bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed amination of carbon dioxide under ambient pressure for the synthesis of ureas
Authors: Moriuchi Toshiyuki , Sakuramoto Takashi , Matsutani Takanari , Kawai Ryota , Donaka Yosuke , Tobisu Mamoru , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: October 2021

Correction for ‘Oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed amination of carbon dioxide under ambient pressure for the synthesis of ureas’ by Toshiyuki Moriuchi et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 27121–27125. DOI: 10.1039/D1RA04125H.
Stencil-printed electrodes without current collectors and inactive additives on textiles for in-plane microsupercapacitors
Authors: Xie Xudong , Guo Ruisheng , Yang Bingjun , Li Haodong , Yang Fangshe , Shen Baoshou
Published: October 2021

Flexible and wearable in-plane micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) are fabricated by one-step stencil printing electrode materials on textiles. The printed electrode can be the current collector and active material simultaneously.
Conductive two-dimensional M3(C6S3O3)2 monolayers as effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Tianchun , Li Manman , Zhu Xinyue , Zhang Juan , Jing Yu
Published: October 2021

Conductive two-dimensional M3(C6S3O3)2 monolayers are demonstrated to be promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, and their catalytic performance can be effectively tuned by varying the central metals.
Hybrid theranostic microbubbles for ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging guided starvation/low-temperature photothermal/hypoxia-activated synergistic cancer therapy
Authors: Tian Feng , Zhong Xingjian , Zhao JunKai , Gu Yutian , Fan Yadi , Shi Fan , Zhang Yu , Tan Youhua , Chen Wen , Yi Changqing , Yang Mo
Published: October 2021

A hybrid microbubble-based theranostic platform was developed for imaging-guided synergistic tumor therapy by combining starvation therapy, low-temperature photothermal therapy (PTT), and hypoxia-activated therapy.
The simultaneous electrochemical determination of furazolidone and dimetridazole using transition metal titanates with an ilmenite type structure
Authors: Jesu Amalraj Antolin Jesila , Narasimha Murthy Umesh , Wang Sea-Fue
Published: October 2021

The fabrication of different transition metal ion-influenced titanates for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of furazolidone and dimetridazole.
Thermostability-based binding assays reveal complex interplay of cation, substrate and lipid binding in the bacterial DASS transporter, VcINDY
Authors: Sampson Connor D. D. , Fàbregas Bellavista Cristina , Stewart Matthew J. , Mulligan Christopher
Published: October 2021

The divalent anion sodium symporter (DASS) family of transporters (SLC13 family in humans) are key regulators of metabolic homeostasis, disruption of which results in protection from diabetes and obesity, and inhibition of liver cancer cell proliferation. Thus, DASS transporter inhibitors are attractive targets in the treatment of chronic, age-related metabolic diseases. The characterisation of several DASS transporters has revealed variation in the substrate selectivity and flexibility in the coupling ion used to power transport. Here, using the model DASS co-transporter, VcINDY from Vibrio cholerae, we have examined the interplay of the three major interactions that occur during transport: the coupling ion, the substrate, and the lipid environment. Using a series of high-throughput thermostability-based interaction assays, we have shown that substrate binding is Na+-dependent; a requirement that is orchestrated through a combination of electrostatic attraction and Na+-induced priming of the binding site architecture. We have identified novel DASS ligands and revealed that ligand binding is dominated by the requirement of two carboxylate groups in the ligand that are precisely distanced to satisfy carboxylate interaction regions of the substrate-binding site. We have also identified a complex relationship between substrate and lipid interactions, which suggests a dynamic, regulatory role for lipids in VcINDY's transport cycle.
The unfolding role of ceramide in coordinating retinoid-based cancer therapy
Authors: Ghandour Botheina , Dbaibo Ghassan , Darwiche Nadine
Published: October 2021

Sphingolipid-mediated regulation in cancer development and treatment is largely ceramide-centered with the complex sphingolipid metabolic pathways unfolding as attractive targets for anticancer drug discovery. The dynamic interconversion of sphingolipids is tightly controlled at the level of enzymes and cellular compartments in response to endogenous or exogenous stimuli, such as anticancer drugs, including retinoids. Over the past two decades, evidence emerged that retinoids owe part of their potency in cancer therapy to modulation of sphingolipid metabolism and ceramide generation. Ceramide has been proposed as a ‘tumor-suppressor lipid' that orchestrates cell growth, cell cycle arrest, cell death, senescence, autophagy, and metastasis. There is accumulating evidence that cancer development is promoted by the dysregulation of tumor-promoting sphingolipids whereas cancer treatments can kill tumor cells by inducing the accumulation of endogenous ceramide levels. Resistance to cancer therapy may develop due to a disrupted equilibrium between the opposing roles of tumor-suppressor and tumor-promoter sphingolipids. Despite the undulating effect and complexity of sphingolipid pathways, there are emerging opportunities for a plethora of enzyme-targeted therapeutic interventions that overcome resistance resulting from perturbed sphingolipid pathways. Here, we have revisited the interconnectivity of sphingolipid metabolism and the instrumental role of ceramide-biosynthetic and degradative enzymes, including bioactive sphingolipid products, how they closely relate to cancer treatment and pathogenesis, and the interplay with retinoid signaling in cancer. We focused on retinoid targeting, alone or in combination, of sphingolipid metabolism nodes in cancer to enhance ceramide-based therapeutics. Retinoid and ceramide-based cancer therapy using novel strategies such as combination treatments, synthetic retinoids, ceramide modulators, and delivery formulations hold promise in the battle against cancer
Sauchinone inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by suppressing Akt-CREB-MMP13 signaling pathway
Authors: Kim Na Hui , Sung Nam Ji , Shin Seokwon , Ryu Deok-Seon , Youn Hyung-Sun , Park Sin-Aye
Published: October 2021

Sauchinone, a lignan isolated from Saururus chinenesis, is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Recently, sauchinone has been reported to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, but its effects on breast cancer cells remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sauchinone on the growth of breast cancer cells along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results show that sauchinone treatment markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. Sauchinone reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, and CREB increased by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In particular, sauchinone treatment suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 (MMP13) by regulating the Akt-CREB signaling pathway. Sauchinone was less effective in inhibiting cell migration in Mmp13-knockdown cells than in control cells, suggesting that MMP13 may be a novel target for sauchinone. Our study suggests that sauchinone inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells by attenuating the Akt-CREB-MMP13 pathway. In addition, the targeted inhibition of MMP13 by sauchinone represents a promising approach for the treatment of breast cancer.
Biophysical characterisation of SMALPs
Authors: Nestorow Stephanie A. , Dafforn Tim R. , Frasca Verna
Published: October 2021

Membrane proteins such as receptors, ion channels and transport proteins are important drug targets. The structure-based study of membrane proteins is challenging, especially when the target protein contains both soluble and insoluble domains. Most membrane proteins are insoluble in aqueous solvent and embedded in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer, which significantly complicates biophysical studies. Poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) (SMA) and other polymer derivatives are increasingly common solubilisation agents, used to isolate membrane proteins stabilised in their native lipid environment in the total absence of detergent. Since the initial report of SMA-mediated solubilisation, and the formation of SMA lipid particles (SMALPs), this technique can directly isolate therapeutic targets from biological membranes, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). SMA now allows biophysical and structural analyses of membrane proteins in solution that was not previously possible. Here, we critically review several existing biophysical techniques compatible with SMALPs, with a focus on hydrodynamic analysis, microcalorimetric analysis and optical spectroscopic techniques.
To export, or not to export: how nuclear export factor variants resolve Piwi's dilemma
Authors: Wang Sheng , Lu Xiaohua , Qiu Ding , Yu Yang
Published: October 2021

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) defend animal gonads by guiding PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins to silence transposons. The nuclear Piwi/piRNA complexes confer transcriptional repression of transposons, which is accompanied with heterochromatin formation at target loci. On the other hand, piRNA clusters, genomic loci that transcribe piRNA precursors composed of transposon fragments, are often recognized by piRNAs to define their heterochromatic identity. Therefore, Piwi/piRNA complexes must resolve this conundrum of silencing transposons while allowing the expression of piRNA precursors, at least in Drosophila germlines. This review is focused on recent advances how the piRNA pathway deals with this genetic conflict.
Modeling of human T cell developmentin vitroas a read-out for hematopoietic stem cell multipotency
Authors: Strubbe Steven , Taghon Tom
Published: October 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in distinct sites throughout fetal and adult life and give rise to all cells of the hematopoietic system. Because of their multipotency, HSCs are capable of curing a wide variety of blood disorders through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, due to HSC heterogeneity, site-specific ontogeny and current limitations in generating and expanding HSCs in vitro, their broad use in clinical practice remains challenging. To assess HSC multipotency, evaluation of their capacity to generate T lymphocytes has been regarded as a valid read-out. Several in vitro models of T cell development have been established which are able to induce T-lineage differentiation from different hematopoietic precursors, although with variable efficiency. Here, we review the potential of human HSCs from various sources to generate T-lineage cells using these different models in order to address the use of both HSCs and T cell precursors in the clinic.
Relationship Between Peripheral and Central Auditory Abilities and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Jain Chandni , Pushpoth Gangadharan Vipin Ghosh , Kadabasal Basavaraja Chetak , Lakshmi Aishwarya
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

This study evaluated the peripheral hearing and central auditory processing abilities in Indian adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Method:

The participants consisted of 75 adolescent girls with IDA, 50 adolescent girls without IDA, and 50 adolescent boys without IDA. Participants underwent a test battery to evaluate auditory processing and peripheral hearing assessment. In this study, central auditory processing abilities were assessed using Speech Perception in Noise test in Kannada (SPIN-K) and quick speech perception in noise tests in Kannada, dichotic consonant–vowel test, gap detection threshold (GDT), and auditory digit sequencing and auditory digit span tests.

Results:

Results showed that the hearing thresholds at extremely low and high frequencies (250 and 8000 Hz), although within clinically normal limits, were poorer in girls with IDA than in the control groups. Also, girls with IDA performed poorly in SPIN-K of the right ear, GDT, and auditory backward digit span tests.

Conclusion:

These subtle auditory deficiencies may be attributed to the compromised blood supply to the central auditory nervous system, as observed in the current study.
A Comparison of Falls and Dizziness Handicap by Vestibular Diagnosis
Authors: Huang Ryan J. , Smith Sherri L. , Brezina Libor , Riska Kristal M.
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

There is a paucity of data that directly compares the falls rate and dizziness handicap of different vestibular diagnoses. The purpose of this study is to compare the falls rate and dizziness handicap of common vestibular diagnoses encountered among a cohort of vestibular patients at a single institution.

Method:

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients evaluated for dizziness at a tertiary care center vestibular clinic between August 1, 2017, and March 19, 2019. Vestibular diagnosis, demographic variables, comorbidities, falls status, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were extracted from the medical record for analysis. Associations between vestibular diagnosis and falls history or DHI were evaluated using multivariate logistic and linear regression, respectively.

Results:

A total of 283 patients met our inclusion criteria with the following diagnoses: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV;
n
= 55), acoustic neuroma (
n
= 30), Ménière's disease (
n
= 28), multiple vestibular diagnoses (
n
= 15), vestibular migraine (
n
= 135), or vestibular neuritis (
n
= 20). After adjusting for age, sex, race, medications, and comorbidities, the odds of falling was 2.47 times greater (95% CI [1.08, 6.06],
p
= .039) and the DHI score was 11.66 points higher (95% CI [4.99, 18.33],
p
< .001) in those with vestibular migraine compared to those with BPPV. Other diagnoses were comparable to BPPV with respect to odds of falling and dizziness handicap.

Conclusions:

Patients with vestibular migraine may suffer an increased risk of falls and dizziness handicap compared to patients with BPPV. Our findings highlight the need for timely evaluation and treatment of all patients with vestibular disease.
Tissue Mobilization During Double Source of Vibration Semioccluded Vocal Tract Exercises: A Neck and Face Surface Acceleration Study
Authors: Guzman Marco , Acevedo Karol , Castro Christian , Moran Camilo , Espinoza Victor , Quezada Camilo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study primarily aimed at observing the possible tissue mobilization on facial, neck, and chest tissues caused by different double source of vibration semioccluded vocal tract exercises (DSV-SOVTEs). Another goal was to inspect the degree of self-perceived sensation of a massage-like sensation.

Method

Fifty-five participants engaged in a set of several DSV-SOVTEs: (a) phonation with a silicone tube submerged 2 and 8 cm below water surface, (b) Acapella Choice device, (c) lip trills, and (d) tongue trills. A self-perceived massage-like sensation was also assessed. All exercises were performed at three loudness levels. Tissue mobilization signal was captured by four accelerometers placed in four different body regions: (a) over the cheek, (b) over the neck, (c) over the thyroid cartilage, and (d) over the suprasternal notch.

Results

There is a differential effect of all DSV-SOVTEs on tissue mobilization. All four observed dependent variables from tissue oscillation modulation (frequency, amplitude, jitter, and shimmer) showed significant three-way interactions. In general, amplitude and frequency of tissue oscillation modulation increases with loudness. A self-perceived massage-like sensation showed highly significant differences between DSV-SOVTEs.

Conclusions

All DSV-SOVTEs do mobilize tissues. Type of exercise, loudness level, and body region produce an effect on all tissue oscillation variables. Acapella device produces the largest amplitude of vibration, lowest frequency, and more regular oscillation of tissue. Water resistance therapy showed the most irregular tissue oscillation. Control of these variables is likely to be relevant to obtain the best outcomes in patients.
Incremental networked predictive control of multi‐agent systems with plant‐model mismatch and random communication constraints
Authors: Dong Zhe , Zheng Chang‐Bing , Pang Zhong‐Hua , Sun Jian
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we discuss the cooperative output tracking problem for networked multi‐agent systems (NMASs) with plant‐model mismatch as well as random communication constraints in the forward and feedback channels of each agent. In order to compensate actively for random communication constraints, that is, network‐induced delays and packet dropouts, an incremental networked predictive control scheme based on a state observer is proposed, which consists of a data buffer, an incremental networked predictor, and a network delay compensator. For both the plant‐model mismatch case and the plant‐model match case, the stability conditions of resulting closed‐loop NMASs are derived, respectively. Using the proposed method, the simulation results for three DC motor systems are presented to indicate that desired tracking performance can be achieved.
Filter‐based feature ranking technique for target recognition by radar infrared combined sensors
Authors: Wu Yanwei , Liu Guanghong , Li Yameng , Jiang Mian
Published: October 2021

Feature selection plays a key role in target recognition especially for multiple combined sensors’ applications. This study presents an improved relief feature selection (Relief‐F) model to rank features for multi‐target recognition. Besides, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the method is conducted based on the following three measuring indices: feature redundancy, class separability and overall accuracy. The simulated data acquired by radar infrared combined sensors are used to verify the metrics of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that the Relief‐F method reveals the best results compared to other feature selection methods, including principal component analysis and Fisher linear discriminant analysis. It indicates that Relief‐F can be an effective option for feature selection with high‐class separability and a low feature redundancy rate. Furthermore, high overall accuracy can be obtained using a relatively small amount of features selected by the Relief‐F method.
Hand character gesture recognition based on a single millimetre‐wave radar chip
Authors: Li Wei , Jiang Jiahao , Yao Yi , Liu Danian , Gao Yang , Li Qi
Published: October 2021

In this work, a new method for hand character gesture recognition based on a single millimetre‐wave radar chip is proposed. Most current radar‐based gesture recognition approaches use Doppler spectrograms or the feature extraction of Doppler spectrograms. In contrast, the authors propose using the trajectory points of gesture movements. Compared with the previous methods, the variations in the gesture movement speed, distance and direction during data acquisition have relatively little impact on the generated trajectories. The character trajectories drawn by gestures in the air output a fixed shape, and this fixed output facilitates the classification of gestures at a later stage. In this work, a single millimetre‐wave radar is used to collect data and a three‐dimensional fast Fourier Transform (3D‐FFT) algorithm is used to obtain the gesture trajectories. For the trajectory points, a trajectory conversion image method is proposed and finally the improved Xception network proposed in this work is used for image recognition. Compared with traditional methods, the proposed method does not require large‐scale data acquisition to facilitate different users. This work is concluded by recognising hand character gestures and comparing them with other commonly used classification methods to verify the gesture recognition accuracy of the proposed method.
Constraining stellar rotation and planetary atmospheric evolution of a dozen systems hosting sub-Neptunes and super-Earths
Authors: Bonfanti A. , Fossati L. , Kubyshkina D. , Cubillos P. E.
Published: October 2021

Context. Planetary atmospheric evolution modelling is a prime tool for understanding the observed exoplanet population and constraining formation and migration mechanisms, but it can also be used to study the evolution of the activity level of planet hosts.

Aims. We constrain the planetary atmospheric mass fraction at the time of the dispersal of the protoplanetary disk and the evolution of the stellar rotation rate for a dozen multi-planet systems that host sub-Neptunes and/or super-Earths.

Methods. We employ a custom-developed PYTHON code that we have dubbed PASTA (Planetary Atmospheres and Stellar RoTation RAtes), which runs within a Bayesian framework to model the atmospheric evolution of exoplanets. The code combines MESA stellar evolutionary tracks, a model describing planetary structures, a model relating stellar rotation and activity level, and a model predicting planetary atmospheric mass-loss rates based on the results of hydrodynamic simulations.

Results. Through a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme, we retrieved the posterior probability density functions of all considered parameters. For ages older than about 2 Gyr, we find a median spin-down (i.e. P(t)∝ty) of ȳ = 0.38−0.27+0.38, indicating a rotation decay slightly slower than classical literature values (≈0.5), though still within 1σ. At younger ages, we find a median spin-down (i.e. P(t)∝tx) of x̄ = 0.26−0.19+0.42, which is below what is observed in young open clusters, though within 1σ. Furthermore, we find that the x probability distribution we derived is skewed towards lower spin-down rates. However, these two results are likely due to a selection bias as the systems suitable to be analysed by PASTA contain at least one planet with a hydrogen-dominated atmosphere, implying that the host star has more likely evolved as a slow rotator. We further look for correlations between the initial atmospheric mass fraction of the considered planets and system parameters (i.e. semi-major axis, stellar mass, and planetary mass) that would constrain planetary atmospheric accretion models, but without finding any.

Conclusions. PASTA has the potential to provide constraints to planetary atmospheric accretion models, particularly when considering warm sub-Neptunes that are less susceptible to mass loss compared to hotter and/or lower-mass planets. The TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO missions are going to be instrumental in identifying and precisely measuring systems amenable to PASTA’s analysis and can thus potentially constrain planet formation and stellar evolution.
A multi-objective model for an integrated oil and natural gas supply chain under uncertainty
Authors: Ghaithan Ahmed M. , Attia Ahmed M. , Duffuaa Salih O.
Published: October 2021

The oil and gas networks are overlapped because of the inclusion of associated gas in crude oil. This necessitates the integration and planning of oil and gas supply chain together. In recent years, hydrocarbon market has experienced high fluctuation in demands and prices which leads to considerable economic disruptions. Therefore, planning of oil and gas supply chain, considering market uncertainty is a significant area of research. In this regard, this study develops a multi-objective stochastic optimization model for tactical planning of downstream segment of oil and natural gas supply chain under uncertainty of price and demand of petroleum products. The proposed model was formulated based on a two-stage stochastic programming approach with a finite number of realizations. The proposed model helps to assess various trade-offs among the selected goals and guides decision maker(s) to effectively manage oil and natural gas supply chain. The applicability and the utility of the proposed model has been demonstrated using the case of Saudi Arabia oil and gas supply chain. The model is solved using the improved augmented ε-constraint algorithm. The impact of uncertainty of price and demand of petroleum products on the obtained results was investigated. The Value of Stochastic Solution (VSS) for total cost, total revenue, and service level reached a maximum of 12.6%, 0.4%, and 6.2% of wait-and see solutions, respectively. Therefore, the Value of the Stochastic Solution proved the importance of using stochastic programming approach over deterministic approach. In addition, the obtained results indicate that uncertainty in demand has higher impact on the oil and gas supply chain performance than the price.
Eine neue Lungenerkrankung bei Kindern mit systemischer JIA/Still-Syndrom
Authors: Rolfes Elisabeth , von Stuckrad Sae Lim , Kallinich Tilmann
Published: October 2021

Im letzten Jahrzehnt hat eine neue Komplikation der systemischen juvenilen Arthritis mehr und mehr Beachtung in Fachkreisen und als „sJIA Lung Disease“ (sJIA-LD) Einzug in die Literatur gefunden. Die Kinder mit sJIA-LD präsentieren sich mit initial oft unspezifischen respiratorischen Symptomen, Hypoxie und Hautausschlag. Ein häufiges eindrückliches erstes Zeichen sind Trommelschlegelfinger mit digitalen Erythemen. Möglicherweise scheint die sJIA-LD gehäuft aufzutreten, wenn Kinder ein junges Alter bei sJIA-Diagnose hatten sowie ein oder mehrere Makrophagen-Aktivierungssyndrome in der Vorgeschichte, hohe Interleukin-18-Spiegel im Serum und eine Unverträglichkeit gegenüber Biologika (IL-1- oder IL-6-Blocker). Die Mortalität variiert stark zwischen den einzelnen Fallsammlungen, in der größten Kohorte ist sie mit 36 % hoch 1.
Dissociative Visual Loss in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Brunner Romuald , Jägle Herbert , Kandsperger Stephanie
Published: October 2021

Psychogenic vision disorders in children and adolescents are a common disorder primarily encountered by ophthalmologists at the onset because, as with other disorders of dissociation, the presentation suggests a neurologic or other somatic condition. Loss of visual acuity, blurred vision and visual field restriction–often described as tunnel vision–appears to be typical. The onset may be sudden, frequently related to a wide range of stressful life events (school failure, family conflicts, accidents). While the majority of these children quickly recover from their symptoms, a substantial percentage experience persistent symptoms or a fluctuating course. Due to the lack of efficacy studies of specific treatment protocols, diagnostic work-up and treatment suffer from a high degree of uncertainty. Differentiating dissociative visual loss from physical illness requires special expertise. The uncertainty of ophthalmologists and the other specialists involved in dealing with this clinical condition often delays the specialised treatment and may also trigger inadequate therapy with the iatrogenic risk of harming the patient. This article primarily describes the disorder-specific psychiatric diagnostic as well as the somatic differential diagnostic work-up and outlines the therapeutic principles of dissociative visual loss.
Colour Vision Disorder due to Conversion Disorders in Childhood
Authors: Thieme Deborah-Teresa , Brunner Romuald , Kandsperger Stephanie , Jägle Herbert
Published: October 2021

Background Non-organic vision loss can manifest in various ways, most commonly in the form of reduced vision and visual field defects. Colour vision disorders in the context of a conversion disorder have only rarely been reported.

Materials and Methods This review presents the case of a 9-year-old boy with a colour vision disorder as the isolated symptom of a conversion disorder. The challenging in this case was an additional somatic comorbidity – a congenital red-green deficiency. Consequently it was difficult to make a diagnosis and to convince the parents.

Conclusion It is important to rule out organic causes and establish the diagnosis of a conversion disorder. In these cases, multidisciplinary treatment is crucial for a successful outcome. The diagnosis may be especially challenging when the patients have both somatic and psychogenic complaints.
Topical Timolol for Infantile Haemangioma of the Orbit
Authors: Hildebrand Göran Darius , Sipkova Zuzana
Published: October 2021

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are the most common benign tumours of the eyelid and orbits in infancy. Beta-blockers, in the form of oral propranolol, have become first-line treatment in severe cases with functionally significant or disfiguring IH. However, adverse drug reactions of oral propranolol in infants are reported in 1 in 11 and serious or potentially life-threatening systemic side effects in 1 in 38, including dyspnoea, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia, and cyanosis, therefore requiring careful and close monitoring during the course of systemic treatment. More recently, two large meta-analyses have shown topical beta-blockers, such as timolol maleate 0.5%, to be as effective as oral propranolol in superficial IH, but with no or significantly fewer adverse effects, and have advocated that topical beta-blockers replace oral propranolol as the first-line treatment of superficial IH. We have previously reported the therapeutic response of deep periocular IH to primary topical timolol maleate 0.5% monotherapy. Here we also describe the first successful treatments of large orbital IHs with primary topical timolol maleate 0.5% monotherapy in four infants, resulting in immediate cessation of progression and rapid clinical improvement or resolution in all cases. No adverse effects and no recurrence during long-term follow-up of up to 2.5 years after cessation were seen in any of the patients treated with topical timolol maleate 0.5%.
Patient with Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Setting of an Extremely Rare form of Complex Congenital Anomalous Coronaries
Authors: Abdelnabi Mahmoud , Gerges Fady , Saleh Yehia , Elsharkawy Eman , Sanhoury Mohamed , Hassanein Mahmoud , Almaghraby Abdallah
Published: October 2021

A single coronary artery is an exceedingly rare anomaly. Hereby, we present an unusual case of a young patient with an acute coronary syndrome who was found to have a single coronary artery originating from a single ostium in the right sinus of Valsalva with dual left anterior descending (LAD) arteries arising from the right coronary artery with two different anatomical courses, and additionally one of those LADs running a malignant intra-arterial course.
Image reconstruction method for electrical capacitance tomography using adaptive simulated annealing algorithm
Authors: Zhang Lifeng , Zhang Menghan
Published: October 2021

Image reconstruction of electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is an ill-posed inverse problem. The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is suitable for the solution of the ECT inverse problem. However, selection of related parameters of the SA algorithm will influence the reconstruction performance of ECT. We present an ECT image reconstruction method based on the adaptive simulated annealing (ASA) algorithm. We adopt the bat algorithm in the new solution generation strategy of the ASA algorithm. Moreover, the definition of the energy function introduces the sparsity of the reconstructed image. As a result, an adaptive annealing strategy is proposed to select the appropriate annealing rate. We made reconstructed image comparisons among linear back-projection, Landweber iteration, SA, and ASA algorithms via simulation and static experiment. Results show that improved reconstructed images can be obtained using the ASA algorithm.
A simple numerical method for evaluating heat dissipation from curved wires with periodic applied heating
Authors: Jaffe Gabriel R. , Brar Victor W. , Lagally Max G. , Eriksson Mark A.
Published: October 2021

In many situations, the dual-purpose heater/thermometer wires used in the three-omega method—one of the most precise and sensitive techniques for measuring the thermal conductivity of thin films and interfaces—must include bends and curves to avoid obstructions on the surface of a sample. Although the three-omega analysis assumes that the heating wire is infinitely long and straight, recent experimental work has demonstrated that, in some cases, curved-wire geometries can be used without introducing detectable systematic error. We describe a general numerical method that can be used to calculate the temperature of three-omega heating wires with arbitrary wire geometries. This method provides experimentalists with a simple quantitative procedure for calculating how large the systematic error caused by a particular wire asymmetry will be. We show calculations of two useful cases: a straight wire with a single bend of arbitrary angle and a wire that forms a circle. We find that the amplitude of the in-phase temperature oscillations near a wire that forms a circle differs from the prediction using the analytic straight-line source solution by <12%, provided that the thermal penetration depth is less than ten times the radius of curvature of the wire path. The in-phase temperature amplitude 1.5 wire widths away from a 90° bend in a wire is within 11% of the straight-line source prediction for all penetration depths greater than the wire width. Our calculations indicate that the straight-line source solution breaks down significantly when the wire bend angle is less than 45°.
Terraced slopes as large scale natural seismic metasurfaces
Authors: Aravantinos-Zafiris Nikos , Sigalas Mihail M.
Published: October 2021

In this work, a new type of metasurface which could be applied for surface waves attenuation is numerically examined. Terraced slopes are examined numerically for their applicability of attenuating surface waves. The calculations were performed by using the finite element method. The research includes an investigation for all the geometric parameters of the structure, and how its performance as a metasurface is being affected by the values of each parameter. The proposed terraced slopes can be found in many places either as a natural morphology of the ground or, in most cases, as an artificial ground formation. The findings of this work strongly indicate that the morphology of the sloped surface is fundamental regarding its potential of performing as a large-scale natural metasurface.
Computational investigation of deformation mechanisms at the atomistic scale of metallic glass-graphene composites (MGGCs)
Authors: Agrawal Arpit , Mirzaeifar Reza
Published: October 2021

While metallic glasses exhibit exceptionally high strength, their relatively low ductility, accompanied by catastrophic failure caused by the formation of shear bands, is the major obstacle to using these materials in practical applications. Despite discovering some methodologies for improving the near-zero ductility of metallic glasses, overcoming this deficiency is still the most active field of research in designing and fabricating bulk metallic glasses. This work utilizes computational studies at the atomistic scale to demonstrate that adding graphene to metallic glasses is a superior method to improve their ductility. Our results show that the graphene layers in metallic glass-graphene composites will enhance the ductility by activation of three deformation mechanisms, including (i) confining the space for shear band formation, (ii) retarding the propagation of embryonic shear bands, and (iii) increasing the resistance of the metallic glass matrix against shearing during the nucleation and propagation of shear bands.
Global embedding of BTZ spacetime using generalized method of symmetric embeddings construction
Authors: Sheykin A. A. , Markov M. V. , Paston S. A.
Published: October 2021

It is often easier to study pseudo-Riemannian manifolds by presenting them as surfaces in some ambient space. We propose an algorithm for construction of explicit isometric embeddings of pseudo-Riemannian manifolds with symmetries into an ambient space of higher dimension. While most of the existing methods are based on Gauss–Codazzi–Mainardi–Peterson equations, we do not use them and instead concentrate on a system of equations that connects the metric on the manifold and the embedding function of the surface. Our algorithm is based on the group theoretical method of separation of variables that we developed earlier. The algorithm makes this method more convenient and simple to use. It allowed us to simplify the construction of many known embeddings as well as obtain some new ones. In particular, we obtain explicit global (i.e., smooth at all values of radius) embeddings of spinning the BTZ black hole in seven-dimensional flat space.
Lattice Boltzmann method for fluid–structure interaction in compressible flow
Authors: Bhadauria Abhimanyu , Dorschner Benedikt , Karlin Ilya
Published: October 2021

We present a two-way coupled fluid–structure interaction scheme for rigid bodies using a two-population lattice Boltzmann formulation for compressible flows. An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation of the discrete Boltzmann equation on body-fitted meshes is used in combination with polynomial blending functions. The blending function approach localizes mesh deformation and allows treating multiple moving bodies with a minimal computational overhead. We validate the model with several test cases of vortex induced vibrations of single and tandem cylinders and show that it can accurately describe dynamic behavior of these systems. Finally, in the compressible regime, we demonstrate that the proposed model accurately captures complex phenomena such as transonic flutter over an airfoil.
IUPAC–NIST Solubility Data Series. 105. Solubility of Solid Alkanoic Acids, Alkenoic Acids, Alkanedioic Acids, and Alkenedioic Acids Dissolved in Neat Organic Solvents, Organic Solvent Mixtures, and Aqueous–Organic Solvent Mixtures. I. Alkanoic Acids
Authors: Acree William E. , Waghorne W. Earle
Published: October 2021

Solubility data are compiled and reviewed for 15 alkanoic acids dissolved in neat organic solvents and well-defined binary organic and aqueous–organic solvent mixtures. The compiled solubility data were retrieved from the published chemical, engineering, and pharmaceutical literature covering the period between 1910 and the beginning of 2021.
Optimal asymmetry of transistor-based terahertz detectors
Authors: Shabanov Aleksandr , Moskotin Maxim , Belosevich Vsevolod , Matyushkin Yakov , Rybin Maxim , Fedorov Georgy , Svintsov Dmitry
Published: October 2021

Detectors of terahertz radiation based on field-effect transistors (FETs) are among the most promising candidates for low-noise passive signal rectification both in imaging systems and wireless communications. However, it was not realized so far that geometric asymmetry of common FETs with respect to source-drain interchange is a strong objective to photovoltage harvesting. Here, we break the traditional scheme and reveal the optimally asymmetric FET structure, providing the maximization of THz responsivity. We fabricate a series of graphene transistors with variable top gate positions with respect to a mid-channel and compare their subterahertz responsivities in a wide range of carrier densities. We show that responsivity is maximized for input gate electrode shifted toward the source contact. Theoretical simulations show that for large channel resistance, exceeding the gate impedance, such a recipe for responsivity maximization is universal and holds for both resistive self-mixing and photo-thermoelectric detection pathways. In the limiting case of the small channel resistance, the thermoelectric and self-mixing voltages react differently upon changing the asymmetry, which may serve to disentangle the origin of nonlinearities in novel materials.
A well-posed multilayer model for granular avalanches with μ(I) rheology
Authors: Sarno L. , Tai Y.-C. , Wang Y. , Oberlack M.
Published: October 2021

The description of geophysical granular flows, like avalanches and debris flows, is a challenging open problem due to the high complexity of the granular dynamics, which is characterized by various momentum exchange mechanisms and is strongly coupled with the solid volume fraction field. In order to capture the rich variability of the granular dynamics along the avalanche depth, we present a well-posed multilayer model, where various layers, made of the same granular material, are advected in a dynamically coupled way. The stress and shear-rate tensors are related to each other by the μ(I) rheology. A variable volume fraction field is introduced through a relaxation argument and is governed by a dilatancy law depending on the inertial number, I. To avoid short-wave instabilities, which are a well-known issue of the conditionally hyperbolic multilayer models and also of three-dimensional models implementing the μ(I) rheology, a physically based viscous regularization using a sensible approximation of the in-plane stress gradients is proposed. Linear stability analyses in the short-wave limit show the suitability of the proposed regularization in ensuring the model well-posedness and also in providing a finite cutoff frequency for the short-wave instabilities, which is beneficial for the practical convergence of numerical simulations. The model is numerically integrated by a time-splitting finite volume scheme with a high-resolution lateralized Harten–Lax–van Leer (LHLL) solver. Numerical tests illustrate the main features and the robust numerical stability of the model.
An innovative experimental apparatus for the analysis of sand production during natural gas hydrate exploitation
Authors: Lu Jingsheng , Li Dongliang , Liang Deqing , Shi Lingli , Zhou Xuebing , He Yong
Published: October 2021

Natural gas hydrate (NGH) will become a significant potential energy source in the post-oil era due to its large reserves, wide distribution, high energy density, and low pollution. Sand production is one of the main problems that cause the impossible long-term production of NGH. This paper presents an experimental apparatus that was developed to synthesize NGH and hydrate-bearing sediments and was applied to analyze the sand production and sand control mechanism during hydrate exploitation. The sand production and sand control tests of NGH can be conducted over a temperature range varying from 253.15 to 323.15 K and the maximum chamber pressure and overlying pressure up to 30 MPa. This apparatus is mainly composed of the simulated sand production system, the temperature and pressure control system, and the measurement control system. The simulated sand production system consists of a movable overlying pressure loader, a strain sensor, a simulated reservoir chamber, a sand control system, and a sand production monitoring system. A visual gas–liquid–solid separation tank is applied to observe the gas, water, and sand production. The basic principles of this apparatus are discussed, and a series of experiments were performed to verify that sand production and sand control can be practically applied in the exploitation of NGH reservoirs.
Effect of strain engineering on magnetism-induced valley splitting in WSe2 based on the WSe2/CrSe2 heterojunction
Authors: Jiang Cunyuan , Yang Zhiyao , Xiong Wen , Wang Fei
Published: October 2021

Two-dimensional, honeycomb, and sandwich-structured transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have two nonequivalent energy valleys at the six corners of the hexagonal first Brillouin zone, resulting in promising applications in valleytronics. Here, based on the WSe2/CrSe2 heterojunction, biaxial and uniaxial tensile strains with magnitudes of 0%–6% are demonstrated to have a similar effect on magnetism-induced valley splitting in the lowest conduction band of WSe2. However, at larger magnitudes of 6%–10%, uniaxial strain dramatically decreases the valley splitting. This decrease in valley splitting can be understood by the spin-orbit coupling induced different spin splitting between the two valleys. The findings provide valuable guidance for the valleytronic applications of TMDs.
The role of polarization in the threshold voltage of field effect transistors based on ZnO/MgO
Authors: Figueroa C. A. , Zapata M. C. , Bridoux G. , Ferreyra J. , Patrone L. , Malatto L. , Guimpel J. , Nieva G. , Runco Leal V. , Navarro C. , Villafuerte M.
Published: October 2021

In this work, we report on fabrication and characterization of a field effect transistor (FET) based on a ZnO/MgO bilayer employing a top-gate configuration. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the resulting ZnO and MgO films grow epitaxially with planes (002) and (111) parallel to the substrate surface, respectively. Typical current–voltage curves for different applied gate voltages are obtained, and the results are well fitted using standard FET equations. From these fittings, an extracted electronic mobility of μ = 0.8 cm2/V s was obtained in close agreement with the value extracted from Hall effect measurements. A threshold voltage of VTH=−34±3 V was obtained, which is the value that can be explained by the polarization difference of both materials. UV illumination shifts the VTH to VTH=−43±1 V. These findings show how the intrinsic properties of transparent conducting oxides can determine key parameters of a FET device.
Regulation of electronic and phonon transports of AgBiSe2-based solid solutions by entropy engineering
Authors: Xia Qingrui , Ying Pengzhan , Xia Yafen , Li Xie , Cui Jiaolin
Published: October 2021

AgBiSe2 is a promising thermoelectric (TE) candidate because of its intrinsically low thermal conductivity (κ = 0.4–0.5 W K−1 m−1 at ∼770 K) and optimal n-type carrier concentration (5.85 × 1018 cm−3 at 300 K). However, its TE figure of merit (ZT) is still low (0.3 at ∼770 K). Therefore, it is necessary to further improve its ZT. In this work, the solid solutions (AgBiSe2)1−x(Ag2Te)x (x = 0–0.125) have been designed through simple alloying Ag2Te inspired by the entropy engineering concept, and the TE performance has been further regulated. The analyses show that the exothermic effects related to α/β and β/γ phase transitions weaken, and the transition temperature of β/γ decreases as the Ag2Te content increases, which indicates the stabilization of the cubic γ-phase at high temperatures. Aside from that, the power factor (PF) enhances from 2.91 μW/cm K2 (x = 0) to 3.49 μW/cm K2 (x = 0.075), and at the same time, the lattice thermal conductivity reduces from 0.3 W K−1 m−1 to 0.1 W K−1 m−1 at ∼760 K. This directly improves the TE performance with the highest ZT value of 1.0, which is almost double that of the pristine AgBiSe2. The result suggests that the entropy engineering is a very effective screening method in thermoelectrics.
Challenges for variational reduced-density-matrix theory with three-particle N-representability conditions
Authors: Li Run R. , Liebenthal Marcus D. , DePrince A. Eugene
Published: October 2021

The direct variational optimization of the two-electron reduced density matrix (2RDM) can provide a reference-independent description of the electronic structure of many-electron systems that naturally capture strong or nondynamic correlation effects. Such variational 2RDM approaches can often provide a highly accurate description of strong electron correlation, provided that the 2RDMs satisfy at least partial three-particle N-representability conditions (e.g., the T2 condition). However, recent benchmark calculations on hydrogen clusters [N. H. Stair and F. A. Evangelista, J. Chem. Phys. 153, 104108 (2020)] suggest that even the T2 condition leads to unacceptably inaccurate results in the case of two- and three-dimensional clusters. We demonstrate that these failures persist under the application of full three-particle N-representability conditions (3POS). A variety of correlation metrics are explored in order to identify regimes under which 3POS calculations become unreliable, and we find that the relative squared magnitudes of the cumulant three- and two-particle reduced density matrices correlate reasonably well with the energy error in these systems. However, calculations on other molecular systems reveal that this metric is not a universal indicator for the reliability of the reduced-density-matrix theory with 3POS conditions.