bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Perspectives of Metal‐Based Proton Exchange Membrane's Bipolar Plates: Exploring Durability and Longevity
Authors: Stein Tomer , Ein-Eli Yair
Published: March 2020

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) generate electricity utilizing the energy of electrochemical reactions of fuel (H2) and oxidants (O2/air). As they emit no toxic gases during the process, they are considered as a clean energy source that can be beneficial and might replace the use of fossil fuels. To compose a FC stack, an essential component, bipolar plates (BPs), is needed. They have several roles to fulfill during PEMFC stack operation, and there are many challenges when it comes to BPs metal‐based materials and their sustainability, durability, and longevity. Finding suitable metal and alloy materials is a significant task as BP materials should have multiple qualities that sometimes come at the expense of one another. As BPs constitute a significant part of PEMFC stack by means of volume, weight, and costs, the pursuit of the most suitable and least expensive metal‐based materials is comprehensible. In this Review, different metal and alloy types (copper, nickel, titanium, and aluminum alloys) and their own particular challenges are discussed, emphasizing the most important family of materials candidates—stainless steels.
Lithium Metal Battery Pouch Cell Assembly and Prototype Demonstration Using Tailored Polypropylene Separator
Authors: Palanisamy Manikandan , Parikh Vihang P. , Parekh Mihit H. , Pol Vilas G.
Published: March 2020

The development of realistic lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is highly desirable to address the steady increase in the energy‐storage demand for high‐power applications. Consequently, the polydopamine‐tailored polypropylene separator enables scale up with ≈8 μm‐thick graphene nanosheets coating on the polypropylene separator. A layered LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (LNMC) cathode is characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, which exhibits single phase purity with a hexagonal structure, Rm space group, and a homogenized spherical shape morphology with secondary particles comprising primary particles. Lithium metal battery pouch cells (LMBPCs) are fabricated based on the proposed design strategies, containing a lithium metal anode, LNMC cathode, and tailored polypropylene separator without any internal short circuit, wherein polydopamine and graphene nanosheets layers are positioned toward the LNMC cathode in the pouch cell stacking order. The assembled pouch cell is cycled between 3.0 and 4.2 V and delivers a cell capacity of ≈500 mAh. Then the charged LMBPCs are connected to the prototype electronic truck and demonstrated on various surfaces at 25 °C and < −5 °C. From the prototype truck demonstration results, LMBPCs are useful for practical high‐power applications, including electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and grid energy storage.
Investigating the relationship between reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and food addiction: A systematic review
Authors: Maxwell Aimee L. , Gardiner Elliroma , Loxton Natalie J.
Published: March 2020

Objective

The aim of the current research was to identify the extent to which reward sensitivity and impulsivity were related to food addiction.

Method

Forty‐five studies, published from 2009 to June 2019, investigating reward sensitivity and/or impulsivity with food addiction as measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale were reviewed.

Results

Reward sensitivity, as measured by the Sensitivity to Reward (SR) scale, was positively associated with food addiction in two studies, but failed to yield consistent results in other studies when measured with the Behavioral Inhibition/Behavioral Activation Scales. Self‐report impulsivity, as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS‐11), was consistently associated with food addiction, with attentional impulsivity and motor impulsivity the most consistent subscales. Similarly, food addiction was also consistently associated with Negative Urgency, Positive Urgency, and Lack of Perseverance as measured by the UPPS‐P Impulsive Behavior Scale. Food addiction was inconsistently associated with disinhibition, as measured by behavioral tasks, indicating food addiction appears more aligned with self‐report measures of impulsivity.

Conclusions

Research in this field is dominated by university student, overweight and obese samples. Additional research is required to further tease out these relationships.
Influence of CO2 injection on the pore size distribution and petrophysical properties of tight sandstone cores using nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Zhao Jinsheng , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Yanming , Ye Liang , Shi Yu
Published: March 2020

CO2 injection has been proposed as an efficient method for enhanced oil recovery in low‐permeability sandstone reservoirs. When CO2 is injected into such reservoirs, the petrophysical properties as well as the pore size distribution of tight formation can be altered due to the interactions between CO2, water, and rock minerals. In this work, CO2 is introduced into the water‐saturated sandstone cores; nuclear magnetic resonance technique is then applied to obtain T2 spectrum of the sandstone cores before and after CO2 injection. The effect of CO2 injection on the pore size distribution is analyzed by comparing the obtained T2 spectrum. In addition, the change of petrophysical properties, that is, total porosity, porosity of the movable fluid, and permeability, are also discussed in this work. Test results show that after introducing CO2, the total volume of small pores is significantly increased. On the contrary, the total volume of medium pores decreases. In addition, the immovable fluid porosity increases in the small pores, while it decreases in the medium pores after injecting CO2. Based on the composition analysis, the concentration of the ions of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ increases in the produced fluid due to the interactions between CO2 and albite, and potash feldspar. After CO2 injection, the total porosity, movable fluid porosity, and permeability of these tight cores are significantly improved. This study is expected to be significant for understanding the mechanisms of alterations of petrophysical properties and pore size distribution of tight sandstone cores due to the CO2 flooding.
Riverine export of water, sediment and carbon during flood events in the arid to semi‐arid Wuding River on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Ran Lishan , Yang Xiankun , Tian Mingyang , Shi Hongyan , Liu Shaoda , Yu Ruihong , Zhou Yuanyuan
Published: March 2020

Floods have become increasingly important in fluvial export of water, sediment and carbon (C). Using high‐frequency sampling, the export of water, sediment and C was examined in the Wuding River catchment on the Chinese Loess Plateau. With groundwater as an important contributor to runoff all year round, floods were relatively less important in the export of water. However, large floods were disproportionately important in exporting sediment and inorganic C (DIC) and organic C (DOC and POC). The three largest floods in each year transported 53.6–97.3 and 41.4–77% of the annual sediment and C fluxes, respectively. An extreme flood in 2017 alone contributed 94.6 and 73.1% of the annual sediment and C fluxes, respectively, in just 7 days, which included 20.3, 92.1 and 35.7% of the annual DOC, POC and DIC fluxes, respectively. A stable carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis of POC indicated that modern soils and C3 plants were its primary source. Furthermore, floods greatly accelerated CO2 degassing due to elevated gas transfer velocity, although stream water CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) exhibited a decreasing trend with flow discharge. Although these results illustrated that increasing runoff diluted pCO2, the timing and magnitude of floods were found to be critical in determining the response of pCO2 to flow dynamics. Low‐magnitude floods in the early wet season increased pCO2 because of enhanced organic matter input, while subsequent large floods caused a lower pCO2 due to greatly reduced organic matter supply. Finally, continuous monitoring of a complete flood event showed that the CO2 efflux during the flood (2348 ± 664 mg C m–2 day–1) was three times that under low‐flow conditions (808 ± 98 mg C m–2 day–1). Our study suggests that infrequent, heavy storm events, which are predicted to increase under climate change, will greatly alter the transport regimes of sediment and C. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of unwoven roving and woven fabric carbon fiber reinforcements on reaction‐to‐fire properties of polymer matrix composites
Authors: Eibl Sebastian
Published: March 2020

The influence of carbon fiber orientation on reaction‐to‐fire characteristics of layered polymer matrix composites is investigated in detail. M18‐1/G939 as woven fabric and M18‐1/G947 as unwoven roving prepregs with identical, epoxy based matrix composition were laid‐up to give 1 to 8 mm thick unidirectional and quasi‐isotropic laminates. Fundamental reaction‐to‐fire properties of these composites are interpreted on basis of the matrix components: epoxy resin and polyetherimide, as well as contained flame retardants magnesium hydroxide and zinc borate. Cone calorimetry and temperature distributions through the laminate show, that the velocity of combustion is influenced by fiber orientation for a given resin. For an unwoven roving it is confirmed that a quasi‐isotropic fiber orientation leads to faster ignition, due to preferred delaminations, but retards burning processes more effectively than a unidirectional lay‐up. This fundamental principle is extended to woven fabric reinforcements, however with less pronounced effects. Migration velocities of the pyrolysis zone are measured and additionally, decomposition of carbon fibers is considered. A comparison with a similar epoxy based matrix system without toughener and flame retardants: RTM6/G939 is carried out, in order to assess the effects by fiber orientation.
Pomegranate peel methanolic‐extract improves the shelf‐life of edible‐oils under accelerated oxidation conditions
Authors: El‐Hadary Abdalla E. , Taha Mohamed
Published: March 2020

Natural antioxidants extracted from agri‐waste resources have gained increased economic, sustainable, and health attention due to their sustainability, safer food‐applications, and beneficial components. Pomegranate peel extracts (Punica Granatum L.) have natural phytochemicals with superior protective effects stabilizing a variety of the most common vegetable oils consumed globally. Among five different pomegranate peel extracts, methanolic extract has maximum total phenolic content of 18.89%, a total flavonoid content of 13.95 mg QE kg−1, and a relative antioxidant activity of 93% when compared to other pomegranate peel extracts. Additionally, the HPLC analysis of pomegranate peel methanolic extract exhibited the maximum number of phenolic and flavonoid fractions. HPLC fractions showed that pyrogallol and ellagic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds with 453 and 126 mg kg−1, respectively. In terms of flavonoid fractions, hesperidine and quercetrin were the highest detected‐flavonoids with about 50 and 35 mg kg−1, respectively, from HPLC flavonoids fractions. Therefore, pomegranate peel methanolic extract was selected at different concentrations (100, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) for the stabilizing experiment of Egyptian freshly refined edible oils (sunflower, soybean, and corn oils) in comparison with synthetic antioxidant (tert‐butyl hydroquinone TBHQ‐200 ppm) during accelerated storage at 70°C for 10 days. The results from the accelerated storage experiment indicated that pomegranate peel methanolic extract (at different concentrations: 200, 400, and 600 ppm) exhibited stronger antioxidant capability in all tested oils rather than negative controls (without antioxidant) and synthetic antioxidant TBHQ‐200. Under accelerated oxidation conditions, pomegranate peel methanolic extract have the potential capability to improve the shelf life of edible oils in comparison with the most powerful synthetic antioxidant (TBHQ‐200 ppm).
Numerical research of double‐diffusive natural convection in elliptical cylinders: Effect of thermal Rayleigh number
Authors: Taloub Djedid , Bouras Abdelkarim , Djezzar Mahfoud , Driss Zied
Published: March 2020

This paper is the first part of a two‐part study, and it presented numerical research of double‐diffusive natural convection within an annulus area, situated in two horizontal confocal elliptic solids charged by a Newtonian fluid. The elliptical coordinates were used to transform the physical domain into a rectangular one. To resolve the governing equations and the boundary layer conditions, a calculator code based on the finite volume approach was developed. The details of the influences of thermal Rayleigh number on heat and mass transfer were investigated. Results obtained were compared with those existing in other reasearch works.
Cancer in Mozambique: Results from two population‐based cancer registries
Authors: Lorenzoni Cesaltina F. , Ferro Josefo , Carrilho Carla , Colombet Murielle , Parkin Donald M.
Published: March 2020

Results from two recently established population‐based registries in Mozambique are reported: Beira in the central region (2014–2017) and Maputo, the capital city, in the South (2015–2017). The results are compared to those from Maputo (Lourenço Marques at the time) in 1956–1960 (appearing Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol 1), and with estimated incidence rates from other regions of Africa. The elevated prevalence of HIV infection (12.6% of adults in 2018) results in high rates for HIV‐related cancers, and the greater prevalence in central Mozambique, compared to the south, largely explains the rather higher rates of Kaposi sarcoma (males), non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of conjunctiva and cervical cancer in Beira than in Maputo. Burkitt lymphoma is the commonest childhood cancer in Beira, with high rates typical of East Africa, while the low rates in Maputo are more typical of Southern Africa. Overall, 44% of cancers in Maputo and 52% in Beira are estimated to be caused by infectious agents. In the last 60 years, cancers more frequent in developed countries, such as breast and prostate, are emerging in Mozambique. The incidence of the former in Maputo has increased fivefold since 1956–1960, that of prostate cancer 2.5‐fold, and that of large bowel cancer doubled. The results reported here were used to make national estimates of incidence, mortality and prevalence in Globocan 2018. The two registries were important in providing data to establish priority actions in the National Cancer Control Plan, and are a valuable resource to monitor progress toward its goals.
Dietary inflammatory index and incidence of and death from primary liver cancer: A prospective study of 103,902 American adults
Authors: Zhong Guo‐Chao , Wang Kang , Peng Yang , Shivappa Nitin , Hébert James R. , Wu You‐Qi‐Le , Gong Jian‐Ping
Published: March 2020

Chronic inflammation plays an important role in primary liver cancer (PLC) etiology and can be influenced by dietary habits. No prospective study has investigated the association of dietary inflammatory index (DII) with PLC incidence and mortality. Therefore, we used prospective data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial to fill this gap. The DII was calculated from a validated 137‐item food frequency questionnaire in a cohort of 103,902 individuals. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for PLC incidence, and competing risk regression was used to estimate subdistribution HRs (SHRs) for PLC mortality. Restricted cubic spline regression was employed to identify the potential dose–response pattern. A total of 120 PLC cases and 102 PLC deaths were observed during follow‐up. Higher DII scores from food and supplement were found to be associated with higher risks of developing PLC (HRTertile 3 vs. 1 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–3.41) and death from this disease (SHRTertile 3 vs. 1 1.97; 95% CI 1.13–3.41). Similar results were obtained for DII score from food only. A nonlinear dose–response pattern was identified for the aforementioned associations (all pnonlinearity < 0.05). Overall, a more pro‐inflammatory diet, as suggested by higher DII scores, is associated with higher risks of PLC incidence and mortality. These findings indicate that encouraging intake of more anti‐inflammatory dietary components and reducing intake of pro‐inflammatory components represent an attractive strategy to reduce PLC incidence and mortality.
Carbamate derivatives of colchicine show potent activity towards primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia and primary breast cancer cells—in vitro and ex vivo study
Authors: Urbaniak Alicja , Jousheghany Fariba , Piña‐Oviedo Sergio , Yuan Youzhong , Majcher‐Uchańska Urszula , Klejborowska Greta , Moorjani Anika , Monzavi‐Karbassi Behjatolah , Huczyński Adam , Chambers Timothy C.
Published: March 2020

Colchicine (COL) shows strong anticancer activity but due to its toxicity towards normal cells its wider application is limited. To address this issue, a library of 17 novel COL derivatives, namely N‐carbamates of N‐deacetyl‐4‐(bromo/chloro/iodo)thiocolchicine, has been tested against two types of primary cancer cells. These included acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and human breast cancer (BC) derived from two different tumor subtypes, ER+ invasive ductal carcinoma grade III (IDCG3) and metastatic carcinoma (MC). Four novel COL derivatives showed higher anti‐proliferative activity than COL (IC50 = 8.6 nM) towards primary ALL cells in cell viability assays (IC50 range of 1.1‐6.4 nM), and several were more potent towards primary IDCG3 (IC50 range of 0.1 to 10.3 nM) or MC (IC50 range of 2.3‐9.1 nM) compared to COL (IC50 of 11.1 and 11.7 nM, respectively). In addition, several derivatives were selectively active toward primary breast cancer cells compared to normal breast epithelial cells. The most promising derivatives were subsequently tested against the NCI panel of 60 human cancer cell lines and seven derivatives were more potent than COL against leukemia, non–small‐cell lung, colon, CNS and prostate cancers. Finally, COL and two of the most active derivatives were shown to be effective in killing BC cells when tested ex vivo using fresh human breast tumor explants. The present findings indicate that the select COL derivatives constitute promising lead compounds targeting specific types of cancer.
Combining serum calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and neuron‐specific enolase to predict lateral lymph node metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ye Liuqing , Zhou Xi , Lu Jie , Wang Yanzhong , Xie Xinyou , Zhang Jun
Published: March 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinical application of combined detection of serum calcitonin (Ctn), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) in predicting lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Methods

Seventy‐four consecutive patients with MTC were enrolled. The relationship between serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE and LLNM was retrospectively analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the clinical application of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection in prediction of LLNM in MTC was also evaluated.

Results

The rate of LLNM in this study was 48.64% (36/74).The expression levels of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE in MTC with LLNM were significantly higher than those without LLNM (all P < .01). The area under the curve (AUC) predicted by serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE for LLNM in MTC patients was 0.867, 0.831, and 0.726, respectively, and the AUC of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection was up to 0.890, higher than using a single biomarker. The sensitivity and specificity of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection in prediction of LLNM were 88.89% and 81.57%, respectively.

Conclusions

The concentrations of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE are closely related to LLNM in MTC, and the combined detection of all three biomarkers has a higher clinical value in the evaluation of MTC patients with LLNM. With more perspective study in the future, it would be an indicator of influencing personalized surgical strategy for different MTC patients.
Mercury dynamics in the pore water of peat columns during experimental freezing and thawing
Authors: Sirota Jennie I. , Kolka Randall K. , Sebestyen Stephen D. , Nater Edward A.
Published: March 2020

Biogeochemical processes in northern peatland ecosystems are influenced by seasonal temperature fluctuations that are changing with the climate. Methylmercury (MeHg), commonly produced in peatlands, affects downstream waters; therefore, it is important to understand how temperature transitions affect mercury (Hg) dynamics. We investigated how the freeze–thaw cycle influences belowground peat pore water total Hg (THg), MeHg, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Four large, intact peat columns were removed from an ombrotrophic peat bog and experimentally frozen and thawed. Pore water was sampled across seven depths in the peat columns during the freeze–thaw cycle and analyzed for THg, MeHg, and DOC concentrations. Freezing results showed increased concentrations of THg below the ice layers and limited change in MeHg concentrations. During thawing, THg concentrations significantly increased, whereas MeHg concentrations decreased. Limited bromide movement and depth decreases in THg and DOC concentrations were associated with increased bulk density and degree of humification in the peat. The experiment demonstrates the effects of the freeze–thaw cycle on Hg concentrations in northern peatlands. Changes to freeze–thaw cycles with climate change may exacerbate Hg cycling and transport processes in peatland environments.
Education of Biological and Fostered Children in Ghana: The Influence of Relationships with the Household Head and Household Structure
Authors: Darko Christian Kweku , Carmichael Fiona
Published: March 2020

This study investigates how household structure and relationship with head of household impact on the education of children in Ghana. We estimate educational participation and selectivity‐corrected educational progress conditional on participation and find that fostered children are less likely to participate in education. Fostered children in dual‐parent‐headed households also make less educational progress compared with biological children. In single‐parent‐headed households, there is no significant equivalent difference in educational progress for fostered children and biological children. However, in single‐parent‐headed households with a high female‐to‐male labour force participation ratio, fostered children have lower educational progress than biological children. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of Notch1 signaling regulates bone fracture healing
Authors: Novak Sanja , Roeder Emilie , Sinder Benjamin P. , Adams Douglas J. , Siebel Chris W. , Grcevic Danka , Hankenson Kurt D. , Matthews Brya G. , Kalajzic Ivo
Published: March 2020

Fracture healing involves interactions of different cell types, driven by various growth factors, and signaling cascades. Periosteal mesenchymal progenitor cells give rise to the majority of osteoblasts and chondrocytes in a fracture callus. Notch signaling has emerged as an important regulator of skeletal cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the effects of Notch signaling during the fracture healing process. Increased Notch signaling in osteochondroprogenitor cells driven by overexpression of Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) (αSMACreERT2 mice crossed with Rosa‐NICD1) during fracture resulted in less cartilage, more mineralized callus tissue, and stronger and stiffer bones after 3 weeks. Periosteal cells overexpressing NICD1 showed increased proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo data confirmed that increased Notch1 signaling caused expansion of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA)‐positive cells and their progeny including αSMA‐derived osteoblasts in the callus without affecting osteoclast numbers. In contrast, anti‐NRR1 antibody treatment to inhibit Notch1 signaling resulted in increased callus cartilage area, reduced callus bone mass, and reduced biomechanical strength. Our study shows a positive effect of induced Notch1 signaling on the fracture healing process, suggesting that stimulating the Notch pathway could be beneficial for fracture repair.
Resveratrol treatment promotes titanium implant osseointegration in diabetes mellitus rats
Authors: Hua Yunwei , Bi Ruiye , Li Zheru , Li Yunfeng
Published: March 2020

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common metabolic disorder; it is characterized by hyperglycemia and causes implant failure by influencing implant osseointegration. Resveratrol promotes bone formation, but it is unclear if resveratrol improves implant osseointegration. Thirty 12‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into control (CTL), diabetes mellitus (DM), and resveratrol treatment (DM + Res) groups. In the DM and DM + Res groups (n = 10 each), T2DM was induced via streptozotocin injections; the remaining 10 rats were considered the CTL group. Eight weeks after the insertion of a rod‐like Ti implant with a 12‐mm length and 1‐mm diameter in the left leg, the rats were euthanized. We analyzed implant osseointegration using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histological analyses, and biomechanical tests. The parameters showed that T2DM negatively influenced implant osseointegration in the tibia. Compared to that in the DM group, the bone loss of peri‐implant bone mass in the DM + Res group was decreased significantly. However, resveratrol still did not induce the same level of implant osseointegration as that observed in the CTL group according to the histological and micro‐CT analyses. These results indicated that resveratrol reduced the influence of DM in implant osseointegration, resulting in increased peri‐implant bone density, improved trabecular architecture, and enhanced biomechanical fixation.
Soil loss tolerance in calcareous soils of a semiarid region: evaluation, prediction, and influential parameters
Authors: Ostovari Yaser , Moosavi Ali Akbar , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza
Published: March 2020

Predicting soil loss tolerance (T‐value) as a first and crucial step in assessing soil erosion using pedotransfer functions (PTFs) could save time and cost. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluateT‐value and its influential parameters for calcareous soils of the Dorudzan Watershed, Fars Province, Iran, and to develop PTFs for its prediction using easily measureable soil properties.T‐value was determined in 60 soil profiles based on the soil thickness method. Various basic soil properties were used to develop five PTFs using stepwise multiple linear regression.T‐value varied from 3.5 to 22.5 with a mean value of 10.4 t ha−1yr−1, which is approximately equal to the proposed value by US Department of Agriculture (11 t ha−1yr−1).T‐value in Inceptisols located in the dam shore and agricultural lands was significantly higher than that of Entisols located in the forest and rangelands. Organic matter (OM) with a correlation coefficient of .77 withT‐value was the most influential variable in prediction ofT‐value. The PTF 5, which used OM, soil aggregate stability, and permeability, with the highestR2(0.72 and 0.79), the lowest mean error (−0.44 and 1.75 t ha−1yr−1), the lowest root mean square error (2.98 and 2.75 t ha−1yr−1) and the minimum Akaike information criterion (51.1 and 17.2) provided the best predictions forT‐value. However, when considering the acceptable indices and easier measureable soil properties (OM, soil erodibility, and pH) in PTF 3, we concluded that it was the best model to predictT‐value. Generally, the application of thickness method is recommended to determineT‐value in semiarid regions.
Strong Exciton–Plasmon Coupling in a WS2 Monolayer on Au Film Hybrid Structures Mediated by Liquid Ga Nanoparticles
Authors: Deng Fu , Liu Hongfeng , Xu Lei , Lan Sheng , Miroshnichenko Andrey E.
Published: March 2020

Realizing and manipulating strong light–matter coupling in 2D monolayer semiconductors is of paramount importance in the development of novel photonic devices. Here, it is revealed by numerical simulation that strong coupling between the excitons in a WS2 monolayer and the surface plasmon polaritons propagating on the surface of a thin Au film can be realized when the surface plasmon polaritons are generated via the Kretschmann–Raether configuration. The use of liquid Ga nanoparticles, which exhibit broad scattering spectra in visible light, is proposed to identify the strong exciton–plasmon coupling. It is demonstrated numerically and experimentally that the exciton–plasmon coupling strength, which is manifested in Rabi splitting, can be further enhanced by the in‐plane localization of the electric field provided by liquid Ga nanoparticles. Anti‐crossing of the scattering spectra can be observed by tuning the angle of the incident light and Rabi splitting exceeding 120 meV can be obtained. The results open new horizons for realizing strong exciton‐plasmon coupling in hybrid structures composed of monolayer semiconductors and thin metal films and pave the way for the practical applications of strong light–matter interaction in nanoscale photonic devices.
Self‐Detecting and Self‐Healing Reinforce Elastomer Doped with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Molecules
Authors: Yin Quanyi , Tu Shuhua , Chen Min , Wu Limin
Published: March 2020

Most of elastomers for fabrication of comfortable epidermal devices and smart actuators produce responsive signals by the stimuli‐induced deformation. Herein, a dynamic visualization of external stimuli rather than the deformation through synthesis of a self‐healing poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐based elastomer doped with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules is reported. The self‐healing PDMS‐based elastomer is designed and synthesized through molecule integration of reversible multi‐strength H‐bonds and permanent covalent crosslink sites. The adjustment of the weight ratio of elastic cross‐linker offers tunable mechanical properties of the resultant elastomer. After doping such an elastomer with AIE molecules of 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis(4‐nitrophenyl)ethane, the elastomer composite displays strong on–off fluorescence depending upon mechanical damage and temperatures, which can be used to detect the breaking and self‐healing performances, as well as the temperature change. The strategy described here provides another way to develop smart polymeric elastomers for practical applications.
Microbial composition of enigmatic bird parasites:WolbachiaandSpiroplasmaare the most important bacterial associates of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae)
Authors: Glowska Eliza , Filutowska Zuzanna Karolina , Dabert Miroslawa , Gerth Michael
Published: March 2020

Background

The microbiome is an integral component of many animal species, potentially affecting behavior, physiology, and other biological properties. Despite this importance, bacterial communities remain vastly understudied in many groups of invertebrates, including mites. Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are a poorly known group of permanent bird ectoparasites that occupy quills of feathers and feed on bird subcutaneous tissue and fluids. Most of the known species have strongly female‐biased sex ratio, and it was hypothesized that this is caused by endosymbiotic bacteria. Previously,Anaplasma phagocytophilum(Foggie) and a high diversity ofWolbachiastrains were detected in quill mites via targeted PCR screens. Here, we use an unbiased 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach to determine other bacteria that potentially impact quill mite biology.

Results

We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of 126 quill mite individuals from eleven species parasitizing twelve species (four families) of passeriform birds. In addition toWolbachia, we foundSpiroplasmaas potential symbiont of quill mites. Consistently, highSpiroplasmatiters were only found in individuals of two mite species associated with finches of the genusCarduelis, suggesting a history of horizontal transfers ofSpiroplasmavia the bird host. Furthermore, there was evidence forSpiroplasmanegatively affectingWolbachiatiters. We found no evidence for the previously reportedAnaplasmain quill mites, but detected sequences of high similarity to the potential pathogensBrucellaandBartonellaat low abundances. Other amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) could be assigned to a diverse number of bacterial taxa, including several that were previously isolated from bird skin. Further, many frequently found ASVs were assigned to taxa that show a very broad distribution with no strong prior evidence for symbiotic association with animals. We interpret these findings as evidence for a scarcity of resident microbial associates (other than inherited symbionts) in quill mites.
New study links cannabis and depression in pregnant women
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2020

Pregnant women with depression are more than three times as likely to use cannabis than those without depression, according to a new study from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Despite data linking cannabis and depression in many populations, this is the first study to examine this relationship among pregnant women in a nationally representative sample, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health stated in a news release. The findings are online in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Operating a treatment planning system using a deep‐reinforcement learning‐based virtual treatment planner for prostate cancer intensity‐modulated radiation therapy treatment planning
Authors: Shen Chenyang , Nguyen Dan , Chen Liyuan , Gonzalez Yesenia , McBeth Rafe , Qin Nan , Jiang Steve B. , Jia Xun
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In the treatment planning process of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a human planner operates the treatment planning system (TPS) to adjust treatment planning parameters, for example, dose volume histogram (DVH) constraints’ locations and weights, to achieve a satisfactory plan for each patient. This process is usually time‐consuming, and the plan quality depends on planer’s experience and available planning time. In this study, we proposed to model the behaviors of human planners in treatment planning by a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)‐based virtual treatment planner network (VTPN), such that it can operate the TPS in a human‐like manner for treatment planning.

Methods and Materials

Using prostate cancer IMRT as an example, we established the VTPN using a deep neural network developed. We considered an in‐house optimization engine with a weighted quadratic objective function. Virtual treatment planner network was designed to observe an intermediate plan DVHs and decide the action to improve the plan by changing weights and threshold dose in the objective function. We trained the VTPN in an end‐to‐end DRL process in 10 patient cases. A plan score was used to measure plan quality. We demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the trained VTPN in another 64 patient cases.

Results

Virtual treatment planner network was trained to spontaneously learn how to adjust treatment planning parameters to generate high‐quality treatment plans. In the 64 testing cases, with initialized parameters, quality score was 4.97 (±2.02), with 9.0 being the highest possible score. Using VTPN to perform treatment planning improved quality score to 8.44 (±0.48).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this was the first time that intelligent treatment planning behaviors of human planner in external beam IMRT are autonomously encoded in an artificial intelligence system. The trained VTPN is capable of behaving in a human‐like way to produce high‐quality plans.
An analytical solution to the dispersion‐by‐inversion problem in magnetic resonance elastography
Authors: Mura Joaquin , Schrank Felix , Sack Ingolf
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measures stiffness of soft tissues by analyzing their spatial harmonic response to externally induced shear vibrations. Many MRE methods use inversion‐based reconstruction approaches, which invoke first‐ or second‐order derivatives by finite difference operators (first‐ and second‐FDOs) and thus give rise to a biased frequency dispersion of stiffness estimates.

Methods

We here demonstrate analytically, numerically, and experimentally that FDO‐based stiffness estimates are affected by (1) noise‐related underestimation of values in the range of high spatial wave support, that is, at lower vibration frequencies, and (2) overestimation of values due to wave discretization at low spatial support, that is, at higher vibration frequencies.

Results

Our results further demonstrate that second‐FDOs are more susceptible to noise than first‐FDOs and that FDO dispersion depends both on signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and on a lumped parameter A, which is defined as wavelength over pixel size and over a number of pixels per stencil of the FDO. Analytical FDO dispersion functions are derived for optimizing A parameters at a given SNR. As a simple rule of thumb, we show that FDO artifacts are minimized when A/2 is in the range of the square root of 2SNR for the first‐FDO or cubic root of 5SNR for the second‐FDO.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results of our study provide an analytical solution to a long‐standing, well‐recognized, yet unsolved problem in MRE postprocessing and might thus contribute to the ongoing quest for minimizing inversion artifacts in MRE.
Immersion of Achilles tendon in phosphate‐buffered saline influences T1 and T2* relaxation times: An ex vivo study
Authors: Krämer Martin , Kollert Matthias R. , Brisson Nicholas M. , Maggioni Marta B. , Duda Georg N. , Reichenbach Jürgen R.
Published: March 2020

Robust mapping of relaxation parameters in ex vivo tissues is based on hydration and therefore requires control of the tissue treatment to ensure tissue integrity and consistent measurement conditions over long periods of time. One way to maintain the hydration of ex vivo tendon tissue is to immerse the samples in a buffer solution. To this end, various buffer solutions have been proposed; however, many appear to influence the tissue relaxation times, especially with prolonged exposure. In this work, ovine Achilles tendon tissue was used as a model to investigate the effect of immersion in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and the effects on the T1 and T2* relaxation times. Ex vivo samples were measured at 0 (baseline), 30 and 67 hours after immersion in PBS. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging was performed using variable flip angle and echo train‐shifted multi‐echo imaging for T1 and T2* estimation, respectively. Compared with baseline, both T1 and T2* relaxation time constants increased significantly after 30 hours of immersion. T2* continued to show a significant increase between 30 and 67 hours. Both T1 and T2* tended to approach saturation at 67 hours. These results exemplify the relevance of stringently controlled tissue preparation and preservation techniques, both before and during MRI experiments.
The value of A/B testing: Why you should be split testing your emails
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: March 2020

If there's anything we marketers should know for sure, it is “know your audience.”
Molecular pathology of Lynch syndrome
Authors: Cerretelli Guia , Ager Ann , Arends Mark J , Frayling Ian M
Published: March 2020

Lynch syndrome (LS) is characterised by predisposition to colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers and is caused by inherited pathogenic variants affecting the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. It is probably the most common predisposition to cancer, having an estimated prevalence of between 1/100 and 1/180. Resources such as the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Cancer's MMR gene variant database, the Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database (PLSD), and the Colon Cancer Family Register (CCFR), as well as pathological and immunological studies, are enabling advances in the understanding of LS. These include defined criteria by which to interpret gene variants, the function of MMR in the normal control of apoptosis, definition of the risks of the various cancers, and the mechanisms and pathways by which the colorectal and endometrial tumours develop, including the critical role of the immune system. Colorectal cancers in LS can develop along three pathways, including flat intramucosal lesions, which depend on the underlying affected MMR gene. This gives insights into the limitations of colonoscopic surveillance and highlights the need for other forms of anti‐cancer prophylaxis in LS. Finally, it shows that the processes of autoimmunisation and immunoediting fundamentally constrain the development of tumours in LS and explain the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in MMR‐deficient tumours. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A worldwide charter for all children with asthma
Authors: Szefler Stanley J. , Fitzgerald Dominic A. , Adachi Yuichi , Doull Iolo J. , Fischer Gilberto B. , Fletcher Monica , Hong Jianguo , García‐Marcos Luis , Pedersen Søren , Østrem Anders , Sly Peter D. , Williams Siân , Winders Tonya , Zar Heather J. , Bush Andy , Lenney Warren
Published: March 2020

Childhood asthma is a huge global health burden. The spectrum of disease, diagnosis, and management vary depending on where children live in the world and how their community can care for them. Global improvement in diagnosis and management has been unsatisfactory, despite ever more evidence‐based guidelines. Guidelines alone are insufficient and need supplementing by government support, changes in policy, access to diagnosis and effective therapy for all children, with research to improve implementation. We propose a worldwide charter for all children with asthma, a roadmap to better education and training which can be adapted for local use. It includes access to effective basic asthma medications. It is not about new expensive medications and biologics as much can be achieved without these. If implemented carefully, the overall cost of care is likely to fall and the global future health and life chance of children with asthma will greatly improve. The key to success will be community involvement together with the local and national development of asthma champions. We call on governments, institutions, and healthcare services to support its implementation.
Natural and grafted cyclotides in cancer therapy: An insight
Authors: Mehta Lovekesh , Dhankhar Rakhi , Gulati Pooja , Kapoor Rajeev Kumar , Mohanty Aparajita , Kumar Sanjay
Published: March 2020

Cyclotides is a rapidly growing class of plant‐derived cyclic peptides exhibiting several bioactivities with potential applications in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors. Both natural and grafted cyclotides have shown promise in cancer therapy. Approximately 70 natural cyclotides belonging to three plant families (Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Violaceae) have shown cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. Cyclotides exhibit considerable stability against thermal and enzymatic proteolysis, owing to their unique structure with knotted topology and head to tail cyclization. Further, their small size, high stability, oral bioavailability, and tolerance to amino acid substitution in structural loops make them an ideal platform for designing peptide‐based drugs for cancer. Thus, cyclotides provide ideal scaffolds for bioactive epitope grafting and facilitating drug delivery in cancer treatment. Many anticancer linear peptides have been grafted in cysteine knotted cyclic framework of cyclotide for enhancing their cell permeability across cellular membranes, thereby improving their delivery and pharmacokinetics. The present review comprehensively discusses the distribution, toxicity, and anticancer bioactivity of natural cyclotides. Further, it systematically elaborates on the role and action of epitopes' into grafted cyclotides in targeting cancer. The review also encompasses related patents landscape study and future challenges in peptide‐based cancer therapy.
Exploring emotional reflexivity in British lifestyle migration to Australia
Authors: Osbaldiston Nick , Picken Felicity , Denny Lisa
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we explore narratives from interviews with British migrants who had shifted to Australia seeking a better way of life. Framed through the conceptual paradigm of lifestyle migration, we argue in this paper that pivotal to this late‐modern phenomenon is the moment of reflexivity where imagination over life elsewhere collides with present experiences in place. However, using the concept of emotional reflexivity, we argue that these reflexive moments are not simply cognitively processed. Rather, emotions in the everyday and emotions of imagined lives elsewhere colour the reflexive moment and guide decision making. Furthermore, once living the lifestyle migration, emotions continue to play a role in the everyday moments of reflexivity. In some circumstances, as we show, emotional detachment from the lifestyle migration experience creates impetus to leave place and return home. Through this paper, we hope to engage further with the argument that emotional reflexivity needs to be interrogated in lifestyle migration research.
Prediction of Clinical Transporter‐Mediated Drug–Drug Interactions via Comeasurement of Pitavastatin and Eltrombopag in Human Hepatocyte Models
Authors: Carter Simon J. , Chouhan Bhavik , Sharma Pradeep , Chappell Michael J.
Published: March 2020

A structurally identifiable micro‐rate constant mechanistic model was used to describe the interaction between pitavastatin and eltrombopag, with improved goodness‐of‐fit values through comeasurement of pitavastatin and eltrombopag. Transporter association and dissociation rate constants and passive rates out of the cell were similar between pitavastatin and eltrombopag. Translocation into the cell through transporter‐mediated uptake was six times greater for pitavastatin, leading to pronounced inhibition of pitavastatin uptake by eltrombopag. The passive rate into the cell was 91 times smaller for pitavastatin compared with eltrombopag. A semimechanistic physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to evaluate the potential for clinical drug–drug interactions (DDIs). The PBPK model predicted a twofold increase in the pitavastatin peak blood concentration and area under the concentration‐time curve in the presence of eltrombopag in simulated healthy volunteers. The use of structural identifiability supporting experimental design combined with robust micro‐rate constant parameter estimates and a semimechanistic PBPK model gave more informed predictions of transporter‐mediated DDIs.