bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung ultrasound as a tool to guide respiratory physiotherapy
Authors: Vieira Rui , Segura‐Grau Elena , Magalhães Juliana , dos Santos Joseph , Patrão Luís
Published: June 2020

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is becoming an invaluable tool in the management of critically ill patients. We report two cases showing the importance of LUS as a guide to optimize respiratory physiotherapy in the intensive care unit, allowing a successful lung donation process and to redirect the physiotherapist's approach. The use of LUS requires an adequate training but it is becoming an important tool in management algorithms for critically ill patients.
Cell lineage tracing and functional assessment of supraspinatus tendon healing in an acute repair murine model
Authors: Moser Helen L. , Abraham Adam C. , Howell Kristen , Laudier Damien , Zumstein Matthias A. , Galatz Leesa M. , Huang Alice H.
Published: June 2020

Rotator cuff supraspinatus tendon injuries are common with high rates of anatomic failure after surgical repair. The purpose of the study was to define clinically relevant features of a mouse model of supraspinatus tendon injury to determine painful, functional, and structural outcomes; we further investigated two cell populations mediating healing using genetic lineage tracing after full detachment and repair of the supraspinatus tendon in mice. The pain was assessed using the mouse grimace scale and function by gait analysis and tensile testing. Histological and microCT analyses were used to determine enthesis/tendon and bone structure, respectively. Lineage tracing was carried out using inducible Cre lines for ScxCreERT2 (tendon cells) and αSMACreERT2 (myofibroblasts and mesenchymal progenitors). Mice only expressed pain transiently after surgery despite long‐term impairment of functional and structural properties. Gait, tensile mechanical properties, and bone properties were significantly reduced after injury and repair. Lineage tracing showed relatively few Scx

lin
tendon cells while αSMA

lin
cells contributed strongly to scar formation. Despite surgical reattachment of healthy tendon, lineage tracing revealed poor preservation of supraspinatus tendon after acute injury and loss of tendon structure, suggesting that tendon degeneration is also a key impediment of successful rotator cuff repair. Scar formation after surgery is mediated largely by αSMA

lin
cells and results in permanently reduced functional and structural properties.
A Spore‐Forming Probiotic Supplement Improves the Intestinal Immune Response and Protects the Intestinal Health During Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Colonization in Mice
Authors: Ramezani Kapourchali Fatemeh , Glueck Bryan , Han Yingchun , Shapiro David , Fulmer Clifton G. , Cresci Gail A. M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Around 15%–30% of patients develop recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as conventional therapies disrupt protective gut microbiota. We tested if supplementation with a spore‐forming probiotic would
protect intestinal health in a mouse model of recurrent CD colonization.

Methods

Methods: Female CF‐1 mice were exposed to CD spores (4‐log10 colony‐forming units/10 μL) and then randomly assigned to receive either saline (CD‐S) or probiotic (CD‐PRO). Control mice received only saline (control). Following confirmation of initial CD colonization, mice were treated with vancomycin (10 days). After 5 days, mice recolonized with CD were treated again with vancomycin (10 days) and euthanized 5 days later. Fecal samples were collected at select time points for bacterial analysis. Following euthanasia, blood samples, cecum contents, and the intestine were collected for analysis.

Results

Probiotic supplementation mitigated the antibiotic‐induced changes in cecum weight (P < .001). Probiotic‐supplemented mice had increased messenger RNA expression of several immune parameters, accompanied by lower serum iron levels compared with CD‐S mice (P < .05). Lower expressions of TNF α and calprotectin (P ≤ .05) were observed in CD‐PRO mice compared with CD‐S. The probiotics also supported the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, which were diminished in the proximal colon of CD‐S mice (P < .05).

Conclusion

Mice supplemented with targeted spore‐forming probiotics exhibited improved immune responses and nutrition immunity properties, which were linked with less inflammation and enhanced intestinal barrier proteins during recurrent CD colonization.
Themes of Stressors, Emotional Fatigue, and Communication Challenges Found in Mobile Care Discussion Sessions With Patients Requiring Lifelong Home Parenteral Nutrition Infusions
Authors: Smith Carol E. , Yadrich Donna , Wright Shawna , Ridder Lavonne , Werkowitch Marilyn , Bruce Amanda , Bonar Jaime Rachelle M.
Published: June 2020

Background

The purpose of this article is to examine themes and topics that emerged from 35 discussion sessions with teens and young adults requiring long‐term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) intravenous infusions. The goal was to gain a more detailed understanding of participants’ challenges and successes of living with HPN.

Methods

These patients were invited to attend 3 discussion group sessions facilitated by health professionals. A secure iPad Mini was selected as the mobile tablet device for hosting these encrypted audio‐visual group discussions. Content analysis, a standard research data‐sorting technique, was used to summarize the anonymous data. Words, phrases, and topics in patients’ discussions were coded and grouped together with similar concepts and subsequently categorized into themes.

Results

Themes in these discussions were related to patients’ daily, complex management of HPN. These “themes” included having multiple repetitive illness‐related stressors and how those stressors were managed; managing emotions; communication challenges with professionals, family, friends, and using social media; and lastly, the least frequent but no less important theme discussed was how HPN effects their daily lives.

Conclusion

Teens and young adults living with lifelong HPN face a variety of unique psychological, physical, and emotional stressors and may benefit from numerous methods for managing these challenges.
First record of the Eurasian jaguar in southern Asia and a review of dental differences between pantherine cats
Authors: Jiangzuo Qigao , Liu Jinyi
Published: June 2020

Felid material from the middle Early Pleistocene Haro River quarry, northern Pakistan, is described. Most of the material is referred to the Eurasian jaguar, Panthera gombaszogensis georgica, representing the first record of the jaguar in southern Asia. A systematic review of dental morphology of all living species of Pantherinae is made to provide a better background for studying the evolution of pantherine cats. A renewed dispersal scenario of the jaguar in Eurasia is provided. Panthera gombaszogensis georgica is suggested to be a distinct subspecies distributed in central, western and southern Asia during the Early Pleistocene, characterized by relatively small body size and slender dentition. The Eurasian jaguar does not possess the derived dental characters of the living jaguar Panthera onca (e.g. weak or no canine vertical groove, robust premolars), and presumably did not specialize on hard‐shelled prey, and therefore should be viewed as a distinct species from the living P. onca. Two additional felids from the Haro River Quarry, the large sabre‐toothed felid? Megantereon sp. and a small undetermined feline, are also reported. The Felidae faunal composition of southern Asia during the Early Pleistocene is generally similar to that of northern Eurasia, and the paleoenvironment is probably slightly more closed.
“It has no meaning to me.” How do researchers understand the effectiveness of literature searches? A qualitative analysis and preliminary typology of understandings
Authors: Cooper Chris , Garside Ruth , Varley‐Campbell Joanna , Talens‐Bou Juan , Booth Andrew , Britten Nicky
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to address the question: what does “effectiveness” mean to researchers in the context of literature searching for systematic reviews? We conducted a thematic analysis of responses to an e‐mail survey. Eighty‐nine study authors, whose studies met inclusion in a recent review (2018), were contacted via e‐mail and asked three questions; one directly asking the question: in literature searching, what does effective (or effectiveness in) literature searching mean to you? Thirty‐eight (46%) responses were received from diverse professional groups, including: literature searchers, systematic reviewers, clinicians and researchers. A shared understanding of what effectiveness means was not identified. Instead, five themes were developed from data: (a) effectiveness is described as a metric; (b) effectiveness is a balance between metrics; (c) effectiveness can be categorized by search purpose; (d) effectiveness is an outcome; and, (e) effectiveness is an experimental concept. We propose that these themes constitute a preliminary typology of understandings. No single definition of effectiveness was identified. The proposed typology suggests that different researchers have differing understandings of effectiveness. This could lead to uncertainty as to the aim and the purpose of literature searches and confusion about the outcomes. The typology offers a potential route for further exploration.
Rapid characterization the chemical constituents of Bergenia purpurascens and explore potential mechanism in treating osteoarthritis by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with network pharmacology
Authors: Qu Yuxia , Zhang Chenning , Liu Runhua , Wu Hao , Sun Yu , Zhang Na , Nima Ciren , Danpei Quzeng , Zhang Shuofeng , Sun Yikun
Published: June 2020

In recent years, direct and indirect evidence has been found of the efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine Bergenia purpurascens in treating arthritis and osteoarthritis. Several major components, such as bergenin and 11‐O‐galloylbergenin, have good anti‐inflammatory activity. Since research on the chemical components of Bergenia purpurascens and related mechanisms for the treatment of osteoarthritis has never been performed, this study aimed to analyze the chemical components of Bergenia purpurascens through ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry technology and the UNIFI screening platform to predict the underlying mechanisms in treating osteoarthritis by analyzing the network pharmacology. In total, 43 chemical constituents were identified, mainly flavonoids (18), phenolic glycosides (13), and organic acids (7). Among them, 16 components were found in Bergenia purpurascens for the first time. Through the analysis of network pharmacology, several potential candidate targets and pathways were initially predicted, including AKT1, MAPK1, and MAPK3, as well as the apoptosis, estrogen, and MAPK signaling pathways. Bergenin, 11‐O‐galloylbergenin, arbutin, catechin‐3‐O‐gallate, and other components play a synergistic role in treating osteoarthritis. This study analyzed the chemical components of Bergenia purpurascens and preliminarily revealed potential mechanisms of treating osteoarthritis, providing a basis for further evaluating the drug's efficacy.
Behavior and Movement of Wild Turkey Broods
Authors: Chamberlain Michael J. , Cohen Bradley S. , Bakner Nicholas W. , Collier Bret A.
Published: June 2020

Behavioral and movement ecology of broods are among the most poorly understood aspects of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive ecology. Recent declines in wild turkey productivity throughout the southeastern United States necessitate comprehensive evaluations of brood ecology across multiple spatial scales. We captured and marked 408 female wild turkeys with global positioning system (GPS)‐transmitters across 9 pine (Pinusspp.)‐dominated study sites in the southeastern United States during 2014–2019. We evaluated various aspects of the behavioral and movement ecology of 94 brood‐rearing females until brood failure or 28 days after hatch (i.e., when poults are classified as juveniles). We found that 34 (36.2%) females had broods (≥1 poult) survive to 28 days after hatch. Broods moved >500 m away from nest sites the day after hatching, and then moved progressively farther away from nest sites over time. Daily movements increased markedly the first 3 days after hatching, and broods moved >1,000 m/day on average thereafter. Females roosted broods an average of 202 m away from nest sites the first night after hatching, but distances between consecutive ground or tree roosts were variable thereafter. Daily core areas increased from 0.8 ha the day of hatch to 4.6 ha by day 28, and range sizes increased from 6.9 ha to 27.9 ha by day 28. Broods tended to consistently select open land cover types, whereas selection for other land cover types varied temporally after hatch day. Broods spent 89% of their time foraging. Predicted daily survival for broods decreased rapidly with increasing distance moved during the initial 3 days after hatching and showed less variation during the subsequent 2 weeks post‐hatch. Our findings parallel previous researchers noting that the most critical period for brood survival is the first week after hatch day. Previous researchers have attempted to identify vegetative communities used by broods under the assumption that these communities are a primary factor influencing brood success; however, our results suggest that brood survival is influenced by behavioral decisions related to movements during early brooding periods. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Vestibular function after cochlear implantation: A test battery and case‐by‐case approach
Authors: Piker Erin G. , Riska Kristal , Garrison Doug , Kaylie David M.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of cochlear implantation on the functional integrity of the horizontal semicircular canal using multiple methodologies, and to discuss and highlight the limitations of using isolated vestibular tests to assess vestibular function in surgical ears.

Methods

Ten cochlear implant patients were consented to undergo a preoperative and 3‐month postoperative vestibular assessment. The horizontal semicircular canal (SCC) was assessed using three different vestibular test measures that assess function using different stimuli and at different frequencies ranges: caloric testing, sinusoidal harmonic acceleration testing in the rotary chair, and video head impulse testing in the plane of the horizontal SCC. Data was analyzed using different methods: descriptive, statistical, and by an examination of individual case studies.

Results

Each analysis method yielded a different interpretation. Statistical analysis showed no significant group mean differences between baseline pre‐op vestibular test results and 3‐month post‐op vestibular test results. Descriptive analysis showed 30% of individuals presented with postoperative abnormal vestibular testing findings. A case study examination showed that only one patient presented with a post‐op decrease in vestibular function in the implanted ear.

Conclusions

There are several limitations of conventional vestibular testing in postsurgical cochlear implant patients. A test‐battery approach, including case history, and test interpretation made on a case‐by‐case basis is needed to determine whether the patient has undergone vestibular damage, is at risk for falling, or in need of further management.

Level of Evidence

2b individual cohort study.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor‐1β suppresses the stemness and migration of colorectal cancer cells through promoting miR‐200b activity
Authors: Wang Yuhui , Wei Chengqiong , Yang Yingying , Luo Ailin , Zhang Xiyang , Zheng Dongxuan , Lu Xi , Zhang Kefeng , Duan Xiaoqun , Xu Xiaotian
Published: June 2020

The effects of hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) have been established in various tumors; however, the roles of HNF‐1β in colorectal cancer progression are never been found. In the present study, HNF‐1β expression was initially detected in clinical tissue samples and online datasets and HNF‐1β was found to be highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. In addition, a positive correlation existed between HNF‐1β expression and the overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that HNF‐1β suppressed the stemness and migration of colorectal cancer cells. Combined with microRNAs (miRNAs) based on transcriptome‐sequencing analysis, mechanistic studies showed that HNF‐1β directly bound to miR‐200b promoter and thus promoted miR‐200b expression, this HNF‐1β/miR‐200b resulted in the downregulation of the expression of miR‐200b downstream effectors. Furthermore, HNF‐1β inhibits the stemness and migration of colorectal cancer cells through miR‐200b. This study reveals a novel HNF‐1β/miR‐200b axis responsible for the stemness of colorectal cancer cells.
Lie symmetries and conservation laws of the Fokker‐Planck equation with power diffusion
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Yong , Zheng Jia , Guo Lei‐Lei , Wu Hong‐Feng
Published: June 2020

We concentrate on Lie symmetries and conservation laws of the Fokker‐Planck equation with power diffusion describing the growth of cell populations. First, we perform a complete symmetry classification of the equation, and then we find some interesting similarity solutions by means of the symmetries and the variable coefficient heat equation. Local dynamical behaviors are analyzed via the solutions for the growing cell populations. Second, we show that the conservation law multipliers of the equation take the form Λ=Λ(t,x,u), which satisfy a linear partial differential equation, and then give the general formula of conservation laws. Finally, symmetry properties of the conservation law are investigated and used to construct conservation laws of the reduced equations.
V‐band vector mm‐wave signal generation enabled by a dual‐parallel Mach‐Zehnder modulator without precoding and optical filter
Authors: Wang Dongfei
Published: June 2020

We present a novel and simple scheme to generate high‐quality V‐band (50‐75GHz) vector millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) based on dual‐parallel Mach‐Zehnder modulators (DPMZM) without resorting to adopting optical filter and precoding. By controlling the bias voltage of the DPMZM and phase shift between the two beams of each sub‐MZM, we can obtain a higher frequency optical vector mm‐wave signal. We have discussed the feasibility of this scheme and achieved the generation of V‐band vector mm‐wave with the frequency at 65 GHz by simulation. According to bit‐error‐ratio curves, we can demonstrate the validity of the presented scheme to generate V‐band QPSK/16QAM vector mm‐wave signal.
Fiber curvature sensor based on concave‐heterotypic cascaded fiber Sagnac interferometer
Authors: Ruan Juan
Published: June 2020

A fiber optical curvature sensor comprising a concave‐heterotypic cascaded fiber structure built into Sagnac loop is demonstrated experimentally. A section of multimode fiber is sandwiched between the single mode fiber and polarization maintaining fiber in order to construct the concave‐heterotypic cascaded fiber structure. The concave structure presented is used to effectively excite guided modes. The spectra of the proposed bending sensor will shift toward long wavelength with curvature. The measured the curvature sensitivity of 11.6 nm/m−1 has been achieved. The proposed curvature sensor characterizes cost‐efficient, simple fabrication process and can be used for health monitoring in civil engineering.
Proximal femur fractures among a medieval Christian population of northern Sudan: prevalence and aetiology
Authors: Ciesielska Joanna A. , Stark Robert J.
Published: June 2020

The current paper investigates the prevalence and aetiology of proximal femur fractures in two temporally distinctive groups of medieval Christian Nubia: the monastic community (ca. late 7th to half of 13th c. AD) and a later group of post‐monastic, intrusive interments (ca. 13th c. AD) from Cemetery 2 at Ghazali, northern Sudan. Four cases of proximal femur fractures were identified macroscopically among the skeletal remains of 86 adult individuals and subjected to detailed investigation of underlying aetiology due to the unusual demographic characteristics of the individuals. The proximal femora were subjected to radiographic examination and classification of trauma using the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) system, and the prevalence of fractures was calculated. Among the 77 adult individuals examined from the Monastic Phase of Cemetery 2, three cases of hip fractures were identified, a prevalence of 3.9%, whereas only one was identified among the nine post‐monastic individuals, which accounts for 11.1% of the total sample. All of the recognized fractures belong to the extracapsular type. Analysis of the mechanisms of fracture in the four studied individuals from Ghazali, despite the relatively young age of male individuals, does not exclude osteoporotic background resulting in stress‐induced fragility trauma. Considering the demographic profile of the deceased and observed comorbidities, it is concluded that sustained fractures were the result of high‐impact injuries connected with demanding physical activity in the harsh Bayuda desert environment.
Nonsacrificial violence at the Huacas de Moche, north coastal Peru
Authors: Gagnon Celeste Marie , Uceda Santiago
Published: June 2020

The analysis of traumatic injuries provides bioarchaeologists with unique insight into patterns of violence among past human societies. This analysis explores antemortem and perimortem skeletal trauma and what it suggests about the experiences of violence among the Moche of north coastal Peru (A.D. 200–900). Violence among the Moche has been well documented, both by the Moche themselves in their iconographic communications and through the analysis of the skeletal remains of those they sacrificed. These sources provided us with an incomplete view. What has not been studied are the patterns of traumatic injury that affect those who were not among the sacrificed and what these patterns can tell us about the risk of violence among other Moche dead. To this end, the skeletal remains of 96 individuals interred in the Huacas de Moche site were examined. Excavations at this paramount urban centre have recovered remains from tombs located in two distinct contexts, Huaca de la Luna and the urban sector. Given the material investment made into the construction of Huaca de la Luna and its ritual importance particularly as a space where violence was enacted and memorialized, it is hypothesized that those buried within its precincts would have different lived experiences of skeletal trauma than those buried throughout the urban sector. This work finds that although both groups experienced very little accidental trauma, individuals buried in Huaca de la Luna experienced significantly more trauma resulting from interpersonal violence than did those interred in the urban sector. This may suggest that variation in risk of violence was among the biosocial distinctions that defined these groups.
Artificial Signal Transduction
Authors: Bekus Robert , Schrader Thomas
Published: June 2020

Communication between and inside cells as well as their response to external stimuli relies on elaborated systems of signal transduction. They all require a directional transmission across membranes, often realized by primary messenger docking onto external receptor units and subsequent internalization of the signal in form of a released second messenger. This in turn starts a cascade of events which ultimately control all functions of the living cell. Although signal transduction is a fundamental biological process realized by supramolecular recognition and multiplication events with small molecules, chemists have just begun to invent artificial models which allow to study the underlying rules, and one day perhaps to rescue damaged transduction systems in nature. This review summarizes the exciting pioneering efforts of chemists to create simple models for the basic principles of signal transduction across a membrane. It starts with first attempts to establish molecular recognition events on liposomes with embedded receptor amphiphiles and moves on to simple transmembrane signaling across lipid bilayers. More elaborated systems step by step incorporate more elements of cell signaling, such as primary and secondary messenger or a useful cellular response such as cargo release.
Mechanical properties of extruded glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyolefin composites
Authors: Ghanbari Abbas , Sadat Jalili Negin , Haddadi Seyyed A. , Arjmand Mohammad , Nofar Mohammadreza
Published: June 2020

Engineered structural materials are required to feature a combination of deformability (ductility) and strength to be considered damage‐tolerant for safety‐critical applications. These two mechanical properties, however, tend to be mutually exclusive, encouraging optimization of the trade‐off between strength and toughness. In this report, an elastomer and a glass fiber were incorporated into a blend of two grades of polypropylene (PP) to improve matrix toughness through both intrinsic and extrinsic toughening mechanisms. This study investigates the impact resistance (at 23°C and −30°C), and strength, stiffness, deformability, and processability of extruded compatibilized glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) composites at 23°C. For the hybrid composites contribution of different toughening mechanisms in attainment of the final impact strength is governed by the testing temperature and processing (extruder screw) speed. The intrinsic toughening mechanism induced by the presence of the ethylene α‐olefin copolymer is suppressed by the introduction of glass fiber at 23°C, irrespective of screw speed and screw configuration design. The heat distortion temperature (HDT), flexural modulus, and tensile strength exhibit a marked improvement by glass fiber inclusion at 23°C. By evaluating the performance of the composites at −30°C, it was observed that the impact energy of the elastomer modified hybrid composites may be enhanced in the same manner as the glass fibers toughen the brittle unmodified PP matrix. It was noted that contrary to the tensile properties at break, the yield behavior of the composites containing fibers, severely shortened, is independent of the presence of the fibers at 23°C.
Comparative stability of arbutin in Arctostaphylos uva‐ursi by a new comprehensive stability‐indicating HPLC method
Authors: Braga Vanessa Cristina de Carvalho , Pianetti Gérson Antônio , César Isabela Costa
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Arbutin is a phenol glucoside found in high concentrations in bearberry leaves and associated with the antimicrobial activity of the plant. Hydroquinone can also be found in leaves or be formed by degradation of arbutin. Lengthy exposure to free hydroquinone is associated with induction of toxicity in different organs.

Objective

To develop and validate a stability‐indicating method by high‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) for simultaneous quantification of arbutin and hydroquinone in bearberry leaves and perform a comprehensive forced degradation study comparing synthetic arbutin and the arbutin in bearberry leaves.

Methods

Separation was performed using a C18 column, mobile phase with water–methanol (95:5), flow rate 1.0 mL/min and detection at 280 nm. Bearberry leaves were assayed and a forced degradation study of arbutin was performed in different conditions.

Results

The method complied with all required validation parameters. Contents varied from 1.19 to 4.15% (w/w) of arbutin and from 0.022 to 0.604% (w/w) of hydroquinone. Synthetic arbutin was susceptible to acid hydrolysis and oxidative degradation, forming hydroquinone as the main degradation product. The same study using bearberry leaves showed that constituents of the plant matrix may act as antioxidants, reducing the oxidative degradation of arbutin, however acid hydrolysis of arbutin occurred in higher intensity.

Conclusion

Analysis of bearberry leaves evidenced high variation in arbutin and hydroquinone levels, demonstrating the need for standardisation and control. The stability profiles of synthetic arbutin and the arbutin in bearberry leaves were considerably different and the results may be useful for determining the most appropriate conditions for extraction and production of bearberry‐based formulations.
Fabrication and characteristics of high‐VOC single‐crystalline Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells
Authors: Lloyd Michael A. , McCandless Brian E. , Birkmire Robert
Published: June 2020

Cu2ZnSnSe4 single‐crystal solar cells with open‐circuit voltages reaching 450 mV are demonstrated. The key differences in performance between high‐ and low‐voltage cells are analyzed and compared with state‐of‐the‐art thin film devices. Copper‐poor absorbers of two different compositions were evaluated as a function of surface treatment. Temperature‐dependent JV measurements were used to assess the efficacy of interface passivation. Crystals with lower copper content are shown to require more aggressive chemical treatments to achieve the maximal benefits than does their higher‐Cu counterparts. Hole concentration is confirmed via Hall characterization, with smaller densities corresponding to lower Cu concentration. In conjunction with poor lifetimes, these carrier densities are shown to limit collection at long wavelength, which reduces current in single‐crystal devices. The decrease in Cu concentration is also shown to increase the bandgap from 0.98 to 1.03 eV while maintaining the same level of subbandgap absorption. Postfabrication device annealing was shown to benefit devices with higher Cu/Zn + Sn ratios but hinder devices further deviating from stoichiometry, which is attributed to pn‐junction degradation.
The Influence of Carbon Nanotube's Conductivity and Diameter on Its Thermionic Electron Emission
Authors: Yang Xinhe , Wang Xinhe , Liu Peng , Wang Jiangtao , Zhang Lina , Jin Xiang , Liu Zebin , Li Qunqing , Fan Shoushan , Jiang Kaili
Published: June 2020

High‐temperature thermionic electron emission from different types of individual suspended carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a homemade chip is studied. When collecting emission electrons with an external electrode, it is found that the collecting electric field influence the transport current in the CNTs, and the thermionic electron emission deviated from the traditional thermionic electron emission model and cannot reach “saturation”. This effect is analyzed for single‐walled, double‐walled, multiwalled‐CNT and CNT bundles. It is found that this effect show correlation with the conductivity and diameter of the CNT. With the increase in metallicity, the influence of collecting electrode is gradually weakened. Also, the effect shows a negative correlation with the diameter of CNTs. An equation is proposed to describe the measured thermionic emission curve and determine the “effective” work function of the CNT.
Structural Metastability in Chalcogenide Semiconductors: The Role of Chemical Bonding
Authors: Kolobov Alexander V. , Saito Yuta , Fons Paul , Krbal Milos
Published: June 2020

This article reviews metastability in three different classes of chalcogenides—chalcogenide glasses, phase‐change alloys, and transition‐metal dichalcogenides—with the focus on the relationship between structural metastability and the nature of chemical bonding. While the presence of lone‐pair electrons in chalcogenide glasses enables a variety of bond switching processes, the existence of resonant (metavalent) bonding in phase‐change alloys is key to the transformation between the crystalline and amorphous states. Strong covalent bonds in 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenides limit the transformation to slides and buckling of atomic planes without major bond rupture. It is proposed that combining different kinds of local bonding may be an efficient way to engineer amorphous chalcogenides with desired properties.
Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicity of Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima: A comprehensive review
Authors: Ahmad Rizwan , Almubayedh Hanine , Ahmad Niyaz , Naqvi Atta Abbas , Riaz Muhammad
Published: June 2020

Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima (J. L. Stewart ex Brandis) Rech. F. is a valuable medicinal plant used in south Asian communities for the treatment of asthma, diarrhea, diabetes, liver diseases, fever, pain and inflammation. This review critically evaluates the available information on P. integerrima’s ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, and so forth, books and theses were used to find relevant information about P. integerrima using keywords such as “Pistacia integerrima,” “P. integerrima,” “Ethnopharmacology,” “Phytochemistry,” “Traditional uses”. A number of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities have been reported; however, the most promising and attractive activity observed was its role in Alzheimer, diabetes, convulsions, cancer, asthma, diabetes, diarrhea and as an immunomodulatory, analgesic and antiinflammatory. In addition, Pistagremic acid exerted anti‐Alzheimer’s activity based on a hitherto unknown mechanism through interference with the amyloidogenic pathway. Most of the pharmacological activities were linked with traditional uses. A range of compounds have been reported from P. integerrima extracts including triterpenes, volatile oils, flavonoids, fatty acids, phenolic, phytosterols, tannins and oligosaccharides as well as unknown triterpenes and flavonoids. Pistagremic acid, a novel triterpene, was attributed to most of the activities. in vivo toxicological studies in animal suggested a toxic dose of 1,500 mg kg−1, for its methanolic extract. All reported pharmacological activities were carried out in vitro and a gap in research, that is, preclinical and clinical investigation exists. Its outstanding activity as an antiglycating agent is the most promising and a so far unique activity and needs further evaluation. In‐depth research and clinical trials on human subjects in order to investigate P. integerrima pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy and safety are crucial next steps.
On properties of probability‐based multivariate process capability indices
Authors: Khadse Kailas Govinda , Khadse Aditya Kailas
Published: June 2020

Multivariate process capability indices (MPCIs) have been proposed to measure multivariate process capability in real‐world application over the past three decades. For the practitioner's point of view, the intention of this paper is to examine the performances and distributional properties of probability‐based MPCIs. Considering issues of construction of capability indices in multivariate setup and computation with performance, we found that probability‐based MPCIs are a proper generalization of univariate basic process capability indices (PCIs). In the beginning of this decade, computation of probability‐based indices was a difficult and time‐consuming task, but in the computer age statistics, computation of probability‐based MPCIs is simple and quick. Recent work on the performance of MPCI NMCpm and distributional properties of its estimator reasonably recommended this index, for use in practical situations. To study distributional properties of natural estimators of probability‐based MPCIs and recommended index estimator, we conducted simulation study. Though natural estimators of probability‐based indices are negatively biased, they are better with respect to mean, relative bias, mean square error. Probability‐based MPCI MCpm is better as compared with NMCpm with respect to performance and as its estimator quality. Hence, in real‐world practice, we recommend probability‐based MPCIs as a multivariate analogue of basic PCIs.
A hidden Markov model to detect regime changes in cryptoasset markets
Authors: Giudici Paolo , Abu Hashish Iman
Published: June 2020

The objective of this work is to understand the dynamics of cryptocurrency prices. Specifically, how prices switch between different regimes, going from “bull” to “stable” and “bear” times. For this purpose, we propose a hidden Markov model that aims at explaining the evolution of Bitcoin prices through different, unobserved states. The implementation of the proposed model includes a likelihood ratio test that allows to compare models with different states and with different covariance structures. Our empirical findings show that the time movements of Bitcoin prices across different exchange markets are well‐described by the proposed model. In particular, a parsimonious model with a diagonal covariance matrix leads to better predictions, compared with a model with a full covariance matrix.
Ferromagnetism and structural deformation in monolayer alpha lead oxide induced by N and F doping: New insights from first principles
Authors: Muhammady Shibghatullah , Noor Fatimah A. , Widita Rena , Darma Yudi
Published: June 2020

We study the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of monolayer α‐PbO0.875A0.125 (A = N, F), which are calculated using first principles. As a result, N doping induces local ferromagnetism centered at the N2− site, originating from the spin‐down N 2p valence states. On the other hand, F doping induces nonmagnetism and induces ab‐plane deformation, where F− receives one electron to its nearest‐neighboring Pb1.75+ ions. N doping redshifts the bandgap of the undoped system and transforms it to be indirect, while F doping blueshifts the bandgap through the Burstein‐Moss effect. The hybridization of Pb 6p and O 2p orbitals is stronger near the A site than that of the crystal structure edge. Our result shows new insights, predicting possible experimental results for future functional device applications.
Adaptive disturbance estimation and cancelation for ships under thruster saturation
Authors: Hu Xin , Wei Xinjiang , Han Jian , Zhu Xiaodan
Published: June 2020

This work addresses the problem of disturbance estimation and cancelation for ships with ocean disturbances and modeling uncertainties under thruster saturation effects. The ocean disturbances are expressed as the multiple sinusoidal disturbances with unknown frequencies, amplitudes, and phases. By means of a parametric exogenous system and a canonical model with unknown disturbances being inputs, the ocean disturbances are represented as the multivariate regression model with unavailable regressors and regression parameters. An observer is employed to provide the regressor estimation, such that the disturbance estimation and cancelation are converted to the adaptive control problem. The robust control term with the adaptive technique attenuates the modeling uncertainties. The thruster saturation effects are reduced using the state vectors from the auxiliary dynamic filter to online correct the control errors. The ship disturbance cancelation controller is derived via the adaptive backstepping. The closed‐loop tracking system is guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately stable and the ship's position and heading navigate along with desired trajectories. The proposed adaptive control scheme is validated by simulations with comparisons on a 1:70 scaled model ship CyberShip II in different cases.
Polynomial filtering for nonlinear stochastic systems with state‐ and disturbance‐dependent noises
Authors: Sheng Li , Niu Yichun , Gao Ming , Zhou Donghua
Published: June 2020

This article is concerned with the polynomial filtering problem for a class of nonlinear stochastic systems governed by the Itô differential equation. The system under investigation involves polynomial nonlinearities, unknown‐but‐bounded disturbances, and state‐ and disturbance‐dependent noises ((x,d)‐dependent noises for short). By expanding the polynomial nonlinear functions in Taylor series around the state estimate, a new polynomial filter design method is developed with hope to reduce the conservatism of the existing results. In virtue of stochastic analysis and inequality technique, sufficient conditions in terms of parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequalities (PDLMIs) are derived to guarantee that the estimation error system is input‐to‐state stable in probability. Moreover, the desired polynomial matrix can be obtained by solving the PDLMIs via the sum‐of‐squares approach. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method are illustrated by two numerical examples with one concerning the permanent magnet synchronous motor.
La distribution on the crater surface of W‐1%La2O3 produced by a single laser pulse
Authors: Kaciulis Saulius , Mezzi Alessio , Montanari Roberto , Richetta Maria , Pakhomova Ekaterina , Varone Alessandra
Published: June 2020

The W‐1%La2O3 alloy has been irradiated by a single laser pulse (λ = 1064 nm) to simulate transient thermal loads of high energy occurring in a tokamak under operative conditions. A zone with a diameter of ~2 mm, namely, much larger than the focal spot, results to be affected by the pulse, and a crater of about 300 μm is observed in its center. La2O3 particles are not present inside the crater. The change of surface morphology is accompanied by elemental redistribution. Multipoint XPS analysis evidenced that the concentration of La is very low in the crater and increases moving toward the border of the affected zone while that of W shows an opposite trend. The composition changes involve only the outmost 5 nm of the sample: through depth profiling, no differences of chemical composition were detected deeper in the alloy between the center and external border of the affected area.
Ablation thresholds and morphological changes of poly‐l‐lactic acid for pulse durations in the femtosecond‐to‐picosecond regime
Authors: Shibuya Tatsunori , Yoshitomi Dai , Satoh Daisuke , Sakaue Kazuyuki , Tanaka Masahito , Takada Hideyuki , Ogawa Hiroshi , Torizuka Kenji , Kobayashi Yohei , Kuroda Ryunosuke
Published: June 2020

Biodegradable polymers such as poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA) are essential tools for a wide range of medical applications because of their mechanical robustness and bio‐affinity. Laser processing is commonly used to construct various structures from biodegradable polymers. However, in general, polymers deteriorate rapidly owing to laser‐induced heating effects. In this study, we investigate the optimum irradiation conditions for PLLA processing, using an ultrafast laser and finely controlling the pulse duration over the femtosecond‐to‐picosecond range. We report on the morphological characteristics of the craters generated by single‐shot and multiple‐shot laser irradiation under pulse duration control. Our results show that crater morphology and damage threshold in the single‐shot regime depend on pulse duration and that the degree of crater unevenness is insensitive to pulse duration in the multishot regime.
Green Synthesis Using PEG‐400 Catalyst, Antimicrobial Activities, Cytotoxicity and In Silico Molecular Docking of New Carbazole Based on α‐Aminophosphonate
Authors: An Tran Nguyen Minh , Cuong Nguyen Van , Quang Nguyen Minh , Thanh Truong Vu , Alam Mahboob
Published: June 2020

New analog α–amino phosphate series with high yield through an effective and environmentally friendly protocol using the PEG‐400 catalyst via Kabachnik‐Fields has been reported. They were performed to screen antimicrobial activities by the dish diffusion method, anticancer against MCF‐7, A‐549, and HeLa human cancer cell lines by MTT assay, and carried out in silico molecular docking by Avogadro, AutoDockTools, Discovery Studio 2019 Client, and Molegro Molecular Viewer packages. The 3c and 3h displayed excellent inhibition against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi, respectively. The molecular docking model indicated the reasonable explanations between the receptor and bioactive compounds in vitro of 3c, 3 h, and 3b. The 3c was shown as an excellent inhibitor against Candida albicans, which was a new result in vitro and in silico molecular docking model. The 3c, 3 f, and 3i pointed out excellent inhibitions against HeLa cell lines and new anticancer results of α–amino phosphate compounds. The docking studies of structures against receptors of three human cancer cell lines were conducted and recommended that the hydrogen bonds only formed from active sites of receptors to oxygen atom of the ethoxy group, nitrogen and hydrogen atoms of N−H group, oxygen atom of the P=O double bond group, and the fluorine atoms of the CF3 group in 3i for calculated docking of the receptors of bacteria, fungi, and cancer cell lines to all ligands.
Mechanistic Insight into the Turn‐Off Sensing of Nitroaromatic Compounds Employing Functionalized Polyaniline
Authors: Venkatappa Lakshmidevi , Ture Satish Ashok , Yelamaggad Channabasaveshwar V. , Narayanan Naranammalpuram Sundaram Venkata , Martínez‐Máñez Ramón , Abbaraju Venkataraman
Published: June 2020

Conducting Polymers (CPs), in recent times have contributed significantly in the detection of High Energy Materials possessing nitro functional groups through fluorescence quenching studies. Camphor sulphuric acid doped polyaniline (C‐PANI) is studied with a view to obtain easily processable PANI without π‐stacking for the detection of Picric acid(PA) and p‐nitro toluene(pNT) in trace levels. The quenching constant and limit of detection were found to be 2.236×10−6 M and 6.14×10−7 M for PA and 1.9447×10−7 M and 3.57×10−7 M for pNT, respectively showing a very good sensitivity in detection. Resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) showed the involvement of the bipolaronic and benzenoid group in the charge transfer complex formed between the conducting polymer and the analyte. The photoluminescence studies indicated a predominant PET mechanism. The electrochemical studies employing cyclic voltammetry gave higher band gap on comparison with absorption studies. The positive and negative shift in oxidation and reduction potential of polymer‐analyte was observed and collaborated with the fluorescence studies to understand the possible fluorescence quenching mechanism from electrochemical approach.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel Heterocyclic Systems with Monoterpenic Skeleton Combining Dichlorocyclopropane and 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Nucleus
Authors: Oubella Ali , Fawzi Mourad , Auhmani Aziz , Riahi Abdelkhalek , Morjani Hamid , Robert Anthony , Ait Itto Moulay Y.
Published: June 2020

A series of C(2)‐N(4)‐disubstituted 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles bearing dichlorocyclopropane, have been prepared from (R)‐carvone 1 in a three‐step procedure. First, (R)‐carvone was treated with dichlorocarbene, generated in‐situ from chloroform using PTC technique. The resulting dichlorocyclopropane 2 was then converted into thiosemicarbazone derivatives 3 a–c before being transformed peri‐selectively and efficiently (up to 80 % yield) into their corresponding 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles (6 a–d and 7 a–c) via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction with diarylnitrilimines 4 a–d and N‐aryl‐C‐ethoxycarbonyl‐nitrilimines 5 a–c. The structures of all the newly synthesized cyclopropanic 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles 6 a–d and 7 a–c were fully identified on the basis of their HRMS and NMR (1D & 2D) spectral data. The evaluation of compounds 2, 3 a–c, 6 a–d and 7 a–c, against HT‐1080 fibrosarcoma, breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231), and lung carcinoma A‐549 cells, using viability testing (MTT) showed promising antitumor activity, especially for compounds 3 a, 6 b and 6 c for which the IC50 values, against HT‐1080 fibrosarcoma, were respectively 18.92, 16.12 and 15.37 (μM).