bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of hyperkalaemia and non‐adherence to renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor therapy in patients with heart failure in Italy: a propensity‐matched study
Authors: Volterrani Maurizio , Perrone Valentina , Sangiorgi Diego , Giacomini Elisa , Iellamo Ferdinando , Degli Esposti Luca ,   on the behalf of a LHUs Study Group (see Appendix)
Published: October 2020

Aims

The aims of this study were to evaluate if the risk of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality was higher in the presence of hyperkalaemia (HK) in patients with heart failure (HF) treated with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), and to investigate in this cohort the increased risk of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality among HK patients with non‐optimal adherence to RAASi therapy.

Methods and results

In this retrospective cohort study based on administrative databases of five Italian Local Health Units, all adult patients with a HF diagnosis between January 2010 and December 2017 were included only if they were prescribed RAASi therapy during the first 3 months after the index date, that corresponded to the date of first HF diagnosis during the inclusion period. Patients were considered to have HK if serum potassium level was ≥5.5 mmol/L. A propensity score matching was applied before evaluation of hazard ratios. Patients with HK were 37% (P < 0.001) and 70% (P < 0.001), respectively, more at risk of cardiovascular events and of dying for all‐cause mortality compared to non‐HK patients. Among the HK group, patients non‐adherent to RAASi therapy had a 39% (P = 0.105) higher risk of cardiovascular events and a twofold increased risk (P < 0.001) of all‐cause death.

Conclusion

Findings from this real‐world study showed that in a cohort of HF patients under RAASi therapy, subjects with HK had an enhanced risk of cardiovascular events or death compared to patients without HK. Moreover, in HK patients, sub‐optimal adherence to RAASi therapy was associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality.
Prolonged Life Expectancy for Those Dying of Stroke by Achieving the Daily PM2.5 Targets
Authors: Ruan Zengliang , Qi Jinlei , Yin Peng , Qian Zhengmin (Min) , Liu Jiangmei , Liu Yunning , Yang Yin , Li Huan , Zhang Shiyu , Howard Steven W. , Lin Hualiang , Wang Lijun
Published: October 2020

This time‐series study collects data on stroke‐related mortality, years of life lost (YLL), air pollution, and meteorological conditions in 96 Chinese cities from 2013 to 2016 and proposes a three‐stage strategy to generate the national and regional estimations of avoidable YLL, gains in life expectancy and stroke‐related population attributable fraction by postulating that the daily fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been kept under certain standards. A total of 1 318 911 stroke deaths are analyzed. Each 10 µg m−3 increment in PM2.5 at lag03 is associated with a city‐mean increase of 0.31 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.44) years of life lost from stroke. A number of 914.11 (95% CI: 538.28, 1288.94) years of city‐mean life lost from stoke could be avoided by attaining the WHO's Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) (25 µg m−3). Moreover, by applying the AQG standard, 0.11 (0.08, 0.15) years of life lost might be prevented for each death, and about 0.91% (95% CI: 0.62%, 1.19%) of the total years of life lost from stroke might be explained by the daily excess PM2.5 exposure. This study indicates that stroke patients can have a longer life expectancy if stricter PM2.5 standards are put in place, especially ischemic stroke patients.
“We’re in the background”: Facilitators and barriers to fathers’ engagement and participation in a health intervention during the early parenting period
Authors: Seymour Monique , Peace Ryan , Wood Catherine E. , Jillard Chris , Evans Kirsty , O’Brien Jacquie , Williams Le Ann , Brown Stephanie , Giallo Rebecca
Published: October 2020

Issues addressed

Little is known about the barriers and facilitators associated with engaging fathers in interventions targeting their physical and mental health. The current research therefore aimed to explore fathers’ perceived barriers and facilitators to engagement and participation in a health intervention delivered during the early parenting period.

Methods

Eleven fathers of young children (0‐4 years) were interviewed about their perceptions and experiences of facilitators and barriers to engaging and participating in an intervention (Working Out Dads) to target their mental and physical health. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Fathers identified a number of program‐related and father‐related facilitators and barriers which impacted their engagement and participation. Program‐related facilitators included: accessibility of the program; father advocacy of the program; group fitness/exercise component; and having a father‐specific program. Facilitating factors related to fathers included: making social connections; learning how to be a better dad/partner; and partner support and encouragement to attend. Program‐related barriers included: travel; lack of awareness; and gender roles. While father‐related barriers included: being time poor; sacrifices to family; and apprehension.

Conclusions

The current findings identified many areas that facilitate, encourage and motivate men to participate in interventions which support their mental and physical health during the early parenting period.

Relevance

Generating evidence on barriers and facilitators to health interventions is important to improving the current intervention along with informing the development of engaging and targeted health interventions for fathers in early parenthood.
Delineating role of NF‐κB and interacting cytokines during prostate cancer‐induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Jadli Mohit , Thakur Kulbhushan , Aggarwal Nikita , Chhokar Arun , Bibban Rakhi , Singh Tejveer , Bhat Anjali , Bharti Alok C.
Published: October 2020

Prostate cancer (PCa) frequently metastasizes to the bone leading to devastating complications such as severe pain and fracture. However, the mechanisms by which PCa cells cause bone loss remain less understood. We investigated the role and mechanisms by which PCa cells induce osteoclastogenesis using cultured monocytic osteoclast precursors. Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with PCa cell lines: DU145, LNCaP, PC‐3, or their conditioned media led to the formation of distinct multinucleated, TRAP+ osteoclasts. This phenomenon was associated with the increased activation of transcription factor nuclear factor‐kB (NF‐κB). High transcript level of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were detected in PCa cells. TNF‐α and LT‐α augmented, whereas IL‐6 reduced the RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation in RAW264.7 cultures. Our results also demonstrated that PCa cells‐induced osteoclastogenesis involved the activation of the TRAF6–IKK–p65–NF‐κB signaling cascade. Together, our study demonstrates that PCa cells produce RANKL and several other pro‐inflammatory cytokines known to influence osteoclastogenesis, by targeting the NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Cancer cachexia and skeletal muscle atrophy in clinical studies: what do we really know?
Authors: Dolly Adeline , Dumas Jean‐François , Servais Stéphane
Published: October 2020

Research investigators have shown a growing interest in investigating alterations underlying skeletal muscle wasting in patients with cancer. However, skeletal muscle dysfunctions associated with cancer cachexia have mainly been studied in preclinical models. In the present review, we summarize the results of clinical studies in which skeletal muscle biopsies were collected from cachectic vs. non‐cachectic cancer patients. Most of these studies suggest the presence of significant physiological alterations in skeletal muscle from cachectic cancer patients. We suggest a hypothesis, which connects structural and metabolic parameters that may, at least in part, be responsible for the skeletal muscle atrophy characteristic of cancer cachexia. Finally, we discuss the importance of a better standardization of the diagnostic criteria for cancer cachexia, as well as the requirement for additional clinical studies to improve the robustness of these conclusions.
Pulmonary infections mimicking malignancy on bronchoscopy: A retrospective single‐center study in Japan
Authors: Itoh Naoya , Shimizu Junichi , Murakami Hiromi , Hida Toyoaki
Published: October 2020

Background

Pulmonary infections can imitate pulmonary neoplasms. Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a typical example of an infection that mimics cancer and results in unexpected exposure of healthcare workers to TB. A large number of patients with suspected lung malignancy are referred to cancer centers, although the epidemiology of the final diagnosis is unclear in Japan. This study aimed to determine the frequency and nature of pulmonary infections that imitate malignancy among patients with presumed lung cancer that is subsequently diagnosed as a pulmonary infection based on bronchoscopy findings. We also aimed to identify the prevalence of formerly undiagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis that could pose an occupational risk to healthcare workers.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective cross‐sectional study included patients with suspected pulmonary malignancy who underwent bronchoscopy at a tertiary care cancer center in Japan between April 2017 and March 2020. Electronic medical records of the bronchoscopy database were reviewed to identify the final diagnoses recorded by physicians.

Results

Among the 460 patients enrolled in the present study, 362 (78.7%) and 8 (1.7%) had primary or metastatic pulmonary lesions and benign lesions, respectively. Sixty‐six patients (14.3%) had nonspecific findings or other pulmonary diseases. Infection was confirmed in 24 patients (5.2%). Mycobacterial infections (n = 16) were the most frequent infectious disease; four patients had TB and 12 had nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.

Conclusions

Despite the rare occurrence of TB in patients with suspected lung malignancy, healthcare workers should remain vigilant regarding the possibility of TB to prevent occupational exposure during invasive procedures such as routine bronchoscopy.
A review of food poisoning caused by local food in Japan
Authors: Watari Takashi , Tachibana Takayuki , Okada Azusa , Nishikawa Kasumi , Otsuki Kazuya , Nagai Nobuhiro , Abe Haruki , Nakano Yasuhisa , Takagi Soshi , Amano Yu
Published: October 2020

Increasingly popular worldwide, Japanese cuisine includes several raw preparations such as sashimi and sushi; however, limited information on food poisoning from Japanese local food is available in English literature. Without appropriate knowledge, physicians may underdiagnose traveler's diarrhea among people returning from Japan. To provide accurate information to primary care physicians worldwide, we conducted a narrative review on food poisoning research published in Japanese and English over the past four years, considering the frequency and clinical importance of various presentations.
Quantitative analysis of three‐dimensional reconstruction data to guide the selection of methods for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Zhou Hai‐Tao , Peng Cheng‐Bin , Han Yue , Lu Cai‐De , Zheng Si‐Ming
Published: October 2020

Background/Purpose

To explore the risk factors of splenic vessel preservation in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and to guide with the appropriate selection of surgical methods through three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction.

Methods

Patients suffering from benign or low‐grade malignant tumors of pancreatic body and tail having undergone LDP in Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from January 2014 to September 2019 were selected for quantitative analysis of the anatomical data of patients’ pancreas, tumors, splenic vessels and spleens by 3D reconstruction. According to the final surgical methods, the patients were divided into the laparoscopic spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy with splenic vessel preservation (lap‐SVP) group and the non‐lap‐SVP group. Clinical data of the two groups were compared to assess the risk factors for surgical failure of lap‐SVP and logistic regression model was applied to predict the choice of surgical methods.

Results

A total of 218 patients were included in the study, including 144 in the lap‐SVP group and 74 in the non‐lap‐SVP group. Multivariate analysis confirms that large tumor volume, large contact area between the pancreas to be resected and the splenic vein, and large maximum ratio of the circumference of the splenic vessel embedded in the pancreas to be resected to the circumference of the splenic vessel are independent risk factors for surgical failure of lap‐SVP (OR > 1, P < .05). The prediction accuracy of lap‐SVP operation by the logistic regression reaches up to 80.9%.

Conclusions

3D reconstruction can provide essential basis for the surgical method selection of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.
Northeastward propagation of nocturnal precipitation over the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Li Juan , Li Yueqing , Zhao Tianliang , Schiemann Reinhard , Muetzelfeldt Mark , Jiang Xingwen
Published: October 2020

The Sichuan Basin (SCB) is located to the east of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and features nocturnal precipitation. This study explores spatial variation of nocturnal precipitation during the warm season over the SCB using high spatiotemporal resolution merged precipitation products from 2008 to 2017. It is found that there is a prominent northeastward timing delay of precipitation peak over the SCB, that is, the diurnal peak of precipitation occurs in the midnight over the southwestern SCB whereas in the early morning over the northeastern SCB. This time delay is partly ascribed to a northeastward propagation of precipitation over the SCB, account for about 40% and 25% of the diurnal variation of precipitation over the central and northeastern SCB, respectively. Precipitation first occurs over the southwestern edge of the SCB at about 1900–2000 LST, and then propagates northeastward steered by the large‐scale mid‐tropospheric southwesterly airflow, which is consistent with the northeastward propagation of the large moisture convergence. The precipitation reaches the northeastern SCB in the early morning. The diurnal variation of 850‐hPa wind has strong easterly wind deviations in the early evening over the southwestern SCB, which favours for an initiation of precipitation by orographic lift of air. The diurnal variation of difference in equivalent potential temperature between 500 hPa and 850 hPa has a maximum negative deviation in the early evening over the southwestern SCB, which enhances the instability and therefore favours an initiation of precipitation. The Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau (YGP) may play an important role in the initiation of precipitation over the southwestern SCB in the early evening.
Using MACBETH for the performance expression of a mixed‐use ecopark
Authors: Le Tellier Mathilde , Berrah Lamia , Clivillé Vincent , Audy Jean‐François , Stutz Benoit , Barnabé Simon
Published: October 2020

The deployment, control, and continuous improvement of a sustainable industrial park are complex and cross‐sector endeavours involving many different aspects. Generally, control of a sustainable industrial park comprises a range of actions that are undertaken to achieve its sustainability that is deployed into fundamental objectives. Achieving these objectives requires the definition, recurring redefinition, and continuous control of an action plan. The decision maker in charge of the industrial park needs pieces of information on the impact of the action plan before and during its execution. The performance expressions (also called utilities), are evolving during the execution of the action plan and rely on multiple criteria since a sustainable industrial park is a complex system with numerous objectives. In this paper, an innovative use of multi‐criteria decision analysis is presented. MACBETH is used to express the evolution of the performance of a sustainable industrial park, either for the purpose of prediction or verification. A case study is presented with the expression of the performance of a Canadian sustainable industrial park.
Vibration and the cancellation phenomenon of a nanobeam under a moving load via the strain gradient theory
Authors: Wang Yuanbin , Zhu Weidong
Published: October 2020

Forced and free transverse vibrations of a nanobeam under a moving load are investigated in this work. Through the strain gradient theory, high‐order governing partial differential equations of the nanobeam are established by the extended Hamilton's principle, which incorporates its material, geometrical, and nanoscale parameters. The dynamic response of the nanobeam is obtained from spatially discretized equations via the Galerkin's method. Effects of material, geometrical, and nanoscale parameters on the forced transverse vibration of the nanobeam are discussed. Results show that material and nanoscale length parameters play a very important role in determining the amplitude of the forced transverse vibration of the nanobeam. The cancellation velocity of the moving load is determined from the rigorous initial displacement and velocity of the free transverse vibration of the nanobeam, and an approximate expression of the cancellation velocity is presented by means of its first‐mode response. Effects of geometrical and nanoscale parameters on the cancellation velocity are also discussed. It is shown that amplitudes of all modal responses of the nanobeam are not simultaneously equal to zero at the cancellation velocity.
Tea Drinking Alleviates Diabetic Symptoms via Upregulating Renal Water Reabsorption Proteins and Downregulating Renal Gluconeogenic Enzymes in db/db Mice
Authors: Zhao Guangshan , Wu Ximing , Wang Wenping , Yang Chung S. , Zhang Jinsong
Published: October 2020

Scope: Tea, made from the plant Camellia sinensis, is known to have anti‐diabetes effects and different mechanisms of action are proposed. Kidney is a vital organ in managing water reabsorption and glucose metabolism, and is greatly influenced by diabetes. The present study investigates the effects of tea administration on water reabsorption and gluconeogenesis in the kidney of diabetic mice.

Methods and results: Db/db mice are given tea infusion as drinking fluid when they begin to exhibit hyperglycemia. It is found that green tea or black tea infusion potently elevates renal proteins vital for water reabsorption, including protein kinase C‐α, aquaporin 2, and urea transporter‐A1, as well as increases trafficking of these proteins to apical plasma membrane where they exert water reabsorption function. The treatment also downregulates renal gluconeogenic enzymes, including glucose‐6‐phosphatase‐α and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Associated with these biochemical changes are the rectified polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and hyperglycemia, all symptoms of diabetes.

Conclusions: For the first time, the present study demonstrates that tea has robust effects in enhancing kidney water reabsorption proteins and downregulating gluconeogenic enzymes in db/db mice. It remains to be investigated whether such beneficial effects of tea occur in humans.
Multimodal MRI synthesis using unified generative adversarial networks
Authors: Dai Xianjin , Lei Yang , Fu Yabo , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Mao Hui , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Complementary information obtained from multiple contrasts of tissue facilitates physicians assessing, diagnosing and planning treatment of a variety of diseases. However, acquiring multiple contrasts magnetic resonance images (MRI) for every patient using multiple pulse sequences is time‐consuming and expensive, where, medical image synthesis has been demonstrated as an effective alternative. The purpose of this study is to develop a unified framework for multimodal MR image synthesis.

Methods

A unified generative adversarial network consisting of only a single generator and a single discriminator was developed to learn the mappings among images of four different modalities. The generator took an image and its modality label as inputs and learned to synthesize the image in the target modality, while the discriminator was trained to distinguish between real and synthesized images and classify them to their corresponding modalities. The network was trained and tested using multimodal brain MRI consisting of four different contrasts which are T1‐weighted (T1), T1‐weighted and contrast‐enhanced (T1c), T2‐weighted (T2), and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (Flair). Quantitative assessments of our proposed method were made through computing normalized mean absolute error (NMAE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measurement (SSIM), visual information fidelity (VIF), and naturalness image quality evaluator (NIQE).

Results

The proposed model was trained and tested on a cohort of 274 glioma patients with well‐aligned multi‐types of MRI scans. After the model was trained, tests were conducted by using each of T1, T1c, T2, Flair as a single input modality to generate its respective rest modalities. Our proposed method shows high accuracy and robustness for image synthesis with arbitrary MRI modality that is available in the database as input. For example, with T1 as input modality, the NMAEs for the generated T1c, T2, Flair respectively are 0.034 ± 0.005, 0.041 ± 0.006, and 0.041 ± 0.006, the PSNRs respectively are 32.353 ± 2.525 dB, 30.016 ± 2.577 dB, and 29.091 ± 2.795 dB, the SSIMs are 0.974 ± 0.059, 0.969 ± 0.059, and 0.959 ± 0.059, the VIF are 0.750 ± 0.087, 0.706 ± 0.097, and 0.654 ± 0.062, and NIQE are 1.396 ± 0.401, 1.511 ± 0.460, and 1.259 ± 0.358, respectively.

Conclusions

We proposed a novel multimodal MR image synthesis method based on a unified generative adversarial network. The network takes an image and its modality label as inputs and synthesizes multimodal images in a single forward pass. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is able to accurately synthesize multimodal MR images from a single MR image.
Go with the (work) flow: Email automation
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: October 2020

Marketing automation isn't necessarily new in higher education, but many of us are still adopting it as part of our regular enrollment strategy. Email drip campaigns, also referred to as email workflows, lead‐nurturing campaigns, or autoresponder series, are an incredibly efficient way to keep in touch with enrollment prospects at various stages in the funnel.
A new offer of NTRU cryptosystem with two new key pairs
Authors: Sever Mehmet , Özdemir Ahmet Şükrü
Published: October 2020

In this study, it is aimed to contribute to the NTRU cryptologic system to increase the number of operations of taking module by taking a polynomial module, to increase the number of secret key by adding an isomorphism and also to increase the number of public key by choosing an irreducible polynomial. Since it is calculated module by suitably partitioning a chosen message polynomial, and since it is used properties of module being an algebraic structure in a phase of an operation and a decryption by adding to the system prime number module and prime polynomial module, this title is thought fit.
Refractive Imaging of Air Shock Above Microscale Defects in Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) Films
Authors: Peguero Julio C. , Forrest Eric C. , Knepper Robert , Hargather Michael J. , Tappan Alexander S. , Marquez Michael P. , Vasiliauskas Jonathan G. , Rupper Stephen G.
Published: October 2020

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) of high explosives can produce energetic samples with unique microstructure and morphology compared to traditional powder processing techniques, but challenges may exist in fabricating explosive films without defects. Deposition conditions and substrate material may promote microcracking and other defects in the explosive films. In this study, we investigate effects of engineered microscale defects (gaps) on detonation propagation and failure for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) films using ultra‐high‐speed refractive imaging and hydrocode modelling. Observations of the air shock above the gap reveal significant instabilities during gap crossing and re‐ignition.
Are economic thresholds for IPM decisions the same for low LAI soybean cultivars in Brazil?
Authors: Hayashida Rafael , Godoy Claúdia V , Hoback William W , de Freitas Bueno Adeney
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Economic thresholds (ETs) are well‐established for defoliation of soybean, Glycine max, and have been updated for many of the newer cultivars; however, there is increasing grower adoption of cultivars with a reduced leaf area index (LAI). It is of theoretical and practical interest to determine low LAI cultivar tolerance to defoliation. We conducted experiments during two consecutive crop seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) using three soybean cultivars (NS 5959 IPRO, NS 5445 IPRO, and DON MARIO 5.8i) and three defoliation levels (0%, 16.7%, and 33.3%) to evaluate the tolerance of reduced LAI soybean cultivars under different defoliation levels.

RESULTS

We observed differences among cultivar's LAI during plant development during both years. Soybean LAI was reduced with increasing defoliation intensity. Tested continuous defoliation levels from plant development stages of V2 to R6 reduced the weight of 1000 seeds and yield but did not impact oil or protein content.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite our findings that current ET for defoliators in soybean (30% defoliation during vegetative stage and 15% defoliation during reproductive stage) are valid, it is important to consider that continuous defoliation injury impacts the capacity of the plant to respond to injury and must be further evaluated for ET refinement in future research. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A triple exponentially weighted moving average control chart for monitoring time between events
Authors: Alevizakos Vasileios , Chatterjee Kashinath , Koukouvinos Christos
Published: October 2020

Time between events (TBE) charts are used in high‐yield processes where the rate of occurrences is very low. In the current article, we propose a triple exponentially weighted moving average control chart to monitor TBE (regarded as triple exponentially weighted moving average TEWMA‐TBE chart) modeled by a gamma distribution. One‐ and two‐sided schemes of the proposed chart are designed and compared with the double EWMA DEWMA‐TBE and EWMA‐TBE charts. It is shown that the lower‐ and two‐sided TEWMA‐TBE charts outperform its competitors, especially for small to moderate downward shifts, while the upper‐sided TEWMA‐TBE chart has very good detection ability for small shifts. We also study the robustness of the proposed chart when the true distribution is a Weibull or a lognormal and it is found that the TEWMA‐TBE chart has better robustness properties than its competitors, especially for small shifts. Two illustrative examples from airplane accidents and earthquakes are also provided to display the application of the proposed chart.
Remaining useful life prediction via long‐short time memory neural network with novel partial least squares and genetic algorithm
Authors: Yang Ke , Wang Yong‐jian , Yao Yu‐nan , Fan Shi‐dong
Published: October 2020

Advancements in information technology have made various industrial equipment increasingly sophisticated in recent years. The remaining useful life (RUL) of equipment plays a crucial important role in the industrial process. It is difficult to establish a functional RUL model as it requires the fusion of time‐series data across different scales. This paper proposes a long‐short term memory neural network, which integrates a novel partial least square based on a genetic algorithm (GAPLS‐LSTM). The parameters are first analyzed by PLS to obtain the parameter fusion function of the health index (HI). The GA then searches the optimal coefficients of the function; the expected HI values can be calculated with the fusion function. Finally, the RUL of the equipment is predicted with the LSTM method. The proposed GAPLS‐LSTM was applied to RUL prediction of a marine auxiliary engine to validate it by comparison against GAPLS‐BP and GAPLS‐RNN methods. The results show that the proposed method is capable of effective RUL prediction.
Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of 2‐phenylimidazole on brass
Authors: Finšgar Matjaž
Published: October 2020

Rationale

This work presents the first surface analysis investigation of 2‐phenylimidazole (PhI) as a corrosion inhibitor for brass in a 3 wt.% NaCl solution using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Methods

A time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometer was used to describe the elemental and molecular specific signals on the brass surface. Gas cluster/monoatomic ion beam depth profiling and two‐dimensional (2D) imaging showed the surface properties of the PhI surface layer. In addition, detailed XPS was used to describe the element‐specific signals on the brass surface. Furthermore, principal component analysis demonstrated the distribution of the different phases of the surface. Finally, the applicability of PhI in hot corrosion studies was suggested by a thermal stability experiment.

Results

TOF‐SIMS measurements showed an intense positive‐ion TOF‐SIMS signal for protonated PhI, i.e. C9H9N2+ at m/z 145.07. Moreover, there was an intense negative‐ion TOF‐SIMS signal for deprotonated PhI, i.e. C9H7N2¯ at m/z 143.06. Gas cluster ion beam sputtering associated with the analysis of the XPS‐excited Cu L3M4,5M4,5 revealed a connection between Cu(I) and PhI to form organometallic complexes.

Conclusions

The formation of the organometallic complexes with Cu and Zn metal atoms/ions was identified using TOF‐SIMS in positive and negative polarity mode: PhI–Cu, PhI–Cu2, PhI–Zn, and PhI–Zn2 complexes were present on the brass surface. The TOF‐SIMS measurements were supported by XPS measurements.
Uniform bounded input bounded output stability of fractional‐order delay nonlinear systems with input
Authors: Almeida R. , Hristova S. , Dashkovskiy S.
Published: October 2020

The bounded input bounded output (BIBO) stability for a nonlinear Caputo fractional system with time‐varying bounded delay and nonlinear output is studied. Utilizing the Razumikhin method, Lyapunov functions and appropriate fractional derivatives of Lyapunov functions some new bounded input bounded output stability criteria are derived. Also, explicit and independent on the initial time bounds of the output are provided. Uniform BIBO stability and uniform BIBO stability with input threshold are studied. A numerical simulation is carried out to show the system's dynamic response, and demonstrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
1D/2D Heterostructures as Ultrathin Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lu Zhixing , Liang Dan , Ping Xiaofan , Xing Lei , Wang Zechao , Wu Liyuan , Lu Pengfei , Jiao Liying
Published: October 2020

2D MoS2 has emerged as a promising alternative to Pt‐based catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its low cost and earth abundance. However, insufficient active sites of basal plane and poor conductivity become the foremost factors restricting the catalytic performance of MoS2. Here, a facile strategy is presented to enhance the HER performance of MoS2 by converting its 2D structure into 1D/2D heterostructures of Mo6Te6/MoS2(1−x)Te2x by the in situ tellurization. As‐prepared 1D/2D heterostructures exhibit excellent HER performance with the Tafel slope of ≈56 mV dec−1 (only one‐third of that for pristine MoS2). The enhanced HER catalytic activity is attributed to more Te/S vacancies introduced by tellurization, which serve as the active sites as suggested by theoretical calculations. Besides, the formation of highly conductive well‐aligned quasi‐1D Mo6Te6 nanobelts facilitate charge transport in HER. Previous work provides a facile approach to construct mixed dimensional materials, and opens up a new avenue to the properties modulation of 2D transition metal chalcogenides.
Eddy Current Detection of the Martensitic Transformation in AISI304 Induced upon Cryogenic Cutting
Authors: Fricke Lara V. , Nguyen Hai Nam , Breidenstein Bernd , Zaremba David , Maier Hans Jürgen
Published: October 2020

The combination of a hard subsurface layer and a ductile component core is advantageous for many applications. Steels are often heat treated to create such a hardened subsurface, which is both time‐ and energy‐consuming. It is of great advantage to create a hardened subsurface directly within the machining process, as the production line of most components includes such a process to produce the desired geometric dimensions and surface quality. To achieve a martensitic subsurface layer within the machining process, cryogenic, external turning using a metastable AISI304 austenitic steel is used herein. Herein eddy current testing and the analysis of higher harmonics are used for the detection of the ferromagnetic, martensitic phase in the parent austenite. A good correlation is found between the martensite content and the amplitude of the signals measured. Therefore, eddy current testing is considered as a suitable real‐time, nondestructive testing method, which forms the basis for the generation of a tailored, deformation‐induced martensitic subsurface layer during external turning.
Argon–Oxygen Decarburization of High‐Manganese Steels: Effect of Alloy Composition
Authors: Rafiei Aliyeh , Irons Gordon A. , Coley Kenneth S.
Published: October 2020

The kinetics of simultaneous decarburization and demanganization of Fe–Mn–C alloys with 5–25% Mn and 0.05–0.42%C are investigated by bubbling a mixture of Ar–O2 through the melt at 1823 K. There are three distinct stages during the process. In stage 1, the rate of decarburization is slow, it is faster in stage 2, and slows to an intermediate rate during stage 3. In stage 1, manganese concentration decreases at a constant rate. In stage 2, manganese concentration remains essentially constant or exhibits minor reversion in some cases. In stage 3, manganese concentration decreases again. The overall rate of manganese loss in stage 1 increases with decreasing initial carbon concentration of the alloy, whereas in stage 3, the rate of manganese loss is independent of carbon concentration. The rate of overall manganese loss is partly controlled by the transport of manganese in the liquid phase. Assuming the products of reaction are CO and MnO, the combination of loss as vapor and oxide is insufficient to justify the total Manganese loss. The mechanism for the extra manganese loss is proposed to be due to evaporation–condensation of manganese in the bubble, is supported both thermodynamically and kinetically.
A multigenotype maize silk expression atlas reveals how exposure‐related stresses are mitigated following emergence from husk leaves
Authors: McNinch Colton , Chen Keting , Dennison Tesia , Lopez Miriam , Yandeau‐Nelson Marna D. , Lauter Nick
Published: October 2020

The extraordinarily long stigmatic silks of corn (Zea mays L.) are critical for grain production but the biology of their growth and emergence from husk leaves has remained underexplored. Accordingly, gene expression was assayed for inbreds ‘B73’ and ‘Mo17’ across five contiguous silk sections. Half of the maize genes (∼20,000) are expressed in silks, mostly in spatiotemporally dynamic patterns. In particular, emergence triggers strong differential expression of ∼1,500 genes collectively enriched for gene ontology terms associated with abiotic and biotic stress responses, hormone signaling, cell–cell communication, and defense metabolism. Further, a meta‐analysis of published maize transcriptomic studies on seedling stress showed that silk emergence elicits an upregulated transcriptomic response that overlaps strongly with both abiotic and biotic stress responses. Although the two inbreds revealed similar silk transcriptomic programs overall, genotypic expression differences were observed for 5,643 B73–Mo17 syntenic gene pairs and collectively account for >50% of genome‐wide expression variance. Coexpression clusters, including many based on genotypic divergence, were identified and interrogated via ontology‐term enrichment analyses to generate biological hypotheses for future research. Ultimately, dissecting how gene expression changes along the length of silks and between husk‐encased and emerged states offers testable models for silk development and plant response to environmental stresses.
Recent development of nanomedicine for the treatment of bacterial biofilm infections
Authors: Xiu Weijun , Shan Jingyang , Yang Kaili , Xiao Hang , Yuwen Lihui , Wang Lianhui
Published: October 2020

Bacterial biofilm related infections are ever growing issues for global medical community. Traditional antibiotic therapy is usually ineffective for treating them because the bacteria inside biofilms have evolved with multiple mechanisms to evade antibiotic challenge. Hence, effective therapeutic strategy with novel antibiofilm mode of action is highly desired. In this context, nanomedicine has drawn great attentions and has been proven promising to prevent and eliminate bacterial biofilms. In this review, we focus on the recent advance of nanotechnology‐based strategies and nanoagents for combating bacterial biofilm infections. First, typical antibiofilm nanotechnologies utilized different chemical, physical, and biological properties of nanomaterials are discussed. Second, smart nanoagents that can responsive to biofilm microenvironment, including pH, H2O2, and enzymes, are shown. Third, some promising antibiofilm approaches, such as theranostics, biofilm structure destruction, and quorum sensing inhibition, are also demonstrated. Finally, we conclude the current antibiofilm nanotechnologies and discuss the challenges and future directions in this field.
Characterization of PM2.5 at a traffic site using several integrated analytical techniques
Authors: Hamdan Nasser M. , Alawadhi Hussain , Shameer Mohamed
Published: October 2020

We have conducted a comprehensive, year‐long, sampling campaign for particulate matter (PM) at a site near a major highway, following standard protocols. Total mass, elemental and chemical composition of the fine fractions (PM2.5) of particulates originating from traffic are determined using several complementary techniques. These complementary techniques include gravimetric analysis, X‐ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and black carbon multiwavelength absorption. Conducting an enrichment factor analysis and correlation coefficient calculations on elements show that Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, Mg, K, Na and Cr are of crustal origin, while P, Cl and V are enriched slightly from human activities. All other measured elements (Rb, Zr, Ba, Sr, S, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) have high enrichment factors and relate to anthropogenic sources. Sulfates in the form of mascagnite and koktaite had the largest contribution to PM2.5 (43% of total PM concentration). Natural pollutants such as quartz, calcite, iron oxide and aluminum oxide originating from the crust also contribute to PM2.5. eBC and elements such as Zn, Ba, Cu, Fe and S are related to traffic emissions such as exhaust emissions and tire, brakes and road erosion. Correlation coefficients and enrichment factor calculations helped identify elements that are related to natural emissions and those related to anthropogenic sources. Being an arid region, the PM2.5 mass concentrations were found to be within or slightly above international air quality standards.
Reading Audiobooks
Authors: Have Iben , Pedersen Birgitte Stougaard
Published: October 2020

The development of digital media technologies like the MP3 file and the smartphone has changed the status of the audiobook from being a by-product of the printed book to being a mass medium in its own right. This chapter takes a context and user perspective on audiobooks and asks the fundamental question: to what extent can one say that one ‘reads’ an audiobook? Based on the Danish author Helle Helle’s novel Ned til hundene (Down to the Dogs, 2008), the authors discuss how the audiobook experience as a whole can be analysed regarding ‘technological framing’, ‘reading situations’ and ‘the performing voice’. They also investigate audiobook reading in relation to the experience of time and depth.
The Emergence of Written Language: From Numeracy to Literacy
Authors: Pae Hye K.
Published: October 2020

This chapter reviews how written signs first emerged and developed into systematic writing systems. The first sign system appeared to fulfill accounting purposes for the preservation of private properties in antiquity. Initial written signs, including plain tallies, complex tokens, and tokens in clay envelopes, are reviewed. Written signs before the emergence of the Greek alphabet, such as cuneiforms and hieroglyphs, are also reviewed. As agricultural culture and urbanization took place, writing systems became more multifaceted and systematized. The characteristics of true alphabets are discussed. For a comparison purpose, the Chinese writing system is briefly mentioned. The chapter ends with a discussion of the transition from numeracy to literacy.
The Alphabet
Authors: Pae Hye K.
Published: October 2020

This chapter discusses the characteristics of the alphabet as a writing system. It first describes the classifications of writing systems and the criteria for an ideal writing system, including representability, producibility, and interpretability. The alphabet is considered to be a more efficient writing system than Chinese characters in that it takes only 20 to 30 graphs to represent the entire repertoire of spoken language. This enhances learnability because learners do not have to rote-memorize thousands of syllables or characters. An ideal orthography is also discussed. Finally discussed are the strengths and weaknesses of the alphabet as a writing system.
Boosted jet techniques for a supersymmetric scenario with gravitino LSP
Authors: Bhardwaj Akanksha , Dutta Juhi , Konar Partha , Mukhopadhyaya Biswarup , Rai Santosh Kumar
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Search for compressed supersymmetry at multi-TeV scale, in the presence of a light gravitino dark matter, can get sizable uplift while looking into the associated fat- jets with missing transverse momenta as a signature of the boson produced in the decay process of much heavier next-to-lightest sparticle. We focus on the hadronic decay of the ensuing Higgs and/or Z boson giving rise to at least two fat-jets and "Image missing" in the final state. We perform a detailed background study adopting a multivariate analysis using a boosted decision tree to provide a robust investigation to explore the discovery potential for such signal at 14 TeV LHC considering different benchmark points satisfying all the theoretical and experimental constraints. This channel provides the best discovery prospects with most of the benchmarks discoverable within an integrated luminosity of $$ \mathrm{\mathcal{L}} $$
ℒ
= 200 fb−1. Kinematic observables are investigated in order to distinguish between compressed and uncompressed spectra having similar event yields.
Microvascular dysfunction in COVID-19: the MYSTIC study
Authors: Rovas Alexandros , Osiaevi Irina , Buscher Konrad , Sackarnd Jan , Tepasse Phil-Robin , Fobker Manfred , Kühn Joachim , Braune Stephan , Göbel Ulrich , Thölking Gerold , Gröschel Andreas , Pavenstädt Hermann , Vink Hans , Kümpers Philipp
Published: October 2020

Rationale

Pre-clinical and autopsy studies have fueled the hypothesis that a dysregulated vascular endothelium might play a central role in the pathogenesis of ARDS and multi-organ failure in COVID-19.

Objectives

To comprehensively characterize and quantify microvascular alterations in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Hospitalized adult patients with moderate-to-severe or critical COVID-19 (n = 23) were enrolled non-consecutively in this prospective, observational, cross-sectional, multi-center study. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as controls. All participants underwent intravital microscopy by sidestream dark field imaging to quantify vascular density, red blood cell velocity (VRBC), and glycocalyx dimensions (perfused boundary region, PBR) in sublingual microvessels. Circulating levels of endothelial and glycocalyx-associated markers were measured by multiplex proximity extension assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Measurements and main results

COVID-19 patients showed an up to 90% reduction in vascular density, almost exclusively limited to small capillaries (diameter 4–6 µm), and also significant reductions of VRBC. Especially, patients on mechanical ventilation showed severe glycocalyx damage as indicated by higher PBR values (i.e., thinner glycocalyx) and increased blood levels of shed glycocalyx constituents. Several markers of endothelial dysfunction were increased and correlated with disease severity in COVID-19. PBR (AUC 0.75, p = 0.01), ADAMTS13 (von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease; AUC 0.74, p = 0.02), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A; AUC 0.73, p = 0.04) showed the best discriminatory ability to predict 60-day in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Our data clearly show severe alterations of the microcirculation and the endothelial glycocalyx in patients with COVID-19. Future therapeutic approaches should consider the importance of systemic vascular involvement in COVID-19.
A-Priori Validation of Scalar Dissipation Rate Models for Turbulent Non-Premixed Flames
Authors: Sitte M. P. , Turquand d’Auzay C. , Giusti A. , Mastorakos E. , Chakraborty N.
Published: October 2020

The modelling of scalar dissipation rate in conditional methods for large-eddy simulations is investigated based on a priori direct numerical simulation analysis using a dataset representing an igniting non-premixed planar jet flame. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment of models typically used for large-eddy simulations of non-premixed turbulent flames with the Conditional Moment Closure combustion model. The linear relaxation model gives a good estimate of the Favre-filtered scalar dissipation rate throughout the ignition with a value of the related constant close to the one deduced from theoretical arguments. Such value of the constant is one order of magnitude higher than typical values used in Reynolds-averaged approaches. The amplitude mapping closure model provides a satisfactory estimate of the conditionally filtered scalar dissipation rate even in flows characterised by shear driven turbulence and strong density variation.
Is there a critical LH level for hCG trigger after the detection of LH surge in modified natural frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer cycles?
Authors: Kahraman Semra , Sahin Yucel
Published: October 2020

Purpose

There is no consensus yet in the literature on an optimal luteinizing hormone (LH) level for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) trigger timing in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) with modified natural cycles (mNC). The objective of our study was to compare the clinical results of hCG trigger at different LH levels in mNC-FET cases.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in Istanbul Memorial Hospital ART and Genetics Center. A total of 1076 cases with 1163 mNC-FET cycles were evaluated. LH levels between the start of LH rise (15 IU/L) and LH peak level (> 40 IU/L) were evaluated. Cycles were analyzed in four groups: group A (n = 287) LH level on the day prior to the day of hCG; groups B, C and D, LH levels on the day of hCG: group B (n = 245) LH 15–24.9; group C (n = 253), LH 25–39.9; group D (n = 383) LH ≥ 40. Cycle outcomes in the four groups were compared.

Results

Subgroup analyses of mNC-FET groups showed that implantation, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates, and pregnancy losses were not significantly different in patients with different LH levels on the day of hCG trigger.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that hCG can be administered at any time between the start of LH rise (≥ 15 IU/L) and LH peak level (≥ 40 IU/L) without a detrimental effect on clinical outcome.