bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial forecasting of seismicity provided from Earth observation by space satellite technology
Authors: Farolfi Gregorio , Keir Derek , Corti Giacomo , Casagli Nicola
Published: June 2020

Understanding the controls on the distribution and magnitude of earthquakes is required for effective earthquake forecasting. We present a study that demonstrates that the distribution and size of earthquakes in Italy correlates with the steady state rate at which the Earth’s crust moves. We use a new high-resolution horizontal strain rate (S) field determined from a very dense velocity field derived from the combination of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and satellite radar interferometry from two decades of observations. Through a statistical approach we study the correlation between the S and the magnitude of M ≥ 2.5 earthquakes that occurred in the same period of satellite observations. We found that the probability of earthquakes occurring is linked to S by a linear correlation, and more specifically the probability that a strong seismic event occurs doubles with the doubling of S. It also means that lower horizontal strain rate zone can have as large earthquakes as high horizontal strain rate zones, just with a reduced probability. The work demonstrates an independent and quantitative tool to spatially forecast seismicity.
Physical deterioration and adaptive recovery in physically inactive breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Møller Tom , Andersen Christina , Lillelund Christian , Bloomquist Kira , Christensen Karl Bang , Ejlertsen Bent , Tuxen Malgorzata , Oturai Peter , Breitenstein Ulla , Kolind Cecilie , Travis Pernille , Bjerg Tina , Rørth Mikael , Adamsen Lis
Published: June 2020

Cardiorespiratory fitness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and shortened life expectancy in breast cancer survivors. This randomised controlled trial (n = 153) was designed for patients with a physically inactive lifestyle prediagnosis and concurrently referred to adjuvant chemotherapy. We compared two 12-week exercise interventions aimed at physiological and patient-reported outcomes (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, metabolic markers, physical activity, pain, fatigue), including a 39-week follow-up. A supervised hospital-based moderate to high intensity group exercise intervention was compared to an instructed home-based individual pedometer intervention. The two 12-week interventions included oncologists’ recommendations and systematic health counselling. Outcomes were measured at baseline and week 6, 12 and 39. Primary outcome cardiorespiratory fitness declined significantly during chemotherapy and was restored in both interventions at follow-up. The interventions effectively engaged breast cancer patients in sustaining physical activities during and following adjuvant treatment. A composite metabolic score improved significantly. Positive cardiorespiratory fitness responders had improved clinical effects on fatigue, pain and dyspnoea versus negative responders. We conclude that a loss of cardiorespiratory fitness among physically inactive breast cancer patients may be restored by early initiated interventions and by adapting to physical activity recommendations, leading to a decreased cardiovascular risk profile in breast cancer survivors.
High-efficiency enrichment enables identification of aptamers to circulating Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes
Authors: Oteng Eugene K. , Gu Wenjuan , McKeague Maureen
Published: June 2020

Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of the deadliest human malaria. New molecules are needed that can specifically bind to erythrocytes that are infected with P. falciparum for diagnostic purposes, to disrupt host-parasite interactions, or to deliver chemotherapeutics. Aptamer technology has the potential to revolutionize biological diagnostics and therapeutics; however, broad adoption is hindered by the high failure rate of the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Here we performed parallel SELEX experiments to compare the impact of two different methods for single-strand recovery on the efficiency of aptamer enrichment. Our experimental results and analysis of SELEX publications spanning 13 years implicate the alkaline denaturation step as a significant cause for inefficient aptamer selection. Thus, we applied an exonuclease single-strand recovery step in our SELEX to direct aptamers to the surface of erythrocytes infected with P. falciparum. The selected aptamers bind with high affinity (low nanomolar Kd values) and selectivity to exposed surface proteins of both laboratory parasite strains as well isolates from patients in Asia and Africa with clinical malaria. The results obtained in this study potentially open new approaches to malaria diagnosis and surveillance.
Predicted effect of ticagrelor on the pharmacokinetics of dabigatran etexilate using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Wang Nan , Chen Lu , Li Na , Xu Gaoqi , Qi Fang , Zhu Liqin , Liu Wensheng
Published: June 2020

Dabigatran etexilate (DABE) is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and may be combined with ticagrelor, a P2Y12 inhibitor with antiplatelet effects. This combination of antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants would increases the risk of bleeding in patients. In addition, the potential drug interaction may further increase the risk of bleeding. At present, there is scarce research to clarify the results of the interaction between the two. Therefore, we conducted this study to identify the potential impact of ticagrelor on the pharmacokinetics of DABE using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling. The models reasonably predicted the concentration-time profiles of dabigatran (DAB), the transformation form after DABE absorption, and ticagrelor. For pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction (DDI), exposure to DAB at steady state was increased when co-administrated with ticagrelor. The Cmax and AUC0-t of DAB were raised by approximately 8.7% and 7.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, a stable-state ticagrelor co-administration at 400 mg once-daily increased the Cmax and AUC0-t of DAB by approximately 12.8% and 18.8%, respectively. As conclusions, Ticagrelor slightly increased the exposure of DAB. It is possible to safely use ticagrelor in a double or triple antithrombotic regimen containing DABE, only considering the antithrombotic efficacy, but not need to pay much attention on the pharmacokinetic DDI.
Non-canonical WNT5a regulates Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the mouse ovarian surface epithelium
Authors: Abedini Atefeh , Sayed Céline , Carter Lauren E. , Boerboom Derek , Vanderhyden Barbara C.
Published: June 2020

The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is a monolayer that covers the ovarian surface and is involved in ovulation by rupturing and enabling release of a mature oocyte and by repairing the wound after ovulation. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a mechanism that may promote wound healing after ovulation. While this process is poorly understood in the OSE, in other tissues wound repair is known to be under the control of the local microenvironment and different growth factors such as the WNT signaling pathway. Among WNT family members, WNT4 and WNT5a are expressed in the OSE and are critical for the ovulatory process. The objective of this study was to determine the potential roles of WNT4 and WNT5a in regulating the OSE layer. Using primary cultures of mouse OSE cells, we found WNT5a, but not WNT4, promotes EMT through a non-canonical Ca2+-dependent pathway, up-regulating the expression of Vimentin and CD44, enhancing cell migration, and inhibiting the CTNNB1 pathway and proliferation. We conclude that WNT5a is a stimulator of the EMT in OSE cells, and acts by suppressing canonical WNT signaling activity and inducing the non-canonical Ca2+ pathway.
Exogenous melatonin advances the ram breeding season and increases testicular function
Authors: Pool K. R. , Rickard J. P. , Pini T. , de Graaf S. P.
Published: June 2020

Governed by melatonin, ovine reproductive seasonality limits production outcomes due to periods of decreased reproductive efficiency. Though it is established that slow-release melatonin implants improve out of season reproductive performance in the ewe, the comprehensive effects of exogenous melatonin in the ram remain inconclusive. This study aimed to ultimately clarify the ability of exogenous melatonin to alter ram reproductive function during the non-breeding season and the subsequent breeding season. Hence, we investigated the effect of exogenous melatonin on reproductive endocrinology, semen quality and production, testicular size and libido in Merino and Poll Dorset rams (n = 31, using a subset of 18 rams for analysis of semen production and quality). Melatonin treatment resulted in elevation of melatonin in seminal plasma from 1–8 weeks post-implantation and in blood plasma at 6 weeks post-implantation. The blood plasma testosterone of implanted rams was greater than controls at both 6 weeks post-implantation and during the following breeding season. Implanted rams exhibited increased testicular size and number of sperm per ejaculate from 3–12 weeks post-implantation but did not demonstrate any change in sperm motility or morphology in response to treatment. Compared to their control counterparts, melatonin-treated Poll Dorset rams exhibited a lower percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation during several weeks of the non-breeding season. Though melatonin increased the likelihood of ejaculate collection in Poll Dorset rams (P < 0.05), libido was otherwise unaffected by treatment. Melatonin did not alter seminal plasma concentrations of inhibin A or Anti-Mullerian hormone, however, for the first time in the ram we have shown Anti-Mullerian hormone to be positively correlated with the number of sperm per ejaculate and sperm motility (r = 0.464 and 0.3242 respectively, P < 0.001), and inhibin A to be correlated to the number of sperm per ejaculate (r = 0.1786, P = 0.0135). These results indicate that melatonin is able to both systemically upregulate reproduction and act directly upon testicular function in the ram.
Taxonomic and Functional Differences in Cervical Microbiome Associated with Cervical Cancer Development
Authors: Tango Charles Nkufi , Seo Sang-Soo , Kwon Minji , Lee Dong-Ock , Chang Ha Kyun , Kim Mi Kyung
Published: June 2020

The cervical microbiome is associated with cervical cancer risk, but how microbial diversity and functional profiles change in cervical cancer remains unclear. Herein, we investigated microbial-compositional and functional differences between a control group and a high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer (CIN2/3-CC) group. After retrospective collection of 92 cervical swab samples, we carried out 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on 50 and 42 samples from the control and CIN2/3-CC groups, respectively. The EzBioCloud pipeline was applied to identify the genomic features associated with the groups using 16S rRNA data. A linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was performed to assess the enrichment in the assigned taxonomic and functional profiles. We found a lower richness in the control group relative to the CIN2/3-CC group; however, the β-diversity tended to be similar between the groups. The LEfSe analysis showed that a phylum Sacchaaribacteria_TM7, 11 genera, and 21 species were more abundant in the CIN2/3-CC group and that one uncharacterized Gardnerella species was more abundant only in the control group. Further characterization of the functional pathways using EzBioCloud showed that the 4 KEGG orthologs (Phosphotransferase system [PTS] sucrose-specific IIA, IIB, IIC components and PTS cellubiose-specific IIC component) were involved in the KEGG pathway of starch and sucrose metabolism. The two pathways of folate biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation were more abundant in the CIN2/3-CC group. Further confirmation of these results in larger samples can help to elucidate the potential association between the cervical microbiome and cervical cancer.
A Bio-Based Resin for a Multi-Scale Optical 3D Printing
Authors: Skliutas Edvinas , Lebedevaite Migle , Kasetaite Sigita , Rekštytė Sima , Lileikis Saulius , Ostrauskaite Jolita , Malinauskas Mangirdas
Published: June 2020

Materials obtained from renewable sources are emerging to replace the starting materials of petroleum-derived plastics. They offer easy processing, fulfill technological, functional and durability requirements at the same time ensuring increased bio-compatibility, recycling, and eventually lower cost. On the other hand, optical 3D printing (O3DP) is a rapid prototyping tool (and an additive manufacturing technique) being developed as a choice for efficient and low waste production method, yet currently associated with mainly petroleum-derived resins. Here we employ a single bio-based resin derived from soy beans, suitable for O3DP in the scales from nano- to macro-dimensions, which can be processed even without the addition of photoinitiator. The approach is validated using both state-of-the art laser nanolithography setup as well as a widespread table-top 3D printer - sub-micrometer accuracy 3D objects are fabricated reproducibly. Additionally, chess-like figures are made in an industrial line commercially delivering small batch production services. Such concept is believed to make a breakthrough in rapid prototyping by switching the focus of O3DP to bio-based resins instead of being restricted to conventional petroleum-derived photopolymers.
In Pursuit of Stability Enhancement of a Prostate Cancer Targeting Antibody Derived from a Transgenic Animal Platform
Authors: Venkataramani Sathya , Ernst Robin , Derebe Mehabaw Getahun , Wright Robert , Kopenhaver Jessica , Jacobs Steven A. , Singh Sanjaya , Ganesan Rajkumar
Published: June 2020

Accelerated timelines necessitate the discovery of fully human antibodies as biotherapeutics using transgenic animals with a notion that such mAbs bypass humanization. A transgenic animal derived mAb (PCa75) targeted against a prostate cancer antigen had several ‘unusual residues’ (rare somatic hypermutations, rSHM, with positional frequency of <1%) that resulted in compromised biophysical properties (Tm = 61 °C and intrinsic stability ΔGu = 24.3 kJ/mol) and a sub-optimal immunogenicity profile. In our quest for quality medicine, we pursued antibody engineering strategies to enhance the stability of PCa75. PCa62, an engineered variant of PCa75, retained function while significantly improving the drug-like attributes of the molecule (Tm = 75 °C and intrinsic stability ΔGu = 63.5 kJ/mol). rSHM is rather prevalent, 18 out the 21 approved transgenic animal-derived antibodies have at least one ‘unusual residue’. Thus, engineering of rSHM remains critical to enhance the stability and minimize immunogenicity risk of biotherapeutics.
Age- and BMI-related variations of fat distribution in sacral and lumbar bone marrow and their association with local muscle fat content
Authors: Burian Egon , Syväri Jan , Dieckmeyer Michael , Holzapfel Christina , Drabsch Theresa , Sollmann Nico , Kirschke Jan S. , Rummeny Ernst J. , Zimmer Claus , Hauner Hans , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Baum Thomas , Junker Daniela
Published: June 2020

This analysis investigated the age- and BMI-related variations of fat distribution in sacral and lumbar bone marrow and their association with local muscle fat content in order to detect fat distribution patterns and variations in healthy adults using proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measurements. A six-echo 3D spoiled gradient-echo sequence was used for chemical shift encoding-based water-fat separation at the sacral and lower lumbar region in 103 healthy volunteers. PDFF values of the sacrum, 5th lumbar vertebral body, the gluteal and paraspinal muscles were determined. Correlation with age was significant (p < 0.05) for PDFF of the sacrum (men (m): r = 0.58; women (w): r = 0.54), L5 (m: r = 0.58; w: r = 0.54), the gluteal (m: r = 0.51; w: r = 0.44) and paraspinal (m: r = 0.36; w: r = 0.49) muscles in both genders. BMI correlated significantly with the paraspinal musculature in men (r = 0.46) and women (r = 0.33). Correlation testing revealed significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the two osseous (m: r = 0.63, w: r = 0.75) and the muscle compartments (m: r = 0.63, w: r = 0.33) in both genders. Bone marrow and muscle fat infiltration patterns were not significantly associated with each other at the sacral and lower lumbar spine region. The presented data suggest that the two compartments may have distinct pathophysiological fat infiltration patterns. However, further clinical studies are needed to support the results.
Liposome-mediated delivery of challenging chemicals to aid environmental assessment of Bioaccumulative (B) and Toxic (T) properties
Authors: Castro Mafalda , Lindqvist Dennis
Published: June 2020

Standard aquatic toxicity tests of chemicals are often limited by the chemicals’ water solubility. Liposomes have been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to overcome poor pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. In this work, liposomes were synthesized and used in an ecotoxicological context, as a tool to assure stable dosing of technically challenging chemicals to zooplankton. Three chemicals with distinctly different characteristics were successfully incorporated into the liposomes: Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA, log Kow 5.9, pKa1 7.5, pKa2 8.5), chlorinated paraffin CP-52 (log Kow 8–12) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, pKa 2.8). The size, production yield and stability over time was similar for all blank and chemical-loaded liposomes, except for when the liposomes were loaded with 10 or 100 mg g−1 PFOA. PFOA increased the size and decreased the production yield and stability of the liposomes. Daphnia magna were exposed to blank and chemical-loaded liposomes in 48 hour incubation experiments. A dose-dependent increase in body burden in D. magna and increased immobilization (LD50 = 7.6 ng CPs per individual) was observed. This confirms not only the ingestion of the liposomes but also the successful internalization of chemicals. This study shows that liposomes can be a reliable alternative to aid the study of aquatic toxicity of challenging chemicals.
Weighted persistent homology for osmolyte molecular aggregation and hydrogen-bonding network analysis
Authors: Anand D. Vijay , Meng Zhenyu , Xia Kelin , Mu Yuguang
Published: June 2020

It has long been observed that trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and urea demonstrate dramatically different properties in a protein folding process. Even with the enormous theoretical and experimental research work on these two osmolytes, various aspects of their underlying mechanisms still remain largely elusive. In this paper, we propose to use the weighted persistent homology to systematically study the osmolytes molecular aggregation and their hydrogen-bonding network from a local topological perspective. We consider two weighted models, i.e., localized persistent homology (LPH) and interactive persistent homology (IPH). Boltzmann persistent entropy (BPE) is proposed to quantitatively characterize the topological features from LPH and IPH, together with persistent Betti number (PBN). More specifically, from the localized persistent homology models, we have found that TMAO and urea have very different local topology. TMAO is found to exhibit a local network structure. With the concentration increase, the circle elements in these networks show a clear increase in their total numbers and a decrease in their relative sizes. In contrast, urea shows two types of local topological patterns, i.e., local clusters around 6 Å and a few global circle elements at around 12 Å. From the interactive persistent homology models, it has been found that our persistent radial distribution function (PRDF) from the global-scale IPH has same physical properties as the traditional radial distribution function. Moreover, PRDFs from the local-scale IPH can also be generated and used to characterize the local interaction information. Other than the clear difference of the first peak value of PRDFs at filtration size 4 Å, TMAO and urea also shows very different behaviors at the second peak region from filtration size 5 Å to 10 Å. These differences are also reflected in the PBNs and BPEs of the local-scale IPH. These localized topological information has never been revealed before. Since graphs can be transferred into simplicial complexes by the clique complex, our weighted persistent homology models can be used in the analysis of various networks and graphs from any molecular structures and aggregation systems.
Baiyacha, a wild tea plant naturally occurring high contents of theacrine and 3″-methyl-epigallocatechin gallate from Fujian, China
Authors: Jin Ji-Qiang , Jiang Chen-Kai , Yao Ming-Zhe , Chen Liang
Published: June 2020

Baiyacha (BYC) is a kind of wild tea plant growing and utilizing in the remote mountain area of Fujian province, Southeastern China. However, scientific studies on this plant remain limited. Our results showed that BYC exhibits the typical morphological characteristics of Camellia gymnogyna Chang, a closely related species of C. sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, which was not found in Fujian before. Chemical profiling revealed that parts of BYC plants are rich in purine alkaloids and catechins, especially featuring high levels of theacrine and 3″-methyl-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG3″Me), chemical compounds with multiple biological activities that are rarely observed in regular tea plants. The contents of EGCG3″Me and theacrine in BYC both increased with the leaf maturity of tea shoots, whereas the caffeine content decreased significantly. The obtained results provide abundant information about the morphology and chemical compounds of BYC and may be used for tea production, breeding, and scientific research in the future.
NeuroExaminer: an all-glass microfluidic device for whole-brain in vivo imaging in zebrafish
Authors: Mattern Kai , von Trotha Jakob William , Erfle Peer , Köster Reinhard Wolfgang , Dietzel Andreas
Published: June 2020

While microfluidics enables chemical stimuli application with high spatio-temporal precision, light-sheet microscopy allows rapid imaging of entire zebrafish brains with cellular resolution. Both techniques, however, have not been combined to monitor whole-brain neural activity yet. Unlike conventional microfluidics, we report here an all-glass device (NeuroExaminer) that is compatible with whole-brain in vivo imaging using light-sheet microscopy and can thus provide insights into brain function in health and disease.
Author Correction: Joule overheating poisons the fractional ac Josephson effect in topological Josephson junctions
Authors: Le Calvez Kévin , Veyrat Louis , Gay Frédéric , Plaindoux Philippe , Winkelmann Clemens B. , Courtois Hervé , Sacépé Benjamin
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Rh-Doped SrTiO3 inverse opal with piezoelectric effect for enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation of bisphenol A
Authors: Zhou Qian , Shi Qingyun , Li Najun , Chen Dongyun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei
Published: June 2020

Rh-doped SrTiO3 inverse opal with a well-ordered 3D structure is prepared via an efficient approach for the boosted piezo-photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants such as BPA.
1-(2-Cyanoethyl)pyrrole enables excellent battery performance at high temperature via the synergistic effect of Lewis base and CN functional groups
Authors: Duan Kaijia , Ning Jingrong , Zhou Lai , Xu Wenjia , Feng Chuanqi , Yang Tao , Wang Shiquan , Liu Jianwen
Published: June 2020

1-(2-Cyanoethyl)pyrrole electrolyte additive via a capturing strategy enables high-performance of lithium-ion batteries at high temperature.
A near-infrared light-controlled, ultrasensitive one-step photoelectrochemical detection of dual cell apoptosis indicators in living cancer cells
Authors: Zheng Ying-Ning , Xiong Cheng-Yi , Zhuo Ying , Chai Ya-Qin , Liang Wen-Bin , Yuan Ruo
Published: June 2020

The proposed near-infrared (NIR) light-controlled, one-step photoelectrochemical (PEC) strategy could simultaneously detect cell apoptosis indicators, phosphatidylserine (Pho) and sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Sat), on living cancer cells.
Components of the interaction energy of the odd-electron halogen bond: an ab initio study
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Prasanta , Seikh Md. Motin
Published: June 2020

The odd-electron halogen bond offers a fertile ground to explore the nature of non-covalent interactions. The regioselectivity, interaction energy and its components were analyzed by conceptual DFT parameters, NCI plot and LED-DLPNO-CCSD(T) analysis.
Bifunctional carbon nanoplatelets as metal-free catalysts for direct conversion of fructose to 2,5-diformylfuran
Authors: Zhao Jun , Yan Yibo , Hu Zhong-Ting , Jose Vishal , Chen Xiaoping , Lee Jong-Min
Published: June 2020

Modified graphitic carbon nanoplatelets were prepared and used as bifunctional metal-free catalysts for the tandem reaction from fructose to DFF.
In situ growth of benzothiadiazole functionalized UiO-66-NH2 on carboxyl modified g-C3N4 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole under visible light
Authors: Lv Shi-Wen , Liu Jing-Min , Li Chun-Yang , Zhao Ning , Wang Zhi-Hao , Wang Shuo
Published: June 2020

A newly-constructed hybrid photocatalyst with electron deficient units and an n–n heterojunction was synthesized to degrade antibiotics under visible light.
Response of intestinal Gα subunits to nanopolystyrene in nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Yang Yunhan , Du Huihui , Xiao Guosheng , Wu Qiuli , Wang Dayong
Published: June 2020

Our results highlight the crucial role of intestinal Gα subunits and their downstream signaling pathways in response to nanoplastics.
Comparison of the impact of ozone, chlorine dioxide, ferrate and permanganate pre-oxidation on organic disinfection byproduct formation during post-chlorination
Authors: Rougé Valentin , von Gunten Urs , Lafont de Sentenac Mariette , Massi Massimiliano , Wright Phillip J. , Croué Jean-Philippe , Allard Sébastien
Published: June 2020

Pre-oxidation is commonly used to mitigate the formation of byproducts during post-disinfection.
A posteriori error estimation for the non-self-consistent Kohn–Sham equations
Authors: Herbst Michael F. , Levitt Antoine , Cancès Eric
Published: June 2020

We address the problem of rigorously bounding the errors in the numerical solution of the Kohn–Sham equations in the pseudopotential approximation. We demonstrate our method by providing band structure diagrams of silicon annotated with the total error.
Polymer principles behind solubilizing lignin with organic cosolvents for bioenergy
Authors: Vural Derya , Smith Jeremy C. , Petridis Loukas
Published: June 2020

Polymer theory, developed for simple homopolymers, is applicable to the interaction of lignin with aprotic organic pretreatment solvents.
Deformation of leukaemia cell lines in hyperbolic microchannels: investigating the role of shear and extensional components
Authors: Piergiovanni Monica , Galli Valeria , Holzner Gregor , Stavrakis Stavros , DeMello Andrew , Dubini Gabriele
Published: June 2020

Experimental and computational methods: together to disentangle the role of extensional and shear fluid dynamics on single cell deformation.
Synthesis of heterocyclic aramid nanofibers and high performance nanopaper
Authors: Shi Yifei , Tuo Xinlin
Published: June 2020

We take the lead in researching the fabrication of heterocyclic aramid nanofibers and nanopaper, which has the best properties in the field.
A practical synthesis of amino limonin/deoxylimonin derivatives as effective mitigators against inflammation and nociception
Authors: Wang Shaochi , Han Xueqing , Yang Yun , Chen Rui , Guo Zhaoyi , Zhu Qihua , Xu Yungen
Published: June 2020

A practical synthetic route, consisting of 5 steps, has been developed and applied successfully for converting limonin/deoxylimonin into the corresponding amino derivatives I-5a–I-5e and II-5a–II-5e.
Human skin-inspired integrated multidimensional sensors based on highly anisotropic structures
Authors: Chen Haomin , Jing Ying , Lee Jeng-Hun , Liu Dan , Kim Jungmo , Chen Shusheng , Huang Kan , Shen Xi , Zheng Qingbin , Yang Jinglei , Jeon Seokwoo , Kim Jang-Kyo
Published: June 2020

A novel multidimensional strain sensor mimicking human skin is developed. In-plane and pressure subsensors are integrated into a sensor with exceptional sensitivity and selectivity capable of detecting stimuli from 3D directions.
An oxygen heterocycle-fused fluorene based non-fullerene acceptor for high efficiency organic solar cells
Authors: Ke Xin , Meng Lingxian , Wan Xiangjian , Sun Yanna , Guo Ziqi , Wu Simin , Zhang Hongtao , Li Chenxi , Chen Yongsheng
Published: June 2020

A new acceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A) small molecule acceptor, named FCO-2F, is designed and synthesized based on the previous acceptor F-H.
Cu-based metal–organic framework HKUST-1 as effective catalyst for highly sensitive determination of ascorbic acid
Authors: Shen Tianyang , Liu Tianchen , Mo Hanqi , Yuan Zichen , Cui Feng , Jin Yixiang , Chen Xiaojun
Published: June 2020

In this work, a Cu-based nanosheet metal–organic framework (MOF), HKUST-1, was synthesised using a solvent method at room temperature and it demonstrated high capability and sensitivity towards the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA).
Split or slip – passive generation of monodisperse double emulsions with cores of varying viscosity in microfluidic tandem step emulsification system
Authors: Opalski Adam S. , Makuch Karol , Derzsi Ladislav , Garstecki Piotr
Published: June 2020

We investigate the role of fluid viscosities on formation of double emulsion in a microfluidic step emulsification system. The ratio of fluid viscosities controls double droplet formation, leading to splitting of the core for low core-to-shell viscosity ratio.
Molecular engineering of anthracene-based emitters for highly efficient nondoped deep-blue fluorescent OLEDs
Authors: Wang Yaxiong , Liu Wei , Ye Shaofeng , Zhang Qing , Duan Yalei , Guo Runda , Wang Lei
Published: June 2020

Deep-blue anthracene-based emitters for efficient nondoped fluorescent OLEDs.
Equivalent circuit method for Mu‐Negative‐Magnetic and Mu‐Near‐Zero metamaterials in wireless power transfer system
Authors: Rong Cancan , Lu Conghui , Tao Xiong , Huang Xiutao , Zeng Yingqin , Liu Xiaobo , Liu Minghai
Published: June 2020

The application of the metamaterial (MM) in wireless power transfer (WPT) system has received a great deal of attention in improving the transfer efficiency and reducing the leakage of electromagnetic field (EMF) in recent years. However, most of the analytical methods for MM‐inspired WPT system are based on microwave technologies, such as negative refraction effect, magnetic dipole coupling model and magneto‐inductive wave theory. In this study, the equivalent circuit model of the MM in the WPT system is analysed in detail. Two different types of MMs, Mu‐Negative‐Magnetic (MNM) and Mu‐Near‐Zero (MNZ), are constructed to verify this method. In particular, a tuning strategy by changing the distances between the drive (load) loop and internal coils is established to improve the power transfer efficiency for the WPT system with the MNM‐MM. In addition, the MNZ‐MM is described to cancel EMF leakage in the WPT systems by this method. Moreover, a series of practical experiments are carried out to prove the numerical analysis, which are well consistent with the theoretical solution employed by the Advanced Design System software. Finally, the combination of two types of MMs applied in the WPT system is also discussed.
Smart approaches to waste management for post‐COVID‐19 smart cities in Japan
Authors: Onoda Hiroshi
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 crisis has had a great impact on Japanese society. The author is rapidly going online and trying to make the transition to a new way of life. This study discusses the topics before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan. Then, smart approaches to waste management for post‐COVID‐19 smart cities in Japan are described by illustrating the results of the author's research group. Specifically, the author states that virtual reality can be an effective solution for remote education. The work chain management system contributes to the promotion of cashless in addition to the traceability of waste. The multi‐benefits mobility system that supports self‐driving will contribute to the automatic garbage collection by linking it to smart garbage bins. Besides, remote control of waste incineration facilities and robotic arms in waste treatment and recycling facilities will take on more importance. The author believes that the COVID‐19 crisis could be an opportunity to accelerate smart city initiatives in Japan.
GPS spoofing‐based time synchronisation attack in advanced metering infrastructure and its protection
Authors: Bin Qian , Ziwen Cai , Yong Xiao , Liang Hong , Sheng Su
Published: June 2020

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) plays a key role in power systems. Since smart meters and meter collectors are synchronised to the time synchronisation devices (TSDs) in the head end system (HES) of AMI, they are vulnerable to global positioning system (GPS) spoofing‐based time synchronisation attack (TSA). Impacts of GPS spoofing‐based TSA on AMI are investigated in this study. It is uncovered that, since AMI is a distributed networked system and metering data and control commands transmitted in AMI could be of large latency, data and commands with large latency over the specific threshold are considered to be invalid according to validity verification mechanism of average distributed system. Therefore, the disorder in time synchronisation induced by GPS spoofing‐based TSA could disable functions of HES of AMI, such as meter reading and remote control. A time jitter detection‐based approach is developed to identify and prevent from GPS spoofing‐based TSA. A high‐precision oven‐controlled crystal oscillator with cumulative error compensation is utilised to identify time jitter of the satellite clock and help ride through sustained GPS spoofing‐based TSA. Simulation on FPGA demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Multi‐rate co‐simulation of power system transients using dynamic phasor and EMT solvers
Authors: Rupasinghe Janesh , Filizadeh Shaahin , Gole Aniruddha M. , Strunz Kai
Published: June 2020

This study presents a novel multi‐rate algorithm for the co‐simulation of power system transients using base‐frequency dynamic phasor solver for frequency adaptive simulation of transient (BFAST) and electromagnetic transient (EMT) solvers. The BFAST solver alters its solution technique from dynamic phasors to EMT based upon the frequency contents of the waveforms being simulated. A changeover algorithm between the two solvers is also presented. The BFAST solver is then integrated with an industrial‐grade EMT solver to develop a BFAST–EMT multi‐rate co‐simulator. The interface between the two solvers is established using transmission lines at the partitioning locations. The co‐simulator combines the benefits of dynamic phasors, frequency adaptive simulation of transients, parallel processing, and multi‐rate simulation. The study describes the several solution modes of the proposed co‐simulator. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the accuracy and computational benefits of the proposed co‐simulator.
Learning synergies based in‐hand manipulation with reward shaping
Authors: Deng Zhen , Zhang Jian Wei
Published: June 2020

In‐hand manipulation is a fundamental ability for multi‐fingered robotic hands that interact with their environments. Owing to the high dimensionality of robotic hands and intermittent contact dynamics, effectively programming a robotic hand for in‐hand manipulations is still a challenging problem. To address this challenge, this work employs deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm to learn in‐hand manipulations for multi‐fingered robotic hands. A reward‐shaping method is proposed to assist the learning of in‐hand manipulation. The synergy of robotic hand postures is analysed to build a low‐dimensional hand posture space. Two additional rewards are designed based on both the analysis of hand synergies and its learning history. The two additional rewards cooperating with an extrinsic reward are used to assist the in‐hand manipulation learning. Three value functions are trained jointly with respect to their reward functions. Then they cooperate to optimise a control policy for in‐hand manipulation. The reward shaping not only improves the exploration efficiency of the DRL algorithm but also provides a way to incorporate domain knowledge. The performance of the proposed learning method is evaluated with object rotation tasks. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed learning method enables multi‐fingered robotic hands to learn in‐hand manipulation effectively.
SCALAR: an AMR code to simulate axion-like dark matter models
Authors: Mina Mattia , Mota David F. , Winther Hans A.
Published: June 2020

We present a new code, SCALAR, based on the high-resolution hydrodynamics and N-body code RAMSES, to solve the Schrödinger equation on adaptive refined meshes. The code is intended to be used to simulate axion or fuzzy dark matter models where the evolution of the dark matter component is determined by a coupled Schrödinger-Poisson equation, but it can also be used as a stand-alone solver for both linear and non-linear Schrödinger equations with any given external potential. This paper describes the numerical implementation of our solver and presents tests to demonstrate how accurately it operates.
Thermal photons at PHENIX experiment
Authors: Roman Veronica Canoa
Published: June 2020

Direct photons are a unique probe to study the properties of the medium created in heavy ion collisions. In particular low pT direct photons are of great importance since one expects that they are predominantly of thermal origin. In A+A systems PHENIX has observed a large yield of low pT direct photon that are emitted with a significant azimuthal anisotropy with respect to the reaction plane (v2). The mechanism responsible for the large yield and large v2 is not understood yet. Following recent evidence for collective behavior of charged particle production from small systems like p+A, d+Au, and 3He+Au, PHENIX has made systematic measurements of direct pho- tons with different collision energies and system configurations. It has been found that the low pT direct photon yield dNγ/dη is proportional to (dNch/dη)α. This behavior holds for beam energies measured both at RHIC and at the LHC in large-on-large systems, while data from small systems suggest an onset of QGP formation at low dNch/dα. In this talk, I will report recent measurements of thermal photon and related observables.
Constraints of the Low-x Structure of Protons and Nuclei
Authors: Peitzmann Thomas
Published: June 2020

I review recent developments in the study of the low-x partonic content of pro- tons and nuclei, with a focus on the latter, as one expects possible deviations from linear QCD evolution to be most pronounced in that case. I give examples of recent theoretical descriptions of HERA measurements with a focus on the role of BFKL evolution. I then concentrate on the status and assumptions of nuclear PDFs and the possibility to use for- ward particle production at the LHC as further constraint, in particular measurements of open charm and the potential of electromagnetic probes.
The dijet mass distribution in heavy ion collisions
Authors: Reiten Jared
Published: June 2020

In these proceedings, we review the production of both light and heavy flavor dijets in heavy ion collisions and highlight a promising observable to expose their distinct signatures. We propose the modification of dijet invariant mass distributions in heavy ion collisions as a new observable that exhibits striking sensitivity to the heavy quark mass dependence of in-medium parton showers. This observable has the advantage of amplifying the effects of jet quenching in contrast to conventional observables, such as the dijet momentum imbalance shift, which involve cancellations of such effects and, hence, result in less pronounced signals. Predictions are presented for Au+Au collisions at √SNN = 200 GeV to guide the future sPHENIX program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.
Exclusive Diffraction at the LHC On behalf of the ATLAS, LHCb, CMS and TOTEM experiments
Authors: Royon Christophe
Published: June 2020

In this report, we describe the most recent results on exclusive diffraction from the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, TOTEM experiments at the LHC concerning exclusive pions, J/Ψ, Ψ(2S ), dilepton, diphoton, WW productions and prospects concerning the search for anomalous couplings and axion-like particle production.
Does a history of head and neck cancer affect outcome of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma?
Authors: Moura Renata Nobre , Arantes Vitor Nunes , Ribeiro Tarso Magno Leite , Guimarães Roberto Gardone , de Oliveira Joel Fernandez , Kulcsar Marco Aurélio Vamondes , Sallum Rubens Antonio Aissar , Ribeiro-Junior Ulysses , Maluf-Filho Fauze
Published: June 2020

Background and study aims Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common secondary tumor in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Currently, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the preferred approach to manage superficial ESCC, however, it remains to be elucidated whether patients with HNSCC and early ESCC managed by ESD have different outcomes.

Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed esophageal ESD for early ESCC from September 2009 to September 2017 and the following variables: demographics, tumor and specimen size, Paris classification, location, en bloc and R0 resection rates, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs). To reduce selection bias, propensity score matching was applied to compare the results.

Results Eighty-nine ESDs were performed in 81 consecutive patients (47 with HNSCC and 34 without HNSCC). Patients with HNSCC who developed superficial ESCC were found to be younger and to refer a more frequent history of alcohol ingestion and smoking. There was no difference in lesion size, number of lesions, procedure time, en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, local recurrence and adverse event rate between the two groups. The histological depth of invasion for patients with HNSCC was significantly shallower before (P = 0.016) and after (P = 0.047) matching. The overall survival rate was similar in both groups.

Conclusions Patients with HNSCC have earlier detection of ESCC, probably due to endoscopic screening. Previous history of chemoradiation and surgery for HNSCC does not affect procedure time, AEs and OS.
Efficacy and safety of the starting position during colonoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Park Daeho , Kakehi Eiichi , Inoue Kazuoki , Ishikawa Shizukiyo , Kataoka Yuki
Published: June 2020

Background and study aims We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the starting position during colonoscopy.

Patients and methods We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform through February 2019 to identify studies reporting the comparison between the right/supine/prone/tilt-down and left lateral starting position during colonoscopy. The primary outcomes were mean cecal insertion time and adverse events requiring medication. Two reviewers performed study selection and risk of bias assessment. We determined the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019124360).

Results We identified 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (2083 participants), including three trials on right/tilt-down versus left, two trials on supine/prone versus left, respectively. Mean difference in mean cecal insertion time in supine versus left was –41.0 s (95 % confidence interval [CI] –57.3 to –24.7) in one study and in tilt-down versus left was – 37.3 s (95 % CI –72.1 to –2.4; I2 = 58 %) in three studies; however, there were no statistically significant differences in prone/right versus left position (very low certainty of evidence). Four of eight studies noted adverse effects requiring medication (moderate certainty of evidence). One RCT applying the tilt-down position was terminated because of increased occurrence of oxygen desaturation.

Conclusion We could not conclusively determine the efficacy and safety of the starting position during colonoscopy because of low certainty of evidence. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the starting potion during colonoscopy.
Progress in Primary Aldosteronism 2019: New Players on the
Block?
Authors: Reincke Martin , Beuschlein Felix , Williams Tracy Ann
Published: June 2020

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by hypertension caused by inappropriately
high adrenal aldosterone secretion, consecutively low plasma renin, and an elevated
aldosterone to renin ratio. It is nowadays the universally accepted main cause of
endocrine hypertension. According to the most recent epidemiological data, PA is
present in 5.8% of unselected hypertensives in primary care,
6–12% of hypertensives treated in hypertension centers, and up to
30% in subjects with resistant hypertension 1. Despite this high prevalence, a recent survey demonstrated that
screening for PA is not universally followed. Renin and aldosterone measurements,
the basis for PA screening, are currently performed by only 7% of general
practitioners in Italy and 8% in Germany 2. Accordingly, the prevalence of PA was low with 1% among
hypertensives in Italy and 2% in Germany. In a retrospective cohort study of
4660 patients with resistant hypertension in California the screening rate for PA
was 2.1% 3. Based on these data, it
is clear that we still miss the majority of PA cases, despite advances in diagnosis
and therapy.
Röntgendiagnostik in der Rheumatologie im Jahr 2020
Authors: Pfeil Alexander , Böttcher Joachim , Oelzner Peter , Hoffmann Tobias , Wolf Gunter , Renz Diane M.
Published: June 2020

In der Diagnostik von rheumatologischen Erkrankungen im Bereich der peripheren Gelenke und des Achsenskelettes stellt das Röntgenbild weiterhin die primäre bildgebende Diagnostik aufgrund der ubiquitären Verfügbarkeit als auch der standardisierten Durchführbarkeit dar. Die Röntgendiagnostik wird insbesondere zur Beurteilung der Manifestation einer rheumatologischen Erkrankung am Achsenskelett und an den peripheren Gelenken, zur Verifizierung des radiologischen Schweregrades und zur Quantifizierung der radiologischen Progression bei Patienten mit einer rheumatoiden Arthritis, Psoriasisarthritis, Arthrose und Osteoporose eingesetzt. Die Beurteilung des radiologischen Schweregrades ist über verschiedene Scoring-Modelle möglich, wobei die krankheitsspezifischen Scores vor allem in klinischen Studien eingesetzt werden und in der klinischen Routine kaum Beachtung finden. Eine Aussage in Bezug auf Weichteilstrukturen bzw. zu intraossären entzündlichen Veränderungen ist durch die Röntgendiagnostik nur in einem sehr begrenzten Umfang möglich, sodass hier auf additive bildgebende Verfahren, beispielsweise die Magnetresonanztomografie zurückgegriffen werden muss.