bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red blood cell distribution width predicts long-term mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a retrospective database study
Authors: Jia Linpei , Cui Shijun , Yang Jingyan , Jia Qiang , Hao Lixiao , Jia Rufu , Zhang Hongliang
Published: March 2020

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication in the intensive care unit (ICU), which may increase the mortality of critically ill patients. The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has proved useful as a predictor of short-term prognosis in critically ill patients with AKI. However, it remains unknown whether RDW has a prognostic value of long-term all-cause mortality in these patients. The data of 18279 critically ill patients with AKI at first-time hospital admission were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. The tertiles of the RDW values were used to divide subjects into three groups, namely RDW < 13.6% for the low RDW group, 13.6% ≤ RDW < 15.2% for the middle RDW group and RDW ≥ 15.2% for the high RDW group. Demographic data, mortality, 4-year survival time and severity scale scores were compared among groups. The Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the impact of RDW on all-cause mortality in AKI patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done to evaluate the prognostic value of RDW on the long-term outcome of critically ill patients with AKI. The median age of the enrolled subjects was 65.6 years. AKI patients with a higher RDW value had significantly shorter survival time and higher death rate. By the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients in the higher RDW group presented significantly shorter survival time and higher death rate. The Cox regression model indicated RDW as an independent risk factor of all-cause mortality of AKI patients (HR 1.219, 95% CI, 1.211 to 1.228). By the ROC analysis, RDW appeared more efficient in predicting long-term prognosis as compared with conventional severity scales. The AUC of RDW (95% CI, 0.712 to 0.725) was significantly higher than other severity scale scores. In conclusion, RDW is positively correlated to survival time of 4-year follow-up in critically ill patients with AKI, and RDW is an independent prognostic factor of long-term outcomes of these patients.
Femtosecond-laser-irradiation-induced structural organization and crystallinity of Bi2WO6
Authors: Pinatti Ivo M. , Gouveia Amanda F. , Doñate-Buendía C. , Mínguez-Vega Gladys , Andrés Juan , Longo Elson
Published: March 2020

Controlling the structural organization and crystallinity of functional oxides is key to enhancing their performance in technological applications. In this work, we report a strong enhancement of the structural organization and crystallinity of Bi2WO6 samples synthetized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method after exposing them to femtosecond laser irradiation. X-ray diffraction, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopies, photoluminescence emissions, energy dispersive spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to characterize the as-synthetized samples. To complement and rationalize the experimental results, first-principles calculations were employed to study the effects of femtosecond laser irradiation. Structural and electronic effects induced by femtosecond laser irradiation enhance the long-range crystallinity while decreasing the free carrier density, as it takes place in the amorphous and liquid states. These effects can be considered a clear cut case of surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
Heating Enhancement of a Droplet on a Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Yilbas Bekir S. , Al-Qahtani Hussain
Published: March 2020

Enhancement of heating of a droplet on a hydrophobic surface is investigated. A vertical metal (column) pin is introduced in the droplet and the fluid heating, due to the column pin, is examined. The droplet heating is initiated at the hydrophobic surface and the column pin located in the droplet. The effect of the flow currents on the thermal fields inside the droplet fluid is assessed. An experiment is conducted to assure the velocity simulation results while using the particle image velocimetry (PIV). We demonstrated that the velocity simulations are in good agreement with the data obtained from PIV measurements. Two circulating structures are observed inside the droplet, which are related to the buoyancy and the Marangoni currents. The presence of the column pin changes the number of circulations cells to four inside the droplet. Heated fluid in region of the droplet-solid interface is transferred by the buoyancy current towards the droplet sides and heat diffusion increases temperature rise in the droplet central region. The Nusselt number attains larger values for the droplet with column pin configuration than that of the free droplet, which becomes apparent for the large droplet volumes. The Bond number improves with the presence of the column pin in the droplet; but, the Bond number values become smaller than unity for all the droplets with and without column pin configurations considered.
Spontaneous alloparental care of unrelated offspring by non-breeding Amphiprion ocellaris in absence of the biological parents
Authors: Phillips Elizabeth , DeAngelis Ross , Gogola Joseph V. , Rhodes Justin S.
Published: March 2020

Many species display alloparental care, where individuals care for offspring that are not their own, but usually the behavior is contingent on the individual receiving some direct or indirect benefit. In anemonefish, after removing the breeding male, non-breeders have been observed providing care for eggs they did not sire and which are not kin. Previously this behavior was interpreted as coerced by the female. The purpose of this study was to test the alternative hypothesis that the alloparental care occurs spontaneously without prodding by the female. Groups of Amphiprion ocellaris (male, female and non-breeder) were maintained in the laboratory and behavior monitored after removing the male and both the male and female. Non-breeders began to care for eggs after male removal and further increased parental care after male and female removal. Level of care was not as high as experienced males, but additional experiments showed performance increases with experience. In a separate experiment, non-breeders were placed alone in a novel aquarium and eggs from an established spawning pair were introduced. Approximately 30% of the fish displayed extensive fathering behavior within 90 min. Taken together, our results demonstrate that fathering behavior in A. ocellaris occurs spontaneously, independent of paternity or kinship.
Innovation in wild Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)
Authors: Amici Federica , Caicoya Alvaro L. , Majolo Bonaventura , Widdig Anja
Published: March 2020

Innovation is the ability to solve novel problems or find novel solutions to familiar problems, and it is known to affect fitness in both human and non-human animals. In primates, innovation has been mostly studied in captivity, although differences in living conditions may affect individuals’ ability to innovate. Here, we tested innovation in a wild group of Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). In four different conditions, we presented the group with several identical foraging boxes containing food. To understand which individual characteristics and behavioural strategies best predicted innovation rate, we measured the identity of the individuals manipulating the boxes and retrieving the food, and their behaviour during the task. Our results showed that success in the novel task was mainly affected by the experimental contingencies and the behavioural strategies used during the task. Individuals were more successful in the 1-step conditions, if they participated in more trials, showed little latency to approach the boxes and mainly manipulated functional parts of the box. In contrast, we found no effect of inhibition, social facilitation and individual characteristics like sex, age, rank, centrality, neophobia and reaction to humans, on the individuals’ ability to innovate.
Effect of manure and mineral fertilisers on the content of light and heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil
Authors: Krzebietke Sławomir , Mackiewicz-Walec Ewa , Sienkiewicz Stanisław , Załuski Dariusz
Published: March 2020

A study was conducted to explore the effects of fertilisation with farmyard manure (FYM) and mineral fertilisers on the content of PAHs in soil. The analyses were made on soil samples (collected in 1998–2009) from a long-term field experiment set up in 1986 in Bałcyny near Ostróda. The content of light and heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was determined on a gas chromatograph coupled with an FID detector. The analytical data were processed statistically according to an analysis of variance with repeated measurements. The content of light and heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was significantly higher in soil fertilised with FYM than in soil nourished only with mineral fertilisers. The effect of increasing doses of potassium on total light PAHs in soil depended on a fertilisation system – there was either a distinct decrease in soil fertilised with mineral substances alone or a slight increase in soil fertilised with manure. Regular soil liming significantly raised the ∑ of heavy PAHs in soil treated with manure but significantly decreased it in soil supplied only mineral fertilisers.
Long Noncoding RNA CTC Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion by Targeting miR-146 to Regulate KIT in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Liao Baochun , Liu Shi , Liu Jiafeng , Reddy Pulusu Ajay Kumar , Ying Yong , Xie Yang , Wang Jianhua , Zeng Xiangtai
Published: March 2020

Several lines of evidence have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in many diseases. Nevertheless, the biological relevance of the lncRNAs in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has not been fully explored. We demonstrated that CTC was a negative regulator of PTC cell migration and invasionin vitroandin vivo. We found that microRNA-146 (miR-146) is an inhibitory target of CTC. We then demonstrated that CTC functioned as a miR-146 decoy to de-repress expression of KIT. Further study demonstrated that CTC modulated the progression and chemoresistance of PTC cells via miR-146 and KIT. The analysis of hundreds of clinical specimens revealed that CTC and KIT levels were downregulated, whereas miR-146 levels were greater in PTC tissues than in normal thyroid. Their expression levels correlated with one another. In conclusion, CTC functions as a competing endogenous RNA to inhibit the progression and chemoresistance of PTC cells, and identifies CTC serve as a potential therapeutic agent to suppress PTC progression.
Effects of different transcranial direct current stimulation protocols on visuo-spatial contextual learning formation: evidence of homeostatic regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Grasso Paolo A. , Tonolli Elena , Miniussi Carlo
Published: March 2020

In the present study we tested the effects of different transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocols in the formation of visuo-spatial contextual learning (VSCL). The study comprised three experiments designed to evaluate tDCS-induced changes in VSCL measures collected during the execution of a visual search task widely used to examine statistical learning in the visuo-spatial domain. In Experiment 1, we probed for the effects of left-posterior parietal cortex (PPC) anodal-tDCS (AtDCS) at different timings (i.e. offline and online) and intensities (i.e. 3 mA and 1.5 mA). The protocol producing the more robust effect in Experiment 1 was used in Experiment 2 over the right-PPC, while in Experiment 3, cathodal-tDCS (CtDCS) was applied over the left-PPC only at a high intensity (i.e. 3 mA) but varying timing of application (offline and online). Results revealed that high intensity offline AtDCS reduced VSCL regardless of the stimulation side (Experiment 1 and 2), while no significant behavioral changes were produced by both online AtDCS protocols (Experiment 1) and offline/online CtDCS (Experiment 3). The reduced VSCL could result from homeostatic regulatory mechanisms hindering normal task-related neuroplastic phenomena.
Abundant human anti-Galα3Gal antibodies display broad pathogen reactivity
Authors: Bernth Jensen Jens Magnus , Petersen Mikkel Steen , Ellerman-Eriksen Svend , Møller Bjarne Kuno , Jensenius Jens Christian , Sørensen Uffe B. Skov , Thiel Steffen
Published: March 2020

Antibodies of the IgG class to terminal Galα3Gal (IgG anti-αGal) is abundant in human plasma and are reported to bind most sepsis-causing Gram-negative bacteria. However, these seminal findings, made more than two decades ago, have not been reexamined. Our aim was to assess IgG anti-αGal´s pathogen reactivity. We affinity purified IgG anti-αGal from a therapeutic grade normal human IgG pool applying two rounds of positive selection with Galα3Gal-coupled beads and included removal of column matrix reactive antibodies. The purified antibodies were rigorously characterized in terms of specificity and purity in various solid-phase immunoassays. We used flow cytometry to study reactivity against 100 consecutive clinical isolates diagnosed as cause of sepsis in humans. We found that the purified IgG anti-αGal displays high specificity for Galα3Gal. Also, IgG anti-αGal at 5 mg/L bound 56 out of 100 pathogens with predilection for Gram-positive bacteria binding 39 out of 52 strains. We confirm that although IgG anti-αGal comprise a small fraction of the human antibody pool (~0.1%), these antibodies targets an impressively large part of pathogens causing invasive disease.
Sex differences in proximal femur shape: findings from a population-based study in adolescents
Authors: Frysz Monika , Gregory Jennifer , Aspden Richard M. , Paternoster Lavinia , Tobias Jonathan H.
Published: March 2020

Hip shape is an important determinant of hip osteoarthritis (OA), which occurs more commonly in women. However, it remains unclear to what extent differences in OA prevalence are attributed to sex differences in hip shape. Here, we explore sex differences in proximal femur shape in a cohort of adolescents. Hip morphology was quantified using hip DXA scans from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Independent modes of variation (hip shape mode (HSM) scores) were generated for each image using an adult reference statistical shape model (N = 19,379). Linear regression was used to examine sex differences for the top ten HSMs, adjusting for age, height, lean and fat mass. Complete outcome and covariate data were available for 4,428 and 4,369 participants at ages 14 and 18 years, respectively. Several HSMs showed sex differences at both time points. The combined effect of sex on hip shape at age 14 reflected flatter femoral head and smaller lesser trochanter in females compared with males and, following adjustment for age and body size, these differences became more pronounced. At age 18, smaller lesser trochanter and femoral neck width (FNW) in females still remained although differences in femoral head, femoral shaft and FNW were largely attenuated following adjustment. Sexual dimorphism in proximal femur shape can be discerned in adolescence and early adulthood. Observed differences in proximal femur shape, particularly at age 14 were largely independent of body size, however to what extent differences in hip shape in early life play a role in predisposing to hip OA in later life remains to be determined.
Formation of distinct prion protein amyloid fibrils under identical experimental conditions
Authors: Ziaunys Mantas , Sneideris Tomas , Smirnovas Vytautas
Published: March 2020

Protein aggregation into amyloid fibrils is linked to multiple neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A better understanding of the way these aggregates form is vital for the development of drugs. A large detriment to amyloid research is the ability of amyloidogenic proteins to spontaneously aggregate into multiple structurally distinct fibrils (strains) with different stability and seeding properties. In this work we show that prion proteins are capable of forming more than one type of fibril under the exact same conditions by assessing their Thioflavin T (ThT) binding ability, morphology, secondary structure, stability and seeding potential.
Sub-cycle coherent control of ionic dynamics via transient ionization injection
Authors: Zhang Qian , Xie Hongqiang , Li Guihua , Wang Xiaowei , Lei Hongbin , Zhao Jing , Chen Zhiming , Yao Jinping , Cheng Ya , Zhao Zengxiu
Published: March 2020

Ultrafast ionization of atoms or molecules by intense laser pulses creates extremely non-stationary ionic states. This process triggers attosecond correlated electron-hole dynamics and subsequent ultrafast non-equilibrium evolution of matters. Here we investigate the interwoven dynamic evolutions of neutral nitrogen molecules together with nitrogen ions created through transient tunnel ionization in an intense laser field. Based on the proposed theoretical frame, it is found that nitrogen molecular ions are primarily populated in the electronically excited states, rather than staying in the ground state as predicted by the well-known tunneling theory. The unexpected result is attributed to sub-cycle switch-on of time-dependent polarization by transient ionization and dynamic Stark shift mediated near-resonant multiphoton transitions. These findings corroborate the mechanism of nitrogen molecular ion lasing and are likely to be universal. The present work opens a route to explore the important role of transient ionization injection in strong-field induced non-equilibrium dynamics.
Single-step benzene hydroxylation by cobalt(ii) catalysts via a cobalt(iii)-hydroperoxo intermediate
Authors: Anandababu Karunanithi , Muthuramalingam Sethuraman , Velusamy Marappan , Mayilmurugan Ramasamy
Published: March 2020

Cobalt(ii) complexes reported as efficient and selective catalysts for single-step phenol formation from benzene using H2O2. The catalysis proceeds likely via cobalt(iii)-hydroperoxo species.
Natural and anthropogenic sources of bromoform and dibromomethane in the oceanographic and biogeochemical regime of the subtropical North East Atlantic
Authors: Mehlmann Melina , Quack Birgit , Atlas Elliot , Hepach Helmke , Tegtmeier Susann
Published: March 2020

Transport of air masses from the subtropics, enriched in trace gases from the oceans, coasts and islands, towards lower latitudes under the trade inversion and uplift to the stratosphere in tropical deep convection.
Fabrication of highly proton-conductive chitosan whole-bio-membrane materials functionalized with adenine and adenosine monophosphate
Authors: Zhao Guanglei , Chen Yuanyuan , Li Xiao-Feng , Zhang Sihan , Situ Yuanqiu
Published: March 2020

A successful strategy to prepare novel proton-conductive chitosan membrane biomaterials functionalized with adenine and adenosine monophosphate via a one-pot grafting procedure.
A novel procedure for separating iron from geological materials for isotopic analysis using MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Zhu Guanhong , Ma Jinlong , Wei Gangjian , An Yajun
Published: March 2020

A simple method was developed for achieving Fe separation and involved the use of a single column packed with AGMP-50 cation-exchange resin.
In situ polymerization and covalent functionalisation of trithiocyanuric acid by MoS2 nanosheets resulting in a novel nanozyme with enhanced peroxidase activity
Authors: Sreeramareddygari Muralikrishna , Somasundrum Mithran , Surareungchai Werasak
Published: March 2020

MoS2 catalysed the polymerisation of trithiocyanuric acid, resulting in a network exhibiting peroxidase activity via a ping-pong mechanism.
A single-component photorheological fluid with light-responsive viscosity
Authors: Kelly Elaine A. , Willis-Fox Niamh , Houston Judith E. , Blayo Camille , Divitini Giorgio , Cowieson Nathan , Daly Ronan , Evans Rachel C.
Published: March 2020

A single-component photorheological fluid comprised of a neutral photosurfactant in water can reversibly switch its viscosity four orders of magnitude, between high and low viscosity states, depending on the wavelength of light used.
A salt-resistant Janus evaporator assembled from ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires and nickel oxide for efficient and recyclable solar desalination
Authors: Qin Dong-Dong , Zhu Ying-Jie , Yang Ri-Long , Xiong Zhi-Chao
Published: March 2020

A novel Janus water evaporator comprising a photothermal paper with high evaporation efficiency and salt-rejecting solar desalination performance is reported.
Enhanced energy-storage performance of an all-inorganic flexible bilayer-like antiferroelectric thin film via using electric field engineering
Authors: Shen Bingzhong , Li Yong , Sun Ningning , Zhao Ye , Hao Xihong
Published: March 2020

The energy-storage performance of an all-inorganic flexible antiferroelectric thin film capacitor is enhanced via constructing a fresh bilayer-like structure.
Synthesis of controlled-size silver nanoparticles for the administration of methotrexate drug and its activity in colon and lung cancer cells
Authors: Rozalen M. , Sánchez-Polo M. , Fernández-Perales M. , Widmann T. J. , Rivera-Utrilla J.
Published: March 2020

A controlled synthesis of methotrexate (MTX) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-MTX) using borohydride and citrate as reduction and reduction/capping agents, respectively, was performed in order to obtain AgNPs-MTX conjugates with a narrow size distribution.
Integral equation theory for a mixture of spherical and patchy colloids: analytical description
Authors: Kalyuzhnyi Yurij V. , Nezbeda Ivo , Cummings Peter T.
Published: March 2020

An analytic theory for the structure and thermodynamics of two-component mixtures of patchy and spherical colloids is developed.
Time-resolved in situ monitoring of photocatalytic reactions by probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Han Zhongbao , Gu Xiaoyu , Wang Shirong , Liu Liyan , Wang Ying , Zhao Zhen , Yu Zhan
Published: March 2020

We report the application of PESI-MS to in situ monitoring of photocatalytic reactions of cationic dyes in suspensions in real-time.
Model independent peak fitting and uncertainty assignment for high-precision time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Chudinov Aleksey Vladimirovich , Rosenbusch Marco , Kozlovskiy Vyacheslav Ivanovich , Raznikov Valeriy Vladislavovich , Schury Peter , Wada Michiharu , Wollnik Hermann
Published: March 2020

Logarithmic scale splines for smooth extraction of a native peak shape, and uncertainty estimation using direct trials.
Pore structure dependent activity and durability of mesoporous rhodium nanoparticles towards the methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: Guo Yan , Chen Shuai , Li Yuan , Wang Yunwei , Zou Houbing , Tong Xili
Published: March 2020

A significant porous structure effect of mesoporous rhodium nanoparticles on the electrocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction was reported.
Fluorination as a route towards unlocking the hydrogen bond donor ability of phenolic compounds in self-assembled monolayers
Authors: Pinfold Harry , Pattison Graham , Costantini Giovanni
Published: March 2020

Fluorination turns a prototypical diphenol into an effective hydrogen-bond-donating building block for the formation of 2D phenol–pyridine cocrystals.
First-principles simulation of monolayer hydrogen passivated Bi2O2S2–metal interfaces
Authors: Xu Linqiang , Liu Shiqi , Zhang Han , Zhang Xiuying , Li Jingzhen , Yan Jiahuan , Shi Bowen , Yang Jie , Yang Chen , Xu Lianqiang , Sun Xiaotian , Lu Jing
Published: March 2020

Lateral SBH and Fermi level change in the hydrogen-passivated Bi2O2S2 FET.
Orientational competition in quantum dot growth in Si–Ge heteroepitaxy on pit-patterned Si(001) substrates
Authors: Dixit Gopal Krishna , Dhankhar Monika , Ranganathan Madhav
Published: March 2020

Growth of quantum dots on patterned substrates shows orientation dependent localization.
Supramolecular assemblies based on Fe8L12cubic metal–organic cages: synergistic adsorption and spin-crossover properties
Authors: Lu Hui-Shu , Han Wang-Kang , Yan Xiaodong , Xu Ya-Xin , Zhang Hai-Xia , Li Tao , Gong Yu , Hu Qing-Tao , Gu Zhi-Guo
Published: March 2020

Synergistic adsorption of I2and TTF and solid state spin-crossover behaviors were observed in supramolecular assemblies based on Fe8L12cubic metal–organic cages.
Three-dimensional hierarchical semi-polar GaN/InGaN MQW coaxial nanowires on a patterned Si nanowire template
Authors: Johar Muhammad Ali , Kim Taeyun , Song Hyun-Gyu , Waseem Aadil , Kang Jin-Ho , Hassan Mostafa Afifi , Bagal Indrajit V. , Cho Yong-Hoon , Ryu Sang-Wan
Published: March 2020

We have demonstrated for the first time the hybrid development of next-generation 3-D hierarchical GaN/InGaN multiple-quantum-well nanowires on a patterned Si nanowire-template and their optical characterizations are also conducted.
One-pot synthesis of Au–Fe2O3@SiO2 core–shell nanoreactors for CO oxidation
Authors: Yu Hongbo , Guo Zhengtong , Wu Chunzheng , Wang Shujian , Li Bin , Yan Xuedong , Yan Bo , Yin Hongfeng
Published: March 2020

The combination of the Au–Fe2O3 phase and core–shell structure helps in achieving high activity and good thermal stability.
Reflection and transmission two-way structural colors
Authors: Wu Suli , Huang Baoting , Wu Yue , Meng Zhipeng , Zhang Shufen
Published: March 2020

Management of reflection and transmission two-way structural colors is significant in color displays, projections, and anticounterfeiting.
Selenium vacancy-rich and carbon-free VSe2 nanosheets for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Jiang Qiwang , Wang Jie , Jiang Yan , Li Long , Cao Xingzhong , Cao Minhua
Published: March 2020

Selenium vacancy-rich and carbon-free VSe2 nanosheets achieve excellent lithium storage performance due to significantly enhanced lithium-ion diffusion rate and electrochemical active sites induced by the Se vacancies.
On the molecular architectures of siloxane coordination compounds: (re-)investigating the coordination of the cyclodimethylsiloxanes Dn(n= 5–8) towards alkali metal ions
Authors: Dankert Fabian , Erlemeier Lukas , Ritter Christian , von Hänisch Carsten
Published: March 2020

Cyclodimethylsiloxanes have been used as complex ligands and silyl-ether bonding towards various cations is explored stepwise. Compounds with unprecedented coordination modes as well as novel molecular architectures are obtained and characterized.
Tandem sequential catalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly-functionalised tetrahydroindolizine derivatives
Authors: Zhang Shuyue , Greenhalgh Mark D. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Smith Andrew D.
Published: March 2020

The isothiourea-catalysed enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydroindolizine derivatives containing three stereocentres is reported through a one-pot tandem sequential process.
From reactive carbenes to chiral polyether macrocycles in two steps – synthesis and applications made easy?
Authors: Homberg Alexandre , Lacour Jérôme
Published: March 2020

Chiral polyether macrocycles are versatile molecules.
Lipid-specific interactions determine the organization and dynamics of membrane-active peptide melittin
Authors: Deng Zhixiong , Lu Xuemei , Xu Cheng , Yuan Bing , Yang Kai
Published: March 2020

Lipid-specific interactions make the significantly different organization and dynamics of membrane-active peptide melittin in different membrane environments.
Electrospinning synthesis of transition metal alloy nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon layers as an advanced bifunctional oxygen electrode
Authors: Cao Feng , Yang Xi , Shen Chen , Li Xin , Wang Jianmin , Qin Gaowu , Li Song , Pang Xueyong , Li Guoqing
Published: March 2020

A universal and scalable electrospinning method was developed to produce uniform multicomponent alloy nanoparticles encapsulated in N doped thin carbon layers as bifunctional catalysts for OER and ORR.
Enveloping ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets on carbon fibers: a high-density sulfur loaded lithium–sulfur battery cathode with remarkable cycling stability
Authors: Gan Ruiyi , Yang Na , Dong Qin , Fu Na , Wu Rui , Li Cunpu , Liao Qiang , Li Jing , Wei Zidong
Published: March 2020

The Ti3C2@CF–S cathode features high sulfur loading capacity, strong polysulfide attachment, superior pulverization inhibiting properties, and demonstrates remarkable cycling stability.
Tuning the strength and swelling of an injectable polysaccharide hydrogel and the subsequent release of a broad spectrum bacteriocin, nisin A
Authors: Flynn James , Durack Edel , Collins Maurice N. , Hudson Sarah P.
Published: March 2020

Balance of glycol chitosan content and crosslink density modulates injectable gel swelling, strength and the release of an antimicrobial peptide.
Implementation of modulation classifier over software defined radio
Authors: Jajoo Gaurav , Kumar Yogesh , Kumar Ashok , Yadav Sandeep Kumar
Published: March 2020

Blind signal modulation recognition is an essential block for designing a cognitive radio. Different algorithms are developed in the literature, but few are given with detailed implementation. This study proposes a software‐defined radio based implementation of blind signal modulation recogniser (BSMR) on field‐programmable gate array (FPGA), which works without any prior knowledge of the received signal. The algorithm estimates carrier frequency offset, symbol rate, symbol timing offset, and corrects the signal for these offsets to extract constellation points. It uses clustering structure formed by constellation signature in I/Q plane to detect the modulation for different orders of ASK, PSK, and QAM. The proposed algorithm is deployed on FPGA, using LabVIEW, for a reliable and reconfigurable platform. The algorithm is optimised to use minimum hardware resources and facilitate future up‐gradation. The system developed by implementing the algorithm on NI‐FlexRIO‐7975 FPGA module with NI‐5791 adapter detects modulation type in real time without any training. Signals for testing are generated using NI‐PXIe‐5673 (RF transmitter), and BSMR identifies the modulation type in 81.451 ms under additive white Gaussian noise channel.
Polyp detection using CNNs in colonoscopy video
Authors: Haj‐Manouchehri Azadeh , Mohammadi Hossein Mahvash
Published: March 2020

Polyps are a group of cells growing on the inner surface of the colon. Over time, some polyps can lead to colon cancer, which is often fatal if found in its later stages. Colon cancer can be prevented if the polyps are identified and removed in their early stages. Colonoscopy is a very effective screening method to remove polyps and it largely prevents colon cancer. However, some polyps may not be detected during a colonoscopy due to human error. Over the past two decades, many studies have been conducted on computer‐aided detection to reduce the miss rate of polyps. This study consists of two distinct parts, the detection of frames containing polyps and polyp segmentation. In the first section, a new convolutional neural network based on the VGG network is proposed. The proposed network has an accuracy of 86% on a newly collected dataset. In the polyp segmentation section, a fully convolutional network and an effective post‐processing algorithm are presented. An evaluation of the proposed polyp segmentation system on the ETIS‐LARIB database achieves an overall 82.00% F2 score, which outperforms the methods that participated in the sub‐challenge of MICCAI.
Speed sign recognition in complex scenarios based on deep cascade networks
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Yuan Risheng , Pan Haixia , Liu Wanquan , Xing Zhiqiang , Huang Jian
Published: March 2020

Speed sign is one of the most important instant indications for drivers to adjust the speed of their cars. In the literature, almost all of the existing methods for speed sign recognition are based on static pictures with clean images. When dealing with the traffic signs in complex environments, these existing approaches often have inaccurate detected areas, which lead to the difficulty of recognition. The authors propose a deep cascade network to improve the recognition of the speed signs with a structure of cascade subnetworks. The proposed network is composed of a localisation subnetwork and a classification subnetwork. The difficult issue in complex scenarios is the detection of the speed sign due to its small resolution, occlusion, colour fading etc. The proposed localisation subnetwork can improve the localisation accuracy by borrowing the idea of locating the targets from coarse to fine. Ultimately, the classification sub‐network extracts more effective features for speed sign recognition. The experimental results illustrate that the proposed method outperforms the YOLOv2 or YOLOv3 model in identifying the speed sign in complex scenarios with at least 6% higher in terms of area under curve, and this will promote the improvement of recognition significantly.
Bootstrap capacitorless DCM VOT buck converter with dead‐time‐based off‐time calibration for magnetic resonance wireless power transfer
Authors: Ma Hyunggun , Namgoong Gyeongho , Choi Eunho , Park Woojin , Lee Bonyoung , Jang Heedon , Park Kyeongmin , Na Kyungmin , Bien Franklin
Published: March 2020

This study reports a miniaturised discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) variable on‐time (VOT) buck converter providing an output of 1.8 V in the input range of 3–12 V to support applications with large wireless coupling. Conventionally, an additional large capacitor has been used as a bootstrap capacitor to drive the high‐side switch of buck converters, which prevents minimisation. In this study, a standalone momentary power consumption level shifter is proposed to remove the additional bootstrap capacitor and increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the buck converter. A Zener diode is utilised to reduce the power consumption of the level shifter. In addition, a dead‐time‐based off‐time calibration circuit is proposed to further increase the PCE by reducing the low‐side conduction loss. The proposed circuit is fabricated with a TSMC 0.18‐µm BCD process, and the core circuit occupies an active area of 0.68 mm2 with two external components. It provides output currents in the range of 20 µA to 3 mA with a maximum switching frequency of 750 kHz. The maximum efficiency of the converter below 5 mW is 80.2%.
Near optimal angular quadratures for polarised radiative transfer
Authors: Štěpán Jiří , Bestard Jaume Jaume , Trujillo Bueno Javier
Published: March 2020

In three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer (RT) problems, the tensor product quadratures are generally not optimal in terms of the number of discrete ray directions needed for a given accuracy of the angular integration of the radiation field. In this paper, we derive a new set of angular quadrature rules that are more suitable for solving 3D RT problems with the short- and long-characteristics formal solvers. These quadratures are more suitable than the currently used ones for the numerical calculation of the radiation field tensors that are relevant in the problem of the generation and transfer of polarised radiation without assuming local thermodynamical equilibrium (non-LTE). We show that our new quadratures can save up to about 30% of computing time with respect to the Gaussian-trapezoidal product quadratures with the same accuracy.
Spatially resolved spectroscopy of close massive visual binaries with HST/STIS
Authors: Maíz Apellániz J. , Barbá R. H.
Published: March 2020

Context. The spectroscopic characterization of many O-type stars is hampered by a nearby companion.

Aims. We want to obtain spatially resolved spectroscopy of close O-type visual binaries to derive their spectral types.

Methods. We used the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to obtain long-slit blue-violet spectroscopy of eight Galactic O-type stars with nearby visual companions and used spatial-profile fitting to extract the separate spectra. We also used the ground-based Galactic O-Star Spectroscopic Survey to study more distant visual components.

Results. We spatially resolve seven of the eight systems, present spectra for their components, and obtain their spectral types. Those seven multiple systems are ι Ori Aa,Ab,B; 15 Mon Aa,Ab,C; τ CMa Aa,Ab,B,C,D,E; HD 206 267 Aa,Ab,C,D; HD 193 443 A,B; HD 16 429 Aa,Ab; and IU Aur A,B. This is the first time that spatially resolved spectroscopy of the close visual binaries of those systems is obtained. We establish the applicability of the technique as a function of the separation and magnitude difference of the binary.
Epidemiology and hypothetical transmission cycles ofTrichinellainfections in the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa: an example of host-parasite interactions in an environment with minimal human interactions
Authors: La Grange Louis J. , Mukaratirwa Samson
Published: March 2020

Knowledge on the epidemiology, host range and transmission ofTrichinellaspp. infections in different ecological zones in southern Africa including areas of wildlife-human interface is limited. The majority of reports onTrichinellainfections in sub-Saharan Africa were from wildlife resident in protected areas. Elucidation of the epidemiology of the infections and the prediction of hosts involved in the sylvatic cycles within specific ecological niches is critical. Of recent, there have been reports ofTrichinellainfections in several wildlife species within the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) of South Africa, which has prompted the revision and update of published hypothetical transmission cycles including the hypothetical options based previously on the biology and feeding behaviour of wildlife hosts confined to the GKNP. Using data gathered from surveillance studies and reports spanning the period 1964–2019, confirmed transmission cycles and revised hypothesized transmission cycles of three knownTrichinellaspecies (T. zimbabwensis,TrichinellaT8 andT. nelsoni) are presented. These were formulated based on the epidemiological factors, feeding habits of hosts and prevalence data gathered from the GKNP. We presume that the formulated sylvatic cycles may be extrapolated to similar national parks and wildlife protected areas in sub-Saharan Africa where the same host and parasite species are known to occur. The anecdotal nature of some of the presented data confirms the need for more intense epidemiological surveillance in national parks and wildlife protected areas in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa to unravel the epidemiology ofTrichinellainfections in these unique and diverse protected landscapes.
Redundancy in Gaussian random fields
Authors: De Bortoli Valentin , Desolneux Agnès , Galerne Bruno , Leclaire Arthur
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we introduce a notion of spatial redundancy in Gaussian random fields. This study is motivated by applications of thea contrariomethod in image processing. We define similarity functions on local windows in random fields over discrete or continuous domains. We derive explicit Gaussian asymptotics for the distribution of similarity functions when computed on Gaussian random fields. Moreover, for the special case of the squaredL2norm, we give non-asymptotic expressions in both discrete and continuous periodic settings. Finally, we present fast and accurate approximations of these non-asymptotic expressions using moment methods and matrix projections.
Evaluation des Einsatzes von DolmetscherInnen in der medizinischen und psychosozialen Versorgung Geflüchteter in einer Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung des Landes Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Helmboldt Luisa , Nikendei Christoph , Zehetmair Catharina , Schließler Clara , Ditzen Beate , Kohl Rupert Maria
Published: March 2020

Zielsetzung In der medizinischen und psychosozialen Gesundheitsversorgung Geflüchteter ist der Einsatz von DolmetscherInnen von grundlegender Bedeutung. Durch Einbeziehung eines Dolmetschers verschiebt sich das dyadische Behandler-Patienten-System zu einer Kommunikation in der Triade, für die entsprechende Verhaltensrichtlinien erforderlich sind. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Einbeziehung von DolmetscherInnen in die Sprechstunde der medizinischen und psychosozialen Ambulanz einer Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung für Geflüchtete des Landes Baden-Württemberg zu evaluieren.

Methode Es wurde eine systematische Erhebung mittels eines Beobachtungsbogens in N=75 Behandlungsfällen mit N=19 BehandlerInnen, N=27 DolmetscherInnen sowie N=75 PatientInnen vorgenommen. Erfasst wurden unter anderem die Sitzpositionen in der Triade, die Art der Verdolmetschung von DolmetscherInnen, die sprachliche Adressierung bzw. Blickrichtung von BehandlerInnen und PatientInnen während der Phasen der Sprachproduktion zueinander oder zu DolmetscherInnen, die Interaktion mit Angehörigen, sowie das Stattfinden von Vor- oder Nachbesprechungen.

Ergebnisse Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass es sich bei den beschäftigten DolmetscherInnen fast ausschließlich um LaiendolmetscherInnen ohne Qualifikation für diesen Beruf handelt. DolmetscherInnen agierten vorwiegend sowohl nach dem Black-Box-Modell als auch eigeninitiiert als KotherapeutInnen, in der Regel jedoch nicht als AnsprechpartnerInnen für kulturelle Aspekte. Überdies konnte beobachtet werden, dass BehandlerInnen die Kommunikation – Blickkontakt und Ansprache – primär zu DolmetscherInnen und nicht zu PatientInnen ausrichteten. Zudem gab es in keiner der untersuchten Sprechstunden eine Vor- oder Nachbesprechung zwischen BehandlerInnen und DolmetscherInnen.

Schlussfolgerung Die gelebte Praxis der Einbindung von DolmetscherInnen weicht z. T. erheblich von den Leitlinien gängiger Forschungsliteratur ab. Die vorliegende Studie legt diese Diskrepanzen offen und hat damit Implikationen für die Arbeit von BehandlerInnen und DolmetscherInnen in der Geflüchtetenarbeit.
Reproducibility of Heart Rate Variability Indices at Post-maximal
Exercise
Authors: Araújo Jaqueline Alves , Peçanha Tiago , Novelli Fabiula Isoton , Mello César Siqueira Aleixes , Moreira-Gonçalves Daniel , Arsa Gisela , Cambri Lucieli Teresa
Published: March 2020

To analyze whether heart rate variability is reproducible after maximal exercise,
11 men (22.1±3.2 years) performed four incremental exercise tests
followed by passive or active recovery. There was high reliability (intraclass
coefficient correlation: 0.72–0.96) and fair-to-excellent agreement
(coefficient of variation: 7.81–22.09%) in passive recovery, as
well as moderate-to-high reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation:
0.50–0.87) and good agreement (coefficient of variation:
11.08–20.89%) in active recovery for LnRMSSD index. There was
moderate-to-high reliability (intraclass coefficient correlation:
0.51–0.81) and good agreement (coefficient of variation:
10.41–18.87%) in most of the analyzed time points, in both
recovery types for LnSDNN. In both types of recovery, the time domain heart rate
variability 5–10 min indices (passive: intraclass coefficient
correlation : 0.87–0.88; coefficient of variation:
7.67–13.44%; active: intraclass coefficient correlation
0.59–0.80; coefficient of variation: 14.62–16.26%)
presented higher intraclass coefficient correlation and lower coefficient of
variation than the spectral heart rate variability indices (passive: intraclass
coefficient correlation: 0.71–0.87; coefficient of variation:
12.33–34.21%; active: intraclass coefficient correlation:
0.46–0.77; coefficient of variation: 24.41–105.12%). The
LnRMSSD and LnSDNN indices analyzed in 30 s segments and the heart rate
variability 5–10 min indices after maximal exercise in untrained
healthy men showed satisfactory reproducibility, regardless of the type of
recovery, with the time-domain indices showing higher reproducibility than the
frequency-domain indices.
Human Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Adaptations Following Resistance
Exercise Training
Authors: Parry Hailey A. , Roberts Michael D. , Kavazis Andreas N.
Published: March 2020

It is universally accepted that resistance training promotes increases in
muscle strength and hypertrophy in younger and older populations. Although
less investigated, studies largely suggest resistance training results in
lower skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume; a phenomenon which has been
described as a “dilution of the mitochondrial volume” via
resistance training. While this phenomenon is poorly understood, it is
likely a result of muscle fiber hypertrophy outpacing mitochondrial
biogenesis. Critically, there is no evidence to suggest resistance training
promotes a net loss in mitochondria. Further, given the numerous reports
suggesting resistance training does not decrease and may even increase
VO2max in previously untrained individuals, it is plausible
certain aspects of mitochondrial function may be enhanced with resistance
training, and this area warrants further research consideration. Finally,
there are emerging data suggesting resistance training may affect
mitochondrial dynamics. The current review will provide an in-depth
discussion of these topics and posit future research directions which can
further our understanding of how resistance training may affect skeletal
muscle mitochondrial physiology.
Straightforward Synthesis of Novel 4-Styrylquinolines/4-Styrylquinolin-2-ones and 9-Styryldihydroacridin-1(2H)-ones from Substituted 2′-Aminochalcones
Authors: Palma Alirio , Meléndez Angie , Plata Esteban , Rodríguez Diego , Ardila Diana , Guerrero Sergio A. , Acosta Lina M. , Cobo Justo , Nogueras Manuel
Published: March 2020

An alternative and efficient one-step approach to develop small libraries of polysubstituted 4-styrylquinolines/4-styrylquinolin-2-ones and 9-styryldihydroacridin-1-ones is described. According to this approach, new series of these compounds were straightforwardly synthesized in high yields starting from synthetically available 2′-aminochalcones and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in glacial acetic acid as a catalyst via the Friedländer reaction. Our approach also offers an expeditious way to access novel molecular hybrids in whose structures styryl and chalcone fragments are attached at the C4 and C3 positions, respectively, of the quinoline ring. All synthesized compounds were fully characterized by means of IR, HRMS and NMR techniques, and most were screened at the National Cancer Institute, USA, for their antitumor activity.
Synthesis of Fused Pyridine Carboxylates by Reaction of β-Alkoxyvinyl Glyoxylates with Amino Heterocycles
Authors: Kondratov Ivan S. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O. , Stepaniuk Oleksandr O. , Rudenko Tymofii V. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Matvienko Vitalii O. , Tolmachev Andrey A.
Published: March 2020

An efficient approach to the preparation of pyridine carboxylates fused with 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic rings is described. The method relied on the Combes-type condensation of the low-molecular­-weight β-alkoxyvinyl glyoxylates as CCC bis-electrophiles and with heteroaromatic amines as NCC binucleophiles. In most experiments­, β-alkoxyvinyl glyoxylates without additional substituent at the β position led to the corresponding α-pyridine carboxylates (67–87% yield). In the case of β-methyl-substituted derivative, γ-pyridine carboxylates were obtained in 84–99% yield. It was found that regio­selectivity of the condensation could be efficiently tuned by changing conditions, such as solvents and acidic additives (HOAc, DMSO or HCl–1,4-dioxane).