bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of null models for combination drug therapy reveals Hand model as biochemically most plausible
Authors: Sinzger Mark , Vanhoefer Jakob , Loos Carolin , Hasenauer Jan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNull models for the effect of combination therapies are widely used to evaluate synergy and antagonism of drugs. Due to the relevance of null models, their suitability is continuously discussed. Here, we contribute to the discussion by investigating the properties of five null models. Our study includes the model proposed by David J. Hand, which we refer to as Hand model. The Hand model has been introduced almost 20 years ago but hardly was used and studied. We show that the Hand model generalizes the principle of dose equivalence compared to the Loewe model and resolves the ambiguity of the Tallarida model. This provides a solution to the persisting conflict about the compatibility of two essential model properties: the sham combination principle and the principle of dose equivalence. By embedding several null models into a common framework, we shed light in their biochemical validity and provide indications that the Hand model is biochemically most plausible. We illustrate the practical implications and differences between null models by examining differences of null models on published data.
Forecasting the response to global warming in a heat-sensitive species
Authors: Brivio Francesca , Zurmühl Milena , Grignolio Stefano , von Hardenberg Jost , Apollonio Marco , Ciuti Simone 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAvoiding hyperthermia entails considerable metabolic costs for endotherms. Such costs increase in warm conditions, when endotherms may trade food intake for cooler areas to avoid heat stress and maximize their energy balance. The need to reduce heat stress may involve the adoption of tactics affecting space use and foraging behaviour, which are important to understand and predict the effects of climate change and inform conservation. We used resource selection models to examine the behavioural response to heat stress in the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex), a cold-adapted endotherm particularly prone to overheating. Ibex avoided heat stress by selecting the space based on the maximum daily temperature rather than moving hourly to ‘surf the heat wave’, which minimised movement costs but prevented optimal foraging. By integrating these findings with new climate forecasts, we predict that rising temperatures will force mountain ungulates to move upward and overcrowd thermal refugia with reduced carrying capacity. Our approach helps in identifying priority areas for the conservation of mountain species.
Antimicrobial activities of green synthesized gums-stabilized nanoparticles loaded with flavonoids
Authors: Anwar Ayaz , Masri Abdulkader , Rao Komal , Rajendran Kavitha , Khan Naveed Ahmed , Shah Muhammad Raza , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHerein, we report green synthesized nanoparticles based on stabilization by plant gums, loaded with citrus fruits flavonoids Hesperidin (HDN) and Naringin (NRG) as novel antimicrobial agents against brain-eating amoebae and multi-drug resistant bacteria. Nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized by using zetasizer, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy, ultravoilet-visible and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic techniques. The size of these spherical nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 100–225 nm. The antiamoebic effects of these green synthesized Silver and Gold nanoparticles loaded with HDN and NRG were tested against Acanthamoeba castellanii and Naegleria fowleri, while antibacterial effects were evaluated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and neuropathogenic Escherichia coli K1. Amoebicidal assays revealed that HDN loaded Silver nanoparticles stabilized by gum acacia (GA-AgNPs-HDN) quantitatively abolished amoeba viability by 100%, while NRG loaded Gold nanoparticles stabilized by gum tragacanth (GT-AuNPs-NRG) significantly reduced the viability of A. castellanii and N. fowleri at 50 µg per mL. Furthermore, these nanoparticles inhibited the encystation and excystation by more than 85%, as well as GA-AgNPs-HDN only completely obliterated amoeba-mediated host cells cytopathogenicity. Whereas, GA-AgNPs-HDN exhibited significant bactericidal effects against MRSA and E. coli K1 and reduced bacterial-mediated host cells cytotoxicity. Notably, when tested against human cells, these nanoparticles showed minimal (23%) cytotoxicity at even higher concentration of 100 µg per mL as compared to 50 µg per mL used for antimicrobial assays. Hence, these novel nanoparticles formulations hold potential as therapeutic agents against infections caused by brain-eating amoebae, as well as multi-drug resistant bacteria, and recommend a step forward in drug development.
Wave Propagation in Composites of Plasma and Metamaterials with Negative Permittivity and Permeability
Authors: Kim Hyunjun , Hopwood Jeffrey 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWave propagation is observed through a negative permeability metamaterial immersed in gaseous plasma. A 3D array of split ring resonators (SRR) is enveloped by an inductively heated argon plasma with a nominal plasma frequency of 2.65 GHz. Transmission spectra show electromagnetic waves traverse the composite medium from 1.3–1.7 GHz for which the permeability of the SRRs and the permittivity of the plasma are simultaneously negative. Only surface waves and evanescence are observed outside this frequency band. The edge of the transmission band also shows negative group velocity, albeit with high wave attenuation. The free electron density of the plasma is coupled to the inductive heating, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the metamaterial’s frequency band and wave impedance.
Investigation of diabetic patient’s fingernail quality to monitor type 2 diabetes induced tissue damage
Authors: Sihota Praveer , Yadav Ram Naresh , Dhiman Vandana , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Mehandia Vishwajeet , Kumar Navin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLong-term Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) affects the normal functioning of heart, kidneys, nerves, arteries, bones, and joints. The T2D gradually alters the intrinsic material properties, and structural integrity of the tissues and prolonged hyperglycemia causes chronic damages to these tissues quality. Clinically no such technique is available which can assess the altered tissues quality associated with T2D. In the present study, the microstructural characterization (surface morphology, surface roughness and density and calcium content), material characterization (modulus, hardness), and macromolecular characterization (disulfide bond content, protein content and its secondary structure) are investigated among healthy, diabetic controlled (DC) and uncontrolled diabetic (UC) group of fingernail plate. It is found that T2D has an adverse effect on the human fingernail plate quality. The parameters of nail plate quality are changing in a pattern among all the three groups. The properties mentioned above are degrading in DC group, but the degradation is even worst in the case of severity of T2D (UC group) as compared to the healthy group (Healthy<DC<UC). This study suggests that the fingernail plate quality has a potential to become a new avenue to assess the secondary diabetic complications, i.e. to assess the bone quality.
CuPt Alloy Thin Films for Application in Spin Thermoelectrics
Authors: Tian Kun , Tiwari Ashutosh 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpin thermoelectrics represents a new paradigm of thermoelectricity that has a potential to overcome the fundamental limitation posed by the Wiedmann-Franz law on the efficiency of conventional thermoelectric devices. A typical spin thermoelectric device consists of a bilayer of a magnetic insulator and a high spin-orbit coupling (SOC) metal coated over a non-magnetic substrate. Pt is the most commonly used metal in spin thermoelectric devices due to its strong SOC. In this paper, we found that an alloy of Cu and Pt can perform much better than Pt in spin thermoelectric devices. A series of CuPt alloy films with different Pt concentrations were deposited on yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films coated gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate. Through spin Seebeck measurements, it was found that the Cu0.4Pt0.6/YIG/GGG device shows almost 3 times higher spin Seebeck voltage compared to Pt/YIG/GGG under identical conditions. The improved performance was attributed to the higher resistivity as well as enhanced spin hall angle of the CuPt layer.
Computational identification of co-evolving multi-gene modules in microbial biosynthetic gene clusters
Authors: Del Carratore Francesco , Zych Konrad , Cummings Matthew , Takano Eriko , Medema Marnix H. , Breitling Rainer 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe biosynthetic machinery responsible for the production of bacterial specialised metabolites is encoded by physically clustered group of genes called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). The experimental characterisation of numerous BGCs has led to the elucidation of subclusters of genes within BGCs, jointly responsible for the same biosynthetic function in different genetic contexts. We developed an unsupervised statistical method able to successfully detect a large number of modules (putative functional subclusters) within an extensive set of predicted BGCs in a systematic and automated manner. Multiple already known subclusters were confirmed by our method, proving its efficiency and sensitivity. In addition, the resulting large collection of newly defined modules provides new insights into the prevalence and putative biosynthetic role of these modular genetic entities. The automated and unbiased identification of hundreds of co-evolving group of genes is an essential breakthrough for the discovery and biosynthetic engineering of high-value compounds.
Interlayer exciton dynamics in van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Ovesen Simon , Brem Samuel , Linderälv Christopher , Kuisma Mikael , Korn Tobias , Erhart Paul , Selig Malte , Malic Ermin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAtomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides can be stacked to van der Waals heterostructures enabling the design of new materials with tailored properties. The strong Coulomb interaction gives rise to interlayer excitons, where electrons and holes are spatially separated in different layers. In this work, we reveal the time- and momentum-dependent elementary processes behind the formation, thermalization and photoemission of interlayer excitons for the exemplary MoSe2–WSe2 heterostructure. We identify tunneling of holes from MoSe2 to WSe2 on a ps timescale as the crucial process for interlayer exciton formation. We also predict a drastic reduction of the formation time as a function of the interlayer energy offset suggesting that interlayer excitons can be externally tuned. Finally, we explain the experimental observation of a dominant photoluminescence from interlayer excitons despite the vanishingly small oscillator strength as a consequence of huge interlayer exciton occupations at low temperatures.
A Tutorial of the Effects of Sex Hormones on Laryngeal Senescence and Neuromuscular Response to Exercise
Authors: Lenell Charles , Sandage Mary J. , Johnson Aaron M. 
Published: February 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this tutorial is to summarize how sex hormones affect both laryngeal senescence and neuromuscular response to exercise, highlighting the importance of considering sex differences in developing treatment for the senescent voice.

Conclusion
Men and women's voices are sexually dimorphic throughout the life span, including during the laryngeal adaptations observed during senescence. Therefore, presbyphonia (age-related dysphonia) likely clinically manifests differently for men and women due to differences in how the male and the female larynx change in response to aging. Because sexual dimorphism is evident in both laryngeal aging and response to exercise, voice therapy programs aimed at treating the typical and disordered aged voice should consider sex differences in their design.
Fabrication and characterisation of microscale hemispherical shell resonator with diamond electrodes on the Si substrate
Authors: Liu Zhaoyang , Zhang Weiping , Cui Feng , Tang Jian , Zhang Yuying 
Published: February 2019

A self‐aligned fabrication method is employed for microscale hemispherical shell resonator with integrated diamond electrodes on a silicon (Si) substrate. The millimetre‐scale three‐dimensional (3D) hemispherical shell resonator, with integrated electrostatic excitation and capacitive detection transducers for full control of the resonator, is fabricated on the Si substrate by employing a microelectromechanical systems process. The eight integrated diamond electrodes evenly distributed outside the hemispherical shell are fabricated using a self‐aligned method, which ensures uniform capacitive gap along the whole circumference. The Boron‐doped polycrystalline diamond, a material with low thermo‐elastic damping and low surface losses to reach the high quality, is used as the millimetre‐scale 3D hemispherical shell resonator with integrated electrodes. The fabrication process enables the production of almost perfect hemisphere mould (<2% roundness variation) with an average surface roughness of 3 nm. Vibration modes and frequencies are carried out by a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer; the elliptical mode frequency is determined to be at 81.3 kHz, with the two M = 2 degenerate modes having a relative frequency mismatch of 0.86%. This process can be further optimised to fabricate high‐quality and full‐symmetric microscale hemispherical resonator gyroscopes in batch.
Double‐layer resist method to improve descum result when removing negative photoresist
Authors: Yang Zheng , Wang Qiusen , Qi Liping , Wang Xing , Li Kehong , Chen Da , Li Chen , Zou Helin 
Published: February 2019

A novel double‐layer resist method was presented in this work to decrease the negative photoresist scum. Positive photoresist was chosen as the bottom layer resist and negative photoresist as the top layer resist. This work studied the effect of viscosity and thickness of bottom layer resist on the mean number of scum. The experiment shows that the low viscosity positive photoresist AZ703, with the spin speed of 3000 r/min and the thickness of 1.10 um, had prominent effect on the removal of photoresist. To minimise the area of the top layer contact with substrate and further reduce the scum, 8 µm was selected as the optimal retracting distance d of the bottom layer resist.
Physical and dynamical properties of the unusual V-type asteroid (2579) Spartacus
Authors: Oszkiewicz Dagmara , Kryszczyńska Agnieszka , Kankiewicz Paweł , Moskovitz Nicholas A. , Skiff Brian A. , Leith Thomas B. , Ďurech Josef , Włodarczyk Ireneusz , Marciniak Anna , Geier Stefan , Fedorets Grigori , Troianskyi Volodymyr , Föhring Dóra 
Published: February 2019

Context.Asteroid (2579) Spartacus is a small V-type object located in the inner main belt. This object shows spectral characteristics unusual for typical Vestoids, which may indicate an origin deeper than average within Vesta or an origin from an altogether different parent body.Aims.Our main goal is to study the origin of Spartacus. We derive the spin of Spartacus and a convex shape model of Spartacus in order to increase the knowledge of the body’s physical properties. The rotational parameters are then used to investigate dynamical evolution of the object as well as to distinguish regions sampled by spectral observations to determine whether its surface displays heterogeneity.Methods.We collected lightcurves available from the literature (oppositions of 2009, 2012) and obtained additional photometric observations at various telescopes in 2016, 2017, and 2018. We used the lightcurve inversion method to derive a spin and convex shape model. We have collected spectral observations over two rotational periods of Spartacus and determined its spectral parameters using the modified Gaussian model (MGM). We then dynamically integrated the orbital elements of Spartacus, taking into account existing information, including its thermal properties, size and the derived spin axis orientation.Results.We find two models for (2579) Spartacus: (a)λ= 312° ± 5°,β= −57° ± 5° and (b)λ= 113° ± 5°,β= −60° ± 5° both retrograde. We find that the drift direction for Spartacus is consistent with separation from Vesta, and after a backward integration of 1 Gyr the asteroid reaches the boundary of the family. We did not observe spectral variations with rotation, thus the body most likely has a homogeneous surface. Additionally, new spectral analysis indicates that the 1.0 and 2.0μm band centers are within ranges that are typical for Vestoids while the area ratio of these bands is about half that of typical Vestoids.Conclusions.The asteroid (2579) Spartacus is in retrograde rotation and has a drift direction consistent with an origin from Vesta. The revised spectral band centers are within ranges typical for Vestoids, while band area ratio (BAR) is unusually low compared to that of other V-types. The dynamical model shows that the asteroid could have migrated to its current location from the edges of the Vesta family within 1 Gyr, but an origin from an earlier impact on Vesta could also be plausible.
Be and O in the ultra metal-poor dwarf 2MASS J18082002-5104378: the Be–O correlation
Authors: Spite M. , Bonifacio P. , Spite F. , Caffau E. , Sbordone L. , Gallagher A. J. 
Published: February 2019

Context. Measurable amounts of Be could have been synthesised primordially if the Universe were non-homogeneous or in the presence of late decaying relic particles.
Aims. We investigate the Be abundance in the extremely metal-poor star 2MASS J1808-5104 ([Fe/H] = −3.84) with the aim of constraining inhomogeneities or the presence of late decaying particles.
Methods. High resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) UV spectra were acquired at ESO with the Kueyen 8.2 m telescope and the UVES spectrograph. Abundances were derived using several model atmospheres and spectral synthesis code.
Results. We measured log(Be/H) = −14.3 from a spectrum synthesis of the region of the Be line. Using a conservative approach, however we adopted an upper limit two times higher, i.e. log(Be/H) < −14.0. We measured the O abundance from UV–OH lines and find [O/H] = −3.46 after a 3D correction.
Conclusions. Our observation reinforces the existing upper limit on primordial Be. There is no observational indication for a primordial production of 9Be. This places strong constraints on the properties of putative relic particles. This result also supports the hypothesis of a homogeneous Universe, at the time of nucleosynthesis. Surprisingly, our upper limit of the Be abundance is well below the Be measurements in stars of similar [O/H]. This may be evidence that the Be–O relation breaks down in the early Galaxy, perhaps due to the escape of spallation products from the gas clouds in which stars such as 2MASS J1808-5104 have formed.
Current practice and preferences to management of equinus in children with ambulatory cerebral palsy: A survey of orthopedic surgeons
Authors: Gendy Samuel , ElGebeily Mohamed , EL-Sobky Tamer A. , Khoshhal Khalid I. , Jawadi Ayman H. 
Published: February 2019

Introduction: The consensus among orthopedic surgeons on the management of equinus deformity in cerebral palsy (CP) children has not been reported previously despite being a prevalent deformity. The goals of this study were to examine the orthopedic surgeons’ current practice regarding the management of equinus deformity in children with ambulatory CP, and analyze variations in current practice between general orthopedic and pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Methods: We implemented a brief cross-sectional self-reported questionnaire that addressed the areas of clinical examination and decision-making skills of management of equinus deformity in CP children. We targeted a convenience sample of 400 participants. Surgeons that provided complete responses to the questionnaire were 223 with a response rate of 56%, of which 123 (55%) were general orthopedic surgeons, whereas 100 (45%) were pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The target population consisted of orthopedic surgeons who were further sub-classified in accordance with practice age, general versus pediatric, and exposure to children’s orthopedics during the last three years of their practice. For analytical statistics, the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to examine the relationship between two qualitative variables.
Results: The overall clinical practice preferences of all survey participants were unimpressive with discordant survey responses. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons generally demonstrated a statistically significant difference regarding clinical assessment skill items of the survey, in contrast to general orthopedic surgeons. However, we found no differences between pediatric orthopedic and general orthopedic surgeons regarding most of the decision-making/knowledge items.
Discussion: Generally, there are insufficient clinical practice trends of both general and pediatric orthopedic surgeons regarding equinus treatment in CP children. This may indicate a knowledge–practice gap with potential risks to CP children undergoing surgery for equinus. There is a need for a more competent exposure to CP in orthopedic surgeons’ educational curricula and an updated health referral system.
Nomenclature and semantic description of vascular lesions in small bowel capsule endoscopy: an international Delphi consensus statement
Authors: Leenhardt Romain , Li Cynthia , Koulaouzidis Anastasios , Cavallaro Flaminia , Cholet Franck , Eliakim Rami , Fernandez-Urien Ignacio , Kopylov Uri , McAlindon Mark , Németh Artur , Plevris John , Rahmi Gabriel , Rondonotti Emanuele , Saurin Jean-Christophe , Tontini Gian , Toth Ervin , Yung Diana , Marteau Philippe , Dray Xavier 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Background and study aims Nomenclature and descriptions of small bowel (SB) vascular lesions in capsule endoscopy (CE) are scarce in the medical literature. They are mostly based on the reader's opinion and thus differ between experts, with a potential negative impact on clinical care, teaching and research regarding SBCE. Our aim was to better define a nomenclature and to give a description of the most frequent vascular lesions in SBCE.
Methods A panel of 18 European expert SBCE readers was formed during the UEGW 2016 meeting. Three experts constructed an Internet-based four-round Delphi consensus, but did not participate in the voting process. They built questionnaires that included various still frames of vascular lesions obtained with a third-generation SBCE system. The 15 remaining participants were asked to rate different proposals and description of the most common SB vascular lesions. A 6-point rating scale (varying from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’) was used successive rounds. The consensus was reached when at least 80 % voting members scored the statement within the ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’.
Results Consensual terms and descriptions were reached for angiectasia/angiodysplasia, erythematous patch, red spot/dot, and phlebectasia. A consensual description was reached for more subtle vascular lesions tentatively named “diminutive angiectasia” but no consensus was reached for this term.
Conclusion An international group has reached a consensus on the nomenclature and descriptions of the most frequent and relevant SB vascular lesions in CE. These terms and descriptions are useful in daily practice, for teaching and for medical research purposes.