bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilient agri-food systems for nutrition amidst COVID-19: evidence and lessons from food-based approaches to overcome micronutrient deficiency and rebuild livelihoods after crises
Authors: Heck Simon , Campos Hugo , Barker Ian , Okello Julius J. , Baral Arun , Boy Erick , Brown Lynn , Birol Ekin
Published: July 2020

COVID-19 has had an instant effect on food systems in developing countries. Restrictions to the movement of people and goods have impaired access to markets, services and food. Unlike other concurrent crises, rather than threatening the material hardware of food systems, COVID-19 has so far affected the ‘software’ of food systems, highlighting again that connectivity is at the heart of these systems. Drops in demand, the loss of markets and employment and growing concerns about international cooperation are indications of possible deeper disruptions to come. Amidst this uncertainty, strategies to safeguard food and nutrition security of the world’s poor need to prioritize diversification of production and markets. Nutritious, biofortified crops such as potato, sweetpotato, but also wheat, maize and beans among others, can play a more significant role to provide key micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, zinc) at large scale. Strong local market chains, robust smallholder production systems and increasing commercial utilization make these crops powerful vehicles for securing nutrition when markets and mobility look uncertain. We posit that the evolving impacts of COVID-19 provide an opportunity to focus agricultural innovations, including the development and delivery of biofortified crops, on new and more specifically defined ‘jobs to be done’ throughout the food system. This will help bridge some of the current disruptions in supply and demand and will help prepare food systems for future crises.
Mindfulness and Romantic Relationship Outcomes: the Mediating Role of Conflict Resolution Styles and Closeness
Authors: Gesell Nathalie , Niklas Frank , Schmiedeler Sandra , Segerer Robin
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The association of mindfulness and romantic relationship outcomes such as partnership quality and satisfaction is well-established; however, the mechanisms of action are not yet clear. The current study tested conflict resolution styles and closeness as possible mediating factors. We hypothesized that trait mindfulness would increase the use of constructive conflict resolution styles (positive problem solving), decrease the use of destructive styles (conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance), and promote feelings of closeness between partners, which in turn would predict positive relationship outcomes (namely partnership quality, partnership satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction).

Methods

A total of 209 individuals (86% German, 76% female, mean age = 32 years) living in a relationship (31% married) participated in an online questionnaire.

Results

Mediation analyses revealed that positive problem solving mediated the association between mindfulness and partnership quality with b = .09 (95% CI = .03–.17), mindfulness and partnership satisfaction with b = .07 (95% CI = .02–.13), and mindfulness and sexual satisfaction with b = .04 (95% CI = .00–.10). Furthermore, a mediating role of withdrawal and closeness was shown for individual relationship outcomes.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that more positive problem solving, less withdrawal, and more closeness are mechanisms by which mindfulness is associated with positive relationship outcomes. The results of our study thus broaden our understanding of the processes that underlie fulfilling romantic relationships and, in turn, underline the positive effects of mindfulness.
Spatial Spread Sampling Using Weakly Associated Vectors
Authors: Jauslin Raphaël , Tillé Yves
Published: July 2020

Geographical data are generally autocorrelated. In this case, it is preferable to select spread units. In this paper, we propose a new method for selecting well-spread samples from a finite spatial population with equal or unequal inclusion probabilities. The proposed method is based on the definition of a spatial structure by using a stratification matrix. Our method exactly satisfies given inclusion probabilities and provides samples that are very well spread. A set of simulations shows that our method outperforms other existing methods such as the generalized random tessellation stratified or the local pivotal method. Analysis of the variance on a real dataset shows that our method is more accurate than these two. Furthermore, a variance estimator is proposed.
Solid hulls and cores of classes of weighted entire functions defined in terms of associated weight functions
Authors: Schindl Gerhard
Published: July 2020

In the spirit of very recent articles by J. Bonet, W. Lusky and J. Taskinen we are studying the so-called solid hulls and cores of spaces of weighted entire functions when the weights are given in terms of associated weight functions coming from weight sequences. These sequences are required to satisfy certain (standard) growth and regularity properties which are frequently arising and used in the theory of ultradifferentiable and ultraholomorphic function classes (where also the associated weight function plays a prominent role). Thanks to this additional information we are able to see which growth behavior the so-called ”Lusky-numbers”, arising in the representations of the solid hulls and cores, have to satisfy resp. if such numbers can exist.
Left-ventricular outflow tract acceleration time is associated with symptoms in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Huurman Roy , Michels Michelle , Bowen Daniel J. , van Slegtenhorst Marjon A. , Hirsch Alexander , Schinkel Arend F. L.
Published: July 2020

Aims

Not all obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients are symptomatic. The relation between obstructive HCM and symptoms is not well understood. The hypothesis of this study is that left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) acceleration time (AT) is associated with symptoms.

Methods

We included 187 patients (61% men, mean age 55 ± 14 years) with obstructive HCM, defined as a maximal wall thickness ≥ 15 mm and a resting or provoked LVOT peak gradient ≥ 30 mmHg. Peak velocity (PV), left-ventricular (LV) ejection time (ET), and AT (the time between LVOT flow onset and the moment of PV) were measured on continuous-wave (CW) Doppler tracings. Logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to evaluate the relation between symptoms [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ II] and echocardiographic measurements, including AT. Reproducibility was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Symptomatic patients were more often female and had higher mean AT values. Logistic regression demonstrated a significant association between AT and symptomatic status (odds ratio 1.31 per 10 ms, p < 0.01) after adjustment for sex, negative inotropes, PV, LVOT diameter, and diastolic dysfunction. AT was independently associated with symptoms and septal reduction during follow-up (hazard ratio 1.09 per 10 ms, p < 0.05). The ICC was 0.98 with a mean difference of 0.28 ± 8.4 ms.

Conclusion

In obstructive HCM patients, increased AT is significantly related to symptoms after adjustment for sex, negative inotropes, PV, LVOT diameter, and diastolic dysfunction, and is associated with the symptomatic status during follow-up. AT represents an easily measured echocardiographic variable with excellent inter-reader reproducibility.
A portable electrocardiogram for real-time monitoring of cardiac signals
Authors: Ehnesh Mahmoud , Abatis Panos , Schlindwein Fernando S.
Published: July 2020

This study presents an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and processing system which can observe subjects in real time and display the resultant ECG signals on a computer for observation. The primary application is for the remote observation of cardiac patients. This paper aims to determine its reliability by analysing its portability and wireless connectivity. The system is comprised of three principal units, namely the data acquisition circuit, where cardiac electrical signals are detected using three surface electrodes placed at three different positions on the chest wall to follow the Einthoven Triangle. The signals measured are amplified and filtered by components in a circuit and are then carried to a data processing unit where a ATmega328P microcontroller with a ZigBee interface module are used to transfer the biosignal wirelessly to the Graphical User Interface (GUI) unit which has the capacity to observe ECG biosignals on a computer. The results demonstrated that the design successfully produced a distortion-free signal, namely the hardware and software elements operated and intercommunicated correctly. In both LabVIEW and MATLAB configurations, the GUI characteristics were examined and found to yield unproblematic, user-friendly displays in real-time. Thus, this research provides a novel ECG system design to effectively analyse cardiac patients, however, it would be useful to develop a tool that can differentiate the various forms of cardiac arrhythmia.
Recyclable hexagons for the automotive industry
Authors: Jochen Pflug Dr.-Ing.
Published: July 2020

The importance of lightweight materials is increasing steadily, especially in automotive industry. Experts see lightweight construction materials as a requirement for cost-efficient and competitive e-mobility.
Effects of Near‐Surface Complexities on Differential Travel Times and Amplitude Ratios Between PP and Its Precursors
Authors: Zhou Y. , Chen X. , Yuen D. , Xu M.
Published: July 2020

The characteristics of mantle discontinuities at depths of 410 and 660 km are important to study the mantle dynamics. With the advantage of global samplings, the differential travel times and the amplitude ratios of PP and its precursors (PdP) have been extensively used to estimate the topography and the impedance contrast of mantle discontinuities. According to previous studies, effects of large‐scale structures on the PP phase cannot be neglected. Theoretically, the complex near‐surface structure, including ocean layer and crustal heterogeneity, may complicate the PP phase. It is necessary to assess the uncertainties of waveform by taking into account the near‐surface complexities. Through the usage of an efficient algorithm for constructing synthetic seismograms, the effects of near‐surface structure on the differential travel times and the amplitude ratios between the PP and PdP are explored. We demonstrate that the crustal structure mainly affects PP‐PdP differential travel time with minor effects on the amplitude, while the ocean depth governs PP/PdP amplitude ratio rather than the travel time. Through incorporating the crust model, the anomalies of PP‐PdP travel time and PdP/PP amplitude ratio are globally mapped. A clear continent‐ocean pattern was observed in the measurements of differential times and amplitude ratios. Moreover, time shift caused by the near‐surface complexities may be wrongly attributed to the topography of mantle discontinuity and our tests show that the offset could be up to 15 km, which should be taken into account in future PP precursor studies.
Key Components and Contrasts in the Nitrogen Budget Across a U.S.‐Canadian Transboundary Watershed
Authors: Lin Jiajia , Compton Jana E. , Clark Chris , Bittman Shabtai , Schwede Donna , Homann Peter S. , Kiffney Peter , Hooper David , Bahr Gary , Baron Jill S.
Published: July 2020

Watershed nitrogen (N) budgets provide insights into drivers and solutions for groundwater and surface water N contamination. We constructed a comprehensive N budget for the transboundary Nooksack River Watershed (British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA) using locally derived data, national statistics, and standard parameters. Feed imports for dairy (mainly in the United States) and poultry (mainly in Canada) accounted for 30% and 29% of the total N input to the watershed, respectively. Synthetic fertilizer was the next largest source contributing 21% of inputs. Food imports for humans and pets together accounted for 9% of total inputs, lower than atmospheric deposition (10%). N imported by returning salmon representing marine‐derived nutrients accounted for <0.06% of total N input. Quantified N export was 80% of total N input, driven by ammonia emission (32% of exports). Animal product export was the second largest output of N (31%) as milk and cattle in the United States and poultry products in Canada. Riverine export of N was estimated at 28% of total N export. The commonly used crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) metric alone did not provide sufficient information on farming activities but in combination with other criteria such as farm‐gate NUE may better represent management efficiency. Agriculture was the primary driver of N inputs to the environment as a result of its regional importance; the N budget information can inform management to minimize N losses. The N budget provides key information for stakeholders across sectors and borders to create environmentally and economically viable and effective solutions.
Corals Make Reliable Recorders of El Ni�o Fluctuations
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: July 2020

A new tool that reconciles modeling and paleoclimate data builds confidence that tropical Pacific corals reliably archive natural variability in the El Ni�o–Southern Oscillation climate pattern.
Du Feu à l'Eau: Source and Flux of Dissolved Black Carbon From the Congo River
Authors: Drake Travis W. , Wagner Sasha , Stubbins Aron , Wabakanghanzi José N. , Dinga Jean Bienvenu , Six Johan , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: July 2020

Pyrogenic organic residues from wildfires and anthropogenic combustion are ubiquitous in the environment and susceptible to leaching from soils into rivers, where they are known as dissolved black carbon (DBC). Here we quantified and isotopically characterized DBC from the second largest river on Earth, the Congo, using 12 samples collected across three annual hydrographs from 2010 to 2012. We find that the Congo River exports an average of 803 ± 84 Gg‐C as DBC per year, comprising 7.5% of the river's average annual dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux (10.7 ± 1.2 Tg‐C yr−1). Concentrations of DBC were strongly correlated with discharge and DOC concentration, indicating transport limitation for DBC flux from the Congo River Basin. Stable carbon isotopic signatures of DBC revealed a seasonal shift in pyrogenic source from forest dominant to an increasing contribution from savannah biomass, which derives from the North‐South bimodal hydrologic regime within the basin. Our results also indicate that black carbon produced within the Congo Basin is exported by the river on relatively short time scales and that total DBC export will increase with climate change predictions for the central African region.
The Isotopic Composition of Silver in Ore Minerals
Authors: Arribas A. , Mathur R. , Megaw P. , Arribas I.
Published: July 2020

The study of the isotopic composition of Ag has applications to numerous fields, including earth and planetary sciences, the environment, and archeology. We present a comprehensive survey of the isotopic composition of Ag in ore deposits globally based on measurement of the 109Ag/107Ag values of 158 samples of native Ag and Ag‐bearing minerals from 65 deposits or districts representative of the main types of Ag mineralization in 20 countries on five continents. The narrow range of δ109Ag values (−0.4‰ to 0.4‰) observed for hypogene native Ag and acanthite/argentite (Ag2S) represents the isotopic composition of Ag in the hydrothermal fluids that are responsible for formation of hypogene (primary) Ag deposits worldwide. Our data provide evidence of mass dependent isotopic fractionation: (a) during low‐temperature remobilization of Ag associated with redox reactions in the supergene (weathering) environment, and (b) among Ag‐bearing mineral phases, including Ag‐halides (bromargyrite, chlorargyrite, iodargyrite, boleite, and pseudoboleite) and As‐bearing sulfosalts (e.g., enargite, tennantite, proustite, and polybasite). We find no evidence of fractionation or isotopic variation related to genetic environment of hypogene mineralization, formation age, or the host rock and geologic terrane of an ore deposit. The mean and range of δ109Ag values from different deposit types largely overlap, and the variation in Ag isotopic composition observed within a mineral district can be as large as that for the respective deposit type. Our initial results suggest limitations to a wider use of Ag isotopes as a geochemical tracer (e.g., in archeometry) and the need to conduct detailed, individual deposit/district studies.
Cold Plumes Initiated by Rayleigh‐Taylor Instabilities in Subduction Zones, and Their Characteristic Volcanic Distributions: The Role of Slab Dip
Authors: Ghosh Dip , Maiti Giridas , Mandal Nibir , Baruah Amiya
Published: July 2020

Dehydration melting in subduction zones often produces cold plumes, initiated by Rayleigh‐Taylor instabilities in the buoyant partially molten zones lying above the dipping subducting slabs. We use scaled laboratory experiments to demonstrate how the slab dip (α) can control the evolution of such plumes. For α > 0°, Rayleigh‐Taylor instabilities evolve as two orthogonal waves, one trench perpendicular with wavelength λL and the other one trench parallel with wavelength λT (λT > λL). We show that two competing processes, (1) λL‐controlled updip advection of partially molten materials and (2) λT/λL interference, determine the modes of plume growth. The λT/λL interference gives rise to an areal distribution of plumes (Mode 1), whereas advection leads to a linear distribution of plumes (Mode 2) at the upper fringe of the partially molten layer. The λT wave instabilities do not grow when α exceeds a threshold value (α* = 30°). For α > α*, λL‐driven advection takes the control to produce exclusively Mode 2 plumes. We performed a series of 2‐D and 3‐D computational fluid dynamics simulations to test the criticality of slab dip in switching the Mode 1 to Mode 2 transition at α*. We discuss the effects of viscosity ratio (R) and the density contrast (Δρ) between the source layers and ambient mantle, source layer thickness (Ts), and slab velocity (Us) on the development of cold plumes. Finally, we discuss the areal versus linear distributions of volcanoes from natural subduction zones as possible examples of Mode 1 versus Mode 2 plume products.
Improving the Understanding of CrIS Full Spectral Resolution Nonlocal Thermodynamic Equilibrium Radiances Using Spectral Correlation
Authors: Li Zhenglong , Menzel W. Paul , Jung James , Lim Agnes , Li Jun , Matricardi Marco , López‐Puertas Manuel , DeSouza‐Machado Sergio , Strow L. Larrabee
Published: July 2020

In recent years, significant progress has been made in fast radiative transfer model (RTM) simulation of daytime nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) emission. However, NLTE remains as one important reason that prevents the hyperspectral shortwave infrared (SWIR) radiance observations from being assimilated into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. To better understand the limitations of existing RTM‐based NLTE simulation, this study introduces a new statistical method, called Spectral Correlations to Estimate Non‐Local Thermal Equilibrium (SCENTE), to estimate the NLTE radiances in the Cross‐track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) SWIR radiance observations. SCENTE is applied to four typical season days, including spring equinox, summer solstice, fall equinox, and winter solstice. By analyzing calculation/background minus observation (BMO) of CrIS SWIR brightness temperature (BT), results show that SCENTE characterizes the NLTE well with standard deviation of differences (STD) comparable to observation noise for both daytime and nighttime, while the community RTM (CRTM) has substantially larger STD at night, mainly due to the lack of daytime NLTE just beyond the day/night terminator and the lack of aurora‐related NLTE. Detailed investigation of the biases of BMO shows that CRTM underestimates daytime SWIR NLTE effects by 0.76 K, while SCENTE overestimates SWIR NLTE effects by 0.70 K. The overestimation is because SCENTE uses CRTM‐simulated SWIR local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) radiances in the training, which is underestimated by 0.70 K in BT. SCENTE, complementary to RTM‐based simulations, can be used for quality control of SWIR radiances for assimilation and retrieval of atmospheric soundings.
Gaseous and Particulate Chlorine Emissions From Typical Iron and Steel Industry in China
Authors: Ding Xiang , Li Qing , Wu Di , Huo Yaoqiang , Liang Yingguang , Wang Hongli , Zhang Jie , Wang Shuxiao , Wang Tao , Ye Xingnan , Chen Jianmin
Published: July 2020

The accurate estimation of chlorine emissions is urgently needed to evaluate regional and global atmospheric chlorination. This study first reports on the gaseous/particulate phases of chlorine emissions from typical integrated steel industries, including the major manufacturing processes (i.e., sintering, ironmaking, and steelmaking) and self‐owned coal‐fired power plant (CFPP). The concentration of chlorine species emitted from the ironmaking/steelmaking processes and the self‐owned CFPP is very low (<1 mg/Nm3). Owing to the combustion of chlorine‐rich sinter raw materials, the sintering processes emitted unexpectedly high concentrations of chlorinated substances, including chlorinated very short‐lived CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, C2H5Cl, and C2H4Cl2. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems equipped on the sintering processes can slightly reduce chlorinated hydrocarbons emissions (ClVOCs). However, the chlorine species bonded in filterable/condensable particulate states (ClFPM/ClCPM) can be removed by high efficient systems (with efficiencies of 64.8–94.1% for ClFPM and 97.3–98.5% for ClCPM), relying on employed FGD technology. Owing to rapid rate at which FGD systems have been installed in China, ClInorganic gases, ClCPM, and ClFPM emissions from the sintering and iron industry in 2016 were reduced by 75.3%, 82.7%, and 45.6%, respectively. Our results indicate that the current ultralow‐emission equipment facilitates the reduction in chlorine emissions from iron and steel industry, but subsequent retrofits should give greater consideration to the simultaneous removal of ClVOCs.
A New Lens for Evaluating Dynamic Controls on Shallow Convection
Authors: Bailey Adriana
Published: July 2020

Rising temperatures and changing dynamics can both moisten the air, making it difficult to disentangle these interrelated drivers of water cycle change. However, work by Camille Risi and colleagues presents a new way to distinguish their effects. Using large‐eddy simulations with water isotopic tracers, they show that while warming the sea surface increases the ratio of isotopically heavy‐to‐light water in the tropical marine subcloud layer, strengthening the moisture flux convergence decreases it. This divergent response provides a new framework for examining the complex mechanisms that regulate the development of convection and, ultimately, cloudiness—a target of the 2020 international field campaign EUREC4A (ElUcidating the RolE of Clouds‐Circulation Coupling in ClimAte). Moreover, their findings provide a clearer picture of why water isotopes recorded in tropical paleoproxies are a valuable lens through which to view changes in moisture transport in the past.
Deep learning-based behavioral analysis reaches human accuracy and is capable of outperforming commercial solutions
Authors: Sturman Oliver , von Ziegler Lukas , Schläppi Christa , Akyol Furkan , Privitera Mattia , Slominski Daria , Grimm Christina , Thieren Laetitia , Zerbi Valerio , Grewe Benjamin , Bohacek Johannes
Published: July 2020

To study brain function, preclinical research heavily relies on animal monitoring and the subsequent analyses of behavior. Commercial platforms have enabled semi high-throughput behavioral analyses by automating animal tracking, yet they poorly recognize ethologically relevant behaviors and lack the flexibility to be employed in variable testing environments. Critical advances based on deep-learning and machine vision over the last couple of years now enable markerless tracking of individual body parts of freely moving rodents with high precision. Here, we compare the performance of commercially available platforms (EthoVision XT14, Noldus; TSE Multi-Conditioning System, TSE Systems) to cross-verified human annotation. We provide a set of videos—carefully annotated by several human raters—of three widely used behavioral tests (open field test, elevated plus maze, forced swim test). Using these data, we then deployed the pose estimation software DeepLabCut to extract skeletal mouse representations. Using simple post-analyses, we were able to track animals based on their skeletal representation in a range of classic behavioral tests at similar or greater accuracy than commercial behavioral tracking systems. We then developed supervised machine learning classifiers that integrate the skeletal representation with the manual annotations. This new combined approach allows us to score ethologically relevant behaviors with similar accuracy to humans, the current gold standard, while outperforming commercial solutions. Finally, we show that the resulting machine learning approach eliminates variation both within and between human annotators. In summary, our approach helps to improve the quality and accuracy of behavioral data, while outperforming commercial systems at a fraction of the cost.
COVID-19: immunopathogenesis and Immunotherapeutics
Authors: Yang Li , Liu Shasha , Liu Jinyan , Zhang Zhixin , Wan Xiaochun , Huang Bo , Chen Youhai , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2020

The recent novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is seeing a rapid increase in infected patients worldwide. The host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 appears to play a critical role in disease pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. SARS-CoV-2 not only activates antiviral immune responses, but can also cause uncontrolled inflammatory responses characterized by marked pro-inflammatory cytokine release in patients with severe COVID-19, leading to lymphopenia, lymphocyte dysfunction, and granulocyte and monocyte abnormalities. These SARS-CoV-2-induced immune abnormalities may lead to infections by microorganisms, septic shock, and severe multiple organ dysfunction. Therefore, mechanisms underlying immune abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 must be elucidated to guide clinical management of the disease. Moreover, rational management of the immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, which includes enhancing anti-viral immunity while inhibiting systemic inflammation, may be key to successful treatment. In this review, we discuss the immunopathology of COVID-19, its potential mechanisms, and clinical implications to aid the development of new therapeutic strategies against COVID-19.
The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil has antidepressant-like properties in the mouse forced swim test
Authors: Fitzgerald Paul J. , Hale Pho J. , Ghimire Anjesh , Watson Brendon O.
Published: July 2020

Finding new antidepressant agents is of high clinical priority given that many cases of major depressive disorder (MDD) do not respond to conventional monoaminergic antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Recent findings of effective fast-acting antidepressants indicate that there are biological substrates to be taken advantage of for fast relief of depression and that we may find further treatments in this category. In this vein, the cholinergic system may be a relatively overlooked target for antidepressant medications, given its major role in motivation and attention. Furthermore, the classically engaged monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems in depression treatment—serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—interact directly at times with cholinergic signaling. Here we investigate in greater detail how the cholinergic system may impact depression-related behavior, by administering widely ranging doses of the cholinesterase inhibitor drug, donepezil, to C57BL/6J mice in the forced swim test. First, we confirm prior findings that this drug, which is thought to boost synaptic acetylcholine, promotes depression-like behavior at a high dose (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.). But we also find paradoxically that it has an antidepressant-like effect at lower doses (0.02 and 0.2 mg/kg). Further this antidepressant-like effect is not due to generalized hyperactivity, since we did not observe increased locomotor activity in the open field test. These data support a novel antidepressant-like role for donepezil at lower doses as part of an overall u-shaped dose-response curve. This raises the possibility that donepezil could have antidepressant properties in humans suffering from MDD.
Biosilicified oncolytic adenovirus for cancer viral gene therapy
Authors: Kong Hao , Zhao Ruibo , Zhang Quan , Iqbal Muhammed Zubair , Lu Jiaju , Zhao Qingwei , Luo Dandan , Feng Cui , Zhang Kangjian , Liu Xinyuan , Kong Xiangdong
Published: July 2020

Biosilicified oncolytic adenovirus (OAs) significantly improved OAs distribution and tumor inhibition in vivo.
An improved structure-switch aptamer-based fluorescent Pb2+ biosensor utilizing the binding induced quenching of AMT to G-quadruplex
Authors: Geng Fenghua , Wang Dandan , Feng Li , Li Guixin , Xu Maotian
Published: July 2020

Binding-induced quenching of AMT to G-quadruplex is used for the first time to design an improved fluorescent Pb2+ aptasensor.
Novel triazole nucleoside analogues promote anticancer activity via both apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Zhang Yanhua , Liu Xi , Lin Yun , Lian Baoping , Lan Wenjun , Iovanna Juan L. , Liu Xiaoxuan , Peng Ling , Xia Yi
Published: July 2020

Novel triazole nucleosides developed by the strategy of “terminal N,N-dimethylation” displayed anticancer activity mediated via apoptosis and autophagy.
Second-coordination sphere effects on the reactivities of Hoveyda–Grubbs-type catalysts: a ligand exchange study using phenolic moiety-functionalized ligands
Authors: Jatmika Catur , Goshima Kenta , Wakabayashi Kazumo , Akiyama Naoki , Hirota Shun , Matsuo Takashi
Published: July 2020

The reactivities of Hoveyda–Grubbs-type complexes are tunable through second-coordination sphere effects caused by a functional group in the ligand.
Optimization of phthalazin-based aryl/heteroarylhydrazones to design new promising antileishmanicidal agents: synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-aryl-6-piperazin-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazines
Authors: Romero Angel H. , Rodríguez Noris , Ramírez Oscar G.
Published: July 2020

1-Monosubstituted and 1,4-substituted phthalazins based on aryl/heteroarylhydrazinyl have demonstrated attractive antileishmanial profiles against amastigote forms of the Leishmania braziliensis parasite.
Anti-Stokes photoluminescence study on a methylammonium lead bromide nanoparticle film
Authors: Jancik Prochazkova Anna , Mayr Felix , Gugujonovic Katarina , Hailegnaw Bekele , Krajcovic Jozef , Salinas Yolanda , Brüggemann Oliver , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Scharber Markus C.
Published: July 2020

Photon cooling via anti-Stokes photoluminescence (ASPL) is a promising approach to realize all-solid-state cryo-refrigeration by photoexcitation.
Zr-Incorporating SBA-15 for conversion of the ethanol–acetaldehyde mixture to butadiene
Authors: Yang Guochao , Wang Lingtao , Jiang Haoxi
Published: July 2020

Zr incorporation into SBA-15 enhanced the BD yield due to Zr–O–Si bond formation.
Influence of surface Sn species and hydrogen interactions on the OH group formation over spherical silica-supported tin oxide catalysts
Authors: Boonpai Sirawat , Wannakao Sippakorn , Suriye Kongkiat , Márquez Victor , Panpranot Joongjai , Jongsomjit Bunjerd , Praserthdam Piyasan , Bell Alexis T.
Published: July 2020

The catalyst stability for propane dehydrogenation can be improved by adding acidic nanomaterials that serve as coke reservoirs.
Advancements in PV-thermal systems with and without phase change materials as a sustainable energy solution: energy, exergy and exergoeconomic (3E) analytic approach
Authors: Laghari Imtiaz Ali , Samykano M. , Pandey A. K. , Kadirgama K. , Tyagi V. V.
Published: July 2020

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems are increasingly becoming an essential part of the solar application systems integrating the photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal collectors into a single unit to produce heat and electrical energy from the intermittent solar irradiation.
Rational design of NiFe LDH@Ni3N nano/microsheet arrays as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Wang Boran , Jiao Shihui , Wang Zisheng , Lu Mengjie , Chen Duo , Kang Yutang , Pang Guangsheng , Feng Shouhua
Published: July 2020

The bifunctional NiFe LDH@Ni3N/NF electrode exhibits superior electrocatalytic stability for overall water splitting at extremely high current densities.
Nano-confinement-inspired metal organic framework/polymer composite separation membranes
Authors: Li Xiaoting , Wang Naixin , Bao Xinmin , Li Qian , Li Jie , Xie Ya-Bo , Ji Shulan , Yuan Jiayin , An Quan-Fu
Published: July 2020

A new route to engineering a MOF/polymer composite membrane with defect-free, robust and selective layer inside the nano-confinement pores of substrate.
Prolonging the lifetimes of plasmonic hot electrons for efficient hydrogen evolution by Ag@N,O-C interfaces with a unique ginkgo-leaf hierarchical structure
Authors: Yang Yun , Zhuang Guilin , Sun Liming , Zhang Xibo , Yan Xiaoqin , Zhan Wenwen , Wang Xiaojun , Han Xiguang
Published: July 2020

N,O-doped C layers fully-coated Ag nanoparticles have assembled to form into a three-level hierarchical structure, which have shown highly-improved photocatalytic activity toward hydrogen production reaction from water.
A tumor-microenvironment fully responsive nano-platform for MRI-guided photodynamic and photothermal synergistic therapy
Authors: Wang Daquan , Zhang Ning , Jing Xunan , Zhang Yun , Xu Yanzi , Meng Lingjie
Published: July 2020

Multifunctional intelligent theranostics agents are promising for next-generation oncotherapy.
Bioinspired wettable–nonwettable micropatterns for emerging applications
Authors: Yang Yuemeng , Xu Li-Ping , Zhang Xueji , Wang Shutao
Published: July 2020

Wettable–nonwettable micropatterns have received tremendous attention due to their unique functionalities. Their emerging applications have been highlighted in this review.
A novel injectable starch-based tissue adhesive for hemostasis
Authors: Cui Ruihua , Chen Fangping , Zhao Yujiao , Huang Wenjie , Liu Changsheng
Published: July 2020

The starch which is modified by catechol can form hydrogel in situ so that seal the wound and reduce bleeding.
Emerging 2D hybrid nanomaterials: towards enhanced sensitive and selective conductometric gas sensors at room temperature
Authors: Hashtroudi Hanie , Mackinnon Ian D. R. , Shafiei Mahnaz
Published: July 2020

Gas sensing performance of conductometric devices based on 2D hybrid nanomaterials operating at room temperature.
Tunable electroluminescence from an n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction with a CsPbBr3 interlayer grown by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Huang Yu , Zhou Xiaoyu , Zhang Lichun , Lin Guochen , Xu Man , Zhao Yuan , Jiao Mengmeng , Zhang Dengying , Pan Bingying , Zhu Linwei , Zhao Fengzhou
Published: July 2020

Heterojunction light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on n-ZnO/CsPbBr3/p-GaN have been fabricated by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD).
Understanding the poor fill factor of solution-processed squaraine based solar cells in terms of charge carrier dynamics probed via impedance and transient spectroscopy
Authors: B. Anitha , K. P. Vijith , Alexander Akhil , Srivastava Varun , Namboothiry Manoj A. G.
Published: July 2020

Poor charge transport and extraction along with trap-assisted recombination limit the fill factor of solution processed SQ:PCBM solar cells.
A Survey of Speech-Language Pathologists' Understanding and Reported Use of Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Thome Emma K. , Loveall Susan J. , Henderson Davis E.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) understanding and self-reported use of evidence-based practice (EBP). The study also investigated SLPs' opinions toward and barriers to EBP.

Method

SLPs (n= 176) from across the United States participated in an online survey designed to assess their understanding and self-reported use of EBP. Participants were recruited via each state's speech-language-hearing association.

Results

A majority of participants were able to identify part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's definition of EBP, but only a small percentage was able to accurately identify the complete, three-part definition. Similarly, most participants could discern between high and low levels of evidence but could not accurately rank all levels. Of a variety of listed sources, participants self-reported the least amount of knowledge for accessing college, university, public, and medical libraries, including online databases through these libraries. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association resources were reported as the most frequently accessed source. Participants self-reported that EBP is beneficial and important but that engaging in EBP can be difficult. The largest barrier to engaging in EBP was lack of time during the workday to stay up-to-date on research. Finally, although participants self-reported a lack of employer-led training in EBP, a majority also self-reported that employers value EBP in the workplace.

Conclusion

Results suggest SLPs may benefit from increased training on EBP and more time during the workday to engage in EBP. Employers, administrators, and supervisors should consider providing increased training on how to access and utilize peer-reviewed databases. The use of EBP will allow SLPs to improve their clinical practices and provide higher quality treatment to their clients.
The Complications between Different Routes of Reconstruction after Esophagectomy
Authors: Wang Mingdong , Jin Yuxiang , Sun Guangyuan , Zhao Xuewei , Xue Lei
Published: July 2020

Background The main purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative complications caused by surgical reconstruction via either retrosternal (RS) or prevertebral (PV) routes in thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy patients.

Materials and Methods We retrospectively screened the perioperative data in total 59 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy in time period from January 2016 to January 2018. All the patients were subgrouped into two cohorts according to the surgical routes being taken: the RS route group (28 patients) and the PV route group (31 patients). The perioperative data including operation and hospitalization time and surgical complications were comparatively analyzed.

Results The surgical procedure in all patients was successful and no case of death occurred during perioperative stage in both groups. Notably, patients in the RS group had significantly lower propensity of pneumonia than patients in the PV group (p < 0.05). However, comparative analysis revealed almost an identical time for both operative process and postoperative hospitalization. And there was no statistical significance in the rate of anastomotic leakage and stricture as well as other complications (p > 0.05).

Conclusion RS and PV paths are both safe and effective routes that yielded similar postoperative complications. Reconstruction after thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy via the RS route had lower propensity of pneumonia than PV route.
Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury Following Surgical Valve Replacement
Authors: Ibrahim Khalid S. , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Mayyas Fadia A. , Alwaqfi Nizar A.
Published: July 2020

Background Acute kidney injury is a serious complication after surgical valve replacement and holds increased mortality rates.

Objectives To study predictors of acute kidney injury after surgical valve replacement.

Materials and Methods Patients who underwent valve surgery procedures at our center were included. Procedures included aortic valve replacement (AVR), mitral valve replacement (MVR), AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), MVR with CABG, or AVR and MVR with/without CABG.

Results A total of 346 patients were included. The mean age was 51.56 (16.1). Males (n = 178) comprised 51%.

At the univariate level analysis, predictors of acute kidney injury were found including age, ejection fraction, hypertension, history of CAD, emergency surgery, recent myocardial infarction, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, history of heart failure, mitral regurgitation (MR), pump time >120 minutes, aortic cross clamp >90 minutes, perioperative blood transfusion, re-exploration for bleeding, use of mechanical and biologic valve in aortic position, use of biologic valve in mitral position, prolonged inotropic support, postoperative stroke, and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) < a month, (all p < 0.05).

By Logistic regression analysis, Age (p < 0.0001, odds ratio[AOR] = 1.076), hypertension (p = 0.039, AOR = 1.829), heart failure (p = 0.019, AOR = 2.448), MR (p = 0.0001, AOR = 3.110), use of ACEi 120 minutes (p = 0.022, AOR = 1.797), perioperative blood transfusion (p = 0.008, AOR = 2.532), and prolonged inotropic support (p = 0.012, AOR = 2.591) were significant and independent predictors of AKI.

Conclusion Independent predictors of acute kidney injury following valve surgeries include age, hypertension, heart failure, MR, use of ACEi <month, perioperative blood transfusion, and prolonged pump time or inotropic support.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy without Radiation in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bhudia Jyotsna , Glynne-Jones Rob , Smith Thomas , Hall Marcia
Published: July 2020

In colon cancer, primary surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy represents the standard of care. In rectal cancer, the standard of care is preoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiation, which significantly reduces local recurrence but has no impact on subsequent metastatic disease or overall survival. The administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) before surgery can increase the chance of a curative resection and improves long-term outcomes in patients with liver metastases. Hence, NACT is being explored in both primary rectal and colon cancers as an alternative strategy to shrink the tumor, facilitate a curative resection, and simultaneously counter the risk of metastases. Yet, this lack of clarity regarding the precise aims of NACT (downstaging, maximizing response, or improving survival) is hindering progress. The appropriate cytotoxic agents, the optimal regimen, the number of cycles, or duration of NACT prior to surgery or in the postoperative setting remains undefined. Several potential strategies for integrating NACT are discussed with their advantages and disadvantages.
Improving Rectal Cancer Outcomes with the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Wexner Steven D. , White Christopher M.
Published: July 2020

Background The treatment of rectal cancer has undergone dramatic changes over the past 50 years. It has evolved from a rather morbid disease usually requiring a permanent stoma, almost exclusively managed by surgeons, to one that involves experts across numerous disciplines to provide the best care for the patient. With significant improvements in surgical techniques, the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, advanced imaging, and standardization of pathological assessment, the perioperative morbidity and permanent colostomy rates have significantly decreased. We have seen improvements in the quality of the specimen and rates of recurrence as well as disease-free survival. Rectal cancer, as demonstrated in European trials, has now been recognized as a disease best managed by a multidisciplinary team.

Objective The aim of this article is to evaluate the main body of literature leading to the advances made possible by the new American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.

Results Following the launch of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, we expect dramatic increases in membership and accreditation, with associated improvement in center performance and, ultimately, in patient outcomes.

Limitations The National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer began in 2017. To date, the only data that have been analyzed are from the preintervention phase.

Conclusions Based on the results of studies within the United States and on the successes demonstrated in Europe, it remains our hope and expectation that the management of rectal cancer in the United States will rapidly improve.
IL-1Ra Protects Hepatocytes from CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Apoptosis via Activating the ERK1/2 Pathway
Authors: Zheng Ying , Xiao Xinyi , Yang Zhuoyi , Zhou Meiqi , Chen Hui , Bai Siyi , Zhu Jianwei , Yuan Yunsheng
Published: July 2020

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is an important acute-phase protein and an immune mediator, and its expression is associated with the development of hepatitis or acute liver failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist directly targets and improves cell survival in a carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatocyte injury model in vitro. A human hepatoma cell line and a mouse hepatocyte cell line were used to establish carbon tetrachloride-induced cell injury models in vitro, and cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species level were determined to assess the degree of hepatocellular damage. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the level of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA in cells; extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 phosphorylation in hepatocytes was analyzed using western blotting. Recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist could directly target hepatocytes, improve cell survival, and decrease carbon tetrachloride-induced cell apoptosis in vitro. In hepatocytes, recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist remarkably downregulated expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in hepatocytes exposed to carbon tetrachloride. It also decreased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and abrogated the suppression of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 phosphorylation induced by carbon tetrachloride. However, stimulation of cells with an extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 inhibitor blocked the recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist-induced upregulation of extracellular regulated protein kinase1/2 activation and abrogated the improvement in hepatocyte survival following carbon tetrachloride treatment. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the hepatocyte-protective mechanism of recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.