bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac remodeling and arrhythmogenesis are ameliorated by administration of Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27 in heart failure rats
Authors: Lucero Claudia M. , Andrade David C. , Toledo Camilo , Díaz Hugo S. , Pereyra Katherin V. , Diaz-Jara Esteban , Schwarz Karla G. , Marcus Noah J. , Retamal Mauricio A. , Quintanilla Rodrigo A. , Del Rio Rodrigo
Published: April 2020

Alterations in connexins and specifically in 43 isoform (Cx43) in the heart have been associated with a high incidence of arrhythmogenesis and sudden death in several cardiac diseases. We propose to determine salutary effect of Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27 in the progression of heart failure. High-output heart failure was induced by volume overload using the arterio-venous fistula model (AV-Shunt) in adult male rats. Four weeks after AV-Shunt surgery, the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27 or scrambled peptide, were administered via osmotic minipumps (AV-ShuntGap27or AV-ShuntScr) for 4 weeks. Cardiac volumes, arrhythmias, function and remodeling were determined at 8 weeks after AV-Shunt surgeries. At 8thweek, AV-ShuntGap27showed a marked decrease in the progression of cardiac deterioration and showed a significant improvement in cardiac functions measured by intraventricular pressure-volume loops. Furthermore, AV-ShuntGap27showed less cardiac arrhythmogenesis and cardiac hypertrophy index compared to AV-ShuntScr. Gap27 treatment results in no change Cx43 expression in the heart of AV-Shunt rats. Our results strongly suggest that Cx43 play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmogenesis in high-output heart failure; furthermore, support the use of Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27 as an effective therapeutic tool to reduce the progression of cardiac dysfunction in high-output heart failure.
A density functional theory study of high-performance pre-lithiated MS2 (M = Mo, W, V) Monolayers as the Anode Material of Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Tingfeng , Jin Zhong , Liu Dong-Xin , Du Chunmiao , Wang Lu , Lin Haiping , Li Youyong
Published: April 2020

Recent experimental study shows that the pre-lithiated MoS2 monolayer exhibits an enhanced electrochemical performance, coulombic efficiency of which is 26% higher than the pristine MoS2 based anode. The underlying mechanism of such significant enhancement, however, has not yet been addressed. By means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we systematically investigated the adsorption and diffusion behavior of lithium (Li) atoms on the MS2 (M = Mo, W, V) monolayers. On the pre-lithiated MS2 monolayers, the adsorption energy of extra Li ions are not significantly changed, implying the feasibility of multilayer adsorption. Of importance, the Li diffusion barriers on pre-lithiated MS2 are negligibly small because of the charge accumulation between the diffusing Li ions and the pre-lithiating Li layer. Correspondingly, we report that the pre-lithiation should be a general treatment which can be employed on many transition-metal di-chalcogenides to improve their storage capacities and charge-discharge performance in Li ion batteries. In addition, we propose that the pre-lithiated VS2 may serve as an outstanding anode material in LIBs.
Effects of delayed intraventricular TLR7 agonist administration on long-term neurological outcome following asphyxia in the preterm fetal sheep
Authors: Cho Kenta H. T. , Zeng Nina , Anekal Praju V. , Xu Bing , Fraser Mhoyra
Published: April 2020

In the preterm brain, accumulating evidence suggests toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key mediators of the downstream inflammatory pathways triggered by hypoxia-ischemia (HI), which have the potential to exacerbate or ameliorate injury. Recently we demonstrated that central acute administration of the TLR7 agonist Gardiquimod (GDQ) confers neuroprotection in the preterm fetal sheep at 3 days post-asphyxial recovery. However, it is unknown whether GDQ can afford long-term protection. To address this, we examined the long-term effects of GDQ. Briefly, fetal sheep (0.7 gestation) received sham asphyxia or asphyxia induced by umbilical cord occlusion, and were studied for 7 days recovery. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of GDQ (total dose 3.34 mg) or vehicle was performed from 1–4 hours after asphyxia. GDQ was associated with a robust increase in concentration of tumor necrosis factor-(TNF)-α in the fetal plasma, and interleukin-(IL)-10 in both the fetal plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. GDQ did not significantly change the number of total and immature/mature oligodendrocytes within the periventricular and intragyral white matter. No changes were observed in astroglial and microglial numbers and proliferating cells in both white matter regions. GDQ increased neuronal survival in the CA4 region of the hippocampus, but was associated with exacerbated neuronal injury within the caudate nucleus. In conclusion, our data suggest delayed acute ICV administration of GDQ after severe HI in the developing brain may not support long-term neuroprotection.
Darier disease is associated with heart failure: a cross-sectional case-control and population based study
Authors: Bachar-Wikstrom Etty , Curman Philip , Ahanian Tara , Leong Ivone U. S. , Larsson Henrik , Cederlöf Martin , Wikstrom Jakob D.
Published: April 2020

Human data supporting a role for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and calcium dyshomeostasis in heart disease is scarce. Darier disease (DD) is a hereditary skin disease caused by mutations in the ATP2A2 gene encoding the sarcoendoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+ ATPase isoform 2 (SERCA2), which causes calcium dyshomeostasis and ER stress. We hypothesized that DD patients would have an increased risk for common heart disease. We performed a cross-sectional case-control clinical study on 25 DD patients and 25 matched controls; and a population-based cohort study on 935 subjects with DD and matched comparison subjects. Main outcomes and measures were N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, ECG and heart diagnosis (myocardial infarction, heart failure and arrythmia). DD subjects showed normal clinical heart phenotype including heart failure markers and ECG. The risk for heart failure was 1.59 (1,16-2,19) times elevated in DD subjects, while no major differences were found in myocardial infarcation or arrhythmias. Risk for heart failure when corrected for cardivascular risk factors or alcohol misuse was 1.53 (1.11–2.11) and 1.58 (1,15–2,18) respectively. Notably, heart failure occurred several years earlier in DD patients as compared to controls. We conclude that DD patients show a disease specific increased risk of heart failure which should be taken into account in patient management. The observation also strenghtens the clinical evidence on the important role of SERCA2 in heart failure pathophysiology.
Retraction Note: Enhancement of the blue photoluminescence intensity for the porous silicon with HfO2 filling into microcavities
Authors: Jiang Ran , Du Xianghao , Sun Weideng , Han Zuyin , Wu Zhengran
Published: April 2020

This article has been retracted.
High temperatures alter cross-over distribution and induce male meiotic restitution in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: De Storme Nico , Geelen Danny
Published: April 2020

Plant fertility is highly sensitive to elevated temperature. Here, we report that hot spells induce the formation of dyads and triads by disrupting the biogenesis or stability of the radial microtubule arrays (RMAs) at telophase II. Heat-induced meiotic restitution inArabidopsisis predominantly SDR-type (Second Division Restitution) indicating specific interference with RMAs formed between separated sister chromatids. In addition, elevated temperatures caused distinct deviations in cross-over formation in male meiosis. Synapsis at pachytene was impaired and the obligate cross-over per chromosome was discarded, resulting in partial univalency in meiosis I (MI). At diakinesis, interconnections between non-homologous chromosomes tied separate bivalents together, suggesting heat induces ectopic events of non-homologous recombination. Summarized, heat interferes with male meiotic cross-over designation and cell wall formation, providing a mechanistic basis for plant karyotype change and genome evolution under high temperature conditions.
Harnessing C/N balance of Chromochloris zofingiensis to overcome the potential conflict in microalgal production
Authors: Sun Han , Ren Yuanyuan , Mao Xuemei , Li Xiaojie , Zhang Huaiyuan , Lao Yongmin , Chen Feng
Published: April 2020

Accumulation of high-value products in microalgae is not conducive with rapid cell growth, which is the potential conflict in microalgal production. Overcoming such conflict faces numerous challenges in comprehensively understanding cell behavior and metabolism. Here, we show a fully integrated interaction between cell behavior, carbon partitioning, carbon availability and path rate of central carbon metabolism, and have practically overcome the production conflict of Chromochloris zofingiensis. We demonstrate that elevated carbon availability and active path rate of precursors are determinants for product biosynthesis, and the former exhibits a superior potential. As protein content reaches a threshold value to confer survival advantages, carbon availability becomes the major limiting factor for product biosynthesis and cell reproduction. Based on integrated interaction, regulating the C/N balance by feeding carbon source under excess light increases content of high-value products without inhibiting cell growth. Our findings provide a new orientation to achieve great productivity improvements in microalgal production.
Structural characterization of molybdenum–dinitrogen complex as key species toward ammonia formation by dispersive XAFS spectroscopy
Authors: Yamamoto Akira , Arashiba Kazuya , Naniwa Shimpei , Kato Kazuo , Tanaka Hiromasa , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki , Yoshida Hisao
Published: April 2020

Dispersive XAFS (DXAFS) was used for the structural characterization of a hardly-isolatable molybdenum–dinitrogen complex bearing a PNP-type pincer ligand.
Electronic, magnetic, optical and thermoelectric properties of Ca2Cr1−xNixOsO6 double perovskites
Authors: Bhandari Shalika R. , Yadav D. K. , Belbase B. P. , Zeeshan M. , Sadhukhan B. , Rai D. P. , Thapa R. K. , Kaphle G. C. , Ghimire Madhav Prasad
Published: April 2020

With the help of density functional theory calculations, we explored the recently synthesized double perovskite material Ca2CrOsO6 and found it to be a ferrimagnetic insulator with a band gap of ∼0.6 eV.
Electrical tension-triggered conversion of anaerobic to aerobic respiration of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 cells while promoting biofilm growth in microbial fuel cells
Authors: He Xiu , Wu Xiaoshuai , Qiao Yan , Hu Tianbao , Wang Deng , Han Xiao , Li Chang Ming
Published: April 2020

A global gene expression analysis of S. putrefaciens CN32 cells within the diffusion layer of the microbial fuel cell anode with surface controlled reaction reveals an electrical tension-triggered conversion of anaerobic to aerobic respiration, which represents the nature of the biofilm.
Inter-chain double-site synergistic photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in robust cuprous coordination polymers
Authors: Zang Ying , Zhang Jiangwei , Wang Rui , Wang Zhao-Di , Zhu Yandi , Ren Xiaoyan , Li Shunfang , Dong Xi-Yan , Zang Shuang-Quan
Published: April 2020

We evaluate photocatalytic H2 generation of three Cu-based coordination polymers, a record-high rate of 57.64 mmol g−1 h−1 for Cu–MIM, and reveal that the excellent performances are due to the synergies of the inter-chain double-site Cu atoms.
Advances in the synthesis and structure of α-canaphite: a multitool and multiscale study
Authors: Mayen Laëtitia , Jensen Nicholai D. , Desbord Maximilien , Laurencin Danielle , Gervais Christel , Bonhomme Christian , Smith Mark E. , Porcher Florence , Elkaim Erik , Charvillat Cédric , Gras Pierre , Rey Christian , Soulié Jérémy , Combes Christèle
Published: April 2020

Pure α-canaphite is synthesized and thoroughly characterized; its hydrated layered structure is now fully solved by combining experimental and modeling data.
An unprecedented cobalt(ii)-containing Wells–Dawson-type tungstovanadate-based metal–organic framework as an efficient catalyst for ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone
Authors: Shen Nan , Tian Feng , Chang Jun , Huang Kun-Lin , Zhang Zhi-Hui , Feng Xuejun , Gu Jiande , Chen Sheng-Chun , He Ming-Yang , Chen Qun
Published: April 2020

An unprecedented organic–inorganic hybrid material based on Wells–Dawson-type tungstovanadate building blocks and cobalt(ii)–organic framework with a bis(triazole) ligand was prepared and employed to catalyze solvent-free ROP of caprolactone.
Prediction of new thermodynamically stable ZnN2O3 at high pressure
Authors: Ma Chunhong , Lin Jianyan , Yang Guochun
Published: April 2020

Pressure-induced stable ZnN2O3 ternary compound with a wide band-gap.
Determining rate coefficients for ion adsorption at the solid/water interface: better from desorption rate than from adsorption rate
Authors: Arroyave Jeison Manuel , Avena Marcelo
Published: April 2020

Fast-adsorbing/slow-desorbing systems: easier to determine rate parameters from desorption kinetics.
Chloride ions as integral parts of hydrogen bonded networks in aqueous salt solutions: the appearance of solvent separated anion pairs
Authors: Pethes Ildikó , Bakó Imre , Pusztai László
Published: April 2020

Characteristic hydrogen bonded motifs, including solvent separated anion pairs, in concentrated aqueous LiCl solutions.
Recent advances in coordination-driven polymeric gel materials: design and applications
Authors: Sutar Papri , Maji Tapas Kumar
Published: April 2020

In this article, we reviewed recent advances in coordination-driven polymeric gels and highlighted their design and applications in various fields.
Enhancing the energy barrier by replacing the counterions in two holmium(iii)-pentagonal bipyramidal single-ion magnets
Authors: Li Lei-Lei , Su Hong-Dan , Liu Shuang , Wang Wen-Zhen
Published: April 2020

Upon changing the employed halide ions as counterions, Ueff increases from 290 K to 320 K in two HoIII-SIMs with pentagonal-bipyramidal structures.
Alkali-metal organomagnesiate complexes as catalysts for highly chemoselective crossed-Tishchenko reactions
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Pang Tengfei , Wang Yakong , Zhang Yongbin , Wei Xuehong
Published: April 2020

Five heterobimetallic magnesiates bearing bidentate pyrrolyl ligand have been synthesized and their structural features were provided. As catalyst for cross-coupling Tishchenko reaction, they exhibited higher catalytic activities and chemoselectivity.
Retraction: Enhanced adsorption of Eu(iii) on mesoporous Al2O3/expanded graphite composites investigated by macroscopic and microscopic techniques
Authors: Sun Yubing , Chen Changlun , Tan Xiaoli , Shao Dadong , Li Jiaxing , Zhao Guixia , Yang Shubin , Wang Qi , Wang Xiangke
Published: April 2020

Retraction of ‘Enhanced adsorption of Eu(iii) on mesoporous Al2O3/expanded graphite composites investigated by macroscopic and microscopic techniques’ by Yubing Sun et al., Dalton Trans., 2012, 41, 13388–13394.
Environmental fate of sulfidated nZVI particles: the interplay of nanoparticle corrosion and toxicity during aging
Authors: Semerád Jaroslav , Filip Jan , Ševců Alena , Brumovský Miroslav , Nguyen Nhung H. A. , Mikšíček Jiří , Lederer Tomáš , Filipová Alena , Boháčková Jana , Cajthaml Tomáš
Published: April 2020

This work describes an important, environmentally relevant phenomenon of metal nanoparticle aging in relation to the toxicity of nanomaterials; in this case, sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent materials intended for remediation purposes.
A safe and compact flow platform for the neutralization of a mustard gas simulant with air and light
Authors: Emmanuel Noémie , Bianchi Pauline , Legros Julien , Monbaliu Jean-Christophe M.
Published: April 2020

Intensified chemical neutralization of a chemical warfare agent simulant CEES with air and light under continuous flow conditions.
Clip-to-release on amplification (CRoA): a novel DNA amplification enhancer on and off microfluidics
Authors: Shen Ren , Jia Yanwei , Mak Pui-In , Martins Rui P.
Published: April 2020

A proposed DNA amplification enhancer with a “clip-to-release on amplification” mechanism reduces dye-mediated inhibition to amplification, increases fluorescence signal up to 10-fold, and eliminates false-negative results for on-chip PCR.
Evidence that levels of nine essential metals in post-mortem human-Alzheimer’s-brain andex vivorat-brain tissues are unaffected by differences in post-mortem delay, age, disease staging, and brain bank location
Authors: Scholefield Melissa , Church Stephanie J , Xu Jingshu , Kassab Sarah , Gardiner Natalie J , Roncaroli Federico , Hooper Nigel M , Unwin Richard D , Cooper Garth J S
Published: April 2020

Studies of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using post mortem brain tissues have uncovered several perturbations in metals such as copper, iron, and zinc. However, studies of the effects of key, potentially confounding variables on these tissues are currently lacking. Moreover, human-brain tissues have limited availability, further enhancing the difficulty of matching potentially-significant variables including age, sex-matching, post-mortem delay (PMD), and neuropathological stage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of such factors and how they might influence metal concentrations in post-mortem brains. Cingulate gyrus from AD cases and matched controls was obtained from two brain banks, based in Auckland, New Zealand and Manchester, UK. Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed to measure levels of nine essential metals in brain tissues, and compared concentrations between cases and controls, and between cohorts, to analyse effects of age, sex, Braak stage, brain weight, and PMD. The same methods were used to investigate the effects of PMD under more controlled conditions using ex vivo healthy adult rat-brain tissue. Metal concentrations in human brain were found to be unmodified by differences in age, sex-matching, Braak stage, brain weight, and PMD between cohorts. Some metals were, however, found to vary significantly across different regions in rat brains. These results indicate that investigations of metal homeostasis in AD and other neurodegenerative conditions can be reliably performed using brain tissues without confounding by varying PMD, age, sex-matching, brain weight, and Braak stage. However, regions of study should be selected carefully.
Fabrication of a novel magnetic CdS nanorod/NiFe2O4/NaX zeolite nanocomposite with enhanced sonocatalytic performance in the degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Sadeghi Meysam , Farhadi Saeed , Zabardasti Abedin
Published: April 2020

Herein, magnetically separable CdS nanorods (NRs)/NiFe2O4/NaX zeolite ternary nanocomposite was fabricated and applied for the enhanced sonocatalytic degradation of organic dyes.
Energetic N-azidomethyl derivatives of polynitro hexaazaisowurtzitanes series: CL-20 analogues having the highest enthalpy
Authors: Luk′yanov Oleg A. , Parakhin Vladimir V. , Shlykova Nina I. , Dmitrienko Artem O. , Melnikova Elizaveta K. , Kon'kova Tatyana S. , Monogarov Konstantin A. , Meerov Dmitry B.
Published: April 2020

Novel energetic components for rocket propellants, based on polynitro hexaazaisowurtzitanes, have been prepared with high enthalpies of formation that significantly exceed that of CL-20.
Efficient nanointerface hybridization in a nickel/cobalt oxide nanorod bundle structure for urea electrolysis
Authors: Wang Shuli , Yang Xudong , Liu Zong , Yang Dawen , Feng Ligang
Published: April 2020

Efficient Ni valence state synergism was found active in the electrocatalysis reaction, resulting from the crystal lattice hybridization in the interface of Ni/Co oxide nanoparticles assembled as a nanorod bundle structure.
Ni(ii)-Catalyzed vinylic C–H functionalization of 2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates to access isotetronic acids
Authors: Roy Biswajit , Das Eshani , Roy Avijit , Mal Dipakranjan
Published: April 2020

A ligand-free Ni(ii)-catalyzed cascade annulation reaction for the synthesis of 4-aryl-substituted isotetronic acids from 2-acetamido-3-arylacrylatesviavinylic C–H functionalization is reported.
Study on the ArI-catalyzed intramolecular oxy-cyclization of 2-alkenylbenzamides to benzoiminolactones
Authors: Liu Huixia , Deng Xiaojun , Huang Xie , Ji Nan , He Wei
Published: April 2020

A metal-free synthetic method toward the preparation of benzoiminolactones through oxy-cyclization of 2-alkenylbenzamides mediated by a catalyst/oxidant (ArI/mCPBA) system was developed.
Disentangling site occupancy, cation regulation, and oxidation state regulation of the broadband near infrared emission in a chromium-doped SrGa4O7 phosphor
Authors: Lai Jun'an , Qiu Jianbei , Wang Qi , Zhou Dacheng , Long Zhangwen , Yang Yong , Hu Songhan , Li Xizheng , Pi Jiacheng , Wang Jing
Published: April 2020

The Cr3+ ions in octahedral sites and the Cr4+ ions in tetrahedral sites generate unique broadband near infrared emission.
Preparation of a novel zwitterionic striped surface thin-film composite nanofiltration membrane with excellent salt separation performance and antifouling property
Authors: Lin Bo , Tan Huifen , Liu Wenchao , Gao Congjie , Pan Qiaoming
Published: April 2020

Thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes with zwitterionic striped surface were fabricated via the co-deposition and interfacial polymerization.
Ruthenium carboranyl complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives for potential bimodal therapy application
Authors: Teixeira Ricardo G. , Marques Fernanda , Robalo M. Paula , Fontrodona Xavier , Garcia M. Helena , Geninatti Crich Simonetta , Viñas Clara , Valente Andreia
Published: April 2020

The substituents at the bipyridine lead to different cell uptake and stability.
Enabling protein-hosted organocatalytic transformations
Authors: Nödling Alexander R. , Santi Nicolò , Williams Thomas L. , Tsai Yu-Hsuan , Luk Louis Y. P.
Published: April 2020

This review describes the recent approaches on integrating organocatalysis in protein systems.
Attachment of hybridizable oligonucleotides to a silica support and its application for selective extraction of unmodified and antisense oligonucleotides from serum samples
Authors: Studzińska Sylwia , Skoczylas Magdalena , Bocian Szymon , Dembska Anna , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: April 2020

The main aim of the present study was the synthesis of an oligonucleotide-based material with high chemical stability, repeatability and specificity to complementary oligonucleotides.
An LC-MS/MS method for protein detection based on a mass barcode and dual-target recognition strategy
Authors: Li Duo , Song Qinxin , Li Tengfei , Shu Chang , Ji Shunli , Su Chang , Su Yuwen , Ding Li
Published: April 2020

A mass barcode-mediated signal amplification method was developed for the determination of protein by LC-MS/MS.
An indication of spin-transition accompanied by an order-disorder structural transformation in [Ni(phpyNO)2(NCS)2] (phpyNO = tert-butyl 5-phenyl-2-pyridyl nitroxide)
Authors: Kyoden Yukiya , Ishida Takayuki
Published: April 2020

The exchange coupling in [Ni(phpyNO)2(NCS)2] is strongly antiferromagnetic in a low-temperature structure whilst moderately antiferromagnetic in a high-temperature structure.
Recent advances of nonprecious and bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
Authors: Shang Xiao , Tang Jian-Hong , Dong Bin , Sun Yujie
Published: April 2020

Electrocatalytic water splitting to produce clean hydrogen is a promising technique for renewable energy conversion and storage in the future energy portfolio.
Active Brownian particles: mapping to equilibrium polymers and exact computation of moments
Authors: Shee Amir , Dhar Abhishek , Chaudhuri Debasish
Published: April 2020

A polymer-mapping of active Brownian particle (ABP)-trajectories, and exact calculation of the moments of dynamical variables provide insights into the mechanical crossovers in polymers with length, and related dynamical crossovers in ABP-motion.
Bacterial association and comparison between lung and intestine in rats
Authors: Liu Tian-hao , Zhang Chen-yang , Din Ahmad Ud , Li Ning , Wang Qian , Yu Jing-ze , Xu Zhen-yuan , Li Chen-xi , Zhang Xiao-mei , Yuan Jia-li , Chen Li-guo , Yang Zhong-shan
Published: April 2020

The association between lung and intestine has already been reported, but the differences in community structures or functions between lung and intestine bacteria yet need to explore. To explore the differences in community structures or functions, the lung tissues and fecal contents in rats were collected and analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing. It was found that intestine bacteria was more abundant and diverse than lung bacteria. In intestine bacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroides were identified as major phyla while Lactobacillus was among the most abundant genus. However, in lung the major identified phylum was Proteobacteria and genus Pseudomonas was most prominent genus. On the other hand, in contrast the lung bacteria was more concentrated in cytoskeleton and function in energy production and conversion. While, intestine bacteria were enriched in RNA processing, modification chromatin structure, dynamics and amino acid metabolism. The study provides the basis for understanding the relationships between lung and intestine bacteria.
Assessment of Language Abilities in Minority Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Extensive Special Education Needs: A Pilot Study
Authors: Girolamo Teresa M. , Rice Mabel L. , Warren Steven F.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Little is known about the language abilities of adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) despite the importance of language in their other life outcomes. Even less is known about the language abilities of racial/ethnic minorities with ASD and extensive special education needs. These gaps limit our understanding of adolescents and young adults with ASD.

Method

A pilot study evaluated the efficacy of individualized age-referenced language assessment for minority adolescents and young adults with ASD in self-contained special education settings. Participants (n= 10) completed the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Third Edition, Test for Early Grammatical Impairment (TEGI), Columbia Mental Maturity Scale, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition Digit Span.

Results

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Third Edition scores showed little variation, with most participants showing a floor effect. TEGI, Columbia Mental Maturity Scale, and Digit Span scores showed greater variation. Some participants had ceiling TEGI scores, and some had variable assessment profiles.

Conclusion

Assessment was sensitive to variability across some measures. The pilot study outcomes support the feasibility and potential informativeness of additional investigation of conventional language assessments and change over time.
Relationship Between Physiologically Measured Attention and Behavioral Task Engagement in Persons With Chronic Aphasia
Authors: Riley Ellyn A. , Owora Arthur
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Persons with aphasia (PWAs) have been shown to have impaired attention skills that may interfere with their ability to successfully participate in speech and language therapy. Fluctuations in attention can be detected using physiological measures such as electroencephalography (EEG), but these measures can be impractical for clinical use. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate observable behavioral signs of attention as a means of measuring within-session fluctuations in attention by comparing behavioral ratings to physiological changes. Other aims were to understand the relationship between observable behaviors and task performance and to determine whether syntactic complexity influences behavioral attention.

Method

Ten PWAs and 10 neurologically healthy adults underwent a sentence-reading task with 45 active and 45 passive sentences while video/audio and EEG data were recorded continuously. EEG data for each trial were classified into one of four levels of attention using a classification algorithm (Berka et al., 2004), and video/audio data were scored for accuracy and behavioral engagement by two trained speech-language pathologist students using a behavioral rating scale of inattention (Whyte et al., 1996).

Results

Results showed that behavioral engagement was significantly correlated with task performance, with higher engagement scores associated with fewer errors. Behavioral engagement did not differ based on syntactic complexity for either group, but PWAs had significantly lower behavioral engagement scores when they were in lower/distracted states of physiologically measured vigilant attention.

Conclusion

Behavioral observation may provide an alternative means of detecting clinically significant lapses in attention during aphasia therapy.
Separation principle of quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear systems
Authors: Zhao Yanbin , Hu Guang‐Da
Published: April 2020

In this study, the stabilisation of quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear systems is investigated. For the quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear system, a condition for the existence of the observer is presented. For the weak quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear system, a state feedback controller is proposed and a condition is derived for the existence of the state feedback controller. The separation principle is obtained for the observer‐based controller of the quasi‐one‐sided Lipschitz non‐linear systems. The main results in this study extend and improve those in the literature. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the main results.
State feedback stabilisation of switched non‐linear systems with asymmetric output constraints
Authors: Li Xueling , Lin Xiangze , Zou Yun
Published: April 2020

A state feedback stabilisation problem of switched non‐linear systems with asymmetric output constraints (AOCs) is investigated in this study by combining a simple new common barrier Lyapunov function and then adding a power integrator technique. Smooth state feedback controllers are designed in a constructive and systematic way to make switched systems asymptotically stable and to prevent switched systems from violating AOCs. The proposed method, which is developed in a unified frame in some sense, works not only for switched systems with asymmetric or symmetric output constraints but also for those without output constraints. Illustrative examples are employed to verify the proposed method in this study.
Alternative method using recursive convolution for electromagnetic transient analysis in balanced overhead transmission lines
Authors: Colqui Jamis S.L. , de Araújo Anderson R.J. , Caballero Pablo T. , Kurokawa Sérgio
Published: April 2020

This study proposes an alternative method to calculate the transient responses of multi‐conductor overhead transmission lines based on ABCD representation, recursive convolutions and numerical method for rational approximation in the frequency‐dependent curves. In the classical universal line model, the characteristic admittance matrix and propagation matrix are represented by rational functions. In , previous and correct identification of the modal travelling times is required. However, these modal travelling times are estimated numerically, which do not offer good accuracy in some cases. This fact has a considerable effect on the rational representation of itself and consequently on the transient responses. In the alternative method, a previous estimation of the modal travel times is unnecessary because when using the ABCD representation for each propagation mode, a direct relation exists between the currents and tensions of the receiving and sending ends. These relationships are fitted by smooth rational functions, and then, using recursive convolution methods, the authors obtain the explicit equations of the currents and voltages to calculate the transient responses. The results demonstrate that the alternative method is accurate when compared with the frequency‐domain solution of the transmission line transformed to the time domain using the numeric Laplace transform and with the Bergeron method.
The life cycle of radio galaxies in the LOFAR Lockman Hole field
Authors: Jurlin N. , Morganti R. , Brienza M. , Mandal S. , Maddox N. , Duncan K. J. , Shabala S. S. , Hardcastle M. J. , Prandoni I. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Mahatma V. , Best P. N. , Mingo B. , Sabater J. , Shimwell T. W. , Tasse C.
Published: April 2020

Radio galaxies are known to go through cycles of activity, where phases of apparent quiescence can be followed by repeated activity of the central supermassive black hole. A better understanding of this cycle is crucial for ascertaining the energetic impact that the jets have on the host galaxy, but little is known about it. We used deep LOFAR images at 150 MHz of the Lockman Hole extragalactic field to select a sample of 158 radio sources with sizes > 60″ in different phases of their jet life cycle. Using a variety of criteria (e.g. core prominence combined with low-surface brightness of the extended emission and steep spectrum of the central region) we selected a subsample of candidate restarted radio galaxies representing between 13% and 15% of the 158 sources of the main sample. We compare their properties to the rest of the sample, which consists of remnant candidates and active radio galaxies. Optical identifications and characterisations of the host galaxies indicate similar properties for candidate restarted, remnant, and active radio galaxies, suggesting that they all come from the same parent population. The fraction of restarted radio galaxies is slightly higher with respect to remnants, suggesting that the restarted phase can often follow after a relatively short remnant phase (the duration of the remnant phase being a few times 107 years). This confirms that the remnant and restarted phases are integral parts of the life cycle of massive elliptical galaxies. A preliminary investigation does not suggest a strong dependence of this cycle on the environment surrounding any given galaxy.
Millimeter wave spectroscopy of cyanoketene (NC–CH=C=O) and an observational search in the ISM
Authors: Margulès L. , McGuire B. A. , Motiyenko R. A. , Brogan C. , Hunter T. , Remijan A. , Guillemin J. C.
Published: April 2020

Context. Ketene was detected in the interstellar medium (ISM) in 1977. Until now, only one derivative, the ketenyl radical, has been observed in this medium. Due to its large dipole moment value, cynaoketene is one of the best candidates for possible ketene derivative detection.

Aims. To date, the measurements of the rotational spectra have been limited to 60 GHz. The extrapolation of the prediction in the millimeter wave domain is inaccurate and does not permit an unambiguous detection.

Methods. The rotational spectra were re-investigated up to 330 GHz. Using the new prediction cyanoketene was sought after in a variety of astronomical sources: NGS 63341, SgrB2(N), and ASAI sources.

Results. A total of 1594 transitions were newly assigned and fitted together with those from previous studies, reaching quantum numbers up to J = 82 and Ka = 24. Watson’s asymmetric top Hamiltonian in the Ir representation was used for the analysis; both reductions A and S were tested. Logically, the S reduction gave the best results confirming that the molecule is very close to the prolate limit. Cynaoketene was not found in ISM; upper limits to the column density were derived in each source.
Non-interacting coronal mass ejections and solar energetic particles near the quadrature configuration of Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory
Authors: Ravishankar Anitha , Michałek Grzegorz
Published: April 2020

We present our results on the correlation of non-interacting coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs). A statistical analysis was conducted on 25 SEP events and the associated CME and flare during the ascending phase of solar cycle 24, i.e., 2009–2013, which marks the quadrature configuration of Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO). The complete kinematics of CMEs is well studied near this configuration of STEREO. In addition, we have made comparison studies of STEREO and SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory results. It is well known that the CME speeds and SEP intensities are closely correlated. We further examine this correlation by employing instantaneous speeds (maximum speed and the CME speed and Mach number at SEP peak flux) to check whether they are a better indicator of SEP fluxes than the average speed. Our preliminary results show a better correlation by this approach. In addition, the correlations show that the fluxes of protons in energy channel >10 MeV are accelerated by shock waves generated by fast CMEs, whereas the particles of >50 MeV and >100 MeV energy bands are mostly accelerated by the same shock waves but partly by the associated flares. In contrast, the X-ray flux of solar flares and SEP peak flux show a poor correlation.
Shapes of stellar activity cycles
Authors: Willamo T. , Hackman T. , Lehtinen J. J. , Käpylä M. J. , Olspert N. , Viviani M. , Warnecke J.
Published: April 2020

Context.Magnetic activity cycles are an important phenomenon both in the Sun and other stars. The shape of the solar cycle is commonly characterised by a fast rise and a slower decline, but not much attention has been paid to the shape of cycles in other stars.

Aims.Our aim is to study whether the asymmetric shape of the solar cycle is common in other stars as well, and compare the cycle asymmetry to other stellar parameters. We also study the differences in the shape of the solar cycle, depending on the activity indicator that is used. The observations are also compared to simulated activity cycles.

Methods.We used the chromospheric Ca IIH&K data from the Mount Wilson Observatory HK Project. In this data set, we identified 47 individual cycles from 18 stars. We used the statistical skewness of a cycle as a measure of its asymmetry, and compared this to other stellar parameters. A similar analysis has been performed for magnetic cycles extracted from direct numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations of solar-type convection zones.

Results.The shape of the solar cycle (fast rise and slower decline) is common in other stars as well, although the Sun seems to have particularly asymmetric cycles. Cycle-to-cycle variations are large, but the average shape of a cycle is still fairly well represented by a sinusoid, although this does not take its asymmetry into account. We find only slight correlations between the cycle asymmetry and other stellar parameters. There are large differences in the shape of the solar cycle, depending on the activity indicator that is used. The simulated cycles differ in the symmetry of global simulations that cover the full longitudinal range and are therefore capable of exciting non-axisymmetric large-scale dynamo modes, and wedge simulations that cover a partial extent in longitude, where only axisymmetric large-scale modes are possible. The former preferentially produce positive and the latter negative skewness.
Characterization of the umbra–penumbra boundary by the vertical component of the magnetic field
Authors: Lindner P. , Schlichenmaier R. , Bello González N.
Published: April 2020

Context. The vertical component of the magnetic field was found to reach a constant value at the boundary between penumbra and umbra of stable sunspots in a recent statistical study of Hinode/SP data. This finding has profound implications as it can serve as a criterion to distinguish between fundamentally different magneto-convective modes operating in the sun.

Aims. The objective of this work is to verify the existence of a constant value for the vertical component of the magnetic field (B⊥) at the boundary between umbra and penumbra from ground-based data in the near-infrared wavelengths and to determine its value for the GREGOR Infrared Spectrograph (GRIS@GREGOR) data. This is the first statistical study on the Jurčák criterion with ground-based data, and we compare it with the results from space-based data (Hinode/SP and SDO/HMI).

Methods. Eleven spectropolarimetric data sets from the GRIS@GREGOR slit-spectograph containing fully-fledged stable sunspots were selected from the GRIS archive. SIR inversions including a polarimetric straylight correction are used to produce maps of the magnetic field vector using the Fe I 15648 Å and 15662 Å lines. Averages of B⊥ along the contours between penumbra and umbra are analyzed for the 11 data sets. In addition, contours at the resulting B⊥const are drawn onto maps and compared to intensity contours. The geometric difference between these contours, ΔP, is calculated for each data set.

Results. Averaged over the 11 sunspots, we find a value of B⊥const = (1787 ± 100) gauss. The difference from the values previously derived from Hinode/SP and SDO/HMI data is explained by instrumental differences and by the formation characteristics of the respective lines that were used. Contours at B⊥ = B⊥const and contours calculated in intensity maps match from a visual inspection and the geometric distance ΔP was found to be on the order of 2 pixels. Furthermore, the standard deviation between different data sets of averages along umbra–penumbra contours is smaller for B⊥ than for B∥ by a factor of 2.4.

Conclusions. Our results provide further support to the Jurčák criterion with the existence of an invariable value B⊥const at the umbra–penumbra boundary. This fundamental property of sunspots can act as a constraining parameter in the calibration of analysis techniques that calculate magnetic fields. It also serves as a requirement for numerical simulations to be realistic. Furthermore, it is found that the geometric difference, ΔP, between intensity contours and contours at B⊥ = B⊥const acts as an index of stability for sunspots.
Bond graph multi-physics modeling of encapsulating materials in power electronic modules
Authors: Trajin Baptiste , Vidal Paul-Etienne
Published: April 2020

This paper focuses on multi-physics modeling of encapsulating gels in power electronic modules for transient and steady-state simulation. With the emergence of wide-bandgap semiconductors such as SiC or GaN, operating at a higher temperature than conventional Si power chips, this passive element of the packaging appears as a few studied element sensitive to thermal and mechanical stresses. A thermo-mechanical coupled modeling of the material, based on bond graph representation, is presented. This approach allows to establish, under the same formalism, an analogy between the different physical domains. From this analogy, a multi-physical nonlinear state space representation is built, allowing transient simulation of the thermo-mechanical behavior of the material. This way of modeling and simulating is particularly adapted for a preliminary study during the upstream phases of design of the power electronic modules. It quickly establishes the maximum temperature and mechanical strains experienced by the gel.
Reduction of residual stress in polymorphous silicon germanium films and their evaluation in microbolometers
Authors: Jimenez Ricardo , Moreno Mario , Torres Alfonso , Ambrosio Roberto , Heredia Aurelio , Ponce Arturo
Published: April 2020

Hydrogenated polymorphous silicon germanium (pm-SixGe1–x:H) thin films were deposited by the PECVD technique at 200 °C. Three compositions were investigated by changing the silane/germane gas mixture. It was found that the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) varies from 2.25% K−1 to 4.26% K−1 while the electrical conductivity ranges from 9.1 × 10−6 S cm−1 to 3.7 × 10−3 S cm−1. On the other hand, the residual stress of as-deposited films was highly compressive reaching values of nearly 700 MPa. After a thermal annealing of 3 hours, it was observed an acceptable reduction and a slight change towards tensile stress. A thin film with low residual stress and high TCR was chosen to manufacture test microbolometers in order to assess if the thermosensing properties of pm-SixGe1–x:H were not affected. After fabricating the microbolometers, their structural conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and it was found that the reduction of stress significantly improved their mechanical stability and reduced the warping of the membranes. Finally, test structures were characterized at a chopper frequency of 30 Hz, with a DC current of 2.5 μA in a vacuum environment of 20 mTorr. Voltage responsivity of 1.9 × 106 V/W, detectivity of 4.4 × 108 cm ∙ Hz1/2/W, NEP of 1 × 10−11 W/Hz1/2, NETD of 18 mK and 2 ms of thermal response time were measured. In summary, we have studied different process conditions to obtain better pm-SixGe1–x:H films in terms of their electrical and mechanical properties. In this sense, the results obtained with microbolometers show that pm-SixGe1–x:H is a very attractive material to develop infrared vision systems with high sensitivity.
Prävalenz und Charakteristika apraktischer Defizite bei links- und rechtshemisphärischen Schlaganfällen
Authors: Latarnik S. , Wirth K. , Held A. , Kalbe E. , Kessler J. , Saliger J. , Karbe H. , Fink G. R. , Weiss P. H.
Published: April 2020

Die überwiegende Anzahl bisheriger Studien zu Apraxien fokussiert die Rolle der linken Hemisphäre (LH), obwohl im klinischen Alltag apraktische Defizite auch bei Patienten mit rechtshemisphärischen Schlaganfällen (RH) beobachtet werden. Daher wurden in der aktuellen Untersuchung die Prävalenz und Ausprägung apraktischer Defizite bei Patienten mit linkshemisphärischen (n = 66) und rechtshemisphärischen (n = 73) Schlaganfällen verglichen, nachdem für Alter und sprachliche Leistung kontrolliert worden war.

Unter Anwendung dieser Kontrollvariablen ergab sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den linkshemisphärisch und rechtshemisphärisch betroffenen Patienten bei der Imitation von Handpositionen. Übereinstimmend mit früheren Berichten schnitten die Patienten mit rechtshemisphärischen Schlaganfällen aber bei der Imitation der Fingerkonstellationen schlechter ab. Interessanterweise zeigten die rechtshemisphärisch betroffenen Patienten auch geringere Leistungen bei den bukkofazialen Items des Kölner Apraxie Screenings (KAS), vornehmlich bei Gesten der oberen Gesichtshälfte. Für beide Patientengruppen wirkten sich sprachliche Auffälligkeiten mehr auf die Pantomime- als auf die Imitationsleistungen beeinträchtigend aus.

Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass nach der Kontrolle für Alter und sprachliche Leistungen die Prävalenz und Ausprägung apraktischer Defizite bei Patienten mit rechts- und linkshemisphärischen Schlaganfällen nicht signifikant unterschiedlich sind und in den jeweiligen Rehabilitationsprogrammen entsprechend berücksichtigt werden sollten.
Glücksspielsucht über das Internet – eine Übersicht der Situation in der Schweiz
Authors: Mühlebach Olivia , Seifritz Erich , Mutschler Jochen
Published: April 2020

Gestörtes Glückspielen ist eine Verhaltenssucht, welche in der fünften Auflage des diagnostischen und statistischen Leitfadens psychischer Störungen (DSM-5) neu als Abhängigkeitserkrankung klassifiziert worden ist. Das Internet erleichtert die Zugänglichkeit zu Glücksspielen, erweitert das Angebot an Spielmöglichkeiten und führt zu neuen Herausforderungen in der Prävention 1, 2. In der folgenden Übersichtsarbeit werden die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften zwischen traditionellen Glücksspielern und Internet-Glücksspielern sowie die Risikofaktoren zur Entwicklung einer Glücksspielsucht aufgezeigt. Mögliche Präventionsstrategien und bisherige Behandlungskonzepte mit ihrer Wirksamkeit werden vorgestellt. Wir fokussieren uns auf die Situation in der Schweiz im Hinblick auf die aktuellen politischen Ereignisse mit dem neuen Geldspielgesetz.