bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of HMM and RNN models for network traffic modeling
Authors: Bikmukhamedov Radion , Nadeev Adel , Maione Guido , Striccoli Domenico
Published: January 2020

Major applications for statistical modeling of network traffic flows can be found in network testing and imitating of unavailable devices. Since packet‐level modeling is considered, packet size (PS) and inter‐arrival time (IAT) features are sufficient for accurate statistics. Two models are compared based on the hidden Markov model (HMM) framework and a recurrent neural network (RNN). In the RNN model, the feature space is encoded with latent components of a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The comparison is carried out with a voice Skype call and traffic of an IoT device, and evaluated with the rolling entropy and Kulback‐Leibler divergence (KLD) metrics that are derived from the generated PS and IAT parameters. The results show that the RNN is applicable for the packet‐level modeling task, but it underperforms the HMM.
Mapping of retardance, diattenuation and polarizance vector on Poincare sphere for diagnosis and classification of cervical precancer
Authors: Zaffar Mohammad , Pradhan Asima
Published: January 2020

The mapping of diattenuation, polarizance and retardance vector (normalized Stokes vector) on Poincare sphere, evaluated from Mueller matrix of optically anisotropic stromal region of cervical tissues, is presented for cervical precancer detection and its staging. This reveals that the changes in the polarization states shown by these normalized Stokes vectors corresponds to the degradation of linearly arranged collagen fibers, breakage of the collagen cross links in the stromal region and change in the density of scattering sites when cervical cancer evolves. The distinct nature of real and imaginary parts of the refractive index for linear, linear‐45 and circular polarization from the optically anisotropic stromal region underscore the various polarization structures of the connective tissue region which get modified during the pathological changes. It has been found that versatility of these vectors for normal and precancerous cervical tissue of various grades may be utilized as a key distinction for qualitative staging of cervical precancer tissue. Quantitative classification of precancerous stages of cervical precancer has been determined with 95%–100% sensitivity and 93%–100% specificity through the evaluation of linear and circular diattenuation, linear polarizance and linear birefringence from the components of the respective vectors.
Mechanism of pancreatic juice reflux in pancreaticobiliary maljunction: A fluid dynamics model experiment
Authors: Fukuzawa Hiroaki , Kajihara Keisuke , Tajikawa Tsutomu , Aoki Keita , Ajiki Tetsuo , Maeda Kosaku
Published: January 2020

Background

Pancreatic juice reflux to the common bile duct and gallbladder is observed in the pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM), and various pathological conditions occur in the biliary tract. However, the mechanism of pancreatic juice reflux has not been discussed yet. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon from the perspective of the fluid dynamics theory.

Methods

A fluid dynamics model of PBM without biliary dilatation having gallbladder function and of the pressure of sphincter of Oddi was developed. Water (as bile juice and pancreatic juice) was flowed to these models with a flow rate similar to that in humans. Pancreatic and bile juice flow and bile duct pressure were observed in three phases of gallbladder function. Moreover, the same experiment was performed in the PBM without biliary dilatation model without gallbladder.

Results

Pancreatic juice reflux could be observed when the gallbladder was passively expanded with the pressure in the bile duct lower than that in the sphincter of Oddi. However, pancreatic juice reflux was not observed in the model without gallbladder.

Conclusions

Gallbladder function may be strongly involved in pancreatic juice reflux in PBM without biliary dilatation. Cholecystectomy may be able to stop the reflux of pancreatic juice.
Green synthesis, molecular docking and pharmacological evaluation of new triazolo‐thiadiazepinylcoumarine derivatives as sedative‐hypnotic scaffold
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Abdel‐aziz Hassan M. , Abolibda Tariq Z. , Hassan Shaimaa A. , Abdalla Mohamed M.
Published: January 2020

4‐Amino‐5‐mercapto‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole derivative 1 was used as a key intermediate for the preparation of 1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazepine derivatives 5a‐d, 12a‐g, and 16 via reactions with the appropriate chalcones 2a‐d, α,β‐unsaturated carbonitrile derivatives 9a‐g and 13, respectively. The identity of the synthesized compounds was elucidated via their spectral data and elemental analysis. Moreover, the sedative‐hypnotic activity of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated and showed excellent activities especially compounds 12b, 12f, and 16. Also, their structure activity relationship (SAR) was clearly demonstrated and showed that the electron‐donating groups enhance activities while electron‐withdrawing groups decrease activities. The molecular docking of the most active derivative 16 against γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor was performed by the MOE 2014 0901program. The acquired outcomes demonstrated that the most active compounds could be a helpful model for future structure, adjustment, and examination to build more active analogs.
Normative Pancreatic Stiffness Levels and Related Influences Established by Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Volunteers
Authors: Xu Youli , Cai Xiaoli , Shi Yu , Yin Meng , Lan Gongyu , Zhang Xianyi , Ji Ruoyun , Chang Liu
Published: January 2020

Background

Large‐scale normative studies of pancreatic stiffness and potential influences have yet to be pursued via magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).

Purpose

To determine normative MRE‐based pancreatic stiffness values and to examine related influential factors.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

In all, 361 volunteers (men, 199; women, 162) with a median age of 54.0 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 22.86 kg/m2 were prospectively recruited. Those with no histories of smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were grouped as healthy volunteers, designating all others as positive controls.

Field Strength/Sequence

Each volunteer underwent 3.0T pancreatic MRI at a frequency of 40 Hz.

Assessment

Pancreatic stiffness values, pancreatic width and volume, waist circumference, and wave distance were measured in all subjects.

Statistical Tests

Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine variables that influence MRE‐determined stiffness.

Results

The mean pancreatic stiffness in all volunteers was 1.20 ± 0.16 kPa. Stiffness levels in positive control volunteers proved significantly greater than levels in healthy volunteers (1.29 ± 0.17 kPa vs. 1.14 ± 0.13 kPa; P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, sex (P = 0.004), BMI (P < 0.001), pancreatic width (P = 0.005), smoking (P < 0.001), alcohol abuse (P < 0.001), and DM (P = 0.001) emerged as significant independent factors impacting pancreatic stiffness. Smoking, alcohol abuse, DM, and wide pancreas were associated with greater pancreatic stiffness (coefficients = 0.202, 0.183, 0.149, and 0.160, respectively), while reduced pancreatic stiffness corresponded with female sex and larger BMI (coefficient = −0.155 and −0.192, respectively).

Data Conclusion

MRE‐based pancreatic stiffness values are impacted by sex, BMI, pancreatic width, smoking, alcohol abuse, and DM. Reference values are essential for future clinical studies.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:448–458.
Measurement of the polarization‐ and orientation‐dependent scalar, vector, and tensor light shifts in 87Rb using the near‐resonant, stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Qing‐Qing , Wang Qian , Luo Yu‐Kun , Li Ying‐Ying , Ma Ming‐Xiang , Xu Fu‐Fang , Yang Jun , Wei Rong
Published: January 2020

We present the polarization‐ and orientation‐dependent characteristics of the differential light shifts (DLSs) in 87Rb using the near‐resonant, stimulated Raman spectroscopy with an atomic fountain clock. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the Raman resonant frequencies would shift sinusoidally as the rotation of the laser's polarization vector due to the polarization‐dependent vector and tensor DLSs, and the total DLS is counteracted in some elliptically polarized laser configurations. What is more, this paper provides an alternative method to measure the effective magnetic field vector and the absolute scalar, vector, and tensor (SVT) DLSs and to verify the theoretically calculated SVT dynamical polarizabilities. These results will facilitate the evaluation and elimination of the light shift‐related systemic errors in the atomic optics‐based quantum sensors, including the atomic magnetometer, atomic interferometer, atomic clock, and quantum register.
Pesticide residues determination in common bean using an optimized QuEChERS approach followed by solvent exchange and GC–MS/MS analysis
Authors: Reichert Bárbara , Pereira Nunes Maria G , Pizzutti Ionara R , Costabeber Ijoni H , Fontana Marlos Z , Jänich Bárbara D , Panciera Matheus P , Arbusti Dênia , Cardoso Carmem D , Chim Josiane F
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Common bean is a staple food in Latin America and Africa; however, studies about contamination of common bean with pesticides are rarely reported. So, the goals of this study were to validate a multiresidue method and apply it in monitoring of pesticides in common beans. Extraction was performed applying the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) approach to ground samples. Octadecylsilane and primary–secondary amine were used for clean‐up, and a solvent exchange step was performed before injection for gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Method validation was done analyzing blank samples spiked at 20, 30, 50, and 100 μg kg−1 (n = 5). Linearity and linear range were assessed by the analysis of standard solutions at concentrations of 5, 15, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 μg L−1.

RESULTS

The method was successfully validated for 91 (64.1%) of the 142 compounds studied (139 pesticides and three degradation products). Limits of quantification were equal to 20 μg kg−1, 30 μg kg−1, 50 μg kg−1, and 100 μg kg−1 for 18 (12.7%), 17 (12.0%), 21 (14.8%) and 35 (24.6%) compounds respectively. Fifteen (10.6%) compounds were not detected at any level, and 36 (25.4%) did not fulfill the requirements for a quantitative method. Sixteen common bean samples of South of Brazil were analyzed. Two samples were positive: one for tebuconzole and a second for picoxystrobin, permethrin, and cyproconazole. Cyproconazole is not allowed for use in the common bean crop, its use being a violation.

CONCLUSION

As demonstrated, the validated approach is suitable for pesticide residues determination in common bean. Results of the sample analysis show that the control of pesticide residues in common bean is necessary to ensure food safety. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel method for the fast measurement of the three‐dimensional range of the eyebox of a VR device
Authors: Hong Hyungki
Published: January 2020

In a virtual reality (VR) device, the eyebox is an importance factor that is used to characterize the performance of the VR device. The conventional eyebox measurement method is quite time consuming as measurements must be performed at multiple positions to determine the three‐dimensional range. In this paper, a new measurement method is proposed that entails investigating the trajectories of the light rays extending from a specific position of the virtual image. These light rays form an identifiable brightness distribution pattern on the diffusing plane when this plane is located near the eye position of user. The positions of the pupil that allow the user to see the positions of the virtual image can be derived from the overlap of these distributions. Additionally, the three‐dimensional range of the eyebox can be determined by changing the position of the diffusing screen. Furthermore, the proposed method allows simultaneous measurement of the eyebox of the left and right eyes. Thus, the proposed method can be used to relatively quickly determine the three‐dimensional range of the eyebox.
Development of a soil quality index for characterizing effects of land‐use changes on degradation and ecological restoration of rangeland soils in a semi‐arid ecosystem
Authors: Raiesi Fayez , Salek‐Gilani Soroosh
Published: January 2020

The aim of this research was to study the influence of land‐use changes on degradation and ecological restoration of rangeland soils by quantifying 15 soil attributes and the subsequent development of a soil quality index (SQI). Soil properties were determined to establish a minimum data set (MDS) for the development of an overall weighted additive SQI. The soil attributes were measured on samples (0 to 15 and 15 to 30‐cm depths) collected in undisturbed rangelands, cultivated rangelands, and restored rangelands following cultivation abandonment for 12 or 45 years in a semi‐arid ecosystem, Central Iran. The selected MDS indicators consisted of the mean weight diameter (MWD), total nitrogen (TN), microbial respiration (MR), and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity (ALP). Overall, soil aggregation, N content, microbial activity, and ALP activity were found to be the key indicators contributing considerably to the SQI of rangeland ecosystems. Soil MWD had the highest contribution (31%) to the estimated SQI values, followed by TN (27%), MR (22%), and ALP (21%). Results indicated a clear difference in soil quality among the common land uses with a significant decline of SQI after conversion of native rangelands (0.80) to croplands (0.53). Restored rangeland soils were characterized by a higher value of SQI (0.63–0.73) as compared with cultivated rangelands (0.53). This suggests a good recovery of soil capacity and functions after the abandonment of cropping activity in previously cultivated rangelands. Vegetation restoration and plant productivity appeared to be the major driver of improved soil quality of the abandoned croplands in these rangelands. Our SQI tool could be useful to determine the success of agricultural abandonment and ecological restoration of rangeland soils in the studied semi‐arid environment.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of transoral laser microsurgery in hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Lane Ciaran , Rabbani Rasheda , Linton Janice , Taylor S. Mark , Viallet Norbert
Published: January 2020

Background

Transoral laser microsurgery has been suggested as an alternative treatment modality for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the oncologic and functional outcomes of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma when treated with primary transoral laser microsurgery.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed using PRISMA methodology on OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE. Meta‐analysis was completed for oncological outcomes.

Results

Six studies reported quality of life outcomes five reported oncologic outcomes. A median of 95% (range 0.83‐0.98) patients achieving gastrostomy independence, a median of 3% (range 0%‐6%) were tracheostomy dependent, and a median of 97% (Range 0.89‐1.0) were able to preserve their larynx. Pooled five‐year overall survival was 54% (CI, 0.50‐0.58, I2 = 29%), pooled disease‐specific survival was 72% (CI, 0.68‐0.77, I2 = 46%), and pooled local control rate was 78% (CI, 0.72‐0.85, I2 = 69%).

Conclusion

Systematic review supports improvements in functional outcomes and oncologic outcomes with transoral laser microsurgery.
Double homozygosity in CEP57 and DYNC2H1 genes detected by WES: Composite or expanded phenotype?
Authors: Pezzani Lidia , Pezzoli Laura , Pansa Alessandra , Facchinetti Barbara , Marchetti Daniela , Scatigno Agnese , Lincesso Anna R. , Perego Loredana , Pingue Monica , Pellicioli Isabella , Migliazza Lucia , Mangili Giovanna , Galletti Lorenzo , Giussani Ursula , Bonanomi Ezio , Cereda Anna , Iascone Maria
Published: January 2020

Background

In the last few years trio‐whole exome sequencing (WES) analysis has demonstrated its potential in obtaining genetic diagnoses even in nonspecific clinical pictures and in atypical presentations of known diseases. Moreover WES allows the detection of variants in multiple genes causing different genetic conditions in a single patient, in about 5% of cases. The resulting phenotype may be clinically discerned as variability in the expression of a known phenotype, or as a new unreported syndromic condition.

Methods

Trio‐WES was performed on a 4‐month‐old baby with a complex clinical presentation characterized by skeletal anomalies, congenital heart malformation, congenital hypothyroidism, generalized venous and arterial hypoplasia, and recurrent infections.

Results

WES detected two different homozygous variants, one in CEP57, the gene responsible for mosaic variegated aneuploidy syndrome 2, the other in DYNC2H1, the main gene associated with short‐rib thoracic dysplasia.

Conclusion

The contribution of these two different genetic causes in determining the phenotype of our patient is discussed, including some clinical signs not explained by the detected variants.

The report then highlights the role of WES in providing complete and fast diagnosis in patients with complex presentations of rare genetic syndromes, with important implications in the assessment of recurrence risk.
The norm of the characteristic function of a set in the John‐Nirenberg space of exponent p
Authors: Blasco Oscar , Espinoza‐Villalva Carolina
Published: January 2020

We find the concrete value of
for any measurable set
of positive and finite Lebesgue measure, where
stands for the John‐Nirenberg space of exponent
. In the case
we show that
for any interval
with
and any
where
An exploration of physiotherapists' perceived benefits and barriers towards using psychosocial strategies in their practice
Authors: Driver Christina , Oprescu Florin , Lovell Geoff P.
Published: January 2020

Background

This study aimed to determine what physiotherapists perceive are the benefits of using psychosocial strategies in their own practice, and whether perceived barriers extend beyond practitioner and contextual barriers.

Methods

Content analysis of two open‐ended questions was conducted. Australian physiotherapists (n = 206) provided written comments.

Results

Three key categories of benefits emerged: patient benefits, shared patient and physiotherapist benefits, and physiotherapist benefits. Patient benefits included improved rehabilitation experience, improved patient wellbeing and improvement of psychosocial responses. Specifically, increased patient enjoyment, improved self‐management and improved understanding of the links between their physical and psychological health. Therapeutic alliance appeared as a shared patient and physiotherapist benefit, with specific reference to enhanced partnerships and improved patient‐centred practice. Physiotherapist benefits comprised of improved needs assessment and occupational benefits such as reduced load. Three key categories of physiotherapist barriers, contextual barriers, and patient barriers emerged. Time, knowledge, confidence, lack of expertise, and limited formal training, were the main barriers, specifically a lack of practical training, and for more complex strategies. Physiotherapists acknowledged patient barriers such as patient resistance, lack of understanding, and complex mental health needs.

Conclusions

These findings contribute novel information with regard to the benefits and barriers of psychosocial approaches from a physiotherapist perspective. Physiotherapists may benefit from further support in their use of psychosocial approaches, to emphasize the benefits for their own practice. Furthermore, to potentially reduce patient barriers and improve outcomes, patient education concerning a biopsychosocial model of care could be valuable.
Rapid dealiasing of undersampled, non‐Cartesian cardiac perfusion images using U‐net
Authors: Fan Lexiaozi , Shen Daming , Haji‐Valizadeh Hassan , Naresh Nivedita K. , Carr James C. , Freed Benjamin H. , Lee Daniel C. , Kim Daniel
Published: January 2020

Compressed sensing (CS) is a promising method for accelerating cardiac perfusion MRI to achieve clinically acceptable image quality with high spatial resolution (1.6 × 1.6 × 8 mm3) and extensive myocardial coverage (6–8 slices per heartbeat). A major disadvantage of CS is its relatively lengthy processing time (~8 min per slice with 64 frames using a graphics processing unit), thereby making it impractical for clinical translation. The purpose of this study was to implement and test whether an image reconstruction pipeline including a neural network is capable of reconstructing 6.4‐fold accelerated, non‐Cartesian (radial) cardiac perfusion k‐space data at least 10 times faster than CS, without significant loss in image quality. We implemented a 3D (2D + time) U‐Net and trained it with 132 2D + time datasets (coil combined, zero filled as input; CS reconstruction as reference) with 64 time frames from 28 patients (8448 2D images in total). For testing, we used 56 2D + time coil‐combined, zero‐filled datasets (3584 2D images in total) from 12 different patients as input to our trained U‐Net, and compared the resulting images with CS reconstructed images using quantitative metrics of image quality and visual scores (conspicuity of wall enhancement, noise, artifacts; each score ranging from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), with 3 defined as clinically acceptable) evaluated by readers. Including pre‐ and post‐processing steps, compared with CS, U‐Net significantly reduced the reconstruction time by 14.4‐fold (32.1 ± 1.4 s for U‐Net versus 461.3 ± 16.9 s for CS, p < 0.001), while maintaining high data fidelity (structural similarity index = 0.914 ± 0.023, normalized root mean square error = 1.7 ± 0.3%, identical mean edge sharpness of 1.2 mm). The median visual summed score was not significantly different (p = 0.053) between CS (14; interquartile range (IQR) = 0.5) and U‐Net (12; IQR = 0.5). This study shows that the proposed pipeline with a U‐Net is capable of reconstructing 6.4‐fold accelerated, non‐Cartesian cardiac perfusion k‐space data 14.4 times faster than CS, without significant loss in data fidelity or image quality.
A local grid refinement scheme for B‐spline material point method
Authors: Sun Zheng , Gan Yong , Huang Zhilong , Zhou Xiaomin
Published: January 2020

A local grid refinement scheme for the material point method with B‐spline basis functions (BSMPM) is developed based on the concept of bridging domain approach. The fine grid is defined in the local large‐deformation regions to accurately capture the complex material responses, whereas other spatial domains are discritized by coarse grids. In the overlapping domain between the fine and coarse grids, the constraint of particle displacements obtained with different grids is enforced using the Lagrange multiplier method to eliminate the spurious stress reflection at the fine/coarse grid interface. Representative numerical examples have shown that the BSMPM simulations with the proposed local grid refinement scheme could provide the solutions in good agreement with those obtained with the uniformly fine grid, and that no significant spurious stress reflection is induced at the fine/coarse grid interface, even for the bridging domain size as small as the cell size of the fine grid. It is also found that the proposed local grid refinement method can significantly reduce the BSMPM computational time compared with the cases for uniformly fine grids. A multitime‐step algorithm is presented and shown to considerably enhance the efficiency of the present local grid refinement scheme with no compromise in accuracy.
Constrained Glu‐Gly and Gln‐Gly dipeptide surrogates from γ‐substituted α‐amino‐δ‐lactam synthesis
Authors: Mulamreddy Ramakotaiah , Lubell William D.
Published: January 2020

Conformationally rigid α‐amino‐δ‐lactam surrogates of Glu‐Gly and Gln‐Gly dipeptides have been synthesized from α‐amino‐γ‐vinyl‐δ‐lactam precursors. A reductive cyclization protocol from the respective (4R)‐ and (4S)‐2‐N‐(Boc)amino‐4‐(azidomethyl)hexenoates gave δ‐lactams, which were converted to the corresponding dipeptide surrogates by N‐alkylation with methyl bromoacetate. The utility of these α‐amino‐γ‐vinyl‐δ‐lactam building blocks was demonstrated by olefin oxidation and peptide coupling to prepare constrained Glu and Gln residues.
Examining the predictive association of irritability with borderline personality disorder in a clinical sample of female adolescents
Authors: Dyce Lisa , Sassi Roberto B. , Boylan Khrista
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a disorder associated with emotion dysregulation and is common in clinical samples of adolescents. The identification and delineation of BPD from other disorders is important, yet methods for effectively screening for BPD are lacking. Here, we examine whether irritability can be used as a screening item for BPD in adolescents at risk for the disorder.

Methods

We assessed Diagnostic Interview for Borderline—Revised and Development of Well‐Being Assessment scores in a clinical sample of female adolescents ages 12–17 (n = 78) to identify BPD and group cases into ‘irritable' and ‘non‐irritable' mood types, respectively. We then examined the prevalence of irritability and its predictive association with BPD.

Results

The prevalence of BPD was 26% (n = 20). There was a significant association between irritable mood and BPD, specifically (χ2(1) = 17.740, p < 0.001). Irritability was endorsed in all (n = 20) BPD cases (sensitivity: 100%), while in non‐BPD cases (n = 58), irritability was endorsed in 27 (specificity: 53%; positive predictive value: 0.33; and negative predictive value: 1.0).

Conclusion

Irritability is a highly sensitive screening item for BPD in adolescents. The absence of irritability in an adolescent may be an important clinical tool to rule out BPD. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exercise capacity and ventilation inhomogeneity in cystic fibrosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gambazza Simone , Guarise Riccardo , Carta Federica , Ambrogi Federico , Mirabella Marina , Brivio Anna , Colombo Carla
Published: January 2020

Background

Lung clearance index (LCI2.5) is a marker of overall lung ventilation inhomogeneity and has proven to be able to detect early peripheral damage in subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF), with greater sensitivity than conventional spirometry. Combining its sensitivity with the output of an incremental exercise testing, we hypothesized that any sign of ventilation inhomogeneity in subjects without severe airflow obstruction and with a normal exercise tolerance could be relevant for the CF team, tracking early lung disease and potential exercise limiting factors.

Methods

Patients with CF in clinical stable conditions were recruited between 2015 and 2017. Available spirometry, nitrogen multiple‐breath washout test and symptoms‐limited exercise testing performed as parts of patients' annual routine evaluation were considered for this cross‐sectional study. To describe the relationship between exercise intensity and ventilation inhomogeneity, a linear regression analysis was performed using backward elimination based on Akaike information criteria.

Results

Seventy‐seven patients (38 females) were included. Sacin and LCI2.5 were significantly higher in patients with an overall reduced exercise tolerance. Peak work developed during exercise was associated with body mass index (b = 5.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.53‐8.98), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; b = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.96‐5.46), Pseudomonas aeruginosa chronic infection (b = −8.84; 95% CI = −15.84 to −1.84) but not with LCI2.5.

Conclusion

Exercise capacity and airflow obstruction are associated in this Italian CF cohort. Considering the greater discriminatory power of LCI2.5 over FEV1 and peak work, the Godfrey protocol without gas analysis cannot provide detailed information about lung function or efficiency. However, this incremental protocol without gas exchange measures can still provide the CF team with information about exercise tolerance and disability.
Fragment‐based discovery of flexible inhibitor targeting wild‐type acetohydroxyacid synthase and P197L mutant
Authors: Qu Ren‐Yu , Yang Jing‐Fang , Chen Qiong , Niu Cong‐Wei , Xi Zhen , Yang Wen‐Chao , Yang Guang‐Fu
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Intensifying weed resistance has challenged the use of existing acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)‐inhibiting herbicides. Hence, there is currently an urgent requirement for the discovery of a new AHAS inhibitor to effectively control AHAS herbicide‐resistant weed species produced by target mutation.

RESULTS

To combat weed resistance caused by AHAS with P197L mutation, we built a structure library consisting of pyrimidinyl‐salicylic acid derivatives. Using the pharmacophore‐linked fragment virtual screening (PFVS) approach, hit compound 8 bearing 6‐phenoxymethyl substituent was identified as a potential AHAS inhibitor with antiresistance effect. Subsequently, derivatives of compound 8 were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities. The study of the enzyme‐based structure–activity relationship and structure−resistance relationship studies led to the discovery of a qualified candidate, 28. This compound not only significantly inhibited the activity of wild‐type Arabidopsis thaliana (At) AHAS and P197L mutant, but also exhibited good antiresistance properties (RF = 0.79). Notably, compared with bispyribac at 37.5–150 g of active ingredient per hectare (g a.i. ha–1), compound 27 exhibited higher growth inhibition against both sensitive and resistant Descurainia sophia,

CONCLUSION

The title compounds have great potential to be developed as new leads to effectively control herbicide‐resistant weeds comprising AHAS with P197L mutation. Also, our study provided a positive case for discovering novel, potent and antiresistance inhibitors using a fragment‐based drug design approach.
trans‐2‐Octenal, a single compound of a fungal origin, controls Sclerotium rolfsii, both in vitro and in soil
Authors: Liarzi Orna , Benichis Marina , Gamliel Abraham , Ezra David
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Sclerotium rolfsii is a soil‐borne phytopathogenic fungus that causes diseases in economically important crops. Eradication of the fungus is hampered by its wide range of hosts, as well as its capacity to form sclerotia. Recently, we have shown that the endophytic fungus Daldinia cf. concentrica emits biologically active volatile organic compounds (VOCs); we also demonstrated that one VOC, trans‐2‐octenal, was the most effective against various phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the potential of this compound to control hyphae and sclerotia of S. rolfsii, both in vitro and in soil.

RESULTS

We found that in vitro exposure of S. rolfsii mycelium to trans‐2‐octenal in air fully inhibits and kills the fungus. Elimination of sclerotia viability occurred at the same concentration, but direct contact between the sclerotia and the compound was needed. trans‐2‐Octenal also affected the viability of both hyphae and sclerotia of S. rolfsii in small pots containing loam soil.

CONCLUSION

We suggest the use of trans‐2‐octenal as a novel compound to control S. rolfsii. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Back‐End‐of‐Line Compatible Low‐Temperature Furnace Anneal for Ferroelectric Hafnium Zirconium Oxide Formation
Authors: Lehninger David , Olivo Ricardo , Ali Tarek , Lederer Maximilian , Kämpfe Thomas , Mart Clemens , Biedermann Kati , Kühnel Kati , Roy Lisa , Kalkani Mahsa , Seidel Konrad
Published: January 2020

The discovery of ferroelectricity in thin doped hafnium oxide films revived the interest in ferroelectric (FE) memory concepts. Zirconium‐doped hafnium oxide (HZO) crystallizes at low temperatures (e.g., 400 °C), which makes this material interesting for the implementation of FE functionalities into the back end of line (BEoL). So far, the FE phase of prior amorphous HZO films is achieved by using a dedicated rapit thermal annealing (RTA) treatment. However, herein, it is shown that this dedicated anneal is not needed. A sole furnace treatment given by the thermal budget present during the interconnect formation is sufficient to functionalize even ultrathin 5 nm HZO films. This result helps to optimize the integration sequence of HZO films (e.g., involving a minimum number of BEoL process steps), which saves process time and fabrication costs. Herein, metal–FE–metal capacitors with Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films of different thicknesses (5–20 nm) are fabricated annealed at 400 °C for various durations within different types of ovens (RTA and furnace). Structural and electrical characterization confirms that all furnace‐annealed samples have similar X‐ray diffraction patterns, remanent polarization, endurances, and thickness dependencies as RTA‐annealed ones. With respect to remanent polarization, leakage current, and endurance, the HZO film of 10 nm thickness shows the most promising results for the integration into the BEoL.
Two‐Dimensional Wetting Layer Structures of Reduced Ternary Oxides on Ru(0001) and Pt(111)
Authors: Maria Zollner Eva , Schuster Fabian , Meinel Klaus , Stötzner Philine , Schenk Sebastian , Allner Bettina , Förster Stefan , Widdra Wolf
Published: January 2020

Long‐range ordered structures of reduced oxide films with monolayer thickness derived from and on Ru(0001) and Pt(111) are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED). Upon ultrahigh vacuum annealing at 1100 K, a hexagonal phase is observed for on Ru(0001), which forms similarly from on Pt(111). At higher temperatures, a triangle–square tiling called σ‐phase develops in the /Ru(0001) system, with a unit cell rotation of 15° against the Ru(0001) substrate. Furthermore, it is shown that this 15° rotated σ‐phase also forms in the /Pt(111) system in addition to the already known 8° rotated σ‐phase. The results emphasize a strong flexibility in the structural parameters of the reduced oxide wetting layers in response to the substrate interaction strength.
Influence of the Plasmonic Nanodisk Positions Inside a Magnetic Medium on the Faraday Effect Enhancement
Authors: Kuzmichev Alexey N. , Sylgacheva Daria A. , Kozhaev Mikhail A. , Krichevsky Denis M. , Shaposhnikov Alexander N. , Berzhansky Vladimir N. , Freire-Fernández Francisco , Qin Huajun J. , Popova Olena E. , Keller Niels , van Dijken Sebastiaan , Chernov Alexander I. , Belotelov Vladimir I.
Published: January 2020

Light localization by metal particles of nanometer size allows to not only control the propagation of light, but also enhance magneto‐optical effects. The influence of the immersion of gold nanodisks inside a transparent magnetic medium, namely, Bi‐substituted iron garnet, is investigated, and the optimal position of the nanoparticles within the magnetic material for a strong enhancement of the effect is unraveled. Three samples with periodic arrays of Au cylinders are studied: disks on the surface of the magnetic dielectric film, inside the magnetic film, and directly under the magnetic film. The largest enhancement of the Faraday effect mediated by a localized surface plasmon resonance takes place when nanodisks are submerged inside the magnetic film at a few nanometers below its upper surface. It is shown that the most prominent influence on the Faraday effect enhancement is provided by the magnetic medium between the nanodisks. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical analysis.
Output feedback stabilization of time‐delay nonlinear systems with unknown continuous time‐varying output function and nonlinear growth rate
Authors: Sun Zong‐Yao , Xing Jing‐Wen , Chen Chih‐Chiang
Published: January 2020

This article addresses the problem of global output feedback stabilization for a class of time‐varying delay nonlinear systems with polynomial growth rate. The systems under investigation possess two remarkable features: the output is perturbed by an unknown sensitivity function that is not differentiable but continuous, and the nonlinearities are bounded by a polynomial function of the output multiplied by unmeasurable state variables. The new full‐order observer is established by introducing a dynamic gain and filtering unknown nonlinearities and time‐varying delay. With the help of the transformation skill and the reasonable combination of several systems, this article proposes a linear output feedback controller with the dynamic gain and completes the performance analysis based on the construction of two integral Lyapunov functions. Finally, a simulation example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of control strategy.
Rainbow structures in locally bounded colorings of graphs
Authors: Kim Jaehoon , Kühn Daniela , Kupavskii Andrey , Osthus Deryk
Published: January 2020

We study approximate decompositions of edge‐colored quasirandom graphs into rainbow spanning structures: an edge‐coloring of a graph is locally
‐bounded if every vertex is incident to at most edges of each color, and is (globally) ‐bounded
if every color appears at most times. Our results imply the existence of: (1) approximate decompositions of properly edge‐colored into rainbow almost‐spanning cycles; (2) approximate decompositions of edge‐colored into rainbow Hamilton cycles, provided that the coloring is ‐bounded and locally ‐bounded; and (3) an approximate decomposition into full transversals of any array, provided each symbol appears times in total and only times in each row or column. Apart from the logarithmic factors, these bounds are essentially best possible. We also prove analogues for rainbow ‐factors, where is any fixed graph. Both (1) and (2) imply approximate versions of the Brualdi‐Hollingsworth conjecture on decompositions into rainbow spanning trees.
Pulp stem cells derived from human permanent and deciduous teeth: Biological characteristics and therapeutic applications
Authors: Shi Xin , Mao Jing , Liu Yan
Published: January 2020

Human pulp stem cells (PSCs) include dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from dental pulp tissues of human extracted permanent teeth and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Depending on their multipotency and sensitivity to local paracrine activity, DPSCs and SHED exert therapeutic applications at multiple levels beyond the scope of the stomatognathic system. This review is specifically concentrated on PSC-updated biological characteristics and their promising therapeutic applications in (pre)clinical practice. Biologically, distinguished from conventional mesenchymal stem cell markers in vitro, NG2, Gli1, and Celsr1 have been evidenced as PSC markers in vivo. Both perivascular cells and glial cells account for PSC origin. Therapeutically, endodontic regeneration is where PSCs hold the most promises, attributable of PSCs’ robust angiogenic, neurogenic, and odontogenic capabilities. More recently, the interplay between cell homing and liberated growth factors from dentin matrix has endowed a novel approach for pulp-dentin complex regeneration. In addition, PSC transplantation for extraoral tissue repair and regeneration has achieved immense progress, following their multipotential differentiation and paracrine mechanism. Accordingly, PSC banking is undergoing extensively with the intent of advancing tissue engineering, disease remodeling, and (pre)clinical treatments.

Significance statement Pulp stem cells can be readily harvested from dental pulp tissue of extracted permanent teeth and exfoliated deciduous teeth, respectively. However, a systematic and comprehensive review about pulp stem cells in terms of biological attributes and therapeutic applications is lacking. Accordingly, this review is concentrated on pulp stem cells to emphasize their updated biological characteristics such as cell markers, multipotency and origin, and promising therapeutic applications, including endodontic regeneration and extraoral tissue repair and regeneration, as well as rising cell bank with the intent of enhancing the understanding of dental mesenchymal stem cells and advancing associated tissue engineering and disease treatment.
Photocarrier‐Induced Active Control of Second‐Order Optical Nonlinearity in Monolayer MoS2
Authors: Taghinejad Mohammad , Xu Zihao , Wang Hua , Taghinejad Hossein , Lee Kyu‐Tae , Rodrigues Sean P. , Adibi Ali , Qian Xiaofeng , Lian Tianquan , Cai Wenshan
Published: January 2020

Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) in their excited states can serve as exceptionally small building blocks for active optical platforms. In this scheme, optical excitation provides a practical approach to control light‐TMD interactions via the photocarrier generation, in an ultrafast manner. Here, it is demonstrated that via a controlled generation of photocarriers the second‐harmonic generation (SHG) from a monolayer MoS2 crystal can be substantially modulated up to ≈55% within a timeframe of ≈250 fs, a set of performance characteristics that showcases the promise of low‐dimensional materials for all‐optical nonlinear data processing. The combined experimental and theoretical study suggests that the large SHG modulation stems from the correlation between the second‐order dielectric susceptibility χ(2) and the density of photoexcited carriers in MoS2. Indeed, the depopulation of the conduction band electrons, at the vicinity of the high‐symmetry K/K′ points of MoS2, suppresses the contribution of interband electronic transitions in the effective χ(2) of the monolayer crystal, enabling the all‐optical modulation of the SHG signal. The strong dependence of the second‐order optical response on the density of photocarriers reveals the promise of time‐resolved nonlinear characterization as an alternative route to monitoring carrier dynamics in excited states of TMDs.
In Situ N‐Doped Graphene and Mo Nanoribbon Formation from Mo2Ti2C3 MXene Monolayers
Authors: Mendes Rafael Gregorio , Ta Huy Quang , Yang Xiaoqin , Li Wei , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Choi Jin‐Ho , Gemming Thomas , Anasori Babak , Lijun Liu , Fu Lei , Liu Zhongfan , Rümmeli Mark Hermann
Published: January 2020

Since the advent of monolayered 2D transition metal carbide and nitrides (MXenes) in 2011, the number of different monolayer systems and the study thereof have been on the rise. Mo2Ti2C3 is one of the least studied MXenes and new insights to this material are of value to the field. Here, the stability of Mo2Ti2C3 under electron irradiation is investigated. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) is used to study the structural and elemental changes in situ. It is found that Mo2Ti2C3 is reasonably stable for the first 2 min of irradiation. However, structural changes occur thereafter, which trigger increasingly rapid and significant rearrangement. This results in the formation of pores and two new nanomaterials, namely, N‐doped graphene membranes and Mo nanoribbons. The study provides insight into the stability of Mo2Ti2C3 monolayers against electron irradiation, which will allow for reliable future study of the material using TEM. Furthermore, these findings will facilitate further research in the rapidly growing field of electron beam driven chemistry and engineering of nanomaterials.
An Impossible Goal: When Trade Ratios Cannot Achieve No‐Net‐Loss
Authors: Globus‐Harris Isla
Published: January 2020

I develop a model of environmental trade ratios with asymmetric information to explain why current policies fail to achieve goals of no‐net‐impact on the environment, as well as demonstrating that it may be impossible to achieve these goals. Environmental trade ratios (e.g., wetland mitigation ratios or carbon offset discounting) typically have the goal of no‐net environmental impact; however, these goals are not always met. First, I demonstrate that it is sometimes impossible for trade ratios to achieve no‐net‐impact on the environment. Second, I provide sufficient conditions for the existence of a neutral trade ratio. Next, I show that naïve methods for setting ratios (which do not consider market responses) will fail to meet policy goals. Finally, I demonstrate how a simple updating procedure can adjust ratios toward no‐net‐impact even when policy makers have minimal information.
Salmonella serovars associated with Grenadian tree boa (Corallus grenadensis) and their antimicrobial susceptibility
Authors: Rush Elizabeth M. , Amadi Victor A. , Johnson Roger , Lonce Nicholas , Hariharan Harry
Published: January 2020

Cloacal swabs from 45 Grenada bank tree boas (Corallus grenadensis) were sampled during a 12‐month period (2011–2012) from the rain forests and scrublands of Grenada. Cloacal swabs were examined by enrichment and selective culture for the presence of Salmonella spp. In all, 16 (35.6%) of the snakes were positive for Salmonella, and six serovars of Salmonella were isolated. The most common serovar was Rubislaw (31.3%), the most frequent serovar recently isolated from green iguanas in Grenada, followed by serovar Braenderup (18.8%), and serovar IV:48:g,z51:‐ (formerly, S. Marina) (18.8%), also found in green iguanas in this country. The remaining three less frequent serovars were, IV:53:g,z51:‐, I:6,7:e,h:‐ and IIIb:38:i:z. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests conducted by a disc diffusion method against amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole showed that drug resistance is minimal, with intermediate susceptibility, only to streptomycin. This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Salmonella serovars from wild Grenadian tree boas.
WInc3D: A novel framework for turbulence‐resolving simulations of wind farm wake interactions
Authors: Deskos Georgios , Laizet Sylvain , Palacios Rafael
Published: January 2020

A fast and efficient turbulence‐resolving computational framework, dubbed as WInc3D (Wind Incompressible 3‐Dimensional solver), is presented and validated in this paper. WInc3D offers a unified, highly scalable, high‐fidelity framework for the study of the flow structures and turbulence of wind farm wakes and their impact on the individual turbines' power and loads. Its unique properties lie on the use of higher‐order numerical schemes with “spectral‐like” accuracy, a highly efficient parallelisation strategy which allows the code to scale up to O(104) computing processors and software compactness (use of only native solvers/models) with virtually no dependence to external libraries. The work presents an overview of the current modelling capabilities along with model validation. The presented applications demonstrate the ability of WInc3D to be used for testing farm‐level optimal control strategies using turbine wakes under yawed conditions. Examples are provided for two turbines operating in‐line as well as a small array of 16 turbines operating under “Greedy” and “Co‐operative” yaw angle settings. These large‐scale simulations were performed with up to 8192 computational cores for under 24 hours, for a computational domain discretised with O(109) mesh nodes.
A Specific Fluorescent Probe for Antimony Based on Aggregation Induced Emission
Authors: Huang Yuansong , Lin Junxiong , Wang Lili , Cao Zhihai , Wang Yijia , Wu Minghua
Published: January 2020

In order to find a simple way to detect SbIII in wastewater, TPE‐2IPH, a fluorogen with high physical and chemical stability was simply designed and prepared by the classical one‐step Schiff base reaction. The aggregation induced emission (AIE) property of TPE‐2IPH was tested in the mixture of THF and water as well as its fluorescent response to antimony. It could be found that TPE‐2IPH presented typical AIE property and its emission was greatly boosted with the addition of antimony when the water fraction was 90 %, which indicated that TPE‐2IPH was a perfect fluorescent probe for antimony. The mechanism was supposed to be the coordinate of antimony and the IPH functional groups in TPE‐2IPH under aggregate state. Moreover, TPE‐2IPH could distinguish antimony with other cations well, implying that it was a potential indicator for antimony with high selectivity and specificity.