bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elaboration and Characterization of Materials from the LaMnO3–BiMnO3 Binary System
Authors: Djahmoum Mourad , El Kechai Omar , Marchet Pascal
Published: January 2020

The study of the La(1‐x)BixMnO3 system is conducted using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and electrical measurements. A continuous solid solution is evidenced for the LaMnO3 rich part of this system (x ≤ 0.6). According to the analyses of XRD results, a rhombohedral symmetry () is observed for x ≤ 0.4 and a cubic structure for x = 0.5. The structural study allows to determine an increase in the mean perovskite lattice parameter, together with a decrease in the rhombohedral angle up to a cubic symmetry for x = 0.5. For x > 0.6, the system is no more single‐phased. Impedance measurements are conducted for ceramics in a wide‐frequency range (100 Hz–1 MHz), between room temperature and 800 °C. The exponential decrease in the alternative current (AC) conductivities (σAC) and the room temperature values correspond to a semiconducting behavior. Direct current (DC) conductivity measurements (σDC) are also performed below room temperature (25 K < T < 300 K). The results evidence for a metal–insulator phase transition. For the exponential part of the σDC curves, the gap energy is between 0.1 and 0.2 eV, confirming the semiconductor behavior of these materials.
Experimental Realization of a Passive Gigahertz Frequency‐Division Demultiplexer for Magnonic Logic Networks
Authors: Heussner Frank , Talmelli Giacomo , Geilen Moritz , Heinz Björn , Brächer Thomas , Meyer Thomas , Ciubotaru Florin , Adelmann Christoph , Yamamoto Kei , Serga Alexander A. , Hillebrands Burkard , Pirro Philipp
Published: January 2020

The emerging field of magnonics uses spin waves and their quanta, magnons, to implement wave‐based computing on the micro‐ and nanoscale. Multifrequency magnon networks would allow for parallel data processing within single logic elements, whereas this is not the case with conventional transistor‐based electronic logic. However, a lack of experimentally proven solutions to efficiently combine and separate magnons of different frequencies has impeded the intensive use of this concept. Herein, the experimental realization of a spin‐wave demultiplexer enabling frequency‐dependent separation of magnonic signals in the gigahertz range is demonstrated. The device is based on 2D magnon transport in the form of spin‐wave beams in unpatterned magnetic films. The intrinsic frequency dependence of the beam direction is exploited to realize a passive functioning obviating an external control and additional power consumption. This approach paves the way to magnonic multiplexing circuits enabling simultaneous information transport and processing.
Recent Advances and Prospects in the Tishchenko Reaction
Authors: Dhanya Raju , Shilpa Thomas , Saranya Salim , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: January 2020

Tishchenko reaction is the dimerization of two molecules of an aldehyde to produce symmetrical esters. These esters find wide applications in many reactions in organic synthesis. A variant of this reaction, the Evans‐Tishchenko reaction, catalyzed by SmI2 affords 1,3‐anti‐diol monoesters. This chemistry has found wide applications in natural product synthesis as it offers a mild and efficient methodology for the formation of 1,3‐diols stereoselectively. In this review, we mainly focus on recent advancements in the transition metal catalyzed and lanthanide‐actinide catalyzed Tishchenko reactions and their applications in organic synthesis covering literature from 2014 to 2019.
Selective Synthesis and Molecular Structure of Novel Aminooxyglycosyl Derivatives Bearing Hydroxyphenyl Moieties
Authors: Lafuente Leticia , Santiago Cintia C. , Rojas Agustín H. , Piro Oscar E. , Echeverría Gustavo A. , Ponzinibbio Agustín
Published: January 2020

We present the selective synthesis of novel aminooxy glycosyl derivatives bearing hydroxy phenyl moieties. A strict control over the anomeric and E/Z configurations has been achieved. The products obtained are α‐glycosides and the aromatic moiety substitute the Schiff's base trans to the O‐glycosidic bond. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectral data are reported and analysed.
Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer Studies of Rh(I), Rh(III), Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes Bearing A Dithiooxamide Ligand
Authors: Askari Banafshe , Rudbari Hadi Amiri , Valente Andreia , Bruno Giuseppe , Micale Nicola , Shivalingegowda Naveen , Krishnappagowda Lokanath Neratur
Published: January 2020

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. In the current study, six transition‐metal complexes were reacted with a secondary dithiooxamide (H2‐isopropyl2DTO) to obtain the corresponding mononuclear complexes (1‐6) and their cytotoxicity was evaluated in two human breast cancer cell lines, i. e. MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231. The characterization of the complexes, [LnM(H‐isopropyl2 DTO κ‐S,S M)] (LnM=(C5Me5)RhCl, (1); (COD)Rh, (2); (η3‐allyl)Pd, (3); (trinpropyl‐phosphine)PdCl, (4); (bpy)Pt, (5) and (pph3)PtCl, (6)), and the ion pair form of 1–4, IP1‐IP4, were accomplished through NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of 1 and IP1 were also determined by single crystal XRD technique. In vitro cytotoxicity studies in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 (IC50 determination) showed that all complexes are cytotoxic for both cell lines, with the exception of 2. Compound 3 was the most cytotoxic in the conditions tested. In addition, the compounds induce cell death by apoptosis and inhibit the formation of colonies, indicating that these compounds could provide promising new lead derivatives for anticancer drug development.
Near Infrared Polyene Radical‐Cation Derived from 7,8‐Dihydrobenzo[c,d]Furo[2,3‐f]Indole: Synthesis, Spectra and Nature of Electron Transitions
Authors: Davydenko Iryna G. , Slominskiy Yurii L. , Obernikhina Nataliya V. , Kachkovsky Aleksey D. , Tolmachev Aleksey I.
Published: January 2020

The stable polyene cation‐radical containing the 7,8‐dihydrobenzo[cd]furo[2,3–f]indol terminal groups was synthesized and the features of its lowest electron transitions were studied, in detail. The electronic structure and absorption spectra of the polyene cation‐radical obtained, was compared with the electronic and spectral properties of the corresponding neutral poleynes, dications and related polymethine dye having the same terminal groups. While polyene and its dication absorb in the relative short wavelength spectral region, the polymethine‐cation absorbs in the long wavelength region; it is shown that two splitting bands appear in the spectra of the polyenic cation‐radical: the low‐ intensive long wavelength band (≈ 1200 nm) and of the high‐ intensive short wavelength band (≈800 nm); they take correctly into consideration splitting of excited states, generated by α‐ and β‐electrons.
Dual Luminescence of 1‐(9‐Anthryl)Butane‐1,3‐dione
Authors: Mirochnik Anatolii G. , Yu Anton , Beloliptsev  , Fedorenko Elena V.
Published: January 2020

The luminescent properties 1‐(9‐antryl)butane‐1,3‐dione (1) have been investigated by means of time resolved and steady state luminescence. The results have been analyzed via the method of time‐dependent density functional theory (TD DFT). It has been shown that for compound 1 there are two forms of enol, A and B, which differ in the position of the luminescence bands. For compound 1 in polar solvents, the dual luminescence has been detected: the structured band of 420 nm and the wide diffuse band at 530 nm. In nonpolar solvents, only a broad band at 530 nm was observed. A long‐wavelength band at 530 nm was attributed to the processes of Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) and Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer (TICT). For compound 1 in acetone, the intensity of the short‐wavelength band of the enol B increased along with the temperature increase.
Sodium in situ Intercalated Ultrathin δ‐MnO2 Flakes Electrode with Enhanced Intercalation Capacitive Performance for Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Peng Haijun , Fan Huiqing , Sui Jianan , Wang Chao , Zhang Weiming , Wang Weijia
Published: January 2020

The sodium ion intercalated ultrathin δ‐MnO2 flakes (abbreviated as NaxKMO) are synthesized by one‐step hydrothermal synthesis. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of sodium ion intercalating process and the homogeneous few‐layered microstructure, the NaxKMO electrode shows increased electron conduction as well as largely enhanced intercalation capacitive performance of 324.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 40.91 % capacitance retention at 8 A g−1 is obtained. Meanwhile, the 91.9 % diffusion contribution for NaxKMO electrode is clarified to be higher than that of KMO electrode, which indicates the preintercalated sodium ions caused a promoted diffusion‐controlled kinetic in charge‐discharge processes for the NaxKMO electrode. An asymmetric supercapacitor device (ASC) is assembled with the NaxKMO cathode and activated carbon anode. With a voltage window of 1.6 V, the fabricated ASC device delivers a high energy and power densities of 31.2 Wh kg−1 and 1571 W kg−1, respectively. With the continuous charge‐discharge tests, the device demonstrates outstanding capacitance retention of 98.2 % after 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1, suggesting a great potential of sodium ion intercalated MnO2 film electrodes in practical applications.
Recent Advances and Perspectives in the Copper‐Catalysed Amination of Aryl and Heteroaryl Halides
Authors: Neetha Mohan , Saranya Salim , Ann Harry Nissy , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: January 2020

Coupling reactions form an important class of reactions in organic synthesis and these reactions are usually catalysed by metals and are of great significance. Copper due to its versatility and low toxicity has always gained much attention. This first review on copper‐catalysed amination of aryl and heteroaryl halides summarises the developments in this area and covers literature upto 2019.
The Intramolecular Rauhut−Currier Reaction between Nitroalkenes and Acrylates: An Approach to 3‐Methylene‐3,4‐Dihydrocoumarin Scaffold
Authors: Wang Sen , Huang Zhiqiang , Zhang Jingjing
Published: January 2020

The intramolecular Rauhut−Currier reaction between nitroalkene and acrylate has been successfully carried out. The reaction proceeds in the presence of a sulfinamide based bifunctional phosphine in dichloromethane to provide the biologically relevant 3‐methylene‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarin in acceptable yields. Unlike with other nitroalkenes participated cross R−C reactions, in this reaction, nitroalkenes work as electrophiles rather than nucleophiles. The nature of the substituent plays an important role on the chemoselectivity of this reaction. Normal Rauhut−Currier reaction products were obtained for substrates with electron‐donating substituent on the benzene ring, whereas isomerized coumarin products were obtained for those bearing halogen substituent.
Continuous Saturated Steam Assisted Low‐temperature Pyrolysis of Corncobs and Selective Production of Furfural
Authors: Ye Jun , Wang Kui , Li Jing , Liu Peng , Xu Junming , Tan WeiHong , Jiang Jianchun
Published: January 2020

A facile and selective furfural production technology was introduced by using corncobs as raw materials under saturated steam atmosphere in a fixed bed reactor. It was found that Al2(SO4)3 catalyst has showed a good selective performance with furfural selectivity 64.2% (15.8 wt%). The optimal conditions were pyrolysis temperature 230 °C, steam flow 10 g/min (160 °C) and catalyst loading 7.5 mmol. The reaction parameters such as pyrolysis temperature, catalyst loading and steam flow rate all displayed a positive effect on both corncob conversion and furfural selectivity.The higher steam flow displayed a positive effect on furfural dissolving and products desorption. Removal degree of hemicellulose on each catalytic condition analysis indicated that hemicellulose depolymerization was mainly promoted by lower temperature pyrolysis, and furfural selected production was mainly affected by catalytic effect. This technology provided a low‐cost and low‐temperature catalytic reaction to synthesize furfural, which shows a great potential in industrial production.
Fe/S‐Catalyzed Redox Condensation of o‐Nitrophenols/thiophenols/anilines with Dibenzyl Disulfide: Access to 2‐Arylbenzazoles
Authors: Gan Haifeng
Published: January 2020

An Fe/S‐catalyzed approach to 2‐arylbenzazoles from dibenzyl disulfides and o‐nitrophenols/thiophenols/anilines in the presence of base NMP has been developed. The reactions proceeded in moderate to excellent yields with good functional tolerance and gram‐scale application. Mechanistic research indicated that Fe/S clusters play an important role in the formation of products and DMSO is also important to oxidize benzyl mercaptans to give dibenzyl disulfides.
Macroporous Carbon Material with High Nitrogen Content for Excellent Catalytic Performance of Acetylene Hydrochlorination
Authors: Lu Fangjie , Lu Yusheng , Zhu Mingyuan , Dai Bin
Published: January 2020

In this work, we prepared macroporous carbon catalysts with high N content using melamine as the N‐precursor for in‐situ doping. The catalysts have different carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios, and the influence of pore structure on the catalytic activity of acetylene hydrochlorination was evaluated. The CN‐2 catalyst shows outstanding catalytic activity of acetylene hydrochlorination (acetylene conversion rate is 98%, VCM selectivity is 99%. Based on the results from temperature programmed desorption (TPD), automatic mercury analyzer, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other characterization techniques, CN‐2 has a nitrogen content of up to 9.74%, a pore size of 300 nm, and strong C2H2 and HCl adsorption. The high activity and stability of CN‐2 indicates that it has great potential as a carbon catalyst of the acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. The used catalyst was dealed with ammonia, and the catalytic performance is certainly recovery, it shows that ammonia treatment is one of the methods of catalyst regeneration.
Key Factors for Template‐Oriented Porous Titania Synthesis: Solvents and Catalysts
Authors: Yin Shanshan , Song Lin , Xia Senlin , Cheng Yajun , Hohn Nuri , Chen Wei , Wang Kun , Cao Wei , Hou Shujin , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: January 2020

Various types of titania nanostructures are synthesized with a polymer‐templated sol–gel method based on the amphiphilic diblock copolymer polystyrene‐b‐polyethylene oxide (PS‐b‐PEO) in combination with selective incorporation of the titania precursor titanium tetraisopropoxide. Custom tailoring of different types of titania morphologies is realized by changing the phase separation behavior of the PS‐b‐PEO template. Particularly, application of solvents from different categories is found to have a major impact upon the phase separation behavior of PS‐b‐PEO and the final titania film morphology. The amount of available hydrochloric acid catalyst during the gelation process is seen as an additional key factor to induce controllable morphological changes. Scanning electron microscopy and grazing incidence small angle X‐ray scattering measurements are carried out to study the surface and inner structure of porous titania films. Systematic analysis and comparison of different characterization results allow attributing the following three factors to the respectively formed titania nanostructure: the surface energy between PS blocks and surrounding solvent, the aggregation behavior of the titania nanoparticles, and the block‐specific selectivity of the used solvent. For all synthesized titania thin films, an anatase‐type crystallization is confirmed through X‐ray powder diffraction.
Effects of Laser‐Scribed Mo Groove Shape on Highly Efficient Zn(O,S)‐Based Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Modules
Authors: Li Jianmin , Niu Jiabin , Wu Xiao , Kong Yifan , Gao Jinlong , Zhu Jiakuan , Li Qiang , Huang Lan , Wang Shijin , Chi Zheng , Xiao Xudong
Published: January 2020

In this work, the effects of the Mo groove (P1 line) shape on the quality and performance of final modules are investigated. A gradual sloped Mo edge is successfully realized by controlling the laser beam parameters and incidence directions. As a comparison, a sharp vertical Mo edge is also investigated. With the traditional sharp vertical groove shape, voids, cracks, and peel‐offs near the abrupt step edge of P1 lines are often found to grow within the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) layer and induce unwanted growth behavior of the transparent conducting oxide (TCO) layer. With the sloped groove shape, conformal growth with a continuous surface for CIGS, Zn(O,S) buffer, and Al:ZnO TCO layers without cracks and peel‐offs at the P1 position from the ablated glass region to the pristine Mo region is successfully realized. The suppression of voids, cracks, and peel‐offs in the CIGS layer effectively reduces the number of shunting pathways for the solar modules and helps to greatly improve the fill factor and efficiency of Zn(O,S)‐based CIGS modules. Finally, a Zn(O, S)‐based CIGS module of 16.3% efficiency is obtained with a cell width of 7 mm after use of MgF2 antireflective coating.
Science teachers' sensemaking of the use of epistemic tools to scaffold students' knowledge (re)construction in classrooms
Authors: Sezen‐Barrie Asli , Stapleton Mary K. , Marbach‐Ad Gili
Published: January 2020

This study explores the process of teacher scaffolding student engagement in epistemic tools from the critical sensemaking perspective. Epistemic tools are contextual artifacts manipulated to investigate and evaluate ideas to construct knowledge within the constraints of a disciplines' representational means. The main sources of our data are ~50 min‐long semistructured, responsive interviews with the 14 secondary school science teachers who participated in our professional learning environment (PLE) and implemented the activities from the PLE in their classrooms. We utilized the tools of discourse analysis to explore teacher sensemaking while they learned to teach science with epistemic tools. We then looked at intertextualities of meaning across multiple sets of data such as students' artifacts, pre/postsurveys, audio and video recordings of the workshops, and teachers' written implementation feedback forms. As a result, we recognized a pattern across different classrooms. Teachers would begin with a contextualized goal, and use a pedagogical strategy to scaffold their students as they worked to achieve that goal. Then, all teachers reported they faced some sort of ambiguity (such as grappling with failure, different levels of students). When faced with an ambiguity, teachers would then revise either their contextualized goal or their initial pedagogical strategy to help their students to reach their goals. Finally, we utilized constant‐comparative analysis to identify themes for teachers' contextualized goals. Four major themes emerged, including communicating connections to core ideas of science, making sense of how science works, assessing students' learning process outcomes, and fostering students' epistemic agency. The findings of the study have implications for future research and professional development activities on the use of epistemic practices and tools in classrooms with unique contextual characteristics.
Teaching thermodynamics to middle school students: What are appropriate cognitive demands?
Authors: Linn Marcia C. , Songer Nancy Butler
Published: January 2020

What cognitive demands foster understanding of thermodynamics for middle school science students? We successively modified the cognitive demands of a 13‐week thermodynamics curriculum for four cohorts of 100‐200 eighth graders while maintaining the same basic experiments and real‐time data collection software. When comparing posttest performance across four versions, we found two‐ to fourfold increases in understanding when (a) students actively predicted outcomes and reconciled results, and (b) students used a heat‐flow model of thermodynamics to integrate their experimental results. We argue that the curriculum must explicitly motivate students to construct understanding, and that middle school students benefit from what we call “pragmatic models” of scientific concepts.
Detection of fetal cardiac anomalies: cost‐effectiveness of increased number of cardiac views
Authors: Bak G. S. , Shaffer B. L. , Madriago E. , Allen A. , Kelly B. , Caughey A. B. , Pereira L.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To compare the recommended three‐view fetal heart screening method to detect major congenital heart disease (CHD) with more elaborate screening strategies to determine the cost‐effective strategy in unselected (low‐risk) pregnancies.

Methods

A decision‐analytic model was designed to compare four screening strategies to identify fetuses with major CHD in a theoretical cohort of 4 000 000 births in the USA. The four strategies were: (1) three views: four‐chamber view (4CV) and views of the left (LVOT) and right (RVOT) ventricular outflow tracts; (2) five views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT and longitudinal views of the ductal arch and aortic arch; (3) five axial views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT, three‐vessel (3V) view and three‐vessels‐and‐trachea view; and (4) six views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT and 3V views and longitudinal views of the ductal arch and aortic arch. Outcomes related to neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were evaluated. The analysis was performed from a healthcare‐system perspective, with a cost‐effectiveness willingness‐to‐pay threshold set at $100 000 per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY). Baseline analysis, one‐way sensitivity analysis and Monte‐Carlo simulation were performed.

Results

In our baseline model, screening with five axial views was the optimal strategy, detecting 3520 more CHDs, and resulting in 259 fewer children with neurodevelopmental disability, 40 fewer neonatal deaths and only slightly higher costs, compared with screening with the currently recommended three views. Screening with six views was more effective, but also cost considerably more, compared with screening with five axial views, and had an incremental cost of $490 023/QALY, which was over the willingness‐to‐pay threshold. The five‐view strategy was dominated by the other three strategies, i.e. it was more costly and less effective in comparison. The data were robust when tested with Monte‐Carlo and one‐way sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

Although current guidelines recommend a minimum of three views for detecting CHD during the mid‐trimester anatomy scan, screening with five axial views is a cost‐effective strategy that may lead to improved outcome compared with three‐view screening. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Detonation Velocity Assessment of Energetic Cocrystals Using QSPR Approach
Authors: Zohari Narges , Mohammadkhani Faezeh Ghiasvand
Published: January 2020

In order to design a new energetic material with desirable performance, it is necessary to know its detonation performance. This study, exhibits a linear relationship between detonation velocity of energetic cocrystals and their molecular structure through quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) method. The methodology of this research affords a new model which can relate the detonation velocity of energetic cocrystals to their several molecular structural descriptors. Moreover, this method supposes that the detonation velocity of energetic cocrystals is a function of nN, Mw, nC/nH, and nO/nH. The new correlation is acquired on the basis of calculated data of detonation velocities of 40 cocrystals through reliable methods as training set. The R2 or determination coefficient of the obtained correlation is 0.952. The new correlatoion provides an appropriate estimation for further 12 energetic cocrystals as test set. Meanwhile, the root mean square and average absolute deviation of a newly introduced correlation were found to be 0.398 and 0.308 km·s–1, respectively. As a matter of fact, it is conceivable to design novel energetic cocrystals by the utility of the proposed correlation.
A subtraction scheme for massive QED
Authors: Engel T. , Signer A. , Ulrich Y.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We present an extension of the FKS subtraction scheme beyond next-to-leading order to deal with soft singularities in fully differential calculations within QED with mas- sive fermions. After a detailed discussion of the next-to-next-to-leading order case, we show how to extend the scheme to even higher orders in perturbation theory. As an application we discuss the computation of the next-to-next-to-leading order QED corrections to the muon decay and present differential results with full electron mass dependence.
Angiolytische Laserverfahren am Kehlkopf
Authors: Strieth S. , Hagemann J. , Hess M.
Published: January 2020

Durch transorale Lasermikrochirurgie wurden bei der Larynxkarzinomtherapie temporäre Tracheotomien reduziert, die Organerhaltraten erhöht und funktionelle Resultate verbessert. Goldstandard für die laserbasierte transorale Resektion eines Larynxkarzinoms ist der Einsatz des CO2-Laser, dabei sind onkologische Radikalität und postoperative Stimmfunktion individuell abzuwägen. Angiolytische Lasereffekte ermöglichen eine Beeinflussung des Tumormikromilieus durch zielgerichtete Gefäßobliteration und Blockierung der Angiogenese mit Schonung von schwingungsfähigem Gewebe für eine gute Stimmfunktion. Mit der Verabschiedung der S3-Leitlinie zur Diagnostik, Therapie und Nachsorge des Larynxkarzinoms wird eine nationale evidenzbasierte Standardisierung gefördert. International nimmt die Evidenz zur Kalium-Titanyl-Phosphat-Laser-Therapie laryngealer Schleimhautdysplasien und von T1a-Larynxkarzinomen zu. Auch bei juveniler Papillomatose und der Stützlaryngoskopie unter Narkose sowie für ausgewählte Patienten in Lokalanästhesie werden angiolytische Laser eingesetzt.
Critical Ising Model on Random Triangulations of the Disk: Enumeration and Local Limits
Authors: Chen Linxiao , Turunen Joonas
Published: January 2020

We consider Boltzmann random triangulations coupled to the Ising model on their faces, under Dobrushin boundary conditions and at the critical point of the model. The first part of this paper computes explicitly the partition function of this model by solving its Tutte’s equation, extending a previous result by Bernardi and Bousquet-Mélou (J Combin Theory Ser B 101(5):315–377, 2011) to the model with Dobrushin boundary conditions. We show that the perimeter exponent of the model is 7/3 in contrast to the exponent 5/2 for uniform triangulations. In the second part, we show that the model has a local limit in distribution when the two components of the Dobrushin boundary tend to infinity one after the other. The local limit is constructed explicitly using the peeling process along an Ising interface. Moreover, we show that the main interface in the local limit touches the (infinite) boundary almost surely only finitely many times, a behavior opposite to that of the Bernoulli percolation on uniform maps. Some scaling limits closely related to the perimeters of finite clusters are also obtained.
Are RNA networks scale-free?
Authors: Clote P.
Published: January 2020

A network is scale-free if its connectivity density function is proportional to a power-law distribution. It has been suggested that scale-free networks may provide an explanation for the robustness observed in certain physical and biological phenomena, since the presence of a few highly connected hub nodes and a large number of small-degree nodes may provide alternate paths between any two nodes on average—such robustness has been suggested in studies of metabolic networks, gene interaction networks and protein folding. A theoretical justification for why many networks appear to be scale-free has been provided by Barabási and Albert, who argue that expanding networks, in which new nodes are preferentially attached to highly connected nodes, tend to be scale-free. In this paper, we provide the first efficient algorithm to compute the connectivity density function for the ensemble of all homopolymer secondary structures of a user-specified length—a highly nontrivial result, since the exponential size of such networks precludes their enumeration. Since existent power-law fitting software, such as , cannot be used to determine a power-law fit for our exponentially large RNA connectivity data, we also implement efficient code to compute the maximum likelihood estimate for the power-law scaling factor and associated Kolmogorov–Smirnov p value. Hypothesis tests strongly indicate that homopolymer RNA secondary structure networks are not scale-free; moreover, this appears to be the case for real (non-homopolymer) RNA networks.
Cavity QED based on room temperature atoms interacting with a photonic crystal cavity: a feasibility study
Authors: Alaeian Hadiseh , Ritter Ralf , Basic Muamera , Löw Robert , Pfau Tilman
Published: January 2020

The paradigm of cavity QED is a two-level emitter interacting with a high-quality factor single-mode optical resonator. The hybridization of the emitter and photon wave functions mandates large vacuum Rabi frequencies and long coherence times; features that so far have been successfully realized with trapped cold atoms and ions, and localized solid-state quantum emitters such as superconducting circuits, quantum dots, and color centers Reiserer and Rempe (Rev Modern Phys 87:1379, 2015), Faraon et al. (Phys Rev 81:033838, 2010). Thermal atoms, on the other hand, provide us with a dense emitter ensemble and in comparison to the cold systems are more compatible with integration, hence enabling large-scale quantum systems. However, their thermal motion and large transit-time broadening is a major bottleneck that has to be circumvented. A promising remedy could benefit from the highly controllable and tunable electromagnetic fields of a nano-photonic cavity with strong local electric-field enhancements. Utilizing this feature, here we investigate the interaction between fast moving thermal atoms and a nano-beam photonic crystal cavity (PCC) with large quality factor and small mode volume. Through fully quantum mechanical calculations, including Casimir–Polder potential (i.e. the effect of the surface on radiation properties of an atom), we show, when designed properly, the achievable coupling between the flying atom and the cavity photon would be strong enough to lead to quantum interference effects in spite of short interaction times. In addition, the time-resolved detection of different trajectories can be used to identify single and multiple atom counts. This probabilistic approach will find applications in cavity QED studies in dense atomic media and paves the way towards realizing large-scale, room-temperature macroscopic quantum systems aimed at out of the lab quantum devices.
Leaflet thickening and stent geometry in sutureless bioprosthetic aortic valves
Authors: Themudo Raquel , Kastengren Mikael , Bacsovics Brolin Elin , Cederlund Kerstin , Svensson Anders , Dalén Magnus
Published: January 2020

Underexpansion of transcatheter heart valves and the surgically implanted Perceval sutureless aortic valve bioprosthesis has been suggested as an underlying mechanism for hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening (HALT). This was a single-center prospective observational study that included 47 patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with the Perceval sutureless bioprosthesis (LivaNova, London, United Kingdom) from 2012 to 2016 and were studied by four-dimensional cardiac computed tomography (CT). The association between overall and regional expansion and the prevalence of HALT was analyzed. In total 46 patients were included in the analysis. HALT was found in 39.1% of patients and the mean overall prosthesis expansion was 75.5 ± 5.2% (range 64.6–84.8%). Overall expansion did not differ between patients with HALT compared with patients without HALT (mean overall expansion 74.0 ± 5.2% vs. 76.5 ± 5.0%, P = 0.11). The prevalence of HALT was lower in patients with overall expansion > 80% compared to patients with expansion < 80% expansion though not significantly (20% vs. 44.4%, P = 0.16). None or trivial regional underexpansion was found in 94.7% of coronary cusps. There was no significant association between regional underexpansion and the prevalence of HALT (mean coronary cusp angle 120 ± 8° vs. 119 ± 10°, P = 0.53). The prevalence of HALT and overall underexpansion was high in the Perceval sutureless bioprosthetic valve. Overall underexpansion was not associated with HALT. Whether severe overall underexpansion increases the risk for HALT requires further study. Regional underexpansion was uncommon in the Perceval sutureless bioprosthetic valve and not associated with HALT.

Clinical trial registration Unique identifier: NCT03753126 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Antibody signatures in patients with histopathologically defined multiple sclerosis patterns
Authors: Stork Lidia , Ellenberger David , Ruprecht Klemens , Reindl Markus , Beißbarth Tim , Friede Tim , Kümpfel Tania , Gerdes Lisa A. , Gloth Mareike , Liman Thomas , Paul Friedemann , Brück Wolfgang , Metz Imke
Published: January 2020

Early active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions can be classified histologically into three main immunopathological patterns of demyelination (patterns I–III), which suggest pathogenic heterogeneity and may predict therapy response. Patterns I and II show signs of immune-mediated demyelination, but only pattern II is associated with antibody/complement deposition. In pattern III lesions, which include Baló’s concentric sclerosis, primary oligodendrocyte damage was proposed. Serum antibody reactivities could reflect disease pathogenesis and thus distinguish histopathologically defined MS patterns. We established a customized microarray with more than 700 peptides that represent human and viral antigens potentially relevant for inflammatory demyelinating CNS diseases, and tested sera from 66 patients (pattern In = 12; IIn = 29; IIIn = 25, including 8 with Baló’s), healthy controls, patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and stroke patients. Cell-based assays were performed for aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and AQP4 antibody detection. No single peptide showed differential binding among study cohorts. Because antibodies can react with different peptides from one protein, we also analyzed groups of peptides. Patients with pattern II showed significantly higher reactivities to Nogo-A peptides as compared to patterns I (p = 0.02) and III (p = 0.02). Pattern III patients showed higher reactivities to AQP1 (compared to pattern Ip = 0.002, pattern IIp = 0.001) and varicella zoster virus (VZV, compared to pattern IIp = 0.05). In patients with Baló’s, AQP1 reactivity was also significantly higher compared to patients without Baló’s (p = 0.04), and the former revealed distinct antibody signatures. Histologically, Baló’s patients showed loss of AQP1 and AQP4 in demyelinating lesions, but no antibodies binding conformational AQP1 or AQP4 were detected. In summary, higher reactivities to Nogo-A peptides in pattern II patients could be relevant for enhanced axonal repair and remyelination. Higher reactivities to AQP1 peptides in pattern III patients and its subgroup of Baló’s patients possibly reflect astrocytic damage. Finally, latent VZV infection may cause peripheral immune activation.
Heterochromatin formation in Drosophila requires genome-wide histone deacetylation in cleavage chromatin before mid-blastula transition in early embryogenesis
Authors: Walther Matthias , Schrahn Sandy , Krauss Veiko , Lein Sandro , Kessler Jeannette , Jenuwein Thomas , Reuter Gunter
Published: January 2020

Su(var) mutations define epigenetic factors controlling heterochromatin formation and gene silencing in Drosophila. Here, we identify SU(VAR)2-1 as a novel chromatin regulator that directs global histone deacetylation during the transition of cleavage chromatin into somatic blastoderm chromatin in early embryogenesis. SU(VAR)2-1 is heterochromatin-associated in blastoderm nuclei but not in later stages of development. In larval polytene chromosomes, SU(VAR)2-1 is a band-specific protein. SU(VAR)2-1 directs global histone deacetylation by recruiting the histone deacetylase RPD3. In Su(var)2-1 mutants H3K9, H3K27, H4K8 and H4K16 acetylation shows elevated levels genome-wide and heterochromatin displays aberrant histone hyper-acetylation. Whereas H3K9me2- and HP1a-binding appears unaltered, the heterochromatin-specific H3K9me2S10ph composite mark is impaired in heterochromatic chromocenters of larval salivary polytene chromosomes. SU(VAR)2-1 contains an NRF1/EWG domain and a C2HC zinc-finger motif. Our study identifies SU(VAR)2-1 as a dosage-dependent, heterochromatin-initiating SU(VAR) factor, where the SU(VAR)2-1-mediated control of genome-wide histone deacetylation after cleavage and before mid-blastula transition (pre-MBT) is required to enable heterochromatin formation.
Fusarium oxysporum infection activates the plastidial branch of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway in flax, leading to increased ABA synthesis
Authors: Boba Aleksandra , Kostyn Kamil , Kozak Bartosz , Wojtasik Wioleta , Preisner Marta , Prescha Anna , Gola Edyta M. , Lysh Dzmitry , Dudek Barbara , Szopa Jan , Kulma Anna
Published: January 2020

Main conclusion

Upregulation of the terpenoid pathway and increased ABA content in flax uponFusarium infection leads to activation of the early plant’s response (PR genes, cell wall remodeling, and redox status).

Plants have developed a number of defense strategies against the adverse effects of fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum. One such defense is the production of antioxidant secondary metabolites, which fall into two main groups: the phenylpropanoids and the terpenoids. While functions and biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids have been extensively studied, very little is known about the genes controlling the terpenoid synthesis pathway in flax. They can serve as antioxidants, but are also substrates for a plethora of different compounds, including those of regulatory functions, like ABA. ABA’s function during pathogen attack remains obscure and often depends on the specific plant-pathogen interactions. In our study we showed that in flax the non-mevalonate pathway is strongly activated in the early hours of pathogen infection and that there is a redirection of metabolites towards ABA synthesis. The elevated synthesis of ABA correlates with flax resistance to F. oxysporum, thus we suggest ABA to be a positive regulator of the plant’s early response to the infection.
Subjective recovery from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain the first 6 weeks after delivery: a prospective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Gausel Anne Marie , Malmqvist Stefan , Andersen Knut , Kjærmann Inger , Larsen Jan Petter , Dalen Ingvild , Økland Inger
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subjective recovery from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during the first 6 weeks after delivery and to detect possible risk factors for a poor recovery.

Methods

The participants were included in this study at the routine ultrasound examination at 18 weeks of pregnancy. The women received a weekly SMS with the question “How many days during the last week has your PGP been bothersome?” The SMS-track from the final 10 weeks of pregnancy and first 6 weeks after delivery were assessed and sorted, based on individual graphs. A total of 130 women who reported PGP during pregnancy and met for clinical examination 6 weeks after delivery were included in the study.

Results

In all, 83% of the women experienced substantial recovery from severe or moderate PGP within 6 weeks after delivery. Of these, 44% reported a substantial recovery already within 2 weeks after delivery. More multiparous women, women reporting PGP the year before pregnancy, and women with high pain intensity during pregnancy had a poor recovery.

Conclusions

The prognosis following PGP in pregnancy is good and the majority of women recovered substantially from severe and moderate pregnancy-related PGP within 6 weeks after delivery. For many women, a subjective substantial recovery occurred within 2 weeks after delivery. Predictors for a poor recovery were multiparity, PGP the year before pregnancy and a high pain intensity during pregnancy.

Graphic abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
International league of associations for rheumatology recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis in resource-poor settings
Authors:   on behalf of ILAR-PsA recommendations group, Elmamoun M. , Eraso M. , Anderson M. , Maharaj A. , Coates L. , Chandran Vinod , Abogamal A. , Adebajo A. O. , Ajibade A. , Ayanlowo O. , Azevedo V. , Bautista-Molano W. , Carneiro S. , Goldenstein-Schainberg C. , Hernandez-Velasco F. , Ima-Edomwonyi U. , Lima A. , Medina-Rosas J. , Mody G. M. , Narang T. , Ortega-Loayza A. G. , Ranza R. , Sharma A. , Toloza S. , Vega-Espinoza L. , Vega-Hinojosa O.
Published: January 2020

Background

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a challenging heterogeneous disease. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and PsA (GRAPPA) last published their respective recommendations for the management of PsA in 2015. However, these guidelines are primarily based on studies conducted in resource replete countries and may not be applicable in countries in the Americas (except Canada and USA) and Africa. We sought to adapt the existing recommendations for these regions under the auspices of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).

Process

The ADAPTE Collaboration (2009) process for guideline adaptation was followed to adapt the EULAR and GRAPPA PsA treatment recommendations for the Americas and Africa. The process was conducted in three recommended phases: set-up phase; adaptation phase (defining health questions, assessing source recommendations, drafting report), and finalization phase (external review, aftercare planning, and final production).

Result

ILAR recommendations have been derived principally by adapting the GRAPPA recommendations, additionally, EULAR recommendations where appropriate and supplemented by expert opinion and literature from these regions. A paucity of data relevant to resource-poor settings was found in PsA management literature.

Conclusion

The ILAR Treatment Recommendations for PsA intends to serve as reference for the management of PsA in the Americas and Africa. This paper illustrates the experience of an international working group in adapting existing recommendations to a resource-poor setting. It highlights the need to conduct research on the management of PsA in these regions as data are currently lacking.Key Points•The paper presents adapted recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis in resource-poor settings.•The ADAPTE process was used to adapt existing GRAPPA and EULAR recommendations by collaboration with practicing clinicians from the Americas and Africa.•The evidence from resource-poor settings to answer clinically relevant questions was scant or non-existent; hence, a research agenda is proposed.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking in pigs: a reproducibility and sample size calculation study
Authors: Faragli A. , Tanacli R. , Kolp C. , Lapinskas T. , Stehning C. , Schnackenburg B. , Lo Muzio F. P. , Perna S. , Pieske B. , Nagel E. , Post H. , Kelle S. , Alogna A.
Published: January 2020

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) is a novel technique for non-invasive assessment of myocardial motion and deformation. Although CMR-FT is standardized in humans, literature on comparative analysis from animal models is scarce. In this study, we measured the reproducibility of global strain under various inotropic states and the sample size needed to test its relative changes in pigs. Ten anesthetized healthy Landrace pigs were investigated. After baseline (BL), two further steps were performed: (I) dobutamine-induced hyper-contractility (Dob) and (II) verapamil-induced hypocontractility (Ver). Global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were assessed. This study shows a good to excellent inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of CMR-FT in pigs under various inotropic states. The highest inter-observer reproducibility was observed for GLS at both BL (ICC 0.88) and Ver (ICC 0.79). According to the sample size calculation for GLS, a small number of animals could be used for future trials.
Effectiveness and safety of eribulin in Japanese patients with HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer: a 2-year post-marketing observational study in a real-world setting
Authors: Inoue Kenichi , Takahashi Masato , Mukai Hirofumi , Yamanaka Takashi , Egawa Chiyomi , Sakata Yukinori , Ikezawa Hiroki , Matsuoka Toshiyuki , Tsurutani Junji
Published: January 2020

Background Data on eribulin as the first- or second-line treatment in a clinical setting, especially the overall survival (OS) of patients, are scarce. Therefore, we assessed the effectiveness and safety of eribulin as the first-, second-, and third- or later-line treatments in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer in Japan. Methods This multicenter, prospective, post-marketing, observational study enrolled patients from September 2014 to February 2016 in Japan and followed them for 2 years. Patients were categorized by eribulin use into the first-, second-, and third- or later-line treatment groups. Results Of 651 registered patients, 637 patients were included in the safety and effectiveness analysis. In all, first-, second-, and third or later-line treatment groups, median OS (95% confidence interval) were 15.6 (13.8–17.6), 22.8 (17.3–31.0), 16.3 (12.4–19.9), and 12.6 (11.2–15.1) months and time to treatment failure (TTF) (95% confidence interval) were 4.2 (3.7–4.4), 5.2 (3.7–5.9), 4.2 (3.7–5.1), and 3.8 (3.5–4.2) months, respectively. Prolonged TTF was associated with complications of diabetes and the development of peripheral neuropathy after eribulin treatment, according to multivariate Cox regression analysis. Grade ≥ 3 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported in 61.7% of the patients. Neutropenia (49.5%) was the most common grade ≥ 3 ADR in all groups. Conclusions The effectiveness and safety results of eribulin as the first- or second-line treatment were favorable. Thus, these suggest eribulin may be a first-line treatment candidate for patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in Japan.
Transforming mathematics classroom practice through participatory action research
Authors: Wright Pete
Published: January 2020

This paper explores the potential of participatory action research to bring about significant changes in practice in a context in which more conventional approaches to research have had limited impact. It focuses on secondary mathematics classrooms where teaching approaches characterised by memorising and practising mathematical procedures, with little understanding of their application, purpose or underlying concepts, remain commonplace in many countries around the world and have proved highly resistant to change. The paper highlights the damage caused by such practices in terms of the alienation of large numbers of students and the inequitable outcomes they are associated with, including the strong correlation that persists between students’ socio-economic status and mathematical attainment. It reports on the case of one participatory action research project, involving the author and five teacher researchers, that demonstrated how a vision of mathematics education, involving a genuinely engaging and empowering curriculum, can be translated into classroom practice. The paper considers the extent to which this research project was conducted in a collaborative, systematic and rigorous way. It reflects on the research processes that facilitated critical reflection, enabled the teacher researchers to overcome constraints and generated trustworthy findings. The insights gained from this analysis are used to argue that a participatory action research methodology, which resonates with a critical mathematics pedagogy, has the potential to challenge prevailing discourses in mathematics education and hence lead to genuine transformations in classroom practice.