bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeatability and reproducibility of post-mortem central corneal thickness measurements using a portable optical coherence tomography system in humans: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Napoli Pietro Emanuele , Nioi Matteo , Gabiati Letizia , Laurenzo Michela , De-Giorgio Fabio , Scorcia Vincenzo , Grassi Simone , d’Aloja Ernesto , Fossarello Maurizio
Published: September 2020

To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of post-mortem central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements made by the portable iVue spectra-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography OCT (Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA) system in humans, and to prospectively establish the time-course of CCT after death. In a prospective multicenter setting, CCT measurements were obtained from 58 human eyes at the following 16 time-points after death: immediately (within 2 h), and at each hour by the next 17 h. The range of CCT values for each subject was determined and longitudinal data were used to illustrate the variation in open and close eye mode. All measurements were made by two independent and well-trained examiners for session. Main outcome measures were intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), repeatability and reproducibility coefficients, and coefficients of variation of the average central (0–2 mm). Overall, a total of 5,568 OCT measurements were performed by examiners. The repeatability coefficient varied from 0.3 to 1.7% and the reproducibility coefficient varied from 0.3 to 1.6% throughout the entire experimental time frame. Furthermore, the values of the different ICCs were also high during the different postmortem intervals, thus demonstrating the excellent repeatability and reproducibility of the present OCT approach. When CCT measurements were analyzed longitudinally, corneal thickness showed different behavior based on the open or close eye mode. The present study demonstrates that portable OCT imaging can be reliably used for corneal pachymetric measurements in supine subjects and during the post mortem period, i.e. without visual fixation and normal physiology/architecture of examined tissues.
Large-scale pan-cancer analysis reveals broad prognostic association between TGF-β ligands, not Hedgehog, and GLI1/2 expression in tumors
Authors: de Reyniès Aurélien , Javelaud Delphine , Elarouci Nabila , Marsaud Véronique , Gilbert Cristèle , Mauviel Alain
Published: September 2020

GLI1 expression is broadly accepted as a marker of Hedgehog pathway activation in tumors. Efficacy of Hedgehog inhibitors is essentially limited to tumors bearing activating mutations of the pathway. GLI2, a critical Hedgehog effector, is necessary for GLI1 expression and is a direct transcriptional target of TGF-β/SMAD signaling. We examined the expression correlations of GLI1/2 with TGFB and HH genes in 152 distinct transcriptome datasets totaling over 23,500 patients and representing 37 types of neoplasms. Their prognostic value was measured in over 15,000 clinically annotated tumor samples from 26 tumor types. In most tumor types, GLI1 and GLI2 follow a similar pattern of expression and are equally correlated with HH and TGFB genes. However, GLI1/2 broadly share prognostic value with TGFB genes and a mesenchymal/EMT signature, not with HH genes. Our results provide a likely explanation for the frequent failure of anti-Hedgehog therapies in tumors, as they suggest a key role for TGF-β, not Hedgehog, ligands, in tumors with elevated GLI1/2-expression.
Chemical composition of material extractives influences microbial growth and dynamics on wetted wood materials
Authors: Zhao Dan , Cardona Cesar , Gottel Neil , Winton Valerie J. , Thomas Paul M. , Raba Daniel A. , Kelley Scott T. , Henry Christopher , Gilbert Jack A. , Stephens Brent
Published: September 2020

The impact of material chemical composition on microbial growth on building materials remains relatively poorly understood. We investigate the influence of the chemical composition of material extractives on microbial growth and community dynamics on 30 different wood species that were naturally inoculated, wetted, and held at high humidity for several weeks. Microbial growth was assessed by visual assessment and molecular sequencing. Unwetted material powders and microbial swab samples were analyzed using reverse phase liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Different wood species demonstrated varying susceptibility to microbial growth after 3 weeks and visible coverage and fungal qPCR concentrations were correlated (R2 = 0.55). Aspergillaceae was most abundant across all samples; Meruliaceae was more prevalent on 8 materials with the highest visible microbial growth. A larger and more diverse set of compounds was detected from the wood shavings compared to the microbial swabs, indicating a complex and heterogeneous chemical composition within wood types. Several individual compounds putatively identified in wood samples showed statistically significant, near-monotonic associations with microbial growth, including C11H16O4, C18H34O4, and C6H15NO. A pilot experiment confirmed the inhibitory effects of dosing a sample of wood materials with varying concentrations of liquid C6H15NO (assuming it presented as Diethylethanolamine).
Rapid optimisation of fragments and hits to lead compounds from screening of crude reaction mixtures
Authors: Baker Lisa M. , Aimon Anthony , Murray James B. , Surgenor Allan E. , Matassova Natalia , Roughley Stephen D. , Collins Patrick M. , Krojer Tobias , von Delft Frank , Hubbard Roderick E.
Published: September 2020

Fragment based methods are now widely used to identify starting points in drug discovery and generation of tools for chemical biology. A significant challenge is optimization of these weak binding fragments to hit and lead compounds. We have developed an approach where individual reaction mixtures of analogues of hits can be evaluated without purification of the product. Here, we describe experiments to optimise the processes and then assess such mixtures in the high throughput crystal structure determination facility, XChem. Diffraction data for crystals of the proteins Hsp90 and PDHK2 soaked individually with 83 crude reaction mixtures are analysed manually or with the automated XChem procedures. The results of structural analysis are compared with binding measurements from other biophysical techniques. This approach can transform early hit to lead optimisation and the lessons learnt from this study provide a protocol that can be used by the community.
Enzymatic kinetic resolution of desmethylphosphinothricin indicates that phosphinic group is a bioisostere of carboxyl group
Authors: De Biase Daniela , Cappadocio Francesca , Pennacchietti Eugenia , Giovannercole Fabio , Coluccia Antonio , Vepsäläinen Jouko , Khomutov Alex
Published: September 2020

Escherichia coli glutamate decarboxylase (EcGadB), a pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme, is highly specific for L-glutamate and was demonstrated to be effectively immobilised for the production of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), its decarboxylation product. Herein we show that EcGadB quantitatively decarboxylates the L-isomer of D,L-2-amino-4-(hydroxyphosphinyl)butyric acid (D,L-Glu-γ-PH), a phosphinic analogue of glutamate containing C-P-H bonds. This yields 3-aminopropylphosphinic acid (GABA-PH), a known GABAB receptor agonist and provides previously unknown D-Glu-γ-PH, allowing us to demonstrate that L-Glu-γ-PH, but not D-Glu-γ-PH, is responsible for D,L-Glu-γ-PH antibacterial activity. Furthermore, using GABase, a preparation of GABA-transaminase and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, we show that GABA-PH is converted to 3-(hydroxyphosphinyl)propionic acid (Succinate-PH). Hence, PLP-dependent and NADP+-dependent enzymes are herein shown to recognise and metabolise phosphinic compounds, leaving unaffected the P-H bond. We therefore suggest that the phosphinic group is a bioisostere of the carboxyl group and the metabolic transformations of phosphinic compounds may offer a ground for prodrug design.
El Niño/Southern Oscillation response to low-latitude volcanic eruptions depends on ocean pre-conditions and eruption timing
Authors: Predybaylo Evgeniya , Stenchikov Georgiy , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Osipov Sergey
Published: September 2020

Proxy-based reconstructions of the past suggest that the Pacific ocean has often shown El Niño-like warming after low-latitude volcanic eruptions, while climate model simulations have suggested diverse responses. Here we present simulations from a coupled ocean–atmosphere model that illuminate the roles of ocean preconditioning, eruption magnitude and timing, and air–sea feedbacks in the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) response to these eruptions. A deterministic component of the response, which dominates for boreal summer eruptions, leads to cooler tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures in the eruption year and El Niño-like warming the following year. A stochastic component is also important, especially for boreal winter eruptions. The simulated ENSO response depends nonlinearly on the eruption magnitude and the tropical Pacific conditions before the eruption. We conclude that adequate sampling is critical to accurately assess the ENSO responses in both models and observations.
RespiDisk: a point-of-care platform for fully automated detection of respiratory tract infection pathogens in clinical samples
Authors: Rombach Markus , Hin Sebastian , Specht Mara , Johannsen Benita , Lüddecke Jan , Paust Nils , Zengerle Roland , Roux Louis , Sutcliffe Thomas , Peham Johannes R. , Herz Christopher , Panning Marcus , Donoso Mantke Oliver , Mitsakakis Konstantinos
Published: September 2020

The RespiDisk platform for automated detection of multiple viral and bacterial respiratory tract infection pathogens.
Rapid and sensitive electrochemical detection of microRNAs by gold nanoparticle-catalyzed silver enhancement
Authors: Wen Qilin , Liang Xiaolin , Pan Hongcheng , Li Jianping , Zhang Yun , Zhu Wenyuan , Long Zhixiang
Published: September 2020

Using the proposed method the microRNA assay was successfully carried out in less than 70 min and the detection limit was as low as 15 fM.
Toward supramolecular nanozymes for the photocatalytic activation of Pt(iv) anticancer prodrugs
Authors: Mazzei Laura F. , Martínez Álvaro , Trevisan Lucia , Rosa-Gastaldo Daniele , Cortajarena Aitziber L. , Mancin Fabrizio , Salassa Luca
Published: September 2020

Nanozymes based on TACN AuNPs and FMN photocatalyze the activation of a Pt(iv) prodrug into cisplatin.
Therapeutic iminoboronate-based polymersomes with a Cu(ii)-mediated Fenton reaction-enhanced ROS-response
Authors: Cheng Ruidong , Li Guo , Fan Li , Jiang Jinqiang , Zhao Yue
Published: September 2020

The iminoboronate-terminalized starlike prodrug, N3-(OEG-IBCAPE)4, is prepared to investigate the Cu(ii)-mediated Fenton reaction-enhanced response to reactive oxygen species.
Immobilized random peptide mixtures exhibit broad antimicrobial activity with high selectivity
Authors: Cheriker Hadar , Stern Bauer Tal , Oren Yuval , Nir Shlomo , Hayouka Zvi
Published: September 2020

In the current study, we showed that randomly-sequenced peptide mixtures (RPMs) that were immobilized on beads exhibit high and broad bactericidal activity against various pathogenic bacteria while possessing minimal hemolytic activity.
Responsive fluorescent nucleotides serve as efficient substrates to probe terminal uridylyl transferase
Authors: George Jerrin Thomas , Srivatsan Seergazhi G.
Published: September 2020

A terminal uridylyl transferase site-specifically labels RNA with microenvironment-sensitive fluorescent nucleotides, which in turn provide direct read-outs to probe the enzyme recognition.
Mixed donor, phenanthroline photoactive MOFs with favourable CO2 selectivity
Authors: Setter Caitlin J. , Price Michael B. , Conte Luke , Schmitt Wolfgang , Batten Stuart R. , Richardson Christopher , Hill Matthew R. , Babarao Ravichandar , Macreadie Lauren K.
Published: September 2020

Mixed donor phenanthroline-carboxylate linkers were combined with MnII or ZnII to form photoactive MOFs with large pore apertures.
Janus nanozyme–drug nanosystems for synergistic anti-inflammatory treatment of nasal polyps
Authors: Liang Ziming , Xiu Qian , Zhang Leichao , Gao Yuzhou , Li Shengnan , Zhang Lingyu , Chen Xiangjun , Li Lu , Wang Chungang
Published: September 2020

The multifunctional Au–CeO2 JNPs as a nanozyme–drug nanosystem have been first explored for CT imaging and synergistic anti-inflammatory treatment of nasal polyps.
Cyclic hexapeptoids with N-alkyl side chains: solid-state assembly and thermal behaviour
Authors: Pierri Giovanni , Schettini Rosaria , Nuss Jürgen , Dinnebier Robert E. , De Riccardis Francesco , Izzo Irene , Tedesco Consiglia
Published: September 2020

The solid state assembly of two cyclic hexapeptoids decorated respectively with five and six carbon N-alkyl side chains is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, intermolecular energies and lattice energy calculations.
A boron-decorated melon-based carbon nitride as a metal-free photocatalyst for N2 fixation: a DFT study
Authors: Zheng Mei , Li Yi , Ding Kaining , Zhang Yongfan , Chen Wenkai , Lin Wei
Published: September 2020

The boron-decorated melon-based carbon nitride is a promising metal-free photocatalyst for N2 reduction to NH3 with outstanding selectivity and efficiency.
The reservoir area dependent thermal transport at the nanoscale interface
Authors: Liu Chenhan , Fu Qiang , Gu Zhongzhu , Lu Ping
Published: September 2020

The effects of reservoir area on phonon transport are investigated at two-dimensional and one-dimensional interfaces by the non-equilibrium Green's function method.
Design of superior phototheranostic agents guided by Jablonski diagrams
Authors: Feng Guangxue , Zhang Guo-Qiang , Ding Dan
Published: September 2020

This review summarizes how Jablonski diagrams guide the design of advanced organic optical agents and improvement of disease phototheranostic efficacies.
Understanding the performance of a bisphosphonate Ru water oxidation catalyst
Authors: Luque-Urrutia Jesús A. , Kamdar Jayneil M. , Grotjahn Douglas B. , Solà Miquel , Poater Albert
Published: September 2020

Water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) are a key part of generating H2 from water and sunlight, consequently, it is a promising process for the production of clean energy.
Regulating the electronic structure of CoMoO4 microrod by phosphorus doping: an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Jiao Feixiang , Li Jinhui , Wang Jinlei , Lin Yu , Gong Yaqiong , Jing Xiaofei
Published: September 2020

The obtained P-CoMoO4/NF electrode exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic performance and distinguished the durability for HER in 1 M KOH electrolyte.
A systematic analysis of Cu-based membrane-electrode assemblies for CO2 reduction through multiphysics simulation
Authors: Weng Lien-Chun , Bell Alexis T. , Weber Adam Z.
Published: September 2020

A multiphysics model is presented to study potential losses in Cu-MEAs and how various physical phenomena impact the product distribution of CO2 reduction.
Correction: Curvature-induced hydrophobicity at imogolite–water interfaces
Authors: Fernandez-Martinez Alejandro , Tao Jinhui , Wallace Adam F. , Bourg Ian C. , Johnson Mark R. , De Yoreo James J. , Sposito Garrison , Cuello Gabriel J. , Charlet Laurent
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Curvature-induced hydrophobicity at imogolite–water interfaces’ by Alejandro Fernandez-Martinez et al., Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0en00304b.
Order-disorder transitions of cytoplasmic N-termini in the mechanisms of P-type ATPases
Authors: Hossain Khondker R. , Clayton Daniel , Goodchild Sophia C. , Rodger Alison , Payne Richard J. , Cornelius Flemming , Clarke Ronald J.
Published: September 2020

Circular dichroism of an H+, K+-ATPase N-terminal peptide at varying trifluoroethanol concentrations is investigated, indicating that its secondary structure is environmentally sensitive.
Non-photosynthetic CO2bio-mitigation byEscherichia coliharbouring CBB genes
Authors: Lee Soo Youn , Kim Young Su , Shin Woo-Ri , Yu Jaeyoung , Lee Jiye , Lee Sangmin , Kim Yang-Hoon , Min Jiho
Published: September 2020

To alleviate carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, alternative approaches have been considered, such as employing microorganisms capable of CO2-fixation using their own metabolic pathways.
Direct analysis of wheat flour by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with flow injection, slurry nebulization, and a mixed-gas plasma
Authors: Teuma-Castelletti Robert , Beauchemin Diane
Published: September 2020

Flow injection, slurry nebulization, and a mixed-gas plasma enable the direct accurate analysis of wheat flour by ICPMS.
One-pot synthesis of MoS2(1−x)Se2x on N-doped reduced graphene oxide: tailoring chemical and structural properties for photoenhanced hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Mosconi Dario , Kosmala Tomasz , Lunardon Marco , Neyman Alevtina , Bar-Sadan Maya , Agnoli Stefano , Granozzi Gaetano
Published: September 2020

Molybdenum sulfoselenides are investigated as photoelectrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Crystallinity and selenium-to-sulphur ratio are key to control activity.
Bi-functional nature of nanoceria: pro-drug and drug-carrier potentiality towards receptor-mediated targeting of doxorubicin
Authors: Damle Madhura A. , Shetty Varsha G. , Jakhade Alok P. , Kaul-Ghanekar Ruchika , Chikate Rajeev C.
Published: September 2020

The bifunctional nature of nanoceria as pro-drug and vehicle for the site-specific targeted delivery of DOX is achieved with CeO2–(DOX–FA) nanoconjugates towards MFC-7 cells.
Isolation, identification, and stability of Ficin 1c isoform from fig latex
Authors: Milošević Jelica , Vrhovac Lidija , Đurković Filip , Janković Brankica , Malkov Saša , Lah Jurij , Polović Natalija Đ.
Published: September 2020

Purified alkaline ficin isoform, identified as Ficin 1c regarding fig transcriptome, shows decreased stability compared to the ficin isoform mixture.
Catalytic conversions of isocyanate to urea and glucose to levulinate esters over mesoporous α-Ti(HPO4)2·H2O in green media
Authors: Hazra Chowdhury Arpita , Hazra Chowdhury Ipsita , Biswas Surajit , Chakrabortty Pekham , Islam Sk. Manirul
Published: September 2020

We have described a facile solvothermal synthesis of sheet-like α-Ti(HPO4)2·H2O nanomaterial and its application in heterogeneous catalysis to synthesize fine chemicals like urea, levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates.
Ultraviolet emission and electron spin characteristics of Th(C2O4)2·xH2O:Gd3+
Authors: Gupta Santosh K. , Rajeshwari B. , Achary S. N. , Kadam R. M.
Published: September 2020

UV emitting Gd3+ doped phosphors have recently attracted significant attention among materials scientists owing to their important applications in the areas of photothermal therapy, transilluminators and sensitizer based luminescent phosphors.
Sugar dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in mixtures of water/[Bmim]Cl catalyzed by iron sulfate
Authors: Song Xiangbo , Wang Chenguang , Chen Lungang , Liu Qiying , Liu Jianguo , Zhu Yuting , Yue Jun , Ma Longlong
Published: September 2020

Stabilization effect of [Bmim]Cl on HMF is demonstrated, which can suppress the rehydration and polymerization side-reactions and enhance HMF yield.
Organosilane surfactant-directed synthesis of hierarchical mordenite with enhanced catalytic performance in the alkylation of benzene with 1-dodecene
Authors: Liu Meng-Nan , Li Yu-Zhao , Xie Zhi-Xia , Hao Qing-Qing , Luo Qun-Xing , Zhang Jianbo , Chen Huiyong , Dai Chengyi , Ma Xiaoxun
Published: September 2020

Facile synthesis of mesoporous mordenite with excellent catalytic performance for alkylation of benzene with 1-dodecene was achieved by using an organosilane surfactant as an assistant directing agent.
Recent advances in the synthesis of C-terminally modified peptides
Authors: Arbour Christine A. , Mendoza Lawrence G. , Stockdill Jennifer L.
Published: September 2020

A go-to compilation of recent strategies to access C-terminally modified peptides contextualized by a discussion of the major synthetic challenges that have historically hampered progress in this area.
Synthesis of 2-bromo- and 2-phenyl-neo-confused porphyrins
Authors: Almejbel Arwa S. , Lash Timothy D.
Published: September 2020

New examples of neo-confused porphyrins are reported. These retain global diatropic characteristics but are relatively unstable in solution.
Regioselectivity of the trifluoroethanol-promoted intramolecular N-Boc–epoxide cyclization towards 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones and 1,3-oxazinan-2-ones
Authors: Borgohain Hemi , Talukdar Kangkan , Sarma Bipul , Das Sajal Kumar
Published: September 2020

Intramolecular N-Boc–epoxide cyclization has been achieved in refluxing TFE, in the absence of any external promoter or catalyst. The regioselectivity of the reaction depends on the epoxide substituent.
Improving the photocatalytic hydrogen production of SrTiO3byin situloading ethylene glycol as a co-catalyst
Authors: Zhu Liuyang , Gu Wen , Chen Jifang , Liu Huan , Zhang Yingying , Wu Qingmei , Zhang Yuanxi , Fu Zhengping , Lu Yalin
Published: September 2020

Ethylene glycol, as a cocatalyst, is supported on the surface of SrTiO3, which greatly promotes the photocatalytic reaction efficiency.
Remote C(sp3)–H vinylationviaradical-mediated consecutive fission of C–H and C–C bonds
Authors: Niu Tao , Yang Shan , Wu Xinxin , Zhu Chen
Published: September 2020

Described herein is a radical-mediated vinylation of the remote C(sp3)–H bonds of propargylic alcohols.
Solubility, speciation and local environment of chlorine in zirconolite glass–ceramics for the immobilisation of plutonium residues
Authors: Thornber Stephanie M. , Mottram Lucy M. , Mason Amber R. , Thompson Paul , Stennett Martin C. , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: September 2020

Understanding chlorine speciation and incorporation in glass ceramic wasteforms underpins future treatment of contaminated plutonium residues.
Exploiting Hansen solubility parameters to tune porosity and function in conjugated microporous polymers
Authors: Chen Jie , Qiu Ting , Yan Wei , Faul Charl F. J.
Published: September 2020

We expand our recently reported Bristol–Xi'an Jiaotong (BXJ) approach using simple salts to fine tune the porosity of conjugated microporous materials, from Buchwald–Hartwig to Sonogashira–Hagihara, oxidative and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.
Critical role of the defect state in the photo-oxidation of methanol on TiO2(110)
Authors: Jin Fan , Zhang Xiao , Wei Min , Chen Tingwei , Ma Huizhong , Ma Yuchen
Published: September 2020

Photo-oxidation of CH3OH on TiO2 has been extensively studied in order to understand the fundamental principles of heterogeneous photocatalysis.
Printed, cost-effective and stable poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors
Authors: Blasi Davide , Viola Fabrizio , Modena Francesco , Luukkonen Axel , Macchia Eleonora , Picca Rosaria Anna , Gounani Zahra , Tewari Amit , Österbacka Ronald , Caironi Mario , Kovacs Vajna Zsolt M. , Scamarcio Gaetano , Torricelli Fabrizio , Torsi Luisa
Published: September 2020

A large-area processable ink-jet-printed poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor, designed for bioelectronic applications, is proven to be stable for one week of continuous operation.
Substitution site effect of naphthyl substituted anthracene derivatives and their applications in organic optoelectronics
Authors: Li Jie , Ji Deyang , Hu Yongxu , Chen Mingxi , Liu Jinyu , Qin Zhengsheng , Sun Yajing , Dang Yangyang , Zhen Yonggang , Dong Huanli , Li Liqiang , Hu Wenping
Published: September 2020

Two different naphthyl substituted anthracene derivatives were synthesized. A tiny change of the substitution site of the naphthyl group leads to a significant difference of the molecular packing and exerts great impact on optoelectronic properties.
Vertical GaN MISFET for chip‐on‐chip high speed laser driving applications
Authors: Bahat Treidel E. , Christopher H. , Hilt O. , Klehr A. , Ginolas A. , Liero A. , Würfl J.
Published: September 2020

In this work, the authors developed vertical gallium nitride metal‐insulator‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (GaN MISFETs) for direct chip‐on‐chip assembly with gallium arsenide‐based broad area distributed Bragg reflector diode laser. The intention of this work had been to provide a high‐speed driver solution having extremely small parasitic inductive loops. It is shown that devices manufactured on ammonothermal substrates have large conduction current density above 1.7 kA/cm2, specific on‐state resistance as low as 2.1 mΩ·cm2 and on‐state sheet resistance of 18.6 Ω·mm. It is further shown that scaling these devices to large gate periphery chips is possible. Finally, a low inductance vertical GaN MISFET on laser diode integration assembly is realised on an AlN ceramic board using a transistor chip with 142 mm gate width and 305 mΩ on‐state resistance. The arrangement enables 3.6 ns laser pulses at an emission wavelength at 904 nm and a peak optical power of 4 W.
Towards long‐term UAV object tracking via effective feature matching
Authors: Zhao Baojun , Wang Hongshuo , Tang Linbo , Han Yuqi
Published: September 2020

Object tracking based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has attracted extensive research attention recently since it provides the ability to continuously observing and tracking the target owing to its inherent advantage. However, occlusion is a crucial interference which may cause performance degradation in long‐term UAV‐based tracking. In this Letter, the authors propose a robust and efficient long‐term tracker based upon local feature matching and density clustering. To be more specific, the authors propose a keypoint‐matching based confidence indicator to monitor the tracking condition and activate the re‐detection module when occlusion is predicted. Once occlusion occurs, a novel density‐based clustering method is utilised to re‐locate the target with the collected local features. Extensive experiments have demonstrated that the proposed algorithm performs favourably against the other related trackers.
OFDM joint communication–radar with leaky‐wave antennas
Authors: Steeg M. , Exner F. , Tebart J. , Czylwik A. , Stöhr A.
Published: September 2020

In this Letter, the authors report on a 26 GHz joint communication–radar system. By exploiting the beam steering features of leaky‐wave antennas, angle‐of‐arrival estimation and multi‐user transmission are achieved. Furthermore, the Zadoff–Chu preamble of the OFDM waveform is used to provide a frequency‐modulated continuous‐wave radar signal. This way, the wide operational bandwidth is used for both, communications and radar, yielding high data throughput and precise user localisation. Experimentally, spectral‐efficient 16‐QAM multi‐user 5 × 4 Gbit/s communications and user localisation with an accuracy of about 2 cm and ±1.5° is demonstrated.
Robust heart rate estimation from mobile face videos using an auto‐encoder
Authors: Lomaliza J.‐P. , Park H.
Published: September 2020

Providing an easy‐to‐use and non‐invasive heart rate estimation system for home healthcare is imperative for detecting health deterioration in the early stages and for providing preventive treatments. To this end, we propose a ballistocardiographic method that estimates heart rate by analysing face videos and exploiting cyclic head motions caused by blood pumping through the carotid arteries during heartbeats. The proposed method addresses hand motion artefacts that occur while tracking head motions on a mobile platform. This is achieved by training an auto‐encoder that retrieves a heart rate‐related signal by learning consistent and statistically dominant relationships between facial landmarks. Moreover, unlike conventional methods, where a feature point tracker was used to track the facial landmarks, we propose using region‐based tracking to increase tracking robustness in challenging lighting conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method performs best in challenging light conditions and can robustly manage hand motion artefacts on a mobile platform.
Impact of condition number on total sum rate for NOMA systems
Authors: Vidal‐Beltrán S. , López‐Bonilla J.L. , Martínez‐Piñón F. , Cuenca‐Álvarez R.
Published: September 2020

In the fifth‐generation mobile communications networks, several resource allocation techniques have been used, such as static allocation and dynamic algorithms (greedy or matching theory); this work proposes a new subcarrier allocation scheme based on the evaluation of the instantaneous behaviour of the wireless channel using the condition number of the channel matrix . Simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme increases the total sum rate of the system, compared to their predecessors.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with power distribution index modulation
Authors: Dogukan A.T. , Basar E.
Published: September 2020

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM‐IM) is a promising multicarrier transmission technique that exploits both conventional modulation and the indices of active subcarriers for data transmission. In this Letter, the authors propose OFDM with power distribution index modulation (OFDM‐PIM) where a unique power distribution technique is applied to index modulated subcarriers. Furthermore, we propose OFDM with in‐phase/quadrature PIM (OFDM‐I/Q‐PIM) which performs the same power distribution process on the real and imaginary parts of the data symbols, independently. Average bit error performances of OFDM‐PIM and OFDM‐I/Q‐PIM are obtained and the superiority of the proposed schemes over reference schemes is demonstrated via extensive computer simulations.
Highly Doppler‐tolerant pulsed waveform
Authors: McCargar R.K. , Storm S.D. , Smith G.E. , Garry J.L.
Published: September 2020

This Letter describes a pulsed waveform which exhibits extreme Doppler tolerance, enabling large time‐bandwidth‐product observations of high‐velocity targets with low computational complexity. The waveform, which supports pulsewidth, pulse repetition interval, and frequency agility, utilises hyperbolic frequency‐modulated pulses with modulation parameters constrained to suppress range migration.
Wide locking range frequency tripler based on a dual‐band VCO
Authors: Zhou H.F. , Shum K.M. , Chan C.H.
Published: September 2020

A wide locking range (LR) injection locked frequency tripler (ILFT) based on a dual‐band voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is proposed in this Letter. By rationally designing the transformer parameters, the VCO can easily realise the adjacent dual‐band operating characteristics. The ILFT has dual LRs which can easily overlap each other at a fixed bias. A subharmonic signal is also injected through the transformer for frequency locking. A wide LR of 27.1% from 69 to 90.6 GHz at an injection power of 0 dBm is achieved whereas the tripler only consumes 5.88 mW under a 0.6 V supply voltage.
Compact wideband CMOS lumped‐element Wilkinson power divider with asymmetric negative capacitance circuit
Authors: Doan N.‐T. , Ngo T.‐B. , Yoon S.‐W.
Published: September 2020

The authors developed a wideband on‐chip Wilkinson power divider (WPD) using lumped‐element transmission lines (LE TLs) with 2‐port negative capacitance (NCAP) circuits that provide the phase response with a positive slope and broadband port impedance. The bandwidth of the WPD was increased using the broadband quarter‐wavelength (λ /4) LE TLs with port‐matched NCAP circuits. The WPD was implemented in the Global Foundry 8SF 130‐nm RF CMOS IC technology. The size of the core chip is 1100 µm × 400 µm. The S‐parameter measurements showed an absolute bandwidth ranging between 0.76 and 1.6 GHz, and a fractional bandwidth of 71.2%. In the frequency range of the bandwidth, the insertion loss was 0.4–3.4 dB, with the isolation between the two output ports was >18 dB, and the noise figures were 11–12 dB. The input‐referred 1‐dB gain compression point at the frequency of 1 GHz was ‒6 dBm.
Study about the effects on range imaging for MEOSAR induced by ionospheric irregularity
Authors: Liang Li , Jun Hong , Guikun Liu , Feng Ming
Published: September 2020

Based on the mean arrival time and temporal broadening of pulsed waves propagating through turbulent media, this study investigates the ionospheric effects induced by irregularity on medium‐earth‐orbit synthetic aperture radar (MEOSAR) range imaging quality. Considering radar signal two‐way propagating through ionosphere irregularity, an analysis model for ionospheric effects induced by irregularities on MEOSAR range imaging quality is established based on the system characteristics of MEOSAR and ionospheric irregularity parameters. The mode extends the application of pulsed waves propagating through turbulent media to the field of synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and it can be used to analyse the effects on MEOSAR induced by both background ionosphere and ionospheric irregularity. The degradation of range image quality, including deterioration of resolution and shift in the image, due to the ionospheric irregularities is analysed. It is found that the effects induced by ionospheric irregularities will be very serious when the inner and outer scales of ionospheric irregularities are small or the fluctuation is strong. Furthermore, the degradation of resolution and the shift of image will become more and more serious with the increase of SAR orbit height. The results can help to evaluate ionospheric irregularity effects on range imaging for MEOSAR and provide a foundation for the design of MEOSAR.
Giant planet formation at the pressure maxima of protoplanetary disks
Authors: Guilera Octavio Miguel , Sándor Zsolt , Ronco María Paula , Venturini Julia , Miller Bertolami Marcelo Miguel
Published: September 2020

Context.Recent high-resolution observations of protoplanetary disks have revealed ring-like structures that can be associated to pressure maxima. Pressure maxima are known to be dust collectors and planet migration traps. The great majority of planet formation studies are based either on the pebble accretion model or on the planetesimal accretion model. However, recent studies proposed hybrid accretion of pebbles and planetesimals as a possible formation mechanism for Jupiter.

Aims.We aim to study the full process of planet formation consisting of dust evolution, planetesimal formation, and planet growth at a pressure maximum in a protoplanetary disk.

Methods.We compute, through numerical simulations, the gas and dust evolution in a protoplanetary disk, including dust growth, fragmentation, radial drift, and particle accumulation at a pressure maximum. The pressure maximum appears due to an assumed viscosity transition at the water ice line. We also consider the formation of planetesimals by streaming instability and the formation of a moon-size embryo that grows into a giant planet by the hybrid accretion of pebbles and planetesimals, all within the pressure maximum.

Results.We find that the pressure maximum is an efficient collector of dust drifting inwards. The condition of planetesimal formation by streaming instability is fulfilled due to the large amount of dust accumulated at the pressure bump. Subsequently, a massive core is quickly formed (in ~104yr) by the accretion of pebbles. After the pebble isolation mass is reached, the growth of the core slowly continues by the accretion of planetesimals. The energy released by planetesimal accretion delays the onset of runaway gas accretion, allowing a gas giant to form after ~1 Myr of disk evolution. The pressure maximum also acts as a migration trap.

Conclusions.Pressure maxima generated by a viscosity transition at the water ice line are preferential locations for dust traps, planetesimal formation by streaming instability, and planet migration traps. All these conditions allow the fast formation of a giant planet by the hybrid accretion of pebbles and planetesimals.
The role of small-scale surface motions in the transfer of twist to a solar jet from a remote stable flux rope
Authors: Joshi Reetika , Schmieder Brigitte , Aulanier Guillaume , Bommier Véronique , Chandra Ramesh
Published: September 2020

Context. Jets often have a helical structure containing ejected plasma that is both hot and also cooler and denser than the corona. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain how jets are triggered, primarily attributed to a magnetic reconnection between the emergence of magnetic flux and environment or that of twisted photospheric motions that bring the system into a state of instability.

Aims. Multi-wavelength observations of a twisted jet observed with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) were used to understand how the twist was injected into the jet, thanks to the IRIS spectrographic slit fortuitously crossing the reconnection site at that time.

Methods. We followed the magnetic history of the active region based on the analysis of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager vector magnetic field computed with the UNNOFIT code. The nature and dynamics of the jet reconnection site are characterised by the IRIS spectra.

Results. This region is the result of the collapse of two emerging magnetic fluxes (EMFs) overlaid by arch filament systems that have been well-observed with AIA, IRIS, and the New Vacuum Solar Telescope in Hα. In the magnetic field maps, we found evidence of the pattern of a long sigmoidal flux rope (FR) along the polarity inversion line between the two EMFs, which is the site of the reconnection. Before the jet, an extension of the FR was present and a part of it was detached and formed a small bipole with a bald patch (BP) region, which dynamically became an X-current sheet over the dome of one EMF where the reconnection took place. At the time of the reconnection, the Mg II spectra exhibited a strong extension of the blue wing that is decreasing over a distance of 10 Mm (from −300 km s−1 to a few km s−1). This is the signature of the transfer of the twist to the jet.

Conclusions. A comparison with numerical magnetohydrodynamics simulations confirms the existence of the long FR. We conjecture that there is a transfer of twist to the jet during the extension of the FR to the reconnection site without FR eruption. The reconnection would start in the low atmosphere in the BP reconnection region and extend at an X-point along the current sheet formed above.
ALMA chemical survey of disk-outflow sources in Taurus (ALMA-DOT)
Authors: Podio L. , Garufi A. , Codella C. , Fedele D. , Bianchi E. , Bacciotti F. , Ceccarelli C. , Favre C. , Mercimek S. , Rygl K. , Testi L.
Published: September 2020

The chemical composition of planets is inherited from that of the natal protoplanetary disk at the time of planet formation. Increasing observational evidence suggests that planet formation occurs in less than 1−2 Myr. This motivates the need for spatially resolved spectral observations of young Class I disks, as carried out by the ALMA chemical survey of Disk-Outflow sources in Taurus (ALMA-DOT). In the context of ALMA-DOT, we observe the edge-on disk around the Class I source IRAS 04302+2247 (the butterfly star) in the 1.3 mm continuum and five molecular lines. We report the first tentative detection of methanol (CH3OH) in a Class I disk and resolve, for the first time, the vertical structure of a disk with multiple molecular tracers. The bulk of the emission in the CO 2−1, CS 5−4, and o–H2CO 31, 2 − 21, 1 lines originates from the warm molecular layer, with the line intensity peaking at increasing disk heights, z, for increasing radial distances, r. Molecular emission is vertically stratified, with CO observed at larger disk heights (aperture z/r ∼ 0.41−0.45) compared to both CS and H2CO, which are nearly cospatial (z/r ∼ 0.21−0.28). In the outer midplane, the line emission decreases due to molecular freeze-out onto dust grains (freeze-out layer) by a factor of > 100 (CO) and 15 (CS). The H2CO emission decreases by a factor of only about 2, which is possibly due to H2CO formation on icy grains, followed by a nonthermal release into the gas phase. The inferred [CH3OH]/[H2CO] abundance ratio is 0.5−0.6, which is 1−2 orders of magnitude lower than for Class 0 hot corinos, and a factor ∼2.5 lower than the only other value inferred for a protoplanetary disk (in TW Hya, 1.3−1.7). Additionally, it is at the lower edge but still consistent with the values in comets. This may indicate that some chemical reprocessing occurs in disks before the formation of planets and comets.
On the target surface temperature during dc magnetron sputtering
Authors: Shaginyan Leonid R. , Shaginyan Vasily R. , Kuzmichev Anatoly I. , Mironov Mikhail I.
Published: September 2020

New simple method for target surface temperature (TST) measurements is successfully developed and described in detail. Along with temperature measurements we measured also the emissivity of each of targets by the method specially developed for this aim. The measurements demonstrate that the surface temperature of the targets prepared from Cu, Mo, Nb discs may substantially (up to ∼300 °C) exceed the temperature of the volume of the target. The definition of a “target surface temperature” is given. It is supposed that the thickness of the surface layer that appears on a target subjected to the ion bombardment is equal or close to the penetration depth of ions bombarding the target. The physical model explaining the formation of the surface layer is suggested. The main idea of the model is that the Ar ions bombarding the target may effectively transfer their kinetic energy mostly to the ionic subsystem rather than to the electron subsystem of a target. Due to very low mobility of metal ions within the layer the thermal conductivity of the layer is substantially lower compared to the rest target volume. As a result the temperature of the layer is higher than that of the rest part of the target.
Perception of Inpatient Oncologic Rehabilitation in Children,
Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed with Cancer in
Switzerland
Authors: Otth Maria , Denzler Sibylle , Schmid Sibylle , Setz Birgitta , Scheinemann Katrin
Published: September 2020

Background Inpatient rehabilitation improves physical and psychosocial
performance in childhood cancer patients and their families. Two kinds of
inpatient rehabilitation are available in specialized institutions in Germany:
family-oriented rehabilitation or peer group-oriented rehabilitation for
adolescents and young adults (AYA). Our study aimed to find out what Swiss
childhood and AYA cancer patients and their families thought about the
rehabilitation programs in which they had participated.

Patients and methods We conducted a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional
study of Swiss childhood and AYA cancer patients and their families whose
inpatient rehabilitation stays were scheduled to take place in Germany between
May 2012 and March 2019. We analyzed the data descriptively and present our
findings in accordance with the STROBE statement.

Results Of the 57 eligible families contacted, 38 (67%)
responded. Most rated the rehabilitation stay as very good (68%) or good
(26%). Nearly all participants emphasized that these programs should be
available to all affected patients and their families. Most (80%)
thought the program gave them enough valuable information to enable them to cope
with daily life after the stay ended. Only one fifth (19%) of the
rehabilitation stays were fully funded by the health or disability
insurance.

Conclusion Participants expressed an overwhelmingly positive opinion
about the rehabilitation programs they attended. We are convinced that childhood
and AYA cancer patients and their families in Switzerland benefit from these
programs and encourage insurances to cover the costs.
Association of CEP72 rs924607 TT Genotype with Vincristine-induced
Peripheral Neuropathy Measured by Motor Nerve Conduction Studies
Authors: Kavčič Marko , Zečkanović Aida , Jazbec Janez , Debeljak Marusa
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Vincristine is at the core of many treatment protocols for childhood malignancies.
The major dose-limiting side effect is vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy
(VIPN) which may cause morbidity and disrupt curative treatment. Several studies
have tried to identify pharmacogenetic biomarkers for susceptibility to
vincristine-induced toxicity (Egbelakin A et al., Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;
56: 361–367. Aplenc R et al., Br J Haematol 2003; 122:
240–244. Diouf B et al., JAMA 2015; 313: 815–823. Zgheib NK
et al., Pharmacogenet Genomics, 2018; 28: 189–195. Gutierrez-Camino A
et al., Pharmacogenet Genomics 2016; 26: 100–102. Wright GE et al.,
Clin Pharmacol Ther 2019; 105: 402–410. Kayilioğlu H et
al., J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2017; 39(6): 458–462). A major
limitation of these studies is that VIPN is difficult to measure objectively using
only clinical examination and clinical scales. This is especially true for children,
who are often unable to report or grade symptoms such as paresthesia, numbness, and
pain. Furthermore, some studies are questioning the validity of currently available
neuropathy grading scales (Postma TJ et al., Ann Oncol 1998; 9:
739–744). Our group recently showed that electrophysiological studies can be
used with great accuracy for early detection of VIPN (Kavcic M et al., J Pediatr
Hematol Oncol 2017; 39: 266–271). In the previous study, we found
that VIPN presents with primary axonal involvement and is more pronounced on motor
neurons (Kavcic M et al., J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2017; 39:
266–271).
Ökonomische Aspekte der interdisziplinären Plastischen Chirurgie – Veränderung der diagnosebezogenen Fallgruppen (DRG) durch Eingriffe der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie
Authors: Giunta Riccardo E. , Ehrl Denis , Wachtel Nikolaus , Wiggenhauser Paul S. , Ahmad Nura
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund Die Etablierung der Mikrochirurgie hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten eine enorme Verbesserung der operativen Versorgung von interdisziplinären Fällen ermöglicht. Gleichzeitig steigt hierdurch aber auch der Ressourcenaufwand der mitbehandelnden plastischen Chirurgie. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es daher, den Zusammenhang zwischen Erlössteigerung und Ressourcenaufwand der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie an einem Universitätsklinikum der Maximalversorgung in der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit darzustellen.

Methoden An einem Standort einer plastisch-chirurgischen Abteilung einer Universitätsklinik wurden in den Jahren 2018 und 2019 alle Fälle der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit fallbegleitend verfolgt. Aus dem Gesamtkollektiv wurden die interdisziplinären chirurgischen Fälle identifiziert und prospektiv mit Hinblick auf die stationären Behandlungstage, operativen Ressourcenaufwand und die ökonomische Entwicklung (DRG-Erlöse vor und nach mikrochirurgischer Rekonstruktion) ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse In den Jahren 2018 und 2019 wurden insgesamt 68 freie mikrochirurgische Lappenplastiken in 64 interdisziplinären Fällen durchgeführt. 62 der Fälle erfüllten die Kriterien einer interdisziplinären chirurgischen Behandlung. Bei Betrachtung des Beitrages der Plastischen Chirurgie an der ökonomischen Entwicklung und dem damit verbundenen Resourcenaufwand zeigt sich eine signifikante Zunahme in allen erhobenen Parametern (p < 0,0001). So stieg der Case Mix Index (CMI) um 20,2 %, die stationären Behandlungstage um 79,1 %, die Anzahl der operativen Eingriffe um 62,4 %, die kumulative Schnitt-Naht-Zeit um 131,4 % und die OP-Arztstunden um 75,4 %.

Schlussfolgerung Die rekonstruktive Mikrochirurgie führt bei interdisziplinären chirurgischen Fällen, durch Veränderung der DRG, zu einem signifikanten Anstieg des Erlöses. Allerdings lässt sich auch ein deutlicher Anstieg des Ressourcenverbrauches beobachten. Zudem sind diese zusätzlichen Kosten nicht immer adäquat in der DRG abgebildet. Dies betrifft vor allem DRGs mit hoher initialer Bewertungsrelation, die durch Eingriffe der rekonstruktiven Mikrochirurgie zum Teil nicht aufgewertet wurden. Zur Sicherstellung einer zeitgemäßen, individuellen, patientenorientierten und leitliniengerechten Patientenversorgung besteht daher dringender Bedarf an einer Anpassung des (G-)DRG-Systems an den Mehraufwand. Zudem muss bei interdisziplinären chirurgischen Fällen eine klare interne Leistungsverrechnung, gemäß dem chirurgischen Ressourcenaufwand, erfolgen.