bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperosmolar environment and intestinal epithelial cells: impact on mitochondrial oxygen consumption, proliferation, and barrier function in vitro
Authors: Grauso Marta , Lan Annaïg , Andriamihaja Mireille , Bouillaud Frédéric , Blachier François
Published: August 2019

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the in vitro short-term (2-h) and longer-term (24-h) effects of hyperosmolar media (500 and 680 mOsm/L) on intestinal epithelial cells using the human colonocyte Caco-2 cell line model. We found that a hyperosmolar environment slowed down cell proliferation compared to normal osmolarity (336 mOsm/L) without inducing cell detachment or necrosis. This was associated with a transient reduction of cell mitochondrial oxygen consumption, increase in proton leak, and decrease in intracellular ATP content. The barrier function of Caco-2 monolayers was also transiently affected since increased paracellular apical-to-basal permeability and modified electrolyte permeability were measured, allowing partial equilibration of the trans-epithelial osmotic difference. In addition, hyperosmotic stress induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8. By measuring expression of genes involved in energy metabolism, tight junction forming, electrolyte permeability and intracellular signaling, different response patterns to hyperosmotic stress occurred depending on its intensity and duration. These data highlight the potential impact of increased luminal osmolarity on the intestinal epithelium renewal and barrier function and point out some cellular adaptive capacities towards luminal hyperosmolar environment.
Variants Associated with the Ankle Brachial Index Differ by Hispanic/Latino Ethnic Group: a genome-wide association study in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
Authors: Sofer Tamar , Emery Leslie , Jain Deepti , Ellis Alicia M. , Laurie Cathy C. , Allison Matthew A. , Lee Jiwon , Kurniansyah Nuzulul , Kerr Kathleen F. , González Hector M. , Tarraf Wassim , Criqui Michael H. , Lange Leslie A. , Palmas Walter R. , Franceschini Nora , Wassel Christina L.
Published: August 2019

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) burden differs by race/ethnicity. Although familial aggregation and heritability studies suggest a genetic basis, little is known about the genetic susceptibility to PAD, especially in non-European descent populations. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the ankle brachial index (ABI) and PAD (defined as an ABI < 0.90) have not been conducted in Hispanics/Latinos. We performed a GWAS of PAD and the ABI in 7,589 participants aged >45 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). We also performed GWAS for ABI stratified by Hispanic/Latino ethnic subgroups: Central American, Mexican, and South American (Mainland group), and Cuban, Dominican, and Puerto Rican (Caribbean group). We detected two genome-wide significant associations for the ABI in COMMD10 in Puerto Ricans, and at SYBU in the Caribbean group. The lead SNP rs4466200 in the COMMD10 gene had a replication p = 0.02 for the ABI in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) African Americans, but it did not replicate in African Americans from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). In a regional look-up, a nearby SNP rs12520838 had Bonferroni adjusted p = 0.05 (unadjusted p = 7.5 × 10−5) for PAD in MESA Hispanics. Among three suggestive associations (p < 10−7) in subgroup-specific analyses, DMD on chromosome X, identified in Central Americans, replicated in MESA Hispanics (p = 2.2 × 10−4). None of the previously reported ABI and PAD associations in whites generalized to Hispanics/Latinos.
Transparency induced in opals via nanometer thick conformal coating
Authors: Shang Guoliang , Furlan Kaline Pagnan , Zierold Robert , Blick Robert H. , Janßen Rolf , Petrov Alexander , Eich Manfred
Published: August 2019

Self-assembled periodic structures out of monodisperse spherical particles, so-called opals, are a versatile approach to obtain 3D photonic crystals. We show that a thin conformal coating of only several nanometers can completely alter the reflection properties of such an opal. Specifically, a coating with a refractive index larger than that of the spherical particles can eliminate the first photonic band gap of opals. To explain this non-intuitive effect, where a nm-scaled coating results in a drastic change of optical properties at wavelengths a hundred times bigger, we split the permittivity distribution of the opal into a lattice function convoluted with that of core-shell particles as a motif. In reciprocal space, the Bragg peaks that define the first Brillouin zone can be eliminated if the motif function, which is multiplied, assumes zero at the Bragg peak positions. Therefore, we designed a non-monotonic refractive index distribution from the center of the particle through the shell into the background and adjusted the coating thickness. The theory is supported by simulations and experiments that a nanometer thin TiO2 coating via atomic layer deposition (ALD) on synthetic opals made from polystyrene particles induces nearly full transparency at a wavelength range where the uncoated opal strongly reflects. This effect paves the way for sensing applications such as monitoring the thicknesses growth in ALD in-situ and in real time as well as measuring a refractive index change without spectral interrogation.
Ca2+-Calcineurin-NFAT pathway mediates the effect of thymol on oxidative metabolism and fiber-type switch in skeletal muscle
Authors: Luo Pei , Wang Lina , Luo Lv , Wang Leshan , Yang Kelin , Shu Gang , Wang Songbo , Zhu Xiaotong , Gao Ping , Jiang Qingyan
Published: August 2019

Thymol is a major component of thyme, and it has been reported that thymol administration reduces body weight, plasma insulin and blood glucose in type-2 diabetes.
Versatile carboxylate-directed structures of ten 1D → 3D Ni(ii) coordination polymers: fluorescence behaviors and electrochemical activities
Authors: Liu Guocheng , Li Yan , Lu Zhenjie , Li Xiaowu , Wang Xiuli , Wang Xiang , Chen Xingxing
Published: August 2019

Ten 1D → 3D Ni(ii) coordination polymers based on a phenyl/methylene-mixed-bridged ligand have been obtained and structurally directed by carboxylates; they show different fluorescence behaviors and electrochemical activities.
Fast molecular fingerprinting with a coherent, rapidly tunable dual-comb spectrometer near 3 μm
Authors: Luo Pei-Ling , Horng Er-Chien , Guan Yu-Chan
Published: August 2019

We report the multi-species determination and fast molecular fingerprinting under microseconds by employing a rapidly tunable dual-comb spectrometer based on electro-optic frequency combs near 3 μm.
Intrinsic interaction between in-plane ferroelectric polarization and surface adsorption
Authors: Wang Zhi-Wen , Shu Da-Jun
Published: August 2019

The surface doping from surface adsorbates is found to play a key role on the polarization-induced change of the adsorption energy and is thus responsible for the polarization dependence of the surface properties.
Transformation of threshold volatile switching to quantum point contact originated nonvolatile switching in graphene interface controlled memory devices
Authors: Wu Zuheng , Zhao Xiaolong , Yang Yang , Wang Wei , Zhang Xumeng , Wang Rui , Cao Rongrong , Liu Qi , Banerjee Writam
Published: August 2019

The use of a graphene interface as the cation barrier in Ag-based resistive random access memory devices can effectively change the volatile threshold selector behavior into nonvolatile memory switching.
Three-dimensional mesoporous graphene-like carbons derived from a biomolecule exhibiting high-performance oxygen reduction activity
Authors: Huang Baobing , Liu Yuchuan , Wei Qiaohua , Xie Zailai
Published: August 2019

We develop a simple, cost-efficient and sustainable strategy for construction of a novel graphene-like 3D nanocarbon with developed mesoporous structure, abundant defect sites and active nitrogen species for high-performance ORR activity.
Rapid, comprehensive screening of ionic liquids towards sustainable applications
Authors: Venkatraman Vishwesh , Evjen Sigvart , Lethesh Kallidanthiyil Chellappan , Raj Jaganathan Joshua , Knuutila Hanna K. , Fiksdahl Anne
Published: August 2019

A computational screening strategy applied to 8 million synthetically diverse ionic liquids, demonstrates its value for sustainable solvent design.
The construction of porous chitosan microspheres with high specific surface area by using agarose as the pore-forming agent and further functionalized application in bioseparation
Authors: Qiao Liangzhi , Zhao Liangshen , Liang Chao , Du Kaifeng
Published: August 2019

Adsorbents with synchronously high protein adsorption performance and a facile synthetic route are highly desired in protein separation.
Enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of low mobility solar cells by a 3D device architecture
Authors: Qarony Wayesh , Hossain Mohammad I. , Tamang Asman , Jovanov Vladislav , Salleo Alberto , Knipp Dietmar , Tsang Yuen Hong
Published: August 2019

The short circuit current and energy conversion efficiency of solar cells based on semiconductor materials with low diffusion lengths like organics and amorphous silicon can be increased by a 3D device architecture.
Benzodithiophene-modified terpolymer acceptors with reduced molecular planarity and crystallinity: improved performance and stability for all-polymer solar cells
Authors: Gao Xuyu , Gao Jiaxin , Xue Zhongyuan , Wang Huabin , Wang Jingyu , Cheng Yang , Li Zijing , Zhu Feifei , Huettner Sven , Li Hai , Tao Youtian
Published: August 2019

Fine-tuned crystallinity and optimized morphology were achieved by incorporating 2-dimensional monomer into N2200 resulting in enhanced PCE in various donors-based OSCs and improved device stability.
Morphological Awareness Strategies to Promote Academic Success at Tier 1 Through Interprofessional Collaboration
Authors: Collins Ginger , Wolter Julie A.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Many school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are interested in interprofessional collaborations with teachers to provide classroom-based services but are often unsure how to design and implement these services in a way that will meet teachers' curricular standards and serve the specific language needs of students. The purpose of this article is to provide SLPs an interprofessional model for providing quality classroom-based language–literacy instruction that facilitates language success for children with and without language–literacy deficits using a morphological awareness strategy approach.

Conclusion

The 8-week teacher–SLP collaborative classroom model focused on morphological awareness to improve 3rd-grade vocabulary, reading, and writing presented in this article provides a framework for implementing classroom-based services relevant to the curriculum.
Method for replica selection in the Internet of Things using a hybrid optimisation algorithm
Authors: Wakil Karzan , Nazif Habibeh , Panahi Sepideh , Abnoosian Karlo , Sheikhi Saeid
Published: August 2019

Internet of Things (IoT) as a new technological revolution has been proposed recently wherein the things are connected over the Internet. Because of the inherent characteristics of IoT for storage of data at untrusted and heterogeneous hosts, data replication across large geographic distances for efficient data management is unavoidable. The selection of appropriate replication things in the IoT, which reduces response time and cost is one of the most important issues of data management. Since this problem is an NP‐hard problem, classic approaches are not efficient to solve this issue, and evolutionary algorithm such as ant colony optimisation (ACO) and genetic algorithm (GA) seems to be very useful. This study offers a method based on a combination of ACO and a GA to solve this problem. In the proposed method, the ACO has been used to create diversity, and afterwards, the GA is performed to provide a full search over the search space. The obtained results have shown the better performance of the proposed method in comparison with ACO, the High‐QoS First‐Replication (HQFR), and the Response Time‐based Replica Management algorithms with regard to waiting time. In addition, the obtained results have revealed the better performance of the hybrid method in comparison with HQFR and the Dynamic Cost‐aware Re‐replication and Re‐balancing Strategy.
Optimising infrastructure as a service provider revenue through customer satisfaction and efficient resource provisioning in cloud computing
Authors: Badshah Afzal , Ghani Anwar , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Chronopoulos Anthony Theodore
Published: August 2019

With limited resources, it is quite challenging for cloud providers to meet dynamic and massive customers' demands. Higher utilisation or refusing any service level agreement (SLA) may lead to penalties which play a crucial role in the cloud business. Overutilisation of resources, instead of maximizing the revenue, may lead to a decrease in revenue due to the SLA violations. Various studies have been conducted to investigate these issues; however, there is still room for improvement. In this study, the authors proposed a model to address the resource scalability and SLA violation issues by hiring external resources at low prices. However, in contrast to a federated cloud, the proposed model allows a provider to hire resources from any external provider with flexible terms and price. They designed algorithms to optimise providers' revenue by taking into account different parameters, including resource utilization, customer satisfaction, SLA violation, and prices. Simulation result shows that the proposed model is efficient in handling massive demands, and improves revenue generation and customer satisfaction. Offering joint pricing on customers' choice and outsourcing the extra workload to external resources leads to revenue maximization. Hiring external resources earns external revenue as well as it maximizes the total revenue.
Survey on automated symbolic verification and its application for synthesising cyber‐physical systems
Authors: Cordeiro Lucas C. , de Lima Filho Eddie B. , Bessa Iury V.
Published: August 2019

Dependency on the correct operation of embedded systems is rapidly growing, mainly due to their wide range of applications. Their structures are becoming more complex and currently require multi‐core processors with scalable shared memory, signal‐processing pipelines, and sophisticated software modules to meet increasing computational power, flexibility demands. Additionally, interaction with real‐world entities and modern communication capabilities further enhance the mentioned features and give rise to the embedded and cyber‐physical systems (ECPS). As a consequence, the reliability of ECPS becomes a key issue during system development. Generally, state‐of‐the‐art verification methodologies for ECPS generate test vectors and use assertion‐based verification and high‐level processor models, during simulation; however, new challenges arose, such as need for meeting time and energy constraints, handling concurrent software, evaluating implementation‐structure choices, ensuring correct system behavior together with physical plants, and supporting new software architectures and legacy designs. This survey deals with the mentioned issues, reviews related literature, and discusses recent advances in symbolic model checking techniques and their applications to control synthesis. Additionally, challenges, problems, and recent advances to ensure correctness and timeliness, regarding ECPS, are discussed. Reliability issues, when developing ECPS, are then considered, as a prominent verification and synthesis application for achieving correct‐by‐construction systems.
Sliding mode control subject to rice channel fading
Authors: Li Jiarui , Niu Yugang
Published: August 2019

In this study, the sliding mode control problem is investigated for a class of discrete‐time systems with fading measurements. The channel fading is modelled as the Rice fading model to characterise the fading phenomenon via wireless sensor network. An integral‐like sliding surface involving fading parameters is first constructed. And then, a sliding mode controller is designed by using fading measurements and channel parameters. It is shown that the state trajectories can be driven to the neighbourhood around the specified sliding surface and the stochastic stability with prescribed performance can be attained. Finally, a numerical example is provided.
Optimal current control for PMSM considering inverter output voltage limit: model predictive control and pulse‐width modulation
Authors: Koiwa Kenta , Kuribayashi Toru , Zanma Tadanao , Liu Kang‐Zhi , Wakaiki Masashi
Published: August 2019

Permanent‐magnet synchronous motors have attracted much attention due to their high efficiency and high‐torque density. For higher control performance, finite control set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) and continuous control set MPC (CCS‐MPC) have been developed. However, the former requires high computing power, whereas inverter voltage saturation is not considered in the latter. Therefore, this study proposes an optimal current control law taking into consideration the inverter output voltage. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by comparison with the FCS‐MPC and the standard CCS‐MPC through experiments.
Supervised image segmentation based on superpixel and improved normalised cuts
Authors: Qu Shaojun , Li Qiaoliang , Chen Ming
Published: August 2019

Effective and efficient image segmentation is an important task in computer vision. As the full‐automatic image segmentation is usually difficult to segment the natural image, it is an excellent solution to use interactive schemes. Here, to overcome the defects of SSNCut in its low quality and speed, the authors proposed a new interactive image segmentation method based on superpixels, must‐link, cannot‐link constraints and improved normalised cuts. The main contribution of their work is as follows: first, the similarity between two superpixel regions is calculated using Bhattacharyya distance. Second, they adaptively modify the weights of must‐link and cannot‐link constraints. Compared to SSNCut, their method greatly improves the accuracy of segmentation. Comparative experiments on open datasets show that the proposed method can get better results compared with SSNCut, GrabCut in one cut, interactive segmentation using binary partition tree, interactive graph cut, seed region growing, and simple interactive object extraction.
Wideband two‐port with programmable scattering parameters
Authors: Odrobina Szczepan , Staszek Kamil
Published: August 2019

A two‐port network featuring programmable reflection and transmission coefficients is proposed. The network exhibits a simple structure and can operate over a wide frequency range. A detailed description of the presented system is given, including the theoretical analysis and derivation of design equations. To assess the performance of the manufactured system, the tuning range of reflection and transmission coefficients was measured in the frequency range from 0.5 to 2.0 GHz. The obtained results show good agreement with the theoretical results over the entire two‐octave operational bandwidth. Moreover, the potential application of the developed two‐port for the generation of various reflection coefficients in calibration of a multiport reflectometer is demonstrated.
Design of SIW cavity models to control the bandwidth of frequency selective surface
Authors: Varikuntla Krushna Kanth , Singaravelu Raghavan
Published: August 2019

This study describes substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity models to control the bandwidth of frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). Two different SIW cavities were presented: one model to reduce (cavity‐I) and another model to improve (cavity‐II) bandwidth of FSS, respectively. The periodic structures were made of SIW cavies and an FSS slot on either side of the dielectric substrate at the centre of the cavity. To prove the concept, a well‐known cross‐slot FSS element has been studied in two different cases and compared their performance. The conformal behaviour of the unit cells has been estimated by considering the practical requirements. The addressed SIW cavities will improve the electromagnetic (EM) performance of conventional FSS without altering its basic shape. The high Q‐factor of SIW cavity greatly improves the performance of FSS. A full‐wave simulation is used to analyse the response of FSS. The cavity‐I shows 12.61% lesser bandwidth and cavity‐II shows 25.0% higher bandwidth compared to its conventional shape in planar form and 9.1, 26.17% in the conformal form at a bent radius of 50 mm. Besides, performance parameters were studied to evaluate the structural dependency on EM performance. Finally, two designed cavity models are fabricated and proved their performance experimentally.
ZnO nanorod‐based Love wave delay line for high mass sensitivity: a finite element analysis
Authors: Trivedi Shyam , Nemade Harshal B.
Published: August 2019

This study presents finite element time‐domain simulation of a ‐YX LiTaO3 Love wave (LW) delay line to explore coupled resonance phenomenon with ZnO nanorods designed on the top surface of the device. The effect of variation in ZnO nanorods height on the propagation of LW, mode‐transitions, area‐averaged stress, insertion loss, and mass sensitivity of the device is studied. Simulation results show that at the critical height of ZnO nanorods, coupled resonance occurs that causes a sharp swing in the phase shift indicating a transition from inertial to elastic loading. Coupled resonance increases the acoustic impedance of the device and also the average stress between nanorod and substrate interface. Simulation of mass loading is performed by applying an incremental surface mass density on the active area of the device. A nanorod packing density of gives a high mass sensitivity of which is more than ten times the sensitivity of a plain LW device. At the coupled resonant height, the insertion loss of the sensor increases, and a swing of about 1 dB is observed with variation in the nanorod height.
Au nanoparticles by instant green chemicals and optimising key synthesis parameters using Taguchi method
Authors: Korukonda Jagajjanani Rao , Korumilli Tarangini
Published: August 2019

In the recent years, functionalised Au nanoparticles using eco‐friendly chemical routes are under the focus for developing several technological applications. However, a simple, reproducible, and controlled synthesis of high‐quality nanoparticles is challenging in these approaches. In this work, readily available green chemicals were utilised and the usefulness of and Taguchi approach for optimisation of synthesis procedure was designed for the synthesis of possible lower size Au nanoparticles of size 93 ± 7 nm. L16 orthogonal array, by which the influence of four factors in four levels may well be tested, was chosen. Analysis of variance was done on the attained results and optimum condition suggested by statistical estimations was tested through a verification test. The identified key parameters for synthesising lower size Au nanoparticles are reducing agent (curcumin + cinnamic acid + citric acid), additive (zero), sonication time (30 min), and temperature (50°C) after performing the optimisation technique. Furthermore, this study also provides a selective approach to obtain different shape/shape Au nano to colloidal structures through different trail selection within the Taguchi experimental array.
He abundances in disc galaxies
Authors: Vincenzo F. , Miglio A. , Kobayashi C. , Mackereth J. T. , Montalban J.
Published: August 2019

We investigate how the stellar and gas-phase He abundances evolve as a function of time within simulated star-forming disc galaxies with different star formation histories. We make use of a cosmological chemodynamical simulation for galaxy formation and evolution, which includes star formation as well as energy and chemical enrichment feedback from asymptotic giant branch stars, core-collapse supernovae, and Type Ia supernovae. The predicted relations between the He mass fraction, Y, and the metallicity, Z, in the interstellar medium of our simulated disc galaxies depend on the galaxy star formation history. In particular, dY/dZ is not constant and evolves as a function of time, depending on the specific chemical element that we choose to trace Z; in particular, dY/dXO and dY/dXC increase as a function of time, whereas dY/dXN decreases. In the gas-phase, we find negative radial gradients of Y, due to the inside-out growth of our simulated galaxy discs as a function of time; this gives rise to longer chemical enrichment timescales in the outer galaxy regions, where we find lower average values for Y and Z. Finally, by means of chemical-evolution models, in the galactic bulge and inner disc, we predict steeper Y vs. age relations at high Z than in the outer galaxy regions. We conclude that for calibrating the assumed Y − Z relation in stellar models, C, N, and C+N are better proxies for the metallicity than O because they show steeper and less scattered relations.
Final spin states of eccentric ocean planets
Authors: Auclair-Desrotour P. , Leconte J. , Bolmont E. , Mathis S.
Published: August 2019

Context. Eccentricity tides generate a torque that can drive an ocean planet towards asynchronous rotation states of equilibrium when enhanced by resonances associated with the oceanic tidal modes.

Aims. We investigate the impact of eccentricity tides on the rotation of rocky planets hosting a thin uniform ocean and orbiting cool dwarf stars such as TRAPPIST-1, with orbital periods ~1−10 days.

Methods. Combining the linear theory of oceanic tides in the shallow water approximation with the Andrade model for the solid part of the planet, we developed a global model including the coupling effects of ocean loading, self-attraction, and deformation of the solid regions. From this model we derive analytic solutions for the tidal Love numbers and torque exerted on the planet. These solutions are used with realistic values of parameters provided by advanced models of the internal structure and tidal oscillations of solid bodies to explore the parameter space both analytically and numerically.

Results. Our model allows us to fully characterise the frequency-resonant tidal response of the planet, and particularly the features of resonances associated with the oceanic tidal modes (eigenfrequencies, resulting maxima of the tidal torque, and Love numbers) as functions of the planet parameters (mass, radius, Andrade parameters, ocean depth, and Rayleigh drag frequency). Resonances associated with the oceanic tide decrease the critical eccentricity beyond which asynchronous rotation states distinct from the usual spin-orbit resonances can exist. We provide an estimation and scaling laws for this critical eccentricity, which is found to be lowered by roughly one order of magnitude, switching from ~0.3 to ~0.06 in typical cases and to ~0.01 in extremal ones.
A rotating fast bipolar wind and disk system around the B[e]-type star MWC 922
Authors: Sánchez Contreras C. , Báez-Rubio A. , Alcolea J. , Castro-Carrizo A. , Bujarrabal V. , Martín-Pintado J. , Tafoya D.
Published: August 2019

We present interferometric observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) of the free–free continuum and recombination line emission at 1 and 3 mm of the Red Square Nebula surrounding the B[e]-type star MWC 922. The distance to the source, which is unknown, is usually taken to be d = 1.7–3 kpc. The unprecedented angular resolution (up to ~0.′′02) and exquisite sensitivity of these data reveal for the first time the structure and kinematics of the nascent compact ionized region at its center. We imaged the line emission of H30α and H39α, previously detected with single-dish observations, and of H51ɛ, H55γ, and H63δ, detected for the first time in this work. The line emission is seen over a full velocity range of ~180 km s−1 arising in a region of diameter <0.′′14 (less than a few hundred au) in the maser line H30α, which is the most intense transition reported here. We resolve the spatio-kinematic structure of a nearly edge-on disk rotating around a central mass of ~10 M⊙ (d = 1.7 kpc) or ~18 M⊙ (d = 3 kpc), assuming Keplerian rotation. Our data also reveal a fast (~100 km s−1) bipolar ejection (possibly a jet) orthogonal to the disk. In addition, a slow (<15 km s−1) wind may be emanating from the disk. Both, the slow and the fast winds are found to be rotating in a similar manner to the ionized layers of the disk. This represents the first empirical proof of rotation in a bipolar wind expanding at high velocity (~100 km s−1). The launching radius of the fast wind is found to be <30–51 au (i.e., smaller than the inner rim of the ionized disk probed by our observations). We believe that the fast wind is actively being launched, probably by a disk-mediated mechanism in a (possibly accretion) disk around a possible compact companion. We have modeled our observations using the radiative transfer code MORELI. This enables us to describe with unparalleled detail the physical conditions and kinematics in the inner layers of MWC 922, which has revealed itself as an ideal laboratory for studying the interplay of disk rotation and jet-launching. Although the nature of MWC 922 remains unclear, we believe it could be a ~15 M⊙ post-main sequence star in a mass-exchanging binary system. If this is the case, a more realistic value of the distance may be d ~ 3 kpc.
Prävalenz und Schwere eines Tinnitus bei
Otosklerose
Authors: Hesse Gerhard
Published: August 2019

Dziendziel B et al. Prevalence and severity of tinnitus in Polish otosclerosis
patients qualified for stapes surgery. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019; doi:
10.1007/s00405–019–05317–8

Polnische Wissenschaftler beurteilten Prävalenz und Schwere eines Tinnitus bei
einer Gruppe von für eine Stapesoperation geeigneten Patienten mit
Otosklerose. Ein sekundäres Ziel war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen der
Schwere des Tinnitus und der Hörschwelle zu bestimmen.
Hintergründe der neuen
Qualitätsprüfungs-Richtlinien
Authors: Fajardo Annemarie
Published: August 2019

Der Einstieg in das neue System der Qualitätsprüfungs-Richtlinien (QPR) beginnt
zum Sommer 2019. Seit Ende 2018 gibt es gesetzliche Vorgaben, die den
Übergang in das neue Indikatorensystem regeln. Hier einige Tipps und
Hintergründe.
Direct Access to Highly Functionalised Benzimidazoles and Benzoxazoles from a Common Precursor
Authors: Garrido Amanda , Delaye Pierre-Olivier , Quintin François , Abarbri Mohamed , Lameiras Pedro , Gueiffier Alain , Thibonnet Jérôme , Petrignet Julien
Published: August 2019

Benzoxazole and benzimidazole are commonly encountered heterocycles in medicinal chemistry and their functionalisation around 1-, 2-, 5-, and/or 6-positions provides a wide range of molecules of biological interest. In this manuscript, a straightforward preparation of diversely and highly substituted benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles on these positions, from a common starting material, a 3,3-dibromoacrolein, is described. Such acrolein derivatives are almost never described in the literature or used as ‘building-block’ for organic synthesis. The double electrophilicity of this substrate was found to be advantageous for condensation with two equivalents of various 1,2-diaminobenzene or 2-aminophenol derivatives. This one-pot reaction performed under metal-free and mild conditions allows the creation of three new carbon–heteroatom bonds and affords the desired heterocycles.
Low damping magnetic properties and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the Heusler alloy Fe1.5CoGe
Authors: Conca Andres , Niesen Alessia , Reiss Günter , Hillebrands Burkard
Published: August 2019

We present a study of the dynamic magnetic properties of TiN-buffered epitaxial thin films of the Heusler alloy Fe1.5CoGe. Thickness series annealed at different temperatures are prepared and the magnetic damping is measured, a lowest value of α = 2.18 × 10−3 is obtained. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy properties in Fe1.5CoGe/MgO are also characterized. The evolution of the interfacial perpendicular anisotropy constant KS⊥ with the annealing temperature is shown and compared with the widely used CoFeB/MgO interface. A large volume contribution to the perpendicular anisotropy of (4.3 ± 0.5) × 105 J/m3 is also found, in contrast with vanishing bulk contribution in common Co- and Fe-based Heusler alloys.
Purification, structural elucidation and in vivo immunity-enhancing activity of polysaccharides from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seeds
Authors: Fan Sanhong , Li Jiani , Bai Baoqing
Published: August 2019

Quinoa crude polysaccharides (QPS) were extracted from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. The soluble non-starch polysaccharide fraction (QPS1) was subsequently purified by DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography, using QPS as raw materials. Its chemical structure was identified using FT-IR, NMR, AFM, SEM and Congo red staining. High performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) was used to determine molecular weight, and composition by HPLC. QPS1, with a molecular weight of 34.0 kDa, was mainly composed of mannose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose at a molar ratio of 2.63:2.40:1.64:6.28:1.95:2.48:5.01. In addition, we evaluated the ameliorative effects of QPS1 on the improvement of anti-cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression in ICR mice. The result exhibited significantly immune-enhancing activity: QPS1 successfully improved the content of IFN-γ, IL-6, IFN-ɑ, IgM and lysozyme (LYSO) in serum for three weeks, enhanced the phagocytic function of mononuclear macrophages and ameliorated delayed allergy in mice.
Short‐term high‐Intensity interval training increases systemic brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy women
Authors: Rentería Iván , García‐Suárez Patricia C. , Martínez‐Corona David O. , Moncada‐Jiménez José , Plaisance Eric P. , JiméNez‐Maldonado Alberto
Published: August 2019

Background: Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases neuronal viability and cognitive function, peripheral lipid metabolism and skeletal muscle repair. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short‐term high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum BDNF concentrations in healthy young women. Methods: Seventeen women (age:22 ± 1 years); body mass index (BMI:24.2 ± 2.2 kg/m²), body fat percentage (% fat:25.8 ± 4.7) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a control (n = 8) or HIIT group (n = 9). All participants performed a graded exercise test (GXT) on an electronically‐braked cycle ergometer to determine maximal aerobic power (MAP, Watts). HIIT was performed three days per week for four weeks. Each HIIT session consisted of three to five cycling bouts of 30 s each at 80% MAP, followed by four‐minutes of recovery at 40% MAP. Forty‐eight hours after the last bout of exercise, both groups performed a follow‐up GXT. Non‐fasting blood samples were collected before and immediately after each GXT. Mixed factorial (2 groups x 4 measures, and 2 groups x 2 measures) ANOVA was used to assess BDNF concentrations, performance and anthropometric variables. Results: Serum BDNF concentrations in the HIIT group (21.9 ± 1.3 ng/mL) increased compared to control (19.2 ± 2.8 ng/mL) (∼12%, P < 0.05) following HIIT. In contrast, circulating BDNF concentrations were reduced following the GXT (P < 0.05). The MAP and % Fat did not change with HIIT. Conclusions: Twelve sessions of HIIT increases circulating BDNF concentrations in healthy young women despite no change in physical performance or % fat.
Qualitative tool for designing natural protected areas and ecological restoration projects
Authors: Pan Xubin
Published: August 2019

The rotational symmetry connection between the Species-Area Relationship (SAR) and Endemics-Area Relationship (EAR) was discovered in the frame of Species-Area Theory. In this paper, this paired connection was applied into the impact of variation of number of species and area and dynamic change of species-abundance distribution on the curve shape of SAR and EAR, which can be integrated into the assessment of Natural Protected Areas and Ecological Restoration Projects. The results indicate that the underestimate or overestimate of total number of species can lead to the underestimate or overestimate of extinction rate, while the reduction or expansion of area can lead to the increase or decrease in extinction rate. In addition, the species-abundance distribution change of community causes the shape tuning of SAR and EAR, which leads to inconsistent change of extinction rate. Thus, this SAT frame can be used as a qualitative tool in conservation and restoration management.
Flat-field calibration method for hyperspectral frame cameras
Authors: Kokka Alexander , Pulli Tomi , Honkavaara Eija , Markelin Lauri , Kärhä Petri , Ikonen Erkki
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a method for characterising spatial responsivity of hyperspectral cameras. Knowing the responsivity of the camera as a function of pixel coordinates allows applying a flat-field correction on image data. The method is based on scanning the field of view of the camera with a broadband radiance source, based on an integrating sphere, and combining the captured frames to synthesise a uniform radiance source filling the whole field of view of the camera at the focus distance. The method was compared with a traditional approach where the aperture of an integrating sphere is imaged from a close distance, filling the entire field of view of the camera. The measurement setup was tested with a hyperspectral camera, based on a tunable Fabry–Pérot interferometer. Without the flat-field correction, the average standard deviation of the pixel responsivities across all the spectral channels of the camera was 3.78%. After the correction, the average standard deviation was reduced to 0.40% and 3.25% for the aperture-scanning method and the close-distance method, respectively. The expanded uncertainty (k  =  2) for the flat-field correction obtained using the scanning method was 0.68%–0.78%, depending on the spectral channel of the camera.
'Mis-sold' UKAEA pensions set for probe
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: August 2019

An investigation into a collapsed pension scheme for former employees of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is a step nearer after a bill supporting it passed its first readings in parliament.
Battle of the elements: readers' choice
Authors: Nguyen Dinh , Gross Tom , Jäkel Oliver , Reilly John , Dobson Peter , Steinitz Michael , Kerchen Joe , Johnson Mark , Bussey Peter
Published: August 2019

To mark the International Year of the Periodic Table, nine Physics World journalists have picked their favourite chemical element and argued their case on the Physics World blog.
Giant leaps for knowledge
Authors: Nelson Sue
Published: August 2019

NASA’s Apollo 11 mission will forever be remembered as the first to land humans on the Moon. But the mission and the rest of the Apollo programme should also be remembered for the science it achieved and enabled. Sue Nelson explores Apollo’s scientific legacy
Race to lunar space
Authors: Glester Andrew
Published: August 2019

“The most authoritative book ever written about Apollo” – that’s the bold claim on the back cover of my copy of Apollo 11: the Inside Story by David Whitehouse, especially when you consider the books written by some of the lunar astronauts themselves.
Diamonds are a physicist's best friend
Authors: Gallo Pascal , Photopoulos Julianna
Published: August 2019

Julianna Photopoulos talks to Pascal Gallo, co-founder and chief executive of Swiss start-up company LakeDiamond, about his career in quantum physics and crystal growth
Google fails in search for cold fusion
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: August 2019

Scientists at Google and several research institutes in North America have reopened what they call the “cold case” of cold fusion.
US energy department bans foreign recruitment drives
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: August 2019

The US Department of Energy (DOE) says it will ban its scientists from taking part in recruitment programmes sponsored by foreign governments.
Imagining Equality in a Gilded Age: Edward Bellamy’s Radical Utopian Critique of Progressivism
Authors: Cadle Nathaniel
Published: August 2019

Equality (1897), Edward Bellamy’s sequel to his bestseller Looking Backward (1888), has received significantly less critical attention than its predecessor has, with scholars often dismissing it as a minor extension or revision of the author’s utopian vision. Situating Bellamy’s sequel alongside his growing disenchantment with the pace of Progressive reform, this essay argues that Equality radically reframes Bellamy’s utopian project as an extended critique of the economic inequalities of capitalism and the putatively democratic processes that sustain those inequalities. Recovering the full extent of Bellamy’s radicalism during the Gilded Age and the rise of Progressivism offers twenty-first-century readers the opportunity to rethink the range of possible responses to present-day economic inequality.
A bioinformatic pipeline to analyze ChIP-exo datasets
Authors: Börlin Christoph S , Bergenholm David , Holland Petter , Nielsen Jens
Published: August 2019

The decrease of sequencing cost in the recent years has made genome-wide studies of transcription factor (TF) binding through chromatin immunoprecipitation methods like ChIP-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation with lambda exonuclease (ChIP-exo) more accessible to a broader group of users. Especially with ChIP-exo, it is now possible to map TF binding sites in more detail and with less noise than previously possible. These improvements came at the cost of making the analysis of the data more challenging, which is further complicated by the fact that to this date no complete pipeline is publicly available. Here we present a workflow developed specifically for ChIP-exo data and demonstrate its capabilities for data analysis. The pipeline, which is completely publicly available on GitHub, includes all necessary analytical steps to obtain a high confidence list of TF targets starting from raw sequencing reads. During the pipeline development, we emphasized the inclusion of different quality control measurements and we show how to use these so users can have confidence in their obtained results.
Commensal Bacteria Regulate Gene Expression and Differentiation in Vertebrate Olfactory Systems Through Transcription Factor REST
Authors: Casadei Elisa , Tacchi Luca , Lickwar Colin R , Espenschied Scott T , Davison James M , Muñoz Pilar , Rawls John F , Salinas Irene
Published: August 2019

Sensory systems such as the olfactory system detect chemical stimuli and thereby determine the relationships between the animal and its surroundings. Olfaction is one of the most conserved and ancient sensory systems in vertebrates. The vertebrate olfactory epithelium is colonized by complex microbial communities, but microbial contribution to host olfactory gene expression remains unknown. In this study, we show that colonization of germ-free zebrafish and mice with microbiota leads to widespread transcriptional responses in olfactory organs as measured in bulk tissue transcriptomics and RT-qPCR. Germ-free zebrafish olfactory epithelium showed defects in pseudostratification; however, the size of the olfactory pit and the length of the cilia were not different from that of colonized zebrafish. One of the mechanisms by which microbiota control host transcriptional programs is by differential expression and activity of specific transcription factors (TFs). REST (RE1 silencing transcription factor, also called NRSF) is a zinc finger TF that binds to the conserved motif repressor element 1 found in the promoter regions of many neuronal genes with functions in neuronal development and differentiation. Colonized zebrafish and mice showed increased nasal expression of REST, and genes with reduced expression in colonized animals were strongly enriched in REST-binding motifs. Nasal commensal bacteria promoted in vitro differentiation of Odora cells by regulating the kinetics of REST expression. REST knockdown resulted in decreased Odora cell differentiation in vitro. Our results identify a conserved mechanism by which microbiota regulate vertebrate olfactory transcriptional programs and reveal a new role for REST in sensory organs.
Distal Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1–Positive Individuals Before and After Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation in Diverse Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Vecchio Alyssa C , Marra Christina M , Schouten Jeffrey , Jiang Hongyu , Kumwenda Johnstone , Supparatpinyo Khuanchai , Hakim James , Sacktor Ned , Campbell Thomas B , Tripathy Srikanth , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , La Rosa Alberto , Santos Breno , Silva Marcus T , Kanyama Cecilia , Firnhaber Cindy , Hosseinipour Mina C , Mngqibisa Rosie , Hall Colin , Cinque Paola , Robertson Kevin
Published: August 2019

Background

Distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) is a complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We estimate DSPN prevalence in 7 resource-limited settings (RLSs) for combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)–naive people living with HIV (PLWH) compared with matched participants not living with HIV and in PLWH virally suppressed on 1 of 3 cART regimens.

Methods

PLWH with a CD4+ count <300 cells/mm3 underwent standardized neurological examination and functional status assessments before and every 24 weeks after starting cART. Matched individuals not living with HIV underwent the same examinations once.

Associations between covariates with DSPN at entry were assessed using the χ2 test, and virally suppressed PLWH were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Before initiating cART, 21.3% of PLWH had DSPN compared with 8.5% of people not living with HIV (n = 2400; χ2(df = 1) = 96.5; P < .00001). PLWH with DSPN were more likely to report inability to work [χ2(df = 1) = 10.6; P = .001] and depression [χ2(df = 1) = 8.9; P = .003] than PLWH without DSPN. Overall prevalence of DSPN among those virally suppressed on cART decreased: 20.3%, week 48; 15.3%, week 144; and 10.3%, week 192. Incident DSPN was seen in 127 PLWH. Longitudinally, DSPN was more likely in older individuals (P < .001) and PLWH with less education (P = .03). There was no significant association between cART regimen and DSPN.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence of DSPN decreased following cART initiation in PLWH, further research could identify strategies to prevent or ameliorate residual DSPN after initiating cART in RLSs.