bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithiated VO2(M)@Carbon Fibers Hybrid Host for Improving the Cycling Stability of Sulfur Cathode in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries†
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Zhang Ling , Bi Jiaying , Yang Hao , Zhao Zhikun , Mu Daobin , Wu Borong
Published: August 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusion

We successfully prepared the Li‐VO2(M) nanosheets via a facile lithiation method. After compositing with conductive carbon fibers, the sulfur host (Li‐VO2(M)@CFs) combines the efficient adsorption ability of the VO2(M) with superior electronic conductivity of the carbon fibers. Besides, carbon fiber cloth used as the current collector can provide the 3D electronic channels. Therefore, the coin cells exhibited the superior reversible capacity of 1250 mA h g–1 at 0.2 C and a low capacity decay value of 0.068% per cycle within 416 cycles at 1 C, indicative of the favorable cycling stability. Moreover, even at a high rate of 5 C, it also kept at a high discharge capacity of 401 mA h g–1. In conclusion, this work discloses an attractive route to reduce the dissolution loss of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and enhance the overall performance of Li‐S batteries.
High‐Voltage Layered Ternary Oxide Cathode Materials: Failure Mechanisms and Modification Methods†
Authors: Wang Xiaodan , Bai Ying , Wang Xinran , Wu Chuan
Published: August 2020

Due to the large reversible capacity, high operating voltage and low cost, layered ternary oxide cathode materials LiNixCoyAl1−x−yO2 (NCA) and LiNixCoyMn1−x−yO2 (NCM) are considered as the most potential candidate materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) used in (hybrid) electric vehicles (EVs). However, next‐generation long‐range EVs require a high specific capacity (around 203 mAh·g–1 at 3.7V) at the cathode active material level, which is not provided with current commercially layered ternary oxide cathodes. Increasing the operating voltage is an effective method to improve the specific capacity of the cathode and the energy density of the battery, but the high operating voltage also causes a lot of problems, such as cation mixing and phase transformation, electrolyte decomposition, transition metal dissolution and microcracks. So far, researchers have carried out a lot of works to solve these issues. Surface coating, element doping and the design of electrolytes have been proved to be effective solutions. In this review, the failure mechanisms and modification methods of high‐voltage layered ternary oxide cathode materials are summarized, which could provide valuable information to the research of high‐voltage layered ternary oxide cathode materials in basic science and industrial production.
Recent Development of Pyrimidine‐Containing Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Zhuang Jianxing , Ma Shutao
Published: August 2020

Multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections have become an important cause of clinical death in the twenty‐first century. Much effort has been made to overcome this challenge. The discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds, as well as the rational use of antibacterial drugs with different structure types and mechanisms, is helping to deal with bacterial resistance. Currently, pyrimidine‐containing agents are the major areas of new antibacterial drug discovery. Given their good activities and diverse mechanisms of action, many pyrimidine‐containing heterocyclic compounds have become the focus of interest for many scientists. In addition, pyrimidine structure is an important part of many endogenous substances, which is an advantage that allows pyrimidine derivatives to interact with genetic materials, enzymes and other biopolymeric substances in the cell. Scientists have focused on the discovery and structural optimization of pyrimidine derivatives, which has resulted in the discovery of many novel pyrimidine derivatives with intriguing profiles. Herein we summarize the therapeutic potentials of pyrimidine compounds that are promising for antimicrobial applications over the last decade. In particular, the relationships between the structures of modified pyrimidines and their antimicrobial activity are systematically discussed.
Autoscaling recovery actions for container‐based clusters
Authors: Samir Areeg , Pahl Claus
Published: August 2020

In cloud computing, resizing component resources is often limited by the available resources offered by a provider. After reaching a resource limit, a component cannot acquire more resources, which can badly affect the load situation. This article presents multiple predictable recovery actions of a self‐healing model for an identified anomalous behavior (eg, overload, underload) to auto‐scale compute resources in a containerized cluster environment according to various workload conditions. The efficacy of the model is demonstrated through an evaluation with different auto‐scaling strategies based on the number of created/terminated containers, container migration, resource utilization, and response time. The results show that the proposed model provides promising overall performance under dynamic workloads compared to other auto‐scaling strategies.
An improved genetic algorithm with Lagrange and density method for clustering
Authors: Li Ling , Zhou Xiangbing , Li Yiping , Gu Jiangang , Shen Shaopeng
Published: August 2020

To overcome the shortcomings of K‐means clustering including clustering numbers, sensitivity to clustering center (seeds) and local optimization, this article proposes an improved genetic algorithm (GA) with a novel Lagrange‐based fitness function and an initial population technique(called NicheClust algorithm); the NicheClust can determine the best chromosomes and then feeds these into K‐means as initial seeds to achieve higher‐quality clustering results by allowing the initial seeds to readjust in terms of clustering demands. The GA approach is proposed to search for a global optimally solution. The initial population method is presented to automatically capture the appropriate number of clusters and find the initial seeds. The Lagrange‐based approach is used to prevent the fitness function from prematurely converging and capture global optimization for K‐means clustering results. Experimental results based on six taxi Global Positioning System (GPS) datasets verify the higher performance of NicheClust compared to other clustering methods and validate the effectiveness with statistical analysis method.
A matter of interpretation? Understanding and applying mediation standards for the cross‐border enforcement of mediated settlement agreements
Authors: Quek Anderson Dorcas
Published: August 2020

This article focuses on the future role to be played by mediation standards in view of the signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation. It argues that the convention has elevated the standing of mediation standards from soft regulatory codes to quasi‐legal grounds impacting the enforcement of mediated settlements. However, the inherently generalized nature of mediation standards does not render them amenable to contextualized interpretation. More significantly, the courts may adopt the wrong frame when construing mediation standards. It is therefore imperative that the mediation community find ways to bridge frames and facilitate the cross‐border understanding of standards.
Interfacial Engineering of Bimetallic Carbide and Cobalt Encapsulated in Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wang Kun , Lu Zhenjiang , Li Yizhao , Wang Shiqiang , Cao Yali
Published: August 2020

Heterojunction engineering is a fundamental strategy to develop efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction by tuning electronic properties through interfacial cooperation. In this study, a heterojunction electrocatalyst consisting of bimetallic carbide Co3ZnC and cobalt encapsulated within N‐doped carbon nanotubes (Co3ZnC/Co@NCNTs) is synthesized by a facile two‐step ion exchange‐thermolysis pathway. Co3ZnC/Co@NCNTs effectively promotes interfacial charge transport between the different components with optimizes adsorption and desorption of intermediate products at the heterointerface. In situ‐grown N‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) not only improve the electrical conductivity but also suppress the oxidation of transition metal nanoparticles in alkaline media. Moreover, the abundant nitrogen types (pyridinic N, Co−Nx, and graphitic nitrogen) in the carbon skeleton provide more active sites for oxygen adsorption. Benefitting from this optimized structure, Co3ZnC/Co@NCNTs hybrid not only demonstrates excellent oxygen reduction activity, with a half‐wave potential of 0.83 V and fast mass transport with limited current density of 6.23 mA cm−2, but also exhibits superior stability and methanol tolerance, which surpass those of commercial Pt/C catalysts. This work provides an effective heterostructure for interfacial electronic modulation to improve electrocatalytic performance.
A Cytometrist's Guide to Coordinating and Performing Effective COVID‐19 Research
Authors: Chattopadhyay Pratip K. , Filby Andrew , Jellison Evan R. , Ferrari Guido , Green Cherie , Cherian Sindhu , Irish Jonathan , Litwin Virginia ,   other members of the ISAC COVID‐19 Work Group
Published: August 2020

Cytometry is playing a crucial role in addressing the COVID‐19 pandemic. In this commentary—written by a variety of stakeholders in the cytometry, immunology, and infectious disease communities—we review cytometry's role in the COVID‐19 response and discuss workflow issues critical to planning and executing effective research in this emerging field. We discuss sample procurement and processing, biosafety, technology options, data sharing, and the translation of research findings into clinical environments. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Enhanced security‐aware technique and ontology data access control in cloud computing
Authors: Kiran Gangasandra Mahadevaiah , Nalini Narasimhaiah
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, security and data access control are some of the major concerns in the cloud storage unit, especially in the medical field. Therefore, a security‐aware mechanism and ontology‐based data access control (SA‐ODAC) has been developed to improve security and access control in cloud computing. The model proposed in this research work is based on two operational methods, namely, secure awareness technique (SAT) and ontology‐based data access control (ODAC), to improve security and data access control in cloud computing. The SAT technique is developed to provide security for medical data in cloud computing, based on encryption, splitting and adding files, and decryption. The ODAC ontology is launched to control unauthorized persons accessing data from storage and create owner and administrator rules to allow access to data and is proposed to improve security and restrict access to data. To manage the key of the SAT technique, the secret sharing scheme is introduced in the proposed framework. The implementation of the algorithm is performed by MATLAB, and its performance is verified in terms of delay, encryption time, encryption time, and ontology processing time and is compared with role‐based access control (RBAC), context‐aware RBAC and context‐aware task RBAC, and security analysis of advanced encryption standard and data encryption standard. Ultimately, the proposed data access control and security scheme in SA‐ODAC have achieved better performance and outperform the conventional technique.
Circulating circular RNAs profiles associated with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Luo Shuoming , Deng Min , Xie Zhiguo , Li Xia , Huang Gan , Zhou Zhiguang
Published: August 2020

Aims

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been shown to exert important effects in human diseases. However, the roles of circRNAs in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are largely unknown. This study is to identify the circRNA expression profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with T1D and predict their potential regulatory mechanisms and coding potential.

Methods

CircRNA expression profiles were detected by Arraystar human circRNA microarray. With real‐time PCR validation, multiple bioinformatics approaches were used to explore their biological functions, construct the circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA interactions, and predict circRNA coding potential.

Results

A total of 93 differentially expressed circular transcripts were identified in T1D compared with controls, among which 30 were upregulated, and 63 were downregulated. Two circRNAs were identified to have significant differences by RT‐PCR. Gene ontology analysis enriched terms such as cellular protein metabolic process, cytoplasm and zinc ion binding. The proposed molecular functions of these differentially expressed circRNAs, including cellular protein metabolic process, cytoplasm, and binding, may contribute to T1D. The most enriched pathways for these circRNAs were involved in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Hsa_circ_0072697 may be involved in 50 circRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA signalling pathways related to diabetes, such as circ_0072697‐miR‐15a‐UBASH3A network. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0071224, hsa_circ_0002437, hsa_circ_0084429, hsa_circ_0072697, and hsa_circ_0000787 in T1D were considered to have the most coding potential involved in the pathogenesis of T1D.

Conclusions

These results showed that circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with T1D and may play potential actions by interactions with miRNA and circRNA‐derived peptides in the development of T1D.
Mixed‐species groups of Serengeti grazers: a test of the stress gradient hypothesis
Authors: Beaudrot Lydia , Palmer Meredith S. , Anderson T. Michael , Packer Craig
Published: August 2020

Understanding the role of species interactions within communities is a central focus of ecology. A key challenge is to understand variation in species interactions along environmental gradients. The stress gradient hypothesis posits that positive interactions increase and competitive interactions decrease with increasing consumer pressure or environmental stress. This hypothesis has received extensive attention in plant community ecology, but only a handful of tests in animals. Furthermore, few empirical studies have examined multiple co‐occurring stressors. Here we test predictions of the stress gradient hypothesis using the occurrence of mixed‐species groups in six common grazing ungulate species within the Serengeti‐Mara ecosystem. We use mixed‐species groups as a proxy for potential positive interactions because they may enhance protection from predators or increase access to high‐quality forage. Alternatively, competition for resources may limit the formation of mixed‐species groups. Using more than 115,000 camera trap observations collected over 5 yr, we found that mixed‐species groups were more likely to occur in risky areas (i.e., areas closer to lion vantage points and in woodland habitat where lions hunt preferentially) and during time periods when resource levels were high. These results are consistent with the interpretation that stress from high predation risk may contribute to the formation of mixed‐species groups, but that competition for resources may prevent their formation when food availability is low. Our results are consistent with support for the stress gradient hypothesis in animals along a consumer pressure gradient while identifying the potential influence of a co‐occurring stressor, thus providing a link between research in plant community ecology on the stress gradient hypothesis, and research in animal ecology on trade‐offs between foraging and risk in landscapes of fear.
Deciphering the Oxygen Absorption Pre‐edge: A Caveat on its Application for Probing Oxygen Redox Reactions in Batteries
Authors: Roychoudhury Subhayan , Qiao Ruimin , Zhuo Zengqing , Li Qinghao , Lyu Yingchun , Kim Jung‐Hyun , Liu Jun , Lee Eungje , Polzin Bryant J. , Guo Jinghua , Yan Shishen , Hu Yongsheng , Li Hong , Prendergast David , Yang Wanli
Published: August 2020

The pre‐edges of oxygen‐K X‐ray absorption spectra have been ubiquitous in transition metal (TM) oxide studies in various fields, especially on the fervent topic of oxygen redox states in battery electrodes. However, critical debates remain on the use of the O‐K pre‐edge variations upon electrochemical cycling as evidences of oxygen redox reactions, which has been a popular practice in the battery field. This study presents an investigation of the O‐K pre‐edge of 55 oxides covering all 3d TMs with different elements, structures, and electrochemical states through combined experimental and theoretical analyses. It is shown unambiguously that the O‐K pre‐edge variation in battery cathodes is dominated by changing TM‐d states. Furthermore, the pre‐edge enables a unique opportunity to project the lowest unoccupied TM‐d states onto one common energy window, leading to a summary map of the relative energy positions of the low‐lying TM states, with higher TM oxidation states at lower energies, corresponding to higher electrochemical potentials. The results naturally clarify some unusual redox reactions, such as Cr3+/6+. This work provides a critical clarification on O‐K pre‐edge interpretation and more importantly a benchmark database of O‐K pre‐edge for characterizing redox reactions in batteries and other energy materials.
195Pt and 15N NMR Data in Square Planar Platinum(II) Complexes of the Type [Pt(NH3)aXb]n (Xb = Combination of Halides): “NMR Effective Molecular Radius” of Coordinated Ammonia
Authors: Benedetti Michele , De Castro Federica , Papadia Paride , Antonucci Daniela , Fanizzi Francesco P.
Published: August 2020

By studying a model set of square‐planar [Pt(NH3)aXb]n (a + b = 4; Xb = combination of b halido ligands; n = 2 – b) complexes, we found that their δ(195Pt) NMR chemical shift decreases proportionally to the platinum bonded halido ligands' ionic radii overall sum. This confirms also for these systems, the already observed NMR shielding attributed to pseudo ring currents, circulating around the M–X bond axis. Moreover, the present data show that also the NH3 ligands are characterized by a constant NMR shielding ability toward the central metal. This could be rationalized in term of a “NMR effective molecular radius” of the NH3 ligand, affecting the observed δ(195Pt) as previously found for halido ligands. Interestingly, a δ(15N) decrease is observed in Pt bonded NH3 ligands if the ionic radius of a cis halido ligand is increased. The opposite occurs if the ionic radius of a trans halido ligand is increased. The two contrasting effects stem from both shielding electric ring currents affecting the cis ligands and prevailing trans‐influence due to coordinated halido ligands.
Synergistic Effects during Physical Refining of Palm Oil to Mitigate the Formation of Monochloropropanediols
Authors: Theurillat Xanthippe , Nicolas Marine , Redeuil Karine , Nagy Kornél
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to assess the synergy of mitigating main chlorine sources in palm oil and the oil refining conditions in a lab‐scale physical refining process. Mitigation concepts including centrifugation and washing steps are integrated into the physical refining protocol and the MCPD levels in the fully refined oils are determined. The endogenous chlorine content of the crude oil and that of the bleaching clay is confirmed to predominantly impact MCPD formation in this refining process. Residual sediments are shown to induce up to 1 ppm MCPD in the fully refined oils. Residual chlorine content of bleaching clay is shown to increase MCPD content of the oil twofold. t‐Test statistical analysis confirms significant effect of centrifugation, phosphoric acid content, clay type and clay washing on the formation of MCPD. Centrifugation is shown to effectively reduce the chlorine source coming from the sediments, while clay washing is shown to effectively reduce the chlorine source coming from the bleaching clay. These mitigation effects are confirmed both in sealed ampoule tests and in deodorizer experiments.

Practical Applications: A combined application of strong centrifugation and clay washing is recommended to potentially improve the MCPD content of physically refined palm oil.
The Vinylogous Michael Addition of 3‐Alkylidene‐2‐oxindoles to β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Keto Esters by Bifunctional Cinchona Alkaloids
Authors: Jaiswal Manish K. , Kumar Rajesh , Singh Sanjay , Jain Shailija , Vanka Kumar , Singh Ravi P.
Published: August 2020

A highly enantioselective vinylogous Michael addition of 3‐alkylidene‐2‐oxindoles with β,γ‐unsaturated α‐keto esters using a bifunctional tertiary‐amine thiourea catalyst is demontsrated. The challenging Michael reaction with the β,γ‐unsaturated α‐keto esters has been accomplished due to the synchronized H‐bond guided dual activation of vinylogous nucleophile and electrophile by catalyst. The reaction afforded product in high yield while resulting in excellent stereocontrol (> 19:1 E/Z and upto 99 % ee).
Trifluoromethyl β‐Enamino Diketones as Dual Substrates for the Synthesis of 5‐Benzoyl‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidines and their Pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one Analogues
Authors: Andrade Valquiria P. , Mittersteiner Mateus , Bonacorso Helio G. , Martins Marcos A. P. , Zanatta Nilo
Published: August 2020

A regio‐ and chemoselective method for the preparation of 6‐trifluoromethyl‐5‐benzoyl‐2‐methylsulfanyl pyrimidines and their pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one analogues, from the cyclocondensation reaction of trifluoromethyl β‐enamino diketones with non‐symmetric 2‐methylisothiourea sulfates is reported. These diketones functioned as dual substrates by providing both products with high regioselectivity (only N3‐substituted isomer was observed) and high chemoselectivity. A new feature provided by the starting material proposed herein is the possibility to either maintain or eliminate the trifluoromethyl group, by choosing the solvent.
Mechanistic Investigations of the Pd‐Catalyzed Hydrogenolysis of Ketene Heterodimer β‐Lactones
Authors: Panda Manashi , Mondal Mukulesh , Chen Shi , Ibrahim Ahmad A. , Twardy Dylan J. , Kerrigan Nessan J.
Published: August 2020

Catalytic hydrogenolysis of the Z‐isomer of a series of aryl‐substituted ketene heterodimer β‐lactones facilitated access to deoxypropionate derivatives with a dr ranging from 54:46 to 86:14, favoring the anti‐isomer, and with excellent transfer of chirality (91 → 99 % ee for 13 examples). Although X = 4‐F was determined to provide optimal diastereoselectivity (dr 86:14), a non‐linear relationship between diastereoselectivity and aryl substituent σ values was found. For cases where a para‐ or ortho‐EWG was present on the aryl ring of the ketene heterodimer, formation of significant amounts of β‐lactone (20–44 %) as by‐product was observed. The results of a number of control reactions point to anti‐β‐elimination and an anti‐selective hydrogenation of an E‐isomer olefin intermediate being key steps in the reaction mechanism. The synthetic potential of the deoxypropionate derivative products was demonstrated by oxidative conversion into a 1,5‐difunctionalized deoxypropionate motif.
Pd‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations of Heteroarenes with Polyfluoroalkoxy‐Substituted Bromobenzenes
Authors: Huang Hai‐Yun , Li Haoran , Cordier Marie , Soulé Jean‐François , Doucet Henri
Published: August 2020

The reactivity of di‐, tri‐ and tetra‐fluoroalkoxy‐substituted bromobenzenes in the direct arylation of 5‐membered ring heteroarenes using palladium catalysis was explored. High yields in arylated heteroarenes were obtained using only 1 mol‐% of Pd(OAc)2 catalyst with KOAc as an inexpensive base. Similar yields were obtained with o/m/p trifluoromethoxy‐, o/p difluoromethoxy‐, and tetrafluoroethoxy‐substituents on the aryl bromide. A bromo‐substituted difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxole was successfully coupled. The major side‐products of the reaction are HBr/KOAc. Therefore, this synthetic scheme is very attractive for the access to such polyfluoroalkoxy‐containing arylated heteroaromatics in terms of cost, simplicity, and low environmental impact, compared to reactions involving arylation of heteroarenes with bromophenols followed by polyfluoroalkylation.
Offenders’ claims of taking the victims’ perspective can promote forgiveness, or backfire! The moderating role of correctly voicing the victims’ emotions in collective apologies
Authors: Berndsen Mariëtte , Wenzel Michael
Published: August 2020

In the context of collective apologies, we investigate whether offenders’ claim to have taken the victims’ perspective enhances victims’ conciliation. We argue this depends on whether offenders acknowledge emotions in victims that match victims’ emotional experience. In Studies 1 and 2 (Ns = 152 and 171), using scenarios, we experimentally manipulated offenders’ claim and the qualitative or quantitative match of acknowledged emotions. When acknowledged emotions matched victims’ experience, claimed perceptive‐taking increased conciliatory victim responses; but when emotions did not match, the offenders’ claim reduced conciliatory victim responses. In Study 3 (N = 138), African‐Americans were presented with the U.S. government's apology for slavery. We manipulated the perspective‐taking claim and measured the similarity of the emotion profile expressed in the apology to that experienced by African‐Americans over their enslavement. With greater mismatch, the perspective‐taking claim backfired, reducing conciliatory responses. Correct acknowledgment of emotions is key for victims perceiving perspective‐taking and responding conciliatorily.
Bench‐scale fermentation for second generation ethanol and hydrogen production by Clostridium thermocellum DSMZ 1313 from sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Ahmad Qurat‐ul‐Ain , Manzoor Maleeha , Chaudhary Asma , Yang Shang‐Tian , Shim Hojae , Qazi Javed Iqbal
Published: August 2020

Exploration of eco‐friendly energy resources substituting conventional fossil fuels is the real challenge globally. Prospectively, current investigation accentuates the fermentative conversion of low‐cost lignocellulosic biomass waste, sugarcane bagasse (SCB) into bioethanol and biohydrogen exploiting thermophilic cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum DSMZ 1313. Initially, the optimization of some key fermentation factors for bioethanol and biohydrogen productions was done in 150 ml serum bottles employing Taguchi orthogonal array L27 (3̂13) experimental design. Results elucidated that the most suitable factors for ethanologenesis were 70 g/L cellulose, 10 g/L corn‐steep liquor (CSL), 15 mg/L ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·6H2O), 1 g/L magnesium chloride (MgCl2·6H2O), pH 7, and 5 days incubation whereas for hydrogen fermentation were 60 g/L cellulose, 30 g/L CSL, 5 mg/L FeSO4·6H2O, 2 g/L MgCl2·6H2O, pH 7, and 3 days incubation. Quantitatively, 7.422 g/L ethanol and 56.891/50 ml hydrogen were produced from cellulose while 6.352 g/L ethanol and 51.685/50 ml hydrogen with H2SO4‐pretreated SCB (substituted with cellulose). Scaled‐up suspended‐cell fermentations in bench‐scale stirred‐tank bioreactor resulted in 11.77% increased ethanol yield (0.239 g ethanol/g of glucose) and twofold higher hydrogen volumes (106.88 ml hydrogen/g of glucose). The employment of SCB directly as substrate for biofuels production has appeared sustainable to meet the high global energy demands.
Removal of Amitraz insecticide by heterogeneous UV‐Fenton process using metals supported on chitosan beads as a catalyst
Authors: Rezgui Soumaya , Monser Lotfi , Amrane Abdeltif , Adhoum Nafaa
Published: August 2020

Photocatalytic degradation of Amitraz insecticide in a heterogeneous phase was studied at neutral pH using several types of metals supported on chitosan beads (Fe‐CS, Fe3O4‐CS, Mn‐CS, MnO2‐CS, and TiO2‐CS). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) analysis were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. Parameters, including the type of catalyst, UV irradiation, the method of hydrogen peroxide addition, and the presence of dissolved oxygen were investigated in order to evaluate the performance of the heterogeneous Fenton process. The optimal conditions were achieved when using 1 g L−1 of Fe3O4‐CS catalyst under UV irradiation with the sequential addition of 12 mM of H2O2 and a continuous bubbling of air in the reactional medium. The degradation of the pollutant follows a pseudo‐first‐order kinetic. The catalyst stability was evaluated and confirmed in four repeated runs with a control of the amount of leached iron in the aqueous solution.
Experimental study on stress sensitivity of high‐temperature and high‐pressure sandstone gas reservoirs in Yingqiong Basin
Authors: Li Yi‐Long , Li Xiao‐Ping , Wu Feng , Lu Hong‐Lin , Lei Xiao , Wang Wen‐Juan , Lu Rui‐Bin , Li Ji , Tan Xiao‐Hua
Published: August 2020

Performing stress‐sensitivity evaluation on a high‐temperature and high‐pressure gas reservoir is essential for correctly understanding the characteristics of physical property changes and reasonably designing the development scheme of a reservoir under stratum conditions. By focusing on six core samples with different physical properties in a gas field in the Yingqiong Basin, stress‐sensitivity experiments have been conducted along with mercury intrusion porosimetry and X‐ray diffraction measurements to study the relationship among porosity, permeability, and effective stress at a temperature of 140°C and effective stress ranging from 2 MPa to 70 MPa. Our results showed that the stress‐sensitivity curve characterized by three‐stage segmentation is primarily affected by average pore radius and mineral composition but has no direct relation with porosity and permeability. Meanwhile, the stress sensitivity of permeability is mainly related to the average pore throat radius and mineral composition of core specimen. The smaller the pore throat radius and the higher the clay content, the stronger the stress sensitivity of permeability. Under high‐temperature and high‐pressure conditions, the stress sensitivities of permeability and porosity can be characterized by power functions although the stress sensitivity of permeability is about 2–11 times higher than that of porosity.
On the performance analysis of dual hop relaying systems using differential amplify‐and‐forward along with post‐detection selection combining techniques over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Al‐Mistarihi Mamoun F. , Harb Mariam M. , Darabkh Khalid A. , Aqel Arwa Sh.
Published: August 2020

The proposed work analyzes the performance of dual‐hop relaying systems by means of the differential amplify‐and‐forward relaying method. The post‐detection selection combining reception scheme proposed in this article allows receivers to approximate existing fading gain in a branch by using previously received samples to achieve a cooperative diversity at cases that exclude the need of having explicit channel estimation. Assuming independent fading channels, tight closed‐form expressions for the system bit error rate and outage probability are ultimately derived considering Nakagami‐m fading channels and additive white Gaussian noise. Different fading parameters were used to plot simulation results.
Activated Protein Phosphatase 2A Disrupts Nutrient Sensing Balance Between Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 and Adenosine Monophosphate–Activated Protein Kinase, Causing Sarcopenia in Alcohol‐Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Davuluri Gangarao , Welch Nicole , Sekar Jinendiran , Gangadhariah Mahesha , Alsabbagh Alchirazi Khaled , Mohan Maradumane L. , Kumar Avinash , Kant Sashi , Thapaliya Samjhana , Stine McKenzie , McMullen Megan R. , McCullough Rebecca L. , Stark George R. , Nagy Laura E. , Naga Prasad Sathyamangla V. , Dasarathy Srinivasan
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Despite the high clinical significance of sarcopenia in alcohol‐associated cirrhosis, there are currently no effective therapies because the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We determined the mechanisms of ethanol‐induced impaired phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) with consequent dysregulated skeletal muscle protein homeostasis (balance between protein synthesis and breakdown).

Approach and Results

Differentiated murine myotubes, gastrocnemius muscle from mice with loss and gain of function of regulatory genes following ethanol treatment, and skeletal muscle from patients with alcohol‐associated cirrhosis were used. Ethanol increases skeletal muscle autophagy by dephosphorylating mTORC1, circumventing the classical kinase regulation by protein kinase B (Akt). Concurrently and paradoxically, ethanol exposure results in dephosphorylation and inhibition of AMPK, an activator of autophagy and inhibitor of mTORC1 signaling. However, AMPK remains inactive with ethanol exposure despite lower cellular and tissue adenosine triphosphate, indicating a “pseudofed” state. We identified protein phosphatase (PP) 2A as a key mediator of ethanol‐induced signaling and functional perturbations using loss and gain of function studies. Ethanol impairs binding of endogenous inhibitor of PP2A to PP2A, resulting in methylation and targeting of PP2A to cause dephosphorylation of mTORC1 and AMPK. Activity of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐γ (PI3Kγ), a negative regulator of PP2A, was decreased in response to ethanol. Ethanol‐induced molecular and phenotypic perturbations in wild‐type mice were observed in PI3Kγ−/−
mice even at baseline. Importantly, overexpressing kinase‐active PI3Kγ but not the kinase‐dead mutant reversed ethanol‐induced molecular perturbations.

Conclusions

Our study describes the mechanistic underpinnings for ethanol‐mediated dysregulation of protein homeostasis by PP2A that leads to sarcopenia with a potential for therapeutic approaches by targeting the PI3Kγ‐PP2A axis.
Turing in the driver's seat: Can people distinguish between automated and manually driven vehicles?
Authors: Stanton Neville A. , Eriksson Alexander , Banks Victoria A. , Hancock Peter A.
Published: August 2020

As the number of automated vehicles is increasing on our roads, we wanted to know if people could detect if a car was being driven by a human driver or automation in a lane change task. This is particularly relevant, as most of the road collisions involve automated vehicles being struck from behind by manually driven vehicles. To address the detection of automated vehicles, an online survey presented videos of lane change maneuvers on multi‐lane carriageways from behind the automated vehicle. We reasoned that, on such roads, the behavior of the vehicles in front would have more of an effect on drivers than those of the vehicles behind. To this end, an online survey was conducted with 769 people judging 60 video clips, classifying the lane change either being performed by Autopilot software or a human driver. Over 34,000 responses were recorded. It was found that automated and manual lane changes were virtually indistinguishable from the rear of the vehicle. The main conclusion of the research was that vehicles in automated mode should display this fact to other road users all around the vehicle as this may have an effect on other road users in anticipating the behavior of the other vehicle.
Do Spatially Explicit Wildlife Exposure Models Improve the Estimation of Risk for Small Mammals? Case Study: Application of Spatially Explicit Exposure Model to Small Mammal Exposures to Lead in Heterogeneous Landscapes
Authors: Johnson Mark S , Quinn Michael J , Wickwire Theodore , Buonagurio John , Williams Marc A
Published: August 2020

Understanding risks to terrestrial wildlife species from exposure to chemicals in the environment requires knowledge of how species make habitat decisions and how subsequent exposure events occur. Heterogeneity of chemical distribution and of habitat quality can influence exposure. Previous studies in birds have shown that individually based, spatially explicit models can be useful in predicting exposure and risk; however, studies investigating these influences in small mammals with limited ranges have been lacking. Here we test a spatially explicit, individually based exposure model (Spatially Explicit Exposure Model [SEEM]) in which model predictions based on life history traits, habitat preferences, and varying soil Pb concentrations are used and compared to those with field-collected blood or tissue Pb concentrations in small (e.g., Peromyscus, Blarina spp.) and medium-sized mammalian species (e.g., Lepus spp.) at 3 Pb-contaminated sites. These species were chosen because they were expected to be present in suitable habitat, and Pb was modeled when adequate tissue-based toxicity thresholds were available. Oral exposure estimates from SEEM were compared with a traditional deterministic model and with field-collected tissue Pb concentrations using ecological hazard quotients (EHQs) to normalize between oral and real-time tissue Pb concentrations. Ecological hazard quotients at the 90% population effect level (for SEEM) and at the 95% upper confidence level (assuming a single Pb concentration with no consideration of habitat quality in the deterministic model) were compared with maximum EHQs developed from blood or tissue Pb concentrations. Deterministic estimates and SEEM were similar for small mammal species, yet slightly overpredicted risk compared to field tissue or blood Pb data. Estimates for hares (medium-sized mammals) using SEEM provided more accurate predictions compared with field tissue data. These data suggest that spatially explicit models may be sensitive to grain size, given that small mammals experience the environment in limited spatial contexts, a scale at which habitat may not change significantly. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:259–272. Published 2020. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

KEY POINTS

Spatially explicit exposure models allows for improved estimates of exposure for wildlife using space and habitat preferences within a landscape. Improvement of risk estimates are somewhat dependent upon resolution of soil chemistry results and movement of small mammalian species. Exposure estimates improve with wide-ranging species.
Cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonist inhibits progression of obesity‐associated nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in a mouse model by remodulating immune system disturbances
Authors: Chen Chin‐Chang , Chang Zi‐Yu , Tsai Fuu‐Jen , Chen Shih‐Yin
Published: August 2020

Scope

This study investigated whether AM251, a cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist, ameliorates hepatic levels of metabolic abnormalities and inflammatory responses in a murine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model via reversal of disturbances in the immune system.

Methods and Results

Fifteen‐week‐old male obese db/db mice were randomly assigned to the following two groups: no treatment and treatment with AM251 at 5 mg/kg for 15 days. C57BL/6J‐Lean mice were utilized as the control group. Plasma parameters, liver histopathology, and hepatic status were measured. For the in vitro study, macrophage‐derived RAW264.7 cells were cultured with AM251 or CB1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) before challenge with arachidonyl‐2′‐chloroethylamide (ACEA) or a high concentration of fatty acids (HFFAs). The db/db mice exhibited an increase in CB1 levels, lipid droplet accumulation, mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐related inflammatory responses, and macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in the liver tissues. Flow cytometry analysis revealed an elevation in macrophages and T helper cells, plus a decrease in natural killer T cells and regulatory T cells in the liver tissues of the db/db mice; treatment with 5 mg/kg AM251 reversed these changes. Moreover, in vitro experiments revealed that administration of 3.3 μM AM251 or CB1 siRNA prevented 1 mM HFFA‐ and 1 μΜ ACEA‐induced inflammatory cytokine protein expression in the RAW264.7 cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggested that a blockade caused by CB1 reduced obesity‐associated NASH progression via correction of immune system dysregulations and elevated inflammatory responses in the liver tissues.
Global equity market volatility forecasting: New evidence
Authors: Liang Chao , Wei Yu , Lei Likun , Ma Feng
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we extend the work of Buncic and Gisler,International Journal of Forecasting, 2016,32, 1317–1339 and investigate that whether US‐based stock volatility information and crude oil volatility information have predictability for forecasting the realized volatility (RV) of global equity markets from both in‐ and out‐of‐sample perspectives in a changing world. The HAR‐RV model is our benchmark model. We utilize two popular shrinkage methods of the elastic net and lasso to solve the overfitting problem. In addition, we establish the HAR‐RV‐AVERAGE model by an easy combination approach. Our empirical results indicate that the HAR‐RV‐AVERAGE model exhibits the best prediction performance in predicting the RV of most indices and developed countries equity markets benefit the most from the inclusion of US‐based crude oil and equity market volatility information, while emerging country stock markets benefit the least, especially for Asian equity indices. Alternative out‐of‐sample periods and alternative volatility estimator confirm the robustness of our results.
Capacity utilization under credit constraints: A firm‐level study of Latin American manufacturing
Authors: Zhang Dengjun
Published: August 2020

In developing countries, the credit market usually is underdeveloped. Low access to credit affects firms' production decisions and restrains them from optimizing inputs to achieve the maximum output. This article examines the link between credit constraints and capacity utilization and whether it varies across manufacturing subsectors. The sample consists of 4,790 private manufacturing firms in six Latin‐American countries. The endogenous switching model is applied to control for endogeneity between credit constraint conditions and capacity utilization and heterogeneity between credit‐constrained and credit‐unconstrained firms. The counterfactual analysis based on the estimation results suggests that constrained firms would have seen an increase of 26.8% capacity utilization had they not been constrained and unconstrained firms a decrease of 23.7% capacity utilization had they been constrained. Credit constraints generally affect medium‐high‐tech firms more severely than low‐tech firms. The counterfactual analysis further reveals that, for credit‐constrained high technology firms, depressed outputs are primarily related to labor productivity rather than capital productivity.
Attitudes and collateral psychological effects of COVID‐19 in pregnant women in Colombia
Authors: Parra‐Saavedra Miguel , Villa‐Villa Isis , Pérez‐Olivo José , Guzman‐Polania Leidy , Galvis‐Centurion Pablo , Cumplido‐Romero Álvaro , Santacruz‐Vargas Dario , Rivera‐Moreno Eliana , Molina‐Giraldo Saulo , Guillen‐Burgos Hernán , Navarro Edgar , Flórez‐Lozano Karen , Barrero‐Ortega Amanda , Sanz‐Cortes Magdalena , Miranda Jezid
Published: August 2020

Objective

To assess clinical impact, psychological effects, and knowledge of pregnant women during the COVID‐19 outbreak in seven cities in Colombia. Currently, there are uncertainty and concerns about the maternal and fetal consequences of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during pregnancy.

Methods

A cross‐sectional web survey was carried out including pregnant women in seven cities in Colombia. Women were evaluated during the mitigation phase of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic between April 13 and May 18, 2020. The questions evaluated demographic, knowledge, psychological symptoms, and attitudes data regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

A total of 1021 patients were invited to participate, obtaining 946 valid surveys for analysis. The rate of psychological consequences of the pandemic was much larger than the number of patients clinically affected by the virus, with 50.4% of the entire cohort reporting symptoms of anxiety, 49.1% insomnia, and 25% reporting depressive symptoms. Poorly informed women were more likely to be younger, affiliated to the subsidized regime, and with lower levels of education.

Conclusion

The knowledge of pregnant women about SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is far from reality and this seems to be associated with an indirect effect on the concern and psychological stress of pregnant women in Colombia.
Is cleanliness next to abstinence? The effect of cleanliness priming on attitudes towards harm reduction strategies for people with substance use disorders
Authors: Ciccarelli Tiana , Soberman Molly , Leshuk Taylor , Cole Hannah , Afreen Farhana , Manwell Laurie A.
Published: August 2020

Can exposure to a cleanliness prime affect moral judgements towards harm reduction strategies (HRS) for individuals with substance use disorders? Our research examined (a) the effect of a cleanliness prime on attitudes towards HRS and (b) whether this effect would be attenuated by a brief educational presentation. Participants were randomly assigned to a priming condition and an educational presentation condition. Results demonstrated that (a) the cleanliness prime did not shift attitudes towards HRS, however, (b) the educational presentations significantly shifted attitudes to be more positive after the Harm Reduction presentation and more negative after the Healthy Living presentation. The literature on priming is mixed and our results support a growing body of research challenging the robustness of cleanliness priming and also demonstrates that brief presentations can change attitudes. Our research has implications for education on the benefits of HRS in reducing disease transmission, refuse in the community, and overdose deaths.
Sustainable Agricultural Growth for Rural Development in Asia: A Review*
Authors: Choi Kyung Sook , Labhsetwar Vijay K.
Published: August 2020

The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion in 2050. Most of the addition will be in developing countries, and the exponential growth in population would require doubling the current food production.

This paper discusses several strategies developed to cope with sustainable agricultural growth for rural development in Asia. In Korea, despite the decline in investment in food production in recent times, continuous interventions from the government are critical because agricultural water use is essential for the improvement of rural living standards. Thailand shifted its rural development from a growth‐oriented approach to a new model of holistic people‐centred and sustainable development. Japan emphasized the importance of multi‐functionality to be taken into account to evaluate water use for agriculture in Asia. Indonesia accepted challenges based on the current roles of irrigation development in food security and poverty eradication. Turkey flagged its group agricultural practices (GAPs), a south‐eastern Anatolia project, to showcase its multi‐sector and integrated regional development approach in the context of sustainable development.

To cope with food insecurity, it is necessary to find effective ways to use agricultural water for production and environmental services at the same time for sustainable rural development.