bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who is going to save the Brazilian Amazon forest? Reflections on deforestation, wildlife eviction, and stewardship behavior
Authors: Silva Marianny J. B. , Costa Marconi F. da , de Farias Salomão A. , Wanderley Lilian S. O.
Published: December 2020

The Brazilian Amazon deforestation is the context for this article, approached as a crime against humanity and wildlife. Recently, Amazon forest fires have also worried most of the economically developed nations, generating criticism and demanding that the Brazilian Government be more active in preventing fires and deforestation. It is necessary to guarantee the wellbeing and health of millions of animal species that live in this habitat, avoiding their extinctions and encouraging the preservation of the forest and its inhabitants. Agribusiness, together with illegal timber trade, are blamed for most of the deforestation. In this paper, we present and discuss Brazilian Amazon deforestation data, addressing the role of agribusiness as dependent on good environmental governance. We argue how stewardship behavior needs to become a path to stop deforestation and wildlife eviction and we reflect on what marketers in Brazil and the world can do to better protect the Amazon rainforest. We conclude that the Government, companies, and society must be coresponsible for the protection of the Amazon rainforest through conservation transparency, dialogue, environmental awareness, and sustainability in production and consumption practices.
Exploring online comments from a strategic marketing stance to reduce wildlife crime
Authors: Kachen Sheen , Krishen Anjala S.
Published: December 2020

Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is an omnipresent global threat to ecological, social, and economic systems. Marketing expertise can aid in the mitigation and reduction of crime against wildlife using a variety of mechanisms. This paper focuses on how social media usage relates to the framing of conservation appeals. By studying the content of existing blogs, articles, white papers, and other online postings, we extract relevant themes and concepts. Conducting an unguided semantic analysis of our data, we analyzed messaging appeal strategies and the underlying social or informational frameworks they employ. Using literature on advertising appeal types and contrasting social/emotional with knowledge‐based/informational messaging strategies, we identified how wildlife crime prevention content employs these rhetorical framing mechanisms. Through the lens of social learning theory, our study proposes messaging strategies as a framework for understanding online content. Crimes against wildlife are creating increasingly severe ecological, economic, and social damage within international political and social communities; individuals learn from and engage with online content, therefore appropriate framing mechanisms can aid marketers in designing effective prevention appeals.
Death imagery in antipoaching advertising
Authors: Baek Tae Hyun , Yoon Sukki
Published: December 2020

In three studies, death imagery and regulatory focus are examined for their effects in wildlife protection campaigns. Images of death are found to lead to positive intentions to conserve wildlife through fear, but only when ads are prevention‐focused rather than promotion‐focused. In Study 1, participants who view an image of a dead elephant indicate feeling fear and stronger intentions to conserve wildlife. In Study 2, participants who view a prevention‐focused ad depicting a dead rhino indicate stronger intentions to sign a wildlife conservation pledge, but the effect is attenuated when the ad is promotion‐focused. Study 3 finds similar results using the image of a dead tiger. Theoretical insights and practical implications are discussed.
Synthesis, Self‐assembly, and Fluorescence Application of Bottlebrush Polyfluorene‐g‐Polycaprolactone with Conjugated Backbone and Crystalline Brushes
Authors: Zhou Mi , He Zejian , Chen Yulong , Zhu Liangliang , Li Li , Li Jie
Published: December 2020

A series of bottlebrush copolymers with conjugated backbone and crystalline branch chains, polyfluorene‐g‐polycaprolactone (PF‐g‐PCL), are synthesized by combining Suzuki cross‐coupling polymerization and cationic ring‐opening polymerization. The PF‐g‐PCLs are prepared to self‐assembled in solution and thin film. Due to the J‐type aggregation of the polyfluorene main chains, the self‐assembly spherical micelles have been observed. Meanwhile, in film, they exhibited self‐assembly ringed spherulites because of the PF microregions in the bottlebrush copolymer. As a result of the interruption of PCL side chains, the aggregation tendency of PF main chains is weakened. And both the polymer solution and solid can overcome the aggregation‐caused quenching to provide more pronounced fluorescence. Especially, owing to the good processability of the PF‐g‐PCL, as a fluorescent ink for different substrates, they can easily be prepared as high‐brightness fluorescent films that are invisible under ambient light.
Variability of Movement Disorders: The Influence of Sensation, Action, Cognition, and Emotions
Authors: Berlot Rok , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Kojović Maja
Published: December 2020

Patients with movement disorders experience fluctuations unrelated to disease progression or treatment. Extrinsic factors that contribute to the variable expression of movement disorders are environment related. They influence the expression of movement disorders through sensory–motor interactions and include somatosensory, visual, and auditory stimuli. Examples of somatosensory effects are stimulus sensitivity of myoclonus on touch and sensory amelioration in dystonia but also some less‐appreciated effects on parkinsonian tremor and gait. Changes in visual input may affect practically all types of movement disorders, either by loss of its compensatory role or by disease‐related alterations in the pathways subserving visuomotor integration. The interaction between auditory input and motor function is reflected in simple protective reflexes and in complex behaviors such as singing or dancing. Various expressions range from the effect of music on parkinsonian bradykinesia to tics. Changes in body position affect muscle tone and may result in marked fluctuations of rigidity or may affect dystonic manifestations. Factors intrinsic to the patient are related to their voluntary activity and cognitive, motivational, and emotional states. Depending on the situation or disease, they may improve or worsen movement disorders. We discuss various factors that can influence the phenotypic variability of movement disorders, highlighting the potential mechanisms underlying these manifestations. We also describe how motor fluctuations can be provoked during the clinical assessment to help reach the diagnosis and appreciated to understand complaints that seem discrepant with objective findings. We summarize advice and interventions based on the variability of movement disorders that may improve patients' functioning in everyday life. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Differential microstrip patch rectenna featuring consistent high gain over a wide operating bandwidth
Authors: Yadav Hina , Ray Kamla Prasan , Gupta Mridula
Published: December 2020

This paper presents three configurations of broadband differentially fed microstrip antenna for GSM1800, 1900 and 2100 MHz. The antennas are designed and fabricated using two different substrates for bottom and upper layer. The three antennas designed and tested have gain of 9.88, 9.66, and 11.14 dBi, respectively, at the center frequency. The proposed antennas also find its implementation in areas where, differential inputs/outputs wireless communication circuits are needed. Later, a differentially driven RF power harvesting system with maximum efficiency of 71%, 67% and 78% for a load of 520 Ω is also designed and developed.
Split‐slice training and hyperparameter tuning of RAKI networks for simultaneous multi‐slice reconstruction
Authors: Nencka Andrew S. , Arpinar Volkan E. , Bhave Sampada , Yang Baolian , Banerjee Suchandrima , McCrea Michael , Mickevicius Nikolai J. , Muftuler L. Tugan , Koch Kevin M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Simultaneous multi‐slice acquisitions are essential for modern neuroimaging research, enabling high temporal resolution functional and high‐resolution q‐space sampling diffusion acquisitions. Recently, deep learning reconstruction techniques have been introduced for unaliasing these accelerated acquisitions, and robust artificial‐neural‐networks for k‐space interpolation (RAKI) have shown promising capabilities. This study systematically examines the impacts of hyperparameter selections for RAKI networks, and introduces a novel technique for training data generation which is analogous to the split‐slice formalism used in slice‐GRAPPA.

Methods

RAKI networks were developed with variable hyperparameters and with and without split‐slice training data generation. Each network was trained and applied to five different datasets including acquisitions harmonized with Human Connectome Project lifespan protocol. Unaliasing performance was assessed through L1 errors computed between unaliased and calibration frequency‐space data.

Results

Split‐slice training significantly improved network performance in nearly all hyperparameter configurations. Best unaliasing results were achieved with three layer RAKI networks using at least 64 convolutional filters with receptive fields of 7 voxels, 128 single‐voxel filters in the penultimate RAKI layer, batch normalization, and no training dropout with the split‐slice augmented training dataset. Networks trained without the split‐slice technique showed symptoms of network over‐fitting.

Conclusions

Split‐slice training for simultaneous multi‐slice RAKI networks positively impacts network performance. Hyperparameter tuning of such reconstruction networks can lead to further improvements in unaliasing performance.
Transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation for overactive bladder in women with Parkinson's disease: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Araujo Tatiane G. , Schmidt Adriana P. , Sanches Paulo R. S. , Silva Junior Danton P. , Rieder Carlos R. M. , Ramos José G. L.
Published: December 2020

Aims

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation for overactive bladder (OAB) in women with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

The current study is a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, sham‐controlled trial. Home intervention was carried out and assessments were conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Brazil. Women with PD and OAB symptoms were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) stimulation and (2) sham. Both groups underwent intervention at home for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks (end of intervention), 30‐ and 90‐day follow‐up. The primary outcome was the mean reduction in the number of urgency incontinence episodes, and secondary outcomes included daytime and nighttime urinary frequency, urinary urgency episodes, use of pad (reported in a 24‐h bladder diary), OAB‐V8 and King's Health Questionnaire scores, and maintenance of symptom relief after discontinuation of the intervention.

Results

In total, 30 consecutive patients completed the study (15/group). The stimulation group showed a reduction in nighttime urinary frequency (0.9 ± 0.6), urinary urgency (1.0 ± 1.2), urgency incontinence episodes (0.5 ± 0.6), use of pads (1.3 ± 1.2), and OAB‐V8 (1.3 ± 1.2) and King's Health Questionnaire scores. In a 30‐day and 90‐day follow‐up, 8 (53.3%) and 5 (33.3%) stimulation patients, respectively, reported full maintenance of symptom relief after discontinuation of the intervention. Stimulation patients presented a statistically significant improvement of symptoms as compared with sham patients (p = .001).

Conclusions

Transcutaneous tibial nerve home stimulation can be used in clinical practice as an effective nonpharmacological resource for the reduction of OAB symptoms in women with PD, and the resulting relief seems to persist in the follow‐up (30 and 90 days).
Water and lipid suppression techniques for advanced 1H MRS and MRSI of the human brain: Experts' consensus recommendations
Authors: Tkáč Ivan , Deelchand Dinesh , Dreher Wolfgang , Hetherington Hoby , Kreis Roland , Kumaragamage Chathura , Považan Michal , Spielman Daniel M. , Strasser Bernhard , de Graaf Robin A.
Published: December 2020

The neurochemical information provided by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) or MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) can be severely compromised if strong signals originating from brain water and extracranial lipids are not properly suppressed. The authors of this paper present an overview of advanced water/lipid‐suppression techniques and describe their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, they provide recommendations for choosing the most appropriate techniques for proper use. Methods of water signal handling are primarily focused on the VAPOR technique and on MRS without water suppression (metabolite cycling). The section on lipid‐suppression methods in MRSI is divided into three parts. First, lipid‐suppression techniques that can be implemented on most clinical MR scanners (volume preselection, outer‐volume suppression, selective lipid suppression) are described. Second, lipid‐suppression techniques utilizing the combination of k‐space filtering, high spatial resolutions and lipid regularization are presented. Finally, three promising new lipid‐suppression techniques, which require special hardware (a multi‐channel transmit system for dynamic B1+ shimming, a dedicated second‐order gradient system or an outer volume crusher coil) are introduced.
Gastroparesis in the Hospital Setting
Authors: Rangan Vikram , Ukleja Andrew
Published: December 2020

Gastroparesis (GP) is commonly seen in hospitalized patients. Refractory vomiting and related dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and malnutrition are indications for hospital admission. In addition, tube feeding intolerance is a common sign of gastric dysmotility in critically ill patients. The diagnosis and management of GP in the hospital setting can be quite challenging. Diagnostic tests are often deferred because of patient intolerance of the oral meal for standard scintigraphy or severity of the primary disease. The diagnosis of GP is often established on the basis of clinical scenario and risk factors for gastric motor dysfunction. Medical therapy in GP is directed toward controlling nausea and vomiting by prokinetic and antinausea medications and correcting nutrition risks or treating malnutrition with nutrition therapy. Enteral nutrition is the preferred nutrition intervention for patients with GP. Delayed gastric emptying in critically ill patients has a negative impact on the timely delivery of enteral feeding and meeting the energy and protein goals. Measures to improve gastric tolerance or provide feeding beyond the stomach are often needed, since early enteral nutrition has been an important target of therapy for critically ill patients. This review will address the current understanding of the mechanisms of GP and feeding intolerance in critical illness, diagnostic workup, drug therapies, and interventions to improve the provision of enteral nutrition in hospital settings when gastric dysmotility is present or suspected.
Adaptability, online creativity can connect students to university community, no matter where they are
Authors: Bannister Mary
Published: December 2020

“We want students to have the experiences they expected to have here at the University of Arizona, even if they're having those experiences from afar,” said Kasey Urquidez, Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Arizona, describing how incoming students this school year attended virtual days at the university.
Finite element method with the total stress variable for Biot's consolidation model
Authors: Qi Wenya , Seshaiyer Padmanabhan , Wang Junping
Published: December 2020

In this work, semi‐discrete and fully discrete error estimates are derived for the Biot's consolidation model described using a three‐field finite element formulation. These fields include displacements, total stress and pressure. The model is implemented using a backward Euler discretization in time for the fully discrete scheme and validated for benchmark examples. Computational experiments are presented to verify the convergence orders for two finite elements with discontinuous and continuous approximations for the total stress.
BMI and Outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 Among US Veterans
Authors: Eastment McKenna C. , Berry Kristin , Locke Emily , Green Pamela , O’Hare Ann , Crothers Kristina , Dominitz Jason A. , Fan Vincent S. , Shah Javeed A. , Ioannou George N.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study is to examine the associations of BMI with testing positive for severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and risk of adverse outcomes in a cohort of Veterans Affairs enrollees.

Method

Adjusted relative risks/hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for the associations between BMI category (underweight, normal weight, overweight, class 1 obesity, class 2 obesity, and class 3 obesity) and testing positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 or experiencing hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and death among those testing positive.

Results

Higher BMI categories were associated with higher risk of a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test compared with the normal weight category (class 3 obesity adjusted relative risk: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.28‐1.42). Among 25,952 patients who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, class 3 obesity was associated with higher risk of mechanical ventilation (adjusted HR [aHR]: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.35‐2.32) and mortality (aHR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12‐1.78) compared with normal weight individuals. These associations were present primarily in patients younger than 65 and were attenuated or absent in older age groups (interaction P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Veterans Affairs enrollees with higher BMI were more likely to test positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 and were more likely to be mechanically ventilated or die if infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. Higher BMI contributed relatively more to the risk of death in those younger than 65 years of age as compared with other age categories.
Effects of intravenous sedation on autonomic nerve activity and the psychological state during tooth extraction: A prospective non‐randomized controlled trial
Authors: Uchino Minako , Yamashita Kaoru , Kibe Toshiro , Shidou Rumi , Kohjitani Atsushi , Sugimura Mitsutaka
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Intravenous sedation is considered to decrease patient anxiety and tension during dental treatment, thereby reducing fluctuations in autonomic nerve activity and the risk of medical emergencies. We hypothesized that intravenous sedation would suppress the sympathetic nervous system during tooth extraction and relieve patient anxiety. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous sedation on autonomic nerve activity and psychological state during impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) extraction.

Methods

This prospective study included 40 healthy women scheduled for IMTM extraction under local anesthesia alone (control group; n = 20) or local anesthesia and intravenous sedation (sedation group; n = 20); of these, 34 women were evaluated. Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed to evaluate autonomic nerve activity. HRV and circulatory dynamics were measured during the treatment. The Modified Dental Anxiety scale and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐S and STAI‐T) scores were obtained before treatment. STAI‐S scores were also obtained after treatment. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were conducted, and a P‐value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio was lower in the sedation group than in the control group (P < .01). Compared with the control group, the sedation group showed a significantly greater decrease in post‐treatment STAI‐S scores relative to pre‐treatment scores (P < .01).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that sedation suppresses the sympathetic nervous system during IMTM extraction and decreases anxiety after the extraction. Further research should elucidate the mechanisms by which sedation suppresses the sympathetic nervous system.
Aid grants versus technical cooperation grants: Implications for inclusive growth in Sub‐Saharan Africa, 1984–2018
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Ezeaku Hillary C.
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the effects of aid grants on inclusive growth in 37 Sub‐Saharan African countries for the period 1984–2018. Grant aid is decomposed into aid grants and technical cooperation grants. Two inclusive growth indicators are used, namely gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth and unemployment rate. The dynamic panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach, which is employed comprises three different estimators; the pooled mean group (PMG); mean group (MG) and dynamic fixed effect (DFE). The Hausman diagnostics were used to assess the efficiency and consistency of the estimators. Based on the PMG estimator, our findings show that aid grants and technical cooperation grants exert a positive influence on GDP per capita growth in the long run. However, while the observed influence of aid grants is found to be significant, technical cooperation grants display insignificant effects. In the short run, however, the PMG estimates show that aid grants and technical cooperation grants have negative and insignificant effects on GDP per capita growth. On the other hand, results based on the DFE estimators reveal that neither of the aid grants has influenced the unemployment rate positively in the short run. However, whereas aid grants contribute significantly to the reduction of the unemployment rate in the long run, technical cooperation grants do not. This study complements the attendant literature by assessing how aid grants versus technical cooperation grants affect inclusive growth. The findings are relevant to international policy coordination for the attainment of sustainable development goals.
Initiation of focal adhesion assembly by talin and kindlin: A dynamic view
Authors: Zhu Liang , Plow Edward F. , Qin Jun
Published: December 2020

Focal adhesions (FAs) are integrin‐containing protein complexes regulated by a network of hundreds of protein–protein interactions. They are formed in a spatiotemporal manner upon the activation of integrin transmembrane receptors, which is crucial to trigger cell adhesion and many other cellular processes including cell migration, spreading and proliferation. Despite decades of studies, a detailed molecular level understanding on how FAs are organized and function is lacking due to their highly complex and dynamic nature. However, advances have been made on studying key integrin activators, talin and kindlin, and their associated proteins, which are major components of nascent FAs critical for initiating the assembly of mature FAs. This review will discuss the structural and functional findings of talin and kindlin and their immediate interaction network, which will shed light upon the architecture of nascent FAs and how they act as seeds for FA assembly to dynamically regulate diverse adhesion‐dependent physiological and pathological responses.
An Experimental Proposal to Study Collapse of the Wave Function in Traveling‐Wave Parametric Amplifiers
Authors: van der Reep Thomas H. A. , Rademaker Louk , Le Large Xavier G. A. , Guis Ruben H. , Oosterkamp Tjerk H.
Published: December 2020

The readout of a microwave qubit state occurs using an amplification chain that enlarges the quantum state to a signal detectable with a classical measurement apparatus. However, at what point in this process is the quantum state really “measured”? To investigate whether the “measurement” takes place in the amplification chain, in which a parametric amplifier is often chosen as the first amplifier, it is proposed to construct a microwave interferometer that has such an amplifier added to each of its arms. Feeding the interferometer with single photons, the interference visibility depends on the gain of the amplifiers and whether a measurement collapse has taken place during the amplification process. The visibility as given by standard quantum mechanics is calculated as a function of gain, insertion loss, and temperature. A visibility of is found in the limit of large gain without considering losses, which is reduced to in case the insertion loss of the amplifiers is at a temperature of . It is shown that if the wave function collapses within the interferometer, the measured visibility is reduced compared with its magnitude predicted by standard quantum mechanics once this collapse process sets in.
Large‐eddy simulation of foehn–cold pool interactions in the Inn Valley during PIANO IOP 2
Authors: Umek L. , Gohm A. , Haid M. , Ward H. C. , Rotach M. W.
Published: December 2020

Processes of cold‐air pool (CAP) erosion in an Alpine valley during south foehn are investigated based on a real‐case large‐eddy simulation (LES). The event occurred during the second Intensive Observation Period (IOP 2) of the PIANO field experiment in the Inn Valley, Austria, near the city of Innsbruck. The goal is to clarify the role of advective versus turbulent heating, the latter often being misrepresented in mesoscale models. It was found that the LES of the first day of IOP 2 outperforms a mesoscale simulation, is not yet perfect, but is able to reproduce the CAP evolution and structure observed on the second day of IOP 2. The CAP exhibits strong heterogeneity in the along‐valley direction. It is weaker in the east than in the west of the city with a local depression above the city. This heterogeneity results from different relative contributions and magnitudes of turbulent and advective heating/cooling, which mostly act against each other. Turbulent heating is important for faster CAP erosion in the east and advective cooling is important for CAP maintenance to the west of Innsbruck. The spatial heterogeneity in turbulent erosion is linked to splitting of the foehn into two branches at the mountain range north of the city, with a stronger eastward deflected branch. Intensification of the western branch at a later stage leads to complete CAP erosion also to the west of Innsbruck. Above the city centre, turbulent heating is strongest, and so is advective cooling by enhanced pre‐foehn westerlies. These local winds are the result of CAP heterogeneity and gravity‐wave asymmetry. This study emphasizes the importance of shear‐flow instability for CAP erosion. It also highlights the large magnitudes of advective and turbulent heating compared to their net effect, which is even more pronounced for individual spatial components.
On the separation of upper and low‐level centres of tropical storm Kong‐Rey (2013) near Taiwan in association with asymmetric latent heating
Authors: Wang Chung‐Chieh , Chen Yu‐Han , Li Mao‐Cheng , Kuo Hung‐Chi , Tsuboki Kazuhisa
Published: December 2020

Tropical Storm (TS) Kong‐Rey (2013) moved northward off the eastern coast of Taiwan in late August. Satellite and radar observations indicated an asymmetric convective structure to the south and southwest of the typhoon centre. The maximum rainfall produced was also far from its centre and unlike the usual pattern in climatology, causing flooding, inundation, and casualties in southwestern Taiwan. Moreover, as a detached centre in the middle and upper levels moved over land, a highly tilted vertical structure was revealed and its cause is the focus of the present study. Even though vertical wind shear was present and might cause asymmetry in convective pattern at an early stage, the detachment of the centre aloft during the period of interest (28–29 August) is found to link to Taiwan's steep topography through model experiments and potential vorticity tendency diagnosis. With the uplifting of strong low‐level westerly flow by the topography, the intense convection in the control experiment is concentrated at the windward slopes (in southwestern Taiwan) and the wave‐number‐1 motion vector from the diabatic heating produces southwestward movement of the centre aloft, and thus leads to the detachment. On the other hand, in the sensitivity test without Taiwan terrain, the rainfall region shifts eastward toward the low‐level TC centre, and the detachment does not occur. Overall, with a weak vertical coupling of TS Kong‐Rey (2013), the impacts of topography can explain both the observed separation of its centres and the unusual rainfall pattern in Taiwan.
Nitrogen stable isotope turnover and discrimination in lizards
Authors: Warne Robin W. , Wolf Blair O.
Published: December 2020

Rationale

Nitrogen stable isotope ratio (δ15N) processes are not well described in reptiles, which limits reliable inference of trophic and nutrient dynamics. In this study we detailed δ15N turnover and discrimination (Δ15N) in diverse tissues of two lizard species, and compared these results with previously published carbon data (δ13C) to inform estimates of reptilian foraging ecology and nutrient physiology.

Methods

We quantified 15N incorporation and discrimination dynamics over 360 days in blood fractions, skin, muscle, and liver of Sceloporus undulatus and Crotaphytus collaris that differed in body mass. Tissue samples were analyzed on a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Results

Δ15N for plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) ranged between +2.7 and +3.5‰; however, skin, muscle, and liver did not equilibrate, hindering estimates for these somatic tissues. 15N turnover in plasma and RBCs ranged from 20.7 ± 4 to 303 ± 166 days among both species. Comparison with previously published δ13C results for these same samples showed that 15N and 13C incorporation patterns were uncoupled, especially during winter when hibernation physiology could have played a role.

Conclusions

Our results provide estimates of 15N turnover rates and discrimination values that are essential to using and interpreting isotopes in studies of diet reconstruction, nutrient allocation, and trophic characterization in reptiles. These results also suggest that somatic tissues can be unreliable, while life history shifts in nutrient routing and metabolism potentially cause 15N and 13C dynamics to be decoupled.
Construction of the Copper‐Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework Used as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Click Reaction
Authors: Gao Tingjun , Su Xiaofang , Xu Huanjun , Hu Hui , Zeng Chaoyuan , Gao Yanan
Published: December 2020

Functional modification of the covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has become an efficient strategy to expand its applications in various fields. In this investigation, an imine linked T−D COF has been synthesized via solvothermal method using 2,4,6‐tris(4‐aminophenyl)pyridine (TAPP) and 2,6‐dihydroxynaphthalene‐1,5‐dicarbaldehyde (DHNDA) as building blocks. While synthesizing T‐D COF, hydroxyl groups are strategically introduced to the adjacent sites of −C=N− bonds in the framework. Such a special structure enables a strong coordination between the loaded copper metal ion and the hydroxyl groups together with imine bounds in the COF layered structure. The obtained copper‐containing COF, (Cu@T−D COF) hybrid material was used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the alkyne‐azide click chemistry reactions and showed excellent catalytic activity in methanol/water medium. Furthermore, this Cu@T−D COF is stable and easily recycled and reused without loss of its catalytic activity.
Improved Synthesis of Bay‐Monobrominated Perylene Diimides
Authors: Fujimoto Keisuke , Uchida Kentaro , Nakamura Mayuko , Inuzuka Toshiyasu , Uemura Naohiro , Sakamoto Masami , Takahashi Masaki
Published: December 2020

The work presents the development of practical synthetic methods toward bay‐monobrominated perylene diimides (PDIs) that have been regarded as important synthetic intermediates for the fabrication of new photonic, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic materials. In the case of PDIs with long branched N‐alkyl solubilizers, bromination using N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) and FeCl3 successfully provided the corresponding monobromides. This protocol improved the reaction outcomes in terms of product yield and operational easiness, superior to the conventional ones with liquid bromine. Alternatively, imidation of the corresponding dianhydride, easily prepared through monobromination of perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetrabenzyl ester (PTE), recorded high efficiency for generation of PDI monobromides without solubilizing N‐substituents. This complementary method made it possible to access a series of new PDI monobromides which had been unobtainable through existing methods.
A feedback view of behavioural distortions from perceived public service gaps at ‘street‐level’ policy implementation: The case of unintended outcomes in public schools
Authors: Bianchi Carmine , Salazar Rua Robinson
Published: December 2020

This paper discusses the limitations and risks associated with the use of output‐oriented measures to assess public school performance. In particular, it questions the capability of the performance measures set by external institutions, with respect to schools, to support sustainable educational outcomes. To this end, the ‘street‐level bureaucracy’ theory is used in the paper as a basis to analyse the behavioural distortions generated by perceived public service gaps at school level policy implementation. Such unintended behavioural effects are often a major cause of disappointing outcomes when test‐based accountability systems are adopted. In the second part of the paper, an insight model referred to a hypothetic medium‐sized public school located in a poor area in Colombia is used to illustrate how a feedback approach to school performance measurement can support decision‐makers to pursue sustainable education outcomes and to prevent behavioural distortions from perceived public service gaps at ‘street‐level’ policy implementation. This analysis outlines an alternative approach to school performance measurement that might help policy makers in extending the domain of governmental benchmarks to performance measures and collaborative efforts that reflect the challenges of holistic education in the context where public schools are located.
Visualizing the food landscape of Durham, North Carolina
Authors: Graves Joseph L. , Templeton Gizem , Davis Lauren , Kim Seong‐Tae
Published: December 2020

In partnership with community leaders of Durham, North Carolina, the Duke World Food Policy Center is creating a Durham Food Justice Plan (DFJP) for envisioning an equitable food system. The Food Justice plan serves to incorporate Durham's local food history in terms of combating historical and present injustices in the food system. We propose creating an integrative, interactive visual for DFJP to view the food landscape of Durham, which will be utilized to study its relationships with the people living in the area where these establishments reside. We created a food landscape platform in Tableau using multisource data including Durham's food vendor data from North Carolina's Department of Commerce and census data for demographic data, neighborhood labels, and street and highways. We incorporated the Google Geocoding API and the aggregated information based on census blocks and tracts in visualization. We produced a variety of maps and graphs to highlight diverse relationships. The food landscape visualization allows us to see interactive patterns among food vendors and demographic data in Durham. We expect to utilize the developed landscape visual for insightful statistical analysis on food inequity issues.
Innovationen zum optimalen Einsatz des wetterfesten Baustahls im Stahl‐ und Verbundbrückenbau
Authors: Ungermann Dieter , Hatke Peter , Knyazeva Marina , Walther Frank , Lebelt Peter , Gehrke Jörg
Published: December 2020

Im Rahmen des gleichnamigen Forschungsprojekts „Innovationen zum optimalen Einsatz des wetterfesten Baustahls im Stahl‐ und Verbundbrückenbau“ wurden wesentliche Aspekte zur besseren Anwendung des wetterfesten Baustahls im Stahl‐ und Verbundbrückenbau untersucht. Neben aktuellen Analysen zur Bildung der korrosionshemmenden Deckschicht in der heutigen Atmosphäre erfolgte die Qualifizierung zweier geometrieunabhängiger und zerstörungsfreier Messtechniken zur Rissdetektion unterhalb der kompakten Deckschicht und deren Verifizierung an realen Brückenbauwerken. Außerdem wurden Untersuchungen zur Optimierung der Haftreibungszahlen gleitfest vorgespannter Verbindungen von wetterfestem Baustahl durchgeführt. Grundsätzlich bietet der Einsatz von wetterfestem Baustahl durch die natürliche Bildung seiner fest haftenden und korrosionshemmenden Deckschicht sowohl wirtschaftliche als auch ökologische Vorteile im Vergleich zu organisch beschichtetem Baustahl, insbesondere bezogen auf die heutigen Nutzungsdauern im Brückenbau. In diesem Aufsatz sind die wesentlichen Forschungsergebnisse zusammengefasst, um den nachhaltigen Einsatz und die Vorzüge von wetterfestem Baustahl im Stahl‐ und Verbundbrückenbau unter den Einsatzbedingungen der aktuellen natürlichen Atmosphäre zu belegen.
Tragende 3D‐Druck‐Verbindungsknoten für Metallanschlussstäbe
Authors: Laufs Wilfried
Published: December 2020

Der Beitrag nimmt Bezug auf die Frage, inwieweit aus Sicht der Tragwerksplanung der rasante Fortschritt im Bereich des 3D‐Drucks auch auf die Verbindungstechnik im Bauwesen (Metallbau) übertragen werden kann und welche neuen Möglichkeiten sich für den Tragwerksplaner hieraus ergeben. Dabei hilft der Ansatz der digitalen Fabrikation, nämlich Entwurf und Berechnung digital parametrisch vorab bereits so aufzuarbeiten, dass die 3D‐Geometrien dann direkt vom 3D‐Drucker eingelesen werden können – von der frühen Entwurfsphase bis hin zur Werkbank ist alles vernetzt. Je nach Projekt lassen sich Freiformen wirtschaftlich programmieren, da auch Verschraubung und weitere Anschlusselemente zu benachbarten Konstruktionsschichten direkt mit integriert werden können und somit Fabrikationsschritte reduzieren. Derzeit gibt es erst wenig mit 3D‐Printknoten gebaute Beispiele, von denen einige temporäre Projekte hier beschrieben werden. Ebenfalls werden erste axiale Zug‐ und Dreipunktbiegeversuche an Kunststoffproben ohne und mit Faserverstärkung samt ihrer beobachteten Versagensformen vorgestellt. Aus Sicht des Metallbaus sind noch viele offene Fragen zu Materialfestigkeit, Dauerhaftigkeit, Langzeit‐Witterungsbeständigkeit und Brandschutz solcher 3D‐Druckteile zu erforschen, damit geeignete Materialien und verlässliche Druckprozesse in der nahen Zukunft auch bauaufsichtlich zugelassen werden können, um eine breitere Praxisanwendung zu ermöglichen.
Using numerical modeling for asset management of buried prestressed concrete cylinder pipes
Authors: Hajali Masood , Abi Shdid Caesar
Published: December 2020

Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipes (PCCP) form the backbone of water and wastewater infrastructure networks in North America. Failure of buried PCCP is a common occurrence due to structural deterioration or manufacturing defects. To mitigate the serious effects of such failures, owners and operators of these networks use risk curves to predict the failure of PCCP when given a certain level of deterioration by field inspectors. The current problem lies in the fact that asset management using such risk curves lacks accuracy and requires costly and time‐consuming field inspections. A solution is presented in this study that bypasses the need for such risk curves by using computational modeling in conjunction with flow measurement devices installed inside pipe networks. The three‐dimensional computational model uses nonlinear finite elements to simulate the behavior of buried PCCP under combined internal and external loading. The method is validated using experimental test results of full‐scale PCCP specimens. Comparison of several key structural health indicators shows close agreement of the developed model with experimental results. The study demonstrates that the developed approach can predict with relative accuracy and time efficiency the deterioration levels of different pipe segments under realistic loading conditions. This approach eliminates the need for risk curves that require time consuming and costly field inspections, and allows for more effective asset management through on‐time maintenance and replacement of such important infrastructure facilities by their public and private owners.
Poria cocos (Fuling) targets TGFβ/Smad7 associated collagen accumulation and enhances Nrf2‐antioxidant mechanism to exert anti‐skin aging effects in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Fang Chien‐Liang , Paul Catherine Reena , Day Cecilia Hsuan , Chang Ruey‐Lin , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Hsieh Dennis Jine‐Yuan , Viswanadha Vijaya Padma , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Huang Chih‐Yang
Published: December 2020

Oxidative stress is a major cause of aging related skin injuries. Hydrogen peroxide related ROS accumulation triggers increase in matrix metalloproteinases and elevated collagen degradation, which is a characteristic of skin aging. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of Poria cocos, used widely in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, against H2O2 induced oxidative stress. The aqueous extract of dried P. cocos was obtained by heating 10 g in 500 ml of distilled water. The mixture was evaporated up to 400 ml and the remaining 100 ml was filtered through muslin cloth repeatedly to obtain a clear aqueous extract of the P. cocos. Hs68 human dermal fibroblast cells were challenged with 100 μM of H2O2 for 24 h. Following H2O2 challenge, the cells were treated with increasing concentration of P. cocos extract (100–400 μg/ml) for 24 h. P. cocos extract hindered the H2O2 induced cell death significantly that was correlated with reduction in ROS accumulation. Western blot analysis show that P. cocos extract suppressed the expression of metallomatrix proteinases, inflammatory markers and skin aging markers, but increased TGF‐β1 levels and antioxidant related proteins. These data suggest that P. cocos is effective in attenuating oxidative stress associated skin aging effects and may be a potential agent in cosmetics products.
Development of fragility curves of land‐based wind turbines with tuned mass dampers under cyclone and seismic loading
Authors: Martín del Campo J. Osvaldo , Pozos‐Estrada Adrián , Pozos‐Estrada Oscar
Published: December 2020

Passive damping systems have been widely studied to improve the response of wind turbine structures under operational conditions. However, there is insufficient information on how these systems enhance reliability for extreme loads. Wind farm construction has been growing rapidly in recent decades, thereby moving wind turbine structures to sites with higher seismic and hurricane hazards. This research presents a numerical study performed on three land‐based wind turbines, similar to typical turbines installed in Mexican wind farms, under cyclone‐induced wind and earthquake action. The fictional location of the turbines is justified by the wind capacity distribution of Mexico, which is a country with high seismic and tropical cyclone risk. The wind field is simulated from semiempirical mean velocity models, and the ground motion records are obtained from real events recorded near the assumed site. All the time history analyses assume that the turbines are in parked condition. The results indicate that a fragility reduction of approximately 80% can be achieved under cyclone‐induced winds when passive damping systems are added to the structure, and that the fragility reduction is significantly less under seismic action.
Imaging as a tool to accelerate the translation of extracellular vesicle‐based therapies for central nervous system diseases
Authors: Gao Yue , Chu Chengyan , Jablonska Anna , Bulte Jeff W. M. , Walczak Piotr , Janowski Miroslaw
Published: December 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural and diverse lipid bilayer‐enclosed particles originating from various cellular components and containing an abundance of cargoes. Due to their unique properties, EVs have gained considerable interest as therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases, including central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Their therapeutic value depends on cell origin but can be further enhanced by enrichment of cargo when used as drug carriers. Therefore, there has been significant effort directed toward introducing them to clinical practice. However, it is essential to avoid the failures we have seen with whole‐cell therapy, in particular for the treatment of the CNS. Successful launching of clinical studies is contingent upon the understanding of the biodistribution of EVs, including their uptake and clearance from organs and specific homing into the region of interest. A multitude of noninvasive imaging methods has been explored in vitro to investigate the spatio‐temporal dynamics of EVs administered in vivo. However, only a few studies have been performed to track the delivery of EVs, especially delivery to the brain, which is the most therapeutically challenging organ. We focus here on the use of advanced imaging techniques as an essential tool to facilitate the acceleration of clinical translation of EV‐based therapeutics, especially in the CNS arena.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of addiction
Authors: Gowen Austin M. , Odegaard Katherine E. , Hernandez Jordan , Chand Subhash , Koul Sneh , Pendyala Gurudutt , Yelamanchili Sowmya V.
Published: December 2020

Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive seeking despite adverse consequences. There are both heritable and epigenetic mechanisms underlying drug addiction. Emerging evidence suggests that non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long non‐coding RNAs, and circular RNAs regulate synaptic plasticity and related behaviors caused by substances of abuse. These ncRNAs modify gene expression and may contribute to the behavioral phenotypes of addiction. Among the ncRNAs, the most widely researched and impactful are miRNAs. The goal in this systematic review is to provide a detailed account of recent research involving the role of miRNAs in addiction.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule‐RNA Interactions

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Socioeconomically Informed Use of Geostatistics to Track Adaptation of Resource-Poor Communities to Climate Change
Authors: Chari Martin Munashe , Hamandawana Hamisai , Zhou Leocadia
Published: December 2020

As the Green Climate Fund continues to make concerted efforts to leverage funding for resource-constrained communities in the global south under the aegis of increasing climate change impacts in sub-Saharan Africa, there is urgent and compelling need for tools that assist organizations to track the effectiveness of adaptation interventions in reducing vulnerability. This chapter offers a cost-effective methodology to track adaptation by using a case-study-based identification of communities with diminishing coping capacities in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Multistep geostatistical techniques were utilized in the ArcGIS 10.5 software environment to rank and spatialize changes in adaptation by using demographic census data for the years 2001 and 2011. Results of the analysis revealed that 12 communities had declining or static adaptive capacities between 2001 and 2011, while 10 communities had long-term decrease in adaptive capacities from 2001 to 2011 from a sampling universe of 134 communities. These findings are important because they demonstrate that the methodology can be effectively used to provide actionable information on the prevalence of low adaptation capacities at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, in order to guide the allocation of limited resources to the most deserving communities.