bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land use and season drive changes in soil microbial communities and related functions in agricultural soils
Authors: Madegwa Yvonne Musavi , Uchida Yoshitaka
Published: July 2021

Soil microorganisms are important for the maintenance of soil health and related functions. Agricultural management practices such as land use, season, and fertilizer affect soil microbial community structures. However, the effect of these management practices on soil microorganisms and related functions, influenced by regionally different soil types, is still not clear. Hence, the study was conducted in an Andosol (volcanic soil) dominated agricultural region in a cool temperate climate to determine the effect of land use (cropland, grassland), season (spring, summer), and fertilizer (anaerobic digestate—AD) on soil microorganisms and related functions. Soils were sampled from farmers’ fields, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted and sequenced targeting 16S rRNA region. As a result, land use had a significant effect on beta diversity and evenness with higher values recorded in cropland than grassland. However, grassland had a higher number of unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (10303) compared with cropland (5112). In cropland, season had a significant effect on beta diversity, evenness, OTU numbers, and Shannon index with higher values recorded in summer compared to spring. Based on predicted soil functions, nitrogenase (nifH) had significantly higher values in cropland‐summer while nitrite reductase (nirK) and ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) were significantly higher in cropland‐spring. In grassland, season had a significant effect on beta diversity only. These results indicate that grassland microorganisms were stable and more resistant to seasonal changes than cropland, suggesting that conventional tillage practices have a negative effect on soil microbial stability. Additionally, grassland‐spring (7059) had a higher number of unique OTUs than grassland‐summer (2597). Based on predicted soil functions, nifH was significantly higher in grassland‐spring while nirK and amoA were significantly higher in grassland‐summer. These results indicate that the impact of seasons on soil microorganisms’ distribution and abundance in cropland and grassland may directly affect soil functions.
Quinoxalinophenanthrophenazine Based Cruciforms
Authors: Ueberricke Lucas , Mizioch Dennis , Ghalami Farhad , Mildner Felix , Rominger Frank , Oeser Thomas , Elstner Marcus , Mastalerz Michael
Published: July 2021

A series of cruciform aryl‐substituted quinoxalinophenanthrophenazine derivatives (QPPs) was synthesized through Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling of a 2,7‐diborylated pyrene tetraketal building block. The QPPs were analyzed for their optoelectronic properties by absorption and emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and quantum‐chemical calculations. The solid‐state packing was investigated as well and evaluated for its charge transport properties by calculated charge transfer integrals.
Evolving the Scope of 5,5’‐Azobistetrazoles in the Search for High Performing Green Energetic Materials
Authors: Benz Maximilian , Gruhne Michael S. , Klapötke Thomas M. , Krüger Nina , Lenz Tobias , Lommel Marcus , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: July 2021

The azotetrazole moiety represents a great platform for energetic materials, it offers a planar and nitrogen‐rich backbone, combined with a high heat of formation, which easily can be functionalized and tuned. Herein, we start from sodium 5‐aminotetrazolate and obtain two isomers by substitution reaction with 2‐chloroethanol. Azidoethyl and nitratoethyl substituted azo‐ tetrazoles were finally synthesized by oxidative azo coupling of the respective N‐ethyl functionalized 5‐aminotetrazole precursors using tert‐butyl hypochlorite as reagent. All compounds were analyzed through multicore NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. All solid compounds were further investigated using low‐temperature X‐ray crystallography. The purity was verified by CHNO elemental analysis and the decomposition temperature (DTA) and sensitivities toward impact, friction and electrostatic discharged were determined. Based on the CBS‐4M calculation results, the energetic properties were calculated using the EXPLO5 code.
Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for HPV16 Oncogene Based on Y‐shaped DNA Catalytic Hairpin Assembly and Template‐free DNA Extension Reaction
Authors: Zhang Dongyou , Wang Yali , Jin Xiaoyu , Xiao Qi , Huang Shan
Published: July 2021

An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor for HPV16 oncogene was explored. Hairpin DNA‐1, which can specifically bind with HPV16 oncogene, was fixed on the surface of gold electrode. Two hairpin DNAs underwent catalytic hairpin assembling with hairpin DNA‐1 to construct Y‐shaped DNA nanostructure, liberating HPV16 oncogene for target recycling. The 3’ terminus of Y‐shaped DNA nanostructure was prolonged under the catalysis of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Methylene blue was adsorbed onto DNA nanostructure to generate characteristic differential pulse voltammetry signal. This signal was increased with the concentration of HPV16 oncogene, and the detection limit of HPV16 oncogene was as low as 0.19 fM.
Can Wolf Spider Mothers Detect Insecticides in the Environment? Does the Silk of the Egg-Sac Protect Juveniles from Insecticides?
Authors: Laino A. , Romero S. , Cunningham M. , Molina G. , Gabellone C. , Trabalon M. , Garcia C.F.
Published: July 2021

The use of pesticides for plague control in agroecosystems generates a threat to wildlife and a major problem for human health. Pesticide compounds are also an important source of water and atmosphere contamination. Although insecticides are effective on their target organisms, they often affect organisms that are not their target. The aim of the present study was to research the effects of 3 types of neurotoxic insecticides—a pyrethroid (cypermethrin), a neonicotinoid (imidacloprid), and an organophosphate (chlorpyrifos)—on behavioral and physiological parameters of Pardosa saltans spider (Lycosidae). Our study analyzed for the first time the exploratory behavior of the spider mothers in the presence of these 3 insecticides on their egg-sacs and also on the ground. We also evaluated the oxidative stress effects on the juveniles hatched in the egg-sac protected by silk in relation to variations in detoxification enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase) and lipid peroxidation (reactive oxygen species [ROS]). The results show that these insecticides are repellents for mothers (cypermethrin is the most repellent), and maternal behavior is modified after detection of an insecticide on their egg-sac but mothers do not abandon their egg-sacs. These neurotoxic insecticides affect the juveniles inside their egg-sac. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos caused more oxidative stress in juveniles than did imidacloprid. The ROS generated by these insecticides seemed to be adequately eliminated by the juveniles' antioxidant systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2861–2873. © 2021 SETAC
Dynamic functional connectivity profile of the salience network across the life span
Authors: Snyder William , Uddin Lucina Q. , Nomi Jason S.
Published: July 2021

The insular cortex and anterior cingulate cortex together comprise the salience or midcingulo‐insular network, involved in detecting salient events and initiating control signals to mediate brain network dynamics. The extent to which functional coupling between the salience network and the rest of the brain undergoes changes due to development and aging is at present largely unexplored. Here, we examine dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of the salience network in a large life span sample (n = 601; 6–85 years old). A sliding‐window analysis and k‐means clustering revealed five states of dFC formed with the salience network, characterized by either widespread asynchrony or different patterns of synchrony between the salience network and other brain regions. We determined the frequency, dwell time, total transitions, and specific state‐to‐state transitions for each state and subject, regressing the metrics with subjects' age to identify life span trends. A dynamic state characterized by low connectivity between the salience network and the rest of the brain had a strong positive quadratic relationship between age and both frequency and dwell time. Additional frequency, dwell time, total transitions, and state‐to‐state transition trends were observed with other salience network states. Our results highlight the metastable dynamics of the salience network and its role in the maturation of brain regions critical for cognition.
A dual‐channel language decoding from brain activity with progressive transfer training
Authors: Huang Wei , Yan Hongmei , Cheng Kaiwen , Wang Yuting , Wang Chong , Li Jiyi , Li Chen , Li Chaorong , Zuo Zhentao , Chen Huafu
Published: July 2021

When we view a scene, the visual cortex extracts and processes visual information in the scene through various kinds of neural activities. Previous studies have decoded the neural activity into single/multiple semantic category tags which can caption the scene to some extent. However, these tags are isolated words with no grammatical structure, insufficiently conveying what the scene contains. It is well‐known that textual language (sentences/phrases) is superior to single word in disclosing the meaning of images as well as reflecting people's real understanding of the images. Here, based on artificial intelligence technologies, we attempted to build a dual‐channel language decoding model (DC‐LDM) to decode the neural activities evoked by images into language (phrases or short sentences). The DC‐LDM consisted of five modules, namely, Image‐Extractor, Image‐Encoder, Nerve‐Extractor, Nerve‐Encoder, and Language‐Decoder. In addition, we employed a strategy of progressive transfer to train the DC‐LDM for improving the performance of language decoding. The results showed that the texts decoded by DC‐LDM could describe natural image stimuli accurately and vividly. We adopted six indexes to quantitatively evaluate the difference between the decoded texts and the annotated texts of corresponding visual images, and found that Word2vec‐Cosine similarity (WCS) was the best indicator to reflect the similarity between the decoded and the annotated texts. In addition, among different visual cortices, we found that the text decoded by the higher visual cortex was more consistent with the description of the natural image than the lower one. Our decoding model may provide enlightenment in language‐based brain‐computer interface explorations.
Mixed convection hybrid nanoliquid flow over an exponentially stretching rough (smooth) surface with the impacts of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions
Authors: Patil P. M. , Benawadi Sunil
Published: July 2021

This paper explores the influence of homogeneous and heterogeneous (surface) reactions in the mixed convection flow of hybrid nanoliquid (Cu–Fe3O4/water) over an exponentially stretching surface. In this analysis, we have considered chemical species of unequal diffusivity. In spite of this, the effects of surface roughness and surface mass transfer are also included in the analysis. The numerical solutions to the transformed governing equations of the physical problem have been obtained by employing the implicit finite difference method and the quasilinearization technique. The numerical results for drag coefficient and rate of transfer of heat, along with various profiles such as velocity, temperature, and species concentrations, for some appropriate parameters are displayed by graphs and tables. The rate of transfer of heat from rough (smooth) surfaces to the liquid in the case of hybrid nanoliquid is found to be greater as compared to the nanoliquid (Fe3O4/water) and base liquid (water). Where as, opposite trend is observed for skin friction co–efficient. The influence of heterogeneous reaction on the reactant (bulk liquid) is found to be significantly high as compared to the homogeneous reaction in the regime of the boundary layer. The obtained numerical outcomes are compared with those of earlier literature and are found to be in good agreement.
Characteristics and predictors of patient care performed by clinical department chairpersons at U.S. schools of pharmacy
Authors: Slain Douglas , Goad Jeff , Moser Lynette R. , Seybert Amy
Published: July 2021

Background

Clinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice departments at schools of pharmacy are usually composed of practicing pharmacy specialists. There is little known about the requirements for and frequency of patient care provided by clinical department chairpersons. The primary objective of this study was to determine the likelihood that pharmacy practice chairs engage in patient care. A secondary objective was to identify those factors predicting chairperson participation in patient care activities.

Methods

A brief 22‐item adaptive response survey was sent to clinical department chairpersons at schools of pharmacy in the United States. Initial identification of chairs came from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) with verification by school websites. Surveys from schools without a clinical chairperson (or similar position) were excluded, as were surveys from schools with Ph.D. department chairpersons from blended departments (ie, Clinical with Outcomes/Policy Sciences).

Results

Of the 128 eligible schools' department chairpersons, 113 completed the surveys (88.3% response rate). Forty‐four (38.9%) chairs reported that they maintain an active clinical practice even though 103 (91.1%) report it is not required. Factors that had a significant association with clinical practice were clinical service being an expectation (P = .0004), having a practice prior to becoming chairperson (P = .001), having a higher clinical service expectation (P < .0001), and having a lower administrative percentage (P = .0003). Age, rank, and academic track were not significant predictors. Of those with clinical practice, sites included community (45.4%), acute care (38.6%), primary care (4.5%), and other settings (11.4%). A majority of those with practice reported providing direct patient care (81.8%) or indirectly via supervision of students or other trainees (61.4%).

Conclusions

Most schools of pharmacy do not require clinical department chairpersons to maintain a patient care practice, but many still choose to practice. Those that practiced before becoming a chairperson and have a lower administrative burden are more likely to continue to provide patient care.
Repeated chest tightness—A case of double‐chambered left ventricle in an adult
Authors: Zhuo Yu , Zhong Gang , Long Xiangdang , Ou Baiqing , Mao Zhiqun , Li Qiao Rong
Published: July 2021

Double‐chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare congenital heart disease. A hypertrophic muscle bundle in the left ventricle may cause varying degrees of obstruction in the middle of the left ventricle, resulting in different clinical symptoms. Here, we report a patient with a history of repeated chest tightness who was misdiagnosed with coronary heart disease and ventricular aneurysm. After repeated ultrasound examinations, the patient was eventually diagnosed with DCLV, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography. This case highlights the necessity to improve the accuracy of DCLV diagnosis via echocardiogram.
Developmental stages and growth of the proventriculus of post‐hatching Muscovy duck: Light and electron microscopic study
Authors: Madkour Fatma A. , Mohamed Salma A. , Abdalla Kamal E. H. , Ahmed Yasser A.
Published: July 2021

The present study was implemented to provide comprehensive information on the developmental sequence of the proventriculus of Muscovy ducks by gross examination, macro‐micrometric analysis and by using light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Samples from 55 healthy post‐hatching Muscovy ducks of both sexes ranging from 1 to 60 days old. The proventriculus began cranially opposite to the cranial end of the liver at 1–15 days old, but in front this level at 30 and 60 days old. Morphometrically, the length of the proventriculus was increased by about four folds while weight by 19 folds at 60 days old when compared with those at one day old. Scanning electron microscopy of the proventricular lumen at one day old exhibited numerous small mostly rounded irregularly distributed openings of the glands, but uniformly distributed and surrounded by closely packed concentrically arranged mucosal folds resembling a rosette shape at the older ages. Histologically, in all studied stages, rounded, elongated oval or polymorphic shaped lobules of the proventricular glands were occupied within the muscularis mucosa. The tubuloalveolar secretory units lined with secretory (oxyntico‐peptic) cells with variable shapes had secretory granules increased by the development. Numerous argyrophilic endocrine cells were demonstrated away from the glandular lumen at older ages. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the cytoplasm of the secretory cells contained homogeneously electron‐dense granules at a young age, but two types of these granules could be recognized at 60 days old. In conclusion, this study provides a wide difference in the morphometric and the structure of the proventriculus from one day to 60 days old. This difference between the examined age‐stages may be related to the feeding strategy (behavior) and the functional adaptations from the young to the older ages.
Transversals of longest cycles in partial k‐trees and chordal graphs
Authors: Gutiérrez Juan
Published: July 2021

Let be the minimum cardinality of a set of vertices that intersects every longest cycle of a 2‐connected graph . We show that if is a partial ‐tree and that if is chordal, where is the cardinality of a maximum clique in . Those results imply that all longest cycles intersect in 2‐connected series‐parallel graphs and in 3‐trees.
Independent set and matching permutations
Authors: Ball Taylor , Galvin David , Hyry Catherine , Weingartner Kyle
Published: July 2021

Let be a graph whose largest independent set has size . A permutation of is an independent set permutation of if
where is the number of independent sets of size in . In 1987 Alavi, Malde, Schwenk, and Erdős proved that every permutation of is an independent set permutation of some graph with , that is, with the largest independent set having size . They raised the question of determining, for each , the smallest number such that every permutation of is an independent set permutation of some graph with and with at most vertices, and they gave an upper bound on of roughly . Here we settle the question, determining , and make progress on a related question, that of determining the smallest order such that every permutation of is the unique independent set permutation of some graph of at most that order. More generally we consider an extension of independent set permutations to weak orders, and extend Alavi et al.'s main result to show that every weak order on can be realized by the independent set sequence of some graph with and with at most vertices. Alavi et al. also considered matching permutations, defined analogously to independent set permutations. They observed that not every permutation of is a matching permutation of some graph with the largest matching having size , putting an upper bound of on the number of matching permutations of . Confirming their speculation that this upper bound is not tight, we improve it to .
Acute cerebellitis following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Moreno‐Escobar Maria Camila , Feizi Parissa , Podury Sanjiti , Tandon Medha , Munir Badria , Alvi Muhammad , Adcock Amelia , Sriwastava Shitiz
Published: July 2021

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) first described in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has rapidly spread across the world and become a global public health emergency. Literature on the neurological manifestations of COVID‐19 is limited. We report a 24‐year‐old male, who presented with vertigo, dysarthria, and bradyphrenia 3 weeks after being diagnosed with COVID‐19 on nasopharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The patient was diagnosed with acute cerebellitis based on magnetic resonance imaging features and showed improvement posttreatment with intravenous methylprednisone for 5 days. The scope of this article is to highlight the importance of early identification of neurological symptoms and timely management as the outcomes may be catastrophic.
Tobacco smoking and severity of COVID‐19: Experience from a hospital‐based prospective cohort study in Lyon, France
Authors: Saadatian‐Elahi Mitra , Amour Sélilah , Elias Christelle , Henaff Laetitia , Dananché Cédric , Vanhems Philippe
Published: July 2021

Information gathered so far from published studies attest the existence of a complex relationship between tobacco smoking and the severity of COVID‐19. We investigated the association between smoking habits and the severity of COVID‐19 in patients hospitalized in university‐affiliated hospitals in Lyon, France. Baseline sociodemographic, clinical and biological characteristics of adult COVID‐19 hospitalized patients presenting from the community were prospectively collected and analyzed. Tobacco exposure was documented at admission. Characteristics of patients hospitalized in medical wards to those admitted or transferred to intensive care units (ICUs) were compared using Mann–Whitney and Χ2 or Fisher's exact test. A composite endpoint including admission or transfer to ICU or death was created as a proxy for severe outcome. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to identify variables independently associated with a severe outcome. Of the 645 patients with documented information on smoking habits, 62.6% were never‐smokers, 32.1% ex‐smokers, and 5.3% active smokers. Past tobacco use was independently associated with an increased risk of severe outcome (aOR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.12–2.63), whereas a nonsignificant protective trend was found for active smoking. The results suggest that past smoking is associated with enhanced risk of progressing toward severe COVID‐19 disease in hospitalized patients.
Sequencing on an imported case in China of COVID‐19 Delta variant emerging from India in a cargo ship in Zhoushan, China
Authors: Wu Bing , Zhang Hui , Wang Yu‐chao , Tang An , Li Ke‐feng , Li Peng , Chen Jia‐bei , Wang Hong‐ling , Yan Jian‐bo
Published: July 2021

A cluster of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infections was found in a cargo ship under repair in Zhoushan, China. Twelve of 20 crew members were identified as SARS‐CoV‐2 positive. We analyzed four sequences and identified them all in the Delta branch emerging from India with 7–8 amino acid mutation sites in the spike protein.
Can we afford to ignore the biology of joint healing and graft incorporation after ACL reconstruction?
Authors: Chu Constance R.
Published: July 2021

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is successful at restoring stability to return ACL injured patients to high‐demand work, sports, and recreational activities. The development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA) in roughly half of patients just 10–15 years after ACLR highlight the need to improve clinical care pathways. Graft failure and reinjury rates, which further increase OA risk, also remain high for younger and more active patients. The biological components of joint recovery and graft incorporation, therefore, impact short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes. Biochemical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data show substantial compromise of articular cartilage metabolism and matrix composition after ACL injury and reconstructive surgery suggesting a potential need for activity modulation in early recovery. Furthermore, joint recovery is variable with compositional MRI studies showing progressive cartilage degeneration 1 and 2 years after ACLR. Biopsy and MRI studies also show high variability in ACL graft characteristics within the 1st year after ACLR followed by continued graft maturation into the 2nd year and beyond. To improve the care of ACL injured patients, there is a critical need for clinical attention and scientific inquiry into timing the reintroduction of higher load activities in relationship to neuromuscular recovery, joint biology, and graft maturation. In addition to symptomatic and mechanical recovery, development and validation of biological markers for joint and cartilage homeostasis as well as ACL graft healing are needed for personalized decision making on rehabilitation needs, reduction of OA risk, and resumption of athletic, recreational, and vocational activities.
Biomechanical analysis of a centralization procedure for extruded lateral meniscus after meniscectomy in porcine knee joints
Authors: Kohno Yuji , Koga Hideyuki , Ozeki Nobutake , Matsuda Junpei , Mizuno Mitsuru , Katano Hisako , Sekiya Ichiro
Published: July 2021

The recently developed arthroscopic centralization for lateral meniscal extrusion has obtained satisfactory short‐term clinical and radiological results and improves the meniscus biomechanical properties. However, the effectiveness of treatment for meniscus extrusion after partial meniscectomy still requires elucidation. This study investigated the effect of centralization with modifications from a mechanical viewpoint. Porcine knee joints (N = 6) were set in a universal tester under the following conditions: (1) Intact; (2) Meniscectomy: Inner half of the posterior half meniscus was removed; (3) Extrusion: Posterior meniscus was dislocated laterally by transecting the posterior root and the meniscotibial ligament; (4) Centralization‐1: Centralization procedure using one anchor; (5) Centralization‐2: Centralization procedure using two anchors; and (6) Centralization‐ad: Centralization with capsular advancement using two anchors. Load distributions and contact pressure in the meniscus and tibial cartilage were evaluated with an axial compressive force of 200 N. After meniscectomy, the tibial cartilage load increased and that of the medial margin of the posterior part of the meniscus decreased. When the meniscus was extruded, the load was concentrated only on the tibial cartilage. Centralization‐1 increased the load on the meniscus, while Centralization‐2 further increased the meniscus load but decreased the tibial cartilage load. Centralization‐ad further decreased the load on the tibial plateau. The average contact pressure of the tibial cartilage was significantly higher in the Extrusion group than in the Intact group or the Centralization‐ad group. From a biomechanical viewpoint, centralization with capsular advancement was the most effective of the tested procedures for treatment for an extruded meniscus after partial meniscectomy.
Probing the role of methyl methacrylate release from spacer materials in induced membrane bone healing
Authors: Stahl Alexander , Park Young Bum , Park Sang‐Hyun , Lin Sien , Pan Chi‐Chun , Kim Sungwoo , Yang Yunzhi P.
Published: July 2021

In the induced membrane (IM) technique for bone reconstruction, a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spacer is implanted to induce formation of a foreign body membrane around the defect site. Membrane development is essential for later bone grafting success, yet the mechanism by which the IM promotes bone regeneration remains unknown, as are the ways that spacer composition plays a role in the membrane's healing potential. This study investigated the impact of leached methyl methacrylate (MMA)—the major monomeric component of PMMA—on IM development. In vitro cell culture found that MMA elution did not impact endothelial cell or mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. For in vivo analysis, we advanced a streamlined rat femoral model to efficiently study the influence of spacer properties on IM characteristics. Comparison of membrane formation around polycaprolactone (PCL), MMA‐eluting PCL (high‐dose PCL‐MMA and low‐dose PCL‐MMA), and surgical PMMA revealed robust membranes enveloped all groups after 4 weeks in vivo, with elevated expression of osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein‐2 and angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor compared with the surrounding muscle and bone tissues. Growth factor quantitation in IM tissue found no statistically significant difference between groups. New bone growth, vascularization, and CD163+ macrophage populations surrounding the polymer implants were also quantified; and blood vessel formation around high‐dose PCL‐MMA was found to be significantly decreased compared with PCL alone. To the best of our knowledge, these findings represent the first time that results have been obtained about the characteristics of membranes formed around PCL in the IM setting.
Measurement error in meta‐analysis (MEMA)—A Bayesian framework for continuous outcome data subject to non‐differential measurement error
Authors: Campbell Harlan , de Jong Valentijn M. T. , Maxwell Lauren , Jaenisch Thomas , Debray Thomas P. A. , Gustafson Paul
Published: July 2021

Ideally, a meta‐analysis will summarize data from several unbiased studies. Here we look into the less than ideal situation in which contributing studies may be compromised by non‐differential measurement error in the exposure variable. Specifically, we consider a meta‐analysis for the association between a continuous outcome variable and one or more continuous exposure variables, where the associations may be quantified as regression coefficients of a linear regression model. A flexible Bayesian framework is developed which allows one to obtain appropriate point and interval estimates with varying degrees of prior knowledge about the magnitude of the measurement error. We also demonstrate how, if individual‐participant data (IPD) are available, the Bayesian meta‐analysis model can adjust for multiple participant‐level covariates, these being measured with or without measurement error.
Wheat grain phenolics: a review on composition, bioactivity, and influencing factors
Authors: Ma Dongyun , Wang Chenyang , Feng Jianchao , Xu Beiming
Published: July 2021

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a widely cultivated crop and one of the most commonly consumed food grains in the world. It possesses several nutritional elements. Increasing attention to wheat grain phenolics bioactivity is due to the increasing demand for foods with natural antioxidants. To provide a comprehensive understanding of phenolics in wheat grain, this review first summarizes the phenolics’ form and distribution and the phenolic components identified in wheat grain. In particular, the biosynthesis path for phenolics is discussed, identifying some candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of phenolic acids and flavonoids. After discussing the methods for determining antioxidant activity, the effect of genotypes, environmental conditions, and cultivation systems on grain phenolic component content are explored. Finally, the bioavailability of phenolics under different food processing method are reported and discussed. Future research is recommended to increase wheat grain phenolic content by genetic engineering, and to improve its bioavailability through proper food processing. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fertilization time of slow‐release fertilizer affects the physicochemical properties of starch from spring‐sown waxy maize
Authors: Yuan Chao , Wang Siyang , Lu Dalei
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Slow‐release fertilizer is widely used in cereal crop production because it is ecofriendly and laborsaving. Effects of different application stages (zero‐, three‐, and six‐leaf stages, denoted as SN0, SN3, and SN6, respectively) of slow‐release (N/P2O5/K2O = 225/75/75 kg ha−1) fertilizer on physicochemical properties of starch from spring‐sown waxy maize were investigated in 2018 and 2019. Application of traditional fertilizer (NCK, compound fertilizer; N/P2O5/K2O = 75/75/75 kg ha−1) at sowing time and urea (N = 150 kg ha−1) at six‐leaf stage was designated as the control.

RESULTS

In comparison to the NCK, SN0 reduced grain starch content by 4.9%. Meanwhile, SN3 and SN6 did not affect this parameter. Nevertheless, all treatments, particularly SN6, increased average starch granule size. The slow‐release fertilizer reduced proportion of chains with degree of polymerization (DP) > 24. Relative to NCK, SN6 increased starch crystallinity in both years, whereas SN0 and SN3 increased it in 2018 but reduced it in 2019. SN0 reduced peak, trough, and final viscosities, whereas SN3 and SN6 produced similar starch viscosities to those produced by NCK. No fertilizer mode affected gelatinization parameters, but SN6 produced a low retrogradation percentage. In comparison to data for 2018, starch produced in 2019 showed a small granule size, and a high proportion of short amylopectin chains. These properties endowed starch with high viscosity and low retrogradation percentage.

CONCLUSION

In spring‐sown waxy maize production, applying slow‐release fertilizer at the six‐leaf stage produced starch with high viscosity and low retrogradation tendency by enlarging granule size, increasing crystallinity, and reducing the proportion of long chains. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Green alternative methods for pretreatment of whole jujube before the drying process
Authors: Bao Tao , Hao Xin , Shishir Mohammad Rezaul Islam , Karim Naymul , Chen Wei
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Jujube contains a waxy cuticle that acts as a barrier against fungal pathogens, prevents nutrition damage and leakage due to mechanical damage, and maintains water content. Chemical treatment before drying is the most commonly used method for whole jujube. Although chemical pretreatment can effectively enhance drying kinetics, it can lead to the loss of soluble nutrients and cause food safety issues due to chemical residues. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of various pretreatments (cold plasma, cold plasma activated water, ultrasonics, thermosonication, and blanching) on the drying process and quality properties of whole jujube so as to find effective green alternatives to chemical pretreatment.

RESULTS

The application of chemical, cold plasma, and thermosonication significantly altered the surface morphology of jujube by etching larger cracks and holes, which can facilitate the transfer of moisture, thereby improving the drying rate and the effective diffusivity. Chemical, cold plasma, and thermosonication pretreatment reduced drying time by 18%, 12%, and 7% respectively, thereby increasing the content of total phenolics by 13%, 12%, and 6% respectively, and enhancing antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing antioxidant power) by 13%, 11%, and 3% respectively. In addition, chemical and cold plasma pretreatment reduced the generation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural by 25% and 15% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Cold plasma is a promising green alternative method to chemical pretreatment for drying processes of whole jujube. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Tailored nanodisc immobilization for one‐step purification and reconstitution of cytochrome P450: A tool for membrane proteins’ hard cases
Authors: Zhao Lan , Tao Jiaoli , Huang Yongdong , Zhu Kai , Du Yuxiang , Hao Dongxia , Liu Hongying , Zhang Rongyue , Ma Guanghui
Published: July 2021

A novel nanodisc‐based immobilization method was developed for high‐efficient purification and reconstitution of cytochrome P450 in one step. Using membrane scaffold protein containing a histidine tag, charged‐nanodiscs were prepared in the form of self‐assembly of lipid‐protein nanoparticles. Their properties including the particle diameter and its distribution and Zeta potential were controlled well by adjusting molar ratios of phospholipids to membrane scaffold protein. At an optimum lipid‐to‐membrane scaffold protein molar ratio of 60:1, uniformly regular‐shaped and discoidal nanodiscs with an average particle diameter of 10 nm and Zeta potential of –19 mV were obtained. They can be well fractionated by size exclusion chromatography. Charged‐nanodiscs were successfully immobilized onto Ni‐chelating microspheres via histidine tags with a density of 6.6 mg membrane scaffold protein/mL gel. After being packed in a column, chromatography studies demonstrated that this nanodisc‐immobilized chromatographic medium had a specific binding to cytochrome P450 in rat liver microsome. Nanodiscs containing cytochrome P450 can be furthermore eluted from the column with a diameter of about 87.0 nm and height of about 8.0 nm, respectively. The purity of cytochrome P450 after purification increased 25 folds strikingly. This nanodisc‐immobilized chromatography method is promising for the one‐step purification and reconstitution of membrane protein.
Restoration of damaged ecosystems in desert steppe open‐pit coal mines: Effects on soil nematode communities and functions
Authors: Han Chaowei , Gao Zhiwei , Wu Zhaohui , Huang Jing , Liu Ziying , Zhang Li , Zhang Guogang
Published: July 2021

Repair of damaged areas in open‐pit (opencast) coal mines has emerged as an important environmental concern. Our research investigated the mechanism by which different ecological restoration methods affected soil nematode communities in damaged areas of desert steppe coal mines. Using high‐throughput sequencing technology, nematode community composition, diversity, and function were analyzed to determine the response of nematodes to different ecological restoration methods in damaged areas of coal mines. For slope rehabilitation, vegetation blanket restoration exhibited more favorable effects than those exhibited by vegetation bag restoration and natural restoration. For rehabilitation of the platform area under the slope, the diversity of soil nematodes and the soil fauna analysis under alien soil restoration conditions were performed and exhibited similar characteristics to those of the native vegetation. Findings based on Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) multi‐level discriminant analysis and determination of shared genera suggest thatParaphelenchus,Cervidellus,Panagrolaimus,Microdorylaimus,Cephalobus, andEcumenicusmay be the key genera of soil nematodes in the damaged ecosystem of open‐pit coal mines in the desert steppe. We found that reasonable water and fertilizer management in slope restoration and under‐slope platform area restoration may play a key role in the restoration of damaged ecosystems in open‐pit coal mines. We comprehensively analyzed the response of soil nematode communities and their functions to different ecological restoration methods, and provided a reference for evaluating the quality of underground ecosystem restoration of damaged areas in abandoned desert steppe open‐pit coal mines.
THE FOUR Ps: A SIMPLE TOOL FOR MAKING BETTER LEADERSHIP DECISIONS
Authors: Hajim Ed
Published: July 2021

The author is a Wall Street executive with more than 50 years of investment experience, as well as leadership positions in higher education and elsewhere. He looks back on his career and self‐development, where he recently “wondered what I could enumerate that might help others in leadership positions.” He outlines and explains in detail what he calls the “Four Ps, a methodology for talking to yourself, your family and your business associates.” In his words, they are find your passions, find your principles, find your partners, and find your plans. He offers questions for reflection within each of the Four Ps. For instance, in point 1, and in his words, How have your passions helped or hurt you as a leader? In point 2, What are your most important principles? When did you first start to acquire them, how and where? In Point 3, Who are your partners? How have they changed your life? In point 4, Have you caught a wave or a cycle—and do you think it is important to do so? He concludes: Each leader’s style is a little different, and in most cases, it is based on those first two Ps—passion and principles.
Comprehensive physics testing and adaptive weather research and forecasting physics for day‐ahead solar forecasting
Authors: Huva Robert , Song Guiting , Zhong Xiaohui , Zhao Yangyang
Published: July 2021

Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, which attempt to simulate the full state of the atmosphere, come with many options for dealing with processes that are unable to be explicitly resolved by the model. These model parameterizations are an ongoing area of research in atmospheric science. However, with continuous contributions from the research community and subsequent upgrade of the NWP codes, there are often many options for each unresolved process—leaving the user confronted with potentially thousands of ways to configure the model. We use the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model to forecast global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and undertake the task of narrowing down these options for a location in Qinghai, China. We show that optimizing the configuration of the WRF model based on the type of day (sunny, partly cloudy, or cloudy) is 13.6% better than using a single best configuration for all types of days. We also show that this performance improvement holds true for a longer 3‐month test period (17.8% improvement).
A note on local higher regularity in the dynamic linear relaxed micromorphic model
Authors: Owczarek Sebastian , Ghiba Ionel‐Dumitrel , Neff Patrizio
Published: July 2021

We consider the regularity question of solutions for the dynamic initial‐boundary value problem for the linear relaxed micromorphic model. This generalized continuum model couples a wave‐type equation for the displacement with a generalized Maxwell‐type wave equation for the microdistortion. Naturally, solutions are found in H1 for the displacement u and H(Curl) for the microdistortion P. Using energy estimates for difference quotients, we improve this regularity. We show
–regularity for the displacement field,
–regularity for the microdistortion tensor P and that
is H1–regular if the data are sufficiently smooth.
Effect of the wave speeds on the decay rate of the thermoelastic structure in the whole line with interfacial slip
Authors: Guesmia Aissa , Poblete Verónica , Vera Octavio
Published: July 2021

In this work, we study of the asymptotic behavior in the whole line of a thermoelastic structure with interfacial slip and second sound where the heat conduction is given by the Cattaneo law. We prove several polynomial decay estimates depending on the smoothness of initial data. The proof is based on the semigroup approach, the energy method by introducing a Lyapunov functional, and Fourier transform.
Improving homogeneity in abdominal imaging at 3 T with light, flexible, and compact metasurface
Authors: Vorobyev Vsevolod , Shchelokova Alena , Efimtcev Alexander , Baena Juan D. , Abdeddaim Redha , Belov Pavel , Melchakova Irina , Glybovski Stanislav
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Radiofrequency field inhomogeneity is a significant issue in imaging large fields of view in high‐ and ultrahigh‐field MRI. Passive shimming with coupled coils or dielectric pads is the most common approach at 3 T. We introduce and test light and compact metasurface, providing the same homogeneity improvement in clinical abdominal imaging at 3 T as a conventional dielectric pad.

Methods

The metasurface comprising a periodic structure of copper strips and parallel‐plate capacitive elements printed on a flexible polyimide substrate supports propagation of slow electromagnetic waves similar to a high‐permittivity slab. We compare the metasurface operating inside a transmit body birdcage coil to the state‐of‐the‐art pad by numerical simulations and in vivo study on healthy volunteers.

Results

Numerical simulations with different body models show that the local minimum of causing a dark void in the abdominal domain is removed by the metasurface with comparable resulting homogeneity as for the pad with decreasing maximum and whole‐body SAR values. In vivo results confirm similar homogeneity improvement and demonstrate the stability to body mass index.

Conclusion

The light, flexible, and inexpensive metasurface can replace a relatively heavy and expensive pad based on the aqueous suspension of barium titanate in abdominal imaging at 3 T.
Self‐healing triggering mechanism in epoxy‐based material containing microencapsulated amino‐polysiloxane
Authors: Da Costa Sara Ferreira , Zuber Marcus , Zakharova Margarita , Mikhaylov Andrey , Baumbach Tilo , Kunka Danays , Pezzin Sergio Henrique
Published: July 2021

This work combines non‐destructive X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (µCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the self‐healing triggering mechanism in a system consisting of an epoxy resin, based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, with embedded poly(urea‐formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules filled with an amino‐functional polysiloxane (PDMS‐a) as a healing agent. µCT and SEM analyses proved that PDMS‐a was effective in filling the microcrack areas, providing an efficient self‐healing process, and confirmed that the main mechanisms for increasing fracture toughness are due to crack bowing and deflections. It was also observed that the diameter and shell thickness of the microcapsules are essential factors for their dispersion and integrity into the polymer matrix. PUF microcapsules with shell thickness of ca. 0.4 µm and diameters <60 µm were stable and well dispersed within the matrix. These findings shed light for understanding the increase of the fracture toughness, after self‐healing, reported in our previous study of this system.
Ultrafast epitaxial growth of CuO nanowires using atmospheric pressure plasma with enhanced electrocatalytic and photocatalytic activities
Authors: Dey Avishek , Ghosh Paheli , Chandrabose Gauthaman , Damptey Lois A. O. , Kuganathan Navaratnarajah , Sainio Sami , Nordlund Dennis , Selvaraj Vimalnath , Chroneos Alexander , St J. Braithwaite Nicholas , Krishnamurthy Satheesh
Published: July 2021

This work reports an environment friendly alternative to epitaxially grow copper oxide nanowires (NWs) on copper substrates using single step atmospheric pressure plasma jet assisted oxidation. NWs of average length 300 nm are grown rapidly in 5 minutes along with transforming the surface to superhydrophilic. This method introduces defects in the nanowire structure which is otherwise difficult to achieve due to the highly isotropic nature of nanowire growth. High resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals vacancies and structural defects such as lattice twinning and kinks. Theoretical investigations using density functional theory calculations indicated that oxygen vacancies reduces the adsorption energy of methanol molecules onto the CuO (111) surface and shifts the Fermi level towards conduction band. During electrocatalysis, these defect‐rich nanowires exhibit twice the catalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in comparison to the traditionally thermally grown nanowires. Moreover, retreating the electrodes after each stability test drops the contact resistance similar to the prisitine sample. Additionally, these NW photocathodes demonstrate an exceptional photocurrent of 2.2 mAcm–2 and have an excellent degradation activity towards organic pollutants namely phenol and paracetamol. This facile growth method can be used to engineer nanowires of other transition metals with enhanced activities.