bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS‐CoV‐2, Covid‐19, and the debunking of conspiracy theories
Authors: Hakim Mohamad S.
Published: February 2021

The emergence of a novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has engaged considerable awareness and attention around the world. The associated disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19), has now involved virtually all 200 countries. The total number of confirmed cases has been much more than in the two previous outbreaks of human coronaviruses, that is, SARS‐CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. In line with the outbreak escalation, false information about SARS‐CoV‐2 and its associated disease disseminated globally, particularly through online and social media. Believers in conspiracy theories promote misinformation that the virus is not contagious, is the result of laboratory manipulation or is created to gain profit by distributing new vaccines. The most dangerous effect of this widely disseminated misinformation is it will negatively influence the attitudes and behaviours for preventive measures to contain the outbreak. In this review, I discuss common conspiracy theories associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and Covid‐19 and consider how we can address and counterbalance these issues based on scientific information and studies.
A robust time‐inconsistent linear‐quadratic problem
Authors: Si Binbin , Ni Yuan‐Hua , Sun Qinglin , Chen Zengqiang
Published: February 2021

This paper is concerned with a deterministic time‐inconsistent linear‐quadratic optimal control with model uncertainty, where nonexponential time discounting appears in the objective functional. If the objective functional is viewed as an output/observation on the lifetime horizon, the disturbance attenuation of this time‐inconsistent linear‐quadratic problem is modelled and solved under the philosophy of minimax optimization, and resorts to a time‐inconsistent zero‐sum linear‐quadratic dynamic game with the controller being a minimizing player and the disturbance being an imaginary maximizing player. The definition of robust mixed equilibrium solution is introduced, whose existence is fully characterized. An example is constructed to show that the mixed equilibrium solution exists for all the initial pairs even though neither the open‐loop equilibrium control nor the feedback equilibrium strategy exists for some initial pairs. Furthermore, for a time‐consistent version of the zero‐sum linear‐quadratic game, another example is presented to indicate the case that the existence of open‐loop time‐consistent equilibrium does not imply the existence of open‐loop precommitted equilibrium.
Optimal stopping for many connected components in a graph
Authors: Lasoń Michał
Published: February 2021

We study a new optimal stopping problem: Let G be a fixed graph with n vertices which become active on‐line in time, one by another, in a random order. The active part of G is the subgraph induced by the active vertices. Find a stopping algorithm that maximizes the expected number of connected components of the active part of G. We prove that if G is a k‐tree, then there is no asymptotically better algorithm than “wait until fraction of vertices”. The maximum expected number of connected components is equal to
urn:x-wiley:rsa:media:rsa21000:rsa21000-math-0002
Piezophototronic Effect in Nanosensors
Authors: Bao Rongrong , Tao Juan , Pan Caofeng , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2021

The piezophototronic effect is the coupling of piezoelectricity, semiconductor behavior and photon excitation in wurtzite materials, which can enhance the performance of optoelectronic nano‐devices by regulating a series of processes of carrier injection, transport, and recombination. In recent years, many research results have been reported on the improvement of nanophotoelectric nano‐device efficiency by piezophototronic effect, such as photovoltaic devices, light‐emitting devices, transistors, etc. Herein, the research results of piezophototronic effect in the field of nanosensors, including enhancing the performance of traditional nanosensors and new types of pressure/deformation/tactile sensors based on piezophototronic effect are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the future development of piezophototronic effect in the field of nanosensors is discussed.
Optimizing process parameters of palm oil bleaching on locally prepared animal bone–based activated carbon using response surface methodology
Authors: Babayemi Akinpelu Kamoru , Onukwuli Okechukwu Dominic , Eluno Emeka Emmanuel , Otolorin John Adebayo
Published: February 2021

Adsorptive bleaching potentials of activated animal bone on palm oil was investigated. Palm oil was obtained locally from the mesocarp of oil palm fruits. The obtained palm oil was degummed, neutralized, and subjected to proximate analysis before bleaching. The animal bone–based activated carbon used as a bleaching material was locally prepared by cleaning, drying, carbonization, and chemical activation process. The prepared activated carbon (CBAC) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, Braummer–Emmett–Teller, and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Bleaching of the prepared palm oil on CBAC was done at different process conditions. The characterization results of BET analysis show that CBAC has a surface area of 593.270 m2/g, micropore surface area 595.56 m2/g, micropore volume 0.212 cm3/g, Langmuir surface area 1.38e+04 m2/g, and adsorption energy 3.998 KJ/mol. XRD analysis indicates gypsum as the dominant mineral in the activated carbon sample. The CBAC efficiency of 75.14% was obtained for time/temperature interactions at 50 min/120°C while at 25 g/50 min dosage/time interactions an efficiency of 75.17% was obtained.
Race/ethnicity and gender modify the association between diet and cognition in U.S. older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011‐2014
Authors: Gu Yian , Guo Jing , Moshfegh Alanna J
Published: February 2021

Introduction

It is unclear whether the association between Mediterranean‐type Diet (MeDi) and cognition is similar across different racial/ethnic groups or between women and men.

Methods

The current study included 2435 participants (≥60 years of age) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011‐2014. Linear regression models were applied to examine the association between diet and cognition, adjusted for multiple demographic variables. Interaction between MeDi and race/ethnicity (non‐Hispanic White, non‐Hispanic Black, Hispanic, other), and between MeDi and gender, were examined, followed by stratified analyses.

Results

One score increase in MeDi was associated with 0.039 (95%confidence interval [CI] = 0.016‐0.062) higher global cognitive z‐score. Significant associations between MeDi and global cognition and between MeDi and immediate recall were found in the non‐Hispanic Whites only (P‐interaction = 0.057 and 0.059, respectively). MeDi was associated with increased score of animal fluency score in men but not in women (P‐interaction = 0.082).

Discussion

The positive association between MeDi and cognition might be dependent on race/ethnicity and gender.
Evaluating heart electrical activities and cardiac arrhythmias of Holstein cows during ageing by short‐term electrocardiography in comparison with 24‐hour holter‐monitoring
Authors: Chalmeh Aliasghar , Karamifar Sanaz
Published: February 2021

Short‐term electrocardiography is one of the most suitable tools to study the electrical activity of the heart, but the use of a tool such as a Holter‐monitor with the ability to assess the long‐term of the heart electrical activity, can provide more accurate information about these activities by comparing the results. It is possible to understand the superiority of each over the other and the resulting differences. Therefore, 60 female Holstein cows in 10 age groups, including 1 day, 1, 3, 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 years were included in the study (6 heads in each age group). Electrocardiography (for 5 min) and Holter‐monitoring (for 24 hr) were performed from the entire study population. The Q, R and T amplitudes in electrocardiography were significantly higher than those in Holter‐monitoring. The P, R and T durations and P‐R, R‐R, Q‐T and S‐T intervals at all ages were significantly longer in the Holter‐monitoring than in the electrocardiographic method. The heart rate of animals was significantly lower in the 24‐hr Holter‐monitoring than in the short‐term electrocardiography. The trend of changes of all parameters was significant during ageing. Cardiac arrhythmias included sinus arrhythmia and sino‐atrial block, which were the most common cardiac arrhythmias in the 24‐hr Holter‐monitoring. It appears that long‐term Holter‐monitoring is a more reliable method than short‐term electrocardiography to assess cardiac arrhythmias. Additionally, the indicators of electrical activity of the heart (waves) in the Holter‐monitoring method are significantly different from short‐term electrocardiography, which is probably due to the collection of information over a long period and in non‐stressful situations. Furthermore, it appears that the use of the 24‐hr Holter‐monitoring method is preferable to the short‐term electrocardiography method to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart of cows at all ages.
Challenges and opportunities beyond structured data in analysis of electronic health records
Authors: Tayefi Maryam , Ngo Phuong , Chomutare Taridzo , Dalianis Hercules , Salvi Elisa , Budrionis Andrius , Godtliebsen Fred
Published: February 2021

Electronic health records (EHR) contain a lot of valuable information about individual patients and the whole population. Besides structured data, unstructured data in EHRs can provide extra, valuable information but the analytics processes are complex, time‐consuming, and often require excessive manual effort. Among unstructured data, clinical text and images are the two most popular and important sources of information. Advanced statistical algorithms in natural language processing, machine learning, deep learning, and radiomics have increasingly been used for analyzing clinical text and images. Although there exist many challenges that have not been fully addressed, which can hinder the use of unstructured data, there are clear opportunities for well‐designed diagnosis and decision support tools that efficiently incorporate both structured and unstructured data for extracting useful information and provide better outcomes. However, access to clinical data is still very restricted due to data sensitivity and ethical issues. Data quality is also an important challenge in which methods for improving data completeness, conformity and plausibility are needed. Further, generalizing and explaining the result of machine learning models are important problems for healthcare, and these are open challenges. A possible solution to improve data quality and accessibility of unstructured data is developing machine learning methods that can generate clinically relevant synthetic data, and accelerating further research on privacy preserving techniques such as deidentification and pseudonymization of clinical text.

This article is categorized under:

Applications of Computational Statistics > Health and Medical Data/Informatics
Grumpy or depressed? Disentangling typically developing adolescent mood from prodromal depression using experience sampling methods
Authors: Dietvorst Evelien , Hiemstra Marieke , Maciejewski Dominique , van Roekel Eeske , Bogt Tom ter , Hillegers Manon , Keijsers Loes
Published: February 2021

Introduction

This study aimed at differentiating normative developmental turmoil from prodromal depressive symptoms in adolescence.

Method

Negative and positive mood (daily) in different contexts (friends, home, school), and (subsequent) depressive symptoms were assessed in Dutch adolescents.

Results & conclusion

Mixture modeling on one cross‐sectional study, using a newly developed questionnaire (CSEQ; subsample 1a; n = 571; girls 55.9%; Mage = 14.17) and two longitudinal datasets with Experience Sampling Methods data (subsample 1b: n = 241; Mage = 13.81; 62.2% girls, sample 2: n = 286; 59.7% girls; Mage = 14.19) revealed three mood profiles: 18–24% “happy”, 43–53% “typically developing”, and 27–38% “at‐risk”. Of the “at‐risk” profile between 12.5% and 25% of the adolescents scored above the clinical cut‐off for depression. These mood profiles predicted later depressive symptoms, while controlling for earlier symptoms. In subsample 1b, parents were not always aware of the mental health status of their adolescent.
Crinoid Feeding Strategies: New Insights From Subsea Video And Time-Lapse
Authors: Meyer David , Veitch Margaret , Messing Charles G. , Stevenson Angela
Published: February 2021

Modern videography provides an ever-widening window into subsea echinoderm life with vast potential for new knowledge. Supported by video evidence throughout, this Element begins with time-lapse video made in 1983 on film, using an off-the-shelf camera, flash, and underwater housings. Although quality has now been significantly improved by digital imagery, films from over thirty years ago captured crinoid feeding behavior previously unknown and demonstrated a great potential to learn about many other aspects of their biology. This sequence is followed by several examples of recent digital videography from submersibles of deep-sea crinoids and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) (stalked and unstalked), as well as close-up video of crinoids in aquaria. These recent studies enabled a new classification of crinoid arm postures, provided detailed views of food particle capture, and revealed a wide range of behaviors in taxa never before seen in life.
From Grain to Pixel
Authors: Fossati Giovanna
Published: February 2021

In From Grain to Pixel, Giovanna Fossati analyzes the transition from analog to digital film and its profound effects on filmmaking and film archiving. Reflecting on the theoretical conceptualization of the medium itself, Fossati poses significant questions about the status of physical film and the practice of its archival preservation, restoration, and presentation. From Grain to Pixel attempts to bridge the fields of film archiving and academic research by addressing the discourse on film's ontology and analyzing how different interpretations of what film is affect the role and practices of film archives. By proposing a novel theorization of film archival practice, Fossati aims to stimulate a renewed dialogue between film scholars and film archivists. Almost a decade after its first publication, this revised edition covers the latest developments in the field. Besides a new general introduction, a new conclusion, and extensive updates to each chapter, a novel theoretical framework and an additional case study have been included.
Sacred Channels
Authors: Hörl Erich
Published: February 2021

Erich Hörl's Sacred Channels is an original take on the history of communication theory and the cultural imaginary of communication understood through the notions of the sacred and the primitive. Hörl offers insight into the shared ground of anthropology and media theory in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and presents an archeology of the philosophy of technology that underpins contemporary culture. This singular and unique project focuses on the ethnological disciplines and their phantasmatic imaginations of a prealphabetical realm of the sacred and the primitive but reads them in the context of media cultural questions as epistemic unconscious and as projections of the emerging postalphabetical condition. Drawing inspiration from work by the likes of Friedrich Kittler, Hörl's understanding of cybernetics in the post-World War II interdisciplinary field informs a rich analysis that is of interest to media scholars and to anyone seeking to understand the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the humanities in the age of technical media.
Dynamics of Democracy in Timor-Leste
Authors: Feijo Rui Graça
Published: February 2021

The Indonesian province of Timor-Leste made international news when it decided to break away from Indonesia in 1999. The decision sparked deadly rampages by pro-integrationist militias, violence that only abated when the UN sent a force to maintain peace and help ease the way to actual independence. This book details the political history of Timor-Leste, both preceding and following the declaration of independence, and it uses the events, consequences, and lessons of that period to help us understand what to expect for similar experiments in democracy building elsewhere in the world.
Guerrilla Networks
Authors: Goddard Michael
Published: February 2021

The radical youth movements of the 1960s and '70s gave rise to both militant political groups ranging from urban guerrilla groups to autonomist counterculture, as well as radical media, including radio, music, film, video, and television. This book is concerned with both of those tendencies considered as bifurcations of radical media ecologies in the 1970s. While some of the forms of media creativity and invention mapped here, such as militant film and video, pirate radio and guerrilla television, fit within conventional definitions of media, others, such as urban guerrilla groups and autonomous movements, do not. Nevertheless what was at stake in all these ventures was the use of available means of expression in order to produce transformative effects, and they were all in different ways responding to ideas and practices of guerrilla struggle and specifically of guerrilla media. This book examines these radical media ecologies as guerrilla networks, emphasising the proximity and inseparability of radical media and political practices.
Urban Development in the Margins of a World Heritage Site
Authors: Esposito Adèle
Published: February 2021

This volume addresses the relationship between the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor (Cambodia), and the nearby town of Siem Reap. While previous work on heritage sites has mainly focused on protected areas, this book shifts the attention to the margins, where detrimental, tourism-driven urban development may take place. By delimiting a protected site, a non-heritage space is created in which spatial fragmentation, disruptive development processes, and unjust power plays can occur. In post-war Cambodia, liberalization and collective aspirations for progress have provided a strong incentive for modernization. Controversial interests compete in the arena of urban development, and real estate development prevails over planned growth. At the same time, Siem Reap's marginal position allows for some freedom in architectural and urban design. In the shadow of institutional control, this architectural space expresses alternative visions of the Khmer heritage and connects them with images of urban modernity.
The Essence of Politics
Authors: van der Eijk Cees
Published: February 2021

What is politics about? At its core, politics is about resolving matters that are contested in a society or group. It exists not only within and between states, but also within religious institutions, sports organisations, commercial enterprises, schools and social organisations. Politics is driven by conflict, but also by cooperation. To understand politics, we must ask specific ('key') questions about the nature of political conflict, about persons, groups and institutions that are involved, about their resources, and about the wider context that both constrains and provides opportunities for all. It also requires an understanding of concepts such as power, influence and political community, and, of course, of the terms politics, conflict and cooperation. This book is about the 'essence' of politics, which is introduced by way of key questions and concepts that are indispensable for understanding politics in many different settings.
An Artificial-Intelligence-Based Semantic Assist Framework for Judicial Trials
Authors: JIN Yaohui , HE Hao
Published: February 2021

Due to their success in routine tasks such as voice recognition, image classification, and text processing, extensive attention has been aroused on how to use artificial intelligence (AI)-based automation tools in the judicial-trial process to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, judicial trial is a complex task that requires accurate insight and subtle analysis of the cases, law, and common knowledge. Applying the results provided by AI-based automation tools directly to the judicial-trial process is controversial due to their irregular logic and low accuracy. Based on this observation, this article investigates the logic underlined in judicial trials and the technical characteristics of AI, and proposes an AI-based semantic assist approach for judicial trials that is logical and transparent to the judges.
The Power of Modeling in Emergency Preparedness for COVID-19: A Moonshot Moment for Hospitals
Authors: Safavi Kyan C. , Prestipino Ann L. , Zenteno Langle Ana Cecilia , Copenhaver Martin , Hu Michael , Daily Bethany , Koehler Allison , Biddinger Paul D. , Dunn Peter F.
Published: February 2021

Before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), few hospitals had fully tested emergency surge plans. Uncertainty in the timing and degree of surge complicates planning efforts, putting hospitals at risk of being overwhelmed. Many lack access to hospital-specific, data-driven projections of future patient demand to guide operational planning. Our hospital experienced one of the largest surges in New England. We developed statistical models to project hospitalizations during the first wave of the pandemic. We describe how we used these models to meet key planning objectives. To build the models successfully, we emphasize the criticality of having a team that combines data scientists with frontline operational and clinical leadership. While modeling was a cornerstone of our response, models currently available to most hospitals are built outside of their institution and are difficult to translate to their environment for operational planning. Creating data-driven, hospital-specific, and operationally relevant surge targets and activation triggers should be a major objective of all health systems.
Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Access to Electronic Data for the Purpose of Countering Serious Crime
Authors: Propp Kenneth
Published: February 2021

On October 3, 2019, the United States and the United Kingdom signed an innovative international agreement on international assistance in criminal matters. The agreement, which has not yet entered into force, will enable law enforcement authorities in either country to request and obtain electronic communications content data directly from service providers located in the other country. It is intended to obviate the need, with respect to e-evidence, for resort to the slower and more cumbersome mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) in force between the two countries.
WELL ORDERING PRINCIPLES AND -STATEMENTS: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: FREUND ANTON
Published: February 2021

In previous work, the author has shown that
$\Pi ^1_1$
-induction along
$\mathbb N$
is equivalent to a suitable formalization of the statement that every normal function on the ordinals has a fixed point. More precisely, this was proved for a representation of normal functions in terms of Girard’s dilators, which are particularly uniform transformations of well orders. The present paper works on the next type level and considers uniform transformations of dilators, which are called 2-ptykes. We show that
$\Pi ^1_2$
-induction along
$\mathbb N$
is equivalent to the existence of fixed points for all 2-ptykes that satisfy a certain normality condition. Beyond this specific result, the paper paves the way for the analysis of further
$\Pi ^1_4$
-statements in terms of well ordering principles.
Soil organic carbon storage by shaded and unshaded coffee systems and its implications for climate change mitigation in China
Authors: Xiao Ziwei , Bai Xuehui , Zhao Mingzhu , Luo Kai , Zhou Hua , Ma Guanrun , Guo Teiying , Su Linlin , Li Jinhong
Published: February 2021

Shaded coffee systems can mitigate climate change by fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in soil. Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and the factors influencing SOC in coffee plantations are necessary for the development of sound land management practices to prevent land degradation and minimize SOC losses. This study was conducted in the main coffee-growing regions of Yunnan; SOC concentrations and storage of shaded and unshaded coffee systems were assessed in the top 40 cm of soil. Relationships between SOC concentration and factors affecting SOC were analysed using multiple linear regression based on the forward and backward stepwise regression method. Factors analysed were soil bulk density (ρb), soil pH, total nitrogen of soil (N), mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual moisture (MAM), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and elevations (E). Akaike's information criterion (AIC), coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and residual sum of squares (RSS) were used to describe the accuracy of multiple linear regression models. Results showed that mean SOC concentration and storage decreased significantly with depth under unshaded coffee systems. Mean SOC concentration and storage were higher in shaded than unshaded coffee systems at 20–40 cm depth. The correlations between SOC concentration andρb, pH and N were significant. Evidence from the multiple linear regression model showed that soil bulk density (ρb), soil pH, total nitrogen of soil (N) and climatic variables had the greatest impact on soil carbon storage in the coffee system.
Naming the Red River — becoming a Vietnamese river
Authors: Phung Hieu
Published: February 2021

This study of river names seeks to deepen our understanding of the pre-modern environmental history of northern Vietnam. A performative practice, naming places often reveals the transformation of a physical environment into a cultural one. By analysing the names given to antecedents of the Red River in northern Vietnam, this article argues that each historical name reflected its users’ perception of their relationship with a respective river. Toponyms like Lô, Phú Lương, Nhị, and ‘Great River’, therefore, did not simply represent the present-day Red River — a geographical unit that dates to the French colonial period.
The effects of crude propolis, its volatiles and ethanolic extracts on the ecto-parasitic mite, Varroa destructor and health of the African savannah honey bee, Apis mellifera scutellata
Authors: Nganso Beatrice T. , Torto Baldwyn
Published: February 2021

Propolis is a hive product composed of biologically active plant resins, and has been shown to enhance individual honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health. Propolis has also been demonstrated to mitigate, in part, the negative effects caused by the ecto-parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its associated viruses on the health of managed European honey bee colonies. However, its effect on the health status of African honey bees remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the African savannah honey bees, A. m. scutellata in Kenya, deposited approximately two and half-fold more propolis in their colonies during periods of increased than reduced worker brood rearing. This finding suggested that A. m. scutellata may use high quantities of propolis prophylactically to protect their young brood; yet, we observed no significant correlation between the quantity of propolis and the amount of worker brood or mite-infestation level on adult workers. Furthermore, whereas propolis volatiles or propolis placed in direct contact with the mites had no effect on mite survival under laboratory conditions, the ethanolic extract of propolis significantly reduced mite survival when compared with untreated control. These results suggest the presence of mite deterrent compounds in the ethanolic extract of the African honey bee propolis.
An Adaptive Regressor-Free Fourier Series-Based Tracking Controller for Robot Manipulators: Theory and Experimental Evaluation
Authors: Villalobos-Chin Jorge , Santibáñez Víctor
Published: February 2021

In this article, we propose a nonlinear Proportional+Derivative (PD) tracking controller with adaptive Fourier series compensation. The proposed controller uses a regressor-free adaptive scheme that relies on a trigonometric polynomial with varying coefficients to solve the control problem. Asymptotic convergence of the position and velocity errors is proven via a formal stability analysis based on Lyapunov and LaSalle theory for discontinuous systems. The proposed controller is validated on a 2-degrees of freedom robot manipulator. The experimental results validate the theoretically obtained results and reflect the effect of certain parameters in the transient behavior of the error dynamics. Certain robustness properties are also observed.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and pre-superior cavopulmonary connection haemodynamics in infants with single-ventricle physiology
Authors: Al Balushi Asim , Averin Konstantin , Hsu Daphne T. , Mackie Andrew S.
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

Preliminary animal and human data suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition has a role in pulmonary vascular remodelling. We sought to assess the effect of ACEi versus placebo on pulmonary artery pressure and transpulmonary gradient amongst infants undergoing single-ventricle palliation.

Materials and methods:

Using the publicly available Pediatric Heart Network Infant Single-Ventricle trial dataset, we compared mean PA pressure at pre-superior cavopulmonary connection catheterisation (primary outcome), transpulmonary gradient, pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio, and post-SCPC oxygen saturation (secondary outcomes) in infants receiving enalapril versus placebo.

Results:

A total of 179 infants underwent pre-SCPC catheterisation, of which 85 (47%) received enalapril. There was no difference between the enalapril and placebo group in the primary and the secondary outcomes. Mean PA pressure in the enalapril group was 13.1 ± 2.9 compared to 13.7 ± 3.4 mmHg in the placebo group. The transpulmonary gradient was 6.7 ± 2.5 versus 6.9 ± 3.2 mmHg in the enalapril and placebo groups, respectively. The pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio was 1.1 ± 0.5 in the enalapril group versus 1.0 ± 0.5 in the placebo group and the post-SCPC saturation was 83.1 ± 5.0% in the enalapril group versus 82.2 ± 5.3% in the placebo group. In the pre-specified subgroup analyses comparing enalapril and placebo according to ventricular morphology and shunt type, there was no difference in the primary and secondary outcomes.

Conclusion:

ACEi did not impact mean pulmonary artery pressure or transpulmonary gradient amongst infants with single-ventricle physiology prior to SCPC palliation.
Successful use of long-acting octreotide for protracted gastrointestinal bleeding related to protein-losing enteropathy after the Fontan procedure: a case report
Authors: Kogawa Kentaro , Ando Tatsuya , Fujiwara Masako
Published: February 2021

Gastrointestinal bleeding complicated with protein-losing enteropathy after the Fontan procedure has been often reported in recent years, but there is no established therapy for it.

We report the case of an 18-year-old boy who suffered from abdominal pain, melena, and anaemia due to intractable haemorrhagic protein-losing enteropathy after the Fontan procedure. He was successfully treated with octreotide therapy.
Temporal and Spatial Impact of Precipitable Water Vapor on GPS Relative Positioning During the Tropical Cyclone Hato (2017) in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Authors: Yu Shiwei , Liu Zhizhao
Published: February 2021

The evident disturbance of global positioning system (GPS) positioning results responding to the 2017 tropical cyclone (TC) Hato is observed in both Hong Kong and Taiwan regions. The GPS solutions of 10 baselines, i.e., five from Hong Kong and five from Taiwan, with baseline lengths ranging from 4.8 to 46.6 km, are analyzed during the TC period from August 16 to 26, 2017. The precipitable water vapor (PWV) variation in temporal and spatial domains is also investigated in terms of 2–5 h scale‐averaged wavelet power and normalized magnitude of spatial gradient. The results indicate that there is a close correlation between positioning disturbance and the spatiotemporal variation of PWV during the TC period. The daily Spearman’s correlation coefficient on TC‐impacted day is 0.65 for Hong Kong baselines, ∼1.97 times as large as the mean value 0.33 of the non‐TC‐impacted period. Furthermore, the positioning performance started to degrade when the normalized magnitude of the spatial gradient of PWV experienced a rapid increase. The degradation lasted for ∼7 h, and the degrading trend for Hong Kong baselines is 9.86 mm/h on average. For Taiwan baselines, the degradation lasted for ∼31 h, and the degrading trend is 1.20 mm/h on average. In addition, the GPS three‐dimensional positioning average accuracy on the TC‐impacted day, July 22, 2017, degraded by 255% over the 10 baselines with respect to that of the other non‐TC‐impacted days.
Diverse Variability of Surface Chlorophyll During the Evolution of Gulf Stream Rings
Authors: Ning Jue , Chen Ke , Gaube Peter
Published: February 2021

We investigate how the near‐surface chlorophyll (CHL)‐a evolves in Gulf Stream (GS) warm‐core rings (WCRs) and cold‐core rings (CCRs) using multi‐platform satellite observations. Averaged CHL anomaly (CHLA) within the rings exhibits both positive and negative linear trends during the evolution of the WCRs while negative trends dominate in CCRs. This difference is associated with a variety of physical processes occurring during the evolution process. Meanwhile, eddy‐centric analysis reveals four spatial patterns of CHLA long‐term trends, some of which highlights the importance of rings in shaping surface CHL. Short‐term fluctuations of CHLA in WCRs and CCRs are closely correlated with mixed layer depth and sea surface temperature anomaly and highlight the complex interplay between multiple mechanisms. In addition, we find higher concentration CHL in some WCRs than that in CCRs during the same season, providing an alternative view of the characteristics of the surface ecosystem in Gulf Stream rings.
Evaluating Global Tomography Models With Antipodal Ambient Noise Cross‐Correlation Functions
Authors: Xie Jun , Chu Risheng , Ni Sidao
Published: February 2021

It is essential to evaluate global tomography models, which provide important information for understanding Earth's structure and dynamics. Long‐period surface waves propagating between antipodal stations are good candidates for this purpose since they depend on global‐scale velocity variations in the upper mantle. In this study, we extract minor‐arc and major‐arc Rayleigh waves from ambient noise cross correlations between GEOSCOPE station AIS and ∼1,800 USArray stations near the antipode of AIS. We identify two Rayleigh‐wave‐focusing regions and simulate the observed maximum amplitude pattern at the antipodal region using synthetic surface waves based on three global tomography models. Our simulations suggest that seismic heterogeneity of the tomography models need to be inflated by a factor of 2–3 in oceanic regions to explain the observed focusing pattern of surface waves near the antipodal region.
Dynamical and Trace Gas Responses of the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation to Increased CO2
Authors: DallaSanta K. , Orbe C. , Rind D. , Nazarenko L. , Jonas J.
Published: February 2021

Long‐term projections of the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) remain uncertain. Using the high‐top “Middle Atmosphere” (MA) version of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) ModelE (E2.2‐AP), we show that increased CO2 reduces the QBO period and weakens its amplitude, consistent with results from recent multimodel studies. The amplitude response is asymmetric, with the easterly phase weakening more than the westerly phase. Results from both coupled atmosphere‐ocean and climatologically fixed sea surface temperature simulations link the period response to changes in parameterized convective gravity wave fluxes, whereas the amplitude changes are more closely tied to changes in tropical upwelling. Comparisons of simulations with and without ozone‐dynamical feedbacks reveal that ozone feedbacks increase the QBO amplitude and period in pre‐industrial control simulations, and reduce the response of the amplitude to increased CO2. The response of stratospheric tracers to projected changes in the QBO is also investigated. Similarity between results using fully interactive (trace gas and aerosol) versus linearized ozone chemical mechanisms suggests that the QBO response to CO2 does not depend on additional chemical feedbacks beyond those associated with ozone, which implies that projected QBO changes may be credibly represented using simplified stratospheric ozone schemes.
Adaptation Can Compound Climate Change Impacts on Energy and Water
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: February 2021

Researchers have created a framework to trace the impacts of climate change and adaptation across energy and water systems in California.
A novel optical technology based on 690 nm and 850 nm wavelengths to assist needle thoracostomy
Authors: Lee Chien-Ching , Chuang Chia-Chun , Lu Chin-Li , Lai Bo-Cheng , So Edmund Cheung , Lin Bor-Shyh
Published: February 2021

The sensitivity of pneumothorax diagnosis via handheld ultrasound is low, and there is no equipment suitable for use with life-threatening tension pneumothorax in a prehospital setting. This study proposes a novel technology involving optical fibers and near-infrared spectroscopy to assist in needle thoracostomy decompression. The proposed system via the optical fibers emitted dual wavelengths of 690 and 850 nm, allowing distinction among different layers of tissue in vivo. The fundamental principle is the modified Beer–Lambert law (MBLL) which is the basis of near-infrared tissue spectroscopy. Changes in optical density corresponding to different wavelengths (690 and 850 nm) and hemoglobin parameters (levels of Hb and HbO2) were examined. The Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare the differences in parameter estimates among tissue layers; all p-values were < 0.001 relevant to 690 nm and 850 nm. In comparisons of Hb and HbO2 levels relative to those observed in the vein and artery, all p-values were also < 0.001. This study proposes a new optical probe to assist needle thoracostomy in a swine model. Different types of tissue can be identified by changes in optical density and hemoglobin parameters. The aid of the proposed system may yield fewer complications and a higher success rate in needle thoracostomy procedures.
Interface atom mobility and charge transfer effects on CuO and Cu2O formation on Cu3Pd(111) and Cu3Pt(111)
Authors: Tsuda Yasutaka , Gueriba Jessiel Siaron , Makino Takamasa , Diño Wilson Agerico , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Okada Michio
Published: February 2021

We bombarded $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pd}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pd

(
111
)

and $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pt}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pt

(
111
)

with a 2.3 eV hyperthermal oxygen molecular beam (HOMB) source, and characterized the corresponding (oxide) surfaces with synchrotron-radiation X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (SR-XPS). At $$300\,\text{K}$$

300

K

, CuO forms on both $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pd}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pd

(
111
)

and $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pt}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pt

(
111
)

. When we increase the surface temperature to $$500\,\text{K}$$

500

K

, $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{2}\text{O}$}$$

Cu
2

O

also forms on $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pd}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pd

(
111
)

, but not on $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Pt}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Pt

(
111
)

. For comparison, $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{2}\text{O}$}$$

Cu
2

O

forms even at $$300\,\text{K}$$

300

K

on Cu(111). On $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{3}\text{Au}(111)$}$$

Cu
3

Au

(
111
)

, $$\mbox{$\text{Cu}_{2}\text{O}$}$$

Cu
2

O

forms only after $$500\,\text{K}$$

500

K

, and no oxides can be found at $$300\,\text{K}$$

300

K

. We ascribe this difference in Cu oxide formation to the mobility of the interfacial species (Cu/Pd/Pt) and charge transfer between the surface Cu oxides and subsurface species (Cu/Pd/Pt).
A new congenital cleft palate New Zealand rabbit model for surgical research
Authors: Liu Haoyue , Pu Lingling , Tsauo Chialing , Wang Xiaoming , Zheng Qian , Shi Bing , Li Chenghao
Published: February 2021

Cleft palate repair is a challenging procedure for cleft surgeons to teach, and in research, it can be difficult to evaluate different techniques and develop new treatments. In this study, a congenital cleft palate New Zealand rabbit model has been described and could be beneficial in future studies concerning cleft palate repair. Pregnant New Zealand rabbits received 1.0 mg dexamethasone injection intramuscularly once a day from the 13th gestation day (GD13) to GD16. On GD31. Newborn rabbits were delivered by cesarean sections, fed with a standardized gastric tube feeding method, and divided into two groups. The rate of survival and the incidence of cleft palate was calculated. Weight, appearance, behavior, maxillary occlusal view, and regional anatomic and histological comparisons were recorded within 1 month after birth. Infants from the two groups with similar physiological conditions were selected for continuous maxillofacial and mandibular Micro-CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction analysis. Ten pregnant rabbits gave birth to 48 live infants. The survival and cleft palate rates were 65.6% and 60.4% respectively. Both groups survived over 1 month with no difference in weight, appearance, and behavior. The cleft type was stable, and anatomical defects, histological characteristics, and nasal-maxillary abnormalities of the cleft were similar to those of humans. There was no statistically significant difference in maxillary and mandible development between the two groups within one month after birth. This congenital cleft palate model is considered to have more research possibilities with efficient cleft induction, reliable feeding methods, stable anatomical defects, and maxillofacial development similar to those seen in humans.
G-quadruplex binding properties of a potent PARP-1 inhibitor derived from 7-azaindole-1-carboxamide
Authors: Dallavalle Sabrina , Musso Loana , Artali Roberto , Aviñó Anna , Scaglioni Leonardo , Eritja Ramon , Gargallo Raimundo , Mazzini Stefania
Published: February 2021

Poly ADP-ribose polymerases (PARP) are key proteins involved in DNA repair, maintenance as well as regulation of programmed cell death. For this reason they are important therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Recent studies have revealed a close interplay between PARP1 recruitment and G-quadruplex stabilization, showing that PARP enzymes are activated upon treatment with a G4 ligand. In this work the DNA binding properties of a PARP-1 inhibitor derived from 7-azaindole-1-carboxamide, (2-[6-(4-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-phenyl)-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-1-yl]-acetamide, compound 1) with model duplex and quadruplex DNA oligomers were studied by NMR, CD, fluorescence and molecular modelling. We provide evidence that compound 1 is a strong G-quadruplex binder. In addition we provide molecular details of the interaction of compound 1 with two model G-quadruplex structures: the single repeat of human telomeres, d(TTAGGGT)4, and the c-MYC promoter Pu22 sequence. The formation of defined and strong complexes with G-quadruplex models suggests a dual G4 stabilization/PARP inhibition mechanism of action for compound 1 and provides the molecular bases of its therapeutic potential.
Dynamics and kinetics of the Si(1D) + H2/D2 reactions on a new global ab initio potential energy surface
Authors: Cao Jianwei , Wu Yanan , Ma Haitao , Shen Zhitao , Bian Wensheng
Published: February 2021

Quantum dynamics and ring polymer molecular dynamics calculations reveal interesting dynamical and kinetic behaviors of an endothermic complex-forming reaction.
Competition between electron transfer and base-induced elimination mechanisms in the gas-phase reactions of superoxide with alkyl hydroperoxides
Authors: Leitão Ezequiel Fragoso Vieira , Angelo Fonseca de Souza Miguel , do Monte Silmar Andrade , Ventura Elizete
Published: February 2021

Elucidating the possible pathways in the mechanisms of the superoxide anion reactions with methyl, ethyl and tert-butyl hydroperoxides.
Life cycle assessment of carbon dioxide removal technologies: a critical review
Authors: Terlouw Tom , Bauer Christian , Rosa Lorenzo , Mazzotti Marco
Published: February 2021

This review provides a perspective on how to conduct future Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies of carbon dioxide removal technologies in a consistent way avoiding common mistakes, which should be addressed to aid informed decision making.
Cytotoxicity analysis of nanoparticles by association rule mining
Authors: Gul Gulsah , Yildirim Ramazan , Ileri-Ercan Nazar
Published: February 2021

A highly comprehensive dataset is analyzed by meta-heuristic association rule mining to reveal hidden variable relationships with nanoparticle toxicity.
Data-independent acquisition-based proteome and phosphoproteome profiling across six melanoma cell lines reveals determinants of proteotypes
Authors: Gao Erli , Li Wenxue , Wu Chongde , Shao Wenguang , Di Yi , Liu Yansheng
Published: February 2021

We present a high-quality data-independent acquisition dataset, profiling the abundance and variation of both proteomes and phosphoproteomes across melanoma cells.
Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles for clinical applications in cancer – time for standardization?
Authors: Salmond Nikki , Williams Karla C.
Published: February 2021

Clinical applications for extracellular vesicles (EVs): tumor derived EVs represent a non-invasive testing platform for cancer detection and engineered EVs represent a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Recent advances in reactions using diacyl peroxides as sources of O- and C-functional groups
Authors: Kawamura Shintaro , Mukherjee Subrata , Sodeoka Mikiko
Published: February 2021

This review summarizes recent advances in reactions utilizing diacyl peroxides as O- and C-sources, with examples illustrating how the reactivity of diacyl peroxides in organic reactions can be controlled.
Photoresponsive host–guest chemistry and relaxation time of fluorinated cyclodextrin and arylazopyrazole-functionalized DOTA metal complexes
Authors: Simke Julian , Böckermann Till , Bergander Klaus , Klabunde Sina , Hansen Michael Ryan , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: February 2021

The photomodulation of a host–guest complex provides a new concept for a responsive 19F MRI contrast agent in aqueous solution.
Spin-forbidden heavy-atom tunneling in the ring-closure of triplet cyclopentane-1,3-diyl
Authors: Viegas Luís P. , M. Nunes Cláudio , Fausto Rui
Published: February 2021

The putative spin-forbidden heavy-atom tunneling process for the ring closure of cyclopentane-1,3-diyl at cryogenic temperatures is confirmed with calculations employing the weak-coupling formulation of nonadiabatic transition state theory.
Crystal-plane-controlled selectivity and activity of copper catalysts in propylene oxidation with O2
Authors: Xiao Tian-Tian , Wang Gui-Chang
Published: February 2021

The selectivity of PO is inversely proportional to its activity on copper catalysts.
Ge nanocrystals tightly and uniformly distributed in a carbon matrix through nitrogen and oxygen bridging bonds for fast-charging high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Jiayang , Li Zhenwei , Han Meisheng
Published: February 2021

A robust nanostructure constructed via N and O bridging bonds between carbon and ultrasmall Ge nanocrystals shows superior Li+ storage performance.
Self-assembled carbon dot-wrapped perovskites enable light trapping and defect passivation for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Pham Ngoc Duy , Singh Amandeep , Chen Weijian , Hoang Minh Tam , Yang Yang , Wang Xiaodong , Wolff Annalena , Wen Xiaoming , Jia Baohua , Sonar Prashant , Wang Hongxia
Published: February 2021

A strategy to utilize carbon dots for simultaneously improving photovoltaic performance and longevity of metal halide perovskite solar cells.