bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinesin family member 18B: A contributor and facilitator in the proliferation and metastasis of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Yan Hongmei , Zhu Changyou , Zhang Li
Published: October 2019

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of cutaneous tumor and the occurrence of metastasis makes it resistant to almost all available treatment and becomes incorrigible. Hence, identifying metastasis‐related biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets will assist in preventing metastasis and ameliorating cutaneous melanoma. In our present study, we reported kinesin family member 18B (KIF18B) as a novel contributor in cutaneous melanoma proliferation and metastasis, and it was found to be of great significance in predicting the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma patients. Bioinformatics analysis based on ONCOMINE, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and Genotype‐Tissue Expression database revealed that KIF18B was highly expressed in cutaneous melanoma and remarkably correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Consistently, the results of the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction exhibited that the expression of KIF18B was significantly higher in cutaneous melanoma cell lines than that in normal cells. In vitro, biological assays found that knockdown of KIF18B in cutaneous melanoma cells noticeably repressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while inducing cell apoptosis. Moreover, the protein expression of E‐cadherin was enhanced while the expression of N‐cadherin, vimentin, and Snail was decreased in M14 cells after knocking down KIF18B. In addition, the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) was significantly suppressed in M14 cells with silenced KIF18B. Above all, our results indicated that the repression of cutaneous melanoma cell migration and proliferation caused by KIF18B depletion suggested an oncogenic role of KIF18B in cutaneous melanoma, which acts through modulating epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and ERK/PI3K pathway.
Relationship of oxidative stress in the resistance to imatinib in Tunisian patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: A retrospective study
Authors: Ammar Mariam , Ben Mahmoud Lobna , Medhaffar Moez , Ghozzi Hanen , Sahnoun Zouheir , Hakim Ahmed , Mseddi Malek , Elloumi Moez , Zeghal Khaled
Published: October 2019

Background

This work aimed to evaluate oxidative stress in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with tunisian (IM) vs controls and in CML patients with resistance to IM vs patients without resistance to IM.

Methods

The study included 40 CML patients and 34 controls. Of 40 patients with CML, 26 patients were developed in resistance to IM. The oxidant/antioxidant markers were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods for all used samples.

Results

For CML patients, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels were found compared to controls (P < .001; P = .01). Higher catalase (CAT) activity (P = .048) and lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, reduced Glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C levels were found in CML patients (P < .001). The comparison between the resistant vs no‐resistant CML patients revealed higher MDA level (P = .02) and CAT and SOD activities in IM‐resistant patients (P = .04, P = .03). GPx activity was reduced (P = .04). Furthermore, increased mean ratio of MDA/GSH, MDA/GPx, and SOD/(GPx + CAT) was found in IM‐resistant patients as compared with no‐resistant (P = .01, P = .01, P = .035). The mean ratio of GPx/GSH in the IM‐resistant CML patients was lower than in IM no‐resistant one (P = .039). For IM‐resistant patients, we found negative correlation between MDA level and the ratio SOD/(CAT + GPx) (r = −0.46, P = .002); and positive correlation between SOD and (CAT + GPx) activities (r = 0.38, P = .06) and between GSH level and GPx activity (r = 0.53, P = .01).

Conclusions

Our results have shown a highly disturbed oxidative profile in IM‐resistant CML patients as compared to no‐resistant. The H2O2 has a key role in the resistance to IM treatment.
A‐kinase interacting protein 1 might serve as a novel biomarker for worse prognosis through the interaction of chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1/chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 2 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Hao Xiaohong , Gu Mianmian , Sun Jie , Cong Lin
Published: October 2019

Background

This study aimed to explore the association of A‐kinase interacting protein 1 (AKIP1) with chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand (CXCL) 1/CXCL2, and further investigate their correlation with clinical features and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

Methods

Totally 160 de novo AML patients were recruited, and their bone marrow samples were collected before treatment for detecting the expressions of AKIP1, CXCL1, and CXCL2 by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Complete remission (CR) was assessed after induction treatment, and event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated.

Results

AKIP1 expression was positively associated with CXCL1 (P < .001) and CXCL2 expression (P < .001). AKIP1 high expression was correlated with FAB classification (P = .022), monosomal karyotype (P = .001), and poor risk stratification (P = .013), while CXCL2 high expression was associated with monosomal karyotype (P = .001). As for treatment response, AKIP1 high expression exhibited a trend to be increased in non‐CR patients compared with CR patients, while without statistical significance (P = .105). However, no correlation of CXCL1 (P = .418) or CXCL2 (P = .685) with CR achievement was observed. Most importantly, AKIP1 and CXCL1 were negatively correlated with accumulating EFS and OS (all P < .05), while CXCL2 only showed a trend to be negatively associated with accumulating EFS (P = .069) and OS (P = .055; but without statistical significance).

Conclusion

AKIP1 might serve as a novel biomarker for worse AML prognosis through the interaction of CXCL1/CXCL2.
Genetics professionals’ experiences of facilitating parent/child communication through the genetic clinic
Authors: Keenan Karen F. , McKee Lorna , Miedzybrodzka Zosia
Published: October 2019

While guidelines advise genetic health professionals to support and encourage family communication about genetic risk, there can be professional uncertainty when advising parents about communication with children. We sought to explore genetic health professionals’ views and experiences of facilitating parent/child communication in clinical practice, particularly in relation to adult‐onset inherited conditions. Twenty‐three in‐depth interviews were conducted with United Kingdom genetic health professionals. Thematic analysis identified four main themes: offer professional involvement, encourage early disclosure, take a limited role, and challenges. Overall, our findings demonstrate a wide variation in genetic health professionals approaches to the provision of disclosure advice to parents, ranging from professionals who offered their communication skills and expertise, to those who took a limited role and reflected they were struggling, or even felt stuck. Giving tailored advice to parents about the timing of disclosure i.e. when to tell children, was a particular challenge because of the variability in children's maturity and coping styles. Nevertheless, we identified a range of strategies which were drawn upon by participants to facilitate parent/child communication in the genetic clinic. In conclusion, study results indicate that this remains a challenging and sensitive area, in which genetics professionals express a need for more resources and the clinical time to undertake this work. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate interventions which assist parent/child communication about serious inherited conditions and to help develop professionals’ confidence and skills in this area.
Re: Risk scoring system with MRI for intraoperative massive hemorrhage in placenta previa and accreta
Authors: Hecht Elizabeth M. , Prince Martin R. , Khoury‐Collado Fady , Laifer‐Narin Sherelle L.
Published: October 2019

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2
Physiological investigations of the influences of byproduct pathways on 3‐hydroxypropionic acid production in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Li Xiaohan , Chen Liuni , Wang Xiuling , Tian Pingfang
Published: October 2019

Klebsiella pneumoniae can naturally synthesize 3‐hydroxypropionic acid (3‐HP), 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PD), and 2,3‐butanediol (2,3‐BD) from glycerol. However, biosynthesis of these industrially important chemicals is constrained by troublesome byproducts. To clarify the influences of byproducts on 3‐HP production, in this study, a total of eight byproduct‐producing enzyme genes including pmd, poxB, frdB, fumC, dhaT, ilvH, adhP, and pflB were individually deleted from the K. pneumoniae genome. The resultant eight mutants presented different levels of metabolites. In 24‐h shake‐flask cultivation, the adhP‐ and pflB‐deletion mutants produced 0.41 and 0.44 g/L 3‐HP, respectively. Notably, the adhP and pflB double deletion mutant K. pneumoniaeΔadhPΔpflB produced 1.58 g/L 3‐HP in 24‐h shake‐flask cultivation. When K. pneumoniaeΔadhPΔpflB was harnessed as a host strain to overexpress PuuC, a native aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) catalyzing 3‐hydroxypropionaldehyde (3‐HPA) to 3‐HP, the resulting recombinant strain K. pneumoniaeΔadhPΔpflB(pTAC‐puuC) (pTAC‐puuC is PuuC expression vector) generated 66.91 g/L 3‐HP with a cumulative yield of 70.84% on glycerol in 60‐h bioreactor cultivation. Additionally, this strain showed 2.3‐, 5.1‐, and 0.67‐fold decrease in the concentrations of 1,3‐PD, 2,3‐BD, and acetic acid compared with the reference strain K. pneumoniae(pTAC‐puuC). These results indicated that the byproducts exerted differential impacts on the production of 3‐HP, 1,3‐PD, and 2,3‐BD. Although combinatorial elimination of byproduct pathways could reprogram glycerol flux, the enzyme 1,3‐propanediol oxidoreductase (DhaT) that catalyzes 3‐HPA to 1,3‐PD and the enzymes ALDHs, especially, PuuC are most pivotal for 3‐HP production. This study provides a deep understanding of how byproducts affect the production of 3‐HP, 1,3‐PD, and 2,3‐BD in K. pneumoniae.
Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis of Patient‐Centered Outcomes, Comparing International Guideline–Recommended Enteral Protein Delivery With Usual Care
Authors: Fetterplace Kate , Gill Benjamin M. T. , Chapple Lee‐anne S. , Presneill Jeffrey J. , MacIsaac Christopher , Deane Adam M.
Published: October 2019

Background

International guidelines recommend that protein be administered enterally to critically ill patients at doses between 1.2 and 2 g/kg per day Observational data indicate that patients frequently receive less protein. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate patient‐centered outcomes with guideline‐recommended enteral protein compared with usual care.

Methods

A systematic review was performed of randomized controlled trials including critically ill adult patients provided predominately enteral nutrition with mean protein at ≥1.2 g/kg per day (intervention) and <1.2 g/kg per day (comparator). Random‐effects models were applied for outcomes reported in ≥3 trials.

Results

Of 1375 abstracts, 69 full‐text articles were reviewed, and 6 trials meet the inclusion criteria, including 511 patients. The intervention group received a mean (SD) of 1.3 (0.08) g/kg per day, and the comparator group received 0.75 (0.15) g/kg per day protein. Insufficient data were available for meta‐analyses on the primary outcome (muscle mass or strength). According to our meta‐analyses, mortality at 28 days (5 studies) (risk ratio 0.92 [95% Cl 0.63–1.35], P = .66) and the durations of intensive care unit (6 studies) and hospital admission (4 studies) were similar between the intervention and comparator, with some uncertainty due to sample sizes and heterogeneity.

Conclusion

There are insufficient data to conclude whether protein provision within the current international guideline recommendations improves outcomes. In a limited dataset, enteral protein intakes near the lower level of current recommendations do not appear to reduce admission duration or mortality when compared with usual care in critically ill.
A higher order uniformly convergent method for singularly perturbed parabolic turning point problems
Authors: Yadav Swati , Rai Pratima , Sharma Kapil K.
Published: October 2019

In this article, we study numerical approximation for a class of singularly perturbed parabolic (SPP) convection‐diffusion turning point problems. The considered SPP problem exhibits a parabolic boundary layer in the neighborhood of one of the sides of the domain. Some a priori bounds are given on the exact solution and its derivatives, which are necessary for the error analysis. A numerical scheme comprising of implicit finite difference method for time discretization on a uniform mesh and a hybrid scheme for spatial discretization on a generalized Shishkin mesh is proposed. Then Richardson extrapolation method is applied to increase the order of convergence in time direction. The resulting scheme has second‐order convergence up to a logarithmic factor in space and second‐order convergence in time. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the theoretical results and the comparative study is done with the existing schemes in literature to show better accuracy of the proposed schemes.
Quasi‐static and ratcheting properties of PEEK reinforced by carbon fibers under uniaxial and cyclic compression
Authors: Liu Zhenduo , Gao Lilan , Gao Hong
Published: October 2019

Uniaxial compression tests were carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with different contents of short carbon fibers (CF). Results show that the mechanical strength of PEEK can be improved with a certain mass fraction of CF. In order to study the viscosity of PEEK, static creep tests were performed considering the effects of stress level and content of CF. It is found that CF enhances the creep resistance of PEEK and 20 wt% carbon fiber‐reinforced PEEK has the best performance. Moreover, the creep strain of the composites increases with increasing stress level. Subsequently, the ratcheting experiments under uniaxial cyclic compression with the stress‐controlled condition were conducted. It is shown that the ratcheting strain increases with increasing stress amplitude and the holding time of peak stress. However, the effects of stress rate and content of CF on ratcheting strain are opposite. Meanwhile, the dependence of ratcheting behavior on loading history was also investigated. The results show that ratcheting strain is significantly affected by loading history of stress amplitude due to cyclic hardening of the material, while the effect of loading history of stress rate on ratcheting strain is negligible.
Property improvement of nanocellulose‐reinforced proton exchange nanocomposite membrane coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate
Authors: Zhao Qi , Wei Yingcong , Ni Chuangjiang , Zhang Yumei , Liu Baijun , Sun Zhaoyan , Xie Haiming , Hu Wei , Liang Liang
Published: October 2019

Study on proton exchange membrane (PEM) with the aim toward excellent battery performance of PEM for fuel cells has attracted increasing attention. In this work, nanocellulose (CNC) aminated by KH792 noted as NN was prepared. CNC or NN/sulfophenylated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) (sPEEKK) nanocomposite membrane (SN) or (SNN) were produced by solution mixing. SNN was further coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to obtain SNNT. The properties of sPEEKK, SN, SNN, and SNNT membranes were thoroughly investigated. The proton conductivity of SN4 was 0.22 S·cm−1 at 90 °C, while a proton conductivity of 0.30 S·cm−1 was obtained for SNN4, and an even higher value of 0.36 S·cm−1 at 90 °C was obtained for the TEOS‐coated SNN4 (SNN4T). Meanwhile, SNN4T showed high thermal stability, and its Td5 was as high as 318.2 °C. Furthermore, the composite membrane coated with TEOS also presented excellent oxidative stability. The mass of SNN2T after treated in Fenton agent for 1 h at 80 °C was still retained 96.2%, and it was not fully dissolved until 11 h. It was illustrated that aminated CNC/sPEEKK nanocomposite membranes coated with TEOS is a kind of promising materials as PEMs for fuel cells. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2190–2200
Correlations between microstructure and crystallization of the fluorinated terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride
Authors: Ok Salim , Hartmann Brigitte , Duran Hatice , Eickmeier Henning , Haase Markus , Scheler Ulrich , Steinhart Martin
Published: October 2019

Random THV terpolymers consisting of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and vinylidene fluoride (VDF) are viable alternatives to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) combining excellent chemical stability and thermoplastic processability. Although the properties of THV may be modified by crystallization, little is known on how crystallization is influenced by the chain microstructure of THV. We analyzed the chain microstructure of THV‐221G by solid‐state 19F NMR spectroscopy under fast magic angle spinning, revealing that THV‐221G contains 43.8 mol % TFE, 46.0 mol % VDF, and 10.2 mol % HFP. Sequence analysis revealed that the TFE units are preferentially located next to other TFE units. The HFP units, which are obstacles to crystallization because of their bulky CF3 side groups, are preferentially located next to VDF units. WAXS measurements correspondingly revealed the presence of THV‐221G crystals with PTFE‐like packing and of further THV‐221G crystal populations with widened d‐spacings caused by the incorporation of certain amounts of HFP units into the THV‐221G crystals. Under confinement imposed by the cylindrical nanopores of self‐ordered alumina, the THV‐221G melting point decreased with decreasing pore diameter. Although direct impingement of the growing THV‐221G crystals on the pore walls is unlikely, the geometric confinement limits the access of growing THV‐221G crystals to crystallizable THV‐221G chain segments. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 1402–1408
Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in men with prostate cancer: A qualitative and quantitative systematic review
Authors: Fox Louis , Wiseman Theresa , Cahill Declan , Beyer Katharina , Peat Nicola , Rammant Elke , Van Hemelrijck Mieke
Published: October 2019

Objective

Existing research indicates that moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (PA) alleviates treatment side effects and is associated with survival in men with prostate cancer. We aimed to ascertain the state of research investigating barriers and facilitators to PA in men with prostate cancer and synthesise existing qualitative research on this topic.

Methods

A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies was conducted. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, PEDro, OATD, and WorldCat were searched to June 2019 for quantitative studies investigating causes or predictors of PA or qualitative studies describing patient‐reported barriers/facilitators to PA, amongst men with prostate cancer of any stage. Thirty‐two studies (n = 17 quantitative; n = 15 qualitative) were included from 3698 screened articles.

Results

Heterogeneity and unsystematic reporting of quantitative study methods prohibited a quantitative data synthesis. Thematic synthesis of qualitative studies produced five analytical themes: individual needs by treatment pathway, self‐determination and its relationship with prostate cancer‐related events, co‐ordination and support of the clinical care team, individual preferences in discrete aspects of PA engagement style, and the potential for a bidirectional facilitative relationship between structured group PA and spontaneous peer support. Both qualitative and quantitative studies indicated incontinence as a barrier.

Conclusions

Unsystematic reporting of interventions hinders a robust quantitative understanding of behavioural intervention research in this subject area. Good co‐ordination of multidisciplinary care personnel could facilitate PA, by enabling a more comprehensive approach to targeting social cognitive processes. Well‐timed intervention and access to highly individualised PA support, including optional group PA classes, seem to also be important facilitators.
Partial FeO–Fe3O4 Phase Transition Along the <111> Direction of the Cubic Crystalline Structure in Iron Oxide Nanocrystals
Authors: Testa‐Anta Martín , Rodríguez‐González Benito , Salgueiriño Verónica
Published: October 2019

The iron oxide nanocrystals described herein stem from a ketonic decarboxylation reaction which fosters the delivery of –FeO– as an intermedium product. This intermedium product working as a monomer nucleates into FeO seeds which grow to attain a cubic shape with tips. This kinetically‐controlled second stage of growth favors the deposition of –FeO– at the apexes and promotes a partial topochemical FeO to Fe3O4 phase transition mainly along the elongated <111> direction of the cubic crystalline structure.
Searching heterogeneous personal digital traces
Authors: Vianna Daniela , Kalokyri Varvara , Borgida Alexander , Marian Amélie , Nguyen Thu
Published: October 2019

Digital traces of our lives are now constantly produced by various connected devices, internet services and interactions. Our actions result in a multitude of heterogeneous data objects, or traces, kept in various locations in the cloud or on local devices. Users have very few tools to organize, understand, and search the digital traces they produce. We propose a simple but flexible data model to aggregate, organize, and find personal information within a collection of a user's personal digital traces. Our model uses as basic dimensions the six questions: what, when, where, who, why, and how. These natural questions model universal aspects of a personal data collection and serve as unifying features of each personal data object, regardless of its source. We propose indexing and search techniques to aid users in searching for their past information in their unified personal digital data sets using our model. Experiments performed over real user data from a variety of data sources such as Facebook, Dropbox, and Gmail show that our approach significantly improves search accuracy when compared with traditional search tools.
How do parents of children with ASD use information grounds to seek for ASD‐related information?
Authors: An Jiaxin , Na Ying , Zhang Pengyi
Published: October 2019

Parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have special needs about health information related to children. This research aims to understand how parents of children with ASD in China seek information in information grounds. We conducted field observations at a treatment and rehabilitation center, and interviewed 16 Chinese parents of children with ASD whose children participated in the therapy classes at this center. Results derived from qualitative coding and analysis suggest that: (1) parents' information needs evolve around improving their children's living skills, social connections are important information sources for them. (2) Parents' information grounds are closely related to their everyday life of looking after the children, such as classes and activities. Main topics of information sharing and exchange at such places include experiences of raising children with special needs, children's health status, and other child‐bearing topics. (3) Factors influencing parents' information behavior in the information grounds include homogeneity, familiarity, focal activity, reward expectation, and so on. (4) Parents benefit from such information grounds to gain useful information, emotional support, and social connections. These findings provide insights on better understanding the unique needs of parents with ASD children.
Protein adaptation to high hydrostatic pressure: Computational analysis of the structural proteome
Authors: Avagyan Samvel , Vasilchuk Daniel , Makhatadze George I.
Published: October 2019

Hydrostatic pressure has a vital role in the biological adaptation of the piezophiles, organisms that live under high hydrostatic pressure. However, the mechanisms by which piezophiles are able to adapt their proteins to high hydrostatic pressure is not well understood. One proposed hypothesis is that the volume changes of unfolding (ΔVTot) for proteins from piezophiles is distinct from those of nonpiezophilic organisms. Since ΔVTot defines pressure dependence of stability, we performed a comprehensive computational analysis of this property for proteins from piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. In addition, we experimentally measured the ΔVTot of acylphosphatases and thioredoxins belonging to piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. Based on this analysis we concluded that there is no difference in ΔVTot for proteins from piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. Finally, we put forward the hypothesis that increased concentrations of osmolytes can provide a systemic increase in pressure stability of proteins from piezophilic organisms and provide experimental thermodynamic evidence in support of this hypothesis.
Threshold Voltage Instability of Diamond Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistors Based on 2D Hole Gas
Authors: Yang Mingchao , Sang Liwen , Liao Meiyong , Imura Masataka , Li Hongdong , Koide Yasuo
Published: October 2019

Recent marked advances in diamond metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) have raised the issue of gate reliability. Herein, the threshold voltage stability of MOSFETs based on hydrogen‐terminated diamond surface conductivity is examined. The electrical output characteristic curves are characterized by cyclic gate sweeping from reverse to forward gate bias (RF) and from forward to reverse gate bias (FR), respectively. The characteristics of drain current versus drain voltage are affected by the gate bias sweeping direction. Marked hysteresis is also observed in the transfer curves for the RF and FR gate sweeping. The different gate sweeping directions induce threshold voltage variation and hole mobility change. The facts that 1) no extra interface states are generated due to gate sweeping and 2) the trapped charge density depends on the gate oxide thickness, reveal that charge trapping occurs at the border of the gate oxide.
Optimized Substrates and Measurement Approaches for Raman Spectroscopy of Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Overbeck Jan , Borin Barin Gabriela , Daniels Colin , Perrin Mickael L. , Liang Liangbo , Braun Oliver , Darawish Rimah , Burkhardt Bryanna , Dumslaff Tim , Wang Xiao-Ye , Narita Akimitsu , Müllen Klaus , Meunier Vincent , Fasel Roman , Calame Michel , Ruffieux Pascal
Published: October 2019

The on‐surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) allows for the fabrication of atomically precise narrow GNRs. Despite their exceptional properties which can be tuned by ribbon width and edge structure, significant challenges remain for GNR processing and characterization. Herein, Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize different types of GNRs on their growth substrate and track their quality upon substrate transfer. A Raman‐optimized (RO) device substrate and an optimized mapping approach are presented that allow for the acquisition of high‐resolution Raman spectra, achieving enhancement factors as high as 120 with respect to signals measured on standard SiO2/Si substrates. This approach is well suited to routinely monitor the geometry‐dependent low‐frequency modes of GNRs. In particular, the radial breathing‐like mode (RBLM) and the shear‐like mode (SLM) for 5‐, 7‐, and 9‐atom‐wide armchair GNRs (AGNRs) are tracked and their frequencies are compared with first‐principles calculations.
Automatic spike correction using UNIFIT 2020
Authors: Hesse Ronald , Bundesmann Carsten , Denecke Reinhard
Published: October 2019

The improvement of the software UNIFIT 2020 from an analysis processing software for photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) only to a powerful tool for XPS, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and Raman spectroscopy requires new additional programme routines. Particularly, the implementation of the analysis of Raman spectra needs a well‐working automatic spike correction. The application of the modified discrete Laplace operator method allows for a perfect localization and correction of the spikes and finally a successful peak fit of the spectra. The theoretical basis is described. Test spectra allow for the evaluation of the presented method. A comparison of the original and spike‐corrected real measurements demonstrates the high quality of the method used.
Constructing Ionic Gradient and Lithiophilic Interphase for High‐Rate Li‐Metal Anode
Authors: Lai Yimei , Zhao Yun , Cai Weiping , Song Jun , Jia Yongtang , Ding Bin , Yan Jianhua
Published: October 2019

Li metal is the optimal choice as an anode due to its high theoretical capacity, but it suffers from severe dendrite growth, especially at high current rates. Here, an ionic gradient and lithiophilic inter‐phase film is developed, which promises to produce a durable and high‐rate Li‐metal anode. The film, containing an ionic‐conductive Li0.33La0.56TiO3 nanofiber (NF) layer on the top and a thin lithiophilic Al2O3 NF layer on the bottom, is fabricated with a sol–gel electrospinning method followed by sintering. During cycling, the top layer forms a spatially homogenous ionic field distribution over the anode, while the bottom layer reduces the driving force of Li‐dendrite formation by decreasing the nucleation barrier, enabling dendrite‐free plating‐stripping behavior over 1000 h at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2. Remarkably, full cells of Li//LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 exhibit a high capacity of 133.3 mA h g−1 at 5 C over 150 cycles, contributing a step forward for high‐rate Li‐metal anodes.
Chitooligosaccharide Biguanidine Alleviates Liver Injury and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Rats
Authors: Zhao Liyan , Zheng Qifang , Zou Yalu , Wang Yuanyuan , Wu Yuntang , Liu Xiaofei
Published: October 2019

Chitooligosaccharide biguanidine (COSG) is a derivative of chitooligosaccharide that has been proven to have antidiabetic activity. In this study, the therapeutic effects of COSG on liver injury and insulin resistance are evaluated, and the possible mechanism is explored. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats are treated with COSG for 8 weeks. COSG treatment significantly increases the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase and inhibits the activity of malonic dialdehyde. Histological observation reveals that COSG treatment also alleviates the probability of hepatocyte degeneration or necrosis. Furthermore, COSG treatment significantly activates the insulin receptor substrate‐2/phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway and increases the glucose transporter 2/glucokinase expressions, which regulates liver glucose conversion and insulin secretion, COSG treatment also inhibits the glucose‐6‐phosphatase/phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activations, resulting in a reduced level of blood glucose. Accordingly, COSG can protect against liver dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes.
Cable joint fault detection for the ring main unit based on an adaptive TNPE algorithm
Authors: Tan Lei , Li Peng , Tao Fei , Miao Aimin , Cao Min
Published: October 2019

The ring main unit (RMU) is the main equipment of the electrical power distribution network. The deterioration process of the RMU cable joint is multivariable and nonstationary over time. Existing fault detection models for the RMU cable joint are single‐variable and static over time. A novel algorithm of adaptive time neighborhood preserving embedding (ATNPE) is proposed in this paper, a multivariable time series statistical algorithm with online learning ability to improve the robustness and generalization ability of cable joint fault detection. This method combines an approximate linear dependence (ALD) condition with the time neighborhood preserving embedding (TNPE). New independent samples were determined by calculating the ALD value between new samples and modeling samples. In addition, the new independent samples were used to update the TNPE model. The offline training module was used to update RMU fault detection based on the TNPE model by training new samples with historical offline data. The online updating module trained the historical model to ensure the correct rate of online detection. The experimental results indicated that the method has the ability to adapt to new samples and the squared prediction error statistic limit responded to changes in statistical characteristics of monitoring data. The method can effectively reduce the false alarm rate and has the same fault detection rate compared to the existing model.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Computational Intelligence

Application Areas > Business and Industry

Technologies > Machine Learning
Can Integration Be Temporary? The (Dis)Integration of Temporary Migrant Workers in Canada and the UK
Authors: Samuk Şahizer
Published: October 2019

This chapter deals with the issue of how policies and policy makers account for the integration of migrants whose stay is expected to be temporary. Temporary migration policies target those whose labour is wanted but whose integration is not. According to the international conventions regarding migrant workers, they should have the same access to social and economic rights as native workers. However, rights advocates point to the gaps between rights in theory and their implementation on the ground. This research is based on 53 semi-structured and in-depth interviews with policy-makers, migrant organisations, migrant lawyers, unions and migration research centres, conducted in Canada and the UK. The two countries have both implemented temporary migration programmes for seasonal and low-skilled workers. My analysis shows that, in both countries, temporary migration policies and temporariness hinder the integration of migrant workers. However, the two countries differ in their rhetoric regarding temporary migrant workers: Canadian policy-makers seem to be more self-critical and more inclined to have further solutions to temporariness, whilst UK policy-makers focus on a more functional perspective where temporariness is easily justified. I argue that this difference is at least partly due to the differential immigration histories of the two countries. Canada has a long history of welcoming immigrants, who are now part of the imagined community of nationals, whereas the UK is a post-colonial country where immigration policy has fluctuated in its liberalisation and restriction via temporary routes, visas and its five-tier points-based system.
From Everyday Racist Incidents at Work to Institutional Racism: Migrant and Minority-Ethnic Workers’ Experiences in Older-Age Care
Authors: Sahraoui Nina
Published: October 2019

Through a focus on experiences of racism and discrimination at the workplace level, as narrated by respondents themselves, this chapter attempts to shed light on some of the mechanisms that foster disintegration by impacting negatively on migrants’ and racialised minorities’ access and outcomes in the labour market. It explores non-EU migrant and minority-ethnic care workers’ experiences of racism and discrimination, as well as their coping strategies, within older-age care in London, Paris and Madrid. The chapter highlights that, against the background of contemporary manifestations of racism in interpersonal interactions being less overt, victims of racism often feel insecure about their ability to challenge such forms of racism. The chapter further analyses how, in the cases under study, managers tolerated manifestations of racism or sided with the dominant group. The chapter equally examines how managerial practices were, at times, directly discriminatory, ranging from unfair workloads to bullying and stigmatisation. Finally, it explores how workers coped with racism and racist discrimination and why these situations were particularly difficult to challenge legally. These lived experiences are, furthermore, inscribed in structural discriminations produced by the intersection of migration, employment and care regimes. The chapter sets out to relate the level of individual interactions to the workings of institutions in order to inform our understanding of how policies can produce disintegration. It argues that challenging these inequalities, and the resulting configurations of power relationships at the workplace level, requires a political economy analysis of the conditions under which racism and discrimination thrive.
How Inclusive Institutions Enforce Exclusive Immigration Rules: Mainstream Public Service Provision and the Implementation of a Hostile Environment for Irregular Migrants Living in Britain
Authors: Schweitzer Reinhard
Published: October 2019

Immigration control is increasingly being extended from external borders to the interior of the state and society, and irregular residents in particular face policies that directly aim to prevent their settlement, integration and access to services. The British government explicitly presented these as an effort to create a ‘hostile environment’ for this segment of the population. In order to be effective, such policies have to be implemented within the core institutions of the liberal welfare state which, at the same time, fulfil a crucial role for the integration of society as a whole. Based on original interview data from London, this chapter looks at several sites where the exclusionary logic of immigration law intersects with various inclusionary logics underlying public service provision. Organisation theory helps to explain how and why different public institutions (hospitals, universities and local welfare departments) have responded to this by establishing specialised subdivisions that deal specifically with migrant irregularity. This development represents one of many ways in which the politics of (dis)integration can be institutionalised. While it allows welfare institutions to shield their core professional staff from contradictory logics and demands, it further increases the dangerous overlap between their own aim and function and those of the immigration system.
The SEPSES Knowledge Graph: An Integrated Resource for Cybersecurity
Authors: Kiesling Elmar , Ekelhart Andreas , Kurniawan Kabul , Ekaputra Fajar
Published: October 2019

This paper introduces an evolving cybersecurity knowledge graph that integrates and links critical information on real-world vulnerabilities, weaknesses and attack patterns from various publicly available sources. Cybersecurity constitutes a particularly interesting domain for the development of a domain-specific public knowledge graph, particularly due to its highly dynamic landscape characterized by time-critical, dispersed, and heterogeneous information. To build and continually maintain a knowledge graph, we provide and describe an integrated set of resources, including vocabularies derived from well-established standards in the cybersecurity domain, an ETL workflow that updates the knowledge graph as new information becomes available, and a set of services that provide integrated access through multiple interfaces. The resulting semantic resource offers comprehensive and integrated up-to-date instance information to security researchers and professionals alike. Furthermore, it can be easily linked to locally available information, as we demonstrate by means of two use cases in the context of vulnerability assessment and intrusion detection.
Policy-Paper: „Ein zukunftsfähiger Gesellschaftsvertrag mit der Landwirtschaft: Plädoyer für eine neue Agrarpolitik“
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Policy-Paper ist das wichtigste Ergebnis des ZA-NExUS-Projekts, das wissenschaftlich basierte Optionen für die künftige Ausgestaltung der Agrarpolitik aus der Perspektive des Natur- und Umweltschutzes formulieren sollte. Es wurde im Januar 2017 auf einer Pressekonferenz mit der damaligen Bundesministerin Dr. Barbara Hendricks der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt. Ausgehend vom Konzept eines zukunftsfähigen Gesellschaftsvertrags mit der Landwirtschaft wird eine neue Architektur der Agrarpolitik mit folgenden Kernelementen vorgeschlagen: Prämien für Landschaftsvielfalt und für Basismaßnahmen im Agrarumwelt- und Klimaschutz, regionale Agrarumwelt- und Klimaschutzprogramme, ein Kooperationsprogramm Natur und Landwirtschaft sowie ein effektives Ordnungsrecht. Hinzu kommt ein Innovationsprogramm zur Entwicklung von Mehrwertmärkten für umweltfreundliche Produkte durch Verbraucherkommunikation, praxisorientierte Forschung und Beratung.
SWOT-Analyse der derzeitigen Agrarpolitik aus Sicht des Natur- und Umweltschutzes
Authors: Feindt Peter H. , Krämer Christine , Früh-Müller Andrea , Heißenhuber Alois , Pahl-Wostl Claudia , Purnhagen Kai P. , Thomas Fabian , van Bers Caroline , Wolters Volkmar
Published: October 2019

Dieses Kapitel stellt eine Analyse der Stärken, Schwächen, Chancen und Risiken der gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik der EU aus Sicht des Natur- und Umweltschutzes vor. Das Ergebnis ist ambivalent: Einerseits bildet die Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik einen stabilen institutionellen Rahmen mit guter Finanzausstattung und vielen umweltpolitischen Instrumenten. Andererseits führen die Dominanz agrarpolitischer Akteure, Status-quo-Denken und geringe Beteiligungsmöglichkeiten zur systematischen Schwächung der natur- und umweltpolitischen Ansätze, zu Regelungs- und Vollzugsdefiziten, mangelnder Datenlage sowie geringer Effektivität und Effizienz. Chancen entstehen aus der Etablierung von Tierwohl, Natur-, Umwelt- und Verbraucherschutz als Legitimationsgrundlage für die Agrarzahlungen, aus europarechtlichen Anforderungen an ein hohes Schutzniveau im Binnenmarkt, aus einem erheblichen öffentlichen Mobilisierungspotenzial sowie aus technischen Entwicklungen. Finanzpolitische und internationale Verteilungskämpfe, politische Polarisierung und Radikalisierung sowie nachteilige Veränderungen der Agrarökosysteme, nicht zuletzt durch menschliche Einwirkung, sind wichtige Risiken.
Spectrum of modular Hamiltonian in the vacuum and excited states
Authors: Das Suchetan , Ezhuthachan Bobby
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We study the non-zero eigenmodes for the modular Hamiltonian in the context of AdS3/CFT2. We show how to perturbatively construct zero eigenmodes for the modular Hamiltonian of the class of excited states constructed in [38], using information about the vacuum non-zero eigen modular modes.
Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer Treatment in The Netherlands: Between‐Hospital Variation and Outcomes
Authors: Beck Naomi , van Brakel Thomas J. , Smit Hans J. M. , van Klaveren David , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Schreurs Wilhelmina H.
Published: October 2019

Background

Pneumonectomy in lung cancer treatment is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Its use is reserved only for patients in whom a complete oncological resection by (sleeve) lobectomy is not possible. It is unclear whether a patients’ risk of receiving a pneumonectomy is equally distributed. This study examined between‐hospital variation of pneumonectomy use for primary lung cancer in the Netherlands.

Methods

Data from the Dutch Lung Cancer Audit for Surgery from 2012 to 2016 were used to study the use of pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer in the Netherlands. Using multivariable logistic regression, factors associated with pneumonectomy use were identified and the expected number of pneumonectomies per hospital was determined. Subsequently, the observed/expected ratio (O/E ratio) per hospital was calculated to study between‐hospital differences.

Results

Of the 8446 included patients, 659 (7.8%) underwent a pneumonectomy with a mean postoperative mortality of 7.1% (n = 47). Factors associated with receiving a pneumonectomy were age, gender, cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities, tumor side, size and histopathology. The pneumonectomy use in the Netherlands varied considerably between hospitals (IQR 5.5–10.1%). Three hospitals out of 51 performed significantly less pneumonectomies than expected (O/E ratio < 0.5) and three significantly more (O/E ratio > 1.7). In the latter group, severe complications were more frequent, taking other influencing factors into account (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05–2.19).

Conclusions

There is a considerable between‐hospital variation in pneumonectomy use in lung cancer treatment. To further optimize surgical lung cancer care, we suggest center‐specific feedback on pneumonectomy use and the development of a risk‐adjusted pneumonectomy indicator.
Early Red Flags Associated with Delayed Discharge in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy: Analysis of Perioperative Variables and ERAS Protocol Items
Authors: Parise Paolo , Cinelli Lorenzo , Ferrari Carlo , Cossu Andrea , Puccetti Francesco , Garutti Leonardo , Elmore Ugo , Rosati Riccardo
Published: October 2019

Background

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) perioperative pathways are safe and effective for patients undergoing gastrectomy. However, adherence to these protocols varies and is generally underreported. This retrospective study aimed to assess whether perioperative variables or deviation from ERAS items is associated with delayed discharge after gastrectomy.

Methods

All patients undergoing gastrectomy at our institution were managed with a standardised perioperative pathway according to ERAS principles. The target length of stay was set as the ninth post‐operative day (POD). All significant variables were derived from a bivariate analysis and were entered into a logistic regression to confirm their statistical value.

Results

The study included 180 patients. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that incomplete immunonutrition, failure to extubate the patient at the end of surgery, intraoperative crystalloids >2150 ml and blood transfusion >268 ml, surgery duration >195 min, and failure to mobilise patients within 24 h from surgery were associated with delayed discharge. The logistic regression model was statistically significant (p < 0.001) and correctly classified 73.6% of cases. Sensitivity and specificity were 74.1% and 73.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

These results seem clinically significant and consistent with those of previous studies. The reported perioperative variables showed a strong relationship with the length of hospital stay.
Waveguide-induced dispersion interaction between two two-level atoms with orthogonal in-transverse-plane dipoles
Authors: Kien Fam Le , Ruks Lewis , Busch Thomas
Published: October 2019

We study the dispersion interaction between two ground-state two-level atoms near a cylindrical vacuum-clad optical waveguide. We focus on the case where the electric-dipole matrix-element vectors of the atoms are perpendicular to each other and to the interatomic axis. When these atoms are in free space, the dispersion interaction between them vanishes. In the presence of a waveguide aligned parallel to the interatomic axis, the energy of the dispersion interaction between the atoms may become nonzero and comparable to the average energy of the dispersion interaction between two atoms with arbitrarily oriented dipoles in free space. This waveguide-induced dispersion interaction is a consequence of the anisotropy of the medium around the atoms.
Sorption of pertechnetate anion by cation modified bentonites
Authors: Buzetzky D. , Kovács E. M. , Nagy M. N. , Kónya J.
Published: October 2019

Pertechnetate anion sorption was investigated on modified bentonites. Mn-, Cr-, Sn-bentonites were prepared by ion exchange process to sorb radioactive pertechnetate ions. In the case of Mn-, Cr-bentonite the sorb amount of metal ion was 70–90% of the cation exchange capacity of the bentonite which is expected. Interestingly in the case of Sn-bentonite this amount was 1.42 times higher than the cation exchange capacity. On Mn-bentonite the sorption was 35% at pH 5. The removal of pertechnetate ions was 100% on Cr-, Sn-bentonites and the significant sorption was achieved below 650 mV/SHE.