bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binary and Ternary Colloidal Cu‐Sn‐Te Nanocrystals for Thermoelectric Thin Films
Authors: Yin Deqiang , Dun Chaochao , Zhang Huisheng , Fu Zheng , Gao Xiang , Wang Xianliang , Singh David J. , Carroll David L. , Liu Yang , Swihart Mark T. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent advances in copper chalcogenide‐based nanocrystals (NCs), copper sulfide, and copper selenide derived nanostructures, have drawn considerable attention. However, reports of crystal phase and shape engineering of binary or ternary copper telluride NCs remain rare. Here, a colloidal hot‐injection approach for producing binary copper/tin telluride, and ternary copper tin telluride NCs with controllable compositions, crystal structures, and morphologies is reported. The crystal phase and growth behavior of these tellurides are systematically studied from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. The morphology of Cu1.29Te NCs is modified from 1D nanorods with different aspect ratios to 2D nanosheets and 3D nanocubes, by controlling the preferential growth of specific crystalline facets. A controllable phase transition from Cu1.29Te to Cu1.43Te NCs is also demonstrated. The latter can be further converted into Cu2SnTe3 and SnTe through Sn incorporation. Temperature dependent thermoelectric properties of metal (Cu and Sn) telluride nanostructure thin films are also studied, including Cu1.29Te, Cu1.43Te, Cu2SnTe3, and SnTe. Cu2SnTe3 is a low carrier density semimetal with compensating electron and hole Fermi surface pockets. The engineering of crystal phase and morphology control of colloidal copper tin telluride NCs opens a path to explore and design new classes of copper telluride‐based nanomaterials for thermoelectrics and other applications.
Characteristics ofAerococcus viridansisolated from porcine fetuses in Korean farms
Authors: Nguyen Van Giap , Kim Cheong Ung , Do Hai‐Quynh , Shin Sook , Jang Keum Chan , Park Yong Ho , Park Bong Kyun , Chung Hee Chun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSwine abortion caused by viruses as well as bacteria has caused many economic losses in domestic farms over the years; however, bacterial abortion has not yet been studied in Korea. Several bacterial species were isolated from aborted fetuses (n = 103) for which the cause of death was not viral abortion. Among them, we focused onAerococcus viridans, which had the highest positive rate within three provinces (Gangwon, Jeonnam and Gyeongnam). A total of 16 isolates were identified asA. viridansby matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS), and 13 were characterized by both antibiotic resistance and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Based on antibiotic susceptibility testing result, eight antimicrobials could not effectively eliminate the present isolation (more than 40% of isolates can resist these antibiotics), while all except two strains were susceptible to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Molecular analysis indicated genetic variation among these strains. This study is the first report detectingA. viridansfrom aborted fetuses in Korean domestic farms.
The effectiveness of the current use of forensic DNA in criminal investigations in England and Wales
Authors: Amankwaa Aaron Opoku , McCartney Carole 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this article, we consider the effectiveness of DNA analysis in criminal investigations. Through this investigative tool, unknown victims, suspects, and serial offenders have been identified. At the same time, wrongly charged and convicted individuals have been eliminated from investigations or released from custody following DNA testing. We know forensic DNA analysis is powerful in individual cases/certain crime types, but its aggregate contribution to criminal detections is low and questioned. There is little evidence to demonstrate its actual contribution. We examined the possible reasons for the low impact of forensic DNA, with some recommendations that may further maximize its utility. Available evidence demonstrates that there remains a need to ensure value for money in continued investment in forensic DNA analysis. An evaluation of trends in criminal activities and detection opportunities utilizing DNA evidence may help in identifying specific areas where DNA is most useful, and resources can be focused. Additionally, the potential of integrated multi‐biometric analysis/systems and other evidence types should be explored.This article is categorized under:
Forensic Biology > DNA Databases and Biometrics
Forensic Biology > Forensic DNA Technologies
Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight > Expert Evidence and Narrative
Ripples in spacetime from broken supersymmetry
Authors: Craig Nathaniel , Levi Noam , Mariotti Alberto , Redigolo Diego 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe initiate the study of gravitational wave (GW) signals from first-order phase transitions in supersymmetry-breaking hidden sectors. Such phase transitions often occur along a pseudo-flat direction universally related to supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking in hidden sectors that spontaneously breakR-symmetry. The potential along this pseudo-flat direction imbues the phase transition with a number of novel properties, including a nucleation temperature well below the scale of heavy states (such that the temperature dependence is captured by the low-temperature expansion) and significant friction induced by the same heavy states as they pass through bubble walls. In low-energy SUSY-breaking hidden sectors, the frequency of the GW signal arising from such a phase transition is guaranteed to lie within the reach of future interferometers given existing cosmological constraints on the gravitino abundance. Once a mediation scheme is specified, the frequency of the GW peak correlates with the superpartner spectrum. Current bounds on supersymmetry are compatible with GW signals at future interferometers, while the observation of a GW signal from a SUSY-breaking hidden sector would imply superpartners within reach of future colliders.
DC-link sensorless control strategy for grid-connected PV systems
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa , Abdelrahem Mohamed , Farhan Ahmed , Harbi Ibrahim , Kennel Ralph 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSensorless strategies become very popular in modern control techniques because they increase the system reliability. Besides, they can be used as back-up control in case of sensor failure. In this paper, a DC-link sensorless control approach is developed, which is suited for grid-connected PV systems. The studied system is a two-stage PV scheme, where the DC–DC stage (boost converter) is controlled using an adaptive step-size perturb and observe (P&O) method. Further, the inverter control is accomplished by voltage oriented control (VOC). Generally, the VOC is implemented with two cascaded control loops, namely an outer voltage loop and an inner current loop. However, in this work, the outer loop is avoided and the reference current is generated using a losses model for the system. The losses model accounts for the most significant losses in the PV system. Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is utilized to compensate for the unmodeled losses. The PSO is executed offline for the purpose of calculation burden reduction. The proposed approach simplifies the cascaded VOC strategy and eliminates the DC-link voltage sensor, which in turn decreases the cost of the system. Finally, the proposed technique is compared with the conventional one at different atmospheric conditions and validated using MATLAB simulation results.
A tandem giant magnetoresistance assay for one-shot quantification of clinically relevant concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in human blood
Authors: Meng Fanda , Huo Weisong , Lian Jie , Zhang Lei , Shi Xizeng , Jesorka Aldo , Gao Yunhua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report a microfluidic sandwich immunoassay constructed around a dual-giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor array to quantify the heart failure biomarker NT-proBNP in human plasma at the clinically relevant concentration levels between 15 pg/mL and 40 ng/mL. The broad dynamic range was achieved by differential coating of two identical GMR sensors operated in tandem, and combining two standard curves. The detection limit was determined as 5 pg/mL. The assay, involving 53 plasma samples from patients with different cardiovascular diseases, was validated against the Roche Cobas e411 analyzer. The salient features of this system are its wide concentration range, low detection limit, small sample volume requirement (50 μL), and the need for a short measurement time of 15 min, making it a prospective candidate for practical use in point of care analysis.
Single-Valued Integration and Superstring Amplitudes in Genus Zero
Authors: Brown Francis , Dupont Clément 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe study open and closed string amplitudes at tree-level in string perturbation theory using the methods of single-valued integration which were developed in the prequel to this paper (Brown and Dupont in Single-valued integration and double copy, 2020). Using dihedral coordinates on the moduli spaces of curves of genus zero with marked points, we define a canonical regularisation of both open and closed string perturbation amplitudes at tree level, and deduce that they admit a Laurent expansion in Mandelstam variables whose coefficients are multiple zeta values (resp. single-valued multiple zeta values). Furthermore, we prove the existence of a motivic Laurent expansion whose image under the period map is the open string expansion, and whose image under the single-valued period map is the closed string expansion. This proves the recent conjecture of Stieberger that closed string amplitudes are the single-valued projections of (motivic lifts of) open string amplitudes. Finally, applying a variant of the single-valued formalism for cohomology with coefficients yields the KLT formula expressing closed string amplitudes as quadratic expressions in open string amplitudes.
Interplay of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, normal colonic mucosa, cancer-associated fibroblasts, clinicopathological data and the immunoregulatory molecules of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Authors: Zadka Łukasz , Chabowski Mariusz , Grybowski Damian , Piotrowska Aleksandra , Dzięgiel Piotr 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA total of 94 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were included in this study. Lymphocytic infiltration of CD45+ cells in the normal colon was more pronounced than that in the paired tumor stroma (p = 0.0008). The mean immunoscore of CD45+TILs was decreased in CRC compared with the controls (p = 0.0010). The percentage of CD3+ cells was higher in stage II than in stage IV (p = 0.0218) and showed a negative correlation with the TNM classification (r = -0.2867, p = 0.0109). The number of stromal CD4+TILs was higher in stage I than in stage III (p = 0.0116) and IV (p = 0.0104), and there was a negative correlation between this number and the stage (r = -0.3708, p = 0.0008). There was a positive correlation between the Ki-67 and CD45+ (r = 0.2468, p = 0.0294), CD3+ (r = 0.3822, p = 0.0006), and CD4+ cells (r = 0.5465, p < 0.0001). The levels of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers such as α-SMA, thrombin and fibronectin were significantly higher in CRC than in normal colonic mucosa. The immunohistochemical expression of α-SMA was negatively correlated with TILs, while fibronectin showed positive coexpression. A higher number of cells expressing IL-2Rα, PD-L1, CD33 and CD14 were found in colorectal adenocarcinomas than in controls. The number of CD14+ cells was also dependent on the TNM stage (p = 0.0444) and tumor budding (p = 0.0324). These findings suggest a suppressive impact of CRC on the adaptive immune response and emphasize the importance of CAFs in regulating tumor immunity.
Polarized Classification Tree Models: Theory and Computational Aspects
Authors: Ballante Elena , Galvani Marta , Uberti Pierpaolo , Figini Silvia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a new approach in classification models, called Polarized Classification Tree model, is introduced. From a methodological perspective, a new index of polarization to measure the goodness of splits in the growth of a classification tree is proposed. The new introduced measure tackles weaknesses of the classical ones used in classification trees (Gini and Information Gain), because it does not only measure the impurity but it also reflects the distribution of each covariate in the node, i.e., employing more discriminating covariates to split the data at each node. From a computational prospective, a new algorithm is proposed and implemented employing the new proposed measure in the growth of a tree. In order to show how our proposal works, a simulation exercise has been carried out. The results obtained in the simulation framework suggest that our proposal significantly outperforms impurity measures commonly adopted in classification tree modeling. Moreover, the empirical evidence on real data shows that Polarized Classification Tree models are competitive and sometimes better with respect to classical classification tree models.
CT of the medial clavicular epiphysis for forensic age estimation: hands up?
Authors: Tozakidou Magdalini , Meister Rieke L. , Well Lennart , Petersen Kay U. , Schindera Sebastian , Jopp-van Well Eilin , Püschel Klaus , Herrmann Jochen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of arm position in computed tomography (CT) of the clavicle performed for forensic age estimation on clavicular position, image noise, and radiation dose.

Methods and materials
Forty-seven CT scans of the medial clavicular epiphysis performed for forensic age estimation were conducted with either hands and arms held upwards (CTHU, 28 persons) or positioned at the body (CTHD, 19 persons). Presets were identical for both positions (70 mAs/140 kVp; Brilliance iCT, Philips). Each CT scan was reconstructed with an iterative algorithm (i-Dose 4) and evaluated at the middle of the sternoclavicular joint. Clavicular angle was measured on a.p. topograms in relation to a horizontal line. Quantitative image noise was measured in air at the level of medial clavicular epiphysis. Effective dose and scan length were recorded.

Results
Hands-up position compared with hands-down position resulted in a lower lateral body diameter (CTHU 41.1 ± 3.6 cm vs. CTHD 44.6 ± 3.1 cm; P = 0.03), a reduced quantitative image noise (CTHU: 39.5 ± 9.2; CTHD: 46.2 ± 8.3; P = 0.02), and lower CTDIvol (5.1 ± 1.4 mGy vs. 6.7 ± 1.8 mGy; P = 0.001). Scan length was longer in patients examined with hands up (HU: 8.5 ± 3.4 cm; HD: 6.2 ± 2.1 cm; P = 0.006). Mean effective dose for CTHU was 0.79 ± 0.32 mSv compared with 0.95 ± 0.38 mSv in CTHD (P = 0.12). Clavicular angle was 17° ± 6° in patients with hands down and 32° ± 7° in patients with hands up (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
By elevated arm positioning, the image quality of clavicular CT scans can be improved while maintaining radiation dose compared with hands down. Clavicular position differs according to the hand position. Thus, positioning patients with elevated hands is advisable for forensic clavicular CT examinations, but multiplanar CT reconstructions should be adjusted to clavicular position and scan length should be reduced to a minimum.
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, 3D cardiac structures, and heart-on-a-chip as tools for drug research
Authors: Andrysiak Kalina , Stępniewski Jacek , Dulak Józef 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDevelopment of new drugs is of high interest for the field of cardiac and cardiovascular diseases, which are a dominant cause of death worldwide. Before being allowed to be used and distributed, every new potentially therapeutic compound must be strictly validated during preclinical and clinical trials. The preclinical studies usually involve the in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Due to the increasing reporting of discrepancy in drug effects in animal and humans and the requirement to reduce the number of animals used in research, improvement of in vitro models based on human cells is indispensable. Primary cardiac cells are difficult to access and maintain in cell culture for extensive experiments; therefore, the human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) became an excellent alternative. This technology enables a production of high number of patient- and disease-specific cardiomyocytes and other cardiac cell types for a large-scale research. The drug effects can be extensively evaluated in the context of electrophysiological responses with a use of well-established tools, such as multielectrode array (MEA), patch clamp, or calcium ion oscillation measurements. Cardiotoxicity, which is a common reason for withdrawing drugs from marketing or rejection at final stages of clinical trials, can be easily verified with a use of hiPSC-CM model providing a prediction of human-specific responses and higher safety of clinical trials involving patient cohort. Abovementioned studies can be performed using two-dimensional cell culture providing a high-throughput and relatively lower costs. On the other hand, more complex structures, such as engineered heart tissue, organoids, or spheroids, frequently applied as co-culture systems, represent more physiological conditions and higher maturation rate of hiPSC-derived cells. Furthermore, heart-on-a-chip technology has recently become an increasingly popular tool, as it implements controllable culture conditions, application of various stimulations and continuous parameters read-out. This paper is an overview of possible use of cardiomyocytes and other cardiac cell types derived from hiPSC as in vitro models of heart in drug research area prepared on the basis of latest scientific reports and providing thorough discussion regarding their advantages and limitations.
An evolutionary approach to the vehicle route planning in e-waste mobile collection on demand
Authors: Szwarc Krzysztof , Nowakowski Piotr , Boryczka Urszula 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe article discusses the utilitarian problem of the mobile collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Due to its $$\mathcal {NP}$$
NP
-hard nature, implies the application of approximate methods to discover suboptimal solutions in an acceptable time. The paper presents the proposal of a novel method of designing the Evolutionary and Memetic Algorithms, which determine favorable route plans. The recommended methods are determined using quality evaluation indicators for the techniques applied herein, subject to the limits characterizing the given company. The proposed Memetic Algorithm with Tabu Search provides much better results than the metaheuristics described in the available literature.
A probabilistic model for discretionary lane change proposals in highway driving situations
Authors: Schmidt Manuel , Wissing Christian , Nattermann Till , Bertram Torsten 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis contribution presents a novel probabilistic approach for the generation of discretionary lane change proposals with a focus on highway driving situations. The developed model is based on the quantification of the utility of driving lanes. It generates a lane change proposal if the current driving lane is unsatisfactory in the sense that the desired velocity of the automated vehicle is undershot because of a slow preceding vehicle. A driving simulator study was conducted to create a dataset for the optimization of the model parameters. The optimization goal is to accurately match the timings of the lane change intentions of all participants. Finally, the applicability of the model is shown on real data from a test vehicle.
Recommendations on postoperative strain and physical labor after abdominal and hernia surgery: an expert survey of attendants of the 41st EHS Annual International Congress of the European Hernia Society
Authors: Schaaf S. , Willms A. , Schwab R. , Güsgen C. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
There are no valid recommendations or reliable guidelines available to guide patients how long they should refrain from lifting weights or returning to heavy physical labor after abdominal or hernia surgery. Recent studies found that surgeons’ recommendations not to be evidence-based and might be too restrictive considering data on fascial healing and incisional hernia development. It is likely that this impairs the patient’s quality of life and leads to remarkable socio-economic costs. Hence, we conducted this survey to gather international expert’s opinions on this topic.

Materials and methods
At the 41st Annual International Congress of the EHS, attending international experts were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning recommendations on given proposals for postoperative refrain from heavy work or lifting after abdominal surgery and also after hernia repairs.

Results
In total, 127 experts took part in the survey. 83.9% were consultants with a mean experience since specialization of more than 11 years. Two weeks of no heavy physical strain after laparoscopic surgery were considered sufficient by more than 50% of the participants. For laparotomy, more than 50% rated 4 weeks appropriate. For mesh-augmented sublay and IPOM repair of ventral or incisional hernias, more than 50% rated 4 weeks of rest appropriate. For complex hernia repair, 37% rated 4 weeks reasonable. Two weeks after, groin hernia surgery was considered sufficient by more than 50% of the participants.

Conclusion
Following groin hernia repair (Lichtenstein/endoscopic technique) and laparoscopic operation, the majority agreed on the proposal of 2 weeks refraining from physical strain. Four weeks of no physical strain were considered appropriate by a majority after laparotomy and open incisional hernia repair. However, the results showed substantial variation in the ratings, which indicates uncertainty even in this selected cohort of hernia surgery experts and emphasizes the need for further scientific evaluation. This is particularly remarkable, because a lack of evidence that early postoperative strain leads to higher incisional hernia rates.

Trial registration
Number DRKS00023887.
Effect of essential oils against acaricide‐susceptible and acaricide-resistant Rhipicephalus ticks
Authors: Luns Darcy Adriann Rebonato , Martins Renato , Pombal Sofia , Rodilla Jesus M. Lopez , Githaka Naftaly W. , Vaz Itabajara da Silva , Logullo Carlos 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe indiscriminate use of acaricides is a problem worldwide and has increased the selection of acaricide-resistant tick populations. The goal of this study was to evaluate the acaricide effects of two essential oils (from Schinus molle and Bulnesia sarmientoi) using the larval immersion test on three Rhipicephalus tick species. Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus pulchelus ticks collected in Kenya, without history of acaricide exposure, were tested, as well as individuals from two populations of Rhipicephalus microplus (with or without history of acaricide exposure), for comparison. The sample most resistant to the treatments was a population of R. microplus with previous acaricide exposure, whereas the least tolerant sample was a strain of the same species that never had contact with acaricides (Porto Alegre strain). Interestingly, the field tick samples without previous acaricide exposure responded to essential oils with a mortality profile resembling that observed in the acaricide-resistant R. microplus field population, and not the susceptible Porto Alegre strain. The essential oil of B. sarmientoi and its two components tested (guaiol and bulnesol) caused the highest mortality rates in the tested species and are potential molecules for future studies on control methods against these species.