bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Cold Storage on Adenosine Diphosphate-Mediated Platelet Responsiveness
Authors: Koessler Juergen , Klingler Philipp , Niklaus Marius , Weber Katja , Koessler Angela , Boeck Markus , Kobsar Anna
Published: August 2020

Introduction Cold storage of platelets is considered to contribute to lower risk of bacterial growth and to more efficient hemostatic capacity. For the optimization of storage strategies, it is required to further elucidate the influence of refrigeration on platelet integrity. This study focused on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-related platelet responsiveness.

Materials and Methods Platelets were prepared from apheresis-derived platelet concentrates or from peripheral whole blood, stored either at room temperature or at 4°C. ADP-induced aggregation was tested with light transmission. Activation markers, purinergic receptor expression, and P2Y12 receptor function were determined by flow cytometry. P2Y1 and P2X1 function was assessed by fluorescence assays, cyclic nucleotide concentrations by immunoassays, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP)-phosphorylation levels by Western blot analysis.

Results In contrast to room temperature, ADP-induced aggregation was maintained under cold storage for 6 days, associated with elevated activation markers like fibrinogen binding or CD62P expression. Purinergic receptor expression was not essentially different, whereas P2Y1 function deteriorated rapidly at cold storage, but not P2Y12 activity. Inhibitory pathways of cold-stored platelets were characterized by reduced responses to nitric oxide and prostaglandin E1. Refrigeration of citrated whole blood also led to the attenuation of induced inhibition of platelet aggregation, detectable within 24 hours.

Conclusion ADP responsiveness is preserved under cold storage for 6 days due to stable P2Y12 activity and concomitant disintegration of inhibitory pathways enabling a higher reactivity of stored platelets. The ideal storage time at cold temperature for the highest hemostatic effect of platelets should be evaluated in further studies.
Special Considerations for Diabetic Foot Reconstruction
Authors: Suh Hyunsuk Peter , Park Changsik John , Hong Joon Pio
Published: August 2020

Successful reconstruction of diabetic ulcers using free flap surgery can prevent further amputation and promote limb salvage to maintain normal gait of the patient and increase the quality of life after surgery. To minimize the postoperative complication and days of stay in hospital, surgeons should thoroughly investigate the risk factors and underlying conditions, including the general condition and local factors.
Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood: A Series of Genetically Confirmed Four Cases from Southern India with Review of Published Literature
Authors: Bhardwaj Naveen Kumar , Gowda Vykuntaraju K. , Sardesai Ashwin Vivek
Published: August 2020

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder with mutation on ATP1A3 gene. Delay in diagnosis and inappropriate diagnosis are common. In this article, we described four genetically confirmed AHC patients to provide an improved understanding of the disorder. First symptom in two patients was seizures and in other two patients was abnormal eye deviation. All had onset of plegic attacks within the first 18 months of their life. Tone abnormalities and movement disorders were present in all patients. Electroencephalogram was abnormal in two patients and all had normal magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Response to treatment of plegic attacks was poor and also epilepsy was drug resistant. All cases had significant development delay and disability as of last follow-up. Although there is no effective treatment so far, early diagnosis is required to avoid unnecessary treatment.
Interventional Radiology Management of Renal Pseudoaneurysms: Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Gorsi Ujjwal , Soundararajan Raghuraman , Jugpal Tejeshwar Singh , Lal Anupam , Shetty Sreedhara B , Kalra Naveen , Kang Mandeep , Sandhu Manavjit Singh
Published: August 2020

Objectives Renal pseudoaneurysms are multifactorial in origin, and angioembolization remains the mainstay of treatment. Few case reports have also described percutaneous embolization using glue or thrombin. Our study aimed to evaluate the predictors of active bleed by analyzing their etiology, morphology, imaging features, and treatment adopted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest such study done in India.

Methods This was a retrospective study of patients treated for renal pseudoaneurysms between 2014 and 2019. We reviewed their clinical data, treatment modalities used, and clinical outcomes. We also assessed computed tomography angiography (CTA) and conventional angiography images.

Results A total of 79 patients (54 males and 25 females) were included in the study. The mean age was 39.5 years (range 15–83 years). The most common cause was renal biopsy, followed by surgery. Of these, three patients (3.9%) had more than one lesion and 57% of pseudoaneurysms were seen in lower polar arteries. Active contrast extravasation was seen in 15.2% (n = 12) of the patients and 21.5% (n = 17) showed lobulations in CT and digital substraction angiography. The mean size of the pseudoaneurysms was 1.17 cm (SD 0.7); 22.8% of pseudoaneurysms were wide necked. The embolization was approached by endovascular (89.9%), percutaneous (10.1%), or both (1.3%) routes. Embolization was performed using microcoils (78.5%), gel foam (12.7%), N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue (8.9%), polyvinyl alcohol (8.9%), and thrombin (5.1%) either as a single agent or in combination. The technical success was achieved in all cases after the first procedure. Pseudoaneurysms with a wide neck (p = 0.03) and lobulations (p = 0.002) were associated with active contrast extravasation. Episodes of rebleeding were seen at a younger age (p-value = 0.02).

Conclusion Minimally invasive methods remain the cornerstone in the management of renal pseudoaneurysms with high success rates. The morphology of pseudoaneurysms can help predict the risk of active bleeding and decide the type of intervention. Direct percutaneous injection into the aneurysm sac is an alternate technique and should be considered when an endovascular approach is challenging.
Practical Ethical Approaches for Common Issues in Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Lancaster Cheryl
Published: August 2020

The aim of this commentary is to provide clinicians with the tools needed (or, at least, knowledge of where to find them) to navigate the often-turbulent seas of medical ethics. The cases described and questions asked in this issue are not only relevant to pediatric epilepsy but also typical of quandaries faced frequently by health care professionals (HCPs). By examining these cases and extrapolating the ethical questions raised, the clinician will find that there are several ethical approaches that can be taken and may lead to a variety of ways forward. However, by employing the ideas highlighted in this commentary, it is my hope that HCPs will be able to identify these various points of view, evaluate their options, and act in ways that are ethically justifiable.
Stability and transition on a Coandă cylinder
Authors: Dunaevich Lev , Greenblatt David
Published: August 2020

An experimental stability and transition investigation of a centrifugally unstable wall jet blown from a slot over a circular Coandă cylinder was conducted using flow visualization and particle image velocimetry. Clear and unambiguous observations of spontaneously generated stationary streamwise structures, never observed previously, were analyzed using standard image processing techniques. These structures ultimately exhibited a secondary time-dependent wavy instability that was followed by transition to turbulence. A modified Görtler number, based on the slot height, was used as a basis for comparison to linear stability theory and was directly related to the Reynolds number via geometric scaling. Direct observation of the vortices allowed the identification of an upper limit to the critical Görtler number of 6.3 that bracketed the value of 3.5 from the linear stability theory. The vortical shear layer grew exponentially along the azimuth and was characterized by a Reynolds number dependent growth rate parameter. Extrapolation of the growth rate parameter to zero furnished a critical Görtler number of 3.1 ± 1.25 (95% CI) that compared remarkably well with the linear stability theory. The shear layer separation angle did not vary monotonically with the Reynolds number: as the Reynolds number increased, the thicker boundary layer was more susceptible to separation, and thus, the separation angle, relative to the slot, decreased. However, following transition to turbulence at higher Reynolds numbers (≈400), the high-momentum fluid near the wall, resulting from turbulent mixing, produced a subsequent increase in the separation angle.
Strong band-filling-dependence of the scattering lifetime in gated MoS2 nanolayers induced by the opening of intervalley scattering channels
Authors: Romanin Davide , Brumme Thomas , Daghero Dario , Gonnelli Renato S. , Piatti Erik
Published: August 2020

Gated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) exhibits a rich phase diagram upon increasing electron doping, including a superconducting phase, a polaronic reconstruction of the band structure, and structural transitions away from the 2H polytype. The average time between two charge-carrier scattering events—the scattering lifetime—is a key parameter to describe charge transport and obtain physical insight into the behavior of such a complex system. In this paper, we combine the solution of the Boltzmann transport equation (based on ab initio density-functional theory calculations of the electronic band structure) with the experimental results concerning the charge-carrier mobility in order to determine the scattering lifetime in gated MoS2 nanolayers as a function of electron doping and temperature. From these dependencies, we assess the major sources of charge-carrier scattering upon increasing band filling and discover two narrow ranges of electron doping where the scattering lifetime is strongly suppressed. We identify the opening of additional intervalley scattering channels connecting the simultaneously filled K/K′ and Q/Q′ valleys in the Brillouin zone as the source of these reductions, which are triggered by the two Lifshitz transitions induced by the filling of the high-energy Q/Q′ valleys upon increasing electron doping.
“You can’t say that”
Authors: Otsri Magi
Published: August 2020

Why does our moral intuition tend to differ when a person uses deprecating speech towards her own affiliation group as
opposed to an outer affiliation group? This paper offers a descriptive mapping of moral intuitions behind group self-deprecation (GSD) as
stemming from two theoretical fields: pragmatics and standing. The first possible explanation to our moral intuition focuses on the moral
flaw in the utterance of condemned (i.e., the person using GSD). Here, I argue our moral intuition suggests the group
affiliation of the condemned affects the utterance’s pragmatic interpretation, thus affecting its offensiveness. An alternative explanation
focuses on the critic. Here, I argue practices of standing lay behind the offhand rejection of critiques from outer-group
members, regardless of their validity.
Maji ssu ka? Isn’t that honorific?
Authors: Akagi Nobuaki , Bryce Mio , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

Japanese honorifics used by younger generations are dynamic sites of tensions and discrepancies due to disagreeable conceptions and interpretations among different generations and social groups. It has become a social issue in modern Japanese society often described as keigo no midare ‘disorder in honorific’. This article examines the increased use of ssu by young Japanese speakers as a substitution of the polite form copular desu. This honorific expression plays a role as a relatively new polite form to convey ambivalent emotions to express respect and concurrently their desire to seek affinity and engagement. By analysing Japanese fictions, popular cultures and online-blog comments on the use of ssu, we demonstrate diversity in the social perception of this new honorific.
Analyzing interdiscursivity in legal genres
Authors: Ren Wei , Bhatia Vijay K. , Han Zhengrui
Published: August 2020

The traditional simplistic understanding of legal genre as homogeneous texts of legalese is recently confronted by
researches focusing on the contextual aspects of legal communication, i.e. the production, circulation, and consumption of legal genres in
diverse institutional contexts (Candlin and Maley 1997; D’hondt and Van Der Houwen 2014). It is, according to these researches, more reasonable to think of legal genres as a hybrid
combining the operation of different heterogeneous discourses. This article takes the broad contextual perspective, draws on the theory of
critical genre analysis (Bhatia 2016) and attempts to explore the discursive heterogeneity in one of the Chinese legal genres – the lawyers’
defense opinions. Both textual and interpretative analysis are conducted in order to identify specific discourses that underline Chinese
lawyers’ preparation of defense opinions, and to look at how Chinese lawyers linguistically construct the different discourses to fulfill
the ultimate purpose of justifying the defendant’s actions.
Evaluation of stress voltage on off-state time-dependent breakdown for GaN MIS-HEMT with SiNx gate dielectric*
Authors: Que Tao-Tao , Zhao Ya-Wen , Qiu Qiu-Ling , Li Liu-An , He Liang , Zhang Jin-Wei , Feng Chen-Liang , Liu Zhen-Xing , Wu Qian-Shu , Chen Jia , Li Cheng-Lang , Zhang Qi , Rao Yun-Liang , He Zhi-Yuan , Liu Yang
Published: August 2020

Stress voltages on time-dependent breakdown characteristics of GaN MIS-HEMTs during negative gate bias stress (with V
GS < 0, V
D = V
S = 0) and off-state stress (V
G < V
Th, V
DS > 0, V
S = 0) are investigated. For negative bias stress, the breakdown time distribution (β) decreases with the increasing negative gate voltage, while β is larger for higher drain voltage at off-state stress. Two humps in the time-dependent gate leakage occurred under both breakdown conditions, which can be ascribed to the dielectric breakdown triggered earlier and followed by the GaN layer breakdown. Combining the electric distribution from simulation and long-term monitoring of electric parameter, the peak electric fields under the gate edges at source and drain sides are confirmed as the main formation locations for per-location paths during negative gate voltage stress and off-state stress, respectively.
Quantum plasmons in the hybrid nanostructures of double vacancy defected graphene and metallic nanoarrays*
Authors: Tang Rui , Xu Yang , Zhang Hong , Cheng Xin-Lu
Published: August 2020

We study the plasmonic properties of hybrid nanostructures consisting of double vacancy defected graphene (DVDGr) and metallic nanoarrays using the time-dependent density functional theory. It is found that DVDGr with pure and mixed noble/transition-metal nanoarrays can produce a stronger light absorption due to the coherent resonance of plasmons than graphene nanostructures. Comparing with the mixed Au/Pd nanoarrays, pure Au nanoarrays have stronger plasmonic enhancement. Furthermore, harmonics from the hybrid nanostructures exposed to the combination of lasers ranged from ultraviolet to infrared and a controlling pulse are investigated theoretically. The harmonic plateau can be broadened significantly and the energy of harmonic spectra is dramatically extended by the controlling pulse. Thus, it is possible to tune the width and intensity of harmonic spectrum to achieve broadband absorption of radiation. The methodology described here not only improves the understanding of the surface plasmon effect used in a DVDGr-metal optoelectronic device but also may be applicable to different optical technologies.
Distribution of a polymer chain between two interconnected spherical cavities*
Authors: Wang Chao , Chen Ying-Cai , Zhang Shuang , Qi Hang-Kai , Luo Meng-Bo
Published: August 2020

The equilibrium distribution of a polymer chain between two interconnected spherical cavities (a small one with radius R
s and a large one with radius R
l) is studied by using Monte Carlo simulation. A conformational transition from a double-cavity-occupation (DCO) state to a single-cavity-occupation (SCO) state is observed. The dependence of the critical radius of the small cavity (R
sC) where the transition occurs on R
l and the polymer length N can be described by

R

sC

∝

N

1
/
3

R
l

1
−
1
/
3
ν

with ν being the Flory exponent, and meanwhile the equilibrium number (m
s) of monomers in the small cavity for the DCO phase can be expressed as m
s = N/((R
l/R
s)3 + 1), which can be quantitatively understood by using the blob picture. Moreover, in the SCO phase, the polymer is found to prefer staying in the large cavity.
Network analysis and spatial agglomeration of China’s high-speed rail: A dual network approach*
Authors: Wang Wei , Du Wen-Bo , Li Wei-Han , Tong Lu (Carol) , Wang Jiao-E
Published: August 2020

China has the largest high-speed railway (HSR) system in the world, and it has gradually reshaped the urban network. The HSR system can be represented as different types of networks in terms of the nodes and various relationships (i.e., linkages) between them. In this paper, we first introduce a general dual network model, including a physical network (PN) and a logical network (LN) to provide a comparative analysis for China’s high-speed rail network via complex network theory. The PN represents a layout of stations and rail tracks, and forms the basis for operating all trains. The LN is a network composed of the origin and destination stations of each high-speed train and the train flows between them. China’s high-speed railway (CHSR) has different topological structures and link strengths for PN in comparison with the LN. In the study, the community detection is used to analyze China’s high-speed rail networks and several communities are found to be similar to the layout of planned urban agglomerations in China. Furthermore, the hierarchies of urban agglomerations are different from each other according to the strength of inter-regional interaction and intra-regional interaction, which are respectively related to location and spatial development strategies. Moreover, a case study of the Yangtze River Delta shows that the hub stations have different resource divisions and are major contributors to the gap between train departure and arrival flows.
A novel high breakdown voltage and high switching speed GaN HEMT with p-GaN gate and hybrid AlGaN buffer layer for power electronics applications*
Authors: Liu Yong , Yu Qi , Du Jiang-Feng
Published: August 2020

A novel p-GaN gate GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) with an AlGaN buffer layer and hybrid dielectric zone (H-HEMT) is proposed. The hybrid dielectric zone is located in the buffer and composed of horizontal arranged HfO2 zone and SiN
x
zone. The proposed H-HEMT is numerically simulated and optimized by the Silvaco TCAD tools (ATLAS), and the DC, breakdown, C–V and switching properties of the proposed device are characterized. The breakdown voltage of the proposed HEMT is significantly improved with the introduction of the hybrid dielectric zone, which can effectively modulate the electric field distribution in the GaN channel and the buffer. High breakdown voltage of 1490 V, low specific on-state resistance of 0.45 mΩ⋅cm2 and high Baliga’s figure of merit (FOM) of 5.3 GW/cm2, small R
on
Q
oss of 212 mΩ⋅nC, high turn-on speed 627 V/ns and high turn-off speed 87 V/ns are obtained at the same time with the gate-to-drain distance L
gd of 6 μm.
A two-dimensional quantum walk driven by a single two-side coin*
Authors: Lin Quan , Qin Hao , Wang Kun-Kun , Xiao Lei , Xue Peng
Published: August 2020

We study a two-dimensional quantum walk with only one walker alternatively walking along the horizontal and vertical directions driven by a single two-side coin. We find the analytical expressions of the first two moments of the walker’s position distribution in the long-time limit, which indicates that the variance of the position distribution grows quadratically with walking steps, showing a ballistic spreading typically for quantum walks. Besides, we analyze the correlation by calculating the quantum mutual information and the measurement-induced disturbance respectively as the outcome of the walk in one dimension is correlated to the other with the coin as a bridge. It is shown that the quantum correlation between walker spaces increases gradually with the walking steps.
Enhanced understanding of poleward migration of tropical cyclone genesis
Authors: Shan Kaiyue , Yu Xiping
Published: August 2020

The known trends of poleward migration for the tropical cyclone (TC) genesis in both hemispheres are discussed from different perspectives. It is shown that the poleward migration rate of the annually averaged latitude of TC genesis in the Northern Hemisphere is significantly affected by the regional variations of TC number in recent decades, especially an increase in the North Atlantic Ocean and a decrease in the western North Pacific Ocean. The poleward migration rates of TC genesis in the two hemispheres get closer when the effect of the regional TC number variation is excluded. The poleward migration of TC genesis without the effect of regional TC number variation is found to have a good correlation with the poleward shift of the edges of the tropics in both hemispheres. A decreasing trend of the cyclonic vorticity in the lower-troposphere over the tropical ocean regions is also identified in both hemispheres, which leads to a poleward shift of the equatorward boundary for TC genesis. The poleward migration of TC genesis after the effect of regional TC number variation is excluded and can thus be considered as a result of the tropical expansion. It is shown that the genesis of TCs with a different intensity has a different migration rate. When excluding the effect of the regional TC number variation, the poleward migration of TCs with a different intensity has a similar trend in both hemispheres. The tropical storms and intense typhoons have significant poleward migration trends, while the weak typhoons behave differently.
Fabrication and in-vitro experimental study on an implantable controlled drug delivery system with micro-hole for zero-order release
Authors: Gao Yang , Chen Lei , Huo Yaguang , Xu Chao , Li Suli , Yang Laixia
Published: August 2020

Drug delivery is essential for effective therapy. Implantable controlled drug delivery systems (ICDDS) have become a research focus due to the associated advantages of continuous, long-duration, sustained delivery and the reduced side effects associated with this form of drug release. ICDDS can be designed to release drugs in accordance with different demands. Zero-order drug release, which involves a theoretically linear relationship between the cumulative amount of released drug and the amount of time taken for the release, is an important drug release rule for the control of chronic diseases. However, the release process is influenced by various parameters and zero-order drug release is therefore difficult to achieve. In this study, to achieve zero-order drug release, an implantable controlled drug delivery system with micro-hole (ICDDSM) was designed and fabricated with degradable polymer. Based on micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, ICDDSM matrixes with circular and honeycomb structures were fabricated using the hot-press shaping method at a temperature of 75 °C, 30 N of force which were maintained for 150 s. A micro-hole with a diameter 100 μm was formed using a femto-second laser. 5-fluorouracil was loaded into the ICDDSM and in-vitro experiments were conducted in 37 °C normal saline solution. The experimental results showed that the 20 mg of loaded 5-fluorouracil was released in 720 h with the relationship between the cumulative amount of released drug and the drug release time tending predominantly toward linearity. Zero-order drug release was thus achieved. This study proposed a new degradable ICDDS structure to achieve zero-order drug release, and the hot-press shaping process proved feasible for the efficient fabrication of the lower-cost polymer structure.
Optimization, characterization and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against plant bacterial pathogens phyto-synthesized by Mentha longifolia
Authors: Javed Bilal , Nadhman Akhtar , Mashwani Zia-ur-Rehman
Published: August 2020

The present study involves the Phyto-synthesis of the colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their applications to biologically control plant bacterial pathogens. The synthesis of AgNPs was monitored by measuring the absorbance and a characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band was observed at 450 nm. The different reaction conditions such as the temperature, incubation period, the concentration of the silver salt and the pH were optimized using the factorial design of the experiment for the better yield and the synthesis of AgNPs. The microscopic results showed that the AgNPs are anisotropic and nearly spherical and exist in the size range of ∼20–100 nm while the EDX analysis confirmed the presence of the elemental Ag. The x-ray diffraction pattern confirmed that the AgNPs are crystalline. The hydrodynamic diameter of AgNPs has measured in the range of ∼13–35 nm and the average size of a single particle was 15.55 nm. The ability of the AgNPs to biologically control the plant bacterial pathogens was measured in terms of antibacterial activity against gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains; Pectobacterium carotovorum, Xanthomonas oryzae, Xanthomonas vesicatoria and Ralstonia solanacearum and potential antimicrobial activity were observed between 2–12 μg ml−1. The biocompatibility studies revealed that the AgNPs are highly biocompatible (LD100 208 μg ml−1) against RBCs. These findings endorse the applications of AgNPs to biological control the plant bacterial pathogens and the consumption of the plants treated with NPs is biocompatible for the humans.
Optimization on heat-transfer coefficient of plate heat exchanger using MWCNT-TiO2 nanofluid by response surface methodology
Authors: Alqahtani Abdullah Saleh , Alenazy Wael Mohammad , Pandiaraj Saravanan
Published: August 2020

In this present study, MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanocomposite synthesized by solvothermal synthesis method with TiCl4 as a precursor. Then the hybrid nanocomposite based nanofluid produced using base fluid water/Ethylene-glycol (50:50). The microscopic techniques like SEM, TEM and XRD were used to characterize the morphological studies of synthesized MWCNT-TiO2. The heat-transfer coefficient of synthesized nanofluid inside the Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) has experimented at selected levels of particle concentrations, inlet temperature and volume flow rate by RSM based Box-Behnken method. The findings revealed a more substantial linear effect at the heat-transfer coefficient of MWCNT-TiO2 hybrid nanofluid by chosen process parameters. ANOVA results showed that the heat-transfer coefficient of hybrid nanofluid considerably enhanced at a selected higher level of particle concentration and volume flow rate of the MWNCT-TiO2 hybrid nanofluid. At the same time, the heat-transfer coefficient decreased at a higher level of inlet temperature of MWNCT-TiO2 hybrid nanofluid. The optimization result compared with the confirmatory experiments, and it yielded less than 1% error which ensures a better agreement with the predicted results.
Assessment of high-k gate stacked In2O5Sn gate recessed channel MOSFET for x-ray radiation reliability
Authors: Kumar Ajay
Published: August 2020

This work reports the effect of x-ray radiation on In2O5Sn based Transparent Gate Recessed Channel (TGRC) MOSFET with the high-k dielectric at the sub-20 nm regime. Reliability of TGRC-MOSFET with a high-k dielectric in harsh radiation environment (x-ray radiation in the 1k to 10k rad dose range after irradiation) is the main aim of this analysis using TCAD simulation. Results reveal that HfO2 as a gate stack on SiO2 improves the device reliability and enhances the drain current, hole trap density, threshold voltage shift, and radiation sensitivity as compared to Al2O3 and ZrO2 gate stack with 1k rad to 10 k rad radiation doses. Trap/de-trap model has been used for interface charging as well as insulator along with the electron-hole pair generation and recombination. Further, the thermal effect on threshold voltage and sensitivity has also been evaluated. Results suggest that the proposed device with a high-k dielectric is more reliable in the x-ray radiation environment at the sub 20 nm scale. This device finds enormous applications in the clinical and space environment along with signal amplification and a processing circuit.
Quantum computing model of an artificial neuron with continuously valued input data
Authors: Mangini Stefano , Tacchino Francesco , Gerace Dario , Macchiavello Chiara , Bajoni Daniele
Published: August 2020

Artificial neural networks have been proposed as potential algorithms that could benefit from being implemented and run on quantum computers. In particular, they hold promise to greatly enhance Artificial Intelligence tasks, such as image elaboration or pattern recognition. The elementary building block of a neural network is an artificial neuron, i.e. a computational unit performing simple mathematical operations on a set of data in the form of an input vector. Here we show how the design for the implementation of a previously introduced quantum artificial neuron [npj Quant. Inf.
5, 26], which fully exploits the use of superposition states to encode binary valued input data, can be further generalized to accept continuous- instead of discrete-valued input vectors, without increasing the number of qubits. This further step is crucial to allow for a direct application of gradient descent based learning procedures, which would not be compatible with binary-valued data encoding.
Normalization of absorbed energy and pressure in laser-induced breakdown in mono-atomic and molecular gases according to incident laser energy and initial pressure
Authors: Rudz Steve , Flaugere Robin , Wartel Maxime , Pellerin Stéphane , Hanus Jean-Luc
Published: August 2020

In laser-induced breakdown experiments, the absorbed energy is one of the first measured parameters. For a given optical configuration and incident energy, the measured absorbed energy depending on pressure always exhibits a similar curve for the tested gases: argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and air. This work presents an empirical modelling to predict the pressure dependence of the absorbed energy in mono-atomic and molecular gas efficiently. The first series of experiments, involving Ar, N2 and CO2, presents its efficiency over pressure from 50 to 2400 mbar and incident laser energies from ∼15 to ∼135 mJ. The second series presents the effectiveness of this modelling on air. All experiments are conducted with a Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm and a focal radius of 4.23 μm.
First Reports of Vespa mandarinia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in North America Represent Two Separate Maternal Lineages in Washington State, United States, and British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Wilson Telissa M , Takahashi Junichi , Spichiger Sven-Erik , Kim Iksoo , van Westendorp Paul
Published: August 2020

In September 2019, destruction of a Vespa mandarinia Smith 1852 nest was reported for the first time in North America in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. In December 2019, the Washington State Department of Agriculture also confirmed the first detection of an adult specimen of V. mandarinia in the United States, in Whatcom County, Washington. Vespa mandarinia is the largest hornet species and is a known predator of several insects, including the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (Linnaeus, 1758). The establishment of V. mandarinia in North America poses a serious threat to apiculture, and this species is considered an actionable quarantine pest. Here we report details of the first detection of this species in the United States and use genetic sequence data obtained from five specimens across the globe to estimate differences in origin of the Canadian and U.S. detections. The full mitochondrial genomes of four V. mandarinia specimens representing different geographic locations were sequenced and compared with an existing reference genome. A maximum likelihood tree using 13 protein-coding regions from mitochondrial DNA suggests that the Canada and U.S. specimens are from two separate maternal lineages. A large-scale survey is currently underway to assess the level of Asian giant hornet establishment in both countries and to determine the future direction of eradication efforts.
Corneocyte Nanotexture as Biomarker for Individual Susceptibility to Skin Irritants
Authors: Rüther Lars , Kezic Sanja , Riethmüller Christoph
Published: August 2020

Irritant contact dermatitis is a wide spread occupational skin condition. In addition to generalized protection and teaching schemes, a knowledge about individual risk might add to an improved awareness for hazards. Here, we report on a novel candidate biomarker, which might stage individual susceptibility to irritant skin damage. Subclinical sensitivity was proven in recent studies. As a nano-anatomical measure, it works non-invasively on corneocytes from tape strips. Here, we report on a 7-day course after exposure to sodium lauryl sulphate and compare the novel cell texture index with the classical markers water loss (transepidermal water loss) and natural moisturizing factor. All parameters show a high degree of correlation.
Attitudes, Concerns, and Expectations of Consumers of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery During the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Italian Online Survey
Authors: Melfa Fabrizio , Bovani Bruno , Cirillo Pierfrancesco , Tretti Clementoni Matteo , Gennai Alessandro
Published: August 2020

As a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency, Italian physicians working in the field of aesthetic medicine and surgery considered appropriate to stop their activity in order to preserve patients’ safety. This drastic measure obviously had an important impact on the medical aesthetic market causing growing concerns. To catch the current attitudes of the Italian consumers toward the aesthetic medicine and surgery, a medical advisory board devised an online survey; 216 clinicians finally participated in this survey and sent the online link through e-mail. A total of 8080/8640 (93.5%) questionnaires were returned, while 70 were removed. Approximately 49.0% (n = 3944) did not feel influenced in their desire for aesthetic treatments in spite of the pandemic emergency. Being influenced was not correlated with the uneven situation experienced on the Italian territory (r = −0.30, P = 0.196); 45.4% (n = 3636) declared to be ready for rescheduling their visit, and 60.5% (n = 4844) declared that they want to allocate the same amount of resources as before. The most missed aesthetic treatment was the face (71.1% [n = 5696]). Approximately 47.0% (n = 3759) and 46.0% (n = 3679) will come back to their physician without any request or with the need for an explanation about the security protocols, respectively. Approximately 40% (n = 3314) declared that their physical appearance affects their mood fairly, 27.0% (n = 2168) strongly or very strongly, and 71.3% (n = 5708) declared physical and/or psychological decline. Looked at together, the results give us some optimistic predictions, and, therefore, the authors are confident that their patients will come back to their clinics without any particular issues. However, ensuring patient safety must be our paramount task.
Extraordinary sperm to egg ratios in seabirds
Authors: Hemmings Nicola , Birkhead Tim R
Published: August 2020

Following copulation, females of many seabird species spend a prolonged period of time away from the colony, building up reserves for egg formation and incubation. Here, we report that the number of sperm associated with eggs of single-egg clutch seabirds was almost an order of magnitude greater than predicted from the relationship between ovum size and sperm numbers in multi-egg clutch non-seabirds. Sperm numbers were also several times greater than the estimated number necessary for maximal fertilization success. Our results are consistent with 3 unusual features of seabird reproduction: (1) single-egg clutches, (2) prolonged sperm storage, and (3) a lag period between the end of yolk formation and ovulation. We hypothesize that sperm release from storage is under precise temporal control in these species, with high sperm numbers acting as an insurance against infertility in single-egg clutches. If true, the lag period may have evolved to provide sufficient time for sperm to be released simultaneously from storage and accumulate at the site of fertilization prior to ovulation.
Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization prioritizes potential druggable targets for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jacobs Benjamin M , Taylor Thomas , Awad Amine , Baker David , Giovanonni Gavin , Noyce Alastair J , Dobson Ruth
Published: August 2020

Multiple sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Translation of Genome-Wide Association Study findings into therapeutics and effective preventive strategies has been limited to date. We used summary-data-based Mendelian randomization to synthesize findings from public expression quantitative trait locus, methylation quantitative trait locus and Multiple Sclerosis Genome-Wide Association Study datasets. By correlating the effects of methylation on multiple sclerosis, methylation on expression and expression on multiple sclerosis susceptibility, we prioritize genetic loci with evidence of influencing multiple sclerosis susceptibility. We overlay these findings onto a list of ‘druggable’ genes, i.e. genes which are currently, or could theoretically, be targeted by therapeutic compounds. We use GeNets and search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins to identify protein–protein interactions and druggable pathways enriched in our results. We extend these findings to a model of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells, lymphoblastoid cell lines. We conducted a systematic review of prioritized genes using the Open Targets platform to identify completed and planned trials targeting prioritized genes in multiple sclerosis and related disease areas. Expression of 45 genes in peripheral blood was strongly associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility (False discovery rate 0.05). Of these 45 genes, 20 encode a protein which is currently targeted by an existing therapeutic compound. These genes were enriched for Gene Ontology terms pertaining to immune system function and leucocyte signalling. We refined this prioritized gene list by restricting to loci where CpG site methylation was associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility, with gene expression and where expression was associated with multiple sclerosis susceptibility. This approach yielded a list of 15 prioritized druggable target genes for which there was evidence of a pathway linking methylation, expression and multiple sclerosis. Five of these 15 genes are targeted by existing drugs and three were replicated in a smaller expression Quantitative Trait Loci dataset (CD40, MERTK and PARP1). In lymphoblastoid cell lines, this approach prioritized 7 druggable gene targets, of which only one was prioritized by the multi-omic approach in peripheral blood (FCRL3). Systematic review of Open Targets revealed multiple early-phase trials targeting 13/20 prioritized genes in disorders related to multiple sclerosis. We use public datasets and summary-data-based Mendelian randomization to identify a list of prioritized druggable genetic targets in multiple sclerosis. We hope our findings could be translated into a platform for developing targeted preventive therapies.
Prophylactic Negative-pressure Wound Therapy Prevents Surgical Site Infection in Abdominal Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies
Authors: Meyer Jeremy , Roos Elin , Abbassi Ziad , Buchs Nicolas C , Ris Frédéric , Toso Christian
Published: August 2020

Background

Prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) is a public health challenge. Our objective was to determine if prophylactic negative-pressure wound therapy (pNPWT) allows preventing SSI after laparotomy.

Methods

Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched on 6 October 2019 for original studies reporting the incidences of SSI in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery with and without pNPWT. Risk differences (RDs) between control and pNPWT patients and risk ratios (RRs) for SSI were obtained using random-effects models.

Results

Twenty-one studies (2930 patients, 5 randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 16 observational studies) were retained for the analysis. Pooled RD between patients with and without pNPWT was −12% (95% confidence interval [CI], −17% to −8%; I2 = 57%; P < .00001) in favor of pNPWT. That risk difference was −12% (95% CI, −22% to −1%; I2 = 69%; P = .03) when pooling only RCTs (792 patients). pNPWT was protective against the incidence of SSI with a RR of 0.53 (95% CI, .40–.71; I2 = 56%; P < .0001). The effect on pNPWT was more pronounced in studies with an incidence of SSI ≥20% in the control arm. The preventive effect of pNPWT on SSI remained after correction for potential publication bias. However, when pooling only high-quality observational studies (642 patients) or RCTs (527 patients), significance was lost.

Conclusions

Existing studies suggest that pNPWT on closed wounds is protective against the occurrence of SSI in abdominal surgery, but these findings need to be confirmed by more high-quality evidence, preferentially in subgroups of patients with an incidence of SSI ≥20% in the control arm.
A Randomized Phase 2 Study of VT-1161 for the Treatment of Acute Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Brand Stephen R , Sobel Jack D , Nyirjesy Paul , Ghannoum Mahmoud A , Schotzinger Robert J , Degenhardt Thorsten P
Published: August 2020

Background

Acute vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is common among women, but current azole antifungal treatments are often associated with safety and resistance issues. VT-1161 (oteseconazole) is an oral agent with increased selectivity for fungal CYP51. In this phase 2 clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of VT-1161 vs fluconazole in participants with moderate to severe acute VVC.

Methods

Participants presenting with an acute episode of VVC (n = 55) were randomized to receive VT-1161 300 mg once daily (q.d.) for 3 days, 600 mg q.d. for 3 days, or 600 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) for 3 days or to receive a single dose of fluconazole 150 mg (FDA-approved dose to treat acute VVC). Participants were followed for 6 months. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with therapeutic (clinical and mycological) cure at day 28.

Results

A larger proportion of participants in the per-protocol population experienced therapeutic cure in the VT-1161 300 mg q.d. (75.0%), VT-1161 600 mg q.d. (85.7%), and VT-1161 600 mg b.i.d. (78.6%) groups vs the fluconazole group (62.5%); differences were not statistically significant. At 3 and 6 months, no participants in the VT-1161 groups vs 28.5% and 46.1% in the fluconazole group, respectively, had evidence of mycological recurrence. No serious adverse events or treatment-emergent adverse events leading to discontinuation were reported.

Conclusions

The majority of participants across all treatment groups achieved therapeutic cure at day 28. VT-1161 was well tolerated at all dose levels through 6 months of follow-up.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01891331.
Immuno-pharmacokinetics of Meglumine Antimoniate in Patients With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused byLeishmania(Viannia)
Authors: Gómez María Adelaida , Navas Adriana , Prieto Miguel Dario , Giraldo-Parra Lina , Cossio Alexandra , Alexander Neal , Gore Saravia Nancy
Published: August 2020

Background

Control of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) relies on chemotherapy, yet gaps in our understanding of the determinants of therapeutic outcome impede optimization of antileishmanial drug regimens. Pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters of antimicrobials are based on the relationship between drug concentrations/exposure and microbial kill. However, viable Leishmania persist in a high proportion of individuals despite clinical resolution, indicating that determinants other than parasite clearance are involved in drug efficacy.

Methods

In this study, the profiles of expression of neutrophils, monocytes, Th1 and Th17 gene signatures were characterized in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during treatment with meglumine antimoniate (MA) and clinical cure of human CL caused by Leishmania (Viannia). We explored relationships of immune gene expression with plasma and intracellular antimony (Sb) concentrations.

Results

Our findings show a rapid and orchestrated modulation of gene expression networks upon exposure to MA. We report nonlinear pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships of Sb and gene expression dynamics in PBMCs , concurring with a time lag in the detection of intracellular drug concentrations and with PK evidence of intracellular Sb accumulation.

Conclusions

Our results quantitatively portray the immune dynamics of therapeutic healing, and provide the knowledge base for optimization of antimonial drug treatments, guiding the selection and/or design of targeted drug delivery systems and strategies for targeted immunomodulation.
Marvels and Commonplaces in the Elizabethan Anthologies
Authors: Tregear Ted
Published: August 2020

In a brief essay on Cato the Younger, Montaigne draws together five excerpts from Latin verse in Cato's honour; by the time he returned to the essay in his final years, those excerpts elicited some of the author's richest remarks on poetry and the poetic sublime. This essay argues that the anthology, in its various shapes and forms, offered early modern readers a way of doing literary criticism. Taking its cue from Montaigne's essay, it focuses on a number of English anthologies, associated with John Bodenham, and often known as the ‘Wits’ series, printed at around the turn of the seventeenth century. It argues that the commonplace-book structure of these volumes acted as a spur to detailed stylistic analysis. Anthologies encouraged their readers to compare poets with one another, working out what they had in common, and what made each one distinct; in this, they fostered the sort of critical scrutiny discussed in Scaliger's Poetics, and put into practice in the theatrical exchanges of the ‘Poets' War’. But as in Montaigne's case, they could also spark reflections about those verses that lay beyond criticism's reach, in the numinous realm of the sublime.