bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective antibody response following oral vaccination with microencapsulated Bacillus Anthracis Sterne strain 34F2 spores
Authors: Benn Jamie S. , Chaki Sankar P. , Xu Yi , Ficht Thomas A. , Rice-Ficht Allison C. , Cook Walter E.
Published: July 2020

An oral vaccine against anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is urgently needed to prevent annual anthrax outbreaks that are causing catastrophic losses in free-ranging livestock and wildlife worldwide. The Sterne vaccine, the current injectable livestock vaccine, is a suspension of live attenuated B. anthracis Sterne strain 34F2 spores (Sterne spores) in saponin. It is not effective when administered orally and individual subcutaneous injections are not a practical method of vaccination for wildlife. In this study, we report the development of a microencapsulated oral vaccine against anthrax. Evaluating Sterne spore stability at varying pH’s in vitro revealed that spore exposure to pH 2 results in spore death, confirming that protection from the gastric environment is of main concern when producing an oral vaccine. Therefore, Sterne spores were encapsulated in alginate and coated with a protein shell containing poly-L-lysine (PLL) and vitelline protein B (VpB), a non-immunogenic, proteolysis resistant protein isolated from Fasciola hepatica. Capsule exposure to pH 2 demonstrated enhanced acid gel character suggesting that alginate microcapsules provided the necessary protection for spores to survive the gastric environment. Post vaccination IgG levels in BALBc/J mouse serum samples indicated that encapsulated spores induced anti-anthrax specific responses in both the subcutaneous and the oral vaccination groups. Furthermore, the antibody responses from both vaccination routes were protective against anthrax lethal toxin in vitro, suggesting that further optimization of this vaccine formulation may result in a reliable oral vaccine that will conveniently and effectively prevent anthrax in wildlife populations.
Comparative Morphology of the Lungs and Skin of two Anura, Pelophylax nigromaculatus and Bufo gargarizans
Authors: Guangming Gan , Zhe Yang , Mei Zhuang , Chenchen Zhang , Jiawei Ding , Dongyu Zhang
Published: July 2020

The lungs and skin are important respiratory organs in Anura, but the pulmonary structure of amphibians remains unclear due to the lack of a suitable procedure. This study improved the procedure used for fixing lungs tissues and used light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to reveal the differences in the lung and skin morphologies between Pelophylax nigromaculatus (P. nigromaculatus) and Bufo gargarizans (B. gargarizans). In P. nigromaculatus and B. gargarizans, the cystic lungs comprise a continuous outer pulmonary wall on which primary, secondary, and tertiary septa attach, and a number of regular lattices form from raised capillaries and the pulmonary epithelium on the surfaces of the pulmonary wall and septa. Each lattice in P. nigromaculatus consists of several elliptical sheets and flat bottom, and the septa are distributed with denser sheets and have a larger stretching range than the pulmonary wall. The lattice in B. gargarizans consists of thick folds and an uneven bottom with several thin folds, and the septa have more developed thick and thin folds than the pulmonary wall. However, the density of the pulmonary microvilli, the area of a single capillary, the thicknesses of the blood-air barrier, pulmonary wall and septum, and the lung/body weight percentage obtained for B. gargarizans were higher than those found for P. nigromaculatus. In P. nigromaculatus, the dorsal skin has dense capillaries and a ring surface structure with mucus layer on the stratum corneum, and the ventral skin is slightly keratinized. In B. gargarizans, the stratum corneum in both the dorsal and ventral skins is completely keratinized. A fine ultrastructure analysis of P. nigromaculatus and B. gargarizans revealed that the pulmonary septa are more developed than the pulmonary walls, which means that the septa have a stronger respiratory function. The more developed lungs are helpful for the adaptation of B. gargarizans to drought environments, whereas P. nigromaculatus has to rely on more vigorous skin respiration to adapt to a humid environment.
Helicobacter pylori patient isolates from South Africa and Nigeria differ in virulence factor pathogenicity profile and associated gastric disease outcome
Authors: Palamides Pia , Jolaiya Tolulope , Idowu Ayodeji , Loell Eva , Onyekwere Charles , Ugiagbe Rose , Agbo Ifeanyi , Lesi Olufunmilayo , Ndububa Dennis , Adekanle Olusegun , Carranza Manuel , Ally Reidwaan , Njom Henry , Adeleye Isaac A. , Harrison Ute , Clarke Anna , Fischer Wolfgang , Smith Stella , Haas Rainer
Published: July 2020

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterial pathogen and the causative agent for gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and classified as a WHO class I carcinogen. While the prevalence of H. pylori infections in Africa is among the highest in the world, the incidence of gastric cancer is comparably low. Little is known about other symptoms related to the H. pylori infection in Africa and the association with certain phenotypes of bacterial virulence. We established a network of study sites in Nigeria (NG) and South Africa (ZA) to gain an overview on the epidemiological situation. In total 220 isolates from 114 patients were analyzed and 118 different patient isolates examined for the presence of the virulence factors cagA, vacA, dupA, their phylogenetic origin and their resistance against the commonly used antibiotics amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and tetracycline. We report that H. pylori isolates from Nigeria and South Africa differ significantly in their phylogenetic profiles and in their expression of virulence factors. VacA mosaicism is intensive, resulting in m1-m2 vacA chimeras and frequent s1m1 and s1m2 vacA subtypes in hpAfrica2 strains. Gastric lesions were diagnosed more frequent in Nigerian versus South African patients and H. pylori isolates that are resistant against one or multiple antibiotics occur frequently in both countries.
Au nanoparticles modified CuO nanowire electrode based non-enzymatic glucose detection with improved linearity
Authors: Mishra Ashwini Kumar , Jarwal Deepak Kumar , Mukherjee Bratindranath , Kumar Amit , Ratan Smrity , Tripathy Manas Ranjan , Jit Satyabrata
Published: July 2020

This paper explores gold nanoparticle (GNP) modified copper oxide nanowires(CuO NWs)based electrode grown on copper foil for non-enzymatic glucose detection in a wide linear ranging up to 31.06 mM, and 44.36 mM at 0.5 M NaOH and 1 M NaOH concentrations. The proposed electrode can be used to detect a very low glucose concentration of 0.3 µM with a high linearity range of 44.36mM and sensitivity of 1591.44 µA mM−1 cm−2. The electrode is fabricated by first synthesizing Cu (OH)2 NWs on a copper foil by chemical etching method and then heat treatment is performed to convert Cu (OH)2 NWs into CuO NWs. The GNPs are deposited on CuO NWs to enhance the effective surface-to-volume ratio of the electrode with improved catalytic activity. The surface morphology has been investigated by XRD, XPS, FE-SEM and HR-TEM analysis. The proposed sensor is expected to detect low-level of glucose in urine, and saliva. At the same time, it can also be used to measure extremely high sugar levels (i.e. hyperglycemia) of ~ 806.5454 mg/dl. The proposed sensor is also capable of detecting glucose after multiple bending of the GNP modified CuO NWs electrode. The proposed device is also used to detect the blood sugar level in human being and it is found that this sensor’s result is highly accurate and reliable.
Design, synthesis, structure, in vitro cytotoxic activity evaluation and docking studies on target enzyme GSK-3β of new indirubin-3ʹ-oxime derivatives
Authors: Dan Nguyen Trong , Quang Hoang Duc , Van Truong Vuong , Huu Nghi Do , Cuong Nguyen Manh , Cuong To Dao , Toan Tran Quoc , Bach Long Giang , Anh Nguyen Huu Thuan , Mai Nguyen Thi , Lan Ngo Thi , Van Chinh Luu , Quan Pham Minh
Published: July 2020

The addition of chalcone and amine components into indirubin-3′-oxime resulted in 15 new derivatives with high yields. Structures of new derivatives were also elucidated through 1D, 2D-NMR and HR-MS(ESI) spectra and X-ray crystallography. All designed compounds were screened for cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines (HepG2, LU-1, SW480 and HL-60) and one human normal kidney cell line (HEK-293). Compound 6f exhibited the most marked cytotoxicity meanwhile cytotoxicity of compounds 6e, 6h and 6l was more profound toward cancer cell lines than toward normal cell. These new derivatives were further analyzed via molecular docking studies on GSK-3β enzyme. Docking analysis shows that most of the derivatives exhibited potential inhibition activity against GSK-3β with characteristic interacting residues in the binding site. The fast pulling of ligand scheme was then employed to refine the binding affinity and mechanism between ligands and GSK-3β enzyme. The computational results are expected to contribute to predicting enzyme target of the trial inhibitors and their possible interaction, from which the design of new cytotoxic agents could be created in the future.
The influence of periampullary diverticula on ERCP for treatment of common bile duct stones
Authors: Hu Yang , Kou Da-Qing , Guo Shi-Bin
Published: July 2020

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of various methods we applied to decrease the influence of periampullary diverticula (PAD) on the success rate and complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones, we enrolled patients with CBD stones who had been treated by ERCP in our hospital between January 2015 and December 2018. According to the presence of PAD, the patients were divided into a PAD group and a non-PAD group. The rate of complete stone removal in the first session, the rate of overall stone removal, the frequency of application of mechanical lithotripsy, and procedure-related complications, including bleeding, hyperamylasemia, pancreatitis, perforation, and infection of biliary tract were recorded. A total of 183 cases, including 72 cases in the PAD group and 111 cases in the non-PAD group were enrolled. There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding gender (P = 0.354). However, regarding age, there was a statistical difference (P = 0.002), and the incidence of PAD increased with age. There were 5 (6.9%) cases in the PAD group and 14 (12.6%) cases in the non-PAD group where mechanical lithotripsy was applied. There were 59 (81.9%) cases in the PAD group and 102 (91.9%) cases in the non-PAD group where there was complete removal of CBD stones in the first session, and there were 68 (94.4%) cases in the PAD group and 107 (96.4%) cases in the non-PAD group where there was complete removal of all stones. In the PAD group, there were 0 cases (0%) with gastrointestinal bleeding, 0 cases (0%) with gastrointestinal perforation, 13 cases (18.1%) with post-ERCP hyperamylasemia, 3 cases (4.2%) with post-ERCP pancreatitis, and 4 cases (5.6%) with biliary tract infection. In the non-PAD group, 1 case (0.9%) had gastrointestinal bleeding, 0 cases had gastrointestinal perforation, 18 cases (16.2%) had post-ERCP hyperamylasemia, 5 cases (4.5%) had post-ERCP pancreatitis, and 11 cases (9.9%) had biliary tract infection. This retrospective study showed that there was a statistical difference between the two groups regarding complete removal of CBD stones in the first session and application of mechanical lithotripsy (both P < 0.05), but no statistical difference according to the rates of overall stone removal and the complications (P > 0.05), which means that we can reduce the influence of PAD on ERCP for treatment of common bile duct stones.
Author Correction: Image Quality and Radiation Dose for Prospectively Triggered Coronary CT Angiography: 128-Slice Single-Source CT versus First-Generation 64-Slice Dual-Source CT
Authors: Gu Jin , Shi He-shui , Han Ping , Yu Jie , Ma Gui-na , Wu Sheng
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Dynamic palmitoylation events following T-cell receptor signaling
Authors: Morrison Eliot , Wegner Tatjana , Zucchetti Andres Ernesto , Álvaro-Benito Miguel , Zheng Ashley , Kliche Stefanie , Krause Eberhard , Brügger Britta , Hivroz Claire , Freund Christian
Published: July 2020

Palmitoylation is the reversible addition of palmitate to cysteine via a thioester linkage. The reversible nature of this modification makes it a prime candidate as a mechanism for regulating signal transduction in T-cell receptor signaling. Following stimulation of the T-cell receptor we find a number of proteins are newly palmitoylated, including those involved in vesicle-mediated transport and Ras signal transduction. Among these stimulation-dependent palmitoylation targets are the v-SNARE VAMP7, important for docking of vesicular LAT during TCR signaling, and the largely undescribed palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC18 that is expressed in two isoforms in T cells. Using our newly developed On-Plate Palmitoylation Assay (OPPA), we show DHHC18 is capable of palmitoylating VAMP7 at Cys183. Cellular imaging shows that the palmitoylation-deficient protein fails to be retained at the Golgi and to localize to the immune synapse upon T cell activation.
Molecular profiling of lipid droplets inside HuH7 cells with Raman micro-spectroscopy
Authors: Samuel Ashok Zachariah , Miyaoka Rimi , Ando Masahiro , Gaebler Anne , Thiele Christoph , Takeyama Haruko
Published: July 2020

Raman imaging has become an attractive technology in molecular biology because of its ability to detect multiple molecular components simultaneously without labeling. Two major limitations in accurately accounting for spectral features, viz., background removal and spectral unmixing, have been overcome by employing a modified and effective routine in multivariate curve resolution (MCR). With our improved strategy, we have spectrally isolated seven structurally specific biomolecules without any post-acquisition spectral treatments. Consequently, the isolated intensity profiles reflected concentrations of corresponding biomolecules with high statistical accuracy. Our study reveals the changes in the molecular composition of lipid droplets (LDs) inside HuH7 cells and its relation to the physiological state of the cell. Further, we show that the accurate separation of spectral components permits analysis of structural modification of molecules after cellular uptake. A detailed discussion is presented to highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy with MCR in semi-quantitative molecular profiling of living cells.
Revealing structural evolution occurring from photo-initiated polymer network formation
Authors: Brett C. J. , Montani S. , Schwartzkopf M. , van Benthem R. A. T. M. , Jansen J. F. G. A. , Griffini G. , Roth S. V. , Johansson M. K. G.
Published: July 2020

Photopolymerization is a key enabling technology offering spatial and temporal control to allow for future functional materials to be made to meet societal needs. However, gaining access to robust experimental techniques to describe the evolution of nanoscale morphology in photo-initiated polymeric systems has proven so far to be a challenging task. Here, we show that these physical transformations can be monitored and quantified at the nanoscale in situ and in real-time. It is demonstrated that the initial structural features of the liquid precursors significantly affect the final morphology and the physical properties of the resulting solid via the occurrence of local heterogeneities in the molecular mobility during the curing transformation. We have made visible how local physical arrestings in the liquid, associated with both cross-linking and vitrification, determine the length scale of the local heterogeneities forming upon curing, found to be in the 10–200 nm range.
Remote ablation chamber for high efficiency particle transfer in laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Dolatmoradi Marjan , Fincher Jarod A. , Korte Andrew R. , Morris Nicholas J. , Vertes Akos
Published: July 2020

Improved remote ablation chamber for particle transfer in LAESI mass spectrometry.
Enantioselective gold(i)-catalyzed cyclization/intermolecular nucleophilic additions of 1,5-enyne derivatives
Authors: Han Xu , Retailleau Pascal , Gandon Vincent , Voituriez Arnaud
Published: July 2020

An enantioselective gold(i)-catalyzed cyclization/nucleophilic addition process was developed, starting from simple 1,5-enyne substrates (20 examples, up to 96 : 4 enantiomeric ratio).
Conventional and unconventional alkyne activations by Ru and Os for unprecedented dimetalated quinolizinium complexes
Authors: Yeung Chi-Fung , Chung Lai-Hon , Tse Sheung-Ying , Shek Hau-Lam , Tse Man-Kit , Yiu Shek-Man , Wong Chun-Yuen
Published: July 2020

Two types of unexpected quinolizinium complexes were obtained from the reactions between pyridine-functionalized propargylic alcohol HCCC(OH)(Ph)(CH2(2-py)) (L1) and cis-[M(L^L)2Cl2] (M = Ru, Os; L^L = dppm, bpy).
Photoredox-catalyzed sulfonylation of difluoroenoxysilanes with the insertion of sulfur dioxide
Authors: He Fu-Sheng , Yao Yanfang , Xie Wenlin , Wu Jie
Published: July 2020

A photoredox-catalyzed three-component reaction of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates with sodium metabisulfite and 2,2-difluoro enol silyl ethers is described, providing α,α-difluoro-β-ketosulfones in moderate to good yields under mild conditions.
Synthesis of CO2-based polycarbonate-g-polystyrene copolymers via NMRP
Authors: Song Pengfei , Guo Rong , Ma Wei , Wang Liyan , Ma Fangfang , Wang Rongmin
Published: July 2020

The synthesis of CO2-based APC-graft-polystyrene copolymers via NMRP.
Effect of sulfur on diamond growth and morphology in metal–carbon systems
Authors: Palyanov Yuri N. , Borzdov Yuri M. , Khokhryakov Alexander F. , Bataleva Yuliya V. , Kupriyanov Igor N.
Published: July 2020

Sulfur additives inhibit diamond crystallization in the Fe–Ni–C system at 6 GPa and 1400 °C and affect the diamond crystal morphology and nitrogen impurity content.
Impact of alkyl chain length and water on the structure and properties of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids
Authors: Sanchora Paridhi , Pandey Deepak K. , Kagdada Hardik L. , Materny Arnulf , Singh Dheeraj K.
Published: July 2020

Conformational isomerism in Cnmim Cl (n= 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) is identified by marker IR bands for the first time.
Recent advances in MXenes and their composites in lithium/sodium batteries from the viewpoints of components and interlayer engineering
Authors: Zhang Shunlong , Han Wei-Qiang
Published: July 2020

An up-to-date review about MXenes based on their distinguishing properties, namely, large interlayer spacing and rich surface chemistry.
Extending scaled-interaction adaptive-partitioning QM/MM to covalently bonded systems
Authors: Yang Zeng-hui
Published: July 2020

An adaptive-partitioning QM/MM method for covalently interacting systems with only one QM calculation per time step.
Photodissociation processes of a water–oxygen complex cation studied by an ion imaging technique
Authors: Nakashima Yuji , Ito Yuri , Okutsu Kenichi , Nakano Motoyoshi , Misaizu Fuminori
Published: July 2020

Photodissociation dynamics of O2+–H2O in the visible and ultraviolet regions was studied by ion imaging experiments and theoretical calculations.
Durability challenges of anion exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Mustain William E. , Chatenet Marian , Page Miles , Kim Yu Seung
Published: July 2020

This perspective provides information on durability challenges and future actions of anion exchange membrane fuel cells.
Photoinduced catalyst-free deborylation–deuteration of arylboronic acids with D2O
Authors: Lang Yatao , Peng Xiangjun , Li Chao-Jun , Zeng Huiying
Published: July 2020

Novel photoinduced catalyst-free deborylation–deuteration of arylboronic acids with D2O under mild conditions is reported. A wide range of deuterated products were obtained in good yields with a high level of deuteration.
Synthesis of multivitamin-loaded heat stable liposomes from milk fat globule membrane phospholipids by using a supercritical-CO2based system
Authors: Jash Apratim , Ubeyitogullari Ali , Rizvi Syed S. H.
Published: July 2020

Inspired by the heat stability of milk, where fat globules are coated by the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), heat stable liposomes loaded with multivitamins were successfully synthesized from MFGM phospholipid concentrate.
Exploring the bifunctional properties of paper-like carbyne-enriched carbon for maintenance-free self-powered systems
Authors: Mariappan Vimal Kumar , Krishnamoorthy Karthikeyan , Pazhamalai Parthiban , Kim Sang-Jae
Published: July 2020

Herein, novel paper-like carbine-enriched carbon is prepared and utilized as a bifunctional material for energy harvesting and storage to develop a self-powered system.
Transition metal mixed oxide-embedded graphene oxide bilayers as an efficient electrocatalyst for optimizing hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Sasidharan Sarika , Sreenivasan Rijith
Published: July 2020

A novel electrocatalyst containing different percentages of iron-titanium mixed oxide onto graphene oxide (GO) support was prepared by embedding via the thermal decomposition method (TD) and was coated on a Cu substrate through facile electroless Ni–Co–P plating.
The synthesis of rare earth metal-doped upconversion nanoparticles coated withd-glucose or 2-deoxy-d-glucose and their evaluation for diagnosis and therapy in cancer
Authors: Sharma K. Shitaljit , Thoh Maikho , Dubey Akhil K. , Phadnis Prasad P. , Sharma Deepak , Sandur Santosh K. , Vatsa Rajesh K.
Published: July 2020

Silica coated NaY0.8Yb0.16Tm0.04F4NPs functionalized withd-glucose or 2-deoxy-d-glucose were prepared. Cytotoxicity and uptake studies on MCF-7 cells revealed the potential of formulation in bioimaging, therapy.
Synthesis of organosilocane allied N-heteroaryl Schiff base chemosensor for the detection of Cu2+ metal ions and their biological applications
Authors: Singh Gurjaspreet , Shilpy  , Singh Akshpreet , Diksha  , Pawan  , Suman  , Espinosa-Ruíz Cristóbal , Esteban Maria Angeles , Singh K. N.
Published: July 2020

N-Heteroaryl organosilocanes-based chemosensors have been synthesized for the recognition of copper metal ions with excellent selectivity.
Highly sensitive detection for cocaine using an aptamer-modified molybdenum disulfide/gold nanoparticle microarray
Authors: Gao Li , Deng Zebin , Lin Yuanwei , Sulemana Husseini , Shi Haixia , Yu Chaosheng , Chen Shuaijun
Published: July 2020

The detection of cocaine based on an aptamer-modified molybdenum disulfide@gold nanoparticle (MoS2@AuNP) nanosheet array immobilized on aminated slides was achieved.
Carbon supported Pd–Sn nanoparticle eletrocatalysts for efficient borohydride electrooxidation
Authors: Yi Lanhua , Meng Yuan , Wang Rui , Fei Junjie , Wang Xianyou , Lu Yebo
Published: July 2020

Carbon supported Pd–Sn (Pd–Sn/C) nanoparticle electrocatalysts are prepared via a facile and environmentally friendly method and successfully applied in BH4− electrooxidation.
Carbon nano-onion-powered optically transparent and economical dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Mohapatra Debananda , Nemala Siva Sankar , Sayed Mostafa Saad , Shim Jae-Jin , Mallick Sudhanshu , Bhargava Parag , Parida Smrutiranjan
Published: July 2020

Optically semi-transparent carbon nano-onion-powered dye-sensitized solar cells for building-integrated photovoltaics.
Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by a cocatalytic PDA/TiO2 electrode produced by photoelectric polymerization
Authors: Guo Zehui , Wang Guoqing , Fu Haiqing , Wang Peiqing , Liao Jianhe , Wang Aimin
Published: July 2020

This study reports a new method for photocatalysts to degrade organic dyes on organic semiconductors.
Influenza sequelae: from immune modulation to persistent alveolitis
Authors: Cipolla Ellyse M. , Huckestein Brydie R. , Alcorn John F.
Published: July 2020

Acute influenza virus infections are a global public health concern accounting for millions of illnesses worldwide ranging from mild to severe with, at time, severe complications. Once an individual is infected, the immune system is triggered in response to the pathogen. This immune response can be beneficial ultimately leading to the clearance of the viral infection and establishment of immune memory mechanisms. However, it can be detrimental by increasing susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections and resulting in permanent changes to the lung architecture, in the form of fibrotic sequelae. Here, we review influenza associated bacterial super-infection, the formation of T-cell memory, and persistent lung injury resulting from influenza infection.
Assessment Across the Life Span: The Clinical Swallow Evaluation
Authors: Garand Kendrea L. (Focht) , McCullough Gary , Crary Michael , Arvedson Joan C. , Dodrill Pamela
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This clinical focus article considers the roles of the clinical swallow examination (CSE) as a clinically meaningful assessment method used in both adult and pediatric populations.

Method

This clinical focus article explores the utility of the CSE across the life span. Specifically, components, reliability, standardized assessments, and limitations of the CSE within the adult and pediatric populations are highlighted.

Conclusions

The CSE remains a crucial assessment tool for the speech-language pathologist. The experienced clinician can make important judgments regarding patient safety and function. If the CSE is conducted mindfully and methodically, findings can help chart the course of care for individuals needing additional assessment and possibly intervention.
Breast mass classification method based on convolutional neural networks
Authors: Sun Lilei , Wang Junqian , Xu Yong
Published: July 2020

To classify the X‐ray mammograms images as benign or malignant is a long‐standing unresolved problem, due to the high similarity of different between the mammograms images. In this study, a novel convolutional neural network based X‐ray breast mass classification method is proposed. The method receives original breast mass image and its transformed image simultaneously, and extracts more abundant features from the breast mass images. Though the transformed image is a simple inverse of the original image, it allows another side of the thing to be perceived by the network at a very low cost. Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the compared state‐of‐the‐art classification methods for breast mass.
Relating grain size distributions in circumstellar discs to the spectral index at millimetre wavelengths
Authors: Löhne T.
Published: July 2020

The excess emission seen in spectral energy distributions (SEDs) is commonly used to infer the properties of the emitting circumstellar dust in protoplanetary and debris discs. Most notably, dust size distributions and details of the collision physics are derived from SED slopes at long wavelengths. This paper reviews the approximations that are commonly used and contrasts them with numerical results for the thermal emission. The inferred size distribution indexes p are shown to be greater and more sensitive to the observed sub(mm) spectral indexes, αmm, than previously considered. This effect results from aspects of the transition from small grains with volumetric absorption to bigger grains that absorb and emit near to their surface, controlled by both the real and the imaginary part of the refractive index. The steeper size distributions indicate stronger size-dependence of material strengths or impact velocities or, otherwise, less efficient transport or erosion processes. Strong uncertainties remain because of insufficient knowledge of the material composition, porosity, and optical properties at long wavelengths.
Qualität der Versorgung beatmeter Menschen in der
außerstationären Intensivpflege in Deutschland: Ein Scoping
Review
Authors: Klingshirn Hanna , Gerken Laura , Heuschmann Peter , Haas Kirsten , Schutzmeier Martha , Brandstetter Lilly , Stangl Stephanie , Wurmb Thomas , Kippnich Maximilian , Reuschenbach Bernd
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund Die außerklinische Intensivversorgung von Menschen
mit Langzeitbeatmung ist ein stark anwachsender Bereich mit vielseitigen
Versorgungsbedarfen. Ziel dieses Scoping Reviews ist es, den aktuellen
Forschungsstand zur Qualität der Versorgung beatmeter Menschen in der
außerstationären Intensivpflege in Deutschland darzustellen und
Forschungslücken aufzudecken.

Methode Anhand definierter Einschlusskriterien wurden 4 Datenbanken nach
Publikationen zur Versorgung von außerklinisch beatmeten Menschen in
Deutschland durchsucht. Datenextraktion und Synthese erfolgten nach der Methode
der „data driven thematic analysis“. Eine Differenzierung
zwischen Forschung und Expertenmeinung fand statt.

Ergebnisse Die Suche ergab 493 Treffer, von denen insgesamt 68
Publikationen eingeschlossen wurden, darunter 2 Leitlinien (3%), 45
(66%) Forschungsarbeiten und 21 (31%) Expertenmeinungen.
Inhaltlich konnten folgende Themenfelder identifiziert werden: Organisation und
Steuerung der Beatmung (n=43; 63%), pflegerische (n=23;
34%), medizinische (n=39; 57%), therapeutische
(n=7; 10%) und Hilfsmittelversorgung (n=24;
35%), sowie die Sicht beatmeter Personen und deren Angehörigen
(n=33; 49%) und weitere Themen (n=13; 19%).

Schlussfolgerung Obwohl der Qualitätsdiskurs zur Versorgung
beatmeter Personen in der außerklinischen Intensivpflege breit
geführt wird, fehlen Studien zur Bedarfsgerechtigkeit von
Versorgungsleistungen, zu Selbstbestimmung und Teilhabe in Abhängigkeit
der Wohnform oder zur Rolle einzelner ‚Health Professionals‘ im
interprofessionellen Team.
Tibial Spine Location Influences Tibial Tunnel Placement in Anatomical Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Iriuchishima Takanori , Goto Bunsei
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of tibial spine location on tibial tunnel placement in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). A total of 39 patients undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study (30 females and 9 males; average age: 29 ± 15.2 years). In anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction, the tibial and femoral tunnels were created close to the anteromedial bundle insertion site using a transportal technique. Using postoperative 3D-CT, accurate axial views of the tibia plateau were evaluated. By assuming the medial and anterior borders of the tibia plateau as 0% and the lateral and posterior borders as 100%, the location of the medial and lateral tibial spine, and the center of the tibial tunnel were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between tibial spine location and tibial tunnel placement. The medial tibial spine was located at 54.7 ± 4.5% from the anterior border and 41.3 ± 3% from the medial border. The lateral tibial spine was located at 58.7 ± 5.1% from the anterior border and 55.3 ± 2.8% from the medial border. The ACL tibial tunnel was located at 34.8 ± 7.7% from the anterior border and 48.2 ± 3.4% from the medial border. Mediolateral tunnel placement was significantly correlated with medial and lateral tibial spine location. However, for anteroposterior tunnel placement, no significant correlation was found. A significant correlation was observed between mediolateral ACL tibial tunnel placement and medial and lateral tibial spine location. For clinical relevance, tibial ACL tunnel placement might be unintentionally influenced by tibial spine location. Confirmation of the ACL footprint is required to create accurate anatomical tunnels during surgery. This is a Level III; case–control study.
Numerical solution of a third-order Falkner–Skan-like equation arising in boundary layer theory
Authors: Attili Basem
Published: July 2020

We consider the numerical solution of a third-order Falkner–Skan-like boundary value problem arising in boundary layer theory. The problem is defined on a semi-infinite interval [0,∞) with a condition given at ∞. We first transform the problem into a second-order boundary value problem defined on a finite interval [γ,1]. To solve the resulting boundary value problem, we developed an iterative finite-difference scheme based on Newton’s quasilinearization. At every step, the linearized differential equation is approximated using the finite-difference method. Numerical results will be presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the method and will be compared with other results presented in the literature.
The ion-acoustic instability of the inductively coupled plasma driven by the ponderomotive electron current formed in the skin layer
Authors: Mikhailenko V. V. , Mikhailenko V. S. , Lee H. J.
Published: July 2020

The stability theory of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is developed for the case when the electron quiver velocity in RF wave is of the order of or is larger than the electron thermal velocity. The theory predicts the existence of the instabilities of the ICP which are driven by the current formed in the skin layer by the accelerated motion of electrons relative to ions under the action of the ponderomotive force.
A combined diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy–mass spectroscopy–gas chromatography for the operando study of the heterogeneously catalyzed CO2 hydrogenation over transition metal-based catalysts
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhang Jie , Luo Wen , Li Mo , Moioli Emanuele , Spodaryk Mariana , Züttel Andreas
Published: July 2020

We built an inline diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy–mass spectroscopy–gas chromatography (DRIFTS–MS–GC) apparatus aiming at an operando mechanistic study of the heterogeneously catalyzed CO2 hydrogenation reaction. The multifunctional and accurate system enabled the simultaneous utilization of IR, MS, GC, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques in one single device to analyze the surface, gas, and liquid products formed during the reaction process. To assess the potential of the system, we compared the activity of pristine metal (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), metal alloy (LaNi4Cu), and metal–metal oxide (Co—CoO) catalysts with respect to the interactions between gaseous CO2 and the catalyst surfaces. For the quantitative comparison, the rate constants and activation energies of CO2 hydrogenation were determined. The results showed a composition dependent reactivity of the metals. The metal oxide mixed with the metal is essentially important for the formation of observable of the surface species deriving from CO2 adsorption and for the enhancement of the CO2 conversion to CH4.
Solid Cherenkov detector for studying nucleosynthesis in inertial confinement fusion
Authors: Springstead M. P. , Zylstra A. B. , Kim Y. , Meaney K. D. , Geppert-Kleinrath H. , Leatherland A. , Wilson L. , Herrmann H. W. , Young C. S. , Polk P. , Hamilton C.
Published: July 2020

Measuring gamma rays emitted from nuclear reactions gives insight into their nuclear structure. Notably, there are several nuclear reactions that produce gamma rays at ∼1 MeV–3 MeV energies such as T(4He, γ)7Li, 4He(3He, γ)7Be, and 12C(p, γ)13N, which may solve questions lingering about big-bang nucleosynthesis and stellar nucleosynthesis. To observe 1 MeV–3 MeV gamma rays in an inertial confinement fusion system, a new style of the Cherenkov detector was developed using aerogel and fused silica as a Cherenkov medium. Utilizing the OMEGA laser facility, both aerogel and fused silica media were compared with the existing gas-medium Cherenkov detector to validate the concept. Gamma ray measurements from high yield inertial confinement fusion implosions (deuterium–tritium and deuterium–3He) demonstrated that aerogel and fused silica were viable Cherenkov media, paving the way for a potential optimized detector to make these cross section measurements on OMEGA or the National Ignition Facility.
Controlling the direction and intensity of magnetic dipole emission by spoof plasmonic structures
Authors: Liu Yun-Kai , Sheng Zong-Qiang , Wu Hong-Wei
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we demonstrate that the direction and intensity of the magnetic dipole emission can be manipulated simultaneously by using spoof plasmonic structures. First, by placing two spoof plasmonic structures around a bare magnetic dipole source, we investigate the influence of the orientation of the spoof plasmonic structures on the direction of magnetic dipolar emission. We find that the direction of bare magnetic dipole emission can be freely tuned from 0° to 360° by rotating the two spoof plasmonic structures due to the stimulation of structured magnetic dipolar mode. Furthermore, an array antenna composed of three plasmonic structures is designed; we discuss the manipulation of the intensity and the direction of magnetic dipole emission by three spoof plasmonic structures. The theoretical results show that the intensity of magnetic dipole emission can be effectively enhanced and the direction can be freely selected. In addition, we also investigate the influence of structural variation of the cylinder structure on the intensity and enhancement factor. Our calculated results indicate that the enhancement factor of magnetic dipole emission can reach more than 580 with tuning structural parameters at the resonant frequency of the magnetic dipolar mode. Finally, we discuss the effect of real materials on the external quantum efficiency, and the quantum efficiency is still very high in our design. As such, these results underscore the unique ability of manipulating the intensity and the direction of magnetic dipole emission, opening new technological avenues in the magneto-optical domain.
Atomic force microscopy: Emerging illuminated and operando techniques for solar fuel research
Authors: Yu Weilai , Fu Harold J. , Mueller Thomas , Brunschwig Bruce S. , Lewis Nathan S.
Published: July 2020

Integrated photoelectrochemical devices rely on the synergy between components to efficiently generate sustainable fuels from sunlight. The micro- and/or nanoscale characteristics of the components and their interfaces often control critical processes of the device, such as charge-carrier generation, electron and ion transport, surface potentials, and electrocatalysis. Understanding the spatial properties and structure–property relationships of these components can provide insight into designing scalable and efficient solar fuel components and systems. These processes can be probed ex situ or in situ with nanometer-scale spatial resolution using emerging scanning-probe techniques based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this Perspective, we summarize recent developments of AFM-based techniques relevant to solar fuel research. We review recent progress in AFM for (1) steady-state and dynamic light-induced surface photovoltage measurements; (2) nanoelectrical conductive measurements to resolve charge-carrier heterogeneity and junction energetics; (3) operando investigations of morphological changes, as well as surface electrochemical potentials, currents, and photovoltages in liquids. Opportunities for research include: (1) control of ambient conditions for performing AFM measurements; (2) in situ visualization of corrosion and morphological evolution of electrodes; (3) operando AFM techniques to allow nanoscale mapping of local catalytic activities and photo-induced currents and potentials.
Investigation of laser-induced plasma in SF6 at different pressures using Thomson scattering
Authors: Sun Hao , Chang Haodong , Rong Mingzhe , Wu Yi , Zhang Hantian
Published: July 2020

Thomson scattering was applied to measure the electron density and temperature in laser-induced SF6 plasmas at various pressures (0.2–2 atm). The plasma was induced by the Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 200 mJ, and 7 ns) focused into a chamber filled with SF6. A second harmonic Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 50 mJ, and 6 ns) was used to probe the distributions of electron density and temperature. The images after breakdown indicate that higher pressure accelerates the plasma evolution and enhances the asymmetry of the plasma structure. Additionally, different from toroidal structures in other gases, a special vortex structure appeared in SF6. The electron density around the axis at 0.2 atm decreases from 1.66×1023 m−3 at 2 μs to 4.50×1022 m−3 at 6 μs, and meanwhile, the electron temperature drops from 22 050 K to 15 600 K. At 2 atm, from 2 μs to 6 μs, the electron density decreases from 3.00×1023 m−3 to 5.23×1022 m−3 and the temperature drops from 44 000 K to 14 800 K. The time exponent obtained by fitting the maximum electron density using the power law decreases from −1.206 to −1.669 in the pressure range from 0.2 atm to 2 atm, indicating that the pressure increases the decaying rate of electron density. From 0.4 atm to 2 atm, the time exponent of the decay of electron temperature decreases from −0.499 to −0.926. The comparisons among laser-induced plasmas in various gases show that the decaying rates of both electron density and temperature in SF6 are superior to air and argon.
Hysteresis in a linear chain of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Anand Manish
Published: July 2020

We perform kinetic Monte Carlo simulation to study the magnetic hysteresis in a one-dimensional chain of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The hysteresis behavior is systematically analyzed as a function of several key parameters: anisotropy axis orientation, dipolar interaction strength λ, frequency ν of the applied magnetic field, and temperature T. The anisotropy axes of all the MNPs are assumed to make an angle α with the chain axis. In the absence of dipolar interaction and thermal fluctuations, the hysteresis follows the Stoner–Wohlfarth model as expected. Extremely weak hysteresis is observed with small values of dipolar interaction strength for ν=105Hz and T=300K. On the other hand, there is a significant hysteresis even for weakly interacting MNPs with ν=109Hz. The hysteresis properties are strongly dependent on these parameters. Due to an increase in the ferromagnetic coupling, the hysteresis loop area increases with λ. The coercive field Hc and the amount of heat dissipated EH due to hysteresis decrease rapidly with α and T for small values of λ and ν=105Hz, while for large λ, they fall very slowly. When ν is very large (=109Hz), EH and Hc are found to have negligible dependence on T irrespective of λ. The results with a small value of frequency should be taken into account in the interpretation of the experiments and efficient usage of magnetic hyperthermia.
Comprehensive insights into defect passivation and charge dynamics for FA0.8MA0.15Cs0.05PbI2.8Br0.2 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Xiangyang , Qin Chaoran , Liu Xinsheng , Ding Hengchuan , Du Xia , Cui Yunkang
Published: July 2020

Nonradiative charge recombination is the main restriction on the high efficiency of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The synergistic manipulation of the grain boundary/interface traps can control charge behavior and improve device performance. In our work, the composition of perovskite used is FA0.8MA0.15Cs0.05PbI2.8Br0.2 (MA is methylammonium, FA is formamidinium), which produces high-performing PVSCs. A trace additive of n-butylammonium bromide (BABr) was incorporated into the perovskite precursor to passivate grain–boundary defects. The NH4Cl/KCl was spin-coated onto the electron-transport layer to modify interface contact and impede nonradiative charge recombination, inducing a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE). The highest-performing PVSCs achieved a PCE of 21.02%, a Voc of 1.13 V, a Jsc of 23.55 mA cm−2, and a FF of 0.79 under a reverse voltage scan (under a forward voltage scan the values were as follows: PCE, 20.13%; Voc, 1.12 V; Jsc, 23.65 mA cm−2; FF, 0.76), with a negligible J–V hysteresis. The hybrid 2D/3D perovskite heterostructure formed through the incorporation of BABr increased crystallinity and mitigated nonradiative recombination, resulting in reduced current-voltage hysteresis, enhanced efficiency, and significantly improved operational stability. With impedance spectroscopy and time-resolved surface photovoltage spectroscopy, the charge dynamics in PVSCs were determined.
A fast technique to measure the dewpoint pressure of a retrograde condensate gas using a microfluidic volume
Authors: Sullivan M. , Dumont H. , Smythe E. J. , Borman C. , Harrison C.
Published: July 2020

A new method to determine the dewpoint pressure of a retrograde condensate from a fast, non-equilibrium measurement performed in a microfluidic optical cell is presented. The inflection point of the optical transmission recorded during depressurization agrees well with the dewpoint pressure of the sample, determined by conventional laboratory techniques. With this new technique, a measurement can be performed in less than 5 min and requires far less than a milliliter of the sample. Benchmarking of this technique is presented using four retrograde condensate samples, which were created in the laboratory using multi-component compositions that are based on oilfield samples. Each sample was characterized at three different temperatures, and their maximum relative liquid volumes (maximum liquid volume/total system volume at the dewpoint pressure) ranged from 1.3% to 13.5% for these temperatures. The dewpoint pressure measured by this technique differs by no more than 100 psi from that measured in a conventional laboratory for samples of a richness of 4% or higher, while leaner samples display a difference of ∼200 psi.
SpiSeMe: A multi-language package for spike train surrogate generation
Authors: Perinelli Alessio , Castelluzzo Michele , Minati Ludovico , Ricci Leonardo
Published: July 2020

Many studies in nonlinear science heavily rely on surrogate-based hypothesis testing to provide significance estimations of analysis results. Among the complex data produced by nonlinear systems, spike trains are a class of sequences requiring algorithms for surrogate generation that are typically more sophisticated and computationally demanding than methods developed for continuous signals. Although algorithms to specifically generate surrogate spike trains exist, the availability of open-source, portable implementations is still incomplete. In this paper, we introduce the SpiSeMe (Spike Sequence Mime) software package that implements four algorithms for the generation of surrogate data out of spike trains and more generally out of any sequence of discrete events. The purpose of the package is to provide a unified and portable toolbox to carry out surrogate generation on point-process data. Code is provided in three languages, namely, C++, Matlab, and Python, thus allowing straightforward integration of package functions into most analysis pipelines.
Critical behavior of charge-regulated macro-ions
Authors: Avni Yael , Podgornik Rudolf , Andelman David
Published: July 2020

Based on a collective description of electrolytes composed of charge-regulated macro-ions and simple salt ions, we analyze their equilibrium charge state in the bulk and their behavior in the vicinity of an external electrified surface. The mean-field formulation of mobile macro-ions in an electrolyte bathing solution is extended to include interactions between association and dissociation sites. We demonstrate that above a critical concentration of salt, similar to the critical micelle concentration, a non-trivial distribution of charge states sets in. Such a charge state can eventually lead to a liquid–liquid phase separation based on charge regulation.