bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cerebellum of Patients with Steatohepatitis Shows Lymphocyte Infiltration, Microglial Activation and Loss of Purkinje and Granular Neurons
Authors: Balzano Tiziano , Forteza Jerónimo , Molina Pilar , Giner Juan , Monzó Ana , Sancho-Jiménez Jennifer , Urios Amparo , Montoliu Carmina , Felipo Vicente
Published: February 2018

Peripheral inflammation contributes to minimal hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver diseases, which could be mediated by neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation in cerebellum of patients with chronic liver diseases has not been studied in detail. Our aim was to analyze in cerebellum of patients with different grades of liver disease, from mild steatohepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: (a) neuronal density in Purkinje and granular layers; (b) microglial activation; (c) astrocyte activation; (d) peripheral lymphocytes infiltration; (e) subtypes of lymphocytes infiltrated. Steatohepatitis was classified as SH1, SH2 and SH3. Patients with SH1 show Th17 and Tfh lymphocytes infiltration in the meninges, microglia activation in the molecular layer and loss of 16 ± 4% of Purkinje and 19 ± 2% of granular neurons. White matter remains unaffected. With the progression of liver disease to worse stages (SH2, SH3, cirrhosis) activation of microglia and astrocytes extends to white matter, Bergman glia is damaged in the molecular layer and there is a further loss of Purkinje neurons. The results reported show that neuroinflammation in cerebellum occurs at early stages of liver disease, even before reaching cirrhosis. Neuroinflammation occurs earlier in the molecular layer than in white matter, and is associated with infiltration of peripheral Th17 and Tfh lymphocytes.
Electrophysiological evidence of memory-based detection of auditory regularity violations in anesthetized mice
Authors: Kurkela Jari L. O. , Lipponen Arto , Kyläheiko Iiris , Astikainen Piia
Published: February 2018

In humans, automatic change detection is reflected by an electrical brain response called mismatch negativity (MMN). Mismatch response is also elicited in mice, but it is unclear to what extent it is functionally similar to human MMN. We investigated this possible similarity by recording local field potentials from the auditory cortex of anesthetized mice. First, we tested whether the response to stimulus changes reflected the detection of regularity violations or adaptation to standard stimuli. Responses obtained from an oddball condition, where occasional changes in frequency were presented amongst of a standard sound, were compared to responses obtained from a control condition, where no regularities existed. To test whether the differential response to the deviant sounds in the oddball condition is dependent on sensory memory, responses from the oddball condition using 375 ms and 600 ms inter-stimulus intervals (ISI) were compared. We found a differential response to deviant sounds which was larger with the shorter than the longer ISI. Furthermore, the oddball deviant sound elicited larger response than the same sound in the control condition. These results demonstrate that the mismatch response in mice reflects detection of regularity violations and sensory memory function, as the human MMN.
Controllable synthesis of MnO2 nanostructures anchored on graphite foam with different morphologies for a high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor
Authors: Lv Xingbin , Zhang Hualian , Wang Feifei , Hu Zhufeng , Zhang Yuxin , Zhang Lili , Xie Rui , Ji Junyi
Published: February 2018

MnO2 nanostructures with different morphologies (nanowires, nanowire bundles, flower-like nanosheet bundles) were synthesized via a simple and surfactant-free hydrothermal method.
Excitation spectra of retinal by multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory
Authors: Dong Sijia S. , Gagliardi Laura , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: February 2018

Multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory predicts the absorption spectrum of retinal, a molecule for vision, faster and more accurately than CASPT2.
Effect of surface oxygen vacancy sites on ethanol synthesis from acetic acid hydrogenation on a defective In2O3(110) surface
Authors: Lyu Huisheng , Liu Jiatao , Chen Yifei , Li Guiming , Jiang Haoxi , Zhang Minhua
Published: February 2018

A reaction cycle between the perfect and defective states of the In2O3(110) surface catalyzes the acetic acid hydrogenation to ethanol.
Real-time multiplexed PCR using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in a thermoplastic chip
Authors: Restaino S. M. , White I. M.
Published: February 2018

This work demonstrates optically multiplexed real-time PCR using a thermoplastic surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy microsystem.
Pyrolytic preparation of gold nanoparticle-coated taro carbon and its application for the selective detection of dopamine
Authors: Ahammad A. J. Saleh , Hasan Md. Mahedi , Islam Tamanna , Al-Shehri Mohammod Oudah , Anju Anjuman Nesa , Alam Md. Kawsar , Kim Jong-Pil , Qasem Mohammed Ameen Ahmed , Aziz Md. Abdul
Published: February 2018

Gold nanoparticle-coated taro carbon was prepared and characterized for dopamine sensing.
A Ce2+ sensor based on napthalen-1-yl-methylene-benzenesulfonohydrazide (NMBSH) molecules: ecological sample analysis
Authors: Asiri Abdullah M. , Hussain Mohammad Musarraf , Arshad Muhammad Nadeem , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: February 2018

A sensitive and selective Ce2+ sensor was developed based on napthalen-1-yl-methylene-benzenesulfonohydrazide (NMBSH) derivatives via an electrochemical approach.
A dual-cycling biosensor for target DNA detection based on the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction and exonuclease III assisted amplification
Authors: Ling Yu , Zhang Xiao Fang , Chen Xiao Hui , Liu Li , Wang Xiao Hu , Wang De Shou , Li Nian Bing , Luo Hong Qun
Published: February 2018

Based on the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction and exonuclease III assisted amplification, a sensitive and simple target DNA biosensor was established.
O-Difluorodeuteromethylation of phenols using difluorocarbene precursors and deuterium oxide
Authors: Geng Yang , Zhu Mingxiang , Liang Apeng , Niu Chengshan , Li Jingya , Zou Dapeng , Wu Yusheng , Wu Yangjie
Published: February 2018

A convenient synthesis of difluorodeuteromethyl aryl ethers using difluorocarbene precursors and deuterium oxide is described.
Exploring the ESIPT dynamical processes of two novel chromophores: symmetrical structure CHC and asymmetric structure CHN
Authors: Hao Jiaojiao , Yang Yang
Published: February 2018

The detailed ESIPT dynamical processes of CHC (symmetrical structure) and CHN (asymmetric structure) chromophores were revealed and compared using the TDDFT method at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level.
Structure and characterisation of hydroxyethylcellulose–silica nanoparticles
Authors: Mansfield Edward D. H. , Pandya Yash , Mun Ellina A. , Rogers Sarah E. , Abutbul-Ionita Inbal , Danino Dganit , Williams Adrian C. , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy V.
Published: February 2018

Polymer-coated thiolated silica nanoparticles were synthesised by self-condensation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of hydroxyethylcellulose.
Controlling the orientation of nucleobases by dipole moment interaction with graphene/h-BN interfaces
Authors: Vovusha Hakkim , Amorim Rodrigo G. , Scheicher Ralph H. , Sanyal Biplab
Published: February 2018

The interfaces in 2D hybrids of graphene and h-BN provide interesting possibilities of adsorbing and manipulating atomic and molecular entities.
Metabolite identification of ursolic acid in mouse plasma and urine after oral administration by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Hu Xueyan , Shen Yunbing , Yang Shengnan , Lei Wei , Luo Cheng , Hou Yuanyuan , Bai Gang
Published: February 2018

First report on metabolism study of ursolic acid (UA) in vivo of mice.
Benchmarking lithium amideversusamine bonding by charge density and energy decomposition analysis arguments
Authors: Engelhardt Felix , Maaß Christian , Andrada Diego M. , Herbst-Irmer Regine , Stalke Dietmar
Published: February 2018

We investigated [{(Me2NCH2)2(C4H2N)}Li]2(1) by means of experimental charge density calculations based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and DFT calculations using energy decomposition analysis (EDA).
Oxygen redox in hexagonal layered NaxTMO3 (TM = 4d elements) for high capacity Na ion batteries
Authors: Assadi M. H. N. , Okubo Masashi , Yamada Atsuo , Tateyama Yoshitaka
Published: February 2018

O undercoordination in R3̄ Na1TMO3 elevates O p states enabling O redox, while 2p–4d hybridization near EFermi prevents O2 evolution.
High-performance stretchable supercapacitors based on intrinsically stretchable acrylate rubber/MWCNTs@conductive polymer composite electrodes
Authors: Wang Xi , Yang Chongyang , Jin Jie , Li Xingwei , Cheng Qilin , Wang Gengchao
Published: February 2018

The organic asymmetric stretchable SC based on acrylate rubber/MWCNTs@conductive polymers (PDAA and PANI) composite film electrodes exhibits outstanding energy density and good cycling stability under static and 50% strain.
Face-on vs. edge-on: tuning the structure of tetrathiafulvalene monolayers with solvent
Authors: Fu C. , Orgiu E. , Perepichka D. F.
Published: February 2018

Molecular orientation and supramolecular structure of tetrathiafulvalene derivative on graphite can be controlled by the change of deposition solvent, as revealed by scanning probe microscopy study.
Membrane bound COMT isoform is an interfacial enzyme: general mechanism and new drug design paradigm
Authors: Magarkar Aniket , Parkkila Petteri , Viitala Tapani , Lajunen Tatu , Mobarak Edouard , Licari Giuseppe , Cramariuc Oana , Vauthey Eric , Róg Tomasz , Bunker Alex
Published: February 2018

We have determined the substrate differentiation mechanism between the membrane bound and water soluble isoforms of important drug target catechol-O-methyltransferase.
Tautomerism and electronic spectroscopy of protonated 1- and 2-aminonaphthalene
Authors: Noble Jennifer A. , Broquier Michel , Grégoire Gilles , Soorkia Satchin , Pino Gustavo , Marceca Ernesto , Dedonder-Lardeux Claude , Jouvet Christophe
Published: February 2018

Protonation sites can be controlled by the electrospray source as written in the figure.
An aminopyridinato Mn(ii) compound as a novel CVD precursor for manganese-containing films
Authors: Du Liyong , Yu Shaoshan , Liu Xinfang , Ding Yuqiang
Published: February 2018

An aminopyridinato Mn(ii) compound as a novel CVD precursor for manganese-containing films.
ortho-Chlorination of phenoxy 1,2-dioxetane yields superior chemiluminescent probes forin vitroandin vivoimaging
Authors: Eilon-Shaffer Tal , Roth-Konforti Michal , Eldar-Boock Anat , Satchi-Fainaro Ronit , Shabat Doron
Published: February 2018

A significant pKaeffect of phenoxy-dioxetane luminophores was observed on their chemiexcitation and on their ability to serve as chemiluminescent turn-ON probes for biological applications.
Novel nanocapsules with Co–TiC twin cores and regulable graphitic shells for superior electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Zhou Yuanliang , Muhammad Javid , Zhang Xuefeng , Wang Dongxing , Duan Yuping , Dong Xinglong , Zhang Zhidong
Published: February 2018

Fabrication of Co–TiC@C nanocapsules via an arc discharge plasma method. Its optimum EM wave absorption was −66.59 dB at 8.76 GHz.
New experimental melting properties as access for predicting amino-acid solubility
Authors: Chua Yeong Zen , Do Hoang Tam , Schick Christoph , Zaitsau Dzmitry , Held Christoph
Published: February 2018

New experimental melting properties combined with PC-SAFT allow quantitative solubility predictions of amino acids in water.
A computational study for rational HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor selection and the discovery of novel allosteric pockets for inhibitor design
Authors: Chiang Ron Zhi-Hui , Gan Samuel Ken-En , Su Chinh Tran-To
Published: February 2018

HIV drug resistant mutations that render the current Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) cocktail drugs ineffective are increasingly reported. To study the mechanisms of these mutations in conferring drug resistance, we computationally analyzed 14 reverse transcriptase (RT) structures of HIV-1 on the following parameters: drug-binding pocket volume, allosteric effects caused by the mutations, and structural thermal stability. We constructed structural correlation-based networks of the mutant RT–drug complexes and the analyses support the use of efavirenz (EFZ) as the first-line drug, given that cross-resistance is least likely to develop from EFZ-resistant mutations. On the other hand, rilpivirine (RPV)-resistant mutations showed the highest cross-resistance to the other non-nucleoside RT inhibitors. With significant drug cross-resistance associated with the known allosteric drug-binding site, there is a need to identify new allosteric druggable sites in the structure of RT. Through computational analyses, we found such a novel druggable pocket on the HIV-1 RT structure that is comparable with the original allosteric drug site, opening the possibility to the design of new inhibitors.
Maternal resveratrol consumption and its programming effects on metabolic health in offspring mechanisms and potential implications
Authors: Zheng Sheng , Feng Qianyun , Cheng Jing , Zheng Jia
Published: February 2018

A growing body of evidence has clearly demonstrated that maternal nutrition can strongly determine the susceptibility to the development of metabolic diseases in offspring. With the increasing prevalence of maternal overweight, obesity, and gestational diabetes mellitus, it yields enormous burden for individual and public health. Interventions during pregnancy have been proven to be challenging, with limited efficacy and low compliance. Resveratrol, as a natural polyphenolic compound, has a wide-range of beneficial properties, including potent antiobesogenic, antiatherosclerotic, and antidiabetic effects. However, the role of maternal resveratrol intake on metabolic health in offspring has not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the effects of maternal resveratrol supplementation on metabolic health in offspring and its potential mechanisms.
The response of nucleus pulposus cell senescence to static and dynamic compressions in a disc organ culture
Authors: Shi Jianmin , Pang Lianglong , Jiao Shouguo
Published: February 2018

Mechanical stimuli obviously affect disc nucleus pulposus (NP) biology. Previous studies have indicated that static compression exhibits detrimental effects on disc biology compared with dynamic compression. To study disc NP cell senescence under static compression and dynamic compression in a disc organ culture, porcine discs were cultured and subjected to compression (static compression: 0.4 MPa for 4 h once per day; dynamic compression: 0.4 MPa at a frequency of 1.0 Hz for 4 h once per day) for 7 days using a self-developed mechanically active bioreactor. The non-compressed discs were used as controls. Compared with the dynamic compression, static compression significantly promoted disc NP cell senescence, reflected by the increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHF) formation and senescence markers expression, and the decreased telomerase (TE) activity and NP matrix biosynthesis. Static compression accelerates disc NP cell senescence compared with the dynamic compression in a disc organ culture. The present study provides that acceleration of NP cell senescence may be involved in previously reported static compression-mediated disc NP degenerative changes.
Paramagnetic NMR as a new tool in structural biology
Authors: Ravera Enrico , Carlon Azzurra , Fragai Marco , Parigi Giacomo , Luchinat Claudio
Published: February 2018

NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) investigation through the exploitation of paramagnetic effects is passing from an approach limited to few specialists in the field to a generally applicable method that must be considered, especially for the characterization of systems hardly affordable with other techniques. This is mostly due to the fact that paramagnetic data are long range in nature, thus providing information for the structural and dynamic characterization of complex biomolecular architectures in their native environment. On the other hand, this information usually needs to be complemented by data from other sources. Integration of paramagnetic NMR with other techniques, and the development of protocols for a joint analysis of all available data, is fundamental for achieving a comprehensive characterization of complex biological systems. We describe here a few examples of the new possibilities offered by paramagnetic data used in integrated structural approaches.
Three‐dimensional sensor network connectivity considering border effects and channel randomness with application to underwater networks
Authors: Mridula K.M. , Ameer P.M.
Published: February 2018

Connectivity is an important measure that determines the quality of service of a network. The sensor networks that find applications in underwater, terrain and space communication requires the nodes to be three‐dimensional (3D), and hence, 3D connectivity is a challenging issue to be addressed. Also, the networks are prone to fading and shadowing effects due to the barriers in the communication path. Hence, the analysis of deterministic connectivity is not valid as the range of connectivity is a randomly varying parameter in the presence of fading and shadowing. In this study, the authors provide an analysis of 3D connectivity under channel randomness considering the border effects, with application to the underwater networks, where the existence of network border is significant due to the presence of natural boundaries at bottom and surface of the ocean. The connectivity analysis in the presence of log‐normal shadowing is performed, and closed‐form expressions are derived. Also, the 3D connectivity under the combined effects of Rayleigh fading and log‐normal shadowing is analysed, which can be approximated to the well‐known K‐distribution used to characterise underwater sensor networks. The analysis of the proposed work matches almost exactly with the simulation, and thus, the results are validated.
Design and analysis of LDPC codes for joint source‐channel decoding of two correlated sensors
Authors: Khas Mohamad , Saeedi Hamid , Asvadi Reza
Published: February 2018

This study is concerned with the design of ensembles of systematic low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes to increase the lifetime of wireless sensors by taking advantage of the inherent correlation between the transmitted data of the sensors. The authors consider two correlated sensors where the data is encoded independently at each sensor through a systematic LDPC encoder and sent over two independent channels. At the receiver, a joint source‐channel decoder consisting of two component LDPC decoders is considered where the encoded bits at the output of each component decoder are used as the a priori information at the other decoder. The authors first perform asymptotic performance analysis using the concept of extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts. Then, the developed modified EXIT charts are used to design ensembles for different values of correlation. Our results show that as the average check node degree of the designed ensembles grow, the decoding thresholds corresponding to the designed ensembles approach the theoretical limit. Finite block‐length performance evaluation indicates that for larger values of correlation, deploying the designed ensembles through the joint decoder can almost double the sensor's lifetime without increasing the complexity of the encoder.
LDPC codes over Gaussian multiple access wiretap channel
Authors: Shahbaz Sahar , Akhbari Bahareh , Asvadi Reza
Published: February 2018

The authors study the problem of two‐user Gaussian multiple access channel (GMAC) in the presence of an external eavesdropper, where all transmitted messages should be kept confidential against the eavesdropper. For this purpose, they propose a secure coding scheme on this channel which utilises low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes by employing random bit insertion and puncturing techniques. At each encoder, the confidential message with some random bits as a random message are systematically encoded, and then the associated bits to the confidential message are punctured. Next, the encoders send their unpunctured bits over a Gaussian multiple access wiretap channel (GMAC‐WT). The puncturing distribution applied to the LDPC code is considered in random and optimised cases. They utilise a modified extrinsic information transfer chart analysis to optimise the puncturing distributions. The security gap is used as a measure of secrecy. They compared the achieved secure rate pair with an achievable secrecy rate region of GMAC‐WT to show the effective performance of the proposed scheme. In this study, equal and unequal power conditions at the transmitters are investigated. For both cases, they attain a fairly small security gap which is equivalent to achieve the points near the secrecy rate region of GMAC‐WT.
Optimal guaranteed cost control of uncertain non‐linear systems using adaptive dynamic programming with concurrent learning
Authors: Huang Yuzhu
Published: February 2018

In this study, the authors study the optimal guaranteed cost control problem for a class of non‐linear uncertain systems based on adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) with concurrent learning. A neural network‐based approximate optimal guaranteed cost control design is developed not only to ensure the system stability for all admissible uncertainties but also to achieve a minimal guaranteed cost. First, the optimal guaranteed cost control problem is transformed into an optimal control problem of the nominal system by properly modifying the cost function to account for all possible uncertainties. Then based on ADP, an adaptive optimal learning algorithm is proposed for the nominal system by using a single critic network with concurrent learning to approximate the solution of Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. To relax the demands of the persistence of excitation condition, the recorded past data are used simultaneously with the current data for the adaptation of the critic network weights. Besides, an additional adjusting term is employed to stabilise the system and relax the requirement for an initial stabilising control. Moreover, uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed by using the Lyapunov approach. Finally, three simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Comparative study of congestion notification techniques for hop‐by‐hop‐based flow control in data centre Ethernet
Authors: Khurshid Waqar , Laiha Mat Kiah Miss , Khan Imran Ali , Salleh Rosli , Chronopoulos Anthony Theodore , Madani Sajjad Ahmed
Published: February 2018

Data centre Ethernet (DCE) is a budding research area that has received considerable attention from the ICT sector. The traditional DCEs are considered unreliable despite being widely used in modern day data centres. In Ethernet intermediate layer 2 switching devices, the outgoing traffic is faster than the incoming traffic and therefore results in packet drops. Ethernet reliability is provided by the upper layer protocols, which is outlaw to the initial concept of the network. As such, various congestion notification (CN) techniques for hop‐by‐hop‐based flow control have been proposed for layer 2 devices to address the issue of silent packet drops. However, a simulation‐based evaluation of IEEE standards that solely focus on CN techniques remains lacking. This study investigates CN techniques for layer 2 devices that employ a hop‐by‐hop‐based flow control. It also highlights the challenges confronting CN techniques in determining the optimal buffer threshold. In addition, FCoE protocol and its relation to CN are emphasized. A simulation‐based evaluation of IEEE standards (IEEE 802.3x and IEEE 802.1Qbb) is performed on a hop‐by‐hop‐based flow control with the traditional IEEE 802.3 Ethernet under different traffic loads. The parameters, such as throughput, end‐to‐end delay, and buffer space utilization, are evaluated through a simulation‐based comparison.
Sensorless parameter estimation and current‐sharing strategy in two‐phase and multiphase IPOP DAB DC–DC converters
Authors: Wang Yubin , Wang Fan , Lin Yifei , Hao Tianqu
Published: February 2018

A sensorless current‐sharing strategy for two‐phase and multiphase input‐parallel output‐parallel (IPOP) DC–DC converters is proposed here. A dual‐active‐bridge (DAB) DC–DC converter is chosen as the basic DC–DC converter. With this strategy in two‐phase IPOP DAB DC–DC converters, the parameter mismatches between phases are estimated by perturbing the duty cycle in one phase and measuring the changes of duty cycles in both phases, then the duty cycles are adjusted to compensate the mismatches, thus achieving current sharing without current sensor. With this strategy in multiphase IPOP DAB DC–DC converters, by perturbing the duty cycles in (N − 1) out of N phases in turn and measuring the changes of duty cycles, respectively, the parameter mismatches among phases are estimated. According to the mismatches, a set of variables, which are proportional to the per‐phase output currents, are calculated. Then with a current‐sharing regulator, parameter mismatches are compensated, thus achieving current sharing without current sensor. The validity and feasibility of the proposed sensorless current‐sharing strategy are verified through both simulation and prototype experimental results.
Development design and demonstration of very high‐speed multi‐antenna digital receiver
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Vertatschitsch Laura , Sahr John D.
Published: February 2018

The authors present initial results from the fourth‐generation receiver for the Manastash Ridge radar, which is a distributed passive radar system used for ionospheric physics and engineering studies. This receiver permits simultaneous access to the high‐frequency (HF), very HF (VHF), and ultra HF (UHF) spectrum by sampling at speeds up to 5 billion samples/s on multiple antennas. This system has large aggregate bandwidth; it can simultaneously collect the entire VHF FM broadcast band as well as several UHF DTV broadcasts. The receiver adopts direct sampling architecture; therefore, high dynamic range is achieved with decimation for narrowband signals. Most of the analogue signal path is eliminated, yielding excellent linearity, and high‐speed digital signal processing in the field programmable gate array (FPGA) yields low‐latency real‐time operation. The authors also discuss algorithms to make effective use of the FPGA. For example, the sampler runs 16 times faster than the FPGA, so initial FPGA processing requires parallel algorithms. In the authors design, the downconverter passband centre frequencies and spectral widths are selectable at run time, and can be changed in a few milliseconds. The authors FPGA computes in fixed point math, which presents both opportunities and challenges in managing precision during the signal processing for networking and for subsequent signal processing.
Knee Pain and the Use of Various Types of Footwear—A Review
Authors: Chughtai Morad , Newman Jared , Akil Samuel , Khlopas Anton , Sultan Assem , Sodhi Nipun , Bhave Anil , Harwin Steven , Mont Michael
Published: February 2018

Knee pain is a highly prevalent condition in the United States with multiple etiologies, with two of the most common sources being osteoarthritis (OA) and patellofemoral pain (PFP). These conditions can lead to reduced physical function and a poor quality of life. Various modalities have been used to decrease the amount of knee pain that individuals' experience; however, they are not always successful and can be expensive. Several studies have reported on specialized footwear for symptomatic alleviation of conditions that affect the knee, this is because it has been theorized that certain footwear can alter the forces placed by muscles on lower-extremity joints, and can potentially alleviate pain by reducing the load placed on the joint. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the current literature on the use of various types of footwear used in patients who suffer from knee pain. Specifically, we evaluated: (1) knee OA and (2) PFP and the effect that different footwear has on patients' symptoms. Multiple different types of footwear and orthosis were utilized to treat patients with chronic knee pain. However, the results from reported outcomes by different studies are conflicting, which warrant further studies. Nevertheless, there are enough positive results to view this as a potential major modality to utilize for the treatment of knee OA.
Stage I Twin–Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Outcomes of Expectant Management and Prognostic Features
Authors: Washburn Erin , Sparks Teresa , Gosnell Kristen , Rand Larry , Gonzalez Juan , Feldstein Vickie
Published: February 2018

Objective This article describes the natural history of stage I twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) including risk of progression to higher stage TTTS and pregnancy outcomes, and to identify risk factors for progression.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies from 2006 to 2016 with expectantly managed Quintero stage I TTTS.

Results A total of 30 MCDA twin pregnancies with expectantly managed stage I TTTS were identified. Of these, eight (26.7%) progressed to higher stage TTTS. Median gestational age (GA) at diagnosis for those that progressed was 18.9 ± 2.9 weeks versus 21.4 ± 3.4 weeks in those that remained stable (p = 0.06). Presence of an arterioarterial (A-A) anastomosis was assessed for 20/30 patients, and eight A-A were identified. Of those, 7/8 (87.5%) remained stable. In the complete cohort, a tiny or transiently visible bladder was noted in seven donor twins. Of these, 4/7 (57.1%) progressed. Excluding one termination, 47/58 (81.0%) fetuses survived.

Conclusion With expectant management of stage I TTTS, nearly three-fourths of pregnancies remain stable and most have survival of ≥ 1 twin. A-A anastomoses were not associated with progression to higher stage TTTS, whereas earlier GA at diagnosis or a small or intermittently visible donor bladder may herald greater risk of progression.
Insulin-Leptin Axis, Cardiometabolic Risk and Oxidative Stress in Elderly with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Gradinaru Daniela , Khaddour Husseina , Margina Denisa , Ungurianu Anca , Borsa Claudia , Ionescu Cristina , Prada Gabriel-Ioan , Usher Joshua , Elshimali Yahya
Published: February 2018

Insulin and leptin have an overlapping anorexigenic action as well as opposite effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The study focuses on the biochemical and clinical relevance of new indices of insulin-leptin axis utilized in the study of the relationships between leptinemia, insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress, in elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome. We conducted clinical studies on elderly people with metabolic syndrome versus control subjects by creating new insulin-adipogenic indices, namely Insulin-to-Leptin Ratio (ILR) and Insulin-Adipogenic Resistance index (IAR-index). Inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers evaluated were the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), the advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and the serum antioxidant capacity measured as ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The metabolic syndrome group showed significantly (p<0.01) lower levels of ILR and not significant (p=0.09) higher values of IAR-index, as compared to the control group. In metabolic syndrome subjects, the IAR-index was significantly positively correlated with uric acid (r=0.313, p<0.05), FRAP (r=0.347, p<0.05) and AOPP (r=0.677, p<0.01), and negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=− 0.340, p<0.05) as well as with the ratio FRAP/uric acid (r=− 0.315, p<0.05). ILR and IAR-index reflected the biological state of adipose and pancreatic β-cells and seem to depict the adipo-insular axis status related to metabolic and oxidative stress better than individual markers. Therefore, ILR and IAR-index could represent integrated high-potential biomarkers for disease and patient stratification.
Fertilitätserhalt bei präpubertären und pubertären Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Sänger Nicole , Jarisch Andrea , Ochsendorf Falk , Klingebiel Thomas , Liebenthron Jana , Kliesch Sabine , von Wolff Michael
Published: February 2018

Hintergrund Fertilitätsprotektive Massnahmen vor gonadotoxischen Therapien spielen aufgrund steigender Überlebensraten bei Krebs- und Autoimmunerkrankungen im reproduktiven Alter eine zunehmende Rolle. Obwohl die Fertilität von Kindern und Jugendlichen durch gonadotoxische Therapien relevant eingeschränkt sein kann, wird die Möglichkeit fertilitätsprotektiver Massnahmen bisher zu wenig berücksichtigt.

Methoden Selektive Literaturrecherche auf der Basis klinisch- wissenschaftlicher Erfahrung der Autoren und Darstellung der möglichen fertilitätsprotektiven Massnahmen inklusive deren Indikationen, Durchführung, Risiken und Wirksamkeit.

Ergebnisse Indiziert sind die Massnahmen bei allen Mädchen und Jungen mit einem hohen Risiko einer Gonadenschädigung. Die Komplexität der Techniken erfordert eine besondere Expertise in der Beratung und Durchführung, die in Deutschland für Mädchen insbesondere in den Zentren des Netzwerks FertiPROTEKT (www.fertiprotekt.com) gegeben ist. Bei Mädchen kommt überwiegend die Kryokonservierung von Ovargewebe in Betracht. Bei postpubertären Mädchen ist auch die Kryokonservierung von Oozyten potenziell möglich. Bei postpubertären Knaben können Spermien konserviert werden. Das Einfrieren von Hodengewebe gilt v. a. bei präpubertären Knaben derzeit als experimentell. Die Erfolgsraten sind noch schwer zu beziffern, diskutiert werden Geburtenraten von ca. 50%. Die Krankenkassen erstatten diese Massnahmen nicht.

Schlussfolgerung Auch bei Kindern und Jugendlichen sollten bei stark gonadotoxischen Therapien fertilitätsprotektive Massnahmen erwogen werden und eine entsprechende Beratung durch geschulte Ärzte erfolgen.
The Prevent strategy and the UK ‘war on terror’: embedding infrastructures of surveillance in Muslim communities
Authors: Qurashi Fahid
Published: February 2018

The Prevent policy was introduced in the UK in 2003 as part of an overall post 9/11 counter-terrorism approach (CONTEST), with the aim of preventing the radicalisation of individuals to terrorism. In 2015, the Prevent policy became a legal duty for public sector institutions, and as such, its reach has extended much deeper into society. This article, based on ongoing ethnographic fieldwork—including interviews, focus groups and participant observations—seeks to uncover and analyse the function of surveillance at the heart of the Prevent strategy. Contrary to official denials, surveillance forms an essential feature of the Prevent strategy. It regards radicalisation as part of an overall conveyor belt to terrorism, and thus attempts to control the future by acting in the present. The article shows how the framing of the terror threat in the ‘war on terror’, as an ‘Islamic threat’, has afforded a surveillance infrastructure, embedded into Muslim communities, which has securitised relations with local authorities. Its intelligence products, as well as the affective consequences of surveillance, have served to contain and direct Muslim political agency. Such an analysis uncovers the practice of Islamophobia at the heart of the Prevent strategy, which accounts for its surveillance tendencies.
Accurate real-time sensing tip for aqueous NO with optical fibers embedded in active hydrogel waveguide
Authors: Chung Chieh-Wen , Tsai May-Jywan , Lin Peng-Wei , Huang Ding-Wen , Wang Kuan-Hsun , Chen Yu-An , Meng Hsin-Fei , Zan Hsiao-Wen , Cheng Henrich , Tong Limin , Zhang Lei , Horng Sheng-Fu , Hung Cheng-Hsiung
Published: February 2018

A NO sensing tip is made by inserting two parallel optical fibers inside a poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (PolyHEMA) hydrogel waveguide mixed with the probe molecule 1, 2-Diaminoanthraquinone (DAQ). There is a length difference of 1 mm between the two fibers, and the light has to propagate through the difference from the short fiber to the long fiber. The total cross section area of the active hydrogel waveguide embedded with the fibers is only 3mm x 1.2 mm. For practical use the tip is housed in a needle for mechanical protection and the sensing tip is able to detect aqueous NO concentration around 1 μM with time resolution about 5 minutes. Such a sensing tip can be used to monitor the medical conditions inside the brain after a stroke or a brain injury.
Dynamic fracture and hot-spot modeling in energetic composites
Authors: Grilli Nicolò , Duarte Camilo A. , Koslowski Marisol
Published: February 2018

Defects such as cracks, pores, and particle-matrix interface debonding affect the sensitivity of energetic materials by reducing the time-to-ignition and the threshold pressure to initiate an explosion. Frictional sliding of preexisting cracks is considered to be one of the most important causes of localized heating. Therefore, understanding the dynamic fracture of crystalline energetic materials is of extreme importance to assess the reliability and safety of polymer-bonded explosives. Phase field damage model simulations, based on the regularization of the crack surface as a diffuse delta function, are used to describe crack propagation in cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine crystals embedded in a Sylgard matrix. A thermal transport model that includes heat generation by friction at crack interfaces is coupled to the solution of crack propagation. 2D and 3D dynamic compression simulations are performed with different boundary velocities and initial distributions of cracks and interface defects to understand their effect on crack propagation and heat generation. It is found that, at an impact velocity of 400 m/s, localized damage at the particle-binder interface is of key importance and that the sample reaches temperatures high enough to create a hot-spot that will lead to ignition. At an impact velocity of 10 m/s, preexisting cracks advanced inside the particle, but the increase of temperature will not cause ignition.
Optimization of pentacene double floating gate memories based on charge injection regulated by SAM functionalization
Authors: Li S. , Guérin D. , Lenfant S. , Lmimouni K.
Published: February 2018

Pentacene based double nano-floating gate memories (NFGM) by using gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets as charge trapping layers are prepared and demonstrated. Particularly, the NFGM chemically treated by 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzenethiol (PFBT) self-assembled monolayers (SAM) exhibits excellent memory performances, including high mobility of 0.23 cm2V-1s-1, the large memory window of 51 V, and the stable retention property more than 108 s. Comparing the performances of NFGM without treating with PFBT SAM, the improving performances of the memory devices by SAM modification are explained by the increase of charge injection, which could be further investigated by XPS and UPS. In particular, the results highlight the utility of SAM modulations and controlling of charge transport in the development of organic transistor memories.
Effect of alkaline metal cations on the ionic structure of cryolite melts: Ab-initio NpT MD study
Authors: Bučko Tomáš , Šimko František
Published: February 2018

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in an NpT ensemble have been performed to study the role of alkaline metal cations (Me = Li, Na, K, Rb) on the structure and vibrational properties of melts of Me-cryolites (Me3AlF6) at T = 1300 K. In all melts examined in this work, the species AlF52− has been found to be formed at the highest abundance [from 58% (Li) to 70% (Na)] among the Al-containing anionic clusters. The concentration of clusters AlF4− increases with the size of cations while that of anions AlF63− follows the opposite trend and it becomes negligible in the melts of the K- and Rb-cryolites. The computed percentage of the Al atoms participating in the formation of dimers Al2Fm6−m bridged via common F atoms is significant only in the case of Li- and Na-cryolites (16% and 10%, respectively) and the formation of even larger aggregates is found to be unlikely in all four melts. The percentage of the F atoms that are not bound to Al is ∼20% in all four melts and the ions formed by Me+ and F− are found to be only short-lived. Vibrational analysis has been performed using the velocity autocorrelation functions computed for the Cartesian and selected internal coordinates describing Raman-active symmetric stretching vibrations of different AlFn species. The results of vibrational analysis allowed us to identify trends in the variation of positions and shapes of peaks corresponding to the anionic fragments AlF4−, AlF52−, and AlF63− with the size of cations, and these trends are found to be consistent with those deduced from the available Raman spectroscopy experiments. Our findings represent a new insight into the properties of cryolite melts, which will be useful for the interpretation of experimental data.
Structural relaxation and highly viscous flow
Authors: Buchenau U.
Published: February 2018

The highly viscous flow is due to thermally activated Eshelby transitions which transform a region of the undercooled liquid to a different structure with a different elastic misfit to the viscoelastic surroundings. A self-consistent determination of the viscosity in this picture explains why the average structural relaxation time is a factor of eight longer than the Maxwell time. The physical reason for the short Maxwell time is the very large contribution of strongly strained inherent states to the fluidity (the inverse viscosity). At the Maxwell time, the viscous no-return processes coexist with the back-and-forth jumping retardation processes.
XANES spectra of forsterite in crystal, surface, and amorphous states
Authors: Takahashi Osamu , Tamenori Yusuke , Suenaga Taiga , Ikeda-Fukazawa Tomoko , Matsuno Junya , Tsuchiyama Akira
Published: February 2018

The electronic structures of forsterite and its amorphous state were investigated using soft X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis at the Mg, Si, and O K-edges. The experimental spectra were reproduced theoretically using density functional theory calculations. Surface-sensitive XANES spectra for the (001), (010), and (100) surfaces were also observed. This study reports the first observation at the O K-edge using synchrotron radiation, and, in addition, reveals that the spectra is surface-sensitive at the Mg and Si K-edges. These findings demonstrate that XANES is a powerful technique to study silicate compounds.
Flow of quasi-two dimensional water in graphene channels
Authors: Fang Chao , Wu Xihui , Yang Fengchang , Qiao Rui
Published: February 2018

When liquids confined in slit channels approach a monolayer, they become two-dimensional (2D) fluids. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study the flow of quasi-2D water confined in slit channels featuring pristine graphene walls and graphene walls with hydroxyl groups. We focus on to what extent the flow of quasi-2D water can be described using classical hydrodynamics and what are the effective transport properties of the water and the channel. First, the in-plane shearing of quasi-2D water confined between pristine graphene can be described using the classical hydrodynamic equation, and the viscosity of the water is ∼50% higher than that of the bulk water in the channel studied here. Second, the flow of quasi-2D water around a single hydroxyl group is perturbed at a position of tens of cluster radius from its center, as expected for low Reynolds number flows. Even though water is not pinned at the edge of the hydroxyl group, the hydroxyl group screens the flow greatly, with a single, isolated hydroxyl group rendering drag similar to ∼90 nm2 pristine graphene walls. Finally, the flow of quasi-2D water through graphene channels featuring randomly distributed hydroxyl groups resembles the fluid flow through porous media. The effective friction factor of the channel increases linearly with the hydroxyl groups’ area density up to 0.5 nm−2 but increases nonlinearly at higher densities. The effective friction factor of the channel can be fitted to a modified Carman equation at least up to a hydroxyl area density of 2.0 nm−2. These findings help understand the liquid transport in 2D material-based nanochannels for applications including desalination.
Quantum confinement effect and exciton binding energy of layered perovskite nanoplatelets
Authors: Wang Qiang , Liu Xiao-Dan , Qiu Yun-Hang , Chen Kai , Zhou Li , Wang Qu-Quan
Published: February 2018

We report the preparation of monolayer (n = 1), few-layer (n = 2–5) and 3D (n = ∞) organic lead bromide perovskite nanoplatelets (NPLs) by tuning the molar ratio of methylammonium bromide (MABr) and hexadecammonium bromide (HABr). The absorption spectrum of the monolayer (HA)2PbBr4 perovskite NPLs shows about 138 nm blue shift from that of 3D MAPbBr3 perovskites, which is attributed to strong quantum confinement effect. We further investigate the two-photon photoluminescence (PL) of the NPLs and measure the exciton binding energy of monolayer perovskite NPLs using linear absorption and two-photon PL excitation spectroscopy. The exciton binding energy of monolayer perovskite NPLs is about 218 meV, which is far larger than tens of meV in 3D lead halide perovskites.
Plasmonic response of electrically connected dimers shows new resonant mode
Authors: Leahy Rhys
Published: February 2018

Arrays of electrically connected gold dimers demonstrate the impact of the connections on the overall plasmonic resonance structure, including a new mode, which could help advance plasmonic devices.
Concerted anatomical change associated with crassulacean acid metabolism in the Bromeliaceae
Authors: Males Jamie
Published: February 2018

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a celebrated example of convergent evolution in plant ecophysiology. However, many unanswered questions surround the relationships among CAM, anatomy and morphology during evolutionary transitions in photosynthetic pathway. An excellent group in which to explore these issues is the Bromeliaceae, a diverse monocot family from the Neotropics in which CAM has evolved multiple times. Progress in the resolution of phylogenetic relationships among the bromeliads is opening new and exciting opportunities to investigate how evolutionary changes in leaf structure has tracked, or perhaps preceded, photosynthetic innovation. This paper presents an analysis of variation in leaf anatomical parameters across 163 C3 and CAM bromeliad species, demonstrating a clear divergence in the fundamental aspects of leaf structure in association with the photosynthetic pathway. Most strikingly, the mean volume of chlorenchyma cells of CAM species is 22 times higher than that of C3 species. In two bromeliad subfamilies (Pitcairnioideae and Tillandsioideae), independent transitions from C3 to CAM are associated with increased cell succulence, whereas evolutionary trends in tissue thickness and leaf air space content differ between CAM origins. Overall, leaf anatomy is clearly and strongly coupled with the photosynthetic pathway in the Bromeliaceae, where the independent origins of CAM have involved significant anatomical restructuring.