromatic amines under solvent free microwave conditions to afford the corresponding β-amino alcohols in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity.
A green and efficient photo-driven route for the selective oxidation of aqueous isopropanol solution to pinacol (C6) with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Li Na , Yan Wenjun , Zhang Hongxia , Jia Suping , Wang Zhijian , Zheng Jianfeng , Zhu Zhenping
Published: March 2017

The proposed strategy provides a green solution for the synthesis of aliphatic pinacol and offers a new design for the construction of C–C bonds with alphatic alcohol.
Assessment of the quantitative accuracy of Rietveld/XRD analysis of crystalline and amorphous phases in fly ash
Authors: Zhao Piqi , Liu Xianping , De La Torre A. G. , Lu Lingchao , Sobolev Konstantin
Published: March 2017

A revised equation for amorphous based on internal standards is proposed.
The mechanism of aquaporin inhibition by gold compounds elucidated by biophysical and computational methods
Authors: de Almeida Andreia , Mósca Andreia F. , Wragg Darren , Wenzel Margot , Kavanagh Paul , Barone Giampaolo , Leoni Stefano , Soveral Graça , Casini Angela
Published: March 2017

The mechanism of inhibition of water and glycerol permeation via human aquaglyceroporin-3 (AQP3) by gold(iii) complexes has been described, for the first time, using molecular dynamics (MD), combined with density functional theory (DFT) and electrochemical studies.
Intermolecular anharmonicity in molecular crystals: interplay between experimental low-frequency dynamics and quantum quasi-harmonic simulations of solid purine
Authors: Ruggiero Michael T. , Zeitler J. Axel , Erba Alessandro
Published: March 2017

A combined experimental spectroscopic and theoretical quasi-harmonic investigation of intermolecular anharmonicity in crystalline purine.
When self-assembly meets topology: an enhanced micelle stability
Authors: Dong Xiaopeng , Guo Xuliang , Liu Guangqin , Fan Aiping , Wang Zheng , Zhao Yanjun
Published: March 2017

Curvature-induced dipole moment and unique geometry can enhance micelle stability.
Ru(ii)-Pheox-catalyzed Si–H insertion reaction: construction of enantioenriched carbon and silicon centers
Authors: Nakagawa Yoko , Chanthamath Soda , Fujisawa Ikuhide , Shibatomi Kazutaka , Iwasa Seiji
Published: March 2017

We established a highly enantioselective Si–H insertion reaction to construct chiral centers at the carbon and silicon atoms, using a Ru(ii)–Pheox catalyst.
ACaBO3(A = Cs, Rb): two new cubic borates with isolated BO3groups
Authors: Wen Ming , Wu Hongping , Su Xin , Lu Juanjuan , Yang Zhihua , Wu Xiaohong , Pan Shilie
Published: March 2017

We report new borates, ACaBO3(A = Cs, Rb) and find out the significant contribution of MO6octahedra to the formation of cubic structures containing BO3triangles.
The thrombogenic activity of POSS silanols
Authors: Lichtenhan Joseph D. , Hildebrandt Drew A. , Lancaster Leland J.
Published: March 2017

In vitro studies into the interaction of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) trisilanols with porcine and human red blood cells (erythrocytes), and mouse fibroblasts with is reported.
Hierarchical porous NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays directly grown on carbon cloth with superior lithium storage performance
Authors: Zhao Li , Wang Lei , Yu Peng , Tian Chungui , Feng He , Diao Zhongwei , Fu Honggang
Published: March 2017

The hierarchical structures of porous NiCo2O4 nanosheets directly grown on a conductive carbon cloth substrate were obtained by a facile in situ synthetic strategy, which could exhibit satisfactory performance with high discharge capacity, superior rate capacity and excellent reversibility.
Ferroelectric domains in methylammonium lead iodide perovskite thin-films
Authors: Röhm Holger , Leonhard Tobias , Hoffmann Michael J. , Colsmann Alexander
Published: March 2017

A comprehensive AFM study provides insight into the ferroic properties of methylammonium lead iodide as commonly incorporated into perovskite solar cells.
New catalytic strategies for α,ω-diols production from lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: He Jiayue , Huang Kefeng , Barnett Kevin J. , Krishna Siddarth H. , Alonso David M. , Brentzel Zachary J. , Burt Samuel P. , Walker Theodore , Banholzer Williams F. , Maravelias Christos T. , Hermans Ive , Dumesic James A. , Huber George W.
Published: March 2017

Catalytic strategies for the synthesis of 1,5-pentanediol (PDO) with 69% yield from hemicellulose and the synthesis of 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) with 28% yield from cellulose are presented. Fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass (white birch wood chips) in gamma-valerolactone (GVL)/H2O generates a pure cellulose solid and a liquid stream containing hemicellulose and lignin, which is further dehydrated to furfural with 85% yield. Furfural is converted to PDO with sequential dehydration, hydration, ring-opening tautomerization, and hydrogenation reactions. Acid-catalyzed cellulose dehydration in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/H2O produces a mixture of levoglucosenone (LGO) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which are converted with hydrogen to tetrahydrofuran-dimethanol (THFDM). HDO is then obtained from hydrogenolysis of THFDM. Techno-economic analysis demonstrates that this approach can produce HDO and PDO at a minimum selling price of $4090 per ton.
The anomalous halogen bonding interactions between chlorine and bromine with water in clathrate hydrates
Authors: Dureckova Hana , Woo Tom K. , Udachin Konstantin A. , Ripmeester John A. , Alavi Saman
Published: March 2017

Clathrate hydrate phases of Cl2 and Br2 guest molecules have been known for about 200 years. The crystal structure of these phases was recently re-determined with high accuracy by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In these structures, the water oxygen–halogen atom distances are determined to be shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, which indicates the action of some type of non-covalent interaction between the dihalogens and water molecules. Given that in the hydrate phases both lone pairs of each water oxygen atom are engaged in hydrogen bonding with other water molecules of the lattice, the nature of the oxygen–halogen interactions may not be the standard halogen bonds characterized recently in the solid state materials and enzyme–substrate compounds. The nature of the halogen–water interactions for the Cl2 and Br2 molecules in two isolated clathrate hydrate cages has recently been studied with ab initio calculations and Natural Bond Order analysis (Ochoa-Resendiz et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2016, 145, 161104). Here we present the results of ab initio calculations and natural localized molecular orbital analysis for Cl2 and Br2 guests in all cage types observed in the cubic structure I and tetragonal structure I clathrate hydrates to characterize the orbital interactions between the dihalogen guests and water. Calculations with isolated cages and cages with one shell of coordinating molecules are considered. The computational analysis is used to understand the nature of the halogen bonding in these materials and to interpret the guest positions in the hydrate cages obtained from the X-ray crystal structures.
Phenacyl azides as efficient intermediates: one-pot synthesis of pyrrolidines and imidazoles
Authors: Reddy Chada Narsimha , Sathish Manda , Adhikary Susanta , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Alarifi Abdullah , Maurya Ram Awatar , Kamal Ahmed
Published: March 2017

Phenacyl azides: versatile substrates to produce various diastereoselective pyrrolidines and imidazoles in a one-pot manner through azomethine ylide formation with excellent yields.
Manganese(iii) acetate catalyzed oxidative amination of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds with nitriles
Authors: Zhang Yaxing , Dong Jianyu , Liu Lixin , Liu Long , Zhou Yongbo , Yin Shuang-Feng
Published: March 2017

Mn-Catalyzed oxidative amination of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds with nitriles towards secondary amides in moderate to excellent yields.
Efficient and selective hydrogenation of amides to alcohols and amines using a well-defined manganese–PNN pincer complex
Authors: Papa Veronica , Cabrero-Antonino Jose R. , Alberico Elisabetta , Spanneberg Anke , Junge Kathrin , Junge Henrik , Beller Matthias
Published: March 2017

Novel manganese NNP and PNP pincer complexes have been synthesized. The active catalyst allows the efficient hydrogenation of a wide range of amides under relatively mild conditions to afford alcohols and amines in high yields.
Bismuth based half-Heusler alloys with giant thermoelectric figures of merit
Authors: Vikram Vikram , Kangsabanik Jiban , Enamullah Enamullah , Alam Aftab
Published: March 2017

An ab initio theoretical evaluation of the electrical and thermal transport properties of HfRhBi, ZrIrBi and ZrRhBi was performed. The calculated band structures of the three compounds served as a hint for their promising thermoelectric properties. Detailed results for the thermoelectric properties are also presented.
A comparative study of effect of autograft compared with allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on expressions of LOXs and MMPs
Authors: Wang Wei-Ming , Ma Xiao-Jun , Huang Shi-Bo , Ren Liu-Bao , Liu Yu-Peng
Published: March 2017

The present study aimed to compare the effect of autograft or allograft anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the expressions of lipoxygenases (LOXs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in a New Zealand white rabbit model. New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly into control, sham, autograft and allograft groups. At the 4th and 8th week after operation, biomechanical testing was performed to measure the primary length, cross-sectional area, maximum tensile load and stiffness of ACL, and HE staining was used to observe cell morphology and fibre alignment of ACL. At the 2nd, 4th and 8th week after operation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect LOXs and MMPs expressions, and expressions of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/Wnt signalling pathway-related proteins. At the 4th and 8th week after operation, the maximum tensile load and stiffness were higher in the autograft group than in the allograft group, and the values at the 8th week were higher than those at the 4th week after operation. The fibroblast proliferation in the allograft group was more significant than that in the autograft group. Compared with the control group, LOXs and MMPs expressions and the positive expression rates of LOXs and MMPs proteins were elevated, and the values in the allograft group were higher than those in the autograft group at all time points. At 8th week after operation, compared with the autograft group, Wnt expression was higher and APC expression was lower in the allograft group. Autograft and allograft ACL reconstruction can promote LOXs and MMPs expressions by activating the APC/Wnt signalling pathway.
Indirect field‐oriented torque control of induction motor considering magnetic saturation effect: error analysis
Authors: Liu Lu , Du Xudong , Shen Shuiwen
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the causes and calculation formulas of steady‐state torque and rotor flux errors, when an induction motor considering magnetic saturation effect is controlled by standard indirect field‐oriented control algorithm. First, two reasons that causing the errors are analysed. One is mutual inductance mismatch between controller and motor. Another is rotor flux orientation deviation, resulting in the failure of decoupling of the magnetising and torque‐producing currents. Then, the equations for calculating steady‐state errors (orientation error, rotor flux error and torque error) are derived. The errors are related to reference torque, reference rotor flux and mutual inductance deviation. In addition, the characteristic maps of errors with respect to reference values are drawn. The accuracy and correctness of derived equations are validated by simulation and experimental results.
Public service approach to car‐sharing in mid‐sized towns: the example of Belfort (France)
Authors: Röhr Thomas , Rovigo Marc
Published: March 2017

Car‐sharing (CS) is an alternative to private cars able to change mobility customs and to participate in the greenhouse gas emission reduction. The administration board of the Belfort bus operator decided in January 2013 to build‐up a visible and attractive CS service following a public service idea and integrated into the urban mobility offer, with significantly higher vehicle density and vehicle/inhabitants ratio than in the other French cities. This innovative approach resulted in a remarkably high ratio of nearly 42 members/1000 inhabitants in December 2016. In 2015, the service totalled >2300 clients, 33,000 rentals and 1.5 million kilometres after only 2 years running. These figures confirm the hypothesis that CS can be rapidly developed as a veritable alternative even in mid‐sized towns. This article focuses on the design elements of the Belfort CS service as well as first analyses based on 2015 data and problems encountered.
Optimal expansion planning of isolated microgrid with renewable energy resources and controllable loads
Authors: Wang Zhaojian , Chen Ying , Mei Shengwei , Huang Shaowei , Xu Yin
Published: March 2017

As the load demand in a microgrid increases, more distributed generators (DGs) should be installed to meet the demand, which makes the microgrid expansion planning very important. To obtain the optimal expansion strategy, a tri‐level expansion planning framework is presented for an isolated microgrid in this study, which is composed of demand expansion, capacity optimisation and operation optimisation. The uncertainties of load forecasting are considered. Latin hypercube sampling method is utilised to generate the load demand scenarios. Controllable load is also considered in the expansion, which can be switched off and on as required. Considering the complexity of the operation optimisation problem, particle swarm optimisation is used to obtain the planning results. Finally, numerical simulations for an isolated microgrid in Weizhou Island, Guangxi, China are utilised to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model as well as its solving algorithm.
Markov chain Monte Carlo and acceptance–rejection algorithms for synthesising short‐term variations in the generation output of the photovoltaic system
Authors: Kim Insu
Published: March 2017

Solar photovoltaic (PV) is fast being deployed in electric power grids. For its more reliable integration into grids, the impact of its intermittent generation on grids should be further examined. However, high‐resolution solar and meteorological measurement data in 1 s or 1 min intervals are often not available for many areas or they are expensive to obtain. Thus, the objective of this study is to present a first‐order Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method that synthesises the short‐term variation, or sudden energy shortages and overages, in the power generation of a PV system in high‐resolution, from low‐resolution solar and meteorological data. In addition, up and down ramp rates in PV output are significant for the application of battery storage systems or grid operation. Thus, the acceptance–rejection algorithm able to limit such ramp rates is proposed. The proposed MCMC and acceptance–rejection methods are verified by comparing the statistical characteristics of the synthesised data to those of the original data. From case studies, this study found that the proposed methods could present the sufficient short‐term variation in generation output of a PV system.
Street nanotexturing of n‐GaN for enhancing light extraction in GaN LEDs
Authors: Hsu Chia‐Liang , Kumar Amarendra , Kashyap Kunal , Hou Max Ti‐Kuang , Yeh Jer‐Liang Andrew
Published: March 2017

The output power of conventional light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) is enhanced by 9% at 120 mA current without alterations to the existing fabrication techniques and to the multi‐quantum well (MQW) junction. The output power is improved by nanotexturing the street of the n‐gallium nitride (GaN) layer that was unexploited, for the enhancement of the optical or electrical properties. The nanotextured street enhances the light extraction exclusively near the street of the n‐GaN layer by reducing the reflections from the LED surface. Similar light output patterns and I–V characteristics for LEDs with and without street nanotexturing were observed, confirming that the enhanced light extraction has been achieved without a change in the spatial distribution of light or in the properties of the MQW junction. A new approach for the output power enhancement of all types of existing LEDs is provided.
Synthesis of YSZ/TiO2 core–shell feedstock powders via the air plasma spray method
Authors: Dadfar Mohammad Reza , Rahimipour Mohammad Reza , Vaezi Mohammad Reza , Gholamzadeh Abolfazl
Published: March 2017

The core–shell structures can improve material properties and easier material selections for applications in new purposes. In this study, yttria‐stabilised zirconia (YSZ)/TiO2 feedstock powders were synthesised via the air plasma spray method to investigate morphology changes, phase transformations and formation of core–shell structure. X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EDS were used for phase analysis, morphology and core‐shell characterisation, respectively. Results revealed that YSZ/TiO2 core–shell powders can be employed using the plasma spray method. SEM images showed that entire TiO2 nanoparticles had melted around YSZ powder. The shell thickness was estimated between 1 and 5 μm. In the plasma process the YSZ monoclinic phases transformed to the tetragonal phases, but no changes were observed in the cubic phases.
Roller embossing process for the replication of shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets
Authors: Guo Chunfang , Tian Qianqian , Wang Hairui , Sun Jianxing , Du Liqun , Wang Minjie , Zhao Danyang
Published: March 2017

The riblet structures of shark skin have a significant biological function for drag reduction, which has been verified. However, it is difficult to fabricate large‐scale bionic shark skin surface with high precision and low cost. The real shark skin micro‐riblets were first measured and approximately simplified to obtain shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets. Numerical simulations were performed to explore the drag‐reduction effect of the micro‐riblets surface. According to the simplified micro‐riblets, a nickel mould with negative micro‐structures was manufactured by Ultra‐Violet Lithographie, Galvanoformung and Abformung technique. Roller embossing process was adopted to replicate shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets, capable of transferring the micro‐riblets to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. After embossing experiments, the effect of process parameters on roller embossing qualities including mould temperature, rolling pressure and rolling speed, evaluated by the depths of riblets embossed on the polymer films, were investigated. The results showed that the roller embossing process is a feasible and effective method to continuously replicate shark‐skin‐inspired micro‐riblets on polymer substrates. Moreover, the optimal process parameters were determined, including mould temperatures of 70°C (for PVC) and 60°C (for PET), compression ratios of 1.22 (for PVC) and 1.53 (for PET) and rolling speed of 1 r/min.
Nanosphere of Pb‐modified bismuth‐based borate photocatalysts
Authors: Yang Jie , Pan Xiaolong , Quhe Ruge , Bi Ke , Lin Sen , Liang Ce , Yao Chongchong , Du Yinxiao , Liu Jun , Fan Dongyu , Yang Hujiang , Wang Yonggang , Lei Ming
Published: March 2017

Bi2−x Pbx O2(BO2OH) nanospheres are synthesised by means of one‐step hydrothermal route by embedding Pb2+ to Bi2O22+ layers. The obtained materials are characterised by X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet (UV)–vis diffuse reflectance, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity is measured by decomposition of rhodamine B under UV‐light irradiation. Photocatalytic performance is boosted after inducing Pb impurity into pure Bi2O2(BO2OH) lattice, because the impurity energy level could capture the holes and restrain the recombination of electron–hole pairs. Electronic properties of the fabricated nanospheres are investigated via first‐principle calculations. The highest photocatalytic performance is found in the modified Bi2O2(BO2OH) with a doping concentration of Bi/Pb = 1.5/0.5, which outperformed the pure even the commercial P25.
Uncrowding R 136 from VLT/SPHERE extreme adaptive optics
Authors: Khorrami Z. , Vakili F. , Lanz T. , Langlois M. , Lagadec E. , Meyer M. R. , Robbe-Dubois S. , Abe L. , Avenhaus H. , Beuzit J. L. , Gratton R. , Mouillet D. , Origné A. , Petit C. , Ramos J.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the sharpest near-IR images of the massive cluster R 136 to date, based on the extreme adaptive optics of the SPHERE focal instrument implemented on the ESO Very Large Telescope and operated in its IRDIS imaging mode.The crowded stellar population in the core of the R 136 starburst compact cluster remains still to be characterized in terms of individual luminosities, age, mass and multiplicity. SPHERE/VLT and its high contrast imaging possibilities open new windows to make progress on these questions.Stacking-up a few hundreds of short exposures in J and Ks spectral bands over a field of view (FoV) of 10.9″ × 12.3″ centered on the R 136a1 stellar component, enabled us to carry a refined photometric analysis of the core of R 136. We detected 1110 and 1059 sources in J and Ks images respectively with 818 common sources. Thanks to better angular resolution and dynamic range, we found that more than 62.6% (16.5%) of the stars, detected both in J and Ks data, have neighbours closer than 0.2′′ (0.1′′). The closest stars are resolved down to the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the point spread function (PSF) measured by Starfinder. Among resolved and/or detected sources R 136a1 and R 136c have optical companions and R 136a3 is resolved as two stars (PSF fitting) separated by 59 ± 2 mas. This new companion of R 136a3 presents a correlation coefficient of 86% in J and 75% in Ks. The new set of detected sources were used to re-assess the age and extinction of R 136 based on 54 spectroscopically stars that have been recently studied with HST slit-spectroscopy (Crowther et al. 2016, MNRAS, 458, 624) of the core of this cluster. Over 90% of these 54 sources identified visual companions (closer than 0.2′′). We found the most probable age and extinction for these sources are 1.8+1.2-0.8 Myr, AJ = (0.45 ± 0.5) mag and AK = (0.2 ± 0.5) mag within the photometric and spectroscopic error-bars. Additionally, using PARSEC evolutionary isochrones and tracks, we estimated the stellar mass range for each detected source (common in J and K data) and plotted the generalized histogram of mass (MF with error-bars). Using SPHERE data, we have gone one step further and partially resolved and studied the initial mass function covering mass range of (3–300) M⊙ at the age of 1 and 1.5 Myr. The density in the core of R 136 (0.1–1.4 pc) is estimated and extrapolated in 3D and larger radii (up to 6 pc). We show that the stars in the core are still unresolved due to crowding, and the results we obtained are upper limits. Higher angular resolution is mandatory to overcome these difficulties.
Planck’s dusty GEMS
Authors: Cañameras R. , Nesvadba N. P. H. , Kneissl R. , Limousin M. , Gavazzi R. , Scott D. , Dole H. , Frye B. , Koenig S. , Le Floc’h E. , Oteo I.
Published: March 2017

We study the properties of the foreground galaxy of the Ruby, the brightest gravitationally lensed high-redshift galaxy on the sub-millimeter sky as probed by the Planck satellite, and part of our sample of Planck’s dusty GEMS. The Ruby consists of an Einstein ring of 1.4′′ diameter at z = 3.005 observed with ALMA at 0.1′′ resolution, centered on a faint, red, massive lensing galaxy seen with HST/WFC3, which itself has an exceptionally high redshift, z = 1.525 ± 0.001, as confirmed with VLT/X-shooter spectroscopy. Here we focus on the properties of the lens and the lensing model obtained with LENSTOOL. The rest-frame optical morphology of this system is strongly dominated by the lens, while the Ruby itself is highly obscured, and contributes less than 10% to the photometry out to the K band. The foreground galaxy has a lensing mass of (3.70 ± 0.35) × 1011M⊙. Magnification factors are between 7 and 38 for individual clumps forming two image families along the Einstein ring. We present a decomposition of the foreground and background sources in the WFC3 images, and stellar population synthesis modeling with a range of star-formation histories for Chabrier and Salpeter initial mass functions (IMFs). Only the stellar mass range obtained with the latter agrees well with the lensing mass. This is consistent with the bottom-heavy IMFs of massive high-redshift galaxies expected from detailed studies of the stellar masses and mass profiles of their low-redshift descendants, and from models of turbulent gas fragmentation. This may be the first direct constraint on the IMF in a lens at z = 1.5, which is not a cluster central galaxy.
Paliperidone Long-Acting Plasma Level Monitoring and a New Method of Evaluation of Clinical Stability
Authors: Mauri Massimo , Paletta Silvia , Di Pace Chiara , Reggiori Alessandra , Rovera Chiara , Fiorentini Alessio , Altamura Carlo
Published: March 2017

The second generation long-acting antipsychotics can be a pharmacologic strategy, both in the early phase of illness and in the case of low compliance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of one monthly injection of paliperidone palmitate (PP1M), paliperidone plasma levels (PLs), and the clinical outcome.

21 outpatients, affected by Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder, were recruited. PP1M started with 150 mg on day 1 and 100 mg on day 8. Following patients were given a dosage ranging from 50 mg to 150 mg every 28 days. At baseline, and then monthly, patients were clinically evaluated.

BPRS and PANSS total score showed a statistically significant decrease from T2 (after 2 months) to T12 (after 12 months). The PLs steady-state was approximatively reached after the fifth injection (T4).

All the patients showed a clinical stabilization: BPRS and PANSS scores showed a significant improvement from T2. PLs data seems to suggest the initial possibility of an oral supplementation, although clinical evaluation demonstrated no relapse during the study.
Stream-wise distribution of skin-friction drag reduction on a flat plate with bubble injection
Authors: Qin Shijie , Chu Ning , Yao Yan , Liu Jingting , Huang Bin , Wu Dazhuan
Published: March 2017

To investigate the stream-wise distribution of skin-friction drag reduction on a flat plate with bubble injection, both experiments and simulations of bubble drag reduction (BDR) have been conducted in this paper. Drag reductions at various flow speeds and air injection rates have been tested in cavitation tunnel experiments. Visualization of bubble flow pattern is implemented synchronously. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, in the framework of Eulerian-Eulerian two fluid modeling, coupled with population balance model (PBM) is used to simulate the bubbly flow along the flat plate. A wide range of bubble sizes considering bubble breakup and coalescence is modeled based on experimental bubble distribution images. Drag and lift forces are fully modeled based on applicable closure models. Both predicted drag reductions and bubble distributions are in reasonable concordance with experimental results. Stream-wise distribution of BDR is revealed based on CFD-PBM numerical results. In particular, four distinct regions with different BDR characteristics are first identified and discussed in this study. Thresholds between regions are extracted and discussed. And it is highly necessary to fully understand the stream-wise distribution of BDR in order to establish a universal scaling law. Moreover, mechanism of stream-wise distribution of BDR is analysed based on the near-wall flow parameters. The local drag reduction is a direct result of near-wall max void fraction. And the near-wall velocity gradient modified by the presence of bubbles is considered as another important factor for bubble drag reduction.
Consistency of heterogeneous synchronization patterns in complex weighted networks
Authors: Malagarriga D. , Villa A. E. P. , Garcia-Ojalvo J. , Pons A. J.
Published: March 2017

Synchronization within the dynamical nodes of a complex network is usually considered homogeneous through all the nodes. Here we show, in contrast, that subsets of interacting oscillators may synchronize in different ways within a single network. This diversity of synchronization patterns is promoted by increasing the heterogeneous distribution of coupling weights and/or asymmetries in small networks. We also analyze consistency, defined as the persistence of coexistent synchronization patterns regardless of the initial conditions. Our results show that complex weighted networks display richer consistency than regular networks, suggesting why certain functional network topologies are often constructed when experimental data are analyzed.
Exploring the structural changes on excitation of a luminescent organic bromine-substituted complex by in-house time-resolved pump-probe diffraction
Authors: Basuroy Krishnayan , Chen Yang , Sarkar Sounak , Benedict Jason , Coppens Philip
Published: March 2017

The structural changes accompanying the excitation of the luminescent dibromobenzene derivative, 1,4-dibromo-2,5-bis(octyloxy)benzene, have been measured by in-house monochromatic time-resolved (TR) diffraction at 90 K. Results show an increment of the very short intermolecular Br•••Br contact distance from 3.290 Å to 3.380 Å. Calculations show the Br…Br interaction to be strongly repulsive in both the Ground and Excited states but significantly relaxed by the lengthening of the contact distance on excitation. The stability of the crystals is attributed to the many weak C-H···Br and C-H···π intermolecular interactions. The study described is the first practical application of In-House Time-Resolved diffraction, made possible by the continuing increase in the brightness of X-ray sources and the sensitivity of our detectors.
Biodiesel fuel production by enzymatic microalgae oil transesterification with ethanol
Authors: Makareviciene Violeta , Gumbyte Milda , Skorupskaite Virginija , Sendzikiene Eglė
Published: March 2017

This paper discusses the application of the enzymatic transesterification of algae oil with ethanol for the production of biodiesel fuel. Seven commercial lipases were tested, and the most effective lipase preparation—Lipolase 100L—was selected. The transesterification process was optimised by applying response surface methodology. The interaction of the molar ratio of ethanol to oil, the process duration, the lipase concentration, and the temperature was evaluated. Transesterification experiments were performed under different conditions, and the transesterification yield was measured. On the basis of the transesterification yield, a quadratic model was built, and the optimal conditions were determined: a temperature of 30 °C, a lipase amount of 10%, and an ethanol to oil molar ratio of 3:1. After 26 h, the transesterification yield was increased to 96.9%, and the requirements of the European standard for biodiesel fuel (EN 14214) were met.
Ultrafast voltage sampling using single-electron wavepackets
Authors: Johnson N. , Fletcher J. D. , Humphreys D. A. , See P. , Griffiths J. P. , Jones G. A. C. , Farrer I. , Ritchie D. A. , Pepper M. , Janssen T. J. B. M. , Kataoka M.
Published: March 2017

We demonstrate an ultrafast voltage sampling technique using a stream of electron wavepackets. Electrons are emitted from a single-electron pump and travel through electron waveguides towards a detector potential barrier. Our electrons sample an instantaneous voltage on the gate upon arrival at the detector barrier. Fast sampling is achieved by minimising the duration that the electrons interact with the barrier, which can be made as small as a few picoseconds. The value of the instantaneous voltage can be determined by varying the gate voltage to match the barrier height to the electron energy, which is used as a stable reference. The test waveform can be reconstructed by shifting the electron arrival time against it. Although we find that the our current system is limited by the experimental line bandwidth to 12–18 GHz, we argue that this method has scope to increase the bandwidth of voltage sampling to 100 GHz and beyond.
Immune protection against reinfection with nonprimate hepacivirus
Authors: Pfaender Stephanie , Walter Stephanie , Grabski Elena , Todt Daniel , Bruening Janina , Romero-Brey Inés , Gather Theresa , Brown Richard J. P. , Hahn Kerstin , Puff Christina , Pfankuche Vanessa M. , Hansmann Florian , Postel Alexander , Becher Paul , Thiel Volker , Kalinke Ulrich , Wagner Bettina , Bartenschlager Ralf , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Feige Karsten , Pietschmann Thomas , Cavalleri Jessika M. V. , Steinmann Eike
Published: March 2017

Significance

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays a narrow species tropism severely hampering development of small animal models that are required for vaccine and pathogenesis studies in vivo. The recent discoveries of HCV-related hepaciviruses in diverse hosts offer new opportunities with respect to the development of an immunocompetent animal model for HCV research. Among the hepaciviruses, the equine nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) represents the closest homolog of HCV discovered to date. We defined key aspects of natural immunity to NPHV challenge in the cognate host and provide evidence for natural protection from NPHV infection. Further characterization of the immune signatures that confer protection against NPHV could provide important information that may facilitate the development of new prophylactic strategies including protective vaccines against HCV.
Correlated variability modifies working memory fidelity in primate prefrontal neuronal ensembles
Authors: Leavitt Matthew L. , Pieper Florian , Sachs Adam J. , Martinez-Trujillo Julio C.
Published: March 2017

Significance

The working memory (WM)-related activity in the primate prefrontal cortex (PFC) is hypothesized to arise from the structure of the network in which the neurons are embedded. Recent studies have also shown that it is difficult to predict the properties of neuronal ensembles from the properties of individually examined neurons. By recording the activity of neuronal ensembles in the macaque PFC, we found evidence supporting the network origins of WM activity and discovered features of WM coding in neuronal ensembles that were inaccessible in prior single neuron studies. Most notably, we found that correlated firing rate variability between neurons (i.e., noise correlations) can improve WM coding and that neurons not selective for WM can improve WM coding when part of an ensemble.
Cultivating Change Door to Door: Educational Outreach to Improve Prescribing Practices in Rural Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Montaño Macgregor , Bernardy Nancy C. , Sherrieb Kathleen
Published: March 2017

Background: Clinical guidelines for the management of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recommend against the use of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines and PTSD are both associated with addiction-related risks. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prescribing trends show continued use of benzodiazepines and polysedative use in veterans with PTSD, particularly in rural areas. The authors examine the use of an educational intervention to improve pharmacologic management of veterans with PTSD in rural clinics. Methods: The VA Academic Detailing Service Informatics Toolset provides prescribing, demographic and risk factor data for veterans with PTSD treated at the White River Junction VA Medical Center (WRJ VA) and affiliated rural clinics in Vermont and New Hampshire. Individualized academic detailing visits were provided to clinicians identified by the informatics tool with the aim of increasing guideline-concordant care. Other educational efforts included traditional, didactic group education on evidence-based PTSD care and the development and dissemination of educational materials for clinicians and patients. Prescribing trends of benzodiazepines, off-label atypical antipsychotics, and prazosin were collected quarterly for 3 years (October 1, 2013, to September 30, 2016). Results: Prescribing rates of benzodiazepines during the educational intervention decreased from 13% to 9.3%. Use of off-label atypical antipsychotics, a class of medications not recommended for PTSD, stayed relatively flat at about 10%. Prescribing of prazosin, a medication recommended for treatment of trauma nightmares, increased from 9.8% to 14.3%. Conclusions: Academic detailing and other educational programming appear to be effective for addressing gaps and lag in quality PTSD care and are associated with a positive trend of decreased benzodiazepine use. Efforts will continue, now with added focus on concurrent use of benzodiazepines and opioids and the use of off-label atypical antipsychotics in rural veterans with PTSD.
The 2016 Josephine Waters Bennett Lecture: Humanism and Printing in the Work of Conrad Gessner
Authors: Blair Ann
Published: March 2017

I discuss how printing affected the practice of scholarship by examining the working methods of Conrad Gessner (1516–65), a prolific humanist, bibliographer, and natural historian. Gessner supplemented his revenue as city physician in Zurich through his publishing activities. He hailed printing, along with libraries to preserve the books, as crucial to the successful transmission of learning to the distant future. Gessner also used printing as a kind of social media: to reach readers rapidly all over Europe, in order to solicit contributions to his research projects underway, to advertise forthcoming books, and to develop his own thinking through multiple iterations.
The Italian London of John North: Cultural Contact and Linguistic Encounter in Early Modern England
Authors: Gallagher John
Published: March 2017

This article takes as its subject the remarkable diary kept by a young English gentleman named John North from 1575 to 1579. On his journey home from Italy in 1575–77, North changed the language of his diary from English to Italian. On his return to London, he continued to keep a record of his everyday life in Italian. This article uses North’s diary as a starting point from which to reconstruct the social and sensory worlds of a returned traveler and Italianate gentleman. In doing so, it offers a way of bridging the gap between individual experiences and personal networks on the one hand, and the wider processes of cultural encounter and linguistic contact on the other.
QRank: a novel quantile regression tool for eQTL discovery
Authors: Song Xiaoyu , Li Gen , Zhou Zhenwei , Wang Xianling , Ionita-Laza Iuliana , Wei Ying
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable improvement in our understanding of the role of genetic variation in complex human diseases, especially via genome-wide association studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly characterized, impending the development of therapeutic interventions. Identifying genetic variants that influence the expression level of a gene, i.e. expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), can help us understand how genetic variants influence traits at the molecular level. While most eQTL studies focus on identifying mean effects on gene expression using linear regression, evidence suggests that genetic variation can impact the entire distribution of the expression level. Motivated by the potential higher order associations, several studies investigated variance eQTLs.

Results

In this paper, we develop a Quantile Rank-score based test (QRank), which provides an easy way to identify eQTLs that are associated with the conditional quantile functions of gene expression. We have applied the proposed QRank to the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, an international tissue bank for studying the relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in human tissues, and found that the proposed QRank complements the existing methods, and identifies new eQTLs with heterogeneous effects across different quantile levels. Notably, we show that the eQTLs identified by QRank but missed by linear regression are associated with greater enrichment in genome-wide significant SNPs from the GWAS catalog, and are also more likely to be tissue specific than eQTLs identified by linear regression.

Availability and Implementation

An R package is available on R CRAN at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/QRank.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Endoscopic Endonasal Interdural Middle Fossa Approach to the Maxillary Nerve: Anatomic Considerations and Surgical Relevance
Authors: Abhinav Kumar , Panczykowski David , Wang Wei-Hsin , Synderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A. , Wang Eric W. , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: The maxillary nerve (V2) can be approached via the open middle fossa approach.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the anatomy of V2 and its specific segments with respect to the endonasal landmarks. We present the endoscopic endonasal interdural middle fossa approach to V2 and its potential application for the treatment of perineural spread in sinonasal/skull base tumors.

METHODS: Five human head silicon-injected specimens underwent bilateral endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approaches. V2 prominence and the maxillary strut were identified in the lateral recess along with paraclival carotid protruberance. The regions superior and inferior to V2 corresponding to the anteromedial and anterolateral triangles of the middle fossa were exposed.

RESULTS: V2 can be classified into 3 segments: interdural (from the Gasserian ganglion to the proximal part of the maxillary strut), intracanalicular (corresponding to the anteroposterior length of the maxillary strut), and pterygopalatine (distal to the maxillary strut and the site of its divisions). Endonasally, the average length of the interdural and the intracanalicular segments were approximately 9 and 4.4 mm, respectively. V2, following its division distal to the maxillary strut, was successfully dissected off the middle fossa dura and transected just distal to the Gasserian ganglion.

CONCLUSION: Endonasally, the interdural segment can be safely mobilized between the periosteal and meningeal dural layers while ensuring the integrity of the middle fossa dura. This allows transection of infiltrated V2 to facilitate tumor resection without entering the intradural/arachnoidal space. Posteriorly, this is limited by the Gasserian ganglion and superomedially by the dural envelope surrounding the cavernous sinus and the paraclival carotid artery.
Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Cranial Base Chondrosarcomas
Authors: Vaz-Guimaraes Francisco , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C. , Koutourousiou Maria , Hamilton Ronald L. , Wang Eric W. , Snyderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: Microsurgical resection via open approaches is considered the main treatment modality for cranial base chondrosarcomas (CBCs). The use of endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) has been rarely reported.

OBJECTIVE: To present the endoscopic endonasal experience with CBCs at our institution.

METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of 35 consecutive patients who underwent EEA for CBC resection between January 2004 and April 2013. Surgical outcomes and variables that might affect extent of resection, complications, and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS: Forty-eight operations were performed (42 EEAs and 6 open approaches). Gross-total resection was achieved in 22 patients (62.9%), near total (≥90% tumor resection) in 11 (31.4%). Larger tumors were associated with incomplete resection in univariate and multivariate analysis (P = .004, .015, respectively). In univariate analysis, tumors involving the lower clivus and cerebellopontine angle were associated with increased number of complications, especially postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak (P = .015) and new cranial neuropathy (P = .037), respectively. Other major complications included 2 cases of meningitis and deep venous thrombosis, and 1 case of hydrocephalus and carotid injury. Involvement of the lower clivus, parapharyngeal space, and cervical spine required a combination of approaches to maximize tumor resection (P = .017, .044, .017, respectively). No predictors were significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence. The average follow-up time was 44.6 ± 31 months.

CONCLUSIONS: EEAs may be considered a good option for managing CBCs without significant posterolateral extension beyond the basal foramina and can be used in conjunction with open approaches for maximal resection with acceptable morbidity.
Indocyanine Green Videoangiography for Surgery of a Ruptured Dissecting Aneurysm in the Precommunicating Anterior Cerebral Artery: A Technical Case Report
Authors: Nagai Yasunori , Goto Masanori , Toda Hiroki , Nishida Namiko , Yoshimoto Naoya , Iwasaki Koichi
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VA) is an important intraoperative adjunct for saccular aneurysm surgery, but its efficacy in surgery for dissecting aneurysms has rarely been reported. The authors describe the usefulness of preclipping ICG-VA in a rare case of a ruptured dissecting aneurysm located at the precommunicating (A1) segment of the anterior cerebral artery.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old woman, with no history of connective tissue diseases or vascular disorders, presented with sudden headache and convulsion. The CT scan showed that the patient had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography showed a dissecting aneurysm in the left A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery. Thus, the patient underwent trapping of the dissecting aneurysm. ICG-VA was used as an intraoperative adjunct before and after clipping. The preclipping ICG-VA showed the heterogeneously bright dissecting aneurysm and branching arteries even in the presence of hematoma.

CONCLUSION: Preclipping ICG-VA may enhance the advantage of direct surgery for dissecting aneurysm by allowing visualization of the extent of the dissected vascular wall and the related branching arteries. ICG-VA can be an indispensable adjunct to minimize the compromise from the surgical treatment for intracranial dissecting aneurysms.