bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct identification of the herpes simplex virus UL27 gene through single particle manipulation and optical detection using a micromagnetic array
Authors: Li Peng , Gandhi Dhruv , Mutas Marina , Ran Yin-Fen , Carr Michael , Rampini Stefano , Hall William , Lee Gil U.
Published: January 2020

The UL27 gene of Human simplex virus-1 has been identified through hybridization to superparamagnetic particles and identification on a microfabricated magnet array with integrated optical detector.
PLGA protein nanocarriers with tailor-made fluorescence/MRI/PET imaging modalities
Authors: Zhang Yajie , García-Gabilondo Miguel , Grayston Alba , Feiner Irene V. J. , Anton-Sales Irene , Loiola Rodrigo A. , Llop Jordi , Ramos-Cabrer Pedro , Barba Ignasi , Garcia-Dorado David , Gosselet Fabien , Rosell Anna , Roig Anna
Published: January 2020

Integrating multimodal imaging modalities in PLGA protein carriers.
Recent progress on the organic and metal complex-based fluorescent probes for monitoring nitric oxide in living biological systems
Authors: Wang Lizhen , Zhang Juan , An Xue , Duan Hongdong
Published: January 2020

This article reviews the significant progress of novel fluorescent probes used for imaging NO in living cells and animals during the past five years.
Sequential conjugation methods based on triazole formation and related reactions using azides
Authors: Yoshida Suguru
Published: January 2020

This review highlights recent transformations involving selective triazole formation, allowing efficient preparation of unsymmetric bis- and tris(triazole)s using diverse platform molecules.
Synthesis of 3-phosphinoylbenzofurans via electrophilic phosphination cyclization
Authors: Wang Jia , Deng Yun-Jing , Yan Xin-Xin , Liu Yu-Jie , Ge Chun-Po , Yan Yunhui , Chao Shujun , Zhou Ping-Xin
Published: January 2020

An expedient strategy for the synthesis of 3-phosphinoylbenzofurans through a cascade electrophilic phosphination cyclization has been presented.
Modelling of interactions between Aβ(25–35) peptide and phospholipid bilayers: effects of cholesterol and lipid saturation
Authors: Ermilova Inna , Lyubartsev Alexander P.
Published: January 2020

Molecular dynamics simulations of Aβ(25–35) peptides in phospholipid bilayers are carried out to investigate the effect of polyunsaturated lipids and cholesterol on aggregation of the peptides.
Cost-effective fabrication of photopolymer molds with multi-level microstructures for PDMS microfluidic device manufacture
Authors: Olmos Carol M. , Peñaherrera Ana , Rosero Gustavo , Vizuete Karla , Ruarte Darío , Follo Marie , Vaca Andrea , Arroyo Carlos R. , Debut Alexis , Cumbal Luis , Pérez Maximiliano S. , Lerner Betiana , Mertelsmann Roland
Published: January 2020

This paper describes a methodology of photopolymer mold fabrication with multi-level microstructures for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device manufacture.
Simulating protein–ligand binding with neural network potentials
Authors: Lahey Shae-Lynn J. , Rowley Christopher N.
Published: January 2020

Neural network potentials provide accurate predictions of the structures and stabilities of drug molecules. We present a method to use these new potentials in simulations of drugs binding to proteins using existing molecular simulation codes.
Embedding alkenes within an icosahedral inorganic fullerene {(NH4)42[Mo132O372(L)30(H2O)72]} for trapping volatile organics
Authors: Pow Robert W. , Xuan Weimin , Long De-Liang , Bell Nicola L. , Cronin Leroy
Published: January 2020

Eight alkene-functionalized molybdenum-based spherical Keplerate-type (inorganic fullerene) structures have been obtained and shown to sequester and thermally insulate volatile organics.
Bioinspired chemistry at MOF secondary building units
Authors: Bour James R. , Wright Ashley M. , He Xin , Dincă Mircea
Published: January 2020

This perspective describes recent developments and future directions in bioinorganic chemistry and biomimetic catalysis centered at metal–organic framework secondary building units.
Interface modulation of a layer-by-layer electrodeposited FexCo(1−x)P/NiP@CC heterostructure for high-performance oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Desalegn Bezawit Z. , Jadhav Harsharaj S. , Seo Jeong Gil
Published: January 2020

Heterostructuring assisted trimetallic transition metal phoshide with in situ generated active sites, exhibits superior catalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline medium.
Microchamber arrays made of biodegradable polymers for enzymatic release of small hydrophilic cargos
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Sun Rui , DeSouza-Edwards Arun O. , Frueh Johannes , Sukhorukov Gleb B.
Published: January 2020

Novel microchamber array films are made of biodegradable polymers for encapsulation and enzymatically triggered release of small hydrophilic cargos.
Spatially confined synthesis of a flexible and hierarchically porous three-dimensional graphene/FeP hollow nanosphere composite anode for highly efficient and ultrastable potassium ion storage
Authors: Zhang Zhifang , Wu Chenxiao , Chen Zhonghui , Li Huiyu , Cao Haijing , Luo Xiaojing , Fang Zebo , Zhu Yanyan
Published: January 2020

A hierarchical, porous, three-dimensional graphene encapsulated FeP hollow nanosphere composite was constructed as a flexible free-standing electrode for KIBs. The formation of the hollow structure and the conversion reaction were elucidated.
A graphene oxide–molecular Cu porphyrin-integrated BiVO4 photoanode for improved photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance
Authors: Xu Chunjiang , Sun Wanjun , Dong Yinjuan , Dong Congzhao , Hu Qiyu , Ma Baochun , Ding Yong
Published: January 2020

Monoclinic bismuth vanadate (BiVO4), as a rising star in light-catching materials, has been researched in many fields, such as photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Ultrathin cadmium sulfide nanosheets for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Xie Ya-Meng , Liu Xiao-Hua , Zhang Rui , Liu Hui , Mao Jing , Dong Cun-Ku , Du Xi-Wen
Published: January 2020

Cd4S5 nanosheets with thickness of 1 nm were successfully synthesized and applied for photocatalytic hydrogen production due to their ultrathin thickness, unexpected stoichiometry and unsaturated surface S− anions.
Supramolecular nucleobase-functionalized polymers: synthesis and potential biological applications
Authors: Li Jianjun , Wang Zhongkai , Hua Zan , Tang Chuanbing
Published: January 2020

This Perspective article summarizes the synthesis of nucleobase functionalized polymers and highlights issues and challenges following their potential biological applications.
Silver nanowires intercalating Ti3C2Tx MXene composite films with excellent flexibility for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Miao Miao , Liu Ruiting , Thaiboonrod Sineenat , Shi Liyi , Cao Shaomei , Zhang Jianfeng , Fang Jianhui , Feng Xin
Published: January 2020

Highly efficient EMI shielding composite films with excellent flexibility were fabricated by intercalating sliver nanowires into Ti3C2Tx nanosheets using nanocellulose as a green binder.
Down-regulation of the insulin signaling pathway by SHC may correlate with congenital heart disease in Chinese populations
Authors: Luo Zhiling , Xu Longjiang , Lu Jiang , Shen Yan , Tang Yongyan , Wang Xiuyun , Wu Yilin , Sun Hao , Guo Tao
Published: January 2020

Background/Aims: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common and severe congenital defects. The incidence of fetal cardiac malformation is increased in the context of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Therefore, we wanted to determine whether abnormalities in the insulin signaling pathway are associated with the occurrence of nonsyndromic CHD (ns-CHD). Methods: We used digital gene expression profiling (DGE) of right atrial myocardial tissue samples from eight ns-CHD patients and four controls. The genes potentially associated with CHD were validated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis of right atrial myocardial tissues from 37 patients and 10 controls and the H9C2 cell line. Results: The results showed that the insulin signaling pathway, which is mediated by the SHC gene family, was inhibited in the ns-CHD patients. The expression levels of five genes (PTPRF, SHC4, MAP2K2, MKNK2, and ELK1) in the pathway were significantly down-regulated in the patients’ atrial tissues (P<0.05 for all). In vitro, the H9C2 cells cultured in high glucose (33 mmol/l) expressed less SHC4, MAP2K2, and Elk-1 than those cultured in low glucose (25 mmol/l). Furthermore, the high glucose concentration down-regulated the 25 genes associated with blood vessel development based on Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analyses of RNA-seq data. Conclusion: We considered that changes in the insulin signaling pathway mediated by SHC might be involved in the heart development process. This mechanism might account for the increase in the incidence of fetal cardiac malformations in the context of GDM.
Initial rotor alignment method for doubly salient electromagnetic machine position sensorless startup
Authors: Zhou Xingwei , Zhou Bo , Wang Kaimiao
Published: January 2020

The initial rotor alignment process plays an important role in ‘align and go’ which is a simple, implementable and widely industrial used position sensorless startup method. To deal with the possible jitter and reverse in the initial startup process, this Letter proposes a novel initial rotor alignment method for the position sensorless startup of the doubly salient electromagnetic machine (DSEM). According to the analysis of the generated electromagnetic torque, the relation between the alignment pulse and stable locating position is studied at first. Then, to improve the initial startup performance, the alignment pulse of switching on two upper transistors and one lower transistor is proposed to be injected as the alignment pulse since the stable locating position is around the middle point of rotor sector; it owns the benefit of better selection for the initial energising phase windings. The initial sensorless startup performance is desired to be improved in terms of no jitter or reverse. The experiments of initial alignment, as well as, the full process of the sensorless startup based on ‘align and go’ on a 12/8‐pole DSEM validate the flexibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Dielectrophoretic 3D‐focusing for on‐chip flow cytometry
Authors: Krishna Salini , Alnaimat Fadi , Hilal‐Alnaqbi Ali , Khashan Saud , Mathew Bobby
Published: January 2020

Model‐based analysis of a dielectrophoretic microfluidic device for realising 3D‐focusing is presented in this work. The electrode configuration is made up of several finite‐sized planar electrodes positioned on either side of the microchannel's top and bottom surfaces; the electrodes on the top surface and bottom surface of the same side form a pair. The forces associated with inertia, buoyancy, gravity, and dielectrophoresis are included in the model. As per the model, it is possible to use the proposed device to achieve 3D‐focusing at the desired location along the width of the microchannel. Also, the proposed device can achieve 3D‐focusing irrespective of the type of micro‐scale entity. Two parameters for quantifying the efficacy of the microfluidic device in achieving 3D‐focusing are presented – horizontal and vertical focusing parameters. The model demonstrates that the radius of micro‐scale entity, electrode/gap lengths, electrode width, microchannel height, number of electrodes, applied electric potentials, and volumetric flow rate influence horizontal and vertical focusing parameters. The mathematical model is thus useful in designing dielectrophoresis‐based 3D‐focusing with desired performance metrics for on‐chip flow cytometry.
Optimal repeater insertion for nano‐interconnects in current‐mode signalling scheme
Authors: Liu Peng‐Wei , Zhao Wen‐Sheng , Wang Da‐Wei , Wang Jing , Hu Yue , Wang Gaofeng
Published: January 2020

The optimal design of repeaters for current‐mode (CM) nano‐interconnects is conducted and compared with that for voltage‐mode (VM) ones. Both Cu and carbon nanotube (CNT) nano‐interconnects are considered and studied, with the contact resistance treated appropriately. In comparison with the VM ones, the CM nano‐interconnects can not only demonstrate better electrical performance, but also require fewer repeaters, thereby saving more valuable chip area. In the delay‐optimal repeater design of multi‐walled CNT interconnects, for instance, the optimal number of repeaters can be reduced by 120% with the implementation of CM signalling scheme.
KiDS+VIKING-450 and DES-Y1 combined: Mitigating baryon feedback uncertainty with COSEBIs
Authors: Asgari Marika , Tröster Tilman , Heymans Catherine , Hildebrandt Hendrik , van den Busch Jan Luca , Wright Angus H. , Choi Ami , Erben Thomas , Joachimi Benjamin , Joudaki Shahab , Kannawadi Arun , Kuijken Konrad , Lin Chieh-An , Schneider Peter , Zuntz Joe
Published: January 2020

We present cosmological constraints from a joint cosmic shear analysis of the Kilo-Degree Survey (KV450) and the Dark Energy Survey (DES-Y1), which were conducted using Complete Orthogonal Sets of E/B-Integrals (COSEBIs). With COSEBIs, we isolated any B-modes that have a non-cosmic shear origin and demonstrate the robustness of our cosmological E-mode analysis as no significant B-modes were detected. We highlight how COSEBIs are fairly insensitive to the amplitude of the non-linear matter power spectrum at high k-scales, mitigating the uncertain impact of baryon feedback in our analysis. COSEBIs, therefore, allowed us to utilise additional small-scale information, improving the DES-Y1 joint constraints on S8 = σ8(Ωm/0.3)0.5 and Ωm by 20%. By adopting a flat ΛCDM model we find S8 = 0.755−0.021+0.019, which is in 3.2σ tension with the Planck Legacy analysis of the cosmic microwave background.
PIC: a data reduction algorithm for integral field spectrographs
Authors: Berdeu Anthony , Soulez Ferréol , Denis Loïc , Langlois Maud , Thiébaut Éric
Published: January 2020

Context.The improvement of large size detectors permitted the development of integral field spectrographs (IFSs) in astronomy. Spectral information for each spatial element of a two-dimensional field of view is obtained thanks to integral field units that spread the spectra on the 2D grid of the sensor.

Aims.Here we aim to solve the inherent issues raised by standard data-reduction algorithms based on direct mapping of the 2D + λdata cube: the spectral cross-talk due to the overlap of neighbouring spectra, the spatial correlations of the noise due to the re-interpolation of the cube on a Cartesian grid, and the artefacts due to the influence of defective pixels.

Methods.The proposed method, Projection, Interpolation, and Convolution (PIC), is based on an “inverse-problems” approach. By accounting for the overlap of neighbouring spectra as well as the spatial extension in a spectrum of a given wavelength, the model inversion reduces the spectral cross-talk while deconvolving the spectral dispersion. Considered as missing data, defective pixels undetected during the calibration are discarded on-the-fly via a robust penalisation of the data fidelity term.

Results.The calibration of the proposed model is presented for the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch instrument (SPHERE). This calibration was applied to extended objects as well as coronagraphic acquisitions dedicated to exoplanet detection or disc imaging. Artefacts due to badly corrected defective pixels or artificial background structures observed in the cube reduced by the SPHERE data reduction pipeline are suppressed while the reconstructed spectra are sharper. This reduces the false detections by the standard exoplanet detection algorithms.

Conclusions.These results show the pertinence of the inverse-problems approach to reduce the raw data produced by IFSs and to compensate for some of their imperfections. Our modelling forms an initial building block necessary to develop methods that can reconstruct and/or detect sources directly from the raw data.
Analysing the spectral energy distributions of Galactic classical Cepheids
Authors: Groenewegen M. A. T.
Published: January 2020

Spectral energy distributions (SEDs) were constructed for a sample of 477 classical Cepheids (CCs); including stars that have been classified in the literature as such but are probably not. The SEDs were fitted with a dust radiative transfer code. Four stars showed a large mid- or far-infrared excess and the fitting then included a dust component. These comprise the well-known case of RS Pup, and three stars that are (likely) Type-II Cepheids (T2Cs), AU Peg, QQ Per, and FQ Lac. The infrared excess in FQ Lac is reported for the first time in this work. The remainder of the sample was fitted with a stellar photosphere to derive the best-fitting luminosity and effective temperature. Distance and reddening were taken from the literature. The stars were plotted in a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) and compared to evolutionary tracks for Cepheids and theoretical instability strips. For the large majority of stars, the position in the HRD is consistent with the instability strip for a CC or T2C. About 5% of the stars are outliers in the sense that they are much hotter or cooler than expected. A comparison to effective temperatures derived from spectroscopy suggests in some cases that the photometrically derived temperature is not correct and that this is likely linked to an incorrectly adopted reddening. Two three-dimensional reddening models have been used to derive alternative estimates of the reddening for the sample. There are significant systematic differences between the two estimates with a non-negligible scatter. In this work the presence of a small near-infrared (NIR) excess, as has been proposed in the literature for a few well-known Cepheids, is investigated. Firstly, this was done by using a sample of about a dozen stars for which a mid-infrared spectrum is available. This data is particularly constraining as the shape of the observed spectrum should match that of the photosphere and any dust spectrum, both dust continuum and any spectral features of, for example, silicates or aluminium oxide. This comparison provides constraints on the dust composition, in agreement with a previous work in the literature. Secondly, the SEDs of all stars were fitted with a dust model to see if a statistically significant better fit could be obtained. The results were compared to recent work. Eight new candidates for exhibiting a NIR excess are proposed, solely based on the photometric SEDs. Obtaining mid-infrared spectra would be needed to confirm this excess. Finally, period-bolometric luminosity and period-radius relations are presented for samples of over 370 fundamental-mode CCs.
Successful application of PSF-R techniques to the case of the globular cluster NGC 6121 (M 4)
Authors: Massari D. , Marasco A. , Beltramo-Martin O. , Milli J. , Fiorentino G. , Tolstoy E. , Kerber F.
Published: January 2020

Context. Precise photometric and astrometric measurements on astronomical images require an accurate knowledge of the point spread function (PSF). When the PSF cannot be modelled directly from the image, PSF-reconstruction techniques become the only viable solution. So far, however, their performance on real observations has rarely been quantified.

Aims. In this Letter, we test the performance of a novel hybrid technique, called PRIME, on Adaptive Optics-assisted SPHERE/ZIMPOL observations of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6121.

Methods. PRIME couples PSF-reconstruction techniques, based on control-loop data and direct image fitting performed on the only bright point-like source available in the field of view of the ZIMPOL exposures, with the aim of building the PSF model.

Results. By exploiting this model, the magnitudes and positions of the stars in the field can be measured with an unprecedented precision, which surpasses that obtained by more standard methods by at least a factor of four for on-axis stars and by up to a factor of two on fainter, off-axis stars.

Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the power of PRIME in recovering precise magnitudes and positions when the information directly coming from astronomical images is limited to only a few point-like sources and, thus, paving the way for a proper analysis of future Extremely Large Telescope observations of sparse stellar fields or individual extragalactic objects.
Die Keratoplastik in Deutschland: systematische Auswertung der Krankenhausqualitätsberichte der Jahre 2006 bis 2017
Authors: Daniel Moritz Claudius , Böhringer Daniel , Lapp Thabo , Maier Philip Christian , Reinhard Thomas , Lang Stefan J.
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund Die Keratoplastik zählt weltweit zu den am häufigsten durchgeführten Gewebetransplantationen. Traditionell entfiel die überwiegende Mehrheit der Eingriffe auf die perforierende Keratoplastik. Mit deren Weiterentwicklung in den vergangenen 15 Jahren gewann jedoch insbesondere die posteriore lamellierende Keratoplastik zur Behandlung der Fuchs-Endotheldystrophie sowie der bullösen Keratopathie zunehmend an Bedeutung. Basierend auf informellen Umfrageergebnissen wurde postuliert, dass sich auch in Deutschland ein Trend hin zur posterioren lamellierenden Keratoplastik abzeichnet.

Ziel der Arbeit Anhand der Qualitätsberichte der Krankenhäuser sollte geprüft werden, ob der Anteil der lamellierenden Keratoplastik in Deutschland im Zeitraum 2006 bis 2017 zugenommen hat. Zudem sollte die Zahl der HLA-kompatibel (HLA: humanes Leukozytenantigen) durchgeführten Keratoplastiken ermittelt werden.

Material und Methoden Die Operationszahlen der perforierend/lamellierend bzw. HLA-kompatibel durchgeführten Keratoplastiken wurden anhand der OPS-Ziffern aus den Krankenhausqualitätsberichten der Jahre 2006 bis einschließlich 2017 extrahiert. Die deskriptive statistische Auswertung erfolgte mit dem Softwarepaket R (www.r-project.org).

Ergebnisse Von 2006 bis 2017 wurden deutschlandweit insgesamt 43 021 Keratoplastiken durchgeführt. Die Zahl der durchgeführten Keratoplastiken stieg von 2849 im Jahr 2006 auf 8231 im Jahr 2017. Die absolute Zahl perforierender Keratoplastiken blieb insgesamt konstant. Der relative Anteil lamellierender Keratoplastiken stieg von 6,5% (2006) auf 61,4% (2017) an. Die Zahl der HLA-kompatibel durchgeführten Keratoplastiken lag stets unter 20% und war ab 2010 rückläufig (2010: 19,7%; 2017: 9,8%).

Diskussion Die posteriore lamellierende Keratoplastik hat auch in Deutschland stark an Stellenwert gewonnen und seit 2014 die perforierende Keratoplastik als häufigste Form der Keratoplastik abgelöst. Die perforierende Keratoplastik, deren absolute Zahl über den gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum insgesamt konstant blieb, hat jedoch nach wie vor einen hohen Stellenwert bei der Behandlung von vorwiegend stromalen oder durchgreifenden Hornhautdefekten. Der Anteil HLA-kompatibler Keratoplastiken hat vermutlich insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund fehlender eindeutiger Nachweise einer Verringerung der Abstoßungsraten in Standardsituationen in den letzten Jahren weiter abgenommen.
Development of the Composition of the Biopolymer Base for Nasal Gel
Authors: Bakhrushina Elena , Demina Natalya , Krasnyuk Ivan , Moiseeva Anna
Published: January 2020

In many cases the nasal cavity is the gateway for the infection; it necessitates the development of a drug for nasal administration with antiviral, adsorptive and protective properties. Gels were chosen as an optimal dosage form. The study is aimed at studying the properties of biopolymer gelling agents and determining the composition of the future dosage form.

Materials and methods Gel samples with 3, 4 and 5% concentrations were prepared using the following gelling agents: sodium alginate Protanal CR8223, Protanal CR8133, Manucol LKХ (FMC BioPolymer) and xanthan gum GrinstedXanthan (DuPontDanisco), Xanthural 180 (CP Kelco). Adsorption and osmotic activity, bioadhesion and thermostability of the samples were determined.

Results Basing on the totality of the obtained results, 3 compositions prospective for the dosage form development were selected: xanthan gums (particle size 180pm) from various manufacturers: Grinsted Xanthan 3 and 4% concentrations, Xanthural 180 5% concentration. These compositions possess high adsorption activity (25.06; 21.35; 20.6 g respectively), optimal osmotic activity (155, 171, 100%) and have significant bioadhesion (28.4421; 22.7237; 30.2835 N) that allows the drug to stay in the nasal cavity for a long period of time. All selected compositions demonstrated good high-temperature stability.

Conclusion The obtained data shows prospects of applying the samples for the development of nasal gel with an immunobiological substance.
Aqueous Root Extract from Ononis spinosa Exerts Anti-adhesive Activity against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Deipenbrock Melanie , Sendker Jandirk , Hensel Andreas
Published: January 2020

Extracts from Ononis spinosa are traditionally used for urinary tract infections due to diuretic and anti-inflammatory activity. A potential influence on the virulence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli has not been investigated until now. The following study aimed to investigate the influence of an aqueous O. spinosa extract on uropathogenic E. coli and uropathogenic E. coli host cell interaction. A hot water extract from the roots of O. spinosa (O. spinosa extract) was characterized by LC-qTOF-MS. The influence of O. spinosa extract on the proliferation of uropathogenic E. coli UTI89 and on cell viability against human T24 bladder cells was investigated. Anti-adhesive activity of O. spinosa extract was assessed by flow cytometry, evaluating the adhesion of fluorescent-labelled UTI89 to T24 bladder cells. Internalization of uropathogenic E. coli into T24 cells was monitored by an invasion assay. O. spinosa extract was characterized by the presence of isoflavones, isoflavanones, licoagrosides, pterocarpans, tartaric acid derivatives, and saponines. O. spinosa extract had no influence on the proliferation of uropathogenic E. coli (125 – 1000 µg/mL) and did not influence the cell viability of T24 cells. Bacterial adhesion to T24 cells was significantly (p > 0.001) inhibited by O. spinosa extract in a concentration-dependent manner (125 – 1000 µg/mL) during coincubation. Preincubation of uropathogenic E. coli or T24 cells with O. spinosa extract reduced bacterial adhesion, but to a lower extent than during coincubation. Consequently, the reduced bacterial adhesion also leads to a reduced internalization of uropathogenic E. coli uropathogenic E. coli into the host cell. O. spinosa extract does not interact with FimH-mediated uropathogenic E. coli adhesion to host cells. From these data, the traditional use of O. spinosa extracts for urinary tract infections seems to be rationalized.
Organic Molecules of Intrinsic Microporosity
Authors: McKeown Neil B.
Published: January 2020

Organic molecules of intrinsic microporosity (OMIMs) are rigid molecules with an awkward shape that are designed to pack space inefficiently in the solid state maximizing free volume and thereby generating apparent microporosity as determined by gas adsorption. In this perspective article, the origin of the OMIM concept is explained and the progress in its realization both by synthesis and packing simulation is reviewed.
Design and performance of a superconducting neutron resonance spin flipper
Authors: Dadisman Ryan , Wasilko David , Kaiser Helmut , Kuhn Stephen J. , Buck Zachary , Schaeperkoetter Joseph , Crow Lowell , Riedel Richard , Robertson Lee , Jiang Chenyang , Wang Tianhao , Silva Nicolas , Kang Yoon , Lee Sung-Woo , Hong Kunlun , Li Fankang
Published: January 2020

Despite the challenges, neutron resonance spin echo still holds the promise to improve upon neutron spin echo for the measurement of slow dynamics in materials. We present a bootstrap, radio frequency neutron spin flipper using high temperature superconducting technology capable of flipping neutron spin with either nonadiabatic or adiabatic modes. A frequency of 2 MHz has been achieved, which would achieve an effective field integral of 0.35 T m for a meter of separation in a neutron resonance spin echo spectrometer at the current device specifications. In bootstrap mode, the self-cancellation of Larmor phase aberrations can be achieved with the appropriate selection of the polarity of the gradient coils.
Ballistic formation of high-intensity low-energy gas ion beams
Authors: Ryabchikov Alexander I. , Sivin Denis O. , Shevelev Alexey E. , Akhmadeev Yuriy H. , Korneva Olga S. , Ivanova Anna I. , Lopatin Ilya V.
Published: January 2020

The development of the method of high-intensity implantation of low-energy ions requires the design of an efficient system for generating high-intensity ion beams of various elements with a current density of tens and hundreds of milliamperes per square centimeter with ion energies not exceeding some kiloelectronvolt. This paper considers the regularities of formation of high-intensity beams of nitrogen ions and argon and mixed beams of argon and hydrogen ions in spherical and cylindrical grid systems with ballistic focusing of the ion beam. The studies were carried out with the plasma-immersion formation of repetitively pulsed ion beams with duration from units to hundreds of microseconds and a pulse frequency of up to 105 pulses/s with negative bias potentials in the range from 0.6 to 3 kV. The possibility of stable formation of gas ion beams with an ion current density of up to 0.7 A/cm2 is demonstrated.
Mixed H∞ and passive consensus sampled-data control for nonlinear systems
Authors: Santra Srimanta , Joby Maya
Published: January 2020

This paper studies the consensus problem of a second-order nonlinear multi-agent system with directed topologies. A distributed control protocol is proposed for each agent using the relative states among neighboring agents. A mixed H∞ and passivity-based control is maneuvered to deal the bounded disturbances enduring in the system. Based on the theory of the sampled-data control technique and Lyapunov stability theory, some novel conditions are given to realize the consensus of a class of second-order multi-agent nonlinear systems. A new set of delay dependent sufficient conditions is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which guarantees that all agents asymptotically converge to the convex hull with the prescribed H∞ and passive performance. Finally, an example with simulation results is given to verify the theoretical results.
Norbornadiene photoswitches anchored to well-defined oxide surfaces: From ultrahigh vacuum into the liquid and the electrochemical environment
Authors: Bertram Manon , Waidhas Fabian , Jevric Martyn , Fromm Lukas , Schuschke Christian , Kastenmeier Maximilian , Görling Andreas , Moth-Poulsen Kasper , Brummel Olaf , Libuda Jörg
Published: January 2020

Employing molecular photoswitches, we can combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release in an extremely simple single molecule system. In order to release the stored energy as electricity, the photoswitch has to interact with a semiconducting electrode surface. In this work, we explore a solar-energy-storing model system, consisting of a molecular photoswitch anchored to an atomically defined oxide surface in a liquid electrolyte and under potential control. Previously, this model system has been proven to be operational under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. We used the tailor-made norbornadiene derivative 2-cyano-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)norbornadiene (CNBD) and characterized its photochemical and electrochemical properties in an organic electrolyte. Next, we assembled a monolayer of CNBD on a well-ordered Co3O4(111) surface by physical vapor deposition in UHV. This model interface was then transferred into the liquid electrolyte and investigated by photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy experiments. We demonstrate that the anchored monolayer of CNBD can be converted photochemically to its energy-rich counterpart 2-cyano-3-(4-carboxyphenyl)quadricyclane (CQC) under potential control. However, the reconversion potential of anchored CQC overlaps with the oxidation and decomposition potential of CNBD, which limits the electrochemically triggered reconversion.
Carrier mobility does matter for enhancing thermoelectric performance
Authors: Qin Yongxin , Xiao Yu , Zhao Li-Dong
Published: January 2020

Excellent thermoelectric materials need both high carrier transport properties and low phonon transport properties simultaneously, which make it challenging to enhance thermoelectric performance. However, recent progress shows that sub-nanostructures can strongly intensify phonon scattering but scarcely impede carrier mobility, thus effectively contributing to high thermoelectric performance in PbTe/Se-based systems. In this perspective, we summarize the thermoelectric transport properties and internal atomic-scale structures in these PbTe/Se-based systems with sub-nanostructures. Then, their thermoelectric properties are comprehensively compared with other massively nanostructured PbTe/Se-based systems, reveling the favorable role of sub-nanostructures in achieving high carrier mobility. Finally, several other potential strategies to further maintain carrier transport properties and enhance thermoelectric performance are proposed, which might be extended to other thermoelectric systems.
Synthesis, Characterisation, and Biological Properties of Oxidovanadium(IV) 3,5-Dinitrosalicylhydroxamate Complexes
Authors: Priya Bhanu , Kumar Abhishek , Sharma Neeraj
Published: January 2020

The new oxidovanadium(iv) complexes of composition [VO(3,5(NO2)2C6H2(OH)CONHO)2] 1 and [VO(acac)(3,5(NO2)2C6H2(OH)CONHO)] 2 (where acac=(CH3COCHCOCH3)–] have been synthesised by the reactions of VOSO4·5H2O and [VO(acac)2] with potassium 3,5-dinitrosalicylhydroxamate (3,5-(NO2)2SHK) and characterised by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, magnetic moment measurements and FT-IR, UV-vis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. Infrared spectra of complexes have indicated bonding through oxygen atoms of carbonyl and hydroxamic groups (O,O coordination). The magnetic moment, ESR, and mass spectra of the complexes suggested their monomeric nature, and a distorted square-pyramidal geometry around the vanadium has tentatively been proposed. The electrochemical behaviour of 1 and 2 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. Thermal behaviour of the complexes studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis techniques has yielded VO2 as the decomposition product. The invitro antimicrobial activity of the ligand and complexes has been assayed against pathogenic bacteria and fungi by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The invitro antioxidant activity of the complexes has been determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method.
Sperm motility, kinematics, morphometry and morphology over two seasons in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Authors: Luther Ilse , Maree Liana , Kotze Antoinette , Hildebrandt Thomas , Göritz Frank , Hermes Robert , van der Horst Gerhard
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to address the lack of information on quantitative semen and sperm characteristics of free-ranging African elephants. Nineteen ejaculates were collected from 12 elephant bulls by means of electroejaculation in spring (Season 1, end of dry season, n=7) and in autumn (Season 2, end of rainy season, n=12). While most elephant cows are in oestrus in the rainy season, it is not evident whether sperm quality also improves during this period. Semen samples were assessed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), brightfield microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Seasonal differences and individual variation in sperm quality of bulls were apparent, with ejaculates collected during Season 2 revealing higher percentages for total motility, progressive motility, rapid-swimming spermatozoa and kinematic parameters compared with Season 1 (P<0.05). Although normal sperm morphology percentage was similar over the two seasons, more sperm tail defects were found in Season 2 (P<0.05). The baseline reference data and multivariate sperm parameter associations reported in this study can be used to predict elephant bull sperm quality and potential to fertilise. It is clear that CASA can detect subtle differences in sperm quality of African elephant ejaculates and should be the approach for future investigations.
Assertion, presumption and presupposition
Authors: Brosig Benjamin , Yap Foong Ha , Ahrens Kathleen
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we analyze the clitic YUM (< ‘thing’) in Khalkha Mongolian which, in different syntactic contexts, reinforces assertiveness or expresses different shades of presumption or presupposition. The former holds for declaratives where the presence of YUM conveys the speaker’s strong subjective commitment. In question clauses, YUM is used to indicate the speaker’s subjective and often strong guess, sometimes to the point that the speaker presupposes that the proposition actually obtains. In subordinate clauses, YUM may fulfill the same function or serve as a structurally necessary nominalizer for adjectival predicates without introducing any semantic opposition. In declaratives marked as immediately perceived, YUM conveys inference via assumptive reasoning. We thus analyze YUM as a marker of subjective speaker conviction that within the Khalkha Mongolian declarative system is opposed to both simple factuality and overt evidential marking.
Occurrence, identification and transmission of the phytoplasma associated with tomato big bud disease and identification of its vector and weed host in Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Khalid Pervaiz , Saleem Muhammad Yussouf , Yousaf Sumaira , Ullah Najeeb , Rasool Ghulam , Sarwar Nighat
Published: January 2020

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants showing stunting, big bud, leaves yellowing or reddening and witches’-broom symptoms were observed since 2009 in Pakistan. A weed Parthenium hysterophorus grown in and around tomato fields also exhibited witches’-broom
like symptoms. Fluorescence light microscopy of hand-cut stem stalk sections treated with Dienes’ stain showed blue areas in the phloem region of both tomato and P. hysterophorus symptomatic plants that indicated the association of phytoplasma with the complex. Amplification of
1.2 kb 16S rDNA fragment in nested PCR confirmed that the symptomatic tomato and P. hysterophorus plants are infected by a phytoplasma. Partial sequencing of 16S rRNA (GenBank accession: LT671581 and LT671583) and virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism confirmed that
the phytoplasma associated with both plant species had the greatest homology to 16SrII-D subgroup. Disease was successfully transmitted by grafting and leafhopper Orosius albicinctus in tomato plants. This is the first report of natural occurrence of 16SrII-D phytoplasma in tomatoes
and a weed P. hysterophorus in Pakistan.
Upper and lower limb performance fatigability in people with multiple sclerosis investigated through surface electromyography: a pilot study
Authors: Beretta-Piccoli Matteo , Cescon Corrado , Barbero Marco , Villiger Michael , Clijsen Ron , Kool Jan , Kesselring Jürg , Bansi Jens
Published: January 2020

Objective: Fatigue experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is multidimensional, consisting of different components, such as perceived, physical and cognitive fatigue and performance fatigability. At present, there is no gold standard to assess performance fatigability in pwMS; therefore, we aimed to determine whether, during a fatiguing task, average rectified value (ARV), mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) and fractal dimension (FD) of surface electromyography (sEMG) may be used as indirect indices of performance fatigability. Moreover, we analyzed whether a three-week rehabilitation program impacts on performance fatigability in pwMS, and whether a relationship between sEMG parameters and trait levels of perceived fatigability, before and after rehabilitation, does exist. Approach: Twenty-one pwMS performed a 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of 1 min, and afterwards a 60% MVC held until exhaustion. sEMG signals were detected from the biceps brachii, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. Performance fatigability was determined at entry to (t
0) and discharge from (t
1) rehabilitation. Perceived fatigability was measured at t
0 and t
2, one month after rehabilitation. Main results: ARV, MNF, CV and FD rates of change showed significant changes at t
0 and t
1 (p  <  0.05) during the high-level contraction in the BB, but rather limited in the vastii muscles. Moreover, rehabilitation did not induce any reductions in either perceived or performance fatigability. No significant correlations between ARV, MNF, CV and FD rates of change during the 60% MVC and perceived fatigability, at t
0 and t
2, were found. Significance: Our findings suggest that the sEMG parameters are useful for indirectly assessing performance fatigability in pwMS during sub-maximal fatiguing contractions, particularly in the biceps brachii.
A swarm design paradigm unifying swarm behaviors using minimalistic communication
Authors: Cherian Varughese Joshua , Hornischer Hannes , Zahadat Payam , Thenius Ronald , Wotawa Franz , Schmickl Thomas
Published: January 2020

Numerous nature inspired algorithms have been suggested to enable robotic swarms, mobile sensor networks and other multi-agent systems to exhibit various self-organized behaviors. Swarm intelligence and swarm robotics research have been underway for a few decades and have produced many such algorithms based on natural self-organizing systems. While a large body of research exists for variations and modifications in swarm intelligence algorithms, there have been few attempts to unify the underlying agent level design of these widely varying behaviors. In this work, a design paradigm for a swarm of agents is presented which can exhibit a wide range of collective behaviors at swarm level while using minimalistic single-bit communication at the agent level. The communication in the proposed paradigm is based on waves of ‘ping’-signals inspired by strategies for communication and self organization of slime mold (Dictyostelium discoideum) and fireflies (lampyridae). The unification of common collective behaviors through this Wave Oriented Swarm Paradigm (WOSP) enables the control of swarms with minimalistic communication and yet allowing the emergence of diverse complex behaviors. It is demonstrated both in simulation and using real robotic experiments that even a single-bit communication channel between agents suffices for the design of a substantial set of behaviors. Ultimately, the reader will be enabled to combine different behaviours based on the paradigm to develop a control scheme for individual swarms.
Domestic well vulnerability to drought duration and unsustainable groundwater management in California’s Central Valley
Authors: Pauloo R A , Escriva-Bou A , Dahlke H , Fencl A , Guillon H , Fogg G E
Published: January 2020

Millions of Californians access drinking water via domestic wells, which are vulnerable to drought and unsustainable groundwater management. Groundwater overdraft and the possibility of longer drought duration under climate change threatens domestic well reliability, yet we lack tools to assess the impact of such events. Here, we leverage 943 469 well completion reports and 20 years of groundwater elevation data to develop a spatially-explicit domestic well failure model covering California’s Central Valley. Our model successfully reproduces the spatial distribution of observed domestic well failures during the severe 2012–2016 drought (n = 2027). Next, the impact of longer drought duration (5–8 years) on domestic well failure is evaluated, indicating that if the 2012–2016 drought would have continued into a 6 to 8 year long drought, a total of 4037–5460 to 6538–8056 wells would fail. The same drought duration scenarios with an intervening wet winter in 2017 lead to an average of 498 and 738 fewer well failures. Additionally, we map vulnerable wells at high failure risk and find that they align with clusters of predicted well failures. Lastly, we evaluate how the timing and implementation of different projected groundwater management regimes impact groundwater levels and thus domestic well failure. When historic overdraft persists until 2040, domestic well failures range from 5966 to 10 466 (depending on the historic period considered). When sustainability is achieved progressively between 2020 and 2040, well failures range from 3677 to 6943, and from 1516 to 2513 when groundwater is not allowed to decline after 2020.
Assessment of the short-term mortality effect of the national action plan on air pollution in Beijing, China
Authors: Han Ling , Sun Zhaobin , Gong Tianyi , Zhang Xiaoling , He Juan , Xing Qian , Li Ziming , Wang Ji , Ye Dianxiu , Miao Shiguang
Published: January 2020

The Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (referred to as the Action Plan henceforth) provides a golden opportunity for China to evaluate whether the remarkable air quality improvements as a result of the plan have brought about health benefits to residents. Based on the ground-level particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) concentrations and the daily respiratory–cardiovascular mortality, we aimed to assess changes in the mortality effect associated with short-term exposure to PM2.5 due to the implementation of the Action Plan in Beijing. We analyzed the changes in PM2.5 concentrations and air quality during the pre- and post-emission reduction periods. We then used the generalized additive model to estimate the changes in mortality risk associated with PM2.5 exposure during both periods. We found that following the introduction of the Action Plan, the annual average PM2.5 concentrations declined from 101.7 μg m−3 in 2013 to 58.6 μg m−3 in 2017, attaining the target of the plan (60 μg m−3). The remarkable reduction in PM2.5 concentrations has led to a marked decrease in mortality risk. Compared with the pre-emission reduction level, total respiratory mortality decreased from 0.56% (95% CI: 0.40%–0.73%) to 0.43% (95% CI: 0.23%–0.63%), while the total cardiovascular mortality decreased from 0.44% (95% CI: 0.37%–0.52%) to 0.29% (95% CI: 0.19%–0.39%). Significant decreases were also observed in sex-specific subgroups. Our study implied that the significant efforts of the nation to clean China’s air has yielded positive results of air quality improvement and human health protection in Beijing. However, the ambient air pollution in Beijing remains severe. The PM2.5 concentrations still exceed the level (annual average of 10 μg m−3) recommended by the World Health Organization. Thus, consistent efforts are required to implement the emission abatement measures to continuously curb air pollution and protect public health.
Sputtered Mo-bilayer thin films with reduced thickness and improved electrical resistivity
Authors: Keleş Filiz , Atasoy Yavuz , Seyhan Ayşe
Published: January 2020

In this study, Mo-bilayer film, the thickness of which was reduced to approximately 270 nm with a very low resistivity of 14 μΩ.cm, was successfully grown by DC magnetron sputter. The Mo-bilayer, whose bottom and top layers were obtained by high pressure sputter (HPS) and low pressure sputter (LPS) respectively, demonstrates good adhesivity and crystalline properties, together with high reflectance. In order to obtain Mo-bilayer with these improved properties, we first determined the optimal growth temperature and pressure parameters by checking the structural and electrical properties respectively of Mo-single layers. As a result, we achieved a deposit of Mo-bilayer thin film that can be used as a good back contact layer in solar cell applications, both in terms of material cost saving and its superior properties, even at such low thickness.