bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the damage behavior of carbon fiber composite after low‐velocity impact under hygrothermal aging
Authors: Zhou Song , Jia Yao Xiong , Xu Liang , Wang Lei , Hui Li
Published: November 2020

In this article, T800 carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite was subjected to hygrothermal aging. By analyzing the mass change, surface morphology before and after aging, infrared spectra, and dynamic mechanical properties, the effect of hygrothermal aging on the composite properties was studied. The hygrothermal aging of the composite after low‐velocity impact, the effects of environmental factors on the damaged area, and the post‐impact compression properties of composites were studied. The results showed that the saturation moisture absorption rate of the composite after aging (71°C constant temperature) was 0.88%. Upon increasing the impact energy, an indentation appeared before the inflection point at 35 J. When the impact energy was less than 15 J, aging did not affect invisible damage. Above this, the damaged area and number of internal cracks and defects in the composite were increased. After aging, the compressive strength of composite laminates with impact damage decreased obviously. During the aging stage, the residual compressive strength of the sample was the lowest in the moisture saturated state, and hygrothermal aging had little effect on the compression failure mode after impact.
Choice bracketing and experience‐based choice
Authors: Hadar Liat , Danziger Shai , Morwitz Vicki G.
Published: November 2020

We examine how choice bracketing affects expected value maximization in experience‐based choice. Experience‐based choices are a series of individual choices made sequentially, for which feedback follows each choice, and are thus naturally bracketed narrowly. Previous research broadly bracketed multiple experience‐based choices for decision makers by aggregating the choices (such that each choice pertained to multiple individual choices) or by reducing feedback frequency. We find that decision makers prompted to actively broad‐bracket experience‐based choices in the presence of immediate feedback on individual choices (which prompts narrow bracketing) are more likely to choose expected value maximizing options than decision makers prompted to narrow‐bracket these choices. This pattern replicated across four studies, using different manipulations of choice bracketing, forms of feedback (partial or full), payoffs (hypothetical or incentive‐compatible payoff), subject populations, and when the choices and outcome distribution involved prices or time. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
How potassium came to be the dominant biological cation: of metabolism, chemiosmosis, and cation selectivity since the beginnings of life
Authors: Korolev Nikolay
Published: November 2020

In the cytoplasm of practically all living cells, potassium is the major cation while sodium dominates in the media (seawater, extracellular fluids). Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have elaborate mechanisms and spend significant energy to maintain this asymmetric K+/Na+ distribution. This essay proposes an original line of evidence to explain how bacteria selected potassium at the very beginning of the evolutionary process and why it remains essential for eukaryotes.
Sequential change point detection for high‐dimensional data using nonconvex penalized quantile regression
Authors: Ratnasingam Suthakaran , Ning Wei
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a sequential change point detection method is developed to monitor structural change in smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalized quantile regression (SPQR) models. The asymptotic properties of the test statistic are derived from the null and alternative hypotheses. In order to improve the performance of the SPQR method, we propose a post‐SCAD penalized quantile regression estimator (P‐SPQR) for high‐dimensional data. We examined the finite sample properties of the proposed methods via Monte Carlo studies under different scenarios. A real data application is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Nitrogen‐Doped Hollow Carbon Polyhedrons with Carbon Nanotubes Surface Layers as Effective Sulfur Hosts for High‐Rate, Long‐Lifespan Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Fan Bin , Zhao Dengke , Zhou Wei , Xu Wei , Liang Xinghua , He Guoqiang , Wu Zexing , Li Ligui
Published: November 2020

Effectively confining lithium polysulfides inside porous material matrix with a high electrical conductivity represents a judicious way to extend lifespan and enhance rate performance of lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. Herein, nitrogen‐doped hollow carbon polyhedrons with a thin CNTs conductive surface layer (CNTs/HNC) were prepared by directly pyrolyzing the CNTs coated ZIF‐8 polyhedrons crystallite precursors, and subsequently served as sulfur hosts in Li‐S batteries. The resulted product CNTs/HNC‐800 comprises a nitrogen content of 4.94 at.% as well as a high electrical conductivity of 8.43×10−1 S cm−1, which help to effectively adsorb/confine lithium polysulfides and substantially improve the rate capacity of Li‐S batteries. With a sulfur loading of 1.60 mg cm−2, the S@CNTs/HNC based cathode shows a discharge capacity of 870.7 mAh g−1 at 1.0 C, and can maintain 76.4 % of its initial capacity after 500 charge‐discharge cycles, corresponding to a capacity fade rate of only 0.047 % per cycle. While with a higher sulfur loading of 2.46 mg cm−2, a discharge capacity of 649.7 mAh g−1 can be achieved at 0.5 C, along with a capacity fade rate of merely 0.044 % per cycle during 200 cycles. When sulfur loading is further increased to 5.39 mg cm−2, it can also maintain a considerable initial discharge capacity of 812 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C. This work enriches the ways to prepare complicate nano structured sulfur hosts for long‐life and high‐rate Li‐S batteries.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Europium Complexes that Switch on Luminescence in Lysosomes of Living Cells
Authors: Starck Matthieu , Fradgley Jack D. , Pal Robert , Zwier Jurriaan M. , Lamarque Laurent , Parker David
Published: November 2020

A set of four luminescent EuIIIcomplexes bearing an extended aryl‐alkynylpyridine chromophore has been studied, showing very different pH‐dependent behaviour in their absorption and emission spectral response. For two complexes with pKavalues of 6.45 and 6.20 in protein‐containing solution, the emission lifetime increases very significantly following protonation. By varying the gate time during signal acquisition, the ‘switch‐on’ intensity ratio could be optimised, and enhancement factors of between 250 to 1330 were measured between pH 8 and 4. The best‐behaved probe showed no significant emission dependence on the concentration of endogenous cations, reductants, and serum albumin. It was examined in live‐cell imaging studies to monitor time‐dependent lysosomal acidification, for which the increase in observed image brightness due to acidification was a factor of 50 in NIH‐3T3 cells.
How to Build Prussian Blue Based Water Oxidation Catalytic Assemblies: Common Trends and Strategies
Authors: Ulusoy Ghobadi T. Gamze , Ozbay Ekmel , Karadas Ferdi
Published: November 2020

Prussian blue (PB) and its analogues (PBAs) have at least a three‐century‐long history in coordination chemistry. Recently, cobalt‐based PBAs have been acknowledged as efficient and robust water oxidation catalysts. Given the flexibility in their synthesis, the structure and morphology of cobalt‐based PBAs have been modified for enhanced catalytic activity under electrochemical (EC), photocatalytic (PC), and photoelectrochemical (PEC) conditions. Here, in this review, the work on cobalt‐based PBAs is presented in four sections: i) electrocatalytic water oxidation with bare PBAs, ii) photocatalytic processes in the presence of a photosensitizer (PS), iii) photoelectrochemical water oxidation by coupling PBAs to proper semiconductors (SCs), and iv) the utilization of PBA‐PS assemblies coated on SCs for the dye‐sensitized photoelectrochemical water oxidation. This review will guide readers through the structure and catalytic activity relationship in cobalt‐based PBAs by describing the role of each structural component. Furthermore, this review aims to provide insight into common strategies to enhance the catalytic activity of PBAs.
In Situ Labeling and Distance Measurements of Membrane Proteins in E. coli Using Finland and OX063 Trityl Labels
Authors: Ketter Sophie , Gopinath Aathira , Rogozhnikova Olga , Trukhin Dmitrii , Tormyshev Victor M. , Bagryanskaya Elena G. , Joseph Benesh
Published: November 2020

In situ investigation of membrane proteins is a challenging task. Previously we demonstrated that nitroxide labels combined with pulsed ESR spectroscopy is a promising tool for this purpose. However, the nitroxide labels suffer from poor stability, high background labeling, and low sensitivity. Here we show that Finland (FTAM) and OX063 based labels enable labeling of the cobalamin transporter BtuB and BamA, the central component of the β‐barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex, in E coli. Compared to the methanethiosulfonate spin label (MTSL), trityl labels eliminated the background signals and enabled specific in situ labeling of the proteins with high efficiency. The OX063 labels show a long phase memory time (TM) of ≈5 μs. All the trityls enabled distance measurements between BtuB and an orthogonally labeled substrate with high selectivity and sensitivity down to a few μm concentration. Our data corroborate the BtuB and BamA conformations in the cellular environment of E. coli.
Potential Applications of Cucurbit[n]urils and Their Derivatives in the Capture of Hazardous Chemicals
Authors: Zhang Xiu‐Du , Chen Kai , Sun Wei‐Yin
Published: November 2020

Cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n]s) are a relatively young family of macrocycles, consisting of glycoluril units bridged by methylene groups, and their unique structures have attracted extensive attention from chemists in recent decades. Due to the presence of a rigid hydrophobic inner cavity and two polar outer portals lined with carbonyl groups, Q[n]s not only encapsulate guest species into the cavity, but also coordinate with metal ions/clusters. Considerable achievements have been obtained in the fields of Q[n]s‐based host–guest chemistry, coordination chemistry, as well as the combination of host–guest and coordination chemistry. Furthermore, the outer surface of Q[n]s has been demonstrated to be capable of interacting with definite species to generate supramolecular architectures in recent years. With more in‐depth research into Q[n]s, their application studies have also emerged as a hot topic. This Minireview focuses on recent advances in the potential applications of solid‐state materials based on Q[n]s and their derivatives for the capture and adsorption of hazardous chemicals from a solution or a gas mixture.
Metallocene QACs: The Incorporation of Ferrocene Moieties into monoQAC and bisQAC Structures
Authors: Sommers Kyle J. , Bentley Brian S. , Carden Robert G. , Post Savannah J. , Allen Ryan A. , Kontos Renee C. , Black Jacob W. , Wuest William M. , Minbiole Kevin P. C.
Published: November 2020

Inspired by the incorporation of metallocene functionalities into a variety of bioactive structures, particularly antimicrobial peptides, we endeavored to broaden the structural variety of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) by the incorporation of the ferrocene moiety. Accordingly, 23 ferrocene‐containing mono‐ and bisQACs were prepared in high yields and tested for activity against a variety of bacteria, including Gram‐negative strains and a panel of clinically isolated MRSA strains. Ferrocene QACs were shown to be effective antiseptics with some displaying single‐digit micromolar activity against all bacteria tested, demonstrating yet another step in the expansion of structural variety of antiseptic QACs.
The challenge of drug approval in rare cancers
Authors: Kasper Bernd
Published: November 2020

Pexidartinib has emerged as a promising treatment option for patients with advanced tenosynovial giant cell tumors and could demonstrate encouraging long‐term control in this patient population. This editorial aims to pick out as a central theme the complex and somehow unfortunate registration status of pexidartinib in Europe in comparison with the United States.
Discovery of Electrophiles and Profiling of Enzyme Cofactors
Authors: Dettling Suzanne E. , Ahmadi Mina , Lin Zongtao , He Lin , Matthews Megan L.
Published: November 2020

Reverse‐polarity activity‐based protein profiling (RP‐ABPP) is a chemical proteomics approach that uses nucleophilic probes amenable to “click” chemistry deployed into living cells in culture to capture, immunoprecipitate, and identify protein‐bound electrophiles. RP‐ABPP is used to characterize the structure and function of reactive electrophilic post‐translational modifications (PTMs) and the proteins harboring them, which may uncover unknown or novel functions. RP‐ABPP has demonstrated utility as a versatile method to monitor the metabolic regulation of electrophilic cofactors, using a pyruvoyl cofactor in S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine decarboxylase (AMD1), and to discover novel types of electrophilic modifications on proteins in human cells, such as the glyoxylyl modification on secernin‐3 (SCRN3). These cofactors cannot be predicted by sequence, and therefore this area is relatively undeveloped. RP‐ABPP is the only global, unbiased approach to discover such electrophiles. Here, we describe the utility of these experiments and provide a detailed protocol for de novo discovery, quantitation, and global profiling of electrophilic functionality of proteins. © 2020 The Authors.

Basic Protocol 1: Identification and quantification of probe‐reactive proteins

Basic Protocol 2: Characterization of the site of probe labeling

Basic Protocol 3: Determination and quantitation of electrophile structure
Characterization and identification of annual wildCicerspecies for seed protein and mineral concentrations for chickpea improvement
Authors: Sharma Shivali , Lavale Shivaji Ajinath , Nimje Chetna , Singh Sube
Published: November 2020

Developing nutrient‐rich crop cultivars is the most economic strategy to combat malnutrition resulting from protein and mineral deficiencies. Chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) is an important staple grain legume source of good quality dietary protein around the world, particularly in southern Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East. In the present investigation, the genetic variability for protein and mineral concentrations was studied in 41 accessions of cultivated chickpea and eight annual wildCicerspecies of primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pool. Large variability was observed between and withinCicerspecies for seed protein, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Mg concentration with high heritability.C. chorassanicum(Bunge) Popov was found to be the most promising species for high seed protein and Ca;C. judaicumBoiss. for high seed Fe, Cu. and Mg;C. yamashiataeKitam. for high seed Zn and Fe; andC. pinnatifidumJaub. & Spach for high seed Mn concentrations. All the wildCiceraccessions except ICC20190 (C. echinospermumP. H. Davis) had high concentration of at least one or more seed nutrients. WildCiceraccessions such as ICC17141 (C. chorassanicum), ICC17269 and ICC17303 (bothC. pinnatifidum), ICC17261 and ICC17262 (C. reticulatum), ICC20236 (C. chorassanicum), and ICC17117 and ICC17281 (C. yamashitae) were found promising for multiple seed nutrients. AsC. reticulatumLadiz. andC. echinospremumaccessions are crossable with cultivated chickpea, promisingC. reticulatumaccessions identified in the present study can be used in crossing program for developing new nutrient‐rich chickpea cultivars.
Cytosolic DNA‐STING‐NLRP3 axis is involved in murine acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Ning Li , Wei Wang , Wenyang Jiang , Rui Xiong , Qing Geng
Published: November 2020

The role of NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)‐mediated pyroptosis in acute lung injury (ALI) has been well identified previously. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an indispensable adaptor protein, which could regulate inflammation and pyroptosis during infection; however, its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI remains obscure. This study aimed to explore whether STING participated in the development of LPS‐induced ALI as well as the underlying mechanism. We confirmed that LPS significantly enhanced the expression and phosphorylation of STING in lung tissue and primary macrophages from mice. STING deficiency relieved inflammation and oxidative stress in LPS‐treated murine lungs and macrophages. Meanwhile, STING deficiency also abolished the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis; however, NLRP3 overexpression by adenovirus offset the beneficial effects of STING deficiency in macrophages treated with LPS. Additionally, the level of mitochondrial DNA (mt‐DNA) significantly increased in macrophages after LPS treatment. Intriguingly, although exogenous mt‐DNA stimulation did not influence the level of STING, it could still trigger the phosphorylation of STING as well as pyroptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress of macrophages. And the adverse effects induced by mt‐DNA could be offset after STING was knocked out. Furthermore, the inhibition of the sensory receptor of cytosolic DNA (cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase, cGAS) also blocked the activation of STING and NLRP3 inflammasome, meanwhile, it alleviated ALI without affecting the expression of STING after LPS challenge. Furthermore, cGAS inhibition also blocked the production of cGAMP induced by LPS, indicating that mt‐DNA and cGAS could activate STING‐NLRP3‐mediated pyroptosis independent of the expression of STING. Finally, we found that LPS upregulated the expression of transcription factor c‐Myc, which subsequently enhanced the activity of STING promoter and promoted its expression without affecting its phosphorylation. Collectively, our study disclosed that LPS could activate STING in a cytosolic DNA‐dependent manner and upregulate the expression of STING in a c‐Myc‐dependent manner, which cooperatively contribute to ALI.
Solutions for Shared Resource Lab Remote Quality Control and Instrument Troubleshooting during a Pandemic
Authors: Gravano David M. , Chakraborty Uttara , Pesce Isabella , Thomson Michael
Published: November 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has dramatically affected shared resource lab (SRL) staff in‐person availability at institutions globally. This article discusses the challenges of ensuring reliable instrument performance and quality data output while facility staff and external service provider on‐site presence is severely limited. Solutions revolve around the adoption of remote monitoring and troubleshooting platforms, provision of self‐service troubleshooting resources specific to facility instruments and workflows, development of an assistance contact policy, and ensuring efficiency of limited in‐person staff time. These solutions employ software and hardware tools that are already in use or readily available in the SRL community, such as remote instrument access tools, video hosting and conferencing platforms, and ISAC shared resources. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Bestimmung der Druckfestigkeit von vorhandenem Mauerwerk
Authors: Gigla Birger
Published: November 2020

Die charakteristische Druckfestigkeit von Mauerwerk ist abhängig von der Druckfestigkeit von Mauersteinen und ‐mörtel sowie von den Verbundeigenschaften der Lagerfugen. Bei vorhandenem Mauerwerk ist aus denkmalpflegerischen oder wirtschaftlichen Gründen nur eine begrenzte Probenentnahme möglich. Eine besondere Schwierigkeit liegt in der nachträglichen Bestimmung der Mörteldruckfestigkeit und der Verbundeigenschaften. Daher wird die Mauerwerkdruckfestigkeit durch Bohrkernproben ermittelt, die sowohl Stein‐ als auch Fugenanteile enthalten. Das hier vorgestellte Berger‐Verfahren wird bereits seit den 1990er Jahren angewendet und beruht auf dem Vergleich der Spaltzugfestigkeiten eines Fugenbohrkerns und der Mauersteine. Der vorliegende Bericht ist die überarbeitete deutsche Fassung einer Veröffentlichung auf der internationalen Konferenz 17th IB2MaC, 2020 (http://17ibmac.com) und ein Beitrag zur aktuellen Diskussion über empfehlenswerte Verfahren zur nachträglichen Ermittlung der Mauerwerkdruckfestigkeit.
Ausfachungen aus Ziegelmauerwerk in Stahlbetonrahmentragwerken unter Erdbebenbeanspruchung
Authors: Marinković Marko , Butenweg Christoph
Published: November 2020

Stahlbetonrahmentragwerke mit Ausfachungen aus Mauerwerk weisen nach Erdbeben häufig schwere Schäden auf. Gründe hierfür sind die Beanspruchungen der Ausfachungswände durch die aufgezwungenen Rahmenverformungen in Wandebene und die gleichzeitig auftretenden Trägheitskräfte senkrecht zur Wandebene in Kombination mit der konstruktiven Ausführung des Ausfachungsmauerwerks. Die Ausfachung wird in der Regel knirsch gegen die Rahmenstützen gemauert, wobei der Verschluss der oberen Fuge mit Mörtel oder Montageschaum erfolgt. Dadurch kommt es im Erdbebenfall zu lokalen Interaktionen zwischen Ausfachung und Rahmen, die in der Folge zu einem Versagen einzelner Ausfachungswände oder zu einem sukzessiven Versagen des Gesamtgebäudes führen können. Die beobachteten Schäden waren die Motivation dafür, in dem europäischen Forschungsprojekt INSYSME für Stahlbetonrahmentragwerke mit Ausfachungen aus hochwärmedämmenden Ziegelmauerwerk innovative Lösungen zur Verbesserung des seismischen Verhaltens zu entwickeln. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die im Rahmen des Projekts von den deutschen Projektpartnern (Universität Kassel, SDA‐engineering GmbH) entwickelten Lösungen vor und vergleicht deren seismisches Verhalten mit der traditionellen Ausführung der Ausfachungswände. Grundlage für den Vergleich sind statisch‐zyklische Wandversuche und Simulationen auf Wandebene. Aus den Ergebnissen werden Empfehlungen für die erdbebensichere Auslegung von Stahlbetonrahmentragwerken mit Ausfachungen aus Ziegelmauerwerk abgeleitet.
Adenoviral cytopathic changes in pleural fluid: A unique cytological presentation mimicking malignancy
Authors: Harbhajanka Aparna , Michael Claire W.
Published: November 2020

Adenoviruses are emerging as important viral pathogens in immunocompromised patients due to immunodeficiency diseases and recently hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients, impacting morbidity and even mortality. Immunocompromised children are prone to respiratory infection, due to alterations in their immune system. When confronted with diseases involving the pleural effusions, such as viral infections, the diagnostic problem becomes more complex and special effort is needed to recognize and characterize them accurately and to differentiate them from other pathologies such as malignancies. However, cytology of adenoviral infection in pleural effusions has not been reported before. We report a case of an adenovirus infection of the pleural effusion which included lymphocytosis associated with background atypical cells showing a cytopathic effect (cytoplasmic viral particles). The differential diagnosis included lymphoma and infections. Immunohistochemical stain for adenovirus was positive and confirmed by molecular studies. Usually in viral infections there are cytopathic changes due to viral particles affecting epithelial cells but this case is unique as the viral particles were identified in macrophages. We discuss the significance of such infection in comparison with other viral changes indigenous to the pleural effusions, which could also occur in such specimens.
Accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in the preoperative diagnosis of malignant non‐odontogenic tumors of the orofacial region
Authors: Okoh Dickson Sopuru , Omoregie Felix Osawe , Ojo Mike Akin
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aims to determine the association between preoperative cytopathological diagnosis and the histopathological diagnosis of orofacial non‐odontogenic tumors. It is also, to determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the preoperative diagnosis of orofacial malignant non‐odontogenic tumors in a Nigerian population.

Methods

A 9‐month prospective study in which preoperative FNAC followed by open biopsy for confirmatory histopathological evaluation was performed for consenting patients with orofacial swellings. Patients histopathologically diagnosed as non‐odontogenic tumors were selected for the study.

Results

There were 40 (83.3%) histopathologically diagnosed non‐odontogenic tumors. The female to male ratio was 1.7:1 and the patients' mean age was 36 + 21.9 years. The mandible (n = 4, 10.0%) and the preauricular area (n = 4, 10.0%) were the most common sites affected. The cytopathological diagnosis showed 28 (70.0%) of the lesions were malignant, 7 (17.5%) were benign neoplasms and 5 (12.5%) were reactive/inflammatory swellings. The histopathological diagnosis was predominantly malignant (n = 29, 72.5%), consisting mostly of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 12, 30.0%). There was significant association (P = .000) between cytopathological diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis of the malignant orofacial non‐odontogenic tumors. The sensitivity of FNAC to detect malignant orofacial nonodontogenic tumors was 93.1%, the specificity was 90.9%, the positive predictive value was 96.4%, the negative predictive values was 83.3% and the accuracy was 92.5%.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of orofacial malignant non‐odontogenic orofacial tumors is high and hence recommended as a routine preoperative diagnostic tool.
Characterization of contact properties at interface between metal and graphene up to 15 GHz
Authors: Kosuga Shohei , Suga Ryosuke , Watanabe Takeshi , Hashimoto Osamu , Koh Shinji
Published: November 2020

The contact properties between metal and monolayer chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene were investigated. Coplanar waveguides (CPWs) composed of CVD graphene‐based signal lines and Au‐based ground lines were fabricated. The S‐parameters of the CPWs were experimentally measured from 1 to 15 GHz. The contact properties were analyzed using a lumped component‐based equivalent circuit model, which consists of the experimentally determined parallel contact resistance and the parallel contact capacitance. The calculated S‐parameters of the model roughly agreed with the measured ones, which indicated that the model was suitable for analyzing the contact properties between metal and graphene up to 15 GHz. Because the impedance of the contact capacitance (4.8 × 10−3 Ω) was four orders of magnitude lower than that of the contact resistance (50 Ω) at 15 GHz, the current flow was more capacitive and efficient than that in the DC band. The ratio of power consumption and power storage in the microwave band to the total power consumption in the DC band decreased with increasing frequency and increasing contact capacitance. Therefore, higher contact capacitance is preferable in designing microwave devices with a metal/graphene‐based feeding structure, such as antennas and transmission lines.
Influence of number of catalyst sites in 1,3‐butadiene solution polymerizations catalyzed by titanium tetrachloride
Authors: Farias Francisco R. L. , Vasconcelos Mateus K. , Brandão Amanda L. T.
Published: November 2020

The synthetic rubber industry is of great importance and it is present in the daily life of world society. Butadiene rubber or polybutadiene is one of the most used polymers in this field, mainly in tire production. Therefore, the control of operational conditions and final properties of the polymer formed are important points to be studied as they are a challenge for the industry. Thus, the present work focus in simulate the batch polymerization of polybutadiene using the Aspen Plus software, where 1,3‐butadiene, titanium tetrachloride, triethylaluminium, and hexane were used as monomer, catalyst, cocatalyst and solvent, respectively. Four cases were simulated changing the number of active catalyst sites in order to predict and compare the final properties of polybutadiene resins including the average molar masses, the molar mass distribution and the evolution of operation conditions that are used at plant to monitor the course of the reaction like the reaction temperature and pressure. The simulations show that three and four active catalyst sites are capable to synthesize polymers with similar properties than commercial and bench‐scale polybutadienes.
Sediment cascades and the entangled relationship between human impact and natural dynamics at the pre‐pottery Neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe, Anatolia
Authors: Nykamp Moritz , Becker Fabian , Braun Ricarda , Pöllath Nadja , Knitter Daniel , Peters Joris , Schütt Brigitta
Published: November 2020

This study presents a meta‐analysis of radiocarbon ages for the environs of Göbekli Tepe – one of the oldest monumental structures worldwide – using cumulative probability functions to diachronically assess phases of geomorphodynamic activity as controlled by natural or anthropogenic drivers. We employsediment cascadesas a heuristic framework to study the complex responses of the geomorphological system to various triggers at local to supra‐regional scales. Possible triggers include climatic variability as documented by supra‐regional hydroclimatic proxy data, regional demographic trends, and local to regional socioeconomic developments such as the emergence of sedentism or the introduction and dispersal of livestock herding. Our results show that phases of intensified geomorphodynamic activity occurred between ca. 7.4–7.0 and 5.8–3.3 ka BP. These phases roughly coincide with phases of population growth in southern Turkey and climatic variations in Turkey and the Levant. The phase between ca. 5.8–3.3 ka BP also corresponds to the time when organized agriculture and the seeder plough were introduced. Also, the identified phases are in agreement with the general trend of varying geomorphodynamic activity in the Eastern Mediterranean as driven by human impact and climatic change. However, neither the Younger Dryas–Holocene transition nor the development of herding during the Pre‐Pottery Neolithic left a clear signature. We demonstrate how the different depositional environments in the studied landscape compartments vary with respect to their spatiotemporal coverage and discuss challenges when trying to understand processes that once shaped landscapes of past societies. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Robust low‐dissipative scheme for curvilinear grids
Authors: Arshed Ghulam M. , Khan Ovais U.
Published: November 2020

This work describes a detailed mathematical procedure in relation to a novel third‐order WENO scheme for the inviscid term of a system of nonlinear equations in the generalized grid system. The scheme developed minimizes the linear and nonlinear sources of dissipation error associated with the classical fifth‐order WENO scheme. The former is minimized by optimizing the resolving efficiency of the scheme whereas the latter is minimized by fixing the accuracy at the second‐order critical point via redefining the nonlinear weights. Moreover, the spectral property of second‐order viscous derivative, approximated by the single and double applications of the standard fourth‐order central finite difference scheme, is presented. The two‐dimensional Euler and Navier–Stokes equations in the generalized grids are mainly pursued. For the robustness in terms of capturing discontinuous and smooth structures, particularly two problems, which are difficult to handle in Cartesian grids, are chosen for discussion. The first one deals with a supersonic shock hitting the circular cylinder and generating all the possible flow inconsistencies. The other one deals with a subsonic flow over a circular cylinder at the incompressible limit. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.
Innovating Upon Infrastructure—Not Just Semantics
Authors: de Ramos Kevin Monte
Published: November 2020

This is the first in a series of columns that will highlight and celebrate technological innovations addressing stakeholders within the energy and climate sectors. Not only do we see innovative end‐use technologies being adopted by consumers and emergent grid components being deployed down utility distribution lines, but we are also witnessing energy companies and governmental agencies modernizing their internal information technologies to spawn new and optimize existing service offerings.
Gender differences in barriers to participation in after‐school physical activities and related factors in Australian schoolchildren: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lazarowicz Andrew , O’Hara Rebecca L. , Broder Jonathan C. , Grunberg Diana M. S. , Gasevic Danijela
Published: November 2020

Introduction

This study investigated the gender differences in reported barriers to participation in after‐school physical activity (PA) and related health and socio‐behavioural factors in Australian schoolchildren.

Methods

5001 students aged 10 to 16 years completed the health and well‐being survey in 2014 indicating that they would like to participate in after‐school PA. Negative binomial regression models, stratified by gender, tested the relationship of age, reported health, junk food, participation in leisure PA, TV watching, weight status and socio‐economic index for area score (related factors) with the total number of barriers.

Results

Girls were more likely to report a greater number of barriers to participation in after‐school PA than boys (P < .05). Older age was associated with a higher number of barriers in girls (B(95% CI) = 1.061 (1.032, 1.090)) but not in boys. In both boys and girls, being overweight (boys: very overweight (1.367 (1.081, 1.730)); girls: slightly overweight (1.186 (1.100, 1.278)) or very overweight (1.414 (1.197, 1.667))), compared to students who reported “being about the right weight,” was associated with a greater number of barriers. Schoolchildren who reported less than excellent health status perceived a greater number of barriers to after‐school PA (girls: good (1.141 (1.060, 1.228)), fair (1.189 (1.070, 1.321)) and poor health (1.329 (1.093, 1.614)); boys: good health (1.166 (1.0728, 1.267))).

Conclusions

There are gender differences in barriers to participation in after‐school PA; these should be taken into account when developing programs to increase schoolchildren's after‐school PA.

So what

The prevalence of physical inactivity in Australian adolescents is staggering. We observed that girls reported a greater number of barriers to participation in after‐school PA than boys; and being overweight and reporting poorer overall health were associated with a greater number of barriers. Affordable, gender‐ and age‐specific after‐school PA programs suitable for schoolchildren of all body shapes and sizes and all abilities are needed.
Medication management of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia—A narrative review
Authors: Isohanni Matti , Jääskeläinen Erika , Miller Brian J. , Hulkko Anja , Tiihonen Jari , Möller Hans‐Jurgen , Hartikainen Sirpa , Huhtaniska Sanna , Lieslehto Johannes
Published: November 2020

Background/Objective

The risk‐benefit ratio of antipsychotics in schizophrenia depends primarily on their effect on brain chemistry. An important factor influencing the efficacy of prescribed drugs is medication management, which can be defined as an ongoing process to manage and monitor the recommended use of antipsychotics to facilitate their cost‐effective, adherent, and acceptable use.

Materials

We reviewed narratively relevant literature that examined the medication management of antipsychotics in schizophrenia based on a search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES, and Cochrane in May 2020. We also included controlled interventional studies with a follow‐up period of at least 2 years.

Result

Based on the previous literature, there is no unified approach for optimal medication management, but multiple useful strategies are presented for individual patients, prescribers, and organizations.

Conclusions

Systematic medication management may improve the risk‐benefit balance of antipsychotics by achieving the lowest effective dose, minimizing adverse effects, and improving adherence. There is a need for well‐designed naturalistic studies and clinical trials to optimize management in schizophrenia.
Uterine PEComa initially misdiagnosed as a leiomyoma: Sonographic findings and review of the literature
Authors: Fontana Enrico , Savelli Luca , Alletto Andrea , Seracchioli Renato
Published: November 2020

Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal tumors with malignant potential that arise from gynecological organs in up to 25% of cases. The lack of data regarding the preoperative US features of uterine PEComas is reflected by the frequent misdiagnosis with leiomyomas. We describe the sonographic appearance of a richly vascularized cervical PEComa mimicking a myoma and report the analysis of six additional cases in the literature with a description of their ultrasound features. Most cases involved a single lesion arising from the uterine cervix with a rapid growth pattern, regular margins, heterogeneous echogenicity, absence of shadowing, and moderate‐to‐rich vascularity.
Can lung ultrasound differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia in children?
Authors: Malla Deepawali , Rathi Vinita , Gomber Sunil , Upreti Lalendra
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study evaluates whether LUS can differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia in children and thus affect their management.

Methods

The prospective, cross‐sectional, analytical study included 200 children under 12 years of age (excluding neonates) with clinical suspicion of pneumonia who had undergone a chest radiograph (CR). The CR and LUS findings were classified as bacterial or viral pneumonia. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of a combination of clinical profile, available routine laboratory investigations and CR diagnosis which was taken as the gold standard for the study and LUS was compared with the gold standard.

Results

LUS has a high sensitivity (91%; 95% CI [84‐96]) and specificity (91.3%; 95% CI [84‐96]) in diagnosing bacterial pneumonia with a high positive predictive value (91.9%; 95% CI [85‐96]) and negative predictive value (90.3%; 95% CI [82‐95]). For diagnosing viral pneumonia, the sensitivity of LUS was 78.4%; (95% CI [68‐86]), specificity was high (90.4%; 95% CI [83‐95]) and so was the positive predictive value (87.3%; 95% CI [78‐94]) and negative predictive value (91.3%; 95% CI [84‐96]).

Conclusion

LUS has a high accuracy in differentiating between bacterial and viral pneumonia in children and can help in their management by avoiding an ill‐advised use of antibiotic therapy.
Low excretor glutaric aciduria type 1 of insidious onset with dystonia and atypical clinical features, a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Foran Jason , Moore Michael , Crushell Ellen , Knerr Ina , McSweeney Niamh
Published: November 2020

A 4‐year‐old girl was referred for reassessment of dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Initial investigations in her country of birth, India, had not yielded a diagnosis. MRI brain in infancy revealed bilateral putamen hyperintensity. She had generalized dyskinesia predominantly bulbar and limbs. Motor and speech development were most affected with preservation of cognitive development. There was no history of acute encephalopathic crisis or status dystonicus. Initial urine organic acids and amino acids and acylcarnitine profile (ACP) were normal. A dystonia genetic panel showed compound heterozygosity with a pathogenic variant and a variant of uncertain significance in the GCDH gene. The latter is hitherto undescribed and is indicative of a potential diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type 1 (alternatively glutaric acidemia type 1) (GA‐1), an autosomal recessive disorder of mitochondrial lysine/hydroxylysine and tryptophan metabolism. Repeat urine organic acids showed isolated slightly increased 3‐hydroxy glutarate excretion consistent with GA‐1 and characterizing the patient as a “low excretor,” a diagnostic sub‐group where diagnosis is more challenging but prognosis is similar. Repeat MRI Brain at age 4 showed volume loss and symmetric T2 hyperintensity in the posterior putamina bilaterally. This case highlights the diagnostic dilemma of GA‐1 where differing clinical courses, genetic variants, neuroradiological findings, and biochemical excretion patterns may lead to a later diagnosis. The presence of newborn screening for GA‐1 should not dull the clinician's suspicion of the possibility that GA‐1 may present with a complex movement disorder. Timely diagnosis and treatment is essential, as neurological sequelae are largely irreversible.
Immunolabeling indicates that sulfhydryl oxidase is absent in anamniote epidermis but marks the process of cornification in the skin of terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

The passage between keratinization to cornification of the epidermis and skin appendages in vertebrates requires formation of a stratum corneum rich in SS bonds among other cross‐linking chemical bonds. A key enzyme, sulfhydryl oxidase (SOXase) catalyzes the oxidation of SH groups present in keratins and in corneous proteins of the epidermis into SS. Presence and distribution of SAXase has been studied by immunohistochemistry in all vertebrates, from fish to mammals. SOXase is immunohistochemically absent in all fish and amphibian species tested with the exception of a thin pre‐corneous layer in the epidermis of adult anurans. SOXase is low to absent in corneous appendages such as horny teeth of lamprey or claws and horny beaks of amphibians. Conversely, SOXase is detected in the transitional (pre‐corneous) and inner corneous layers of the epidermis of sauropsids and mammals. In lepidosaurian reptiles, SOXase appears in both beta‐ and alpha‐corneous‐layers, but is limited to the pre‐corneous and corneous layers of the thin soft epidermises of birds and mammals, including the granular layer. SOXase is localized in pre‐corneous layers and disappears in external corneous layers of amniote skin appendages such as claws, beaks of turtles and birds, and in developing feathers. This distribution further indicates that the increase activity of epidermal SOXase is/was essential, in addition to other enzymes such as epidermal transglutaminases, for the evolution of the corneous layer and of the different hard skin appendages present in terrestrial vertebrates.
Self‐Contained Focus‐Tunable Lenses Based on Transparent and Conductive Gels
Authors: Liu Sijun , Qiu Yan , Yu Wei
Published: November 2020

Focus‐tunable lenses have found wide applications in optical communications, medical diagnostics, and consumer electronics. However, many focus‐tunable lenses have complex architecture, slow response, and low focal length variation, due principally to the separate design of optical path and activation mechanism and the use of liquid medium. Herein, a new self‐contained focus‐tunable lenses based on transparent and conductive gels are developed. The plano‐convex gels, acting both as lens and electrodes of actuator, with desirable curvature are precisely patterned by inkjet 3D printing. When a voltage is applied to the gel lenses, the elastomer membrane is stretched radially by Maxwell force, resulting in a reduction of lens thickness that corresponds to an increase of curvature radius. Therefore, a large focal length variation of 32–81% and a fast response speed of 80–153 ms are obtained. It is believed that this self‐contained focus‐tunable gel lenses can find many applications in portable optical devices, particularly suitable for space‐constrained tasks.
Phase Evolution of Polyamide 6 (PA6)‐Based Thermoplastic Elastomers during Heating and Cooling Investigated by Moving‐Window 2D Correlation Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Yuan Ruchao , Wang Xueli , Yu Jianyong , Wu Dequn , Li Faxue
Published: November 2020

To illustrate the complex phase evolution of polyamide 6 (PA6)‐based thermoplastic elastomer (TPAE‐50) with a three‐phase system (a pure PA6 crystalline phase, a phase‐separated mesophase, and a mixed phase) during cooling and heating, the in situ IR spectroscopy combined with moving‐window 2D correlation analysis is employed. The mixing of PA6 amorphous domains with soft domains and the melting of imperfect PA6 crystalline domains of TPAE‐50 occur from 60 °C with the increasing temperature. Brill transition happens to the elastomer during heating and cooling at 140–160 and 170–135 °C, respectively. Microphase separation of TPAE‐50 during cooling is formed and can be composed of three processes: the first process (200–180 °C) is motivated by the crystallization of the elastomer; the second process (170–140 °C) results from the transition of homo‐mixed domains in the mixed phase to PA6 amorphous and soft domains; the third process (125–60 °C) leads to the formation of imperfect PA6 crystalline domains in phase‐separated mesophase.
The single nucleotide variant at c.662A>G in human RRM2B is a loss‐of‐function mutation
Authors: Tseng Yen‐Tzu , Li Shang‐Wei , HuangFu Wei‐Chun , Yen Yun , Liu I‐Hsuan
Published: November 2020

Background

Mitochondrial DNA maintenance defects (MDMDs) is one of the critical pediatric dysfunction. One of the recent report indicated that a severe patient of MDMDs carries the NP_056528.2:p.Asn221Ser (N221S) variation in the RRM2B gene (NM_015713.5). However, there is no direct evidence demonstrating the nature of the N221S variation.

Materials and Methods

This study aimed to utilize zebrafish and morpholino oligomer (MO) knockdown technique to provide direct evidence for the nature of the N221S variation in the RRM2B.

Results

The results showed that two distinct MOs were both able to perturb the expression of rrm2b in zebrafish and dose‐dependently induced morphological defects. Furthermore, co‐injection of human wild‐type RRM2B mRNA with MO‐e4i4 successfully rescued the developmental defects, whereas co‐injection of RRM2B/N221S mRNA with MO‐e4i4 did not rescue the developmental defects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the functional assay in this study provided the direct evidence proving that the N221S variation is a loss‐of‐function mutation and plausibly related to the pathogenic developmental defects found in the infants of previous clinical reports.
Effect of gas content in macropores on hydraulic fracturing in rocks using a fully coupled DEM/CFD approach
Authors: Krzaczek M. , Nitka M. , Tejchman J.
Published: November 2020

The paper focuses on the effect of the gas content in rock macropores on a hydraulic fracturing process. The process was simulated by combining the discrete element method (DEM) with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) under two‐dimensional (2D) isothermal conditions. The mechanical behavior of the rock matrix was simulated with DEM, and CFD was used for describing the behavior of laminar two‐phase fracturing fluid (liquid and gas) flow in pre‐existing and newly developed fractures. Geometry changes of pores and fractures in the rock matrix were precisely reproduced. Fully coupled hydro‐mechanical simulation tests were carried out with a rock segment of simplified particulate mesostructure under plane strain compression. The rock segment contained one or two injection slots. The effect of the initial gas‐phase content in macropores on the propagation of hydraulic fractures was estimated in numbers for different initial rock porosities. In addition, the influence of different pre‐existing discontinuities in the rock segment was studied. The main characteristics of a fractured rock segment due to a high‐pressure fluid injection were realistically reproduced with a proposed approach. The initial gas‐phase fraction in macropores and pre‐existing discontinuities were found to be strongly influential in the course of hydraulic fracturing.