bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylated cellulose/electrospun chitosan nanofibers media for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions
Authors: Brandes Ricardo , Brouillette François , Chabot Bruno
Published: October 2020

Contamination of water resources by toxic heavy metals has significant impacts on environmental and human health. Their removal from aqueous media is essential to ensure water sustainability and to provide safe freshwater availability to population. Electrospun chitosan (CS) nonwoven mats are efficient at removing heavy metals from aqueous media. However, they suffer from low permeability and low‐mechanical strength. They are also unable to remove contaminants in a nonselective way. A bilayer sorbent media made of a porous phosphorylated cellulose substrate covered by electrospun CS nanofibers was developed to overcome those weaknesses. The hydrophilic composite shows good water permeability and mechanical strength with appropriate thermal and chemical characteristics. Adsorption tests with Cd(II) indicate that pseudo‐second order and Langmuir models best fitted experimental data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 591 mg/g at 25°C. Adsorption with multielement samples containing Cr(VI), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) also reveal their capability to remove them in a selective way. This mechanically resistant, hydrophilic, and permeable adsorbent media was able to capture both cationic and anionic metallic contaminants.
Innervation of human soft palate muscles
Authors: Mu Liancai , Chen Jingming , Li Jing , Fowkes Mary , Benson Brian , Nyirenda Themba , Sobotka Stanislaw , Christopherson Mark , Sanders Ira
Published: October 2020

Our objective was to determine the branching and distribution of the motor nerves supplying the human soft palate muscles. Six adult specimens of the soft palate in continuity with the pharynx, larynx, and tongue were processed with Sihler's stain, a technique that can render large specimens transparent while counterstaining their nerves. The cranial nerves were identified and dissection followed their branches as they divided into smaller divisions toward their terminations in individual muscles. The results showed that both the glossopharyngeal (IX) and vagus (X) nerves have three distinct branches, superior, middle, and inferior. Only the middle branches of each nerve contributed to the pharyngeal plexus to which the facial nerve also contributed. The pharyngeal plexus was divided into two parts, a superior innervating the palatal and neighboring muscles and an inferior innervating pharyngeal constrictors. The superior branches of the IX and X nerves contributed innervation to the palatoglossus, whereas their middle branches innervated the palatopharyngeus. The palatoglossus and palatopharyngeus muscles appeared to be composed of at least two neuromuscular compartments. The lesser palatine nerve not only supplied the palatal mucosa and palatine glandular tissue but also innervated the musculus uvulae, palatopharyngeus, and levator veli palatine. The latter muscle also received its innervation from the superior branch of X nerve. The findings would be useful for better understanding the neural control of the soft palate and for developing novel neuromodulation therapies to treat certain upper airway disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
Regional differences in zygapophysial joint cavities: A histological study of human fetuses
Authors: Kitamura Kei , Kim Ji Hyun , Cho Kwang Ho , Murakami Gen , Rodríguez‐Vázquez José Francisco , Yamamoto Hitoshi
Published: October 2020

Human zygapophysial joints (ZJ) have regional differences in shape and orientation during prenatal growth. However, there is limited knowledge of the synovial recess during fetal development. We examined sagittal and horizontal histological sections of the vertebral columns of 30 human fetuses at gestational ages of 8–37 weeks. Fetuses of all gestational ages had subaxial cervical articular processes that were thicker than in the thoracolumbar regions, and as large as the corresponding vertebral bodies. A small or large synovial recess extending beyond the articular cartilage was evident at most regions. The cervical ZJ had large or deep recesses that extended inferiorly in midterm fetuses and posteromedially along the vertebral pedicle and lamina in near‐term fetuses. Likewise, the thoracic ZJ had small recesses that extended superiorly in midterm fetuses and medially in near‐term fetuses. The lumbar recesses extended laterally beyond the medially shifted articular cartilage of the upper adjacent vertebrae in near‐term fetuses and the lumbar articular surface was smallest in the three regions at all stages. At any region, a deep recess appeared before an area expansion of the ZJ cartilage. A drastic change in direction and size of the prenatal recess seemed to occur depending on a possible minute dislocation of the ZJ. In particular, a deep posteromedial recess of the cervical ZJ, which extended far beyond the articular cartilage, might be necessary to maintain high flexibility suitable for the strong flexion posture in utero.
Die Bedeutung von Nutzerzentrierung in automatisierten Beleuchtungssystemen
Authors: Hammes Sascha , Weninger Johannes , Canazei Markus , Pfluger Rainer , Pohl Wilfried
Published: October 2020

Derzeitig erwerbbare Beleuchtungssteuerungen versuchen Anforderungen allgemeiner Nutzerkomfortkriterien wie die normative Mindestbeleuchtungsstärke mittels Allgemeinbeleuchtungen und vordefinierten Kontrollkurven gerecht zu werden. Da diese Lösungen sowohl individuelle Nutzeranforderungen als auch Effekte, die sich aus spezifischen Arbeitsanforderungen ableiten lassen, weitestgehend vernachlässigen, können Akzeptanzraten von Nutzern signifikant in Mitleidenschaft gezogen werden. Darauf zurückzuführende Nutzereingriffe in automatisierte Steuerungen können intendierte Systemperformanzen sowohl in energetischer Hinsicht als auch in der biologischen Wirksamkeit beschränken. Um dem entgegenzuwirken, müssen Nutzerindividualitäten in die Steuerungslogik zurückgeführt werden. Prämisse einer erfolgreichen Umsetzung ist die Differenzierung von Raumausleuchtung und bedarfsorientierter Arbeitsplatzbeleuchtung. Positive Folge dieser Differenzierung ist eine Reduzierung des Energiebedarfs. Im Folgenden berichten die Autoren von ersten Ergebnissen einer Langzeitstudie in einem Großraumbüro mit zonaler Einzelarbeitsplatzbeleuchtung unter realen Arbeitsbedingungen. Die Ergebnisse der Studie führen auf, dass durch geeignete Zonierung der Energiebedarf für Kunstlicht reduziert werden kann. Darüber hinaus konnte über Langzeit‐Monitoring herausgefunden werden, dass Nutzereingriffen, die sich negativ auf den Energiebedarf auswirken, über erweiterte Inbetriebnahmephasen entgegengewirkt werden kann.
In situ‐Messung innerhalb einer Außenwand in Holz‐Massivbauweise mit Brettsperrholz im sockelnahen Bereich
Authors: Ganster Konstantin , Schickhofer Gerhard
Published: October 2020

Der Feuchteschutz ist bei Konstruktionen aus Holz essentiell, um langfristige Schäden ausschließen zu können. Grundsätzlich hat die oder der Planende zwei Möglichkeiten, um Feuchteschäden zu verhindern. Zum einen ist das die bauphysikalische Strategie, bei der durch sinnvolle Wahl der Schichtenfolge, der Schichtdicken und der Materialien Bauteile so dimensioniert werden, dass die Wassergehalte in den maßgeblichen Schichten dauerhaft unterhalb einer zulässigen Grenze bleiben. Das Risiko solcher Feuchteeinträge wird typischerweise durch Berechnungen bzw. Simulationen durchgeführt. Zum anderen der konstruktive Holzschutz, der darauf abzielt, Feuchteeinflüsse durch bauliche Maßnahmen auszuschalten und sich dabei auf bewährte Detaillösungen verlässt. Die zunehmende Vielfalt an Detaillösungen und die wechselnden Anforderungen erschweren eine optimale Lösungsfindung, sei es im Bereich der Einfamilienhäuser oder im öffentlichen mehrgeschossigen Wohn‐ und Gewerbebau. Komfortwünsche seitens der Nutzer oder barrierefreies Bauen verlangen einen Niveauausgleich zwischen innerem Bodenbelag und äußerem Eingangsbereich. Daraus folgt, dass sich die eingebaute Fußschwelle der Außenwand nicht nur unter dem empfohlenen Maß, sondern auch unter dem Erdniveau befindet. Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht anhand einer zweijährigen In situ‐Messung die Holzfeuchtegehalte innerhalb einer Außenwand in Holz‐Massivbauweise mit Brettsperrholz im sockelnahen Bereich. Die Messsensoren wurden in den Einzelschichten sowie drei unterschiedlichen Höhen angeordnet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen vor allem an der kritischsten Messreihe eine erhöhte Holzausgleichsfeuchte.
Analysis of Plant Metabolites Damaged in Chemical Accidents Using NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kim Minseon , Son Jinyoung , Song Yuyoung , Kim Yongae
Published: October 2020

Chemical accidents can cause a variety of damage, including damage to human health and ecosystems. In Korea, there are a limited number of crops that can be used to calculate damage done to plants after chemical accidents, and there are insufficient data on testing of damaged plants and methods for evaluation thereof because damage calculation methods and procedures have not been specifically established. Therefore, in order to estimate economic losses due to chemical accidents, it is necessary to establish specific calculation methods and procedures. At this point, improvements in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are needed to improve the accuracy and precision of assessment of plant damage caused by chemical accidents. The purpose of this study is to standardize sample pretreatment methods for NMR application and to develop a methodology for estimation of plant damage via testing and evaluation methods for solid samples such as plants and powders at chemical accident sites.
Adjunctive bright light therapy for treating bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hirakawa Hirofumi , Terao Takeshi , Muronaga Masaaki , Ishii Nobuyoshi
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Bright light therapy (BLT) was reported as an effective adjunctive treatment option for bipolar disorder. Previous meta‐analytic study showed that augmentation treatment with light therapy significantly decreased the severity of bipolar depression. However, most of included studies were case–control studies and several of them focused on BLT that was provided in combination with sleep deprivation therapy.

Methods

In this meta‐analysis, we used several electronic databases to search the studies and included only randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies to compare BLT with control experimental groups for treating bipolar depression with pharmacological treatment to clarify the adjunctive efficacy of BLT. We searched the databases of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Clinicaltrials.gov for studies published in English until September 19, 2019. Two researchers conducted the literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment independently. The main outcome was the response rate and remission rate. We used the Review Manager 5.3 Software for the meta‐analysis.

Results

Four trials with a total of 190 participants (intervention: 94, control: 96) with bipolar depression were evaluated to gauge the effects of light therapy. The meta‐analysis showed risk ratios of 1.78 (95% CI 1.24–2.56, p = .002; I2 = 17%) demonstrating a significant effect of light therapy in the response rate of bipolar disorder. The meta‐analysis shows risk ratios of 2.03 (95% CI 0.48–8.59, p = .34; I2 = 67%) demonstrating no significant effect of light therapy in the remission rate of patients with bipolar disorder. None of the articles reported any serious adverse effects. Manic switch rate was 1.1% in the light therapy group and 1.2% in the control group.

Conclusions

Bright light therapy is an effective treatment for reducing depression symptoms among patients with bipolar depression.
A rare case of ovarian ectopic pregnancy with IUD in situ: A case report from Nepal
Authors: Koirala Saugat , Balla Pujan , Pokhrel Ajay , Koirala Sachin , Pant Smriti , Paudyal Supriya
Published: October 2020

High index of suspicion of ectopic (much likely ovarian) pregnancy should be considered if a woman with IUD in situ presents with abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and positive urine pregnancy test.
Intramolecular Biradical Recombination of Dicarboxylic Acids to Unsaturated Compounds: A New Approach to an Old Kolbe Reaction
Authors: Meyers Jérôme , Kurig Nils , Gohlke Clara , Valeske Moritz , Panitz Sinan , Holzhäuser F. Joschka , Palkovits Regina
Published: October 2020

The Kolbe or Non‐Kolbe electrolysis is one of the most studied electro‐organic reactions and a fundamental pillar of organic chemistry. In contrast to classical Kolbe dimerization of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids are only scarcely subject for Kolbe electrolysis in the literature despite their vast natural abundance. Herein, we report on the intramolecular biradical recombination of dicarboxylic acids as a green way to prepare alkenes or alkynes over a newly proposed mechanistic route. Proceeding over a radical mechanism without dimerization, it clearly stands out from classical (Non‐)Kolbe electrolysis. In the presence of non‐toxic aqueous solvents, the desired products form in excellent yields (up to 83 %), which are the highest reported for this substrate class. Once feasibility had been shown for the electrolysis of methylsuccinic acid, we could demonstrate its application to a broad scope of different dicarboxylic acids.
Chemoselective Alpha‐Deuteration of Amides via Retro‐ene Reaction
Authors: Porte Vincent , Di Mauro Giovanni , Schupp Manuel , Kaiser Daniel , Maulide Nuno
Published: October 2020

A synthetically convenient approach for the direct α‐deuteration of amides is reported. This mechanistically unusual process relies on a retro‐ene‐type process, triggered by the addition of deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide to a keteniminium intermediate, generated through electrophilic amide activation. The transformation displays broad functional‐group tolerance and high deuterium incorporation.
Multi‐Step Continuous‐Flow Organic Synthesis: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Jiao Jiao , Nie Wenzheng , Yu Tao , Yang Fan , Zhang Qian , Aihemaiti Feierdaiweisi , Yang Tingjun , Liu Xuanyu , Wang Jiachen , Li Pengfei
Published: October 2020

Continuous‐flow multi‐step synthesis takes the advantages of microchannel flow chemistry and may transform the conventional multi‐step organic synthesis by using integrated synthetic systems. To realize the goal, however, innovative chemical methods and techniques are urgently required to meet the significant remaining challenges. In the past few years, by using green reactions, telescoped chemical design, and/or novel in‐line separation techniques, major and rapid advancement has been made in this direction. This minireview summarizes the most recent reports (2017–2020) on continuous‐flow synthesis of functional molecules. Notably, several complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have been prepared by the continuous‐flow approach. Key technologies to the successes and remaining challenges are discussed. These results exemplified the feasibility of using modern continuous‐flow chemistry for complex synthetic targets, and bode well for the future development of integrated, automated artificial synthetic systems.
Cytomorphologic analysis of clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma: Distinguishing diagnostic features
Authors: Griffin Brannan B. , Lin Xiaoqi
Published: October 2020

Background

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) shares histomorphologic and immunophenotypic features with clear cell RCC (CCRCC) and papillary RCC (PRCC).

Methods

We compared the cytomorphology, immunoprofile, and clinical management of CCPRCC (n = 18), CCRCC (n = 20), and PRCC (n = 18).

Results

Useful cytomorphologic features for comparing CCPRCC with CCRCC include 3‐dimensional clusters (72% vs 0%), papillae (50% vs 0%) and sheets (22% vs 70%), vasculature (papillary vs traversing), naked nuclei (17% vs 100%), prominent nucleoli (0% vs 65%), and amount of cytoplasm (small vs large). Useful cytomorphologic features for comparing CCPRCC with PRCC include sheets (22% vs 61%), naked nuclei (17% vs 67%), nuclear grooves (5% vs 67%) and inclusions (17% vs 67%), and pigmented cytoplasm (17% vs 83%). At on‐site evaluation, 16 of 18 (86%) CCPRCC specimens were deemed adequate, with suspicion for CCPRCC in 5 of 16 (31%) cases. Core histology of CCPRCC showed low‐grade malignant cells in nests (67%), tubules (100%), and papillae (72%), frequently in myxohyaline stroma (67%). Immunostains demonstrated expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7; 100%), carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX; 100%, cup‐like), CD10 (53%, reverse cup‐like), and α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR; 35%). Among 18 CCPRCC patients, 9 (50%) underwent nephrectomy, 5 (28%) underwent cryo‐ablation, and 4 (22%) were under surveillance with serial imaging.

Conclusion

Certain morphologic features represent diagnostic criteria of CCPRCC in cytology specimens and help distinguish CCPRCC from CCRCC and PRCC. Immunostaining patterns with CK7, CA IX, CD10, and AMACR can confirm the diagnosis. Delineating CCPRCC from more biologically aggressive RCC types in cytology specimens enhances presurgical and clinical management of patients given CCPRCC's low‐grade, indolent behavior.
Dynamic traffic bottlenecks identification based on congestion diffusion model by influence maximization in metro‐city scales
Authors: Zhao Baoxin , Xu Cheng‐Zhong , Liu Siyuan , Zhao Juanjuan , Li Li
Published: October 2020

Traffic bottlenecks dynamically change with the variance of traffic demand. Identifying traffic bottlenecks plays an important role in traffic planning and provides decision making. However, traffic bottlenecks are difficult to identify because of the complexity of traffic road networks and many other factors. In this article, we propose an influence spreading based method to find the dynamic changed traffic bottlenecks, where the influence caused by bottlenecks is maximal. We first build a traffic congestion diffusion (TCD) model to capture traffic flow influence (TFI) spreading over traffic road networks. The bottlenecks identification problem based on TCD is modeled as an influence maximization problem, that is, selecting the most influential nodes such that the deterioration of traffic condition is maximal. With the proof of the submodularity of TFI spreading over traffic networks, a provably near‐optimal algorithm is used to solve the NP‐hard problem. With the exploration of unique properties of TFI spread, an approximate influence maximization method for TCD (TCD‐AIM) is proposed. To the best of our knowledge, this should be the first model for a metro‐city scale from the influence perspective. Experimental results show that TCD‐AIM finds bottlenecks with up to 130% congestion density increase in the future.
Diagnosis of metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast on pleural fluid cytology in a 60‐year‐old male
Authors: Hogan Keenan O. , Fan Fang
Published: October 2020

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is a rare triple‐negative breast cancer with a favorable prognosis, although cases of distant metastases have been reported. Less than 10 cases of AdCC of the breast in males have been reported. We report a unique presentation of pleural fluid metastasis diagnosed by cytologic evaluation of pleural fluid in a 60‐year‐old male patient with AdCC of the breast. Careful surveillance and cytologic evaluation of effusion specimens can detect metastases with the aid of cellblock preparations and immunohistochemical stains.
Genetic connectivity and population structure of African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Tanzania
Authors: Lohay George G. , Weathers Thomas Casey , Estes Anna B. , McGrath Barbara C. , Cavener Douglas R.
Published: October 2020

Increasing human population growth, exurban development, and associated habitat fragmentation is accelerating the isolation of many natural areas and wildlife populations across the planet. In Tanzania, rapid and ongoing habitat conversion to agriculture has severed many of the country's former wildlife corridors between protected areas. To identify historically linked protected areas, we investigated the genetic structure and gene flow of African savanna elephants in Tanzania using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers in 688 individuals sampled in 2015 and 2017. Our results indicate distinct population genetic structure within and between ecosystems across Tanzania, and reveal important priority areas for connectivity conservation. In northern Tanzania, elephants sampled from the Tarangire‐Manyara ecosystem appear marginally, yet significantly isolated from elephants sampled from the greater Serengeti ecosystem (mean FST = 0.03), where two distinct subpopulations were identified.Unexpectedly, elephants in the Lake Manyara region appear to be more closely related to those across the East African Rift wall in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area than they are to the neighboring Tarangire subpopulations. We concluded that the Rift wall has had a negligible influence on genetic differentiation up to this point, but differentiation may accelerate in the future because of ongoing loss of corridors in the area. Interestingly, relatively high genetic similarity was found between elephants in Tarangire and Ruaha although they are separated by >400 km. In southern Tanzania, there was little evidence of female‐mediated gene flow between Ruaha and Selous, probably due to the presence of the Udzungwa Mountains between them. Despite observing evidence of significant isolation, the populations of elephants we examined generally exhibited robust levels of allelic richness (mean AR = 9.96), heterozygosity (mean µHE = 0.73), and effective population sizes (mean Ne = 148). Our results may inform efforts to restore wildlife corridors between protected areas in Tanzania in order to facilitate gene flow for long‐term survival of elephants and other species.
Resistance, resilience, and vulnerability of social‐ecological systems to hurricanes in Puerto Rico
Authors: Zimmerman Jess K. , Willig Michael R. , Hernández‐Delgado Edwin A.
Published: October 2020

Subject to hurricane disturbance for millennia, natural ecosystems of Puerto Rico exhibit clear patterns of resistance (e.g., many tree species have little immediate storm‐related mortality) and resilience (e.g., leaf litterfall and stream chemistry returned to pre‐hurricane levels in as little as five years). Contemporaneous studies of near‐shore areas also suggested no long‐term impacts of hurricanes; however, anthropogenic effects (coral bleaching, sedimentation) dominate the long‐term condition of marine systems in Puerto Rico, many of which have slowly evolved into novel ecosystems. A key characteristic of novel marine ecosystems is their long‐term loss of benefits and resilience, coupled to declining biodiversity and loss of structural or functional redundancy, signaling increased vulnerability to subsequent hurricanes. Human systems are also strongly affected by cyclonic storms, as evidenced by the recent impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean. The lack of short‐term recovery from disturbance by coral reef ecosystems, coupled with an increasing recurrence of anthropogenic impacts, increasing hurricane frequency or severity, and sea‐level rise, may have irreversible long‐term socioeconomic consequences for coastal social–ecological systems and for community livelihoods. A comprehensive social–ecological understanding of hurricane effects in Puerto Rico is lacking in part because hurricane effects on human populations are not comprehensively followed. Although some studies suggest a path forward, finding effective methods to link measurements of storm intensity to the diverse components of tropical social–ecological systems remains a challenge.
One‐Pot Controlled Reduction of Conjugated Amides by Sequential Double Hydrosilylation Catalyzed by an Iridium(III) Metallacycle
Authors: Corre Yann , Rysak Vincent , Nagyházi Márton , Kalocsai Dorottya , Trivelli Xavier , Djukic Jean‐Pierre , Agbossou‐Niedercorn Francine , Michon Christophe
Published: October 2020

A single and accessible cationic iridiumIII metallacycle effectively catalyzes the one‐pot sequential double hydrosilylation of challenging α,β‐unsaturated secondary and tertiary amides to afford, in a controlled and straightforward way, the corresponding reduced products, namely, the related secondary and tertiary amides and amines. The catalytic hydrosilylations of the conjugated amides described herein proceeded in good yields and high chemoselectivities. The critical silyl enolate, in other words silyl ketene aminal intermediate, has been observed and characterized by using control experiments, mass spectrometry and state of the art NMR analyses. The present achievements indicate a promising potential of catalysts based on metallacycles for future significant developments in one‐pot multicatalytic synthesis and therefore the production of highly functionalized and complex organic molecules.
Using temporal convolution network for remaining useful lifetime prediction
Authors: Chen Jungan , Chen Danjiang , Liu Gaoping
Published: October 2020

Because Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) can extract spatial feature, while Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) can learn temporal features, many methods combining CNN with LSTM are proposed for remaining useful lifetime prediction. In practice, it is better to learn temporal features from long history sequence data because of the slow inherently long‐term degradation process. However, LSTM is less efficient in processing long history sequence. To solve this problem, in this work, a temporal convolution network combining causal filters with dilated convolutions is used to expand the receptive field length of network. The network structure can be fixed through three key parameters, and the size of time window adopted for time sequence processing is the same as the receptive field length. These two characteristics allow the network to easily be applied for engineering purposes. The method is tested and evaluated using two well‐known datasets, namely the “Turbofan Engine Degradation Simulation Dataset C‐MAPSS” and “Milling Dataset.” The performance analysis shows that the proposed method outperforms more classical methods in terms of prediction accuracy.
Preparation and Discharge Performance of Thin‐Film Thermal Battery
Authors: Hu Jing , Guo Hao , Li Cheng-Jie , Zhang Ying-Chao , Yuan Jin-Xiu , Zhang Shan-Shan , Zhao Li-Li
Published: October 2020

In this study, a thin‐film single cell is successfully prepared by screen‐printing process. The single cell with 100 μm film cathode and 200 μm film electrolyte via screen‐printing technique exhibits a specific capacity of 1163.4 As g−1 up to 1.5 V. For comparison, a single cell with 500 μm pellet cathode and 300 μm pellet electrolyte via powder‐pressing process just presents a specific capacity of 361.3 As g−1. The enhancement of specific capacity of single cells prepared by the screen‐printing method can be ascribed to the microstructure of the thin film, which improves the diffusion rate of Li+ by macroscopically reducing the thickness of the single cell, and thus releases the maximum capacity of the active material. The thin‐film single cell also demonstrates low diffusion impedance, making it potentially suitable for use in a pulse miniaturization thermal battery. This work provides guidance for the potential engineering application of screen‐printing techniques in thermal battery preparation.
Pursuing behavioral realism in Virtual Reality for fire evacuation research
Authors: Arias Silvia , Wahlqvist Jonathan , Nilsson Daniel , Ronchi Enrico , Frantzich Håkan
Published: October 2020

The use of virtual reality in human behavior in fire research has the advantage of being able to produce results comparable to more traditional laboratory or field experiments. This method relies not only on the technology employed but also on the participants' perception of realism when exposed to a virtual emergency scenario. A virtual scenario can be perceived as realistic based on the way it looks and on the way objects in it operates. However, in some experiments, behavioral realism can be the most relevant feature to obtain meaningful results. In this article, knowledge gained by running four different virtual reality experiments is presented in the form of challenges and recommendations to enhance the realism of the virtual experience. Although not in a comprehensive way, these challenges and recommendations refer to different parts of the process of running a virtual reality experiment for research in human behavior in fire, from the design of the environment to the behavior of the participants in it. The recommendations provided are based on observations. By spreading this knowledge, it is expected to aid the broader fire safety engineering community to develop more realistic virtual reality experiments for data collection on human behavior in fire.
Decolonize this collection: Integrating black feminism and art to re‐examine human skeletal remains in museums
Authors: Lans Aja M.
Published: October 2020

This article combines traditional avenues of bioarchaeological research with Black feminist theory to decolonize identified skeletal collections housed in museums. Inspired by the activism of Decolonize This Place (DTP), I put the remains of Black women who were dissected in Progressive Era New York City into conversation with Black feminist theorists and artists. I argue that to “flesh in” the lives of these long anonymized and disarticulated women, it is essential to perform interdisciplinary and decolonizing work that is inspired by Black women. The field of biological anthropology will benefit from moving past privileging “scientific” knowledge and considering what the arts might contribute to our representations of the bodies we study, as suggested by Katherine McKittrick (2010). Furthermore, for our field to truly become inclusive, we must encourage scholars with multiple consciousnesses, as proposed by Faye Harrison (2010).
The implied volatility smirk of commodity options
Authors: Jia Xiaolan , Ruan Xinfeng , Zhang Jin E.
Published: October 2020

This paper studies the implied volatility (IV) smirks in four commodity markets by adopting Zhang and Xiang's methodology. First, we document the term structure and dynamics of IV smirks. Overall, the commodity IV curves are negatively skewed with a positive curvature. Then we analyze the commodity and S&P 500 returns' predictability based on in‐sample and out‐of‐sample tests and find that the information embedded in IV smirks can significantly predict monthly commodity and S&P 500 returns. For example, the risk‐neutral fourth cumulant (FC) from the crude oil market outperforms all of the standard predictors in predicting the S&P 500 returns.
Cortical thickness as predictor of response to exercise in people with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Silva‐Batista Carla , Ragothaman Anjanibhargavi , Mancini Martina , Carlson‐Kuhta Patricia , Harker Graham , Jung Se Hee , Nutt John G. , Fair Damien A , Horak Fay B. , Miranda‐Domínguez Oscar
Published: October 2020

We previously showed that dual‐task cost (DTC) on gait speed in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) improved after 6 weeks of the Agility Boot Camp with Cognitive Challenge (ABC‐C) exercise program. Since deficits in dual‐task gait speed are associated with freezing of gait and gray matter atrophy, here we performed preplanned secondary analyses to answer two questions: (a) Do people with PD who are freezers present similar improvements compared to nonfreezers in DTC on gait speed with ABC‐C? (b) Can cortical thickness at baseline predict responsiveness to the ABC‐C? The DTC from 39 freezers and 43 nonfreezers who completed 6 weeks of ABC‐C were analyzed. A subset of 51 participants (21 freezers and 30 nonfreezers) with high quality imaging data were used to characterize relationships between baseline cortical thickness and delta (Δ) DTC on gait speed following ABC‐C. Freezers showed larger ΔDTC on gait speed than nonfreezers with ABC‐C program (p < .05). Cortical thickness in visual and fronto‐parietal areas predicted ΔDTC on gait speed in freezers, whereas sensorimotor‐lateral thickness predicted ΔDTC on gait speed in nonfreezers (p < .05). When matched for motor severity, visual cortical thickness was a common predictor of response to exercise in all individuals, presenting the largest effect size. In conclusion, freezers improved gait automaticity even more than nonfreezers from cognitively challenging exercise. DTC on gait speed improvement was associated with larger baseline cortical thickness from different brain areas, depending on freezing status, but visual cortex thickness showed the most robust relationship with exercise‐induced improvements in DTC.
Hillslope sediment production after wildfire and post‐fire forest management in northern California
Authors: Cole Ryan P. , Bladon Kevin D. , Wagenbrenner Joseph W. , Coe Drew B. R.
Published: October 2020

High severity wildfires impact hillslope processes, including infiltration, runoff, erosion, and sediment delivery to streams. Wildfire effects on these processes can impair vegetation recovery, producing impacts on headwater and downstream water supplies. To promote forest regeneration and maintain forest and aquatic ecosystem functions, land managers often undertake active post‐fire land management (e.g., salvage logging, sub‐soiling, re‐vegetation). The primary objective of our study was to quantify and compare sediment yields eroded from (a) burned, (b) burned and salvage logged, and (c) burned, salvage logged, and sub‐soiled plots following the 2015 Valley Fire in the northern California Coast Range. We distributed 25 sediment fences (~75 m2 contributing area) across four hillslopes burned at high severity and representative of the three management types. We collected eroded sediment from the fences after precipitation events for 5 years. We also quantified precipitation, canopy cover, ground cover, and soil properties to characterize the processes driving erosion across the three management types. Interestingly, during the second year after the fire, sediment yields were greater in the burned‐only plots compared with both the salvage logged and sub‐soiled plots. By the third year, there were no differences in sediment yields among the three management types. Sediment yields decreased over the 5 years of the study, which may have occurred due to site recovery or exhaustion of mobile sediment. As expected, sediment yields were positively related to precipitation depth, bulk density, and exposed bare soil, and negatively related to the presence of wood cover on the soil surface. Unexpectedly, we observed greater sediment yields on the burned‐only plots with greater canopy closure, which we attributed to increased throughfall drop size and kinetic energy related to the residual canopy. While these results will aid post‐fire management decisions in areas with Mediterranean climates prone to low intensity, long duration rainstorms, additional research is needed on the comparative effects of post‐fire land management approaches to improve our understanding of the mechanisms driving post‐fire erosion and sediment delivery.
Three hundred years of snowpack variability in southwestern British Columbia reconstructed from tree‐rings
Authors: Mood Bryan J. , Coulthard Bethany , Smith Dan J.
Published: October 2020

Recent snow droughts in southwestern British Columbia (BC), Canada, have reduced seasonal streamflow during the typically dry late‐spring and summer months, leading to socio‐economic and ecological impacts that draw attention to the impending consequences of climate change. Knowledge of annual winter snowfall variability within this region is largely derived from a sparse network of short‐duration (≤50 years) snow survey stations. In this paper, we develop an annual April 1 snow water equivalent (SWE) reconstruction from living tree‐ring chronologies that offer a perspective on long‐term natural snowpack variability. The dendrohydrological model estimates the first principal component April 1 SWE for the southwestern regions of BC to 1711. Spectral analysis identified dominant multidecadal April 1 SWE variability over the pre‐instrumental period. The reconstruction successfully captures known instrumental period influences of La Niña oscillations on reconstructed SWE, suggesting that our tree‐ring based the reconstruction has the potential to provide insights on pre‐instrumental ocean–atmosphere links with southwestern BC snowpack dynamics. Runs analysis suggests pre‐instrumental snow droughts have been more than twice as long in duration and severity than during the observed period which indicates the instrumental record may not capture the full range of April 1 SWE variability. The reconstruction provides the first high‐resolution description of SWE over the past 300 years in southwestern BC and is of immediate use to regional water resource managers.
Identification of novel ALK rearrangements in gynecologic clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Chen , Zhang Lingxin , Love‐Gregory Latisha , Sun Lulu , Hagemann Ian S. , Cao Dengfeng
Published: October 2020

Clear cell carcinomas (CCCs) of the gynecologic tract are aggressive tumors with high resistance rate to conventional platinum‐based chemotherapies. Currently, the molecular features of these tumors remain largely unknown and there is no targeted therapy available. The aim of our study was to identify anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocations, a potential molecular target for therapy. Ninety‐seven patients with gynecologic CCC (62 ovarian, 27 uterine corpus and 8 uterine cervical) were screened for ALK rearrangement and ALK copy number gain using an ALK break‐apart fluorescence in situ hybridization probe. The genomic landscape of all cases with ALK rearrangements and 10 random cases with ALK copy number gain was queried using a hybrid capture‐based DNA next‐generation sequencing assay and an Illumina Fusion RNA assay. Findings were then correlated with ALK immunohistochemistry (clone D5F3) expression. ALK rearrangement was detected in 5% (5/97) and ALK copy number gain in 79% (77/97) of gynecologic CCCs. Next‐generation sequencing in ALK‐rearranged CCCs identified a novel BABAM2‐ALK fusion in one case. ALK translocation partners were not identified in the remaining cases. Our findings show that ALK fusion, which is targetable in other cancers, may be a pathogenetic mechanism in a small number of gynecologic CCCs.
Influences of uncertainty on the returns and liquidity of cryptocurrencies: Evidence from a portfolio approach
Authors: Nguyen Quang Binh , Le Thai‐Ha , Nguyen Phuc Canh
Published: October 2020

This study examines the influences of different types of uncertainty, namely, World Uncertainty (WUI), Global Economic Policy Uncertainty (GEPU), and Geopolitical Uncertainty (GUI) on the returns and liquidity of 964 cryptocurrencies over the period from April 28, 2013 to July 14, 2018. Besides the full sample, three sub‐portfolios are separated by market capitalization. The principal findings are: (i) increased GEPU has significantly negative effect on the cryptocurrency portfolios' returns; (ii) higher WUI has significantly negative impact on the cryptocurrency portfolios' liquidity, especially for the medium sub‐portfolio; (iii) the effects of uncertainty proxied by GEPU and WUI on cryptocurrency portfolios' returns and liquidity, respectively, are asymmetric; and (iv) GUI is not found to have any significant impact on the returns and liquidity of cryptocurrency portfolios.
Does culture play a role in the stock market's response to uncertainty?
Authors: Xu Jingjing
Published: October 2020

While a growing body of literature documents a decrease in stock returns with an increase in economic uncertainty, the magnitude of this decrease may differ across countries. This paper examines whether a national culture that shapes its people's views towards uncertainty can serve as an explanation if there are heterogeneous responses of the stock market responses to an increase in economic uncertainty at the country level. Using the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) index to proxy for economic uncertainty and employing an SVAR model, this paper first finds that the magnitude of a stock market's response to an increase in uncertainty varies across countries. This paper then adopts the uncertainty avoidance index (UAI) as a proxy measure of culture relating to people's views towards uncertainty and finds that the observed cross‐country heterogeneity is correlated with the degree of a society's uncertainty avoidance. The stock market index is likely to drop more in response to an increase in uncertainty in countries with higher uncertainty avoidance.
Rat bone healing induced by natural nanocrystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite in combination with human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs)
Authors: Centurione Lucia , Pantalone Andrea , Marchegiani Francesco , Antonucci Ivana , Basile Mariangela , Salini Vincenzo , Stuppia Liborio , Di Pietro Roberta
Published: October 2020

The present study was aimed at identifying a new scaffold/stem cell combination useful to treat large bone defects. Human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) were expanded in vitro, labeled with a fluorescent cell‐permeable dye (PKH26) and transplanted in vivo in a femoral injured rat model. The femoral defect was left untreated (control rats) or filled with hydroxyapatite (HA; natural nanocrystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite‐Orthoss®) scaffold alone or loaded with PKH26‐labeled AFSCs. All animals were killed 3 weeks after implantation. Both gross anatomy and histological observations revealed a major bone regenerative response in rat specimens treated with HA scaffold, alone or supplemented with AFSCs. Samples injected with HA plus AFSCs displayed the presence of abundant fibrotic tissue, the formation of periosteal woven bone, and an increased presence of blood vessels in the bone marrow, with still fluorescent AFSCs in close proximity. These observations provide evidence that natural HA plus AFSCs represents a promising alternative therapeutic strategy to autologous bone grafting procedures.
Thymoquinone alleviates liver fibrosis via miR‐30a‐mediated epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Geng Wujun , Li Chunxue , Zhan Yating , Zhang Rongrong , Zheng Jianjian
Published: October 2020

Thymoquinone (TQ), the main active constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, has been shown to play a role in antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and antitumor. Recent studies have demonstrated that TQ contributes to the suppression of liver fibrosis. Abnormal activated epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, whether the antifibrotic effects of TQ occur through inhibiting EMT is largely unknown. In this study, it was found that TQ ameliorated liver fibrosis and collagen accumulation in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) mice. In vitro, TQ inhibited HSC activation including reduced proliferation, α‐smooth muscle actin, and collagen. In addition, TQ markedly suppressed the EMT process, with enhanced E‐cadherin and reduced desmin. Notably, snail family transcriptional repressor 1 (Snai1), the EMT master transcription factor, was obviously inhibited by TQ in vivo and in vitro. Further studies demonstrated that Snai1 was a target of microRNA‐30a (miR‐30a), which was upregulated by TQ. Interestingly, the effects of TQ on HSC activation and EMT were almost inhibited by miR‐30a inhibitor. Collectively, we demonstrate that TQ inhibits HSC activation, at least in part, via regulation of miR‐30a and Snai1. TQ upregulates miR‐30a expression, resulting in a reduced Snai1 level as well as EMT process inactivation, which contributes to the inhibition of HSC activation. TQ may be a potential therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis.
IL‐1/IL‐1R signaling induced by all‐trans‐retinal contributes to complement alternative pathway activation in retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Cheng Xinxuan , He Danxue , Liao Chunyan , Lin Sijie , Tang Liying , Wang Yuan‐Liang , Hu Jiaoyue , Li Wei , Liu Zuguo , Wu Yalin , Liao Yi
Published: October 2020

The underlying mechanisms of complement activation in Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1) and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) are not fully understood. Overaccumulation of all‐trans‐retinal (atRAL) has been proposed as the pathogenic factor in both diseases. By incubating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells with atRAL, we showed that C5b‐9 membrane attack complexes (MACs) were generated mainly through complement alternative pathway. An increase in complement factor B (CFB) expression as well as downregulation of complement regulatory proteins CD46, CD55, CD59, and CFH were observed in RPE cells after atRAL treatment. Furthermore, interleukin‐1β production was provoked in both atRAL‐treated RPE cells and microglia/macrophages. Coincubation of RPE cells with interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) and atRAL ameliorated complement activation and downregulated CFB expression by attenuating both p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. Our findings demonstrate that atRAL induces an autocrine/paracrine IL‐1/IL‐1R signaling to promote complement alternative pathway activation in RPE cells and provide a novel perspective on the pathomechanism of macular degeneration.
The functional connectivity study on the brainstem‐cortical/subcortical structures in responders following cervical vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Zhu Jin , Wang Jingjuan , Xu Cuiping , Zhang Xi , Qiao Liang , Wang Xueyuan , Zhang Xiaohua , Yan Xiaoming , Ni Duanyu , Yu Tao , Zhang Guojun , Li Yongjie
Published: October 2020

Background

Cervical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective neuromodulation therapy for patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The previous studies reported that VNS may reduce seizures by regulating the functional connectivity (FC) between cortical and subcortical regions. However, no studies on brainstem have been done in responders who achieved ≥50% seizure reduction following VNS.

Methods

Eight healthy controls and eight patients who became responders after 3 months of operation were enrolled in this study. Resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI) was performed, and two sample and paired sample t test were, respectively, used to detect altered FC between brainstem and cortical/subcortical regions between controls and patients, between preoperative and postoperative patients.

Results

In the control group, regions with highest FC to brainstem included bilateral anterior cingulate gyri, left basal ganglia, left insula, left cuneus, right precuneus, and bilateral cerebellum. In preoperative patients, right frontal middle gyrus, bilateral basal ganglia, and right cerebellum were showed highest FC to brainstem. Compared with the controls, preoperative patients exhibited increased FC in bilateral inferior frontal gyri, right temporal cortex, while decreased FC in left insula, left postcentral gyrus, right posterior cingulate gyrus, right precuneus, and left superior parietal gyrus. In postoperative patients, regions with increased FC to brainstem were left insula, left precuneus and left cuneus, and those with decreased FC were right inferior occipital gyrus and right cerebellum.

Conclusions

Recurrent seizures caused disturbances in brainstem‐cortical/subcortical FC, especially in motor executive function related regions and default mode network. VNS could reorganize the altered FC between brainstem and insula, precuneus, and cerebellum in responders.
Synthesis and structural anomaly ofxyloketals‐uniquebenzoxacycles: A review
Authors: Roy Barnali , Rout Nilendri , Kuila Puspendu , Sarkar Debayan
Published: October 2020

Xyloketals, unique bioactive compounds, isolated from mangrove fungusXylariasp. (no. 2508), having multiple pharmacological, therapeutic properties, have prompted enormous research on their stereochemistry, bioactivity and synthetic attempts made toward this novel family. This review brings forward a systematic and comprehensive survey of the method of both racemic and enantioselective synthesis, reactivity, and biological properties associated with the xyloketal derivatives and their analogues.