bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urea Derivatives as Functional Molecules: Supramolecular Capsules, Supramolecular Polymers, Supramolecular Gels, Artificial Hosts, and Catalysts
Authors: Yokoya Masashi , Kimura Shinya , Yamanaka Masamichi
Published: November 2020

Urea, which has both hydrogen bond acceptor and donor moieties, is an ideal structure for a supramolecular synthon. Various supramolecules having ureido group(s) have been widely developed. This article summarizes recent developments of urea derivatives that exhibit various functions: i) supramolecular capsules that form discrete urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, ii) supramolecular polymers that form continuous urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, iii) supramolecular gels that form continuous urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, iv) artificial host molecules based on the molecular recognition ability of the ureido group, and v) catalytic reactions developed by utilizing the molecular recognition ability of the ureido group.
Einfluss der Wechselwirkung von Reaktion und Fluiddynamik auf das Verhalten von Strahlschlaufenreaktoren
Authors: Bey Oliver , von Harbou Erik
Published: November 2020

Strahlschlaufenreaktoren werden als Apparate für die Umsetzung chemischer bzw. biologischer Reaktionen eingesetzt. Kennzeichen dieser Apparateform ist eine interne Zirkulationsströmung, im Wesentlichen angetrieben durch das Eindüsen von Flüssigkeit. Die Düse kann zudem zum Eintragen und Dispergieren von Gas verwendet werden. Die interne Fluiddynamik und damit das Reaktorverhalten wird signifikant durch den eingetragenen Impuls und durch die interne Gasverteilung bestimmt. Um den wechselseitigen Einfluss einer gasverbrauchenden Reaktion und der internen Fluiddynamik zu beschreiben, wurde ein vereinfachtes Modell, basierend auf einer Impulsstrombilanz und einer Materialbilanz, verwendet. Aus den exemplarischen Rechnungen ergibt sich ein kritischer Bereich für unselektive Reaktionen und für die fluiddynamische Stabilität.
Oberflächenchemie von Nanopartikeln
Authors: Schubert Ulrich
Published: November 2020

Atome auf der Oberfläche eines Festkörpers haben, da sie unterkoordiniert sind, andere Eigenschaften als jene im Inneren. Wegen des hohen Anteils an Oberflächenatomen sind deren Auswirkungen auf die Eigenschaften von Nanopartikeln nicht mehr zu vernachlässigen. Zur Erniedrigung der Oberflächenenergie können Nanopartikel mit einer schützenden Hülle an Oberflächengruppen (Liganden) umgeben werden. Diese stabilisiert nicht nur die Nanostrukturen und begrenzt ihr Wachstum, sondern hat auch großen Einfluss auf deren Elektronenstruktur sowie strukturelle und physikalische Eigenschaften. Hand in Hand mit einem besseren Verständnis der Oberflächenchemie von Nanopartikeln geht auch die Entwicklung von Methoden, die Ligandenhülle zielgerichtet aufzubauen und zu modifizieren.
Unique Dynamics of Water Confined on the Surface of Metal Oxide Clusters
Authors: Cai Linkun , Lai Yuyan , Yin Panchao
Published: November 2020

Water confined on metal oxide surface plays significant roles in heterogeneous catalysis. Heteropolyacid, a 1.2 nm‐metal oxide cluster with well‐defined structure, is applied as a model to understand the dynamics of water on its surface. The surface water strongly associates with heteropolyacid cluster and form the so‐called ‘pseudoliquid phase’ where catalytic reactions are conducted. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy and diﬀerential scanning calorimetry have been applied to probe the dynamics of water in this pseudoliquid phase. A supercooling phase transition of water below its normal melting temperature and a dipolar glassy relaxation behaviour due to the hindered dynamics of water have been observed. The rich dynamic behavior on the surface of such well‐defined metal clusters provide new perspectives to understand the properties of surface water and their relation to catalytic performance of heteropolyacid.
Frequent nicotine vaping associated with vaping cannabis
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2020

A study of 3,322 young people found that those who vaped nicotine frequently were more likely to progress to vaping cannabis. The study was designed to look at developmental trajectories of nicotine and cannabis vaping, including timing of use.
The normalized segment classification model: A new tool to compare spectral reflectance curves
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gironés Miguel Angel , Telles Francismeire Jane
Published: November 2020

Color patterns are complex traits under selective pressures from conspecifics, mutualists, and antagonists. To evaluate the salience of a pattern or the similarity between colors, several visual models are available. Color discrimination models estimate the perceptual difference between any two colors. Their application to a diversity of taxonomic groups has become common in the literature to answer behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary questions. To use these models, we need information about the visual system of our beholder species. However, many color patterns are simultaneously subject to selective pressures from different species, often from different taxonomic groups, with different visual systems. Furthermore, we lack information about the visual system of many species, leading ecologists to use surrogate values or theoretical estimates for model parameters.

Here, we present a modification of the segment classification method proposed by Endler (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1990 41, 315–352): the normalized segment classification model (NSC). We explain its logic and use, exploring how NSC differs from other visual models. We also compare its predictions with available experimental data.

Even though the NSC model includes no information about the visual system of the receiver species, it performed better than traditional color discrimination models when predicting the output of some behavioral tasks. Although vision scientists define color as independent of stimulus brightness, a likely explanation for the goodness of fit of the NSC model is that its distance measure depends on brightness differences, and achromatic information can influence the decision‐making process of animals when chromatic information is missing.

Species‐specific models may be insufficient for the study of color patterns in a community context. The NSC model offers a species‐independent solution for color analyses, allowing us to calculate color differences when we ignore the intended viewer of a signal or when different species impose selective pressures on the signal.
Local and regional variation in effects of burrowing crabs on plant community structure
Authors: Walker Janet B. , Rinehart Shelby A. , White Wendi K. , Grosholz Edwin D. , Long Jeremy D.
Published: November 2020

Burrowing animals can profoundly influence the structure of surrounding communities, as well as the performance of individual species. Changes in the community structure of burrowing animals or plants together with changing abiotic parameters could shift the influence of burrowers on surrounding habitats. For example, prior studies in salt marshes suggest that fiddler crabs stimulate cordgrass production, but leaf‐grazing crabs suppress cordgrass production. Unfortunately, testing this prediction and others are impeded because few studies have examined crab impacts on the plant community and across multiple sites, multiple years, or both. This challenges our ability to predict how burrowing animals will influence plant community structure, and when and where these impacts will occur. We manipulated the densities of the dominant burrowing crabs in plant assemblages dominated by Pacific cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) and perennial pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica) at three sites in southern California for three years (2016, 2017, 2018). Crab impacts on plant community structure differed among each of our three sites. In contrast to our predictions, (1) leaf‐grazing crabs (Pachygrapsus crassipes) had positive effects on cordgrass cover at one site and no effect on cordgrass production at a nearby site in the same marsh and (2) fiddler crabs (Uca crenulata) did not stimulate cordgrass production at another marsh. Because crabs affected traits of cordgrass, but not pickleweed, in the direction consistent with changes in cordgrass cover, we propose that marsh‐specific crab effects on community structure were largely mediated through changes in cordgrass, as opposed to pickleweed. Importantly, crabs facilitated cordgrass during marsh‐wide cordgrass loss, suggesting that crabs may mitigate environmental stress for this ecologically important plant. Because cordgrass abundance can be a critical measure of marsh functioning and is often a restoration target, we suggest that managing cordgrass populations would benefit from additional information about crab populations and their impacts among years, and among and within marshes.
Abolish barriers to diverse enrollment by removing GRE, GMAT requirements
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2020

Guillermo Prado, Ph.D., is not only the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Miami, he is also a double graduate of that institution, having earned his master's degree and doctoral degree from it. It's an experience that helped Prado gain particular insight into the needs of the students and faculty he now serves.
Theoretical studies on space debris recycling and energy conversion system in the International Space Station
Authors: Mariappan Amrith , Kumar V. R. Sanal , Weddell Stephen J. , Muruganandan Vishnu Anand , Jeung In‐Seuck
Published: November 2020

The space debris management and alleviation in the microgravity environment is a dynamic research theme of contemporary interest. Herein, we provide a theoretical proof of the concept of a lucrative energy conversion system that is capable of changing the space debris into useful powders in the International Space Station (ISS) for various bids. A specially designed broom is adapted to collect the space debris of various sizes. An optical sorting method is proposed for the debris segregation in the ISS by creating an artificial gravitational field. It could be done by using the frame‐dragging effect or gravitomagnetism. An induction furnace is facilitated for converting the segregated metal‐scrap into liquid metal. A fuel‐cell aided water atomization method is proposed for transforming the liquid debris into metal powder. The high‐energetic metal powders obtained from the space debris could be employed for producing propellants for useful aerospace applications, and the silicon powder obtained could be used for making soil for fostering the pharmaceutical‐flora in the space lab in the future aiming for the scarce‐drug discoveries for high‐endurance health care management. The proposed energy conversion system is a possible alternative for the space debris extenuation and its real applications in orbiting laboratories through the international collaboration for the benefits to humanity.
Analyzing the changes in the brain material properties after a mild traumatic brain injury—A pilot study
Authors: Kwon Eryn , Holdsworth Samantha , Guild Sarah‐Jane , Scadeng Miriam , Jayatissa Sahan , Kollarczik Leon , Tayebi Maryam , Rosset Samuel , Shim Vickie
Published: November 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health challenge, is very difficult to diagnose, and currently has no accepted treatment options. The difficulty in diagnosis is due to the complex pathophysiology of TBI, where the damage mechanisms span multiple spatial and temporal scales and ultimately manifest as diverse cognitive impairments in brain function. The speed and dynamic nature with which the mechanical insults occur in TBI means that computational models are the best candidate to mimic the in vivo event and to investigate the injury progression in detail. A current weakness in TBI computational models is the poor understanding of how material properties within different regions of the brain change after damage. Here, we developed an animal experiment pipeline where a controlled and reproducible mechanical insult can be applied to a sheep brain in vivo followed by ex vivo compression mechanical testing. For each brain, the compression mechanical testing was conducted across the length of the brain to assess baseline regional variations in material properties and how these properties changed after mechanical impact. Using this pipeline, we have characterized locational variations in the brain material properties both pre and post‐TBI. Our preliminary results confirm that there exist locational variations in the brain material properties across all regions of cerebrum. The analysis of post‐TBI tissues showed that compressive strength was reduced in the area nearest the direct impact.
Using the analytical heirarchy process to select specific methanation catalysts based on their extraction impacts
Authors: Duck Gerald , Yu Yue , Simakov David S. A. , Walker Sean B.
Published: November 2020

Methanation is an exothermic process that utilizes catalysts to convert the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in biogas to methane, forming synthetic natural gas. The criteria for determining a suitable catalyst should not only be its effectiveness, but also the environmental impact of extracting and refining the metal. The authors examine the environmental impacts of implementing a select group of methanation catalysts in the field for industrial scale synthetic natural gas production using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Catalysts containing a combination of rare earth metals are investigated separately and AHP is used to rank the catalysts based on their environmental impact per kg of CO2 converted. It is determined that catalysts containing common metals, such as nickel, have the lowest environmental impact per conversion rate across a number of metrics and represented the catalysts with the second and third highest conversion rates analyzed. Catalysts containing ruthenium are found to be the most detrimental to the environment, in spite of the favorable conversion rate offered by a ruthenium‐cesium catalyst in methanation reactors.
Air pollution and noncognitive traits among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Li Mengyao , Ferreira Susana , Smith Travis A. , Zhang Xin
Published: November 2020

Most residents in developing countries live under poor air quality. The adverse effects of air pollution on cardiovascular and respiratory health are well documented. More recently, it has been shown that air pollution adversely affects areas of the central nervous system regulating noncognitive traits. Because the developing brain is particularly vulnerable, this study focuses on adolescents. We match air pollution data from monitoring stations in China to repeated measures of noncognitive traits using panel data. In general, poorer contemporaneous air quality, rather than poorer past air quality, negatively affects adolescent noncognitive traits. Specifically, an increase in the Air Pollution Index by 15 points—the average daily fluctuation—leads to a 5.5% increase in psychological distress, 0.9% decrease in self‐esteem, 3.2% reduction in self‐satisfaction, and 0.9% decrease in confidence in the future. No such effects are found among adults.
Increased colluvial hollow discharge and subsequent recovery after a low intensity wildfire in the Blue Ridge Mountains, USA
Authors: Stiefel Liam C. , Cooley Susannah C. , Johnson Bradley G.
Published: November 2020

Wildfires in mountainous regions have been documented to enhance water repellent soils which can increase runoff, erosion, and sedimentation during subsequent rain events. However, the extent of soil hydrophobicity and water repellency varies significantly with burn severity and between ecosystems, and the southern Appalachians remain an understudied region. Here we examine the impact of the low severity Chestnut Knob Fire, which occurred in the fall 2016, on soil properties and runoff in South Mountains State Park. To examine these impacts, we installed crest‐stage gauges in burned (n = 10) and unburned (n = 8) colluvial hollows to compare peak runoff. Results from the 2017 field season indicated that burned locations produced significantly higher peak discharges than unburned sites. From July 2019 to January 2020, we repeated the experiment and found that burned areas produced runoff comparable to unburned areas. Examination of soil profiles during the summer of 2017 found high variability in hydrophobicity in both the burned (n = 10) and unburned (n = 2) soils. Further, we found that burned soils had significantly deflated organic surface horizons compared with unburned soils. We interpret the differences in runoff in 2017 to be the result of a combination of increased hydrophobicity and decreased soil moisture storage capacity in organic rich surface soils. While the recovery we observed here was relatively fast, it is important to understand that increased runoff immediately after a fire likely increases the chances of sediment mobilization and debris flow occurrence.
Relations between shyness and psychological adjustment in Chinese children: The role of friendship quality
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Bowker Julie C. , Liu Junsheng , Li Dan , Chen Xinyin
Published: November 2020

The goal of this study is to examine the role of friendship quality in the links between shyness and children's psychological adjustment, and the potential moderating role of gender. Participants were N = 787 children in Grades 4–8 (Mage = 12.69 years, SD = 1.54) in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. They completed peer nomination items assessing shyness, and self‐report measures on friendship quality and the psychological outcome measures of loneliness, self‐esteem and depressive symptoms. Moderated‐mediation analyses revealed that shyness was associated positively while friendship quality was correlated negatively with psychological maladjustment, and that friendship quality mediated the associations between shyness and the outcomes. These mediation effects, however, were moderated by gender, such that friendship quality was a significant mediator for boys, but not for girls. Taken together, the findings highlight the oftentimes overlooked importance of friends in the lives of shy children.

Highlights

The study evaluated a model linking shyness, gender and psychological adjustment in Chinese children.

Assessments of shyness, friendship quality and psychological adjustment were obtained from multiple sources, including peer nominations and self‐reports.

Friendship quality mediated the associations between shyness and the outcomes in boys, but not in girls.
Risk of somatic diseases in offspring of survivors with childhood or adolescent central nervous system tumor in Sweden
Authors: Huang Wuqing , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Ji Jianguang
Published: November 2020

With the improvement of treatments, a growing number of survivors with childhood or adolescent central nervous system (CNS) tumor are parenting their own children. We aimed to explore the risk of somatic diseases among children of these survivors compared to population controls. Children of survivors with CNS tumor below age of 20 were identified between 1973 and 2014 by combining the several Swedish registers. Five children without parental CNS tumor were matched randomly to generate the population comparisons. Relative risk (RR) and absolute excess risk (AER) were calculated for overall somatic diseases, and hazard ratio (HR) was calculated for specific type of somatic diseases. A total of 2231 somatic disease diagnoses were identified in children of survivors with a cumulative incidence rate of 94.77 per 1000 person‐years, whereas the rate was 92.79 in matched comparisons thus resulting in an overall RR of 1.02 (95% CI = 0.98‐1.07) and AER of 1.98 (95% CI = −2.06, 6.13). Specifically, five of 1364 children of survivors had CNS tumor with an incidence rate of 0.21 per 1000 person‐year, whereas the rate was 0.04 in children of matched children, generating a HR of 4.91 (95% CI = 1.42‐16.96). Children of male survivors were at a statistically increased risk of malignancy, as well as infectious and parasitic diseases. In conclusion, no significantly higher risk of overall somatic diseases was found in children of survivors with CNS tumor before the age of 20, but children with a paternal diagnosis of CNS tumor had significantly increased risk of malignancies and infectious and parasitic diseases.
The prevalence of self‐reported medical comorbidities in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Hu Jun , Hesson Ashley , Haefner Hope K. , Rominski Sarah
Published: November 2020

Objective

To compare the demographics and self‐reported medical comorbidities of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) with those of women with other vulvar conditions.

Methods

Intake questionnaires for patients presenting to the University of Michigan Center for Vulvar Diseases between 1996 and 2019 were entered into a de‐identified database (n = 1983). Responses to questions about thyroid disease, urinary symptoms and signs, gastrointestinal conditions, and pain conditions were collected.

Results

A total of 1983 women, including 865 patients with VLS and 1118 patients without VLS were enrolled. Pearson's χ2 analysis showed that age, hypertension, anorectal fissures, peptic ulcer disease/gastroesophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease, kidney problems, liver problems, and cancer were significantly associated with VLS when compared between the VLS and non‐VLS groups (P < 0.01). However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that only age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were strongly associated with VLS (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Increasing age, thyroid disease, and anorectal fissures were significantly associated with VLS. The association between anorectal fissures and VLS likely represents a sequela of the disease rather than a true comorbidity.
The 14‐day repeated‐dose toxicity study of a fixed‐dose combination, QXOH/levobupivacaine, via subcutaneous injection in beagle dogs
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang YuJun , Yin Qinqin , Yang Jun , Kang Yi , Gong Deying , Liu Jin , Zhang WenSheng
Published: November 2020

QXOH‐Levobupivacaine (LB) is a fixed‐dose combination of 35‐mM QXOH and 10‐mM LB. It was developed for perioperative analgesia because of its long‐acting analgesic effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of QXOH‐LB in beagle dogs in accordance with the Guidance on the repeated‐dose toxicity published by the China Food and Drug Administration. Groups of five male and five female beagle dogs received normal saline, QXOH‐LB (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg, calculated as QXOH), QXOH (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg), or LB (2 mg/kg, equals the concentration of LB in 8‐mg/kg QXOH‐LB group) at the volume of 1 mL/kg once per day for 14 days through subcutaneous injection. No mortality was observed. Dogs in the control group as well as animals treated with 2‐mg/kg QXOH or QXOH‐LB exhibited normal behaviors. Clinical signs of toxicity in dogs treated with 4 and 8 mg/kg of QXOH or QXOH‐LB included decreased activity, unsteady gait, jerks, tremors, vocalization, emesis, ataxia, lateral/sternal recumbency, deep/rapid respiration, and gasping. Additionally, neurological function was found to be affected by QXOH and QXOH‐LB at the doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg. All clinical signs were recovered within 24 h. The no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of QXOH and QXOH‐LB was considered to be 2 mg/kg. Toxicokinetic data showed that exposure to QXOH and LB increased as QXOH‐LB doses were increased from 4 to 8 mg/kg. There was no evidence of drug accumulation or any effect of gender.
Reduced neuropathy target esterase in pre‐eclampsia suppresses tube formation of HUVECs via dysregulation of phospholipid metabolism
Authors: Li Mo , Shen Xin , Liu Hui , Yang Bei , Lu Siying , Tang Min , Ling Yan , Li Yuezhen , Kuang Haibin
Published: November 2020

Recently, studies have shown that neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is essential to placental and normal blood vessel development. However, whether it is involved in abnormal placenta angiogenesis of pre‐eclampsia remains unknown. Thus, our aim was to observe the expression of NTE in pre‐eclamptic placentas and its effects and mechanism of NTE on the migration and the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the NTE protein was intensely located in blood vessels of the normal pregnant placenta. However, western blot revealed that the expression level of NTE protein was significantly reduced in pre‐eclamptic placenta. The results indicated that overexpression of NTE significantly promoted the migration and the tube formation of HUVECs compared with those of the control and scramble short hairpin RNA (shRNA) group. Conversely, NTE shRNA obviously inhibited the migration and the tube formation of HUVECs. Additionally, chromatography assay evidenced that NTE overexpression significantly reduced the level of phosphatidylcholine (PC) of HUVECs, but NTE shRNA obviously increased the level of PC of HUVECs. Furthermore, exogenous PC and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) significantly inhibited the tube formation of HUVECs in a dose‐dependent manner. Collectively, our results suggest that reduced NTE in placenta may contribute to abnormal placenta angiogenesis of pre‐eclampsia via the dysregulation of PC and LPC metabolism.
Variation of main rainy‐season precipitation in eastern China and relevance to regional warming
Authors: Liu Li , Wang Xiaojuan , Feng Guolin , Dogar Muhammad Mubashar , Zhang Feng , Zhiqiang Gong , Zhou Botao
Published: November 2020

China has experienced dramatic warming in summer mean temperature since the early 1990s, leading to precipitation variation across the region. We have studied the variation of rainy‐season (April–September) precipitation in eastern China during 1961–2016. Overall, we found that rainy‐season precipitation increased in the south and decreased in the north during 1992–2016 (PII) compared to 1961–1991 (PI). By defining rainfall‐belt indices of intensity and central location, we found that the southern rainfall‐belt during the main rainy‐season tends to produce much more‐intense precipitation during PI relative to PII, in contrast to the northern rainfall‐belt, which tends to have less‐intense precipitation during PII. Despite some fluctuations, the central positions of neither the northern nor the southern rainfall‐belts exhibit a statistically significant difference between the two periods. Unlike during PI, during PII, there is an obvious anticyclone over the Lake Baikal region. This anticyclone has caused anomalous north winds flowing from north‐central to southwestern China, leading to weakening of the northward moisture transport. Also, regions such as northeastern, north‐central, and southwestern China have been controlled by negative geopotential height anomalies and weak vertical air‐motion anomalies, resulting in drying from north to southwestern China. At the same time, the enhanced water‐vapour convergence in the southeastern coastal region of China favours increased precipitation there. These processes working in concert created the drying‐north–wetting‐south pattern in the main rainy‐season during 1961–2016. The change in rainfall‐belt intensity in eastern China has also shown a close relationship with the change in vapour transport from low latitudes. The weakened land‐sea thermal difference in the East Asia–Northwest Pacific region, which has weakened water‐vapour and atmospheric circulation, has also played a role in the change of rainfall‐belt intensity.
Pliocene and late Pleistocene (MIS 5e) decapod crustaceans from Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago: Central Atlantic): systematics, palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography
Authors: Hyžný Matúš , Melo Carlos S. , Ramalho Ricardo S. , Cordeiro Ricardo , Madeira Patrícia , Baptista Lara , Rebelo A. Cristina , Gómez Cynthia , Uchman Alfred , Johnson Markes E. , Berning Björn , Ávila Sérgio P.
Published: November 2020

The presence of decapod crustaceans in the Pliocene and Pleistocene (MIS 5e) fossil record of Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago) is herein reviewed. Our study raises the number of fossil decapods from this island from one species to 10 taxa (three for the Pliocene and seven for the Last Interglacial). Four of these 10 taxa are reported for the first time in the fossil record, worldwide. A new species of a mud shrimp is also described (Upogebia azorensis n. sp.). Our study suggests that the Plio–Pleistocene decapod assemblages of the Azores did not differ significantly from modern ones, being dominated by species that are today widespread across the Webbnesia ecoregion, the Mediterranean Sea, and the eastern Atlantic shores, including the Azores. As far as can be judged from the limited fossil record, apparently no tropical crab species with a Cabo Verdean/Senegalese provenance reached the Azores during windows of opportunity associated with Glacial Termination 2 or with the initial setting of the Last Interglacial period. This contribution increases the total number of marine taxa reported for the Pliocene and Pleistocene outcrops of Santa Maria Island to 218 and 155, respectively, highlighting the scientific relevance of its palaeontological heritage.
Deep eutectic solvents cross‐linked molecularly imprinted chitosan microsphere for the micro‐solid phase extraction of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid from pear rind
Authors: Li Guizhen , Row Kyung Ho
Published: November 2020

A visual, rapid, and sensitive micro‐solid phase extraction method was developed for the detection of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid using molecularly imprinted chitosan microspheres based on deep eutectic solvents, both as a functional monomer and template. The parameters were optimized by using the response surface methodology strategy. The extraction capacity of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid from pear rind under the optimized conditions using response surface methodology was 46.32 mg/g, when the pH of the extract solution (2), extraction time (35 min), extraction temperature (30°C), and adsorbent dosage (2 mg). The molecularly imprinted chitosan microspheres produced higher selectivity and extraction capacity than the traditional materials.
Carbon pools of biomass and dead organic matter in typical forest ecosystems of Tibet: A new estimation based on the first forestry carbon sequestration monitoring undertaken in China
Authors: Liu Shu‐qin , Bian Zhen , An Tian‐yu , Xia Chao‐zong , Zhang Ming , Chen Jian , Hou Rui‐ping , Zhang Ke‐bin , Zhao Hong‐qian
Published: November 2020

The forest ecosystems of Tibet function as important carbon sinks. However, previous estimates of carbon budgets have included large uncertainties owing to the limitations of data acquisition and the method of estimation. In this study, IPCC and model estimation methods have been used to calculate all the sectors of carbon stocks in typical forest vegetation of Tibet and explore the biogeographical patterns and potential drivers of these pools. The results showed that the total carbon pools of biomass and dead organic matter in six typical forest ecosystems in Tibet was 457.67 Tg C, of which 10.52–164.85 Tg C (76.53%) was stored in aboveground biomass, 1.87–59.37 Tg C (22.07%) in belowground biomass, 0.01–2.75 Tg C (0.73%) in the forest understory, 0.02–1.57 Tg C (0.53%) in litter, and 0.01–0.27 Tg C (0.14%) in dead wood. These carbon reserves are primarily distributed in mature and over mature forests, comprising 48.89% and 31.58%, respectively. Geographical location and natural conditions affect the carbon sequestration capacity of the Tibetan forest ecosystems that decreases from southeast to northwest. An analysis also suggests that the canopy and tree densities have some effect on the carbon sequestration efficiency in different carbon pools. This is primarily because these two indicators have a greater impact on the growth of trees. In addition, it was found that the forests ofAbies fabriandPlatycladus orientalishad the highest and lowest degrees of carbon fixation, respectively.
Influence of the Polymer Architecture and Functionalization with Carboxylate Groups over the Release of Octenidine Hydrochloride from Poly(lactic acid)‐Based Nanoparticles
Authors: Maraldi Matteo , Guida Anna , Sponchioni Mattia , Moscatelli Davide
Published: November 2020

Healthcare‐associated infections affect every year more than four million people due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to traditional antibiotics. In turn, the systematic use of quaternary ammonium salts as antiseptics is hampered by their inherent toxicity and high hydrophilicity that leads to their rapid elimination from the body. Therefore, a carefully controlled release of these antiseptics is pivotal to achieve prolonged therapeutic efficacy reducing the side effects. In this work, high encapsulation efficiencies and good control over the release of octenidine hydrochloride from poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐based nanoparticles (NPs) is achieved by introducing functional carboxylate groups in the polymer. The influence of the polymer structure and functionalization over the drug release is systematically investigated. Star‐like and brush‐like polymers with tunable number of ionizable chain end‐groups are synthesized via combination of ring‐opening polymerization and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. These polymers are formulated in NPs and loaded with octenidine through emulsion/solvent evaporation. Brush‐like polymers demonstrate to be a versatile tool for the modulation of the initial burst and long term release of the antiseptic through the tuning of the electrostatic interactions between the negative groups on the polymer, whose number can be precisely controlled, and the positively charged drug.
Dichotomy and μ‐pseudo almost automorphic solutions for delayed partial functional differential equations in admissible spaces
Authors: Jendoubi Chiraz
Published: November 2020

We prove the existence and uniqueness of μ‐pseudo almost automorphic solution for a delayed non‐autonomous partial functional differential equation in the exponential dichotomic case, where the nonlinear operator F satisfies the φ‐Lipschitz condition and φ belongs to some admissible spaces. We further prove the existence of an invariant stable manifold around the μ‐pseudo almost automorphic solution in that case. An application is given to illustrate our theory.
Illinois employment model serves as an example for others
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2020

One of the best steps in recovery from mental illness is a job, and the focus of that assistance is on the long‐standing Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness, say field observers. Illinois is one of the few states that has embraced the IPS model and has been hailed as a leader in its collaboration between mental health and vocational rehabilitation. The state is currently serving as a mentor to other states in this practice.
Holistic reconstruction of mandible defect, lower lip and chin sensation, and smile reanimation in an advanced gum cancer patient: A case report
Authors: Chen Lisa Wen‐Yu , Lakhiani Chrisovalantis , Huang Jung‐Ju , Abdelrahman Mohamed , Huang Shiang‐Fu , Chang Tommy Nai‐Jen
Published: November 2020

Facial deformity, facial paralysis, and sensory loss are inevitable after some head and neck tumor resection and reconstruction, especially in high stage cancer. To overcome these obstacles, we present a case of T4a gum cancer patient (41‐year‐old) who received holistic reconstruction of the mandible defect via an osteo‐peroneal‐artery‐perforator combined flap for defect coverage and cross‐mental nerve graft for lower lip and chin sensation at the primary stage, followed by ipsilateral facial nerve (lower trunk) innervated gracilis functioning free muscle transplantation for facial reanimation and correction of the sunken face 3 years later. After 4.5 years of follow‐up, the patient was satisfied with his appearance, and obtained a spontaneous and symmetrical smile without sensory deficit. This experience showed a possible solution to the reconstruction for complicated head and neck cancer patients.
An improved 220‐GHz RF CMOS compact equivalent circuit model considering magnetic coupling effect
Authors: Liu Xusheng , Liu Jun , Yu Yiming , Zhao Chenxi , Liu Huihua
Published: November 2020

In this study, an improved RF CMOS transistor compact equivalent circuit model is presented. Due to the finite resistivity of the substrate, the magnetic coupling effect between the interconnection line and the substrate affects the signal propagation at mm‐wave frequency range. To characterize transistors in the terahertz band, a sophisticated network is introduced to represent the magnetic field of interconnection lines and substrate image current. In addition, the parameters of the proposed model are extracted by an analytical method. By comparison with the reported model, the proposed model can significantly improve the phase accuracy. The comparison of calculation results and experimental data shows that the proposed model can well characterize the transistor up to 220 GHz.
Roots of two‐terminal reliability polynomials
Authors: Brown Jason , DeGagné Corey D. C.
Published: November 2020

Assume that the vertices of a graph G are always operational, but the edges of G are operational independently with probability p ∈ [0, 1]. For fixed vertices s and t, the two‐terminal reliability of G is the probability that the operational subgraph contains an (s, t)‐path, while the all‐terminal reliability of G is the probability that the operational subgraph contains a spanning tree. Both reliabilities are polynomials in p, and have very similar behavior in many respects. However, unlike all‐terminal reliability polynomials, little is known about the roots of two‐terminal reliability polynomials. In a variety of ways, we shall show that the nature and location of the roots of two‐terminal reliability polynomials have significantly different properties than those held by roots of the all‐terminal reliability polynomials.
Antiobesity Effects of Adipose‐Derived Stromal/Stem Cells in a Naturally Aged Mouse Model
Authors: Wu Qiong , He Shuangli , Zhu Yu , Pu Shiming , Zhou Zuping
Published: November 2020

Objective

Adipose‐derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) have multilineage differentiation potential and functional properties, as well as applications for cell‐based therapies in tissue repair and regeneration. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of ASCs as an antiobesity agent in aged organisms. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of ASCs at treating obesity using a naturally aged mouse model.

Methods

Old (22 months) C57BL/6J mice with transplanted young‐mice (2 months) donor ASCs were measured for weight change, biochemistry, cytokines, hormone secretion, cell senescence, lipid metabolism, and functional changes of ASCs.

Results

The results indicated that old mice treated with ASCs showed antiaging and antiobesity effects such as significant loss of body and organ weight, improved stem cell plasticity, increased antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase and catalase), improved liver and kidney function, improved lipid metabolism, and increased hormone secretion (sex hormone‐binding globulin, thyrotropin, and leptin). Treatment with ASCs decreased cell senescence and suppressed secretion of inflammatory agents (interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha).

Conclusions

Traditional drugs used in the treatment of obesity have limitations and are unsuitable for the elderly. Based on the results, the future use of ASCs as primary antiaging and antiobesity agents is suggested because of their positive effects on aged animals.
Toughening of poly(lactide acid) with low crystallinity through biaxial poststretching
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Song Zhaoqiang , Cai Shengqiang
Published: November 2020

Poly(lactide acid) (PLA) is an eco‐friendly, biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that has been extensively explored in diverse applications ranging from biomedical devices to food packages. One well‐known limitation of PLA in the applications is its low mechanical toughness and small stretchability. In this work, we have conducted systematic studies of the effects of the thermo‐mechanical processing on the mechanical behaviors of PLA with extremely low crystallinity (less than 3%). It is found that a freshly quenched PLA after hot pressing can be quite stretchable and tough. However, after only 2 days of aging at room temperature, the PLA becomes very brittle. We attribute such aging‐induced ductile‐to‐brittle transition of the PLA to its plastic deformation mode changing from shearing to crazing. To increase the toughness and stability of the PLA, we apply poststretching onto the PLA. Our results have shown that after poststretching, both the toughness and stretchability of aged PLA can be greatly increased. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the PLA after poststretching become more aging resistant.
Two full capacity generators—Why is the calculated emergency power system probability of failure on demand so high?
Authors: Dowell Arthur M. (Art)
Published: November 2020

The probability of failure on demand (PFD) for an emergency generator system is important when electrical power is needed to protect humans from harm or to prevent equipment damage. To evaluate the PFD for an emergency power system (EPS), we must consider:

All the components for the fuel, the controls, the transfer switches, and the circuit breakers in the emergency load feeders.

The capability of the weekly, monthly, semiannual, annual, and four‐year inspections and proof tests to detect all the failure modes that can prevent correct operation of the generator system.

Many common cause events may prevent both generators from starting or running:

The fuel storage system.

The generator control system including over‐voltage and overload protection.

The downstream electrical system including the transfer switches and circuit breakers.

Human action during maintenance and testing, such as leaving the transfer switches in test mode instead of automatic.

While the EPS may be designed and operated according to NFPA 110, it is critical to evaluate and eliminate single points of failure. The paper will suggest opportunities to provide redundancy, to manage human error, and to improve inspections and proof testing to detect more failure modes.
Influence of Multi‐Pin Anode Arrangement on Electric Field Distribution Characteristics and Its Application on Microgreen Seed Treatment
Authors: Tanakaran Yottana , Matra Khanit
Published: November 2020

This research proposes the design of a multi‐corona discharge model to study the suitable electric field characteristics on sustaining a large stable plasma for microgreen seed treatment. The influence of an increase in the number of pin anode (NP) and the gap distances between two adjacent pins anode (GP) on electric field characteristics are studied by the finite‐element method. The results have indicated that the electric field characteristics from a large NP with the 5 mm GP are suitable to sustain the large stable air plasma because of the high virtual semi‐uniform electric field and the wider area of intense electric field stress. Then, the microgreen seeds are treated by the designed air multi‐corona discharge model on a copper cathode (CC) or water cathode (WC). The germination rates of plasma‐treated seeds on the CC and WC are higher than the ones of the control group of about 8% and 6% at 24 h cultivation time, respectively. The growth rates of plasma‐treated seeds on CC and WC are greater than the ones of the control group of about 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively. It can be confirmed that both plasma‐treated cases have shown a positive effect on germination and growth enhancement.
Simultaneous mode, input and state estimation for switched linear stochastic systems
Authors: Yong Sze Zheng , Zhu Minghui , Frazzoli Emilio
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we propose a filtering algorithm for simultaneously estimating the mode, input and state of hidden mode switched linear stochastic systems with unknown inputs. Using a multiple‐model approach with a bank of linear input and state filters for each mode, our algorithm relies on the ability to find the most probable model as a mode estimate, which we show is possible with input and state filters by identifying a key property, that a particular residual signal we call generalized innovation is a Gaussian white noise. We also provide an asymptotic analysis for the proposed algorithm and provide sufficient conditions for asymptotically achieving convergence to the true model (consistency), or to the “closest” model according to an information‐theoretic measure (convergence). A simulation example of intention‐aware vehicles at an intersection is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Expectation maximization based sparse identification of cyberphysical system
Authors: Tang Xiuchuan , Dong Yunlong
Published: November 2020

A hybrid dynamics modeling method based on expectation‐maximization (EM) is proposed in this article. The dynamics include continuous dynamic equations that depend on the combination of continuous and discrete states, so it is often used to describe the dynamic behavior of cyberphysical system. Modeling such a system is a nonconvex problem, and if symbolic regression or mixed integer programs are used to solve it, the computational complexity will be tricky in many practical applications. This article proposes a two‐step‐based approach. In the first step, we use the method of EM and repeatedly solve the convex optimizer problem generated by the null space until all subsystems are identified. The second step is to identify the switching logic between the subsystems by sparse logistic regression with sample weights. Experiments show that the method is robust to noise and achieves satisfactory identification results on piecewise autoregressive models with exogenous input, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and other nonlinear examples.
1‐Vinyl‐3‐allyl Imidazolium Bromide as a New Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in 1 M HCl Solution
Authors: Li Meng , Chen Yun , Yang Wenzhong
Published: November 2020

The performance of 1‐vinyl‐3‐allyl imidazolium bromide ([VAIM][Br]) for inhibiting the corrosion of carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution from 298 K to 338 K was assessed. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements proved that the inhibition efficiency (η) of [VAIM][Br] was as high as 95 %, and after immersion of 144 h, η still kept more than 90 %. Polarization curve verified that [VAIM][Br] acted as a mixed‐type inhibitor and adsorption of [VAIM][Br] was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Molecular dynamic simulations suggested that the addition of vinyl group increased interaction energy between [VAIM]+ and (0 0 1) plane of Fe from 43.92 kcal mol−1 to 71.98 kcal mol−1. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) and UV‐vis spectrum demonstrated that [VAIM][Br] and Fe atom can form stable complex (Fe2(VAIM)2Br4), which hindered the corrosion of carbon steel.