bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Promising Energetic Polymer from Posidonia oceanica Brown Algae: Synthesis, Characterization, and Kinetic Modeling
Authors: Tarchoun Ahmed Fouzi , Trache Djalal , Klapötke Thomas M. , Chelouche Salim , Derradji Mehdi , Bessa Wissam , Mezroua Abderrahmane
Published: October 2019

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose nitrate (MCCN) as energetic polymer is successfully obtained from Posidonia oceanica brown algae (POBA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show alterations in the intensities of some absorption bands, suggesting a significant difference in the chemical structure between microcrystalline cellulose and the emergent MCCN samples. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that MCCNs are more crystalline than conventional nitrocellulose (NC). According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), both NC and MCCN reveal a compact structure and a rough surface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) displays that the thermal degradation of MCCNs shifts to lower temperatures compared to the respective NCs. Furthermore, in comparison with NC samples, MCCN samples exhibit high density, high nitrogen content, low viscosity‐average molecular weight, and good thermal stability. On the other hand, kinetic modeling based on DSC data is carried out by isoconversional integral methods to determine Arrhenius parameters and the decomposition mechanisms. It is found that MCCNs present lower activation energies than conventional NCs with a decrease of ≈6%. Finally, this work opens a new pathway to prepare MCCN from POBA, and it is expected to have applications in several areas such as propellants, energetic binders, and gas generators.
Super Bulk and Interfacial Toughness of Amylopectin Reinforced PAAm/PVA Double‐Network Hydrogels via Multiple Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Zhang Yikun , Li Dapeng , Huang Yiwan , Long Shijun , Li Haiyan , Li Xuefeng
Published: October 2019

A simple, multiple‐hydrogen‐bond approach to fabricating physically crosslinked, Amylopectin reinforced polyacrylamide/poly(vinyl alcohol) (Amy/PAAm/PVA) double‐network (DN) hydrogels with super toughness in bulk and at solid interfaces is reported. The Amy/PAAm/PVA DN hydrogels exhibit high tensile strength (854.1 kPa), high extensibility (≈eight times), high bulk toughness (4094.8 kJ m−3), good self‐recovery property (≈92% of self‐recovery at room temperature), and strong adhesion to nonporous glass surfaces (≈158 kPa). Such tough and adhesive DN hydrogels have great potential for various applications in engineering artificial soft tissues, flexible electronics, and wearable devices.
Parkinsonism Associated with Gabapentinoid Drugs: A Pharmacoepidemiologic Study
Authors: Pacheco‐Paez Tatiana , Montastruc François , Rousseau Vanessa , Chebane Leila , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Renoux Christel , Montastruc Jean‐Louis
Published: October 2019

Background

Use of gabapentinoids is increasing. Following recent case reports, we investigated a putative risk of parkinsonism with pregabalin or gabapentin.

Methods

A disproportionality analysis of 5,653,547 individual case safety reports in the World Health Organization individual case safety report database, VigiBase, compared all patients with parkinsonism who were receiving gabapentinoids with other patients. Results are shown as reporting odds ratios and the information component, an indicator of disproportionate Bayesian reporting. Sensitivity analyses included comparisons with drugs used for similar indications (amitriptyline, duloxetine) and exclusion of drugs that induce parkinsonism.

Results

Among 5,653,547 reports, 4925 parkinsonism reports were found with pregabalin and 4881 with gabapentin. Gabapentin and pregabalin were associated with increased reporting odds ratio (2.16 [2.10–2.23], 2.43 [2.36–2.50]). Similar trends were found using information components after excluding drugs that induce parkinsonism and for pregabalin compared with amitriptyline or duloxetine.

Conclusions

This study found that gabapentinoids (particularly pregabalin) can be associated with parkinsonism. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Multidimensional problems for nonlinear fractional Schrödinger differential and difference equations
Authors: Ashyralyev Allaberen , Hicdurmaz Betul
Published: October 2019

In the present paper, a nonlinear fractional Schrödinger integro‐differential equation is considered in a Hilbert space. Operator approach is applied on multidimensional problems with nonlinearity that deserve a studious treatment. In this paper, theorems on existence and uniqueness of a bounded solution for the abstract problem are achieved. Additionally, existence theorems are obtained for first and second orders of accuracy difference schemes of the abstract problem. Furthermore, theorems are applied on a one‐dimensional problem with nonlocal condition and a multidimensional problem with Dirichlet boundary condition. Numerical results and illustrations are presented to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Imaging diamagnetic susceptibility of collagen in hepatic fibrosis using susceptibility tensor imaging
Authors: Wei Hongjiang , Decker Kyle , Nguyen Hien , Cao Steven , Tsai Tsung‐Yuan , Dianne Guy Cynthia , Bashir Mustafa , Liu Chunlei
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To characterize the magnetic susceptibility changes of liver fibrosis using susceptibility tensor imaging.

Methods

Liver biopsy tissue samples of patients with liver fibrosis were obtained. Three‐dimensional gradient‐echo and diffusion‐weighted images were acquired at 9.4 T. Susceptibility tensors of the samples were calculated using the gradient‐echo phase signal acquired at 12 different orientations relative to the B0 field. Susceptibility anisotropy of the liver collagen fibers was quantified and compared with diffusion anisotropy, measured by DTI. For validation, a comparison was made to histology including hematoxylin and eosin staining, iron staining, and Masson’s trichrome staining.

Results

Areas with strong diamagnetic susceptibility were observed in the tissue samples forming fibrous patterns. This diamagnetic susceptibility was highly anisotropic. Both the mean magnetic susceptibility and susceptibility anisotropy of collagen fibers exhibited a strong contrast against the surrounding nonfibrotic tissues. The same regions also showed an elevated diffusion anisotropy but with much lower tissue contrast. Masson’s trichrome staining identified concentrated collagens in the fibrous regions with high susceptibility anisotropy, and a linear correlation was found between the susceptibility anisotropy and the histology‐based staging.

Conclusion

Diamagnetic susceptibility indicates the presence of collagen in the fibrotic liver tissues. Mapping magnetic susceptibility anisotropy may serve as a potential marker to quantify collagen fiber changes in patients with liver fibrosis.
Dehydration assessment via a portable, single sided magnetic resonance sensor
Authors: Bashyam Ashvin , Frangieh Chris J. , Li Matthew , Cima Michael J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Undiagnosed dehydration compromises health outcomes across many populations. Existing dehydration diagnostics require invasive bodily fluid sampling or are easily confounded by fluid and electrolyte intake, environment, and physical activity limiting widespread adoption. We present a portable MR sensor designed to measure intramuscular fluid shifts to identify volume depletion.

Methods

Fluid loss is induced via a mouse model of thermal dehydration (37°C; 15‐20% relative humidity). We demonstrate quantification of fluid loss induced by hyperosmotic dehydration with multicomponent T2 relaxometry using both a benchtop NMR system and MRI localized to skeletal muscle tissue. We then describe a miniaturized (~1000 cm3) portable (~4 kg) MR sensor (0.28 T) designed to identify dehydration‐induced fluid loss. T2 relaxometry measurements were performed using a Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill pulse sequence in ~4 min.

Results

T2 values from the portable MR sensor exhibited strong (R2 = 0.996) agreement with benchtop NMR spectrometer. Thermal dehydration induced weight loss of 4 to 11% over 5 to 10 h. Fluid loss induced by thermal dehydration was accurately identified via whole‐animal NMR and skeletal muscle. The portable MR sensor accurately identified dehydration via multicomponent T2 relaxometry.

Conclusion

Performing multicomponent T2 relaxometry localized to the skeletal muscle with a miniaturized MR sensor provides a noninvasive, physiologically relevant measure of dehydration induced fluid loss in a mouse model. This approach offers sensor portability, reduced system complexity, fully automated operation, and low cost compared with MRI. This approach may serve as a versatile and portable point of care technique for dehydration monitoring.
An orthogonal shim coil for 3T brain imaging
Authors: Zhou Jiazheng , Stockmann Jason P. , Arango Nicolas , Witzel Thomas , Scheffler Klaus , Wald Lawrence L. , Lin Fa‐Hsuan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

We designed and implemented an orthogonal shim array consisting of shim coils with their planes perpendicular to the planes of neighboring RF coils. This shim coil improves the magnetic field homogeneity by minimizing the interference to RF coils.

Methods

Using realistic off‐resonance maps of the human brain, we first evaluated the performance of shim coils in different orientations. Based on simulations, we developed a 7‐channel orthogonal shim array, whose coil plan was perpendicular to neighboring RF coils, at the forehead. A programmable open‐source current driver supplied shim currents.

Results

The 7‐channel orthogonal shim array caused only marginal SNR loss to the integrated 32‐channel RF‐shim array. The 7‐channel orthogonal shim array itself improved the magnetic field homogeneity by 30% in slice‐optimized shimming, comparable to the baseline shimming offered by the scanner’s 2nd order spherical harmonic shimming.

Conclusion

Orthogonal shim coils can improve the field homogeneity while maintaining high image SNR.
Trabecular bone imaging using a 3D adiabatic inversion recovery prepared ultrashort TE Cones sequence at 3T
Authors: Ma Ya‐Jun , Chen Yanjun , Li Liang , Cai Zhenyu , Wei Zhao , Jerban Saeed , Jang Hyungseok , Chang Eric Y. , Du Jiang
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To investigate direct imaging of trabecular bone using a 3D adiabatic inversion recovery prepared ultrashort TE cones (3D IR‐UTE‐Cones) sequence.

Methods

The proposed 3D IR‐UTE‐Cones sequence used a broadband adiabatic inversion pulse together with a short TR/TI combination to suppress signals from long T2 tissues such as muscle and marrow fat, followed by multispoke UTE acquisition to detect signal from short T2 water components in trabecular bone. The feasibility of this technique for robust suppression of long T2 tissues was first demonstrated through numerical simulations. The proposed IR‐UTE‐Cones sequence was applied to a hip agarose bone phantom and to 6 healthy volunteers for morphologic and quantitative and proton density mapping of trabecular bone.

Results

Numeric simulation suggests that the IR technique with a short TR/TI combination provides sufficient suppression of long T2 tissues with a wide range of T1s. High contrast imaging of trabecular bone can be achieved ex vivo and in vivo, with fitted values of 0.3–0.45 ms and proton densities of 5–9 mol/L.

Conclusion

The 3D IR‐UTE‐Cones sequence with a short TR/TI combination provides robust suppression of long T2 tissues and allows both selective imaging and quantitative ( and proton density) assessment of short T2 water components in trabecular bone in vivo.
CEST MRI quantification procedures for breast cancer treatment‐related lymphedema therapy evaluation
Authors: Crescenzi Rachelle , Donahue Paula M. C. , Mahany Helen , Lants Sarah K. , Donahue Manus J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To quantify chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast in upper extremities of participants with lymphedema before and after standardized lymphatic mobilization therapy using correction procedures for B0 and B1 heterogeneity, and T1 relaxation.

Methods

Females with (n = 12) and without (n = 17) breast cancer treatment‐related lymphedema (BCRL) matched for age and body mass index were scanned at 3.0T MRI. B1 efficiency and T1 were calculated in series with chemical exchange saturation transfer in bilateral axilla (B1 amplitude = 2µT, Δω = ±5.5 ppm, slices = 9, spatial resolution = 1.8 × 1.47 × 5.5 mm3). B1 dispersion measurements (B1 = 1‐3 µT; increment = 0.5 µT) were performed in controls (n = 6 arms in 3 subjects). BCRL participants were scanned pre‐ and post‐manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy. Chemical exchange saturation transfer amide proton transfer (APT) and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) metrics corrected for B1 efficiency were calculated, including proton transfer ratio (PTR'), magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry , and apparent exchange‐dependent relaxation (AREX'). Nonparametric tests were used to evaluate relationships between metrics in BCRL participants pre‐ versus post‐MLD (two‐sided P < 0.05 required for significance).

Results

B1 dispersion experiments showed nonlinear dependence of Z‐values on B1 efficiency in the upper extremities; PTR' showed < 1% mean fractional difference between subject‐specific and group‐level correction procedures. PTR'APT significantly correlated with T1 (Spearman's rho = 0.57, P < 0.001) and body mass index (Spearman's rho = −0.37, P = 0.029) in controls and with lymphedema stage (Spearman's rho = 0.48, P = 0.017) in BCRL participants. Following MLD therapy, PTR'APT significantly increased in the affected arm of BCRL participants (pre‐ vs. post‐MLD: 0.41 ± 0.05 vs. 0.43 ± 0.03, P = 0.02), consistent with treatment effects from mobilized lymphatic fluid.

Conclusion

Chemical exchange saturation transfer metrics, following appropriate correction procedures, respond to lymphatic mobilization therapies and may have potential for evaluating treatments in participants with secondary lymphedema.
Near‐isotropic noncontrast MRA of the renal and peripheral arteries using a thin‐slab stack‐of‐stars quiescent interval slice‐selective acquisition
Authors: Edelman Robert R. , Aherne Emily , Leloudas Nondas , Pang Jianing , Koktzoglou Ioannis
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Noncontrast MRA avoids potential risks from gadolinium‐based contrast agents. A 2D noncontrast technique, quiescent interval slice‐selective (QISS), accurately evaluates the peripheral arteries but has limited spatial resolution along the slice direction. We therefore implemented a prototype thin‐slab stack‐of‐stars version (tsSOS‐QISS) with nearly isotropic spatial resolution and tested it in the renal and peripheral arteries of healthy subjects and patients with vascular disease.

Methods

The study was approved by the hospital institutional review board. A total of 16 subjects were scanned at 1.5 T: 7 for imaging of the renal arteries and 9 for imaging of the peripheral arteries. For tsSOS‐QISS of the renal arteries, each slab consisted of about sixteen 1.3‐mm‐thick or 2.0‐mm‐thick slices (interpolated to thirty‐two 0.65‐mm‐thick or 1.0‐mm‐thick 3D partitions) oriented in an oblique axial or oblique coronal view along the length of the target vessel and was acquired in a breath‐hold. For tsSOS‐QISS of the peripheral arteries, 20 axial overlapping thin slabs were typically acquired, each with twelve 1.3‐mm‐thick slices (interpolated to twenty‐four 0.65‐mm‐thick 3D partitions). Image quality, vessel sharpness in multiplanar reconstructions, and normalized SNR were measured.

Results

Image quality and normalized SNR in the renal and peripheral arteries were significantly better compared with 2D QISS acquired at the same spatial resolution, while vessel sharpness was improved in multiplanar reconstructions of the renal arteries.

Conclusion

The tsSOS‐QISS technique overcomes a significant limitation of 2D QISS by providing nearly isotropic spatial resolution with improved image quality, normalized SNR, and vessel sharpness in multiplanar reconstructions.
Fast correction of B0 field inhomogeneity for pH‐specific magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer imaging of acute ischemic stroke without Z‐spectrum
Authors: Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer (MRAPT) analysis is promising to provide a highly pH‐specific mapping of tissue acidosis, complementing commonly used CEST asymmetry analysis. We aimed to develop a fast B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm for acute stroke magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer imaging without Z‐spectral interpolation.

Methods

The proposed fast field inhomogeneity correction describes B0 artifacts with linear regression. We compared the new algorithm with the routine interpolation correction approach in CEST imaging of a dual‐pH phantom. The fast B0 correction was further evaluated in amide proton transfer imaging of normal and acute stroke rats.

Results

Our phantom data showed that the proposed fast B0 inhomogeneity correction significantly improved pH MRI contrast, recovering over 80% of the pH MRI contrast‐to‐noise‐ratio difference between the raw magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry and that using the routine interpolation‐based B0 correction approach. In normal rat brains, the proposed fast B0 correction improved pH‐specific MRI uniformity across the intact tissue, with the ratio of magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer ratio being 10% of that without B0 inhomogeneity correction. In acute stroke rats, fast B0 inhomogeneity–corrected pH MRI reveals substantially improved pH lesion conspicuity, particularly in regions with nonnegligible B0 inhomogeneity. The pH MRI contrast‐to‐noise ratio between the ipsilateral diffusion lesion and contralateral normal tissue improved significantly with fast B0 correction (from 1.88 ± 0.48 to 2.20 ± 0.44, P < .01).

Conclusions

Our study established an expedient B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm for fast pH imaging of acute ischemia.
Population Contributions of Large Females May be Eroded by Contaminant Body Burden and Maternal Transfer: A Case Study of Alligator Gar
Authors: Harried Brittany L. , Daugherty Daniel J. , Hoeinghaus David J. , Roberts Aaron P. , Venables Barney J. , Sutton Trent M. , Soulen Brianne K.
Published: October 2019

Within a population, larger individuals tend to have higher fecundity and produce higher quality eggs. For this reason, larger, older females often disproportionately contribute to recruitment. However, increases in body size and age have also been shown to correlate with increased bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants, which negatively impact reproduction and larval survival. In this study, we tested for maternal age and size effects on fecundity, egg size and quality, contaminant body burden, and maternal transfer in Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula to assess the potential for contaminant bioaccumulation to offset reproductive benefits of large females. We measured fecundity and egg quality (via lipid content) as well as tissue concentrations of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in female Alligator Gar from the Trinity River, Texas. Fecundity was positively correlated with body size, but egg lipid was not significantly correlated with body size or with fecundity. Total mercury (THg) in both liver and muscle was positively correlated with maternal body size, and egg THg was positively correlated with maternal body size and liver THg. All liver and egg samples contained detectable levels of PCBs and OCPs, which were positively correlated with body size. Concentrations of PCBs and OCPs were positively correlated between tissues for each female, with egg concentrations being generally higher than liver concentrations. Based on concentrations of Hg, PCBs, and OCPs known to cause biological impairment in adult and larval fishes, the concentrations observed in this study suggest that adult reproductive function and behavior—as well as egg hatching success, larval development, and survival—could be compromised. Our results provide data that are relevant for managing the lower Trinity River Alligator Gar population and also serve as a case study demonstrating that the reproductive benefits of larger, older females may be eroded by contaminant accumulation and maternal transfer.
Opto‐electronic properties of blue phosphorene oxide with and without oxygen vacancies
Authors: Zuluaga‐Hernández Edison A. , Flórez Elizabeth , Dorkis Ludovic , Mora‐Ramos Miguel E. , Correa Julian D.
Published: October 2019

Blue phosphorene is an attractive nanomaterial that exhibits some remarkable optoelectronic properties. Various studies have verified its ability to adsorb gaseous compounds and, in particular, to dissociate O2, forming covalent bonds between phosphorus and oxygen atoms. These covalent bonds could be the reason behind the oxidation reaction that affects the blue phosphorene in normal room conditions. Theoretically, it has been demonstrated that the blue phosphorene oxide (BPO) is just as stable as the blue phosphorene. Given that metallic oxides are widely used as catalyzers and gas sensors, this opens the possibility of the BPO being presented as a gas sensor as well. For all the above, in this work the optoelectronic properties of BPO were studied, along with the generation of the oxygen vacancies. The investigation was performed within the density functional theory (DFT). In the study of the oxygen vacancy, the formation energy was calculated, and the results are similar to the formation energies of oxygen vacancies in other known oxides. It was found that the BPO with a single vacancy has a favorable energetic stability. The characterization of the vacancy is achieved using the electronic structure and the optical response. Additionally, the analysis of the adsorption of a hydrogen atom on the BPO, and the subsequent formation of hydroxide is presented.
Uncertainty decomposition of quantum networks in SLH framework
Authors: Azodi Peyman , Setoodeh Peyman , Khayatian Alireza , Asemani Mohammad Hassan
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a systematic method to decompose uncertain linear quantum input‐output networks into uncertain and nominal subnetworks, when uncertainties are defined in SLH representation. To this aim, two decomposition theorems are stated, which show how an uncertain quantum network can be decomposed into nominal and uncertain subnetworks in cascaded connection and how uncertainties can be translated from SLH parameters into state‐space parameters. As a potential application of the proposed decomposition scheme, robust stability analysis of uncertain quantum networks is briefly introduced. The proposed uncertainty decomposition theorems take account of uncertainties in all three parameters of a quantum network and bridge the gap between SLH modeling and state‐space robust analysis theory for linear quantum networks.
Understand how culture, language, practice impact international student academic integrity
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2019

College students across all demographics can slip up when it comes to academic integrity. But international students are involved in disproportionately higher rates of academic misconduct compared to the general student population. In fact, research shows that international students are five to six times more likely to be reported for academic misconduct. And because international students hail from different backgrounds and cultures, academic integrity education and awareness initiatives will be most effective with this group if they're tailored to address their unique perspectives and needs.
Learn how to effectively manage conflicts with supervisors
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2019

The role of a midlevel professional has its challenges, including knowing how to effectively manage conflict with supervisors, whether on your own behalf or on behalf of those you supervise.
Surveying students in record numbers fueled collegewide success initiatives
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: October 2019

Miami Dade College traditionally had maintained numerous programs on campus to promote student success, but until about six years ago these efforts largely took place on a department‐by‐department basis. “We hadn't taken a collegewide look at what works well for students,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Lenore Rodicio.
Did university violate student‐athlete's Title IX rights during panel's disciplinary proceedings?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: October 2019

Brown University varsity student‐athlete John Doe was charged in 2013 by the school with underage drinking and “nonconsensual sexual contact” with a female student.
Clery compliance award winner shares insights
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: October 2019

When Lieutenant Heather Braun of the police department at Indiana University‐Purdue University Indianapolis found out she had been named the country's Clery Compliance Officer of the Year last year, in only the second year of the award, it came as a shock to the recipient. “I didn't even know I was nominated,” Braun recalled. “I thought, ‘I'm just sitting here doing my job.’”
Considerations in testing treatment effects on transient event driven health status changes measured by patient reported outcomes
Authors: Liu Jingyuan , Legg Jason C. , Mo May , Zhang Xuwen
Published: October 2019

Many treatments and drugs are intended to reduce the occurrence of negative events of interest, control the severity of the events, accelerate recovery from the events, or a combination of these effects. While assessing the clinical effect is typically the primary objective of a trial, testing the treatment effect on the health status of patients based on patient reported outcome (PRO) can be a useful component in determining the value of a treatment. Analysis of PROs in this setting, however, face the following challenges: the PRO value immediately after the event occurrence is often not captured, and the effect of the event on health status measured by the PRO is transient as subjects recover over time. Therefore, traditional statistical methods used to assess treatment effects suffer from low power for PROs. In this manuscript, we apply a kernel smoothing technique to estimate before‐ and after‐event PRO values. We also propose new test outcomes based on observed and estimated PRO values and evaluate tests that focus on the tail distributions. We demonstrate that the tail distribution tests using the new outcomes can achieve high power under certain conditions.
Nanoscale LaDySn2O7/SnSe Composite for Visible‐light Driven Photoreduction of CO2 to Methane and for Monoazo Dyes Photodegradation
Authors: Karamat Nazia , Ashiq Muhammad Naeem , Joya Khurram Saleem , Ijaz Sana , Sharif Muhammad , Ehsan Muhammad Fahad , Sher Muhammad , Ul‐Haq Najam
Published: October 2019

Photoactive materials provide a greener way to convert solar radiation into chemical energy, fuels and for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. We show here nanostructured LaDySn2O7/SnSe composite that effectively harvests in the visible‐spectrum and performs actively for CO2 reduction and photodegradation of foron blue (FB) dye. Various spectroscopic methods and characterization techniques are employed to explore the structural, morphological, compositional, surface area, optical properties, oxidation states of the elements and valence band position. The optical properties of SnSe revealed their action as photosensitizers for stannate pyrochlore LaDySn2O7 under visible–light irradiation. Admirable photoreduction efficiency for CO2 conversion into methane was achieved for composites relative to individual catalysts. They also show superior photocatalytic degradation > 98.8% for foron blue dye. Whereas, individual photocatalyst LaDySn2O7 is photo‐insensitive in the visible region due to large band gap and the cocatalyst (SnSe) exhibited photodegradation up to 15.5%. No observable deactivation of LaDySn2O7/SnSe was recorded after the five consecutive recycles runs for photodegradation of foron blue dye.
Blood plasma high abundant protein depletion unintentionally carries over 100 proteins
Authors: Silva‐Costa Licia C. , Garcia‐Rosa Sheila , Smith Bradley J. , Baldasso Paulo A. , Steiner Johann , Martins‐de‐Souza Daniel
Published: October 2019

There is a constant interest in blood‐based protein biomarkers, which can help to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes of multifactorial human pathologies. In this regard, proteomic studies usually employ plasma immunoaffinity fractionation to deplete the most abundant plasma proteins, due to the high dynamic concentration range of proteins. The depletion of high abundant proteins allows to obtain less abundant and, oftentimes, more interesting proteins. However, the removal of the fraction of the high abundant plasma proteins ‐ the depletome ‐ may co‐elute many unintended proteins due to protein‐protein interactions. Little data is available about the depletome and potential protein biomarkers may be lost during this process. To visualize and characterize these proteins, we analyzed the depletome of 20 plasma samples by shotgun mass spectrometry‐based proteomics. Thus, using immunoaffinity depletion followed by 2‐D liquid chromatography coupled to an ion mobility‐enhanced mass spectrometer, our analysis identified that over 100 proteins are co‐eluting with the high abundant fraction. These proteins play roles in several biological processes, such as receptor‐mediated endocytosis, complement activation, and regulation of immune response. This study supports that investigating the depletome is important in the quest for biomarkers.
Reinstatement and revision of the genus Adelmeria (Zingiberaceae) endemic to the Philippines
Authors: Docot Rudolph Valentino A. , Banag Cecilia I. , Poulsen Axel Dalberg
Published: October 2019

In 1909, Ridley published Adelmeria characterized by its congested terminal inflorescence with large persistent floral bracts. All five species at some point placed in Adelmeria were synonymized in Alpinia by Loesener and subsequent authors. Several phylogenetic studies revealed that Alpinia is highly polyphyletic, suggesting that it should be split into several genera. In the present study, we sampled all five species initially placed in Adelmeria plus additional ones with a similar morphology. The combined analysis of the ITS and trnK/matK regions showed that these species formed a strongly supported monophyletic group inside the Alpinia eubractea clade of the tribe Alpinieae. Although not completely diagnostic, the following morphological characters separate Adelmeria from most of the species currently inside the Alpinia eubractea clade: bilobed ligules; congested inflorescences; utricular bracteoles; sessile flowers; crestless anthers; obovoid fruits. Considering this molecular and morphological evidence, the recognition of Adelmeria is highly justified. In this present paper, we reinstate the genus which is endemic to the Philippines and provide a comprehensive taxonomic revision including a discussion of the application of the name Elmeria. A key to nine species of Adelmeria, four of which (A. dicranochila, A. isarogensis, A. leonardoi, A. undulata) are new to science, is provided as well as full descriptions and preliminary conservation assessments. Interestingly, monoecy was observed in A. oblonga and reported for the first time for Adelmeria. Four lectotypes and one epitype are designated in this study.
Sales data as a measure of antibiotics usage: Concepts, examples and discussion of influencing factors
Authors: Merle Roswitha , Meyer‐Kühling Borris
Published: October 2019

Monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial usage in animals is a public health concern and different methods are currently discussed widely in public, science and politics. The objective of the paper is to present the available methods of monitoring and to discuss possible differences in the assessment of the antibiotics treatment. Sales data are expressed as the average amount of substance per animal or kg live weight (e.g. population‐corrected unit, PCU). The number of Defined Daily Doses (nDDDvet) is calculated by extrapolating sales data with average animal weights and defined drug doses to a number of treatments theoretically applied to animals. In contrast, the number of Used Daily Doses (nUDDvet) displays the actual number of treatments which have been applied. As sales data are relatively easily obtained, they are frequently used. However, their results are influenced by the composition of the population and by the dose of the substances. As both may vary strongly between countries, direct comparison of sales data between countries may be misleading. The concept of analysing sales data is shown by exemplarily using the methods in the ESVAC report 2015. The presentation of usage data in terms of nDDDvet or of nUDDvet increases the comparability of the data from different countries or time periods. Furthermore, fluoroquinolones and third‐/fourth‐generation cephalosporins which, among other substances, bare a potential risk for human health, are used at low doses. Hence, their use contributes to a sales reduction while contrasting the guidelines of prudent use. nDDDvet or nUDDvet have the ability to better reflect the treatment frequency and thus to better link antibiotics use to public health concerns. Quantification of antibiotics should assist to focus on prudent use of antimicrobials to reduce the burden of resistant bacteria and, thus, enhance public health, animal health and animal welfare.
Subsystem trace distance in low-lying states of (1 + 1)-dimensional conformal field theories
Authors: Zhang Jiaju , Ruggiero Paola , Calabrese Pasquale
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We report on a systematic replica approach to calculate the subsystem trace distance for a quantum field theory. This method has been recently introduced in [J. Zhang, P. Ruggiero and P. Calabrese,Phys. Rev. Lett.122(2019) 141602], of which this work is a completion. The trace distance between two reduced density matricesρAandσAis obtained from the moments tr(ρA− σA)nand taking the limitn →1 of the traces of the even powers. We focus here on the case of a subsystem consisting of a single interval of lengthℓembedded in the low lying eigenstates of a one-dimensional critical system of lengthL, a situation that can be studied exploiting the path integral form of the reduced density matrices of two-dimensional conformal field theories. The trace distance turns out to be ascale invariant universal functionofℓ/L. Here we complete our previous work by providing detailed derivations of all results and further new formulas for the distances between several low-lying states in two-dimensional free massless compact boson and fermion theories. Remarkably, for one special case in the bosonic theory and for another in the fermionic one, we obtain the exact trace distance, as well as the Schattenn-distance, for an interval of arbitrary length, while in generic case we have a general form for the first term in the expansion in powers ofℓ/L. The analytical predictions in conformal field theories are tested against exact numerical calculations in XX and Ising spin chains, finding perfect agreement. As a byproduct, new results in two-dimensional CFT are also obtained for other entanglement-related quantities, such as the relative entropy and the fidelity.
Construction of advanced producers of first- and second-generation ethanol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and selected species of non-conventional yeasts (Scheffersomyces stipitis, Ogataea polymorpha)
Authors: Ruchala Justyna , Kurylenko Olena O , Dmytruk Kostyantyn V , Sibirny Andriy A
Published: October 2019

This review summarizes progress in the construction of efficient yeast ethanol producers from glucose/sucrose and lignocellulose. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the major industrial producer of first-generation ethanol. The different approaches to increase ethanol yield and productivity from glucose in S. cerevisiae are described. Construction of the producers of second-generation ethanol is described for S. cerevisiae, one of the best natural xylose fermenters, Scheffersomyces stipitis and the most thermotolerant yeast known Ogataea polymorpha. Each of these organisms has some advantages and drawbacks. S. cerevisiae is the primary industrial ethanol producer and is the most ethanol tolerant natural yeast known and, however, cannot metabolize xylose. S. stipitis can effectively ferment both glucose and xylose and, however, has low ethanol tolerance and requires oxygen for growth. O. polymorpha grows and ferments at high temperatures and, however, produces very low amounts of ethanol from xylose. Review describes how the mentioned drawbacks could be overcome.
Factors driving Arabian gazelles (Gazella arabica) in Israel to extinction: time series analysis of population size and juvenile survival in an unexploited population
Authors: Shalmon Benny , Sun Ping , Wronski Torsten
Published: October 2019

Wild populations of Arabian gazelles (Gazella arabica) were once common on the Arabian Peninsula, but today disappeared from large parts of their former range. In Israel only a small population of currently 30 individuals survived, although it was—and still is—well protected from illegal hunting and habitat destruction. In our study we aimed to identify the factors influencing the population growth ofG. arabicain Israel over the last two decades (1995–2017). We tested the impact of five environmental variables including annual mean maximum temperature, rainfall, the availability of two major food plants, competition with sympatric dorcas gazelle (G. dorcas) and predation (mainly by wolves) on two dependent variables relating to population viability (population size, percentage fawn survival) using a retrospective time series analysis. After testing for autocorrelations, two generalized least squares (GLS) models with autocorrelations at 3 and 6 years [GLS-AR(3, 6)] were identified as the best models to explain environmental effects on populations size. Wolf encounter rate had a significant negative effect onG. arabicapopulation size, whileG. dorcaspopulation size had a significant positive effect, suggesting that wolf predation shapes the population size of both gazelle species. For percentage fawn survival, model residuals did not reveal any significant autocorrelation and the best fit GLS-AR(0) model retained only wolf encounter rate and mean annual maximal temperature as significant predictors. This result suggests a strong impact of wolf predation and increasing temperatures on the fawn survival of Arabian gazelles. Changed rainfall patterns, food availability and competition between gazelle species had no impact on fawn survival.
Design of Complex Oxide Interfaces by Oxide Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Suyolcu Y. E. , Christiani G. , van Aken P. A. , Logvenov G.
Published: October 2019

Complex oxides provide a versatile playground for many phenomena and possible applications, for instance, high-temperature superconductivity, magnetism, ferroelectricity, metal-to-insulator transition, colossal magnetoresistance, and piezoelectricity. The origin of these phenomena is the competition between different degrees of freedom such as charge, orbital, and spin, which are interrelated with the crystal structure, the oxygen stoichiometry, and the doping dependence. Recent developments not only in the epitaxial growth technologies, such as reactive molecular beam epitaxy, but also in the characterization techniques, as aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy with spectroscopic tools, allow synthesizing and identifying epitaxial systems at the atomic scale. Combination of different oxide layers opens access to interface physics and leads to engineering interface properties, where the degrees of freedom can be artificially modified. In this review, we present different homo- and hetero-epitaxial interfaces with extraordinary structural quality and different functionalities, including high-temperature superconductivity, thermoelectricity, and magnetism.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation May Benefit Women with Asthma Who Have Low Androgen Levels: A Pilot Study
Authors: Marozkina Nadzeya , Zein Joe , DeBoer Mark D. , Logan Laurie , Veri Laura , Ross Kristie , Gaston Benjamin
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Among individuals with severe asthma, FEV1 is low in individuals with low dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate (DHEAS) levels. In the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP), no women with DHEAS > 200 μg/dL had an FEV1 < 60% predicted. DHEA has benefited patients with COPD and pulmonary hypertension in small trials. Therefore, we hypothesized that DHEA supplementation may improve FEV1 in asthmatic women with low DHEAS.

Methods

Premenopausal, nonsmoking, otherwise healthy women, 18-50 years old, with mild or moderate asthma and baseline FEV1 > 60% predicted received 100 mg DHEA orally every 12 h for 2 weeks. Spirometry and DHEAS were measured at the initial visit and 2 weeks later, after completion of DHEA treatment. Based on our previous work, the primary outcome variable for this pilot study was post-albuterol spirometry in the low-DHEAS group. Subjects also continued their other routine asthma management.

Results

Serum DHEAS increased with DHEA treatment in women with starting DHEAS < 200 µg/dL: this increase was from 71 ± 23 to 725 ± 295 µg/dL (n = 10; p = 0.0001). The increase in the high-DHEAS group was smaller. Post-albuterol FEV1 increased by 51 mL, from 3.026 ± 0.5 to 3.077 ± 0.49 L (n = 10; p = 0.034 by paired t test, significant after Bonferroni), in women with low DHEAS. In the high-DHEAS group (baseline DHEAS ≥ 200 µg/dl), post-albuterol FEV1 did not change significantly (n = 3, p = NS). Three subjects were excluded: one had comorbid COPD, one could not perform spirometry, and one did not take the DHEA. There were no adverse effects of DHEA treatment in this trial.

Conclusions

Endocrine treatments (corticosteroids) are a mainstay of anti-inflammatory management for moderate and severe asthma. Their use has improved asthma outcomes. Androgens also reduce airway inflammation and promote airway smooth muscle relaxation, but are rarely used clinically for asthma treatment. Our results suggest that the over-the-counter steroid DHEA may improve lung function in asthma outcomes among women with DHEAS < 200 ug/dL.
Who benefits from R0 resection? A single‐center analysis of patients with stage Ⅳ gallbladder cancer
Authors: Chen Chen , Wang Lin , Zhang Rui , Li Qi , Zhao Ya‐Ling , Zhang Guan‐Jun , Li Wen‐Zhi , Geng Zhi‐Min
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Most patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) present with advanced‐stage disease and have a poor prognosis. Radical resection remains the only therapeutic option to improve survival in patients with GBC. This study aimed to analyze the prognostic factors in patients with stage Ⅳ GBC and to identify a subgroup of patients who might benefit from R0 resection.

Methods

A total of 285 patients with stage Ⅳ GBC were retrospectively analyzed at our institution from January 2008 to December 2012. Factors potentially influencing the prognosis of GBC after surgery were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival rates were 6.6% (15/229), 0.9% (2/229), and 0 (0/229), respectively. Ascites (relative risk [RR] = 1.631, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.221–2.180, P = 0.001), pathological grade (RR = 1.337, 95% CI: 1.050–1.702, P = 0.018), T stage (RR = 1.421, 95% CI: 1.099–1.837, P = 0.000), M stage (RR = 1.896, 95% CI: 1.409–2.552, P = 0.000), and surgery (RR = 1.542, 95% CI: 1.022–2.327, P = 0.039) were identified as independent risk factors influencing prognosis. The median survival time (MST) was significantly higher in patients undergoing R0 resection than in those undergoing R1/R2 resection (6.0 vs. 2.7 months; P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, stage ⅣA patients benefited from R0 resection (MST for R0 vs. R1/R2, 11.0 vs. 4.0 months; P = 0.003), while R0 resection had a significant survival benefit than R1/R2 resection in patient with stage ⅣB GBC without distant metastasis (MST for R0 vs. R1/R2, 6.0 vs. 3.0 months; P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Ascites, pathological grade, T stage, M stage, and surgery were independent risk factors influencing prognosis in patients with stage IV GBC. N2 lymph node metastasis did not preclude curative resection, and radical resection should be considered in patients with stage Ⅳ GBC without distant metastasis once R0 margin was achieved.
Reducing speed commands in interval management with speed planning
Authors: Riedel T. , Takahashi M. , Itoh E.
Published: October 2019

Flight-deck Interval Management (FIM) is a modern airborne self-spacing technology that improves arrival route throughput and runway utilisation and increases hourly arrival capacity by up to four aircraft per hour and per runway, compared to conventional air traffic controller guided arrivals. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been the leader in FIM research and formulated a logic that was put to an actual flight test in 2017. Despite the overall success of the project, operational deficiencies concerning the number of speed commands, which led to several recommendations for future research before operational implementation, were discovered. In this study, a new logic that implements a two-stage rule-based selection algorithm was developed to overcome those deficiencies. The proposed logic was compared to NASA’s logic on an arrival in Tokyo International Airport with multiple induced error patterns. The results indicate that the new logic significantly decreases the number of speed commands with only minor aggravations in spacing performance. The results that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both concepts are discussed, and an outlook on and ideas for future research on FIM and the proposed logic are presented.
Canada’s Treatment of Non-Citizens through the Lens of the United Nations Individual Complaints Mechanisms
Authors: ATAK IDIL , GIFFIN LORIELLE
Published: October 2019

The United Nations (UN) human rights treaty bodies play an important role in defining the scope and the nature of non-citizens’ rights. This article offers a critical overview of the UN human rights case law from 2008 to 2018 pertaining to non-citizens — notably undocumented migrants, refused asylum seekers, and permanent residents ordered deported — in Canada. It examines the jurisprudence of the three UN human rights treaty bodies recognized by Canada as having competence to receive and consider individual complaints — namely, the UN Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture, and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The purpose of this examination is two-fold. First, it intends to foster a better understanding of the cases lodged by non-citizens before the UN human rights treaty bodies. The second aim is to explore the substantive issues that the UN committees’ jurisprudence on non-citizens reveals about Canada’s immigration decision-making and enforcement. It is argued that some groups of non-citizens in Canada are at risk of being deported to persecution or hardship in violation of the non-refoulement principle and Canada’s international human rights obligations. The article illuminates several loopholes identified by the UN treaty bodies in Canada’s immigration and refugee protection system that heighten the risk of refoulement.
Team Rubicon Medical Response to Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas
Authors: Bouland Andrew J. , Selzer Jordan , Yogman Madi , Callaway David W.
Published: October 2019

On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a category 5 hurricane on Great Abaco Island, Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian matched the “Labor Day” hurricane of 1935 as the strongest recorded Atlantic hurricane to make landfall with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles/h.1 At the request of the Government of the Bahamas, Team Rubicon activated a World Health Organization Type 1 Mobile Emergency Medical Team and responded to Great Abaco Island. The team provided medical care and reconnaissance of medical clinics on the island and surrounding cays…