bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low cost 3D tin sheet multiband shark‐fin antenna for LTE MIMO vehicular application
Authors: Melli Federico , Lenzini Stefano , Cerretelli Matteo , Coscelli Enrico , Notari Andrea , Vincetti Luca
Published: June 2020

A low cost and low‐profile multiband 3D antenna for roof‐top vehicular applications is presented. The radiating element is obtained through a folded metal sheet shaping a geometry that makes the antenna works in the LTE (Long‐Term Evolution) bands. Thanks to its particular shape and its small size the antenna can be positioned under the automotive common used shark‐fin case. Furthermore, the design allows an easy industrialization process, using low cost material. In fact, the designed shape needs only to be cut and folded without any welding process. In addition to the designed antenna, simulations and measurements take into account another radiating element in order to analyze its behavior in a MIMO (Multiple‐Input‐Multiple‐Output) configuration. For the proposed solution good performances have been demonstrated from both numerical and measurements results.
Combined simultaneous multislice bSSFP and compressed sensing for first‐pass myocardial perfusion at 1.5 T with high spatial resolution and coverage
Authors: McElroy Sarah , Ferrazzi Giulio , Nazir Muhummad Sohaib , Kunze Karl P. , Neji Radhouene , Speier Peter , Stäb Daniel , Forman Christoph , Razavi Reza , Chiribiri Amedeo , Roujol Sébastien
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To implement and evaluate a pseudorandom undersampling scheme for combined simultaneous multislice (SMS) balanced SSFP (bSSFP) and compressed‐sensing (CS) reconstruction to enable myocardial perfusion imaging with high spatial resolution and coverage at 1.5 T.

Methods

A prospective pseudorandom undersampling scheme that is compatible with SMS‐bSSFP phase‐cycling requirements and CS was developed. The SMS‐bSSFP CS with pseudorandom and linear undersampling schemes were compared in a phantom. A high‐resolution (1.4 × 1.4 mm2) six‐slice SMS‐bSSFP CS perfusion sequence was compared with a conventional (1.9 × 1.9 mm2) three‐slice sequence in 10 patients. Qualitative assessment of image quality, perceived SNR, and number of diagnostic segments and quantitative measurements of sharpness, upslope index, and contrast ratio were performed.

Results

In phantom experiments, pseudorandom undersampling resulted in residual artifact (RMS error) reduction by a factor of 7 compared with linear undersampling. In vivo, the proposed sequence demonstrated higher perceived SNR (2.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2.2 ± 0.6, P = .04), improved sharpness (0.35 ± 0.03 vs. 0.32 ± 0.05, P = .01), and a higher number of diagnostic segments (100% vs. 94%, P = .03) compared with the conventional sequence. There were no significant differences between the sequences in terms of image quality (2.5 ± 0.4 vs. 2.8 ± 0.2, P = .08), upslope index (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.10 ± 0.01, P = .3), or contrast ratio (3.28 ± 0.35 vs. 3.36 ± 0.43, P = .7).

Conclusion

A pseudorandom k‐space undersampling compatible with SMS‐bSSFP and CS reconstruction has been developed and enables cardiac MR perfusion imaging with increased spatial resolution and myocardial coverage, increased number of diagnostic segments and perceived SNR, and no difference in image quality, upslope index, and contrast ratio.
Stretch‐ and carbachol‐induced ATP release from bladder wall preparations of young and aged mice
Authors: Nishikawa Nobuyuki , Chakrabarty Basu , Kitney Darryl , Jabr Rita , Kanai Anthony , Fry Christopher
Published: June 2020

Aims

Bladder wall stretch increases tissue tension and releases adenosine 5'‐triphosphate (ATP) as part of a transduction process to sense bladder filling. Aging is associated with bladder fibrosis to produce a stiffer bladder wall: this may augment ATP release and contribute to age‐dependent urgency. Muscarinic agonists also release ATP and present a potential target for antimuscarinic agents, but its age‐dependency is unknown. This study aimed, in young and old mice, to: (a) quantify the relationship between bladder wall stiffness and stretch‐dependent ATP release and; (b) characterize muscarinic agonist‐dependent release.

Methods

ATP release from young (9‐12 weeks) and aged (24 months) mouse bladder wall was measured in vitro, with a luciferin‐luciferase assay, after stretch or carbachol exposure. Bladder wall stiffness, measured simultaneously during stretch, was compared to histological proportions of connective tissue and detrusor muscle.

Results

With young mice, stretch‐activated ATP release required an intact mucosa and was positively associated with wall stiffness. ATP release by carbachol was about four‐fold greater compared to stretch. With aged mice: ATP release varied a hundred‐fold and no association with stiffness; carbachol release diminished; connective tissue and mucosa thickness increased.

Conclusions

With young mice, stretch, or muscarinic agonists potently induce bladder wall ATP release. Stretch‐dependent release is proportional to bladder wall stiffness, independent of the extent of stretch. With aged mice dependence of stretch‐activated ATP release with stiffness was lost. The huge variability of release suggests that aged mice do not form a homogenous cohort and may underlie the heterogeneity in bladder filling sensations.
Chiral Triptycenes in Supramolecular and Materials Chemistry
Authors: Preda Giovanni , Nitti Andrea , Pasini Dario
Published: June 2020

Triptycenes are an intriguing class of organic molecules with several unusual characteristics, such as a propeller‐like shape, saddle‐like cavities around a symmetrical scaffold, a rigid π‐framework. They have been extensively studied and proposed as key synthons for a variety of applications in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. When decorated with an appropriate substitution pattern, triptycenes can be chiral, and, similarly to other popular chiral π‐extended synthons, can express chirality robustly, efficiently, and with relevance to chiroptical spectroscopies. This minireview highlights and encompasses recent advances in the synthesis of chiral triptycenes and in their introduction as molecular scaffolds for the assembly of functional supramolecular materials.
PEO‐LITFSI‐SiO2‐SN System Promotes the Application of Polymer Electrolytes in All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Lyu Wang , He Guoqiang , Liu Ting
Published: June 2020

All‐solid‐state polymer lithium‐ion batteries are ideal choice for the next generation of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries due to their high energy, safety and flexibility. Among all polymer electrolytes, PEO‐based polymer electrolytes have attracted extensive attention because they can dissolve various lithium salts. However, the ionic conductivity of pure PEO‐based polymer electrolytes is limited due to high crystallinity and poor segment motion. An inorganic filler SiO2 nanospheres and a plasticizer Succinonitrile (SN) are introduced into the PEO matrix to improve the crystallization of PEO, promote the formation of amorphous region, and thus improve the movement of PEO chain segment. Herein, a PEO18−LiTFSI−5 %SiO2−5 %SN composite solid polymer electrolyte (CSPE) was prepared by solution‐casting. The high ionic conductivity of the electrolyte was demonstrated at 60 °C up to 3.3×10−4 S cm−1. Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4/CSPE/Li all‐solid‐state battery was tested, with discharge capacity of 157.5 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C, and capacity retention rate of 99 % after 100 cycles at 60 °C. This system provides a feasible strategy for the development of efficient all‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries.
Study of thermomechanical properties of hybrid tire cord
Authors: Mahdavipour Zahra , Karimi Mohammad , Hoseini Seyyed Anvar
Published: June 2020

Thermomechanical properties of tire cords, which have a considerable influence on tire functions, were investigated in the current research. The nylon and polyester cords are the most commonly used polymers in the tire. Many efforts have been made to produce a new tire cord having the capability of integrating the desired properties of these two polymers into one cord. In this study, a new cord structure was developed using nylon 6,6 and polyester tire yarns. The effect of thermal treatment was studied at the temperatures of 180°C, 200°C, and 220°C under two different loads of 600 and 1800gf on thermomechanical properties of the nylon 6,6/polyester hybrid tire cord. Shrinkage and shrinkage force as thermal properties, as well as static and dynamic mechanical properties, were investigated. The relationship between the aforementioned properties and variation in the crystal structure and fiber orientation obtained from Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Wide‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering (WAXS) analysis were examined too. The results showed that the higher tension leads to the higher initial modulus and storage modulus due to the crystallization of polymers during heat treatment. The shrinkage and shrinkage force also increased, as the tension increased. In addition, a decrease in residual shrinkage and shrinkage force were acquired because of an enhancement in the temperature.
Synthesis of Glux based polymers for removal of benzene derivatives and pesticides from water
Authors: Chabbah Taha , Abderrazak Houyem , Saint Martin Patrice , Casabianca Hervé , Kricheldorf Hans R. , Chatti Saber
Published: June 2020

In this study, biomass‐derived Glux was used as a monomer in the polymerization of a novel semi‐aromatic polyethersulfone and polyester. The characterization of the synthesized polymers was carried out by means of MALDI‐TOF and NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. These two polymers were tested as sorbent phases of two families of pollutants (benzene derivatives and pesticides) in water. The analysis of the target hydrophilic pollutants was successfully achieved using high performance liquid chromatography meanwhile gas chromatography was applied for the detection of the hydrophobic pollutants. The adsorption data demonstrate that the novel polyethersulfone based on Glux can effectively remove the studied organic pollutants (polar and non polar, 90% to 100%) at environmental concentration (tested concentration: 1 mg L−1) simultaneously when present in mixtures.
Neonatal pain: A journey spanning three decades
Authors: Johnston Céleste
Published: June 2020

From 1980 into present day, 2020, the evolution of neonatal pain research is told as a journey by one researcher, Celeste Johnston. At the beginning of her work, there was essentially no interest or work in the area. She was fortunate to be led into the area by a clinical problem: how to determine the amount of pain babies in the NICU were experiencing. That question resulted in over three decades of work with neonates. Measuring pain was the first challenge and is one that remains a focus of current research. Initially, the only choices for treating pain in neonates were either opioids or anesthetics, each with problems. Research on sweet taste and more recently on skin‐to‐skin contact has offered effective and safe options for procedural pain. Although progress has been made in the incidence of pain management in infants, it still is far less than it could be. Steps along the way of measurement, treatment, and knowledge utilization are chronicled by this researcher.
Retracted: Citius, Altius, Fortius
Authors: Lange J. , Vriend G.
Published: June 2020

2020 is a leap year. That means that we have one day extra and, if the Olympic games had survived the corona crisis, we would all be watching television and ask the eternal question whether Olympic records will for ever be broken and broken again, or that there are limits to human biology1. In this article we ask the same question, but rather than discussing aspects of Citius, Altius, and Fortius of athletes we will discuss them for macromolecules. It is remarkable how many parallels can be found between Olympic records in these two seemingly different worlds.

People involved in structure validation and re‐refinement try to make us believe that most aspects of macromolecular structures can be caught by a number that has some constant value with little variation around it. We will show here that the PDB2 databank proves this idea to be wrong. In the protein structure world, it holds for many that "participating is more important than winning", but some, fortunately, still go for the record books.
A comparative multi‐reference configuration interaction study of the low‐lying states of two thione isomers of thiophenol
Authors: Lima Filipe Belarmino de , Pereira Rodrigues Gessenildo , de Lucena Júnior Juracy Regis , Ventura Elizete , Fausto Rui , Reva Igor , do Monte Silmar Andrade
Published: June 2020

Multi‐reference configuration interaction, MR‐CI (including extensivity corrections, named +Q), calculations were performed on the S0–S3 states of cyclohexa‐2,4‐diene‐1‐thione (thione 24) and cyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐1‐thione (thione 25), which are thione isomers of thiophenol. Several types of uncontracted MR‐CIS and MR‐CISD wavefunctions were employed, comprising MR‐CI expansions as large as ~365 × 106 configuration state functions. The nature of the studied excited states was characterized. Vertical excitation energies (ΔE) and oscillator strengths (f) were computed. The most intense transitions (S0 → S2 for 24 and S0 → S3 for 25) did not change with the wavefunction, although a variation as large as ~1 eV was obtained for the S3 state of 24, at the highest (MR‐CI+Q) level. On the other hand, ΔE changed at most by ~0.56 eV for 25 as the wavefunction changes, at the same level. The S1 state of both thiones was found to have nπ* character and is in the visible region. For 24, S2 and S3 are ππ* and nπ* states, respectively, while for 25 the reverse order is obtained. S2 and S3 are in the range ~3.5 to 5.2 eV, again at the highest level. It is the first time that the excited states of the title molecules are studied. The computed results agree with the experimental onset of photoreactions of thiones 24 and 25 found by Reva et al (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 4888).
Spin‐Gapless Semiconductors
Authors: Yue Zengji , Li Zhi , Sang Lina , Wang Xiaolin
Published: June 2020

The spin‐gapless semiconductors (SGSs) are a new class of zero‐gap materials which have fully spin polarized electrons and holes. They bridge the zero‐gap materials and the half‐metals. The band structures of the SGSs can have two types of energy dispersion: Dirac linear dispersion and parabolic dispersion. The Dirac‐type SGSs exhibit fully spin polarized Dirac cones, and offer a platform for massless and fully spin polarized spintronics as well as dissipationless edge states via the quantum anomalous Hall effect. With fascinating spin and charge states, they hold great potential for spintronics. There have been tremendous efforts worldwide to find suitable candidates for SGSs. In particular, there is an increasing interest in searching for Dirac type SGSs. In the past decade, a large number of Dirac or parabolic type SGSs have been predicted by density functional theory, and some parabolic SGSs have been experimentally demonstrated. The SGSs hold great potential for spintronics, electronics, and optoelectronics with high speed and low‐energy consumption. Here, both the Dirac and the parabolic types of SGSs in different material systems are reviewed and the concepts of the SGS, novel spin and charge states, and the potential applications of SGSs in next‐generation spintronic devices are outlined.
Synthesis and Characterization of Inulin Butyrate Ester, and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Effect on SCFA Production
Authors: Zhu Xiaozhen , Zhang Xia , Gao Xuelu , Meng Xianyao , Yi Yuetao
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study is to develop a method for the synthesis of inulin butyrate ester (IBE) as a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) delivery carrier. Inulin is modified by butyric anhydride and the structure is characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared and 1H NMR. On this basis, the synthetic conditions are optimized with response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the effects of three parameters (the ratio of anhydride to inulin, inulin concentration, and reaction temperature) on the degree of substitution (DS). Under the optimal conditions, the actual experimental DS is 2.59 ± 0.14. The antioxidant activities of inulin and IBE are determined by superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. The results show that the butyrylation inulin increases antioxidant activities and indicate that IBE could be used as a potential antioxidant. In a 36 h in vitro fermentation experiment, IBE is shown to increase the total SCFA content and the butyrate ratio, which illustrates that IBE could be used as SCFA carrier for delivering high concentration of SCFA to the colon, and thus influencing intestinal health.
Maternal cardiac function in gestational diabetes mellitus at 35–36 weeks' gestation and 6 months postpartum
Authors: Aguilera J. , Sanchez Sierra A. , Abdel Azim S. , Georgiopoulos G. , Nicolaides K. H. , Charakida M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcome later in life. However, it is uncertain whether this increased risk is due to cardiovascular changes occurring during pregnancy and persisting thereafter or to an adverse underlying cardiovascular risk factor profile. Some studies have reported that GDM is associated with reduced systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in pregnancy; however, it remains unknown whether these changes persist after delivery. The objective of this study was to compare cardiac function and structure in women with GDM and those with uncomplicated pregnancy at 35–36 weeks' gestation and about 6 months after delivery.

Methods

This was a longitudinal study in which women with GDM and those with uncomplicated pregnancy had detailed cardiovascular assessment at 35–36 weeks' gestation and repeat examination around 6 months after delivery. In all women, left ventricular systolic and diastolic indices were measured and left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area was calculated. Cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance were also calculated using echocardiography. Linear mixed model analysis accounting for differences in maternal characteristics was carried out to compare findings of cardiovascular function between the GDM group and controls and within each group at 35–36 weeks' gestation and at 6 months after delivery.

Results

We studied 73 women with GDM and 73 controls with uncomplicated pregnancy. At 35–36 weeks' gestation, women with GDM, compared to controls, had higher E/e′ ratio and lower E/A ratio and global longitudinal systolic strain; there were no significant differences between the groups in ejection fraction. Left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area was also increased in women with GDM. There were no significant differences between the groups in cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance. At 6 months after delivery, cardiac functional indices improved in both patients with GDM and controls, but in the GDM group, compared to controls, there was a lower degree of improvement in E/A ratio and global longitudinal systolic strain.

Conclusion

In the third trimester, patients with GDM have subtle differences in diastolic and systolic left ventricular function compared to controls and, despite improvement after delivery, these changes persist for at least 6 months. Long‐term follow‐up is therefore needed to assess whether women with GDM are at risk for an accelerated decline in their cardiac function and, if so, whether this trend can be reversed or delayed by optimal cardiovascular risk factor modification. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Introduction to artificial intelligence in ultrasound imaging in obstetrics and gynecology
Authors: Drukker L. , Noble J. A. , Papageorghiou A. T.
Published: June 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses data and algorithms to aim to draw conclusions that are as good as, or even better than, those drawn by humans. AI is already part of our daily life; it is behind face recognition technology, speech recognition in virtual assistants (such as Amazon Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana) and self‐driving cars. AI software has been able to beat world champions in chess, Go and recently even Poker. Relevant to our community, it is a prominent source of innovation in healthcare, already helping to develop new drugs, support clinical decisions and provide quality assurance in radiology. The list of medical image‐analysis AI applications with USA Food and Drug Administration or European Union (soon to fall under European Union Medical Device Regulation) approval is growing rapidly and covers diverse clinical needs, such as detection of arrhythmia using a smartwatch or automatic triage of critical imaging studies to the top of the radiologist's worklist. Deep learning, a leading tool of AI, performs particularly well in image pattern recognition and, therefore, can be of great benefit to doctors who rely heavily on images, such as sonologists, radiographers and pathologists. Although obstetric and gynecological ultrasound are two of the most commonly performed imaging studies, AI has had little impact on this field so far. Nevertheless, there is huge potential for AI to assist in repetitive ultrasound tasks, such as automatically identifying good‐quality acquisitions and providing instant quality assurance. For this potential to thrive, interdisciplinary communication between AI developers and ultrasound professionals is necessary. In this article, we explore the fundamentals of medical imaging AI, from theory to applicability, and introduce some key terms to medical professionals in the field of ultrasound. We believe that wider knowledge of AI will help accelerate its integration into healthcare. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Polymorphisms in the ASMT and ADAMTS1 gene may increase litter size in goats
Authors: Hu Wenping , Tang Jishun , Zhang Zhuangbiao , Tang Qianqian , Yan Yan , Wang Pinqing , Wang Xiangyu , Liu Qiuyue , Guo Xiaofei , Jin Mei , Zhang Yingjie , Di Ran , Chu Mingxing
Published: June 2020

Prolificacy of most local goat breeds in China is low. Jining Grey goat is one of the most prolific goat breeds in China, it is an important goat breed for the rural economy. ASMT (acetylserotonin O‐methyltransferase) and ADAMTS1 (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif) are essential for animal reproduction. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ASMT and ADAMTS1 genes in the highly prolific breed (Jining Grey goats), medium prolific breed (Boer goats and Guizhou White goats) and low prolific breeds (Angora goats, Liaoning Cashmere goats and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats) were detected by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. Two SNPs (g.158122T>C, g.158700G>A) of ASMT gene and two SNPs (g.7979798A>G, g.7979477C>T) of ADAMTS1 gene were identified. For g.158122T>C of ASMT gene, further analysis revealed that genotype TC or CC had 0.66 (p < 0.05) or 0.75 (p < 0.05) kids more than those with genotype TT in Jining Grey goats. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found in litter size between TC and CC genotypes. The SNP (g.158122T>C) caused a p.Tyr298His change and this SNP mutation resulted in changes in protein binding sites and macromolecule‐binding sites. The improvement in reproductive performance may be due to changes in the structure of ASMT protein. For g.7979477C>T of ADAMTS1 gene, Jining Grey does with genotype CT or TT had 0.82 (p < 0.05) or 0.86 (p < 0.05) more kids than those with genotype CC. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found in litter size between CT or TT genotypes. These results preliminarily indicated that C allele (g.158122T>C) of ASMT gene and T allele (g.7979477C>T) of ADAMTS1 gene are potential molecular markers which could improve litter size of Jining Grey goats and be used in goat breeding.
Role of the regulatory genes SEF1, VMA1 and SFU1 in riboflavin synthesis in the flavinogenic yeast Candida famata (Candida flareri)
Authors: Andreieva Yuliia , Petrovska Yana , Lyzak Oleksii , Liu Wen , Kang Yingqian , Dmytruk Kostyantyn , Sibirny Andriy
Published: June 2020

Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is an essential dietary component for humans and animals that is the precursor of flavin coenzymes flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide involved in numerous enzymatic reactions. The flavinogenic yeast Candida famata overproduces riboflavin under iron starvation; however, regulation of this process is poorly understood. Regulatory gene SEF1 encoding transcription activator has been identified. Its deletion blocks yeast ability to overproduce riboflavin under iron starvation. It was shown here that the SEF1 promoters from other flavinogenic (Candida albicans) and non‐flavinogenic (Candida tropicalis) yeasts fused with the open reading frame (ORF) of SEF1 gene from C. famata are able to restore riboflavin oversynthesis in sef1Δ mutants. It is known that in the pathogenic flavinogenic yeast C. albicans, Sfu1 (GATA‐type transcription factor) represses SEF1. Here, we found that deletion of SFU1 gene in wild‐type C. famata leads to riboflavin oversynthesis. Moreover, it was shown that disruption of VMA1 gene (coding for vacuolar ATPase subunit A) also results in riboflavin oversynthesis in C. famata.
Daubechies’ Time–Frequency Localization Operator on Cantor Type Sets I
Authors: Knutsen Helge
Published: June 2020

We study Daubechies’ time–frequency localization operator, which is characterized by a window and weight function. We consider a Gaussian window and a spherically symmetric weight as this choice yields explicit formulas for the eigenvalues, with the Hermite functions as the associated eigenfunctions. Inspired by the fractal uncertainty principle in the separate time–frequency representation, we define the n-iterate mid-third spherically symmetric Cantor set in the joint representation. For the n-iterate Cantor set, precise asymptotic estimates for the operator norm are then derived up to a multiplicative constant.
Quantum Harmonic Analysis on Lattices and Gabor Multipliers
Authors: Skrettingland Eirik
Published: June 2020

We develop a theory of quantum harmonic analysis on lattices in$${\mathbb {R}}^{2d}$$R2d. Convolutions of a sequence with an operator and of two operators are defined over a lattice, and using corresponding Fourier transforms of sequences and operators we develop a version of harmonic analysis for these objects. We prove analogues of results from classical harmonic analysis and the quantum harmonic analysis of Werner, including Tauberian theorems and a Wiener division lemma. Gabor multipliers from time-frequency analysis are described as convolutions in this setting. The quantum harmonic analysis is thus a conceptual framework for the study of Gabor multipliers, and several of the results include results on Gabor multipliers as special cases.
The competitive athlete with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Riddell Michael C. , Scott Sam N. , Fournier Paul A. , Colberg Sheri R. , Gallen Ian W. , Moser Othmar , Stettler Christoph , Yardley Jane E. , Zaharieva Dessi P. , Adolfsson Peter , Bracken Richard M.
Published: June 2020

Regular exercise is important for health, fitness and longevity in people living with type 1 diabetes, and many individuals seek to train and compete while living with the condition. Muscle, liver and glycogen metabolism can be normal in athletes with diabetes with good overall glucose management, and exercise performance can be facilitated by modifications to insulin dose and nutrition. However, maintaining normal glucose levels during training, travel and competition can be a major challenge for athletes living with type 1 diabetes. Some athletes have low-to-moderate levels of carbohydrate intake during training and rest days but tend to benefit, from both a glucose and performance perspective, from high rates of carbohydrate feeding during long-distance events. This review highlights the unique metabolic responses to various types of exercise in athletes living with type 1 diabetes.
Flooring the Major Vessels with Falciform Ligament to Prevent Post‐Pancreatectomy Hemorrhage
Authors: Okada Kenjiro , Murakami Yoshiaki , Uemura Kenichiro , Kondo Naru , Nakagawa Naoya , Seo Shingo , Otsuka Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shinya
Published: June 2020

Background

One of the most severe pancreatic surgery complications is post‐pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH). This study's aim was to evaluate the efficacy of flooring the major vessels with falciform ligament in preventing PPH after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

This study was a retrospective review of 500 consecutive patients who underwent PD between Jan 2010 and Dec 2019 at Hiroshima University. Morbidities, including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) or PPH and 90‐day mortality, were analyzed. The study cohort was divided into two groups based on the time of surgery (2010–2016 and 2017–2019), i.e., before and after implementation of falciform ligament flooring method. The patient characteristics, operative parameters, clinicopathological factors, morbidity, and mortality were compared between the two periods.

Results

Morbidity and mortality rates in the entire cohort were 21% and 1.4%, respectively. The incidence of Grade B/C POPF and PPH was 9.0% and 3.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two periods with respect to Grade B/C POPF, morbidity rate, and mortality rate; however, the rate of Grade B/C PPH significantly decreased from 5.2 to 1.6% p = .027. On multivariate analysis, the absence of the falciform ligament flooring method was an independent PPH risk factor p = .003.

Conclusions

Falciform ligament flooring method may help decrease the incidence of PPH after PD.
Influences of preoperative metformin on immunological factors in early breast cancer
Authors: Tsukioki Takahiro , Shien Tadahiko , Tanaka Takehiro , Suzuki Yoko , Kajihara Yukiko , Hatono Minami , Kawada Kengo , Kochi Mariko , Iwamoto Takayuki , Ikeda Hirokuni , Taira Naruto , Doihara Hiroyoshi , Toyooka Shinichi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Metformin has been suggested to possibly reduce cancer risk. However, the mechanism underlying the positive effects of metformin on cancer treatment remains unclear. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the effects of preoperative metformin in patients with early breast cancer.

Method

We evaluated the effects on immunological factors (TILs, CD4 + , CD8 + , PD-L1, IFNγ and IL-2) by comparing core needle biopsies (CNB) obtained before metformin treatment with surgical specimens. Seventeen patients were enrolled in this prospective study from January to December 2016. We also analyzed 59 patients undergoing surgery during the same period to reveal the correlation of immune factors between CNB and surgical specimen.

Result

There was a moderate correlation between CNB and surgical specimens on TILs and CD8 + lymphocyte. (TILs Rs = 0.63, CD4 + Rs = 0.224, CD8 + Rs = 0.42) In the metformin group, TILs increases were confirmed in five (29%) patients, while a decrease was confirmed in two (12%). The expressions of CD4 + and CD8 + by TILs were increased in 41% and 18% of surgical specimens, respectively. However, TILs number (p = 0.0554), CD4+ (p = 0.0613) and CD8 + (p = 0.0646) expressions did not significantly increased. Furthermore, IFNγ expression appeared to be increased in response to metformin (p = 0.08).

Conclusion

Preoperative metformin tends to increase TILs, as well as the numbers of CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes, and IFNγ levels. Metformin might improve immune function and have a possibility of chemo-sensitivity and thereby increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy, based on the results of this preliminary study.
Predicting the presence of coronary artery disease by transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Heidari Houtan , Ran Hong , Roth Christian , Hengstenberg Christian , Binder Thomas , Goliasch Georg
Published: June 2020

Background

The accuracy of ultrasound signs as predictors for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been evaluated extensively in the 1990s and 2000s. Imaging quality has improved tremendously over the last decades.

Hypothesis

High-end ultrasound systems allow for accurate prediction of the presence or absence of CAD.

Methods

All patients who underwent a transesophageal echocardiography examination (TEE) between 2007 and 2016 and who had coronary angiography within 24 months before or after the TEE were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

A total of 242 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 60% were male. Mean age was 70 years (SD ± 13 years). In multivariate regression analysis, plaque in the ascending aorta (odds ratio [OR] 2.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–5.32, p = 0.017), plaque in at least one of the thoracic aortic segments (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.02–4.22, p = 0.045), and the presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC, OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.01–3.36, p = 0.046) were predictors of significant CAD. The isolated finding of aortic stenosis (AS) (OR 2.53, 95%CI 1.23–5.21, p = 0.012) was a significant predictor for the absence of normal coronary arteries.

Conclusion

With an negative predictive value (NPV) of 80%, the absence of MAC, AS, and aortic plaque makes the presence of significant CAD unlikely. If at least mild AS is present, normal coronary arteries are improbable.
Arsenotučekite, Ni18Sb3AsS16, a new mineral from the Tsangli chromitites, Othrys ophiolite, Greece
Authors: Zaccarini Federica , Bindi Luca , Tsikouras Basilios , Grammatikopoulos Tassos , Stanley Christopher J. , Garuti Giorgio
Published: June 2020

Arsenotučekite, Ni18Sb3AsS16, is a new mineral discovered in the abandoned chromium mine of Tsangli, located in the eastern portion of the Othrys ophiolite complex, central Greece. Tsangli is one of the largest chromite deposit at which chromite was mined since 1870. The Tsangli chromitite occurs as lenticular and irregular bodies. The studied chromitites are hosted in a strongly serpentinized mantle peridotite. Arsenotučekite forms anhedral to subhedral grains that vary in size between 5 μm up to 100 μm, and occurs as single phase grains or is associated with pentlandite, breithauptite, gersdorffite and chlorite. It is brittle and has a metallic luster. In plane-polarized light, it is creamy-yellow, the bireflectance is barely perceptible and the pleochroism is weak. In crossed polarized reflected light, the anisotropic rotation tints vary from pale blue to brown. Internal reflections were not observed. Reflectance values of arsenotučekite in air (Ro, Re′ in %) are: 41.8–46.4 at 470 nm, 47.2–50.6 at 546 nm, 49.4–52.3 at 589 nm, and 51.3–53.2 at 650 nm. The empirical formula of arsenotučekite, based on 38 atoms per formula unit, and according to the structural results, is (Ni16.19Co1.01Fe0.83)Σ18.03Sb3(As0.67Sb0.32)Σ0.99S15.98. The mass density is 6.477 g·cm−3. The simplified chemical formula is (Ni,Co,Fe)18Sb3(As,Sb)S16. The mineral is tetragonal and belongs to space group I4/mmm, with a = 9.7856(3) Å, c = 10.7582(6) Å, V = 1030.2(6) Å3 and Z = 2. The structure is layered (stacking along the c-axis) and is dominated by three different Ni-coordination polyhedral, one octahedral and two cubic. The arsenotučekite structure can be considered as a superstructure of tučekite resulting from the ordering of Sb and As. The name of the new mineral species indicates the As-dominant of tučekite. Arsenotučekite occurs as rims partly replacing pentlandite and irregularly developed grains. Furthermore, it is locally associated with chlorite. These observations suggest that it was likely precipitated at relatively low temperatures during: 1) the late hydrothermal stages of the ore-forming process by reaction of Sb- and As-bearing solutions with magmatic sulfides such as pentlandite, or 2) during the serpentinization of the host peridotite. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission of New Minerals, Nomenclature, and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (number 2019–135).
Responses of food web to hypolimnetic aeration in Lake Vesijärvi
Authors: Ruuhijärvi Jukka , Malinen Tommi , Kuoppamäki Kirsi , Ala-Opas Pasi , Vinni Mika
Published: June 2020

We studied the responses of a food web, especially fish and zooplankton, to summertime aeration, pumping of oxygen-rich epilimnetic water to the hypolimnion in Lake Vesijärvi, southern Finland. The aim of hypolimnetic aeration was to reduce internal loading of phosphorus from sediment. The population of smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L.), the main planktivore of the pelagial area, collapsed during the two 1st years of aeration due to increased temperature and low oxygen concentrations in the hypolimnion. The population recovered after the 4th year of hypolimnetic aeration, when oxygen conditions were improved. Despite elevated hypolimnetic temperature, smelt reached exceptionally high abundance, which led to a significant reduction in cladoceran body size. The density of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) increased at first, but then decreased when the proportion of smelt and cyprinids increased. Biomasses of Daphnia decreased probably as a result of the disappearance of dark, low-oxygen deep-water refuge against fish predation and low availability of nutritionally high-quality algae. Occasionally filamentous cyanobacteria, such as turbulence tolerant Planktothrix agardhii (Gomont), were abundant, suggesting deteriorated food resources for zooplankton. The responses of food web were controversial with respect to the aim of the management, which was to prevent the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.
Professional Development for Enhancing Autism Spectrum Disorder Awareness in Preschool Professionals
Authors: Petersson Bloom Linda
Published: June 2020

The current study describes the design, implementation, and analysis of a professional development programme using a Lesson Study model to enhance awareness in preschool professionals regarding inclusive education for children with autism spectrum disorder. The mixed method approach included pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, audio-recordings of group seminars, and an interview. The results indicated an increase in autism awareness among the professionals, suggesting that professionals changed their practice as a result of the programme. This was particularly clear regarding making adjustments to the learning environment and taking measures to prevent challenging situations. In addition to describing the implementation of a professional development programme in a preschool, this paper emphasises the importance of appropriate conditions for such initiatives.
Machine learning method for cosmetic product recognition: a visual searching approach
Authors: Umer Saiyed , Mohanta Partha Pratim , Rout Ranjeet Kumar , Pandey Hari Mohan
Published: June 2020

A cosmetic product recognition system is proposed in this paper. For this recognition system, we have proposed a cosmetic product database that contains image samples of forty different cosmetic items. The purpose of this recognition system is to recognize Cosmetic products with there types, brands and retailers such that to analyze a customer experience what kind of products and brands they need. This system has various applications in such as brand recognition, product recognition and also the availability of the products to the vendors. The implementation of the proposed system is divided into three components: preprocessing, feature extraction and classification. During preprocessing we have scaled and transformed the color images into gray-scaled images to speed up the process. During feature extraction, several different feature representation schemes: transformed, structural and statistical texture analysis approaches have been employed and investigated by employing the global and local feature representation schemes. Various machine learning supervised classification methods such as Logistic Regression, Linear Support Vector Machine, Adaptive k-Nearest Neighbor, Artificial Neural Network and Decision Tree classifiers have been employed to perform the classification tasks. Apart from this, we have also performed some data analytic tasks for Brand Recognition as well as Retailer Recognition and for these experimentation, we have employed some datasets from the ‘Kaggle’ website and have obtained the performance due to the above-mentioned classifiers. Finally, the performance of the cosmetic product recognition system, Brand Recognition and Retailer Recognition have been aggregated for the customer decision process in the form of the state-of-the-art for the proposed system.
Comment on “Hyperchaos in constrained Hamiltonian system and its control” by J. Li, H. Wu and F. Mei
Authors: Szumiński Wojciech , Przybylska Maria , Maciejewski Andrzej J.
Published: June 2020

The aim of this comment is to show that discovery of hyperchaos in three systems investigated in Li et al. (Nonlinear Dyn 94(3):1703–1720, 2018) is not correct. It is justified both theoretically and numerically. Corrected calculations of Lyapunov exponents and corresponding bifurcation diagram are given. Examples of hyperchaotic Hamiltonian multiple pendulum systems are presented.
The interplay between vegetation and water in mangroves: new perspectives for mangrove stand modelling and ecological research
Authors: Peters Ronny , Walther Marc , Lovelock Catherine , Jiang Jiang , Berger Uta
Published: June 2020

It is commonly accepted that vegetation patterns and water supply mutually define each other. In mangroves, soil water salinity and the corresponding osmotic potential are the main drivers of plant water supply. Below-ground processes thus may be key for the structure and dynamics of mangrove stands. Nevertheless, existing simulation models describing mangrove forest dynamics do not quantify the water uptake of the single plant from the soil and traditionally neglect any feedback of the vegetation on the water availability, but instead use empirical, statistical models for plant competition affecting growth. We provide a brief review on the state of the art of mangrove forest models with an emphasis on how below-ground processes are regarded. We follow mainly two directions: (1) phenomenological concepts for competition for below-ground resources and (2) assessing the impact of salinity and water supply on the vegetation and possible feedback mechanisms from the vegetation to the below-ground conditions. We hypothesise that a coupled vegetation-groundwater model would avail us to better understand the dynamics and properties of mangrove systems, their capability to persist or rehabilitate under stressful hydrological conditions, as well as their response to environmental changes related to the groundwater system and transport. The benefits of such a joint approach would (i) constitute an intrinsic below-ground competition description close to the governing processes and (ii) concurrently exploit secondary, constraining information from vegetation patterns to derive a new concept to acquire knowledge on subsurface heterogeneity and parametrisation. The aim of this paper is to lay the theoretical groundwork and guidelines for future modellers to follow in the creation of a more realistic mangrove model coupling above- and below-ground processes. The proposed modelling approach has the potential to be useful for a broad audience based particularly in forest sciences and plant ecology in general, but also for hydrodynamic modelling (e.g. subsurface flow and transport detected by vegetation patterns as above-ground proxy).
Population Dynamics with Threshold Effects Give Rise to a Diverse Family of Allee Effects
Authors: Fadai Nabil T. , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: June 2020

The Allee effect describes populations that deviate from logistic growth models and arises in applications including ecology and cell biology. A common justification for incorporating Allee effects into population models is that the population in question has altered growth mechanisms at some critical density, often referred to as a threshold effect. Despite the ubiquitous nature of threshold effects arising in various biological applications, the explicit link between local threshold effects and global Allee effects has not been considered. In this work, we examine a continuum population model that incorporates threshold effects in the local growth mechanisms. We show that this model gives rise to a diverse family of Allee effects, and we provide a comprehensive analysis of which choices of local growth mechanisms give rise to specific Allee effects. Calibrating this model to a recent set of experimental data describing the growth of a population of cancer cells provides an interpretation of the threshold population density and growth mechanisms associated with the population.
Improvement of Corrosion Resistance of 13CrMo4-5 Steel by Ni-Based Laser Cladding Coatings
Authors: Koclęga Damian , Radziszewska Agnieszka , Dymek Stanisław , Morgiel Jerzy , Maj Łukasz , Kranzmann Axel
Published: June 2020

The 13CrMo4-5 ferritic steel is commonly used in power plants, due to its favorable mechanical properties. According to EN10028-2, this steel can be used at temperatures up to 570 °C because of its creep behavior. The inefficient corrosion resistance limits the application of this steel to lower temperatures depending on the gas temperature and slag formation. Therefore, the application of a highly resistant Ni-based coating is proposed to extend the corrosion resistance of elements made of ferritic steel. The corrosion test was performed in an environment containing a mixture of gases, like O2, COx, and SOx, and deposited ashes with elements, e.g., Na, Cl, Ca, Si, C, Fe, and Al. The exposure time was, respectively, 240 h, 1000 h and 4500 h at a temperature of 600 °C. The oxide scale formed on the 13CrMo4-5 steel was significantly thicker than on the IN686 coating. The microstructure and chemical and phase compositions of the oxide scale were investigated using light optical microscopy together with scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Energy dispersive x-ray analyses were preformed when appropriate.
Second-order and local characteristics of network intensity functions
Authors: Eckardt Matthias , Mateu Jorge
Published: June 2020

The last decade has witnessed an increase of interest in the spatial analysis of structured point patterns over networks whose analysis is challenging because of geometrical complexities and unique methodological problems. In this context, it is essential to incorporate the network specificity into the analysis as the locations of events are restricted to areas covered by line segments. Relying on concepts originating from graph theory, we extend the notions of first-order network intensity functions to second-order and local network intensity functions. We consider two types of local indicators of network association functions which can be understood as adaptations of the primary ideas of local analysis on the plane. We develop the nodewise and cross-hierarchical type of local functions. A real data set on urban disturbances is also presented.