bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Alternative Fungicides for Effective Management of Rice Blast Disease: Inhibitory Effects on Pyricularia oryzae Cavara
Authors: Kumar N. Kiran , Kumar P. Anil , P.Madhusudhan  , Rao Ch. Sreenivasa , B.Srikanth
Published: October 2024

Tricyclazole has been a successful solution for managing rice blast for over three decades. However, the continuous use of this fungicide has led to the development of resistance and the accumulation of tricyclazole residues within rice grains, prompting a ban on its usage in India. In response to this pressing issue, the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of alternative fungicides in controlling the growth of Pyricularia oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast. The study employed a comprehensive approach, assessing the performance of various fungicides, including picoxystrobin, hexaconazole, isoprothiolane, kresoxim methyl, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, kitazin, and zineb, at varying dosage levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended dose). The findings of this investigation indicated that hexaconazole, isoprothiolane, kitazin, and zineb exhibited a 100% inhibition of P. oryzae growth across all tested doses. Pyraclostrobin also demonstrated a 100% inhibition at the highest dose, although its effectiveness decreased slightly at lower doses. In contrast, picoxystrobin and kresoxim methyl did not exhibit significant effectiveness in controlling the growth of the rice blast pathogen. These results provide valuable insights into the potential alternatives to tricyclazole for managing rice blast when used either alone or in combination at reduced doses.
Narrativas sobre o corpo feminino e as teses doutorais de medicina na Bahia
Authors: Da Rocha Rodrigues Pereira Barbosa Andréa
Published: October 2024

Este artigo visa apresentar reflexões de gênero encontradas nas narrativas médicas- presentes em teses de doutoramento da Bahia do século XIX – sobre o corpo feminino. Partimos da premissa de que o corpo é uma construção histórica e cultural e atravessada por assimetrias de gênero, classe e raça, por isso qualquer estudo sobre o corpo humano deve passar por uma análise interseccional. Além disso, é fundamental em uma análise discursiva, considerar o contexto histórico e social em que os textos foram produzidos. No caso da Bahia, reconhece-se que a escravidão – modelo econômico que coisificou, explorou os corpos femininos e masculinos estabeleceu uma hierarquização dos corpos que se manifestou também nos discursos produzidos por uma parte de uma elite letrada do Estado, os médicos baianos.
(Des)construindo o gênero nas peregrinações e no culto a Santiago de Compostela
Authors: Rebouças Pereira Alan
Published: October 2024

A peregrinação compostelana e o culto a Santiago de Compostela foi um importante evento na história hispânica e do mundo ibérico. De certa forma, influenciou em vários aspectos o ocidente medieval. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar criticamente os discursos e representações de gênero presentes no Liber Sancti Jacobi, situando-os no contexto da Peregrinação e do culto a Santiago de Compostela durante o século XII. O Liber é um registro que concentra várias narrativas que tem no culto e na peregrinação a Santiago de Compostela seu foco central. A abordagem proposta é compreender o Liber não como um texto transparente e autoevidente, com um fim único, mas sim como um emaranhado de ditos e não-ditos, que podem ser interpretados a partir da perspectiva dos Estudos de Gênero e da História das Masculinidades.
O gênero ainda pode muito em termos conceituais e políticos? Apresentação do dossiê “Gênero, Relações de Poder e História”
Authors: Cerqueira Bastos Alessandro , Pereira Lima Marcelo
Published: October 2024

Apresentação do dossiê “Gênero, Relações de Poder e História” da Revista Veredas da História (v. 16, n. 2, 2023)
As ações do capitão Domingos Alves branco Muniz Barreto e o projeto de “civilização dos índios”: tensões, negociações e interações sociais
Authors: Queiroz Souza Ramon
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo analisa as ações empreendidas pelo capitão Domingos Alves Branco Muniz Barreto, na segunda metade do século XVIII, quando o mesmo, tendo como objetivo fazer com os indígenas sublevados na Ilha de Quiepe retornassem para as suas antigas povoações, visitou algumas vilas e aldeias indígenas na Capitania da Bahia, prestando importantes informações a respeito do estado de “civilização” dos nativos. Evidenciamos a partir das proposições desenvolvidas pelo antropólogo Marshell Sahlins sobre ação sistêmica e conjuntural os processos de negociações perpetrados por Barreto, a fim de convencer os indígenas, bem como, o contexto da Política Indígena do Brasil Colonial sob luz do Diretório dos Índios.
Quais memórias devem ser preservadas? Gestão do patrimônio cultural no Norte Fluminense
Authors: Riscado Júlia Erminia
Published: October 2024

O artigo em questão pretende analisar o lugar das municipalidades na gestão de patrimônios culturais. Com o intuito de contribuir para o debate sobre as políticas de valorização da memória e de preservação do patrimônio cultural, pretende-se analisar os casos de Cardoso Moreira e de São João da Barra, localizados no norte do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Para isso, serão avaliados os processos de estruturação e de formulação de políticas para o setor nos municípios. Espera-se, com isso, identificar os usos dos instrumentos de preservação e a concepção de modelos próprios de gestão dos patrimônios.
Novolac epoxy resin from 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone: Thermal, thermomechanical, interfacial, and cure kinetics with DGEBA/DICY blend
Authors: Baby Monisha , Pal Ranajit , Francis Nimmy , Sudhi Suraj
Published: December 2017

A novolac epoxy resin based on 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone (BZPNE) was synthesized via epoxidation of 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone novolac resin (BZPN). BZPN was obtained by strong mineral acid catalyzed reaction of 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone (BZP) and paraformaldehyde. The formation of BZPNE and BZPN was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and epoxy equivalent weight. Different blends of BZPNE with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA; EEW ∼180) were cured using dicyandiamide were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, thermomechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and interfacial property between aluminum adherends at ambient and elevated temperature. Thermal properties were found to improve on increasing quantity of BZPNE in DGEBA as it is evidenced from glass transition temperature (Tg). Likewise, no deterioration in interfacial properties was observed with the highest quantity of BZPNE (30%) in DGEBA blend, when tested at 150 °C. Cure kinetics of compositions were studied by nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry and Kissinger method was used to compute the kinetic parameters such as frequency factor (A), activation energy (Ea) followed by the dependency of rate constant (k) on temperature of different blends. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46164.
Characterization of novel alternative splicing variants of Oct4 gene expressed in mouse pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Liu Xiaopeng , Yu Tong , Sun Yuxin , Wang Huayan
Published: December 2017

Oct4 is an important transcription factor for maintaining self‐renewal and pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Human OCT4 can be alternatively spliced and generate OCT4a, OCT4b, and OCT4b1. In this study, we discovered the novel Oct4 variants of Oct4b’ and Oct4b1‐3 in mouse PSCs for the first time. The expression of Oct4b variants, especially for Oct4b’, was down regulated along with the downregulation of Oct4a when stem cells were differentiated. We also found four Oct4 translational products that were differentially expressed in mouse PSCs under the different culture conditions. The constructs of Oct4b2 and Oct4b3 could be alternatively spliced into Oct4b and Oct4b’ when constructs were transiently transfected in NIH3T3 cells. Oct4b’ encoded a 189 aa protein, and Oct4b could generate three distinct proteins including Oct4b‐246aa, Oct4b‐221aa, and Oct4b‐189aa. The Oct4b variants could be alternatively translated in different type cells under the control of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is within 5′ upstream sequence of Oct4b. These findings provide new insights into reconsidering Oct4 variants expression and its additional role in maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells.
Strategies of valorization of sludge from wastewater treatment
Authors: Shi Shuai , Xu Guoren , Yu Huarong , Zhang Zhao
Published: December 2017

Sludge is regarded as a potential source to achieve valorization via strategies such as resource recovery, sludge based adsorbents preparation, bioflucculants production, sludge manufacturing construction materials preparation, sludge composting and thermal valorization, which are currently common and effective strategies. Appropriate treatment strategies of sludge are of great importance worldwide for the fast growing population and rapidly increasing waste. This mini review summarized some widely used and effective strategies to achieve sludge valorization based on whether the strategy would utilize or reuse the potential of sludge to obtain valuable product and eliminate secondary pollution. Anaerobic digestion of sludge is perceived as a potentially cost‐effective method to achieve sludge reduction and resource recovery including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus resource recovery coupled with other technologies. Utilizing sludge as raw material for preparation of valuable products including sludge based adsorbents, bioflocculants and construction materials is another aspect to achieve sludge valorization. Sludge composting and thermal valorization are also introduced in the mini review since the two strategies could also achieve sludge valorization. In addition, the strategies mentioned were discussed and analyzed in the mini review from environmental and economic aspects. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer porous thin films obtained by direct spin coating
Authors: Álvarez‐Fernández Alberto , Valdés‐Bango Fernando , Losada‐Ambrinos Raquel , Martín José Ignacio , Vélez María , Alameda José María , García Alonso Francisco Javier
Published: December 2017

Films of four different nanostructures, namely micelles, filled cylinders, ring‐shaped porous nanostructures and hollow cylinders, can be prepared easily in a straightforward and simple way by spin coating onto a silicon plate toluene solutions of poly(styrene‐block‐4‐vinylpyridine) copolymer containing formic acid of increasing concentration. Despite the enormous progress in preparation of porous polymers, most of them require multiple steps. In this sense, this method represents an effort to obtain not only porous thin films but also other bidimensional nanostructures in a very simple way. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Deciphering Feasting in the Late Bronze Age Settlement of Rotbav, Transylvania
Authors: Dietrich Laura , Bălăşescu Adrian , Dietrich Oliver
Published: December 2017

In the present article we explore the possibilities of reconstructing social behaviour through a detailed analysis of the so-called ‘ashmounds’ of the Late Bronze Age in Eastern Europe, starting from new research at a settlement of the Noua culture, Rotbav in south-eastern Transylvania. For the first time, the excavations comprised not only the ‘ashmound’ but also its vicinity, revealing the existence of structures like houses and pits. Furthermore, the analysis and comparison of the finds revealed significant differences between the ‘ashmound’ and the rest of the domestic spaces. This leads us to a new interpretation of the ‘ashmounds’ as special places, linked with feasting activities and collective leatherworking. This new interpretation is supported not only by the examination of the finds but also by new archaeozoological and chemical analyses, which are usually missing in Eastern Europe.
High prevalence of dementia among community dwelling older adults in receipt of state funded home care packages: implications for health care planning
Authors: O’Brien I. , Smuts K. , Fan C. W. , O’Sullivan M. , Warters A.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The majority of people living with dementia in Ireland reside in their own homes, some supported by formal or informal home care. This audit aimed to estimate the prevalence of dementia and suspected cognitive impairment (CI) among older adults, 65+ years, in receipt of formal home care (domiciliary care) in a defined health service area in North Dublin. A secondary objective of the audit was to explore factors associated with dementia or CI in this cohort.

Methods

A cross-sectional audit was conducted on all clients aged 65+ years actively receiving publicly funded home care packages (HCPs) during May 2016 in Healthcare Service Executive CHO9 Dublin North Central. A total of 935 urban community dwelling older adults were included in the study [mean age 83.7 (s.d. 7.4) years and 65% female]. Basic socio-demographic and health data were extracted from common summary assessment reports. Service users were categorised as having (a) dementia if a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive decline which impacts on independent living, was documented by a health professional or (b) suspected CI where a validated cognitive screening tool was applied and the score was indicative of mild CI.

Results

Overall, the estimated prevalence of dementia and suspected CI was 37.1% and 8.7%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with dementia and suspected CI were higher dependency and home care hours, communication difficulty and being non-self-caring (p<0.001). Notably, half (51.6%) of those with either dementia or suspected CI group lived alone.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a high prevalence dementia among HCP users, highlighting a need and opportunity for dementia-specific approaches to support older people in their homes.
A sink- or a source-driven carbon cycle at the geological timescale? Relative importance of palaeogeography versus solid Earth degassing rate in the Phanerozoic climatic evolution
Authors: GODDÉRIS YVES , DONNADIEU YANNICK
Published: December 2017

The Phanerozoic evolution of the atmospheric CO2 level is controlled by the fluxes entering or leaving the exospheric system. In this contribution, we focus on the role played by the palaeogeographic configuration on the efficiency of the CO2 sink by continental silicate weathering, and on the impact of the magmatic degassing of CO2. We use the spatially resolved numerical model GEOCLIM to compute the response of the silicate weathering and atmospheric CO2 to continental drift for 22 time slices of the Phanerozoic. Regarding the CO2 released by the magmatic activity, we reconstruct several Phanerozoic histories of this flux, based on published indices. Again using the GEOCLIM model, we calculate the CO2 evolution for each degassing scenario. We show that the palaeogeographic setting is a main driver of the climate from 540 Ma to about the beginning of the Jurassic, with the noticeable exception of the Late Palaeozoic ice age. Regarding the role of the magmatic degassing, the various reconstructions do not converge towards a single signal, and thus introduce large uncertainties in the calculated CO2 level over time. Nevertheless, the continental dispersion, which prevails since the Jurassic, promotes CO2 consumption by weathering and forces atmospheric CO2 to stay low. Warm climates of the ‘middle’ Cretaceous and early Cenozoic require enhanced CO2 degassing by magmatic activity.
Cut(n) andcut(v) are not homophones: Lemma frequency affects the duration of noun–verb conversion pairs
Authors: LOHMANN ARNE
Published: December 2017

This paper tests whether lemma frequency impacts the duration of homographic noun–verb homophones in spontaneous speech, e.g.cut(n)/cut(v). In earlier research on effects of lemma frequency (e.g. Gahl 2008), these pairs of words were not investigated due to a focus on heterographic homophones. Theories of the mental lexicon in both linguistics and psycholinguistics differ as to whether these word pairs are assumed to have shared or separate lexical representations. An empirical analysis based on spontaneous speech from the Buckeye corpus (Pitt et al. 2007) yields the result that differences in lemma frequency affect the duration of the N/V pairs under investigation. First, this finding provides evidence for N/V pairs having separate representations and thus supports models of the mental lexicon in which lexical entries are specified for word class. Second, the result is at odds with an account of ‘full inheritance’ of frequency across homophones and consequently with speech production models implementing inheritance effects via a shared form representation for homophonous words. The findings are best accounted for in a model that assumes completely separate lexical representations for homophonous words.
Hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition of precipitation and stream water on sub-Antarctic Marion Island
Authors: Stowe M-J. , Harris Chris , Hedding David , Eckardt Frank , Nel Werner
Published: December 2017

We measured the hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition (δ2H and δ18O) of precipitation and stream water from the Soft Plume River at multiple spatiotemporal scales on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Monthly precipitation δ2H and δ18O values ranged from -43.7‰ to -14.7‰ and from -7.0‰ to -3.3‰ (n=13), respectively. Stream water values ranged from -48.0‰ to -25.4‰ for δ2H and from -7.6‰ to -4.0‰ for δ18O (n=92). The monthly precipitation data yielded a local meteoric water line with the equation δ2H=8.4δ18O+11.4. There was no clear seasonality in isotope composition present in precipitation and stream water. Along the stream, no significant difference was observed between sites. However, δ2H and δ18O values were lower and more variable at the highest site. This is probably the result of the ‘amount effect’, where more precipitation fell at a higher elevation compared with a downstream site in the catchment. The findings illustrate spatiotemporal patterns in precipitation and stream water isotopes and provide insight into mechanisms affecting their composition on sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
Mouse predation affects breeding success of burrow-nesting petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island
Authors: Dilley Ben J. , Schoombie Stefan , Stevens Kim , Davies Delia , Perold Vonica , Osborne Alexis , Schoombie Janine , Brink Christiaan W. , Carpenter-Kling Tegan , Ryan Peter G.
Published: December 2017

We report the breeding success of four species of burrow-nesting petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island where house miceMus musculusare the sole introduced mammal. Feral catsFelis catuswere present on Marion for four decades from 1949, killing millions of seabirds and greatly reducing petrel populations. Cats were eradicated by 1991, but petrel populations have shown only marginal recoveries. We hypothesize that mice are suppressing their recovery through depredation of petrel eggs and chicks. Breeding success for winter breeders (grey petrelsProcellaria cinerea(34±21%) and great-winged petrelsPterodroma macroptera(52±7%)) were lower than for summer breeders (blue petrelsHalobaena caerulea(61±6%) and white-chinned petrelsProcellaria aequinoctialis(59±6%)) and among winter breeders most chick fatalities were of small chicks up to 14 days old. We assessed the extent of mouse predation by monitoring the inside of 55 burrow chambers with video surveillance cameras (4024 film days from 2012–16) and recorded fatal attacks on grey (3/18 nests filmed, 17%) and great-winged petrel chicks (1/19, 5%). Our results show that burrow-nesting petrels are at risk from mouse predation, providing further motivation for the eradication of mice from Marion Island.
Translation equivalents facilitate lexical access in very young bilinguals
Authors: POULIN-DUBOIS DIANE , KUZYK OLIVIA , LEGACY JACQUELINE , ZESIGER PASCAL , FRIEND MARGARET
Published: December 2017

The present study investigated the impact of translation equivalents (TE) on lexical processing in a sample of 36 French–English bilingual toddlers at 22-months of age. Children were administered the Computerized Comprehension Task (CCT; Friend & Keplinger, 2003) in each language and parents completed the MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) in both English and French across two visits (one language per visit). Correct trials on the CCT were identified and classified into one of two categories: words with a known TE as reported on the CDI and words without a known TE on the CDI. Reaction times for correct trials were averaged and compared for each of the bilinguals’ languages. Interestingly, children were faster to retrieve words with a known TE on the CDI than words with no known TE. The present findings suggest that the translation facilitation effects reported in adult bilinguals are also present in very young bilinguals.
The hefty fetal phenotype hypothesis revisited: high birth weight, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in a Saskatchewan cohort of First Nations and non-First Nations women
Authors: Dyck R. F. , Karunanayake C. , Pahwa P. , Osgood N. D.
Published: December 2017

Although low birth weight (LBW) increases the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM), the relationship between high birth weight (HBW) and T2DM is less definitive and largely confined to North American Indigenous populations. We re-examined the relationship between LBW (<2500 g) and HBW (>4000 g) and both T2DM and gestational diabetes (GDM) among First Nations and non-First Nations women in Saskatchewan. We analyzed new data for female subjects from a 2001 case-control study that led to our hefty fetal phenotype hypothesis. Using survival analysis techniques and a validated algorithm for identifying diabetes in health care administrative data, we followed a 1950–1984 birth cohort of 2003 women until March 31, 2013. Cox regression analysis determined the time to occurrence of first episode of GDM and diagnosis of T2DM by birth weight and ethnicity. First Nations women with HBW demonstrated a greater risk for developing both T2DM [hazard ratios (HR) 1.568; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.188, 2.069] and GDM (HR 1.468; 95% CI 1.016, 2.121) than those with normal birth weight (NBW). Non-First Nations women with LBW had a greater risk of developing GDM than those with NBW (HR 1.585; 95% CI 1.001, 2.512). HBW is a risk factor for GDM and T2DM among First Nations women. This is likely due to exposure of these women to their own mothers’ diabetic pregnancies or gestational impaired glucose tolerance. This inter-generational amplification of T2DM risk mediated throughprenatalexposures appears to play a substantial role in the epidemic of T2DM among First Nations peoples.
Lesen als Sinnsuche
Authors: Brügelmann Hans
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Konzepte der Förderung orientieren sich an sehr unterschiedlichen Vorstellungen von Lernen und zu Ursachen für Lernschwierigkeiten. Der Beitrag macht deutlich, dass sie – wie Brillen – jeweils wesentliche Aspekte in den Blick rücken, aber damit andere auch ausblenden. Speziell für das Lesen wird deutlich, dass der Umgang mit Schriftsprache schon in den Anfängen eine sozio-kulturelle Handlung ist und dass auch ein fokussiertes Training von Teilleistungen diese Einbettung nicht aus dem Auge verlieren darf. Wenn Kinder Lesen als sinnvolle Handlung erleben, steigert dies ihre Lernmotivation, fördert aber auch ein angemessenes Verständnis der sachlogischen Anforderungen und die Entwicklung kognitiver Zugriffe, sie zu bewältigen. Beispiele konkreter Schwierigkeiten machen deutlich, dass jeder Erwerb neuer Strategien auch das Risiko enthält, durch ihre Vereinseitigung in Sackgassen zu führen. Anhand konkreter methodischer Ideen wird gezeigt, wie in der Förderung mit dieser Gefahr jeweils konstruktiv umgegangen werden kann, um verschiedene Zugriffe zu koordinieren.
Correction: Corrigendum: Quantum State Transmission in a Superconducting Charge Qubit-Atom Hybrid
Authors: Yu Deshui , Valado María Martínez , Hufnagel Christoph , Kwek Leong Chuan , Amico Luigi , Dumke Rainer
Published: December 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38356; published online: 06 December 2016; updated: 22 December 2017. This Article contains errors in the legend of Figure 3. ψc = μ|a〉 + ν|b〉 should read: ϕc = μ|0〉 + ν|1〉 In addition, ϕa = μ|a〉 + ν|b〉 should read: ψa = μ|a〉 + ν|b〉
Recyclable trypsin immobilized magnetic nanoparticles based on hydrophilic polyethylenimine modification and their proteolytic characteristics
Authors: Zhang Lingyi , Wang Bingbing , Wang Shulei , Zhang Weibing
Published: December 2017

In this work, recyclable trypsin immobilized magnetic nanoparticles based on hydrophilic branched polyethylenimine (PEI) modification were synthesized under mild conditions.
Characterisation of the electronic structure of galvinoxyl free radical by variable energy UPS, XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy
Authors: Ljubić Ivan , Kivimäki Antti , Coreno Marcello , Kazazić Saša , Novak Igor
Published: December 2017

UPS, XPS and NEXAFS spectra of persistent free radical galvinoxyl are assigned using theoretical ΔDFT and TDDFT methods.
Organic–inorganic hybrids having a talc-like structure as suitable hosts to guest a wide range of species
Authors: Brendlé J.
Published: December 2017

The sol–gel process involving hydrolysis and condensation reactions is an attractive way to form siloxane based hybrid materials since it is a one-step method performed under mild conditions.
Displacement of η5-cyclopentadienyl ligands from half-sandwich C,C-(NHC-cyanoalkyl)–nickel(ii) metallacycles: further insight into the structure of the resulting Cp-free nickelacycles and a catalytic activity study
Authors: Cardoso Bernardo de P. , Bernard-Schaaf Jean-Marie , Shahane Saurabh , Veiros Luis F. , Chetcuti Michael J. , Ritleng Vincent
Published: December 2017

Cp removal from half-sandwich C,C-nickelacycles provides rare tricoordinate T-shaped 14-e− Ni(ii) complexes.
How a tertiary diamine molecule chelates the silicon dimers of the Si(001) surface: a real-time scanning tunneling microscopy study
Authors: Naitabdi Ahmed , Rochet François , Bournel Fabrice , Bonato Marco , Gallet Jean-Jacques , Bondino Federica , Magnano Elena
Published: December 2017

The patterning of silicon surfaces by organic molecules emerges as an original way to fabricate innovative nanoelectronic devices.
Li0.93V2.07BO5: a new nano-rod cathode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cheng Yi , Feng Kai , Song Zihan , Zhang Hongzhang , Li Xianfeng , Zhang Huamin
Published: December 2017

A new cathode material, nanorod Li0.93V2.07BO5, exhibits good electrochemical activity in lithium ion batteries.
Ultrathin Ir nanowires as high-performance electrocatalysts for efficient water splitting in acidic media
Authors: Fu Luhong , Yang Fulin , Cheng Gongzhen , Luo Wei
Published: December 2017

Ultrathin Ir wavy nanowires with a diameter of 1.7 nm are prepared by a simple wet-chemical approach through a nanoparticle attachment mechanism, and further used as electrocatalysts due to their superior activity and long-term stability toward overall water splitting in acidic media.
Copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers through C(sp3)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling
Authors: Yue Qiang , Xiao Zhen , Ran Ziyao , Yuan Songdong , Zhang Qian , Li Dong
Published: December 2017

An efficient copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers with N-(8-quinolyl)amides through C(sp3)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling was developed.
Exploring the role of ionic liquids to tune the polymorphic outcome of organic compounds
Authors: Zeng Qingying , Mukherjee Arijit , Müller Peter , Rogers Robin D. , Myerson Allan S.
Published: December 2017

The adoption of ionic liquids as crystallization solvents for polymorphic screening opens a new window for the applications of ILs, which may allow one to access the forms difficult to crystallize from organic solvents.
A Ga-doped SnO2 mesoporous contact for UV stable highly efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Roose Bart , Johansen Christian M. , Dupraz Kevin , Jaouen Thomas , Aebi Philipp , Steiner Ullrich , Abate Antonio
Published: December 2017

Increasing the stability of perovskite solar cells is a major challenge for commercialization.
Lithium-ion intercalation and deintercalation behaviors of graphitized carbon nanospheres
Authors: Maruyama Shohei , Fukutsuka Tomokazu , Miyazaki Kohei , Abe Yumi , Yoshizawa Noriko , Abe Takeshi
Published: December 2017

The electrochemical properties of graphitized carbon nanospheres as a promising negative electrode material for high-rate lithium-ion batteries were correlated with lithium-ion intercalation and deintercalation behaviors.
Mutually beneficial Co3O4@MoS2 heterostructures as a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst for electrochemical overall water splitting
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Jinsong , Zhang Bao , Ruan Yunjun , Wan Houzhao , Ji Xiao , Xu Kui , Zha Dace , Miao Ling , Jiang Jianjun
Published: December 2017

Designing low-cost and highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for compatible integration with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for overall water splitting is critical but challenging.
Improved cell membrane bioaffinity sample pretreatment technique with enhanced stability for screening of potential allergenic components from traditional Chinese medicine injections
Authors: Bu Yusi , Hu Qi , Xu Ke , Xie Xiaoyu , Wang Sicen
Published: December 2017

Aiming at improving reliability in conventional cell membrane chromatography, an improved bioaffinity sample pretreatment technique with enhanced stability was developed to fast screen and extract potential allergenic components from traditional Chinese medicine injections.
All-atom simulation of molecular orientation in vapor-deposited organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Youn Yong , Yoo Dongsun , Song Hochul , Kang Youngho , Kim Kye Yeop , Jeon Sang Ho , Cho Youngmi , Chae Kyungchan , Han Seungwu
Published: December 2017

Using all-atom simulation of vapor deposition, we theoretically investigate how the molecular orientation depends on various factors such as the substrate temperature, molecular shape, and material composition.
Independent and combined effects of airway remodelling and allergy on airway responsiveness
Authors: Wang Kimberley C.W. , Cras Timothy D. Le , Larcombe Alexander N. , Zosky Graeme R. , Elliot John G. , James Alan L. , Noble Peter B.
Published: December 2017

Airway remodelling and allergic inflammation are key features of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma; however, their interrelationships are unclear. The present study investigated the separate and combined effects of increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer thickness and allergy on AHR. We integrated a protocol of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy into a non-inflammatory mouse model of ASM remodelling induced by conditional and airway-specific expression of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) in early growth response-1 (Egr-1)-deficient transgenic mice, which produced thickening of the ASM layer following ingestion of doxycycline. Mice were sensitised to OVA and assigned to one of four treatment groups: Allergy – normal chow diet and OVA challenge; Remodelling – doxycycline in chow and saline challenge; Allergy and Remodelling – doxycycline in chow and OVA challenge; and Control – normal chow diet and saline challenge. Airway responsiveness to methacholine (MCh) and histology were assessed. Compared with the Control group, airway responsiveness to MCh was increased in the Allergy group, independent of changes in wall structure, whereas airway responsiveness in the Remodelling group was increased independent of exposure to aeroallergen. The combined effects of allergy and remodelling on airway responsiveness were greater than either of them alone. There was a positive relationship between the thickness of the ASM layer with airway responsiveness, which was shifted upward in the presence of allergy. These findings support allergy and airway remodelling as independent causes of variable and excessive airway narrowing.
Region growing for image segmentation using an extended PCNN model
Authors: Zhou Dongguo , Shao Yanhua
Published: December 2017

Pulse‐coupled neural network (PCNN) is a biologically‐inspired algorithm suited for image processing. However, determining a set of parameters involved in the alteration of the neural behaviour remains a prevalent research for further application. To apply the model into image segmentation, this study proposes an extended PCNN model by using a strategy of the decision tree, and establishes links between the parameters and image characteristics. Particularly, the adjustable threshold term, interacted with the estimation of the global neural threshold, enables the proposed model to obtain the better results with the use of the fuzzy set theory. Through iterative computation, the proposed model can be considered as a region growing approach for multilevel image segmentation, thus named as an extended PCNN model. Finally, experiments on synthetic and natural images demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model. Moreover, comparisons with some existing PCNN‐based models, and recently graph‐based methods, normalised cuts, show that the proposed model can extract regions with more similarity.
Design and multi‐object optimisation of axial flux interior PMSM for EV and HEV applications
Authors: Chen Qixu , Liang Deliang , Liu Yibin , Wang Qingshan
Published: December 2017

A new type of axial flux interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (AFIPMSM) is introduced in the study, and then multi‐object optimisation design about electromagnetic power and efficiency is fulfilled. First of all, a new type of AFIPMSM is designed by adding main pole, leakage pole and flux barrier. Equivalent magnetic circuit model is established. Magnetic reluctances and flux corresponding to the different magnetic circuit branches are calculated. Finally, a multi‐criteria optimisation process is applied to determine a design optimum. The design multi‐object function introduced in this study is to maximise the output power and to maximise efficiency. A single variable considered in calculating the objective functions is the ratio of outer‐to‐inner diameter. In order to satisfy the specific application requirements, weight coefficient is adopted to reflect the contribution of the different objective function to total objective function.
Gravity mode offset and properties of the evanescent zone in red-giant stars
Authors: Hekker S. , Elsworth Y. , Angelou G. C.
Published: December 2017

Context. The wealth of asteroseismic data for red-giant stars and the precision with which these data have been observed over the last decade calls for investigations to further understand the internal structures of these stars.

Aim. The aim of this work is to validate a method to measure the underlying period spacing, coupling term, and mode offset of pure gravity modes that are present in the deep interiors of red-giant stars. We subsequently investigate the physical conditions of the evanescent zone between the gravity mode cavity and the pressure mode cavity.

Methods. We implement an alternative mathematical description compared to what is used in the literature to analyse observational data and to extract the underlying physical parameters that determine the frequencies of mixed modes. This description takes the radial order of the modes explicitly into account, which reduces its sensitivity to aliases. Additionally, and for the first time, this method allows us to constrain the gravity mode offset ϵg for red-giant stars.

Results. We find that this alternative mathematical description allows us to determine the period spacing ΔΠ and the coupling term q for the dipole modes within a few percent of values found in the literature. Additionally, we find that ϵg varies on a star-by-star basis and should not be kept fixed in the analysis. Furthermore, we find that the coupling factor is logarithmically related to the physical width of the evanescent region normalised by the radius at which the evanescent zone is located. Finally, the local density contrast at the edge of the core of red-giant branch models shows a tentative correlation with the offset ϵg.

Conclusions. We are continuing to exploit the full potential of the mixed modes to investigate the internal structures of red-giant stars; in this case we focus on the evanescent zone. It remains, however, important to perform comparisons between observations and models with great care as the methods employed are sensitive to the range of input frequencies.
Structure of the Balmer jump
Authors: Calvo F. , Belluzzi L. , Steiner O.
Published: December 2017

Context.The spectrum of the hydrogen atom was explained by Bohr more than one century ago. We revisit here some of the aspects of the underlying quantum structure, with a modern formalism, focusing on the limit of the Balmer series.

Aims.We investigate the behaviour of the absorption coefficient of the isolated hydrogen atom in the neighbourhood of the Balmer limit.

Methods.We analytically computed the total cross-section arising from bound-bound and bound-free transitions in the isolated hydrogen atom at the Balmer limit, and established a simplified semi-analytical model for the surroundings of that limit. We worked within the framework of the formalism of Landi Degl’Innocenti & Landolfi (2004, Astrophys. Space Sci. Lib., 307), which permits an almost straight-forward generalization of our results to other atoms and molecules, and which is perfectly suitable for including polarization phenomena in the problem.

Results.We analytically show that there is no discontinuity at the Balmer limit, even though the concept of a “Balmer jump” is still meaningful. Furthermore, we give a possible definition of the location of the Balmer jump, and we check that this location is dependent on the broadening mechanisms. At the Balmer limit, we compute the cross-section in a fully analytical way.

Conclusions.The Balmer jump is produced by a rapid drop of the total Balmer cross-section, yet this variation is smooth and continuous when both bound-bound and bound-free processes are taken into account, and its shape and location is dependent on the broadening mechanisms.
Interior structures and tidal heating in the TRAPPIST-1 planets
Authors: Barr Amy C. , Dobos Vera , Kiss László L.
Published: December 2017

Context. With seven planets, the TRAPPIST-1 system has among the largest number of exoplanets discovered in a single system so far. The system is of astrobiological interest, because three of its planets orbit in the habitable zone of the ultracool M dwarf.

Aims. We aim to determine interior structures for each planet and estimate the temperatures of their rock mantles due to a balance between tidal heating and convective heat transport to assess their habitability. We also aim to determine the precision in mass and radius necessary to determine the planets’ compositions.

Methods. Assuming the planets are composed of uniform-density noncompressible materials (iron, rock, H2O), we determine possible compositional models and interior structures for each planet. We also construct a tidal heat generation model using a single uniform viscosity and rigidity based on each planet’s composition.

Results. The compositions for planets b, c, d, and e remain uncertain given the error bars on mass and radius. With the exception of TRAPPIST-1c, all have densities low enough to indicate the presence of significant H2O. Planets b and c experience enough heating from planetary tides to maintain magma oceans in their rock mantles; planet c may have surface eruptions of silicate magma, potentially detectable with next-generation instrumentation. Tidal heat fluxes on planets d, e, and f are twenty times higher than Earth’s mean heat flow.

Conclusions. Planets d and e are the most likely to be habitable. Planet d avoids the runaway greenhouse state if its albedo is ≳0.3. Determining the planet’s masses within ~0.1–0.5 Earth masses would confirm or rule out the presence of H2O and/or iron. Understanding the geodynamics of ice-rich planets f, g, and h requires more sophisticated modeling that can self-consistently balance heat production and transport in both rock and ice layers.
Determination of zones at risk for fasciolosis in the department of Haute-Vienne, central France: a retrospective study on natural infections detected in 108,481 Galba truncatula for 37 years
Authors: Vignoles Philippe , Rondelaud Daniel , Dreyfuss Gilles
Published: December 2017

A retrospective study on the natural infection of Galba truncatula by Fasciola hepatica was carried out in the French department of Haute-Vienne to determine whether there are areas at risk for fasciolosis. Adult snails included in this analysis came from samples collected from pastures on 259 farms and from 121 wild watercress beds between 1970 and 2006. Fasciola hepatica infection rates were examined in relation to altitude and climatic data (mean annual rainfall, mean annual temperature) of each municipality. In a total of 108,481 snails collected in 151 municipalities, the overall prevalence of infection was 3.8% but varied according to the municipalities from which samples were taken (from 1% to 7.4%). The prevalence of F. hepatica infection in snails significantly decreased when the mean altitude of municipalities or their mean annual rainfall increased. However, this prevalence significantly increased with increasing mean annual temperatures. Studying the prevalence of infection in these snails makes it possible to delineate zones at risk for fasciolosis on the acid soils of Haute-Vienne. The risk of infection for livestock would be greater in areas of Haute-Vienne below 400 m above sea level and would gradually decrease when the altitude of the land increases.
Pflegemindestbesetzungen in der Charité - „Man darf sich nicht verzetteln“
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: December 2017

Im April 2016 schlossen die Berliner Charité und Verdi einen Tarifvertrag, der eine Pflegemindestbesetzung in ausgewählten Bereichen festlegt. Im Interview mit kma zieht Charité-Pflegedirektorin Judith Heepe eine gemischte Bilanz über die Vereinbarung.
Georg Baum im Porträt - Kompromissbereiter Lobbyist
Authors: Mau Jens
Published: December 2017

Georg Baum steht für den Wandel der Deutschen Krankenhausgesellschaft (DKG) vom Lobbyverein zum Selbstverwaltungspartner. Wenn Baum demnächst in Ruhestand geht, verliert das Gesundheitswesen einen ausgewiesenen Experten – und einen glühenden Verfechter des deutschen Korporatismus.
EU-Medizinprodukteverordnung - Ein abstrakter Flickenteppich
Authors: Schreiner Marc
Published: December 2017

Die Mitte des Jahres offiziell verkündete Medizinprodukteverordnung der EU stellt bisher nicht mehr als eine Rahmengesetzgebung dar, die erst noch mit Leben gefüllt werden muss, bevor sie in der Praxis im Jahr 2020 endgültig Wirkung entfaltet.
Dr. med. Skander Bouassida - „Ohne Schmiergeld oder Gefälligkeiten beim Personal geht nichts“
Authors: Sickinger Nina
Published: December 2017

Ausländische Mitarbeiter berichten aus deutschen Kliniken

Dr. med. Skander Bouassida (42) ist halb tunesischer, halb deutscher Abstammung. Er arbeitete zunächst als Chirurg in Tunesien, sehnte sich dann jedoch aufgrund der Korruption und der Arbeitsbedingungen dort bald wieder nach Deutschland zurück. Inzwischen ist er hier Chefarzt einer chirurgischen Klinik.
Datenschutz - bvitg veröffentlicht Leitfaden für IT-Sicherheitskonzepte
Authors: Gladkov Natalie
Published: December 2017

Das Vertrauen in die Datensicherheit ist bei der Digitalisierung in der Gesundheitsversorgung ein entscheidendes Kriterium. Ein neuer Leitfaden des bvitg soll insbesondere kleinen und mittleren Gesundheitseinrichtungen bei der Erstellung von IT-Sicherheitskonzepten helfen.
Clinical Trial Design for Alcoholic Hepatitis
Authors: Szabo Gyongyi
Published: December 2017

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is an acute and clinically distinct manifestation of alcoholic liver disease. While severe AH causes 30% or higher mortality in 3 months, treatment options are limited and ineffective. Recent advances on the understanding of the pathomechanisms of AH have identified numerous potential targets for new therapeutic interventions. Many of those targets are currently under preclinical testing and/or in human clinical trials for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Thus, the field of AH should be ready to launch new efforts and targeted clinical trials for this underserved patient population. There are remaining challenges in designing clinical trials in AH that include definition of the severity of disease, common data elements in clinical trial design, and selection of clinically meaningful endpoints. Future efforts and consensus meetings between regulatory agencies, academic and clinical experts, and industry will be instrumental to advance this emerging and greatly needed field of clinical investigations.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Shah Ayesha , Shanahan Erin , Macdonald Graeme , Fletcher Linda , Ghasemi Pegah , Morrison Mark , Jones Mike , Holtmann Gerald
Published: December 2017

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and controls. Using the search terms “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)” and “chronic liver disease (CLD)” or “cirrhosis,” 19 case-control studies were identified. Utilizing breath tests, the prevalence of SIBO in CLD was 35.80% (95% CI, 32.60–39.10) compared with 8.0% (95% CI, 5.70–11.00) in controls. Using culture techniques, the prevalence was 68.31% (95% CI, 59.62–76.00) in CLD patients as compared with 7.94% (95% CI, 3.44–12.73) in controls. No difference between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients was found. SIBO is significantly more frequent in CLD patients as compared with controls. The association of SIBO and CLD was not confined to patients with advanced CLD, suggesting that SIBO is not a consequence of advanced liver disease but may play a role in the progression of CLD.
Long-Term Functional Results of a Wrist Exercise Program for Patients with Palmar Midcarpal Instability
Authors: Sulkers G. S. I. , Videler A. J. , Strackee S. D. , Smeulders M. J. C. , Mulders M. A. M.
Published: December 2017

Background Patients with palmar midcarpal instability have symptoms of pain, combined with clinical signs of abnormal mobility on stressing the joint, an unpredictable blockade feeling, and a noticeable clunk, in the absence of an underlying trauma. No data are available on the effect of conservative treatment for these patients.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and the long-term functional outcomes of a wrist exercise program in patients with palmar midcarpal instability.

Patients and Methods All patients diagnosed with palmar midcarpal instability between 2005 and 2011 were included. Patients completed the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) and the Short Form-36 health (SF-36) questionnaires, scaled their perceived pain before and after treatment, and indicated the effect of the received treatment.

Results A total of 119 patients diagnosed with palmar midcarpal instability were included. The median follow-up time was 6 years (IQR 4.5–7.0). The median PRWHE score after hand therapy was 35.5 and the median mental component of the SF-36 score was 53.9 and the physical component was 45.2. The median perceived pain reduced from eight to four and the median therapeutic effect of the wrist exercise program was five.

Conclusion Although palmar midcarpal instability remains to be a chronic disease, the effectiveness of our wrist exercise program is promising with acceptable long-term functional results and a good quality of life.

Level of Evidence Level IV, retrospective cohort study.