bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agronomic optimal plant density for yield improvement in the major maize regions of China
Authors: Luo Ning , Wang Xingya , Hou Jiamin , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Pu , Meng Qingfeng
Published: April 2020

Identifying the agronomic optimal plant density (AOPD) for maximum grain yield is essential to develop enhanced management strategies for maize (Zea mays L.) production. In this study, we used a boundary‐line method to examine the yield response of maize to plant density in China, based on the metadata (2783 data points) gathered from 157 recent studies during 2000–2017. We found the AOPD was 8.5 × 104 plants ha−1 in Northeast China, 9.3 × 104 plants ha−1 on the North China Plain, 10.5 × 104 plants ha−1 in Northwest China, and 8.0 × 104 plants ha−1 in Southwest China. Compared with current practices, potential grain yield with these AOPDs was improved by 13–20% for these major maize regions of China. Across regions, AOPDs were similar for spring‐planted (9.2 × 104 plants ha−1) and summer‐planted maize (9.3 × 104 plants ha−1) systems, although grain yield at the AOPD was 7% greater for the spring‐planted maize system. For different productivity environments, we found that high‐yielding plots obtained a yield of 18.2 Mg ha−1 at an AOPD of 11.6 × 104 plants ha−1, whereas in general productivity plots, 39% lower grain yield was achieved with a 19% lower AOPD (9.4 × 104 plants ha−1). In summary, this study illustrated AOPDs with modern maize hybrids for different productivity environments, cropping systems, and regions. Further study is needed to investigate the possible influence of agronomic factors such as lodging risks by increasing plant density.
Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma with high‐grade transformation (“dedifferentiation”) in pleural effusion and neck lymph node: A diagnostic challenge on cytology?
Authors: Pusztaszeri Marc P. , Brochu Victor
Published: April 2020

High‐grade transformation (HGT) or “dedifferentiation” is an uncommon phenomenon among salivary gland carcinomas including adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), which is important to recognize because it is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness, with a high propensity for lymph node and distant metastases. ACC with HGT is histologically characterized by a distinct population of poorly differentiated cells with loss of the typical biphasic ductal and myoepithelial differentiation seen in conventional ACC, associated with pleomorphism, necrosis and increased mitotic activity. We report the cytologic features of a case of metastatic ACC‐HGT in cervical lymph node and effusion, which, to the best of our knowledge, have not been described previously. When ACC presents both in atypical locations and with HGT, the danger of misdiagnosis is increased if the clinical history is lacking, incomplete or inaccurate. Since ACC‐HGT are rare (and possibly underdiagnosed) and do not have a specific set of cytological and/or immunohistochemical features, it is important for practicing cytopathologists to be aware of the possibility of encountering them, especially in specimens from patients with a history of ACC, in order to render the correct diagnosis.
Academia‐dot‐edu sends me gifts, i mean, notifications!
Authors: Sargsyan Nelli
Published: April 2020

This poem invites the reader to co‐meditate on the conflicting realities with which scholars have to grapple. Issues include scholarship that is driven by theorizing emerging from everyday experiences, making one's scholarship palatable for academic markets, and desiring to engage in scholarship in a way that does not squeeze the life out of it.
On empirically estimating bullwhip effects: Measurement, aggregation, and impact
Authors: Yao Yuliang , Duan Yongrui , Huo Jiazhen
Published: April 2020

Empirical estimation of the bullwhip effect poses several challenges, although the bullwhip effect has been well studied in modeling papers. Using a dataset from a large supermarket chain, we estimate the product level bullwhip effect using various methods, analyze consequences of its different measurements and aggregations, and examine its impact on supply chain performance in terms of inventory ratio and stockouts. We have three major findings. (a) Bullwhip effect estimates exhibit different magnitudes dependent on how they are measured. The material bullwhip effect is greater in magnitude than the information bullwhip effect in our data, where demand correlations are sufficiently low. (b) The aggregated bullwhip effect ratios by store and by time are lower than the disaggregated bullwhip effect ratios, indicating that the aggregated bullwhip effect ratios underestimate the bullwhip effect. The aggregated bullwhip effect ratios by product are lower than the disaggregated bullwhip effect ratios, indicating the bullwhip effect is not as strong as theory predicts due to order pooling. (c) The bullwhip effect is associated with poor supply chain performance, as measured by elevated inventory ratio and stockouts. However, if the bullwhip effect is measured inaccurately, these benefits can be underestimated as much as 75% for inventory and 25% for stockouts.
A study of impairments in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
Authors: Brisson Jean‐Denis , Gagnon Cynthia , Brais Bernard , Côté Isabelle , Mathieu Jean
Published: April 2020

Introduction

In this study we aimed to document the prevalence and age of onset of motor impairments and other key symptoms in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).

Methods

Retrospective chart review of patients followed at the Saguenay Neuromuscular Clinic (Quebec, Canada).

Results

A total of 333 participants with the (GCN)13 mutation were included. Before the age of 75 years, 27% of them had walking limitations, 14% could not climb stairs independently, and 14% used a wheelchair for long distances or daily living. The median age of onset was 54 years for ptosis and dysphagia and 58 years for lower limb proximal weakness. Other frequent symptoms included fatigue, pharyngeal pooling of thickened secretions, and dysphonia. The median age at death was 77 years and the main cause was respiratory disease.

Discussion

This study provides important information to help anticipatory guidance for affected people and for the development of therapeutic trials in OPMD.
Quantitative nanoscale measurements of the thermomechanical properties of poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK)
Authors: Qian Wen , Li Wenlong , Nguyen Charles , Johnson Tyler J. , Turner Joseph A.
Published: April 2020

Understanding the internal structure and organization of semicrystalline polymers, especially at the nanoscale, has many challenges for researchers to date. In this article, we demonstrate a quantitative method for investigating the local viscoelastic properties (i.e., storage and loss moduli, as well as loss tangent) of semicrystalline polyether‐ether ketone (PEEK) through the combination of contact resonance atomic force microscopy (CR‐AFM) and in situ local heating with a thermal probe. Furthermore, the local viscoelastic properties of the crystalline and amorphous phases were decoupled by performing thermal CR‐AFM array mapping near the glass transition temperature of PEEK (Tg, 143 °C). A distinct bimodal distribution of tip‐sample interaction was observed for PEEK near its Tg, providing a means to estimate the Tg and the degree of crystallinity of PEEK.
Anomalous High Temperature Structural Behavior of Potential Multifunctional Material SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3
Authors: Hreb Vasyl , Shved Vira , Buryy Oleh , Pekinchak Olga , Vasylechko Leonid
Published: April 2020

Crystal structure parameters of the mixed cobaltite–chromite SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3 in the temperature range of 298–1173 K were derived from in situ high‐resolution X‐ray synchrotron powder diffraction data. Similar to the parent SmCoO3 compound, SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3 reveals anomalous thermal expansion reflected in abnormal temperature dependence of the unit cell dimensions and the selected interatomic distances and angles. These anomalies are associated with temperature induced changes of spin state of Co3+ ions and coupled insulator‐metal transition. Observed decreasing behavior of the bandwidth W points on the increasing population of the exited spin states of Co3+ ions in SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3 with increasing temperature. First principle calculations revealed antiferromagnetic ground state of SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3 as the most stable.
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Scoping Review on PrEP Service Delivery and Programming
Authors: Hillis Alyson , Germain Jennifer , Hope Vivian , McVeigh James , Van Hout Marie Claire
Published: April 2020

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an evidence-based new biomedical HIV prevention intervention, which involves the pre-emptive use of daily (or event-based) antiretroviral drugs, to reduce risk of HIV acquisition if exposed. PrEP has recently been positioned as an integral prevention tool to reduce HIV acquisition risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) at country-level and within global prevention strategies. Given this global scale up of PrEP, we conducted a scoping review of extant international literature documenting service related perspectives, models and lessons learnt in PrEP programming for MSM. A systematic search of literature was conducted, and restricted to English language records in the timeframe 2008 to February 2019. Eligibility criteria centered on whether studies broadly described PrEP programming and service delivery for MSM as well as health communication. Following exclusion of ineligible records and removal of duplicates, 84 records were charted and thematically analysed according to scoping review methods. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis of data; ‘PrEP service aspects, settings and staff’; ‘PrEP prescriber experiences, therapeutic alliance and care planning’; ‘PrEP adherence within formal service structures’; and ‘Multi-disciplinary and innovative PrEP care pathways’. The review highlights the complexities in providing optimal PrEP services for MSM by mapping and illustrating the importance of understanding the informal and formal routes to PrEP use among this HIV risk population; the barriers to uptake; the requirement for the presence of a positive therapeutic alliance between patient and prescriber in supporting patient initiation and adherence to PrEP regimes; and the need for availability in different culturally and ethnically sensitive models of PrEP service delivery according to low to high risk groups within the MSM communities.
Physicochemical and dissolution properties of ezetimibe–aspirin binary system in development of fixed-dose combinations
Authors: Górniak Agata , Czapor-Irzabek Hanna , Złocińska Adrianna , Karolewicz Bożena
Published: April 2020

The objective of this work was to investigate binary pharmaceutical mixtures of ezetimibe (EZT) and aspirin (ASA) in order to identify whether the occurrence of eutectic in this system has an effect on EZT dissolution improvement. Ezetimibe–aspirin (EZT–ASA) solid dispersions prepared by grinding in the whole range of compositions were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for purpose to describe solid-liquid phase equilibrium diagram. The occurrence of interactions between ingredients was excluded by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry. Dissolution studies have shown that the mixtures containing from 10 to 60 mass% of EZT (53.5 mass% of EZT in eutectic composition) have released ezetimibe faster than a sample of pure drug. Moreover, ASA is released more quickly from all obtained dispersions than from powder alone. Our studies have shown that obtained mixtures are useful to obtain the fixed-dose combinations, capable to deliver these two APIs together in a single system with enhanced dissolution of EZT and ASA.
The epistemic significance of modal factors
Authors: Newton Lilith
Published: April 2020

This paper evaluates whether and to what extent modal constraints on knowledge or the semantics of ‘knows’, which make essential reference to what goes on in other possible worlds, can be considered non-epistemic factors with epistemic significance. This is best understood as the question whether modal factors are non-truth-relevant factors that make the difference between true belief and knowledge, or to whether a true belief falls under the extension of ‘knowledge’ in a context, where a factor is truth-relevant with respect to S’s belief that P iff it bears on the probability that P is true. To the extent that these factors are non-epistemic, epistemologies that endorse them—modal epistemologies—stand in conflict with intellectualism. I focus on three modal epistemologies: safety, sensitivity, and David Lewis’s epistemic contextualism. I argue that prima facie, safety and sensitivity allow that non-epistemic changes in a context can shift the closeness ordering on worlds, and in so doing make a difference to whether S knows P, while Lewis’s contextualism allows that non-epistemic changes in a context can shift the relevant domain of not-P possibilities that must be eliminated for ‘S knows P’ to be true in that context. Then to make her theory compatible with intellectualism, the modal epistemologist must say much more about the notion of probability at play in the definition of ‘truth-relevant’. I suggest that either accepting or rejecting that modal epistemologies are intellectualist has significance consequences for debates between pragmatists and purists, which radiate into wider contemporary epistemology.
Changes in functional, phylogenetic and taxonomic diversities of lowland fens under different vegetation and disturbance levels
Authors: Carvalho Fabio , Brown Kerry A. , Waller Martyn P. , Razafindratsima Onja H. , Boom Arnoud
Published: April 2020

Multiple measures of plant diversity are vital to understand the response of plant communities to changing environmental conditions in peatlands. We assessed whether functional, phylogenetic and taxonomic diversities of woody and herbaceous fen peatlands in East Anglia, UK varied between plant communities under different management practices (mowing and grazing). We adjusted the weight of phylogenetic distances in a combined functional-phylogenetic distance matrix to assess functional and phylogenetic diversities separately and in combination. We tested the phylogenetic signal of four traits (leaf dry-matter content, leaf N, leaf δ13C and leaf δ15N) and employed null models to determine patterns of clustering and over-dispersion of traits and phylogenies. We used rarefaction to determine if observed taxonomic diversity was higher or lower than expected. Functional, phylogenetic and taxonomic diversities varied across and within vegetation types. Annual grazing was associated with reduced functional and phylogenetic diversities but was not significantly associated with taxonomic diversity. Annual mowing was associated with increased phylogenetic and taxonomic diversities. Multiple diversity metrics can provide complementary or contrasting information. While there are benefits to annual management of wetlands (benefitting rare species), these must be weighed against eroding functional and phylogenetic diversities that can potentially adversely affect responses to environmental change. Communities mown every seven to eight years supported characteristic fen vegetation and maintained high plant diversity across a range of measures. Our results sound a cautionary note of neglecting to monitor multiple plant diversity measures in managed habitats, since attempts to maximize one may inadvertently lead to the erosion of others.
Financial Reporting in Non-listed Family Firms: Insights from Interviews with CFOs
Authors: Glaum Martin
Published: April 2020

Analysing 20 interviews with CFOs of German non-listed family firms, I report how the firms’ financial reporting is organised, who are the financial statement addressees, how the CFOs define accounting quality, whether they manage earnings, and how owner families influence reporting. I also discuss the firms’ costs of reporting and disclosure. Most CFOs see the requirement to disclose financial statements as a burden. They react by disclosing statements as late as possible and by providing only the minimum content necessary. As regards accounting quality, the CFOs value formal correctness, but also sustainability, persistence, and conservative estimation of net income. Most CFOs engage in earnings management, above all to achieve a positive trend in net income, in some cases also to comply with debt covenants. The influence of the owner families differs; however, in most cases the family at least “sets the tone” for the reporting. On average, the direct costs of accounting and auditing in my sample firms amount to about 1% of revenues. According to the CFOs, public disclosure does not result in material indirect costs, and most CFOs would not change much if the requirements for reporting and disclosure were abolished. These findings add to our understanding of private firm financial reporting and suggest several directions for future research.
Narnaviruses: novel players in fungal–bacterial symbioses
Authors: Espino-Vázquez Astrid N , Bermúdez-Barrientos J Roberto , Cabrera-Rangel J Francisco , Córdova-López Gonzalo , Cardoso-Martínez Faviola , Martínez-Vázquez Azul , Camarena-Pozos David A , Mondo Stephen J , Pawlowska Teresa E , Abreu-Goodger Cei , Partida-Martínez Laila P
Published: April 2020

Rhizopus microsporus is an early-diverging fungal species with importance in ecology, agriculture, food production, and public health. Pathogenic strains of R. microsporus harbor an intracellular bacterial symbiont, Mycetohabitans (formerly named Burkholderia). This vertically transmitted bacterial symbiont is responsible for the production of toxins crucial to the pathogenicity of Rhizopus and remarkably also for fungal reproduction. Here we show that R. microsporus can live not only in symbiosis with bacteria but also with two viral members of the genus Narnavirus. Our experiments revealed that both viruses replicated similarly in the growth conditions we tested. Viral copies were affected by the developmental stage of the fungus, the substrate, and the presence or absence of Mycetohabitans. Absolute quantification of narnaviruses in isolated asexual sporangiospores and sexual zygospores indicates their vertical transmission. By curing R. microsporus of its viral and bacterial symbionts and reinfecting bacteria to reestablish symbiosis, we demonstrate that these viruses affect fungal biology. Narnaviruses decrease asexual reproduction, but together with Mycetohabitans, are required for sexual reproductive success. This fungal–bacterial-viral system represents an outstanding model to investigate three-way microbial symbioses and their evolution.
Comparative lipidomics of 5-Fluorouracil–sensitive and –resistant colorectal cancer cells reveals altered sphingomyelin and ceramide controlled by acid sphingomyelinase (SMPD1)
Authors: Jung Jae Hun , Taniguchi Kohei , Lee Hyeong Min , Lee Min Young , Bandu Raju , Komura Kazumasa , Lee Kil Yeon , Akao Yukihiro , Kim Kwang Pyo
Published: April 2020

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used to treat colorectal cancer. 5-FU is known to gradually lose its efficacy in treating colorectal cancer following the acquisition of resistance. We investigated the mechanism of 5-FU resistance using comprehensive lipidomic approaches. We performed lipidomic analysis on 5-FU–resistant (DLD-1/5-FU) and -sensitive (DLD-1) colorectal cancer cells using MALDI-MS and LC-MRM-MS. In particular, sphingomyelin (SM) species were significantly up-regulated in 5-FU–resistant cells in MALDI-TOF analysis. Further, we quantified sphingolipids including SM and Ceramide (Cer) using Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM), as they play a vital role in drug resistance. We found that 5-FU resistance in DLD-1/5-FU colorectal cancer cells was mainly associated with SM increase and Cer decrease, which are controlled by acid sphingomyelinase (SMPD1). In addition, reduction of SMPD1 expression was confirmed by LC-MRM-MS analysis and the effect of SMPD1 in drug resistance was assessed by treating DLD-1 cells with siRNA-SMPD1. Furthermore, clinical colorectal cancer data set analysis showed that down-regulation of SMPD1 was associated with resistance to chemotherapy regimens that include 5-FU. Thus, from our study, we propose that SM/Cer and SMPD1 are new potential target molecules for therapeutic strategies to overcome 5-FU resistance.
High predation of native sea lamprey during spawning migration
Authors: Boulêtreau Stéphanie , Carry Laurent , Meyer Elise , Filloux Damien , Menchi Olivier , Mataix Vincent , Santoul Frédéric
Published: April 2020

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a unique jawless vertebrate among the most primitive of all living vertebrates. This migratory fish is endangered in much of its native area due to dams, overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss. An introduced predator, the European catfish (Silurus glanis), is now widespread in Western and Southern European freshwaters, adding a new threat for sea lamprey migrating into freshwater to spawn. Here, we use a new prototype predation tag coupled with RFID telemetry on 49 individuals from one of the largest sea lamprey European populations (Southwestern France) to quantify the risk of predation for adult sea lampreys during its spawning migration in rivers with large populations of European catfish. We found that at least 80% of tagged sea lampreys (39 among 49) were preyed upon within one month, and that 50% of the released lampreys were rapidly consumed on average 8 days after tagging. This very high predation rate suggests that the European catfish represents a supplementary serious threat of extirpation for the native sea lamprey population we studied. This threat is likely to happen throughout most of the native lamprey distribution area, as the European catfish is becoming established almost everywhere the sea lamprey is.
Pedobacter schmidteae sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from the microbiota of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Kangale Luis Johnson , Raoult Didier , Ghigo Eric , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: April 2020

Pedobacter schmidteae sp. nov. strain EGT(Collection de Souches de l’Unité des Rickettsie CSUR P6417 = Colección Española de Cultivos Tipo CECT 9771) is a newPedobacterspecies isolated from the planarianSchmidtea mediterranea.Schmidtea mediterraneaare flatworms living in freshwater and exhibiting an unusual ability to regenerate amputated parts. To date, the gut microbiota ofSchmidtea mediterranearemains poorly studied. Here, via the culturomics strategy that consists in using diversified culture conditions, we isolated a new bacterium, strain EG, that we characterized using the taxono-genomics approach that combines phenotypic assays and genome sequencing and analysis. Strain EG exhibits a 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 98.29% withPedobacter nyackensisstrain NWG-II14T, its closest neighbour with standing in nomenclature. It is an aerobic bacterium belonging to the familySphingobacteriaceae. Colonies are small, round, smooth and transparent. Bacterial cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile and non-spore-forming bacilli with positive catalase and oxidase activities. The genome sequence is 6,198,518 bp–long with a G + C content of 41.13%, and the Ortho-ANI and dDDH values when compared toP. nyackensisare 77.34% and 21.50%, respectively. Strain EGTexhibits unique characteristics that classify it as the type strain of new bacterial species for which we propose the namePedobacter schmidteaesp. nov.
Association between Macular Thickness Profiles and Visual Function in Healthy Eyes: The Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) Study
Authors: Poh Stanley , Tham Yih-Chung , Chee Miao Li , Dai Wei , Majithia Shivani , Soh Zhi Da , Fenwick Eva K. , Tao Yijin , Thakur Sahil , Rim Tyler Hyungtaek , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the association between optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured retinal layer thickness parameters with clinical and patient-centred visual outcomes in healthy eyes. Participants aged 40 and above were recruited from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study, a multi-ethnic population-based study. Average macular, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and outer retinal thickness parameters were obtained using the Cirrus High Definition-OCT. Measurements of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and 11-item visual functioning questionnaire (VF-11) were performed. Associations between macular thickness parameters, with BCVA and Rasch-transformed VF-11 scores (in logits) were assessed using multivariable linear regression models with generalized estimating equations, adjusted for relevant confounders. 4,540 subjects (7,744 eyes) with a mean age of 58.8 ± 8.6 years were included. The mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 0.10 ± 0.11 and mean VF-11 score was 5.20 ± 1.29. In multivariable regression analysis, thicker macula (per 20 µm; β = −0.009) and GCIPL (per 20 µm; β = −0.031) were associated with better BCVA (all p ≤ 0.001), while thicker macula (per 20 µm; β = 0.04) and GCIPL (per 20 µm, β = 0.05) were significantly associated with higher VF-11 scores (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, among healthy Asian eyes, thicker macula and GCIPL were associated with better vision and self-reported visual functioning. These findings provide further understanding on the potential influence of macular thickness on visual function.
Correction: Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production
Authors: Ali Aasim M. , Nesse Astrid S. , Eich-Greatorex Susanne , Sogn Trine A. , Aanrud Stine G. , Aasen Bunæs John A. , Lyche Jan L. , Kallenborn Roland
Published: April 2020

Correction for ‘Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production’ by Aasim M. Ali et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019, 21, 1498–1508.
Online informatics resources to facilitate cancer target and chemical probe discovery
Authors: Yang Xuan , Fu Haian , Ivanov Andrey A.
Published: April 2020

This review highlights the cutting-edge informatics resources available to explore cancer genomics, biological, and chemical space to facilitate target and therapeutic discovery in cancer.
Correction: Nano- and micro-structural control of WO3 photoelectrode films through aqueous synthesis of WO3·H2O and (NH4)0.33WO3 precursors
Authors: Uchiyama Hiroaki , Nagayasu Yuki
Published: April 2020

Correction for ‘Nano- and micro-structural control of WO3 photoelectrode films through aqueous synthesis of WO3·H2O and (NH4)0.33WO3 precursors’ by Hiroaki Uchiyama et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 11444–11449.
Preoperative red cell distribution width predicts postoperative cognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Wan Jing , Luo Peiwen , Du Xiaonan , Yan Hong
Published: April 2020

We assessed the relationship between red blodd cell distribution width (RDW) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients who usually had obvious hemodynamic changes. We enrolled 362 coronary heart disease patients who received CABG. POCD was assessed through neuropsychological examination at 21 days after operation. Demographics, history of diseases, blood biochemical parameters and perioperative data were collected. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the best cut-off value of RDW for diagnosis of POCD. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between RDW and POCD. The 21-day incidence of POCD in patients receiving CABG was 27.1% (98/362). The RDW of POCD patients was significantly higher than in the non-POCD patients (17.4 vs. 13.2). The sensitivity and specificity of RDW for predicting POCD were 82.7 and 64.8%, respectively. The POCD patients also tended to be older and had higher fasting plasma glucose, hypersensitive c-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, white blood cell levels and longer surgery time. No significant differences were found in other parameters. The 21-day neuropsychological test results were better in the POCD patients than the non-POCD patients. After adjustment of potential factors, the preoperative high RDW was still associated with an increased risk of POCD (odds ratio (OR) = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–4.31). Our study indicates that preoperative RDW is significantly elevated in POCD patients receiving CABG. The elevated preoperative RDW is associated with an increased risk of POCD and preoperative RDW can be an independent predictor of POCD.
The association between Interleukin-6 rs1800795/rs1800797 polymorphisms and risk of rotator cuff tear in a Chinese population
Authors: Li Jin , Jiang Lifeng , Zhou Xindie , Wu Lidong , Li Dong , Chen Gang
Published: April 2020

Expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6 (IL-6) and metalloproteases, are elevated in patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT). In order to investigate the role of IL-6 gene polymorphisms on RCT risk, we genotyped two SNPs on IL-6 gene (rs1800795 and rs1800797) in 138 RCT patients and 137 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. The IL-6 expression in shoulder joint synovial fluid was determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The constant score and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical outcome of two s (surgicsal vs. conservative) for RCT patients. For rs1800795, individuals with the GG genotype or G allele had significantly higher risk of RCT. Elevated risk of tear size was associated with the GG genotype of the rs1800795 polymorphism. The IL-6 rs1800797 polymorphism was also associated with an increased risk of RCT, especially among female, drinkers, and individuals with B(MI) < 25 kg/m2. The elevated levels of IL-6 gene were observed among the mutant genotype of rs1800795/rs1800797 polymorphism. Surgical group is significantly better than conservative treatment from the perspective of constant score and VAS. Furthermore, CG genotype of rs1800795 polymorphism increased the constant score at 6 months in comparison with CC genotype. In conclusion, our study supports a role of IL-6 rs1800795/rs1800797 polymorphisms on increased RCT risk. The RCT patients with CG genotype of rs1800795 polymorphism have more obvious surgical treatment effects by influencing the IL-6 expression.
Early differential diagnosis model for acute radiation pneumonitis based on multiple parameters
Authors: Wang Zhiwu , Wu Qiong , Dong Liang , Fu Haoyu , Liu Qiwei
Published: April 2020

Objective: The present study aimed to construct a diagnosis model for the early differentiation of acute radiation pneumonitis (ARP) and infectious pneumonitis based on multiple parameters.

Methods: The present study included data of 152 patients admitted to the Department of Radiochemotherapy, Tangshan People’s Hospital, who developed ARP (91 patients) or infectious pneumonia (IP; 61 patients) after radiotherapy. The radiophysical parameters, imaging characteristics, serological indicators, and other data were collected as independent variables, and ARP was considered as a dependent variable. Logistics univariate analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used for selecting independent variables. Logistics multivariate analysis was used to fit the variables into the regression model to predict ARP.

Results: The univariate analysis showed that the positional relation between lesions and V20 area (PRLV), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), mean lung dose (MLD), and lung volume receiving ≥20 Gy (V20) correlated with ARP while the planning target volume (PTV) dose marginally correlated with ARP. The multivariate analysis showed that the PRLV, PCT, white blood cell (WBC), and MLD were independent diagnostic factors. The nomogram was drawn on the basis of the logistics regression model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.849, which was significantly better than that of a single indicator and the sensitivity and specificity of the model were high (82.4 and 82.0%, respectively). These results predicted by the model were highly consistent with the actual diagnostic results. The decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated a satisfactory positive net benefit of the model.

Conclusion: The diagnosis model constructed in the present study is of certain value for the differential diagnosis of ARP and IP.
Double‐layer metasurface‐based low profile broadband X‐band microstrip antenna
Authors: Guo Meng , Wang Wei , Huang Ping
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a novel technology based on double‐layer metasurfaces is proposed in order to broaden the bandwidth of microstrip antennas, which has been verified in X‐band linearly polarised and circularly polarised antennas. Referring to the conventional metasurface antenna that employs slot‐coupled feeding, these designs add an extra metasurface between the radiation patch and the ground plane so as to establish dual resonance modes, TM10 and TM20. Following the adoption of the composite right/left‐handed transmission lines principle, this technique aims to adjust the propagation constant in the right‐hand region by introducing parallel inductors and capacitors to widen the dual resonant frequencies' interval, thereby realising a broadband antenna. In addition, the interlayer metasurface may also be utilised as a director to balance the E‐field of the radiation patch. A linearly polarised double‐layer metasurface antenna with a size of 0.80.80.058 (wavelength in free space at the centre frequency) is filled with F4B substrate with a dielectric constant of 2.2. It finally realises an impedance matching bandwidth (VSWR2) from 8.41 to 11.67 GHz, occupying about 32.47 of the centre frequency. This circularly polarised antenna attains both an impedance matching bandwidth of 32.44 (i.e. 8.29–11.5 GHz) and an axial‐ratio bandwidth of 19.72 (i.e. 9.6–11.7 GHz).
Series and parallel resonance active damping of three‐phase buck‐type dynamic capacitor for reactive compensation and harmonic suppression
Authors: Chao Zeyun , Chen Xinwen , Dai Ke , Wu Qi , Zhang Yuxiao , Dai Ziwei
Published: April 2020

Series and parallel resonance tend to occur and cause harmonic distortion when the distribution system contains a shunt power capacitor to compensate inductive load and dynamic capacitor (D‐CAP) to suppress harmonics. This study focuses on the series and parallel resonance active damping of three‐phase buck‐type D‐CAP, so as to achieve better power quality control. Two virtual resistor damping methods for series resonance, D‐CAP power capacitor voltage or D‐CAP front‐end buffer inductor current feedback, are introduced and compared. Then, parallel resonance is damped by generating certain harmonic currents in the phase with the selective harmonic voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC), equivalent to controlling the D‐CAP as a virtual harmonic resistor. In addition, the power balance of D‐CAP is interpreted to ensure no additional energy control loop is needed for the active damping. To further improve the parallel resonance damping, the self‐adjusted damping gain is proposed by the closed‐loop regulation of harmonics in PCC voltage. Finally, coordinated control between reactive and multiple harmonic currents is introduced for the whole combined control to avoid over‐modulation. A wide variety of experimental results from a 33 kVar/220 V laboratory prototype are provided to demonstrate the validity of the combined control.
Investigation on the luminescent stability in amorphous silicon oxynitride systems
Authors: Zhang Pengzhan , Wang Sake , Chen Kunji , Wu Xinglong
Published: April 2020

Light induced degradation is a common phenomenon in the photoluminescence (PL) properties of silicon (Si) based light emitting materials. Based on our previous research of highly efficient luminescent amorphous silicon oxynitride (a-SiNxOy) systems, in this work, we intensively investigated the light induced degradation properties of a-SiNxOy, and then further significantly improved the related PL stability. It was notable that the a-SiNxOy films exhibit a light induced time evolutionary metastable PL and have self-recovery properties when exposed in the air after a period. With the purpose of eliminating the light induced degradation and the meta-stable PL in a-SiNxOy films, we employed thermal annealing combined with pulsed laser annealing processes, which makes the film density improved and weak bond angle eliminated, thus obtaining the high stable luminescent a-SiNxOy films in visible range.
Impact of transverse and vertical gate electric field on vibrational and electronic properties of MoS2
Authors: Rani Renu , Jena Nityasagar , Kundu Anirban , De Sarkar Abir , Hazra Kiran Shankar
Published: April 2020

Selectivity of the electric field direction plays a vital role in modulating the phonon characteristics as well as electrical properties in low-dimensional materials. A comprehensive study on the effects of the direction-dependent electric field on MoS2 sample is reported herewith. The field-induced changes in the phonon characteristics and electronic band structure have been systematically investigated based on field responsive Raman and photoluminescence measurements. The atomistic insights obtained from density functional theory calculations have been correlated with the experimental observations to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The applied transverse electric field is found to be significantly more efficacious than the electric field applied vertically in altering the phonon signatures and bandgap in MoS2, where the electrostrictive response is found to arise from the field-induced alteration in metal–chalcogen interatomic bonds.
Electron-spin-resonance and electrically detected-magnetic-resonance characterization on PbC center in various 4H-SiC(0001)/SiO2 interfaces
Authors: Umeda T. , Nakano Y. , Higa E. , Okuda T. , Kimoto T. , Hosoi T. , Watanabe H. , Sometani M. , Harada S.
Published: April 2020

We characterized an intrinsic interface defect, called the “PbC center,” formed at 4H-SiC(0001)/SiO2 interfaces by means of electron-spin-resonance (ESR) and electrically detected-magnetic-resonance (EDMR) spectroscopies. The formation of the PbC center was observed with a spin density of 3–4 × 1012 cm−2 after standard thermal oxidation. This center could be effectively removed by the NO post-oxidation-anneal (POA) process or ultra-high-temperature oxidation and could be passivated by H atoms via the H2 POA process. There was a clear correlation between the PbC center and field-effect mobility (μFE) of 4H-SiC(0001) metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). The PbC center decreased μFE because this center acts as electron traps, reducing the free-carrier density in the inversion channel of 4H-SiC(0001) MOSFET. We also examined the counter doping effect of NO POA by introducing 15N impurities; however, the counter doping of 15N donors was not detectable by ESR (much lower than 2 × 1011 cm−2). Highly sensitive EDMR measurements revealed that the PbC center has two isotropic hyperfine (HF) interactions at 1.3 and 6.8 mT and suggested that its main 13C HF interaction should be larger than 14 mT. Based on the present experimental data, the origin of the PbC center was ascribed as a carbon-related interface defect that forms a C–H bond after hydrogen passivation. This feature is similar to that of the porous-PbC centers (carbon dangling-bond centers) found in porous-SiC/SiO2 systems. However, their HF signatures indicated that the PbC center at 4H-SiC(0001)/SiO2 interfaces and the porous-PbC centers in porous-SiC should be different centers associated with different wave functions.
Effect of surface roughness on the solar photothermal conversion efficiency of spray-coated CuCo2O4 films
Authors: James Anjana , Pradeep Prajisha , Barshilia Harish , Kamble Vinayak B.
Published: April 2020

Mixed transition metal oxide films are emerging as efficient and inexpensive potential alternatives to multilayer cermet spectrally selective coatings. However, to replace the current standards involving a complex metal–dielectric structure, oxides must be optimized in terms of their electronic structure and mainly their film morphology. In the present work, a simple ultrasonic nebulized spray pyrolysis technique is used to deposit CuCo2O4 films for solar absorber coatings. Their photothermal efficiencies are studied for solar thermal energy harvesting for different film thicknesses obtained by varying the deposition time. The film surface attributes are studied using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The films deposited for 5 and 10 min show relatively high visible absorptance (∼0.79) and relatively low thermal emittance (∼0.1) and thus are promising candidates for spectrally selective coatings. Meanwhile, increasing the deposition time (>10 min) increases the thickness, thereby increasing the solar absorptance. However, this results in an uncontrolled increase in the surface roughness, which affects the spectral selectivity adversely, leading to the films having higher thermal emittance of between 0.1 and ∼0.25. Analysis of the specular reflection contribution shows that this deterioration is governed predominantly by interference effects due to surface attributes. This study is important for the technological applications of spectrally selective coatings and makes a significant quantitative contribution to emphasize the importance of surface morphology in optics.
An interband cascade platform permits on-chip mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: April 2020

Replacing the standard mercury-cadmium-telluride photodiode with an interband cascade detector brought a fully-integrated, broadband spectrometer one step closer to reality.
Unequal effect of thermodynamics and kinetics on glass forming ability of Cu–Zr alloys
Authors: Ganorkar Shraddha , Lee Yun-Hee , Lee Sooheyong , Chan Cho Yong , Ishikawa Takehiko , Lee Geun Woo
Published: April 2020

The glass forming ability (GFA) of Cu–Zr alloys has been still ambiguous, due to incomplete or lacking thermophysical properties of Cu–Zr liquids in supercooled and stable states, although tremendous effort has been devoted. We provide here the comprehensive thermophysical properties of Cu–Zr liquids, such as undercoolability, density, viscosity, fusion enthalpy, temperature–time-transformation (TTT) diagram, and crystal–liquid interfacial free energy. Three compositions, Cu64Zr36, Cu56Zr44, and Cu50Zr50, show distinctive anomalies in undercoolability, nose time in TTT, and crystal–liquid interfacial free energy, but not in density and viscosity in supercooled and stable liquid states. The anomalies reflect that the GFA is dominantly governed by thermodynamics rather than kinetics in these bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). In addition, we find that positions of nose temperatures in the TTT curves are below 1/2 (Tg + Tl), which implies unequal contribution of thermodynamics and kinetics. We discuss that empirical GFA parameters cannot explain the glass formation of Cu–Zr alloys due to the unequal contribution, and the Turnbull GFA criterion (Trg = Tg/Tl) is valid for the equal contribution of the two effects. The present experimental findings shed light on the ongoing debate about the GFA criterion of Cu–Zr BMGs.
Interfacial properties in energy storage systems studied by soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering
Authors: Li Qinghao , Yan Shishen , Yang Wanli
Published: April 2020

Interfacial behaviors and properties play critical roles in determining key practical parameters of electrochemical energy storage systems, such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. Soft x-ray spectroscopy features shallow penetration depth and demonstrates inherent surface sensitivity to characterize the interfacial behavior with elemental and chemical sensitivities. In this review, we present a brief survey of modern synchrotron-based soft x-ray spectroscopy of the interface in electrochemical energy storage systems. The technical focus includes core-level spectroscopy of conventional x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). We show that while conventional techniques remain powerful for probing the chemical species on the surface, today’s material research studies have triggered much more demanding chemical sensitivity that could only be offered by advanced techniques such as RIXS. Another direction in the field is the rapid development of various in situ/operando characterizations of complex electrochemical systems. Notably, the solid-state battery systems provide unique advantages for future studies of both the surface/interface and the bulk properties under operando conditions. We conclude with perspectives on the bright future of studying electrochemical systems through these advanced soft x-ray spectroscopic techniques.
Understanding the role of predictive time delay and biased propagator in RAVE
Authors: Wang Yihang , Tiwary Pratyush
Published: April 2020

In this work, we revisit our recent iterative machine learning (ML)–molecular dynamics (MD) technique “Reweighted autoencoded variational Bayes for enhanced sampling” [J. M. L. Ribeiro et al., J. Chem. Phys. 149, 072301 (2018) and Y. Wang, J. M. L. Ribeiro, and P. Tiwary, Nat. Commun. 10, 3573 (2019)] and analyze and formalize some of its approximations. These include (a) the choice of a predictive time-delay, or how far into the future should the ML try to predict the state of a given system output from MD, and (b) that for short time-delays, how much of an error is made in approximating the biased propagator for the dynamics as the unbiased propagator. We demonstrate through a master equation framework as to why the exact choice of time-delay is irrelevant as long as a small non-zero value is adopted. We also derive a correction to reweight the biased propagator, and somewhat to our dissatisfaction but also to our reassurance, we find that it barely makes a difference to the intuitive picture we had previously derived and used.
Characterization of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria isolated from acidic Ultisol soil, South Borneo
Authors: Jaya G I , Utami S N H , Widada J , Yusuf W A
Published: April 2020

Borneo Island is an area crossed by the equator, which is characterized by high rainfall and stable warm temperatures condition. In these condition, the soil experiences advance weathering so that the content of Fe2+ and Al 3+ in the soil is very high. This causes many problems, such as high fixation of P by poisonous Fe and Al so that P elements become unavailable for plant. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) can support the growth of plants by the Al and Fe chelation mechanism so that the plants are not poisoned by the toxic elements and P nutrients can be available for plants. The purpose of this study was to isolate Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) from acidic ultisol soil. The results showed that among isolated PSB, PL1 isolates and PL2 isolates had the highest value of P solubilizing index. DNA of these 2 potential isolates were extracted and then amplified gDNA showed 1330-1500 bp.