bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia and related disorders: Molecular genetics, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic avenues
Authors: Dennis Ella P. , Greenhalgh‐Maychell Phillippa L. , Briggs Michael D.
Published: July 2020

For the vast majority of the 6000 known rare disease the pathogenic mechanisms are poorly defined and there is little treatment, leading to poor quality of life and high healthcare costs. Genetic skeletal diseases (skeletal dysplasias) are archetypal examples of rare diseases that are chronically debilitating, often life‐threatening and for which no treatments are currently available. There are more than 450 unique phenotypes that, although individually rare, have an overall prevalence of at least 1 per 4000 children. Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by disproportionate short stature, joint pain, and early‐onset osteoarthritis. MED is caused by mutations in the genes encoding important cartilage extracellular matrix proteins, enzymes, and transporter proteins. Recently, through the use of various cell and mouse models, disease mechanisms underlying this diverse phenotypic spectrum are starting to be elucidated. For example, ER stress induced as a consequence of retained misfolded mutant proteins has emerged as a unifying disease mechanisms for several forms of MED in particular and skeletal dysplasia in general. Moreover, targeting ER stress through drug repurposing has become an attractive therapeutic avenue.
A small‐tiled geographic mosaic of coevolution between Eurosta solidaginis and its natural enemies and host plant
Authors: Craig Timothy P. , Livingston‐Anderson Annelie , Itami Joanne K.
Published: July 2020

We identified a geographic mosaic of Eurosta solidaginis fly traits produced by coevolution of the stem gall‐forming fly with both its natural enemies and its host plants at small geographic scales in the presence of gene flow. These tritrophic interactions between the fly with its natural enemies and with its host‐plant Solidago altissima produced what has been termed a small‐tiled geographic mosaic of coevolution. Selection on gall diameter and length varies between prairie and forest habitats due to differences in host plants and natural‐enemy communities. At the prairie–forest ecotone where prairie and forest habitats are intermixed, we found that geographic selection mosaics on gall diameter and length varied on a scale of a few kilometers. Gall diameter variation among sites correlated with selection on gall diameters, indicating local adaptation. In contrast, gall lengths did not correlate with selection, indicating that gene flow may have prevented local adaptation of this trait. Eastern (forest) and western (prairie) subspecies of E. solidaginis have been proposed based on fly wing patterns, and these had intermediate forms in the ecotone indicating gene flow between these subspecies. Variation in wing patterns correlated with gall diameter, indicating that gene flow between prairie and forest fly populations may influence the distribution of gall traits. The ratio of forest to prairie vegetation increases with latitude, but there was no indication of latitudinal clines in gall or wing traits. Our results indicate that selection for differentiation in coevolved traits is strong enough to overcome gene flow in small tiles of habitat. The result is that ecological forces produce a dynamic mosaic of genetically differentiated locally adapted populations. It also indicates that prairie and forest host races of E. solidaginis form a mosaic hybrid zone in this region.
Three‐dimensional Modeling and Performance Optimization of Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell▴
Authors: Wang Y. , Zu B. , Zhan R. , Du Q. , Ni M. , Jiao K.
Published: July 2020

In this study, a three‐dimensional model is developed to study a novel proton conducting solid oxide electrolysis cell (H‐SOEC) with porous current collector to alleviate the H2O‐starvation problem in oxygen electrode. The comparison between conventional straight‐channel structure and the new porous structure is conducted in detail. It is found that the porous current collector can increase the flow uniformity and facilitate the diffusion of H2O, which in turn improves the average performance of the H‐SOEC. The electrolysis efficiency can be increased by 6.4% compared to straight‐channel structure. It is also found that the thermal neutral voltage is decreased when the porous current collector is adopted. Besides, the evaluation of syngas production for CO2‐supplied H‐SOEC is performed. Compared to H2 production, the efficiency of syngas production can be increased by up to 13.5%.
Framing and signalling effects of taxes on sugary drinks: A discrete choice experiment among households in Great Britain
Authors: Cornelsen Laura , Quaife Matthew , Lagarde Mylene , Smith Richard D.
Published: July 2020

Taxes on sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) are in place in many countries to combat obesity with emerging evidence that these are effective in reducing purchases of SSBs. In this study, we tested whether signalling and framing the price increase from an SSB tax explicitly as a health‐related, earmarked measure reduces the demand for SSBs more than an equivalent price increase. We measured the demand for non‐alcoholic beverages with a discrete choice experiment (DCE) administered online to a randomly selected group of n = 603 households with children in Great Britain (GB) who regularly purchase SSBs. We find a suggestive evidence that a price increase leads to a larger reduction in the probability of choosing SSBs when it is signalled as a tax and framed as a health‐related and earmarked policy. Respondents who did not support a tax on SSBs, who were also more likely to choose SSBs in the first place, were on average more responsive to a price increase framed as an earmarked tax than those who supported the tax. The predictive validity of the DCE, to capture preferences for beverages, was confirmed using actual purchase data. The findings imply that a well‐signalled and earmarked tax on SSBs could improve its effectiveness at reducing the demand.
Cash‐based maternal health interventions can improve childhood vaccination—Evidence from India
Authors: De Prabal K. , Timilsina Laxman
Published: July 2020

Childhood vaccination has lagged in countries like India, despite its demonstrated positive effects on health outcomes like infant mortality. At the same time, many conditional cash transfer programs have been effective in improving health outcomes. We estimate the effect of the world's largest maternal health program, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY, maternal protection scheme), on childhood vaccination in India. We exploit exogenous variations in the expansion of the policy around the country and the fact that some key vaccines are given at or near birth to identify the effects of cash‐based maternal health policy on infant immunization. We find that JSY increased the probability of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus toxoid (DPT) vaccination among newborns and infants. However, we find almost no significant effects on the measles vaccine, which is administered several months after birth.
Pilot study of loss of the p53/p63 target gene PERP at the surgical margin as a potential predictor of local relapse in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Holmes Brittany J. , von Eyben Rie , Attardi Laura D. , Kong Christina S. , Le Quynh‐Thu , Nathan Cherie‐Ann O.
Published: July 2020

Background

PERP (p53 apoptosis effector related to PMP22) localizes to desmosomes and suppresses squamous cell carcinoma development. Loss of PERP leads to worse local control in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), likely by destabilizing desmosomes. We evaluated PERP loss at HNSCC surgical margins as a predictor of local relapse.

Methods

Combining discovery (n = 17) and validation (n = 31) cohorts, we examined membranous PERP protein expression by immunohistochemistry in surgical mucosal margins with competing risk analysis of the relationship between local relapse and PERP expression.

Results

Of the 44 analyzable patients, the 2‐year cumulative incidence of local relapse was 44.4% for the PERP‐negative group and 16.4% for the PERP‐positive group (P = .01). A trend toward worse progression‐free survival (P = .09) and overall survival (P = .06) was observed with loss of PERP.

Conclusions

PERP loss at surgical margins is associated with higher risk of local recurrence in HNSCC, warranting further evaluation in a larger prospective study.
Water and Sediment Quality in the Coastal Zone Around the Mouth of Doce River After the Fundão Tailings Dam Failure
Authors: Richard Eduardo da Cunha , Estrada Gustavo Calderucio Duque , Bechtold Jean-Philippe , de Aguiar Duarte Helvecio , Maioli Brigida Gusso , de Freitas Antonio Henrique Araujo , Warner Kara Elizabeth , Figueiredo Luis Henrique Melges
Published: July 2020

Fundão dam (Minas Gerais, Brazil) breached on 5 November 2015, releasing 50 million m³ of Fe ore tailings and dam materials into the upper Doce River system. The tailings travelled 670 km along the river system to the ocean. Starting on 17 November 2015, 6 days before the tailings reached the Doce River mouth, a water quality monitoring program with a daily sampling schedule was implemented by Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco) to assess the impacts on marine water and sediment quality. Between November 2015 and August 2017 water and sediment quality were monitored at 28 locations offshore from the Doce River mouth. The sampling areas were grouped by hydrological and metocean season (i.e., rainy and dry seasons and wave and wind climates), distance from the river mouth (<5 km, >5 km and within a Marine Protected Area), and water depth. The data were compared to the Brazilian water quality standards and prebreach conditions. Statistical tests were conducted to evaluate temporal and spatial trends and patterns. For the water quality parameters of relevance (total suspended solids, turbidity, total and dissolved Fe, Al, and Mn), pulses of concentration increases were observed right after the arrival of the plume in the coastal zone and during the subsequent rainy seasons. Exceedances of prebreach conditions were more frequent closer to the Doce River mouth. During the dry season, concentrations tended to decrease, reaching prebreach levels for a number of parameters, with small short-term pulses associated with metocean factors. For sediment quality parameters of relevance (particle size, Fe, Al, and Mn), Fe was the only one that clearly resulted from the dam breach, which was mediated by river influence and oceanographic factors affecting particle size distribution. Results indicated that the Fundão dam failure did affect water and sediment quality in the Atlantic Ocean, with greater impacts closer to the river mouth and immediately after the arrival of the tailings plume, with concentrations gradually returning to preevent levels over time. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:643–654. © 2020 SETAC
Earnings informativeness and trading frequency: Evidence from African markets
Authors: Jones Edward A. E. , Kyiu Anthony K. , Li Hao
Published: July 2020

We investigate the informativeness of earnings announcements in African stock markets and examine whether, conditional on the level of synchronicity and liquidity of stocks, market reactions are influenced by earnings characteristics. Normalized volatility indicates that earnings announcements are informative across the sample. The results are driven by less frequently traded stocks and informativeness manifests more clearly at announcement and in the post‐announcement window. There is little evidence of leakage. Informativeness is also present for highly traded stocks, notably after announcement. Cross‐sectional tests provide evidence of an effect of both earnings fundamentals and investor behaviour on stock returns around earnings announcements.
Cantharidin‐induced LO2 cell autophagy and apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in vitro
Authors: Liu Fang , Duan Cancan , Zhang Jianyong , Li Xiaofei
Published: July 2020

Cantharidin (CTD), an important active compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Mylabris (also called Banmao), has been used in the treatment of diseases such as tumors and dermatosis. However, Mylabris has been shown to induce hepatotoxicity in clinical practice and animal experiments, limiting its use. Further, a detailed mechanism underlying CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity has not been determined. In the present study, we aimed to explore the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), autophagy, and apoptosis on CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity. We found that CTD could inhibit the proliferation of LO2 cells; increase alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and malondialdehyde levels; and reduce glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. Western blotting showed that low concentrations of CTD induced the expressions of ERS‐related proteins [GRP78, ATF4, PERK, p‐PERK, XBP1–1 s, and CHOP], but high concentrations of CTD inhibited their expressions. Furthermore, high concentrations of CTD activated autophagy (LC3, Beclin‐1, Atg3, Atg4A, Atg4B, and Atg7), induced the expressions of apoptotic proteins (Bax/Bcl‐2 and caspase‐3), and increased LO2 toxicity. Taken together, these results indicated that CTD can induce LO2 cytotoxicity by inhibiting ERS and inducing autophagy and apoptosis, which provides a scientific basis for CTD‐induced hepatotoxicity.
Micromorphological and cytological comparisons between Youngia japonica and Youngia longiflora using light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Choi Bokyung , Kim Sun‐Yu , Jang Tae‐Soo
Published: July 2020

The genus Youngia Cass. is taxonomically complex and widely distributed in East Asia. Despite the high diversity of species, only two species, Youngia japonica (L.) DC. and Youngia longiflora (Babc. & Stebbins) C.Shih, are currently found in Korea. Among them, Y. longiflora was once recognized as a subspecies of Y. japonica. However, based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences, as well as morphology, Y. longiflora was found to be a distinct species. Here, the two Korean Youngia species were analyzed using scanning electron microscope and light microscope for chromosome number, pollen, cypselae, and leaf micromorphological characters to evaluate if the examined characters are informative for taxonomy. Pollen morphology is described, and the micromorphological characters of Y. longiflora are described for the first time. Cypselae and pollen surface ornamentation, as well as trichome morphology and stomatal size varied between the two species. Y. japonica had longer chromosomes than Y. longiflora, while other chromosomal characters including the localization of the NOR (nucleolar organizer region) were similar. The present micromorphological and cytological results are of great taxonomic value for Youngia species identification in Korea.
Aneurysms of pancreaticoduodenal arcade: Clinical profile and endovascular strategies
Authors: Sharma Supriya , Prasad Raghunanadan , Gupta Archna , Dwivedi Pranav , Mohindra Samir , Yadav Rajanikant R
Published: July 2020

Background and Aim

Pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysms (PDAAs) are uncommon lesions associated with a significant risk of rupture and mortality. This study describes the etiology, clinical presentation, and endovascular management strategies of PDAAs across a spectrum of indications.

Methods

The clinical records of patients with PDAAs referred for endovascular management from January 2018 till November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on presenting symptoms, associated etiologies, and outcomes after endovascular treatment were collected and studied.

Results

We found 15 patients with false and 1 patient with true aneurysm of pancreatoduodenal arcade (PDA). The associated conditions were coeliac artery stenosis, severe necrotizing pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis or iatrogenic (postendoscopic papillotomy and percutaneous metallic biliary stenting). The main presenting feature was gastrointestinal bleed, while 2 patients had abdominal pain and 1 had gastric outlet obstruction. A multiphase computed tomography scan demonstrated the ruptured aneurysm in all patients. Site of origin of PDAA influenced the choice of transarterial endovascular strategy (coiling for aneurysms of main trunk of arteries and glue injection for those arising from small arterial branches). This was carried out in an emergency setting for 12 patients and as an elective procedure in 4 patients. Technical success was demonstrated in all patients and clinical success in 14. The two patients who had rebleed were salvaged by repeat endovascular procedure. Postembolization syndrome was seen in three patients.

Conclusions

With advancing technology, endovascular strategies continue to evolve. Careful attention to ensure hemodynamic resuscitation and stability, correction of pre‐existing coagulopathy and attention to technique can lead to the possibility of endovascular approaches as a dependable option in the management of ruptured PDAAs.
BTK/ITK dual inhibitors: Modulating immunopathology and lymphopenia for COVID-19 therapy
Authors: McGee Michael C , August Avery , Huang Weishan
Published: July 2020

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) signaling is involved in innate immune responses and regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines that can contribute to COVID-19 immunopathology. Clinical trials with BTK inhibitors in COVID-19 treatment have been proposed, and previous studies have attempted to investigate the therapeutic effects of ibrutinib and underlying mechanisms in treating viral pneumonia. These attempts, however, did not consider potential off target effect of BTK inhibitors on T cell differentiation, function, and survival, which may be beneficial in treatment for COVID-19. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of BTK/IL-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) signaling in immunopathology and lymphopenia and discuss the potential of BTK/ITK dual inhibitors such as ibrutinib in modulating immunopathology and lymphopenia, for COVID-19 therapy.
Genetic characterization of dengue virus serotype 2 isolated from dengue fever outbreaks in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar, India
Authors: Deval Hirawati , Behera Sthita P. , Agrawal Awdhesh , Singh Rajeev , Misra Brijranjan , Janardhan Vanka , Patil Gajanan , Sah Kamlesh , Kumar Niraj , Singh Ravishankar , Bondre Vijay P.
Published: July 2020

Dengue (DEN) is the most common cause of mosquito‐borne endemic viral diseases in the tropical and subtropical countries. DEN outbreaks associated with multiple dengue virus (DV) serotypes have been regularly reported in different parts of India. This study was done during DEN outbreaks in 2015 to 2016 in UP and Bihar where DEN‐2 was found as the only prevalent serotype. DV‐2 was the only serotype amplified in serotype‐specific reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction from sera of 210 (65.21%) out of 322 DV NS1 antigen‐positive patients. Further genetic analysis based on full‐length envelope (E) protein sequence derived from patient's sera as well as DV isolate showed the circulation of lineages I and III of DV‐2 cosmopolitan genotype during 2015 and lineage II during 2016. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis using the E gene sequence revealed that these DV‐2 strains have a close genetic relationship with the recently reported DV‐2 genotypes from DEN outbreaks reported from different parts of north India. These results showed the circulation of cosmopolitan genotype of DV‐2 in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar, India. The genetic database generated on circulating DV strains in this study will be useful as reference for disease surveillance and strengthening laboratory diagnosis protocols.
RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase of SARS‐CoV‐2 as a therapeutic target
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Anirudhan Varada , Du Ruikun , Cui Qinghua , Rong Lijun
Published: July 2020

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), named coronavirus disease 2019, has infected more than 8.9 million people worldwide. This calls for urgent effective therapeutic measures. RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity in viral transcription and replication has been recognized as an attractive target to design novel antiviral strategies. Although SARS‐CoV‐2 shares less genetic similarity with SARS‐CoV (~79%) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (~50%), the respective RdRps of the three coronaviruses are highly conserved, suggesting that RdRp is a good broad‐spectrum antiviral target for coronaviruses. In this review, we discuss the antiviral potential of RdRp inhibitors (mainly nucleoside analogs) with an aim to provide a comprehensive account of drug discovery on SARS‐CoV‐2.
Perceptions of opioid use and prescribing habits in oncologic surgery: A survey of the society of surgical oncology membership
Authors: Lillemoe Heather A. , Newhook Timothy E. , Aloia Thomas A. , Grubbs Elizabeth G. , Chang George J. , Katz Matthew H. G. , Vauthey Jean‐Nicolas , Lee Jeffrey E. , Tzeng Ching‐Wei D.
Published: July 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to assess current perceptions surrounding opioid prescribing in surgical oncology to inform perioperative quality improvement initiatives.

Methods

After the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) approval, a survey was distributed to its membership. Five sample procedures were used to assess provider perceptions and prescribing habits. Data were summarized and compared by self‐reported demographics.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐five participants completed the survey: 149 (85%) faculty, 24 (14%) trainees, and 2 (1%) advanced practice providers. Most participants (76%) practiced in academic programs and 21% practiced in non‐US locations. Few differences were identified based on clinical role, academic rank, or practice years. Compared with non‐US providers, US providers expected higher pain scores at discharge, recommended greater opioid prescriptions, and estimated more days of opioid use for almost every procedure. More non‐US providers believed discharge opioids should not be distributed to patients who are opioid‐free in their last 24 inpatient hours (80% vs 50%, P = .001). All providers ranked education as “very important” for reducing opioid prescriptions.

Conclusions

Compared with their international counterparts, US surgical oncology providers expected greater opioid needs and recommended higher prescription numbers. Educating providers on multimodal opioid‐sparing bundles, accelerated weaning protocols, and standardized discharge prescribing habits could have a positive impact the US opioid epidemic.
Slant helix of order n and sequence of Darboux developables of principal‐directional curves
Authors: Li Yanlin , Wang Zhigang , Zhao Tiehong
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we consider the sequence of the principal‐directional curves of a curve γ and define the slant helix of order n (n‐SLH) of the curve in Euclidean 3‐space. The notion is an extension of the notion of slant helix. We present an important formula that determines if the nth principal‐directional curve of γ can be the slant helix of order n (n ≥ 1). As an application of singularity theory, we study the singularities classifications of the Darboux developable of nth principal‐directional curve of γ. It is demonstrated that the formula plays a key role in characterizing the singularities of the Darboux developables of the nth principal‐directional curve of a curve γ.
The combined quasineutral and low Mach number limit of Euler–Poisson equations coupled to a magnetic field
Authors: Yang Jianwei , Hao Huiyun
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we consider the combined quasineutral and low Mach number limit of compressible Euler–Poisson system coupled to a magnetic field. We prove that, as the Debye length and the Mach number tend to zero simultaneously in some way, the solution of compressible Euler–Poisson system coupled to a magnetic field will converge to that of ideal incompressible magnetohydrodynamic equations with a sharp convergence rate.
Existence of solutions for asymptotically periodic fractional Schrödinger equation with critical growth
Authors: Yun Yongzhen , An Tianqing , Ye Guoju , Zuo Jiabin
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we investigate a class of asymptotically periodic fractional Schrödinger equation with critical growth

where α∈(0,1), N>2α,
, (−Δ)α denotes the fractional Laplacian of order α. V and f are asymptotically periodic functions. Based on the principle of concentration compactness and variational methods, we obtain some new existence results for the above equation, which improve the related conclusions on this topic.
Free‐breathing self‐gated 4D lung MRI using wave‐CAIPI
Authors: Richter Julian A. J. , Wech Tobias , Weng Andreas M. , Stich Manuel , Weick Stefan , Breuer Kathrin , Bley Thorsten A. , Köstler Herbert
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the wave‐CAIPI (controlled aliasing in parallel imaging) trajectory to the Cartesian sampling for accelerated free‐breathing 4D lung MRI.

Methods

The wave‐CAIPI k‐space trajectory was implemented in a respiratory self‐gated 3D spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence. Trajectory correction applying the gradient system transfer function was used, and images were reconstructed using an iterative conjugate gradient SENSE (CG SENSE) algorithm. Five healthy volunteers and one patient with squamous cell carcinoma in the lung were examined on a clinical 3T scanner, using both sampling schemes. For quantitative comparison of wave‐CAIPI and standard Cartesian imaging, the normalized mutual information and the RMS error between retrospectively accelerated acquisitions and their respective references were calculated. The SNR ratios were investigated in a phantom study.

Results

The obtained normalized mutual information values indicate a lower information loss due to acceleration for the wave‐CAIPI approach. Average normalized mutual information values of the wave‐CAIPI acquisitions were 10% higher, compared with Cartesian sampling. Furthermore, the RMS error of the wave‐CAIPI technique was lower by 19% and the SNR was higher by 14%. Especially for short acquisition times (down to 1 minute), the undersampled Cartesian images showed an increased artifact level, compared with wave‐CAIPI.

Conclusion

The application of the wave‐CAIPI technique to 4D lung MRI reduces undersampling artifacts, in comparison to a Cartesian acquisition of the same scan time. The benefit of wave‐CAIPI sampling can therefore be traded for shorter examinations, or enhancing image quality of undersampled 4D lung acquisitions, keeping the scan time constant.
A data‐driven approach to optimising the encoding for multi‐shell diffusion MRI with application to neonatal imaging
Authors: Tournier Jacques‐Donald , Christiaens Daan , Hutter Jana , Price Anthony N. , Cordero‐Grande Lucilio , Hughes Emer , Bastiani Matteo , Sotiropoulos Stamatios N. , Smith Stephen M. , Rueckert Daniel , Counsell Serena J. , Edwards A. David , Hajnal Joseph V.
Published: July 2020

Diffusion MRI has the potential to provide important information about the connectivity and microstructure of the human brain during normal and abnormal development, noninvasively and in vivo. Recent developments in MRI hardware and reconstruction methods now permit the acquisition of large amounts of data within relatively short scan times. This makes it possible to acquire more informative multi‐shell data, with diffusion sensitisation applied along many directions over multiple b‐value shells. Such schemes are characterised by the number of shells acquired, and the specific b‐value and number of directions sampled for each shell. However, there is currently no clear consensus as to how to optimise these parameters. In this work, we propose a means of optimising multi‐shell acquisition schemes by estimating the information content of the diffusion MRI signal, and optimising the acquisition parameters for sensitivity to the observed effects, in a manner agnostic to any particular diffusion analysis method that might subsequently be applied to the data. This method was used to design the acquisition scheme for the neonatal diffusion MRI sequence used in the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP), which aims to acquire high quality data and make it freely available to the research community. The final protocol selected by the algorithm, and currently in use within the dHCP, consists of 20 b=0 images and diffusion‐weighted images at b = 400, 1000 and 2600 s/mm2 with 64, 88 and 128 directions per shell, respectively.
The effects of the arrangement of Janus nanoparticles on the tensile strength of blend‐based polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Sharifzadeh Esmail , Amiri Yashar
Published: July 2020

In this study, the effects of the arrangement of Janus nanoparticles on the tensile strength of the blend‐based polymer nanocomposites were investigated using both experimental and analytical methods. The experimental stage included the evaluation of the effects of the nanoparticle content on the aggregation/agglomeration phenomenon using TEM images. However, the analytical approach was used to study the mechanical properties of the system and also predict its tensile strength considering the effects of the arrangement of Janus nanoparticles, as compatibilizers, at the polymer/polymer interface. It was found that even in those systems containing very low content of Janus nanoparticles (eg, 0.25 wt%), the aggregation/agglomeration phenomenon was inevitable and drastically affected the mechanical properties of the interface region. According to the result, the best compatibilizing performance of Janus nanoparticles was achieved in the case of their monolayer arrangement at the interface. The specific nanoparticles used in this study were first synthesized using a desymmetrization process and then added to the PS/PMMA blend via solution mixing. All of the prepared samples were subjected to the TEM and tensile test, and then, results were then precisely evaluated.
The effect of radiation curing on mechanical joints prepared from carbon nanotubes added carbon/epoxy laminates
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Saini Jaswinder Singh , Bhunia Haripada , Chowdhury Subhendu Ray
Published: July 2020

The fiber reinforced polymer composite materials used in industries are prepared by different curing techniques. Radiation curing is one such technique with numerous advantages. This study is related to the evaluation of load bearing capacity of the radiation cured carbon/epoxy composite pin joints with and without the addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The different compositions that is, 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% of MWCNT was added in the epoxy resin. The 0.3 wt% of MWCNT showed maximum strength values because of improved interfacial bond strength and the efficient stress transfer between the stiff MWCNT and soft polymer matrix through refined polymer/MWCNT interface. The single pin joint configurations were prepared using different geometric combinations of width to diameter and edge to diameter ratios, ranged from 2 to 5. The progressive failure analysis was done using Hashin damage criteria, to compare the predicted failure loads with the experimentally obtained results.
Retardation effect of nanohydroxyapatite on the hydrolytic degradation of poly (lactic acid)
Authors: Watai Juliana Satie , Calvão Patrícia Schmid , Rigolin Talita Rocha , Bettini Silvia Helena do Prado , Souza Adriana Martinelli Catelli
Published: July 2020

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and PLA/nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) composites, containing 2 wt% and 5 wt% of nHA were subjected to in vitro hydrolytic degradation tests in saline phosphate solution at different temperatures (37°C, 48°C, 60°C, and 72°C) to accelerate degradation. Samples were characterized by water uptake, weight loss tests, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and visual analyses. Arrhenius equation was used to describe the behavior of weight loss as a function of time. The PLA activation energy of weight loss showed to be lower than that of the PLA/nHA composites, indicating that the incorporation of nHA retarded the hydrolytic degradation. The rate and percentage of weight loss increased with increasing temperature. All samples presented a decrease inTgand an increase in degree of crystallinity as a function of time. Incorporation of nHA retarded this behavior that showed to be more expressive in PLA containing 5 wt% nHA.
Why and how to adapt PID testing for bifacial PV modules?
Authors: Carolus Jorne , Breugelmans Robbe , Tsanakas John A. , van der Heide Arvid , Voroshazi Eszter , De Ceuninck Ward , Daenen Michaël
Published: July 2020

Recent research has shown that bifacial PV modules with a glass/glass packaging are prone to different PID mechanisms occurring simultaneously on the front and the rear side of the solar cell. With this in mind, researchers investigating the impact of PID on each side of the bifacial solar cell separately apply PID stress to one side of bifacial PV modules according to stress method (b) as described in the IEC TS 62804‐1, that is, contacting the surface with a conductive electrode. Yet, in this paper, we show that such practice of PID testing might result in an unintended development of an electric field between the environmental chamber and the nonstressed side of the solar cell. Through our experimental study, we reveal that this electric field results in unintended bifacial PID stress of bifacial solar cells, which goes along with misleading interpretations of the evolving PID mechanisms and susceptibility of bifacial PV modules. Next to the methodology concerns, we discuss three possible solutions to prevent such unintended PID mechanisms from occurring.
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the mechanisms of overwintering diapause in soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella)
Authors: Yang Mingyu , Wang Zhanchun , Wang Rui , Zhang Xiaoming , Li Mingyue , Xin Junjie , Qin Yushi , Zhang Chuan , Meng Fanli
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella) is an important soybean pest in north‐eastern Asia, whose mature larvae overwinter in a diapause state. Disruption of winter diapause may be a valuable tool in pest management. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating diapause in this species have not yet been elucidated.

RESULTS

We compared the transcriptomes and proteomes between diapause and mature larvae and between mature and newly developed pupae to identify the genes and proteins associated with diapause. Thirty‐seven differentially expressed genes and their proteins changed synchronously between diapause and mature larvae and 82 changed synchronously between diapause larvae and newly developed pupae. Among these, genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and the longevity regulating pathway were up‐regulated in diapause larvae and down‐regulated in newly developed pupae, suggesting that they may regulate diapause. One fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene and two small heat shock genes (HSP19.8 and HSP18.9) were chosen for further functional analysis. After RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated knockdown of FAS, the survival of mature larvae was significantly lower than that of control larvae, but the mean developmental time from first‐instar larva to adult remained unchanged. RNAi‐mediated knockdown of HSP19.8 and HSP18.9 severely shortened the mean developmental time, causing approximately 50% larvae to develop directly into pupae.

CONCLUSION

FAS and the small heat shock gene play roles in diapause regulation and larvae survival. This study provides important information that may assist in understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of overwintering diapause of this important agricultural insect pest. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Design and Performance of Diamond‐Based Mid‐Infrared Sensor
Authors: Chen Chengke , Xu Ancha , Li Xiao , Jiang Meiyan , Xu Tao , Yan Bo , Hu Xiaojun
Published: July 2020

Herein, finite‐element analysis is used to optimize the performance of mid‐infrared (MIR) (7.7–13.7 μm) waveguides by selecting optimal waveguide and substrate materials, waveguide size, and boundary field. The results show that a diamond waveguide has a substantially higher sensitivity than Si‐ or Ge‐based waveguides owing to its higher boundary evanescent field at the same depth. Furthermore, it is found that AlN substrates have better optical stabilities than SiO2 and Si3N4 substrates, because AlN substrates do not have apparent absorption characteristics in the MIR range (7.7–13.7 μm). Geometry of diamond waveguide on AlN substrate is optimized, and a section length of 45 μm is chosen for optimal signal transmission quality. The calculations of the infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR) of the diamond waveguide applied to water, alcohol, and diisopropyl methyl phosphate are highly consistent with the actual infrared absorption spectrum. This proves the feasibility of applying AlN/diamond waveguides in MIR ATR detection, which is of great significance for the preparation of high‐sensitivity MIR detectors.
Local Structure Analysis around Ti in Lead Zirconate Titanate by X‐Ray Fluorescence Holography
Authors: Hayashi Kouichi , Lu Cong , Ang Artoni Kevin R. , Ohwada Kenji , Xie Yujuan , Hu Wen , Matsushita Tomohiro , Happo Naohisa , Hosokawa Shinya , Bokov Alexei A. , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: July 2020

To clarify the mechanism of ferroelectricity in lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the local structure around Ti in a Pb(Zr0.7Ti0.3)O3 single crystal is investigated using X‐ray fluorescence holography. The raw hologram data are contaminated by periodic noise due to the fluctuation of the incident X‐ray intensity. The periodical noise is successfully removed using an inverse Fourier transformation method. From the filtered holograms, the atomic images around Ti can be reconstructed clearly. The reconstructions of B‐site cations demonstrate an outward displacement of the neighboring Ti from the ideal B‐site position, indicating an expansion of the local lattice around Ti. In addition, the splitting of Pb images is found, and the relative displacement between Ti and Pb atoms is deduced. These results contribute to the understanding of the local structure of PZT and can reveal the microscopic origins of very high dielectric and piezoelectric responses, which are essential for designing new and improved ferroelectric materials.
Valley Polarization in Monolayer Ferromagnetic FeCl: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Liu Yunxia , Zou Zhengchun , Li Wenqi , Sun Lizhong , Zhou Pan , Hou Pengfei
Published: July 2020

Valleytronics has gradually attracted people's attention for providing new degrees of freedom to future electronic devices. Herein, it is proposed that valley polarization can be realized in 2D ferromagnetic FeCl with a square lattice. The first‐principles calculations without spin–orbital coupling (SOC) show that 2D FeCl is a spin‐polarized semimetal material, and the crossing points around the Fermi level are protected by mirror symmetry. When considering SOC, local bandgaps open around the Fermi level, and further calculations reveal that the Berry curvatures are opposite in sign around these gaps along with different high‐symmetry directions. By integrating the Berry curvature around these local extreme points, the Chern numbers of two valleys are ≈ −1/4 and 1/4, respectively, and the corresponding valley Chern number Cv is approximately equal to 1/2. This indicates that FeCl has the potential to realize the valley Hall effect (VHE) and will be a promising material in future valleytronics.
Inkjet printing of gold nanoparticles onto a biologically relevant matrix to create quantitative test materials for time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Muramoto Shin , Bennett Joe
Published: July 2020

This study describes the use of inkjet printing for the preparation of test materials containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on a biologically relevant matrix and discusses the methods of using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) for their spatially resolved quantification. Evaluation of test materials containing AuNPs with nominal diameters of (30, 80, 100, and 150) nm deposited onto gelatin with loadings ranging from 34 fg up to 67 000 fg per spot suggests that ToF‐SIMS has the sensitivity and the dynamic range to quantify NP deposits in a biological matrix at toxicologically relevant concentrations, although it was not capable of reliably determining the size of the AuNPs from the intensity data. Regardless, the ability to extract intensity data from individual regions of interest (ROIs) showed that spatially resolved quantification is possible, even when multiple features exist in a single image and in a single depth profile. The argon gas cluster source used for sputtering led to a matrix removal effect where the matrix surrounding the AuNPs became negligible, which may facilitate the preparation of quantitative test materials.
Briquetting of Fine‐Grained Residues from Iron and Steel Production Using Organic and Inorganic Binders
Authors: Lohmeier Laura , Thaler Christoph , Harris Christopher , Wollenberg Ralf , Schröder Hans-Werner
Published: July 2020

The Midrex process produces metallurgical residues in the form of dust, sludge, and fines. As these have high iron content, herein, the aim is to recycle the residues and use them as an educt in the Midrex process, thus closing the material cycle and increasing raw material efficiency. Briquetting of these materials with binder is one possibility to prepare them for the use as an educt in the Midrex process. Experiments are conducted to test the suitability of the organic binders starch and cellulose for briquetting. Furthermore, tests with the inorganic bentonite are included for comparison. Briquettes are generally characterized by high strength. However, compared with iron oxide pellets, they have a low porosity and thus a higher apparent density, and consequently, a worse reducibility. The use of organic binders should improve the reducibility. The iron oxides are in close contact with the C‐carrier of the organic binder so that a solid–solid phase direct reduction can take place. Furthermore, the solid carbon reacts to CO, and thus, increases the presence of reducing gas in the enlarged pores of the briquettes, and should therefore increase the degree of reduction.
Vibration suppression for monopile and spar‐buoy offshore wind turbines using the structure‐immittance approach
Authors: Li Yi‐Yuan , Park Semyung , Jiang Jason Zheng , Lackner Matthew , Neild Simon , Ward Ian
Published: July 2020

Offshore wind turbines have the potential to capture the high‐quality wind resource. However, the significant wind and wave excitations may result in excessive vibrations and decreased reliability. To reduce vibrations, passive structural control devices, such as the tuned mass damper (TMD), have been used. To further enhance the vibration suppression capability, inerter‐based absorbers (IBAs) have been studied using the structure‐based approach, that is, proposing specific stiffness‐damping‐inertance elements layouts for investigation. Such an approach has a critical limitation of being only able to cover specific IBA layouts, leaving numerous beneficial configurations not identified. This paper adopts the newly introduced structure‐immittance approach, which is able to cover all network layout possibilities with a predetermined number of elements. Linear monopile and spar‐buoy turbine models are first established for optimisation. Results show that the performance improvements can be up to 6.5% and 7.3% with four and six elements, respectively, compared with the TMD. Moreover, a complete set of beneficial IBA layouts with explicit element types and numbers have been obtained, which is essential for next‐step real‐life applications. In order to verify the effectiveness of the identified absorbers with OpenFAST, an approach has been established to integrate any IBA transfer functions. It has been shown that the performance benefits preserve under both the fatigue limit state (FLS) and the ultimate limit state (ULS). Furthermore, results show that the mass component of the optimum IBAs can be reduced by up to 25.1% (7,486 kg) to achieve the same performance as the TMD.
Influences of Steric Factors on the Reactivity and Structure of Diorganoalkoxysilylamides
Authors: Zibula Lukas , Achternbosch Moritz , Wattenberg Jonathan , Otte Felix , Strohmann Carsten
Published: July 2020

The combination of an alkoxy and an amino function combined in one silane is rarely found due to the difficult synthesis and isolation.[1] However, this combination offers unique opportunities to investigate the influence of steric requirements or the size of a metal on the structure or reactivity of alkoxysilylamides towards electrophiles by varying the metallating reagent (n‐butyllithium or di‐n‐butylmagnesium) or the organo group on the amino function. For this purpose, we synthesized two alkoxyaminosilanes with acidic NH units that can be metalated. On the one hand, the tert‐butylamino‐substituted (tert‐butylamino)‐methoxydiphenylsilane (1) and on the other hand the isopropylamino‐substituted methoxydiphenyl(isopropylamino)silane (2). The resulting structures showed an interesting interrelation between the Si–O or Si–N bond lengths and the strength of the coordinative bond to the corresponding metal cation (lithium or magnesium).
Surface defects from fractional branes. Part I
Authors: Ashok S.K. , Billò M. , Frau M. , Lerda A. , Mahato S.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We show that the Gukov-Witten monodromy defects of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory can be realized in perturbative string theory by considering an orbifold background of the Kanno-Tachikawa type and placing stacks of fractional D3-branes whose world-volume partially extends along the orbifold directions. In particular, we show that turning on a constant background value for some scalar fields in the closed string twisted sectors induces a non-trivial profile for the gauge field and one of the complex scalars of the world-volume theory, and that this profile exactly matches the singular behavior that one expects for a Gukov-Witten surface defect in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills theory. To keep the presentation as simple as possible, in this work we restrict our analysis to surface defects corresponding to a ℤ2 orbifold and defer the study of the most general case to a companion paper.
Seuchengeschichte in der deutschsprachigen Urologie
Authors: Moll F. H. , Halling T. , Griemmert M.
Published: July 2020

Pandemische Erkrankungen haben für viele Gebiete der Medizin Relevanz, von Mikrobiologie über die Epidemiologie bis zur Krankenhausökonomie und die einzelnen medizinischen Teilgebiete. In der sich im 19. Jahrhundert entwickelnden Disziplin Urologie wirkten die pandemische Erkrankung Tuberkulose, sowie die Geschlechtskrankheiten gar fachkonstituierend. Bei Letzteren variierte jedoch häufig die Zuordnung bei der Entwicklung des Krankenhauses im 19. Jahrhundert durch die Differenzierung der „äußeren Klinik“ in die Fächer Chirurgie, Venerodermatologie und Urologie.