bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unconscious impulsivity control maintains the ability of behavioral inhibitory control in males: Evidence of reaction‐time cost
Authors: Ren Zinan , Yang Jiemin , Yuan Jiajin
Published: June 2019

The present study investigated how unconscious priming of impulsivity control helps improve the performance of behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) using a Go/No‐go task and a two‐choice oddball task. Participants were divided into three priming conditions: impulsivity‐avoiding (IA), calmness‐pursuit (CP), and control group. Accuracy (ACC) cost (frequent–infrequent) in both tasks and reaction‐time (RT) cost (infrequent–frequent) in the two‐choice oddball task were used to assess BIC ability before and after the unconscious priming. The ACC cost, either in the Go/No‐go or in the two‐choice oddball task, was enhanced posttest relative to pretest, as indicated by the main effect of time. This effect arose from significantly increased ACC cost during posttest relative to pretest in the control group but not the IA and CP groups. Although no interaction of time and group was found in ACC cost analysis in either task, the analysis of RT cost in the two‐choice oddball task showed a significant interaction between group and time. Specifically, the IA group showed similar RT cost during posttest versus pretest, while the RT cost was significantly enhanced during posttest versus pretest in the CP and control groups. These results suggest that unconscious pursuit of an impulsivity‐avoidance goal is more effective in preventing one's impulsive behavior pattern than that of a calmness pursuit. Moreover, RT cost in the two‐choice oddball task is a more sensitive index than the traditional ACC cost in assessing one's BIC function.
Does first‐trimester serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A differ in pregnant women with sickle cell disease?
Authors: Peeva Gergana , Oakley Laura , von Rège Inez , Nicolaides Kypros , Oteng‐Ntim Eugene
Published: June 2019

Objective

To assess whether levels of first‐trimester pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) differ between women with and without sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods

Retrospective study of 101 singleton pregnancies in women with SCD (including 55 with genotype HbSS, 37 with genotype HbSC, and nine with other genotypes). Measured levels of PAPP‐A were converted to multiple of the median (MoM) values corrected for gestational age and maternal characteristics. Median PAPP‐A MoM in the SCD group was compared with that of 1010 controls.

Results

In the SCD group median, PAPP‐A MoM was lower than in the non‐SCD group (0.72, interquartile range [IQR] = 0.54‐1.14 versus 1.09, IQR = 0.74‐1.49; P < .001). Within the SCD group median PAPP‐A MoM was lower for those with genotype HbSS than HbSC (0.62, IQR = 0.44‐1.14 versus 0.94, IQR = 0.72‐1.25; .006). In 7.3% (4/55) of the HbSS group, there was stillbirth, and in these cases, PAPP‐A was less than or equal to 0.5 MoM; in the control group, the incidence of stillbirth was lower (1%; P < .001). In HbSS disease, the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) neonates was increased.

Conclusion

Pregnancies with HbSS have lower PAPP‐A MoM values and higher incidence of stillbirth and birth of SGA neonates than in non‐SCD controls.
Effect of Gastric Acid Suppressants on Response to a Physical Activity Intervention and Major Mobility Disability in Older Adults: Results from the Lifestyle Interventions for Elders (LIFE) Study
Authors: Squires Patrick J. , Pahor Marco , Manini Todd M. , Brown Joshua D.
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are associated with pharmacologic effects that may be detrimental to mobility and response to physical activity. Mobility disability and injurious fall outcomes in PPI and H2RA users were compared with nonusers in this secondary analysis of data from the Lifestyle Interventions for Elders (LIFE) study.

Methods

Participants ages 70–89 years were randomized to a physical activity (PA) or successful aging intervention and evaluated by medication use. Confounders included baseline demographic characteristics, physical function, cognitive function, sleep quality, and acid reflux symptoms that were adjusted via propensity score weighting. Outcomes were incident and persistent major mobility disability (MMD and pMMD) and injurious falls. Weighted proportional hazard models evaluated independent and interaction effects of PPIs and H2RAs.

Results

No interaction was found between PPIs and H2RAs and the PA intervention. Drug use associations were significant for H2RAs (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.68]) and PPIs (HR 1.32 [95% CI 1.02–1.70]) compared with nonusers for pMMD. PPIs were associated with increased injurious falls compared with nonusers (HR 1.44 [95% CI 1.06–1.96]). Pooling of data from the H2RA and PPI exposure groups showed a 26% increase in MMD (HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.07–1.48]), a 44% increase in pMMD (HR 1.44 [95% CI 1.16–1.77]), and a 48% increase in injurious falls (HR 1.48 [95% CI 1.15–1.91]) compared with nonusers. All direct comparisons between PPIs and H2RAs were nonsignificant.

Conclusions

Compared with nonusers, participants using either PPIs or H2RAs had an increased risk of MMD, pMMD, and injurious falls. It is not known if these effects are related to the individual pharmacology of each medication, reduced acid secretion, or the underlying disease state. Further study is required to determine causality.
APOBEC3s: DNA‐editing human cytidine deaminases
Authors: Silvas Tania V. , Schiffer Celia A.
Published: June 2019

Nucleic acid editing enzymes are essential components of the human immune system that lethally mutate viral pathogens and somatically mutate immunoglobulins. Among these enzymes are cytidine deaminases of the apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide‐like (APOBEC) super family, each with unique target sequence specificity and subcellular localization. We focus on the DNA‐editing APOBEC3 enzymes that have recently attracted attention because of their involvement in cancer and potential in gene‐editing applications. We review and compare the crystal structures of APOBEC3 (A3) domains, binding interactions with DNA, substrate specificity, and activity. Recent crystal structures of A3A and A3G bound to ssDNA have provided insights into substrate binding and specificity determinants of these enzymes. Still many unknowns remain regarding potential cooperativity, nucleic acid interactions, and systematic quantification of substrate preference of many APOBEC3s, which are needed to better characterize the biological functions and consequences of misregulation of these gene editors.
Solution Processable Transition Metal Phthalocyanine Nanofibres
Authors: Madhuri K. Priya , John Neena S.
Published: June 2019

Solution processable organic functional materials are highly desirable for device fabrication and applications. The insoluble nature of unsubstituted metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) often limits their applications that demand solution based coating techniques. In this work, nano‐architectures of metal phthalocyanines with important transition metal ions, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu and Zn that are highly dispersible in polar organic solvents have been prepared through a simple chemical route and applied as electrode materials for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The formation of different MPcs is confirmed through various techniques such as Raman spectrocopy, X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of the synthesized MPcs has a fibre‐like structure with varying dimensions of 150–650 nm in width and 5–10 μm in length. These nanostructures are supramolecular self‐assemblies of individual macrocycle rings coming together to form fibre‐like structures through π‐π interactions and are highly ordered with β crystal phase. The obtained CuPc and CoPc nanofibre dispersion coated on to a glassy carbon electrode exhibited an onset potential of −250 and −290 mV and a Tafel slope of 120 and 107 mV dec−1, respectively, for HER and good stability up to 1000 cycles.
Syntheses of 4‐OH and 5‐OH Imidacloprids
Authors: Takahashi Keisuke , Tsurumi Tatsuya , Inami Moe , Li Zui , Kusakabe Taichi , Kikkawa Shoko , Azumaya Isao , Tominaga Nobuaki , Ikenaka Yoshinori , Arizono Koji , Kato Keisuke
Published: June 2019

4‐OH and 5‐OH imidacloprids, important metabolites of neonicotinoid insecticides, were synthesised in 4 steps starting from S‐methylisothiourea sulfate. The structure of 4‐OH imidacloprid was determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. This is the first example of the synthesis of both metabolites independently.
Engineering the Optoelectronic Properties of Colloidal Alloyed Copper Chalcogenide Quantum Dots for High‐Efficiency Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Tong Xin , Li Xin , Channa Ali Imran , Liu Ruitong , Xu Jing-Yin , Yu Peng , Chang Le , Ji Haining , Wang Qiang , Wang Zhiming M.
Published: June 2019

Colloidal alloyed copper chalcogenide Cu2 − xSe1 − ySy (CuSeS) quantum dots (QDs) are promising building blocks for solar energy applications because of their unique size/composition‐tunable optical bandgap, which is well matched to the sunlight spectrum. Nevertheless, poor charge separation/transfer and low photostability induced by their intrinsically abundant surface defects/traps tremendously hinder the realization of high‐performance solar energy conversion systems such as solar‐driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Herein, the synthesis of copper chalcogenide CuSeS core QDs with effective CdS shell passivation is presented. These core/shell QDs exhibit optimized optoelectronic properties with a particularly ultralong lifetime, indicating the formation of type‐II band structure for efficient spatial charge separation, which is further probed using ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. To demonstrate the feasibility of solar energy conversion, solar‐driven PEC cells using such core/shell QDs as light‐converters are fabricated, yielding an impressive saturated photocurrent density of ≈4 mA cm−2 with preeminent durability under 1 sun illumination. This finding highlights a potential technique to engineer the optoelectronic properties of colloidal alloyed copper chalcogenide nanomaterials for high efficiency and stable solar energy conversion devices.
In Situ 2D Perovskite Formation and the Impact of the 2D/3D Structures on Performance and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: de Holanda Matheus S. , Szostak Rodrigo , Marchezi Paulo E. , Duarte Luís G. T. A. , Germino José C. , Atvars Teresa D. Z. , Nogueira Ana F.
Published: June 2019

Hybrid organic and inorganic perovskite solar cells lack long‐term stability, and this negatively impacts the widespread application of this emerging and promising photovoltaic technology. Herein, aiming to increase the stability of perovskite films based on CH3NH3PbI3 and to deeply understand the formation of 2D structures, solutions of alkylammonium chlorides containing 8, 10, and 12 carbons are introduced during the spin‐coating on the surface of 3D perovskite films leading to the in situ formation of 2D structures. It is possible to identify the chemical formulae of some 2D structures formed by X‐ray diffraction and UV–vis analysis of the modified films. Interestingly, the increase in the stability of the CH3NH3PbI3 films due to the formation of a 2D + 3D perovskite network is only possible in planar TiO2 substrates. The increase in stability of the CH3NH3PbI3 films follows the surfactant molecule order: octylammonium (8C) > decylammonium (1 °C) > dodecylammonium (12C) chlorides > standard. An increase of 17.6% in the lifetime of the devices assembled with octylammonium‐modified perovskite film is observed compared with that of the standard device, which is directly linked to the improvement of the charge carrier lifetimes obtained from time‐correlated single photon counting measurements.
Interface Engineering via Sputtered Oxygenated CdS:O Window Layer for Highly Efficient Sb2Se3 Thin‐Film Solar Cells with Efficiency Above 7%
Authors: Guo Liping , Zhang Baiyu , Ranjit Smriti , Wall Jacob , Saurav Swapnil , Hauser Adam J. , Xing Guozhong , Li Lin , Qian Xiaofeng , Yan Feng
Published: June 2019

Antimony chalcogenide Sb2Se3 is an emerging photovoltaic absorber due to its appropriate bandgap (≈1.1 eV), high absorption coefficient (>105 cm−1), suitable p‐type conductivity, low toxicity, earth abundance, and excellent stability. However, the stringent growth condition and low photovoltage limit its power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, via a combined theoretical and experimental study, interface engineering via an oxygenated cadmium sulfide (CdS) window layer (CdS:O) is found to be an effective approach to improve the device performance of CdS:O/Sb2Se3 solar cells. The sputtered oxygenated CdS:O window layer can be used to replace conventional chemical‐bath‐deposited CdS window layer in the Sb2Se3 devices. The best PCE of 7.01% is demonstrated in the superstrate configuration of fluorine‐doped SnO2/CdS:O/Sb2Se3/graphite with a high open‐circuit voltage of 0.432 V, where Sb2Se3 is fabricated using the close space sublimation technique. The interfacial diffusion between Sb2Se3 and sputtered CdS:O is significantly suppressed by introducing oxygen at the interface, which prevents Cd diffusion and the formation of Cd interstitials. Combined device physics characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that oxygen in the CdS:O/Sb2Se3 interface can increase depletion region, built‐in voltage, and reduce interfacial recombination. These findings provide the guidance to optimize quasi‐one‐dimensional non‐cubic earth‐abundant chalcogenide photovoltaic devices through interface engineering.
Electroconductive hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Lu Han , Zhang Ning , Ma Mingming
Published: June 2019

Electroconductive hydrogels (EHs), combining both the biomimetic features of hydrogels and the electrochemical properties of conductive polymers and carbon‐based materials, have received immense considerations over the past decade. The three‐dimensional porous structure, hydrophilic properties, and regulatable chemical and physical properties of EH resemble the extracellular matrix in tissues, enable EHs a good matrix for cell growth, proliferation, and migration. Different from nonconductive hydrogels, EHs possess high electrical conductivity and electrochemical redox properties, which can be utilized to detect electric signals generated in biological systems, and also to supply electrical stimulation to regulate the activity and function of cells and tissues. Hence, this article provides a summary of the new development of EH for biomedical applications in the decade. We give a brief introduction of the design and synthesis of EHs, as well as current applications of EHs in biomedical fields, including cell culture, tissue engineering, drug delivery and controlled release, biosensors, and implantable bioelectronics. The development trends and challenges of EHs for biomedical applications are also discussed.

This article is categorized under:

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Caring for solidarity? The intimate politics of grandmother childcare and neoliberal conservatism in urban Turkey
Authors: Can Başak
Published: June 2019

The number of grandmothers who provide regular care for their grandchildren and do housework for their daughters or daughters-in-law is increasing in Turkey. While perpetuating traditional gender roles for themselves as a surrogate daughter, wife, or daughter-in-law, these women nonetheless enable younger women to distance themselves from obligatory care work at home. The sociocultural concepts of kinship ties, economic need, or love for grandchildren do not fully explain why grandmothers assume the role of caregiver for their grandchildren. Drawing on interviews with 25 grandmothers from middle-class families in urban Turkey, this article shows, first, that these women’s gendered subjectivity is formed by both habitual and intentional actions that defying the oppression and resistance duality within patriarchal Turkish society. Second, in dialogue with the scholarship on the “classic patriarchal bargain”1and feminist analyses of neoliberal social policy, the article suggests that these grandmothers’ inarticulate desire to live in solidarity with the younger generation of women may be turned into a government instrument in the context of Turkey’s increasingly family-centered neoliberal social policy environment.
Inherited Cross‐Strike Faults and Oligocene‐Early Miocene Segmentation of the Main Himalayan Thrust, West Nepal
Authors: Soucy La Roche R. , Godin L.
Published: June 2019

The geometry of orogenic basal detachments controls the location and partitioning of seismicity, yet how it influences past episodes of orogenesis is often overlooked. We integrate recently published microstructural, phase equilibria modeling, monazite U‐Th/Pb petrochronology, and white mica 40Ar/39Ar geochronology data from the Greater Himalayan sequence to characterize the geometry of the Himalayan basal detachment, the Main Himalayan thrust (MHT), during the Oligocene and early Miocene. The Karnali and Jajarkot klippen, located at equivalent along‐strike positions in the direction of tectonic transport in the foreland of west Nepal, record contrasting pressure‐temperature‐time‐deformation paths. Units in both klippen reached similar peak pressures with a 5‐ to 10‐Myr time difference: Units in the Karnali klippe were exhumed while units in the Jajarkot klippe were buried. We interpret the contrasting metamorphic pressures between 35 and 25 Ma to reflect the influence of a vertical or steeply east dipping lateral ramp (or tear fault) in the MHT between the two klippen. The location of this putative Oligocene MHT ramp coincides with other evidence for a MHT lateral ramp since the Pleistocene to the present. Segmentation of the MHT in west Nepal is therefore an active and protracted phenomenon that started in the Oligocene or earlier. We interpret this offsetting of the MHT to be linked to the Lucknow basement fault, a spatially coinciding inherited cross‐strike structure in the subducted Indian lithosphere. Our study highlights the important applications of metamorphic petrology and petrochronology to seismotectonics by illustrating the timescales of lateral segmentation of an orogenic basal detachment.
Bayesian Dynamic Finite‐Fault Inversion: 1. Method and Synthetic Test
Authors: Gallovič F. , Valentová Ľ. , Ampuero J.‐P. , Gabriel A.‐A.
Published: June 2019

Dynamic earthquake source inversions aim to determine the spatial distribution of initial stress and friction parameters leading to dynamic rupture models that reproduce observed ground motion data. Such inversions are challenging, particularly due to their high computational burden; thus, so far, only few attempts have been made. Using a highly efficient rupture simulation code, we introduce a novel method to generate a representative sample of acceptable dynamic models from which dynamic source parameters and their uncertainties can be assessed. The method assumes a linear slip‐weakening friction law and spatially variable prestress, strength, and characteristic slip‐weakening distance along the fault. The inverse problem is formulated in a Bayesian framework, and the posterior probability density function is sampled using the Parallel Tempering Monte Carlo algorithm. The forward solver combines a 3‐D finite difference code for dynamic rupture simulation on a simplified geometry to compute slip rates and precalculated Green's functions to compute ground motions. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method on a community benchmark test for source inversion. We find that the dynamic parameters are resolved well within the uncertainty, especially in areas of large slip. The overall relative uncertainty of the dynamic parameters is rather large, reaching ~50% of the averaged values. In contrast, the kinematic rupture parameters (rupture times, rise times, and slip values), also well resolved, have relatively lower uncertainties of ~10%. We conclude that incorporating physics‐based constraints, such as an adequate friction law, may serve also as an effective constraint on the rupture kinematics in finite‐fault inversions.
Partial Melting‐Induced Chemical Evolution in Shocked Crystalline and Amorphous Plagioclase From the Lunar Meteorite Mount DeWitt 12007
Authors: Kim Hyun Na , Park Changkun , Park Sun Young , Kim Hwayoung , Kim Min Sik
Published: June 2019

Determining the formation mechanism of maskelynite is essential to understanding the shocked environments of meteorites on their parent bodies. Maskelynite has been accepted as a diaplectic glass for several decades, but there have been suggestions that it is a normal glass quenched from a dense melt. Morphological characteristics have been generally investigated to identify the formation mechanism of amorphous plagioclase in meteorites, but the chemical difference between crystalline and amorphous plagioclase has not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the morphological, atomic‐scale structural, and chemical characteristics of amorphous plagioclase in the lunar meteorite DEW 12007 to constrain its formation mechanism via chemical analysis. The morphological characteristics showed that plagioclase was partially converted into amorphous phase through partial melting. Two‐dimensional Raman mapping confirmed the structural difference between amorphous and crystalline regions. Quantitative chemical analyses revealed that the amorphous regions were more albite‐rich than the crystalline regions, likely due to the partial melting of plagioclase. Under shocked conditions, the partial melting of plagioclase induced a chemical variation between amorphous and crystalline regions. The morphological and structural changes correspond well with the chemical variations, indicating that amorphization induced such variations. The chemical differences between amorphous and crystalline plagioclase in other meteorites also could be understood to be the results of partial melting. Thus, the chemical differences between amorphous and crystalline plagioclase in partially amorphized grains could elucidate the formation mechanism of amorphous plagioclase in many meteorites.
Developmental kinetics and transcriptome dynamics of stem cell specification in the spermatogenic lineage
Authors: Law Nathan C. , Oatley Melissa J. , Oatley Jon M.
Published: June 2019

Continuity, robustness, and regeneration of cell lineages relies on stem cell pools that are established during development. For the mammalian spermatogenic lineage, a foundational spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool arises from prospermatogonial precursors during neonatal life via mechanisms that remain undefined. Here, we mapped the kinetics of this process in vivo using a multi-transgenic reporter mouse model, in silico with single-cell RNA sequencing, and functionally with transplantation analyses to define the SSC trajectory from prospermatogonia. Outcomes revealed that a heterogeneous prospermatogonial population undergoes dynamic changes during late fetal and neonatal development. Differential transcriptome profiles predicted divergent developmental trajectories from fetal prospermatogonia to descendant postnatal spermatogonia. Furthermore, transplantation analyses demonstrated that a defined subset of fetal prospermatogonia is fated to function as SSCs. Collectively, these findings suggest that SSC fate is preprogrammed within a subset of fetal prospermatogonia prior to building of the foundational pool during early neonatal development.
Noncoding dsRNA induces retinoic acid synthesis to stimulate hair follicle regeneration via TLR3
Authors: Kim Dongwon , Chen Ruosi , Sheu Mary , Kim Noori , Kim Sooah , Islam Nasif , Wier Eric M. , Wang Gaofeng , Li Ang , Park Angela , Son Wooyang , Evans Benjamin , Yu Victoria , Prizmic Vicky P. , Oh Eugene , Wang Zixiao , Yu Jianshi , Huang Weiliang , Archer Nathan K. , Hu Zhiqi , Clemetson Nashay , Nelson Amanda M. , Chien Anna , Okoye Ginette A. , Miller Lloyd S. , Ghiaur Gabriel , Kang Sewon , Jones Jace W. , Kane Maureen A. , Garza Luis A.
Published: June 2019

How developmental programs reactivate in regeneration is a fundamental question in biology. We addressed this question through the study of Wound Induced Hair follicle Neogenesis (WIHN), an adult organogenesis model where stem cells regenerate de novo hair follicles following deep wounding. The exact mechanism is uncertain. Here we show that self-noncoding dsRNA activates the anti-viral receptor toll like receptor 3 (TLR3) to induce intrinsic retinoic acid (RA) synthesis in a pattern that predicts new hair follicle formation after wounding in mice. Additionally, in humans, rejuvenation lasers induce gene expression signatures for dsRNA and RA, with measurable increases in intrinsic RA synthesis. These results demonstrate a potent stimulus for RA synthesis by non-coding dsRNA, relevant to their broad functions in development and immunity.
Structural defects on converted bismuth oxide nanotubes enable highly active electrocatalysis of carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Gong Qiufang , Ding Pan , Xu Mingquan , Zhu Xiaorong , Wang Maoyu , Deng Jun , Ma Qing , Han Na , Zhu Yong , Lu Jun , Feng Zhenxing , Li Yafei , Zhou Wu , Li Yanguang
Published: June 2019

Formic acid (or formate) is suggested to be one of the most economically viable products from electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction. However, its commercial viability hinges on the development of highly active and selective electrocatalysts. Here we report that structural defects have a profound positive impact on the electrocatalytic performance of bismuth. Bismuth oxide double-walled nanotubes with fragmented surface are prepared as a template, and are cathodically converted to defective bismuth nanotubes. This converted electrocatalyst enables carbon dioxide reduction to formate with excellent activity, selectivity and stability. Most significantly, its current density reaches ~288 mA cm−2 at −0.61 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode within a flow cell reactor under ambient conditions. Using density functional theory calculations, the excellent activity and selectivity are rationalized as the outcome of abundant defective bismuth sites that stabilize the *OCHO intermediate. Furthermore, this electrocatalyst is coupled with silicon photocathodes and achieves high-performance photoelectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction.
Intertwined chiral charge orders and topological stabilization of the light-induced state of a prototypical transition metal dichalcogenide
Authors: Gerasimenko Yaroslav A. , Karpov Petr , Vaskivskyi Igor , Brazovskii Serguei , Mihailovic Dragan
Published: June 2019

The fundamental idea that the constituents of interacting many body systems in complex quantum materials may self-organise into long range order under highly non-equilibrium conditions leads to the notion that entirely new and unexpected functionalities might be artificially created. However, demonstrating new emergent order in highly non-equilibrium transitions has proven surprisingly difficult. In spite of huge recent advances in experimental ultrafast time-resolved techniques, methods that average over successive transition outcomes have so far proved incapable of elucidating the emerging spatial structure. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy, we report for the first time the charge order emerging after a single transition outcome initiated by a single optical pulse in a prototypical two-dimensional dichalcogenide 1T-TaS2. By mapping the vector field of charge displacements of the emergent state, we find surprisingly intricate, long-range, topologically non-trivial charge order in which chiral domain tiling is intertwined with unpaired dislocations which play a crucial role in enhancing the emergent states’ remarkable stability. The discovery of the principles that lead to metastability in charge-ordered systems opens the way to designing novel emergent functionalities, particularly ultrafast all-electronic non-volatile cryo-memories.
Monometallic lanthanide salicylhydrazone complexes exhibiting strong near-infrared luminescence
Authors: Ayers Kaitlynn M. , Schley Nathan D. , Ung Gaël
Published: June 2019

Coordination of a single salicylhydrazone ligand with near-infrared emitting lanthanides yielding monometallic complexes allows for a drastic increase in luminescence. The complexes obtained are stable to hydrolysis and water coordination.
Efficient removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: nanofiltration combined with active carbon or anion exchange
Authors: Franke Vera , McCleaf Philip , Lindegren Klara , Ahrens Lutz
Published: June 2019

Nanofiltration produces potable water, while adsorption materials GAC and AIX remove more PFASs from membrane retentate than from raw water.
Spiers Memorial Lecture : Artificial photosynthesis: An introduction
Authors: Beller Jan-Niclas , Beller Matthias
Published: June 2019

A brief introduction into artificial photosynthesis technologies is presented.
Tunable valley splitting and an anomalous valley Hall effect in hole-doped WS2 by proximity coupling with a ferromagnetic MnO2 monolayer
Authors: Zhou Baozeng , Li Zheng , Wang Jiaming , Niu Xuechen , Luan Chongbiao
Published: June 2019

Schematic of the WS2/MnO2 heterostructure for valleytronic devices and the diagram of the anomalous valley Hall effect.
Intermetallic SnSb nanodots embedded in carbon nanotubes reinforced nanofabric electrodes with high reversibility and rate capability for flexible Li-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Renpeng , Xue Xiaolan , Hu Yi , Kong Weihua , Lin Huinan , Chen Tao , Jin Zhong
Published: June 2019

Free-standing and flexible SnSb-CNTs@NCNFs electrodes are prepared and exhibit excellent electrochemical performances for lithium ion batteries.
Mid-Term Outcomes after Transapical and Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis and Porcelain Aorta with a Systematic Review of Transfemoral versus Transapical Approach
Authors: Useini Dritan , Haldenwang Peter , Schlömicher Markus , Christ Hildegard , Naraghi Hamid , Moustafine Vadim , Strauch Justus
Published: June 2019

Background We have aimed to analyze early and mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing transapical/transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-/TF-TAVI) for aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta (PAo) in our institution. Additionally, we postulated that the TA approach may be associated with a more favorable neurological outcome than the TF approach; hence, a systematic literature review was conducted.

Methods Between 2011 and 2017, 15 patients with PAo underwent TA-TAVI and 4 patients with PAo TF-TAVI at our institution. The assessment of PAo was done either intraoperatively after aborted sternotomy or via computed tomography for elective TAVI. We conducted mid-term follow-up. Furthermore, a systematic review was performed to compare the mortality and neurological outcomes of TF and TA-TAVI approaches.

Results TA/TF-TAVIs were performed with 100% device success, without paravalvular leakage ≥ 2 and without procedural death. The 30-day mortality/stroke rates were 6.6%/0% in TA-TAVI and 0%/25% in TF-TAVI, respectively. The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival rates were in TA/TF-TAVI 93%/75%, 82%/66.6%, and 50%/0%, respectively.

The pooled results derived from the literature review were as follows: The prevalence of PAo in the TAVI population is 9.74%; the mean logistic EuroSCORE is 41.9% in TA-TAVI versus 16.2% in TF-TAVI; the mean 30-day mortality is 5.9% in TA-TAVI versus 6.3% in TF-TAVI, and the mean stroke is 0.8% in TA-TAVI versus 9% in TF-TAVI.

Conclusion TA-TAVI shows promising early and mid-term outcomes in patients with PAo. TF-TAVI performed in patients with PAo is likely to be associated with higher rates of stroke than TA-TAVI.
Emission of diamonds, leucosapphire, and KU-1 quartz in the range of 200–800 nm excited by electron beams with a pulse duration of 0.5 and 12 ns
Authors: Tarasenko V. F. , Oleshko V. I. , Erofeev M. V. , Lipatov E. I. , Beloplotov D. V. , Lomaev M. I. , Burachenko A. G. , Baksht E. Kh.
Published: June 2019

The paper presents the results of Cherenkov radiation (CR) studies in various crystals excited by nanosecond and subnanosecond electron beams with an electron energy of up to 400 and 200 keV, respectively. These studies are motivated by the need to develop and create calibrated sensors of runaway electrons for tokamak-type installations. The spectral and amplitude-time characteristics of the radiation of different specimens of diamonds, leucosapphire, and KU-1 quartz excited by the electron beams were obtained and compared. These crystals were chosen on the basis of their transparency in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. CR was observed with a spectrometer. An increase in the radiation energy with decreasing wavelength was observed in synthetic diamonds of IIa type, leucosapphire, and KU-1 quartz. The amplitude-time characteristics of the radiation of crystals, including CR, were measured with a photodiode having a pulse response time of up to ≈80 ps. In chemical vapor deposited high purity diamonds excited by both nanosecond and subnanosecond beams, an exciton radiation with a maximum at 235 nm was observed. Results show that leucosapphire and quartz can be used to create detectors of electrons with energies above 200 keV.
Attached cavitation in laminar separations within a transition to unsteadiness
Authors: Croci K. , Ravelet F. , Danlos A. , Robinet J.-C. , Barast L.
Published: June 2019

Attached sheet cavitation is usually observed in turbulent water flows within small laminar separation bubbles which can provide favorable conditions for inception and attachment of cavities. In the present study, viscous silicone oils are used within a small scale Venturi geometry to investigate attached cavitation into laminar separated flows for Reynolds numbers from 346 to 2188. Numerical simulations about single phase flows are performed with steady simulations for a Reynolds number range Re ∈ [50; 1400] and with unsteady simulations for Re ∈ [1000; 2000]. They reveal the emergence of two large laminar boundary layer separations downstream of the Venturi throat in addition to low pressure zones which can possibly induce both degassing or cavitation features. Experiments are performed with high-speed photography, and several multiphase dynamics are observed in these viscous flows, which are considered as quasisteady flows at low Reynolds numbers Re ≤ 1400. Degassing phenomenon with air bubble recirculation has been first observed at pressures far above liquid vapor pressure whereas typical attached cavities have been identified for low pressure conditions as “band” and “tadpole” cavities into the different separations of the laminar flows. For higher Reynolds numbers, a flow regime transition can be noticed in the wake of well-developed gas structures, characterized by wake instabilities, causing vortex cavitation above a critical Reynolds number associated with the bubble width Recb≃616. This regime transition can possibly occur either quasicontinuously in the wake of an attached “band” vapor cavity or intermittently behind a recirculating air bubble generated with degassing. This last phenomenon is associated in our study to classical “patch” cavitation.
Temperature dependent resonant microwave absorption in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy epitaxial films of a spinel ferrite
Authors: Budhani R. C. , Basun Sergey A. , McConney Michael E. , Evans Dean R. , Page Michael R. , Howe Brandon M.
Published: June 2019

We report on the temperature (T), magnetic field (μ0H), and angle (Θ, Φ) dependent resonant absorption of X-band microwaves in spinel ferrite epitaxial films subjected to two distinct states of growth strain. The polar angle (Θ) dependence of the resonance field (Hres) in films with ∼0.5% ab-plane expanded unit cell establishes a distinct perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). The anisotropy field (Han┴) for Θ = 0° increases monotonically on lowering the temperature from 300 K to 90 K following the behavior of the saturation magnetization (Ms) keeping Han┴/Ms ≈ 1. The narrow resonance linewidth (μ0ΔHres┴ = 3.7 mT at 300 K) and its negligible (±0.3 mT) variation with temperature establish the magnetic softness of these PMA films. The dependence of Hres on Θ, Φ, and T in films subjected to compressive stress shows in-plane cubic anisotropy whose strength is nonmonotonic in temperature. The ∼2.0% compression of the unit cell basal plane also appears to accentuate noncollinearity of sublattice magnetization of such films as indicated by the T-dependence of ΔHres. The thicker films with PMA display spin wave resonances whose position allows determination of the spin wave stiffness constant together with independent determination of Han┴. The resonance characteristics of the PMA films qualify them as potential candidates for frequency agile microwave devices and magnonic circuit elements.
When international case-law meets national law
Authors: Peruzzo Katia
Published: June 2019

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is an international
court set up in 1959 with the aim of ruling on applications alleging violations
of the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court’s
official languages are English and French, which are also used for delivering
and publishing its judgments. In order to decide on the single cases, the ECtHR
needs to discuss and recall national and international legislation. This leaves
“traces” in the Court’s judgments. The focus of this paper is on one possible
type of such traces, i.e. loan words referring to Italian legal concepts and
institutions. The paper presents a case study conducted on a corpus of ECtHR
judgments published in English. The aims are to propose a methodology for the
semi-automatic extraction of loan words and to analyse them in the light of
translation techniques.
The challenge of multilingual ‘plain language’ in
translation-mediated Swiss administrative communication
Authors: Felici Annarita , Griebel Cornelia
Published: June 2019

Barrier-free communication should be an institutional priority
when drafting administrative texts. These not only deal with legal content, but
they often address the lay citizen and may provide general information on
services and reforms or simply instruct on a specific procedure to be followed.
Our study investigates Swiss insurance leaflets in three languages (French,
German and Italian) and aims at evaluating language clarity on the basis of
‘plain language’ guidelines, thus also considering the translation variable.
However, our preliminary results show that ‘plain communication’ is not always
the case. We applied a quantitative and qualitative triangulation methodology: firstly, we measured readability with the help of readability indices; subsequently, we used computational tools to highlight common linguistic gaps whose quality was also explored manually by taking textual aspects into account.
Effects of intermetallic particles on cavitation during superplastic forming of aluminium alloy
Authors: Jin H. , Gerlich A. P.
Published: June 2019

An Al-4.6%Mg-1.5%Mn-0.27%Fe alloy was specially processed with friction stir processing followed by cold rolling. Half of the sheet thickness contains a large number of blocky or irregular-shaped Al6(Mn,Fe) coarse intermetallic particles, while the other half, smaller and more spherical ones. The particle-induced cavitation upon uni-axial tension at 475°C with 2 × 10−4–2 × 10−2 s−1 strain rates was investigated. The density of nuclei for cavities was estimated based on quantitative image analysis of the particles, and the strain controlled growth rate, calculated assuming the cavities are nucleated before or in the early stage of straining. The number, size and morphology of intermetallic particles are found to control the cavitation by determining the nucleation rate, but the strain controlled growth rate appears unaffected.
Nanoindentation creep deformation behaviour of high nitrogen nickel-free austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Zhang Xiaoru , Sun Shicheng , Sun Guixun , Han Shuang , Jiang Zhonghao , Lian Jianshe
Published: June 2019

Nanoindentation tests of the high nitrogen nickel-free austenitic stainless steel (HNS) were performed with peak load in a wide range of 100–600 mN to investigate the nanoindentation creep deformation behaviours. The results of the nanoindentation creep tests have demonstrated that the load plateaus, creep strain rate and creep stress of the cold-rolled HNS are larger and its creep stress exponent is smaller than the solution-treated HNS. The analysis reveals that the obvious creep deformation behaviour in the cold-rolled HNS arises from the rapidly relaxed dislocation structures in the initial transition regime, while the small creep deformation behaviour of the solution-treatedHNS is mainly attributed to that the stable dislocation structures for the intensive interactions between dislocations.
Comments on ‘Effect of obstacle strength and spacing on the slope of Haasen plot’
Authors: Krishnaswamy Hariharan
Published: June 2019

In a recent paper, Mishra et al. [Effect of obstacle strength and spacing on the slope of Haasen plot. Mater Sci Technol. 2019;1–6. doi: 10.1080/02670836.2019.1567043 ], discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results in the slope of the Haasen plot between pure metals and alloys were reported. The discrepancy arises from a common belief that when Haasen plot for pure metals is extended to metals with multiple strengthening mechanisms, the inverse of activation volume components can be linearly superposed. It is conjectured that the slope of the Haasen plot should remain the same for both the pure metals and alloys, as it is governed only by dislocation–dislocation interaction. The purpose of this note is to clarify that the conjecture of invariant Haasen slope is only a special case.
Expression levels of selected cytokines and microRNAs in response to vitamin D supplementation in ultra‐marathon runners
Authors: Pastuszak‐Lewandoska D. , Domańska‐Senderowska D. , Kiszałkiewicz J. , Szmigielska P. , Snochowska A. , Ratkowski W. , Spieszny M. , Klocek T. , Godlewski P. , Cięszczyk P. , Brzeziańska‐Lasota E. , September A. V. , Laguette M. J.
Published: June 2019

Ultra‐marathon (UM) running is an extreme endurance exercise. However, the mechanisms triggered with its practice remain unclear. While it is documented that strenuous physical activity activates immune responses and vitamin D plays a role in immune system suppression, data on the relationship between vitamin D status and cytokine profile in athletic populations are limited. To analyse the relative mRNA expression levels of selected pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17, TNF‐α), COX‐2, vitamin D receptor and abundance of selected inflammatory microRNAs (Hsa‐miR‐21, ‐miR‐146a, ‐miR‐150, ‐miR‐155, ‐miR‐222, ‐miR‐223) before and after a 100 km race in amateur runners in the presence or absence of vitamin D supplementation. Twenty runners aged 36–40years were divided into two groups: with and without vitamin D3 supplementation (10,000units daily). Blood samples were collected before and 12 h after the UM. The mRNA expression levels of selected cytokines, COX‐2 and VDR in peripheral blood and abundance of serum exosomal miRNAs were investigated using q‐RT‐PCR. After UM, the significant up‐regulation of TNF‐α and hsa‐miR‐155 and down‐regulation of IL‐1β were observed in the group with vitamin D supplementation. In its absence, hsa‐miR‐155 and ‐miR‐223 were significantly up‐regulated. Additionally, a reverse correlation was observed between IL‐6 expression level and abundance of hsa‐miR‐155 and ‐miR‐223 in both groups. No statistical differences were noted when the other miRNAs and genes were examined in the groups and at the time points. The UM‐induced mRNA expression pattern of pro‐inflammatory cytokines could be influenced by vitamin D supplementation and/or miRNA.
The EEE MRPC telescopes as tracking tools to monitor building stability with cosmic muons
Authors: Abbrescia M. , Avanzini C. , Baldini L. , Ferroli R. Baldini , Batignani L.G. , Battaglieri M. , Boi S. , Bossini E. , Carnesecchi F. , Cicalo C. , Cifarelli L. , Coccetti F. , Coccia E. , Corvaglia A. , Gruttola D. De , Pasquale S. De , Fabbri L. , Galante L. , Galeotti P. , Garbini M. , Gemme G. , Gnesi I. , Grazzi S. , Hatzifotiadou D. , Rocca P. La , Liu Z. , Mandaglio G. , Maron G. , Mazziotta M.N. , Mulliri A. , Nania R. , Noferini F. , Nozzoli F. , Palmonari F. , Panareo M. , Panetta M.P. , Paoletti R. , Pellegrino C. , Perasso L. , Pinto C. , Piragino G. , Pisano S. , Riggi F. , Righini G.C. , Ripoli C. , Rizzi M. , Sartorelli G. , Scapparone E. , Schioppa M. , Scribano A. , Selvi M. , Serri G. , Squarcia S. , Taiuti M. , Terreni G. , Trifiró A. , Trimarchi M. , Vistoli M.C. , Votano L. , Williams M.C.S. , Zichichi A. , Zuyeuski R.
Published: June 2019

This paper discusses the possibility to employ the Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPC) of the Extreme Energy Events (EEE) Project as muon tracking detectors to monitor the long term stability of civil buildings and structures when used in conjunction with additional detectors, to reconstruct the average direction of the cosmic muon tracks passing through both devices and any small variation over long time acquisition periods. The performance of such setup is discussed and preliminary experimental coincidence results obtained with a 40× 60 cm2scintillator detector operated in the same building with one of the EEE telescopes, at about 15 m vertical distance from it, are presented. Simple Monte Carlo and GEANT simulations were also carried out to evaluate typical acceptance values for the operating conditions employed so far, to extrapolate to other geometrical configurations, and to evaluate multiple scattering effects.
Influence of the roughness on surface geometry of rolling contacts
Authors: Benchea M , Creţu S
Published: June 2019

The topography of the active surfaces in rolling contact depends on the surface roughness obtained by different manufacturing process technology (turning, grinding, polishing, lapping, etc.). The aim of this paper work is to evidence the influence of the surface roughness on surface geometry of rolling contacts. The experimental tests were carried out on the AMSLER machine and an experimental setup for pure rolling motion. The surfaces of the rolling samples were analyzed with SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) techniques for structural and chemical analysis and measured with the Taylor Hobson profilometer before and after the experimental tests for surface topography.
Twist static friction and creep between UHMWPE and bovine skin for human exoprosthesis
Authors: Subhi K A , Tudor A , Călin A , Hussein E , Chisiu G
Published: June 2019

The twist static friction and the creep behavior of bovine skin in contact with Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) indenters were studied by employing both theoretical and experimental methods. Loads (1 and 2 N) were applied to bovine skin using different indenter shapes. Moreover, the creep area and the coefficient of static friction were also discussed and analysed for different time durations. The experimental and theoretical results showed that the Voight-Kelvin rheological model could be used to represent the mechanical response of the cattle skin. As a conclusion, the creep parameter and the coefficient of static friction of bovine skin increased in time. For the circular indenter, the creep area was higher than in the case of the other shapes.

The study provides a base for more investigations on cattle skin behavior in order to be utilized on a rigid support (UHMWPE) as a new solution for “exoprosthesis support”.