bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small energy loss in ternary organic solar cells with a blend of cascade energy levels: two fullerene-free acceptors as the electron acceptor
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Wang Ning
Published: July 2019

Fullerene-free organic solar cells (OSCs) were fabricated using a blend of wide bandgap donor PBDB-T and ultranarrow bandgap acceptor IEICO-4F as binary photoactive layers.
Conformal self‐balanced EBG integrated printed folded dipole antenna for wireless body area networks
Authors: Balakrishnan Sakthi Abirami , Sundarsingh Esther Florence
Published: July 2019

A self‐balanced electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) integrated, conformal printed T‐shaped folded dipole antenna for wireless body area network (WBAN) is proposed in this study. The folded dipole antenna designed using polyester film and copper tape operates at 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific and medical radio bands. Integrating antenna with a two‐element EBG reduces the frequency shift and back scattering of radiation into the body. The higher impedance bandwidth of the folded dipole plays a key role in maintaining resonance while the antenna is wrapped on a human arm. When the antenna is conformed on a human arm, EBG surface minimises the specific absorption rate (SAR), increases the gain and front‐to‐back ratio (FBR). Additionally, full‐wave simulations and measurements were done to validate the proposed antenna design even when conformed to the human arm of people from different age groups. The FBR and gain of the antenna are improved by 75 and 61% and SAR has been reduced by 99% when it is integrated with EBG. The good impedance matching, high gain and FBR and reduced SAR make it a perfect candidate for WBAN.
Voltage fluctuation mitigation: fast allocation and daily local control of DSTATCOMs to increase solar energy harvest
Authors: Quoc Hung Duong , Mishra Yateendra
Published: July 2019

This study presents a methodology for reactive power compensation provided by distribution static synchronous compensators (DSTATCOMs) to mitigate the voltage fluctuation and increase the solar energy harvest via photovoltaic (PV) inverters accordingly in medium‐voltage distribution systems. An approximate method that uses one power flow run with the base‐case system is analytically developed to offer a fast estimation of the location and size of DSTATCOMs to enhance the local voltage controllability over sunshine hours. This study then presents daily local reactive power control, where the control signals are calculated based on instantaneous measurements of the voltage at each bus without requiring any communications. The control method involves estimating the amount of reactive power support by the installed DSTATCOMs to reduce the voltage fluctuation during daytime while PV inverters are fully used to harvest the solar energy. At night‐time, the DSTATCOMs operate as a master in voltage‐controlled mode with other PV inverters in load mode if required to minimise the energy loss while improving the voltage profile. The proposed method has been tested on a 69‐bus distribution system with 1 min load and 1 s solar power profiles and validated using a repeated power flow‐based exact solution.
Dynamical assessment of a PTGS with time delay
Authors: Liu Gongcheng , Chen Diyi , Li Huanhuan , Ye Jiusan , Zhang Hao , Liu Jinyang , Skjelbred Hans Ivar , Kong Jiehong
Published: July 2019

As power systems grow reliant on large‐scale integration of renewable energy sources, pumped‐storage power stations are being called on to provide greater adjustment capabilities. This study focuses on the stability and fast–slow dynamics of a pump‐turbine governing system (PTGS). First, the time delay τ is considered into the PTGS since a lag in time exists between the signal and response in the hydraulic servo system. Second, six analytical expressions for the transfer coefficients of the guide vane opening in the process of wide‐ranging load decrease are obtained utilising the complete characteristic curve of pump turbines. The effects of the time delay τ on system stability for the transient process are explored. Furthermore, considering the dynamic transfer coefficient e is a variable during the operation, the authors introduce the intermediate variable e as a periodic excitation into the PTGS. From the perspective of non‐linear dynamics, the bursting oscillation behaviours of the multi‐scale coupling system are analysed in detail. On the basis of practise engineering, the stability of the PTGS is studied in depth. All of the above methods and results supply the theoretical basis for maintaining a stable operation of pumped‐storage power stations.
Ag‐deposited carbon‐coated Fe3O4 magnetic microparticles as highly efficient and recyclable catalysts
Authors: Ye YingJie , Li Yue , Gao FengXian , Zhang YongXing
Published: July 2019

In this work, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with average sizes of 20 nm were well‐dispersed on the surfaces of magnetic carbon‐coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@C) microparticles through a simple in situ growth process. The catalytic efficiency of the as‐prepared AgNPs‐decorated Fe3O4@C particles was evaluated using a model reaction based on the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) by an excess of NaBH4. The kinetic data of the reduction reaction could be explained by the assumption of a pseudo‐first‐order reaction with regard to 4‐NP. Also the particles are catalytically more active due to their extremely high‐density AgNPs immobilised on the surfaces of Fe3O4@C particles. Significantly, the Fe3O4@C@Ag catalysts can be easily separated from the reaction media by applying an external magnet, and can be reused for several cycles.
High-sensitivity maps of molecular ions in L1544
Authors: Redaelli E. , Bizzocchi L. , Caselli P. , Sipilä O. , Lattanzi V. , Giuliano B. M. , Spezzano S.
Published: July 2019

Context. The deuterium fraction in low-mass prestellar cores is a good diagnostic indicator of the initial phases of star formation, and is also a fundamental quantity to infer the ionisation degree in these objects.

Aims. With the analysis of multiple transitions of N2H+, N2D+, HC18O+, and DCO+ we are able to determine the molecular column density maps and the deuterium fraction in N2H+ and HCO+ toward the prototypical prestellar core L1544. This is the preliminary step to derive the ionisation degree in the source.

Methods. We used a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) radiative transfer code combined with the molecular abundances derived from a chemical model to infer the excitation conditions of all the observed transitions. This allowed us to derive reliable maps of the column density of each molecule. The ratio between the column density of a deuterated species and its non-deuterated counterpart gives the sought-after deuteration level.

Results. The non-LTE analysis confirms that, for the molecules analysed, higher-J transitions are characterised by excitation temperatures that are ≈1–2 K lower than those of the lower-J transitions. The chemical model that provides the best fit to the observational data predicts the depletion of N2H+ and to a lesser extent of N2D+ in the innermost region. The peak values for the deuterium fraction that we find are D/HN2H+ = 0.26−0.14+0.15 and D/HHCO+=0.035−0.012+0.015, in good agreement with previous estimates in the source.
Insektengiftallergie: Die am häufigsten zum Tode führende Anaphylaxie
Authors: Sieber Wolfgang , Brunner Monika
Published: July 2019

Was ist neu?

Diagnostik der Insektengiftallergien Die rekombinanten Antikörper rApi m1, rApi m3 und rApi m10 bei Bienengiftallergie sowie rVes v5 und rVes v1 bei Wespengiftallergie haben sich in der Diagnostik etabliert und dienen auch zur Unterscheidung, ob eine Bienen- oder Wespengiftallergie vorliegt bei Patienten, die nicht genau wissen, von welchem Insekt sie gestochen wurden.

Therapie der Insektengiftallergie Die Hyposensibilisierung ist die Methode der Wahl zur Behandlung der Insektengiftallergie. Bei Patienten mit schwerer anaphylaktischer Reaktion, besonders bei Bienengift und hoher Exposition wie bei Imkern, sollte die Dosis primär schon 200 µg betragen.

Lebensqualität nach Insektengift-Hyposensibilisierung Die Hyposensibilisierung und deren Erfolgsbeurteilung durch den Patienten nimmt immer mehr Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität. Gerade durch die Stichprovokation wird eine Verbesserung der Lebensqualität erreicht.
Sarcoidosis al descubierto: Lo que deberíamos informar en las imágenes torácicas
Authors: Martínez Martínez Javier Mauricio , Palacio Vargas Karen Margarita , Astorga Lahoz María del Mar , Conde Blanco Manuel , Ferrario María Cecilia , Aguirre Pablo Matías
Published: July 2019

La sarcoidosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa no caseificante, multisistémica, de causa desconocida, que compromete al pulmón y a los ganglios linfáticos mediastinales entre el 90 y el 95% de los casos. También puede afectar otros órganos, como las glándulas salivales, piel, ojos, hígado, bazo, corazón, huesos y sistema nervioso central. La sarcoidosis tiene una baja prevalencia en Latinoamérica y es subdiagnosticada debido a la alta frecuencia de otros trastornos similares, como tuberculosis, lepra y micosis profundas.

El diagnóstico presuntivo se establece con hallazgos imagenológicos característicos dentro de un contexto clínico apropiado y se confirma con la evidencia histológica de granulomas no caseificantes de células epiteliales, en ausencia de otras etiologías.

Los hallazgos torácicos incluyen la afectación pulmonar, ganglionar y bronquial, los cuales son detectados a través de la radiografía (Rx) y tomografía computada (TC) de tórax, siendo esa última más sensible y específica.

En este artículo, resaltamos la importancia de reconocer los patrones de presentación típicos y atípicos de la sarcoidosis en Rx y TC, así como la relevancia de las imágenes torácicas como elemento clave en el algoritmo diagnóstico de esa patología. También describimos la utilidad de la resonancia magnética (RM), como método adicional para el diagnóstico en casos de afectación cardíaca y el papel de la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET-CT) en el seguimiento terapéutico.
Placental Findings in Postpartum Preeclampsia: A Comparative Retrospective Study
Authors: Ditisheim Agnès , Sibai Baha , Tatevian Nina
Published: July 2019

Objective Preeclampsia is a multifactorial placental disease that can occur after delivery. The pathophysiology of postpartum preeclampsia remains unknown. The objective was to describe placental findings in postpartum preeclampsia.

Study Design This is a case–control study, comparing the placental histologic findings in four groups of 30 patients with postpartum preeclampsia, early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and normotensive controls.

Results Placentas of postpartum preeclampsia had a mean placental weight not different from that of late-onset preeclampsia at a similar gestational age (479.0 ± 152.7 vs. 521.3 ± 144.1 g, p = 0.07); they showed a higher rate of acute deciduitis of 42.4% than early preeclampsia (5.7%, p < 0.01) or in controls (3.2%, p < 0.01); 18.2% had decidual arteriolopathy, with no significant difference with other groups. These placentas had fewer villous infarcts as compared with early preeclampsia (9.1 vs. 62.9%, p < 0.01) and less accelerated maturation of villi (24.2 vs. 74.3%, p < 0.01).

Conclusion There were no significant differences for decidual arteriolopathy and villous infarcts among postpartum preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, and the controls. This suggests that postpartum preeclampsia is more of a maternal disease in which the placenta may act as a priming effect in predisposed mothers and becomes clinically apparent after delivery.
Schwannoma: A Rare Hoffa's Fat Pad Tumor
Authors: Caballero Martel Jonathan Ruben , Estévez Sarmiento Sara
Published: July 2019

Hoffa's fat pad can be affected by a variety of tumors. Schwannomas are benign and typically solitary neoplasms of the peripheral nerve sheath; they are made up of the neoplastic Schwann cells and are usually located eccentrically. Malignant schwannomas are extremely uncommon. Here we report a case of an intra-articular schwannoma of the knee. A 54-year-old man presented with a painful lump in the medial aspect of the knee. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed intra-articular mass, which was later diagnosed as an intra-articular schwannoma based on biopsy findings.
Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Electroacupuncture on Postnatal Scanty Milk Secretion: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Maged Ahmed M. , Hassanin Marwa E. , Kamal Wafaa M. , Abbassy Amr H. , Alalfy Mahmoud , Askalani Ahmed N. , El-Lithy Ahmed , Nabil Mohamed , Farouk Dalia , Hussein Eman A. , Hammad Bahaa
Published: July 2019

Objective Postnatal scanty milk secretion is a common complaint. Some physical and medical interventions were advocated to help milk production. These interventions should be effective and safe for the mother and the infant. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion.

Study Design A randomized controlled study conducted on 60 healthy primiparous mothers with insufficient lactation. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (control), group B (those who received low-power He–Ne laser beam on both breasts), and group C (those who received faradic current stimulation at Spleen 6, Liver 3, and Small Intestine 1 acupuncture points on both sides). All participants received 10 mg Domperidone three times a day and were given advice about lactation, nutrition, and fluid intake. Evaluation was done before and after the treatment program.

Results The mean serum prolactin, infant weight, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were significantly increased in the three groups posttreatment when compared with their corresponding levels pretreatment. Posttreatment serum prolactin was significantly elevated in group C more than the other two groups (p = 0.001 and 0.012, respectively). Also, it was significantly elevated in group B more than in group A (p = 0.001). The mean value of infant weight was significantly elevated in group C when compared with its corresponding values in both groups A (p = 0.001) and B (p = 0.029). The VAS score was significantly increased in both groups B and C when compared with group A (p = 0.001).

Conclusion Electroacupuncture is more effective than low-level laser therapy in increasing postnatal scanty milk secretion.

Clinical Trial Registration NCT03806062.
Risks and Benefits of Anticoagulation in Cancer and Noncancer Patients
Authors: Park Deborah Y. , Khorana Alok A.
Published: July 2019

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of cancer occurring in up to one-fifth of cancer patients. The risk of VTE, which includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is increased up to seven-fold in patients with cancer. While the indications and contraindications to treatment for VTE patients with cancer parallel to those patients without cancer, the treatment of VTE is challenging for cancer patients who are three-fold more likely to have VTE recurrence than patients without cancer and who are also at increased risk of bleeding. While anticoagulant therapy is recommended for most cancer patients with VTE, some patients may benefit from alternative interventions, such as thrombolysis, thromboembolectomy, or placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. Recent data support the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for treatment of cancer-associated VTE in select cancer patients and for primary prevention of thromboembolism in high-risk cancer patients. Individualized decision-making, keeping in consideration the patient's risk for thrombotic and bleeding events is essential.
Oblique modulation of electron acoustic waves in nonextensive plasma
Authors: Bansal Sona , Gill Tarsem Singh , Aggarwal Munish
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we have studied the oblique modulation of electron acoustic (EA) waves and formation and properties of envelope solitons in three component plasma consisting of cold electrons, nonextensive hot electrons, and stationary ions. To study the stability criteria of waves, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) is derived. The numerical calculations of the NLSE show the variation of the stability region with different plasma parameters. It reveals that the stability criteria of EA waves depend on the modulation angle θ. The effect of nonextensive parameter q and electron temperature ratio σ on the formation of EA wave envelope excitations has been studied in detail, and the findings obtained here will be beneficial for further astrophysical investigations.
Wavelength-tunable InAsP quantum dots in InP nanowires
Authors: Zhong Zhiqin , Li Xinlei , Wu Jiang , Li Cheng , Xie Ruo Bing , Yuan Xiaoming , Niu Xiaobin , Wang Wenhao , Luo Xiaorong , Zhang Guojun , Wang Zhiming M. , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati
Published: July 2019

There is considerable interest in quantum dots incorporated in nanowires for nanolasers and quantum emitters. In this letter, we demonstrate single InAsP quantum dots embedded in InP nanowires grown by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy. Despite the abrupt change of growth conditions at the interface, InAsP quantum dots can be grown in pure wurtzite InP nanowires. We develop a model and analyze the effects of the thickness of InAsP quantum dots and the composition of As on the formation of dislocations. Furthermore, the InAsP/InP quantum dot nanowires show bright photoluminescence up to room temperature without any surface passivation. The emission from the quantum dots could be well tuned by adjusting the dot size either vertically or laterally. The study demonstrates the potential of this material system for optoelectronic applications.
Optimal global synchronization of partially forced Kuramoto oscillators
Authors: Climaco Joyce S. , Saa Alberto
Published: July 2019

We consider the problem of global synchronization in a large random network of Kuramoto oscillators where some of them are subject to an external periodically driven force. We explore a recently proposed dimensional reduction approach and introduce an effective two-dimensional description for the problem. From the dimensionally reduced model, we obtain analytical predictions for some critical parameters necessary for the onset of a globally synchronized state in the system. Moreover, the low dimensional model also allows us to introduce an optimization scheme for the problem. Our main conclusion, which has been corroborated by exhaustive numerical simulations, is that for a given large random network of Kuramoto oscillators, with random natural frequencies ωi, such that a fraction of them is subject to an external periodic force with frequency Ω, the best global synchronization properties correspond to the case where the fraction of the forced oscillators is chosen to be those ones such that |ωi−Ω| is maximal. Our results might shed some light on the structure and evolution of natural systems for which the presence or the absence of global synchronization is a desired property. Some properties of the optimal forced networks and their relation to recent results in the literature are also discussed.
Nanocalorimetry: Exploring materials faster and smaller
Authors: Yi Feng , LaVan David A.
Published: July 2019

This review explores the development of microchip-based nanocalorimeters for small scale and high rate thermal measurements. Nanocalorimetry is a growing field of importance given the ability to investigate the thermal behavior of thin films and nanomaterials. It can reveal how thermal properties scale with size and provide direct measurements of high rate and multistep reactions, nucleation in complex environments, and surface effects, even on samples below a monolayer.
Contrasting anion disorder behavior in Sm2Zr2O7 by simultaneous aliovalent cation substitutions and its structural and electrical properties
Authors: Renju U. A. , Prabhakar Rao P.
Published: July 2019

In the present study, the effect of simultaneous aliovalent cation substitutions on the B site of the pyrochlore type compositions has been studied to understand the anion disorder and its influence on the electrical properties. In this regard, the Sm2Zr2 – x(YNb)x/2O7 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) compositions were prepared via solid-state reaction route, and the structural and electrical properties of the prepared compositions were analyzed using advanced techniques. The structural analysis studies reveal that the concentration of aliovalent cation substitution has a distinct effect on the structure; the lower concentration of Y and Nb (x ≤ 0.25) destabilizes the system, lowering the distortion, and at higher concentrations (x ≥ 0.5), it stabilizes the system. As a consequence, the distortion of BO6 increases at higher substitutions; thus, the lattice strain of the system increases, manifesting the higher anion disorder in the system. The degree of the anion disorder is further evaluated by the intensity ratio of the Raman intense Eg mode and the T2g mode around 800 cm−1 from the Raman spectrum whose trend is in line with the oxygen x-parameter variation with different concentrations of the aliovalent cation substitution. The electrical properties follow the same trend of the anion disorder and the lattice strain in the system. The maximum conductivity of 4.44 × 10−4 S/cm is obtained for the composition (x = 1) having the maximum anion disorder and lattice strain. The present study demonstrates the interrelationship among the lattice strain, anion disorder, and oxide ion conductivity, which will be helpful in designing and developing new oxide ionic conductors.
Non-weight modules over the affine-Virasoro algebra of type A1
Authors: Chen Qiufan , Han Jianzhi
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study a class of nonweight modules over the affine-Virasoro algebra of type A1, which are free modules of rank one when restricted to the universal enveloping algebra of the Cartan subalgebra (modulo center). We give the classification of such modules. Moreover, the simplicity and the isomorphism classes of these modules are determined.
Fourier-rectangular function analysis for cylindrical plasma images
Authors: Yamasaki K. , Fujisawa A. , Nagashima Y. , Moon C. , Inagaki S. , Kasuya N. , Kosuga Y. , Sasaki M. , Yamada T.
Published: July 2019

An analysis method is developed for imaging measurement systems, such as the tomography system or fast camera imaging, in order to extract the spatial structure properties of fluctuation. In this analysis method, rectangular functions and Fourier series are adopted for the basis functions of the radial and azimuthal coordinates, respectively. The examples of this analysis method show that this method is useful for quantifying the spatial structure of the 2D image such as the radial profile of the power and the rotation angle of each azimuthal mode. The method proposed in this article allows us to elucidate the features of the 2D spatial structure of phenomena in magnetized plasma.
Comparison of Langmuir probe and laser Thomson scattering for electron property measurements in magnetron discharges
Authors: Ryan Peter J. , Bradley James W. , Bowden Mark D.
Published: July 2019

Electron property measurements made by Langmuir probes and laser Thomson scattering have been compared in weakly magnetized plasma conditions using a planar unbalanced magnetron with the aim of assessing the accuracy of the probe diagnostic. The measurements were performed at several locations within the magnetic field configuration, the magnetic null region (≲1 mT) on the discharge axis and inside the last closed flux surface boundary with fields up to 33 mT. There was good diagnostic agreement during High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, but significant discrepancies were observed for DC magnetron operation, even at the magnetic null. For some discharge conditions, the electron density determined by Thomson scattering was over an order of magnitude greater than the plasma density obtained from the Langmuir probe, using both ion and electron collection theories. In addition, the low energy part of the electron energy distribution function determined by the probe was depleted. The possible reasons for the discrepancies are discussed, with the conclusion being that the plasma was significantly perturbed by the probe stem. The range of plasma densities and electron temperatures measured in this study were 0.4–54 × 1017 m−3 and 0.2–5.9 eV, respectively.
Infrared spectrum of hydrogenated corannulene rim-HC20H10 isolated in solid para-hydrogen
Authors: Sundararajan Pavithraa , Tsuge Masashi , Baba Masaaki , Sakurai Hidehiro , Lee Yuan-Pern
Published: July 2019

Hydrogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been proposed to be carriers of the interstellar unidentified infrared (UIR) emission bands and the catalysts for formation of H2; spectral characterizations of these species are hence important. We report the infrared (IR) spectrum of mono-hydrogenated corannulene (HC20H10) in solid para-hydrogen (p-H2). In experiments of electron bombardment of a mixture of corannulene and p-H2 during deposition of a matrix at 3.2 K, two groups of spectral lines increased with time during maintenance of the matrix in darkness after deposition. Lines in one group were assigned to the most stable isomer of hydrogenated corannulene, rim-HC20H10, according to the expected chemistry and a comparison with scaled harmonic vibrational wavenumbers and IR intensities predicted with the B3PW91/6-311++G(2d,2p) method. The lines in the other group do not agree with predicted spectra of other HC20H10 isomers and remain unassigned. Alternative hydrogenation was achieved with H atoms produced photochemically in the infrared-induced reaction Cl + H2 (v = 1) → H + HCl in a Cl2/C20H10/p-H2 matrix. With this method, only lines attributable to rim-HC20H10 were observed, indicating that hydrogenation via a quantum-mechanical tunneling mechanism produces preferably the least-energy rim-HC20H10 regardless of similar barrier heights and widths for the formation of rim-HC20H10 and hub-HC20H10. The mechanisms of formation in both experiments are discussed. The bands near 3.3 and 3.4 µm of rim-HC20H10 agree with the UIR emission bands in position and relative intensity, but other bands do not match satisfactorily with the UIR bands.
Nanocalorimetry review explores the past and future of the technique
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: July 2019

Nanocalorimetry has successfully measured small-scale, high-speed thermal properties in sub-monolayer films and surface reactions and may be used to study metastable and epitaxial materials in the future.
Bio-syngas converting to liquid fuels over co modified Fe3O4-MnO2 catalysts
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiang Ying , Ding Yi-yuan , Xu Yan-fei , Kong Xiang-hui , Ma Guang-yuan , Samart Chanatip , Ding Ming-yue
Published: July 2019

A bifunctional Co modified Fe3O4-Mn catalyst was prepared for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The influence of Co loading on the synergistic effect of Fe-Co as well as FTS performance over Fe1CoxMn1 catalysts was studied. Incorporation of Co species into the Fe3O4-Mn catalyst promoted the reduction of iron oxides, increasing iron active sites during FTS. Moreover, the adding of Co species enhanced the electron transfer from Fe to Co metal, which strengthened the synergistic effect of Fe-Co, improving the catalytic performance. The Fe1CoxMn1 catalyst with higher Co loading promoted further the hydrogenation ability, favoring the shifting of the product distribution towards shorter hydrocarbons. Under optimized conditions of 280 °C, 2.0 MPa and 3000 h−1, the highest yield of liquid fuels was obtained for the Fe1Co1Mn1 catalyst.
On the fracture pressure of liquid metals
Authors: Erzi Eray , Tiryakioḡlu Murat
Published: July 2019

Fracture pressure of six liquid metals, Pb, Al, Cu, Ni, Ti and Fe have been calculated at their melting points in three different ways; (i) by extrapolating molecular dynamic (MD) data reported in the literature for various temperatures to their melting points, (ii) by using the fracture pressure equation developed by Fisher and (iii) by using the work of nucleation suggested by Fletcher. Results have shown that the Fisher equation and MDs estimates agree closely, whereas the ones based on the work of nucleation are systematically lower than the other two. In all cases, calculated fracture pressures are several orders of magnitude different from those assumed in the literature, emphasizing the extent of weakening by extrinsic factors in liquid metals.
The Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trial Abstracts in Plastic Surgery
Authors: Gallo Lucas , Wakeham Scott , Dunn Emily , Avram Ronen , Thoma Achilleas , Voineskos Sophocles
Published: July 2019

Background

When evaluating randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinicians will often refer to the abstract for an initial assessment of the results and to determine whether a full-text review is warranted.

Objectives

This project aims to assess the reporting quality of RCT abstracts published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals utilizing the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for abstracts checklist.

Methods

A computerized database search of OVID MEDLINE was performed. All primary RCTs published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals (by 2016 International Scientific Indexing impact factor) from 2011 to 2018 were included. Two reviewers, blinded to journal and author, independently and in duplicate, scored abstracts employing the 16-item CONSORT for abstracts checklist.

Results

This review identified 126 RCTs that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Included studies were distributed across 5 journals: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (n = 83), JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery (n = 8), Aesthetic Surgery Journal (n = 33), Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery (n = 2), and the Journal of Hand Surgery–European Volume (n = 0). Mean overall item adherence across all abstracts was 7 (SD ± 2). The most poorly reported items were “trial registration,” “method of randomization,” and “source of trial funding” and appeared in 4%, 2.4%, and 0% of abstracts, respectively.

Conclusions

There is limited adherence to the CONSORT for abstracts checklist among RCT abstracts published within the top 5 plastic surgery journals. Given the reliance of clinicians on abstract reporting, omitting essential trial details can lead to an inaccurate interpretation of trial results and improper application in clinical practice. Active endorsement of the CONSORT for abstracts checklist is required to improve the quality of RCT abstract reporting.
Pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune responses in seminal vesicle epithelial cell and their impacts on cellular function†
Authors: Gong Maolei , Wang Fei , Liu Weihua , Chen Ran , Wu Han , Zhang Wenjing , Yu Xiaoqin , Han Ruiqin , Liu Aijie , Chen Yongmei , Han Daishu
Published: July 2019

The seminal vesicles can be infected by microorganisms, thereby resulting in vesiculitis and impairment in male fertility. Innate immune responses in seminal vesicles cells to microbial infections, which facilitate vesiculitis, have yet to be investigated. The present study aims to elucidate pattern recognition receptor–mediated innate immune responses in seminal vesicles epithelial cells. Various pattern recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptor 3, Toll-like receptor 4, cytosolic ribonucleic acid, and deoxyribonucleic acid sensors, are abundantly expressed in seminal vesicles epithelial cells. These pattern recognition receptors can recognize their respective ligands, thus activating nuclear factor kappa B and interferon regulatory factor 3. The pattern recognition receptor signaling induces expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa) and interleukin 6 (Il6), chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Mcp1) and C–X–C motif chemokine 10 (Cxcl10), and type 1 interferons Ifna and Ifnb. Moreover, pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune responses up-regulated the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, but they down-regulated semenogelin-1 expression. These results provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying vesiculitis and its impact on the functions of the seminal vesicles.
Synergistic inhibition of csal1 and csal3 in granulosa cell proliferation and steroidogenesis of hen ovarian prehierarchical development†
Authors: Zhu Hongyan , Qin Ning , Xu Xiaoxing , Sun Xue , Chen Xiaoxia , Zhao Jinghua , Xu Rifu , Mishra Birendra
Published: July 2019

SALL1 and SALL3 are transcription factors that play an essential role in regulating developmental processes and organogenesis in many species. However, the functional role of SALL1 and SALL3 in chicken prehierarchical follicle development is unknown. This study aimed to explore the potential role and mechanism of csal1 and csal3 in granulosa cell proliferation, differentiation, and follicle selection within the prehierarchical follicles of hen ovary. Our data demonstrated that the csal1 and csal3 transcriptions were highly expressed in granulosa cells of prehierarchical follicles, and their proteins were mainly localized in the cytoplasm of granulosa cells and oocytes as well as in the ovarian stroma and epithelium. It initially revealed that both csal1 and csal3 may be involved in chicken prehierarchical follicle development via a translocation mechanism. Furthermore, our results showed an abundance of CCND1, Bcat, StAR, CYP11A1, and FSHR mRNA in granulosa cells, and the proliferation levels of granulosa cells from the prehierarchical follicles were significantly increased by siRNA-mediated knockdown of csal1 or/and csal3. Conversely, the overexpression of csal1 or/and csal3 in the granulosa cells led to a remarkably decreased of them. Moreover, csal1 and csal3 together exert a much stronger effect on the regulation than any of csal1 or csal3. These results indicated that csal1 and csal3 play synergistic inhibitory roles on granulosa cell proliferation, differentiation, and steroidogenesis during prehierarchical follicle development in vitro. The current data provide a basis of molecular mechanisms of csal1 and csal3 in controlling the prehierarchical follicle development and growth of hen ovary in vivo.
Functional Diversity: An Epistemic Roadmap
Authors: Malaterre Christophe , Dussault Antoine C , Mermans Ely , Barker Gillian , Beisner Beatrix E , Bouchard Frédéric , Desjardins Eric , Handa I Tanya , Kembel Steven W , Lajoie Geneviève , Maris Virginie , Munson Alison D , Odenbaugh Jay , Poisot Timothée , Shapiro B Jesse , Suttle Curtis A
Published: July 2019

Functional diversity holds the promise of understanding ecosystems in ways unattainable by taxonomic diversity studies. Underlying this promise is the intuition that investigating the diversity of what organisms actually do (i.e., their functional traits) within ecosystems will generate more reliable insights into the ways these ecosystems behave, compared to considering only species diversity. But this promise also rests on several conceptual and methodological (i.e., epistemic) assumptions that cut across various theories and domains of ecology. These assumptions should be clearly addressed, notably for the sake of an effective comparison and integration across domains, and for assessing whether or not to use functional diversity approaches for developing ecological management strategies. The objective of this contribution is to identify and critically analyze the most salient of these assumptions. To this aim, we provide an epistemic roadmap that pinpoints these assumptions along a set of historical, conceptual, empirical, theoretical, and normative dimensions.
Assessing the molecular diversity of Hildaea (Poaceae, Panicoideae): reaching a compromise between the splitter and the lumper
Authors: Silva Christian , Snak Cristiane , Davidse Gerrit , Van Den Berg Cássio , Oliveira R Patrícia
Published: July 2019

The taxonomy of some groups of plants is challenging, and the strict use of morphological characters may not be enough to solve problems of species delimitation. Hildaea, a genus of tropical grasses recently segregated from Ichnanthus section Foveolatus, is mostly composed of species with obscure boundaries. This group was revised by two authors, Rogers and Stieber, with distinct opinions. The former recognized > 30 taxa, whereas the latter reduced this number to six. In the present study, we re-evaluate current and previous classifications through a comprehensively sampled phylogenetic analysis using plastid (ndhF) and nuclear data (ETS and ITS). Our results demonstrate that the diversity in Hildaea is a middle ground between the splitter and the lumper, indicating that several taxa currently treated as synonyms should be reinstated. Old World Hildaea were found to belong to two clades, one including species from Asia and Oceania, and another including species from the Neotropics and from western Africa. Topological incongruences suggest that hybridization may be a possible cause for the morphological variation observed and also an important evolutionary driver.
Continuous Leakage-Resilient Certificate-Based Encryption Scheme Without Bilinear Pairings
Authors: Zhou Yanwei , Yang Bo , Wang Tao , Xia Zhe , Hou Hongxia
Published: July 2019

Recently, much attention has been focused on designing provably secure cryptographic primitives in the presence of key leakage, even the continuous leakage attacks. However, several constructions on the (continuous) leakage-resilient certificate-based encryption (CBE) scheme were proposed based on the bilinear pairings, and the corresponding computational efficiency is lower. Also, the leakage on the master secret key is omitted in the previous constructions. In this paper, to further achieve the better performance, a new construction method of continuous leakage-resilient CBE scheme without bilinear pairings is proposed, and the chosen-ciphertext attacks security of designed scheme is proved based on the hardness of the classic decisional Diffie–Hellman assumption. The performance analysis shows that our method not only can obtain higher computational efficiency but also enjoys better security performances, such as the leakage parameter of secret key of user has the constant size, and an adversary cannot obtain any leakage on the secret key of user from the corresponding given ciphertext etc. The advantage is that our proposal allows leakage attacks of multiple keys, i.e. continuous leakage resilience of the secret key of user and bounded leakage resilience of the master secret key. Additionally, to provide the leakage resilience for the cloud computing, a novel data access control scheme for cloud storage service is proposed from our continuous leakage-resilient CBE scheme, which can keep its claimed security in the leakage seting.
PM2.5 concentration in the ambient air is a risk factor for the development of high-risk coronary plaques
Authors: Yang Seokhun , Lee Seung-Pyo , Park Jun-Bean , Lee Heesun , Kang Si-Hyuck , Lee Sang-Eun , Kim Juyong Brian , Choi Su-Yeon , Kim Yong-Jin , Chang Hyuk-Jae
Published: July 2019

Aims

We aimed to investigate whether long-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the ambient air is related to the development or growth of coronary plaques.

Methods and results

This study involved 364 residents of Seoul, Korea, who underwent serial coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) at an interval of ≥2 years. Each participant’s average concentration of residential PM2.5 between the two CCTAs was calculated. Primary endpoint was the development of high-risk plaque (HRP), defined as a plaque with low attenuation, spotty calcium, and positive remodelling. Secondary endpoints were the volume increase of total plaque and its component volume. Among those without HRP at baseline (n = 341), 20 patients developed HRP at follow-up CCTA, the residential PM2.5 concentration of which was significantly higher than those without HRP at follow-up (25.8 ± 2.0 vs. 25.0 ± 1.7 μg/m3 for patients with newly developed HRP vs. patients without HRP at follow-up; P = 0.047). An increase in PM2.5 concentration was associated with increased incidence of HRP at follow-up [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–2.15, P < 0.001]. In a secondary analysis, the PM2.5 concentration was associated with an increased risk of the formation of either fibrofatty or necrotic core component in newly developed plaques (aHR 1.41, 95% CI 1.23–1.61, P < 0.001), and with a higher risk of total plaque volume progression in the pre-existing plaques (aHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05–1.23, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Exposure to higher concentration of PM2.5 in the ambient air is significantly associated with the development of high-risk coronary plaques.
Thromboembolic events around the time of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in patients receiving antiplatelet treatment in the ACTIVE trials
Authors: McIntyre William F , Connolly Stuart J , Wang Jia , Masiero Simona , Benz Alexander P , Conen David , Wong Jorge A , Beresh Heather , Healey Jeff S
Published: July 2019

Aims

It is unknown whether cardioversion of atrial fibrillation causes thromboembolic events or is a risk marker. To assess causality, we examined the temporal pattern of thromboembolism in patients having cardioversion.

Methods and results

We studied patients randomized to aspirin or aspirin plus clopidogrel in the ACTIVE trials, comparing the thromboembolic rate in the peri-cardioversion period (30 days before until 30 days after) to the rate during follow-up, remote from cardioversion. Among 962 patients, the 30-day thromboembolic rate remote from cardioversion was 0.16%; while it was 0.73% in the peri-cardioversion period [hazard ratio (HR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1–7.9]. The 30-day thromboembolic rates in the periods immediately before and after cardioversion were 0.47% and 0.96%, respectively (HR 2.2, 95% CI 0.7–7.1). Heart failure (HF) hospitalization increased in the peri-cardioversion period (HR 11.5, 95% CI 6.8–19.4). Compared to baseline, the thromboembolic rate in the 30 days following cardioversion was increased both in patients who received oral anticoagulation or a transoesophageal echocardiogram prior to cardioversion (HR 7.9, 95% CI 2.8–22.4) and in those who did not (HR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6–14.9) (interaction P = 0.2); the risk was also increased with successful (HR 4.5; 95% CI 2.0–10.5) and unsuccessful (HR 10.2; 95% CI 2.3–44.9) cardioversion.

Conclusions

Thromboembolic risk increased in the 30 days before cardioversion and persisted until 30 days post-cardioversion, in a pattern similar to HF hospitalization. These data suggest that the increased thromboembolic risk around the time of cardioversion may not be entirely causal, but confounded by the overall clinical deterioration of patients requiring cardioversion.
Hantavirus infections in humans in Poland—current state of knowledge and perspectives for research
Authors: Stojak Joanna
Published: July 2019

Background

In Europe, hantaviruses cause serious human disease, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The geographic distribution of human cases of HFRS is a consequence of distribution of reservoir host species. Epidemiology of HFRS is well-studied in Western Europe, while data from Central and Eastern Europe are poor or unavailable.

Methods

The data on hantavirus infections in humans during 2007–2017 were gathered to distinguish pattern of HFRS occurrence and characterize potential factors shaping HFRS epidemiology in Poland.

Results

The south-eastern part of Poland (Podkarpackie voivodeship) was recognized as endemic area of hantavirus prevalence. Incidence rate of HFRS in Poland was positively correlated with mast years and higher abundance of rodents, urbanization index, and forest cover, while the climatic factors (average temperatures in January and July and average annual precipitation) have had no significant impact.

Conclusions

In Poland, HFRS is still not recognized entity. Further studies on hantavirus infection rate in reservoir host species (rodents, shrews, and bats) and virus transmission to humans are needed to prevent outbreaks of HFRS in the future.
Quantitative analysis of chondroitin sulfate disaccharides from human and rodent fixed brain tissue by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Alonge Kimberly M , Logsdon Aric F , Murphree Taylor A , Banks William A , Keene C Dirk , Edgar J Scott , Whittington Dale , Schwartz Michael W , Guttman Miklos
Published: July 2019

Chondroitin sulfates (CS) are long, negatively charged, unbranched glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains attached to CS-proteoglycan (CSPG) core proteins that comprise the glycan component in both loose interstitial extracellular matrices (ECMs) and in rigid, structured perineuronal net (PNN) scaffolds within the brain. As aberrant CS-PNN formations have been linked to a range of pathological states, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and schizophrenia, the analysis of CS-GAGs in brain tissue at the disaccharide level has great potential to enhance disease diagnosis and prognosis. Two mass-spectrometry (MS)-based approaches were adapted to detect CS disaccharides from minute fixed tissue samples with low picomolar sensitivity and high reproducibility. The first approach employed a straightforward, quantitative direct infusion (DI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) technique to determine the percentages of Δ4S- and Δ6S-CS disaccharides within the 4S/6S-CS ratio, while the second used a comprehensive liquid chromatography (LC)–MS/MS technique to determine the relative percentages of Δ0S-, Δ4S-, Δ6S-, Δ4S6S-CS and Δ2S6S-CS disaccharides, with internal validation by full chondroitin lyase activity. The quantitative accuracy of the five primary biologically relevant CS disaccharides was validated using a developmental time course series in fixed rodent brain tissue. We then analyzed the CS disaccharide composition in formalin-fixed human brain tissue, thus providing the first quantitative report of CS sulfation patterns in the human brain. The ability to comprehensively analyze the CS disaccharide composition from fixed brain tissue provides a means with which to identify alterations in the CS-GAG composition in relation to the onset and/or progression of neurological diseases.
Design centrality, design investments and innovation performance: an empirical analysis of European firms
Authors: Montresor Sandro , Vezzani Antonio
Published: July 2019

This article provides new evidence on the relationship between design and innovation performance at the firm level. In particular, we integrate previous analyses of the link between design investments and innovation by considering the extent to which firms put design at the center of their business activities. Moreover, we distinguish between the effect of design on innovation and its effect on the success of innovation, as captured by firms’ innovative turnover. The use of the European Innobarometer survey, covering a unique set of questions on the topic, allows us to test a set of hypotheses about these relationships on a large sample of firms. The results show that a firm’s approach to design plays an important role in its propensity to innovate: the more central the role of design within a firm, the higher the likelihood it innovates. The same holds true when considering the share of turnover from innovation. However, sales associated with innovation do not increase linearly with design investments, as we find a positive effect only for firms investing intensively in design. Overall it emerges that the centrality of design is strongly associated with firms’ innovation performance, while design investment per se has a more nuanced role.