bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NMR Spectroscopic Study of Orientational Order in Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Dai Jing , Majhi Debashis , Kharkov Boris B. , Dvinskikh Sergey V.
Published: September 2019

We report on molecular and local orientational order of a series of imidazolium-based ionic liquid crystals exhibiting layered smectic A mesophase. Materials constituting of 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium cation, and different counter-ions, were investigated. We apply two-dimensional 13C-1H dipolar NMR spectroscopy to quantify orientational order of C-H bonds of the organic cation. The experimental data supported the structural model of the interdigitated chains aligned with the smectic layer normal. Molecular order parameter S was found to increase in the anion sequence BF4− < I− < Br− < Cl−. This trend correlates well with ionic radius, negative charge delocalization, and hydrogen-bonding properties of the anions.
A Study on the Growth Window of Polycrystalline Diamond on Si3N4-coated N-Polar GaN
Authors: Malakoutian Mohamadali , Laurent Matthew A. , Chowdhury Srabanti
Published: September 2019

Diamond has the most desirable thermal properties for applications in electronics. In principle, diamond is the best candidate for integration with other materials for thermal management due to its high thermal conductivity. Therefore, if low thermal boundary resistance can be developed between diamond and the semiconductor material, it would most effectively channel the heat away from areas of high power dissipation. Recent advancement of N-polar GaN in high power RF and conventional power electronics motivated us to study the diamond/Si3N4/GaN interface to understand how effectively the heat can be transferred from the GaN channel to diamond heat-sink. Prior studies showed that there are challenges in incorporating diamond with GaN while still maintaining the high crystalline quality necessary to observe the desirable thermal properties of the material. Therefore, in this study we investigated the influence of methane concentration (0.5–6%), gas pressure (40–90 Torr), sample surface temperature (600–850 °C), and growth duration (1~5 h) on polycrystalline diamond growth. The diamond/Si3N4/GaN interface looks abrupt with no signs of etching of the GaN for the samples with methane concentration above 2%, pressures up to 90 Torr, and temperatures < 850 °C, allowing for incorporation of diamond close to the active region of the device. This approach contrasts with most prior research, which require surface roughening and thick growth on the backside.
Handling Data Gaps in Reported Field Measurements of Short Rotation Forestry
Authors: Seserman Diana-Maria , Freese Dirk
Published: September 2019

Filling missing data in forest research is paramount for the analysis of primary data, forest statistics, land use strategies, as well as for the calibration/validation of forest growth models. Consequently, our main objective was to investigate several methods of filling missing data under a reduced sample size. From a complete dataset containing yearly first-rotation tree growth measurements over a period of eight years, we gradually retrieved two and then four years of measurements, hence operating on 72% and 43% of the original data. Secondly, 15 statistical models, five forest growth functions, and one biophysical, process-oriented, tree growth model were employed for filling these data gap representations accounting for 72% and 43% of the available data. Several models belonging to (i) regression analysis, (ii) statistical imputation, (iii) forest growth functions, and (iv) tree growth models were applied in order to retrieve information about the trees from existing yearly measurements. Subsequently, the findings of this study could lead to finding a handy tool for both researchers and practitioners dealing with incomplete datasets. Moreover, we underline the paramount demand for far-sighted, long-term research projects for the expansion and maintenance of a short rotation forestry (SRF) repository.
Flowable Bulk-Fill Materials Compared to Nano Ceramic Composites for Class I Cavities Restorations in Primary Molars: A Two-Year Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Sarapultseva Maria , Sarapultsev Alexey
Published: September 2019

Background: The aim of this split-mouth study is to compare the results of 24 months’ clinical performance of primary molar Class I restorations with a nano-ceramic composite, Ceram•X mono (Dentsply) with a flowable bulk-fill material regular viscosity, SDR (Dentsply). Methods: Following the ethical approval, 27 patients with at least two class I cavities in primary molars were included in the study. A total number of 54 restorations were conducted (n = 27 for Ceram X and n = 27 for SDR). Restorations were evaluated at baseline, 6, 18, and 24 months, according to the modified Ryge criteria. The cavosurface marginal discoloration and color match were evaluated visually after air-drying the tooth and after removing the plaque (if necessary). Results: At 24 months’ follow-up, 54 restorations showed similar clinical performance. The statistical analysis did not reveal any statistical significance in the values between the groups in 7 out of 7 modified Ryge criteria. However, two restorations in both groups received Bravo ratings in the cavosurface marginal discoloration scoring. No side effects were reported by the participants of the study. Conclusion: Restorations with both materials (Ceram•X mono and SDR) have provided almost identical results.
Control of the Boundary between the Gradual and Abrupt Modulation of Resistance in the Schottky Barrier Tunneling-Modulated Amorphous Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide Memristors for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Jang Jun Tae , Ahn Geumho , Choi Sung-Jin , Kim Dong Myong , Kim Dae Hwan
Published: September 2019

The transport and synaptic characteristics of the two-terminal Au/Ti/ amorphous Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide (a-IGZO)/thin SiO2/p+-Si memristors based on the modulation of the Schottky barrier (SB) between the resistive switching (RS) oxide layer and the metal electrodes are investigated by modulating the oxygen content in the a-IGZO film with the emphasis on the mechanism that determines the boundary of the abrupt/gradual RS. It is found that a bimodal distribution of the effective SB height (ΦB) results from further reducing the top electrode voltage (VTE)-dependent Fermi-level (EF) followed by the generation of ionized oxygen vacancies (VO2+s). Based on the proposed model, the influences of the readout voltage, the oxygen content, the number of consecutive VTE sweeps on ΦB, and the memristor current are explained. In particular, the process of VO2+ generation followed by the ΦB lowering is gradual because increasing the VTE-dependent EF lowering followed by the VO2+ generation is self-limited by increasing the electron concentration-dependent EF heightening. Furthermore, we propose three operation regimes: the readout, the potentiation in gradual RS, and the abrupt RS. Our results prove that the Au/Ti/a-IGZO/SiO2/p+-Si memristors are promising for the monolithic integration of neuromorphic computing systems because the boundary between the gradual and abrupt RS can be controlled by modulating the SiO2 thickness and IGZO work function.
High-Performance Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Antenna System For 5G Mobile Terminals
Authors: Abdullah Mujeeb , Kiani Saad Hassan , Abdulrazak Lway Faisal , Iqbal Amjad , Bashir M. A. , Khan Shafiullah , Kim Sunghwan
Published: September 2019

In this paper, the systematic design of a multiple antenna system for 5G smartphone operating at 3.5 GHz for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operation in smartphones is proposed. The smartphone is preferred to be lightweight, thin, and attractive, and as a result metal casings have become popular. Using conventional antennas, such as a patch antenna, Inverted-F antennas, or monopole, in proximity to metal casing leads to decreasing its total efficiency and bandwidth. Therefore, a slot antenna embedded in the metal casing can be helpful, with good performance regarding bandwidth and total efficiency. The proposed multiple antenna system adopted the unit open-end slot antenna fed by Inverted-L microstrip with tuning stub. The measured S-parameters results agree fairly with the numerical results. It attains 200 MHz bandwidth at 3.5 GHz with ports isolation of (≤−13 dB) for any two antennas of the system. The influence of the customer’s hand for the proposed multiple antenna system is also considered, and the MIMO channel capacity is computed. The maximum achievable MIMO channel capacity based on the measured result is 31.25 bps/Hz and is about 2.7 times of 2 × 2 MIMO operation.
Papering the Origins: Place-Making, Privacy, and Kinship in Spanish International Adoption
Authors: Leinaweaver Jessaca
Published: September 2019

This article examines place and privacy as two key resources for producing kinship through an analysis of exceptional legal practices in Spain that overdetermine international adoptees’ Spanishness. Per Spanish law, minors internationally adopted by a Spanish parent are “Spanish by origin” (españoles de origen). Over and above this, however, Spain’s Civil Registry Law was modified in 2005 to allow internationally adoptive parents to officially change their child’s place of birth in the formal record. I draw on legal material about this change, as well as online posts by adoptive parents discussing it, to make two claims. First, I identify the significance of place as a key resource for the production of kinship—belonging to a Spanish family and nation. Second, I note the persistence of an ideology of secrecy or privacy surrounding the family that is linked to a history of illicit child circulations during the Franco era. I further show that documents are a key nexus mediating the place–kinship and privacy–kinship relations, requiring further attention to both legal documentation and the proliferation of public personal narratives, such as blog posts, as evidence of family dynamics.
Comparative Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Composition Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Lee Jin-Young , Mannaa Mohamed , Kim Yunkyung , Kim Jehun , Kim Geun-Tae , Seo Young-Su
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between the gut microbiota composition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with osteoarthritis (OA). Stool samples from nine RA patients and nine OA patients were collected, and DNA was extracted. The gut microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The structures and differences in the gut microbiome between RA and OA were analyzed. The analysis of diversity revealed no differences in the complexity of samples. The RA group had a lower Bacteroidetes: Firmicutes ratio than did the OA group. Lactobacilli and Prevotella, particularly Prevotella copri, were more abundant in the RA than in the OA group, although these differences were not statistically significant. The relative abundance of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium was lower in the RA group. At the species level, the abundance of certain bacterial species was significantly lower in the RA group, such as Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Dialister invisus, Clostridium leptum, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans, Anaerotruncus colihominis, Bacteroides faecichinchillae, Harryflintia acetispora, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Christensenella minuta. The microbial properties of the gut differed between RA and OA patients, and the RA dysbiosis revealed results similar to those of other autoimmune diseases, suggesting that a specific gut microbiota pattern is related to autoimmunity.
Higher Mortality Rate in Moderate-to-Severe Thoracoabdominal Injury Patients with Admission Hyperglycemia Than Nondiabetic Normoglycemic Patients
Authors: Su Wei-Ti , Wu Shao-Chun , Chou Sheng-En , Huang Chun-Ying , Hsu Shiun-Yuan , Liu Hang-Tsung , Hsieh Ching-Hua
Published: September 2019

Background: Hyperglycemia at admission is associated with an increase in worse outcomes in trauma patients. However, admission hyperglycemia is not only due to diabetic hyperglycemia (DH), but also stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH). This study was designed to evaluate the mortality rates between adult moderate-to-severe thoracoabdominal injury patients with admission hyperglycemia as DH or SIH and in patients with nondiabetic normoglycemia (NDN) at a level 1 trauma center. Methods: Patients with a glucose level ≥200 mg/dL upon arrival at the hospital emergency department were diagnosed with admission hyperglycemia. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was diagnosed when patients had an admission glycohemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% or had a past history of DM. Admission hyperglycemia related to DH and SIH was diagnosed in patients with and without DM. Patients who had a thoracoabdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale score <3, a polytrauma, a burn injury and were below 20 years of age were excluded. A total of 52 patients with SIH, 79 patients with DH, and 621 patients with NDN were included from the registered trauma database between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2018. To reduce the confounding effects of sex, age, comorbidities, and injury severity of patients in assessing the mortality rate, different 1:1 propensity score-matched patient populations were established to assess the impact of admission hyperglycemia (SIH or DH) vs. NDN, as well as SIH vs. DH, on the outcomes. Results: DH was significantly more frequent in older patients (61.4 ± 13.7 vs. 49.8 ± 17.2 years, p < 0.001) and in patients with higher incidences of preexisting hypertension (2.5% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (3.8% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.014) than NDN. On the contrary, SIH had a higher injury severity score (median [Q1–Q3], 20 [15–22] vs. 13 [10–18], p < 0.001) than DH. In matched patient populations, patients with either SIH or DH had a significantly higher mortality rate than NDN patients (10.6% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.022, and 5.3% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.043, respectively). However, the mortality rate was insignificantly different between SIH and DH (11.4% vs. 8.6%, odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–6.66; p = 0.690). Conclusion: This study revealed that admission hyperglycemia in the patients with thoracoabdominal injuries had a higher mortality rate than NDN patients with or without adjusting the differences in patient’s age, sex, comorbidities, and injury severity.
Cigarette and E-Cigarette Use and Smoking Cessation Practices among Physicians in Poland
Authors: Jankowski Mateusz , Kaleta Dorota , Zgliczyński Wojciech Stefan , Grudziąż-Sękowska Justyna , Wrześniewska-Wal Iwona , Gujski Mariusz , Wierzba Waldemar , Pinkas Jarosław
Published: September 2019

Physicians play a key role in combating tobacco use. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward smoking cessation and vaping cessation interventions among physicians in Poland; to identify factors shaping physicians’ behaviors toward smoking and vaping cessation interventions; and to assess differences in the tobacco cessation interventions recommended for cigarette smokers and users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2018 among physicians attending mandatory public health training courses delivered at the School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland. The questionnaire included 25 questions related to tobacco product use and smoking cessation interventions. Data were obtained from 423 physicians (64.3% female; mean age 32.0 ± 5.8 years) with response rate of 84.6%. Current cigarette smoking was declared by 7.8% of participants; 1.9% of participants were e-cigarette users and 1.9% used heated tobacco. Smoking cessation interventions were offered more often to patients who smoked cigarettes than those who used e-cigarettes (p < 0.001). Physicians’ behaviors toward smoking cessation and vaping cessation interventions were associated with (p < 0.05) physicians’ smoking status and self-declared knowledge about smoking cessation methods. Among physicians in Poland, discussion of smoking cessation was not common behavior and limited mainly to identification of smoking status.
Reduction of 2,2′-Bipyridine by Quasi-Linear 3d-Metal(I) Silylamides—A Structural and Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Müller Igor , Schneider Christian , Pietzonka Clemens , Kraus Florian , Werncke C. Gunnar
Published: September 2019

Quasi-linear anionic 3d-metal(I) silylamides are a new and promising class of molecules. Due to their highly negative reduction potential we wanted to test their capability to reduce substrates under coordination of their monoanionic radicaloid form. In a proof of principle study, we present the results of the reaction of metal(I) silylamides of chromium to cobalt with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), the redox non-innocence and reducibility of which was already established. In the course of these studies complexes of the type K{18-crown-6}[M(hmds)2(bipy)] (hmds = –N(SiMe3)2) were obtained. These compounds were isolated and thoroughly characterized to confirm the electron transfer onto the bipyridine ligand, which now acts as a radical monoanion. For comparison of the structural changes of the bipyridine ligand, the analogous zinc complexes were also synthesized. Overall our results indicate that anionic metal(I) silylamides are capable of reducing and ligate substrates, even when the electrochemical reduction potential of the latter is by up to 1 V higher.
Use of Flowering Plants to Enhance Parasitism and Predation Rates on Two Squash Bug Species Anasa tristis and Anasa armigera (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
Authors: Cornelius Mary L. , Vinyard Bryan T. , Gates Michael W.
Published: September 2019

A two-year study evaluated the effect of a flowering border of buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench on rates of egg parasitism, egg predation and adult parasitism on two squash bug species, Anasa tristis (DeGeer) and Anasa armigera Say, by comparing rates in squash fields with and without a flowering border. Furthermore, we evaluated whether there was an edge effect by comparing parasitism and predation rates in plots located in the corner of a squash field with plots located in the center of a squash field for fields with and without a flowering border. The egg parasitism rates were not affected by either treatment (flowering border or control) or plot location (edge or center). Anasa armigera egg masses only accounted for 4.3% of the total egg masses collected. The egg parasitism rates increased gradually throughout the season, peaking in the last week of August in 2017 at 45% for A. tristis egg masses. The most common egg parasitoid recovered was Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead) followed by Ooencyrtus anasae (Ashmead). Adult parasitism was not affected by treatment, but A. tristis adult parasitism rates were higher in plots located on the edge of squash fields compared with plots located in the center of squash fields in 2016. Since adult parasitoid, Trichopoda pennipes (Fabricius) flies were observed visiting buckwheat flowers, future studies could explore the possibility that the flowering buckwheat may have a more impact on adult parasitism if there was a greater distance between fields with and without a flowering border.
Connecting Histopathology Imaging and Proteomics in Kidney Cancer through Machine Learning
Authors: Azuaje Francisco , Kim Sang-Yoon , Perez Hernandez Daniel , Dittmar Gunnar
Published: September 2019

Proteomics data encode molecular features of diagnostic value and accurately reflect key underlying biological mechanisms in cancers. Histopathology imaging is a well-established clinical approach to cancer diagnosis. The predictive relationship between large-scale proteomics and H&E-stained histopathology images remains largely uncharacterized. Here we investigate such associations through the application of machine learning, including deep neural networks, to proteomics and histology imaging datasets generated by the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) from clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients. We report robust correlations between a set of diagnostic proteins and predictions generated by an imaging-based classification model. Proteins significantly correlated with the histology-based predictions are significantly implicated in immune responses, extracellular matrix reorganization, and metabolism. Moreover, we showed that the genes encoding these proteins also reliably recapitulate the biological associations with imaging-derived predictions based on strong gene–protein expression correlations. Our findings offer novel insights into the integrative modeling of histology and omics data through machine learning, as well as the methodological basis for new research opportunities in this and other cancer types.
Heat Generation at the Implant–Bone Interface by Insertion of Ceramic and Titanium Implants
Authors: Zipprich Holger , Weigl Paul , König Eugenie , Toderas Alexandra , Balaban Ümniye , Ratka Christoph
Published: September 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to record material- and surface-dependent heat dissipation during the process of inserting implants into native animal bone. Materials and Methods: Implants made of titanium and zirconium that were identical in macrodesign were inserted under controlled conditions into a bovine rib tempered to 37 °C. The resulting surface temperature was measured on two bone windows by an infrared camera. The results of the six experimental groups, ceramic machined (1), sandblasted (2), and sandblasted and acid-etched surfaces (3) versus titanium implants with the corresponding surfaces (4, 5, and 6) were statistically tested. Results: The average temperature increase, 3 mm subcrestally at ceramic implants, differed with high statistical significance (p = 7.163 × 10−9, resulting from group-adjusted linear mixed-effects model) from titanium. The surface texture of ceramic implants shows a statistical difference between group 3 (15.44 ± 3.63 °C) and group 1 (19.94 ± 3.28 °C) or group 2 (19.39 ± 5.73 °C) surfaces. Within the titanium implants, the temperature changes were similar for all surfaces. Conclusion: Within the limits of an in vitro study, the high temperature rises at ceramic versus titanium implants should be limited by a very slow insertion velocity.
Dynamics of Phenotypic Heterogeneity Associated with EMT and Stemness during Cancer Progression
Authors: Jolly Mohit Kumar , Celià-Terrassa Toni
Published: September 2019

Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity contribute to the generation of diverse tumor cell populations, thus enhancing cancer aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Compared to genetic heterogeneity, a consequence of mutational events, phenotypic heterogeneity arises from dynamic, reversible cell state transitions in response to varying intracellular/extracellular signals. Such phenotypic plasticity enables rapid adaptive responses to various stressful conditions and can have a strong impact on cancer progression. Herein, we have reviewed relevant literature on mechanisms associated with dynamic phenotypic changes and cellular plasticity, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stemness, which have been reported to facilitate cancer metastasis. We also discuss how non-cell-autonomous mechanisms such as cell–cell communication can lead to an emergent population-level response in tumors. The molecular mechanisms underlying the complexity of tumor systems are crucial for comprehending cancer progression, and may provide new avenues for designing therapeutic strategies.
Tidal Variation in Cohesive Sediment Distribution and Sensitivity to Flocculation and Bed Consolidation in An Idealized, Partially Mixed Estuary
Authors: Tarpley Danielle R.N. , Harris Courtney K. , Friedrichs Carl T. , Sherwood Christopher R.
Published: September 2019

Particle settling velocity and erodibility are key factors that govern the transport of sediment through coastal environments including estuaries. These are difficult to parameterize in models that represent mud, whose properties can change in response to many factors, including tidally varying suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and shear stress. Using the COAWST (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport) model framework, we implemented bed consolidation, sediment-induced stratification, and flocculation formulations within an idealized two-dimensional domain that represented the longitudinal dimension of a micro-tidal, muddy, partially mixed estuary. Within the Estuarine Turbidity Maximum (ETM), SSC and median floc diameter varied by a factor of four over the tidal cycle. Downstream of the ETM, the median floc size and SSC were several times smaller and showed less tidal variation (~20% or less). The suspended floc distributions only reached an equilibrium size as a function of SSC and shear in the ETM at peak tidal flow. In general, flocculation increased particle size, which reduced SSC by half in the ETM through increased settling velocity. Consolidation also limited SSC by reduced resuspension, which then limited floc growth through reduced SSC by half outside of the ETM. Sediment-induced stratification had negligible effects in the parameter space examined. Efforts to lessen the computation cost of the flocculation routine by reducing the number of size classes proved difficult; floc size distribution and SSC were sensitive to specification of size classes by factors of 60% and 300%, respectively.
Mollusk Shell Debris Accumulation in the Seabed Derived from Coastal Fish Farming
Authors: Sanchez-Jerez Pablo , Krüger Lotte , Casado-Coy Nuria , Valle Carlos , Sanz-Lazaro Carlos
Published: September 2019

Fish farm facilities become colonized by biofouling, and in situ cleaning activities may increase the accumulation of biofouling, mostly shell-hash, on the sediment. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of fish farming on this process. We evaluated the effect of fish farming on shell-hash accumulation on sediments in three fish farms in the Western Mediterranean in Spain. On the one hand, coverage of non-degraded shell on the seabed was estimated using an underwater camera attached to a frame of 1 × 1 m. On the other hand, superficial sediment samples were taken by a Van-Veen grab, and from a subsample, shell-hash was sorted at the laboratory, dried, and weighted. A significant increase of shells on sediment was detected under fish farms compared with the other treatments, with average values of 53 g kg-1, and 1.12% of cover. Shell-hash at zones close to the fish farm cages (Zone of Influence located between 40 to 60 m from the closest cage) did not show statistical differences compared to the reference zones, 300–500 m away from the concession limits, but the shell cover showed statistical differences. Fish farming activities produce a local increase in the sedimentation rate of shells under the cages. The derived ecological consequences of this accumulation need to be further studied.
Dynamic Responses of Major Equity Markets to the US Fear Index
Authors: Adrangi Bahram , Chatrath Arjun , Macri Joseph , Raffiee Kambiz
Published: September 2019

This study examines the reaction of four major equity markets of the world to the US equity market fear index, i.e., the Chicago Board of Trade Volatility Index (VIX). The VIX is designed to perform as a leading indicator of the volatility in equity markets. Our paper examines the daily data for the period of 2013 through 2018. We find that during this period there were three significant breaks in the data. Impulse responses from the structural vector autoregressive model estimation show that, in the first and second subperiods that cover from 6/2013 through 5/2016, equity market volatility in the US, UK, France, and Germany responded to structural shocks to the VIX. Nonlinear Granger causality tests confirm these findings. However, in the post Brexit-vote era, equity indices neither react to VIX structural shocks nor are caused by these shocks.
Synthesis, Characterization and Optimization of Hydrothermally Fabricated Binary Palladium Alloys PdNix for Use as Counter Electrode Catalysts in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Zingwe Nyengerai , Meyer Edson , Mbese Johannes
Published: September 2019

The hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and optimization of binary palladium alloys PdNix is hereby presented in this work. Comparison of the reduction capability of the developed PdNix alloys intended for use as alternative counter electrode catalysts in dye sensitized solar cells was made relative to the standard platinum counter electrode catalyst as well as the carbon supported PdNi-rGO sample. Optimization was accomplished through varying the molar ratio of the reagents. The unsupported PdNi3 sample produced the highest catalytic efficiency with reduction current density, peak to peak potential difference and charge transfer resistance of 35 mA cm−2, 0.15 mV and 0.47 Ω respectively. Obtained results show that the unsupported PdNi3 alloy was catalytically more effective than the platinum and PdNi-rGO thus could be a viable replacement in dye sensitized solar cell counter electrodes.
The Effect of Ge Addition on the Oxidation of Nb-24Ti-18Si Silicide Based Alloys
Authors: Li Zifu , Tsakiropoulos Panos
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we report research about the isothermal oxidation in air at 800 and 1200 °C for 100 h of the as-cast alloys (at.%) Nb-18Si-5Ge (ZF1), Nb-18Si-10Ge (ZF2), Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Ge (ZF3), Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Cr (ZF4), Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Al (ZF5), Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Al-5Cr-5Ge (ZF6), and Nb-24Ti-18Si-5Al-5Cr-5Ge-5Hf (ZF9), the microstructures of which were reported in previous publications. Only the alloys ZF1, ZF2, and ZF3 suffered from pest oxidation at 800 °C. The Ge addition substantially improved the oxidation resistance of the other alloys both at 800 °C and 1200 °C, which followed parabolic kinetics at 800 °C and in the early stages at 1200 °C and linear kinetics at longer times, where there was spallation of the scales. The Nb2O5 and TiNb2O7 oxides were formed in the scales of the alloys ZF4, ZF5, ZF6, and ZF9 at 800 °C and 1200 °C, the GeO2 was observed in all scales and the SiO2 in the scales of the alloys ZF4 and ZF5, the CrNbO4 in the scales of the alloys ZF4, ZF6, and ZF9 and the AlNbO4 in the scales of the alloys ZF5, ZF6, and ZF9. Diffusion zones were formed below the scale/substrate interface only in the alloys ZF4 and ZF5 where the Nbss and Nb5Si3 were contaminated by oxygen. However, these phases were not contaminated by oxygen in the bulk of the alloys ZF4, ZF5, ZF6, and ZF9. The alloys ZF9 and ZF6 exhibited the best oxidation behaviour at 800 °C and 1200 °C, respectively. The alloys were compared with Nb-silicide based alloys of similar compositions without Ge and Hf additions and the alloy ZF9 with refractory metal High Entropy Alloys. Compared with the former alloys, the addition of Ge reduced the vol % of the Nbss. Compared with the latter alloys, the superior oxidation behaviour of the alloy ZF9 was attributed to its higher and lower values respectively of the parameters δ and VEC.
Forces Causing One-Millimeter Displacement of Bone Fragments of Condylar Base Fractures of the Mandible after Fixation by All Available Plate Designs
Authors: Kozakiewicz Marcin , Zieliński Rafal , Krasowski Michał , Okulski Jakub
Published: September 2019

Background: There has been no direct comparison of all existing plates dedicated for fracture osteosynthesis of mandibular condyle base until now. The aim of the study was to test mechanically all available designs of titanium plates on the market on polyurethane mandibles using an individually designed clamping system. Methods: Forces required for a 1 mm displacement of fixed fracture and incidents of screw loosening were recorded. Results indicated the best mechanical plates among all existing designs available. Results: It has occured that some of osseofixation plates should not be used any more, whereas some shape of the single plates are similar shape to two single plates shape are regarded as the best osseofixation method for condyle base fracture. Conclusion: General observation is the bigger plate and more screws, the better rigid stable osteosynthesis of mandibular condyle base. 4 plates of current designs of total 30 tested series can be recommended for open rigid internal fixation of fractures of the base of the mandibular condyle. The rest of 26 existing plates should not be used in condylar base fractures.
Orlicz–Pettis Theorem through Summability Methods
Authors: León-Saavedra Fernando , Romero de la Rosa María del Pilar , Sala Antonio
Published: September 2019

This paper unifies several versions of the Orlicz–Pettis theorem that incorporate summability methods. We show that a series is unconditionally convergent if and only if the series is weakly subseries convergent with respect to a regular linear summability method. This includes results using matrix summability, statistical convergence with respect to an ideal, and other variations of summability methods.
Certain Results Comprising the Weighted Chebyshev Function Using Pathway Fractional Integrals
Authors: Mishra Aditya Mani , Baleanu Dumitru , Tchier Fairouz , Purohit Sunil Dutt
Published: September 2019

An analogous version of Chebyshev inequality, associated with the weighted function, has been established using the pathway fractional integral operators. The result is a generalization of the Chebyshev inequality in fractional integral operators. We deduce the left sided Riemann Liouville version and the Laplace version of the same identity. Our main deduction will provide noted results for an appropriate change to the Pathway fractional integral parameter and the degree of the fractional operator.
Ideal Convergence and Completeness of a Normed Space
Authors: León-Saavedra Fernando , Pérez-Fernández Francisco Javier , Romero de la Rosa María del Pilar , Sala Antonio
Published: September 2019

We aim to unify several results which characterize when a series is weakly unconditionally Cauchy (wuc) in terms of the completeness of a convergence space associated to the wuc series. If, additionally, the space is completed for each wuc series, then the underlying space is complete. In the process the existing proofs are simplified and some unanswered questions are solved. This research line was originated in the PhD thesis of the second author. Since then, it has been possible to characterize the completeness of a normed spaces through different convergence subspaces (which are be defined using different kinds of convergence) associated to an unconditionally Cauchy sequence.
A Comparative Study of Bitcoin Price Prediction Using Deep Learning
Authors: Ji Suhwan , Kim Jongmin , Im Hyeonseung
Published: September 2019

Bitcoin has recently received a lot of attention from the media and the public due to its recent price surge and crash. Correspondingly, many researchers have investigated various factors that affect the Bitcoin price and the patterns behind its fluctuations, in particular, using various machine learning methods. In this paper, we study and compare various state-of-the-art deep learning methods such as a deep neural network (DNN), a long short-term memory (LSTM) model, a convolutional neural network, a deep residual network, and their combinations for Bitcoin price prediction. Experimental results showed that although LSTM-based prediction models slightly outperformed the other prediction models for Bitcoin price prediction (regression), DNN-based models performed the best for price ups and downs prediction (classification). In addition, a simple profitability analysis showed that classification models were more effective than regression models for algorithmic trading. Overall, the performances of the proposed deep learning-based prediction models were comparable.
Structural, Dermal and Ungual Characteristics of the Foot in Patients with Type II Diabetes
Authors: Gonzalez-Martin Cristina , Pertega-Diaz Sonia , Seoane-Pillado Teresa , Balboa-Barreiro Vanesa , Soto-Gonzalez Alfonso , Veiga-Seijo Raquel
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease, considered as an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of podiatric pathology in type II diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: An observational descriptive study of prevalence in the endocrinology service of Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC) (A Coruña-Spain) was carried out (n = 153). Type II diabetic patients included, of legal age who signed the informed consent. Sociodemographic variables were studied (age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, alcohol consumption, family history), disease variables (time of evolution of diabetes, treatments, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose), podiatric variables: measurement of the footprint, metatarsal and digital formula, nail, skin, hindfoot and forefoot alterations. The data collection was done in 2018 and the data analysis was carried out in 2019. Results: The patients with type II diabetes had greater age, obesity and arterial hypertension it compared to the general population. Diabetic patients had a higher prevalence of flat feet than the general population (71.2% vs. 20.7%, p < 0.001), with a predominance of normal foot according to the podoscope. The predominant podological pathology was the presence of claw toes (94.8%), followed by dermal (78.4%) and nail (71.9%) alterations, and the Hallux Valgus (66.0%). The Clarke angle and the Chippaux index showed a Kappa concordance index of 0.26 with the type of footprint measured with the podoscope. The Staheli index showed a Kappa index of 0.27 associated with an observed agreement of 54%. Conclusions: This study shows that foot problems continue to be prevalent in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus and for this reason, podiatry is essential in its treatment.
Biomimetic Tactile Sensors with Bilayer Fingerprint Ridges Demonstrating Texture Recognition
Authors: Choi Eunsuk , Sul Onejae , Lee Jusin , Seo Hojun , Kim Sunjin , Yeom Seongoh , Ryu Gunwoo , Yang Heewon , Shin Yoonsoo , Lee Seung-Beck
Published: September 2019

In this article, we report on a biomimetic tactile sensor that has a surface kinetic interface (SKIN) that imitates human epidermal fingerprint ridges and the epidermis. The SKIN is composed of a bilayer polymer structure with different elastic moduli. We improved the tactile sensitivity of the SKIN by using a hard epidermal fingerprint ridge and a soft epidermal board. We also evaluated the effectiveness of the SKIN layer in shear transfer characteristics while varying the elasticity and geometrical factors of the epidermal fingerprint ridges and the epidermal board. The biomimetic tactile sensor with the SKIN layer showed a detection capability for surface structures under 100 μm with only 20-μm height differences. Our sensor could distinguish various textures that can be easily accessed in everyday life, demonstrating that the sensor may be used for texture recognition in future artificial and robotic fingers.
Continuous-Flow Separation and Efficient Concentration of Foodborne Bacteria from Large Volume Using Nickel Nanowire Bridge in Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Huo Xiaoting , Chen Qi , Wang Lei , Cai Gaozhe , Qi Wuzhen , Xia Zengzilu , Wen Weijia , Lin Jianhan
Published: September 2019

Separation and concentration of target bacteria has become essential to sensitive and accurate detection of foodborne bacteria to ensure food safety. In this study, we developed a bacterial separation system for continuous-flow separation and efficient concentration of foodborne bacteria from large volume using a nickel nanowire (NiNW) bridge in the microfluidic chip. The synthesized NiNWs were first modified with the antibodies against the target bacteria and injected into the microfluidic channel to form the NiNW bridge in the presence of the external arc magnetic field. Then, the large volume of bacterial sample was continuous-flow injected to the channel, resulting in specific capture of the target bacteria by the antibodies on the NiNW bridge to form the NiNW–bacteria complexes. Finally, these complexes were flushed out of the channel and concentrated in a lower volume of buffer solution, after the magnetic field was removed. This bacterial separation system was able to separate up to 74% of target bacteria from 10 mL of bacterial sample at low concentrations of ≤102 CFU/mL in 3 h, and has the potential to separate other pathogenic bacteria from large volumes of food samples by changing the antibodies.
A Microfluidic Deformability Assessment of Pathological Red Blood Cells Flowing in a Hyperbolic Converging Microchannel
Authors: Faustino Vera , Rodrigues Raquel O. , Pinho Diana , Costa Elísio , Santos-Silva Alice , Miranda Vasco , Amaral Joana S. , Lima Rui
Published: September 2019

The loss of the red blood cells (RBCs) deformability is related with many human diseases, such as malaria, hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease, or renal diseases. Hence, during the last years, a variety of technologies have been proposed to gain insights into the factors affecting the RBCs deformability and their possible direct association with several blood pathologies. In this work, we present a simple microfluidic tool that provides the assessment of motions and deformations of RBCs of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, under a well-controlled microenvironment. All of the flow studies were performed within a hyperbolic converging microchannels where single-cell deformability was assessed under a controlled homogeneous extensional flow field. By using a passive microfluidic device, RBCs passing through a hyperbolic-shaped contraction were measured by a high-speed video microscopy system, and the velocities and deformability ratios (DR) calculated. Blood samples from 27 individuals, including seven healthy controls and 20 having ESKD with or without diabetes, were analysed. The obtained data indicates that the proposed device is able to detect changes in DR of the RBCs, allowing for distinguishing the samples from the healthy controls and the patients. Overall, the deformability of ESKD patients with and without diabetes type II is lower in comparison with the RBCs from the healthy controls, with this difference being more evident for the group of ESKD patients with diabetes. RBCs from ESKD patients without diabetes elongate on average 8% less, within the hyperbolic contraction, as compared to healthy controls; whereas, RBCs from ESKD patients with diabetes elongate on average 14% less than the healthy controls. The proposed strategy can be easily transformed into a simple and inexpensive diagnostic microfluidic system to assess blood cells deformability due to the huge progress in image processing and high-speed microvisualization technology.
Predictive Values of Serum Chlamydia trachomatis TroA and HtrA IgG Antibodies as Markers of Persistent Infection in the Detection of Pelvic Adhesions and Tubal Occlusion
Authors: Rantsi Tiina , Land Jolande A. , Joki-Korpela Päivi , Ouburg Sander , Hokynar Kati , Paavonen Jorma , Tiitinen Aila , Puolakkainen Mirja
Published: September 2019

Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibody testing (CAT) has been used as a screening test for tubal factor infertility (TFI), but as the CAT is only a marker of a past exposure to C. trachomatis and not of late sequelae, the positive predictive value (PPV) of the test is low. The persistence of C. trachomatis in the upper genital tract has been suggested as one of the key mechanisms in the development of TFI. Serum antibodies against C. trachomatis TroA and HtrA, proteins expressed specifically during persistent infection, have been suggested as novel biomarkers for TFI diagnostics. We studied serum IgG antibody responses against C. trachomatis TroA, HtrA and MOMP in 79 subfertile women, of whom 28 had laparoscopically proven TFI. We confirmed that the accuracy of CAT in diagnosing TFI is low, whereas TroA IgG and HtrA IgG are more accurate tests in detecting tubal occlusion and pelvic adhesions. However, the sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of TroA IgG and HtrA IgG are still too low to justify their use as a screening test in clinical practice. Individual immunogenetic profiles combined with TroA and HtrA antibody responses might identify women with the highest risk for developing late complications after C. trachomatis infection.
Tuning Gel State Properties of Supramolecular Gels by Functional Group Modification
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Mulvee Matthew T. , Damodaran Krishna K.
Published: September 2019

The factors affecting the self-assembly process in low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) were investigated by tuning the gelation properties of a well-known gelator N-(4-pyridyl)isonicotinamide (4PINA). The N―H∙∙∙N interactions responsible for gel formation in 4PINA were disrupted by altering the functional groups of 4PINA, which was achieved by modifying pyridyl moieties of the gelator to pyridyl N-oxides. We synthesized two mono-N-oxides (INO and PNO) and a di-N-oxide (diNO) and the gelation studies revealed selective gelation of diNO in water, but the two mono-N-oxides formed crystals. The mechanical strength and thermal stabilities of the gelators were evaluated by rheology and transition temperature (Tgel) experiments, respectively, and the analysis of the gel strength indicated that diNO formed weak gels compared to 4PINA. The SEM image of diNO xerogels showed fibrous microcrystalline networks compared to the efficient fibrous morphology in 4PINA. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of diNO gelator revealed that a hydrogen-bonded dimer interacts with adjacent dimers via C―H∙∙∙O interactions. The non-gelator with similar dimers interacted via C―H∙∙∙N interaction, which indicates the importance of specific non-bonding interactions in the formation of the gel network. The solvated forms of mono-N-oxides support the fact that these compounds prefer crystalline state rather than gelation due to the increased hydrophilic interactions. The reduced gelation ability (minimum gel concentration (MGC)) and thermal strength of diNO may be attributed to the weak intermolecular C―H∙∙∙O interaction compared to the strong and unidirectional N―H∙∙∙N interactions in 4PINA.
Solid-Phase Chemical Synthesis of Stable Isotope-Labeled RNA to Aid Structure and Dynamics Studies by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Becette Owen , Olenginski Lukasz T. , Dayie Theodore K.
Published: September 2019

RNA structure and dynamic studies by NMR spectroscopy suffer from chemical shift overlap and line broadening, both of which become worse as RNA size increases. Incorporation of stable isotope labels into RNA has provided several solutions to these limitations. Nevertheless, the only method to circumvent the problem of spectral overlap completely is the solid-phase chemical synthesis of RNA with labeled RNA phosphoramidites. In this review, we summarize the practical aspects of this methodology for NMR spectroscopy studies of RNA. These types of investigations lie at the intersection of chemistry and biophysics and highlight the need for collaborative efforts to tackle the integrative structural biology problems that exist in the RNA world. Finally, examples of RNA structure and dynamic studies using labeled phosphoramidites are highlighted.