bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contraction of distance and duration production in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Honma Motoyasu , Itoi Chihiro , Midorikawa Akira , Terao Yasuo , Masaoka Yuri , Kuroda Takeshi , Futamura Akinori , Shiromaru Azusa , Ohta Haruhisa , Kato Nobumasa , Kawamura Mitsuru , Ono Kenjiro
Published: June 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents certain hallmark features associated with cognitive and social functions, however, the ability to estimate self-generated distance and duration in individuals with ASD are unclear. We compared the performance of 20 ASD individuals with 20 typical developments (TDs) with respect to two tasks: (1) the drawing of a line of a specified distance (10 or 20 cm) and (2) waiting for a specified time (10 or 20 s). We observed that both the line distances and waiting times were substantially shorter in the ASD group than in the TD group. Furthermore, a trait of “attention to detail,” as measured by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, correlated with some distance and duration productions observed in individuals with ASD. We suggest that attentional functions are related to the contraction of distance and duration in ASD.
Sniffer cells for the detection of neural Angiotensin II in vitro
Authors: Farmer George E. , Amune Anna , Bachelor Martha E. , Duong Phong , Yuan Joseph P. , Cunningham J. Thomas
Published: June 2019

Neuropeptide release in the brain has traditionally been difficult to observe. Existing methods lack temporal and spatial resolution that is consistent with the function and size of neurons. We use cultured “sniffer cells” to improve the temporal and spatial resolution of observing neuropeptide release. Sniffer cells were created by stably transfecting Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with plasmids encoding the rat angiotensin type 1a receptor and a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor. Isolated, cultured sniffer cells showed dose-dependent increases in fluorescence in response to exogenously applied angiotensin II and III, but not other common neurotransmitters. Sniffer cells placed on the median preoptic nucleus (a presumptive site of angiotensin release) displayed spontaneous activity and evoked responses to either electrical or optogenetic stimulation of the subfornical organ. Stable sniffer cell lines could be a viable method for detecting neuropeptide release in vitro, while still being able to distinguish differences in neuropeptide concentration.
A Selective FGFR inhibitor AZD4547 suppresses RANKL/M-CSF/OPG-dependent ostoclastogenesis and breast cancer growth in the metastatic bone microenvironment
Authors: Kang Jinho , Choi Yoon Ji , Seo Bo Yeon , Jo Ukhyun , Park Serk In , Kim Yeul Hong , Park Kyong Hwa
Published: June 2019

Aberrant activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signalling contributes to progression and metastasis of many types of cancers including breast cancer. Accordingly, FGFR targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are currently under development. However, the efficacy of FGFR TKIs in the bone microenvironment where breast cancer cells most frequently metastasize and also where FGFR is biologically active, has not been clearly investigated. We investigated the FGFR-mediated interactions among cancer and the bone microenvironment stromal cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts), and also the effects of FGFR inhibition in bone metastasis. We showed that addition of culture supernatant from the MDA-MB-134-VI FGFR-amplified breast cancer cells-activated FGFR siganalling in osteoblasts, including increased expression of RANKL, M-CSF, and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Further in vitro analyses showed that AZD4547, an FGFR TKI currently in clinical trials for breast cancer, decreased RANKL and M-CSF, and subsequently RANKL and M-CSF-dependent osteoclastogenesis of murine bone marrow monocytes. Moreover, AZD4547 suppressed osteoclastogenesis and tumor-induced osteolysis in an orthotopic breast cancer bone metastasis mouse model using FGFR non-amplified MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, our results support that FGFR inhibitors inhibit the bone microenvironment stromal cells including osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and effectively suppress both tumor and stromal compartments of bone metastasis.
Substrate mediated nitridation of niobium into superconducting Nb2N thin films for phase slip study
Authors: Gajar Bikash , Yadav Sachin , Sawle Deepika , Maurya Kamlesh K. , Gupta Anurag , Aloysius R. P. , Sahoo Sangeeta
Published: June 2019

Here we report a novel nitridation technique for transforming niobium into hexagonal Nb2N which appears to be superconducting below 1K. The nitridation is achieved by high temperature annealing of Nb films grown on Si3N4/Si (100) substrate under high vacuum. The structural characterization directs the formation of a majority Nb2N phase while the morphology shows granular nature of the films. The temperature dependent resistance measurements reveal a wide metal-to-superconductor transition featuring two distinct transition regions. The region close to the normal state varies strongly with the film thickness, whereas, the second region in the vicinity of the superconducting state remains almost unaltered but exhibiting resistive tailing. The current-voltage characteristics also display wide transition embedded with intermediate resistive states originated by phase slip lines. The transition width in current and the number of resistive steps depend on film thickness and they both increase with decrease in thickness. The broadening in transition width is explained by progressive establishment of superconductivity through proximity coupled superconducting nano-grains while finite size effects and quantum fluctuation may lead to the resistive tailing. Finally, by comparing with Nb control samples, we emphasize that Nb2N offers unconventional superconductivity with promises in the field of phase slip based device applications.
Propionic Acid Induces Gliosis and Neuro-inflammation through Modulation of PTEN/AKT Pathway in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Abdelli Latifa S. , Samsam Aseela , Naser Saleh A.
Published: June 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by glia over-proliferation, neuro-inflammation, perturbed neural circuitry, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The role of gut dys-biosis in ASD is intriguing and should be elucidated. We investigated the effect of Propionic acid (PPA), a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and a product of dys-biotic ASD gut, on human neural stem cells (hNSCs) proliferation, differentiation and inflammation. hNSCs proliferated to 66 neuropsheres when exposed to PPA versus 45 in control. The neurosphere diameter also increased at day 10 post PPA treatment to (Mean: 193.47 um ± SEM: 6.673 um) versus (154.16 um ± 9.95 um) in control, p < 0.001. Pre-treatment with β-HB, SCFA receptor inhibitor, hindered neurosphere expansion (p < 0.001). While hNSCs spontaneously differentiated to (48.38% ± 6.08%) neurons (Tubulin-IIIβ positive) and (46.63% ± 2.5%) glia (GFAP positive), PPA treatment drastically shifted differentiation to 80% GFAP cells (p < 0.05). Following 2 mM PPA exposure, TNF-α transcription increased 4.98 fold and the cytokine increased 3.29 fold compared to control (P < 0.001). Likewise, GPR41 (PPA receptor) and pro-survival p-Akt protein were elevated (p < 0.001). PTEN (Akt inhibitor) level decreased to (0.42 ug/ul ± 0.04 ug/ul) at 2 mM PPA compared to (0.83 ug/ul ± 0.09 ug/ul) in control (p < 0.001). PPA at 2 mM decreased neurite outgrowth to (80.70 um ± 5.5 um) compared to (194.93 um ± 19.7 um) in control. Clearly, the data supports a significant role for PPA in modulating hNSC patterning leading to gliosis, disturbed neuro-circuitry, and inflammatory response as seen in ASD.
Statins exacerbate glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia in a high sucrose fed rodent model
Authors: Seshadri Sriram , Rapaka Naimisha , Prajapati Bhumika , Mandaliya Dipeeka , Patel Sweta , Muggalla Christopher Shamir , Kapadia Bandish , Babu Phanithi Prakash , Misra Parimal , Saxena Uday
Published: June 2019

Statins are first-line therapy drugs for cholesterol lowering. While they are highly effective at lowering cholesterol, they have propensity to induce hyperglycemia in patients. Only limited studies have been reported which studied the impact of statins on (a) whether they can worsen glucose tolerance in a high sucrose fed animal model and (b) if so, what could be the molecular mechanism. We designed studies using high sucrose fed animals to explore the above questions. The high sucrose fed animals were treated with atorvastatin and simvastatin, the two most prescribed statins. We examined the effects of statins on hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance, fatty acid accumulation and insulin signaling. We found that chronic treatment with atorvastatin made the animals hyperglycemic and glucose intolerant in comparison with diet alone. Treatment with both statins lead to fatty acid accumulation and inhibition of insulin signaling in the muscle tissue at multiple points in the pathway.
Enhanced Efficiency of Carbon-Based Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells through a Tungsten Oxide Nanoparticle Additive in the Carbon Electrode
Authors: Zhou Lin , Zuo Yuhua , Mallick Tapas Kumar , Sundaram Senthilarasu
Published: June 2019

This paper presents perovskite solar cells employed with WO3 nanoparticles embedded carbon top electrode. WO3 nanoparticles works as an inorganic hole-transport material (HTM) to promote the hole-extraction in the perovskite/carbon interface as revealed by efficiency, electrochemical impedance and external quantum efficiency measurements. As a result, a 40% enhancement of energy conversion efficiency has been achieved compared to the reference devices with the energy conversion efficiency of 10.77% under standard conditions. In addition, the Li-TFSI can modify the interface between electron-transport material (ETM) and perovskite, which may inhibit the recombination at the ETM/perovskite interface. The VOC of devices upon the modification of Li-TFSI is increased from 887.9 to 934.2 mV. This work highlights about the enlightenment of the effective performance of carbon-based mesoscopic PSCs by the introduction of HTM and the modification of interfaces.
Identifying niche and fitness dissimilarities in invaded marine macroalgal canopies within the context of contemporary coexistence theory
Authors: Epstein Graham , Hawkins Stephen J. , Smale Dan A.
Published: June 2019

Contemporary coexistence theory provides a framework for predicting invasiveness and impact of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) by incorporating differences in niche and fitness between INNS and co-occurring native species. The widespread invasive kelpUndaria pinnatifidais considered a high-risk INNS, although a robust evidence base regarding its invasiveness and impact is lacking in many regions. Invaded macroalgal canopies at nine coastal sites in the southwest UK were studied over three years to discern whetherUndariais coexisting or competing with native canopy-forming species across different habitat types. Spatial, temporal and depth-related trends in species distributions and abundance were recorded within intertidal and subtidal rocky reef as well as on marina pontoons. A primary succession experiment also examined competitive interactions between species. In rocky reef habitats,Undariahad lower fitness compared to long-lived native perennials, but was able to coexist due to niche dissimilarity between species. In contrast,Undariawas likely to be competing with short-lived native annuals on rocky reef due to large niche overlap and similar fitness. In marina habitats,Undariadominated over all other canopy formers due to low niche diversification and higher fitness. Generalisations on INNS impact cannot be made across habitats or species, without considering many abiotic factors and biotic interactions.
Non-conventional graphene superlattices as electron band-pass filters
Authors: Sánchez-Arellano A. , Madrigal-Melchor J. , Rodríguez-Vargas I.
Published: June 2019

Electron transmission through different non-conventional (non-uniform barrier height) gated and gapped graphene superlattices (GSLs) is studied. Linear, Gaussian, Lorentzian and Pöschl-Teller superlattice potential profiles have been assessed. A relativistic description of electrons in graphene as well as the transfer matrix method have been used to obtain the transmission properties. We find that it is not possible to have perfect or nearly perfect pass bands in gated GSLs. Regardless of the potential profile and the number of barriers there are remanent oscillations in the transmission bands. On the contrary, nearly perfect pass bands are obtained for gapped GSLs. The Gaussian profile is the best option when the number of barriers is reduced, and there is practically no difference among the profiles for large number of barriers. We also find that both gated and gapped GSLs can work as omnidirectional band-pass filters. In the case of gated Gaussian GSLs the omnidirectional range goes from −50° to 50° with an energy bandwidth of 55 meV, while for gapped Gaussian GSLs the range goes from −80° to 80° with a bandwidth of 40 meV. Here, it is important that the energy range does not include remanent oscillations. On the light of these results, the hole states inside the barriers of gated GSLs are not beneficial for band-pass filtering. So, the flatness of the pass bands is determined by the superlattice potential profile and the chiral nature of the charge carriers in graphene. Moreover, the width and the number of electron pass bands can be modulated through the superlattice structural parameters. We consider that our findings can be useful to design electron filters based on non-conventional GSLs.
Network analysis of noncoding RNAs in pepper provides insights into fruit ripening control
Authors: Zuo Jinhua , Wang Yunxiang , Zhu Benzhong , Luo Yunbo , Wang Qing , Gao Lipu
Published: June 2019

Pepper is an important vegetable worldwide and is a model plant for nonclimacteric fleshy fruit ripening. Drastic visual changes and internal biochemical alterations are involved in fruit coloration, flavor, texture, aroma, and palatability to animals during the pepper fruit ripening process. To explore the regulation of bell pepper fruit ripening by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), we examined their expression profiles; 43 microRNAs (miRNAs), 125 circular RNAs (circRNAs), 366 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 3266 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were differentially expressed (DE) in mature green and red ripe fruit. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that the targets of the DE ncRNAs and DE mRNAs included several kinds of transcription factors (TFs) (ERF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, NAC, bZIP, and ARF), enzymes involved in cell wall metabolism (beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-amylase, chitinase, pectate lyase (PL), pectinesterase (PE) and polygalacturonase (PG)), enzymes involved in fruit color accumulation (bifunctional 15-cis-phytoene synthase, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, beta-carotene hydroxylase and carotene epsilon-monooxygenase), enzymes associated with fruit flavor and aroma (glutamate-1-semialdehyde 2,1-aminomutase, anthocyanin 5-aromatic acyltransferase, and eugenol synthase 1) and enzymes involved in the production of ethylene (ET) (ACO1/ACO4) as well as other plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (IAA), and gibberellic acid (GA). Based on accumulation profiles, a network of ncRNAs and mRNAs associated with bell pepper fruit ripening was developed that provides a foundation for further developing a more refined understanding of the molecular biology of fruit ripening.
Neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation and allostatic load: a multi-cohort study
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Isabel , Fraga Silvia , Kelly-Irving Michelle , Delpierre Cyrille , Stringhini Silvia , Kivimaki Mika , Joost Stéphane , Guessous Idris , Gandini Martina , Vineis Paolo , Barros Henrique
Published: June 2019

Living in deprived neighbourhoods may have biological consequences, but few studies have assessed this empirically. We examined the association between neighbourhood deprivation and allostatic load, a biological marker of wear and tear, taking into account individual’s socioeconomic position. We analysed data from three cohort studies (CoLaus-Switzerland; EPIPorto-Portugal; Whitehall II-UK) comprising 16,364 participants. We defined allostatic load using ten biomarkers of dysregulated metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory systems (body mass index; waist circumference; total, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol; triglycerides; glucose; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; C-reactive protein). Mixed Poisson regression models were fitted to examine associations with neighbourhood deprivation (in quintiles, Q1-least deprived as reference). After adjustment for confounding variables, participants living in the most deprived quintile had 1.13 times higher allostatic load than those living in the least deprived quintile (Relative Risk, RR, for Q2 RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09; Q3 = 1.06, 1.03–1.10; Q4 = 1.09, 1.06–1.12; Q5 = 1.13, 1.09–1.16). This association was partially modified by individual’s socioeconomic position, such that the relative risk was higher in participants with low socioeconomic position (Q5 vs Q1 1.16, 1.11–1.22) than those with high socioeconomic position (Q5 vs Q1 1.07, 1.01–1.13). Neighbourhood deprivation is associated with biological wear and tear, suggesting that neighbourhood-level interventions may yield health gains.
Thermophysical characterisation of VO2 thin films hysteresis and its application in thermal rectification
Authors: Hamaoui Georges , Horny Nicolas , Gomez-Heredia Cindy Lorena , Ramirez-Rincon Jorge Andres , Ordonez-Miranda Jose , Champeaux Corinne , Dumas-Bouchiat Frederic , Alvarado-Gil Juan Jose , Ezzahri Younes , Joulain Karl , Chirtoc Mihai
Published: June 2019

Hysteresis loops exhibited by the thermophysical properties of VO2 thin films deposited on either a sapphire or silicon substrate have been experimentally measured using a high frequency photothermal radiometry technique. This is achieved by directly measuring the thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity of the VO2 films during their heating and cooling across their phase transitions, along with the film-substrate interface thermal boundary resistance. These thermal properties are then used to determine the thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of the VO2 films. A 2.5 enhancement of the VO2 thermal conductivity is observed during the heating process, while its volumetric heat capacity does not show major changes. This sizeable thermal conductivity variation is used to model the operation of a conductive thermal diode, which exhibits a rectification factor about 30% for small temperature differences (≈70 °C) on its terminals. The obtained results grasp thus new insights on the control of heat currents.
SPHIRE-crYOLO is a fast and accurate fully automated particle picker for cryo-EM
Authors: Wagner Thorsten , Merino Felipe , Stabrin Markus , Moriya Toshio , Antoni Claudia , Apelbaum Amir , Hagel Philine , Sitsel Oleg , Raisch Tobias , Prumbaum Daniel , Quentin Dennis , Roderer Daniel , Tacke Sebastian , Siebolds Birte , Schubert Evelyn , Shaikh Tanvir R. , Lill Pascal , Gatsogiannis Christos , Raunser Stefan
Published: June 2019

Selecting particles from digital micrographs is an essential step in single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). As manual selection of complete datasets—typically comprising thousands of particles—is a tedious and time-consuming process, numerous automatic particle pickers have been developed. However, non-ideal datasets pose a challenge to particle picking. Here we present the particle picking software crYOLO which is based on the deep-learning object detection system You Only Look Once (YOLO). After training the network with 200–2500 particles per dataset it automatically recognizes particles with high recall and precision while reaching a speed of up to five micrographs per second. Further, we present a general crYOLO network able to pick from previously unseen datasets, allowing for completely automated on-the-fly cryo-EM data preprocessing during data acquisition. crYOLO is available as a standalone program under http://sphire.mpg.de/ and is distributed as part of the image processing workflow in SPHIRE.
Enhancing the predictability and retrodictability of stochastic processes
Authors: Rupprecht Nathaniel , Vural Dervis Can
Published: June 2019

Scientific inference involves obtaining the unknown properties or behavior of a system in the light of what is known, typically without changing the system. Here we propose an alternative to this approach: a system can be modified in a targeted way, preferably by a small amount, so that its properties and behavior can be inferred more successfully. For the sake of concreteness we focus on inferring the future and past of Markov processes and illustrate our method on two classes of processes: diffusion on random spatial networks, and thermalizing quantum systems.
Ultrasensitive detection of disease biomarkers using an immuno-wall device with enzymatic amplification
Authors: Nishiyama Keine , Kasama Toshihiro , Nakamata Seiya , Ishikawa Koya , Onoshima Daisuke , Yukawa Hiroshi , Maeki Masatoshi , Ishida Akihiko , Tani Hirofumi , Baba Yoshinobu , Tokeshi Manabu
Published: June 2019

We present a fluorometric sandwich immunoassay for biomarkers utilizing an antibody-modified microfabricated wall and antibody labeled with an enzyme for signal amplification.
Optical interband transitions in strained phosphorene
Authors: Khang Pham Dinh , Davoudiniya Masoumeh , Phuong Le Thi Thu , Phong Tran Cong , Yarmohammadi Mohsen
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we have concentrated on the orbital and hybridization effects induced by applied triaxial strain on the interband optical conductivity (IOC) of phosphorene using a two-band Hamiltonian model, linear response theory and the Kubo formula.
Chain length effect on thermal transport in amorphous polymers and a structure–thermal conductivity relation
Authors: Wei Xingfei , Luo Tengfei
Published: June 2019

The physics of thermal transport in polymers is important in many applications, such as in heat exchangers and electronics packaging.
Vanadium-density-dependent thermal decomposition of NH4HSO4 on V2O5/TiO2 SCR catalysts
Authors: Tong Tong , Chen Jianjun , Xiong Shangchao , Yang Wenhao , Yang Qilei , Yang Lijun , Peng Yue , Liu Zhiming , Li Junhua
Published: June 2019

The vanadium density influences the interaction between ABS and catalyst, thus changing the decomposition process of the ABS-related surface species.
Highly efficient and practical aerobic oxidation of alcohols by inorganic-ligand supported copper catalysis
Authors: Wei Zheyu , Ru Shi , Zhao Qixin , Yu Han , Zhang Gang , Wei Yongge
Published: June 2019

An inorganic-ligand supported copper catalyst which can effectively catalyze the aerobic oxidation of alcohols to afford aldehydes or ketones with excellent selectivity and yields.
Stereoselective synthesis of α-fluoroacrylonitriles via organocatalytic cyanation of gem-difluoroalkenes and TMSCN
Authors: Ma Yu-Chuan , Zhang Yang , Gu Cheng-Zhi , Du Guang-Fen , He Lin
Published: June 2019

DBU-catalyzed cyanation of gem-difluoroalkenes with TMSCN, a highly stereoselective synthesis of α-fluoroacrylonitriles.
Research progress of photocatalytic sterilization over semiconductors
Authors: Gong Mingfu , Xiao Shilin , Yu Xian , Dong Chencheng , Ji Jiahui , Zhang Dong , Xing Mingyang
Published: June 2019

With increasingly serious environmental issues, practical applications of semiconductor photocatalysts for environmental purification have attracted broad attention. Semiconductor photocatalysts for the disinfection of soil surfaces, air and water are of great interest.
New scaling relations to compute atom-in-material polarizabilities and dispersion coefficients: part 1. Theory and accuracy
Authors: Manz Thomas A. , Chen Taoyi , Cole Daniel J. , Limas Nidia Gabaldon , Fiszbein Benjamin
Published: June 2019

A new method was developed to compute atom-in-material polarizabilities and dispersion coefficients for diverse material types.
Retraction: Multiwalled carbon nanotube wrapped nanoflake graphene composites for sensitive biosensing of leviteracetum
Authors: Narang Jagriti
Published: June 2019

Retraction of ‘Multiwalled carbon nanotube wrapped nanoflake graphene composites for sensitive biosensing of leviteracetum’ by Jagriti Narang et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 13462–13469.
Thermodynamic analysis of high temperature steam and carbon dioxide systems in solid oxide cells
Authors: Vágner Petr , Kodým Roman , Bouzek Karel
Published: June 2019

A thermodynamic analysis of the process in solid oxide cells with H2O and CO2 (SOCc) was performed based on the data available in the open literature.
Structural features of molecular electrocatalysts in multi-electron redox processes for renewable energy – recent advances
Authors: Das Biswanath , Thapper Anders , Ott Sascha , Colbran Stephen B.
Published: June 2019

Molecular electrocatalysts for renewable energy – scope, strategy and future.
Cage-confinement of gas-phase ferrocene in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks to synthesize high-loading and atomically dispersed Fe–N codoped carbon for efficient oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Ye Guanying , He Qian , Liu Suqin , Zhao Kuangmin , Su Yuke , Zhu Weiwei , Huang Rongjiao , He Zhen
Published: June 2019

Atomically dispersed iron doped-MOF-derived carbon with high iron loading and nitrogen content for the oxygen reduction reaction via a cage-confinement strategy shows excellent catalytic performance.
Regulating the color output and simultaneously enhancing the intensity of upconversion nanoparticlesviaa dye sensitization strategy
Authors: Xue Bin , Wang Dan , Zhang Youlin , Zuo Jing , Chang Yulei , Tu Langping , Liu Xiaomin , Yuan Zhen , Zhao Huiying , Song Jun , Qu Junle , Kong Xianggui
Published: June 2019

The red to green emission ratio of upconversion nanoparticles was tunedviathe dye-sensitization strategy and their luminescence intensity was simultaneously enhanced.
Revealing the nature of photoluminescence emission in the metal-halide double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6
Authors: Zelewski S. J. , Urban J. M. , Surrente A. , Maude D. K. , Kuc A. , Schade L. , Johnson R. D. , Dollmann M. , Nayak P. K. , Snaith H. J. , Radaelli P. , Kudrawiec R. , Nicholas R. J. , Plochocka P. , Baranowski M.
Published: June 2019

The emission and absorption of Cs2AgBiBr6 are dominated by the strong carriers–phonon coupling.
BiVO4@TiO2 core–shell hybrid mesoporous nanofibers towards efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Hou Huilin , Wang Lin , Gao Fengmei , Yang Xianfeng , Yang Weiyou
Published: June 2019

We report designed BiVO4@TiO2 core–shell hybrid mesoporous nanofibers for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible irradiation.
Enhancing the phosphorescence of hybrid metal halides through molecular sensitization
Authors: Gong Liao-Kuo , Li Jian-Rong , Wu Zhao-Feng , Hu Bing , Wang Ze-Ping , Shen Nan-Nan , Hu Qian-Qian , Deng Zhong-Hua , Zhang Zhi-Zhuan , Fu Jing-Jing , Du Ke-Zhao , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: June 2019

The room-temperature phosphorescence quantum efficiency of [BPy]6[Pb3Br12] has been improved by a maximum of fourteen-fold through sensitization of thiadiazole-based molecules.
Multiobjective optimal sizing of battery energy storage in grid‐connected microgrid
Authors: Parashar Sonam , Swarnkar Anil , Niazi Khaleequr Rehman , Gupta Nikhil
Published: June 2019

This work proposes a new multiobjective framework for the sizing of Battery Energy Storage (BES) for grid‐connected microgrid. A combined Particle Swarm Optimization and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (PSO‐TOPSIS) is explored to solve the formulated problem. A grid‐connected microgrid consisting of various renewable sources and BES is considered as a test system. The results obtained are found to be promising. A trade‐off between the formulated objectives is presented and analysed.
Probability constrained optimisation model for transmission expansion planning considering the curtailment of wind power
Authors: Liu Dundun , Cheng Haozhong , Lv Jiawei , Fu Yesheng , Zhang Jianping
Published: June 2019

The curtailment of wind power has caused huge economic losses and needs to be considered on the stage of transmission expansion planning (TEP). Based on the superquantile theory, the authors use the buffered failure probability to handle the events of wind power curtailment. This new measurement offers several advantages including clear concept, simple calculation, and flexibility. Moreover, the authors form a novel convex relaxation model of the TEP problem. A tri‐level approximation algorithm is developed to solve the proposed probability constrained model. The numerical study verifies the performance of the proposed algorithm and demonstrates the advantages of the proposed model over deterministic TEP. Sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the influence of different thresholds in probability constrained TEP problem.
Spatio‐temporal Markov chain model for very‐short‐term wind power forecasting
Authors: Zhao Yongning , Ye Lin , Wang Zheng , Wu Linlin , Zhai Bingxu , Lan Haibo , Yang Shihui
Published: June 2019

Wind power forecasting (WPF) is crucial in helping schedule and trade wind power generation at various spatial and temporal scales. With increasing number of wind farms over a region, research focus of WPF methods has been recently moved onto exploring spatial correlation among wind farms to benefit forecasting. In this study, a spatio‐temporal Markov chain model is proposed for very‐short‐term WPF by extending the traditional discrete‐time Markov chain and incorporating off‐site reference information to improve forecasting accuracy of regional wind farms. Not only are the transitions between the power output states of the target wind farm itself considered in the forecasting model, but also the transitions from the output states of reference wind farms to that of the target wind farm are introduced. The forecasting results derived from multiple spatio‐temporal Markov chains regarding different reference wind farms over the same region are optimally weighted using sparse optimisation to generate forecasts of the target wind farm. The proposed method is validated by comparing with both local and spatio‐temporal WPF methods, using a real‐world dataset.
Fundamental metallicity relation in CALIFA, SDSS-IV MaNGA, and high-z galaxies
Authors: Cresci G. , Mannucci F. , Curti M.
Published: June 2019

The metallicity of local galaxies is tightly related not only to stellar mass, i.e. the mass-metallicity relation, but also to the star formation rate (SFR) through the so-called fundamental metallicity relation (FMR); more active galaxies show lower metallicities at fixed mass. Interestingly, high-z galaxies up to z ∼ 2.5 follow the same relation defined by SDSS locally. However, different shapes have been proposed for local galaxies, and the existence of a FMR and the role of the SFR has been recently questioned by some authors. In this paper we first discuss the various parametrizations of this mass-metallicity-SFR relation that has appeared in the literature to understand the origin of their different shapes. We then reanalysed data from CALIFA and SDSS-IV MaNGA surveys, which were used to suggest no dependency of metallicity on the SFR in local galaxies. Contrary to those claims, we find that those datasets are instead fully consistent with the predictions, showing the expected dependency on the SFR at fixed mass. Finally, we analysed those high-z data whose consistency with the local relation was questioned. While an internal dependency on the SFR among the subsamples is difficult to detect at high-z because of the limited dynamic range sampled in the three parameters and the intrinsic scatter and uncertainties of such small samples, all these datasets are compatible with the relation defined locally by SDSS galaxies. This confirms the lack of evolution of the FMR in these data up to z ∼ 2.3.
Medikamentöse Therapie des kardiorenalen Syndroms
Authors: Henrik Heine Gunnar , Brandenburg Vincent , Rogacev Kyrill Sebastian
Published: June 2019

Patienten mit chronischer Nierenerkrankung (CKD) weisen eine massiv erhöhte kardiovaskuläre Morbidität und Mortalität auf. Insbesondere myokardiale Erkrankungen – linksventrikuläre Hypertrophie mit konsekutiver linksventrikulärer Insuffizienz und maligner Arrhythmie – haben bei CKD-Patienten eine zentrale prognostische Bedeutung. Dennoch werden bisher zu selten kardioprotektive Therapiestrategien bei CKD-Patienten eingesetzt. Ein mögliches Argument ist, dass positive Studienergebnisse für die Therapie der Herzinsuffizienz mit reduzierter Ejektionsfraktion (HFREF: Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) nicht unkritisch auf Patienten mit fortgeschrittener CKD übertragen werden dürfen. So hatten die großen Landmark-Trials der vergangenen Jahre Patienten mit höhergradiger Nierenfunktionsstörung zumeist ausgeschlossen, und Nebenwirkungen wie Elektrolytstörungen unter medikamentöser Herzinsuffizienztherapie sind bei CKD-Patienten deutlich häufiger. Unumstritten jedoch ist, dass für Patienten mit moderater CKD und HFREF Subgruppenanalysen der gleichen Landmark-Trials einen prognostischen Benefit einer Therapie mit Inhibitoren des Renin-Aldosteron-Systems und von Betablockern aufzeigen, der zumindest genauso groß ist wie der Benefit bei nierengesunden Patienten mit HFREF. Die Interventionsmöglichkeiten bei HFREF werden sich in den nächsten Jahren erweitern, falls neue Therapiestrategien – insbesondere eine intravenöse Eisensubstitution und SGLT-Inhibitoren – in aktuell laufenden klinischen Studien bei herzinsuffizienten Patienten eine Reduktion kardialer Ereignisse erreichen.
Pathophysiologie des kardiorenalen Syndroms
Authors: Schricker Severin , Kimmel Martin
Published: June 2019

Das kardiorenale Syndrom beschreibt die bidirektionale Interaktion zwischen Herz- und Nierenerkrankungen. Eine akute oder chronische Dysfunktion sowohl des Herzens als auch der Nieren kann eine Dysfunktion des jeweils anderen Organs verursachen. Pathophysiologisch spielen bei der akuten Schädigung v. a. hämodynamische Veränderungen und insbesondere die Rechtsherzinsuffizienz (Rückwärtsversagen) mit renal- venöser Stauung und Abnahme des transglomerulären Gradienten eine Rolle. In der Chronifizierung gewinnen v. a. die Hypervolämie und, vermittelt über die neurohormonelle Aktivierung der Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Achse, die glomeruläre und myokardiale Sklerosierung an Bedeutung.
Nierenersatztherapie und Ultrafiltrations-verfahren beim kardiorenalen Syndrom
Authors: Schanz Moritz
Published: June 2019

Eine renale Funktionseinschränkung liegt bei etwa 2 Dritteln der akut dekompensierten, herzinsuffizienten Patienten vor. Therapeutisch stehen neben konservativen Optionen auch interventionelle Verfahren zur Verfügung. Die konservativen Therapiemöglichkeiten der akut dekompensierten Herzinsuffizienz kommen gerade bei renaler Insuffizienz oftmals an ihre Grenzen, z. B. durch Entwicklung einer Diuretikaresistenz. In diesem Fall kommen interventionelle Verfahren zum Einsatz – entweder zur alleinigen Ultrafiltration bei isolierter Volumenüberladung oder in Form einer Nierenersatztherapie mittels Hämo- oder Peritonealdialyse. Bei der reinen Ultrafiltration zum Volumenentzug ist die Studienlage uneinheitlich, sodass ein Nutzen unter prognostischen Gesichtspunkten nicht eindeutig belegt ist. Bei zusätzlich bestehenden Zeichen von renal-metabolischen Entgleisungen ist die Dialysetherapie Mittel der Wahl. Hierbei ist besonders die Peritonealdialyse aufgrund der höheren hämodynamischen Stabilität, positiven kardialen Effekte und hohen Patientenautonomie als vorteilhaft hervorzuheben.
Diagnostic performance of the endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS): a novel diagnostic tool for gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Inoue Haruhiro , Shimamura Yuto , Rodriguez de Santiago Enrique , Kobayashi Yasutoshi , Ominami Masaki , Fujiyoshi Yusuke , Sumi Kazuya , Ikeda Haruo , Onimaru Manabu , Manolakis Anastassios C.
Published: June 2019

Background The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is a prototypic system for monitoring intragastric pressure (IGP) fluctuations that result from opening of the cardia during gastric distension. The performance of EPSIS for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was evaluated.

Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of data prospectively collected over a 2-year period from 59 patients who underwent gastroscopy, EPSIS, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Using a dedicated electronic device and a through-the-scope catheter, maximum IGP (IGPmax) and IGP waveform pattern (uphill/flat) were recorded.

Results The optimal IGPmax cutoff was 18.7 mmHg. IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg (sensitivity 74.2 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 56.8 – 86.3; specificity 57.1 %, 95 %CI 39.1 – 73.5) and flat pattern (sensitivity 71.0 %, 95 %CI 53.4 – 83.9; specificity 82.1 %, 95 %CI 64.4 – 92.1) were associated with GERD. “Double” EPSIS positivity (IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg and flat pattern) provided maximum specificity (85.7 %, 95 %CI 68.5 – 94.3), whereas “any” EPSIS positivity (IGPmax < 18.7 mmHg or flat pattern) provided maximum sensitivity (80.6 %, 95 %CI 63.7 – 90.8). Maximum specificity and sensitivity for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) was > 70 %. In multivariate analysis, “double” EPSIS positivity was the strongest predictor of GERD (odds ratio [OR] 16.05, 95 %CI 3.23 – 79.7) and NERD (OR 14.7, 95 %CI 2.37 – 90.8).

Conclusion EPSIS emerges as a reliable adjunct to routine gastroscopy for GERD diagnosis, and might prove helpful for the stratification and management of patients with reflux disorders.
Leaf Decoction of Carica papaya Combined with Artesunate Prevents Recrudescence in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice
Authors: Sannella Anna Rosa , Karioti Anastasia , Orsini Stefania , Scalone Aldo , Gradoni Luigi , Messori Luigi , Severini Carlo , Bilia Anna Rita
Published: June 2019

Malaria treatment and control have become increasingly difficult because of the spread of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Thus, there is a continuous need to develop new combination therapies such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to contrast the emergence of resistant Plasmodium strains. Despite ACT has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2001, its overall deployment in poor endemic areas is very slow, principally due to its high cost. In the malaria endemic areas, plant remedies are still widely used mostly without assurance of their efficacy and/or safety. A variety of widespread herbal drugs or natural products were already reported for their possible plasmodicidal activities, but the studies concerning their activity in combination with artemisinins are very scarce. The antimalarial activity of papaya is mostly anecdotal, and the present study is aimed at investigating the antiplasmodial activity of a decoction obtained by traditional recipe from the mature leaves of Carica papaya. The decoction was analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS (high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diodoarray detector and mass spectrometry) showing the presence of caffeoyl derivatives and di- and triglycosides of flavonols. The extract was found to be active against P. falciparum 3D7 strains with a synergism in the presence of artemisinin. In vivo activity against the murine malaria model of Plasmodium berghei was disclosed both for the dried extract alone (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg/d) and for its combination with artesunate (250 mg/kg/d papaya plus 10 mg/kg/d artesunate). This combination displayed the greatest antimalarial activity in terms of reduction of parasitemia and prevention of recrudescence in animals recovered from the infection.
A Highly Efficient Magnetic Iron(III) Nanocatalyst for Ferrier Rearrangements
Authors: Dong Youxian , Ding Zekun , Guo Hong , Zhou Le , Jiang Nan , Chen Heshan , Qiu Saifeng , Xu Xiaoxia , Zhang Jianbo
Published: June 2019

A novel and highly efficient magnetic Fe3O4@C@Fe(III) core–shell catalyst, in which the carbon shell was prepared from lotus leaf, was fabricated. This nanocatalyst was successfully applied in the synthesis of a series of 2,3-unsaturated O-glycosides in excellent yields and with high selectivity, especially in the case of 2-halo O-glycosides, which differ in reactivity from nonsubstituted O-glycosides, but which have scarcely been explored before. Moreover, the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction by the application of an external magnetic force and reused a minimum of five times without any significant decrease in the yields of the products. In addition, the reaction proceeded readily on a gram scale, which provides a bright prospect for future applications.
Muscular Mitral Chord Contribution to Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in HOCM
Authors: Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka , Rellecke Philipp , Lichtenberg Artur , Assmann Alexander
Published: June 2019

Papillary muscle anomaly with a muscular chord directly attached to the anterior mitral leaflet is a rare mitral valve disease. A 62-year-old man with systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy presented to surgical intervention after unsuccessful transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy with alcohol. Intraoperative findings revealed a primarily not detected anomalous muscular mitral chord (0.8 × 2.2 cm) connecting the base of the A1 segment to the anterolateral papillary muscle. Resection of this chord and additional septal myectomy treated systolic anterior motion and obstruction of the outflow tract. In spite of the infrequent occurrence, anomalies of the subvalvular apparatus, such as muscular chords, should be ruled out by thorough transesophageal echocardiography imaging before decision on the therapeutical strategy.
Cardiac Manifestations of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Clinical Presentation, Role of Cardiac Imaging, and Treatment Strategies
Authors: Tufano Antonella , Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Guida Anna , Lembo Maria , Di Minno Giovanni , Galderisi Maurizio
Published: June 2019

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, vascular thrombosis (venous, arterial, or small vessels), and/or pregnancy morbidity. Diagnosis of APS is based on the presence of at least one clinical criterion (thrombotic events or pregnancy morbidity) and at least one of the laboratory criteria (persistently medium/high titer immunoglobulin G [IgG]/immunoglobulin M [IgM] anticardiolipin antibodies, and/or medium/high titer IgG/IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies, and/or a positive lupus anticoagulant test), confirmed after repetition at least 12 weeks apart. The clinical spectrum of APS encompasses additional (extracriteria) clinical manifestations, including cardiac diseases. Heart involvement may become evident as a consequence of direct (autoimmune-mediated) or indirect (thrombosis) mechanisms, and include valve heart disease (vegetations and/or thickening associated with functional abnormalities) and intracardiac thrombosis, coronary, and vascular accelerated atherosclerosis, along with ischemic heart disease. APS can also cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction, and heart failure. This review describes the major cardiac manifestations of APS and illustrates the role of cardiac imaging for diagnosing subclinical and overt heart involvement and addressing management of these patients. The possible role of therapeutic strategies in cardiac manifestations of APS is also discussed.
Secret message transmission over quantum channels under adversarial quantum noise: Secrecy capacity and super-activation
Authors: Boche Holger , Cai Minglai , Nötzel Janis , Deppe Christian
Published: June 2019

We determine the secrecy capacities of arbitrarily varying quantum channels (AVQCs). Both secrecy capacities with average error probability and with maximal error probability are derived. Both derivations are based on one common code construction. The code we construct fulfills a stringent secrecy requirement, which is called the strong code concept. As an application of our result for secret message transmission over AVQCs, we determine when the secrecy capacity is a continuous function of the system parameters and completely characterize its discontinuity points both for average error criterion and for maximal error criterion. Furthermore, we prove the phenomenon “superactivation” for secrecy capacities of arbitrarily varying quantum channels, i.e., two quantum channels both with zero secrecy capacity, which, if used together, allow secure transmission with positive capacity. We give therewith an answer to the question “When is the secrecy capacity a continuous function of the system parameters?,” which has been listed as an open problem in quantum information problem page of the Institut für Theoretische Physik (ITP) Hannover. We also discuss the relations between the entanglement distillation capacity, the entanglement generating capacity, and the strong subspace transmission capacity for AVQCs. Ahlswede et al. made in 2013 the conjecture that the entanglement generating capacity of an AVQC is equal to its entanglement generating capacity under shared randomness assisted quantum coding. We demonstrate that the validity of this conjecture implies that the entanglement generating capacity, the entanglement distillation capacity, and the strong subspace transmission capacity of an AVQC are continuous functions of the system parameters. Consequently, under the premise of this conjecture, the secrecy capacities of an AVQC differ significantly from the general quantum capacities.
Face, Notch, or Edge? Intermolecular dissociation energies of 1-naphthol complexes with linear molecules
Authors: Knochenmuss Richard , Sinha Rajeev K. , Leutwyler Samuel
Published: June 2019

The stimulated-emission-pumping/resonant 2-photon ionization (SEP-R2PI) method was used to determine the intermolecular dissociation energies D0 of jet-cooled 1-naphthol(1NpOH)·S complexes, where S is a linear molecule (N2, CO, CO2, OCS, N2O, and ethyne) or symmetric-top molecule (2-butyne) that contains double or triple bonds. The dissociation energies D0(S0) are bracketed as follows: 6.68 ± 0.08 kJ/mol for S=N2, 7.7 ± 0.8 kJ/mol for CO, 12.07 ± 0.10 kJ/mol for CO2, 13.03 ± 0.01 kJ/mol for N2O, 14.34 ± 0.08 kJ/mol for ethyne, 15.0 ± 1.35 kJ/mol for OCS, and 29.6 ± 2.4 kJ/mol for 2-butyne. The minimum-energy structures, vibrational wavenumbers, and zero-point vibrational energies were calculated using the dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods such as B97-D3 and B3LYP-D3 with the def2-QZVPP basis set. These predict that N2 and CO are dispersively bound Face complexes (S bound to a naphthalene Face), while CO2, N2O, and OCS adsorb into the “Notch” between the naphthyl and OH groups; these are denoted as Notch complexes. Ethyne and 2-butyne form Edge complexes involving H-bonds from the —OH group of 1NpOH to the center of the molecule. The presence of a double or triple bond or an aromatic C=C bond within S does not lead to a specific calculated geometry (Face, Notch or Edge). However, a correlation exists between the structure and the sign of the quadrupole moment component Θzz of S: negative Θzz correlates with Face or Notch, while positive Θzz correlates with Edge geometries.