bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefits of soil biochar amendments to tomato growth under saline water irrigation
Authors: She Dongli , Sun Xiaoqin , Gamareldawla Agbna H. D. , Nazar Elshaikh A. , Hu Wei , Edith Khaembah , Yu Shuang’en
Published: September 2018

Biochar amendments have been used in agriculture to improve soil fertility and enhance crop productivity. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that biochar amendment could also enhance the productivity of salt-affected soils. The trial was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons to investigate the effect of biochar amendment (four application rates as: B1 = 0%, B2 = 2%, B3 = 4%, and B4 = 8% by mass of soil) on yield and quality of tomatoes grown in a silt loam soil using non-saline water (I0 = 0.7 dS m−1) and saline water (I1 = 1 dS m−1; I2 = 3 dS m−1) irrigation. Furthermore, the study investigated the mechanism by which biochar addresses the salt stress on plant. The results showed that soil productivity as indicated by the vegetative growth and tomato yield components was adversely and significantly affected by saline water irrigation (P < 0.05). Tomato yield decreased from 689 ± 35.6 to 533 ± 79.0 g per plant as salinity of irrigation water increased from I0 to I2. Then, biochar amendment increased vegetative growth, yield, and quality parameters under saline irrigation water regimes, and ameliorated the salt stresses on crop growth. The highest (8.73 ± 0.15 and 4.10 ± 0.82 g kg−1) and the lowest (8.33 ± 0.08 and 2.42 ± 0.76 g kg−1) values of soil pH and soil organic matter were measured at B4I0 and B1I2 treatments, respectively. Also, the highest rate of biochar amendment combining with non-saline water irrigation (B4I0) produced tomato with the highest plant photosynthetic (17.08 ± 0.19 μmol m−2 s−1) and transpiration rate (8.16 ± 0.18 mmol H2O m−2 s−1). Mechanically, biochar amendment reduced transient sodium ions by adsorption and released mineral nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium into the soil solution. Therefore, biochar amendments have the potential in ameliorating salt stress and enhancing tomato production.
Mucociliary Clearance in Mice Measured by Tracking Trans-tracheal Fluorescence of Nasally Aerosolized Beads
Authors: Rogers Troy D. , Ostrowski Lawrence E. , Livraghi-Butrico Alessandra , Button Brian , Grubb Barbara R.
Published: September 2018

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is the first line of defense in clearing airways. In genetically engineered mice, each component of this system (ciliary beat, mucus, airway surface hydration) can be studied separately to determine its contribution to MCC. Because MCC is difficult to measure in mice, MCC measurements are often omitted from these studies. We report a simple method to measure MCC in mice involving nasal inhalation of aerosolized fluorescent beads and trans-tracheal bead tracking. This method has a number of advantages over existing methods: (1) a small volume of liquid is deposited thus minimally disturbing the airway surface; (2) bead behavior on airways can be visualized; (3) useful for adult or neonatal mice; (4) the equipment is relatively inexpensive and easily obtainable. The type of anesthetic had no significant effect on the rate of MCC, but overloading the airways with beads significantly decreased MCC. In addition, the rate of bead transport was not different in alive (3.11 mm/min) vs recently euthanized mice (3.10 mm/min). A 5-min aerosolization of beads in a solution containing UTP significantly increased the rate of MCC, demonstrating that our method would be of value in testing the role of various pharmacological agents on MCC.
Human serum albumin alters specific genes that can play a role in survival and persistence in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Quinn Brettni , Rodman Nyah , Jara Eugenio , Fernandez Jennifer S. , Martinez Jasmine , Traglia German M. , Montaña Sabrina , Cantera Virginia , Place Kori , Bonomo Robert A. , Iriarte Andres , Ramírez María Soledad
Published: September 2018

In the past few decades Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a notorious nosocomial pathogen because of its ability to acquire genetic material and persist in extreme environments. Recently, human serum albumin (HSA) was shown to significantly increase natural transformation frequency in A. baumannii. This observation led us to perform transcriptomic analysis of strain A118 under HSA induction to identify genes that are altered by HSA. Our results revealed the statistically significant differential expression of 296 protein-coding genes, including those associated with motility, biofilm formation, metabolism, efflux pumps, capsule synthesis, and transcriptional regulation. Phenotypic analysis of these traits showed an increase in surface-associated motility, a decrease in biofilm formation, reduced activity of a citric acid cycle associated enzyme, and increased survival associated with zinc availability. Furthermore, the expression of genes known to play a role in pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance were altered. These genes included those associated with RND-type efflux pumps, the type VI secretion system, iron acquisition/metabolism, and ß-lactam resistance. Together, these results illustrate how human products, in particular HSA, may play a significant role in both survival and persistence of A. baumannii.
Thermal efficiency of a thermocell made of Prussian blue analogues
Authors: Shibata Takayuki , Fukuzumi Yuya , Moritomo Yutaka
Published: September 2018

Recently, it was reported that a thermocell can convert temperature into electric energy by using the difference in the thermal coefficient (α = dV/dT) of the redox potential (V) between the cathode and anode materials. Among battery materials, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are promising materials for thermocell, because α changes from approximately −0.3 mV/K in NaxMn[Fe(CN)6]0.83 3.5 H2O (NMF83) to approximately 1.3 mV/K in NaxCo[Fe(CN)6]0.92,9H2O (NCF90). In this work, we systematically investigated the thermal efficiency (η) of the NMF83/NCF90 thermocell relative to the difference (ΔT) between low (TL = 282 K) and high (TH = 292–338 K) temperatures. We found that the thermal efficiency (η) increased proportionally with ΔT. The linear increase in η is ascribed to the linear increase in the cell voltage (Vcell) and the charge (QNCF90) extracted from NCF90. Moreover, η reached 3.19% at ΔT = 56 K, which corresponds to 19% of the Carnot efficiency (ηcarnot = 17.0%). We further confirmed that the magnitude of QNCF90 is quantitatively reproduced by the slopes of the discharge curves of NMF83 and NCF90.
Cholesterol is Inefficiently Converted to Cholesteryl Esters in the Blood of Cardiovascular Disease Patients
Authors: Gerl Mathias J. , Vaz Winchil L. C. , Domingues Neuza , Klose Christian , Surma Michal A. , Sampaio Júlio L. , Almeida Manuel S. , Rodrigues Gustavo , Araújo-Gonçalves Pedro , Ferreira Jorge , Borbinha Claudia , Marto João Pedro , Viana-Baptista Miguel , Simons Kai , Vieira Otilia V.
Published: September 2018

Shotgun lipidomic analysis of 203 lipids in 13 lipid classes performed on blood plasma of donors who had just suffered an acute coronary syndrome (ACS,n = 74), or an ischemic stroke (IS,n = 21), or who suffer from stable angina pectoris (SAP,n = 78), and an age-matched control cohort (n = 52), showed some of the highest inter-lipid class correlations between cholesteryl esters (CE) and phosphatidylcholines (PC) sharing a common fatty acid. The concentration of lysophospatidylcholine (LPC) and ratios of concentrations of CE to free cholesterol (Chol) were also lower in the CVD cohorts than in the control cohort, indicating a deficient conversion of Chol to CE in the blood plasma in the CVD subjects. A non-equilibrium reaction quotient,Q′, describing the global homeostasis of cholesterol as manifested in the blood plasma was shown to have a value in the CVD cohorts (Q′ACS = 0.217 ± 0.084;Q′IS = 0.201 ± 0.084;Q′SAP = 0.220 ± 0.071) that was about one third less than in the control cohort (Q′Control = 0.320 ± 0.095,p < 1 × 10−4), suggesting its potential use as a rapid predictive/diagnostic measure of CVD-related irregularities in cholesterol homeostasis.
The interactions between botulinum-toxin-based facial treatments and embodied emotions
Authors: Lewis Michael B.
Published: September 2018

Botulinum toxin (BTX) injections reduce muscle mobility and are commonly used to treat the appearance of glabellar frown lines. Research shows that this cosmetic treatment leads to a reduction in depression. This reduction is consistent with the theory of embodied emotions because patients have a reduced ability to frown and so receive less negative feedback associated with this action. The current research explored this effect and three further hypotheses for the effects of cosmetic BTX injections based on embodied emotions. It was hypothesised that treatment of crow’s feet (or laughter lines) would reduce mood as patients’ Duchenne smiles would be impaired. It was hypothesised that facial BTX treatments would impair emotional expression recognition because the ability to mimic emotions would be reduced. Finally, it was hypothesised that, as BTX treatments prevent facial expressions associated with sexual excitement, sexual function would be impaired after treatment. Twenty four BTX-treated and twelve matched participants (all female) were tested before and after treatment. Results found that BTX treatment of laughter lines was associated with increased depression scores. Further, BTX treatment was associated with reduced emotion recognition ability and sexual function. The current results add to our knowledge of the psychological effects of injections of powerful neurotoxins and broaden the scope of the embodiment of emotions.
Reappraising the microscopic anatomy of human testis: identification of telocyte networks in the peritubular and intertubular stromal space
Authors: Marini Mirca , Rosa Irene , Guasti Daniele , Gacci Mauro , Sgambati Eleonora , Ibba-Manneschi Lidia , Manetti Mirko
Published: September 2018

Telocytes are a recently described stromal cell type widely distributed in various organs including the female and male reproductive systems. This study was aimed to investigate for the first time the existence, distribution and characteristics of telocytes in normal human testis by an integrated morphological approach (immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy). We found that telocytes displaying typical long and moniliform prolongations and coexpressing CD34 and PDGFRα formed networks in the outer layer of peritubular tissue and around Leydig cells and vessels in the intertubular stroma. Testicular telocytes were immunophenotypically negative for CD31, c-kit/CD117 as well as α-SMA, thus making them clearly distinguishable from myoid cells/myofibroblasts located in the inner layer of peritubular tissue. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of cells ultrastructurally identifiable as telocytes (i.e. cells with telopodes alternating podomers and podoms) in the aforementioned locations. Intercellular contacts between neighboring telocytes and telopodes were observed throughout the testicular stromal compartment. Telopodes intimately surrounded and often established close contacts with peritubular myoid cells/myofibroblasts, Leydig cells and vessels. Extracellular vesicles were also frequently detected near telopodes. In summary, we demonstrated that telocytes are a previously neglected stromal component of human testis with potential implications in tissue homeostasis deserving further investigation.
CPP-Ts: a new intracellular calcium channel modulator and a promising tool for drug delivery in cancer cells
Authors: Oliveira-Mendes Bárbara Bruna Ribeiro de , Horta Carolina Campolina Rebello , do Carmo Anderson Oliveira , Biscoto Gabriela Lago , Sales-Medina Douglas Ferreira , Leal Hortênsia Gomes , Brandão-Dias Pedro Ferreira Pinto , Miranda Sued Eustáquio Mendes , Aguiar Carla Jeane , Cardoso Valbert Nascimento , de Barros André Luis Branco , Chávez-Olortégui Carlos , Leite M. Fátima , Kalapothakis Evanguedes
Published: September 2018

Scorpion sting envenoming impacts millions of people worldwide, with cardiac effects being one of the main causes of death on victims. Here we describe the first Ca2+ channel toxin present in Tityus serrulatus (Ts) venom, a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) named CPP-Ts. We show that CPP-Ts increases intracellular Ca2+ release through the activation of nuclear InsP3R of cardiomyocytes, thereby causing an increase in the contraction frequency of these cells. Besides proposing a novel subfamily of Ca2+ active toxins, we investigated its potential use as a drug delivery system targeting cancer cell nucleus using CPP-Ts’s nuclear-targeting property. To this end, we prepared a synthetic CPP-Ts sub peptide14–39 lacking pharmacological activity which was directed to the nucleus of specific cancer cell lines. This research identifies a novel subfamily of Ca2+ active toxins and provides new insights into biotechnological applications of animal venoms.
Longitudinal changes in physical capacity from adolescence to middle age in men and women
Authors: Westerståhl M. , Jansson E. , Barnekow-Bergkvist M. , Aasa U.
Published: September 2018

The aim was to investigate how physical capacity changes from adolescence through early adulthood to middle age with focus on early aging. The aim was also to study if physical capacity in middle age could be predicted by factors in adolescence or early adulthood. A cohort of men and women in Sweden (SPAF-1958, n = 425) have been followed for 36 years, at 16, 34, and 52 years of age. The study includes, among other variables, objective measures of physical capacity. At age 52, 50% of the original cohort participated in exercise testing. Physical capacity increased from 16 to 34 years. From 34 to 52 years, physical capacity decreased in both genders by 15–20% in all but one test. Physical capacity at 16 and 34 years of age were better predictors of physical capacity at age 52 than body dimensions, school grades and life style factors. In conclusion, present data confirm earlier cross-sectional studies regarding the decrease in aerobic capacity and muscular strength during the early ageing period in both genders. The study has also generated novel data that show a smaller decline in muscular endurance than previously reported. Finally, physical capacity is fairly stable from adolescence to middle age.
Effect of statins on experimental postoperative adhesion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Choi Geun Joo , Park Hee Kyung , Kim Dong Su , Lee Donghyun , Kang Hyun
Published: September 2018

Adhesion is a significant concern after surgery. Many researchers studied the anti-adhesive effect of statin, of which results were inconsistent. Thus, we purposed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of statins on postoperative adhesion in an experimental study. A comprehensive search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to identify animal studies that investigated the postoperative anti-adhesive effect of statins applied at the surgical area. Primary outcome measure was gross adhesion score. Secondary outcomes included microscopic adhesion score and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity. Totally, 298 rats from 9 animal studies (172 rats received statin therapy and 126 rats received placebo or no treatment) were included in the final analysis. The combined results showed that gross and microscopic adhesion scores were significantly lower in the statin group in comparison to the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 2.28, Pchi2 < 0.001, I2 = 77.9%; SMD = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.79, Pchi2 < 0.001, I2 = 84.5%, respectively). However, there was no evidence of a difference in t-PA activity (SMD = −3.43, 95% CI: −7.95 to 1.09, Pchi2 < 0.001, I2 = 95.5%). In conclusion, statins were effective in preventing postoperative adhesion, as assessed based on gross and microscopic adhesion scores in rats.
Influence of ylHog1 MAPK kinase on Yarrowia lipolytica stress response and erythritol production
Authors: Rzechonek Dorota A. , Day Alison M. , Quinn Janet , Mirończuk Aleksandra M.
Published: September 2018

Erythritol production is a unique response to hyperosmotic stress that is observed in a small group of yeasts, including Yarrowia lipolytica. This study investigated whether this unusual mechanism is regulated by the HOG pathway, well described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene YALI0E25135g was identified as the Y. lipolytica homologue of HOG1 and was found to be phosphorylated in response to hyperosmotic shock. Deletion of the gene caused a significant decrease in resistance to hyperosmotic stress and negatively affected erythritol production. Interestingly, the deletion strain yl-hog1Δ displayed significant morphological defects, with the cells growing in a filamentous form. Moreover, yl-hog1Δ cells were also resistant to the cell wall damaging agents Congo red and calcofluor white. Collectively, these results indicate that yl-Hog1 is crucial for the cellular response to hyperosmotic stress, plays a role in the induction of erythritol production, and potentially prevents cross-talk with different MAPK signalling pathways in the cell.
Evaluation of Hypoglycaemia with Non-Invasive Sensors in People with Type 1 Diabetes and Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycaemia
Authors: Elvebakk Ole , Tronstad Christian , Birkeland Kåre I. , Jenssen Trond G. , Bjørgaas Marit R. , Frøslie Kathrine F. , Godang Kristin , Kalvøy Håvard , Martinsen Ørjan G. , Gulseth Hanne L.
Published: September 2018

People with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (IAH) are prone to severe hypoglycaemia. Previous attempts to develop non-invasive hypoglycaemia alarm systems have shown promising results, but it is not known if such alarms can detect severe hypoglycaemia in people with IAH. We aimed to explore whether a combination of non-invasive sensors could reliably evaluate hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose (PG) minimum 2.5 mmol/L) in people with IAH. Twenty participants with type 1 diabetes and IAH underwent randomly ordered, single blinded hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic clamps. Sweating, skin temperature, ECG, counterregulatory hormones and symptoms of hypoglycaemia were assessed. Overall, we were not able to detect clamp-induced hypoglycaemia with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for further clinical use. As a post-hoc analysis, we stratified participants according to their ability to identify hypoglycaemic symptoms during hypoglycaemic clamps. Five out of 20 participants could identify such symptoms. These participants had a significantly higher adrenaline response to hypoglycaemia (p < 0.001) and were reliably identified by sensors. Based on our observations, a non-invasive alarm system based on measurement of sweating responses and ECG changes during hypoglycaemia might provide an alert at a plasma glucose concentration around 2.5 mmol/L if an adequate sympatho-adrenal reaction is elicited.
Lorentz violation from gamma-ray burst neutrinos
Authors: Huang Yanqi , Ma Bo-Qiang
Published: September 2018

The Lorentz violation (LV) effect of ultra-relativistic particles can be tested by gamma-ray burst (GRB) neutrinos and photons. The IceCube Collaboration has observed plenty of ultra-high energy neutrinos, including four PeV scale neutrinos. Recent studies suggested a possible energy dependent speed variation of GRB neutrinos in a similar way to that of GRB photons. Here we find that all four PeV neutrinos with associated GRB candidates can satisfy a regularity found from TeV neutrinos about a linear form correlation between the observed time difference and the LV factor. Such regularity indicates a Lorentz violation scale ELV = (6.5 ± 0.4) × 1017 GeV, which is comparable with that determined by GRB photons. We also suggest that neutrinos and anti-neutrinos can be superluminal and subluminal respectively due to opposite signs of LV correction.
Thermogelling PLGA-based Copolymers
Authors: Zhang Siyao , Young David James , Loh Xian Jun
Published: September 2018

Poly(ethylene glycol-b-[dl-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid]-b-ethylene glycol (PEG-PLGA-PEG)-based hydrogels demonstrate reversible sol-to-gel transitions at temperatures near body temperature, making it a promising material for many applications. This review summarizes synthetic methods, physical and biochemical properties, applications in drug delivery, gene delivery and postoperation adhesion prevention. The issues for future direction are highlighted.
Polyester-based Biodegradable Thermogelling Systems as Emerging Materials for Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Jiang Lu , Shan Andrew Huayang , Young David James , Li Zibiao , Loh Xian Jun
Published: September 2018

Polyester based thermogelling systems are biocompatible and biodegradable and the sol-to-gel transition can be tuned to body temperature. These properties are ideal for the development of injectable slow-release drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. In this chapter, the most recent developments in this class of soft materials are summarized with respect to different types of polyester materials and the correlation of their structures with improvements in gel function for biomedical applications.
Hydrogel-based 3D Scaffolds for Stem Cell Culturing and Differentiation
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Young David James , Wu Yun-Long , Loh Xian Jun
Published: September 2018

Stem cell culturing and differentiation is a very important research direction for tissue engineering. Thermogels are well suited for encapsulating cells because of their non-biotoxic and mild sol-to-gel transition as temperature increases. In particular, thermogels provide a 3D environment for stem cell growth, which is more similar to the extracellular matrix than flat substrates. So thermogels as a medium can overcome many of the cell abnormalities caused by 2D cell growth. In this review, we summarize the applications of thermogels in cell and stem cell culture in recent years. We also elaborate on the methods to induce stem cell differentiation by using thermogel-based 3D scaffolds. In particular, the thermogels, encapsulating specific differentiation-inducing factor and having specific structures and moduli, can induce the differentiation into the desired tissue cells. 3D thermogel scaffolds that control the growth and differentiation of cells will undoubtedly have a bright future in regenerative medicine.
Beyond Thermogels – Other Forms of Noncovalently Formed Polymeric Hydrogels
Authors: Xue Kun , Liow Sing Shy , Karim Anis Abdul , Li Zibiao , Loh Xian Jun
Published: September 2018

Chemically crosslinked covalent hydrogels form a permanent and often strong network, and they have been extensively used in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Noncovalently formed hydrogels show promise as inherently reversible systems with an ability to change in response to dynamic environments, and they have garnered strong interest recently. In this chapter, we describe a few key attractive properties of noncovalent hydrogels and summarise recent developments in hydrogels crosslinked using various noncovalent interactions. These hydrogels offer control of modulating material properties and are more relevant mimics of biological systems.
Evaluation of the adsorption and desorption properties of zeolitic imidazolate framework-7 for volatile organic compounds through thermal desorption-gas chromatography
Authors: Zhao Ya-Ting , Yu Li-Qing , Xia Xin , Yang Xin-Yu , Hu Wei , Lv Yun-Kai
Published: September 2018

The adsorption/desorption properties of VOCs on ZIF-7 were evaluated by TD-GC. It was found that there are hydrophobic interaction, π–π stacking effect, molecular size effect and “gate-opening” effect between VOCs and ZIF-7.
The functional and organoleptic characterization of a dairy-free dessert containing a novel probiotic food ingredient
Authors: Genevois C. E. , Castellanos Fuentes A. P. , Flores S. K. , de Escalada Pla M. F.
Published: September 2018

New eating habits and diversification of tastes in consumers have led to the scientific community and the food industry expanding the range of probiotic foods and novel probiotic ingredients.
Troxerutin subdues hepatic tumorigenesisviadisrupting the MDM2–p53 interaction
Authors: Thomas Nisha Susan , George Kiran , Selvam Athavan Alias Anand
Published: September 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of mortality worldwide.
An enhanced enzymatic reaction using a triphase system based on superhydrophobic mesoporous nanowire arrays
Authors: Guan Fengying , Zhang Jun , Tang Heming , Chen Liping , Feng Xinjian
Published: September 2018

Gaseous reactants play a key role in a wide range of biocatalytic reactions, however reaction kinetics are generally limited by the slow mass transport of gases (typically oxygen) in or through aqueous solutions. Herein we address this limitation by developing a triphase reaction system.
Ultrasound-targeted photodynamic and gene dual therapy for effectively inhibiting triple negative breast cancer by cationic porphyrin lipid microbubbles loaded with HIF1α-siRNA
Authors: Sun Sujuan , Xu Yunxue , Fu Peng , Chen Min , Sun Suhui , Zhao Ranran , Wang Jinrui , Liang Xiaolong , Wang Shumin
Published: September 2018

Enhanced PDT and siRNA transfection effect of siRNA@CpMBs were successfully achieved by in situ conversion of MBs to NPs.
Are zinc clusters really amorphous? A detailed protocol for locating global minimum structures of clusters
Authors: Aguado Andrés , Vega Andrés , Lebon Alexandre , von Issendorff Bernd
Published: September 2018

A novel computational protocol demonstrates that Zn clusters are not amorphous and reproduces photoemission and mass spectra.
Regioselective indole C2-alkylation using β-CF3-substituted enones under redox neutral Rh(iii) catalysis
Authors: Chaudhary Bharatkumar , Diwaker Monika , Sharma Satyasheel
Published: September 2018

Rhodium(iii) catalyzed C–H alkylation at the C2-position of indole with β-trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones with a broad range of substrates and excellent functional group compatibility is described.
Encapsulation of erythromycin and bacitracin antibiotics into natural sporopollenin microcapsules: antibacterial, cytotoxicity,in vitroandin vivorelease studies for enhanced bioavailability
Authors: Dyab Amro K. F. , Mohamed Mohamed A. , Meligi Noha M. , Mohamed Shaaban K.
Published: September 2018

Antibacterial activity and bioavailability of antibiotics are enhanced after a successful loading into nontoxic naturalLycopodium clavatumsporopollenin microcapsules.
Comparative study on synchronous adsorption of arsenate and fluoride in aqueous solution onto MgAlFe-LDHs with different intercalating anions
Authors: Hongtao Lu , Shuxia Liu , Hua Zhang , Yanling Qiu , Daqiang Yin , Jianfu Zhao , Zhiliang Zhu
Published: September 2018

During the simultaneous removal process, arsenate and fluoride competed for the adsorption sites of the adsorbent materials.
Dual cocatalyst loaded reverse type-I core/shell quantum dots for photocatalytic antibacterial applications
Authors: Shariati Mohammad Reza , Samadi-Maybodi Abdolraouf , Colagar Abasalt Hosseinzadeh
Published: September 2018

The benefits of reverse type-I CSQDs and co-catalysts were combined to improve the performance/stability of reverse type-I CSQD antibacterial photocatalysts.
A tough and self-healing poly(l-glutamic acid)-based composite hydrogel for tissue engineering
Authors: Zhang Weijun , Zhang Kunxi , Yan Shifeng , Wu Jie , Yin Jingbo
Published: September 2018

Developing a tough, self-healing, and biodegradable composite hydrogel based on poly(l-glutamic acid) leads to great potential in tissue engineering applications.
Integrating shape-memory technology and photo-imaging on a polymer platform for a high-security information storage medium
Authors: Xie Hui , Cheng Chuan-Ying , Li Lu , Deng Xiao-Ying , Yang Ke-Ke , Wang Yu-Zhong
Published: September 2018

The high-security of an information storage medium is enabled by the integration of shape-memory technology and photo-imaging on an anthracene-containing polymer platform.
Time‐frequency BSS of biosignals
Authors: Senay Seda
Published: September 2018

Time–frequency (TF) representations are very important tools to understand and explain circumstances, where the frequency content of non‐stationary signals varies in time. A variety of biosignals such as speech, electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electromyogram (EMG) show some form of non‐stationarity. Considering Priestley's evolutionary (time‐dependent) spectral theory for analysis of non‐stationary signals, the authors defined a TF representation called evolutionary Slepian transform (EST). The evolutionary spectral theory generalises the definition of spectra while avoiding some of the shortcomings of bilinear TF methods. The performance of the EST in the representation of biosignals for the blind source separation (BSS) problem to extract information from a mixture of sources is studied. For example, in the case of EEG recordings, as electrodes are placed along the scalp, what is actually observed from EEG data at each electrode is a mixture of all the active sources. Separation of these sources from a mixture of observations is crucial for the analysis of recordings. In this study, they show that the EST can be used efficiently in the TF‐based BSS problem of biosignals.
Interference alignment based hybrid cooperative transmission strategy with limited backhaul
Authors: Su Xin , Li Lihua , Zhang Ping
Published: September 2018

The performance of coordinated multi‐point (CoMP) transmission system depends heavily on the quality of information exchange via backhaul links. However, the limited capacity of backhaul leads to quantisation error and delay of shared channel state information. In this study, the authors propose a novel hybrid CoMP transmission strategy to mitigate the impacts of the backhaul delay for data sharing and switch the transmission modes adaptively based on the current arrivals of the shared user data. Furthermore, they present analytical expressions for the average sum rate in an interference alignment network, in which the combining effects of quantisation from limited capacity and connection uncertainty introduced by finite delay are considered. With the analytical results, they evaluate the sum rate performance under limited backhaul for the conventional CoMP transmission modes and the proposed strategy. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy functions better on overcoming the impacts of capacity limited backhaul than the conventional ones.
Optimal configuration of hybrid AC/DC urban distribution networks for high penetration renewable energy
Authors: Zhang Lu , Chen Ying , Shen Chen , Tang Wei , Liang Jun , Xu Biao
Published: September 2018

Existing AC medium‐voltage distribution networks are facing challenges on handling increasing loads and renewable energy integrations. However, it is very difficult to build new distribution lines in urban areas. This study proposes a configuration method of hybrid AC/DC medium‐voltage distribution networks, in which some existing AC lines are converted to DC operation. Existing topologies and dispatching scenarios are considered during configuration because the overall power flow can be rescheduled in the hybrid AC/DC distribution network. Therefore, transfer capacities of the lines are fully utilised, and more renewable energies are accommodated. A bi‐level programming model is established embedding chance constraint programming to consider the intermittent output of renewable energy. In the upper level, a multiple objective optimal model is proposed in order to balance investments, power losses, and the maximum load level and renewable energy capacity. In the lower level, daily operations of the newly installed VSCs are optimised by a chance constraint programming. The influences of energy storage systems on the configuration are also analysed. Simulation studies are performed to verify the proposed method.
Maximum likelihood estimation in hidden Markov models with inhomogeneous noise
Authors: Diehn Manuel , Munk Axel , Rudolf Daniel
Published: September 2018

We consider parameter estimation in finite hidden state space Markov models with time-dependent inhomogeneous noise, where the inhomogeneity vanishes sufficiently fast. Based on the concept of asymptotic mean stationary processes we prove that the maximum likelihood and a quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE) are strongly consistent. The computation of the QMLE ignores the inhomogeneity, hence, is much simpler and robust. The theory is motivated by an example from biophysics and applied to a Poisson- and linear Gaussian model.
Segment-Anatomie: Akupunktur naturwissenschaftlich erklärt
Authors: Ots Thomas
Published: September 2018

Die Segment-Anatomie stellt derzeit die wichtigste Sichtweise dar, die Akupunktur aus dem Bereich verbliebener Metaphern in die Welt naturwissenschaftlicher Erklärungen übersetzt. Mit ihr gelingt es, der Akupunktur eine weitgehend neurophysiologische Grundlage zu geben. Dies ist von besonderer Bedeutung für die Anlage von kotrollierten Studien mit einem Sham-Arm, einer mutmaßlichen Schein-Akupunktur. Hier wurden in der Vergangenheit und werden immer noch viele Fehler gemacht: Je mehr Akupunkturpunkte des Sham-Arms in identischen Dermatomen zum Verum-Arm gestochen werden, desto ähnlicher sind die Ergebnisse. Und: desto mehr wird die Akupunktur in die Nähe von „Placebo“ gerückt.
Refresher: Die segmentale Zuordnung im Mikrosystem der Ohrmuschel
Authors: Riehl Gerhard
Published: September 2018

Der französische Arzt Dr. Paul Nogiererkannte als Erster, dass sich Störungen des Körpers im Ohr abbilden lassen. Diese können diagnostisch und therapeutisch wirksam genutzt werden. Damit ist die Ohrakupunktur eine recht junge Therapieform, Nogier stellte sein Konzept 1957 vor.

Der Refresher erläutert die segmentale Zuordnung sog. Repräsentationspunkte im „Mikrosystem Ohr“ und deren Verwendungsmöglichkeiten in Diagnose und Therapie.
Humoraltherapie und segmentale Reizverfahren
Authors: Rampp Thomas
Published: September 2018

Segmentierung ist ein Ordnungsprinzip und das älteste architektonische Gerüst der Evolution. Ein Segment ist definiert als das Versorgungsgebiet eines Spinalnerven in Haut, Muskulatur, Knochen und inneren Organen (Dermatom, Myotom, Sklerotom, Enterotom u.a.) und bildet die Basis der Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Körperoberfläche und Körperinnerem.

Viele traditionelle Heilmethoden nutzen diese Wechselwirkungen zwischen Körperoberfläche und inneren Organen, um bei Störungen innerer Organe Reize an der Haut zu setzen und dadurch über die segmentale Verbindung erkrankte Anteile heilend zu beeinflussen.

Der vorliegende Artikel stellt die wichtigsten segmentalen Reizverfahren vor.
Assessment of Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia with ultrahigh-speed volumetric en face and cross-sectional optical coherence tomography
Authors: Ahsen Osman , Liang Kaicheng , Lee Hsiang-Chieh , Giacomelli Michael , Wang Zhao , Potsaid Benjamin , Figueiredo Marisa , Huang Qin , Jayaraman Vijaysekhar , Fujimoto James , Mashimo Hiroshi
Published: September 2018

Background This study aimed to evaluate the use of ultrahigh-speed volumetric en face and cross-sectional optical coherence tomography (OCT) with micromotor catheters for the in vivo assessment of Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia.

Methods 74 OCT datasets with correlated biopsy/endoscopic mucosal resection histology (49 nondysplastic Barrett’s esophagus [NDBE], 25 neoplasia) were obtained from 14 patients with Barrett’s esophagus and a history of dysplasia and 30 with NDBE. The associations between irregular mucosal patterns on en face OCT, absence of mucosal layering, surface signal > subsurface, and > 5 atypical glands on cross-sectional OCT vs. histology and treatment history were assessed by three blinded readers.

Results Atypical glands under irregular mucosal patterns occurred in 75 % of neoplasia (96 % of treatment-naïve neoplasia) vs. 30 % of NDBE datasets (43 % of short- and 18 % of long-segment NDBE). Mucosal layering was absent in 35 % of neoplasia and 50 % of NDBE datasets, and surface signal > subsurface occurred in 29 % of neoplasia and 30 % of NDBE datasets.

Conclusions Atypical glands under irregular mucosal patterns are strongly associated with neoplasia, suggesting potential markers for dysplasia and a role in pathogenesis.
Cognitive and Functional Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Cranioplasty after Decompressive Craniectomy
Authors: Kumar Arun , Nayak Biswaranjan , B. H Krishnamurthy , Patro Sushant , C. R Abhijeet , Singh Balwant , Nayak Himanshu , Shukla Dhanwantari , Biswal Debabrat , Sahoo Prafulla
Published: September 2018

Introduction Delay in doing cranioplasty (CP) after decompressive craniectomy (DC) may cause motor, cognitive, and language deficits. Studies show doing CP before developing such symptoms helps in improving the outcome. CP improves cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and cerebral blood flow, which may lead to better cognitive and functional outcome.

Objective The aim of the study was to assess cognitive and functional outcomes of early versus delayed cranioplasty (DCP) after DC.

Methodology This was a prospective observational study on 42 patients aged over 16 years and up to 70 years, who had undergone CP after DC for severe traumatic brain injury in in-patient and outpatient department of neurosurgery at a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India from the period of March 01, 2016 to December 31, 2017. Cognitive and functional outcomes were compared in early and DCP groups in preoperative and follow-up period at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Early cranioplasty (ECP) was within 2 months, and DCP was beyond 2 months.

Results Total sample size under this study was 42; 21 in ECP and 21 in DCP group. Mean age was 41.40 ± 15.95 years. The age distribution was quite young with 38.1% in 30 to 49 age group and had very high proportion of males (85.7%). This analysis revealed that both the ECP and DCP groups have resulted in significant improvement in mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) score after CP. But in the ECP group, there has been steady and significant improvement in MMSE and GOSE score at different follow-ups starting from postoperative 1 month in MMSE score and from 3 months up to 6 months in GOSE score.

Conclusion Neurosurgeon should evaluate and carefully monitor each individual case and take up CP as early as possible with suitable indication.
Postoperative Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures Using Sensorimotor Rehabilitation
Authors: Harel Hani , Lavi Idit , Allon Raviv , Michael Dafna , Wollstein Ronit
Published: September 2018

Background Sensorimotor and specifically proprioception sense has been used in rehabilitation to treat neurological and joint injuries. These feedback loops are not well understood or implemented in wrist treatment. We observed a temporary sensorimotor loss, following distal radius fractures (DRF) that should be addressed postsurgery.

Purpose The purpose of this prospective therapeutic study was to compare the outcomes of patients following surgery for DRF treated using a sensorimotor treatment protocol with those patients treated according to the postoperative standard of care.

Patients and Methods Patients following surgery for DRF sent for hand therapy were eligible for the study. Both the evaluation and treatment protocols included a comprehensive sensorimotor panel. Patients were randomized into standard and standard plus sensorimotor postoperative therapy and were evaluated a few days following surgery, at 6 weeks, and 3 months postsurgery.

Results Sixty patients following surgery were randomized into the two treatment regimens. The initial evaluation was similar for both groups and both demonstrated significant sensorimotor deficits, following surgery for DRF. There was documented sensorimotor and functional improvement in both groups with treatment. The clinical results were better in the group treated with the sensorimotor-proprioception protocol mostly in the wrist; however, not all of the differences were significant.

Conclusion Patients after surgery for DRF demonstrate significant sensorimotor deficits which may improve faster when utilizing a comprehensive sensorimotor treatment protocol. However, we did not demonstrate efficacy of the protocol in treating proprioceptive deficits. Further study should include refinement of functional outcome evaluation, studying of the treatment protocol, and establishment of sensorimotor therapeutic guidelines for other conditions.

Level of Evidence This is a level II, therapeutic study.
Factors Affecting Operative Duration in Isolated Open Carpal Tunnel Release
Authors: Hinds Richard , Fiedler David , Capo John , Yang S.
Published: September 2018

Background Open carpal tunnel release (CTR) is one of the most commonly performed operative procedures with operative duration being a primary metric of operating room efficiency. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with prolonged operative duration, in performing CTR.

Materials and Methods CTR cases performed by a single surgeon from September 2013 to October 2015 were reviewed. Patient age at the time of surgery, sex, location of surgery (specialty orthopaedic hospital versus ambulatory surgery center), body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, total operative duration (TOD), and procedure time (PT) were recorded. Obesity was defined as BMI > 30 and morbid obesity was defined as BMI > 35. Data were analyzed to identify factors associated with prolonged TOD or PT.

Results One hundred and nine consecutive patients underwent isolated CTR. Mean age at time of surgery was 62 years (range: 24–92 years). Nonobese patients were found to have significantly shorter TOD than obese patients (22.3 vs. 24.4 minutes). Similarly, patients who were not morbidly obese had significantly shorter TOD than morbidly obese patients (22.6 vs. 26 minutes). No other factors were associated with prolonged TOD. No difference in PT was found between normal weight, obese, and morbidly obese groups.

Conclusions TOD, but not procedure time, is significantly affected by obesity. Our findings are relevant when scheduling and preparing obese patients for surgery, which may have a significant impact on health resource utilization.

Level of Evidence This is a Level III, economic/decision analysis study.
New Trends in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of National Surveys of the Last 5 Years
Authors: Grassi Alberto , Carulli Christian , Innocenti Matteo , Mosca Massimiliano , Zaffagnini Stefano , Bait Corrado ,   SIGASCOT Arthroscopy Committee
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this study was to analyze national surveys of orthopaedic surgeons on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to determine their preferences related to the preferred graft, femoral tunnel positioning, fixation and tensioning methods, antibiotic and anti-thromboembolic prophylaxis, and use of tourniquet and drains. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was performed. Inclusion criteria were surveys of ACL reconstruction trends and preferences published in the past 5 years (2011–2016), involving members of national societies of orthopaedics. Information regarding survey modalities, population surveyed, graft choice both in the general or in the athletic population, surgical technique, fixation, use of antibiotic, tourniquet, drains, and anti-thromboembolic prophylaxis was extracted. Eight national surveys were included from Europe (three), North or Latin America (three), and Asia (two). Overall, 7,420 questionnaires were sent, and 1,495 participants completed the survey (response rate ranging from 16 to 76.6%). All surveys reported the hamstring tendon (HT) autograft as the preferred graft, ranging from 45 to 89% of the surveyed population, followed by bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft (2–41%) and allograft (2–17%). Only two surveys focusing on graft choice in athletic population underlined how in high-demand sportive population the graft choices changes in favor of BPTB. Single-bundle reconstruction was the preferred surgical technique in the four surveys that investigated this issue. Five surveys were in favor of anteromedial (AM) portal and two in favor of trans-tibial technique. Suspension devices for femoral fixation were the preferred choice in all but one survey, while interference screws were the preferred method for tibial fixation. The two surveys that investigated graft tensioning were in favor of manual tensioning. The use of tourniquet, antibiotics, drains, and anti-thromboembolic prophylaxis were vaguely reported. A trend toward the preference of HT autograft was registered in all the surveys; however, sport participation has been highlighted as an important variable for increased use of BPTB. Single-bundle reconstruction with AM portal technique and suspension femoral fixation and screws fixation for the tibia seem the preferred solution. Other variables such as tensioning, antibiotic, anti-thromboembolic prophylaxis, tourniquet use, and drains were investigated scarcely among the surveys; therefore, no clear trends could be delineated. This is a Level V, systematic review of expert opinion study.
The Bose-Einstein condensate temperature of an ideal blackbody
Authors: Bag Arijit
Published: September 2018

The oscillators of a perfect blackbody are considered as non-interacting entities. Thus, Bose-Einstein Condensation is possible for these entities. The Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) temperature of a perfect blackbody is calculated from the Planck’s theory of blackbody radiation and de Broggle’s wave-particle duality relation. It is observed that the BEC temperature of an ideal blackbody is 4.0K. Thus, bellow 4.0K temperature the energy density vs wavelength plot of a blackbody would look like a delta function. In this region, a blackbody would absorb or emit radiation of unique frequency depending upon its temperature. It is also possible to calculate the rest mass and the ground state vibrational energy of the oscillators of a blackbody using present formalism.
Design of a diamond-shaped thermal concentrator with homogeneous materials
Authors: Ji Qingxiang , Zhang Jun , Fang Guodong , Bai Guanghui , Liang Jun
Published: September 2018

We present a diamond-shaped thermal concentrator which can compress heat fluxes along predefined directions, thus yielding a heating region with high temperature gradients. Numerical simulations show that perfect thermal concentrating effect can be achieved for multi-directional heat flux. The coordinate transformation results in concentrator materials whose constitutive parameters are inhomogeneous and singular. Therefore, we establish thin-layered systems with alternating isotropic materials to model the parameters of such concentrators. Finite elements simulations are carried out, demonstrating the good performance of the layered thermal concentrator. The work in this paper offers more design flexibility of achieving thermal concentration according to practical requirements.
Influence of the energy dependence of the absorption coefficient on the solar energy conversion efficiency
Authors: Tablero-Crespo César
Published: September 2018

In most cases, when the efficiencies of a single or multi-gap (with intermediate bands) solar cell are evaluated, the energy dependence of the absorption coefficients is ignored. In this work we will evaluate the range of optical thickness and average absorption coefficients in which this dependence should be considered. For this study we use different absorption coefficients generated randomly as a function of the energy. In many practical cases, the efficiencies are lower than those expected.
Analysis of silver nanoparticle treatment fabrication methods leads to best practices suggestions
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: September 2018

Use of certain composite polymeric constructs restricts their ability to deliver silver nanoparticles to wound and burn sites, and calls for more robust use of assays.