bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the Validity of Greenwood and Tripp’s Sum Surface Assumption for Elastic-Plastic Contact
Authors: Roy Ashutosh , Sista Bhargava , Vemaganti Kumar
Published: April 2020

The complexity of modeling friction between rough surfaces has prompted many researchers to use Greenwood and Tripp’s sum surface assumption to simplify the analysis. This assumption approximates the contact between two rough surfaces as contact between their equivalent sum surface and a rigid plane. In this work, we develop detailed finite element models to test the sum surface assumption for surfaces with Gaussian and exponential autocorrelation functions. We consider surfaces with differing surface roughness and correlation length values. For each case, we conduct simulations of two rough surfaces interacting in compression followed by shear, and a corresponding equivalent surface model based on the sum surface assumption. Multiple realizations of each parameter combination are simulated to obtain a statistical picture of the responses. We find that (a) the sum surface assumption consistently under-predicts the static coefficient of friction and (b) the equivalent surface model is less accurate for surfaces with differing correlation length-to-surface roughness ratios.
Extraction and Analysis of Spatial Correlation Micrograph Features for Traceability in Manufacturing
Authors: Dachowicz Adam , Atallah Mikhail , Panchal Jitesh H.
Published: April 2020

We propose a method for ensuring traceability of metal goods in an efficient and secure manner that leverages data obtained from micrographs of a part’s surface that is instance specific (i.e., different for another instance of that same part). All stakeholders in modern supply chains face a growing need to ensure quality and trust in the goods they produce. Complex supply chains open many opportunities for counterfeiters, saboteurs, or other attackers to infiltrate supply networks, and existing methods for preventing such attacks can be costly, invasive, and ineffective. The proposed method extracts discriminatory-yet-robust intrinsic strings using features extracted from the two-point autocorrelation data of surface microstructures, as well as from local volume fraction data. By using a synthetic dataset of three-phase micrographs similar to those obtained from metal alloy systems using low-cost optical microscopy techniques, we discuss tailoring the method with respect to cost and security and discuss the performance of the method in the context of anticounterfeiting and how similar methods may be evaluated for performance. Cryptographic extensions of this methodology are also discussed.
Enhancement of Deep-Subwavelength Band Gaps in Flat Spiral-Based Phononic Metamaterials Using the Trampoline Phenomena
Authors: Bilal Osama R. , Foehr André , Daraio Chiara
Published: April 2020

Elastic and acoustic metamaterials can sculpt dispersion of waves through resonances. In turn, resonances can give rise to negative effective properties, usually localized around the resonance frequencies, which support band gaps at subwavelength frequencies (i.e., below the Bragg-scattering limit). However, the band gaps width correlates strongly with the resonators’ mass and volume, which limits their functionality in applications. Trampoline phenomena have been numerically and experimentally shown to broaden the operational frequency ranges of two-dimensional, pillar-based metamaterials through perforation. In this work, we demonstrate trampoline phenomena in lightweight and planar lattices consisting of arrays of Archimedean spirals in unit cells. Spiral-based metamaterials have been shown to support different band gap opening mechanisms, namely, Bragg-scattering, local resonances and inertia amplification. Here, we numerically analyze and experimentally realize trampoline phenomena in planar metasurfaces for different lattice tessellations. Finally, we carry out a comparative study between trampoline pillars and spirals and show that trampoline spirals outperform the pillars in lightweight, compactness and operational bandwidth.
Reducibility and Analysis of Linear Quasi-Periodic Systems Via Normal Forms
Authors: Waswa Peter M. B. , Redkar Sangram
Published: April 2020

This article introduces a technique to accomplish reducibility of linear quasi-periodic systems into constant-coefficient linear systems. This is consistent with congruous proofs common in literature. Our methodology is based on Lyapunov–Floquet transformation, normal forms, and enabled by an intuitive state augmentation technique that annihilates the periodicity in a system. Unlike common approaches, the presented approach does not employ perturbation or averaging techniques and does not require a periodic system to be approximated from the quasi-periodic system. By considering the undamped and damped linear quasi-periodic Hill-Mathieu equation, we validate the accuracy of our approach by comparing the time-history behavior of the reduced linear constant-coefficient system with the numerically integrated results of the initial quasi-periodic system. The two outcomes are shown to be in exact agreement. Consequently, the approach presented here is demonstrated to be accurate and reliable. Moreover, we employ Floquet theory as part of our analysis to scrutinize the stability and bifurcation properties of the undamped and damped linear quasi-periodic system.
Thermal degradation behavior of self-assembled monolayer surfactant on silicon substrate
Authors: Li Mingjie , Huang Xinglong , Luo Wenxin , Chen Yulong , Han Fei , Cheng Xing
Published: April 2020

In nanoimprint lithography, a release agent on the mold surface is usually necessary for easy demolding between the mold and the imprinted (thermal) resist. In this work, the thermal stability of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) monolayers is studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The FDTS monolayers are deposited on Si (100) substrates via vapor phase reactions. Significant fluorine desorption of the monolayers is observed for samples annealed at 250 and 300 °C in air. The fluorine coverage decreases as a function of annealing time at a given annealing temperature. The desorption is proposed to be dependent on the monolayer packing details and may be influenced by the intermolecular heat transfer. Removal of the CF3 groups is found to be faster than that of the CF2 group as evidenced by the CF2/CF3 peak area ratios that increase with the annealing time. Sessile drop water contact angle and fluorine coverage evolution results show that the estimated useful coating lifetime is 180 min when the samples are annealed at 300 °C and ∼560 min when annealed at 250 °C. The peak position of the binding energy of the F 1s spectral line is related to the monolayer fluorine coverage and it may be a result of the interactions between the molecular chain and the negatively charged silicon substrate. Furthermore, nearly no chain desorption is detected for samples annealed in an inert environment, which may be attributed to the elimination of reactive oxygen and moisture molecules. The thermal degradation behaviors in ambient and inert atmosphere provide useful information for designing a nanoimprint process for the commercial manufacturing of polymeric microstructure and nanostructure.
Material properties compliance with cryogenic vacuum for particle accelerators
Authors: Spallino L.
Published: April 2020

The use of any materials in particle accelerators requires a rigorous evaluation of their behavior in vacuum, especially when used at cryogenic temperatures. Laser treated copper substrates offer unquestionable advantages for electron-cloud mitigation purposes due to their low secondary electron yield. Here, the author investigates their vacuum behavior for the occurrence of small temperature transients during accelerators' performance. To this aim, a campaign of thermal programmed desorption measurements of CO and CH4 dosed on a laser treated copper substrate and on its flat counterpart has been launched. The preliminary results here reported show that the desorption of such gases from the laser treated substrates occurs in a much broader and higher temperature range with respect to what is observed from the flat substrate. This can be ascribed to their nanostructured porous morphology. These findings are particularly relevant since they refer to gases present in the residual vacuum of any accelerator system. They suggest that vacuum transient effects against temperature fluctuations should be better evaluated if such a surface would be used in accelerators' cryogenic vacuum.
Fusion data analysis of imaging data of hydrogen-permeated steel obtained by complementary methods
Authors: Akiyama Tomomi , Miyauchi Naoya , Itakura Akiko N. , Yamagishi Takayuki , Aoyagi Satoka
Published: April 2020

Chemical imaging, such as mass imaging, provides a distribution image of a particular matter and is crucial for analyzing the chemical and physical mechanisms of a sample. However, methods that provide molecular or elemental distribution do not always have sufficiently high spatial resolution to evaluate the nanosized structures in a sample. To address this issue, a multimodal data analysis method was developed by integrating the obtained low spatial resolution chemical images with complementary methods. In this study, the hydrogen distribution of a steel sample was measured using electron stimulated desorption (ESD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ESD provided the time-course images of hydrogen distribution in the steel sample, whereas SEM provided the outline of the steel sample structure. The multimodal images of the same sample were fused, and then all the data were analyzed together to extract detailed physical and chemical information that cannot be observed by only one of the methods. The alignment of the images obtained using different methods was evaluated based on the minimization of each pixel subtraction. Three different data analysis methods, principal component analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and autoencoder, are applied to the image fusion dataset of the ESD image and SEM images to help elucidate the hydrogen permeation behavior through the steel structure.
Integrated in situ self-aligned double patterning process with fluorocarbon as spacer layer
Authors: Chang Bingdong
Published: April 2020

Self-aligned double patterning (SADP), or spacer lithography, is a widely used technique in the semiconductor industry for high-throughput nanoscale pattern definition and thus is of great significance for very-large-scale integration, large-area photonic device fabrications, and other applications. In a standard SADP flow, chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition is used to deposit a conformal spacer layer, which is typically a dielectric material. The spacer composition and film quality will influence downstream critical dimension control. However, samples have to go through multiple processing environments, and fabrication complexity is thus increased. In this work, an in situ SADP process is proposed, with all the fabrication steps being integrated into a single process inside a commercially available plasma etching equipment. The spacer layer is a plasma-deposited fluorocarbon film, which has a uniform step coverage and a good etch selectivity to silicon. Various nanostructures have been fabricated to prove the capability of this technique. With its high integrity and technical convenience, this method can be promising to improve the throughput and efficiency of nanofabrication in the semiconductor industry, microelectromechanical systems, and photonic engineering.
Influence of hydrostatic pressure on rheological properties of polymer melts—A review
Authors: Münstedt Helmut
Published: April 2020

Rheological properties of polymer melts are significantly dependent on molecular structure and external parameters. While numerous experimental data of the dependence of the rheological behavior on stress, shear rate, and temperature are available in the literature, much less is known on the effect of hydrostatic pressure. This article reviews the knowledge about the pressure dependence of rheological properties of polymer melts. The different experimental devices for measurements under pressure are described, and the methods of determining the pressure coefficients of viscosity are critically analyzed. Very few investigations of the pressure dependence of viscoelastic properties are addressed. A comparison of the pressure coefficients of commercial polymers obtained by various authors from viscosity measurements with different methods shows the deficits in getting exact data. It can be said, however, that the pressure coefficients increase in the order of high density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. For amorphous polymers and, particularly, for polystyrene, it is shown how the pressure coefficients decrease with growing temperature. For polyolefins, this dependency is less significant. The free volume concept is discussed with respect to an interpretation of the experimental findings. Results of using the hole fraction theory for describing the pressure dependence of viscosity are presented and critically assessed.
Microbial metabolites shape lipid metabolism
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: April 2020

Two bacterial fermentation products influence lipid metabolism and secretion in the small intestine.
Long Noncoding RNA and Predictive Model To Improve Diagnosis of Clinically Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Hu Xuejiao , Liao Shun , Bai Hao , Gupta Shubham , Zhou Yi , Zhou Juan , Jiao Lin , Wu Lijuan , Wang Minjin , Chen Xuerong , Zhou Yanhong , Lu Xiaojun , Hu Tony Y. , Zhang Zhaolei , Ying Binwu
Published: April 2020

Clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients lack microbiological evidence of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, and misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis often occurs as a consequence. We investigated the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and corresponding predictive models to diagnose these patients. We enrolled 1,764 subjects, including clinically diagnosed PTB patients, microbiologically confirmed PTB cases, non-TB disease controls, and healthy controls, in three cohorts (screening, selection, and validation).
Human Infections Caused by Clonally Related African Clade (Clade III) Strains of Candida auris in the Greater Houston Region
Authors: Long S. Wesley , Ojeda Saavedra Matthew , Christensen Paul A. , Musser James M. , Olsen Randall J.
Published: April 2020

Candida auris
is a pathogen of considerable public health importance. It was first reported in 2009. Five clades, determined by genomic analysis and named by the distinct regions where they were initially identified, have been defined. We previously completed a draft genome sequence of an African clade (clade III) strain cultured from the urine of a patient hospitalized in the greater Houston metropolitan region (strain LOM). Although initially uncommon, reports of the African clade in the United States have grown to include a recent cluster in California.
Immunization with a Biofilm-Disrupting Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
Vaccine Antigen Did Not Alter the Gut Microbiome in Chinchillas, Unlike Oral Delivery of a Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Commonly Used for Otitis Media
Authors: Bailey Michael T. , Lauber Christian L. , Novotny Laura A. , Goodman Steven D. , Bakaletz Lauren O.
Published: April 2020

The prevalence of chronic and recurrent diseases, combined with the overuse/abuse of antibiotics that has led to the sobering emergence of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, has mandated that we develop novel approaches to better manage these diseases or, ideally, prevent them. Biofilms play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases but are difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate with antibiotics. We developed a vaccine antigen designed to mediate biofilm disruption; however, it is also important that delivery of this vaccine does not induce collateral damage to the microbiome. The studies described here validated a vaccine approach that targets biofilms without the consequences of an altered gut microbiome. While delivery of the antibiotic most commonly given to children with ear infections did indeed alter the gut microbiome, as expected, immunization via traditional injection or by noninvasive delivery to the skin did not result in changes to the chinchilla gut microbiome.
Healthcare access for children and families on the move and migrants
Authors: Murphy Lisa , Broad Jonathan , Hopkinshaw Bryony , Boutros Sarah , Russell Neal , Firth Alison , McKeown Rachael , Steele Alison
Published: April 2020

Background

The United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) charging regulations have increasingly restricted migrants’ healthcare access, in the context of a wider national policy shift over the past few years intending to create a ‘hostile environment’ for migrants. With an estimated 144 000 undocumented children living in the UK and increasing public concern that these regulations are negatively impacting migrant health and well-being, as well as contravening international child rights agreements, it has become imperative to understand their implications.

Methods

A mixed methods digital survey, covering attitudes towards and understanding of UK healthcare charging, and giving space for relevant case submission, was disseminated through communications channels of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) to their members. Quantitative data were analysed on Stata, and basic proportions were calculated for each response proportion. Qualitative data were analysed using a framework analysis approach.

Results

There were 200 responses, from a range of healthcare professional backgrounds. The majority were not confident in interpreting and applying the charging regulations. One-third (34%) reported examples of the charging regulations impacting patient care, analysis of which elicited seven key themes. Our survey gathered 18 cases of migrants being deterred from accessing healthcare, 11 cases of healthcare being delayed or denied outright, and 12 cases of delay in accessing care leading to worse health outcomes, including two intrauterine deaths.

Discussion

Our results describe a range of harms arising from the current NHS charging regulations contributing to delays in or denials of healthcare, due to patients’ fear of charging or immigration enforcement, including potential deportation, and confusion around entitlements. This harm affects individual patients, the migrant community and the NHS – often in multiple simultaneous ways. Many patients eligible for NHS care, such as trafficking victims, are not being identified as such. We found the current charging regulations to be unworkable, and that harm could not be eliminated simply through improved awareness or implementation.
Drained solution for cylindrical cavity expansion in modified Cam clay soil under constant vertical stress
Authors: Su D.
Published: April 2020

Cavity expansion is a fundamental theoretical problem in geomechanics. For the cylindrical cavity expansion problem, derivations of solutions are usually based on the assumption that the soil is subject to the plane strain condition. However, this is untrue for cavity expansion in pressuremeter tests. This study first derived the equilibrium equation for cylindrical cavity expansion under the constant vertical stress condition. Then, the equilibrium equation was solved for modified Cam clay soils with different overconsolidation ratios (OCRs). The solutions were compared with the responses in the same soils under the plane strain condition. It was found that the ratio of the limiting cavity pressure in the latter to that in the former ranged from 1.31 to 2.76 and increased with an increase in the OCR. Under the constant vertical stress condition, significant heaving occurred in the vicinity of the cavity, and volumetric strain evolved from contraction to dilation as the OCR increased. Significant differences were noted in the stress paths of the two different loading conditions. These results indicate that the assumption of the plane strain condition will lead to overestimation of the limiting cavity pressure and inaccurate prediction of the stress path in the pressuremeter test, especially for heavily overconsolidated soils.
Cloning, phylogenetic analysis, and postnatal expression of oligopeptide transporter PepT1 in gastrointestinal tract of kid goats receiving supplemental feed or pasture
Authors: Ran Tao , Li Hengzhi , Liu Yong , Zhou Chuanshe , He Zhixiong , Tan Zhiliang , Yang Wenzhu , Beauchemin Karen A.
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to clone the cDNA of PepT1, an H+-dependent oligopeptide transporter, from kid goats and examine effects of physiological development (suckling, weaning, and post-weaning) of the animal and feeding system (supplemental feeding vs. grazing) on peptide transport capability. A 2395 bp cDNA sequence of pept1 (GenBank: MH308024) was cloned and phylogenetic analysis revealed a high homology and structure similarity with PepT1 of sheep and cattle. The pept1 was expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract of kid goats immediately after birth and during development. Relative abundance of pept1 decreased in all segments except the middle-jejunum during suckling, whereas its expression in most segments of small intestine increased with age after weaning and remained stable thereafter. Middle-jejunum was the predominant expression site and probably the main peptide absorption site. Supplemental feeding enhanced pept1 expression because it increased protein intake compared with grazing. No feeding system × age interaction was observed in most segments; the expression was age related during suckling and diet related during weaning and post-weaning, indicating that feeding system and age had independent effects on pept1 expression. These results indicate that PepT1 plays an important role for protein nutrition in neonatal goats, and its expression can be affected by feeding system.
Filling process and filling characteristic analysis of Paleogene Baxian sag in Bohai Bay basin, China
Authors: Zhang Zili , Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Ruifeng , Fu Sheng , Zhang Jing
Published: April 2020

In addition to core, logging, and other previous research results, this paper determines the fault development and tectonic evolution process of the Baxian sag with the Paleogene rift stage based on 3D seismic data. The Paleogene tectonic evolution of the sag can be divided into three episodes and six evolution stages, and three types of faults are identified: intensely active normal, active normal, and weakly active normal. One first-order sequence, three second-order sequences, and fourteen third-order sequences of the Paleogene Baxian sag were created, and fifteen sequence boundaries were recognised. According to the rifting background and sedimentary facies development characteristics of each episode, five combination types of the depositional system associations were identified, including alluvial fan-fluvial and braided-delta-lacustrine in an early rifting episode, delta-lacustrine and nearshore subaqueous fan-lacustrine in the middle rifting episode, and fluvial-flood plain in the late rifting episode. Six response models of filling and the evolution process in Paleogene Baxian sag were concluded. The multi-episodes tectonic cycles of faulted lake basins resulted in complex paleogeomorphology and variable provenance supply, forming abundant sequence structure patterns and different filling and evolution processes of faulted lake basins. The stable rifting stage is favourable to form and preserve high-quality source rock, and develop various sedimentary facies and sandbody types, which is a potential area for exploration of a lithologic stratigraphic oil and gas reservoir.
Geodesic distance: A descriptor of geometry and correlator of pregeometric density of spacetime events
Authors: Padmanabhan T.
Published: April 2020

Classical geometry can be described either in terms of a metric tensor [Formula: see text] or in terms of the geodesic distance [Formula: see text]. Recent work, however, has shown that the geodesic distance is better suited to describe the quantum structure of spacetime. This is because one can incorporate some of the key quantum effects by replacing [Formula: see text] by another function [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is nonzero. This allows one to introduce a zero-point-length in the spacetime. I show that the geodesic distance can be an emergent construct, arising in the form of a correlator [Formula: see text], of a pregeometric variable [Formula: see text], which can be interpreted as the quantum density of spacetime events. This approach also shows why null surfaces play a special role in the interface of quantum theory and gravity. I describe several technical and conceptual aspects of this construction and discuss some of its implications.
Climate Change: Expanding Anthropological Possibilities
Authors: O'Reilly Jessica , Isenhour Cindy , McElwee Pamela , Orlove Ben
Published: April 2020

Climate anthropology has broadened over the past decade from predominately locally focused studies on climate impacts to encompass new approaches to climate science, mitigation, sustainability transformations, risks, and resilience. We examine how theoretical positionings, including from actor–network theory, new materialisms, ontologies, and cosmopolitics, have helped expand anthropological climate research, particularly in three key interrelated areas. First, we investigate ethnographic approaches to climate science knowledge production, particularly around epistemic authority, visioning of futures, and engagements with the material world. Second, we consider climate adaptation studies that critically examine discourses and activities surrounding concepts of vulnerability, subjectivities, and resilience. Third, we analyze climate mitigation, including energy transitions, technological optimism, market-based solutions, and other ways of living in a carbon-constrained world. We conclude that anthropological approaches provide novel perspectives, made possible through engagements with our uniquely situated research partners, as well as opportunities for opening up diverse solutions and possible transformative futures.
How Natural Genetic Variation Shapes Behavior
Authors: Niepoth Natalie , Bendesky Andres
Published: April 2020

Nervous systems allow animals to acutely respond and behaviorally adapt to changes and recurring patterns in their environment at multiple timescales—from milliseconds to years. Behavior is further shaped at intergenerational timescales by genetic variation, drift, and selection. This sophistication and flexibility of behavior makes it challenging to measure behavior consistently in individual subjects and to compare it across individuals. In spite of these challenges, careful behavioral observations in nature and controlled measurements in the laboratory, combined with modern technologies and powerful genetic approaches, have led to important discoveries about the way genetic variation shapes behavior. A critical mass of genes whose variation is known to modulate behavior in nature is finally accumulating, allowing us to recognize emerging patterns. In this review, we first discuss genetic mapping approaches useful for studying behavior. We then survey how variation acts at different levels—in environmental sensation, in internal neuronal circuits, and outside the nervous system altogether—and then discuss the sources and types of molecular variation linked to behavior and the mechanisms that shape such variation. We end by discussing remaining questions in the field.
Lethal Infectious Diseases as Inborn Errors of Immunity: Toward a Synthesis of the Germ and Genetic Theories
Authors: Casanova Jean-Laurent , Abel Laurent
Published: April 2020

It was first demonstrated in the late nineteenth century that human deaths from fever were typically due to infections. As the germ theory gained ground, it replaced the old, unproven theory that deaths from fever reflected a weak personal or even familial constitution. A new enigma emerged at the turn of the twentieth century, when it became apparent that only a small proportion of infected individuals die from primary infections with almost any given microbe. Classical genetics studies gradually revealed that severe infectious diseases could be driven by human genetic predisposition. This idea gained ground with the support of molecular genetics, in three successive, overlapping steps. First, many rare inborn errors of immunity were shown, from 1985 onward, to underlie multiple, recurrent infections with Mendelian inheritance. Second, a handful of rare and familial infections, also segregating as Mendelian traits but striking humans resistant to other infections, were deciphered molecularly beginning in 1996. Third, from 2007 onward, a growing number of rare or common sporadicinfections were shown to result from monogenic, but not Mendelian, inborn errors. A synthesis of the hitherto mutually exclusive germ and genetic theories is now in view.
The Sociology of Creativity: Elements, Structures, and Audiences
Authors: Godart Frédéric , Seong Sorah , Phillips Damon J.
Published: April 2020

This review integrates diverse characterizations of creativity from a sociological perspective with the goal of reinvigorating discussion of the sociology of creativity. We start by exploring relevant works of classical social theory to uncover key assumptions and principles, which are used as a theoretical basis for our proposed definition of creativity: an intentional configuration of cultural and material elements that is unexpected for a given audience. Our argument is enriched by locating creativity vis-à-vis related concepts—such as originality, knowledge, innovation, atypicality, and consecration—and across neighboring disciplines. Underlying the discussion are antecedents (structure, institutions, and context) and consequences (audiences, perception, and evaluation), which are treated separately. We end our review by speculating on ways in which sociologists can take the discussion of creativity forward.
Supershed Escherichia coli O157:H7 Has Potential for Increased Persistence on the Rectoanal Junction Squamous Epithelial Cells and Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Mir Raies A. , Brunelle Brian W. , Alt David P. , Arthur Terrance M. , Kudva Indira T
Published: April 2020

Supershedding cattle shed Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) at ≥ 104 colony-forming units/g feces. We recently demonstrated that a supershed O157 (SS-O157) strain, SS-17, hyperadheres to the rectoanal junction (RAJ) squamous epithelial (RSE) cells which may contribute to SS-O157 persistence at this site in greater numbers, thereby increasing the fecal O157 load characterizing the supershedding phenomenon. In order to verify if this would be the signature adherence profile of any SS-O157, we tested additional SS-O157 isolates (n = 101; each from a different animal) in the RSE cell adherence assay. Similar to SS-17, all 101 SS-O157 exhibited aggregative adherence on RSE cells, with 56% attaching strongly (>10 bacteria/cell; hyperadherent) and 44% attaching moderately (1–10 bacteria/cells). Strain typing using Polymorphic Amplified Typing Sequences (PATS) analysis assigned the 101 SS-O157 into 5 major clades but not to any predominant genotype. Interestingly, 69% of SS-O157 isolates were identical to human O157 outbreak strains based on pulsed field gel electrophoresis profiles (CDC PulseNet Database), grouped into two clades by PATS distinguishing them from remaining SS-O157, and were hyperadherent on RSE cells. A subset of SS-O157 isolates (n = 53) representing different PATS and RSE cell adherence profiles were analyzed for antibiotic resistance (AR). Several SS-O157 (30/53) showed resistance to sulfisoxazole, and one isolate was resistant to both sulfisoxazole and tetracycline. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests confirmed some of the resistance observed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion test. Each SS-O157 isolate carried at least 10 genes associated with AR. However, genes directly associated with AR were rarely amplified: aac (3)-IV in 2 isolates, sul2 in 3 isolates, and tetB in one isolate. The integrase gene, int, linked with integron-based AR acquisition/transmission, was identified in 92% of SS-O157 isolates. Our results indicate that SS-O157 isolates could potentially persist longer at the bovine RAJ but exhibit limited resistance towards clinical antibiotics.
Standard Correction of Vision Worsens EMG Activity of Pericranial Muscles in Chronic TMD Subjects
Authors: Monaco Annalisa , Ortu Eleonora , Giannoni Mario , D’Andrea Pierdomenico , Cattaneo Ruggero , Mummolo Alessandra , Pietropaoli Davide
Published: April 2020

Recent studies showed an evident correlation between the stomatognathic system and the visual system. These results suggest that subjects who are affected by both temporomandibular (TMD) disorders and refractive disorders present with altered control of pericranial musculature tone and higher open-eye electromyographic (EMG) values. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of standard vision correction on EMG in subjects suffering from TMD compared with application of the same vision treatments to non-TMD subjects. 40 subjects were enrolled in this study. The test group included 20 myopic subjects and also included patients with TMD. The control group included 20 healthy myopic subjects. All of the participants underwent a complete ocular examination and a sEMG analysis. The results showed that TMD subjects with vision disorders that are corrected with standard glasses present EMG values that are significantly higher than those presented by non-TMD subjects with vision disorders and standard glasses. Infact, in TMD subjects, eye correction did not have a positive effect on the stomatognathic or pericranial musculature.
Performance Comparison of the artus HBV QS‐RGQ and the CAP/CTM HBV v2.0 Assays regarding Hepatitis B Virus DNA Quantification
Authors: Madihi Salma , Syed Hashim , Lazar Fatiha , Zyad Abdelmajid , Benani Abdelouaheb
Published: April 2020

Background. Over 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. The quantification of the HBV DNA level is critical for monitoring the efficacy of antiviral treatment of chronic HBV patients. Methods. In our study, we compared the performance of the artus HBV QS‐RGQ assay to the CAP/CTM v2.0 test, as a reference method, on 142 Moroccan patients. The analytical performance of the artus HBV QS‐RGQ assay, such as the limit of detection, quantification, precision, reproducibility, and linearity, was determined using dilution series from 10 to 0.1 log10 IU/mL. Results. Detection rates and viral loads quantified by the artus HBV QS‐RGQ assay were significantly lower than those from the CAP/CTM v2.0 assay (73.94% vs. 82.39%; 3.34 ± 1.94 log10 IU/mL vs. 3.91 ± 2.45 log10 IU/mL; p < 0.01). A Bland‐Altman plot found a mean difference of (CAP/CTM v2.0 − artus HBV QS − RGQ) = 0.5717 log10 IU/mL, with an average range of ‐1.13 to 2.31 log10 IU/mL. The two methods demonstrated a high correlation (r = 0.88) for 100 positive samples, a moderate correlation for samples below 2000 IU/mL (r = 0.76), and a very high correlation for the samples above 2000 IU/mL (r = 0.95). Linearity of the artus QS‐RGQ test ranged from 1.07 to 7.51 log10 IU/mL. Conclusion. The artus HBV QS‐RGQ assay showed a strong correlation, precision, and linearity in comparison with the CAP/CTM v2.0. However, viral loads determined by the artus HBV QS‐RGQ assay were lower than those determined by the CAP/CTM v2.0 assay.
Comparative Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Puerarin in Rat Plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS after Oral Administration of Pueraria lobata Extract and Pure Puerarin
Authors: Zhang Guozhe , Ji Jianwei , Sun Mingzhong , Ji Yuqiao , Ji Hongjian
Published: April 2020

Puerarin is the main biologically active isoflavone in Pueraria lobata and has a wide range of biological activities. However, due to its poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability, its clinical applications are restricted. Compared with puerarin, the Pueraria lobata extract (PLE) has better water solubility, lower toxicity, and less side effects. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of orally administered puerarin (100 mg/kg) and PLE (763 mg/kg, equivalent to 100.0 mg/kg of puerarin) to rats was investigated by the UHPLC-MS/MS method. Results showed that when the rats were administered PLE, the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0-inf) dramatically increased from 219.83 ± 64.37 μg h/L to 462.62 ± 51.74 μg h/L (p<0.01). The elimination half-time (t1/2) also increased from 1.60 ± 0.38 h to 12.04 ± 5.10 h (p<0.01). The maximum concentration (Cmax) of puerarin decreased from 101.64 ± 41.82 ng/mL to 48.64 ± 21.47 ng/mL (p<0.01), and time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) of puerarin decreased from 1.46 ± 1.08 h to 0.54 ± 0.30 h (p<0.01). Results indicated that the pharmacokinetics of puerarin in Pueraria lobata may be dramatically different from pure puerarin in the plasma of rat, and oral bioavailability of puerarin may be increased when PLE was administrated to rats.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Novel N-Substituted Indole Derivatives
Authors: MahamadAlli Shaikh Tanveer , Debebe Habtamu
Published: April 2020

Indole motifs are one of the most significant scaffolds in the discovery of new drugs. We have described a synthesis of new N-substituted indole derivatives (1-3), and theirin vitroantimicrobial activities were investigated. The synthesis of titled compounds has been demonstrated by utilizing commercially available starting materials. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were performed using new strains of bacteriaStaphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli, andCandida albicansusing the disc diffusion method. Notably, the compound 4-(1-(2-(1H-indol-1-yl) ethoxy) pentyl)-N,N-dimethyl aniline (1) was found to be most potent than the other analogues (2and3), which has shown higher inhibition than the standard drug chloramphenicol.
Almost Disturbance Decoupling for a Class of Fractional-Order Nonlinear Systems with Zero Dynamics
Authors: Liu Xiaoping , Zhao Yajing , Wang Caiyun , Wang Huanqing , Zhou Yucheng
Published: April 2020

The problem of almost disturbance decoupling is addressed for fractional-order nonlinear systems. A new definition for the norm is proposed to describe the effect of disturbances on the output tracking error for fractional-order systems. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and the backstepping design method, a tracking controller is constructed to make the output tracking error converge to zero without external disturbances and to attenuate the effect of disturbances on the tracking error at zero initial conditions. In order to validate these theoretical results, a numerical example and two practical examples are given.
Lemon Balm Extracts Prevent Breast Cancer Progression In Vitro and In Ovo on Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay
Authors: Ghiulai Roxana , Avram Stefana , Stoian Dana , Pavel Ioana Zinuca , Coricovac Dorina , Oprean Camelia , Vlase Laurian , Farcas Claudia , Mioc Marius , Minda Daliana , Motoc Andrei , Szuhanek Camelia , Danciu Corina , Soica Codruta , Sima Laurentiu
Published: April 2020

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant pathology, representing the primary cause of cancer death in women. Natural products are an appealing strategy to limit the progression of the disease. Targeting angiogenesis in breast cancer may positively impact on poor prognosis of breast cancer. As source of natural compounds, we investigated the leaves of Melissa officinalis L. (MO), known as lemon balm, an aromatic plant that spontaneously grows in the South and Western areas of Romania, being traditionally recommended as anxiolytic, antispasmodic, or as digestive remedy. Our aim was to investigate the phytochemical profiling and the antiangiogenic and chemopreventive bioactivity of MO from Banat region, on breast cancer. Two ethanolic extracts of MO (MOE96 and MOE70) and one methanolic extract (MOM80) were subjected to polyphenol and triterpene profiling by HPLC‐MS, and the antioxidant capacity was evaluated. The antiangiogenic potential was investigated using the chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM). The MTT(3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to investigate the cytotoxic effects on MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231breast cancer cells, as well as on MCF‐10A normal breast epithelial cells, while apoptosis was performed by DAPI staining. Rosmarinic acid (RA) and ursolic acid (UA) were revealed as dominant phytocompounds. The highest concentration in phytochemicals were found in MOM80; MOE96 was more concentrated in UA, while MOE70 extracted more RA. MOE96 inhibited cancer progression and angiogenesis in the in ovo CAM model using MDA‐MB‐231 cells, inhibiting breast cancer progression and angiogenesis for the MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell line; no secondary tumoral areas were registered, indicative for a preventive effect against breast tumor cell invasiveness. The highest cell inhibitory activity was also exhibited by MOE96, in particular against the estrogen receptor positive MCF7 breast cancer cell line, with no cytotoxic effect on healthy cells. The estrogen receptor positive MCF7 cell line proved to be more sensitive to the extract antiproliferative activity than the triple negative MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell line. Nevertheless, the chemopreventive potential of MOE96 extract is phenotype‐dependent and is rather related to the apoptosis and antiangiogenic effects suggesting a multitargeted mechanism of action due to its multiple compound composition next to a concentration ratio of RA : UA in favor of UA.
The Influence of Immediately Loaded Basal Implant Treatment on Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Awadalkreem Fadia , Khalifa Nadia , Satti Asim , Suleiman Ahmed Mohamed
Published: April 2020

Background. Improving patient satisfaction and quality of life is of great importance when considering the different prosthetic treatment options for patients with severely resorbed residual alveolar ridges. We aimed to evaluate and compare patients’ satisfaction when changing from fixed, removable, and/or conventional implant prostheses to basal implant-supported prostheses. Methods. Sixty patients with a history of fixed, removable, and/or conventional implant prostheses who received basal implant-supported prostheses (BCS®, IHDE Implant System) were included in this study. Direct interviews were conducted using a four-section questionnaire that covered sociodemographic data, clinical examination, information on previous prostheses, and new implant information. The obtained data were statistically analysed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test and chi-squared test. Results. Patients were predominantly female, partially edentulous, and aged between 40 and 59 years. Patients’ general satisfaction with basal implants was very high (7.7 out of 8). Patients’ satisfaction with comfort, mastication, speech, and aesthetics significantly improved with the new basal implants. Males aged between 40 and 59 years and patients who had previously used both fixed and removable prostheses were generally the most satisfied. Although some patients had complaints, they still had high satisfaction and would choose the same treatment modality again. Conclusions. Basal implant-supported prostheses have a positive impact on oral health and highly increase patients’ satisfaction.
Impact of the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Diagnostic Cytology Classification of Thyroid Nodules in the Treatment of Indeterminate Follicular Lesions: Five-Year Results at a Single Center
Authors: Pastoricchio M. , Cubisino A. , Lanzaro A. , Troian M. , Zanconati F. , Bernardi S. , Fabris B. , de Manzini N. , Dobrinja C.
Published: April 2020

Purpose. Aim of the study was to assess the impact of the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Diagnostic Cytology (SIAPEC) classification of 2014, on the treatment of indeterminate thyroid lesions (TIR3). Methods. We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing thyroid surgery for TIR3 lesions between 2013 and 2018, at the General Surgery Department of Trieste University Hospital. According to the SIAPEC classification, patients were divided into TIR3A and TIR3B groups. All patients treated before 2014 underwent surgical treatment, and surgical specimens were retrospectively classified after revision of fine-needle aspiration cytology. Starting 2014, TIR3A patients were treated only when symptomatic (i.e., coexistent bilateral thyroid goiter or growing TIR3A nodules), whereas TIR3B patients always received surgical treatment. Hemithyroidectomy (HT) was the procedure of choice. Total thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in case of concurrent bilateral goiter, autoimmune thyroid disease, and/or presence of BRAF and/or RAS mutation. Lastly, we analyzed the malignancy rate in the two groups. Results. 29 TIR3A and 90 TIR3B patients were included in the study. HT was performed in 10 TIR3A patients and 37 TIR3B patients, respectively, with need for reoperation in 4 TIR3B (10.8%) patients due to histological findings of follicular thyroid carcinoma >1  cm. The malignancy rates were 17.2% in TIR3A and 31.1% in TIR3B, (p=0.16). Predictability of malignancy was almost 89% in BRAF mutation and just 47% in RAS mutation. Conclusions. The new SIAPEC classification in association with biomolecular markers has improved diagnostic accuracy, patient selection, and clinical management of TIR3 lesions.
Tolerance Zone-Based Grouping Method for Online Multiple Overtracing Freehand Sketches
Authors: Wang Shuxia , Wang Shouxia , He Weiping , Qin Shengfeng
Published: April 2020

Multiple overtracing strokes are common drawing behaviors in freehand sketching; that is, additional strokes are often drawn repeatedly over the existing ones to add more details. This paper proposes a method based on stroke-tolerance zones to group multiple overtraced strokes which are drawn to express a 2D primitive, aiming to convert online freehand sketches into 2D line drawings, which is a base for further 3D reconstruction. Firstly, after the user inputs a new stroke, a tolerance zone around the stroke is constructed by reference to its polygonal approximation points obtained from the stroke preprocessing. Then, the input strokes are divided into stroke groups, each representing a primitive through the stroke grouping process based on the overtraced ratio of two strokes. At last, each stroke group is fitted into one or more 2D geometric primitives including line segments, polylines, ellipses, and arcs. The proposed method groups two strokes together based on their screen-space proximity directly instead of classifying and fitting them firstly, so that it can group strokes of arbitrary shapes. A sketch-recognition prototype system has been implemented to test the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results showed that the proposed method could support online multiple overtracing freehand sketching with no limitation on drawing sequence, but it only deals with strokes with relatively high overtraced ratio.
Multistable Systems with Hidden and Self-Excited Scroll Attractors Generated via Piecewise Linear Systems
Authors: Escalante-González R. J. , Campos Eric
Published: April 2020

In this work, we present an approach to design a multistable system with one-directional (1D), two-directional (2D), and three-directional (3D) hidden multiscroll attractor by defining a vector field on ℝ3 with an even number of equilibria. The design of multistable systems with hidden attractors remains a challenging task. Current design approaches are not as flexible as those that focus on self-excited attractors. To facilitate a design of hidden multiscroll attractors, we propose an approach that is based on the existence of self-excited double-scroll attractors and switching surfaces whose relationship with the local manifolds associated to the equilibria lead to the appearance of the hidden attractor. The multistable systems produced by the approach could be explored for potential applications in cryptography, since the number of attractors can be increased by design in multiple directions while preserving the hidden attractor allowing a bigger key space.