bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The study of METTL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Luo Qing , Rao Jiayue , Zhang Lu , Fu Biqi , Guo Yang , Huang Zikun , Li Junming
Published: June 2020

Background

This study was aimed to explore the mRNA expression of m6A “writers” (METTL3, MTEEL14, and WTAP), “erasers” (FTO and ALKBH5), and “readers” (YTHDF2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and investigate the relation between their expressions with clinical features.

Methods

In all, 54 SLE patients and 42 healthy controls (HC) were included in the current study. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to investigate the mRNA expression of m6A “writers,” “erasers,” and “readers” in PBMCs from SLE patients and HC.

Results

Decreased mRNA expression of MTEEL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 was observed in SLE patients compared with those in HC (p < .001). The decreased mRNA expression of METTL14 was associated with white blood cell count (WBC) and monocyte count (M), this decreased mRNA expression of ALKBH5 was associated with C‐reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil percentage (N%), lymphocyte percentage (L%), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), complement 3 (C3), and fever, and the decreased mRNA expression of YTHDF2 was associated with L%, NLR, C3, and fever. In addition, there was a positive correlation between mRNA expression of METTL14, ALKBH5, and YTHDF2 in PBMCs from SLE patients. Importantly, logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased mRNA expression of YTHDF2 was a risk factor for SLE.

Conclusion

Taken all together, our findings suggested decreased YTHDF2 that was associated with disease activity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE, METTL14 and ALKBH5 may be concomitantly decreased.
Phase retrieval of finite Blaschke projection
Authors: Li Youfa , Zhou Chunxu
Published: June 2020

Phase retrieval by Fourier measurements is a classical application in coherent diffraction imaging, and the modified Blaschke products (MBPs) are the generalization of linear Fourier atoms. Motivated by this, we investigate the phase retrieval modeled as to reconstruct
by the intensity measurements
, where f lies in Hardy space
such that f(a0)=0,
and
are all the finite MBPs. We establish the condition on
such that
can be determined, up to a unimodular scalar, by the above measurements. A byproduct of our result is that the instantaneous frequency of the target can be exactly reconstructed by the above intensity measurements. Moreover, a recursive algorithm for the phase retrieval is established. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify our result.
Effect of reoxygenation on hypofractionated radiotherapy of prostate cancer
Authors: Kuperman V. Y. , Lubich L. M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To assess the role of reoxygenation of hypoxic tumor cells in hypofractionated radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Methods

The considered radiobiological model is based on the assumption of two populations (compartments) of cells: oxygenated (aerobic) cells and hypoxic cells. After each fraction of radiation, some of the hypoxic cells reoxygenate while a fraction of initially aerobic cells becomes hypoxic. The kinetics of this process between successive treatments is described by coupled, first‐order differential equations. To determine the effect of reoxygenation on cell kill in the treatment target, we utilize the linear‐quadratic (LQ) model assuming different radiosensitivities for the aerobic and hypoxic cells.

Results

Analytical solutions for the number of surviving malignant cells are obtained for special cases of slow and fast reoxygenation. The radiobiological effect of reoxygenation for different fractionation regimens is also evaluated numerically.

Conclusions

In this study, a radiobiological model for kinetics of reoxygenation in tumors is used to evaluate different fractionation schedules in radiotherapy of prostate cancer. The obtained results indicate that in the case of low alpha/beta ratio for malignant cells (e.g.,  = 1.5 Gy), treatment schedule with 4–10 fractions and dose per fraction >4–5 Gy can result in increased cell kill in the treatment target at the same level of rectal toxicity as compared to conventional fractionation. The findings of this study also suggest that radiotherapy of the prostate with 1–3 fractions can be radiobiologically inferior to treatments with greater number of fractions.
Clinical evaluation of three respiratory gating schemes for different respiratory patterns on cardiac SPECT
Authors: Zhang Duo , Sun Jingzhang , Pretorius P. Hendrik , King Michael , Mok Greta S. P.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Respiratory gating reduces respiratory blur in cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). It can be implemented as three gating schemes: (a) equal amplitude‐based gating (AG); (b) phase or time‐based gating (TG); or (c) equal count‐based gating (CG), that is, a variant of amplitude‐based method. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of these respiratory gating methods for patients with different respiratory patterns in myocardial perfusion SPECT.

Methods

We reviewed 1274 anonymized patient respiratory traces obtained via the Vicon motion‐tracking system during their 99mTc‐sestamibi SPECT scans and grouped them into four breathing categories: (a) regular respiration (RR); (b) periodic respiration (PR); (c) respiration with apnea (AR); and (d) unclassified respiration (UR). For each respiratory pattern, 15 patients were randomly selected and their list‐mode data were rebinned using the three gating schemes. A preliminary reconstruction was performed for each gate with the heart region segmented and registered to a reference gate to estimate the respiratory motion. A final reconstruction incorporating respiratory motion correction was done to get a final image set. The estimated respiratory motion, the full‐width‐at‐half‐maxima (FWHM) measured across the image intensity profile of the left ventricle wall, as well as the normalized standard deviation measured in a uniform cuboid region of the thorax were analyzed.

Results

There are 47.1%, 24.3%, 13.5%, and 15.1% RR, PR, AR, and UR patients, respectively, among the 1274 patients in this study. The differences among the three gating schemes in RR were smaller than other respiratory patterns. The AG and CG methods showed statistically larger motion estimation than TG particularly in the AR and PR patterns. Noise of AG varied more in different gates, especially for AR and UR patterns.

Conclusion

More than half of the patients reviewed exhibited nonregular breathing patterns. Amplitude‐based gating, that is, AG and CG, is a preferred gating method for such patterns and is a robust respiratory gating implementation method given the respiratory pattern of the patients is unknown before data acquisition. Phase gating is also a feasible option for regular respiratory pattern.
Thermal state estimation of fused deposition modeling in additive manufacturing processes using Kalman filters
Authors: Kim Youngkyu , Alcantara David , Zohdi Tarek I.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a data assimilation method using a linear Kalman filter is presented to monitor the thermal state of a part during a fused deposition modeling process. The system model is found by discretizing the heat equation with the finite difference method. Infrared (IR) camera measurements are then combined with the system model via a linear Kalman filter. As a result of the data assimilation, the accuracy of monitoring the thermal field is improved, which is important for the qualification of bonding strength between layers. Furthermore, using the linear Kalman filter can allow for closed‐loop monitoring system because an IR camera can be guided to a location where the uncertainty of estimation is high. The closed‐loop monitoring system will be employed as a feedback system for adaptive control of system parameters during printing processes for the improvement of part quality.
Comparison of spontaneous fetal loss rates between women with singleton and twin pregnancies after mid‐trimester amniocentesis ‐ A historical cohort study
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Liu Linhu , Xia Dan , He Fenghua , Wang Qiyi , Li Ting , Lai Yi , Liu Shanling , Zhang Zhu
Published: June 2020

Objective

To assess and compare fetal loss rates before 28 weeks of singleton and twin pregnancies after mid‐trimester amniocentesis.

Method

This historic cohort study included 13 773 women with singletons and 426 women with twins undergoing mid‐trimester amniocentesis from 1/2015 to 3/2017. Pregnancies resulting in termination or selective reduction before 28 weeks were excluded, as well as twin gestations undergoing single‐puncture amniocentesis. Fetal loss rates were compared between singleton and twins taking into account maternal characteristics, amniocentesis procedure, and fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

Results

The rates of fetal chromosomal abnormalities were similar in singleton and twin gestations (1.13% vs 0.70%, P = .253). No difference was found in maternal or fetal characteristics, or amniocentesis procedure between the two groups. The fetal loss rate was significantly higher in twin compared with singleton pregnancies (1.91% vs 0.24%, P < .001, RR = 8.25 [95% CI: 4.51 to 15.09]). The fetal loss rate between monochorionic twins and dichorionic twins was similar (1.80% vs 1.78%, P = 1.000).

Conclusions

Twin pregnancies have higher risk of fetal loss after mid‐trimester amniocentesis, which cannot be explained by differences in rates of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, maternal characteristic, or amniocentesis technique.
Kidney impairment in fetal growth restriction: three‐dimensional evaluation of volume and vascularization
Authors: Senra Janaína Campos , Yoshizaki Carlos Tadashi , Doro Giovana Farina , Ruano Rodrigo , Gibelli Maria Augusta Bento Cicaroni , Rodrigues Agatha Sacramento , Koch Vera Hermina Kalika , Krebs Vera Lúcia Jornada , Zugaib Marcelo , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira , Bernardes Lisandra Stein
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Renal development is impaired in fetal growth restriction (FGR). Renal size can be considered a surrogate of renal function in childhood, and could be impaired in that condition. Our aim was to evaluate the ratio of total renal volume, measured by three‐dimensional ultrasound, to estimated fetal weight (TRV/EFW) among fetuses with and without growth restriction. Furthermore, we correlated TRV/EFW with fetal Doppler velocimetry and renal vascularization indexes and evaluated the association of renal volume and vascular parameters with adverse neonatal events in growth‐restricted fetuses.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort, TRV and renal vascularization of growth‐restricted and normal fetuses were evaluated by three‐dimensional ultrasonography and VOCAL technique. Independent samples t‐tests and Mann‐Whitney test were used for comparisons between groups. Logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association between renal characteristics and adverse neonatal events.

Results

Seventy‐one growth‐restricted fetuses were compared to 194 controls. The TRV/EFW was lower in the growth‐restricted group (P < .001). In our sample, this ratio did not correlate with Doppler velocimetry parameters, renal vascular indexes or any adverse neonatal events.

Conclusion

The TRV/EFW ratio is decreased in FGR. Further studies are needed to investigate the association of this ratio with long‐term renal outcomes.
Problems in treatment and training of autistic children growing up in China: A follow‐up case report
Authors: Liu Fuquan , Liu Shijie , Chai Jiabao
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Currently, interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in China are mainly carried out by professionals in rehabilitation institutions and special schools. However, when autistic children are older, they do not receive effective training and treatment, and there is no specific place in society to accommodate autistic adults. Mental hospitals are usually their ultimate home.

Case presentation

We report a 22‐year‐old male with ASD. The manifestation and/or intervention from the age of 3 years to now were recorded. He has been hospitalized in the closed ward of a mental hospital since 2015.

Conclusion

This report typically present the current problems in treatment and training of autistic children growing up in China. Life‐long rehabilitation training is important for every patient with ASD. Relevant policies and resources in China should be optimized in terms of medical treatment and health care, education and training, social assistance, social security, labor employment, and social culture.
Prevention strategies of mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
Authors: Hu Yao , Yu Hui
Published: June 2020

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection caused by mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT, also known as vertical transmission) during the perinatal period is a major public health problem worldwide. Despite the availability of the combined active‐passive immunization with a hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin after birth, about 9% of newborns are still infected with HBV, especially those born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive mothers. Currently, the management of HBV infection during pregnancy remains controversial. This article briefly reviews the recent advances in the epidemiology of HBV, immunization against it, and management strategies in the third trimester.
Shade signals alter the expression of circadian clock genes in newly‐formed bioenergy sorghum internodes
Authors: Kebrom Tesfamichael H. , McKinley Brian A. , Mullet John E.
Published: June 2020

Stem internodes of bioenergy sorghum inbred R.07020 are longer at high plant density (shade) than at low plant density (control). Initially, the youngest newly‐formed subapical stem internodes of shade‐treated and control plants are comparable in length. However, full‐length internodes of shade‐treated plants are three times longer than the internodes of the control plants. To identify the early molecular events associated with internode elongation in response to shade, we analyzed the transcriptome of the newly‐formed internodes of shade‐treated and control plants sampled between 4 and 6 hr after the start of the light period (14 hr light/10 hr dark). Sorghum genes homologous to the Arabidopsis shade marker genes ATHB2 and PIL1 were not differentially expressed. The results indicate that shade signals promote internode elongation indirectly because sorghum internodes are not illuminated and grow while enclosed with leaf sheaths. Sorghum genes homologous to the Arabidopsis morning‐phased circadian clock genes LHY, RVE, and LNK were downregulated and evening‐phased genes such as TOC1, PRR5, and GI were upregulated in young internodes in response to shade. We hypothesize that a change in the function or patterns of expression of the circadian clock genes is the earliest molecular event associated with internode elongation in response to shade in bioenergy sorghum. Increased expression of CycD1, which promotes cell division, and decreased expression of cell wall‐loosening and MBF1‐like genes, which promote cell expansion, suggest that shade signals promote internode elongation in bioenergy sorghum in part through increasing cell number by delaying transition from cell division to cell expansion.
Assessment of insecticidal effects and selectivity of CAPA‐PK peptide analogues against the peach‐potato aphid and four beneficial insects following topical exposure
Authors: Gui Shun‐Hua , Taning Clauvis NT , De Schutter Kristof , Yang Qun , Chen Pengyu , Hamshou Mohamad , Nachman Ronald J , Pandit Aniruddha A , Dow Julian AT , Davies Shireen , Smagghe Guy
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Insect Capability neuropeptides (CAP2b/CAPA‐PKs) play a critical role in modulating different physiologies and behavior in insects. In a previous proof‐of‐concept study, the CAP2b analogues 1895 (2Abf‐Suc‐FGPRLamide) and 2129 (2Abf‐Suc‐ATPRIamide) were reported to reduce aphid fitness when administered by injection. In the current study, the insecticidal efficacy of 1895 and 2129 on the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae was analyzed by topical application, simulating a spray application scenario in the field. Additionally, the selectivity of the tested analogues was evaluated against a selection of beneficial insects, namely three natural enemies (Adalia bipunctata, Chrysoperla carnea and Nasonia vitripennis) and a pollinator (Bombus terrestris).

RESULTS

Within 3–5 days post topical exposure of aphids to 1895, higher mortality (33%) was observed, as was the case for the treatment with 2129 (17%) and the mixture of 1895 + 2129 (47%) compared to the control (3%). 1895 and the mix 1895 + 2129 showed the strongest and comparable insecticidal effects. Additionally, surviving aphids treated with 1895 showed a reduction in total lifetime reproduction (GRR) of 30%, 19% with 2129 and 39% with the mix 1895 + 2129. Of interest from a biosafety perspective is that by using the same delivery method and dose, no significant effects on survival, weight increase and food intake was observed for the representative natural enemies and the pollinator.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of exploiting CAP2b analogues such as 1895 (core structure FGPRL) as aphicides. Additionally, the CAP2b analogues used in this study were selective as they showed no effects when applied on four representative beneficial insects.
Position‐coded multivalent peptide–peptide interactions revealed by tryptophan‐scanning mutagenesis
Authors: Zou Yimin , Yu Lanlan , Fang Xiaocui , Zheng Yongfang , Yang Yanlian , Wang Chen
Published: June 2020

We demonstrate in this contribution the evidence that significant cooperative binding effect can be identified for the amino acid sites that are determinant to the binding characteristics in peptide–peptide interactions. The analysis of tryptophan‐scanning mutagenesis of the 14‐mer peptide consisting only of glycine provides a mapping of position‐dependent contributions to the binding energy. The pronounced tryptophan‐associated peptide–peptide interactions are originated from the indole moieties with the main chains of 14‐mer glycines containing N–H and CO moieties. Specifically, with the presence of two tryptophans as determinant amino acids, cooperative binding can be observed, which are dependent on relative positions of the two tryptophans with a “volcano”‐like characteristics. An optimal separation of 6–10 amino acids between two adjacent binding sites can be identified to achieve maximal binding interactions.
Observation and Optical Control of Saturable Excitonic Behaviors in Monolayer MoS2
Authors: Zhang Jie , Ding Lan , Zhou Shun , Xiao Yi Ming , Xu Wen
Published: June 2020

In photonics and condensed‐matter physics, optical control of many‐body phenomena is significant for fundamental studies and optoelectronic applications. Herein, pronounced saturable excitonic behaviors in the nontransient optical response of monolayer MoS2 pumped by continuous‐wave laser are observed. These behaviors include bleaching of the excitonic absorption and a blueshift of the exciton resonance at increasing power of pump light, which are attributed to the band‐filling nonlinearity of excitons and repulsion‐dominated interaction between them, respectively. Moreover, it is also shown that the substrate has a strong impact on these phenomena, which can be ascribed to the changes in the dielectric screening effect and the trion spectral weight. In nontransient regime, the results not only demonstrate the analogy between excitons and atoms with respect to photon–particle and interparticle interactions, but also show the optical control of this many‐body effect. These findings can also push forward the research of photonic devices based on 2D materials.
Extract of Schisandra chinensis fruit protects against metabolic dysfunction in high‐fat diet induced obese mice via FXR activation
Authors: Gu Ming , Song Haiyan , Li Yiping , Jiang Yuwei , Zhang Yali , Tang Zhipeng , Ji Guang , Huang Cheng
Published: June 2020

Schisandra chinensis fruit has been shown to restore carbohydrate‐ and lipid‐metabolic disorders and has anti‐hepatotoxicity and anti‐hepatitis activities. However, the molecular targets mediating the pharmacological properties of S. chinensis fruit have not been clarified. Here, we assayed the effects of S. chinensis fruit ethanol extract (SCE) on farnesoid X receptor (FXR) transactivity. The pharmacological effects of SCE (1 g/100 g diet) were assessed in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed C57BL/6 mice and ob/ob mice. The FXR and Fgf15 signalling pathways were evaluated by FXR silencing, ELISA, Western blot and RT‐PCR analyses. The results showed that SCE treatment increased FXR transcription activity and improved obesity, hypercholesteremia and fatty liver in HFD‐fed mice, while it had limited effects on ob/ob mice. Our study suggests that SCE treatment may improve HFD‐induced metabolic disorders through pharmacological activation of FXR/Fgf15 signalling, and such beneficial effects of SCE may require leptin participation.
Density functional theory study of CO2 capture and storage promotion using manipulation of graphyne by 3d and 4d transition metals
Authors: Darvishnejad Mohammad Hossein , Reisi‐Vanani Adel
Published: June 2020

In this work, the electronic and structural properties of 3d and 4d transition metal (TM)‐decorated graphyne (GY) (TM‐GY) toward CO2 adsorption were studied using the D3‐corrected density functional theory (DFT‐D3) method. Then, CO2 capture and storage (CCS) of the most stable structures were investigated. Results show that the most stable site for all TM decoration is the center of the 12‐membered ring with various distances from carbon plane, and GY decorated with Ni and Zn from 3d and Zr and Cd from 4d TMs are also the most and the least stable, energetically with Eb of −5.834, −0.467, −6.181, and −0.963 eV, respectively. Evaluation of the adsorption behavior of CO2 on TM‐GY reveals that the strongest adsorption energies belong to Cr and Mo‐GY (−1.502 and −1.117 eV, respectively), and for all 3d and 4d TMs, the horizontal direction of CO2 is more stable, energetically. Increasing CO2 molecules, step by step, on Cr and Mo‐GY shows that they can hold 13 and 18 CO2 molecules with average Eads of −0.374 and −0.330 eV/CO2 and corresponding CO2 storage capacities of 47.66 and 54.10 wt%, respectively. These findings show that Cr and Mo‐GY can be used in the future as suitable candidates for CCS applications.
Benchmarking of DFT methods using experimental free energies and volumes of activation for the cycloaddition of alkynes to cuboidal Mo3S4 clusters
Authors: Pedrajas Elena , Pino‐Chamorro José A. , Ferrer Montserrat , Fernández‐Trujillo M. Jesús , Llusar Rosa , Martínez Manuel , Basallote Manuel G. , Algarra Andrés G.
Published: June 2020

Here, the kinetics of the concerted [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between the [Mo3(μ3‐S)(μ‐S)3Cl3(dmen)3]+ (dmen = N,N′‐dimethyl‐ethylenediamine) ([1]+) cluster and various alkynes to form dithiolene derivatives is thoroughly studied, with measurements at different temperatures and pressures allowing the determination of the free energies and volumes of activation. These parameters, together with the available single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction structures, are used to test a number of commonly used density functional theory (DFT) methods from Jacob's ladder, as well as the effects associated with the size of the basis sets, the way in which solvent effects are taken into account, or the inclusion of dispersion effects. Overall, a protocol that leads to average deviations between experimental and computed ΔV‡ and ΔG‡ values similar to the uncertainty of the experimental measurements is obtained.
What happens when we treat the “Typhoid Mary” of COVID‐19
Authors: Ng Boon Hau , Nik Abeed Nik Nuratiqah , Abdul Hamid Mohamed Faisal , Soo Chun Ian , Low Hsueh Jing , Ban Yu‐Lin Andrea
Published: June 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020. We have since seen its fast spread worldwide. A likely contributing factor was the lack of symptoms of some of the carriers, making them unaware of their risk of spreading to other more vulnerable individuals. The other important finding has been the reported cases of infectivity despite lack of symptoms. We describe the SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia patterns in asymptomatic individuals. The common computed tomography (CT) thorax patterns found are peripheral ground‐glass opacification (GGO) with upper or lower lobe predominance. We believe screening for 2019‐novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) in high‐risk individuals may help identify the patients needing longer follow‐up.
Site percolation and isoperimetric inequalities for plane graphs
Authors: Haslegrave John , Panagiotis Christoforos
Published: June 2020

We use isoperimetric inequalities combined with a new technique to prove upper bounds for the site percolation threshold of plane graphs with given minimum degree conditions. In the process we prove tight new isoperimetric bounds for certain classes of hyperbolic graphs. This establishes the vertex isoperimetric constant for all triangular and square hyperbolic lattices, answering a question of Lyons and Peres. We prove that plane graphs of minimum degree at least 7 have site percolation threshold bounded away from 1/2, which was conjectured by Benjamini and Schramm, and make progress on a conjecture of Angel, Benjamini, and Horesh that the critical probability is at most 1/2 for plane triangulations of minimum degree 6. We prove additional bounds for stronger minimum degree conditions, and for graphs without triangular faces.
Alchemy‐Inspired Green Paper for Spontaneous Recovery of Noble Metals
Authors: Yao Yao , Lan Lingyi , Li Xunjia , Liu Xiaoxue , Ying Yibin , Ping Jianfeng
Published: June 2020

Recycling of noble metal from waste materials, namely from electronic wastes (e‐waste), spent catalyst, and industrial wastewater, is attracting growing attention due to the scarcity, economic importance, and criticality of those noble metals. Traditional techniques reported to date require toxic reagent and strict extraction conditions, which deeply hinders the development of precious metal recovery in complex environments. Here, an approach is proposed that uses flexible metallic transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) paper, which provides abundant active sites for spontaneous adsorption and reduction of noble metal ions, as an Alchemy‐inspired template to recover noble metal in an efficient and green way without the aid of reductant and heating. The metallic TMD (MoS2, WS2) paper is shown to rapidly extract five noble metal ions (Au, Pd, Pt, Ag, and Ru) from complex samples containing various interferents. This unique property endows the metallic TMD paper with gifted ability in extracting gold from e‐waste, and recovering platinum group metals (palladium and platinum) from spent catalysts, which provides a blueprint for the design of next‐generation green platforms for noble metal regeneration.
Self‐Assembled Biomimetic Capsules for Self‐Preservation
Authors: Zhang Lei , Tao Guo‐Hong , Xu Chun‐Mei , Zhang Guo‐Hao , He Ling
Published: June 2020

The inorganic semiconductor is an attractive material in sewage disposal and solar power generation. The main challenges associated with environment‐sensitive semiconductors are structural degradation and deactivation caused by the unfavorable environment. Here, inspired by the pomegranate, a self‐protection strategy based on the self‐assembly of silver chloride (AgCl) particles is reported. The distributed photosensitive AgCl particles can be encapsulated by themselves through mixing aqueous silver nitrate and protic ionic liquids (PILs). A probable assembling mechanism is proposed based on the electrostatic potential investigation of PILs cations. The AgCl particles inside the shell maintain their morphology and structure well after 6 months light‐treatment. Moreover, they exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity, same as newly prepared AgCl particles, for degradation of methyl orange (MO), neutral red (NR), bromocresol green (BG), rhodamine B (RhB), Congo red (CR), and crystal violet (CV).
Direct Synthesis of Ultrathin Pt Nanowire Arrays as Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Li Hongyan , Wu Xuesong , Tao Xiaolin , Lu Yan , Wang Yawen
Published: June 2020

High‐performance electrocatalysts are of critical importance for fuel cells. Morphological modulation of the catalyst materials is a rare but feasible strategy to improve their performance. In this work, Pt nanowire arrays are directly synthesized with a template‐less wet chemical method. The effects of surface functionalization and the reduction kinetics are revealed to be vital to the nanowire growth. The growth mechanism of the Pt nanowires is studied. By adjusting the concentration of the organic ligands, Pt nanowire arrays with tunable surface roughness can be obtained on various substrate surfaces. Such arrays avoid the contact resistance of randomly packed particles and allow open diffusion channels for reactants and products alike, making them excellent electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. In particular, Pt nanowire arrays with rough surface have a mass activity of 1.24 A mgPt−1 at 1.12 V (vs Ag/AgCl), 3.18‐fold higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. It also shows more resistant against poisoning, as indicated by the higher If/Ib ratio (2.06), in comparison to the Pt/C catalysts (1.30).
Microservice transition and its granularity problem: A systematic mapping study
Authors: Hassan Sara , Bahsoon Rami , Kazman Rick
Published: June 2020

Microservices have gained wide recognition and acceptance in software industries as an emerging architectural style for autonomic, scalable, and more reliable computing. The transition to microservices has been highly motivated by the need for better alignment of technical design decisions with improving value potentials of architectures. Despite microservices' popularity, research still lacks disciplined understanding of transition and consensus on the principles and activities underlying that transition. In this paper, we report on a systematic mapping study that consolidates various views, approaches and activities that commonly assist in the transition to microservices. The study aims to provide a better understanding of the transition; it also contributes a working definition of the transition and technical activities underlying it. We term the transition and technical activities leading to microservice architectures as microservitization. We then shed light on a fundamental problem of microservitization: microservice granularity and reasoning about its adaptation as first‐class entities. This study reviews state‐of‐the‐art and ‐practice related to reasoning about microservice granularity; it reviews modeling approaches, aspects considered, guidelines and processes used to reason about microservice granularity. This study identifies opportunities for future research and development related to reasoning about microservice granularity.
Technische Membranen in der Biogastechnik als Tragwerke und zur Gasspeicherung
Authors: Paproth Martin
Published: June 2020

In Biogasanlagen werden organische Stoffe unter Anwendung von Gärprozessen natürlichen Ursprungs abgebaut. Dabei entsteht als wesentliches Gärprodukt das Biogas, das aus Methan, Kohlendioxid und Spurengasen besteht. Für die energetische Nutzung des Biogases ist ein Ausgleich der unterschiedlichen zeitlichen Verläufe von Gaserzeugung und Gasverwertung erforderlich. Zu diesem Zweck werden nahezu drucklose, volumetrische Gasspeicher aus technischen Membranen verwendet. Als Membranmaterial kommen technische Textilien auf Polyesterbasis sowie Folienwerkstoffe aus PE, PP oder EPDM zur Anwendung. Die heute vorherrschenden Bauarten sind aus Konzepten entwickelt worden, die auf empirischer Grundlage in der Landwirtschaft entwickelt wurden. Daraus sind funktionale und formale Unvollkommenheiten tradiert worden, die unter heutigen Anforderungen nicht mehr akzeptabel sind. Der Bericht zeigt exemplarisch konzeptbedingte Schwächen auf und liefert damit Hinweise auf den anstehenden Entwicklungsbedarf unter Anwendung aktueller Regelwerke und funktionaler Anforderungen.
Der Traglastindex zur Bewertung struktureller Eigenschaften von Straßenbrücken
Authors: Marzahn Gero , Mertzsch Olaf , Kramer Lisa
Published: June 2020

Seit Jahrzehnten wird der Zustand von Brückenbauwerken auf der Grundlage der Zustandsnote als Ergebnis einer Bauwerksprüfung bewertet. Jedoch zeigen durchgeführte Nachrechnungen von Brückenbauwerken, dass strukturellen Defizite, z. B. geringe oder nicht ausreichende Tragkapazitäten, durch Zustandsnoten nicht oder nur unzureichend abgebildet werden, solange keine entsprechenden Schäden oder ungewöhnliches Verhalten erkennbar sind. So sind Beispiele bekannt, bei denen defizitäre Brücken ersetzt werden müssen, obwohl die Zustandsnote auf eine gute Erhaltung schließen lässt und umgekehrt. Zur besseren Erfassung und Bewertung der strukturellen Eigenschaften einer Brücke, also der tragfähigkeitsrelevanten Eigenschaften eines Tragwerks, wurde ein weiterer, neuer Kennwert entwickelt. Der Traglastindex erlaubt eine andere Sicht, weil er anhand verschiedener Kriterien vermutete Defizite unabhängig vom baulichen Zustand benennt, denen im Weiteren nachzugehen ist. Insofern beschreiben beide Kennwerte, sowohl die Zustandsnote als auch der Traglastindex, den Zustand und die Nutzungsfähigkeit eines Bauwerks mit unterschiedlicher Blickrichtung und erlauben somit eine Vervollständigung des Gesamtbilds vom Bauwerk.
Three‐dimensional coupled wind‐induced vibration calculation method for super high‐rise buildings based on high‐frequency force balance technology
Authors: Zhang Lele , Wang Yike , Xie Zhuangning
Published: June 2020

High‐frequency force balance test is a major technical means to evaluate the wind effect of super high‐rise buildings. Most super high‐rise buildings have the characteristic that the first two‐order modal frequencies are close, and thus, considerable modal coupling effects (MCEs) may occur under wind load. For a balance model system (BMS), MCEs increase the difficulty of correcting aerodynamic distortion signals. For the wind‐induced vibration analysis of a structural system (PSS), the calculation results of the wind‐induced response and the equivalent static wind load (ESWL) may be significantly affected without considering MCE. Based on the above‐mentioned signal distortion of BMS and the modal coupling problem of PSS, this study proposes a wind‐induced vibration calculation method for the two coupled systems (BMS and PSS). The method uses the second‐order blind identification technique based on complex modal theory and the Bayesian spectral density method considering full aerodynamic characteristics to achieve effective correction of the distortion signal in BMS. In addition, it deduces the calculation method of the wind‐induced response and ESWL considering the three‐dimensional coupled vibration of a super high‐rise building. The wind effect calculation results of a 528‐m super high‐rise building confirm the necessity and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Powdered rock versus solid rock comparisons in particle‐induced X‐ray emission measurements for planetary geochemical exploration
Authors: Flannigan Erin L. , Campbell John L. , Spray John G. , Thompson Lucy M.
Published: June 2020

Grain size is an important consideration in the determination of the bulk chemistry of Martian rocks and unconsolidated materials in situ by the alpha particle X‐ray spectrometer (APXS), deployed on the NASA‐led Mars Science Laboratory mission. We used 2.5 MeV protons to emulate the particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) branch (5 MeV alphas) of the APXS. Seven polished rock slabs (igneous and sedimentary), ranging from fine‐ to coarse‐grained, were analyzed by PIXE in their original form, then milled to powders and pressed into pellets for further analysis. The summed area (160 mm2) over 10 interrogated regions on each slab is comparable to the area interrogated on the APXS; analysis of two pellets per rock, each using a 16 mm2 region, was found to be appropriate. The mean pellet/slab concentration ratio for Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and Fe was close to 1.0 for fine‐grained samples, but changed by ±10% for the coarser cases. The variability among PIXE concentration values across the 10 rock regions increased monotonically with coarseness in the rock slabs. Comparison of overall PIXE concentrations with values measured by borate‐fusion WDXRF provides further quantitative support to the direct comparison of pellet and slab PIXE concentrations. This work affirms the use of the APXS on fine‐grained Martian materials but recommends larger interrogation areas (including rastering) when analyzing coarser‐grained materials. It also demonstrates that the presence of relatively large mineral grains (phenocrysts) or rock/mineral fragments within fine‐grained materials can contribute to greater error for specific elements associated with those phenocrysts/fragments.
ADHS im Übergang in das Erwachsenenalter: Prävalenz, Symptomatik, Risiken und Versorgung
Authors: Philipsen Alexandra , Döpfner Manfred
Published: June 2020

Entgegen früherer Annahmen besteht die neuronale Entwicklungsstörung ADHS bei einem Großteil der Betroffenen im Erwachsenenalter fort. Die Symptome persistieren zumindest teilweise bei etwa 50–80 %. Dabei stellt die Erkrankung einen relevanten Risikofaktor für weitere psychische Störungen, somatische Erkrankungen und psychosoziale Einschränkungen dar.

In diesem narrativen Übersichtsartikel werden die mit dem Übergang in das Erwachsenenalter einhergehenden Risiken, Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und Anforderungen an die Versorgung aufgezeigt. Dazu wurden verfügbare Daten zur Transition in die Erwachsenenmedizin und aktuelle Leitlinien gesichtet sowie Hinweise auf Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten bei der Versorgung von Adoleszenten mit ADHS geprüft.

Epidemiologische und Versorgungsdaten weisen auf eine Versorgungslücke von Adoleszenten mit ADHS in der sensiblen Phase der Transition vom Jugend- ins Erwachsenenalter hin. Spezifische Transitionskonzepte sollten ausgebaut und wissenschaftlich auf ihre Wirksamkeit hin untersucht werden.
Stabilitätsgefährdende Osteolyse der Tibia durch einen intraossären tenosynovialen Riesenzelltumor
Authors: Klingebiel Sebastian , Mühl Sebastian , Gosheger Georg , Hartmann Wolfgang , Schneider Kristian Nikolaus , Budny Tymoteusz Borys , Rickert Carolin , Schorn Dominik , Deventer Niklas , Lübben Timo
Published: June 2020

Der tenosynoviale Riesenzelltumor (TSGCT) ist eine seltene gutartige Erkrankung von Gelenkschleimhäuten, Sehnenscheiden und Schleimbeuteln. Wir berichten über die ungewöhnliche Konstellation einer intraossären Manifestation der proximalen Tibia eines Unterschenkelstumpfes nach Burgess-Amputation infolge eines lokal nicht beherrschbaren tenosynovialen Riesenzelltumors des oberen Sprunggelenkes. Die Kürettage des Lokalbefundes und die operative Stabilisierung durch eine intramedulläre Verbundosteosynthese führten zu einer frühzeitigen Rehabilitation der Exoprothesenversorgung mit Wiedererlangung der Patientenautonomie.
A diagrammatic approach to the AJ Conjecture
Authors: Detcherry Renaud , Garoufalidis Stavros
Published: June 2020

The AJ Conjecture relates a quantum invariant, a minimal order recursion for the colored Jones polynomial of a knot (known as the $$\hat{A}$$

A
^

polynomial), with a classical invariant, namely the defining polynomial A of the $${\mathrm {PSL}_2(\mathbb {C})}$$

PSL
2

(
C
)

character variety of a knot. More precisely, the AJ Conjecture asserts that the set of irreducible factors of the $$\hat{A}$$

A
^

-polynomial (after we set $$q=1$$

q
=
1

, and excluding those of L-degree zero) coincides with those of the A-polynomial. In this paper, we introduce a version of the $$\hat{A}$$

A
^

-polynomial that depends on a planar diagram of a knot (that conjecturally agrees with the $$\hat{A}$$

A
^

-polynomial) and we prove that it satisfies one direction of the AJ Conjecture. Our proof uses the octahedral decomposition of a knot complement obtained from a planar projection of a knot, the R-matrix state sum formula for the colored Jones polynomial, and its certificate.
Impact of changes in body mass index after percutaneous coronary intervention on long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Yui Hisanori , Ebisawa Soichiro , Miura Takashi , Nakamura Chie , Maruyama Shusaku , Kashiwagi Daisuke , Nagae Ayumu , Sakai Takahiro , Kato Tamon , Saigusa Tatsuya , Okada Ayako , Motoki Hirohiko , Kuwahara Koichiro
Published: June 2020

Little is known about the impact of changes in body mass index (BMI) after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, this study aimed to clarify this issue. We investigated data on CAD obtained from the SHINANO Registry, a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study, from 2012 to 2013 in Nagano, Japan. One year after PCI, the enrolled patients were divided into the following three groups based on changes in BMI by tertiles: reduced, maintained, and elevated BMI. The associations among the groups and the 4-year outcomes [major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), all-cause death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, and stroke] were examined. Five hundred seventy-two patients were divided into the reduced, maintained, and elevated BMI groups. Over the 4-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidence of MACEs was 10.5% (60 cases). In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the incidence rates of MACE were significantly higher in the reduced BMI group than in the maintained and elevated BMI groups [17.7% versus (vs.) 7.3% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.004]. Multivariable cox regression analysis showed that the reduced group showed increased risks of MACEs (hazard ratio 2.15; 95% confidence interval 1.29–3.57; p = 0.003). The long-term clinical outcomes of patients with CAD who underwent PCI were affected by the reduction in BMI after PCI. Furthermore, the elevation of BMI after PCI was not a poor prognostic factor.
A theory-based intervention to promote medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Asgari Shahnaz , Abbasi Mahnaz , Hamilton Kyra , Chen Yu-Pin , Griffiths Mark D. , Lin Chung-Ying , Pakpour Amir H.
Published: June 2020

Introduction/objectives

Adherence to prescribed medication regimens is fundamental to the improvement and maintenance of the health of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is therefore important that interventions are developed to address this important health behavior issue. The aim of the present study was to design and evaluate a theory-based intervention to improve the medication adherence (primary outcome) among rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Methods

The study adopted a pre-registered randomized controlled trial design. Rheumatoid arthritis patients were recruited from two University teaching hospitals in Qazvin, Iran from June 2018 to May 2019 and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 100) or a treatment-as-usual group (n = 100). The intervention group received a theory-based intervention designed based on the theoretical underpinnings of the health action process approach (HAPA). More specifically, action planning (making detailed plans to follow medication regimen), coping planning (constructing plans to overcome potential obstacles that may arise in medication adherence), and self-monitoring (using a calendar to record medication adherence) of the HAPA has been used for the treatment. The treatment-as-usual group received standard care.

Results

Data analysis was conducted based on the principle of intention to treat. Using a linear mixed-effects model (adjusted for age, sex, medication prescribed, and body mass index), the results showed improved medication adherence scores in the intervention group (loss to follow-up = 16) compared to the treatment-as-usual group (loss to follow-up = 12) at the 3-month (coefficient = 3.9; SE = 0.8) and 6-month (coefficient = 4.5; SE = 0.8) follow-up. Intervention effects on medication adherence scores were found to be mediated by some of the theory-based HAPA variables that guided the study.

Conclusion

The results of the present study support the use of a theory-based intervention for improving medication adherence among rheumatoid arthritis patients, a group at-risk of not adhering to medication regimens.

Trial registration (in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials)

irct.ir, IRCT20180108038271N1

Key Points• Theoretical underpinnings of the health action process approach are useful to improve medication adherence for RA patients.
Additional kernel observer: privilege escalation attack prevention mechanism focusing on system call privilege changes
Authors: Yamauchi Toshihiro , Akao Yohei , Yoshitani Ryota , Nakamura Yuichi , Hashimoto Masaki
Published: June 2020

Cyberattacks, especially attacks that exploit operating system vulnerabilities, have been increasing in recent years. In particular, if administrator privileges are acquired by an attacker through a privilege escalation attack, the attacker can operate the entire system and cause serious damage. In this paper, we propose an additional kernel observer (AKO) that prevents privilege escalation attacks that exploit operating system vulnerabilities. We focus on the fact that a process privilege can be changed only by specific system calls. AKO monitors privilege information changes during system call processing. If AKO detects a privilege change after system call processing, whereby the invoked system call does not originally change the process privilege, AKO regards the change as a privilege escalation attack and applies countermeasures against it. AKO can therefore prevent privilege escalation attacks. Introducing the proposed method in advance can prevent this type of attack by changing any process privilege that was not originally changed in a system call, regardless of the vulnerability type. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of AKO for Linux x86 64-bit. Moreover, we show that AKO can be expanded to prevent the falsification of various data in the kernel space. Then, we present an expansion example that prevents the invalidation of Security-Enhanced Linux. Finally, our evaluation results show that AKO is effective against privilege escalation attacks, while maintaining low overhead.
Regio-specific biotransformation of alizarin to alizarin methoxide with enhanced cytotoxicity against proliferative cells
Authors: Nguyen Trang Thi Huyen , Han Jang Mi , Jung Hye Jin , Pandey Ramesh Prasad , Park Yong Il , Sohng Jae Kyung
Published: June 2020

Alizarin has been reported to have an antigenotoxic activity along with an inhibitory effect on the tumor cell growth of human colon carcinoma cells. Alizarin was biotransformed into an O-methoxide derivative using O-methyltransferase from Streptomyces avermitilis MA4680 (SaOMT2) to enhance its bioefficacy. The biotransformed product was extracted, purified, and characterized using various chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses, and confirmed to be an alizarin 2-O-methoxide. The antiproliferative activity of the compound against gastric cancer cells (AGS), uterine cervical cancer (Hela), liver cancer (HepG2), and normal cell lines was investigated. Alizarin 2-O-methoxide showed an inhibitory effect on all three cancer-cell lines at very low concentrations, from 0.078 µM, with no cytotoxicity against 267B1 (human prostate epithelial) and MRC-5 (normal human fetal lung fibroblast).