bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct in situ labeling of target drugs with a fluorophore probe to improve MALDI-MS detection sensitivity in micro-liter plasma
Authors: Li Yi-Shan , Lu Chi-Yu
Published: July 2019

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for symptomatic relief from fever, inflammation, and chronic pain associated with a variety of human disorders. Long-term usage of these drugs can result in severe syndromes; hence, their dose should be controlled carefully and their side effects such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, phototoxicity, acute interstitial nephritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular diseases, and liver injury should be considered. Furthermore, the widely used combination of NSAIDs as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs with other drugs leads to adverse drug–drug interactions. Therefore, development of a throughput method to rapidly screen 20 NSAIDs in biological samples is necessary to safeguard human health. In this work, we selected a suitable fluorophore probe coupled with in situ micro-labeling (<2 min) on stainless plate for the fast detection of NSAIDs in plasma samples at the micro-liter level (5 μL) without complicated sample preparation and separation. Every step undertaken in the protocol was also at the micro-liter level; thus, a small amount of blood collected from the human finger will suffice to determine the drug concentration in blood using the proposed method. Furthermore, the proposed method we developed was also matched the modern trends of green analytical chemistry towards miniaturization of analytical methodologies.
A network approach to cartel detection in public auction markets
Authors: Wachs Johannes , Kertész János
Published: July 2019

Competing firms can increase profits by setting prices collectively, imposing significant costs on consumers. Such groups of firms are known as cartels and because this behavior is illegal, their operations are secretive and difficult to detect. Cartels feel a significant internal obstacle: members feel short-run incentives to cheat. Here we present a network-based framework to detect potential cartels in bidding markets based on the idea that the chance a group of firms can overcome this obstacle and sustain cooperation depends on the patterns of its interactions. We create a network of firms based on their co-bidding behavior, detect interacting groups, and measure their cohesion and exclusivity, two group-level features of their collective behavior. Applied to a market for school milk, our method detects a known cartel and calculates that it has high cohesion and exclusivity. In a comprehensive set of nearly 150,000 public contracts awarded by the Republic of Georgia from 2011 to 2016, detected groups with high cohesion and exclusivity are significantly more likely to display traditional markers of cartel behavior. We replicate this relationship between group topology and the emergence of cooperation in a simulation model. Our method presents a scalable, unsupervised method to find groups of firms in bidding markets ideally positioned to form lasting cartels.
A novel integrative approach elucidates fine-scale dispersal patchiness in marine populations
Authors: Schunter C. , Pascual M. , Raventos N. , Garriga J. , Garza J. C. , Bartumeus F. , Macpherson E.
Published: July 2019

Dispersal is one of the main determining factors of population structure. In the marine habitat, well-connected populations with large numbers of reproducing individuals are common but even so population structure can exist on a small-scale. Variation in dispersal patterns between populations or over time is often associated to geographic distance or changing oceanographic barriers. Consequently, detecting structure and variation in dispersal on a fine-scale within marine populations still remains a challenge. Here we propose and use a novel approach of combining a clustering model, early-life history trait information from fish otoliths, spatial coordinates and genetic markers to detect very fine-scale dispersal patterns. We collected 1573 individuals (946 adults and 627 juveniles) of the black-faced blenny across a small-scale (2 km) coastline as well as at a larger-scale area (<50 kms). A total of 178 single nucleotide polymorphism markers were used to evaluate relatedness patterns within this well-connected population. In our clustering models we categorized SHORT-range dispersers to be potential local recruits based on their high relatedness within and low relatedness towards other spatial clusters. Local retention and/or dispersal of this potential local recruitment varied across the 2 km coastline with higher frequency of SHORT-range dispersers towards the southwest of the area for adults. An inverse pattern was found for juveniles, showing an increase of SHORT-range dispersers towards the northeast. As we rule out selective movement and mortality from one year to the next, this pattern reveals a complex but not full genetic mixing, and variability in coastal circulation is most likely the main driver of this fine-scale chaotic genetic patchiness within this otherwise homogeneous population. When focusing on the patterns within one recruitment season, we found large differences in temperatures (from approx. 17 °C to 25 °C) as well as pelagic larval duration (PLD) for juveniles from the beginning of the season and the end of the season. We were able to detect fine-scale differences in LONG-range juvenile dispersers, representing distant migrants, depending on whether they were born at the beginning of the season with a longer PLD, or at the end of the reproductive season. The ability to detect such fine-scale dispersal patchiness will aid in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of population structuring and chaotic patchiness in a wide range of species even with high potential dispersal abilities.
Two-parameter Hong-Ou-Mandel dip
Authors: Yang Yu , Xu Luping , Giovannetti Vittorio
Published: July 2019

A modification of the standard Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer is proposed which allows one to replicate the celebrated coincidence dip in the case of two-independent delay parameters. In the ideal case where such delays are sufficiently stable with respect to the mean wavelength of the pump source, properly symmetrized input bi-photon states allow one to pinpoint their values through the identification of a zero in the coincidence counts, a feature that cannot be simulated by semiclassical inputs having the same spectral properties. Besides, in the presence of fluctuating parameters the zero in the coincidences is washed away: still the bi-photon state permits to recover the values of parameters with a visibility which is higher than the one allowed by semiclassical sources. The detrimental role of loss and dispersion is also analyzed and an application in the context of quantum positioning is presented.
Targeted exon skipping rescues ciliary protein composition defects in Joubert syndrome patient fibroblasts
Authors: Molinari Elisa , Ramsbottom Simon A. , Srivastava Shalabh , Booth Philip , Alkanderi Sumaya , McLafferty Seamus M. , Devlin Laura A. , White Kathryn , Gunay-Aygun Meral , Miles Colin G. , Sayer John A.
Published: July 2019

Joubert syndrome (JBTS) is an incurable multisystem ciliopathy syndrome. The most commonly mutated gene in JBTS patients with a cerebello-retinal-renal phenotype is CEP290 (alias JBTS5). The encoded CEP290 protein localises to the proximal end of the primary cilium, in the transition zone, where it controls ciliary protein composition and signalling. We examined primary cilium structure and composition in fibroblast cells derived from homozygous and compound heterozygous JBTS5 patients with nonsense mutations in CEP290 and show that elongation of cilia, impaired ciliogenesis and ciliary composition defects are typical features in JBTS5 cells. Targeted skipping of the mutated exon c.5668 G > T using antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy leads to restoration of CEP290 protein expression and functions at the transition zone in homozygous and compound heterozygous JBTS5 cells, allowing a rescue of both cilia morphology and ciliary composition. This study, by demonstrating that targeted exon skipping is able to rescue ciliary protein composition defects, provides functional evidence for the efficacy of this approach in the treatment of JBTS.
Semi-annual seasonal pattern of serum thyrotropin in adults
Authors: Santi Daniele , Spaggiari Giorgia , Brigante Giulia , Setti Monica , Tagliavini Simonetta , Trenti Tommaso , Simoni Manuela
Published: July 2019

Circannual rhythmicity in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion is proposed, whereas evidences on seasonal peripheral thyroid hormones’ fluctuation are contradictory. This study was designed to evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) seasonal secretion pattern using a big data approach. An observational, retrospective, big data trial was carried out, including all TSH measurements performed in a single laboratory between January 2010 and December 2017. A large dataset was created matching TSH data with patients’ age, gender, environmental temperature exposure, and free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) when available. The trend and seasonal distributions were analysed using autoregressive integrated moving average models. A total of 1,506,495 data were included in the final database with patients mean age of 59.00 ± 18.44 years. The mean TSH serum levels were 2.08 ± 1.57 microIU/mL, showing a seasonal distribution with higher levels in summer and winter seasons, independently from age, gender and environmental temperatures. Neither fT3 nor fT4 showed a seasonal trend. TSH seasonal changes occurred independently from peripheral thyroid hormone variations, gender, age and environmental temperatures. Although seasonal TSH fluctuation could represent a residual ancestral mechanism to maintain HPT homeostasis, the underlying physiological mechanism remains unclear and specific studies are needed to clarify its impacting role in humans.
Assessment of Choroidal Thickness Inside and Outside of Vascular Arcade in Diabetic Retinopathy Eyes Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Do Jeong Kyeong , Park Jae Yong , Kim Bo Na , Kim Jae Suk , Kang Min Ji , Hwang Je Hyung
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to characterise the distribution of choroidal thickness (CT) in diabetic retinopathy eyes, inside and outside of the vascular arcade, as well as at the fovea, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Forty-nine healthy eyes, 80 diabetic retinopathy (DR) eyes (59 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) eyes and 21 proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) eyes) were examined with OCT to obtain nine horizontal lines (far superotemporal, near superotemporal, central, near inferotemporal, far inferotemporal, far superonasal, near superonasal, near inferonasal, far inferonasal) inside and outside of the vascular arcade. Nine points were chosen in 0.5-mm intervals to calculate CT, which was measured at 81 points in each patient. In the DR group, CT decreased significantly, compared with the control group, in all nine horizontal lines except central and near inferotemporal (−29.74 to −36.97 μm, p < 0.05 for all). In the PDR group, CT decreased compared with the NPDR group, in all nine horizontal lines (−6.18 μm to −34.58 μm), but this difference was not significant. In DR eyes, an overall significant reduction of CT was observed inside and outside of the vascular arcade; CT showed a non-significant decrease in PDR eyes, compared with NPDR eyes.
The transcriptome of Darwin’s bark spider silk glands predicts proteins contributing to dragline silk toughness
Authors: Garb Jessica E. , Haney Robert A. , Schwager Evelyn E. , Gregorič Matjaž , Kuntner Matjaž , Agnarsson Ingi , Blackledge Todd A.
Published: July 2019

Darwin’s bark spider (Caerostris darwini) produces giant orb webs from dragline silk that can be twice as tough as other silks, making it the toughest biological material. This extreme toughness comes from increased extensibility relative to other draglines. We show C. darwini dragline-producing major ampullate (MA) glands highly express a novel silk gene transcript (MaSp4) encoding a protein that diverges markedly from closely related proteins and contains abundant proline, known to confer silk extensibility, in a unique GPGPQ amino acid motif. This suggests C. darwini evolved distinct proteins that may have increased its dragline’s toughness, enabling giant webs. Caerostris darwini’s MA spinning ducts also appear unusually long, potentially facilitating alignment of silk proteins into extremely tough fibers. Thus, a suite of novel traits from the level of genes to spinning physiology to silk biomechanics are associated with the unique ecology of Darwin’s bark spider, presenting innovative designs for engineering biomaterials.
Ability of prebiotic polysaccharides to activate a HIF1α-antimicrobial peptide axis determines liver injury risk in zebrafish
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Ran Chao , Ding Qian-wen , Liu Hong-liang , Xie Ming-xu , Yang Ya-lin , Xie Ya-dong , Gao Chen-chen , Zhang Hong-ling , Zhou Zhi-gang
Published: July 2019

Natural polysaccharides have received much attention for their ability to ameliorate hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet. However, the potential risks of their use have been less investigated. Here, we show that the exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and L. casei BL23 reduce hepatic steatosis in zebrafish fed a high-fat diet, while BL23 EPS, but not LGG EPS, induce liver inflammation and injury. This is due to the fact that BL23 EPS induces gut microbial dysbiosis, while LGG EPS promotes microbial homeostasis. We find that LGG EPS, but not BL23 EPS, can directly activate intestinal HIF1α, and increased HIF1α boosts local antimicrobial peptide expression to facilitate microbial homeostasis, explaining the distinct compositions of LGG EPS- and BL23 EPS-associated microbiota. Finally, we find that liver injury risk is not confined to Lactobacillus-derived EPS but extends to other types of commonly used natural polysaccharides, depending on their HIF1α activation efficiency.
Facile synthesis of yellow fluorescent carbon dots for highly sensitive sensing of cobalt ions and biological imaging
Authors: Tian Min , Liu Yaoming , Wang Yingte , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2019

Long-wavelength light emission has been garnering extensive attention in terms of strong tissue penetration ability and weak light scattering effects.
A mesoporous C,N-co doped Co-based phosphate ultrathin nanosheet derived from a phosphonate-based-MOF as an efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Huang Zhao-Qian , Lu Wen-Xiu , Wang Bin , Chen Wei-Jun , Xie Jie-Ling , Pan Dong-Sheng , Zhou Ling-Li , Song Jun-Ling
Published: July 2019

A mesoporous C,N-co doped Co-based phosphate ultrathin nanosheet derived from 2D phosphate MOFs has been explored and exhibits highly efficient OER performance.
A readily accessible and modular carbohydrate-derived thioether/selenoether-phosphite ligand library for Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions
Authors: Margalef Jèssica , Borràs Carlota , Alegre Sabina , Pàmies Oscar , Diéguez Montserrat
Published: July 2019

A series of modular carbohydrate-derived P,S/Se-ligands have been successfully applied to Pd-AAS of a range of hindered and unhindered substrates.
Cd-Free Cu2ZnSnS4solar cell with an efficiency greater than 10% enabled by Al2O3passivation layers
Authors: Cui Xin , Sun Kaiwen , Huang Jialiang , Yun Jae S. , Lee Chang-Yeh , Yan Chang , Sun Heng , Zhang Yuanfang , Xue Chaowei , Eder Katja , Yang Limei , Cairney Julie M. , Seidel Jan , Ekins-Daukes N. J. , Green Martin , Hoex Bram , Hao Xiaojing
Published: July 2019

Cd-Free CZTS solar cell with above 10% efficiency was achieved by an Al2O3passivation layer prepared by ALD.
Water extractable organic matter (WEOM) as an indicator of granular activated carbon (GAC) bed life and water quality outcomes in drinking water treatment
Authors: Ritson J. P. , Graham N. J. D.
Published: July 2019

Simple extraction and quantification of adsorbed organic carbon can effectively assess granular activated carbon bed file.
Silicon carbide nanoparticles as a photoacoustic and photoluminescent dual-imaging contrast agent for long-term cell tracking
Authors: Chen Fang , Zhao Eric R. , Hu Tao , Shi Yuesong , Sirbuly Donald J. , Jokerst Jesse V.
Published: July 2019

Silicon carbide nanoparticles are capable of long-term tracking of mesenchymal stem cells through both photoluminescence and photoacoustic imaging.
An injectable hybrid hydrogel based on a genetically engineered polypeptide for second near-infrared fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging-monitored sustained chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Jin Ruimei , Yang Xiaoquan , Zhao Donghui , Hou Xiaolin , Li Chaoqing , Song Xianlin , Chen Wei , Wang Qiong , Zhao Yuandi , Liu Bo
Published: July 2019

An injectable multifunctional hydrogel based on an engineered polypeptide, Ag2S quantum dots, and paclitaxel has been developed for sustained chemo-photothermal therapy.
Controlling dissolution of PbTe nanoparticles in organic solvents during liquid cell transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Bhattarai Nabraj , Woodall Danielle L. , Boercker Janice E. , Tischler Joseph G. , Brintlinger Todd H.
Published: July 2019

We present direct visualization of the dynamics of oleic-acid-capped PbTe nanoparticles under electron irradiation while suspended in different organic solvents using liquid cell transmission electron microscopy.
Highly enantioselective addition of sulfur-containing heterocycles to isatin-derived ketimines
Authors: Franc Michael , Urban Michal , Císařová Ivana , Veselý Jan
Published: July 2019

In this study, we report a highly stereoselective addition of sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds to isatin-derived ketimines efficiently catalyzed by cinchonidine-derived bifunctional tertiary aminothiourea (1 mol%).
Transition metal-free α-methylation of 1,8-naphthyridine derivatives using DMSO as methylation reagent
Authors: Jiang Shaohua , Yang Zhihai , Guo Ziyin , Li Yibiao , Chen Lu , Zhu Zhongzhi , Chen Xiuwen
Published: July 2019

A practical approach to the direct α-methylation of 1,8-naphthyridines under mild reaction conditions has been developed using simple and readily available DMSO as a convenient and environmentally friendly carbon source.
Effects and mechanism of riboflavin on the growth ofAlcaligenes faecalisunder bias conditions
Authors: He Miao , Chen Mulan , Liu Mingxue , Dong Faqin , Wei Hongfu , Wang Danni
Published: July 2019

Riboflavin and bias can affect the growth and metabolism ofAlcaligenes faecalisby the Krebs cycle.
Exploration of a high-efficiency and low-cost technique for maximizing the glucoamylase production from food waste
Authors: Meng Shujuan , Yin Yao , Yu Liu
Published: July 2019

Remarkably high glucoamylase production from food waste was achieved by optimizing the fermentation conditions using the response surface methodology.
Identification of the endoplasmic reticulum localization sequence and N-glycosylation of matrix metalloproteinase 26
Authors: Zhang Guangji , Zhang Jinrui , Li Xiang , Meng Xin , Fang Xuexun
Published: July 2019

Matrix metalloproteinase 26 (MMP-26), also called endometase and matrilysin-2, belongs to the MMP superfamily.
Light-induced metal-free transformations of unactivated pyridotriazoles
Authors: Zhang Ziyan , Yadagiri Dongari , Gevorgyan Vladimir
Published: July 2019

A novel light-induced metal-free method for conversion of unactivated pyridotriazoles into pyridyl carbenes was developed, which allowed for incorporation of arylmethylpyridyl moiety into diverse molecules.
Molecular dynamics simulations of Janus nanoparticles in a fluid flow
Authors: Safaei Sina , Archereau Aurélien Y. M. , Hendy Shaun C. , Willmott Geoff R.
Published: July 2019

An amphiphilic Janus sphere in uniform flow experiences a torque, and a reduced drag force compared with a conventional no-slip sphere.
Stress relaxation in F-actin solutions by severing
Authors: Arzash Sadjad , McCall Patrick M. , Feng Jingchen , Gardel Margaret L. , MacKintosh Fred C.
Published: July 2019

Cytoskeletal biopolymers such as F-actin are important for the mechanics of animal cells and their networks exhibit rich rheology.
Maximizing Treatment Efficiency in Developmental Language Disorder: Positive Effects in Half the Time
Authors: Plante Elena , Mettler Heidi M. , Tucci Alexander , Vance Rebecca
Published: July 2019

Purpose

When a behavioral treatment is generally efficacious, the central research questions shift to optimized dose delivery. In this study, we determine whether a validated treatment method can be made more effective or efficient by increasing the dose density employed.

Method

Twenty children were treated with Enhanced Conversational Recast methods to treat morphological errors. Half received 24 doses per session within a half hour (approximately 1 dose/1.25 min), and the other received the same number of doses within 15 min (approximately 1 dose/38 s). Generalization of morpheme use was probed throughout treatment and at a 6-week follow-up. Spontaneous use of treated morphemes was also tracked.

Results

Although the treatment was effective overall, there were no significant differences between treatment conditions on any of the outcome measures. Follow-up performance correlated significantly with performance at the end of the treatment period.

Conclusion

Minimal between-groups differences suggest that performance does not suffer when dose rates are compressed into half the time during treatment, making the high-density dose delivery method a more efficient delivery method. This could make time available within a treatment session to address other goals or allow for more classroom instructional time for the child.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8968559
The Relationship Between Language and Planning in Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Larson Caroline , Gangopadhyay Ishanti , Kaushanskaya Margarita , Weismer Susan Ellis
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between language and planning, a higher order executive function skill, in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and typically developing (TD) children. We hypothesized differences between groups in planning performance and in the role of verbal mediation during planning.

Method

Thirty-one children with SLI and 50 TD age-matched peers (8–12 years) participated in the study. We assessed language ability via a standardized language measure and planning via a dual-task Tower of London paradigm with 3 conditions: no secondary task (baseline), articulatory suppression secondary task (disrupted verbal mediation), and motor suppression secondary task (control for secondary task demand).

Results

We found similar overall accuracy between children with SLI and TD peers on the Tower of London. Children with SLI executed trials more slowly at baseline than TD peers but not under articulatory suppression, and children with SLI spent less time planning than TD children at baseline and under articulatory suppression. There was a significant interaction among group, language ability, and planning time under articulatory suppression. Children with SLI who had relatively better language ability spent less time planning than children with SLI who had poorer language ability when verbal mediation was disrupted. This pattern was reversed for TD children.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for a relationship between language and planning, yet this relationship differed between children with SLI compared to TD peers. Findings suggest that children with SLI use nonlinguistic perceptual strategies to a greater degree than verbal strategies on visuospatial planning tasks and that intervention might address strategy use for planning.
Characteristic analysis and design of novel high‐frequency shell‐type coaxial transformer
Authors: Lee Yoon‐Sun , Kim Kyoung‐Tak , Park Joung‐Hu , Lee Seung‐Jae , Chung Tae‐Kyung , Ro Jong‐Suk
Published: July 2019

Recently, power conversion systems (PCSs) have exhibited high efficiencies and miniaturisation, and this trend is expected to grow in the future. An important component of the PCS, which accounts for a significant portion of its volume, is the transformer (TR). However, it is difficult to achieve a significant increase in the efficiency and reduction in the volume of a PCS using a conventional TR, as the conventional TRs do not offer much scope for further optimisation. To overcome this limitation imposed by the conventional TRs, a novel and practical high‐frequency coaxial TR, named the shell‐type coaxial TR (SCTR), is proposed in this work. A useful and strategic analysis and design method, which covers the overall development process from the design stage to the experimental validation stage of the proposed high‐frequency SCTR, is also proposed. The usefulness of the proposed SCTR and the analysis and design method are verified by designing an SCTR for a 50 W DC/DC converter and conducting experiments on it. It is found that the use of the proposed technique can cause a significant increase in the efficiency and power density of the PCS
JPBA of ARN for target tracking in clutter
Authors: Sun Hao , Li Ming , Zuo Lei , Cao Runqing
Published: July 2019

Networked radar systems can be used to improve target tracking performance. In the asynchronous radar network (ARN) system, the radars may work at different sampling rates, bringing difficulties in resource allocation. In this study, the authors propose a joint power and bandwidth allocation (JPBA) strategy to track a target by ARN in clutter. First, they build an asynchronous resource allocation model, in which a periodic allocation strategy is suggested. Second, they derive the Bayesian Cramér–Rao lower bound by incorporating the information reduction factor as a performance metric for the JPBA strategy. Third, the asynchronous power and bandwidth allocation optimisation problem are formulated by minimising the tracking root‐mean‐square error with given power and bandwidth budgets, which is non‐convex but monotonic. Finally, by introducing the branch‐reduce‐and‐bound algorithm, a global solution to the optimisation problem is obtained. Numerical results verify the validity of the proposed JPBA strategy for target tracking by ARN.
Improved BAQ algorithm for Tiangong‐2 interferometric imaging radar data compression
Authors: Shi Xiaojin , Zhang Yunhua , Dong Xiao
Published: July 2019

Tiangong‐2 interferometric imaging radar altimeter (InIRA), the first space‐borne radar altimeter in the world, applying a new mechanism of interferometry with short baseline and small incident angle, can achieve wide swath and high accuracy sea surface height measuring. Comparing to traditional altimeter, InIRA can obtain SAR image of observation area, which means InIRA needs higher AD sampling rate. Due to the limitation of satellite on‐board storage and downlink speed, in order to extend the working time of InIRA, data compression algorithm for InIRA must be studied. Block adaptive quantisation (BAQ) is an efficient and widely adopted approach for space‐borne SAR raw data compression. Based on the characters of InIRA echo waveform, this study discusses compressing InIRA raw data by changing quantisation bits and size of blocks of BAQ algorithm to achieve higher compression ratio and less sea surface height error.
Fast velocity estimation method for moving targets based on complex SAR image
Authors: Pu Na , Li Chunsheng , Lin Meng
Published: July 2019

Fast estimation of ship velocity remains a significant gap in ocean applications despite the increasing interest in space‐borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR). This study proposed a fast velocity estimation method for moving targets based on complex SAR image. Here, the authors first applied several defocusing filters to the imagining results, estimating the along‐track velocity of all moving targets by discerning the differences in the maximum of the filtered images. They then derived the cross‐track velocity based on Doppler centroid drift. The results showed that the proposed method is effective in real TerraSAR‐X dataset and is able to estimate velocity for moving targets in SAR complex image.
CAR-T-Zellen: Update 2019
Authors: Dluczek Sarah , Tretbar Sandy , Fricke Stephan , Köhl Ulrike
Published: July 2019

Die chimäre Antigenrezeptortherapie (CAR-Therapie) entwickelte sich zu einem der vielversprechendsten immunonkologischen Therapieansätze für die Behandlung von Krebs. Aufgrund der klinischen Erfolge wurden bisher 2 CD19-spezifische CAR-T-Zell-Therapien in den USA und der EU zugelassen. Die bahnbrechenden Ergebnisse weckten sowohl in der Industrie als auch in der Forschung großes Interesse und sorgten für eine rasante Entwicklung in diesem Feld.
Therapie der Sialorrhoe mit Botulinumtoxin
Authors: Jost Wolfgang H. , Bäumer Tobias , Laskawi Rainer , Spittau Björn , Steffen Armin , Winterholler Martin
Published: July 2019

Die größten Speicheldrüsen sind die paarigen Gl. parotis und Gl. submandibularis. Der erwachsene Mensch produziert 1–1,5 l Speichel am Tag, die er regelmäßig abschluckt. Die häufigste Ursache eines vermehrten Speichelflusses mit einer Ansammlung von Speichel im Mund und Ausfluss (Sialorrhoe) ist eine Störung der Schluckfunktion. Seltener kann die Ursache auch eine vermehrte Speichelsekretion, z. B. medikamentös bedingt, sein. Eine Sialorrhoe beeinträchtigt die Lebensqualität erheblich und ist oft auch sozial stigmatisierend. Die Therapie umfasst konservative Maßnahmen wir die funktionelle Dysphagietherapie, orale oder transdermale Applikation von Anticholinergika sowie, in ausgewählten Fällen, invasive Therapien wie Bestrahlungen und Operationen. Seit 20 Jahren wird auch die lokale Injektion von Botulinumtoxin in die Speicheldrüsen erfolgreich therapeutisch eingesetzt. Durch die Zulassung dieser Therapie durch die europäische Behörde darf diese Maßnahme als Therapie der Wahl bei ausgeprägter, therapieresistenter Sialorrhoe angesehen werden.
The BougieCap – a new method for endoscopic treatment of complex benign esophageal stenosis: results from a multicenter study
Authors: Walter Benjamin , Schmidbaur Simone , Rahman Imdadur , Albers David , Schumacher Brigitte , Meining Alexander
Published: July 2019

Background A major limitation of current treatment strategies for nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal stenoses is the lack of either optical or haptic feedback during dilation. Wire guidance and fluoroscopy is often necessary to control the position.

Methods A novel device for endoscopic dilation, the BougieCap (Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tübingen, Germany) was evaluated in a prospective multicenter trial. Primary outcome was successful dilation of stenosis and secondary outcome was alteration in dysphagia symptoms in short-term follow-up. 

Results 50 patients with benign esophageal strictures were included. Endoscopic bougienage was successful in 96 %. Bougienage failed in two cases because of high resistance. Symptoms of dysphagia decreased significantly after bougienage (59.0 points at Day 0 vs. 28.6 points at Day 14; P < 0.001). Adverse events were loss of BougieCap into the stomach in two cases; no severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusions Endoscopic treatment of benign stenoses using the BougieCap enabled direct visual control of the bougienage procedure. This might help to adapt treatment more precisely to the stricture. Symptoms of dysphagia were improved in short-term follow-up. Additional wire guidance may be used for selected cases (e. g. narrow lumen, pediatric scope).
Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction to Improve Quadriceps Function Long After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Kilgas Matthew A. , Lytle Lydia L.M. , Drum Scott N. , Elmer Steven J.
Published: July 2019

Quadriceps atrophy and weakness can persist for years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). We evaluated the effectiveness of a home-based blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise program to increase quadriceps size and strength several years after ACLR. Nine adults with ACLR (5±2 yrs post-surgery, ≤90% symmetry in quadriceps size and strength) and nine uninjured controls volunteered. ACLR participants exercised at home for 25 min, 5×/wk for 4 wks (single-leg knee extension, bodyweight half-squats, walking). Blood flow in only the involved leg was restricted using a thigh cuff inflated to 50% of limb occlusion pressure. Rectus femoris and vastus lateralis thickness and knee extensor strength were measured before and after training. Baseline and post-training symmetry (involved leg/uninvolved leg) indices were compared to uninjured controls. Rectus femoris and vastus lateralis thickness and knee extensor strength in the involved leg increased by 11±5%, 10±6%, and 20±14%, respectively (all P<0.01). Compared to baseline, post-training knee extensor strength symmetry increased from 88±4 to 99±5% (P<0.01) and did not differ from uninjured controls (99±5%, P=0.95). Implementation of BFR exercise at home was feasible, safe and effective. Results extend upon early post-operative application of BFR exercise for ACLR recovery and demonstrate that BFR can improve quadriceps function long after ACLR.
Effects of Chiral Ligands on the Asymmetric Carbonyl-Ene Reaction
Authors: Bakhtiari Atefeh , Safaei-Ghomi Javad
Published: July 2019

The carbonyl-ene reaction is one of the most well-known reactions for C–C bond formation. Based on frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), carbonyl-ene reactions occur between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the ene compound bearing an active hydrogen atom at the allylic center and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the electron-deficient enophile, which is a carbonyl compound. A high activation barrier enforces the concerted ene reaction rather than a Diels–Alder reaction at high temperature. Employing a catalytic system can eliminate defects in the ene reaction, and chiral catalysts promote the reaction under mild conditions to produce optically active compounds. In this account, we highlight investigations on the effects of various classes of chiral ligands on intermolecular and intramolecular carbonyl-ene reactions.

1 Introduction

2 Biaryl-Type Chiral Ligands

3 C
1- and C
2-Symmetric Bis(oxazoline) Ligands

4 Schiff Base Ligands

5 N,N′-Dioxide Ligands

6 Conclusions
Robotic Systems in Operating Theaters: New Forms of Team–Machine Interaction in Health Care
Authors: Steil Jochen , Finas Dominique , Beck Susanne , Manzeschke Arne , Haux Reinhold
Published: July 2019

Background Health information systems have developed rapidly and considerably during the last decades, taking advantage of many new technologies. Robots used in operating theaters represent an exceptional example of this trend. Yet, the more these systems are designed to act autonomously and intelligently, the more complex and ethical questions arise about serious implications of how future hybrid clinical team–machine interactions ought to be envisioned, in situations where actions and their decision-making are continuously shared between humans and machines.

Objectives To discuss the many different viewpoints—from surgery, robotics, medical informatics, law, and ethics—that the challenges of novel team–machine interactions raise, together with potential consequences for health information systems, in particular on how to adequately consider what hybrid actions can be specified, and in which sense these do imply a sharing of autonomous decisions between (teams of) humans and machines, with robotic systems in operating theaters as an example.

Results Team–machine interaction and hybrid action of humans and intelligent machines, as is now becoming feasible, will lead to fundamental changes in a wide range of applications, not only in the context of robotic systems in surgical operating theaters. Collaboration of surgical teams in operating theaters as well as the roles, competencies, and responsibilities of humans (health care professionals) and machines (robotic systems) need to be reconsidered. Hospital information systems will in future not only have humans as users, but also provide the ground for actions of intelligent machines.

Conclusions The expected significant changes in the relationship of humans and machines can only be appropriately analyzed and considered by inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration. Fundamentally new approaches are needed to construct the reasonable concepts surrounding hybrid action that will take into account the ascription of responsibility to the radically different types of human versus nonhuman intelligent agents involved.
Is the Expression of the Components of the Carotid Matrix of Rats Influenced by Estrogen, Progestin and Tibolone?
Authors: Steiner Marcelo Luis , Theodoro Thérèse Rachell , Garcia Shirley Gimenez , Mader Ana Maria Amaral Antonio , Pompei Luciano de Melo , Pinhal Maria Aparecida da Silva , Fernandes César Eduardo
Published: July 2019

Objective To analyze the effects of estrogen alone or in combination with progestogens and tibolone (TIB) on the expression of the extracellular matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), of perlecan, and of heparanase (HPSE) of the vascular walls of the carotid arteries.

Methods A total of 30 250-day-old ovariectomized Wistar rats were orally treated for 5 weeks with: a) 1 mg/kg of estradiol benzoate (EB); b) EB + 0.2 mg/kg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); c) EB + 0.2mg/kg of norethisterone acetate (NETA); d) EB + 2 mg/kg of dydrogesterone (DI); e) 1 mg/kg of TIB; f) placebo (CTR). Following treatment, the expression of mRNA for MMP-2, MMP-9, and HPSE was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain-reaction (PCR), and the expression of MMP-2, of MMP-9, of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2), and of perlecan was quantified by immunohistochemistry in the carotid arteries.

Results The groups showed significant differences on mRNA HPSE expression (p = 0.048), which was higher in the EB, EB + MPA, and TIB groups. There was no statistically significant difference in mRNA MMP-2 or MMP-9 expression. The immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2, of TIMP-2, of MMP-9, of HPSE, and of perlecan showed no differences between groups.

Conclusion Estradiol alone or associated with MPA and TIB treatment can increase mRNA HSPE expression of the walls of the carotid arteries in ovariectomized rats.
A comprehensive review of reactive power control strategies for three phase grid connected photovoltaic systems with low voltage ride through capability
Authors: Sufyan M. , Rahim N. A. , Eid Bilal , Raihan S. R. S.
Published: July 2019

Photovoltaic (PV) sources have recently become one of the most mature technologies. With the increasing penetration level and the integration of a PV system into the grid, the stability and reliability of the power networks have been serious concerns. Thus, grid codes are being released by grid operators for low voltage networks under grid faults. Consequently, the Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) capability of the grid connected PV system became the most important issue related to grid codes, i.e., more reactive power is injected into the grid during voltage disturbances. In this paper, a comprehensive review of reactive power control strategies for the three-phase PV system has been analyzed to support the grid during voltage sags by providing LVRT capability. The control techniques have been classified into three main categories: Fixed power factor, constant active power control, and constant reactive power control. The results illustrate that the stability of the system is improved when two control techniques are simultaneously implemented. This paper concludes that further research must be carried on LVRT control techniques for the reactive power injection during unbalanced voltage sags.
NADPH-dependent extracellular superoxide production is vital to photophysiology in the marine diatom
Thalassiosira oceanica
Authors: Diaz Julia M. , Plummer Sydney , Hansel Colleen M. , Andeer Peter F. , Saito Mak A. , McIlvin Matthew R.
Published: July 2019

Significance

Superoxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) are commonly regarded as harmful progenitors of biological stress and death, but this view has been changing. Indeed, many phytoplankton actively generate extracellular superoxide under ideal growth conditions for reasons that are mysterious. Results from this study suggest that extracellular superoxide production by the marine diatom
Thalassiosira oceanica
may promote photosynthetic health by modulating the oxidation state of the cellular NADP
+
/NADPH pool. The key enzyme implicated in this process is present in other representative marine phytoplankton and global ocean metagenomes. Overall, these findings transform the perceived role of superoxide in the health and functioning of phytoplankton and present implications for redox balance, biogeochemistry, and ecology in the future ocean.
Temperature and pressure profiles of an ablation-controlled arc plasma in air
Authors: Becerra Marley , Pettersson Jonas , Franke Steffen , Gortschakow Sergey
Published: July 2019

Experimental measurements of the spatial distribution of temperature and composition of ablation-controlled arc plasmas are a key to validate the predictions of metal evaporation and polymer ablation models. Thus, high-speed photography and space-resolved spectroscopic measurements have been performed to characterize a stable air arc plasma jet controlled by ablation of a polymer nozzle made of Polyoxymethylene copolymer (POM-C) or polyamide (PA6). The spectroscopic analysis is performed along a plane perpendicular to the arc jet axis for a current of 1.8 kA, corresponding to an estimated current density of ~65 A mm−2. Temperature and partial pressure profiles of the plasma for copper, hydrogen and carbon in the gas mixture are estimated as an inverse optimization problem by using measured side-on radiance spectra and radiative transfer spectral simulations. It is shown that the generated ablation-controlled arc has a complicated, non-uniform gas composition. Thus, the generated arc jet has a thin metallic core with a lower almost constant hydrogen pressure, surrounded by a thicker hydrogen and carbon mantle at partial pressures slightly lower than atmospheric pressure. The separation of hydrogen and carbon in the core is a consequence of demixing of the polymer vapour in the plasma. It is found that the overall shape of the temperature and pressure profiles obtained for the arc plasmas with the POM-C and PA6 nozzles are similar although differ in peak values and width.
Delta mass shift as a thermometer of kinetic decoupling in Au + Au reactions at 1.23 AGeV
Authors: Reichert Tom , Hillmann Paula , Limphirat Ayut , Herold Christoph , Bleicher Marcus
Published: July 2019

The HADES experiment at GSI will soon provide data on the production and properties of Δ(1232) baryons from Au + Au reactions at 1.23 AGeV. Using the Ultra Relativistic Quantum Molecular Dynamics model, we predict the yield and spectra of Δ(1232) resonances. In addition we show that one expects to observe a mass shift of the Δ(1232) resonance on the order of 50 MeV in the reconstructable Δ(1232) mass distribution. This mass shift can be understood in terms of late stage Δ(1232) formation with limited kinetic energy. We show how the mass shift can be used to constrain the kinetic decoupling temperature of the system.
Detection of body noise with an ultra-sensitive SQUID system
Authors: Storm J-H , Hömmen P , Höfner N , Körber R
Published: July 2019

Using an ultra-sensitive single-channel SQUID system an upper limit of 80 aT Hz−1/2 for the body noise contribution of the human head in ultra-low-field SQUID-based MRI or MEG is determined. We discuss in detail the various noise contributions which need to be taken into account. Simulations and measurements of conducting phantoms show that presumably residual radio frequency interference cause an increase in the sensor noise at the aT Hz−1/2-level and need to be considered. Using a phenomenological approach, the body noise contribution of the human head is determined to 55 aT Hz−1/2 for our setup. We also provide simulations of the expected body noise for other sensor geometries.
Pellet fueling experiments in Wendelstein 7-X
Authors: Baldzuhn J , Damm H , Beidler C D , McCarthy K , Panadero N , Biedermann C , Bozhenkov S A , Brunner K J , Fuchert G , Kazakov Y , Beurskens M , Dibon M , Geiger J , Grulke O , Höfel U , Klinger T , Köchl F , Knauer J , Kocsis G , Kornejew P , Lang P T , Langenberg A , Laqua H , Pablant N A , Pasch E , Pedersen T S , Ploeckl B , Rahbarnia K , Schlisio G , Scott E R , Stange T , von Stechow A , Szepesi T , Turkin Y , Wagner F , Winters V , Wurden G , Zhang D
Published: July 2019

During the two most recent experimental campaigns in the advanced stellarator Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) (Klinger et al 2017 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion
59 014018; Bosch et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion
57 116015; Wolf et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion
57 102020; Pedersen et al 2017 Phys. Plasmas
24 0555030) hydrogen ice pellet injection was performed for the first time. In order to investigate the potential of pellet fueling in W7-X and to study the particle deposition in a large stellarator, a blower-gun system was installed with 40 pellets capability. The experience gained with this system will be used for the specification of a future steady-state pellet injector system. One important motivation for a pellet injector (Dibon 2014 Master-Thesis Technical University Munich, Max-Planck Institut IPP) on W7-X is the mitigation of hollow density profiles expected in case of predominant neoclassical transport. For long-pulse operation of up to 30 min, only electron cyclotron resonance heating is available on W7-X. Hence, pellet injection will be the only source for deep particle fueling. Deep particle fueling by pellets in tokamaks is supported by a grad-B drift, if the pellets are injected from the magnetic high-field-side. This approach was tested in W7-X, as well. The injection of series of pellets was also tested. Here, deep fueling is supported for later pellets in the series by the plasma cooling following the initial pellets in the same series. As in earlier experiments in the heliotron LHD (Takeiri et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion
57 102023), deep and rapid fueling could be achieved successfully in W7-X.
Andreev reflections modulated by the breaking of space-inversion symmetry in graphene-typed materials
Authors: Li Xue-Si , Zhang Shu-Feng , Gong Wei-Jiang
Published: July 2019

We theoretically perform a comprehensive analysis about the influences of the space-inversion symmetry breaking in graphene-based materials on the Andreev reflections (AR) in the normal-metal/superconductor (NS) and NSN heterojunctions. It is found that in the NS junction, the AR can be suppressed or be enhanced by the enhancement of space-inversion symmetry breaking, depending on the relationship among the coherence parameters. Following this result, the AR properties in the NSN structure are evaluated. It is readily observed that the local AR can be weakened for low space-inversion symmetry breaking, and can be enhanced for high space-inversion symmetry breaking. Alternatively, the efficiency of the crossed AR can be improved to a great degree, with the increase of space-inversion symmetry breaking. One can therefore understand the special role of space-inversion symmetry in modulating the AR, especially for the enhancement of crossed AR.