bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Germanene/GaGeTe heterostructure: a promising electric-field induced data storage device with high carrier mobility
Authors: Zheng Fu-Bao , Zhang Liang , Zhang Jin , Wang Pei-ji , Zhang Chang-Wen
Published: February 2020

Opening up a band gap without lowering high carrier mobility in germanene and finding suitable substrate materials to form van der Waals heterostructures have recently emerged as an intriguing way of designing a new type of electronic devices.
Vapochromic crystals: understanding vapochromism from the perspective of crystal engineering
Authors: Li Errui , Jie Kecheng , Liu Ming , Sheng Xinru , Zhu Weijie , Huang Feihe
Published: February 2020

Vapochromic crystals, a specific kind of vapochromic materials, can be investigated from the perspective of crystal engineering to understand the mechanism of vapochromism, which is beneficial to design and prepare task-specific vapochromic materials.
Design and applications of metal-based molecular receptors and probes for inorganic phosphate
Authors: Ramakrishnam Raju Mandapati V. , Harris Sarah M. , Pierre Valérie C.
Published: February 2020

We discuss and review the strategies of metal-based receptors targeting phosphate.
An electrochemical method for deborylative seleno/thiocyanation of arylboronic acids under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions
Authors: He Dongdong , Yao Jiaojiao , Ma Boling , Wei Jinghao , Hao Guangguo , Tuo Xun , Guo Shengmei , Fu Zhengjiang , Cai Hu
Published: February 2020

Various aryl seleno/thiocyanates have been synthesized via the electrochemical deborylative seleno/thiocyanation of arylboronic acids under ambient conditions.
Synthesis and spectral characterizations of water soluble Cu(ii) complexes containing N-heterocyclic chelates: cell-proliferation, antioxidant and nucleic acid/serum albumin interactions
Authors: Elamathi C. , Fronczek Frank R. , Madankumar A. , Prabhakaran R.
Published: February 2020

Water soluble N-heterocyclic copper(ii) complexes were synthesized, characterized and studied their DNA/protein binding interactions, antioxidation and antiproliferative potentials. The complex 4 found to be better than other complexes.
Facile preparation of hierarchical MgCo2O4/MgCo2O4 nanochain array composites on Ni foam as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors
Authors: Anil Kumar Yedluri , Singh Saurabh , Rana Prem Jyoti Singh , Kumar Kulurumotlakatla Dasha , Kim Hee-Je
Published: February 2020

Schematic illustration of the two-step synthesis of MgCo2O4/MgCo2O4 directly grown on Ni foam.
Chemical recycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate)
Authors: Kim Jeung Gon
Published: February 2020

This review covers the current status of chemical recycling and upcycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate), a leading engineering plastic of great economic and environmental interest.
Synthesis and electroanalytical behaviour of AgNPs/graphite conductive nano-ink towards biosensing of bacteria genome in human biofluids
Authors: Mobed Ahmad , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Saadati Arezoo , Hassanpour Soodabeh
Published: February 2020

Identification of pathogens and diagnosis of infections are imperative health challenges, mainly in the case of fastidious bacteria that are hard to grow.
Propargylamine-selective dual fluorescence turn-on method for post-synthetic labeling of DNA
Authors: Nguyen Van Thang , Pandith Anup , Seo Young Jun
Published: February 2020

We have developed a propargylamine-selective dual fluorescence turn-on system, using ylidenemalononitrile enamines, for post-synthetic DNA labeling, allowing the direct and accurate monitoring of DNA using dual emission in living cells.
Lateral lithiation in deep eutectic solvents: regioselective functionalization of substituted toluene derivatives
Authors: Arnodo Davide , Ghinato Simone , Nejrotti Stefano , Blangetti Marco , Prandi Cristina
Published: February 2020

Ultrafast heteroatom-directed lateral lithiation of substituted toluene derivatives using choline chloride-based eutectic mixtures as bio-inspired sustainable reaction media.
Correction: Substrate-free and label-free electrocatalysis-assisted biosensor for sensitive detection of microRNA in lung cancer cells
Authors: Cui Lin , Wang Meng , Sun Bing , Ai Shiyun , Wang Shaocong , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: February 2020

Correction for ‘Substrate-free and label-free electrocatalysis-assisted biosensor for sensitive detection of microRNA in lung cancer cells’ by Lin Cui et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 1172–1175.
High performance piezocomposites for flexible device application
Authors: Gao Xin , Zheng Mupeng , Yan Xiaodong , Fu Jing , Hou Yudong , Zhu Mankang
Published: February 2020

An ultrahigh g33 of 600 × 10−3 V m N−1 is achieved by a composite of BCZT particles aligned in a PDMS matrix by dielectrophoresis.
PVC nanocomposites for cable insulation with enhanced dielectric properties, partial discharge resistance and mechanical performance
Authors: Abdel‐Gawad Nagat M.K. , El Dein Adel Z. , Mansour Diaa‐Eldin A. , Ahmed Hanaa M. , Darwish Mohamed M.F. , Lehtonen Matti
Published: February 2020

The current study aims to develop polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposites with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties by incorporating titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles within PVC chains. Different loading of nanoparticles and different nanoparticle surface states were considered. The surface states are unfunctionalised, functionalised using vinyl silane and functionalised using amino silane. The choice of a most suitable surface state was a critical factor that guarantees a good dispersion of nanoparticles and consequently enhances the compatibility between TiO2 and PVC matrix. The process followed in the PVC/TiO2 nanocomposites preparation, loaded with different wt.% of TiO2 nanoparticles, was the solvent method. The dielectric properties measured here were the relative permittivity (ɛr), dielectric loss (tanδ), breakdown strength (AC and DC under uniform field) and the internal partial discharges (PDs) within insulation cavity. All measurements have been performed under room temperature and at frequency ranged from 20 to 1.0 MHz. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the samples like elongation, elasticity modulus and tensile strength were also studied. Vinyl silane showed better improvements in both electrical and mechanical performances compared to the amino silane, especially in cases of high weight fractions of TiO2. This is because of the improvement in the PVC‐TiO2 interfacial region arise from the similarity of polarity and surface tension values of vinyl silane with that of PVC matrix and TiO2 nanoparticles.
Intermediate frequency variation in long‐range FMCW radar for harmonics cancellation
Authors: Figueroa Adrian , Joram Niko , Ellinger Frank
Published: February 2020

This study presents a technique for removing the inevitable harmonic distortions and intermodulation products that primary frequency‐modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radars inherently generate in the baseband. The required mixers and baseband amplifiers are non‐linear devices that introduce signal distortions, depending on the positions of targets in the field of view. Target distances are directly coupled to their corresponding baseband frequencies. The mitigation strategy presented in this study involves changing the resulting baseband frequencies of targets by varying the mixer deramping frequency input. After applying a processing algorithm that involves spectral rotation and combination, harmonic contributions can be suppressed to a high degree, while target‐related signals remain the same. After only four iterations, a gain of 30 dB in spurious free dynamic range can be achieved that can even be improved with more time on target. This behaviour is not only observed in simulations, but is also proven with measurements using an FMCW radar, working at a 3 GHz carrier frequency. The algorithm is applicable to radar systems that work in any frequency band.
Les isoformes de PML et la réponse au TGF-β
Authors: El-Asmi Faten , Chelbi-Alix Mounira K.
Published: February 2020

PML (promyelocytic leukemia) est la protéine organisatrice des corps nucléaires, une structure multiprotéique associée à la matrice nucléaire, impliquée dans différents processus cellulaires. Sept isoformes principales de PML, dont six nucléaires (PMLI à VI) et une cytoplasmique (PMLVII), sont générées par épissage alternatif d’un gène unique. D’une part, PML dans le cytoplasme régule positivement le signal de transduction donné par le TGF-β, en augmentant la phosphorylation des facteurs de transcription SMAD2/3 et, d’autre part, PML augmente dans le noyau l’activation de la caspase 8 et l’apoptose en réponse au TGF-β. L’absence de PML rend les cellules résistantes à l’apoptose induite par le TGF-β. Dans le noyau, PML est localisée majoritairement dans le nucléoplasme, une petite fraction étant cependant retrouvée dans la matrice nucléaire. Le TGF-β cible PML dans le noyau en induisant sa conjugaison à SUMO (small ubiquitin modifier), son transfert et celui de la caspase 8 vers la matrice nucléaire où les deux protéines se localisent au sein des corps nucléaires PML. Cette revue rend compte des implications de PML dans le cytoplasme et le noyau dans la réponse au TGF-β.
Update Sarkoidose
Authors: Pfeifer Michael , Lepiorz Marc
Published: February 2020

Was ist neu?

Aktuelle Zahlen zur Epidemiologie Zwei aktuelle Studien mit großen Patientenkohorten lassen nun zuverlässigere Aussagen über die Epidemiologie der Sarkoidose zu.

Pathogenese In den letzten Jahren wurden die immunologischen Profile der Sarkoidose weiter untersucht. Neuere Untersuchungen fanden eine Assoziation von erhöhten IL-17-Konzentrationen mit einem prognostisch günstigen Phänotyp. In älteren Untersuchungen dagegen waren erhöhte IL-17-Serumwerte mit einem erhöhten Risikofaktor für eine pulmonale Fibrosierung assoziiert.

Aktivitätsmarker Eine zunehmende Bedeutung hat in den letzten Jahren die 18-F-Fluorodeoxyglukose-Positronenemissionstomografie (FDG-PET) als „Imaging-Biomarker“ gewonnen. Sie kann einen Beitrag leisten in der Entscheidung für oder gegen eine Anti-Sarkoidose-Therapie sowie in der Steuerung einer immunsuppressiven Behandlung.

Diagnose Die diagnostische Abklärung wird bestimmt von der Prätestwahrscheinlichkeit der Diagnose der Sarkoidose und den radiologischen Befunden. In der Regel sollte eine histologische Sicherung der Diagnose angestrebt werden, insbesondere vor Einleitung einer immunsuppressiven Therapie.

Therapie Erstlinientherapie bei pulmonaler Sarkoidose sind Kortikosteroide. Bisher konnte jedoch nicht gezeigt werden, dass eine frühzeitige Therapie den Langzeitverlauf der Erkrankung verändert. Aufgrund der Nebenwirkungen wird empfohlen, frühzeitig die Therapie mit Steroid-sparenden Medikamenten zu erweitern und die Steroiddosis zu reduzieren, wenn eine längerfristige Therapie notwendig ist. In der Zweitlinie und als Steroid-sparende Substanzen kommen vor allem Methotrexat, Azathioprin und Leflunomid zum Einsatz. Die Indikation für eine Drittlinientherapie besteht, wenn trotz einer kombinierten Immunsuppression kein Ansprechen oder ein Progress der Erkrankung beobachtet wird.

Prognose Wesentliche Risikofaktoren für einen ungünstigen Verlauf und eine erhöhte Mortalität sind ein höheres Alter, eine pulmonale Fibrose und der Nachweis einer pulmonalen Hypertonie. Es fehlen jedoch Indikatoren, um Patienten mit einem hohen Risiko frühzeitig zu erkennen, bevor eine progressive pulmonale Fibrose oder eine pulmonale Hypertonie auftritt.
Update – Intoxikationen in der Intensivmedizin
Authors: Hüser Christoph , Hackl Gerald , Baumgärtel Matthias
Published: February 2020

Was ist neu?

Intoxikationen mit Betablockern und Kalziumantagonisten Es gibt eine Experten-Konsensus-Empfehlung für die Intoxikation mit Kalziumantagonisten. Diese kann zum Teil auch auf Betablocker-Intoxikationen übertragen werden. Die Verwendung von hochdosiertem Insulin sowie von Lipidemulsionen wird empfohlen. Des Weiteren soll der Einsatz einer VA-ECMO bei diesen Intoxikationen erwogen werden.

Paracetamol-Intoxikationen Bei Einnahme einer größeren Menge Paracetamol sollte die Gabe einer höheren Acetylcystein-Dosis als im ursprünglichen von Prescott vorgeschlagenen Schema überlegt werden. Ab einer Einnahme von etwa 30–40 g ist die Aktivkohlegabe bis 4 Stunden nach der Einnahme sinnvoll.

Physostigmin Wird Physostigmin als Antidot bei Patienten mit anticholinergem Syndrom verabreicht, ist die Rate an unerwünschten Ereignissen gering.

Betablocker bei Kokainintoxikation Entgegen der jahrelangen Meinung, dass Betablocker bei Kokain-assoziiertem ACS kontraindiziert sind, konnte inzwischen durch mehrere Studien ein sicherer und sinnvoller Einsatz von Betablockern in dieser Indikation gezeigt werden.

Reanimation Intoxikierter Die Intoxikation ist eine reversible Ursache eines kardiopulmonalen Arrests. Daher ist in vielen Fällen die prolongierte Reanimation bis zum Abklingen der Giftwirkung sinnvoll. Der Einsatz von ECLS-Verfahren wird zunehmend in der Literatur mit gutem Outcome beschrieben.
S2e-Leitlinie „Harninkontinenz bei geriatrischen Patienten“ – eine Zusammenfassung
Authors: Wiedemann Andreas , Becher Klaus , Bojack Barbara , Drews Claudia , Ege Sigrid , von der Heide Silke , Kirschner-Hermanns Ruth ,   Mitglieder der Arbeitsgruppe Inkontinenz der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie
Published: February 2020

Erstmals wurde 2009 eine komplette Leitlinie zur Diagnostik und Therapie der Harninkontinenz bei geriatrischen Patienten im Auftrag der Dt. Gesellschaft für Geriatrie durch die Arbeitsgruppe Harnikontinenz erstellt und im Leitlinienregister der AWMF eingestellt. Vorgestellt wird nun eine aktuelle Zusammenfassung des letzten Updates, das im Januar 2019 als „S2e“-Leitlinie publiziert wurde. Es handelt sich um die einzige aktuelle und gültige, komplette deutschsprachige Leitlinie über Harninkontinenz. Besondere Berücksichtigung fanden bei der Betrachtung jedes Kapitels die Belange des hochbetagten, in der Regel über 75-jährigen und multimorbiden oder über 80-jährigen Patienten, der wegen seiner besonderen Vulnerabilität von Chronifizierung und Autonomieverlust bedroht ist. Neben einer kompletten Überarbeitung der Kapitel „Assessments“, „medikamentöse Therapie“, „Verhaltensintervention“, „physiotherapeutische Interventionen“ und „Hilfsmittelversorgung“ wurden neu in die Leitlinie aufgenommen eine Bewertung des ß3-Mimetikums Mirabegron sowie ein Kapitel über die Harnblasenlangzeitdrainage durch einen suprapubischen oder transurethralen Katheter mit der Betrachtung der DIfferentialindikation und der möglichen Folgen bzw. Komplikationen.
Qualitätsmessung mit Routinedaten im Pflegeheim am Beispiel
Dekubitus
Authors: Behrendt Susann , Schwinger Antje , Tsiasioti Chrysanthi , Stieglitz Kai , Klauber Jürgen
Published: February 2020

Ziel Obwohl Routinedaten des Gesundheitswesens Teil der gesetzlichen
Qualitätssicherung in der SGB-V-Versorgung sind, finden sie keinen
Eingang in die Qualitätsmessung in der Langzeitpflege (SGB XI).
Routinedaten der GKV und SPV liefern jedoch wertvolle Informationen zur
Ergebnisqualität der Versorgung in Pflegeheimen. Die
routinedatenbasierte Qualitätsmessung im Pflegeheim ist kaum erforscht
und entsprechende Basisarbeit in der Sekundärdatennutzung geboten. Dies
betrifft neben dem Datenlinkage ebenso neue Operationalisierungswege für
pflegenahe Qualitätsindikatoren und deren Risikoadjustierung für
faire Heimvergleiche. Am Beispiel des Dekubitus-Auftretens im Pflegeheim
entwickelt der Beitrag einen routinedatenbasierten Qualitätsindikator
und diskutiert Potenziale und methodische Herausforderungen.

Material und Methoden Die Analyse basiert auf Daten aller elf AOK
Kranken- und Pflegekassen (2015) und umfasst 31% der Pflegeheime in
Deutschland. Die Operationalisierung des im Heim erworbenen Dekubitus bezog
ICD-10-Diagnosen und Arzneimitteldaten zu Verbandsstoffen ein. Die Eignung von
Abrechnungsdaten zu dekubitusspezifischen Hilfsmitteln wurde in diesem
Zusammenhang ebenso getestet. Die Risikoadjustierung orientierte sich an der
Qualitätssicherung mit Routinedaten im Krankenhaus (QSR). Der Berechnung
der Standardized Morbidity Ratio, der Relation von beobachteter und angesichts
der Risikostruktur des Heimes erwarteter Dekubitus-Rate je Heim, lag eine
logistische Regression mit robusten Standardfehlern zugrunde.

Ergebnis und Schlussfolgerungen 2015 trat bei 7,2% der Bewohner
mindestens ein Dekubitus im Pflegeheim neu auf. Es zeigten sich deutliche
Qualitätsunterschiede zwischen den Einrichtungen. In der Gesamtschau ist
die routinedatenbasierte Messung des Dekubitus-Auftretens im Pflegeheim machbar
und kann in Form von Ergebnisqualitätsindikatoren zu
Versorgungstransparenz und -evaluationen im Pflegeheim beitragen. Informationen
im Rahmen der Einschätzung der Pflegebedürftigkeit sowie der
novellierten gesetzlichen Qualitätsmessung eröffnen
routinedatenbasierten Qualitätsindikatoren in der Langzeitpflege
künftig neue Wege der Operationalisierung von pflegenahen Aspekten.
Effektivität und Therapiesicherheit der fraktionierten Zyklophotokoagulation mit bis zu 10 Herden für fortgeschrittene primäre Offenwinkel- und Pseudoexfoliationsglaukome
Authors: Grohmann Carsten , Farrokhi Sanaz , Klemm Maren
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund Zur Therapie weit fortgeschrittener Glaukome stehen verschiedene Verfahren zur Verfügung. Wir untersuchten die Effektivität und Therapiesicherheit der fraktionierten Zyklophotokoagulation (CPC) mit bis zu 10 Herden für fortgeschrittene primäre Offenwinkelglaukome (POWG) und Pseudoexfoliationsglaukome (PEX-Glaukome), die mit maximaler topischer Therapie behandelt wurden oder eine Augentropfenunverträglichkeit aufwiesen.

Material und Methoden In dieser retrospektiven Studie wurden die Daten von 297 Augen ausgewertet, die zwischen Feb. 2012 und Jun. 2017 eine CPC von je 10 Herden erhielten und an einem fortgeschrittenen POWG bzw. einem PEX-Glaukom litten. Ausgewertet wurden Augeninnendruck (IOD), Anzahl drucksenkender Wirkstoffe sowie postoperative Komplikationen. Die Daten wurden präoperativ, 4 Wochen postoperativ sowie zum letzten dokumentierten Kontakt (i. d. R. 6 Monate postoperativer Visit) erhoben. Für die Analyse der Änderungen wurde der gepaarte Wilcoxon-Rangsummentest verwendet.

Ergebnisse Der IOD ist für die POWG von 16,66 ± 4,36 mmHg präoperativ auf 13,87 ± 3,59 mmHg zum letzten Visit (i. d. R. 6 Monate postoperativer Visit) statistisch signifikant (p < 0,05) gesunken. Der IOD ist für die PEX-Glaukome von 20,76 ± 9,55 mmHg präoperativ auf 15,50 ± 5,93 mmHg zum letzten Visit signifikant (p < 0,003) gesunken. Die Anzahl der drucksenkenden Wirkstoffe lag beim POWG präoperativ bei 2,51 ± 1,00; beim letzten Visit bei 2,27 ± 1,03 sowie beim PEX-Glaukom präoperativ bei 2,46 ± 1,07; beim letzten Visit bei 1,88 ± 0,97. Behandlungsbedürftige Komplikationen traten insgesamt bei 3 Augen auf, es zeigten sich 2 postoperative Makulaödeme, die sich mit systemischen Steroiden gut behandeln ließen, sowie ein therapiebedürftiger Vorderkammerreizzustand mit Hyphäma, der ebenfalls mit topischen Steroiden behandelt wurde.

Schlussfolgerung Auch die von uns durchgeführte milde CPC mit maximal 10 Herden (vs. der oft applizierten 20 – 30 Herde) zeigt in unserem Kollektiv eine gute Augeninnendrucksenkung mit im Mittel einer Reduktion der zu applizierenden topischen Antiglaukomatosa bei geringer Komplikationsrate.
Morbidität und Letalität der Single-Incision-Cholezystektomie: eine 3-Jahres-Registeranalyse
Authors: Sahm Maik , Reinsch Anne-Katrin , Otto Ronny , Mönch Christian , Gerdes Martin , Winde Günther , Lancee Steffen , Meyer Lutz , Mantke Anne , Lippert Hans , Croner Roland , Mantke Rene
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund Vor 2 Jahrzehnten wurde die Single-Incision-Chirurgie als neues Konzept in der minimalinvasiven Chirurgie etabliert. Die Cholezystektomie ist die am häufigsten durchgeführte Prozedur in dieser Technik. Die meisten Erkenntnisse beruhen auf randomisierten Studien. Es existieren keine groß angelegten multizentrischen Datenanalysen aus der klinischen Routine. Diese Analyse der klinischen Versorgungsforschung basiert auf der SILAP-Studie („single-incision multiport/single port laparoscopic abdominal surgery“).

Patienten und Methode Die vorliegende Registerauswertung basiert auf Daten von 47 Kliniken im Zeitraum 2012 bis 2014. Die primären Endpunkte waren Gesamtmorbidität/Letalität. Multiple lineare und logistische Regressionsanalysen wurden durchgeführt. Die statistische Signifikanz war angegeben mit p < 0,05.

Ergebnisse In der SILAP-Studie wurden die Daten von 975 Patienten mit Single Incision laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (SILC) in der klinischen Routine in einem Register erfasst. Die intraoperativen Komplikationen betrugen 3,2%. Die Rate der Gallengangverletzungen lag bei 0,1%. Postoperative Komplikationen traten in 3,7% der Fälle auf. Die Letalität war bei 0,2%. Die Operationszeit (Median) fiel im Studienverlauf von 60,0 auf 51,5 min (p = 0,001). Ein Zusatztrokar war in 10,3% der Fälle erforderlich. Die Konversionsrate zur konventionellen Cholezystektomie betrug 0,7%. In der multivariaten Analyse zeigten der Body-Mass-Index (p = 0,024), das männliche Geschlecht (p = 0,012) und die Operationszeit (p < 0,001) einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die intraoperativen Komplikationen. Patienten der ASA-Gruppe III (p = 0,001) und Patienten mit Zusatztrokaren oder der Konversion zur offenen Operation (p = 0,001) wurden als signifikante Faktoren bei den postoperativen
Komplikationen ermittelt.

Schlussfolgerung Die Registeranalyse dieser prospektiv multizentrisch erhobenen Daten zeigen, dass auch außerhalb der Selektionskriterien von randomisierten Studien die SILC in der klinischen Routine sicher durchführbar ist. Einzige Einschränkung ist ein BMI > 30 kg/m2, der einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die intraoperative Rate von Minorkomplikationen hatte.
Minecoside Modulates Cell Invasion via Regulation of CXCR4 Expression in Breast and Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim Buyun , Min Yu-Hong , Park Byoungduck
Published: February 2020

Metastasis, which is closely linked to cancer-related deaths, is a highly complex process. It is an organ-specific process and involves interactions between the host and cancer cells. CXC chemokine receptor 4 is known to be expressed in various tumors and the binding with CXC ligand 12 induces signaling in cancer cell survival, migration, and proliferation. Particularly, the CXC chemokine receptor 4/CXC ligand 12 axis is known to promote the metastasis of breast cancer. Thus, agents that can downregulate CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression have potential against cancer metastasis. Minecoside is an active compound extracted from Veronica peregrina L. It is widely distributed in Korea and has been used as a traditional drug for the treatment of various chronic diseases. However, the anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects of minecoside have yet to be clarified. In this study, we found that minecoside downregulates constitutive CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This downregulation also occurred at the transcriptional level. Minecoside-mediated suppression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression inhibited CXC ligand 12-induced invasion of breast and colorectal cancer cells. Overall, our results suggest that minecoside can be a novel anticancer agent that can inhibit cancer metastasis through inhibition of CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression.
Interrupted Aortic Arch in a Patient with Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch after Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Beckerman Ziv , McPherson LaRonica , Chen Edward P.
Published: February 2020

This case presents a patient who underwent aortic valve replacement and presented 13 years later with high gradients across the prosthesis, mitral insufficiency, and severe systemic hypertension. Her preoperative workup led to the diagnosis of an interrupted aortic arch Type A. Her surgical management included an initial procedure to repair the interruption, and 11 months later after resolution of her hypertension, a second surgery, which included the Ross procedure and mitral valve repair.
Factors Affecting Mortality in Patients with Blood-Culture Negative Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Firiana Lira , Siswanto Bambang Budi , Yonas Emir , Prakoso Radityo , Pranata Raymond
Published: February 2020

Infective endocarditis retains high morbidity and mortality rates despite recent advances in diagnostics, pharmacotherapy, and surgical intervention. Risk stratification in endocarditis patients, including blood-culture negative endocarditis, is crucial in deciding the optimal management strategy; however, the studies investigating risk stratification in these patients were lacking despite the difference with blood-culture positive endocarditis. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality in blood-culture negative infective endocarditis patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Jakarta in blood-culture negative infective endocarditis patients from 2013 to 2015. Patient characteristics, clinical parameters, echocardiographic parameters, and clinical complications were collected from medical records and hospital information systems. There were 146 patients that satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria out of 162 patients with blood-culture infective endocarditis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 13.5%. On bivariate analyses, factors that were related to in-hospital mortality include New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV heart failure (p = 0.007), history of hypertension (p = 0.021), stroke during hospitalization (p < 0.001), the decline in renal function (p < 0.001), and surgery (p = 0.028). Variables that were independently associated with mortality upon multivariate analysis were heart failure NYHA functional class III and IV (OR 7.56, p = 0.011), worsening kidney function (OR 10.23, p < 0.001), and stroke during hospitalization (OR 8.92, p = 0.001). Presence of heart failure with NYHA functional class III and IV, worsening kidney function, and stroke during hospitalization were independently associated with in-hospital mortality in blood-culture infective endocarditis patients.
Bipedicle-Conjoined Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps for Unilateral Breast Reconstruction in Overweight and Obese Patients: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?
Authors: Sultan Steven M. , Seth Akhil K. , Lamelas Andreas M. , Greenspun David T. , Erhard Heather A.
Published: February 2020

Background Some surgeons have advocated for the use of bipedicle-conjoined deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps in unilateral autologous breast reconstruction in thin patients in whom a hemiabdominal flap is deemed insufficient. There have been no studies to date, however, exploring complication rates for bipedicle-conjoined DIEP flaps for unilateral reconstruction in overweight or obese patients.

Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of two senior authors' patients from 2013 until 2018. In this time period, 71 patients underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with bipedicle-conjoined DIEP flaps. The patients were divided into normal weight (body mass index [BMI] < 25, n = 30), and overweight/obese (BMI > 25, n = 41) groups. Outcomes were reviewed for both major and minor complications.

Results The average BMI of the normal group was 23.1 ± 1.3 kg/m2, while the average BMI of the overweight/obese group was 28.9 ± 4.0 kg/m2 (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in demographics or comorbidities between the two groups.

There were no statistically significant differences in the overall incidence of major or minor complications between the two groups (major: overweight/obese = 12.1%, normal BMI = 10.0%, p = 0.39; minor: overweight/obese = 39.0%, normal BMI = 36.7%, p = 0.47). The rate of moderate fat necrosis was significantly higher in the overweight/obese group (overweight/obese = 9.8%, normal BMI = 0%, p = 0.04).

Conclusion Unilateral breast reconstruction with bipedicle-conjoined DIEP flaps can be performed safely in overweight and obese patients. The use of bipedicle-conjoined DIEP flaps in this population allows surgeons to provide overweight or obese patients with reconstructions that are commensurate with their body habitus and/or contralateral breast.
An improved belief propagation algorithm for detecting mesoscale structure in complex networks
Authors: Ma Chuang , Xiang Bing-Bing , Chen Han-Shuang , Zhang Hai-Feng
Published: February 2020

The framework of statistical inference has been successfully used to detect the mesoscale structures in complex networks such as community structure and core–periphery (CP) structure. The main principle is that the stochastic block model is used to fit the observed network and the learned parameters indicating the group assignment, in which the parameters of model are often calculated via an expectation–maximization algorithm and a belief propagation (BP) algorithm, is implemented to calculate the decomposition itself. In the derivation process of the BP algorithm, some approximations were made by omitting the effects of node’s neighbors, the approximations do not hold if the degrees of some nodes are extremely large. As a result, for example, the BP algorithm cannot detect the CP structure in networks and even yields a wrong detection because the nodal degrees in the core group are very large. In doing so, we propose an improved BP algorithm to solve the problem in the original BP algorithm without increasing any computational complexity. We find that the original and the improved BP algorithms yield a similar performance regarding the community detection; however, our improved BP algorithm is much better and more stable when the CP structure becomes more dominant. The improved BP algorithm may help us correctly partition different types of mesoscale structures in networks.
Command-shaping based on impulse response function for dynamic-mode control of internal and external cavities in external-cavity diode laser
Authors: Zhu Yu , Liu Zhigang , Zhang Xin
Published: February 2020

An external-cavity diode laser (ECDL) generally includes low-frequency tuning capability. As the tuning frequency increases, the mechanical vibration of the external-cavity inherent in the ECDL is enhanced, disrupting the mode-matching of the internal and external cavities and considerably reducing the mode-hop-free (MHF) tuning range. In order to implement a wide MHF range with high-frequency tuning, we present an active internal-cavity mode control method with an impulse response function (IRF) shaper for the dynamic mode-matching of the internal and external cavities. After introducing the IRF shaper, experimental results indicate significant improvement in the MHF range with high-frequency tuning. In addition, a maximum wavelength tuning rate of 7.56 THz/s is obtained using an uncoated laser diode with a central wavelength of 785 nm.
Flow helicity of wavy plasma turbulence
Authors: Kosuga Y. , Sasaki M. , Guo Z. B.
Published: February 2020

The helicity of flow field is an important quantity for describing the topological feature of turbulent fluids and plasmas. In this work, we discuss how helicity is determined in turbulent plasmas, by considering the drift wave turbulence and the parallel velocity gradient driven turbulence as concrete examples. Helicity evolution for each turbulence is derived and compared against the simulation data. Links between the plasma helicity and the transport channels, such as particle transport and momentum transport, are demonstrated. Several applications including the excitation of the 3D flow patterns in fusion plasmas and dynamo action in astrophysical plasmas are discussed.
Thrust stand based on a single point load cell for impulse measurements from plasma thrusters
Authors: Conde L. , Lahoz M. D. , Grabulosa J. , Hernández R. , González J. , Delgado M. , Damba J.
Published: February 2020

We introduce a simple thrust stand for the direct measurement of the millinewton impulses or thrusts delivered by small thrusters intended for in-space electric propulsion. The thruster under test, with a weight below 1.5 kg, is disposed on a horizontal platform and its impulse is measured as an overweight by using a strain gauge cell physically protected from the ambient plasma and vacuum conditions. This system provides ten thrust readings per second with noise peak to peak amplitudes of 0.10–0.18 mN. The calibration procedures to verify its dynamic response to time dependent thrusts in the range of 0–15 mN using control weights as well as its minimum thrust sensitivity δTs = 0.3 mN are discussed. Additionally, its simple conception permits a plain data reduction and analysis of steady state and low frequency thrust transients. This thrust stand was employed under low pressure and plasma ambient conditions to measure the steady impulses delivered by the Alternative Low Power Hybrid Ion Engine (ALPHIE) of 0.4–4.0 mN with absolute errors ΔT = ±0.3 mN. Finally, the experimental results show that a control electric voltage governs the ALPHIE thruster throttle.
Mode analysis in a conceptual hybrid simulation model for efficient ECRIS simulations
Authors: Lei Li , Jin Xiaolin , Huang Tao , Yang Zhonghai , Li Bin
Published: February 2020

Numerical simulation has played an important role in the development of the electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) as it can compensate for the limitations of experiment studies. However, the complex process during the ECRIS operation also brings a lot of difficulties to simulations. One of the biggest problems is the compromise between accuracy and computational costs. To satisfy the needs of simulation accuracy and speed, we have considered a hybrid simulative model: mode representative particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision (MPM). In this work, the self-consistent description of the interactions between plasma and electromagnetic fields in the MPM model is introduced with the mode analysis. Mode contributions to the global field are analyzed and an analytical treatment on infinite evanescent modes is validated. It makes the hybrid MPM model applicable for practical ECRIS simulations.
A new 18 GHz room temperature electron cyclotron resonance ion source for highly charged ion beams
Authors: Koivisto H. , Ikonen A. , Kalvas T. , Kosonen S. , Kronholm R. , Marttinen M. , Tarvainen O. , Toivanen V.
Published: February 2020

An innovative 18 GHz HIISI (Heavy Ion Ion Source Injector) room temperature Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source (ECRIS) has been designed and constructed at the Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä (JYFL), for the nuclear physics program of the JYFL Accelerator Laboratory. The primary objective of HIISI is to increase the intensities of medium charge states (M/Q ≅ 5) by a factor of 10 in comparison with the JYFL 14 GHz ECRIS and to increase the maximum usable xenon charge state from 35+ to 44+ to serve the space electronics irradiation testing program. HIISI is equipped with a refrigerated permanent magnet hexapole and a noncylindrical plasma chamber to achieve very strong radial magnetic confinement with Brad = 1.42 T. The commissioning of HIISI began in Fall 2017, and in Spring 2019, it has met the main objectives. As an example, the intensity of the Xe27+ ion beam has improved from 20 μA to 230 μA. In addition, the beam intensity of the Xe44+ ion beam has exceeded the requirement set by the irradiation testing program. The performance of HIISI is comparable to superconducting ECR ion sources with the same maximum microwave frequency of 18 GHz and a total power of 3 kW. For example, Ar16+ and Xe30+ ion beam intensities of 130 μA and 106 μA, respectively, have been obtained with a total microwave power of 3 kW distributed between 18, 17.4, and 14.5 GHz frequencies. The ion beams have been extracted through an 8 mm plasma electrode aperture using 15–17 kV extraction voltage. The latest development work, extracted ion beam intensities, special features, and future prospects of HIISI are presented in this paper.
Waterlike anomalies in hard core–soft shell nanoparticles using an effective potential approach: Pinned vs adsorbed polymers
Authors: S. Marques Murilo , P. O. Nogueira Thiago , F. Dillenburg Rodrigo , C. Barbosa Marcia , Bordin José Rafael
Published: February 2020

In this work, a two dimensional system of polymer-grafted nanoparticles is analyzed using large-scale Langevin dynamics simulations. Effective core-softened potentials were obtained for two cases: one where the polymers are free to rotate around the nanoparticle core and a second where the polymers are fixed, with a 45° angle between them. The use of effective core-softened potentials allows us to explore the complete system phase space. In this way, the PT, Tρ, and Pρ phase diagrams for each potential were obtained, with all fluid and solid phases. The phase boundaries were defined analyzing the specific heat at constant pressure, system mean square displacement, radial distribution function, and discontinuities in the density–pressure phase diagram. Also, due to the competition in the system, we have observed the presence of waterlike anomalies, such as the temperature of maximum density (TMD)—in addition with a tendency of the TMD to move to lower temperatures (negative slope)—and the diffusion anomaly. Different morphologies (stripes, honeycomb, and amorphous) for each nanoparticle were observed. We observed that for the fixed polymer case, the waterlike anomalies are originated from the competition between the potential characteristic length scales, while for the free to rotate case, the anomalies arise due to a smaller region of stability in the phase diagram, and no competition between the scales was observed.
TEM analysis of ion tracks and hillocks produced by swift heavy ions of different velocities in Y3Fe5O12
Authors: Ishikawa N. , Taguchi T. , Kitamura A. , Szenes G. , Toimil-Molares M. E. , Trautmann C.
Published: February 2020

The size of ion tracks and hillocks produced during heavy ion irradiation of Y3Fe5O12 is analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The cross sections of hillocks and ion tracks produced by ions with electronic stopping power Se in the range of 20–35 keV/nm are found to be comparable. In this range, the characteristic dimensions of the hillocks (both cross section and height) increase as a function of Se. The data show that there is a correlation between hillock height and hillock cross section, which is linked to the relation between lifetime of the melt along the ion trajectory and the maximum molten area. In addition, the results clearly show that the size of the hillocks produced by low velocity ions is larger than those produced by high velocity ions of the same Se, due to the so-called velocity effect.
Efficient community detection algorithm based on higher-order structures in complex networks
Authors: Huang Jinyu , Hou Yani , Li Yuansong
Published: February 2020

It is a challenging problem to assign communities in a complex network so that nodes in a community are tightly connected on the basis of higher-order connectivity patterns such as motifs. In this paper, we develop an efficient algorithm that detects communities based on higher-order structures. Our algorithm can also detect communities based on a signed motif, a colored motif, a weighted motif, as well as multiple motifs. We also introduce stochastic block models on the basis of higher-order structures. Then, we test our community detection algorithm on real-world networks and computer generated graphs drawn from the stochastic block models. The results of the tests indicate that our community detection algorithm is effective to identify communities on the basis of higher-order connectivity patterns.
Enhanced terahertz absorption of quantum wells sandwiched between heavily doped contacts based on micro-cavity resonance
Authors: Yang Heming , Zheng Yuanliao , Li Ning , Wang Jiqing , Chen Pingping
Published: February 2020

A novel high-efficiency microcavity structure of quantum wells sandwiched between periodic heavily Si-doped GaAs top contact gratings and bottom contact film has been proposed as the optical coupler of a terahertz quantum well photodetector (THz QWP). Similar to metal at visible light, highly doped semiconductors exhibit plasma frequencies at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. The intersubband absorption spectra and electric field distribution of the microcavity THz QWP are calculated with the finite difference time-domain method. Our results indicate that the frequency of the surface plasmon polariton can be tuned to the microcavity resonant mode under an optimized structure and the intersubband absorption is efficiently enhanced by the microcavity structure. When the doping concentration of the contact exceeds 1018 cm−3, the intersubband absorption of the microcavity THz QWP at the response wavelength is over one order of magnitude higher than that of the standard 45° device. In addition, the angle of the incident light only influences the intensity of the absorptivity, indicating that the designed device was independent of the periodic surface structure.
Critical condition of electrohydrodynamic jetting from a polymer-solution droplet on a conductive wire
Authors: Wu Xiang-Fa , Zhou Zhengping , Zholobko Oksana , Jenniges Jeremy J. , Baatz Brandon , Ahmadi Mojtaba , Chen Jiahui
Published: February 2020

An experimental study was conducted to determine the threshold electrostatic field to initiate electrohydrodynamic jetting from a polymer solution droplet wetting on a conductive wire. The study is crucial to understand the roles of the material and process parameters in wire-based needleless electrospinning for controllable mass production of continuous nanofibers. Two types of polymer solutions, i.e., polyacrylonitrile/N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) and aqueous polyethyloxide solution (PEO/H2O), with the mass concentrations of 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% for PAN and 1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% for PEO, respectively, were considered in the experiments. Taut thin copper wires with diameters of 0.254, 0.508, 1.016, and 1.524 mm (i.e., 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 in.) were utilized, respectively, as the positive electrodes. The effects of the polymer concentration and wire diameter on the threshold electrical voltage for jetting initiation and nanofiber diameter were examined. Given the droplet volume and spacing between the copper wire and fiber collector, experimental observations show that the threshold electrical voltage increases with increasing either polymer mass concentration or wire diameter. In addition, the effects of polymer mass concentration on the transient shear viscosity and surface tension of the PAN/DMF solutions were examined. It shows the positive correlation between the transient shear viscosity and polymer mass concentration, shear thinning of the polymer solution at a high shear rate, and nearly constant surface tension of the polymer solution in the range of the present PAN mass concentration. Furthermore, a simple electrostatic model is formulated to phenomenologically elucidate the experimental observations. The present study provides useful scaling laws for controllable scale-up nanofiber fabrication by means of a wire-based needleless electrospinning technique.
Effect of pressure on repetitive performance of a corona-stabilized plasma closing switch
Authors: Li Longjie , Li Jiangtao , Zhao Zheng , Li Chenjie
Published: February 2020

This paper reports on research to determine the effect of gas pressure on the repetitive performance of a corona-stabilized plasma closing switch. The influence of gas pressure on the withstand voltage recovery and the after-spark channel decay of a corona-stabilized switch is experimentally and theoretically investigated. The voltage recovery degree vs time curves and the development of discharge plasma channel after breakdown under various pressures were measured to indicate the repetitive performance of switch. A theoretical analysis based on propagation characteristics of corona discharge critical volume is applied to explain the experimental results. The critical breakdown electric field strength and corona critical volume under different pressures were calculated and their effect on the re-breakdown process were discussed. An improved one-dimensional gas thermo-hydrodynamic model was applied to qualitatively investigate the influence of the pressure on neutral gas density evolution over time. The radial distribution of neutral gas density at different recovery time intervals was calculated under various pressures. The results show that a corona-stabilized switch with a higher pressure presents a higher withstand voltage and a better repetitive performance. The repetitve performance of corona-stabilized switches deteriorates with the decrease in pressure.
Influence of non-hydrodynamic forces on the elastic response of an ultra-thin soft coating under fluid-mediated dynamic loading
Authors: Karan P. , Chakraborty J. , Chakraborty S.
Published: February 2020

The force between two approaching solids in a liquid medium becomes increasingly large with decreasing separation—a phenomenon that prevents contact between the two solids. This growth in force occurs because of the intervening liquid, and studies of such physical systems constitute the classical discipline of lubrication. Furthermore, when the solid(s) are soft, there are quantitative as well as qualitative alterations in the force interaction due to the solids’ deformation. The underlying physics as well as resultant system behavior is even more complex when forces of non-hydrodynamic origin come into play. Two major classes of such forces are the DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) forces and the non-DLVO molecular forces. Studies assessing the coupling of these physical phenomenon are avenues of contemporary research. With this view, we perform an analytical study of oscillatory motion of a rigid sphere over an ultra-thin soft coating with an electrolytic solution filling the gap between them. We delineate the distinctive effects of solvation force as well as substrate compliance. Our key finding is the major augmentation in the force and substrate-deformation characteristics of the system due to solvation force when the confinement reduces to a few nanometers. Consideration of solvation force leads to up to four orders of magnitude and up to three orders of magnitude increment in force and substrate-deformation, respectively. While higher softness leads to higher deformation (as expected), its effect on force and substrate-deformation characteristics exhibits a tendency toward amelioration of the increment due to solvation force.
Morphology and reactivity of size-selected titanium oxide nanoclusters on Au(111)
Authors: Goodman Kenneth R. , Wang Jason , Ma Yilin , Tong Xiao , Stacchiola Dario J. , White Michael G.
Published: February 2020

The morphology and reactivity of mass-selected titania clusters, Ti3O6 and Ti3O5, deposited onto Au(111) were studied by scanning tunneling microscopy and temperature programmed desorption. Despite differing by only one oxygen atom, the stoichiometric Ti3O6 and the sub-stoichiometric (“reduced”) Ti3O5 clusters exhibit very different structures and preferred binding sites. The Ti3O6 clusters bind at step edges and form small assemblies (2–4 clusters) on Au terraces, while the “reduced” Ti3O5 clusters form much larger fractal-like assemblies that can extend across step boundaries. Annealing the Ti3O5,6/Au(111) systems to higher temperatures causes changes in the size-distributions of cluster assemblies, but does not lead to the formation of TiOx nanoislands for temperatures ≤700 K. Reactivity studies show that the reduced Ti3O5 cluster has higher activity than Ti3O6 for 2-propanol dehydration, although both clusters exhibit substantial activity for dehydrogenation to acetone. Calculations using DFT+U suggest that the differences in aggregate morphology and reactivity are associated with the number of undercoordinated Ti3c sites in the supported clusters.