bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe for detection of early-stage Aβ protofibrils in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lv Guanglei , Sun Anyang , Wang Minqi , Wei Peng , Li Ruohan , Yi Tao
Published: January 2020

Detection of Aβ protofibrils at the early stage of Alzheimer's disease was realized by a novel near-infrared probe (DCM-AN) based on dicyanomethylene-4H-pyran.
Tuning the size of photo-deposited metal nanoparticles via manipulating surface defect structures of TiO2 nanocrystals
Authors: Zhou Xian , Qian Kun , Zhang Yunshang , Li Dan , Wei Zeyue , Wang Huijuan , Ye Run , Liu Jiandang , Ye Bangjiao , Huang Weixin
Published: January 2020

The influence of surface defect structures on photo-generated charge separation.
The influence of negatively charged silica nanoparticles on the surface properties of anionic surfactants: electrostatic repulsion or the effect of ionic strength?
Authors: Eftekhari Milad , Schwarzenberger Karin , Javadi Aliyar , Eckert Kerstin
Published: January 2020

The presence of negatively charged nanoparticles affects the surface activity of anionic surfactants in an aqueous phase. This effect is mainly caused by the change in ionic strength of the system resulted from the addition of nanoparticles.
A highly efficient nano-graphite-doped TiO2 photocatalyst with a unique sea-island structure for visible-light degradation
Authors: Yang Huiyu , Zhai Lisha , Li Ke , Liu Xin , Deng Bo , Xu Weilin
Published: January 2020

A nano-graphite-doped TiO2 composite, C-TiO2, was fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO2 onto carbon fiber fabrics (CFFs), followed by calcination.
Heteroleptic iron(ii) complexes with naphthoquinone-type ligands
Authors: Shiga Takuya , Kumamaru Rina , Newton Graham N. , Oshio Hiroki
Published: January 2020

A series of heteroleptic mononuclear iron(ii) complexes with naphthoquinone-type ligands were synthesized, and their structures, magnetic behavior and spin states were investigated.
Coligand modulated oxidative O-demethylation of a methyl ether appended tetradentate N-ligand in Co(ii) complexes
Authors: Anjana S. S. , Varghese B. , Murthy Narasimha N.
Published: January 2020

Coligand controlled oxidative O-demethylation of a tetradentate ligand in Co(ii) complexes.
The oxygen reactivity of an artificial hydrogenase designed in a reengineered copper storage protein
Authors: Selvan Dhanashree , Shi Yelu , Prasad Pallavi , Crane Skyler , Zhang Yong , Chakraborty Saumen
Published: January 2020

The O2 reactivity of an artificial biomolecular hydrogenase, the nickel binding protein (NBP) is investigated.
Ecotoxicological assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products using predictive toxicology approaches
Authors: Kar Supratik , Sanderson Hans , Roy Kunal , Benfenati Emilio , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: January 2020

The present review critically assesses the hazardous potential of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment and the description of the importantin silicomodeling approaches for assessing the toxicity of PPCPs towards diverse organisms.
A lab-on-chip ultrasonic platform for real-time and nondestructive assessment of extracellular matrix stiffness
Authors: Zareei Amin , Jiang Hongjie , Chittiboyina Shirisha , Zhou Jiawei , Marin Beatriz Plaza , Lelièvre Sophie A. , Rahimi Rahim
Published: January 2020

On-chip ultrasonic platform enables noninvasive assessment of ECM stiffness in 3D cell cultures, by monitoring ultrasonic wave attenuation through targeted material.
A modular 3D printed lab-on-a-chip for early cancer detection
Authors: Chiadò Alessandro , Palmara Gianluca , Chiappone Annalisa , Tanzanu Claudia , Pirri Candido Fabrizio , Roppolo Ignazio , Frascella Francesca
Published: January 2020

Cancer biomarkers were detected employing 3D printed microfluidics with spatial control of surface functionalities.
3-Methoxyphenol chemical sensor fabrication with Ag2O/CB nanocomposites
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Alam M. M. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Uddin Jamal
Published: January 2020

The proposed chemical sensor based on Ag2O/CB nanocomposites is developed by electrochemical approach for the detection of hazardous selective 3-methoxyphenol chemical sensor for the safety of the environment sector in a broad scale.
A novel composite of α-MoO3/BiVO4 for triethylamine selective detection
Authors: Bai Shouli , Han Jingyi , Fan Xiangxiang , Guo Jian , Luo Ruixian , Li Dianqing , Chen Aifan
Published: January 2020

BiVO4 modified MoO3 was synthesized by hydrothermal and metal organic decomposition. The 16Mo/Bi composite has significantly improved in the sensing properties to TEA compared with pristine MoO3, which is a hopeful sensing material for detecting TEA.
Decoration of upconversion nanocrystals with metal sulfide quantum dots by a universal in situ controlled growth strategy
Authors: Du Kaimin , Lei Pengpeng , Zhang Manli , Gao Xuan , Yao Shuang , Li Chengyu , Feng Jing , Zhang Hongjie
Published: January 2020

Multifunctional NaYF4:Yb/Er@CS@Mn+S (M = Ag, Cu, Cd) nanocomposites could be prepared by a universal in situ controlled growth strategy.
Recent advances of novel ultrathin two-dimensional silicon carbides from a theoretical perspective
Authors: Zhou Liujiang , Dong Huilong , Tretiak Sergei
Published: January 2020

Compared to graphene with semimetallic features, two-dimensional (2D) silicon carbide (Si–C) materials constitute another highly promising family for opto-electronic applications owing to their intrinsic electronic gaps.
Flexible 3D carbon cloth as a high-performing electrode for energy storage and conversion
Authors: Shi Huimin , Wen Guilin , Nie Yan , Zhang Guanhua , Duan Huigao
Published: January 2020

The wide ranging and critical roles of flexible 3D carbon cloth in current energy storage and conversion are reviewed.
Semiconducting crystalline inorganic–organic hybrid metal halide nanochains
Authors: Wang Guan-E , Sun Cai , Wang Ming-Sheng , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: January 2020

One-dimensional (1D) inorganic–organic metal halide hybrids at the molecular level, which can be considered as arrays of nanochains isolated by organic components, have shown remarkable optical and electric properties.
Effects of metal–organic complex Ni(Salen) on thermal decomposition of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7)
Authors: Ma Wenzhe , Yang Yanjing , Zhao Fengqi , Xu Kangzhen , Zhang Jiankan , Zhang Ming , Feng Zhicun
Published: January 2020

The development of novel combustion catalysts is critical for improving combustion performance of high-energy solid propellants.
Treatment of crude oil contaminated wastewater via an electrochemical reaction
Authors: Sharma Khanindra , Kalita Suravi , Sarma Neelotpal Sen , Devi Arundhuti
Published: January 2020

A novel electrochemical reaction was developed for the treatment of formation water and subsequently ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised in the in situ condition and further used as an adsorbing material for petroleum hydrocarbons.
Increasing chemistry students’ knowledge, confidence, and conceptual understanding of pH using a collaborative computer pH simulation
Authors: Watson Sandy White , Dubrovskiy Anton V. , Peters Michelle L.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this quasi-experimental non-equivalent pretest posttest control group research was to determine whether or not the use of a collaborative pH computer simulation has an impact on the knowledge, confidence, and conceptual understanding of fundamental pH concepts for undergraduate Chemistry II students. A purposeful sample of 59 Chemistry II undergraduate students were administered pre/post assessments and surveys. Results indicated higher pH knowledge, pH confidence, and pH conceptual understanding among those students who had completed the collaborative computer simulation modules (23 students/intervention group) instead of the alternative traditional classroom assignments (36 students/control group).
Capture and selective release of multiple types of circulating tumor cells using smart DNAzyme probes
Authors: Zhang Qianying , Wang Wenjing , Huang Shan , Yu Sha , Tan Tingting , Zhang Jian-Rong , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: January 2020

Smart DNAzyme probes realized the capture and selective release of multiple circulating tumor cells.
Type 3 porous liquids based on non-ionic liquid phases – a broad and tailorable platform of selective, fluid gas sorbents
Authors: Cahir John , Tsang Min Ying , Lai Beibei , Hughes David , Alam M. Ashraf , Jacquemin Johan , Rooney David , James Stuart L.
Published: January 2020

We describe a series of Type 3 porous liquids, denoted “T3PLs”, based on a wide range of microporous solids including MOFs, zeolites and a porous organic polymer (PAF-1).
A branched nanosheet-interlaced structure of high performance Ni(OH)2 derived from the isostructural Ni3(NO3)2(OH)4 to clarify the role of structure self-supporting in cycling stability
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Jing , Wang Meiri , Liu Yuanyuan , Cui Hongtao
Published: January 2020

Two structures were built to reveal the relevance of Ni(OH)2 structure on its cycling stability and performance. The results reveal that the self-supportive branched nanosheet-interlaced nanostructure favors the cycling stability and performance.
Atomically dispersed ruthenium sites on whisker-like secondary microstructure of porous carbon host toward highly efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Xing Liwen , Gao Hongyi , Hai Guangtong , Tao Zhiping , Zhao Jie , Jia Dandan , Chen Xiao , Han Mengyi , Hong Song , Zheng Lirong , Huang Xiubing , Dong Wenjun , Wang Ge , Shu Xingtian
Published: January 2020

Atomically dispersed Ru sites on whisker-like secondary microstructure of carbon host are herein demonstrated to significantly improve the intrinsic hydrogen evolution performance for carbon-based materials.
Oxygen vacancy engineering in spinel-structured nanosheet wrapped hollow polyhedra for electrochemical nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions
Authors: Lai Feili , Feng Jianrui , Ye Xiaobin , Zong Wei , He Guanjie , Yang Chao , Wang Wei , Miao Yue-E. , Pan Bicai , Yan Wensheng , Liu Tianxi , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: January 2020

Electrochemical nitrogen-to-ammonia conversion under ambient conditions is realized by an oxygen vacancy-rich spinel structured materials, showing relatively high faradaic efficiency and yields.
Multifunctional liquid crystal polymer network soft actuators
Authors: Yu Li , Peng Ran , Rivers Geoffrey , Zhang Che , Si Pengxiang , Zhao Boxin
Published: January 2020

Multifunctional liquid metal/liquid crystal polymer network soft actuators combine ultrahigh conductivity and thermal-responsive actuation behavior under large strain.
Mixed-dimensional PdSe2/SiNWA heterostructure based photovoltaic detectors for self-driven, broadband photodetection, infrared imaging and humidity sensing
Authors: Wu Di , Jia Cheng , Shi Fenghua , Zeng Longhui , Lin Pei , Dong Lin , Shi Zhifeng , Tian Yongtao , Li Xinjian , Jie Jiansheng
Published: January 2020

A self-driven and broadband photodetector based on PdSe2/SiNWA mixed-dimensional vdW heterojunction is fabricated, which shows a broadband spectrum from 200 nm to 4.6 μm with a high polarization sensitivity and good mid-infrared imaging capability.
Correction: Flat-shaped carbon–graphene microcomposites as electrodes for high energy supercapacitors
Authors: Moreno-Fernández Gelines , Gómez-Urbano Juan L. , Enterría Marina , Rojo Teófilo , Carriazo Daniel
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘Flat-shaped carbon–graphene microcomposites as electrodes for high energy supercapacitors’ by Gelines Moreno-Fernández et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 14646–14655.
Boosting biomolecular interactions through DNA origami nano-tailored biosensing interfaces
Authors: Rutten Iene , Daems Devin , Lammertyn Jeroen
Published: January 2020

Nano-tailored DNA origami designs nanostructure the bioreceptor layer of encoded microparticles in an innovative microfluidic platform, hereby boosting biomolecular interactions.
Synthesis and characterization of lignosulfonate/amino-functionalized SBA-15 nanocomposites for the adsorption of methylene blue from wastewater
Authors: Abboud Mohamed , Sahlabji Taher , Haija Mohammad Abu , El-Zahhar Adel A. , Bondock Samir , Ismail Issam , Keshk Sherif M. A. S.
Published: January 2020

The synthesis, characterization, and methylene blue (MB) adsorption study of a new lignosulfonate/amino-functionalized SBA-15 nanocomposite are described.
Renal damage after liver transplantation
Authors: Feldkamp Thorsten , Bienholz Anja , Paul Andreas , Saner Fuat H.
Published: January 2020

Background: Patients following liver transplantation are at risk to develop acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of our study was to assess risk factors for the development of AKI and the impact of AKI on the outcome of patients after liver transplantation (OLT).

Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 149 patients undergoing OLT from 1/2004 to 12/2007. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO definition representing the AKIN and the RIFLE classification, and according to the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Results: According to the AKIN criteria alone 14 patients, according to the RIFLE criteria alone no patient and according to both definitions 30 patients developed AKI. RRT was required in 54 patients experiencing AKI, whereas 51 patients did not develop AKI. Pre OLT serum creatinine (SCr) significantly predicted the development of AKI requiring RRT, but not AKI without RRT requirement. Survival rate was significantly inferior after 28 days, one or three years in patients with AKI requiring RRT (70.4, 46.4, 44.4% vs. 100, 92.2, 90.2%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in survival between patients experiencing AKI according to the RIFLE or AKIN criteria without RRT requirement and patients without AKI.

Conclusion: Pre OLT renal dysfunction assessed by SCr was the most important risk factor predicting severe forms of AKI, but not milder forms of AKI. AKI requiring RRT had a detrimental impact on patients’ survival, whereas milder forms of AKI were not associated with a worse outcome.
Integrated 100 V bootstrap diode with enhanced reverse recovery characteristics for eGaN‐field effect transistor gate drivers
Authors: Li Shaohong , Zhu Jing , Sun Weifeng , Zhang Long , Zou Yanqin , Zhu Guichuang , Tian Tian
Published: January 2020

An integrated 100 V bootstrap diode (DBST) with anode engineering based on the double epitaxial process for enhancement mode gallium nitride (eGaN) transistor gate drivers is first proposed in this Letter. On the anode side, the P + dynamic field limiting ring (PDFLR) and the floating metal electrode (FME) are employed. The PDFLR can greatly suppress the peak electric field on both sides of the device during the reverse recovery period, which leads to a significant improvement in reverse recovery robustness. The FME lowers the anode injection efficiency in on‐state and increases the hole recombination rate during reverse recovery, therefore, a fast reverse recovery is realised. The partial heavy doped N‐type buried layer not only reduces the resistance of the drift region but also shortens the hole extraction path from the drift region to sub‐electrode, as a result, reverse recovery tail current can be greatly shortened. Experiments combined with simulations show that the reverse recovery robustness of the optimised proposed DBST is improved by more than 12 times. Furthermore, the reverse recovery charge (Qrr) of the proposed structure is only 3.2 nC, which is 22% lower than that of the conventional device at the same forward current (IF) of 0.1 A.
Equivalent circuit parameter extraction of low‐capacitance high‐damping PTs
Authors: Forrester J. , Li L. , Davidson J.N. , Foster M.P. , Stone D.A. , Sinclair D.C. , Reaney I.M.
Published: January 2020

Existing equivalent circuit extraction techniques are inaccurate for piezoelectric transformers (PTs) with low‐input capacitance or high damping. A new method is presented, offering improved accuracy in both damping resistance and resonant frequency extraction compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods. Effectiveness is evaluated on two sample PTs, with the proposed method achieving up to 84% decrease in error compared with previous methods.
Long term γ-ray variability of blazars
Authors: Rajput Bhoomika , Stalin C. S. , Rakshit Suvendu
Published: January 2020

We used the data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to characterise the γ-ray flux variability of blazars on month-like time scales. Our sample consists of 1120 blazars of which 481 are flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 639 are BL Lac objects (BL Lacs). We generated monthly binned light curves of our sample for a period of approximately nine years from 2008 August to 2017 December and quantified variability by using excess variance (Fvar). On month-like time scales, 371/481 FSRQs are variable (80%), while only about 50% (304/639) of BL Lacs are variable. This suggests that FSRQs are more variable than BL Lac objects. We find a mean Fvar of 0.55 ± 0.33 and 0.47 ± 0.29 for FSRQs and BL Lacs respectively. Large Fvar in FSRQs is also confirmed from the analysis of the ensemble structure function. By Dividing our sample of blazars based on the position of the synchrotron peak in their broad-band spectral energy distribution, we find that the low synchrotron peaked (LSP) sources have the largest mean Fvar value of 0.54 ± 0.32 while the intermediate synchrotron peaked (ISP) and high synchrotron peaked sources have mean Fvar values of 0.45 ± 0.25 and 0.47 ± 0.33 respectively. On month-like time scales, we find FSRQs to show a high duty cycle (DC) of variability of 66% relative to BL Lacs that show a DC of 36%. We find that both the Fvar and time scale of variability (τ) do not correlate with MBH. We note that Fvar is found to be weakly correlated with Doppler factor (δ) and τ is also weakly correlated with δ. Most of the sources in our sample have τ of the order of days, which might be related to processes in the jet. We find marginal difference in the distribution of τ between FSRQs and BL Lacs.
Searching for water ice in the coma of interstellar object 2I/Borisov
Authors: Yang Bin , Kelley Michael S. P. , Meech Karen J. , Keane Jacqueline V. , Protopapa Silvia , Bus Schelte J.
Published: January 2020

Aims.Interstellar objects passing through our Solar System offer a rare opportunity to probe the physical and chemical processes involved in solid body and planet formation in extrasolar systems. The main objective of our study is to search for diagnostic absorption features of water ice in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum of the second interstellar object 2I/2019 Q4 (Borisov) and compare its ice features to those of the Solar System icy objects.

Methods.We observed 2I in the NIR on three separate occasions. The first observation was made on 2019 September 19 UT using the SpeX spectrograph at the 3m IRTF and again on September 24 UT with the GNIRS spectrograph at the 8m GEMINI telescope; the last observation was made on October 09 UT with IRTF.

Results.The spectra obtained from all three nights appear featureless. No absorption features associated with water ice are detected. Spectral modeling suggests that water grains, if present, comprise no more than 10% of the coma cross section. The comet consistently exhibits a red D-type like spectrum with a spectral slope of about 6% per 1000 Å, which is similar to that of 1I/’Oumuamua and is comparable to Solar System comets.
Personalakquise für Führungskräfte im OP
Authors: Brügger Christine , Schwab Gisela
Published: January 2020

Wie rekrutiert man Führungskräfte für den OP? Das haben wir die Personalberaterin Christine Brügger gefragt, die sich auf den Bereich Pflegemanagement spezialisiert hat.
Phenylpropanoid and Iridoid Glucosides from the Whole Plant of Hemiphragma heterophyllum and Their alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Li Yan-Hong , Dai Jia-Meng , Yang Cui , Jiang Meng-Yuan , Xiong Yong , Li Yu-Kui , Li Hong-Rui , Tian Kai , Huang Xiang-Zhong
Published: January 2020

Three phenylpropanoid glucosides (1 – 3) and one iridoid glucoside (11), together with eleven known glucosides, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Hemiphragma heterophyllum. Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, HRMS, and chemical methods. All compounds except 11 and 13 – 15 showed varying degrees of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 5, 9, and 12 were marginally active in the bioassay, while compounds 1 – 4, 6 – 8, and 10 exhibited appreciable inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 33.6 ~ 83.1 µM, which was much lower than that of the positive control acarbose (IC50 = 310.8 µM).
Paralisia obstétrica: De quem é a culpa? Uma revisão sistemática de literatura
Authors: Galbiatti José Antonio , Cardoso Fabrício Luz , Galbiatti Marília Gabriela Palacio
Published: January 2020

A paralisia obstétrica é classicamente definida como a lesão do plexo braquial decorrente da distócia de ombros ou das manobras executadas no parto difícil. Nas 2 últimas décadas, vários estudos comprovaram que metade dos casos de paralisia obstétrica não estão associados à distócia de ombros e levantaram outras possíveis etiologias para a paralisia obstétrica. O objetivo do presente trabalho é colher dados da literatura de revisão, artigos clássicos, sentinelas e da medicina baseada em evidências para compreender melhor os eventos envolvidos na ocorrência de paralisia obstétrica. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura no motor de busca da PubMed (MeSH - Medical Subject Headings) com as seguintes palavras-chave: shoulder dystocia and obstetric palsy, completamente aberto, sem limites de língua ou data. Posteriormente, definimos como critério de inclusão artigos de revisão. Encontramos 21 artigos de revisão com associação dos temas descritos até 8 de março de 2018. Frente às melhores evidências existentes até o momento, está bem demonstrado que a paralisia obstétrica ocorre em partos não complicados e em partos cesáreos, e são múltiplos os fatores que podem causá-la, relativizando a responsabilidade de médicos obstetras, enfermeiras e parteiras. Procuramos, com o presente estudo, quebrar os paradigmas de que paralisia obstétrica se associa obrigatoriamente à distócia de ombros e que a sua ocorrência necessariamente implica em negligência, imperícia ou imprudência da equipe envolvida.
Descontaminação transoperatória de enxerto durante cirurgia de reconstrução do LCA
Authors: Luciano Roberto Cunha , Macedo Ígor Severino , Pereira Rafael Henrique Naves , Pereira Daniel Barros , Luciano Dyego Vilela
Published: January 2020

Objetivo Avaliar diferentes descontaminantes para enxertos de tendões, propondo um protocolo de antissepsia para o enxerto contaminado.

Métodos Um total de 25 pacientes foram doadores de tecido para o estudo. Cada participante doou uma amostra de 2,5 cm de tendão, a qual foi dividida em 5 fragmentos de 5 mm durante cirurgia de reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA). O material coletado foi dividido em 5 grupos, totalizando 125 amostras. Ao todo, quatro fragmentos de cada paciente foram colocados sobre o piso da sala cirúrgica, durante um minuto, para contaminação, simulando a queda do enxerto no chão durante o ato operatório. O outro fragmento foi, imediatamente, colocado em um recipiente esterilizado (grupo 1). Um dos fragmentos contaminados foi colocado no recipiente esterilizado sem ser previamente imerso em solução descontaminante (grupo 2). Os demais fragmentos foram imersos, por dez minutos, em solução descontaminante: clorexidina 0,5% (grupo 3), soro fisiológico 0,9% (grupo 4) e ortoftaldeído 0,55% (grupo 5), e, após esse tempo, foram colocados individualmente em um recipiente esterilizado. As amostras dos 5 grupos foram submetidas a exame microbiológico.

Resultados Houve detecção de bactérias em 26% do total de amostras nos testes microbiológicos, sendo que no grupo 1 não houve crescimento de micro-organismos. No grupo 2, observou-se crescimento bacteriano em 16 amostras. Avaliando-se os grupos de teste 3, 4 e 5, o percentual de descontaminação foi superior ao crescimento de micro-organismos nas respectivas culturas.

Conclusão O protocolo sugerido pelo estudo mostrou que é possível a descontaminação transoperatória do enxerto.
A Simple Onlay Sellar Reconstruction Does Not Increase the Risk of Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in Well-Selected Patients
Authors: Chaskes Mark B. , Fastenberg Judd H. , Vimawala Swar , Nyquist Gurston F. , Rabinowitz Mindy R. , Chitguppi Chandala , Falls Meagan , Garzon-Muvdi Tomas , Rosen Marc R. , Evans James J.
Published: January 2020

Objective A variety of endonasal sellar repair techniques have been described; many of which are complex, expensive, and carry potential morbidity but are felt to be necessary to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. We propose an effective, technically simple repair for select sellar defects utilizing an onlay of regenerated oxidized cellulose.

Design Retrospective review of patients from a single neurosurgeon who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma and sellar reconstruction with only an onlay of regenerated oxidized cellulose. Patients were selected for this repair technique based on the absence of: (1) intraoperative identification of a CSF leak, (2) patulous diaphragm (expanded diaphragm sella herniating to or through sellar floor defect), and (3) other prohibiting comorbidities.

Setting The present study was conducted at a tertiary care center.

Participants In this study, pituitary adenoma patients were the participants.

Outcome Measures Main outcome measure of the study is postoperative CSF leak.

Results A total of 172 patients were identified. Of these, 153 were initial resections of pituitary adenomas. Gross total resection was achieved in 142 (82.6%) cases. Average tumor size was 2.2 ± 1.1 cm. Average tumor volume was 10.4 ± 19.8 cm3. No patients had intraoperative CSF leaks. All cases were repaired with only an onlay of regenerated oxidized cellulose. There were two postoperative CSF leaks (1.16%). Pre and postoperative SNOT-22 scores were 12.9 ± 11.9 and 14.3 ± 14.9 (p = 0.796), respectively.

Conclusion The use of an onlay of regenerated oxidized cellulose alone is an effective repair technique for select sellar defects. This technique does not result in increased postoperative CSF leak rates and avoids the higher relative cost and potential morbidity associated with more complex, multilayered closures.
Skull Base Reconstruction with Multilayered Fascia Lata: A Single-Center 17 Years Experience
Authors: Ringel Barak , Abergel Avraham , Horowitz Gilad , Safadi Ahmad , Zaretski Arik , Yanko Ravit , Margalit Nevo , Fliss Dan M.
Published: January 2020

Objective Reconstruction after open surgery of anterior skull base lesions is challenging. The fascia lata graft is our workhorse for achieving dural sealing and preventing cerebrospinal fluid leak and meningitis. This study seeks to analyze the donor and recipient site complication rates after fascia lata reconstruction.

Methods This is a retrospective review of all open anterior skull base operations in which a double-layer fascia lata graft was used for the reconstruction of the defect from 2000 to 2016 at the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, a tertiary referral center in Israel.

Results Of the 369 patients operated for skull base lesions, 119 underwent open anterior skull base surgery and were reconstructed with a fascia lata graft. The patients' mean age was 47.1 years, and 68 (57.1%) were males. The overall postoperative early and late donor site complication rates were 6.7% (n = 8) and 5.9% (n = 7), respectively. Multivariate analysis found minor comorbidities and persistent/recurrent disease as being predictors for early-term complications. The overall postoperative early central nervous system (CNS) complication rate was 21.8% (n = 26), while 12.6% (n = 15) of the patients had late postoperative CNS complications.

Conclusion Reconstruction of open anterior skull base lesions with fascia lata grafting is a safe procedure with acceptable complication and donor site morbidity rates.
Continuous and optimally complete description of chemical environments using Spherical Bessel descriptors
Authors: Kocer Emir , Mason Jeremy K. , Erturk Hakan
Published: January 2020

Recently, machine learning potentials have been advanced as candidates to combine the high-accuracy of electronic structure methods with the speed of classical interatomic potentials. A crucial component of a machine learning potential is the description of local atomic environments by some set of descriptors. These should ideally be invariant to the symmetries of the physical system, twice-differentiable with respect to atomic positions (including when an atom leaves the environment), and complete to allow the atomic environment to be reconstructed up to symmetry. The stronger condition of optimal completeness requires that the condition for completeness be satisfied with the minimum possible number of descriptors. Evidence is provided that an updated version of the recently proposed Spherical Bessel (SB) descriptors satisfies the first two properties and a necessary condition for optimal completeness. The Smooth Overlap of Atomic Position (SOAP) descriptors and the Zernike descriptors are natural counterparts of the SB descriptors and are included for comparison. The standard construction of the SOAP descriptors is shown to not satisfy the condition for optimal completeness and, moreover, is found to be an order of magnitude slower to compute than that of the SB descriptors.
Combinatorial laser molecular beam epitaxy system integrated with specialized low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: He Ge , Wei Zhongxu , Feng Zhongpei , Yu Xiaodong , Zhu Beiyi , Liu Li , Jin Kui , Yuan Jie , Huan Qing
Published: January 2020

We present a newly developed facility comprising a combinatorial laser molecular beam epitaxy system and an in situ scanning tunneling microscope (STM). This facility aims at accelerating the materials research in a highly efficient way by advanced high-throughput film synthesis techniques and subsequent fast characterization of surface morphology and electronic states. Compared with uniform films deposited by conventional methods, the so-called combinatorial thin films will be beneficial in determining the accurate phase diagrams of different materials due to the improved control of parameters such as chemical substitution and sample thickness resulting from a rotary-mask method. A specially designed STM working under low-temperature and ultrahigh vacuum conditions is optimized for the characterization of combinatorial thin films in an XY coarse motion range of 15 mm × 15 mm with submicrometer location precision. The overall configuration and some key aspects such as the sample holder design, scanner head, and sample/tip/target transfer mechanism are described in detail. The performance of the device is demonstrated by synthesizing high-quality superconducting FeSe thin films with gradient thickness and imaging surfaces of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, Au (111), Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (BSCCO), and FeSe. In addition, we also have obtained clean noise spectra of tunneling junctions and the superconducting energy gap of BSCCO. The successful manufacturing of such a facility opens a new window for the next generation equipment designed for experimental materials research.
Electrodynamic theory of ferromagnetic resonance and its applications in precise measurements of ferromagnetic linewidth, permeability tensor and saturation magnetization
Authors: Krupka Jerzy , Pacewicz Adam , Salski Bartłomiej , Kopyt Paweł
Published: January 2020

This review paper describes the state of the art in measurements of ferromagnetic linewidth, permeability tensor and saturation magnetization employing electrodynamic theory of ferromagnetic resonance. It is shown that the electrodynamic theory allows significant improvements of measurement accuracy of these parameters with respect to the commonly used perturbation and magnetostatics theories. Contrary to the perturbation method the electrodynamic theory is not limited to small samples. It allows determination of the resonance frequencies and Q-factors for arbitrary size spherical and cylindrical gyromagnetic samples in suitably chosen metal enclosures. Results obtained with the electrodynamic theory for very small samples are identical to those obtained with perturbation and magnetostatics theories. Results of measurements of the ferromagnetic linewidth, permeability tensor and saturation magnetization at microwave frequencies are presented.
Transient absorption microscopy: Technological innovations and applications in materials science and life science
Authors: Zhu Yifan , Cheng Ji-Xin
Published: January 2020

Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy has been extensively used in the study of excited state dynamics of various materials and molecules. The transition from TA spectroscopy to TA microscopy, which enables the space-resolved measurement of TA, is opening new investigations toward a more complete picture of excited state dynamics in functional materials, as well as the mapping of crucial biopigments for precision diagnosis. Here, we review the recent instrumental advancement that is pushing the limit of spatial resolution, detection sensitivity, and imaging speed. We further highlight the emerging application in materials science and life science.
Synthesis of copper and copper oxide nanomaterials by electrical discharges in water with various electrical conductivities
Authors: Glad Xavier , Profili Jacopo , Cha Min Suk , Hamdan Ahmad
Published: January 2020

In the present study, Cu-based nanomaterials are synthesized by initiating spark discharges between two copper electrodes immersed in de-ionized water. The electrical conductivity of water is varied by adding HCl at very low concentrations. The discharge and water properties are determined by measuring the current-voltage waveforms and monitoring water acidity and conductivity, respectively. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the produced nanoparticles show that increasing water conductivity, by adding HCl, promotes the synthesis of Cu-based nanomaterials. Depending on the initial water conductivity, various nanostructures are observed, including nanoflakes of cuprite (Cu2O), dendrites with high Cu content, and unordered micrometric aggregates with a mixed Cu/Cu2O content. The initial water conductivity also affects the chemical structure, mainly the relative Cu/Cu2O crystalline content.
Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of (001)-textured poly-crystalline MnAlGe films
Authors: Kubota Takahide , Kota Yohei , Ito Keita , Umetsu Rie Y. , Sun Mingling , Mizuguchi Masaki , Takanashi Koki
Published: January 2020

Cu2Sb-type intermetallic compound, MnAlGe, is known to exhibit uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy and relatively small saturation magnetization, which is suitable for spintronic application, e.g. spin-transfer phenomena requiring small critical current density. Ge-concentration dependence of the crystal structures, saturation magnetization, Ms, and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, Ku was investigated for MnAlGe films prepared onto silicon substrates with a thermally oxidized amorphous layer. For the stoichiometric and Ge-rich samples, the films exhibited (001)-texture with perpendicular magnetization. The maximum values of Ms and Ku were 270 emu/cm3 and 4.8 × 106 erg/cm3, respectively, which were comparable values with those reported for bulk and epitaxially grown films in literatures.
Assessment of dynamic structural instabilities across 24 cubic inorganic halide perovskites
Authors: Yang Ruo Xi , Skelton Jonathan M. , da Silva Estelina L. , Frost Jarvist M. , Walsh Aron
Published: January 2020

Metal halide perovskites are promising candidates for next-generation photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. The flexible nature of the octahedral network introduces complexity when understanding their physical behavior. It has been shown that these materials are prone to decomposition and phase competition, and the local crystal structure often deviates from the average space group symmetry. To make stable phase-pure perovskites, understanding their structure–composition relations is of central importance. We demonstrate, from lattice dynamics calculations, that the 24 inorganic perovskites ABX3 (A = Cs, Rb; B = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = F, Cl, Br, I) exhibit instabilities in their cubic phase. These instabilities include cation displacements, octahedral tilting, and Jahn-Teller distortions. The magnitudes of the instabilities vary depending on the chemical identity and ionic radii of the composition. The tilting instabilities are energetically dominant and reduce as the tolerance factor increases, whereas cation displacements and Jahn-Teller type distortions depend on the interactions between the constituent ions. We further considered representative tetragonal, orthorhombic, and monoclinic perovskite phases to obtain phonon-stable structures for each composition. This work provides insights into the thermodynamic driving force of the instabilities and will help guide computer simulations and experimental synthesis in material screening.
Diffusion of boron in germanium at 800–900 °C revisited
Authors: Kipke Felix , Südkamp Tobias , Prüßing Jan K. , Bougeard Dominique , Bracht Hartmut
Published: January 2020

Diffusion of boron (B) in germanium (Ge) at temperatures ranging between 800°C and 900°C is revisited following the most recent results reported by Uppal et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 96, 1376 (2004)] that have been obtained mainly with implantation doped samples. In this work, we determined the intrinsic B diffusivity by employing epitaxially grown alternating undoped and B-doped Ge layer structures with three different dopant concentrations of 4×1017 cm−3, 1×1018 cm−3, and 3×1018 cm−3. The diffusional broadening of B was analyzed by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and numerically described to determine the diffusion coefficient. Additional SIMS analyses revealed a gradient in the oxygen (O) background concentration of the epitaxially doped Ge structure. A high O content observed in near-surface regions correlates with enhanced B diffusion. In contrast, B-doped regions with low O content showed a significantly lower B diffusivity representing the intrinsic diffusivity. The B diffusion coefficients are significantly lower compared to literature data and best described by a diffusion activation enthalpy and a pre-exponential factor of (4.09±0.21) eV and 265−237+2256 cm2 s−1, respectively.
Vibrational states of deuterated trans- and cis-formic acid: DCOOH, HCOOD, and DCOOD
Authors: Aerts Antoine , Carbonnière P. , Richter F. , Brown Alex
Published: January 2020

The vibrational eigenenergies of the deuterated forms of formic acid (DCOOD, HCOOD, and DCOOH) have been computed using the block-improved relaxation method, as implemented in the Heidelberg multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree package on a previously published potential energy surface [F. Richter and P. Carbonnière, J. Chem. Phys. 148, 064303 (2018)] generated at the CCSD(T)-F12a/aug-cc-pVTZ-F12 level of theory. Fundamental, combination band, and overtone transition frequencies of the trans isomer were computed up to ∼3000 cm−1 with respect to the zero point energy, and assignments were determined by visualization of the reduced densities. Root mean square deviations of computed fundamental transition frequencies with experimentally available gas-phase measurements are 8, 7, and 3 cm−1 for trans-DCOOD, trans-HCOOD, and trans-DCOOH, respectively. The fundamental transition frequencies are provided for the cis isomer of all deuterated forms; experimental measurements of these frequencies for the deuterated cis isotopologues are not yet available, and the present work may guide their identification.
Effects of wall superheat and mass flux on flow film boiling in cryogenic chilldown process
Authors: Chen Jianye , Zeng Ruirui , Chen Hong , Xie Junlong
Published: January 2020

Chilldown process is usually the initial operation for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids. During this process, film boiling is of great importance in terms of the large time span. In this research, a numerical model was built to study the flow regime and heat transfer characteristics of the film boiling with cryogenic fluids. An algebraic interface area density framework was coupled in the model to calculate the drag force at the liquid-gas interface. Accordingly, the effects of wall superheat and mass flow rate on heat flux and film thickness were investigated. Furthermore, the variance analysis method was employed to evaluate the weight of the effects of superheat and inlet mass flow and their coupling effect on the heat transfer coefficient. The results reveal that the wall superheat effect prevails over the mass flux effect on the heat transfer coefficient. Moreover, the two factors have a relatively weak coupling impact on the heat transfer coefficient. Finally, the features of pressure drop in the tube were further analyzed.
Optimal lime rates for soil acidity mitigation: impacts of crop choice and nitrogen fertiliser in Western Australia
Authors: Kalkhoran Sanaz Shoghi , Pannell David , Thamo Tas , Polyakov Maksym , White Benedict
Published: January 2020

Many agricultural soils are naturally acidic, and agricultural production can acidify soil through processes such as nitrogen (N) fixation by legumes and application of N fertiliser. This means that decisions about mitigation of soil acidity (e.g. through application of lime), crop rotation and N fertiliser application are interdependent. This paper presents a dynamic model to determine jointly the optimal lime application strategies and N application rates in a rainfed cropping system in Western Australia. The model accounts for two crop rotations (with and without a legume break crop), for the acid tolerance of different crop types, and for differences in the acidifying effect of different N fertilisers. Results show that liming is a profitable strategy to treat acidic soils in the study region, but that there are interactions between N and acidity management. Choice of fertiliser affects optimal lime rates substantially, with the use of a more acidifying ammonium-based fertiliser leading to higher lime rates. The optimal liming strategy is also sensitive to inclusion of a legume crop in the rotation, because its fixed N can be less acidifying than fertiliser, and it allows a reduction in fertiliser rates. Higher rainfall zones have greater N leaching, which contributes to a higher optimal rate of lime. We find that injection of lime into the subsoil increases profit. Optimal lime rates in the absence of subsoil incorporation are higher than usual current practice, although the economic gains from increasing rates are small.
Mangrove planting on dredged material: three decades of nature-based coastal defence along a causeway in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Erftemeijer Paul L. A. , Agastian Titus , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Cambridge Marion L. , Hoekstra Roderik , Toms Geoff , Ito Satoshi
Published: January 2020

Nature-based coastal defence approaches are increasingly being explored to protect shorelines from erosion and climate change-related threats such as sea level rise, storms and coastal flooding. At Mubarraz, near Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf, mass plantings of >500000 nursery-reared seedlings of the mangrove Avicennia marina were conducted over 30 years in response to erosion of an artificially created, 17-km-long causeway of dredged material. Planting efforts resulted in successfully established mangrove vegetation along 6.7km of shoreline, covering an area of 16.5ha. Survival rates of planted mangrove seedlings to healthy saplings or trees were in the order of 26% averaged over all years, with best results obtained at planting sites established in artificial tidal channels excavated parallel to the causeway, ensuring appropriate tidal hydrological conditions. The mangroves and causeway have attracted a high diversity of birds (48 species), some of which breed on the island, and there are significant densities of crabs and gastropod snails in the mangroves. These results demonstrate that planting mangroves on dredged material is feasible (even under extreme climatic conditions) and may offer a cost-effective alternative for shoreline protection, with added benefits for biodiversity through the creation of new habitats.
A cell atlas of the adultDrosophilamidgut
Authors: Hung Ruei-Jiun , Hu Yanhui , Kirchner Rory , Liu Yifang , Xu Chiwei , Comjean Aram , Tattikota Sudhir Gopal , Li Fangge , Song Wei , Ho Sui Shannan , Perrimon Norbert
Published: January 2020

Studies of the adultDrosophilamidgut have led to many insights in our understanding of cell-type diversity, stem cell regeneration, tissue homeostasis, and cell fate decision. Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing provide opportunities to identify new cell types and molecular features. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the transcriptome of midgut epithelial cells and identified 22 distinct clusters representing intestinal stem cells, enteroblasts, enteroendocrine cells (EEs), and enterocytes. This unbiased approach recovered most of the known intestinal stem cells/enteroblast and EE markers, highlighting the high quality of the dataset, and led to insights on intestinal stem cell biology, cell type-specific organelle features, the roles of new transcription factors in progenitors and regional variation along the gut, 5 additional EE gut hormones, EE hormonal expression diversity, and paracrine function of EEs. To facilitate mining of this rich dataset, we provide a web-based resource for visualization of gene expression in single cells. Altogether, our study provides a comprehensive resource for addressing functions of genes in the midgut epithelium.
Real-time imaging of infarction deterioration after ischemic stroke in rats using electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Cao Lu , Li Haoting , Fu Danchen , Liu Xuechao , Ma Hang , Xu Canhua , Dong Xiuzhen , Yang Bin , Fu Feng
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study investigated the feasibility of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) for monitoring the deterioration of ischemic lesion after the onset of stroke. Approach: Fifteen rats were randomly distributed into two groups: rats operated to establish a right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) (n  =  10), and sham-operated rats (n  =  5). Then, the operated rats were kept 2 h under anesthesia for EIT monitoring. Subsequently, descriptive statistical analysis was performed on whole-brain resistivity changes, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the average resistivity variation index. Additionally, pathological examinations were performed after 6 h of infarction. Main results: The results obtained showed that ischemic damage developed in the right corpus striatum of the rats with MCAO, whereas the brains of the sham group showed no anomalies. The descriptive statistical analysis revealed that the whole-brain resistivity changes after 30, 60, 90, and 120 min of infarction were 0.063  ±  0.038, 0.097  ±  0.046, 0.141  ±  0.062, and 0.204  ±  0.092 for the rats with MCAO and 0.029  ±  0.021, 0.002  ±  0.002, 0.017  ±  0.011, and  −0.001  ±  0.011 for the sham-operated rats, respectively. The repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that the right MCAO model resulted in a significant impedance increase in the right hemisphere, which continued to increase over time after infarction. Significance: The overall study results indicate that EIT facilitates monitoring of local impedance variations caused by MCAO and may be a solution for real-time monitoring of intracranial pathological changes in ischemic stroke patients.