bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: An Overview
Authors: Parthasarathy Gopanandan , Revelo Xavier , Malhi Harmeet
Published: January 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a heterogeneous group of liver diseases characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. The heterogeneity of NAFLD is reflected in a clinical and histologic spectrum where some patients develop isolated steatosis of the liver, termed nonalcoholic fatty liver, whereas others develop hepatocyte injury, ballooning, inflammation, and consequent fibrosis, termed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Systemic insulin resistance is a major driver of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD. Lipotoxicity of accumulated lipids along with activation of the innate immune system are major drivers of NASH. Lipid‐induced sublethal and lethal stress culminates in the activation of inflammatory processes, such as the release of proinflammatory extracellular vesicles and cell death. Innate and adaptive immune mechanisms involving macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes are central drivers of inflammation that recognize damage‐ and pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and contribute to the progression of the inflammatory cascade. While the activation of the innate immune system and the recruitment of proinflammatory monocytes into the liver in NASH are well known, the exact signals that lead to this remain less well defined. Further, the contribution of other immune cell types, such as neutrophils and B cells, is an area of intense research. Many host factors, such as the microbiome and gut–liver axis, modify individual susceptibility to NASH. In this review, we discuss lipotoxicity, inflammation, and the contribution of interorgan crosstalk in NASH pathogenesis.
3D MHD cross flow over an exponential stretching porous surface
Authors: Nayak Manoj Kumar , Pandey Vinay Shankar , Tripathi Dharmendra , Akbar Noreen Sher , Makinde Oluwole D
Published: January 2020

The present study aims to investigate the effects of thermal‐diffusion and diffusion‐thermo onan magnetohydrodynamic convective flow of viscous fluids over an exponentially stretching sheet. Thermal radiation effects are also considered in the study. This analysis is carried out in three dimensions and a similarity transformation is adopted to get a set of ordinary differential equations from a set of partial differential equations. And the Fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta method and shooting technique along with the secant method are employed to find out an iterative solution. We also analyze here the influence of the variable magnetic field, nonuniform permeability and variable chemical reaction on the fluid flow. The impact of various pertinent parameters of interest has extensively been explored through graphs and tables. The major findings of the present study are that resistive Lorentz force diminishes the fluid velocity and uplifts the thermal as well as concentration fields. Inclusion of porous matrix improves the viscous drag force which in turn augments wall shear stresses and peters out the heat and mass transfer rates from the sheet. In addition, the thermal expansion coefficient has an inverse relation with temperature.
Enhancing multivariate pattern analysis for magnetoencephalography through relevant sensor selection
Authors: Hatamimajoumerd Elaheh , Talebpour Alireza , Mohsenzadeh Yalda
Published: January 2020

While the popularity of multivariate pattern classification is growing rapidly in magnetoencephalography (MEG) data analysis, the analysis pipelines used by the neuroscience community are still missing some fundamental machine‐learning techniques and principles that would increase their effectiveness. Here, we show that MEG decoding accuracy improves significantly with the addition of feature selection methods to the analysis pipeline. We compare one unsupervised and two supervised feature reduction methods in the current study. Our results show that supervised feature selection methods like statistical dependency and mutual information improve decoding performance and attain higher session‐to‐session reliability compared to unsupervised dimensionality reduction methods like principal component analysis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the selected sensors in the data related to a visual task at each time point are consistent with the pattern reflecting the sweep of information in the ventral visual pathway.
Stability enhancement of lead‐free CsSnI3 perovskite photodetector with reductive ascorbic acid additive
Authors: Cao Fengren , Tian Wei , Wang Meng , Wang Min , Li Liang
Published: January 2020

Lead‐free tin‐based perovskites have attracted widespread research interest due to their nontoxicity and potential commercialization. However, their practical application is limited by high density of intrinsic defects and easy oxidation of Sn2+ in ambient environment. To address these issues, we demonstrate an environment‐friendly stable broadband photodetector based on CsSnI3 perovskite with conventional SnF2 and reducing agent ascorbic acid additive. Through optimizing the concentration of ascorbic acid, the optimal device reveals high responsivity (0.257 A W−1), fast response speed (0.35/1.6 ms), and excellent stability. The properties are comparable to most previously reported lead‐free perovskite photodetectors. The enhanced performance is mainly due to the fact that ascorbic acid promotes the crystal growth, suppresses the formation of Sn4+, and makes it have good semiconductivity rather than metallicity.

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Extended Enterprise Model for PSS Within a Systems Engineering Perspective
Authors: Harrat Mourad , Maleki Elaheh , Belkadi Farouk , Bernard Alain
Published: January 2020

Today, firms are adopting Product‐Service Systems (PSS) business models requiring new designing, producing, and consuming methods. Systems engineering is a promising solution addressing the PSS development and life cycle management complexity. Following this perspective, this paper focuses on organizational capabilities representation as part of the PSS enabling systems. Two UML diagrams propose to clarify the structure and to characterize the collaborative processes behind this virtual organization. The proposed systems engineering based modeling framework functions as a background for the design and management of collaborations along the PSS life cycle.
Monocytes treated with ciprofloxacin and oxyLDL express myristate, priming atherosclerosis
Authors: Binesh Ambika , Devaraj Sivasitambaram Niranjali , Halagowder Devaraj
Published: January 2020

Antibiotics are essential in many life‐threatening diseases. On the other hand, improper use of antibiotics can be disastrous. Cell morphological changes were observed in the ciprofloxacin‐treated cells starting at 48 hours. Changes in cell morphology were continuously observed up to 14 days, which showed gradual morphological changes from monocyte to plaque‐like cells at day 12, and foam cell, which is an intermediate stage in atherosclerosis was observed at day 8, which was confirmed with Oil Red O staining. Flow cytometry data revealed that oxidized LDL (oxyLDL)‐induced cells showed 60.16% of CD64 (proinflammatory macrophage markers) and no expression of CD23 (anti‐inflammatory macrophage markers), whereas ciprofloxacin‐treated cells expressed 67.97% of CD64 and 13.78% of CD23. Chemokine antibody array analysis revealed that ciprofloxacin exposed cells showed a proinflammatory role (ENA78, Eotaxin1, Eotaxin2, IP‐10, MIG, MIP‐3β, SDF‐1β, TECK, CXCL16, and Fractalkine). Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) revealed that myristic acid was incorporated into a protein with 68 kDa molecular mass in exposing oxyLDL‐induced monocytes with ciprofloxacin, which could be a reason for the observed foam cells and in vitro plaque formation. As myristic acid primes atherosclerosis, it is better to limit the intake of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin for common illness, specifically the high‐risk patients, which may contribute to atherosclerosis.
Integrating crisis response planning for suicide prevention into trauma‐focused treatments: A military case example
Authors: Rozek David C. , Bryan Craig J.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are common in military members and veterans and produce anxiety for many clinicians. Although there are separate interventions for PTSD and elevated suicide risk, there is not much guidance on how to integrate these approaches. Crisis response planning (CRP) is an evidence‐based tool used to prevent suicide attempts that can easily be integrated into trauma‐focused therapies for patients with PTSD.

Method

Given the high frequency of suicidal thoughts among patients with PTSD, the current paper discusses how CRP can be integrated into trauma‐focused therapy. A clinical case example is provided to demonstrate how the CRP can be integrated into cognitive processing therapy for a suicidal veteran diagnosed with PTSD.

Results

Using CRP within a cognitive processing therapy treatment program reduced both PTSD and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Suicide specific treatments can be integrated effectively into trauma‐focused treatments.
A five‐sample confirmatory factor analytic study of burnout‐depression overlap
Authors: Bianchi Renzo , Schonfeld Irvin Sam , Verkuilen Jay
Published: January 2020

Objective

It has been asserted that burnout—a condition ascribed to unresolvable job stress—should not be mistaken for a depressive syndrome. In this confirmatory factor analytic study, the validity of this assertion was examined.

Methods

Five samples of employed individuals, recruited in Switzerland and France, were mobilized for this study (N = 3,113). Burnout symptoms were assessed with the Shirom–Melamed Burnout Measure, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)—General Survey, and the MBI for Educators. Depressive symptoms were measured with the PHQ‐9.

Results

In all five samples, the latent factors pertaining to burnout's components correlated on average more highly with the latent Depression factor than with each other, even with fatigue‐related items removed from the PHQ‐9. Second‐order factor analyses indicated that the latent Depression factor and the latent factors pertaining to burnout's components were reflective of the same overarching factor.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the burnout‐depression distinction is artificial.
Prevalence of active infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 in patients with high‐risk human papillomavirus infection: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bahena‐Román M. , Sánchez‐Alemán M. A. , Contreras‐Ochoa C. O. , Lagunas‐Martínez A. , Olamendi‐Portugal M. , López‐Estrada G. , Delgado‐Romero K. , Guzmán‐Olea E. , Madrid‐Marina V. , Torres‐Poveda K.
Published: January 2020

The aim is to determine the prevalence of active infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) among Mexican women with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) cervical infection, recruited from public gynecology and colposcopy services. In a cross‐sectional study, HSV‐2 antibodies, HSV‐2 DNA, and HR‐HPV DNA were quantified. Significant differences in HSV‐2 seroprevalence and HSV‐2 active infection rates were found between negative and positive HR‐HPV cases. HSV‐2 seroprevalence was 28.15% and 16.1% (P = .0001), while HSV‐2 active infection rates were 6.83% and 0.62% (P = .001) for positive and negative HR‐HPV groups, respectively. The risk of HSV‐2 seropositivity was 1.7 times greater for HR‐HPV‐positive cases (P = .02). Similarly, HR‐HPV‐positive cases were nine times more likely to have an HSV‐2 active infection than HR‐HPV‐negative cases (P = .03). High HSV‐2/h‐HPV coinfection rates were observed among women recruited from public gynecology and colposcopy services. The main factors related to an HSV‐2 active infection are a history of risky sexual behavior and HR‐HPV infection. The prevalence of HSV‐2 active infection among positive HR‐HPV subjects indicate that these infections constitute an important group of STIs in Mexico.
Serological screening of West Nile virus among blood donors in northern Cyprus
Authors: Balaman Nagat , Gazi Umut , Imir Turgut , Sanlidag Tamer , Ruh Emrah , Tosun Ozgur , Ozkul Aykut , Taylan‐Ozkan Aysegul
Published: January 2020

Background

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic arbovirus that can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Even though its geographic distribution has been expanding, there has not yet been any epidemiological data on WNV in northern Cyprus. The aim of our study is to fill this gap by using donated blood samples.

Methods

Samples collected from the main government hospital blood bank in Nicosia were analyzed by anti‐WNV enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (immunoglobulin M [IgM] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]). Seropositive samples were subjected to plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for confirmation and analyzed by ELISA IgG avidity test and reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR).

Results

Of the 760 sera samples, 2 (0.3%) were IgM+ and 31 (4.1%) were IgG+. Neutralization activity was detected in none (0.0%) of the IgM+ and 26 (83.9%) of IgG+ donor specimens. ELISA IgG avidity test reported high avidity in 21 (67.7%) and low avidity in one (3.2%) IgG+ sample. PRNT‐confirmed anti‐WNV IgG+ samples exhibited only borderline (19.2%) or high avidity (80.8%) values. rRT‐PCR results were negative for both IgM+ and IgG+ samples.

Conclusion

Anti‐WNV antibodies were detected in northern Cyprus among blood donors. The establishment of preventive measures and evaluation of the geographic extent of the WNV in northern Cyprus are highly recommended.
A broadband small‐signal model extraction methodology over 0.2‐220 GHz for bulk FinFETs in RF CMOS technology
Authors: Zhou Wenyong , Liu Jun , Chen Zhanfei , Sun Lingling
Published: January 2020

This study presents a physical‐based broadband radio frequency (RF) small‐signal equivalent circuit model (ECM) for triple‐gate (TG) bulk fin field‐effect transistors (FinFETs) and its extraction methodology. To increase model accuracy and extend the effective frequency band, substrate effect, test ground‐signal‐ground (G‐S‐G) pads, and metal interconnection parasitics are considered together in the transistor model. All the elements in the model are extracted from a combination of analysis and physical equations using multibias scattering parameters. On the basis of the proposed model, the simulation results correspond to the measured results in the frequency range from 200 MHz to 220 GHz without any complex fitting or optimization steps.
Evaluation of multi‐site precipitation generators across scales
Authors: Tseng Shao‐Chun , Chen Chia‐Jeng , Senarath Sharika U. S.
Published: January 2020

Precipitation generators that are able to simulate long‐term, continuous rainfall records, with the observed statistics preserved, have shown great utility in numerous hydro‐climatic applications. This study adopts precipitation generators from four open‐source or freely available weather generators (WGs), namely the modified Wilks approach, Multi‐site weather Generator of École de Technologie Supérieure (MulGETS), Stochastic Climate Library (SCL) and Weather GENerator (WGEN) to evaluate their performance in simulating rainfall in Taiwan. The evaluation of the precipitation generators, based on various performance metrics, is carried out at two watersheds and the entire island to reflect seasonal weather systems of distinct spatial scales and correlation structure. To further dissect the heavy‐rain distributions, rainfall data that exceed 80 mm/day are extracted and assessed by quantile–quantile (Q–Q) plots. While none of the WGs can always outperform the others, MulGETS has the advantage of preserving most of the observed statistics and producing reasonable Q–Q plots. In contrast, the SCL results exhibit a heavier tail owing to positive biases in the simulated rainfall standard deviation and wet‐day frequency. Hydrological simulations driven by the generated rainfall data reveal more comparable percentiles in the low‐flow regime. Besides, although being a single‐site WG with no spatial correlation preserved, WGEN is useful for applications in small watersheds. Our findings indicate that merging generated rainfall data from different WGs by seasons can provide better support for WG‐related applications.
Local concentrations of gentamicin obtained by microdialysis after a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge in a porcine model
Authors: Thomassen Maja B. , Hanberg Pelle , Stilling Maiken , Petersen Klaus K. , Søballe Kjeld , Krag Lasse B. , Højskov Carsten S. , Bue Mats
Published: January 2020

Local treatment with gentamicin may be an important tool in the prevention and treatment of surgical site infections in high‐risk procedures and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of gentamicin in bone and surrounding tissue, released from a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge in a porcine model. In eight female pigs, a GentaColl sponge of 10 × 10 cm (1.3 mg gentamicin/cm2) was placed in a cancellous bone cavity in the proximal tibia. Microdialysis was used for sampling of gentamicin concentrations over 48 hours from the cavity with the implanted GentaColl sponge, cancellous bone parallel to the cavity over and under the epiphyseal plate, cortical bone, the intramedullary canal, subcutaneous tissue, and the joint cavity of the knee. Venous blood samples were obtained as reference. The main finding was a mean peak drug concentration (95% CI) of gentamicin in the cancellous bone cavity containing the implanted GentaColl sponge of 11 315 (9049‐13 581) μg/mL, persisting above 1000 μg/mL until approximately 40 hours after application. Moreover, the concentrations were low (<1 μg/mL) in the surrounding tissues as well as in plasma. The mean peak gentamicin concentration from the cancellous bone cavity after a controlled application of a GentaColl sponge was high and may be adequate for the prevention of biofilm formation. However, high MIC strains and uncontrolled application of the GentaColl sponge may jeopardize this conclusion.
Mesenchymal stem cells‐derived exosomes improve pregnancy outcome through inducing maternal tolerance to the allogeneic fetus in abortion‐prone mating mouse
Authors: Xiang Yan‐Jie , Hou Yan‐Yan , Yan Hong‐Li , Liu Hui , Ge Yan‐Xin , Chen Na , Xiang Jian‐Feng , Hao Cui‐Fang
Published: January 2020

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is three or more times of consecutive spontaneous loss of pregnancy. The underlying cause is complicated and the etiology of over 50% of RPL patients is unclear. In the present study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from CBA/J female mice and exosomes were isolated from cell culture medium by ultracentrifugation. CBA/J female mice were paired with male DBA/2 to generate abortion prone mouse model, and CBA/J females paired with male BALB/c mice were used as control. Exosomes were injected through uterine horns into pregnant CBA/J mice on day 4.5 of gestation in abortion‐prone matting. On day 13.5 of pregnancy, abortion rates were calculated and the level of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), interferon g (IFN‐γ), and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF‐α) in CD4+ T cells and macrophages in deciduas were evaluated by flow cytometry. Exosomes injection improved the pregnancy outcomes in abortion prone mice. The IL‐4 and IL‐10 levels on CD4+ T cells were upregulated in the maternal–fetal interface; meanwhile, the TNF‐α and IFN‐γ levels on CD4+ T cells were reduced. The IL‐10 level was increased and IL‐12 was reduced on the monocytes that separated from deciduas. miR‐101 level was increased in the CD4+ T cells in the deciduas. In conclusion, the treatment of ESCs‐derived exosomes modulates T cells' function and macrophages activities in the maternal–fetal interface that resulted in a decreased embryo resorption rate, and provides a therapeutic potential to treat RPL.
Effect of height on the corrosion of steel and galvanized steel in nontropical coastal marine environments
Authors: Vera Rosa , de Rincón Oladis T. , Ramirez Jesús , Valverde Bárbara , Díaz‐Gómez Andrés , Sánchez‐González Rodrigo
Published: January 2020

In this study, the behavior of carbon steel and galvanized steel in nontropical coastal marine environments was evaluated. Evaluation was carried out with specimens with dimensions of 10 cm × 10 cm × 0.3 cm. These specimens were exposed to four testing stations (Iquique, Mejillones, Los Vilos, and San Vicente), where racks were installed both at ground level (ground), as well as in the upper zone of electrical transmission towers (tower). In each station, 24 specimens of A36 carbon steel and galvanized steel were placed (12 each). The corrosivity of the environment was measured using the ISO 9223, 9225, and 9226 standards. The specimens were evaluated on‐site, monthly, through visual inspection and photographic record. Once withdrawn, the corrosion rate was determined and the corrosion products were analyzed through Raman and Fourier‐transform infrared. The results show that, in all cases, the corrosion rate is greater in the tower than on the ground. However, even though the Los Vilos station is located farther from the sea (3,500 vs. ≈500 m), the corrosion rate of steel in the tower is the highest. This is caused by the generation of HCl from the transformation of lepidocrocite into goethite, in the presence of low chloride content, which acidifies the steel/corrosion product interface. In the case of galvanized steel, the corrosion rate is a function of the chloride content in the atmosphere, obtaining an excellent correlation between both parameters.
Low‐profile SIW cavity antenna with enhanced bandwidth and controllable radiation null
Authors: Niu Bing‐Jian , Tan Jie‐Hong
Published: January 2020

A low‐profile substrate‐integrated‐waveguide (SIW) cavity antenna with enhanced bandwidth and a controllable radiation null is proposed. Serving as radiating elements, two slots are etched on a square SIW cavity. Four cavity modes including a fundamental mode (FM), a half mode (HM), and two quarter modes (QMs) are excited by a capacitively coupled feeding disc. Their frequencies can be controlled by adjusting positions of the slots and disc. Three radiating modes (ie, a HM and two QMs) are utilized to realize an antenna passband with enhanced bandwidth while a nonradiating mode (ie, the FM) is utilized to achieve a radiation null resulting in the sharp upper sideband and high stopband suppression. Experimental results show that the fabricated antenna with the profile of less than 0.04λ0 obtains the bandwidth of 440 MHz, gain of 5.24 dBi, and efficiency of 84%. However, the gain sharply drops to −22.07 dBi and the efficiency achieves a very low value of 0.15% at the radiation null. Due to covering the frequency band of 3.40‐3.60 GHz, the proposed design has potential applications for fifth‐generation (5G) wireless systems.
SciFi detector and associated method for real‐time determination of profile and output factor for small fields in stereotactic radiotherapy
Authors: Pittet P. , Esteves J. , Galvan J.‐M. , Lu G.‐N. , Blanc F. , Haefeli G. , Hopchev P. , Rit S. , Desbat L. , Ribouton J. , Jalade P.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

For determining small‐field profile and output factor during stereotactic radiotherapy quality assurance (QA) procedures, we propose a novel system based on the scintillating fiber (SciFi) detector with output image acquisition and processing to allow real‐time monitoring of profile and output factor.

Materials and methods

The employed detector is a SciFi detector made of tissue‐equivalent scintillating plastic fibers arranged in 6‐layer fiber ribbons with a fiber pitch of 275 μm in each layer. The scintillating signal at the detector output is acquired by a sCMOS (scientific complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) camera and represents the projected field profile along the fibers axis. An iterative reconstruction method of the field from its projected profile based on a priori knowledge of some features of the radiation field defined by the stereotactic cones is suggested. The detector with implemented data processing has been tested in clinical conditions, for determining beam profiles and output factors, using cone collimators of different sizes from 4 to 15 mm diameter. The detector under test was placed at 1.4 cm depth and 98.6 cm source to surface distance (SSD) in a water‐equivalent phantom and irradiated by a 6 MV photon beam.

Results

The reconstructed field profiles obtained from the detector are coherent with data from EBT3 radiochromic films, with differences within ±0.32 mm for both the FWHM and the penumbra region. For real‐time determination of the field output factor, the measured data are also in good agreement with data independently determined by the French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) based on radiochromic films and thermoluminescent 1 × 1 mm2 micro‐cubes dosimeters (TLD). The differences are within ±1.6% for all the tested cone sizes.

Conclusions

We propose and have tested a SciFi plastic scintillating detector with an optimized signal processing method to characterize small fields defined by cone collimators. It allows the determination of key field parameters such as full width at half maximum (FWHM) and field output factors. The results are consistent with those independently measured using TLD and radiochromic films. As the SciFi detector does not require a correction factor, it is in line with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) TRS‐483 recommendations, and can be suitable for online QA of small radiation fields used in photon beam radiotherapy, and is compatible with MRI‐LINAC.
Two‐step fabrication of lignin‐based flame retardant for enhancing the thermal and fire retardancy properties of epoxy resin composites
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Tao Ran , Dai Peng , Luo Zhenyang , He Ming
Published: January 2020

Lignin is a biomass material that attracts more and more attention because of its extremely low utilization rate. In this paper, we have fabricated a lignin‐based flame retardant chemically grafted with PEI followed with polyphosphoric acid by a mild two‐step method. It is found that the nitrogen/phosphorus modified lignin exhibited a lower char forming temperature and enhanced thermal stability. After adding 7 wt% functionalized lignin, the maximum decomposition temperature of epoxy resin (EP) composite was reduced from 387°C to 364°C, while UL‐94 grade and limiting oxygen index was up to V‐0 grade and 31.4%, respectively, with excellent flame retardant effect. Moreover, the results of the characterization show that the carbon residue becomes much denser with the addition of multifunctional lignin‐based flame retardant. It is proposed that the phosphorus element acts to promote char formation in the EP composite, endowing the resin matrix with a dense char layer. And the dense char layer with released ammonia from the nitrogen element to block the entry of air during combustion achieves the purpose of high‐efficiency flame retardancy. This gentle and efficient multifunctional process enhances the driving force for a wide range of applications of lignin‐based flame retardants.
Mapping of land cover with open‐source software and ultra‐high‐resolution imagery acquired with unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Horning Ned , Fleishman Erica , Ersts Peter J. , Fogarty Frank A. , Wohlfeil Zillig Martha
Published: January 2020

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to map and monitor the environment has increased sharply in the last few years. Many individuals and organizations have purchased consumer‐grade UAVs, and commonly acquire aerial photographs to map land cover. The resulting ultra‐high‐resolution (sub‐decimeter‐resolution) imagery has high information content, but automating the extraction of this information to create accurate, wall‐to‐wall land‐cover maps is quite difficult. We introduce image‐processing workflows that are based on open‐source software and can be used to create land‐cover maps from ultra‐high‐resolution aerial imagery. We compared four machine‐learning workflows for classifying images. Two workflows were based on random forest algorithms. Of these, one used a pixel‐by‐pixel approach available in ilastik, and the other used image segments and was implemented with R and the Orfeo ToolBox. The other two workflows used fully connected neural networks and convolutional neural networks implemented with Nenetic. We applied the four workflows to aerial photographs acquired in the Great Basin (western USA) at flying heights of 10 m, 45 m and 90 m above ground level. Our focal cover type was cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a non‐native invasive grass that changes regional fire dynamics. The most accurate workflow for classifying ultra‐high‐resolution imagery depends on diverse factors that are influenced by image resolution and land‐cover characteristics, such as contrast, landscape patterns and the spectral texture of the land‐cover types being classified. For our application, the ilastik workflow yielded the highest overall accuracy (0.82–0.89) as assessed by pixel‐based accuracy.
Iron monosulfide identification: Field techniques to provide evidence of reducing conditions in soils
Authors: Duball Chelsea , Vaughan Karen , Berkowitz Jacob F. , Rabenhorst Martin C. , VanZomeren Christine M.
Published: January 2020

The accurate and timely identification of soil morphological indicators of anaerobic conditions is critical for the proper documentation of hydric soils and prolonged soil saturation. Iron monosulfide (FeS) forms under anaerobic conditions following complexation of Fe and reduced S to form insoluble, black to very dark gray (value ≤ 4, chroma ≤ 1) concentrations and/or soil coatings. These features are observable as soft masses or pore linings or are dispersed throughout the soil matrix in the form of concentrated zones of FeS. Variation in soil and environmental conditions result in a wide range of FeS expression from <1 to 100% coverage of the soil matrix. We seek to explain the environmental conditions required for FeS formation and describe diagnostic methods to document FeS in a field setting. Field identification of FeS can be performed through an oxidized color change test (either ambient air or the application of 3% H2O2) and via the evolution of H2S after the application of 1 M HCl. The use of Indicator of Reduction in Soil (IRIS) devices provides additional supporting evidence of S reducing conditions in soils and thus environmental conditions conducive to FeS formation when other necessary constituents are present. The concepts and techniques outlined in this review can serve as useful resources to inform our understanding of belowground redox chemistry and facilitate the accurate identification of FeS in wet soil environments.
Recovery of original individual person data (IPD) inferences from empirical IPD summaries only: Applications to distributed computing under disclosure constraints
Authors: Bonofiglio Federico , Schumacher Martin , Binder Harald
Published: January 2020

There are many settings where individual person data (IPD) are not available, due to privacy or technical reasons, and one must work with IPD proxies, such as summary statistics, to approximate original IPD inferences, that is, the results of statistical analyses that would ideally have been performed on individual‐level data. For instance, in a distributed computing setting, as implemented in the DataSHIELD software framework, different centers can only share IPD proxies to obtain pooled IPD inferences. Such privacy requirements limit the scope of statistical investigation. For example, it can be challenging to perform between‐center random‐effect regression models. To increase modeling freedom we propose a method that only uses simple nondisclosive summaries of the original IPD as input, such as empirical marginal moments and correlation matrices, and generates artificial data compatible with those summary features. Specifically, data are generated from a Gaussian copula with marginal and joint components specified by the above summaries. The goal is to reproduce original IPD features in the artificial data, such that original IPD inferences are recovered from the artificial data. In an application example, and through simulations, we show that we can recover estimates of a multivariable IPD random‐effect logistic regression, from artificial data generated via the Gaussian copula using the above IPD summaries, suggesting the proposed approach provides a generally applicable strategy for distributed computing settings with data protection constraints.
Devoted fans release more cortisol when watching live soccer matches
Authors: Newson Martha , Shiramizu Victor , Buhrmester Michael , Hattori Wallisen , Jong Jonathan , Yamamoto Emilia , Whitehouse Harvey
Published: January 2020

Why do some sports fans experience intense emotions when watching live matches? Identity fusion is a strong form of group alignment in which personal and group identities are activated synergistically to produce a visceral sense of 'oneness' with one's team. Here we examine the role of fusion (using a three‐item state measure with high internal validity) in elevating salivary cortisol levels while watching football (n = 41). Our evidence was gathered at field laboratories during the 2014 sFIFA World Cup in Natal, Brazil, with live screenings of two Brazilian victories (Colombia, 2–1; Chile, 1–1 with penalties), and the historic semi‐final loss to Germany (1–7). We replicated previous studies showing that salivary cortisol concentrations fluctuate during live football events and are related to group membershipbut we also extended them by showing that identity fusion is even more strongly related to cortisol concentrations than identification. We found an interaction between match outcome and cortisol, such that watching a loss, i.e. dysphoria, was associated with particularly high cortisol concentrations. While women were more fused to the team than men, there were no other gender effects. Taken together, these findings suggest that identity fusion modulates physiological reactivity, resulting in distinct psycho‐physiological profiles during stressful events.
Enhancement of Solar‐Driven Photocatalytic Activity of BiOI Nanosheets through Predominant Exposed High Energy Facets and Vacancy Engineering
Authors: Bai Jinwu , Sun Jingyu , Zhu Xiaohe , Liu Jiandang , Zhang Haijun , Yin Xue‐Bo , Liu Lu
Published: January 2020

The increasing application of exposed high energy facet is an effective strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance of photocatalysts because the vacancies are beneficial to photocatalytic reaction. Vacancy dominates numerous distinct properties of semiconductor materials and thus plays a conclusive role in the photocatalysis applications. In this work, two kinds of BiOI nanomaterials with different vacancies are synthesized via a facile solvothermal method. The positron annihilation analysis shows that the thinner BiOI nanosheets possess larger‐sized vacancy than BiOI nanoplates. Thus, BiOI nanosheets show the enhanced separation efficiency of electron–hole pairs and adsorption ability for contaminants under visible light. The results are also validated with the first‐principle computation. Therefore, higher photocatalytic activity to the photodegradation of tetracycline is observed from the nanosheets than that obtained from BiOI nanoplates. This work not only arouses attention to vacancies, but also opens up an avenue for precision design of vacancies to prepare novel photocatalytic materials driven under solar light.
Large‐Scale Modification of Commercial Copper Foil with Lithiophilic Metal Layer for Li Metal Battery
Authors: Cui Shiqiang , Zhai Pengbo , Yang Weiwei , Wei Yi , Xiao Jing , Deng Libo , Gong Yongji
Published: January 2020

The application and development of lithium metal battery are severely restricted by the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrite and poor cycle stability. Uniform lithium deposition is the core to solve these problems, but it is difficult to be achieved on commercial Cu collectors. In this work, a simple and commercially viable strategy is utilized for large‐scale preparation of a modified planar Cu collector with lithiophilic Ag nanoparticles by a simple substitution reaction. As a result, the Li metal shows a cobblestone‐like morphology with similar size and uniform distribution rather than Li dendrites. Interestingly, a high‐quality solid electrolyte interphase layer in egg shell‐like morphology with fast ion diffusion channels is formed on the interface of the collector, exhibiting good stability with long‐term cycles. Moreover, at the current density of 1 mA cm−2 for 1 mAh cm−2, the Ag modified planar Cu collector shows an ultralow nucleation overpotential (close to 0 mV) and a stable coulombic efficiency of 98.54% for more than 600 cycles as well as long lifespan beyond 900 h in a Li|Cu‐Ag@Li cell, indicating the ability of this method to realize stable Li metal batteries. Finally, full cells paired with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 show superior rate performance and stability compared with those paired with Li foil.
Festina lente:1 EFT constraints from charged black hole evaporation in de Sitter
Authors: Montero Miguel , Van Riet Thomas , Venken Gerben
Published: January 2020

Abstract

In the Swampland philosophy of constraining EFTs from black hole mechanics we study charged black hole evaporation in de Sitter space. We establish how the black hole mass and charge change over time due to both Hawking radiation and Schwinger pair production as a function of the masses and charges of the elementary particles in the theory. We find a lower bound on the mass of charged particles by demanding that large charged black holes evaporate back to empty de Sitter space, in accordance with the thermal picture of the de Sitter static patch. This bound is satisfied by the charged spectrum of the Standard Model. We discuss phenomenological implications for the cosmological hierarchy problem and inflation. Enforcing the thermal picture also leads to a heuristic remnant argument for the Weak Gravity Conjecture in de Sitter space, where the usual kinematic arguments do not work. We also comment on a possible relation between WGC and universal bounds on equilibration times. All in all, charged black holes in de Sitter should make haste to evaporate, but they should not rush it.2
Off-Spectral Analysis of Bergman Kernels
Authors: Hedenmalm Haakan , Wennman Aron
Published: January 2020

The asymptotic analysis of Bergman kernels with respect to exponentially varying measures near emergent interfaces has attracted recent attention. Such interfaces typically occur when the associated limiting Bergman density function vanishes on a portion of the plane,the off-spectral region. This type of behavior is observed when the metric is negatively curved somewhere, or when we study partial Bergman kernels in the context of positively curved metrics. In this work, we cover these two situations in a unified way, for exponentially varying weights on the complex plane. We obtain a uniform asymptotic expansion of thecoherent state of depthnrooted at an off-spectral point, which we also refer to as theroot functionat the point in question. The expansion is valid in the entire off-spectral component containing the root point, and protrudes into the spectrum as well. This allows us to obtain error function transition behavior of the density of states along the smooth interface. Previous work on asymptotic expansions of Bergman kernels is typically local, and valid only in the bulk region of the spectrum, which contrasts with our non-local expansions.
Reconstruction of surface-pressure fluctuations using deflectometry and the virtual fields method
Authors: Kaufmann R. , Ganapathisubramani B. , Pierron F.
Published: January 2020

This study presents an approach for obtaining full-field dynamic surface-pressure reconstructions with low differential amplitudes. The method is demonstrated in a setup where an air jet is impinging on a flat plate. Deformations of the flat plate under dynamic loading of the impinging jet were obtained using a deflectometry setup that allows measurement of surface slopes with high accuracy and sensitivity. The measured slope information was then used as input for the virtual fields method to reconstruct pressure. Pressure fluctuations with amplitudes of down to$${\mathcal {O}}(1)~\text {Pa}$$O(1)Pawere extracted from time-resolved deflectometry data using temporal band-pass filters. Pressure transducer measurements allowed comparisons of the results with an established measurement technique. Even though the identified uncertainties in fluctuations were found to be as large as 50%, the spatial distributions of dynamic pressure events were captured well. Dynamic mode decomposition was used to identify relevant spatial information that correspond to specific frequencies. These dynamically important spatio-temporal events could be observed despite their low differential amplitudes. Finally, the limitations of the proposed pressure determination method and strategies for future improvements are discussed.

Graphic abstract
Clinical features and treatment of 7 Chinese TAFRO syndromes from 96 de novo Castleman diseases: a 10-year retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yi , Suo Shan-Shan , Yang Han-Jin , Zhou Xin-Ping , You Liang-Shun , Yu Wen-Juan , Wang Zhao-Ming , Jin Jie
Published: January 2020

Background

Castleman disease (CD) is a rare polyclonal lymphoproliferative disorder with unknown etiology. TAFRO syndrome is now regarded as a specific subtype of CD, and is still a huge challenge for clinicians.

Methods

To clarify the clinical features and management of TAFRO syndrome in China, we retrospectively analyzed 96 patients with HIV-negative CD (52 with unicentric CD and 44 with multicentric CD), who were diagnosed and treated at our center between 2008 and 2017. Specially, we systematically reviewed the 7 TAFRO syndrome cases based on the 2015 criteria proposed by Masaki.

Results

Among the 7 cases, there were 3 men and 4 women, and the median age was 53 years. The main symptoms included thrombocytopenia (7/7), anasarca (7/7), fever (4/7), renal dysfunction (7/7), and organomegaly (6/7). One patient was treated with corticosteroid monotherapy, one received RD (Rituximab, dexamethasone), and 5 received CHOP/COP like chemotherapy as first-line treatment, 2 of the 5 combined with Rituximab. Four patients needed hemodialysis or CRRT because of progressive renal failure. The outcome for TAFRO syndrome was significantly worse compared to other types of CD. Although 3 patients improved after early treatment, 4 patients died due to disease progression, and only one patient achieved complete resolution of all the symptoms after changing to lenalidomide based regimen.

Conclusions

This study reveals that TAFRO syndrome is more severe and has more systemic symptoms than other iMCD, most cases need active treatment, and their prognoses are poor. Lenalidomide based regimen may be as a promising new therapy for TAFRO syndrome.
Eating disorders mothers and their children: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Martini Maria Giulia , Barona-Martinez Manuela , Micali Nadia
Published: January 2020

To provide an overview of the impact of maternal eating disorders (ED) on child development in a number of domains including feeding and eating behaviour, neuropsychological profile and cognitive development, psychopathology and temperament. PubMed, Embase and PsychInfo were searched for studies exploring the impact of maternal ED on children between January 1980 and September 2018. Initial search yielded 569 studies. After exclusion, 32 studies were reviewed. Overall, available evidence shows that children of mothers with ED are at increased risk of disturbances in several domains. They exhibit more difficulties in feeding and eating behaviours, display more psychopathological and socio-emotional difficulties, and they are more likely to be described as having a difficult temperament. Maternal ED have an impact on child psychological, cognitive and eating behaviours, and might affect the development of ED in the offspring. Future research should focus on resilience and on which protective factors might lead to positive outcomes. These factors can be then used as therapeutic and preventative targets.
An increase in cell membrane permeability in the in situ extractive fermentation improves the production of antroquinonol from Antrodia camphorata S-29
Authors: Liu Xiao-Feng , Xia Yong-Jun , Lai Phoency F-H , Zhang Yao , Yi Zhen-Wei , Xie Chun-Liang , Hong Yi-Qiu , Ai Lian-Zhong
Published: January 2020

The goals of this study were to increase the production of antroquinonol (AQ) and to elucidate the response mechanism of the cell membrane during the in situ extractive fermentation (ISEF) of Antrodia camphorata S-29. Through ISEF, the concentration of AQ reached a maximum of 146.1 ± 2.8 mg/L, which was approximately (7.4 ± 0.1)-fold that of the control (coenzyme Q0-induced fermentation). Transcriptome sequencing showed that four genes (FAD2, fabG, SCD, and FAS1) related to fatty acid biosynthesis were upregulated. FAD2 and SCD may regulate the increase in oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) in the cell membrane of A. camphorata S-29, resulting in an increase in cell membrane permeability. AQ was successfully transferred to the n-tetradecane phase through the cell membrane, reducing product feedback inhibition and improving the production of AQ from A. camphorata S-29.
Symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and psychological distress in breast cancer survivors: prevalence and characteristics
Authors: Bjerkeset Ellen , Röhrl Kari , Schou-Bredal Inger
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Breast cancer survivors may experience pain, fatigue, or psychological distress as a result of the treatment. These symptoms may co-occur and form a cluster. However little is known about symptom clusters (SCs) in long-term breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to identify subgroups of breast cancer survivors with the SC of pain, fatigue, and psychological distress, and to examine sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with this SC.

Methods

Data were obtained from a nationwide survey of breast cancer survivors (N = 834). Exhaustive enumeration of possible combination of the three binary variables (pain, fatigue, psychological distress) was conducted. They were identified using the recommended threshold for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Fatigue Questionnaire, and a score of one or more on a numeric rating scale for pain. The SC was defined to include all the three variables, all other combinations were defined as no SC. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between sociodemographic and clinical variables and the SC.

Results

Of the 834 survivors, 13% had the SC. Younger age (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.1, p = 0.003), lymphedema (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2, p = 0.02), working part-time (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6–5.3, p < 0.001), or being disabled (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.2–7.8, p < 0.001) were all associated with the SC.

Conclusion

Thirteen percent of the survivors experienced the SC. It appears that premenstrual women are at greater risk, than postmenopausal women. Having this SC might have an impact on the survivors’ ability to work.