bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Rolle der gemeinschaftlichen Selbsthilfe bei der
Bewältigung einer Krebserkrankung
Authors: Kiemen Andrea , Jablotschkin Martina , Weis Joachim
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund In Selbsthilfegruppen erhalten Betroffene
krankheitsspezifische Informationen und psychosoziale Unterstützung aus
der Erfahrung Gleichbetroffener. Wichtige Aspekte von Patientenkompetenz wie die
Entwicklung einer aktiven ressourcengestützten Krankheitsverarbeitung
können gefördert werden. Mitglieder von Selbsthilfegruppen
berichten von der Erfahrung, selbstwirksam Einfluss auf das Erleben der
Erkrankung nehmen zu können.

Forschungsergebnisse Bisherige Erkenntnisse aus internationalen
Studienergebnissen zur Selbsthilfeforschung zeigen, dass das Potenzial der
Selbsthilfe darin besteht, einen großen Einfluss auf die
Krankheitsbewältigung und die damit verbundene Lebensqualität
von Betroffenen haben zu können. Durch ihre Teilnahme an
Selbsthilfegruppen erfahren Patienten emotionale Entlastung, eine
Unterstützung in der Entscheidung für oder gegen eine
medizinische Therapie und erlangen eine bessere Akzeptanz ihrer Erkrankung.
Darüber hinaus wird die Beziehung zu Partnern oder
Familienangehörigen entlastet und verbessert.

Ausblick Strukturelle Aspekte wie die Evaluation von
Optimierungsprozessen zur Integration der Selbsthilfe in das Versorgungssystem
und die Qualitätsverbesserung von Selbsthilfeaktivitäten durch
gezielte Schulung und Fortbildung der Selbsthilfevertreter sind wichtige
Forschungsthemen.

Schlussfolgerungen Die systematische Untersuchung von Prozess- und
Wirkfaktoren der individualisierten sowie gruppenbasierten Selbsthilfe entlang
patientenorientierter Konzepte wie Patientenkompetenz können dazu
beitragen, die Versorgung von Patientinnen und Patienten mit Krebserkrankung zu
verbessern.
Scope of Management of Noncommunicable Diseases in India through Ayushman Bharat
Authors: Verma Madhur
Published: March 2020

India is a rapidly developing country, and has been going through a major epidemiological transition over the past 25 years. As per the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, every state of India now has a higher burden from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries than from infectious diseases. Inspired by Sustainable Development Goal vision, mitigating the effect of NCDs will demand a comprehensive approach based on preventive, promotive, and curative cum rehabilitative services. Apart from the community-based approach, another key announcement made in the union budget of India, 2018–19, was the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABY) that intend to transform the primary, secondary, and tertiary health care system in India. In this article, we intend to analyze the scope of services offered through ABY at different levels of public health care, and possible constraints in realizing the goal of universal health coverage in terms of NCDs.
Metachronic Breast and Cerebellar Neoplasm in a Young Patient
Authors: Nascimento Jéssika de Oliveira , Haro Lara Caroline Anastacio , Sá Rafael da Silva , Storch Rebeca Espelho
Published: March 2020

Several factors trigger the development of genetic mutations that are responsible for causing a neoplasm. Medulloblastoma is a malignant and invasive cerebellar neoplasm, that affects children and young adults. Mucinous carcinoma is a special type of breast cancer. Being a special atypical subtype of invasive carcinoma, it most frequently affects women of advanced age and represents 1 to 7% of all breast cancers. The reported case aims to show the rarity of the occurrence of desmoplastic medulloblastoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in a young patient in a short period of time, in different sites, without direct anatomical attachment and without occurrence of metastasis. Initially, this patient had a desmoplastic medulloblastoma and was treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy. After 13 months, the patient was diagnosed with a mucinous breast carcinoma, underwent mastectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy and is currently undergoing endocrinotherapy. We conclude, based on the metachronous characteristic of the neoplasia and clinical characteristics, that the patient is likely to have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an autosomal dominant disease with mutation of the TP53 gene, which is the the main involved. Because the patient does not present all the characteristics of the phenotype of the syndrome, she can thus be classified as having Li-Fraumeni variant or Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome.
Factors Associated with Inadequate Birth Intervals in the BRISA Birth Cohort, Brazil
Authors: Barbosa Raphael , Alves Maria Teresa Seabra Soares Britto , Nathasje Ian , Chagas Deysianne , Simões Vanda Ferreira , Silva Leonardo
Published: March 2020

Objective To determine the prevalence of inadequate birth interval and its associated factors in the BRISA study.

Methods Cross-sectional study using data from the BRISA cohort. Birth interval was categorized into “adequate” (≥ 2 years or < 5 years between births), “short interval” (< 2 years) and “long interval” (≥ 5 years). The analysis of the factors associated with short and long birth intervals used multinomial logistic regression.

Results The prevalence of adequate birth intervals was 48.3%, of long intervals, 34.6%, and of short intervals, 17.1%. Skin color, age, education level, economic status, type of delivery, number of prenatal visits, parity, blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia (p-value was < 0.2 in the univariate analysis) proceeded to the final model. The variable ≥ 3 births (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29; confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.65) was associated with short intervals. Age < 20 years old (OR = 0.48; CI: 0.02–0.12) or ≥ 35 years old (OR = 2.43; CI: 1.82–3.25), ≥ 6 prenatal visits (OR = 0.58; CI: 0.47–0.72), ≥ 3 births (OR = 0.59; CI: 0.49–0.73), and gestational diabetes (OR = 0.38; CI: 0.20–0.75) were associated with long intervals.

Conclusion Older mothers were more likely to have long birth intervals, and higher parity increases the chances of short birth intervals. Furthermore, gestational diabetes and adequate prenatal care presented higher chances of having adequate birth intervals, indicating that health assistance during pregnancy is important to encourage an adequate interval between gestations.
Genital Injuries: Are They Telling us Something about Sexual Violence?
Authors: Orellana-Campos Carolina
Published: March 2020

Genital injury has a forensic relevance after a sexual assault and it has been discussed and investigated among professionals who work in this field. To analyze the studies published in the last decades, the present review examines different factors that may influence this finding, first clarifying terms of the forensic field, such as the peculiarity of the legal medical examination, and the distinction of the terms “legal” and “anatomical” vagina. Finally, it analyses if it is possible that the existence of these injuries in victims explain the lack of consent in sexual contact, and to clarify the meaning of the absence of injuries.
Influence of Interlocking Horizontal Mattress Epitendinous Suture Placement on Tendinous Biomechanical Properties in a Canine Common Calcaneal Laceration Model
Authors: Cocca Christina J. , Duffy Daniel J. , Kersh Mariana E. , Moore George E.
Published: March 2020

Objective This article evaluates the effect of an interlocking horizontal mattress epitendinous suture (IHMES) in addition to a three-loop pulley (3LP) core suture for canine tendon repair.

Study Design Twenty-eight cadaveric common calcaneal tendons were randomized, sharply transected and repaired with either a 3LP or 3LP + IHMES. Tensile loads required to create a 1- and 3-mm gap, yield, peak and failure loads, and mode of failure were analysed. Significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results Mean ± standard deviation yield and failure force for 3LP + IHMES was 178.0 ± 45.3 N and 242.1 ± 47.8 N, respectively, which was significantly greater compared with 3LP alone, 97.9 ± 36.2 N and 119.3 ± 35.6 N (p < 0.0001). Occurrence of 3-mm gap formation was significantly less in the 3LP + IHMES group (p < 0.013). Mode of failure was significantly different between the groups (p < 0.001) with 3LP + IMHES patterns failing by suture breakage (13/14) compared with suture pull-through in the 3LP (11/14).

Conclusion Addition of an epitendinous suture pattern significantly reduced gap formation between tendon ends and significantly increased loads at yield (1.8 × ), peak (2.0 × ) and failure (2.0 × ) force of repairs. Use of an epitendinous suture should be considered to significantly increase biomechanical strength of repairs; however, further in vivo testing is necessary to evaluate its effect on tendinous blood supply.
Unconventional Chiral Amplification in Luminescent Supramolecular Polymers Based on Trisbiphenylamine-tricarboxamides
Authors: Dorca Yeray , Naranjo Cristina , Ghosh Goutam , Gómez Rafael , Fernández Gustavo , Sánchez Luis
Published: March 2020

We describe the synthesis of two propeller-shaped, emissive trisbiphenylamines 1 and (S)-2. Whilst achiral 1 forms supramolecular polymers following a cooperative mechanism, the self-assembly of chiral (S)-2 can be described by an isodesmic mechanism. Despite the isodesmic character of the supramolecular polymerization of (S)-2, an efficient transfer of chirality from the embedded point chirality of the peripheral side chains to the aggregates is demonstrated. The co-assembly of 1 and (S)-2 in a sergeants-and-soldiers experiment shows a very different dichroic response to that registered for pristine (S)-2, with a copolymerization curve displaying two transitions. Both these transitions coincide with those observed for the pristine achiral and chiral components, thus suggesting a self-sorting effect.
Recent Progress in Hydrogen-Bonded π-Conjugated Systems Displaying J-Type Aggregates
Authors: Ávila-Rovelo Nelson Ricardo , Ruiz-Carretero Amparo
Published: March 2020

Supramolecular approaches are of great interest in the design of functional materials. The types of aggregates arising from different noncovalent interactions endow materials with intriguing properties. In this sense, J-type aggregates are very attractive due to their unique optical properties and capacity to transport excitons. These features make them great candidates in the design of materials for organic electronic devices. Furthermore, the incorporation of additional hydrogen-bonding functionalities provides J-aggregates with superior directionality and connection among the different π-conjugated cores. The control over the formation of H-bonds to achieve functional aggregates is therefore a promising strategy towards controlled structures with specific functions.

This review outlines the most relevant and recent works of π-conjugated systems exhibiting J-type aggregates resulting from hydrogen-bonding interactions. Different types of hydrogen-bonding functionalities will be discussed together with their roles in the aggregate properties, their impact in the optoelectronic properties, the self-assembly mechanisms, and their applications in organic electronics.
Integrability properties of Motzkin polynomials
Authors: Gahramanov Ilmar , Musaev Edvard T.
Published: March 2020

We consider a Hamiltonian system that has its origin in a generalization of the exact renormalization group flow of matrix scalar field theory and describes a non-linear generalization of the shock-wave equation that is known to be integrable. Analyzing conserved currents of the system, this paper shows that these follow a nice pattern governed by coefficients of Motzkin polynomials, where each integral of motion corresponds to a path on a unit lattice.
Ultrafast electron imaging of surface charge carrier dynamics at low voltage
Authors: Zhao Jianfeng , Bakr Osman M. , Mohammed Omar F.
Published: March 2020

The performance of optoelectronic devices strongly depends on charge carrier dynamics on top of surfaces of the absorber layers. Unfortunately, this information cannot be selectively probed using conventional ultrafast laser spectroscopic methods, due to the large penetration depth (tens of nm to μm) of the photon pulses in the pump-probe configurations. Therefore, ultrafast time-resolved approaches that can directly and selectively visualize the behavior of the surface carrier dynamics are urgently needed. Here, we introduce a novel methodology of low-voltage scanning ultrafast electron microscopy that can take ultrafast time-resolved images (snapshots) of the surface of materials at the sub-nanometer level. By this approach, the surface of the photoactive materials is optically excited and imaged, using a pulsed low-voltage electron beam (1 keV) that interacts with the surface to generate secondary electrons with an energy of a few eV, and that are emitted only from the top surface of materials, providing direct information about the carrier dynamics and the localization of electron/holes in real space and time. An outlook on the potential applications of this low voltage approach in different disciplines will also be discussed.
Repeatabilities, heritabilities and correlations of methane and feed intake of sheep in respiration and portable chambers
Authors: Robinson D. L. , Dominik S. , Donaldson A. J. , Oddy V. H.
Published: March 2020

Context
Knowledge of genetic and phenotypic variation and the accuracy of different measurement techniques is needed to successfully reduce livestock methane (CH4) emissions.

Aims
To estimate repeatabilities, heritabilities and genetic correlations of respiration-chamber (RC) and portable accumulation-chamber (PAC) measurements using two different protocols but the same management and feeding conditions.

Methods
Australian Information Nucleus Flock ewes were measured in seven test-batches. The 510 ewes were removed from pasture and habituated to chaffed alfalfa and cereal hay at 1.5–1.6 times maintenance. Methane was measured in RC for two 22-h periods approximately 14 days apart, and 40 min in PAC, either immediately after removal from individual pens (with feed as described above, PAC0), or 1-h after withdrawing feed (PAC1). There were up to 48 PAC0 tests per day (at 0930 hours, 1100 hours, 1230 hours, 1400 hours in 12 PAC) and 24 PAC1 tests per day (at 1100 hours and 1300 hours). Test methods (RC, PAC0, PAC1) were analysed as different traits in a multi-trait repeated-measures model.

Key results
Before adjustment for liveweight (Lwt) or feed intake (FI), CH4 was highly repeatable (RC 78%, PAC0 83%, PAC1 82%), with heritabilities of 39–55%, permanent environmental (PE) animal variances 23–43% of phenotypic variances (Vp), high genetic correlations between methods (98–100%), and lower PE correlations (44–58%). A second PAC test on the same day decreased CH4 by 8–12% compared with the ewe’s first test that day. Heritabilities of FI from 0800 hours until the test was complete (FIOD) were 16–17% (PAC) and 25% (RC) before adjusting for Lwt, with high PE variances (PAC 67–73%, RC 41% of Vp). FI in the previous 24 h was highly heritable and much less variable than was FIOD in the RC, suggesting that testing introduced additional variation by disrupting feeding patterns. After adjusting CH4 for Lwt, FIOD and FI in the previous 24 h and Lwt, some additive genetic variation remained, averaging 17% of Vp. Multivariate models of CH4 and FI, fitting a single animal term (representing genetic+PE variation) showed high animal correlations between FI and CH4, namely, 90–95% before, and 86–95% after adjusting for Lwt.

Conclusions
PAC measurements are heritable and highly correlated with RC measurements under similar management conditions. The high genetic and animal correlations of PAC CH4 and FI imply that CH4 is a useful proxy for FI of grazing animals.
New insights into the reproductive biology of the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier and no detection of polyandry in Reunion Island, western Indian Ocean
Authors: Pirog Agathe , Magalon Hélène , Poirout Thomas , Jaquemet Sébastien
Published: March 2020

The reproductive biology of the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier remains poorly documented because it is difficult to obtain data on a sufficient number of mature individuals to conduct appropriate analyses and thus to adequately investigate its population biology. In this study, the reproductive traits of 150 individuals caught during a shark control program in Reunion Island (western Indian Ocean), including five gravid females, were investigated. Specific microsatellite loci were used to investigate the occurrence of polyandry. The total length (TL) of the studied individuals was 130–415cm for males and 175–429cm for females. Sizes at maturity were estimated at 278.5cm for males and 336cm for females. Although the length–weight relationships differed between both sexes (analysis of covariance (ANCOVA): intercept, n=49, F1,45=0.95, P=0.34; slope, n=49, F1,45=8.39, P=0.01), the TL–frequency distributions did not differ significantly. Parturition likely occurs during the warm season, in December–January. No evidence of genetic polyandry was detected, and this supports recently published results. This absence of polyandry in the species likely reflects both a long reproductive cycle and a specific reproductive behaviour related to the oceanic nature of the tiger shark. These results are valuable for improving conservation and management plans for this species.
Metaphor and the popularization of contested technologies
Authors: von Wülfingen Bettina Bock
Published: March 2020

This contribution analyzes metaphors in expert bioscientific texts on reproductive technologies from cloning
to pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in German print media during the time when, according to some German
journalists, restrictive attitudes seemed ripe for change. The study uses systematic metaphor analysis to investigate
the functional content of metaphors for those producing a text. It shows how conventional metaphors
contribute to the popularization of science, as they bring new reproductive technologies into the realm of our
everyday experience. For scientists, this work shows the fine line between explanatory use of metaphors and
distortions which can harm the reputation of science. It may foster a nonscientist’s ability to interpret metaphors in
the production of hope in the promise of new technologies.
Subtle discriminatory political discourse on immigration
Authors: Rubio-Carbonero Gema
Published: March 2020

Overt constructions of discrimination in political discourse towards immigrants are easy to detect and have been
traditionally associated with far-right parties. However, mainstream political discourse on immigration delivered by so-called
center or center-left parties has transformed into more subtle forms of discursive discrimination, which might not be obvious and
need a closer analysis in order to be spotted in discourse. Overt discriminatory discourse has been studied by disciplines, such
as political sociology, social psychology and Critical Discourse Studies, but subtle discriminatory constructions have been rather
neglected. By combining these three disciplines, we propose here a multidisciplinary and multitheorical framework to
systematically analyze subtle discriminatory political discourse on immigration. It aims at contributing to the development of a
methodology for a socio-political analysis that allows to detect subtle discriminatory political discourse on immigration. Such
framework is composed by four strategies with different degrees of subtleness: highlighting, diminishing, homogenizing and
normalizing.
Effect of concentric vs. eccentric variant of lower limbs plyometric training on biomechanical and biochemical parameters
Authors: Staniszewski Michał , Hammoud Naji , Zybko Przemysław , Witek Katarzyna , Tkaczyk Joanna , Urbanik Czesław
Published: March 2020

The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two variants of 4 weeks plyometric training involving jumping up (dominance of concentric muscle work, UP) and jumping down (dominance of eccentric muscle work, DOWN) the stairs. Twenty‐six young men were divided into two groups: UP (n = 13) and DOWN (n = 13). Control measurements of the muscle torques, vertical jumps, and creatine kinase (CK) activity were performed every week. The training resulted in significant changes (p < 0.001) in the muscle torques of the hip extensors (Δ ≈ 20% in both groups) and plantar flexors (ΔUP = 25%, ΔDOWN = 33%), but in the muscle torques of the knee extensors a significant (p < 0.001) increase occurred only in the group jumping down the stairs (ΔDOWN ≈ 15%). Furthermore, a significant increase (p < 0.001) of the height of the vertical jump was noted in the study only in the group jumping down (ΔDOWN = 8%). Training with the dominance of eccentric work caused greater weekly changes in the activity of creatine kinase in the plasma. The study confirmed that the exercise involving jumping on the stairs is viable in plyometric training, as it is an effective means of training the strength of the muscles of the lower limbs and vertical jump height, with a greater share assigned to jumping down consecutive steps.
Heterogeneity of the nucleic acid repertoire of plasma extracellular vesicles demonstrated using high‐sensitivity fluorescence‐activated sorting
Authors: Kondratov Kirill , Nikitin Yuri , Fedorov Anton , Kostareva Anna , Mikhailovskii Vladimir , Isakov Dmitry , Ivanov Andrey , Golovkin Alexey
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate cell source‐dependent nucleic acids repertoire of diverse subpopulations of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs). Blood plasma from nine healthy volunteers was used for the analysis. Samples of EVs were obtained by differential centrifugation of plasma. The application of high‐sensitivity fluorescence‐activated vesicles sorting (hs‐FAVS) using fluorophore‐conjugated anti‐CD41‐FITC (Fluorescein isothiocyanate) and anti‐CD235a‐PE antibodies allowed the isolation of three subpopulations of EVs, namely CD41+ CD235a‐, CD41‐CD235a+ and CD41‐CD235a dim. The high purity (>97%) of the sorted subpopulations was verified by high‐sensitivity flow cytometry. Presence of nanosized objects in sorted samples was confirmed by combination of low‐voltage scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The amount of material in sorted samples was enough to perform Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)‐based nucleic acid quantification. The most prominent differences in the nucleic acid repertoire were noted between CD41+ CD235‐ vs. CD41‐CD235a+ vesicles: the former contained significantly (p = 0.004) higher amount of mitochondrial DNA, and platelet enriched miR‐21‐5p (4‐fold), miR‐223‐3p (38‐fold) and miR‐199a‐3p (187‐fold), but lower amount of erythrocyte enriched miR‐451a (90‐fold). CD41‐CD235a+ and CD41‐CD235a dim vesicles differed in levels of miR‐451a (p = 0.016) and miR‐21‐5p (p = 0.031). Nuclear DNA was below the limit of detection in all EV subpopulations. The hs‐FCM‐based determination of the number of sorted EVs allowed the calculation of per single‐event miRNA concentrations. It was demonstrated that the most abundant marker in CD41+ CD235a‐ subpopulation was miR‐223‐3p, reaching 38.2 molecules per event. In the CD41‐CD235+ subpopulation, the most abundant marker was miR‐451a, reaching 24.7 molecules per event. Taken together, our findings indicate that erythrocyte‐ and platelet‐derived EVs carry different repertoires of nucleic acids, which were similar to the composition of their cellular sources.
Forty years with coronaviruses
Authors: Weiss Susan R.
Published: March 2020

I have been researching coronaviruses for more than forty years. This viewpoint summarizes some of the major findings in coronavirus research made before the SARS epidemic and how they inform current research on the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2.
First steps
Authors: Eisner David
Published: March 2020

Update from the Editor-in-Chief.
Analysing quantized resistance behaviour in graphene Corbino p-n junction devices
Authors: Liu Chieh-I , Scaletta Dominick S , Patel Dinesh K , Kruskopf Mattias , Levy Antonio , Hill Heather M , Rigosi Albert F
Published: March 2020

Just a few of the promising applications of graphene Corbino pnJ devices include two-dimensional Dirac fermion microscopes, custom programmable quantized resistors, and mesoscopic valley filters. In some cases, device scalability is crucial, as seen in fields like resistance metrology, where graphene devices are required to accommodate currents of the order 100 μA to be compatible with existing infrastructure. However, fabrication of these devices still poses many difficulties. In this work, unusual quantized resistances are observed in epitaxial graphene Corbino p-n junction devices held at the

ν
=
2

plateau (

R

H

≈

12906
 
Ω

) and agree with numerical simulations performed with the LTspice circuit simulator. The formulae describing experimental and simulated data are empirically derived for generalized placement of up to three current terminals and accurately reflect observed partial edge channel cancellation. These results support the use of ultraviolet lithography as a way to scale up graphene-based devices with suitably narrow junctions that could be applied in a variety of subfields.
Significant role of nanoscale Bi-rich phase in optimizing thermoelectric performance of Mg3Sb2*
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Xin , Liu Yan-Qin , Zhang Jiu-Xing , Yue Ming
Published: March 2020

Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5-based alloys have received much attention, and current reports on this system mainly focus on the modulation of doping. However, there lacks the explanation for the choice of Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 as matrix. Here in this work, the thermoelectric properties of Mg3Sb2−x
Bi
x
(0.4 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) compounds are systematically investigated by using the first principles calculation combined with experiment. The calculated results show that the band gap decreases after Bi has been substituted for Sb site, which makes the thermal activation easier. The maximum figure of merit (ZT) is 0.27 at 773 K, which is attributed to the ultra-low thermal conductivity 0.53 W·m−1·K−1 for x = 0.5. The large mass difference between Bi and Sb atoms, the lattice distortion induced by substituting Bi for Sb, and the nanoscale Bi-rich particles distributed on the matrix are responsible for the reduction of thermal conductivity. The introduction of Bi into Mg3Sb2-based materials plays a vital role in regulating the transport performance of thermoelectric materials.
Theoretical design of single-molecule NOR and XNOR logic gates by using transition metal dibenzotetraaza[14]annulenes*
Authors: Wang Zi-Qun , Tang Fei , Dong Mi-Mi , Wang Ming-Lang , Hu Gui-Chao , Leng Jian-Cai , Wang Chuan-Kui , Zhang Guang-Ping
Published: March 2020

The idea of replacing traditional silicon-based electronic components with the ones assembled by organic molecules to further scale down the electric circuits has been attracting extensive research focuses. Among the molecularly assembled components, the design of molecular logic gates with simple structure and high Boolean computing speed remains a great challenge. Here, by using the state-of-the-art nonequilibrium Green’s function theory in conjugation with first-principles method, the spin transport properties of single-molecule junctions comprised of two serially connected transition metal dibenzotetraaza[14]annulenes (TM(DBTAA), TM = Fe, Co) sandwiched between two single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes are theoretically investigated. The numerical results show a close dependence of the spin-resolved current-voltage characteristics on spin configurations between the left and right molecular kernels and the kind of TM atom in TM(DBTAA) molecule. By taking advantage of spin degree of freedom of electrons, NOR or XNOR Boolean logic gates can be realized in Fe(DBTAA) and Co(DBTAA) junctions depending on the definitions of input and output signals. This work proposes a new kind of molecular logic gates and hence is helpful for further miniaturization of the electric circuits.
Using chaotic advection for facile high-throughput fabrication of ordered multilayer micro- and nanostructures: continuous chaotic printing
Authors: Chávez-Madero Carolina , de León-Derby María Díaz , Samandari Mohamadmahdi , Ceballos-González Carlos Fernando , Bolívar-Monsalve Edna Johana , Mendoza-Buenrostro Christian , Holmberg Sunshine , Garza-Flores Norma Alicia , Almajhadi Mohammad Ali , González-Gamboa Ivonne , Yee-de León Juan Felipe , Martínez-Chapa Sergio O. , Rodríguez Ciro A. , Wickramasinghe Hemantha Kumar , Madou Marc , Dean David , Khademhosseini Ali , Zhang Yu Shrike , Alvarez Mario Moisés , Trujillo-de Santiago Grissel
Published: March 2020

This paper introduces the concept of continuous chaotic printing, i.e. the use of chaotic flows for deterministic and continuous extrusion of fibers with internal multilayered micro- or nanostructures. Two free-flowing materials are coextruded through a printhead containing a miniaturized Kenics static mixer (KSM) composed of multiple helicoidal elements. This produces a fiber with a well-defined internal multilayer microarchitecture at high-throughput (>1.0 m min−1). The number of mixing elements and the printhead diameter determine the number and thickness of the internal lamellae, which are generated according to successive bifurcations that yield a vast amount of inter-material surface area (∼102 cm2 cm−3) at high resolution (∼10 µm). This creates structures with extremely high surface area to volume ratio (SAV). Comparison of experimental and computational results demonstrates that continuous chaotic 3D printing is a robust process with predictable output. In an exciting new development, we demonstrate a method for scaling down these microstructures by 3 orders of magnitude, to the nanoscale level (∼150 nm), by feeding the output of a continuous chaotic 3D printhead into an electrospinner. The simplicity and high resolution of continuous chaotic printing strongly supports its potential use in novel applications, including—but not limited to—bioprinting of multi-scale layered biological structures such as bacterial communities, living tissues composed of organized multiple mammalian cell types, and fabrication of smart multi-material and multilayered constructs for biomedical applications.
Constitutive equation and hot processing map of TA15 titanium alloy
Authors: Ji Hongchao , Peng Zhanshuo , Pei Weichi , Xin Long , Ma Zheng , Lu Yonghao
Published: March 2020

The stress-strain curves of TA15 titanium alloy at 750 ∼ 950 °C and 0.001 ∼ 1 s−1 were obtained by hot compression with Gleeble-1500D. Based on the compression experimental data of TA15 titanium alloy, the Johnson-Cook high temperature thermal deformation constitutive equation was established. By calculating the constitutive equation, the flow stress was compared with the measured stress-strain curve, and the accuracy of the equation was verified. Then, based on the theory of hot processing map of dynamic materials, the hot processing map is drawn when the strain is 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. The reasonable range of hot processing map of TA15 titanium alloy was determined. When the temperature is between 750 °C–875 °C, the power dissipation factor decreases with increasing strain rate. The maximum power dissipation is distributed between 825 °C–950 °C. This indicates that recrystallization occurred within this range. The safe zone is mainly concentrated in the temperature range of 885 °C–950 °C, the strain rate is less than 0.1 s−1. It can be seen that instability does not occur in the high temperature and low strain region. Therefore, at 885 ≤ T ≤ 950 °C, 0.001 ≤ 

ε
̇

≤ 0.1 s−1 or 800 ≤ T ≤ 875 °C, 0.001 ≤ 

ε
̇

 ≤ 0.002 s−1, it is reasonable to perform high temperature deformation on TA15 titanium alloy.
Composition design of 7XXX aluminum alloys optimizing stress corrosion cracking resistance using machine learning
Authors: Xinyu Cao , Yingbo Zhang , Jiaheng Li , Hui Chen
Published: March 2020

In this paper, three different strategies based on machine learning methods were applied to Al-Zn-Mg-Cu series alloy composition design with the targeted property of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. By comparing the results of the strategies, it was discovered that the performance of the efficient global optimization (EGO) method was better than that of response surface optimization method, and much better than that of Random method, among which the Al-6.05Zn-1.46Mg-1.32Cu-0.13Zr-0.02Ti-0.50Y-0.23Ce (named EGO alloy) alloy had the best stress corrosion cracking resistance. The slow strain rate test (SSRT) technique was carried out to compare the EGO alloy with the traditional 7N01 alloy. It indicated that the ISCC of the new EGO alloy was lower than that of traditional 7N01 alloy for both single and double aging treatment. With the XRD, SEM and EDS analysis, it was found the rare earth elements formed Al8Cu4(Y, Ce) and quadrilateral phase Al20Ti2(Y, Ce) in the EGO alloy.
China tests portable quantum ground station
Authors: Xin Ling
Published: March 2020

Scientists in China have successfully developed and tested the world’s first portable quantum ground station. The device, which features a 28 cm telescope, successfully made a connection to China’s quantum satellite, Micius, late last year.
'Predatory' journals lack scientific impact, says study
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: March 2020

Papers in “predatory” journals attract fewer citations than articles in peer-reviewed journals, with more than half not receiving a single citation within five years of being published.
Europe plans plasma-based accelerators
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: March 2020

Physicists from across Europe have outlined plans to build a new type of accelerator facility based on “plasma wakefields”.
A brief history of kite physics
Authors: Santos Dave , Faust Joe , Quintanilla Jorge
Published: March 2020

In reply to Margaret Harris’s feature on the challenges and opportunities for airborne wind energy (“Harnessing the wind” December 2019, pp26–30).
Sound designs
Authors: Demming Anna
Published: March 2020

The refurbishment of public buildings is often more complex than meets the eye. Anna Demming speaks to acousticians and architects about the acoustic considerations behind their designs for public spaces, and some of the tricks to tackle the conflicting demands on these venues
An uncertain growth
Authors: Curtis Susan
Published: March 2020

When I first picked up Vaclav Smil’s latest book, Growth: From Microorganisms to Megacities, I wondered whether his main argument would be that systems as diverse as nature and demographics follow a universal growth trend. But Smil also takes pleasure in exploring the idiosyncrasies of different growth processes, and the factors that influence them.
More questions than answers
Authors: Scott Qamar
Published: March 2020

Despite the advent of radio astronomy in the early 20th century, and the ability to listen to our galactic neighbours, it’s not obvious that anyone wants to be heard, and it’s not obvious that anyone is saying anything. But this hasn't stopped scientists asking: if there is intelligent life out there, could we understand each other? That's the crux of science writer Daniel Oberhaus's new book Extraterrestrial Languages.
Getting the film physics right
Authors: Perkowitz Sidney
Published: March 2020

Whenever bad science appears on screen, a physicist is likely to declare “that’s wrong!”, making it hard to just sit back and enjoy the action along with your popcorn.
Third body aids black-hole mergers
Authors: Wogan Tim
Published: March 2020

A statistical solution to the infamous three-body problem of classical physics could explain why gravitational-wave detectors have observed numerous black-hole mergers, as Tim Wogan reports
Brookhaven to host nuclear-physics facility
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: March 2020

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has chosen Brookhaven National Laboratory in Long Island, New York, as the site of a next-generation electron–ion collider (EIC), beating off competition from the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Laboratory in Virginia.
Europe launches CHEOPS exoplanet mission
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: March 2020

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a new mission to take a closer look at nearby bright stars that are already known to have exoplanets orbiting around them.
US solar physics makes progress, despite funding slowdown
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: March 2020

US government science agencies have made solid progress in reaching the goals of the 2013 decadal survey on solar and space physics.
Get your Briefing
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: March 2020

This month sees the first in a new series of specialist Physics World Briefings – supplements on specific topics in the field.
A stance against forced retirement
Authors: Ewart Paul
Published: March 2020

Paul Ewart says it is unfair to force active physicists to retire to “free up” positions for younger scientists or to improve diversity – when there is little evidence that it does so
Juicy business
Authors: Giblin Stephen
Published: March 2020

In response to James McKenzie’s Transactions column “Bad business models” (January p21) in which he looked at crazy business models and what makes some of them tick.
Turning water into watts
Authors: Ornes Stephen
Published: March 2020

Huge technical and financial hurdles face anyone seeking to harness the vast power of the world’s oceans. For a devout band of researchers and hi-tech business pioneers, however, the dream of “blue energy” lives on, as Stephen Ornes discovers
No sign of neutron charge imbalance
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: March 2020

Physicists have placed the most stringent limits on the neutron electric dipole moment to date, as Edwin Cartlidge reports
Diversity in complex systems: measuring parts of the distribution to the whole
Authors: Rajaram R , Castellani B
Published: March 2020

Despite the utility of the Hill numbers, measuring diversity within complex systems and complex datasets, particularly regarding parts of a distribution to the whole—that is, different portions of diversity types to the entire system or dataset—is a challenging issue. In this paper, we attempt to relate the diversity of a part (or parts) of a distribution to the diversity of the whole. We derive this relationship for the Hill numbers

q

D

, and use these results to further examine the effect of a freely varying type on the diversity of the whole distribution.
The Unique and Interactive Effects of Patient Race, Patient Socioeconomic Status, and Provider Attitudes on Chronic Pain Care Decisions
Authors: Anastas Tracy M , Miller Megan M , Hollingshead Nicole A , Stewart Jesse C , Rand Kevin L , Hirsh Adam T
Published: March 2020

Background

Compared to White and high socioeconomic status (SES) patients, Black and low SES patients receive less adequate pain care. Providers may contribute to these disparities by making biased decisions that are driven, in part, by their attitudes about race and SES.

Purpose

We examined the effects of patient race and SES on providers’ chronic pain decisions and the extent to which providers’ implicit and explicit attitudes about race and SES were related to these decisions.

Methods

Physician residents/fellows (n = 436) made pain care decisions for 12 computer-simulated patients with chronic back pain that varied by race (Black/White) and SES (low/high). Physicians also completed measures assessing implicit and explicit attitudes about race and SES.

Results

There were three significant race-by-SES interactions: (a) For high SES patients, Black (vs. White) patients were rated as having more pain interference; the opposite race difference emerged for low SES patients. (b) For high SES patients, Black (vs. White) patients were rated as being in greater distress; no race difference emerged for low SES patients. (c) For low SES patients, White (vs. Black) patients were more likely to be recommended workplace accommodations; no race difference emerged for high SES patients. Additionally, providers were more likely to recommend opioids to Black (vs. White) and low (vs. high) SES patients, and were more likely to use opioid contracts with low (vs. high) SES patients. Providers’ implicit and explicit attitudes predicted some, but not all, of their pain-related ratings.

Conclusion

These results highlight the need to further examine the effects of patient race and SES simultaneously in the context of pain care.
T-Gene: improved target gene prediction
Authors: O’Connor Timothy , Grant Charles E , Bodén Mikael , Bailey Timothy L
Published: March 2020

Motivation

Identifying the genes regulated by a given transcription factor (TF) (its ‘target genes’) is a key step in developing a comprehensive understanding of gene regulation. Previously, we developed a method (CisMapper) for predicting the target genes of a TF based solely on the correlation between a histone modification at the TF’s binding site and the expression of the gene across a set of tissues or cell lines. That approach is limited to organisms for which extensive histone and expression data are available, and does not explicitly incorporate the genomic distance between the TF and the gene.

Results

We present the T-Gene algorithm, which overcomes these limitations. It can be used to predict which genes are most likely to be regulated by a TF, and which of the TF’s binding sites are most likely involved in regulating particular genes. T-Gene calculates a novel score that combines distance and histone/expression correlation, and we show that this score accurately predicts when a regulatory element bound by a TF is in contact with a gene’s promoter, achieving median precision above 60%. T-Gene is easy to use via its web server or as a command-line tool, and can also make accurate predictions (median precision above 40%) based on distance alone when extensive histone/expression data is not available for the organism. T-Gene provides an estimate of the statistical significance of each of its predictions.

Availability and implementation

The T-Gene web server, source code, histone/expression data and genome annotation files are provided at http://meme-suite.org.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Implantation, orientation and validation of a commercially produced heart-rate logger for use in a perciform teleost fish
Authors: Muller Cuen , Childs Amber-Robyn , Duncan Murray I , Skeeles Michael R , James Nicola C , van der Walt Kerry-Ann , Winkler Alexander C , Potts Warren M
Published: March 2020

Quantifying how the heart rate of ectothermic organisms responds to environmental conditions (e.g. water temperature) is important information to quantify their sensitivity to environmental change. Heart rate studies have typically been conducted in lab environments where fish are confined. However, commercially available implantable heart rate biologgers provide the opportunity to study free-swimming fish. Our study aimed to determine the applicability of an implantable device, typically used on fusiform-shaped fish (e.g. salmonids), for a perciform fish where morphology and anatomy prevent ventral incisions normally used on fusiform-shaped fish. We found that ventrolateral incisions allowed placement near the heart, but efficacy of the loggers was sensitive to their orientation and the positioning of the electrodes. Electrocardiogram detection, signal strength and subsequent heart rate readings were strongly influenced by logger orientation with a significant effect on the quality and quantity of heart rate recordings. We provide details on the surgical procedures and orientation to guide future heart rate biologger studies on perciform-shaped fish.
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: pathogenesis, pro-arrhythmic remodelling, and novel approaches for risk stratification and therapy
Authors: van der Voorn Stephanie M , te Riele Anneline S J M , Basso Cristina , Calkins Hugh , Remme Carol Ann , van Veen Toon A B
Published: March 2020

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a life-threatening cardiac disease caused by mutations in genes predominantly encoding for desmosomal proteins that lead to alterations in the molecular composition of the intercalated disc. ACM is characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, and heart failure but mostly dominated by the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). As SCD appears mostly in apparently healthy young individuals, there is a demand for better risk stratification of suspected ACM mutation carriers. Moreover, disease severity, progression, and outcome are highly variable in patients with ACM. In this review, we discuss the aetiology of ACM with a focus on pro-arrhythmic disease mechanisms in the early concealed phase of the disease. We summarize potential new biomarkers which might be useful for risk stratification and prediction of disease course. Finally, we explore novel therapeutic strategies to prevent arrhythmias and SCD in the early stages of ACM.
Landscape Ecology of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Outbreaks in the South Texas Coastal Plain Wildlife Corridor Including Man-Made Barriers
Authors: Showler Allan T , Pérez de León Adalberto
Published: March 2020

Landscape features and the ecology of suitable hosts influence the phenology of invasive tick species. The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Ixodida: Ixodidae), vectors causal agents of babesiosis in cattle and it infests exotic, feral nilgai, Bosephalus tragocamelus Pallas, and indigenous white-tailed deer, Odocoilus virginianus (Zimmerman), on the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor. The corridor extends from the Mexico border to cattle ranches extending north from inside Willacy Co. Outbreaks of R. microplus infesting cattle and nondomesticated ungulate hosts since 2014 in the wildlife corridor have focused attention on host infestation management and, by extension, dispersal. However, there is a knowledge gap on the ecology of R. microplus outbreaks in the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor. Ixodid distribution on the wildlife corridor is strongly influenced by habitat salinity. Saline habitats, which constitute ≈25% of the wildlife corridor, harbor few ixodids because of occasional salt toxicity from hypersaline wind tides and infrequent storm surges, and from efficient egg predation by mud flat fiddler crabs, Uca rapax (Smith). Rhipicephalus microplus infestations on nilgai were more prevalent in part of the corridor with mixed low salinity and saline areas than in an area that is more extensively saline. The different levels of R. microplus infestation suggest that man-made barriers have created isolated areas where the ecology of R. microplus outbreaks involve infested nilgai. The possible utility of man-made barriers for R. microplus eradication in the lower part of the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor is discussed.