bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Universal Coating Strategy for Controllable Functionalized Polymer Surfaces
Authors: Mao Shihua , Zhang Dong , Zhang Yanxian , Yang Jintao , Zheng Jie
Published: August 2020

Development of a universal and stable surface coating, irrespective of surface chemistry or material characteristics, is highly desirable but has proved to be extremely challenging. Conventional coating strategies including the commonly used catechol surface coating are limited to either a certain type of substrates or weak and unreliable surface bonding. Here, a simple, robust, and universal surface coating method capable for attaching any stimuli‐responsive glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)‐based copolymer, consisting of one surface‐adhesive moiety of epoxy groups and one stimuli‐responsive moiety, to any type of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces via a one‐step ring‐opening reaction is proposed and demonstrated. The resultant GMA‐based copolymers are not only strongly adhered on different substrates (e.g., silicon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, indium tin oxide, polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, glass, polydimethylsiloxane, and even polyvinylidene fluoride with low surface energy), but also are possessed distinct thermal‐, pH‐, and salt‐responsive functions of bacterial killing, bacterial releasing, tunable multicolor fluorescence emission, and heavy metal detection. This coating method is also compatible with the directional quaternization of GMA‐based copolymers for further improving surface adhesion and functionality. This study provides a simple yet universal coating method to solve the long‐standing challenge of robust integration of stimuli‐responsive polymers with strong adhesion between various polymers and substrates.
Microfabricated Gaps Reveal the Effect of Geometrical Control in Wound Healing
Authors: Bao Min , Xie Jing , Piruska Aigars , Hu Xinyu , Huck Wilhelm T. S.
Published: August 2020

The geometry (size and shape) of gaps is a key determinant in controlling gap closure during wound healing. However, conventional methods for creating gaps result in un‐defined geometries and poorly characterized conditions (cell death factors and cell debris), which can influence the gap closure process. To overcome these limitations, a novel method to create well‐defined geometrical gaps is developed. First, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are seeded in variously shaped micro‐containers made out of hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Cell proliferation and cell tension induce fibrous collagen production by SMCs predominantly around the edges of the micro‐containers. Upon removal of SMCs, the selectively deposited collagen results in micro‐containers with cell‐adhesive regions along the edges and walls. Fibroblasts are seeded in these micro‐containers, and upon attaching and spreading, they naturally form gaps with different geometries. The rapid proliferation of fibroblasts from the edge results in filling and closure of the gaps. It is demonstrated that gap closure rate as well as closure mechanism is strongly influenced by geometrical features, which points to an important role for cellular tension and cell proliferation in gap closure.
Hybrid Photonic–Plasmonic Bound States in Continuum for Enhanced Light Manipulation
Authors: Meudt Maik , Bogiadzi Chakan , Wrobel Kevin , Görrn Patrick
Published: August 2020

Light can be influenced by permittivity changes in optical resonators to enable optical sensors, modulators, and switches. The best performance (intensity change per permittivity change) is observed for dielectric bound states in the continuum (BICs). However, the lateral size must be large to explore their full potential. In this work, hybrid photonic–plasmonic BICs (hybrid BICs) fabricated using a cost‐efficient scalable fabrication method are experimentally realized. While plasmonics is known to enable strong miniaturization, regarding BICs, the introduction of losses is thought to reduce device performance. Hybrid BICs in two operation modes, specular geometry and diffraction geometry, are also theoretically analyzed. While the reduced device performance is confirmed for hybrid BICs investigated in a specular geometry, a different result is obtained using diffraction geometry: hybrid BICs using diffraction geometry exhibit greatly increased performance compared to purely dielectric ones. Hybrid BICs using diffraction geometry as powerful tool to enhance the capability of light manipulation are thus considered.
A Convoluted Polyvinylpyridine‐Palladium Catalyst for Suzuki‐Miyaura Coupling and C−H Arylation
Authors: Ohno Aya , Sato Takuma , Mase Toshiaki , Uozumi Yasuhiro , Yamada Yoichi M. A.
Published: August 2020

The development of highly active and reusable supported catalysts for Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling and catalytic C−H arylation is important for fundamental and applied chemistry, with these reactions being used to produce medical compounds and functional materials. Herein, we found that a mesoporous composite made of a linear poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and tetrachloropalladate acted as a dual‐mode catalyst for a variety of cross‐coupling reactions, with both Pd nanoparticles and a Pd complex catalyst being observed under different conditions. The polyvinylpyridine‐palladium composite 1 was readily prepared via the molecular convolution of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and sodium tetrachloropalladate to provide a hardly soluble polymer‐metal composite. The Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling and the C−H arylation of aryl chlorides and bromides with arylboronic acids, thiophenes, furans, benzene, and anisole proceeded in the presence of 0.004 mol% (40 mol ppm) to 1 mol% Pd of 1 to afford the corresponding coupling products in high yields. Furthermore, the catalyst was reused without an appreciable loss of activity. Pharmaceutical compounds and functional materials were synthesized via the coupling reactions. N2 gas adsorption/desorption analysis indicated that the catalyst had a mesoporous nature, which played a crucial role in the catalysis. In the Suzuki‐Miyaura couplings, in situ generated palladium nanoparticles in the polymer matrix were catalytically active, while a polymeric Pd(II) complex was crucial in the C−H arylations. These catalytic species were investigated via XAFS, XPS, far‐infrared absorption, and Raman spectroscopies, as well as DFT calculations.

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Advancing Applications of Black Phosphorus and BP‐Analog Materials in Photo/Electrocatalysis through Structure Engineering and Surface Modulation
Authors: Yin Teng , Long Liyuan , Tang Xian , Qiu Meng , Liang Weiyuan , Cao Rui , Zhang Qizhen , Wang Dunhui , Zhang Han
Published: August 2020

Black phosphorus (BP), an emerging 2D material semiconductor material, exhibits unique properties and promising application prospects for photo/electrocatalysis. However, the applications of BP in photo/electrocatalysis are hampered by the instability as well as low catalysis efficiency. Recently, tremendous efforts have been dedicated toward modulating its intrinsic structure, electronic property, and charge separation for enhanced photo/electrocatalytic performance through structure engineering. Simultaneously, the search for new substitute materials that are BP‐analogous is ongoing. Herein, the latest theoretical and experimental progress made in the structural/surface engineering strategies and advanced applications of BP and BP‐analog materials in relation to photo/electrocatalysis are extensively explored, and a presentation of the future opportunities and challenges of the materials is included at the end.
Nanocomposite Ionogel Electrolytes for Solid‐State Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Hyun Woo Jin , Thomas Cory M. , Hersam Mark C.
Published: August 2020

Ionogels composed of ionic liquids and gelling solid matrices offer several advantages as solid‐state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries, including safety under diverse operating conditions, favorable electrochemical and thermal properties, and wide processing compatibility. Among gelling solid matrices, nanoscale materials have shown particular promise due to their ability to concurrently enhance ionogel mechanical properties, thermal stability, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability. These beneficial attributes suggest that ionogel electrolytes are not only of interest for incumbent lithium‐ion batteries but also for next‐generation rechargeable battery technologies. Herein, recent advances in nanocomposite ionogel electrolytes are discussed to highlight their advantages as solid‐state electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. By exploring a range of different nanoscale gelling solid matrices, relationships between nanoscale material structure and ionogel properties are developed. Furthermore, key research challenges are delineated to help guide and accelerate the incorporation of nanocomposite ionogel electrolytes in high‐performance solid‐state rechargeable batteries.
Should public safety shift workers be allowed to nap while on duty?
Authors: Patterson P. Daniel , Weaver Matthew D. , Guyette Francis X. , Martin‐Gill Christian
Published: August 2020

Fatigue and sleep deficiency among public safety personnel are threats to wellness, public and personal safety, and workforce retention. Napping strategies may reduce work‐related fatigue, improve safety and health, yet in some public safety organizations it is discouraged or prohibited. Our aim with this commentary is to define intra‐shift napping, summarize arguments for and against it, and to outline potential applications of this important fatigue mitigation strategy supported by evidence. We focus our discussion on emergency medical services (EMS); a key component of the public safety system, which is comprised of police, fire, and EMS. The personnel who work in EMS stand to benefit from intra‐shift napping due to frequent use of extended duration shifts, a high prevalence of personnel working multiple jobs, and evidence showing that greater than half of EMS personnel report severe fatigue, poor sleep quality, inadequate inter‐shift recovery, and excessive daytime sleepiness. The benefits of intra‐shift napping include decreased sleepiness and fatigue, improved recovery between shifts, decreased anxiety, and reduced feelings of burnout. Intra‐shift napping also mitigates alterations in clinician blood pressure associated with disturbed sleep and shift work. The negative consequences of napping include negative public perception, acute performance deficits stemming from sleep inertia, and the potential costs associated with reduced performance. While there are valid arguments against intra‐shift napping, we believe that the available scientific evidence favors it as a key component of fatigue mitigation and workplace wellness. We further believe that these arguments extend beyond EMS to all sectors of public safety.
Nucleophilic Diboration Strategy Targeting Diversified 1‐Boraphenarene Architectures
Authors: Hirano Keiichi , Morimoto Kensuke , Fujioka Shota , Miyamoto Kazunori , Muranaka Atsuya , Uchiyama Masanobu
Published: August 2020

1‐Boraphenalenes, a class of boron‐doped polyaromatic hydrocarbons, were synthesized by nucleophilic diboration reaction of alkynes. Activation of diboron reagents with a highly basic sp2‐carbanion results in very fast successive C−B bond formations to construct the boracycle. This methodology is characterized by high chemoselectivity, affording a wide variety of 1‐boraphenarenes with diverse polar substituents. The endocyclic boron can be arylated conveniently in one pot, and the peripheral boron is available for various chemical transformations. Highly diastereoselective diboration gives pseudo‐enantio‐enriched boraphenarene, which emits circularly polarized fluorescence (CPL).
Cost‐efficient monitoring of continuous‐time stochastic processes based on discrete observations
Authors: Yoshioka Hidekazu , Yaegashi Yuta , Tsujimura Motoh , Yoshioka Yumi
Published: August 2020

Planning a cost‐efficient monitoring policy of stochastic processes arises from many industrial problems. We formulate a simple discrete‐time monitoring problem of continuous‐time stochastic processes with its applications to several industrial problems. A key in our model is a doubling trick of the variables, with which we can construct an algorithm to solve the problem. The cost‐efficient monitoring policy balancing between the observation cost and information loss is governed by an optimality equation of a fixed point type, which is solvable with an iterative algorithm based on the Feynman‐Kac formula. This is a new linkage between monitoring problems and mathematical sciences. We show regularity results of the optimization problem and present a numerical algorithm for its approximation. A problem having model ambiguity is presented as well. The presented model is applied to problems of environment, ecology, and energy, having qualitatively different target stochastic processes with each other.
Meiosis I Kinase Regulators: Conserved Orchestrators of Reductional Chromosome Segregation
Authors: Galander Stefan , Marston Adèle L.
Published: August 2020

Research over the last two decades has identified a group of meiosis‐specific proteins, consisting of budding yeast Spo13, fission yeast Moa1, mouse MEIKIN, and Drosophila Mtrm, with essential functions in meiotic chromosome segregation. These proteins, which we call meiosis I kinase regulators (MOKIRs), mediate two major adaptations to the meiotic cell cycle to allow the generation of haploid gametes from diploid mother cells. Firstly, they promote the segregation of homologous chromosomes in meiosis I (reductional division) by ensuring that sister kinetochores face towards the same pole (mono‐orientation). Secondly, they safeguard the timely separation of sister chromatids in meiosis II (equational division) by counteracting the premature removal of pericentromeric cohesin, and thus prevent the formation of aneuploid gametes. Although MOKIRs bear no obvious sequence similarity, they appear to play functionally conserved roles in regulating meiotic kinases. Here, the known functions of MOKIRs are reviewed and their possible mechanisms of action are discussed. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/tLE9KL89bwk.
Determinants of the Nucleotide Specificity in the Carbohydrate Epimerase Family 1
Authors: Van Overtveldt Stevie , Da Costa Matthieu , Gevaert Ophelia , Joosten Henk‐Jan , Beerens Koen , Desmet Tom
Published: August 2020

In recent years, carbohydrate epimerases have attracted increasing attention as promising biocatalysts for the production of specialty sugars and derivatives. The vast majority of these enzymes are active on nucleotide‐activated sugars, rather than on their free counterparts. Although such epimerases are known to have a clear preference for a particular nucleotide (UDP, GDP, CDP, or ADP), very little is known about the determinants of the respective specificities. In this work, sequence motifs are identified that correlate with the different nucleotide specificities in one of the main epimerase superfamilies, carbohydrate epimerase 1 (CEP1). To confirm their relevance, GDP‐ and CDP‐specific residues are introduced into the UDP‐glucose 4‐epimerase from Thermus thermophilus, resulting in a 3‐fold and 13‐fold reduction in KM for GDP‐Glc and CDP‐Glc, respectively. Moreover, several variants are severely crippled in UDP‐Glc activity, which further underlines the crucial role of the identified positions. Hence, the analysis should prove to be valuable for the further exploration and application of epimerases involved in carbohydrate synthesis.
Quality of life and patient satisfaction after implant-based breast reconstruction with or without acellular dermal matrix: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lohmander F , Lagergren J , Johansson H , Roy P G , Frisell J , Brandberg Y
Published: August 2020

Background

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in implant-based breast reconstructions (IBBRs) aims to improve cosmetic outcomes. Six-month data are presented from a randomized trial evaluating whether IBBR with ADM provides higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient-reported cosmetic outcomes compared with conventional IBBR without ADM.

Methods

In this multicentre open-label RCT, women with breast cancer planned for mastectomy with immediate IBBR in four centres in Sweden and one in the UK were allocated randomly (1 : 1) to IBBR with or without ADM. HRQoL, a secondary endpoint, was measured as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) using three validated instruments (EORTC-QLQC30, QLQ-BR23, QLQ-BRR26) at baseline and 6 months.

Results

Between 24 April 2014 and 10 May 2017, 135 women were enrolled, of whom 64 with and 65 without ADM were included in the final analysis. At 6 months after surgery, patient-reported HRQoL, measured with generic QLQ-C30 or breast cancer-specific QLQ-BR23, was similar between the groups. For patient-reported cosmetic outcomes, two subscale items, cosmetic outcome (8·66, 95 per cent c.i. 0·46 to 16·86; P = 0·041) and problems finding a well-fitting bra (−13·21, −25·54 to −0·89; P = 0·038), yielded higher scores in favour of ADM, corresponding to a small to moderate clinical difference. None of the other 27 domains measured showed any significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

IBBR with ADM was not superior in terms of higher levels of HRQoL compared with IBBR without ADM. Although two subscale items of patient-reported cosmetic outcomes favoured ADM, the majority of cosmetic items showed no significant difference between treatments at 6 months. Registration number: NCT02061527 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Standardizing therapeutic parameters of acupuncture in vascular dementia rats
Authors: Yang Na‐Na , Ma Si‐Ming , Yang Jing‐Wen , Li Tian‐Ran , Liu Cun‐Zhi
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Despite acupuncture having been successfully used for the clinical treatment for vascular dementia in Asian countries for centuries, scientifically rigorous evidence is lacking for standardizing therapeutic parameters. To address this problem, it is necessary to examine the parameters of acupuncture using scientific methodology. The goal of this study is to investigate various therapeutic parameters, including manipulation, retention, and frequency of acupuncture, and their contribution to the efficacy of acupuncture in VD.

Methods

We selected needle retention, treatment frequency, and needle rotation as the parameters. Acupuncture was performed on acupoints ST36 and GV20. Morris Water Maze was selected to assess the effect of acupuncture on cognitive function and Nissl staining indicated the hippocampal neuronal damage in VD rats.

Results

Acupuncture stimulation resulted in a significant improvement in the spatial learning and memory deficit and reversed neuronal damage in the hippocampus. The approach of needle retention with 10 min, rotation for 30s every 5 min or daily treatment with acupuncture was more effective than nonretention, nonrotation, or alternative day treatment group.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that needle retention, treatment frequency, and needle manipulation are important factors in improving the learning and memory as well as reducing the neuronal damage of the hippocampus in a rat VD model. These findings strongly suggest that the appropriate therapeutic parameters could significant influence the efficiency in animal experiments.
Isotretinoin for the treatment of facial lichen planopilaris: A new indication for an old drug, a case series study
Authors: Fatemi Farahnaz , Mohaghegh Fatemeh , Danesh Farzaneh , saber Mina , Rajabi Parvin
Published: August 2020

Despite the little information about the facial papules due to Lichen planopilaris (LPP), we have many cases with facial skin roughness in which histological study has showed LPP. Additionally, in those patients treating for frontal fibrosing alopecia or scalp LPP there was no improvement in facial papules.
Intracellular Photophysics of an Osmium Complex bearing an Oligothiophene Extended Ligand
Authors: Schneider Kilian R. A. , Chettri Avinash , Cole Houston D. , Reglinski Katharina , Brückmann Jannik , Roque John A. , Stumper Anne , Nauroozi Djawed , Schmid Sylvia , Lagerholm Christoffer B. , Rau Sven , Bäuerle Peter , Eggeling Christian , Cameron Colin G. , McFarland Sherri A. , Dietzek Benjamin
Published: August 2020

This contribution describes the excited‐state properties of an Osmium‐complex when taken up into human cells. The complex 1 [Os(bpy)2(IP‐4T)](PF6)2 with bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine and IP‐4T=2‐{5′‐[3′,4′‐diethyl‐(2,2′‐bithien‐5‐yl)]‐3,4‐diethyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene}imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline) can be discussed as a candidate for photodynamic therapy in the biological red/NIR window. The complex is taken up by MCF7 cells and localizes rather homogeneously within in the cytoplasm. To detail the sub‐ns photophysics of 1, comparative transient absorption measurements were carried out in different solvents to derive a model of the photoinduced processes. Key to rationalize the excited‐state relaxation is a long‐lived 3ILCT state associated with the oligothiophene chain. This model was then tested with the complex internalized into MCF7 cells, since the intracellular environment has long been suspected to take big influence on the excited state properties. In our study of 1 in cells, we were able to show that, though the overall model remained the same, the excited‐state dynamics are affected strongly by the intracellular environment. Our study represents the first in depth correlation towards ex‐vivo and in vivo ultrafast spectroscopy for a possible photodrug.
An Assay for Screening Potential Drug Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease That Act as Chaperones of the Transthyretin and Amyloid‐β Peptides Interaction
Authors: Cotrina Ellen Y. , Gimeno Ana , Llop Jordi , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús , Quintana Jordi , Prohens Rafel , Cardoso Isabel , Arsequell Gemma
Published: August 2020

The protein transthyretin (TTR) modulates amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides deposition and processing and this physiological effect is further enhanced by treatment with iododiflunisal (IDIF), a small‐molecule compound (SMC) with TTR tetramer stabilization properties, which behaves as chaperone of the complex. This knowledge has prompted us to design and optimize a rapid and simple high‐throughput assay that relies on the ability of test compounds to form ternary soluble complexes TTR/Aβ/SMC that prevent Aβ aggregation. The method uses the shorter Aβ(12–28) sequence which is cheaper and simpler to use while retaining the aggregation properties of their parents Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42). The test is carried out in 96‐plate wells that are UV monitored for turbidity during 6 h. Given its reproducibility, we propose that this test can be a powerful tool for efficient screening of SMCs that act as chaperones of the TTR/Aβ interaction that may led to potential AD therapies.
The matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) links Hsp90 chaperone with acquired drug resistance and tumor metastasis
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Siripini Satish , Sreedhar Amere Subbarao
Published: August 2020

Background

Cancer emergence is associated with a series of cellular transformations that include acquired drug resistance followed by tumor metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Hsp90 chaperone are implicated in tumor progression, however, they are not studied in the context of drug resistance.

Aims

In the present study, we aimed at understanding the cross‐talk between acquired drug resistance and tumor progression, linking MMP7 and Hsp90.

Methods and results

We have developed an in vitro model system for acquired drug resistance and studied the correlation between MMP7 and Hsp90. We demonstrate that enhanced drug efflux activity correlates with the induced expression and activity of MMP7, and enhanced metastatic potential of cells, however, in Hsp90‐dependent manner. The MMP7 overexpression alone could enhance the drug efflux activity marginally, and metastasis significantly. However, challenging these cells with 17AAG has significantly increased the drug efflux activity and, in contrast, decreased the metastatic potential. Evaluating our in vitro findings in mice xenografts revealed that MMP7 overexpression facilitates altered homing properties. However, these cells, in response to 17AAG treatment, exhibited increased localized tumor growth but decreased tumor metastasis.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a cross‐talk between Hsp90 and MMP7 in regulating the acquired drug resistance and tumor progression. Our findings provide novel insights on targeting drug resistant‐tumors.
Dealing with multiple traits in maize: A new approach for selecting progenies
Authors: Crispim‐Filho Ailton José , dos Santos Flávio Pereira , Pinto Jefferson Fernando Naves , Melo Patrícia Guimarães Santos , dos Reis Edésio Fialho , Mendes‐Resende Marcela Pedroso
Published: August 2020

Many maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs select genotypes considering just grain yield. However, this strategy may not be efficient due to undesirable associations between grain yield and other traits. The breeder's challenge is to combine good characteristics in one genotype. The aim of this study was to propose a new approach to select maize progenies considering multiple traits. One hundred forty‐one half‐sib progenies were evaluated for 14 agronomic traits in a 12 by 12 triple lattice design in two environments. Four progeny selection strategies were performed to increase yield. Strategy 1, considering just yield; Strategy 2, considering all traits in a selection index; Strategy 3, considering only traits that have effect in yield, based on path analysis; and Strategy 4, similar to Strategy 3, but disregarding any trait showing undesirable correlation with other traits. Strategies 2, 3, and 4 considered Smith and Hazel index. The progenies selected by Strategy 4 showed more balanced predicted gains considering all traits. Its predicted gain in all traits related to yield was higher than the of Strategies 2 and 3, and it led to smaller gains in height and flowering time, which breeders want to decrease its means. Strategy 1 showed the best gains in yield, as expected, but obtained undesirable phenotypes for the other traits. The use of path analysis to delineate the Smith and Hazel index is a very appealing approach for selecting maize progenies and the Strategy 4 was the most efficient at accomplishing balanced gains for multiple traits.
Exact analysis of the multihop multibranch hybrid AF/DF relaying networks
Authors: Forghani Amir H. , Al Hassan Muath , Ben Mabrouk Ismail , Sultan Amber , Babar Rasheed Muhammad
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the exact analysis of a multihop multibranch (MHMB) relaying network is investigated wherein each relay can operate in amplify‐and‐forward (AF) or decode‐and‐forward (DF) modes depending upon the decoding result of its received signal. If a relay decodes the received signal correctly, it works in DF mode; otherwise, the relay operates in AF mode. Therefore, we name such relaying network as hybrid amplify‐and‐forward and decode‐and‐forward (hybrid AF/DF) relaying network. We first investigate the signal transmission from source to destination node via n number of relays in a hybrid AF/DF MHMB mode. Then, we obtained the statistical features and analyze the end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Finally, a comprehensive performance analysis is conducted by using maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme at the destination node. For comparison, we also obtained the results using selection combining (SC) scheme at the destination node. To the best of our knowledge, very few works in the literature have considered a general system model of MHMB relaying network wherein each relay can operate in AF or DF modes, that is, a hybrid AF/DF relaying network. Accordingly, the analysis of our system model is not only novel and exact, but also is comprehensive and can be employed in the future works.
Potential wildfire and carbon stability in frequent‐fire forests in the Sierra Nevada: trade‐offs from a long‐term study
Authors: Foster Daniel E. , Battles John J. , Collins Brandon M. , York Robert A. , Stephens Scott L.
Published: August 2020

Forests are the largest terrestrial carbon stock, and disturbance regimes can have large effects on the structure and function of forests. Many dry temperate forests in the western United States are adapted to a regime of frequent, low‐to‐moderate severity fire. The disruption of this disturbance regime over the last century has shifted forest conditions, making them more susceptible to high‐severity fire. Fuel treatments have been shown to effectively reduce wildfire hazard, often with co‐benefits to ecological values. However, the effects of fuel treatments on forest carbon are complex, often characterized by direct costs (e.g., carbon emissions from prescribed fire) and wildfire‐contingent benefits (increased resistance of live tree carbon to wildfire). In this study, we employ risk‐sensitive carbon accounting and empirical data from a replicated field experiment to evaluate the stand‐scale carbon effects of four management regimes over a 14‐yr period in a historically frequent‐fire adapted forest. All three active treatment regimes immediately increased stable live tree carbon stocks over no‐treatment controls. In most contexts examined, mechanical‐only or no‐treatment controls will maximize expected total carbon stocks when incorporating wildfire risk and the carbon stability of live biomass, dead biomass, and offsite forest products, although we acknowledge our wildfire modeling may underestimate C losses, particularly in the control stands. Undoubtedly, many other ecosystem and social values besides carbon will be important factors that influence fuel and restoration treatments.
Wildfire and drought moderate the spatial elements of tree mortality
Authors: Furniss Tucker J. , Larson Andrew J. , Kane Van R. , Lutz James A.
Published: August 2020

Background tree mortality is a complex process that requires large sample sizes and long timescales to disentangle the suite of ecological factors that collectively contribute to tree stress, decline, and eventual mortality. Tree mortality associated with acute disturbance events, in contrast, is conspicuous and frequently studied, but there remains a lack of research regarding the role of background mortality processes in mediating the severity and delayed effects of disturbance. We conducted an empirical study by measuring the rates, causes, and spatial pattern of mortality annually among 32,989 individual trees within a large forest demography plot in the Sierra Nevada. We characterized the relationships between background mortality, compound disturbances (fire and drought), and forest spatial structure, and we integrated our findings with a synthesis of the existing literature from around the world to develop a conceptual framework describing the spatio‐temporal signatures of background and disturbance‐related tree mortality. The interactive effects of fire, drought, and background mortality processes altered the rate, spatial structuring, and ecological consequences of mortality. Before fire, spatially non‐random mortality was only evident among small (1 < cm DBH ≤ 10)‐ and medium (10 < cm DBH ≤ 60)‐diameter classes; mortality rates were low (1.7% per yr), and mortality was density‐dependent among small‐diameter trees. Direct fire damage caused the greatest number of moralities (70% of stems ≥1 cm DBH), but the more enduring effects of this disturbance on the demography and spatial pattern of large‐diameter trees occurred during the post‐fire mortality regime. The combined effects of disturbance and biotic mortality agents provoked density‐dependent mortality among large‐diameter (≥60 cm DBH) trees, eliciting a distinct post‐disturbance mortality regime that did not resemble the pattern of either pre‐fire mortality or direct fire effects. The disproportionate ecological significance of the largest trees renders this mortality regime acutely consequential to the long‐term structure and function of forests.
Individual‐based simulations suggest mixed impacts of warmer temperatures and a nonnative predator on Chinook salmon
Authors: Hawkins B. L. , Fullerton A. H. , Sanderson B. L. , Steel E. A.
Published: August 2020

As the climate changes, warmer water temperatures may stress populations of native coldwater fishes. Simultaneously, nonnative warmwater predators may expand their ranges and interact with already at‐risk native fish populations. To explore the independent and combined effects of these two stressors on threatened salmon, we present a case study of simulated Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides interacting under two thermal regimes in the Snoqualmie River, Washington, USA. We applied an individual‐based and spatially explicit model that tracks fish movement and growth. We evaluated changes in Chinook salmon emergence date, outmigration date, mass, and survival. We ran simulations for four scenarios: (1) Baseline, run without either stressor, (2) Warm, run with warmer temperatures, (3) Predator, run with largemouth bass, and (4) Warm‐Predator, run with both stressors. We assessed outcome metrics relative to the Baseline scenario. In the Warm scenario, salmon emerged 37 d and outmigrated 55 d earlier. There were 61% more subyearling migrants that were 31% smaller, and 72% fewer yearlings. In the Predator scenario, salmon survival decreased 64% for subyearlings and 69% for yearlings, and subyearlings were 7% smaller. In the Warm‐Predator scenario, salmon emerged 39 d and outmigrated 59 d earlier, subyearling survival increased 22%, subyearling mass decreased 37%, and 93% fewer yearlings survived. Our results suggest that warmer temperatures shift emergence and outmigration; predation by nonnative species is a threat to salmon survival; and life history strategies experience these stressors in different ways. Whereas subyearling production benefited from warmer temperatures more than it was hurt by predation, yearling production was depressed by both stressors independently and combined. Managers can use our individual‐based and spatially explicit approach to identify key times and areas to address exposure to extreme temperatures, overlap with nonnative species, and their interactive effects on threatened salmon. Our case study addressed three pressing needs identified in the literature: investigate impacts of nonnative species on threatened native salmon, build tools to evaluate management options where bass and salmon overlap, and explore how freshwater fishes will contend with multiple interactive stressors.
Global norm domestication and selective compliance: The case of Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi mine
Authors: Hatcher Pascale
Published: August 2020

Mongolia is in the midst of one of the world's largest mining boom and the Gobi Desert is the construction site of what is expected to become the World's third‐largest gold‐copper mine: Oyu Tolgoi. The paper follows the case of Oyu Tolgoi to analyse how a complex array of global norms are being domesticated in the particular context of Mongolia. Building on data gathered in the course of three field visits to Mongolia and the literature rooted in critical political economy, it is argued that in Mongolia, the domestication of market‐oriented norms in extractive governance have taken precedence over any other international norms championed for the sector. In such light, and this is the second argument of the paper, this hierarchy embedded in the complex array of international norms that impact the mining sector has compelled the State to strategically cede some of its former roles and responsibilities to the private sector, leaving civil society elements—in the case of Oyu Tolgoi mine, local nomadic communities—with little recourse to address what is now a highly asymmetric relationship with Rio Tinto, the main shareholder of the mine.
Polyaniline Based Electrochemical Biosensor for α‐Fetoprotein Detection Using Bio‐functionalized Nanoparticles as Detection Probe
Authors: Amarnath Chellachamy Anbalagan , Sawant Shilpa N.
Published: August 2020

Composite of polyaniline, bovine serum albumin and silver nanoparticles was used as the enriched immobilization matrix (EIM)‐cum‐electrode material for detection of liver cancer biomarker, α‐fetoprotein (AFP) in blood serum. In the sandwich biosensor, signal amplification was bestowed by EIM and detection probe. EIM entrapped large amount of capture antibody due to its higher surface area and amine‐rich nature, whereas detection probe enhanced the electrochemical signal during its binding with AFP. Biosensor exhibited excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility with a detection limit of 4.7 pg/mL. The amplification strategy adopted herein has potential for clinical detection of cancer biomarkers in point‐of‐care diagnostics.
The Programmatic Action Framework: An empirical assessment
Authors: Hassenteufel Patrick , Genieys William
Published: August 2020

This article starts with a discussion of the analytical issues of the Programmatic Action Framework (PAF); based on the hypothesis that small groups of individuals, sharing a similar analysis of a policy problem sustaining a common policy change program (including orientations, arguments, and instruments) giving them a collective identity, and behaving strategically as a collective actor, can be main drivers of policy change. We then present the methodological implications of the empirical analysis of such programmatic groups and policy change programs. The methodology of the Programmatic Action Framework combines tools coming from the sociology of elites (positional analysis, analysis of professional trajectories, relational analysis) and the sociology of the policy process. It was first applied in empirical researches on health insurance reforms in France and the United States since the 1980s, shedding the light on the key role of specialized policy elites (specialized senior civil servants in France, long‐term insiders in the United States). We conclude by stressing that, because of its systematic and encompassing empirical methodology, the Programmatic Action Framework can be used in a comparative way, in other policy sectors than health care.
Discussion of user‐defined parameters for recursive subspace identification: Application to seismic response of building structures
Authors: Huang Shieh‐Kung , Chen Jun‐Da , Loh Kenneth J. , Loh Chin‐Hsiung
Published: August 2020

Structural damage assessment under external loading, such as earthquake excitation, is an important issue in structural safety evaluation. In this regard, an appropriate data analysis and system identification technique is required to interpret the measured data and to identify the state of the structure. Generally, the recursive system identification algorithm is used. In this study, the recursive subspace identification (RSI) algorithm based on the matrix inversion lemma algorithm with oblique projection technique (RSI‐Inversion‐Oblique) is applied to investigate the time‐varying dynamic characteristics. The user‐defined parameters used in the RSI‐Inversion‐Oblique technique are carefully discussed, which include the size of the data Hankel matrix (i), model order to extract the physical modes, and forgetting factor (FF) to detect the time‐varying system modal frequencies. Response data from the Northridge earthquake from the Sherman Oaks building (CSMIP) is used as an example to examine a systematic method to determine the suitable user‐defined parameters in RSI. It is concluded that the number of rows in the data Hankel matrix significantly influences the identification of the time‐varying fundamental modal frequency of the structure. An algorithmic model order selection method using the eigenvalue distribution of RSI‐Inversion can detect the system modal frequencies at each appending data window without causing any abnormality.
A permission‐combination scalable access control model for Internet of things
Authors: Zhang Qikun , Li Yongjiao , Zheng Chuanyang , Zhu Liang , Yuan Junling , Hu Sikang
Published: August 2020

Development of the Internet of things (IoT) is considered as one of the major events in modern manufacturing industry, and IoT devices are expected to create and exchange vast amounts of data, thereby bringing forth unprecedented challenges in terms of robust and vendor‐neutral data sharing. While access control is widely used to protect the security of data sharing, it still has some security flaws and limitations, such as privacy leakage, fixed access permissions, security vulnerabilities, and so on. Aiming at these problems, this article proposes a permission‐combination scalable access control (PCS‐AC) scheme, in which the methods of access permissions assignment, data encryption, and data access are given. In contrast to prior works, PCS‐AC differs in several significant ways: (1) it supports anonymous access and traceability. Anonymous access can prevent leakage of users' privacy. Traceability can track the illegally accessed entity when the resource is illegally accessed; (2) it supports scalable access to data resources. Users use a combination of attribute permissions to access data at different security levels; (3) it achieves high efficiency because the entity can quickly search ciphertext resources by plaintext keywords. After searching and downloading the ciphertext, decrypt it by group key to obtain the corresponding plaintext information. PCS‐AC is proven secure under the hardness assumption of Discrete Logarithm problem and Inverse Computational Diffe‐Hellman problem. The performance analysis shows that PCS‐AC has higher efficiency than the referred works.
Earthquake‐induced soft‐sediment deformation structures from the Upper Triassic of the Jiyuan district, southern North China Craton: Implications for the Qinling Orogeny
Authors: Wang Min , Yang Wentao
Published: August 2020

Soft‐sediment deformation structures are abundant in the upper part of the Upper Triassic Tanzhuang Formation in the Jiyuan district, southern North China Craton. These deformation structures include large load casts, flame structures, ball‐and‐pillow structures, lenticular sand bodies, synsedimentary faults, and slump structures. The lenticular sand bodies, synsedimentary faults, and slump structures developed in the deep lake environment, while large load casts, flame structures, ball‐and‐pillow structures occurred in the deltaic environment. Based on the geometrical characteristics of the soft‐sediment deformation structures and criteria for recognizing the effects of seismic events, we exclude two major autogenic triggers (including slumping and sediment overloading) and infer that a seismic event was responsible for triggering deformation. Seismic activity was likely associated with activity on the Luanchuan Fault in the Qinling Orogen. The large size and complexity of the soft‐sediment deformation structures, together with their long distance from the inferred epicentre, indicate a high‐magnitude earthquake that is associated with the intensive uplift in the orogenic setting. Comparison of our data with soft‐sediment deformation structures from the Ordos Basin and the Yima district suggests that the Qinling Orogen was subjected to at least two phases of uplift during Late Triassic orogenesis.
The linkage between first‐hand pain sensitivity and empathy for others' pain: Attention matters
Authors: Li Xiaoyun , Liu Yang , Ye Qian , Lu Xuejing , Peng Weiwei
Published: August 2020

Many studies suggested shared psychological and neural representations for first‐hand physical pain and empathy for others' pain, both of which depend strongly upon top–down controlled mechanisms such as attention. This study aimed to assess the interindividual variation in first‐hand physical pain and empathy for pain, and whether their relationship is dependent upon attention. We recruited participants exhibiting high and low sensitivity to first‐hand pain (HPS and LPS), and adopted pain empathy paradigms involving attention directed toward or withdrawn from pain of another. Relative to the LPS group, participants in the HPS group estimated greater pain intensity experienced by others, felt greater unpleasantness when viewing others in pain, and exhibited greater sensitivity in discriminating others' pain. Electroencephalographic data showed that when attention was directed toward others' pain, only participants in the HPS group exhibited significant pain empathic effects on the N1 component of event‐related potentials and on the α‐oscillation response. These empathic neural responses mediated the linkage between first‐hand pain sensitivity and empathic behavioral responses. Nevertheless, empathic responses were comparable between two groups when attention was withdrawn from others' pain. These results demonstrate a shared sensitivity to first‐hand pain and empathy for pain provided that attention is directed toward pain.
The performance of the courts in the digital era: The case of insolvency and restructuring proceedings
Authors: Frade Catarina , Fernando Paula , Conceição Ana Filipa
Published: August 2020

The performance of the courts has been at the center of both political and public debates around the world and is one of the success indicators in the development of public policies on access to law and justice, particularly as regards the right to obtain a decision in reasonable time. The introduction of new information and communication technologies has been essential in extending this access to law and justice in two ways: as a way of making courts function more efficiently; and as an instrument for measuring and assessing the level of compliance with established policy objectives. Anchored in this “computerization of justice” movement, we intend to analyze its role in the overall performance of the courts in an important and central area for the economy and the functioning of the markets: corporate insolvency and restructuring. In order to achieve this purpose, a series of interviews was carried out with several key judicial players and stakeholders. What has been found in this research shows that day‐to‐day reality is not yet fully in line with policy purposes and legal provisions. Technologies still play an ambivalent role: despite streamlining processes, they raise new difficulties and challenges that require constant improvements.
Site‐specific metastasis: A cooperation between cancer cells and the metastatic microenvironment
Authors: Izraely Sivan , Witz Isaac P.
Published: August 2020

The conclusion derived from the information provided in this review is that disseminating tumor cells (DTC) collaborate with the microenvironment of a future metastatic organ site in the establishment of organ‐specific metastasis. We review the basic principles of site‐specific metastasis and the contribution of the cross talk between DTC and the microenvironment of metastatic sites (metastatic microenvironment [MME]) to the establishment of the organ‐specific premetastatic niche; the targeted migration of DTC to the endothelium of the future organ‐specific metastasis; the transmigration of DTC to this site and the seeding and colonization of DTC in their future MME. We also discuss the role played by DTC‐MME interactions on tumor dormancy and on the differential response of tumor cells residing in different MMEs to antitumor therapy. Finally, we summarize some studies dealing with the effects of the MME on a unique site‐specific metastasis—brain metastasis.