bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum oscillations with angular dependence in PdTe2 single crystals
Authors: Chapai Ramakanta , Browne D A , Graf David E , DiTusa J F , Jin Rongying
Published: September 2020

The layered transition-metal dichalcogenide PdTe2 has been discovered to possess bulk Dirac points as well as topological surface states. By measuring the magnetization (up to 7 T) and magnetic torque (up to 35 T) in single crystalline PdTe2, we observe distinct de Haas–van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations. Eight frequencies are identified with H||c, with two low frequencies (F
α = 8 T and F
β = 117 T) dominating the spectrum. The effective masses obtained by fitting the Lifshitz–Kosevich (LK) equation to the data are

m

α

*

=
0.059

m

0

and

m

β

*

=
0.067

m

0

where m
0 is the free electron mass. The corresponding Landau fan diagrams allow the determination of the Berry phase for these oscillations resulting in values of ∼0.67π for the 3D α band (hole-type) (down to the 1st Landau level) and ∼0.23π–0.73π for the 3D β band (electron-type) (down to the 3rd Landau level). By investigating the angular dependence of the dHvA oscillations, we find that the frequencies and the corresponding Berry phase (ΦB) vary with the field direction, with a ΦB ∼ 0 when H is 10°–30° away from the ab plane for both α and β bands. The multiple band nature of PdTe2 is further confirmed from Hall effect measurements.
Wafer-scale fabrication of isolated luminescent silicon quantum dots using standard CMOS technology
Authors: Jingjian Zhou , Pevere Federico , Gatty Hithesh K , Linnros Jan , Sychugov Ilya
Published: September 2020

A wafer-scale fabrication method for isolated silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) using standard CMOS technology is presented. Reactive ion etching was performed on the device layer of a silicon-on-insulator wafer, creating nano-sized silicon islands. Subsequently, the wafer was annealed at 1100 °C for 1 h in an atmosphere of 5% H2 in Ar, forming a thin oxide passivating layer due to trace amounts of oxygen. Isolated Si QDs covering large areas (∼mm2) were revealed by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The emission energies of such Si QDs can span over a broad range, from 1.3 to 2.0 eV and each dot is typically characterized by a single emission line at low temperatures. Most of the Si QDs exhibited a high degree of linear polarization along Si crystallographic directions [

110

] and [

1
ˉ

10

]. In addition, system resolution-limited (250 μeV) PL linewidths (full width at half maximum) were measured for several Si QDs at 10 K, with no clear correlation between emission energy and polarization. The initial part of PL decays was measured at room temperature for such oxide-embedded Si QDs, approximately several microseconds long. By providing direct access to a broad size range of isolated Si QDs on a wafer, this technique paves the way for the future fabrication of photonic structures with Si QDs, which can potentially be used as single-photon sources with a long coherence length.
Paclitaxel-loaded lignin particle encapsulated into electrospun PVA/PVP composite nanofiber for effective cervical cancer cell inhibition
Authors: Li Baoe , Xia Xiaomei , Chen Jiatian , Xia Dan , Xu Ruodan , Zou Xianrui , Wang Hongshui , Liang Chunyong
Published: September 2020

Electrospun composite nanofibrous scaffolds have been regarded as a potential carrier for local drug delivery to prevent tumor recurrence. Herein, a model drug (paclitaxel) was creatively loaded into lignin nanoparticles (PLNPs) and then encapsulated into the polymer of poly (vinyl alcohol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone which has been fabricated into a composite nanofibrous membrane (PVA/PVP-PLNPs) for use as a drug carrier using the electrospinning technique. The fabricated PVA/PVP-PLNPs membranes exhibited good particle distribution, mechanical properties, thermal stability and biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that combining lignin nanoparticles by electrospinning not only improved the drug release profile, but also enhanced the hydrophilicity of nanofibrous membranes which was beneficial to cell adhesion and proliferation. Cellular experiments demonstrated that PVA/PVP-2%PLNPs membrane showed good cell inhibition ability, and the cell survival rate was only 21% at day 7. It indicates that the as-prepared PVA/PVP-PLNPs composite nanofibers are promising candidates for local anticancer therapy.
Investigating biological effects of multidimensional carboxylated carbon-based nanomaterials on human lung A549 cells revealed via non-targeted metabolomics approach
Authors: Zhang Dingkun , Zhang Lu , Zheng Wen , Wu Fanzi , Cheng Jingqiu , Yang Hao , Gong Meng
Published: September 2020

The biological responses of multidimensional carboxylated carbon-based nanomaterials (c-CBNs), including carboxylated graphene, carbon nanotube, and fullerene, on human lung A549 cells were investigated by using metabolomics technology. The structure and components of c-CBNs were characterized, and their biological effects were evaluated through cell apoptosis and viability analysis. Additionally, the metabolomics analysis of the nanomaterial-cell interaction system was performed using the established platform combining liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with the bioinformatics system. Results revealed that all tested c-CBNs demonstrated some biological effects in our cell model. However, significant metabolomic alterations induced by c-CBNs were also observed mainly in amino acids, organic acids, glycerophospholipids, and glycerolipids. Further, under the tested concentrations, the multiple dimensions of c-CBNs played a major role in determining the metabolic process in various interaction modes. This study provides an advanced alternative for evaluating metabolic effects of multidimensional nanomaterials through metabolomics technology considering the association between dimension and metabolic characteristics.
Planar nonlinear metasurface optics and their applications
Authors: Huang Tianye , Zhao Xiang , Zeng Shuwen , Crunteanu Aurelian , Shum Perry Ping , Yu Nanfang
Published: September 2020

Metasurfaces are artificial two-dimensional (2D) planar surfaces that consist of subwavelength ‘meta-atoms’ (i.e. metallic or dielectric nanostructures). They are known for their capability to achieve better and more efficient light control in comparison to their traditional optical counterparts. Abrupt and sharp changes in the electromagnetic properties can be induced by the metasurfaces rather than the conventional gradual accumulation that requires greater propagation distances. Based on this feature, planar optical components like mirrors, lenses, waveplates, isolators and even holograms with ultrasmall thicknesses have been developed. Most of the current metasurface studies have focused on tailoring the linear optical effects for applications such as cloaking, lens imaging and 3D holography. Recently, the use of metasurfaces to enhance nonlinear optical effects has attracted significant attention from the research community. Benefiting from the resulting efficient nonlinear optical processes, the fabrication of integrated all-optical nano-devices with peculiar functionalities including broadband frequency conversions and ultrafast optical switching will become achievable. Plasmonic excitation is one of the most effective approaches to increase nonlinear optical responses due to its induced strong local electromagnetic field enhancement. For instance, continuous phase control on the effective nonlinear polarizability of plasmonic metasurfaces has been demonstrated through spin-rotation light coupling. The phase of the nonlinear polarization can be continuously tuned by spatially changing the meta-atoms’ orientations during second and third harmonic generation processes, while the nonlinear metasurfaces also exhibit homogeneous linear properties. In addition, an ultrahigh second-order nonlinear susceptibility of up to 104 pm V−1 has recently been reported by coupling the plasmonic modes of patterned metallic arrays with intersubband transition of multi-quantum-well layered substrate. In order to develop ultra-planar nonlinear plasmonic metasurfaces, 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been extensively studied based on their unique nonlinear optical properties. The third-order nonlinear coefficient of graphene is five times that of gold substrate, while TMDC materials also exhibit a strong second-order magnetic susceptibility. In this review, we first focus on the main principles of planar nonlinear plasmonics based on metasurfaces and 2D nonlinear materials. The advantages and challenges of incorporating 2D nonlinear materials into metasurfaces are discussed, followed by their potential applications including orbital angular momentum manipulating and quantum optics.
Measurement of the phase structure of elliptically polarized undulator radiation
Authors: Taira Yoshitaka , Fujimoto Masaki , Ri Shien , Hosaka Masahito , Katoh Masahiro
Published: September 2020

This study theoretically and experimentally investigates the phase structure of radiation emitted from an elliptically polarized undulator. Analytic expressions for the emitted electromagnetic fields are fully derived and the radiation’s phase structure is found to change according to polarization. When the polarization is circular, a helical structure is observed; however, when the polarization changes from circular to elliptical, a phase structure comprising several orbital angular momentum modes is observed. Herein, phase gradients of the undulator’s radiation are measured using a double-slit interferometer. A sampling moiré method is used to accurately extract the phase difference on the transverse plane from the observed interference fringe. The measured phase gradients of the first and second harmonics reveal a similar change to the calculated results. However, under circular polarization, the change exhibited by the third harmonic is smaller than the calculated value. This phase gradient reduction is due to the split in phase singularities and is attributed to both the fluctuation in the undulator’s peak magnetic fields and the radiation emitted from the entrance and exit of those magnetic fields.
Quasi-nondegenerate pump–probe magnetooptical experiment in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure based on spectral filtration
Authors: Surýnek M , Nádvorník L , Schmoranzerová E , Němec P
Published: September 2020

We report on a quasi-nondegenerate pump–probe technique that is based on spectral-filtration of femtosecond laser pulses by a pair of mutually-spectrally-disjunctive commercially available interference filters. The described technique enables to obtain pump and probe pulses with wavelengths that are spectrally close but distinct. These contradictory requirements, which are dictated, for example, by a suppression of stray pump photons from the probe beam in spin-sensitive magneto-optical experiments in non-magnetic semiconductors, can be fulfilled at very low cost and basically no requirement on space. Especially the second feature is important in pump–probe microscopy where collinear propagation of pump and probe pulses is dictated by utilization of a microscopic objective and where the setups are typically quite complex but suffer from a limited size of optical breadboards. Importantly, this spectral-filtration of 100 fs long laser pulses does not affect considerably the resulting time-resolution, which remains well below 500 fs. We demonstrate the practical applicability of this technique by performing spin-sensitive magnetooptical Kerr effect (MOKE) experiment in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure, where a high-mobility spin system is formed after optical injection of electrons at wavelengths close to the MOKE resonance. In particular, we studied the time- and spatial-evolutions of spin-related (MOKE) and charge-related (reflectivity) signals. We revealed that they evolve in a similar but not exactly the same way which we attributed to interplay of several electron many-body effects in GaAs.
A Highly Reliable Strong Physical Unclonable Function Design Based on FPGA
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhu Min , Yang Bohan , Liu Leibo
Published: September 2020

Physical unclonable function (PUF) generates unique secret keys from unavoidable IC manufacturing variations, which can eliminate high computation expense and additional key storage. The inherent flexibility and lower time-to-market have made field programmable gate array (FPGA) the platform of choice for faster implementation. However, logic elements on FPGA are predefined while some types of PUFs need strictly mirrored symmetric routing. This paper presents a robust and FPGA friendly PUF based on oscillator collapse (OC-PUF) with million number of challenge-response pairs (CRPs). Mirrored routes are obtained with a novel delay cell design and a signal path configuration technique. In the meanwhile, the response bias issues on FPGA is effectively resolved. Measured on Altera DE2-115, the average interchip hamming distance (inter-chip HD) of the proposed OC-PUF is 46.7%. After applying dynamic threshold with a value 255, intra-chip hamming distance (intra-chip HD) dropped to 5.46E-06 at nominal conditions.
A Novel Transformer Winding Fault Diagnosis Method Based on Damped Oscillation Wave
Authors: Jin Zhuorui , Sun Jian , Yang Qing , Su Peiyu
Published: September 2020

Winding status is an important part of transformer fault diagnosis. In this paper, the diagnosis test platform includes a reduced-scale transformer with the connection group model of Ynyn0, and its voltage ratio is 10 kV/0.4 kV. The voltage response of single-phase windings of three-winding transformers with varying degrees of short-circuit faults is measured under a damped oscillation wave with an amplitude of 4 kV and an equivalent frequency of 20 kHz. The transfer function of high-voltage phase and its corresponding low-voltage phase in the normal and fault condition is calculated. Three characteristic criterion of the transfer function are analysed in order to diagnose short-circuit faults in single-phase windings of three-winding transformers.
APP Design for Xinjiang Traditional Handicrafts
Authors: Li Siyu , Zhang Yingfang , Wang Yiyu
Published: September 2020

Xinjiang’s handicrafts have a deep historical tradition and a strong rustic atmosphere, and have very strong local characteristics and national styles. However, due to the development of modern scientific and technological civilization, and changes in consumption and lifestyle, practitioners have gradually decreased, fewer and fewer craftsmen, and some complex production techniques are in danger of being lost. Using computer digital technology, Apps on smart mobile devices can effectively expand the reach of the audience, and promote the excellent handicrafts in Xinjiang, which can not only stimulate the vitality of the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, but also help cultural precision poverty alleviation, give full play to the role of intangible cultural heritage and handicrafts to promote poverty alleviation, promote the employment of nearby people and achieve stable poverty alleviation. In this paper, through the dynamic display of Xinjiang handicraft craftsmanship and appreciation of famous products, the public can get a more detailed understanding of ethnic handicrafts, stimulate people’s interest in them, and promote the protection and development of traditional ethnic handicrafts in Xinjiang.
Design and Production of Digital Interactive Installation for the Cultural Theme of the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Yuan Yang , Keda Xu , Yueqi Ning , Xiangyu Zheng
Published: September 2020

Chinese traditional culture provides an endless source of ideas for the digital creative cultural industry. Nowadays, in the cultural industry chain, IP contains a huge potential value. The combination of digital interactive technology and cultural content as well as industry is one of the paths of cultural innovation. This paper takes the Dunhuang caisson patterns under the cultural theme of the Belt and Road Initiative as the subject of expression. By integrating the pattern elements into digital animation and digital interaction, its design and production with the digital interactive installation display form finally show the historical and cultural connotation of the traditional silk road. Through the performance of the interactive installation in the form of digital art display and the application analysis in the design fusion of digital media, this paper explains the construction and implementation of the digital visualization and digital interactive installation of Dunhuang art, aiming to raise awareness. It also hopes to enhance the viewer’s sense of integration and participation with interactive technology of digital media, thus helping the protection and inheritance, dissemination and promotion of traditional culture.
A Multi-Constraint Strategy Algorithm for Stereo Matching
Authors: Li Yingjiang , Zhong Yuzhong , He Libo , Tan Shuqiu
Published: September 2020

An improved multi-constraint stereo matching strategy is proposed herein. First, the original reference images are downsampled to reduce the matching scale. Absolute difference and rank transform are used as the matching cost. We establish the associated disparity map and the matching cost matrix to constrain the matching process. We use the associated disparity map to apply a smoothing constraint on disparity values. We then apply a uniqueness constraint using the associated disparity map and the matching cost matrix. We also apply a continuity constraint to improve the efficiency of the algorithm. Second, for the downsampled disparity map, the disparity map of the original image is obtained by interpolation and filling. Lastly, the final disparity map is obtained using a sub-pixel refinement strategy. The experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm is obviously superior to the traditional method. In addition, a multi-constraint matching process may be extracted as a framework for combination with other algorithms. Compared with the original algorithms, the fusion algorithm improved matching accuracy by 3% on average.
Improving the Quality of Sound Recovered Using the Visual Microphone with Frame-wise Image Denoising Preprocessing
Authors: Choong Ren-Jun , Yap Wun-She , Chai Hum Yan , Kai Tee Yee
Published: September 2020

The visual microphone is a passive remote sound recovery technique by analysing subtle vibrations in a video of an object vibrating due to sound. Multiple research endeavours have been done in improving the quality of the recovered sound, but so far none has been done on investigating the effect of denoising the videos frame by frame prior to the sound recovery using the visual microphone. This work fills in that gap, and evaluates the quality of the recovered sound based on human intelligibility metrics and simple signal-to-noise ratio metrics. Our best results indicated performing image denoising before sound recovery can reduce the noise power by up to 47.16 %, increase the intelligibility by 9.11 % and signal-to-noise ratio by 17.97 %. It is important to perform image denoising before sound recovery when the recorded videos are very noisy.
Interaction of the state and business in the development of the Northern sea route
Authors: Podberezkina O , Vorotnikov A , Doronin N
Published: September 2020

The article presents the concept of sustainable development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation through the sustainable development of the Northern Sea Route. A concept has been developed for the effective development of the Northern Sea Route and Arctic projects, and mechanisms are envisaged for their sustainable financing. The Russian programmes for the development of the Arctic region, the Transport Strategy of the Russian Federation, the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, projects of state corporations were considered. The approach of sustainable development of the Northern Sea Route for sustainable development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is proposed.
Arctic Offshore Fields Development: New Challenges & Opportunities at the Current Post-Pandemic Situation
Authors: Fadeev A , Larichkin F , Afanasyev M
Published: September 2020

The situation associated with the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 in the world has had a significant impact on all sectors of the global economy. The development of the Arctic shelf, as the most capital-intensive direction of the oil and gas complex, was also affected by macroeconomic circumstances that objectively arose during the post-pandemic. At the same time, hydrocarbon production on the shelf of the Arctic implies intensive development of infrastructure, transport, loading of related industries, which allow generating significant multiplicative and complex-forming effects. The development of offshore projects in the Arctic can become a driver, a locomotive of economic development not only in coastal regions, but also in the state as a whole.
Digital transformation prospects for the offshore project supply chain in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Gafurov A R , Skotarenko O V , Nikitin Y A , Plotnikov V A
Published: September 2020

The article provides a comparative digital maturity assessment of two leading petroleum companies licensed for Arctic offshore exploration and production (PAO Gazprom Neft and PAO Rosneft) in a ‘hardware-software-hardware’ succession as well as a comparative analysis with leading practices in offshore project logistics. It identifies approximate cost-cutting limits of digital transformation in Arctic projects and factors limiting cost efficiency of offshore projects in the Russian Arctic. The goal of the study is to identify a potential increase in digital maturity and scope of digital transformation in the Arctic project supply chain in Russia. The study is based on modern approaches to sustainable supply chain management in oil industry and supply chain streamlining for offshore projects. The article identifies a group of factors limiting cost efficiency of Arctic projects, specific to the Russian Arctic. Conclusions and recommendations: the study has shown that the main factor limiting digital transformation of offshore projects in the Russian Arctic is the increasing technological underperformance of oil service companies. To build capacity in digital maturity of the offshore project supply chain, it is necessary to focus on disruptive technologies that could significantly lower the cost of oil production in the Arctic area.
Effect of bamboo waste replacing cottonseed husk on cultivation of Pleurotus geesteranus
Authors: Guan Qin-Lan , Gong Ming-Fu , Lin Tian-Xing , Xu Chen-Hao
Published: September 2020

Bamboo debris are rich in nutrients and suitable for the cultivation of edible fungi. In order to develop the new raw materials for cultivation of Pleurotus geesteranus and the resource utilization of bamboo debris, the mycelial growth, fruiting body growth and economic benefits of P. geesteranus was studied in 9 types of bamboo debris replacement medium formulas (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) and the cottonseed husk formula cultivated for P. geesteranus in Leshan City as a control (CK). Results shown that formula G was suitable for the growth of P. geesteranus. The composition of the formula G was 64% bamboo debris, 16% cottonseed husk, 8% sawdust, 10% bran, 1% white sugar and 1% plaster. In formula G, the average growth rate of P. geesteranus mycelia was 5.39 mm / d, 7.67 mm / d, and 8.42 mm / d in 10 days, 15 days, and 20 days after inoculation, average bag yield was 0.33 kg / bag, biological efficiency was 89.87%, and the ratio of output value to input value was 3.34.
Application of ISO22000 in the production of Luzhou-flavor liquor
Authors: Yin Le-Bin , Liu Ya-Li , He Ping , Li Le-Le
Published: September 2020

In order to prevent the potential harm of Luzhou-flavor liquor in the process of processing and production, food safety can be guaranteed more effectively. According to the ISO22000 food safety management system standard and the quality management principle of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP), the potential hazards in the production of Luzhou-flavor liquor were analyzed, and the corresponding preventive measures and testing methods were proposed. Four critical control points, including raw material selection, process water use, fermentation and distillation, were determined. CLS and corrective measures were determined. At the same time, the operational prerequisite program (OPRP) and HACCP work plan were prepared to construct the food safety management system model of liquor, which conforms to the ISO22000 standard. Food safety hazards will be reduced to a minimum, better ensure the safety of Luzhou-flavor liquor, reduce enterprise management costs, enhance enterprise competitiveness.
Application of hazard analysis critical control point in liquor production
Authors: Yin Le-Bin , He Ping , Liu Ya-Li , Li Le-Le
Published: September 2020

In order to explore the hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP, an internationally recognized food safety detection system) effect on food quality in liquor production, affecting the liquor five hazards monitoring, determine the key point is under control and discusses the relevant follow-up work, determine the HACCP work-flow, and discusses the implementation of HACCP, faithfully record the production process, put forward the critical limits, and strict monitoring, ensure the safety of liquor products stability, provide a reference for liquor enterprise production management.
Effects of modified atmosphere packaging combined with tea polyphenol treatment on the quality of grass carp during cold storage
Authors: Li Wenjun , Wang Chao , Ju Jian , Liu Zhijie , Hu Yong , Li Dongsheng , Li Wei
Published: September 2020

In this study, the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) combined with modified atmosphere packaging on the quality change of Cri fish fillets in cold storage was studied, expecting to provide a new strategy for the biological preservation of fish fillets. Fresh fillets were packed in three different methods as follows: Sprayed in 0.5% tea polyphenols solution (CP group);Sprayed in 0.5% tea polyphenols combining 50% CO2 + 50% N2 modified atmosphere packaging (MAPC group);50% CO2 + 50% N2 modified atmosphere packaging (MAP group) and fresh filletsb was control group. All four groups were storaged at 0°C condition. Total bacterial count, TVB-N, TBA, K and pH were periodically assessed. The microscopic morphology of muscle tissue after 10 days cold storage was observed. After 10 d of cold storage, the TVC in the MAPC group (4.43±0.25 lg cfu/g) was obviously lower than that in the MAP group (5.04±0.65 lg cfu/g) or CP group (4.90±0.21 lg cfu/g), and even lower than that in the control group (6.14±0.17 lg cfu/g). The control group revealed the most obvious growth trend, increasing from 0.15±0.03 mg MDA/kg to 0.65±0.14mg MDA/kg, followed by MAP group (0.15±0.08 mg MDA/kg to 0.52±0.07mg MDA/kg), and CP group (0.13±0.05 mgMDA/kg to 0.47±0.03mg MDA/kg), and the last was the MAPC group with the minimum amplification (0.14±0.02 mg MDA/kg to 0.47±0.13 mg MDA/kg).Tea polyphenols combining with modified atmosphere packaging is a new strategy in maintaining the quality of crisped grass carp during cold storage.
Synthesis of a nonlinear control law with efficiency energy for the self-balancing two wheeled vehicle
Authors: Nguyen C X , Lukianov A D , Pham T D , Nguyen A D
Published: September 2020

In the paper, we present a method of synthesizing the controller with optimum energy for two-wheeled self-balancing vehicles, based on the multi-purpose consumption function. The authors select the multi-purpose consumption function based on the quasi-optimality and minimum of energy. The synthesis of control laws based on the analytical design of aggregated controllers (ADAR) with manifold of quasi-optimality. The results of the proposed method are simulated and compared to other methods.
Electrochemical performance of porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu alloys for hydrogen evolution reactions in alkali solution
Authors: Li Xide , Yang Junsheng , Feng Xindong , Hu Yangdon , Zou Haoran , Zhang Chuo , Xiong Lieqiang , Zheng Xiao , Liu Yuzuo
Published: September 2020

Porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu alloys were fabricated by an activation reaction sintering technique with Ni, Cr, Mo, and Cu element powders as raw materials. The phase constitutes, morphology, and hydrogen evolution mechanism of the electrode were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical characterization for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and linear sweep voltammetry. Different parameters, including Cr content, temperature, and solution concentration that affected electrocatalytic activity for HER were also considered. The results illustrated that porous Ni–Cr–Mo–Cu electrodes possessed excellent hydrogen evolution performance, and the Cr content within a certain range 15 ∼ 25 wt% improved hydrogen evolution catalytic activity. The surface roughness R

f
of porous 60 wt%Ni-25 wt%Cr-10 wt%Mo-5 wt%Cu alloy electrodes was 8718.4, and the electrochemical activation energy is determined to be 7.46 kJ∙mol−1, compared with 53.44 kJ∙mol−1 for porous 70 wt%Ni-15 wt%Cr-10 wt%Mo-5 wt%Cu alloy electrodes.
Augmented reality in scientific visualization and communications: a new dawn of looking at antibody interactions
Authors: Chan Kwok-Fong , Poh Jun-Jie , Wu Wei-Ling , Gan Samuel Ken-En
Published: September 2020

The use of augmented reality (AR) in providing three-dimensional (3D) visual support and image depth have been applied in education, tourism, historical studies, and medical training. In research and development, there has been a slow but growing use of AR tools in chemical and drug discovery, but little has been implemented for whole 3D antibody structures (IgE, IgM, IgA, IgG, and IgD) and in communicating their interactions with the antigens or receptors in publications. Given that antibody interactions can vary significantly between different monoclonal antibodies, a convenient and easy to use 3D visualization can convey structural mechanisms clearer to readers, especially in how residues may interact with one another. While this was previously constrained to the use of stereo images on printed material or molecular visualization software on the computer, the revolution of smartphone and phablets now allows visualization of whole molecular structures on-the-go, allowing rotations, zooming in and out, and even animations without complex devices or the training of visual prowess. While not yet as versatile as molecular visualization software on the computer, such technology is an improvement from stereo-images and bridges the gap with molecular visualization tools. In this report, we discuss the use of AR and how they can be employed in the holistic view of antibodies and the future of the technology for better scientific communication.
The Lab Must Go On
Authors: Jackson Brian R , Genzen Jonathan R
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The clinical laboratory community has faced unprecedented challenges in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Long-held assumptions about laboratory management have been reconsidered in light of these new circumstances.

Methods

Experience during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic at a clinical reference laboratory was reviewed in the context of several commonly held management principles to assess their relevance to clinical laboratory operations during a crisis.

Results

Management and operational ideas regarding different modes of communication, physical proximity and interaction, operating under a fixed budget, and maintaining a breadth of laboratory service offerings have been challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of putting people first, maintaining collaboration, and providing effective leadership and communication throughout an organization have been highlighted.

Conclusions

The collaborative activities of highly interdependent teams and individuals have helped the clinical laboratory community respond to society’s needs in the COVID-19 crisis. Not all laboratory management principles apply equally well in the course of an international respiratory pandemic. When navigating crises, leaders need to distinguish situational management principles from those that are universal.
A Cluster-based, Spatial-sampling Method for Assessing Household Healthcare Utilization Patterns in Resource-limited Settings
Authors: Yu Alexander T , Shakya Rajani , Adhikari Bikram , Tamrakar Dipesh , Vaidya Krista , Maples Stace , Date Kashmira , Bogoch Isaac I , Bern Caryn , Qamar Farah , Yousafzai Mohammad T , Garrett Denise O , Longley Ashley T , Hemlock Caitlin , Luby Stephen , Aiemjoy Kristen , Andrews Jason R
Published: September 2020

Background

Implementation of population-based surveys is resource intensive and logistically demanding, especially in areas with rapidly changing demographics and incomplete or no enumeration of the underlying population and their residences. To remove the need for pre-enumeration and to simplify field logistics for the population healthcare utilization survey used for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project in Nepal, we incorporated a geographic information system–based geosurvey and field mapping system into a single-stage cluster sampling approach.

Methods

A survey was administered to ascertain healthcare-seeking behavior in individuals with recent suspected enteric fever. Catchment areas were based on residential addresses of enteric fever patients using study facilities; clusters were randomly selected from digitally created grids using available satellite images and all households within clusters were offered enrollment. A tablet-compatible geosurvey and mapping system that allowed for data-syncing and use in areas without cellular data was created using the ArcGIS suite of software.

Results

Between January 2017 and November 2018, we surveyed 25 521 households in Nepal (16 769 in urban Kathmandu and 8752 in periurban Kavrepalanchok), representing 84 202 individuals. Overall, the survey participation rate was 90.9%, with geographic heterogeneity in participation rates within each catchment area. Areas with higher average household wealth had lower participation rates.

Conclusion

A geographic information system–based geosurvey and field mapping system allowed creation of a virtual household map at the same time as survey administration, enabling a single-stage cluster sampling method to assess healthcare utilization in Nepal for the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project . This system removed the need for pre-enumeration of households in sampling areas, simplified logistics and could be replicated in future community surveys.
Methodological and Reporting Quality of Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing Antibiotic Therapies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bai Anthony D , Komorowski Adam S , Lo Carson K L , Tandon Pranav , Li Xena X , Mokashi Vaibhav , Cvetkovic Anna , Kay Vanessa R , Findlater Aidan , Liang Laurel , Loeb Mark , Mertz Dominik
Published: September 2020

Background

Antibiotic noninferiority randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are used for approval of new antibiotics and making changes to antibiotic prescribing in clinical practice. We conducted a systematic review to assess the methodological and reporting quality of antibiotic noninferiority RCTs.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Food and Drug Administration drug database from inception until November 22, 2019, for noninferiority RCTs comparing different systemic antibiotic therapies. Comparisons between antibiotic types, doses, administration routes, or durations were included. Methodological and reporting quality indicators were based on the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials reporting guidelines. Two independent reviewers extracted the data.

Results

The systematic review included 227 studies. Of these, 135 (59.5%) studies were supported by pharmaceutical industry. Only 83 (36.6%) studies provided a justification for the noninferiority margin. Reporting of both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were done in 165 (72.7%) studies. The conclusion was misleading in 34 (15.0%) studies. The studies funded by pharmaceutical industry were less likely to be stopped early because of logistical reasons (3.0% vs 19.1%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], .04–.37) and to show inconclusive results (11.1% vs 42.9%; OR = 0.17; 95% CI, .08–.33). The quality of studies decreased over time with respect to blinding, early stopping, reporting of ITT with PP analysis, and having misleading conclusions.

Conclusions

There is room for improvement in the methodology and reporting of antibiotic noninferiority trials. Quality can be improved across the entire spectrum from investigators, funding agencies, as well as during the peer-review process.

There is room for improvement in the methodology and reporting of antibiotic noninferiority trials including justification of noninferiority margin, reporting of intention-to-treat analysis with per-protocol analysis, and having conclusions that are concordant with study results.

Clinical Trials Registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42020165040.
Suboptimal Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) is Associated With an Increased Risk of Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Pregnant Women: A Prospective Cohort Study in Benin
Authors: Hounkonnou Cornélia P A , Ndam Nicaise Tuikue , Fievet Nadine , Accrombessi Manfred , Yovo Emmanuel , Mama Atikatou , Sossou Darius , Vianou Bertin , Massougbodji Achille , Briand Valérie , Cot Michel , Cottrell Gilles
Published: September 2020

Background

Harmful maternal and neonatal health outcomes result from malaria in pregnancy, the prevention of which primarily relies on intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). The World Health Organization recommends IPTp-SP in sub-Saharan Africa, but implementation is highly heterogeneous and often suboptimal in terms of the number of doses and their timing. In this study, we assessed the impact of this heterogeneity on malaria in pregnancy, mainly with respect to submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum infections.

Methods

We used data from 273 Beninese women followed throughout pregnancy. Screening for P. falciparum infections, using both microscopy-based and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based methods, was performed monthly, and information on IPTp-SP doses was collected. Gestational age was estimated by repeated ultrasound scans. Using a negative binomial model, we investigated the effect of IPTp-SP doses and timing after 17 weeks of gestation on the number of P. falciparum infections, focusing on submicroscopic infections detectable only by PCR.

Results

At least 2 IPTp-SP doses were taken by 77.3% of the women. The median gestational age at the first IPTp-SP dose was 22 weeks. A late first IPTp-SP dose (>21.2 weeks) was marginally associated with an increased number of P. falciparum infections (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 1.3; P = .098). The number of IPTp-SP doses was not associated with the number of submicroscopic infections (aIRR = 1.2, P = .543).

Conclusions

A late first IPTp-SP dose failed to provide optimal protection against P. falciparum, especially submicroscopic infections. This highlights the need for a new antimalarial drug for IPTp that could be taken early in pregnancy.
Decreasing High-risk Exposures for Healthcare Workers Through Universal Masking and Universal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Testing on Entry to a Tertiary Care Facility
Authors: Walker Jeremey , Fleece Molly E , Griffin Russell L , Leal Sixto M , Alsip Jorge A , Stigler William S , Nafziger Sarah D , Marrazzo Jeanne M , Lee Rachael A
Published: September 2020

We describe the impact of universal masking and universal testing at admission on high-risk exposures to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 for healthcare workers. Universal masking decreased the rate of high-risk exposures per patient-day by 68%, and universal testing further decreased those exposures by 77%.
Influence of “protective” symbionts throughout the different steps of an aphid–parasitoid interaction
Authors: Sochard Corentin , Bellec Laura , Simon Jean-Christophe , Outreman Yannick
Published: September 2020

Microbial associates are widespread in insects, some conferring a protection to their hosts against natural enemies like parasitoids. These protective symbionts may affect the infection success of the parasitoid by modifying behavioral defenses of their hosts, the development success of the parasitoid by conferring a resistance against it or by altering life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. Here, we assessed the effects of different protective bacterial symbionts on the entire sequence of the host-parasitoid interaction (i.e., from parasitoid attack to offspring emergence) between the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, and its main parasitoid, Aphidius ervi and their impacts on the life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. To test whether symbiont-mediated phenotypes were general or specific to particular aphid–symbiont associations, we considered several aphid lineages, each harboring a different strain of either Hamiltonella defensa or Regiella insecticola, two protective symbionts commonly found in aphids. We found that symbiont species and strains had a weak effect on the ability of aphids to defend themselves against the parasitic wasps during the attack and a strong effect on aphid resistance against parasitoid development. While parasitism resistance was mainly determined by symbionts, their effects on host defensive behaviors varied largely from one aphid–symbiont association to another. Also, the symbiotic status of the aphid individuals had no impact on the attack rate of the parasitic wasps, the parasitoid emergence rate from parasitized aphids nor the life-history traits of the emerging parasitoids. Overall, no correlations between symbiont effects on the different stages of the host–parasitoid interaction was observed, suggesting no trade-offs or positive associations between symbiont-mediated phenotypes. Our study highlights the need to consider various sequences of the host-parasitoid interaction to better assess the outcomes of protective symbioses and understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of insect–symbiont associations.
Staged management of cardiac disease and concomitant early lung cancer: a 20-year single-center experience
Authors: Tricard Jérémy , Milad Daniel , Chermat Anaëlle , Simard Serge , Lacasse Yves , Dagenais François , Conti Massimo
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

The association of unstable heart disease and resectable lung cancer is rare. The impacts of staged management, cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) versus angioplasty, on long-term survival and cancer recurrence remain debated. We report our experience using staged management.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2016, 107 patients were treated at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute: 72 underwent cardiac surgery with CPB (group 1), 35 were treated with angioplasty (group 2), followed by oncological pulmonary resection.

RESULTS

Two postoperative deaths (3%) and 1 ischaemic heart complication (1%) were reported in group 1. One death (3%) was reported in group 2. Two-year overall survival was 82% (59/72) in group 1 and 80% (28/35) in group 2; 5-year overall survival was 62% (33/53) in group 1 and 63% (19/30) in group 2. Two-year disease-free survival in group 1 was 79% (57/72) and 77% (27/35) in group 2; 5-year disease-free survival was 58% (31/53) in group 1 and 60% (18/30) in group 2. The independent risk factors for death after thoracic surgery were transfusions (P = 0.004) and grade ≥3 complications (P = 0.034). Independent risk factors for recurrence included the cancer stage (P < 0.001) and, paradoxically, a shorter delay between cardiac and lung procedures (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

When a staged management remains feasible after cardiac procedure, oncological outcomes of patients with cardiopathy and lung cancer are satisfactory. CPB does not seem to be deleterious. The delay between procedures should intuitively be as small as possible but not at the expense of good recovery after the cardiac procedure.
Prognostic impact of tumour spread through air space in radiological subsolid and pure solid lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhong Yifan , Xu Yong , Deng Jiajun , Wang Tingting , Sun Xiwen , Chen Donglai , Wu Chunyan , Hou Likun , Xie Huikang , She Yunlang , Xie Dong , Chen Chang
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between ground-glass opacity (GGO) and tumour spread through air space (STAS), as well as their joint influence on the prognosis of stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 620 consecutive patients with surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma between January 2011 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The relevance of STAS and GGO was analysed by logistic regression, and their prognostic significance was investigated via the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression models. Furthermore, to determine the magnitude of the prognostic impact of GGO and STAS, we respectively performed survival analysis in subgroups according to the presence of STAS and GGO.

RESULTS

Of all 620 cases, 26.7% were positive for STAS, and 32.9% had a GGO component. STAS was present in 10.8% of part-solid lesions and 34.9% of pure solid nodules (P < 0.001). Lepidic-predominant histologic subtype, GGO component and pathological T stage exhibited significant relevance to the presence of STAS. For the whole population, STAS and GGO component were each revealed as independent predictors for overall survival and recurrence-free survival (each with P < 0.001). Interestingly, in the GGO-present subgroup, STAS failed to significantly stratify prognosis. However, in the STAS-positive subgroup, the presence of a GGO component was independently associated with favourable oncological results.

CONCLUSIONS

STAS is associated with a GGO component, and each factor was a significant predictor for the prognosis of stage I lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the favourable prognostic impact of a GGO component was greater than the adverse prognostic influence of STAS, indicating that GGO is a more reliable prognostic predictor in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.
Cohort Differences in Maximal Physical Performance: A Comparison of 75- and 80-Year-Old Men and Women Born 28 Years Apart
Authors: Koivunen Kaisa , Sillanpää Elina , Munukka Matti , Portegijs Erja , Rantanen Taina
Published: September 2020

Background

Whether increased life expectancy is accompanied by increased functional capacity in older people at specific ages is unclear. We compared similar validated measures of maximal physical performance in 2 population-based older cohorts born and assessed 28 years apart.

Method

Participants in the first cohort were born in 1910 and 1914 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 500, participation rate 77%). Participants in the second cohort were born in 1938 or 1939 and 1942 or 1943 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 726, participation rate 40%). Participants were recruited using a population register and all community-dwelling persons in the target area were eligible. Both cohorts were interviewed at home and were examined at the research center with identical protocols. Maximal walking speed, maximal isometric grip and knee extension strength, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were assessed. Data on non-participation were systematically collected.

Results

Walking speed was on average 0.2–0.4 m/s faster in the later than earlier cohort. In grip strength, the improvements were 5%–25%, and in knee extension strength 20%–47%. In FVC, the improvements were 14–21% and in FEV1, 0–14%.

Conclusions

The later cohort showed markedly and meaningfully higher results in the maximal functional capacity tests, suggesting that currently 75- and 80-year-old people in Finland are living to older ages nowadays with better physical functioning.