bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
United States wildlife and wildlife product imports from 2000–2014
Authors: Eskew Evan A. , White Allison M. , Ross Noam , Smith Kristine M. , Smith Katherine F. , Rodríguez Jon Paul , Zambrana-Torrelio Carlos , Karesh William B. , Daszak Peter
Published: January 2020

The global wildlife trade network is a massive system that has been shown to threaten biodiversity, introduce non-native species and pathogens, and cause chronic animal welfare concerns. Despite its scale and impact, comprehensive characterization of the global wildlife trade is hampered by data that are limited in their temporal or taxonomic scope and detail. To help fill this gap, we present data on 15 years of the importation of wildlife and their derived products into the United States (2000–2014), originally collected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. We curated and cleaned the data and added taxonomic information to improve data usability. These data include >2 million wildlife or wildlife product shipments, representing >60 biological classes and >3.2 billion live organisms. Further, the majority of species in the dataset are not currently reported on by CITES parties. These data will be broadly useful to both scientists and policymakers seeking to better understand the volume, sources, biological composition, and potential risks of the global wildlife trade.
Epidemiological profile of mucosal melanoma in Brazil
Authors: Cohen Goldemberg Daniel , de Melo Andreia Cristina , de Melo Pino Livia Cristina , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos
Published: January 2020

Mucosal melanomas are primary malignant neoplasias originated from melanocytes within mucous membranes in any part of mucosal surface lining, more commonly, in the nasal cavity and accessory sinuses, oral cavity, lips, pharynx, vulvar, vaginal, cervix and anorectal mucosa. Epidemiology data regarding mucosal melanomas in Brazil is scarce, hence the motivation to conduct this research paper. The χ2 test was used to compare categorical variables. Forward stepwise logistic regression method was used in the multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of early death. A total of 801 patients were included in the analysis. Surgical resection is frequently the first approach to primary tumours (65.3%), even though the utility of lymph node surgery and radiation therapy is not well established. Advanced stage was observed in more than two thirds of patients. Early death was observed in 28.3%. MM cases with regional or distant metastases as well as those located in unusual locations had almost 4 times more risk for early death. Besides that, MM located in lips, oral cavity and pharynx and those receiving chemotherapy had 2 times more risk of early death.
Identification of plasmalogens in Bifidobacterium longum, but not in Bifidobacterium animalis
Authors: Mawatari Shiro , Sasuga Yasuhiro , Morisaki Tomomi , Okubo Mika , Emura Takako , Fujino Takehiko
Published: January 2020

Plasmalogens are glycerophospholipids that contain a vinyl ether bond at the sn-1 position of glycerol backbone instead of an ester bond. Plasmalogens are indicated to have many important functions in mammalian cells. On the other hand, it is suggested that some gut microbiota plays many probiotic functions to human health. Presence of plasmalogens in Clostridium strains in gut microbiota is well-known, but presence of plasmalogens in Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) strain, one of the most important probiotic gut microbiota, has not been reported. We identified plasmalogens in lipid extract from some B. longum species, but not from Bifidobacterium animalis (B. animalis) species which are another important strain of probiotic bifidobacteria. Major phospholipid classes of plasmalogens in B. longum species were cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. Almost all of the phospholipids from B. longum examined were indicated to be plasmalogens. Although major phospholipid classes of plasmalogens in human brain and major phospholipid classes of plasmalogens in B. longum are different, it is interesting to note that many reported functions of microbiota-gut-brain axis on human neurodegenerative diseases and those functions of plasmalogens on neurodegenerative diseases are overlapped. The presence of plasmalogens in B. longum species may play important roles for many probiotic effects of B. longum to human health.
Induction of E6AP by microRNA-302c dysregulation inhibits TGF-β-dependent fibrogenesis in hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Kim Kyu Min , Yang Ji Hye , Cho Sam Seok , Kim Seung Jung , Park Su Jung , Ahn Sang‐Gun , Lee Gum Hwa , Yang Jin Won , Lim Sung Chul , Kang Keon Wook , Ki Sung Hwan
Published: January 2020

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are essential for liver fibrosis. E6 associated protein (E6AP) is one of the E3-ubiquitin-protein ligase and has been studied in proliferation and cellular stress. Currently, no information is available on the role of E6AP on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and hepatic fibrogenesis. This study examined whether E6AP is overexpressed in activated HSCs, and if so, its effect on hepatic fibrogenesis and the molecular mechanism. E6AP was expressed higher in HSCs than hepatocytes, and was up-regulated in activated HSCs, HSCs from the livers of carbon tetrachloride-injected mice, or TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells. The TGF-β-mediated E6AP up-regulation was not due to altered mRNA level nor protein stability. Thus, we performed microRNA (miRNA, miR) analysis and found that miR-302c was dysregulated in TGF-β-treated LX-2 cells or activated primary HSCs. We revealed that miR-302c was a modulator of E6AP. E6AP overexpression inhibited TGF-β-induced expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in LX-2 cells, albeit it was independent of Smad pathway. Additionally, E6AP inhibited TGF-β-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. To conclude, E6AP overexpression due to decreased miR-302c in HSCs attenuated hepatic fibrogenesis through inhibition of the TGF-β-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, implying that E6AP and other molecules may contribute to protection against liver fibrosis.
Incidence of breast cancer attributable to breast density, modifiable and non-modifiable breast cancer risk factors in Singapore
Authors: Ho Peh Joo , Lau Hannah Si Hui , Ho Weang Kee , Wong Fuh Yong , Yang Qian , Tan Ken Wei , Tan Min-Han , Chay Wen Yee , Chia Kee Seng , Hartman Mikael , Li Jingmei
Published: January 2020

Incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly in Asia. Some breast cancer risk factors are modifiable. We examined the impact of known breast cancer risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), reproductive and hormonal risk factors, and breast density on the incidence of breast cancer, in Singapore. The study population was a population-based prospective trial of screening mammography - Singapore Breast Cancer Screening Project. Population attributable risk and absolute risks of breast cancer due to various risk factors were calculated. Among 28,130 women, 474 women (1.7%) developed breast cancer. The population attributable risk was highest for ethnicity (49.4%) and lowest for family history of breast cancer (3.8%). The proportion of breast cancers that is attributable to modifiable risk factor BMI was 16.2%. The proportion of breast cancers that is attributable to reproductive risk factors were low; 9.2% for age at menarche and 4.2% for number of live births. Up to 45.9% of all breast cancers could be avoided if all women had breast density <12% and BMI <25 kg/m2. Notably, sixty percent of women with the lowest risk based on non-modifiable risk factors will never reach the risk level recommended for mammography screening. A combination of easily assessable breast cancer risk factors can help to identify women at high risk of developing breast cancer for targeted screening. A large number of high-risk women could benefit from risk-reduction and risk stratification strategies.
An Experimental Investigation of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Adult Murine Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Esmaeilpour Tahereh , Fereydouni Esmaeil , Dehghani Farzaneh , Bókkon Istvan , Panjehshahin Mohammad-Reza , Császár-Nagy Noemi , Ranjbar Mehdi , Salari Vahid
Published: January 2020

Neurons like other living cells may have ultraweak photon emission (UPE) during neuronal activity. This study is aimed to evaluate UPE from neural stem cells (NSC) during their serial passaging and differentiation. We also investigate whether the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or enhancement of UPE (by AgNPs or mirror) affect the differentiation of NSC. In our method, neural stem and progenitor cells of subventricular zone (SVZ) are isolated and expanded using the neurosphere assay. The obtained dissociated cells allocated and cultivated into three groups: groups: I: cell (control), II: cell + mirror, and III: cell + AgNPs. After seven days, the primary neurospheres were counted and their mean number was obtained. Serial passages continuous up to sixth passages in the control group. Differentiation capacity of the resulting neurospheres were evaluated in vitro by immunocytochemistry techniques. Measurement of UPE was carried out by photomultiplier tube (PMT) in the following steps: at the end of primary culture, six serial cell passages of the control group, before and after of the differentiation for 5 minutes. The results show that neither mirror nor AgNPs affect on the neurosphere number. The UPE of the NSC in the sixth subculturing passage was significantly higher than in the primary passage (P < 0.05). AgNPs significantly increased the UPE of the NSC compared to the control group before and after the differentiation (P < 0.05). Also, the treatment with AgNPs increased 44% neuronal differentiation of the harvested NSCs. UPE of NSC after the differentiation was significantly lower than that before the differentiation in each groups, which is in appropriate to the cell numbers (P < 0.0001). The mirror did not significantly increase UPE, neither before nor after the differentiation of NSC. As a conclusion, NSC have UPE-properties and the intensity is increased by serial passaging that are significant in the sixth passage. The AgNPs increases the UPE intensity of NSC that pushes more differentiation of NSC to the neurons. The mirror was not effective in enhancement of UPE. As a result, UPE measurement may be suitable for assessing and studying the effects of nanoparticles in living cells and neurons.
Convergence of physiological responses to pain during face-to-face interaction
Authors: Murata Aiko , Nishida Hiroshi , Watanabe Katsumi , Kameda Tatsuya
Published: January 2020

Empathy with another’s pain is an important social glue for maintaining interpersonal relationships. In most previous studies investigating the sharing of pain, a signal conveying a painful experience is presented by a target (“sender”) as a stimulus to a participant (“receiver”), and the emotional/physiological responses of the participant are measured. However, this unilateral “sender-receiver” paradigm does not adequately address the possible bidirectional experience of shared pain accruing from interaction. Our aim was therefore to investigate the bidirectional effects of sharing pain in social settings. Thirty-six unfamiliar pairs were simultaneously and repeatedly exposed to the same pain-provoking (thermal) stimuli, either in a face-to-face or a “shielded” condition where a partition prevented the partner’s responses from being fully observed. We recorded the blood volume pulse of each participant to measure the acute sympathetic response while a pair of participants experienced the stimuli simultaneously. The results revealed that participants with weaker reactions elevated their physiological reactivity to the stimulus in accordance with their partner’s reactions in the face-to-face condition. The pair-level physiological similarity was also higher compared to the shielded condition. Such a low-to-high physiological convergence may underlie the collective elevation of pain expressions, which is often observed in interactive settings.
Population based Air Pollution Exposure and its influence factors by Integrating Air Dispersion Modeling with GIS Spatial Analysis
Authors: Dong Xiaoya , Zhao Xiuge , Peng Fen , Wang Danlu
Published: January 2020

Air pollution is a major environmental health problem. The study of interaction between air pollution and human will benefit to the human health and well-being of community. Both a model for assessing population relative risk of air pollution exposure (MAPRRAPE) and air pollution concentration methods were applied in a case study to determine the optimal method in evaluating risk of population exposure to Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). The framework for building the MAPRRAPE was described in detail. Then, the spatial patterns of population by demographic characteristics exposed to SO2from industrial, vehicle, and the mixture of industrial and vehicle pollution sources, as well as an in-depth quantitative investigation using correlation analysis were studied for further source appointment. The results showed that the MAPRRAPE was more reliable than air pollution concentration model in determining population exposure risks by demographic characteristics. The high risk areas of whites exposed to SO2were larger than blacks and the other races due to a large number of whites, and other age groups exposed to SO2were larger than children and the old people. In addition, the correlation analyses showed that the relative risks of population by demographic characteristics exposed to SO2had a more significant correlation with vehicle pollution source than industrial pollution source. The results of source appointment thus demonstrated that vehicle pollution source was the main pollution source. This study suggests that there is a clear need for the implementation of programs and services that will reduce population exposed to air pollution with focusing on densely populated areas for an ultimate improvement of community health status and the environmental conditions.
A Novel Biosorbent for Preconcentrations of Co(II) and Hg(II) in Real Samples
Authors: Ozdemir Sadin , Kılınç Ersin , Fatih Sen
Published: January 2020

A new biosorbent, composed of Amberlite XAD-4 loaded with Anoxybacillus kestanboliensis, was developed and surface morphologies were investigated by SEM and FT-IR. It was used for solid phase column preconcentrations of Co(II) and Hg(II) before their measurements by ICP-OES. LODs were calculated as 0.04 and 0.06 ng mL−1 for Co(II) and Hg(II) respectively. The maximum biosorption capacities were determined as 24.3 and 27.8 mg g−1 for Co(II) and Hg(II) respectively. Preconcentration factors were achieved for Co(II) and Hg(II) as 80. The method validation was performed by analyzing certified reference materials. The new process was successfully utilized for the preconcentration of these metals in various food samples. It should be highlighted that the sensitivity of ICP-OES was critically improved by applying developed method. Hence, ICP-OES could be an effective alternative for ICP-MS and/or GF-AAS.
Comparison of surgical outcomes between integrated robotic and conventional laparoscopic surgery for distal gastrectomy: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Roh Chul Kyu , Choi Seohee , Seo Won Jun , Cho Minah , Choi Yoon Young , Son Taeil , Hyung Woo Jin , Kim Hyoung-Il
Published: January 2020

This study was aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between conventional laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (CLDG) and integrated robotic distal gastrectomy (IRDG) which used both Single-Site platform and fluorescence image-guided surgery technique simultaneously. Retrospective data of 56 patients who underwent IRDG and 152 patients who underwent CLDG were analyzed. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to control selection bias using age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and body mass index. Fifty-one patients were selected for each group. Surgical success was defined as the absence of open conversion, readmission, major complications, positive resection margin, and inadequate lymph node retrieval (<16). Patients characteristics and surgical outcomes of IRDG group were comparable to those of CLDG group, except longer operation time (159.5 vs. 131.7 min; P < 0.001), less blood loss (30.7 vs. 73.3 mL; P = 0.004), higher number of retrieved lymph nodes (LNs) (50.4 vs. 41.9 LNs; P = 0.025), and lower readmission rate (2.0 vs. 15.7%; P = 0.031). Surgical success rate was higher in IRDG group compared to CLDG group (98.0 vs. 82.4%; P = 0.008). In conclusion, this study found that IRDG provides the benefits of higher number of retrieved LNs, less blood loss, and lower readmission rate compared with CLDG in patients with early gastric cancer.
Identification, functional prediction, and key lncRNA verification of cold stress-related lncRNAs in rats liver
Authors: Ji Hong , Niu Chunyang , Zhan Xuelong , Xu Jing , Lian Shuai , Xu Bin , Guo Jingru , Zhen Li , Yang Huanmin , Li Shize , Ma Li
Published: January 2020

Cold stimulation reduces the quality of animal products and increases animal mortality, causing huge losses to the livestock industry in cold regions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) take part in many biological processes through transcriptional regulation, intracellular material transport, and chromosome remodeling. Although cold stress-related lncRNAs have been reported in plants, no research is available on the characteristic and functional analysis of lncRNAs after cold stress in rats. Here, we built a cold stress animal model firstly. Six SPF male Wistar rats were randomly divided to the acute cold stress group (4 °C, 12 h) and the normal group (24 °C, 12 h). lncRNA libraries were constructed by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) using rat livers. 2,120 new lncRNAs and 273 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs were identified in low temperature environments. The target genes of DElncRNA were predicted by cis and trans, and then functional and pathway analysis were performed to them. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that lncRNA targets were mainly participated in the regulation of nucleic acid binding, cold stimulation reaction, metabolic process, immune system processes, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and pathways in cancer. Next, a interaction network between lncRNA and its targets was constructed. To further reveal the mechanism of cold stress, DElncRNA and DEmRNA were extracted to reconstruct a co-expression sub-network. We found the key lncRNA MSTRG.80946.2 in sub-network. Functional analysis of key lncRNA targets showed that targets were significantly enriched in fatty acid metabolism, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and pathways in cancer under cold stress. qRT-PCR confirmed the sequencing results. Finally, hub lncRNA MSTRG.80946.2 was characterized, and verified its relationship with related mRNAs by antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) interference and qRT-PCR. Results confirmed the accuracy of our analysis. To sum up, our work was the first to perform detailed characterization and functional analysis of cold stress-related lncRNAs in rats liver. lncRNAs played crucial roles in energy metabolism, growth and development, immunity and reproductive performance in cold stressed rats. The MSTRG.80946.2 was verified by network and experiments to be a key functional lncRNA under cold stress, regulating ACP1, TSPY1 and Tsn.
The protective effects of enriched citrulline fermented milk with Lactobacillus helveticus on the intestinal epithelium integrity against Escherichia coli infection
Authors: Ho Sze Wing , El-Nezami Hani , Shah Nagendra P.
Published: January 2020

This study examined the protective effects of citrulline enriched-fermented milk with live Lactobacillus helveticus ASCC 511 (LH511) on intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammatory response in IPEC-J2 cells caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli. Five percent (v/v) of fermented milk with live LH511 and 4 mM citrulline (5%LHFM_Cit-4mM) significantly stimulated the population of IPEC-J2 cells by 36% as determined by MTT assay. Adhesion level of LH511 was significantly increased by 9.2% when incubated with 5%LHFM_Cit-4mM and 5%LHFM_Cit-4mM reduced the adhesion of enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) and entero-invasive (EIEC) E. coli in IPEC-J2 cells by 35.79% and 42.74%, respectively. Treatment with 5%LHFM_Cit-4mM ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli O55:B5 induced activated inflammatory cytokines expression (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) and concentration (IL-6 and IL-8) and early apoptosis. It restored the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and regulated the expression and distribution of tight junction (TJ) proteins (zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1), toll-like receptors (TLRs) (TLR2 and TLR4) and negative regulators of TLRs signalling pathway (A20 and IRAK-M). In conclusion, our findings suggested that 5%LHFM_Cit-4mM might have the positive effects on improving and maintaining the intestinal epithelial cell integrity and inflammatory response under both normal and pathogenic LPS-stimulated conditions.
Author Correction: Simulated NIR spectra as sensitive markers of the structure and interactions in nucleobases
Authors: Beć Krzysztof B. , Grabska Justyna , Ozaki Yukihiro , Czarnecki Mirosław A. , Huck Christan W.
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on biocompatible nanoporous Fe3O4and biotin–streptavidin system for sensitive detection of zearalenone
Authors: Wang Yaoguang , Zhao Guanhui , Wang Huan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Nuo , Wei Dong , Feng Rui , Wei Qin
Published: January 2020

In this study, a sensitive label-free electrochemical immunosensor was designed based on nanoporous Fe3O4and a biotin–streptavidin system to specifically detect zearalenone (ZEN).
Cyclam-based antibacterial molecules eradicate Gram-negative superbugs with potent efficacy against human corneal infection
Authors: Konai Mohini Mohan , Pakrudheen Iqbal , Barman Swagatam , Sharma Natalia , Tabbasum Khatija , Garg Prashant , Haldar Jayanta
Published: January 2020

Cyclam-based antibacterial molecules (CAMs) that display potent activity against both the planktonic and stationary phase of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were rationally designed.
An environmentally friendly strategy to prepare nitrogen-rich hierarchical porous carbon for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Huan , Tan Huaqiang , Zou Kaixiang , Deng Yuanfu , Chen Guohua
Published: January 2020

A green route modulated by the addition of CaCl2 during the potassium compound-assisted synthesis is developed for the first time for the synthesis of NRHPC.
Self-assembly and lithium storage performance of a nanoscale polyoxometalate based on the {MnTa18} cluster
Authors: Wu Hai-Yang , Hu Hai , Qin Chao , Huang Peng , Wang Xin-Long , Su Zhong-Min
Published: January 2020

A novel polytantalotungstate (Cs12K3H7[MnTa18Si6W54O231]·61H2O) based on the unprecedented {MnTa18} cluster has been synthesized to be utilized as an anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Correlation between molecular weight and confined crystallization behavior of polymers grafted onto a zero-dimensional filler
Authors: Hao Tongfan , Xu Ding , Ming Yongqiang , Zhang Shuihua , Wei Yangyang , Zhou Zhiping , Nie Yijing , Yan Deyue
Published: January 2020

In this work, polymer chains of different molecular weights are grafted onto a zero-dimensional filler.
Core structure dependence of cycloreversion dynamics in diarylethene analogs
Authors: Honick Chana R. , Peters Garvin M. , Young Jamie D. , Tovar John D. , Bragg Arthur E.
Published: January 2020

Increased core rigidity in diarylethene-type photoswitches results in shallower excited-state potential energy surfaces and faster funneling towards the conical intersections from which cycloreversion and nonreactive deactivation occur.
Efficient synthesis of chiral γ-aminobutyric esters via direct rhodium-catalysed enantioselective hydroaminomethylation of acrylates
Authors: Cunillera Anton , de los Bernardos Miriam Díaz , Urrutigoïty Martine , Claver Carmen , Ruiz Aurora , Godard Cyril
Published: January 2020

The first successful rhodium catalysed asymmetric hydroaminomethylation of alkenes using a single catalyst is reported with ees up to 86%.
Lithium-ion storage in molybdenum phosphides with different crystal structures
Authors: Jin Xiaozhe , Tian Ruixue , Wu Aimin , Xiao Yadan , Dong Xufeng , Hu Fangyuan , Huang Hao
Published: January 2020

MoP2 and MoP nanoparticles synthesized by a plasma evaporation method combined with phosphorization exhibit different electrochemical Li-ion storage mechanisms.
Fermi-surface dynamics and high thermoelectric performance along the out-of-plane direction in n-type SnSe crystals
Authors: Mao Lisha , Yin Yinong , Zhang Qiang , Liu Guo-Qiang , Wang Hongxiang , Guo Zhe , Hu Haoyang , Xiao Yukun , Tan Xiaojian , Jiang Jun
Published: January 2020

Fermi-surface dynamics drives the thermoelectric performance of n-type SnSe along the out-of-plane direction.
Grape seed proanthocyanidins suppressed macrophage foam cell formation by miRNA-9 via targeting ACAT1 in THP-1 cells
Authors: Shao Dongyan , Di Yichao , Lian Ziyang , Zhu Bobo , Xu Xiaoguang , Guo Dan , Huang Qingsheng , Jiang Chunmei , Kong Jie , Shi Junling
Published: January 2020

Grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibited cholesterol esterification by miRNA-9 via targeting ACAT1 to suppress the macrophage foam cell formation.
Use of a mixed argon–hydrogen–tetrafluoromethane carrier gas for the analysis of nickel materials by electrothermal vaporization coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Harrington Kristen , Al Hejami Ahmed , Beauchemin Diane
Published: January 2020

Using a H2–CF4reaction gas enhances analytes volatility, enabling the direct accurate multi-element analysis of nickel foam samples by ETV-ICPOES.
Glycation ratio determination through simultaneous detection of human serum albumin and glycated albumin on an advanced lateral flow immunoassay sensor
Authors: Ki Hangil , Oh Jusung , Han Gyeo-Re , Kim Min-Gon
Published: January 2020

We developed two advanced lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) for the simultaneous determination of total human serum albumin and glycated albumin concentrations with wide detection ranges and improved glycated albumin selectivity.
Graphene nanocrystals in CO2photoreduction with H2O for fuel production
Authors: Darkwah Williams Kweku , Teye Godfred Kwesi , Ao Yanhui
Published: January 2020

Graphene nanocrystals can utilize solar light and are valuable in cases where electricity is lacking due to their chemical stability during the photocatalytic process, low cost and non-toxicity.
Structural studies and photovoltaic investigation of indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-based sensitizers/co-sensitizers achieving highly efficient DSSCs
Authors: Su Rui , Lyu Luping , Elmorsy Mohamed R. , El-Shafei Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Novel organic sensitizers were designed and synthesized by employing indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline (IQ) as the main building block. IPCE graphs indicated that both competition and compensation of photon harvesting co-exist during the co-sensitization.
Tumor microenvironment responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for dual delivery of doxorubicin and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) agent
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Eltayeb Omer , Meng Yating , Zhang Guomei , Zhang Yan , Shuang Shaomin , Dong Chuan
Published: January 2020

We engineered a tumor microenvironment-triggered MSN-based anti-cancer nanocarrier for simultaneous delivery of DOX and chemodynamic agent.
Light-driven motion of water droplets with directional control on nanostructured surfaces
Authors: An Shun , Zhu Mingyuan , Gu Kan , Jiang Modi , Shen Qingchen , Fu Benwei , Song Chengyi , Tao Peng , Deng Tao , Shang Wen
Published: January 2020

Discrete droplet transport has drawn much interest in a broad range of applications.
The endo-aza-Michael addition in the synthesis of piperidines and pyrrolidines
Authors: Bates Roderick W. , Ko Weiting , Barát Viktor
Published: January 2020

Intramolecular endo-aza-Michael additions are categorised in various ways.
Selective synthesis of pyridyl pyridones and oxydipyridines by transition-metal-free hydroxylation and arylation of 2-fluoropyridine derivatives
Authors: Liao Chunshu , Li Jianrong , Chen Xiaoqiong , Lu Jingjun , Liu Qiang , Chen Lu , Huang Yubing , Li Yibiao
Published: January 2020

A transition-metal-free protocol for selective synthesis of various pyridyl pyridones and oxydipyridines through hydroxylation and arylation of 2-fluoropyridines has been described.
1,6-Addition of vinyl p-quinone methides with cyclic sulfamidate imines: access to 4-hydroxyaryl-2,6-diarylpyridines
Authors: Guin Soumitra , Gudimella Santosh K. , Samanta Sampak
Published: January 2020

A base-promoted 1,6-addition–cyclization reaction of vinyl para-quinone methides with cyclic sulfamidate imines in an open atmosphere is reported. This method delivers good to high yields of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines with a valuable phenolic moiety at the C4-position.
The use of process simulation in supercritical fluids applications
Authors: Gutiérrez Ortiz Francisco Javier , Kruse Andrea
Published: January 2020

Modelling and simulation from micro- to macro-scale are needed to attain a broader commercialization of supercritical technologies.
Recent progress on metallic Sn- and Sb-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Jing Wen Tao , Yang Chun Cheng , Jiang Qing
Published: January 2020

Sodium-ion batteries with metallic Sn- and Sb-based anodes have great potential for application in large-scale green energy storage devices.
Hollow PtCu nanorings with high performance for the methanol oxidation reaction and their enhanced durability by using trace Ir
Authors: Shi Yan , Fang Yan , Zhang Genlei , Wang Xianshun , Cui Peng , Wang Qi , Wang Yuxin
Published: January 2020

Cu atoms and a hollow structure are helpful for the improvement of the MOR activity of Pt. Trace Ir atoms might promise a superior durability for the Pt-based catalysts while maintaining the MOR catalytic activity.
Albumin-stabilized manganese-based nanocomposites with sensitive tumor microenvironment responsivity and their application for efficient SiRNA delivery in brain tumors
Authors: Xu Kai , Zhao Zhenghuan , Zhang Junfeng , Xue Wei , Tong Haipeng , Liu Heng , Zhang Weiguo
Published: January 2020

Synthesis of Mn(iii)/Mn(iv) integrated nanocomposites to realize sensitive MRI performance in weakly acidic environments and efficient siRNA delivery.
Tuning the upconversion luminescence of cubic KMnF3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanocrystals through inert lanthanide ion doping
Authors: Shang Yunfei , Hao Shuwei , Shao Wei , Chen Tong , Zhu Yuyan , Yang Chunhui
Published: January 2020

Efficient tailoring of upconversion emissions in conventional single red emitting KMnF3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanocrystals is achieved through local crystal structure engineering and the suppression of energy transfer as well as back transfer, which is of great significance for extended optical applications.
Highly thermally stable Au–Al bimetallic conductive thin films with a broadband transmittance between UV and NIR regions
Authors: Su Dong , Yu Muni , Zhang Guangzu , Jiang Shenglin , Qin YanFeng , Li Ming-yu
Published: January 2020

Transparent conductive Au–Al bimetallic thin films over a range between ultra-violet and near-infrared regions with excellent thermal stability.
Assessment of Tongue Position and Laryngeal Height in Two Professional Voice Populations
Authors: Hosbach-Cannon Carly Jo , Lowell Soren Y. , Colton Raymond H. , Kelley Richard T. , Bao Xue
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To advance our current knowledge of singer physiology by using ultrasonography in combination with acoustic measures to compare physiological differences between musical theater (MT) and opera (OP) singers under controlled phonation conditions. Primary objectives addressed in this study were (a) to determine if differences in hyolaryngeal and vocal fold contact dynamics occur between two professional voice populations (MT and OP) during singing tasks and (b) to determine if differences occur between MT and OP singers in oral configuration and associated acoustic resonance during singing tasks.

Method

Twenty-one singers (10 MT and 11 OP) were included. All participants were currently enrolled in a music program. Experimental procedures consisted of sustained phonation on the vowels /i/ and /ɑ/ during both a low-pitch task and a high-pitch task. Measures of hyolaryngeal elevation, tongue height, and tongue advancement were assessed using ultrasonography. Vocal fold contact dynamics were measured using electroglottography. Simultaneous acoustic recordings were obtained during all ultrasonography procedures for analysis of the first two formant frequencies.

Results

Significant oral configuration differences, reflected by measures of tongue height and tongue advancement, were seen between groups. Measures of acoustic resonance also showed significant differences between groups during specific tasks. Both singer groups significantly raised their hyoid position when singing high-pitched vowels, but hyoid elevation was not statistically different between groups. Likewise, vocal fold contact dynamics did not significantly differentiate the two singer groups.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that, under controlled phonation conditions, MT singers alter their oral configuration and achieve differing resultant formants as compared with OP singers. Because singers are at a high risk of developing a voice disorder, understanding how these two groups of singers adjust their vocal tract configuration during their specific singing genre may help to identify risky vocal behavior and provide a basis for prevention of voice disorders.
Exploring Input Parameters in an Expressive Vocabulary Treatment With Late Talkers
Authors: Alt Mary , Mettler Heidi M. , Erikson Jessie A. , Figueroa Cecilia R. , Etters-Thomas Sarah E. , Arizmendi Genesis D. , Oglivie Trianna
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The aims of this study were (a) to assess the efficacy of the Vocabulary Acquisition and Usage for Late Talkers (VAULT) treatment and (b) to compare treatment outcomes for expressive vocabulary acquisition in late talkers in 2 conditions: 3 target words/90 doses per word per session versus 6 target words/45 doses per word per session.

Method

We ran the treatment protocol for 16 sessions with 24 primarily monolingual English-speaking late talkers. We calculated a
d
score for each child, compared treatment to control effect sizes, and assessed the number of words per week children acquired outside treatment. We compared treatment effect sizes of children in the condition of 3 target words/90 doses per word to those in the condition of 6 target words/45 doses per word. We used Bayesian repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bayesian
t
tests to answer our condition-level questions.

Results

With an average treatment effect size of almost 1.0, VAULT was effective relative to the no-treatment condition. There were no differences between the different dose conditions.

Discussion

The VAULT protocol was an efficacious treatment that has the potential to increase the spoken vocabulary of late-talking toddlers and provides clinicians some flexibility in terms of number of words targeted and dose number, keeping in mind the interconnectedness of treatment parameters.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.11593323
Convolutional Neural Network‐Based Intelligent Protection Strategy for Microgrids
Authors: Bukhari Syed Basit Ali , Kim Chul‐Hwan , Mehmood Khawaja Khalid , Haider Raza , Saeed Uz Zaman Muhammad
Published: January 2020

Microgrids experience significantly different fault currents in different operating scenarios, which make microgrid protection challenging. Existing intelligent protection schemes rely on the extraction of appropriate fault features using statistical parameters. The selection of these features is difficult in a microgrid because of its various operating scenarios. This study develops a convolutional neural network‐based intelligent fault protection strategy (CNNBIPS) for microgrids that inherently integrates the feature extraction and classification process. The proposed strategy is directly applicable to three‐phase (TP) current signals; thus, it does not require any separate feature extractor. In the proposed CNNBIPS, TP current signals sampled by the protective relays are used as an input to three different CNNs. The CNNs apply convolution and pooling operations to extract the features from the input signals. Then, fully connected layers of the CNNs employ the features to develop fault‐type, phase, and location information. To analyse the efficacy of the proposed design, we execute exhaustive simulations on a standard microgrid test system. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in terms of detection accuracy, security, and dependability. Moreover, comparisons with previous methods show that the proposed approach outperforms the existing microgrid protection schemes.
Dual‐band frequency‐reconfigurable MIMO PIFA for LTE applications in mobile hand‐held devices
Authors: Shruthi G. , Yogesh Kumar Choukiker
Published: January 2020

In this study, dual‐port dual‐frequency tuneable MIMO planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) is presented for mobile hand‐held device applications. The proposed MIMO antenna consists of two symmetrical PIFAs with the centre‐to‐centre distance of 43.0 mm (0.1906). The dual‐band tunability is achieved by changing the capacitance ( and ) of 4.15 pF (0 V)–0.72 pF (15 V). The impedance bandwidth of  dB is realised from 0.8 to 0.98 GHz for the lower band and 1.65 to 2.2 GHz for the higher band. The proposed antenna provides the independent frequency tunability without disturbing the frequency bands. It shows the good isolation for both the tuneable bands 20 dB without using any coupling element between the antenna structure. It has a peak realised gain of 3.44  dBi, good efficiency of and envelope correlation coefficient of 0.007. In addition, the proposed PIFA performance is analysed with total active reflection coefficient, channel capacity, diversity gain, multiplexing efficiency, mean effective gain and specific absorption ratio for the tuneable range of frequencies. The good agreement is obtained between simulation and experimental performances to validate the antenna parameters.
Microcondylaea bonellii as a new host for the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus
Authors: Sousa Ronaldo , Bogan Arthur E. , Gonçalves Duarte V. , Lajtner Jasna , Prié Vincent , Riccardi Nicoletta , Shumka Spase , Teixeira Amílcar , Urbańska Maria , Varandas Simone , Lopes-Lima Manuel
Published: January 2020

We report for the first time that the freshwater mussel Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) functions as a suitable host for the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782). Given the recent expansion of R. amarus in Europe, the possible physiological cost (e.g. competition for oxygen, reduction in water circulation, and consequent impairment of filter-feeding) of this interaction may further affect the already poor conservation status of M. bonellii populations.
Überprüfung der Faktorenstruktur einer deutschen
Fragebogenversion der Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimerʼs Disease
Scale
Authors: Sittler Mareike Christina , Meichsner Franziska , Wilz Gabriele
Published: January 2020

Ziel der Arbeit war die Untersuchung der Faktorenstruktur einer deutschen
Fragebogenversion der Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimerʼs Disease Scale
(BEHAVE-AD), welche Verhaltensauffälligkeiten unabhängig von
kognitiven Symptomen bei Menschen mit Demenz (MmD) erfasst. Die theoretisch
beschriebene 7-Faktoren-Lösung der BEHAVE-AD wurde noch nicht
zufriedenstellend für eine deutsche Fragebogenversion
überprüft. Daher wurde dies in der vorliegenden Studie
über eine konfirmatorische Faktorenanalyse vorgenommen. Es wurden die
Einschätzungen von 322 pflegenden Angehörigen von MmD
bezüglich der Verhaltensauffälligkeiten ihres an Demenz
erkrankten Angehörigen analysiert. Die 7 Faktoren der Originalversion im
Interviewformat (paranoide und wahnhafte Vorstellungen, Halluzinationen,
Aktivitätsstörungen, Aggressivität, Störungen im
Tagesrhythmus, affektive Störungen sowie Ängste und Phobien)
konnten in der deutschsprachigen Fragebogenversion der BEHAVE-AD nicht
bestätigt werden. Eine anschließend durchgeführte
explorative Faktorenanalyse (N=118) weist auf eine
4-Faktoren-Lösung hin, welche sich in die Kategorien Paranoide Ideen und
Aggressivität, Halluzinationen und Agitiertheit, Ängste und
Phobien und Affektive Störungen aufteilen lässt.
Effekte von Medical Flossing bei Patienten mit Schulterbeschwerden – Randomisierte kontrollierte Pilotstudie
Authors: Wienke Alisa Katharina , Thiel Christian , Kopkow Christian
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund Schultererkrankungen mit Schmerzen und/oder Bewegungseinschränkungen sind die dritthäufigste physiotherapeutische Diagnosegruppe in Deutschland. Mittels Medical Flossing sollen durch Bewegung unter starker Kompression von Gewebe u. a. diese Symptome verbessert werden.

Ziel Machbarkeit und Prüfung einer Evaluation der Anwendung von Medical Flossing im Praxisalltag hinsichtlich der Belastung und Sicherheit von Patienten sowie der standardisierten Umsetzbarkeit. Generierung von Daten für zukünftige Fallzahlkalkulationen. Dafür werden Effekte und Nebenwirkungen von Medical Flossing bei Patienten mit Schmerzen und/oder Bewegungseinschränkungen im Bereich des Schultergelenks evaluiert.

Methode Die Teilnehmer der Studie erhielten fünf physiotherapeutische Behandlungen, die um eine Behandlung mit Medical Flossing oder mit Sham-Flossing ergänzt wurden. Primäres Outcome war die Funktion der oberen Extremität anhand des Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), sekundäre Outcomes waren u. a. das Schmerzniveau anhand der Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), das Bewegungsausmaß (ROM) und das Auftreten von Nebenwirkungen. Die Gründe für die Ablehnung einer Studienteilnahme wurden formlos erfasst.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden zwölf Teilnehmer in die Studie eingeschlossen. Weitere Personen haben die Teilnahme aufgrund von Vorbehalten gegenüber der Behandlungsmethode und des zusätzlichen Zeitaufwands durch die Datenerhebung abgelehnt. Funktion und Symptome wurden durch beide Behandlungsformen im Prä-Post-Vergleich positiv beeinflusst (DASH, max. NRS, ROM), statistisch signifikante Gruppenunterschiede existierten nicht. Bei allen Teilnehmern traten Nebenwirkungen auf, besonders Schmerzen und Hautveränderungen. Ernsthafte Symptome wie Kurzatmigkeit wurden vereinzelt in der Interventionsgruppe (IG) angegeben.

Schlussfolgerung Funktion und Symptome wurden durch beide Behandlungsformen positiv beeinflusst, mit einer in Teilbereichen höheren klinischen Wirksamkeit des Sham-Flossings (DASH, max. NRS). Weiterführend sollten der spezifische Effekt des Medical Flossings und das Verhältnis von Wirkung und Nebenwirkung unter Einbezug der Zugstärke der Flossinganlage kritisch untersucht werden. Zudem könnte die Anzahl der Erhebungsinstrumente (funktionelle Armbewegungen, Goniometermessung) reduziert werden, um die Rekrutierung von Patienten zu erleichtern.
Abschied und Willkommen
Authors: Strauß Bernhard
Published: January 2020

Mit dem Jahreswechsel haben sich im Herausgebergremium der Zeitschrift PPmP einige
wesentliche Veränderungen ergeben: Zwei Kollegen, die sich über
viele Jahre hinweg für die Zeitschrift engagiert haben, werden ab Januar
2020 nicht mehr für diese Aufgabe zur Verfügung stehen, was die
verbleibenden Herausgeber und der Verlag sehr bedauern.
Scarless platysmaplasty for platysmal bands
Authors: Shiffman Melvin A. , Mirrafati Sid
Published: January 2020

Transection of plastysmal bands has required a surgical approach that leaves scars and limits patient activities for a period of time. The author has developed a simple method to transect the platysmal bands under local anesthesia without resorting to skin incisions. The transection is performed with the use of a Vicryl ® suture that is inserted through the skin, around the platysmal band, and then out through the original entry point. A back and forth motion of the suture cuts through the band.
Radial, renal and craniofacial anomalies: Baller-Gerold syndrome
Authors: Murthy Jyotsna , Babu Ramesh , Ramanan padasani Venkat
Published: January 2020

the baller-gerold syndrome is a rare syndrome with very few cases published in literature. craniosynostosis and radial aplasia are striking features, easy to diagnose. however, there are many differential diagnoses. often, the question raised is whether the baller-gerald syndrome is a distinct entity. we report a patient with findings of craniosynostosis and radial aplasia consistent with the diagnosis of the baller-gerold syndrome. genotypic heterogeneity could possibly underlie the phenotypic variability exhibited by these cases.
Hierarchical algorithm for the reaction-diffusion master equation
Authors: Hellander Stefan , Hellander Andreas
Published: January 2020

We have developed an algorithm coupling mesoscopic simulations on different levels in a hierarchy of Cartesian meshes. Based on the multiscale nature of the chemical reactions, some molecules in the system will live on a fine-grained mesh, while others live on a coarse-grained mesh. By allowing molecules to transfer from the fine levels to the coarse levels when appropriate, we show that we can save up to three orders of magnitude of computational time compared to microscopic simulations or highly resolved mesoscopic simulations, without losing significant accuracy. We demonstrate this in several numerical examples with systems that cannot be accurately simulated with a coarse-grained mesoscopic model.
Plasma boundary induced electron-to-ion sheath transition in planar DC discharge
Authors: Barnwal Prashant K. , Kar S. , Narayanan R. , Tarey R. D. , Ganguli A.
Published: January 2020

This paper reports parallel plate DC glow discharge plasma experiments showing significant changes in the nature of the anode sheath when the plasma boundary is changed from a large, grounded, conducting boundary (CB; the vacuum vessel) acting as an extended cathode to the one wherein the plasma is encapsulated completely by an insulating boundary (IB). The most distinctive difference observed between the two configurations is a conventional electron sheath formation at the anode for the CB case, whereas an “unconventional ion sheath” is formed for the IB case. These observations are deduced from the fact that for the former case, anode potential is “higher” than plasma potential, while for the latter case, the opposite is true. Coupled with this is the observation of two electron populations for the IB case: (i) a high density, low temperature (bulk) population and (ii) a very low density warm population (density ∼ 1% of the bulk density and temperature ∼ 45 eV). The role of the latter is to afford higher ionization levels to compensate for the limited cathode area available for maintaining the higher densities. In comparison, for the CB case, the cathode area is unrestricted and a single temperature population suffices. Initially, IB experiments were conducted in a glass tube confining the plasma between the anode and the cathode. However, to ensure that the observations are not simply a volumetric effect, another set of experiments was undertaken with the “entire chamber wall and other conducting parts” insulated with mica sheets/glass tubes, etc. The two IB cases yielded identical results.