bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anharmonic lattice dynamics and superionic transition in AgCrSe
2
Authors: Ding Jingxuan , Niedziela Jennifer L. , Bansal Dipanshu , Wang Jiuling , He Xing , May Andrew F. , Ehlers Georg , Abernathy Douglas L. , Said Ayman , Alatas Ahmet , Ren Yang , Arya Gaurav , Delaire Olivier
Published: February 2020

Significance

Unveiling the unusual atomic dynamics in superionic conductors is critical for the design of energy conversion and storage materials, for example to rationalize their thermal transport properties in thermoelectric applications or their fast ionic conductivity in solid-state electrolytes. We combine neutron/X-ray scattering techniques with first-principles calculations to discover hybrid lattice dynamics in

A
g
C
r
S
e

2

, where the phonon wavelength controls the breakdown of transverse acoustic modes in the superionic phase. We attribute the ultralow thermal conductivity to strong phonon anharmonicity combined with disorder in the Ag sublattice. This understanding provides insights into the thermal conduction mechanism in superionic conductors and sheds light on the role of lattice dynamics in the emergence of superionic behavior.
Fbxo9 functions downstream of Sox10 to determine neuron-glial fate choice in the dorsal root ganglia through Neurog2 destabilization
Authors: Liu Jessica Aijia , Tai Andrew , Hong Jialin , Cheung May Pui Lai , Sham Mai Har , Cheah Kathryn S. E. , Cheung Chi Wai , Cheung Martin
Published: February 2020

The transcription factor Sox10 is a key regulator in the fate determination of a subpopulation of multipotent trunk neural crest (NC) progenitors toward glial cells instead of sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, the mechanism by which Sox10 regulates glial cell fate commitment during lineage segregation remains poorly understood. In our study, we showed that the neurogenic determinant Neurogenin 2 (Neurog2) exhibited transient overlapping expression with Sox10 in avian trunk NC progenitors, which progressively underwent lineage segregation during migration toward the forming DRG. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that the temporary expression of Neurog2 was due to Sox10 regulation of its protein stability. Transcriptional profiling identified Sox10-regulated F-box only protein (Fbxo9), which is an SCF (Skp1-Cul-F-box)-type ubiquitin ligase for Neurog2. Consistently, overexpression of Fbxo9 in NC progenitors down-regulated Neurog2 protein expression through ubiquitination and promoted the glial lineage at the expense of neuronal differentiation, whereas Fbxo9 knockdown resulted in the opposite phenomenon. Mechanistically, we found that Fbxo9 interacted with Neurog2 to promote its destabilization through the F-box motif. Finally, epistasis analysis further demonstrated that Fbxo9 and probably other F-box members mediated the role of Sox10 in destabilizing Neurog2 protein and directing the lineage of NC progenitors toward glial cells rather than sensory neurons. Altogether, these findings unravel a Sox10–Fbxo9 regulatory axis in promoting the glial fate of NC progenitors through Neurog2 destabilization.
Continual evolution through coupled fast and slow feedbacks
Authors: Wortel Meike T. , Peters Han , Bonachela Juan A. , Stenseth Nils Chr.
Published: February 2020

Significance

Continual evolution refers to the unceasing evolution of at least one trait involving at least one organism. Van Valen’s Red Queen Hypothesis is a particular example that represents the unceasing evolution of organisms in response to each other. In spite of the intense research on the topic from macroevolutionary and microevolutionary perspectives, the conditions that guarantee continual evolution remain elusive. Here, we provide mathematical proof for conditions that lead to continual evolution, which essentially requires interaction between fast positive and slow negative feedbacks between environment, population, and evolving traits. Our general framework allows for a polymorphic population and mutations of large effect, properties typically found in microbial systems, and therefore our results help bridge theory and experimental results.
ESCRT-III–mediated membrane fusion drives chromosome fragments through nuclear envelope channels
Authors: Warecki Brandt , Ling Xi , Bast Ian , Sullivan William
Published: February 2020

Mitotic cells must form a single nucleus during telophase or exclude part of their genome as damage-prone micronuclei. While research has detailed how micronuclei arise from cells entering anaphase with lagging chromosomes, cellular mechanisms allowing late-segregating chromosomes to rejoin daughter nuclei remain underexplored. Here, we find that late-segregating acentric chromosome fragments that rejoin daughter nuclei are associated with nuclear membrane but devoid of lamin and nuclear pore complexes in Drosophila melanogaster. We show that acentrics pass through membrane-, lamin-, and nuclear pore–based channels in the nuclear envelope that extend and retract as acentrics enter nuclei. Membrane encompassing the acentrics fuses with the nuclear membrane, facilitating integration of the acentrics into newly formed nuclei. Fusion, mediated by the membrane fusion protein Comt/NSF and ESCRT-III components Shrub/CHMP4B and CHMP2B, facilitates reintegration of acentrics into nuclei. These results suggest a previously unsuspected role for membrane fusion, similar to nuclear repair, in the formation of a single nucleus during mitotic exit and the maintenance of genomic integrity.
Japanese population dose from natural radiation
Authors: Omori Yasutaka , Hosoda Masahiro , Takahashi Fumiaki , Sanada Tetsuya , Hirao Shigekazu , Ono Koji , Furukawa Masahide
Published: February 2020

The radiation doses from natural radiation sources in Japan are reviewed using the latest knowledge. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the Nuclear Safety Research Association report the annual effective doses from cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, inhalation, and ingestion as natural sources. In this paper, the total annual effective dose from cosmic-ray exposure is evaluated as 0.29 mSv. The arithmetic mean of the annual effective dose from external exposure to terrestrial radiation is 0.33 mSv for the Japanese population using the data of nationwide surveys by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. Previously in Japan, although three different groups have conducted nationwide indoor radon surveys using passive-type radon monitors, to date only the Japan Chemical Analysis Center (JCAC) has performed a nationwide radon survey using a unified method for radon measurements conducted indoor, outdoor, and in the workplace. Consequently, the JCAC results are used for the annual effective dose from radon and that for radon inhalation is estimated as 0.50 mSv using a current dose conversion factor. In this paper, UNSCEAR values are used for the mean indoor and outdoor thoron-progeny concentrations, and the annual effective dose from thoron is reported as 0.09 mSv. Thus, the annual effective dose from radon and thoron inhalation is 0.59 mSv. From a JCAC large-scale survey of foodstuffs, the committed effective dose from the main radionuclides in dietary intake is 0.99 mSv. Finally, the Japanese population dose from natural radiation is given as 2.2 mSv, which is similar to the reported global average of 2.4 mSv.
Shaping nonlinear optical response using nonlocal forward Brillouin interactions
Authors: Gertler Shai , Kharel Prashanta , Kittlaus Eric A , Otterstrom Nils T , Rakich Peter T
Published: February 2020

In most practical scenarios, optical susceptibilities can be treated as a local property of a medium. For example, in the context of nonlinear optics we can typically treat the Kerr and Raman response as local, such that optical fields at one location do not produce a nonlinear response at distinct locations in space. This is because the electronic and vibrational disturbances produced within the material are confined to a region that is smaller than an optical wavelength. By comparison, Brillouin interactions, mediated by traveling-wave acoustic phonons, can result in a highly nonlocal nonlinear response as the elastic waves generated in the process can occupy a region in space much larger than an optical wavelength. The unique properties of these interactions can be exploited to engineer new types of processes, where highly delocalized phonon modes serve as an engineerable channel that mediates scattering processes between light waves propagating in distinct optical waveguides. These types of nonlocal optomechanical responses have recently been demonstrated as the basis for information transduction, however the nontrivial dynamics of such systems has yet to be explored. In this work, we show that the third-order nonlinear process resulting from spatially extended Brillouin-active phonon modes involves mixing products from spatially separated, optically decoupled waveguides, yielding a nonlocal susceptibility. Building on these concepts, we illustrate how nontrivial multi-mode acoustic interference can produce a nonlocal susceptibility with a multi-pole frequency response, as the basis for new optical and microwave signal processing schemes within traveling wave systems.
Appreciating the growth of informal utilization of city space for sustainable urban development in Yogyakarta city
Authors: Bawole Paulus , Wiyatiningsih W. , Harefa Anugerah Septiaman , Rodriguesa Olinda
Published: February 2020

At present many people live within the cities and more than 30% of all city dwellers live in slums or marginal areas. It is internationally recognized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which set as the first target of SDG 11 to ensure, by 2030, access to all to adequate, safe and affordable housing, to ensure access to basic services and to improve slums. Cities need large spaces and are the main source of wealth and the center of innovation, culture and politics. Obviously, they have become the most important arena of humanity. Today, in most cities in the world, forms of urbanism develop side by side in the same urban space. This situaton happens also in other cities in developing countries including Indonesia. This paper will discuss about the patterns of informal urban space utilization carried out by low-income communities. The method used is conducting field surveys and observing objects that have been determined directly in some cities. By discovering the pattern of informal use of urban space, it can be formulated as how low-income communities use the urban space to settle and business informally. Based on the formulation that has been made, a planning and design method is developed which can later be proposed as a sustainable development strategy for improving urban areas occupied by low income people.
Stakeholder involvement in developing strategic planning for heritage buildings in Kota Lama heritage site, Semarang
Authors: Bramiana Chely N. , Darmawan Edy , Hasan Muhammad Ismail
Published: February 2020

Heritage buildings are one of the main concerns in urban development planning and they consequently affect the building code as well. Such concerns were found in many redevelopment projects in a sizeable number of countries aside from Europe and Asia. Strategies, decisions, ways and dilemmas were approached and other points were used as lessons for other projects with similar or even quite different contexts and sizes worldwide. Although Semarang has a specific regulation that protects its heritage buildings, the awareness of the local government and people is still not adequate. This research showed that strategic planning was that was implemented in heritage buildings in some other countries made the buildings become more useful and conserve their authentic value. By studying different cases from different countries, this paper also presented the strategies in regards to heritage building. Suggested also in this paper, that stakeholder’s involvement is crucial in decision-making process.
Local smart initiatives to enhance sustainable settlement
Authors: Hayati Arina , Utami Adinda S.P.R , Bararatin Kirami , Santosa Happy Ratna , Weichart Gabriele , Valent Mag. Karl
Published: February 2020

The New Urban Agenda (NUA) will focus on the Smart City and Sustainable City as influential forces within urban development over the next 20 years. What constitutes a Smart and Sustainable reflects the peculiarities of contexts, needs, interests and approaches to urban development in different countries and regions of the world. Indonesia, for example has adopted a fairly broad approach to smart and sustainability, which extends beyond ICT infrastructure to include local development and community initiatives that aim to improve urban environments, economics and lives. Yet, none has examined the relationship between the model of Smart and Sustainability in the context of settlement-built environment. This paper is based on results of an interdisciplinary research project on “Kampung Innovation in Support of Smart City”. In the project, architects and anthropologists are collaboratively investigating creative and innovative ventures initiated by Kampung communities in Surabaya. In this paper, we present data gathered to date through participant observation and interviews, and discuss its analysis using six components of the Smart City which highlights the Human Driven Approach (HDM) approach. Findings reveal that these kampung communities are making important contributions to Surabaya’s development as both smart and sustainable city through creative and innovative approaches to meeting local economic, social and cultural needs in their settlement.
Sociocultural concepts for the Chinese settlement resilience in Lasem
Authors: Sudarwani Margareta M. , Purwanto Edi , Siti Rukayah R.
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the resilience phenomenon of Chinese Settlement that faces the political policies and economic activities in Lasem. The political and economic conditions that have lasted for centuries do not influenced the resilience of the culture and architecture of Lasem Chinese Settlement. The resilience of Lasem Chinese Settlement is reflected in several temples with their original and unique architectural design that has been around for hundreds of years. They become artefacts that remain resistant to change and have their own meaning for Lasem Chinese community. The purpose of this study is to determine the resilience phenomenon of Lasem Chinese Settlement. This research is expected to provide knowledge about the activities, functions, and values of space and form that play a role in maintaining human existence as its inhabitants. This study employed a qualitative approach that was based on the naturalistic paradigm with an inductive method. The end of the research conclusion was to build local knowledge from the field of study. The result of the research showed that the Chinese Settlement was able to adjust to the political and economic development. The resilience of space and form of Lasem Chinese Settlement can be viewed by the ability of settlement, public and religious spaces in maintaining human existence as its inhabitants. The resilience grows from the socio-cultural values and gives Lasem city sense of place and local identification that remains resistance.
Electromagnetic Environment Analysis of MHD Propulsion by Surfaces in Sea Water
Authors: Zong-kai Liu , Jin-lei Lu
Published: February 2020

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) propulsion by surfaces is performed through electromagnetic propulsion units mounted on navigations surface in conductive flow fluid (such as seawater or plasma), by which Lorentz force will be generated to propel the near-wall seawater and the navigation. Lorentz force has been used to adjust the flow boundary layer around the cylinder and airfoil. In this study, based on the basic governing equations of fluid dynamics and electromagnetic field, by utilizing finite volume methods, the distribution characteristics of electric and magnetic fields near the propulsion units have been investigated in seawater environment. The results show that the electric and magnetic fields over the surface of the propulsion units rapidly decrease with the normal wall distance. This method can offer a better electromagnetic security.
Ptimization of Co-immobilization of Cellulase and β-glucosidase
Authors: Wu D Y , Zhuang M Z , Su G X , Gao P F , Jin Y Z , Fu H Y
Published: February 2020

Cellulase can hydrolyze cellulose to produce reducing sugars such as cellobiose and cellotriose. β-glucosidas can further hydrolyze cellobiose and cellobiose produced by cellulase to produce glucose. According to the hydrolysis mechanisms of cellulase and β-glucosidas, we selected two enzyems, cellulase and β-glucosidase to study optimization of co-immobilization of cellulase and β-glucosidas. Meanwhile, we selected two materials, activated carbon and sodium alginate to co-immobilize cellulase and β-glucosidas by the immobilization method of embedding-adsorption. The immobilization conditions, alginate, CaCl2 and activated carbon was optimized. The results showed that the optimum concentrations of sodium alginate and CaCl2 were 2% and 2%, respectively, and the quality of activated carbon is 0.15 g. The optimal ratio of cellulase to β - glucosidase was 1:1.5. The results indicated that cellulase and β-glucosidase had a synergistic effect and that their compound degradation of cellulose was better than the separate effects of the two enzymes acting independently.
Research on Urban Water Environment Design Based on the Concept of Ecological Restoration
Authors: Li Minyong , Liu Jianwen , He Yuanrong
Published: February 2020

Natural disasters and extreme abnormal weather caused by global climate change challenge the sustainability and stability of urban system. Urban river and lake system is an important ecological background of urban environment. Improving the ecological resilience of urban water system plays an important role in consolidating the stability of urban system. In view of the above problems, using the methods of literature research, case analysis and comprehensive analysis, this paper summarizes the theoretical research and practical experience of coping with global climate change and improving urban water system at home and abroad, and analyzes the challenges faced by China’s urban water environment under climate change. From the perspective of ecological restoration, this paper attempts to build the evaluation index system of water ecological restoration and the urban design technology system guided by water environment, and puts forward urban design strategies from three urban design dimensions: macro (urban agglomeration or region and its basin), meso (city and its basin) and micro (block and its basin), and explores the implementation of urban water system planning and design based on the concept of ecological restoration This is the way.
Nitrification Process of Lianhua Stream in Xiamen, Fujian Province
Authors: Wang Ji Ping , Zhang Rong , Mi Li Shu , Zhu Mu Lan
Published: February 2020

The nitrification rate, ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation potential in surface water, and sediment of Lianhua Stream were studied. Laboratory microenvironment experiments show that the nitrification rate at the interface between sediment and overlying water is much higher than that in surface water, with the nitrification rate 0.08834-0.1591mg(L.d)−1 and 0.0001 - 0.0025 mg(L.d)−1 respectively. The potential of ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation of sediment in Lianhua Stream is also significantly higher than that of surface water. The total ammonia oxidation potential of sediment in Lianhua Stream is 8.396 - 13.247 mg.(L.d)−1, while the total nitrate oxidation potential is 3.522 - 9.322 mg.(L.d)−1. The high concentration of ammonia nitrogen promotes the activity of ammonia oxidative bacteria, which leads to the potential for high ammonia oxidation. Meanwhile, the high rate of ammonia oxidation and low rate of nitrite oxidation in the water body contribute to the accumulation of nitrites in the water.
Building A Natural Disaster Knowledge Base Expert System based on the Distributed and Incremental Crawling Technology
Authors: Chen Qiujin , He Yuanrong , Su Qun , He Tingting
Published: February 2020

China is one of the countries with the most natural disasters in the world. Natural disasters seriously endanger people’s safety and economic situations. Therefore, it is very necessary to strengthen the prediction and research on the characteristics and the causes of various natural disasters. Based on the Internet distributed and incremental crawling technology, this system crawls the knowledge literatures, disaster news and professional disaster data from domestic and overseas on natural disasters, as well as drawing on the advanced knowledge management concept, the captured data will be displayed in the form of knowledge tree. Integrating the authoritative global typhoon live maps and orthophotos which acquired by UAV to better monitor and predict typhoons; This system determined that the SSM framework is used as the system framework, combined MySQL and Redis database to store data stably and efficiently. In addition, the Echarts component can be used to analyze and visualize the crawled data. Big data analysis techniques such as knowledge graphs and related algorithms for literature analysis, data cleaning to better data store and display. In the end, it will enable the researchers to more easily and efficiently carry out the knowledge sharing, collaborative cooperation and interactive communication, which has the certain research significance and use value.
Optimization of Total Protein Extraction from Caulerpa Lentillifera Based on Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Huang Xiaomei , Lin Shan , Cai Peng , Jiang Zhihao , Ding Bo , Shi Lirong , Huang Biaowu
Published: February 2020

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to obtain the optimal extraction yield of total protein from Caulerpa lentillifera. The effects of liquid-material ratio, crushing grinding power, crushing grinding time, and reaction temperature on the extraction yield of protein were investigated, respectively. Based on single factor tests, RSM with four factors and three levels was used to determine the extraction yield of total protein. Results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: 30.47:1 of liquid-material ratio, 51.15 Hz of crushing grinding power, 10.78 min of crushing grinding time and 58.62°C of reaction temperature. The extraction yield of total protein was 35.95% under optimal conditions with the relative error 0.28%. Results showed that RSM could be used to predict extraction yield of total protein from Caulerpa lentillifera with satisfactory result.
Research on Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Urban Rail Transit Based on DEA-BCC Model
Authors: Xiao Xuemei , Zhong Zihan , Wang Yanhui , Zhang Chenchen , Wu Huiyang
Published: February 2020

The scale of urban rail transit network has been expanding in recent years, and the energy consumption of urban rail transit systems is also growing. So the paper intends to study on energy efficiency of urban rail transit so as to help enterprises to reduce energy consumption and operation costs. From the perspective of economics, the paper establishes an evaluation index system for energy efficiency of urban rail transit with multi-inputs and outputs. Then DEA-BCC model is proposed to evaluate the energy efficiency of urban rail transit, and the empirical analysis of Beijing subway Line5, Line15 and Batong Line is carried out to verify its rationality, which aims to find the influencing factors of energy efficiency of urban rail transit from efficiency and slack variable. Last, some suggestions on how to improve energy efficiency of urban rail transit system are given in the paper.
Protection of population and water retention developments
Authors: Axman M , Krocova S
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with the issue of preventive civil protection from emergency incidents in water structures. The first part of the work focuses on the methods of water retention development and its use. Then follows the presentation of current status in the Czech Republic and the world regarding hydro plants. In the last part of this paper the Procedure for Estimating Loss of Life Caused by Dam Failure according to DSO-99-06, used in the USA with parameters of Whaley Dam, is described. The other part deals with possible issues of civil protection in emergency situations in dams.
Environmental aspects of changing the wastewater treatment plant technology from cleaning in rotating biological contactors in the process of nitrification and updating denitrification
Authors: Bouchal T , Tarcova T
Published: February 2020

The article deals with increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment by changing the technology in the village to thousands of inhabitants. The original technology of the wastewater treatment plant from the already unsatisfactory technology of biological processes treatment was carried out after the reconstruction of the wastewater treatment using a process of directional operations with nitrification and upstream denitrification. At the end of the paper are evaluated the results of measurement and evaluation after the reconstruction of the treatment plant and the best results with the results that were measured before reconstruction. These results show that the pollution concentration has decreased for all loss indicators. All values are limited below the allowable dose limit and the greatest changes occurred in BOD5, CODCr and N-NH4 +, where the pollution dropped by at least half. Ammonia nitrogen decreased by 97% after the treatment plant reconstruction. The average decrease was by 10.7 mg/l. After the reconstruction of the wastewater treatment plant, the effects of the treatment increase, especially for N-NH4 +, Nc and Pc by 20%. In systems with sessile biomass a higher degree of sludge mineralization is used due to the higher age of microorganisms.
Monitoring of the abandoned mine Smolnik (Slovakia) influence on the aquatic environment
Authors: Demcak S , Balintova M , Holub M
Published: February 2020

The Slovak Republic has a rich mining history. Despite of the decrease of mine activities in Slovak regions, there are still the abandoned sites that can cause environmental risks due to a generation of the acid mine drainages. These waters contain many toxic pollutants, mainly heavy metals and sulphates, which have negative impact on the environment. The paper deals with a study of the influence of the abandoned mine Smolnik (Slovakia) on the aquatic environment. The chemical analyses of waters reveal negative impact on the Smolnik creek after the contamination by acid mine drainages mainly sulphates and heavy metals as iron, manganese, aluminium, copper, and zinc.
Geographical information systems and monitoring of climatic conditions in cities
Authors: Faltejsek Michal , Kocurova Petra
Published: February 2020

Modern geographic information systems are able to visualize almost any information in their maps. Important is the data that the GIS should visualize. This data consists of information from the cadaster, passports or city plan. This paper discusses the possibilities of visualizing climate data based on a sensory network. The results can be used in the planning and development of the city. Internet of Things is a modern part of the Smart City concept that forms the basis of the modern city. The world’s most modern cities are equipped with hundreds or thousands of sensors. The data can be used for planning and development of the city. The result is more efficient facility management of the city, administration and operation, strategy and planning. In conjunction with building information management, more precisely city information management, significant savings can be achieved. Climatic conditions measure various institutes outside the influence of the city. For efficient use of data, the possibility to operate these sensors operatively and deploy them according to their own requirements and needs, the city should have its own sensor network for measuring climatic conditions.
Botanical and zoological aspects of the shale post-mining landscape (Jakartovice village, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kupka J , Svehlakova H , Stalmachova B , Polacek R
Published: February 2020

The area of the Jakartovice village is well known for its shale roofing tiles since the 18th century. In places where shale was exploited until 1945, abandoned areas after mining works remained. These places due to its specifical environmental conditions have important function in the post-mining landscape. There are very interesting species bond to specific environmental conditions of post - mining landscape, with frequent rare and endangered species. A basic inventory survey of plant species and communities was carried out according to the rules of the Zurich - Monpellier School. Inventory survey of animals consisted of different methods according to individual species.
Amino-functionalized polymethylmethacrylate-co-polyethyleneimine (PMMA-co-PEI) as a template to fabricate nano-silica
Authors: He Hong-Wei , Li Xin-Yuan , Zhao Zhao-Jun , Yan Xu
Published: February 2020

Polymer template method is a general and facile to fabricate nano-structural matters. Some amphiphilic polymers or co-polymers were used as templates to synthesize nano-silica. In this contribution, polymethacrylate (PMMA) employed was a commercial hydrophobic acrylate polymer and grafted with a strong hydrophilic polyethyleneimine (PEI, a densely amino-groups polymer) via aminolysis reaction, which was monitored and identified by means of FT-IR. The aminolysis reaction was optimized and the suitable reaction time was 12 h at 110 °C. The obtained copolymer, PMMA-co-PEI was applied as a template to prepare nano-silica spheres that was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). When the dosage was 1 wt% of purified PMMA-co-PEI, the resultant nano-silica had uniform particle size, and average diameter of 311 nm. When the dosage of PMMA-co-PEI was increased to 2 wt% or 4 wt%, the resultant particles became bigger and inclined to aggregate. Nano-silica afforded by this template method will be a promising material in application of catalysis, energy, biology and chromatographic analysis and the copolymer of PMMA-co-PEI will be a template for producing metal oxide nano-spheres.
Tribological performance of freeze-drying nano-copper particle as additive of paroline oil
Authors: Peng Runling , Guo Junde , Han Shaoxing , Zeng Qunfeng , Cao Wei , Du Hang
Published: February 2020

Monodispersed nano-copper particles were prepared, and the optimized method of preparation procedure was established through orthogonal experiments under four different factors. The experimental results show that the particle size of freeze-dried nano-copper particles can be adjusted by rotational speed, freezing rate, types of active agents and freezing mode, and freezing mode is the most important among all of the four factors. Tribological results of the nano-copper particles from the best optimized procedure can be improved 5%–10% than that of pure paroline oil and the lowest coefficient of friction 0.12 can be obtained for the sample of 0.05 wt%. The lubrication mechanism mostly attributed to the appropriate concentration of copper particles filling the surface pits, which is beneficial for the improvement of the tribological performance.
Surface modification and functionalization by electrical discharge coating: a comprehensive review
Authors: Liew Pay Jun , Yap Ching Yee , Wang Jingsi , Zhou Tianfeng , Yan Jiwang
Published: February 2020

Hard coatings are extensively required in industry for protecting mechanical/structural parts that withstand extremely high temperature, stress, chemical corrosion, and other hostile environments. Electrical discharge coating (EDC) is an emerging surface modification technology to produce such hard coatings by using electrical discharges to coat a layer of material on workpiece surface to modify and enhance the surface characteristics or create new surface functions. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of EDC technologies for various materials, and summarises the types and key parameters of EDC processes as well as the characteristics of resulting coatings. It provides a systematic summary of the fundamentals and key features of the EDC processes, as well as its applications and future trends.
Improvement of postinpatient psychiatric follow-up for veterans using telehealth
Authors: Brearly Timothy W , Goodman Courtney S , Haynes Calandra , McDermott Katherine , Rowland Jared A
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To describe the implementation and initial outcomes of a pilot interdisciplinary telehealth clinic, Allied Transitional Telehealth Encounters post-iNpatient Discharge (ATTEND), providing clinical pharmacy specialist follow-up for veterans transitioning from inpatient to outpatient mental healthcare in a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) hospital.

The ATTEND clinic’s primary intervention was providing medication management appointments through clinical video telehealth (CVT) to patient discharge locations through a DVA-provided tablet. An interdisciplinary team supported care through on-unit inpatient training, secure messaging, and self-help applications. Clinical outcomes were measured through readmission rates, wait times, self-report measures, and follow-up interview at the completion of ATTEND services. Twenty patients completed on-unit training, and 16 unique patients were seen for at least 1 outpatient appointment. Inpatient readmission rates were lower for ATTEND patients than with standard care (5% versus 19%, respectively). Wait times until first postdischarge mental health appointment were reduced by a mean of 18.6 (S.D., 8.8) days. The pharmacist made medication interventions, including dosing changes, education on incorrect administration, and medication discontinuation. Self-reported psychological symptoms decreased during ATTEND participation. Post-ATTEND interviews indicated high levels of acceptance and interest in continued tablet-based care. Primary challenges included unique technological limitations and effective care coordination.

Conclusion

The ATTEND telehealth clinic provided postinpatient mental health follow-up that was more prompt and convenient than conventional on-site appointments. Psychiatric self-report improved during ATTEND-facilitated transition to outpatient care, and the recidivism rate for ATTEND patients was lower than the general inpatient rate during the same time period.
Dementia Diagnosis in Seven Languages: The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III in India
Authors: Mekala Shailaja , Paplikar Avanthi , Mioshi Eneida , Kaul Subhash , Divyaraj Gollahalli , Coughlan Gillian , Ellajosyula Ratnavalli , Jala Sireesha , Menon Ramshekharn , Narayanan Jwala , Narayan Sunil , Aghoram Rajeswari , Nehra Ashima , Rajan Amulya , Sabnis Prerana , Singh Sonia Kaur , Tripathi Manjari , Verma Mansi , Saru Lekha V , Hodges John R , Alladi Suvarna
Published: February 2020

Objective

With the rising burden of dementia globally, there is a need to harmonize dementia research across diverse populations. The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III) is a well-established cognitive screening tool to diagnose dementia. But there have been few efforts to standardize the use of ACE-III across cohorts speaking different languages. The present study aimed to standardize and validate ACE-III across seven Indian languages and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the test to detect dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the context of language heterogeneity.

Methods

The original ACE-III was adapted to Indian languages: Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, Tamil, and Indian English by a multidisciplinary expert group. The ACE-III was standardized for use across all seven languages. In total, 757 controls, 242 dementia, and 204 MCI patients were recruited across five cities in India for the validation study. Psychometric properties of adapted versions were examined and their sensitivity and specificity were established.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of ACE-III in identifying dementia ranged from 0.90 to 1, sensitivity for MCI ranged from 0.86 to 1, and specificity from 0.83 to 0.93. Education but not language was found to have an independent effect on ACE-III scores. Optimum cut-off scores were established separately for low education (≤10 years of education) and high education (>10 years of education) groups.

Conclusions

The adapted versions of ACE-III have been standardized and validated for use across seven Indian languages, with high diagnostic accuracy in identifying dementia and MCI in a linguistically diverse context.
Proof-of-concept for a gene replacement approach to CDKL5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Benke Tim A , Kind Peter C
Published: February 2020

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Gene replacement ameliorates deficits in mouse and human models of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 disorder’, by Gao etal. (doi:10.1093/brain/awaa028).
Effect of bariatric surgery on long-term cardiovascular outcomes: a nationwide nested cohort study
Authors: Moussa Osama , Ardissino Maddalena , Heaton Tobias , Tang Alice , Khan Omar , Ziprin Paul , Darzi Ara , Collins Peter , Purkayastha Sanjay
Published: February 2020

Aims 

This study aims to evaluate the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular outcomes of patients with obesity.

Methods and results 

A nested cohort study was carried out within the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. The study cohort included the 3701 patients on the database who had undergone bariatric surgery and 3701 age, gender, and body mass index-matched controls. The primary endpoint was the composite of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction and fatal or non-fatal ischaemic stroke. Secondary endpoints included fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction alone, fatal or non-fatal ischaemic stroke alone, incident heart failure, and mortality. The median follow-up achieved was 11.2 years. Patients who had undergone bariatric surgery had a significantly lower occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events [hazard ratio (HR) 0.410, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.274–0.615; P < 0.001]. This was mainly driven by a reduction in myocardial infarction (HR 0.412, 95% CI 0.280–0.606; P < 0.001) and not in acute ischaemic stroke (HR 0.536, 95% CI 0.164–1.748; P = 0.301). A reduction was also observed in new diagnoses of heart failure (HR 0.403, 95% CI 0.181–0.897; P = 0.026) and mortality (HR 0.254, 95% CI 0.183–0.353; P < 0.001).

Conclusion 

The results of this large, nationwide cohort study support the association of bariatric surgery with lower long-term risk of major cardiovascular events and incident heart failure in patients with obesity.
A randomized trial of contact force in atrial flutter ablation
Authors: Giehm-Reese Mikkel , Kronborg Mads Brix , Lukac Peter , Kristiansen Steen Buus , Jensen Henrik Kjærulf , Gerdes Christian , Kristensen Jens , Nielsen Jan Møller , Nielsen Jens Cosedis
Published: February 2020

Aims

Contact force (CF) sensing has emerged as a tool to guide and improve outcomes for catheter ablation (CA) for cardiac arrhythmias. The clinical benefit on patient outcomes remains unknown. To study whether CF-guided CA for typical atrial flutter (AFL) is superior to CA not guided by CF.

Methods and results

In a double-blinded controlled superiority trial, we randomized patients 1:1 to receive CA for typical AFL guided by CF (intervention group) or blinded to CF (control group). In the intervention group, a specific value of the lesion size index (LSI), estimating ablation lesions size was targeted for each ablation lesion. Patients underwent electrophysiological study (EPS) after 3 months to assess occurrence of the primary endpoint of re-conduction across the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI). We included 156 patients with typical AFL, median age was 68 [interquartile range (IQR) 61–74] years and 120 (77%) patients were male. At index procedure median LSI was higher in the intervention group [6.4 (IQR 5.1–7) vs. 5.6 (IQR 4.5–6.9), P < 0.0001]. After 3 months, 126 patients (58 in intervention group) underwent EPS for primary endpoint assessment. Thirty (24%) patients had CTI re-conduction, distributed with 15 patients in each treatment group (P = 0.62). We observed no difference between treatment groups with regard to fluoroscopy, ablation, or procedure times, nor peri-procedural complications.

Conclusion

Contact force-guided ablation does not reduce re-conduction across the CTI after 3 months, nor does CF-guided ablation shorten fluoroscopy, ablation, or total procedure times.
Cervical cancer (over)screening in Belgium and Switzerland: trends and social inequalities
Authors: De Prez Vincent , Jolidon Vladimir , Willems Barbara , Cullati Stéphane , Burton-Jeangros Claudine , Bracke Piet
Published: February 2020

Background

Cervical cancer screening (CCS) by means of Pap smears has led to a decrease in cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In the absence of organized programmes, CCS is opportunistic in Belgium and Switzerland. This might result in a high level of CCS overuse, as screening practices do not conform to the recommended 3-yearly screening interval and the target age-ranges (Belgium: 25–64, Switzerland: 20–70). This study aimed to assess trends in CCS uptake and overuse in Belgium and Switzerland and their social determinants, in the light of reimbursement initiatives, which were implemented in both countries.

Methods

Data from five waves of the Belgian Health Interview Survey (1997–2013) (N=11 141) and Swiss Health Interview Survey (1992–2012) (N=32 696) were used. We performed Poisson regressions to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR), controlled for socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics and health status. CCS overuse was operationalized as screening more than once every 3 years and screening above recommended age-range.

Results

CCS uptake remained relatively stable over time, with a mean coverage of 70.9% in Belgium and 73.1% in Switzerland. Educational and income gradients were found in both countries. Concerning CCS overuse, women above screening-eligible age showed consistently high screening rates, but screening within the past year declined significantly in both countries, matching the temporal implementation of the reimbursement initiatives.

Conclusions

Although no increase in CCS coverage could be established, CCS has become more efficient in both countries as Pap smear overuse at the population level has declined after the implementation of reimbursement measures tackling CCS overuse.
Electronic direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals: an assessment of textual and visual content of websites
Authors: Alkazemi Mariam F , Van Stee Stephanie K
Published: February 2020

Considering the important role of the Internet in health information seeking by consumers, it is critical to examine the health information that is available to them through the Internet. This study contributes to existing knowledge by employing a content analysis to examine visual and textual information on prescription medication websites. A stratified random sample was selected from a list of the 100 most-prescribed medications in the United States. Findings point to under-utilization of audiovisual components on the homepage of prescription medication websites as well as a lack of racial diversity in people pictured. Medications for chronic conditions were more likely to have homepages with a positive emotional tone than those for acute conditions. Further, more depictions of women on homepages predicted a greater number of prescriptions filled. This study includes implications for health education and healthcare professionals, patients and the Food and Drug Administration.
Presence of PTPN2 SNP rs1893217 Enhances the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Spermidine
Authors: Niechcial Anna , Butter Matthias , Manz Salomon , Obialo Nicole , Bäbler Katharina , van der Lely Lisa , Lang Silvia , Gottier Claudia , McCole Declan F , Scharl Michael , Spalinger Marianne R
Published: February 2020

Background

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1893217 within the gene locus encoding PTPN2 represents a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our previous work demonstrated reduced PTPN2 activity and subsequently increased inflammatory signaling upon presence of SNP rs1893217. The naturally occurring polyamine spermidine reduces pro-inflammatory signaling via induction of PTPN2 activity; however, the effect of SNP rs1893217 on the anti-inflammatory potential of spermidine is still unknown. Here, we investigated how presence of SNP rs1893217 affects treatment efficacy of spermidine and whether it might serve as a potential biomarker for spermidine treatment.

Methods

Human T84 (wild-type [WT] for PTPN2 SNP rs1893217) and HT29 (heterozygous for PTPN2 SNP rs1893217) intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) were treated with several polyamines from the putrescine-spermidine pathway. T84 and HT29 IECs, THP-1 monocytes (WT and transfected with a lentiviral vector expressing PTPN2 SNP rs1893217) and genotyped, patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells were challenged with IFN-γ and/or spermidine.

Results

Among the analyzed polyamines, spermidine was the most efficient activator of PTPN2 phosphatase activity, regardless of the PTPN2 genotype. Spermidine suppressed IFN-γ-induced STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation, along with decreased mRNA expression of ICAM-1, NOD2, and IFNG in IECs and monocytes. Of note, these effects were clearly more pronounced when the disease-associated PTPN2 C-variant in SNP rs1893217 was present.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that spermidine is the most potent polyamine in the putrescine-spermine axis for inducing PTPN2 enzymatic activity. The anti-inflammatory effect of spermidine is potentiated in the presence of SNP rs1893217, and this SNP might thus be a useful biomarker for possible spermidine-treatment in IBD patients.
Richard Pococke’s herbarium and manuscript index
Authors: Finnegan Rachel
Published: February 2020

This article examines Richard Pococke’s ‘lost’ herbarium and manuscript index. These items, which have formed part of the Heritage Library Collection of the Qatar National Library since 1993, have escaped the attention of all but one scholar, who published the results of his scientific examination of the medicinal specimens in 1997 and concluded that the index was the work of a professional. This study traces the transmission of the collection, offers an approximate date for its creation, and argues that Pococke had gained sufficient knowledge of botany and plant taxonomy in later life to compile the semi-professional botanical index himself.
Bare area on the trochanter and its correlations to gluteal tendon insertion dimensions
Authors: Hapa Onur , Işın Yağmur , Toklong Moses , Hüsemoğlu Buğra , Edizer Mete , Havitçioğlu Hasan
Published: February 2020

Gluteus medius and minimus tears have recently been reported to be very common and the main etiology of lateral sided hip pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any correlation between the dimensions of the tendon insertions and bare areas (BA) and various bony landmarks. Twenty-seven hemipelvises from adult male hips were included. The bony landmarks [anterior tip (Ta), posterior tip of trochanter, vastus tubercle (VT) and center of BA] were marked. The longitudinal lengths and widths (maximum) of posterosuperior (PS), lateral facets (LF), minimus insertion (Min) and BA and the distance between posterior (Tp) and Ta and between anterior/posterior tips and the VT or center of BA were measured using a digital caliper. A correlation analysis was performed between variables. There was a correlation between LFlength and Minlength (r = 0.4, P = 0.01) and between Ta–BA and PS + LF (r = 0.5, P = 0.003) or Minlength (r = 0.4, P = 0.016). LFwidth was negatively correlated with BAwidth (r = −0.4, P = 0.002). Tp–BA was negatively correlated with BAwidth (r = −0.4, P = 0.01). LFwidth was correlated with Tp–BA, and this nearly reached statistical significance (r = 0.3, P = 0.05). BA can be used intraoperatively as landmarks to estimate the width of the LF and also to determine the length of the longitudinal insertion of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons.