bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agro‐morphological and phenotypic variability of sweet basil genotypes for breeding purposes
Authors: Yaldiz Gulsum , Camlica Mahmut
Published: November 2020

The genus Ocimum is very complicated due to the presence of huge morphological variability along with genetic diversity. Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) has pharmacological properties to treat headaches, coughs, diarrhea, constipation, warts, worms, and kidney malfunction and potential as a therapeutic agent in treating various age‐related diseases. In this study, a total of 74 genotypes were used in 2017 and 61 genotypes were adapted. Among the 61 genotypes, 50 genotypes were sown in 2018. The present investigation composed of basil genotypes was undertaken to characterize the genotypes based on morphological and phenological features, herbs, and essential oil yield of genotypes. A wide range of variations for traits like days to first cutting (56.92–101.6 d), plant height (13.67–71.90 cm), branch number (3.28–19.43 plant−1), fresh herb yields (12.94–274.11 g plant−1), and essential oil yield (0.04–1.71%) were observed and can be useful for breeding purposes. PI 652070 and PI 296391 were found superior with the highest herbs yield as compared with other genotypes. Overall, PI 358469 and Ames 32309 genotypes exhibited the highest essential oil content. A constellation analysis was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of basil genotypes. According to the constellation plot analysis, 46 basil genotypes and four cultivars were evaluated according to morphological, yield, and International Association for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV) properties, and most of the basil genotypes and one cultivar (Midnight) were located in the same group. As a result of the constellation plot analysis, Moonlight and Dino cultivars were located in the same group with PI 141198 (Maryland, USA) and genotypes originated from Georgia, Iran, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Hungary located in the same main group. Other genotypes of the same origin were found in a different main group.
Genetic (co)variation and accuracy of selection for resistance to viral mosaic disease and production traits in an inter‐ecotypic switchgrass breeding population
Authors: Edmé Serge J. , Sarath Gautam , Palmer Nathan , Yuen Gary Y. , Muhle Anthony A. , Mitchell Rob , Tatineni Satyanarayana , Tobias Christian
Published: November 2020

Obtaining good accuracy and reliability of estimated breeding values is essential to increase the efficiency of a plant breeding program. Genetic variation was assessed for categorical (Virc) and binary (Virb) mosaic (caused by Panicum mosaic virus), dry matter (DMY) and predicted ethanol (Etoh) yields, and lignin content (Klason or KL, and acid‐detergent or ADL) in a Summer–Kanlow switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) population. Breeding values were predicted with the restricted maximum likelihood–best linear unbiased prediction (REML‐BLUP) approaches using a multivariate phenotypic (PBLUP) and animal (ABLUP) models, integrating a three‐generation pedigree (1,622 half‐sibs) in ABLUP and not in PBLUP. Models were compared in their precision (accuracy and reliability) in assessing genetic parameters and estimating breeding values. The models were similar in most aspects, allocating the highest heritability () values to DMY (.38 ± .035 vs. .41 ± .035), Etoh (.46 ± .031 vs. .42 ± .033), and Virc (.43 ± .046 vs. .37 ± .047) and the lowest (.17 ± .032 to .30 ± .044) to KL, ADL, and Virb. Genetic correlations were always larger than residual and phenotypic correlations. Intermediate or strong additive genetic control suggest that selecting for high‐biomass genotypes will slightly increase lignin content and simultaneously impart mosaic tolerance. Mitigating an increase in lignin content will require including Etoh in a selection index based on its much stronger negative correlation (rG = −.63) with lignin. In this population, accuracy values ranged from .06 to .94 (PBLUP) and from .26 to .92 (ABLUP) and corresponding reliability ranged from .004 to .89 and from .07 to .87. However, ABLUP improved average reliability of DMY and Etoh by 11% and of other traits by 4–5% over the PBLUP model. The ABLUP was a better model over PBLUP, which is a valid analysis in the absence of a pedigree.
Drug encapsulating polysaccharide‐loaded metal nanoparticles: A perspective drug delivery system
Authors: Prasher Parteek , Sharma Mousmee , Singh Samarth Pratap
Published: November 2020

The anticancer and antimicrobial drugs customarily suffer a functional inefficacy due to a limited delivery to the target site, active cellular efflux, in addition to the inadequacy of carrier system. Metal nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties as drug delivery vehicles, for delivering the drugs susceptible to cellular efflux pumps. However, a direct physiological exposure of nanoparticle surface after releasing the carrier drug poses serious concerns. The polysaccharides with enhanced biotolerance used for encapsulating the cargo drug molecules, when loaded on the nanoparticle surface presents a perspective drug delivery system combining the physiological benevolence of the former and theranostic/efflux pump evading features of the latter. The present commentary highlight the importance of metal nanoparticle‐loaded polysaccharides as perspective drug delivery system.
Loopholes in the Research Ethics System? Informed Consent Waivers in Cluster Randomized Trials with Individual‐Level Intervention
Authors: London Alex John , Taljaard Monica , Weijer Charles
Published: November 2020

Individual‐cluster trials randomize groups of individuals but deliver study interventions directly to individual participants. We examine three arguments that might justify the perception that the bar for a waiver of consent should be lower in such trials than for individually randomized trials. We contend that if these arguments are treated as sufficient to grant a waiver of consent, then a loophole emerges in research oversight. Such loopholes are morally hazardous for study participants, the integrity of science, and public trust in the research enterprise. We conclude by articulating the standards that research ethics committees should use to evaluate requests for waivers of consent in individual‐cluster trials.
Ethical and Practical Concerns about IRB Restrictions on the Use of Research Data
Authors: Barnes Mark , Carrithers Judith , Sugarman Jeremy
Published: November 2020

In response to researcher noncompliance with ethical and regulatory provisions governing research with humans, protocol deviations, and unanticipated problems with research, institutional review boards (IRBs) or institutions sometimes impose restrictions on the use of research data, although specific cases in which this happens are unlikely to be known publicly. We review IRB policies at top research institutions in the United States about restrictions on the use of research data and describe potential reasons for restricting the use of such data in the context of ensuring compliance with human subjects research standards. We also discuss ethical considerations related to restricting the use of research data and argue that IRBs have limited regulatory authority to take such actions. Finally, we offer recommendations regarding decision‐making about restricting the use of research data and call for additional guidance in this area.
Performance of Green Solvents in the Extraction of Sunflower Oil from Enzyme‐Treated Collets
Authors: Rodriguez Luciana M. , Fernández María B. , Pérez Ethel E. , Crapiste Guillermo H.
Published: November 2020

The main goal of this work is to evaluate the extraction of sunflower oil from enzyme‐treated collets using ethanol and isopropanol (IPA) as solvents. The sunflower collets are pretreated with the multienzyme complex Viscozyme L prior to solvent extraction by the Soxhlet method. The influence of the moisture content of the collets, pretreatment, processing time, and solvent type on the amount of total extracted material and the oil extraction efficiency is studied. Some quality parameters such as phospholipid content of the oil and chlorogenic acid content of the residual meal are also analyzed. At low moisture content (7%) the solvents exhibit similar oil extraction ability (98–99%), but with increasing moisture the extraction efficiency of ethanol decreases to about 85%, while no significant differences are observed for IPA. The enzymatic treatment increases the extraction efficiency for all times, especially for ethanol. It is observed that IPA is more efficient in the extraction compared to ethanol, and the amount of nonlipid material is reduced by ≈70%. In addition, the oil extracted with IPA have lower phospholipid content and the residual meal presents a higher chlorogenic acid content.

Practical Applications:This work would contribute toward the use of green solvents in the extraction of sunflower oil from collets. Ethanol and isopropanol, used as solvents, present attractive advantages, including low toxicity, good operational security, as well as being obtained from a renewable source. The obtained data provide up‐to‐date information on the use of these alcohols in the extraction of sunflower oil from collets and the influence of operating conditions, such as moisture content, enzymatic pretreatment of the collets, and the extraction time. Information about oil and meal quality is also reported.
Alterations in Hemolymph Ion Concentrations and pH in Adult Daphnia magna in Response to Elevations in Major Ion Concentrations in Freshwater
Authors: Morris Carolyn , Sakarya Michael , Koh Odelia , O'Donnell Michael
Published: November 2020

Increases in the concentrations of major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−) in freshwater are a growing concern for ecosystem health. These increases may originate from anthropogenic activities such as road deicing, fracking spills, mining, and fertilizer application and have detrimental effects on freshwater organisms through disturbances in ionoregulation and acid–base balance. The cladoceran Daphnia magna is adapted for active ion uptake and reduction of ion loss to maintain osmotic balance, but alterations in ionic composition of the environmental water are associated with toxicity. In the present study, hemolymph ion concentrations were measured using ion-selective microelectrode techniques. Increases in the hemolymph concentrations of Na+ and K+ correspond to elevations in the concentrations of these ions in ambient water. Water concentrations associated with sustained increases in hemolymph ion concentrations correlate well with median lethal concentration values from previous toxicology studies, indicating that Na+ and K+ concentrations in hemolymph may predict toxicity. When water K+ concentration is increased, a simultaneous increase in water Na+ concentration mitigates the increase in hemolymph K+ concentration, a finding which is consistent with the reported mitigation of K+ toxicity by Na+. When ambient concentrations of K+, Na+, and Cl− are increased, not only is there a rise in hemolymph ion concentration but hemolymph pH is altered and pH regulation appears to be prioritized over regulation of hemolymph Na+, K+, and Cl− in D. magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:366–379. © 2020 SETAC
Differential sensitivities of triple‐negative breast cancer stem cell towards various doses of vitamin C: An insight into the internal antioxidant systems
Authors: Sen Utsav , Chaudhury Debajit , Shenoy P Sudheer , Bose Bipasha
Published: November 2020

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are quiescent and self‐renewing, having low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and are responsible for cancer recurrence after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the interplay between the ROS production and scavenging from the oxidative stress has never been studied in breast CSCs. In this present study, we have investigated the cellular energetics of two triple‐negative breast cancer stem cells (MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐468) treated with two pharmacological doses of vitamin C (10 and 20 mM) that generated ROS. Our results indicate a differential behavior of ROS scavenging by both the CSCs. MDA‐MB‐468 CSCs exhibited higher resistance to ROS induced damage owing to the higher antioxidant activity, lower mitochondrial damage, and less decrease in membrane potential (ΔΨm) as compared with MDA‐MB‐231 CSCs. Moreover, MDA‐MB‐231 CSCs exhibited an intrinsic apoptosis pathway by activating the cytochrome c, caspase‐9, 3, 7, and cleaved PARP upon treatment with vitamin C. This data suggests a possible strategy for targeting breast CSCs using vitamin C. Taken together, the CSCs from MDA‐MB‐231 could be easily targeted by high/pharmacological doses of vitamin C (≥20 mM) thereby indicating a less robust internal antioxidant machinery.
Epigenetic silencing of the osteoblast‐lineage gene program during hippocampal maturation
Authors: Aguilar Rodrigo , Bustos Fernando J. , Nardocci Gino , van Zundert Brigitte , Montecino Martin
Published: November 2020

Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic control of gene expression plays a significant role during cell lineage commitment and subsequent cell fate maintenance. Here, we assess epigenetic mechanisms operating in the rat brain that mediate silencing of genes that are expressed during early and late stages of osteogenesis. We report that repression of the osteoblast master regulator Sp7 in embryonic (E18) hippocampus is mainly mediated through the Polycomb complex PRC2 and its enzymatic product H3K27me3. During early postnatal (P10), juvenile (P30), and adult (P90) hippocampal stages, the repressive H3K27me3 mark is progressively replaced by nucleosome enrichment and increased CpG DNA methylation at the Sp7 gene promoter. In contrast, silencing of the late bone phenotypic Bglap gene in the hippocampus is PRC2‐independent and accompanied by strong CpG methylation from E18 through postnatal and adult stages. Forced ectopic expression of the primary master regulator of osteogenesis Runx2 in embryonic hippocampal neurons activates the expression of its downstream target Sp7 gene. Moreover, transcriptomic analyses show that several genes associated with the mesenchymal‐osteogenic lineages are transcriptionally activated in these hippocampal cells that express Runx2 and Sp7. This effect is accompanied by a loss in neuronal properties, including a significant reduction in secondary processes at the dendritic arbor and reduced expression of critical postsynaptic genes like PSD95. Together, our results reveal a developmental progression in epigenetic control mechanisms that repress the expression of the osteogenic program in hippocampal neurons at embryonic, postnatal, and adult stages.
Contextual victimization is associated with slower inhibition control: A pictorial violence‐Stroop study carried out in Juárez, Mexico
Authors: Martín del Campo‐Ríos Jaime , Fernández‐Ballbé Óscar
Published: November 2020

Contextual victims are those individuals who are indirectly traumatized by the physical and sociocultural conditions of their violent communities through second‐hand information. The purpose of this study was to examine the inhibitory control to violent stimuli in contextual victims from the city of Juárez, Mexico. A pictorial violence‐Stroop was constructed with violent, positive, and neutral images. Forty‐six university students with low (n = 22) and high (n = 24) scores on the Community Victimization by Community Violence Questionnaire participated. The study adopted a 2 (group = high contextual victims and low contextual victims) × 3 (stimulus type = violent, positive, and neutral) factorial design with repeated measures on the second factor. There were two significant effects which favored the low‐context compared with the high‐context victimization group, notably faster reaction times in the violent stimulus condition (968.93 vs. 1136.26 ms; H = 5.031; p = .024) and the neutral stimulus condition (899.68 vs. 1013 ms; H = 5.130; p = .025). Results suggest that individuals who are highly exposed to contextual violence may be more sensitive towards violent stimuli, and that their performance on inhibitory tasks that include violence as a distractor cue may be more cognitively demanding.
The role of the parent–child relationship in fostering resilience in American Indian/Alaskan Native children
Authors: Tolliver‐Lynn Maddison N. , Marris Alvina M. , Sullivan Maureen A. , Armans Mira
Published: November 2020

Resilience is a key characteristic to study in families, particularly those who have experienced significant systemic risk factors. While much resilience research focuses on ethnic and cultural minorities, little research focuses specifically on American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) families. The parent–child relationship has been demonstrated to be a key characteristic in families, and this relationship may also serve as a protective factor for AI/AN families. Positive parent–child relationships are consistently linked to positive child outcomes, and parental psychological symptoms are linked with child psychological symptoms in non‐Native families. These associations warrant further examination among AI/AN families. We hypothesized that the parent–child relationship would moderate the link between parent distress (i.e., depressive and anxious symptoms) and child internalizing problems in a sample of 57 AI/AN parents of children 3–5 years of age. As expected, the parent–child relationship moderated the associations between parent anxiety symptoms and child internalizing symptoms, and between parent depressive symptoms and child internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, the strength of the parent–child relationship buffered the effects of parent distress on child internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the potentially protective role of strong parent–child relationships in AI/AN families.
Overexpression of enolase 2 is associated with worsened prognosis and increased glycikolysis in papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sun Chenmin , Liu Min , Zhang Wenyi , Wang Shuyan , Qian Gang , Wang Mi , Zhang Guangming
Published: November 2020

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is characterized with underlying genetic disorders and the role enolase 2 (ENO2) in ccRCC is unknown. An in silico exploratory analysis using multiple public genetic datasets was used to establish association between ENO2 expression and clinicopathological parameters. Associations of interest were validated using 49 pRCC samples using immunohistochemistry. In vitro and in vivo assays were carried out to validate findings in tissue. ENO2 was overexpressed and prognostic in pRCC. ENO2 expression was significantly higher in younger patients and in CpG island methylator phenotype subtype. ENO2‐overexpressed cases showed significant enrichment in glycolysis. Overexpression of ENO2 significantly increased proliferation and silencing of ENO2 significantly inhibited growth of ACHN cells. Glycolytic genes HK1, HK 2, and lactate dehydrogenase A were decreased when ENO2 was silenced in ACHN. Glycolytic inhibitor TT‐232 showed minimal inhibitory effect on ACHN cells yet showed synergistic effect in the presence of ENO2 silencing. ENO2 significantly increased and decreased extracellular glucose, respectively in ACHN cells. Xenograft mouse model showed ENO2 silencing and TT‐232 combination treatment showed synergistic effect in ACHN tumors. ENO2 is associated with worsened prognosis in pRCC and is related to glycolysis. ENO2‐targeted therapy can be of therapeutic potential.
Mitigation of eco‐unfriendly and costly microbial induced corrosion using novel synthesized Schiff base cationic surfactants
Authors: Kobisy Atef S , Nassar Hussein N , Tawfik Salah M , Elshatoury Einas H , Aiad Ismail
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) are considered to be the major cause of microbial‐induced corrosion. It contributes to many environmental and other costly industrial problems in the petroleum industry. Thus there is always a great need for producing new efficient biocides and biocorrosion inhibitors.

RESULTS

In this work, three Schiff base surfactants (coded Q12, Q14 and Q18) were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. A mixed culture of SRB was collected from an oil field production tank located at the North Bahrya Petroleum Company (NORPETCO), Egypt. The antimicrobial effect of the newly synthesized surfactants was studied against sessile and planktonic SRB over their different growth phases by various methods: viable cell count via most probable number method, estimation of biogenic sulfide concentrations, weight loss of iron coupons in microbial growth medium and biofilm examination on coupon surfaces using scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized surfactants expressed a high inhibition effect on bacterial growth, recording a minimum inhibitory concentration of 750 mg L−1 for Q18 and 1000 mg L−1 for both Q12 and Q14, with a considerable decline in biogenic sulfide productivity from a dose of 500 mg L−1 until complete suppression at a dose of 1000 mg L−1. Also the synthesized surfactants showed an effective metal corrosion inhibition at a concentration of 500 mg L−1.

CONCLUSION

Schiff base cationic surfactants with long hydrophobic chains can be recommended as biocorrosion inhibitors for industrial application in the petroleum sector. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Enzymatic valorization process of yellow cocoon waste for production of antioxidative sericin and fibroin film
Authors: Yakul Kamon , Kaewsalud Tanyawat , Techapun Charin , Seesuriyachan Phisit , Jantanasakulwong Kittisak , Watanabe Masanori , Takenaka Shinji , Chaiyaso Thanongsak
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Cocoon waste, solid waste from the silk industry, is currently utilized as low‐cost spun silk yarn. In this study, the enzymatic valorization process of yellow cocoon waste to produce antioxidative sericin hydrolysate and fibroin film was demonstrated.

RESULTS

The enzymatic process involving thermostable alkaline protease from Bacillus halodurans SE5 (protease_SE5) was superior to the conventional high temperature and high pressure and 0.5% Na2CO3 processes. Protease_SE5 produced sericin hydrolysate with high peptide concentration (0.335 mg mL–1) and provided degummed fibroin with a complete structure. Sericin hydrolysate from protease_SE5‐assisted hydrolysis showed remarkable radical scavenging activities on ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays with 602, 3.90 and 24.8 μmol Trolox equivalents (TE) g−1 protein, respectively. After ultrafiltration and size‐exclusion chromatography, two active fractions (F1 and F2) were obtained from sericin hydrolysate with ABTS radical scavenging activity of 2120 and 3289 μmol TE g−1 protein, respectively. Identification of bioactive peptides by de novo sequencing was conducted, and seven candidate peptides were identified with high content of key antioxidative amino acids (His, Phe, Trp, Tyr and Arg) in the sequences. Moreover, bioactivities of several of the peptides were predicted by bioinformatics databases. Besides, the mechanical properties of enzyme‐derived fibroin film were also improved, with tensile strength and elongation at break of 62.1 MPa and 3.6% in the dry state, and 8.5 MPa and 140% in the wet state.

CONCLUSION

This enzymatic process could be an effective way for valorizing cocoon waste. The value‐added products from agricultural waste have promising applications in food, pharmaceutical and biomedical materials. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Overview of S(T)EMelectron detectors with garnet scintillators: Some potentials and limits
Authors: Schauer Petr , Lalinský Ondřej , Kučera Miroslav
Published: November 2020

The paper is focused on a complete configuration and design of a scintillation electron detector in scanning electron and/or scanning transmission electron microscopes (S(T)EM) with garnet scintillators. All processes related to the scintillator and light guide were analyzed. In more detail, excitation electron trajectories and absorbed energy distributions, efficiencies and kinetics of scintillators, as well as the influence of their anti‐charging coatings and their substrates, assigned optical properties, and light guide efficiencies of different configurations were presented and discussed. The results indicate problems with low‐energy detection below 1 keV when the scandium conductive coating with a thickness of only 3 nm must be used to allow electron penetration without significant losses. It was shown that the short rise and decay time and low afterglow of LuGdGaAG:Ce liquid‐phase epitaxy garnet film scintillators guarantee a strong modulation transfer function of the entire imaging system resulting in a contrast transfer ability up to 0.6 lp/pixel. Small film scintillator thicknesses were found to be an advantage due to the low signal self‐absorption. The optical absorption coefficients, refractive indices, and the mirror optical reflectance of materials involved in the light transport to the photomultiplier tube photocathode were investigated. The computer‐optimized design SCIUNI application was used to configure the optimized light guide system. It was shown that nonoptimized edge‐guided systems possess very poor light guiding efficiency as low as 1%, while even very complex optimized ones can achieve more than 20%.
A mathematical model for COVID‐19 pandemic—SIIR model: Effects of asymptomatic individuals
Authors: Tomochi Masaki , Kono Mitsuo
Published: November 2020

A new mathematical model called SIIR model is constructed to describe the spread of infection by taking account of the characteristics of COVID‐19 and is verified by the data from Japan. The following features of COVID‐19: (a) there exist presymptomatic individuals who have infectivity even during the incubation period, (b) there exist asymptomatic individuals who can freely move around and play crucial roles in the spread of infection, and (c) the duration of immunity may be finite, are incorporated into the SIIR model. The SIIR model has the advantage of being able to explicitly handle asymptomatic individuals who are delayed in discovery or are extremely difficult to be discovered in the real world. It is shown that the conditions for herd immunity in the SIIR model become more severe than those in the SIR model; that is, the presence of asymptomatic individuals increases herd immunity threshold (HIT).
The value of the platelet count and platelet indices in differentiation of COVID‐19 and influenza pneumonia
Authors: Ozcelik Neslihan , Ozyurt Songul , Yilmaz Kara Bilge , Gumus Aziz , Sahin Unal
Published: November 2020

It is difficult to distinguish coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) from other viral respiratory tract infections owing to the similarities in clinical and radiological findings. This study aims to determine the clinical importance of platelet count and platelet indices in the differentiation of COVID‐19 from influenza and the value of these parameters in the differential diagnosis of COVID‐19. The medical records of the patients and the electronic patient monitoring system were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, admission symptoms, laboratory findings, radiological involvement, comorbidities, and mortality of the patients were recorded. Forty‐three patients diagnosed with influenza and 54 diagnosed with COVID‐19 were included in the study. The average age of the COVID‐19 patients was lower than that of the influenza patients (influenza: 60.5 years, COVID‐19: 52.4 years; pp = 0.024),.024), and the male gender was predominant in the COVID‐19 group (influenza: 42%, COVID‐19: 56%). According to laboratory findings, the mean platelet volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet ratio were statistically significantly lower, whereas the eosinophil count and platelet distribution width levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the COVID‐19 group. It was found that the most common symptom in both groups was dyspnea and that the symptom was more prevalent among influenza patients. In the diagnosis of COVID‐19, the platelet count and platelet indices are easily accessible, inexpensive, and important parameters in terms of differential diagnosis and can help in the differentiation of COVID‐19 from influenza during seasonal outbreaks of the latter.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of factors associated with re‐positive viral RNA after recovery from COVID‐19
Authors: Hoang Tung
Published: November 2020

Previous studies reported the positive viral RNA among coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) recovered patients. This study aimed to summarize the current evidence of factors associated with the risk of disease recurrence. PubMed and Embase were searched until September 2020 to identify studies assessing characteristics of recurrence and nonrecurrence subjects after discharge. Random‐effect meta‐analysis was used to pool estimates of odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across studies. Meta‐analysis data were available for age, sex, hospital duration, disease severity, seven comorbidities, five symptoms, five indexes of blood routine, nine indexes of blood biochemistry, four treatment therapies, two antibodies, and history of high‐risk contact. Among them, hospital duration of recurrence cases was significantly shorter than nonrecurrence subjects (WMD, −1.55 days; 95% CI, −2.66 to −0.45). Fatigue, positive Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and positive IgG were associated with an increased risk of recurrence cases, with ORs and 95% CIs of 4.06 (1.14–14.4), 2.95 (1.15–7.61), and 3.45 (1.58–7.54), respectively. In contrast, the odds of recurrence cases were observed to significantly lower in subjects with elevated lactate dehydrogenase and C‐reactive protein, low lymphocyte count, steroid and arbidol use, with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.08 (0.27–4.37), 0.49 (0.27–0.97), 0.64 (0.42–0.97), 0.48 (0.25–0.96), and 0.48 (0.25–0.92), respectively. This study provided up‐to‐date evidence of several clinical and epidemiological characteristics in the association with COVID‐19 recurrence cases. Further in‐depth analyses for the causal effect of factors on re‐positive viral RNA are needed for the management of discharged patients with COVID‐19.
Glutathione‐stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the sorbent for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of diazepam and sertraline from urine samples through quantitation via high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Ghani Milad , Zayeri Zahra , Maleki Behrooz
Published: November 2020

The synthesis and application of glutathione‐coated magnetic nanocomposite were introduced with the purpose of developing a stable, cheap, operationally convenient, simple, fast, sensitive, and selective device for the microextraction of diazepam and sertraline for the first time. The prepared glutathione@Fe3O4 nanocomposite was used as the sorbent in the form of magnetic solid‐phase extraction. Afterward, the extracted analytes were desorbed by organic solvent and analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection. Several influential variables such as desorption time, desorption volume, sample pH, extraction time, and sorbent amount were screened through Plackett–Burman design and then optimized via Box–Behnken design. The obtained results showed that the above‐mentioned method enjoys a good linear range (0.2–500 μg/L) with the coefficient of determination higher than 0.9927, low limits of determination (0.07–0.24 μg/L), acceptable limits of quantification (0.22–0.93 μg/L), good enrichment factors (128 and 153), and good spiking recoveries (95–105%) for diazepam and sertraline under the obtained optimized condition. Analyzing the real samples results in the confirmation of the presented method and it can be applied for the analysis of various organic compounds in biological samples.
Real hypersurfaces in the complex hyperbolic quadric with harmonic curvature
Authors: Suh Young Jin
Published: November 2020

We give a classification of real hypersurfaces in the complex hyperbolic quadric that have constant mean curvature and harmonic curvature.
Functional Dyskinesias following Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: A Report of Three Cases
Authors: Maciel Ricardo , Zúñiga‐Ramírez Carlos , Munhoz Renato P. , Zurowski Mateusz , Fasano Alfonso
Published: November 2020

Background

Functional (psychogenic) dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are exceedingly rare.

Cases

Herein we report three patients with PD who presented with functional dyskinesias in the first 3 months after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS). All patients presented with chorea mimicking levodopa or stimulation‐induced dyskinesias in the first 24 hours following stimulation adjustment. Two patients had generalized chorea and one, hemichorea. In all patients the abnormal movements could be induced or resolved with placebo/nocebo changes to the stimulation parameters. Following the diagnosis of a functional movement disorder (FMD), all patients improved with appropriate management.

Conclusions

Functional chorea following DBS might mimic organic dyskinesias in PD but can be accurately diagnosed using suggestibility and placebo responses to sham stimulation adjustments. Recognizing the presence of FMD following DBS is important for proper management of these patients.
Quantitative REM Sleep without Atonia in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor
Authors: Gossard Thomas R. , McCarter Stuart J. , Gorres Evan , Feemster John C. , Timm Paul C. , Teigen Luke N. , Ralston Christy L. , Westerland Sarah M. , Conway Jimmy P. , Jagielski Jack T. , Olson Carl D. , Edgar Liam J. , Veum Emma L. , Savica Rodolfo , Boeve Brad F. , Silber Michael H. , St. Louis Erik K.
Published: November 2020

Background

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) occurs occasionally in essential tremor (ET), but polysomnographic REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) analyses have been sparse.

Objective

To characterize the amount and distribution of polysomnographic RSWA, the electrophysiologic substrate of RBD, in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and ET.

Methods

We analyzed quantitative RSWA in 73 patients: PD (23), ET (23), and age‐sex‐matched controls (27). None had dream‐enactment behavior history or received antidepressants. Phasic, tonic, “any,” and phasic‐burst duration RSWA measures were calculated in the submentalis (SM) and anterior tibialis (AT) muscles. The automated REM atonia index (RAI) was also determined. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal‐Wallis rank‐sum and Mann‐Whitney tests.

Results

SM phasic RSWA was significantly greater for PD than ET patients and controls (12.5% ± 12.8% vs. 4.9% ± 6.7%, 3.9% ± 2.6%), as was SM “any” (13.54% ± 14.30% vs. 5.2% ± 7.6%, 4.2% ± 2.6%). RAI was significantly lower in PD than in ET and controls (0.78 ± 0.23 vs. 0.92 ± 0.09 vs. 0.90 ± 0.17, P ≤ 0.005), but no different between ET and controls. AT phasic and “any” RSWA was similar between the 3 groups. ET and control RSWA was similar in all measures. Two ET patients (8.7%) had SM RSWA similar to PD patients.

Conclusions

Elevated SM RSWA distinguished PD from ET in patients without dream‐enactment symptoms and occurs frequently in PD patients, and in isolated tremor suggests underlying synucleinopathy. Prospective studies will further validate these findings.
Prediction of the Partition Coefficient between Adipose Tissue and Blood for Environmental Chemicals: From Single QSAR Models to an Integrated Approach
Authors: Cappelli Claudia Ileana , Manganelli Serena , Toma Cosimo , Benfenati Emilio , Mombelli Enrico
Published: November 2020

The adipose tissue:blood partition coefficient is a key‐endpoint to predict the pharmacokinetics of chemicals in humans and animals, since other organ:blood affinities can be estimated as a function of this parameter.

We performed a search in the literature to select all the available rat in vivo data. This approach resulted into two improvements to existing models: a homogeneous definition of the endpoint and an expanded data collection. The resulting dataset was used to develop QSAR models as a function of linear and non‐linear algorithms. Several applicability domain definitions were assessed and the definition corresponding to a good balance between performance and coverage was retained. We assessed the pertinence of combining single models into integrated approaches to increase the accuracy in predictions. The best integrated model outperformed the single models and it was characterized by an external mean absolute error (MAE) equal to 0.26, while preserving an adequate coverage (84 %). This performance is comparable to experimental variability and it highlights the pertinence of the integrated model.
Coexistence fixed point theorems in product Banach spaces and applications
Authors: Lan Kunquan
Published: November 2020

New coexistence fixed point theorems in product Banach spaces are established via the classical theory of fixed point index for compact maps defined on cones. Each component of a coexistence fixed point is nonzero. These coexistence fixed point theorems are applied to obtain results on coexistence solutions of systems of Hammerstein integral equations, second‐order ordinary differential equations with general separated boundary conditions, and one‐dimensional competition model of Ricker types.
Untra‐high pseudocapacitance enhanced anode of N, P dual‐doped carbon nanosheet derived from biomass toward high performance sodium ion battery
Authors: Li Qun , Wu Meiyan , Wang Yan , Wang Guixiang , Zhuo Linhai , Li Zhaoqiang
Published: November 2020

In order to improve the cycling capability and rate performance of carbon anode material for sodium ion battery, an easy, green, and scalable thermal pyrolysis method is exploited to synthesize the nitrogen, phosphorus dual‐doped carbon nanosheets from abundant biomass of peach kernel shell and diammonium hydrogen phosphate. This biomass carbon material demonstrates a super‐thin nanosheet microstructure, and its surface area reaches about 2262 m2 g–1. This carbon nanosheet electrode exhibits a large initial coulombic efficiency of 90%, superior rate capability, and high sodium ion storage capacity. It delivers a high Na+ storage capacity of about 332 mAh g–1 at a current density of 100 mA g–1 after 200 cycles. Even at a high current density of 4 A g–1, a good rate performance of 270 mAh g–1 is also achieved. The ultra‐high pseudocapacitance contribution over 90% is the major reason for the excellent Na+ storage performance of this carbon nanosheet electrode. This nitrogen, phosphorus doped biomass carbon anode material with an excellent storage capacity of sodium ion, makes it an appealing candidate for cheap and high‐performance anode materials for sodium ion batteries.
Chemical Recycling of End‐of‐Life Poly(lactide) via Zinc‐Catalyzed Depolymerization and Polymerization
Authors: Cheung Even , Alberti Christoph , Enthaler Stephan
Published: November 2020

The chemical recycling of poly(lactide) was investigated based on depolymerization and polymerization processes. Using methanol as depolymerization reagent and zinc salts as catalyst, poly(lactide) was depolymerized to methyl lactate applying microwave heating. An excellent performance was observed for zinc(II) acetate with turnover frequencies of up to 45000 h−1. In a second step the monomer methyl lactate was converted to (pre)poly(lactide) in the presence of catalytic amounts of zinc salts. Here zinc(II) triflate revealed excellent performance for the polymerization process (yield: 91 %, Mn∼8970 g/mol). Moreover, the (pre)poly(lactide) was depolymerized to lactide, the industrial relevant molecule for accessing high molecular weight poly(lactide), using zinc(II) acetate as catalyst.
Double percolation and segregated structures formed in polymer alloy with excellent electrical conductivity
Authors: Wu Jianlong , Wang Wenyi , Chen Xingyu , Li Ning
Published: November 2020

It can efficiently enhance electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance to construct segregated structures in conductive polymer composites (CPCs). However, it can also deteriorate mechanical properties due to weak interfacial interaction between matrixes and fillers. So segregated structures CPCs that polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (PC/ABS) was coated by ABS/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (ABS/MWCNTs) were prepared by solution‐mechanical mixing method. The surface resistivity of the segregated composites achieved 105 Ω/sq with only 0.05 wt% of MWCNTs and was lower than composites prepared by melt and solution mixing methods. Tensile strength of the segregated composites was nearly 40 MPa. The EMI shielding values of the segregated composites with 7 wt% of MWCNTs were 50 to 80 dB as high as the uniform structure composites with 10 wt% of MWCNTs between 30 MHz and 1 GHz electromagnetic frequency. All the results displayed that this work provided a novel and efficient method to produce segregated conductive composites for antistatic and EMI shielding applications.
Das Event Horizon Telescope
Authors: Krichbaum Thomas , Ros Eduardo , Rottmann Helge
Published: November 2020

VLBI‐Beobachtungen im Millimeter‐Wellenlängenbereich erlauben es, die unmittelbare Umgebung von supermassereichen, extragalaktischen Schwarzen Löchern direkt abzubilden. Mit dem Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) durchgeführte Messungen der Radiogalaxie M87 haben zur Entdeckung einer ringförmigen Struktur im Zentrum der Galaxie geführt, die als Lichtring um ein rotierendes zentrales Schwarzes Loch interpretiert wird. Am Jetfußpunkt des Quasars 3C279 sieht man nichtballistische Bewegung mit hoch relativistischer Geschwindigkeit auf Skalen von weniger als zweitausend Schwarzschild‐Radien Entfernung. Schnelle Strukturvariabilität ist ein limitierender Faktor bei der noch anstehenden Kartierung des Schwarzen Loches im galaktischen Zentrum (SgrA*). Die Weiterentwicklung dynamischer Bildgebungsverfahren und verbesserte Kalibrationsmethoden sollten dies in naher Zukunft ermöglichen.
Ebbe und Flut auf den Kontinenten
Authors: Voigt Christian
Published: November 2020

Ebbe und Flut sind ein bekanntes Phänomen der Ozeane. Doch auch die feste Erde ist den Gezeiten unterworfen, wie vor 50 Jahren gemessen wurde.
Blick zur ISS mit ISS Detektor
Authors: Neumann Susanne , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: November 2020

Eine Smartphone‐App macht es möglich, die Internationale Raumstation ISS am Nachthimmel zu orten und ihre Flugbahn zu beobachten.
Investigation of organic thermoelectric materials using potential‐step chronocoulometry: Effect of polymerization methods on thermoelectric properties of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)
Authors: Imae Ichiro , Akazawa Ryosuke , Ooyama Yousuke , Harima Yutaka
Published: November 2020

To establish the correlation between the thermoelectric properties of conducting polymers and their doping levels, we have utilized the potential‐step chronocoulometry for the quantitative estimation of the doping levels. In this paper, three types of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s synthesized by different polymerization methods were investigated. The electrical conductivities and the Seebeck coefficients of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s with various doping levels were measured and plotted against the doping level. It was found that the electrical conductivity linearly increased with increasing the doping level in the range of 1–10%, and then saturated. On the other hand, the relationship between the Seebeck coefficient and the doping level showed a good linearity in all the polymers.
Rapid identification of the invasive Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) using LAMP
Authors: Ponting Sally , Tomkies Victoria , Stainton Kirsty
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida is an invasive pest of managed honey bees and has invaded Europe from Africa. The main risk point identified for incursions of this pest into the UK is imports of package bees and queens. Surveillance of this pest, carried out by the National Bee Unit, involves monitoring imports of live bees and routine screening of sentinel apiaries around the UK through collection of hive debris for visual inspection of pests. Currently, no molecular methods are used for screening hive debris for this pest in the UK. A new invasion of this pest would likely occur at low levels and might present with partial specimens broken up in the hive or eggs from the beetle, difficult to identify by visual inspection. Therefore, we sought to develop a fast and sensitive method for detecting SHB in hive debris by developing a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.

RESULT

The LAMP assay was able to detect the SHB in 19 to 25.37 min and did not cross‐react with any non‐target species tested. The assay was sensitive and could detect 12pg of DNA and it was able to detect less than 1 mg of tissue in a 30 g complex matrix of honey bee hive debris. The assay could successfully amplify from crude extracts of partial tissue specimens.

CONCLUSION

This tool will allow rapid field screening of suspect beetle specimens and laboratory screening of hive debris for a notifiable exotic pest of honey bees. © 2020 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Formation and maintenance of subsiding shells around non‐precipitating and precipitating cumulus clouds
Authors: Savre Julien
Published: November 2020

A shell of subsiding air is generally known to develop around cumulus clouds and shield them from their environment. We seek here to improve our understanding of such shells by (a) revealing the detailed vertical and horizontal structure of shells surrounding both shallow and deeper clouds, and (b) identifying the mechanisms responsible for in‐shell subsidence generation and maintenance. To that end, a high‐resolution Cloud Resolving Model simulation of the shallow‐to‐deep convection transition over a tropical land surface is analysed with an emphasis on the cloud's near environment. Shells surrounding shallow and deep clouds are found to possess surprisingly similar characteristics. However important differences are observed near cloud top where the deepest clouds are associated with stronger subsidence and broader shells. In the convective outflow region, stronger in‐shell subsidence coincides with strong buoyancy reversal, but also with strong pressure gradients naturally generated by cloud‐top vortex dynamics. A more delicate balance between various processes takes place below, and in‐shell subsidence is only barely sustained as buoyancy reversal is largely compensated by pressure gradients. Finally, while evaporation is clearly the main source of buoyancy reversal everywhere around cloud edges, it is also shown that the downward transport of warmer air from aloft through the subsiding shells may compensate for evaporative cooling to slowly bring in‐shell buoyancy to a near‐neutral state. Overall, while it cannot be denied that evaporative cooling and buoyancy reversal play important roles in generating and sustaining in‐shell subsidence, the present results also emphasise that mechanical forcing at cloud top and downward transport within the shells should not be overlooked.
Polymyxin B haemoperfusion treatment for respiratory failure and hyperferritinaemia due to COVID‐19
Authors: Ishiwari Mayuko , Togashi Yuki , Takoi Hiroyuki , Kikuchi Ryota , Kono Yuta , Abe Shinji
Published: November 2020

A 69‐year‐old man with a history of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). He had hyperferritinaemia and respiratory failure. Despite the initiation of favipiravir and high‐dose corticosteroid and ceftriaxone, his respiratory failure progressed and serum ferritin levels increased. After polymyxin B‐immobilized fibre column direct haemoperfusion (PMX‐DHP) therapy, there was improvement of the respiratory failure and hyperferritinaemia. We report the first case of COVID‐19‐induced hyperferritinaemia and severe respiratory failure successfully treated by PMX‐DHP.