bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existence of solutions for some non‐Fredholm integro‐differential equations with the bi‐Laplacian
Authors: Vougalter Vitali , Volpert Vitaly
Published: July 2020

We prove the existence of solutions for some semilinear elliptic equations in the appropriate H4 spaces using the fixed‐point technique where the elliptic equation contains fourth‐order differential operators with and without Fredholm property, generalizing the previous results.
Wool sheep and purple snails—Long‐term continuity of animal exploitation in ancient Meninx (Jerba/Tunisia)
Authors: Trixl Simon , Ben Tahar Sami , Ritter Stefan , Peters Joris
Published: July 2020

Archaeological research at the ancient city of Meninx in Jerba, Tunisia, carried out by the Institut National du Patrimoine Tunisie and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) produced more than 10,000 faunal specimens and shed light on subsistence activities spanning from the fourth century BCE until the seventh century CE. Despite its highly diverse fauna totalling at least 69 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and molluscs, domestic livestock formed the mainstay of the economy at Meninx. Throughout site occupation and compared with contemporaneous sites in coastal Tunisia and Libya, sheep were of prime importance at Meninx. Diachronic demographic profiling illustrates an emphasis on the production of wool for making textiles. Together with the ubiquitous presence of crushed banded dye‐murex (Hexaplex trunculus) shells implying exploitation of purple dyes, we assume that both activities were integrated into a single chaîne opératoire for making purple‐dyed fabrics that were traded across the Mediterranean from Punic until Late Roman times. Zooarchaeological findings also suggest that during the Byzantine Period, this major economic activity came to a standstill, with people returning to more self‐sufficient subsistence strategies. An intersite comparison furthermore revealed that high proportions of ovicaprines are a typical feature of Punic–Roman sites in Jerba. But even at the height of Roman power in the region, autochthonous husbandry traditions continued to exist on the island, as illustrated by the fauna from Henchir Bourgou.
Causal Pathways from Body Components and Regional Fat to Extensive Metabolic Phenotypes: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Si Shucheng , Tewara Marlvin Anemey , Li Yunxia , Li Wenchao , Chen Xiaolu , Yuan Tonghui , Liu Congcong , Li Jiqing , Wang Bojie , Li Hongkai , Hou Lei , Wang Qing , Xue Fuzhong
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the causal effects and pathways from body components to extensive metabolic phenotypes.

Methods

Summarized data including 24 metabolic phenotypes from 10 consortiums were used to perform univariate, multivariable, and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis based on the network design.

Results

For metabolically related biomarkers, a 1‐SD increase in body fat mass (BFM) was robustly associated with increased fasting insulin, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and urate and decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. For metabolically related diseases, the odds ratios and 95% CIs of a 1‐SD increase in BFM were 1.76 (1.37 to 2.25) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 1.11 (1.09 to 1.13) for hypertension, 1.40 (1.25 to 1.57) for coronary artery disease, 1.41 (1.25 to 1.59) for myocardial infarction, 1.25 (1.12 to 1.40) for ischemic stroke, and 1.62 (1.02 to 2.57) for gout. The effects of body fat on diseases were mediated by extensive intermediate biomarkers, including blood pressure, lipids, glycemic traits, and urate. Regional fats had a similar effect with body fat in both absolute and relative scales, whereas fat‐free components increased only the risk of T2DM 1.73 (1.11 to 2.68) and chronic kidney disease 1.51 (1.11 to 2.06).

Conclusions

Several potential pathways were found and confirmed the tremendous benefits of fat‐lowering measures, including lowering of various regional fats. Future policies or interventions should focus more on the role of body fat.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Hispanic Infant Weight Gain in the First 6 Months
Authors: Berger Paige K. , Plows Jasmine F. , Jones Roshonda B. , Alderete Tanya L. , Yonemitsu Chloe , Ryoo Ji Hoon , Bode Lars , Goran Michael I.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) at 1 month predicted infant weight gain at 6 months and whether associations varied by HMO secretor status.

Methods

Participants were 157 Hispanic mother‐infant pairs. Human milk samples were collected at 1 month. Nineteen individual HMOs were analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography, and secretor status was determined by the presence of 2′‐fucosyllactose or lacto‐N‐fucopentaose (LNFP) I. Infant weight was measured at 1 and 6 months. Path analysis was used to test effects of HMO composition on infant weight gain, adjusting for maternal age, prepregnancy BMI, and infant age, sex, and birth weight.

Results

In the total sample, higher LNFPII predicted lower infant weight gain (g1 = −4.1,P = 0.004); this was observed in both nonsecretor (g1 = −3.0,P = 0.006) and secretor groups (g1 = −4.7,P = 0.014). In the nonsecretor group, higher lacto‐N‐neotetraose (g1 = 7.6,P = 0.011) and disialyllacto‐N‐tetraose (g1 = 14.3,P = 0.002) predicted higher infant weight gain. There were no other associations in the secretor group.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that higher LNFPII in human milk may decrease obesity risk across all infants, whereas higher lacto‐N‐neotetraose and disialyllacto‐N‐tetraose may increase obesity risk in infants of nonsecretors only.
A descriptive analysis of medicines safety advisories issued by national medicines regulators in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States ‐ 2007 to 2016
Authors: Perry Lucy T. , Bhasale Alice , Fabbri Alice , Lexchin Joel , Puil Lorri , Joarder Maisah , Mintzes Barbara
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To determine the frequency and characteristics of safety advisories issued by medicines regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US).

Methods

This retrospective analysis examines medicines safety warnings issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada (HC), the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2016. A database of warnings obtained from regulators' websites was developed and warnings were classified by communication type, drug, or therapeutic class focus, and the risk discussed. Advisories identifying the same drug or therapeutic class and risk were combined into groups termed “drug‐risk issues” for comparisons between regulators.

Results

Over this 10‐year period, 1441 advisories were identified, with the MHRA issuing the most advisories (MHRA = 469, FDA = 382, HC = 370 TGA = 220). Seventy two percent focussed on single drugs (1034/1441) and 58.7% were alerts (846/1441) posted on the regulators' websites. Diabetes drugs, smoking cessation drugs and immunomodulatory agents were the individual drug types most often subject to safety advisories, while antidepressants, antipsychotics, and proton‐pump inhibitors were the top three therapeutic classes. Of 680 identified drug‐risk issues, 3.8% (26/680) described a risk of death. By body system, cardiac effects were the most frequent: 10.4% (71/680).

Conclusion

We found considerable differences in the use of advisories including frequency, communication type, and focus. Disparities in communication about emergent evidence on risks may mean that clinicians and patients in some countries are less well informed about medicine safety concerns than others.
Mechanical and flame‐resistance properties of polyurethane‐imide foams with different‐sized expandable graphite
Authors: Xiong Weiwen , Liu Hongtao , Tian Huafeng , Wu Jiali , Xiang Aimin , Wang Chaoyang , Ma Songbai , Wu Qiangxian
Published: July 2020

Polyurethane‐imide (PUI) composite foams with expandable graphite (EG) of different sizes were prepared by a polyimide prepolymer method. EG particles were treated with a silane coupling agent to improve compatibility with the foam. The effect of EG particle size on cell morphology, thermal degradation, flame‐resistance and mechanical properties of PUI foams was investigated. Results showed that the mean cellular diameter of foams with EG particle was much higher than that of foams with surface‐modified EG particle at the same filler loading. When filler particle diameter increased from 20 to 90 μm, the compressive strength, density and closed‐cell ratio of foams increased, and then decreased when filler particle diameter further increased from 90 to 150 μm. Thermal stability of foams increased with the increasing filler particle diameter from 20 to 50 μm, and decreased with the increasing filler particle diameter from 50 to 90 μm. The limited oxygen index (LOI) value of foams with surface‐modified EG increased from 24.8% to 32.1% when EG particle diameter was below 90 μm. Foams with surface‐modified EG exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, thermal stability and flame resistance than foams with neat EG at the same loading.
Spectroscopic characterization for new complexes with 2,2′‐(5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diylidene)bis(azan‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidene)dibenzoic acid
Authors: Mohamed Wannas Noor , Al‐Hamdani Abbas Ali Salih , Al Zoubi Wail
Published: July 2020

New series of metal ions complexes have been prepared from the new ligand [2,2′‐(5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diylidene)bis(azan‐1‐yl‐1‐ylidene)dibenzoic acid] derived from 5,5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1,3‐dione and 2‐aminobenzoic acid. Accordingly, mono‐nuclear Ni(II), Pd(II), Re (II), and Pt(IV) complexes were prepared by the reaction of previous ligand with NiCl2.6H2O, PdCl2, ReCl5, and H2PtCl6.6H2O, respectively. The compounds have been characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), mass, H1‐, and C13‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) curve, Bohr magnetic (B.M.), elemental microanalyses, metal ions, chloride containing, and molar conductance. These reviews uncovered octahedral geometries for the Re(V) and Pt (IV) complexes and tetrahedral for Ni (II) complex and square planer for Pd (II) complex. The investigation of complexes development by means at molar proportion and occupation strategy in DMF solution has been researched, and results were reliable to those found in the solid complexes with a proportion of (M:L) as (1:1).
Lung ultrasound scoring in invasive mechanically ventilated children with severe bronchiolitis
Authors: Ingelse Sarah A. , Pisani Luigi , Westdorp Marloes H. A. , Almakdase Mariam , Schultz Marcus J. , van Woensel Job B. M. , Bem Reinout A.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an emerging tool that may be used in the diagnosis and follow‐up of children with viral bronchiolitis. In this study, we describe LUS abnormalities in children receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for severe bronchiolitis in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our aim was to semiquantify the loss of aeration and examine the association between serial LUS scores and oxygenation anomaly, as a marker of disease severity.

Design

Prospective, observational study in a single‐center PICU.

Methods

LUS was performed by multiple observers using two different LUS scoring systems (counting B‐lines and aeration score) in 17 patients in the PICU, generating 320 images. Oxygen saturation index (OSI) was the primary outcome marker to describe the severity of oxygenation anomaly.

Results

Pulmonary aeration was moderately impaired with a homogeneous anterolateral pattern. LUS scores worsened after 24 hours, to improve in subsequent days. Both LUS scores were positively correlated with OSI on the first day of IMV (counting B‐lines P = .034, r = .52 and LUS aeration score P = .017, r = .57), but not thereafter. There was considerable variability in the LUS scores despite moderate to high agreement between the observers.

Conclusions

In children receiving IMV for severe bronchiolitis, pulmonary aeration is moderately impaired. LUS scores positively correlate with severity of oxygenation anomaly only in the acute phase of disease. We speculate that with the progression of disease other factors affect LUS patterns (eg, fluid overload, atelectasis), which may complicate the interpretation of LUS in follow‐up of this specific cohort in the PICU.
Functional characteristic analysis of three odorant‐binding proteins from the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) in the perception of sex pheromones and host plant volatiles
Authors: Hua Jinfeng , Pan Chao , Huang Yongmei , Li Yanqing , Li Huifeng , Wu Cuirong , Chen Tianyuan , Ma Daifu , Li Zongyun
Published: July 2020

Background

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, is the most serious pest of sweet potato worldwide. The molecular mechanism of sex pheromone recognition in C. formicarius has not been reported. Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) play a critical role in selectively binding and transporting pheromones or other odors to the surface of olfactory receptor neurons through the aqueous sensillar lymph, therefore the function of sweet potato OBPs is worth studying.

Results

Herein, the CforOBP1‐3 genes encoding three classical OBPs were cloned in C. formicarius by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CforOBP1‐3 were homologous genes, but the relationship between CforOBP2 and CforOBP3 was closest among the three genes. In addition, real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assays demonstrated that the expression of CforOBP1 was higher in the antennae and legs of female and male insects, while CforOBP2 and CforOBP3 were mainly expressed in the antennae of male insects. The fluorescent competitive binding assay results indicated that CforOBP1‐3 had strong binding affinities to sex pheromones and other tested ligands. Finally, the mRNA expression of CforOBP1‐3 was successfully inhibited by RNA interference, and in vivo behavioral experiments showed that CforOBP1‐3‐deficient C. formicarius was partly anosmic and lost some of its ability to locate sex pheromones and host plant volatiles.

Conclusion

These results suggested that CforOBP1 was shown to be involved in the process of weevils feeding and finding sweet potato, and CforOBP2‐3 were mainly involved in the mating behavior of adult male weevils.
Stable nitrogen and oxygen isotope fractionation during precipitation of nitrate salt from saturated solutions
Authors: Welsh Hannah , Gueorguieva Gloria‐Alexandra , Kounaves Samuel , Amundson Ronald
Published: July 2020

Rationale

Nitrate is an oxyanion similar to CO3− and thus should undergo stable N and O isotope fractionation during dissolution or precipitation. This process should dominate abiotic soil nitrate processes in hyperarid regions of Earth and possibly Mars.

Methods

The N and O isotope fractionations during the precipitation of nitrate salt from saturated solutions at ~20°C were determined by two methods: rapid precipitation by antisolvent crystallization and slow uninhibited precipitation in a desiccator. In the antisolvent crystallization procedure, increasing volumes of acetone were added to samples of saturated sodium and strontium nitrate solutions to instantaneously precipitate nitrate salt. In the slow procedure (requiring weeks), slow evaporative water loss drove the process.

Results

There was little difference between the two procedures. Using a Rayleigh model, the calculated N fractionation (15εproduct–residual) ranged from 1.69‰ to 2.77‰, whereas for O, the 18εproduct–residual values were between 1.27‰ and 4.61‰. The N isotope fractionation between NO3− and the metal solid is similar to that between C in dissolved CO3−2 and carbonates. We found that O versus N isotope plots of soil nitrate in a cold/dry Antarctic chronosequence had slopes similar to those from the experiments, revealing abiotic transport. In the Atacama Desert, where the soil nitrates are a mix of biological and tropospheric nitrate, there is an inverse relationship between soil N and O isotopes. These two relationships were compared with the isotope composition of nitrate from Martian meteorite EETA79001.

Conclusions

While the N and O isotope composition of the Martian nitrate is remarkably similar to that of the present Atacama Desert, the interpretation of the slope of the O versus N isotopes remains ambiguous due to the limited number of samples. Additional NO3 samples from Martian meteorites are needed to address the question of abiotic versus biotic alteration of NO3− on Mars.
Janus kinase inhibitors suppress cancer cachexia‐associated anorexia and adipose wasting in mice
Authors: Arora Gurpreet K. , Gupta Arun , Guo Tong , Gandhi Aakash Y. , Laine Aaron , Williams Dorothy L. , Ahn Chul , Iyengar Puneeth , Infante Rodney E.
Published: July 2020

Background

Cachexia, a syndrome of muscle atrophy, adipose loss, and anorexia, is associated with reduced survival in cancer patients. The colon adenocarcinoma C26c20 cell line secretes the cytokine leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), which induces cachexia. We characterized how LIF promotes cachexia‐associated weight loss and anorexia in mice through Janus kinase (JAK)‐dependent changes in adipose and hypothalamic tissues.

Methods

Cachexia was induced in vivo with the heterotopic allotransplanted administration of C26c20 colon adenocarcinoma cells or the intraperitoneal administration of recombinant LIF in the absence or presence of JAK inhibitors. Blood, adipose, and hypothalamic tissues were collected and processed for cytokine/adipokine enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, immunoblot analysis, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Cachexia‐associated lipolysis was induced in vitro by stimulating differentiated adipocytes with recombinant LIF or interleukin (IL)‐6 in the absence or presence of lipase or JAK inhibitors. These adipocytes were processed for glycerol release into the media, immunoblot analysis, and RT‐PCR.

Results

Tumour‐secreted LIF induced changes in adipose tissue expression and serum levels of IL‐6 and leptin in a JAK‐dependent manner influencing cachexia‐associated adipose wasting and anorexia. We identified two JAK inhibitors that block IL‐6 family‐mediated adipocyte lipolysis and IL‐6 induction using an in vitro cachexia lipolysis assay. JAK inhibitors administered to the in vivo C26c20 cancer cachexia mouse models led to (i) a decrease in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation in hypothalamic and adipose tissues, (ii) a reverse in the cachexia serum cytokine/adipokine signature, (iii) a delay in cancer cachexia‐associated anorexia and adipose loss, and (iv) an improvement in overall survival.

Conclusions

JAK inhibitors suppress LIF‐associated adipose loss and anorexia in both in vitro and in vivo models of cancer cachexia.
Promoting Reversible Redox Kinetics by Separator Architectures Based on CoS2/HPGC Interlayer as Efficient Polysulfide‐Trapping Shield for Li–S Batteries
Authors: Hu Qianqian , Lu Jiqun , Yang Chun , Zhang Congcong , Hu Jinlong , Chang Shiyong , Dong Haiyong , Wu Chunyu , Hong Ye , Zhang Lingzhi
Published: July 2020

Main obstacles from the shuttle effect and slow conversion rate of soluble polysulfide compromise the sulfur utilization and cycling life for lithium sulfur (Li–S) batteries. In pursuit of a practically viable high performance Li–S battery, a separator configuration (CoS2/HPGC/interlayer) as efficient polysulfide trapping barrier is reported. This configuration endows great advantages, particularly enhanced conductivity, promoted polysulfide trapping capability, accelerated sulfur electrochemistry, when using the functional interlayer for Li–S cells. Attributed to the above merits, such cell shows excellent cyclability, with a capacity of 846 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles corresponding to a high capacity retention of 80.2% at 0.2 C, and 519 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1C (1C = 1675 mA g−1). In addition, the optimized separator exhibits a high initial areal capacity of 4.293 mAh cm−2 at 0.1C. Moreover, with CoS2/HPGC/interlayer, the sulfur cell enables a low self‐discharge rate with a very high capacity retention of 97.1%. This work presents a structural engineering of the separator toward suppressing the dissolution of soluble Li2Sn moieties and simultaneously promoting the sulfur conversion kinetics, thus achieving durable and high capacity Li–S batteries.
Nanosized Phase‐Changeable “Sonocyte” for Promoting Ultrasound Assessment
Authors: Xu Yurui , Lu Qiangbing , Sun Lei , Feng Shujun , Nie Yuanyuan , Ning Xinghai , Lu Minghui
Published: July 2020

Despite the ability of microbubble contrast agents to improve ultrasound diagnostic performance, their application potential is limited due to low stability, fast clearance, and poor tissue permeation. This study presents a promising nanosized phase‐changeable erythrocyte (Sonocyte), composed of liposomal dodecafluoropentane coated with multilayered red blood cell membranes (RBCm), for improving ultrasound assessments. Sonocyte is the first RBCm‐functionalized ultrasound contrast agent with uniform nanosized morphology, and exhibits good stability, systemic circulation, target‐tissue accumulation, and even ultrasound‐responsive phase transition, thereby satisfying the inherent requirement of ultrasound imaging. It is identified that Sonocyte displays similar sensitivity as microbubble SonoVue, a clinical ultrasound contrast agent, for effectively detecting normal parenchyma and hepatic necrosis. Importantly, compared with SonoVue lacking of ability to detect tumors, Sonocyte can identify tumors with high sensitivity and specificity due to superior tumor accumulation and penetration. Therefore, Sonocyte exhibits superior capabilities over SonoVue, endowing with a great clinical application potential.
Simultaneous Improvement of the Long‐Term and Thermal Stability of the Perovskite Solar Cells Using 2,3,4,5,6‐Pentafluorobenzoyl Chloride (PFBC)‐Capped ZnO Nanoparticles Buffer Layer
Authors: Ismail Irfan , Wei Junfeng , Sun Xue , Zha Wusong , Khalil Maria , Zhang Lianping , Huang Rong , Chen Zhenjie , Shen Yanbin , Li Fangsen , Luo Qun , Ma Chang-Qi
Published: July 2020

Stability is a big issue for the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The degradation of perovskite solar cells is a complex physical–chemical process related to the photoactive layer, the interface layer, and the metal electrode. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a popular material used as the electron‐transporting layer (ETL) in perovskite solar cells. A major problem of the ZnO ETL for perovskite solar cells is the thermal instability caused by the chemical reaction between ZnO and perovskite layer. Aiming to solve the degradation issue of perovskite solar cells a kind of ZnO nanoparticle that is chemically tailored with 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (ZnO@PFBC) is provided. Herein, the migration of halogen and zinc that takes responsibility for the thermal degradation of the p–i–n‐type perovskite solar cells through time of flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results is proved. Using ZnO@PFBC as a modifier of PC61BM, both the ion migration and the chemical reaction of ZnO and perovskite are suppressed. The thermal stability and long‐term illumination stability both in N2 and in ambient conditions are simultaneously improved, 75% of the initial efficiency remaining after 200 h of annealing at 85 °C.
Establishing a criminal justice cyber lab to develop and enhance professional and educational opportunities
Authors: Nodeland Brooke , Belshaw Scott
Published: July 2020

Law enforcement agencies face increasing backlogs in their digital evidence processing. Most agencies utilize federal or private companies to process this evidence, however, recently, universities have begun to establish their own cyber forensics labs to aid law enforcement in reducing the time it takes for them to obtain digital evidence. Specifically, examiners in these labs use digital investigation and analysis techniques to determine what could be legally permissible evidence on devices ranging from computers to cell phones to cameras. This paper is the first to provide a general overview of one university's experience in building a cyber‐forensics lab from the ground up for the purpose of providing services to community partners as well as educational and training opportunities. We utilize data obtained from 59 Texas law enforcement agencies to explore the needs and abilities of law enforcement in processing digital evidence as a supporting argument for the development of a university cyber‐lab.
Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. triggers oxidative stress mediated apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in HepG2 cells
Authors: Thakur Rohit Singh , Devaraj Ezhilarasan
Published: July 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the second leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers. (Lythraceae) commonly known as Banaba has been used in different forms in traditional medicinal systems for treating various diseases which include diabetes and obesity. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic potential of ethanolic Banaba leaf extract (EBLE) in HepG2 cells. The phytochemical analysis of EBLE was performed by HPTLC. HepG2 cells were treated with EBLE at 25, 50, 100, and 150 μg/mL concentrations, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Oxidative stress was assessed by the evaluation of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione. Apoptosis‐related morphology was investigated by acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was evaluated by JC‐1 staining. Apoptosis‐related marker genes were evaluated by qPCR. HPTLC analysis confirmed the presence of corosolic acid (12.87 μg/mg), berberine (3.19 μg/mg), and gallic acid (2.94 μg/mg) in EBLE. EBLE treatments caused significant and concentration‐dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Dual staining with AO/EB confirmed membrane distortion and nuclear chromatin condensation upon EBLE treatments. JC‐I staining revealed the loss of ΔΨm. Furthermore, at a molecular level, EBLE treatments interfere with Bax/Bcl‐2 homeostasis and induced the pro‐apoptotic marker genes such as cytochrome c, Apaf‐1, and caspases 9 and 3. EBLE treatments caused cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, and this could be due to the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis via the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway.
Solid‐State Ion Migration in the Preyssler‐Type Phosphotungstate for the Preparation of the Dipotassium Cation‐Encapsulated Derivative
Authors: Wihadi Muh. Nur Khoiru , Sadakane Masahiro
Published: July 2020

The heat‐driven solid‐state transformations of K salts of the Na‐encapsulated Preyssler‐type phosphotungstates, K14[P5W30O110Na(side)(H2O)] and K14[P5W30O110Na(center)], are reported herein. K14[P5W30O110Na(side)(H2O)] contains one Na+ in one of the side cavities and a coordinating H2O molecule while K14[P5W30O110Na(center)] contains one Na+ in the central cavity. The heating of K14[P5W30O110Na(side)(H2O)] produces [P5W30O110Na(center)]14–, [P5W30O110K(center)]14–, and [P5W30O110K(side)2]13–. [P5W30O110K(center)]14– and [P5W30O110K(side)2]13– contain mono‐K+ in the central cavity and di‐K+ in both side cavities, respectively. The heating of potassium salt of [P5W30O110Na(center)]14– produces [P5W30O110K(center)]14– and [P5W30O110K(side)2]13–. These results indicate that heating, at 200–500 °C, causes the migrations of Na+ and K+, without the collapse of the molecule. K14[P5W30O110Na(side)(H2O)] was successfully converted to K12Na[P5W30O110K(side)2] by repeated solid‐state heating, which was periodically interrupted by dissolution, in H2O, and drying.
Architecture of New Rare Earth Metal Complexes as Precursors for the Fabrication of a New Class of OLEDs with Blue Shift Fluorescence
Authors: Darzinezhad Khodabakhsh , Amini Mostafa M. , Mohajerani Ezeddin , Fathollahi Mohammad‐Reza , Janghouri Mohammad , Notash Behrouz , Rostami Aghil
Published: July 2020

Due to the high demand for blue organic light‐emitting diodes (blue‐OLED), in this work, a new class of them with lanthanide complexes is engineered based on a chemical design. Four new rare‐earth metals complexes, Nd2(C11H9NO)4(NO3)4(CH3COO)2·2(CH3OH) (1), Pr2(C11H9NO)4(NO3)4(CH3COO)2·2(CH3OH) (2), Sm2(C11H9NO)4(NO3)4(CH3COO)2·2(CH3OH) (3), and Tm2(C11H9NO)4(NO3)4(CH3COO)2·2(CH3OH) (4) as new precursors for fabrication of blue‐OLED were synthesized using 8‐hydroxy‐2‐methylquinoline as the primary ligand. The synthesized complexes were characterized by UV/Vis and infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X‐ray powder diffraction. The molecular structure of 1 and 2 as representative complexes were accomplished by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The single‐crystal structures showed complexes 1 and 2 are iso‐structural. The similar X‐ray powder diffraction patterns of prepared complexes revealed the same structure for all of them. The results showed that the photoluminescence spectra of the complexes could scrutinize by the impact of rare‐earth metals. The strong blue fluorescence emission spectra of the prepared complexes showed they are suitable for the fabrication blue light‐emitting diodes using a simple processing method, and this may overcome the high demand of blue‐OLED.
Mass hierarchy from the flavor symmetry in supersymmetric multi-Higgs doublet model
Authors: Hinata Atsushi
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study the supersymmetric standard model with multiple Higgs doublets with gauged U(1)X flavor symmetry. When the flavor symmetry is broken by the vacuum expectation value of flavon, the ℤ3 symmetry M3 called matter triality remains and it prohibits the baryon number violation up to dimension-5 operators. We study the contribution of the extra-Higgs fields to the anomaly cancellation of flavor symmetry and analyze the mass spectra including the multiple generations of Higgs fields as well as quarks and leptons. We show a series of U(1)X charge assignments, which reproduce the observed masses and mixing angles of quark and lepton. We also find that, with such realistic charge assignments, the extra-Higgs fields obtain masses around the intermediate scale and decouple from the electroweak physics because of the holomorphy of superpotential.
Fixed Points on Asymmetric Riemann Surfaces
Authors: Kozłowska-Walania Ewa , Tyszkowska Ewa
Published: July 2020

We study actions of cyclic groups on asymmetric Riemann surfaces for which all conformal automorphisms of prime orders have the same number of fixed points. We find the sharp upper bound on the number of points fixed by the square of an anticonformal automorphism of an asymmetric surface. Moreover, we determine the minimal genus of an asymmetric Riemann surface on which a given finite group G acts without fixed points.
Microstructural damage of the cortico-striatal and thalamo-cortical fibers in Fabry disease: a diffusion MRI tractometry study
Authors: Cocozza Sirio , Schiavi Simona , Pontillo Giuseppe , Battocchio Matteo , Riccio Eleonora , Caccavallo Simona , Russo Camilla , Di Risi Teodolinda , Pisani Antonio , Daducci Alessandro , Brunetti Arturo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Recent evidences have suggested the possible presence of an involvement of the extrapyramidal system in Fabry disease (FD), a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. We aimed to investigate the microstructural integrity of the main tracts of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loop in FD patients.

Methods

Forty-seven FD patients (mean age = 42.3 ± 16.3 years, M/F = 28/21) and 49 healthy controls (mean age = 42.3 ± 13.1 years, M/F = 19/28) were enrolled in this study. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD), radial (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) maps were computed for each subject, and connectomes were built using a standard atlas. Diffusion metrics and connectomes were then combined to carry on a diffusion MRI tractometry analysis. The main afferent and efferent pathways of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loop (namely, bundles connecting the precentral gyrus (PreCG) with the striatum and the thalamus) were evaluated.

Results

We found the presence of a microstructural involvement of cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical loop in FD patients, predominantly affecting the left side. In particular, we found significant lower mean FA values of the left cortico-striatal fibers (p = 0.001), coupled to higher MD (p = 0.001) and RD (p < 0.001) values, as well as higher MD (p = 0.01) and RD (p = 0.01) values at the level of the thalamo-cortical fibers.

Conclusion

We confirmed the presence of an alteration of the extrapyramidal system in FD patients, in line with recent evidences suggesting the presence of brain changes as a possible reflection of the subtle motor symptoms present in this condition. Our results suggest that, along with functional changes, microstructural damage of this pathway is also present in FD patients.
MR-Guided High-Power Microwave Ablation in Hepatic Malignancies: Initial Results in Clinical Routine
Authors: Winkelmann Moritz T. , Gohla Georg , Kübler Jens , Weiß Jakob , Clasen Stephan , Nikolaou Konstantin , Hoffmann Rüdiger
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Evaluation of technique effectiveness, patient safety and ablation parameters of MR-guided microwave ablation in hepatic malignancies using an MR-conditional high-power microwave ablation system.

Materials and Methods

Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Patients who underwent MR-guided microwave ablation of hepatic malignancies in a 1.5T wide-bore scanner using a perfusion-cooled high-power microwave ablation system with a maximum generator power of 150 W were included. Ablation parameters comprising procedure durations, net ablation duration, applicator positions and ablation zone dimensions were recorded. Adverse events were classified according to the CIRSE classification system. Technique effectiveness was assessed after 1 month. Follow-up was conducted with contrast-enhanced MRI and ranged from 1 to 20 months (mean: 6.1 ± 5.4 months).

Results

Twenty-one consecutive patients (age: 63.4 ± 10.5 years; 5 female) underwent 22 procedures for 28 tumours (9 hepatocellular carcinomas, 19 metastases) with a mean tumour diameter of 14.6 ± 5.4 mm (range: 6–24 mm). Technique effectiveness was achieved in all lesions. Tumours were treated using 1.7 ± 0.7 applicator positions (range: 1–3). Mean energy and ablation duration per tumour were 75.3 ± 35.4 kJ and 13.3 ± 6.2 min, respectively. Coagulation zone short- and long-axis diameters were 29.1 ± 6.4 mm and 39.9 ± 7.4 mm, respectively. Average procedure duration was 146.4 ± 26.2 min (range: 98–187 min). One minor complication was reported. Five patients developed new tumour manifestations in the untreated liver. Local tumour progression was not observed during initial follow-up.

Conclusion

MR-guided high-power microwave ablation provides safe and effective treatment of hepatic malignancies with short ablation times and within acceptable procedure durations.
How I do it: flexible endoscopic aspiration of intraventricular hemorrhage
Authors: Feletti Alberto , Basaldella Luca , Fiorindi Alessandro
Published: July 2020

Background

As intraventricular blood is a strong negative prognostic factor, intraventricular hemorrhage requires prompt and aggressive management to reduce intracranial hypertension.

Method

A flexible scope can be used to navigate and to aspirate blood clots from all four ventricles. Complete restoration of CSF pathways from the lateral ventricle to the foramen of Magendie can be obtained.

Conclusion

Flexible neuroendoscopic aspiration of IVH offers the opportunity to immediately reduce intracranial hypertension, reduce EVD obstruction and replacement rates, and decrease infections and shunt dependency.
Live Electron Holography: Window to the Phase World
Authors: Völkl E.
Published: July 2020

While the idea of electron holography has been around for over 50 years,
the technology necessary to establish a window to the phase world is only
now becoming available. This is the first report of an all digital system
for displaying the image phase continuously and live, instead of looking at
one frame at a time after initiation of the reconstruction procedure. The
technical requirements, including the necessary image processing steps which
differ from the standard reconstruction procedure for single frame
holograms, will be discussed, and current time demands for image acquisition
and the different elements of image processing will be laid out. The
modified requirements for continuous, live processing will be discussed in
detail, and images obtained in the live mode will be shown.
Insights into the Electronic Structure of Ceramics through Quantitative
Analysis of Valence Electron Energy-loss Spectroscopy
Authors: Müllejans Harald , French Roger H.
Published: July 2020

Valence electron energy-loss (VEEL) spectroscopy was performed on six
ceramic materials in a dedicated scanning transmission electron microscope
(STEM). Quantitative analysis of these data is described yielding access to
the complex optical properties and the electronic structure of the
materials. Comparisons are made on the basis of the interband transition
strength describing transitions between occupied states in the valence band
and empty states in the conduction band. This proves that the quantitative
analysis of VEEL data is a competitive and complementary method to be
considered when investigating the electronic structure of materials.
Possibilities for improvement and extension of the analysis are discussed
extensively.
Direct Observation of the Atomic Structure in a Solid–Liquid
Interface
Authors: Arai Shigeo , Tsukimoto Susumu , Muto Shunsuke , Saka Hiroyasu
Published: July 2020

An experimental high-resolution image of a solid–liquid interface of
solid Si and liquid Al–Si alloy has been compared with theoretical images
obtained by computer simulation. It has been concluded that the solid–liquid
interface has a transition layer, the structure of which is compatible with
the 1 × 1 Si-{111} surface.
Annihilation Behaviors of Athermal ω-Phase Crystals Due to Electron
Irradiation
Authors: Matsumoto Hajime , Sukedai Eiichi , Hashimoto Hatsujiro
Published: July 2020

Annihilation behaviors of athermal ω-phase crystals formed by cooling at
131 K for 10.8 ks under four different electron irradiation conditions of
acceleration voltages of 200 kV and 160 kV, and beam currents of
approximately 20 pA/cm2 and 5
pA/cm2 were investigated using in situ dark field
and HREM observation methods at 131 K. The effect of acceleration voltages
on the lifetimes is recognized, i.e., in the case of approximately equal
electron beam current, lifetimes at 200 kV become shorter than those at 160
kV. Also, lifetimes depend on the electron beam current at 200 kV, i.e., the
higher the beam currents, the shorter the lifetimes become. However, no
distinct dependence can be seen at 160 kV. Since annihilations of athermal
ω-phase crystals begin after the electron irradiation for a certain period
in each condition, which depends on acceleration voltages and beam currents,
it is suggested that the annihilation behaviors have incubation
periods.
Contrast of Highly Dispersed Metal Nanoparticles in High-resolution
Secondary Electron and Backscattered Electron Images of Supported Metal
Catalysts
Authors: Liu Jingyue
Published: July 2020

Platinum nanoparticles finely dispersed in activated carbon powders have
been observed with high contrast in secondary electron (SE) and
backscattered electron (BE) images. The factors that contribute to the
visibility of small metal particles in high-resolution BE and SE images are
discussed. Monte Carlo simulations provided insight into the scattering of
electrons by small, heavy-element particles located on, or embedded in,
light-element supports. The visibility of Pt nanoparticles in BE images
depends on many factors including the size and the location of the Pt
particles, the energy of the incident electrons, and the size of the
electron probe. The SE signals generated by backscattered electrons may not
significantly contribute to the visibility of small Pt particles in
high-resolution SE images of carbon supported Pt catalysts. Only those small
Pt particles that are located on or very close to the surface of the carbon
support can be revealed in high-resolution SE images.
On Low Voltage Scanning Electron Microscopy and Chemical
Microanalysis
Authors: Boyes E.D.
Published: July 2020

The current status and general applicability of scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) at low voltages is reviewed for both imaging (low voltage
scanning electron microscopy, LVSEM) and chemical microanalysis (low voltage
energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, LVEDX). With improved instrument
performance low beam energies continue to have the expected advantages for
the secondary electron imaging of low atomic number (Z) and electrically
non-conducting samples. They also provide general improvements in the
veracity of surface topographic analysis with conducting samples of all Z
and at both low and high magnifications. In new experiments the
backscattered electron (BSE) signal retains monotonic Z dependence to low
voltages (<1 kV). This is contrary to long standing results in the prior
literature and opens up fast chemical mapping with low dose and very high
(nm-scale) spatial resolution. Similarly, energy-dispersive X-ray chemical
microanalysis of bulk samples is extended to submicron, and in some cases to
<0.1 μm, spatial resolution in three dimensions at voltages <5 kV. In
favorable cases, such as the analysis of carbon overlayers at 1.5 kV, the
thickness sensitivity for surface layers is extended to <2 nm, but the
integrity of the sample surface is then of concern. At low beam energies
(E0) the penetration range into the sample, and
hence the X-ray escape path length out of it, is systematically restricted
(R = F(E05/3)), with advantages
for the accuracy or elimination of complex analysis-by-analysis matrix
corrections for absorption (A) and fluorescence (F). The Z terms become more
sensitive to E0 but they require only one-time
calibrations for each element. The new approach is to make the physics of
the beam–specimen interactions the primary factor and to design enabling
instrumentation accordingly.
Characterization of Amorphous Materials by Electron Diffraction and
Atomistic Modeling
Authors: Cockayne D.J.H. , McKenzie D.R. , McBride W. , Goringe C. , McCulloch D.
Published: July 2020

The technique of energy selected electron diffraction gives information
about amorphous structures which can be used to characterize amorphous
materials in terms of their structure. The diffraction data can be used to
refine models obtained using molecular dynamics, resulting in physically
reasonable models consistent with the diffraction data.
Radiofrequency Gaseous Detection Device
Authors: Danilatos Gerasimos D.
Published: July 2020

A radiofrequency gaseous detection device is proposed for use with
instruments employing charged particle beams, such as electron microscopes
and ion beam technologies, as well as for detection of ionizing radiations
as in proportional counters. An alternating (oscillating) electromagnetic
field in the radiofrequency range is applied in a gaseous environment of the
instrument. Both the frequency and amplitude of oscillation are adjustable.
The electron or ion beam interacts with a specimen and releases free
electrons in the gas. Similarly, an ionizing radiation source releases free
electrons in the gas. The free electrons are acted upon by the alternating
electromagnetic field and undergo an oscillatory motion resulting in
multiple collisions with the gas molecules, or atoms. At sufficiently low
pressures, the oscillating electrons also collide with surrounding walls.
These processes result in an amplified electron signal and an amplified
photon signal in a controlled discharge. The amplified signals, which are
proportional to the initial number of free electrons, are collected by
suitable means for further processing and analysis.
Development of a System to Provide Full, Real-time Remote Control of a
Scanning Electron Microscope across the Second Generation Internet: The
Teaching SEM
Authors: Mansfield John F. , Adamson Andy , Coffman Kevin
Published: July 2020

The development and makeup of a real-time full remote control system for
the University of Michigan, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Teaching SEM is described. The instrument was initially controlled via the
campus local area Ethernet network and cable TV network. The latest
implementation employs Fast Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
networks, and moving picture experts group (MPEG) video encoding to effect
the remote control via the computer network alone. Remote control
demonstrations from Washington, DC, Dearborn, MI, and Emerson School, Ann
Arbor, MI are described.
Immunoprobe Localization by Correlative Microscopy
Authors: Calarco Patricia G.
Published: July 2020

Mammalian oocytes present challenges for optimal study by electron
microscopy (EM) due to their high level of hydration, their large size, and
their relatively undifferentiated cytoplasm. This is particularly true for
immunoprobe localization which has led to a dependence on light microscopic
(LM) techniques, such as immunofluorescence. This study presents correlative
LM and EM data to describe an example of the failure of light microscopy to
correctly predict the ultrastructure of one particular organelle.
Immunoprobe localization of centrosome and microtubule organizing center
(MTOC) antigens in the mammalian egg was made by immunofluorescence and
post-embedding immuno-EM, with best EM results achieved in Lowicryl-embedded
material. Centrosome and MTOC antigens were detected by 5051 and an antibody
to gamma tubulin (γtubulin). Gamma tubulin is a highly conserved element of
MTOCs in many species and, thus, is highly diagnostic for them; it is also
considered essential for microtubule (MT) nucleation. Results indicate that
prior to nuclear breakdown, 5051 antigens and γ-tubulin are found
exclusively in a type of “organelle,” the multivesicular aggregate (MVA),
that bears no resemblance to MTOCs at the ultrastructural level. Until
recently, the MVA was considered an organelle without a known function,
while standard MTOCs were presumed to be the entities that carry the
proteins recognized by centrosome antibodies. LM localization of centrosomal
antigens carried the presumption that standard MTOCs were the entities
labeled. Whether or not other molecules are shown to co-localize to these
MVA, the presence of γ-tubulin supports the contention that MVA, or their
contents, serve as centrosomal precursors with a unique ultrastructure.
Thus, dependence on LM techniques alone can lead to erroneous conclusions on
organelle identity and function.