bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective use of Molecular Testing Based on Sonographic Features of Cytologically Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Decision Analysis
Authors: Zanocco Kyle A. , Wang Max M. , Yeh Michael W. , Livhits Masha J.
Published: September 2019

Background

Molecular diagnostics can allow some patients with indeterminate thyroid nodule cytopathology to avoid diagnostic hemithyroidectomy; however, the testing is costly. We hypothesized that molecular testing with the intention of preventing unnecessary diagnostic hemithyroidectomy would be cost‐effective if this test was applied selectively based on sonographic risk of malignancy.

Methods

A Markov model was constructed depicting a 40‐year‐old patient with a cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodule. Molecular testing of fine needle aspiration material was compared to a strategy of immediate diagnostic hemithyroidectomy. Data from a single tertiary‐referral health system were reviewed to estimate the outcomes of molecular testing of indeterminate nodules stratified by the American Thyroid Association sonographic classification system. Other outcome probabilities and their utilities were derived from literature review. Costs were estimated with Medicare reimbursement data. A $100,000/QALY threshold for cost‐effectiveness was applied. Sensitivity analysis was employed to examine uncertainty in the model's assumptions.

Results

Of 123 patients who underwent molecular testing for indeterminate cytology, 12 (9.8%) were classified as high sonographic suspicion, 49 (40%) were intermediate suspicion, and 62 (50%) were low or very low suspicion. Molecular testing was only cost‐effective when the pretest probability of a negative test was greater than 31%. The model was most sensitive to the cost of molecular testing and the quality adjustment factor for hypothyroidism.

Conclusions

In hypothetical modeling, molecular testing is only cost‐effective for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with sonographic features that are intermediate or low suspicion for malignancy. In nodules with high sonographic suspicion, molecular testing is rarely negative and appears to add minimal value.
Designing for self-organisation in sociotechnical systems: resilience engineering, cognitive work analysis, and the diagram of work organisation possibilities
Authors: Naikar Neelam , Elix Ben
Published: September 2019

In designing sociotechnical systems, accounting for the phenomenon of self-organisation is critical. Empirical studies show that workers in these systems adapt not just their individual behaviours, but also their collective structures to deal with complex work environments. The concept of self-organisation can explain how such adaptations can be achieved spontaneously, continuously, and relatively seamlessly, and why this phenomenon is important for dealing with instability, uncertainty, and unpredictability in the task demands. However, existing design approaches such as resilience engineering and cognitive work analysis are limited in their capacity to design for self-organisation. This paper demonstrates that the diagram of work organisation possibilities, a recent addition to cognitive work analysis, provides a sound theoretical basis for designing for self-organisation. That is, it shows how essential components of the diagram are aligned with the concept of self-organisation and are well-grounded in empirical observations of adaptation in a variety of sociotechnical systems, specifically emergency management, military, and healthcare systems. Consequently, designs based on this diagram should have the potential to facilitate the emergence of new spatial, temporal, and functional organisational structures from the flexible actions of individual, interacting actors, thereby enhancing a system’s capacity for dealing with a dynamic, ambiguous work environment. Future research should focus on validating these ideas and demonstrating their value in industrial settings.
Structural curiosities of lanthanide (Ln)-modified bentonites analyzed by radioanalytical methods
Authors: Kovács Eszter M. , Kónya József , Nagy Noémi M.
Published: September 2019

The effects of pH and lanthanide (La, Y) concentration were investigated on the release of iron from Ca-bentonite crystal structure. XRF results revealed that during the Ca–H cation exchange procedure iron loss was not observed. In the case of lanthanide modifications, the pH has low influence, meanwhile the concentration of lanthanide has high influence on iron loss. Thus, high amount of trivalent lanthanides cause the structural iron release.
Wenn der Bagger rollt: Warum politische Konflikte um große Infrastrukturprojekte gewaltsam eskalieren
Authors: Heidrich Sebastian , Bandelow Nils C.
Published: September 2019

Der Beitrag identifiziert Bedingungen gewaltsamer Eskalation bei Konflikten um Infrastrukturprojekte. Dazu greift er verschiedene Erklärungen aus der Protest- und Bewegungsforschung auf. Empirische Evidenz liefert ein makro-qualitativer Vergleich von 27 Konfliktsituationen bei Infrastrukturprojekten in Deutschland mit der Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Gewaltsame Eskalation setzt die Kombination von Eskalationspotenzial und Eskalationsfunken voraus. Eskalationspotenzial besteht bei grundlegenden Technikkonflikten oder bei der Beteiligung ideologisierter Gruppen. Als Eskalationsfunken wirken Polizeigewalt und der Baustart. Neben dem Verzicht auf Polizeigewalt sollten Eskalationspotenziale und das Timing des Baustarts bei der Eskalationsvermeidung etwa durch Partizipationsprozesse berücksichtigt werden.
Indigenous fertility in Australia: updating Alan Gray
Authors: Carmichael Gordon A.
Published: September 2019

Although he was not the first scholar to investigate it, there is little question that the Ph.D. research of Alan Gray, completed in 1983, represented a landmark in the study of Indigenous fertility in Australia. Convinced that ‘Aboriginal’ fertility had fallen rapidly through the 1970s, Gray set out to document and explain the decline. Weaving through a maze of sub-optimal census data he produced a series of age-specific and total fertility rates, refined by three broad geographic location categories, for 5-year periods from 1956–1961 to 1976–1981. These he subsequently updated to also include 1981–1986 and the 10-year period 1986–1996 as new census children-ever-borne data became available. He would doubtless have extended his series further had he lived to do so. For years his fertility estimates were graphed in the annual ABS publicationBirths Australiaas the Bureau began publishing registration-based Indigenous fertility estimates from the late 1990s, but Indigenous birth registration data and fertility estimates based thereon remain to this day problematic in several respects. This paper summarises Alan Gray’s work, extends his Indigenous fertility estimates to the 2011–2016 intercensal period, and examines the results against registration-based estimates that have been subjected to (a) regular retrospective revision (in light of data processing flaws and substantial errors of closure in intercensal Indigenous population increments), and (b) the vagaries of significant late registration, and periodic registry efforts to clear backlogs of unregistered Indigenous births.
Understanding the Stochastic Partial Differential Equation Approach to Smoothing
Authors: Miller David L. , Glennie Richard , Seaton Andrew E.
Published: September 2019

Correlation and smoothness are terms used to describe a wide variety of random quantities. In time, space, and many other domains, they both imply the same idea: quantities that occur closer together are more similar than those further apart. Two popular statistical models that represent this idea are basis-penalty smoothers (Wood in Texts in statistical science, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2017) and stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) (Lindgren et al. in J R Stat Soc Series B (Stat Methodol) 73(4):423–498, 2011). In this paper, we discuss how the SPDE can be interpreted as a smoothing penalty and can be fitted using the package , allowing practitioners with existing knowledge of smoothing penalties to better understand the implementation and theory behind the SPDE approach.

Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction augmentation on avulsion PCL: A case series
Authors: Rhatomy Sholahuddin , Arif Azeta , Utomo Dwikora Novembri , Mulyadi Deri , Salipi Morteza Bahesdhi , Setyawan Riky , Soekarno Noha Roshadiansyah
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) avulsion may mimics PCL rupture with positive posterior drawer test. Treatment of choice to PCL avulsion is vary from open surgery to arthroscopic surgery. PCL reconstruction with augmentation is a rare procedure to be performed in treating PCL avulsion case. This case reported and suggested an augmentation procedure in PCL avulsion case. This study aims is to evaluate the knee functional score using augmented PCL reconstruction on PCL avulsion using peroneus longus tendon.

Presentation of case:

We report 3 cases, 1 male and 2 females. The result of physical examination, X-ray examination, and MRI of the knee showed a PCL avulsion. Posterior drawer test showed grade 2 result. We performed an augmented PCL reconstruction on PCL avulsion using peroneus longus tendon. Knee scoring (IKDC, Modified Cincinnati, Tegner-Lysholm) collected pre-operative and 2 years post-operative. The result of knee scoring was significant improved in post-operative compare to before surgery.

Conclusion:

Augmented PCL reconstruction can be considered to be an alternative treatment of PCL avulsion because the procedure has excellent post-operative knee scoring result.

Highlights:
Preparing elementary pre-service teachers for social studies integration in an alternative field placement
Authors: Demoiny Sara B.
Published: September 2019

As social studies receives less instructional time in elementary classrooms, elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) observe little social studies instruction in their field placements. Social studies integration is one way to counteract the devaluation of social studies in elementary schools. This multiple case study examines the extent to which nine elementary PSTs were able to integrate social studies into lessons during an alternative field placement, an integratedSTEM camp. The findings show variance across and within participants in their ability to integrate social studies in a quality way. Implications for elementary social studies methods course instructors are discussed.
Propagation speed of inertial waves in cylindrical swirling flows
Authors: Albayrak Alp , Juniper Matthew P. , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: September 2019

Thermo-acoustic combustion instabilities arise from feedback between flow perturbations and the unsteady heat release rate of a flame in a combustion chamber. In the case of a premixed, swirl stabilized flame, an unsteady heat release rate results from acoustic velocity perturbations at the burner inlet on the one hand, and from azimuthal velocity perturbations, which are generated by acoustic waves propagating across the swirler, on the other. The respective time lags associated with these flow–flame interaction mechanisms determine the overall flame response to acoustic perturbations and therefore thermo-acoustic stability. The propagation of azimuthal velocity perturbations in a cylindrical duct is commonly assumed to be convective, which implies that the corresponding time lag is governed by the speed of convection. We scrutinize this assumption in the framework of small perturbation analysis and modal decomposition of the Euler equations by considering an initial value problem. The analysis reveals that azimuthal velocity perturbations in swirling flows should be regarded as dispersive inertial waves. As a result of the restoring Coriolis force, wave propagation speeds lie above and below the mean flow bulk velocity. The differences between wave propagation speed and convection speed increase with increasing swirl. A linear, time invariant step response solution for the dynamics of inertial waves is developed, which can be approximated by a concise analytical expression. This study enhances the understanding of the flame dynamics of swirl burners in particular, and contributes physical insight into the inertial wave dynamics in general.
RANK AND RANDOMNESS
Authors: HÖLZL RUPERT , PORTER CHRISTOPHER P.
Published: September 2019

We show that for each computable ordinal $\alpha > 0$ it is possible to find in each Martin-Löf random ${\rm{\Delta }}_2^0 $ degree a sequence R of Cantor-Bendixson rank α, while ensuring that the sequences that inductively witness R’s rank are all Martin-Löf random with respect to a single countably supported and computable measure. This is a strengthening for random degrees of a recent result of Downey, Wu, and Yang, and can be understood as a randomized version of it.
Stars, holes, or paths across your Facebook friends: A graphlet-based characterization of many networks
Authors: Charbey Raphaël , Prieur Christophe
Published: September 2019

Network science gathers methods coming from various disciplines which sometimes hardly cross the boundaries between these disciplines. Widely used in molecular biology in the study of protein interaction networks, the enumeration, in a network, of all possible subgraphs of a limited size (usually around four or five nodes), often called graphlets, can only be found in a few works dealing with social networks. In the present work, we apply this approach to an original corpus of about 10,000 non-overlapping Facebook ego networks gathered from voluntary participants by a survey application. To deal with so many similar networks, we adapt the relative graphlet frequency to a measure that we call graphlet representativity, which we show to be more effective to classify random networks having slight structural differences. From our data, we produce two clusterings, one of graphlets (paths, star-like, holes, light triangles, and dense), one of networks. The latter is presented with a visualization scheme using our representativity measure. We describe the distinct structural characteristics of the five clusters of Facebook ego networks so obtained and discuss the empirical differences between results obtained with 4-node and 5-node graphlets. We also provide suggestions of follow-ups of this work, both in sociology and in network science.
In the Mood for Democracy? Democratic Support as Thermostatic Opinion
Authors: CLAASSEN CHRISTOPHER
Published: September 2019

Public support has long been thought crucial for the vitality and survival of democracy. Existing research has argued that democracy also creates its own demand: through early-years socialization and later-life learning, the presence of a democratic system coupled with the passage of time produces widespread public support for democracy. Using new panel measures of democratic mood varying over 135 countries and up to 30 years, this article finds little evidence for such a positive feedback effect of democracy on support. Instead, it demonstrates a negative thermostatic effect: increases in democracy depress democratic mood, while decreases cheer it. Moreover, it is increases in the liberal, counter-majoritarian aspects of democracy, not the majoritarian, electoral aspects that provoke this backlash from citizens. These novel results challenge existing research on support for democracy, but also reconcile this research with the literature on macro-opinion.
Art and Archaeology
Authors: Squire Michael
Published: September 2019

Attributes are fundamental to the study of classical archaeology, just as they are to the discipline of art history at large. When it comes to identifying figures on an Attic vase – or for that matter the subject of a medieval fresco, Renaissance canvas, or Neoclassical statue – scholars regularly rely on the associative value of objects. Consider the ease with which we recognize ‘Heracles’ on the grounds of a club or lionskin; observe, too, how often a spiked wheel is understood to signal ‘St Catherine’, or a golden key to betoken ‘St Peter’. In all these scenarios, viewers have learned to ‘read’ certain objects in certain culturally conditioned sorts of ways. Despite their non-verbal medium, attributes come to function almost like textual labels: inserted within the field of visual representation, they inscribe an identity, narrative backdrop, or semantic context; they anchor the project of critical interpretation – and in doing so take on a significatory logic of their own.
Gastrointestinal helminths of wolves (Canis lupusLinnaeus, 1758) in Piedmont, north-western Italy
Authors: de Macedo M.R.P. , Zanet S. , Bruno S. , Tolosano A. , Marucco F. , Rossi L. , Muller G. , Ferroglio E.
Published: September 2019

Free-ranging grey wolves (Canis lupus), which are presently recolonizing Italy, can be parasitized by a diversity of helminths, but have rarely been subject to studies of their parasites. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of road-killed grey wolves from the Piedmont region of Italy. Forty-two wolves were collected and examined for the presence of helminths. We recorded 12 helminth species: nine Nematoda and three Cestoda. The nematodes were:Ancylostoma caninum(7.1%),Capillariasp. (2.4%),Molineussp. (2.4%),Pterygodermatites affinis(11.9%),Physaloptera sibirica(9.5%),Toxocara canis(9.5%),Toxascaris leonina(2.4%) andUncinaria stenocephala(26.2%); the cestodes were:Dipylidium caninum(4.8%),Mesocestoidessp. (4.8%) andTaenia multiceps(76.2%).Physaloptera sibiricahad the highest mean intensity andT. multicepshad the highest prevalence. Based on age and sex, no differences in the intensity or prevalence of helminth species were found among the hosts.Molineussp. was recorded for the first time in wolves from the Palearctic region;P. affinisandP. sibiricaare respectively reported for the first time in wolves from Europe and Italy.
Assessing Lifeboat Coxswain Training Alternatives Using a Simulator
Authors: Billard Randy , Smith Jennifer , Veitch Brian
Published: September 2019

Lifeboats are essential life-saving equipment for all types of water-going vessels and offshore platforms. Lifeboat simulators have been created specifically for offshore personnel to practice in conditions that are normally too risky for live training. As simulation training is a relatively new alternative, there is a need to assess how training performed with a simulator compares with conventional training. This study was performed to evaluate how skills acquired with different training approaches transferred to an emergency scenario. Over a period of one year, participants received quarterly training in one of three ways: using live boats, computer-based training or a simulator. Following training, participants were evaluated on their ability to launch and manoeuvre a lifeboat in a plausible emergency. The study results suggest a benefit to performing training with realistic lifeboat controls and practicing using representative emergency scenarios. Insights are provided on how training can be modified to increase competence.
Revisiting Explicit Negation in Answer Set Programming
Authors: AGUADO FELICIDAD , CABALAR PEDRO , FANDINNO JORGE , PEARCE DAVID , PÉREZ GILBERTO , VIDAL CONCEPCIÓN
Published: September 2019

A common feature in Answer Set Programming is the use of a second negation, stronger than default negation and sometimes called explicit, strong or classical negation. This explicit negation is normally used in front of atoms, rather than allowing its use as a regular operator. In this paper we consider the arbitrary combination of explicit negation with nested expressions, as those defined by Lifschitz, Tang and Turner. We extend the concept of reduct for this new syntax and then prove that it can be captured by an extension of Equilibrium Logic with this second negation. We study some properties of this variant and compare to the already known combination of Equilibrium Logic with Nelson’s strong negation.
The Expressive Power of Higher-Order Datalog
Authors: CHARALAMBIDIS ANGELOS , NOMIKOS CHRISTOS , RONDOGIANNIS PANOS
Published: September 2019

A classical result in descriptive complexity theory states that Datalog expresses exactly the class of polynomially computable queries on ordered databases (Papadimitriou 1985; Grädel 1992; Vardi 1982; Immerman 1986; Leivant 1989). In this paper we extend this result to the case of higher-order Datalog. In particular, we demonstrate that on ordered databases, for all k ≥ 2, k-order Datalog captures (k − 1)-EXPTIME. This result suggests that higher-order extensions of Datalog possess superior expressive power and they are worthwhile of further investigation both in theory and in practice.
Fatigue in patients on oral targeted or chemotherapy for cancer and associations with anxiety, depression, and quality of life
Authors: Poort Hanneke , Jacobs Jamie M. , Pirl William F. , Temel Jennifer S. , Greer Joseph A.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Oral treatment (targeted or chemotherapy) for cancer is being increasingly used. While fatigue is a known side effect of intravenous chemotherapy, the rate of fatigue and the impact of fatigue on other patient-reported outcomes are not well described.

Method

At Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 180 adult patients prescribed oral targeted or chemotherapy for various malignancies enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of adherence and symptom management. Patients completed baseline self-reported measures of fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory; BFI), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS), and quality of life, including subscales for physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being ([QOL] Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy — General; FACT-G). We examined clinically relevant fatigue using a validated cut-off score for moderate-severe fatigue (BFI global fatigue ≥4) and tested the associations with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and QOL with independent samples t-tests.

Results

At baseline, 45 of 180 participants (25.0%) reported moderate-severe fatigue. Fatigued patients experienced more anxiety symptoms (mean diff. 3.73, P < 0.001), more depressive symptoms (mean diff. 4.14, P < 0.001), and worse QOL on the total FACT-G score (mean diff. −19.58, P < 0.001) and all subscales of the FACT-G compared to patients without moderate-severe fatigue.

Significance of results

One in four patients on oral treatment for cancer experienced clinically relevant fatigue that is associated with greater anxiety and depressive symptoms and worse QOL.
Stronger zonal convective clustering associated with a wider tropical rain belt
Authors: Popp Max , Bony Sandrine
Published: September 2019

Deep convection can exhibit a large diversity of spatial organizations along the equator. The form of organization may affect the tropical large-scale motions of the atmosphere, but observational evidence is currently missing. Here we show using observations that when convection along the equator is more clustered in the zonal direction, the tropical rain belt widens in the meridional direction, and exhibits a double-peak structure. About half of the influence of the convective clustering on the width of the rain belt is associated with the annual cycle and the other half is associated with unforced climate variability. Idealized climate model experiments show that the zonal convective clustering alone can explain the observed behavior and that the behavior can be explained with an energetic framework. This demonstrates that the representation of equatorial convective clustering is important for modeling the tropical rainfall distribution accurately.
Association of blood group and red blood cell transfusion with the incidence of antepartum, peripartum and postpartum venous thromboembolism
Authors: Wang Chen , Le Ray Isabelle , Lee Brian , Wikman Agneta , Reilly Marie
Published: September 2019

The increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with pregnancy is well-known and prophylaxis guidelines consider a number of risk factors. Although non-O blood group and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion are known to be associated with VTE risk, their contribution to pregnancy-associated VTE has received little attention. This study was conducted in a population-based cohort of 1,000,997 deliveries to women with no prior history of VTE or thrombophilia. The independent contributions of ABO blood type and RBC transfusion to the risks of antepartum, peripartum and postpartum VTE are reported as odds ratios adjusted for risk factors that are considered in current prophylaxis guidelines and other potential confounders. Compared with type O, A and B blood types have higher risk of antepartum and postpartum VTE, with odds ratios between 1.4 and 1.8. Transfusion around delivery has the largest increased risks and a dose-response effect, with adjusted odds ratios from 2.60 (1.71–3.97) for 1–2 units to 3.55 (1.32–9.55) for more than 5 units. ABO blood type and RBC transfusion were found to be independent risk factors for pregnancy-associated VTE. Further research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms and to conduct a risk-benefit assessment of the small volumes of RBCs transfused around delivery.
Exploitation of thermal gradients for investigation of irradiation temperature effects with charged particles
Authors: Hardie Chris D. , London Andrew J. , Lim Joven J. H. , Bamber Rob , Tadić Tonči , Vukšić Marin , Fazinić Stjepko
Published: September 2019

The effects of radiation damage on materials are strongly dependant on temperature, making it arguably the most significant parameter of concern in nuclear engineering. Owing to the challenges and expense of irradiating and testing materials, material property data is often limited to few irradiation conditions and material variants. A new technique has been developed which enables the investigation of radiation damage of samples subject to a thermal gradient, whereby a wealth of data over a range of irradiation temperatures is produced from a single irradiation experiment. The results produced are practically inaccessible by use of multiple conventional isothermal irradiations. We present a precipitation-hardened copper alloy (CuCrZr) case-study irradiated with a linear temperature gradient between 125 and 440 °C. Subsequent micro-scale post irradiation characterisation (nanoindentation, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography) highlight the capability to observe mechanical and microstructural changes over a wide range of irradiation temperatures. We observed irradiation-softening in CuCrZr that did not occur due to irradiation-enhanced aging of the Cr-precipitates. Excellent reproducibility of the new technique was demonstrated and replicated irradiation-hardening data from several isothermal neutron irradiation studies. Our new technique provides this data at a fraction of the time and cost required by conventional irradiation experiments.
Photodetection Characteristics of Gold Coated AFM Tips and n-Silicon Substrate nano-Schottky Interfaces
Authors: Abbas Yawar , Rezk Ayman , Alkindi Fatmah , Saadat Irfan , Nayfeh Ammar , Rezeq Moh’d
Published: September 2019

Silicon (Si)-based photodetectors are appealing candidates due to their low cost and compatibility with the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The nanoscale devices based on Si can contribute efficiently in the field of photodetectors. In this report, we investigate the photodetection capability of nano-Schottky junctions using gold (Au) coated conductive atomic force microscope (C-AFM) tips, and highly cleaned n-Si substrate interface. The Au nanotip/n-Si interface forms the proposed structure of a nano Schottky diode based photodetector. The electrical characteristics measured at the nanoscale junction with different Au nanotip radii show that the tunneling current increases with decreasing the tip radius. Moreover, the tunneling process and photodetection effects are discussed in terms of barrier width/height decrease at the tip-semiconductor interface due to the applied electric field as well as the generation of plasmon-induced hot-electron at the nanoparticle (i.e. C-AFM tip)/n-Si interface. Furthermore, the photodetection sensitivity is investigated and it is found to be higher for C-AFM tips with smaller radii. Moreover, this research will open a new path for the miniaturization of photodetectors with high sensitivity based on nano-Schottky interfaces.
Bidirectional transport of 2-chloroadenosine by equilibrative nucleoside transporter 4 (hENT4): Evidence for allosteric kinetics at acidic pH
Authors: Tandio David , Vilas Gonzalo , Hammond James R.
Published: September 2019

Adenosine has been reported to be transported by equilibrative nucleoside transporter 4 (ENT4), encoded by the SLC29A4 gene, in an acidic pH-dependent manner. This makes hENT4 of interest as a therapeutic target in acidic pathologies where adenosine is protective (e.g. vascular ischaemia). We examined the pH-sensitivity of nucleoside influx and efflux by hENT4 using a recombinant transfection model that lacks the confounding influences of other nucleoside transporters (PK15-NTD). We established that [3H]2-chloroadenosine, which is resistant to metabolism by adenosine deaminase, is a substrate for hENT4. Transport of [3H]2-chloroadenosine at a pH of 6.0 in PK15-NTD cells stably transfected with SLC29A4 was biphasic, with a low capacity (Vmax ~ 30 pmol/mg/min) high-affinity component (Km ~ 50 µM) apparent at low substrate concentrations, which shifted to a high capacity (Vmax ~ 500 pmol/mg/min) low affinity system (Km > 600 µM) displaying positive cooperativity at concentrations above 200 µM. Only the low affinity component was observed at a neutral pH of 7.5 (Km ~ 2 mM). Efflux of [3H]2-chloroadenosine from these cells was also enhanced by more than 4-fold at an acidic pH. Enhanced influx and efflux of nucleosides by hENT4 under acidic conditions supports its potential as a therapeutic target in pathologies such as ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
Coupled Plasma-Catalytic System with Rang 19pr Catalyst for Conversion of Tar
Authors: Młotek Michał , Woroszył Joanna , Ulejczyk Bogdan , Krawczyk Krzysztof
Published: September 2019

A coupled plasma-catalytic system (CPCS) for the conversion of toluene was investigated and compared to the homogeneous system of gliding discharge plasma. Toluene was used as a model compound, which is present in tars. The study was carried out at atmospheric pressure, in a gas composition similar to the one obtained during pyrolysis of biomass. The effect of the initial toluene concentration, energy supplied to gliding discharge (GD) and the presence of a catalyst on the conversion of toluene was studied. Both the composition of outlet gas and its calorific value were monitored. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that the conversion of toluene increases with the increase of gliding discharge power. The highest toluene conversion (89%) was received in the coupled plasma-catalytic system (catalyst: RANG-19PR) under the following conditions: CO (0.13 mol. fr.), CO2 (0.12 mol. fr.), H2 (0.25 mol. fr.), N2 (0.50 mol. fr.) and 4400 ppm of toluene with a gas flow rate of 1000 Nl/h. The composition of the outlet gas in the homogeneous system and in the CPCS changed in the range of a few percents. Toluene levels were reduced tenfold. Benzene, C3 and C4 hydrocarbons, as well as acetylene, ethylene and ethane, were detected in the outlet stream in trace amounts. Carbon deposits were present in the reactor. The products of methanation of carbon oxides were detected in the both studied systems. A mechanism of toluene decomposition in the CPCS was proposed. The application of the catalyst brought about an increase in the calorific value of the outlet gas. It was above the minimal level demanded by engines and turbines.
Direct bromocarboxylation of arynes using allyl bromides and carbon dioxide
Authors: Zhang Yu , Xiong Wenfang , Cen Jinghe , Yan Wuxin , Wu Yaodan , Qi Chaorong , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: September 2019

An unprecedented multicomponent reaction involving arynes, allyl bromides, and CO2 has been developed to construct various allyl o-bromobenzoate scaffolds.
Modulation of the coordination geometries of NCN and NCNC Rh complexes for ambidextrous chiral catalysts
Authors: Ito Jun-ichi , Ishihara Takahiro , Fukuoka Takaki , Binti Mat Napi Siti Rokiah , Kameo Hajime , Nishiyama Hisao
Published: September 2019

A chirality switch between novel NCN pincer Rh complexes and a related double cyclometalated NCNC Rh complex containing secondary amino groups is described.
Amorphous MoO3−x nanosheets prepared by the reduction of crystalline MoO3 by Mo metal for LSPR and photothermal conversion
Authors: Guo Cang , Yan Pengfei , Zhu Chuanhui , Wei Cong , Liu Wei , Wu Wenzhuo , Wang Xuzhe , Zheng Lirong , Wang Jiaou , Du Yi , Chen Jun , Xu Qun
Published: September 2019

Amorphous MoO3−x nanosheets with enhanced LSPR are fabricated by introducing Mo atoms into the interlayers of MoO3via a hydrothermal and post-irradiation method, which is beneficial for photo-to-heat conversion.
Film-based fluorescence sensing: a “chemical nose” for nicotine
Authors: Liu Ke , Zhang Jing , Xu Ling , Liu Jing , Ding Liping , Liu Taihong , Fang Yu
Published: September 2019

A fluorescent sensor array based on four AIE-active o-carborane derivatives for superior detection of nicotine and tobacco smoke.
Sn20(SitBu3)10Cl2– the largest metalloid group 14 cluster shows a raspberry-like arrangement of smaller units
Authors: Binder Mareike , Schrenk Claudio , Schnepf Andreas
Published: September 2019

The reaction of a metastable Sn(i)Cl solution with NaSitBu3leads to Sn20(SitBu3)10Cl2, where a raspberry-like cluster of cluster arrangement is realized, giving further insight into the formation process of a metalloid tin cluster from molecular precursors.
Two cadmium(ii) coordination polymers as luminescent sensors for the detection of nitrofuran/nitroimidazole antibiotics
Authors: Zhang Yujuan , Yang Jiandong , Zhao Dongsheng , Liu Zhangjie , Li Dacheng , Fan Liming , Hu Tuoping
Published: September 2019

p-Terphenyl-2,2′′,5′′,5′′-tetracarboxylate acid and bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene-based two Cd(ii) coordination polymers act as the luminescent sensors for the detection of nitrofuran/nitroimidazole antibiotics.
Structural properties and influence of solvent on the stability of telomeric four-stranded i-motif DNA
Authors: Mondal Manas , Bhattacharyya Dhananjay , Gao Yi Qin
Published: September 2019

Repetitive cytosine rich i-motif forming sequences are abundant in the telomere, centromere and promoters of several oncogenes and in some instances are known to regulate transcription and gene expression.
Investigation of glycerol hydrogen-bonding networks in choline chloride/glycerol eutectic-forming liquids using neutron diffraction
Authors: Turner Adam H. , Holbrey John D.
Published: September 2019

Neutron scattering reveals the persistent three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network between glycerol molecules in the 1 : 2 choline chloride/glycerol eutectic.
Beyond the Coulson–Fischer point: characterizing single excitation CI and TDDFT for excited states in single bond dissociations
Authors: Hait Diptarka , Rettig Adam , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: September 2019

HF/DFT orbitals spin-polarize when single bonds are stretched past the Coulson–Fischer point. We report unphysical features in the excited state potential energy surfaces predicted by CIS/TDDFT in this regime, and characterize their origin.
Kinetics and mechanism for hydrothermal conversion of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) for wastewater valorization
Authors: Li Yalin , Strathmann Timothy J.
Published: September 2019

Investigation of reaction mechanism and development of a kinetics network model for hydrothermal conversion of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) for wastewater valorization.
Development and application of a porous cage carrier method for detecting trace elements in soils by direct current glow discharge mass spectrometry
Authors: Dong Jiangli , Qian Rong , Zhuo Shangjun , Yu Pengfei , Chen Qiao , Li Zhongquan
Published: September 2019

By using a porous cage carrier method, interferences were removed and the signal of Si was improved.
Be2B6 and Be2B7+: two double aromatic inverse sandwich complexes with spin-triplet ground state
Authors: Wang Ying-Jin , Miao Chang-Qing , Xie Jing-Jing , Wei Ya-Ru , Ren Guang-Ming
Published: September 2019

Be2B6 and Be2B7+ clusters adopt interesting inverse sandwich structures with double σ/π aromaticity, and the former possesses the smallest monocyclic boron ring motif.
Electrochemical study of commercial and synthesized green corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel in acidic liquid
Authors: Yaocheng Yang , Caihong Yin , Singh Ambrish , Lin Yuanhua
Published: September 2019

The present paper deals with the investigation of two synthesized benzimidazole derivatives (BZs) as corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel under static conditions in a 15% HCl corrosive environment and in the temperature range of 30 to 90 °C.
Environmentally benign nucleophilic substitution reaction of arylalkyl halides in water using CTAB as the inverse phase transfer catalyst
Authors: Godha Atul K. , Thiruvengadam Jayaraman , Abhilash Viswanadhan , Balgi Prajwal , Narayanareddy A. V. , Vignesh Kumaresan , Gadakh Amol V. , Sathiyanarayanan A. M. , Ganesh Sambasivam
Published: September 2019

An environmentally benign, scalable and highly selective C-arylalkylation of active methylene compounds is developed using CTAB as the inverse phase transfer catalyst. The methodology is also applicable to the regioselective synthesis of N-aralkyl/alkyl 2-pyridones.
Frontiers in carbon dots: design, properties and applications
Authors: Li Zeyu , Wang Ling , Li Yu , Feng Yiyu , Feng Wei
Published: September 2019

This review provides a state-of-the-art account on the design and properties of advanced functional carbon dots and their emerging applications ranging from optical and energy to biomedical fields.
Gravitoviscous protoplanetary disks with a dust component
Authors: Vorobyov Eduard I. , Elbakyan Vardan G.
Published: September 2019

Aims. Spatial distribution and growth of dust in a clumpy protoplanetary disk subject to vigorous gravitational instability and fragmentation is studied numerically with sub-au resolution using the FEOSAD code.

Methods. Hydrodynamics equations describing the evolution of self-gravitating and viscous protoplanetary disks in the thin-disk limit were modified to include a dust component consisting of two parts: sub-micron-sized dust and grown dust with a variable maximum radius. The conversion of small to grown dust, dust growth, friction of dust with gas, and dust self-gravity were also considered.

Results. We found that the disk appearance is notably time-variable with spiral arms, dusty rings, and clumps, constantly forming, evolving, and decaying. As a consequence, the total dust-to-gas mass ratio is highly non-homogeneous throughout the disk extent, showing order-of-magnitude local deviations from the canonical 1:100 value. Gravitationally bound clumps formed through gravitational fragmentation have a velocity pattern that deviates notably from the Keplerian rotation. Small dust is efficiently converted into grown dust in the clump interiors, reaching a maximum radius of several decimeters. Concurrently, grown dust drifts towards the clump center forming a massive compact central condensation (70–100 M⊕). We argue that protoplanets may form in the interiors of inward-migrating clumps before they disperse through the action of tidal torques. We foresee the formation of protoplanets at orbital distances of several tens of au with initial masses of gas and dust in the protoplanetary seed in the (0.25–1.6) MJup and (1.0–5.5) M⊕ limits, respectively. The final masses of gas and dust in the protoplanets may however be much higher due to accretion from surrounding massive metal-rich disks/envelopes.

Conclusions. Dusty rings formed through tidal dispersal of inward-migrating clumps may have a connection to ring-like structures found in youngest and massive protoplanetary disks. Numerical disk models with a dust component that can follow the evolution of gravitationally bound clumps through their collapse phase to the formation of protoplanets are needed to make firm conclusions on the characteristics of planets forming through gravitational fragmentation.
Classification of Few Labeled Images Based on Integrated GMM Clustering
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Dong Minzhou , Duan Junhong
Published: September 2019

In order to improve the classifier classification accuracy of by using convolutional neural network training, a large amount of labeled data is often required, but sometimes labeled data is not easily obtained.This paper proposes a solution based on the idea of integrated GMM clustering and label delivery for classifying images with few labeled samples, assigning tags to unlabeled data through certain rules, and converting unlabeled data into labeled data for training of the model.In this paper, experiments are performed on hand-written digital recognition data sets. The results show that the present algorithm has a great improvement in the accuracy of model classification comparing with the method of using only labeled samples in the case of few labeled samples. The effectiveness of the present algorithm is validated.
Statistical Taylor series expansion: An approach for epistemic uncertainty propagation in Markov reliability models
Authors: Bachi Katia , Abbas Karim , Heidergott Bernd
Published: September 2019

In this paper we develop a new Taylor series expansion method for computing model output metrics under epistemic uncertainty in the model input parameters. Specifically, we compute the expected value and the variance of the stationary distribution associated with Markov reliability models. In the multi-parameter case, our approach allows to analyze the impact of correlation between the uncertainty on the individual parameters the model output metric. In addition, we also approximate true risk by using the Chebyshev’ inequality. Numerical results are presented and compared to the corresponding Monte Carlo simulations ones.
Dialysekanülen
Authors: Jungmann Ralf
Published: September 2019

Jeder Profi muss sein Handwerkszeug kennen, um es optimal einzusetzen. Dies gilt auch für Kanülen, die aufgrund ihres Designs und ihrer technischen Ausführung speziell auf den Gefäßanschluss für die Hämodialyse ausgelegt sind. Der scharfe Facettenschliff erlaubt eine schmerzarme Punktion trotz des großen Durchmessers, welcher für einen ausreichenden Blutfluss erforderlich ist. Mögliche Gewebeschädigungen können durch die Wahl des Punktionswinkels und der Schlifforientierung vermindert werden. Das Back Eye bei arteriellen Kanülen, ein sorgfältiges Anticoring und Farbmarken, die auch bei liegender Kanüle die Schlifforientierung anzeigen, sind besondere Sicherheitsmerkmale. Die Silikonisierung des Kanülenrohres verhindert die Aktivierung des Gerinnungssystems und lässt die Kanüle schmerzarm in das Gewebe gleiten. Moderne Dialysekanülen in Ultra-Dünnwand-Ausführung ermöglichen hohe Blutflüsse bei minimalem Außendurchmesser.
Using Plasma and Prothrombin Complex Concentrates
Authors: Levy Jerrold H. , Ghadimi Kamrouz , Waldron Nathan H. , Connors Jean M.
Published: September 2019

Surgical patients, following procedural interventions or traumatic injury, often bleed due to ongoing blood loss or coagulopathy. Volume resuscitation and transfusion management are critical for the massively bleeding patient. While transfusions may correct coagulopathy, they carry multiple risks including circulatory overload and transfusion-related acute lung injury. Factor concentrates, specifically prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), are often used as part of multimodal therapy for bleeding along with laboratory testing to rapidly assess underlying coagulopathy. Although they are commonly used as part of management algorithms, studies evaluating their efficacy against fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or other potential therapies are needed. Further, PCCs are indicated to treat the coagulopathy associated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in the perioperative setting. The focus of this commentary will be the perioperative use of PCCs, plasma, and FFP.
Pulmonary Thrombosis: A Clinical Pathological Entity Distinct from Pulmonary Embolism?
Authors: Marongiu Francesco , Mameli Antonella , Grandone Elvira , Barcellona Doris
Published: September 2019

Since Virchow's autopsy studies in the mid-1800s, it has generally been believed that pulmonary embolism (PE) originated from the embolization of fibrin fragments from a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, a DVT is often not found in patients with PE (up to 50% of cases). Could fibrin form in the pulmonary vessels without coming from the periphery? In this review, the authors will try to support the hypothesis that a pulmonary thrombosis (PT) may develop. They will do so through different clinical models related to some pathological conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, all of which show a close relationship between local inflammation and activation of blood coagulation, two defensive systems that may lead to fibrin deposition in the lungs, thus recognizing the possibility that PT may be a newly recognized entity. An increased risk for PE has been demonstrated in these conditions. Sickle cell disease and assisted reproductive technologies are other very different conditions in which an increased risk for PE has been found. Gaucher's disease is a rare hereditary condition in which the hemostatic system could have a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, which complicates the course of the disease. In particular, the increased risk for PT, common to all these conditions, deserves attention when a patient presents with sudden dyspnea, an unexpected COPD exacerbation, or severe sudden asthmatic dyspnea. As a consequence, prediction scores for venous thromboembolism could be revised.
Peculiarities of Cirrhosis due to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Authors: El-Sherif Omar , Armstrong M.J.
Published: September 2019

The prevalence of cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has increased 2.5-fold in the United States in the last decade. These patients pose new challenges to hepatologists given their older age and higher frequency of coexisting metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes compared with other etiologies of liver disease. Patients with NASH cirrhosis are at higher risk for renal and cardiovascular disease, and the presence of these extrahepatic comorbidities has a significant impact on outcomes and survival. This review outlines how NASH cirrhosis differs from other etiologies of cirrhosis including natural history, noninvasive assessment, and the challenges in the management of the complications of cirrhosis including hepatic encephalopathy and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nutritional assessment and the impact of sarcopenic obesity and frailty in this population, and strategies to address the latter, are discussed. This review also addresses liver transplantation in patients with NASH cirrhosis in relation to assessment and posttransplant care.