bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Area of residual tumor (ART) can predict prognosis after post neoadjuvant therapy resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Okubo Satoshi , Kojima Motohiro , Matsuda Yoko , Hioki Masayoshi , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Toyama Hirochika , Morinaga Soichiro , Gotohda Naoto , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Ishii Genichiro , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Takahashi Shinichiro
Published: November 2019

An increasing number of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have undergone resection after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). We have reported Area of Residual Tumor (ART) as a useful pathological assessment method to predict patient outcomes after post NAT resection in various cancer types. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic performance of ART in PDAC resected after NAT. Sixty-three patients with PDAC after post NAT resection were analyzed. The viable residual tumor area was outlined and the measurement of ART was performed using morphometric software. The results were compared with those of the College of American Pathologist (CAP) regression grading. Of 63 cases, 39 (62%) patients received chemoradiation therapy and 24 (38%) received chemotherapy only. The median value of ART was 163 mm2. Large ART with 220 mm2 as the cut-off was significantly associated with lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and perineural invasion, while CAP regression grading was not associated with any clinicopathological features. By multivariate analysis, large ART (≥220 mm2) was an independent predictor of shorter relapse free survival. Together with our previous reports, an ART-based pathological assessment may become a useful method to predict patient outcomes after post NAT resection across various cancer types.
Author Correction: Important At-Sea Areas of Colonial Breeding Marine Predators on the Southern Patagonian Shelf
Authors: Baylis Alastair M. M. , Tierney Megan , Orben Rachael A. , Warwick-Evans Victoria , Wakefield Ewan , Grecian W. James , Trathan Phil , Reisinger Ryan , Ratcliffe Norman , Croxall John , Campioni Letizia , Catry Paulo , Crofts Sarah , Boersma P. Dee , Galimberti Filippo , Granadeiro José P. , Handley Jonathan , Hayes Sean , Hedd April , Masello Juan F. , Montevecchi William A. , Pütz Klemens , Quillfeldt Petra , Rebstock Ginger A. , Sanvito Simona , Staniland Iain J. , Brickle Paul
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Male mice lacking ADAMTS-16 are fertile but exhibit testes of reduced weight
Authors: Livermore Catherine , Warr Nick , Chalon Nicolas , Siggers Pam , Mianné Joffrey , Codner Gemma , Teboul Lydia , Wells Sara , Greenfield Andy
Published: November 2019

Adamts16 encodes a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs, 16, a member of a family of multi-domain, zinc-binding proteinases. ADAMTS-16 is implicated in a number of pathological conditions, including hypertension, cancer and osteoarthritis. A large number of observations, including a recent report of human ADAMTS16 variants in cases of 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD), also implicate this gene in human testis determination. We used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to generate a loss-of-function allele in the mouse in order to examine whether ADAMTS-16 functions in mouse testis determination or testicular function. Male mice lacking Adamts16 on the C57BL/6N background undergo normal testis determination in the fetal period. However, adult homozygotes have an average testis weight that is around 10% lower than age-matched controls. Cohorts of mutant males tested at 3-months and 6-months of age were fertile. We conclude that ADAMTS-16 is not required for testis determination or male fertility in mice. We discuss these phenotypic data and their significance for our understanding of ADAMTS-16 function.
Demography, heritability and genetic correlation of feline hip dysplasia and response to selection in a health screening programme
Authors: Low Matthew , Eksell Per , Högström Kjell , Olsson Ulrika , Audell Lars , Ohlsson Åsa
Published: November 2019

Feline hip dysplasia (FHD) is a debilitating condition affecting the hip joints of millions of domestic cats worldwide. Despite this, little is known about FHD except that it is relatively common in the large breed Maine Coon. We used 20 years of data from 5038 pedigree-registered Maine Coon cats in a radiographic health screening programme for FHD to determine, for the first time, its heritability, genetic correlation to body mass and response to selection. FHD prevalence was 37.4%, with no sex predilection; however, FHD severity increased with age and body mass. Heritability of the radiographic categories used to classify FHD severity was 0.36 (95%CI: 0.30–0.43). The severity of FHD symptoms was also genetically correlated with body mass (0.285), suggesting that selection for a large body type in this breed concurrently selects for FHD. Support for this was found by following generational responses to selective breeding against FHD. Not only did selective breeding successfully reduce the severity of FHD symptoms in descendants, but these cats were also smaller than their ancestors (−33g per generation). This study highlights the value of breeding programmes against FHD and cautions against breed standards that actively encourage large bodied cats.
Short tryptophan- and arginine-rich peptide shows efficacy against clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin and soft tissue infections
Authors: Bacalum Mihaela , Dragulescu Elena-Carmina , Necula George , Codita Irina , Radu Mihai
Published: November 2019

In recent years methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has posed a challenge in treating skin and soft tissue infections. Finding new antimicrobial agents has therefore become imperative. We evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a synthetic peptide, P6, against multidrug resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from skin and soft tissue infections. The P6 antimicrobial effect was evaluated in vitro by determining MIC/MBC, the ratio of live/dead cells and the effects induced at membrane level. The therapeutic efficiency was determined against human skin cells. P6 inhibited growth for all strains between 8 and 16 mg/L and killed all bacterial strains at 16 mg/L. The therapeutic potential was found to be 30 and 15 in the presence of BSA. We showed that P6 localizes at membrane level, where it acts slowly, by depolarizing it and affecting its integrity. P6 can be considered a good candidate for use as an antimicrobial agent in topical applications.
Curvature increases permeability of the plasma membrane for ions, water and the anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and gemcitabine
Authors: Yesylevskyy Semen , Rivel Timothée , Ramseyer Christophe
Published: November 2019

In this work the permeability of a model asymmetric plasma membrane, for ions, water and the anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and gemcitabine is studied by means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown for the first time that permeability of the highly curved membrane increases from one to three orders of magnitude upon membrane bending depending on the compound and the sign of curvature. Our results suggest that the membrane curvature could be an important factor of drug translocation through the membrane.
Author Correction: First crystal structure of an endo-levanase – the BT1760 from a human gut commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Authors: Ernits Karin , Eek Priit , Lukk Tiit , Visnapuu Triinu , Alamäe Tiina
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Immunologic findings precede rapid lupus flare after transient steroid therapy
Authors: Lu Rufei , Guthridge Joel M. , Chen Hua , Bourn Rebecka L. , Kamp Stan , Munroe Melissa E. , Macwana Susan R. , Bean Krista , Sridharan Sudhakar , Merrill Joan T. , James Judith A.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Structure of full-length wild-type human phenylalanine hydroxylase by small angle X-ray scattering reveals substrate-induced conformational stability
Authors: Tomé Catarina S. , Lopes Raquel R. , Sousa Pedro M. F. , Amaro Mariana P. , Leandro João , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Leandro Paula , Vicente João B.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Luminescent gold nanoclusters for in vivo tumor imaging
Authors: Li Huili , Li Hongle , Wan Ajun
Published: November 2019

This review highlights the pharmacokinetic features and tumor imaging preponderance of renal clearable AuNCs for in vivo tumor imaging.
Two-dimensional (2D) MnIn2Se4 nanosheets with porous structure: a novel photocatalyst for water splitting without sacrificial agents
Authors: Liang Hui , Feng Ting , Tan Shengda , Zhao Kaili , Wang Wei , Dong Bohua , Cao Lixin
Published: November 2019

2D porous MnIn2Se4 nanosheets have been synthesized for the first time via a simple hydrothermal method. The intrinsic property of the hitherto unexplored MnIn2Se4 for photocatalytic water splitting was clearly studied, and the H2 evolution rate reached 35 μmol g−1 h−1 in pure water.
Bifacial passivation of n-silicon metal–insulator–semiconductor photoelectrodes for efficient oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions
Authors: Liu Bin , Feng Shijia , Yang Lifei , Li Chengcheng , Luo Zhibin , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: November 2019

This paper describes a bifacial passivation strategy for the metal/Si interface of metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) photoelectrodes, achieving record high activities for water oxidation and reduction for Si-based MIS electrodes.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals key genes related to antioxidant mechanisms of Hylocereus undatus quality improvement by trypsin during storage
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Xueru , Yin Yong , Yu Huichun , Zhang Min , Jing Haonan , Ma Yingchao , Xiong Xianlang , Pang Xinyue
Published: November 2019

The synergistic effect of trypsin with antioxidant enzymes can improve the storage quality of H. undatus. Transcriptomic analysis and PPI network indicated that CAT is the key one among the enzymes of the complicated antioxidant system.
Correlating in vitro digestion viscosities and bioaccessible nutrients of milks containing enhanced protein concentration and normal or modified protein ratio to human trials
Authors: Kung Bonnie , Turgeon Sylvie L. , Rioux Laurie-Eve , Anderson G. Harvey , Wright Amanda J. , Goff H. Douglas
Published: November 2019

In vitro digestion of cereal with high protein milks reflects the appearance of in vivo biomarkers of starch and protein digestion.
Effect of soybean processing on cell wall porosity and protein digestibility
Authors: Zahir Mostafa , Fogliano Vincenzo , Capuano Edoardo
Published: November 2019

Soybean cell wall porosity and permeability are increased by bio-based food processing and protease enzyme action during the digestion process.
The direct synthesis of a bio-lubricant by the oligomerization of methyllinoleate via castor oil
Authors: Xue Wenjie , Shi Lei , Chen Xinqing , Qiu Minghuang , Zhou Cunhui , Liu Honglei , Li Shenggang , Sun Yuhan
Published: November 2019

A non-noble metal (Mo) catalyst for the oligomerization of methyllinoleate via castor oil was successfully prepared to directly synthesize bio-lubricatant oil. The obtained oligomers were produced at a maximum yield of 70.8%.
Metal-free graphene oxide-catalyzed aza-semipinacol rearrangement to prepare 2-(indol-2-yl)phenols and benzofuro[3,2-b]indolines containing quaternary carbon centers
Authors: Zhao Hong-Ping , Liang Gui-Chao , Nie Shu-Min , Lu Xiuqiang , Pan Cheng-Xue , Zhong Xin-Xian , Su Gui-Fa , Mo Dong-Liang
Published: November 2019

A metal-free, heterogeneous, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly graphene oxide-catalyzed aza-semipinacol rearrangement was developed to prepare various 2-(indol-2-yl)phenols and benzofuro[3,2-b]indolines in good to excellent yields.
Combining dielectrophoresis and computer vision for precise and fully automated single-cell handling and analysis
Authors: Godino Neus , Pfisterer Felix , Gerling Tobias , Guernth-Marschner Christian , Duschl Claus , Kirschbaum Michael
Published: November 2019

We employ real-time image processing in the active control of dielectrophoretic actuation to select, isolate and arrange individual cells in a microfluidic channel.
Exploring solvent dependent catecholase activity in transition metal complexes: an experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: I. Mantasha , Shahid M. , Kumar Manjeet , Ansari Azaj , Akhtar Muhammad Nadeem , AlDamen Murad A. , Song You , Ahmad Musheer , Khan Ishaat M.
Published: November 2019

Four coordination compounds are designed with pyridinemethanol ligands, characterized with spectral, magnetic and X-ray analyses, and assessed for catecholase activity in various solvents.
Biomimetic mineralization of nitrile hydratase into a mesoporous cobalt-based metal–organic framework for efficient biocatalysis
Authors: Pei Xiaolin , Wu Yifeng , Wang Jiapao , Chen Zhiji , Liu Wen , Su Weike , Liu Fangming
Published: November 2019

Recombinant cobalt-type NHase was encapsulated into ZIF-67 to improve its thermal stability and catalytic efficiency by a biomimetic mineralization strategy.
Strong second-harmonic generation from Au–Al heterodimers
Authors: Wang Jiyong , Butet Jérémy , Bernasconi Gabriel David , Baudrion Anne-Laure , Lévêque Gaëtan , Horrer Andreas , Horneber Anke , Martin Olivier J. F. , Meixner Alfred J. , Fleischer Monika , Adam Pierre-Michel , Zhang Dai
Published: November 2019

Strong second-harmonic generation from Au–Al heterodimers with a nanogap is observed and predicted, mainly attributed to coupling of plasmonic resonance in the fundamental field and synergistic driving from constituting nanoantennas in the SH field.
A sponge-templated sandwich-like cobalt-embedded nitrogen-doped carbon polyhedron/graphene composite as a highly efficient catalyst for Zn–air batteries
Authors: Cai Jia-Jun , Zhou Qing-Yan , Liu Bing , Gong Xiao-Fei , Zhang Yun-Long , Goh Kokswee , Gu Da-Ming , Zhao Lei , Sui Xu-Lei , Wang Zhen-Bo
Published: November 2019

Sandwich-like Co-embedded N-doped carbon polyhedron/graphene with a hierarchical porous structure was fabricated through a solution dip-coating method using sponge templates.
Self-assembling morphology-tunable single-component supramolecular antibiotics for enhanced antibacterial manipulation
Authors: Song Xin , Deng Xudong , Wang Qinghua , Tian Jinjin , He Feng-Li , Hu Hai-Yu , Tian Wei
Published: November 2019

This single-component supramolecular antibiotic can undergo reversible self-assembling morphology transitions under sequential ultrasonic and redox stimuli. The self-assemblies with different morphologies display effective antibacterial regulation.
Controllable supramolecular assembly and architecture transformation by the combination of orthogonal self-assembly and competitive self-sorting assembly
Authors: Yang Ying , Li Hui , Chen Jiangmin , Xu Fenfen , Duan Zhaozhao , Liang Tongxiang , Liu Yang , Tian Wei
Published: November 2019

New supramolecular polymers were prepared by the combination of orthogonal self-assembly and competitive self-sorting assembly methods.
Sphere-to-worm morphological transitions and size changes through thiol–para-fluoro core modification of PISA-made nano-objects
Authors: Busatto Nicolas , Keddie Joseph L. , Roth Peter J.
Published: November 2019

Spherical diblock copolymer nanoparticles became larger spheres, unimers, or worm-shaped particles when functionalised via thiol–para-fluoro substitution in the core.
Proton diffusion in the catalytic layer for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Authors: Appel Marina , Borisov Galin , Holderer Olaf , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Zorn Reiner , Lehnert Werner , Richter Dieter
Published: November 2019

The present study focuses on quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) of the proton dynamics in phosphoric acid (PA) inside the catalytic layer of high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEFCs).
Centella asiatica phenolic extract-mediated bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles: characterization, reduction of industrially relevant dyes in water and antimicrobial activities against foodborne pathogens
Authors: Eze Fredrick Nwude , Tola Adesola Julius , Nwabor Ozioma Forstinus , Jayeoye Titilope John
Published: November 2019

Illustration of biogenic synthesis of AgNPs based on Centella asiatica phenolic extract and applications.
Smart control of guest inclusion by α-cyclodextrin using its hydration history
Authors: Gatiatulin Askar K. , Osel'skaya Viktoria Yu. , Ziganshin Marat A. , Gorbatchuk Valery V.
Published: November 2019

The hydration level and hydration history of alpha-cyclodextrin significantly affects its structure and inclusion capacity for organic guests.
Eutectic liquid crystal mixture E7 in nanoporous alumina. Effects of confinement on the thermal and concentration fluctuations
Authors: Selevou Aristoula , Papamokos George , Yildirim Tolga , Duran Hatice , Steinhart Martin , Floudas George
Published: November 2019

Confinement of the eutectic compound E7 in AAO membranes alters its phase behavior, molecular dynamics and nature of N/I transition.
Bidirectional enantioselective synthesis of bis-benzofuran atropisomeric oligoarenes featuring two distal C–C stereogenic axes
Authors: Bao Xiaoze , Rodriguez Jean , Bonne Damien
Published: November 2019

We report the bidirectional enantioselective synthesis of bis-benzofuran atropisomeric oligoarenes featuring two distal C–C stereogenic axes. These are controlled by a two-fold central-to-axial chirality conversion upon oxidative aromatization.
Chelation with a twist: a bifunctional chelator to enable room temperature radiolabeling and targeted PET imaging with scandium-44
Authors: Vaughn Brett A. , Ahn Shin Hye , Aluicio-Sarduy Eduardo , Devaraj Justin , Olson Aeli P. , Engle Jonathan , Boros Eszter
Published: November 2019

The small-cavity, bifunctional chelator picaga coordinates Sc-44 at room temperature and enables PET imaging of an in vivo tumor target.
Electron-regulated flux towards biogas upgradation – triggering catabolism for an augmented methanogenic activity
Authors: Sravan J. Shanthi , Sarkar Omprakash , Mohan S. Venkata
Published: November 2019

Augmented electromethanogenesis (EM) process attained under applied voltage conditions depicting syntrophic electron transfer and application towards biogas upgradation.
Design of a composite cathode and a graphene coated separator for a stable room-temperature aluminum–sulfur battery
Authors: Zheng Xiao , Tang Ruixian , Zhang Yu , Ma Lei , Wang Xiaoyu , Dong Yanru , Kong Guolong , Wei Liangming
Published: November 2019

A S/host composite cathode and a graphene coated separator are designed for a room-temperature Al–S battery with stable and high capacity.
Benzoquinone alters the lipid homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Raj Abhishek , Nachiappan Vasanthi
Published: November 2019

Objective: To elucidate the impact of benzoquinone (BQ) on lipid homeostasis and cytotoxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods: The impact of BQ exposure on wild-type and knockouts of PC biosynthesizing genes revealed the alterations in the lipids that were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, thin layer chromatography, and gene expression studies. Results: In yeast, BQ exposure reduced the growth pattern in wild-type cells. The gene knockout strains of the phospholipid metabolism altered the mRNA expression of the apoptosis genes – both caspase-dependent and independent. The BQ exposure revealed an increase in both the phospholipids and neutral lipids via the CDP:DAG and the Kennedy pathway genes. The accumulation of both neutral lipids and phospholipids during the BQ exposure was discrete and regulated by different pathways. Conclusions: BQ exposure inhibited cell growth, increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and altered membrane proliferation. The CDP:DAG and Kennedy pathway lipids also discretely altered by BQ, which is required for the membrane functions and energy purposes of life.
Regularity Matters: Unpredictable Speech Degradation Inhibits Adaptation to Dysarthric Speech
Authors: Lansford Kaitlin L. , Borrie Stephanie A. , Barrett Tyson S.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Listener-targeted perceptual training paradigms, which leverage the mechanism of perceptual learning, show strong promise for improving intelligibility in dysarthria, offsetting the communicative burden from the speaker onto the listener. Theoretical models of perceptual learning underscore the importance of acoustic regularity (i.e., signal predictability) for listener adaptation to degraded speech. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate intelligibility outcomes following perceptual training with hyperkinetic dysarthria, a subtype characterized by reduced signal predictability.

Method

Forty listeners completed the standard 3-phase perceptual training protocol (pretest, training, and posttest) with 1 of 2 talkers with hyperkinetic dysarthria. Perceptual data were compared to a historical data set for 1 other talker with hyperkinetic dysarthria to examine the effect of perceptual training on intelligibility.

Results

When controlling for pretest intelligibility, regression results suggest listeners of the 2 novel talkers with hyperkinetic dysarthria performed comparably to the listeners of the original talker on the posttest following training. Furthermore, differences between pretest and posttest intelligibility failed to reach clinical significance for all 3 talkers and statistical significance for 2 of the 3.

Conclusion

The current findings are consistent with theoretical models of perceptual learning and suggest that listener adaptation to degraded speech may be negligible for talkers with dysarthria whose speech is marked by reduced signal predictability.
Phonology, Semantics, and the Comprehension–Expression Gap in Emerging Lexicons
Authors: Stokes Stephanie F. , de Bree Elise , Kerkhoff Annemarie , Momenian Mohammad , Zamuner Tania
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Children come to understand many words by the end of their 1st year of life, and yet, generally by 12 months, only a few words are said. In this study, we investigated which linguistic factors contribute to this comprehension–expression gap the most. Specifically, we asked the following: Are phonological neighborhood density, semantic neighborhood density, and word frequency (WF) significant predictors of the probability that words known (understood) by children would appear in their spoken lexicons?

Method

Monosyllabic words in the active (understood and said) and passive (understood, not said) lexicons of 201 toddlers were extracted from the Dutch Communicative Development Inventory (
Zink & Lejaegere, 2002
) parent-completed forms. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was applied to the data.

Results

Phonological neighborhood density and WF were independently and significantly associated with whether or not a known word would be in children's spoken lexicons, but semantic neighborhood density was not. There were individual differences in the impact of WF on the probability that known words would be said.

Conclusion

The novel findings reported here have 2 major implications. First, they indicate that the comprehension–expression gap exists partly because the phonological distributional properties of words determine how readily words can be phonologically encoded for word production. Second, there are likely subtle and complex individual differences in how and when the statistical properties of the ambient language impact on children's emerging lexicons that might best be explored via longitudinal sampling of word knowledge and use.
Vestibular and Balance Dysfunction Following Sport-Related Concussion
Authors: Bogle Jamie M.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Sport-related concussion is a significant public health concern that requires a multidisciplinary team to appropriately manage. Athletes often report dizziness and imbalance following concussion, and these symptoms can predict increased time to recover. Vestibular diagnostic evaluations provide important information regarding the athlete's oculomotor, gaze stability, and balance function in order to identify deficits for rehabilitation. These measures also describe objective function helpful for determining when an athlete is ready to return to play. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to provide background on the current understanding of the effects of concussion on the peripheral and central vestibular system, as well as information on a protocol that can be used for acute concussion assessment. Case studies describing 3 common postconcussion presentations will highlight the usefulness of this protocol.

Conclusion

Sport-related concussion is a highly visible disorder with many symptoms that may be evaluated in the vestibular clinic. A thoughtful protocol evaluating the typical presentation of these patients may help guide the multidisciplinary team in determining appropriate management and clearance for return to sport.
Efficient sensitivity based approach for AC transmission expansion planning
Authors: Yasasvi Puvvada Naga , Mohapatra Abheejeet , Srivastava Suresh C.
Published: November 2019

AC transmission expansion planning (TEP) is a complex problem to solve due to its large scale, mixed‐integer, non‐linear and non‐convex characteristics. This paper presents an efficient sensitivity based approach which employs the primal‐dual interior point method (PDIPM), for tackling integer variables in AC TEP. PDIPM's Hessian is used to evaluate the sensitivities of the objective function with respect to the line candidates, which are then used to find a feasible AC TEP solution. The proposed approach solves this non‐convex mixed integer non‐linear programming problem, without resorting to any use of relaxations/approximations in the AC TEP model. Also, the need and superiority of the AC TEP over the conventional DC TEP is established by comparing both using the proposed approach. Solutions of AC TEP with reactive power planning and an integrated multistage AC TEP are also obtained to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach. Superior solution quality and lesser computation time of the proposed approach are confirmed by comparing the same with that of the branch and bound/cut approach, constructive heuristic algorithm, merit function‐based approach, conic programming and particle swarm optimisation. The studies performed for the various test cases prove the efficacy and computational efficiency of the proposed approach.
Forced oscillation damping controller for an interconnected power system
Authors: Surinkaew Tossaporn , Shah Rakibuzzaman , Nadarajah Mithulananthan , Muyeen S.M.
Published: November 2019

Forced oscillation (FO) is a challenging problem as it could initiate power system instability due to resonance, especially when the frequency of FO and inherent electromechanical (EM) modes of power system coincide. Twin oscillation components (i.e. inter‐area oscillation and FO in the range of 0.1–Hz to 0.8–Hz) are created due to uncertain and uncaptured oscillatory inputs in power systems. The FO may lead to power system instability even with very well‐damped EM modes. Therefore, effective countermeasure, i.e., a FO damping method should be incorporated to suppress the FO. This paper presents the systematic design and development of a controller termed as a Force Oscillation Damping Controller (FODC) for damping FO considering uncertainties and disturbances. The FODC and conventional inter‐area damping controller are activated at different stages to make sure both controllers operate effectively. An adaptive algorithm is applied to make sure that the FODC can keep the FO mode in stable region at all operating conditions. The FO detection using an event‐triggered control is applied to start the operation of FODC during the forced disturbance. Study results in IEEE 14‐machine South East Australian (SE‐A) interconnected power system demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed FODC in damping major FOs.
Segmentation‐based MAP despeckling of medical ultrasound images in shearlet domain based on normal inverse Gaussian distribution
Authors: Garg Amit , Khandelwal Vineet
Published: November 2019

Speckle noise is an undesirable phenomenon that exhibits granular pattern which reduces the diagnostic capability of clinical ultrasound (US) images. In this study, a new speckle denoising method based on modelling of detail band shearlet coefficients of log‐transformed US images is presented. In each detail shearlet subband, coefficients corresponding to signal and speckle noise are modelled as normal inverse Gaussian and Gaussian priors, respectively. These coefficients, based on image local statistics are segmented into different regions of heterogeneity viz. homogeneous, heterogeneous and strongly heterogeneous regions, respectively, so as to control over smoothing of denoised images. Then, using the prior distributions maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation is performed over all regions of detail bands except those regions that represent strongly heterogeneous coefficients. For better performance, an adaptive weight function is also used in the MAP expression which reduces the loss of feature information. Experimentation is done on noise‐free synthetic kidney and foetus US images and a set of 60 real US images. The results are presented for objective and subjective quality assessment of the proposed method and five other methods for speckle denoising. The potential of the proposed method in comparison to other methods can easily be ascertained from the obtained denoising results.
Normalised gamma transformation‐based contrast‐limited adaptive histogram equalisation with colour correction for sand–dust image enhancement
Authors: Shi Zhenghao , Feng Yaning , Zhao Minghua , Zhang Erhu , He Lifeng
Published: November 2019

Images captured in the sand–dust weather often suffer from serious colour cast and poor contrast, and this has serious implications for outdoor computer vision systems. To address these problems, a normalised gamma transformation‐based contrast‐limited adaptive histogram equalisation (CLAHE) with colour correction in Lab colour space for sand–dust image enhancement is proposed in this study. This method consists of image contrast enhancement and image colour correction. To avoid producing new colour deviation, the input sand–dust images are first transformed from red, green, and blue colour space into Lab colour space. Then, the contrast of the lightness component (L channel) of the sand–dust image is enhanced using CLAHE. To avoid unbalanced contrast, as well as to reduce the overincreased brightness caused by CLAHE, a normalised gamma correction function is introduced to CLAHE. After that, the a and b chromatic components are recovered by a grey‐world‐based colour correction method. Experiments on real sand–dust images demonstrate that the proposed method can obtain the highest percentage of new visible edges for all testing images. The contrast restoration exhibits good colour fidelity and proper brightness.
One‐pot synthesis of two‐dimensional porphyrin‐based polymer and derived N‐doped porous carbon as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts
Authors: Cui Tian‐Lu , He Jun‐Ying , Chen Jian‐Jun
Published: November 2019

This work describes the synthesis and functions of a two‐dimensional porous polymer based on porphyrin. Upon condensation, coordination and treatment with high temperature, porphyrin‐based porous carbon nanosheets were obtained with the high specific surface area of 466 m2 g−1. Benefiting from its high surface area, co‐doping with iron/nitrogen and hierarchical porous structure, the optimised example exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for the oxygen reduction reaction under alkaline conditions with a low half‐wave potential of 0.73 V (lower than 0.78 V for Pt/C), a dominant four‐electron transfer mechanism (n = 3.97 at 0.64 V) and a high diffusion limiting current density of 5.27 mA cm−2.
Rotation of molecular clouds in M 51
Authors: Braine J. , Hughes A. , Rosolowsky E. , Gratier P. , Colombo D. , Meidt S. , Schinnerer E.
Published: November 2019

The grand-design spiral galaxy M 51 was observed at 40 pc resolution in CO(1–0) by the PAWS project. A large number of molecular clouds were identified and we search for velocity gradients in two high signal-to-noise subsamples, containing 682 and 376 clouds. The velocity gradients are found to be systematically prograde oriented, as was previously found for the rather flocculent spiral M 33. This strongly supports the idea that the velocity gradients reflect cloud rotation, rather than more random dynamical forces, such as turbulence. Not only are the gradients prograde, but their ∂v/∂x and ∂v/∂y coefficients follow galactic shear in sign, although with a lower amplitude. No link is found between the orientation of the gradient and the orientation of the cloud. The values of the cloud angular momenta appear to be an extension of the values noted for galactic clouds despite the orders of magnitude difference in cloud mass. Roughly 30% of the clouds show retrograde velocity gradients. For a strictly rising rotation curve, as in M 51, gravitational contraction would be expected to yield strictly prograde rotators within an axisymmetric potential. In M 51, the fraction of retrograde rotators is found to be higher in the spiral arms than in the disk as a whole. Along the leading edge of the spiral arms, a majority of the clouds are retrograde rotators. While this work should be continued on other nearby galaxies, the M 33 and M 51 studies have shown that clouds rotate and that they rotate mostly prograde, although the amplitudes are not such that rotational energy is a significant support mechanism against gravitation. In this work, we show that retrograde rotation is linked to the presence of a spiral gravitational potential.
Étude des caractéristiques thermiques et mécaniques des briques à base de sédiments de dragage portuaire
Authors: Djamila Benyerou , Nasreddine Boudjenane , Mansour Belhadri
Published: November 2019

L’accumulation des sédiments en couche successives au fond des cours d’eau conduit à leur envasement. L’objectif de cette étude est de démontrer l’utilisation pratique des sédiments du port de Bethioua dans la fabrication des briques. Les sédiments ont été introduits dans le mélange de référence avec un taux de substitution de 20 % en tant que remplacement de l’argile utilisée pour la fabrication des briques. Des éprouvettes de briques de référence et de briques à base de sédiments marins de formes cylindriques ont été préparées en suivant le même processus de fabrication. Les éprouvettes de briques ont été cuites à des températures comprises entre 600 et 900 °C avec une durée de cuisson de 6 et 24 h. Elles ont ensuite été soumises à des essais de résistance à la compression. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que les briques à base de sédiments avec une substitution de 5 et 10 % présentent une meilleure résistance que les briques de référence. La substitution par des sédiments avec cette concentration augmente la résistance à la compression avec une faible température et une faible durée de cuisson. Les résultats de cette étude démontrent que la production de briques cuites avec les sédiments marins du port de Bethioua améliore nettement et donnent une meilleure résistance que la résistance de la brique de référence pour un ajout de 5 et 10 %. Le taux de 15 % donne une résistance comparable à celui de la résistance de la barbotine de brique.
Möglichkeiten der nicht operativen Behandlung von Pseudarthrosen
Authors: Everding Jens , Stolberg-Stolberg Josef , Roßlenbroich Steffen , Raschke Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Pseudarthrosen sind häufige Verletzungsfolgen nach Frakturen. Goldstandard der Behandlung dieser Frakturheilungsstörungen ist die operative Therapie basierend auf dem „Diamond Concept“. Unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen ist jedoch eine nicht operative Behandlung von Pseudarthrosen möglich. In der Folge werden die am häufigsten angewendeten konservativen Verfahren einschließlich Belastungssteigerung und biophysikalischer Maßnahmen (niedrig intensivierte gepulste Ultraschalltherapie, fokussierte hochenergetische extrakorporale Stoßwellentherapie, elektrische und elektromagnetische Therapie) beschrieben und die sinnvolle Indikationsstellung, die Vor- und Nachteile sowie der Stellenwert dieser Möglichkeiten diskutiert.
Verminderung des kardiovaskulären Risikos an der Hämo- und Peritonealdialyse
Authors: Braunisch Matthias C. , Contzen Barbara , Küchle Claudius
Published: November 2019

Dialysepatienten leiden in hohem Maße unter einer erhöhten kardiovaskulären Morbidität und Mortalität, die auch durch ernährungsbedingte Faktoren wie z. B. Hyperphosphatämie verursacht werden. Gerade hier spielt die Ernährungstherapie hinsichtlich phosphatreicher Nahrungsmittel eine wichtige Rolle. In letzter Zeit ist der Zusammenhang zwischen einer zu geringen alimentären Magnesium-Zufuhr und der Gefäßverkalkung durch die Kalzium-Phosphat-Komplexierung in den Fokus geraten. Hier wäre eine alimentäre Zufuhr wünschenswert, ist aber beim Dialysepatienten nur schwer durchführbar, da magnesiumreiche Nahrungsmittel meist auch kaliumreich sind. Ähnliches gilt für die mediterrane Kost, welche in der Allgemeinbevölkerung zur kardiovaskulären Risikoreduktion beiträgt. Beim Dialysepatienten konnte bisher jedoch nur der Nutzen von gesteigerter Obst- und Gemüsezufuhr hinsichtlich einer Mortalitätsreduktion nachgewiesen werden.
Infektionsprävention in der Augenheilkunde
Authors: Götting Tim , Neß Thomas , Ebner Winfried
Published: November 2019

Die „klassischen“ nosokomialen Infektionen wie Harnwegsinfektionen und Pneumonien
werden nicht mit der Augenheilkunde assoziiert. Dennoch sind Infektionen, die
mit ophthalmologischen und ophthalmochirurgischen Behandlungen in Verbindung
stehen, sehr ernst zu nehmen. Sie können zu einer erheblichen Verschlechterung
des Sehvermögens bis hin zur völligen Erblindung führen.
Ideen, Institutionen, Interessen
Authors: Wildner Manfred
Published: November 2019

Platon, der große Philosoph und erste „Akademiker“, hatte
beste Absichten, als er das Höhlengleichnis entwarf. Er stellte damit das
Leben von Gefangenen in der „Höhle“ des
Materiell-Diesseitigen, in welcher man lediglich über Schatten von den
eigentlichen Vorgängen im Licht außerhalb erfährt, einem
befreiten Leben in diesem Licht der geistigen Erkenntnis gegenüber: ein
durch Philosophie entfaltetes Leben im Land der Ideen, des Guten, Wahren und
Schönen 1. Raffael stellte 2000 Jahre
später Platon in die Mitte seines Freskos „Die Schule von
Athen“, gemalt an eine Decke im Vatikan. Allerdings steht dort neben den mit
dem Zeigefinger zum (Ideen-)Himmel deutenden Platon sein Schüler
Aristoteles, dessen Hand auf den Boden zeigt: in das Hier und Jetzt, auf die Welt
der Dinge und Fakten und das in ihr ethisch Gebotene.
The German Evidence-Based Child Protection Guideline – Imaging in Suspected Child Abuse
Authors: Born Markus , Schwier Frauke , Stoever Brigitte , Mentzel Hans-Joachim , Freiberg Jürgen
Published: November 2019

Aim Development of a fully evidence-based guideline including all aspects of child abuse.

Methods In a case-based procedure, 144 primary PICO questions were generated from 476 presented cases of child abuse. Literature research was performed in 5 databases (Pubmed, CINHAL, Embase, PsycInfo, Eric) and in the Cochrane Library. The literature was evaluated according to SIGN and AGREE II.

Results 137 recommendations were developed. Those related to imaging procedures are presented and discussed in this article.

Conclusion The first fully evidence-based German guideline concerning all aspects of child abuse has been established. For imaging, several relevant new approaches have been proposed.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Injury Incidence Rates and Profiles in Elite Taekwondo during Competition and Training
Authors: Geßlein Markus , Rüther Johannes , Bail Hermann Josef , Schuster Philipp , Krutsch Werner , Wolpert Alexander Karl
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to investigate exposure adjusted injury incidence rates and profiles associated with training and competition in an elite taekwondo athlete population. 82 athletes were investigated for injuries over a period of 5 years. Individual fight time exposure for training and competition was recorded. The type and location of the injuries were classified and exposure-adjusted injury incidence rates (IIR) were calculated per 1000 h for training and competition. 66 athletes with a mean age of 19.3±4.2 years and 172 injuries were included in the final data assessment. The exposure adjusted IIR was significantly higher during competition (p<0.001) with a rate ratio of 6.33 (95% CI 4.58–8.69). Ankle and foot region as well as hand and wrist were most affected with significant higher IIR in competition (p<0.001). Joint injuries, fractures, and bruising occurred the most. Fractures occurred mainly to the hand and wrist region. Future investigations should focus on exposure adjusted injury data including analyses of the detailed mechanism leading to especially severe injuries to improve specific injury prevention in competition and promote evolution of protective gear.
OCT-Angiografie
Authors: Lommatzsch Albrecht
Published: November 2019

Die OCT-Angiografie (OCTA) stellt ein neues nichtinvasives Verfahren zur dreidimensionalen Darstellung der retinalen und choroidalen Gefäße dar. Im Vergleich zur konventionellen Angiografie erlaubt die OCTA eine Separierung und differenzierte Untersuchung oberflächlicher und tiefer retinaler Gefäßsysteme und erschließt neue Möglichkeiten zum Verständnis der Pathophysiologie vaskulärer Netzhauterkrankungen sowie zur Früherkennung vaskulärer Veränderungen. Im Gegensatz lässt sich jedoch nur der intravaskuläre Flow beurteilen, sodass klassische Angiografiephänomene wie Leckage mit der OCTA nicht dargestellt werden können.
NEN: Advancement in Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Therapy
Authors: Putzer Daniel , Schullian Peter , Jaschke Werner , Bale Reto
Published: November 2019

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are a heterogeneous type of malignant disease and frequently present with symptoms caused by the secretion of metabolically active substances or the manifestation of distant metastases, with the liver being the most frequent site of spreading. Early diagnosis of metastatic disease is recognized as the major prognostic factor in NEN patients. Complete surgical resection is feasible in only selected cases. For patients with unresectable liver metastases, various locoregional treatment approaches are available. Over the last decade, therapeutic procedures including locoregional and systemic treatments have been investigated for gastroenteropancreatic NEN (GEP-NEN), especially for metastatic disease to the liver. Only a few prospective clinical trials have compared these approaches, and the management of individual patients remains subject to clinical expertise and judgement. Locoregional treatments are applicable in patients with limited metastatic involvement of the liver, and may be used for tumor debulking and symptom control in patients with diffuse liver involvement.

Key Points:

Citation Format
1500 Euro Preisgeld
Authors: Schäfer Christian
Published: November 2019

Die Thieme Gruppe schreibt im Jahr 2020 wieder den Förderpreis Nephrologische Pflege aus und stiftet das Preisgeld von 1500 Euro.
Endovascular Retreatment of Cerebral Aneurysms Previously Treated with Endovascular Embolization
Authors: Gao Bu-Lang , Li Hui , Li Cong-Hui , Wang Ji-Wei , Liu Jian-Feng , Yang Song-Tao
Published: November 2019

Objective Intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular coil embolization may recur. We investigated the factors affecting aneurysmal recurrence after embolization and effects of endovascular retreatment within 1 year.

Methods In 3 years, 1,335 patients with 1,385 intracranial aneurysms were treated with coil embolization. Factors affecting aneurysm recurrence and the effects of endovascular retreatment were analyzed.

Results Angiography immediately following embolization showed total occlusion in 1,030 aneurysms (74.4%), neck remnant in 207 (14.9%), and partial occlusion in 148 (10.7%), with a total peri-procedure complication rate of 4.2%. Overall, 145 patients with 151 aneurysms recurred within 1 year and the other 1,234 aneurysms remained occluded (89.1%). A significant (p < 0.05) difference existed in aneurysm size, rupture status, use of stent and immediate occlusion outcome between the two groups, with significantly (p < 0.05) lower recurrence rates in aneurysms with smaller sizes, no rupture and stent-assistance coiling. Neck remnant, partial occlusion, coiling without stent assistance, large and giant aneurysms were significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for aneurysm recurrence during the first year. The rate of recurrence was 4.7% (11/232) in aneurysms with total occlusion and 35.9% (23/64) in aneurysms with neck remnant and partial occlusion. Of the 34 recurrent aneurysms, 6 were re-embolized with detachable coils alone, 12 with stent-assisted coiling, 8 with balloon-assisted embolization, and the remaining 8 aneurysms with covered stents, resulting in total occlusion in 28 aneurysms and neck remnant in 6.

Conclusion Recurrence of previously-coiled cerebral aneurysms is significantly affected by aneurysm size, use of stent and degree of immediate occlusion. Endovascular retreatment with balloon-or stent-assisted techniques or with covered stents can be safe and effective for recurrent cerebral aneurysms.
Selectfluor-Mediated Tandem Cyclization of Enaminones for the Synthesis of 3-Fluorochromones
Authors: Kandula Venu , Thota Pradeep Kumar , Mallesham Poosa , Raghavulu K. , Chatterjee Anindita , Yennam Satyanarayana , Behera Manoranjan
Published: November 2019

An efficient synthesis of various 3-fluorochromones (3-fluoro-4H-chromene-4-ones) from enamino ketones by using Selectfluor is described. The key step in the synthesis involves tandem fluorination and cyclization to form 3-fluorochromones in good yields. The significant features of this method include simple operational procedures, a high purity of the product, and excellent regioselectivity.
Impact of Preclinical Labor and Delivery Shadowing on Student Perceptions of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a Specialty and Possible Career: A Prospective Cohort
Authors: Dotters-Katz Sarah K. , Smid Marcela C. , Tinkham Sara , Chuang Alice
Published: November 2019

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of preclinical shadowing on student interest and perceptions of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN).

Methods We enrolled a prospective cohort of preclinical medical students who shadowed on labor and delivery (L&D). Students sent electronic surveys a week prior (presurvey), the week after (postsurvey), and three months after shadowing (far-survey). Responses compared using descriptive statistics. We analyzed common themes of free text responses.

Results From July 2016 to April 2017, 41 students shadowed on L&D; 81% were female. Eighty percent responded to at least one survey, 37% completed all surveys, (presurvey: 76%, postsurvey: 51%, and far-survey: 46%). Prior to shadowing, 10% (3/31) planed a career in OBGYN compared with 24% (5/21) after shadowing (p = 0.42). Over 50% of students described the people and procedures as altering their perceptions of OBGYN in a positive way. Common themes explaining this change included: culture (n = 4), team interactions (n = 4), seeing deliveries (n = 3), and hands-on experiences (n = 3). Three months after shadowing, 79% described the experience as very worthwhile. Eighty-nine percent would recommend the experience to a friend not interested in OBGYN and 100% stated they would shadow again.

Discussion Although shadowing may not increase students' desire to pursue OBGYN, it is nearly universally felt to be worthwhile and improves perceptions of the field.