bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effect of alumina shaping on the sorption properties of promising metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Iacomi Paul , Lee U-Hwang , Valekar Anil H. , Chang Jong-San , Llewellyn Philip L.
Published: March 2019

Investigating adsorption performance of three promising MOF candidates, UiO-66(Zr), MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-127(Fe) shaped through granulation with a ρ-alumina binder.
Correction: Determination of the electronic structure of a dinuclear dysprosium single molecule magnet without symmetry idealization
Authors: Perfetti Mauro , Gysler Maren , Rechkemmer-Patalen Yvonne , Zhang Peng , Taştan Hatice , Fischer Florian , Netz Julia , Frey Wolfgang , Zimmermann Lucas W. , Schleid Thomas , Hakl Michael , Orlita Milan , Ungur Liviu , Chibotaru Liviu , Brock-Nannestad Theis , Piligkos Stergios , van Slageren Joris
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘Determination of the electronic structure of a dinuclear dysprosium single molecule magnet without symmetry idealization’ by Mauro Perfetti et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 2101–2110.
MoNb12O33 as a new anode material for high-capacity, safe, rapid and durable Li+ storage: structural characteristics, electrochemical properties and working mechanisms
Authors: Zhu Xiangzhen , Xu Jian , Luo Yunpeng , Fu Qingfeng , Liang Guisheng , Luo Lijie , Chen Yongjun , Lin Chunfu , Zhao X. S.
Published: March 2019

Intercalation-type MoNb12O33 with a porous-microspherical nanoarchitecture is explored as the first molybdenum niobium oxide anode material for Li+ storage.
Noncovalent and covalent double assembly: unravelling a unified mechanism for the tubular shape evolution of microporous organic polymers
Authors: Kang Chang Wan , Ko Ju Hong , Lee Sang Moon , Kim Hae Jin , Ko Yoon-Joo , Son Seung Uk
Published: March 2019

Noncovalent assembly of ionic species provided a morphology template for the tubular shape evolution of microporous organic polymers.
Achieving high discharge energy density and efficiency with NBT-based ceramics for application in capacitors
Authors: Pan Zhongbin , Hu Di , Zhang Yang , Liu Jinjun , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei
Published: March 2019

The 0.94(BNT–BST)–0.06KNN ceramic possesses an excellent stored energy storage density (Ws = ∼3.13 J cm−3), a recoverable energy storage density (Wr = ∼2.65 J cm−3), and maintains a relatively high efficiency (η ∼ 84.6%).
Efficient and carbon-based hole transport layer-free CsPbI2Br planar perovskite solar cells using PMMA modification
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Zhou Yang , Li Yuzhu , Sun Jiawen , Lu Xubing , Gao Xingsen , Gao Jinwei , Shui Lingling , Wu Sujuan , Liu Jun-Ming
Published: March 2019

In this work, planar inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with the simple structure of glass/ITO/SnO2/CsPbI2Br/C have been fabricated.
Thermally self-managing YAG:Ce–Al2O3color converters enabling high-brightness laser-driven solid state lighting in a transmissive configuration
Authors: Wang Jinchun , Tang Xueyuan , Zheng Peng , Li Shuxing , Zhou Tianliang , Xie Rong-Jun
Published: March 2019

High-brightness laser-driven white light can be achieved by just controlling the Al2O3content and/or the thickness of YAG:Ce–Al2O3composite ceramics under blue laser excitation in a transmissive configuration.
The biological characteristics of transcription factors AP-2α and AP-2γ and their importance in various types of cancers
Authors: Kołat Damian , Kałuzińska Żaneta , Bednarek Andrzej K. , Płuciennik Elżbieta
Published: March 2019

The Activator Protein 2 (AP-2) transcription factor (TF) family is vital for the regulation of gene expression during early development as well as carcinogenesis process. The review focusses on the AP-2α and AP-2γ proteins and their dualistic regulation of gene expression in the process of carcinogenesis. Both AP-2α and AP-2γ influence a wide range of physiological or pathological processes by regulating different pathways and interacting with diverse molecules, i.e. other proteins, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) or miRNAs. This review summarizes the newest information about the biology of two, AP-2α and AP-2γ, TFs in the carcinogenesis process. We emphasize that these two proteins could have either oncogenic or suppressive characteristics depending on the type of cancer tissue or their interaction with specific molecules. They have also been found to contribute to resistance and sensitivity to chemotherapy in oncological patients. A better understanding of molecular network of AP-2 factors and other molecules may clarify the atypical molecular mechanisms occurring during carcinogenesis, and may assist in the recognition of new diagnostic biomarkers.
Language Performance of Individuals at Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: McCullough Kim C. , Bayles Kathryn A. , Bouldin Erin D.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Evidence exists that changes in language performance may be an early indicator of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a harbinger of dementing disease. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of language performance in individuals at risk for MCI by virtue of age and self-concern and its relation to performance on tests of memory, visuospatial function, and mental status.

Method

Eighty-three individuals 55 years or older were administered the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (
Bayles & Tomoeda, 1993
), a standardized battery with normative data from 86 healthy older adults (HOAs) and 86 individuals with Alzheimer's dementia, the most common dementing disease. A performance criterion of 1–1.5
SD
s below the mean of HOAs defined MCI, as recommended in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
. We hypothesized that (a) the majority of at-risk participants would score 1
SD
or more below the mean of HOAs on 1 or more subtests and (b) language performance tests would present a greater challenge than memory, mental status, and visuospatial construction tests.

Results

Both hypotheses were confirmed. Sixty-two participants (74.6%) met the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
, criteria on at least 1 subtest. Moreover, language subtests were those most likely to elicit a performance 1
SD
or more below the mean of HOAs.

Conclusions

Language performance deficits can appear early before impairment in episodic memory, visuospatial construction ability, or mental status in individuals at risk for MCI. Speech-language pathologists are uniquely qualified to identify subtle changes in language, and standardized language tests with normative data should be used when testing for MCI.
FPGA‐based RO PUF with low overhead and high stability
Authors: Zhou Kai , Liang Huaguo , Jiang Yue , Huang Zhengfeng , Jiang Cuiyun , Lu Yingchun
Published: March 2019

Ring oscillator physical unclonable functions (RO PUF) promise cheap, efficient, and secure identification and authentication of the chip. However, RO PUF typically has high hardware overhead, and it is difficult to guarantee its stability due to the complex operating environment. In this Letter, the programmable delay lines were utilised to configure the ring oscillator to improve the performance of PUF on FPGA. The proposed structure generates a 16‐bit reliable PUF response using only two slices. Experimental results show that the proposed PUF has low hardware overhead, and multiple measurements under a wide range of operating environments demonstrate that it is highly stable.
Design and field trial measurement results for a portable and low‐cost very‐high‐frequency/ultra‐high‐frequency channel sounder platform for Internet of things propagation research
Authors: Ball Edward Andrew
Published: March 2019

Propagation research is vital for informing the design of reliable very high‐frequency and ultra‐high‐frequency communications systems for the Internet of things. In this study, a cost‐effective and highly portable system is proposed and then used to obtain propagation measurements in city and suburban scenarios at 71 and 869.525 MHz. The system calculates the received power, power delay profile and channel frequency response. The portable sounding receiver uses readily available parts: an RTL‐SDR (covering 27 MHz–1.7 GHz) and a Raspberry Pi with a touchscreen. The Pi implements all the channel sounding signal processing algorithms in Python, in near real time. Extracted propagation data and models are presented, from example city and suburban field trials incorporating pedestrian and car use.
Validation of a volume integral equation method for indoor propagation modelling
Authors: Kavanagh Ian , Brennan Conor
Published: March 2019

A full‐wave indoor propagation model based on the two‐dimensional (2D) volume electric field integral equation (VEFIE) is presented. The model is discretised with the method of moments (MoM). The linear system arising from the MoM discretisation is solved with an iterative solver accelerated by using the fast Fourier transform and a reduced operator. The 2D VEFIE is validated against the analytical Mie series solution for scattering from a dielectric cylinder before being applied to a typical indoor propagation environment and compared against measurements. It is also compared against current popular empirical models and ray tracing. The ability of the frequency domain VEFIE method to produce time domain information is demonstrated with an investigation of numerical considerations that must be made.
Scattered moonlight observations with X-shooter
Authors: Jones A. , Noll S. , Kausch W. , Unterguggenberger S. , Szyszka C. , Kimeswenger S.
Published: March 2019

Estimating the sky background is critical for ground-based astronomical research. In the optical, scattered moonlight dominates the sky background, when the moon is above the horizon. The most uncertain component of a scattered moonlight model is the aerosol scattering. The current, official sky background model for Cerro Paranal uses an extrapolated aerosol extinction curve. With a set of X-shooter sky observations, we have tested the current sky background model as well as determined the aerosol extinction from the ultra-violet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR). To our knowledge, this is the first time that a scattered moonlight model has been used for this purpose. These observations were taken of blank sky, during three different lunar phases, and at six different angular distances from the moon for each lunar phase. Overall, the current model does reproduce the observations for average conditions quite well. Using a set of sky background models with varying aerosol distributions to compare with the observations, we found the most likely aerosol extinction curves, phase functions, and volume densities for the three nights of observations and compare them with the current model. While there are some degeneracies in the aerosol scattering properties, the extinction curves tend to flatten towards redder wavelengths and are overall less steep compared to the extrapolated curve used in the current model. Also, the current model had significantly less coarse particles compared to the favored volume densities from the X-shooter data. Having more coarse particles affects the phase function by being more peaked at small angular distances. For the three nights of sky observations, the aerosol size distributions differed, most likely reflecting the changes in atmospheric conditions and aerosol content, which is expected. In short, the current sky background model is in fair agreement with the observations, and we have determined better aerosol extinction curves and phase functions for Cerro Paranal. Using nighttime sky observations of scattered moonlight and a set of sky background models is a new method to probe the aerosol content of the atmosphere.
Substructure and halo population of Double Cluster h and χ Persei
Authors: Zhong Jing , Chen Li , Kouwenhoven M. B. N. , Li Lu , Shao Zhengyi , Hou Jinliang
Published: March 2019

Context. Gaia DR2 provides an ideal dataset to study the stellar populations of open clusters at larger spatial scales because the cluster member stars can be well identified by their location in the multidimensional observational parameter space with high precision parameter measurements.

Aims. In order to study the stellar population and possible substructures in the outskirts of Double Cluster h and χ Persei, we use Gaia DR2 data in a sky area of about 7.5° in radius around the Double Cluster cores.

Methods. We identified member stars using various criteria, including their kinematics (namely, proper motion), individual parallaxes, and photometric properties. A total of 2186 member stars in the parameter space were identified as members.

Results. Based on the spatial distribution of the member stars, we find an extended halo structure of h and χ Persei about six to eight times larger than their core radii. We report the discovery of filamentary substructures extending to about 200 pc away from the Double Cluster. The tangential velocities of these distant substructures suggest that they are more likely to be remnants of primordial structures, instead of a tidally disrupted stream from the cluster cores. Moreover, internal kinematic analysis indicates that halo stars seem to experience a dynamic stretching in the RA direction, while the impact of the core components is relatively negligible. This work also suggests that the physical scale and internal motions of young massive star clusters may be more complex than previously thought.
New metric to quantify the similarity between planetary systems: application to dimensionality reduction using T-SNE
Authors: Alibert Y.
Published: March 2019

Context. Planet formation models now often consider the formation of planetary systems with more than one planet per system. This raises the question of how to represent planetary systems in a convenient way (e.g. for visualisation purpose) and how to define the similarity between two planetary systems, for example to compare models and observations.

Aims. We define a new metric to infer the similarity between two planetary systems, based on the properties of planets that belong to these systems. We then compare the similarity of planetary systems with the similarity of protoplanetary discs in which they form.

Methods. We first define a new metric based on mixture of Gaussians, and then use this metric to apply a dimensionality reduction technique in order to represent planetary systems (which should be represented in a high-dimensional space) in a two-dimensional space. This allows us study the structure of a population of planetary systems and its relation with the characteristics of protoplanetary discs in which planetary systems form.

Results. We show that the new metric can help to find the underlying structure of populations of planetary systems. In addition, the similarity between planetary systems, as defined in this paper, is correlated with the similarity between the protoplanetary discs in which these systems form. We finally compare the distribution of inter-system distances for a set of observed exoplanets with the distributions obtained from two models: a population synthesis model and a model where planetary systems are constructed by randomly picking synthetic planets. The observed distribution is shown to be closer to the one derived from the population synthesis model than from the random systems.

Conclusions. The new metric can be used in a variety of unsupervised machine learning techniques, such as dimensionality reduction and clustering, to understand the results of simulations and compare them with the properties of observed planetary systems.
Damit Alltagshilfen passen – Modell für die Hilfsmittelversorgung
Authors: Keller Susanne
Published: March 2019

Häufig erhalten Klienten Hilfsmittel, die nicht an ihre Bedürfnisse angepasst sind. Um das zu vermeiden, können Ergotherapeuten das „Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment“ einsetzen. Es unterstützt sie dabei, das passende Hilfsmittel für die Anforderungen ihrer Klienten zu finden. Wie es funktioniert, erklärt Susanne Keller.
Mit Freude arbeiten – Wohlbefinden im Beruf
Authors: Grießig Ritva
Published: March 2019

Da wir viel Zeit unseres Lebens mit unserer Berufstätigkeit verbringen, sind dabei auch unser berufliches Sinnerleben und Wohlbefinden wichtig. Ritva Grießig stellt eine Reihe an Aspekten vor, die Ihnen dabei helfen können, sich im Berufsalltag wohlzufühlen.
Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund Gelegentlich kann es vorkommen, dass ausgedehnte Internetrecherchen bei Patienten Gesundheitsängste auslösen, die sich langfristig verfestigen. Der Umgang mit einer solchen „Cyberchondrie“ stellt eine besondere Herausforderung für den Arzt dar. Die Studie beleuchtet hausärztliche Einstellungen und Erfahrungen mit Blick auf Patienten, die vermehrt im Internet nach Symptomen, Krankheitsverläufen oder Therapien suchen. Ein Schwerpunkt gilt Personen, die aufgrund von vorangegangenen Internetkonsultationen Gesundheitsängste entwickeln. Es wird eruiert, welche Vorgehensweisen sinnvoll erscheinen, um angemessen auf verunsicherte Patienten zu reagieren.

Methoden Im Rahmen einer schriftlichen Befragung wurden zwischen dem 20. April und 20. Juni 2018 insgesamt 844 Allgemeinmediziner und hausärztlich tätige Internisten in Südhessen und zusätzlich in den Landkreisen Gießen, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Kassel und der kreisfreien Stadt Kassel befragt.

Ergebnisse Zwei Drittel der Befragten gehen davon aus, dass 15 % oder mehr der eigenen Patienten sie mit Ergebnissen eigener Internetrecherchen konfrontieren. 73 % sehen das Aufkommen von internetassoziierten Gesundheitsängsten als zunehmendes Problem in der Patientenversorgung. Es werden vor allem negative Auswirkungen der Online-Selbstinformation gesehen (psychische Stabilität, Erwartungen gegenüber dem Arzt). Jeder 5. Arzt (18 %) hat bereits den Abbruch eines Betreuungsverhältnisses aufgrund ausgeuferter Internetrecherchen des Patienten erlebt. Um auf verunsicherte oder verängstigte Patienten zu reagieren, bauen die Befragten auf eine ausführliche Erläuterung der Diagnose und/oder Therapie und empfehlen Internetseiten, die sie als seriös erachten.

Schlussfolgerung Es erscheint ratsam, die Online-Informationssuche aktiv im Patientengespräch zu thematisieren, um möglichen negativen Auswirkungen auf das Arzt-Patient-Verhältnis vorzubeugen. Entsprechend wäre darüber nachzudenken, die Anamnese um die Dimension der Online-Informationssuche zu erweitern.
Lebenslange Arztnummer, Krankenhausarztnummer, Arztnummer
Authors: Häser Isabel
Published: March 2019

Eine kleine Nummer macht so viel Arbeit. Im Rahmen der Verhandlungen zum Entlassmanagement wurde die Arztnummer für Krankenhausärzte zur Belastungsprobe. Mittlerweile wurden Vereinbarungen hierzu getroffen und jetzt geht es an die Umsetzung. Und das bedeutet gegebenenfalls viel Arbeit für die Kliniken. Gute Vorbereitung ist daher angeraten, damit man zeitlich nicht in Bedrängnis gerät.
Wie man angemessene Privatpreise durchsetzt
Authors: Buchner Ralf
Published: March 2019

Etwa 20 Prozent der Einnahmen ambulanter Heilmittelpraxen stammen von Privatpatienten, das entspricht mehr als 1,5 Milliarden Euro im Jahr. Die Höhe der Privatpreise können Praxisinhaber selbst festlegen, was die privaten Krankenversicherungen jedoch immer wieder bestreiten und die Erstattungen kürzen. Das führt zu unerwünschten Diskussionen in der Praxis, die sich mit wenig Aufwand umgehen lassen.
The Effects of Riluzole on Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity
Authors: Üstün Bezgin Selin , Uygur Kadir Kemal , Gökdoğan Çağıl , Elmas Çiğdem , Göktaş Güleser
Published: March 2019

Introduction Riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole) is known as a neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic agent. It may have beneficial effects on neuronal cell death due to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Objective To evaluate the effect of riluzole on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs.

Methods Twenty-four guinea pigs, studied in three groups, underwent auditory brainstem response evaluation using click and 8 kHz tone burst stimuli. Subsequently, 5 mg/kg of cisplatin were administered to all animals for 3 days intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce ototoxicity. Half an hour prior to cisplatin, groups 1, 2 and 3 received 2 ml of saline i.p., 6 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., and 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., respectively, for 3 days. The auditory brainstem responses were repeated 24 hours after the last drug administration. The cochleae were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results After drug administiration, for 8,000 Hz stimulus, group 1 had significantly higher threshold shifts when compared with groups 2 (p < 0.05) and 3 (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in threshold shifts between groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy findings demonstrated the protective effect of riluzole on the hair cells and the stria vascularis, especially in the group treated with 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride.

Conclusion We can say that riluzole may have a protective effect on cisplatin- induced ototoxicity. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these results and the mechanisms of action of riluzole.
Nasal Polyposis: More than a Chronic Inflammatory Disorder—A Disease of Mechanical Dysfunction—The São Paulo Position
Authors: Pezato Rogerio , Voegels Richard Louis , Pignatari Shirley , Gregório Luiz Carlos , Pinto Bezerra Thiago Freire , Gregorio Luciano , Balsalobre Leonardo , Tepedino Miguel Soares , Coronel Nathália , Pinna Fabio de Rezende , Mendes Neto José , Oliveira Pedro , Macoto Eduardo , Stefanini Renato , Figueiredo Claudia , Haddad Fernanda , Pilan Renata , Bezerra Soter Ana , Melo Nelson Almeida , Candido Danilo Almeida , Amaral Jonatas do , Santos Rodrigo de Paula , Van Zele Thibaut , Fujita Reginaldo , Dreyfuss Juliana L. , Chamon Wallace , Alencar Adriano Mesquita , Perez-Novo Claudina , Stamm Aldo Cassol
Published: March 2019

Introduction The importance of our study lies in the fact that we have demonstrated the occurrence of mechanical dysfunction within polypoid tissues, which promotes the development of polyps in the nasal cavity.

Objective To change the paradigm of nasal polyposis (NP). In this new conception, the chronic nasal inflammatory process that occurs in response to allergies, to pollution, to changes in the epithelial barrier, or to other factors is merely the trigger of the development of the disease in individuals with a genetic predisposition to an abnormal tissue remodeling process, which leads to a derangement of the mechanical properties of the nasal mucosa and, consequently, allows it to grow unchecked.

Data Synthesis We propose a fundamentally new approach to intervening in the pathological process of NP, addressing biomechanical properties, fluid dynamics, and the concept of surface tension.

Conclusion The incorporation of biomechanical knowledge into our understanding of NP provides a new perspective to help elucidate the physiology and the pathology of nasal polyps, and new avenues for the treatment and cure of NP.
Intervening in the Acute Phase of Postradiation Carotid Blowout Syndrome
Authors: Jong Marrigje A. de , Candanedo Carlos , Gross Menachem , Cohen José E.
Published: March 2019

Introduction Acute carotid blowout syndrome (aCBS) is a severe complication of head and neck cancer (HNC). It can be defined as a rupture of the extracranial carotid arteries, or one of their branches, that causes life-threatening hemorrhage, and which nowadays can be treated with urgent endovascular intervention.

Objective We retrospectively evaluate the endovascular management of aCBS and its outcome in years of survival.

Methods Retrospectively, we describe our experience with endovascular control of aCBS in patients treated for HNC. We review the characteristics, pathology, endovascular treatment and morbidity and assess the gain in life years.

Results Nine individuals were included in this study. Four patients had been previously diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one with paranasal SCC, one with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and three with oral or maxillary adenocarcinoma. All subjects underwent radiotherapy and surgical excision to different extents. Twelve endovascular procedures were performed for injuries to the internal carotid artery (n = 3; 25%), external carotid artery (n = 1; 7%) or one of their branches (n = 8; 67%). Deconstructive methods were used in nine procedures, and three procedures were mainly reconstructive with deployment of covered stents. Total control of bleeding was achieved in all individuals with no intraprocedural complications.

Conclusion Endovascular therapy is an effective alternative for the management of exsanguinating CBS. In our series, this palliative therapy increased the overall patient survival by an estimated 9 months.
A Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Score for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Based on D-Dimer and a Comprehensive Analysis of Myeloid Cell Parameters
Authors: Zagrapan Branislav , Eilenberg Wolf , Prausmueller Suriya , Nawrozi Paimann , Muench Katharina , Hetzer Sarah , Elleder Vanessa , Rajic Renata , Juster Felix , Martelanz Luca , Hayden Hubert , Klopf Johannes , Inan Cansu , Teubenbacher Peter , Weigl Markus , Kirchweger Patrick , Beitzke Dietrich , Jilma Bernd , Wojta Johann , Bailey Marc , Scott D. , Huk Ihor , Neumayer Christoph , Brostjan Christine
Published: March 2019

The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) involves a central component of chronic inflammation which is predominantly mediated by myeloid cells. We hypothesized that the local inflammatory activity may be reflected in systemic alterations of neutrophil and monocyte populations as well as in soluble factors of myeloid cell activation and recruitment. To establish their marker potential, neutrophil and monocyte sub-sets were measured by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples of 41 AAA patients and 38 healthy controls matched for age, sex, body mass index and smoking habit. Comparably, circulating factors reflecting neutrophil and monocyte activation and recruitment were assayed in plasma. Significantly elevated levels of CD16+ monocytes, activated neutrophils and newly released neutrophils were recorded for AAA patients compared with controls. In line, the monocyte chemoattractant C-C chemokine ligand 2 and myeloperoxidase were significantly increased in patients' plasma. The diagnostic value was highest for myeloperoxidase, a mediator which is released by activated neutrophils as well as CD16+ monocytes. Multivariable regression models using myeloid activation markers and routine laboratory parameters identified myeloperoxidase and D-dimer as strong independent correlates of AAA. These two biomarkers were combined to yield a diagnostic score which was subsequently challenged for confounders and confirmed in a validation cohort matched for cardiovascular disease. Importantly, the score was also found suited to predict rapid disease progression. In conclusion, D-dimer and myeloperoxidase represent two sensitive biomarkers of AAA which reflect distinct hallmarks (thrombus formation and inflammation) of the pathomechanism and, when combined, may serve as diagnostic and prognostic AAA score warranting further evaluation.
Multimodal Pain Management for Cesarean Delivery: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hadley Emily E. , Monsivais Luis , Pacheco Lucia , Babazade Rovnat , Chiossi Giuseppe , Ramirez Yara , Ellis Viviana , Simon Michelle , Saade George R. , Costantine Maged
Published: March 2019

Objective Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative multimodal pain management in reducing opioid use after elective cesarean delivery (CD).

Study Design A single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial of women undergoing elective CD. Participants were allocated 1:1 to receive the multimodal protocol or matching placebos. The multimodal protocol consisted of a preoperative dose of intravenous acetaminophen, preincision injection of subcutaneous bupivacaine, and intraoperative injection of intramuscular ketorolac. Primary outcome was total opioid intake at 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, time to first opioid intake, neonatal outcomes, and total outpatient opioid intake on postoperative day (POD) 7. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests and quantile regression as appropriate.

Results A total of 242 women were screened with 120 randomized, 60 to the multimodal group and 60 to control group. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of opioid use nor in the secondary outcomes. Smokers and patients with a history of drug use had higher median postoperative opiate use and earlier administration. On POD 7, only 40% of prescribed opioids had been used, and there was no difference between the groups.

Conclusion This perioperative multimodal pain regimen did not reduce opioid use in 48 hours after CD. Patients who smoke or with a history of drug use required more opioids in the postoperative period. Providers significantly overprescribed opioids after CD.
Implementation of a stable, high-power optical lattice for quantum gas microscopy
Authors: Mazurenko A. , Blatt S. , Huber F. , Parsons M. F. , Chiu C. S. , Ji G. , Greif D. , Greiner M.
Published: March 2019

We describe the design and implementation of a stable high-power 1064 nm laser system to generate optical lattices for experiments with ultracold quantum gases. The system is based on a low-noise laser amplified by an array of four heavily modified, high-power fiber amplifiers. The beam intensity is stabilized and controlled with a nonlinear feedback loop. Using real-time monitoring of the resulting optical lattice, we find the stability of the lattice site positions to be well below the lattice spacing over the course of hours. The position of the harmonic trap produced by the Gaussian envelope of the lattice beams is stable to about one lattice spacing and the long-term (six-month) relative root-mean-square stability of the lattice spacing itself is 0.5%.
Nonlinear polarization evolution using time-dependent density functional theory
Authors: Uemoto Mitsuharu , Kuwabara Yuki , Sato Shunsuke A. , Yabana Kazuhiro
Published: March 2019

We propose a theoretical and computational approach to investigate temporal behavior of a nonlinear polarization in a perturbative regime induced by an intense and ultrashort pulsed electric field. First-principles time-dependent density functional theory is employed to describe the electron dynamics. Temporal evolution of third-order nonlinear polarization is extracted from a few calculations of electron dynamics induced by pulsed electric fields with the same time profile but different amplitudes. We discuss characteristic features of the nonlinear polarization evolution as well as an extraction of nonlinear susceptibilities and time delays by fitting the polarization. We also carry out a decomposition of temporal and spatial changes in the electron density in power series with respect to the field amplitude. It helps to get insight into the origin of the nonlinear polarization in atomic scale.
Tuning toroidal dipole resonances in dielectric metamolecules by an additional electric dipolar response
Authors: Huang T. C. , Wang B. X. , Zhao C. Y.
Published: March 2019

With the rise of artificial magnetism and metamaterials, the toroidal family recently attracted more attention for its unique properties. Here, we propose an all-dielectric pentamer metamolecule consisting of nano-cylinders with two toroidal dipolar resonances, whose frequencies, EM distributions, and Q factor can be efficiently tuned due to the additional electric dipole mode offered by a central cylinder. To further reveal the underlying coupling effects and the formation mechanism of toroidal responses, the multiple scattering theory is adopted. It is found that the first toroidal dipole mode, which can be tuned from 2.21 to 3.55μm, is mainly induced by a collective electric dipolar resonance, while the second one, which can be tuned from 1.53 to 1.84μm, relies on the cross coupling of both electric and magnetic dipolar responses. The proposed low-loss metamolecule and mode coupling analyses may pave the way for the efficient design of toroidal responses in advanced optical devices.
Diffusion-induced competitive two-site binding
Authors: Gopich Irina V. , Szabo Attila
Published: March 2019

The influence of diffusion on the kinetics of ligand binding to a macromolecule with two sites is considered for a simple model where, in the reaction-controlled limit, there is no cooperativity and hence the sites are independent. By applying our recently developed formalism to describe a network of coupled diffusion-influenced reactions, we show that the rate constants of chemical kinetics cannot just be renormalized. Rather a new reaction channel, which connects the two singly occupied states, must be introduced. The rate constants of this new channel depend on the committor or capture probability that a ligand that just dissociated from one site rebinds to the other. This result is rederived in an elementary way using the encounter complex model. Illustrative calculations are presented where the kinetics of the fractional saturation of one site is compared with that of a macromolecule that has only this site. If all sites are initially empty, then the second site slows down binding to the first due to competition between the sites. On the other hand, if the second site is initially occupied, the binding of the first site speeds up because of the direct diffusion-induced transitions between the two singly bound states.
Low-cost and portable UV holographic microscope for high-contrast protein crystal imaging
Authors: Daloglu Mustafa Ugur , Ray Aniruddha , Collazo Michael J. , Brown Calvin , Tseng Derek , Chocarro-Ruiz Blanca , Lechuga Laura M. , Cascio Duilio , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: March 2019

Imaging protein crystals and distinguishing them from salt crystals is an important task for protein crystallographers. The conventional tool used for this purpose is a dual-mode microscope composed of bright-field and ultraviolet (UV) induced fluorescence modes. The distinction between a protein and a salt crystal is made based upon the fluorescence response to the UV excitation, where most protein crystals absorb the UV excitation and emit fluorescence, unlike salt crystals. These dual-mode optical microscopes are sensitive; however, they are relatively bulky and expensive as they require UV-grade optics. As an alternative, here we demonstrate that on-chip UV holographic imaging offers a low-cost, portable, and robust technique to image and distinguish protein crystals from salt crystals, without the need for any expensive and bulky optical components. Only composed of a UV light-emitting-diode at 280 nm and a consumer-grade complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor image sensor de-capped and interfaced to a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, the necessary information from the crystal samples (placed very close to the sensor active area) is captured in the form of in-line holograms and extracted through digital back-propagation. In these holographic amplitude reconstructions, protein crystals appear significantly darker compared to the background due to the strong UV absorption, unlike salt crystals which do not show any contrast, enabling us to clearly distinguish between them. We believe that the on-chip UV holographic microscope could serve as a low-cost, sensitive, and robust alternative to conventional lens-based UV-microscopes used in protein crystallography.
Self-forming mechanisms of sub-micro-/nanotips with controlled end geometry by membrane confined electrochemical turning technique
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Zeng Yongbin
Published: March 2019

A versatile method of membrane confined electrochemical turning (MECT) has been studied to process sub-micro-/nanotips with the controlled end geometry. Sub-microcylindrical and spherical tips and nanoneedle end tips could be prepared with the same apparatus. The sub-micro-/nanotip end self-forming mechanisms by the MECT process were studied. Tips with varying shaped ends could be prepared with the same setup by controlling the neck fracture mechanisms. With a DC voltage source, the tungsten rod fractures due to ductile tensile failure. A tip with a nanoneedle end and a cylindrical tip with a sub-micro-/microcylindrical end were obtained. With a pulsed voltage source, the tungsten rod fractures due to the high electric current density. A spherical end with 650 nm diameter has been obtained with the pulsed voltage source. The spherical end diameter could be controlled by regulating the voltage.
Heterogeneity of water structure and dynamics at the protein-water interface
Authors: Heyden Matthias
Published: March 2019

In this molecular dynamics simulation study, we analyze the local structural and dynamic properties of water hydrating the protein ubiquitin on a spatial grid with 1 Å resolution. This allows for insights into the spatial distribution of water number densities, molecular orientations, translations, and rotations as a function of distance from the protein surface. Water molecule orientations follow a heterogeneous distribution with preferred local orientations of water dipoles and O–H bond vectors up to 10-15 Å distances from the protein, while local variations of the water number density converge to homogeneous bulk-like values within less than 8 Å. Interestingly, we find that the long-ranged orientational structure of water does not impact either the translational or rotational dynamics of water. Instead, heterogeneous distributions of local dynamical parameters and averaged dynamical retardation factors are only found close to the protein surface and follow a distance dependence comparable to heterogeneities in the local water number density. This study shows that the formation of nanodomains of preferred water orientations far from the protein does not significantly impact dynamical processes probed as a non-local average in most experiments.
Mie scattering from strongly absorbing airborne particles in a photophoretic trap
Authors: Bain Alison , Preston Thomas C.
Published: March 2019

High-precision light scattering measurements of single, absorbing aerosol particles pose a challenge as the strong attenuation of light results in featureless spectra. Using the Kramers-Kronig relations and broadband light scattering, we develop and implement a method for the retrieval of both the size and the complex refractive index of particles that are strongly absorbing across large spectral regions. This method is validated using both synthetic spectra and scattered light intensity measurements from single dye-doped polystyrene beads of known radii that are held using a photophoretic trap.
Enhanced material defect imaging with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer
Authors: Bevington P. , Gartman R. , Chalupczak W.
Published: March 2019

Imaging of structural defects in a material can be realized with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer by monitoring the material’s response to a radio-frequency excitation field. We demonstrate two measurement configurations that enable the increase of the amplitude and phase contrast in images that represent a structural defect in electrically conductive and magnetically permeable samples. Both concepts involve the elimination of the excitation field component, orthogonal to the sample surface, from the atomic magnetometer signal. The first method relies on the implementation of a set of coils that directly compensates the excitation field component in the magnetometer signal. The second takes advantage of the fact that the radio-frequency magnetometer is not sensitive to the magnetic field oscillating along one of its axes. Results from simple modelling confirm the experimental observation and are discussed in detail.
Sb-doped crystallization of densified precursor for n-type polycrystalline Ge on an insulator with high carrier mobility
Authors: Takahara D. , Moto K. , Imajo T. , Suemasu T. , Toko K.
Published: March 2019

Low-temperature synthesis of polycrystalline (poly-) Ge on insulators is a key technology to integrate Ge-CMOS into existing devices. However, Fermi level control in poly-Ge has been difficult because poly-Ge has remained naturally highly p-type due to its defect-induced acceptors. We investigated the formation of n-type poly-Ge (thickness: 100–500 nm) using the advanced solid-phase crystallization technique with Sb-doped densified precursors. Sb doping on the order of 1020 cm−3 facilitated lateral growth rather than nucleation in Ge, resulting in large grains exceeding 15 μm at a low growth temperature (375 °C). The subsequent heat treatment (500 °C) provided the highest electron mobility (200 cm2/V s) and the lowest electron density (5 × 1017 cm−3) among n-type poly-Ge directly grown on insulators. These findings will provide a means for the monolithic integration of high-performance Ge-CMOS into Si-LSIs and flat-panel displays.
An efficient way to model complex magnetite: Assessment of SCC-DFTB against DFT
Authors: Liu Hongsheng , Seifert Gotthard , Di Valentin Cristiana
Published: March 2019

Magnetite has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its promising and diverse applications in biomedicine. Theoretical modelling can play an important role in understanding magnetite-based nanomaterials at the atomic scale for a deeper insight into the experimental observations. However, calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are too costly for realistically large models of magnetite nanoparticles. Classical force field methods are very fast but lack of precision and of the description of electronic effects. Therefore, a cheap and efficient quantum mechanical simulation method with comparable accuracy to DFT is highly desired. Here, a less computationally demanding DFT-based method, i.e., self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB), is adopted to investigate magnetite bulk and low-index (001) surfaces with newly proposed parameters for Fe–O interactions. We report that SCC-DFTB with on-site Coulomb correction provides results in quantitatively comparable agreement with those obtained by DFT + U and hybrid functional methods. Therefore, SCC-DFTB is valued as an efficient and reliable method for the description magnetite. This assessment will promote SCC-DFTB computational studies on magnetite-based nanostructures that attract increasing attention for medical applications.
Can the glass transition be explained without a growing static length scale?
Authors: Berthier Ludovic , Biroli Giulio , Bouchaud Jean-Philippe , Tarjus Gilles
Published: March 2019

It was recently discovered that SWAP, a Monte Carlo algorithm that involves the exchange of pairs of particles of differing diameters, can dramatically accelerate the equilibration of simulated supercooled liquids in regimes where the normal dynamics is glassy. This spectacular effect was subsequently interpreted as direct evidence against a static, cooperative explanation of the glass transition such as the one offered by the random first-order transition (RFOT) theory. We explain the speedup induced by SWAP within the framework of the RFOT theory. We suggest that the efficiency of SWAP stems from a postponed onset of glassy dynamics. We describe this effect in terms of “crumbling metastability” and use the example of nucleation to illustrate the possibility of circumventing free-energy barriers of thermodynamic origin by a change in the local dynamical rules.
Agriculture changes soil properties on the Galápagos Islands – two case studies
Authors: Gerzabek Martin H. , Bajraktarevic Armin , Keiblinger Katharina , Mentler Axel , Rechberger Maria , Tintner Johannes , Wriessnig Karin , Gartner Michael , Valenzuela Xavier Salazar , Troya Alexandra , Couenberg Paulina M. , Jäger Heinke , Carrión Jorge E. , Zehetner Franz
Published: March 2019

The Galápagos Islands have faced a huge rise in the number of inhabitants and tourists over recent decades. As a consequence, natural forest vegetation has been converted to arable land to meet the increasing demand for agricultural produce. However, studies on soils and soil use change in the Galápagos Islands are scarce. In this study, we assessed the impacts of agricultural land-use on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. The site on Santa Cruz was called El Cascajo (EC, Leptosol, 5 years after conversion to intensive agriculture) and that on the oldest island of the Galápagos archipelago, San Cristóbal, Cerro Verde (CV, Ferralsol, 15 years after conversion). At both sites, we compared arable soils to soils under forests within the adjacent Galápagos National Park, which had formed on the same parent materials. Several soil properties showed a significant impact of the arable use. Soil organic carbon (Corg) stocks were relatively high at both sites (between 94 ± 28 and 142 ± 10 Mg ha–1). At CV, the stocks were 25% lower in arable plots compared with natural forest, but the observed decrease at EC was non-significant. Many other parameters like total nitrogen and several Mehlich-III extractable nutrients were closely correlated with the changes in Corg. Microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and dissolved organic carbon were significantly lower in arable plots compared with forest at both sites. At EC, Cmic/Corg dropped by a factor of 1.9. Changes in pH and the use of agrochemicals, evidenced by pesticide residues detected in the soil, might be a possible explanation. Ammonium-N decreased and nitrate-N increased tremendously in the arable plots on both islands. Our research shows that present agricultural practices have potential for improvements towards a more sustainable agricultural use of soil resources on the Galápagos Islands.
Theory of mechanochemical patterning in biphasic biological tissues
Authors: Recho Pierre , Hallou Adrien , Hannezo Edouard
Published: March 2019

Significance

Pattern formation is a central question in developmental biology. Alan Turing proposed that this could be achieved by a diffusion-driven instability in a monophasic system consisting of two reacting chemicals. In this paper, we extend Turing’s work to a more realistic mechanochemical model of multicellular tissue, modeling also its biphasic and mechanical properties. Overcoming limitations of conventional reaction–diffusion models, we show that mechanochemical couplings between morphogen concentrations and extracellular fluid flows provide alternative, non-Turing, mechanisms by which tissues can form robust spatial patterns.
Neural crest-derived neurons invade the ovary but not the testis during mouse gonad development
Authors: McKey Jennifer , Bunce Corey , Batchvarov Iordan S. , Ornitz David M. , Capel Blanche
Published: March 2019

Significance

This study investigates the sexually dimorphic development of innervation in mouse gonads. Neural crest-derived neurons invade the dorsal surface of the mouse ovary during embryonic development and give rise to a neural network, whereas in males, innervation is restricted to the surface of the testis. We propose a molecular mechanism regulating sexual dimorphism in this aspect of gonad development. Growing evidence indicates that neural crest cells can instruct patterning of their target organs during development, independently of their role in the adult organ. The structure and developmental timeline of male and female innervation established in this study lay the groundwork for characterization of functional interactions between neural and other cell types during gonad and duct patterning.