bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of skimmed milk and vegetable powders on shelf stability of millet‐based composite flour
Authors: Tumwine Gerald , Atukwase Abel , Tumuhimbise Gaston A , Tucungwirwe Francis , Linnemann Anita
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Millet porridge is a major complementary food used in Uganda but it is limited in protein and micronutrients such as zinc and beta‐carotene. Addition of milk and vegetable powders are known to greatly improve the nutrient content of millet flour. However, there was limited information on the shelf stability of the resultant composite flour. This study aimed at assessing the effect of milk and vegetable powders on the shelf stability of millet‐based composite flour.

RESULTS

There was a general increase in the moisture content, peroxide value (PV), free fatty acids (FFA), thiobaturic acid (TBA) and total plate count (TPC) of both composite and millet flours over the eight weeks storage period. However, higher moisture content, PV, FFA, TBA and TPC values were recorded in the composite flour compared to millet flour (control) at each sampling interval. Sensory evaluation results revealed that panelists preferred porridges prepared from millet only compared to those from composite flour. The degree of liking of porridges from both composite and millet flours generally decreased over the storage period. However, both porridges were deemed as acceptable by the end of the storage period. The TPC also remained below 105 cfu g−1 which is the maximum limit recommended by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

CONCLUSION

The study findings indicated that the addition of milk and vegetable powders negatively affected the stability of the composite flour. We recommend further studies to stabilize the product during storage. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Multioutputs single‐stage gate driver on array with wide temperature operable thin‐film‐transistor liquid‐crystal display for high resolution application
Authors: Liu Po‐Tsun , Zheng Guang‐Ting , Lin Yi‐Chen
Published: November 2018

A hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film transistor (TFT) gate driver with multioutputs (eight outputs per stage) for high reliability, 10.7‐inch automotive display has been proposed. The driver circuit is composed of one SR controller, eight driving TFTs (one stage to eight outputs) with bridging TFTs. The SR controller, which starts up the driving TFTs, could also prevent the noise of gate line for nonworking period. The bridging TFT, using width decreasing which connects between the SR controller and the driving TFT, could produce the floating state which is beneficial to couple the gate voltage, improves the driving ability of output, and reaches consistent rising time in high temperature and low temperature environment. Moreover, 8‐phase clocks with 75% overlapping and dual‐side driving scheme are also used in the circuit design to ensure enough charging time and reduce the loading of each gate line. According to lifetime test results, the proposed gate driver of 720 stages pass the extreme temperature range test (90°C and −40°C) for simulation, and operates stably over 800 hours at 90°C for measurement. Besides, this design is successfully demonstrated in a 10.7‐inch full HD (1080 × RGB×1920) TFT‐liquid‐crystal display (LCD) panel.
Counter‐current chromatography melamine‐modified column and its separation mechanism
Authors: Quan Kai‐Jun , Huang Xin‐Yi , Gong Yuan , Pei Dong , Duan Wen‐Da , Di Duo‐Long
Published: November 2018

In this work, to further verify and develop the novel counter‐current chromatography modified column separate mode, a melamine modified counter‐current chromatography column was prepared. Meanwhile, the modified counter‐current chromatography column was used to separate stevioside and rebaudioside A with the same partition coefficient in chosen solvent system to evaluate its separation efficiency. The results show that because of the presence of intermolecular forces between melamine and model compounds, better separation could be achieved on the modified column while it's almost impossible to be separated on the unmodified column. So the results of this research further show that column modified method is a possible approach to further increase the separation ability of counter‐current chromatography. Take advantage of large sample handing capacity of counter‐current chromatography, the mothed may have great potential to be an efficient method of separation and preparation enantiomer compounds.
Study on the metabolites of betulinic acid in vivo and in vitro by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Wen‐dan , Jin Miao‐miao , Jiang Hong‐hong , Yang Jian‐xi , Wang Qiao , Du Ying‐feng , Cao Liang , Xu Hui‐jun
Published: November 2018

Betulinic acid is a triterpenoid organic acid with remarkable antitumor properties and is naturally present in many fruits, condiments and traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, a strategy was developed for the identification of metabolites following the in vivo and in vitro biotransformation of Betulinic acid with rat intestinal bacteria utilizing ultra high performance liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry with polymeric solid‐phase extraction. As a result, 46 metabolites were structurally characterized. The results demonstrated that Betulinic acid is universally metabolized in vivo and in vitro, and Betulinic acid could undergo general metabolic reactions, including oxidation, methylation, desaturation, loss of O and loss of CH2. Additionally, the main metabolic pathways in vivo and in vitro were determined by calculating the relative content of each metabolite. This is the first study of Betulinic acid metabolism in vivo, whose results provide novel and useful data for better understanding of the safety and efficacy of Betulinic acid.
Enhanced Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound Applications by Integrating Automated Feature‐Learning Systems Using Deep Learning
Authors: Shokoohi Hamid , LeSaux Maxine A. , Roohani Yusuf H. , Liteplo Andrew , Huang Calvin , Blaivas Michael
Published: November 2018

Recent applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) in health care include enhanced diagnostic imaging modalities to support clinical decisions and improve patients’ outcomes. Focused on using automated DL‐based systems to improve point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS), we look at DL‐based automation as a key field in expanding and improving POCUS applications in various clinical settings. A promising additional value would be the ability to automate training model selections for teaching POCUS to medical trainees and novice sonologists. The diversity of POCUS applications and ultrasound equipment, each requiring specialized AI models and domain expertise, limits the use of DL as a generic solution. In this article, we highlight the most advanced potential applications of AI in POCUS tailored to high‐yield models in automated image interpretations, with the premise of improving the accuracy and efficacy of POCUS scans.
Variable high‐pressure and concentration study of cyclohexane pyrolysis at high temperatures
Authors: Liszka Miroslaw Krzysztof , Brezinsky Kenneth
Published: November 2018

A high‐pressure and temperature cyclohexane pyrolysis shock tube study was completed with the goal of extending the experimental cyclohexane pyrolysis data to pressures relevant to current and future combustors and to investigate whether ring contraction products observed in high‐pressure, supercritical phase cyclohexane and cycloalkane pyrolysis experiments can form at matching, and higher, pressures in the gas phase. The experiments in the current work were completed over a range of 950–1650 K and at nominal pressures of 40, 100, and 200 bar. No alkylcyclopentanes, possible ring contraction products, were observed to form under the conditions of the current study. The production of methylenecyclopentane and 1,3‐cyclopentadiene, and the other three cyclic species quantified: cyclohexene, benzene, and toluene, increased significantly with a substantial increase in the initial fuel concentration. Two sets of experimental data obtained at 200 bar were compared with a literature and laboratory‐generated model. Both models had difficulty capturing the propadiene and propyne profiles, and the literature model significantly overestimated the benzene observed in the set of experiments completed with the more dilute fuel mixture. The literature model was able to better predict propadiene, propyne, and benzene product profiles in the 200 bar set of experiments, which used a higher concentration of fuel in the test gas. These results suggest that despite both cyclohexane and benzene being well‐studied and important species in combustion chemistry, their reaction pathways and reaction rates would benefit from further refinement.
Disentangling limnological processes in the time‐frequency domain
Authors: Schmidt Silke R. , Lischeid Gunnar , Hintze Thomas , Adrian Rita
Published: November 2018

State variables in lake ecosystems are subject to processes that act on different time scales. The relative importance of each of these processes changes over time, e.g., due to varying constraints of physical, biological, and biogeochemical processes. Correspondingly, continuous automatic measurements at high temporal resolution often reveal intriguing patterns that can rarely be directly ascribed to single processes. In light of the rather complex interplay of such processes, disentangling them requires more powerful methods than researchers have applied up to this point. For this reason, we tested the potential of wavelet coherence, based on the assumption that different processes result in correlations between different variables, on different time scales and during different time windows across the seasons. The approach was tested on a set of multivariate hourly data measured between the onset of an ice cover and a cyanobacterial summer bloom in the year 2009 in the Müggelsee, a polymictic eutrophic lake. We found that processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, the growth and decay of phytoplankton biomass, dynamics in the CO2‐carbonate system, wind‐induced resuspension of particles, and vertical mixing all occasionally served as dominant drivers of the variability in our data. We therefore conclude that high‐resolution data and a method capable of analyzing time series in both the time and the frequency domain can help to enhance our understanding of the time scales and processes responsible for the high variability in driver variables and response variables, which in turn can lay the ground for mechanistic analyses.
Consumer aliteracy
Authors: DelVecchio Devon S. , Jae Haeran , Ferguson Jodie L.
Published: November 2018

A large and growing segment of global society is comprised of capable but unwilling readers. Despite the proliferation of aliteracy and extant research on illiterate consumers, the topic of consumer aliteracy is unexplored. To address the issue, an eight‐item unidimensional measure of the construct is developed and validated. This consumer aliteracy scale captures reading attitudes and behaviors across a variety of written marketing materials. Results indicate that consumer aliteracy is predictive of how consumers approach written versus visual marketing information and the amount of time devoted to these information formats in a choice setting. Understanding the phenomenon of consumer aliteracy is essential for researchers studying consumer responses to a wide variety of written marketing materials. In addition, consideration of consumer aliteracy may help research that employs written marketing messages as stimuli to better detect other processing effects.
Robust real‐time inversion of electrical impedance tomography data for human lung ventilation monitoring
Authors: Salucci Marco , Oliveri Giacomo
Published: November 2018

This work presents an innovative strategy for the real‐time monitoring of the human lungs from electrical impedance tomography (EIT) data. The inverse problem at hand is solved within the learning‐by‐examples (LBE) framework by formulating the estimation of the lungs conductivity as a regression problem. Toward this end, the partial least squares (PLS) feature extraction technique is integrated within an adaptive sampling scheme to generate optimal (ie, highly‐informative and low cardinality) training sets for training a support vector regressor (SVR). Accurate predictions are then performed in the on‐line testing phase with remarkable robustness to the noise.
Quasi blind carrier phase estimation scheme for special‐shaped circular (7,1) modulation in high‐speed visible light communication
Authors: Liang Shangyu , Zhao Jiaqi , Zhou Yingjun , Zhang Mengjie , Chi Nan
Published: November 2018

A novel digital signal processing (DSP) scheme for special‐shaped circular (7,1) modulated signals based on quasi blind carrier phase estimation (QBCPE) is proposed. The results show that applying 0.33‰ overhead QBCPE provides similar performance as 3% training sequence data‐aided equalization of least mean square (LMS) algorithm.
Challenging Subjects: Towards Ethnographic Analyses of Animals
Authors: Coulter Kendra
Published: November 2018

This article is an exploration of and experiment in animal‐centric ethnographic research. I first delve into key conceptual, scholarly, and practical issues which extend from the growing interdisciplinary interest in human‐animal relations, and the anthropological emphasis on multispecies ethnography. I then offer experimental ethnographic data focused on horses in show jumping stables in Canada. I approach the horses as both biological and sociocultural beings who affect and are affected by their formal jobs as show jumping horses. Through the concept of work‐lives, I also highlight the multi‐dimensional nature of their experiences as whole beings who have their own relationships and interests which are simultaneously shaped by and distinct from their human‐prescribed roles. I am interested in the methodological possibilities as gateways to deeper understanding of animals, more ethical practice within and beyond universities, and more just multispecies futures.
Field Evaluation and Simulation Modeling of Length Limits and their Effects on Fishery Quality for Muskellunge in the New River, Virginia
Authors: Doss Sasha S. , Murphy Brian R. , Castello Leandro , Williams Joseph A. , Copeland John , DiCenzo Victor J.
Published: November 2018

The trophy fisheries for Muskellunge Esox masquinongy in the northern U.S.A. and Canada often are developed and maintained by using high minimum-length limits (MLLs). However, the effectiveness of using such MLLs on southern-latitude Muskellunge populations, which have different rates of growth and mortality, warrants further research. The Muskellunge fishery in the New River, Virginia, was managed under a 30-in (75 cm) MLL until 2006 when the MLL was increased to 42 in (105 cm) to increase the abundance of large Muskellunge. We measured fishery quality before and after the institution of the 42-in MLL using size structure, average individual condition, rates of growth and mortality, and CPUE. We also assessed the potential of alternative length regulations (other MLLs and a 40–48-in protected-slot limit) to improve the population's size structure and trophy production using simulation models in the Fisheries Analyses and Modeling Simulator (FAMS) program. Following the institution of the 42-in MLL, we observed a 5-in increase in the average size of Muskellunge, an increase in the population's size structure with greater proportions of memorable-size individuals (≥42 in) and an increase in the abundance of memorable-size Muskellunge. However, declines in the average condition, i.e., relative weight (Wr), of large Muskellunge (≥38 in) suggest there is possible stockpiling of individuals just below the 42-in length limit. Higher MLLs (e.g., 48-in MLL) could further improve fishery quality by increasing the survival of Muskellunge to large trophy sizes (≥50 in). However, managers should be wary of stockpiling under alternative MLLs as well. Furthermore, a higher MLL is unlikely to garner broad angler support in this system. Conversely, a protected-slot limit that allows the production of some trophy-sized Muskellunge while reducing the overall number of individuals, and that limits potential for stockpiling, may be a more agreeable regulatory option for New River fishery managers. These findings and the methods described within this study may be useful for fisheries managers working on other Muskellunge fisheries in southern systems.
Intravenous fosaprepitant for the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced vomiting in children: A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase III randomized trial
Authors: Radhakrishnan Venkatraman , Joshi Archit , Ramamoorthy Jaikumar , Rajaraman Swaminathan , Ganesan Prasanth , Ganesan Trivadi S. , Dhanushkodi Manikandan , Sagar Tenali G.
Published: November 2018

Background

Fosaprepitant is a neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist, approved for the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting. The data on the use of fosaprepitant in children are limited and therefore we conducted a phase III randomized controlled trial.

Procedure

Children aged 1‐12 years scheduled to receive moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy were randomly assigned to arm‐A (fosaprepitant) or arm‐B (placebo). Children recruited to arm‐A received intravenous ondansetron plus dexamethasone followed by fosaprepitant infusion. Children recruited to arm‐B received the same drugs as those given to children in arm‐A, except that fosaprepitant was substituted with a placebo. Ondansetron and dexamethasone were continued for 48 hours after completion of chemotherapy. The primary end point of the study was to determine the proportion of patients who achieved a complete response (CR), defined as no vomiting, no retching, and no use of rescue medication, during the 24‐120 hours (delayed phase) after administration of the last dose of chemotherapy. Secondary end points were the proportion of patients who achieved a CR during the acute phase (0‐24 hours) and overall after administration of the last dose of chemotherapy.

Results

One‐hundred‐sixty‐three patients were analyzed (81 in the fosaprepitant arm and 82 in the placebo arm). CR rates were significantly higher in the fosaprepitant arm compared to those in the placebo arm during the acute phase (86% vs 60%, P < 0.001), delayed phase (79% vs 51%, P < 0.001), and overall phase (70% vs 41%, P < 0.001). Three (4%) patients in the fosaprepitant arm and sixteen (20%) in the placebo arm required rescue anti‐emetics (P = 0.0017).

Conclusion

Addition of fosaprepitant to ondansetron and dexamethasone improved chemotherapy‐induced vomiting control in children treated with moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
The enhanced dyeability of aromatic polysulfonamide fibers using γ‐ray irradiation‐induced graft polymerization
Authors: Yu Jinchao , Wang Minglei , Hu Jiangtao , Wang Jianning , Wu Guozhong , Qian Chunfang , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Yumei , Wang Huaping
Published: November 2018

Aromatic polysulfonamide fibers (PSA) are impossible to be dyed with conventional dyeing techniques because of their extremely high glass transition temperature (Tg 280∼380 °C). To make the PSA fibers dyeable without a carrier under normal pressure, PSA fibers were grafted using γ‐ray irradiation with acrylic acid (AA) as a monomer. In addition to the dyeability, changes in other inherent performance characteristics of PSA fibers after irradiation grafting were evaluated, such as the mechanical behavior, thermal stability, hygroscopicity, and flame retardancy. Meanwhile, the effect of irradiation grafting on the performance of PSA fibers was revealed using structure information in different length scales. The results showed the AA‐grafting copolymerization occurred not only on the surface of PSA fibers, but also in the amorphous region within the fibers. The polyacrylic acid grafted chains could act as an internal plasticizer, enlarging the free volume of fibers, which make the PSA fibers dyeable with a cationic dye and disperse dye. The color fastness of the dyed PSA fibers was strongly reliant on the dye category. The irradiation‐grafting treatment has little adverse effect on the inherent performance of PSA fibers such as mechanical properties, thermal stability and flame retardancy within a proper grafting yield. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:592–601, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Magnetic Field Imaging of Superparamagnetic Particles Using High‐Density, Perfectly Oriented NV Centers in Diamond CVD Film
Authors: Hatano Yuji , Sekiguchi Takeharu , Iwasaki Takayuki , Hatano Mutsuko , Harada Yoshie
Published: November 2018

The spatial and temporal resolutions of bio‐imaging with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) as a label and a diamond substrate as a magnetic field imager are investigated. To realize fast and accurate magnetic field imaging even for a substrate with unresolved hyperfine peaks, relative fluorescence is measured at four operation points corresponding to the steepest slopes of two dips in the ODMR spectrum. The (111) diamond substrate with a 3.5‐μm thick chemical vapor deposition film with an NV− density of 1.6 × 1016 cm−3 allows us to detect 1‐μm MNPs scattered on its surface with an accumulated exposure time of 19 s under external DC magnetic field of 1.3 mT. Theoretical limit of temporal sensitivity is estimated to be more than four orders of magnitude smaller than measured. Although for measurement in culture medium, an objective lens with longer working distance is required and the condition will become somewhat worse, a spatiotemporal resolution of <1 s and <1 μm for the density and quality of the NV centers used in this study is expected if the already reported sensitivity enhancement technologies are further incorporated.
On the stochastic parametrization of short‐scale processes
Authors: Nicolis Catherine , Nicolis Gregoire
Published: November 2018

Stochastic parametrization of short‐scale processes is revisited in an idealized setting in which the short scales are manifested as small‐amplitude deterministic forcings acting on the evolution laws of the resolved variables. Conditions under which the invariant probability density of the original deterministic system tends to that induced by the action of appropriately parametrized Gaussian white noise are identified. On the other hand, substantial differences are revealed between the deterministic description and its stochastic substitute when time‐dependent properties are considered such as short‐time behaviour of the variance, recurrence and first passage time statistics. Illustrations and explicit evaluations are provided on low‐order model systems.
Robust adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control for uncertain linear systems with time‐varying performance bounds
Authors: Xiao Shuyi , Dong Jiuxiang
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the problem of robust adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control with time‐varying performance bounds is investigated for a class of linear systems subject to parameter uncertainties, external disturbances and actuator failures. In order to ensure the norm of the tracking error less than the user‐defined time‐varying performance bounds, we propose a new control strategy which is predicated on the generalized restricted potential function. Compared with the existing result, a novel method which provides two design freedoms is developed to reduce the tracking error. According to the online estimation information provided by adaptive mechanism, a fault‐tolerant tracking control method guaranteeing time‐varying performance bounds is developed for robust tracking of reference model. It is shown that the closed‐loop signals are bounded and the tracking error within an a priori given, time‐varying performance bounds. A simulation result is provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed fault‐tolerant tracking control method.
Synthesis, In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Potential Glucosamine‐6‐phosphate Synthase and Lanosterol‐14α‐demethylase Inhibitors
Authors: Ezema Benjamin E. , Okafor Sunday N. , Agada Sunday A. , Ugwu David I. , Ezema Chidimma G.
Published: November 2018

Some derivatives of phenothiazine and phenoxazine compounds were synthesized via Hiyama‐cross coupling reaction protocol. The intermediates were prepared by reacting 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminopyridin‐3‐ol and 4,5‐diamino‐6‐hydroxylpyrimidin‐2‐thiol with 2,3‐dibromonaphthalene‐1,4‐dione in alkaline medium of anhydrous sodium carbonate. These intermediates were subjected to the fluoride‐free Hiyama cross‐coupling reaction with 2‐(dimethylsilyl)pyridine and dimethyl(2‐thienyl)silanol using magnetically separable Pd/Fe3O4 as the catalyst under aqueous conditions to yield the derivatives. Molecular descriptors of these compounds were evaluated for their drug‐likeness. Pharmacokinetic parameters were also evaluated. Molecular docking studies were performed. The synthesized compounds showed drug‐likeness. Pharmacokinetic evaluation reveals a strong plasma protein binding and potentials to cross blood‐brain barrier. 6‐(Thiophen‐2‐yl)‐5H‐11‐azabenzo[a]phenoxazin‐5‐one (8 b) and 11‐Amino‐9‐thio‐6‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐5H‐8,11‐diazabenzo[a]phenoxazin‐5‐one (9 b) showed highest binding energies of −5.74 and −7.25 kcal/mol with the protein targets glucosamine‐6‐phosphate synthase (2VF5) and lanosterol‐14α‐demethylase (3JUV) respectively.
A Computational Study on the Hydride Transfer Mechanism between Nicotinamide and Menadione
Authors: Rezazadeh Shiva , Ebrahimi Ali
Published: November 2018

Menadione (MD) or vitamin K3 is a component of multivitamin drugs, which exhibits a wide range of pharmacological eﬀects relevant to human health. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) catalyzes the oxidation process of MD through hydride transfer from nicotinamide (NA) to MD. In the present study, the hydride transfer mechanism between NA and MD was investigated using the quantum mechanical calculations at the M06‐2X/6‐31G (d,p) level of theory in the gas‐phase and solution media. Two mechanisms were proposed to clarify the cyclic redox of MD via NA: one includes direct hydride transfer (DHT) in one step and other includes single electron and proton transfer (SET‐PT) in two steps through an intermediate. Although the energy barrier is almost equal on two pathways, the results of natural bond orbital (NBO), and the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) are clearly in agreement with the SET‐PT mechanism, which is preferred to the DHT mechanism for hydride transfer from NA to MD. The cation and anion radicals of NA and MD facilitate the proton transfer from NA to MD in the SET‐PT pathway. In addition, the binding energy between NA and MD and the energy barrier of proton transfer increase by the electron‐withdrawing substituents (EWSs) and decrease by electron‐donating substituents (EDSs) located at the C3 position of NA. A higher binding energy makes the intermediate more stable, which is accompanied with the increase in the energy barrier of proton transfer step.
Metallic MoS2 Anchored on Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets with Edge Orientation, and Its Electrochemical Investigation on Energy Storage Application
Authors: Joseph Nikhitha , Shafi P Muhammed , Bose A Chandra
Published: November 2018

MoS2 is considered as an efficient electrode material for energy storage application due to its lamellar structure in analogs with graphene. In this report, metallic 1T‐MoS2 is allowed to grow on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets through hydrothermal treatment. The crystallinity, surface morphology and elemental composition of the as synthesized material have been carefully analyzed. As a result of fascinating surface morphology, the as‐prepared rGO/MoS2 composites exhibit excellent electrochemical properties including high specific capacitance, long cycle life, high energy and power densities. The maximum specific capacitance of 713.4 F/g is obtained at 1 A/g current density for 10 weight % of rGO loaded MoS2 sample in three electrode cell system. The symmetric device exhibits an outstanding specific capacitance of 170 F/g at 1 A/g current density and a 51.08% retention is obtained even at 10 A/g current density. Moreover, the symmetric device exhibits an appreciable energy density of 51.2 Wh/kg at a power density of 750 W/kg, and high capacitive retention of 88% is observed even after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. This outstanding performance of rGO loaded 1T‐MoS2 electrode promises its applicability in energy storage devices, especially in supercapacitors.
Introducing Cations (Zn2+, Sn2+ and Mg2+) and Anions(Cl−) to Tune Mn Photoluminescence Intensity of Doped Perovskite Nanocrystals(CsPbCl3)
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Yao Bingqing , Li Xinxiong , Said Ahmed Ali , Lv Jingxi , Dong Zhili , Fan Weijun , Sun Xiao Wei , Zhang Qichun
Published: November 2018

Although there are many works focusing on tuneable photoluminescence(PL) character of Manganese(Mn)‐doped perovskite nanocrystals(PNCs), systematically studying the influence of cations (such as Zn2+, Sn2+ and Mg2+) and anions (such as Cl−) on the Mn emission intensity is uncultured. Here, based on a modified method, hydrochloric acid(HCl), the single and simplest Cl− precursor, is firstly used to tune the Mn emission intensity of PNCs prepared under high temperature. By limiting the Cl sources and introducing other cations (Zn2+, Sn2+ and Mg2+) in the reaction system, the Mn emission intensity of final PNCs could be tuned negatively. Besides, this is the first time to realize co‐doping Zn and Mn ions into PNCs during the formation of PNCs. In addition, the as‐prepared stable doped PNCs have been used as active materials in light emitting devices(LEDs), which display orange emission.
Acoustic Actuation of Integrin‐Bound Microbubbles for Mechanical Phenotyping during Differentiation and Morphogenesis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Fan Zhenzhen , Xue Xufeng , Perera Reshani , Nasr Esfahani Sajedeh , Exner Agata A. , Fu Jianping , Deng Cheri X.
Published: November 2018

Early human embryogenesis is a dynamic developmental process, involving continuous and concomitant changes in gene expression, structural reorganization, and cellular mechanics. However, the lack of investigation methods has limited the understanding of how cellular mechanical properties change during early human embryogenesis. In this study, ultrasound actuation of functionalized microbubbles targeted to integrin (acoustic tweezing cytometry, ATC) is employed for in situ measurement of cell stiffness during human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and morphogenesis. Cell stiffness, which is regulated by cytoskeleton structure, remains unchanged in undifferentiated hESCs, but significantly increases during neural differentiation. Further, using the recently established in vitro 3D embryogenesis models, ATC measurements reveal that cells continue to stiffen while maintaining pluripotency during epiblast cyst formation. In contrast, during amniotic cyst formation, cells first become stiffer during luminal cavity formation, but softens significantly when cells differentiate to form amniotic cysts. These results suggest that cell stiffness changes not only due to 3D spatial organization, but also with cell fate change. ATC therefore provides a versatile platform for in situ measurement of cellular mechanical property, and cell stiffness may be used as a mechanical biomarker for cell lineage diversification and cell fate specification during embryogenesis.
Unfolding BOB Bonds for an Enhanced ORR Performance in ABO3‐Type Perovskites
Authors: Sun Yu , Liu Zhongyuan , Zhang Wei , Chu Xuefeng , Cong Yingge , Huang Keke , Feng Shouhua
Published: November 2018

Identifying the relationship between catalytic performance and material structure is crucial to establish the design principle for highly active catalysts. Deficiency in BO bond covalency induced by lattice distortion severely restricts the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance for ABO3‐type perovskite oxides. Herein, a rearrangement of hybridization mode for BO bond is used to tune the overlap of the electron cloud between B 3d and O 2p through A‐stie doping with larger radius ions. The BO bond covalency is strengthened with a BOB bond angle recovered from intrinsic structural distortion. As a result, the adsorption and the reduction process for O2 on the oxide surface can be promoted via shifting the O‐2p band center toward the Fermi Level. Simultaneously, the spin electrons in the Mn 3d orbit become more parallel. It will lead to a high electrical conductivity by the enhanced double exchange process and thereof mitigate the ORR efficiency loss. Further density functional theory calculation reveals that a flat [BO2] plane will make contribution to the charge transfer process from lattice oxygen to adsorbed oxygen (mediated with B ions). Through such exploration of the effect of crystal structure on the electronic state of perovskite oxides, a novel insight into design of highly active ORR catalysts is offered.
Optical Sensor for Real‐Time pH Monitoring in Human Tissue
Authors: Wencel Dorota , Kaworek Alicja , Abel Tobias , Efremov Vitaly , Bradford Aidan , Carthy Denise , Coady Garret , McMorrow Roger C. N. , McDonagh Colette
Published: November 2018

This article reports on a fiber‐based ratiometric optical pH sensor for use in real‐time and continuous in vivo pH monitoring in human tissue. Stable hybrid sol–gel‐based pH sensing material is deposited on a highly flexible plastic optical fiber tip and integrated with excitation and detection electronics. The sensor is extensively tested in a laboratory environment before it is applied in vivo in a human model. The pH sensor performance in the laboratory environment outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art reported in the current literature. It exhibits the highest sensitivity in the physiological pH range, resolution of 0.0013 pH units, excellent sensor to sensor reproducibility, long‐term stability, short response time of <2 min, and drift of 0.003 pH units per 22 h. The sensor also exhibits promising performance in in vitro whole blood samples. In addition, human evaluations conducted under this project demonstrate successful short‐term deployment of this sensor in vivo.
Phosphorus‐Mediated MoS2 Nanowires as a High‐Performance Electrode Material for Quasi‐Solid‐State Sodium‐Ion Intercalation Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Shude , Yin Ying , Wu Musheng , Hui Kwan San , Hui Kwun Nam , Ouyang Chu‐Ying , Jun Seong Chan
Published: November 2018

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising electrode material for electrochemical energy storage owing to its high theoretical specific capacity and fascinating 2D layered structure. However, its sluggish kinetics for ionic diffusion and charge transfer limits its practical applications. Here, a promising strategy is reported for enhancing the Na+‐ion charge storage kinetics of MoS2 for supercapacitors. In this strategy, electrical conductivity is enhanced and the diffusion barrier of Na+ ion is lowered by a facile phosphorus‐doping treatment. Density functional theory results reveal that the lowest energy barrier of dilute Na‐vacancy diffusion on P‐doped MoS2 (0.11 eV) is considerably lower than that on pure MoS2 (0.19 eV), thereby signifying a prominent rate performance at high Na intercalation stages upon P‐doping. Moreover, the Na‐vacancy diffusion coefficient of the P‐doped MoS2 at room temperatures can be enhanced substantially by approximately two orders of magnitude (10−6–10−4 cm2 s−1) compared with pure MoS2. Finally, the quasi‐solid‐state asymmetrical supercapacitor assembled with P‐doped MoS2 and MnO2, as the positive and negative electrode materials, respectively, exhibits an ultrahigh energy density of 67.4 W h kg−1 at 850 W kg−1 and excellent cycling stability with 93.4% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles at 8 A g−1.
Room‐Temperature Surface Sulfurization for High‐Performance Kesterite CZTSe Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Siyu , Gao Shoushuai , Wang Dongxiao , Jiang Zhenwu , Ao Jianping , Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Shengzhong(Frank) , Sun Yun , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2018

The interfaces are very important for kesterite‐structured solar cells. In this study, a facile room temperature chemical sulfurization process is developed to modify the surface of the CZTSe films, which can prevent the decomposition of kesterite film at high temperature during the traditional sulfurization process and thus introducing the deep defects in the absorber layer. It is found that the (NH4)2S vapor sulfurizes the surfaces of the CZTSe thin films previously etched by ammonia. Consequently, the surface defects are passivated by the incorporated sulfur, and the interfacial band alignment is improved at the junction. The open circuit voltage (VOC) of the solar cell device is improved from 364 mV to 406 mV, with the cell efficiency increased to 9.04% when the (NH4)2S vapor treatment time is optimized at 25 min. This study affords a new perspective for enhancing the performance of kesterite‐based thin film solar cells using a facile surface sulfurization approach.
Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by cerebroplacental ratio in women undergoing induction of labor
Authors: Fiolna M. , Kostiv V. , Anthoulakis C. , Akolekar R. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate the performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome by the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 1902 singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labor at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) within 24 h before induction of labor. The measured UA‐PI and MCA‐PI and their ratio were converted to multiples of the median after adjustment for gestational age. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether CPR improved the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome provided by maternal characteristics, medical history and obstetric factors. The detection rate (DR) and false‐positive rate (FPR) of screening by CPR were estimated for Cesarean section for presumed fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcome, which included umbilical arterial or venous cord blood pH ≤ 7 and ≤ 7.1, respectively, 5‐min Apgar score < 7, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for > 24 h or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Results

A combination of maternal and pregnancy characteristics, including age, weight, racial origin, previous obstetric history, pre‐eclampsia, gestational age at delivery and amniotic fluid volume, identified 39% of pregnancies requiring Cesarean section for fetal distress at a FPR of 10%; addition of CPR did not improve the performance of screening. In screening for adverse neonatal outcome by a combination of parity and CPR, the DR was 17% at a FPR of 10%.

Conclusion

Low CPR, measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, is associated with increased risk of Cesarean section for fetal distress and adverse neonatal outcome, but the performance of CPR for such surrogate measures of fetal hypoxic morbidity is poor. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
How repeatable is assessment of external anal sphincter trauma by exoanal 4D ultrasound?
Authors: Turel Fatakia F. , Subramaniam N. , Bienkiewicz J. , Friedman T. , Dietz H. P.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Three‐/four‐dimensional translabial ultrasound (TLUS) is gaining popularity for the assessment of anal sphincter trauma, although repeatability data are lacking. This study aimed to determine the repeatability of tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) on TLUS for the diagnosis of external anal sphincter (EAS) trauma and compare the performance of a novice with that of an experienced investigator.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of archived ultrasound datasets of patients who presented with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and were examined twice between 2012 and 2016 at an average interval of 260 (range, 1–1100) days. All volumes were obtained using a GE Medical Systems Voluson 730 Expert or E8 ultrasound system. Post‐processing of volumes was performed independently by two investigators, one with over 1 year's experience and another with no prior experience in using TUI, who were blinded to clinical data, each other's results and the results obtained at the first timepoint. Significant trauma on EAS was diagnosed if four of the six TUI slices showed a defect of ≥ 30°. Intra‐ and interobserver agreement were determined using Cohen's kappa (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

During the study period, 105 women underwent two TLUS assessments of the anal sphincter. Of these, 103 patients with ultrasound volumes available for both timepoints were included in the analysis. The novice investigator demonstrated average repeatability for assessment of significant EAS trauma and single‐slice defect (κ, 0.30 and 0.22, respectively) despite relatively high agreement between measurements obtained at the two timepoints (84.5% and 79.3%, respectively). The experienced investigator demonstrated good to very good repeatability for significant EAS trauma and single‐slice defect (κ, 0.91 and 0.78, respectively) between the two assessments, which equates to 98.1% and 94.7% agreement, respectively.

Conclusion

The repeatability of TLUS measurements for diagnosis of EAS trauma seems to be very good when imaging is undertaken with state‐of‐the‐art equipment and the analysis is performed by an experienced observer; however, the performance of a novice investigator is much poorer. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Deconstructing supergravity: massive supermultiplets
Authors: Ondo Nicholas A. , Tolley Andrew J.
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Given the success of the deconstruction program in obtaining ghost-free massive gravity from 5-D Einstein gravity, we propose a modification of the deconstruction procedure that incorporates supersymmetry at the linear level. We discuss the relevant limits of a conjectured interacting theory of a massive spin 2 supermultiplet, and determine the linear theory to be the$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$N=1Zinoviev theory, a supersymmetric extension of Fierz-Pauli theory. We develop a family of 1-site deconstruction procedures for fermionic fields (yielding Dirac and Majorana mass terms). The deconstruction procedure appropriate for giving fermions a Dirac mass is found to preserve half of the supersymmetry of the 5-D theory. We explicitly check this by deconstructing 5-D$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$N=2super-Maxwell theory down to 4-D$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$N=1super-Proca theory, and deconstructing linear 5-D$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$N=2supergravity down to 4-D$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$N=1Zinoviev theory, and derive the full 4-D supersymmetry algebras and Stückelberg symmetries from the 5-D superalgebras and gauge symmetries, respectively. We conjecture that this procedure should admit a generalization to fully non-linear theories.
Variations in the surface velocity of an alpine cirque glacier
Authors: SANDERS J. W. , CUFFEY K. M. , MACGREGOR K. R. , KAVANAUGH J. L. , DOW C. F.
Published: November 2018

Following pioneering work in Norway, cirque glaciers have widely been viewed as rigidly rotating bodies. This model is incorrect for basin-filling cirque glaciers, as we have demonstrated at West Washmawapta Glacier, a small glacier in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Here we report observations at the same glacier that assess whether complex temporal variations of flow also occur. For parts of three summers, we measured daily displacements of the glacier surface. In one year, four short-duration speed-up events were recorded. Three of the events occurred during the intervals of warmest weather, when melt was most rapid; the fourth event occurred immediately following heavy rain. We interpret the speed-up events as manifestations of enhanced water inputs to the glacier bed and associated slip lubrication by increased water volumes and pressures. No further speed-ups occurred in the final month of the melt season, despite warm temperatures and several rainstorms; the dominant subglacial water system likely transformed from one of poorly connected cavities to one with an efficient channel network. The seasonal evolution of hydrology and flow resembles behaviors documented at other, larger temperate glaciers and indicates that analyses of cirque erosion cannot rely on simple assumptions about ice dynamics.
The Interpretation of Mesolithic Structures in Britain: New Evidence from Criet Dubh, Isle of Mull, & Alternative Approaches to Chronological Analysis for Inferring Occupation Tempos & Settlement Patterns
Authors: Mithen Steven , Wicks Karen ,   ANNE PIRIE
Published: November 2018

The number of Mesolithic structures known in Britain has significantly increased since 2000, providing new opportunities for economic and social interpretations of this period. We describe a further structure, represented by features from the Mesolithic site of Criet Dubh, Isle of Mull. We compare the inferred Criet Dubh structure to other Mesolithic structures from Britain, notably those described as ‘pit-houses’. We then consider the implications of the radiocarbon dates from such structures for the tempo of occupation and past settlement patterns. While the use of Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates has encouraged interpretations of prolonged occupation and sedentism, we propose alternative interpretations with patterns of intermittent occupation for Criet Dubh and the pit-houses, involving their re-use after extended periods of abandonment within a sparsely populated landscape. The ability to debate such interpretations reflects the transformation in Mesolithic research made possible by the discovery of such structures, the use of multiple radiocarbon determinations, the application of Bayesian analysis, and the exploration of associations between cultural and environmental change. These developments have made the Mesolithic a particularly innovative period of study.
TIRESIAS, OVID, GENDER AND TROUBLE: GENERIC CONVERSIONS FROMARSINTOTRISTIA
Authors: Giusti Elena
Published: November 2018

The brief story of Tiresias’ punishment in the third book of Ovid'sMetamorphoses(Met. 3.316–38) becomes a privileged site for mapping the different ways readers can reinterpret episodes of the poem in the light of the rest of Ovid's corpus. Tiresias, the first humanuatesof the poem, who is punished with blindness for voicing what he should have kept silent, can be included among those punished artists who double the poet in theMetamorphoses: while Tiresias is condemned for having voiced his knowledge of both sexes, Ovid is exiled for giving amatory advice to, and therefore knowing, both men and women. Thus the Tiresias episode reads as a pendant to that of Actaeon in the same book (the latter explicitly likened to Ovid's fate inTristia2.103–8), with the pair suggesting a veiled allegory of thecarmenanderrorthat caused Ovid's exile.