bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weight-bearing CT Scans in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Conti Matthew S. , Ellis Scott J.
Published: February 2020

Weight-bearing CT (WBCT) scans of the foot and ankle have improved the understanding of deformities that are not easily identified on radiographs and are increasingly being used by orthopaedic surgeons for diagnostic and preoperative planning purposes. In contrast to standard CT scans, WBCT scans better demonstrate the true orientation of the bones and joints during loading. They have been especially useful in investigating the alignment of complex pathologies such as adult-acquired flatfoot deformity in which patients have been found to have a more valgus subtalar joint alignment than in a normal cohort and high rates of subfibular impingement. Studies using WBCT scans have also provided new insight into more common lower extremity conditions such as hallux valgus, ankle fractures, and lateral ankle instability. WBCT scans have allowed researchers to investigate pronation of the first metatarsal in patients with hallux valgus compared with normal feet, and patients with lateral ankle instability have been found to have more heel varus than healthy control subjects. Understanding the application of WBCT scans to clinical practice is becoming more important as surgeons strive for improved outcomes in the treatment of complicated foot and ankle disorders.
The European Union’s GDPR and Its Effect on Data-Driven Marketing Strategies
Authors: Al-Fayad Fadye Saud
Published: February 2020

This research paper analyzes the developing effect that the European Union’s (EU) recently developed General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will have on the marketing strategies of firms that rely on big data. Big data is identified as consisting of data and data analytics involving a huge volume of data, a diverse variety of data, and a high velocity of data capture and collection. This analysis begins with some discussion of the concept of big data and follows this up with overviews of both the GDPR and big data use in the marketplace. The EU replaced its older Data Protection Directive or DPD with the GDPR. The GDPR consists of a series of chapters and articles that require, among other things, consent to collect and store data, the anonymization of data, announcement in 72 hours of a data breach, provision of encryption and the identification of a Data Protection Officer. Marketing and the marketing function can implement emergent technologies that augment big data and its analysis while simultaneously achieving compliance with regulatory frameworks like the GDPR. These marketing related solutions are those such as blockchain marketing applications like Brave Browser and Blockstack among others. The report also examines the way in which enterprises use big data in their marketing strategies and how they are affected by it now that it has come into effect. Some of the more marketing-oriented uses and applications of big data are found in sophisticated loyalty programs, demand forecasting and customization either of experience or product/service. This study also offers some final recommendations related to GDPR compliant marketing strategies. These include the development of a comprehensive program to purchase consumer data directly from consumers and the introduction of blockchain as a means to facilitate a smoother transition to GDPR compliance.
La FP Dual y la transición de los jóvenes al mercado de trabajo: la visión de los agentes sociales
Authors: Barrientos Sánchez Daniel , Martín-Artiles Antonio , Lope Peña Andreu , Carrasquer Oto Pilar
Published: February 2020

La modalidad de alternancia dual en formación profesional surge en España como parte de las políticas europeas para favorecer la formación y el empleo juvenil. Sin embargo, la ausencia de legislación detallada, los altos niveles de desempleo y la ausencia de recursos, frutos de la crisis económica, o el papel insuficiente de la administración pública, han desembocado en una serie de limitaciones de la implementación del modelo. Estas han sido solventadas de maneras diversas entre Comunidades Autónomas, sectores productivos, institutos y empresas, generando diferencias significativas entre los modelos actuales en España. Todo ello impide concluir que la FP dual, por sí sola, favorezca la transición escuela-trabajo, sino que exis-ten una serie de condiciones que se han de cumplir en su implementación para conseguir los efectos positivos que se pretenden. Ante este proceso, el artículo estudia las pers-pectivas de los actores sociales que participan y ponen en práctica el modelo para analizar el desarrollo y posibilidades de la FP dual.
Åndsfrihet og tilgivelse – barnehagens «glemte» verdier? Barnehagers arbeid med verdier
Authors: Møreaunet Sissel , Gunnestad Arve
Published: February 2020

I denne artikkelen presenteres funn fra en spørreundersøkelse om hvilke av de grunnleggende verdier fra barnehagens formålsparagraf noen utvalgte barnehager har arbeidet spesielt med i løpet av siste år og hvordan de har arbeidet med disse verdiene. Undersøkelsen avdekker at barnehagene arbeider mye med følgende av formålsparagrafens verdier: respekt for menneskeverdet og naturen, nestekjærlighet, likeverd og solidaritet, mens verdiene åndsfrihet og tilgivelse ser ut til å få langt mindre oppmerksomhet. Vår undersøkelse viser videre at verdiene blir bearbeidet gjennom temaarbeid, spontane samtaler med barna, drøftinger i personalgruppa med vekt på de voksne som rollemodeller og på foreldremøter. I artikkelen diskuteres mulige grunner til at verdiene åndsfrihet og tilgivelse er lite prioritert og i liten grad tematisert i barnehagens arbeid med formålsparagrafens grunnleggende verdier. Funnene drøftes i lys av Taylors teori om the common-ground-strategy og Røviks translasjonsteori.Nøkkelord: Barnehagens formålsparagraf, Verdier, Verdiarbeid i barnehagen, Grunnleggende verdier, Tilgivelse, Åndsfrihet.This article presents findings from a study concerning the work with values in the Norwegian kindergartens: Which of the values from the object clause in the kindergarten act have they emphasized the previous year, and how have they worked with values in the kindergarten. The study shows that most of the kindergartens worked with the following values from the object clause: respect for human dignity and the nature, charity, equality and solidarity, while much fewer kindergartens had worked with other values from the object clause like intellectual freedom and forgiveness. Our study shows that the values are processed through, presentations of themes, spontaneous discussions with children, discussions in the staff underlining the adults as role models and through parents meetings. In the article we discuss possible reasons why intellectual freedom and forgiveness is given less attention than the other values in the object clause. The findings are discussed in the light of Taylor’s common-ground-strategy and Røvik’s theory of translation.  Keywords: The mission statements of kindergartens, Values, Value learning, Common values in kindergartens, object clause of kindergarten, forgiveness, intellectual freedom.
The Leverage of Cultural Homogenization in Futurity of Translation Studies: HomoKult Model as the Right Switch
Authors: Shahnazari Masoud , Akbari Alireza
Published: February 2020

Cultural Translation (CT) in general and translation of cultures in particular has come into
the new horizon in a few years. Both diversity and homogeneity of cultures circle around
translators' cynosure. Notwithstanding the fact that cultural diversification acts as the
primary role in cultural translation, much attention has been paid to homogeneity and future of cultural translation in translation studies. In this direction, one of the latest movements in cultural translation is rooted in source-target culture reconciliation known as HomoKult (capital K) model. The core principle of HomoKult lies in four types of cultures namely: (1) purposive culture, (2) ameliorated culture, (3) circulated culture, and (4) diglossic culture. The present study opens up the new insight in cultural translation on the basis of purposive and diglossic cultures of HomoKult model for reconditioning off the futurity of intercultural translation between source and target languages.
« À la douche ! »
Authors: Benoist Yann
Published: February 2020

À partir de recherches ethnographiques réalisées en région parisienne, cet article interroge les relations entre les sans-logis et les personnes qui les prennent en charge. Ces dernières ont tendance à classer les sans-logis en fonction de critères hygiénistes. Plus elles les perçoivent comme « sales », plus elles les définissent comme « clochards » et moins elles estiment qu’ils ont de chances d’être « guéris » ou « réinsérés ». Mais ces conceptions ne renvoient pas qu’au souci du respect des normes sanitaires. Les jugements portés sur la saleté vont au-delà des considérations hygiénistes et sont liés au symbolisme du pur et de l’impur. L’objectif de cet article est de montrer que l’incapacité à trouver une place aux sans-logis dans nos systèmes classificatoires nous conduit à les considérer comme impurs et à ne les voir que comme une figure de l’altérité.
Record linkage of banks and municipalities through multiple criteria and neural networks
Authors: Maratea Antonio , Ciaramella Angelo , Cianci Giuseppe Pio
Published: February 2020

Record linkage aims to identify records from multiple data sources that refer to the same entity of the real world. It is a well known data quality process studied since the second half of the last century, with an established pipeline and a rich literature of case studies mainly covering census, administrative or health domains. In this paper, a method to recognize matching records from real municipalities and banks through multiple similarity criteria and a Neural Network classifier is proposed: starting from a labeled subset of the available data, first several similarity measures are combined and weighted to build a feature vector, then a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) network is trained and tested to find matching pairs. For validation, seven real datasets have been used (three from banks and four from municipalities), purposely chosen in the same geographical area to increase the probability of matches. The training only involved two municipalities, while testing involved all sources (municipalities vs. municipalities, banks vs banks and and municipalities vs. banks). The proposed method scored remarkable results in terms of both precision and recall, clearly outperforming threshold-based competitors.
Seasonal variability and vertical distribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton in the Central Red Sea
Authors: Al-Otaibi Najwa , Huete-Stauffer Tamara M. , Calleja Maria Ll. , Irigoien Xabier , Morán Xosé Anxelu G.
Published: February 2020

The Red Sea is characterized by higher temperatures and salinities than other oligotrophic tropical regions. Here, we investigated the vertical and seasonal variations in the abundance and biomass of autotrophic and heterotrophic picoplankton. Using flow cytometry, we consistently observed five groups of autotrophs (Prochlorococcus, two populations of Synechococcus separated by their relative phycoerythrin fluorescence, low (LF-Syn) and high (HF-Syn), and two differently-sized groups of picoeukaryotes, small (Speuk) and large (Lpeuk)) and two groups of heterotrophic prokaryotes of low and high nucleic acid content (LNA and HNA, respectively). Samples were collected in 15 surveys conducted from 2015 to 2017 at a 700-m depth station in the central Red Sea. Surface temperature ranged from 24.6 to 32.6 °C with a constant value of 21.7 °C below 200 m. Integrated (0–100 m) chlorophyll a concentrations were low, with maximum values in fall (24.0 ± 2.7 mg m−2) and minima in spring and summer (16.1 ± 1.9 and 1.1 mg m−2, respectively). Picoplankton abundance was generally lower than in other tropical environments. Vertical distributions differed for each group, with Synechococcus and LNA prokaryotes more abundant at the surface while Prochlorococcus, picoeukaryotes and HNA prokaryotes peaked at the deep chlorophyll maximum, located between 40 and 76 m. Surface to 100 m depth-weighted abundances exhibited clear seasonal patterns for Prochlorococcus, with maxima in summer (7.83 × 104 cells mL−1, July 2015) and minima in winter (1.39 × 104 cells mL−1, January 2015). LF-Syn (0.32 – 2.70 × 104 cells mL−1 ), HF-Syn (1.11 – 3.20 × 104 cells mL−1) and Speuk (0.99 – 4.81 × 102 cells mL−1) showed an inverse pattern to Prochlorococcus, while Lpeuk (0.16 – 7.05 × 104 cells mL−1) peaked in fall. Synechococcus unexpectedly outnumbered Prochlorococcus in winter and at the end of fall. The seasonality of heterotrophic prokaryotes (2.29 – 4.21×105 cells mL−1 ) was less noticeable than autotrophic picoplankton. The contribution of HNA cells was generally low in the upper layers, ranging from 36% in late spring and early summer to ca. 50% in winter and fall. Autotrophs dominated integrated picoplankton biomass in the upper 100 m, with 1.4-fold higher values in summer than in winter (mean 387 and 272 mg C m–2, respectively). However, when the whole water column was considered, the biomass of heterotrophic prokaryotes exceeded that of autotrophic picoplankton with an average of 411 mg C m–2. Despite being located in tropical waters, our results show that the picoplankton community seasonal differences in the central Red Sea are not fundamentally different from higher latitude regions.
Prevalence of and related risk factors in oral mucosa diseases among residents in the Baoshan District of Shanghai, China
Authors: Ge Shuyun , Liu Lin , Zhou Qi , Lou Binbin , Zhou Zengtong , Lou Jianing , Fan Yuan
Published: February 2020

Background

Oral mucosal diseases (OMDs) encompass a variety of different types of diseases. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and related risk factors of OMDs among residents in the Baoshan District of Shanghai, China, and provide a scientific basis for prevention and control strategies.

Methods

A sample of 653 residents aged 17 to 92 years from the Baoshan community was investigated in 2014. Each resident was surveyed by questionnaire to evaluate their oral mucosa and oral mucosa examinations were conducted. We followed up with 607 residents in 2018. All data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 software package (Chicago, IL, USA) at the general population, gender and age levels. A X2 test was used to compare rates of risk factors and logistic regression analysis was used to detect the correlation between disease and risk factors.

Results

The prevalence rate of OMDs was found to be 9.19%–9.56% (2014–2018). The most common OMDs were atrophic glossitis (1.84%), recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU, 1.68%), burning mouth syndrome (BMS, 1.38%), oral lichen planus (OLP, 1.23%) and traumatic ulcers (1.23%). The prevalence of RAU and BMS in different age groups was significantly different. Tobacco and alcohol use and psychological factors in the OMDs group were higher than the no-OMDs group. Systemic diseases including diabetes mellitus (DM) was significantly relevant to OLP.

Conclusion

Age, tobacco and alcohol use, and psychological factor correlated strongly with the occurrence and development of OMDs, and they should be the focus of primary prevention. General epidemiological studies suggested that OLP was closely related to DM.
A Robust Predictive Modelling of Nigeria’s Population Growth Rate Using Partial Least Square Regression
Authors: Offorha Bright C. , Nwokike Chukwudike C. , Uche-Ikonne Okezie, , Maxwell Obubu , Onwunmere Fidelia C. , Uche-Ikonne Chikezie
Published: February 2020

Nigeria, a developing nation is experiencing the overwhelming effects of her exponentially ever-increasing population. The resultant effects are clearly evident for all stakeholders to see and feel. Researches have been carried out to study, explain and recommend solutions to this lurking epidemic. But unfortunately, numerous researchers have failed to address key issues in regression modelling as used in their studies, some of such issues are; using Wald’s statistic as a variable selection tool rather than the much consensus purposeful variable selection techniques, ignoring the existence of multicollinearity and also missing data. These issues are enough to render the findings in most studies reviewed inadequate, invalid and misleading to be used as a policy-making tool. In this study, the aim is to build a robust predictive model of the Nigeria population growth rate taking into account the aforementioned issues in regression modelling hitherto ignored by some researchers who had used almost this same variables used in this current study. As it would have been expected, death rate, maternal deaths and infant deaths all had negative signs indicating an opposing relationship between these variables and Nigeria population growth rate. The assessment carried out showed that our model has high predictive power, hence, could be used to predict future Nigeria’s population growth rate.
Effects of Repeated Administration of Extracts from Arachis hypogaea Hulls on Blood Parameters and Histological Organization of Heart, Liver and Kidneys of Rats
Authors: Nazaire Djyh Bernard , Otis Tra Bi Irié , Désiré Oungbé Monkoué , Laurent Gnahoué Goueh , Mathieu Kra Adou Koffi , Kayi D’almeida Marie-Anne , Joseph Djaman Allico
Published: February 2020

Aims: Arachis hypogaea (peanuts) is widely used in food worldwide. Therapeutic use of various parts of this plant has been mentioned in many traditional medicinal systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate subacute toxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of peanuts hulls.

Place and Duration: Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Biosciences, University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, from March to June 2018.

Methodology: Serial extraction was done using methanol and water as solvents. The study was evaluated by orally daily doses of extracts 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg. The treatment for 28 days concerned seven groups of animals, the control group and six treated groups. Each group included six animals, 3 males and 3 females. Animals of control group didn’t have any treatment. Animals were observed for general behavioural and signs of abnormalities during the experiment. After all treatments, blood was collected for haematological and biochemical analysis. Liver, kidney, and heart were removed, weighed for histological study.

Results: The results showed that, there were not any significant (p˃0.05) changes in both the absolute and relative organ weights between the control and the test groups. Biochemical parameters were statistically equal in all groups. In addition, both extracts did not induce any significant effect on RBC and indices relating to it (HGB, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC) throughout the experimental period. But, there was a decrease (16.33±1.68) on WBC with methanolic extract compared to control (13.79±2.73). Histological examination of the liver, kidneys, and the heart showed normal organisation and structure of heart, kidneys and liver.

Conclusion: It appears that the methanolic and aqueous extracts of hull of Arachis hypogaea did not produce any toxicity in oral subacute toxicity study. However, further studies are needed to confirm long term toxicities.
Soil Fertility Status and Nutrient Index in Different Tasar Silkworm Host Plants Growing Ecosystems of Purulia District, West Bengal, India
Authors: Pandiaraj T. , Das Susmita , . Manjappa , Sahay Alok
Published: February 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate soil fertility status in the fourteen major tasar sericulture adopting villages in Purulia District, West Bengal. For this, a total of 160 surface soil samples (0-30 cm) were collected from dominant tasar sericulture villages along with the details regarding farmer’s name, soil type, host plants details, etc. The collected samples were air dried, sieved and analysed for various soil fertility parameters such as pH, EC, organic carbon, macro and micronutrients. The data on various parameters were categorized into low, medium and high classes based on soil fertility ratings and nutrient index was calculated. Results revealed that soil reaction in the study area varied from strongly acidic to moderately acidic with saline free soil. The available nitrogen was low level in all the tasar host plant growing regions. In all the study regions, medium range of available phosphorus, potassium and sulphur was observed. All the micronutrients were high in the study villages. Regard NIV, all the macronutrients except nitrogen showed medium nutrient index in most places. Fertility rate of available micro nutrients were high index in all the tasar growing villages.
Odd Lindley-Rayleigh Distribution: Its Properties and Applications to Simulated and Real Life Datasets
Authors: Ieren Terna Godfrey , Abdulkadir Sauta Saidu , Issa Adekunle Abdulmumeen
Published: February 2020

This article develops an extension of the Rayleigh distribution with two parameters and greater flexibility which is an improvement over Lindley distribution, Rayleigh distribution and other generalizations of the Rayleigh distribution. The new model is known as “odd Lindley-Rayleigh Distribution”. The definitions of its probability density function and cumulative distribution function using the odd Lindley-G family of distributions are provided. Some properties of the new distribution are also derived and studied in this article with applications and discussions. The estimation of the unknown parameters of the proposed distribution is also carried out using the method of maximum likelihood. The performance of the proposed probability distribution is compared to some other generalizations of the Rayleigh distribution using three simulated datasets and a real life dataset. The results obtained are compared using the values of some information criteria evaluated with the parameter estimates of the fitted distributions based on the four datasets and it is revealed that the proposed distribution outperforms all the other fitted distributions. This performance has shown that the odd Lindley-G family of distribution is an adequate generator of probability models and that the odd Linley-Rayleigh distribution is a very flexible distribution for fitting different kinds of datasets better than the other generalizations of the Rayleigh distribution considered in this study.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Beasat Hospital in Sanandaj, West of Iran
Authors: Bahmani Nasrin , Abdolmaleki Noshin , Bahmani Afshin
Published: February 2020

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent infectious diseases which is caused by Gram-negative bacteria especially Escherichia coli. Multiple resistance to antimicrobial agents are increasing quickly in E. coli isolates and may complicate therapeutic strategies for UTI. The propose of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns and the multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotypes in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC).

Materials and Methods: A total of 153 UPEC isolates were collected from both hospitalized patients (95 isolates) and outpatients (58 isolates) from March to October 2018. In order to determine the MDR among UPEC isolates, we have tested 15 antimicrobial agents on Muller Hinton agar by the disk diffusion method.

Results: The percentage of MDR isolates (resistant to at least three drug classes such as fluoroquinolones, penicillins and cephalosporins) was 55.5% in the hospitalized patients and the outpatients. Antibiotic resistance to ampicillin, ceftazidime, nalidixic acid and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole was higher than 60%. Meropenem, Imipenem and norfloxacin indicated markedly greater activity (93.3%, 80% and 85.6%, respectively) than other antimicrobial agents.

Conclusions: Urinary tract infection due to MDR E. coli may be difficult to treat empirically due to high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, so, empirical antibiotic treatment should be reviewed periodically at local studies.
Electroceutical Silk–Silver Gel to Eradicate Bacterial Infection
Authors: Vieira Daniela , Angel Samuel , Honjol Yazan , Gruenheid Samantha , Gbureck Uwe , Harvey Edward , Merle Geraldine
Published: February 2020

With more than 50% of bacteria resistant to standard antibiotics, new strategies to treat bacterial infection and colonization are needed. Based on the concept of targeting the bacteria synergistically on various fronts, it is hypothesized that an electrical insult associated with antibacterial materials may be a highly effective means of killing bacteria. In this work, an injectable conductive gel based on silk fibroin (SF) and silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) is synthesized, capable of coating a zone of injury, allowing the application of a low electrical current to decrease bacterial contamination. With a high conductivity of 1.5 S cm−1, SF/Ag‐NPs gels killed 80% of Escherichia coli in 1 min, no toxicity toward Chinese hamster ovary cells is observed. The mechanism of an electrical composite gel combined with electrical wound therapy is associated with silver ion (Ag+) release, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The findings in the present study show a similar Ag+ release for treatment with gels and the combined effect, whereas ROS generation is 50% higher when a small electrical current is applied leading to a broad bactericidal effect.
Constructing Polymorphic Nanodomains in BaTiO3 Films via Epitaxial Symmetry Engineering
Authors: Peng Wei , Zorn Jacob A. , Mun Junsik , Sheeraz Muhammad , Roh Chang Jae , Pan Jun , Wang Bo , Guo Kun , Ahn Chang Won , Zhang Yaping , Yao Kui , Lee Jong Seok , Chung Jin‐Seok , Kim Tae Heon , Chen Long‐Qing , Kim Miyoung , Wang Lingfei , Noh Tae Won
Published: February 2020

Ferroelectric materials owning a polymorphic nanodomain structure usually exhibit colossal susceptibilities to external mechanical, electrical, and thermal stimuli, thus holding huge potential for relevant applications. Despite the success of traditional strategies by means of complex composition design, alternative simple methods such as strain engineering have been intensively sought to achieve a polymorphic nanodomain state in lead‐free, simple‐composition ferroelectric oxides in recent years. Here, a nanodomain configuration with morphed structural phases is realized in an epitaxial BaTiO3 film grown on a (111)‐oriented SrTiO3 substrate. Using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches, it is revealed that a threefold rotational symmetry element enforced by the epitaxial constraint along the [111] direction of BaTiO3 introduces considerable instability among intrinsic tetragonal, orthorhombic, and rhombohedral phases. Such phase degeneracy induces ultrafine ferroelectric nanodomains (1–10 nm) with low‐angle domain walls, which exhibit significantly enhanced dielectric and piezoelectric responses compared to the (001)‐oriented BaTiO3 film with uniaxial ferroelectricity. Therefore, the finding highlights the important role of epitaxial symmetry in domain engineering of oxide ferroelectrics and facilitates the development of dielectric capacitors and piezoelectric devices.
A Novel Strategy for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Targeting Delivery of Methotrexate through Glucan Particles
Authors: Sun Ying , Duan Bingchao , Chen Huanhuan , Xu Xiaojuan
Published: February 2020

Therapy of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been a difficult task in the medical field. There is a great clinical need for more effective treatments for IBD. Herein, a targeted oral delivery system of yeast glucan particles (YGPs) carrying a clinically used anti‐inflammatory drug methotrexate (MTX) to the inflamed sites in IBD mice for therapy is reported. In the findings, MTX is effectively loaded into YGPs through re‐precipitation followed by gelation reaction of alginate to obtain the composite YGPs/MTX, which are internalized into RAW264.7 macrophage cells through dectin‐1 and CR3 receptors. Furthermore, YGPs/MTX can suppress the proliferation of macrophage cells efficiently, leading to down‐regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharides. Additionally, YGPs accumulate in the inflammation site of colitis mice, enabling YGPs/MTX to target the inflammatory site, significantly improve the efficacy of MTX, and reduce the cytotoxicity of MTX. Therefore, the YGPs‐based drug delivery system provides a new strategy for MTX application in the clinical treatment of IBD.
High Entropy Intermetallic–Oxide Core–Shell Nanostructure as Superb Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst
Authors: Ding Zhaoyi , Bian Juanjuan , Shuang Shuo , Liu Xiaodi , Hu Yuanchao , Sun Chunwen , Yang Yong
Published: February 2020

Designing active, stable, yet low cost electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal to the next generation energy storage technology. However, conventional OER catalysts are of low electrochemical efficiency while the state‐of‐the‐art nanoparticle‐based catalysts require mechanical supports, thereby limiting their wide deployment. Here, it is demonstrated that, due to the excellent corrosion resistance of the Fe–Co–Ni–Cr–Nb high entropy intermetallic Laves phase, fabricating a high entropy bulk porous nanostructure is possible by dealloying the corresponding eutectic alloy precursor. As a result, a core–shell nanostructure with amorphous high entropy oxide ultrathin films wrapped around the nanosized intermetallic ligaments is obtained, which together, exhibits an extraordinarily large active surface area, fast dynamics, and superb long‐term durability, outperforming the existing alloy‐ and ceramic‐based OER electrocatalysts. The outcome of the research suggests that the paradigm of “high entropy” design can be used to develop high performance catalytic materials.
Computational Assessment of Water Desalination Performance of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ghoufi Aziz , Szymczyk Anthony
Published: February 2020

The desalination performance (water permeability and salt rejection) of both uncharged and charged multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is computationally assessed by means of pressure‐driven molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown that the performance of these materials surpass that of the widely used polyamide reverse osmosis membranes and are even better than 2D materials such as nanoporous graphene or boron nitride. The molecular origin of the fast water transport through MWCNT materials is ascribed to a synergic effect between the existence of a single water layer and low friction between water molecules and the carbon nanotube surface. Furthermore, for charged MWCNTs it is highlighted that the electrical charges on the nanotube surface result in a strong anchoring of ions and water molecules. This leads to clogging of the annular region between nanotubes and the generation of a force, which makes water transport through the central channel of the MWCNT faster.
Irrigation, carbon amelioration, nitrogen, and stover removal effects on continuous corn
Authors: Schmer Marty R. , Jin Virginia L. , Ferguson Richard B. , Wienhold Brian J.
Published: February 2020

Corn (Zea mays L.) residue or stover is harvested as supplemental feed for livestock and is a potential feedstock for cellulosic biofuels. Limited information is available on corn stover removal effects on grain yield under different irrigation rates, nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates, and practices to maintain soil carbon (C) and minimize soil erosion. We evaluated potential interactions between irrigation rate (full or limited), C amelioration practices (cover crop, surface‐applied manure, or no amelioration practice), fertilizer N management (125 or 200 kg N ha−1), and stover removal (residue removal or no residue removal), on no‐till continuous corn grain yield located on a silt loam soil in south‐central Nebraska (2011–2018). Stover removal increased (P = .0017) grain yield by 1.02 Mg ha−1 and grain N uptake compared with no stover removal. Manure increased corn grain yield by 899 kg ha−1 compared to either the control or cover crop with stover removal while C amelioration practices did not affect grain yield under stover retention. Grain N concentration was higher (P < .0001) with stover removal (13.2 g kg−1) than residue retained (12.7 g kg−1). Partial factor productivity (grain yield/N rate) was highest for manure treatments with residue removal. The farmgate N balance (N applied − N removed) from stover removal was negative, yet grain yield was not affected after eight growing seasons. Grain yield increased with stover removal and manure application resulting in a cost‐effective C amelioration practice whereas incorporating a winter cover crop resulted in similar grain yield as the control.
Transition‐Metal‐Free Selective C(sp3)−H Thiolation of Arylacetamides with Substituted Benzenethiols, Aryl Sulfenylchlorides and Diaryl Disulfides
Authors: Liu Changying , Li Zheyu , Weng Zhengyun , Fang Xinyue , Zhao Fei , Tang Kehui , Chen Jianyang , Ma Wenbo
Published: February 2020

A synthetic method for the preparation of unsymmetrical 2‐arylthioacetamides though direct C(sp3)−H thiolation of arylacetamides with readily available substituted thiols, sulfenylchlorides and disulfides have been developed. Our strategy features a green reaction medium with ample substrate scope, affording the mono‐thiolated aryl acetic acid derivatives in moderate to good yields in the presence of weak bases without any transition‐metal catalyst.
Influence of Electron–Phonon Interaction on the Lattice Thermal Conductivity in Single‐Crystal Si
Authors: Fang Teng , Xin Jiazhan , Fu Chenguang , Li Dongsheng , Zhao Xinbing , Felser Claudia , Zhu Tiejun
Published: February 2020

Lattice thermal conductivity can be reduced by introducing point defect, grain boundary, and nanoscale precipitates to scatter phonons of different wave‐lengths, etc. Recently, the effect of electron–phonon (EP) interaction on phonon transport has attracted more and more attention, especially in heavily doped semiconductors. Here the effect of EP interaction in n‐type P‐doped single‐crystal Si has been investigated. The lattice thermal conductivity decreases dramatically with increasing P doping. This reduction on lattice thermal conductivity cannot be explained solely considering point defect scattering. Further, the lattice thermal conductivity can be fitted well by introducing EP interaction into the modified Debye–Callaway model, which demonstrates that the EP interaction can play an important role in reducing lattice thermal conductivity of n‐type P‐doped single‐crystal Si.
Totalsynthese von α‐ und β‐Amanitin
Authors: Lutz Christian , Simon Werner , Werner‐Simon Susanne , Pahl Andreas , Müller Christoph
Published: February 2020

α‐Amanitin und verwandte Amatoxine werden schon über 60 Jahre hauptsächlich durch Isolierung aus dem grünen Knollenblätterpilz untersucht. Die Totalsynthese blieb jedoch wegen der einzigartigen Struktureigenschaften schwierig. α‐Amanitin ist ein potenter Inhibitor der RNA‐Polymerase II. Die Unterbrechung dieses fundamentalen Transkriptionsprozesses von Eukaryonten führt unweigerlich zur Apoptose. Dieser einzigartige Mechanismus macht das Toxin zu einem idealen Kandidaten für Antikörper‐Toxin‐Konjugate (ADCs). Nur Mikrogramm‐Mengen des Toxins, selektiv an den Wirkort des Tumors gebracht, reichen aus, um maligne Tumorzellen nahezu jeder Herkunft in die Apoptose zu zwingen. Indem die stereoselektive Synthese von Dihydroxyisoleucin, der photochemische Zugang zu einer Tryptathionvorstufe, die Festphasensynthese und die Makrozyklisierung realisiert wurden, wurde ein skalierbarer Prozess zu totalsynthetischem α‐Amanitin erhalten. Dies macht α‐Amanitin und seine Derivate zugänglich für die Entwicklung neuer ADCs.
Rationally Designed Three‐Layered Cu2S@Carbon@MoS2 Hierarchical Nanoboxes for Efficient Sodium Storage
Authors: Fang Yongjin , Luan Deyan , Chen Ye , Gao Shuyan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: February 2020

Hybrid materials, integrating the merits of individual components, are ideal structures for efficient sodium storage. However, the construction of hybrid structures with decent physical/electrochemical properties is still challenging. Now, the elaborate design and synthesis of hierarchical nanoboxes composed of three‐layered Cu2S@carbon@MoS2 as anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries is reported. Through a facile multistep template‐engaged strategy, ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets are grown on nitrogen‐doped carbon‐coated Cu2S nanoboxes to realize the Cu2S@carbon@MoS2 configuration. The design shortens the diffusion path of electrons/Na+ ions, accommodates the volume change of electrodes during cycling, enhances the electric conductivity of the hybrids, and offers abundant active sites for sodium uptake. By virtue of these advantages, these three‐layered Cu2S@carbon@MoS2 hierarchical nanoboxes show excellent electrochemical properties in terms of decent rate capability and stable cycle life.
Biocompatible and pH‐Responsive Colloidal Surfactants with Tunable Shape for Controlled Interfacial Curvature
Authors: Sun Zhu , Yang Chenjing , Wang Fan , Wu Baiheng , Shao Baiqi , Li Zhuocheng , Chen Dong , Yang Zhenzhong , Liu Kai
Published: February 2020

Molecular‐surfactant‐stabilized emulsions are susceptible to coalescence and Ostwald ripening. Amphiphilic particles, which have a much stronger anchoring strength at the interface, could effectively alleviate these problems to form stable Pickering emulsions. Herein, we describe a versatile method to fabricate biocompatible amphiphilic dimer particles through controlled coprecipitation and phase separation. The dimer particles consist of a hydrophobic PLA bulb and a hydrophilic shellac–PEG bulb, thus resembling nonionic molecular surfactants. The size and diameter ratio of the dimer particles are readily tunable, providing flexible control over the water/oil interfacial curvature and thus the type of emulsion. The particle‐stabilized emulsions were stable for a long period of time and could be destabilized through a pH‐triggered response. The biocompatible amphiphilic dimer particles with tunable morphology and functionality are thus ideal colloidal surfactants for various applications.
When antegrade microcatheter does not follow: The “facilitated tip‐in technique”
Authors: Venuti Giuseppe , D'Agosta Guido , Tamburino Corrado , La Manna Alessio
Published: February 2020

The introduction of retrograde techniques in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) has significantly improved the success rates. After crossing the CTO lesion in the retrograde approach, wire externalization is a pivotal step to complete the PCI. Many techniques have been described to accomplish externalization in different scenarios of increasing difficulty. We describe the novel “facilitated tip‐in technique” which involves the insertion of the back end of an extra‐guidewire into and through the antegrade microcatheter (MC) in order to increase antegrade support and overcome demanding CTO cases where, even after successful tip‐in technique, the antegrade MC does not cross the CTO segment.
Early restenosis of a direct flow transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis
Authors: Veulemans Verena , Polzin Amin , Piayda Kerstin , Zeus Tobias
Published: February 2020

Due to limited case numbers, severe Direct flow™ transcatheter device restenosis is, until now, a rare event with unknown long‐term incidence, but challenging several treatment strategies. This case report gives an overview of possible interventional treatment considerations in this context that might occur more often in the future due to expected valve deterioration processes in the next years.
Amplified Anodic Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) for the Sensitive Detection of Isatin
Authors: Abdussalam Abubakar , Guan Yiran , Xu Guobao
Published: February 2020

Isatin is an endogenous indole derivative that has been reported to possess various pharmacological and therapeutic activities of clinical importance. To date, isatin has been detected mainly by mass spectrometry. Here, we report for the first time the intense anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) with isatin as an efficient co‐reactant. Interestingly, the ECL response of the Ru(bpy)32+/isatin system in borate buffer solution is about 12 times more intense than in phosphate buffer of the same pH; and approximately 114 times greater than the ECL intensity of the luminophore. Under the optimal conditions, the ECL of Ru(bpy)32+ increases linearly with the concentration of the isatin in the range of 1.0 μM to 1.0 mM (R2=0.998) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.28 μM (3σ/m). Moreover, the method has been successfully applied to the detection of isatin in human urine. The developed method has shown excellent recoveries in the range of 99.7–101.3 %. The anodic ECL assay reported in this work is superior in terms of linear range and selectivity than the previously reported methods and can be applied for the detection of isatin in real samples.
Deconvolution of Gaussian peaks with mixed real and discrete‐integer optimization based on evolutionary computing
Authors: Karakaplan Mustafa , Avcu Fatih Mehmet
Published: February 2020

This study describes an alternative method for deconvolution of overlapping characteristic Gauss peaks with the help of optimization of a mixed variable genetic algorithm. Continuous and discrete variables and nonlinear discrete variables in optimization problems cause solution complexity. The processing and analysis of complex analytical signals is important not only in analytical chemistry but also in other fields of science. As the amount of data increases and linearity decreases, high‐performance computations are needed to solve analytical signals. It takes a long time to perform these calculations with traditional processor systems and algorithms. We have used NVIDIA graphical processing units (GPUs) to shorten the duration of these calculations. Solving such analytical signals with genetic algorithms is widely used in computational sciences. In this study, we present a new curve‐fitting method using a genetic algorithm based on Gauss functions used to deconvolve overlapping peaks and find the exact peak number in absorption spectroscopy. The deconvolution of individual bands in the UV‐VIS region is a complex task, because the absorption bands are broad and often strongly overlap. Useful information about the molecular structure and environment can only be obtained by appropriate and truthful separation of these peaks.
Supramolecular Regulation of Polydopamine Formation by Amyloid Fibers
Authors: Shin J. H. , Le Nghia T. K. , Jang Hongje , Lee Taehoon , Kang Kyungtae
Published: February 2020

Polydopamine (PD) and melanin species are chemically complex systems, the formation and properties of which are incompletely understood. Inspired by the role of functional amyloids in melanin biosynthesis, this paper examines the influences of the supramolecular structure of amyloids on oxidative polymerization of dopamine. Kinetic analyses on the formation of PD species in the presence of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) fibers or soluble HEWL revealed that both forms gave rise to the total quantity of PD species, but the rate of their formation could be accelerated only by the amyloid form. PD species formed with HEWL fibers showed a morphology of bundled fibers, whereas those with soluble HEWL had a mesh‐like structure. Amyloid fibers of recombinant Pmel17 had properties similar to those of HEWL fibers in modulating PD formation. The results presented here suggest how nature designs functionality with an amyloid structure and can help understand and engineer chemistries of other functional amyloids.
High voltage gain dual‐input dual‐output DC‐DC converter with reduced voltage stress on semiconductors
Authors: Jalilzadeh Tohid , Rostami Naghi , Babaei Ebrahim , Hosseini Seyed Hossein
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a new nonisolated multiport DC‐DC converter with two inputs and two outputs with different voltage levels. Different energy sources with distinct voltage‐current characteristics can be utilized as the input sources. Regarding multiple outputs, the proposed converter can be utilized in electric vehicles (EVs) to supply the DC traction motor and the auxiliary loads. The main advantages of the proposed converter include the high voltage gain with small values of the duty cycles, low normalized peak voltage stress (NPVS) across the semiconductors, and the continuous input currents. The voltage stress across the semiconductors is lower than the maximum output voltage. This feature makes it possible to use the switches with low turn‐on resistance and the diodes with reduced rating voltage. Performance principals of the proposed converter along with the steady‐state analysis, such as the derivation of the voltage gains, voltage and current stresses of the semiconductors, etc, are carried out. Experimental measurements made for the laboratory prototype of the proposed converter confirm the theoretical analysis.
Fractional radiofrequency based combinations for augmented skin rejuvenation results
Authors: Mehrabi Joseph N. , Artzi Ofir
Published: February 2020

Skin rejuvenation is a common request among patients and a strong driver for the development of new, energy‐based devices in dermatology. Various procedures exist for skin rejuvenation. Patients prefer methods of skin rejuvenation with few sessions, minimal downtime, no adverse events, and lasting results. Extensive research has been conducted on radiofrequency (RF)‐based skin tightening due to its noninvasive, tolerable, and effective mechanism. Different RF technologies directed toward skin rejuvenation exist. Effective treatment and skin rejuvenation have been achieved with RF technologies, but more potential exists in combination treatments which can be adjusted for patients according to specific skin types, skin conditions, and patients' preferences. In this review, we discuss eight RF‐based protocols directed toward skin rejuvenation. These treatment combinations can be applied in any dermatology clinic and can lead to excellent results with highly satisfied patients.