bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imbricated Coastal Boulder Deposits are Formed by Storm Waves, and Can Preserve a Long-Term Storminess Record
Authors: Cox Rónadh , O’Boyle Louise , Cytrynbaum Jacob
Published: July 2019

Coastal boulder deposits (CBD) are archives of extreme wave events. They are emplaced well above high tide, and may include megagravel clasts weighing tens or even hundreds of tonnes. But do they represent storms or tsunami? Many are interpreted as tsunami deposits based simply on clast size and inferences about transport, despite the fact that there are no direct observations documenting formation of these inbricated boulder clusters and ridges. In this study, we use force-balanced, dynamically scaled wave-tank experiments to model storm wave interactions with boulders, and show that storm waves can produce all the features of imbricated CBD. This means that CBD, even when containing megagravel, cannot be used as de facto tsunami indicators. On the contrary, CBD should be evaluated for inclusion in long-term storminess analysis.
Anatomical variants of renal veins: A meta-analysis of prevalence
Authors: Hostiuc Sorin , Rusu Mugurel Constantin , Negoi Ionut , Dorobanțu Bogdan , Grigoriu Mihai
Published: July 2019

The main aim of this article is to establish the actual prevalence of renal vein variations (circumaortic renal vein, retroaortic renal vein, double renal vein), and to increase awareness about them. To this purpose, we have performed a meta-analysis of prevalence, using the MetaXL package, We included 105 articles in the final analysis of prevalence, of which 88 contained data about retroaortic renal vein, 84 – about circumaortic renal vein, and 51 - about multiple renal veins. The overall prevalence for retroaortic renal vein was 3% (CI:2.4–3.6%), for circumaortic renal vein − 3.5% (CI:2.8–4.4%), and for multiple renal veins - 16.7% (14.3–19.2%), much higher on the right 16.6 (14.2–19.1%) than on the left side 2.1 (1.3–3.2%). The results were relatively homogenous between studies, with only a minor publication bias overall.
Temperature Assessment Of Microwave-Enhanced Heating Processes
Authors: García-Baños B. , Reinosa J. J. , Peñaranda-Foix F. L. , Fernández J. F. , Catalá-Civera J. M.
Published: July 2019

In this study, real-time and in-situ permittivity measurements under intense microwave electromagnetic fields are proposed as a powerful technique for the study of microwave-enhanced thermal processes in materials. In order to draw reliable conclusions about the temperatures at which transformations occur, we address how to accurately measure the bulk temperature of the samples under microwave irradiation. A new temperature calibration method merging data from four independent techniques is developed to obtain the bulk temperature as a function of the surface temperature in thermal processes under microwave conditions. Additionally, other analysis techniques such as Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) or Raman spectroscopy are correlated to dielectric permittivity measurements and the temperatures of thermal transitions observed using each technique are compared. Our findings reveal that the combination of all these procedures could help prove the existence of specific non-thermal microwave effects in a scientifically meaningful way.
Microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children by oral swab polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Nicol Mark P. , Wood Rachel C. , Workman Lesley , Prins Margaretha , Whitman Cynthia , Ghebrekristos Yonas , Mbhele Slindile , Olson Alaina , Jones-Engel Lisa E. , Zar Heather J. , Cangelosi Gerard A.
Published: July 2019

Microbiological diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is challenging due to the difficulty of collecting and testing sputum from children. We investigated whether easily-obtained oral swab samples are useful alternatives or supplements to sputum. Oral swabs and induced sputum (IS) were collected from 201 South African children with suspected pulmonary TB. IS samples were tested by mycobacterial culture and Xpert MTB/RIF. Oral swabs were tested by PCR targeting IS6110. Children were categorized as Confirmed TB (microbiologic confirmation on IS), Unconfirmed TB (clinical diagnosis only), or Unlikely TB (recovery without TB treatment). Relative to Confirmed TB, PCR on two oral swabs per child was 43% sensitive and 93% specific. This sensitivity fell below that of sputum Xpert (64%). Among children with either Confirmed or Unconfirmed TB, PCR on two oral swabs per child was 31% sensitive and 93% specific, which was more sensitive than sputum testing among this group (21%). Although oral swab analysis had low sensitivity in sputum-positive children, it detected TB in a significant proportion of sputum-negative children who were clinically diagnosed with TB. Specificity at 93% was suboptimal but may improve with the use of automated methods. With further development, oral swabs may become useful supplements to sputum as samples for diagnosis of pulmonary TB in children.
Protein tertiary structure and the myoglobin phase diagram
Authors: Begun Alexander , Molochkov Alexander , Niemi Antti J.
Published: July 2019

We develop an effective theory approach to investigate the phase properties of globular proteins. Instead of interactions between individual atoms or localized interaction centers, the approach builds directly on the tertiary structure of a protein. As an example we construct the phase diagram of (apo)myoglobin with temperature (T) and acidity (pH) as the thermodynamical variables. We describe how myoglobin unfolds from the native folded state to a random coil when temperature and acidity increase. We confirm the presence of two molten globule folding intermediates, and we predict an abrupt transition between the two when acidity changes. When temperature further increases we find that the abrupt transition line between the two molten globule states terminates at a tricritical point, where the helical structures fade away. Our results also suggest that the ligand entry and exit is driven by large scale collective motions that destabilize the myoglobin F-helix.
Nano-viscosimetry analysis of the membrane disrupting action of the bee venom peptide melittin
Authors: Pandidan Sara , Mechler Adam
Published: July 2019

Melittin is one of the most studied α-helical cationic membrane disrupting peptides. It is the main component of bee venom, however it is considered an antimicrobial peptide for its ability to kill bacteria. Melittin is believed to act by opening large toroidal pores in the plasma membrane of the targeted cells/bacteria, although this is questioned by some authors. Little is known, however, about the molecular mechanism leading to this activity. In this study the mechanism of action of melittin was studied by dye leakage and quartz crystal microbalance fingerprinting analysis in biomimetic model membranes. The results revealed the existence of multiple stages in the membrane disrupting action with characteristic differences between different membrane types. In bacterial-mimetic (charged) lipid mixtures the viscoelastic fingerprints suggest a surface-acting mechanism, whereas in mammalian-mimetic (neutral) membranes melittin appears to penetrate the bilayer already at low concentrations. In domain-forming mixed membranes melittin shows a preference for the domain containing predominantly zwitterionic lipids. The results confirm membrane poration but are inconsistent with the insertion-to-toroidal pore pathway. Therefore hypotheses of the two membrane disrupting pathways were developed, describing the membrane disruption as either surface tension modulation leading to toroidal pore formation, or linear aggregation leading to fissure formation in the membrane.
Elemental imaging by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to evaluate selenium enrichment effects in edible mushrooms
Authors: de Oliveira Aline Pereira , de Oliveira Leme Flávio , Nomura Cassiana Seimi , Naozuka Juliana
Published: July 2019

Mushrooms are bioaccumulating organisms commonly used in selenium (Se) enrichment studies. However, the addition of Se in the culture medium may alter the distribution of other essential elements in the mushroom fruiting body. To evaluate the effects of the Se enrichment, Ca, Mg, and K distributions in pink oyster (Pleurotus djamor) and K and Mg distributions in white oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms were mapped by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which can be used at room temperature and requires minimal or no sample preparation. It was verified that Se enrichment favoured the accumulation of Ca in the lower part of the pink oyster mushroom and prevented the transport of this element to the edges and tops. The Se enrichment also altered the distribution of K and Mg, decreasing the numerical correlation between the K and Mg distributions (R² = 0.5871). In the white oyster mushroom, however, despite the changes in the morphological characteristics of the fruiting bodies after enrichment, there were generally nonsignificant differences in the K and Mg distributions between the control and the Se-enriched mushrooms.
DNA gyrase could be a crucial regulatory factor for growth and survival of Mycobacterium leprae
Authors: Kim Hyun , Fukutomi Yasuo , Nakajima Chie , Kim Youn Uck , Mori Shigetarou , Shibayama Keigo , Nakata Noboru , Suzuki Yasuhiko
Published: July 2019

Leprosy, an important infectious disease in humans caused by Mycobacterium leprae (Mle), remains endemic in many countries. Notably, the pathogen cannot be cultured in vitro, except in mouse footpads in vivo. The molecular basis of these characteristics and the mechanisms remain unknown. Consequently, analysis of Mle growth and survival is urgently needed to develop novel therapies against leprosy, including rapid, simple, and specific methods to detect infection. Here, we demonstrated the functional role and contribution of Mle-DNA gyrase, which regulates DNA topology, DNA replication, and chromosome segregation to promote bacterial growth and survival, in Mle growth and survival in vitro and in vivo. The optimum temperature for Mle-DNA gyrase activity was 30 °C. When the DNA gyrB-gyrA genes in Mycobacterium smegmatis were replaced with the Mle gyrase genes by allelic exchange, the recombinants could not grow at 37 °C. Moreover, using radiorespirometry analysis for viability of Mle bacilli, we found that Mle growth was more vigorous at 25–30 °C than at 37 °C, but was inhibited above 40 °C. These results propose that DNA gyrase is a crucial factor for Mle growth and survival and its sensitivity to temperature may be exploited in heat-based treatment of leprosy.
Fine-scale modelling finds that breeding site fragmentation can reduce mosquito population persistence
Authors: McCormack Clare P. , Ghani Azra C. , Ferguson Neil M.
Published: July 2019

Fine-scale geographic variation in the transmission intensity of mosquito-borne diseases is primarily caused by variation in the density of female adult mosquitoes. Therefore, an understanding of fine-scale mosquito population dynamics is critical to understanding spatial heterogeneity in disease transmission and persistence at those scales. However, mathematical models of dengue and malaria transmission, which consider the dynamics of mosquito larvae, generally do not account for the fragmented structure of larval breeding sites. Here, we develop a stochastic metapopulation model of mosquito population dynamics and explore the impact of accounting for breeding site fragmentation when modelling fine-scale mosquito population dynamics. We find that, when mosquito population densities are low, fragmentation can lead to a reduction in population size, with population persistence dependent on mosquito dispersal and features of the underlying landscape. We conclude that using non-spatial models to represent fine-scale mosquito population dynamics may substantially underestimate the stochastic volatility of those populations.
Modified bluing treatment to produce nickel–cobalt–iron spinel oxide with promoted oxygen-evolving performance
Authors: Xie Junfeng , Cao Shanshan , Gao Li , Lei Fengcai , Hao Pin , Tang Bo
Published: July 2019

A facile modified bluing treatment approach was proposed for low-cost, time-saving and batch synthesis of a ternary NiCoFe spinel oxide catalyst with high OER performance.
Structure-directing effects in (110)-layered hybrid perovskites containing two distinct organic moieties
Authors: Guo Yuan-Yuan , McNulty Jason A. , Mica Natalie A. , Samuel Ifor D. W. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Bühl Michael , Lightfoot Philip
Published: July 2019

The combination of two similar ‘disc-shaped’ organo-cations is shown to template the formation of (110)-cut layered perovskites of stoichiometry AA′BX4.
Vapour-phase deposition of oriented copper dicarboxylate metal–organic framework thin films
Authors: Stassin Timothée , Rodríguez-Hermida Sabina , Schrode Benedikt , Cruz Alexander John , Carraro Francesco , Kravchenko Dmitry , Creemers Vincent , Stassen Ivo , Hauffman Tom , De Vos Dirk , Falcaro Paolo , Resel Roland , Ameloot Rob
Published: July 2019

Vapour-phase deposition of copper dicarboxylate metal–organic framework thin films with an out-of-plane orientation and accessible porosity.
Directional and regioselective hole injection of spiropyran photoswitches intercalated into A/T-duplex DNA
Authors: Avagliano Davide , Sánchez-Murcia Pedro A. , González Leticia
Published: July 2019

The hole electron transfer of UV excited spiropyran intercalated in dsDNA is directional, asymmetric and regioselective, as shown by quantitative multiscale computations.
A critical review of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry – A step towards an ideal method for nanomaterial characterization
Authors: Mozhayeva Darya , Engelhard Carsten
Published: July 2019

The critical review discusses instrumental developments in single particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS) of recent years step-by-step. Nanoanalysis application papers from the literature are summarized in a tabular form including important experimental parameters.
Augmenting adaptive immunity: progress and challenges in the quantitative engineering and analysis of adaptive immune receptor repertoires
Authors: Brown Alex J. , Snapkov Igor , Akbar Rahmad , Pavlović Milena , Miho Enkelejda , Sandve Geir K. , Greiff Victor
Published: July 2019

The adaptive immune system is a natural diagnostic sensor and therapeutic.
Tin+1Cn MXenes with fully saturated and thermally stable Cl terminations
Authors: Lu J. , Persson I. , Lind H. , Palisaitis J. , Li M. , Li Y. , Chen K. , Zhou J. , Du S. , Chai Z. , Huang Z. , Hultman L. , Eklund P. , Rosen J. , Huang Q. , Persson P. O. Å.
Published: July 2019

MXenes are an extensive family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, whose properties are strongly affected by surface terminations, typically O and F. Herein, we enable chlorine as a new termination, thereby expanding the property space.
Understanding the noble metal modifying effect on In2O3 nanowires: highly sensitive and selective gas sensors for potential early screening of multiple diseases
Authors: Liu Wei , Sun Jiao , Xu Lin , Zhu Shidong , Zhou Xiangyu , Yang Shuo , Dong Biao , Bai Xue , Lu Geyu , Song Hongwei
Published: July 2019

Sensor arrays consisting of In2O3 NWs loaded with different NMNPs can accurately distinguish different trace VOC biomarkers in simulated exhaled breath.
Fabrication of double-shell hollow NiO@N-C nanotubes for a high-performance supercapacitor
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Song Xiumei , Tan Lichao , Ma Huiyuan , Guo Dongxuan , Pang Haijun , Wang Xinming
Published: July 2019

Rational fabrication of carbon-based materials hybridized with transition-metal oxides is crucial for the design of supercapacitor electrodes with superior properties.
Acidity-responsive shell-sheddable camptothecin-based nanofibers for carrier-free cancer drug delivery
Authors: Zhou Zhuha , Piao Ying , Hao Lingqiao , Wang Guanyu , Zhou Zhuxian , Shen Youqing
Published: July 2019

pH-responsive nanofibers are obtained by the self-assembly of the camptothecin prodrug and surface-coating, which can efficiently enter cancer cells in vitro and penetrate deep into tumor tissue in vivo.
Dynamics of ionic liquids in the presence of polymer-grafted nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Siqi , Liedel Clemens , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Osti Naresh C. , Akcora Pinar
Published: July 2019

Long-range diffusion coefficient (Dslow) of HMIM+ cations is higher than that of zwitterionic liquid (BMIM-BH3) when mixed with the polymer.
Composition- and size-modulated porous bismuth–tin biphase alloys as anodes for advanced magnesium ion batteries
Authors: Niu Jiazheng , Yin Kuibo , Gao Hui , Song Meijia , Ma Wensheng , Peng Zhangquan , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: July 2019

Porous bismuth–tin alloys fabricated by the selective phase corrosion strategy exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as anodes for Mg ion batteries.
Hydrolytically-degradable homo- and copolymers of a strained exocyclic hemiacetal ester
Authors: Neitzel Angelika E. , Barreda Leonel , Trotta Jacob T. , Fahnhorst Grant W. , Haversang Thomas J. , Hoye Thomas R. , Fors Brett P. , Hillmyer Marc A.
Published: July 2019

We report the cationic ring-opening homo- and copolymerization of the 7-membered exocyclic hemiacetal ester 7-methoxyoxepan-2-one (MOPO) to afford poly(7-methoxyoxepan-2-one) [poly(MOPO)] and its copolymers with isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE).
Retracted Article: Knockdown of TUG1 aggravates hypoxia-induced myocardial cell injuryviaregulation of miR-144-3p/Notch1
Authors: Zhu Bo , Xia Zhen , Xia Zirong , Li Qing , Han Lu , Li Fan , Dong Quanbin , Li Juxiang
Published: July 2019

Myocardial infarction is a common cause of mortality in cardiovascular diseases.
Hybrid cellulose nanocrystal/alginate/gelatin scaffold with improved mechanical properties and guided wound healing
Authors: Shan Yue , Li Chaoyue , Wu Yongzhi , Li Qiwen , Liao Jinfeng
Published: July 2019

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is incorporated into Ca2+ cross-linked alginate/gelatin (SA/Ge) scaffold to improve physical, chemical and biological aspects. The SA/Ge/CNC scaffold with enhanced wound healing efficacy is a promising biomaterial for skin defect regeneration.
Ultralight aerogel based on molecular-modified poly(m-phenylenediamine) crosslinking with polyvinyl alcohol/graphene oxide for flow adsorption
Authors: Chen Yao , Yang Liang , Xu Shihao , Han Shuai , Chu Suyun , Wang Zhenyang , Jiang Changlong
Published: July 2019

An aerogel composed of molecular-modified poly(m-phenylenediamine), polyvinyl alcohol and graphene oxide for Ag(i) recovery and dye removal is demonstrated.
PHB/PCL fibrous membranes modified with SiO2@TiO2-based core@shell composite nanoparticles for hydrophobic and antibacterial applications
Authors: Lin Xinghuan , Li Shanshan , Jung Joonhoo , Ma Wei , Li Lin , Ren Xuehong , Sun Yuyu , Huang Tung-Shi
Published: July 2019

Schematic illustration of the synthesis of SiO2@TiO2-based core@shell composite nanoparticles (top) and antibacterial hydrophobic behavior of fibrous membranes (bottom).
Removal characteristics of two anionic dyes by a polyethylenimine/poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) gel
Authors: Liang Siwei , Tang Jingyi , Yao Shun , Zhu Weixia
Published: July 2019

The highly efficient gel obtained via the copolymerization of polyethylenimine and poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) was successfully applied to remove two anionic dyes (amaranth and sunset yellow) from their aqueous solutions.
Enantiopure polythiophene nanoparticles. Chirality dependence of cellular uptake, intracellular distribution and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Palamà Ilaria Elena , Di Maria Francesca , Zangoli Mattia , D'Amone Stefania , Manfredi Giovanni , Barsotti Jonathan , Lanzani Guglielmo , Ortolani Luca , Salatelli Elisabetta , Gigli Giuseppe , Barbarella Giovanna
Published: July 2019

The use of intrinsic chiral molecules opens the door to bio-imaging specific tools and to the development of target-therapy.
Mapping the space charge carrier dynamics in plasmon-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Panigrahi Shrabani , Jana Santanu , Calmeiro Tomás , Nunes Daniela , Deuermeier Jonas , Martins Rodrigo , Fortunato Elvira
Published: July 2019

Increased interfacial carrier generation with effective carrier separation through the plasmonic effect enhanced the surface potential inside plasmon-based solar cells.
A facile one-pot synthesis of CaO/CuO hollow microspheres featuring highly porous shells for enhanced CO2 capture in a combined Ca–Cu looping process via a template-free synthesis approach
Authors: Chen Jian , Duan Lunbo , Shi Tian , Bian Ruoyu , Lu Yuxiao , Donat Felix , Anthony Edward J.
Published: July 2019

The preparation of CaO/CuO composites with high performance is essential for combined Ca–Cu looping process, where the exothermic reduction of CuO with methane is used in situ to calcine CaCO3.
Amino-functionalised conjugated porous polymers for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Lin Kaiwen , Wang Zhenfeng , Hu Zhicheng , Luo Peng , Yang Xiye , Zhang Xi , Rafiq Muhammad , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: July 2019

We introduced hydrophilic side chains into conjugated porous polymers and realised enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rates.
Electronic structure engineering of single atomic Ru by Ru nanoparticles to enable enhanced activity for alkaline water reduction
Authors: Hu Qi , Li Guomin , Huang Xiaowan , Wang Ziyu , Yang Hengpan , Zhang Qianling , Liu Jianhong , He Chuanxin
Published: July 2019

The electronic structures of single atomic Ru (SA-Ru) were suitably optimized by nearby Ru NPs for boosting the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) over SA-Ru.
Comparisons of WO3 reduction to HxWO3 under thermochemical and electrochemical control
Authors: Miu Evan V. , McKone James R.
Published: July 2019

In situ optical microscopy measurements show that thermochemical H-spillover and electrochemical H-intercalation in tungsten oxide proceed by a congruent mechanism at room temperature in the presence of an acidic electrolyte.
KRT18 is correlated with the malignant status and acts as an oncogene in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Jingfeng , Hu Sifeng , Li Yansen
Published: July 2019

Keratin 18 (KRT18) has been suggested to be overexpressed in most types of human tumor, but the expression pattern of KRT18 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remained unknown. In our research, KRT18 protein expression was markedly increased in CRC cancer tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal colorectal tissues and normal colonic epithelial cell line, respectively. Meanwhile, we observed high KRT18 expression was associated with advanced clinical stage, deep tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, poor differentiation and unfavorable prognosis in CRC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed high expression of KRT18 was an unfavorable independent predictor for overall survival in CRC patients. The in vitro studies indicated down-regulation of KRT18 expression depressed CRC cell viability, migration and invasion. In conclusion, KRT18 serves as an oncogenic role in CRC progression and may be a therapeutic target for promoting CRC patients’ prognosis.
Relay‐based identification scheme for processes with non‐minimum phase and time delay
Authors: Pandey Saurabh , Majhi Somanath
Published: July 2019

This study presents the frequency‐domain and state‐space approaches for modelling and identification of processes exhibiting non‐minimum phase and time delay characteristics. An asymmetrical relay is fed back to unknown process to bring sustained oscillatory responses or limit cycle at the process output. Utilising the relay settings and limit cycle information, a set of mathematical expressions for the identification of process dynamics in terms of non‐minimum phase second‐order plus time delay, non‐minimum phase first‐order plus time delay, non‐minimum phase integrating first‐order plus time delay models is deduced. As compared to the methods reported in recent literature, the proposed set of explicit expressions is completely free from the simultaneous solution of a set of non‐linear equations and does not need any prior guess for initial value of the unknown process model parameters. Simulations of benchmark examples from literature and experimental results from coupled tanks system are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed relay‐based identification algorithms.
Material recognition based on the time delay of secondary reflections using wideband sonar pulses
Authors: Dmitrieva Mariia , Brown Keith , Heald Gary , Lane David
Published: July 2019

The study presents an underwater acoustic signal processing approach for the identification of the material of an object using wideband chirp pulses. The echo from the target is formed by a number of processes that occur during reflection of the pulse from an object. The timing of these reflected components and geometry of their wave paths determine speed of sound in the wave propagating material. The calculated speed of sound is then used to identify the material. The novel method enables automated material identification without any training data. The object of the material identification is a two‐layer metal spherical shell filled with liquid and placed in a fresh water tank. The presented approach identifies the shell and filler materials of the sphere. In this work, the sphere thickness is limited by 2% in relation to the radius. Results are evaluated for the sphere's radius in a range from 0.05 to 0.15 m. The approach yields 83.5% success rate for the shell material identification and 79.9% success rate for the filler material on the synthetic data. For the experimental data, 67.3 and 80% success rates were obtained for shell and filler material identification, respectively.
Constrained error rate analysis for wireless body area networks
Authors: Razavi Ali , Jahed Mehran
Published: July 2019

Wireless body area network (WBAN) is composed of miniaturised sensors that operate in the vicinity of the human body for recording the vital physiological signals and wirelessly transmitting them to a central hub for further processing. In this study, a statistical approach is applied to an experimental channel data set to extract the models for the squared channel gain that best describe the characteristics of the transmission medium between the sensors and the central hub. The derived models are then utilised to investigate the error rate performance of WBAN sensors. On the basis thereof, an optimisation problem is formed for which the cost function is the symbol error rate (SER) metric. The constraints to be appended to the problem reflect the fact that the communication among the nodes is envisaged to be long‐lasting and harmless to the human tissues. Depending on the way that the constraints are combined, four possible problems are defined. Subsequently, the method of Lagrange multipliers is deployed to find the closed‐form expression for the optimal energy allocation that results in error rate minimisation. The numerical results cast light on the capabilities of the devised analytical framework and the insight that it provides into a WBAN operation.
Frequency domain detection of sinusoidal signal under coloured Gaussian noise
Authors: Dai Zhen , Wang Ping‐bo
Published: July 2019

Signal detection in coloured Gaussian noise usually requires preprocessing the received signal firstly to remove its correlation, resulting in a complicated calculation process. This study transforms the received signal into the frequency domain for detection and systematically studies both the real part (imaginary part) test and the approximate amplitude test (AAT). The study shows that the detection performance of the former is greatly affected by the initial phase of the signal, while that of the latter is basically independent of the initial phase. Frequency domain detection and the best detection are compared under a Gauss–Markov process, and the simulation results show that the detection performance of the AAT is similar to the best detection. In addition, the calculation of the AAT is obviously improved, so the AAT is easier to be applied in engineering compared to the best detection.
3D reconstruction and error analysis of multi‐view space‐borne SAR images under different configurations
Authors: Wang Chao , Qiu Xiaolan , Li Fangfang , Lei Bin
Published: July 2019

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has a good ability to detect the microwave scattering characteristics of the target and has a good capability of slant range Doppler positioning. Using multi‐view SAR images in combination with image matching and positioning equations, the 3D position of the target can be obtained. In the past, multi‐view 3D reconstruction mainly used side‐looking images with parallel trajectories but different incident angles. That method is not universal for different configurations and lacks analysis of the relationship between solution and parameter error. This study aims at the problem of multi‐view SAR 3D reconstruction. The authors establish general 3D reconstruction equations that can be used for non‐parallel track and non‐side‐looking and the solution method is deduced. Based on this, an analysis method of error sensitivity is proposed and the dependence relationship between the reconstruction error and configuration, velocity, position, and slant range is analysed. The correctness of this method is verified by simulation experiments, which provides guidance for selection of configuration and sensor accuracy when applying 3D reconstruction.
New matrix constant false alarm rate detectors for radar target detection
Authors: Zhao Wenjing , Zou Deyue , Liu Wenlong , Jin Minglu
Published: July 2019

Matrix constant false alarm rate (M‐CFAR) detector based on information geometry provides a novel scheme to the detection of target in sea clutter environment for pulse Doppler radar with small bunch of pulses. The detection performance of the existing M‐CFAR detectors is greatly influenced by the geometric measures on the matrix manifold. Different geometrical measures lead to different detection performance, some of which are not satisfactory. Motivated by this, the authors utilise Root‐Euclidean, Power‐Euclidean, Cholesky‐Euclidean and new Riemannian measure to design several kinds of detection schemes, which improve the detection performance. Finally, simulation results verify that the designed detectors achieve a better detection performance with a relatively lower computational complexity.
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Sealing Agents and Antioxidants Protect Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Naproxen, Diclofenac and Celecoxib
Authors: Salimi Ahmad , Neshat Mohammad Reza , Naserzadeh Parvaneh , Pourahmad Jalal
Published: July 2019

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib used to reduce pain. Many of these drugs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The molecular mechanism(s) by which NSAIDs induce CVD up to now is unknown. We investigated the effects of naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib with different structures and mechanism action on isolated rat heart mitochondria. All tested NSAIDs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane collapse (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione and ATP depletion, which all of them play important roles in developing cardiotoxicity. We reported that mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agents and antioxidants have the capacity to significantly prevent mitochondrial toxicity. Therefore, the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by MPT pore sealing agents and antioxidants can double confirm NSAID-induced cardiomyocytes toxicity is resulted from induction of apoptosis signaling trough ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition.
Albtraum Kalziphylaxie
Authors: Ulrich Mathias , Götz Max , Krah Xaver
Published: July 2019

Die Kalziphylaxie (auch „Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy“) ist ein äußerst seltenes und komplexes Krankheitsbild, das insbesondere bei Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz auftritt. Aufgrund einer Störung im Kalzium-Phosphat-Haushalt kommt es zu einem Kalzifikationsprozess in der Tunica media peripherer Gefäße mit konsekutiver Gefäßdysfunktion. Schwere Wundheilungsstörungen mit septischem Verlauf sind die Folge. Wir berichten den seltenen Fall eines 53-jährigen Patienten mit gleichzeitigem Vorliegen eines Fournier Gangräns und einer Kalziphylaxie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung diagnostischer und therapeutischer Aspekte.
Die künstliche Niere
Authors: Babic Milen , Markus van der Giet
Published: July 2019

Angesichts des weltweiten Mangels an Transplantatnieren mehren sich die Bemühungen um eine künstliche Quelle für einen dauerhaften Nierenersatz. Durch ein besseres Verständnis der embryologischen Nierenentwicklung können mittlerweile Organoide aus induzierten Stammzellen gebildet werden, die auf niedrigem Niveau funktional sind. Problematisch bleibt die Herstellung einer höheren 3-dimensionalen Strukturierung, eine adäquate Blutversorgung und der Anschluss an die ableitenden Harnwege. Zur Lösung dieser Probleme werden verschiedene Ansätze verfolgt: Transplantation embryonaler Nierenanlagen, Neubesiedlung von dezellularisierten Nierengerüsten oder modernen Dialysefiltern sowie der Versuch der Strukturierung durch 3D-Drucken. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die gegenwärtig verfolgten Strategien zur Organogenese der Niere mitsamt der aktuell zu lösenden Probleme erörtert.
Prevalencia de complicaciones mayores en nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de tercer nivel en Medellín entre 2015–2017
Authors: Toro-Bermúdez Rodrigo , Ruiz-Londoño David , Benavides-Martínez Johana Andrea , Velásquez-Ossa Diego Alberto , Castellanos Rafael Ignacio , Henao-Velásquez Matilde , Gómez-Hoyos Andrés , Londoño-Cano Juan Camilo
Published: July 2019

Objetivo La Urolitiasis constituye un motivo de consulta común, con una alta incidencia y prevalencia. Cuando los cálculos renales son mayores a 20 mm, la primera línea de tratamiento es la nefrolitotomía percutánea. En Colombia existe poca información sobre la evaluación de las características de los pacientes y las complicaciones asociadas a ese procedimiento quirúrgico. Este estudio, busca determinar la prevalencia de las complicaciones en nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de Medellín entre los años 2015 y 2017.

Métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo en el que se analiza la prevalencia de complicaciones mayores que presentaron los pacientes sometidos a nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de tercer nivel en la ciudad de Medellín entre los años 2015 y 2017.

Resultados a 176 pacientes se les realizó Nefrolitotomía percutánea entre el 2015 y el 2017. Se encontró una prevalencia de complicaciones mayores de 11,4%. El 60,2% de los pacientes que presentaron complicaciones fueron mujeres y la edad media fue de 45,1 años (DE ± 12,5 años). El 60% de los cálculos eran coraliformes. El 45% ubicados en el caliz inferior; siendo bilaterales en el 40% de ellos. La complicación más frecuente, fueron los cálculos residuales en el 6,8% seguido de complicaciones pulmonares en el 6,3% e infecciosas en el 6,3%.

Conclusiones La nefrolitotomía percutánea representa un procedimiento quirúrgico relativamente seguro para el abordaje de pacientes con alta carga litiásica con un porcentaje de complicaciones relativamente bajo.
Knowledge and Acceptance towards Vasectomy in a Sample of Medicine Students, Meta 2018
Authors: Torrado Arenas Daniel , González Jessica Lorena , Ramírez-Blanco Iván Jasser , Castro Molano Sandra Lizeth , Alzamora Taborda Luis , Sepúlveda Agudelo Janer
Published: July 2019

Introduction The low adherence to vasectomy is associated with the cultural environment, with false beliefs, and with lack of knowledge. In Colombia, the practice of vasectomy increased 3% between 1990 and 2015. Medical education seeks to have an impact on the general population; therefore, medicine students should have knowledge and attitudes toward birth control that include a significant participation of the male gender.

Objective To describe the level of knowledge, beliefs, and acceptance of vasectomy in a sample of Colombian medicine students.

Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study, nonprobabilistic sample by convenience with a total of 112 medicine students from different universities of the country attending at a university event. A total of 20 dichotomous questions were used.

Results A total of 72.3% of the students answered correctly most of the answers; the knowledge level was grouped in high (53.35%), medium (41.07%), and low (5.35%). Up to 95.5% of the students recognized vasectomy as a male birth control method. Regarding beliefs, > 99% considered that family planning is not just a responsibility of women, although only 75% of the men would accept undergo a vasectomy.

Conclusions Colombian medicine students have a good level of knowledge about vasectomy, they recommend performing the surgery, and recognize the active participation of males in contraception; nevertheless, a higher willingness to perform a vasectomy would be expected from this population. Training on the subject would break barriers about beliefs and promote proper counseling in birth control consultations.
Validation of the Six-item Female Sexual Function Index in Middle-Aged Brazilian Women
Authors: Dall'Agno Mona Lúcia , Ferreira Charles Francisco , Ferreira Fernanda Vargas , Pérez-López Faustino R. , Wender Maria Celeste Osório
Published: July 2019

Objective To validate the six-item female sexual function index (FSFI-6) in middle-aged Brazilian women.

Methods Cross-sectional observational study, involving 737 (premenopausal n = 117, perimenopausal n = 249, postmenopausal n = 371) Brazilian sexually active women, aged between 40 and 55 years, not using hormonal contraceptive methods. The Brazilian FSFI-6 was developed from the translation and cultural adaptation of the Portuguese FSFI-6 version. The participants completed a general questionnaire, the FSFI-6, and the menopause rating scale (MRS). The validation was performed by AMOS 16.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) for a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The chi-square of degrees of freedom (χ2/df), the comparative fit index (CFI), the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) and the root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) were used as indices of goodness of fit. Cronbach α coefficient was used for internal consistency.

Results The process of cultural adaptation has not altered the Brazilian FSFI-6, as compared with the original content. The CFA for the FSFI-6 score showed an acceptable fit (χ2/df = 3.434, CFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.980, RMSEA = 0.058, 90% confidence interval (90%CI) = 0.033–0.083, p ≤ 0.001) and a good reliability was established in FSFI-6 and MRS (Cronbach α = 0.840 and = 0.854, respectively). In addition, 53.5% of the sample had low sexual function.

Conclusion The FSFI-6 was translated and adapted to the Brazilian culture and is a consistent and reliable tool for female sexual dysfunction screening in Brazilian middle-aged women.
Evaluation of Different Seeding Methods for Cell-Seeded Collagen Matrix-Supported Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation
Authors: Viganò Marco , Lugano Gaia , Colombini Alessandra , De Luca Paola , Perucca Orfei Carlotta , Ragni Enrico , de Girolamo Laura
Published: July 2019

Purpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate different methods for the intraoperative seeding of chondrocytes on commercially available collagen I/III matrix, in the context of cell-seeded collagen matrix-supported autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT-CS).

Methods Human chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from cartilage portion of discarded femoral heads of patients who underwent total hip replacement. Chondrocytes were cultured until passage 3, and then used for the experiments. The cells (5.0 × 105) were suspended in two different volumes, 75 and 250 µL, and seeded on a matrix sample with a surface of 1 cm2 by means of a micropipette. Moreover, the direct immersion of the matrix in the cell suspension was evaluated as a possible protocol for chondrocyte seeding. Cell adhesion was allowed for 10, 30, or 60 minutes in all samples before evaluation.

Results Data showed that the seeding time did not affect cell viability and distribution, but there was a great difference between the two volumes of injection. In fact, the use of 75 µL significantly reduced cell viability with respect to both 250 µL seeding volume and the immersion protocol. Indeed, cell distribution resulted homogeneous in the samples seeded with the larger volume and with the immersion protocol.

Conclusion The use of 250 µL/cm2 volume or the immersion protocol for 10 minutes are valuable methods for chondrocyte seeding on collagen matrix in an intraoperative scenario.

Clinical Relevance The protocol of chondrocyte seeding in ACT-CS is extremely variable among available literature reports. Chondrocytes adhesion to the matrix represents a crucial step in this methodology, and the present study provides in vitro indication for the choice of the seeding protocol in the context of ACT-CS.
The Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) after Hip and Knee Replacement: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sconza Cristiano , Respizzi Stefano , Grappiolo Guido , Monticone Marco
Published: July 2019

Purpose The Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) is an interesting instrument for predicting the discharge destination and length of stay (LOS) for patients after hip or knee arthroplasty. The aim of this review is to describe its predictive ability, current utilization, and future prospects through the analysis of scientific literature.

Methods The databases of PubMed, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, and Pedro were searched for English studies on RAPT prediction capacity. Only original prospective or retrospective articles that analyze specifically the use of RAPT were included, whereas those concerned with other preoperative prediction tools or those only considering other aspects of recovery after joint replacements were excluded.

Results A total of 27 references were retrieved, and 8 studies were selected. All analyzed studies demonstrated that RAPT could reduce LOS and accurately predict discharge disposition especially for high- and low-risk patients. In the intermediate risk category, a targeted intensive postoperative rehabilitation program has demonstrated good results in reducing the uncertain outcome.

Conclusion Although contrarily to many of the other scores, the RAPT has been validated in multiple countries with relatively similar results between different institutions; however, its validity has yet to be tested and adapted in every nation context. Further studies confirming the predictive accuracy of RAPT at other institutions are needed as well as studies assessing the effect of using RAPT to identify patients for targeted interventions in terms of LOS, discharge disposition, clinical outcomes, and financial impact.

Level of Evidence This is a level IV, systematic review of level III and IV study.
Assessment of Polymorphism of the VDR Gene and Serum Vitamin D Values in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Siqueira Thais Walverde , Araujo Júnior Edward , Mattar Rosiane , Daher Silvia
Published: July 2019

Objective To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism (FokI [rs10735810]) and serum vitamin D concentration in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods A prospective case-control study that recruited healthy pregnant women (control group) (n = 78) and women with GDM (GDM group) (n = 79), with no other comorbidities. Peripheral blood samples were collected in the 3rd trimester of gestation, and all of the pregnant women were followed-up until the end of the pregnancy and the postpartum period. Serum vitamin D concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For genomic polymorphism analysis, the genomic DNA was extracted by the dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB/CTAB) method, and genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, using the restriction enzyme FokI. The Student-t, Mann-Whitney, chi-squared, and Fischer exact tests were used for the analysis of the results.

Results There was no significant difference between the pregnant women in the control and GDM groups regarding serum vitamin D levels (17.60 ± 8.89 ng/mL versus 23.60 ± 10.68 ng/mL; p = 0.1). Also, no significant difference was detected between the FokI genotypic frequency when the 2 groups were compared with each other (p = 0.41).

Conclusion There was no association between the FokI polymorphism and the development of GDM, nor was there any change in serum vitamin D levels in patients with GDM.
Competing chemical and hydrodynamic interactions in autophoretic colloidal suspensions
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Adhikari R. , Cates M. E.
Published: July 2019

At the surfaces of autophoretic colloids, slip velocities arise from local chemical gradients that are many-body functions of particle configuration and activity. For rapid chemical diffusion, coupled with slip-induced hydrodynamic interactions, we deduce the chemohydrodynamic forces and torques between colloids. For bottom-heavy particles above a no-slip wall, the forces can be expressed as gradients of a nonequilibrium potential which, by tuning the type of activity, can be varied from repulsive to attractive. When this potential has a barrier, we find arrested phase separation with a mean cluster size set by competing chemical and hydrodynamic interactions. These are controlled, in turn, by the monopolar and dipolar contributions to the active chemical surface fluxes.
The alternating PBW basis for the positive part of Uq(sl^2)
Authors: Terwilliger Paul
Published: July 2019

The positive part Uq+ of Uq(sl^2) has a presentation with two generators A, B that satisfy the cubic q-Serre relations. We introduce a PBW basis for Uq+, said to be alternating. Each element of this PBW basis commutes with exactly one of A, B, qAB − q−1BA. This gives three types of PBW basis elements; the elements of each type mutually commute. We interpret the alternating PBW basis in terms of a q-shuffle algebra associated with affine sl2. We show how the alternating PBW basis is related to the PBW basis for Uq+ found by Damiani in 1993.
A high-precision eight-AFM probe rotary exchange module
Authors: Lin Bin , Jiang Liang , Chen Yushan , Liu Jinwei , Deng Changbang , Qian Linmao
Published: July 2019

In this work, a high-precision atomic force microscope (AFM) probes rotary exchange module was developed. The module is capable of installing up to eight AFM probes simultaneously. It can achieve in situ rotary exchange of different AFM probes inside the AFM chamber with as high as 3 μrad rotation precision by program control. As a result, different measurements in the designated environments can be continuously conducted as required without introducing contaminants from outside. The reliability and function of the module were experimentally validated through surface topography scanning and wear tests. The module can serve as a useful tool for studying nanotribology.