Shorter Lag Time Research Articles

UnderstandingIn VivoDissolution of Immediate Release (IR) Solid Oral Drug Products Containing Weak Acid BCS Class 2 (BCS Class 2a) Drugs.

In vivo drug dissolution kinetics of BCS Class 2a IR solid oral drug products remains largely unknown. An understanding to what extent the solubility influences in vivo dissolution is needed to design appropriate in vitro dissolution methods. In this study, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to investigate the in vivo dissolution of BCS Class 2a drugs based on numerical deconvolution analyses. The PK data were obtained from published literature or drug applications submitted to the FDA. It has been hypothesized that the in vivo drug dissolution rate would likely correlate to the solubility of NSAIDs in the media at gastrointestinal pH. Our findings show a short lag time of absorption (Tlag), comparable to the liquid gastric emptying time and independent of the solubility and formulation. In Vivo drug dissolution of NSAIDs was generally rapid and complete within the regular drug residence time in the small intestine while multi-phase absorption was observed in some subjects for all the NSAIDs. The comparisons of in vivo drug dissolution rate, which was characterized by in vivo dissolution half-life (Thalf), indicate that solubility has a minimal impact on in vivo drug dissolution rate for NSAIDs. Gastric emptying regulated by migrating motor complex (MMC) under fasted state most likely governs drug dissolution and absorption of NSAIDs. For BCS Class 2a IR solid oral drug products, large variability of gastric emptying and MMC as well as the strong driving force of intestinal absorption probably outweigh the impact of solubility on drug in vivo dissolution.

The determinants and significance of intraluminal stent protrusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background The mchanisms leading to intraluminal stent protrusion in patients following primary coronary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are not fully elucidated. Purpose We sought to investigate composition of stent protrusion, its systemic and local determinants as well as its consequences for epicardial blood flow restoration in STEMI patients. Methods We enrolled 85 STEMI patients with median age 61 (interquartile range 54–69) years. In all patients optical coherence tomography of an infarct-related artery was performed first following epicardial blood flow restoration after aspiration thrombectomy and second after final stent deployment. On admission, besides standard laboratory investigations we measured calibrated automated thrombogram parameters including time to start clotting, time to peak thrombin generation, peak thrombin generation and endogenous thrombin potential as well as ex vivo measured fibrin clot permeability reflecting fibrin pore size and fibrin clot lysis time. Results A median volume of stent protrusion was 13.4 (8.5–25.4) mm3 while atherothrombotic burden defined as a ratio of free intraluminal thrombus and tissue protrusion divided by stent volume was 6 (3.9–7.5)%. The main component of stent protrusion was lipid tissue in 32 (37.6%), fibrous tissue in 27 (31.8%) and thrombus in 26 (30.6%) patients. A volume of stent protrusion was correlated with total stent volume (R=0.79, P<0.001) and the length of lipid reach pool in the naïve coronary vessel intima (R=0.31, P=0.007) whereas atherothrombotic burden was correlated with residual thrombus volume before stent implantation (R=0.34, P=0.003), arcus of maximal lipid reach pool in the naïve coronary vessel intima (R=0.25, P=0.03) and stent area (R=0.26, P=0.02). The residual thrombus volume after aspiration thrombectomy was correlated with clot permeability (R=0.024, P=0.04) and inversely correlated with time to peak thrombin generation (R=−0.23, P=0.04). A temporary deterioration of epicardial blood flow of at least 1 point in Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale following stent implantation detected in 20 (23.5%) patients was associated with shorter lag time (3.0 [2.7–3.3] vs. 3.3 [3.0–4.0] min, P=0.015), shorter time to peak thrombin generation (5.7 [5.3–6.1] vs. 6.3 [5.7–7.1] min, P=0.026) and more frequent presence of lipid-rich stent protrusion (65 vs. 29%, P=0.007) as compared to the patients without slow-flow phenomenon after stent deployment. Conclusions The total volume of stent protrusion is correlated with local determinants including stent size and lipid content in the naïve coronary artery intima. After adjustment for stent volume, atherothrombotic burden is additionaly affected by residual thrombus volume after aspiration thrombectomy. However, patients with faster thrombin formation and lipid-rich stent protrusion are more prone to slow-flow phenomenon following stent implantation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Science Center of Poland

Multi-omics reveal the structure and function of microbial community in co-digestion of corn straw and pig manure

Metagenomic sequencing, basing on whole genomic analysis, was carried out to explain the taxonomic and functional patterns of microbial communities in co-digestion and mono-digestions with corn straw and pig manure. Bacteroides graminisolvens and Clostridium stercorarium, the dominant species for corn straw degradation, and Proteiniphilum acetatigenes, emphasizing on protein decomposition, performed the optimum abundance during the co-digestion to improve efficiency of substrate decomposition. Methanosaeta concilii was the richest species during the process of bio-methane production, whose quantity and status in co-digestion were better than in mono-digestion. Analysis of functional patterns indicated that the carbohydrate-active enzymes in co-digestion were sustained abundant resulting short lag time, and the abundance of enzymes involving in methanogenesis were extremely high in co-digestion indicating the active methane metabolism. An adequate understanding of taxonomic and functional patterns further revealed the mechanism of rapid startup and superb methane production in co-digestion.

Influence of the phenological stage at harvest of sesame (Sesamum indicum) on silage quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvesting the sesame plant at different phenological stages on silage quality. A completely randomized design with five replications was adopted. The treatments were different phenological stages of the plant at harvest (WOP = Without pod, WP = With pod, MG = Milky grain, MTG = Mature grain). The chemical composition was determined after opening the silos. Fermentation characteristics were evaluated by measuring pH, N-NH3 concentration, organic acid contents (acetic, butyric, propionic and lactic), quantification of losses through gases and effluents, dry matter recovery (DMR) and evaluation of the aerobic stability of the silage. Dry matter in situ degradability (DM) was evaluated using two rumen-cannulated sheep. All data were analyzed through mixed models. The means of chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and losses were compared by the Tukey's adjusted test and significant differences were declared when P ≤ 0.05. The chemical composition of the sesame silage was affected by the plant's phenological stage at harvest. There was significant effect (P < 0.05) on all chemical composition variables evaluated in this study. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on fermentative characteristics. Losses through gases and effluents reduced at older phenological stages of the sesame plant. The highest DMR (949.7 g/kg) was observed in the silage of plants harvested at the MTG stage. The most stable silages were those made with plants harvested at the WOP stage (64 h), followed by MG (48 h). The highest levels of degradation of the soluble fraction were found in the silage of plants harvested at WOP (366.3 g/kg) and MG (366.1 g/kg) stages, respectively. The highest potential degradability was found in the silage of plants harvested at the MTG stage (552.7 g/kg), which consequently had the shortest lag time (6.60 h). The effective degradability at different passage rates 20, 50, 80 g/ kg /h was higher in the silage of plants harvested at WOP and MG stages. The sesame plant can be harvested at the phenological stages with pod, milky grain and mature grain for silage making.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue in Colombia in relation to the combined effects of local climate and ENSO

Dengue virus (DENV) is an endemic disease in the hot and humid low-lands of Colombia. We characterize the association of monthly series of dengue cases with indices of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) at the tropical Pacific and local climatic variables in Colombia during the period 2007-2017 at different temporal and spatial scales. For estimation purposes, we use lagged cross-correlations (Pearson test), cross-wavelet analysis (wavelet cross spectrum, and wavelet coherence), as well as a novel nonlinear causality method, PCMCI, that allows identifying common causal drivers and links among high dimensional simultaneous and time-lagged variables. Our results evidence the strong association of DENV cases in Colombia with ENSO indices and with local temperature and rainfall. El Niño (La Niña) phenomenon is related to an increase (decrease) of dengue cases nationally and in most regions and departments, with maximum correlations occurring at shorter time lags in the Pacific and Andes regions, closer to the Pacific Ocean. This association is mainly explained by the ENSO-driven increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall, especially in the Andes and Pacific regions. The influence of ENSO is not stationary, given the reduction of DENV cases since 2005, and that local climate variables vary in space and time, which prevents to extrapolate results from one region to another. The association between DENV and ENSO varies at national and regional scales when data are disaggregated by seasons, being stronger in DJF and weaker in SON. Overall, the Pacific and Andes regions control the relationship between dengue dynamics and ENSO at national scale. Cross-wavelet analysis indicates that the ENSO-DENV relation in Colombia exhibits a strong coherence in the 12 to 16-months frequency band, which implies the frequency locking between the annual cycle and the interannual (ENSO) timescales. Results of nonlinear causality metrics reveal the complex concomitant effects of ENSO and local climate variables, while offering new insights to develop early warning systems for DENV in Colombia.

Exploring Environmental Factors That Drive Diel Variations in Tree Water Storage Using Wavelet Analysis

Internal water storage within trees can be a critical reservoir that helps trees overcome both short- and long-duration environmental stresses. We monitored changes in internal tree water storage in a ponderosa pine on daily and seasonal scales using moisture probes, a dendrometer, and time-lapse electrical resistivity imaging (ERI). These data were used to investigate how patterns of in-tree water storage are affected by changes in sapflow rates, soil moisture, and meteorologic factors such as vapor pressure deficit. Measurements of xylem fluid electrical conductivity were constant in the early growing season while inverted sapwood electrical conductivity steadily increased, suggesting that increases in sapwood electrical conductivity did not result from an increase in xylem fluid electrical conductivity. Seasonal increases in stem electrical conductivity corresponded with seasonal increases in trunk diameter, suggesting that increased electrical conductivity may result from new growth. On the daily scale, changes in inverted sapwood electrical conductivity correspond to changes in sapwood moisture. Wavelet analyses indicated that lag times between inverted electrical conductivity and sapflow increased after storm events, suggesting that as soils wetted, reliance on internal water storage decreased, as did the time required to refill daily deficits in internal water storage. We found short time lags between sapflow and inverted electrical conductivity with dry conditions, when ponderosa pine are known to reduce stomatal conductance to avoid xylem cavitation. A decrease in diel amplitudes of inverted sapwood electrical conductivity during dry periods suggest that the ponderosa pine relied on internal water storage to supplement transpiration demands, but as drought conditions progressed, tree water storage contributions to transpiration decreased. Time-lapse ERI- and wavelet-analysis results highlight the important role internal tree water storage plays in supporting transpiration throughout a day and during periods of declining subsurface moisture.

Evaluation of non-uniform groundwater level data using spatiotemporal modeling

Groundwater is one of the main sources of freshwater. To ensure its sustainability, it is important to know its current status and changing pattern over time, through the essential groundwater monitoring program conducted by water management planners, groundwater modelers and urban developers. However, uniformly distributed data is hardly available in most catchments. In this study, the Spatiotemporal Regression Kriging method (Rkriging) was adopted to derive a spatiotemporal pattern for Harvey River Catchment in Western Australia, using the limited groundwater data in the catchment. The accuracy of the estimation was investigated using the Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation approach. Time-series analysis (i.e., auto-correlation and cross-correlation) was then employed to provide a better understanding of the estimated groundwater level change (ΔGWL) over time. To gain insight into the change of groundwater levels, the correlation between groundwater level (GWL) and precipitation pattern with possible time-lag was explored. The results showed that the Rkriging method is satisfactory and the findings were consistent with the previously published results in literature in the area. The estimated decreasing GWL trend matched the precipitation pattern in the catchment. Such shallow groundwater levels in Harvey Catchment resulted in a short time-lag between the precipitation and GWL time-series. The proposed method should be applied to other catchments with limited groundwater data and can be a useful approach for catchments with irregular temporal and spatial data.

Multiproxy provenance analysis of Lower to Upper Cretaceous synorogenic deposits in the Southern Andes (34–35°S): Evidence of coeval volcanism during the onset of the Andean orogeny

The combination of detrital low-temperature thermochronology with previous U–Pb geochronology, petrological and sedimentological analyses, has proven to be a valuable approach to constrain the provenance of non-marine Lower to Upper Cretaceous synorogenic deposits in the northern Neuquén Basin. This work focuses on the study of the Diamante Formation, a fluvial succession that represents the first synorogenic products of the Andean foreland basin at 34–35°S. The results indicate that the deposition of the Diamante Formation occurred simultaneously with the existence of an active western volcanic arc during the onset of the foreland basin. The facies associations evidence the transition between the backarc and the foreland basin stages as well as the inception of fluvial sedimentation in the foredeep. Petrographic analyses, together with changes in the paleocurrents and the record of limestone clasts suggest a regional detrital source shift. Apatite fission-track analyses (AFT) of a sample collected from the lower part of the Diamante Formation indicate an Albian central cooling age. This sample also evidences a remarkable presence of angular apatite and zircon crystals with subordinated rounded and subangular grains. Zircon fission-track analyses (ZFT) of a sample from the upper part of the Diamante Formation yield two discrete populations of cooling ages, both reflecting source-cooling during the Late Jurassic (∼161 Ma) and the Permian (∼265 Ma). Finally, a comparison between the AFT and the U–Pb maximum depositional zircon-age reveals a short lag time (ca. 3 ma), likely related to the rapid magmatic cooling of a coeval volcanic source at ∼110 Ma (Albian).

Climatology of Three-Dimensional Eliassen–Palm Wave Activity Fluxes in the Northern Hemisphere Stratosphere from 1981 to 2020

Based on the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis data from 1981 to 2020, the climatological features of the vertical components of three-dimensional Eliassen–Palm (EP) wave activity fluxes (WAF) were investigated. The parameter is related to eddy heat flux and is a key indicator of the upward and downward propagation of quasi-stationary planetary-scale waves. Northern Hemisphere data from a 30 km height (or about a 10-hPa level) were used for the analysis. We evaluated the extreme values (daily maxima and minima) of the vertical WAFs, the probability of their recurrences, and their interannual and daily variability observed over the last four decades. The correlation between the upward EP WAF maxima and the 10-hPa stratosphere temperature anomalies were examined. The results show that very close relationships exist between these two parameters with a short time lag, but the initial state of the stratosphere is a key factor in determining the strength of these relationships. Moreover, trends over the last 40 years were evaluated. In this research, we did not find any significant changes in the extreme values of the vertical WAFs. Finally, the dominant spatial patterns of upward and downward extreme WAFs were evaluated. The results show that there are three main regions in the stratosphere where extremely intensive upward and downward WAFs can be observed.

The Grids Python Tool for Querying Spatiotemporal Multidimensional Water Data

Scientific datasets from global-scale earth science models and remote sensing instruments are becoming available at greater spatial and temporal resolutions with shorter lag times. Water data are frequently stored as multidimensional arrays, also called gridded or raster data, and span two or three spatial dimensions, the time dimension, and other dimensions which vary by the specific dataset. Water engineers and scientists need these data as inputs for models and generate data in these formats as results. A myriad of file formats and organizational conventions exist for storing these array datasets. The variety does not make the data unusable but does add considerable difficulty in using them because the structure can vary. These storage formats are largely incompatible with common geographic information system (GIS) software. This introduces additional complexity in extracting values, analyzing results, and otherwise working with multidimensional data since they are often spatial data. We present a Python package which provides a central interface for efficient access to multidimensional water data regardless of the file format. This research builds on and unifies existing file formats and software rather than suggesting entirely new alternatives. We present a summary of the code design and validate the results using common water-related datasets and software.

C^N^N Coordination Accelerates the iClick Reaction of Square-Planar Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Azido Complexes with Electron-Poor Alkynes and Enables Cycloaddition with Terminal Alkynes

Organometal azido complexes with a cyclometalating C^N^N coligand of the general formula [M(N3)(phbpy)] with M = Pd(II) or Pt(II) and Hphbpy = 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine were prepared in very good yield and reacted in a catalyst-free iClick reaction with internal alkynes 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-butynoic acid ethyl ester and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and also methyl propiolate as a prototypical terminal alkyne. At room temperature, the two internal alkynes reacted too fast to study the kinetics with NMR spectroscopy, as the first spectrum obtained after mixing of the reactants showed only the product. Only in the case of methyl propiolate, second-order rate constants were obtained as 7.7 × 10–3 and 5.6 × 10–3 M–1 s–1 for the Pd(II) and Pt(II) azido complexes, respectively. As an alternative method with a shorter lag time, solution IR spectroscopy monitoring the disappearance of the azido vibration was used to obtain pseudo-first-order rate constants in the range of 3–4 × 10–4 s–1 for the terminal alkyne and 10–2 s–1 for the internal alkynes, with a general trend in the reactivity of Pd > Pt and CF3,COOEt > COOCH3,COOCH3 ≫ H,COOCH3.

Genomic data support multiple introductions and explosive demographic expansions in a highly invasive aquatic insect.

The study of the genetic makeup and demographic fate of alien species is essential to understand their capacity to recover from founder effects, adapt to new environmental conditions and, ultimately, become invasive and potentially damaging. Here, we employ genomic data to gain insights into key demographic processes that might help to explain the extraordinarily successful invasion of the Western Mediterranean region by the North American boatman Trichocorixa verticalis (Hemiptera: Corixidae). Our analyses revealed the genetic distinctiveness of populations from the main areas comprising the invasive range and coalescent-based simulations supported that they originated from independent introductions events probably involving different source populations. Testing of alternative demographic models indicated that all populations experienced a strong bottleneck followed by a recent and instantaneous demographic expansion that restored a large portion (>30%) of their ancestral effective population sizes shortly after introductions took place (<60years ago). Considerable genetic admixture of some populations suggest that hypothetical barriers to dispersal (i.e., land and sea water) are permeable to gene flow and/or that they originated from introductions involving multiple lineages. This study demonstrates the repeated arrival of propagules with different origins and short time lags between arrival and establishment, emphasizing the extraordinary capacity of the species to recover from founder effects and genetically admix in invaded areas. This can explain the demonstrated capacity of this aquatic insect to spread and outcompete native species once it colonizes new suitable regions. Future genomic analyses of native range populations could help to infer the genetic makeup of introduced populations and track invasion routes.

Evolution of the uniformity in the repetitive unipolar nanosecond-pulse dielectric barrier discharge

The time evolution of dielectric barrier discharge driven by nanosecond pulse high-voltage power is investigated by high-speed video analysis, electrical measurements and spectral diagnostics. It is found that the discharge mode generally goes through the evolution process of filamentary discharge → diffuse discharge → filamentary discharge with the increase in discharge cycle. The time-dependent changes in the standard deviation of image gray levels indicate that the discharge uniformity first improves and then deteriorates in this evolution process. The different pre-ionization density and modulated distribution of space charges and surface charges are considered to be the main reasons for the time evolution of discharge uniformity. In addition, the experiments under different frequencies and voltages show that the transition of the discharge mode is more likely to occur at higher frequency and higher voltage. Further measurement and calculation reveal that the discharge at high frequency and high voltage has the same characteristics, that is, high pre-ionization degree, thick filament diameter and short time lag. These characteristics usually lead to higher seed electron density, larger critical avalanche size and weaker lateral inhibition effect, which make the discharge mode transition more likely to occur.

Scaled geometric Brownian motion features sub- or superexponential ensemble-averaged, but linear time-averaged mean-squared displacements

Various mathematical Black-Scholes-Merton-like models of option pricing employ the paradigmatic stochastic process of geometric Brownian motion (GBM). The innate property of such models and of real stock-market prices is the roughly exponential growth of prices with time [on average, in crisis-free times]. We here explore the ensemble- and time averages of a multiplicative-noise stochastic process with power-law-like time-dependent volatility, σ(t)∼t^{α}, named scaled GBM (SGBM). For SGBM, the mean-squared displacement (MSD) computed for an ensemble of statistically equivalent trajectories can grow faster than exponentially in time, while the time-averaged MSD (TAMSD)-based on a sliding-window averaging along a single trajectory-is always linear at short lag times Δ. The proportionality factor between these the two averages of the time series is Δ/T at short lag times, where T is the trajectory length, similarly to GBM. This discrepancy of the scaling relations and pronounced nonequivalence of the MSD and TAMSD at Δ/T≪1 is a manifestation of weak ergodicity breaking for standard GBM and for SGBM with σ(t)-modulation, the main focus of our analysis. The analytical predictions for the MSD and mean TAMSD for SGBM are in quantitative agreement with the results of stochastic computer simulations.

Spatiotemporal Response of Vegetation to Rainfall and Air Temperature Fluctuations in the Sahel: Case Study in the Forest Reserve of Fina, Mali

Forests constitute a key component of the Earth system but the sustainability of the forest reserves in the semi-arid zone is a real concern since its vegetation is very sensitive to the climate fluctuation. The understanding of the mechanisms for the vegetation–climate interaction is poorly studied in the context of African Sahel. In this study, the characteristics of the vegetation response to the fluctuations of precipitation and temperature is determined for the forest reserve of Fina. Rainfall estimates, air temperature and NDVI were re-gridded to a same spatial resolution and standardized with respect to their respective long-term mean. Lag-correlations analysis was used to estimate lag times between changes of climate variables and vegetation response at both seasonal and interannual bases. Results show increasing tendency of NDVI started from the 1990s coinciding the recovery of the rainfall from the 1980s drought, and the obtained correlation (r = 0.66) is statistically significant (p value &lt; 0.01). The strongest responses of vegetation to rainfall and temperature fluctuations were found after 30 and 15 days, respectively. Moreover, at a shorter time lag (e.g., 15 days), more pronounced vegetation responses to both rainfall and temperature were found in agriculturally dominated land while at a longer time lag (e.g., 30 days), a stronger response was observed in Bare-dominated land. The vegetation response to the climate fluctuation is modulated by the land-use/cover dynamics.

Development of Mucoadhesive Buccal Film for Rizatriptan: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

The reduced therapeutic efficacy of rizatriptan in migraine treatment is primarily due to low oral bioavailability and extensive first pass metabolism. The purpose of this investigation was to optimize the thin mucoadhesive buccal film of rizatriptan and assess the practicability of its development as a potential substitute for conventional migraine treatment. Buccal films (FR1–FR10) were fabricated by a conventional solvent casting method utilizing a combination of polymers (Proloc, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Eudragit RS 100). Drug-loaded buccal films (F1–F4) were examined for mechanical, mucoadhesive, swelling and release characteristics. In vivo pharmacokinetics parameters of selected buccal film (F1) in rabbits were compared to oral administration. Films F1–F4 displayed optimal physicomechanical properties including mucoadhesive strength, which can prolong the buccal residence time. A biphasic, complete and higher drug release was seen in films F1 and F4, which followed Weibull model kinetics. The optimized film, F1, exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.005) rizatriptan buccal flux (71.94 ± 8.26 µg/cm2/h) with a short lag time. Film features suggested the drug particles were in an amorphous form, compatible with the polymers used and had an appropriate surface morphology suitable for buccal application. Pharmacokinetic data indicated a significantly higher rizatriptan plasma level (p < 0.005) and Cmax (p < 0.0001) upon buccal film application as compared to oral solution. The observed AUC0–12h (994.86 ± 95.79 ng.h/mL) in buccal treatment was two-fold higher (p < 0.0001) than the control, and the relative bioavailability judged was 245%. This investigation demonstrates the prospective of buccal films as a viable and alternative approach for effective rizatriptan delivery.

Functional motor phenotypes: to lump or to split?

IntroductionFunctional motor disorders (FMDs) are usually categorized according to the predominant phenomenology; however, it is unclear whether this phenotypic classification mirrors the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.ObjectiveTo compare the characteristics of patients with different FMDs phenotypes and without co-morbid neurological disorders, aiming to answer the question of whether they represent different expressions of the same disorder or reflect distinct entities.MethodsConsecutive outpatients with a clinically definite diagnosis of FMDs were included in the Italian registry of functional motor disorders (IRFMD), a multicenter data collection platform gathering several clinical and demographic variables. To the aim of the current work, data of patients with isolated FMDs were extracted.ResultsA total of 176 patients were included: 58 with weakness, 40 with tremor, 38 with dystonia, 23 with jerks/facial FMDs, and 17 with gait disorders. Patients with tremor and gait disorders were older than the others. Patients with functional weakness had more commonly an acute onset (87.9%) than patients with tremor and gait disorders, a shorter time lag from symptoms onset and FMDs diagnosis (2.9 ± 3.5 years) than patients with dystonia, and had more frequently associated functional sensory symptoms (51.7%) than patients with tremor, dystonia and gait disorders. Patients with dystonia complained more often of associated pain (47.4%) than patients with tremor. No other differences were noted between groups in terms of other variables including associated functional neurological symptoms, psychiatric comorbidities, and predisposing or precipitating factors.ConclusionsOur data support the evidence of a large overlap between FMD phenotypes.

Study on electrolyte additives of water-based magnesium batteries

The effects of different inorganic salt additives on the corrosion resistance, hysteretic behavior and activation potential of magnesium anode in MgSO4-Mg(NO3)2 composite electrolyte (1.86 mol·L-1 Mg(NO3)2 + 0.14 mol·L-1 MgSO4) were compared by electrochemical method. The electrochemical test results showed that in the solution containing 0.02 mol/L NaHCO3, the activation potential of magnesium anode was the most positive, the passivation range was expanded, and the polarization current was reduced. The impedance of magnesium alloy with 0.02 mol/L NaHCO3 has the highest corrosion resistance, which is consistent with the conclusion that the corrosion current density of Tafel polarization curve is the lowest. Under the additive concentration, the magnesium anode has the shortest lag time, the most negative discharge potential and the least potential drop, which greatly improve the discharge performance of magnesium anode.

The process and product of note-taking and consecutive interpreting: empirical data from professionals and students

ABSTRACT Consecutive interpreting (CI) plays a crucial role in interpreting practice and education. To gain a better understanding of the skills and competencies needed on the path to consecutive expertise, this study collects empirical data from 22 professional interpreters and 22 students in terms of both the process and product of note-taking and CI in two interpreting directions. Important differences are found between the two groups. During note-taking, the professional group showed such features as higher writing speed, shorter time lag, larger note size, and lower note density than the students. The data also revealed different patterns in their use of symbols and choice of language. As for interpreting quality, the largest difference was found in information completeness, followed by fluency of delivery. Moreover, directionality was found to play an important role in interacting with the differences. Findings of this study point to some areas requiring special attention in CI training.

Flexible infrared photodetector based on indium antimonide nanowire arrays

Narrow bandgap semiconductors like indium antimonide (InSb) are very suitable for high-performance room temperature infrared photodetectors, but the fragile nature of the wafer materials hinders their application as flexible/wearable devices. Here, we present a method to fabricate a photodetector device of assembled crystalline InSb nanowire (NW) arrays on a flexible substrate that balances high performance and flexibility, facilitating its application in wearable devices. The InSb NWs were synthesized by means of a vapor–liquid–solid technique, with gold nanoclusters as seeding particles. The morphological and crystal properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, which revealed the unique spike shape and high crystallinity with (111) and (220) planes of InSb NWs. The flexible infrared photodetector devices were fabricated by transferring the NWs onto transparent and stretchable polydimethylsiloxane substrate with pre-deposited gold electrodes. Current versus time measurement of the photodetector devices under light showed photoresponsivity and sensitivity to mid-infrared at bias as low as 0.1 V while attached to curved surfaces (suitable for skin implants). A high-performance NW device yielded efficient rise and decay times down to 1 s and short time lag for infrared detection. Based on dark current, calculated specific detectivity of the flexible photodetector was 1.4 × 1012 Jones. The performance and durability render such devices promising for use as wearable infrared photodetectors.