bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimum water requirements of Japanese lawngrass for survival during prolonged drought
Authors: Hong Mu , Bremer Dale J.
Published: November 2020

Water restrictions on irrigation are rarely science based and may cause irreversible damage to turfgrass or inadvertently waste water. Our objectives were to evaluate effects of minimum water applications to ‘Meyer’ Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) on (a) canopy performance during prolonged drought and (b) survival and recovery thereafter. Meyer was watered weekly with 0–30% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) replacement for ≥56 d in two consecutive summers under a rainout shelter near Manhattan, KS. Soil moisture and canopy performance (normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI], percentage green cover [PGC], and turfgrass quality) were measured weekly. Results indicated 20–30% ETo slowed the decline in canopy performance compared with no water inputs. Irrigation at 30% ETo maintained Meyer at >75% PGC throughout the first year, but even Meyer at 0 and 5% ETo recovered after full irrigation resumed. In the second year, 30% ETo maintained Meyer at >25% PGC throughout the drought and recovered thereafter, but plots with 0 and 5% ETo only recovered to 30–42% PGC after 50 d of full irrigation. Depending on the weather, reducing irrigation from the recommended 60% ETo for warm‐season turfgrasses to 30% ETo saved 9–11 cm of water; further reductions to 20% ETo saved another 3–4 cm during the droughts of ≥56 d with insignificant additional PGC reductions (<18%). Water restrictions during severe droughts, such as limiting weekly irrigation of Meyer Japanese lawngrass to 20–30% ETo, could reduce turfgrass damage and conserve water.
A priori estimation of sequencing effort in complex microbial metatranscriptomes
Authors: Monleon‐Getino Toni , Frias‐Lopez Jorge
Published: November 2020

Metatranscriptome analysis or the analysis of the expression profiles of whole microbial communities has the additional challenge of dealing with a complex system with dozens of different organisms expressing genes simultaneously. An underlying issue for virtually all metatranscriptomic sequencing experiments is how to allocate the limited sequencing budget while guaranteeing that the libraries have sufficient depth to cover the breadth of expression of the community. Estimating the required sequencing depth to effectively sample the target metatranscriptome using RNA‐seq is an essential first step to obtain robust results in subsequent analysis and to avoid overexpansion, once the information contained in the library reaches saturation. Here, we present a method to calculate the sequencing effort using a simulated series of metatranscriptomic/metagenomic matrices. This method is based on an extrapolation rarefaction curve using a Weibull growth model to estimate the maximum number of observed genes as a function of sequencing depth. This approach allowed us to compute the effort at different confidence intervals and to obtain an approximate a priori effort based on an initial fraction of sequences. The analytical pipeline presented here may be successfully used for the in‐depth and time‐effective characterization of complex microbial communities, representing a useful tool for the microbiome research community.
Unraveling Shuttle Effect and Suppression Strategy in Lithium/Sulfur Cells by In Situ/Operando X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopic Characterization
Authors: Jia Lujie , Wang Jian , Ren Shuaiyang , Ren Guoxi , Jin Xiang , Kao Licheng , Feng Xuefei , Yang Feipeng , Wang Qi , Pan Ludi , Li Qingtian , Liu Yi‐sheng , Wu Yang , Liu Gao , Feng Jun , Fan Shoushan , Ye Yifan , Guo Jinghua , Zhang Yuegang
Published: November 2020

The polysulfides shuttle effect represents a great challenge in achieving high capacity and long lifespan of lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cells. A comprehensive understanding of the shuttle‐related sulfur speciation and diffusion process is vital for addressing this issue. Herein, we employed in situ/operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to trace the migration of polysulfides across the Li/S cells by precisely monitoring the sulfur chemical speciation at the cathodic electrolyte‐separator and electrolyte‐anode interfaces, respectively, in a real‐time condition. After we adopted a shuttle‐suppressing strategy by introducing an electrocatalytic layer of twinborn bismuth sulfide/bismuth oxide nanoclusters in a carbon matrix (BSOC), we found the Li/S cell showed greatly improved sulfur utilization and longer life span. The operando S K‐edge XAS results revealed that the BSOC modification was bi‐functional: trapping polysulfides and catalyzing conversion of sulfur species simultaneously. We elucidated that the polysulfide trapping‐and‐catalyzing effect of the BSOC electrocatalytic layer resulted in an effective lithium anode protection. Our results could offer potential stratagem for designing more advanced Li/S cells.
A time‐frequency dependent coherence model for seismic ground motions
Authors: Cui X.Z. , Hong H.P.
Published: November 2020

There are several well‐known empirical lagged spatial coherence models for seismic ground motions proposed in the literature. The models are often developed based on the ordinary Fourier transform. None of the parametric models depend on time and frequency. The present study is focused on the development of the time‐frequency dependent (TF‐dependent) lagged coherence model for the seismic ground motions. The estimation of the TF‐dependent lagged coherence is carried out using the records obtained from dense arrays in Taiwan by applying the S‐transform—a TF‐dependent windowed Fourier transform. The spectral analysis results show that the TF‐dependent lagged coherence decreases with increasing separation or increasing frequency. Most importantly, it is shown that the TF‐dependent lagged coherence varies with the time‐varying intensity within the duration of the records; a higher normalized intensity corresponds to a higher lagged coherence. This feature is included in the developed empirical parametric TF‐dependent lagged coherence model, which is a function of the frequency, the separation between recording sites, and the normalized intensity. A numerical example illustrating its application to simulate nonstationary ground motions at multiple points is presented by using the time‐frequency spectral representation method that was developed based on the S‐transform and discrete orthonormal S‐transform.
Hybrid machine learning approach for community and overlapping community detection in social network
Authors: M Divyapushpalakshmi , R Ramalakshmi
Published: November 2020

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is one of the significant fields of sociology, which probes many researchers toward it. In SNA, overall social network (such as Facebook, Twitter, and so on) structure is learned by community detection process. However, dynamic nature and involvement of numerous users in social network limits the accuracy of community detection process. In this research work, we propose a novel dual examining and hybrid machine learning approaches for community and overlapping community detection. We collect recent tweets from twitter social network in real time as training dataset. An undirected graph is constructed over collected twitter dataset to enhance the community detection process. Upon constructed graph, informative examining and structural examining processes are applied. Informative examining results with informative factor whereas structural examining identifies influencing node. Structural examining is performed using Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm based on centrality factor and node strength factor. By utilizing results from dual examining processes, community detection is performed by a hybrid machine learning approach Naïve Bayes with Firefly Algorithm. Overlapping community detection is followed up to the community detection using Fuzzy with neural network classifier. Here, Jaccard Similarity factor, overlapping coefficient, and modularity are considered in fuzzy with neural network. Extensive simulation results show better performance than single examining methods in terms of accuracy of mutual information, ratio of community, run time, and average degree in proposed hybrid machine learning approach‐based community detection.
Impacts of land use, population, and climate change on global food security
Authors: Molotoks Amy , Smith Pete , Dawson Terence P.
Published: November 2020

In recent years, global hunger has begun to rise, returning to levels from a decade ago. Climate change is a key driver behind these recent rises and is one of the leading causes of severe food crises. When coupled with population growth and land use change, future climate variability is predicted to have profound impacts on global food security. We examine future global impacts of climate variability, population, and land use change on food security to 2050, using the modeling framework FEEDME (Food Estimation and Export for Diet and Malnutrition Evaluation). The model uses national food balance sheets (FBS) to determine mean per capita calories, hence incorporating an assumption that minimum dietary energy requirements (MDER) remain constant. To account for climate variability, we use two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), alongside three Shared Socio‐economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios incorporating land use and population change within the model. Our results indicate that SSP scenarios have a larger impact on future food insecurity, in particular because of projected changes in population. Countries with a projected decrease in population growth had higher food security, while those with a projected rapid population growth tended to experience the worst impacts on food security. Although climate change scenarios had an effect on future crop yields, population growth appeared to be the dominant driver of change in undernourishment prevalence. Therefore, strategies to mitigate the consequences of projected population growth, including improved maternal health care, increasing equality of access to food at the national level, closing the yield gap, and changes in trade patterns, are essential to ensuring severe future food insecurity is avoided.
Effective connectivity between bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and amygdala: Reproducibility and relation to anxiety
Authors: Hofmann David , Straube Thomas
Published: November 2020

In a previous study, we investigated the resting‐state fMRI effective connectivity (EC) between the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the laterobasal (LB), centromedial (CM), and superficial (SF) amygdala. We found strong negative EC from all amygdala nuclei to the BNST, while the BNST showed positive EC to the amygdala. However, the validity of these findings remains unclear, since a reproduction in different samples has not been done. Moreover, the association of EC with measures of anxiety offers deeper insight, due to the known role of the BNST and amygdala in fear and anxiety. Here, we aimed to reproduce our previous results in three additional samples. We used spectral Dynamic Causal Modeling to estimate the EC between the BNST, the LB, CM, and SF, and its association with two measures of self‐reported anxiety. Our results revealed consistency over samples with regard to the negative EC from the amygdala nuclei to the BNST, while the positive EC from BNST to the amygdala was also found, but weaker and more heterogenic. Moreover, we found the BNST‐BNST EC showing a positive and the CM‐BNST EC, showing a negative association with anxiety. Our study suggests a reproducible pattern of negative EC from the amygdala to the BNST along with weaker positive EC from the BNST to the amygdala. Moreover, less BNST self‐inhibition and more inhibitory influence from the CM to the BNST seems to be a pattern of EC that is related to higher anxiety.
A comprehensive study on electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography sensitivity to cortical and subcortical sources
Authors: Piastra Maria Carla , Nüßing Andreas , Vorwerk Johannes , Clerc Maureen , Engwer Christian , Wolters Carsten H.
Published: November 2020

Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) maps are a good way to visualize electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) sensitivity. SNR maps extend the knowledge about the modulation of EEG and MEG signals by source locations and orientations and can therefore help to better understand and interpret measured signals as well as source reconstruction results thereof. Our work has two main objectives. First, we investigated the accuracy and reliability of EEG and MEG finite element method (FEM)‐based sensitivity maps for three different head models, namely an isotropic three and four‐compartment and an anisotropic six‐compartment head model. As a result, we found that ignoring the cerebrospinal fluid leads to an overestimation of EEG SNR values. Second, we examined and compared EEG and MEG SNR mappings for both cortical and subcortical sources and their modulation by source location and orientation. Our results for cortical sources show that EEG sensitivity is higher for radial and deep sources and MEG for tangential ones, which are the majority of sources. As to the subcortical sources, we found that deep sources with sufficient tangential source orientation are recordable by the MEG. Our work, which represents the first comprehensive study where cortical and subcortical sources are considered in highly detailed FEM‐based EEG and MEG SNR mappings, sheds a new light on the sensitivity of EEG and MEG and might influence the decision of brain researchers or clinicians in their choice of the best modality for their experiment or diagnostics, respectively.
Characterizing spatial and temporal variation in 18O and 2H content of New Zealand river water for better understanding of hydrologic processes
Authors: Yang Jing , Dudley Bruce D. , Montgomery Kelsey , Hodgetts Will
Published: November 2020

Time series of hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios (δ2H and δ18O) in rivers can be used to quantify groundwater contributions to streamflow, and timescales of catchment storage. However, these isotope hydrology techniques rely on distinct spatial or temporal patterns of δ2H and δ18O within the hydrologic cycle. In New Zealand, lack of understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of δ2H and δ18O of river water hinders development of regional and national‐scale hydrological models. We measured δ2H and δ18O monthly, together with river flow rates at 58 locations across New Zealand over a two‐year period. Results show: (a) general patterns of decreasing δ2H and δ18O with increasing latitude were altered by New Zealand's major mountain ranges; δ2H and δ18O were distinctly lower in rivers fed from higher elevation catchments, and in eastern rain‐shadow areas of both islands; (b) river water δ2H and δ18O values were partly controlled by local catchment characteristics (catchment slope, PET, catchment elevation, and upstream lake area) that influence evaporation processes; (c) regional differences in evaporation caused the slope of the river water line (i.e., the relationship between δ2H and δ18O in river water) for the (warmer) North Island to be lower than that of the (cooler, mountain‐dominated) South Island; (d) δ2H seasonal offsets (i.e., the difference between seasonal peak and mean values) for individual sites ranged from 0.50‰ to 5.07‰. Peak values of δ18O and δ2H were in late summer, but values peaked 1 month later at the South Island sites, likely due to greater snow‐melt contributions to streamflow. Strong spatial differences in river water δ2H and δ18O caused by orographic rainfall effects and evaporation may inform studies of water mixing across landscapes. Generally distinct seasonal isotope cycles, despite the large catchment sizes of rivers studied, are encouraging for transit time analysis applications.
The Long, Long Way to Bottromycin
Authors: Kazmaier Uli
Published: November 2020

Although discovered already in the middle of last century, the bottromycins are a unique class of natural products, and a real challenge for all kind of researchers trying to get familiar with them. The structure elucidation was a tour de force and last over 50 years. Synthetic approaches were also painful and it was actually the first and so far only synthesis which confirmed/revised the previously proposed structures. Recent investigations on the biosynthetic pathway indicate that the bottromycins belong to the ribosomally synthesized and posttranslational modified peptides, but that also the biosynthesis does not proceed along the “usual way”. This review will cover the development of bottromycin research from the beginning until today, with a focus on synthetic studies, total synthesis and modifications.
Increased anxiety and depression in patients with gynecologic cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A retrospective study from Japan
Authors: Mogami Tae , Onuma Emi , Aoki Mihoko , Kamiya Natsuko , Sukegawa Akiko , Miyagi Etsuko , Sakakibara Hideya
Published: November 2020

Synopsis

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, patients with cancer are susceptible to psychological stress, especially during cancer treatment. Timely evaluation is necessary to prevent psychological stress.
Understanding the retail business owners' perception of social media tax in Uganda
Authors: Kahiigi Evelyn Kigozi , Semwanga Agnes Rwashana
Published: November 2020

Currently, the adoption and use of social media is widespread in various sectors, including retail businesses. However, new policies significantly affect the adoption of social media and its associated benefit. This research draws from attitude as a determining factor to understand the retail business owners' perception of social media tax in Uganda. Using qualitative methods, data were collected from 183 retail businesses in urban communities. The study established that social media is being used to promote businesses, with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter as the most popular tools. Results further indicate that most retailers see social media platforms as a means of keeping them competitive and urging them to stay connected on these platforms. The study, however, demonstrates that the introduction of social media tax (SMT) changed the behavior of retailers resulting in the reduced use of social media as they thought it was expensive. Further research should seek to investigate (a) the effect of social media tax in financial terms and productivity in retail businesses; (b) the cost–benefit analysis for those paying social media tax; and (c) key factors that could further explain the behavior of retail business owners and the payment of social media tax.
A classification scheme for identifying snowstorms affecting central New York State
Authors: Hartnett Justin J.
Published: November 2020

The Great Lakes region experiences anomalously high seasonal snowfall totals relative to similar latitudes. Although lake‐effect snowstorms are common in this region, snowfall occurs from a variety of storm types. This study examines snowstorms in a subsection of the Lake Ontario basin to develop a classification scheme to categorize the different types of snowstorms affecting the region. From 1985 to 2015, there were 11 different snowstorm types to affect the study area. The classification system was used to assess the frequency of, and snowfall produced by the different storm types within the eastern Great Lakes region. From the classification, snowstorms were categorized as either non‐direct cyclonic storms (NDCS) or direct cyclonic storms (DCS). Lake‐effect snowstorms, a type of NDCS, were the most frequent storm (35.1% of all storms) and accounted for approximately 39.4% of the snowfall. Most lake‐effect storms (37.7%) produced moderate snowfall totals (10.2–25.3 cm), yet heavy snowfall storms (≥25.4 cm) contributed significantly (ρ ≤ .05) more to seasonal snowfall totals than lighter snowfall storms. Direct cyclonic clippers forming over high latitudes of northwestern Canada, were the most frequent DCS in Central New York (11.3% of all storms), with nearly three quarters of the storms originating over Alberta. These storms only contributed 9.2% of the seasonal snowfall in the study area, compared to 12.7% from direct cyclonic Nor'easters forming near the east coast of North America. Although Nor'easters occur less frequently than clippers, when they do occur, they tend to produce heavy widespread snowfall across the region. The classification system proposed can be modified to accommodate snow basins across the globe. Classifying snowstorms will help determine the seasonal snowfall contribution from different storms and aid in future climate predictions, as individual snowstorm types may respond differently to a warming global climate.
Addition of chickpea markedly increases the indigestible carbohydrate content in semolina pasta as eaten
Authors: Garcia‐Valle Daniel E , Bello‐Perez Luis A , Tovar Juscelino
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

There is a growing interest in increasing dietary fiber (DF) consumption because of the health benefits associated with this nutrient. Pulses are considered a good source of non‐digestible carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of substituting semolina with chickpea flour to increase indigestible carbohydrate content without altering the texture of the pasta.

RESULTS

Pasta was prepared by extruding semolina–chickpea blends. The protein and DF content in the cooked pasta increased with the chickpea level, with an important contribution of resistant starch (RS) to the DF values. The optimum cooking time decreased as the chickpea content increased, which was related to the degree of starch gelatinization of the raw pasta. The in vitro digestible starch content decreased with the chickpea substitution level, concomitant with the increase in RS content. In general, the texture of the chickpea‐containing pasta was similar to that of semolina pasta.

CONCLUSIONS

Pending acceptability studies on these pastas may grant their promotion as good fiber sources, probably helpful in the fight against obesity and diet‐related non‐communicable diseases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Immunotherapeutic strategies in breast cancer: A clinical update
Authors: Zhang Jennifer Q. , Plitas George
Published: November 2020

Immunotherapy has been incorporated into the standard of care for a wide range of malignancies. The study of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes has emphasized the importance of the host antitumor immune response in the natural history of breast cancer. Recent clinical trials have used immunotherapeutic approaches to augment this response and improve outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Here, we review several current clinical trial data that indicate checkpoint blockade may mediate clinically significant responses.
A Matter of Time
Authors: Poehlmann John R. , Timmel Ainsley , Adams Jacquelyn H. , Gupta Vivek K. , Rhoades Janine S. , Iruretagoyena J. Igor , Hoppe Kara K. , Antony Kathleen M.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To assess the average duration of detailed fetal anatomic surveys in pregnancy in relation to gestational age (GA) and the maternal body mass index (BMI) to determine optimal timing of the examination.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of gravidae presenting for detailed fetal anatomic examinations between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2017. After excluding examinations expected to have longer duration (ie, multifetal, major fetal anomalies), there were a total of 6522 examinations performed between GAs of 18 weeks 0 days and 22 weeks 0 days. Women were grouped by BMI, and results were analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

Gravidae of normal weight (BMI, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) had a decrease of 47.47 seconds of the examination time with each increasing week of gestation (P = .036). Overweight (BMI, 25–29.9 kg/m2) gravidae similarly had a decrease of 66.31 seconds of the examination time with each additional week of gestation (P = .017). Underweight (BMI, 8.5 kg/m2) and obese (BMI, ≥30 kg/m2) gravidae did not have differences in the examination time with increasing GA. Increases in suboptimal examinations were noted with an increasing BMI (P < .001). There was a decreased frequency of suboptimal examinations in obese gravidae with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or higher with increasing GA (P = .037).

Conclusions

The duration of detailed fetal anatomic examinations decreased with increasing GA in normal‐weight and overweight gravidae but not in obese gravidae. Performing the anatomy scan earlier in class I and II obese gravidae (BMI, 30–40 kg/m2) may enable improved pregnancy management options without increasing the examination duration or likelihood of a suboptimal evaluation.
Molecular targeting therapies for neuroblastoma: Progress and challenges
Authors: Zafar Atif , Wang Wei , Liu Gang , Wang Xinjie , Xian Wa , McKeon Frank , Foster Jennifer , Zhou Jia , Zhang Ruiwen
Published: November 2020

There is an urgent need to identify novel therapies for childhood cancers. Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid tumor, and accounts for ~15% of childhood cancer‐related mortality. Neuroblastomas exhibit genetic, morphological and clinical heterogeneity, which limits the efficacy of existing treatment modalities. Gaining detailed knowledge of the molecular signatures and genetic variations involved in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma is necessary to develop safer and more effective treatments for this devastating disease. Recent studies with advanced high‐throughput “omics” techniques have revealed numerous genetic/genomic alterations and dysfunctional pathways that drive the onset, growth, progression, and resistance of neuroblastoma to therapy. A variety of molecular signatures are being evaluated to better understand the disease, with many of them being used as targets to develop new treatments for neuroblastoma patients. In this review, we have summarized the contemporary understanding of the molecular pathways and genetic aberrations, such as those in MYCN, BIRC5, PHOX2B, and LIN28B, involved in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma, and provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular targeted therapies under preclinical and clinical investigations, particularly those targeting ALK signaling, MDM2, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS‐MAPK pathways, as well as epigenetic regulators. We also give insights on the use of combination therapies involving novel agents that target various pathways. Further, we discuss the future directions that would help identify novel targets and therapeutics and improve the currently available therapies, enhancing the treatment outcomes and survival of patients with neuroblastoma.
College students with MH issues find support by staff lacking
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2020

In a quest to better understand what is happening to college students who were struggling with their mental health or receiving support for a mental health disability prior to COVID‐19, Mental Health America (MHA) conducted a survey of students with mental health disabilities to assess their academic experiences and needs during the pandemic.
A quantum key distribution on qudits using quantum operators
Authors: Jirakitpuwapat Wachirapong , Kumam Poom , Deesuwan Tanapat , Dhompongsa Sompong
Published: November 2020

Cryptography is processing for securing communication between two people. The opponent wants to know the message that is encrypted using a secret key. Although the opponent can eavesdrop the message sent between the sender and the receiver, the opponent is unable to decrypt to read the message. Therefore, the secret key is very important. The sender and the receiver agree with the secret key in an insecure channel by using key distribution protocol such as the Diffie–Hellman protocol. Since quantum computer is coming soon, Diffie–Hellman protocol is not secure. We will develop a quantum key distribution protocol. The benefit of the quantum system is the quantum state that cannot copy by no‐cloning theorem. Thus, the opponent does not copy and keeps the message that is quantum. In this paper, a novel quantum key distribution protocol between two people (Alice and Bob) based on quantum operators is developed. The opponent (Eve) wants to know the secret key. Although Eve knows this quantum key distribution protocol, Eve does not behave similarly to Alice and Bob. For example, Eve eavesdrops Alice's quantum state that was sent to Bob, and Eve sends another quantum state. Therefore, we cannot control Eve's behavior. So we give the upper bound of mutual information between the user and opponent by using Holevo's bound. We verify the usual security definition for quantum key distribution that is equality‐and‐uniformity and privacy in the mutual information sense.
Nonstandard finite difference schemes for general linear delay differential systems
Authors: Castro M. Ángeles , Sirvent Antonio , Rodríguez Francisco
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with the construction of non‐standard finite difference methods for coupled linear delay differential systems in the general case of non‐commuting matrix coefficients. Based on an expression for the exact solution of the continuous initial value vector delay problem, a family of non‐standard numerical methods of increasing orders is defined. Numerical examples show that the new proposed numerical methods preserve the stability properties of the exact solutions. This work extends previous results for delay systems with commuting matrix coefficients, allowing the use of the new numerical non‐standard methods in more general problems.
Transcriptional profiling of embryo cryotolerance
Authors: Marsico Thamiris V. , Caetano Diana P. , Rodrigues Rafaela , Valente Roniele S. , Fontes Patricia K. , Mesquita Fernando S. , Andrade Sónia C. da Silva , Basso Andréa C. , Nogueira Marcelo F. G. , Sudano Mateus J.
Published: November 2020

The cryosurvival of embryos is a complex process involving dynamic and integrated morphological, functional, and molecular changes. Here, we evaluated the transcriptional profiling of bovine embryos possessing high and low cryotolerance (HC and LC, respectively) by assessing the resumption of development. Embryos were produced in vitro (N = 1137) and cryopreserved (N = 894). Blastocysts samples possessed pronounced group individualization at RNA sequencing. A total of 114 genes were differentially expressed, and 27 and 84 genes were upregulated in HC and LC, respectively. Among the over‐represented biological functions, cellular growth and proliferation, cell death and survival, and organismal survival were predicted to be activated, while cellular movement and cell‐to‐cell signaling were predicted to be inhibited in HC embryos. Enriched canonical pathways and upstream regulators related to cellular proliferation and survival (HC), inflammatory processes, and cell death (LC) were predicted to represent two embryonic molecular profiles present during the resumption of development after cryopreservation. The marked contrast in transcriptional profiles between HC and LC strongly suggests the influence of embryonic competence after cryopreservation on its respective transcriptome and indicated that HC and LC presented two different molecular strategies to overcome cryopreservation‐related stress and resume postcryopreservation development.
Application of transition metal dichalcogenides in mid‐infrared fiber laser
Authors: Liu Mengli , Liu Wenjun , Liu Ximei , Wang Yaorong , Wei Zhongming
Published: November 2020

Due to the special working wavelength and superb beam quality, the mid‐infrared fiber laser has a wide application prospect in the fields of biomedicine, military defense, laser manufacturing, atmospheric detection, space communication, etc. In recent years, with the emergence of two‐dimensional (2D) saturable absorption materials, the development of mid‐infrared lasers ushered in new opportunities. In particular, as a potential 2D material, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with various types has attracted extensive attention from researchers because of its unique structural characteristics and ideal photoelectric performance. In this paper, the preparation, main properties and saturable absorption of TMDs are introduced in detail, and latest research progress of mid‐infrared lasers based on saturable absorbers at home and abroad is described.
Black phosphorus quantum dots reverse the malignant potential and enhance chemosensitivity of human renal cell carcinoma cells by targeting histone deacetylase 1 signal pathway
Authors: Tian Xin , Lang Yue , Gao Dexuan , Zhang Xiang‐Xiang , Dong Hai‐Yue , Gu Meng‐Meng , Yu Lan , Shang Zeng‐Fu
Published: November 2020

Targeted anti‐cancer therapy selectively inhibits the growth of malignant cells by interfering with cancer‐specific signaling pathways, and inflicts minimal toxicity to normal tissues. Here, the current study demonstrates black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) can target histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), which is overexpressed in multiple tumors and involved in cancer progression. The BPQDs inhibit HDAC1 activity and impair HDAC1‐mediated deacetylation of the mitotic spindle protein Eg5 in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells, thereby disrupting the mitotic spindle structure and stalling cell cycle progression. Since HDAC1 regulates multiple aspects of cancer progression, BPQDs can neutralize the malignant potential of cancer cells by suppressing their proliferation and migration, and inducing apoptosis. Further in vitro assays demonstrate BPQDs significantly increase the sensitivity of RCC cells to the clinical chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel (PTX). Moreover, animal experiments also indicate the combined approach with both BPQDs and PTX displays better efficacy than PTX alone. These findings demonstrate that BPQDs have potential applications in targeted anti‐cancer therapy and can be more effectively treated with chemotherapy.
A demand partitioning framework to reserve production for small enterprises
Authors: Chen Ying‐Ju , Seshadri Sridhar , Sohoni Milind G.
Published: November 2020

The reservation of goods to be produced in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, in the early years after India's independence, addressed the dual needs of development of the industrial sector and production of goods. However, these industrial policies created an incentive for firms to remain small so that they can continue to avail of the benefits provided by the Government. On the positive side, the MSMEs typically employ more labor intensive production processes and consequently contribute significantly to the provision of employment opportunities, generation of income, and poverty reduction. But, on the negative side, the policies have also partly facilitated the creation of a divide in terms of productivity between the MSMEs and large sized firms. In particular the policy raises important questions for a firm auctioning supply contracts among suppliers with a significant cost differential. In this paper we propose an idea to allocate supply contracts wherein a manufacturing firm partitions the stochastic demand into mutually exclusive portions and awards each portion to a different supplier. We characterize such an optimal procurement mechanism when there are two types of suppliers and an arbitrary number of demand portions. We show that the optimal procurement may require the manufacturer to intentionally withhold some demand portion, and this arises when one type of supplier is considerably inefficient in serving a demand portion. We extend our analysis to the cases with multiple types with two suppliers and two types with multiple suppliers. The optimal partition is composed of at most six contiguous demand portions, and it may include a detrimental demand portion that only generates a negative expected payoff to both supplier types. Our demand partitioning mechanism leads to a strictly higher manufacturer's expected payoff than the conventional winner‐take‐all case unless one supplier type completely dominates the other. We present numerical experiments that indicate when such a mechanism holds the greatest advantage for the buyer.
Citrulline as a biomarker of bacteraemia during induction treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: De Pietri Silvia , Frandsen Thomas Leth , Christensen Mette , Grell Kathrine , Rathe Mathias , Müller Klaus
Published: November 2020

Background

Systemic infections are a major cause of morbidity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, identification of patients at increased risk is still a challenge. Knowing that both neutropaenia and gastrointestinal toxicity are risk factors for bacteraemia, we aimed at comparing absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) and plasma citrulline levels (indicating enterocyte loss) in children with ALL with and without bacteraemia during induction treatment.

Procedure

We prospectively included 61 children with ALL treated according to the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) ALL‐2008 protocol. ANC and plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) were measured on treatment days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Plasma citrulline was measured on days 1, 8, 15 and 29. Bacteraemia episodes during induction treatment were recorded retrospectively.

Results

Nineteen of sixty‐one (31%) patients experienced bacteraemia occurring on median day 13 (range 5‐20). Patients with bacteraemia during induction treatment had lower citrulline level on day 15 (P < .01) compared to patients without bacteraemia, indicating more severe enterocyte loss. Nevertheless, ANC was similar in the two patient groups on days 8 and 15. CRP was negatively correlated with same‐day citrulline (P < .03 for all) and ANC (P < .04 for all).

Conclusions

During chemotherapy‐induced neutropaenia, plasma citrulline may help identify patients at increased risk of bacteraemia.
Relationships between impact performance and structures of rotationally molded crosslinked high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Ren Yueqing , Sun Xiaojie , Li Yafei , Chen Lanlan , Sun Miaomiao , Liang Wenbin
Published: November 2020

Crosslinked high‐density polyethylene (XL‐HDPE) is a preferred material for chemical and fuel tanks due to its superior environmental stress crack resistance and impact strength. The impact performance of rotationally molded specimen is important for final products. In the research the drop weight impact strength (defined as ARM impact strength) of rotationally molded XL‐HDPE is tested between −40°C and 25°C. The crosslinking content, crystallization characteristics, and dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) of different thickness gradients are examined to illustrate the relationships between the impact strength, brittle‐ductile transition (BDT) and microstructures. The innermost surface layer (about 0.3 mm) has lower gel content, higher crystallinity, and average lamellar thickness compared with the body part. The ARM impact strength is about 1 J/mm at −40°C and −30°C, and about 29 J/mm at −20°C ~ 25°C. There is a BDT between −30°C and − 20°C. After removing the innermost surface layer, the sample breaks in ductile manner in the entire tested temperature range, and the ARM impact strength is about 24 ~ 26 J/mm. The DMA results show that the BDT is consistent with the structure transition of the innermost surface layer. The microstructures of rotationally molded XL‐HDPE in the innermost surface layer dominate the low temperature impact performance.
Measuring the dynamic response of the thylakoid architecture in plant leaves by electron microscopy
Authors: Li Meng , Mukhopadhyay Roma , Svoboda Václav , Oung Hui Min Olivia , Mullendore Daniel L. , Kirchhoff Helmut
Published: November 2020

The performance of the photosynthesis machinery in plants, including light harvesting, electron transport, and protein repair, is controlled by structural changes in the thylakoid membrane system inside the chloroplasts. In particular, the structure of the stacked grana area of thylakoid membranes is highly dynamic, changing in response to different environmental cues such as light intensity. For example, the aqueous thylakoid lumen enclosed by thylakoid membranes in grana has been documented to swell in the presence of light. However, light‐induced alteration of the stromal gap in the stacked grana (partition gap) and of the unstacked stroma lamellae has not been well characterized. Light‐induced changes in the entire thylakoid membrane system, including the lumen in both stacked and unstacked domains as well as the partition gap, are presented here, and the functional implications are discussed. This structural analysis was made possible by development of a robust semi‐automated image analysis method combined with optimized plant tissue fixation techniques for transmission electron microscopy generating quantitative structural results for the analysis of thylakoid ultrastructure.

Significance Statement

A methodical pipeline ranging from optimized leaf tissue preparation for electron microscopy to quantitative image analysis was established. This methodical development was employed to study details of light‐induced changes in the plant thylakoid ultrastructure. It was found that the lumen of the entire thylakoid system (stacked and unstacked domains) undergoes light‐induced swelling, whereas adjacent membranes on the stroma side in stacked grana thylakoid approach each other.
Development, characterization and modeling of mosquito repellent release from microporous devices
Authors: Sitoe Alcides , Mapossa António B. , Focke Walter W. , Muiambo Herminio , Androsch René , Wesley‐Smith James
Published: November 2020

Nanocomposite strands with mosquito repellent DEET or Icaridin incorporated in a poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) matrix, with either pyrogenic silica or an organoclay as a nanofiller, were prepared by a twin‐screw extrusion compounding technique. The nature and levels of the repellent and nanofiller that was used affected the material phase morphology. The repellent release was followed as a function of aging time in convection ovens set at 30 and 50°C. The experimental release data of the mosquito repellent from the microporous polymer swellable matrix strands was mathematically modeled and fitted using a range of semi‐empirical models. In the majority of case, the Korsmeyer‐Peppas power law model provided the best data fit. As expected, the wide range of internal morphologies also resulted in quite different release profiles. These models were found to be valuable as they provided insights into the mechanism of repellent release from EVA swellable matrices. It was possible to differentiate between diffusion and relaxation mechanisms. Surprisingly, strands containing nominally more than 30 wt% Icaridin showed accelerating mass loss during the initial phase, consistent with Super Case II transport. Diffusional exponents as high as 1.81 were found. Furthermore, the internal microporous region of the extruded EVA strands was covered by a surface membrane that acted a diffusion barrier that, in effect, controlled the release rate of the mosquito repellents. Some of the investigated samples exhibited release profiles that suggest that longer lasting effective release of repellents is possible than currently achieved by available commercially products.
A Narrative Review of Metatarsal Bone Stress Injury in Athletic Populations: Etiology, Biomechanics, and Management
Authors: Troy Karen L. , Davis Irene S. , Tenforde Adam S.
Published: November 2020

Metatarsal bone stress injuries (BSIs) are common in athletic populations. BSIs are overuse injuries that result from an accumulation of microdamage that exceeds bone remodeling. Risk for metatarsal BSI is multifactorial and includes factors related to anatomy, biology, and biomechanics. In this article, anatomic factors including foot type, metatarsal length, bone density, bone geometry, and intrinsic muscle strength, which each influence how the foot responds to load, are discussed. Biologic factors such as low energy availability and impaired bone metabolism influence the quality of the bone. Finally, the influence of biomechanical loads to bone such as peak forces, load rates, and loading cycles are reviewed. General management of metatarsal BSI is discussed, including acute care, rehabilitation, treatment of refractory metatarsal BSI, and evaluation of healing/return to sport. Finally, we identify future research priorities and emerging treatments for metatarsal BSI.
Design of ketone derivatives as highly efficient photoinitiators for free radical and cationic photopolymerizations and application in 3D printing of composites
Authors: Xu Yangyang , Ding Zhaofu , Zhu Haibin , Graff Bernadette , Knopf Stephan , Xiao Pu , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: November 2020

Herein, thirteen ketone derivatives composed of different cyclohexanone cores and peripheral moieties are designed, among which 10 ketones have never been synthesized before. These ketones are proposed as high‐performance photoinitiators for both free radical polymerizations and cationic polymerizations under soft conditions (visible LED@405 nm irradiation at room temperature). In combination with an amine and an iodonium salt (Iod), these ketones could be used in three−component photoinitiating systems to initiate the free radical polymerization of acrylates with distinct final conversions, among which the ketone−1/amine/Iod combination proved to be the most efficient one. Besides, the ketone−1/Iod two−component system also showed a remarkable photoinitiation ability for the cationic polymerization of epoxides. The photochemical sensitivity of ketone−1 in the presence of an amine and an iodonium salt was systematically investigated by steady state photolysis and excited state fluorescence quenching characterizations, respectively. Interestingly, macroscopic 3D patterns with excellent spatial resolution could be generated using the ketone−1/amine/Iod photoinitiating system for the free radical polymerization of acrylates. This high performance is also found useful to overcome the light penetration issue for the access to filled samples (silica) and the preparation of composites.
Gibberellic acid decreases Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) population density and chlorotic feeding injury to foliage in pecan orchards
Authors: Cottrell Ted E , Wood Bruce W
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis), Monellia caryella (Fitch), and Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell (Hemiptera: Aphididae) attack pecan foliage (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch). Unlike M. caryella and M. pecanis, feeding by M. caryaefoliae triggers a physiological change within foliage mimicking natural leaf senescence; it can lead to defoliation. Pretreatment of pecan foliage with gibberellic acid (GA3) mitigates M. caryaefoliae‐elicited physiological disturbances. GA3 application to pecan was evaluated for efficacy regarding effects on M. caryaefoliae populations and possible negative side‐effects on two natural enemy species and on return bloom of pecan.

RESULTS

All GA3 treatment rate schedules significantly reduced M. caryaefoliae nymphs but not adults or adults and nymphs of M. caryella or M. pecanis. Percentage leaf chlorosis elicited by M. caryaefoliae was significantly reduced by GA3 (i.e., 39.5 to 197.7 g a.i./ha). No negative side‐effects of GA3 treatment were detected regarding certain key natural enemy species or on return bloom of pecan.

CONCULUSION

Application of GA3 to the orchard canopy protects foliage from senescence‐like physiological responses triggered by M. caryaefoliae. This reduces detrimental leaflet chlorosis, both senescence and abscission processes and horticulturally significant feeding injury. Additionally, the absence of apparent negative side‐effects on key natural enemies and return bloom is suggestive of a practical means for efficacious non‐insecticidal control of M. caryaefoliae populations in orchards. This novel protective effect of GA3 against aphid‐elicited, senescence‐like physiological responses may merit investigation as an IPM tool to manage aphid species eliciting similar senescence‐like damage to other crop species. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.