bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined Petrosal Approach for Resection of Petroclival Meningioma with Endoscopic Assistance: Operative Video and Technical Nuances
Authors: Liu James K. , Dodson Vincent N.
Published: May 2019

Petroclival meningiomas are formidable lesions due to their deep location in the skull base and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. The combined petrosal approach, comprised of an anterior petrosectomy and posterior retrolabyrinthine petrosectomy, allows for both supra- and infratentorial exposure of the tumor in the petroclival region while potentially preserving hearing function (Fig. 1). In this operative video atlas manuscript, the authors demonstrate a step-by-step technique for microsurgical resection of a petroclival meningioma via the combined petrosal approach. The nuances of microsurgical and skull base technique are illustrated including drilling of the petrous bone, transecting the tentorium, resection of the tumor, and multilayered reconstruction of the dural defect. The combined petrosal approach allows for multiple angles of attack including both subtemporal and presigmoid corridors. In summary, the combined petrosal approach with endoscopic assistance is an important strategy in the armamentarium for surgical resection of petroclival meningiomas (Fig. 2).

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/ipZb9kHcP2g.
Fibrin and Fibrinolysis in Cancer
Authors: Kwaan Hau C. , Lindholm Paul F.
Published: May 2019

In 1878, Billroth discovered that tumor cells invest themselves in a fibrin thrombus, and he hypothesized that fibrin promotes tumor growth and invasion. Since then, many observations have supported this concept, showing that many hemostatic factors including fibrinogen, fibrin, and components of the fibrinolytic system have indeed a complex interaction with cancer growth and metastasis. Fibrin promotes cell migration by providing a matrix for tumor cell migration and by interactions with adhesive molecules and integrins. Fibrin-containing vascular endothelial growth factor promotes angiogenesis. Fibrin interacts with platelets and leukocytes, and promotes their respective carcinogenic properties. Fibrinolytic components exert different effects on tumors. Plasmin activates latent growth factors, and breaks down extracellular matrix (ECM), while urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and the uPA receptor (uPAR) form complexes with vitronectin and integrins to promote tumor cells to adhere to the ECM. This complex also binds the epidermal growth factor receptor on the tumor cell membrane, and signals the RAF-MEK-ERK pathway. The complex also binds to the G protein-coupled receptors leading to cell proliferation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) inhibits apoptosis, and increases tumor cell survival. PAI-1 also enhances cell senescence, leading to production of tumorigenic cytokines by the senescence secretome. The presence of uPA/uPAR and PAI-1 represents a strong biomarker for tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Multiple attempts by blocking various carcinogenic steps have shown tumor-suppressing effects in experimental animals, but human responses are uncertain without clinical trials.
Endoscopic-Assisted Microvascular Decompression of Ectatic Vertebral Artery for Hemifacial Spasm: Operative Video and Technical Nuances
Authors: Liu James K. , Dodson Vincent N.
Published: May 2019

In this operative video atlas manuscript, the authors demonstrate the operative nuances and surgical technique for endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression of a large ectatic vertebral artery causing hemifacial spasm. A retrosigmoid approach was performed and a large ectatic vertebral artery was transposed away from the root exit zone of cranial nerve VII (Fig. 1). The lateral spread response disappeared, signifying adequate decompression of the facial nerve (Fig. 2). The use of endoscopic-assistance during the microsurgical decompression was very useful to confirm the origin and also the resolution of neurovascular conflict. Postoperatively, the patient experienced immediate resolution of hemifacial spasm with normal facial nerve and hearing function. Written consent was obtained from the patient to publish videos, photographs, and images from the surgery.

The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/RlMz44uCDCw.
Existence, multiplicity, and concentration of positive solutions for a quasilinear Choquard equation with critical exponent
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wu Xian
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we consider the quasilinear Choquard equations  −ε2Δu+V(x)u−ε2uΔu2=εμ−N∫RN|u(y)|p|x−y|μdy|u(x)|p−2u(x)+|u|22*−2u,  where ε > 0 is a parameter, 0 < μ < 2 < N, and pN<p<4(N−μ)N−2 with pN=max{4,3N−2μ+2N−2}. Under suitable assumption on V, we research the existence, multiplicity, and concentration of positive solutions for the problem by a dual approach.
Improving the nondestructive analysis accuracy of liquids in a flexible container based on the multi-pathlength spectrum method
Authors: Hou Xingwei , Li Gang , Zhang Shengzhao , Song Shaoxiu , Tian Han , Feng Xin , Lin Ling
Published: May 2019

In order to achieve nondestructive analysis of liquid samples, the spectral analysis of solution in a flexible container is proposed in this paper. However, the difference in the flexible containers reduces the accuracy of the spectral analysis. By analyzing the relationship between the condition number of coefficient matrix (CNCM) and the solution accuracy, a method of reducing CNCM by multi-pathlength spectrum is proposed to reduce the error caused by the differences in flexible containers. To verify the feasibility of the method, different concentrations of samples were prepared with intralipids and India-ink, and polyvinyl chloride sample tubes were used as the flexible container. The experimental results show that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the error caused by the differences in flexible containers.
Terahertz radiation generation by three-color laser pulses in air filament
Authors: Vaičaitis V. , Balachninaitė O. , Morgner U. , Babushkin I.
Published: May 2019

We demonstrated terahertz (THz) radiation generated from a three-color laser-excited filament in air for a wide tuning range and various wavelength ratios of the pump laser pulses. As a pump source, the radiation of the femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser and infrared output of the optical parametric generator were used. It was found that the spectrum of generated THz pulses spans up to 50 THz, while the overall THz generation efficiency is of an order of magnitude larger than the one produced by two-color pulses in an analogous configuration. Our results support the idea that three-color pulses are more suitable for broadband THz generation, since the corresponding waveforms can produce faster free electrons in larger quantities. We have found that the conversion efficiency is significantly limited due to intensity clamping. The spectral broadening of THz radiation is explained by aperiodicity of ionization events in time.
Transparent ZnO crystallized glass ceramics for photocatalytic and antibacterial applications
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Kumar Sandeep , Singh V. P. , Vaish Rahul
Published: May 2019

The synthesis of the transparent ZnO crystallized 9.35K2O-9.35CaO-42.05ZnO-23.36B2O3-9.35SiO2-6.54Al2O3 glass was done using a melt-quenching and heat-treatment route. Three different heat treatments were provided to get different amounts of ZnO crystals in the glass matrix. The X-ray diffraction technique confirmed the ZnO crystallization in the glass matrix. Further characterization was performed using Raman and photoluminescence techniques. The bandgap decreased (3.75–3.14 eV) with an increase in ZnO crystallization. The flower-type morphology of ZnO crystallites was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Contact angle measurements showed an increase in hydrophilicity with the increase in ZnO crystallization. During the photocatalytic ink test using smart Resazurin (Rz) ink, ZnO crystallized glass samples cleaned all ink within 5 h. 78% degradation was observed in Rhodamine B dye (pollutant) using one of the ZnO crystallized samples during the photocatalytic dye degradation test, showing its promising photocatalytic properties. ZnO crystallized glasses portrayed good antibacterial property against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria). Complete depletion of bacteria within 60 min exposure under ultraviolet irradiation was recorded with one of the ZnO crystallized glasses without any external intervention.
Measurements for stress sensing of composites using tailored piezospectroscopic coatings
Authors: Esteves Remelisa , Hernandez Johnathan , Vo Khanh , Hoover Ryan , Freihofer Gregory , Raghavan Seetha
Published: May 2019

Chromium-doped α-alumina is naturally photo-luminescent with spectral properties that are characterized by R-lines with two distinct peaks known as R1 and R2. When the material is subjected to stress, shifts in the R-lines occur, which is known as the piezospectroscopic (PS) effect. Recent work has shown that improved sensitivity of the technique can be achieved through a configuration of nanoparticles within a polymer matrix, which can be applied to a structure as a stress-sensing coating. This study demonstrates the capability of PS coatings in mechanical tests and investigates the effect of nanoparticle volume fraction on sensing performance. Here, measurements of spectral shifts that capture variation in stress of the coating during mechanical testing and in the region of substrate damage showed that stress contours are more noticeable on a soft laminate than hard laminate. It was found that the 20 % volume fraction PS coating showed the most distinct features of all the coatings tested with the highest signal-to-noise ratio and volume fraction of α-alumina. Post failure assessment of the PS coatings verified that the coatings were intact and peak shifts observed during mechanical testing were due to the stress in the substrate. The results suggest the ability to design and tailor the “sensing” capability of these nanoparticles and correlate the measured stress variations with the presence of stress and damage in underlying structures. This study is relevant to nondestructive evaluation in the aerospace industry, where monitoring signs of damage is of significance for testing of new materials, quality control in manufacturing and inspections during maintenance.
Stretched or noded orbital densities and self-interaction correction in density functional theory
Authors: Shahi Chandra , Bhattarai Puskar , Wagle Kamal , Santra Biswajit , Schwalbe Sebastian , Hahn Torsten , Kortus Jens , Jackson Koblar A. , Peralta Juan E. , Trepte Kai , Lehtola Susi , Nepal Niraj K. , Myneni Hemanadhan , Neupane Bimal , Adhikari Santosh , Ruzsinszky Adrienn , Yamamoto Yoh , Baruah Tunna , Zope Rajendra R. , Perdew John P.
Published: May 2019

Semilocal approximations to the density functional for the exchange-correlation energy of a many-electron system necessarily fail for lobed one-electron densities, including not only the familiar stretched densities but also the less familiar but closely related noded ones. The Perdew-Zunger (PZ) self-interaction correction (SIC) to a semilocal approximation makes that approximation exact for all one-electron ground- or excited-state densities and accurate for stretched bonds. When the minimization of the PZ total energy is made over real localized orbitals, the orbital densities can be noded, leading to energy errors in many-electron systems. Minimization over complex localized orbitals yields nodeless orbital densities, which reduce but typically do not eliminate the SIC errors of atomization energies. Other errors of PZ SIC remain, attributable to the loss of the exact constraints and appropriate norms that the semilocal approximations satisfy, suggesting the need for a generalized SIC. These conclusions are supported by calculations for one-electron densities and for many-electron molecules. While PZ SIC raises and improves the energy barriers of standard generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) and meta-GGAs, it reduces and often worsens the atomization energies of molecules. Thus, PZ SIC raises the energy more as the nodality of the valence localized orbitals increases from atoms to molecules to transition states. PZ SIC is applied here, in particular, to the strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) meta-GGA, for which the correlation part is already self-interaction-free. This property makes SCAN a natural first candidate for a generalized SIC.
Improvement of surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection and imaging by multivariate curve resolution methods
Authors: Tan Ziyang , Zhang Yuqing , Thackray Benjamin D. , Ye Jian
Published: May 2019

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags have been intensively applied in biological detection and imaging in recent years. However, both applications often suffer from high Raman background signals from containers such as 96-well plates or autofluorescence signals from biological tissues. Here, we greatly mitigate the influence of these high background Raman or fluorescent signals in both biological detection and imaging using two multivariate curve resolution (MCR) methods including negative matrix factorization and classical least squares. The limit of detection is lowered by one order of magnitude after applying MCR methods to detect target SERS tags in a 96-well plate. Additionally, in a multiplexed cell imaging assay, both false-negative and false-positive results were eliminated with the aid of MCR methods. Accordingly, we suggest a wider application of MCR methods during both biological detection and imaging of SERS tags with high background signals.
Large-scale sharply bending paraxial beams
Authors: Pi Zekun , Hu Yi , Chen Zhigang , Xu Jingjun
Published: May 2019

We demonstrate optical sharply bending beams under the paraxial condition. The curved path followed by these beams arises from the intersection of geometrical rays nearly parallel to the optical axis rather than the envelope of a bundle of tangential rays, whereby conventional bending beams were routinely designed. Compared with Airy beams, such sharply bending beams can turn at a much larger angle, and, surprisingly, exhibit an expedited self-healing process especially when they encounter an obstacle farther away. Furthermore, a simple method to preset the beam path is put forward, leading to free-space active routing of laser peak intensity even to 90° along circular and elliptical trajectories of macroscale. Our approach can be exploited to design sharply curved wave-packets in other physical systems.
Electric field assisted ion exchange of silver in soda-lime glass: A study of ion depletion layers and interactions with potassium
Authors: Takamure Noboru , Kondyurin Alexey , McKenzie David Robert
Published: May 2019

The introduction of silver ions into glass by diffusion from an external source is of interest in modifying the optical and electrical properties of glass for device applications. Silver is introduced to fabricate in-glass waveguides, while potassium ions are introduced to pattern the silver diffusion by locally impeding the diffusion. Electric fields assist the silver diffusion, leading to faster diffusion rates of ions and allowing greater concentrations of silver without a metallic cluster formation. However, ion depletion layers are formed in the glass as a result of the application of electric field. Here, we study the nature of these depletion layers using depth profiles of composition after electric field diffusion, using cross-sectional energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis and infrared spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy). We confirm the accelerated diffusion of silver by an electric field and show that potassium impedes the diffusion of silver even when a field is present. We find that an ion depletion layer is formed below the glass surface by the applied electric field which leads to a thermal relaxation and depolarization process when the samples are reheated. Observation of this process enables activation energies and threshold temperatures for the diffusion of Ag, K, and Na to be evaluated and compared with values obtained by composition profiles. Potassium was found to increase the initially low temperature threshold for silver diffusion, increase the activation energy, and also impede sodium diffusion.
Ultrafast nonlinear absorption and carrier relaxation in ReS2 and ReSe2 films
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhao Xin , Yan Xiao-Qing , Xie Junfang , Hui Wangwei , Xin Xiufeng , Liu Zhi-Bo , Tian Jian-Guo
Published: May 2019

As two important members of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides, ReS2 and ReSe2 have gained interest for optoelectronic and photonic applications. The key to the application of the 2D materials to the optoelectronic devices is to understand the interaction between light and matter. Here, we report that the chemical vapor deposition-grown few-layer ReS2 and ReSe2 display saturable absorption under 400 nm pulse excitation, measured through intensity dependent transmission and confirmed by ΔT/T spectroscopy. ΔT/T spectroscopy substantiates the coexistence of saturable absorption and excited state absorption at 800 nm for both ReS2 and ReSe2. Two time constants are extracted from time-resolved spectroscopy; the short time constant of 10–20 ps is associated with the relaxation of hot carriers and exciton formation, and the long time constant of 70–100 ps is assigned to exciton lifetime. The polarization dependence of ΔT/T reveals that the initial distribution of photoexcited carriers centered at excitation state is anisotropic, and this initial anisotropy loses rapidly with carrier relaxation. The nonequilibrium carriers scattered far away from excitation state are fully isotropic in the entire relaxation process. These findings provide fundamental information for using the two materials in ultrafast optoelectronic and photonic devices.
Experimental investigation of the throttling process and oscillation mechanism in a supersonic cascade
Authors: Wang Ziao , Chang Juntao , Li Nan , Xu Kejing
Published: May 2019

The structure and oscillation characteristics of the shock train during steady and oscillatory flows in a supersonic cascade was experimentally studied. The study was based on the SAV21 supersonic cascade designed by the German Aerospace Centre operating under incoming Mach number equal to 2.27 and flow turning angle of 45 degrees. Before the onset of stall, the expansion waves generated on the curved configuration of the suction surface (stage III) and the separation bubble (stage IV) suppresses the movement of the shock train. A striking feature of stage 1 of the oscillatory flows is that as the throttling ratio increases, the dominant frequency of the pressure fluctuation keeps decreasing and the high-energy oscillations take up more time and a wider frequency range. Then stage 2 (which is composed of large-amplitude oscillations and secondary oscillations) appears. With the enhancement of the throttling ratio, the occurrence probability of large-amplitude oscillations rises in stage 3. The shock train propagates into the upstream passage in stage 4, the final stage. Through cross-wavelet transform, it was discovered that the immediate change of the entrance local conditions leads to the in-phase fluctuation of pressure in the entire flowfield during the oscillatory flows, which is consistent with the observation of Dailey. Further analysis indicates that all the oscillation stages except stage 4, are triggered by the suction-surface flow separation, which belongs to the Dailey criterion. Furthermore, the feedback loop established by the communicating ways (acoustic wave propagation, shock movement, spillage, and separation bubble deformation) is brought forward.
Generation of a controllable electron density gradient using a single plasma source
Authors: Ling Yiming , Li Minchi , Liu Yu , Lei Jiuhou , Yuan Jingcheng , Cao Jinxiang
Published: May 2019

In this work, an experimental design for generation of the controllable electron density gradient is achieved through a large area oxide coated cathode and two stainless meshes. The large area oxide coated cathode is adopted to produce a large area, uniform and high density plasma, and these two metal meshes are specially designed to control the density and potential of the plasma. A boundary layer with independent electron density gradient and uniform plasma potential is subsequently generated. The controllable electron density gradient can be achieved, and the accompanied electric field can be compensated simultaneously using this design, which could be potentially extended to study the excitation of the plasma instabilities when the strong plasma density gradient exists.
Atoms on a surface quickly slip through crowds
Authors: Hill Heather M.
Published: May 2019

High-speed scanning tunneling microscopy reveals recently identified atomic movements that hasten diffusion.
Australia sees big opportunity in hydrogen energy
Authors: Kramer David
Published: May 2019

As one company brings a hydrogen-carrying fuel to market, researchers focus on ammonia as an optimal storage compound for export.
Tracking the journey of a uranium cube
Authors: Koeth Timothy , Hiebert Miriam
Published: May 2019

A mysterious object led two physicists to investigate the German quest and failure to build a working nuclear reactor during World War II.
Seed size and seedling ontogenetic stage as modulators of damage tolerance after simulated herbivory in a woody exotic species
Authors: Lorca E. Agostina , Ferreras Ana E. , Funes Guillermo
Published: May 2019

Herbivory is one of the most important threats that plants face during early stages of development. Previous studies have indicated that seed size and seedling ontogeny strongly influence the response to herbivory at the seedling stage. However, little is known about their interactive effect. We simulated herbivory on seedlings of the exotic Gleditsia triacanthos L. and evaluated the combined effects of seed size and ontogenetic stage at which herbivory occurred on tolerance to herbivory. A greenhouse experiment was performed, with three non-overlapping levels of seed size. Seedlings from each seed size were clipped at two ontogenetic stages (two and five leaves). After three weeks, seedling survival, height, leaf number and dry biomass were measured. Damaged seedlings were not able to reach the size of the undamaged ones. Seedlings from small seeds showed the lowest values in most of the growth variables. Seedlings cut at two-leaf stage showed a higher compensation capacity than those cut at five-leaf stage. Seedlings from large seeds cut at ontogenetic stage I showed the highest compensation capacity in most of the variables. Partly compensating herbivory at this stage may be an advantage for the expansion of this exotic species to new areas.
Contraceptive efficacy and dose-response effects of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist deslorelin in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii)
Authors: Cope Holly R. , Peck Sarah , Hobbs Rebecca , Keeley Tamara , Izzard Stephen , Yeen-Yap Wei , White Peter J. , Hogg Carolyn J. , Herbert Catherine A.
Published: May 2019

Contraception is increasingly used to manage breeding opportunities in conservation-dependent species. This study aimed to determine the efficacy, duration of effect, optimal dose and potential side effects of Suprelorin contraceptive implants in Tasmanian devils, for use in the conservation breeding program. In our pilot study, Suprelorin was found to effectively suppress oestrous cycles in female devils, yet caused a paradoxical increase in testosterone in males. Therefore, we focussed on females in further trials. Females received one (n=5), two (n=5) or no (n=5) Suprelorin implants, with quarterly gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) challenges used to test pituitary responsiveness over two breeding seasons. Both Suprelorin doses suppressed pituitary responsiveness for at least one breeding season, with a reduced effect in the second. There was a dose-response effect on duration rather than magnitude of effect, with high-dose devils remaining suppressed for longer than low-dose animals. There were no apparent negative effects on general health, yet captivity and contraception together may cause weight gain. Suprelorin contraceptive implants are now routinely used in the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program insurance metapopulation to meet the aims of maintaining genetic and behavioural integrity by controlling individual reproductive contributions in group housing situations.
Family of neural wiring receptors in bilaterians defined by phylogenetic, biochemical, and structural evidence
Authors: Cheng Shouqiang , Park Yeonwoo , Kurleto Justyna D. , Jeon Mili , Zinn Kai , Thornton Joseph W. , Özkan Engin
Published: May 2019

The evolution of complex nervous systems was accompanied by the expansion of numerous protein families, including cell-adhesion molecules, surface receptors, and their ligands. These proteins mediate axonal guidance, synapse targeting, and other neuronal wiring-related functions. Recently, 32 interacting cell surface proteins belonging to two newly defined families of the Ig superfamily (IgSF) in fruit flies were discovered to label different subsets of neurons in the brain and ventral nerve cord. They have been shown to be involved in synaptic targeting and morphogenesis, retrograde signaling, and neuronal survival. Here, we show that these proteins, Dprs and DIPs, are members of a widely distributed family of two- and three-Ig domain molecules with neuronal wiring functions, which we refer to as Wirins. Beginning from a single ancestral Wirin gene in the last common ancestor of Bilateria, numerous gene duplications produced the heterophilic Dprs and DIPs in protostomes, along with two other subfamilies that diversified independently across protostome phyla. In deuterostomes, the ancestral Wirin evolved into the IgLON subfamily of neuronal receptors. We show that IgLONs interact with each other and that their complexes can be broken by mutations designed using homology models based on Dpr and DIP structures. The nematode orthologs ZIG-8 and RIG-5 also form heterophilic and homophilic complexes, and crystal structures reveal numerous apparently ancestral features shared with Dpr-DIP complexes. The evolutionary, biochemical, and structural relationships we demonstrate here provide insights into neural development and the rise of the metazoan nervous system.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Environmental Action Scale (EAS) / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española de la Escala de Acción Colectiva Ambiental (EACA)
Authors: Carmona-Moya Beatriz , Benítez Isabel , Aguilar-Luzón María-Carmen
Published: May 2019

The Environmental Action Scale (EAS) analyses engagement in civic actions which seek to have an environmental impact. The EAS has shown adequate psychometric properties when used with English-speaking samples, but there are no studies assessing how it works in other linguistic and cultural groups. The aim of the study is to present the Spanish version of the EAS along with evidence that supports the utility of the scale to be used in the Spanish population. The Spanish version obtained after the adaptation process was first administered to 277 participants. The results pointed to items that did not function adequately, so a revised version was created and administered to 286 participants. Validity evidence based on internal structure showed that the EAS consistently evaluates two dimensions of the construct: Participation Activities and Leadership Activities. Evidence based on relationships with other variables indicated that the construct is also related to other variables, such as environmental identity and moral convictions.
Gulf capital and Egypt's corporate food system: a region in the third food regime
Authors: Henderson Christian
Published: May 2019

How can we define the emergence of new spaces in the global corporate food system? This article argues that regions in food regime theory have been overlooked, both geographically and socially. As an example of the significance of the regional level, it examines the case of the relationship between Egypt and the Gulf states. In addition to Western capital, Egypt's corporate food system has been determined by regional capital from the Gulf. Gulf investment is one of the largest foreign capitals in Egypt's agribusiness sector and it owns companies that have controlling market shares of corporate food. It will argue that this has been concomitant with the political power of a class hierarchy that extends from Egypt into the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
The innovation of antimicrobial and self-cleaning using Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite coated on cotton fabric for footwear application
Authors: Saraswati Mustika , Permadani Resi Levi , Slamet A
Published: May 2019

The Innovation of antimicrobial and self-cleaning material using Ag/TiO2 in a cotton fabric is undertaken to develop capabilities of footwear application. The nanocomposite of Ag/TiO2 was made by using Photo-Assisted Deposition (PAD) method. Ag/TiO2 treated cotton fabrics were impregnated by modified dip coating process with the addition of Tetraethyl Orthosilicate (TEOS) as precursors of SiO2. The addition of TEOS precursors is used to improve TiO2 multifunctional performance in hydrophilic and self-cleaning ability. The synthesized sample of Ag/TiO2 characterized by UV-Visible diffusion reflectance spectrum (UV-Vis DRS) to investigate the gap energy value, X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) to investigate phase of a crystalline material and crystal size, and Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX) to investigate the morphology and recognize the type of atom on the surface of a material. The effects of Ag/TiO2 coated cotton fabrics for footwear application on microbial disinfection have been assessed by Total Plate Count (TPC) method, using Escherichia Coli and Candida albicans as a model microorganism of skin bacteria and fungi, respectively. It was found that the optimum loading of Ag at 3wt% is evidenced by the effectiveness in disinfecting Escherichia Coli and Candida albicans up to 100%, the ability to self-cleaning and the ability in hydrophilicity will be described further in this paper.
Synthesis of N doped titania nanotube arrays photoanode using urea as nitrogen precursor for photoelectrocatalytic application
Authors: Elysabeth Tiur , Slamet  , Sri Redjeki Athiek
Published: May 2019

Addition of urea as nitrogen precursor during synthesis of TiO2 nanotube arrays photocatalyst has been investigated. This study aimed to increase the visible light photo response of TiO2 by applying nitrogen doped titania nanotube arrays (N-TNTAs) for photoanode preparation in the photoelectrocatalytic process. Nitrogen doped titania nanotube arrays (N-TNTAs) was synthesized by a one-step electrochemical anodization method at 50 V for 2 hour, in the electrolyte solution containing water, ammonium fluoride, glycerol and specified amounts of urea as nitrogen precursor followed by annealing at 500°C for 3 h to induce crystallization. Amount of urea (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 wt%) in electrolyte solution and annealing atmosphere (air and N2) were varied to enhance visible light photo response. SEM analysis showed that TNTAs and N-TNTAs were successfully synthesized with diameters of 64–320 nm but the morphologies did not show a significant difference. The XRD results showed an identical pattern dominated by the anatase phase. The size of N-TNTAs crystallite is larger than the undoped TNTAs. UV-DRS analysis showed that N-TNTAs have smaller bandgap energy. The smallest bandgap energy was obtained 2.84 eV from N-TNTAs using 0.2% urea with N2 gas annealing (N-TNTAs 0.2% U-N2). Measurement of photocurrent density showed better activity under visible light with smaller bandgap energy.
Finding the ground state of the Hubbard model by variational methods on a quantum computer with gate errors
Authors: Reiner Jan-Michael , Wilhelm-Mauch Frank , Schön Gerd , Marthaler Michael
Published: May 2019

A key goal of digital quantum computing is the simulation of fermionic systems such as molecules or the Hubbard model. Unfortunately, for present and near-future quantum computers the use of quantum error correction schemes is still out of reach. Hence, the finite error rate limits the use of quantum computers to algorithms with a low number of gates. The variational Hamiltonian ansatz (VHA) has been shown to produce the ground state in good approximation in a manageable number of steps. Here we study explicitly the effect of gate errors on its performance. The VHA is inspired by the adiabatic quantum evolution under the influence of a time-dependent Hamiltonian, where the—ideally short—fixed Trotter time steps are replaced by variational parameters. The method profits substantially from quantum variational error suppression, e.g. unitary quasi-static errors are mitigated within the algorithm. We test the performance of the VHA when applied to the Hubbard model in the presence of unitary control errors on quantum computers with realistic gate fidelities.
Hecke eigenform and double Eisenstein series
Authors: Tasaka Koji
Published: May 2019

Cusp forms for the full modular group can be written as linear combinations of double Eisenstein series introduced by Gangl, Kaneko, and Zagier. We give an explicit formula for decomposing a Hecke eigenform into double Eisenstein series.
Critical 𝐿^{𝑝}-differentiability of 𝐵𝑉^{}𝔸-maps and canceling operators
Authors: Raiţă Bogdan
Published: May 2019

We give a generalization of Dorronsoro’s theorem on criticalLp\mathrm {L}^p-Taylor expansions forBVk\mathrm {BV}^k-maps onRn\mathbb {R}^n; i.e., we characterize homogeneous linear differential operatorsA\mathbb {A}ofkkth order such thatDk−juD^{k-j}uhasjjth orderLn/(n−j)\mathrm {L}^{n/(n-j)}-Taylor expansion a.e. for allu∈BVlocAu\in \mathrm {BV}^\mathbb {A}_{\operatorname {loc}}(herej=1,…,kj=1,\ldots , k, with an appropriate convention ifj≥nj\geq n). The spaceBVlocA\mathrm {BV}^\mathbb {A}_{\operatorname {loc}}, a single framework coveringBV\mathrm {BV},BD\mathrm {BD}, andBVk\mathrm {BV}^k, consists of those locally integrable mapsuusuch thatAu\mathbb {A} uis a Radon measure onRn\mathbb {R}^n.

Forj=1,…,min{k,n−1}j=1,\ldots ,\min \{k, n-1\}, we show that theLp\mathrm {L}^p-differentiability property above is equivalent to Van Schaftingen’s elliptic and canceling condition forA\mathbb {A}. Forj=n,…,kj=n,\ldots , k, ellipticity is necessary, but cancellation is not. To complete the characterization, we determine the class of elliptic operatorsA\mathbb {A}such that the estimate<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartLayout 1st Row with Label left-parenthesis 1 right-parenthesis EndLabel double-vertical-bar upper D Superscript k minus n Baseline u double-vertical-bar Subscript normal upper L Sub Superscript normal infinity Baseline less-than-or-slanted-equals upper C double-vertical-bar double-struck upper A u double-vertical-bar Subscript normal upper L Sub Superscript 1 EndLayout">(1)‖Dk−nu‖L∞⩽C‖Au‖L1\begin{align}\tag {1} \|D^{k-n}u\|_{\mathrm {L}^\infty }\leqslant C\|\mathbb {A} u\|_{\mathrm {L}^1} \end{align}holds for all vector fieldsu∈Cc∞u\in \mathrm {C}^\infty _c. Surprisingly, the (computable) condition onA\mathbb {A}such that \eqref{eq:abs} holds is strictly weaker than cancellation.

The results onLp\mathrm {L}^p-differentiability can be formulated as sharp pointwise regularity results for overdetermined elliptic systemsAu=μ,\begin{align*} \mathbb {A} u=\mu , \end{align*}whereμ\muis a Radon measure, thereby giving a variant for the limit casep=1p=1of a theorem of Calderón and Zygmund which was not covered before.
Reporting Outcomes and Outcome Measures in Open Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hassan Yusuf , Leveille Cameron F , Gallo Lucas , Santos Jenny , Thoma Achilleas , McRae Mark H , McRae Matthew C
Published: May 2019

Background

Comparative studies have shown little statistical difference in outcomes following rhinoplasty, demonstrating near equivalent results across all surgical techniques. Cross-study comparisons of these trials are difficult because variation in outcome reporting prevents statistical pooling and analysis.

Objectives

The authors sought to identify all outcomes and outcome measures used to evaluate postoperative results in rhinoplasty.

Methods

An extensive computerized database search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed; all trials involving n ≥ 20 patients, aged 18 years and older undergoing a primary, open rhinoplasty procedure, were included for review.

Results

Of the 3235 citations initially screened, 72 studies met the stated inclusion criteria. A total of 53 unique outcomes and 55 postoperative outcome measures were identified. Outcomes were divided into 6 unique domains: objective signs, subjective symptom severity, physical function related to activities of daily living, patient satisfaction, surgeon satisfaction, and quality of life. The identified outcome measures consisted of 5 nasal-specific, author-reported instruments; 5 nasal specific, patient-reported instruments; 5 patient-reported, generic instruments; and 40 author-generated instruments. Of the outcome measures identified, the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22, and FACE-Q were the only instruments to demonstrate adequate validity, reliability, and responsiveness to change in patients who underwent a rhinoplasty procedure.

Conclusions

There is heterogeneity in the outcomes and outcome measures employed to assess postsurgical outcomes following rhinoplasty. A standardized core outcome set is urgently needed to make it possible for future investigators to compare results of various techniques in rhinoplasty surgery.

Level of Evidence: 2
Effects of ovarian fluid on sperm traits and its implications for cryptic female choice in zebrafish
Authors: Poli Federica , Immler Simone , Gasparini Clelia
Published: May 2019

In polyandrous mating systems, females maintain the opportunity to bias male fertilization success after mating in a process known as cryptic female choice. Mechanisms of cryptic female choice have been described both in internal and external fertilizers, and may affect fertilization processes at different stages before, during, and after fertilization. In internal fertilizers, females have substantial control over sperm storage and fertilization, whereas in external fertilizers, female control is limited. A key factor proposed to mediate cryptic female choice is the fluid surrounding the eggs, the ovarian fluid, as it may directly affect sperm performance. Here, we studied the role of ovarian fluid in post-mating sexual selection using the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Firstly, we assessed how ovarian fluid affects sperm swimming performance compared with freshwater. We focused on sperm motility, velocity, swimming trajectory, and longevity, all traits associated with competitive fertilization success in externally fertilizing fish. In a second step, we used a North Carolina II design to explore female, male, and female x male effects by testing sperm motility of 2 males in the ovarian fluid of 2 females in a total of 11 blocks. Our results indicate that the ovarian fluid affects sperm performance differently from freshwater. Specifically, sperm velocity, motility, and longevity were higher in the ovarian fluid than in freshwater, whereas sperm linearity and beat cross frequency showed the opposite pattern. Moreover, these effects varied according to male, female, and male x female identities, supporting the potential for cryptic female choice mediated by ovarian fluid in this species.
Protein-ensemble–RNA docking by efficient consideration of protein flexibility through homology models
Authors: He Jiahua , Tao Huanyu , Huang Sheng-You
Published: May 2019

Motivation

Given the importance of protein–ribonucleic acid (RNA) interactions in many biological processes, a variety of docking algorithms have been developed to predict the complex structure from individual protein and RNA partners in the past decade. However, due to the impact of molecular flexibility, the performance of current methods has hit a bottleneck in realistic unbound docking. Pushing the limit, we have proposed a protein-ensemble–RNA docking strategy to explicitly consider the protein flexibility in protein–RNA docking through an ensemble of multiple protein structures, which is referred to as MPRDock. Instead of taking conformations from MD simulations or experimental structures, we obtained the multiple structures of a protein by building models from its homologous templates in the Protein Data Bank (PDB).

Results

Our approach can not only avoid the reliability issue of structures from MD simulations but also circumvent the limited number of experimental structures for a target protein in the PDB. Tested on 68 unbound–bound and 18 unbound–unbound protein–RNA complexes, our MPRDock/DITScorePR considerably improved the docking performance and achieved a significantly higher success rate than single-protein rigid docking whether pseudo-unbound templates are included or not. Similar improvements were also observed when combining our ensemble docking strategy with other scoring functions. The present homology model-based ensemble docking approach will have a general application in molecular docking for other interactions.

Availability and implementation

http://huanglab.phys.hust.edu.cn/mprdock/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Vedolizumab Therapy is Ineffective for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A GETAID Multicentre Cohort Study
Authors: Caron Benedicte , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Pariente Benjamin , Bouhnik Yoram , Seksik Philippe , Bouguen Guillaume , Caillo Ludovic , Laharie David , Carbonnel Franck , Altwegg Romain , Reenaers Catherine , Serrero Melanie , Trang-Poisson Caroline , Nancey Stephane , Filippi Jerome , Abitbol Vered , Savoye Guillaume , Vuitton Lucine , Viennot Stephanie , Fumery Mathurin , Reymond Maud , Bronowicki Jean-Pierre , Reimund Jean-Marie , Amiot Aurelien
Published: May 2019

Background

Whether vedolizumab may be effective as a treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] remains controversial.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients with IBD and PSC, treated with vedolizumab for at least 30 weeks in 22 centres of GETAID from January 2015 to June 2016. The outcomes included a decrease in the serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] concentration of at least 50% from baseline to Week 30 or 54, a change in any serum liver enzymes concentrations, and an assessment of the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in IBD.

Results

Among 75 patients with active IBD and PSC treated with vedolizumab, 21 patients discontinued vedolizumab before Week 30 [due to lack of efficacy in 19 and malignancy in two patients]. In the remaining 54 patients, a decrease in the serum ALP concentration of at least 50% from baseline to Weeks 30 and 54 was observed in four [7%] and four [11%] patients, respectively. No significant change was observed in serum liver enzyme concentrations at week 30 or 54. After a median follow-up period of 19.4 [14.0–29.9] months, nine cases of digestive neoplasia [colorectal neoplasia in seven and cholangiocarcinoma in two] were reported.

Conclusions

In patients with IBD and PSC, vedolizumab did not improve serum liver enzyme concentrations at week 30 or 54. Nine cases of digestive cancer occurred during the follow-up period, confirming the need for a tight surveillance programme in this population.
Effect of catheter ablation on pre-existing abnormalities of left atrial systolic, diastolic, and neurohormonal functions in patients with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Packer Milton
Published: May 2019

The critical role of the left atrium (LA) in cardiovascular homoeostasis is mediated by its reservoir, conduit, systolic, and neurohormonal functions. Atrial fibrillation is generally a reflection of underlying disease of the LA, especially in patients with heart failure. Disease-related LA remodelling leads to a decline in both atrial contractility and distensibility along with an impairment in the control of neurohormonal systems that regulate intravascular volume. Catheter ablation can lead to further injury to the atrial myocardium, as evidenced by post-procedural troponin release and tissue oedema. The cardiomyocyte loss leads to replacement fibrosis, which may affect up to 30–35% of the LA wall. These alterations further impair atrial force generation and neurohormonal functions; the additional loss of atrial distensibility can lead to a ‘stiff LA syndrome’, and the fibrotic response predisposes to recurrence of the atrial arrhythmia. Although it intends to restore LA systole, catheter ablation often decreases the chamber’s transport functions. This is particularly likely in patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation and pre-existing LA fibrosis, especially those with increased epicardial adipose tissue (e.g. patients with obesity, diabetes and/or heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction). Although the fibrotic LA in these individuals is an ideal substrate for the development of atrial fibrillation, it may be a suboptimal substrate for catheter ablation. Such patients are not likely to experience long-term restoration of sinus rhythm, and catheter ablation has the potential to worsen their haemodynamic and clinical status. Further studies in this vulnerable group of patients are needed.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of left ventricular non-compaction in adults
Authors: Ross Samantha B , Jones Katherine , Blanch Bianca , Puranik Rajesh , McGeechan Kevin , Barratt Alexandra , Semsarian Christopher
Published: May 2019

Aims

To assess the reported prevalence of left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) in different adult cohorts, taking in to consideration the role of diagnostic criteria and imaging modalities used.

Methods and results

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting LVNC prevalence in adults. Studies were sourced from Pre-Medline, Medline, and Embase and assessed for eligibility according to inclusion criteria. Eligible studies provided a prevalence of LVNC in adult populations (≥12 years). Studies were assessed, and data extracted by two independent reviewers. Fifty-nine eligible studies documenting LVNC in 67 unique cohorts were included. The majority of studies were assessed as moderate or high risk of bias. The pooled prevalence estimates for LVNC were consistently higher amongst cohorts diagnosed on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging (14.79%, n = 26; I  2 = 99.45%) compared with echocardiogram (1.28%, n = 36; I  2 = 98.17%). This finding was unchanged when analysis was restricted to studies at low or moderate risk of bias. The prevalence of LVNC varied between disease and population representative cohorts. Athletic cohorts demonstrated high pooled prevalence estimates on echocardiogram (3.16%, n = 5; I  2 = 97.37%) and CMR imaging (27.29%, n = 2).

Conclusion

Left ventricular non-compaction in adult populations is a poorly defined entity which likely encompasses both physiological adaptation and pathological disease. There is a higher prevalence with the introduction of newer imaging technologies, specifically CMR imaging, which identify LVNC changes more readily. The clinical significance of these findings remains unclear; however, there is significant potential for overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and unnecessary follow-up.