bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Staples for Tough and Stretchable Adhesion in Integrated Soft Materials
Authors: Chen Baohong , Yang Jiawei , Bai Ruobing , Suo Zhigang
Published: August 2019

The integration of soft materials—biological tissues, gels, and elastomers—is a rapidly developing technology of this time. Whereas hard materials are adhered using adhesives of hard polymers since antiquity, these hard polymers are generally unsuited to adhere soft materials, because hard polymers constrain the deformation of soft materials. This paper describes a design principle to use hard polymers to adhere soft materials, such that adhesion remains tough after the adhered soft materials are subject to many cycles of large stretches in the plane of their interface. The two soft materials have stretchable polymer networks, but need not have functional groups for adhesion. The two soft materials are adhered by forming, in situ at their interface, islands of a hard polymer. The adhesion is tough if the islands themselves are strong, and the polymers of the islands are in topological entanglement with the polymer networks of the soft materials. The adhesion is stretchable if the islands are smaller than the flaw sensitivity length. Several methods of forming the hard polymer islands are demonstrated, and the mechanics and chemistry of adhesion are studied. The design principle will enable many hard polymers to form tough and stretchable adhesion between soft materials.
Highly efficient polymer‐stabilized palladium heterogeneous catalyst: Synthesis, characterization and application for Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck coupling reactions
Authors: Targhan Homa , Hassanpour Alireza , Bahrami Kiumars
Published: July 2019

A suitable approach to stabilize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs), with an average diameter of 3–4 nm, on magnetic polymer is described. A new magnetic polymer containing 4′‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (HPTPy) ligand was prepared by the polymerization of itaconic acid (ITC) as a monomer and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as a cross‐linker and fully characterized. Pd NPs embedded on the magnetic polymer were successfully applied in Suzuki–Miyaura and Mizoroki–Heck coupling reactions under low palladium loading conditions, and provided the corresponding products with excellent yields (up to 98%) and high catalytic activities (TOF up to 257 hr−1). Also, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused for at least consecutive five times with a small drop in catalytic activity.
Type 1 diabetes and body composition in youth: A systematic review
Authors: Calella Patrizia , Gallè Francesca , Fornelli Gianfranco , Liguori Giorgio , Valerio Giuliana
Published: July 2019

An increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity was reported in youth with type 1 diabetes, likely due to the intensive insulin treatment and/or an unhealthy lifestyle. Analyses of body composition may help describe the real increase in fat mass, which contributes to the diabetes‐related cardio‐metabolic risk. This systematic review evaluated the current literature on body composition assessments in youth with type 1 diabetes and the potential association with cardio‐metabolic, functional, or behavioural risk factors. A systematic search of literature studies reporting assessments of body composition in youth with type 1 diabetes published until April 2018 was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Twenty‐three articles with different study designs reported assessments of body composition. The following methods were used to assess body composition: computerized dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (n = 10), bioelectrical impedance analysis (n = 8), skinfold thickness measurement (n = 4), and air displacement plethysmography (n = 1). Higher fat mass values were found in youth with type 1 diabetes in seven of the 13 studies that included a healthy control group. Most studies investigating the association between body composition and cardio‐metabolic risk factors showed that youth with higher fat mass levels had poor glycaemic control, dyslipidaemia, or higher blood pressure. Assessments of body composition may represent a useful clinical procedure to support decision‐making in type 1 diabetes management. Further research is needed to standardize the assessment of body composition and develop a consensus guideline.
Thin‐layer drying of parchment Arabica coffee by controlling temperature and relative humidity
Authors: Phitakwinai Sutida , Thepa Sirichai , Nilnont Wanich
Published: August 2019

This paper presents thin‐layer drying of parchment coffee (Coffea arabica). Thin‐layer drying of parchment coffee was conducted under controlled temperatures (50°C, 60°C, and 70°C) and relative humidities (10%–30%). The temperature of the drying air was important for drying at a high temperature, which results in the rapid removal of moisture and reduced time for drying. Nine thin‐layer drying models (Newton, Page, Henderson and Pabis, logarithmic, two‐term, modified Henderson and Pabis, two‐term exponential, approximation diffusion, and modified‐Midilli) were fitted to the experimental data for parchment coffee. The drying parameters of parchment coffee were related to temperature and relative humidity. The best model was the modified‐Midilli model, which can be used to design the optimal dryer. The effective moisture diffusivity of parchment coffee drying was determined by minimizing the sum of squares of the deviations between the experimental data for the moisture content and the predicted values of thin‐layer drying. The effective moisture diffusivity as a function of the temperature at each relative humidity was expressed by the Arrhenius‐type equation.
Crowding‐out or crowding‐in? Direct voice, performance‐related pay, and organizational innovation in European firms
Authors: Della Torre Edoardo , Salimi Meysam , Giangreco Antonio
Published: July 2019

Building on motivation crowding theory (MCT), this article contributes to the human resources management (HRM)‐innovation debate by examining the potential trade‐offs between HRM practices targeted to increase employees' intrinsic motivation, such as direct employee voice (EV), and the presence of extrinsic incentives in the form of individual and collective performance‐related pay (PRP). The results of the analysis on more than 22,000 European establishments show support for the positive relationship between EV and a firm's organizational innovation, and that this relationship is weaker in companies that adopted individual PRP schemes (piece‐rate plans). Moreover, while we found that collective PRP (profit‐sharing) does not moderate the relationship between EV and organizational innovation, a positive and significant moderation effect emerged when the combined presence of individual and collective PRP was considered. By advocating that the coexistence of multiple forms of PRP could overcome the crowding‐out effect of individual PRP on EV, the study contributes to the HRM debate by also calling for a better understanding of the potential contingencies between different HRM practices when innovation is focus of the analysis.
FIGO review of statements on use of synthetic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Ugianskiene Aiste , Davila G. Willy , Su Tsung‐Hsien ,   the FIGO Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Committee
Published: July 2019

The use of synthetic mesh implantation for the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has grown in popularity since mesh was marketed for widespread use in the early 1990s. As mesh usage has expanded, patterns of previously unexpected complications have become apparent. In the United States and other countries, the increase in reported outcomes (both positive and negative) has led to the initiation of medico‐legal actions by patients reporting negative effects of the implanted mesh. As a result, several national and professional societies have convened expert panels to publish summaries of reported outcomes and provide clinical recommendations regarding mesh use. Despite their recommendations and further dissemination of the potential complications reported after urogynecologic mesh use, the popularity of mesh use for POP and SUI has continued to expand, with apparent geographic and national patterns. As the largest global association focusing on women's health, FIGO, via its Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Committee, has reviewed published national recommendations regarding the use of mesh, and has summarized them for the FIGO membership to help disseminate important recommendations to surgeons who may not be aware of the existence and content of these recommendations.
Radiolabeled IgG antibodies: Impact of various labels on neonatal Fc receptor binding
Authors: Edelmann Martin R. , Kettenberger Hubert , Knaupp Alexander , Schlothauer Tilman , Otteneder Michael B.
Published: August 2019

The number of therapeutic antibodies in research and development as well as their complexity increases from year to year. Novel therapeutic protein formats, such as Fc‐fusions, bispecific, or multivalent antibodies, are currently in preclinical and clinical development. Therefore, the need for biodistribution and imaging studies, eg, with radiolabeled proteins are very high. However, the labeling process or the label itself can have an impact on binding to cellular receptors, eg, to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which can lead to altered PK properties compared with the unlabeled antibody. FcRn affinity chromatography allows the assessment of immunoglobulin G (IgG) samples with respect to their pH‐dependent FcRn interaction. We analyzed IgGs with different types of labels, namely, direct iodination with 125I; chelating agents, such as DOTA and DOTAM; and [3H]propionate. Direct radio‐iodination leads to shifts in FcRn column retention time, which might indicate a potentially faster clearance. Furthermore, high conjugation ratios of chelator lower the affinity to FcRn successively and thus may influence the lysosomal degradation of the antibody in endothelial cells. In contrast, IgGs labeled with [3H]propionate did not show any timeshifts in FcRn affinity chromatography. This article is based on the oral presentation at the IIS 2018 Prague and highlights the importance of an affinity chromatography for characterization of potential changes in affinity to FcRn itself or charge and hydrophobicity.
Vortex‐assisted natural deep eutectic solvent microextraction using response surface methodology optimization for determination of orthophosphate in water samples by molybdenum blue method
Authors: Najafi Amir , Hashemi Mahdi
Published: July 2019

A new, rapid, and efficient microextraction technique named vortex‐assisted natural deep eutectic solvent microextraction has been developed for the preconcentration and determination of orthophosphate in real water samples. The method is based on the formation of the phosphomolybdenium blue complex followed by proposed microextraction procedure and subsequent spectrophotometric determination in a microcell. Screening study for the optimal composition of natural deep eutectic solvent was initially performed with different solvents, including choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptor and different hydrogen bond donors. A ternary mixture of glucose‐choline chloride‐water was used as the most efficient extraction solvent. Response surface methodology based on the central composite design was used to optimize experimental parameters. Under optimal conditions, the calibration graph for orthophosphate determination was linear over the range of 2.0–80.0 µg/L (correlation coefficient of 0.9971) with a detection limit of 0.2 µg/L. The repeatability, reproducibility, and relative error values of the method were below 7%, indicating acceptable precision and accuracy. This approach, using natural deep eutectic solvent as an eco‐friendly solvent with high solubilization power and vortex mixing as an alternative energy source, represents a promising choice for a green separation and preconcentration methodology for determination of orthophosphate in real water samples.
Response of shrubland birds to regenerating clearcut area and shape
Authors: George Andrew D. , Porneluzi Paul A. , Haslerig Janet M. , Faaborg John
Published: July 2019

Conservation of birds that breed in early‐successional forests will require an understanding of their response to patch size and shape during the early seral stages following disturbance. We modeled the effects of patch area, patch shape, and time period following harvest on territory densities of 5 shrubland bird species and bird community composition in 36 clearcuts from 1997 to 2014 in the Missouri Ozarks, USA. Our best‐supported models indicated that densities of indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea), yellow‐breasted chat (Icteria virens), and prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor) declined from the early time period (1–7 years post‐harvest) to the late time period (12–18 years post‐harvest), regardless of clearcut area or shape. Yellow‐breasted chat density and bird species richness were positively related to clearcut shape complexity. Bird species richness increased, and bird species density decreased with clearcut area during both time periods. Non‐metric multidimensional scaling indicated that bird community composition was strongly related to time since harvest. Within the spatial scale of our study, successional stage is more influential than clearcut size and shape, and some bird species may benefit from relatively small or irregularly shaped clearcuts. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Lipidomic Analysis of Clostridium cadaveris and Clostridium fallax
Authors: Guan Ziqiang , Garrett Teresa A. , Goldfine Howard
Published: August 2019

The lipidomes of Clostridium fallax and Clostridium cadaveris were studied using thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and normal phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (NPLC/MS). Both species contain diradylglycerol (DRG), monohexosyldiradylglycerol (MHDRG), monohexosyl monoacylglycerol (MHMAG), phosphatidylglycerol (PtdGro), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn). DRG, MHDRG, PtdEtn, and PtdGro are present in both diacyl and alk‐1‐enyl acyl (plasmalogen) forms. Both species contain cardiolipin (Ptd2Gro), which is present in tetraacyl, monoalkenyl‐triacyl, and dialkenyl‐diacyl forms. Both species contain small amounts of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho). The presence of octadecadienoic (18:2) acyl chains in some PtdCho species indicates that they arise from the medium because no 18:2 is seen in the other lipids and clostridia generally lack the capacity to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids. The major lipidomic differences between these two species are that C. fallax contains a glycerolacetal of plasmenylethanolamine while C. cadaveris contains an ethanolamine‐phosphate‐modified diacylglycerol. The significance of these lipid compositions is discussed.
450 Patents – The Key Is Not the Number, It's the Process
Authors: Pozo Jose
Published: August 2019

Michael Lebby, renowned entrepreneur, academic, and inventor with more than 450 utility patents to his name, talks to EPIC about the past, present, and future of photonics.
Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Takahashi Saeko , Shigematsu Risa , Shiomi Eisuke , Ohori Kuniaki , Ito Nobutake , Nakamura Morio
Published: August 2019

Key message

Examine computed tomography angiography before performing transbronchial biopsy in patients with haemoptysis.
The significance of sponges for comparative studies of developmental evolution
Authors: Colgren Jeffrey , Nichols Scott A.
Published: July 2019

Sponges, ctenophores, placozoans, and cnidarians have key evolutionary significance in that they bracket the time interval during which organized animal tissues were first assembled, fundamental cell types originated (e.g., neurons and myocytes), and developmental patterning mechanisms evolved. Sponges in particular have often been viewed as living surrogates for early animal ancestors, largely due to similarities between their feeding cells (choanocytes) with choanoflagellates, the unicellular/colony‐forming sister group to animals. Here, we evaluate these claims and highlight aspects of sponge biology with comparative value for understanding developmental evolution, irrespective of the purported antiquity of their body plan. Specifically, we argue that sponges strike a different balance between patterning and plasticity than other animals, and that environmental inputs may have prominence over genetically regulated developmental mechanisms. We then present a case study to illustrate how contractile epithelia in sponges can help unravel the complex ancestry of an ancient animal cell type, myocytes, which sponges lack. Sponges represent hundreds of millions of years of largely unexamined evolutionary experimentation within animals. Their phylogenetic placement lends them key significance for learning about the past, and their divergent biology challenges current views about the scope of animal cell and developmental biology.

This article is characterized under:

Comparative Development and Evolution > Evolutionary Novelties

Comparative Development and Evolution > Body Plan Evolution
Postoperative outcomes in distal hypospadias: a meta-analysis of the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate repair methods for development of urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture
Authors: Winberg Hans , Arnbjörnsson Einar , Anderberg Magnus , Stenström Pernilla
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To compare the two major complications, namely postoperative urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture, between the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair methods for distal hypospadias.

Methods

In this meta-analysis, electronic databases were searched for comparative studies on the two techniques. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence was used to evaluate the included studies. The main outcome measure was the frequency of postoperative fistula and urethral stricture. RevMan 5.3 was used for statistical analyses, with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance.

Results

A total of 17 studies, which included 1572 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The frequency of urethrocutaneous fistula did not differ between the Mathieu [115 (13%)] and TIP [90 (13%)] methods [odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.6–1.9; P = 0.73)]. Urethral stricture was less frequent after the Mathieu [15 (2%)] method than after the TIP [37 (5%)] method (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.8; P < 0.01), even after the subgroup analysis of eight randomized controlled trials was included. Overall, the quality of the included studies was determined to be satisfactory. The levels of evidence on which this review was based ranged from 1b to 2b using the CEBM Levels of Evidence.

Conclusion

Compared with TIP repair, Mathieu repair for hypospadias had a significantly lower risk for urethral stricture; however, the risk for urethrocutaneous fistula was similar.
The Role of the Corporate Tax
Authors: Gordon Roger , Sarada
Published: August 2019

Existing corporate taxes distort many aspects of firm behavior. To the extent that the corporate tax rate is lower than personal tax rates, taxes favor corporate activity, and favor retaining earnings rather than paying earnings out to employees and investors. Multinationals can even avoid these taxes by shifting income into tax havens. Given the ease with which multinationals can evade tax, the existing income tax structure faces major pressures, as reflected in average statutory corporate tax rates halving in recent decades. The Element speculates on alternative tax structures that will avoid these problems.
Dynamic Price Discovery Process of Chinese Agricultural Futures Markets: An Empirical Study Based on the Rolling Window Approach
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Pan Fanghui , Wang Chuanmei , Li Jian
Published: August 2019

We investigate the dynamic evolution of the price discovery function in Chinese agricultural futures markets using a newly developed rolling window cointegration approach. The results show that, compared with wheat and rice, the futures-spot cointegration relationship in the soybean and corn markets tends to be more durable and frequent. Dynamic cointegration analysis indicates that the recent market-oriented reforms in China have boosted the price discovery function of soybean and corn futures markets, whereas price stabilization policies tend to weaken the price discovery function of futures markets. The difference in price discovery function is attributed to differences in market mechanisms and Chinese agricultural policies.
Application of Agile Model-Based Systems Engineering in aircraft conceptual design
Authors: Krupa G. P.
Published: August 2019

One of the challenges of modern engineering design is the amount of data that designers must keep track while performing system analysis and synthesis. This task is particularly important in the design process of complex systems such as novel aerospace systems where Modeling and Simulation play an essential role. The Agile philosophy stems from the field of Software Engineering and describes an approach to development in which requirements and solutions gradually develop through collaboration between self-organising cross-functional teams and end users. Agile Model-Based System Engineering (AMBSE) is the application of the Agile philosophy to Model-Based System Engineering. In this paper, AMBSE is accomplished through the application of the Object-Oriented System Engineering Method (OOSEM). OOSEM employs a top-down scenario-driven process that adopts System Modeling Language (SysML) and leverages the object-oriented paradigm to support the analysis, specification, design, and verification of systems. AMBSE assisted by mathematical modelling and safety assessment techniques is applied to the first design iterations of the main aircraft systems, allowing a comprehensive design exploration. The flight control system was chosen to illustrate the procedure in detail, emphasising the synthesis of a six-degrees-of-freedom model augmented by dynamic inversion control for a hypothetical supersonic transport aircraft satisfying class II MIL-F-8785C handling qualities. It is concluded that AMBSE presents promising properties to support future aircraft development within the current regulatory framework for aircraft design, while enabling a smooth transition from conceptual to preliminary design.
Midlatitude Lightning NOx Production Efficiency Inferred From OMI and WWLLN Data
Authors: Bucsela Eric J. , Pickering Kenneth E. , Allen Dale J. , Holzworth Robert H. , Krotkov Nickolay A.
Published: August 2019

Oxides of nitrogen are critical trace gases in the troposphere and are precursors for nitrate aerosol and ozone, which is an important pollutant and greenhouse gas. Lightning is the major source of NOx (NO + NO2) in the middle to upper troposphere. We estimate the production efficiency (PE) of lightning NOx (LNOx) using satellite data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument and the ground‐based World Wide Lightning Location Network in three northern midlatitudes, primarily continental regions that include much of North America, Europe, and East Asia. Data were obtained over five boreal summers, 2007–2011, and comprise the largest number of midlatitude convective events to date for estimating the LNOx PE with satellite NO2 and ground‐based lightning measurements. In contrast to some previous studies, the algorithm assumes no minimum flash‐rate threshold and estimates freshly produced LNOx by subtracting a background of aged NOx estimated from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument data set itself. We infer an average value of 180 ± 100 moles LNOx produced per lightning flash. We also show evidence of a dependence of PE on lightning flash rate and find an approximate empirical power function relating moles LNOx to flashes. PE decreases by an order of magnitude for a 2 orders of magnitude increase in flash rate. This phenomenon has not been reported in previous satellite LNOx studies but is consistent with ground‐based observations suggesting an inverse relationship between flash rate and size.
“Mycobacterium mephinesia”, a Mycobacterium terrae complex species of clinical interest isolated in French Polynesia
Authors: Saad Jamal , Phelippeau Michael , Khoder May , Lévy Marc , Musso Didier , Drancourt Michel
Published: August 2019

A 59-year-old tobacco smoker male with chronic bronchitis living in Taravao, French Polynesia, Pacific, presented with a two-year growing nodule in the middle lobe of the right lung. A guided bronchoalveolar lavage inoculated onto Löwenstein-Jensen medium yielded colonies of a rapidly-growing non-chromogenic mycobacterium designed as isolate P7213. The isolate could not be identified using routine matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry and phenotypic and probe-hybridization techniques and yielded 100% and 97% sequence similarity with the respective 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences of Mycobacterium virginiense in the Mycobacterium terrae complex. Electron microscopy showed a 1.15 µm long and 0.38 µm large bacillus which was in vitro susceptible to rifampicin, rifabutin, ethambutol, isoniazid, doxycycline and kanamycin. Its 4,511,948-bp draft genome exhibited a 67.6% G + C content with 4,153 coding-protein genes and 87 predicted RNA genes. Genome sequence-derived DNA-DNA hybridization, OrthoANI and pangenome analysis confirmed isolate P7213 was representative of a new species in the M. terrae complex. We named this species “Mycobacterium mephinesia”.
A versatile bottom-up interface self-assembly strategy to hairy nanoparticle-based 2D monolayered composite and functional nanosheets
Authors: Mai Weicong , Zuo Yuan , Zhang Xingcai , Leng Kunyi , Liu Ruliang , Chen Luyi , Lin Xidong , Lin Yanhuan , Fu Ruowen , Wu Dingcai
Published: July 2019

A universal bottom-up interface self-assembly strategy for fabricating hairy nanoparticle-based 2D monolayered composite and functional nanosheets was presented.
Correction: Preparation and property investigation of chain end functionalized cis-1,4 polybutadienes via de-polymerization and cross metathesis of cis-1,4 polybutadienes
Authors: Ying Weilun , Pan Weijing , Gan Qiao , Jia Xiaoyu , Grassi Alfonso , Gong Dirong
Published: August 2019

Correction for ‘Preparation and property investigation of chain end functionalized cis-1,4 polybutadienes via de-polymerization and cross metathesis of cis-1,4 polybutadienes’ by Weilun Ying et al., Polym. Chem., 2019, 10, 3525–3534.
Inner space- and architecture-controlled nanoframes for efficient electro-oxidation of liquid fuels
Authors: Gao Daowei , Li Shuna , Song Guolong , Luo Mingchuan , Lv Yipin , Yang Shaohan , Ma Xinlong , Zhang Xin , Li Cuncheng , Wei Qin , Chen Guozhu
Published: July 2019

Three-dimensional PtCuNi NFs with tunable inner architecture and composition are synthesized with high performance for the MOR and FAOR.
Remarkable lifetime improvement of quantum-dot light emitting diodes by incorporating rubidium carbonate in metal-oxide electron transport layers
Authors: Lee Yujin , Kim Hyo-Min , Kim Jeonggi , Jang Jin
Published: July 2019

We demonstrated the remarkable improvement of efficiency roll-off and operational lifetime in red quantum dot light emitting diodes (R-QLEDs) by incorporating rubidium carbonate (Rb2CO3) in Mg doped ZnO (MZO) electron transporting layer (ETL).
Enantioselective Synthesis of cis- and trans-Borocyclopropylmethanol: Simple Building Blocks To Access Heterocycle-Substituted Cyclopropylmethanols
Authors: Siddiqui Saher H. , Navuluri Chandrasekhar , Charette André B.
Published: August 2019

An enantioselective and non-oxidative methodology was developed to obtain enantioenriched cyclopropyl boronates using a diethanolamine-promoted selective decomplexation of dioxaborolane. The non-oxidative decomplexation of the dioxaborolane ligand from the cyclopropylmethoxide species formed in the dioxaborolane-mediated Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation reaction provided the enantio­enriched CIDA-based (CIDA = N-cyclohexyliminodiacetic acid) boro­cyclopropane in 92% yield and 95.6:4.4 er. A robustness screen has shown diethanolamine to be compatible with esters, carbamates and N-heterocycles, providing a tool to access enantioenriched cyclopropanes carrying not only base-sensitive but oxidizable functional groups as well. Diethanolamine was found to be compatible with the modified zinco-cyclopropanation reaction of allyl alcohol to remove residual dioxaborolane from the corresponding cis-N-heterocycle cyclopropylmethanol, thereby leading to improved yields.
Next-Generation Sequencing of 17 Genes Associated with Venous Thromboembolism Reveals a Deficit of Non-Synonymous Variants in Procoagulant Genes
Authors: Manderstedt Eric , Lind-Halldén Christina , Svensson Peter , Zöller Bengt , Halldén Christer
Published: July 2019

Background The heritability of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is only partially explained by variants in 17 previously VTE-associated genes.

Objective This article screens for additional rare variants in the 17 genes and investigates the relative contributions of pro- and anticoagulant genes to VTE.

Patients and Methods Ninety-six VTE patients from the population-based Malmö Thrombophilia Study were analysed using an AmpliSeq strategy and Ion Torrent sequencing and the variant data were compared with data from public databases.

Results A total of 102 non-synonymous and 76 synonymous variants were identified. Forty-six non-synonymous variants were present in the human gene mutation database. Anticoagulant and procoagulant genes showed 14 and 22 rare non-synonymous variants, respectively. Individual patients showed varying numbers of risk factors; 13 patients had non-synonymous mutations in SERPINC1, PROC and PROS1 genes and 42 had factor V Leiden or prothrombin mutations generating a total of 47 patients with at least one of these risk factors. Ten common VTE-associated variants showed low level enrichments and no correlation to the other risk factors. The enrichment of previously identified risk factors was similar to previous studies. Determination of the nsyn/syn ratio (number of non-synonymous variants per non-synonymous site, nsyn, to the number of synonymous variants per synonymous site, syn) showed, as expected in patients, an increase of non-synonymous relative to synonymous anticoagulant variants compared with controls (nsyn/syn, 0.95 vs. 0.68). In contrast, non-synonymous procoagulant variants (nsyn/syn, 0.31 vs. 0.63) showed a decrease. We suggest that the deficit of non-synonymous variants in procoagulant genes is a novel mechanism contributing to VTE.
Individualized Thromboprophylaxis in Patients with Lower-Leg Cast Immobilization—A Validation and Subgroup Analysis in the POT-CAST Trial
Authors: Nemeth Banne , van Adrichem Raymond , Nelissen Rob , le Cessie Saskia , Cannegieter Suzanne C.
Published: July 2019

Background A small subgroup of patients treated with lower-leg cast immobilization develops venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objectives (1) Identify risk factors for VTE in patients with cast immobilization, (2) assess the effectiveness of thromboprophylaxis in low- and high-risk groups, and (3) validate the performance of the L-TRiP(cast) score.

Methods Data from the POT-CAST trial were used. A total of 1,519 patients with lower-leg cast immobilization were randomized to a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin or no treatment. Primary outcome: symptomatic VTE within 3 months. Absolute risks (ARs) were determined for low- and high-risk subgroups. For several risk factors, relative risks (RRs) for VTE were estimated with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For validating the L-TRiP(cast) score, a discrimination and calibration analysis were performed.

Results Patients with a body mass index of > 30 kg/m2 and those with a VTE in their family history had an increased VTE risk, RR 3.8 (95% CI, 1.5–9.4) and RR 2.4 (95% CI, 1.0–5.6), respectively. Concerning injury-specific risk factors, patients with an Achilles tendon rupture or those who were surgically treated had the highest risk of VTE, AR at 8.5% (95% CI, 3.7–16.1) and AR 3.5% (95% CI, 1.3–7.5), respectively. There were no subgroups in which thromboprophylaxis was effective for prevention of symptomatic VTE. The area under the curve for the L-TRiP(cast) score was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.58–0.80).

Conclusion Thromboprophylaxis was not effective for VTE prevention following lower-leg cast immobilization in any risk category. Low- and high-risk individuals could be identified using the L-TRiP(cast) score. The best treatment strategy for these patients is yet to be determined.
Trachea Reconstruction with Single-Stage Composite Flaps in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Wong Manzhi , Tan Bien-Keem , Lim Chong-Hee
Published: July 2019

Background Trachea reconstruction requires creation of a functional lining, semirigid support, and vascularity. We aimed to design composite flaps with these three components in a rabbit model.

Methods Circumferential (n = 9) and partial anterior (n = 8) tracheal defects were created in rabbits. A circumferential defect was reconstructed with a tubed ear flap incorporating cartilage for support and skin for lining. This was pedicled on the posterior auricular vessels and tunneled into the neck to bridge the defect. In the second experiment, a longitudinal anterior trachea defect was patched with a pedicled rib cartilage and intercostal muscle flap based on the internal mammary vessels. The vascularized fascia over the intercostal muscles replaced the lining while the cartilage provided support. Postoperatively, the rabbits were monitored clinically and endoscopically. The tracheal constructs were examined histologically after the animals were sacrificed.

Results Rabbits with circumferential defects reconstructed with the ear flap survived up to 6 months. Histology demonstrated vascularized cartilage with good integration of the flap with native trachea. However, hair growth and skin desquamation resulted in airway obstruction in the long term. In the second experiment, all the rabbits survived without respiratory distress, and the intercostal muscle fascia was completely covered by native respiratory epithelium.

Conclusion We described two experimental techniques using autologous composite flaps for single-stage trachea reconstruction in a rabbit model. Skin was a poor lining replacement, whereas vascularized muscle fascia became covered with respiratory epithelium. A rib cartilage and muscle flap could potentially be used for reconstruction of partial defects in humans.
The Effect of Flucloxacillin on Warfarin Anticoagulation: A Swedish Register-Based Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Mannheimer Buster , Stage Tore B. , Pottegård Anton , Lindh Jonatan D.
Published: July 2019

Background Data indicate that codispensing flucloxacillin to patients already on warfarin may result in decreased warfarin efficacy.

Objectives This article investigates the effect of flucloxacillin on warfarin anticoagulation.

Patients and Methods In a retrospective cohort study of warfarin users, using three nationwide registers we included 5,848 patients receiving 10 days flucloxacillin treatment and 201 with ≥30 days treatment. To assess the potential for confounding by indication, we also identified 21,430 individuals initiating phenoxymethylpenicillin. International normalized ratio (INR) values and warfarin doses were calculated day-by-day and proportion of patients with a subtherapeutic INR week-by-week during cotreatment.

Results Following initiation of flucloxacillin with a planned treatment duration of 10 days and ≥30 days, the mean INR decreased from 2.36 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.34; 2.37) to 2.20 (95% CI 2.19; 2.21) and from 2.24 (95% CI 2.16; 2.32) to 1.96 (95% CI 1.89; 2.02), respectively. Consequently, for individuals with 10 days treatment the proportion of patients with a subtherapeutic INR of < 2 increased from 22% in the week preceding flucloxacillin initiation to 35% in the third week after initiation of flucloxacillin. In patients with 30 days treatment, the proportion increased from 34 to 63% by week 6. In individuals initiating phenoxymethylpenicillin, INR levels did not decrease.

Conclusion One in three patients with 10 days flucloxacillin and almost two in three patients initiating long-term treatment, was exposed to a subsequent subtherapeutic anticoagulant effect. To avoid unnecessary thromboembolic complications, the initiation of flucloxacillin should be accompanied by closer INR monitoring which may be especially important among individuals with lengthy treatments.
Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Soteropulos Carol E. , Tang Sherry Y.Q. , Poore Samuel O.
Published: August 2019

Background Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) principles have received focused attention in breast reconstruction. Many protocols have been described in the literature for both autologous and alloplastic reconstruction. This systematic review serves to better characterize successful ERAS protocols described in the literature for potential ease of adoption at institutions desiring implementation.

Methods A systematic review of ERAS protocols for autologous and alloplastic breast reconstruction was conducted using Medline, the Cochrane Database, and Web of Science.

Results Eleven cohort studies evaluating ERAS protocols for autologous (n = 8) and alloplastic (n = 3) breast reconstruction were included for review. The majority compared with a retrospective cohort of traditional perioperative care. All studies described the full spectrum of implemented ERAS protocols including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care. Most frequently reported significant outcomes were reduced length of stay and opioid use with ERAS implementation. No significant change in major complication or readmission rate was demonstrated.

Conclusion Based on this systematic review, several core elements that make up a successful perioperative enhanced recovery protocol for breast reconstruction have been identified. Elements include patient counseling and education, limited preoperative fasting, appropriate thromboprophylaxis and antibiotic prophylaxis dependent on reconstructive method, preoperative antiemetics, multimodal analgesia and use of local anesthetic, goal-directed intravenous fluid management, prompt removal of drains and catheters, early diet advancement, and encouragement of ambulation postoperatively. Implementation of ERAS protocols in both autologous and alloplastic breast reconstruction can positively enhance patient experience and improve outcomes by reducing length of stay and opioid use, without compromising successful reconstructive outcomes.
Thermodynamics of pure liquid water: Sound speed measurements to 700 MPa down to the freezing point, and an equation of state to 2300 MPa from 240 to 500 K
Authors: Bollengier Olivier , Brown J. Michael , Shaw George H.
Published: August 2019

Accurate thermodynamic properties for aqueous solutions under an increasing range of pressures, temperatures, and compositions are needed to address a variety of technical and scientific challenges. This study provides measurements for improving the high-pressure and low-temperature representation of liquid water. Sound speeds of pure liquid water are reported between 0.1 and 700 MPa, from 353 K down to the melting curves of the ice phases. The new sound speed measurements have a relative standard uncertainty of 100–170 ppm (from 0.1 to 700 MPa), with standard uncertainties of 20 mK for the temperature measurements and 0.02–0.14 MPa (from 0.1 to 700 MPa) for the pressure measurements. Using additional published measurements, a new equation of state is derived extending from 240 to 500 K and from 0.1 to 2300 MPa, covering much of the subcritical domain of water up to the ice VI–ice VII transition. Analyses of measurements and construction of the equation of state are accomplished with a flexible computational thermodynamic framework based on local basis functions in the form of tensor B-splines. Relative to IAPWS-95 (the most comprehensive representation available), improvements in the accuracies of density, sound speed, and specific heat are expected above 100 MPa, particularly near the solid-fluid phase boundaries.
Analysis of carrier lifetimes in N + B-doped n-type 4H-SiC epilayers
Authors: Yang A. , Murata K. , Miyazawa T. , Tawara T. , Tsuchida H.
Published: August 2019

Control of carrier lifetimes in nitrogen (N)-doped n-type 4H-SiC epilayers was attempted by intentional boron (B) doping. Doping concentrations of B were controlled to be within 1015–1018 cm−3 by varying the triethyl boron flow rate during epitaxial growth. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements for the band edge luminescence of the N + B-doped epilayer showed a fast decay time of less than 30 ns under a low injection level at 300 K, while a slow decay component was observed at elevated temperatures of 423–523 K. To understand the mechanism of carrier capture and recombination in N + B-doped 4H-SiC, excess carrier decay curves were simulated by solving rate equations with a simple model. As an effective “recombination enhancing layer,” the 1.6-μm-thick N + B-doped (N: 4 × 1018 cm−3, B: 7 × 1017 cm−3) buffer layer in the PiN diode showed increased intensity of D center-related electroluminescence with increasing injected hole concentrations and prevented the formation of stacking faults from basal plane dislocations in the substrate even at the injection level of 1 × 1016 cm−3 at the interface between the drift and buffer layers.
An ab initio molecular dynamics study on the threshold displacement energies in yttrium aluminum garnet
Authors: Cheng Gang , Wei Nian , Wang Lizong , Qi Jianqi , Zeng Qiang , Lu Tiecheng , Wang Zhiguo
Published: August 2019

Low-energy recoil events in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) were investigated by using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. This work provided insights into understanding the defect formation processes and the resulting defect configurations. The threshold displacement energies (TDEs) of the lattice atoms and related defect structures were determined along specific directions. Both the TDEs and the production of defect structures showed great dependence on the orientation and atom type. The minimum TDEs are 42, 38, 41, and 19 eV for Aloct along [111], Altetra along [1¯11], Y along [001], and O along [111] directions, respectively. The O atoms exhibited smaller TDEs than the Al and Y atoms, indicating that the O-related defects are the main ones in YAG used under irradiation circumstances. These results are helpful for electronic and photoelectronic devices based on YAG under a radiation environment.
Theoretical model for the Seebeck coefficient in superlattice materials with energy relaxation
Authors: Vargiamidis Vassilios , Thesberg Mischa , Neophytou Neophytos
Published: August 2019

We present an analytical model for the Seebeck coefficient S of superlattice materials that explicitly takes into account the energy relaxation due to electron-optical phonon (e-ph) scattering. In such materials, the Seebeck coefficient is not only determined by the bulk Seebeck values of the materials but, in addition, is dependent on the energy relaxation process of charge carriers as they propagate from the less-conductive barrier region into the more-conductive well region. We calculate S as a function of the well size d, where carrier energy becomes increasingly relaxed within the well for d>λE, where λE is the energy relaxation length. We validate the model against more advanced quantum transport simulations based on the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) method and also with an experiment, and we find very good agreement. In the case in which no energy relaxation is taken into account, the results deviate substantially from the NEGF results. The model also yields accurate results with only a small deviation (up to ∼3%) when varying the optical phonon energy ℏω or the e-ph coupling strength D0, physical parameters that would determine λE. As a first order approximation, the model is valid for nanocomposite materials, and it could prove useful in the identification of material combinations and in the estimation of ideal sizes in the design of nanoengineered thermoelectric materials with enhanced power factor performance.
Lattice hardening due to vacancy diffusion in (GeTe)mSb2Te3 alloys
Authors: Peng Wanyue , Smiadak David M. , Boehlert Michael G. , Mather Spencer , Williams Jared B. , Morelli Donald T. , Zevalkink Alexandra
Published: August 2019

GeTe-Sb2Te3 alloys have been widely studied for use in rewritable media, and in recent years, they have emerged as excellent thermoelectric materials, with reports of zT>2 for Ge-rich compositions. GeTe-Sb2Te3 alloys exhibit a solid-state phase transition from a layered structure with rhombohedral symmetry to a cubic rocksalt structure, which plays an important role in their thermoelectric behavior. Here, we investigate the impact of the phase transition on the thermal expansion and elastic moduli of (GeTe)17Sb2Te3 using high-temperature X-ray diffraction and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. The high-temperature elastic moduli of GeTe, Sb2Te3, and Bi2Te3 were also measured for comparison. While it is typical for materials to soften with increasing temperature due to thermal expansion, our study reveals anomalous hardening of the elastic moduli in (GeTe)17Sb2Te3 at temperatures below the phase transition, followed by further hardening at the transition temperature. In contrast, the elastic moduli of GeTe, Sb2Te3, and Bi2Te3 soften with increasing temperature. We attribute the anomalous hardening of (GeTe)17Sb2Te3 to the gradual vacancy diffusion accompanying the transition from a layered to a cubic structure. The stiffening elastic moduli lead to increasing speed of sound, which impacts the lattice thermal conductivity by flattening the temperature dependence.
Contribution of magnetic nanoparticle in thermal conductivity of flake-shaped iron particles based magnetorheological (MR) fluid
Authors: Pisuwala Mujiba S. , Upadhyay Ramesh V. , Parekh Kinnari
Published: August 2019

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids were prepared in transformer oil as well as transformer oil based magnetic fluid having 2 wt. % of Fe3O4 particles. The thermal conductivity enhancement (w.r.t. carrier) in the case of transformer oil based MR fluid under a field was found to vary from 219%, 304%, and 356%, respectively, from 15 vol. %, 20 vol. %, and 25 vol. % of iron concentration. These values are much higher than that obtained for spherical-shaped iron particles based MR fluids. This is further enhanced by another 30% at the same magnetic field when the same flakes were dispersed in transformer oil based magnetic fluid. In addition, the magnetic fluid based MR fluids exhibit minimum hysteresis in thermal conductivity when the field is removed. The increase in the thermal conductivity of transformer oil based MR fluid is due to the shape effect as well as the reduction in thermal resistance due to a higher particle-particle interaction compared to spherical particles. In addition, on adding nanoparticles, the friction between the particles reduces and nanoparticles facilitate flake-shaped particles to form a stronger chain. This results in an enhancement in thermal conductivity. The observed reduction in the viscosity of MR fluids with nanoparticles supports the concept of the increased orientation of flakes in the direction of the field.
Photon-counting laser interferometer for absolute distance measurement on rough surface
Authors: Pang Chengkai , Wu Di , Shi Haotian , Chen Xiuliang , Yang Lei , Li Zhaohui , Wu Guang
Published: August 2019

We designed a dual-wavelength photon-counting laser interferometer for absolute distance measurement of noncooperative targets. The weak optical interference on the rough surface was measured by a single-photon detector. The range of nonambiguity of the dual-wavelength interferometer was less than 1.2 μm, as the maximum errors of Lg and Lr were 7.8 nm and 9.1 nm caused by the photon-counting measurement and the frequency shift of the two unlocked lasers. We integrated laser triangulation into the interferometer as a coarse measurement, thus increasing the range of nonambiguity to 6.5 mm. As a result, a measurement standard deviation of ∼18 nm was achieved within a range of 1.1 mm in the experiment.