bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3D free-standing Co doped Ni2P nanowire oxygen electrode for stable and long-life lithium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Hou Zhiqian , Shu Chaozhu , Hei Peng , Yang Tingshuai , Zheng Ruixin , Ran Zhiqun , Long Jianping
Published: February 2020

Exploring oxygen electrodes with superior bifunctional catalytic activity and suitable architecture is an effective strategy to improve the performance of lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries.
Functionalization of triblock copolymer elastomers by cross-linking the end blocks via trans-N-alkylation-based exchangeable bonds
Authors: Hayashi Mikihiro , Chen Lei
Published: February 2020

Functionalization of ABA triblock copolymer-based materials is achieved by incorporating dynamic covalent bonded cross-links via trans-N-alkylation in glassy A block domains.
Biferrocenyl Schiff bases as efficient corrosion inhibitors for an aluminium alloy in HCl solution: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Nazir Uzma , Akhter Zareen , Janjua Naveed Kausar , Adeel Asghar Muhammad , Kanwal Sehrish , Butt Tehmeena Maryum , Sani Asma , Liaqat Faroha , Hussain Rizwan , Shah Faiz Ullah
Published: February 2020

The anticorrosion activity of biferrocenyl Schiff bases on AA2219-T6 in acidic medium were studied using Tafel polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, weight loss analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopic technique.
Tuning the thermoreversible temperature domain of PTMC-based networks with thermosensitive links concentration
Authors: Li Xiang , Becquart Frédéric , Taha Mohamed , Majesté Jean-Charles , Chen Jianding , Zhang Shengmiao , Mignard Nathalie
Published: February 2020

In this work, thermoreversible poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) based networks with different crosslinking densities were obtained by Diels–Alder (DA) reaction between furan-functionalized PTMC precursors and a bismaleimide.
Single-molecule lamellar hydrogels from bolaform microbial glucolipids
Authors: Ben Messaoud Ghazi , Le Griel Patrick , Prévost Sylvain , Hermida-Merino Daniel , Soetaert Wim , Roelants Sophie L. K. W. , Stevens Christian V. , Baccile Niki
Published: February 2020

A biobased pH-sensitive glycolipid derived from microbial fermentation spontaneously forms lamellar hydrogels at room temperature and pH < 8 without any gelling agent. The elastic properties derive from interconnected defectuous lamellar domains.
A Z-scheme ZnFe2O4/RGO/In2O3 hierarchical photocatalyst for efficient CO2 reduction enhancement
Authors: Li Jiadong , Wei Feng , Dong Changchang , Mu Wei , Han Xiaojun
Published: February 2020

ZnFe2O4/RGO/In2O3 hierarchical tubules as efficient light-driven photocatalysts for converting CO2 to CO and CH4.
Progress in biomimetic leverages for marine antifouling using nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Selim Mohamed S. , El-Safty Sherif A. , Shenashen Mohamed A. , Higazy Shimaa A. , Elmarakbi Ahmed
Published: February 2020

Because of the environmental and economic casualties of biofouling on maritime navigation, modern studies have been devoted toward formulating advanced nanoscale composites in the controlled development of effective marine antifouling self-cleaning surfaces.
Nanoparticles with surface features of dendritic oligopeptides as potential oral drug delivery systems
Authors: Bai Yuli , Zhou Rui , Wu Lei , Zheng Yaxian , Liu Xi , Wu Ruinan , Li Xiang , Huang Yuan
Published: February 2020

Endowing the NPs with specific surface features of dendritic oligopeptides holds great potential for the oral delivery of peptide/protein drugs.
Silver ion-induced chiral enhancement by argentivorous molecules
Authors: Lee Eunji , Hosoi Yasuhiro , Temma Honoka , Ju Huiyeong , Ikeda Mari , Kuwahara Shunsuke , Habata Yoichi
Published: February 2020

Optically active tetra-armed cyclens with an asymmetric chiral centre in the cyclen moiety were synthesized and were shown to enhance chirality and control of enantiomers on complexation with Ag+.
The solvent-induced isomerization of silver thiolate clusters with symmetry transformation
Authors: Chen Xu-Ran , Yang Ling , Tan Yu-Ling , Yu Hong , Ni Chun-Yan , Niu Zheng , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: February 2020

The solvent-induced isomerizations of Ag12 clusters with symmetry transformations were realized by changing the coordinated solvent molecules at room temperature.
Tunable pore size in diopside glass-ceramics with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Thieme Christian , Thieme Katrin , Höche Thomas
Published: February 2020

Volume crystallization was achieved in diopside glasses by the introduction of silver into the glassy network.
Detection of hydrogen peroxide using dioxazaborocanes: elucidation of the sensing mechanism at the molecular level by NMR and XPS measurements
Authors: Caron Thomas , Palmas Pascal , Frénois Céline , Méthivier Christophe , Pasquinet Eric , Pradier Claire-Marie , Serein-Spirau Françoise , Hairault Lionel , Montméat Pierre
Published: February 2020

The H2O2vapour cleaves the N–B bond and inhibits the fluorescence of the dixazaborocane.
Evolution of near- and far-field optical properties of Au bipyramids upon epitaxial deposition of Ag
Authors: Xi Min , Reinhard Björn M.
Published: February 2020

The effect of composition and tip morphology on the far-field optical response of Ag–Au–Ag nanorods with Au bipyramid core is quantified, and the near-field associated with standing plasmon waves in nanorods on silicon substrates is investigated.
Recent progress in indoor organic photovoltaics
Authors: Ryu Hwa Sook , Park Song Yi , Lee Tack Ho , Kim Jin Young , Woo Han Young
Published: February 2020

Organic photovoltaics are a promising candidate for indoor applications. Recent progresses in optimization of indoor photovoltaic materials and devices, and the key strategies to optimize the indoor photovoltaic characteristics will be discussed.
Encapsulation and release of drug nanoparticles in functional polymeric vesicles
Authors: Jia Lei , Wang Rong , Fan Yining
Published: February 2020

We investigated the co-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers in solutions containing drugs and functional nanoparticles using the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method.
LINC00978 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma carcinogenesis partly via activating the MAPK/ERK pathway
Authors: Zhang Quan , Cheng Shujie , Cao Liye , Yang Jihong , Wang Yu , Chen Yaqing
Published: February 2020

Objective: To study the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00978 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carcinogenesis.

Materials and methods: LINC00978 expression level was measured by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in HCC tissues and adjacent healthy liver tissues from 49 HCC patients. MTT assay, colony forming assay, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the effects of shRNA-mediated LINC00978 knockdown on HCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis in vitro. Xenograft tumor model was performed to determine the effects of LINC00978 knockdown on HCC tumor growth in vivo. Western blot was used to assess the activation of signaling molecules in the apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.

Results: LINC00978 expression was significantly up-regulated in human HCC tissue relative to adjacent normal tissue, and LINC00978 high expression was correlated with poor HCC overall survival. LINC00978 was up-regulated in HCC cell lines. ShRNA-mediated LINC00978 knockdown significantly decreased HCC cell proliferation, and induced HCC cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro. LINC00978 knockdown led to significant decrease in tumor xenograft size in vivo. Western blots revealed LINC00978 inhibition decreased ERK, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in HCC cells.

Conclusions: LINC00978 is highly expressed in human HCC tissue and correlates with poor HCC prognosis. LINC00978 promotes HCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and survival, partially by activating the MAPK/ERK pathway. Our findings partially elucidated the roles of LINC00978 in HCC carcinogenesis, and identified a therapeutic target for HCC.
The Evaluation of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Adaptations to Accommodate a Telepractice Model of Clinical Care
Authors: Allen Anna A. , Shane Howard C.
Published: February 2020

Telepractice is increasingly applied to assessment and intervention for persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and the use of telepractice for delivering augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services is expanding. To date, no studies have focused on the assessment of communication in children with ASD who are minimally verbal. This case exploration represents a first attempt to apply the clinical assessment approach (also known as Visual Immersion System) developed in the Autism Language Program in the Center for Communication Enhancement (CCE) at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) through a telepractice service delivery model. In this paper we detail an on-site evaluation, and then describe the application of the various evaluation components to telepractice delivery. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that communication assessment information can be successfully obtained for this population via telepractice. The results demonstrated that the telepractice evaluation took greater time to complete than the on-site evaluation, likely due to both technical and cultural factors. Further study is warranted particularly in the delivery of family instruction materials prior to the evaluation and to quality assurance measures.
Distributed reinforcement learning scheme for environmentally adaptive IoT network selection
Authors: Shin Kyung‐Seop , Hwang Gyung‐Ho , Jo Ohyun
Published: February 2020

Proliferation of smart internet of things (IOTs) devices has boosted the improvement of multiple networking functions which have a different capability in terms of capacity and access delay. Herein, the networking function of IoT devices should be properly selected to fully utilise the capabilities of the different types of networking technologies. In this Letter, a reinforcement learning‐based self‐organising scheme is proposed for the IOTs. A node selects an adequate IoT network function and adapts its topology by learning channel circumstance. To verify the performance of the proposed learning‐based scheme, simulations reflect a multiple number of heterogeneous IoT networks and show that the average latency of IoT devices can be efficiently reduced compared to the conventional benchmark networks (Wi‐Fi and narrow band IoT).
Phase‐based window function and CD‐DMAS beamforming for microwave breast cancer detection
Authors: Al‐Zuhairi Dheyaa T. , Abed Ahmed M. , Gahl John M. , Islam Naz E.
Published: February 2020

Multistatic, radar‐based, microwave breast cancer detection provides more information in a shorter period of time than the monostatic approach. However, artefact removal is harder in the multistatic case due to antenna coupling. In this study, a multi‐step imaging system is proposed for the multistatic approach. The first step is responsible for artefact removal, and it includes signals grouping, windowing, filtering, and merging. The second step utilises combined doubled delay‐multiply‐and‐sum beamforming, and produces the breast images. To test the proposed system, a heterogeneous breast phantom having two tumours was simulated and illuminated by ultra‐wideband signals in multistatic scan. The simulation results show the success of the proposed system in both eliminating the artefact and clutter in the breast phantom image.
Systematic parameter study of orbital angular momentum based radio communication using mixed‐mode matrix
Authors: Park Woocheon , Yu Seulgi , Kam Dong Gun
Published: February 2020

This study presents a systematic parameter study on orbital angular momentum (OAM)‐based communication between antenna arrays. The recently proposed mixed‐mode matrix representation is applied for investigating the dependencies of OAM‐based communication on array configuration parameters. It is demonstrated that the performance of multi‐phased systems including the OAM‐based array is optimised in terms of the numerical perspective using a mixed‐mode matrix.
Frequency reconfigurable Yagi‐like MIMO antenna system with a wideband reflector
Authors: Jehangir Syed S. , Hussain Rifaqat , Hussein Mousa I. , Sharawi Mohammad S.
Published: February 2020

A compact single layer frequency reconfigurable Yagi‐like multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna system is presented based on a half‐ring closed loop slot excitation. The traditional omnidirectional pattern of a slot antenna is made directional by using a single slot‐based complementary wideband reflector (CWBR) element. The proposed CWBR is compact in size, simple in construction, and is based on a single‐layer geometry unlike complex multi‐layer reflectors used in the literature. It improves the front‐to‐back ratio between 5 and 17 dB in the entire frequency range covering 2.5–4.5 GHz. The proposed reconfigurable MIMO antenna system covers the LTE and WiMAX bands with a minimum measured bandwidth of 200 MHz per covered bands. The frequency reconfigurability is achieved by reactively loading the slot loop with varactor diodes. The overall size of the proposed antenna system is , making it suitable for tablet handheld devices and access points. It has a maximum measured peak gain of 5 dBi and total measured radiation efficiency of 78%. The proposed MIMO antenna system has port isolation of 10 dB within the entire band of operation. The radiation patterns are isolated in space from each other and ensure very low envelope correlation coefficient.
Multilayer graphene on hBN substrate waveguide modulator
Authors: Zarepour Mehdi , Abdipour Abdolali , Moradi Gholamreza
Published: February 2020

A multilayer graphene‐based optical modulator is proposed in this study. The structure is made of several layers of graphene on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), working at 193 to 200 THz (1.5 to 1.55 µm) band. In this modulator, the electric field passes through graphene layers instead of passing through the silicon waveguide, causing very low insertion losses about 4 × 10−3 dB for 40 µm long device. It is shown that the transverse magnetic mode has a more efficient propagation in the modulator. Due to the passage of light from graphene layers and the graphene's optical characteristics, light transmission can be controlled with less variation in gate voltage, and it has the better switching performance concerning monolayer, bilayer and diagonal graphene optical modulators.
Flying capacitor voltage balance and neutral point voltage regulation of PV array fed active neutral point clamped converter in real‐time HIL
Authors: Mishra Nidhi , Yadav Shivam Kumar , Singh Bhim , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: February 2020

This study deals with a new control strategy for flying capacitor (FC) based multilevel converter, in order to attain the desired reference value for five‐level output voltage in active neutral point clamped (ANPC) converter. The balancing of capacitor voltages is one of the crucial aspects of grid‐tied photovoltaic (PV) fed ANPC converter. The accurate reference voltage for FC is required to experience minimum power pulsation and capacitor voltage imbalance. An offset injection‐based FC voltage regulator is implemented to track the desired voltage reference for FC. A simple proportional–integral controller generates the offset signal, which is added to the sinusoidal modulating wave to eliminate the FC imbalance. Moreover, neutral point voltage (NPV) balancing is achieved with the help of DC component injection control. The DC–AC power transfer, FC balance, NPV balance and unity power factor operation are achieved simultaneously. The performance of the closed‐loop controller for grid‐tied PV‐fed ANPC converter is analysed at constant and variable irradiances. The system is modelled in MATLAB/Simulink for offline simulation. Furthermore, offline simulation results are validated using real‐time controller hardware in loop (HIL) test bench. Moreover, active power is injected into the AC grid seamlessly and results are found compliant with the IEEE 519 standard.
Hysteresis‐based energy management strategy for a microgrid with controllable heating loads
Authors: Lei Mingyu , Meng Lexuan , Guo Lidong , Yang Zilong , Wang Yibo
Published: February 2020

Hysteresis‐based energy management strategy for microgrid containing photovoltaic, ESS and heating loads is proposed in this study. In this real‐time optimisation method, economic cost, operation cost, comfort level, renewable energy penetration and other performance indices are optimised in real time. To solve the complex energy management problem, when power forecasting is unavailable, different operational cases are clarified and calculated accordingly. In this way, the management process is turned into a finite‐solution problem. Furthermore, a hysteresis loop is also established based on the cost function to optimise the system continuously, of which the loop width is offline designed. As a result, the computation burden is reduced. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed energy management method. The application of the proposed method can reduce the economic cost and improve the operational performances of a microgrid significantly, including comfort, power quality and health of ESS.
Radar cross‐sections of pedestrians at automotive radar frequencies using ray tracing and point scatterer modelling
Authors: Deep Yoshana , Held Patrick , Ram Shobha Sundar , Steinhauser Dagmar , Gupta Anshu , Gruson Frank , Koch Andreas , Roy Anirban
Published: February 2020

Simulation of radar cross‐sections of pedestrians at automotive radar frequencies forms a key tool for software verification test beds for advanced driver assistance systems. Two commonly used simulation methods are the computationally simple scattering centre model of dynamic humans and the shooting and bouncing ray technique based on geometric optics. The latter technique is more accurate but computationally complex. Hence, it is usually used only for modelling scattered returns of still human poses. In this work, the authors combine the two methods in a linear regression framework to accurately estimate the scattering coefficients or reflectivities of point scatterers in a realistic automotive radar signal model which they subsequently use to simulate range‐time, Doppler‐time and range‐Doppler radar signatures. The simulated signatures show a normalised mean square error <10% and a structural similarity >81% with respect to measurement results generated with an automotive radar at 77 GHz.
Analytical representation for ephemeride with short time spans
Authors: Xi X. J. , Vienne A.
Published: February 2020

Context. The ephemerides of natural satellites resulting from numerical integration have a very good precision on the fitting to recent observations, in a limited interval. Meanwhile, synthetic ephemerides like the Théorie Analytique des Satellites de Saturne (TASS) by Vienne and Duriez describe in detail the dynamical system by a representation based on the combinations of the proper frequencies. Some theoretical studies need to have both advantages. For example, to study the rotation of Titan, one needs to know the representation of its longitude.

Aims. We aim to use these two types of ephemerides in order to rebuild a long-lasting and high-precision ephemeris with proper frequencies based on the numerical integration ephemeris. The aim is to describe the numerical ephemerides with formulas similar to analytical ones.

Methods. We used the representation of the orbital elements from the TASS ephemeris analysed over 10 000 years as a reference template. We obtained the proper frequencies with both numerical and the TASS ephemeris over 1000 years only. A least-square procedure allowed us to get the analytical representation of an orbital element in this limited interval.

Results. We acquire the representation of the mean longitude of Titan from JPL ephemeris over 1000 years. For almost all components, the corresponding amplitudes and phases are similar to the relative terms from TASS. The biggest difference between our representation and the mean longitude of Titan of JPL is less than 100 km over 1000 years, and the standard deviation is about 26 km.
Radiation hydrodynamical simulations of eruptive mass loss from progenitors of Type Ibn/IIn supernovae
Authors: Kuriyama Naoto , Shigeyama Toshikazu
Published: February 2020

Context. Observations suggest that some massive stars experience violent and eruptive mass loss associated with significant brightening that cannot be explained by hydrostatic stellar models. This event seemingly forms dense circumstellar matter (CSM). The mechanism of eruptive mass loss has not been fully explained. We focus on the fact that the timescale of nuclear burning gets shorter than the dynamical timescale of the envelope a few years before core collapse for some massive stars.

Aims. To reveal the properties of the eruptive mass loss, we investigate its relation to the energy injection at the bottom of the envelope supplied by nuclear burning taking place inside the core. In this study, we do not specify the actual mechanism for transporting energy from the site of nuclear burning to the bottom of the envelope. Instead, we parameterize the amount of injected energy and the injection time and try to extract information on these parameters from comparisons with observations.

Methods. We carried out 1D radiation hydrodynamical simulations for progenitors of red, yellow, and blue supergiants, and Wolf–Rayet stars. We calculated the evolution of the progenitors with a public stellar evolution code.

Results. We obtain the light curve associated with the eruption, the amount of ejected mass, and the CSM distribution at the time of core-collapse.

Conclusions. The energy injection at the bottom of the envelope of a massive star within a period shorter than the dynamical timescale of the envelope could reproduce some observed optical outbursts prior to the core-collapse and form the CSM, which can power an interaction supernova classified as Type IIn.
Diagnostics of plasma ionisation using torsional Alfén waves
Authors: Ballai I.
Published: February 2020

Aims. Using the recently observed torsional Alfvén waves in solar prominences, we determine the ionisation state of the plasma by taking into account that Alfvén waves propagate in a partially ionised prominence plasma. We derive the evolutionary equation of waves and compare the analytical solutions to observations to determine the number density of neutrals.

Methods. Using a single fluid plasma approximation, where the wave damping is provided by the Cowling resistivity, we study the temporal evolution of waves. By comparing the solution of equations with observational data (period, amplitude, propagation speed), we determined the value of the Cowling resistivity that led us to draw a conclusion on the amount of neutrals in the partially ionised plasma, a quantity that cannot be measured directly or indirectly.

Results. Our results show that damped torsional Alfvén waves are an ideal diagnostic tool for the ionisation state of the plasma. Using a simple model, we find that at the observational temperature of torsional Alfvén waves, the number of neutrals, is of the order of 5 × 1010 cm−3.
A new penalty/stochastic approach to an application of the covering problem: The gamma knife treatment
Authors: Venceslau Marilis Bahr Karam , Venceslau Helder Manoel , Pinto Renan Vicente , Dias Gustavo , Maculan Nelson
Published: February 2020

The covering problem of a three dimensional body using different radii spheres is considered. The motivating application – the treatment planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery – is briefly discussed. We approach the problem only by the geometric covering point of view, that is, given a set of spheres and a body, the objective is to cover the body using the smallest possible number of spheres, regardless of the dosage issue. In order to solve this mathematical programming problem, we consider an approach based on the application of penalty and stochastic local search techniques. Finally, some illustrative results and comparisons are presented.
An inexact proximal decomposition method for variational inequalities with separable structure
Authors: Papa Quiroz Erik A. , Sarmiento Orlando , Oliveira Paulo Roberto
Published: February 2020

This paper presents an inexact proximal method for solving monotone variational inequality problems with a given separable structure. The proposed algorithm is a natural extension of the Proximal Multiplier Algorithm with Proximal Distances (PMAPD) proposed by Sarmiento et al. [Optimization 65 (2016) 501–537], which unified the works of Chen and Teboulle (PCPM method), and Kyono and Fukushima (NPCPMM) developed for solving convex programs with a particular separable structure. The resulting method combines the recent proximal distances theory introduced by Auslender and Teboulle [SIAM J. Optim. 16 (2006) 697–725] with a decomposition method given by Chen and Teboulle for convex problems and extends the results of the Entropic Proximal Decomposition Method proposed by Auslender and Teboulle, which used to Logarithmic Quadratic proximal distances. Under some mild assumptions on the problem we prove a global convergence of the primal–dual sequences produced by the algorithm.
The role of retailer’s app channel in a supply chain with quality decision and different power structures
Authors: Xue Musen
Published: February 2020

The role of retailer’s ability to add app channel in a supply chain with quality decision and different power structures is investigated in this paper. Applying a game-theoretic approach, we find that, first, under certain conditions, retailer’s ability to add app channel can induce the manufacturer to adjust the wholesale price and product quality in the opposite direction with the manufacturer being the leader. Second, for the manufacturer and the retailer, retailer’s ability to add app channel can result in two distinct profit situations regardless of the power structure of supply chain: win–win and lose–win. Moreover, in a retailer-led supply chain, adding app channel will make the whole supply chain better off when the return cost is relatively low or high, while make the whole supply chain worse off when the return cost is moderate. Third, we identify a region of the return cost under which the manufacturer, the retailer, the supply chain and consumers can gain from adding app channel, leading to a Pareto improvement.
Differenzialdiagnose der Linksherzhypertrophie
Authors: Sinning Christoph , Knappe Dorit , Sinning Jan-Malte , Hagendorff Andreas
Published: February 2020

Der echokardiografische Befund der linksventrikulären Hypertrophie impliziert im klinischen Alltag mehrere wichtige Differenzialdiagnosen. Häufig wird die linksventrikuläre Hypertrophie als Befund in einer sogenannten Routine-Echokardiografie erhoben. Für den Kliniker ist jedoch die zugrunde liegende Ursache für die linksventrikuläre Wandverdickung von entscheidender Bedeutung, um die weitere Diagnostik oder Behandlung zu planen. Der folgende Übersichtsartikel legt den Fokus auf physiologische und pathophysiologische Ursachen der linksventrikulären Wandverdickung. Eine physiologische Hypertrophie wird vor allem bei Sportlern beobachtet und als Sportlerherz charakterisiert, eine pathologische linksventrikuläre Wandverdickung liegt z. B. bei der hypertrophen Kardiomyopathie und bei der Amyloidose oder einer Ödembildung vor.
Linksventrikuläre Funktionsdiagnostik
Authors: ten Freyhaus Henrik
Published: February 2020

Die Analyse der linksventrikulären (LV) Funktion ist eine der Hauptaufgaben in der Echokardiografie und hat entscheidende Bedeutung für Therapieentscheidungen (medikamentös, chirurgisch/interventionell, Device-Implantation) und Prognose. Aus diesen Gründen ist sie Bestandteil jeder echokardiografischen Evaluation. Seit den Anfängen mittels M-Mode hat die Methode eine Entwicklung mit Implementierung neuer Technologien wie 2-D- und 3-D-Echokardiografie und Doppler- sowie zuletzt Mustererkennungs-basierte Strainanalyse genommen. So wird eine exaktere Quantifizierung der LV-Funktion ermöglicht, die die Therapiesteuerung mittels Echokardiografie verbessert. Hier wird die aktuelle echokardiografische Evaluation der systolischen und diastolischen LV-Funktion dargestellt.
Lipödem – Grundlagen und aktuelle Thesen zum Pathomechanismus
Authors: Wiedner Maria , Aghajanzadeh Donia , Richter Dirk F.
Published: February 2020

Das Lipödem ist eine schmerzhafte, chronisch-fortschreitende Erkrankung, die durch eine symmetrische Unterhautfettgewebsvermehrung mit Flüssigkeitseinlagerung an den Beinen und/oder Armen gekennzeichnet ist. Durch Unkenntnis über das Krankheitsbild wird die Erkrankung häufig nicht erkannt oder fehlgedeutet. Eine korrekte Diagnostik und Behandlung ist jedoch wichtig, da die Prognose der Erkrankung beeinflusst werden kann. Eine kausale Therapie für das Lipödem ist nicht bekannt, da die genaue Ätiologie noch nicht vollständig geklärt ist. Aufgrund einer beschriebenen familiären Häufung der Erkrankung wird eine erbliche Komponente vermutet. Da das Lipödem fast ausschließlich bei Frauen auftritt und der Erkrankungsbeginn häufig mit Einsetzen von hormonellen Veränderungen in Zusammenhang steht (Pubertät, Schwangerschaft, Menopause), wird außerdem dem Östrogen eine entscheidende Bedeutung für die Entstehung zugemessen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit präsentieren wir einen Überblick über die Symptome und klinischen Merkmale des Lipödems, seine Differenzialdiagnosen, die Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und zuletzt die aktuellen Hypothesen zur Pathogenese des Lipödems.
A Catalytic Asymmetric Ene Reaction for Direct Preparation of α-Hydroxy 1,4-Diketones as Intermediates in Natural Product Synthesis
Authors: Aitken Harry R. M. , Brimble Margaret A. , Furkert Daniel P.
Published: February 2020

Asymmetric access to α-hydroxy-1,4-diketones has been achieved by direct ene coupling of silyl enol ethers with glyoxal electrophiles, mediated by a chiral N,N′-dioxide–nickel(II) complex catalyst. Successful union of a polyketide silyl enol ether with an α-quaternary glyoxal, generated by dioxirane oxidation of an α-diazo ketone, models a proposed C5–C6 disconnection of the polyketide and spirocyclic imine domains of the marine natural product, portimine.
Electrophilic ipso-Halocyclization of N-Phenyl-N-triflylpropiolamides Leading to 8-Halo-1-azaspiro[4.5]deca-3,6,9-trien-2-ones
Authors: Maas Gerhard , Fiore Vito A. , Keim Michael , Werz Roland
Published: February 2020

N-Phenyl-N-triflylpropiolamides react with iodine chloride or iodine bromide by an intramolecular electrophilic ipso-halocyclization/nucleophilic halide addition sequence to furnish cyclohexadiene-spiro-γ-lactams. These products can undergo cleavage of the amide bond with primary amines and of the N–Cspiro bond with secondary amines, leading to N-alkyl-2-iodo-3-phenylacrylamides and N-(4-halophenyl)-2-iodo-3-(2-triflylamino)phenylacrylamides, respectively.
Preparation and Reactions of (1H-Tetrazol-5-yl)zinc Pivalates
Authors: Knochel Paul , Tüllmann Carl Phillip , Steiner Sebastian
Published: February 2020

The preparation and reactivity of new solid heterocyclic organozinc reagents, namely N-protected (1H-tetrazol-5-yl)zinc pivalates, as storable solids with appreciably air and moisture stability are reported. They are obtained in high yields from protected 1H-tetrazoles by de­protonation using the mixed zinc–magnesium base TMPZnCl·Mg(OPiv)2 (abbreviated as TMPZnOPiv; TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl). Subsequent cross-couplings and copper-catalyzed electrophilic aminations using hydroxylamine benzoates give access to functionalized 1H-tetrazoles while tolerating many functional groups.
Association between Type of Anesthesia and Risk of Blood Transfusion Events in Primary Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Secondary Analysis Based on a Cohort Study in Singapore
Authors: Zhu Zhongxin , Tong Peijian
Published: February 2020

This study evaluated whether the type of anesthesia independently related to risk of blood transfusion events in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after adjusting for other covariates. This was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA in Singapore. The independent variable was the type of anesthesia and the dependent variable was blood transfusion events. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for variables that might affect the choice of anesthesia or blood transfusion events. Additional analyses examined this association by the subgroup analysis by using stratified multivariate logistic regression models. Of all 2,366 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA, 120 (5.1%) developed blood transfusion events. Sixty-four (4.1%) of 1,560 patients with regional anesthesia (RA) developed blood transfusion events, compared with 56 (6.9%) of 806 patients with general anesthesia (GA; (p = 0.003). After adjusting for age, sex, preoperative hemoglobin, and other variables, patients who received RA had a decreased risk of blood transfusion events compared with those receiving GA (odds ratio [OR]: 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.81). This risk further decreased in male (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07–0.59) and participants whose operation time ≥ 90 minutes (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19–0.78). Our results indicated that patients receiving primary unilateral TKA who were managed with RA had a significantly decreased risk of blood transfusion events compared with those with GA, especially in male and participants whose operation time ≥ 90 minutes.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: An Underestimated Cause of Pediatric Thromboembolism
Authors: Griesser Christina , Myskiw Michael , Streif Werner
Published: February 2020

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a chronic disease caused by complement-mediated hemolysis. Clinical symptoms include intravascular hemolysis, nocturnal hemoglobinuria, thromboses, cytopenia, fatigue, abdominal pain, and a strong tendency toward bone marrow failure. It is a rare disease, especially in children, with high mortality rates without appropriate treatment.

We here present the case of a 17-year-old girl with unprovoked muscle vein thrombosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed deficiency of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane proteins on all three hematopoietic cell lines and confirmed the diagnosis of PNH. Treatment with the monoclonal antibody eculizumab achieved long-term remission.

As flow cytometry is normally not part of the routine diagnostics for pediatric thrombosis, awareness is crucial and PNH is important to consider in all children with thrombosis at atypical sites and abnormalities in blood counts with regard to hemolysis and cytopenia.
Quantitative Expression Analysis of Circulating miRNAs Reveals Significant Association with Cardiovascular Pathogenesis in Women
Authors: Lakkireddy Chandrakala , Rout Siddharth , Ahmed Shaik Iqbal , Owaisi Nooruddin , Bardia Avinash , Raju Nagarapu , Vishwakarma Sandeep Kumar , Khan Aleem Ahmed
Published: February 2020

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a complex pathophysiological condition with continuous increasing mortality and poor treatment outcome. Troponin is the only standard biochemical indication of CVD, which fails to exactly determine the diagnostic and prognostic indications of CVD. Circulating microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) represent crucial molecular targets to determine the pathophysiology of CVD. Hence, in the present study quantitative estimation of three miRNAs (miRNA-133, miRNA-155, and miRNA-222) targeting different pathways of CVD pathogenesis has been performed to find their role.

Methods and Materials A total of 50 female subjects including 25 CVD patients and 25 controls with age range of 18 to 65 years were included in this study. The extraction of circulating miRNAs was done in all the serum samples separated through centrifugation. Relative expression of all three miRNAs was performed using SYBR green–based real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in comparison to internal control.

Results Significantly upregulated expression levels were observed for miRNA-133 and miRNA-222 in CVD women patients as compared with control subjects. Age-wise analysis revealed highly upregulated expression of miRNA-133 in patients having age group <45 years. While comparing with troponin levels, miRNA-222 was found significantly upregulated in patients having troponin levels <250 ng/L whereas miRNA-133 was found significantly higher in >250 ng/L troponin group.

Conclusion Circulating miRNAs specifically miRNA-133 and miRNA-222 have essential role in pathogenesis of CVD in women patients.
Treatable Movement Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood
Authors: Aravamuthan Bhooma R. , Pearson Toni S.
Published: February 2020

Movement disorders in childhood can be difficult to diagnose early. Disease processes present variably and can mimic each other. It is particularly important to remain vigilant for the subset of these movement disorders that are treatable. These disorders can be managed with (1) treatments specific to the disease that substantially reduce symptoms; (2) treatments that can prevent progression; (3) treatments that can hasten recovery; or (4) surveillance and management of the associated, sometimes life-threatening, comorbidities. Here, we present a practical and phenomenology-oriented framework for diagnosing and managing these treatable movement disorders of infancy and early childhood.
INFLUENCE OF THE TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT OF SALIVA ON DENTAL CARIES.
Authors: Shetty A. Veena , Kumari Suchetha , A. Geethashri , N. Sneha ,   Darshana
Published: February 2020

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the Total Antioxidant level in saliva of caries patients with and without smoking habit.

Methods: A total of 80 individuals were included in the study. Unstimulated saliva was colleced. Samples of smoking and non smoking caries patients showing only Streptococcus mutans growth were analysed for Total Antioxidant level and smokers and nonsmokeres without any caries were considered as control groups. Caries isolates were confirmed as Streptococcus mutans by grams staining and biochemical tests. Total Antioxidant level was determined by spectrophotometric method.

Result: Non smokers with caries showed significantly(P <0.0001) higher TAC level to Smokers with caries. Smokers without caries showed
significantly (P=0.0005)lower level of antioxidants than nonsmokers without caries.

Conclusion: This invasive study shows that smoke adversely effects the Total Antioxidant Level in caries patients.
NECROBIOTIC XANTHOGRANULOMA PRESENTING AS A CLINICAL VARIANT WITHOUT PARAPROTEINEMIA
Authors: Mathias Michelle , Permi Harish S , Shetty Padma , K. Jayaprakash Shetty , Girish B. S.
Published: February 2020

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a rare granulomatous disease involving skin and subcutaneous tissues. A 61 year old woman presented with a 5 year history of enlarging plaques around both eyelids.it was associated with diminished vision in both eyes. The lesions are often bilateral,symmetrical and ophthalmologic complications are observed. A histopathological examination showed features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma. Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is usually associated with paraproteinemia which was not seen in our case.The pathogenesis remains unclear. Although there is no first line of treatment, reports have shown variable benefits with chemotherapeutic agent and steroids.
The impact of nanoparticle softness on its tracer diffusion coefficient in all polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Rostom Sahar , Dadmun Mark D.
Published: February 2020

The diffusion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix is an area of current interest. However, a complete understanding is still limited as it is often difficult to quantify the much slower motion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. To combat this problem, we have developed a protocol to measure the diffusion coefficient of soft nanoparticles in a linear polymer matrix. Recently developed synthetic control over soft nanoparticle structures combined with this protocol provides a pathway to separately elucidate the effects of the molecular weight and nanoparticle softness on its diffusive behavior. These results indicate that the nanoparticle softness and deformability dictate its motion. Increasing the cross-linking density of the nanoparticle for all molecular weights increases its hardness and suppresses its motion in the linear matrix. Additionally, the nanoparticle molecular weight dependence deviates from the exponential dependence for star polymers suggesting that these nanoparticles benefit from the cooperative motion of the matrix to open pathways for the nanoparticle. Finally, comparison of these experimentally determined values to the Stokes–Einstein theory demonstrates that the nanoparticles diffuse much slower than a hard sphere. This is interpreted to indicate that there exist additional interactions between the nanoparticle and polymer matrix that are not captured by Stokes–Einstein, including threading or entanglement of the linear chain with the nanoparticle.
Commissioning of high current H+/D+ ion beams for the prototype accelerator of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility
Authors: Akagi T. , Bellan L. , Bolzon B. , Cara P. , Carin Y. , Chauvin N. , Comunian M. , Dzitko H. , Fagotti E. , Harrault F. , Kasugai A. , Kondo K. , Sakamoto K. , Sugimoto M.
Published: February 2020

The Linear IFMIF (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility) Prototype Accelerator (LIPAc) is aiming at demonstrating the low energy section of a 40 MeV/125 mA IFMIF deuteron accelerator up to 9 MeV with a full beam current in cw operation. For such a high-power beam, the LIPAc injector is required to produce a 100 keV D+ beam with 140 mA and match it for injection into the Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator. The injector is designed by CEA-Saclay based on the high intensity light ion source (SILHI). In 2019, the commissioning of the RFQ to demonstrate the D+ beam acceleration at a low duty cycle (0.1%) was conducted. A nominal beam current of 125 mA D+ beam was accelerated up to 5 MeV through the RFQ successfully. The LIPAc injector fully satisfied the requirements for RFQ beam commissioning at the pulse mode.
Matching crystal structures atom-to-atom
Authors: Therrien Félix , Graf Peter , Stevanović Vladan
Published: February 2020

Finding an optimal match between two different crystal structures underpins many important materials science problems, including describing solid-solid phase transitions and developing models for interface and grain boundary structures. In this work, we formulate the matching of crystals as an optimization problem where the goal is to find the alignment and the atom-to-atom map that minimize a given cost function such as the Euclidean distance between the atoms. We construct an algorithm that directly solves this problem for large finite portions of the crystals and retrieves the periodicity of the match subsequently. We demonstrate its capacity to describe transformation pathways between known polymorphs and to reproduce experimentally realized structures of semi-coherent interfaces. Additionally, from our findings, we define a rigorous metric for measuring distances between crystal structures that can be used to properly quantify their geometric (Euclidean) closeness.
Impurity holes in tokamaks with electron cyclotron resonance heating of the helical core
Authors: Marchenko V. S.
Published: February 2020

Long-living internal kink mode, which is often observed between the sawtooth crashes in tokamaks, leads to the formation of a new kind of fast particle orbit, namely, the toroidally trapped superbanana orbits with width Δrsb∼(ξ0r)1/2, where ξ0(r) is the amplitude of a kink displacement (flux surface radius). In the velocity space, such orbits are formed around resonant pitch-angles corresponding to zero toroidal precession of the banana guiding center. High-field side (HFS) electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) applied to such helical cores generates a significant population of fast electrons with resonant pitch angles, which results in the strong non-ambipolar electron flux greatly exceeding the flux of non-resonant thermal ions. Ambipolarity is restored by the strong positive radial electric field (Er), which annihilates this flux. The height of this central “hill” with Er>0 can be comparable in magnitude with the depth of the edge Er<0 “well” supporting H-mode pedestal. This effect can be responsible for the tungsten “hole” observed between sawtooth crashes during HFS ECRH in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak [Sertoli et al. Nucl. Fusion 55, 113029 (2015)].
Precision measurement of tribocharging in acoustically levitated sub-millimeter grains
Authors: Kline Adam G. , Lim Melody X. , Jaeger Heinrich M.
Published: February 2020

Contact electrification of dielectric grains forms the basis for a myriad of physical phenomena. However, even the basic aspects of collisional charging between grains are still unclear. Here, we develop a new experimental method, based on acoustic levitation, which allows us to controllably and repeatedly collide two sub-millimeter grains and measure the evolution of their electric charges. This is, therefore, the first tribocharging experiment to provide complete electric isolation for the grain–grain system from its surroundings. We use this method to measure collisional charging rates between pairs of grains for three different material combinations: polyethylene–polyethylene, polystyrene–polystyrene, and polystyrene–sulfonated polystyrene. The ability to directly and noninvasively collide particles of different constituent materials, chemical functionality, size, and shape opens the door to detailed studies of collisional charging in granular materials.
Modeling magnetic confinement of laser-generated plasma in cylindrical geometry leading to disk-shaped structures
Authors: Leal L. S. , Maximov A. V. , Betti R. , Sefkow A. B. , Ivanov V. V.
Published: February 2020

Radiation-magnetohydrodynamic simulations were able to reproduce features of the plasma structures observed in recent experiments [Ivanov et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 59, 085008 (2017)], where a laser was used to ablate plasma in a 3 MG magnetic field. The laser ablates the plasma, and localized structures are formed due to the inhibition of heat flow by the magnetic field. The large magnetic pressures cause the plasma to pinch. In an azimuthal field, a disk-shaped plasma is generated. According to simulations, the disk has electron densities that are underdense to the laser, ranging from 1018 to 1019 cm−3, and electron temperatures in the range of 300 to 1000 eV during its evolution, similar to experimental data.