bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis of shock properties driven by coronal mass ejections based on observations of type II radio bursts
Authors: Zhou Kun-Lun , Ding Liu-Guan , Wang Zhi-Wei , Feng Li ,   Institute of Space Weather, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China,   Binjiang College, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China,   Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we investigate 77 type-II radio burst events' data observed by Wind/WAVES and STEREO/SWAVES from January 2007 to December 2015. By fitting the frequency-time profile to obtain the corresponding shock velocity, we study the relationship between the parameters of shock and those of coronal mass ejection (CME), solar flare and the associated SEP events, and explore the influences of type II radio enhancement on these relationships. Our findings are as follows. 1) In general, at the onset time of type II radio bursts within deca-hectometric (DH) waveband, the shock front is about 0.4Rs ahead of the leading edge of CME (shock standoff distance), and this distance increases as the CME propagates outward. In the low and high corona, the relationship between shock standoff distance and CME speed indicates a significant difference; the shock standoff distance is correlated with the CME speed positively at the low altitude, but negatively at high altitude. 2) The CME speed of the events with radio enhancement is significantly larger than that with no radio enhancement; and comparing with the events with no radio enhancement, the correlation coefficient between the shock speed and the mass and kinetic energy of the associated CME is significantly high for the events with radio enhancement. 3) There is no correlation between the duration of type II radio burst in DH waveband with enhancement and the speed, mass and kinetic energy of CME. However, it presents a positive correlation for the events with no radio enhancement. 4) Usually the speed of shock that can produce SEP event is obviously higher than that with producing no SEP event. The probability of the SEP generated by the events associated with radio enhancement is slightly higher than with no radio enhancement (73.5% > 67.4%), but for the large SEP events, the generation probability (67.6%) associated with radio enhancement is about one-order of magnitude higher than that with no radio enhancement (37.2%). This conclusion indicates that the type II radio enhancement can be used as one of the signatures of the shock or the radio source that more probably produces a large SEP event.
Spontaneous rotation of ratchet wheel with soft boundary in active particle bath
Authors: Xia Yi-Qi , Shen Zhuang-Lin , Guo Yong-Kun ,   Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
Published: December 2020

Self-propelling motionisubiquitous in the biological world, ranging from the molecular-level transportation of motor proteins along the microtubules, to the swimming of bacteria on a micrometer scale. An intriguing topic is to design microdevices or micromotors that can rectify the random motion and convert the energy into mechanical work. Here we design a soft microdevice, which may possess the advantages such as damage resistance, durability and adaptability, by utilizing two-dimensional Langevin dynamics simulation. We use a flexible chain to mimic the soft boundary of microdevice. We investigate the dynamical behaviors of microdevice when it is immersed in a thin film of active particle suspension. We find that the microdevicecan rotateunidirectionally and hence output the work. To uncover the physical mechanism of unidirectional rotation, we calculate the pressure distribution along the soft boundary. The spontaneous symmetry breaking of flexible boundary is the origin of the unidirectional rotation, which can lead to the inhomogeneous pressure distribution and hence torque on ratchet. It is because the persistent motion drives the particles to accumulate near the boundary and induce the soft boundary to deform. Further, we focus on the effect of active force and particle density on the angular velocity. With the increase of active force, the average angular velocity increases monotonically due to the increase of torque. With the increase of the number density of active particles, the average angular velocity increases. This is because the aggregation of a large number of particles is beneficial to the increase of ratchet torque. Additionally, we pay attention to the effect of rotational diffusion rate, Dr, of active particles and the number of ratchet wheels. We find the average angular velocity decreases with the increase of rotation diffusion Dr because ofthe ability of particles to weakly accumulate at high Drs. The average angular velocity also decreases with the increase of the number of ratchet wheels. This is because a large number of ratchet wheels weaken the asymmetry of pressure distribution and hence reduce the torque on wheel. Our work provides a new insight into the design of soft microdevices for studying the non-equilibrium system.
Lorenz chaotic system generated from Shimizu-Morioka system or Finance system: Differential geometric approach
Authors: Zhang Duan , Shi Jia-Qin , Sun Ying , Yang Xu-Hua , Ye Lei ,   College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China,   College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Published: December 2020

The problem of how to generate the Lorenz attractor from several nonlinear control systems is investigated in this paper. To be more precise, the conversions from the controlled Shimizu-Morioka system and the controlled Finance system to the Lorenz system are achieved by using the differential geometric control theory. For each case a scalar control input and a state transformation are proposed. The main approach of this paper is to convert all of those three-order systems into so called lower triangular forms which all have the same first two equations. Thus converting the controlled Shimizu-Morioka system or the controlled Finance system into the Lorenz attractor is feasible by choosing an appropriate scalar control input in the third equation of each of the two control systems. To this end, firstly, in order to use the tools of the differential geometry we construct a controlled Lorenz system by treating the vector field of the Lorenz attractor as the drift vector field and treating a linear vector field with three parameters as an input vector field. When those parameters are selected in a special manner, the conditions under which the controlled Lorenz system can be equivalently transformed into the lower triangular form are satisfied. Secondly, a state transformation, through which the controlled Lorenz system can be described as a lower triangular form, is obtained by a method like Gaussian elimination instead of solving three complicated partial differential equations. Employing several partial state transformations, choosing those three parameters and setting a scalar control input, we can reduce the equations of the controlled Lorenz system into its simplest lower triangular form. Thirdly, through two state transformations designed for the controlled Shimizu-Morioka system and the controlled Finance system respectively, the two control systems are converted into their lower triangular forms which are both similar to that of the Lorenz system in a way aforementioned. A smooth scalar controller is given to achieve the anti-control from the controlled Shimizu-Morioka system to the Lorenz attractor while another non-smooth scalar controller is designed to realize the generalized synchronization from the controlled Finance system to the Lorenz system no matter what the initial values of the two systems are. Finally, two numerical simulations demonstrate the control schemes designed in this paper.
Pseudospin modes of surface acoustic wave and topologically protected sound transmission in phononic crystal
Authors: Wang Yi-He , Zhang Zhi-Wang , Cheng Ying , Liu Xiao-Jun ,   Institute of Acoustics, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Published: December 2020

The manipulation of surface acoustic wave (SAW) in phononic crystal plays an important role in the applications of SAW. The introduction of topological acoustic theory has opened a new field for SAW in phononic crystals. Here we construct pseudospin modes of SAW and topological phase transition along the surface of phononic crystal. The local SAW propagation is realized by air cylindrical holes in honeycomb lattice arranged on rigid substrate, and the Dirac cone is formed at the K point of the first Brillouin zone. Furthermore, using the band-folding theory, double Dirac cones can be formed at the center Гs point in the Brillouin zone of compound cell that contains six adjacent cylindrical air holes. The double Dirac cone can be broken to form two degenerated states and complete band gap by only shrinking or expanding the spacing of adjacent holes in the compound cell. It is found that the direction of energy is in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, thus the pseudospin modes of SAW are constructed. The shrinkage-to-expansion of the compound cell leads to band inversion, and the system changes from trivial state to nontrivial state, accompanied by the phase transition. According to the bulk-boundary correspondence, the unidirectional acoustic edge states can be found at the interface between trivial system and nontrivial system. Then we can construct a topologically protected waveguide to realize the unidirectional transmission of surface waves without backscattering. This work provides a new possibility for manipulating the SAW propagating on the surface of phononic crystals and may be useful for making the acoustic functional devices based on SAW.
Weighted subspace detection method based on modal attenuation law in shallow water
Authors: Kong De-Zhi , Sun Chao , Li Ming-Yang ,   School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China,   Key Laboratory of Ocean Acoustics and Sensing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China,   College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the modal space detector (MSD) is investigated in shallow water environment when utilizing a vertical linear array. The processing gain of the MSD is derived, and the result demonstrates that the processing gain of the MSD degrades when the number of the propagated normal modes excited by the underwater acoustic source increases, and therefore the detection performance of the MSD decreases. By exploiting the orthogonality among the modal depth functions, the MSD can be decomposed into a group of modal subspace detectors (MSSDs). The processing gains of these MSSDs are derived as well and it is found out that the processing gain of a MSSD is in direct proportion to its corresponding modal attenuation coefficients. By designing a group of weighting coefficients based on the mode attenuation law, a weighted modal subspace detector (WMSSD) is proposed to alleviate the degradation of the processing gain processing of the MSD. We analyze the influences of acoustic source locations and sound velocity profiles (SVPs) on the detection performance of the WMSSD theoretically, and verify the theoretical analyses by comparing its processing gain with the MSD in simulation experiments. The results show that the WMSSD presents various processing gains versus different acoustic source locations. In the waveguide having a negatively-gradient SVP, there exists a ‘weak detection area’ for the WMSSD, that is, the processing gain of the WMSSD is smaller than that of the MSD when the acoustic source locations are close to sea surface. The reason is because there are inversion points on the lower-order modal depth functions and the depths of the inversion points are close to sea surface. In other most areas, the processing gain of the WMSSD is larger (even remarkably larger) than that of the MSD. In the waveguide having a positively-gradient SVP, due to the phenomenon that the modal inversion points of the lower-order modal depth functions are near sea floor, there is a contrary consequence, that is, the ‘weak detection area’ is close to sea floor. And meanwhile the WMSSD outperforms the MSD in other most areas as well. There are no modal inversion points in the waveguide having a constant SVP, and therefore the WMSSD always outperforms the MSD.
Surface charging effect of the satellite SMILE
Authors: Xu Liang-Liang , Cai Ming-Hui , Yang Tao , Han Jian-Wei ,   National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: December 2020

When the satellite is on orbit, the surrounding plasma environment will interact with the spacecraft surface, accumulate charges on the spacecraft surface and cause surface charging effect, which could lead to electrostatic discharge and affect the running of the spacecraft. SMILE is a satellite operating in a solar synchronous and high inclination large elliptical orbit. The on-orbit motion will encounter ionospheric plasma, magnetospheric plasma and solar wind plasma, pass through the region of the outer radiation belt enriched by high-energy electrons. These environmental factors can cause the surface charging effect on satellite and affect on-orbit security of the satellite and the acquisition of scientific data. Utilizing the software simulation of spacecraft plasma interaction system, the charging effects of SMILE satellite surface in solar wind plasma, magnetic tail plasma and extremely harsh plasma environment have been simulated, and the charging potential distribution on its surface have been obtained. The results show that the surface charging potential varies in different environments, but all comfort with the design requirements. The analysis of surface current shows that the secondary electron emission has great influence on surface charging in various plasma environments. Under sun illumination, photoelectron emission dominates surface charging. By analyzing the charge current on the surface on the eclipse, the calculated results can supply the experimental curve of the secondary electron emission coefficient of indium tin oxide materials.
Off-axis pumped Hermite-Gaussian mode solid-state laser
Authors: Lian Tian-Hong , Wang Shi-Yu , Kou Ke , Liu Yun ,   School of Mechanical and Precision Instrument Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China,   School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Published: December 2020

To study the modes’ pattern and the modes’ competition behavior of an off-axis pumped solid-state laser, a small signal approximation method is derived, which simplifies the multiple-mode differential equations into liner algebraic equations. When the pump beam radius is small, the higher-order Hermite-Gaussian modes emerge successively with the off-axis displacement increasing, while the pattern evolution shows some complexity when the pump radius is larger. The percentage of the modes with a small pump power near the threshold, calculated with the small signal method, is close to that calculated at a higher pump power by directly solving the rate equations numerically. This indicates that we can estimate the modes’ pattern of an actual high power laser by using the small signal method. For a multiple Hermite-Gaussian modes off-axis pumped solid state laser, as the pump power increases, the photon number of the mode increases linearly as its net gain becomes positive, while that of the second mode with a smaller net gain does not increase immediately as it becomes positive successively. Larger pump power is required until the photon number begins to increase. The increasing slope of first mode decreases as the second mode begins to grow. The dynamics of the modes’ competition presents cross spiking and cross relaxation process before they become stable. Moreover, the outputs of the modes HG00-HG50 are experimentally demonstrated, and the spot evolution with the off-axis displacement agrees very well with the calculated result.
Research progress and prospects of photocatalytic devices with perovskite ferroelectric semiconductors
Authors: Cui Zong-Yang , Xie Zhong-Shuai , Wang Yao-Jin , Yuan Guo-Liang , Liu Jun-Ming ,   School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China,   National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Published: December 2020

There are two types of perovskites, i.e. ABO3-type oxides and ABX3-type (X = F, Cl, Br and I) halides. Both of them exhibit rich physical properties and excellent photoelectric properties, such as ferroelectric and photocatalytic properties. In this paper we introduce the methods of preparing the ferroelectric semiconductors (i.e. BiFeO3 and MAPbI3) and their heterogeneous junctions for photocatalytic applications, and summarizes the research progress and applications of photocatalytic devices. Various researches about oxide photocatalytic devices have been carried out. At first, several methods have been developed to absorb more visible light, such as reducing the band gap of ferroelectric materials, preparing junction composed of ferroelectric layer and light absorption layer with narrow-bandgap semiconductor, and growing nanosheet, nanorods or other nanostructures with large specific surface areas. Second, some electric fields are introduced to effectively separate light activated electron-holes pairs. In addition to the external electric field, an inner electric field can be introduced through the ferroelectric polarization perpendicular to the surface and/or the energy band bending at the ferroelectric/semiconductor interface. Thirdly, the degradation of dyes, the decomposition of water into hydrogen and the conversion of CO2 into fuel have been realized in many photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic devices. Fourthly, the synergies of ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric effects can largely increase the photocatalytic efficiency and the energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, MAPbI3 and other halogen perovskites show excellent semiconductor properties, such as the long carrier diffusion length and long minority carrier lifetime which may originate from ferroelectric dipoles. The MAPbI3 can be applied to photocatalytic devices with a high energy conversion efficiency by optimizing the photocatalytic multi-layer structure and adding a package layer that prevents electrolyte for decomposing the MAPbI3. Finally, we analyze the challenges of the high-efficiency photocatalytic devices and look forward to their application prospects.
Absorbers with spin-selection based on metasurface
Authors: Wang Chao-Hui , Li Yong-Xiang , Zhu Shuai ,   Air and Missile Defense College, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an 710051, China
Published: December 2020

In recent years, due to their features nonexistent in natural matirials, the perfect absorbers based on metasurfaces have become a hot research point. Although great progress has been made, the absorbers with spin-selection are rarely reported. However, the absorbers with spin-selection have more widespread applications in chiral sensors and satellite communication. Therefore, a spin-selection absorber based on the metasurface with modified square split-ring structure is proposed. Firstly, the theoretical conditions for generating the spin-selection absorption are analyzed theoretically, and then the qualified metasurface unit cell is designed under the guidance of the theory. We design an asymmetric modified square split-ring resonator to break both the n-fold (n>2) rotational symmetry and mirror symmetry. The unit cell is composed of three layers, i.e. the top layer, which is a modified square split-ring, the middle layer, which is an FR4 dielectric plate with a thickness of 4 mm, and the bottom layer, which is an all-metal plate acting as the reflecting incident wave. In order to obtain the optimal performance, the designed meta-atom is optimized by CST Microwave Studio, a well-known commercial full wave simulation software.The numerical simulation results show that the unit cell can selectively absorb the right-handed circularly polarized waves and reflect left-handed circularly polarized waves at 7.2 GHz. A maximum absorption rate for the absorption of right-handed circularly polarized (RCP) waves reaches a value higher than 90%, while the absorption rate of the other spin state is kept lower than 19%. In addition, to meet the need of practical applications, the absorption performance is also further investigated under different oblique incident angles, with the wave vectors confined in the x-z plane and y-z plane, respectively. Finally, to further understand the mechanism of spin-selection absorber, the surface current distributions are also simulated for LCP and RCP wave, respectively. The different surface current distributions are obtained for incident LCP and RCP wave, which is a solid evidence for spin-selection absorption. This paper offers a reference for the generation of spin-selection absorber. The proposed method not only is suitable for microwave region, but also can be extended to higher frequencies, and hopefully it can be widely used in the field of communication.
Efficacy and Comparison of 256-Slice Dual Source CT Angiography with Catheter Coronary Angiography at Different Heart Rates without using Beta Blockers
Authors: Jain Neeraj , Chauhan Udit , Upreti Lalendra , Puri Sunil Kumar
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India as well as worldwide. CT angiography is an excellent imaging modality for evaluation of CAD. Previous studies with 64 or lesser slice CT scanner have failed to show consistent and optimal Image Quality (IQ) at Heart Rate (HR) more than 70 bpm and required beta blockers. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 256-slice Dual Source CT Angiography (DSCTA) in comparison with Catheter Coronary Angiography (CCA) in evaluation of Coronary Arteries (CA) in patients with clinical suspicion of CAD and to study its effectiveness at higher HR without using beta blockers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients (n=46) with suspected CAD using ECG triggered 256-slice Dual Source Computed Tomography (DSCT) over a period of nine months. Patients were sub grouped according to HR (Group I: 50-70 (18 patients), Group II: 71-90 (24 patients) and Group III ≥91 (8 patients). A total of 48% patients had HR of 71-90 bpm while 16% had HR ≥91 bpm. Scan protocols included prospective ECG triggering (HR <75 bpm) and retrospective spiral scan protocols (HR >75 bpm). CA segments were analysed for IQ on a 4 point scale (1 is worst while 4 is best) by two independent readers who were blinded to the patient details. Accuracy to detect significant luminal stenosis was correlated with CCA (gold standard). Statistical significance of the study was established by Chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: The mean HR and Standard Deviation (SD) in the study was 76±13.7 bpm (range 54-105). Out of 675 CA segments analysed mean IQ score and SD in medium (71-90 bpm) and high HR (≥91 bpm) groups were 3.55±0.62 and 3.25±0.62 which were comparable to IQ in low HR group (3.84±0.36). This indicates excellent IQ even at HR of ≥91 bpm (p<0.05). The mean IQ score of entire study group was 3.88±0.33. Right Coronary artery (RCA) showed best IQ score in each category followed by Left Anterior Descending (LAD) and Left Circumflex (LCX). Inter-observer agreement analysis was performed using Kappa analysis to determine agreement between DSCTA readers. Kappa values for low, medium and high HR groups were 0.866, 0.842 and 0.836. The sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and accuracy for detecting significant stenosis in medium and high HR groups were 95%, 99.2%, 98.4%, 98.7%, 98.9% and 94.3%, 98.9%, 96.9%, 97.6%, 97.9%, respectively. Conclusion: 256-slice DSCTA is a reliable technique with high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for assessment of CA even at higher HR without using beta blockers.
Comparative Efficacy of Structured Games and Behavioural Parent Training on Working Memory in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Raghuveer Raghumahanti , Ruchi .
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may develop during the preschool years of the child and extend into adulthood. ADHD also leads to impaired Working Memory (WM) creating problems in various functions. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of behavioural parent training and structured games on WM of children with ADHD. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted in 18 schools of Ghaziabad City, Uttar Pradesh, India. Seventy subjects were selected based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Group A (n=35) received structured games and Group B (n=35) received Behavioural Parent Training (BPT). Seguin Form Board Test Time (SFBTT) was recorded as outcome on baseline and 5th week. Student’s paired and unpaired t-test was done. SPSS 22.0 version was the software used and p<0.05 was considered as level of significance. Results: Analysed data showed significant results within structured games group with t=2.355, p<0.05, and no significant result within BPT group with t=-0.776, p>0.05. Between group comparison showed significant difference with t=-2.804, p<0.05. Conclusion: Training of WM in form of structured games can be an effective method when compared to BPT in children with ADHD.
Identification of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria by Partial Gene Sequencing and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time of Flight at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Telangana, India
Authors: Angaali Neelima , Kadasu Rajashekhar , Patil Madhusudhan Apparao , Teja Vijay Dharma
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease is often unrecognised or misdiagnosed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB), because of similar clinical presentation in counties with high burden of Tuberculosis (TB) including India. In India due to lack of awareness among clinicians and lack of laboratory facilities to diagnose these infections, its prevalence is largely unknown. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of identification of NTM species by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) and Heat Shock Protein (hSP65) gene sequencing and to determine their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST). Materials and Methods: All the clinical specimens from pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB suspects at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, over a period of one year i.e., from June 2017 to May 2018 were included in the study. The specimens were subjected to microscopy, culture and GeneXpert. The NTMs isolated in the culture were further characterised genotypically by MALDI-TOF and hsp65 gene sequencing. The identified NTM isolates were subjected to AST. All the methods were followed as per the standard protocols. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. Results: A total of 1085 samples were processed out of which Mycobacteria was detected in 201 cases (18.5%). Among the culture positives, MTB complex was detected in 146 cases (13.5%) and NTM in 55 (5.06%). Mycobacterium abscessus was the predominant isolate. The most common co-morbidities were bronchiectasis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Linezolid, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin and amikacin showed high sensitivity. Conclusion: Molecular assay helps in rapid identification which can lead to targeted therapy and can thus combat antimicrobial resistance. The MALDI-TOF and hsp65 gene sequencing also offers quick results at a low cost and is easy to perform hence it can be considered as an alternate diagnostic tool for identification.
Oral Health Impact Profile and Self-perception of Patients in Brazil with Implant-supported Prostheses
Authors: Mattiello Bruno Briancini , Borba Marcia , Gambin Diego José , Sacker Thamiris Nogueira , Carli Joao Paulo De , Trentin Micheline Sandini
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Implant supported prosthetic rehabilitation could re-establish the comfort and bring a confident smile to patients, allowing them to eat properly and to lead a social life free of traumas and complexes. Aim: To verify which type of implant-supported rehabilitation- overdenture or fixed denture effectively restores the comfort of the lower arch of partial edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional clinical study was performed in patients with completely edentulous lower arch treated with either overdenture (2 implants) or fixed denture (5-6 implants), obtained from a sample from Southern Brazil. The study sample was composed of 37 volunteers who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Half of them were rehabilitated with overdenture (O- ring and bar) and the other half with fixed denture (Branemark protocol). A clinical evaluation was performed to obtain the Index of Plaque (PI) and bleeding on probing indexes (BI). Three questionnaires were applied to quantify the patient’s level of satisfaction with their prosthetic treatment (OHIP-EDENT and masticatory ability questionnaires) up to one year after installation of the prosthesis. Results were analysed by the Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05). Results: All treatments were considered satisfactory regarding masticatory ability. However, fixed dentures had a statistically higher level of satisfaction compared to overdenture. There were significant differences in the mean PI and BI index between the groups. Conclusion: Both rehabilitation treatments increased the satisfaction and improved the oral health and masticatory ability of edentulous patients. However, although patients rehabilitated with fixed dentures presented higher level of satisfaction, they also showed higher plaque and bleeding on probing indexes.
Total Phenolic Compounds Extraction in Leaves of Ocimum gratissimum L. and Their Potential Activity against Some Agricultural Contaminants
Authors: Elisée Kporou Kouassi , Pintea Adela , Constantin Okou Obou , Odagiu Antonia , David N’guessan Jean , Joseph Djaman Allico
Published: December 2020

Aims: Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that are important in the plant due to their role in plant defense and their antioxidant activity with other biological properties such as antipyretic, analgesic and antimicrobial activities. This study focused on the biological potential activity of total phenolic compounds extracted by soxhlet method from Ocimum gratissimum leaves (Lamiaceae), a popular medicinal plant harvested at Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire).

Study Design: Activities were directed on the in vitro antifungal and antioxidant activities combined to phenolic compounds analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Environment and Plant Protection, and Laboratory of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (USAMV) between March to July 2014, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Microbiology (Bioactives Natural Substances Unit), Jean Lorougnon Guédé University between September 2014 to January 2015.

Methodology: The extract obtained named TPCOG was tested against Fusarium species for its antifungal activity by applying agar slant double dilution method and for its antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of phenolic compounds were carried out by HPLC analysis method with sigma chemical standards.

Results: Tests showed that TPCOG was a powerful antifungal extract with MIC and MFC ranging between 3.125 µg/mL to 12.5 µg/mL. This extract was fungicidal and its antioxidant activity reached F= 541.25± .25 mM Trolox/mL (I= 70 ±1.85%) with a total phenolic content equal 195.70±1.33 mg GAE/g. Radical scavenge and antifungal activities correlated very well with total phenolic compounds. Phenolic content analysis showed presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids with a higher concentration for Quercetin (393.475 mg/100 g sample).

Conclusion: All this results demonstrated the biological potential activity of total phenolic compounds extracted from leaves of O. gratissimum and the possibility to use it in replace to essential oil for the formulation of biofungicides and nutraceuticals by industries.
Concept End Points Informing Design Considerations for Confirmatory Clinical Trials in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kim Yura , Levin Gregory , Nikolov Nikolay P. , Abugov Robert , Rothwell Rebecca
Published: December 2020

Objective

There is an unmet need for therapies that target the underlying pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). However, defining appropriate measures for clinical trials of such therapies is challenging. Our objective was to propose concept clinical end points that directly capture clinical benefit in this setting and evaluate the feasibility of their use.

Methods

This analysis used the multicenter, longitudinal, observational Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database. OAI participants primarily had knee OA, with follow‐up of up to 9 years and assessments of joints, surgical interventions, performance outcomes, and patient‐reported outcomes. We examined this data set to identify existing outcome measures of direct clinical benefit. We evaluated the feasibility of conducting trials using these candidate end points by estimating incidence rates and resulting required sample sizes and study durations in time‐to‐event analyses.

Results

We identified candidate end points based on total knee replacement (TKR) and composite end points defined by TKR and conservative thresholds of patient‐reported outcomes of pain and function. Using time to TKR as an end point, a study with an average follow‐up time of 3 years requires approximately 3,000 to 18,000 subjects, depending on effect size. Alternatively, for a composite end point, such as “time to TKR or severe pain or severely impaired functioning,” the required sample sizes ranged from approximately 2,000 to 11,000 for a 3‐year study.

Conclusion

The proposed concept end points can reliably and feasibly evaluate the effectiveness of therapies for this unmet need. In particular, the composite end point approach can substantially reduce sample sizes (up to approximately 40%) compared to the use of TKR alone.
Self‐Powered Smart Shoes with Tension‐Type Ribbon Harvesters and Sensors
Authors: Jung Kyung‐Chae , Son Jeong‐Hyeop , Chang Seung‐Hwan
Published: December 2020

This study aims to develop self‐powered smart shoes that can monitor the changes in the bodyweight of a user. A tension‐type energy harvester and strain sensor are fabricated using polyvinylidene fluoride‐based ribbons and nanopowder containing piezoresistive ribbons, respectively. Two different conducting nanopowders (carbon black and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes) are used as stretchable sensors, and the most appropriate mixing ratio of the nanopowders is determined. The energy harvesting performance of the tension‐type ribbon harvesters is experimentally investigated based on the combination patterns of ribbons and gait patterns, and a method is introduced to apply the harvesting ribbon to shoes. Tension‐type ribbon sensors that detect bodyweight are installed in an acrylic insole with four rectangular holes. The connecting method between the sensors, which guarantees the stability and high sensitivity of the sensor signals, is investigated. Finally, electronic circuits are designed for energy harvesting, data communication, and switching power sources. These designed circuits are implemented in smart shoes.
A Supraparticle‐Based Five‐Level‐Identification Tag That Switches Information Upon Readout
Authors: Miller Franziska , Wintzheimer Susanne , Prieschl Johannes , Strauss Volker , Mandel Karl
Published: December 2020

Product identification tags are of great importance in a globalized world with increasingly complex trading routes and networks. Beyond currently used coding strategies, such as QR codes, higher data density, flexible application as well as miniaturization and readout indication are longed for in the next generation of security tags. In this work, micron‐sized supraparticles (SPs) with encoded information (ID) are produced that not only exhibit multiple initially covert identification levels but are also irreversibly marked as “read” upon readout. To achieve this, lanthanide doped CaF2 nanoparticles are assembled in various quantity‐weighted ratios via spray‐drying in presence of a broad‐spectrum stealth fluorophore (StFl), yielding covert spectrally encoded ID‐SPs. Using these as pigments, QR codes, initially dominated by the green fluorescence of the StFl, could be generated. Upon thermal energy input, these particle‐based tags irreversibly switch to an activated state revealing not only multiple luminescent colors but also spectral IDs. This strategy provides the next generation of material‐based security tags with a high data density and security level that switch information upon readout and can be, therefore, used as seal of quality.
Pt/MnO2 Nanoflowers Anchored to Boron Nitride Aerogels for Highly Efficient Enrichment and Catalytic Oxidation of Formaldehyde at Room Temperature
Authors: Chen Dongyun , Zhang Guping , Wang Mengmeng , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei
Published: December 2020

The catalytic room temperature oxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO) is widely considered as a viable method for the abatement of indoor toxic HCHO pollution. Herein, Pt/MnO2 nanoflowers anchored to boron nitride aerogels (Pt/MnO2‐BN) were fabricated for the catalytic room temperature oxidation of HCHO. The three‐dimensional Pt/MnO2‐BN aerogels demonstrated superior catalytic activity as a result of the improved diffusion of the reactant molecules within the porous structure. Furthermore, the porous aerogels displayed excellent HCHO adsorption capacities, which promote a rapid HCHO gas‐phase concentration reduction and a subsequent complete oxidation of the adsorbed HCHO. The combined adsorption and oxidation properties of the Pt/MnO2‐BN aerogels enhance the oxidative removal of HCHO. The optimized Pt/MnO2‐BN demonstrated excellent catalytic activity toward HCHO (200 ppm) at room temperature, achieving a 96 % formaldehyde conversion after 50 min.
Nonlinear Optical Oxythiophosphate Approaching the Good Balance with Wide Ultraviolet Transparency, Strong Second Harmonic Effect, and Large Birefringence
Authors: Zhang Xinyuan , Kang Lei , Gong Pifu , Lin Zheshuai , Wu Yicheng
Published: December 2020

Ultraviolet (UV) transparency, second harmonic effect and optical birefringence are three vital but mutually restrictive factors in the application of UV nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. It is difficult for traditional phosphates to achieve a good balance among these factors. In this communication, we propose that the structural evolution of the NLO motif from traditional phosphate to oxythiophosphate would enhance the birefringence and second harmonic generation (SHG) effect while maintaining wide UV transparency, which is confirmed by first‐principles calculations and preliminary experimental measurements. Following this strategy, we predict that, compared with the well‐known NLO phosphate KH2PO4, the oxythiophosphate KH2PO3S exhibits better balance for the UV NLO performance, including wide UV transparency (UV cutoff down to 203 nm), strong SHG effect (ca. 0.9 pm V−1), and large birefringence (ca. 0.1 at 1 μm) with short phase‐matching SHG output wavelength (≈214 nm).
Severe tumor lysis syndrome during the induction therapy for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm arising from myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Sagou Ken , Ito Makoto , Kawamura Yuma , Ukai Shun , Goto Miyo , Fukushima Nobuaki , Ozeki Kazutaka , Fukuyama Ryuichi , Kohno Akio
Published: December 2020

BPDCN shows clinically heterogeneous characteristics. And as other hematological malignancies, symptoms of BPDCN suggesting a high tumor burden, such as high white blood cell count or splenomegaly, should be carefully considered to prevent TLS.
Comprehensive phenotyping of endothelial cells using flow cytometry 1: Murine
Authors: Grant Dillon , Wanner Nicholas , Frimel Matthew , Erzurum Serpil , Asosingh Kewal
Published: December 2020

The endothelium forms a selective barrier between circulating blood or lymph and surrounding tissue. Endothelial cells play an essential role in vessel homeostasis, and identification of these cells is critical in vascular biology research. However, characteristics of endothelial cells differ depending on the location and type of blood or lymph vessel. Endothelial cell subsets are numerous and often identified using different flow cytometric markers, making immunophenotyping these cells complex. In part 1 of this two part review series, we present a comprehensive overview of markers for the flow cytometric identification and phenotyping of murine endothelial subsets. These subsets can be distinguished using a panel of cell surface and intracellular markers shared by all endothelial cells in combination with additional markers of specialized endothelial cell types. This review can be used to determine the best markers for identifying and phenotyping desired murine endothelial cell subsets.
Hirudin prevents vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and permeability enhancement induced by the serum from rat with chronic renal failure through inhibiting RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Jing , Shi Wenbin , Xu Yan , Zhang Huaming , Chen Bo
Published: December 2020

Endothelial cells injury and activation contribute to arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis. Hirudin (Hiru) can inhibit the activity of thrombin, which was reported to enhance endothelial cell permeability and promote vascular inflammatory responses. RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway is also important in regulating vascular endothelial permeability. This study aimed to investigate the role of Hiru on the viability and permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) following stimulation of serum from rat with chronic renal failure (CRF) and illustrated the effects of Hiru on RhoA/ROCK signaling. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and CRF group. Serum from each group was collected to stimulate HUVECs. Proliferation capability was estimated with Cell Count Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. Transwell assay was performed to determine permeability. Cell apoptosis was examined using Tunel staining. Telomere length and telomerase activity were determined by qPCR. Moreover, the expression of RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 was estimated via western blot. Results showed that the serum from CRF rat significantly inhibited cell viability while enhanced cell permeability and apoptosis. Different concentrations of Hiru prevented the above effects caused by CRF serum. Additionally, Hiru recovered the CRF serum‐induced decreased telomere length and telomerase activity. Hiru also inhibited the protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2, which were activated by CRF serum. Moreover, the ROCK inhibitor, Y27632, exhibited similar effects with Hiru. In conclusion, Hiru‐restored HUVECs cell viability, telomere length and telomerase activity, suppressed permeability and apoptosis in the presence of CRF serum might depend on inactivating the RhoA/ROCK signaling.
Optical plasticity of mammalian cells
Authors: Subramanian Kaushikaram , Petzold Heike , Seelbinder Benjamin , Hersemann Lena , Nüsslein Ina , Kreysing Moritz
Published: December 2020

Transparency is widespread in nature, ranging from transparent insect wings to ocular tissues that enable you to read this text, and transparent marine vertebrates. And yet, cells and tissue models in biology are usually strongly light scattering and optically opaque, precluding deep optical microscopy. Here we describe the directed evolution of cultured mammalian cells toward increased transparency. We find that mutations greatly diversify the optical phenotype of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, a cultured mammalian cell line. Furthermore, only three rounds of high‐throughput optical selection and competitive growth are required to yield fit cells with greatly improved transparency. Based on 15 monoclonal cell lines derived from this directed evolution experiment, we find that the evolved transparency frequently goes along with a reduction of nuclear granularity and physiological shifts in gene expression profiles. In the future this optical plasticity of mammalian cells may facilitate genetic clearance of living tissues for in vivo microscopy.
Beta‐arrestin 2 mediates cardiac hypertrophy induced by thyroid hormones via AT1R
Authors: Lino Caroline Antunes , de Bortoli Teixeira Larissa , Capelupe Simões Sarah , de Oliveira Silva Tábatha , Diniz Gabriela Placoná , da Costa‐Neto Claudio Miguel , Barreto‐Chaves Maria Luiza Morais
Published: December 2020

We have previously reported that angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) contributes to the hypertrophic effects of thyroid hormones (TH) in cardiac cells. Even though evidence indicates crosstalks between TH and AT1R, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Beta‐arrestin (ARRB) signaling has been described as noncanonical signal transduction pathway that exerts important effects in the cardiovascular system through G‐protein‐coupled receptors, as AT1R. Herein, we investigated the contribution of ARRB signaling in TH‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Primary cardiomyocyte cultures were treated with Triiodothyronine (T3) to induce cell hypertrophy. T3 rapidly activates extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling, which was partially inhibited by AT1R blockade. Also, ERK1/2 inhibition attenuated the hypertrophic effects of T3. ARRB2 was upregulated by T3, and small interfering RNA assays revealed the role of ARRB2—but not ARRB1—on ERK1/2 activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Corroborating these findings, the ARRB2‐overexpressed cells showed increased expression of hypertrophic markers, which were attenuated by ERK1/2 inhibition. Immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation assays revealed the increased expression of nuclear AT1R after T3 stimulation and the increased interaction of AT1R/ARRB2. The inhibition of endocytosis also attenuated the T3 effects on cardiac cells. Our results evidence the contribution of ARRB2 on ERK1/2 activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by T3 via AT1R.