bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chlorine‐modified SnO2 electron transport layer for high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ren Xiaodong , Liu Yucheng , Lee Dong Geon , Kim Won Bin , Han Gill Sang , Jung Hyun Suk , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA high‐quality electron transport layer (ETL) is a critical component for the realization of high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells. We developed a controllable direct‐contact reaction process to prepare a chlorinated SnO2 (SnO2‐Cl) ETL. It is unique in that (a) 1′2‐dichlorobenzene is used to provide more reactive Cl radicals for more in‐depth passivation; (b) it does not introduce any impurities other than chlorine. It is found that the chlorine modification significantly improves the electron extraction. Consequently, its associated solar cell efficiency is increased from 17.01% to 17.81% comparing to the pristine SnO2 ETL without the modification. The hysteresis index is significantly reduced to 0.017 for the SnO2‐Cl ETL.image
Identification of two novel insertion abnormal transcripts in two Chinese families affected with Dystrophinopathy
Authors: Xu Ying , Song Tingting , Li Yu , Guo Fenfen , Jin Xin , Cheng Lu , Zheng Jiao , Li Chunyan , Zhang Yingqi , Chen Biliang , Zhang Jianfang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked recessive inheritance muscle dystrophy disease, associated with pathogenic variants in the DMD gene. MLPA, DHPLC and DMD sequence studies fail to found the causative alteration in two cases. This study intends to evaluate the disease‐causing mutations and explains the correlation genotype‐phenotype.MethodsThe mRNA analysis and Long‐range PCR with sequencing were used for molecular diagnosis.ResultsIn case one, an insertion of 78 nucleotides between exons 40 and 41 (r.5739_5740insMN602429:r415_492) was identified in case one. The insertion sequences were highly homologous to the intron 40 (NG_012232.1:g.1001760_g.1001837). Long‐range PCR with sequencing analysis showed that a novel deep intronic DMD mutation (NG_012232.1:g.1001838A>G) was identified, generating a premature stop codon and terminating protein translation. The likely pathogenic mutation was detected in fetal sample. In case two, an insertion of 74 nucleotides which located inside the consensus sequence AG/GT was detected between exons 2 and 3 (r.93_94insMN584887:r61_134), which resulted in a premature stop codon. The insertion sequences were traceable in the intron 2 of DMD gene (NG_012232.1:g.415926_g.415999). We did not perform prenatal DMD gene diagnosis for case two due to lack of sufficient genetic information.ConclusionThese findings clarify importance of proceeding to the mRNA analysis when no causative mutations were found neither by MLPA/DHPLC nor gene sequencing so as to reach the molecular confirmation of DMD and carry out an accurate genetic assessment/ carrier status testing.
Noninvasive stereotactic radioablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: First‐in‐man experience
Authors: Qian Pierre C. , Azpiri Jose R. , Assad Jose , Gonzales Aceves Eric Noel , Cardona Ibarra Carlos Erick , de la Pena Cuauhtemoc , Hinojosa Miguel , Wong Doug , Fogarty Thomas , Maguire Patrick , Jack Alice , Gardner Edward A. , Zei Paul C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeCatheter ablation is an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, risks remain, and improved efficacy is desired. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a well‐established therapy used to noninvasively treat malignancies and functional disorders with precision. We evaluated the feasibility of stereotactic radioablation for treating paroxysmal AF.MethodsTwo patients with drug‐refractory paroxysmal AF underwent pulmonary vein isolation with SBRT. After placement of a percutaneous active fixation temporary pacing lead tracking fiducial, computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed to define left atrial anatomy. A tailored planning treatment volume was created to deliver contiguous linear ablations to isolate the pulmonary veins and posterior wall. Patients were treated on an outpatient basis in the radioablation suite. Clinical follow‐up was performed through at least 24 months after therapy.ResultsBoth patients successfully underwent SBRT planning and treatment without significant early or long‐term side effects up to 48 months of follow‐up. One patient had AF recurrence after 6 months free of arrhythmia, while the second patient remains free of AF after 24 months with fibrosis detected on MRI scan consistent with the ablation lesion set. An incidentally noted small pericardial effusion occurred in one patient.ConclusionStereotactic radioablation may be feasible for the treatment of drug‐refractory AF. Further evaluation is warranted.
Characterizing and avoiding physical inconsistency generated by the application of univariate quantile mapping on daily minimum and maximum temperatures over Hudson Bay
Authors: Agbazo Médard Noukpo , Grenier Patrick 
Published: December 2019

AbstractQuantile mapping (QM) is a technique often used for statistical post‐processing (SPP) of climate model simulations, in order to adjust their biases relative to a selected reference product and/or to downscale their resolution. However, when QM is applied in univariate mode, there is a risk of generating other problems, like intervariable physical inconsistency (PI). Here, such a risk is investigated with daily temperature minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax), for which the relationship Tmin > Tmax would be inconsistent with the definition of the variables. QM is applied to an ensemble of 78 daily CMIP5 simulations over Hudson Bay for the application period 1979–2100, with Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) selected as the reference product during the calibration period 1979–2010. This study's specific objectives are as follows: to investigate the conditions under which PI situations are generated; to test whether PI may be prevented simply by tuning some of the QM technique's numerical choices; and to compare the suitability of alternative approaches that hinder PI by design. Primary results suggest that PI situations appear preferentially for small values of the initial (simulated) diurnal temperature range (DTR), but the differential between the respective biases of Tmin and Tmax also plays an important role; one cannot completely prevent the generation of PI simply by adjusting QM parameters and options, but forcing preservation of the simulated long‐term trends generates fewer PI situations; for avoiding PI between Tmin and Tmax, the present study supports a previous recommendation to directly post‐process Tmax and DTR before deducing Tmin.
Three‐stage kinetics of laser‐induced LiFePO4 decomposition
Authors: Ryabin Alexander A. , Slautin Boris N. , Pelegov Dmitry V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper reports about new insight into a problem of a laser–matter interaction during Raman probing of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), discusses phase transformation kinetics in powder samples, and provides some methodological recommendations. LiFePO4 is the second most popular positive electrode material in the global lithium battery industry, but the use of Raman spectroscopy for its structural characterization is hampered by the laser‐induced degradation. The statistical/big‐data approach to Raman spectra measurements is utilized to revise the problem and suggest a simple model of laser‐induced phase transformations in powder LiFePO4. The results are proposed to be used for better understanding of the physics and chemistry of other processes taking place in electrochemical cells, namely, lithiation/delithiation and thermal stability/safety studies. Simple recommendations for nondestructive LiFePO4 characterization by Raman spectroscopy are formulated.
A vertical structure photodetector based on all‐inorganic perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Yan Shikai , Li Qing , Zhang Xu , Tang Sheng , Lei Wei , Chen Jing 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this work, the vertical structure photodetector based on CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) with a structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/zinc oxide (ZnO)/CsPbBr3 QDs/Au is reported. In this device, CsPbBr3 QDs film works as the light‐harvesting layer, and ZnO QDs film acts as the electron transport channel, which can extract the electron efficiently and improve the quality of CsPbBr3 QDs film. As a result, the on/off ratio, detectivity and rise time (decay time) of CsPbBr3/ZnO hybrid photodetector are measured to be 2.4 × 106, 2.25 × 1011, and 62 milliseconds (82 ms) under 0‐V bias. This work inspires the development of vertical structure photodetectors based on the all‐inorganic perovskite QDs.
Development of direct microwave desorption/gas chromatography mass spectrometry system for rapid analysis of volatile components in medicinal plants
Authors: Abolghasemi Mir Mahdi , Piryaei Marziye 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA new direct microwave desorption–gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of the essential oils of medicinal plants. A homemade direct microwave desorption system was fabricated and used for the desorption of volatile components of medicinal herbs. The desorbed volatiles are transferred directly into the gas chromatography injector for analysis in a one‐step process. Approximately 0.3 g of the herb was needed for the desorption of samples in 60 s. In this study, more than 53 volatile compounds were identified and quantified for Echinophora platyloba DC as model herb sample. The results were found to be in good agreement with the conventional hydrodistillation extraction data. The described results show that direct microwave desorption is fast, simple, and easy to automate and requires only a small amount of sample. The results indicate that essential oil components valuable for varietal identification and characteristic of each variety analyzed when direct microwave desorption–gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used for analysis.
Seasonal Use of a Nonnatal Marine Basin by Juvenile Hatchery Chinook Salmon
Authors: Hayes Michael C , Hodgson Sayre , Ellings Christopher S. , Duval Walker D. , Rubin Stephen P. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Information on the movement patterns of fishes is essential for managers that are making critical resource decisions. We examined the frequency of a keystone species, Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that migrated from different marine basins to the Nisqually River estuary, which lies within the southernmost marine basin (hereafter, “South basin”) in Puget Sound (Washington, USA). Hatchery-reared juvenile fish were sampled by using beach seine, lampara seine, and fyke nets to determine seasonal trends in frequency, habitat use, and the influence of different capture methods. The captured fish originated from three marine basins, nine Puget Sound rivers, and fourteen hatcheries. The data revealed a consistent pattern showing that most of the tagged fish (72%) were from the nearby Nisqually River (in the South basin), but fish from more northerly marine basins (hereafter, “Outbasin”) were also common. Although the majority of the tagged fish (99%) that were captured during April and May were originally released into rivers adjacent to the South basin, 90% of the fish that were captured in August and September had originated from rivers adjacent to Outbasin locations (up to 130 km distant). A comparison of sampling methods showed that the beach seine produced 27% Outbasin fish compared with 53% that were obtained with the lampara seine. The analysis of habitat use suggested that during June and July, more Outbasin fish (&gt;40%) were captured in delta flats and nearshore habitats than in estuarine emergent marsh habitat (26%). Release location (river basin), but not distance, appeared to be an important factor that influenced the percentage of Outbasin fish that were captured in the South basin. However, it appeared that the fish that were released at light weights and early dates were more likely to be captured. Information on the movement of juvenile salmon to a nonnatal marine basin may help to increase our understanding of features of life history and survival, and it has application elsewhere, as many marine species are artificially propagated, released in large numbers, and have the potential to use nonnatal habitats.
Cardiac substructure segmentation with deep learning for improved cardiac sparing
Authors: Morris Eric D. , Ghanem Ahmed I. , Dong Ming , Pantelic Milan V. , Walker Eleanor M. , Glide‐Hurst Carri K. 
Published: December 2019

PurposeRadiation dose to cardiac substructures is related to radiation‐induced heart disease. However, substructures are not considered in radiation therapy planning (RTP) due to poor visualization on CT. Therefore, we developed a novel deep learning (DL) pipeline leveraging MRI’s soft tissue contrast coupled with CT for state‐of‐the‐art cardiac substructure segmentation requiring a single, non‐contrast CT input.Materials/methodsThirty‐two left‐sided whole‐breast cancer patients underwent cardiac T2 MRI and CT‐simulation. A rigid cardiac‐confined MR/CT registration enabled ground truth delineations of 12 substructures (chambers, great vessels (GVs), coronary arteries (CAs), etc.). Paired MRI/CT data (25 patients) were placed into separate image channels to train a three‐dimensional (3D) neural network using the entire 3D image. Deep supervision and a Dice‐weighted multi‐class loss function were applied. Results were assessed pre/post augmentation and post‐processing (3D conditional random field (CRF)). Results for 11 test CTs (seven unique patients) were compared to ground truth and a multi‐atlas method (MA) via Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean distance to agreement (MDA), and Wilcoxon signed‐ranks tests. Three physicians evaluated clinical acceptance via consensus scoring (5‐point scale).ResultsThe model stabilized in ~19 h (200 epochs, training error <0.001). Augmentation and CRF increased DSC 5.0 ± 7.9% and 1.2 ± 2.5%, across substructures, respectively. DL provided accurate segmentations for chambers (DSC = 0.88 ± 0.03), GVs (DSC = 0.85 ± 0.03), and pulmonary veins (DSC = 0.77 ± 0.04). Combined DSC for CAs was 0.50 ± 0.14. MDA across substructures was <2.0 mm (GV MDA = 1.24 ± 0.31 mm). No substructures had statistical volume differences (P > 0.05) to ground truth. In four cases, DL yielded left main CA contours, whereas MA segmentation failed, and provided improved consensus scores in 44/60 comparisons to MA. DL provided clinically acceptable segmentations for all graded patients for 3/4 chambers. DL contour generation took ~14 s per patient.ConclusionsThese promising results suggest DL poses major efficiency and accuracy gains for cardiac substructure segmentation offering high potential for rapid implementation into RTP for improved cardiac sparing.
Microglia attenuate the kainic acid‐induced death of hippocampal neurons in slice cultures
Authors: Araki Tasuku , Ikegaya Yuji , Koyama Ryuta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundStatus epilepticus‐induced hippocampal neuronal death, astrogliosis, and the activation of microglia are common pathological changes in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) with resistance to antiepileptic drugs. Neuronal death in mTLE gradually progresses and is involved in the aggravation of epilepsy and the impairment of hippocampus‐dependent memory. Thus, clarifying the cellular mechanisms by which neurons are protected in mTLE will significantly contribute to the treatment of epilepsy. Here, mainly using hippocampal slice cultures with or without the pharmacological depletion of microglia, we directly examined whether microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain that can act either neurotoxically or in a neuroprotective manner, accelerate or attenuate kainic acid (KA)‐induced neuronal death in vitro.MethodsHippocampal slice cultures were treated with KA to induce neuronal death in vitro. Clodronate‐containing liposomes or PLX3397 was used to deplete microglia in hippocampal slice cultures, and the effect on KA‐induced neuronal death was immunohistochemically assessed.ResultsThe loss of microglia significantly promoted a decrease in neuronal density in KA‐treated hippocampal slice cultures.ConclusionOur results suggest that microglia are neuroprotective against KA‐induced neuronal death in slice cultures.
Efficacy of “optimal hydration” during labor: HYDRATA study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hernández López Ana Belén , Muriel Miguel Cristina , Fernández‐Cañadas Morillo Aurora , López Lapeyrere Carolina , Pérez Medina Tirso , Salcedo Mariña Ángel , Fornet Ruiz Inocencia , Rubio González Esther , Solís Muñoz Montserrat 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThere is a lack of consensus in the international scientific community with respect to the most suitable hydration strategies when attending nulliparous women during low‐risk births. This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial to compare two hydration strategies and their influence on maternal and neonatal morbidity. The study population consists of nulliparous women admitted to the obstetrics department of a University Hospital. The women are being randomized into two groups: the “optimal hydration” group, which will be guaranteed 300 ml/hr liquids (crystalloids and bottled mineral water) with a minimum diuresis of 35 ml/hr; and the “variability in hydration” group, which will receive intravenous (alternating normal saline, Ringer's lactate solution, glucose, or Voluven®) and clear (bottled mineral water or isotonic drinks [Aquarius®]) liquids, without any established perfusion rate, and without established minimum diuresis. Outcomes for mothers include duration of labor, cesarean section, fever, and dehydration. Outcomes for newborns are respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, jaundice, weight loss over 48 hr, and breastfeeding difficulties. Analysis will be per‐protocol. Administering optimal hydration may improve health and safety for mothers and their newborn and reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov. The project received funding by the Ministry of Health of Spain and is approved by the Research Ethics Committee.
Enhancement in thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of novel PVA nanocomposite embedded with SrO nanofillers and the analysis of its thermal degradation behavior by nonisothermal approach
Authors: Jayaraj Selvi , Vellaichamy Parthasarathy , Sehar Mahalakshmi , Ramasamy Anbarasan , Ponnusamy Senthil Kumar , Daramola Michael O. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEffect of SrO nanofillers on the physical and chemical properties of newly prepared PVA nanocomposites was investigated in‐depth in this article. The structure of SrO nanopowder and PVA nanocomposites were analyzed using FTIR for surface chemistry and XRD for crystallographic nature. The extent of dispersion and particle size of SrO nanopowders were obtained from TEM micrographs. The average particle size of the SrO nanopowder was 57 nm. The uniformly dispersed SrO nanofillers in the host PVA matrix were observed from the TEM micrographs. The prepared PVA nanocomposites displayed a high absorption in the UV region. The thermal stability of PVA nanocomposites was enhanced after the addition of SrO nanofillers. The nonisothermal degradation study was carried out using different kinetic models for the prepared PVA nanocomposites. The Young's modulus (Y) and tensile strength of the PVA nanocomposites were higher than that of the pristine PVA. The DC conductivity of PVA was also increased when the PVA was embedded with the SrO nanoparticles.Highlights
The novel PVA nanocomposites embedded with SrO nanofillers were prepared by the solution casting method.
The band gap of PVA was decreased gradually while increasing the concentration of SrO nanofillers.
The thermal degradation of polymer composites was studied under nonisothermal heating using several kinetic models.
The thermal stability of PVA was enhanced after the addition of SrO nanofillers.
The electrical and mechanical Properties of PVA nanocomposites were also improved.
Role of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) in the disposition of cytarabine in mice
Authors: Anderson Jason T. , Hu Shuiying , Fu Qiang , Baker Sharyn D. , Sparreboom Alex 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCytarabine (Ara‐C) is a nucleoside analog used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite the many years of clinical use, the identity of the transporter(s) involved in the disposition of Ara‐C remains poorly studied. Previous work demonstrated that concurrent administration of Ara‐C with nitrobenzylmercaptopurine ribonucleoside (NBMPR) causes an increase in Ara‐C plasma levels, suggesting involvement of one or more nucleoside transporters. Here, we confirmed the presence of an NMBPR‐mediated interaction with Ara‐C resulting in a 2.5‐fold increased exposure. The interaction was unrelated to altered blood cell distribution, and subsequent studies indicated that the disposition of Ara‐C was unaffected in mice with a deficiency of postulated candidate transporters, including ENT1, OCTN1, OATP1B2, and MATE1. These studies indicate the involvement of an unknown NBMPR‐sensitive Ara‐C transporter that impacts the pharmacokinetic properties of this clinically important agent.
Climate change and the genetics of insecticide resistance
Authors: Pu Jian , Wang Zinan , Chung Henry 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChanges in global temperature and humidity as a result of climate change are producing rapid evolutionary changes in many animal species, including agricultural pests and disease vectors, leading to changes in allele frequencies of genes involved in thermotolerance and desiccation resistance. As some of these genes have pleiotropic effects on insecticide resistance, climate change is likely to affect insecticide resistance in the field. In this review, we discuss how the interactions between adaptation to climate change and resistance to insecticides can affect insecticide resistance in the field using examples in phytophagous and hematophagous pest insects, focusing on the effects of increased temperature and increased aridity. We then use detailed genetic and mechanistic studies in the model insect, Drosophila melanogaster, to explain the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. We suggest that tradeoffs or facilitation between adaptation to climate change and resistance to insecticides can alter insecticide resistance allele frequencies in the field. The dynamics of these interactions will need to be considered when managing agricultural pests and disease vectors in a changing climate. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Transboundary sharing of river water: Informating the policies
Authors: Acharya Vijeth , Halanaik Bhavana , Ramaprasad Arkalgud , Swamy T.R. Kumara , Singai Chetan B. , Syn Thant 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper presents an ontological framework that concisely captures the combinatorial complexity of river water sharing and visualizes the problem in its entirety. The framework's dimensions, the dimensions' taxonomies, and the resultant pathways are a complete, closed representation of the river water sharing problem. The framework is transdisciplinary; it is grounded in the research, the legal, and the practice literature on river water sharing. The authors illustrate the method and the application of the framework with the case study of Cauvery River water dispute between the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The approach can help develop innovative pathways to resolve such problems.