bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific maternofetal innate immune responses triggered by group B Streptococci
Authors: Allard Marie-Julie , Giraud Antoine , Segura Mariela , Sebire Guillaume 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common bacteria isolated in human chorioamnionitis, which is a major risk factor for premature birth and brain injuries. Males are at greater risk than females for developing lifelong neurobehavioural disorders, although the origins of this sex bias remain poorly understood. We previously showed that end-gestational inflammation triggered by GBS led to early neurodevelopmental impairments mainly in the male rat progeny. Identifying key inflammatory players involved in maternofetal immune activation by specific pathogens is critical to develop appropriate novel therapeutic interventions. We aimed to map out the GBS-induced profile of innate immune biomarkers in the maternal-placental-fetal axis, and to compare this immune profile between male and female tissues. We describe here that the GBS-induced immune signalling involved significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1/CXCL1) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) infiltration in male compared to female maternofetal tissues. Although male – but not female – fetuses presented increased levels of IL-1β, fetuses from both sexes in-utero exposed to GBS had increased levels of TNF-α in their circulation. Levels of IL-1β detected in fetal sera correlated positively with the levels found in maternal circulation. Here, we report for the first time that the maternofetal innate immune signalling induced by GBS presents a sexually dichotomous profile, with more prominent inflammation in males than females. These sex-specific placental and fetal pro-inflammatory responses are in keeping with the higher susceptibility of the male population for preterm birth, brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorders.
How Stereotypes Affect Pain
Authors: Schwarz Katharina A. , Sprenger Christian , Hidalgo Pablo , Pfister Roland , Diekhof Esther K. , Büchel Christian 
Published: June 2019

AbstractStereotypes are abundant in everyday life – and whereas their influence on cognitive and motor performance is well documented, a causal role in pain processing is still elusive. Nevertheless, previous studies have implicated gender-related stereotype effects in pain perception as potential mediators partly accounting for sex effects on pain. An influence of stereotypes on pain seems indeed likely as pain measures have proven especially susceptible to expectancy effects such as placebo effects. However, so far empirical approaches to stereotype effects on pain are correlational rather than experimental. In this study, we aimed at documenting gender-related stereotypes on pain perception and processing by actively manipulating the participants’ awareness of common stereotypical expectations. We discovered that gender-related stereotypes can significantly modulate pain perception which was mirrored by activity levels in pain-associated brain areas.
Enhancing thermoelectric performance by Fermi level tuning and thermal conductivity degradation in (Ge1−xBix)Te crystals
Authors: Wei Pai-Chun , Cai Cheng-Xun , Hsing Cheng-Rong , Wei Ching-Ming , Yu Shih-Hsun , Wu Hsin-Jay , Chen Cheng-Lung , Wei Da-Hua , Nguyen Duc-Long , Chou Mitch M. C. , Chen Yang-Yuan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this work, a high thermoelectric figure of merit, zT of 1.9 at 740 K is achieved in Ge1−xBixTe crystals through the concurrent of Seebeck coefficient enhancement and thermal conductivity reduction with Bi dopants. The substitution of Bi for Ge not only compensates the superfluous hole carriers in pristine GeTe but also shifts the Fermi level (EF) to an eligible region. Experimentally, with moderate 6–10% Bi dopants, the carrier concentration is drastically decreased from 8.7 × 1020 cm−3 to 3–5 × 1020 cm−3 and the Seebeck coefficient is boosted three times to 75 μVK−1. In the meantime, based on the density functional theory (DFT) calculation, the Fermi level EF starts to intersect with the pudding mold band at L point, where the band effective mass is enhanced. The enhanced Seebeck coefficient effectively compensates the decrease of electrical conductivity and thus successfully maintain the power factor as large as or even superior than that of the pristine GeTe. In addition, the Bi doping significantly reduces both thermal conductivities of carriers and lattices to an extremely low limit of 1.57 W m−1K−1 at 740 K with 10% Bi dopants, which is an about 63% reduction as compared with that of pristine GeTe. The elevated figure of merit observed in Ge1−xBixTe specimens is therefore realized by synergistically optimizing the power factor and downgrading the thermal conductivity of alloying effect and lattice anharmonicity caused by Bi doping.
Binding and Flip as Initial Steps for BP-100 Antimicrobial Actions
Authors: Park Peter , Franco Leandro R. , Chaimovich Hernan , Coutinho Kaline , Cuccovia Iolanda M. , Lima Filipe S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBP100 is a short antimicrobial peptide and can also act as a molecule-carrier into cells. Like with other antimicrobial peptides, the precise mechanism of membrane disruption is not fully understood. Here we use computer simulations to understand, at a molecular level, the initial interaction between BP100 and zwitterionic/negatively charged model membranes. In agreement with experimental results, our simulations showed BP100 folded into an alpha helix when in contact with negatively charged membranes. BP100 binding induced the aggregation of negatively charged lipids on mixed membranes composed of zwitterionic and anionic lipids. The peptide in alpha-helix conformation initially interacts with the membrane via electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged lipids and the positively charged residues of the peptide. At that point the peptide flips, burying the hydrophobic residues into the bilayer highlighting the importance of the hydrophobic effect contribution to the initial interaction of cationic antimicrobial peptides with membranes.
A high temporal resolution numerical algorithm for shock wave velocity diagnosis
Authors: Wu Yuji , Wang Feng , Wang Qiuping , Li Yulong , Jiang Shaoen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe propose a high temporal resolution numerical algorithm for shock wave velocity diagnosis. By analysing variations in the optical path and phasor of a light field, we determine a high temporal resolution shock wave velocity equation for a velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR). The equation can be transformed into matrix form for numerical solution. To solve noise problems, a ‘filtering velocity spectrum’ method is proposed. Analysis of a VISAR data example shows that the resolution precision of shock wave velocity obtained from the numerical algorithm is the same as the temporal resolution of a streak camera. Moreover, it can observe the shock wave in greater detail. This algorithm can be used to observe detailed images and determine the mechanism and evolution of extreme shock waves, as well as provide data for research into hydrodynamic behaviour in inertial confinement fusion.
Grain Boundary Interfaces Controlled by Reduced Graphene Oxide in Nonstoichiometric SrTiO3-δ Thermoelectrics
Authors: Rahman Jamil Ur , Du Nguyen Van , Nam Woo Hyun , Shin Weon Ho , Lee Kyu Hyoung , Seo Won-Seon , Kim Myong Ho , Lee Soonil 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPoint defect or doping in Strontium titanium oxide (STO) largely determines the thermoelectric (TE) properties. So far, insufficient knowledge exists on the impact of double Schottky barrier on the TE performance. Herein, we report a drastic effect of double Schottky barrier on the TE performance in undoped STO. It demonstrates that incorporation of Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) into undoped STO weakens the double Schottky barrier and thereby results in a simultaneous increase in both carrier concentration and mobility of undoped STO. The enhanced mobility exhibits single crystal-like behavior. This increase in the carrier concentration and mobility boosts the electrical conductivity and power factor of undoped STO, which is attributed to the reduction of the double Schottky barrier height and/or the band alignment of STO and RGO that allow the charge transfer through the interface at grain boundaries. Furthermore, this STO/RGO interface also enhances the phonon scattering, which results in low thermal conductivity. This strategy significantly increases the ratio of σ/κ, resulting in an enhancement in ZT as compared with pure undoped STO. This study opens a new window to optimize the TE properties of many candidate materials.
Enhancement of hydrophobicity and UV aging resistance of Poly (p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibers modified by fluorosilane and UV absorber
Authors: Li Zhihua , Yang Yu , Li Hui , Liu Lanlan , Zou Dehua 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPoly (p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers were functionalized by 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-560) and then coated with 1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2H-Perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (HFTES) and UV absorber (UV-328) to improve hydrophobicity and UV aging resistance. The chemical compositions of PBO fibers before and after modification were analyzed by XPS and surface morphologies were observed by SEM. The hydrophobicity of PBO fibers was evaluated by the measurement of contact angle for water and the UV aging resistance was evaluated by the tensile strength retention ratio of PBO fibers. The results showed that KH-560 was successfully introduced onto the PBO fiber surface. The contact angle for water was increased by 128% from 51.7° to 127°, suggesting a huge improvement of hydrophobicity. The UV aging resistance of PBO fibers was also greatly improved. After 400 h UV exposure, the tensile strength retention ratio was increased to 53%, which was much higher than that of 21.4% for pristine PBO fibers. And the results of variable coating times demonstrated that the optimal UV aging resistance was obtained by coating three times.
From single bacterial cell imaging towards in vivo single-molecule biochemistry studies
Authors: Endesfelder Ulrike 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Bacteria as single-cell organisms are important model systems to study cellular mechanisms and functions. In recent years and with the help of advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques, immense progress has been made in characterizing and quantifying the behavior of single bacterial cells on the basis of molecular interactions and assemblies in the complex environment of live cultures. Importantly, single-molecule imaging enables the in vivo determination of the stoichiometry and molecular architecture of subcellular structures, yielding detailed, quantitative, spatiotemporally resolved molecular maps and unraveling dynamic heterogeneities and subpopulations on the subcellular level. Nevertheless, open challenges remain. Here, we review the past and current status of the field, discuss example applications and give insights into future trends.
Inductive decoupling‐based multi‐channel LED driver without electrolytic capacitors
Authors: Ye Cikai , Das Pritam , Sahoo Sanjib Kumar 
Published: June 2019

Light‐emitting diode (LED) drivers in outdoor street lighting applications suffer from short‐lifetime because of the prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as high operating temperature, high humidity etc. A long‐lifetime multi‐channel LED driver consisting of front‐end AC–DC boost power factor correction (PFC) converter followed by a DC–DC power conversion stage with dimming capability for LED‐based street light is proposed in this study. This LED driver uses an inductor‐based auxiliary decoupling circuit at the output of the AC–DC converter for mitigating the double‐line‐frequency power ripple present in the DC bus. The inductive ripple power storage circuit has a longer lifetime than a conventional capacitive storage circuit which is usually implemented by electrolytic capacitors. A digital control method is proposed to realise the decoupling control along with PFC control by a single non‐digital signal processor micro‐controller ST STM32F103RBT6. The proposed LED driver for street lighting is analysed and validated on a 150 W test setup. A comparison of active decoupling AC–DC converters for eliminating secondary‐harmonic power ripple is displayed.
Die Onkonet-Datenbank: Bilanz einer Internet-basierten, multizentrischen Dokumentationsplattform zur Erfassung der operativen Therapie des Prostatakarzinoms
Authors: Pohle Margit , Magheli Ahmed , Diederichs Wolfgang , Ecke Thorsten , Fischer Tom , Kempkensteffen Carsten , Knispel Helmut , Lehsnau Mike , Miller Kurt , Pretzer Jana , Schostak Martin , Winter Alexander , Zacharias Mario , Hinz Stefan 
Published: June 2019

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Mit der vom Berliner Tumorzentrum e. V. entwickelten und koordinierten Onkonet-Datenbank (http://www.prostata-ca.net) wurden seit Januar 2005 deutschlandweit prä-, peri- und postoperative Parameter zur radikalen Prostatektomie dokumentiert. Durch die besonders anwenderfreundliche Nutzbarkeit sollte Onkonet die operative Versorgung des Prostatakarzinoms in Deutschland abbilden und ihre Qualität durch ein integriertes Benchmarking-Tool verbessern. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, alle bis heute dokumentierten Daten aus Onkonet zu analysieren. Im Fokus waren hierbei die Vollständigkeit und Plausibilität der Daten, um die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen weiterer Auswertungen zu prüfen und gegebenenfalls zu definieren.
Patienten und Methoden In die retrospektive Studie wurden alle in Onkonet dokumentierten Verläufe von Prostatakarzinompatienten eingeschlossen, die sich bis Juni 2018 in den am Projekt beteiligten Kliniken einer radikalen Prostatektomie unterzogen hatten. Die Vollständigkeit der Dokumentation aller Patientenverläufe wurde mit Hilfe von Excel 2013 analysiert. Die statistische Auswertung erfolgte deskriptiv.
Ergebnisse In Onkonet wurden insgesamt 21 474 Patienten angelegt, bei 56 % (12 591) davon waren das Geburts-, OP, Aufnahme- und Entlassungsdatum, der initiale PSA-Wert, Gleason Score der Stanzbiopsie, klinisches T-Stadium, pathologisches T-Stadium, pathologischer Gleason-Score sowie die OP-Technik vollständig dokumentiert. Die Vollständigkeit der präoperativen Parameter lag im Mittel bei 26,8 %, die zum stationären Aufenthalt bei 64,5 % und die zur Pathologie bei 58,1 %. Hierbei waren das pT-Stadium bei 80,1 %, das N-Stadium bei 78,8 %, das M-Stadium bei 74,8 %, der pathologische Gleason-Score bei 78,7 % und Informationen zum R1-Status bei 78,7 % der Patienten dokumentiert. Die Dokumentationsvollständigkeit der Nachsorgeparameter lag bei 8,1 %, wobei bei 27,2 % ein PSA-Wert, bei 23,0 % Informationen zur Kontinenz und bei 13,9 % Informationen zur Potenz vorlag.
Schlussfolgerung Mit 21 474 erfassten Patientenverläufen und über 200 dokumentierbaren Parametern stellt Onkonet eines der umfangreichsten klinischen Register zur Dokumentation von Prostatakarzinom-Patientenverläufen dar. Die Datenanalyse zeigte, dass die Grenzen einer solchen Datenbank insbesondere in der hohen Anzahl von Parametern sowie der hohen Fehleranfälligkeit aufgrund der manuellen Eingabe liegen.
Up-regulation of FOXO1 and reduced inflammation by β-hydroxybutyric acid are essential diet restriction benefits against liver injury
Authors: Miyauchi Tomoyuki , Uchida Yoichiro , Kadono Kentaro , Hirao Hirofumi , Kawasoe Junya , Watanabe Takeshi , Ueda Shugo , Okajima Hideaki , Terajima Hiroaki , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: June 2019

SignificanceLong-term fasting for more than 24 h has been reported to ameliorate liver ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI). However, it is difficult to apply long-term fasting for human preoperative management, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Our present research demonstrates that 12-h fasting remarkably ameliorates liver IRI. The 12-h fasting induces up-regulation of FOXO1 by raising the level of acetylated histone and β-hydroxybutyric acid, followed by up-regulation of antioxidative enzyme and autophagy activity, and improves liver IRI through the reduction of the inflammation and apoptotic cell death. Perioperative administration of β-hydroxybutyric acid or histone deacetylase inhibitor may have beneficial effects by avoiding liver injury at liver surgery. This is an insight on the prevention of liver IRI.
Inheritance, contact, convergence
Authors: Yakpo Kofi 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis article provides a comparative analysis of the suppletive allomorphy of two personal pronouns in the five African English-lexifier Creoles (AECs) Krio (Sierra Leone), Pichi (Equatorial Guinea), Ghanaian Pidgin English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Cameroon Pidgin. The alternation of the 3sgobject forms=àm(a clitic) andín(a non-clitic) is conditioned by a tonal obligatory contour principle (ocp), a vowel heightocp, animacy, and focus in different constellations across the five AECs. In addition, an epenthetic /r/ is recruited in four of the AECs to ensure that theocpis not breached. The analyses suggest that pronominal suppletion in the AECs has been fashioned by processes of change and differentiation typical of geographically extensive language families, such as migration from linguistic homelands, acquisition by non-founder populations, interlectal cross-diffusion, as well as contact and convergence with adstrate, substrate, and superstrate languages.
Alignment, ‘politeness’ and implicitness in Chinese political discourse
Authors: Kádár Dániel Z. , Zhang Sen 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
This paper aims to examine the ways in which official Chinese written monologues implicitly trigger alignment with the public in the wake of national social crises. Our understanding of alignment encompasses the attitude of creating an authoritative line of discourse, which in turn triggers the responsive alignment of the receivers with the decision makers. We believe that alignment is a fundamental concept to understand how linguistic politeness operates in political monologues such as gong’gao. Such texts are rich in forms of deference such as honorifics and other ritual phrases used towards Chinese politicians. The reason why such forms of politeness deserve special attention in language and politics is that they are not interpersonal, and their use correlates with implicit communication.
A novel ppm-precise absolute calibration method for precision high-voltage dividers
Authors: Rest O , Winzen D , Bauer S , Berendes R , Meisner J , Thümmler T , Wüstling S , Weinheimer C 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The most common method to measure direct current high voltage (HV) down to the ppm-level is to use resistive high-voltage dividers. Such devices scale the HV into a range where it can be compared with precision digital voltmeters to reference voltages sources, which can be traced back to Josephson voltage standards. So far the calibration of the scale factors of HV dividers for voltages above 1 kV could only be done at metrology institutes and sometimes involves round-robin tests among several institutions to get reliable results. Here we present a novel absolute calibration method based on the measurement of a differential scale factor, which can be performed with commercial equipment and outside metrology institutes. We demonstrate that reproducible measurements up to 35 kV can be performed with relative uncertainties below

. This method is not restricted to metrology institutes and offers the possibility to determine the linearity of high-voltage dividers for a wide range of applications.
Determination of the thermodynamic temperature between 236 K and 430 K from speed of sound measurements in helium
Authors: Gavioso R M , Madonna Ripa D , Steur P P M , Dematteis R , Imbraguglio D 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
We report speed of sound measurements in helium at 273.16 K and at eight temperatures in the range between 236 K and 430 K. These results determine the difference (T  −  T
90) between the thermodynamic temperature T and its approximation T
90 by the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). The uncertainty of our measurements of (T  −  T
90) spans between a minimum of 0.25 mK near 247 K and a maximum of 0.89 mK at the freezing point of indium (429.75 K) with comparable contributions from the uncertainty of our acoustic determination of T and from the uncertainty of our laboratory realization of ITS-90. On the overlapping temperature ranges these results are consistent with other recent acoustic determinations of (T  −  T
90). We also present evidence that (T  −  T
90) can be determined with comparably small uncertainties by the alternative, time-saving procedure of measuring the speed-of-sound in helium using only a single, judiciously-chosen, pressure on each isotherm.
Refractive index for sulfur S8 molecules between graphene layers and inside graphite
Authors: Arellano J S , Salas O , Magaña L F 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The refractive index for sulfur molecules adsorbed between graphene layers, and inside graphite is calculated. We remark some noticeable differences between the periodic system along the perpendicular direction to the graphite layers, and the system used to study a lonely sulfur molecule in interaction close to an isolated graphene layer. We obtained -0.00914 eV for the adsorption energy per sulfur atom when one S8 molecule is relaxed by means of self-consistent calculations (scf), and variable cell calculation (vcc), between two graphene layers, but we got a big positive energy 11.4954 eV for the possible insertion of the S8 molecule between a pair of more separated graphite layers, A and B (c = 7.7978 Å).
Calculation of band structures of a phononic crystal within a waveguide in 3D with cubic inclusions using a Periodic Green’s Function Method
Authors: Alva Medrano H , Guillén Gallegos C , Mendoza Suárez A , Pérez Aguilar H 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The Phononic Crystals have generated a growing scientific interest as a means to control the dispersion of waves in various technological applications such as telecommunications. In particular, Phononic Crystal Waveguides are composed of periodic distributions of dispersers immersed in a propagation medium and, designed by an arrangement with dimensions and periods comparable to the wavelength. These crystals have properties that give them the ability to guide acoustic waves efficiently. In this paper, we present a numerical Boundary Element Method, which requires the use of a Periodic Green’s Function. This method allows to calculate the band structure of phononic crystals in two- and three-dimensions. In particular, the band structure is calculated for a waveguide formed by two flat, and parallel plates that involve a two-dimensional periodic arrangement of cubic inclusions. All surfaces involved are considered acoustic hard surfaces. The system considered, in addition to being a waveguide is in itself a phononic crystal, so that this type of systems present an alternative to manufacture to phononic crystal that can act as a phononic crystal and as an acoustic waveguide. These properties present some interest from a technological point of view.