bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical deformation of elastomer medical devices can enable microbial surface colonization
Authors: van den Berg Desmond , Asker Dalal , Awad Tarek S. , Lavielle Nicolas , Hatton Benjamin D. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractElastomers such as silicone are common in medical devices (catheters, prosthetic implants, endoscopes), but they remain prone to microbial colonization and biofilm infections. For the first time, our work shows that rates of microbial surface attachment to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone can be significantly affected by mechanical deformation. For a section of bent commercial catheter tubing, bacteria (P. aeruginosa) show a strong preference for the ‘convex’ side compared to the ‘concave’ side, by a factor of 4.2. Further testing of cast PDMS materials in bending only showed a significant difference for samples that were manually wiped (damaged) beforehand (1.75 × 104 and 6.02 × 103 cells/mm2 on the convex and concave sides, respectively). We demonstrate that surface microcracks in elastomers are opened under tensile stress (convex bending) to become ‘activated’ as sites for microbial colonization. This work demonstrates that the high elastic limit of elastomers enables these microcracks to reversibly open and close, as ‘dynamic defects’. Commercial catheters have relatively high surface roughness inherent to manufacturing, but we show that even manual wiping of newly-cast PDMS is sufficient to generate surface microcracks. We consider the implication for medical devices that feature sustained, surgical, or cyclic deformation, in which localized tensile conditions may expose these surface defects to opportunistic microbes. As a result, our work showcases serious potential problems in the widespread usage and development of elastomers in medical devices.
Anticancer role of mango (Mangifera indica L.) peel and seed kernel extracts against 7,12- dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats
Authors: Shaban Nadia Z. , El-Rashidy Fatma H. , Adam Amany H. , Beltagy Doha M. , Ali Alaa E. , Abde-Alaziz Ahmed A. , Talaat Iman M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBreast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. The present study is an effort to reveal the antiproliferative and antioxidant actions of mango seed kernel extract (KE), peel extract (PE), and their combination (KEPE) on mammary tumors induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Seven groups of adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were prepared, including C: (control), DMBA: (rats were administered with DMBA), (DMBA-KE), (DMBA-PE), and (DMBA-KEPE): rats were administered with DMBA and then treated with KE, PE, and (both KE and PE), respectively, (KE) and (PE): rats were administered with KE and PE, separately. The study focused on the assessment of markers of endocrine derangement [serum 17-β estradiol (E2)], apoptosis [caspase-3 and deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (DNAF)], and oxidative stress [lipid peroxidation and antioxidants (glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase)]. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 and estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) in mammary gland tissues (MGTs) were determined, as well as the characterization of mango extracts. The results showed that DMBA administration induced mammary tumors by increasing cell proliferation and evading apoptosis. In addition, DMBA administration caused oxidative stress by the production of reactive oxygen species, which increased lipid peroxidation and decreased cellular antioxidants, allowing cancer to progress. In contrast, treatment with DMBA-KE, DMBA-PE, or DMBA-KEPE diminished mammary tumors induced by DMBA, where they reduced oxidative stress via increased antioxidant parameters including reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, total glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase. Also, different treatments decreased proliferation through the reduction of E2, and ER-α expression levels. However, these treatments increased the apoptosis of unwanted cells as they increased caspase-3 activity and DNAF. All these changes led to the prevention of breast injuries and the reduction of mammary tumors. This demonstrates that the contents of mango extracts, especially phenolics and flavonoids, have an important role in mammary tumor treatment through their potential antioxidant, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti-estrogenic effects. KE and PE administration for 4 weeks had no adverse effects. Conclusion: Each of KE, PE, and KEPE has a therapeutic effect against DMBA-induced mammary tumors via induction of apoptosis and reduction of each of the OS, proliferation, and estrogenic effects. So, they can play an important role in the pharmacological tole.
Mapping nanocrystalline disorder within an amorphous metal–organic framework
Authors: Sapnik Adam F. , Sun Chao , Laulainen Joonatan E. M. , Johnstone Duncan N. , Brydson Rik , Johnson Timothy , Midgley Paul A. , Bennett Thomas D. , Collins Sean M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntentionally disordered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) display rich functional behaviour. However, the characterisation of their atomic structures remains incredibly challenging. X-ray pair distribution function techniques have been pivotal in determining their average local structure but are largely insensitive to spatial variations in the structure. Fe-BTC (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate) is a nanocomposite MOF, known for its catalytic properties, comprising crystalline nanoparticles and an amorphous matrix. Here, we use scanning electron diffraction to first map the crystalline and amorphous components to evaluate domain size and then to carry out electron pair distribution function analysis to probe the spatially separated atomic structure of the amorphous matrix. Further Bragg scattering analysis reveals systematic orientational disorder within Fe-BTC’s nanocrystallites, showing over 10° of continuous lattice rotation across single particles. Finally, we identify candidate unit cells for the crystalline component. These independent structural analyses quantify disorder in Fe-BTC at the critical length scale for engineering composite MOF materials.
Electromagnetic response of the surface states of a topological insulator nanowire embedded within a resonator
Authors: Haver Shimon Arie , Ginossar Eran , de Graaf Sebastian E. , Grosfeld Eytan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractExploring the interplay between topological phases and photons opens new avenues for investigating novel quantum states. Here we show that superconducting resonators can serve as sensitive probes for properties of topological insulator nanowires (TINWs) embedded within them. By combining a static, controllable magnetic flux threading the TINW with an additional oscillating electromagnetic field applied perpendicularly, we show that orbital resonances can be generated and are reflected in periodic changes of the Q-factor of the resonator as a function of the flux. This response probes the confinement of the two-dimensional Dirac orbitals on the surface of the TINW, revealing their density of states and specific transition rules, as well as their dependence on the applied flux. Our approach represents a promising cross-disciplinary strategy for probing topological solid state materials using state-of-the-art photonic cavities, which would avoid the need for attaching contacts, thereby enabling access to electronic properties closer to the pristine topological states.
Probing the optical near-field interaction of Mie nanoresonators with atomically thin semiconductors
Authors: Estrada-Real Ana , Paradisanos Ioannis , Wiecha Peter R. , Poumirol Jean-Marie , Cuche Aurelien , Agez Gonzague , Lagarde Delphine , Marie Xavier , Larrey Vincent , Müller Jonas , Larrieu Guilhem , Paillard Vincent , Urbaszek Bernhard 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOptical Mie resonators based on silicon nanostructures allow tuning of light-matter-interaction with advanced design concepts based on complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) compatible nanofabrication. Optically active materials such as transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers can be placed in the near-field region of such Mie resonators. Here, we experimentally demonstrate and verify by numerical simulations coupling between a MoSe2 monolayer and the near-field of dielectric nanoresonators. Through a comparison of dark-field (DF) scattering spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation experiments (PLE), we show that the MoSe2 absorption can be enhanced via the near-field of a nanoresonator. We demonstrate spectral tuning of the absorption via the geometry of individual Mie resonators. We show that we indeed access the optical near-field of the nanoresonators, by measuring a spectral shift between the typical near-field resonances in PLE compared to the far-field resonances in DF scattering. Our results prove that using MoSe2 as an active probe allows accessing the optical near-field above photonic nanostructures, providing complementary information to sophisticated near-field microscopy equipment.
Multi-omics resources for targeted agronomic improvement of pigmented rice
Authors: Sedeek Khalid , Zuccolo Andrea , Fornasiero Alice , Weber Annika M. , Sanikommu Krishnaveni , Sampathkumar Sangeetha , Rivera Luis F. , Butt Haroon , Mussurova Saule , Alhabsi Abdulrahman , Nurmansyah Nurmansyah , Ryan Elizabeth P. , Wing Rod A. , Mahfouz Magdy M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a rich source of nutrients, but pigmented lines typically have long life cycles and limited productivity. Here we generated genome assemblies of 5 pigmented rice varieties and evaluated the genetic variation among 51 pigmented rice varieties by resequencing an additional 46 varieties. Phylogenetic analyses divided the pigmented varieties into four varietal groups: Geng-japonica, Xian-indica, circum-Aus and circum-Basmati. Metabolomics and ionomics profiling revealed that black rice varieties are rich in aromatic secondary metabolites. We established a regeneration and transformation system and used CRISPR–Cas9 to knock out three flowering time repressors (Hd2, Hd4 and Hd5) in the black Indonesian rice Cempo Ireng, resulting in an early maturing variety with shorter stature. Our study thus provides a multi-omics resource for understanding and improving Asian pigmented rice.
A compact frequency reconfigurable beam switching antenna based on a single‐layer FSS
Authors: Li Guang , Ye Yangyang , Zhang Fushun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA compact frequency reconfigurable beam switching antenna based on a single‐layer frequency selective face (FSS) is proposed in this paper. The proposed antenna consists of a dual‐band dipole antenna and a single‐layer FSS with hexagonally arrangement. The omnidirectional radiation pattern of the dipole antenna designed as a radiation source and surrounded by the FSS can be converted into directional radiation pattern sweeping along the entire azimuthal plane at two single frequency of 2.4 or 5 GHz. The frequency selection is achieved by controlling the diode state of the FSS unit, and the beam switching is realised by a specific combination of electromagnetic wave reflection or transmission from the hexagonal FSS. The novelty lies in applying the hexagonal arrangement to a dual single‐frequency single‐layer FSS unit. This will not destroy the reflection or transmission characteristics of the FSS unit, but also contribute to reduce the antenna size and achieve a low cost. To validate the design, a prototype is fabricated and measured. The single‐layer FSS antenna with a volume of 57 mm × 57 mm × 58.5 mm can be scanned in 12 steps along the azimuth plane at 2.4 and 5 GHz, respectively.
Investigation of the influence of blocks on the linear spectrum for synthetic speech detection
Authors: Li Wei , Yang Jichen , Lin Pei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn recent years, constant‐Q cepstral coefficient (CQCC) has successfully used in synthetic speech detection (SSD), however, linear‐domain logarithm power spectrum (LLPS) information is not fully captured by discrete cosine transform (DCT) in CQCC extraction and how the block affects the LLPS information extraction for SSD has not been investigated in the previous studies. In order to investigate how the block affects the LLPS information extraction and extract more detailed information from LLPS for SSD, a new feature, constant‐Q block coefficient (CQBC), is proposed by modifying CQCC using block transform plus DCT on LLPS in this letter. Furthermore, how the length of block affects the performance is deeply investigated in this work. The experimental result on ASVspoof 2015 evaluation set indicates that: (1) there is much difference in the performance for different length block (2) CQBC‐DA can improve the performance of SSD and its average equal error rate can reach 0.0724, which decline 36% compared with CQCC‐DA (3) CQBC‐DA is superior to many front‐ends that have been benchmarked in terms of average equal error rate.
Sinc‐attention feature extraction for trivial‐event based speaker verification
Authors: Li Lin , Li Jun , Wang Dingyi , Wang Xiaoqin , Qiao Shushan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHuman speech contains trivial events that are non‐subjectively controlled and are limited by physical characteristics. These events are represented by a series of extremely short utterances, such as the ‘hmm’ phrase used for expressing doubt or confirmation. In speaker verification (SV), such events can be a robust choice to verify the real speaker from disguised speech since they are less affected by the randomness of pronunciation. However, trivial events like ‘hmm’ contain little linguistic information and are extremely short, thus the performance of SV systems will decrease drastically. In this letter, a Sinc‐Attention feature extraction method is proposed to extract more discriminative speech features from speech signals to achieve a robust SV system for trivial events. Learnable filters are utilized to obtain low‐level representations of the speech for SV. Moreover, a novel adaptive weighting of features inspired by attention mechanisms is proposed, which effectively improves the representation capability of speaker features. The experiments on different models prove that our method helps SV systems achieve a lower equal error rate (EER) than hand‐crafted feature‐based systems.
EPIC 206197016: A very hot white dwarf orbited by a strongly irradiated red dwarf
Authors: Krtička J. , Kawka A. , Mikulášek Z. , Fossati L. , Krtičková I. , Prvák M. , Janík J. , Liptaj R. , Zejda M. , Paunzen E. 
Published: May 2023

Context. Very precise satellite photometry has revealed a large number of variable stars whose variability is caused either by surface spots or by binarity. Detailed studies of such variables provide insights into the physics of these objects.
Aims. We study the nature of the periodic light variability of the white dwarf EPIC 206197016 that was observed by the K2 mission.
Methods. We obtain phase-resolved medium-resolution spectroscopy of EPIC 206197016 using X-shooter spectrograph at VLT to understand the nature of the white dwarf variability. We use non-local thermodynamical equilibrium model atmospheres to determine stellar parameters at individual phases.
Results. EPIC 206197016 is a hot DA white dwarf with Teff = 78 kK. The analysis of the spectra reveals periodic radial velocity variations that can result from gravitational interaction with an invisible secondary whose mass corresponds to a red dwarf. The close proximity of the two stars where the semimajor axis is about 3 R⊙ results in the irradiation of the companion with temperatures more than twice as high on the illuminated side compared to the nonilluminated hemisphere. This effect can explain the observed light variations. The spectra of the white dwarf show a particular feature of the Balmer lines called the Balmer line problem, where the observed cores of the lower Balmer lines are deeper than predicted. This can be attributed to either weak pollution of hydrogen in the white dwarf atmosphere by heavy elements or to the presence of a circumstellar cloud or disk.
Statistical dependence and shape of Young tableau
Authors: García Jesús E. , González-López Verónica Andrea , Alvaro Maria Magdalena Kcala 
Published: May 2023

Given two continuous random variables, X and Y, we study the relationship between their statistical dependence and the Young tableau of the permutation defined from the graph of a bivariate sample coming from (X, Y). From a sample of size n of (X, Y), we identify the Young tableau of the permutation which maps the ranks of the X observations on the ranks of the Y observations. Procedures to detect statistical dependence between pairs of random variables, based on statistics calculated on the permutation defined by the graph of a bivariate sample have been developed, see García and González-López (2020) [Symmetry 12, 9, 1415. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12091415] and García and González-López (2014) [J Multivar Anal 127, 126–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmva.2014.02.010]. In those papers, the information used is the length of the longest increasing (decreasing) subsequence, identified as the first line (the first column) of the Young tableau of the permutation. In this paper, we expose the information captured by the shape of the Young tableau of the permutation.
„Nicht schon wieder ein Pneumothorax“ – Fallbericht Birt-Hogg-Dubé-Syndrom
Authors: Elsner Laura Katharina , Kovács Julia , Kauke Teresa , Steinlein Ortrud , Behr Jürgen , Kahnert Kathrin 
Published: May 2023

ZusammenfassungFalldarstellung eines 40-jährigen Patienten mit rezidivierend spontan auftretenden Pneumothoraces in der Vorgeschichte. Neben einer konservativen Versorgung eines Pneumothorax auf der linken Seite erfolgte eine subtotale parietale Pleurektomie rechts nach einem Pneumothorax 6 Jahre später. In der durchgeführten CT-Thoraxuntersuchung zeigt sich ein hochgradiger struktureller Umbau des Lungenparenchyms im Sinne von multiplen pulmonalen Zysten beidseits mit einer Größe von bis zu 7,5 cm. Nach Ausschluss eines alpha-1-Antitrypsinmangels, einer immunologischen Grunderkrankung, unauffälliger Familien- und Berufsanamnese wird aufgrund des CT-morphologischen Verteilungsmusters der zystischen Veränderungen der Verdacht auf ein Birt-Hogg-Dubé-Syndrom gestellt. In der durchgeführten genetischen Untersuchung erfolgt ein Nachweis der krankheitsauslösenden, pathogenen Variante c.1294_1298del;p.(Ser432Argfs*22) im FLCN-Gen in heterozygotem Zustand. Das Birt-Hogg-Dubé-Syndrom ist eine seltene genetische Erkrankung, die klinisch durch pulmonale Zysten, Fibrofollikulome der Haut und das gehäufte Auftreten von Nierentumoren charakterisiert ist. Insbesondere das erhöhte Risiko für maligne Tumoren der Niere sowie das Risiko für Spontanpneumothoraces unterstreicht die Wichtigkeit einer frühen Diagnose und Durchführung von Vorsorgeuntersuchungen bei betroffenen Patienten und deren Angehörigen.
Impact-Analysen eines familienintegrierenden Behandlungspfades
Frühgeborener aus Sicht der Kostenträger
Authors: Mayer-Huber Sandra , Keller Matthias , Zeller Michael , Günter Alexander , Wagner Christian , Heumann Christian , Benstetter Franz 
Published: May 2023

Zusammenfassung
Zielsetzung Mithilfe familienintegrierender Behandlungspfade konnte
bereits mehrfach eine Reduktion der initialen Krankenhausverweildauer
nachgewiesen werden. Wie sich dies auf die Ausgaben der Kostenträger
auswirkt, blieb bisher unklar.
Methodik Um das Einsparungspotenzial durch eine Verkürzung der
Verweildauer zu veranschaulichen, wurden eine grobe Hochrechnung und eine
Budget-Impact-Analyse durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse Basierend auf den Ergebnissen eines Modellvorhabens konnte die
durchschnittliche Verweildauerreduktion von einer Woche jährliche
Kosteneinsparungen von rund 60 Millionen € bewirken.
Schlussfolgerung Selbst wenn weitere Einsparungspotenziale wie indirekte
Kosteneinsparungen durch die Prävention psychischer Belastungen der
Eltern nicht einkalkuliert werden, hat der Einbezug der Familien in die
Versorgung Frühgeborener ein weitreichendes Potenzial für
Kostenträger.
Gibt es zu viele Unterbringungen nach § 126a StPO?
Überlegungen zum Zusammenspiel von forensischer und allgemeiner
Psychiatrie unter Beachtung rechtlicher Gesichtspunkte
Authors: Opgen-Rhein Markus , Brieger Peter , Baur Alexander , Henking Tanja 
Published: May 2023

ZusammenfassungAus Sicht der forensischen Kliniken werden durch die Justiz immer
häufiger einstweilige Unterbringungen nach § 126a StPO
angeordnet. Es werden drei Hypothesen aufgestellt, die diese Zunahme
(mit)erklären könnten: 1) Anordnung auch bei
Bagatellfällen. 2) Anordnung trotz positiver Prognose. 3)
Verändertes Anzeigeverhalten der psychiatrischen Kliniken. Einfache
Erklärungsansätze für die Zunahme der einstweiligen
Unterbringungen greifen jedoch zu kurz. Umso dringlicher erscheint eine
Stärkung des primärpräventiven Ansatzes. Bereits in der
allgemeinpsychiatrischen Versorgung sollte der kleine Teil Menschen mit
psychischer Erkrankung und erhöhter Gewaltbereitschaft erkannt und einer
gewaltpräventiven Behandlung zugeführt werden. Forensische
Psychiatrie und allgemeinpsychiatrische Versorgung müssen sich
dafür enger verzahnen.
Proprioceptive Exercises in Hemiplegia Improve Balance and
Spatiotemporal Parameters
Authors: Deniz Gulnihal , Bilek Furkan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective It was planned to investigate the effects of proprioceptive
exercises applied to patients with hemiplegia on muscle tone, balance,
perception, posture, mobility, and spatiotemporal parameters.
Materials and Methods 70 participants with hemiplegia were randomized to
an experimental group (conventional stroke rehabilitation
program+proprioceptive exercise, 30 sessions) and a control group
(conventional stroke rehabilitation program, 30 sessions). Timed Up and Go (TUG)
Test, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Posture Assessment Scale for Stroke
Patients (PASS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rivermead Mobility Index
(RMI), Spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, maximum plantar pressure, total
weight transfer, step cycle duration, swing phase, step length and foot angle),
and Berg Balance Scale (BERG) were applied on all participants before and after
treatment.
Results When the intra-group values were compared before and after the
treatment, TUG, PASS, MMSE, RMI and BERG values increased significantly. MAS
upper extremity and MAS lower extremity values decreased significantly.
(p<0.01). In the comparison between the groups, one of the
spatiotemporal parameters, cadence, total weight transfer, and maximum plantar
pressure values, increased significantly after the treatment. Step cycle
duration, swing phase, step length and foot angle values decreased significantly
after the treatment. (p<0.01)
Conclusion Unlike the literature, proprioceptive exercises that we add to
the conventional rehabilitation program can be used to improve muscle tone,
balance, perception, postural control, mobility, and spatiotemporal
parameters.