bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation exposure alters airway deformability and bony structure displacement during laryngoscopy
Authors: Rees Christiaan A. , Wu Xiaotian , Eisen Eric A. , Pastel David A. , Halter Ryan J. , Paydarfar Joseph A.
Published: October 2019

Background

Prior therapeutic radiation exposure in the setting of head and neck malignancies is associated with difficult airway instrumentation. We sought to characterize the anatomic changes that produce this phenotype.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Five individuals with prior radiation therapy to the upper aerodigestive tract (previously irradiated) and 10 with no prior history of therapeutic radiation exposure (nonirradiated) were enrolled. Computed tomography images obtained before and during laryngoscope insertion (“uninstrumented” and “instrumented”, respectively) were used to reconstruct three‐dimensional representations of the pharyngeal airway, hyoid, and mandible.

Results

In the instrumented state, pharyngeal airway volumes were significantly greater in nonirradiated subjects relative to previously irradiated subjects (P = .01), and overall translation of both the hyoid and mandible was also greater in nonirradiated subjects (P = .01 and .04, respectively).

Conclusion

Individuals with prior therapeutic radiation exposure to the upper aerodigestive tract differ from nonirradiated subjects with respect to airway deformation and bony structure translation during laryngoscopy.

Level of Evidence

4
On homogeneous decomposition spaces and associated decompositions of distribution spaces
Authors: Al‐Jawahri Zeineb , Nielsen Morten
Published: October 2019

A new construction of decomposition smoothness spaces of homogeneous type is considered. The smoothness spaces are based on structured and flexible decompositions of the frequency space . We construct simple adapted tight frames for that can be used to fully characterise the smoothness norm in terms of a sparseness condition imposed on the frame coefficients. Moreover, it is proved that the frames provide a universal decomposition of tempered distributions with convergence in the tempered distributions modulo polynomials. As an application of the general theory, the notion of homogeneous α‐modulation spaces is introduced.
Antarctic thraustochytrids: Producers of long‐chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Shene Carolina , Paredes Paris , Vergara Daniela , Leyton Allison , Garcés Marcelo , Flores Liset , Rubilar Mónica , Bustamante Mariela , Armenta Roberto
Published: October 2019

Thraustochytrids have been isolated from different aquatic systems; however, few studies have reported their occurrence in Antarctica. In this study, 13 strains close to strains belonging to the genera Oblongichytrium, Thraustochytrium, and Aurantiochytrium were isolated from seawater samples collected near the Antarctic Base Professor Julio Escudero (S 62°12′57′ E 58°57′35″). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found in the total lipids of all the isolates; DHA content of the biomass (dry weight) varied between 3.3 and 33 mg/g under the growth conditions for isolation. Five of the Antarctic thraustochytrids were able to accumulate lipids at levels higher than 20% w/w. Two strains, RT2316‐7 and RT2316‐13, were selected to test the effect of the incubation temperature (at 5°C for 14 days and at 15°C for 5 days). Incubation temperature had little effect on the lipid content and biomass yield; however, its effect on the fatty acid composition was significant (p < .05). The low incubation temperature favored the accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), palmitic acid and stearic acid in the total lipids of RT2316‐7. Percentage of EPA, DHA and the omega‐6 fatty acid dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid of total fatty acids of RT2316‐13 was higher at the low incubation temperature. RT2316‐13 accumulated the highest lipid content (30.0 ± 0.5%) with a carbon to nitrogen mass ratio equal to 16.9. On the contrary, lipid accumulation in RT2316‐7 occurred at high concentration of the nitrogen sources (monosodium glutamate or yeast extract). The capability to accumulate lipids with a fatty acid profile that can be tuned through cultivation temperature make the Antarctic thraustochytrid RT2316‐13 a candidate for the production of lipids with different uses.
Spatiotemporal Variation and Size-Selective Predation on Hatchery- and Wild-Born Juvenile Chum Salmon at Marine Entry by Nearshore Fishes in Southeast Alaska
Authors: Duncan Douglas H. , Beaudreau Anne H.
Published: October 2019

Juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. experience high mortality at marine entry, yet our quantitative understanding of predation during this critical period is limited. We evaluated spatial, temporal, and size-based patterns of predation on hatchery- and wild-born juvenile Chum Salmon O. keta by two abundant predators in Southeast Alaska estuaries: the Pacific Staghorn Sculpin Leptocottus armatus and Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma. For the predators we sampled, Chum Salmon comprised 4.5% of the diet by weight for Pacific Staghorn Sculpin (n =937) and 19.6% of the diet by weight for Dolly Varden (n =448), with 88% of the individual Chum Salmon consumed originating from hatcheries. Variation in occurrence of Chum Salmon in diets was driven by date, site, and local Chum Salmon density. The quantity of Chum Salmon consumed by Pacific Staghorn Sculpin varied with predator length, Chum Salmon density, and the proportion of hatchery fish present; however, date was the only important predictor for Dolly Varden. The mean length of Chum Salmon in the diets of both predators was significantly shorter than that of concurrent hatchery releases or seine catches, suggesting size-selective predation on smaller individuals. This pattern indicates that hatchery strategies of releasing larger individuals may reduce the initial vulnerability of hatchery salmon to estuarine predators.
Clinical exome sequencing identifies novel CREBBP variants in 18 Chinese Rubinstein–Taybi Syndrome kids with high frequency of polydactyly
Authors: Yu Sha , Wu Bingbing , Qian Yanyan , Zhang Ping , Lu Yulan , Dong Xinran , Wang Qing , Zhao Xuemei , Liu Renchao , Zhou Wenhao , Wang Huijun
Published: October 2019

Background

Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by broad thumbs and halluces, facial dysmorphisms, short stature, and intellectual disability. RSTS is mainly caused by de novo variants in epigenetics‐associated gene, CREBBP. To date, there is no cohort study of CREBBP variants in Chinese RSTS patients.

Methods

In this study, 18 kids who meet the main criteria of RSTS were recruited. Molecular diagnoses were analyzed by clinical exome sequencing (CES), and the medical records were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Nineteen novel CREBBP variants in 18 RSTS patients were identified, including two missense, four nonsense, five frameshift, one splicing variants, and seven intragenic deletions. A higher incidence (37%, 7/19) of intragenic deletions was detected. One patient who had two de novo missense variants c.[4112T > A, 4118C > A] in cis and one patient who had a de novo frameshift variant c.5837delC in homozygous state (90%) were found in this study. Compared with the previously reported populations, seven clinical features were different, including the higher incidence of polydactyly, syndactyly, microcephaly, and micrognathia, and the lower incidence of angulated thumbs, autistic behavior, and epilepsy. One patient with obesity in the first year was diagnosed with CREBBP gene exon 2 deletion, was initially suspected of Prader–Willi syndrome.

Conclusion

We reported the genetic and clinical information of 18 RSTS patients from Chinese population with novel CREBBP variants. This study provides a new insight into RSTS and illustrates the value of applying CES which increases the diagnostic yields and enhances the clinical care of RSTS patients.
Effects of early trauma and corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor 1 gene polymorphism on adult visual spatial memory
Authors: Sun Fei‐Fei , Wang Ran , Li Na , Zhao Xiao‐Chuan , Wang Lan , Song Mei , Yu Lu‐Lu , Chen Ya‐Nan , An Cui‐Xia , Wang Xue‐Yi
Published: October 2019

Background

The study sought to determine the effects of earthquake on the working memory of adults who experienced earthquake either as infants or fetuses and also investigates whether earthquake exposure and corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor 1 (CRHR1) variants rs242924 and rs7209436 interacted with each other in modulating working memory.

Methods

We enrolled subjects who experienced the Tangshan Earthquake as fetuses (group I) or infants (group II), as well as those who did not experience the earthquake (group III). Their working memory was measured using Brief Visuospatial Memory Test‐Revised (BVMT‐R) and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test‐Revised (HVLT‐R). Two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CRHR1 rs242924 and rs7209436 were analyzed by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The study enrolled 535 subjects, including 172 subjects in group I, 176 subjects group II, and 187 subjects in group III. Both group I and II had significantly lower BVMT‐R scores than group III (p < .05). Moreover, no difference was observed in HVLT‐R scores among the three groups (p > .05). The allele frequency was 84.7% for AA, 82.8% for TT, 13.6% for AC, and 15.9% for TC. C gene carriers in group II (t = −4.231, p < .01) and group I (t = −3.201, p < .05) had significantly lower visual spatial memory scores than group III. Furthermore, AT gene carriers had significantly lower visual spatial memory scores than C gene carriers in group III (t = 2.215, p < .05). Moreover, there was significant interaction between earthquake exposure and CRHR1 genotype in their effects on visual spatial memory (F = 4.028, p < .05).

Conclusions

Our cross‐sectional study has demonstrated that infant or fetus exposure to earthquake impairs visual spatial memory during adulthood and CRHR1 polymorphisms and earthquake exposure may interact with each other to accentuate this impairment.
A two‐dimensional beam tilted Fabry‐Perot antenna based on a phase gradient partially reflecting surface
Authors: Jia Yongtao , Liu Ying , Yang Xuerui , Yang Xu , Sun Lei
Published: October 2019

A Fabry‐Perot (F‐P) antenna based on a two‐dimensional (2D) phase gradient partially reflecting surface (PGPRS) is proposed and discussed. The proposed PGPRS consists of two metallic layers printed on opposite sides of a substrate. The main beam of the antenna can be controlled to realize a large 2D tilted angle by arranging the unit cells of the PGPRS reasonably. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and tested. The simulated and measured results show that the beam can be deflected to θ = 55°, φ = 225° within the operating frequency band ranging from 5.36 to 5.7 GHz.
Bandwidth‐switchable cellular CMOS RF receiver front‐end for intra‐band carrier aggregation
Authors: Han Junghwan
Published: October 2019

A bandwidth‐switchable cellular complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor radio frequency receiver front‐end design employing a current‐reusing technique is presented in a 65‐nm RF CMOS technology. The proposed single‐ended receiver front‐end can fully support both narrowband and wideband multiple‐channel RF signals for up to three intraband carrier aggregations with high performance and low direct current consumption. To achieve different bandwidth‐handling capability, a narrowband‐ and a wideband‐switchable low noise amplifier is provided to realize appropriate matching conditions and transconductance, while maintaining high performance in multiple component carrier (CC) modes. The design operates at frequency bands of 700‐2700 MHz with 1.2 V. The design achieves conversion gains of more than 40 and 46 dB and noise figures (NFs) of less than 4.9 and 3.5 dB in wideband and narrowband modes, respectively. NF degradation in multiple CC modes is less than 0.5 dB for both bandwidth conditions.
Balancing between extremes—Work in hospital‐at‐home
Authors: Vaartio‐Rajalin Heli , Ngoni Kasanga , Fagerström Lisbeth
Published: October 2019

Aim

To describe HAH staff's perceptions about HAH care, including work structures, processes and outcomes.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive study of three HAH units in Finland.

Methods

Three focus group interviews of interprofessional staff members (N = 24) were analysed through thematic content analysis (COREQ). In addition, an audit visit was conducted at Guy's and St Thomas' @home service, the United Kingdom.

Results

The Finnish HAH staff perceived they were balancing between different extremes: the patient's and his/her near‐one's opinions and wishes, well‐being and integrity, the promotion of person‐centred care and own work safety, a deeper meaning for work and the need for further support. Both in Finland and the UK, patients were perceived to be satisfied with care and HAH was perceived to save hospital bed places.
Diabetes and female sexual health: an ongoing challenge
Authors: Barnard Katharine D , Naranjo Diana , Johnson Nicole , Norton Anna , Scibilia Renza , Reidy Claire , Tutton Sarah , Meeking Daryl
Published: October 2019

Female sexual health remains a much‐neglected area in diabetes clinical medicine; however, it is important for psychological and social well‐being as well as reproductive function. We aimed to explore the views of women regarding the impact of diabetes on sexual health beyond pregnancy and reproduction.

We conducted an online survey distributed via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn; the survey remained open for four weeks. Questions addressed a range of medical and psychological factors including body image, self‐esteem and confidence.

A total of 258 participants, aged 18–73 years, completed the survey. Results show a significant deterioration over the past 20 years, with issues including negative impact on self‐esteem (68.6%) and relationships (61.6%), feeling less attractive (57.8%), feeling lonely/isolated (66.3%), worries about fertility (52.7%) and pregnancy (69.4%), and worry about diabetes being passed on to children (79.5%). Medical factors included vaginal infections (77.9%), dyspareunia (51.2%), and general orgasmic problems (57.4%). Almost half (49.2%) were unaware that these problems were more common in women with diabetes. Shorter duration of diabetes was negatively associated with self‐esteem (p<0.002), loneliness (p<0.001), and impact on relationships (p<0.017). Those without children and those aged under 35 years were more worried about fertility (p=0.000) and pregnancy (p=0.000).

It was concluded that sexual health issues continue to pose challenges for women with diabetes in terms of medical and psychological challenges. The psychosocial aspects of diabetes and sexuality, including feeling unattractive both physically and emotionally are widely reported by participants, demonstrating the very damaging and distressing personal consequences. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons. Practical Diabetes 2019; 36(5): 165–169
Identification of Δ6‐unsaturated, monoenyl type I pheromone compounds from the cashew stem borer Anthistarcha binocularis (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
Authors: Leal Soares Ariane M , B França Paulo H , Triana Merybeth F , dos Santos Jakeline M , S Dias‐Pini Nívia , F Goulart Henrique , Araújo‐Júnior João X , Goulart Santana Antônio E
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

The cashew stem borer Anthistarcha binocularis (Meyrick) is a major pest in cashew orchards in Brazil. The damage caused by the larvae results in economic losses, and the available chemical control is not suitable because of the endophytic nature of A. binocularis. The identification of the A. binocularis sex pheromone could provide novel applications for the detection and monitoring of this species.

RESULTS

Two compounds from female sex gland extracts elicited electrophysiological responses on male antennae. They were identified as dodec‐6‐en‐1‐ol and dodec‐6‐en‐1‐yl acetate by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. E/Z stereoisomers of both compounds were synthesized, and the electroantennograms for the synthetic compounds showed the strongest responses for the (E)‐stereoisomers of the alcohol and acetate. In a field trial, the E6‐12:OH/E6‐12:OAc mixture attracted male A. binocularis, whereas the Z6‐12:OH/Z6‐12:OAc mixture attracted no specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioactive compounds from the sex pheromone of A. binocularis have been identified as a mixture of two previously unidentified pheromone compounds: E6‐12:OH and E6‐12:OAc. The mixture of both compounds was attractive to males in preliminary field experiments, and this study is the first report of Δ6‐unsaturated monoenyl pheromone compounds in Lepidoptera. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of predator cues and pesticide resistance on the toxicity of a (bio)pesticide mixture
Authors: Delnat Vienna , Janssens Lizanne , Stoks Robby
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Populations of target species are typically exposed to pesticide mixtures and natural stressors such as predator cues, and are increasingly developing resistance to single pesticides. Nevertheless, we have poor knowledge whether natural stressors and the presence of pesticide resistance shape mixture toxicity. We tested the single and combined effects of the pesticide chlorpyrifos and the biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) on the survival of the Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus, Say) and whether these effects were magnified by synthetic predator cues of Notonecta water bugs and differed between a chlorpyrifos‐resistant (Ace‐1R) and non‐resistant (S‐Lab) strain.

RESULTS

Single exposure to Bti caused mortality in both strains (S‐Lab ∼27%, Ace‐1R ∼41%) and single exposure to chlorpyrifos caused only mortality in the S‐Lab strain (∼33%), while predator cues did not induce mortality. The chlorpyrifos‐resistant strain was 1.5‐fold more sensitive to Bti, indicating a cost of resistance. The interaction types between chlorpyrifos and Bti (additive), between chlorpyrifos and predator cues (additive), and between Bti and predator cues (synergistic) were consistent in both strains. Despite predator cues making Bti approximately 8% more lethal, they did not change the additive interaction between Bti and chlorpyrifos in their mixture in either strain.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the resistance against chlorpyrifos was not partly lifted when chlorpyrifos exposure was combined with Bti and predator cues. Identifying the interaction type within pesticide mixtures and how this depends on natural stressors is important to select control strategies that give a disadvantage to resistant individuals compared to non‐resistant individuals. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Abdi Milad , Mirkalantari Shiva , Amirmozafari Nour
Published: October 2019

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides (HDPs) are vital components of human innate defense system targeting human‐related bacteria. Many bacteria have various mechanisms interfering with AMP activity, causing resistance to AMPs. Since AMPs are considered as potential novel antimicrobial drugs, understanding the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to direct killing of AMPs is of great significance. In this review, a comparative overview of bacterial strategies for resistance to direct killing of various AMPs is presented. Such strategies include bacterial cell envelope modification, AMP degradation, sequestration, expelling, and capsule.
Dual closed‐loop tracking control for wheeled mobile robots via active disturbance rejection control and model predictive control
Authors: Yang Hongjiu , Guo Mingchao , Xia Yuanqing , Sun Zhongqi
Published: October 2019

A dual closed‐loop tracking control is proposed for a wheeled mobile robot based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) and model predictive control (MPC). In the inner loop system, the ADRC scheme with an extended state observer (ESO) is proposed to estimate and compensate external disturbances. In the outer loop system, the MPC strategy is developed to generate a desired velocity for the inner loop dynamic system subject to a diamond‐shaped input constraint. Both effectiveness and stability analysis are given for the ESO and the dual closed‐loop system, respectively. Simulation results demonstrate the performances of the proposed control scheme.
Distributed fixed‐time attitude coordination control for multiple rigid spacecraft
Authors: Zou An‐Min , Fan Zhun
Published: October 2019

In this paper, the fixed‐time attitude coordination control for multiple rigid spacecraft under an undirected communication graph is investigated. By using the backstepping technique, the distributed fixed‐time observer, and the method of “adding a power integrator,” a distributed fixed‐time attitude coordination control law is designed for a group of spacecraft. The proposed control scheme is nonsingular and can guarantee a group of rigid spacecraft simultaneously tracking a common desired attitude within fixed time even when the time‐varying reference attitude is available only to a subset of the group members. Rigorous analysis is provided to show that the attitude consensus tracking errors can converge to the origin in finite time which is bounded by a fixed constant independent of initial conditions. Numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control law.
Characterization and Comparison of Postnatal Rat Meniscus Stem Cells at Different Developmental Stages
Authors: He Shaoqi , Ruan Dengfeng , Chen Yangwu , Ran Jisheng , Chen Xiao , Yin Zi , Tang Chenqi , Huang Jiayun , Heng Boon Chin , Chen Jialin , Chen Weishan , Shen Weiliang , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: October 2019

Meniscus-derived stem cells (MeSCs) are a potential cell source for meniscus tissue engineering. The stark morphological and structural changes of meniscus tissue during development indicate the complexity of MeSCs at different tissue regions and stages of development. In this study, we characterized and compared postnatal rat meniscus tissue and MeSCs at different tissue regions and stages of development. We observed that the rat meniscus tissue exhibited marked changes in tissue morphology during development, with day 7 being the most representative time point of different developmental stages. All rat MeSCs displayed typical stem cell characteristics. Rat MeSCs derived from day 7 inner meniscus tissue exhibited the highest self-renewal capacity, cell proliferation, differentiation potential toward various mesenchymal lineage and the highest expression levels of chondrogenic genes and proteins. Transplantation of rat MeSCs derived from day 7 inner meniscus tissue promoted neo-tissue formation and effectively protected joint surface cartilage in vivo. Our results demonstrated for the first time that rat MeSCs are not necessarily better at earlier developmental stages, and that rat MeSCs derived from day 7 inner meniscus tissue may be a superior cell source for effective meniscus regeneration and articular cartilage protection. This information could make a significant contribution to human meniscus tissue engineering in the future. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:1318&1329
Preparation of Organic‐Free Two‐Dimensional Kaolinite Nanosheets by In Situ Interlayer Fenton Reaction
Authors: Liu Tong , Qu Hao , Tian Jiaxin , He Sihui , Su Yue , Su Haiquan
Published: October 2019

A novel and facile approach to prepare exfoliated two‐dimensional (2D) kaolinite is reported in this study. The exfoliation was performed through a reaction of kaolinite‐dimethylsulfoxide intercalation compound with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The characterizations indicated that the reaction was an interlayer in‐situ Fenton reaction where Fe2+ in kaolinite plays a key role and the produced gas is the driven force of kaolinite exfoliation. It is important that the obtained nanosheets were only about 2 nm thick and there were no residual organic compounds on their surface, which was critical for certain practical applications. In addition, the exfoliated kaolinite showed an enhanced Pb (II) adsorption performance in a wide pH range of 2.5‐6.5 compared with the original kaolinite.
Pyridyl Azo‐Based Progelator in Selective Sensing of Hg2+ and Ag+ Ions via Sol to Gel Conversion
Authors: Raza Rameez , Dey Nilakshi , Panja Atanu , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: October 2019

A pyridyl azo‐based progelator 1 has been designed and synthesized for selective detection of Hg2+ and Ag+ ions in sol‐gel media. Compound 1 acts as nongelator in DMSO‐H2O (1:1, v/v) while its aldehyde‐counterpart 3 forms stable gel under identical conditions. The specific Hg2+‐induced deprotection of the thioacetal functionality in 1 results in in‐situ formation of the precursor aldehyde 3 and thereby induces sol‐to‐gel transformation in DMSO‐H2O (1:1, v/v). Gelation is also observed in the presence of Ag+ ion. Interestingly, the gelation modes of 1 in the presence of Hg2+ and Ag+ ions are different. The Hg2+‐induced gelation involves dosimetric sensing while the Ag+‐induced gelation involves simple metal‐ligand non‐covalent interaction, as established by using different chelating agents and spectroscopic techniques. The design of metal‐responsive low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) involving protection/deprotection of functional groups in gelator structure is rarely investigated in the literature and hence draws attention.
Multimodal Precision Imaging of Pulmonary Nanoparticle Delivery in Mice: Dynamics of Application, Spatial Distribution, and Dosimetry
Authors: Yang Lin , Gradl Regine , Dierolf Martin , Möller Winfried , Kutschke David , Feuchtinger Annette , Hehn Lorenz , Donnelley Martin , Günther Benedikt , Achterhold Klaus , Walch Axel , Stoeger Tobias , Razansky Daniel , Pfeiffer Franz , Morgan Kaye S. , Schmid Otmar
Published: October 2019

Targeted delivery of nanomedicine/nanoparticles (NM/NPs) to the site of disease (e.g., the tumor or lung injury) is of vital importance for improved therapeutic efficacy. Multimodal imaging platforms provide powerful tools for monitoring delivery and tissue distribution of drugs and NM/NPs. This study introduces a preclinical imaging platform combining X‐ray (two modes) and fluorescence imaging (three modes) techniques for time‐resolved in vivo and spatially resolved ex vivo visualization of mouse lungs during pulmonary NP delivery. Liquid mixtures of iodine (contrast agent for X‐ray) and/or (nano)particles (X‐ray absorbing and/or fluorescent) are delivered to different regions of the lung via intratracheal instillation, nasal aspiration, and ventilator‐assisted aerosol inhalation. It is demonstrated that in vivo propagation‐based phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging elucidates the dynamic process of pulmonary NP delivery, while ex vivo fluorescence imaging (e.g., tissue‐cleared light sheet fluorescence microscopy) reveals the quantitative 3D drug/particle distribution throughout the entire lung with cellular resolution. The novel and complementary information from this imaging platform unveils the dynamics and mechanisms of pulmonary NM/NP delivery and deposition for each of the delivery routes, which provides guidance on optimizing pulmonary delivery techniques and novel‐designed NM for targeting and efficacy.
Peptide Nanotube‐Templated Biomineralization of Cu2−xS Nanoparticles for Combination Treatment of Metastatic Tumor
Authors: Lai Yi , Xu Zhiai , Hu Xianli , Lei Li , Li Lingling , Dong Liang , Yu Haijun , Zhang Wen
Published: October 2019

1D peptide nanostructures (i.e., peptide nanotubes, PNTs) exhibit tunable chemo‐physical properties and functions such as improved tissue adhesion, increased cellular uptake, and elongated blood circulation. In this study, the application of PNTs as a desirable 1D template for biomineralization of Cu2−xS nanoparticles (Cu2−xS NPs, x = 1–2) is reported. Monodisperse Cu2−xS NPs are uniformly coated on the peptide nanotubes owing to the specific high binding affinity of Cu ions to the imidazole groups exposed on the surface of nanotubes. The Cu2−xS NP–coated PNTs are further covalently grafted with an oxaliplatin prodrug (Pt–CuS–PNTs) to construct a versatile nanoplatform for combination cancer therapy. Upon 808 nm laser illumination, the nanoplatform induces significant hyperthermia effect and elicits reactive oxygen species generation through electron transfer and Fenton‐like reaction. It is demonstrated that the versatile nanoplatform dramatically inhibits tumor growth and lung metastasis of melanoma in a B16‐F10 melanoma tumor‐bearing mouse model by combined photo‐ and chemotherapy. This study highlights the ability of PNTs for biomineralization of metal ions and the promising potential of such nanoplatforms for cancer treatment.
In‐Plane Potential Gradient Induces Low Frictional Energy Dissipation during the Stick‐Slip Sliding on the Surfaces of 2D Materials
Authors: He Feng , Yang Xiao , Bian Zhengliang , Xie Guoxin , Guo Dan , Luo Jianbin
Published: October 2019

Understanding the nanoscale friction properties of 2D materials and further manipulating their friction behaviors is of great significance for the development of various micro/nanodevices. Recent studies, taking advantage of the close relationship between friction and surface charges, use an external out‐of‐plane electric field to control the interfacial friction. Nevertheless, friction increases with the application of the out‐of‐plane electric field in most cases. Here, an in‐plane potential gradient is applied for the investigation of the contribution of electric charges to friction on the surfaces of 2D materials. Experimental results show that the friction between an atomic force microscope tip and the flakes of 2D materials decreases with the application of the in‐plane potential gradient, and the higher the potential gradient, the greater the friction decrease. By comparing the in situ atomic‐level stick‐slip maps before and after the application of the in‐plane potential gradient, it is proposed that the promotion of low friction dissipative motion during the stick‐slip process owing to the presence of the potential gradient gives rise to the friction reduction. These results not only help to reveal the origin of friction, but also provide a novel way to manipulate friction through an electrically‐controlled sliding process.
Nonconfinement Structure Revealed in Dion–Jacobson Type Quasi‐2D Perovskite Expedites Interlayer Charge Transport
Authors: Yu Shuang , Yan Yajie , Abdellah Mohamed , Pullerits Tõnu , Zheng Kaibo , Liang Ziqi
Published: October 2019

Dion–Jacobson (DJ) type 2D perovskites with a single organic cation layer exhibit a narrower distance between two adjacent inorganic layers compared to the corresponding Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites, which facilitates interlayer charge transport. However, the internal crystal structures in 2D DJ perovskites remain elusive. Herein, in a p‐xylylenediamine (PDMA)‐based DJ perovskite bearing bifunctional NH3+ spacer, the compression from confinement structure (inorganic layer number, n = 1, 2) to nonconfinement structure (n > 3) with the decrease of PDMA molar ratio is unraveled. Remarkably, the nonconfined perovskite displays shorter spacing between 2D quantum wells, which results in a lower exciton binding energy and hence promotes exciton dissociation. The significantly diminishing quantum confinement promotes interlayer charge transport leading to a maximum photovoltaic efficiency of ≈11%. Additionally, the tighter interlayer packing arising from the squeezing of inorganic octahedra gives rise to enhanced ambient stability.
SnO2–Carbon Nanotubes Hybrid Electron Transport Layer for Efficient and Hysteresis‐Free Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Tang Huijie , Cao Qi , He Ziwei , Wang Shuangjie , Han Jian , Li Tongtong , Gao Bingyu , Yang Jiabao , Deng Dongshan , Li Xuanhua
Published: October 2019

Tin oxide (SnO2) has recently received increasing attention as an electron transport layer (ETL) in planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and is considered a possible alternative to titanium oxide (TiO2). However, planar devices based on pure solution‐processed SnO2 ETL still have hysteresis, which greatly limits the application of SnO2 in high‐efficiency solar cells. Herein, to address this issue, a hybrid ETL of SnO2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is fabricated by a simple thermal decomposing of a mixed solution of SnCl4·5H2O and pretreated CNTs (termed SnO2–CNT). The addition of CNTs can significantly improve the conductivity of SnO2 films and reduce the trap‐state density of SnO2 films, which benefit carrier transfer from the perovskite layer to the cathode. As a result, a high efficiency of 20.33% is achieved in the hysteresis‐free PSCs based on SnO2–CNT ETL, which shows 13.58% enhancement compared with the conventional device (power conversion efficiency = 17.90%).
TraceChain: A blockchain‐based scheme to protect data confidentiality and traceability
Authors: Fan Yongkai , Lin Xiaodong , Liang Wei , Wang Jinghan , Tan Gang , Lei Xia , Jing Lei
Published: October 2019

The risk of sharing data in cloud computing has gathered increasing attention. After the owner of some confidential data outsources the data to cloud storage services and shares it with others, the data owner lost the control to the data to a large extent. To achieve data sharing while keeping data confidentiality, attribute‐based encryption (ABE) can be employed by cloud storage services. However, ABE can only guarantee that outsourced data on the cloud is decrypted by attribute‐satisfying users but cannot restrict data from being accessed by dishonest users whose attributes also satisfy the access‐control policy. It is impossible for the data owner to control the shared data after it has been decrypted by dishonest users, especially when a set of attribute‐satisfying dishonest users may collude. To address this concern, we propose a traceable data sharing scheme called TraceChain. In TraceChain, data is encrypted over a new CP‐ABE scheme called E‐CP‐ABE. Furthermore, the system parameters for generating the private key in E‐CP‐ABE are uploaded to the private blockchain and transactions are performed on the chain. The data owner can obtain the identity of users by monitoring system parameters simultaneously and control data sharing on the blockchain. To prove the security of our scheme, the security analysis is given in this paper. Meanwhile, experimental results also show that our system is viable and efficient.
CloudSimSDN‐NFV: Modeling and simulation of network function virtualization and service function chaining in edge computing environments
Authors: Son Jungmin , He TianZhang , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: October 2019

Software‐defined networking (SDN) has evolved and brought an innovative paradigm shift in computer networks by utilizing a programmable software controller with open protocols. Network functions, previously served on dedicated hardware, have shifted to network function virtualization (NFV) that enabled functions to be virtualized and provisioned dynamically upon generic hardware. In addition to NFV, edge computing utilizes the edge resources close to end‐users, which can reduce the end‐to‐end service delay and the network traffic volume. Although these innovative technologies gained significant attention from both academia and industry, there are limited tools and simulation frameworks for the effectiveness evaluation in a repeatable and controllable manner. Furthermore, large‐scale experimental infrastructures are expensive to setup and difficult to maintain. Even if they are created, they are not available or accessible for the majority of researchers throughout the world. In this paper, we propose a framework for simulating NFV functionalities in both edge and cloud computing environments. In addition to the basic network functionalities supported by SDN in CloudSimSDN, we added new NFV features, such as virtualized network functions allocation, migration, and autoscaling with the support of corresponding network functionalities, such as flow load balancing, rerouting, and service function chaining (SFC) maintenance. We evaluated our simulation framework with autoscaling and placement policies for SFC in the integrated edge and cloud computing environments. The results demonstrate its effectiveness in measuring and evaluating the end‐to‐end delay, response time, resource utilization, network traffic, and power consumption with different algorithms in each scenario.
ADARC: An anomaly detection algorithm based on relative outlier distance and biseries correlation
Authors: Ji Cun , Zou Xiunan , Liu Shijun , Pan Li
Published: October 2019

The application of anomaly detection to data monitoring is a fundamental requirement of the public service systems of a smart city. Many detection methods have been proposed for identifying anomalous situations, including methods based on periodicity or biseries correlations. However, the detection results of these methods are not ideal. Thus, we present a new anomaly detection algorithm for time series based on the relative outlier distance (ROD) and biseries correlations. The proposed algorithm detects outliers based on the ROD and identifies abnormal points and change points based on biseries correlations. Experimental results show that our method achieves better recall and F1‐measure scores than various time series–based techniques while maintaining a high level of precision.
Tuning the Photophysical Properties of Push‐Pull Azaheterocyclic Chromophores by Protonation: A Brief Overview of a French‐Spanish‐Czech Project
Authors: Achelle Sylvain , Rodríguez‐López Julián , Bureš Filip , Robin‐le Guen Françoise
Published: October 2019

Conjugated push‐pull molecules that incorporate nitrogen heterocycles as electron‐withdrawing units are interesting materials because of their luminescence properties. These chromophores can be easily and reversibly protonated at the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring and this can cause dramatic color changes. White and multi‐color photoluminescence both in solution and in the solid state can be obtained by an accurate control of the amount of acid. Thus, with a suitable design these compounds have potential applications in the development of colorimetric pH sensors and the fabrication of OLEDs based on only one material. We provide here a brief overview of our collaborative efforts made in this area.
“Nosotras no Empezamos a Hacer Eso”: A Social Semiotic View of a Sheltered Science Investigation
Authors: Britsch Susan
Published: October 2019

This article traces the interaction of multimodal semiotic resources within and across tasks constituting a science unit on surface tension in an eighth‐grade sheltered science classroom. Two discourses, operating simultaneously, realized differently motivated signs. This article follows the contribution of linguistic and extralinguistic modes that impinged on science and language learning. These semiotic resources differently engaged the identities of the teacher and the focal English learning students. The teacher discourse cued students to read the available modes in a way that awarded them a behavioral identity in the classroom, but not a conceptual one. The English learners recognized and cooperated with the initial focus on behavioral compliance imposed by the teacher discourse while asserting peer identity, but late in the unit the teacher discourse shifted frames to require student enactment of conceptual identity through written language. The teacher discourse foregrounded, or was consistently undergirded by, the conceptual identity that the teacher brought to the classroom and by a set of expectations for a learning trajectory that did not explicitly link key language with students’ investigative activity. In five of six task‐based interactions, the student discourse foregrounded behavioral or peer identity. As a result, the students were able to only partially link their science activity to the concept of surface tension using the language of science.
The benefits differential equations bring to limb development
Authors: Fowler Donald A. , Larsson Hans C. E.
Published: October 2019

Systems biology is a large field, offering a number of advantages to a variety of biological disciplines. In limb development, differential‐equation based models can provide insightful hypotheses about the gene/protein interactions and tissue differentiation events that form the core of limb development research. Differential equations are like any other communicative tool, with misuse and limitations that can come along with their advantages. Every theory should be critically analyzed to best ascertain whether they reflect the reality in biology as well they claim. Differential equation‐based models have consistent features which researchers have drawn upon to aid in more realistic descriptions and hypotheses. Nine features are described that highlight these trade‐offs. The advantages range from more detailed descriptions of gene interactions and their consequence and the capacity to model robustness to the incorporation of tissue size and shape. The drawbacks come with the added complication that additional genes and signaling pathways that require additional terms within the mathematical model. They also come in the translation between the mathematical terms of the model, values and matrices, to the real world of genes, proteins, and tissues that constitute limb development. A critical analysis is necessary to ensure that these models effectively expand the understanding of the origins of a diversity of limb anatomy, from evolution to teratology.

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Repeating Patterns and Lateral Inhibition
#(Me)too much? The role of sexualizing online media in adolescents’ resistance towards the metoo‐movement and acceptance of rape myths
Authors: Maes Chelly , Schreurs Lara , van Oosten Johanna M.F. , Vandenbosch Laura
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The current study addresses how sexualizing online media practices, i.e., exposure to sexually explicit internet material and receiving negative appearance feedback on social media, relate to the acceptance of sexist attitudes among adolescents. Specifically, it extends previous research on the acceptance of rape myths by exploring a construct related to these beliefs, i.e., resistance towards the metoo‐movement.

Methods

The study is based on a cross‐sectional paper‐and‐pencil survey among 568 Flemish adolescents (15–18 years old, Mage = 16.4, SD = .98, 58.3% girls) that measured adolescents’ sexualizing online media use, sexist attitudes and objectification processes.

Results

The results showed that exposure to sexually explicit internet material, but not receiving negative appearance feedback on social media, was related to more resistance towards the metoo‐movement and the acceptance of rape myths through notions of women as sex objects. Self‐objectification did not function as a valid mediator in the examined relations. Gender and self‐esteem did not moderate the proposed relations.

Conclusions

The findings underline the role of media use in how adolescents develop sexist beliefs and, more precisely, beliefs about contemporary actions to combat sexism, i.e., the metoo‐movement. The present study showed that sexual objectification fueled by sexually explicit internet material may result in less positive attitudes and, thus, more resistance towards this movement.
The dual logic of Russia's party system nationalization
Authors: Gaivoronsky Yuriy
Published: October 2019

The article attempts to identify major factors of the nationalization of the vote in contemporary Russia using the two level approach: the between- and within-region. The former compares regions as units of analysis while the latter additionally takes into account voting in municipalities to obtain levels of voting homogeneity within the regions. The study uses data from the last 2012e2016 national-regional electoral cycle investigating both federal and regional election results. Following Ishiyama (2002) for the between-region level of analysis the Regional Party Vote Inequality index has been utilized. The Party Nationalization Score proposed by Jones and Mainwaring (2003) has been applied to the measurement of voting territorial diversity at the within-region level. The results show that regional political factors may be still considered as major drivers of the nationalization of the vote as it did in the 1990s. The difference is that in politically recentralized Russia non-competitive regions headed by politically strong governors provides between-region inequality rather than contributing to nationalization. At the same time, the similarity continues in the ability of governors' “political machines” to contribute homogeneity of the vote, but only within their regions.
A Case Report of a Bite From the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) Managed with Regional Anesthesia
Authors: Mazingi Dennis , Mbanje Chenesa , Muguti Godfrey I. , Chitiyo Sabastain T.
Published: October 2019

Crocodile attack injuries plague communities near bodies of water and continue to be an infrequent but significant form of trauma encountered in our medical facility. Regional anesthesia techniques are a novel adjunct to treatment and may facilitate simplified definitive management and better utilization of constrained operating room resources. We report a case of an adult male who presented with a large lower extremity wound after a crocodile bite. The patient was managed with initial debridement and irrigation and serial wound care entirely under regional anesthesia at the bedside. The patient did not develop wound infection, eventually receiving a skin graft with good functional outcomes. Regional anesthesia techniques are increasingly being used in the trauma setting, and their versatility allows for their use in multiple settings, by practitioners with limited experience and in resource-limited environments. No specific guidelines exist for performance of neuraxial techniques in the setting of animal bite injuries, but concerns about infectious complications have been raised. Regional anesthesia techniques may be useful in the management of extremity trauma due to crocodile attacks without infectious complications. They may reduce utilization of theatre resources and reduce opioid requirements.
A Century of Profligacy? The Measurement and Evolution of Food Waste
Authors: Bovay John , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2019

Food waste has been recognized as an economic issue for at least a century and is gaining tremendous traction in academia as well as in discourse about public policy. The goal of our study is to examine the evolution of food waste over the last several decades at the United States and global levels. We first review the methodologies that have been used to estimate the magnitude of food waste so that the quality of the data can be evaluated. Though with limitations, existing data generally show that for many regions of the world, including the United States, pre-consumer food loss and waste as a share of total supply has been stable in recent decades. However, the aggregate share wasted masks important changes over time. We provide some evidence that food waste has shifted downstream in recent decades, i.e., from producers and processors to retailers and consumers. Through a reflection on the trends in major socioeconomic factors, we hypothesize that this downstream shift has been driven by increases in household incomes, improvements in technology, and changes in culture and institutions.
On the role of person features in the evidential-temporal connection
Authors: Pancheva Roumyana , Zubizarreta Maria Luisa
Published: October 2019

The present article argues that temporality can be computed indirectly via evidentiality, and that this is the case for Paraguayan Guaraní, a tenseless language. To model the evidential–temporal connection, we employ features from the domains of person (author, participant) and general deixis (proximate, distal). We discuss in detail the case of two evidential morphemes: indirect evidentialra'eand reportativeraka'e.We argue that these particles do not have temporal semantics; rather their temporal contribution is due to the interaction of person features that determine the type of evidentiality and deictic features incorporated into the person system.