bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement in Performance of Transparent p‐NiO/n‐ZnO Heterojunction Ultrafast Self‐Powered Photodetector via Pyro‐Phototronic Effect
Authors: Rana Amit Kumar , Kumar Mohit , Ban Dong‐Kyun , Wong Ching‐Ping , Yi Junsin , Kim Joondong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA high‐performance transparent p‐NiO/n‐ZnO heterojunction ultraviolet photodetector with a photovoltaic mode that exploits the pyro‐phototronic effect is demonstrated. The influence of thermal treatment on ZnO films is systematically investigated, and is found to help speed up current flow due to redistribution of the pyroelectric potential within the heterojunction device. The pyrocurrent magnitude is enhanced by 1264.41% for the thermally treated device. In addition, under weak UV illumination (0.43 mW cm−2), the thermally treated device exhibits high responsivity and detectivity with respective enhancements over 5460% and 6063% compared to the pristine device. Importantly, an ultrafast response speed with rise time ≈3.92 and decay time ≈8.90 µs is achieved under self‐biased conditions. The device also maintains an impressive transparency of more than 70% in the visible region. Furthermore, the basic pyro‐phototronic properties of the device are thoroughly probed based on the influence of incident light intensity, externally applied bias, and change in transient switching frequencies. This work not only introduces a simple approach but also enables high‐performance self‐powered UV photodetection governed by the pyro‐phototronic effect and demonstrated to be suitable for future transparent optoelectronic devices.
High Thermoelectric Performance in PbSe–NaSbSe2 Alloys from Valence Band Convergence and Low Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Slade Tyler J. , Bailey Trevor P. , Grovogui Jann A. , Hua Xia , Zhang Xiaomi , Kuo Jimmy Jiahong , Hadar Ido , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Wolverton Chris , Dravid Vinayak P. , Uher Ctirad , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPbSe is an attractive thermoelectric material due to its favorable electronic structure, high melting point, and lower cost compared to PbTe. Herein, the hitherto unexplored alloys of PbSe with NaSbSe2 (NaPbmSbSem+2) are described and the most promising p‐type PbSe‐based thermoelectrics are found among them. Surprisingly, it is observed that below 500 K, NaPbmSbSem+2 exhibits unorthodox semiconducting‐like electrical conductivity, despite possessing degenerate carrier densities of ≈1020 cm−3. It is shown that the peculiar behavior derives from carrier scattering by the grain boundaries. It is further demonstrated that the high solubility of NaSbSe2 in PbSe augments both the thermoelectric properties while maintaining a rock salt structure. Namely, density functional theory calculations and photoemission spectroscopy demonstrate that introduction of NaSbSe2 lowers the energy separation between the L‐ and Σ‐valence bands and enhances the power factors under 700 K. The crystallographic disorder of Na+, Pb2+, and Sb3+ moreover provides exceptionally strong point defect phonon scattering yielding low lattice thermal conductivities of 1–0.55 W m‐1 K‐1 between 400 and 873 K without nanostructures. As a consequence, NaPb10SbSe12 achieves maximum ZT ≈1.4 near 900 K when optimally doped. More importantly, NaPb10SbSe12 maintains high ZT across a broad temperature range, giving an estimated record ZTavg of ≈0.64 between 400 and 873 K, a significant improvement over existing p‐type PbSe thermoelectrics.
The Revised METRIQ Score: A Quality Evaluation Tool for Online Educational Resources
Authors: Colmers‐Gray Isabelle N. , Krishnan Keeth , Chan Teresa M. , Trueger N. Seth , Paddock Michael , Grock Andrew , Zaver Fareen , Thoma Brent 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundWith the rapid proliferation of online medical education resources, quality evaluation is increasingly critical. The Medical Education Translational Resources: Impact and Quality (METRIQ) study evaluated the METRIQ‐8 quality assessment instrument for blogs and collected feedback to improve it.MethodsAs part of the larger METRIQ study, participants rated the quality of five blog posts on clinical emergency medicine topics using the eight‐item METRIQ‐8 score. Next, participants used a 7‐point Likert scale and free‐text comments to evaluate the METRIQ‐8 score on ease of use, clarity of items, and likelihood of recommending it to others. Descriptive statistics were calculated and comments were thematically analyzed to guide the development of a revised METRIQ (rMETRIQ) score.ResultsA total of 309 emergency medicine attendings, residents, and medical students completed the survey. The majority of participants felt the METRIQ‐8 score was easy to use (mean ± SD = 2.7 ± 1.1 out of 7, with 1 indicating strong agreement) and would recommend it to others (2.7 ± 1.3 out of 7, with 1 indicating strong agreement). The thematic analysis suggested clarifying ambiguous questions, shortening the 7‐point scale, specifying scoring anchors for the questions, eliminating the “unsure” option, and grouping‐related questions. This analysis guided changes that resulted in the rMETRIQ score.ConclusionFeedback on the METRIQ‐8 score contributed to the development of the rMETRIQ score, which has improved clarity and usability. Further validity evidence on the rMETRIQ score is required.
Local radicality and survival outcome of pancreatic cancer surgery
Authors: Niesen Willem , Hank Thomas , Büchler Markus , Strobel Oliver 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPancreatic cancer remains a therapeutic challenge. Surgical resection in combination with systemic chemotherapy is the only option promising long‐term survival and potential cure. However, only about 20% of patients are diagnosed with tumors that are still in a resectable stage. Even after potentially curative resection and modern regimens for adjuvant chemotherapy, the majority of patients develop local and systemic recurrence resulting in median overall survival times of 28‐54 months. The predominance of systemic recurrence and its impact on survival may lead to the assumption that surgical radicality and local control play only minor roles in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This review provides an overview of the recent literature on surgical radicality and survival outcome in pancreatic cancer. The current evidence on the extent of lymphadenectomy, the prognostic impact of the extent of lymph node involvement, and the impact of the resection margin status on postresection survival are reviewed. Data from recent studies performed in the context of modern surgery and adjuvant therapy provide good evidence of a considerable impact of local radicality on survival after pancreatic cancer surgery. Surgical techniques that have been developed to refine oncological resections and to increase local control as well as resectability are highlighted. These techniques include artery‐first approaches, level‐3 dissection with removal of the periarterial nerve plexus, the triangle operation, and extended resections. Local radicality and quality of surgical resection remain among the most important parameters that determine the chances for survival in patients with non‐metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Anemia predicts lower white matter volume and cognitive performance in sickle and non‐sickle cell anemia syndrome
Authors: Choi Soyoung , O'Neil Sharon H. , Joshi Anand A. , Li Jian , Bush Adam M. , Coates Thomas D. , Leahy Richard M. , Wood John C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSevere chronic anemia is an independent predictor of overt stroke, white matter damage, and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Severe anemia also predisposes to white matter strokes in young children, independent of the anemia subtype. We previously demonstrated symmetrically decreased white matter (WM) volumes in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). In the current study, we investigated whether patients with non‐sickle anemia also have lower WM volumes and cognitive dysfunction. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was performed on 52 clinically asymptomatic SCD patients (age = 21.4 ± 7.7; F = 27, M = 25; hemoglobin = 9.6 ± 1.6 g/dL), 26 non‐sickle anemic patients (age = 23.9 ± 7.9; F = 14, M = 12; hemoglobin = 10.8 ± 2.5 g/dL) and 40 control subjects (age = 27.7 ± 11.3; F = 28, M = 12; hemoglobin = 13.4 ± 1.3 g/dL). Voxel‐wise changes in WM brain volumes were compared to hemoglobin levels to identify brain regions that are vulnerable to anemia. White matter volume was diffusely lower in deep, watershed areas proportionally to anemia severity. After controlling for age, sex, and hemoglobin level, brain volumes were independent of disease. WM volume loss was associated with lower Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ; P = .0048; r2 = .18) and an abnormal burden of silent cerebral infarctions (P = .029) in males, but not in females. Hemoglobin count and cognitive measures were similar between subjects with and without white‐matter hyperintensities. The spatial distribution of volume loss suggests chronic hypoxic cerebrovascular injury, despite compensatory hyperemia. Neurocognitive consequences of WM volume changes and silent cerebral infarction were strongly sexually dimorphic. Understanding the possible neurological consequences of chronic anemia may help inform our current clinical practices.
Serotonergic innervation of the human amygdala and evolutionary implications
Authors: Lew Caroline H. , Hanson Kari L. , Groeniger Kimberly M. , Greiner Demi , Cuevas Deion , Hrvoj‐Mihic Branka , Schumann Cynthia M. , Semendeferi Katerina 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe serotonergic system is involved in the regulation of socio‐emotional behavior and heavily innervates the amygdala, a key structure of social brain circuitry. We quantified serotonergic axon density of the four major nuclei of the amygdala in humans, and examined our results in light of previously published data sets in chimpanzees and bonobos.Materials and methodsFormalin‐fixed postmortem tissue sections of the amygdala from six humans were stained for serotonin transporter (SERT) utilizing immunohistochemistry. SERT‐immunoreactive (ir) axon fiber density in the lateral, basal, accessory basal, and central nuclei of the amygdala was quantified using unbiased stereology. Nonparametric statistical analyses were employed to examine differences in SERT‐ir axon density between amygdaloid nuclei within humans, as well as differences between humans and previously published data in chimpanzees and bonobos.ResultsHumans displayed a unique pattern of serotonergic innervation of the amygdala, and SERT‐ir axon density was significantly greater in the central nucleus compared to the lateral nucleus. SERT‐ir axon density was significantly greater in humans compared to chimpanzees in the basal, accessory basal, and central nuclei. SERT‐ir axon density was greater in humans compared to bonobos in the accessory basal and central nuclei.ConclusionsThe human pattern of SERT‐ir axon distribution in the amygdala complements the redistribution of neurons in the amygdala in human evolution. The present findings suggest that differential serotonergic modulation of cognitive and autonomic pathways in the amygdala in humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees may contribute to species‐level differences in social behavior.
Soil‐transmitted helminth infection and intestinal inflammation among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador
Authors: Cepon‐Robins Tara J. , Gildner Theresa E. , Schrock Joshua , Eick Geeta , Bedbury Ali , Liebert Melissa A. , Urlacher Samuel S. , Madimenos Felicia C. , Harrington Christopher J. , Amir Dorsa , Bribiescas Richard G. , Sugiyama Lawrence S. , Snodgrass James J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesLittle research exists documenting levels of intestinal inflammation among indigenous populations where exposure to macroparasites, like soil‐transmitted helminths (STHs), is common. Reduced STH exposure is hypothesized to contribute to increased prevalence of elevated intestinal inflammation in wealthy nations, likely due to coevolutionary histories between STHs and human immune systems that favored anti‐inflammatory pathways. Here, we document levels of intestinal inflammation and test associations with STH infection among the Shuar of Ecuador, an indigenous population undergoing socioeconomic/lifestyle changes that influence their hygienic environment. We predict that fecal calprotectin (FC; a measure of intestinal inflammation) will be lower in STH infected individuals and that FC will be negatively associated with infection intensity.MethodsStool samples to analyze FC levels and STH infection were collected from 69 Shuar participants (ages 5–75 years). Children (<15 years) and adults (15+ years) were analyzed separately to understand the role of exposure in immune system development and the intestinal inflammatory response.ResultsTwo species of STH were present: Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. The relationships between infection and intestinal inflammation were age‐ and species‐specific. While no significant relationships were found among adults, children who were singly infected with T. trichiura had lower FC levels than uninfected children. Infection intensity was not significantly associated with FC in children or adults.ConclusionsThese preliminary results provide limited support for our hypotheses, documenting tentative age‐ and species‐specific associations between FC and infection status. Findings may point to the importance of species‐specific STH exposure during immune system development.
Transnasal prelacrimal approach to the inferior intraconal space: a feasibility study
Authors: Li Lifeng , London Nyall R. , Silva Samuel , Prevedello Daniel , Carrau Ricardo L. 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundEndonasal access to the inferomedial and inferolateral intraconal space via the orbital floor has not been reported. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of accessing the inferior intraconal space through the orbital floor via a transnasal prelacrimal approach. Secondarily, it aims to highlight anatomical relationships of neurovascular structures in this space, as a requirement to prevent complications.MethodsSix cadaveric heads (12 sides) were dissected using a transnasal prelacrimal approach. The orbital floor, medial to the infraorbital canal, was removed and the periorbita opened to expose the inferior rectus muscle. The inferomedial and inferolateral intraconal space was accessed alongside the medial and lateral border of inferior rectus muscle, respectively. Various anatomical relationships of adjacent neurovascular structures were recorded, and the distances among the recti muscles and optic nerve were also measured.ResultsThe infraorbital nerve is located at the inferolateral aspect of inferior rectus muscle. In the inferomedial intraconal space, we identified the inferomedial muscular trunk of the ophthalmic artery, optic nerve, and branches of the oculomotor nerve; whereas the inferolateral intraconal space contained the inferolateral muscular trunk of ophthalmic artery, branches of the oculomotor and nasociliary nerve, and abducens nerve. Distances from the medial, inferior, and lateral recti muscles to the optic nerve were (mean ± standard deviation) 4.70 ± 1.18 mm, 5.60 ± 0.93 mm, and 7.98 ± 1.99 mm, respectively. Distances from the inferior rectus muscle to the inferior borders of medial and lateral recti muscles were 4.45 ± 1.23 mm and 8.77 ± 1.80 mm.ConclusionIt is feasible to access the inferior intraconal space through the orbital floor via a transnasal prelacrimal approach. The access may be subdivided into inferomedial and inferolateral corridors according to the entry point at the medial or lateral border of the inferior rectus muscle. Neurovascular structures in the inferior intraconal space are visualized directly, which should enhance their preservation.
Effects of sphenoid surgery on nasal irrigation delivery
Authors: Grayson Jessica W. , Cavada Marina , Wong Eugene , Lien Benjamin , Duvnjak Marin , Campbell Raewyn , Kalish Larry , Sacks Raymond , Harvey Richard J. 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundNasal irrigation is an important component of medical management in chronic rhinosinusitis. Nasal irrigations facilitate topical medication of therapies and lavage of mucin. In this study we aim to compare the influence of increasing surgical sphenoid openings on the distribution, force, and clearance of nasal irrigations.MethodsA study was performed on fresh‐frozen adult cadaver heads. The surgical ostium was modified on one side via a simple sphenoidotomy, a sphenoid sinusectomy (type 1), and sphenoid sinusectomy (type 3a). The nasal cavity was irrigated using a 240‐mL squeeze bottle with 0.1% fluoroscein. An endoscope passed through the contralateral side through the sphenoid septum recorded the irrigation. Videos were recorded and blindly assessed. The distribution was defined as either no irrigation, less than one third of the sinus, less than or equal to two thirds of the sinus, or the complete sinus. The force was defined as minimal, minor, or major. The clearance was defined as no residual, less than one third of volume, less than or equal to two thirds of volume, and more than two thirds volume. Ordinal correlation scores were assessed using the Kendall tau‐B test.ResultsNine specimens (sphenoid sinuses) were assessed (44.4% female; age, 75.0 ± 12.7 years). The use of a sphenoid sinusectomy or larger produced better distribution (percent specimens with more than one third: 100% vs 59%, p < 0.01), more force (percent major: 83% vs 29%, p < 0.01), and better clearance (percent with one third or less remaining: 56% vs 18%, p < 0.01).ConclusionIncreasing sphenoid ostial size improves nasal irrigation penetration. We propose that greater sphenoid sinusectomy size allows for improved lavage and irrigation penetration. Complete removal of the anterior face appears to mitigate pooling of irrigation.
Allantoin attenuates deficits of behavioural and motor nerve conduction in an animal model of cisplatin‐induced neurotoxicity in rats
Authors: N S Vindya , Mohamad Aqib , Razdan Rema 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of allantoin in cisplatin‐induced toxicity in rats.MethodsAdult male Wistar rats weighing 160‐200 g were used. Neuropathy was induced by injecting cisplatin (2 mg/kg, ip, twice a week for 6 weeks) and the rats were concurrently treated with allantoin (200 and 400 mg/kg, po) for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, body weight and hemogram were measured. Behavioural tests were performed, including tests for cold and hot hyperalgesia, motor co‐ordination, locomotor activity, mechano‐tactile allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia. The rats were then sacrificed and sciatic nerve conduction velocity was determined. The antioxidant enzyme and nitric oxide levels in sciatic nerve homogenates were measured.ResultsIn this study, allantoin restored the motor nerve conduction velocity deficits induced by cisplatin, and the allantoin‐treated rats showed improvement in cold and thermal hyperalgesia, mechano‐tactile allodynia, and mechanical hyperalgesia. Allantoin treatment also improved the rats’ hematological status, increasing haemoglobin, platelet and RBC counts compared to the cisplatin‐treated group. Allantoin treatment also mitigated the functional abnormalities seen in the cisplatin neuropathy group, protecting neurons from the neurotoxic effects of cisplatin.ConclusionAllantoin shows promise for use as an adjuvant drug in cancer treatment to protect against cisplatin‐induced neuropathy.
Suppressed Mobility of Negative Charges in Polymer Electrolytes with an Ether‐Functionalized Anion
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Fangfang , Lakuntza Oier , Oteo Uxue , Qiao Lixin , Martinez‐Ibañez Maria , Zhu Haijin , Carrasco Javier , Forsyth Maria , Armand Michel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSuppressing the mobility of anionic species in polymer electrolytes (PEs) is essential for mitigating the concentration gradient and internal cell polarization, and thereby improving the stability and cycle life of rechargeable alkali metal batteries. Now, an ether‐functionalized anion (EFA) is used as a counter‐charge in a lithium salt. As the salt component in PEs, it achieves low anionic diffusivity but sufficient Li‐ion conductivity. The ethylene oxide unit in EFA endows nanosized self‐agglomeration of anions and trapping interactions between the anions and its structurally homologous matrix, poly(ethylene oxide), thus suppressing the mobility of negative charges. In contrast to previous strategies of using anion traps or tethering anions to a polymer/inorganic backbone, this work offers a facile and elegant methodology on accessing selective and efficient Li‐ion transport in PEs and related electrolyte materials (for example, composites and hybrid electrolytes).
Eine Threonin‐bildende Oxazetidinaminosäure für die chemische Synthese von Proteinen mittels KAHA‐Ligation
Authors: Baldauf Simon , Schauenburg Dominik , Bode Jeffrey W. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDie Ligation von α‐Ketosäure‐Hydroxylamin (KAHA) erlaubt die chemoselektive Verknüpfung von ungeschützten Peptidsegmenten unter Bildung einer Amidbindung. Die zurzeit meistgenutzte Variante basiert auf einem fünfgliedrigen cyclischen Hydroxylamin, welches einen Homoserinester als Hauptligationsprodukt bildet. Ein neues viergliedriges cyclisches Hydroxylamin wurde synthetisiert, um die natürliche Aminosäure Threonin an der Ligationsstelle bildet. Dieses Monomer wurde für die Synthese der Proteine UbcH5a (146 Aminosäuren) und TI I27 (89 Aminosäuren) eingesetzt. Sowohl das so synthetisierte UbcH5a als auch die Variante, die unter Verwendung des fünfgliedrigen zyklischen Hydroxylamins synthetisiert wurde, zeigten identische Aktivitäten gegenüber der rekombinanten Variante in einem Ubiquitinierungs‐Assay.
Metal‐Modified Nucleic Acids: Metal‐Mediated Base Pairs, Triples, and Tetrads
Authors: Naskar Shuvankar , Guha Rweetuparna , Müller Jens 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe incorporation of metal ions into nucleic acids by means of metal‐mediated base pairs represents a promising and prominent strategy for the site‐specific decoration of these self‐assembling supramolecules with metal‐based functionality. Over the past 20 years, numerous nucleoside surrogates have been introduced in this respect, broadening the metal scope by providing perfectly tailored metal‐binding sites. More recently, artificial nucleosides derived from natural purine or pyrimidine bases have moved into the focus of AgI‐mediated base pairing, due to their expected compatibility with regular Watson–Crick base pairs. This minireview summarizes these advances in metal‐mediated base pairing but also includes further recent progress in the field. Moreover, it addresses other aspects of metal‐modified nucleic acids, highlighting an expansion of the concept to metal‐mediated base triples (in triple helices and three‐way junctions) and metal‐mediated base tetrads (in quadruplexes). For all types of metal‐modified nucleic acids, proposed or accomplished applications are briefly mentioned, too.