bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of Electrochemical Reactions at Organic–Inorganic Halide Perovskite Interfaces via Machine Learning in In Situ Time‐of‐Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Higgins Kate , Lorenz Matthias , Ziatdinov Maxim , Vasudevan Rama K. , Ievlev Anton V. , Lukosi Eric D. , Ovchinnikova Olga S. , Kalinin Sergei V. , Ahmadi Mahshid
Published: July 2020

The instability of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite (HOIP) devices is one of the significant challenges preventing commercialization. Exploring these phenomena is severely limited by the complexity of the intrinsic electrochemistry of HOIPs, the presence of multiple volatile and mobile ionic species, and the possible role of environmentally induced reactions at surfaces and triple‐phase junctions. Here, in situ studies of the electrochemistry of methylammonium lead bromide perovskite with the Au electrode interface are reported via light‐ and voltage‐dependent time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) imaging of lateral perovskite heterostructures. While ToF‐SIMS allows for the visualization of the chemical composition along the surface and its evolution with light and electrical bias, the interpretation of the multidimensional data obtained is often limited due to strong correlations between chemical signatures and the need to track multiple peaks at once. Here, a machine learning workflow combining the Hough transform and non‐negative matrix factorization and non‐negative tensor decomposition is developed to avoid this limitation and extract salient features of associated chemical changes and to separate the light‐ and voltage‐dependent dynamics. Combining these in situ characterizations and the machine learning workflow provides comprehensive information on the chemical nature of moving species, ion accumulation, and interfacial electrochemical reactions in HOIP devices.
Printed Flexible Strain Sensor Array for Bendable Interactive Surface
Authors: Li Ming , Chen Sujie , Fan Boyu , Wu Bangyuan , Guo Xiaojun
Published: July 2020

An interactive surface using bending gestures as the input is proposed by integrating a flexible strain sensor array and a flexible display screen. To create such a flexible strain sensor array, formation of a reliable interconnection between the elastic sensitive regions and the rigid contact regions is vital to achieve required sensitivity and durability. In this work, a new design with an added interconnect layer on top of the interface regions is used to reduce the bending induced local stress. A stretchable conductive composite by blending carbon black (CB) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Ecoflex (CB‐PDMS/Ecoflex) is developed for the interconnect layer. CB‐PDMS/Ecoflex is compatible with the blade coating for facile processing, and demonstrates a similar low Young's modulus as that of the sensitive region composed of silver nanowires and PDMS. Printing processes are developed to fabricate a 4 × 9 flexible strain sensor array based on the proposed design and the interconnect layer. It is shown that the sensor with CB‐PDMS/Ecoflex interconnect layer can sustain more than 3000 bending cycles. Finally, the sensor array is integrated with a flexible active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode display to construct the bendable interactive surface, demonstrating the capability of controlling the ball movement via bending gestures.
Wavelength‐Selective Light‐Controlled Stepwise Photolysis from Single Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhou Yekui , Zhang Yuanwei , Lin Wenhai , Kesseli Samuel J. , Huang Ling , Zhao Yang , Yao Xikuang , Huang Kai , Han Gang
Published: July 2020

Light‐controlled sequential photolysis from a single nanoparticle is a challenge for controlled release. A wavelength‐selective sequential photolysis from single gold nanoparticles is reported for the first time. In particular, it is also demonstrated that such nanoparticle can be used to sequentially release two payloads in living cells. In principle, this system can be extended to sequential release of multiple different types of payloads by rational design of diverse photocleavable linkers. It is expected that this work can provide a new tool for better orderly controlling cellular events that request high spatiotemporal manners.
Deep Fluorescence Imaging by Laser‐Scanning Excitation and Artificial Neural Network Processing
Authors: Darwan Daryl , Lim Kang Rui Garrick , Wijaya Hadhi , Lim Zhi Chiaw , Wang Tian , Ang Wee Han , Tan Zhi‐Kuang
Published: July 2020

Fluorescence imaging using charge‐coupled device cameras has become the prevailing method for the investigation of cancer drug efficacy in in vivo preclinical trials involving animal models. The lack of imaging depth, however, limits the use of fluorescence techniques to small murine models, and compels large animal models to rely on more‐costly magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography techniques. Here, a wide field‐of‐view fluorescence imaging technique that uses near‐infrared (NIR) laser‐scanning excitation and efficient quantum dot photoluminescence is developed to achieve deep imaging across thick animal tissues. The smaller excitation volume from the scanning laser beam minimizes undesired background fluorescence, and allows signals to be detected and resolved at large tissue depths exceeding 10 mm. By implementing an artificial neural network algorithm, a twofold enhancement in imaging resolution is further demonstrated, which paves a promising way forward for the use of machine intelligence to enhance imaging quality in highly scattering media. The superior contrast of the imaging method is further corroborated by the imaging of a human palm, where bone structures are, for the first time, distinguishable using a NIR technique. In combination, the laser‐scanning approach and the artificial neural network image‐processing can constitute a low‐cost, yet powerful methodology for performing noninvasive deep‐imaging in larger animal models or human tissues.
Recent Advances in Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions of Thiazolones, Rhodanines and Their Derivatives
Authors: Huang Anqi , Guo Xing , Li Pengfei , Li Wenjun
Published: July 2020

Sulfur‐containing skeletons are widely found in natural products, drugs and bioactive compounds. As a direct and efficient access to sulfur‐functionalized carbon stereocenters, the catalytic enantioselective reactions of sulfur‐containing prochiral carbon centers have attracted great attention in the past few years. The review summarizes the chemistry of thiazolones, rhodanines and their derivatives in the context of catalytic enantioselective construction of sulfur‐containing skeletons.

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Visualizing and Analyzing 3D Metal Nanowire Networks for Stretchable Electronics
Authors: Forró Csaba , Ihle Stephan J. , Reichmuth Andreas M. , Han Hana , Stauffer Flurin , Weaver Sean , Bonnin Anne , Stampanoni Marco , Tybrandt Klas , Vörös János
Published: July 2020

Composites based on conductive nanowires embedded in elastomers are popular in a wide range of stretchable electronics applications where the requirements are either a stable or a highly increasing electrical resistance upon strain. Despite the widespread use of such composites, their production is not based in solid theoretical grounds but rather in empirical observations. The lack of such a framework is due to limitations in the methods for studying nanowire meshes, in particular the lack of knowledge on the spatial distribution of the nanowires and the change of their position under strain. This hurdle is overcome by collecting 3D reconstructed X‐ray tomographies of silver nanowires embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) under variable deformations and the missing structural information of the nanomaterial is obtained by unsupervised artificial intelligence image analysis. This allowed to reveal the precise assembly mechanisms of nanowire systems and derive a precise analytical formula for the piezoresistive response of the composite and finally to simulate the behavior of arbitrary samples in‐silico.
Tailoring microenvironment of adsorbents to achieve excellent CO2 uptakes from wet gases
Authors: Jin Meng‐Meng , Li Yu‐Xia , Gu Chen , Liu Xiao‐Qin , Sun Lin‐Bing
Published: July 2020

Due to the excellent adsorption capacity on CO2, Mg‐MOF‐74 is highly potential for carbon capture. However, the practical application is seriously hindered by the poor hydrolytic stability of Mg‐MOF‐74 even towards trace of moisture. Here we report a strategy by adjusting the microenvironment of Mg‐MOF‐74 from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic by coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDS, yielding M74@P), which markedly enhances the hydrolytic stability. Mg‐MOF‐74 is degraded obviously upon exposure to humid atmosphere (75% relative humidity) for 7 days, while M74@P retains its structure well even after 1 year. The dynamic breakthrough results show that the optimized M74@P sample can capture 6.65 mmol g−1 CO2 from wet CO2/N2 mixtures after 100 cycles, which is superior to Mg‐MOF‐74 (1.17 mmol g−1) and most reported adsorbents under comparable conditions (continuous flow adsorption from wet gases). The excellent adsorption capacity and hydrolytic stability make the present adsorbents highly promising for practical applications in carbon capture.
Complications from “Stem Cell Tourism” in Neurology
Authors: Julian Katherine , Yuhasz Nicholas , Rai Widjan , Salerno Jose A. , Imitola Jaime
Published: July 2020

“Stem cell tourism,” the practice of offering unproven cellular preparations to patients as approved therapy, is rising in neurology. Currently, the experiences of patients and reported complications from these procedures are unknown in the United States. We evaluate academic neurologists' experiences with stem cell tourism and assess perceived competency on discussing this topic with patients. We found a lack of neurologist preparedness to discuss stem cell therapies with patients and an alarming list of unreported complications from these unregulated procedures. We also identified an urgent need for neurologist education and the creation of a national registry for reporting patient complications resulting from experimental stem cell interventions. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:661–668
Melt spinning and characterization of hollow fibers from poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene)
Authors: Pelzer Martin , Vad Thomas , Becker Amrei , Gries Thomas , Markova Svetlana , Teplyakov Vladimir
Published: July 2020

In this article, the melt spinning behavior of poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene) (PMP) hollow fibers (HF) is examined. The melt spinning trials are carried out on a pilot scale melt spinning plant with different settings while a 10‐hole 2c‐shaped spinneret is used. It is found that the winding speed mainly affects the outer fiber diameter. The influence of different melt spinning parameters is investigated, in particular temperatures, take‐up velocities, and the use of quench air. For this purpose, the shape and crystalline structure of the fibers are analyzed using a light microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The shape of the fibers is mainly influenced by the temperature settings in the melt spinning process. As a reasonable lower limit, a melt spinning temperature of 280°C is identified. Concerning the crystallinity, a saturation going along with a slight reduction of the polymer chain orientation is observed at elevated take‐up velocities.
Influence of the Electrolyte Salt Concentration on the Rate Capability of Ultra‐Thick NCM 622 Electrodes
Authors: Kremer Lea Sophie , Danner Timo , Hein Simon , Hoffmann Alice , Prifling Benedikt , Schmidt Volker , Latz Arnulf , Wohlfahrt‐Mehrens Margret
Published: July 2020

In traditional Li‐ion batteries, the electrolyte consists of a Li‐conducting salt dissolved in organic solvents at a concentration of
1 mol L−1 (1 M). In this work, we use increased LiPF6 concentrations between 1 and 2.3 M to investigate the influence of the electrolyte salt concentration on the rate capability of ultra‐thick (49.5 mg cm−2) and thin (5.6 mg cm−2) NCM 622 electrodes, respectively. At higher electrolyte salt concentrations than 1 M, thin electrodes suffer from increased polarization, due to a higher viscosity and a reduced ionic conductivity. In contrast, by raising the salt concentration from 1 to 1.9 M the discharge capacity of ultra‐thick electrodes is increased by more than 50 % for current densities above 3 mA cm−2, which significantly improves their rate capability. 3D microstructure resolved simulations revealed that this effect results from the mitigation of Li‐ion depletion in the electrolyte filled pore space of ultra‐thick electrodes.
Time course of pupillary response to threat words before and after attention bias modification for transdiagnostic anxiety disorders: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Woody Mary L. , Vaughn‐Coaxum Rachel A. , Siegle Greg J. , Price Rebecca B.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Altered attention to threatening stimuli at initial and sustained stages of processing may be dissociable dimensions that influence the development and maintenance of transdiagnostic symptoms of anxiety, such as vigilance, and possibly require distinct intervention. Attention bias modification (ABM) interventions were created to implicitly train attention away from threatening stimuli and have shown efficacy in treating anxiety. ABM alters neurocognitive functioning during initial stages of threat processing, but less is known regarding effects of ABM on neural indices of threat processing at sustained (i.e., intermediate and late) stages, or if ABM‐related neural changes relate to symptom response. The current study utilized pupillary response as a temporally sensitive and cost‐effective peripheral marker of neurocognitive response to ABM.

Materials and Methods

In a randomized controlled trial, 79 patients with transdiagnostic anxiety provided baseline data, 70 were randomized to receive eight sessions of twice‐weekly ABM (n = 49) or sham training (n = 21), and 65 completed their assigned treatment condition and returned for post‐training assessment.

Results

Among ABM, but not sham, patients, pupillary response to threat words during initial and intermediate stages decreased from pre‐ to post‐training. Pre‐ to post‐training reductions in intermediate and late pupillary response to threat were positively correlated with reductions in patient‐reported vigilance among ABM, but not sham, patients.

Conclusions

All measured stages of threat processing had relevance in understanding the neural mechanisms of ABM, with overlapping yet dissociable roles exhibited within a single neurophysiological marker across an initial–intermediate–late time continuum. Pupillometry may be well suited to measure both target engagement and treatment outcome following ABM.
Transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with end stage renal disease
Authors: Khan Muhammad Zia , Khan Muhammad U. , Kalra Ankur , Krupica Troy , Kaluski Edo , Khan Safi U.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess contemporary national trends of comorbidities, outcomes, and health care resource utilization in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and SAVR).

Methods and Results

The National‐Inpatient‐Sample was used to study trends in patients with AS and ESRD undergoing TAVR and SAVR between January 2012 and December 2017. Of 12,550 patients, 5,735 underwent TAVR and 6,815 underwent SAVR. Over the years, the utilization of SAVR declined (from 82.0 to 37.7%); and increased for TAVR (from 18.0 to 62.3%; p < .001). Patients receiving TAVR were older (74.6 [9.1] vs. 66.8 years [9.1]), had a higher proportion of females (37.1 vs. 32.5%), Caucasians (68.7 vs. 60.9%) and Asian /Pacific Islanders (3.1 vs. 2.7%; p < .001 for all). The TAVR patients, despite having higher comorbidity burden (anemia, coronary artery disease, chronic pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease) had lower inpatient mortality and complications (ST‐elevation myocardial infarction, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, and need for mechanical ventilators and vasopressors). The median length of stay (13.9–6.5 days; p < .001) and cost of stay ($311,538.16 to $255,693.40; p < .001) reduced with TAVR; but remained unchanged with SAVR. Higher proportion of patients was discharged home after TAVR vs. SAVR.

Conclusion

Among patients with AS and ESRD, despite providing therapy to subjects with higher comorbidity burden, TAVR was associated with lower inpatient mortality, complications, length of stay, cost of care, and higher home disposition rates when compared with SAVR.
Polymer Blends of Pectin/Poly(acrylic acid) as Efficient Binders for Silicon Anodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Jian‐Tang , Wan Chih‐Chieh , Hong Jin‐Long
Published: July 2020

Polymeric binders have frequently been applied as an important component of Si‐based anodes in lithium‐ion batteries, because they can efficiently restrict the large volume change of Si nanoparticles (Si NPs) during charging/discharging cycles. Therefore, we developed a novel pectin/poly(acrylic acid) (PECAA/PAA) blend binder with reversible elasticity to sustain the volume change of Si NPs. Through the study on pure PAA and PEC/PAA(x) (x: weight fraction of PEC), a subtle balance between mechanical properties and density of interacting groups was found to be important in controlling the binding and electrochemical performances of the Si anodes. The PAA‐based Si anode is inferior in terms of the performance, but the addition of PEC resulted in the PEC/PAA(10) anode with an excellent binding and electrochemical performance. The PEC/PAA(10) anode exhibited a high capacity of 2386 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, significantly higher than 1508 mAh g−1 from the PAA anode. However, a further increase of PEC content adversely reduced the electrochemical performance of the PEC/PAA(20) and (30) anodes, owing to the decrease in the interacting COOH groups. Optimal composition adjustment is, therefore, of crucial importance in achieving a polymer blend binder with enhanced binding and electrochemical performances.
Co9S8 Nanoparticle‐Supported Nitrogen‐doped Carbon as a Robust Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Both Acidic and Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Illathvalappil Rajith , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: July 2020

The present work illustrates the synthesis of an efficient and durable catalyst for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) which is active both in the alkaline and acidic conditions by dispersing few‐layer graphitic carbon coated Co9S8 nanoparticles on the nitrogen‐doped carbon (NVC−G) support (Co9S8/NVC−G). The size of the Co9S8 nanoparticles is nearly 7–8 nm and the particles are found to be dispersed homogeneously on the NVC−G support. The few‐layer graphitic carbon formed on the surface of Co9S8 nanoparticles is assisting to accomplish their small size and it also prevents agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The ORR activity of the obtained material was analyzed in both 0.1 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions. Co9S8/NVC−G displays nearly 70 mV overpotential compared to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C in 0.1 M KOH solution. The half‐wave potential (E1/2) difference of the present system is nearly 75 mV with the commercial Pt/C. Co9S8/NVC−G displays promising ORR activity in the acidic conditions as well with nearly 140 mV overpotential compared to its Pt/C counterpart. The system shows about 170 mV lower E1/2 value with Pt/C. The system shows good stability both in acidic and basic conditions compared to the Pt/C system. Finally, testing of a single cell of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was performed by employing Co9S8/NVC−G as the cathode catalyst and Nafion‐212 as the proton exchange membrane. The system displays a maximum power density of 245 mW cm−2 in H2−O2 and 115 mW cm−2 in H2‐air feeding conditions.
Exosome Isolation by Ultracentrifugation and Precipitation and Techniques for Downstream Analyses
Authors: Coughlan Christina , Bruce Kimberley D. , Burgy Olivier , Boyd Timothy D. , Michel Cole R. , Garcia‐Perez Josselyn E. , Adame Vanesa , Anton Paige , Bettcher Brianne M. , Chial Heidi J. , Königshoff Melanie , Hsieh Elena W. Y. , Graner Michael , Potter Huntington
Published: July 2020

Exosomes are 50‐ to 150‐nm‐diameter extracellular vesicles secreted by all mammalian cells except mature red blood cells and contribute to diverse physiological and pathological functions within the body. Many methods have been used to isolate and analyze exosomes, resulting in inconsistencies across experiments and raising questions about how to compare results obtained using different approaches. Questions have also been raised regarding the purity of the various preparations with regard to the sizes and types of vesicles and to the presence of lipoproteins. Thus, investigators often find it challenging to identify the optimal exosome isolation protocol for their experimental needs. Our laboratories have compared ultracentrifugation and commercial precipitation‐ and column‐based exosome isolation kits for exosome preparation. Here, we present protocols for exosome isolation using two of the most commonly used methods, ultracentrifugation and precipitation, followed by downstream analyses. We use NanoSight nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow cytometry (Cytek®) to determine exosome concentrations and sizes. Imaging flow cytometry can be utilized to both size exosomes and immunophenotype surface markers on exosomes (ImageStream®). High‐performance liquid chromatography followed by nano‐flow liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) of the exosome fractions can be used to determine the presence of lipoproteins, with LCMS able to provide a proteomic profile of the exosome preparations. We found that the precipitation method was six times faster and resulted in a ∼2.5‐fold higher concentration of exosomes per milliliter compared to ultracentrifugation. Both methods yielded extracellular vesicles in the size range of exosomes, and both preparations included apoproteins. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Pre‐analytic fluid collection and processing

Basic Protocol 2: Exosome isolation by ultracentrifugation

Alternate Protocol 1: Exosome isolation by precipitation

Basic Protocol 3: Analysis of exosomes by NanoSight nanoparticle tracking analysis

Alternate Protocol 2: Analysis of exosomes by flow cytometry and imaging flow cytometry

Basic Protocol 4: Downstream analysis of exosomes using high‐performance liquid chromatography

Basic Protocol 5: Downstream analysis of the exosome proteome using nano‐flow liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
Parallelization implementation of the multi‐scale retinex image‐enhancement algorithm based on a many integrated core platform
Authors: Huang Fang
Published: July 2020

Image‐enhancement algorithms, for example, median filtering algorithms, Gaussian filtering algorithms, and the multiscale Retinex (MSR) algorithm, are widely used in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image processing to resolve the problems of poor clarity, insufficient contrast, and weak adaptability of the aerial images. Aiming to improve the low efficiency of processing a large volume of UAV images using the MSR algorithm, this research realized a parallel MSR algorithm using the OpenMP programming model based on Intel's many integrated core (MIC) platform. First, the principle and serial implementation of the MSR algorithm were reviewed in detail, and the algorithm's hotspots were determined with the Intel VTune tool. Then, the corresponding parallel algorithm was designed and implemented. After checking the correctness of the parallel algorithm, systematical experiments on UAV images of different sizes were carried out. According to the experiments performed in the course of this work, the parallel MSR interpolation algorithm attained a speedup factor of 32 on two Intel MIC acceleration cards with 60 cores, which indicated that the parallel algorithm greatly reduced processing time and maximized speed and performance.
Conjugated and Conducting Organic Polymers: The First 150 Years
Authors: Rasmussen Seth C.
Published: July 2020

Conductive organic polymers are most commonly generated from the oxidation or reduction of conjugated polymers. Although such conjugated polymers are typically viewed as modern materials, the earliest examples of these polymers date back to the early 19th century. The modern era of conjugated polymers began with the first reports of their conductive nature in the early 1960s. However, it was advances in the 1970s that brought particular focus to these materials with the first example of conductivity values in the metallic regime, for which the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Hideki Shirakawa, Alan MacDiarmid, and Alan Heeger. Unfortunately, the historical narrative of these polymers is currently quite muddled in the primary literature, with various inaccuracies commonly propagated. In an effort to present a more accurate account as a resource for the field, the present report will review the first 150 years of the four primary parent polymers−polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyacetylene, and polythiophene, from their early origins in 1834 to their rapid development in the mid‐1980s.
Performance analysis of M‐APSK generalised spatial modulation with constellation reassignment
Authors: Khalid Ahmad , Quazi Tahmid , Xu Hongjun , Patel Sulaiman Saleem
Published: July 2020

Generalised spatial modulation (GSM) is a recently developed multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) technique aimed at improving data rates over conventional spatial modulation (SM) systems. However, for identical antenna array size and configurations (AASC), the bit error rate (BER) of GSM systems in comparison with SM systems is degraded. Recently, a GSM system with constellation reassignment (GSM‐CR) was proposed in order to improve the BER of traditional GSM systems. However, this study focused on M‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M‐QAM) schemes. The focus of this paper is the application of a circular constellations scheme, in particular, amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) modulation, to GSM and GSM‐CR systems. An analytical bound for the average BER of the proposed M‐APSK GSM and M‐APSK GSM‐CR systems over fading channels is derived. The accuracy of this bound is verified using Monte Carlo simulation results. A 4 × 4 16‐APSK GSM‐CR system achieves a gain of 2.5 dB at BER of 10−5 over the traditional 16‐APSK GSM system with similar AASC. Similarly, a 6 × 4 32‐APSK GSM‐CR system achieves a gain of 2 dB at BER of 10−5 over equivalent 32‐APSK GSM system.
Hedonic hunger as a mechanism of action in outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa
Authors: Felonis Christina R. , Juarascio Adrienne S.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Hedonic hunger (i.e., the motivation to consume palatable foods in the absence of an energy deficit) has been associated with the onset and maintenance of loss of control (LOC) eating. However, it remains underexplored as a mechanism of action in outpatient cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for bulimia nervosa (BN). In the present study, we hypothesized that reductions in hedonic hunger would significantly mediate reductions in overall eating pathology and LOC episodes in two samples (N1 = 28, N2 = 23) of 20 and 16 sessions, respectively.

Method

Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) and Power of Food Scale (PFS) at pre‐ and post‐treatment.

Results:

In both samples, EDE Global scores, LOC episodes, and PFS Total scores significantly improved over the course of treatment. In Sample 1, significant indirect effects of PFS Total scores on EDE Global scores and LOC episodes were observed. In Sample 2, the indirect effect of PFS Total scores was significant on EDE Global scores and nonsignificant on LOC episodes though it followed a similar pattern of change.

Discussion

Results suggest that reductions in hedonic hunger are associated with better outcomes in CBT for BN. Replication and further research is needed to elucidate the treatment components driving these reductions.
A new direction for differentiating animal activity based on measuring angular velocity about the yaw axis
Authors: Gunner Richard M. , Wilson Rory P. , Holton Mark D. , Scott Rebecca , Hopkins Phil , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: July 2020

The use of animal‐attached data loggers to quantify animal movement has increased in popularity and application in recent years. High‐resolution tri‐axial acceleration and magnetometry measurements have been fundamental in elucidating fine‐scale animal movements, providing information on posture, traveling speed, energy expenditure, and associated behavioral patterns. Heading is a key variable obtained from the tandem use of magnetometers and accelerometers, although few field investigations have explored fine‐scale changes in heading to elucidate differences in animal activity (beyond the notable exceptions of dead‐reckoning).

This paper provides an overview of the value and use of animal heading and a prime derivative, angular velocity about the yaw axis, as an important element for assessing activity extent with potential to allude to behaviors, using “free‐ranging” Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) as a model species.

We also demonstrate the value of yaw rotation for assessing activity extent, which varies over the time scales considered and show that various scales of body rotation, particularly rate of change of yaw, can help resolve differences between fine‐scale behavior‐specific movements. For example, oscillating yaw movements about a central point of the body's arc implies bouts of foraging, while unusual circling behavior, indicative of conspecific interactions, could be identified from complete revolutions of the longitudinal axis.

We believe this approach should help identification of behaviors and “space‐state” approaches to enhance our interpretation of behavior‐based movements, particularly in scenarios where acceleration metrics have limited value, such as for slow‐moving animals.
Unlocking the potential of historical abundance datasets to study biomass change in flying insects
Authors: Kinsella Rebecca S. , Thomas Chris D. , Crawford Terry J. , Hill Jane K. , Mayhew Peter J. , Macgregor Callum J.
Published: July 2020

Trends in insect abundance are well established in some datasets, but far less is known about how abundance measures translate into biomass trends. Moths (Lepidoptera) provide particularly good opportunities to study trends and drivers of biomass change at large spatial and temporal scales, given the existence of long‐term abundance datasets. However, data on the body masses of moths are required for these analyses, but such data do not currently exist.

To address this data gap, we collected empirical data in 2018 on the forewing length and dry mass of field‐sampled moths, and used these to train and test a statistical model that predicts the body mass of moth species from their forewing lengths (with refined parameters for Crambidae, Erebidae, Geometridae and Noctuidae).

Modeled biomass was positively correlated, with high explanatory power, with measured biomass of moth species (R2 = 0.886 ± 0.0006, across 10,000 bootstrapped replicates) and of mixed‐species samples of moths (R2 = 0.873 ± 0.0003), showing that it is possible to predict biomass to an informative level of accuracy, and prediction error was smaller with larger sample sizes.

Our model allows biomass to be estimated for historical moth abundance datasets, and so our approach will create opportunities to investigate trends and drivers of insect biomass change over long timescales and broad geographic regions.
Microglia modulate gliotransmission through the regulation of VAMP2 proteins in astrocytes
Authors: Takata‐Tsuji Fuyuko , Chounlamountri Naura , Do Le‐Duy , Philippot Camille , Novion Ducassou Julia , Couté Yohann , Ben Achour Sarrah , Honnorat Jérôme , Place Christophe , Pascual Olivier
Published: July 2020

Vesicular release is one of the release mechanisms of various signaling molecules. In neurons, the molecular machinery involved in vesicular release has been designed through evolution to trigger fast and synchronous release of neurotransmitters. Similar machinery with a slower kinetic and a slightly different molecular assembly allows astrocytes to release various transmitters such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glutamate, and D‐serine. Astrocytes are important modulators of neurotransmission through gliotransmitter release. We recently demonstrated that microglia, another type of glia, release ATP to modulate synaptic transmission using astrocytes as intermediate. We now report that microglia regulate astrocytic gliotransmission through the regulation of SNARE proteins in astrocytes. Indeed, we found that gliotransmission triggered by P2Y1 agonist is impaired in slices from transgenic mice devoid of microglia. Using total internal reflection fluorescence imaging, we found that the vesicular release of gliotransmitter by astrocytes was different in cultures lacking microglia compared to vesicular release in astrocytes cocultured with microglia. Quantification of the kinetic of vesicular release indicates that the overall release appears to be faster in pure astrocyte cultures with more vesicles close to the membrane when compared to astrocytes cocultured with microglia. Finally, biochemical investigation of SNARE protein expression indicates an upregulation of VAMP2 in absence of microglia. Altogether, these results indicate that microglia seems to be involved in the regulation of an astrocytic phenotype compatible with proper gliotransmission. The mechanisms described in this study could be of importance for central nervous system diseases where microglia are activated.
A comparative study of 3E (energy, exergy, and economy) analysis of various solar stills
Authors: Muthu Manokar A. , Vimala M. , Prince Winston D. , Rajendran D. R. , Sathyamurthy Ravishankar , Kabeel A. E.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, an experimental study of the conventional solar still (CSS), the conventional solar still with glass cooling (CSSGC), the conventional solar still with basin heating (CSSBH), and the conventional solar still with glass cooling and basin heating (CSSGCBH) was carried out on the basis of the distilled water production, the energy efficiency (EnE), the exergy efficiency (ExE), and economic analysis. The CSSGC and CSSBH contain Peltier modules for cooling the glass and heating the basin. The evaporative heat transfer coefficient for all the experimental stills was calculated. The values of daily distilled water production from the CSSGCBH, CSSBH, CSSGC, and CSS were 4.56, 3.79, 2.49, and 1.89 kg/m2, respectively. The daily distilled yield of the CSSBH and CSSGCBH were increased by 58.55% and 50.13%, respectively, as compared with the CSS. Moreover, the daily EnE and ExE of the CSSGCBH were 27.03% and 3.5%, respectively, whereas the EnE and ExE of the CSS were 10.88% and 1.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the cost of distilled water production was found to be 0.26, 0.35, 0.53, and 0.64 $/day for the CSS, CSSGC, CSSBH, and CSSGCBH, respectively, if the selling price of the distilled water was Rs10.
Defining in vivo dose‐response curves for kidney DNA adduct formation of aristolochic acid I in rat, mouse and human by an in vitro and physiologically based kinetic modeling approach
Authors: Abdullah Rozaini , Wesseling Sebastiaan , Spenkelink Bert , Louisse Jochem , Punt Ans , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M.
Published: July 2020

Aristolochic acid I (AAI) is a well‐known genotoxic kidney carcinogen. Metabolic conversion of AAI into the DNA‐reactive aristolactam‐nitrenium ion is involved in the mode of action of tumor formation. This study aims to predict in vivo AAI‐DNA adduct formation in the kidney of rat, mouse and human by translating the in vitro concentration‐response curves for AAI‐DNA adduct formation to the in vivo situation using physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling‐based reverse dosimetry. DNA adduct formation in kidney proximal tubular LLC‐PK1 cells exposed to AAI was quantified by liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. Subsequently, the in vitro concentration‐response curves were converted to predicted in vivo dose‐response curves in rat, mouse and human kidney using PBK models. Results obtained revealed a dose‐dependent increase in AAI‐DNA adduct formation in the rat, mouse and human kidney and the predicted DNA adduct levels were generally within an order of magnitude compared with values reported in the literature. It is concluded that the combined in vitro PBK modeling approach provides a novel way to define in vivo dose‐response curves for kidney DNA adduct formation in rat, mouse and human and contributes to the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal testing.
Toward a micro‐level perspective on acculturation among U.S. Hispanic college students: A daily diary study
Authors: Schwartz Seth J. , Martinez  Charles R. , Meca Alan , Szabó Ágnes , Ward Colleen , Cobb Cory L. , Cano Miguel Ángel , Unger Jennifer B. , Salas‐Wright Christopher P.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The present study introduces a daily, micro‐level perspective on acculturation using a sample of Hispanic college students in Miami.

Methods

We conducted a 12‐day diary study with a sample of first‐ and second‐generation Hispanic college students in Miami. Outcome variables were measured on Days 1 and 12, and acculturation components (practices, identities, and values) were measured on Days 2–11. Daily fluctuations in acculturation components between Days 2 and 11 were examined as predictors of well‐being, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing problems on Day 12.

Results

Fluctuations in comfort with speaking English negatively predicted three of the four well‐being outcomes and positively predicted all of the internalizing and externalizing indicators. Fluctuations in collectivist values predicted two of the well‐being outcomes and both anxiety and depressive symptoms, and fluctuations in ethnic identity predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Daily volatility in comfort with English, collectivist values, and ethnic identity appear to be most distressing.
Recovering gold from mine tailings: a selection of reactors for bio‐oxidation at high pulp densities
Authors: Rodrigues Michael LM , Giardini Romeu MN , Pereira Igor JUV , Leão Versiane A
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Biomining is one of the few cost‐effective technologies that can be applied to low‐grade ores and also mining tailings. In the current work, the bio‐oxidation of a gold sulfide flotation tailing at high pulp densities was investigated and information concerning the high cyanide consumption commonly reported in bio‐oxidative processes is discussed in order to promote less use of this chemical reagent during cyanidation.

RESULTS

Various reactors were compared alongside the performance of strains of At. ferrooxidans and S. thermosulfidooxidans. Shaking flask tests performed using 5% (w/v) solids revealed that the mesophiles presented a faster adaptation to the solids and resulted in better tailings oxidation as compared to the moderate thermophile. Rolling bottle (pilot‐scale rotating drum) experiments, carried out afterwards, enabled the adaptation of the At. ferrooxidans strain to 20% (w/v) solids. This adapted strain was thus utilized in a 10 L stirred tank reactor (pilot‐scale stirred tank) experiment at the same pulp density. The concentration of the ferrous iron used in the bio‐oxidation step had a detrimental effect on the cyanide consumption during cyanidation of the bio‐oxidized material. The cyanide consumption varied from 6.9 to 13.7 kg t−1 as the initial Fe2+ concentration increased from 0.0 to 10.0 g L−1 Fe2+, respectively, in the shaking flasks.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher pulp densities (20% (w/v) solids) resulted in a lower cyanide consumption, which was around 7.0 kg t−1 in the experiments carried out in both rolling bottle and stirred tank reactors when 5.0 g L−1 Fe2+ was used during bio‐oxidation. This cyanide consumption was associated with a gold extraction of around 95%.
Click chemistry‐inspired design, synthesis, and molecular docking studies of biscoumarin derivatives using carbon‐based acid catalyst
Authors: Agarwal Dinesh K. , Sethiya Ayushi , Teli Pankaj , Manhas Anu , Soni Jay , Sahiba Nusrat , Jha Prakash C. , Agarwal Shikha , Goyal Pradeep K.
Published: July 2020

A green and eco‐benign synthesis of biscoumarin derivatives using carbon sulfonic acid, a solid support catalyst has been described. The reaction involved a one‐pot two‐component reaction of 4‐hydroxycoumarin and aldehyde using carbon sulfonic acid involving Knoevenegal‐Michael condensation. A series of aromatic (bearing electron withdrawing and releasing group) and heteroaromatic aldehydes has been converted to biscoumarins with excellent isolated yields. The reaction is in compliance with green principles, that is, inexpensive catalyst, easy to prepare, nontoxic, easy handling, reusable up to five recycle runs, easy separation, short reaction time, no need of time consuming column purification, high yielding, and so on. The synthesized catalyst and biscoumarin derivatives were well characterized by spectral analysis. The molecular modeling studies showed that the designed molecular scaffolds (3a‐j) showed outstanding interaction with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) proteins. It was noticed that 3f (−17.55 kJ/mol) and 3d (−26.23 kJ/mol) showed the highest docking score against CYP3A4 and MTHFR proteins, respectively.
Modeling and scheduling of residential electric loads for energy self‐sufficiency
Authors: Narayanankutty Ravishankar Achathuparambil , Sankar Ashok , Sundaramoorthy Kumaravel
Published: July 2020

The utility company enforces a limit on the amount of energy injected into the utility grid from residential renewable plants due to the stability/protection concerns caused by the reverse power flow. Under this scenario, a proper load scheduling at the consumer end is necessary to ensure maximum renewable energy utilization during the surplus generation. This article proposes a novel objective function to impart energy self‐sufficiency for residential consumers who own electric vehicles and renewable energy power plants. The proposed objective function aims to promote the consumers to utilize the local sources such as the battery of an electric vehicle, solar PV, wind, etc., effectively through load scheduling. A dedicated program in MATLAB platform is developed for load scheduling, and an experimental case study is conducted using the forecasted demand and generation profiles collected from 10 typical residential consumers. Three new techno‐economic parameters namely, aggregate daily exchanged energy, daily average discharged energy, and daily average self‐sufficiency hours are proposed to conduct the comparative study. An Average Rank ranking method is introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed and conventional objective functions statistically. The result analysis proves that load scheduling using the proposed objective function secure the best Average Rank of 2.02 compared to the conventional objective functions.
Maintaining barrier function of infected gingival epithelial cells by inhibition of DNA methylation
Authors: Barros Silvana P. , Hefni Eman , Fahimipour Farahnaz , Kim Steven , Arora Payal
Published: July 2020

Background

Infection and inflammation induce epigenetic changes that alter gene expression. In periodontal disease, inflammation, and microbial dysbiosis occur, which can lead to compromised barrier function of the gingival epithelia. Here, we tested the hypotheses that infection of cultured human gingival epithelial (HGEp) cells with Porphyromonas gingivalis disrupts barrier function by inducing epigenetic alterations and that these effects can be blocked by inhibitors of DNA methylation.

Methods

Primary HGEp cells were infected with P. gingivalis either in the presence or absence of the non‐nucleoside DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors RG108, (–) epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), or curcumin. Barrier function was assessed as transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). DNA methylation and mRNA abundance were quantified for genes encoding components of three cell‐cell junction complexes, CDH1, PKP2, and TJP1. Cell morphology and the abundance of cell‐cell junction proteins were evaluated by confocal microscopy.

Results

Compared to non‐infected cells, P. gingivalis infection decreased TEER (P < 0.0001) of HGEp cells; increased methylation of the CDH1, PKP2, and TJP1 (P < 0.0001); and reduced their expression (mRNA abundance) (P < 0.005). Pretreatment with DNMT inhibitors prevented these infection‐induced changes in HGEp cells, as well as the altered morphology associated with infection.

Conclusion

Pathogenic infection induced changes in DNA methylation and impaired the barrier function of cultured primary gingival epithelial cells, which suggests a mechanism for systemic consequences of periodontal disease. Inhibition of these events by non‐nucleoside DNMT inhibitors represents a potential strategy to treat periodontal disease.
Geopolitical risk and tourism: Evidence from dynamic heterogeneous panel models
Authors: Lee Chien‐Chiang , Olasehinde‐Williams Godwin , Akadiri Seyi Saint
Published: July 2020

This paper provides an empirical insight into how geopolitical risks impact international tourism demand. An augmented tourism demand function was developed and empirically estimated in line with classical theory for a panel of 16 countries from 2005M1 to 2017M12 through the AMG and CCEMG estimation techniques that address underlying heterogeneity, non‐stationarity, and cross‐sectional dependence. The study further examines the potential moderating effect of covid‐19 outbreak on the relationship between geopolitical risk and tourism by investigating the interactive effect of past outbreaks and geopolitical risks on tourism demand. Additional insight on causal relations between geopolitical risks and tourism demand was obtained using panel bootstrapping technique. The results show that geopolitical risk negatively impacts tourism demand, and that pandemic outbreaks aggravate the negative impact of geopolitical risks on tourism demand. Panel causality outcomes further confirm that geopolitical risk is a significant predictor of tourism demand (captured by either tourism receipts or number of inbound tourists). Our findings confirm that the dynamic attributes of both local and international political environments significantly impact the consumption decision of tourists and the economic performance of tourist destinations. Our recommendation is that pre‐crisis, in proposing policy directions for tourism sector development, policy‐makers should establish crisis management plans to protect the tourism sector. Post‐crisis, policy‐makers should initiate aggressive recovery marketing strategies to re‐establish the image of safety and attractiveness required to reassure potential tourists of the safety of the destination, thereby ensuring return to competitiveness and economic recovery.