bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between seasonal influenza-like illness cases and foetal death: a time series analysis
Authors: Rasmussen I. S. , Mortensen L. H. , Krause T. G. , Nybo Andersen A-M.
Published: December 2018

It has been reported that foetal death follows a seasonal pattern. Influenza virus infection has been postulated as one possible contributor to this seasonal variation. This ecological study explored the temporal association between the influenza activity and the frequency of foetal death. Time series analysis was conducted using weekly influenza-like illness consultation proportions from the Danish sentinel surveillance system and weekly proportions of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths from hospital registers from 1994 to 2009. The association was examined in an autoregressive (AR) integrated (I) moving average (MA) model and subsequently analysed with cross-correlation functions. Our findings confirmed the well-known seasonality in influenza, but also seasonality in spontaneous abortion. No clear pattern of seasonality was found for stillbirths, although the analysis exposed dependency between observations. One final AR integrated MA model was identified for the influenza-like illness (ILI) series. We found no statistically significant relationship between weekly influenza-like illness consultation proportions and weekly spontaneous abortion proportions (five lags: P = 0.52; 11 lags: P = 0.91) or weekly stillbirths (five lags: P = 0.93; 11 lags: P = 0.40). Exposure to circulating influenza during pregnancy was not associated with rates of spontaneous abortions or stillbirths. Seasonal variations in spontaneous abortion were confirmed and this phenomenon needs further investigation.
NEW TAXA AND NEW COMBINATIONS IN THE BRITISH FLORA
Authors: Rich T. C. G. , McVeigh A. , Stace C. A.
Published: December 2018

Four new taxa and nine new combinations are required for forthcoming floristic works by the authors. The new taxa are Centaurium tenuiflorum (Hoffmanns. & Link) Fritsch subsp. anglicum T.C.G.Rich & McVeigh, subsp. nov.; Centaurium × klattii P.Fourn. ex T.C.G.Rich, hyb. nov.; Centaurium × ubsdellii T.C.G.Rich, hyb. nov.; and Gentianella amarella (L.) Börner subsp. occidentalis T.C.G.Rich & McVeigh, subsp. nov. The new combinations are Centaurium erythraea Rafn var. latifolium (Sm.) T.C.G.Rich, comb. et stat. nov.; Gentianella amarella (L.) Börner subsp. anglica (Pugsley) T.C.G.Rich & McVeigh, comb. et stat. nov.; Aria parviloba (T.C.G.Rich) Sennikov & Kurtto, comb. nov.; Cotula sessilis (Ruiz & Pav.) Stace, comb. nov.; Elymus × drucei (Stace) Stace, comb. nov.; Elymus repens (L.) Gould f. aristatus (Schumach.) Stace, comb. nov.; Elymus athericus (Link) Kerguélen f. setigerus (Dumort.) Stace, comb. nov.; Ulmus minor Mill. subsp. cornubiensis (Weston) Stace, comb. et stat. nov.; and Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants var. anthelmintica (L.) Stace, comb. nov.
Prevalence of aspirin resistance by thromboelastography plus platelet mapping in children with CHD: a single-centre experience
Authors: Berganza Fernando M. , Gonzalez de Alba Cesar , Egbe Alexander C. , Bartakian Sergio , Brownlee John
Published: December 2018

Rationale

Aspirin resistance has been reported in up to 80% of children with cardiovascular defects undergoing surgery. Because of a patient who had embolic stroke while on therapeutic aspirin dose but in whom aspirin resistance was present on his thromboelastography platelet mapping, we chose to obtain thromboelastography platelet mapping on cardiac patients on aspirin to assess their risk.

Objectives

This study evaluates aspirin resistance noted in these patients and their characteristics.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective study of 25 patients taking aspirin for a month at therapeutic dose. In total, 11 female patients were enrolled. Ages in all subjects were 5 months to 27 years. A total of 19 patients had a Fontan surgery. Three had a cavopulomanary anastomosis, one had a hybrid procedure, and two had coronary anomalies. Compliance was assessed at the time of the clinic visit. Aspirin resistance was defined as platelet inhibition below 50%. Variables evaluated were level of platelet inhibition, age, body mass index, and gender.
Two Cultures and Our Encyclopaedic Brain
Authors: Changeux Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2018

I support a fundamental principle stressed by theEncyclopédie, that theUnity of Knowledgeis the direct consequence of the unity of the human brain. All of us are animated by what Claude Bernard called a ‘kind of thirst for the unknown’ which ennobles and enlivens scientific inquiry. We must humbly confess for now our immense ignorance –ignoramus. But to satisfy Claude Bernard’s ‘ardent desire for knowledge’ we should never say, as some philosophers still do,ignorabimusabout the human brain. Thanks to recent developments in neuroscience, we can now propose a common set of brain processes that account for the production of the diversity of knowledge. Thanks to these processes, we can work on a reunification of the true, the good and the beautiful, not as a uniform, monotonous culture, but as a network of cooperative diversity favouring intellectual and emotional exchanges among disciplines.
Do cognitive and neuropsychological functioning deficits coincide with hippocampal alteration during first-psychotic episode?
Authors: Kadriu Bashkim , Gu Wen , Korenis Panagiota , Levine Jeffrey M
Published: December 2018

Background

Numerous studies shown that structural hippocampal alterations are present in subjects at high risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia. These findings indicate that in a subset of patients undergoing first-psychosis episode (FPE), hippocampal volume alterations are accompanied by associated cognitive and neuropsychological deficits. The combination of psychological deficits and neuroanatomical alterations, in turn, appears to increase treatment complexity and worsen clinical outcomes.

Objective

We aim to determine whether cognitive and neuropsychological functioning deficits precede or follow hippocampal alterations during early onset psychosis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study describes 3 case-studies of adolescent subjects, ages 16–17, admitted at the child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit in lieu of first psychotic episode. We conducted detailed structured clinical psychiatric interviews, anatomical-structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sleep-deprived electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, laboratory testing, and a comprehensive battery of psychological testing to better understand their clinical pictures.

Results

Psychological testing in each patient demonstrated the presence of low to borderline intellectual functioning coupled with neuropsychological deficits in different psychiatric domains. Interestingly, these changes coincided with structural MRI alterations in the hippocampal area.

Conclusions

Our case report adds to the armamentarium of literature signifying that radiologically detectable alterations of the hippocampus may occur either concomitantly or closely following the development of early cognitive deficits in patients with FPE.
UNIFICATION IN SUPERINTUITIONISTIC PREDICATE LOGICS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: DZIK WOJCIECH , WOJTYLAK PIOTR
Published: December 2018

We introduce unification in first-order logic. In propositional logic, unification was introduced by S. Ghilardi, see Ghilardi (1997, 1999, 2000). He successfully applied it in solving systematically the problem of admissibility of inference rules in intuitionistic and transitive modal propositional logics. Here we focus on superintuitionistic predicate logics and apply unification to some old and new problems: definability of disjunction and existential quantifier, disjunction and existential quantifier under implication, admissible rules, a basis for the passive rules, (almost) structural completeness, etc. For this aim we apply modified specific notions, introduced in propositional logic by Ghilardi, such as projective formulas, projective unifiers, etc.

Unification in predicate logic seems to be harder than in the propositional case. Any definition of the key concept of substitution for predicate variables must take care of individual variables. We allow adding new free individual variables by substitutions (contrary to Pogorzelski & Prucnal (1975)). Moreover, since predicate logic is not as close to algebra as propositional logic, direct application of useful algebraic notions of finitely presented algebras, projective algebras, etc., is not possible.
The quest for perfect electromagnetic absorber: a review
Authors: Tirkey Manish Mathew , Gupta Nisha
Published: December 2018

This paper specifies a concise review of recent research and development in the context of electromagnetic absorbers. An attempt has been made to justify the need for economical and thin microwave absorbers for achieving good absorption characteristics over a wide range of frequencies within a specified band of electromagnetic spectrum. This paper mainly focuses on the challenges encountered while designing a perfect electromagnetic absorber which can absorb electromagnetic radiations of any polarization that may appear from any direction and may occur over a broader bandwidth. The absorbers which are competent enough to withstand all these challenges are capable to suppress the reflection and transmission of unknown electromagnetic radiations efficiently to the lowest possible level. Several prospects of nanotechnology in flexible absorber design are also described to enhance absorber characteristics. This paper also provides a futuristic glimpse on several applications of such absorbers for commercial and military purposes.
Validation of a Questionnaire for Personality Profiling using Cognitive Diagnostic Modeling
Authors: Revuelta Javier , Halty Lucia , Ximénez Carmen
Published: December 2018

This article describes the development of the ENCUIST (Extroversion, Neuroticism, Callous-Unemotional, Instability, Short-Test) questionnaire, which has been created to provide a personality profiling method based on a cognitive diagnostic modeling framework. The ENCUIST measures the attributes of extroversion, neuroticism, callous unemotionality and overt expressions of anger that are relevant in a forensic context. The scores provided by the ENCUIST are binary classifications of the individuals (high/low) in these attributes. The ENCUIST was developed using a sample of 516 subjects to study its validation through psychometric procedures, including factor analysis, cognitive diagnostic modeling and structural equation modeling. The results supported a four-factor structure. Linear regressions were used to evaluate the predictive validity of the scores provided by ENCUIST with respect to two external criteria that are relevant in the forensic context, namely behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition. The results showed that the extroversion dimension is positively related to behavioral activation, although the effect size is modest and the proportion of explained variance is only 11%. Moreover, the dimensions of neuroticism and anger expression are positively related to behavioral inhibition, with 7% of the variance explained. Together, these results suggest that cognitive diagnostic models are useful tools for the elaboration of personality profiles based on classifying subjects along binary attributes.
Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ)
Authors: Vázquez M. Belén , Pereira Beatriz , Míguez M. Carmen
Published: December 2018

Although pregnancy increases the vulnerability to anxiety, no specific assessment instruments are usually used to detect it. The objective of this study was to adapt the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ) to Spanish population, as well as analyze its validity and reliability. A sample of 367 nulliparous pregnant women with a normal risk status filled in a socio-demographic and obstetric-gynaecological questionnaire, the PRAQ, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). After performing a factorial analysis, a five-factor model that explains 53.1% of the variance was obtained. Estimates of internal consistency reliability were adequate (range = .78 to .93) for the five factors included in the final confirmatory factor analysis, and for the total scale (.97). Significant correlation among PRAQ, EPDS, and STAI was found (p< .001). The 85th percentile (score 234 or more) was used as a cut-off point to identify those women with high pregnancy-specific anxiety. In accordance with the results obtained, the PRAQ can be considered a useful screening tool to evaluate pregnancy-related anxiety among the Spanish population.
Inverse Determination of the Influence of Fire on Vegetation Carbon Turnover in the Pantropics
Authors: Exbrayat Jean‐François , Smallman T. Luke , Bloom A. Anthony , Hutley Lindsay B. , Williams Mathew
Published: December 2018

Fire is a major component of the terrestrial carbon cycle that has been implemented in most current global terrestrial ecosystem models. Here we use terrestrial carbon cycle observations to characterize the importance of fire regime gradients in the spatial distribution of ecosystem functional properties such as carbon allocation, fluxes, and turnover times in the tropics. A Bayesian model‐data fusion approach is applied to an ecosystem carbon model to derive the posterior distribution of corresponding parameters for the tropics from 2000 to 2015. We perform the model‐data fusion procedure twice, that is, with and without imposing fire. Gradient of differences in model parameters and ecosystem properties in response to fire emerge between these experiments. For example, mean annual burned fraction correlates with an increase in carbon use efficiency and reductions in carbon turnover times. Further, our analyses reveal an increased allocation to more fire‐resistant tissues in the most frequently burned regions. As fire modules are increasingly implemented in global terrestrial ecosystem models, we recommend that model development includes a representation of the impact of fire on ecosystem properties as they may lead to large differences under climate change projections.
Comment on “Distinct Thresholds for the Initiation and Cessation of Aeolian Saltation From Field Measurements” by Raleigh L. Martin and Jasper F. Kok: Alternative Interpretation of Measured Thresholds as Two Distinct Cessation Thresholds
Authors: Pähtz Thomas
Published: December 2018

Martin and Kok (2018a, https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JF004416) measured two distinct aeolian saltation transport thresholds: a larger threshold below which continuous saltation transport becomes intermittent and a smaller threshold below which intermittent saltation transport ceases. In the spirit of Bagnold, they interpreted the former threshold as the fluid threshold, associated with transport initiation, and the latter threshold as the impact threshold, associated with transport cessation. Here I describe and support an alternative interpretation of these two thresholds as two distinct cessation thresholds associated with splash entrainment and, respectively, with compensating energy losses of rebounding particles. This interpretation was recently proposed by Pähtz and Durán (2018a, https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JF004580). To resolve this controversy, further field studies are needed.
Modeling Rainfall‐Runoff and Soil Erosion Processes on Hillslopes With Complex Rill Network Planform
Authors: Wu Songbai , Chen Li , Wang Ninglian , Yu Minghui , Assouline Shmuel
Published: December 2018

The effect of rill network planforms on hillslope rainfall‐runoff and soil erosion processes is usually neglected in modeling practices, although they can markedly alter the hydrologic and geomorphic processes. Based on the CeRIRM model and WEPP erosion theory, a simple approach is developed to account for these effects. In the framework, several characteristic parameters including the average rill width, rill orientation angle, the number of rills, and number of discontinuous rills and their variations along the hillslope are introduced to represent the planar characteristics of the rill network. The model is tested against experimental erosion data from a hillslope subjected to three successive rainfall events, resulting in continuous rill network evolution. The results show that rill network planforms alter the partitioning of interrill and rill flows, thereby modifying the hydraulics, erosion, and sedimentation in the rills. Rill characteristics are found to significantly affect the amount of rill erosion. The new approach is compared to WEPP, which ignores rill network features. The WEPP approach of simulating rill erosion on hillslopes using one set of model parameters leads to errors that are up to 30% larger than the new approach that is able to account for spatially and temporally varying rill characteristics. The differences in cumulative rill erosion amounts between the two models vary significantly with slope length, slope angle, rill orientation angle, number of rills, and discontinuous rills. The results are valuable for the development of general rainfall‐runoff and soil erosion models on hillslopes with complex geomorphic features.
Non-invasive monitoring of alternative splicing outcomes to identify candidate therapies for myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Hu Ningyan , Antoury Layal , Baran Timothy M. , Mitra Soumya , Bennett C. Frank , Rigo Frank , Foster Thomas H. , Wheeler Thurman M.
Published: December 2018

During drug development, tissue samples serve as indicators of disease activity and pharmacodynamic responses. Reliable non-invasive measures of drug target engagement will facilitate identification of promising new treatments. Here we develop and validate a novel bi-transgenic mouse model of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) in which expression of either DsRed or GFP is determined by alternative splicing of an upstream minigene that is mis-regulated in DM1. Using a novel in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy system, we show that quantitation of the DsRed/GFP ratio provides an accurate estimation of splicing outcomes in muscle tissue of live mice that nearly doubles throughput over conventional fluorescence imaging techniques. Serial in vivo spectroscopy measurements in mice treated with a C16 fatty acid ligand conjugated antisense (LICA) oligonucleotide reveal a dose-dependent therapeutic response within seven days, confirm a several-week duration of action, and demonstrate a two-fold greater target engagement as compared to the unconjugated parent oligonucleotide.
Creation of equal-spin triplet superconductivity at the Al/EuS interface
Authors: Diesch S. , Machon P. , Wolz M. , Sürgers C. , Beckmann D. , Belzig W. , Scheer E.
Published: December 2018

In conventional superconductors, electrons of opposite spins are bound into Cooper pairs. However, when the superconductor is in contact with a non-uniformly ordered ferromagnet, an exotic type of superconductivity can appear at the interface, with electrons bound into three possible spin-triplet states. Triplet pairs with equal spin play a vital role in low-dissipation spintronics. Despite the observation of supercurrents through ferromagnets, spectroscopic evidence for the existence of equal-spin triplet pairs is still missing. Here we show a theoretical model that reveals a characteristic gap structure in the quasiparticle density of states which provides a unique signature for the presence of equal-spin triplet pairs. By scanning tunnelling spectroscopy we measure the local density of states to reveal the spin configuration of triplet pairs. We demonstrate that the Al/EuS interface causes strong and tunable spin-mixing by virtue of its spin-dependent transmission.
Association of B7-H4, PD-L1, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes with outcomes in breast cancer
Authors: Altan Mehmet , Kidwell Kelley M. , Pelekanou Vasiliki , Carvajal-Hausdorf Daniel E. , Schalper Kurt A. , Toki Maria I. , Thomas Dafydd G. , Sabel Michael S. , Hayes Daniel F. , Rimm David L.
Published: December 2018

B7-H4 (VTCN1) is a member of the CD28/B7 family of immune co-inhibitory molecules. The relationship of tumor and stromal B7-H4 protein expression with PD-L1, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and its association with clinico-pathological variables are not well defined. Herein, we explore the expression level of B7-H4 protein in breast cancer and evaluate its association with TILs, levels of PD-L1 expression, and clinico-pathological characteristics in two independent populations. In this study, we used multiplexed automated quantitative immunofluorescence (QIF) to measure the levels of B7-H4 and PD-L1 protein and determined TILs through pathologist assessment of H&E-stained preparations in over a thousand breast cancer cases from two institutions represented in tissue microarray format. Associations between the marker levels, major clinico-pathological variables, and survival were analyzed. We detected B7-H4 protein was highly expressed in both breast cancer and stromal cells. Its expression was independent of breast cancer intrinsic subtypes. PD-L1 expression was higher in triple negative breast cancers. Neither B7-H4 nor PD-L1 were associated with survival in breast cancer. Our study shows there is a mutually exclusive pattern of B7-H4 with both tumor PD-L1 expression and TILs in all breast cancers, independent of breast cancer intrinsic subtype. This exclusive pattern suggests that some breast tumors may preferentially use one B7-related immune evasion mechanism/pathway. This could explain the clinical benefit that is seen only in a fraction of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors directed exclusively towards PD-L1 in breast cancer.
Quantum-optimal detection of one-versus-two incoherent optical sources with arbitrary separation
Authors: Lu Xiao-Ming , Krovi Hari , Nair Ranjith , Guha Saikat , Shapiro Jeffrey H.
Published: December 2018

We analyze the fundamental quantum limit of the resolution of an optical imaging system from the perspective of the detection problem of deciding whether the optical field in the image plane is generated by one incoherent on-axis source with brightness $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
or by two $$\epsilon {\mathrm{/}}2$$

ϵ
∕
2

-brightness incoherent sources that are symmetrically disposed about the optical axis. Using the exact thermal-state model of the field, we derive the quantum Chernoff bound for the detection problem, which specifies the optimum rate of decay of the error probability with increasing number of collected photons that is allowed by quantum mechanics. We then show that recently proposed linear-optic schemes approach the quantum Chernoff bound—the method of binary spatial-mode demultiplexing (B-SPADE) is quantum-optimal for all values of separation, while a method using image inversion interferometry (SLIVER) is near-optimal for sub-Rayleigh separations. We then simplify our model using a low-brightness approximation that is very accurate for optical microscopy and astronomy, derive quantum Chernoff bounds conditional on the number of photons detected, and show the optimality of our schemes in this conditional detection paradigm. For comparison, we analytically demonstrate the superior scaling of the Chernoff bound for our schemes with source separation relative to that of spatially resolved direct imaging. Our schemes have the advantages over the quantum-optimal (Helstrom) measurement in that they do not involve joint measurements over multiple modes, and that they do not require the angular separation for the two-source hypothesis to be given a priori and can offer that information as a bonus in the event of a successful detection.
Safety evaluation of frequent application of microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound blood-brain-barrier opening
Authors: Tsai Hong-Chieh , Tsai Chih-Hung , Chen Wen-Shiang , Inserra Claude , Wei Kuo-Chen , Liu Hao-Li
Published: December 2018

Focused ultrasound (FUS) with the presence of microbubbles induces blood brain barrier (BBB) opening in targeted areas and facilitates drug delivery. However, recent studies have indicated that FUS-BBB opening with excessive exposure levels may be associated with inflammatory response and cellular/tissue damage. Multiple weekly FUS exposures have been shown to be safe for human subjects. However the effect of more frequent FUS exposures is still unknown. This study examines whether frequent focused ultrasound blood brain barrier opening is associated with aggravated behavioral, histopathologic change or brain tissue damage. Two protocols of focused ultrasound blood brain barrier opening were devised using different microbubble doses (0.15 µl/kg and 0.4 µl/kg). Focused ultrasound exposure at a threshold level of BBB-opening, below-threshold level, or above level for intracerebral hemorrhage were delivered every 2 days. Animal behavioral and physiological changes were examined and recorded. Brain tissue was examined for hemorrhage and apoptosis. Results indicate that frequent exposure of excessive focused ultrasound (1.4 mechanical index) produced minor and short-term behavioral changes despite significant tissue damage, while frequent BBB opening with threshold or below-threshold FUS exposure (0.33–0.8 mechanical index) did not cause behavioral or histological change. Immunofluorescent examination of rat brain tissue indicated that excessive doses of microbubble administration induce an apparent cellular apoptotic response, which may be exacerbated by intracerebral hemorrhage. Experimental results suggest that frequent focused ultrasound blood brain barrier opening with sufficient ultrasound exposure level and a microbubble dose can be safe and pose minimal risk to brain tissue.
Exploration of potential risks of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Using Geographically Weighted Regression Model
Authors: Hong Zhimin , Hao Hui , Li Chunyang , Du Wala , Wei Lidong , Wang Huhu
Published: December 2018

To quantify the associations between the spatial characteristics of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemic and meteorological factors (average temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), average pressure (AP), average wind speed (AW) and average rainfall (AR)), child population density (CPD) and Per capita GDP (GDP) in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, and to detect the variation of influence in different seasons and counties, geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was constructed. The monthly cumulative incidence (CI) of HFMD was worked out for children ≤9 years from June to December, 2016. The results revealed that GWR model had a far superior goodness-of-fit for describing the relationship between the risk factors and HFMD incidence. Meteorological factors had different significance in their effect on HFMD incidence depending on the season. AT and AR had the greatest impact on HFMD in summer. The influence of RH on HFMD was significant in early autumn. AW was negatively correlated with HFMD in summer and positively correlated in autumn and winter. The effects of AW and AP on the incidence of HFMD were statistically significant in winter. GDP and CPD were not significantly related to HFMD occurrence for most time periods.
Volatilomic insight of head and neck cancer via the effects observed on saliva metabolites
Authors: Taware Ravindra , Taunk Khushman , Pereira Jorge A. M. , Shirolkar Amey , Soneji Dharmesh , Câmara José S. , Nagarajaram H. A. , Rapole Srikanth
Published: December 2018

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous malignant disease with distinct global distribution. Metabolic adaptations of HNC are significantly gaining clinical interests nowadays. Here, we investigated effects of HNC on differential expression of volatile metabolites in human saliva. We applied headspace solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of saliva samples collected from 59 human subjects (HNC − 32, Control − 27). We identified and quantified 48 volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) and observed profound effects of HNC on these metabolites. These effects were VOM specific and significantly differed in the biologically comparable healthy controls. HNC induced changes in salivary VOM composition were well attributed to in vivo metabolic effects. A panel of 15 VOMs with variable importance in projection (VIP) score >1, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p-value < 0.05 and log2 fold change (log2 FC) value of ≥0.58/≤−0.58 were regarded as discriminatory metabolites of pathophysiological importance. Afterwards, receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) projected certain VOMs viz., 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2-decanediol, 2,5-bis1,1-dimethylethylphenol and E-3-decen-2-ol with profound metabolic effects of HNC and highest class segregation potential. Moreover, metabolic pathways analysis portrayed several dysregulated pathways in HNC, which enhanced our basic understanding on salivary VOM changes. Our observations could redefine several known/already investigated systemic phenomenons (e.g. biochemical pathways). These findings will inspire further research in this direction and may open unconventional avenues for non-invasive monitoring of HNC and its therapy in the future.
Comparative Analysis of Peptide Composition and Bioactivity of Different Collagen Hydrolysate Batches on Human Osteoarthritic Synoviocytes
Authors: Simons Viktor S. , Lochnit Guenter , Wilhelm Jochen , Ishaque Bernd , Rickert Markus , Steinmeyer Juergen
Published: December 2018

Collagen hydrolysates (CHs) are heterogeneous mixtures of collagen peptides that are often used as nutraceuticals for osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we compared the peptide composition and pharmacological effects of three different CH preparations (CH-Alpha®, Peptan®B 2000 and Mobiforte®) as well as their production batches. Our biochemical analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and the ICPL™-isotope labelling method revealed marked differences between different CH preparations and even between some production batches of the same preparation. We also investigated the pharmacological effects of these CHs on human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). No significant effects on cultured FLS could be demonstrated for either production batch of CH-Alpha®, Peptan®B 2000, and Mobiforte®analyzing a small number of pharmacological relevant targets. Thus, our study already shows for the first time that different production batches of the same CH preparation as well as different CH preparations can differ significantly in their peptide composition. In this line, further studies are also needed to verify equal pharmacological efficacy of CH batches on a much broader range of (patho)physiological relevant targets. If OA patients are to be offered a safe and effective nutraceutical a better knowledge about all potential effects as well as ensuring the same active-substance levels are a prerequisite.
Comparison of four staining methods for detecting eosinophils in nasal polyps
Authors: Song Yu , Yin Jinshu , Chang Hong , Zhou Quan , Peng Hong , Ji Wei , Song Qingkun
Published: December 2018

The study aimed to find a more appropriate method to detect eosinophils in formalin- fixed nasal polyps, since there is no consensus on the standard counting method of eosinophils now. Four 5 μm serial sections were obtained from each 10% neutral formalin-fixed paraffin block and were stained with Chromotrope 2R, Congo red, MBPmAb immunohistochemistry, and conventional hematoxylin and eosin stain respectively. Each section was scanned by the Aperio digital section scanner. The same selected areas were procured for assessment in the serial sections. Chromotrope 2R and MBPmAb immunohistochemistry were specific in detecting eosinophils, which had the lower background staining compared with Congo red and conventional hematoxylin and eosin stain. There were significant differences among the four methods in terms of the eosinophil counting data (p < 0.05), while no significant difference between Chromotrope 2R and Congo red (P = 0.1413). The eosinophil counts in nasal polyps could be more accurately assessed by Chromotrope 2R and Congo red compared with MBPmAb immunohistochemistry and conventional hematoxylin and eosin stain. The popularization of Chromotrope 2R and Congo red may help to unify the eosinophil count in the definition of eosinophilic CRSwNP.
Association between genotype and disease complications in Egyptian patients with beta thalassemia: A Cross-sectional study
Authors: Hassan Tamer , Zakaria Marwa , Fathy Manar , Arafa Mohamed , El Gebaly Sherif , Emam Ahmed , Abdel Wahab Attia , Shehab Mohamed , Salah Hosam , Malek Mai , El Gerby Khaled
Published: December 2018

In beta thalassemia, the degree of globin chain imbalance is determined by the nature of the mutation of the β-gene. β° refers to the complete absence of production of β-globin on the affected allele. β+ refers to alleles with some residual production of β-globin. The homozygous state results in severe anemia that necessitates regular blood transfusion. On the other hand, frequent blood transfusion can lead to iron overload resulting in progressive dysfunction of the heart, Liver as well as multiple endocrinopathies. We studied the impact of genotype on the development of disease complications in patients with β thalassemia. A Cross sectional study was carried on 73 patients with beta thalassemia. Genotyping was determined by DNA sequencing technique. Routine investigations as well as MRI liver and heart were performed to assess iron overload. We found that β+β+ was the most common genotype in our patients followed by β°β° and β°β+. Mean Liver iron content (LIC) was significantly higher in β°β° compared to β°β+ and β+β+ genotypes and mean cardiac T2* was significantly lower in β°β° compared to β°β+ and β+β+ genotypes. Hepatic complications, hepatitis C, cardiac complications and some endocrinopathies were significantly higher in patients with β°β° genotype compared to other genotypes which explain the role of the underlying genetic defect in thalassemia patients in development of disease complications.
Control of tunneling in an atomtronic switching device
Authors: Wilsmann Karin Wittmann , Ymai Leandro H. , Tonel Arlei Prestes , Links Jon , Foerster Angela
Published: December 2018

The precise control of quantum systems will play a major role in the realization of atomtronic devices. As in the case of electronic systems, a desirable property is the ability to implement switching. Here we show how to implement switching in a model of dipolar bosons confined to three coupled wells. The model describes interactions between bosons, tunneling of bosons between adjacent wells, and the effect of an external field. We conduct a study of the quantum dynamics of the system to probe the conditions under which switching behavior can occur. The analysis considers both integrable and non-integrable regimes within the model. Through variation of the external field, we demonstrate how the system can be controlled between various “switched-on” and “switched-off” configurations.
Chromatographic fingerprint based on serially coupled columns combined with multiple-component quantitation with a single reference standard for quality evaluation of Shen–Zhi–Ling oral liquid
Authors: Jiang Wenwen , Liu Xiaoyan , Su Mei , Zang Hengchang , Zeng Yingzi , Nie Lei
Published: December 2018

The HPLC fingerprints of Shen–Zhi–Ling oral liquid were developed based on the serial coupling of two columns.
Room temperature structure and transport properties of the incommensurate modulated LaNb0.88W0.12O4.06
Authors: Li Cheng , Pramana Stevin S. , Skinner Stephen J.
Published: December 2018

Cation ordering in the modulated La(Nb,W)O4+d phases has been demonstrated and the role of W in inducing occupancy modulation to this phase discussed. This is linked with the oxide ion transport, highlighting that modulated complex structures are viable candidates for ion conducting applications.
3D to 2D reorganization of silver–thiol nanostructures, triggered by solvent vapor annealing
Authors: Dell'Elce Simone , Liscio Fabiola , Kovtun Alessandro , Allegri Stefano , Roscioni Otello M. , Albonetti Cristiano , De Luca Giovanna , Amenitsch Heinz W. , Demitri Nicola , Giorgini Loris , Morandi Vittorio , Stellacci Francesco , Liscio Andrea , Palermo Vincenzo
Published: December 2018

Production and characterization of metal–organic self-assemblies with tuned structures triggered by solvent-vapor annealing.
A general and rapid room-temperature synthesis approach for metal sulphide nanocrystals with tunable properties
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Maixian , Yin Deqiang , Zhu Dewei , Swihart Mark T.
Published: December 2018

A rapid, room-temperature, and solution-phase synthesis produces high-quality, monodisperse metal sulphide nanocrystals with tunable properties.
Exploring the surface chemistry of cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Grisorio Roberto , Di Clemente Milvia Elena , Fanizza Elisabetta , Allegretta Ignazio , Altamura Davide , Striccoli Marinella , Terzano Roberto , Giannini Cinzia , Irimia-Vladu Mihai , Suranna Gian Paolo
Published: December 2018

The surface passivation by organic ligands of differently composed cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals was explored.
Direct Z scheme-fashioned photoanode systems consisting of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays and underlying thin Sb2Se3 layers toward enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting performance
Authors: Liao Aizhen , Zhou Yong , Xiao Leixin , Zhang Chunfeng , Wu Congping , Asiri Adullah M. , Xiao Min , Zou Zhigang
Published: December 2018

An elegant Z-scheme-fashioned photoanode consisting of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays and underlying thin Sb2Se3 layers was rationally constructed.
Ultra-small and recyclable zero-valent iron nanoclusters for rapid and highly efficient catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol in water
Authors: Shi Dongyang , Zhu Guifen , Zhang Xiaodi , Zhang Xia , Li Xiang , Fan Jing
Published: December 2018

Zero-valent iron nanoclusters with an ultrafine size have been prepared by a micelle-assisted process, and exhibit high catalytic activity and stability.
In situstructural evolution of single particle model catalysts under ambient pressure reaction conditions
Authors: Fernández Sara , Gao Lu , Hofmann Jan Philipp , Carnis Jérôme , Labat Stéphane , Chahine Gilbert A. , van Hoof Arno J. F. , Verhoeven M. W. G. M. (Tiny) , Schülli Tobias U. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Thomas Olivier , Richard Marie-Ingrid
Published: December 2018

In situevolution of the strain and lattice orientation of single particle model catalysts.
Supramolecular polymerization: challenges and advantages of various methods in assessing the aggregation mechanism
Authors: Vill Roman , Gülcher Jochen , Khalatur Pavel , Wintergerst Pascal , Stoll Andreas , Mourran Ahmed , Ziener Ulrich
Published: December 2018

Caution must be exercised when evaluating data of supramolecular polymerization at high concentrations and various methods should be employed.
Atomistic real-space observation of the van der Waals layered structure and tailored morphology in VSe2
Authors: Lee Sunghun , Kim Jinsu , Park Yun Chang , Chun Seung-Hyun
Published: December 2018

The morphology of VSe2, identified as a 1T-phase in atomistic real-space, can be tailored simply by controlling the carrier gas flow rate.
Designing a novel tetradentate polyoxometalate eco-catalyst for the synthesis of β-aminocyclohexanone derivatives in water
Authors: Mozafari Roya , Heidarizadeh Fariba , Azaroon Maedeh
Published: December 2018

The synthesis of a series of known β-aminocyclohexanones has been accomplished using pentaerythrityl tetramethyl imidazolium phosphotungstate (C(MIM-PTA)4) as a new tetradentate acidic catalyst.
Analysis of thermal and electrical efficiency of photovoltaic/thermal – PV/T modules operating in moderate climate at microscale
Authors: Chwieduk Dorota , Bigorajski Jarosław
Published: December 2018

The paper presents an application concept for PV/T - Photovoltaic Thermal Technology in moderate climates (such as the Polish climate), at a micro scale, i.e. for a single family house. The paper analyses the operation of a PV/T system applied to Domestic Hot Water – DHW heating and electricity production. A mathematical model of the system operation has been developed. The paper focuses on modeling thermal and electrical efficiency of photovoltaic/thermal - PV/T modules. It also briefly presents the governing equations for the thermal energy balance of a storage tank, where thermal stratification effects take place. Some selected results of the numerical simulation of the PV/T system operation are described. Daily distribution of hourly averaged thermal and electrical efficiency of the PV/T modules without cover and with one glazing are presented. The PV/T systems do not give significant thermal energy output in winter. PV/T modules without glazing do not supply heat at all for three winter months, their highest thermal efficiency is in summer and it can be nearly 15%. In the same period glazed modules have efficiency equal to nearly 24%. However, the unglazed modules can give much more electrical energy in summer than those with glazing, and the electrical efficiency can reach the levels of 11.4% and 9.4%, respectively. In winter the difference is smaller, i.e. for unglazed the efficiency is 12.2%, and for glazed 11.2%.
Multi-objective analysis of an influence of a brine mineralization on an optimal evaporation temperature in ORC power plant
Authors: Jankowski Marcin , Wiśniewski Sławomir , Borsukiewicz Aleksandra
Published: December 2018

The fact that Organic Rankine cycle system is very promising technology in terms of electricity production using low grade heat sources, necessitates constant research in order to determine the best cycle configuration or choose the most suitable working fluid for certain application. In this paper, multi-objective optimization (MOO) approach has been applied in order to conduct an analysis that is to resolve if there is an influence of a mineralization of a geothermal water on an optimal evaporation temperature in ORC power plant with R1234yf as the working fluid.
Analysis of the possibility of utilization of waste heat from the marine engine in the ORC power plant
Authors: Kaczmarek Radomir , Stachel Aleksander
Published: December 2018

Modern marine diesel engines are characterized by ~50% conversion of chemical energy of fuel into useful work. The remaining amount of heat is lost to the environment as the so-called waste heat, whereby its part can be used in various marine heating installations. In the ship's engine the biggest source of waste heat, potentially useful for further use, both due to the amount of available energy and its quality, are exhaust emissions from the main engine. Taking into account the need for rational energy management, the paper presents a preliminary analysis and assessment of the possibility of using the heat of hot exhaust gases to generate electricity in the so-called low-temperature ORC installation. Based on the available data, the operation of ORC installation has been evaluated, taking into account the influence of engine operating parameters on the obtained electrical power and the cycle efficiency. The aim of the analysis was to demonstrate that there is a real possibility to use the waste heat from marine engine exhausts to drive the ORC and generate electricity.
The range of application of ORC power plant in power stations fed with low and medium thermal sources
Authors: Kujawa Tomasz , Nowak Władysław
Published: December 2018

The work presents the diagrams of the applied power plant solutions with a description of their operation and calculation algorithm. In the latter case, the cycle of thermodynamic transformations of the Rankine cycle presented in the T-s coordinate system was used, which reflects the subsequent transformations occurring in individual devices of the power plant, including the method of determining unit quantities characterizing their operation. The energy balance equations of the evaporator and the heater are presented, which among other things will be the basis for determining the coefficient that plays an important role in determining the range of applications of the single-circuit sub-critical power plant in the power plant/CHP plant. The coefficient ϕ was defined as the ratio of the mass stream of water flowing through the counter-current heat exchanger in which the liquid of the working medium is heated within the limits of condensation and evaporation temperatures, to the mass stream of water leaving the evaporator according to the dependence ϕ = ṁs1/ṁs. It has been assumed that a given mass stream of water ṁs at a given temperature Ts1 is heated in a heat exchanger which is the upper heat source. The calculations of the power plant for selected working fluids (R227ea, RC318, R1234ze and R1234yf) were made for different evaporation temperatures taking into account near-subcritical temperatures for selected supply water temperatures. On this basis, the figures ϕ = f(TEVAP) illustrating the application ranges of a single-circuit power plant in a power plant/CHP plant were drawn up. The analysis of the above figures became the basis for formulating final conclusions.
Designs of PCM based heat exchangers constructions for thermal energy storage tanks – examples and case study for selected design
Authors: Kuta Marta , Matuszewska Dominika , Wójcik Tadeusz Michał
Published: December 2018

Increasing energy consumption in residential and public buildings requires development of new technologies for thermal energy production and storage. One of possibilities for the second listed need is the use of phase change materials (PCMs). This work is focused on solutions in this area and consists of two parts. First one is focused on different designs of thermal energy storage (TES) tanks based on the phase change materials. The second part is the analysis of tests results for TES tank containing shelf and tube heat exchanger and filled with phase change material. Thermal energy storage tank is analyzed in order to use it in domestic heating and hot utility water installations. The aim of this research was to check the applicability of phase change material for mentioned purpose. Results show that using phase change materials for thermal energy storage can increase amount of stored heat. The use of properly selected PCM and heat exchanger enables the process of thermal energy storing and releasing to become more efficient.
Improving the energy efficiency of lighting systems by the use of solar radiation
Authors: Sowa Sławomir
Published: December 2018

The paper presents two ways of using the solar radiation to limit consumption of the electric power for lighting, i.e., increasing the energy efficiency of lighting systems. The solar radiation energy is a generally available type of renewable energy that to a large extent may influence a reduction in consumption of the electric power for lighting. Facilities designers and architects aim at ensuring the highest possible availability of natural lighting in rooms. Usually, lighting systems are not provided with an appropriate control system using the solar radiation. A lack of means for a correct control of the artificial lighting intensity is a factor hindering an improvement of the energy efficiency of the lighting systems. Implementation of the correct control system is possible when distribution of the lighting intensity in a room is known. The studies conducted in this area are a valuable source of information which can be used to develop control algorithms or determine optimum locations and parameters for installation of lighting fixtures. The second way for improving the energy efficiency of the lighting systems is a use of the solar radiation energy converted to the electric power to supply lighting systems.