bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear Wave Splitting Evidence for Keel‐Deflected Mantle Flow at the Northern Margin of the Ordos Block and Its Implications for the Ongoing Modification of Craton Lithosphere
Authors: Li Shilin , Guo Zhen , Chen Yongshun John , Yu Yong , Morgan Jason P.
Published: November 2020

We use 123 temporary seismic stations to determine shear wave splitting patterns beneath the northern Ordos block and its surrounding areas. The mapped pattern of anisotropy shows a dramatic arc‐shaped anisotropy contrast beneath the northeastern Ordos block that closely follows the lateral fast/slow‐velocity interface seen in a recent surface tomographic model at ~140 km depth. Both seismic anisotropy and velocity appear to demarcate the current boundary of cratonic lithosphere in the upper mantle at this depth, located >150 km south of the geological surface boundary of cratonic crust. We suggest that the craton's keel in the northeastern corner of Ordos block has already been eroded and replaced by warmer asthenospheric mantle, while the cratonic crust above this “missing” keel has yet to be destroyed by deformation and/or crustal metamorphism, thus creating the keel divot at the northeastern corner of the Ordos block. The fast polarization direction of anisotropy tends to wrap around the northeastern margin of the Ordos block, changing from predominantly NW‐SE beneath the western part of the margin to nearly E‐W beneath the east. We suggest this pattern reflects that plate motion‐related asthenosphere flow is being deflected by the cratonic keel of the Ordos block. Such keel‐deflected asthenospheric flow could enhance the erosion of the craton's keel, leading to the observed lithospheric reworking beneath this region.
Geomagnetic Pulsations Driving Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Authors: Heyns M. J. , Lotz S. I. , Gaunt C. T.
Published: November 2020

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) are driven by the geoelectric field induced by fluctuations of Earth's magnetic field. Drivers of intense GICs are often associated with large impulsive events such as coronal mass ejections. To a lesser extent fluctuations from regular oscillations of the geomagnetic field, or geomagnetic pulsations, have also been identified as possible drivers of GICs. In this work we show that these low‐frequency pulsations are directly observed in measured GIC data from power networks. Due to the low‐pass nature of GICs, Pc5 and lower‐frequency pulsations drive significant GICs for an extended duration even at midlatitudes. Longer‐period Ps6‐type disturbances apparently not typical of midlatitudes are seen with GIC amplitudes comparable to the peak GIC at storm sudden commencement. The quasi‐ac (alternating current) nature of the sustained pulsation driving affects the power system response and cannot be properly modeled using only direct current (dc) models. A further consideration is that the often used dB/dt GIC proxy is biased to the sampling rate of the geomagnetic field measurements used. The dB/dt metric does not adequately characterize GIC activity at frequencies in the low ultralow‐frequency (ULF) range, and a frequency‐weighted proxy akin to geoelectric field should be used instead.
Cancer-associated fibroblast-secreted exosomal miR-423-5p promotes chemotherapy resistance in prostate cancer by targeting GREM2 through the TGF-β signaling pathway
Authors: Shan Guang , Gu Juan , Zhou Daoping , Li Lingxun , Cheng Wei , Wang Yueping , Tang Tian , Wang Xuedong
Published: November 2020

Therapeutic failure in prostate cancer (PC) is believed to result from its unusually invasive and metastatic nature. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential in the tumor microenvironment. We intended to study the role of CAF-derived exosomes in the context of PC and the potential regulatory mechanism associated with miR-423-5p and GREM2. CAF-derived exosomes decreased the chemosensitivity of parental PC cells and enhanced the drug resistance of drug-resistant cells. PC-associated fibroblast-derived exosomes carrying miR-423-5p increased the resistance of PC to taxane by inhibiting GREM2 through the TGF-β pathway. Inhibition of the TGF-β pathway partially reversed the increased drug resistance in PC cells induced by CAF-derived exosomes. Inhibition of miR-423-5p enhanced the drug sensitivity of PC cells in vivo. We showed that CAF-secreted exosomal miR-423-5p promoted chemotherapy resistance in PC by targeting GREM2 through the TGF-β pathway. This study may allow the development of novel approaches for PC.
Adaptive laboratory evolution of native methanol assimilation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Espinosa Monica I. , Gonzalez-Garcia Ricardo A. , Valgepea Kaspar , Plan Manuel R. , Scott Colin , Pretorius Isak S. , Marcellin Esteban , Paulsen Ian T. , Williams Thomas C.
Published: November 2020

Utilising one-carbon substrates such as carbon dioxide, methane, and methanol is vital to address the current climate crisis. Methylotrophic metabolism enables growth and energy generation from methanol, providing an alternative to sugar fermentation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important industrial microorganism for which growth on one-carbon substrates would be relevant. However, its ability to metabolize methanol has been poorly characterised. Here, using adaptive laboratory evolution and 13C-tracer analysis, we discover that S. cerevisiae has a native capacity for methylotrophy. A systems biology approach reveals that global rearrangements in central carbon metabolism fluxes, gene expression changes, and a truncation of the uncharacterized transcriptional regulator Ygr067cp supports improved methylotrophy in laboratory evolved S. cerevisiae. This research paves the way for further biotechnological development and fundamental understanding of methylotrophy in the preeminent eukaryotic model organism and industrial workhorse, S. cerevisiae.
Slow motions in A·T rich DNA sequence
Authors: Ben Imeddourene A. , Zargarian L. , Buckle M. , Hartmann B. , Mauffret O.
Published: November 2020

In free B-DNA, slow (microsecond-to-millisecond) motions that involve equilibrium between Watson–Crick (WC) and Hoogsteen (HG) base-pairing expand the DNA dynamic repertoire that could mediate DNA–protein assemblies. R1ρ relaxation dispersion NMR methods are powerful tools to capture such slow conformational exchanges in solution using 13C/15 N labelled DNA. Here, these approaches were applied to a dodecamer containing a TTAAA element that was assumed to facilitate nucleosome formation. NMR data and inferred exchange parameters assign HG base pairs as the minor, transient conformers specifically observed in three successive A·T base pairs forming the TAA·TTA segment. The abundance of these HG A·T base pairs can be up to 1.2% which is high compared to what has previously been observed. Data analyses support a scenario in which the three adenines undergo non-simultaneous motions despite their spatial proximity, thus optimising the probability of having one HG base pair in the TAA·TTA segment. Finally, revisiting previous NMR data on H2 resonance linewidths on the basis of our results promotes the idea of there being a special propensity of A·T base pairs in TAA·TTA tracts to adopt HG pairing. In summary, this study provides an example of a DNA functional element submitted to slow conformational exchange. More generally, it strengthens the importance of the role of the DNA sequence in modulating its dynamics, over a nano- to milli-second time scale.
Constipation and sleep behaviour disorder associate with processing speed and attention in males with Parkinson’s disease over five years follow-up
Authors: Kong Wee Lee , Huang Yue , Qian Elizabeth , Morris Margaret J.
Published: November 2020

Constipation and REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) are the earliest non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Among non-motor symptoms of PD, it is unclear whether constipation and RBD at early stages of PD are related to cognitive outcomes at later stages. Herein, this study aims to investigate whether the presence of constipation and RBD have an impact on future cognitive outcomes in PD.
Access to Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database of 360 PD patients with longitudinal observation was requested. Constipation, probable RBD (pRBD) and neuropsychological task scores of PD patients were assessed at baseline and after 5 years. Linear mixed-effects modelling, controlling for gender, age, years of education and LEDD was used to evaluate the association between baseline constipation, pRBD and cognitive performance on follow-up. Gender differences in neuropsychological test performances were found, with men having worse global cognition, speed-attention processing, verbal learning and memory than women at early stages of the disease. We found constipation and pRBD are strongly associated with future decline in some cognitive measures among PD patients, more prominently in men. Our data suggest that early assessment of pRBD and constipation may allow better understanding of the progression of cognitive changes in later phases of PD.
Evaluation of cytokine expression and circulating immune cell subsets as potential parameters of acute radiation toxicity in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Stanojković Tatjana P. , Matić Ivana Z. , Petrović Nina , Stanković Vesna , Kopčalić Katarina , Besu Irina , Đorđić Crnogorac Marija , Mališić Emina , Mirjačić-Martinović Katarina , Vuletić Ana , Bukumirić Zoran , Žižak Željko , Veldwijk Marlon , Herskind Carsten , Nikitović Marina
Published: November 2020

One of the challenges of radiation oncology in the era of personalized medicine is identification of biomarkers associated with individual radiosensitivity. The aim of research was to evaluate the possible clinical value of the associations between clinical, physical, and biological factors, and risk for development of acute radiotoxicity in patients with prostate cancer. The study involved forty four patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 were assessed before radiotherapy, after 5th, 15th and 25th radiotherapy fractions, at the end, and 1 month after the end of radiotherapy. Cytokine gene expression was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The univariate analysis of circulating cytokine levels during radiotherapy showed that increased serum concentrations of IL-6 were significantly associated with higher grade of acute genitourinary toxicity. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that increased level of IL-6 during the radiotherapy was significantly associated with higher grade of acute genitourinary toxicity across treatment. TGF-β expression levels significantly decreased during course of radiotherapy. Research indicates that changes in circulating cytokine levels might be important parameter of radiotoxicity in patients with prostate cancer. These findings suggest that future studies based on multi-parameter examination are necessary for prediction of individual radiosensitivity.
3D rainbow phononic crystals for extended vibration attenuation bands
Authors: Meng H. , Bailey N. , Chen Y. , Wang L. , Ciampa F. , Fabro A. , Chronopoulos D. , Elmadih W.
Published: November 2020

We hereby report for the first time on the design, manufacturing and testing of a three-dimensional (3D) nearly-periodic, locally resonant phononic crystal (PnC). Most of the research effort on PnCs and metamaterials has been focused on the enhanced dynamic properties arising from their periodic design. Lately, additive manufacturing techniques have made a number of designs with intrinsically complex geometries feasible to produce. These recent developments have led to innovative solutions for broadband vibration attenuation, with a multitude of potential engineering applications. The recently introduced concept of rainbow metamaterials and PnCs has shown a significant potential for further expanding the spectrum of vibration attenuation in such structures by introducing a gradient profile for the considered unit cells. Given the above, it is expected that designing non-periodic PnCs will attract significant attention from scientists and engineers in the years to come. The proposed nearly-periodic design is based on cuboid blocks connected by curved beams, with internal voids in the blocks being implemented to adjust the local masses and generate a 3D rainbow PnC. Results show that the proposed approach can produce lightweight PnCs of a simple, manufacturable design exhibiting attenuation bandwidths more than two times larger than the equivalent periodic designs of equal mass.
Author Correction: One-year postoperative skeletal stability of 3D planned bimaxillary osteotomies: maxilla-first versus mandible-first surgery
Authors: Liebregts Jeroen , Baan Frank , van Lierop Pieter , de Koning Martien , Bergé Stefaan , Maal Thomas , Xi Tong
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Controlled steric selectivity in molecular doping towards closest-packed supramolecular conductors
Authors: Kohno Shinya , Yamashita Yu , Kasuya Naotaka , Mikie Tsubasa , Osaka Itaru , Takimiya Kazuo , Takeya Jun , Watanabe Shun
Published: November 2020

Recent developments in molecular doping technologies allow extremely high carrier densities in polymeric semiconductors, exhibiting great diversity because of the unique size, conformation, and steric effect of molecular dopants. However, it is controversial how steric effects can limit the doping efficiency and to what extent dopants can be accommodated in polymers. Here, we employ two distinct conjugated polymers with different alkyl side-chain densities, where polymers are doped via anion-change, allowing greater variation in the incorporation of molecular dopants having different electrostatic potentials and shapes. We characterize the doping efficiency with regard to steric effects, considering the unique void space in the conjugated polymers. Our study reveals that doping efficiency of polymers with sparse alkyl side-chains is significantly greater than that with dense side-chains. A closest-packed supramolecule is realized with a particular combination of a sparse polymer and a large dopant, giving rise to high conductivity, air stability, and remarkably high work function. This work provides a critical insight into overcoming steric effects in molecular doping.
Lewis acid catalyzed reactivity switch: pseudo three-component annulation of nitrosoarenes and (epoxy)styrenes
Authors: Purkait Anisha , Saha Subhajit , Ghosh Santanu , Jana Chandan K.
Published: November 2020

Lewis acid catalyzed alteration of annulation pattern allowed formation of arylquinolines via C–H functionalization of nitrosoarenes and C–C cleavage of (epoxy)styrene.
New germanate and mixed cobalt germanate salt inclusion materials: [(Rb6F)(Rb4F)][Ge14O32] and [(Rb6F)(Rb3.1Co0.9F0.96)][Co3.8Ge10.2O30F2]
Authors: Carone Darren , Usman Mohammad , Klepov Vladislav V. , Smith Mark D. , Kocevski Vancho , Besmann Theodore M. , zur Loye Hans-Conrad
Published: November 2020

Single crystal growth of new germanate salt inclusion materials. [(Rb6F)(Rb4F)][Ge14O32] exhibits room temperature luminescence and [(Rb6F)(Rb3.1Co0.9F0.96)][Co3.8Ge10.2O30F2] demonstrates Co/Ge mixing and an unanticipated Rb/Co inclusion.
Bottom-up derived flexible water model with dipole and quadrupole moments for coarse-grained molecular simulations
Authors: Li Chen , Qin Zhongyuan , Han Wei
Published: November 2020

A bottom-up CG water model is developed to capture the electrostatic multipoles, structural correlation and thermodynamics of water.
Theoretical study on CO2 reduction catalyzed by formate dehydrogenase using the cation radical of a bipyridinium salt with an ionic substituent as a co-enzyme
Authors: Miyaji Akimitsu , Amao Yutaka
Published: November 2020

Mechanism for formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii catalyzed CO2 reduction to formate with the cation radical of a 4,4′-bipyridinium salt with an ionic substituent as a co-enzyme was clarified by theoretical studies.
Dynamics of a gas-phase SNAr reaction: non-concerted mechanism despite the Meisenheimer complex being a transition state
Authors: Sharma Nishant , Biswas Rupayan , Lourderaj Upakarasamy
Published: November 2020

Multi-step roaming pathway in the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction involving a Meisenheimer transition state.
A first glance at the micro-ZnO coating of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds: a study of the elemental spatial distribution and Zn speciation analysis
Authors: Freitas Marcella N. , Guerra Marcelo Braga Bueno , Adame Andressa , Moraes Thiago F. , Junior José Lavres , Pérez Carlos A. , Abdala Dalton B. , Cicero Silvio M.
Published: November 2020

Advanced microanalytical tools (micro-XRF and micro-XANES) were used to provide important information regarding potential nutrient bioavailability in ZnO-treated maize seeds, which is relevant to those interested in biofortification studies.
The pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaoptimizes the production of the siderophore pyochelin upon environmental challenges
Authors: Cunrath Olivier , Graulier Gwenaëlle , Carballido-Lopez Ana , Pérard Julien , Forster Anne , Geoffroy Valérie A , Saint Auguste Pamela , Bumann Dirk , Mislin Gaetan L A , Michaud-Soret Isabelle , Schalk Isabelle J , Fechter Pierre
Published: November 2020

Siderophores are iron chelators produced by bacteria to access iron, an essential nutrient. The pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces two siderophores, pyoverdine and pyochelin, the former with a high affinity for iron and the latter with a lower affinity. Furthermore, the production of both siderophores involves a positive auto-regulatory loop: the presence of the ferri-siderophore complex is essential for their large production. Since pyochelin has a lower affinity for iron it was hard to consider the role of pyochelin in drastic competitive environments where the host or the environmental microbiota produce strong iron chelators and may inhibit iron chelation by pyochelin. We showed here that the pyochelin pathway overcomes this difficulty through a more complex regulating mechanism for pyochelin production than previously described. Indeed, in the absence of pyoverdine, and thus higher difficulty to access iron, the bacteria are able to produce pyochelin independently of the presence of ferri-pyochelin. The regulation of the pyochelin pathway appeared to be more complex than expected with a more intricate tuning between repression and activation. Consequently, when the bacteria cannot produce pyoverdine they are able to produce pyochelin even in the presence of strong iron chelators. Such results support a more complex and varied role for this siderophore than previously described, and complexify the battle for iron during P. aeruginosa infection.
Perspective on chymotrypsin detection
Authors: Shi Haixia , Liu Cheng , Cui Jingjie , Cheng Jia , Lin Yuanwei , Gao Li , Luo Rong
Published: November 2020

Chymotrypsin is one of the most extensively known proteases participating in the pathogenesis of various diseases, which can be used in drug discovery and clinical diagnosis.
A controllable synthesis of hollow pumpkin-like CuO/Cu2O composites for ultrasensitive non-enzymatic glucose and hydrogen peroxide biosensors
Authors: Ma Xiaoqing , Tang Kang-lai , Yang Mingyu , Shi Wenbing , Zhao Wenxi
Published: November 2020

Different ratios of hollow pumpkin-like CuO/Cu2O composites are investigated and their remarkable catalytic capability for glucose and H2O2 detection are demonstrated.
Quantification of surface composition and segregation on AuAg bimetallic nanoparticles by MALDI MS
Authors: Liao Suiyang , Luo Zhi , Metternich Jonas Bastian , Zenobi Renato , Stellacci Francesco
Published: November 2020

MALDI-TOF is used to quantify the atomic composition and describe the phase segragation of the surface of AuAg nanoparticles.
Understanding the unique reactivity patterns of nickel/JoSPOphos manifold in the nickel-catalyzed enantioselective C–H cyclization of imidazoles
Authors: Liu Jian-Biao , Wang Xin , Messinis Antonis M. , Liu Xiao-Jun , Kuniyil Rositha , Chen De-Zhan , Ackermann Lutz
Published: November 2020

Several unique reactivity patterns of the Ni/JoSPOphos manifold, including facile hydrogen transfer via the two-step oxidative addition/migratory insertion and C(sp2)–H activation via an unconventional σ-CAM mechanism, were disclosed in this work.
Heteroporous bifluorenylidene-based covalent organic frameworks displaying exceptional dye adsorption behavior and high energy storage
Authors: EL-Mahdy Ahmed F. M. , Zakaria Mohamed Barakat , Wang Hao-Xin , Chen Tao , Yamauchi Yusuke , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: November 2020

Heteroporous bifluorenylidene-based covalent organic frameworks have been developed for exceptional adsorption of rhodamine B from water and for use in supercapacitors.
Investigation of superior sodium storage and reversible Na2S conversion reactions in a porous NiS2@C composite using in operando X-ray diffraction
Authors: Vu Trang Thi , Park Sohyun , Park Jimin , Kim Seokhun , Mathew Vinod , Alfaruqi Muhammad H. , Kim Kwang-Ho , Sun Yang-Kook , Hwang Jang-Yeon , Kim Jaekook
Published: November 2020

Porous-NiS2@C is successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using Ni-based MOFs. In operando XRD analysis provides evidence for reversible Na2S conversion during the sodiation/desodiation process.
Metal–DNA coordination based bioinspired hybrid nanospheres for in situ amplification and sensing of microRNA
Authors: Jia Yijing , Shen Xiaotong , Sun Feifei , Na Na , Ouyang Jin
Published: November 2020

Based on coordination-driven self-assembly techniques, a facile approach for the intracellular delivery of nucleic acid into living cells and in situ intracellular targeted miRNA bioimaging using synthesized nano-wire balls (NWs) is proposed.
Transferred by exosomes-derived MiR-19b-3p targets PTEN to regulate esophageal cancer cell apoptosis, migration and invasion
Authors: Zeng Qingxin , Zhu Ziyi , Song Lijiang , He Zhengfu
Published: November 2020

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between miR-19b-3p and esophageal cancer (ESCA), and to detect the effects of miR-19b-3p transferred by exosomes on the phenotype of EC9706 cells. The expression of miR-19b-3p was detected by starBase analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The target genes of miR-19b-3p were predicted by TargetScan and further verified by luciferase analysis. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PTEN and EMT-related genes were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The effects of miR-19b-3p transferred by exosomes and its target genes on the apoptosis, migration and invasion of EC9706 cells were studied by establishing a co-culture model of donor cells. The expression of miR-19b-3p in ESCA plasma, cells and exosomes was significantly up-regulated. miR-19b-3p transferred by exosomes could significantly reduce EC9706 cells apoptosis rate, promote cell migration and invasion, and could target the inhibition of PTEN expression. PTEN overexpression promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell migration and invasion, down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and vimentin, and up-regulated E-cadherin expression; however, these effects could be partially reversed by miR-19b-3p. In summary, our results reveal that miR-19b-3p transferred by exosomes can target PTEN to regulate ESCA biological functions in the receptor EC9706 cells.
Network pharmacology for the identification of phytochemicals in traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 that may regulate interleukin-6
Authors: Niu Wen-hao , Wu Feng , Cao Wen-yue , Wu Zong-gui , Chao Yu-Chieh , Peng Fei , Liang Chun
Published: November 2020

Objective: ´Three formulas and three medicines,’ namely, Jinhua Qinggan Granule, Lianhua Qingwen Capsule, Xuebijing Injection, Qingfei Paidu Decoction, HuaShi BaiDu Formula, and XuanFei BaiDu Granule, were proven to be effective for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. The present study aimed to identify the active chemical constituents of this traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and investigate their mechanisms through interleukin-6 (IL-6) integrating network pharmacological approaches.

Methods: We collected the compounds from all herbal ingredients of the previously mentioned TCM, but those that could down-regulate IL-6 were screened through the network pharmacology approach. Then, we modeled molecular docking to evaluate the binding affinity between compounds and IL-6. Furthermore, we analyzed the biological processes and pathways of compounds. Finally, we screened out the core genes of compounds through the construction of the protein–protein interaction network and the excavation of gene clusters of compounds.

Results: The network pharmacology research showed that TCM could decrease IL-6 using several compounds, such as quercetin, ursolic acid, luteolin, and rutin. Molecular docking results showed that the molecular binding affinity with IL-6 of all compounds except γ-aminobutyric acid was < −5.0 kJ/mol, indicating the potential of numerous active compounds in TCM to directly interact with IL-6, leading to an anti-inflammation effect. Finally, Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to topologize the biological processes and pathways of compounds, revealing potential mechanisms for COVID-19 treatment.

Conclusion: These results indicated the positive effect of TCM on the prevention and rehabilitation of COVID-19 in at-risk people. Quercetin, ursolic acid, luteolin, and rutin could inhibit COVID-19 by down-regulating IL-6.
The interactome of multifunctional HAX1 protein suggests its role in the regulation of energy metabolism, de-aggregation, cytoskeleton organization and RNA-processing
Authors: Wakula Maciej , Balcerak Anna , Rubel Tymon , Chmielarczyk Mateusz , Konopinski Ryszard , Lyczek Filip , Grzybowska Ewa A.
Published: November 2020

HCLS1-associated protein X-1 (HAX1) is a multifunctional protein involved in many cellular processes, including apoptosis, cell migration and calcium homeostasis, but its mode of action still remains obscure. Multiple HAX1 protein partners have been identified, but they are involved in many distinct pathways, form different complexes and do not constitute a coherent group. By characterizing HAX1 protein interactome using targeted approach, we attempt to explain HAX1 multiple functions and its role in the cell. Presented analyses indicate that HAX1 interacts weakly with a wide spectrum of proteins and its interactome tends to be cell-specific, which conforms to a profile of intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). Moreover, we have identified a mitochondrial subset of HAX1 protein partners and preliminarily characterized its involvement in the cellular response to oxidative stress and aggregation.
Rotated DFT‐s‐OFDM for transmitting PAPR‐minimised BPSK symbols
Authors: Cho L. , Huang W. , Hsu C.‐Y.
Published: November 2020

The third generation partnership project has recommended π /2‐binary phase‐shift keying (BPSK) in discrete‐Fourier‐transform‐spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT‐s‐OFDM) for low peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) uplink transmission. Recently, the rotation angle of 7π /6 for rotated BPSK has been proposed by J. Kim et al. to achieve optimal PAPR performance. However, the authors discovered that this angle might negate the contribution to PAPR reduction in most number of allocated subcarriers owing to the discrete‐Fourier‐transform (DFT) boundary‐matching problem. To solve this issue, they propose a novel scheme to fine‐tune the rotation angle to approximately 7π /6 in a manner compatible with the long‐term evolution/new radio specification, while ensuring that the data phase matches the periodicity. Simulations show that the proposed scheme can stably improve the PAPR by ∼0.2 dB compared to π /2‐BPSK for any DFT spacing, thereby benefiting user equipment by providing better power efficiency and wider signal coverage without additional computational complexity.
Optimal PMU arrangement considering limited channel capacity and transformer tap settings
Authors: Manousakis Nikolaos M. , Korres George N.
Published: November 2020

The transition from the conventional power systems to smart grids has led to the modernisation of the measuring infrastructure used for their monitoring and control. Among the devices used to accomplish these tasks, phasor measurement units (PMUs) play a key role since they can provide extremely accurate synchronised voltage and current phasor measurements. The optimal PMU placement (OPP) problem, which focuses on minimising the number of PMUs for full system observability, has long been a popular research topic. The vast majority of the available OPP techniques have treated each transformer tap setting (voltage turns ratio and phase‐shifting angle) as a fixed network parameter. Such an assumption can lead to misdirecting residuals in adjacent valid measurements when the modelled tap setting is incorrect. The aim of this study is to propose a substation‐oriented OPP method based on a binary semidefinite programming algorithm, considering the observability of the transformer tap settings and the limited PMU channel capacity. The method is illustrated using an 8‐bus test system. Numerical results using different size IEEE systems are presented and discussed. The proposed approach is further applied to the Polish 3120‐bus system to show its efficacy in solving the OPP problem for large‐scale power systems.
Le démantèlement des politiques publiques rurales et environnementales au Brésil
Authors: Sabourin Eric , Grisa Catia , Niederle Paulo , Pereira Leite Sergio , Milhorance Carolina , Damasceno Ferreira Angela , Sauer Sérgio , Andriguetto-Filho José Milton
Published: November 2020

L’article traite des modalités du démantèlement récent des politiques publiques rurales et environnementales avec un recul de quelques années, en mobilisant l’examen de plusieurs volets : le foncier, l’agriculture familiale, le développement territorial rural, l’agroécologie et l’environnement. L’analyse porte sur les trois derniers gouvernements (Rousseff, Temer et Bolsonaro), à partir de l’approche du démantèlement de politiques publiques de Bauer et al. (Bauer MW, Jordan A, Green-Pedersen C, Heritier A. 2013. Dismantling public policy: preferences, strategies and effects. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199656646.001.0001). La méthode associe l’analyse documentaire des textes officiels, les statistiques portant sur les budgets et des entretiens auprès de décideurs et gestionnaires de ces politiques conduits dans le cadre de recherches initiées depuis 2012. Les transformations observées suggèrent l’intégration de différentes stratégies de démantèlement des politiques publiques, surtout depuis 2019. Moins utilisés durant les gouvernements Rousseff et Temer, ces mécanismes sont particulièrement mis en œuvre dans le cadre conservateur et belligérant du gouvernement Bolsonaro, dont la base politique répond positivement à la destruction des dispositifs de régulation de l’État.
The operating behaviour of unbalanced, unpaced merging assembly lines
Authors: McNamara Tom , Shaaban Sabry , Sbihi Abdelkader , Laarraf Zouhair
Published: November 2020

Unbalanced assembly line research has grown in importance because of its increasing applications in emerging economies, reverse logistics and remanufacturing. This paper examines the performance of numerous simulated patterns for reliable unbalanced manual merging assembly lines. The contribution of this study to the literature is that imbalance does not always negatively impact efficiency and that it can improve merging line performance when compared to a corresponding balanced merging line. The best performance was found to be a balanced line configuration and a monotone decreasing order for both parallel merging lines, with the former generally resulting in a lower throughput and the latter resulting in a lower average buffer level than that of a balanced line.
Wahrnehmung der COVID-19-Pandemie unter pneumologischen Fachkräften in Deutschland
Authors: Peine A. , Paffenholz P. , Hellmich M. , Martin L. , Roderburg C. , Heidenreich A. , Marx G. , Trautwein C. , Luedde T. , Loosen S. H.
Published: November 2020

Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt eine immense Herausforderung für globale Gesundheitssysteme dar. Obwohl weitreichende Präventionsmaßnahmen wie die Erhöhung von intensiv-medizinischen Kapazitäten sowie drastische Einschränkungen des öffentlichen Lebens eine Überlastung des deutschen Gesundheitssystems bislang abwenden konnten, impliziert die COVID-19-Pandemie eine außergewöhnlich hohe Belastung für medizinische Fachkräfte. Die aktuelle Studie präsentiert die Ergebnisse einer Evaluation unter 513 pneumologischen Fachkräften in Deutschland im Zeitraum vom 27. März bis zum 11. April 2020. Während die Mehrzahl der Befragten angab, dass Deutschland gut auf die Pandemie vorbereitet ist, so war diese Einschätzung signifikant schlechter unter Teilnehmenden aus dem ambulanten Sektor, verglichen mit Teilnehmern des Krankenhaussektors (p < 0,001). Zudem wurde ein Mangel an medizinischer Schutzausrüstung signifikant häufiger von Befragten des ambulanten Sektors berichtet (p < 0,001). Die Bedeutung telemedizinischer Ansätze während der COVID-19-Pandemie wurde von der Mehrheit pneumologischer Fachkräfte als „hoch“ (35,2 %) bzw. „sehr hoch“ (17,2 %) eingestuft, wobei Teilnehmende aus dem Krankenhaussektor einen höheren Stellenwert sahen (p < 0,001). Schließlich äußerten 45,8 % der Befragten einen negativen Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die persönliche Stimmung, und 58,3 % zeigten sich stark oder sehr stark besorgt um die Gesundheit ihrer Mitmenschen. Diese Einschätzung war unter weiblichen Teilnehmern und Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger(-inne)n signifikant stärker ausgeprägt (p < 0,001). Zusammenfassend analysiert die aktuelle Studie erstmalig die beruflichen und persönlichen Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf pneumologische Fachkräfte in Deutschland. Die Ergebnisse könnten dazu beitragen, erste Ansatzpunkte zu identifizieren, wie medizinische Fachkräfte im Verlauf der aktuellen und zukünftiger Herausforderungen besser unterstützt werden können.
Mammakarzinom
Authors: Kretzschmar Alexander
Published: November 2020

Funktionsstörungen der oberen Extremität finden sich bei zahlreichen Patientinnen mit Brustkrebs – vor allem nach länger dauernder Behandlung sowie bei Brustkrebs-Überlebenden. Nach neueren Untersuchungen kommen offenbar Neuropathien wie eine Parästhesie des N. intercostobrachialis als wichtige Ursachen in Frage.
Einsatz eines ECLS bei Patienten im kardiogenen und septischen Schock: Untersuchung zur Indikation und zum Outcome
Authors: Wechsler Lukas , Heigl Johannes , Machann Holger , Witt Sabine , Schwinger Robert H. G.
Published: November 2020

Einleitung Das Klinikum Weiden ist das größte Klinikum der nördlichen Oberpfalz (Einzugsgebiet 250 000 Einwohnern auf 5300 km2) und Primärversorger für Patienten im Schockgeschehen (WHIN: Weidener Herzinfarktnetz). Es werden 2 Herzkatheterlabore (24/7-Bereitschaft) und 1 Extrakorporales Life-Support System (ECMO Cardiohelp, Maquet) vorgehalten. Das Ziel dieser retrospektiven Studie war es, Indikation und Outcome nach ECLS-Implantation zu analysieren.

Methoden Im Zeitraum vom 01.01.2008 bis zum 31.12.2017 wurde im Klinikum Weiden an 91 Patienten (68 ♂, 23 ♀; 64 ± 13 Jahren) ein ECLS implantiert. 64% des Gesamt-Patientenkollektivs wurden notfallmäßig vorstellig, die restlichen Patienten erhielten eine ECMO supportiv aufgrund einer High-Risk PTCA. 37 Patienten wurden vor Systemimplantation reanimiert, 17 mit einem mechanischen Thoraxkompressionsgerät (LUCAS). Die folgenden Scoring-Systeme wurden verwendet, um die Schwere des Schocks zu bewerten: APACHE II, SOFA und SAPS II.

Ergebnisse Das Überleben (30 d/12 m) nach Systemexplantation betrug bei VA-ECMO 59% bzw. 49% und bei VV-ECMO 70% bzw. 70%. Die Mortalität war abhängig von der Anzahl der applizierten Katecholamine (KA), 45 (49%) Patienten erhielten mehrere KA (1-Jahres-Überleben: ohne KA 89%; 1 KA 55%; 2 KA 31%; 3 KA 30%). Weitere Einflussfaktoren auf die Mortalität waren eine Sepsis und eine Herz-Lungen-Wiederbelebung (CPR) vor Systemimplantation – die Länge der Reanimation, kombiniert externe und interne Reanimation und LUCAS-CPR verschlechterten das Outcome.

Diskussion Bei Patienten im Schockgeschehen, die nach medikamentöser Maximaltherapie weiterhin hämodynamisch und/oder respiratorisch instabil bleiben, kann durch die Implantation eines ECLS das Schockgeschehen durchbrochen werden. Ein primär versorgendes Klinikum kann mit ECMO eine Therapieoption mit vertretbaren Risiken und nachweislichem Nutzen – wenigstens in kleiner Fallzahl belegt – anbieten und Patienten können davon profitieren. So kann es für Landkreise mit größerer Fahrzeit zu einem Klinikum der Maximalversorgung eine in Teilen maximalmedizinische Therapieoption bieten.
Strengthening Plastic Surgery in Europe – ESPRAS Survey at ESPRAS European Leadership Forum (ELF)
Authors: Giunta Riccardo E. , Möllhoff Nicholas , Costa Horacio , Demirdöver Cenk , di Benedetto Giovanni , Elander Anna , Henley Mark , Murray Dylan J. , Schaefer Dirk J. , Spendel Stephan , Vasar Olavi , Zic Rado
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund Das Exekutivkomitee (ExCo) der ESPRAS hat im Oktober 2020 das erste ESPRAS European Leadership Forum (ELF) initiiert, um den internationalen Austausch zwischen den verschiedenen nationalen plastisch-chirurgischen Gesellschaften zu fördern und eine Plattform für die Bewältigung gemeinsamer Herausforderung bereitzustellen. Das vorgelegte Manuskript präsentiert die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen dieses Treffens.

Materialien und Methoden Mitglieder des Vorstands (Präsidenten, Vize-Präsidenten, Generalsekretäre) und Delegierte der nationalen Gesellschaften für Plastische Chirurgie diskutierten aktuelle Themen der Plastischen Chirurgie über das virtuelle Konferenzsystem Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc.). Über Zoom erfolgte zudem eine Umfrage zu verschiedenen international relevanten plastisch-chirurgischen Themen.

Ergebnisse Die Durchführung ästhetischer Eingriffe durch Ärzte ohne Facharztweiterbildung in der Plastischen Chirurgie, sowie das Brustimplantat-assoziierte anaplastische großzellige Lymphom (BIA-ALCL) wurden als die wichtigsten internationalen Herausforderungen der Plastischen Chirurgie erkannt, für deren Bewältigung auf europäischer Ebene ein standardisiertes Vorgehen diskutiert wurde. Weiterhin wurden aktuelle Entwicklungen in der Weiterbildung junger Plastischer Chirurgen eruiert, wobei die Etablierung eines europäischen Fellowship Programms von der Mehrheit der Befragten stark befürwortet wurde. Strategien zur Einführung von europäischen Registern für freie Lappenplastiken, Implantate und für die Brustrekonstruktion wurden erörtert.

Schlussfolgerung Das ESPRAS ELF stärkt den internationalen Austausch und die europäische Einheit in der Plastischen Chirurgie. Ein weiteres virtuelles Webinar mit dem Thema „Strategien zur Stärkung und Verteidigung der Plastischen Chirurgie gegenüber anderen“ wurde für das Frühjahr 2021 terminiert.
Role of High Frequency Oscillations of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Deciphering Pathophysiology of Migraine
Authors: Shankar Abhinandan K. , Javali Mahendra , Mehta Anish , Pradeep R. , Mahale Rohan , Acharya Purushottam , Srinivasa Rangasetty
Published: November 2020

Background Habituation deficit is considered as a neurophysiological abnormality among migraineurs in the interictal period. For clear comprehension and clarity about the mechanism underlying habituation in migraine, a sophisticated method, i.e., high frequency oscillations (HFOs) evoked potentials, have been utilized. However, studies pertaining to this in the Indian context are rare.

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the utility of HFO of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) in deciphering the pathophysiology of migraine.

Materials and Methods Sixty subjects including 30 migraineurs in the interictal period and 30 healthy controls were considered for the study. Median nerve SSEP was recorded in patients and controls by standard protocols. HFO was extracted offline using the Digital zero-phase shift band-pass filtering at 450 and 750 Hz. The early and late HFOs were determined with respect to the N20 peak and were compared between the groups.

Results Of total 30 migraineurs, 18 had hemicranial headache and 12 had holocranial headache. N20 latency, P25 latency, N20 onset to peak amplitude, and N20 onset to P25 amplitude were comparable in migraineurs and controls. The intraburst frequency of early HFOs in migraineurs was significantly higher (p = 0.04), whereas the peak-to-peak amplitude was significantly lower (p = 0.001).

Conclusion Early HFOs on SSEP represent the thalamocortical excitatory drive in migraineurs. Overall, the study reports that reduced amplitude of early HFOs in the interictal period suggest reduced thalamocortical drive in migraineurs.
Comparing Outcomes between Arthroscopic-Assisted Reduction and Fluoroscopic Reduction in AO Type C Distal Radius Fracture Treatment
Authors: Koo Siu Cheong Jeffrey Justin , Leung Kam Yiu Adrian , Chau Wai Wang , Ho Pak Cheong
Published: November 2020

Background Distal radius fracture is one of the most common injuries. Poor functional result with restricted wrist motion can be developed when there is intra-articular fibrous tissue development arising from articular step-off and gapping.

Objectives The aim of this study is to compare the functional and radiological outcome between arthroscopic-assisted reduction and fluoroscopic reduction in treating unstable intra-articular distal radius fracture.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients with intraarticular AO type C distal radius fracture treated with arthroscopic-assisted fracture reduction and internal fixation and compared them with another group of 12 patients in which fracture reduction is assessed by fluoroscopy alone (15 males and 9 females, mean age 57.3, range 27–73). The two cohorts were analyzed for differences in radiological parameters including articular stepping and gapping, palmar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance as well as functional outcome in range of motion, grip strength, modified mayo wrist score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at an average of 12.5 months (range 5–26) after surgery.

Results Arthroscopic-assisted fracture reduction group has statistically better restoration of articular stepping and gapping, volar tilt and ulnar variance. Range of motion, grip strength, modified mayo wrist score and Quick DASH score also had statistically significant improvement in arthroscopic group.

Conclusion Our study showed arthroscopic-assisted technique can precisely restore radiological parameters in highly comminuted distal radius fracture with good functional outcome. Also, associated intra-articular soft tissue injury can be detected and treated simultaneously.

Level of Evidence This is a level III, retrospective cohort study.
Characteristics of extracted ion beam from a cesium-free negative ion source using sheet plasma
Authors: Kaminaga H. , Takimoto T. , Tonegawa A. , Sato K. N.
Published: November 2020

We report the characteristics of extracted beam current in the test plasma produced by direct current for sheet plasma upgrade producing negative ions by volume production without cesium (Cs) seeding. The negative hydrogen ion beam is extracted by a two-grid extraction system, which is located at the periphery of the sheet plasma. Experimental observations show that (i) negative hydrogen ions are successfully extracted from the sheet plasma by single/multi-aperture grids and (ii) the ratio of the extracted electron current IEG(e) and the hydrogen negative ion current IEG(H−), IEG(e)/Ic(H−), decreases from 8.0 to 2.0 with an increase in the height of the electron fence (HEF), which is a filter that prevents electron diffusion from the extraction region.
Integrated performance of large HDC-capsule implosions on the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Hohenberger M. , Casey D. T. , Kritcher A. L. , Pak A. , Zylstra A. B. , Thomas C. A. , Baker K. L. , Le Pape S. , Bachmann B. , Berger R. L. , Biener J. , Clark D. S. , Divol L. , Döppner T. , Geppert-Kleinrath V. , Hinkel D. , Huang H. , Kong C. , Landen O. L. , Milovich J. , Nikroo A. , Rice N. , Robey H. , Schoff M. , Sevier J. , Sequoia K. , Stadermann M. , Strozzi D. , Volegov P. L. , Weber C. , Wild C. , Woodworth B. , Callahan D. A. , Hurricane O. A.
Published: November 2020

We report on eight, indirect-drive, deuterium–tritium-layered, inertial-confinement-fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility to determine the largest capsule that can be driven symmetrically without relying on cross-beam energy transfer or advanced Hohlraum designs. Targets with inner radii of up to 1050 μm exhibited controllable P2 symmetry, while larger capsules suffered from diminished equatorial drive. Reducing the Hohlraum gas-fill-density from 0.45 mg/cm3 to 0.3 mg/cm3 did not result in a favorable shift of P2 amplitude as observed in preceding tuning experiments. Reducing the laser-entrance-hole diameter from 4 mm to 3.64 mm decreased polar radiation losses as expected, resulting in an oblate symmetry. The experiments exhibited the expected performance benefit from increased experimental scale, with yields at a fixed implosion velocity roughly following the predicted 1D dependence. With an inner radius of 1050 μm and a case-to-capsule-ratio of 3.0, experiment N181104 is the lowest implosion-velocity experiment to exceed a total neutron yield of 1016.
Multi-wavelength pyrometry based on robust statistics and cross-validation of emissivity model
Authors: Taunay Pierre-Yves C. R. , Choueiri Edgar Y.
Published: November 2020

A systematic and automated procedure to calculate the temperature of a surface with unknown emissivity from radiance measurements performed at a large number of wavelengths is presented, and statistical methods are applied to quantify its accuracy and precision. Unlike existing multi-wavelength pyrometric approaches, the proposed cross-validated procedure tests multiple emissivity candidates on multiple, randomly chosen subsets of the radiance measurements. The procedure uses solely an emissivity model to provide an accurate temperature value and retrieves the true emissivity from the ratio of the measured radiance to that of a blackbody calculated from the determined temperature. For a given emissivity model, the temperature is computed using the average of all possible combinations of two-wavelength ratios. The emissivity model that minimizes the coefficient of dispersion is selected. Accuracy and precision are quantified for the case of known emissivity. It is shown that, at least in the case where wavelengths are linearly distributed, the method is accurate, the precision increases with the total number of wavelengths, and it is maximized if the ratio of the minimum to maximum wavelength is equal to 2.46. The procedure is applied to both numerical and experimental data from the literature. Excellent agreement of the calculated temperature and emissivity is obtained for both datasets.
Full-composition-graded InxGa1−xN films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Zheng X. T. , Wang T. , Wang P. , Sun X. X. , Wang D. , Chen Z. Y. , Quach P. , Wang Y. X. , Yang X. L. , Xu F. J. , Qin Z. X. , Yu T. J. , Ge W. K. , Shen B. , Wang X. Q.
Published: November 2020

We demonstrate the growth of full-composition-graded InxGa1−xN (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) on a GaN/sapphire template using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Composition of indium in InxGa1−xN films is controlled by growth temperature and gallium flux. It was found that In composition increases gradually from x = 0 (GaN) to x = 1 (InN) along the growth direction accompanied by a gradual strain relaxation. At the initial stage of growth, multiple quantum wells like structures with low and high In composition InxGa1−xN layers are spontaneously formed, effectively relaxing the in-plane strain. Finally, the graded InxGa1−xN film exhibits a broadband absorption covering the full solar spectrum, which provides a promising path for the design and production of graded InxGa1−xN based photovoltaic devices.