bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between regional economic status and renal recovery of dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury among critically ill patients
Authors: Shiao Chih-Chung , Chang Yu-Hsing , Yang Ya-Fei , Lin En-Tzu , Pan Heng-Chih , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Huang Chun-Te , Kao Min-Tsung , Chuang Tzung-Fang , Chen Yung-Chang , Kan Wei-Chih , Kuo Feng-Chi , Chen Te-Chuan , Chen Yung-Ming , Wu Chih-Jen , Liou Hung-Hsiang , Lu Kuo-Cheng , Wu Vin-Cent , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Wu Mai-Szu , Wu Kwan-Dun , Fang Ji-Tseng , Huang Chiu-Ching
Published: September 2020

The association between regional economic status and the probability of renal recovery among patients with dialysis-requiring AKI (AKI-D) is unknown. The nationwide prospective multicenter study enrolled critically ill adult patients with AKI-D in four sampled months (October 2014, along with January, April, and July 2015) in Taiwan. The regional economic status was defined by annual disposable income per capita (ADIPC) of the cities the hospitals located. Among the 1,322 enrolled patients (67.1 ± 15.5 years, 36.2% female), 833 patients (63.1%) died, and 306 (23.1%) experienced renal recovery within 90 days following discharge. We categorized all patients into high (n = 992) and low economic status groups (n = 330) by the best cut-point of ADIPC determined by the generalized additive model plot. By using the Fine and Gray competing risk regression model with mortality as a competing risk factor, we found that the independent association between regional economic status and renal recovery persisted from model 1 (no adjustment), model 2 (adjustment to basic variables), to model 3 (adjustment to basic and clinical variables; subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.422; 95% confidence interval, 1.022–1.977; p = 0.037). In conclusion, high regional economic status was an independent factor for renal recovery among critically ill patients with AKI-D.
Chemically synthesized chevron-like graphene nanoribbons for electrochemical sensors development: determination of epinephrine
Authors: Sainz Raquel , del Pozo María , Vilas-Varela Manuel , Castro-Esteban Jesús , Pérez Corral María , Vázquez Luis , Blanco Elías , Peña Diego , Martín-Gago José A. , Ellis Gary J. , Petit-Domínguez María Dolores , Quintana Carmen , Casero Elena
Published: September 2020

We employ chevron-like graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) synthesized by a solution-based chemical route to develop a novel electrochemical sensor for determination of the neurotransmitter epinephrine (EPI). The sensor surface, a glassy carbon electrode modified with GNRs, is characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, which show that the electrode surface modification comprises of bi-dimensional multilayer-stacked GNRs that retain their molecular structure. The charge transfer process occurring at the electrode interface is evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor is applied to the determination of EPI, employing as an analytical signal the reduction peak corresponding to the epinephrinechrome–leucoepinephrinechrome transition (E = − 0.25 V) instead of the oxidation peak usually employed in the literature (E =  + 0.6 V) in order to minimize interferences. The results obtained demonstrate that chevron-like nanoribbons synthesized by solution methods exhibit reliable electrocatalytic activity for EPI determination. Using differential pulse voltammetry, we obtain a linear concentration range from 6.4 × 10–6to 1.0 × 10–4 M and a detection limit of 2.1 × 10–6 M. The applicability of the sensor was evaluated by determining EPI in pharmaceutical samples with satisfactory results.
Efficacy and safety of posaconazole for the prevention of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Wong Tse Yee , Loo Yee Shen , Veettil Sajesh Kalkandi , Wong Pei Se , Divya Gopinath , Ching Siew Mooi , Menon Rohit Kunnath
Published: September 2020

Invasive fungal infections are a potentially life-threatening complication in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of posaconazole as compared with other antifungal agents for preventing invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Embase, CENTRAL, and MEDLINE were searched for randomized conweekmonthtrolled trials (RCTs) up to June 2020. A systematic review with meta-analysis of RCTs was performed using random-effects model. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted for the primary outcome to assess random errors. A total of five RCTs with 1,617 participants were included. Posaconazole prophylaxis was associated with a significantly lower risk of IFIs (RR, 0.43 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.66, p = 0.0001]) as compared to other antifungal agents. No heterogeneity was identified between studies (I2 = 0%). No significant associations were observed for the secondary outcomes measured, including risk reduction of invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis, clinical failure, all-cause mortality, and treatment-related adverse events, except for infection-related mortality (RR, 0.31 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.64, p = 0.0001]). Subgroup analysis favoured posaconazole over fluconazole for the prevention of IFIs (RR, 0.44 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.70, p = 0.0004]). TSA confirmed the prophylactic benefit of posaconazole against IFIs. Posaconazole is effective in preventing IFIs among immunocompromised patients, particularly those with hematologic malignancies and recipients of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Impact of sentinel lymph-node biopsy and FDG-PET in staging and radiation treatment of anal cancer patients
Authors: Slim Najla , Passoni Paolo , Incerti Elena , Tummineri Roberta , Gumina Calogero , Cattaneo Giovanni Mauro , De Nardi Paola , Canevari Carla , Fiorino Claudio , Ronzoni Monica , Tamburini Andrea Marco , Burgio Valentina , Gianolli Luigi , Di Muzio Nadia
Published: September 2020

To assess the role of sentinel lymph-node biopsy (SLNB) and FDG-PET in staging and radiation treatment (RT) of anal cancer patients. This retrospective study was performed on 80 patients (male: 32, female: 48) with a median age of 60 years (39–89 years) with anal squamous cell carcinoma who were treated from March 2008 to March 2018 at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital. Patients without clinical evidence of inguinal LNs metastases and/or with discordance between clinical evidence and imaging features were considered for SLNB. FDG-PET was performed in 69/80 patients. Patients with negative imaging in inguinal region and negative SLNB could avoid RT on groin to spare inguinal toxicity. CTV included GTV (primary tumour and positive LNs) and pelvic ± inguinal LNs. PTV1 and PTV2 corresponded to GTV and CTV, respectively, adding 0.5 cm. RT dose was 50.4 Gy/28 fractions to PTV2 and 64.8 Gy/36 fractions to PTV1, delivered with 3DCRT (n = 24) or IMRT (n = 56), concomitant to Mitomycin-C and 5-FU chemotherapy. FDG-PET showed inguinal uptake in 21/69 patients (30%) and was negative in 48/69 patients (70%). Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 11/21 positive patients (4 patients SLNB confirmed inguinal metastases, 6 patients false positive and 1 patient SLN not found), and in 29/48 negative patients (5/29 showed metastases, 23/29 true negative and 1 SLN not found). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of FDG-PET were 62%, 79%, 40% and 82%, respectively. Median follow-up time from diagnosis was 40.3 months (range: 4.6–136.4 months): 69 patients (86%) showed a complete response, 10 patients (13%) a partial response, 1 patient (1%) a stable disease. Patients treated on groin (n = 54) versus not treated (n = 26) showed more inguinal dermatitis (G1–G2: 50% vs. 12%; G3–G4: 17% vs. 0%, p < 0.05). For patients treated on groin, G3–G4 inguinal dermatitis, stomatitis and neutropenia were significantly reduced with IMRT against 3DCRT techniques (13% vs. 36%, p = 0.10; 3% vs. 36%, p = 0.003; 8% vs. 29%, p = 0.02, respectively). SLNB improves the FDG-PET inguinal LNs staging in guiding the decision to treat inguinal nodes. IMRT technique significantly reduced G3-G4 toxicities when patients are treated on groin.
In vivo T1 mapping for quantifying glymphatic system transport and cervical lymph node drainage
Authors: Xue Yuechuan , Liu Xiaodan , Koundal Sunil , Constantinou Stefan , Dai Feng , Santambrogio Laura , Lee Hedok , Benveniste Helene
Published: September 2020

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for tracking glymphatic system transport with paramagnetic contrast such as gadoteric acid (Gd-DOTA) administration into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) requires pre-contrast data for proper quantification. Here we introduce an alternative approach for glymphatic system quantification in the mouse brain via T1 mapping which also captures drainage of Gd-DOTA to the cervical lymph nodes. The Gd-DOTA injection into CSF was performed on the bench after which the mice underwent T1 mapping using a 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence on a 9.4 T MRI. In Ketamine/Xylazine (KX) anesthetized mice, glymphatic transport and drainage of Gd-DOTA to submandibular and deep cervical lymph nodes was demonstrated as 25–50% T1 reductions in comparison to control mice receiving CSF saline. To further validate the T1 mapping approach we also verified increased glymphatic transport of Gd-DOTA transport in mice anesthetized with KX in comparison with ISO. The novel T1 mapping method allows for quantification of glymphatic transport as well as drainage to the deep and superficial cervical lymph nodes. The ability to measure glymphatic transport and cervical lymph node drainage in the same animal longitudinally is advantageous and time efficient and the coupling between the two systems can be studied and translated to human studies.
Metabolic response of the Siberian wood frog Rana amurensis to extreme hypoxia
Authors: Shekhovtsov Sergei V. , Bulakhova Nina A. , Tsentalovich Yuri P. , Zelentsova Ekaterina A. , Yanshole Lyudmila V. , Meshcheryakova Ekaterina N. , Berman Daniil I.
Published: September 2020

The Siberian wood frogRana amurensisis a recently discovered example of extreme hypoxia tolerance that is able to survive several months without oxygen. We studied metabolomic profiles of heart and liver ofR. amurensisexposed to 17 days of extreme hypoxia. Without oxygen, the studied tissues experience considerable stress with a drastic decrease of ATP, phosphocreatine, and NAD+ concentrations, and concomitant increase of AMP, creatine, and NADH. Heart and liver switch to different pathways of glycolysis with differential accumulation of lactate, alanine, succinate, as well as 2,3-butanediol (previously not reported for vertebrates as an end product of glycolysis) and depletion of aspartate. We also observed statistically significant changes in concentrations of certain osmolytes and choline-related compounds. Low succinate/fumarate ratio and high glutathione levels indicate adaptations to reoxygenation stress. Our data suggest that maintenance of the ATP/ADP pool is not required for survival ofR. amurensis, in contrast to anoxia-tolerant turtles.
Topologization of β-antimonene on Bi2Se3 via proximity effects
Authors: Holtgrewe K. , Mahatha S. K. , Sheverdyaeva P. M. , Moras P. , Flammini R. , Colonna S. , Ronci F. , Papagno M. , Barla A. , Petaccia L. , Aliev Z. S. , Babanly M. B. , Chulkov E. V. , Sanna S. , Hogan C. , Carbone C.
Published: September 2020

Topological surface states usually emerge at the boundary between a topological and a conventional insulator. Their precise physical character and spatial localization depend on the complex interplay between the chemical, structural and electronic properties of the two insulators in contact. Using a lattice-matched heterointerface of single and double bilayers of β-antimonene and bismuth selenide, we perform a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the chiral surface states by means of microscopy and spectroscopic measurements complemented by first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that, although β-antimonene is a trivial insulator in its free-standing form, it inherits the unique symmetry-protected spin texture from the substrate via a proximity effect that induces outward migration of the topological state. This “topologization” of β-antimonene is found to be driven by the hybridization of the bands from either side of the interface.
Eucalyptus derived heteroatom-doped hierarchical porous carbons as electrode materials in supercapacitors
Authors: Wen Yanliang , Chi Liang , Wenelska Karolina , Wen Xin , Chen Xuecheng , Mijowska Ewa
Published: September 2020

Carbon-based supercapacitors have aroused ever-increasing attention in the energy storage field due to high conductivity, chemical stability, and large surface area of the investigated carbon active materials. Herein, eucalyptus-derived nitrogen/oxygen doped hierarchical porous carbons (NHPCs) are prepared by the synergistic action of the ZnCl2 activation and the NH4Cl blowing. They feature superiorities such as high specific surface area, rational porosity, and sufficient N/O doping. These excellent physicochemical characteristics endow them excellent electrochemical performances in supercapacitors: 359 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in a three-electrode system and 234 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in a two-electrode system, and a high energy density of 48 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 750 W kg−1 accompanied by high durability of 92% capacitance retention through 10,000 cycles test at a high current density of 10 A g−1 in an organic electrolyte. This low-cost and facile strategy provides a novel route to transform biomass into high value-added electrode materials in energy storage fields.
Emotionality modulates the impact of chronic stress on memory and neurogenesis in birds
Authors: Lormant Flore , Ferreira Vitor Hugo Bessa , Meurisse Maryse , Lemarchand Julie , Constantin Paul , Morisse Mélody , Cornilleau Fabien , Parias Céline , Chaillou Elodie , Bertin Aline , Lansade Léa , Leterrier Christine , Lévy Frédéric , Calandreau Ludovic
Published: September 2020

Chronic stress is a strong modulator of cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. There is, however, great within-individual variation in how an animal perceives and reacts to stressors. These differences in coping with stress modulate the development of stress-induced memory alterations. The present study investigated whether and how chronic stress and individual emotionality interrelate and influence memory performances and brain neurogenesis in birds. For that, we used two lines of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) with divergent emotionality levels. Highly (E+) and less (E−) emotional quail were submitted to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 3 weeks and trained in a spatial task and a discrimination task, a form of cue-based memory. E + and E− birds were also used to assess the impact of CUS and emotionality on neurogenesis within the hippocampus and the striatum. CUS negatively impacted spatial memory, and cell proliferation, and survival in the hippocampus. High emotionality was associated with a decreased hippocampal neurogenesis. CUS improved discrimination performances and favored the differentiation of newborn cells into mature neurons in the striatum, specifically in E+ birds. Our results provide evidence that CUS consequences on memory and neural plasticity depends both on the memory system and individual differences in behavior.
Ultrafast spatiotemporal photocarrier dynamics near GaN surfaces studied by terahertz emission spectroscopy
Authors: Yamahara Kota , Mannan Abdul , Kawayama Iwao , Nakanishi Hidetoshi , Tonouchi Masayoshi
Published: September 2020

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a promising wide-bandgap semiconductor, and new characterization tools are needed to study its local crystallinity, carrier dynamics, and doping effects. Terahertz (THz) emission spectroscopy (TES) is an emerging experimental technique that can probe the ultrafast carrier dynamics in optically excited semiconductors. In this work, the carrier dynamics and THz emission mechanisms of GaN were examined in unintentionally doped n-type, Si-doped n-type, and Mg-doped p-type GaN films. The photocarriers excited near the surface travel from the excited-area in an ultrafast manner and generate THz radiation in accordance with the time derivative of the surge drift current. The polarity of the THz amplitude can be used to determine the majority carrier type in GaN films through a non-contact and non-destructive method. Unique THz emission excited by photon energies less than the bandgap was also observed in the p-type GaN film.
Photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen using modified titanium oxide supported on CMK-3: effect of Ti content on the TiO2 and carbon interaction
Authors: Oliveira Miranda Maicon , Eulálio Cabral Cavalcanti Wesley , Ivan da Silva Francisco , Rigoti Eduardo , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Pergher Sibele B. C. , Pinheiro Braga Tiago
Published: September 2020

TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in ordered mesoporous CMK-3 carbon with different Ti contents were successfully synthesized and their activity in the photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen was presented.
Homogeneous catalytic transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes – an overview of hydrogen sources, catalysts and reaction mechanisms
Authors: Decker David , Drexler Hans-Joachim , Heller Detlef , Beweries Torsten
Published: September 2020

Chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes with E- or Z-stereoselectivity is among the most important transformations in the synthesis of highly functional organic building blocks.
Cu oxo nanoclusters for direct oxidation of methane to methanol: formation, structure and catalytic performance
Authors: Tao Lei , Lee Insu , Sanchez-Sanchez Maricruz
Published: September 2020

Cu oxo nanoclusters hosted in microporous solids have emerged in the past decades as promising materials for catalyzing the selective conversion of methane to methanol.
The effect of organosilicon modifier structure on the efficiency of the polybutadiene hydrosilylation process
Authors: Januszewski Rafał , Dutkiewicz Michał , Kownacki Ireneusz , Marciniec Bogdan
Published: September 2020

Real-time FT-IR spectroscopy permitted us to determine the influence of steoelectronic properties of functional groups on hydrosilylation. This allowed the synthesis of polybutadienes equipped with attractive silicon-based functional groups.
Biomimetic anti-freezing polymeric hydrogels: keeping soft-wet materials active in cold environments
Authors: Jian Yukun , Handschuh-Wang Stephan , Zhang Jiawei , Lu Wei , Zhou Xuechang , Chen Tao
Published: September 2020

The bio-inspired general synthesis strategies of anti-freezing hydrogels and their potential application fields.
Peculiarities of the microwave properties of hard–soft functional composites SrTb0.01Tm0.01Fe11.98O19–AFe2O4 (A = Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, or Mn)
Authors: Trukhanov A. V. , Algarou N. A. , Slimani Y. , Almessiere M. A. , Baykal A. , Tishkevich D. I. , Vinnik D. A. , Vakhitov M. G. , Klygach D. S. , Silibin M. V. , Zubar T. I. , Trukhanov S. V.
Published: September 2020

Paper presents the correlation between the composition, microstructure, and microwave properties of composites based on Tb/Tm-doped Sr-hexaferrites and spinel ferrites (AFe2O4), which were fabricated by a one-pot citrate sol–gel method.
‘Sacrificial’ supramolecular assembly and pressure-induced polymerization: toward sequence-defined functionalized nanothreads
Authors: Gerthoffer Margaret C. , Wu Sikai , Chen Bo , Wang Tao , Huss Steven , Oburn Shalisa M. , Crespi Vincent H. , Badding John V. , Elacqua Elizabeth
Published: September 2020

Supramolecular synthons are exploited to synthesize –OH functionalized sp3-rich sequence-defined nanothreads using pressure-induced polymerization of a phenol:pentafluorophenol co-crystal.
Enhanced performance of piezoelectric composite nanogenerator based on gradient porous PZT ceramic structure for energy harvesting
Authors: Liu Huan , Lin Xiujuan , Zhang Shuo , Huan Yu , Huang Shifeng , Cheng Xin
Published: September 2020

Oriented layer and interconnected transverse bridges between layers in the progressive lamellar region effectively improved the electromechanical conversion efficiency.
Highly thermally conductive and flexible phase change composites enabled by polymer/graphite nanoplatelet-based dual networks for efficient thermal management
Authors: Wu Si , Li Tingxian , Wu Minqiang , Xu Jiaxing , Hu Yihao , Chao Jingwei , Yan Taisen , Wang Ruzhu
Published: September 2020

Dual polymer and aligned graphite nanoplatelet networks enable highly thermally conductive, flexible, leakage-proof and form-stable phase change composites.
The effect of sub-surface strontium depletion on oxygen diffusion in La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ
Authors: Niania Mathew A. R. , Rossall Andrew K. , Van den Berg Jaap A. , Kilner John A.
Published: September 2020

The immediate surface and sub-surface composition of heat treated La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ samples was measured by ion beam analysis and compared to oxygen transport properties over the same depth scale.
In situ exsolved Co nanoparticles coupled on LiCoO2 nanofibers to induce oxygen electrocatalysis for rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Gui Liangqi , Liu Yuzhou , Zhang Jing , He Beibei , Wang Qing , Zhao Ling
Published: September 2020

A novel heterointerface of Co@LCO nanofibers is developed via an elegant in situ exsolution approach for oxygen electrocatalysis and rechargeable Zn–air batteries.
Highly stretchable, self-adhesive, biocompatible, conductive hydrogels as fully polymeric strain sensors
Authors: Zhang Dong , Tang Yijing , Zhang Yanxian , Yang Fengyu , Liu Yonglan , Wang Xiaoyu , Yang Jintao , Gong Xiong , Zheng Jie
Published: September 2020

A new fully polymeric conductive hydrogel sensor with IPN structure was developed, which achieved ultra-high stretchability, strong surface adhesion, and high sensing stability in response to both large and subtle human movements.
An iron-doped NASICON type sodium ion battery cathode for enhanced sodium storage performance and its full cell applications
Authors: Park Jae Yeol , Shim Yoonsu , Kim Yong-il , Choi Yuseon , Lee Ho Jun , Park Jungjae , Wang Ji Eun , Lee Yonghee , Chang Joon Ha , Yim Kanghoon , Ahn Chi Won , Lee Chan-Woo , Kim Do Kyung , Yuk Jong Min
Published: September 2020

Substantial Fe substitution into a vanadium-based NASICON cathode is demonstrated to boost a cathode performance and materialize a superior sodium ion battery.
Tumor pH-triggered “charge conversion” nanocarriers with on-demand drug release for precise cancer therapy
Authors: Ma Bo-Ai , Sun Chun-Yang
Published: September 2020

The pHe-triggered “charge conversion” nanocarriers were developed for combined X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy.
Ionic moieties in organic and hybrid semiconducting devices: influence on energy band structures and functions
Authors: Khan Yeasin , Ahn Yohan , Seo Jung Hwa , Walker Bright
Published: September 2020

This review summarizes the effects of ions on organic and hybrid semiconductors, with a focus on non-conjugated polyelectrolytes.
Dynamic investigation of gas-releasing chemical reactions through a photonic crystal
Authors: Xiong Chengjia , Lan Yangjie , Chen Bingda , Li Zheng , Zhang Yu , Song Yanlin
Published: September 2020

The extent of a chemical reaction and reaction rate are monitored according to the stopband shift curve of a photonic crystal with time.
MicroRNA-197 regulates chondrocyte proliferation, migration, and inflammation in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis by targeting EIF4G2
Authors: Gao Shijie , Liu Liang , Zhu Shibo , Wang Dawei , Wu Qiang , Ning Guangzhi , Feng Shiqing
Published: September 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in many pathological conditions including osteoarthritis (OA). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-197 in OA and the potential molecular mechanism. The expression levels of miR-197 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Cell proliferation and migration abilities were performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-di-phenyltetrazolium bromide and transwell assays. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, were detect using ELISA assay. Furthermore, luciferase reporter and rescue assays were applied to identify the functional target gene of miR-197 in OA. The results showed that miR-197 expression was significantly down-regulated in the OA cartilage tissues compared with normal cartilage tissues, accompanied by up-regulation of EIF4G2 expression. An inverse correlation was found between EIF4G2 and miR-197 expressions in OA cartilage tissues. Treatment with miR-197 mimics promoted the growth and migration abilities of chondrocytes, while miR-197 inhibitors induced the opposite effects. Furthermore, restoration of miR-197 significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression, whereas knockdown of miR-197 led to a induction in these inflammatory mediators. Moreover, EIF4G2 was predicted and confirmed as a directly target of miR-197. Overexpressed miR-197 could down-regulate EIF4G2 expression in chondrocytes, while miR-197 knockdown could elevate EIF4G2 expression. Additionally, EIF4G2 overexpression reversed the effects of miR-197 mimics on chondrocytes proliferation, migration, and inflammation. Taken together, our study demonstrated that miR-197 promotes chondrocyte proliferation, increases migration, and inhibits inflammation in the pathogenesis of OA by targeting EIF4G2, indicating the potential therapeutic targets of the miR-197/EIF4G2 axis for OA treatment.
Promiscuous DNA cleavage by HpyAII endonuclease is modulated by the HNH catalytic residues
Authors: Kumar Sumith , Bangru Sushant , Kumar Ritesh , Rao Desirazu N.
Published: September 2020

Helicobacter pylori is a carcinogenic bacterium that is responsible for 5.5% of all human gastric cancers. H. pylori codes for an unusually large number of restriction–modification (R–M) systems and several of them are strain-specific and phase-variable. HpyAII is a novel Type IIs phase-variable restriction endonuclease present in 26695 strain of H. pylori. We show that HpyAII prefers two-site substrates over one-site substrates for maximal cleavage activity. HpyAII is less stringent in metal ion requirement and shows higher cleavage activity with Ni2+ over Mg2+. Mutational analysis of the putative residues of the HNH motif of HpyAII confirms that the protein has an active HNH site for the cleavage of DNA. However, mutation of the first Histidine residue of the HNH motif to Alanine does not abolish the enzymatic activity, but instead causes loss of fidelity compared with wildtype HpyAII. Previous studies have shown that mutation of the first Histidine residue of the HNH motif of all other known HNH motif motif-containing enzymes completely abolishes enzymatic activity. We found, in the case of HpyAII, mutation of an active site residue leads to the loss of endonuclease fidelity. The present study provides further insights into the evolution of restriction enzymes.
Statistical description of dust polarized emission from the diffuse interstellar medium
Authors: Regaldo-Saint Blancard B. , Levrier F. , Allys E. , Bellomi E. , Boulanger F.
Published: September 2020

The statistical characterization of the diffuse magnetized interstellar medium (ISM) and Galactic foregrounds to the cosmic microwave background (CMB) poses a major challenge. To account for their non-Gaussian statistics, we need a data analysis approach capable of efficiently quantifying statistical couplings across scales. This information is encoded in the data, but most of it is lost when using conventional tools, such as one-point statistics and power spectra. The wavelet scattering transform (WST), a low-variance statistical descriptor of non-Gaussian processes introduced in data science, opens a path towards this goal. To establish the methodology, we applied the WST to noise-free maps of dust polarized thermal emission computed from a numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamical turbulence in the diffuse ISM. We analyzed normalized complex Stokes maps and maps of the polarization fraction and polarization angle. The WST yields a few thousand coefficients; some of them measure the amplitude of the signal at a given scale, and the others characterize the couplings between scales and orientations. The dependence on orientation can be fitted with the reduced wavelet scattering transform (RWST), an angular model introduced in previous works for total intensity maps. The RWST provides a statistical description of the polarization maps, quantifying their multiscale properties in terms of isotropic and anisotropic contributions. It allowed us to exhibit the dependence of the map structure on the orientation of the mean magnetic field and to quantify the non-Gaussianity of the data. We also used RWST coefficients, complemented by additional constraints, to generate random synthetic maps with similar statistics. Their agreement with the original maps demonstrates the comprehensiveness of the statistical description provided by the RWST. This work is a step forward in the analysis of observational data and the modeling of CMB foregrounds. We also release PyWST, a public Python package to perform WST and RWST analyses of two-dimensional data.
LOFAR Deep Fields: probing a broader population of polarized radio galaxies in ELAIS-N1
Authors: Herrera Ruiz N. , O’Sullivan S. P. , Vacca V. , Jelić V. , Nikiel-Wroczyński B. , Bourke S. , Sabater J. , Dettmar R.-J. , Heald G. , Horellou C. , Piras S. , Sobey C. , Shimwell T. W. , Tasse C. , Hardcastle M. J. , Kondapally R. , Chyży K. T. , Iacobelli M. , Best P. N. , Brüggen M. , Carretti E. , Prandoni I.
Published: September 2020

We present deep polarimetric observations of the European Large Area ISO Survey-North 1 (ELAIS-N1) field using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) at 114.9–177.4 MHz. The ELAIS-N1 field is part of the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey deep fields data release I. For six eight-hour observing epochs, we align the polarization angles and stack the 20″-resolution StokesQ,U-parameter data cubes. This produces a 16 deg2image with 1σQUsensitivity of 26μJy beam−1in the central area. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of the stacking technique, and we generate a catalog of polarized sources in ELAIS-N1 and their associated Faraday rotation measures (RMs). While in a single-epoch observation we detect three polarized sources, this number increases by a factor of about three when we consider the stacked data, with a total of ten sources. This yields a surface density of polarized sources of one per 1.6 deg2. The StokesIimages of three of the ten detected polarized sources have morphologies resembling those of FR I radio galaxies. This represents a greater fraction of this type of source than previously found, which suggests that more sensitive observations may help with their detection.
Mean multiplication gain and excess noise factor of GaN and Al0.45Ga0.55N avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Ooi Tat Lung Wesley , Cheang Pei Ling , You Ah Heng , Chan Yee Kit
Published: September 2020

In this work, Monte Carlo model is developed to investigate the avalanche characteristics of GaN and Al0.45Ga0.55N avalanche photodiodes (APDs) using random ionization path lengths incorporating dead space effect. The simulation includes the impact ionization coefficients, multiplication gain and excess noise factor for electron- and hole-initiated multiplication with a range of thin multiplication widths. The impact ionization coefficient for GaN is higher than that of Al0.45Ga0.55N. For GaN, electron dominates the impact ionization at high electric field while hole dominate at low electric field whereas Al0.45Ga0.55N has hole dominate the impact ionization at higher field while electron dominate the lower field. In GaN APDs, electron-initiated multiplication is leading the multiplication gain at thinner multiplication widths while hole-initiated multiplication leads for longer widths. However for Al0.45Ga0.55N APDs, hole-initiated multiplication leads the multiplication gain for all multiplication widths simulated. The excess noise of electron-initiated multiplication in GaN APDs increases as multiplication widths increases while the excess noise decreases as the multiplication widths increases for hole-initiated multiplication. As for Al0.45Ga0.55N APDs, the excess noise for hole-initiated multiplication increases when multiplication width increases while the electron-initiated multiplication increases with the same gradient at all multiplication widths.
Substrate temperature effect on structural, electronic and optical properties of V2O5 thin films: experimental and ab initio study
Authors: Temsamani Rajae , Talbi Abdelali , Mrigal Asmaa , Addou Mohammed , Nouneh Khalid , Gueddouch Karima , Zaari Halima
Published: September 2020

Optical, structural and electronic properties of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) thin films deposited with different values of substrate temperature have been investigated. First principles calculations were performed using the Full Potential Projector-Augmented Wave (PAW) method with the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) implemented in Quantum Espresso code. The results are very promising and show that the temperature has an important effect on V2O5 thin films features. Dielectric functions for different thin films are calculated for 14-atom orthorhombic super-cell structure. The calculated band gaps are fitted with a linear equation: (αhv) 2 = A (hv − Eg) . For all types of deposited thin films the position of critical points (CPs) E0, E1 and E2 show good agreement with the experimental data.
Hydroacoustic modelling applied in hydraulic components: a test rig based experiment
Authors: Maillard Arnaud , Noppe Éric , Eynard Benoît , Carniel Xavier
Published: September 2020

The exponential increase of computational power has allowed the development of numerical simulation methods. Numerical simulation is widely used in the industries at all stages of the product development process: the design support, comparison between several solutions, final validation. Virtual prototyping and optimization methods enable to meet requirements from the first physical prototype. Hydraulic power transmission, which can be considered as a mature technology providing an unrivalled specific power, is widespread for Off-Road and On-Road vehicles. Nevertheless, this kind of technology has two identified weaknesses which are energetic efficiency and noise generated during the operation. In such a context, the proposed research project focuses on the modelling, the analysis and the simulation for a component set constituting a hydraulic transmission taking into account the flow and pressure ripples. Thus, this work deals with the modelling of fluid borne noise applied to a hydrostatic transmission. From the state-of-the-art on hydroacoustic spread laws, the paper introduces an original method for the modelling of the transition from frequency to temporal domain allowing an analysis of the unsteady behaviour of hydraulic systems. Then, this method is applied to characterize the hydroacoustic behaviour of a rigid pipe using a simulation software. Finally, the used experimental means are presented, as well as a correlation between real measurement and computational analysis applied for a rigid pipe.
Zu einer guten Versorgung beitragen – Leitlinienarbeit
Authors: Raß Lisa
Published: September 2020

Sie sind ein wichtiger Ratgeber und Kompass in der Medizin: Leitlinien helfen Gesundheitsberufen bei allen möglichen Fragen weiter, die bei Diagnose und Therapie eines Krankheitsbilds auftauchen. Ergotherapeutin Sabine Vinçon hat die Überarbeitung der aktuellen UEMF-Leitlinie geleitet und findet, dass man damit viel bewirken kann.
„Durch Wandern das emotionale Chaos sortieren” – Wandern als therapeutisches Mittel
Authors: Toto Sivuyisive
Published: September 2020

Der südafrikanische Ergotherapeut Sivuyisiwe Toto rief die „Hiking Therapy“ ins Leben, als eine Gruppe von schwarzen Studenten eine seelische Krise erlebte. Sein Artikel über das Wandern als Betätigung ist seine persönliche Reflexion vor dem Hintergrund von Occupational Science. Er zeigt, welcher Zusammenhang zwischen gemeinsamer Betätigung und gemeinsamen Wohlbefinden nach einem traumatischen Ereignis besteht.
Vascularized Bone Grafting for Scaphoid Nonunion with Humpback Deformity: The Surgical Technique
Authors: Kawasaki Keikichi , Nemoto Tetsuya , Kubo Kazutoshi , Tomita Kazunari , Inagaki Katsunori
Published: September 2020

Background Scaphoid nonunion with humpback deformity and avascular necrosis (AVN) is a challenging problem. Correction of dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI) requires grafting of a large and hard vascularized bone segment onto the volar side of the scaphoid.

Purposes We have been treating the patients with one-incision vascularized bone grafting technique for scaphoid nonunion to improve blood supply and correct humpback deformity. We evaluated these cases retrospectively to the surgical efficacy of our procedure.

Methods We harvested vascularized bone from the dorsal side of the radius using the method by Zaidemberg et al and inserted the cortical aspect into the scaphoid volar side using a direct lateral approach. Totally, 11 patients (nine males andtwo females) with a mean age of 40 years were recruited for this study. The mean time from fracture to treatment was 6 years and 3 months. The mean preoperative radiolunate angle was 25 degrees. All the patients showed AVN of the proximal scaphoid on T1-weighted images. An averaged follow-up period was 2 years and 3 months.

Results Postoperative computed tomography revealed bony union in 10 patients (91% of union rate) with a mean modified Mayo'swrist score of 88 points (range, 75–100 points) and a mean disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score of 4 points (range, 0–20 points). The mean radiolunate angle was corrected from 25 to 5 degrees. No adverse events were observed, except temporary mild paresthesia of the radial nerve territory in two patients.

Conclusion This technique effectively corrected DISI in patients with scaphoid nonunion accompanied by humpback deformity and AVN.
Determination of Accurate Position of Umbilical Venous Catheters in Premature Infants
Authors: Akar Selahattin , Dincer Emre , Topcuoğlu Sevilay , Yavuz Taner , Akay Hatice , Gokmen Tulin , Karatekin Guner
Published: September 2020

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the most accurate length and position of umbilical venous catheter (UVC).

Study Design This prospective study included premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with inserted UVC between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. The length of UVC was calculated according to the Shukla formula [(3 × birth weight + 9)/2 + 1] and the catheter was inserted under sterile conditions. After the insertion, umbilical catheter was first evaluated through chest X-ray and then with echocardiography to confirm its position. Catheters seen on the chest X-ray at the level of T9-T10 vertebrae were classified as “accurate position,” those seen above T9 vertebra as “high position,” and the catheters identified below T10 vertebra were classified as “low position.”

Results A total of 68 infants smaller than 36 weeks of gestation were included in the study. In echocardiographic evaluation, 80% of the cases identified as in the “accurate position,” 100% of the cases classified as in a “high position,” and 33% of the cases defined as in a “low position” on the chest X-rays were found to be intracardiac. In our study, length of the catheter calculated according to the Shukla formula was intracardiac in 88.2% of premature infants.

Conclusion Radiography alone is not sufficient for the determination of adequate position of umbilical catheter, especially in premature infants. Specialists practicing in neonatal intensive care units could improve themselves and evaluate UVC with echocardiography, making this a routine part of clinical practice. Echocardiography-guided fixation of the catheter will reduce the complications related to catheter malposition.

Key Points
Combined optical reflectivity measurement and ab initio simulation of expanded gold fluid across the metal–nonmetal transition regime
Authors: Liu Dongxiao , Fan Wei , Shan Lianqiang , Wang Feng , Shui Min , Zhu Bin , Wu Yuchi , Zhang Feng , Bi Bi , Tian Chao , Wang Weiwu , Yuan Zongqiang , Liu Hongjie , Yang Lei , Meng Lingbiao , Zhou Weimin , Cao Leifeng , Gu Yuqiu
Published: September 2020

The metal–nonmetal transition is of fundamental interest in contemporary physics. We present a combination of the optical reflectivity measurement of an expanded gold fluid produced by gold L-band x-rays from a Hohlraum and the corresponding ab initio calculations to study the metal–nonmetal transition. The averaged density and temperature of the reflective layer are derived from 1D radiation hydrodynamic simulations constrained by matching the expansion velocity obtained from the fringe shift. A sharp change in time-resolved reflectivity occurs at one third of the initial density, near where the metal–nonmetal transition is predicted to occur. The reflectivity calculated based on the Helmholtz equations with the dielectric function from the density functional theory calculations is compared with the experimental measurement. Disagreement of reflectivity between calculation and measurement probably originates from the energy shift of the dielectric function due to the inaccurate Kohn–Sham eigenvalue. More accurate methods on calculating the dielectric function are still needed to improve the calculated reflectivity.
Comparison of organic light emitting diode performance using the spectroradiometer and the integrating sphere measurements
Authors: Lee Won Ho , Jesuraj P. Justin , Hafeez Hassan , Kim Dong Hyun , Lee Chang Min , Won Sang Hee , Shin Sung Tae , Park Sanghyuk , Bae Tae-Sung , Yu Seung Min , Song Myungkwan , Kim Chang-Su , Ryu Seung Yoon
Published: September 2020

In this study, we present the comparison of device performance measurements for organic light emitting diodes using a spectroradiometer through the viewing angle and integrating sphere, widely used for device measurements. The mean calculation method using these results was applied to convert the spectroradiometer (under different viewing angles) data to match with the integrating sphere measurements. The conversion of the spectroradiometer based quantum efficiency and electroluminescence data from all different angular emission patterns was similar to that of the integrating sphere data within a reasonable range of deviation. As such, it is possible to reduce the recurring costs and required time between these two measurement techniques by bypassing the integrating sphere measurement.
Rotational self-alignment of graphene seeds for nanoribbon synthesis on Ge(001) via chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Way Austin J. , Saraswat Vivek , Jacobberger Robert M. , Arnold Michael S.
Published: September 2020

The chemical vapor deposition of CH4 on Ge(001) results in the anisotropic synthesis of graphene nanoribbons that are aligned to Ge⟨110⟩ and have faceted armchair edges, sub-10 nm widths, and lengths greater than 100 nm. The utilization of small graphene seeds to initiate nanoribbon synthesis provides control over the nanoribbon placement and orientation. However, in order to exclusively grow nanoribbons and suppress the concomitant growth of lower aspect ratio crystals, it is imperative to control the crystallographic orientation of the seeds with respect to the Ge lattice. Here, we demonstrate that when seeds are less than 18 nm in diameter, they are able to rotate upon annealing at 910 °C prior to nanoribbon synthesis. The effect of this rotation on the resulting nanoribbons’ orientation is characterized as a function of the diameter and initial crystallographic orientation of the seeds. The seeds preferentially rotate to an orientation in which an armchair direction of their lattice is parallel to Ge⟨110⟩—subsequently maximizing the anisotropy in growth kinetics. By exploiting this seed rotation phenomenon, we demonstrate the fabrication of seamless nanoribbon meshes and gain understanding that will affect future efforts to create arrays of unidirectionally aligned nanoribbons.
Theoretical assessment of surface waviness on work function
Authors: Malayter Jacqueline R. , Garner Allen L.
Published: September 2020

The work function may affect the physical, electrical, and chemical behavior of surfaces, making it important for numerous applications and phenomena, including field emission, gas breakdown, and nanotechnology. Despite this importance, studies examining the impact of surface roughness on the work function have only examined the amplitude and not the period of the waviness, which becomes increasingly important with reduced device size. This paper extends these previous scanning Kelvin probe (SKP)-based mathematical models for predicting the work function of a metallic surface with surface waviness by explicitly including the period. For a given ratio of surface roughness amplitude to the distance from the SKP to the center of the waviness, increasing the period or reducing the SKP step distance reduced the surface’s effective work function. In the limit of infinite period (or low SKP step size) and low surface roughness amplitude, the work function approached that expected with a concomitant reduction in the gap distance with no surface roughness. The effective surface work function approaches zero and may become negative as the SKP tip approaches the surface, suggesting the importance in these corrections for nanoscale measurements. As the SKP step size approaches the surface roughness period, the effective work function becomes infinitely large. Implications of these results on gas breakdown, field emission, and nanoscale device design will be discussed.
Manipulation of acoustic localizations based on defect mode coupling in a corrugated waveguide
Authors: Liu Ting , Xu Lan-Lan , Liu Huan , Fan Ya-Xian , Tao Zhi-Yong
Published: September 2020

Defects in periodic structures can always result in localization of various waves, such as Anderson localization, line defect photonic crystal waveguides, and locally resonant sonic metamaterials. Due to the unique physical properties of localization, it has found applications in many functional devices including optical/acoustical tweezers, laser cavities, spatial modulators, and detectors. Here, we introduce two defects into an acoustic waveguide with perfect periodicities and experimentally observe the related two defect modes and their coupling effects. The double defects can cause the two extraordinary transmissions in the forbidden band of periodic structures, and the induced acoustic localization is quite different from that in a single defect that the measured sound pressure along the axis of the waveguide shows the maximum in each defect. The measured sound pressure also indicates that the localization of defect modes has in-phase or out-of-phase characteristics, which change alternately with increasing number of periods between the defects. When the distance between the two defects increases, the defect coupling turns to be weaker and the transmitted peaks fuse together as one. Finally, the defect mode disappears for a larger distance. The experiments also reveal that the localization of double defects is very sensitive to the defect geometry. The maximum sound pressure of defect modes with a longer wavelength always appears in the longer defect. Based on our findings, the acoustic localization can be efficiently manipulated by the regulation of structures with defects, which may pave the way for various functional devices in wave control engineering.