bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lactate secreted by cervical cancer cells modulates macrophage phenotype
Authors: Stone Simone Cardozo , Rossetti Renata Ariza Marques , Alvarez Karla Lucia Fernandez , Carvalho Jesus Paula , Margarido Paulo Francisco Ramos , Baracat Edmund Chada , Tacla Maricy , Boccardo Enrique , Yokochi Kaori , Lorenzi Noely Paula , Lepique Ana Paula
Published: February 2019

Cervical cancer continues to be a public health problem in developing countries. Previous studies have shown that cervical cancer cells display markers of aerobic glycolysis, indicating that these tumors are likely to secrete lactate. Mostly, lactate is recognized as a molecule capable of suppressing immune responses, through inhibition of T cells, Mϕs, and dendritic cells. We and others have previously shown that Mϕs are frequent cells infiltrating cervical cancers with the ability to inhibit antitumor immune responses and promote tumor growth through angiogenesis. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that lactate, secreted by cervical cancer cells, can modulate Mϕ phenotype. First, we showed higher lactate plasma concentrations in patients with increasing cervical lesion grades, with maximum concentration in the plasma of cancer patients, which supported our hypothesis. We then inhibited lactate production in tumor cell spheroids established from cervical cancer derived cell lines, using the lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor, oxamate, prior to co-culture with monocytes. Lactate mediated part of the crosstalk between tumor cells and Mϕs, promoting secretion of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6, and up-regulation of hypoxia induced factor-1α expression, and down-regulation of p65-NFκB phosphorylation in Mϕs. We also showed that Mϕs from co-cultures treated with oxamate were better inducers of T cell activation. Of note, experiments performed with inhibition of the monocarboxylate transporters rendered similar results. Our data confirms the hypothesis that lactate, secreted by cervical tumor cells, influences the phenotype of tumor Mϕs, promoting a suppressive phenotype.
Influence of the ambient illuminance on the subjective brightness measurements
Authors: Yang Lanlan , Li Shuai , Tu Yan , Zhang Yuning , Wang Lili , Li Xiaohua
Published: February 2019

The subjective brightness is determined by not only the display screen luminance but also the light surrounding the display. A metric for space brightness named “Feu” is adopted to consider the effect of luminance distribution. The relation between the pupil diameter and the space brightness is applied to obtain the subjective brightness. The measured subjective brightness is obtained both for direct‐view display and augmented reality (AR) display. The results indicate that the measured subjective brightness is much closer to the perceived result. The subjective brightness increases along with the increase of the screen luminance under the same ambient illuminance. While under the same screen luminance, the subjective brightness decreases with the increase of the ambient illuminance in most cases.
Display meets biology: A vision for ubiquitous healthcare platforms
Authors: Kim Chang‐Hyun , Kymissis Ioannis , Bonnassieux Yvan
Published: February 2019

Ever‐increasing demand for a healthy and sustainable life has been a traditional motivation behind state‐of‐the‐art medicines and precision diagnosis tools. Nowadays, the ultra‐connectivity and data‐centric initiatives that underpin the future Internet of Things is seen as another major driver of electronically enriched, highly customizable healthcare platforms. Especially, the information display technology, which already enjoys its position as an all‐round player in consumer electronics is poised to broaden its territory by envisioning a range of bio‐related features. In this review, the rising opportunities for next‐generation display‐based biotechnology and healthcare systems are critically assessed in light of recent literature. Clearly, smart combination of new materials, devices, and integration strategies has given rise to highly promising prototypes, and this article aims at highlighting some of these examples. Despite such progress, it is still unclear whether the resultant technologies will make a measurable impact in the near future, given both their own scientific limits and the lack of proper business model. In this regard, the final part of this contribution is dedicated to emergent challenges as well as development solutions that this potentially disruptive innovation may need to consider.
Systemic review and network meta‐analysis comparing minimal surgical techniques for rectal cancer: quality of total mesorectum excision, pathological, surgical, and oncological outcomes
Authors: Rausa Emanuele , Bianco Federica , Kelly Michael E. , Aiolfi Alberto , Petrelli Fausto , Bonitta Gianluca , Sgroi Giovanni
Published: February 2019

Background

Minimal invasive surgery has revolutionized recovery in rectal cancer patients. However, there has been debate on its effect on quality of total mesorectal excision (TME) and oncological outcomes. This network meta‐analysis compares laparoscopic, robotic‐assisted, and transanal TMEs. This study shows that All three surgical techniques are comparable across TME quality and oncological outcomes. Ultimately, good outcomes are based on each individual surgeon choosing an approach based on their expertise.
Treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: innovations in surgical techniques
Authors: De Andrade James P. , Warner Susanne G. , Fong Yuman
Published: February 2019

Liver metastases and peritoneal carcinomatosis are a particular focus of surgeons in improving survival in stage IV colorectal cancer patients, with laparotomy long being the means to undertake these operations. The Louisville statement published in 2008 was the first international consensus on indications for minimally invasive liver resection. Herein we review the progress in innovative surgical techniques, including minimally invasive liver resection, robot‐assisted hepatectomy, and we also describe initial reports in pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy.
Deep eutectic solvent based homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction coupled with in‐syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction performed in narrow tube; application in extraction and preconcentration of some herbicides from tea
Authors: Torbati Mohammadali , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Mogaddam Mohammad Reza Afshar , Torbati Mostafa
Published: February 2019

A homogeneous liquid‐liquid extraction performed in narrow tube coupled to in–syringe‐dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction based on deep eutectic solvent has been developed for the extraction of six herbicides from tea samples. In this method, sodium chloride as a separation agent is filled into the narrow tube and the tea sample is placed on top of the salt. Then a mixture of deionized water and deep eutectic solvent (water miscible) is passed through the tube. In this procedure, the deep eutectic solvent is realized as tiny droplets in contact with salt. By passing the droplets from the tea layer placed on the salt layer, the analytes are extracted into them. After collecting the solvent as separated layer, it is mixed with another deep eutectic solvent (choline chloride/butyric acid) and the mixture is dispersed into deionized water placed in a syringe. After adding acetonitrile to break up the cloudy state, the collected organic phase is injected into gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Under optimal conditions, limits of detection and quantification in the ranges of 2.6–8.4 and 9.7–29 ng/kg, respectively, were obtained. The extraction recoveries and enrichment factors in the ranges of 70–89% and 350–445 were obtained, respectively.
A systematic review on correlation between biochemical and mechanical processes of lubricant film formation in joint replacement of the last 10 years
Authors: Rufaqua Risha , Vrbka Martin , Choudhury Dipankar , Hemzal Dušan , Křupka Ivan , Hartl Martin
Published: February 2019

This study provides a systematic review of the synovial and simulated body fluid research for the last 10 years (2006 to 2016). In particular, biochemical and mechanical properties of synovial fluid after joint replacement are focused, namely, the chemical composition of the formed lubricating film and structural changes of the associated proteins under mechanical loading. In summary, the formation of the film depends on pH, viscosity, and concentration of the solution, static, sliding, and rolling conditions and other factors related to the joint replacement. However, chemical changes of the synovial fluid proteins after the joint replacement are rarely addressed and require further attention. To this end, we provide a preliminary study of selected proteins within the synovial fluid using Raman spectroscopy. We conclude that chemical analysis together with the analysis of mechanical and biological properties of the synovial fluid after total joint replacement will help in comprehension of the process.
Thermal‐Insulation, Electrical, and Mechanical Properties of Highly‐Expanded PMMA/MWCNT Nanocomposite Foams Fabricated by Supercritical CO2 Foaming
Authors: Li Tingting , Zhao Guoqun , Wang Guilong , Zhang Lei , Hou Junji
Published: February 2019

Foaming behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites and thermally‐insulating, electrical, and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite foams are investigated. PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites containing various amounts of MWCNTs are first prepared by combining solution and melt blending methods, and then foamed using CO2. The foaming temperature and MWCNT content are varied for regulating the structure of PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposite foams. The electrical conductivity measurement results show that MWCNTs have little effect on the electrical conductivity of foams with large expansion ratio. Thermal conductivities of both solid and foamed PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites are measured to evaluate their thermally insulating properties. The gas conduction, solid conduction, and thermal radiation of the foams are calculated for clarifying the effects of cellular structure and MWCNT content on thermal insulation properties. The result demonstrates that MWCNTs endowed foams with enhanced thermal insulation performance by blocking thermal radiation. Moreover, the compressive testing shows that MWCNTs improve the compressive strength and rigidity of foams. This research is essential for optimizing environmentally friendly thermal insulation nanocomposite foams with enhanced thermal‐insulation and compressive mechanical properties.
Enhanced Solid Particle Erosion Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane‐Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites
Authors: Dong Mengyao , Wang Chuan , Liu Hu , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu , Zhang Jiaoxia , Jia Chengxinzhuo , Ding Tao , Guo Zhanhu
Published: February 2019

A co‐coagulation method combined with hot pressing technique is successfully applied to fabricate thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites with different contents of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Obviously, the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites are improved with increasing the CNT content. In addition, the existence of hydrogen bonding between CNTs and polymer matrix is demonstrated. Furthermore, the influences of impact parameters on solid particle erosion behavior are investigated systematically. The surface roughness and line roughness are also investigated to illustrate the mechanism of solid particle erosion. As elastic nanocomposites, the maximum and minimum erosion rate (ER) occur at 30° and 90°. The ER is relatively small when the impact velocity is at 10 m s−1, then is increased rapidly between 20 and 30 m s−1. As the size of impact particles increases to 300 µm, a rapid increase of ER occurs between 10 and 20 m s−1. All these results indicate CNTs improve the erosion resistance of TPU matrix.
The regulation of Neuropilin 1 expression by miR‐338‐3p promotes non‐small cell lung cancer via changes in EGFR signaling
Authors: Ding Zongli , Zhu Jianjie , Zeng Yuanyuan , Du Wenwen , Zhang Yang , Tang Haicheng , Zheng Yulong , Qin Hualong , Liu Zeyi , Huang Jian‐an
Published: February 2019

Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a co‐receptor for multiple extracellular ligands and typically performs growth‐promoting functions in cancer cells. Accumulating evidence indicates that NRP1 is upregulated, and may be an independent predictor of cancer relapse and poor survival, in many cancer types, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent evidence suggests that NRP1 affects tumour cell viability via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Erb‐B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ErbB2) signalling pathways in venous endothelial cells and in multiple cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the role of NRP1 in NSCLC tumourigenesis and to explore a new post‐transcriptional mechanism of NRP1 regulation via a microRNA that mediates EGFR signalling regulation in lung carcinogenesis. The results showed that miR‐338‐3p is poorly expressed and NRP1 is overexpressed in NSCLC tissues relative to their levels in adjacent noncancerous tissues. Luciferase reporter assays, quantitative real‐time reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot analyses showed that NRP1 is a direct target of miR‐338‐3p. Overexpression of miR‐338‐3p in NSCLC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, cell migration and invasion were inhibited by miR‐338‐3p overexpression. These effects occurred via the EGF signalling pathway. Our data revealed a new post‐transcriptional mechanism by which miR‐338‐3p directly targets NRP1; this mechanism plays a role in enhancing drug sensitivity in EGFR wild‐type patients with NSCLC.
On the investigation of cascode power amplifiers for 5G applications
Authors: Hsiao Meng‐Jie , Kim Kyoungwoon , Nguyen Cam
Published: February 2019

BiCMOS processes provide not only standard NMOS devices, but also high‐performance SiGe HBTs, facilitating simultaneous use of both NMOS and HBT. This article adopts the advantages of both HBT and NMOS to achieve a high‐gain, high‐power, and efficient power amplifier (PA). Through an analysis of cascode amplifiers implementing different combinations of HBT and NMOS, a high‐performance 28‐GHz BiCMOS PA, which combines both HBT and body‐floating NMOS strengths to achieve 15.7‐dB gain, 19.6‐dBm saturated output power (Psat), 17.5‐dBm output 1‐dB compression (OP1dB), and 28.8% maximum PAE, is proposed for 5G applications.
A 5.8‐17.6 GHz cascaded bi‐directional distributed gain amplifier utilizing asymmetric stages in 65 nm CMOS
Authors: Nguyen Van‐Viet , Nam Hyohyun , Lee Bok‐Hyung , Park Jung‐Dong
Published: February 2019

A cascaded bidirectional distributed gain amplifier (BDGA) with asymmetrical stages has been reported. By cascading two unit BDGAs using a common source (CS) stage in the middle, the BDGA benefits the multiplicative gain enhancement while it can still achieve a wide bandwidth owing to the distributed nature of the two BDGAs. Each gain stage of the BDGA is composed of the CS output stage to enhance the linearity in parallel with the cascode input stage to improve noise performance by providing higher gain. The proposed circuit architecture is fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS. The measurements exhibit a gain of 10.5 dB, and the 3‐dB bandwidth from 5.8 to 17.6 GHz. The measured output P1dB is 6.8 dBm along with 9.3 dBm of the saturated output power at 10 GHz. The circuit draws 75 mA from a 1.2 V supply and occupies 1.1 × 0.6 mm2 of the chip area.
A novel ultra‐miniature 90° metamaterial phase shifter for beamforming applications
Authors: Zouaoui Yassine , Talbi Larbi , Hettak Khelifa
Published: February 2019

In radiofrequency (RF) applications, reducing the structure size of the phase shifter (PS) other remains a key challenge. In this article, a new compact‐wilds‐phase shifter for reducing the size area of the conventional design has been introduced. Unlike, conventional shifter, the proposed one leverages metamaterial for size reduction by using complementary split ring resonator. It operates at central frequency 2.4 GHz. The experimental results showed that the proposed design can significantly reduce 66% from the size of conventional structure.
A compact four‐element multiple‐input‐multiple‐output antenna with enhanced gain and bandwidth
Authors: Nie Nian‐Sheng , Yang Xue‐Song , Wang Bing‐Zhong
Published: February 2019

A compact four‐element wideband planar multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna is proposed. The radiating elements are half‐loop monopoles. In order to cover the 5.8 GHz WLAN band, an additional high‐frequency operation mode is excited by an inter‐connected coupling parasitic element, and the radiation gain attained is enhanced via the arrangement of elements. The proposed four‐element MIMO antenna operates in a wide frequency range of 4.58‐6.37 GHz (34.3%), which covers the 5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN band and 5.5 GHz WiMAX band. For each element, an average gain of greater than 3.18 dBi is achieved, and the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) between elements is lower than 0.05. The overall size of the compact multiport antenna system is only 40 × 36 mm2 with minimum isolation of 19 dB between its elements and has no any complex decoupling structure. Since the antenna has a satisfactory MIMO performance and is easily integrated with a planar structure, it is an excellent candidate for the MIMO communications application.
Experimental demonstration of active phasers based on codirectional coupling for real‐time analog signal processing
Authors: Emara Mohamed K. , Gupta Shulabh
Published: February 2019

A phaser based on codirectional coupling is proposed and experimentally investigated to achieve a flat transmission magnitude while maintaining strong frequency‐dependent group delay response. This is the first experimental demonstration of such devices for real‐time radio analog signal processing applications, which are readily scalable to mm‐wave frequencies. While shielding improved the transmission performance by mitigating the radiation, a gain element is introduced to achieve a perfectly flat transmission magnitude response. The proposed structure thus forms the fundamental building block of engineering more complex dispersion profiles without compromising transmission magnitude response.
A faster PISTOL for 1H MR‐based quantitative tissue oximetry
Authors: Vidya Shankar Rohini , Kodibagkar Vikram D.
Published: February 2019

Quantitative mapping of oxygen tension (pO2), noninvasively, could potentially be beneficial in cancer and stroke therapy for monitoring therapy and predicting response to certain therapies. Intracellular pO2 measurements may also prove useful in tracking the health of labeled cells and understanding the dynamics of cell therapy in vivo. Proton Imaging of Siloxanes to map Tissue Oxygenation Levels (PISTOL) is a relatively new oximetry technique that measures the T1 of administered siloxanes such as hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), to map the tissue pO2 at various locations with a temporal resolution of 3.5 minutes. We have now developed a siloxane‐selective Look‐Locker imaging sequence equipped with an echo planar imaging (EPI) readout to accelerate PISTOL acquisitions. The new tissue oximetry sequence, referred to as PISTOL‐LL, enables the mapping of HMDSO T1, and hence tissue pO2 in under one minute. PISTOL‐LL was tested and compared with PISTOL in vitro and in vivo. Both sequences were used to record dynamic changes in pO2 of the rat thigh muscle (healthy Fischer rats, n = 6), and showed similar results (P > 0.05) as the other, with each sequence reporting a significant increase in pO2 (P < 0.05) under hyperoxia compared with steady state normoxia. This study demonstrates the ability of the new sequence in rapidly and accurately mapping the pO2 changes and accelerating quantitative 1H MR tissue oximetry by approximately 4‐fold. The faster PISTOL‐LL technique could enable dynamic 1H oximetry with higher temporal resolution for assesing tissue oxygentation and tracking the health of transplanted cells labeled with siloxane‐based probes. With minor modifications, this sequence can be useful for 19F applications as well.
Factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers—A systematic review of quantitative research
Authors: Holm Anne Lise , Berland Astrid Karin , Severinsson Elisabeth
Published: February 2019

Aim

To examine factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers. The review question was: What is the evidence of the relationship between widowhood and health in older adults?

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, Medline (Ovid) and PubMed were searched for articles published between January 2013–December 2017.

Review methods

A systematic review of quantitative research with a qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

The selection process resulted in 12 studies. One of the themes that emerged was: emotional challenges related to experiences of bereavement, depression and anxiety, which was based on the sub‐theme social support as the main strategy for coping with emotional pain and suffering. The second theme was: struggling with poor physical health. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals need knowledge and skills to deal with the health consequences of widowhood in old age. Building community teams can prevent emotional and physical health problems, as well as reduce mortality.
The downward continuation of aeromagnetic data from magnetic source ensembles
Authors: Cooper G.R.J.
Published: February 2019

Downward continuation is a commonly used geophysical filter that is applied to aeromagnetic data. It takes the data and produces from it the data which would have been measured had the sensor been closer to the source. A new downward continuation algorithm is introduced in this study, which is much more stable than the traditional method. It downward continues the data by a distance that is a fraction of the current depth, rather than by a fixed distance. Because of this, the data cannot be continued past the depth of the potential field sources (unlike the conventional method), and so the method is more stable. The method produces different anomaly amplitudes than the conventional method, but this is not an issue if certain further processing techniques (such as sunshading or the tilt angle) are to be used. The method is demonstrated on aeromagnetic data from Southern Africa.
Synthetic Cannabinoid‐Associated Multiple Organ Failure: Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Armstrong Faith , McCurdy Michael T. , Heavner Mojdeh S.
Published: February 2019

Objective

We describe a multicenter descriptive case series of six patients admitted with synthetic cannabinoid (SC) intoxication displaying similar symptoms and sequelae, all resulting in multiple organ failure.

Methods

Patients were included in this report if they presented with known SC use and experienced multiple organ failure between March 1, 2016, and July 19, 2016, to the intensive care units of three hospitals in Maryland. Patients were followed to either discharge or death, and complications related to SC were documented.

Results

All six patients presented with altered mental status and severe rhabdomyolysis, with a peak creatine phosphokinase ranging from 4000 to >320,000 units/L. The majority of patients (five of six) presented with acute kidney injury, with most (four of six) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. Most patients experienced fever (five of six) and myocardial injury, as evidenced by a troponin elevation (three of six). Seizures occurred in half of patients (three of six patients). Two patients required emergent fasciotomies of the bilateral lower extremities for acute compartment syndrome. Two patients developed fulminant hepatic failure that necessitated liver transplant evaluation, one requiring Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) therapy as a bridge to successful transplant, while the patient without it did not survive. Delirium, severe rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, and fever are common in patients with synthetic cannabinoid intoxication.

Conclusions

Given the growing abuse of these substances, clinicians should consider their use in the differential of such patient presentations. To our knowledge, only a few published case reports discuss multiple organ failure associated with SC toxicity, and only two have described an associated acute liver failure. Our report describes the first case of SC‐associated acute liver failure requiring organ transplantation. Clinicians should be aware of life‐threatening complications and consider SC ingestion in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with multiple organ failure.
Effect of degree of deacetylation on solubility of low‐molecular‐weight chitosan produced via enzymatic breakdown of chitosan
Authors: Kapadnis Gaurav , Dey Anomitra , Dandekar Prajakta , Jain Ratnesh
Published: February 2019

Chitosan has emerged as a unique biomaterial, possessing scope in diverse applications in the biomedical, food and chemical industries. However, its high molecular weight is a concern when handling the polymer. Various techniques have been explored for depolymerization of this polymer, wherein enzymes have emerged as the most economic method having minimum degrading effect on the polymer and resulting in formation of side products. Chitosan can be depolymerized using a broad range of enzymes. In this study, various enzymes like α‐amylase, papain, pepsin and bromelain were employed to depolymerize chitosan and convert it into its lower molecular weight counterpart. Further, attempts were made to elucidate the process of depolymerization of chitosan, primarily by determining the change in its viscosity and hence its molecular weight. The process of depolymerization was optimized using a one‐factor‐at‐a‐time approach. The molecular weight of the resultant chitosan was estimated using gel permeation chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. These studies revealed a considerable decrease in molecular weights of chitosan depolymerized by pepsin, papain, bromelain and α‐amylase, resulting in recovery of the low‐molecular‐weight chitosan of 76.09 ± 5, 74.18 ± 5, 55.75 ± 5 and 49.18 ± 5%, respectively. Maximum yield and depolymerization were obtained using pepsin and papain due to their enzymatic recognition pattern, which was also validated using studies involving molecular dynamics. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Change in capnogram waveform is associated with bronchodilator response and asthma control in children
Authors: Cracco Ophélie , Degrugilliers Loïc , Rames Cynthia , Bécourt Arnaud , Bayat Sam
Published: February 2019

Background

Airway hyper‐reactivity, inflammation and remodeling contribute to inhomogeneity of ventilation‐perfusion ratio in asthma. Short‐term variations in can cause changes in expired capnographic indices.

Objectives

To measure acute changes in the phase 3 slope of the volumetric capnogram after β2‐agonist inhalation (ΔSIII), for comparison with airway response based on FEV1 (ΔFEV1), and asthma control.

Subjects and Methods

After ethical approval and informed consent, 72 children aged 6‐18 y, followed up for asthma underwent spirometry and capnography before and after β‐agonist inhalation through a spacer, using a side‐stream rapid infrared analyzer. Asthma control was assessed using the GINA questionnaire.

Results

Children with positive reversibility tests (defined as ΔFEV1>12%) had a significantly higher ΔSIII (m ± SE: 87.4 ± 41.4) versus those with negative tests (31.3 ± 14.0%, P = 0.001). Uncontrolled asthma was associated with a significantly larger ΔSIII (103.4 ± 64.0%, n = 7) compared to partly controlled (52.0 ± 26.1, n = 24; P = 0.009) and controlled asthma (30.8 ± 16.3, n = 41; P = 0.003). Neither Bohr dead space nor ΔFEV1 were different between asthma control groups.

Conclusions

ΔSIII was significantly larger in children with positive response to β2‐agonist, and in uncontrolled asthmatics. To our knowledge these are the first data on exhaled CO2 phase III volumetric slope change and asthma control. The observed ΔSIII could be due to an increased ventilation of inhomogeneous peripheral lung units, and merits further evaluation as a potential phenotypic biomarker in asthma.
One‐sided control chart based on support vector machines with differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Bizuneh Berihun , Cheng Xiao‐Bin
Published: February 2019

The statistical learning classification techniques have been successfully applied to statistical process control problems. In this paper, we proposed a one‐sided control chart based on support vector machines (SVMs) and differential evolution (DE) algorithm to monitor a process with multivariate quality characteristics. The SVM classifier provides a continuous distance from the boundary, and the DE algorithm is used to obtain the optimal parameters of the SVM model by minimizing mean absolute error (MAE). The average run length of the proposed chart is computed using the Monte Carlo simulation approach. Several simulated cases are conducted using a multivariate normal distribution with 10 and 20 dimensions and three different process shift scenarios. In addition, we consider two non‐normal distribution cases. The ARL performance of the proposed chart is better than the distance‐based SVM chart. A real example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed control chart.
Quantum Optimal Control for Mixed State Squeezing in Cavity Optomechanics
Authors: Basilewitsch Daniel , Koch Christiane P. , Reich Daniel M.
Published: February 2019

The performance of key tasks in quantum technology, such as accurate state preparation, can be maximized by utilizing external controls and deriving their shape with optimal control theory. For non‐pure target states, the performance measure needs to match both the angle and the length of the generalized Bloch vector. A measure based on this simple geometric picture that separates angle and length mismatch into individual terms is introduced and the ensuing optimization framework is applied to maximize squeezing of an optomechanical oscillator at finite temperature. The results herein show that shaping the cavity drives can speed up squeezed state preparation by more than two orders of magnitude. Cooperativities and pulse shapes required to this end are fully compatible with the current experimental technology.
Effectiveness of pulmonary vasodilators on pulmonary hypertension associated with POEMS syndrome
Authors: Ohashi Kana , Nishimura Rintaro , Sugimoto Shunsuke , Sakao Seiichiro , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Tatsumi Koichiro
Published: February 2019

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare plasma cell disease. Patients with POEMS syndrome are considered to be at a high risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). We report a 51‐year‐old woman diagnosed with PH associated with POEMS syndrome. She was started on dexamethasone and thalidomide. Although, the plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level decreased, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) remained high. Auto‐peripheral blood stem cell transplantation improved the plasma VEGF and sPAP levels. Four years later, she presented with dyspnoea on exertion, and elevated plasma VEGF and sPAP levels. Subsequently, on administering sildenafil and macitentan, the plasma VEGF and PH levels improved. Pulmonary vasodilators can be considered when PH remains after treatment of POEMS syndrome.
A Highly Selective Turn‐On Fluorescent Probe for B4O72− Based On Naphthalaldehyde Derivative
Authors: Chen Yanli , Jin Lei , Wang Wenling , Dai Lihui , Tan Xiaoxue , Wang Qingming
Published: February 2019

A novel B4O72− fluorescent probe, (E)‐1‐[(2‐hydroxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methylene]phenylthiourea (NPC) was designed, synthesized and characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, IR, ESI‐MS, EAs. The probe exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity for detecting B4O72− over other anions and metal ions with a lower detection limit of 0.21 μM in DMF / H2O (v:v=1:1). The fluorescence sensing properties of the probe were established by UV‐Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. What's more, the mechanism between NPC and B4O72− was also confirmed by ESI‐MS. The turn‐on fluorescence behaviour of B4O72− and NPC was found within 10 s which could be used as an effective probe for the detection of B4O72−.
Facile Synthesis of Amine‐functionalized MOFs Incorporated Polyimide MMMs with Enhanced CO2 Permselectivity
Authors: Li Xiangbo , Gao Tianyuan , Zhou Zhihui , Jiang Jinhua , Feng Jing , Chen Liang
Published: February 2019

Here a series of amine‐functionalized MOFs incorporated polyimide (PI) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are fabricated via an efficient method. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images clearly indicate that the metal‐organic framework (MOF) crystals are well‐retained and dispersed into the PI matrix. In addition, the resulting MMM is continuous and compact, no defects of pinhole/cracks and agglutinated MOFs can be observed from the membrane surface. This is because the hydrogen bonding between amine‐functionalized MOFs and PI can be enhanced, improving the dispersion of MOF crystals in the PI solution. More importantly, the PI/MOFs solution is further optimized by the removal of agglutinated MOFs that occur inevitably with increasing MOF loadings. The gas separation results show that the performance of MOF‐incorporated MMM has been greatly improved. For instance, compared with the pure PI film, CO2 permeability can be increased by 154.4%. Meanwhile, the selectivities of CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 are increased by 30% and 43%, respectively. Pore structure and gas adsorption properties of MOFs clearly affect the performance of the resulting MMM.
Fluorine‐Containing n‐6 and Angular and Linear n‐6‐n’ (n, n’ = 5, 6, 7) Diaza‐Heterocyclic Scaffolds Assembled on Benzene Core in Unified Way
Authors: Prima Darya O. , Makarov Arkady G. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Kolesnikov Andrey E. , Zargarova Leila V. , Baev Dmitry S. , Eliseeva Tatiana F. , Politanskaya Larisa V. , Makarov Alexander Yu. , Slizhov Yuri G. , Zibarev Andrey V.
Published: February 2019

The title compounds, including hybrids (n ≠ n’), were assembled on benzene core in a unified way based on only one starting material C6F5NH2 and a limited number of simple substitution and condensation reactions. The heterocyclic moieties were 1,3‐diazoles, 1,2,3‐triazoles, 1,2,5‐thia(selena)diazoles, 1.4‐diazines and 1,5‐diazepines, as well as 1,3,2‐dioxaboroles. Representatives of all new scaffolds were characterized by XRD. Compounds synthesized are of biomedical interest in the context of apoptotic anticancer activity, and the 1,2,5‐thiadiazole/1,3,2‐dioxaborole hybrid also in that of neutron or/and proton capture therapy of cancer. New 1,2,5‐chalcogenadiazoles are protected forms of otherwise hardly accessible fluorine‐containing di‐ and tetra‐amines for further syntheses.
Merrifield Resin Supported Ionic Liquids/Iodide as an Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Synthesis of Benzimidazoles
Authors: Dong Dao‐Qing , Chen Wen‐Jing , Yang Yun , Gao Xing , Wang Zu‐Li
Published: February 2019

Merrifield resin supported ionic liquids/iodide as an efficient and recyclable catalystfor the synthesis of benzimidazoles has been developed. The corresponding products were isolated in good to excellent yields. In addition, the Merrifield resin supported ionic Liquids/iodi iodide ne catalyst can be recovered and recycled by a simple filtration of the reaction solutionand reused for six times without significant decreases in activity.
Room‐Temperature Ultrafast Synthesis of NiCo‐Layered Double Hydroxide as an Excellent Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation
Authors: Jadhav Harsharaj S. , Lim Alan C. , Roy Animesh , Seo Jeong G.
Published: February 2019

Designing and synthesis of efficient, highly active with longer stability and earth abundant catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgent need for the electrochemical production of fuels. In this aspect, herein, facile room‐temperature electrodeposited NiCo layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH) is reported as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for OER in aqueous solution. In alkaline media, as obtained NiCo LDH shows superior electrocatalytic activity towards water oxidation with overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA/cm2 with low Tafel slope of 61 mV/dec. The 3D NiCo‐LDH network exhibits excellent structural stability for 36 hours in alkaline media. After testing for stability test, the NiCo‐LDH catalyst maintains its hierarchical 3D network with insignificant degradation in the catalytic activity.
One‐pot Synthesis of CZTS/RGO Composite Material and its Electro‐Catalytic Performance towards Triiodide Reduction in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Wei Liguo , Wu Peng , Zhan Zhaoshun , Wu Jie , Wang Dong , Liu Kaizhi , Jiang Yinlong , Chu Jia , Dong Yongli
Published: February 2019

The composite material of quaternary kesterite type Cu2ZnSnS4 and reduced graphene oxide (CZTS/RGO) was successfully synthesized by a one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis method. When applied as counter electrode materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells, it shows better electro‐catalytic performance towards reduction of triiodide. The DSSCs based on CZTS/RGO counter electrode shows a maximum solar‐to‐electrical power efficiency of 3.08%, which is much higher than that of pure CZTS counter electrode (1.41%) and pure RGO counter electrode (1.55%) prepared under the same conditions. The weight percent of GO to CZTS raw material used to synthesize CZTS/RGO is an important factors to affect the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs based on CZTS/RGO counter electrode. It is believed that as‐synthesized CZTS/RGO can potentially be used as alternative counter electrode materials to replace the expensive Pt counter electrode, and this one‐pot synthetic method will be helpful for exploring facile synthetic route of low‐cost and efficient CZTS based composite counter electrode materials.
Low‐Carbon‐Content Composite Bipolar Plates: A Novel Design and Its Performance in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Liao Weineng , Zhang Yue , Zhou Xinjie , Zhuang Mingdan , Guo Dingyu , Jiang Fengjing , Yu Qingchun
Published: February 2019

Bipolar plates possessing both high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength has been urgently required for redox flow batteries and fuel cells. Contrary to the conventional method of increasing carbon content to maximize the bipolar plate's electrical conductivity, a novel low‐carbon‐content design based on the bridging effect of graphene is developed. The microstructure, electrical conductivity, flexural strength, vanadium permeability, corrosion current density and its performance in vanadium redox flow battery single cell have been investigated. The low‐carbon‐content bipolar plates present both high electrical conductivity and flexural strength. Low area specific resistance of 3.3 mΩ cm2 is reached at 18.7 wt.% carbon content, and flexural strength of 48.1 MPa can be obtained after being reinforced by carbon fibers. The voltage efficiency and energy efficiency of the single cell reach as high as 88.6% and 85.7%, respectively, at 100 mA cm−2.
DNA‐Based Nanofabrication: Pathway to Applications in Surface Engineering
Authors: Hui Liwei , Zhang Qinmei , Deng Wei , Liu Haitao
Published: February 2019

This Concept provides an overview of recent developments of DNA‐based nanofabrication and discusses its potential applications in the area of surface engineering. The first part of the paper discusses the strength and limitations of existing DNA‐based nanofabrication methods. The second part highlights several examples of surface engineering applications involving nano‐ and microscale surface textures. It finishes with a discussion of the opportunities and remaining challenges of applying DNA‐based nanofabrication in surface engineering applications.
Occurrence and Behavior of Phosphorus‐Bearing Minerals in Metallurgical Coke
Authors: Gornostayev Stanislav S. , Heikkinen Eetu‐Pekka , Heino Jyrki , Fabritius Timo
Published: February 2019

The behavior of phosphorus‐bearing minerals is characterized from coking coals to the feed coke and the blast furnace (BF) coke using scanning electron microscope and thermodynamic calculations. In coals, they are represented mostly by apatite (major phase, used for thermodynamic calculations), crandallite, gorceixite, goyazite, monazite and xenotime. Apatite fully transforms to Ca4P2O9 and Ca3P2O8 at coking temperatures. In the samples of BF coke, phosphorus‐bearing phases are 5–30 μm in size. In the case of a closed system (inside pieces of coke, no gas), phosphorus is presented in the BF in the form of Ca4P2O9 and Ca3P2O8 up to 1250 °C. Above this temperature, it is transformed to Fe3P (stable until 1495 °C). A further rise in temperature leads to the transformation of Fe3P to Fe2P (stable up to 1930 °C − tuyere level of the BF). In the case of an open system with intensive flow of BF gas, the formation of Fe3P from Ca4P2O9 and Ca3P2O8 starts at 1178 °C. The Fe2P appears near 1494–1495 °C, and after that it goes to a molten state.
L‐Lysine‐derived highly selective stationary phases for hydrophilic interaction chromatography: Effect of chain length on selectivity, efficiency, resolution, and asymmetry
Authors: Mallik Abul K. , Guragain Sudhina , Rahman Mohammed Mizanur , Takafuji Makoto , Ihara Hirotaka
Published: February 2019

Stationary phase development for hydrophilic interaction chromatography is rapidly gaining attention due to its versatile application in the separation of diversified solutes. Considering the hydrogen bonding property of urea, we designed and synthesized double‐alkylated L‐lysine derived urea containing short and long chain systems for use as stationary phases in hydrophilic interaction chromatography after immobilizing onto silica. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The compounds were further investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy after immobilization onto silica. The effect of chain length in hydrophilic interaction chromatography, the phases were used for the separation of nucleic acid bases, nucleosides, and sulfa drugs. Enhanced selectivity was observed for both phases. However, the L‐lysine‐derived urea‐containing phase with short alkyl chains showed better separation ability than did the phase with longer alkyl chains. The former also showed better performance in terms of other chromatographic parameters such as efficiency, resolution, and asymmetry as compared to the latter.
Reduced speech: All is variability
Authors: Warner Natasha
Published: February 2019

Humans often communicate through reduced speech, where many sounds are altered or deleted. Even whole syllables or occasionally whole words can be deleted, as in the production [thjythɛ̃m] for do you have time shown in the visual abstract. Such reduction is more common in spontaneous, casual, conversational speech, but it occurs in connected speech in formal settings, and rarely even in careful word‐list reading. Such speech poses challenges for phonetic transcription, since it contains many sounds that do not seem to be any particular sound of the language and that are difficult to classify into categories. I argue this is because reduction operates largely outside the phonological system of the language. Reduced speech also poses questions about how listeners recognize the many possible forms of words, since speech seems to be made up entirely of variability.

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Linguistic Theory

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics
Non-perturbative string theory from AdS/CFT
Authors: de Mello Koch Robert , Gandote Eunice , Huang Jia-Hui
Published: February 2019

Abstract

The large N expansion of giant graviton correlators is considered. Giant gravitons are described using operators with a bare dimension of order N . In this case the usual 1/N expansion is not applicable and there are contributions to the correlator that are non-perturbative in character. By writing the (square of the) correlators in terms of the hypergeometric function 2
F
1(a, b; c; 1), we are able to rephrase the 1/N expansion of the correlator as a semi-classical expansion for a Schrödinger equation. In this way we are able to argue that the 1/N expansion of the correlator is Borel summable and that it exhibits a parametric Stokes phenomenon as the angular momentum of the giant graviton is varied.
A potential scenario for Majorana neutrino detection at future lepton colliders
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhang Bin
Published: February 2019

Abstract

The existence of Majorana neutrinos must lead to lepton-number violating processes, and the Majorana nature of neutrinos can only be experimentally verified via lepton-number violating processes. We study an approach to search for Majorana neutrinos at future electron-positron colliders by exploiting this feature. We investigate ΔL = 2 like-sign dilepton production and find that lepton colliders with different center-of-mass (c.m.) energies have comparative advantages in resonant production of a Majorana neutrino in both light and heavy neutrino mass range. At the future Circular Electron-Positron Collider (CEPC), with 250 GeV c.m. energy and 5 ab−1 integrated luminosity, we find that there could be more significant sensitivity for resonant production of a Majorana neutrino in the mass range of 30-50 GeV than previous results at LEP2 or LHC. At the 1 TeV ILC with 1 ab−1 integrated luminosity, the sensitivity can be improved for neutrino mass in the range of 450-600 GeV.
Proteolytic analysis ofTrichoderma reeseiin celluase-inducing condition reveals a role for trichodermapepsin (TrAsP) in cellulase production
Authors: Daranagama Nayani Dhanushka , Shioya Koki , Yuki Masahiro , Sato Haruna , Ohtaki Yuki , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Shida Yosuke , Ogasawara Wataru
Published: February 2019

Filamentous fungi produce a variety of proteases with significant biotechnological potential and show diverse substrate specificities. Proteolytic analysis of the industrial enzyme producer Trichoderma reesei has been sparse. Therefore, we determined the substrate specificity of T. reesei secretome and its main protease Trichodermapepsin (TrAsP) up to P1 position using FRETS-25Xaa-libraries. The role of TrAsP was analyzed using T. reesei QM9414 and the deletant QM∆trasp in Avicel. We observed higher activities of CMCase, Avicelase, and Xylanase in QM∆t rasp compared to that of QM9414. Saccharification rate of cellulosic biomass also increased when using secretome of QM∆trasp but the effect was not significant due to the absence of difference in BGL activity compared to QM9414. Higher TrAsP was produced when monosaccharides were used as a carbon source compared to cellulase inducers such as Avicel and α-sophorose. These results elucidate the relationship between TrAsP and cellulase production in T. reesei and suggest a physiological role for TrAsP.