bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interface structures in ionic liquid crystals
Authors: Bartsch Hendrik , Bier Markus , Dietrich Siegfried
Published: April 2019

Structural and orientational properties of liquid-smectic interfaces in systems of ionic liquid crystals are investigated by means of density functional theory.
Passive droplet generation in aqueous two-phase systems with a variable-width microchannel
Authors: Choi Daeho , Lee Eunjeong , Kim Sung-Jin , Han Minsub
Published: April 2019

Passive droplet generation for an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was performed with a fracture-based variable microchannel.
Temperature induced conformational changes in the elastin-like peptide GVG(VPGVG)3
Authors: Matt Alexander , Kuttich Björn , Grillo Isabelle , Weißheit Susann , Thiele Christina M. , Stühn Bernd
Published: April 2019

The elastin-like peptide displays conformational changes and aggregation upon heating, showing a collapsed conformation around the ITT for low concentration.
Light-mediated formation and dissociation of a two-dimensional supramolecular polymer sheet: one step closer to sustainability
Authors: Yan Sunxian , Hou Delong , Yang Gaofu , Pan Siyu , Xie Qiuping , Zeng Qi , Wang Zhonghui , Chen Yi , Fan Haojun
Published: April 2019

A light-responsive, non-persistent 2D supramolecular polymer sheet with a potentially diminished environmental impact was reported.
Graphene oxide (GO)-interlayered thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes with high solvent resistance for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN)
Authors: Li Yanyang , Li Can , Li Shuxuan , Su Baowei , Han Lihui , Mandal Bishnupada
Published: April 2019

GO-interlayered OSN membrane with ultrasmooth, ultrathin, high cross-linking degree skin layer with excellent solvent resistance.
miR-140-5p induces cell apoptosis and decreases Warburg effect in chronic myeloid leukemia by targeting SIX1
Authors: Nie Zi-Yuan , Liu Xiao-Jun , Zhan Ying , Liu Meng-Han , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Li Zi-Ye , Lu Ya-Qiong , Luo Jian-Min , Yang Lin
Published: April 2019

microRNAs (miRNA), as tumor suppressors or oncogenes, are involved in modulating cancer cell behavior, including cell proliferation and apoptosis. The miR-140-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in several tumors, but the role of miR-140-5p in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the suppression of miR-140-5p in CML patients and CML cell lines using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Overexpression miR-140-5p in CML cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation as revealed by the CCK-8 assay and promoted cell apoptosis as revealed by flow cytometry. Moreover, the sine oculis homeobox 1 (SIX1) gene had been confirmed as a direct target of miR-140-5p using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays. Overexpression of miR-140-5p decreased the SIX1 protein level in CML cells. SIX1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly up-regulated in CML patients and CML cell lines. Knockdown of SIX1 expression significantly inhibited CML cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, SIX1 as a transcriptional factor positively regulated pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) expression and played an important role in the Warburg effect. In addition, these findings indicated that miR-140-5p functions as a tumor suppressor and plays a critical role in CML cell apoptosis and metabolism by targeting SIX1. Moreover, the miR-140-5p/SIX1 axis may be a potential therapeutic target in CML.
Young plasma ameliorates aging-related acute brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Yuan Jun-Jie , Zhang Qin , Gong Chang-Xiong , Wang Fa-Xiang , Huang Jia-Cheng , Yang Guo-Qiang , Liu Liang , Zhou Kai , Xu Rui , Chen Qiong , Zhou Yu , Xiong Xiao-Yi , Yang Qing-Wu
Published: April 2019

Aging has been shown to contribute to both the declined biofunctions of aging brain and aggravation of acute brain damage, and the former could be reversed by young plasma. These results suggest that young plasma treatment may also reduce the acute brain damage induced by intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In the present study, we first found that the administration of young plasma significantly reduced the mortality and neurological deficit score in aging ICH rodents, which might be due to the decreased brain water content, damaged neural cells, and increased survival neurons around the perihematomal brain tissues. Then, proteomics analysis was used to screen out the potential neuroprotective circulating factors and the results showed that many factors were changed in health human plasma among young, adult, and old population. Among these significantly changed factors, the plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level was significantly decreased with age, which was further confirmed both in human and rats detected by ELISA. Additionally, the brain IGF-1 protein level in aging ICH rats was markedly decreased when compared with young rats. Interestingly, the relative decreased brain IGF-1 level was reversed by the treatment of young plasma in aging ICH rats, while the mRNA level was non-significantly changed. Furthermore, the IGF-1 administration significantly ameliorated the acute brain injury in aging ICH rats. These results indicated that young circulating factors, like IGF-1, may enter brain tissues to exert neuroprotective effects, and young plasma may be considered as a novel therapeutic approach for the clinical treatment of aging-related acute brain injury.
Climate change and abiotic stress mechanisms in plants
Authors: Ferguson John N.
Published: April 2019

Predicted global climatic change will perturb the productivity of our most valuable crops as well as detrimentally impact ecological fitness. The most important aspects of climate change with respect to these effects relate to water availability and heat stress. Over multiple decades, the plant research community has amassed a highly comprehensive understanding of the physiological mechanisms that facilitate the maintenance of productivity in response to drought, flooding, and heat stress. Consequently, the foundations necessary to begin the development of elite crop varieties that are primed for climate change are in place. To meet the food and fuel security concerns of a growing population, it is vital that biotechnological and breeding efforts to harness these mechanisms are accelerated in the coming decade. Despite this, those concerned with crop improvement must approach such efforts with caution and ensure that potentially harnessed mechanisms are viable under the context of a dynamically changing environment.
Dual DC current injection‐based stator winding temperature tracking for dual three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous machine using Kalman filter
Authors: Li Ze , Feng Guodong , Lai Chunyan , Tian Jiangbo , Li Wenlong , Kar Narayan C.
Published: April 2019

To prevent motor failures caused by thermal overloading, accurate knowledge of stator winding temperature is of significance. The proposed stator winding temperature tracking is a stator resistance‐based estimation technique for dual three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous machines. In the proposed approach, a dual DC signal‐injection‐based method is developed to determine winding temperature accurately, which is capable of cancelling the voltage‐source inverter non‐linearity effect with no interference with torque output. Meanwhile, the proposed method is not affected by magnetic saturation because of no inductance terms involved. The Kalman filter is employed to improve the performance of winding temperature estimation. Moreover, the proposed approach is independent of operating conditions and can be implemented in a standard motor drive with a minimum computational cost. The experimental results validate the proposed approach on a laboratory dual three‐phase interior permanent magnet synchronous motor under various speeds and load conditions.
Wind‐integrated simultaneous generation and transmission expansion planning considering short‐circuit level constraint
Authors: Najjar Mehdi , Falaghi Hamid
Published: April 2019

In this study, simultaneous generation and transmission expansion planning is presented in the presence of wind farms. Short‐circuit current constraint is included in the problem, and the impact of wind farms on short‐circuit current is evaluated. This study presents a novel approach for reducing short‐circuit current in composite generation and transmission expansion planning. In this way, new units and lines are determined such that the short‐circuit currents of substations are less than the defined limit. In addition, an optimal level of short circuit is determined and the total cost is reduced. The proposed method is applied to a real case study, and its performance is demonstrated by comparison with other methods.
Short‐term FFBS demand prediction with multi‐source data in a hybrid deep learning framework
Authors: Bao Jie , Yu Hao , Wu Jiaming
Published: April 2019

The primary objective of this study is to predict the short‐term demand of free‐floating bike sharing (FFBS) using deep learning approach. The FFBS trip data in Shanghai city are collected from the Mobike Company. Other datasets such as weather data and air quality data are also collected. The spatiotemporal patterns of FFBS demand indicates that the weekday rides exhibit an obvious commuting pattern while the weekend rides are usually involved with various trip purposes. Then, a hybrid deep learning neural network (HDL‐net) is developed to predict the short‐term FFBS demand for different time intervals including 15, 20 and 30 min. The proposed HDL‐net exhibits better performance on morning peak than the evening peak and non‐peak hours for all the three time intervals. Moreover, five benchmark methods are also used to compare with the proposed HDL‐net. The results suggest that the proposed hybrid deep learning framework outperform the benchmarks in the prediction performance for all three time intervals. The results of this study could provide insightful suggestions for transportation authorities to develop effective rebalancing strategies and bike lanes planning schemes to promote the service level of cycling in an urban city.
Banshee distribution network benchmark and prototyping platform for hardware‐in‐the‐loop integration of microgrid and device controllers
Authors: Salcedo Reynaldo , Corbett Edward , Smith Christopher , Limpaecher Erik , Rekha Raajiv , Nowocin John , Lauss Georg , Fonkwe Edwin , Almeida Murilo , Gartner Peter , Manson Scott , Nayak Bharath , Celanovic Ivan , Dufour Christian , Faruque M.Omar , Schoder Karl , Brandl Ron , Kotsampopoulos Panos , Ham Ha Thrung , Davoudi Ali , Dehkordi Ali , Strunz Kai
Published: April 2019

This article provides a unique benchmark to integrate and systematically evaluate advanced functionalities of microgrid and downstream device controllers. The article describes Banshee, a real‐life power distribution network. It also details a real‐time controller hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) prototyping platform to test the responses of the controllers and verify decision‐making algorithms. The benchmark aims to address power industry needs for a common basis to integrate and evaluate controllers for the overall microgrid, distributed energy resources (DERs), and protective devices. The test platform will accelerate microgrid deployment, enable standard compliance verification, and further develop and test controllers' functionalities. These contributions will facilitate safe and economical demonstrations of the state‐of‐the‐possible while verifying minimal impact to existing electrical infrastructure. All aspects of the benchmark and platform development including models, configuration files, and documentation are publicly available via the electric power HIL controls collaborative (EPHCC).
Calculating reserve power requirements from wind–power forecasts
Authors: Xu Aoran , Yang Tao , Ji Jianwei , Gao Yang , Gu Cailian
Published: April 2019

Forecasting the output power of large wind farms is helpful for planning reserve capacity in a mixed‐generation power supply system. After classifying the reserves needed in a power system, this research focuses on the reserve components that are affected by wind–power fluctuations, the regulating, and load‐following reserves. Considering the uncertainties in system load forecasts and wind–power forecasts, a general model for calculating the reserve requirements of a power system is proposed. Then, ultra‐short‐term forecasts of wind–power output 1 h into the future were studied, and a practical method that uses 10‐min data to forecast wind output with a rolling average was proposed to predict the amount of power generation in the next hour. Then, using the RTS‐96 dataset from the IEEE as an example, the reserve capacity requirement for the power system is determined according to the forecast uncertainty. Accurate predictive models for wind forecasting can reduce the needed reserve capacity of the system while guaranteeing the reliability and safety of the grid.
Time-distance helioseismology of solar Rossby waves
Authors: Liang Zhi-Chao , Gizon Laurent , Birch Aaron C. , Duvall Thomas L.
Published: April 2019

Context. Solar Rossby waves (r modes) have recently been discovered in the near-surface horizontal flow field using the techniques of granulation-tracking and ring-diagram analysis applied to six years of SDO/HMI data.

Aims. Here we apply time-distance helioseismology to the combined SOHO/MDI and SDO/HMI data sets, which cover 21 years of observations from May 1996 to April 2017. The goal of this study is to provide an independent confirmation over two solar cycles and in deeper layers of the Sun.

Methods. We have measured south-north helioseismic travel times along the equator, which are sensitive to subsurface north-south flows. To reduce noise, the travel times were averaged over travel distances from 6° to 30°; the mean distance corresponds to a p-mode lower turning point of 0.91 R⊙. The 21-year time series of travel-time measurements was split into three seven-year subsets and transformed to obtain power spectra in a corotating frame.

Results. The power spectra all show peaks near the frequencies of the classical sectoral Rossby waves for azimuthal wavenumbers in the range 3 ≤ m ≤ 15. The mode frequencies and linewidths of the modes with m ≤ 9 are consistent with a previous study whereas modes with m ≥ 10 are shifted toward less negative frequencies by 10–20 nHz. While most of these modes have e-folding lifetimes on the order of a few months, the longest lived mode, m = 3, has an e-folding lifetime of more than one year. For each mode, the rms velocity at the equator is in the range of 1–3 m s−1, with the largest values for m ∼ 10. No evidence for the m = 2 sectoral mode is found in the power spectrum, implying that the rms velocity of this mode is below ∼0.5 m s−1.

Conclusions. This work confirms the existence of equatorial global Rossby waves in the solar interior over the past two solar cycles and shows that time-distance helioseismology is a promising technique to study them deep in the convection zone.
Modelling multiwavelength emissions from PSR B1259–63/LS 2883: Effects of the stellar disc on shock radiations
Authors: Chen A. M. , Takata J. , Yi S. X. , Yu Y. W. , Cheng K. S.
Published: April 2019

PSR B1259–63/LS 2883 is an elliptical pulsar/Be star binary that emits broadband emissions from radio to TeVγ-rays. The massive star possesses an equatorial disc that is inclined with the orbital plane of the pulsar. Non-thermal emission from the system is believed to be produced by pulsar wind shock and double-peak profiles in the X-ray, and TeVγ-ray light curves are related to the phases of the pulsar passing through the disc region of the star. In this paper, we investigate the interactions between the pulsar wind and stellar outflows, especially with the presence of the disc, and present a multiwavelength modelling of the emission from this system. We show that the double-peak profiles of X-ray and TeVγ-ray light curves are caused by the enhancements of the magnetic field and soft photons at the shock during the disc passages. As the pulsar is passing through the equatorial disc, the additional pressure of the disc pushes the shock surface closer to the pulsar, which causes the enhancement of magnetic field in the shock, and thus increases the synchrotron luminosity. The TeVγ-rays due to the inverse-Compton (IC) scattering of shocked electrons with seed photons from the star are expected to peak around periastron, which is inconsistent with observations. However, the shock heating of the stellar disc could provide additional seed photons for IC scattering during the disc passages, and thus produces the double-peak profiles as observed in the TeVγ-ray light curve. Our model can possibly be examined and applied to other similar gamma-ray binaries, such as PSR J2032+4127/MT91 213, HESS J0632+057, and LS I+61°303.
A brief history of metrology: past, present, and future
Authors: Fanton Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we take the freedom to paraphrase Stephen Hawking's well-known formula and approach, for a reflection about metrology. In fact, metrology has a past, a present, and a future. The past is marked by a rich series of events, of which we shall highlight only those which resulted in major turns. The impact of the French Revolution is indisputably one of them. The present corresponds to a significant evolution, which is the entry of metrology into the world of quantum physics, with the relevant changes in the International System of units (SI). An apercu of the actual state of the art of metrological technology is given. The future is characterised by a persisting need for a still enhanced metrology, in terms of performance and domain covered. In this respect, soft metrology seems to constitute a promising field for research and development.
Reproductive biology of thin sharpbelly, Toxabramis swinhonis Günther, 1873 in a shallow lake (Biandantang Lake) along the middle reach of the Yangtze River basin (China): implications for fisheries management
Authors: Dong Xianghong , Grenouillet Gaël , Ju Tao , Xiang Tao , Mai Zhan , Laffaille Pascal , Lek Sovan , Liu Jiashou
Published: April 2019

The reproductive biology of Toxabramis swinhonis, one of the most abundant bycatch species in freshwater fishery in China, was first reported based on 783 specimens collected in Biandantang Lake, central China from October 2016 to September 2017. The overall sex ratio (female/male) was 1.03:1, not significantly different from the expected value 1:1. Nevertheless, sex ratio varied with seasons: 1.32:1 in the early stage of the spawning season (March–April), while 0.46:1 in the later stage (July–August). The monthly succession of the average gonadosomatic index (GSI) and percentages of mature individuals co-indicated that T. swinhonis was a spring-summer (March–August) spawner. Further, the bimodal distribution of the size of eggs from one gravid ovary and histological analysis of mature gonads suggested that T. swinhonis was a multiple spawner with indeterminate fecundity and high degree of spawning asynchronicity. The sizes and ages at first maturity for females and males were 84.47 and 81.86 mm, and 1.62 and 1.56 yr, respectively. The batch fecundity (FB) of this species varied in a wide range from 2006 to 73592 eggs per fish with a mean value of 26487.15 ± 2675.61 (S.E.) eggs and increased with the increasing of the gonad weight (WG), eviscerated weight (WE), total length (LT) and age (A). Overall, T. swinhonis in Biandantang (BDT) Lake is characterized by high fecundity and prolonged spawning season, resulting in easy population explosion. Thus, to remove T. swinhonis moderately or release predator fish discreetly to control its population is proposed considering its reproductive characteristics.
L’actualité immunologique sous l’oeil critique des étudiants de Master 2
Authors: Achari Yannis , Ali Francesca , Boudache Amel , Bui-Xuan Philomène , Furgé Philippine , Labatte Juliana , Stanciu Raluca
Published: April 2019

Dans le cadre de leur module « Analyse scientifique », les étudiants du Master 2 « Immunothérapies et Bio-ingénierie » de Sorbonne Université, ont pris la plume pour partager avec les lecteurs de m/s quelques uns des faits marquants de la littérature 2018 dans le domaine de l’immunologie. Les travaux présentés ici nous rappellent l’importance des études mécanistiques portant sur les grandes fonctions des composants du système immunitaire (lymphocytes T CD8+ cytotoxiques, lymphocytes T auxiliaires, lymphocytes T régulateurs, etc.) pour mieux comprendre la pathogenèse de certaines maladies et pour optimiser les stratégies thérapeutiques existantes. Cette année, deux brèves s’intéressent aux immunothérapies fondées sur l’utilisation d’anticorps dirigés contre des points de contrôle immunitaire : comment prédire la réponse clinique des patients à ces traitements grâce à des techniques de bioinformatique et de modélisation ? Comment améliorer leur efficacité en ciblant des facteurs de régulation épigénétique ? Une troisième brève apporte un éclairage sur les raisons expliquant pourquoi certains patients infectés par le virus du VIH et traités avec des anti-viraux ne parviennent pas à récupérer un taux normal de lymphocytes T CD4+. Enfin, une dernière brève s’intéresse, dans un modèle de diabète de type I, à une population particulière de lymphocytes T CD8+ cytotoxiques qui régulent d’autres lymphocytes T autoréactifs et limitent ainsi la réaction inflammatoire dans les organes. Bonne lecture !
Local generalization of transversality conditions for optimal control problem
Authors: İskender Eroglu Beyza Billur , Yapişkan Dіlara
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce the transversality conditions of optimal control problems formulated with the conformable derivative. Since the optimal control theory is based on variational calculus, the transversality conditions for variational calculus problems are first investigated and then supported by some illustrative examples. Utilizing from these formulations, the transversality conditions for optimal control problems are attained by using the Hamiltonian formalism and Lagrange multiplier technique. To illustrate the obtained results, the dynamical system on which optimal control problem constructed is taken as a diffusion process modeled in terms of the conformable derivative. The optimal control law is achieved by analytically solving the time dependent conformable differential equations occurring from the eigenfunction expansions of the state and the control functions. All figures are plotted using MATLAB.
Einfluss von Licht auf die Gesundheit – Präventive
Möglichkeiten durch die richtige Anwendung von Licht
Authors: Wunsch Alexander
Published: April 2019

Licht ist das am meisten unterschätzte Lebensmittel mit ungeahnten Auswirkungen
auf die biologische Gesundheit. Beim künstlichen Licht kam der natürlichen
Spektralverteilung des Sonnenlichts die Glühlampe am nächsten, die nun per
Gesetz durch LEDs ausgetauscht werden muss. Der Beitrag zeigt anhand
verschiedener Ansätze, wie sich die Kunstlichtexposition auf Körper und Geist
auswirkt. Thematisiert werden die Nachteile von Weißlicht durch Lichtstress und
Lichtflimmern und ihre Konsequenzen für die Praxis. Anhand der
Lüscher-Color-Diagnostik nach Max Lüscher wird vermittelt, wie sich Farben in
der psychovegetativen Diagnostik einsetzen lassen, z. B. mit der
Lichttherapie.
Āyurveda in der Behandlung psychosomatischer
Erkrankungen
Authors: Chopra Ananda Samir
Published: April 2019

In der Wissenschaft des Āyurveda geht man davon aus, dass eine enge
Wechselbeziehung zwischen Geist und Körper in Gesundheit und Krankheit besteht.
Dies zeigt sich in der Diagnose, wenn etwa die psychosomatische Konstitution des
Patienten erfasst wird. In der Krankheitslehre wird neben Krankheiten des
Geistes und des Körpers auch eine spezielle Gruppe von psychosomatischen
Erkrankungen unterschieden. Die Therapie dieser Erkrankungen erfolgt gemäß
āyurvedischen Grundsätzen sowohl durch spezifische Empfehlungen zu Ernährung,
allgemeiner Lebensführung und Geistesschulung, als auch durch pflanzliche
Arzneien und intensive Therapieverfahren wie das Pañcakarma. Anhand einer
Kasuistik wird das Zusammenwirken von stationärer Psychotherapie und
āyurvedischer Therapie in einer deutschen Klinik erläutert.
Iron-Promoted Construction of Indoles via Intramolecular Oxidative C–N Coupling of 2-Alkenylanilines Using Persulfate
Authors: Wang Menglan , Li Yudong , Wu Qing-An , Luo Shuping , Li Yuehui
Published: April 2019

Indole scaffold synthesis relies primarily on oxidative C–H amination of N-protected alkenylanilines for C–N intramolecular cyclization reactions. Herein, for the first time, without N-protection, various readily prepared 2-alkenylanilines were transformed into the desired indole products in good yields by using K2S2O8 as oxidant in the presence of catalytic amounts of FeF2. The K2S2O8/FeF2 system offers a direct and benign synthetic route to 3-arylindoles and it is applicable to a wide range of substituted indoles including drug intermediates.
Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylation Reactions
Authors: Thoke Mahesh Bhagwan , Kang Qiang
Published: April 2019

Rhodium-catalyzed allylation reactions are well known for their unique selectivity and reactivity due to the high memory effect of Rh as compared to other metals. These reactions involve the substitution of allylic rhodium intermediates with a diverse range of different nucleophiles, leading to C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation. Modern organic chemists are, however, interested in atom-economical protocols under greener pathways and following recent increased understanding of mechanistic aspects of Rh-catalyzed allylation via the hydrofunctionalization of allenes or alkynes, great strides have made in the design and development of new atom-economical protocols. In this article, we review this field from its beginning to current state.

1 Introduction

2 Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylic Substitution

3 Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylation with Allenes

4 Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylation with Alkynes

5 Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylation with Dienes

6 Rhodium-Catalyzed Allylation by ARO of Oxabicyclic Alkenes

7 Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allylation in Natural Product and Drug Synthesis

8 Conclusion
Efficacy of Non-Beta-lactam Antibiotics for Prevention of Cesarean Delivery Surgical Site Infections
Authors: Harris Benjamin , Hopkins Maeve , Villers Margaret , Weber Jeremy , Pieper Carl , Grotegut Chad , Swamy Geeta , Hughes Brenna , Heine R
Published: April 2019

Objective To examine the association between perioperative Beta (β))-lactam versus non-β-lactam antibiotics and cesarean delivery surgical site infection (SSI).

Study Design Retrospective cohort of women undergoing cesarean delivery from January 1 to December 31, 2014. All women undergoing cesarean after 34 weeks with a postpartum visit were included. Prevalence of SSI was compared between women receiving β-lactam versus non-β-lactam antibiotics. Bivariate analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-square, Fisher's exact, or Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests. Logistic regression models were fit controlling for possible confounders.

Results Of the 929 women included, 826 (89%) received β-lactam prophylaxis and 103 (11%) received a non-β-lactam. Among the 893 women who reported a non-type I (low risk) allergy, 819 (92%) received β-lactam prophylaxis. SSI occurred in 7% of women who received β-lactam antibiotics versus 15% of women who received a non-β-lactam (p = 0.004). β-Lactam prophylaxis was associated with lower odds of SSI compared with non-β-lactam antibiotics (odds ratio [OR] = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.22–0.83; p = 0.01) after controlling for chorioamnionitis in labor, postlabor cesarean, endometritis, tobacco use, and body mass index (BMI).

Conclusion β-Lactam perioperative prophylaxis is associated with lower odds of a cesarean delivery surgical site infection compared with non-β-lactam antibiotics.
Timing of Antenatal Corticosteroid Administration in Monoamniotic Twins
Authors: Bibbo Carolina , Easter Sarah , Saadeh Michael , Little Sarah , Robinson Julian
Published: April 2019

Objective This study was aimed to determine if different strategies of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration in monoamniotic twins leads to receipt within 7 days of delivery.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort of monoamniotic twins managed at a single institution from 2007 to 2017. Patients were classified as to whether ACS were administered upon admission or at a predetermined gestational age (grouped together as “routine”) or for a change in clinical status (“indicated”). We used univariate analyses to associate ACS administration strategies with our primary outcome: receipt of ACS within 7 days of delivery. We then used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between fetal monitoring patterns and delivery within 1 week.

Results Twenty-four patients were included: eighteen patients in the “routine” group and six patients in the “indicated” group. There was no difference in optimal timing of ACS administration. Women experiencing delivery within the week were thrice more likely to spend on average more than 3 hours/day on the fetal monitor when compared with those who remained undelivered.

Conclusion Administration of ACS on admission is not effective. Fetal heart rate tracing surveillance might be a better methodology to predict delivery and guide ACS administration.
Beyond Cervical Length: Association between Postcerclage Transvaginal Ultrasound Parameters and Preterm Birth
Authors: Battarbee Ashley N. , Ellis Joshua S. , Manuck Tracy A.
Published: April 2019

Objective To assess the value of transvaginal ultrasound parameters after cerclage placement in estimating the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort at a single tertiary care center from 2013 to 2016. Women carrying a singleton, nonanomalous fetus with cerclage in situ and at least one postcerclage transvaginal ultrasound from 160/7 to 256/7 weeks' gestation were included. In addition to abstracting maternal demographic and obstetric characteristics, two study investigators separately reviewed each of the images from the first transvaginal ultrasound after cerclage placement, masked to pregnancy outcomes. We measured the angle between the anterior uterine wall and cervical canal at the internal os and external os, closed canal length above and below the stitch, width of the anterior and posterior cervix at the level of the cerclage, and stitch distance from the cervical canal. The presence of additional ultrasound findings such as sludge and cervical funneling was also noted. The main outcomes were preterm birth < 34 weeks and preterm birth < 37 weeks. Transvaginal ultrasound parameters were compared between women with preterm birth and those without preterm birth using chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests, as appropriate. Log binomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk of preterm birth for all significant obstetric and ultrasound characteristics.

Results A total of 102 women met inclusion criteria: 58% had history-indicated, 20% ultrasound-indicated, and 23% exam-indicated cerclages. Of these, 28 (27.5%) women delivered at < 34 weeks' gestation, and 48 (47.0%) women delivered at < 37 weeks' gestation. Preterm birth did not vary by race, maternal age, insurance, smoking, or gestational age of the earliest prior preterm birth (for multiparous women), but women who had preterm birth were more likely to have exam-indicated cerclage. There were several transvaginal ultrasound parameters associated with preterm birth < 34 weeks and preterm birth < 37 weeks. Of these, cervical length below the stitch, stitch distance from the cervical canal, straight cervical canal, funneling to or past the stitch, and presence of sludge had the greatest effect sizes.

Conclusion Rates of preterm birth are high postcerclage. In addition to measuring cervical length, utilization of postcerclage transvaginal ultrasound to evaluate the location of the cerclage within the cervix, the curvature of the cervical canal, and the presence of funneling and sludge may help identify women who are at the highest risk for preterm birth.
Disparities in Health Care–Associated Infections in the NICU
Authors: Liu Jessica , Sakarovitch Charlotte , Sigurdson Krista , Lee Henry C. , Profit Jochen
Published: April 2019

Objectives This study aimed to examine multilevel risk factors for health care–associated infection (HAI) among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with a focus on race/ethnicity and its association with variation in infection across hospitals.

Study Design This is a population-based cohort study of 20,692 VLBW infants born between 2011 and 2015 in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative.

Results Risk-adjusted infection rates varied widely across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), ranging from 0 to 24.6% across 5 years. Although Hispanic infants had higher odds of HAI overall, race/ethnicity did not affect the variation in infection rates. Non-Hispanic black mothers were more likely to receive care in NICUs within the top tertile of infection risk. Yet, among NICUs in this tertile, infants across all races and ethnicities suffered similar high rates of infection.

Conclusion Hispanic infants had higher odds of infection. We found significant variation in infection across NICUs, even after accounting for factors usually associated with infection.
Polymers grown in cavities: Vesicles and droplets
Authors: Lee Nam-Kyung , Johner Albert
Published: April 2019

In synthetic chemistry and biological or biomimetic systems, polymers are often grown in cavities. Polymerizations in microemulsions, biopolymers grown in cells, or in vesicles containing artificial organelles have an influence on the shape of liquid boundaries. We consider confined grand-canonical polymers to address equilibrium properties of annealed polymers. We calculate the concentration profiles established by annealed (star-) polymers inside a confining cavity. Our emphasis is on the description of pressure fields derived from the contact theorem. We further show how the pressure field exerted by a localized annealed polymer (or pair of polymers) deforms the confining vesicle/ microemulsions droplet.
Unidirectional focusing of horizontally polarized shear elastic waves electromagnetic acoustic transducers for plate inspection
Authors: Huang S. L. , Sun H. Y. , Wang Q. , Wang S. , Zhao W.
Published: April 2019

The ultrasonic guided wave testing method is very effective in monitoring the safety of complex structures. The fundamental shear horizontal (SH) wave mode has the advantage that the propagation velocity does not change with the frequency. However, accurately recognizing the ultrasonic signal is difficult due to the SH guided wave’s bidirectional propagation characteristics generated by the Lorentz force mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve unidirectional focusing of Lorentz force-generated SH guided waves. A newly designed SH guided wave electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is proposed with an interlaced periodic permanent magnet (PPM) and AC coils of different phases. A 3D model based on the electromagnetic mode and the solid mechanics mode using COMSOL software is calculated and compared with the bidirectional focusing EMATs. The results show that there are many influencing factors in the structural design of the transducers, and the focal radius and the angle of the individual PPMs are discussed in this work. The results indicate that the new unidirectional EMAT shows superiority in many cases, and the decrease of the focal radius with a suitable aperture angle will increase the focusing intensity of the signal.
Time-resolved nano-Newton force spectroscopy in air and vacuum using a load cell of ultra micro-balance
Authors: Panda Biswajit , Sidhu Mehra S. , Munjal Pooja , Sokhi Shivali , Singh Kamal P.
Published: April 2019

We demonstrate a simple and versatile nanomechanical force measuring setup with 1 nN precision in air and vacuum using a load cell of an ultra-microbalance. We validate stability, precision, and linearity of the load cell with simple tests. The setup is customized to measure stress-strain response of biomaterials (silk, leaf, and flower) and capillary force in fluids. We isolated an optical pull force induced by a Watt-level laser reflected from a mirror/solid surface in air, in addition to optical push force. Furthermore, we add an interferometric probe to directly measure nanoscale deflection of cantilever of the load cell in real-time, thus bypassing its conventional electromagnetic readout, to improve speed and precision of the instrument. We demonstrate nanomechanical force measurement in high vacuum with the same precision and employ radiation pressure to calibrate the load cell for various precision measurements.
Magnetized plasma sheath properties in the presence of Maxwellian low-temperature and non-Maxwellian high-temperature electrons
Authors: Basnet Suresh , Khanal Raju
Published: April 2019

The characteristics of a magnetized plasma sheath in the presence of two-groups of electrons, namely, low-temperature electrons (LTEs) and high-temperature electrons (HTEs), have been studied using the fluid model. The LTEs are considered to obey the Boltzmann distribution, whereas the HTEs follow the so-called q-nonextensive distribution. The Bohm-sheath criterion which gets modified is developed for such plasmas, and the compiled fluid equations are solved numerically. The obtained results signify that the q-nonextensive parameter and concentration ratio have a significant effect on the magnetized plasma sheath parameters. The magnitude of sheath potential monotonically increases toward the wall consistent with Debye shielding. The temperature ratio of HTE to LTE also affects the electrostatic sheath potential. Although the q-parameter and concentration ratio affect the electron and ion density profiles as both decrease toward the wall, the electron density decreases much faster than ions. In addition, the LTE density decreases at the sheath entrance, whereas the HTE density increases for the increasing concentration ratio.
Stress-induced depolarization of single-layer PZT 95/5 ferroelectric films
Authors: Shkuratov Sergey I. , Baird Jason , Antipov Vladimir G. , Chase Jay B. , Hackenberger Wesley
Published: April 2019

Ferroelectric (FE) films are widely used in electronic devices and low-power FE transducers. There is significant interest in expanding the usage of FE films to ultrahigh-power systems. The results are reported herein on experimental investigations of stress-induced depolarization of single-layer PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 doped 2% Nb (PZT 95/5) poled FE films subjected to uniaxial adiabatic compression perpendicular and antiparallel to the direction of polarization. It was found that at a stress of 2.4 GPa, the 32-μm-thick films underwent a pressure induced transition to a nonpolar antiferroelectric phase and became completely depolarized in both modes of high strain rate loading. The experimental results indicate that the behavior of stress-induced current generated by longitudinally compressed films is more complicated than under transverse stress. This complex behavior may be caused by the short stress wave transit distance through the film, that is, comparable with the thickness of the stress wave front. The important result is that the specific electric charge released by PZT 95/5 films under stress, 104 μC/cm3, is more than an order of magnitude higher than that released by bulk PZT 95/5 ceramic specimens. It was experimentally demonstrated that transversely compressed miniature PZT 95/5 film specimens with volume less than 1 cm3 are capable of producing pulses of hundreds of amperes of current. This study promises FE film applications in ultrahigh-power systems.
Similarities and differences of the Lagrange formalism and the intermediate state representation in the treatment of molecular properties
Authors: Hodecker Manuel , Rehn Dirk R. , Dreuw Andreas , Höfener Sebastian
Published: April 2019

When dealing with approximate wave functions, molecular properties can be computed either as expectation values or as derivatives of the energy with respect to a corresponding perturbation. In this work, the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism for the computation of expectation values is compared to the Lagrange formalism following a derivative ansatz, which are two alternative approaches of which neither one can be considered superior in general. Within the ISR formalism, terms are included up to a given order of perturbation theory only, while in the Lagrange formalism, all terms are accounted for arising through the differentiation. Similarities and differences of the Lagrange and ISR formalism are illustrated using explicit working equations for selected methods and analyzing numerical results for a range of coupled-cluster as well as algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) methods for excited states. The analysis explains why the ADC(3/2) method is able to yield a large amount of the orbital-relaxation effects for p-h states in contrast to ADC(2) although the same second-order ISR is used to represent the corresponding operator.
Asymptotic analysis of quasielastic neutron scattering data from human acetylcholinesterase reveals subtle dynamical changes upon ligand binding
Authors: Saouessi Melek , Peters Judith , Kneller Gerald R.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we show that subtle changes in the internal dynamics of human acetylcholinesterase upon ligand binding can be extracted from quasielastic neutron scattering data by employing a nonexponential relaxation model for the intermediate scattering function. The relaxation is here described by a stretched Mittag-Leffler function, which exhibits slow power law decay for long times. Our analysis reveals that binding of a Huperzine A ligand increases the atomic motional amplitudes of the enzyme and slightly slows down its internal diffusive motions. This result is interpreted within an energy landscape picture for the motion of the hydrogen atoms.
Wheat grain-yield response to lime application: relationships with soil pH and aluminium in Western Australia
Authors: Anderson Geoffrey , Bell Richard
Published: April 2019

Soil acidity, or more specifically aluminium (Al) toxicity, is a major soil limitation to growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the south of Western Australia (SWA). Application of calcium carbonate (lime) is used to correct Al toxicity by increasing soil pH and decreasing soluble soil Al3+. Soil testing using a 0.01 m calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution can measure both soil pH (pHCaCl2) and soil Al (AlCaCl2) for recommending rates of lime application. This study aimed to determine which combination of soil pHCaCl2 or soil AlCaCl2 and sampling depth best explains the wheat grain-yield increase (response) when lime is applied. A database of 31 historical lime experiments was compiled with wheat as the indicator crop. Wheat response to lime application was presented as relative yield percentage (grain yield for the no-lime treatment divided by the highest grain yield achieved for lime treatments × 100). Soil sampling depths were 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm and various combinations of these depths. For evidence that lime application had altered soil pHCaCl2, we selected the change in the lowest pHCaCl2 value of the three soil layers to a depth of 30 cm as a result of the highest lime application (ΔpHmin). When ΔpHmin <0.3, the lack of grain-yield response to lime suggested that insufficient lime had leached into the 10–30 cm soil layer to remove the soil Al limitation for these observations. Also, under high fallow-season rainfall (228 and 320 mm) and low growing-season rainfall (GSR) (<140 mm), relative yield was lower for the measured level of soil AlCaCl2 than in the other observations. Hence, after excluding observations with ΔpHmin <0.3 or GSR <140 mm (n = 19), soil AlCaCl2 provided a better definition of the relationship between soil test and wheat response (r2 range 0.48–0.74) than did soil pHCaCl2 (highest r2 0.38). The critical value (defined at relative yield = 90%) ranged from 2.5 mg Al kg–1 (for soil Al calculated according to root distribution by depth within the 0–30 cm layer) to 4.5 mg Al kg–1 (calculated from the highest AlCaCl2 value from the three soil layers to 30 cm depth). We conclude that 0.01 m CaCl2 extractable Al in the 0–30 cm layer will give the more accurate definition of the relationship between soil test and wheat response in SWA.
Ecology of China's pilot cities for creating healthy aquatic communities: heterogeneity, niches and environmental factors
Authors: Zhao Changsen , Yang Shengtian
Published: April 2019

Globally, climate change and human activities have greatly stressed the health of water ecological communities (WECs) in cities, and WEC restoration is therefore a critical issue, especially for developing cities. To restore healthy WECs and support humans into the future, the Ministry of Water Resources, China, proposed a project to build cities with healthy WECs. Jinan was designated the first pilot city for this project. The exploration of methodologies on WEC restoration in pilot cities is important because it can provide reliable theoretical evidence and methodological references for researchers and managers, and serve as an important decision-making basis for ecological resources management and remediation of fresh waters. In this Research Front, we have brought together studies on aquatic ecosystems of the first pilot cities project to build healthy WECs in China, including studies on the health, temporospatial heterogeneity and niches of WECs, as well as environmental factors. These studies can significantly increase our understanding of the ecology of the aquatic systems in China’s pilot cities. It is anticipated that this ecosystem knowledge will help assess the effects of climate- and human-induced stress changes, and form the basis for making aquatic ecosystem protection and restoration decisions across the globe.
Genetic variation across the human olfactory receptor repertoire alters odor perception
Authors: Trimmer C. , Keller A. , Murphy N. R. , Snyder L. L. , Willer J. R. , Nagai M. H. , Katsanis N. , Vosshall L. B. , Matsunami H. , Mainland J. D.
Published: April 2019

Humans use a family of more than 400 olfactory receptors (ORs) to detect odors, but there is currently no model that can predict olfactory perception from receptor activity patterns. Genetic variation in human ORs is abundant and alters receptor function, allowing us to examine the relationship between receptor function and perception. We sequenced the OR repertoire in 332 individuals and examined how genetic variation affected 276 olfactory phenotypes, including the perceived intensity and pleasantness of 68 odorants at two concentrations, detection thresholds of three odorants, and general olfactory acuity. Genetic variation in a single OR was frequently associated with changes in odorant perception, and we validated 10 cases in which in vitro OR function correlated with in vivo odorant perception using a functional assay. In 8 of these 10 cases, reduced receptor function was associated with reduced intensity perception. In addition, we used participant genotypes to quantify genetic ancestry and found that, in combination with single OR genotype, age, and gender, we can explain between 10% and 20% of the perceptual variation in 15 olfactory phenotypes, highlighting the importance of single OR genotype, ancestry, and demographic factors in the variation of olfactory perception.