bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responsive and Synergistic Antibacterial Coatings: Fighting against Bacteria in a Smart and Effective Way
Authors: Wei Ting , Yu Qian , Chen Hong
Published: January 2019

Antibacterial coatings that eliminate initial bacterial attachment and prevent subsequent biofilm formation are essential in a number of applications, especially implanted medical devices. Although various approaches, including bacteria‐repelling and bacteria‐killing mechanisms, have been developed, none of them have been entirely successful due to their inherent drawbacks. In recent years, antibacterial coatings that are responsive to the bacterial microenvironment, that possess two or more killing mechanisms, or that have triggered‐cleaning capability have emerged as promising solutions for bacterial infection and contamination problems. This review focuses on recent progress on three types of such responsive and synergistic antibacterial coatings, including i) self‐defensive antibacterial coatings, which can “turn on” biocidal activity in response to a bacteria‐containing microenvironment; ii) synergistic antibacterial coatings, which possess two or more killing mechanisms that interact synergistically to reinforce each other; and iii) smart “kill‐and‐release” antibacterial coatings, which can switch functionality between bacteria killing and bacteria releasing under a proper stimulus. The design principles and potential applications of these coatings are discussed and a brief perspective on remaining challenges and future research directions is presented.
An Ionic Capacitor for Integrated Iontronic Circuits
Authors: Janson Per , Gabrielsson Erik O. , Lee Keon Jae , Berggren Magnus , Simon Daniel T.
Published: January 2019

Organic electronics, in combination with custom polyelectrolytes, enables solid‐ and hydrogel‐state circuit components using ionic charges in place of the electrons of traditional electronics. This growing field of iontronics leverages anion‐ and cation‐exchange membranes as analogs to n‐type and p‐type semiconductors, and conjugated polymer electrodes as ion‐to‐electron converters. To date, the iontronics toolbox includes ionic resistors, ionic diodes, ionic transistors, and analog and digital circuits comprised thereof. Here, an ionic capacitor based on mixed electron–ion conductors is demonstrated. The ionic capacitor resembles the structure of a conventional electrochemical capacitor that is inverted, with an electronically conducting core and two electrolyte ionic conductors. The device is first verified as a capacitor, and then demonstrated as a smoothing element in an iontronic diode bridge circuit driving an organic electronic ion pump (ionic resistor). The ionic capacitor complements the existing iontronics toolbox, enabling more complex and functional ionic circuits, and will thus have implications in a variety of mixed electron–ion conduction technologies.
Multifunctional Skin‐Inspired Flexible Sensor Systems for Wearable Electronics
Authors: Xu Kaichen , Lu Yuyao , Takei Kuniharu
Published: January 2019

Skin‐inspired wearable devices hold great potentials in the next generation of smart portable electronics owing to their intriguing applications in healthcare monitoring, soft robotics, artificial intelligence, and human–machine interfaces. Despite tremendous research efforts dedicated to judiciously tailoring wearable devices in terms of their thickness, portability, flexibility, bendability as well as stretchability, the emerging Internet of Things demand the skin‐interfaced flexible systems to be endowed with additional functionalities with the capability of mimicking skin‐like perception and beyond. This review covers and highlights the latest advances of burgeoning multifunctional wearable electronics, primarily including versatile multimodal sensor systems, self‐healing material‐based devices, and self‐powered flexible sensors. To render the penetration of human‐interactive devices into global markets and households, economical manufacturing techniques are crucial to achieve large‐scale flexible systems with high‐throughput capability. The booming innovations in this research field will push the scientific community forward and benefit human beings in the near future.
The Contacts of the Monolayer Semiconductor C2N with 2D Metal Electrodes
Authors: Chen Zhao , Li Xingxing , Yang Jinlong
Published: January 2019

For its easy synthesis, suitable band gap, and fine optoelectronic properties, the carbon nitride sheet C2N acts as a promising candidate material for nanoelectronics. To achieve a high‐performance C2N device, ohmic contact with metal electrodes is urgently needed. Here, based on first principles calculations, the monolayer (ML) C2N contacts with a series of 2D metal electrodes—surface‐engineered MXenes (Hf2C(OH)2, Nb2CF2, Mo2NO2) and metallic transition metal dichalcogenides (T‐VSe2, T‐VS2, H‐TaS2)—are systematically studied. With clean and saturated surfaces, these 2D metals form van der Waals (vdW) contacts with C2N, which exhibit a weak Fermi level pinning and tunable Schottky barriers. While n‐type Schottky barriers are observed for Nb2CF2/T‐VSe2 electrodes and p‐type for T‐VS2/Mo2NO2/H‐TaS2 electrodes due to their different sizes of work functions, ohmic contact is found for Hf2C(OH)2 electrode with its work function significantly smaller than electron affinity of ML C2N. Device simulations of field effect transistors based on C2N further confirmed the finding. This paper presents a fundamental understanding of 2D metal–C2N contacts and will help the future design of well‐performing C2N devices.
A Ternary Fe1−xS@Porous Carbon Nanowires/Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Film Electrode with Superior Volumetric and Gravimetric Capacities for Flexible Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Yang , Fang Yongjin , Zhao Zhiwei , Yuan Changzhou , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: January 2019

Smart construction of ultraflexible electrodes with superior gravimetric and volumetric capacities is still challenging yet significant for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) toward wearable electronic devices. Herein, a hybrid film made of hierarchical Fe1−xS‐filled porous carbon nanowires/reduced graphene oxide (Fe1−xS@PCNWs/rGO) is synthesized through a facile assembly and sulfuration strategy. The resultant hybrid paper exhibits high flexibility and structural stability. The multidimensional paper architecture possesses several advantages, including rendering an efficient electron/ion transport network, buffering the volume expansion of Fe1−xS nanoparticles, mitigating the dissolution of polysulfides, and enabling superior kinetics toward efficient sodium storage. When evaluated as a self‐supporting anode for SIBs, the Fe1−xS@PCNWs/rGO paper electrode exhibits remarkable reversible capacities of 573–89 mAh g−1 over 100 consecutive cycles at 0.1 A g−1 with areal mass loadings of 0.9–11.2 mg cm−2 and high volumetric capacities of 424–180 mAh cm−3 in the current density range of 0.2–5 A g−1. More competitively, a SIB based on this flexible Fe1−xS@PCNWs/rGO anode demonstrates outstanding electrochemical properties, thus highlighting its enormous potential in versatile flexible and wearable applications.
Facile Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 2,5‐Disubstituted 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles by Cyclization of gem‐Difluoroalkenes with Acyl Hydrazides
Authors: Zhang Xuxue , He Jingjing , Cao Song
Published: January 2019

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,5‐disubstituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles by condensation of gem‐difluoroalkenes with acyl hydrazides was developed. The cyclization reaction proceeds smoothly with the assistance of Cs2CO3, affording a variety of 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles in good to excellent yields. The reaction also exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility.
EyeChrom and CCDBcurator: Visualizing chromosome count data from plants
Authors: Rivero Rodrigo , Sessa Emily B. , Zenil‐Ferguson Rosana
Published: January 2019

Premise of the Study

Chromosome count data are available for hundreds of plant species and can be explored in text‐only format at the Chromosome Counts Database (http://ccdb.tau.ac.il). CCDBcurator and EyeChrom are an R package and a web application, respectively, that first curate and then visualize these data graphically, so that intra‐ and interspecific variation of chromosome numbers can be easily summarized and displayed for a given genus.

Methods and Results

We developed R code to clean, summarize, and display in several formats the chromosome count data for a selected genus or set of species present in the Chromosome Counts Database. These data and figures can be exported for use in analyses, publications, or teaching.

Conclusions

Chromosome count data are critical for a number of evolutionary studies in plant biology, and their importance is underscored by the increasing appreciation of the prevalence of polyploidy in land plants. CCDBcurator and EyeChrom provide a fast, easy, and reproducible means of cleaning, curating, and then visualizing the chromosome count data currently available for plants.
Preparation and anti‐tumor efficiency evaluation of bacterial magnetosome–anti‐4‐1BB antibody complex: Bacterial magnetosome as antibody carriers isolated from Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense
Authors: Tang Yi‐Shu , Wang Dongmei , Zhou Chunxia , Zhang Shuren
Published: January 2019

Bacterial magnetosomes (BMs) are used as carriers for antibodies, enzymes, and nucleic acids. This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical utility of BMs derived from Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense for use in anti‐tumor immunotherapy. Bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (BS3) was used to prepare BM–anti‐4‐1BB antibody complexes. We used syngeneic TC‐1 mouse models of cancer to investigate whether BMs combined with an anti‐4‐1BB agonistic antibodies could enhance the therapeutic effects of anti‐4‐1BB antibodies in localized disease settings. Anti‐4‐1BB antibodies were combined with purified BMs at a concentration of 168 mg antibody per milligram BM (mg IgG/mg BM) using BS3. The anti‐4‐1BB antibody‐coupled BMs (BM–Ab complexes) and control BMs displayed similar morphologies and measurements when examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). In a mouse tumor model, intravenous injection of BM–Abs combined with magnetic treatment resulted in greater tumor protection than did other treatment methods (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate the in vivo anti‐tumor properties of BM–Abs complexes. The coupling of anti‐4‐1BB antibodies to magnetosomes may have potential for clinical application to antitumor antibody therapy.
Mid‐P confidence intervals for group testing based on the total number of positive groups
Authors: Hepworth Graham , Katholi Charles R.
Published: January 2019

In the estimation of proportions by group testing, unequal sized groups results in an ambiguous ordering of the sample space, which complicates the construction of exact confidence intervals. The total number of positive groups is shown to be a suitable statistic for ordering outcomes, provided its ties are broken by the MLE. We propose an interval estimation method based on this quantity, with a mid‐P correction. Coverage is evaluated using group testing problems in plant disease assessment and virus transmission by insect vectors. The proposed method provides good coverage in a range of situations, and compares favorably with existing exact methods.
Tocotrienol and cancer metastasis
Authors: De Silva Leanne , Chuah Lay Hong , Meganathan Puvaneswari , Fu Ju‐Yen
Published: January 2019

Tumor metastasis involves some of the most complex and dynamic processes in cancer, often leading to poor quality of life and inevitable death. The search for therapeutic compounds and treatment strategies to prevent and/or manage metastasis is the ultimate challenge to fight cancer. In the past two decades, research focus on vitamin E has had a shift from saturated tocopherols to unsaturated tocotrienols (T3). Despite sharing structural similarities with tocopherols, T3 strive to gain scientific prominence due to their anti‐cancer effects. Recent studies have shed some light on the anti‐metastatic properties of T3. In this review, the roles of T3 in each step of the metastatic process are discussed. During the invasion process, signaling pathways that regulate the extracellular matrix and tumor cell motility have been reported to be modulated by T3. Although studies on T3 and tumor cell migration are fairly limited, they were shown to play a vital role in the suppression of angiogenesis. Furthermore, the anti‐inflammatory effect of T3 could be highly promising in the regulation of tumor microenvironment, which is crucial in supporting tumor growth in distant organs. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(2):149–162, 2016
The Telomerization of 1,3‐Dienes – A Reaction Grows Up
Authors: Faßbach Thiemo A. , Vorholt Andreas J. , Leitner Walter
Published: January 2019

Telomerization is a versatile tool for synthesizing unsaturated ethers, amines and other molecules starting from 1,3‐dienes and respective nucleophiles. The homogeneously catalyzed reaction has been the subject of academic and industrial research for over 50 years, offering a broad variety of substrates, catalysts and process concepts. This Minireview presents the advances and developments in this field over the last decade. The focus was on the conversion of renewable resources, the synthesis of promising new products and the development of efficient process concepts to combine these.
Facile Dynamic Synthesis of Homodispersed Ni3S2 Nanosheets as a High‐Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting
Authors: Li Yuting , Bu Yunfei , Chen Xiaoyang , Zhu Tenglong , Wang Juan , Kawi Sibudjing , Zhong Qin
Published: January 2019

It is extremely significant but still challenging to develop effective and stable electrocatalysts for water splitting, which is recommended as a promising technology to produce hydrogen. Herein, leaf‐like Ni3S2 nanosheets grown on the nickel foam fabricated by a novel one‐step dynamic hydrothermal method is demonstrated. Based on the new method, such catalyst with high and uniform dispersion exhibits superior activity and stability for both hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction in basic electrolyte. Moreover, the as‐prepared Ni3S2 as two electrode catalysts of overall water splitting exhibits remarkable bifunctional activities with a small cell voltage of 1.45 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work can provide a new prospect for optimizing Ni3S2 growth to enhance its electrocatalytic performances.
Nitrogen‐doped Porous Carbon with Brain‐like Structure Derived from Quaternary Bipyridinium‐type Framework for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis and Supercapacitors
Authors: Lei Zhidan , Long Xuan , Yang Mei , Yang Duanguang , Chen Hongbiao , Li Huaming
Published: January 2019

Nitrogen‐doped porous carbon materials have now become one of the most important candidates for efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysis and supercapacitors because of their low cost and high stability. In the present study, a novel triazine‐based, quaternary bipyridinium‐type framework (TBPF) is synthesized by polycondensation of 4,4′‐bipyridine with cyanuric chloride. The as‐synthesized TBPF is then subject to pyrolysis at 900 °C, yielding N‐doped porous carbon (N/C‐900). The N/C‐900 material possesses brain‐like architecture, high N‐containing functionalities (5.40 at.% N), and relatively high specific surface area (684 m2 g−1), which can act as a truly metal‐free catalyst toward ORR and an electrode material for supercapacitors. Due to the synergistic effects, the N/C‐900 material shows outstanding ORR electrocatalytic activity and stability in alkaline media with an onset potential of 0.969 V (vs RHE), a half‐wave potential of 0.843 V (vs RHE), a limited current density of 5.05 mA cm−2, and a 3 mV negative shift of half‐wave potential after 3000 cycles. Furthermore, the N/C‐900‐based supercapacitor electrode also displays relatively high specific capacitance (217 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1) and excellent stability (96 % capacitance retention after 10000 cycles) in 6 M KOH electrolyte.
Increasing the Electric Double‐Layer Capacitance in Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrodes
Authors: Takagi Kazuaki , Natsui Keisuke , Watanabe Takeshi , Einaga Yasuaki
Published: January 2019

Highly boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes containing sp2 carbon impurities exhibit an increase in the electric double‐layer capacitance (Cdl) after anodic oxidation. Although it is known that the electrochemical properties of BDD electrodes are affected by several factors, including the boron concentration, the amount of sp2 carbon impurity, and the surface termination and orientation, clarification of the mechanism for the increase in Cdl needs to be done. To this end, we prepared several BDD samples under various conditions and the properties of these samples, including Cdl, were systematically investigated. The mechanism for the increase in Cdl in particular, including the effect of the surface termination, is discussed.
Directing Foldamer Self‐Assembly with a Cyclopropanoyl Cap
Authors: Lim Danim , Kim Hyunjoong , Gong Jintaek , Eom Jae‐Hoon , Yoon Eunyoung , Driver Russell W. , Baik Mu‐Hyun , Lee Hee‐Seung
Published: January 2019

The rational design of self‐assembling organic materials is extremely challenging due to the difficulty in precisely predicting solid‐state architectures from first principles, especially if synthons are conformationally flexible. A tractable model system to study self‐assembly was constructed by appending cyclopropanoyl caps to the N termini of helical α/β‐peptide foldamers, designed to form both N−H⋅⋅⋅O and Cα−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds, which then rapidly self‐assembled to form foldectures (foldamer architectures). Through a combined analytical and computational investigation, cyclopropanoyl capping was observed to markedly enhance self‐assembly in recalcitrant substrates and direct the formation of a single intermolecular N−H⋅⋅⋅O/Cα−H⋅⋅⋅O bonding motif in single crystals, regardless of peptide sequence or foldamer conformation. In contrast to previous studies, foldamer constituents of single crystals and foldectures assumed different secondary structures and different molecular packing modes, despite a conserved N−H⋅⋅⋅O/Cα−H⋅⋅⋅O bonding motif. DFT calculations validated the experimental results by showing that the N−H⋅⋅⋅O/Cα−H⋅⋅⋅O interaction created by the cap was sufficiently attractive to influence self‐assembly. This versatile strategy to harness secondary noncovalent interactions in the rational design of self‐assembling organic materials will allow for the exploration of new substrates and speed up the development of novel applications within this increasingly important class of materials.
Wie kommt das Kilogramm in meine Laborwaage?
Authors: Haller Julian , Banholzer Karlheinz , Baumfalk Reinhard
Published: January 2019

Wenn am 20. Mai 2019 neue Definitionen für die Einheiten „Kilogramm“, „Kelvin“, „Ampere“ und „Mol“ auf Basis von Naturkonstanten in Kraft treten, ändert sich für Endanwender in Laboren zunächst einmal nichts. Mittel‐ und langfristig wird damit aber der Grundstein gelegt, dass die metrologischen Anforderungen zukünftiger Entwicklungen in Industrie und Forschung nicht aufgrund starrer oder veralteter Definitionen nicht erfüllt werden können.
Controllable Synthesis of One‐Dimensional MoO3/MoS2 Hybrid Composites with their Enhanced Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties
Authors: Li Chao‐Qin , Shen Xun , Ding Ruo‐Cheng , Wang Guang‐Sheng
Published: January 2019

One‐dimensional MoO3/MoS2 hybrid composites were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis, and flexible MoO3/MoS2/PVDF nanocomposites could be prepared in a controlled fashion by combining the MoO3/MoS2 composites with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The MoO3/MoS2/PVDF hybrids with a low filler content (20 wt %) exhibited distinct microwave absorption properties in the range of 2–18 GHz. The minimum reflection loss can reach −38.5 dB at 8.7 GHz, and the reflection loss was less than −10 dB in the frequency range from 3.03–11.02 GHz with an absorber thickness of 2.0–5.0 mm. The MoO3/MoS2/PVDF nanocomposites exhibited better absorption properties than pure MoO3 and MoS2. The possible microwave absorption mechanism was also discussed in detail.
Graph theoretical analysis, in silico modeling, prediction of toxicity, metabolism and synthesis of novel 2‐(methyl/phenyl)‐3‐(4‐(5‐substituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl) phenyl) quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones as NMDA receptor inhibitor
Authors: Saravanan Govindaraj , Panneerselvam Theivendren , Kunjiappan Selvaraj , Parasuraman Pavadai , Alagarsamy Veerachamy , Udayakumar Padmaja , Soundararajan Muthukrishnan , Joshi Shrinivas D. , Ramalingam Suresh , Ammunje Damodar Nayak
Published: January 2019

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery

A variety of novel 2‐(methyl/phenyl)‐3‐(4‐(5‐substituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl) quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones have been synthesized by treating 3‐(4‐(5‐mercapto‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐(methyl/phenyl)‐quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one with a variety of secondary amines. Graph theoretical analysis was used in identification of drug target that is, NMDAR (N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors). The observed reports of in silico modeling and ligand based toxicity, metabolism prediction studies were encouraging us to synthesize of title compounds and evaluate their antiepileptic effects. The title compounds were tested for its antiepileptic potency by MES and scPTZ model. Rotorod test is used to assess its neurotoxicity. In the preliminary test it was found that in MES test, analogs 6d, 6e, 6f, and 6l were potent; whereas in scPTZ test analogs 6d, 6e, 6f, and 6k displayed potent antiepileptic activity. Additionally these five derivatives were tested in rats orally at a dose of 30 mg/kg and found that compounds 2‐methyl‐3‐(4‐(5‐morpholino‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one 6e and 2‐methyl‐3‐(4‐(5‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one 6f exhibited superior activity than reference Phenytoin. In MES test, these derivatives 6e and 6f showed activity at 30 mg/kg i.p. dose after 0.5 hr and 4.0 hr. In scPTZ test these derivatives 6e and 6f showed activity at 100 and 300 mg/kg i.p. dose after 0.5 hr and 4.0 hr, respectively.
Running scared: when predators become prey
Authors: Engelbrecht Tamlyn M. , Kock Alison A. , O'Riain M. Justin
Published: January 2019

Apex predators play an important role in structuring food webs and are thus key components of healthy, stable ecosystems. While the loss of apex predators has been shown to disrupt ecosystems and trigger trophic cascades, the introduction of novel apex predators to functionally intact systems is less well understood. False Bay, South Africa, is an aggregation site for both white (Carcharodon carcharias) and broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) which together fulfill the role of coastal apex predators. However, since 2009, their position at the top of the food chain has been subverted by the increased presence of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in False Bay. These super predators are known to specialize on certain prey species, and up until 2015 were only documented preying on marine mammals within False Bay. However, in 2015 and 2016 we documented two events in which killer whales preyed upon broadnose sevengill sharks, using a specialized feeding method in which only the liver of each shark was consumed. Although selective feeding on shark liver by killer whales is established, this is the first record of killer whale predations on sevengill sharks in False Bay, and the first documentation of a novel feeding technique, in which killer whales used force applied to the pectoral fins of each shark to rupture the pectoral girdle and thereby access the liver. These predation events resulted in the prolonged absence of sevengill sharks from what is the largest known aggregation site for this species globally, which remained abandoned for up to a month. We briefly review the literature on killer whale behavior, dietary specialization, and population delineation globally and locally, and hypothesize that the novel predations on broadnose sevengill sharks in False Bay are possibly indicative of the arrival of a different sub‐group or ecotype of killer whale in the bay, which habitually feeds on sharks. Due to the unique predatory niche occupied by sevengill sharks in False Bay, the increased presence of these particular killer whales in False Bay could have profound impacts throughout the ecosystem.
Pyrogenic flowering of Aristida beyrichiana following 50 years of fire exclusion
Authors: Shearman Timothy M. , Varner J. Morgan , Kreye Jesse K.
Published: January 2019

Fire‐stimulated or pyrogenic flowering is one of many traits that enable plants in fire‐prone ecosystems to persist or dominate following frequent fires. Obligate pyrogenic flowering has long been observed in wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana), a foundation bunchgrass in frequently burned longleaf pine ecosystems in the southeastern United States. Widespread fire exclusion in this ecosystem has contributed to well‐documented declines in plant and animal biodiversity prompting the need for restoration efforts. We studied the effect of fire reintroduction on the flowering of wiregrass in northern Florida, USA. Prescribed fires were ignited in a 50‐yr unburned site and an adjacent frequently burned site in the summer of 2017. Wiregrass was measured eight months after the burns in both stands. As expected, the frequently burned stand had higher density, basal area, and percent flowering of wiregrass tussocks. Logistic regression revealed that wiregrass initiated flowering at significantly larger sizes in the long‐unburned stand. Despite these differences, wiregrass size distributions were similar in both stands, with the long‐unburned stand lacking tussocks in the largest (100+ cm2) size class. We did not find differences in the number of flower culms per unit of mass between the two stands. Even though diminished in nearly every measure, the ability of wiregrass to flower after five decades of fire exclusion, and presumably no sexual reproduction, provides evidence of resilience of the dominant herb of these ecosystems.
Clinical correlates and outcome associated with changes in 6‐minute walking distance in patients with heart failure: findings from the BIOSTAT‐CHF study
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Metra Marco , Anker Stefan D. , Dickstein Kenneth , Lang Chim C. , Ng Leong , Samani Nilesh J. , Cleland John G. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Voors Adriaan A. , Zannad Faiez
Published: January 2019

Background

The 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple and inexpensive way of measuring exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) that predicts morbidity and mortality. However, there are few reports from large multicentre cohorts assessing the predictive value of baseline and changing walk distance.

Methods and results

In BIOSTAT‐CHF, a 6MWT was performed at baseline (n = 1714) and 9 months (n = 1520). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between 6MWT distance and the composite of HF hospitalization and/or death. Median follow‐up was 21 months. The median (pct25‐75) of the 6MWT distance at baseline was 300 m (200–388 m). Independent predictors of a shorter 6MWT distance included older age, female sex, higher heart rate, New York Heart Association class III/IV, orthopnoea, ischaemic heart disease, a previous stroke, current malignancy, and higher N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (all P < 0.05). Patients in the lowest baseline 6MWT tertile (≤ 240 m) were less likely to receive guideline‐recommended doses of disease‐modifying therapies (P < 0.05). Compared to patients in the highest baseline 6MWT tertile (> 360 m), those in the lowest and middle tertiles had a worse prognosis [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–2.18]. Patients with a decrease in the distance walked had a worse prognosis (adjusted HR for each 50 m decrease 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.12). 6MWT distance was not modified by treatment up‐titration nor the 6MWT improved the BIOSTAT‐CHF prognostic models.

Conclusions

The 6‐minute walk test distance at baseline and a decline in walking distance were both associated with worse prognosis but did not improve the prognostic models. 6MWT distance was not modified by treatment up‐titration and its use for assessing the benefits of pharmacologic treatment up‐titration may be limited.
Capillary electrophoresis‐based approaches for the study of affinity interactions combined with various sensitive and nontraditional detection techniques
Authors: Nevídalová Hana , Michalcová Lenka , Glatz Zdeněk
Published: January 2019

Nearly all processes in living organisms are controlled and regulated by the synergy of many biomolecule interactions involving proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, nucleotides, saccharides, and small molecular weight ligands. There is growing interest in understanding them, not only for the purposes of interactomics as an essential part of system biology, but also in their further elucidation in disease pathology, diagnostics, and treatment. The necessity of detailed investigation of these interactions leads to the requirement of laboratory methods characterized by high efficiency and sensitivity. As a result, many instrumental approaches differing in their fundamental principles have been developed, including those based on capillary electrophoresis. Although capillary electrophoresis offers numerous advantages for such studies, it still has one serious limitation, its poor concentration sensitivity with the most commonly used detection method–ultraviolet‐visible spectrometry. However, coupling capillary electrophoresis with a more sensitive detector fulfils the above‐mentioned requirement. In this review, capillary electrophoresis combined with fluorescence, mass spectrometry, and several nontraditional detection techniques in affinity interaction studies are summarized and discussed, together with the possibility of conducting these measurements in microchip format.
Petrogeochemical characteristics, zirconSHRIMP U—Pbages andLu—Hfisotopic compositions ofLate Carboniferous A‐typegranitoids,Yiliarea,Inner Mongolia (China)
Authors: Shi Yi , Yao Yuan , Liu Zheng‐Hong , Liu Jin , Wei Ming‐Hui , Gu Yu‐Chao , Yang Fan , Zhang Li , Shi Shao‐Shan
Published: January 2019

A large Late Palaeozoic A‐type granite belt lies along the Hegenshan‐Nenjiang‐Heihe belt in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Kuleqi, Naimanhe, and Gejiadian plutons at Yili are developed within this A‐type granite belt. The genesis and formation environment of these A‐type granites are controversial. The results of zircon SHRIMP UPb dating analyses indicate that the A‐type granites at Yili formed during the Late Carboniferous (302–307 Ma), and their geochemical data indicate that they principally represent a weakly peraluminous (A/CNK 1.01–1.21), high‐K calc‐alkaline series. These granites are enriched in HFSEs, Th, Rb, and K and depleted in LILEs, Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti, which suggests that they record signatures of evolution of continental magma arc. The Nb/Ta ratios of these granites range from 6.84 to17.51, with an average value of 11.65, indicating that they represent crustal‐sourced magma. Their Zr/Hf ratios range from 37.05 to 88.70, with an average value of 59.72 (all values >39), suggesting that these rocks are dominated by mantle‐sourced components. The zircon Hf isotopic compositions of these rocks show εHf(t) values ranging from 6.8 to 12.5 (all positive), with an average value of 9.9, and depleted mantle two‐stage model ages ranging from 518 to 887 Ma, implying that these zircons may contain Early Palaeozoic–Neoproterozoic depleted mantle material. Based on these data, combined with their trace element characteristics, we conclude that the A‐type granitoids at Yili were mainly produced by the mixing of crust and mantle materials; together with their regional tectonic characteristics, these data indicate that these granitoids are related to the collision of the Xing'an and Songliao blocks, which was triggered by the subduction of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean.
Transient effect of mossy fiber stimulation on spatial firing of CA3 neurons
Authors: Lee Joonyeup , Yun Miru , Cho Eunjae , Lee Jong Won , Lee Doyun , Jung Min Whan
Published: January 2019

Strong hippocampal mossy fiber synapses are thought to function as detonators, imposing “teaching” signals onto CA3 neurons during new memory formation. For an empirical test of this long‐standing view, we examined effects of optogenetically stimulating mossy fibers on spatial firing of CA3 neurons in freely‐moving mice. We found that spatially restricted mossy fiber stimulation drives novel place‐specific firing in some CA3 pyramidal neurons. Such neurons comprise only a minority, however, and many more CA3 neurons showed inhibited spatial firing during mossy fiber stimulation. Also, changes in spatial firing induced by mossy fiber stimulation, both activated and inhibited, reverted immediately upon stimulation termination, leaving CA3 place fields unaltered. Our results do not support the traditional view that mossy fibers impose teaching signals onto CA3 network, and show robustness of established CA3 spatial representations.
Scientific integrity issues in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Improving research reproducibility, credibility, and transparency
Authors: Mebane Christopher A , Sumpter John P , Fairbrother Anne , Augspurger Thomas P , Canfield Timothy J , Goodfellow William L , Guiney Patrick D , LeHuray Anne , Maltby Lorraine , Mayfield David B , McLaughlin Michael J , Ortego Lisa S , Schlekat Tamar , Scroggins Richard P , Verslycke Tim A
Published: January 2019

High-profile reports of detrimental scientific practices leading to retractions in the scientific literature contribute to lack of trust in scientific experts. Although the bulk of these have been in the literature of other disciplines, environmental toxicology and chemistry are not free from problems. While we believe that egregious misconduct such as fraud, fabrication of data, or plagiarism is rare, scientific integrity is much broader than the absence of misconduct. We are more concerned with more commonly encountered and nuanced issues such as poor reliability and bias. We review a range of topics including conflicts of interests, competing interests, some particularly challenging situations, reproducibility, bias, and other attributes of ecotoxicological studies that enhance or detract from scientific credibility. Our vision of scientific integrity encourages a self-correcting culture that promotes scientific rigor, relevant reproducible research, transparency in competing interests, methods and results, and education. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:000–000. © 2019 SETAC
The early biopsychosocial development of boys and the origins of violence in males
Authors: Golding Paul , Fitzgerald Hiram E.
Published: January 2019

We apply a biopsychosocial approach to introduce early‐in‐life experiences that explain a significant part of the male preponderance in the perpetration of violence. Early caregiver abuse and neglect, father absence, and exposure to family and neighborhood violence exacerbate boys’ greater risk for aggressive behavior and increase the probability of carrying out violent acts later in life. We examine the development of the psychological self and explore conditions that encourage physical aggression, focusing on the impact on the infant and toddler's emergent mental representation of self, others, and self–other relationships. Boys’ slower developmental timetable in the first years of life may enhance their vulnerability for disorganization in emergent neurobiological networks mediating organization of socioemotional relationships. Emergent attachment and activation relationship systems may differentially affect risk and resilience in boys and girls, particularly in single‐parent families. Evidence has suggested that the dramatic increase in single‐parent families is especially linked to corresponding increases in behavioral undercontrol, antisocial behavior, and the emergence of violence in boys.
Metrics for Local‐Dimming Artifacts in High‐Dynamic‐Range LCDs
Authors: Ballestad Anders , Wan Thomas , Li Hiroe , Seetzen Helge
Published: January 2019

Local‐dimming LCDs exhibit qualities and artifacts that cannot be captured by common performance metrics. For example, a local‐dimming display can obtain perfect black levels when the backlight is turned off completely, and the effective measurement of “contrast” will therefore return an infinite value. In this article, robust and meaningful metrics are introduced for the static‐ and motion‐halo artifacts, and good agreement with psychophysical experiments is shown.
Character Contrast
Authors: Kelley Edward F.
Published: January 2019

It is extremely difficult to accurately measure the contrast of a dark character on a light display. This article describes various ways to approach this problem.
Inverse display characterization: A two‐step parametric model for digital displays
Authors: Blondé Laurent , Stauder Jürgen , Lee Bongsun
Published: January 2019

A simple additivity model is often used as a basic model for digital‐display characterization. However, such a simple model cannot satisfy the needs of demanding color‐management applications all the time. On the other hand, systematic sampling of the color space and 3‐D interpolation is an expensive method in terms of measurement and computation time when precision is needed. An enhanced method to characterize the XYZ‐to‐RGB transform of a digital display is presented. This parametric method exploits the independence between the luminance variation of the electro‐optic response and the colorimetric responses for certain display types. The model is generally applicable to digital displays, including 3‐DMD projectors, single DMDs, CRTs, LCDs, etc., if the independence condition is satisfied. While the problem to solve is a 3‐D–to–3‐D transformation (from XYZ to RGB), the proposed parametric model is the composition of a 2‐D transform followed by a 1‐D transform. The 2‐D transform manages the chromatic aspects and, in succession, the 1‐D transform manages the luminance variations. This parametric digital model is applicable in the field of color management, with the objective of characterizing digital displays and applying a reference look such as a film look.
Multistable electro‐optical modes in ferroelectric liquid crystals
Authors: Pozhidaev Eugene , Chigrinov Vladimir , Hegde Gurumurthy , Xu Peizhi
Published: January 2019

Multistable electro‐optical modes exist under certain conditions in ferroelectric liquid‐crystal (FLC) cells, which means that any light‐transmission level can be memorized after the driving voltage is switched off. The multistability is responsible for three new electro‐optical modes with different shapes of the gray‐scale curve that can be either S‐shaped (double or single dependent upon the applied‐voltage pulse sequence and boundary conditions) or V‐shaped dependent upon boundary conditions and FLC cell parameters. The origin of these modes will be described.
Touch‐screen panel integrated into 12.1‐in. a‐Si:H TFT‐LCD
Authors: You Bong Hyun , Lee Byoung Jun , Han Sang Youn , Takahashi Seiki , Berkeley Brian H. , Kim Nam Deog , Kim Sang Soo
Published: January 2019

A touch‐screen‐panel (TSP) embedded 12.1‐in. LCD employing a standard existing a‐Si:H TFT‐LCD process has been successfully developed. Compared with conventional external touch‐screen panels, which use additional components to detect touch events, the new internal TSP exhibits a clearer image and improved touch feeling, as well as increased sensing speed using discrete sensing lines to enable higher‐speed sensing functions including handwriting. The new internal digital switching TSP can be fabricated with low cost because it does not require any additional process steps compared to a standard a‐Si:H TFT‐LCD.
A 3.0‐in. 308‐ppi WVGA AMOLED with a top‐emission white OLED and color filter
Authors: Kim Sangyeol , Lee Sunghun , Kim Mugyeom , Song Jeongbae , Hwang Eokchae , Tamura Shinichiro , Kang Sungkee , Kim Hyoseok , Kim Chiwoo , Lee Jinseok , Kim Jongmin , Cho Sungwoo , Cho Jaeyoung , Suh Min Chul , Kim Hyedong
Published: January 2019

A 3.0‐in. 308‐ppi WVGA top‐emission AMOLED display with a white OLED and color filters, driven by LTPS TFTs demonstrating a color gamut of >90% and a Δ(u′, v′) of <0.02, is reported. A white‐emission source with a unique device structure was developed using all fluorescent materials and yielded efficiencies of 8.45% and 16 cd/A at 4000 nits with CIE color coordinates of (0.30, 0.32).
White stacked OLED with 38 lm/W and 100,000‐hour lifetime at 1000 cd/m2 for display and lighting applications
Authors: He Gufeng , Rothe Carsten , Murano Sven , Werner Ansgar , Zeika Olaf , Birnstock Jan
Published: January 2019

The three critical parameters in determining the commercial success of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), both in display and lighting applications, are power efficiency, lifetime, and price competitiveness. PIN technology is widely considered as the preferred way to maximize power efficiency and lifetime. Here, a high‐efficiency and long‐lifetime white‐light‐emitting diode, which has been realized by stacking a blue‐fluorescent emission unit together with green‐ and red‐phosphorescent emission units, is reported. Proprietary materials have been used in transport layers of each emission unit, which significantly improves the power efficiency and stability. The power efficiency at 1000 cd/m2 is 38 lm/W with CIE color coordinates of (0.43, 0.44) and a color‐rendering index (CRI) of 90. An extrapolated lifetime at an initial luminance of 1000 cd/m2 is above 100,000 hours, which fulfils the specifications for most applications. The emission color can also be easily tuned towards the equal‐energy white for display applications by selecting emitting materials and varying the transport‐layer cavities.
LCD motion‐blur estimation using different measurement methods
Authors: Tourancheau Sylvain , Brunnström Kjell , Andrén Börje , Le Callet Patrick
Published: January 2019

The primary goal of this study was to find a measurement method for motion blur which is easy to carry out and gives results that can be reproduced from one lab to another. This method should be able to also take into account methods for reduction of motion blur such as backlight flashing. Two methods have been compared. The first method uses a highspeed camera that permits us to directly picture the blurred‐edge profile. The second one exploits the mathematical analysis of the motion‐blur formation to construct the blurred‐edge profile from the temporal step response. Measurement results and method proposals are given and discussed.
3‐D Displays in the Home
Authors: Woods Andrew
Published: January 2019

There are many predictions that the next stage in the commercial evolution of consumer display technology is the widespread availability of stereoscopic 3‐D content for viewing on home 3‐D displays. This article describes the types of 3‐D displays that are currently available, as well as what technologies are on the horizon.
Display Week 2009 Review: Touch Technology
Authors: Walker Geoff
Published: January 2019

Touch screens exploded in numbers and capabilities this year.
Enhancing Mobility through Display Innovation
Authors: Cathey Jim
Published: January 2019

As consumers become increasingly reliant on mobile devices with large displays and computer‐like functionality, device designers need to address limitations in both power and visibility across all lighting environments. Micoelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology is a promising solution.
Emerging LCDs Based on the Kerr Effect
Authors: Rao Linghui , Ge Zhibing , Gauza Sebastian , Wu Shin‐Tson , Lee Seung Hee
Published: January 2019

Liquid‐crystal displays based on the Kerr effect have recently been drawing attention due to their fast response time and simple fabrication process. Understanding the device physics through numerical modeling of this emerging LCD technology will play an important role in improving display performance as well as optimizing configurations.
Ultra‐low‐Power Technology Round‐Up
Authors: Sechrist Steve
Published: January 2019

Government mandates and industry trends are more or less in step with each other when it comes to making more‐energy‐efficient TVs. This move toward low‐power displays is being realized through a variety of technologies, including refinements in the backlighting and edge‐lighting of LCDs.
The State of the Touch‐Screen Market in 2010
Authors: Colegrove Jennifer
Published: January 2019

Touch screens are in widespread use, due to the intuitive interfaces they enable, which can save time and increase productivity. Falling component prices have also spurred adoption, with consumer products increasingly being designed around touch screens. Touch‐screen devices are also widely perceived as cool and fun.
Display Technologies Evolve for Indoor Digital Signage
Authors: Shaw Don
Published: January 2019

Effective signage needs to grab people's attention in order to convey information. In the case of digital signage, getting that attention means using the right choice of display technologies, which are constantly evolving to suit the needs of the burgeoning market.
Digital Signage: Is the Business Model Finally Catching Up with the Technology?
Authors: Connery Chris
Published: January 2019

TFT‐LCD makers are looking to the digital‐signage market to move production to the next and larger stage. The large‐format commercial flat‐panel‐display market is forecast to grow, but the usage models for advertising and information dissemination via digital signage are still being worked out.
Symposium Preview
Authors: Donelan Jenny
Published: January 2019

Plan your visit to Display Week 2010 with an advance look at some of the most exciting developments that will be revealed in the symposium's extensive collection of display‐technology sessions.
Solid‐State Lighting Will Shine at Display Week
Authors: Donelan Jenny
Published: January 2019

For the first time in the history of Display Week, the Society for Information Display has designated official sessions for solid‐state lighting. They are OLEDs for Lighting Applications, Solid‐State Lighting, Projection Lighting, Lighting Materials and Applications, Lighting Design, and Displays and Lighting Technologies.
The Actuality Story
Authors: Donelan Jenny
Published: January 2019

Perspecta, a 360° volumetric autostereoscopic display, was the flagship product for the Massachusetts‐based Actuality Systems, and an invention that may have been ahead of its time. Inventor Gregg Favalora first began creating 3‐D displays as a teenager in the basement of his New Jersey home and went on to found Actuality Systems, which had a 12‐year run before being acquired in 2009.
Intellectual Property Issues at Trade Shows
Authors: Kim Y. Jae
Published: January 2019

Trade shows play a vital role in conducting business effectively, but it pays to do the homework first to see how to protect your intellectual property and to avoid conflicts with the intellectual property rights of others.
Evolving Technologies for LCD‐Based 3‐D Entertainment
Authors: Kim Jeong Hyun
Published: January 2019

Two technologies using polarized glasses with retarders to create home‐based 3‐D display imagery are presented. The leading 3‐D technology on the market today is glasses‐based, and the author proposes that polarizer‐glasses‐based technology, from a viewer‐friendly point of view, will lead the premium 3‐D market in the near future.
How to Get A Patent Quickly
Authors: Murray Steve
Published: January 2019

With the U.S. patent office deluged with patents, and the pace of display technology innovation ever increasing, display pioneers with new inventions may want to consider the Accelerated Examination process.
How to Patent Inventions on a Tight Corporate Budget
Authors: Jablon Clark A.
Published: January 2019

Companies should think twice before deciding not to file a patent due to cost concerns. There are many ways to control and reduce the costs of patent procurement.