bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrathin tin monosulfide nanosheets with the exposed (001) plane for efficient electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into formate
Authors: Chen Hanlin , Chen Junxiang , Si Jincheng , Hou Yang , Zheng Qiang , Yang Bin , Li Zhongjian , Gao Liguo , Lei Lecheng , Wen Zhenhai , Feng Xinliang
Published: March 2020

Ultrathin SnS nanosheets with the highly exposed (001) plane were synthesized by an alternating voltage associated electrochemical exfoliation strategy for highly selective electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to HCOOH.
Influence of pH on the surface and foaming properties of aqueous silk fibroin solutions
Authors: Qiao Xiuying , Miller Reinhard , Schneck Emanuel , Sun Kang
Published: March 2020

Silk fibroin (SF) adsorbs at the air/water interface, reduces the surface tension, and forms interfacial layers suppressing bubble coalescence and stabilizing foam.
The role of oxygen vacancies on the vibrational motions of hydride ions in the oxyhydride of barium titanate
Authors: Eklöf-Österberg Carin , Mazzei Laura , Granhed Erik Jedvik , Wahnström Göran , Nedumkandathil Reji , Häussermann Ulrich , Jaworski Aleksander , Pell Andrew J. , Parker Stewart F. , Jalarvo Niina H. , Börjesson Lars , Karlsson Maths
Published: March 2020

Combined INS and DFT study on BaTiO3−xHx unravels the effect of oxygen vacancies on the vibrational dynamics of hydride ions.
Improving electromechanical properties in KNANS-BNZ ceramics by the synergy between phase structure modification and grain orientation
Authors: Yang Weiwei , Wang Yuchun , Li Peng , Wu Shuanghao , Wang Feifei , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei
Published: March 2020

Engineering the domain configuration has a significant impact on the piezoelectricity of 〈00l〉c-textured KNN-based ceramics.
Spatial immobilization of endogenous growth factors to control vascularization in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Casanova Marta R. , Oliveira Catarina , Fernandes Emanuel M. , Reis Rui L. , Silva Tiago H. , Martins Albino , Neves Nuno M.
Published: March 2020

An engineered biofunctional system comprises endogenous BMP-2 and VEGF bound in a parallel pattern. It successfully enabled obtaining the spatial osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of human hBM-MSCs under basal culture conditions.
Integrated adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of VOCs using a TiO2/diatomite composite: effects of relative humidity and reaction atmosphere
Authors: Zhang Guangxin , Peyravi Arman , Hashisho Zaher , Sun Zhiming , Liu Yangyu , Zheng Shuilin , Zhong Lexuan
Published: March 2020

The optimal relative humidity condition for VOC degradation is related to the length of the carbon chain of VOCs.
Enhanced and selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 by H2O over strategically doped Fe and Cr into porous boron carbon nitride
Authors: Ojha Niwesh , Bajpai Abhinav , Kumar Sushant
Published: March 2020

Strategic doping of metals and non-metals into a photocatalyst can help in tuning the band gap and alignment of band structure.
High-efficiency and safe sulfur-doped iron oxides for magnetic resonance imaging-guided photothermal/magnetic hyperthermia therapy
Authors: Guan Guoqiang , Li Bo , Zhang Wenlong , Cui Zhe , He Shu-Ang , Zou Rujia , Lu Xinwu , Hu Junqing
Published: March 2020

Highly efficient body-clearance sulfur-doped iron oxides were developed for magnetic resonance imaging-guided photo-magnetic hyperthermia therapy.
Impact of functional foods and nutraceuticals on high blood pressure with a special focus on meta-analysis: review from a public health perspective
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Kamesh , Chiu Hui-Fang , Wang Chin-Kun
Published: March 2020

In recent times many researchers are expressing immense interest in nutraceuticals and functional foods for combating various diseases or abnormal conditions, especially against hypertension (HT).
Bottom-up preparation of hierarchically porous MOF-modified carbon sphere derivatives for efficient oxygen reduction
Authors: Chai Lulu , Huang Qi , Cheng Han , Wang Xian , Zhang Linjie , Li Ting-Ting , Hu Yue , Qian Jinjie , Huang Shaoming
Published: March 2020

Herein, Co nanoparticles on N-doped carbon spheres were prepared by means of a bimetallic ZIF-functionalized carbon sphere precursor. By tuning the Zn dopant content in CoZn-ZIF/CS, CoZn-ZIF/CS-1000 can be conveniently obtained.
Recent advances in molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaques and thrombosis
Authors: Qiao Ruirui , Huang Xumin , Qin Yu , Li Yuhuan , Davis Thomas P. , Hagemeyer Christoph E. , Gao Mingyuan
Published: March 2020

Recent advances in emerging molecular imaging techniques bring new opportunities in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis plaques and thrombosis.
Interfacial adhesion of ZnO nanowires on a Si substrate in air
Authors: Mead James L. , Wang Shiliang , Zimmermann Sören , Huang Han
Published: March 2020

A technique is developed for characterising the interfacial adhesion energy between a ZnO nanowire and Si substrate in air.
Self-supported rhodium catalysts based on a microporous metal–organic framework for polymerization of phenylacetylene and its derivatives
Authors: Zhang Li , Cao Qingbin , Gao Fei , Dong Yuping , Li Xiaofang
Published: March 2020

Highly efficient,cis-selective, stable, recyclable and reusable heterogeneous single-site MOF-supported rhodium catalysts polymerize PA and its derivatives, producingcis-transoidal PPAs and their functional derivatives having a helical configuration or AIE properties.
Structure and luminescence properties of a novel broadband green-emitting oxyapatite-type phosphor
Authors: An Na , Xu Fei , Guo Qingfeng , Liao Libing , Mei Lefu , Liu Haikun
Published: March 2020

A single-phase novel green phosphor Sr2Y3(SiO4)2(PO4)O2:Eu2+with apatite structure was obtained for the first time.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel amide-linked 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives as novel ALK inhibitors
Authors: Cai Dong , Zhang Zhi hua , Chen Yu , Ruan Chao , Li Sheng qiang , Chen Shi qin , Chen Lian shan
Published: March 2020

Novel amide-linked 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives were synthesized as potential ALK inhibitors.
Microwave-assisted synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of new coumarin-based 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Dharavath Ravinder , Nagaraju Nalaparaju , Reddy M. Ram , Ashok D. , Sarasija M. , Vijjulatha M. , T Vani , Jyothi K. , Prashanthi G.
Published: March 2020

Coumarin-based 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were synthesized using a highly efficient, eco-friendly protocol via a copper(i)-catalyzed click reaction between various substituted arylazides and terminal alkynes.
Strain visualization for strained macrocycles
Authors: Colwell Curtis E. , Price Tavis W. , Stauch Tim , Jasti Ramesh
Published: March 2020

Strain has a unique and sometimes unpredictable impact on the properties and reactivity of molecules.
Radical α-addition involved electrooxidative [3 + 2] annulation of phenols and electron-deficient alkenes
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Jin Ji-Kang , Wang Jie , Zhang Feng-Lian , Wang Yi-Feng
Published: March 2020

An electrooxidative [3 + 2] annulation between phenols and electron-deficient alkenes for the synthesis of C3-functionalized 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives is described.
Effects of sodium chloride on rheological behaviour of the gemini-like surfactants
Authors: Li Xinxin , Wang Pengxiang , Hou Xiaoyu , Wang Fang , Zhao Han , Zhou Bobo , Zhang Hongwen , Yang Hongbin , Kang Wanli
Published: March 2020

Effects of NaCl on the rheological behaviour of the gemini-like surfactants and the mechanism of the effects were investigated.
Highly stable Zn metal anodes enabled by atomic layer deposited Al2O3 coating for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: He Huibing , Tong Huan , Song Xueyang , Song Xiping , Liu Jian
Published: March 2020

Nanoscale Al2O3 coating by an atomic layer deposition technique enabled safe and dendrite-free Zn anodes for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Non-halogenated solvent-processed ternary-blend solar cells via alkyl-side-chain engineering of a non-fullerene acceptor and their application in large-area devices
Authors: Lee Taeho , Oh Sora , Rasool Shafket , Song Chang Eun , Kim Dongwook , Lee Sang Kyu , Shin Won Suk , Lim Eunhee
Published: March 2020

Ternary-blend organic solar cells based on a novel asymmetric non-fullerene acceptor (T2-OEHRH) processed from a non-halogenated solvent exhibit impressive PCEs of 12.10% and 9.32% in small- and large-area devices, respectively.
Superhydrophilic porous carbon foam as a self-desalting monolithic solar steam generation device with high energy efficiency
Authors: Wang Chengbing , Wang Jiulong , Li Zhengtong , Xu Keyuan , Lei Tao , Wang Weike
Published: March 2020

Superhydrophilic porous carbon foam was successfully synthesized by facile carbonization of potato, providing a new perspective to design self-desalting monolithic ISSG to satisfy the demand for highly efficient and enduring solar desalination.
Defect engineering of nanostructured electrocatalysts for enhancing nitrogen reduction
Authors: Kong Xin , Peng Hui-Qing , Bu Shuyu , Gao Qili , Jiao Tianpeng , Cheng Junye , Liu Bin , Hong Guo , Lee Chun-Sing , Zhang Wenjun
Published: March 2020

Defect engineering of nanostructured electrocatalysts for enhancing the nitrogen reduction reaction is systematically reviewed with challenges and opportunities for further research discussed.
A Janus protein-based nanofabric for trapping polysulfides and stabilizing lithium metal in lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Chen Min , Chen Zhiping , Fu Xuewei , Zhong Wei-Hong
Published: March 2020

A protein-based, low-resistance Janus nanofabric is designed and fabricated for simultaneously trapping polysulfides and stabilizing lithium metal.
Efficient photodiode-type photodetectors with perovskite thin films derived from an MAPbI3 single-crystal precursor
Authors: Tao Hong , Wang Haoning , Bai Yuchen , Zhao Hongyang , Fu Qiuming , Ma Zhibin , Long Hao
Published: March 2020

This research exhibits an efficient photodetector based on a perovskite photosensitive layer derived from an MAPbI3 single-crystal precursor.
A Nonpeptidyl Molecule Modulates Apoptosis-like Cell Death by Inhibiting P.falciparum Metacapase-2
Authors: Kumari Vandana , Sankar Sudha , Prasad Kona Madhavinadha , Kashif Mohammad , Kalia Inderjeet , Rai Rajkishor , Singh Agam P , Pandey Kailash Chand
Published: March 2020

Metacaspases are novel cysteine proteases found in apicomplexan whose function is poorly understood. Our earlier studies on Plasmodium falciparum metacaspase-2 (PfMCA-2) revealed that the caspase inhibitor, Z-FA-FMK efficiently inhibited PfMCA-2 activity and, expression, and significantly blocked in vitro progression of the parasite developmental cycle via apoptosis-like parasite death. Building on these findings, we synthesized a set of novel inhibitors based on structural modification of Z-FA-FMK with the amides of piperic acid and investigated their effect on PfMCA-2. One of these analogues, SS-5, specifically inhibited the activity and expression of PfMCA-2. The activities of some other known malarial proteases (falcipains, plasmepsins, & vivapain), and human cathepsins-B, D and L, and caspase-3 and -7 were not inhibited by SS-5. SS-5 blocked the development of P. falciparumin vitro (IC50 1µM) and caused prominent morphological distortions. Incubation with SS-5 led to persistent parasite oxidative stress accompanied by depolarization of mitochondrial potential and accumulation of intracellular Ca2+. SS-5 also inhibited the development of P. berghei in a murine model. Our results suggest that the inhibition of PfMCA-2 results in oxidative stress, leading to apoptosis-like parasite death. Thus, SS-5 offers a starting point for optimization of new antimalarials, and PfMCA-2 could be a novel target for antimalarial drug discovery.
Relationship between thymidine kinase 1 before radiotherapy and prognosis in breast cancer patients with diabetes
Authors: Wang Zhiwu , Zhang Wei , Huo Bingjie , Dong Liang , Zhang Jing
Published: March 2020

In a retrospective study design, we explored the relationship between serum thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) concentration before radiotherapy and clinical parameters and evaluated the prognostic value of serum TK1 concentration before radiotherapy in breast cancer patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study finally consisted of 428 breast cancer patients with a mean age of 53.0 years. Compared with low TK1 group, the high TK1 group tended to have larger tumor size (P=0.011) and had more lymph node number (P=0.021). Significant differences were also observed in clinical stages I, II and III (P=0.000). There was no significant difference between TK1 and other clinical parameters. For disease-free survival (DFS), the univariate analysis indicated that the high TK1 increased the risk of poor prognosis (HR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.64–4.23, P=0.000). The Kaplan–Meier curve indicated the high TK1 group was poorer than that in the low TK1 group (P=0.002). For the overall survival (OS), similar results were found that the high TK1 was related to poor OS (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.34–3.67, P=0.000). The multivariate Cox regression indicated that the TK1 was still associated with DFS (HR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.22–3.17, P=0.001) and OS (HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.19–2.08, P=0.006). The high pretreatment serum TK1 levels in breast cancer patients were associated with poor OS and DFS. TK1 could be a potential predictive factor in differential diagnosis of poor prognosis from all patients.
Superior adjuvanticity of the genetically fused D1 domain of Neisseria meningitides Ag473 lipoprotein among three Toll-like receptor ligands
Authors: Lu Huipeng , Zhang Xiaokai , Wang Yuyang , Zong Yang , Wang Yajie , Zhang Xinyu , Xia Xiaoli , Sun Huaichang
Published: March 2020

Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands have emerged as the attractive adjuvant for subunit vaccines. However, selection of TLR ligands needs to be rationally chosen on the basis of antigen and adjuvant properties. In the present study, we expressed the Ag473 lipoprotein from Neisseria meningitides, flagellin FlaB from Vibrio vulnificus and heat shock protein 70 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mHsp70) in Escherichia coli as single proteins and fusion proteins with VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Both cellular and humoral adjuvanticities of the three TLR ligands were compared by immunization of mice in two different ways. Among the three co-administered TLR ligands, recombinant Ag473 lipoprotein exhibited the highest cellular and humoral adjuvanticities, including promotion of IL-4, IL-12, IFN-γ and IBDV VP2-specific antibody production. Among the three genetically fused TLR ligands, fusion with Ag473 D1 domain exhibited the highest cellular and humoral adjuvanticities. Overall, the adjuvanticities of genetically fused TRL ligands were significantly higher than that of co-administered TLR ligands. Fusion with Ag473 D1 domain exhibited superior adjuvanticity among the three TLR ligands delivered in two different ways.
Local endothelial DNA repair deficiency causes aging-resembling endothelial-specific dysfunction
Authors: Bautista-Niño Paula K. , Portilla-Fernandez Eliana , Rubio-Beltrán Eloisa , van der Linden Janette J. , de Vries René , van Veghel Richard , de Boer Martine , Durik Matej , Ridwan Yanto , Brandt Renata , Essers Jeroen , Menzies Robert I. , Thomas Rachel , de Bruin Alain , Duncker Dirk J. , van Beusekom Heleen M.M. , Ghanbari Mohsen , Hoeijmakers Jan H.J. , Sedlacek Radislav , Touyz Rhian M. , Montezano Augusto C. , van der Pluijm Ingrid , Danser A.H. Jan , Haanes Kristian A. , Roks Anton J.M.
Published: March 2020

We previously identified genomic instability as a causative factor for vascular aging. In the present study, we determined which vascular aging outcomes are due to local endothelial DNA damage, which was accomplished by genetic removal of ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementation group 1) DNA repair in mice (EC-knockout (EC-KO) mice). EC-KO showed a progressive decrease in microvascular dilation of the skin, increased microvascular leakage in the kidney, decreased lung perfusion, and increased aortic stiffness compared with wild-type (WT). EC-KO showed expression of DNA damage and potential senescence marker p21 exclusively in the endothelium, as demonstrated in aorta. Also the kidney showed p21-positive cells. Vasodilator responses measured in organ baths were decreased in aorta, iliac and coronary artery EC-KO compared with WT, of which coronary artery was the earliest to be affected. Nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation was abolished in aorta and coronary artery, whereas endothelium-derived hyperpolarization and responses to exogenous nitric oxide (NO) were intact. EC-KO showed increased superoxide production compared with WT, as measured in lung tissue, rich in endothelial cells (ECs). Arterial systolic blood pressure (BP) was increased at 3 months, but normal at 5 months, at which age cardiac output (CO) was decreased. Since no further signs of cardiac dysfunction were detected, this decrease might be an adaptation to prevent an increase in BP. In summary, a selective DNA repair defect in the endothelium produces features of age-related endothelial dysfunction, largely attributed to loss of endothelium-derived NO. Increased superoxide generation might contribute to the observed changes affecting end organ perfusion, as demonstrated in kidney and lung.
Euclid: Nonparametric point spread function field recovery through interpolation on a graph Laplacian
Authors: Schmitz M. A. , Starck J.-L. , Ngole Mboula F. , Auricchio N. , Brinchmann J. , Vito Capobianco R. I. , Clédassou R. , Conversi L. , Corcione L. , Fourmanoit N. , Frailis M. , Garilli B. , Hormuth F. , Hu D. , Israel H. , Kermiche S. , Kitching T. D. , Kubik B. , Kunz M. , Ligori S. , Lilje P. B. , Lloro I. , Mansutti O. , Marggraf O. , Massey R. J. , Pasian F. , Pettorino V. , Raison F. , Rhodes J. D. , Roncarelli M. , Saglia R. P. , Schneider P. , Serrano S. , Taylor A. N. , Toledo-Moreo R. , Valenziano L. , Vuerli C. , Zoubian J.
Published: March 2020

Context.Future weak lensing surveys, such as theEuclidmission, will attempt to measure the shapes of billions of galaxies in order to derive cosmological information. These surveys will attain very low levels of statistical error, and systematic errors must be extremely well controlled. In particular, the point spread function (PSF) must be estimated using stars in the field, and recovered with high accuracy.

Aims.The aims of this paper are twofold. Firstly, we took steps toward a nonparametric method to address the issue of recovering the PSF field, namely that of finding the correct PSF at the position of any galaxy in the field, applicable toEuclid. Our approach relies solely on the data, as opposed to parametric methods that make use of our knowledge of the instrument. Secondly, we studied the impact of imperfect PSF models on the shape measurement of galaxies themselves, and whether common assumptions about this impact hold true in anEuclidscenario.

Methods.We extended the recently proposed resolved components analysis approach, which performs super-resolution on a field of under-sampled observations of a spatially varying, image-valued function. We added a spatial interpolation component to the method, making it a true 2-dimensional PSF model. We compared our approach toPSFEx, then quantified the impact of PSF recovery errors on galaxy shape measurements through image simulations.

Results.Our approach yields an improvement overPSFExin terms of the PSF model and on observed galaxy shape errors, though it is at present far from reaching the requiredEuclidaccuracy. We also find that the usual formalism used for the propagation of PSF model errors to weak lensing quantities no longer holds in the case of anEuclid-like PSF. In particular, different shape measurement approaches can react differently to the same PSF modeling errors.
HST/STIS transmission spectrum of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76 b confirms the presence of sodium in its atmosphere
Authors: von Essen C. , Mallonn M. , Hermansen S. , Nixon M. C. , Madhusudhan N. , Kjeldsen H. , Tautvaišienė G.
Published: March 2020

We present an atmospheric transmission spectrum of the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-76 b by analyzing archival data obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The dataset spans three transits, two with a wavelength coverage between 2900 and 5700 Å, and the third one between 5250 and 10 300 Å. From the one-dimensional, time dependent spectra we constructed white and chromatic light curves, the latter with typical integration band widths of ~200 Å. We computed the wavelength dependent planet-to-star radii ratios taking into consideration WASP-76’s companion. The resulting transmission spectrum of WASP-76 b is dominated by a spectral slope of increasing opacity towards shorter wavelengths of amplitude of about three scale heights under the assumption of planetary equilibrium temperature. If the slope is caused by Rayleigh scattering, we derive a lower limit to the temperature of ~870 K. Following-up on previous detection of atomic sodium derived from high resolution spectra, we re-analyzed HST data using narrower bands centered around sodium. From an atmospheric retrieval of this transmission spectrum, we report evidence of sodium at 2.9σ significance. In this case, the retrieved temperature at the top of the atmosphere (10−5 bar) is 2300−392+412 K. We also find marginal evidence for titanium hydride. However, additional high resolution ground-based data are required to confirm this discovery.
The grain size survival threshold in one-planet post-main-sequence exoplanetary systems
Authors: Zotos Euaggelos E. , Veras Dimitri
Published: March 2020

The size distribution and orbital architecture of dust, grains, boulders, asteroids, and major planets during the giant branch phases of evolution dictate the preponderance and observability of the eventual debris, which have been found to surround white dwarfs and pollute their atmospheres with metals. Here, we utilize the photogravitational planar restricted three-body problem in one-planet giant branch systems in order to characterize the orbits of grains as the parent star luminosity and mass undergo drastic changes. We perform a detailed dynamical analysis of the character of grain orbits (collisional, escape, or bounded) as a function of location and energy throughout giant branch evolution. We find that for stars with main-sequence masses of 2.0 M⊙, giant branch evolution, combined with the presence of a planet, ubiquitously triggers escape in grains smaller than about 1 mm, while leaving grains larger than about 5 cm bound to the star. This result is applicable for systems with either a terrestrial or giant planet, is largely independent of the location of the planet, and helps establish a radiative size threshold for escape of small particles in giant branch planetary systems.
Carbon footprint of an EUR-sized wooden and a plastic pallet
Authors: Deviatkin Ivan , Horttanainen Mika
Published: March 2020

Pallets are an essential element of existing logistics worldwide. Pallets are simple in structure, yet they can be made of different materials, in varying dimensions, and be marketed via alternative management systems. This paper examines a carbon footprint, an indicator of impact on climate change, of a widely used EUR-size (1200 mm × 800 mm) pallet made of wood or plastic using the data from previously published literature. The study is geographically representative of Finland, while time and technological representativeness depend on the studies reviewed. On average, the production of a wooden pallet, i.e. cradle-to-gate, has a partial carbon footprint of 5.0 kg CO2-eq. and of -34 kg CO2-eq. if accounting for carbon sequestration in wood. Manufacturing of a virgin plastic pallet releases 62 kg CO2-eq. Given the functional unit of 1000 customer trips and service life of 20 times for a wooden pallet and 66 times for a plastic pallet, the cradle-to-grave impacts of the wooden and the plastic pallets are 17 kg CO2-eq. and 1790 kg CO2-eq., respectively when the pallets are incinerated at the end-of-life, or 0.34 kg CO2-eq. per one wooden pallet and 120 kg CO2-eq. per one plastic pallet.
Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of severe metal pollution of street dust from various urban regions in Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Ali Abed Salwan , A Kadhum Safaa , Hussein Ewaid Salam , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: March 2020

This study sought to define the metals bioaccumulation from street dust in Baghdad, Iraq for the first time. The samples were collected that research the levels, sources, and health hazard model Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu. The geo accumulation Index (Igeo) found that the contamination level for Cd was moderately to strongly polluted in Karada, Jihad and Kinidi streets. Hence, it is important to measure the level of cadmium in the local environment. The relative bioaccumulation of chromium was high in Jadriyah Street (87.2%). The PCA showed two major sources of these minerals in Baghdad road dust that Cd, Zn are likely to originate from tire wear, brake wear and vehicular emissions as well as the fact that Cr and Cu originate from metal-processing industries. Assessing hazard to human health utilized measure population show suggested both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic hazards minerals Baghdad road dust harmless to human environment.
Influence of meteorological factors on ecosystem services value: a case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China
Authors: Zhu Zhenya , Zhao Zhengyuan , Wang Xiaoyuan , Li Hongqing , Yang Mengfei , Chen Lihua
Published: March 2020

Meteorological factors are one of the natural factors, which affect ecosystem services value (ESV). Influence of meteorological factors was studied in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region using ordinary least square (OLS) with geographical weighted regression (GWR). The main aim of this study was to reveal the differences in the influence mechanism at the global and local levels. The main meteorological factors influencing ESV were temperature and precipitation, followed by humidity. Days with annual daily precipitation≥0.1mm, annual minimum precipitation and annual average relative humidity were three important meteorological factors. Annual temperature range, annual minimum precipitation, days with annual daily precipitation≥0.1mm, in particular, the last one had an obvious positive effect. The positive and negative effects of annual average relative humidity were coexisting, and the negative effect was the main. It was obvious that the spatial distribution characteristics of the local influence mechanism. The local model of GWR can better solve the spatial non-stationarity of the dependent and independent variables, thus it was better than the global model of OLS. The results also provide detailed field information on the different effects of meteorological factors at different locations.
Transformation of flood risk management with evolutionary resilience
Authors: Herath HMM , Wijesekera NTS
Published: March 2020

The occurrence of flood disasters has become a vicious problem in many urban regions. Operationalization of flood resilience has become a significant concern with the increase of urban development and climate change. The objective of this paper is at first to analyze how flood resilience has been framed over the past period of time. Second, this paper has focused to identify the practical difficulties related to the available flood risk assessment and management frameworks for operationalization of flood resilience. The results show that the flood risk and resilience has been framed differently throughout the time, in diverse perspectives but still remains as contested concepts. Evolutionary resilience has been reframed the flood risk management system as an integrated and adaptive system with the recognition of the uncertainties due to the dynamics of socio-spatial interdependencies of flood risk. Therefore, the integration and the adaptive capacity of spatial planning has become a crucial aspect for operationalizing flood resilience which is governed through the knowledge base of the dominant discourses of stakeholders and the way of power and the resource exercised in the context.
Mathematical modelling of acoustic radiation force in transient shear wave elastography in the heart
Authors: Caforio Federica , Imperiale Sébastien
Published: March 2020

The aim of this work is to provide a mathematical model and analysis of the excitation and the resulting shear wave propagation in acoustic radiation force (ARF)-based shear wave cardiac elastography. Our approach is based on asymptotic analysis; more precisely, it consists in considering a family of problems, parametrised by a small parameter inversely proportional to the excitation frequency of the probes, the viscosity and the velocity of pressure wave propagation. We derive a simplified model for the expression of the ARF by investigating the limit behaviour of the solution when the small parameter goes to zero. By formal asymptotic analysis – an asymptotic expansion of the solution is used – and energy analysis of the nonlinear elastodynamic problem, we show that the leading-order term of the expansion is solution of the underlying, incompressible, nonlinear cardiac mechanics. Subsequently, two corrector terms are derived. The first is a fast-oscillating pressure wave generated by the probes, solution of a Helmholtz equation at every time. The second corrector term consists in an elastic field with prescribed divergence, having a function of the first corrector as a source term. This field corresponds to the shear acoustic wave induced by the ARF. We also confirm that, in cardiac mechanics, the presence of viscosity in the model is essential to derive an expression of the shear wave propagation from the ARF, and that this phenomenon is related to the nonlinearity of the partial differential equation.
Efficacy of vonoprazan for the prevention of bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection with continuous use of antiplatelet agents
Authors: Yoshii Shunsuke , Yamada Takuya , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Hayashi Yoshito , Nakahara Masanori , Shibukawa Narihiro , Yamamoto Masashi , Ishihara Ryu , Kinoshita Kazuo , Egawa Satoshi , Tsujii Yoshiki , Iijima Hideki , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: March 2020

Background Post-procedural bleeding, after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for high risk thromboembolic cases that require continuous antiplatelet therapy, is challenging. Its incidence rate is > 20 % among those using conventional antacids. We evaluated the efficacy of perioperative management with vonoprazan to prevent post-ESD bleeding.

Materials and methods This was a multicenter prospective interventional trial conducted at 10 Japanese referral centers. Patients who regularly used antiplatelet agents (aspirin or thienopyridine derivatives, etc.) and who required continuous antithrombotic medication due to high thromboembolic risk were enrolled. They underwent gastric ESD with continuous aspirin therapy. Oral administration of vonoprazan (20 mg daily) was started from the day of ESD and continued for 28 days. The primary end point was the incidence of post-ESD bleeding. The sample size was 50 patients, and vonoprazan was considered to be effective when the upper threshold of the 95 % confidence interval (CI) for post-ESD bleeding did not exceed 20 %.

Results Although 50 patients were enrolled, one patient withdrew consent. Therefore, 49 patients were included in the analysis. One patient who used aspirin and clopidogrel experienced bleeding 11 days after ESD. The overall post-ESD bleeding rate was 2.0 % (1/49; 95 %CI 0.4–10.7 %). Thromboembolic events were not observed. One case of ESD-associated adverse events (perforation) and one case of drug-associated adverse events (drug eruption, possibly due to vonoprazan) were observed.

Conclusions Vonoprazan may be efficacious for preventing post-ESD bleeding in patients using continuous antiplatelet therapy, warranting further comparative study to definitively test the effectiveness of the drug.
Usefulness of a dedicated mouthpiece for the Valsalva maneuver to visualize the hypopharynx during transoral endoscopy
Authors: Kato Minoru , Hayashi Yoshito , Uema Ryotaro , Saiki Hirotsugu , Kimura Keiichi , Inoue Takanori , Sakatani Akihiko , Yoshii Shunsuke , Tsujii Yoshiki , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Hida Eisuke , Iijima Hideki , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: March 2020

Background and study aims Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are at high risk of developing second primary SCCs in the hypopharynx. However, such second primary tumors are difficult to observe because of lumen closure. The Valsalva maneuver using a dedicated mouthpiece is a promising technique to visualize the hypopharynx during transoral endoscopy. In the current study, we investigated the utility of this method.

Patients and methods The current study was a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Patients with esophageal SCC were randomly assigned first to undergo pharyngeal observation using the dedicated mouthpiece followed by observation using a conventional mouthpiece, or vice versa. The primary endpoint was complete visualization of the hypopharynx, which was assessed blindly by three external evaluators.

Results A total of 68 pharyngeal examinations were analyzed – 34 with the dedicated mouthpiece and 34 with a conventional mouthpiece. Complete visualization was achieved in 68 % of the examinations (23/34) using the dedicated mouthpiece, whereas none of the examinations using the conventional mouthpiece achieved complete visualization of the hypopharynx. Observation scores of the oropharynx were not significantly different between both types of examination (P = 0.50). No serious adverse events (AEs) occurred.

Conclusions Endoscopic view of the hypopharynx was markedly improved by the Valsalva maneuver using the dedicated mouthpiece, with no serious AEs. This procedure should be included in the endoscopic examinations for the patients with esophageal SCCs.
Possible nuclear fusion of deuteron in the cores of Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, and brown dwarfs
Authors: Fukuhara Mikio
Published: March 2020

Many brown dwarfs have recently been discovered as sub-stellar objects in which deuteron thermonuclear fusion is taking place. Although Jupiter and Saturn emit nearly twice as much heat as they absorb from the Sun, their internal heat-generation mechanisms have been determined to differ from the nuclear fusion that fuels brown dwarfs because they have a mass factor of 0.023–0.077 less than that of brown dwarfs. The possibility for deuteron nuclear fusion in the Earth’s core has not been well studied. Here, we compare the conditions for electron degeneracy pressure and temperature for the cores with an Fe–D compound of Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn to the core with deuterium gases of the coldest brown dwarf, WISE 1828+2650, in respect to three-body deuteron nuclear fusion, based on electron capture and internal conversion processes. Our results suggest that deuteron nuclear fusion is possible in the cores of Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn as well the coldest brown dwarf.
Three-dimensional pyramid metamaterial with tunable broad absorption bandwidth
Authors: Huang Weikai , Xu Ruijia , Lin Yu-Sheng , Chen Chang-Han
Published: March 2020

Three designs of tunable broadband resonators using three-dimensional pyramid metamaterials (3DPMs) are presented. They are pyramid-shaped absorbers with nine taper steps from bottom to top. Each step of three 3DPMs is composed of a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) layer, a metal–insulator–metal–insulator–metal (MIMIM) layer, and a metal–insulator–metal–insulator–metal–insulator–metal (MIMIMIM) layer denoted as 3DPM-1, 3DPM-2, and 3DPM-3, respectively. 3DPMs exhibit ultra-broad bandwidths of 9.56 µm spanning the wavelength of 8.88 µm–18.44 µm. Within the whole absorption bandwidth, there are near-perfect absorptions of 96.57%, 97.61%, and 99.15% for 3DPM-1, 3DPM-2, and 3DPM-3, respectively, at the strongest resonant wavelength. The average absorption intensities are 84.86%, 83.92%, and 87.47%, respectively, calculated at the whole absorption bandwidths. To enhance the flexibility of the proposed 3DPMs, we choose 3DPM-1 as an example to design a slot gap between 3DPM-1. By changing this gap from 0 nm to 250 nm, the absorption spectra could be tuned from the bandwidth of 9.56 µm to 3.56 µm. The absorption intensity can be kept as high as 80%. These superior electromagnetic characteristics provide the proposed 3DPMs to be used for sensor, detector, energy harvesting, and imaging applications with polarization-dependence, tunable bandwidth, broad absorption bandwidth, and high interference resistance characterizations.
A switchable terahertz reflectarray consisting of crossed metal dipoles set in a graphene grid
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Mei Zhonglei , Cheng Lin , Cao Pengfei , Niu Tiaoming
Published: March 2020

A switchable reflectarray antenna composed of crossed metal dipoles mounted on a graphene grid is proposed for switchable radiation patterns at 1 THz. For an individual radiating element, the single graphene square loop works together with the metal dipoles to offer a corresponding phase response. As an entirety, the grid formed by the attached graphene loops is connected to a particular bias electrode for switchable operation. Taking the practical manufacturing technique into account, the graphene-oxide-silicon structure is used as the bias electrode. The simulated phase response shows that a phase range over 330° is obtained by changing the dimension of the metal dipoles from 11 μm to 70 μm. The simulated field distributions and radiation patterns demonstrate that the proposed structure can deflect the normal incident plane waves in the predesigned direction when it is biased in a specific state. Once the bias is set to zero, incident plane waves are scattered into different directions.
Carrier recombination of organic-inorganic 3D halide perovskite single crystals
Authors: He Chao , Li Xia , Wu Yu-hao , Dai Hai-Lung , Zhao Dong-feng , Chen Yang
Published: March 2020

Organic-inorganic 3D halide perovskite materials recently have become one of the major players of hybrid semiconductors for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. The diffusion length of charge carriers is one of the critical parameters for justifying photovoltaic applications of materials. In this work, we propose a realistic kinetic model in order to fully understand carrier relaxation rate of photoexcited organic perovskites with a negligible exciton formation in photoluminescence lifetime measurements. We find that the extraction of carrier relaxation rate has to be made from multiple fluence-dependent photoluminescence lifetime measurements with global fittings, instead of a traditional single-fluence lifetime measurement. To demonstrate the validity of the model, two kinds of p-doped CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals were grown up by intentionally increasing defects. Global fittings of the kinetic model to the two kinds of single crystals yield doping density, trap density, and recombination constants. Our methodology provides a self-contained approach to determine diffusion lengths of organic 3D halide perovskite materials.
A quantum wavepacket study of state-to-state photodissociation
dynamics of HOBr/DOBr
Authors: Zhang Liang , Jiang Bin
Published: March 2020

Photodissociation of HOBr is an important step in the reaction network of the depletion of ozone in stratosphere. Here, we report the first three-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the lowest three singlet states for HOBr, based on high level multi reference configuration interaction calculations. Quantum dynamics calculations are performed with a real wavepacket method, yielding not only absorption spectra but also internal state and angular distributions of the photodissociation fragments. Our results agree quantitatively with the measured total absorption cross sections of HOBr in the ultraviolet region and reproduce well the observed vibrationally cold and rotationally hot OH/OD fragments via photodissociation of HOBr/DOBr at 266 nm. In addition, we predict that the recoil anisotropy parameters for OH/OD are close to the limiting value of a parallel transition, suggesting a rapid dissociation process at 266 nm following an in-plane transition from the ground state (11A′) to the 21A′ state. This is consistent with the experimental conclusion derived from the measured rotational alignment. However, spin and electronic angular momenta need to be taken into account in the future to achieve a more quantitative agreement with experiment. Our work is expected to motivate further experimental investigations for this benchmark system.
Electronic stability of bimetallic Au2@Cu6 nanocluster: Closed-shell interaction and multicenter bonding
Authors: Ma Ying-ying , Yu Yuan-qin , Cheng Long-jiu
Published: March 2020

Metallophilic interaction is a unique type of weak intermolecular interaction, where the electronic configuration of two metal atoms is closed shell. Despite its significance in multidisciplinary fields, the nature of metallophilic interaction is still not well understood. In this work, we investigated the electronic structures and bonding characteristic of bimetallic Au2@Cu6 nanocluster through density functional theory method, which was reported in experiments recently [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 3611 (2016)]. In general thinking, interaction between two moieties of (CuSH)6 ring and (Au2PH3)2 in the Au2@Cu6 nanocluster can be viewed as a d10-σ closed-shell interaction. However, chemical bonding analysis shows that there is a ten center-two electron (10c-2e) multicenter bonding between two moieties. Further comparative studies on other bimetallic nanocluster M2@Cu6 (M=Ag, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg) also revealed that multicenter bonding is the origin of electronic stability of the complexes besides the d10-σ closed-shell interaction. This will provide valuable insights into the understanding of closed-shell interactions.
Dynamics studies of diglycine scattering from highly oriented pyrolytic
graphite
Authors: Zhou Lin-sen , Wang Ying-qi , Guo Hua
Published: March 2020

The dynamics of neutral diglycine collision with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were studied by molecular dynamics simulations using a reactive force field. The simulations were performed at an initial incident energy of 481.5 kJ/mol for four different initial incident polar angles of 0°, 20°, 45°, and 70°, and a surface temperature of 677 K. The angular, translational and internal energy, and residence time distributions of the scattered products were determined and analyzed. As a polyatomic molecule, diglycine has several low frequency vibrational modes and shows a rather strong attraction to HOPG, which leads to a long residence time on the surface and facile energy loss, particularly along the normal surface. Since there is significant normal momentum lost while parallel momentum is partially conserved, the scattering angular distribution is found to be generally superspecular and the final translational energies are much lower than the values predicted by the so-called hard-cube model. This study extends our knowledge of collisional energy transfer during collisions of polypeptide molecules with HOPG, which is expected to help the design of a neutral-gas concentrator for the fly-by collection of such molecules in rarefied atmospheres.
F−(H2O)+CH3I ligand exchange reaction dynamics
Authors: Bastian Björn , Michaelsen Tim , Ončák Milan , Meyer Jennifer , Wester Roland
Published: March 2020

Single hydration of the gas phase F−+CH3I→ I−+CH3F reaction allows to probe solvent effects on a fundamental nucleophilic substitution reaction. At the same time, the addition of a solvent molecule opens alternative product channels. Here, we present crossed beam imaging results on the dynamics of the F−(H2O)+CH3I→[FCH3I]−+H2O ligand exchange pathway at collision energies between 0.3 and 2.6 eV. Product kinetic energies are constrained by the stability requirement of the weakly bound product complexes. This implies substantial internal excitation of the water molecule and disfavors efficient energy redistribution in an intermediate complex, which is reflected by the suppression of low kinetic energies as collision energy increases. At 0.3 eV, internal nucleophilic displacement is important and is discussed in light of the competing nucleophilic substitution pathways that form I− and I−(H2O).
Kinetics study on reaction between dihydroartemisinic acid and singlet oxygen: An essential step to photochemical synthesis of artemisinin
Authors: Zhang Xian-wang , Zhao Xuan , Liu Kun-hui , Sub Hong-mei
Published: March 2020

Artemisinin is an excellent antimalarial drug widely used in clinical medicine. However, due to the limitation of natural source of artemisinin, the chemical synthesis of artemisinin has achieved substantial attention. Dihydroartemisinic acid is a key precursor for the synthesis of artemisinin. The reaction of dihydroartemisinic acid with singlet oxygen to form peroxide is a pivotal step in the photochemical preparation of artemisinin. Nevertheless, the reaction kinetics of dihydroartemisinic acid with singlet oxygen has not been investigated previously. Herein, we report the rate constants of the reaction between dihydroartemisinic acid and singlet oxygen. By directly detecting the luminescence decay kinetics of singlet oxygen at 1270 nm at room temperature, the reaction rate constants of singlet oxygen and dihydroartemisinic acid in different solvents are obtained to be 1.81×105 (mol/L)−1·s−1 in CCl4, 5.69×105 (mol/L)−1·s−1 in CH3CN, and 3.27×106 (mol/L)−1·s−1 in DMSO, respectively. It is found that the reaction rate constants of dihydroartemisinic acid with singlet oxygen increase as polarity of the solvent increases among the three solvents. These results provide fundamental knowledge to optimize experiment conditions of photochemical synthesis of artemisinin for improving the yields of artemisinin.
First-principles calculations of structural and electronic properties of layered AxRhO2 (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)
Authors: Guo Rui , Zhu Zhi-An , Chen Y. B. , Yao Shu-Hua , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2020

Layered transition metal oxides, such as NaxCoO2, are known for their various interesting physical phenomena, which are mainly due to the strong correlation of the transition elements and tunable concentration of alkali metals. Here, we have systematically investigated the structural and electronic properties of 4d layered transition metal oxides AxRhO2 (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) by first-principles calculations. It is found that when the concentration (x) of alkali ions in AxRhO2 increases, the in-plane lattice constant (a) increases while the out-of-plane one (c) decreases. In the case of stoichiometric ARhO2 (i.e., x = 1), both lattice constants (a and c) increase when the alkali ions changes from Li to Cs. The calculated electronic band structures and density of states indicate that all the stoichiometric ARhO2 compounds are indirect band-gap semiconductors with band gaps ranging from 3 eV to 3.6 eV. Finally, we calculate the Fermi surfaces of KxRhO2 and demonstrate the Lifshitz transition, which could be triggered by potassiation/depotassiation in experiments. Despite the structural similarity between these materials, we have observed the difference in their band structures at the valence band maximum, which will possibly result in a different behavior of the Lifshitz transition. Our calculations point out the similarities and the subtle differences between different alkali rhodates, which give some useful information for future experimental works on these materials.