bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the necrotic area on the biomechanics of the femoral head - a finite element study
Authors: Wen Pengfei , Zhang Yumin , Hao Linjie , Yue Ju’an , Wang Jun , Wang Tao , Song Wei , Guo Wanshou , Ma Tao
Published: April 2020

Background

Femoral head collapse is the key to the progress of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), but the causes of collapse are not completely clear. The better understanding of the progress of femoral head collapse will guide the treatment strategy for ONFH patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical influence of necrosis area on the collapse of the femoral head by finite element analysis.

Methods

CT and MRI data from the hip joint of a healthy volunteer were collected to establish a finite element (FE) model of a normal hip. Subsequently, five categories of osteonecrosis FE models were established by using the normal model and computer software according to China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) classification for ONFH. The CJFH system includes five types based on the size and location of necrosis lesions in the femoral head (type M, C, L1, L2, and L3) and the stage of ONFH. The collapse indices of each model were analyzed by FE method, including the displacement, peak von Mises stress and stress index of the simulated necrotic area as well as the lateral pillar contact area of the femoral head to acetabular.

Results

(1) The displacement increments in the simulated necrotic areas of type M, C, L1, L2, and L3 models were 3.75 μm, 8.24 μm, 8.47 μm, 18.42 μm, and 20.44 μm respectively; the peak von Mises stress decrements were 1.50 MPa, 3.74 MPa, 3.73 MPa, 4.91 MPa, and 4.92 MPa respectively; and the stress indices were 0.04, 0.08, 0.08, 0.27, and 0.27 respectively. (2) The displacement increments in the lateral pillar contact areas of five type models were significantly different (P < 0.001) and increased in sequence as follows: 1.93 ± 0.15 μm, 5.74 ± 0.92 μm, 5.84 ± 1.42 μm, 14.50 ± 3.00 μm, and 16.43 ± 3.05 μm. The peak von Mises stress decrements were also significantly different (P < 0.001) and increased in sequence as follows: 0.52 ± 0.30 MPa, 0.55 ± 0.12 MPa, 0.67 ± 0.33 MPa, 4.17 ± 0.59 MPa, and 4.19 ± 0.60 MPa. (3) The collapse indices including the displacement increments and peak von Mises stress decrements of type L2 and L3 models were markedly higher than those of type M, C, and L1 models (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The collapse indices of the femoral heads of type L2 and L3 FE models were significantly higher than those of type M, C, and L1. Different areas of necrosis result in varied impact on the femoral head collapse.
AKT2 deficiency impairs formation of the BCR signalosome
Authors: Du Zuochen , Yang Di , Zhang Yongjie , Xuan Xingtian , Li Han , Hu Leling , Ruan Changshun , Li Liling , Chen Anwei , Deng Liang , Chen Yan , Xie Jingwen , Westerberg Lisa S. , Huang Lu , Liu Chaohong
Published: April 2020

Background

AKT2 is one of the key molecules that involves in the insulin-induced signaling and the development of cancer. In B cells, the function of AKT2 is unclear.

Methods

In this study, we used AKT2 knockout mice model to study the role of AKT2 in BCR signaling and B cell differentiation.

Results

AKT2 promotes the early activation of B cells by enhancing the BCR signaling and actin remodeling. B cells from AKT2 KO mice exhibited defective spreading and BCR clustering upon stimulation in vitro. Disruption of Btk-mediated signaling caused the impaired differentiation of germinal center B cells, and the serum levels of both sepecific IgM and IgG were decreased in the immunized AKT2 KO mice. In addition, the actin remodeling was affected due to the decreased level of the activation of WASP, the actin polymerization regulator, in AKT2 KO mice as well. As a crucial regulator of both BCR signaling and actin remodeling during early activation of B cells, the phosphorylation of CD19 was decreased in the AKT2 absent B cells, while the transcription level was normal.

Conclusions

AKT2 involves in the humoral responses, and promotes the BCR signaling and actin remodeling to enhance the activation of B cells via regulating CD19 phosphorylation.
Loss of mural cell-derived laminin aggravates hemorrhagic brain injury
Authors: Gautam Jyoti , Xu Lingling , Nirwane Abhijit , Nguyen Benjamin , Yao Yao
Published: April 2020

Background

Mural cells synthesize and deposit laminin to the basement membrane. To investigate the function of mural cell-derived laminin, we generated a mutant mouse line lacking mural cell-derived laminin (termed PKO). In a previous study, we showed that the PKO mice were grossly normal under homeostatic condition, but developed blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown with advanced age (> 8 months), suggesting that these mutants are intrinsically weak. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that PKO mice have exacerbated injuries in pathological conditions.

Methods

Using collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as an injury model, we examined various stroke outcomes, including hematoma volume, neurological function, neuronal death, BBB integrity, paracellular/transcellular transport, inflammatory cell infiltration, and brain water content, in PKO mice and their wildtype littermates at young age (6–8 weeks). In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis and an in vitro ICH model were used to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

Compared to age-matched wildtype littermates, PKO mice display aggravated stroke outcomes, including larger hematoma size, worse neurological function, increased neuronal cell death, enhanced BBB permeability, increased transcytosis, and elevated inflammatory cell infiltration. These mutants also exhibit high baseline brain water content independent of aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In addition, mural cell-derived laminin significantly reduced caveolin-1 without affecting tight junction proteins in the in vitro ICH model.

Conclusions

These results suggest that mural cell-derived laminin attenuates BBB damage in ICH via decreasing caveolin-1 and thus transcytosis, regulates brain water homeostasis, and plays a beneficial role in ICH.
Mechanistic insights into pH-dependent H2 photoproduction in bisulfite-treated Chlamydomonas cells
Authors: Wei Lanzhen , Fan Baoqiang , Yi Jing , Xie Tianqun , Liu Kun , Ma Weimin
Published: April 2020

Background

Bisulfite addition is an important H2 photoproduction strategy that removes O2 and activates hydrogenase. The pH values of cell cultures can change the ratio of bisulfite to sulfite, which may affect H2 photoproduction. However, little is known regarding the pH effect of bisulfite addition on H2 photoproduction and relevant underlying mechanism.

Results

Here, changes in H2 photoproduction with different initial extracellular pH values showed a parabolic distribution and a pH of 8.0 is an optimal value for H2 photoproduction in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells treated with bisulfite. Compared to the growth pH (pH 7.3), increased photoproduction of H2 at this optimal pH was primarily caused by a relatively high residual activity of photosystem II (PSII), which provides a relatively plentiful source of electrons for H2 photoproduction. Such increased H2 photoproduction was most likely a result of decreased the ratio of bisulfite to sulfite, consistent with the result that the toxicity of bisulfite on PSII was much more than that of sulfite. This possibility was corroborated by the result that treatment with a combination of 7 mM bisulfite and 6 mM sulfite further enhanced H2 photoproduction compared with 13 mM bisulfite alone.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings provide novel mechanistic insights into pH-dependent H2 photoproduction in C. reinhardtii cells treated with bisulfite, and demonstrate that sulfite addition is another important strategy for H2 photoproduction, just like bisulfite addition.
Characteristic features of the SERA multigene family in the malaria parasite
Authors: Arisue Nobuko , Palacpac Nirianne M. Q. , Tougan Takahiro , Horii Toshihiro
Published: April 2020

Serine repeat antigen (SERA) is conserved among species of the genusPlasmodium.Seragenes form a multigene family and are generally tandemly clustered on a single chromosome. Although allPlasmodiumspecies encode multipleseragenes, the number varies between species. Among species, the members share similar sequences and gene organization. SERA possess a central papain-like cysteine protease domain, however, in some members, the active site cysteine residue is substituted with a serine. Recent studies implicate this gene family in a number of aspects in parasite biology and induction of protective immune response. This review summarizes the current understanding on this important gene family in severalPlasmodiumspecies. ThePlasmodium falciparum(Pf)-serafamily, for example, consists of nine gene members. Unlike other multigene families inPlasmodiumspecies,Pf-seragenes do not exhibit antigenic variation.Pf-sera5nucleotide diversity is also low. Moreover, althoughPf-sera5is highly transcribed during the blood stage of malaria infection, and a large amount is released into the host blood following schizont rupture, in malaria endemic countries the sero-positive rates for Pf-SERA5 are low, likely due to Pf-SERA5 binding of host proteins to avoid immune recognition. As an antigen, the N-terminal 47 kDa domain of Pf-SERA5 is a promising vaccine candidate currently undergoing clinical trials. Pf-SERA5 and Pf-SERA6, as well asP. berghei(Pb)-SERA3, and Pb-SERA5, have been investigated for their roles in parasite egress. TwoP. yoeliiSERA, which have a serine residue at the protease active center, are implicated in parasite virulence. Overall, these studies provide insight that during the evolution of thePlasmodiumparasite, theseragene family members have increased by gene duplication, and acquired various functions that enable the parasite to survive and successfully maintain infection in the host.
Hypoxic preconditioning of human urine-derived stem cell-laden small intestinal submucosa enhances wound healing potential
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Ru , Huang Yi-Zhou , Gao Hong-Wei , Jiang Yan-Lin , Hu Jun-Gen , Pi Jin-Kui , Chen An-Jing , Zhang Yi , Zhou Li , Xie Hui-Qi
Published: April 2020

Background

Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) are a valuable stem cell source for tissue engineering because they can be harvested non-invasively. Small intestine submucosa (SIS) has been used as scaffolds for soft tissue repair in the clinic. However, the feasibility and efficacy of a combination of USCs and SIS for skin wound healing has not been reported. In this study, we created a tissue-engineered skin graft, termed the SIS+USC composite, and hypothesized that hypoxic preconditioning would improve its wound healing potential.

Methods

USCs were seeded on SIS membranes to fabricate the SIS+USC composites, which were then cultured in normoxia (21% O2) or preconditioned in hypoxia (1% O2) for 24 h, respectively. The viability and morphology of USCs, the expression of genes related to wound angiogenesis and reepithelialization, and the secretion of growth factors were determined in vitro. The wound healing ability of the SIS+USC composites was evaluated in a mouse full-thickness skin wound model.

Results

USCs showed good cell viability and morphology in both normoxia and hypoxic preconditioning groups. In vitro, hypoxic preconditioning enhanced not only the expression of genes related to wound angiogenesis (VEGFandAng-2) and reepithelialization (bFGFandEGF) but also the secretion of growth factors (VEGF, EGF, and bFGF). In vivo, hypoxic preconditioning significantly improved the wound healing potential of the SIS+USC composites. It enhanced wound angiogenesis at the early stage of wound healing, promoted reepithelialization, and improved the deposition and remodeling of collagen fibers at the late stage of wound healing.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study shows that hypoxic preconditioning provides an easy and efficient strategy to enhance the wound healing potential of the SIS+USC composite.
Pregnancy-associated cardiac dysfunction and the regulatory role of microRNAs
Authors: Aryan Laila , Medzikovic Lejla , Umar Soban , Eghbali Mansoureh
Published: April 2020

Many crucial cardiovascular adaptations occur in the body during pregnancy to ensure successful gestation. Maladaptation of the cardiovascular system during pregnancy can lead to complications that promote cardiac dysfunction and may lead to heart failure (HF). About 12% of pregnancy-related deaths in the USA have been attributed to HF and the detrimental effects of cardiovascular complications on the heart can be long-lasting, pre-disposing the mother to HF later in life. Indeed, cardiovascular complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and peripartum cardiomyopathy have been shown to induce cardiac metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, apoptosis, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction in the hearts of pregnant women, all of which are hallmarks of HF. The exact etiology and cardiac pathophysiology of pregnancy-related complications is not yet fully deciphered. Furthermore, diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in pregnancy is often made only after clinical symptoms are already present, thus necessitating the need for novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Mounting data demonstrates an altered expression of maternal circulating miRNAs during pregnancy affected by cardiovascular complications. Throughout the past decade, miRNAs have become of growing interest as modulators and biomarkers of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis in cardiac dysfunction. While the association between pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications and cardiac dysfunction or HF is becoming increasingly evident, the roles of miRNA-mediated regulation herein remain poorly understood. Therefore, this review will summarize current reports on pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications that may lead to cardiac dysfunction and HF during and after pregnancy in previously healthy women, with a focus on the pathophysiological role of miRNAs.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease experiences accumulation of hepatic liquid crystal associated with increasing lipophagy
Authors: Wang Liyang , Xu MengMeng , Jones Odell D. , Li Zhongguang , Liang Yu , Yu Qiuxia , Li Jiali , Wu Yajun , Lei Xinjuan , He Boling , Yue Huimin , Xiao Liqin , Zhou Rong , Zhang Wei , Zhou Xin , Zhang Yuhui , Bryant Joseph L. , Ma Jianjie , Liu Yingli , Xu Xuehong
Published: April 2020

Background

In the past 30 years, incidences of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen by 30%. However, there is still no clear mechanism or accurate method of anticipating liver failure. Here we reveal the phase transitions of liquid crystalline qualities in hepatic lipid droplets (HLDs) as a novel method of anticipating prognosis.

Methods

NAFLD was induced by feeding C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat (HiF) diet. These NAFLD livers were then evaluated under polarized microscopy, X-ray diffraction and small-angle scattering, lipid component chromatography analysis and protein expression analysis. Optically active HLDs from mouse model and patient samples were both then confirmed to have liquid crystal characteristics. Liver MAP1LC3A expression was then evaluated to determine the role of autophagy in liquid crystal HLD (LC-HLD) formation.

Results

Unlike the normal diet cohort, HiF diet mice developed NAFLD livers containing HLDs exhibiting Maltese cross birefringence, phase transition, and fluidity signature to liquid crystals. These LC-HLDs transitioned to anisotropic crystal at 0 °C and remain crystalline. Temperature increase to 42 °C causes both liquid crystal and crystal HLDs to convert to isotropic droplet form. These isotropic HLDs successfully transition to anisotropic LC with fast temperature decrease and anisotropic crystal with slow temperature decrease. These findings were duplicated in patient liver. Patient LC-HLDs with no inner optical activity were discovered, hinting at lipid saturation as the mechanism through which HLD acquire LC characteristics. Downregulation of MAP1LC3A in conjunction with increased LC-HLD also implicated autophagy in NAFLD LC-HLD formation.

Conclusions

Increasing concentrations of amphiphilic lipids in HLDs favors organization into alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers, which present as LC-HLDs. Thus, evaluating the extent of liquid crystallization with phase transition in HLDs of NAFLD patients may reveal disease severity and predict impending liver damage.
Alternative donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of high-risk refractory and/or relapsed childhood acute leukemia: a randomized trial
Authors: Zhang Binglei , Zhou Jian , Yu Fengkuan , Lv Tianxin , Fang Baijun , Fan Dandan , Ji Zhenyu , Song Yongping
Published: April 2020

Background

The high-risk refractory and/or relapsed (R/R) childhood acute leukemia prognosis is poor, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the most prudent treatment modality. However, there are limited matched sibling donors (MSDs), and alternative donors (ADs) are the main source for allo-HSCT. Thus, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of AD peripheral allo-HSCT for treating high-risk R/R childhood acute leukemia.

Methods

We assessed 111 children who underwent allo-HSCT at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between October 2006 and July 2019. The patients were divided in the MSD and AD groups, and their clinical characteristics, complications, and survival rates were compared.

Results

The cumulative incidences of Epstein–Barr virus and cytomegalovirus infections were significantly higher in the AD than in the MSD group (P < 0.001); however, the recurrence and mortality rates were significantly higher in the MSD than in the AD group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the 5-year disease-free (DFS) (65.2% vs. 43.3%,P = 0.033) and overall survival (OS) rates (71.6% vs. 53.8%,P = 0.053) were significantly higher in the AD than in the MSD group. In the AD group, the grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), donor-recipient ABO compatibility, conditioning regimen, and CMV infection affected the 5-year OS. The grade II–IV aGVHD also affected the 5-year DFS; however, only the donor-recipient ABO compatibility affected the 5-year DFS. The donor MSD (HR: 2.035, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.057–3.920,P = 0.034) and the grade II–IV aGVHD (HR: 2.914, 95% CI 1.261–6.736,P = 0.012) affected the 5-year DFS of childhood acute leukemia after allo-HSCT, and the grade II–IV aGVHD (HR: 3.016, 95% CI 1.217–7.473,P = 0.017) affected the 5-year OS. Moreover, the donor source (HR: 2.836, 95% CI 1.179–6.823,P = 0.020) and grade II–IV aGVHD (HR: 3.731, 95% CI 1.332–10.454,P = 0.012) were independent predictors of the 5-year DFS, while the latter (HR: 3.524, 95% CI 1.310–10.988,P = 0.030) was an independent predictor of the 5-year OS.

Conclusions

AD-PBSCT was effective for high-risk R/R childhood leukemia and may have better clinical outcomes than MSD-PBSCT; thus, it can be used as first-line treatment for high-risk R/R childhood leukemia.
Characterization and functional analysis of SIAH1 during skin and hair follicle development in the angora rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Zhou Tong , Chen Yang , Zhao Bohao , Hu Shuaishuai , Li Jiali , Liu Ming , Liang Shuang , Bao Zhiyuan , Wu Xinsheng
Published: April 2020

Background

Seven in absentia homolog 1 (SIAH1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase containing a RING-finger domain and a key regulator of normal development. Skin and hair follicle development is a complex and special process of morphogenesis involving multiple signaling pathways.SIAH1is enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway and potentially related to hair follicle cycle and skin development. This study aims to provide evidence for the role ofSIAH1in skin and hair development.

Results

Full-length cloning and analysis ofSIAH1was conducted to better understand its function. Phylogenetically, the sequence of SIAH1 in the rabbit shares the greatest homology withHome sapiens,Pongo abeliiandMus mulatta.Based on the rabbit hair follicle synchronization model, we found that the expression level ofSIAH1in the regressive period of the rabbit hair cycle is significantly lower than in the active growth and rest periods. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of skin and hair follicle development-related genes changed significantly whenSIAH1was overexpressed and silenced. AfterSIAH1overexpression, the expression levels ofWNT2,LEF1andFGF2decreased, and those ofSFRP2andDKK1increased (P < 0.05). After interference ofSIAH1, the expression levels ofWNT2,LEF1andFGF2increased (P < 0.05), andSFRP2andDKK1decreased.

Conclusions

SIAH1can affect skin and hair follicle development and exert an inhibitory effect. These results could provide foundamental insights into the role ofSIAH1as a target gene in rabbit skin and hair follicle development.
Cleanliness efficacy and effect on dentin microhardness of a novel plant extract irrigant
Authors: Khallaf Maram E. , Kataia Engy M. , Aly Yousra , Omar Nada , Mohamed M. Abdullah
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study was done to evaluate the effect of the prepared Moringa oleifera-based root canal irrigant compared to conventionally used irrigants on the microhardness of root dentin and smear layer removal.

Materials and methods

One hundred freshly extracted teeth with single root were divided into 5 groups according to the irrigant used: group 1, saline; group 2, Moringa oleifera; group 3, Moringa oleifera + chlorhexidine; group 4, chlorhexidine; and group 5, sodium hypochlorite. Root canal preparation was done using Protaper universal system till size F5 using one of the irrigants after each file. Fifty teeth were prepared to measure dentin microhardness, while the remaining fifty were prepared for evaluation of the remaining debris and smear layer using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in each third of the canal.

Results

Chlorhexidine alone and combined with Moringa oleifera showed higher microhardness values in apical and coronal parts. In the middle parts, chlorhexidine followed by Moringa oleifera showed the highest results. SEM examination showed that none of the used irrigants has the ability to completely remove smear layer. However, Moringa oleifera group showed the least amount of smear layer on canal wall.

Conclusions

Moringa oleifera is a promising final irrigant solution alone or combined with chlorhexidine throughout the instrumentation. Moringa oleifera was proved to have a high effect as a chelating agent.
RESEARCH ROUNDUP
Authors: Winter George
Published: April 2020

George Winter provides an overview of recently published articles that may be of interest to practice nurses. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Photonic Bragg waveguide platform for multichannel resonant sensing applications in the THz range
Authors: Li Jingwen , Qu Hang , Wang Jicheng
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we study a photonic Bragg waveguide sensor for resonant sensing applications in the THz range. In order to enhance the resolution and detectivity of the sensor, we modify the relatively broad transmission spectrum of the Bragg waveguide with spectrally narrow transmission dips by creating a geometrical defect in Bragg reflector and causing anti-crossing phenomenon between the core-guided mode and defect mode. The spectral position of the resonant dip is highly sensitive to the thickness variation in the vicinity of the waveguide core. By designing and manufacturing a Bragg waveguide which includes several sections with different defect layer thicknesses, we can interrogate more than one sample simultaneously and thereby realize multichannel resonant sensing by directly tracking the independent resonant dips. Furthermore, we demonstrate the waveguide platform for online monitoring of the thickness variation of lactose powders, which is captured on the waveguide core via a centrifugal force using a home-built rotating setup. Additionally, we also demonstrate the waveguide for fingerprint detection of powder analytes, which further enriches the sensing scenario of the sensing platform. Finally, we discuss the advantages and the spectral tailoring flexibility of the THz Bragg waveguides sensors for future implementations.
Photothermally tunable Fabry-Pérot fiber interferometer for photoacoustic mesoscopy
Authors: Chen Bohua , Chen Yuwen , Ma Cheng
Published: April 2020

An optical fiber based Fabry-Pérot interferometer whose resonant wavelength can be dynamically tuned was designed and realized for photoacoustic mesoscopy. The optical path length (OPL) of the Fabry-Pérot cavity can be modulated by a photothermal heating process, which was achieved by adjusting the power of a 650 nm heating laser. The optical heating process can effectively change the thickness and refractive index of the polymer spacer of the sensor cavity. The robustness of the sensor can be greatly improved by proper packaging. The interferometer was interrogated by a relatively cheap wavelength-fixed 1550 nm laser for broadband and sensitive ultrasound detection, eliminating the requirement for an expensive tunable interrogation laser. The sensing module was then integrated into a photoacoustic mesoscopic imaging system. Two phantom imaging experiments and an ex vivo imaging experiment demonstrated the capability of such a miniature sensor. The interferometer has an acoustic detection bandwidth of up to 30 MHz and a noise equivalent pressure of 40 mPa/Hz1/2 (i.e., 220 Pa over the full detection bandwidth). The new tuning mechanism and the batch-production compatibility of the sensor holds promises for commercialization and parallelized detection.
Generating quantum superposition states in a levitated nanodiamond
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Bhattacharya M.
Published: April 2020

We propose a method to generate transiently nonclassical motional
states in a levitated optomechanical system. The nonclassicality
arises from a nonlinearity induced by coupling the mechanical motion
of a nanodiamond carrying a nitrogen-vacancy center with its spin
degrees of freedom using a second-order magnetic field gradient (MFG).
We employ a Fokker–Planck equation for the Wigner distribution to
study the effect of the induced nonlinearity on the dynamics of the
system. The time evolution of the Wigner distribution reveals the
transient generation of several nonclassical states. The presence of
these states is also confirmed by the negativity of the Wigner
function. We expect such nonclassical states to have potential
applications in quantum information processing and quantum
metrology.
Plasmonic and photonic enhancement of photovoltaic characteristics of indium-rich InGaN p-n junction solar cells
Authors: Kumawat Uttam K. , Das Abhijit , Kumar Kamal , Dhawan Anuj
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we demonstrate via Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations that the performance of indium-rich InxGa1-xN (x = 0.6) p-n junction thin-film solar cells is improved by incorporating an integrated structure of a 2-dimensional (2D) array of ITO nanodiscs on the top surface and a 2D array of Ag nanodiscs in the active layer above the Ag back reflector of the solar cell. The bottom Ag nanodiscs primarily enhance the absorption of longer wavelengths by coupling incident light into surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and waveguide modes. The top ITO nanodiscs enhance the middle wavelengths (400 nm to 800 nm) by coupling the incident light to photonic modes in the active layer. Thus, the integrated structure of nanodisc arrays leads to a very high absorption in the active region in broad spectral range (> 0.85 for wavelengths lying between 350 nm and 800 nm), significantly increasing the short circuit current density (Jsc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell. In the proposed solar cells, the geometries of the silver and ITO nanodiscs were optimized to obtain the maximum possible values of the Jsc. The highest enhancements in Jsc and PCE of ∼25% and ∼26%, respectively, were obtained in a solar cell containing the integrated structure of ITO and Ag nanodisc arrays. Moreover, the performance of these cells was examined under oblique light incidence and it was observed that the solar cells containing the integrated structure of nanodisc arrays have a significantly larger value of Jsc when compared to the cells having no nanostructures or having only the top ITO nanodisc array or only the bottom Ag nanodisc array.
Long focusing range and self-healing Bessel vortex beam generator
Authors: Hu Zhi-Yong , Tian Zhen-Nan , Fan Hua , Hua Jian-Guan , Qian Meng-Dan , Chen Qi-Dai , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: April 2020

Here a continuous axial-spiral phase microplate (CAsPP), based on combining a logarithmic axicon and a spiral phase plate, was proposed for generating high-quality higher-order Bessel vortex beams. The novel optical component implemented via femtosecond laser direct writing possesses compact geometry and unique optical properties. The CAsPP with a diameter of 80 µm possesses a controllable long focus ranging from 50 to 600 µm and exhibits a good self-healing ability after free transmission of about 45 µm. Unique optical properties were demonstrated in both experiments and simulations, which were well matched to each other. This Letter provides new opportunities for applications in integrated optics, optical trapping, laser machining, and information reconstruction.
Visualized thermal history sensor based on the rare-earth-doped zirconia
Authors: Wang Heng , Mao Qiannan , Lan Bijiao , Zhou Shifeng
Published: April 2020

Temperature is one of the most fundamental parameters, and its accurate
measurement is critically important for thermal systems. Despite
substantial progress in temperature measuring techniques, design and
fabrication of a reliable thermal history sensor, which can remember
thermal events, still remain a significant challenge. In this Letter,
we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new thermal history sensor
based on the rare-earth-activated and yttria-stabilized zirconia
(YSZ). This material candidate exhibits strong
heat-treatment-dependent upconversion emission color. The structure
and optical characterizations indicate that the phenomenon originates
from the cooperative effects of multiple physical parameters,
including crystallinity, crystal size, and the quantity of residual
OH. This allows us to achieve excellent linear relationship between
the heat-treatment temperature and the intensity ratio of the green
and red emission band over a wide temperature range from 800°C to
1350°C. Thus, the thermal history information can be directly judged
based on the emission color. These results provide a major step
forward in expanding the scope of thermal history sensor
materials.
Random lasing based on a nanoplasmonic hybrid structure composed of (Au core)-(Ag shell) nanorods with Ag film
Authors: Zhang Naming , Ning Shuya , Dai Kang , Zhang Yifan , Wu Yuan , Yuan Fang , Zhang Fanghui
Published: April 2020

Metallic films are widely used as electrodes in micro-cavities. However, the quenching effect of metal films is generally considered fatal for lasing, and presents a major obstacle to the development of electrically pumped lasers. In this article, we report on the dramatic performance enhancement of random lasing assisted by a plasmonic hybrid structure composed of (Au core)-(Ag shell) nanorods deposited on Ag film (Au@Ag NRs-Ag film). This study reveals that the Au@Ag NRs-Ag film hybrid structure can more effectively enhance the lasing properties than independent Au@Ag NRs or Ag film. Besides, compared with hybrid structures composed of Ag film with Au nanorods or Au nanospheres, the gain medium deposited on Au@Ag NRs-Ag film has the lowest lasing threshold: only 12.5% of that of the neat gain medium. As a unique plasmonic hybrid nanostructure, Au@Ag NRs-Ag film exhibits a stronger localized electrical field and scattering effect than the hybrid structures composed of Ag film with regular Au nanoparticles. This is attributed to the broader and stronger plasmonic absorption of Au@Ag NRs, as well as to the stronger plasmonic coupling between the localized surface plasmons of Au@Ag NRs and the delocalized surface plasmon polariton of Ag film. Our results could provide a simple way to effectively avoid the negative effects of metal films and realize a lower pumped threshold.
CORSIA - Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
Authors: Strouhal Miloš
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the CORSIA - a newly introduced an emission mitigation approach for the global airline industry, developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It also describes all phases of the project, their analysis and the practical impact of CORSA on aircraft operators. The examples show the operator’s costs associated with this project. The mutual coexistence of CORSIA and the EU ETS is also analysed.
Funkcja profilaktyczna edukacyjnych gier komputerowych
Authors: Polcyn Sylwia
Published: April 2020

Polcyn Sylwia, Funkcja profilaktyczna edukacyjnych gier komputerowych [The prophylactic function of educational video games]. Kultura – Społeczeństwo – Edukacja nr 2(14) 2018, Poznań 2018, pp. 127–135, Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-0422. DOI 10.14746/kse.2018.14.11.

The article presents a modern look at computer games as tools and / or teaching aids used for broadly understood educational and didactic purposes at various levels of education. The author focuses mainly on the use of computer games for prophylactic purposes, and especially in counteracting various negative phenomena occurring in cyberspace.
O potrzebie wspierania rozwoju kompetencji międzykulturowych i medialnych w kształceniu nauczycieli – w poszukiwaniu rozwiązań
Authors: Smoter Katarzyna
Published: April 2020

Smoter Katarzyna, O potrzebie wspierania rozwoju kompetencji międzykulturowych i medialnych w kształceniu nauczycieli – w poszukiwaniu rozwiązań [On the need to support the development of intercultural and media competences in the education of teachers – in search of solutions]. Kultura – Społeczeństwo – Edukacja nr 2(14) 2018, Poznań 2018, pp. 99–109, Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISSN 2300-0422. DOI 10.14746/kse.2018.14.8.

Today, a characteristic feature of life is contact (direct or via media) with “otherness” and the “Other” – ethnically, religiously, nationally. The issue of the links between multiculturalism and the media is essential for education, but it does not seem to be sufficiently taken into account in the formal education of teachers. Therefore, the article addressed the issue of shaping media competences and intercultural competences of teachers, indicating the need to include both these issues in an integral manner. It has become important to consider the dimensions of these competences – cognitive, pragmatic and emotional – as well as to show the issues that should be present in the education of teaching staff. This type of approach seems to meet the requirements relating to the dynamically forming “knowledge-based society and “multicultural society”.
POSTMODERN SOCIETY AND COVID-19 PANDEMIC: OLD, NEW AND SCARY
Authors: MAMZER HANNA
Published: April 2020

Critical events of a dangerous progression, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may become the turning points in the functioning of entire societies. Such events obviously foster changes. They disrupt the sense of ontological security, generate fears and enforce change in the organization of social relations, also in a creative and positive manner. In addition to these effects, they also induce many others. They are a magnifier enabling you to see how modern societies are functioning. Therefore, a pandemic allows to see and describe more clearly the characteristics of postmodern human communities. Some of these characteristics (e.g. group functioning) are essentially constant and unchangeable for humans as a species. In turn, some features are very specific, characteristic for a given time, type of events and nature of participating communities. In this text, based on the desk-research methodology and non-systematic participant observation, I indicate the unchanging characteristics of human communities that emerge in the moments of crisis. I also present the specific features of postmodern communities that have been highlighted by the pandemic. I try to indicate the effects of the pandemic on social relations in the future.
SOMEBODY TO BLAME: ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OTHER IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Authors: BARRENECHE SEBASTIÁN MORENO
Published: April 2020

Besides the impact that COVID-19 has had in the sanitary, political and economic domains, it has also triggered multiple discursive processes, what opens up the field for an analysis from sociosemiotics, the social science interested in the study of ‘meaning in action’. The aim of this article is to discuss from such a perspective how the current crisis linked to the COVID-19 virus has given place to the emergence of processes of narrative construction of an ‘Other’ to be blamed for the threat. While in some contexts the dominant narrative has been that COVID-19 is ‘the Chinese’ –and their unhealthy culinary habits– fault, in others the focus has been set on ‘the irresponsible’ that do not stay home when indicated to do so, as well as on ‘the posh’, given that they can afford travelling and hence can import the virus on their return. Departing from the premise which poses that cognition is articulated in narrative terms, the article argues how, in cases such as the current COVID-19 crisis, a discursive construction of collective actors by means of mechanisms of actorialization, generalization and axiologization is necessary for the dynamics of blame-attribution.
The Clean Air Priority Programme – Evaluation and Perspectives
Authors: Sakson-Boulet Anna
Published: April 2020

The article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Clean Air Priority Programme and to establish possible threats to its success. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management’s programme constitutes an important element of the government programme that goes by the same name. This study, with the aid of an institutional-legal, decision-making and quantitative analysis will undertake to answer the following research questions: (1) can the realisation of the aim formulated in this programme result in an improvement of air quality in Poland?; (2) what, if any, barriers stand in the way of achieving the programme’s aims?; (3) does the Clean Air Programme require further changes? On account of the high energy consumption of Polish homes, which typically results in their owners heating them with the cheapest fuels, emitting significant amounts of pollution, should the programme aims be assessed positively? In the process of discussions however, three types of barriers have come to light: (1) those related to the effective distribution of funds, (2) difficulties arising from programme frameworks that potential beneficiaries might encounter, and (3) potential limitations in the access to EU funding. On account of threats to the success of the programme that have been identified, it is expected that further changes to its functioning will be introduced as well as the ring-fencing of funds for thermo-modernisation and change of heating systems.
Evaluación in vitro de antagonistas contra patógenos de fruto de guanábana (Annona muricataL.)en Nayarit, México
Authors: Ayón Carlos Bryan Cambero , Esquivel Gregorio Luna , Velasco Claudio Rios , Virgen Orlando Estrada , Aranguré Antonio Betancourt , Campos Octavio Jhonathan Cambero
Published: April 2020

Resumen En Nayarit, México, la producción de guanábana es afectada por los patógenos de fruto Pestalotiopsis sp. y Colletotrichum gloeosporioides que provocan pudrición seca y Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae pudrición blanda. En el presente estudio, se evaluó el antagonismo in vitro de tres especies de Streptomyces, tres de Trichoderma y tres de Bacillus. Las cepas de Trichoderma mostraron diferente inhibición en los patógenos evaluados, Trichoderma longibrachiatum mostró el mayor PICR, que fueron de 60.45, 59.33 y 57.9 al confrontarse contra C. gloeosporioides, Pestalotiopsis sp., y L. pseudotheobromae, respectivamente. En el caso de las bacterias, el mayor PICR fue de 58.22 % con B. methylotrophicus contra Pestalotiopsis sp. Las cepas de Streptomyces fueron las más eficaces y podrían estudiarse en futuras investigaciones sobre el control biológico de patógenos de fruto, ya que ejercieron el 100 % de inhibición excepto S. viridochromogenes que presentó un porcentaje de inhibición de crecimiento radial (PICR) de 88.3 % contra Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae.
Nutritional status, production and fruit quality of west indian cherry fertigated with nitrogen and humic substance
Authors: Dias Dayanne do Nascimento , Sousa Karla dos Santos Melo de , Lima Augusto Miguel Nascimento , Cavalcante Ítalo Herbert Lucena , Santos Laura Paula Araújo dos , Cunha Jailson Cavalcante
Published: April 2020

Abstract Information on humic substances (HS) associated with nitrogen fertilization in West Indian cherry is scarce in the literature. The use of soil conditioners, such as HS, can increase the efficiency in the absorption of nutrients, especially N. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate, in two production cycles, the fruit quality, yield and nutritional status of West Indian cherry as a function of fertigation with nitrogen (N) and HS in Petrolina-PE, Brazil. The experimental design was in split plots, with treatments distributed in 5 x 2 strips, referring to N doses (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% of the recommended dose) and HS application (without and with), respectively, with 4 replicates and 3 plants per plot. The N source used was urea (45% N) and the HS source used was the commercial product KS100 (Omnia®), from leonardite, monthly applied at dose of 6 g plant-1. Production, yield, indices of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll, and leaf contents of N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn were determined. Fruits were evaluated for: pH, vitamin C, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA) and SS/TA ratio. Except for leaf N content, which increased linearly with the applied doses, the leaf contents of nutrients, production and yield of West Indian cherry showed a stochastic pattern as a function of the increase in N availability and HS application. West Indian cherry plants cultivated and fertilized according to the recommendation for the crop did not respond to the evaluated treatments. Application of humic substances and N doses did not alter the post-harvest quality of West Indian cherry fruits.
Mean birth weight among term newborns: direction, magnitude and associated factors
Authors: Silva Antônio Augusto Moura da , Carvalho Carolina Abreu de , Bettiol Heloísa , Goldani Marcelo Z. , Lamy Filho Fernando , Lamy Zeni Carvalho , Domingues Marlos R. , Cardoso Viviane C. , Cavalli Ricardo de C. , Horta Bernardo Lessa , Barros Aluisio J. D. , Barbieri Marco Antonio
Published: April 2020

Abstract: A trend towards increasing birth weight has been shown, but factors that explain these trends have not been elucidated. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in mean birth weight of term newborns and to identify factors associated with them. All cohorts are population-based studies in which random samples of births (Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State in 1978/1979, 1994 and 2010; Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State in 1982, 1993 and 2004; and São Luís, Maranhão State in 1997/1998 and 2010, Brazil). A total of 32,147 full-term, singleton live births were included. Mean birth weight reduced in the first study period (-89.1g in Ribeirão Preto from 1978/1979 to 1994, and -27.7g in Pelotas from 1982 to 1993) and increased +30.2g in Ribeirão Preto from 1994 to 2010 and +24.7g in São Luís from 1997 to 2010. In the first period, in Ribeirão Preto, mean birth weight reduction was steeper among mothers with high school education and among those born 39-41 weeks. In the second period, the increase in mean birth weight was steeper among mothers with low schooling in Ribeirão Preto and São Luís, females and those born 37-38 weeks in Ribeirão Preto and cesarean section in São Luís. Birth weight decreased in the first study period then increased thereafter. The variables that seem to have been able to explain these changes varied over time.
Fatores associados à falta de assistência hospitalar nos óbitos por doença cerebrovascular, São Paulo, Brasil: análise comparativa entre 1996-1998 e 2013-2015
Authors: Santos Edige Felipe de Sousa , Antunes José Leopoldo Ferreira
Published: April 2020

O objetivo foi avaliar os fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos relacionados à falta de assistência hospitalar em óbitos por doença cerebrovascular (DCV) e DCV hemorrágica, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, nos triênios 1996-1998 e 2013-2015. Foram utilizados dados dos óbitos provenientes do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Para analisar a associação entre a falta de atendimento hospitalar e as variáveis consideradas no estudo utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson. Dos 127.319 indivíduos que morreram por DCV nos dois triênios, 19.362 (15,2%) não tiveram assistência hospitalar. A falta de atendimento hospitalar em óbitos por DCV manteve-se praticamente inalterada para as características sociodemográficas e clínicas, exceto a distribuição por sexo. No período mais recente, identificou-se maior risco de óbito por DCV sem assistência hospitalar entre indivíduos de cor da pele amarela (RR = 1,48), já em pessoas de cor preta (RR = 0,85), parda (RR = 0,86), nos casados (RR = 0,70), naqueles que residiam no Município de São Paulo (RR = 0,92), nos que tiveram assistência médica (RR = 0,17) e naqueles acometidos pela DCV hemorrágica (RR = 0,47) o risco de óbito sem assistência hospitalar foi menor. Além disso, a falta de atendimento hospitalar em óbitos por DCV hemorrágica foi menor entre os casados (RR = 0,67), naqueles que residiam no Município de São Paulo (RR = 0,74) e nos que tiveram assistência médica (RR = 0,08). As características sociodemográficas e clínicas estiveram associadas com a falta de assistência hospitalar em óbitos por DCV e DCV hemorrágica, sugerindo que há diferenças no atendimento ao paciente com DCV.
Optimal plot size for experiments with black oats and the common vetch
Authors: Cargnelutti Filho Alberto , Souza Jéssica Maronez de , Pezzini Rafael Vieira , Neu Ismael Mario Marcio , Silveira Daniela Lixinski , Procedi Andréia
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal plot size for evaluating the fresh weight of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) and the common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in scenarios comprising combinations of the number of treatments, number of replications and levels of precision. Fifteen uniformity trials were conducted with single-crop and intercropped black oats and vetch. Fresh weight was evaluated in 540 basic experimental units (BEU), each of 1 m × 1 m (36 BEU per trial). The Smith index of soil heterogeneity (1938) was estimated. Plot size was determined using the HATHEWAY method (1961), in scenarios comprising combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15 and 20), r replications (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and d levels of precision (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% and 20%). To evaluate the fresh weight of monocropped or intercropped black oats and vetch in a completely randomized or randomized complete block design, with from 5 to 20 treatments and five replications, plots of 10 m2 are sufficient to identify, at a probability of 0.05, significant differences between treatments of 10% of the overall mean value of the experiment.