bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focal cerebral ischemia induces changes in oligodendrocytic tau isoforms in the damaged area
Authors: Villa González Mario , Vallés‐Saiz Laura , Hernández Ivó H. , Avila Jesús , Hernández Félix , Pérez‐Alvarez María José
Published: June 2020

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and the first leading cause of long‐term disability worldwide. The only therapeutic strategy available to date is reperfusion and not all the patients are suitable for this treatment. Blood flow blockage or reduction leads to considerable brain damage, affecting both gray and white matter. The detrimental effects of ischemia have been studied extensively in the former but not in the latter. Previous reports indicate that preservation of white matter integrity reduces deleterious effect of ischemia on the brain. Oligodendrocytes are sensitive to ischemic damage, however, some reports demonstrate that oligodendrogenesis occurs after ischemia. These glial cells have a complex cytoskeletal network, including tau, that plays a key role to proper myelination. 4R‐Tau/3R‐Tau, which differ in the presence/absence of Exon 10, are found in oligodendrocytes; but the precise role of each isoform is not understood. Using permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that cerebral ischemia induces an increase in 3R‐Tau versus 4R‐Tau in oligodendrocytes in the damaged area. In addition, cellular distribution of Tau undergoes a change after ischemia, with some oligodendrocytic processes showing positive staining for 3R‐Tau. This occurs simultaneously with the amelioration of neurological damage in ischemic rats. We propose that ischemia triggers an endogenous mechanism involving 3R‐Tau, that induces colonization of the ischemic damaged area by oligodendrocytes in an attempt to myelinate‐injured axons. Understanding the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon could pave the way for the design of therapeutic strategies that exploit glial cells for the treatment of ischemia.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Lesson From Immunosuppressed Patients
Authors: Gerussi Alessio , Rigamonti Cristina , Elia Chiara , Cazzagon Nora , Floreani Annarosa , Pozzi Roberta , Pozzoni Pietro , Claar Ernesto , Pasulo Luisa , Fagiuoli Stefano , Cristoferi Laura , Carbone Marco , Invernizzi Pietro
Published: June 2020

Chronic immunosuppression is associated with increased and more severe viral infections. However, little is known about the association between immunosuppression and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Our aim was to describe the clinical course of patients with immunosuppressed autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection in Italy. Our study is a case series of patients with AIH treated with immunosuppression, who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in March 2020 during the outbreak of COVID‐19. Ten patients from seven different hospitals in Italy were diagnosed with COVID‐19 during the outbreak of SARS‐CoV‐2 in March 2020. Seven subjects were female (70%), and age ranged from 27 to 73 years. Before the onset of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, all patients were taking immunosuppressive therapy for AIH, and eight of them were on biochemical remission. Two other patients had recent acute onset of their AIH, and consequently started high‐dose steroids, as per induction protocol. All patients had a respiratory syndrome and a positive nasal swab for SARS‐CoV‐2. Five patients developed a computed tomography–confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia. Six subjects received a combination of antiretroviral and antimalarial drugs. In seven patients, the dosage of immunosuppressive medication was changed. Liver enzymes were repeated during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in all hospitalized cases; they remained within the normal range in all cases, and improved in the two acute cases treated with high‐dose steroids. The clinical outcome was comparable to the reported cases occurring in non‐immunosuppressed subjects. Conclusion: Patients under immunosuppressive therapy for AIH developing COVID‐19 show a disease course presumptively similar to that reported in the non‐immunosuppressed population. These data might aid in medical decisions when dealing with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in immunocompromised patients.
Predicting treatment response of patients with extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma based on levels ofPD‐L1 mRNAand solublePD‐L1
Authors: Feng Yu , Jing Caixia , Yu Xinmei , Cao Xia , Xu Caigang
Published: June 2020

Appropriate biomarkers may help predict patient response to treatment for extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL), a subtype of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma in China. Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD‐1) and its ligand (PD‐L1) have been investigated in various tumors. However, few studies have addressed expression of PD‐1/PD‐L1 in peripheral blood of ENKTL patients. To identify novel peripheral blood biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of ENKTL, we retrospectively examined 89 healthy volunteers, 49 patients with ENKTL and 74 patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated at West China Hospital from September 2017 to September 2018. Both patient groups showed significantly higher expression of PD‐1 and PD‐L1 on CD4+ T cells, higher levels of PD‐L1 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and higher levels of soluble PD‐L1 in plasma than healthy volunteers (P< .05). In ENKTL patients, levels of PD‐L1 mRNA and soluble PD‐L1 were related to disease stage, level of lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocyte count, and copies of Epstein‐Barr genome in blood. Levels of PD‐L1 mRNA and soluble PD‐L1 were similar between healthy volunteers and ENKTL patients who showed complete remission after treatment, and uni‐ and multivariate analyses identified soluble PD‐L1 as a predictor of treatment response in ENKTL patients. Our results suggest that the levels of PD‐L1 mRNA in PBMCs and soluble PD‐L1 in plasma are useful for ENKTL staging and prediction of treatment response.
Factors influencing District Health Information System usage in Sierra Leone: A study using the Technology‐Organization‐Environment Framework
Authors: Khobi James A. M. , Mtebe Joel S. , Mbelwa Jimmy T.
Published: June 2020

The District Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) has been implemented in many countries as a standard tool for managing health information for decision making. Despite the continued adoption of this system in developing countries, some challenges affecting its effective use still exist. Previous studies have indicated that the majority of these challenges are mainly infrastructural and system related. As ICT infrastructure continues to improve, the need to investigate challenges affecting DHIS2 usage beyond infrastructural and system factors is important. In this study, factors influencing DHIS2 usage in Sierra Leone were investigated using the Technology‐Organization‐Environment (TOE) framework. Mixed sequential explanatory design was adopted using data from 126 respondents in 10 districts followed by focus group discussions. The study found that top management support, perceived benefits, security and privacy, and compatibility were significant predictors of DHIS2 usage in Sierra Leone. Similarly, poor Internet connectivity, lack of security policies and guidelines, and shortage of qualified staff were identified as challenges affecting the effective use of DHIS2. Recommendations for helping the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone and other donors to ensure that DHIS2 is effectively used are discussed.
Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation reconstructions and instrumentally observed multidecadal climate variability: A comparison of indicators
Authors: Sun Cheng , Zhang Jing , Li Xiang , Shi Chunming , Gong Zhanqiu , Ding Ruiqiang , Xie Fei , Lou Panxing
Published: June 2020

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) has an important role in the Earth's climate system, but it remains unclear how the instrumentally observed multidecadal variability of the Earth's climate is related to the AMOC. We carried out a comprehensive evaluation of five representative indicators of the AMOC, including one atmospheric index based on the effect of accumulated atmospheric forcing on the AMOC and four oceanographic indices using surface and subsurface oceanographic variables in the North Atlantic Ocean. We compared reconstructions of the AMOC against measurement records and analysed the relationships with the multidecadal variability of the annual mean surface air temperature anomalies over the North Atlantic, Northern Hemisphere and South Atlantic. All the AMOC indicators show a weakening trend during the most recent decade, which is in good agreement with the RAPID measurement record of the AMOC. Besides, the atmospheric reconstruction shows the best agreement with the observed low‐frequency variation in the AMOC since 2004. The multidecadal variability in hemispheric/regional surface temperatures is closely related to all the AMOC reconstructions and opposite relationships are observed between the North Atlantic and South Atlantic oceans. The multidecadal surface air temperature anomalies associated with the variations in the AMOC are most pronounced for the atmospheric reconstruction index, which leads the variations in the surface air temperature by 4–5 years. Among the oceanographic indicators, the reconstructions using subsurface oceanographic variables performed best in terms of the relationship with the variations in the multidecadal surface air temperature.
A tale of two cities: The influence of urban meteorological network design on the nocturnal surface versus canopy heat island relationship in Oklahoma City, OK, and Birmingham, UK
Authors: Feng Jia‐Li , Cai Xiao‐Ming , Chapman Lee
Published: June 2020

Interest in the investigation of the relationship between surface heat island intensity (sUHII) and canopy heat island intensity (aUHII) (sUHII‐aUHII relationship) is growing mainly because of the global availability of satellite‐sensed land surface temperature (Ts). It is hoped that if such a universal relationship can be found, it could compensate for the spatial discontinuity of air temperature (Ta) measurements that currently exist due to a paucity of weather stations in urban areas. In an attempt to investigate differences in the relationship in different urban environments, this study attempts to compare the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship between Oklahoma City, OK, and Birmingham, UK, based on the observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and two dense urban meteorological networks (UMNs). Regression models and confidence ellipse, with two statistical tests, are applied in the comparison analysis under different climatic conditions with respect to specific ranges of wind speed (WS) and daily‐accumulated solar radiation (DASR). Some general patterns of the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship are found across the two cities, such as the reduced rate of change of aUHII with respect to sUHII with increasing WS and the non‐negligible advection effect in this relationship. Meanwhile, the differences of the linear sUHII‐aUHII relationship across two cities are reduced under ideal conditions (clear skies, calm and large input of solar radiation from previous day into urban system). More importantly, the results emphasize the influence of the configuration of UMNs on the sUHII‐aUHII relationship. By removing the climatic element in the relationship (i.e., WS and DASR), the impacts of the different local environments, source areas, and general configurations of the UMN become evident, indicating that a standardized protocol for the designs of UMN is the prerequisite for the generalization of the sUHII‐aUHII relationship across cities.
Novel Gemini Cationic Surfactants: Thermodynamic, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Corrosion Inhibition Behavior against Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Authors: Labena Ahmed , Hamed Ahmed , Ismael Eman H. I. , Shaban Samy M.
Published: June 2020

The Egyptian oil and gas industry is suffering from severe metal corrosion problems, particularly microbial‐induced corrosion. There is limited knowledge on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steels in the presence of an acidophilic, iron‐oxidizing bacterial species Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Therefore, in this study, novel Gemini cationic surfactants, in three forms depending on variation in alkyl chains of 8, 12, and 16 carbon atoms named FHPAO, FHPAD, and FHPAH, respectively, were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The surface parameters and the thermodynamic of the synthesized surfactants were evaluated at three different temperatures, 20, 40, and 60 °C. The synthesized Gemini cationic surfactants were tested as broad‐spectrum antimicrobial, antibacterial and anticandida agents. They evaluated as biocides and corrosion inhibitors against Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. FHPAD showed higher adsorption ability at the solution interface and higher affinity to construct micelles than FHPAO and FHPAH. Both adsorption and micellization processes were hydrophobic and temperature dependent. FHPAO, FHPAD and FHPAH exhibited wide‐spectrum antimicrobial activities, and the highest activity and the lowest minimum bactericidal/fungicidal inhibitory concentrations were attributed to FHPAD. Furthermore, synthesized FHPAD demonstrated the highest metal corrosion inhibition efficiency of 95.5% at 5 mM in comparison to 87.5% and 81.7% for FHPAO and FHPAH, respectively. In conclusion, this study provides novel synthesized cationic surfactants with many applications in the oil and gas industry, such as broad‐spectrum antimicrobial, biocides, and corrosion inhibitors for acidophilic, iron‐oxidizing bacterial species Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Pathways to Help‐Seeking Among Black Male Trauma Survivors: A Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Rich John A. , Corbin Theodore J. , Jacoby Sara F. , Webster Jessica L. , Richmond Therese S.
Published: June 2020

Many Black men suffer symptoms of traumatic stress in the aftermath of traumatic injury, and they also often carry social concerns, including experiences of discrimination and stigma, and a lack of financial resources. The objective of the present study was to understand how traumatic symptoms and social factors combine in complex ways toward the outcome of psychological help‐seeking. We analyzed qualitative and quantitative data from 32 injured Black men admitted to a Level 1 trauma center. Qualitative interviews explored their attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. We analyzed quantitative data, collected using validated instruments, on posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms, financial worry, and discrimination/stigma. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was conducted by calibrating each condition to fuzzy set membership scores based on our knowledge of the causal conditions and the cases. We then constructed truth tables for QCA analysis using fsQCA software. Three causal pathways for psychological help‐seeking were identified: Two pathways showed that severe trauma symptoms in the absence of financial worry were sufficient for seeking help, whereas the third showed that financial worry and discrimination in the absence of trauma symptoms were sufficient for help‐seeking. We identified two causal pathways for negated help‐seeking, in which low posttraumatic symptom severity and low levels of discrimination or financial worry were sufficient for not seeking psychological help. The QCA analysis revealed multiple pathways for psychological help‐seeking among Black men who suffer trauma. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand complex pathways toward psychological help‐seeking in this population.
ERAS for Head and Neck Tissue Transfer Reduces Opioid Usage, Peak Pain Scores, and Blood Utilization
Authors: Clark Bhavishya S. , Swanson Mark , Widjaja William , Cameron Brian , Yu Valerie , Ershova Ksenia , Wu Franklin M. , Vanstrum Erik B. , Ulloa Ruben , Heng Andrew , Nurimba Margaret , Kokot Niels , Kochhar Amit , Sinha Uttam K. , Kim M. P. , Dickerson Shane
Published: June 2020

Objectives

We implement a novel enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol with pre‐operative non‐opioid loading, total intravenous anesthesia, multimodal peri‐operative analgesia, and restricted red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions. 1) Compare differences in mean postoperative peak pain scores, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions. 2) Examine changes in overall length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, complications, and 30‐day readmissions.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study comparing 132 ERAS vs. 66 non‐ERAS patients after HNC tissue transfer reconstruction. Data was collected in a double‐blind fashion by two teams.

Results

Mean postoperative peak pain scores were lower in the ERAS group up to postoperative day (POD) 2. POD0: 4.6 ± 3.6 vs. 6.5 ± 3.5; P = .004) (POD1: 5.2 ± 3.5 vs. 7.3 ± 2.3; P = .002) (POD2: 4.1 ± 3.5 vs. 6.6 ± 2.8; P = .000). Opioid utilization, converted into morphine milligram equivalents, was decreased in the ERAS group (POD0: 6.0 ± 9.8 vs. 10.3 ± 10.8; P = .010) (POD1: 14.1 ± 22.1 vs. 34.2 ± 23.2; P = .000) (POD2: 11.4 ± 19.7 vs. 37.6 ± 31.7; P = .000) (POD3: 13.7 ± 20.5 vs. 37.9 ± 42.3; P = .000) (POD4: 11.7 ± 17.9 vs. 36.2 ± 39.2; P = .000) (POD5: 10.3 ± 17.9 vs. 35.4 ± 45.6; P = .000). Mean pRBC transfusion rate was lower in ERAS patients (2.1 vs. 3.1 units, P = .017). There were no differences between ERAS and non‐ERAS patients in hospital LOS, ICU LOS, complication rates, and 30‐day readmissions.

Conclusion

Our ERAS pathway reduced postoperative pain, opioid usage, and pRBC transfusions after HNC reconstruction. These benefits were obtained without an increase in hospital or ICU LOS, complications, or readmission rates.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E792–E799, 2021
“Greener” Coupling of Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Poly(methyl acrylate) Chains using Activators Generated by Electron Transfer and Radical Traps
Authors: Xia Katherine , Rubaie Alia , Johnson Brendan , Tillman Eric S.
Published: June 2020

Monobrominated versions of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMABr) and poly(methyl acrylate) (PMABr) are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and subjected to a variety of chain end‐coupling reactions, with the goal of achieving high extents of coupling with minimal metal content. By using atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC) with radical trap assistance in conjunction with activators generated by electron transfer, high extents of coupling (Xc) could be achieved for both polymer classes without requiring copper(I) as an initial reactant, and replacing elemental copper with environmentally benign reducing agents (Xc > 0.85). Specifically, the highest extents of coupling are observed with ascorbic acid as the reducing agent along with copper(II) bromide as the pre‐catalyst. Overall, similar extents of coupling are observed while using ≈1% of the total metal of a traditional ATRC reaction for PMABr and ≈3% for PMMABr.
Identification of novel mutations in BCKDHB and DBT genes in Vietnamese patients with maple sirup urine disease
Authors: Nguyen Thi T. N. , Vu Chi D. , Nguyen Ngoc L. , Nguyen Thi T. H. , Nguyen Ngoc K. , Nguyen Huy H.
Published: June 2020

Background

Maple sirup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder. The disease‐causing mutations can affect the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT genes encoding for the E1α, E1β, and E2 subunits of the multienzyme branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex. In the present study, novel pathogenic variants in BCKDHB and DBT genes were identified in three Vietnamese families with MSUD.

Methods

Three newborn patients from three unrelated Vietnamese families were diagnosed with MSUD at the Metabolic Clinic, National Hospital of Pediatrics. Blood samples of 11 relatives from two generations of the three families diagnosed with MSUD were analyzed using exome and Sanger sequencing analyses.

Results

Novel pathogenic variants in BCKDHB (c.1103C>T, c.989A>G, and c.704G>A), and DBT (c.263_265delAAG) genes were identified in three pediatric patients with MSUD.

Conclusions

We have identified novel pathogenic variants in the MSUD‐related genes in the pedigree of the three patient's families. Our findings expand the mutational spectrum of MSUD and provide the scientific basis for genetic counseling for the patient's families.
Low‐loss indium phosphide‐based hybrid plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Soleimannezhad Farshad , Nikoufard Mahmoud , Mahdian Mohammad Amin
Published: June 2020

In this article, a new structure of InP‐based hybrid plasmonic waveguide (HPWG) has been proposed. The proposed HPWG shows a propagation length of at least 100 μm for 100 nm waveguide ridge width, twice the propagation length of the comparable silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) based HPWG. This structure is compatible to the generic InP‐based layer stack and suitable for monolithic integration with active devices such as laser and photodetector at 1.55 μm wavelength. This layer structure can be potentially utilized in future ultra‐dense nanoscale photonic integrated circuits instead of SOI‐based HPWG. A directional coupler power splitter is also investigated with the proposed HPWG structure showing a coupling length of less than 2 μm with a transmission of 98.7% and insertion loss of about 0.02 dB for a waveguide width and gap width of 200 and 50 nm, respectively.
Feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain
Authors: Coughlin J. W. , Martin L. M. , Henderson J. , Dalcin A. T. , Fountain J. , Wang N.‐Y. , Appel L. J. , Clark J. M. , Bennett W.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are significant, potentially modifiable, contributors to women's future weight and health trajectories. There is a need for feasible and patient‐centered (i.e., convenient, remotely‐delivered, technology‐enhanced, and accessible through the prenatal care setting) behavioural interventions that limit GWG and PPWR. This study tests the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention.

Methods

Pregnant women (11–16 weeks gestation) were recruited from two prenatal clinics and randomized to the active intervention or health education comparison group. Completion of the program was monitored and perceived helpfulness was rated (0–100).

Results

Twenty‐six women were randomized (n = 13 per arm; mean age = 31.6 years, SD = 3.6; mean BMI = 26.7 kg/m2, SD = 7.4). Participants completed a median of 18 coaching calls and 16/19 learning activities during pregnancy, and a median of 6 calls and 5/6 learning activities postpartum. They logged weights at least once/week for a median of 36/38 expected weeks and tracked daily calories and exercise for a median of 154/266 days and 72/266 days, respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) helpfulness ratings of the program during pregnancy were 80 (64, 91) and 62 (50, 81) postpartum; helpfulness ratings of coaching calls were 85 (58, 98). At 37 weeks gestation, 77% of participants achieved IOM weight gain recommendations compared to 54% in the comparison group.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely‐delivered behavioural weight control intervention in pregnancy and postpartum.
Towards virtuous and ethical organisational performance in the context of corruption: A case study in the public sector
Authors: Fernando Mario , Bandara Ruwan
Published: June 2020

With the increasing number of ethical violations reported across the public sector, the emphasis on ethics and values in governance is on the rise. Corruption is widely accepted as a form of unethical behaviour that can have detrimental effects on organisations as well as society at large. Research calls for empirical studies focusing on the contextual factors surrounding corruption. Based on the Contextually Based Human Resource Theory and using the case study method, this paper examines the role of context through a systematic analysis of corruption in a public sector organisation. We integrate corruption and human resource literature to understand employee behaviour, employee relations, HRM strategies, and organisational outcomes in the context of organisational corruption.
Features in the NMR spectra of the aglycones of Agave spp. saponins. HMBC method for aglycone identification (HMAI)
Authors: Simonet Ana M. , Durán Alexandra G. , Pérez Andy J. , Macías Francisco A.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The analysis and detection of steroidal saponins is mainly performed using chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry. However, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a potential tool that can be combined with these techniques to obtain unambiguous structural characterisation.

Objective

This work provides a review of the carbon‐13 (13C)‐ and proton (1H)‐NMR spectroscopic data of aglycones from Agave saponins reported in the literature and also the development of an easy identification method for these natural products.

Methods

The database Scifinder was used for spectroscopic data collection in addition to data obtained from the Cadiz Allelopathy research group. The keywords used were Agave, spirostanic, furostanic, and saponin.

Results

The shielding variations produced by functional groups on the aglycone core and the structural features of the most representative aglycones from Agave species are described. The effects are additive for up to four long‐range connectivities. A method for the identification of aglycones (HMAI) is proposed to classify aglycones from Agave spp. through the use of 1H‐NMR and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) experiments.

Conclusions

The HMBC spectrum is representative of the structural features of aglycones from Agave spp. The HMBC method for aglycone identification (HMAI) method allowed the identification of pure saponins or mixtures thereof and this method can be used in combination with chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry to provide a more thorough analysis of Agave samples that contain aglycones.
Environmentally improved CdTe photovoltaic recycling through novel technologies and facility location strategies
Authors: Ravikumar Dwarakanath , Seager Thomas , Sinha Parikhit , Fraser Matthew P. , Reed Serrae , Harmon Elise , Power Alexis
Published: June 2020

Photovoltaic waste is projected to reach up to 78 million tons across globally dispersed locations through 2050. Current recycling infrastructure is inadequate to process these waste volumes responsibly. This necessitates commercializing novel, environmentally advantageous photovoltaic recycling technologies that improve upon incumbent industrial operations. CdTe photovoltaic recycling is a promising candidate for improvements as 25,000 tons of spent modules are recycled worldwide annually. This paper evaluates the operational performance and compares six novel technologies, the incumbent technology used in industry and one technology which extends the incumbent process across ten environmental impact categories. The tradeoff between incurring a transportation burden (ship or road) to recycle in a large‐scale centralized facility with a higher operational efficiency and avoiding transportation by recycling in a small‐scale decentralized facility with a lower operational efficiency is evaluated. Thermal delamination to eliminate the ethylene vinyl acetate and separate the photovoltaic glass panels is preferable to the incumbent mechanical process across nine environmental impact categories and decreases the climate‐change impact of CdTe photovoltaic recycling by 23%. Bath and probe sonication are ineffective for delamination, and the use of organic solvents is more environmentally burdensome than the incumbent mechanical process. Centralized recycling with shipping is environmentally preferable than with road‐based transportation. For every 100‐km increase in road transportation from the decentralized to the centralized facility, the inventory requirement in the centralized facility should be 6% lower than the decentralized facility for centralized recycling to have a lower climate‐change impact than decentralized recycling. The corresponding value for shipping is 0.4%.
A case study of methomyl removal from aqueous solutions by four natural Albanian clays
Authors: Xhaxhiu Kledi , Prifti Erinda , Zitka Ondřej
Published: June 2020

This study evaluated the adsorption properties of four Albanian natural clays from the regions of Brari, Currila, Dardha, and Prrenjasi for commercial methomyl from aqueous solutions. Three methomyl concentrations, 0.200, 0.400, and 0.600 mg/ml, were tested at 25°C to study the influence of the insecticide concentration on the adsorption process for each natural clay type. Within 48 hr of contact time, the adsorption pathways of methomyl on the selected clays are well described by a Langmuir‐like adsorption kinetic model and an intraparticle diffusion model. Hydrolysis and desorption inhibit the overall removal process. The increase of methomyl concentration in solution within the first 48 hr leads to linear adsorption increases well described by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and disfavors the desorption step for the Brari, Currila, and Dardha clays. For the methomyl concentration of 0.600 mg/ml, within 24 hr of contact time, the Dardha and Prrenjasi clays reveal 1.471 and 1.956 mg/g methomyl uptake, respectively. The Brari and Currila clays show longer saturation times followed by better methomyl retention. The Dardha and Prrenjasi clays exhibit fast and high adsorption combined with low retention times.
Quantifying Non‐Covalent Binding Interactions between Tobacco Alkaloids and Cyclodextrin Using Mass Spectrometry and the Application in Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Wu Fangling , Yao Rujiao , Yu Shaoning , Tang Keqi , Xiao Yu , Ding Chuan‐Fan
Published: June 2020

The host‐guest inclusion complexes between cyclodextrin (CD) and five tobacco alkaloids (TAs), namely 1‐(4‐Nitrophenyl) piperazine (NHK), nicotinamide (NAm), nornicotine (NCt), DL‐Anabasine (DL‐ABs), and nicotinic acid (NTa), were explored via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The MS results of these CD complexes confirmed the 1 : 1 stoichiometry of the host‐guest assemblies formed. The binding constants of the complexes were studied to quantify the interactions between TAs and CDs. The binding constants (lgKR) of [CD‐NHK+H]+ were first obtained via ESI‐MS titration as a reference; the values obtained were 4.26, 4.11, and 4.03 for [α‐, β‐, and γ‐CD+NHK+H]+, respectively. The binding constants for other CD complexes were then acquired via competitive ESI‐MS based on the reference binding constants. The gas‐phase binding affinity of the CD complexes was probed by collision‐induced dissociation, which indicated the same variation trend as their binding constants, i. e. bigger binding constant results in better kinetic stability of the complex. Finally, considering the non‐toxicity and cost‐effectiveness of β‐CD, it was applied to practical samples of mainstream cigarette smoke (MSS) and the aforementioned special m/z values were identified as the [β‐CD+TA+H]+ complexes using tandem mass spectrometry. Our results reveal that β‐CD could effectively extract TAs and some other ingredients from the MSS during smoking. Therefore, applying CDs such as β‐CD in hookah or even in cigarette filter tips might be a potentially promising strategy to extract some harmful components of MSS to reduce the harm caused to the smoker.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Carbon‐Based Solid Acid Polymer Catalyst: Efficient Catalysts for Liquid‐Phase Nitration of Alkanes
Authors: Wang Hefang , Li Xuehan , Wang Yuanyuan , Yang Yongfang , Jia Liyuan , Wang Yanji
Published: June 2020

Carbon‐based solid acid polymer catalyst was successfully prepared by a facile one‐pot method with sulfonation of naphthalene and crosslinking by formaldehyde. The characterization results showed that the prepared catalysts were flexible soft polycyclic amorphous carbon sheets with abundant ‐SO3H, and ‐COOH groups. The catalysts have high acid density (4.68 mmol⋅g−1) and a remarkable activity for the liquid‐phase nitration of alkanes. Especially, cyclohexane was effectively nitrated to nitrocyclohexane with a high conversion (47.9%) and a good selectivity (98.4%) over the catalyst at moderate reaction temperature (125 °C). The high activity was due to the high acidic site density and amorphous carbon structure with hydrophilic functional groups. The hydrophilic surface facilitates the adsorption of hydrophilic molecules, including water and nitric acid, despite the low BET surface areas. A possible formation pathway for various products was proposed. Carbon‐based solid acid polymer exhibited good potential as a substitution for the liquid acid catalysts in liquid‐phase nitration.
Electrospun Highly Crystalline ZnO Nanofibers: Super‐Efficient and Stable Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity
Authors: Zhou Kaihe , Liu Min , Ye Xiaming , Zhu Yanwei , Liu Zhoubin , Yang Yueping , Dan Yangqing , Yuan Yanfen , Hou Huilin
Published: June 2020

ZnO has tremendous potential in photocatalysis, but only has moderate activity and poor stability because of the sluggish charge transfer and easy aggregation problem, respectively. In this work, ZnO photocatalyst with well‐defined one dimensional (1D) nanofiber structure was successfully fabricated for overcoming these defects. The results revealed that the ZnO nanofibers consist of compactly packed particles that form a cylinder type fiber in highly crystalline and high purity. The robust 1D nanostructure not only can suppress the aggregation of nanoparticles, but also facilitate the interparticle charge transfer. Besides, the mesoporous structure generated through the ZnO particle‐particle interconnection can promote the adsorption of reactants and desorption of products. Benefiting from these merits, the ZnO nanofibers photocatalyst presented superior higher and stable hydrogen production ability than that of nanoparticles counterpart. The photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of the ZnO nanofibers was estimated to be 1031.8 μmol g−1 h−1, which was about 1.5 times higher than that of ZnO nanoparticles. Moreover, the ZnO nanofibers photocatalyst can maintain its 93.2 % H2‐production rate after five recycle experiments, whereas only 55.8 % for ZnO nanoparticles. This study provides an effective way to solve the energy problem by using solar energy.
Formation, Structure, and Function of Hydrogenated and Fluorinated Long‐Chain Phosphonate‐Modified Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Bidentate Bonds
Authors: Abiko Yoshinori , Hayasaki Takuto , Hirayama Shuhei , Almarasy Ahmed A. , Kawabata Youhei , Fujimori Atsuhiro
Published: June 2020

The dispersion of hydrophilized single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) in organic solvent, through the modification of its surface by bidentate long‐chain phosphonic acid with excellent heat resistance, and its structural characterization, through the formation of a monolayer on the water surface, have been performed. The surface‐modified chains were developed by both hydrocarbon‐based and fluorocarbon‐based modifiers, and the arrangement of the organized films of each modified SWCNT was evaluated. The modified nanotubes were uniformly dispersed in toluene solvent, facilitating the confirmation of its lipophilicity, and spread as a monolayer at the air–water interface. The morphology of the organo‐SWCNT monolayer was fibrous. In the Raman spectrum of the modified‐SWCNT Langmuir‐Blodgett multilayers, the defect‐derived D band shifted to lower wavenumbers. The above experimental results confirmed the non‐desorptive property of the modified‐bidentate chain. The packing and orientation of the modified chains were evaluated through out‐of‐plane and in‐plane X‐ray diffraction and polarized infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the monolayer of organo‐SWCNT was densified with a small number of defects by the “repeating compression‐expansion method”. Furthermore, activation of the lysozyme enzyme from the subphase caused adsorption and immobilization onto organo‐SWCNT monolayers. The introduction of SWCNTs to the air–water interface has revealed the potential for nanostructural control and the estimation of interactions between biomolecules.
Carbon Nanotubes Derived from Industrial Resin for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene
Authors: Yin Chengyang , He Jing , Liu Shuang
Published: June 2020

Compared with conventional metal‐based catalysts, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit advantages of tunable surface chemical composition and structure. The complicated synthetic technique of traditional methods limited large‐scale production of CNTs. Carbon nanotube (CNT−R) was successfully prepared by simple carbonization of the industrial anion resin with cyanocobaltate. The CNT−R was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Characterization indicates that the CNT−R shows hierarchically porous structure, large pore volume and highly graphitization. The catalyst shows high catalytic activity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene.
Study on the Transformation Mechanism of Twinning Martensite and the Growth Behavior of Variants Based on Phase‐Field Method
Authors: Gao Jingxiang , Li Chang , Zhang Dacheng , Han Xing
Published: June 2020

Martensite is a common metallographic structure. Accurately revealing the objective law of the martensite transformation process is of great significance for controlling material organization and design materials. Herein, based on the phase‐field method, a 3D three‐variant martensite transformation model from the metastable to steady state is established based on the Khachaturyan. A. G. dislocation dynamic model. The transformation mechanism of martensite is analyzed and the transformation law and the law of growth behavior of variants is obtained. The research reveals the growth mechanism of martensite in multivariant martensite transformation, verifies the microstructure of steel after the quenching process, and proposes the “phagocytic” behavior of martensite transformation process and the prediction method of transforming variants. Finally, an interpretation of the interface fluctuations and residual austenite appearing during the transformation process is made. Herein, the objective law of martensite transformation is revealed, the universal prediction of martensite transformation morphology is realized, and an important theoretical basis for quenching tissue regulation and large‐scale high‐precision phase‐transition simulation is provided.
Effect of Preheat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of a Gear Steel for High‐Temperature Carburizing
Authors: An Xiaoxue , Tian Yong , Wang Haojie , Wang Zhaodong
Published: June 2020

Preheat treatment affects not only the microstructure and machinability of the gear steels, but also the final distortion after carburizing and quenching. The effects of preheat treatments of normalizing, tempering, isothermal normalizing, normalizing and tempering, and quenching and tempering on the microstructure and properties of the Nb–Ti microalloyed 18CrNiMo7‐6 gear steel for high‐temperature carburizing are systematically studied herein. The results show that preheat treatment has a significant influence on microstructure evolution, austenite grain coarsening behavior during pseudocarburizing, hardness distribution, and impact toughness of the experimental steel. The microstructure of experimental steel after quenching and tempering is typical tempered martensite with a large number of fine Cr‐rich carbides and Nb–Ti precipitates uniformly distributed. Compared with the pretreatments of simple normalizing, tempering, isothermal normalizing, and normalizing and tempering, the steel after quenching and tempering exhibits the best microstructure uniformity, austenite grain coarsening resistance, machinability, and impact toughness. For the Nb–Ti microalloyed 18CrNiMo7‐6 gear steel, quenching and tempering is the optimum preheat treatment prior to carburizing. In addition, the tempering temperature is selected in the range of 600–650 °C due to the effect of secondary hardening and phase transformation behavior.
Comparison of Blast Furnace Operation Modes in the World
Authors: Lüngen Hans Bodo , Schmöle Peter
Published: June 2020

The blast furnace (BF) is the dominant metallic product supplier for crude steel production worldwide. This process has reached an extreme high technological standard with large efficiency and low reductant rates. Independently from the fact that the BF process has nearly achieved the theoretical minimum in energy consumption, it enables the operators a wide range of operation modes with a high flexibility. This varies depending on regional and other circumstances in manifold possibilities regarding ferrous burden structure, reductant rates like use and amount of auxiliary reductants and coke rates, productivity levels, oxygen addition volumes, and the durability of BF campaigns. A further important aspect is the requirement on the quality of ferrous burden materials and BF coke.
Perturbative expansions of Rényi relative divergences and holography
Authors: Ugajin Tomonori
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a novel way to perturbatively calculate Rényi relative divergences D

γ
(ρ‖σ) = trρ

γ

σ
1 − γ
and related quantities without using replica trick as well as analytic continuation. We explicitly determine the form of the perturbative term at any order by an integral along the modular flow of the unperturbed state. By applying the prescription to a class of reduced density matrices in conformal field theory, we find that the second order term of certain linear combination of the divergences has a holographic expression in terms of bulk symplectic form, which is a one parameter generalization of the statement “Fisher information = Bulk canonical energy”.
Spin-1/2 fermionic operators of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM theory and DIS from type IIB supergravity
Authors: Jorrin David , Michalski Gustavo , Schvellinger Martin
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We study deep inelastic scattering (DIS) of charged leptons from polarised spin-1/2 hadrons in terms of the gauge/gravity duality. We calculate the structure functions related to spin-1/2 fermionic operators of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SYM theory in the planar limit and at strong coupling. Specifically, we focus on the twist-3 operator which is dual to a certain dilatino mode and gives the leading contribution to the hadronic tensor. We consider the Bjorken variable within the parametric range

$$ {\uplambda}_{\mathrm{SYM}}^{-1/2}\ll x<1 $$

λ
SYM

−
1
/
2

≪
x
<
1

where the supergravity dual description holds. From dimensional reduction of type IIB supergravity on the five-sphere, we derive the interaction terms involving two dilatini and a massless vector field mode. This vector field is a linear combination of certain components of the graviton and the four-form potential. The angular integrals on the five-sphere lead to selection rules for the interactions with important consequences on the dynamics. This implies the existence of new terms contributing to the structure functions that we explicitly calculate. The leading contribution comes from the Pauli term, followed by the contributions from the new terms we found.
Systemic modulation of stress and immune parameters in patients treated for prostate adenocarcinoma by intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy
Authors: Frey B. , Mika J. , Jelonek K. , Cruz-Garcia L. , Roelants C. , Testard I. , Cherradi N. , Lumniczky K. , Polozov S. , Napieralska A. , Widlak P. , Gaipl U.S. , Badie C. , Polanska J. , Candéias S. M.
Published: June 2020

Background

In this exploratory study, the impact of local irradiation on systemic changes in stress and immune parameters was investigated in eight patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for prostate adenocarcinoma to gain deeper insights into how radiotherapy (RT) modulates the immune system.

Patients and methods

RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, metabolomics, and antibody arrays were used to monitor a panel of stress- and immune-related parameters before RT, after the first fraction (SABR) or the first week of treatment (IMRT), after the last fraction, and 3 weeks later in the blood of IMRT (N = 4) or SABR (N = 4) patients. Effect size analysis was used for comparison of results at different timepoints.

Results

Several parameters were found to be differentially modulated in IMRT and SABR patients: the expression of TGFB1, IL1B, and CCL3 genes; the expression of HLA-DR on circulating monocytes; the abundance and ratio of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine metabolites in plasma. More immune modulators in plasma were modulated during IMRT than SABR, with only two common proteins, namely GDF-15 and Tim‑3.

Conclusion

Locally delivered RT induces systemic modulation of the immune system in prostate adenocarcinoma patients. IMRT and SABR appear to specifically affect distinct immune components.
Activity recognition through interactive machine learning in a dynamic sensor setting
Authors: Tegen Agnes , Davidsson Paul , Persson Jan A.
Published: June 2020

The advances in Internet of things lead to an increased number of devices generating and streaming data. These devices can be useful data sources for activity recognition by using machine learning. However, the set of available sensors may vary over time, e.g. due to mobility of the sensors and technical failures. Since the machine learning model uses the data streams from the sensors as input, it must be able to handle a varying number of input variables, i.e. that the feature space might change over time. Moreover, the labelled data necessary for the training is often costly to acquire. In active learning, the model is given a budget for requesting labels from an oracle, and aims to maximize accuracy by careful selection of what data instances to label. It is generally assumed that the role of the oracle only is to respond to queries and that it will always do so. In many real-world scenarios however, the oracle is a human user and the assumptions are simplifications that might not give a proper depiction of the setting. In this work we investigate different interactive machine learning strategies, out of which active learning is one, which explore the effects of an oracle that can be more proactive and factors that might influence a user to provide or withhold labels. We implement five interactive machine learning strategies as well as hybrid versions of them and evaluate them on two datasets. The results show that a more proactive user can improve the performance, especially when the user is influenced by the accuracy of earlier predictions. The experiments also highlight challenges related to evaluating performance when the set of classes is changing over time.
Modelling of Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers with Varying Stratifications
Authors: Želi Velibor , Brethouwer Geert , Wallin Stefan , Johansson Arne V.
Published: June 2020

A recently developed explicit algebraic Reynolds-stress (EARS) model is validated for an idealized representation of the night-time high-latitude stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer. The simulations are made with four surface cooling rates that result in weakly to moderately stratified stable boundary layers. The predictions of the EARS model are compared to high-resolution large-eddy simulations (LES) of Sullivan et al. (J Atmos Sci 73(4):1815–1840, 2016). First- and second-order statistics are shown to be well predicted by the EARS model. The EARS model also predicts the horizontal turbulent fluxes and turbulence anisotropy and these compare well with the LES results. The sensitivity to the model coefficients is studied by comparing the EARS model results with LES results. Finally, we propose a new scaling for the production of turbulence kinetic energy and show that the EARS model captures the essential trends of the LES results for different cooling rates.