bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supramolecular chirality: a caveat in assigning the handedness of chiral aggregates
Authors: Swathi K. , Sissa Cristina , Painelli Anna , George Thomas K.
Published: June 2020

Exciton chirality rule for assigning the handedness of supramolecular aggregates is rephrased by accounting for the nature of intermolecular interactions.
Golgi recruitment assay for visualizing small-molecule ligand–target engagement in cells
Authors: Suzuki Sachio , Ikuta Masahiro , Yoshii Tatsuyuki , Nakamura Akinobu , Kuwata Keiko , Tsukiji Shinya
Published: June 2020

A Golgi recruitment (G-REC) assay is developed as a new method for visualizing small-molecule ligand–target engagement in living cells.
Activity-directed expansion of a series of antibacterial agents
Authors: Leggott Abbie , Clarke Justin E. , Chow Shiao , Warriner Stuart L. , O’Neill Alex J. , Nelson Adam
Published: June 2020

Activity-directed synthesis harnessing 220 Pd-catalysed microscale reactions enabled expansion of a series of quinazolinone antibacterials.
Tuning of the morphological and electronic properties of In2S3 nanosheets by cerium ion intercalation for optimizing photocatalytic activity
Authors: Basu Soumya Shankar , Rahut Sibsankar , Chinthala Charishma , Basu Jayanta Kumar
Published: June 2020

The influence of cerium on the evolution of the morphological and optoelectronic properties of In2S3 nanostructures has been experimentally and theoretically investigated.
Insight into the structure-antibacterial activity of amino cation-based and acetate anion-based ionic liquids from computational interactions with the POPC phospholipid bilayer
Authors: Zheng Weizhong , Huang Wei , Song Zhongchen , Tang Zisheng , Sun Weizhen
Published: June 2020

The cations of ionic liquids are found to insert into a lipid bilayer, resulting in bilayer disruption.
Self-assembly of block copolymers towards mesoporous materials for energy storage and conversion systems
Authors: Li Chen , Li Qian , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Hou Dan , Yamauchi Yusuke , Mai Yiyong
Published: June 2020

This paper reviews the progress in the field of block copolymer-templated mesoporous materials, including synthetic methods, morphological and pore size control and their potential applications in energy storage and conversion devices.
Combined experimental and theoretical studies towards mutual osmium–bismuth donor/acceptor bonding
Authors: Ramler Jacqueline , Radacki Krzysztof , Abbenseth Josh , Lichtenberg Crispin
Published: June 2020

Reactions of Os(ii) pincer complexes with Lewis acidic bismuth species have been studied experimentally and theoretically, revealing their potential for the formation of donor/acceptor bonding with Os → Bi and Os ← Bi components.
Health beneficial effects of resistant starch on diabetes and obesity via regulation of gut microbiota: a review
Authors: Liu Huicui , Zhang Min , Ma Qingyu , Tian Baoming , Nie Chenxi , Chen Zhifei , Li Juxiu
Published: June 2020

Resistant starch (RS) is well known to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.
Catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels: the collective thermocatalytic/photocatalytic/electrocatalytic approach with graphitic carbon nitride
Authors: Samanta Subhajyoti , Srivastava Rajendra
Published: June 2020

Carbon nitride with tunable textural properties, chemical properties (N contents, types of N species, and dopants), and optoelectronic properties can activate and convert CO2 to useful chemicals and fuels by using various forms of energy resources.
Fabrication of bismuth oxide-modified pencil graphite sensors for monitoring the hazardous herbicide diuron
Authors: Annu  , Raja Antony Nitin , Singh Kshiti , Halve Anand K. , Jain Rajeev
Published: June 2020

In this work, a bismuth oxide/pencil graphite electrode (Bi2O3/PGE)-based ultrasensitive voltammetric sensor is reported for the quantification of the herbicide diuron (DU) in vegetable samples.
Tracking the role oftrans-ligands in ruthenium–NO bond lability: computational insight
Authors: Orenha Renato Pereira , Silva Graziele Cappato Guerra , de Lima Batista Ana Paula , de Oliveira Filho Antonio Gustavo Sampaio , Morgon Nelson Henrique , da Silva Vanessa Borges , Furtado Saulo Samuel Pereira , Caramori Giovanni Finoto , Piotrowski Maurício Jeomar , Parreira Renato Luis Tame
Published: June 2020

Ruthenium–NO tetraamine structures control the nitric oxide bioavailability. The ligandtransto NO modulates the Ru–NO bond stability.
Design of a new electrochemical sensing system based on MoS2–TiO2/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for the detection of paracetamol
Authors: Demir Neslihan , Atacan Keziban , Ozmen Mustafa , Bas Salih Zeki
Published: June 2020

Synthetic route for the MoS2–TiO2/rGO nanocomposite and the electrode reaction for paracetamol.
The first report of a tetra-azide bound mononuclear cobalt(iii) complex and its comparative biomimetic catalytic activity with tri-azide bound cobalt(iii) compounds
Authors: Jana Narayan Ch. , Brandão Paula , Panja Anangamohan
Published: June 2020

Three new azide-bound cobalt(iii) complexes derived from three different triamines with extensive hydrogen bonded supramolecular chain structures and the role of their structural factors in oxidative coupling of o-aminophenols have been reported.
Effect of processing temperature on film properties of ZnO prepared by the aqueous method and related organic photovoltaics and LEDs
Authors: Zhang Jiaqi , Yang Hengxiang , Zhang Xiaoyu , Morbidoni Maurizio , Burgess Claire H. , Kilmurray Rebecca , Feng Shouhua , McLachlan Martyn A.
Published: June 2020

The aqueous processed ZnO ETLs enable low-temperature, simple and green-strategy fabrication for efficient OPVs and OLEDs.
Tested functionalization of alginate-immobilized ureolytic bacteria for improvement of soil biocementation and maximizing water retention
Authors: Taha Tarek H. , Elnouby Mohamed S. , Abu-Saied M. A. , Alamri Saad
Published: June 2020

An ureolytic bacteria that forming calcite and enhance soil stability was isolated. Water retention of soils was increased by addition of hydrogel polymer.
Ursolic acid derivatives are potent inhibitors against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Chen Yang , Li Hui , Wu Li , Zhang Mingxin , Gao Yarou , Wang Heng , Xu Dan , Chen Weisan , Song Gaopeng , Chen Jianxin
Published: June 2020

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most devastating viral pathogens of swine and has a substantial economic impact on the global pork industry.
Kinetics of active water/ethanol Janus droplets
Authors: Li Menglin , Hosseinzadeh Mahmoud , Pagonabarraga Ignacio , Seemann Ralf , Brinkmann Martin , Fleury Jean-Baptiste
Published: June 2020

Supported by experimental evidence, we propose a simple model that is able to explain the morphological evolution of water/ethanol droplets in a surfactant/oil solution and the corresponding propulsion kinetics in certain phases of the evolution.
Self-assembly of freely-rotating polydisperse cuboids: unveiling the boundaries of the biaxial nematic phase
Authors: Mirzad Rafael Effran , Corbett Daniel , Cuetos Alejandro , Patti Alessandro
Published: June 2020

Polydisperse colloidal cuboids display a very rich self-assembling behaviour, which includes stable biaxial nematic liquid crystal phases.
Assembly of nanocrystal clusters by solvent evaporation: icosahedral order and the breakdown of the Maxwell regime
Authors: Macias Elizabeth , Waltmann Tommy , Travesset Alex
Published: June 2020

We carry out molecular dynamics simulations of N gold alkylthiolated nanocrystals (0 ≤ N ≤ 29) contained in liquid droplets of octane, nonane and decane coexisting with its vapor.
Selective inhibition of Rhizopus eumelanin biosynthesis by novel natural product scaffold-based designs caused significant inhibition of fungal pathogenesis
Authors: Soliman Sameh S. M. , Hamdy Rania , Elseginy Samia A. , Gebremariam Teclegiorgis , Hamoda Alshaimaa M. , Madkour Mohamed , Venkatachalam Thenmozhi , Ershaid Mai N. , Mohammad Mohammad G. , Chamilos Georgios , Ibrahim Ashraf S.
Published: June 2020

Melanin is a dark color pigment biosynthesized naturally in most living organisms. Fungal melanin is a major putative virulence factor of Mucorales fungi that allows intracellular persistence by inducing phagosome maturation arrest. Recently, it has been shown that the black pigments of Rhizopus delemar is of eumelanin type, that requires the involvement of tyrosinase (a copper-dependent enzyme) in its biosynthesis. Herein, we have developed a series of compounds (UOSC-1–14) to selectively target Rhizopus melanin and explored this mechanism therapeutically. The compounds were designed based on the scaffold of the natural product, cuminaldehyde, identified from plant sources and has been shown to develop non-selective inhibition of melanin production. While all synthesized compounds showed significant inhibition of Rhizopus melanin production and limited toxicity to mammalian cells, only four compounds (UOSC-1, 2, 13, and 14) were selected as promising candidates based on their selective inhibition to fungal melanin. The activity of compound UOSC-2 was comparable to the positive control kojic acid. The selected candidates showed significant inhibition of Rhizopus melanin but not human melanin by targeting the fungal tyrosinase, and with an IC50 that are 9 times lower than the reference standard, kojic acid. Furthermore, the produced white spores were phagocytized easily and cleared faster from the lungs of infected immunocompetent mice and from the human macrophages when compared with wild-type spores. Collectively, the results suggested that the newly designed derivatives, particularly UOSC-2 can serve as promising candidate to overcome persistence mechanisms of fungal melanin production and hence make them accessible to host defenses.
Coping with imposter syndrome in academia and research
Authors: Abdelaal Gina
Published: June 2020

Imposter syndrome is defined as feeling like a fraud among equally skilled colleagues and the denial of one's accomplishments. Imposter syndrome does not discriminate and anyone may suffer from it – from students to scientists at the top of their academic careers. Instead of letting imposter syndrome take over, we can try to change the way we think about ourselves and our progression as scientists. We can learn from constructive criticism instead of allowing it to fuel our self-doubt. Often, scientists undersell their abilities and achievements, focusing on the negatives more than the positives. This often has a detrimental impact on our mental health. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and we can learn from constructive criticism to improve. As scientists, we often see our fellow colleagues as competition; instead of comparing ourselves, we can learn from them, thus gaining new skills. Success in academia is fickle, so we must avoid deriving our happiness from it. All scientists go through setbacks and failures; it is part of the journey, so share your experiences with friends or a trusted lecturer or tutor. Chances are they have faced similar hurdles and will be able to support you.
Engineered peptide ligases for cell signaling and bioconjugation
Authors: Frazier Clara L. , Weeks Amy M.
Published: June 2020

Enzymes that catalyze peptide ligation are powerful tools for site-specific protein bioconjugation and the study of cellular signaling. Peptide ligases can be divided into two classes: proteases that have been engineered to favor peptide ligation, and protease-related enzymes with naturally evolved peptide ligation activity. Here, we provide a review of key natural peptide ligases and proteases engineered to favor peptide ligation activity. We cover the protein engineering approaches used to generate and improve these tools, along with recent biological applications, advantages, and limitations associated with each enzyme. Finally, we address future challenges and opportunities for further development of peptide ligases as tools for biological research.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator FTY720 attenuates experimental myeloperoxidase-ANCA vasculitis in a T cell-dependent manner
Authors: Wang Luo-Yi , Sun Xiao-Jing , Wang Chen , Chen Su-Fang , Li Zhi-Ying , Chen Min , Little Mark A. , Zhao Ming-Hui
Published: June 2020

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic lysosphingolipid derived from the metabolism of plasma membrane lipids. The interaction between S1P and its ubiquitously expressed G-protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-5) is crucial in many pathophysiological processes. Emerging evidence suggested a potential role for S1P receptors in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). In the present study, we investigated the effects of three different S1P receptors modulators (FTY720, SEW2871 and TY52156) in a recognized rat model of experimental autoimmune vasculitis (EAV). The effects of treatments were evaluated with clinico-pathological parameters including hematuria, proteinuria, crescent formation, pulmonary hemorrhage, etc. In vitro functional studies were performed in a Jurkat T-cell line following stimulations of serum from myeloperoxidase-AAV patients. We found that only the FTY720 treatment significantly alleviated hematuria and proteinuria, and diminished glomerular crescent formation, renal tubulointerstitial lesions and pulmonary hemorrhage in EAV. The attenuation was accompanied by less renal T-cell infiltration, up-regulated mRNA of S1PR1 and down-regulated IL-1β in kidneys, but not altered circulating ANCA levels, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of FTY720 were B-cell independent. Further in vitro studies demonstrated that FTY720 incubation could significantly inhibit the proliferation, adhesion, and migration, and increase apoptosis of T cells. In conclusion, the S1P modulator FTY720 could attenuate EAV through the reduction and inhibition of T cells, which might become a novel treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Varroa destructor: how does it harm Apis mellifera honey bees and what can be done about it?
Authors: Noël Amélie , Le Conte Yves , Mondet Fanny
Published: June 2020

Since its migration from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) to the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor has emerged as a major issue for beekeeping worldwide. Due to a short history of coevolution, the host–parasite relationship between A. mellifera and V. destructor is unbalanced, with honey bees suffering infestation effects at the individual, colony and population levels. Several control solutions have been developed to tackle the colony and production losses due to Varroa, but the burden caused by the mite in combination with other biotic and abiotic factors continues to increase, weakening the beekeeping industry. In this synthetic review, we highlight the main advances made between 2015 and 2020 on V. destructor biology and its impact on the health of the honey bee, A. mellifera. We also describe the main control solutions that are currently available to fight the mite and place a special focus on new methodological developments, which point to integrated pest management strategies for the control of Varroa in honey bee colonies.
Discovery of rotation axis alignments in Milky Way globular clusters
Authors: Piatti Andrés E.
Published: June 2020

There is an increasing number of recent observational results that show that some globular clusters exhibit internal rotation while they travel along their orbital trajectories around the Milky Way center. Based on these findings, we searched for any relationship between the inclination angles of the globular cluster orbits with respect to the Milky Way plane and those of their rotation. We discovered that the relative inclination, in the sense of inclination of the rotation axis to orbit axis, is a function of the orbit inclination of the globular cluster. Rotation and orbit axes are aligned for an inclination of ∼56°, while the rotation axis inclination is far from the orbit inclination between ∼20° and −20° when the latter increases from 0° up to 90°. We further investigated the origin of this linear relationship and found no correlation with the semimajor axes and eccentricities of the globular cluster orbits, nor with the internal rotation strength, the globular cluster sizes, actual and tidally disrupted masses, or half-mass relaxation times, among others. The uncovered relationship will affect the development of numerical simulations of the internal rotation of globular clusters, our understanding of the interaction of globular clusters with the gravitational field of the Milky Way, and the observational campaigns made to increase the number of globular clusters with detected internal rotation.
Biobanking in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Luckhaus Christian , Roosterman Dirk , Juckel Georg
Published: June 2020

Biobanking in der Medizin betrifft den Aufbau und Betrieb von umfangreichen biologischen Probendepots in Verbindung mit umfassenden Datenarchiven, die klinische und biografische Probandeninformationen enthalten. Hierdurch sollen Proben von kontrollierter hoher und konstanter Qualität für zukünftige Forschungsprojekte bereitgestellt werden. Eine wesentliche Zielsetzung ist es, diverse Blutkomponenten für unterschiedliche biochemische Analysen und experimentelle Ansätze zu asservieren einschließlich verschiedener isolierter Blutzellfraktionen. Bei geeigneter Kryokonservierung können Blutzellen nach dem Auftauen revitalisiert werden, um als in-vitro-Zellmodelle mit biologischen Merkmalen des Spenderorganismus verwendet zu werden. Durch Optimierung der präanalytischen Methoden kann die präanalytische Varianz reduziert und dadurch eine höhere Präzision der analytischen Daten erreicht werden. Dies ist für multivariate Analysen biologischer Systeme („omics“) und die Biomarkerforschung von besonderer Bedeutung. Biobanking in der Psychiatrie hat die spezielle Herausforderung, eine höhere Kompatibilität diagnostischer Zuordnungen mit biologischen Entitäten zu erreichen, als dies durch die gegenwärtigen Diagnosekategorien gem. ICD-10 oder DSM-V ermöglicht wird. Dazu können diagnostische oder transdiagnostische Subgruppen stratifiziert werden, anhand biologisch verankerter klinischer Zusatzkriterien oder psychobiologischer Funktionsparameter. Ein wichtiger ethischer Aspekt im Zusammenhang mit Biobanking ist die Erfordernis für eine erweiterte Einwilligung („broad consent“) der Spender in künftige, noch zu spezifizierende Forschungsprojekte. Der organisatorische, logistische und ökonomische Aufwand für den Aubau und Betrieb einer Biobank ist erheblich, scheint aber berechtigt mit Blick auf hierdurch erreichbare Qualitätsverbesserungen der biomedizinischen Forschung, insbesondere im Bereich der Translation und klinischen Anwendungsentwicklung.
Kraftvolle Rotoren – Schulterinstabilität
Authors: Schomacher Jochen
Published: June 2020

Eine mangelnde Stabilität des Schultergelenks kann strukturell durch eine Kapsel-Band-Laxität auf-treten oder funktionell sein. Dann kann der Patient das Gelenk innerhalb der neutralen Zone nicht kontrollieren. In beiden Fällen zeigt der Humeruskopf zu große Translationsbewegungen. Während oberflächliche Muskeln wie der M. deltoideus und der M. pectoralis major diese Bewegungen begünstigen, kann die Rotatorenmanschette sie kontrollieren. Übungen hierfür sind daher das Mittel der Wahl.
Den Schmerz von Menschen mit Demenz erfassen – Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition Scale (PAIC 15)
Authors: Laekeman Marjan
Published: June 2020

Schmerzerkennung bei Menschen mit Demenz, die nicht mehr zur Selbstauskunft in der Lage sind, ist für Therapeuten eine Herausforderung. Mit der PAIC-15-Skala steht ein adäquates Beobachtungsinstrument zur Verfügung, um bei dieser Patientengruppe Schmerzen rechtzeitig zu erfassen. In mehreren internationalen Studien zeigt sich, dass die 15 Items der Skala sehr gute Indikatoren dafür sind, ob ein Mensch unter Schmerzen leidet.
Non-Binarität – Behandlung aus psychotherapeutischer Perspektive: Ein Kommentar zur neuen S3-Leitlinie
Authors: Löwenberg Hagen
Published: June 2020

Non-binäre Behandlungssuchende sind in der neuen S3-Leitlinie genau wie in den neuen Diagnosemanualen (DSM-5, ICD-11) ausdrücklich inkludiert. Damit stehen ihnen alle in der S3-Leitlinie angeführten Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bei Geschlechtsinkongruenz bzw. Geschlechtsdysphorie zur Verfügung. Gleichwohl sind einige Besonderheiten zu beachten. Non-Binarität begegnet uns in der psychotherapeutischen Praxis in Erscheinungsformen, die von nicht geschlechterrollenkonformem Erleben in unterschiedlichen Lebensbereichen bis zu expliziter Identifizierung als non-binär reichen. Typische Probleme bei Non-Binarität sind Unsichtbarkeit, Vulnerabilität und Diskriminierung. In der Gesundheitsversorgung begegnen non-binäre Behandlungssuchende besonderen Schwierigkeiten. Die Anerkennung der geschlechtlichen Identifizierung und die Würdigung des persönlichen Leids sind bei der psychotherapeutischen Unterstützung und Vorbereitung auf körpermodifizierende Maßnahmen von großer Bedeutung. Es wird für selbstbestimmte, individuelle Lösungen nach gemeinsamer Exploration der zur Verfügung stehenden Möglichkeiten plädiert. Dabei können im Einzelfall neben den in der Leitlinie aufgeführten evidenzbasierten Maßnahmen auch experimentelle Körpermodifikationen eine Berechtigung haben.
Rechtliche Bedeutung der S3-Leitlinie für Trans*Personen: Erfahrungen aus der Praxis einer Beratungsstelle
Authors: Neander Klaus-Dieter
Published: June 2020

Der Beitrag greift die Erwartungen der Trans*Personen an die neue S3-Leitlinie auf. Die Trans*Personen scheitern bei Kostenübernahmeanträgen bei den Krankenkassen häufig daran, dass die Krankenkassen eigene Begutachtungsregeln aufgestellt haben, die in vielen Entscheidungspunkten von denen abweichen, die von der Trans*Community akzeptiert werden. Mit der Veröffentlichung der S3-Leitlinie verbinden die Betroffenen die Hoffnung, dass die Leitlinie verbindlich regelt, wann die Kostenträger bestimmte Leistungen übernehmen müssen. Die Prüfung der juristischen und standesrechtlichen Regelungen für Ärzt_innen ergibt allerdings, dass Leitlinien reinen Empfehlungscharakter haben. Eine Verpflichtung zur Kostenübernahme lässt die Leitlinie nicht zu.
Reconstruction of Large Bone Defects and Complex Non-Unions Using a Free Fibular Bone Graft and a Supplementary Allograft
Authors: Gaida Selina , Schweigkofler Uwe , Moll Wibke , Sauerbier Michael , Hoffmann Reinhard
Published: June 2020

Large bone defects or complex pseudarthrosis represent an interdisciplinary challenge. Established surgical procedures include autogenous cancellous bone graft, the Masquelet technique or bone transfer via segment transport as well as free microvascular bone transplantation. However, the successful use of all these techniques requires a specialized center with great interdisciplinary expertise. In the following case series we describe the technique of free fibula transplantation and additional allograft. In both cases a good functional result with full mechanical strength of the affected extremity and satisfactory patient comfort has been achieved. In the second case, implant failure with the necessity of revision endoprosthetics occurred during the procedure.
Und es hat Zoom gemacht – Onlineunterricht in der Ausbildung
Authors: Willert Katharina
Published: June 2020

Wenn man kurz vor dem Examen in der Physiotherapie-Ausbildung steht und der Unterricht plötzlich per Video von zu Hause aus stattfindet, ist das eine besondere Herausforderung. Schülerin Katharina Willert beschreibt, wie sie nach anfänglichem Zweifel Gefallen an der Methode fand.
Epidemiological Features and Clinical Repercussions of Supernumerary Teeth in a Multicenter Study: A Review of 518 Patients with Hyperdontia in Spanish Population
Authors: Brinkmann Jorge Cortés-Bretón , Martínez-Rodríguez Natalia , Martín-Ares María , Sanz-Alonso Javier , Marino Juan Santos , Suárez García Maria Jesús , Dorado Cristina Barona , Martínez-González Jose María
Published: June 2020

Objectives The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of supernumerary teeth (ST) in a sector of the population of Madrid, as well as possible complications associated with the presence of these teeth.

Materials and Methods The study investigated patients (n = 28,114) who sought dental care at the Oral Surgery Service of three different centers between May 2005 and April 2018. Cases that did not present this numeric dental developmental variation were discarded, registering only those presenting ST.

Statistical Analysis Statistical analysis consisted of univariate analysis (mean, standard deviation, median, etc.), bivariate analysis applying the chi-squared test, whereby statistical significance was established with a confidence interval (CI) of 95% (p < 0.05), and multivariate analysis by means of classification and decision trees.

Results The study found ST in 518 patients, representing a prevalence of 1.84%. The 518 patients presented a total of 726 ST. Distomolars were the most common, representing 37.7% of the sample, followed by premolars (20.1%). About 70.5% of the sample were located in the maxilla and 78% of ST were impacted. Radiographs revealed that 39.7% of STs were associated with disorders. Supplementary morphology appeared in 52.1% of the sample.

Conclusions Although mesiodens is considered the most common ST, the present study found distomolars and supernumerary premolars to be the most frequently occurring. Pathology was associated with 39.7% of the ST sample. Early diagnosis allows optimal patient management and treatment planning, with intervention at an appropriate time to prevent complications in development and so reduce later treatment need.
A Multicenter Study of Tongue Lesions from Thailand
Authors: Dhanuthai Kittipong , Kintarak Sompid , Subarnbhesaj Ajiravudh , Chamusri Nutchapon
Published: June 2020

Objective Tongue lesions constitute a considerable proportion of the oral lesions. Previous studies on tongue lesions were based on clinical studies. There has been a scarcity of the studies which are based on histopathological examination. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, demographic, and pathologic features of tongue lesions from Thailand.

Materials and Methods Biopsy records of the participating institutions were reviewed for lesions on the tongue diagnosed during 1998 to 2017. Demographic data were collected from the biopsy records. Locations were arbitrarily classified as dorsal, lateral, and ventral surfaces, tip of the tongue, and the combination of sites. Lesions of the tongue were classified as reactive/inflammatory, developmental, immune-mediated, cystic, benign, premalignant, malignant, infectious, and miscellaneous categories.

Statistical Analysis Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20.0.

Results Of the 44,188 accessioned cases, 2,153 cases (4.87%) were diagnosed from the tongue. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 93 years with the mean ± standard deviation = 45.26 ± 20.48 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1.49:1. The majority of the tongue lesions were encountered at the lateral border of the tongue (47.66%). Most of the tongue lesions in the present study (53.74%) fell into the reactive/inflammatory category. Irritation fibroma was the most prevalent lesion (18.99%) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (16.91%), and mucus extravasation phenomenon (14.26%), respectively.

Conclusions This study offers new perspective into the study of tongue lesions apart from the clinically based studies. It also demonstrates the difference between the pediatric and the elderly patients. This study provides invaluable database for clinicians when formulating the clinical diagnosis of tongue lesions.
Metastatic Biphasic Primitive Tumor in the Mandible of a Child
Authors: Pinheiro Tiago Novaes , Leite Milena Gomes Melo , Bindá Fábio Arruda , Dutra André Luiz Tannus , Sarmento Naelka , Cabral Lioney Nobre , Consolaro Alberto , Bacchi Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2020

Pediatric mandibular tumors present an aggressive biological behavior and difficult diagnosis. A wide range of odontogenic and nonodontogenic tumors comprise the spectrum of these lesions. We report a case of a 1-year-old male child patient showing facial asymmetry symptomatic of an expansive lesion extending throughout the body and ramus of the left hemimandible with a diameter of 8 cm. The histopathological report suggested a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), recommending further immunohistochemical investigation of the ectomesenchymal or neuroectodermal origin of the tumor cells. The patient evolved with extensive bilateral pleural effusion followed by metastasis in the middle third of the right humerus, and died 2 months after the first biopsy procedure by acute renal failure with tubular necrosis, before a final inconclusive immunohistochemical report was reached. The lack of resources for less-favored regions of Brazil impairs rapid biomolecular examinations such as immunohistochemical resulting in delay of appropriate therapeutic procedures.
Higher Prevalence of Periodontitis and Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Barros Fabiana Cervo de , Sampaio Janaina Nunes , Figueredo Carlos Marcelo da Silva , Carneiro Sueli , Fischer Ricardo Guimarães
Published: June 2020

Objective The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and severity of periodontitis and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index in patients with psoriasis. As a secondary aim, verify if periodontitis was a risk indicator for psoriasis.

Materials and Methods A total of 69 patients diagnosed with psoriasis (48.7 ± 14.6 years) and 74 healthy controls (40.3 ± 12.9 years) participated in the study. Probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing, plaque index, and DMFT index were measured in all subjects. Periodontitis was defined as the presence of at least three interproximal sites with CAL ≥3 mm in different teeth and severe periodontitis should involve at least two interproximal sites in different teeth with CAL ≥5 mm.

Statistical Analysis The Mann–Whitney test was used to analyze the demographics and the clinical data. The significance level was 5%. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted, and the odds ratio were calculated to express the risk to develop psoriasis.

Results Patients with psoriasis had significantly more sites with CAL ≥3 mm (p < 0.03) and CAL ≥5 mm (p < 0.0001), less sites with plaque (p < 0.0001), fewer teeth (p < 0.0001), and a high DMFT index (p < 0.02) as compared with controls. Severe periodontitis was significantly more frequent (87.1% × 58.1%) and was a risk indicator for psoriasis after adjusting for sex, age, race, and smoking habits (odds ratio: 3.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–9.0, p < 0.003).

Conclusion Patients with psoriasis have higher prevalence of severe periodontitis and higher DMFT than control patients. Severe periodontitis may be a risk indicator for psoriasis.
Photoinduced phase separation in the lead halides is a polaronic
effect
Authors: Limmer David T. , Ginsberg Naomi S.
Published: June 2020

We present a perspective on recent observations of the photoinduced phase separation of halides in multi-component lead-halide perovskites. The spontaneous phase separation of an initial homogeneous solid solution under steady-state illumination conditions is found experimentally to be reversible, stochastic, weakly dependent on morphology, yet strongly dependent on composition and thermodynamic state. Regions enriched in a specific halide species that form upon phase separation are self-limiting in size, pinned to specific compositions, and grow in number in proportion to the steady-state carrier concentration until saturation. These empirical observations of robustness rule out explanations based on specific defect structures and point to the local modulation of an existing miscibility phase transition in the presence of excess charge carriers. A model for rationalizing existing observations based on the coupling between composition, strain, and charge density fluctuations through the formation of polarons is reviewed.
High performance solar-blind UV detector based on Hf0.38Sn0.62O2 epitaxial film
Authors: Cheng Yang , Li Mingkai , Wang Qile , Zhang Teng , Meng Dongxue , Lu Yinmei , He Yunbin
Published: June 2020

In this work, high-quality SnO2 and Hf0.38Sn0.62O2 thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire substrates by pulsed laser deposition for a comparative study. The optical and electrical tests show that Hf doping leads to significantly increased bandgap and resistivity of the HfSnO2 alloy as compared to SnO2. Then, SnO2- and Hf0.38Sn0.62O2-based UV detectors were fabricated and compared. The Hf0.38Sn0.62O2 film-based detector exhibits an excellent performance. Its dark current is as low as 0.2 pA under 20 V, and the rise/decay response time is as short as 69 ms/50 ms. The cut-off wavelength and the rejection ratio are 290 nm and 4100, respectively. Our work demonstrates that the Hf0.38Sn0.62O2 ternary alloy compound semiconductor has great potential for applications in solar-blind ultraviolet detections.
Stochastic thermodynamics of chemical reactions coupled to finite reservoirs: A case study for the Brusselator
Authors: Fritz Jonas H. , Nguyen Basile , Seifert Udo
Published: June 2020

Biomolecular processes are typically modeled using chemical reaction networks coupled to infinitely large chemical reservoirs. A difference in chemical potential between these reservoirs can drive the system into a non-equilibrium steady-state (NESS). In reality, these processes take place in finite systems containing a finite number of molecules. In such systems, a NESS can be reached with the help of an externally driven pump for which we introduce a simple model. The crucial parameters are the pumping rate and the finite size of the chemical reservoir. We apply this model to a simple biochemical oscillator, the Brusselator, and quantify the performance using the number of coherent oscillations. As a surprising result, we find that higher precision can be achieved with finite-size reservoirs even though the corresponding current fluctuations are larger than in the ideal infinite case.
Probing plasma-treated graphene using hyperspectral Raman
Authors: Robert Bigras G. , Vinchon P. , Allard C. , Glad X. , Martel R. , Stafford L.
Published: June 2020

Raman spectroscopy provides rich optical signals that can be used, after data analysis, to assess if a graphene layer is pristine, doped, damaged, functionalized, or stressed. The area being probed by a conventional Raman spectrometer is, however, limited to the size of the laser beam (∼1 µm); hence, detailed mapping of inhomogeneities in a graphene sample requires slow and sequential acquisition of a Raman spectrum at each pixel. Studies of physical and chemical processes on polycrystalline and heterogeneous graphene films require more advanced hyperspectral Raman capable of fast imaging at a high spatial resolution over hundreds of microns. Here, we compare the capacity of two different Raman imaging schemes (scanning and global) to probe graphene films modified by a low-pressure plasma treatment and present an analysis method providing assessments of the surface properties at local defects, grain boundaries, and other heterogeneities. By comparing statistically initial and plasma-treated regions of graphene, we highlight the presence of inhomogeneities after plasma treatment linked to the initial state of the graphene surface. These results provided statistical results on the correlation between the graphene initial state and the corresponding graphene–plasma interaction. This work further demonstrates the potential use of global hyperspectral Raman imaging with advanced Raman spectra analysis to study graphene physics and chemistry on a scale of hundreds of microns.
Ultrasonic measurement of lubricant film thickness distribution of journal bearing
Authors: Ouyang Wu , Zhou Zhenjiang , Jin Yong , Yan Xinping , Liu Yuanchang
Published: June 2020

Most film thickness measurement methods damage the working surface of a bearing and cannot measure the minimum film thickness, making it difficult to reveal the lubrication state and warn of wear. Two non-intrusive ultrasonic methods were proposed for measuring the film thickness distribution of the bearing, i.e., the full circumferential measurement and the prediction based on limited measuring points. The ultrasonic recognition model of film thickness was built. A film thickness measuring device and its calibration device were constructed. A calibration experiment in the range of 1–150 µm and a measurement experiment of the bearing’s film thickness distribution were carried out. The results showed that in the calibration range, the relative error of most recognition values was less than ±5%, and some are less than 3%. The identification accuracy of the spring model has a zoned phenomenon. The relative difference between the experimental and the simulated values of the film thickness was less than 8% under most working conditions. The predicted values of eccentricity, attitude angle, and minimum film thickness have a small difference from the simulated values, indicating that the accuracy of the measurement method is high.
Floquet spectrum for anisotropic and tilted Dirac materials under linearly polarized light at all field intensities
Authors: Sandoval-Santana J. C. , Ibarra-Sierra V. G. , Kunold A. , Naumis Gerardo G.
Published: June 2020

The Floquet spectrum in an anisotropic tilted Dirac semimetal modulated by linearly polarized light is addressed through the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for the two-dimensional Dirac Hamiltonian via the Floquet theorem. The time-dependent wave functions and the quasienergy spectrum of the two-dimensional Dirac Hamiltonian under the normal incidence of linearly polarized waves are obtained for an arbitrarily intense electromagnetic radiation. We applied a set of unitary transformations to reduce the Schrödinger equation to an ordinary second-order differential Hill equation with complex coefficients. Through the stability analysis of this differential equation, the weak and strong field regimes are clearly distinguished in the quasi-spectrum. In the weak electric field regime, above a certain threshold given by the field parameters, the spectrum mostly resembles that of free electrons in graphene. Below this threshold, in the strong electric field regime, the spectrum abruptly becomes highly anisotropic and a gap opens up. As an example, we apply the results to the particular case of borophene.
In situ investigation of interfacial properties of Sb2Se3 heterojunctions
Authors: Lu Shuaicheng , Ding Honghe , Hu Jun , Liu Yuhao , Zhu Junfa , Kondrotas Rokas , Chen Chao , Tang Jiang
Published: June 2020

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3), emerging as a promising photovoltaic material, has achieved over 9% efficiency within only 6 years. Various kinds of buffer materials are employed for Sb2Se3 solar cells to construct heterojunctions with distinctive device performance. Herein, we introduce in situ high resolution photoemission spectroscopy (HRPES) to investigate the interfacial properties between Sb2Se3 and three types of widely adopted buffer layers: CdS, ZnO, and TiO2. HRPES results and theoretical thermodynamic calculations reveal that in the initial stage, the deposited Sb2Se3 reacts with buffer materials in terms of activity in the following order: CdS ≥ ZnO > TiO2. Distinct transition layers are formed at CdS/Sb2Se3 and ZnO/Sb2Se3 interfaces, whereas it is nearly absent at TiO2/Sb2Se3. Our results suggest that the CdS/Sb2Se3 heterojunction shows spike-like conduction band offsets (CBOs), whereas ZnO/Sb2Se3 demonstrates a cliff-like CBO, and TiO2/Sb2Se3 is almost flat. The transition layers and band alignments at the interface could be the reasons for the stability and performance of Sb2Se3 photovoltaic devices with different buffer materials. Our investigation deepens the understanding of Sb2Se3 heterojunction formation and can benefit further development of Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells.
Design and stiffness modeling of a four-degree-of-freedom nanopositioning stage based on six-branched-chain compliant parallel mechanisms
Authors: Wang Ruizhou , Wu Heng , Wang Han , Zhang Xianmin
Published: June 2020

Multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) nanopositioning stages (NPSs) have rapidly growing applications in the spatial micro-/nano-machining and manipulation. Compliant parallel mechanisms (CPMs) demonstrate advantages to achieve a large output stiffness and high payload. A four-DOF NPS based on six-branched-chain CPMs is proposed in this paper. First, a mechanism design approach is introduced. One primary vertical DOF is generated using three parallel-kinematic lever amplifiers. A three-revolute-revolute-revolute mechanism acts as the kinematic configuration to produce three secondary planar DOFs. Three types of single-axis and one type of double-axis notch flexure hinges (NFHs) are employed to realize the nanoscale displacement/movement guiding, transferring, and decoupling. Second, a stiffness modeling approach is derived. Combined with exact compliance matrices of 54 NFHs and 95 flexible beams, a four-DOF high-efficiency stiffness model of the six-branched-chain CPM is built. The calculation procedure of the whole input/output stiffnesses and coupling ratios takes 12.06 ms. Simulation and prototype test results validate the calculation accuracy. For example, the maximum calculation deviation of input stiffnesses is verified to be 4.52% and 8.18%, respectively. The two proposed approaches contribute to the statics parameter optimization of spatial multi-DOF NPSs.
Quantum phase transition of two-level atoms interacting with a finite radiation field
Authors: Quezada L. F. , Martín-Ruiz A. , Frank A.
Published: June 2020

We introduce a group-theoretical extension of the Dicke model, which describes an ensemble of two-level atoms interacting with a finite radiation field. The latter is described by a spin model whose main feature is that it possesses a maximum number of excitations. The approach adopted here leads to a nonlinear extension of the Dicke model that takes into account both the intensity dependent coupling between the atoms and the radiation field and an additional nonlinear Kerr-like or Pösch–Teller-like oscillator term, depending on the degree of nonlinearity. We use the energy surface minimization method to demonstrate that the extended Dicke model exhibits a quantum phase transition, and we analyze its dependence upon the maximum number of excitations of the model. Our analysis is carried out via three methods: through mean-field analysis (i.e., by using the tensor product of coherent states), by using parity-preserving symmetry-adapted states (using the critical values obtained in the mean-field analysis and numerically minimizing the energy surface), and by means of the exact quantum solution (i.e., by numerically diagonalizing the Hamiltonian). Possible connections with the qp-deformed algebras are also discussed.
Descriptors representing two- and three-body atomic distributions and their effects on the accuracy of machine-learned inter-atomic potentials
Authors: Jinnouchi Ryosuke , Karsai Ferenc , Verdi Carla , Asahi Ryoji , Kresse Georg
Published: June 2020

When determining machine-learning models for inter-atomic potentials, the potential energy surface is often described as a non-linear function of descriptors representing two- and three-body atomic distribution functions. It is not obvious how the choice of the descriptors affects the efficiency of the training and the accuracy of the final machine-learned model. In this work, we formulate an efficient method to calculate descriptors that can separately represent two- and three-body atomic distribution functions, and we examine the effects of including only two- or three-body descriptors, as well as including both, in the regression model. Our study indicates that non-linear mixing of two- and three-body descriptors is essential for an efficient training and a high accuracy of the final machine-learned model. The efficiency can be further improved by weighting the two-body descriptors more strongly. We furthermore examine a sparsification of the three-body descriptors. The three-body descriptors usually provide redundant representations of the atomistic structure, and the number of descriptors can be significantly reduced without loss of accuracy by applying an automatic sparsification using a principal component analysis. Visualization of the reduced descriptors using three-body distribution functions in real-space indicates that the sparsification automatically removes the components that are less significant for describing the distribution function.
Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of threshold displacement energies and defect formation energies in Y4Zr3O12
Authors: Mohan Sruthi , Kaur Gurpreet , David C. , Panigrahi B. K. , Amarendra G.
Published: June 2020

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations using Vienna ab initio simulation package were employed to calculate the threshold displacement energies and defect formation energies of Y4Zr3O12 in the δ-phase, which is the most commonly found phase in newly developed Zr- and Al-containing oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels. The threshold displacement energy (Ed) values are determined to be 28 eV for the Zr3a primary knock-on atoms along the [111] direction, 40 eV for the Zr18f atoms along the [111] direction, and 50 eV for the Y recoils along the [110] direction. The minimum Ed values for O and O′ atoms are 13 eV and 16 eV, respectively. The displacement energies of anions are much smaller compared to those of cations, thus suggesting that an anion disorder is more probable than a cation disorder. All directions except the direction in which the inherent structural vacancies are aligned, the cations tend to occupy another cation site. The threshold displacement energies are larger than that of Y2Ti2O7, the conventional precipitates in Ti-containing ODS steels. Due to the partial occupancy of Y and Zr in the 18f position, the antisite formation energy is negligibly small and it may help the structure to withstand more disorder upon irradiation. These results convey that Zr/Al ODS alloys, which have better corrosion resistance properties compared to the conventional Ti-ODS alloys, may also possess superior radiation resistance.
Separation of chemically modified carbon nanotubes by surfactant free microbubble generation
Authors: Lee Hsin-Chieh , Ciou Yu-Ting , Jiang Hong-Ren
Published: June 2020

Bubble separation is a widely used and effective method for separating solids from liquids. In this study, we propose a method to generate roughly ∼104 microbubbles/μl in an ethanol–water solution (surfactant-free) by subjecting the container of the solution to impact. Hydrophobic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hydrophilic carboxylated CNTs can be rapidly separated by the process of attachment of CNTs to rising microbubbles. More than 90% of hydrophobic CNTs can be collected on the top layer of the solution by microbubbles generated in the ethanol solution. The proposed mechanism of bubble enhancement material separation in ethanol solution is because of the effect of hydrophobic surfaces of surfactant-free microbubbles, while normal microbubbles in a surfactant solution have hydrophilic surfaces. CNTs can be separated from the solution by microbubbles with hydrophobic surfaces. The results show that the use of surfactant-free microbubbles can achieve high efficiency of recovery of CNTs in a short time, which provides a potential method for the separation of different materials based on their surface properties.