bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alteration of Protein Binding Affinities by Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Revealed by Pressure Perturbation
Authors: Oliva Rosario , Banerjee Sudeshna , Cinar Hasan , Ehrt Christiane , Winter Roland
Published: May 2020

Interactions between proteins and ligands, which are fundamental to many biochemical processes essential to life, are mostly studied at dilute buffer conditions. The effects of the highly crowded nature of biological cells and the effects of liquid-liquid phase separation inducing biomolecular droplet formation as a means of membrane-less compartmentalization have been largely neglected in protein binding studies. We investigated the binding of a small ligand (ANS) to one of the most multifunctional proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) in an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of PEG and Dextran. Also, aiming to shed more light on differences in binding mode compared to the neat buffer data, we examined the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the binding process. We observe a marked effect of the ATPS on the binding characteristics of BSA. Not only the binding constants change in the ATPS system, but also the integrity of binding sites is partially lost, which is most likely due to soft enthalpic interactions of the BSA with components in the dense droplet phase of the ATPS. Using pressure modulation, differences in binding sites could be unravelled by their different volumetric and hydration properties. Regarding the vital biological relevance of the study, we notice that extreme biological environments, such as HHP, can markedly affect the binding characteristics of proteins. Hence, organisms experiencing high-pressure stress in the deep sea need to finely adjust the volume changes of their biochemical reactions in cellulo.
Morphological and functional parameters of left atrial appendage play a greater role in atrial fibrillation relapse after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Tian Xin , Zhang Xue-Jing , Yuan Ying-Fang , Li Cai-Ying , Zhou Li-Xia , Gao Bu-Lang
Published: May 2020

This study was to quantitatively investigate the role of morphological and functional parameters of the left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) with 256-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) in the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Eighty-three patients with AF who underwent RFA for the first time were divided into the recurrence (n = 27) and non-recurrence (n = 56) groups. All patients underwent a 256-slice spiral CT examination before the operation. The clinical data and quantitative measurement of the morphology and functional parameters of the LA and LAA were analyzed, including the maximal and minimal volume, ejection fraction and volume, and volume strain of LAA and LA (LAAVmax, LAAVmin, LAAEF, LAAEV, and LAA-VS, LAVmax, LAVmin, LAEF, LAEV and LA-VS, respectively). The CHA2DS2-VASc score and the proportion of patients with heart failure were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the recurrence than non-recurrence group. The LAAVmax, LAAVmin, LAVmax, LAVmin, LAAV and LAV were all significantly greater in the recurrence than non-recurrence group (P < 0.05), and the perimeter, major and minor axes of LAA orifice and LAA depth were also significantly greater in the recurrence than non-recurrence group. The LAAEF, LAEF and LAA-VS were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the recurrence than non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). Heart failure, CHA2DS2-VASC score, LAEF, LAV, LAAEF and LAA-VS were univariately significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for AF recurrence after ablation. Multivariate analysis revealed LAAEF (HR: 0.790, 95% CI: 0.657–0.950, P = 0.012) and LAAV (HR: 1.160, 95% CI: 1.095–1.229, P <0.001) to be two significant independent predictors of recurrence. ROC curve analysis showed that LAAEF <44.68% had the highest predictive value for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation, with the sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 67.4%, whereas LAA volume >9.25 ml had the highest predictive value for AF recurrence after RFA, with the sensitivity of 85.2% and specificity of 67.9%. In conclusion, the volume of left atrium, volume and morphology of left atrial appendage have all significantly increased while the ejection fraction and volume strain of left atrium and left atrial appendage have both significantly decreased in recurrence than in non-recurrence after radiofrequency ablation. The ejection fraction and volume of left atrial appendage are significant independent predictors of atrial fibrillation recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.
Immune response in fluid therapy with crystalloids of different ratios or colloid for rats in haemorrhagic shock
Authors: Seo Eun-Hye , Park Hyun Jun , Piao Li-Yun , Lee Ji Yeon , Oh Chung-Sik , Kim Seong-Hyop
Published: May 2020

This study investigated the association between different ratios of balanced salt based-crystalloid (PLASMA SOLUTION-A [CJ HealthCare, Seoul, Korea]) (the ratios of crystalloid for blood loss, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) or balanced salt-based colloid (VOLULYTE 6% [Fresenius Kabi, Germany]) (the ratio of colloid for blood loss, 1:1) to restore blood loss and immune response in rats with haemorrhagic shock. About 50% of total estimated blood volume was removed after anaesthesia. The fluid was administered for resuscitation after exsanguination, according to the type of fluid and the ratios of exsanguinated volume and fluid volume for resuscitation. After sacrifice, expression of immune cells in blood and tissues was evaluated. Histological analyses and syndecan-1 immunohistochemistry assays were performed on tissues. Endothelial damage according to syndecan-1 and cytokine levels in blood was also assessed. Fluid resuscitation with same, two-fold, or three-fold volumes of crystalloid, or same volume of colloid, to treat haemorrhagic shock in rats resulted in a similar increase in blood pressure. The expression of neutrophils in blood decreased significantly after colloid administration, compared to before exsanguination. Syndecan-1 expression increased after exsanguination and fluid resuscitation in all groups, without any significant difference. In conclusion, same volume of balanced salt-based crystalloid for blood loss was enough to restore BP at the choice of fluid for the management of haemorrhagic shock in the rats, compared with different ratios of crystalloid or same volume of colloid, on the aspect of immune response.
The frequency of pulmonary hypertension in newborn with intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Shah Shahid , Hanif Muhammad , Shah Abid , Rehman Anees ur , Tahir Sana , Nayab Komal , Asghar Arzoo
Published: May 2020

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a clinical definition applied to neonates born with clinical features of malnutrition and in-utero growth retardation irrespective of their birth weight percentile. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in neonates with IUGR. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we followed 96 neonates with IUGR (≤28 days) and 38 neonates without IUGR born in the department of the neonatal intensive care unit children hospital complex Multan, Pakistan. We analyzed certain factors such as gender, gestational age (GA) (weeks), birth weight (BW in kg), weight percentile (WP) for GA, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), birth asphyxia (BA) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in IUGR and non-IUGR group. GA was measured by the Ballard scoring system. Echocardiography was performed for all patients by the pediatric cardiologist to measure pulmonary arterial (PA) pressure using Bernoulli’s equation. Out of total 96 IUGR neonates, 33.3% (n = 32) suffered from PH, of which 65.3% (n = 18) were male and 43.7% (n = 14) were female. The percentages of IUGR neonates with BA, MAS and RDS were 34.4%, 18.8% and 22.9% respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS-16 software to test the statistical significance of the results. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. When the chi-square test was applied, it depicted that MAS was significantly associated with PH in IUGR neonates (p = 0.0001) compared to non-IUGR neonates. Our findings suggested an increased chance of PH in IUGR neonates and MAS may be a strong factor.
Temporal Convolutional Networks for the Advance Prediction of ENSO
Authors: Yan Jining , Mu Lin , Wang Lizhe , Ranjan Rajiv , Zomaya Albert Y.
Published: May 2020

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is one of the main drivers of Earth’s inter-annual climate variability, often causes a wide range of climate anomalies, and the advance prediction of ENSO is always an important and challenging scientific issue. Since a unified and complete ENSO theory has yet to be established, people often use related indicators, such as the Niño 3.4 index and southern oscillation index (SOI), to predict the development trends of ENSO through appropriate numerical simulation models. However, because the ENSO phenomenon is a highly complex and dynamic model and the Niño 3.4 index and SOI mix many low- and high-frequency components, the prediction accuracy of current popular numerical prediction methods is not high. Therefore, this paper proposed the ensemble empirical mode decomposition-temporal convolutional network (EEMD-TCN) hybrid approach, which decomposes the highly variable Niño 3.4 index and SOI into relatively flat subcomponents and then uses the TCN model to predict each subcomponent in advance, finally combining the sub-prediction results to obtain the final ENSO prediction results. Niño 3.4 index and SOI reanalysis data from 1871 to 1973 were used for model training, and the data for 1984–2019 were predicted 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months in advance. The results show that the accuracy of the 1-month-lead Niño 3.4 index prediction was the highest, the 12-month-lead SOI prediction was the slowest, and the correlation coefficient between the worst SOI prediction result and the actual value reached 0.6406. Furthermore, the overall prediction accuracy on the Niño 3.4 index was better than that on the SOI, which may have occurred because the SOI contains too many high-frequency components, making prediction difficult. The results of comparative experiments with the TCN, LSTM, and EEMD-LSTM methods showed that the EEMD-TCN provides the best overall prediction of both the Niño 3.4 index and SOI in the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month-lead predictions among all the methods considered. This result means that the TCN approach performs well in the advance prediction of ENSO and will be of great guiding significance in studying it.
Woody Plant Encroachment has a Larger Impact than Climate Change on Dryland Water Budgets
Authors: Schreiner-McGraw Adam P. , Vivoni Enrique R. , Ajami Hoori , Sala Osvaldo E. , Throop Heather L. , Peters Debra P. C.
Published: May 2020

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) into grasslands is a global phenomenon that is associated with land degradation via xerification, which replaces grasses with shrubs and bare soil patches. It remains uncertain how the global processes of WPE and climate change may combine to impact water availability for ecosystems. Using a process-based model constrained by watershed observations, our results suggest that both xerification and climate change augment groundwater recharge by increasing channel transmission losses at the expense of plant available water. Conversion from grasslands to shrublands without creating additional bare soil, however, reduces transmission losses. Model simulations considering both WPE and climate change are used to assess their relative roles in a late 21stcentury condition. Results indicate that changes in focused channel recharge are determined primarily by the WPE pathway. As a result, WPE should be given consideration when assessing the vulnerability of groundwater aquifers to climate change.
Characterization of lactic acid bacteria derived exopolysaccharides for use as a defined neuroprotective agent against amyloid beta1–42-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells
Authors: Sirin Seda , Aslim Belma
Published: May 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a disease characterized by cerebral neuronal degeneration and loss in a progressive manner. Amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain is toxic to neurons, being a main risk factor for initiation and continuation of cognitive deterioration in AD. Neurotoxicity of Aβ origin is also linked to oxidative stress characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, changes in antioxidant systems, and cerebral DNA damage in AD. Furthermore, Aβ can induce oxidative neuronal cell death by a mitochondrial dysfunction. Cellular injury caused by oxidative stress can be possibly prevented by boosting or promoting bodily oxidative defense system by supplying antioxidants in diet or as medications. However, most synthetic antioxidants are found to have cytotoxicity, which prevents their safe use, and limits their administration. For this reason, more attention has been paid to the natural non-toxic antioxidants. One of the most promising groups of non-toxic antioxidative compounds is thought to be polysaccharides. This study investigated the characterization and protective action exerted by exopolysaccharides (EPSs) originated from Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus B3 and Lactobacillus plantarum GD2 to protect from apoptotic activity exerted by Aβ1-42 among SH-SY5Y cells. We characterized EPSs by elemental analysis, FTIR, AFM, SEM, and XRD. The antioxidant effects of EPSs were determined by the DPPH free radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, metal ion chelating activity, lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, and superoxide anion scavenging activity method. The protective effects of EPSs were determined by flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Mannose ratio, molecular weight, functional groups, surface morphology, and amorphous character structure of EPSs are thought to play a role in the protective effect of EPSs. EPSs reduced apoptotic activity of Aβ1-42 in addition to their depolarizing effect on mitochondrial membrane potential in concentration-dependent manner. These observations contribute the inclusion of EPSs among the therapeutic options used to manage various neurological disorders in the traditional medicine in a scientific manner, indicating that EPSs may be promising natural chemical constituents that need advanced research and development for pharmacological therapy of AD.
Comparison between conventional and chemomechanical approaches for the removal of carious dentin: an in vitro study
Authors: Santos Tito Marcel Lima , Bresciani Eduardo , Matos Felipe de Souza , Camargo Samira Esteves Afonso , Hidalgo Ana Paula Turrioni , Rivera Luciana Monti Lima , Bernardino Ítalo de Macedo , Paranhos Luiz Renato
Published: May 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and biocompatibility of two agents used for the chemomechanical removal of carious dentin. Sixty extracted carious human teeth were treated with a conventional bur (CBG) or chemomechanical agents – Papacarie Duo (PG) and Brix 3000 (BG). Treatment efficiency and effectiveness were assessed by the working time for carious dentin removal and Knoop microhardness values, respectively. Human pulp fibroblasts (FP6) were used to evaluate cytotoxicity by incorporating MTT dye, and genotoxicity was evaluated with the micronuclei test. The carious tissue was removed in a shorter time with CBG (median = 54.0 seconds) than the time required for chemomechanical agents (p = 0.0001). However, the time was shorter for Brix 3000 (BG) than that for Papacarie Duo (PG), showing mean values of 85.0 and 110.5 seconds, respectively. Regarding microhardness testing, all approaches tested were effective (p < 0.05). The final mean microhardness values were 48.54 ± 16.31 KHN, 43.23 ± 13.26 KHN, and 47.63 ± 22.40 KHN for PG, BG, and CBG, respectively. PG decreased cell viability compared to that of BG, but it presented no genotoxicity. Brix 3000 may be a good option for chemomechanical dentin caries removal due to its reduced removal time and lower cytotoxicity compared to the other treatment options.
Publisher Correction: Loss-of-function of the long non-coding RNA A830019P07Rik in mice does not affect insulin expression and secretion
Authors: Guay Claudiane , Abdulkarim Baroj , Tan Jennifer Y. , Dubuis Gilles , Rütti Sabine , Laybutt David Ross , Widmann Christian , Regazzi Romano , Marques Ana Claudia
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Non-CO2 forcing changes will likely decrease the remaining carbon budget for 1.5 °C
Authors: Mengis Nadine , Matthews H. Damon
Published: May 2020

One key contribution to the wide range of 1.5 °C carbon budgets among recent studies is the non-CO2 climate forcing scenario uncertainty. Based on a partitioning of historical non-CO2 forcing, we show that currently there is a net negative non-CO2 forcing from fossil fuel combustion (FFC), and a net positive non-CO2 climate forcing from land-use change (LUC) and agricultural activities. We perform a set of future simulations in which we prescribed a 1.5 °C temperature stabilisation trajectory, and diagnosed the resulting 1.5 °C carbon budgets. Using the historical partitioning, we then prescribed adjusted non-CO2 forcing scenarios consistent with our model’s simulated decrease in FFC CO2 emissions. We compared the diagnosed carbon budgets from these adjusted scenarios to those resulting from the default RCP scenario’s non-CO2 forcing, and to a scenario in which proportionality between future CO2 and non-CO2 forcing is assumed. We find a wide range of carbon budget estimates across scenarios, with the largest budget emerging from the scenario with assumed proportionality of CO2 and non-CO2 forcing. Furthermore, our adjusted-RCP scenarios produce carbon budgets that are smaller than the corresponding default RCP scenarios. Our results suggest that ambitious mitigation scenarios will likely be characterised by an increasing contribution of non-CO2 forcing, and that an assumption of continued proportionality between CO2 and non-CO2 forcing would lead to an overestimate of the remaining carbon budget. Maintaining such proportionality under ambitious fossil fuel mitigation would require mitigation of non-CO2 emissions at a rate that is substantially faster than found in the standard RCP scenarios.
Cooperativity and ion pairing in magnesium sulfate aqueous solutions from the dilute regime to the solubility limit
Authors: Sebastiani Federico , Verde Ana Vila , Heyden Matthias , Schwaab Gerhard , Havenith Martina
Published: May 2020

A combined THz and simulation study on MgSO4 find no contact ion pairs in highly concentrated solutions.
Inspirations from tetrafibricin and related polyketides: new methods and strategies for 1,5-polyol synthesis
Authors: Friedrich Ryan M. , Friestad Gregory K.
Published: May 2020

Selective synthesis with control of remote stereogenic centers has long been a challenge in organic chemistry.
A linear conjugated tetramer as a surface-modification layer to increase perovskite solar cell performance and stability
Authors: Wang Helin , Song Jun , Li Zikang , Li Ludong , Li Jiahua , Li Xiaobin , Qu Junle , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: May 2020

IDTT4PDI is developed as a surface-modification layer in PSCs. The use of IDTT4PDI can improve interface contact, reduce trap-assisted recombination, and enhance electron transport.
A real-time isothermal amplification based portable microfluidic system for simple and reliable detection of Vibrio splendidus
Authors: Zhong Runtao , Liu Shilin , Wang Xiaohui , Zhang Guohao , Gong Ning , Wang Mengyu , Sun Yeqing
Published: May 2020

We demonstrate a portable and low-cost microfluidic system for simple and reliable real-time fluorogenic LAMP detection of Vibrio splendidus for the first time.
Ir-catalyzed selective dehydrogenative cross-coupling of aryls with o-carboranes via a mixed directing-group strategy
Authors: Chen Yu , Quan Yangjian , Xie Zuowei
Published: May 2020

Ir-catalyzed highly selective B–H/C–H cross dehydrogenative coupling between o-carboranes and (hetero)aryls has been achieved using a mixed directing-group strategy.
Competition between tubular, planar and cage geometries: a complete picture of structural evolution of Bn (n = 31–50) clusters
Authors: Wu Xue , Sai Linwei , Zhou Si , Zhou Panwang , Chen Maodu , Springborg Michael , Zhao Jijun
Published: May 2020

Stimulated by the early theoretical prediction of B80 fullerene and the experimental finding of the B40 cage, the structures of medium-sized boron clusters have attracted intensive research interest during the last decade, but a complete picture of their size-dependent structural evolution remains a puzzle.
VUV photoionization of the CH2NC radical: adiabatic ionization energy and cationic vibrational mode wavenumber determinations
Authors: Gans Bérenger , Hartweg Sebastian , Garcia Gustavo A. , Boyé-Péronne Séverine , Harper Oliver J. , Guillemin Jean-Claude , Loison Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2020

The photoelectron spectroscopy of CH2NC (isocyanomethyl) radical species is investigated for the first time between 9.3 and 11.2 eV in the vicinity of the first photoionizing transition X+1A1 ← X 2B1.
Recent developments in the construction and applications of platinum-based metallacycles and metallacagesviacoordination
Authors: Sun Yan , Chen Chongyi , Liu Jianbo , Stang Peter J.
Published: May 2020

We review the recent developments in the growing field of platinum-based, coordination-driven self-assembly, and bringing together the key results.
3DOM CeO2-supported RuyM (M = Au, Pd, Pt) alloy nanoparticles with improved catalytic activity and chlorine-tolerance in trichloroethylene oxidation
Authors: Zhang Xing , Dai Lingyun , Liu Yuxi , Deng Jiguang , Jing Lin , Yu Xiaohui , Han Zhuo , Zhang Kunfeng , Dai Hongxing
Published: May 2020

The xRuyM/3DOM CeO2 catalysts are prepared using the PMMA-templating and PVA-protected reduction methods. The 0.93Ru2.87Pd/3DOM CeO2 exhibited excellent catalytic performance, hydrothermal stability, and chlorine-resistance for trichloroethylene oxidation.
Self-assembled octanuclear [Ni5Ln3] (Ln = Dy, Tb and Ho) complexes: synthesis, coordination induced ligand hydrolysis, structure and magnetism
Authors: Bhanja Avik , Moreno-Pineda Eufemio , Herchel Radovan , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Ray Debashis
Published: May 2020

Octanuclear NiII5LnIII3 complexes obtained with ligand H2L show ferromagnetic interactions for Ni5Dy3 and Ni5Tb3 while antiferromagnetic interactions for Ni5Ho3.
Metal complexes and inorganic materials for solar fuel production
Authors: Puntoriero Fausto , Ishitani Osamu
Published: May 2020

Fausto Puntoriero and Osamu Ishitani introduce this Dalton Transactions themed collection on metal complexes and inorganic materials for solar fuel production.
Droplet encapsulation of electrokinetically-focused analytes without loss of resolution
Authors: Papadimitriou Vasileios A. , Kruit Stella A. , Segerink Loes I. , Eijkel Jan C. T.
Published: May 2020

Novel continuous or on-demand droplet generator for extraction of electrokinetically focused and separated analytes on chip. White scale bars – 100 μm.
On-chip hydrogel arrays individually encapsulating acoustic formed multicellular aggregates for high throughput drug testing
Authors: Hu Xuejia , Zhao Shukun , Luo Ziyi , Zuo Yunfeng , Wang Fang , Zhu Jiaomeng , Chen Longfei , Yang Dongyong , Zheng Yajing , Zheng Yujia , Cheng Yanxiang , Zhou Fuling , Yang Yi
Published: May 2020

Multicellular aggregates in three-dimensional (3D) environments provide novel solid tumor models that can provide insight into in vivo drug resistance.
Driving proton transfer reactions in the 2-methylfuran ring with external forces
Authors: Brzyska Agnieszka , Woliński Krzysztof
Published: May 2020

In this paper we investigate the proton transfer reactions in 2-methylfuran.
A white-light-emitting lanthanide metal–organic framework for luminescence turn-off sensing of MnO4− and turn-on sensing of folic acid and construction of a “turn-on plus” system
Authors: Dong Zhen-Peng , Zhao Fei , Zhang Lei , Liu Zhi-Liang , Wang Yan-Qin
Published: May 2020

A white-light-emitting lanthanide MOF shows recyclable and dual-responsive sensing for MnO4− and folic acid in an aqueous system with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Enhanced bendability of nanostructured metal electrodes: effect of nanoholes and their arrangement
Authors: Seo Ki-Won , Cho Changsoon , Jang Hyun-Ik , Park Jae Hong , Lee Jung-Yong
Published: May 2020

Nanostructure enhance the mechanical robustness of metallic thin films, which makes them suitable for use as electrodes in flexible electronic devices.
A polyimide-pyrolyzed carbon waste approach for the scalable and controlled electrochemical preparation of size-tunable graphene
Authors: Huang Haoguang , Peng Li , Fang Wenzhang , Cai Shengying , Chu Xingyuan , Liu Yingjun , Gao Weiwei , Xu Zhen , Gao Chao
Published: May 2020

The industrial carbon wastes are converted to be size-tunable graphene and GQDs with high yield.
Asymmetric N-aminoalkylation of 3-substituted indoles by N-protected N,O-acetals: an access to chiral propargyl aminals
Authors: Yang Junxian , He Zeyuan , Hong Liang , Sun Wangsheng , Wang Rui
Published: May 2020

A direct enantioselective N1 aminoalkylation of 3-substituted indoles is efficiently catalyzed by a phosphoric acid catalyst under mild conditions, which could be applied to the modification of tryptophan containing oligopeptides.
Active control of salinity-based power generation in nanopores using thermal and pH effects
Authors: Mai Van-Phung , Yang Ruey-Jen
Published: May 2020

The combined effects of pH and thermal conditions on enhancing blue energy harvesting through nanopores are investigated.
Atomic and electronic structures of charge-doping VO2: first-principles calculations
Authors: Chen Lanli , Cui Yuanyuan , Luo Hongjie , Gao Yanfeng
Published: May 2020

The controllable phase transition temperature in charge doping VO2 is coupled with changes in the atomic and electronic structures. The current results provide a variable way to tune the VO2 phase transition temperature through charge doping.
Elucidation of the electron energy structure of TiO2(B) and anatase photocatalysts through analysis of electron trap density
Authors: Nagakawa Haruki , Ochiai Tsuyoshi , Ma He , Wang Changhua , Zhang Xintong , Shen Yang , Takashima Mai , Ohtani Bunsho , Nagata Morio
Published: May 2020

The electron energy structures of TiO2(B) and anatase were estimated by analyzing the energy-resolved distribution of electron traps.
Preparation and characterization of antibacterial dopamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide/PLLA composite nanofibers
Authors: Li Biyun , Xiong Feng , Yao Bo , Du Qian , Cao Jun , Qu Jiangang , Feng Wei , Yuan Huihua
Published: May 2020

Antibacterial dopamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/PLLA composite nanofibers for biomedical applications.
Reengineering the programming of a functional domain of an iterative highly reducing polyketide synthase
Authors: Piech Oliver , Cox Russell J.
Published: May 2020

Site-directed mutation of the enoyl reductase (ER) component of an iterative highly-reducing polyketide synthase was achieved for the first time, expanding its intrinsic program.
Palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation of methylenecyclopropanes with simple hydrazones
Authors: Yao Jinzhong , Chen Zhangpei , Yu Lin , Lv Leiyang , Cao Dawei , Li Chao-Jun
Published: May 2020

A palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation of methylenecyclopropanes via selective C–C σ-bond scission was achieved, in which simple hydrazones served as carbanion equivalents. This method affords high yields of C-alkylated terminal alkenes with good functional group compatibility.
Transition from escaped to decomposed nematic defects, and vice versa
Authors: Susser Adam L. , Harkai Saša , Kralj Samo , Rosenblatt Charles
Published: May 2020

An escaped radial director profile in a nematic liquid crystal cell can be transformed into a pair of strength m = +1/2 surface defects (and their associated disclination lines) at a threshold electric field.
Exogenous vitamin C triggered structural changes of redox-activated dual core-crosslinked biodegradable nanogels for boosting the antitumor efficiency
Authors: Zhu Yutong , He Yanmei , Su Ting , Li Congrui , Cai Shensheng , Wu Zhengzhong , Huang Dennis , Zhang Xuequan , Cao Jun , He Bin
Published: May 2020

Premature leakage of drugs during blood circulation and slow drug release at the tumor site are two major challenges that nanocarriers have to overcome to achieve successful cancer therapy.
Ornithine-derived oligomers and dendrimers forin vitrodelivery of DNA andex vivotransfection of skin cellsviasaRNA
Authors: Saviano Francesca , Lovato Tatiana , Russo Annapina , Russo Giulia , Bouton Clément R. , Shattock Robin J , Alexander Cameron , Quaglia Fabiana , Blakney Anna K. , Gurnani Pratik , Conte Claudia
Published: May 2020

Ornithine dendrimers exhibit high activity as vectors for saRNA in cells and skin, highlighting their potential use in RNA vaccines.
A smart luminescent metal–organic framework-based logic system for simultaneous analysis of copper ions and hydrogen sulfide
Authors: Shu Yufang , Hao Ji-Na , Niu Dechao , Li Yongsheng
Published: May 2020

A multi-stimuli-responsive luminescent nano-MOF logic system (Zr-pydc-Eu) is developed for simultaneous identification and quantification of Cu2+ and H2S.
Mn-doped 2D Sn-based perovskites with energy transfer from self-trapped excitons to dopants for warm white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hou Lu , Zhu Yihua , Zhu Jingrun , Gong Yiqin , Li Chunzhong
Published: May 2020

This work shows the competitive relationship between self-trapped exciton (STE) emission from the host crystal and dopant Mn d–d transition emission.
Accelerated discovery of potential ferroelectric perovskiteviaactive learning
Authors: Min Kyoungmin , Cho Eunseog
Published: May 2020

Active learning platform for accelerated discovery of potential ABO3-type perovskite ferroelectrics.
Band alignments and polarization properties of the Zn-IV-nitrides
Authors: Adamski Nicholas L. , Wickramaratne Darshana , Van de Walle Chris G.
Published: May 2020

Calculations of band alignments and polarization properties of the Zn-IV-nitrides highlight the promise of these materials for wide-band-gap electronics.
Strong plasmon–exciton coupling in bimetallic nanorings and nanocuboids
Authors: Li Na , Han Zihong , Huang Yuming , Liang Kun , Wang Xiaofeng , Wu Fan , Qi Xiaoying , Shang Yingxu , Yu Li , Ding Baoquan
Published: May 2020

We report strong plasmon–exciton coupling in bimetallic nanorings and nanocuboids, and demonstrate nanoring possesses larger enhanced electric field distribution, which enables to couple with more excitons, resulting to a larger Rabi splitting.
Reliable and efficient PUF‐based cryptographic key generator using bit self‐tests
Authors: He Zhangqing , Chen Wanbo , Xu Xiong , Harn Lein , Wan Meilin
Published: May 2020

This Letter proposes a reliable and lightweight key generator based on a novel bit‐self‐test arbiter physically unclonable function (BST‐APUF). The BST‐APUF adds a delay detection circuit into a classical APUF to automatically test the delay deviation that produces each bit of the PUF response and generates a reliability‐flag for each response to indicate its reliability. The key generator collects robust responses and produces a secure key using a cryptographic entropy accumulator. FPGA implementation results show that the overhead and the helper data length of the authors proposed key generator are significantly lower than that of the state‐of‐the‐art schemes when generating a 128‐bit key with a bit error rate of 10−9.
Transmission expansion planning via power flow controlling technologies
Authors: Franken Marco , Barrios Hans , Schrief Alexander B. , Moser Albert
Published: May 2020

The transition from conventional towards renewable energy systems requires additional transmission capacities and higher operational flexibility to overcome contingency situations. This study presents a novel transmission expansion planning approach for the simultaneous placement of AC systems and power flow controlling technologies including high voltage direct current, phase shifting transformers (PSTs) and thyristor controlled series compensators (TCSCs). The approach is formulated as a mixed‐integer linear programming optimisation problem and the operating point of power flow controlling devices is endogenously determined by minimising expansion costs. Both PSTs and TCSCs are integrated into the optimisation problem by means of new mathematical formulations. PSTs are presented in more detail considering the PST impedance, which is modelled as an equivalent phase shift. The controllable series impedance of TCSCs is also represented as an equivalent phase shift. Exemplary results based on a synthetic 120 bus system show a significant potential of PSTs and TCSCs to reduce expansion costs as well as to lower the requirement for new transmission capacities. The simultaneous employment of these technologies reduces the expansion costs within the test system between 18.7 and 32.4% compared to those costs generated by the sole reinforcement by AC systems.
Deep learning algorithm for breast masses classification in mammograms
Authors: Gnanasekaran Vaira Suganthi , Joypaul Sutha , Meenakshi Sundaram Parvathy , Chairman Durga Devi
Published: May 2020

A mammogram is an image of a breast used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. This paper emphases a Computer‐Aided Detection system based on convolutional neural network (CNN) that uses the concept of deep learning to classify the mammogram images into benign, malignant and normal. The proposed CNN model consists of eight convolutional, four max‐pooling and two fully connected layers and achieved better results compared to the pre‐trained nets, AlexNet and VGG16. The proposed model demonstrates the feasibility of using CNNs on medical image processing techniques for the classification of breast masses. The results are also compared with the state‐of‐the‐art machine learning algorithm like kNN classifier. Experimentation is done with three datasets. Among them, two are publicly available, Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS), digital database for screening mammography (DDSM) and an internally collected dataset. The proposed model achieved accuracies of 92.54, 96.47 and 95 and the Area under the ROC curve (AUC) score of 0.85, 0.96 and 0.94 for MIAS, DDSM and the internally collected dataset respectively. Furthermore, the images of the three datasets are merged to build one large set and used to fine tune the proposed CNN model and produced accuracy of 98.32 and AUC of 0.98.
Analysis of full-disc Ca II K spectroheliograms
Authors: Chatzistergos Theodosios , Ermolli Ilaria , Krivova Natalie A. , Solanki Sami K. , Banerjee Dipankar , Barata Teresa , Belik Marcel , Gafeira Ricardo , Garcia Adriana , Hanaoka Yoichiro , Hegde Manjunath , Klimeš Jan , Korokhin Viktor V. , Lourenço Ana , Malherbe Jean-Marie , Marchenko Gennady P. , Peixinho Nuno , Sakurai Takashi , Tlatov Andrey G.
Published: May 2020

Context. Studies of long-term solar activity and variability require knowledge of the past evolution of the solar surface magnetism. The archives of full-disc Ca II K observations that have been performed more or less regularly at various sites since 1892 can serve as an important source of such information.

Aims. We derive the plage area evolution over the last 12 solar cycles by employing data from all Ca II K archives that are publicly available in digital form, including several as-yet-unexplored Ca II K archives.

Methods. We analysed more than 290 000 full-disc Ca II K observations from 43 datasets spanning the period between 1892–2019. All images were consistently processed with an automatic procedure that performs the photometric calibration (if needed) and the limb-darkening compensation. The processing also accounts for artefacts affecting many of the images, including some very specific artefacts, such as bright arcs found in Kyoto and Yerkes data. Our employed methods have previously been tested and evaluated on synthetic data and found to be more accurate than other methods used in the literature to treat a subset of the data analysed here.

Results. We produced a plage area time-series from each analysed dataset. We found that the differences between the plage areas derived from individual archives are mainly due to the differences in the central wavelength and the bandpass used to acquire the data at the various sites. We empirically cross-calibrated and combined the results obtained from each dataset to produce a composite series of plage areas. The ’backbone’ approach was used to bridge the series together. We have also shown that the selection of the backbone series has little effect on the final composite of the plage area. We quantified the uncertainty of determining the plage areas with our processing due to shifts in the central wavelength and found it to be less than 0.01 in fraction of the solar disc for the average conditions found on historical data. We also found the variable seeing conditions during the observations to slightly increase the plage areas during the activity maxima.

Conclusions. We provide the most complete so far time series of plage areas based on corrected and calibrated historical and modern Ca II K images. Consistent plage areas are now available on 88% of all days from 1892 onwards and on 98% from 1907 onwards.
Combined analysis of AMS-02 (Li,Be,B)/C, N/O, 3He, and 4He data
Authors: Weinrich N. , Génolini Y. , Boudaud M. , Derome L. , Maurin D.
Published: May 2020

Context. The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) measured several secondary-to-primary ratios enabling a detailed study of Galactic cosmic-ray transport.

Aims. We constrain previously derived benchmark scenarios (based on AMS-02 B/C data only) using other secondary-to-primary ratios to test the universality of transport and the presence of a low-rigidity diffusion break.

Methods. We use the 1D thin disc/thick halo propagation model of USINE V3.5 and a χ2 minimisation accounting for a covariance matrix of errors (AMS-02 systematics) and nuisance parameters (cross-sections and solar modulation uncertainties).

Results. The combined analysis of AMS-02 Li/C, Be/C, and B/C strengthens the case for a diffusion slope of δ = 0.50 ± 0.03 with a low-rigidity break or upturn of the diffusion coefficient at GV rigidities. Our simple model can successfully reproduce all considered data (Li/C, Be/C, B/C, N/O, and 3He/4He), although several issues remain: (i) the quantitative agreement depends on the assumptions made on the poorly constrained correlation lengths of AMS-02 data systematics; (ii) combined analyses are very sensitive to production cross-sections, and we find post-fit values differing by ∼5 − 15% from their most likely values (roughly within currently estimated nuclear uncertainties); (iii) two very distinct regions of the parameter space remain viable, either with reacceleration and convection, or with purely diffusive transport.

Conclusions. To take full benefit of combined analyses of AMS-02 data, better nuclear data and a better handle on energy correlations in the data systematic are required. AMS-02 data on heavier species are eagerly awaited to explore cosmic-ray propagation scenarios further.
Paracaesicola nanshaensisn. gen., n. sp. (Monogenea, Microcotylidae) a gill parasite ofParacaesio sordida(Teleostei, Lutjanidae) from the South China Sea
Authors: Zhou Zi-Hua , Li You-Zhi , Liu Lin , Ding Xue-Juan , Yuan Kai
Published: May 2020

Paracaesicolan. gen., is erected herein to accommodate a new microcotylid species,Paracaesicola nanshaensisn. sp., collected from the Yongshu Reef, South China Sea. This species is the first monogenean to be recorded from the gills ofParacaesio sordida. The new species is characterized by the following features: (i) haptor short, with clamps arranged in two equal bilateral rows; (ii) testes numerous, arranged in two roughly alternating longitudinal rows, extending into the haptor; (iii) genital atrium armed with 16 robust spines, which are vertically arranged on top of the sausage shaped muscular male copulatory organ; and (iv) single vagina, bottle-shaped, with a distinctly bulbous vaginal atrium. The terminals of the reproductive system discriminateParacaesicolan. gen. from all other genera in the Microcotylidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on partial 28S rDNA, placesParacaesicola nanshaensisn. sp. within the microcotylid clade, but its sequence differs from all known available microcotylid sequences.
Molecular identification and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in laboratory rats in China
Authors: Li Junqiang , Yuan Yueyue , Jiang Yuxi , Wang Wen , Chao Liqin , Sun Ruiqin , Li Jun , Karim Md Robiul , Qi Meng
Published: May 2020

Blastocystis sp. is a ubiquitous protist that has been frequently reported in humans and animals worldwide. A total of 355 fecal samples of experimental rats were collected from four laboratory rearing facilities in China, and Blastocystis sp. was detected by PCR amplification of the partial small subunit ribosomal (SSU) rRNA gene. Twenty-nine (8.2%, 29/355) samples were positive for Blastocystis sp., with the highest infection rate (20.7%, 24/116) in rats of the Zhengzhou1, followed by that in the Zhengzhou2 (5.0%, 2/40), Shenyang (3.0%, 3/100) and Wuhan (0) rearing facilities. Among the three rat strains, Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats had higher infection rates (11.3%, 17/151) compared to Wistar rats (8.7%, 9/104) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats (3.0%, 3/100). Two Blastocystis sp. subtypes (ST4 and ST7) were identified. ST4 was the predominant subtype detected in 26 samples (89.7%). A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the sequences of ST4 and ST7 obtained in this study were clustered with their reference subtypes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Blastocystis sp. in experimental rats in China. Pathogen infections in laboratory animals need to be monitored due to fecal-oral transmission.
Towards an improved decision-making process to better cope with uncertainties following a nuclear accident
Authors: Durand V. , Maître M. , Crouaïl P. , Schneider T. , Sala R. , Marques-Nunes P. , Paiva I. , Monteiro Gil O. , Reis M. , Hilliard C. , Tafili V. , Twenhöfel C. , Van Asselt E. , Trueba C. , Montero M. , Duranova T.
Published: May 2020

An emergency situation is subject to multiple sources of uncertainties which should be identified in advance in order to improve the emergency and recovery management, and so optimally foster the living conditions of the population and the quality of their environment. In this context, the Work Package 4 of the European Research Project CONFIDENCE aimed at identifying and reducing uncertainties which could emerge in decision-making processes, in order to improve the preparedness and response after a nuclear accident. To that end, stakeholder panels have been set up in several European countries to collect their views and concerns regarding the decisions to be taken in the event of a nuclear crisis (e.g. evacuation, food restrictions, etc.). More particularly, the implementation of these panels allowed the researchers to (i) identify the main uncertainties that may hamper decision-making processes and to (ii) evaluate the influence of prior decisions made during the emergency phase over the medium to long-term evolution of the situation. Based on these discussions, the various types of uncertainties raised by the national panels have been analysed in order to suggest recommendations to better consider them and to improve the decision-making processes. This paper aims to detail the recommendations resulting from the panels discussions.
Social uncertainties related to stable iodine intake in a nuclear emergency
Authors: Turcanu C. , Perko T. , Sala R. , Wolf H.V. , Camps J. , Oughton D.H.
Published: May 2020

Intake of stable iodine intake is considered as an effective countermeasure for reducing the risk of thyroid cancer in an eventual release of radioactive iodine following nuclear accident. However, there are a number of value and social uncertainties that are likely to impact on accident management. These include differences in public response as well as decisions made by emergency management actors during an actual incident. In order to explore these sources of uncertainty, this paper explored social uncertainties related to the potential administration of stable iodine. First, public understanding and compliance with the advice of authorities was studied by surveys, showing that less than half of the public knew when iodine tablets should be taken, or understood their protective role. There were also country specific differences in the level of expected compliance with authorities’ advice. Second, social uncertainties were identified through observations of emergency exercises; these were revealed to be mainly related to timing, public response, communication, effectiveness, cross-border issues and first responders. Third, studies on factors influencing communication about stable iodine were carried out and showed that public understanding and compliance with advice could be improved by communicating numerical and narrative information. Overall, the results indicate that enhanced focus on social uncertainties during the preparedness phase may improve the effectiveness of stable iodine administration in case of an emergency.
Knowledge base concept for designing and documenting participation in radiological protection
Authors: Duranova T. , Turcanu C. , Geysmans R. , Schieber C. , Pölzl-Viol C. , Zeleznik N. , Barazza F. , Economides S. , Fallon C.
Published: May 2020

The stronger requirements for, and recognition of, stakeholder involvement in radiation protection, and the remaining challenges in translating these into practice, substantiate the need for knowledge sharing through a repository of stakeholder engagement experiences. One of the goals of the ENGAGE project was designing such a knowledge base and exemplifying it with case studies. Existing databases for stakeholder engagement were examined and combined with the focal points of the ENGAGE project. This paper presents the concept of the knowledge base by introducing its structure, which is then illustrated by the radon case studies developed within the ENGAGE project.
Recent update on crosslinked polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Langlois Jean , Hamadouche Moussa
Published: May 2020

More than two decades after their clinical introduction, crosslinked polyethylenes (XLPE) have been widely adopted. Though concerns were initially raised regarding oxidation and brittleness, on a large scale, the first generation of XLPE continues to be highly effective 15 years after the surgery, even in a young and active population. Remelted XLPE might display lower wear rates than annealed XLPE. Second generation XLPEs, not only including sequentially irradiated and annealed but also associated with antioxidants, demonstrate encouraging short- to mid-term results. Registry data support clinical trial reports. Even in less favorable settings (lipped liners, dual mobility cups, revision surgery, hip resurfacing) results are promising. However, failures (fractures) have already been described. Therefore, a high level of surveillance remains crucial.
Prüfungsstress meistern
Authors: Lutz-Kopp Caroline , Gropalis Maria
Published: May 2020

Prüfungen zu meistern ist nicht nur eine Frage der fachlichen Kompetenz. Starke Prüfungsängste können einen daran hindern, das eigene Potenzial voll auszuschöpfen und sich beruflich (weiter) zu qualifizieren. Die Bewältigung von Prüfungsängsten kann gelernt werden – manchmal helfen schon kleine Veränderungen in der Prüfungsvorbereitung oder während der Prüfung. Die Autorinnen geben zunächst einen Überblick über die Symptome, Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung von Prüfungsängsten. Anschließend stellen sie konkrete und leicht umsetzbare Bewältigungsstrategien vor.
Gruppen leiten mit der Theorie U
Authors: Weiße Dagmar
Published: May 2020

Wie gelingt es, eine Gruppe so zu moderieren, dass ein lebendiger Austausch stattfindet und die Teilnehmenden neue Perspektiven finden? Im Interventionskoffer stellen wir Ihnen die Theorie U nach Otto Scharmer vor, mit der eingefahrene Wege verlassen werden können, um Neues zu wagen.