bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Image Correlation Measurement of the Deformation and Failure in PBX Brazilian Discs Reinforced with CFRP Patches
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Tang Wei , Liu Chen , Li Biao , Tang Mingfeng , Wen Maoping
Published: February 2021

Polymer‐bonded explosive (PBX) is a mechanical weak link in weapons systems. PBX is susceptible to cracking owing to its brittle nature, which seriously threatens the security and reliability of the weapons system. In this work, a novel strengthening method making use of a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) patch was adopted to enhance the mechanical performance of the PBX. Brazilian compression tests were conducted on the unreinforced, locally reinforced, and fully reinforced PBX discs to elucidate the strengthening mechanism of the patch. Digital image correlation was employed to characterise the deformation and failure processes of the discs during the full testing period. The results showed that failure of the PBX was caused by initiation and extension of the deformation that localises within the regions near the loading positions. The CFRP patches provided the benefits of load transfer and deformation confinement, which alleviated stress concentration in the disc. Consequently, collapse of the patched discs was delayed, and the load‐carrying ability was improved. The findings of this study may deepen our understanding of PBX failure behaviours, and further the performance optimisation of weapons systems.
Guidewire‐guided electrocardiogram for positioning the catheter tip of upper arm port in breast cancer patients
Authors: Gu Lili , Xu Liyong , Meng Aifeng , Shi Ruchun , Jiang Dingbiao , Liu Chunli , Mao Jing
Published: February 2021

Intracavitary electrocardiogram (ECG) is a reliable and safe method for real‐time, confirming the tip of central venous access devices. Saline and guidewire are the most commonly used as an intracavitary electrode for introducing ECGs. However, little information about the ECG technique using for the catheter tip of arm port. We aimed to explore the effects of guidewire‐guided ECG approach for locating the catheter tip of the upper arm port in breast cancer patients. We performed a prospective single‐center study, 36 patients with breast cancer were enrolled. Thirty‐six upper arm ports were implanted using a guidewire guided ECG approach, to evaluate the accuracy of the catheter tip position, the operation time, and the stability of the ECG waveform. The ECG‐based tip location was compared with post‐procedural tip location by chest X‐ray. We found that all the upper arm ports implantation were successful in this study. The tip was located at the lower 1/3 superior vena cava or cava‐atrial junction in 35 cases and the upper right atrium in one case. The average operation time of the ECG was 269.25 ± 52.79 second, (range: 190‐345 seconds). The correct rate of the catheter tip position was 97.22%. All the ECG waveform was stable and easy to read. In conclusion, the guidewire‐guided ECG technique is valid and accurate for locating the upper arm port catheter tip; it is also convenient.
N‐terminal acetylation modestly enhances phase separation and reduces aggregation of the low‐complexity domain of RNA‐binding protein fused in sarcoma
Authors: Bock Anna S. , Murthy Anastasia C. , Tang Wai Shing , Jovic Nina , Shewmaker Frank , Mittal Jeetain , Fawzi Nicolas L.
Published: February 2021

The RNA‐binding protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) assembles via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) into functional RNA granules and aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated neuronal inclusions. Several studies have demonstrated that posttranslational modification (PTM) can significantly alter FUS phase separation and aggregation, particularly charge‐altering phosphorylation of the nearly uncharged N‐terminal low complexity domain of FUS (FUS LC). However, the occurrence and impact of N‐terminal acetylation on FUS phase separation remains unexplored, even though N‐terminal acetylation is the most common PTM in mammals and changes the charge at the N‐terminus. First, we find that FUS is predominantly acetylated in two human cell types and stress conditions. Next, we show that recombinant FUS LC can be acetylated when co‐expressed with the NatA complex in Escherichia coli. Using NMR spectroscopy, we find that N‐terminal acetylated FUS LC (FUS LC Nt‐Ac) does not notably alter monomeric FUS LC structure or motions. Despite no difference in structure, Nt‐Ac‐FUS LC phase separates more avidly than unmodified FUS LC. More importantly, N‐terminal acetylation of FUS LC reduces aggregation. Our findings highlight the importance of N‐terminal acetylation of proteins that undergo physiological LLPS and pathological aggregation.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve uptake and control efficacy of carbosulfan on Spodoptera frugiperda in maize plants
Authors: Yan Wenjuan , Lin Xiaomin , Yao Qing , Zhao Chen , Zhang Zhixiang , Xu Hanhong
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in soil can promote the uptake of nutrients and xenobiotics by plants. In this study, the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (including Glomus intraradices and Glomus mossea) on the growth of maize, the uptake of carbosulfan and the control efficacy on Spodoptera frugiperda were investigated through maize seed coating.

RESULTS

Results from the pot experiment showed that carbofuran reduced the mycorrhizal colonization of AM fungi in the early stage of the experiment. The inhibiting effect disappeared in 21–49 DAP, whereas the mycorrhizal colonization rate under the G. intraradices treatment was maintained at ≈90%. Compared with noninoculated treatment, the fresh weights of roots in G. intraradices and G. mosseae treatments increased by 20–41% and 10–23%, respectively. Mycorrhizal treatment could significantly increase the transmission rates (root/soil and leaf/stem) and the carbosulfan accumulation in maize. During the harvest period, the control efficacy against S. frugiperda in mycorrhizal treatment was significantly higher than that in noninoculated treatments (P < 0.05) in both Guangzhou and Nanning.

CONCLUSIONS

Inoculation with AM could accelerate the degradation process of carbofuran in soil and the propagation of carbofuran from soil to plants. Glomus intraradices showed more pronounced effects than G. mosseae on both plant growth and carbosulfan content in plants and soil. The experimental results showed that inoculation of AM fungi increased the accumulation of carbofuran in plants, improved the effective utilization rate and enhanced the control efficacy against S. frugiperda.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Encapsulation of fluazinam to extend efficacy duration in controlling Botrytis cinerea on cucumber
Authors: Liu Qizheng , Liu Panqing , Xu Yanjun , Wang Bin , Liu Pengfei , Hao Jianjun , Liu Xili
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Fluazinam is an effective fungicide in controlling gray mold, but has short duration of efficacy. Increasing application dosage may cause phytotoxicity. To overcome this shortage, a controlled‐release technology was studied by encapsulating fluazinam. Ethyl cellulose polymer microcapsules were loaded with fluazinam to formulate a fluazinam capsule suspension (FCS). The efficacy for inhibition of B. cinerea and persistency of the FCS were examined by comparing with fluazinam technical concentrate (FTC) and aqueous fluazinam suspension concentrate (FSC) using microscopic observation and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis.

RESULTS

FCS formed capsules, with median size of 3.17 μm in diameter, had 82.3% encapsulation efficiency. It had a stronger inhibitory activity against B. cinerea than FTC and FSC measured 7 days after the treatments. The half‐life of FCS on cucumber leaves was 3.4 days, longer than the 2.3 days of FSC.

CONCLUSION

FCS formulation significantly improved the inhibition of B. cinerea and resulted in prolonged and sustained release. Moreover, microencapsulation increased the duration of the efficacy of fluazinam on target crops. This formulation could help to sustain pesticides and protect the environment.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
The dynamics of gender in the intergenerational transmission of homeownership: A case study of young couples in Shanghai
Authors: Cui Junru , Cui Can , Ronald Richard , Yu Shan , Mu Xueying
Published: February 2021

Parental support has become increasingly important to the housing opportunities of young Chinese households. The gender dynamics of support practices, however, have not been well understood. Drawing on a survey of Shanghai households, this study investigates the role of parents in shaping the housing outcomes of young couples, focusing on gender differences in intergenerational transmissions. Employing generalised structural equation modelling, our analysis illustrates that support from both husband's and wife's parents can affect the household's housing outcomes, directly and indirectly, but with some critical differences. The socioeconomic characteristics of husband's parents, such as educational level and employer type, are more relevant to housing outcomes than those of the wife's parents. While for women, having homeowning parents with local hukou indicates a higher probability of the couple becoming homeowners, for men, the association is inverse. In exploring these differences, we unravel how parental support intertwines with broader social norms and practices concerning family and gender norms.
A combined fuzzy DEMATEL and cloud model approach for risk assessment in process industries to improve system reliability
Authors: Li Jishuo , Xu Kaili
Published: February 2021

Decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis is an effective and comprehensive method for identifying accident factors and converting the relationships among them into a visual structural model. Traditionally, the mean value method is adopted to summarize the initial direct‐relation matrix, but it ignores the errors caused by differences in expert knowledge. In addition, a single qualitative risk assessment may not be sufficiently comprehensive and persuasive. The qualitative risk assessment results may not play a complete role in helping industrial plants carry out safety management. Therefore, this study proposes a quantitative risk assessment model based on the cloud model (CM) called the fuzzy DEMATEL‐CM. An assessment index model is established by identifying the hazards associated with a converter steelmaking system. Subsequently, fuzzy DEMATEL analysis is applied to determine the relationships among the assessment indices and calculate their weights. Then, the CM is utilized to calculate the risk levels of the assessment indices and determine the comprehensive risk level. Finally, a case study is introduced to verify the practicability and validity of this model, and it is observed that the model has a certain superiority in solving uncertain problems. The quantitative risk assessment results are helpful for preventing accidents to improve the reliability of converter steelmaking plants.
Computational mechanistic studies of the carbon–carbon double bond difunctionalization via epoxidation and subsequent aminolysis in vegetable oils
Authors: Abdullayev Yusif , Abbasov Vagif , Nasirov Fuzuli , Rzayeva Nigar , Nasibova Leyla , Autschbach Jochen
Published: February 2021

The industrial importance of the CC double bond difunctionalization in vegetable oils/fatty acid chains motivates computational studies aimed at helping to improve experimental protocols. The CC double bond epoxidation is studied with hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid (CH3CO3H), and performic acid (HCO3H) oxidizing agents. The epoxide ring‐opening mechanism is calculated in the presence of ZnCl2, NiCl2, and FeCl2 Lewis acidic catalysts. Computations show that H2O2 (∆G‡ = 39 kcal/mol, TS1HP) is not an effective oxidizing agent compared to CH3CO3H (∆G‡ = 29.8 kcal/mol, TS1PA) and HCO3H (∆G‡ = 26.7 kcal/mol, TS1PF). The FeCl2 (∆G‡ = 14.7 kcal/mol, TS1FC) coordination to the epoxide oxygen facilitates the ring‐opening via lower energy barriers compared to the ZnCl2 (∆G‡ = 19.5 kcal/mol, TS1ZC) and NiCl2 (∆G‡ = 29.4 kcal/mol, TS1NC) coordination. ZnCl2 was frequently utilized as a catalyst in laboratory‐scale procedures. The energetic span model identifies the FeCl2 (FC) catalytic cycle as the best option for the epoxide ring‐opening.
Conversions of localized excess electrons and spin states under external electric field: Inter‐cage electron‐transfer isomer (C20F20)3&K2
Authors: Tang Jia‐Min , Wang Yin‐Feng , Tian Qin , Liu Xue‐Xia , Wang Zhijun , Huang Jiangen , Zhang Hua‐Rong , Yang Kai , Li Zhi‐Ru
Published: February 2021

By doping two potassium atoms among three C20F20 cages, peanut‐shaped single molecular solvated dielectron (C20F20)3&K2 was presented theoretically. The triplet structure with two separated excess electrons respectively inside left and middle cages (isomers I or II) are thermodynamically more stable than both open‐shell (OS) and close‐shell (CS) singlet ones with lone pair of excess electrons inside middle cage. Applying an oriented external electric field (×10−4 au) of −20 or a larger one and then releasing it, left‐to‐right transfer occurs for both triplet excess electrons and a new kind of inter‐cage electron‐transfer isomers (III or IV) forms. Triplet structures (I–IV) with three redox sites may be new members of mixed‐valent compounds, namely, Robin‐Day Class II. For electrified I of (C20F20)3&K2, the OS singlet state in small‐ranges of field strengths (−30 to −5 and 5–30), triplet one in mid‐ranges of field strengths (−120 to −30 and 30–111), and CS singlet one in large‐ranges of field strengths (≥111 and ≤−120) are, respectively, ground states.
Optical Signatures of Defect Centers in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers
Authors: M. C. de Melo Pedro Miguel , Zanolli Zeila , Verstraete Matthieu J.
Published: February 2021

Even the best quality 2D materials have non‐negligible concentrations of vacancies and impurities. It is critical to understand and quantify how defects change intrinsic properties, and use this knowledge to generate functionality. This challenge can be addressed by employing many‐body perturbation theory to obtain the optical absorption spectra of defected transition metal dichalcogenides. Herein metal vacancies, which are largely unreported, show a larger set of polarized excitons than chalcogenide vacancies, introducing localized excitons in the sub‐optical‐gap region, whose wave functions and spectra make them good candidates as quantum emitters. Despite the strong interaction with substitutional defects, the spin texture and pristine exciton energies are preserved, enabling grafting and patterning in optical detectors, as the full optical‐gap region remains available. A redistribution of excitonic weight between the A and B excitons is visible in both cases and may allow the quantification of the defect concentration. This work establishes excitonic signatures to characterize defects in 2D materials and highlights vacancies as qubit candidates for quantum computing.
Conceptualising and measuring domain‐specific content knowledge of early childhood educators: A systematic review
Authors: Bruns Julia , Gasteiger Hedwig , Strahl Carolin
Published: February 2021

The role of domain‐specific content knowledge is discussed controversially for the early childhood context. Therefore, this review aims at untangling the research on domain‐specific content knowledge for early childhood educators by systematically reviewing the conceptual and operational definition of and results on early childhood educators’ content knowledge in different domains. Using the scientific databases ERIC, PsycInfo and Web of Sciences, we identified 36 studies on early childhood educators’ domain‐specific content knowledge. By comparing these studies, we found that conceptualizations of early childhood educators’ content knowledge move on a continuum between a scientific related perspective and a practice related perspective. The scientific related perspective defines content knowledge as the knowledge of key concepts, facts and rules of the domain integrating knowledge taught in primary, secondary or upper secondary school. The practice related perspective includes knowledge of key concepts, facts and rules of the domain limited to the knowledge explicitly relevant for teaching in early childhood education as well as selected domain‐specific knowledge of children and teaching. Our review shows that the results and implications drawn by the study authors depend on how these authors conceptualize early childhood educators’ content knowledge on this continuum. Further research, therefore, needs to consider carefully how early childhood educators’ content knowledge is conceptualized. The paper further discusses gaps in this research field, such as validating methods for measuring early childhood educators’ content knowledge or implementing more rigorous experimental designs to examine effects of early childhood educators’ content knowledge.
Risk‐sensitive maximum principle for stochastic optimal control of mean‐field type Markov regime‐switching jump‐diffusion systems
Authors: Moon Jun
Published: February 2021

We consider the risk‐sensitive optimal control problem for mean‐field type Markov regime‐switching jump‐diffusion systems driven by Brownian motions and Poisson jumps with (Markovian) switching coefficients. The system is coupled with its mean‐filed term, that is, the expected value of the state process, and the objective functional is of the risk‐sensitive type. Our problem is closely related to the mean‐field type robust optimization problem for a general class of stochastic jump systems due to the inherent feature of the risk‐sensitive objective functional. By establishing the logarithmic transformations of the associated equivalent singular risk‐neutral control problem, we obtain the risk‐sensitive maximum principle type necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality, where the sufficient condition requires an additional convexity assumption. The risk‐sensitive maximum principle in this article is characterized as the variational inequality, together with the first‐ and second‐order (mean‐field type) adjoint processes as well as the auxiliary first‐order adjoint process. Unlike the risk‐neutral and mean‐field free cases, the additional adjoint equation is induced due to the mean‐field coupling term and the risk‐sensitive logarithmic transformation. We apply the risk‐sensitive maximum principle of this article to the risk‐sensitive linear‐quadratic problem, for which an explicit optimal solution is obtained.
Effects of vegetation at a bar confluence on river hydrodynamics: The case study of the Arno River at Greve junction
Authors: Artini Giada , Calvani Giulio , Francalanci Simona , Solari Luca
Published: February 2021

River bars often form at river confluences due to variation in flow discharges or in sediment transport capacity; once these bars are grown, they constitute favourable habitats for vegetation development. In this work, we analysed the effect of vegetation above confluence bars on the hydrodynamics of a river reach. The case study considered is the Arno River reach at the Greve junction, where confluence bars expanded towards the opposite bank. A two‐dimensional hydraulic model was implemented through BASEMENT software varying the flow discharge. Three‐dimensional topographic data were used to generate the calculation mesh. Dendrometric surveys were carried out to describe the current state of the vegetation. Seven different vegetative scenarios were considered for numerical simulations, depending on different vegetation management conditions. Such scenarios are characterised by various plant densities, diameters, heights and species (herbaceous, shrub and arboreal), and, accordingly, different formulations were used to estimate the Manning coefficients. The outcomes of this study illustrate that the denser vegetation settled on confluence bars, the more the backwater effect is emphasised and the more the flow is shifted toward the opposite banks of the confluence thus inducing possible erosion phenomena at the toe of the outer bank. Moreover, the observed large bar extensions are surprising, when considering the mild confluence angle and the very low discharge ratio. We showed that the vegetation may be the key driver of the junction hydrodynamics and that vegetated confluences might not follow the classic hydraulics‐related models which may describe only a formative configuration.
Differences in oxalate–carbonate pathway of Brosimum alicastrum in karst homegarden and forest soils
Authors: Álvarez‐Rivera Oscar Omar , Estrada‐Medina Héctor , Jiménez‐Osornio Juan José , O'Connor‐Sánchez Ingrid Aileen , Navarro‐Alberto Jorge Augusto , Ferrer Miriam Monserrat , Canto‐Canché Blondy , Tzec‐Gamboa Magnolia del Carmen
Published: February 2021

The oxalate‐carbonate pathway (OCP) allows atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2atm) sequestration through deposition of CaCO3 in soils. The participation of Brosimum alicastrum Sw. (Moracea) in the OCP has been demonstrated in traditional Maya agroforesty systems (homegardens) in Yucatan, Mexico, but remains unstudied in wild vegetation. To compare the OCP role of B. alicastrum trees associated to homegardens and forest, the calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) content of leaves, bark, roots, and adjacent soil of 40 trees was measured, as well as the abundance of soil and rizospheric oxalothropic bacteria. The highest CaC2O4 contents were present in leaves (45.37 g kg–1) and adjacent soil (576.93 mg kg–1) of wild trees. Oxalotrophic bacteria abundance was higher in the rhizospheric soil associated to wild trees. Soil CaC2O4 content was positively correlated to soil Ca (rs = .911; p < .01) and CaCO3 (rs = .885; p < .01) contents in wild trees and negatively correlated to soil redox potential (rs = –.625; p = .02). The CaC2O4 contents and oxalotrophic bacteria abundance in soils indicate an active participation of B. alicastrum trees in the OCP in both systems, allowing the capture of CO2atm. The lower potential to sequester CO2 in homegardens is mainly due to the use of the B. alicastrum as forage, which prevents the addition of litter to soil. If trees in homegardens were not defoliated, the amount of CO2atm captured by B. alicastrum in these systems would be greater than those in forest because the tree density in homegardens can be up to 18 times greater than in forest.
Investigate the role of technology innovation and renewable energy in reducing transport sector CO2 emission in China: A path toward sustainable development
Authors: Godil Danish I. , Yu Zhang , Sharif Arshian , Usman Rimsha , Khan Syed Abdul Rehman
Published: February 2021

The objective of this research is to examine the role of economic growth, technology innovation, and renewable energy in reducing transport sector CO2 emission in China by using the annual data of 1990–2018. An application of the QARDL approach discloses that economic growth, technology innovation, and renewable energy significantly influence CO2 emission in the transportation sector in China. Both renewable energy consumption and innovation show a negative impact on emissions of CO2 related to transport. It depicts that due to the increase in renewable energy and innovation, the CO2 emission in the transport sector is likely to decrease; however, an increase in the GDP of a country will upsurge the emission of CO2 in the transportation sector. However, China should make new policies to introduce innovation in the transportation sector to minimize the emission of CO2.
Parametric and nonparametric improvements in Bland and Altman's assessment of agreement method
Authors: Chen Lin‐An , Kao Chu‐Lan
Published: February 2021

The Bland‐Altman method, which assesses agreement via an assessment set constructed by the difference of the measurement variables, has received great attention. Other assessment approaches have been proposed following the same difference‐based framework. However, the exact assessment set constructed by the difference is achievable only for measurements with certain joint distributions. To provide a more general assessment framework, we propose two approaches. First, when the measurement distribution is known, we propose a parametric approach that constructs the assessment set through a measure of closeness corresponding to the distribution. Second, when the measurement distribution is unknown, we propose a nonparametric approach that constructs the assessment set through quantile regression. Both approaches quantify the degree of agreement with the presence of both systematic and random measurement errors, and enable one to go beyond the difference‐based approach. Results of simulation and data analyses are presented to compare the two approaches.
New Insight of Pyrrole‐Like Nitrogen for Boosting Hydrogen Evolution Activity and Stability of Pt Single Atoms
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Qi , Si Rutong , Song Zhongxin , Lin Xiaoting , Banis Mohammad Norouzi , Adair Keegan , Li Junjie , Doyle‐Davis Kieran , Li Ruying , Liu Li‐Min , Gu Meng , Sun Xueliang
Published: February 2021

Single atomic Pt catalysts exhibit particularly high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity compared to conventional nanomaterial‐based catalysts. However, the enhanced mechanisms between Pt and their coordination environment are not understood in detail. Hence, a systematic study examining the different types of N in the support is essential to clearly demonstrate the relationship between Pt single atoms and N‐doped support. Herein, three types of carbon nanotubes with varying types of N (pyridine‐like N, pyrrole‐like N, and quaternary N) are used as carbon support for Pt single atom atomic layer deposition. The detailed coordination environment of the Pt single atom catalyst is carefully studied by electron microscope and X‐ray absorption spectra (XAS). Interestingly, with the increase of pyrrole‐like N in the CNT support, the HER activity of the Pt catalyst also improves. First principle calculations results indicate that the interaction between the dyz and s orbitals of H and sp3 hybrid orbital of N should be the origin of the superior HER performance of these Pt single atom catalysts (SACs).
Principles and Applications of Single Particle Tracking in Cell Research
Authors: Wang Zhao , Wang Xuejing , Zhang Ying , Xu Weili , Han Xiaojun
Published: February 2021

It is a tough challenge for many decades to decipher the complex relationships between cell behaviors and cellular physical properties. Single particle tracking (SPT) with high spatial and temporal resolution has been applied extensively in cell research to understand physicochemical properties of cells and their bio‐functions by tracking endogenous or exogenous probes. This review describes the fundamental principles of SPT as well as its applications in intracellular mechanics, membrane dynamics, organelles distribution, and processes of internalization and transport. Finally, challenges and future directions of SPT are also discussed.
Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters: Towards an Optimal Biocompatible System from a Theoretical–Experimental Strategy
Authors: Matus María Francisca , Häkkinen Hannu
Published: February 2021

Potential biomedical applications of gold nanoparticles have increasingly been reported with great promise for diagnosis and therapy of several diseases. However, for such a versatile nanomaterial, the advantages and potential health risks need to be addressed carefully, as the available information about their toxicity is limited and inconsistent. Atomically precise gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have emerged to overcome this challenge due to their unique features, such as superior stability, excellent biocompatibility, and efficient renal clearance. Remarkably, the elucidation of their structural and physicochemical properties provided by theory–experiment investigations offers exciting opportunities for site‐specific biofunctionalization of the nanoparticle surface, which remains a significant concern for most of the materials in the biomedical field. This concept highlights the advantages conferred by atomically precise AuNCs for biomedical applications and the powerful strategy combining computational and experimental studies towards finding an optimal biocompatible AuNCs‐based nanosystem.
The Role of Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles’ Size for Quantum Dots Enrichment and Lateral Flow Immunoassay Performance
Authors: Gao Fang , Liu Yang , Lei Chang , Liu Chao , Song Hao , Gu Zhengying , Jiang Pei , Jing Sheng , Wan Jingjing , Yu Chengzhong
Published: February 2021

Using dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) for quantum dots (QDs) enrichment and signal amplification is an emerging strategy for improving the detection sensitivity of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). In this study, a new and convenient approach is developed to prepare water‐dispersible DMSNs‐QDs. A series of DMSNs with various diameters (138, 251, 368, and 471 nm) are studied for loading QDs and LFIA applications. The resultant water‐dispersible DMSNs‐QDs exhibit a high fluorescence retention of 81.8%. The increase in particle size from 138 to 471 nm results in an increase in loading capacity of QDs and a decrease in binding quantity of the DMSNs‐QDs in the test line of LFIA. This trade‐off leads to an optimal DMSNs‐QDs size of 368 nm with a limit of detection reaching 10 pg mL−1 (equivalent to 9.0 × 10−14 m) for the detection of C‐reactive protein, which is nearly an order of magnitude more sensitive than the literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the distinctive role of DMSN's size for QDs enrichment and LFIA. The strategy developed from this work is useful for the rational design of high‐quality QDs‐based nanoparticles for ultrasensitive detection.
Escaping the long arm of the law? Racial disparities in the effect of drivers' license suspensions on offense probabilities
Authors: Mughan Siân , Carroll Joanna
Published: February 2021

This article studies the unintended consequences of failure‐to‐pay (FTP) drivers' license suspensions. Unlike other traffic enforcement papers that focus on the public benefit to increases in enforcement, we focus on the private returns. Drawing on a unique administrative data set and institutional features that result in as‐good‐as random assignment of FTP suspension, we estimate the effect of these suspensions on the probability a driver receives additional tickets. We find that financial penalties and FTP suspensions reduce the probability of reoffense for White drivers. However, among Black drivers, financial penalties have no effect and FTP suspension increases the probability of reoffense by 6‐9 percentage points. A series of additional analyses fail to produce evidence of racial differences in drivers' responses to FTP suspension, leading us to conclude that following suspension drivers make behavioral adjustments to minimize the probability of future tickets. However, these behavioral adjustments are only effective for White drivers.
Nasal compartmentalization in Kogiidae (Cetacea, Physeteroidea): insights from a new late Miocene dwarf sperm whale from the Pisco Formation
Authors: Benites‐Palomino Aldo , Vélez‐Juarbe Jorge , Collareta Alberto , Ochoa Diana , Altamirano Ali , Carré Matthieu , Laime Manuel J. , Urbina Mario , Salas‐Gismondi Rodolfo
Published: February 2021

Facial compartmentalization in the skull of extant pygmy whales (Kogiidae) is a unique feature among cetaceans that allows for the housing of a wide array of organs responsible for echolocation. Recent fossil findings indicate a remarkable disparity of the facial bone organization in Miocene kogiids, but the significance of such a rearrangement for the evolution of the clade has been barely explored. Here we describe Kogia danomurai sp. nov., a late Miocene (c. 5.8 Ma) taxon from the Pisco Formation (Peru), based on a partially preserved skull with a new facial bone pattern. Phylogenetic analysis recovers K. danomurai as the most basal representative of the extant genus Kogia, displaying a combination of derived (incipiently developed and excavated sagittal facial crest) and plesiomorphic features (high position of the temporal fossa, and antorbital notch not transformed into a narrow slit). Furthermore, when compared with the extant Kogia, the facial patterning found in K. danomurai indicates differential development among the facial organs, implying different capabilities of sound production relative to extant Kogia spp. Different facial bone patterns are particularly notable within the multi‐species kogiid assemblage of the Pisco Formation, which suggests causal connections between different patterns and feeding ecologies (e.g. nekton piscivory and benthic foraging). At c. 5.8 Ma, K. danomurai was part of a cetacean community composed of clades typical of the late Miocene, and of other early representatives of extant taxa, a mixture probably representing an initial shift of the coastal faunas toward the ecosystem dynamics of the present‐day south‐eastern Pacific.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the Self‐Assembly of Pseudo Isocyanine Chloride in the Presence of Crowding Agents
Authors: Hämisch Benjamin , Pollak Roland , Ebbinghaus Simon , Huber Klaus
Published: February 2021

Pseudo isocyanine chloride (PIC) is a water‐soluble cationic dyestuff, which self‐assembles to fiber‐like aggregates below a characteristic temperature threshold. The threshold temperature decreases with decreasing PIC concentration. Macromolecular cosolutes affect this self‐assembly of PIC, similar to the impact macromolecular crowding has on the aggregation of proteins in living systems. The present study analyses the impact of triethylene glycol (TEG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and Ficoll 400 as synthetic macromolecular crowding agents on the self‐assembly of PIC. A drastic change in the absorption behavior of visible light by PIC, which accompanies the transformation of monomeric PIC to the aggregate state of PIC, allows to analyze the temperature‐dependent self‐assembly in detail. Assisted by calorimetric measurements and by an analogy between self‐assembly and chemical polymerization, the thermodynamic analysis allowed to interpret the observed tendency of TEG and PEG to suppress and of Ficoll 400 to promote self‐assembly of PIC. Whereas the suppression by TEG and PEG can be attributed to preferential interactions between TEG or PEG and PIC, the promoting effect induced by Ficoll 400 is caused by excluded volume effects exerted by Ficoll. The results are in support of PIC as a cheap substitute of proteins in test tube studies of self‐assembly and as sensor for crowding effects on self‐assembly processes in cells.
Riparian Timber Harvest Intensity Affects Diets of Appalachian Brook Trout
Authors: Niles Jonathan M. , Hartman Kyle J.
Published: February 2021

Stream‐dwelling Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis rely heavily on terrestrial invertebrates, especially when aquatic prey is limited. We examined the effects of an experimental harvest of riparian timber on the diet and condition of Brook Trout in late summer. We evaluated the effects of two riparian harvest intensities (50% and 90% of the basal area harvest) in each of two streams on the diet, consumption, abundance, and condition of Brook Trout in summer. The diets and consumption patterns of Brook Trout were affected by the percentage of riparian timber harvest. Timber harvest increased the use of aquatic invertebrates—primarily via increased consumption of crayfish. In the 90% treatments, the use of terrestrial invertebrates by Brook Trout declined primarily due to the decreased use of Lepidoptera. Overall, consumption levels in the 50% treatments were nearly double those in the reference or 90% treatments. A common forestry best management practice is to limit riparian harvest to 50% of the basal area. Provided water quality and quantity are not affected, our study suggests that a 50% timber harvest limitation in the riparian area may provide at least a temporary boost in consumption due to an increase in the use of aquatic insects.
Morphogenesis of a bundled tall building: Biomimetic, structural, and wind‐energy design of a multi‐core‐outrigger system combined with diagrid
Authors: Laccone Francesco , Casali Alberto , Sodano Marco , Froli Maurizio
Published: February 2021

Skyscrapers are among the most distinctive building types of the modern age. Since many resources are attributed to these buildings, their design should consider a proper performance‐based construction economy and environmental sustainable development. This research introduces a new concept for a bundled tall building founded on the use of a multi‐core‐outrigger system, which is additionally enriched with diagrid structures. The concept is inspired by the bamboo plant and follows the biomimetic design principles for the structural organization and performance‐based criteria for optimizing the lateral stiffness and for shaping the cross section. Particularly, the incident wind speed is maximized to exploit Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), which are located along the whole building height at the center of the bundled towers. The building morphogenesis is accomplished by a multistep methodology that is fully developed in a parametric environment and includes structural and computational fluid dynamic analyses. With the aim of validating the proposed concept, a case study of a 320‐m‐tall three‐core building has been designed for the city of Pisa, Italy. The use of VAWTs results in an annual emissions reduction of about 10 kgCO2/m2.
Fluorescence Microscopic Investigations of Molecular Dynamics in Self‐Assembled Nanostructures
Authors: Ito Takashi , Higgins Daniel A.
Published: February 2021

Many analytical methods employ self‐assembled nanostructured materials as chemical recognition media. Molecular permeation through these materials exhibits unique selectivity owing to nanoconfinement‐induced enhancement of permeant‐nanostructure interactions. This Personal Account introduces our efforts to investigate the detailed dynamics of single or a small number of molecules in nanostructured materials. We developed new experimental and analysis approaches built upon laser‐based fluorescence microscopy to measure the detailed translational and orientational dynamics of molecules diffusing in horizontally‐oriented, cylindrical nanostructures, including surfactant micelles, silica mesopores, block copolymer microdomains, and bolaamphiphile‐based organic nanotubes. Our studies clarified nanoscale details on the structural/chemical heterogeneity of the nanostructures, and their impacts on molecular mass transport dynamics.
Diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative evaluation of low‐grade endometrioid endometrial carcinoma: prospective comparative study
Authors: Cubo‐Abert M. , Díaz‐Feijoo B. , Bradbury M. , Rodríguez‐Mías N.‐L. , Vera M. , Pérez‐Hoyos S. , Gómez‐Cabeza J.‐J. , Gil‐Moreno A.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To compare the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prediction of deep myometrial invasion (DMI) and cervical stromal invasion (CSI) in patients with low‐grade (Grade 1 or 2) endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC).

Methods

This was a prospective study including all patients with low‐grade EEC diagnosed between October 2013 and July 2018 at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Preoperative staging was performed using TVS and MRI, followed by surgical staging. Final histology was considered as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic accuracy were calculated for both imaging techniques in the prediction of DMI and CSI, and the agreement index was calculated for both techniques. The STARD 2015 guidelines were followed.

Results

A total of 131 patients with low‐grade EEC were included consecutively. Sensitivity was higher for TVS than for MRI both for the prediction of DMI (69% (95% CI, 53–82%) vs 51% (95% CI, 36–66%), respectively) and CSI (43% (95% CI, 27–61%) vs 24% (95% CI, 12–41%), respectively). Specificity was similar for TVS and MRI in the prediction of DMI (87% (95% CI, 78–93%) vs 91% (95% CI, 82–96%)) and equal in the prediction of CSI (97% (95% CI, 91–99%) for both). The agreement index between TVS and MRI was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76–0.90) for DMI and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85–0.96) for CSI.

Conclusions

The diagnostic performance of TVS is similar to that of MRI for the prediction of DMI and CSI in low‐grade EEC, and TVS can play a role as a first‐line imaging technique in the preoperative evaluation of low‐grade EEC. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Effect of partial replacement of chitosan with halloysite nanotubes on the properties of polylactic acid hybrid biocomposites
Authors: Kamaludin Nor Helya Iman , Ismail Hanafi , Rusli Arjulizan , Sam Sung Ting
Published: February 2021

In this study, hybrid chitosan/halloysite nanotubes (Cs/HNTs) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared via melt compounding and compression molding techniques. In the fabrication of PLA/Cs/HNTs hybrid biocomposites, the partial replacement of Cs with HNTs was performed at filler loading of 2.5 parts per hundred parts of polymer (php), proceeding from the highest tensile strength of PLA/Cs obtained in our previous study. Cs was partially replaced with different HNTs loadings (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) php and its effects on the functional group, thermal, tensile, morphological, and water absorption properties were investigated systematically. The results revealed that the combined loading of 1 php Cs and 1.5 php HNTs hybrid fillers into PLA showed the best performance in all properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that the siloxane (SiO) group of HNTs had chemically interacted with the amine group of Cs. The thermal analysis demonstrated that partial replacement of Cs with 1.5 php HNTs improved the thermal stability of PLA/2.5Cs/0HNTs biocomposite by ~12%. Yet, the percentage of crystallinity (χc) reduced with HNTs addition due to the phase adhesion improvement. Moreover, PLA/1Cs/1.5HNTs hybrid biocomposites showed the highest tensile strength and elongation at break of 59 MPa and 2.72%, respectively. This correlated with the uniform dispersion and better interfacial adhesion between Cs/HNTs fillers in the PLA matrix, as confirmed by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, partial replacement of Cs with HNTs exhibited a lower water absorption percentage, which suggested the advantage of hybrid fillers to reduce water uptake, and is beneficial in a wide range of applications.
Modeling myths: OnDICEand dynamic realism in integrated assessment models of climate change mitigation
Authors: Grubb Michael , Wieners Claudia , Yang Pu
Published: February 2021

We analyze how stylized Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), and specifically the widely‐used Dynamic Integrated Climate‐Economy model (DICE), represent the cost of emissions abatement. Many assume temporal independence—that abatement costs in one period are not affected by prior abatement. We contrast this with three dimensions of dynamic realism in emitting systems: (i) inertia, (ii) induced innovation, and (iii) path dependence. We review key evidence from the last quarter century on each of these three components. Studies of stock lifetime, dynamics of diffusion and past transitions suggest typical transition timescales of at least 20–40 years for the bulk emitting systems. The evidence that substantial innovation is induced by both prices and market deployment is unambiguous. Finally, both data and a rapidly growing literature demonstrate substantial path dependence in general, and specifically “carbon lock‐in and lock‐out.” Some stylized models in the past decade have incorporated technology learning, and others have considered inertia, but the combination of these factors is important and not yet evident. More complex hybrid IAMs with technology‐rich energy‐system models incorporate these factors, but their complexity has limited the wider understanding and influence of their underlying insights. Few if any global models fully represent path dependence. We conclude with likely implications drawing upon the empirical and modeling evidence accumulated, including results from extending DICE with a highly stylized representation of such dynamic factors. This suggests that dynamicinterdependencies could multiply several‐fold the optimal level of initial abatement expenditure. This is because early abatement then also directly facilitates subsequent emission savings. The diversity of dynamic linkages across sectors and technologies also implies more nuanced policy than a single global carbon price. Thus, the issues explored in this review can radically change the general policy conclusions drawn from models, which, like DICE, neglect dynamic realism.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Aggregation Techniques for Impacts and Mitigation Costs
Fault‐tolerant individual pitch control of floating offshore wind turbines via subspace predictive repetitive control
Authors: Liu Yichao , Frederik Joeri , Ferrari Riccardo M.G. , Wu Ping , Li Sunwei , van Wingerden Jan‐Willem
Published: February 2021

Individual pitch control (IPC) is an effective and widely used strategy to mitigate blade loads in wind turbines. However, conventional IPC fails to cope with blade and actuator faults, and this situation may lead to an emergency shutdown and increased maintenance costs. In this paper, a fault‐tolerant individual pitch control (FTIPC) scheme is developed to accommodate these faults in floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs), based on a Subspace Predictive Repetitive Control (SPRC) approach. To fulfill this goal, an online subspace identification paradigm is implemented to derive a linear approximation of the FOWT system dynamics. Then, a repetitive control law is formulated to attain load mitigation under operating conditions, both in healthy and faulty conditions. Since the excitation noise used for the online subspace identification may interfere with the nominal power generation of the wind turbine, a novel excitation technique is developed to restrict excitation at specific frequencies. Results show that significant load reductions are achieved by FTIPC, while effectively accommodating blade and actuator faults and while restricting the energy of the persistently exciting control action.