bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning-guided discovery and design of non-hemolytic peptides
Authors: Plisson Fabien , Ramírez-Sánchez Obed , Martínez-Hernández Cristina
Published: October 2020

Reducing hurdles to clinical trials without compromising the therapeutic promises of peptide candidates becomes an essential step in peptide-based drug design. Machine-learning models are cost-effective and time-saving strategies used to predict biological activities from primary sequences. Their limitations lie in the diversity of peptide sequences and biological information within these models. Additional outlier detection methods are needed to set the boundaries for reliable predictions; the applicability domain. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute an extensive library of peptides offering promising avenues against antibiotic-resistant infections. Most AMPs present in clinical trials are administrated topically due to their hemolytic toxicity. Here we developed machine learning models and outlier detection methods that ensure robust predictions for the discovery of AMPs and the design of novel peptides with reduced hemolytic activity. Our best models, gradient boosting classifiers, predicted the hemolytic nature from any peptide sequence with 95–97% accuracy. Nearly 70% of AMPs were predicted as hemolytic peptides. Applying multivariate outlier detection models, we found that 273 AMPs (~ 9%) could not be predicted reliably. Our combined approach led to the discovery of 34 high-confidence non-hemolytic natural AMPs, the de novo design of 507 non-hemolytic peptides, and the guidelines for non-hemolytic peptide design.
Analysis of retinal sublayer thicknesses and rates of change in ABCA4-associated Stargardt disease
Authors: Whitmore S. Scott , Fortenbach Christopher R. , Cheng Justine L. , DeLuca Adam P. , Critser D. Brice , Geary Elizabeth L. , Hoffmann Jeremy M. , Stone Edwin M. , Han Ian C.
Published: October 2020

Stargardt disease, the most common inherited macular dystrophy, is characterized by vision loss due to central retinal atrophy. Although clinical trials for Stargardt are currently underway, the disease is typically slowly progressive, and objective, imaging-based biomarkers are critically needed. In this retrospective, observational study, we characterize the thicknesses of individual retinal sublayers by macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a large cohort of patients with molecularly-confirmed, ABCA4-associated Stargardt disease (STGD1) relative to normal controls. Automated segmentation of retinal sublayers was performed with manual correction as needed, and thicknesses in various macular regions were compared using mixed effects models. Relative to controls (42 eyes, 40 patients), STGD1 patients (107 eyes, 63 patients) had slight thickening of the nerve fiber layer and retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch’s membrane, with thinning in other sublayers, especially the outer nuclear layer (ONL) (p < 0.0015). When comparing the rate of retinal sublayer thickness change over time (mean follow-up 3.9 years for STGD1, 2.5 years for controls), STGD1 retinas thinned faster than controls in the outer retina (ONL to photoreceptor outer segments). OCT-based retinal sublayer thickness measurements are feasible in STGD1 patients and may provide objective measures of disease progression or treatment response.
The indispensable role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking
Authors: Gao Zhenni , Liu Xiaojin , Zhang Delong , Liu Ming , Hao Ning
Published: October 2020

Recent research has shown that the cerebellum is involved not only in motor control but also in higher-level activities, which are closely related to creativity. This study aimed to explore the role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking based on its intrinsic activity. To this end, we selected the resting-state fMRI data of high- (n = 22) and low-level creativity groups (n = 22), and adopted the voxel-wise, seed-wise, and dynamic functional connectivity to identify the differences between the two groups. Furthermore, the topological properties of the cerebello-cerebral network and their relations with visual divergent thinking were calculated. The voxel-wise functional connectivity results indicated group differences across the cerebellar (e.g. lobules VI, VIIb, Crus I, and Crus II) and cerebral regions (e.g. superior frontal cortex, middle frontal cortex, and inferior parietal gyrus), as well as the cerebellar lobules (e.g. lobules VIIIa, IX, and X) and the cerebral brain regions (the cuneus and precentral gyrus). We found a significant correlation between visual divergent thinking and activities of the left lobules VI, VIIb, Crus I, and Crus II, which are associated with executive functions. Our overall results provide novel insight into the important role of the cerebellum in visual divergent thinking.
Learning curve analysis of applying Seprafilm hyaluronic acid/carboxymethylcellulose membrane during laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Huang Yi-Ting , Su Yu-Ying , Wu Kai-Yun , Huang Hui-Yu , Lin Yu-Shan , Weng Cindy Hsuan , Yang Lan-Yan , Pan Yu-Bin , Wang Chin-Jung
Published: October 2020

This study was designed to evaluate the learning curve of applying Seprafilm (modified hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose; Genzyme, Cambridge, MA, USA) during laparoscopic hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy. In this retrospective cohort study, 35 patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy were enrolled. The Seprafilm was cut into 4 pieces, rolled up with a trimmed plastic sleeve and delivered through an incision wound made for the 5-mm ancillary trocar. The membrane was unrolled and placed on the rough surface after hysterectomy or subtotal hysterectomy with or without adnexectomy. The time from the insertion of the first piece of membrane into the abdominal cavity to the complete removal of the trimmed plastic sleeve was recorded. The median time for Seprafilm placement was 3 min. The learning curve was analyzed using the power-law method and suggested that 10 cases were required to achieve proficiency in the procedure. The presence of adnexectomy was significantly associated with the time required for Seprafilm placement (P < 0.001). Although Seprafilm placement is more complicated compared to the liquid and gel forms of anti-adhesion barriers, surgical proficiency seemed to be attained after 10 cases for an experienced surgeon.
Sensitivity to losses and defects of the symmetry-induced transmission enhancement through diffusive slabs
Authors: Chéron Élie , Félix Simon , Pagneux Vincent
Published: October 2020

We inspect the robustness to absorption and to symmetry defects of the symmetry-induced broadband enhancement through opaque barriers in disordered slabs. The sensitivity of this phenomenon to symmetry defects is found to be strongly related to the distance from to barrier to the nearest defect, and, following, we propose a probabilistic model to estimate the conductance of a medium with an arbitrary number of randomly distributed defects. Also, the conductance enhancement is shown to be robust to absorption in the disordered medium, though being of course weakened. For sufficiently opaque barriers, the conditions of an optimal enhancement are mainly driven by the absorption length of the medium.
Natural infection by Procyrnea uncinipenis (Nematoda, Habronematidae), a parasite from rheas, an autoctone bird from South America, in emus Dromaius novaehollandiae, a ratite from New Zealand
Authors: Ederli Nicole Brand , Gallo Samira Salim Mello , de Oliveira Francisco Carlos Rodrigues
Published: October 2020

The present study reports a natural infection of emus, Dromaius novaehollandiae, by the nematode Procyrnea uncinipenis. Five adult emus from a scientific breeding farm at North Fluminense State University located in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil were necropsied, and their gastrointestinal tract were collected and examined for the presence of parasites from October 2013 to November 2015. Two of the five (40%) emus necropsied were infected with nematodes, and a portion of the nematodes were processed for light microscopy. In addition, two other nematodes (a male and a female) were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. In a female bird, one nematode was collected in the proventriculus and two nematodes in the gizzard and in the male bird four nematodes were collected in the gizzard. The morphological and morphometric analyzes allowed to identify the nematodes as P. uncinipenis, this being the first report of an infection by P. uncinipenis in emus. Therefore, we infer that these emus were naturally infected by nematodes that were considered specific to rheas.
Total alveolar lavage with oxygen fine bubble dispersion directly improves lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome of rats
Authors: Kakiuchi Kenta , Miyasaka Takehiro , Takeoka Shinji , Matsuda Kenichi , Harii Norikazu
Published: October 2020

Severe respiratory disorder induced by pulmonary inflammation is one of the causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome, which still has high mortality. It is crucial to remove causative substances and inflammatory mediators early in order to inhibit the progression of pulmonary inflammation. Total alveolar lavage (TAL) may avert the inflammatory response by eliminating causative substances in certain inflammatory lung diseases. We developed an efficient TAL system and examined the efficacy of short-term TAL treatment performed for acute lung injury models of rats. In the first experiment with a severe lung injury model, 15 rats were divided into 3 groups: sham group, mechanical gas ventilation (MGV) treatment group, and TAL treatment group. The treatments were conducted for 5 min, 20 min after the provocation of inflammation. Two days after treatment, the TAL and MGV treatment groups exhibited significant differences in blood oxygen levels, mean arterial pressure, weight-loss ratio, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the lungs. In contrast, almost no differences were observed between the TAL treatment and sham groups. In the second experiment with a lethal lung injury model, the TAL treatment dramatically improved the survival rate of the rats compared to the MGV treatment groups (p = 0.0079). Histopathological analysis confirmed pronounced differences in neutrophil accumulation and thickening of the interstitial membrane between the TAL and MGV treatment groups in both experiments. These results indicate that as little as 5 min of TAL treatment can protect rats from acute lung injury by removing causative substances from the lungs.
Micromechanics modelling for mineral volume fraction determination: application on a terrigenous formation
Authors: Nicolás-López Rubén , Meléndez-Martínez Jaime , López-Lena-Estrada Alfredo , Valdiviezo-Mijangos Oscar C. , Couder-Castañeda Carlos , Coconi-Morales Enrique , España-Pinto José A.
Published: October 2020

This work presents a non-linear Self-Consistent (SC) micromechanics method to model the observed physical elastic properties of a terrigenous formation with the purpose to obtain its depth mineral volume fractions profile. In this approach, it is first assumed that the observed physical elastic properties obtained from well logs, such as the density $$\rho_{o}$$

ρ
o

and the elastic compressional $$Vp_{o}$$

V

p
o

and shear $$Vs_{o}$$

V

s
o

velocities, are a non-linear relationship of the unknown mineral volume fractions $$\alpha$$
α
. Then, a gradient descent algorithm is implemented to seek for those volume fractions $$\alpha$$
α
for which differences between modelled and observed physical elastic properties are minimum. It is assumed that quartz, calcite and clay are the main comprising minerals of the formation. Obtained volume fractions profile follow the same general trends to those estimated by implementing the Linear Least-Squares Inversion LLSI method which is widely used in petrophysical analysis to obtain mineral concentrations from density $$\rho_{o}$$

ρ
o

, photoelectric effect $$Pe_{o}$$

P

e
o

and compressional slowness $$\Delta tp_{o}$$

Δ
t

p
o

well logs. Results also show that calcite and clay volume fractions from these two methods are highly correlated while quartz volume fractions show low correlation. Further comparison between clay concentrations from SC method with clay concentrations calculated from direct measurements of gamma ray GR well logs used as a guideline also exhibits high correlation. These results suggest that the SC method is better suited to obtain clay and calcite volume fractions rather than quartz volume fractions. However, SC method can provide with insights about the general distribution of quartz along the borehole.
Optical coherence tomographic features of macular telangiectasia type 2: Korean Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 Study—Report No. 1
Authors: Kim Young Ho , Chung Yoo-Ri , Oh Jaeryung , Kim Seong-Woo , Lee Christopher Seungkyu , Yun Cheolmin , Lee Boram , Ahn So Min , Choi Eun Young , Jang Sungmin , Lee Kihwang
Published: October 2020

We analysed the imaging findings of macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2 in Korea using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and investigated their relationship with visual acuity and clinical stages. A retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in six tertiary hospitals in Korea and included 129 patients. We analysed all the SD-OCT images encompassing the macular area. Hyporeflective cavities (77.7%) were the most frequently detected abnormalities in SD-OCT. Disruption of the external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and interdigitation zone were found in 67 (40.4%), 87 (52.4%), and 94 eyes (56.6%), respectively. Four eyes (2.4%) had lamellar macular hole, and five eyes (3.0%) full-thickness macular hole. Neovascularisation, either subretinal or intraretinal, was found in 14 eyes (8.4%). Eyes with outer retinal hyperreflective band disruption had lower visual acuity than those without them. The presented characteristic clinical features of OCT in MacTel type 2 can not only aid in differentiating this disease from others but are also helpful for better judgement of the disease stage in daily clinical practice. Inner retinal hyporeflective cavities without outer retinal abnormalities on SD-OCT, although classified as severity scale 3, could be considered a relatively early stage in the disease process in terms of vision.
Memory of chirality in a room temperature flow electrochemical reactor
Authors: Hardwick Tomas , Cicala Rossana , Wirth Thomas , Ahmed Nisar
Published: October 2020

Chiral compounds have become of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry as they possess various biological activities. Concurrently, the concept of “memory of chirality” has been proven as a powerful tool in asymmetric synthesis, while flow chemistry has begun its rise as a new enabling technology to add to the ever increasing arsenal of techniques available to the modern day chemist. Here, we have employed a new simple electrochemical microreactor design to oxidise anl-proline derivative at room temperature in continuous flow. Compared to batch, organic electrosynthesis via microflow reactors are advantageous because they allow shorter reaction times, optimization and scale up, safer working environments, and high selectivities (e.g. reduce overoxidation). Flow electrochemical reactors also provide high surface-to-volume ratios and impart the possibility of excluding the supporting electrolyte due to a very short interelectrode distance. By the comparison of Hofer Moest type electrochemical oxidations at room temperature in batch and flow, we conclude that continuous flow electrolysis is superior to batch, producing a good yield (71%) and a higher enantiomeric excess (64%). These results show that continuous flow has the potential to act as a new enabling technology for asymmetric synthesis to replace some aspects of conventional batch electrochemical processes.
Silk
Authors: Locatelli Giulia , Ponzio Chiara , Bari Elia
Published: October 2020

Since 5000 years ago, silk has captivated and continues to amaze humans exploring its new exciting applications. Thanks to many cross-disciplinary types of research, it is now clear that silk is no more a simple fibre but an outstanding biopolymer. Before defining the current state of the art surrounding the field of silk-based materials for drug delivery, and looking toward their future, this chapter provides a general overview of silk proteins. Starting from the motivation of the research and the history of silk-based material, the chapter moves on describing different types of silk, with particular emphasis on Bombyx mori and spider ones. Then, a detailed description of the primary and secondary structure of silk proteins (fibroin/spidroin and sericin) is provided. The most common degumming processes and the modern biomedical applications for both fibroin and sericin are also reported.
Silk-fibroin Micro-drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Perteghella Sara , Bari Elia
Published: October 2020

This chapter focuses on silk fibroin micro-drug delivery systems, with particular attention to microparticles/microspheres, microcapsules, microneedles and microfibers. Their production by different techniques, properties and applications, both in vitro and in vivo, are described. Moreover, their more recent employment for the delivery of drugs, and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine purposes is reported.
Silk-fibroin Nano-drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Mocchi Michela , Bari Elia
Published: October 2020

This chapter focuses on silk-fibroin nano-drug delivery systems, with particular attention to nanoparticles, nanocapsules and nanofibers. The currently-employed methods for their production are described, including those based on solvent or microemulsion, those requiring specific instruments such as the milling technique, the electrospray and the supercritical fluid technology, and finally those considered as “niche” techniques, such as the microcapillary dot method. The employment of silk-fibroin nanosystems for the delivery of drugs, including protein/enzymes, genetic material and small molecules, is also described.
Silk-sericin Micro-drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Bari Elia
Published: October 2020

Silk sericin is among the proteins which has attracted much interest in the last years for the drug delivery field. The employment of sericin relies on its non-immunogenicity, water-retaining property, pH responsiveness as well as chemical reactivity, that enables the easy binding of other molecules, allowing thus the fabrication of micro-sized materials. This chapter focuses on silk-sericin microparticles/microspheres and microcapsules, describing the production techniques employed, the co-formulation with other excipients, as well as the in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Stepwise reduction of interlocked viologen-based complexes in the gas phase
Authors: Marshall David L. , Poad Berwyck L. J. , Luis Ena T. , Da Silva Rodrigues Rafael A. , Blanksby Stephen J. , Mullen Kathleen M.
Published: October 2020

Thinking outside the (blue)box: electron transfer mass spectrometry as a dual-purpose synthetic and analytical tool for supramolecular complexes.
A fluorogenic probe using a catalytic reaction for the detection of trace intracellular zinc
Authors: Takashima Ippei , Inoue Yohei , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Takagi Akira , Okuda Kensuke
Published: October 2020

A reaction-based fluorescent probe with cephem scaffold has been applied for signal amplification system to detect trace intracellular zinc.
Rational interface engineering of Cu2S–CoOx/CF enhances oxygen evolution reaction activity
Authors: Guan Xin , Sun Xun , Feng Hao , Zhang Jie , Wen Hao , Tian Wenli , Zheng Dengchao , Yao Yadong
Published: October 2020

Sulfide–oxide interface engineering promotes better oxygen evolution reaction activity of Cu2S–CoOx/CF, compared with that of the original Cu2S and CoOx.
Radical chemistry of nitrosoarenes: concepts, synthetic applications and directions
Authors: Gao Yang , Yang Simin , Xiao Wenping , Nie Jianhong , Hu Xiao-Qiang
Published: October 2020

The radical chemistry of nitrosoarenes has recently emerged as an attractive and important topic in organic chemistry.
Bio-inspired mineral fluorescent hydrogels cross-linked by amorphous rare earth carbonates
Authors: Zhou Jiahua , Shi Dongjian , Chen Mingqing
Published: October 2020

Rare earth carbonates act as cross-linkers to fabricate mineral plastic hydrogels based on polyacrylic acid and provide fluorescence properties.
Hydrophobic functional liquids based on trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and carboxylic acids
Authors: Byrne Emily L. , O’Donnell Ruairi , Gilmore Mark , Artioli Nancy , Holbrey John D. , Swadźba-Kwaśny Małgorzata
Published: October 2020

Hydrophobic eutectic liquids with high TOPO content are promising extractants of valuable solutes from aqueous streams.
When classical trajectories get to quantum accuracy: II. The scattering of rotationally excited H2 on Pd(111)
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Alberto , Bonnet Laurent , Crespos Cedric , Larrégaray Pascal , Díez Muiño Ricardo
Published: October 2020

The classical trajectory method in a quantum spirit assigns statistical weights to classical paths on the basis of two semiclassical corrections: Gaussian binning and the adiabaticity correction.
High-throughput screening of metal–organic frameworks for kinetic separation of propane and propene
Authors: Pramudya Yohanes , Bonakala Satyanarayana , Antypov Dmytro , Bhatt Prashant M. , Shkurenko Aleksander , Eddaoudi Mohamed , Rosseinsky Matthew J. , Dyer Matthew S.
Published: October 2020

We report the first screening workflow that identifies flexible porous materials suitable for kinetic separation of gases.
Martensitic transition in molecular crystals for dynamic functional materials
Authors: Park Sang Kyu , Diao Ying
Published: October 2020

This review comprehensively summarizes fundamentals and potential applications of molecular martensites – an emerging class of dynamic crystals for next-generation smart functional materials.
On demand production of ethers or alcohols from furfural and HMF by selecting the composition of a Zr/Si catalyst
Authors: Zaccheria Federica , Bossola Filippo , Scotti Nicola , Evangelisti Claudio , Dal Santo Vladimiro , Ravasio Nicoletta
Published: October 2020

Silica is used to tailor the acid–base properties of ZrO2 to selectively transform furfural and HMF into alcohols or ethers.
Tautomeric and conformational switching in a new versatile N-rich heterocyclic ligand
Authors: Parisi Emmanuele , Capasso Domenica , Capobianco Amedeo , Peluso Andrea , Di Gaetano Sonia , Fusco Sandra , Manfredi Carla , Mozzillo Rosaria , Pinto Gabriella , Centore Roberto
Published: October 2020

The dancing of protons: five different tautomers/conformers of a new N-rich heterocyclic ligand were isolated and characterized.
An optofluidic conveyor for particle transportation based on a fiber array and photothermal convection
Authors: Zhan Wei , Wu Rongyao , Gao Kui , Zheng Junjie , Song Wuzhou
Published: October 2020

A simple, detachable, centimeter-level-transportation distance optofluidic conveyor based on a fiber array and a lightwave splitter.
Electromechanical dopant–defect interaction in acceptor-doped ceria
Authors: Kabir Ahsanul , Buratto Tinti Victor , Varenik Maxim , Lubomirsky Igor , Esposito Vincenzo
Published: October 2020

Oxygen defective cerium oxide CeO2−δ exhibits a non-classical giant electromechanical response that is superior to that of lead-based electrostrictors.
Correction: Carbon nanofiber-based three-dimensional nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications
Authors: Zhou Xinxiao , Liu Bin , Chen Yun , Guo Lei , Wei Gang
Published: October 2020

Correction for ‘Carbon nanofiber-based three-dimensional nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications’ by Xinxiao Zhou et al., Mater. Adv., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0ma00492h.
Synthesis and characterization of vanadium-doped Mo(O,S)2 oxysulfide for efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Tadesse Sleshi Fentie , Kuo Dong-Hau , Kebede Worku Lakew , Duresa Lalisa Wakjira
Published: October 2020

We developed simple and low cost synthesis methods at low temperature to synthesize V-doped Mo(O,S)2 for the photocatalytic degradation of dyes.
Polypharmacology of andrographolide: beyond one molecule one target
Authors: Tran Quy T. N. , Tan W. S. Daniel , Wong W. S. Fred , Chai Christina L. L.
Published: October 2020

The ability of metabolically labile andrographolide to deliver good systemic efficacy is of great interest. Thishighlightprovides a perspective on possible factors that may contribute to this, specifically, the polypharmacology of andrographolide.
Jahn–Teller distortions boost the ultrahigh areal capacity and cycling robustness of holey NiMn-hydroxide nanosheets for flexible energy storage devices
Authors: Chen Ruyi , Xue Jialu , Gao Xiaoliang , Yu Chenyang , Chen Qiang , Zhou Jinyuan , Sun Gengzhi , Huang Wei
Published: October 2020

Holey-NiMn-OH sheets with lattice disorder vertically grown on carbon cloth are synthesized via a solvothermal method for high-performance energy storage.
Rational design of hierarchical FeSe2 encapsulated with bifunctional carbon cuboids as an advanced anode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Shikang , Xiang Meijuan , Zhang Jingyuan , Chu Shengqi , Marcelli Augusto , Chu Wangsheng , Wu Dajun , Qian Bin , Tao Shi , Song Li
Published: October 2020

Well-organized FeSe2 nanoparticles encapsulated into a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (NC) and graphene layer (FeSe2/NC@G) are rationally fabricated and with the formation of an Fe–O–C chemical bond endows superior sodium-storage performance.
Extraction of 2′-O-apiosyl-6′-O-crotonic acid-betanin from the ayrampo seed (Opuntia soehrensii) cuticle and its use as an emitting layer in an organic light-emitting diode
Authors: Rivera Tito Harry Anderson , Hernández-Sosa Gerardo , Romero-Nieto Carlos , Regulska Elzbieta , Jürgensen Nils , Zimmermann Johannes , Salazar-Salinas Karim , Quintana Caceda María Esther
Published: October 2020

The molecule 2′-O-apiosyl-6′-O-crotonic acid-betanin (called Achkiy) was obtained after an ecofriendly and low-cost purification process of the extract from the ayrampo seed cuticle.
Improved thermal and mechanical properties of bismaleimide nanocompositesviaincorporation of a new allylated siloxane graphene oxide
Authors: Jiang Hao , Li Zhao , Gan Jiantuo , Wang Lei , Li Yan
Published: October 2020

A thermosetting resin system based on bismaleimide has been developedviacopolymerization of a new allylated siloxane graphene oxide.
Enhancement of alkaline conductivity and chemical stability of quaternized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) alkaline electrolyte membrane by mild temperature benzyl bromination
Authors: Manohar Murli , Kim Dukjoon
Published: October 2020

A series of quaternized polyphenylene oxide (QPPO) based alkaline electrolyte membranes with different degrees of quaternization were synthesized via a benzyl bromination method at mild temperature (75 °C).
In situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles encapsulated by nitrogen-doped graphene at room temperature via solution plasma
Authors: Phan Phu Quoc , Chae Sangwoo , Pornaroontham Phuwadej , Muta Yukihiro , Kim Kyusung , Wang Xiaoyang , Saito Nagahiro
Published: October 2020

An excellent corrosion protection for copper nanoparticles by nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene via solution plasma process.
Characterising the diffusion of biological nanoparticles on fluid and cross-linked membranes
Authors: Debets V. E. , Janssen L. M. C. , Šarić A.
Published: October 2020

“Nanoparticle diffusion on fluid and gel membranes is qualitatively different.”
Probing structure-designed Cu–Pd nanospheres and their Pt-monolayer-shell derivatives as high-performance electrocatalysts for alkaline and acidic oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Luo Liuxuan , Fu Cehuang , Shen Shuiyun , Zhu Fengjuan , Zhang Junliang
Published: October 2020

Composition-graded Cu–Pd nanospheres are annealed for highly efficient alkaline oxygen reduction reaction, and further coated with Pt monolayer shells for high-performance acidic oxygen reduction reaction.
High-performance organic second- and third-order nonlinear optical materials for ultrafast information processing
Authors: Wu Jieyun , Li Zhong’an , Luo Jingdong , Jen Alex K.-Y.
Published: October 2020

The review reports the recent progress in organic second-order and third-order nonlinear optical materials in the Jen group.
Mixed-ligand zinc-oxoclusters: efficient chemistry for high resolution nanolithography
Authors: Thakur Neha , Bliem Roland , Mochi Iacopo , Vockenhuber Michaela , Ekinci Yasin , Castellanos Sonia
Published: October 2020

The combined reactivity of methacrylate and trifluoroacetate ligands make zinc-oxoclusters pattern 22–50 nm lines with high sensitivity by EUV Lithography.
Metals in polymers: hybridization enables new functions
Authors: Wei Zichao , Duan Hanyi , Weng Gengsheng , He Jie
Published: October 2020

Adding metals into synthetic polymers is of broad interest to design multifunctional materials, particularly harnessing unique properties and functionalities not found in pure organic polymers.
Eco-friendly semiconducting polymers: from greener synthesis to greener processability
Authors: Mooney Madison , Nyayachavadi Audithya , Rondeau-Gagné Simon
Published: October 2020

This review presents emerging strategies for materials scientists to design, prepare and process semiconducting polymers in a more sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
Young Adults With Developmental Language Disorder: A Systematic Review of Education, Employment, and Independent Living Outcomes
Authors: Dubois Pascale , St-Pierre Marie-Catherine , Desmarais Chantal , Guay Frédéric
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Research on developmental language disorder (DLD) in adulthood has increased rapidly in recent years. However, to date, there has been no systematic literature review on this topic, thereby limiting the possibility to have a comprehensive overview of publications in this field.

Method

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a systematic literature review. A literature search was undertaken in four databases, from 2005 to 2018. We selected articles with original data related to life outcomes of young adults with and without DLD, all aged between 18 and 34 years, in three life areas: education, employment, and independent living. Methodological characteristics of the studies were analyzed.

Results

Fifteen articles were selected with longitudinal designs. In every life area, young adults with DLD were compared to their typically developing peers to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The predictive role of language abilities was also examined.

Conclusions

Outcomes within each life area are heterogeneous. Nevertheless, similarly to young children and adolescents, young adults with DLD face numerous challenges. Although language abilities partly predict some of these outcomes, much of the variance remains unaccounted for and some outcomes are unrelated to this predictor. This systematic literature review has implications for researchers and practitioners to identify promising avenues for research, interventions, and policy development.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13022552
Intelligibility Enhancement via Telepractice During COVID-19 Restrictions
Authors: Blake Helen L.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may be approached by multilingual speakers seeking to improve their intelligibility in English. Intelligibility is an essential element of spoken language proficiency and is especially important for multilingual university students given their need to express complex ideas in an additional language. Intelligibility Enhancement is an assessment and intervention approach that aims to improve the intelligibility of consonants, vowels, and prosody with multilingual speakers who are learning to speak English. This article describes the student-led delivery of Intelligibility Enhancement with multilingual clients in a university clinic using a telepractice model after restrictions were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

Telepractice offered an appropriate mode of service delivery that facilitated a high-quality, best practice, and continuous service to Intelligibility Enhancement clients while also permitting student SLPs' ongoing clinical education employing an increasingly utilized technology. Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of the Intelligibility Enhancement Assessment and Intervention Protocols in increasing English intelligibility in multilingual university students. The modifications necessary to provide this intervention via telepractice in a student-led clinic not only offer a possible solution to supporting multilingual university students' English intelligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic but also will inform the understanding of SLPs providing similar interventions in the future.
X‐band, mechanically‐beam‐steerable lens antenna exploiting the Risley prism concept
Authors: Zhang Zongtang , Luyen Hung , Booske John H. , Behdad Nader
Published: October 2020

This study presents a beam‐steerable antenna system that uses two mechanically‐rotatable, phase‐shifting surfaces (PSSs) functioning like a pair of Risley prisms for beam scanning operation at X‐band. One of the PSSs also acts as a lens, performing beam collimation in addition to providing a phase shift gradient. Unit cells constituting the two PSSs were co‐designed to determine the distance between the two surfaces that results in high transmission coefficients and small phase errors under different beam‐scanning conditions. Both simulation and measurement results have verified that the distance of 2 mm provides the best performance regarding to peak gain. Prototypes of the PSSs having circular apertures with diameters of at 10 GHz were fabricated and illuminated by a feed antenna to characterise the beam scanning performance. The measurement results of the proposed antenna system demonstrate the capability to steer the main beam within a scanning range with a maximum gain variation of less than 3.6 dB by rotating the two PSSs with respect to each other. The fabricated prototype provides side lobe levels less than , polarisation purity higher than 20 dB, and small beam pointing errors of no more than in all examined beam scan scenarios.
Dust and gas in the central region of NGC 1316 (Fornax A)
Authors: Richtler T. , Hilker M. , Iodice E.
Published: October 2020

Context. The early-type galaxy NGC 1316, associated with the radio source Fornax A, hosts about 107 M⊙ of dust within a central radius of 5 kpc. These prominent dust structures are believed to have an external origin, which is also a popular interpretation for other dusty early-type galaxies. Moreover, it has been long known that ionised gas is present in NGC 1316, but to date there has been a lack of detailed investigation.

Aims. Our aim is to understand the nature of ionised gas and dust in NGC 1316 and to offer an interpretation for the origin of the dust.

Methods. We use archival Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys data to construct colour maps that delineate the dust pattern in detail, and we compare these data with maps constructed with data from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument of the Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory. Twelve MUSE pointings in wide field mode form a mosaic of the central 3.3 × 2.4 arcmin2. We use the tool PyParadise to fit the stellar population. We use the residual emission lines and the residual interstellar absorption NaI D-lines, and we measure line strengths, the velocity field, and the velocity dispersion field.

Results. The emission lines resemble low-ionisation nuclear emission-line region lines, with [NII] being the strongest line everywhere. Ionising sources are plausibly the post-asymptotic giant branch stars of the old or intermediate-age stellar population. There is a striking match between the dust structures, ionised gas, and atomic gas distributions, the last of which is manifested by interstellar absorption residuals of the stellar NaI D-lines. In the dust-free regions, the interstellar NaI D-lines appear in emission, which is indicative of a galactic wind. The velocity field of the ionised gas (and thus of the dust) is characterised by small-scale turbulent movements that indicate short lifetimes. At the very centre, a bipolar velocity field of the ionised gas is observed, which we interpret as an outflow. The low-velocity part is associated with dust. We identify a strongly inclined gaseous dusty disc along the major axis of NGC 1316. A straight beam of ionised gas with a length of about 4 kpc emanates from the centre.

Conclusions. The dust in NGC 1316 has different origins. Our findings are strongly suggestive of a dusty outflow that is curved along the line-of-sight. Nuclear outflows may be important dust-producing machines in galaxies. Another dusty gaseous component forms a disc that we identify as the predecessor of a central dust lane.
Diffusion of CH4in amorphous solid water
Authors: Maté Belén , Cazaux Stéphanie , Satorre Miguel Ángel , Molpeceres Germán , Ortigoso Juan , Millán Carlos , Santonja Carmina
Published: October 2020

Context.The diffusion of volatile species on amorphous solid water ice affects the chemistry on dust grains in the interstellar medium as well as the trapping of gases enriching planetary atmospheres or present in cometary material.

Aims.The aim of the work is to provide diffusion coefficients of CH4on amorphous solid water (ASW) and to understand how they are affected by the ASW structure.

Methods.Ice mixtures of H2O and CH4were grown in different conditions and the sublimation of CH4was monitored via infrared spectroscopy or via the mass loss of a cryogenic quartz crystal microbalance. Diffusion coefficients were obtained from the experimental data assuming the systems obey Fick’s law of diffusion. Monte Carlo simulations were used to model the different amorphous solid water ice structures investigated and were used to reproduce and interpret the experimental results.

Results.Diffusion coefficients of methane on amorphous solid water have been measured to be between 10−12and 10−13cm2s−1for temperatures ranging between 42 K and 60 K. We show that diffusion can differ by one order of magnitude depending on the morphology of amorphous solid water. The porosity within water ice and the network created by pore coalescence enhance the diffusion of species within the pores. The diffusion rates derived experimentally cannot be used in our Monte Carlo simulations to reproduce the measurements.

Conclusions.We conclude that Fick’s laws can be used to describe diffusion at the macroscopic scale, while Monte Carlo simulations describe the microscopic scale where trapping of species in the ices (and their movement) is considered.
A hierarchy of multilayered plate models
Authors: de Benito Delgado Miguel , Schmidt Bernd
Published: October 2020

We derive a hierarchy of plate theories for heterogeneous multilayers from three dimensional nonlinear elasticity by means of Γ-convergence. We allow for layers composed of different materials whose constitutive assumptions may vary significantly in the small film direction and which also may have a (small) pre-stress. By computing the Γ-limits in the energy regimes in which the scaling of the pre-stress is non-trivial, we arrive at linearised Kirchhoff, von Kármán, and fully linear plate theories, respectively, which contain an additional spontaneous curvature tensor. The effective (homogenised) elastic constants of the plates will turn out to be given in terms of the moments of the pointwise elastic constants of the materials.
Experimental Study on Fatigue-Creep of P/M FGH96 Superalloy with Different Holding Time
Authors: Xiao Yang , Qin Haiqin , Xu Kejun , Wang Yongqi
Published: October 2020

The fatigue-creep deformation characteristics and evolutions of microstructure of P/M superalloy FGH96 widely used for the turbine disc of an aero-engine were investigated experimentally. The low cycle fatigue-creep tests with different holding times were performed at 550℃. The influence of the holding time on the stress-strain curve, cyclic strain response, fatigue-creep life and damage mechanism were discussed. The results reveal that the holding time has a significant effect on the fatigue-creep deformation characteristics. As the holding time increases, the hysteretic energy of inelastic strain rises, the steady-state hysteresis curve shifts to the right and the envelope strain and the envelope strain rate increase. Fatigue-creep life decreases firstly exponentially and then stabilizes. The creep damage gradually plays a leading role. The fracture analysis indicates that the introduction of the holding time makes the section appear as a multi-crack source. The fracture mode changes from transgranular fracture to transgranular-intergranular mixed fracture. The slip bands and a small amount of dimples appear in the crack propagation zone and the dimple characteristics of the transient fracture zone are obvious.
Simulation and Analysis on Tooth Meshing Ease-Off Surface of Gears Based on Polynomial Topology Modification
Authors: Wei Bingyang , Cao Xuemei , Deng Xiaozhong
Published: October 2020

Based on the principles of common-generating conjugation mapping of pinion-rank-gear meshing, the constructing of ease-off surface has been done by means of the topology modification of the 4-order polynomial surface. The simulation method of tooth surface mesh is purposed based on the ease-off surface. By analyzing topological structure characteristics of ease-off surface such as modification gradient curves, contact line-off and contact path-off, the meshing characteristics such as the contact area, the contact line and transmission error are determined. It is stated on the interaction relations of coefficients of the 4-order polynomial to the topological construction of surface. The methods for reconstruction and analysis of ease-off surface with considering axis misalignments are presented by the direct transformation of coordinate systems. Taking the topological construction of four kinds of surfaces as examples, characteristics parameters such as modification gradient of tooth surface, contact path and transmission errors are simulated. They are expounded on the corresponding parameters of controlling form and adjusting methods for tooth surface. These methods take goals of adjusting-modification and controlling-property for tooth surface mesh. It is improved and developed the meshing analysis method of ease-off surface of tooth. The presented method is liable to provide the basis data for the further loaded contact analysis of complicated tooth surface and the more direct technical for the 3-D topological optimization of tooth surface.
Impact of solar magnetic field amplitude and geometry on cosmic rays diffusion coefficients in the inner heliosphere
Authors: Perri Barbara , Brun Allan Sacha , Strugarek Antoine , Réville Victor
Published: October 2020

Cosmic rays are remarkable tracers of solar events when they are associated with solar flares, but also galactic events such as supernova remnants when they come from outside our solar system. Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) are correlated with the 11-year solar cycle while Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) are anti-correlated due to their interaction with the heliospheric magnetic field and the solar wind. Our aim is to quantify separately the impact of the amplitude and the geometry of the magnetic field, both evolving during the solar cycle, on the propagation of cosmic rays of various energies in the inner heliosphere (within Earth orbit). We focus especially on the diffusion caused by the magnetic field along and across the field lines. To do so, we use the results of 3D magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) wind simulations running from the lower corona up to 1 AU. This gives us the structure of the wind and the corresponding magnetic field. The wind is modeled using a polytropic approximation, and fits and power laws are used to account for the turbulence. Using these results, we compute the parallel and perpendicular diffusion coefficients of the Parker cosmic ray transport equation, yielding 3D maps of the diffusion of cosmic rays in the inner heliosphere. By varying the amplitude of the magnetic field, we change the amplitude of the diffusion by the same factor, and the radial gradients by changing the spread of the current sheet. By varying the geometry of the magnetic field, we change the latitudinal gradients of diffusion by changing the position of the current sheets. By varying the energy, we show that the distribution of values for SEPs is more peaked than GCRs. For realistic solar configurations, we show that diffusion is highly non-axisymmetric due to the configuration of the current sheets, and that the distribution varies a lot with the distance to the Sun with a drift of the peak value. This study shows that numerical simulations, combined with theory, can help quantify better the influence of the various magnetic field parameters on the propagation of cosmic rays. This study is a first step towards the resolution of the complete Parker transport equation to generate synthetic cosmic rays rates from numerical simulations.
Update membranöse Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Hoxha Elion , Huber Tobias B.
Published: October 2020

Was ist neu?

Diagnose von PLA2R1- und THSD7A-Antikörper-positiver membranöser Glomerulonephritis Der Nachweis von PLA2R1- und THSD7A-Antikörpern im Blut sowie die immunhistologische Analyse von Nierenbiopsien für die entsprechenden Antigene ermöglichen in praktisch 100 % der Fälle die korrekte Diagnose einer PLA2R1- oder THSD7A-assoziierten membranösen Glomerulonephritis (MGN) 1
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3. Die Entscheidung für oder gegen eine Nierenbiopsie kann individualisiert getroffen werden, unter Berücksichtigung der Vorerkrankungen, Prozedurrisiken, klinischen und laborchemischen Befunden usw. 3. Die pathogenetische oder diagnostische Rolle weiterer Antigene wird weiterhin erforscht. Hierbei konnte kürzlich auch erstmals ein PLA2R1-Mausmodell etabliert werden, welches nun die experimentellen Möglichkeiten erweitert 4
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Klinische Rolle der PLA2R1-Antikörper PLA2R1-Antikörperspiegel sind Prädiktoren für eine Remission der Proteinurie sowie die Entwicklung einer Niereninsuffizienz, Dialysepflichtigkeit und eines Relapses der Erkrankung 8. Die Behandlungsstrategie der MGN basiert zunehmend auf der Höhe der PLA2R1-Antikörperspiegel 9.

Therapie der membranösen Glomerulonephritis Rituximab ist nicht unterlegen für die Induktion einer Proteinurieremission nach 12 Monaten und überlegen für den Erhalt der Proteinurieremission nach 24 Monaten verglichen mit Ciclosporin A 10. Die Entwicklung neuer Therapiestrategien, die auf die Krankheitspathogenese und -aktivität des einzelnen Patienten gerichtet sind, bleibt bei der MGN hoch relevant.