bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The true liquid crystal phases of 2D polymeric carbon nitride and macroscopic assembled fibers
Authors: Song Ji-Yoon , Kang Hui-Ju , Won Jong Chan , Kim Yun Ho , Jun Young-Si , Jeong Hyeon Su
Published: May 2019

We report that controlled graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) which has high aspect ratio and expanded interlayer spacing can exhibit lyotropic liquid crystalline (LC) phase in concentrated sulfuric acid. By utilizing its LC phase, a g-CN fiber for the first time was successfully fabricated.
Recent advances in chemistry of phthalocyanines bearing electron-withdrawing halogen, nitro and N-substituted imide functional groups and prospects for their practical application
Authors: Kuzmina E. A. , Dubinina T. V. , Tomilova L. G.
Published: May 2019

Herein, we present an overview of the approaches for the synthesis of phthalocyanines bearing electron-withdrawing halogen-, nitro- and N-substituted imide functional groups in different positions of the phthalocyanine macrocycle.
Glucose regulation by modified boronic acid-sulfobetaine zwitterionic nanogels – a non-hormonal strategy for the potential treatment of hyperglycemia
Authors: GhavamiNejad Amin , Lu Brian , Giacca Adria , Wu Xiao Yu
Published: May 2019

We synthesized a new glucose-responsive nanogel and demonstrated its potential as a non-hormonal treatment strategy for regulating blood glucose level.
Nuclei position-control and crystal growth-guidance on frozen substrates for high-performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Gang , Liao Liping , Niu Lianbin , Chen Lijia , Li Wenjun , Xu Cunyun , Mbeng Elisabeth , Yao Yanqing , Liu Debei , Song Qunliang
Published: May 2019

High-efficiency p–i–n perovskite solar cells with 1.14 V Voc by spin-coating perovskite films on frozen substrates.
Identification of a Nitrogen-related acceptor in ZnO nanowires
Authors: Stehr Jan E. , Chen Shula L. , Chen Weimin M. , Cai Li , Shen Shaohua , Buyanova Irina A.
Published: May 2019

First unambiguous chemical identification of acceptors deliberately introduced in ZnO nanostructures, which is important for ZnO's future electronic applications.
Strengths and limitations of size exclusion chromatography for investigating single chain folding – current status and future perspectives
Authors: Engelke Johanna , Brandt Josef , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Lederer Albena
Published: May 2019

Synthetic approaches for Single-Chain Nanoparticles (SCNPs) developed rapidly during the last decade, opening a multitude of avenues for the design of functional macromolecular chains able to collapse into defined nanoparticles. However, the analytical evaluation of the SCNP formation process still requires critical improvements.
A body temperature and water-induced shape memory hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties
Authors: Tian Tian , Wang Jiao , Wu Shanshan , Shao Zijian , Xiang Tao , Zhou Shaobing
Published: May 2019

A body temperature and water-induced shape memory hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties was prepared by crosslinking dopamine-terminated tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) with an oxidation reaction.
Integrated ESI-MS/EPR/computational characterization of the binding of metal species to proteins: vanadium drug–myoglobin application
Authors: Sciortino Giuseppe , Sanna Daniele , Ugone Valeria , Maréchal Jean-Didier , Garribba Eugenio
Published: May 2019

An integrated strategy based on ESI-MS spectrometry, EPR spectroscopy and docking/QM computational methods is applied to the systems formed by VIVO2+ions and four potential VIVOL2drugs and myoglobin. This approach is generizable to other metals and proteins.
An empirical study of amide–heteroarene π-stacking interactions using reversible inhibitors of a bacterial serine hydrolase
Authors: DeFrees Kyle , Kemp M. Trent , ElHilali-Pollard Xochina , Zhang Xiujun , Mohamed Ahmed , Chen Yu , Renslo Adam R.
Published: May 2019

The binding of diverse heterocyclic probe ligands to a bacterial hydrolase reveals important features of amide–heteroarene π-stacking interactions.
Correction: Copper-catalyzed direct C–H phosphorylation of N-imino isoquinolinium ylides with H-phosphonates
Authors: Zhan Xin-Chen , Hei Yu-Yuan , Song Jian-Lan , Qian Peng-Cheng , Zhang Xing-Guo , Deng Chen-Liang
Published: May 2019

Correction for ‘Copper-catalyzed direct C–H phosphorylation of N-imino isoquinolinium ylides with H-phosphonates’ by Xin-Chen Zhan et al., Org. Chem. Front., 2019, 6, 1453–1457.
Two non-identical twins in one unit cell: characterization of 34π aromatic core-modified octaphyrins, their structural isomers and anion bound complexes
Authors: Ghosh Arindam , Dash Syamasrit , Srinivasan A. , Suresh Cherumuttathu H. , Chandrashekar Tavarekere K.
Published: May 2019

Two inseparable isomers A and B (non-identical twins) crystallize in a single unit cell. However, replacement of middle thiophene ring by selenophene ring results in crystallization of two molecules of isomer A (identical twins).
The behaviour of sunflower oleosomes at the interfaces
Authors: Karefyllakis Dimitris , Jan van der Goot Atze , Nikiforidis Constantinos V.
Published: May 2019

Sunflower oleosomes showcased high emulsification performance at both O/W and W/O interfaces and their mechanism of action seemed to be dependent on their size.
Particle clusters at fluid–fluid interfaces: equilibrium profiles, structural mechanics and stability against detachment
Authors: Guzowski Jan , Gim Bopil
Published: May 2019

We investigate the stability of interfacial particle clusters aggregating under an external body force depending on the number of particles and the contact angle.
Stratification in the dynamics of sedimenting colloidal platelet–sphere mixtures
Authors: Sui Jize
Published: May 2019

The dynamics of sedimentation in a binary mixture of colloidal platelets–spheres is studied theoretically using the minimal energy model.
Ionic N-phenylpyridinium tetracatenar mesogens: competing driving forces in mesophase formation and unprecedented difference in phase stabilisation within a homologous series
Authors: Herod Jordan D. , Bates Martin A. , Whitwood Adrian C. , Bruce Duncan W.
Published: May 2019

Ionic, tetracatenar liquid crystals containing an N-phenylpyridinum core are described; many of these compounds display a SmA phase, something extremely rare in tetracatenar materials.
Long non-coding RNA SPRY4-IT1 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition of cervical cancer by regulating the miR-101-3p/ZEB1 axis
Authors: Fan Ming-Jun , Zou Yong-Hui , He Peng-Juan , Zhang Shuai , Sun Xiao-Mei , Li Chang-Zhong
Published: May 2019

Background: Emerging evidences have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play vital roles in cancer development and progression. Previous studies have suggested that overexpression of SPRY4 intronic transcript 1 (SPRY4-IT1) predicates poor prognosis and promotes tumor progress in cervical cancer (CC). However, the underlying mechanism of SPRY4-IT1 in CC remains unknown. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the function and mechanism of SPRY4-IT1 in CC.

Methods: SPRY4-IT1 was detected by quantitative PCR. Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to detect cell migration and invasion, respectively. Western blotting assays were used to analyze the protein expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin. Tumor xenografts experiments were performed to detect the effect of SPRY4-IT1 in vivo. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to investigate potential molecular mechanism of SPRY4-IT1 in CC cells.

Results: SPRY4-IT1 was up-regulated in CC cell lines. Knockdown of SPRY4-IT1 significantly inhibited CC cells migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of SPRY4-IT1 significantly suppressed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CC by increased E-cadherin expression and decreased the N-cadherin and vimentin expression. Mechanically, SPRY4-IT1 could directly bind to miR-101-3p and effectively act as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-101-3p to regulate the expression of the target gene ZEB1.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the SPYR4-IT1/miR-101-3p/ZEB1 axis contributes to CC migration and invasion, which may provide novel insights into the function of lncRNA-driven tumorigenesis of CC.
Autologous activated platelet-rich plasma injection into adult human ovary tissue: molecular mechanism, analysis, and discussion of reproductive response
Authors: Sills E. Scott , Wood Samuel H.
Published: May 2019

In clinical infertility practice, one intractable problem is low (or absent) ovarian reserve which in turn reflects the natural oocyte depletion associated with advancing maternal age. The number of available eggs has been generally thought to be finite and strictly limited, an entrenched and largely unchallenged tenet dating back more than 50 years. In the past decade, it has been suggested that renewable ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) exist in adults, and that such cells may be utilized as an oocyte source for women seeking to extend fertility. Currently, the issue of whether mammalian females possess such a population of renewable GSCs remains unsettled. The topic is complex and even agreement on a definitive approach to verify the process of ‘ovarian rescue’ or ‘re-potentiation’ has been elusive. Similarities have been noted between wound healing and ovarian tissue repair following capsule rupture at ovulation. In addition, molecular signaling events which might be necessary to reverse the effects of reproductive ageing seem congruent with changes occurring in tissue injury responses elsewhere. Recently, clinical experience with such a technique based on autologous activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment of the adult human ovary has been reported. This review summarizes the present state of understanding of the interaction of platelet-derived growth factors with adult ovarian tissue, and the outcome of human reproductive potential following PRP treatment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sibling Relationships: Exploring Implications for Intervention Using a Family Systems Framework
Authors: Wright Bridget M. , Benigno Joann P.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

There is currently a very limited scope of research in the field of speech-language pathology on sibling involvement in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Principles of family systems theory (FST) recognize the interrelatedness and dynamic nature of the family unit, making it a relevant and useful guiding framework for future research and practice on sibling involvement in intervention.

Method

In this article, core principles of FST are reviewed, followed by the state of research related to sibling relationships in ASD, and roles of typically developing siblings and siblings with ASD in intervention programs. Implications for adopting an FST framework as well as considerations and future directions in this area of research and clinical practice are discussed.

Results

According to the principles of FST on the inclusion of siblings in treatment, there are several considerations to be made at the level of the child with ASD, the sibling(s), and the family unit. Factors such as developmental level, communication status, and areas of strength, challenge, and interest are key features of the children and family that will need to be addressed in order to promote positive sibling involvement and family functioning.

Conclusions

The development of family-centered sibling intervention programs for individuals with ASD is an area of research that warrants further exploration. With the guidance of the FST framework, researchers and clinicians can work to develop innovative interventions that consider the unique characteristics of each family to optimize outcomes at the levels of each individual, the sibling relationship, and the family as a unit.
Interventions Targeting Expressive Communication in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wilson Kaitlyn P. , Steinbrenner Jessica R. , Kalandadze Tamar , Handler Lara
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The aims of this systematic review are to (a) synthesize the literature on interventions targeting expressive communication in adults with autism spectrum disorder and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

Method

The literature search resulted in 7,196 articles. The research team used 2 reviewers and consensus for title/abstract review, full-text review, and quality review. To be included, studies had to (a) include at least 1 adult (18 years of age and above) with an autism spectrum disorder; (b) examine an intervention, treatment, or model of care; (c) provide outcome data related to expressive communication modalities/domains; (d) be experimental or quasi-experimental; and (e) be published in English. Twenty-two studies (14 single-case design and 8 group design), with a total of 256 participants and varied interventions and outcome variables, met criteria for inclusion. Effect sizes are presented for group design studies, and visual analysis results are outlined for single-case design studies.

Results

Examination of treatment effects in the included studies showed positive effects, overall; however, there was great variability between studies. Single-case design studies showed evidence of functional relations in all but 1 study, with most showing medium to large effects, as well as maintenance and generalization of gains. Group design studies showed a wide range of effects from near-zero to large effects. Differences in intervention strategies and durations, as well as in participant characteristics and outcome measures, presented barriers to aggregation.

Conclusions

This review highlights the need for increased high-quality research examining interventions targeting expressive communication in adults with autism spectrum disorder and also pinpoints interventions with potential for future study and use in this population.
Musician and Nonmusician Hearing Aid Setting Preferences for Music and Speech Stimuli
Authors: D'Onofrio Kristen L. , Gifford René H. , Ricketts Todd A.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential group differences between musicians and nonmusicians in their self-adjusted (SA) gain and compression settings for both music and speech stimuli. Speech recognition, sound quality, and strength of preference for the SA settings and the original prescriptive (National Acoustic Laboratories–Nonlinear 2 [NAL-NL2]) settings were also compared.

Method

Participants included 12 musician (
M
= 60 years) and 12 nonmusician (
M
= 55 years) adult hearing aid users with mild–moderate hearing loss, on average. Self-adjustments were made to hearing aid gain and compression settings for 2 music stimuli and a speech stimulus. Speech recognition in quiet and noise, sound quality for 6 dimensions (clarity, pleasantness, naturalness, fullness, brightness, and overall impression), and strength of preference ratings using paired comparisons were then assessed at both the NAL-NL2 settings and the participants' SA settings.

Results

On average, self-adjustments made by both groups were quite small (< 5 dB for gain and < 0.5 for compression ratio). Furthermore, SA changes to gain and compression ratio were not significantly different for musicians versus nonmusicians or for music versus speech. Finally, speech perception performance and sound quality ratings did not differ for the SA settings versus the NAL-NL2 settings, with the exception of the naturalness sound quality dimension.

Conclusions

These data suggest that a gain–frequency response specific to musicians and/or music inputs may not be necessary. Thus, current, validated prescriptive methods continue to be well supported as an appropriate starting place for listeners with mild–moderate hearing loss using open hearing aid fittings.
Dither‐based background calibration of capacitor mismatch and gain error in pipelined noise shaping successive approximation register ADCs
Authors: Wang Peng , Sun Jie , Wu Jianhui
Published: May 2019

A dither‐based background calibration with data‐weighted averaging logic to correct capacitor mismatch and inter‐stage gain error in pipelined noise shaping successive approximation register ADCs is proposed. By injecting the dither signal in the background, the inter‐stage gain is obtained. Besides, the data‐weighted averaging logic is adopted to dissipate harmonics caused by the mismatch of capacitors. Owing to the effective combination of the two methods, there is no need to detect the conditions of injecting the dither signal. As a result, the calibration requires simple logic and adds little analogue overhead.
Object detection using convolutional networks with adaptively adjusting receptive field of convolutional filter
Authors: Lu Qishuo , Jiang Zhuqing , Men Aidong , Tang Pengliang
Published: May 2019

The receptive field size of a convolutional filter in a deep convolutional network is a crucial issue for object detection task, as the output must response to a suitable size of area in the image to capture proper information. Receptive field size of convolutional filter is fixed due to the inherently fixed geometric structure in its building module. However, objects of interest vary significantly in size within the images for object detection. Different locations of images correspond to objects with different scales, and high level convolutional layers encode semantic features over spatial positions, thus adaptive determination of receptive field size of convolutional filter is desirable for object detection. The authors propose a new module to adaptively determine the receptive field size of convolutional filter, named adaptive convolution. It is based on the idea of dilating the convolutional filter with multiple dilation values and choosing the maximum activation as output, without adding any other parameters. The plain counterparts in existing convolutional neural networks can be easily replaced by adaptive convolution, giving rise to adaptive convolutional networks. Adequate experiments have proven the effectiveness of authors’ method.
Video segmentation scheme based on AMC
Authors: Cao Ying , Sun Lijuan , Han Chong , Guo Jian
Published: May 2019

Video segmentation has become a fundamental of various multimedia applications. Spatiotemporal coherence is important for video segmentation. In this study, to balance the spatiotemporal coherence in scenes with deformation or large motion, the authors propose a novel segmentation scheme based on the absorbing Markov chain (AMC) model named directed graph segmentation based on AMC. In their study, they first generate primary proposals per frame. Then, they train weight models by using a part of primary proposals with their features and feature scores. Next, they construct a directed AMC graph, in which states are the generated primary proposals and edge weights are decided by trained weight models. They subsequently perform the first proposal selection per frame by thresholding the modified absorbed time. Afterwards, they design a reselection algorithm to filter the selected proposals and ensure the proposals, which are the most likely to be the motion object in each frame, to be selected as candidates. Finally, they employ the graph‐cuts based optimisation algorithm to generate refined per pixel segmentation by using object and background models built by candidate proposals under the concept of Gaussian mixture models. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme shows competitive performance compared with advanced algorithms.
Efficient and low‐complexity matrix inversion scheme for massive multiple‐input multiple‐output systems using rapid numerical algorithms
Authors: Mukubwa Emmanuel , Sokoya Oludare A.
Published: May 2019

Performances of the regularised zero forcing (RZF) precoder, rapid numerical algorithm (RNA) precoder and the truncated polynomial expansion (TPE) Precoder are compared and analysed for massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) wireless system in a downlink scenario. The achievable data rates, bit error rates and signal‐to‐interference‐to‐noise ratio were investigated. The simulated results agree with the theory of massive MIMO system. Also, the RZF precoder and the RNA precoder perform better in comparison to TPE precoder.
Insight into physics‐based RRAM models – review
Authors: Lekshmi Jagath Arya , Hock Leong Chee , Kumar T. Nandha , Almurib HaiderA.F.
Published: May 2019

This article presents a review of physical, analytical, and compact models for oxide‐based RRAM devices. An analysis of how the electrical, physical, and thermal parameters affect resistive switching and the different current conduction mechanisms that exist in the models is performed. Two different physical mechanisms that drive resistive switching; drift diffusion and redox which are widely adopted in models are studied. As for the current conduction mechanisms adopted in the models, Schottky and generalised hopping mechanisms are investigated. It is shown that resistive switching is strongly influenced by the electric field and temperature, while the current conduction is weakly dependent on the temperature. The resistive switching and current conduction mechanisms in RRAMs are highly dependent on the geometry of the conductive filament (CF). 2D and 3D models which incorporate the rupture/formation of the CF together with the variation of the filament radius present accurate resistive switching behaviour.
PLL controller for achieving zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) in inductorless half‐bridge drive piezoelectric transformer resonant power supplies
Authors: Foster Martin P. , Davidson Jonathan N. , Stone D. A. , Yappa Ruchira
Published: May 2019

Inductorless half‐bridge, piezoelectric transformer (PT) resonant power supplies require careful control if zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) of the MOSFETs is to be achieved. Here, the authors describe how a phase‐locked loop (PLL) may be used to achieve this by ensuring adequate deadtime exists between the two MOSFETs to allow the PT input voltage to fully charge to the DC link. Experimental results demonstrate the operation of the system.
Design of electromagnetic components for EV battery chargers
Authors: Stratta Andrea , Bolognesi Paolo , Biagini Veronica , Biskoping Matthias , Tombelli Fabio
Published: May 2019

This study focuses on the appropriate design of the inductive elements of the LLC converter based on a typical industrial approach, i.e. assuming to use standard parts available on the market from qualified manufacturers. At first, a methodology to select the passive components is presented, highlighting the difference between the external inductor solution and the magnetically integrated solution. Secondly the step‐by‐step procedure used for the design of the high frequency transformer is illustrated. The possibility to integrate the resonant inductors into the HF transformer is then analysed, presenting different solutions. Finally a comparison between a classical and an integrated design is then presented referring to a case study; thus permitting to endow the potential benefits of the integrated solution.
Bidirectional marx DC–DC converter for offshore wind farm application
Authors: Alagab Samir Milad , Tennakoon Sarath , Gould Chris
Published: May 2019

The bidirectional DC–DC converter explained here is based on the Marx principle and is capable of achieving step‐up and step‐down voltage transformations at kV level and is able to handle MW‐level power transfers in both directions. The main features of this topology are the absence of a high‐frequency transformer, reduced weight, volume, and soft switching to reduce the switching losses. In the boost mode, five capacitors are charged in parallel and discharged in series to achieve the step‐up action, and in the buck mode, the converse action takes place. The operating principle is explained, and the steady‐state analysis of the converter is given. Matlab/Simulink simulation of a 50 MW converter, interfacing 6 kV, and 30 kV systems supports and validates the theoretical analysis, enables positive supporting the conclusions to be made.
The 3D secular dynamics of radial-velocity-detected planetary systems
Authors: Volpi Mara , Roisin Arnaud , Libert Anne-Sophie
Published: May 2019

Aims. To date, more than 600 multi-planetary systems have been discovered. Due to the limitations of the detection methods, our knowledge of the systems is usually far from complete. In particular, for planetary systems discovered with the radial velocity (RV) technique, the inclinations of the orbital planes, and thus the mutual inclinations and planetary masses, are unknown. Our work aims to constrain the spatial configuration of several RV-detected extrasolar systems that are not in a mean-motion resonance.

Methods. Through an analytical study based on a first-order secular Hamiltonian expansion and numerical explorations performed with a chaos detector, we identified ranges of values for the orbital inclinations and the mutual inclinations, which ensure the long-term stability of the system. Our results were validated by comparison with n-body simulations, showing the accuracy of our analytical approach up to high mutual inclinations (∼70 ° −80°).

Results. We find that, given the current estimations for the parameters of the selected systems, long-term regular evolution of the spatial configurations is observed, for all the systems, (i) at low mutual inclinations (typically less than 35°) and (ii) at higher mutual inclinations, preferentially if the system is in a Lidov-Kozai resonance. Indeed, a rapid destabilisation of highly mutually inclined orbits is commonly observed, due to the significant chaos that develops around the stability islands of the Lidov-Kozai resonance. The extent of the Lidov-Kozai resonant region is discussed for ten planetary systems (HD 11506, HD 12661, HD 134987, HD 142, HD 154857, HD 164922, HD 169830, HD 207832, HD 4732, and HD 74156).
Photospheric and coronal magnetic fields in six magnetographs
Authors: Virtanen Ilpo , Mursula Kalevi
Published: May 2019

Context. Solar photospheric magnetic fields have been observed since the 1950s and calibrated digital data are available from the 1970s onwards. Synoptic maps of the photospheric magnetic field are widely used in solar research, especially in the modeling of the solar corona and solar wind, and in studies of space weather and space climate. Magnetic flux density of the solar corona is a key parameter for heliospheric physics.

Aims. The observed photospheric magnetic flux depends on the instrument and data processing used, which is a major problem for long-term studies. Here we scale the different observations of the photospheric field to the same absolute level and form a uniform record of coronal magnetic flux since the 1970s.

Methods. We use a recently suggested method of harmonic scaling, which scales any pair of synoptic observations of any resolution to the same level. After scaling, we use the Potential Field Source Surface (PFSS) model to calculate the scaled magnetic field at various altitudes from photosphere to coronal source surface.

Results. Harmonic scaling gives effective, latitudinally dependent scaling factors, which vary over the solar cycle. When scaling low-resolution data to high-resolution data, effective scaling factors are typically largest at low latitudes in the ascending phase of solar cycle and smallest for unipolar polar fields around solar minima. The harmonic scaling method used here allows for the observations of the different data sets to be scaled to the same level and the scaled unsigned coronal flux densities agree very well with each other. We also find that scaled coronal magnetic fields show a slightly different solar cycle variation from that of the nonscaled fields.
Quick calculation of damage for ion irradiation: implementation in Iradina and comparisons to SRIM
Authors: Crocombette Jean-Paul , Van Wambeke Christian
Published: May 2019

Binary collision approximation (BCA) calculation allows for two types of damage calculation: full cascade and quick calculations. Full cascade mode describes fully the cascades while in quick calculations, only the trajectory of the ion is followed and effective formulas give an estimation of the damage resulting from each collision of the ion. We implement quick calculation of damage in the Iradina code both for elemental and multi-component solids. Good agreement is obtained with SRIM. We show that quick calculations are unphysical in multi-component systems. The choice between full cascade and quick calculations is discussed. We advise to favour full cascade over quick calculation because it is more grounded physically and applicable to all materials. Quick calculations remain a good option for pure solids in the case of actual quantitative comparisons with neutron irradiations simulations in which damage levels are estimated with the NRT (Norgett-Robinson and Torrens) formulas.
Adequate Structured Inpatient Diabetes Intervention in People With Type 1 Diabetes Improves Metabolic Control and Frequency of Hypoglycaemia
Authors: Burghardt Katharina , Müller Ulrich Alfons , Müller Nicolle , Kloos Christof , Kramer Guido , Jörgens Viktor , Kuniss Nadine
Published: May 2019

Objective Several studies evaluated inpatient diabetes teaching and treatment programmes (DTTP) in diabetes type 1 (DM1) many years ago, but in these studies insulin treatment was not yet intensified before the DTTP. Today, most patients are already on intensified insulin treatment before entering a DTTP. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the outcome one year after participation in an inpatient intervention including a DTTP in a longitudinal study.

Methods 109 patients participated in an inpatient intervention in 2014. All individuals were invited to participate in an outpatient follow-up visit after one year.

Results Ninety participants (52.2% female, age 48.0 y, diabetes duration 19.1 y, 31.1% CSII, HbA1c 7.9% / 63.3 mmol/mol) were followed-up after 1.2±0.3 y [1 died, 18 declined / were not available]. 83 / 90 individuals participated to optimise diabetes therapy, 7 / 90 had newly-diagnosed DM1. In the optimisation group, HbA1c decreased by 0.4% (p=0.009) without change of insulin dose (54 IU/day before and after) or BMI (26 kg/m2 before and after). In people with baseline HbA1c ≥7.5% (n=26 / 83), HbA1c decreased by 0.9%. The frequency of severe hypoglycaemia decreased from 0.22 to 0.05 events / year (p=0.045). In people with frequent non severe hypoglycaemia (n=8), events decreased from 4.5±2.0 to 2.8±0.9 / week (p=0.358). Systolic (−6.5 mmHg, p=0.035) and diastolic (−3.4 mmHg, p=0.003) blood pressure improved without change of number of antihypertensive medication (1.9±2.1 vs. 1.8±2.0, p=0.288).

Conclusions In people with DM1, metabolic control improved after the inpatient intervention without increasing insulin dosage or BMI. The inpatient intervention remains effective to substantially improve metabolic control under the present circumstances of care.
Liquid-Phase Synthesis of N-Functionalized Azanucleoside-Incorporated Oligonucleotides and Development of Anodic C(sp3)–H Acetoxylation Reaction for Direct Preparation of Azaribose
Authors: Okamoto Kazuhiro , Shida Naoki , Tsutsui Mizuki , Chiba Kazuhiro
Published: May 2019

We report the synthesis of pyrene-conjugated azanucleoside-incorporated oligodeoxynucleotides (aza-ODNs). Combination of liquid-phase synthesis by alkyl-chain-soluble-support (ACSS) and electrochemical C–H activation realized efficient access to aza-ODNs without requiring an excess amount of reagent or solvent. The fluorescent properties of pyrene-conjugated aza-ODNs were also investigated. The resulting fluorescence spectrum indicated that the modification of the position of the nitrogen atom was suitable for the preparation of artificial functionalized oligonucleotides. A synthetic route to azaribose, as a precursor of aza-ODNs, was also reinvestigated to realize more efficient production. Electrochemical N-α-acetoxylation in 0.1 M lithium perchlorate/nitromethane/50 mM AcOH medium was found to be a suitable medium for this route. These results represent a new efficient synthetic route to aza-ODNs.
Oxidative Cyclization of Naphtholic Sulfonamides Mediated by a Chiral Hypervalent Iodine Reagent: Asymmetric Synthesis versus Resolution
Authors: Jain Nikita , Hein Jason E. , Ciufolini Marco A.
Published: May 2019

A chiral aryl iodide promotes the enantioselective oxidative cyclization of 1-naphtholic sulfonamides, albeit in moderate ee and low yield. The products tend to crystallize as conglomerates. Recrystallization thus increases their ee to > 99% ee. This highly enantioenriched material provides seed crystals for the resolution of the racemate (prepared in high yield by oxidative cyclization with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene in trifluoroacetic acid) by coupled preferential crystallization. This enables the production of significant quantities of highly enantioenriched products, despite the low efficiency of the enantioselective reaction.
A Bottom-Up Approach to Encouraging Sustained User Adoption of a Secure Text Messaging Application
Authors: Tsega Surafel , Kalra Angeli , Sevilla Cesar , Cho Hyung
Published: May 2019

Background Inpatient providers are increasingly utilizing alternative communication modalities outside what has traditionally been used, including short messaging service text messaging and application-based chat tools. Text messaging that meets the recommendations of the Joint Commission (“secure text messaging”) allows for the communication of sensitive patient information through an encrypted platform.

Objective In this quality initiative utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, we attempted two rollout designs to maximize user adoption of a secure text messaging application.

Methods Our institution launched a secure text messaging application (Cureatr) using a top-down approach during the first PDSA cycle, defined as communication and outreach through department chairs and administrative leaders throughout the hospital. After inadequate user adoption, we transitioned to a bottom-up approach in the second PDSA cycle, defined as direct communication and engagement with end users. This campaign targeted the hospital medicine and inpatient social work department, and used discharge planning as a use case to encourage adoption.

Results Over a 6-month period, we observed an increase in active users in the hospital medicine department (7.5 unique users per month to 29 users during the first and second PDSA cycles, p < 0.01). Additionally, we saw an increase in messages sent and received by the medicine (687 messages on average per month and 7,367 messages per month in each respective PDSA cycle, p < 0.01) and social work departments (350 messages on average per month and 6,083 messages during the first and second PDSA cycle, p < 0.01). We did not observe a significant change in active users or messages sent in the surgery department, which did not participate in the second PDSA cycle.

Conclusion We believe that a bottom-up approach is important to introducing mobile applications to the inpatient setting and can contribute to sustained user adoption.
PROMIS Physical Function Correlates with KOOS, JR in Patients with Knee Pain
Authors: Kortlever Joost T. P. , Leyton-Mange Andrea , Keulen Mark H. F. , Liu Tiffany C. , Janssen Stein J. , Bozic Kevin J. , Schultz W. Randall , Koenig Karl M.
Published: May 2019

Using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) computerized adaptive test instead of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR) could reduce question burden for patients with knee pain. We aimed to prospectively determine the correlation between PROMIS PF and KOOS, JR to assess whether PROMIS PF could be a useful alternative measure for both research and clinical care of patients with knee pain. This was a cross-sectional study of 88 patients. We assessed the correlation between PROMIS PF and KOOS, JR using a Pearson's correlation test. Two multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the amount of variation explained by various patient-level factors. There was a strong correlation between PROMIS PF and KOOS, JR (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). KOOS, JR was an independent predictor of PROMIS PF when controlling for patient-level factors (β 0.26; p < 0.001). The results of this study support the idea of using PROMIS PF in place of joint-specific measures such as KOOS, JR for clinical care of patients with knee pain. The level of evidence for this study is Level III.
Arthroscopic All-Inside Repair of Tear of the Anterior Horn of Discoid Lateral Meniscus
Authors: Muniandy Moganadass , Rajagopal Sivalingam , Tahir Siti
Published: May 2019

The anterior horn of lateral meniscus tear is usually repaired using outside-in technique. Although easy to perform, it was associated with several complications which may alter the outcome of the surgery. Here, we present a case of an adolescent girl presented with incomplete discoid lateral meniscus accompanied by tear of anterior horn. The tear was repaired using all-inside technique without any implants. We described the surgical technique and discussed the rationale.
Enhancing power system resilience leveraging microgrids: A review
Authors: Bajwa Abdullah Akram , Mokhlis Hazlie , Mekhilef Saad , Mubin Marizan
Published: May 2019

An electrical power system is considered as a critical infrastructure (CI), the epicenter of a nation's economy, security, and health. It is interlinked with other CIs such as gas and water supplies and transportation and communication systems. A failure in the power system will immensely affect the functionality of these CIs. Therefore, enhancing power system resilience is crucially needed to ensure continuous operation of these CIs. One of the possible approaches to improve the resilience in a power system is by integrating microgrids in the power system. Microgrids have proven to have self-healing and resilient capabilities in such extreme events which inflict damage out of the conventional scope of failures. Operational flexibility and controllability make microgrids a viable solution for resilience enhancement. This paper reviews the concept of resilience in power systems and the functions of microgrids in enhancement of resilience. The most current studies in improving power system resilience through microgrids are reviewed by highlighting their advantages and limitations.
Optimization and techno-economic assessment of rooftop photovoltaic system
Authors: Awan Ahmed Bilal
Published: May 2019

The objective of this paper is to analyze the performance of the rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system, taking into account its shading impact on the rooftop surface and the eventual cooling load of the building. This paper tests three approaches of the rooftop PV system: zero tilt angle flat PV configuration; PV configuration with a monthly adjusted tilt angle; and PV configuration with a dual-axis sun tracking system. Each of the PV configurations is optimized to do the following: minimize the self-shading among the adjacent arrays; maximize the rooftop surface shading to curtail the cooling load; maximize the net energy yield; and minimize the net levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the PV system. The existing building model is developed in SketchUp Pro. The model is simulated in an EnergyPlus environment to calculate the building's cooling energy consumption with different shading scenarios in various PV configurations. Various rooftop PV configurations are designed and simulated in a System Advisor Model (SAM) to analyze the effect of self-shading of the adjacent PV arrays on the PV performance. The optimal distance between the arrays (for maximum net energy yield and minimum net LCOE) is found to be 1.5 m. The net LCOE of the optimal scenario is 5.247 ¢/kW h and 4.112 ¢/kW h for monthly tilt and dual-axis tracking arrangements, respectively. The economic surplus of the optimized system is 0.422 ¢/kW h and 0.258 ¢/kW h for the monthly tilt and dual-axis tracking arrangements, respectively, as compared to the ground-mounted system.
Ion-production efficiency of a singly charged ion source developed toward a 11C irradiation facility for cancer therapy
Authors: Katagiri K. , Wakui T. , Hojo S. , Boytsov A. Yu. , Donets E. D. , Donets E. E. , Ramzdorf A. Yu. , Noda A. , Shirai T. , Noda K.
Published: May 2019

The ion-production efficiency of a newly developed singly charged ion source (SCIS) has been investigated to discuss the possibility of it being used in an isotope separation on-line system that provides 11C ions for heavy-ion cancer therapy with simultaneous verification of the irradiation field using positron emission tomography. The SCIS uses a low-energy hollow electron beam to produce singly charged carbon ions efficiently. To deliver sufficient 11C ions to the treatment room from a limited amount of 11C molecules, which are produced from a boron compound target and proton-beam irradiation via the 11B(p,n)11C reaction, the SCIS must have high ion-production efficiency. To realize this high efficiency, the SCIS was designed using a three-dimensional particle-in-cell code in previous work. With the fabricated SCIS, we performed experiments to measure the efficiency of producing CO2+ ions from nonradioactive 12CO2 molecules and C+ ions from nonradioactive 12CH4 molecules. We found that the SCIS achieved efficiencies of εC+=4×10−3 (0.4%) for C+ production and εCO2+=0.107 (10.7%) for CO2+ production.
Explicit time integration of the stiff chemical Langevin equations using computational singular perturbation
Authors: Han Xiaoying , Valorani Mauro , Najm Habib N.
Published: May 2019

A stable explicit time-scale splitting algorithm for stiff chemical Langevin equations (CLEs) is developed, based on the concept of computational singular perturbation. The drift term of the CLE is projected onto basis vectors that span the fast and slow subdomains. The corresponding fast modes exhaust quickly, in the mean sense, and the system state then evolves, with a mean drift controlled by slow modes, on a random manifold. The drift-driven time evolution of the state due to fast exhausted modes is modeled algebraically as an exponential decay process, while that due to slow drift modes and diffusional processes is integrated explicitly. This allows time integration step sizes much larger than those required by typical explicit numerical methods for stiff stochastic differential equations. The algorithm is motivated and discussed, and extensive numerical experiments are conducted to illustrate its accuracy and stability with a number of model systems.
High-order accurate and high-speed calculation system of 1D Laplace and Poisson equations using the interpolation finite difference method
Authors: Fukuchi Tsugio
Published: May 2019

Among the methods of the numerical analysis of the physical phenomena of the continuum, the finite difference method (FDM) is the first examined method and has been established as a full numerical calculation system over the regular domain. However, there is a general perception that generality in numerical calculations cannot be expected over complex irregular domains. As using the FDM, the development of computational methods that are applicable over any irregular domain is considered to be a very important contemporary problem. In the FDM, there is a marked characteristic that the theory developed by the (spatial) one-dimensional (1D) problem is naturally applied to the 2D and 3D problems. The calculation method is called the interpolation FDM (IFDM). In this paper, attention is paid to 1D Laplace and Poisson equations, and the whole image of the IFDM using the algebraic polynomial interpolation method (APIM), the IFDM-APIM, is described. Based on the Lagrange interpolation function, the spatial difference schemes from 2nd order to 10th order including odd order are calculated and defined instantaneously over equally/unequally spaced grid points, then, high-order accurate and high-speed computations become possible.
Study on the thermo-mechanical-metallurgical couple model of tailored hot stamping
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Cui Yuejie , Zheng Qifeng
Published: May 2019

In order to predict the microstructures and hardness evolution of tailored hot stamping (THS) component, a thermo-mechanical-metallurgical couple finite element model was established. In particular, the activation energies for ferrite and bainite in the model were optimised. THS experiment of U-shape component with segmented heating and cooling was also performed to compare the hardness distribution and phase change with numerical simulation. The results showed that the original model and the activation energy optimised model can both be used to predict the microstructures and hardness evolution for hot stamping components with full martensite. As for THS component, the effect of cooling path and deformation on the activation energies of phase transformation should be considered.
Ability of plant pathogenic fungi Gibberella fujikuroi and Fusarium commune to react with airborne methyl jasmonate
Authors: Masimbula Rishni , Oki Katsunari , Shibata Hiroki , Osawa Hisashi , Kondo Norio , Takahashi Kosaku , Matsuura Hideyuki
Published: May 2019

The pathogenic fungi Gibberella fujikuroi and Fusarium commune produce jasmonic acid. The application of volatile deuterium-labeled methyl jasmonate increased the amount of nonlabeled JA present in G. fujikuroi and F. commune. These results indicate that the fungi have the ability to react with airborne methyl jasmonate in a manner similar to a plant.
Functional analysis and importance for host cell infection of the Ca2+-conducting subunits of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter ofTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Chiurillo Miguel A. , Lander Noelia , Bertolini Mayara S. , Vercesi Anibal E. , Docampo Roberto
Published: May 2019

We report here that Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, possesses two unique paralogues of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex TcMCU subunit that we named TcMCUc and TcMCUd. The predicted structure of the proteins indicates that, as predicted for the TcMCU and TcMCUb paralogues, they are composed of two helical membrane-spanning domains and contain a WDXXEPXXY motif. Overexpression of each gene led to a significant increase in mitochondrial Ca2+uptake, while knockout (KO) of either TcMCUc or TcMCUd led to a loss of mitochondrial Ca2+uptake, without affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential. TcMCUc-KO and TcMCUd-KO epimastigotes exhibited reduced growth rate in low-glucose medium and alterations in their respiratory rate, citrate synthase activity, and AMP/ATP ratio, while trypomastigotes had reduced ability to efficiently infect host cells and replicate intracellularly as amastigotes. By gene complementation of KO cell lines or by a newly developed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in approach, we also studied the importance of critical amino acid residues of the four paralogues on mitochondrial Ca2+uptake. In conclusion, the results predict a hetero-oligomeric structure for the T. cruzi MCU complex, with structural and functional differences, as compared with those in the mammalian complex.