bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Exciton Dissociation at Organic Semiconductor Interfaces Facilitated by the Orientation of the Delocalized Electron–Hole Wavefunction
Authors: Kafle Tika R. , Kattel Bhupal , Wanigasekara Shanika , Wang Ti , Chan Wai‐Lun
Published: February 2020

In organic semiconductors, optical excitation does not necessarily produce free carriers. Very often, electron and hole are bound together to form an exciton. Releasing free carriers from the exciton is essential for the functioning of photovoltaics and optoelectronic devices, but it is a bottleneck process because of the high exciton binding energy. Inefficient exciton dissociation can limit the efficiency of organic photovoltaics. Here, nanoscale features that can allow the free carrier generation to occur spontaneously despite being an energy uphill process are determined. Specifically, by comparing the dissociation dynamics of the charge transfer (CT) exciton at two donor–acceptor interfaces, it is found that the relative orientation of the electron and hole wavefunction within a CT exciton plays an important role in determining whether the CT exciton will decompose into the higher energy free electron–hole pair or relax to the lower energy tightly‐bound CT exciton. The concept of the entropic driving force is combined with the structural anisotropy of typical organic crystals to devise a framework that can describe how the orientation of the delocalized electronic wavefunction can be manipulated to favor the energy‐uphill spontaneous dissociation of CT excitons over the energy‐downhill CT exciton cooling.
Cultivar coefficient stability and effects on yield projections in the SPUDSIM model
Authors: Fleisher David H. , Haynes Kathleen G. , Timlin Dennis J.
Published: February 2020

Crop model calibration refers to the process where values are obtained for a subset of model parameters that represent cultivar traits. Calibrated parameters, however, are just as likely to compensate for limitations in model structure as well as reflect true phenotypic characteristics. This confounding of genetics with production environment limits model accuracy particularly for climate assessments and can result in crop parameter values that are location dependent. We evaluated the calibration stability of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) model SPUDSIM for two cultivars grown in two sites in the United States sites using a location specific (R1) and cross‐location (R2) methodology. Differences between R1 coefficient values ranged from 4 to 17% between the two sites depending on cultivar. This likely reflected over‐coupling of canopy expansion rate within the model structure as well as an over‐sensitivity to temperature and photoperiod. Broader site differences were observed for growth coefficients, particularly when compared with the R2 method. Validation year end‐of‐season yields (17% error or less) and in‐season RMSE (<36.1 g plant−1) were similar for both methods. The R2 calibration overpredicted yields by 5% or less as compared with R1, with a maximum discrepancy of 0.35 Mg ha−1 in climate forecasted impacts. Consistent differences between R1 and R2 calibrated models in rates of yield decline per decade were not observed for cultivar, location, or climate scenario, and averaged 0.034 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for R1 and 0.038 for R2. Thus, calibration for these cultivars and locations was relatively stable in SPUDSIM for the temperate climate evaluated.
Genetic screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in large, asymptomatic military cohorts
Authors: Brough Joe , Jain Mahim , Jerves Teodoro , Kruszka Paul , McGuffey Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the U.S. military and competitive athletes. In this study, we simulate how genetic screening may be implemented in the military to prevent an SCD endpoint resulting from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We created a logistic regression model to predict variant pathogenicity in the most common HCM associated genes MYH7 and MYBPC3. Model predictions were used in conjunction with the gnomAD database to identify frequencies of pathogenic variants. Extrapolating these variants to a military population, lives saved and cost benefit analyses were conducted for screening for HCM related to pathogenic variants in MYH7 and MYBPC3. Genetic screening for HCM followed by echocardiography in individuals with pathogenic variants is predicted to save an average of 2.9 lives per accession cohort, based on historical cohort sizes, and result in a break‐even cost of ~$7 per test. The false positives, defined as disqualified individuals for military service who do not have HCM, are predicted to be 0 individuals per accession cohort. This study suggests that the main barriers for the implementation of genetic screening for the U.S. military are the low detection rate and variant interpretation.
Characterization of [2Fe–2S]‐Cluster‐Bridged Protein Complexes and Reaction Intermediates by use of Native Mass Spectrometric Methods
Authors: Jia Mengxuan , Sen Sambuddha , Wachnowsky Christine , Fidai Insiya , Cowan James A. , Wysocki Vicki H.
Published: February 2020

Many iron–sulfur proteins involved in cluster trafficking form [2Fe–2S]‐cluster‐bridged complexes that are often challenging to characterize because of the inherent instability of the cluster at the interface. Herein, we illustrate the use of fast, online buffer exchange coupled to a native mass spectrometry (OBE nMS) method to characterize [2Fe–2S]‐cluster‐bridged proteins and their transient cluster‐transfer intermediates. The use of this mechanistic and protein‐characterization tool is demonstrated with holo glutaredoxin 5 (GLRX5) homodimer and holo GLRX5:BolA‐like protein 3 (BOLA3) heterodimer. Using the OBE nMS method, cluster‐transfer reactions between the holo‐dimers and apo‐ferredoxin (FDX2) are monitored, and intermediate [2Fe–2S] species, such as (FDX2:GLRX5:[2Fe–2S]:GSH) and (FDX2:BOLA3:GLRX5:[2Fe–2S]:GSH) are detected. The OBE nMS method is a robust technique for characterizing iron–sulfur‐cluster‐bridged protein complexes and transient iron–sulfur‐cluster transfer intermediates.
Reversible Anionic Redox Activities in Conventional LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Cathodes
Authors: Lee Gi‐Hyeok , Wu Jinpeng , Kim Duho , Cho Kyeongjae , Cho Maenghyo , Yang Wanli , Kang Yong‐Mook
Published: February 2020

Redox reactions of oxygen have been considered critical in controlling the electrochemical properties of lithium‐excessive layered‐oxide electrodes. However, conventional electrode materials without overlithiation remain the most practical. Typically, cationic redox reactions are believed to dominate the electrochemical processes in conventional electrodes. Herein, we show unambiguous evidence of reversible anionic redox reactions in LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2. The typical involvement of oxygen through hybridization with transition metals is discussed, as well as the intrinsic oxygen redox process at high potentials, which is 75 % reversible during initial cycling and 63 % retained after 10 cycles. Our results clarify the reaction mechanism at high potentials in conventional layered electrodes involving both cationic and anionic reactions and indicate the potential of utilizing reversible oxygen redox reactions in conventional layered oxides for high‐capacity lithium‐ion batteries.
Effects of crosslinking densities on mechanical properties of nitrile rubber composites in thermal oxidative aging environment
Authors: Han Ruijie , Wu Ying , Quan Xudong , Niu Kangmin
Published: February 2020

The effects of crosslinking densities on mechanical properties of nitrile rubber (NBR) composites before and after thermal oxidative aging are investigated. Tensile strengths of NBR composites are enhanced slightly at the initial aging stage, attributing to moderate increment of crosslinking densities. Continuous decrease with further aging is followed, resulting from over‐crosslinking and uneven distribution of crosslinking densities. The digital image correlation method is explored for large‐strain deformation measurement by displacement accumulation and establishing strain model, being promising in practical age detection and measurement of mechanical properties in complex environments. Compression sets are gradually increased with aging because of the destruction of the original crosslinking structures. The molecular chains fracture inhibits elastic recoveries of compressive NBR composites and results in residual deformation in thermo‐oxidative and compressive environment after unloading. This study provides new ideas for exploring mechanical properties of rubber‐based composites before and after thermal oxidative aging.
Combination of 5‐azaytidine and hanging drop culture convert fat cell into cardiac cell
Authors: Bagheri‐Hosseinabadi Zahra , Seyedi Fatemeh , Mollaei Hamid Reza , Moshrefi Mojgan , Seifalian Alexander
Published: February 2020

One of the promising approaches for the treatment of cardiac disease is stem cell therapy. In this study, we compared the cardiomyogenic differentiation rate, from human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs) in a three‐dimensional (3D) hanging drop (HD) spheroid culture system, versus a two‐dimensional (2D) culture condition at different concentrations of 5‐azacytidine (5‐Aza). 5‐Azaytidine (5‐Aza) is a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue of cytidine that initiates cell differentiation programs through DNA demethylation. The hADSCs were isolated and cultured both in 2D and 3D HD conditions, with either 10 or 50 μM concentrations of 5‐Aza. Then DNA content, gene expression, and protein content were analyzed. 3D HD culture resulted in a higher percentage of cells in G0/G1 and S phase in the cell division cycle, whereas 2D culture led to a greater percentage of cells in the G2/M phase. A significantly higher gene expression rate of HAND1, HAND2, cTnI, Cx43, βMHC, GATA4, NKX2.5, and MLC2V was observed in HD treated with 50 μM 5‐Aza. This was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. These findings suggest that 50 μM concentration of 5‐Aza can induce hADSCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. The differentiation rate was significantly higher when accompanied by the 3D HD culture system. This work provides a new culture system for cell differentiation for cardiovascular tissue engineering.
Keep Your Eye On…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2020

The updated clinical report from AAP on ASD

The high rate of unnecessary pelvic exams in 15–20‐year‐olds

The psychiatric bed shortage
Too few young patients on SGAs monitored for lipids, glucose
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2020

Despite the clear adverse effects of obesity, diabetes, other metabolic dysfunctions, and future metabolic and heart problems associated with use of antipsychotics by children, most aren't getting tested, according to research.
How to talk to your child about opioids
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2020

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the federal National Institutes of Health, has advice for parents in the midst of the opioid epidemic: “[T]alk openly about the effects of opioids and other drugs with your children and stay actively engaged in their lives.”
Enhanced Hydrogen Generation from Empty Fruit Bunches by Charcoal Addition into a Downdraft Gasifier
Authors: Uddin Monir Minhaj , Abd Aziz Azrina , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Khatun Fatema
Published: February 2020

Hydrogen production by co‐gasification of empty fruit bunches of palm oil could be enhanced by adding charcoal. Physiochemical characterization of raw feedstocks was performed to determine their exergy potentiality. The raw feedstocks, gasified charcoal, and the end product of produced gas were analyzed by different techniques. Gasification experiments were performed using a pilot‐scale downdraft gasifier. The heating value, composition of product gas, yield of hydrogen, and exergy efficiency were used to verify the improvement of hydrogen production during the co‐gasification process. Charcoal with empty fruit bunches of palm oil leads to a much higher yield of hydrogen than lower charcoal ratios or solely empty fruit bunches. This enhanced hydrogen fuel can contribute to future energy demand.
Stiff‐Stilbene Ligands Target G‐Quadruplex DNA and Exhibit Selective Anticancer and Antiparasitic Activity
Authors: O'Hagan Michael P. , Peñalver Pablo , Gibson Rosina S. L. , Morales Juan C. , Galan M. Carmen
Published: February 2020

G‐quadruplex nucleic acid structures have long been studied as anticancer targets whilst their potential in antiparasitic therapy has only recently been recognized and barely explored. Herein, we report the synthesis, biophysical characterization, and in vitro screening of a series of stiff‐stilbene G4 binding ligands featuring different electronics, side‐chain chemistries, and molecular geometries. The ligands display selectivity for G4 DNA over duplex DNA and exhibit nanomolar toxicity against Trypasanoma brucei and HeLa cancer cells whilst remaining up to two orders of magnitude less toxic to non‐tumoral mammalian cell line MRC‐5. Our study demonstrates that stiff‐stilbenes show exciting potential as the basis of selective anticancer and antiparasitic therapies. To achieve the most efficient G4 recognition the scaffold must possess the optimal electronics, substitution pattern and correct molecular configuration.
Improving Tumor‐to‐Background Contrast through Hydrophilic Tetrazines: The Construction of 18F‐Labeled PET Agents Targeting Nonsmall Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Feng. Huijuan , Zhang He , Wang Mengzhe , Vannam Raghu , Wang Hui , Yan Xuefeng , Ouyang Wei , Jia Xinqiao , Fox Joseph M. , Li Zibo
Published: February 2020

Bioorthogonal reactions have been widely used in the biomedical field. 18F‐TCO/Tetrazine ligation is the most reactive radiolabelled inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction, but its application had been limited due to modest contrast ratios of the resulting conjugates. Herein, we describe the use of hydrophilic tetrazines to improve tumor‐to‐background contrast of neurotensin receptor targeted PET agents. PET agents were constructed using a rapid Diels–Alder reaction of the radiolabeled trans‐cyclooctene (18F‐sTCO) with neurotensin (NT) conjugates of a 3,6‐diaryltetrazine, 3‐methyl‐6‐aryltetrazine, and a derivative of 3,6‐di(2‐hydroxyethyl)tetrazine. Although cell binding assays demonstrated all agents have comparable binding affinity, the conjugate derived from 3,6‐di(2‐hydroxyethyl)tetrazine demonstrated the highest tumor to muscle contrast, followed by conjugates of the 3‐methyl‐6‐aryltetrazine and 3,6‐diaryltetrazine.
The Macrocycle versus Chain Competition in On‐Surface Polymerization: Insights from Reactions of 1,3‐Dibromoazulene on Cu(111)
Authors: Krug Claudio K. , Nieckarz Damian , Fan Qitang , Szabelski Paweł , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: February 2020

Ring/chain competition in oligomerization reactions represents a long‐standing topic of synthetic chemistry and was treated extensively for solution reactions but is not well‐understood for the two‐dimensional confinement of surface reactions. Here, the kinetic and thermodynamic principles of ring/chain competition in on‐surface synthesis are addressed by scanning tunneling microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Monte Carlo simulations applied to azulene‐based organometallic oligomers on Cu(111). Analysis of experiments and simulations reveals how the ring/chain ratio can be controlled through variation of coverage and temperature. At room temperature, non‐equilibrium conditions prevail and kinetic control leads to preferential formation of the entropically favored chains. In contrast, high‐temperature equilibrium conditions are associated with thermodynamic control, resulting in increased yields of the energetically favored rings. The optimum conditions for ring formation include the lowest possible temperature within the regime of thermodynamic control and a low coverage. The general implications are discussed and compared to the solution case.
Evaluating the impact of smoking on disease‐specific survival outcomes in patients with human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal cancer treated with transoral robotic surgery
Authors: Roden Dylan F. , Hobelmann Kealan , Vimawala Swar , Richa Tony , Fundakowski Christopher E. , Goldman Richard , Luginbuhl Adam , Curry Joseph M. , Cognetti David M.
Published: February 2020

Background

When treated nonsurgically with definitive chemoradiation, smokers with human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have a worse prognosis compared with their nonsmoking counterparts. To the authors' knowledge, the prognostic significance of smoking in surgically treated patients is unknown.

Methods

The current study is a retrospective case series of patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC who underwent upfront transoral robotic surgery at a single institution from 2010 through 2017. Exclusion criteria were nonoropharyngeal primary tumors, histology other than SCC, HPV‐negative tumors, previous history of head and neck cancer, and/or previous head and neck radiotherapy. Recurrence‐free survival (RFS), overall survival, and disease‐specific survival were compared using the Kaplan‐Meier method and the log‐rank test. Smoking history was categorized as never smokers (<1 pack‐year), current smokers (smoking at the time of the cancer diagnosis), and former smokers.

Results

A total of 258 patients met the study criteria. The average age was 60 years, and approximately 87% of patients were male. A total of 148 patients (57.4%) were smokers whereas 110 (42.6%) reported never smoking. There were 44 active smokers (17.1%) and 104 former smokers (40.3%). The median follow‐up was 3.23 years. There were 17 patients of disease recurrence. Smoking pack‐year history was not found to be significant for RFS (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.03 [P = .45]). There was no significant difference in RFS noted between never and ever smokers (92% vs 89.8%; P = .85) nor was there a difference observed between never, former, and current smokers (92% vs 91.5% vs 86.1%, respectively; P = .69).

Conclusions

A smoking history is common in patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC. In the current study, HPV‐positive smokers were found to have excellent survival and locoregional control, similar to their nonsmoking counterparts. The results of the current study do not support the exclusion of smokers with early‐stage, HPV‐positive OPSCC from transoral robotic surgery–based deintensification trials.
Mitigating DDoS using weight‐based geographical clustering
Authors: Kongshavn Madeleine , Haugerud Hårek , Yazidi Anis , Maseng Torleiv , Hammer Hugo
Published: February 2020

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have for the last two decades been among the greatest threats facing the internet infrastructure. Mitigating DDoS attacks is a particularly challenging task as an attacker tries to conceal a huge amount of traffic inside a legitimate traffic flow. This article proposes to use data mining approaches to find unique hidden data structures which are able to characterize the normal traffic flow. This will serve as a mean for filtering illegitimate traffic under DDoS attacks. In this endeavor, we devise three algorithms built on previously uncharted areas within mitigation techniques where clustering techniques are used to create geographical clusters in regions which are likely to contain legitimate traffic. We argue through extensive experimental results that establishing clusters around this narrative is a superior solution to clustering algorithms which rely on bitwise distances between IP addresses. In addition, the DDoS filtering algorithm is deployed in a virtual Linux environment using Nfqueue and tested in a simulated real‐life DDoS attack.
Effect of Deformation Temperature on the Microstructure Characteristics of α Phase in Ti‐40Al‐8Nb‐0.5B Alloys
Authors: Yang Xiaoxiao , Yang Guang , Wang Yifei , Liu Yanhui , Li Yuzhi , Wang Pengyi , Ren Wei
Published: February 2020

In this work, microstructure characteristics of α phase in Ti‐40Al‐8Nb‐0.5B alloys (at%) after deformation in the β and (β+α) phase regions are examined. The experimental results indicate that the microstructure characteristics of the α phase are considerably affected by the deformation temperature. During the deformation in the β phase area, the β phase is not only elongated perpendicular to the compression direction, but also presents a 〈100〉‐〈111〉 double fiber texture. After the β→α transformation, a part of the α phase exhibits an equiaxed morphology and the others show lath‐like shapes. Due to the microstructural heredity, the α phase of the sample deformed in the β phase field presents a 〈11‐20〉‐〈10‐10〉 double fiber texture. In contrast, refined α phase with randomly distributed orientation is produced after the deformation in the (β+α) phase field and this is caused by the dynamic recrystallization during the deformation process.
Ecosystem services for intensification of agriculture, with emphasis on increased nitrogen ecological use efficiency
Authors: Sena Virley G. L. , de Moura Emanoel G. , Macedo Vinícius R. A. , Aguiar Alana C. F. , Price Adam H. , Mooney Sacha J. , Calonego Juliano C.
Published: February 2020

In weathered tropical soil, low nutrient use efficiency can lead to agricultural systems becoming unsustainable. Therefore, tropical agriculture is highly dependent on ecosystem services, such as nutrient recycling and carbon sequestration, to enhance soil fertility, increase nutrient uptake, and facilitate sustainable production of agricultural goods. This research aimed to find the balance between sustainability and profitability of tropical agriculture by evaluating the changes in soil caused by the ecosystem services provided by the biomass of leguminous trees (Gliricidia) and assessing how these changes (associated with potassium) can affect nitrogen‐use efficiency and maize yield. An experiment was conducted testing the impact of Glircidia biomass addition vs. bare soil, with or without addition of both nitrogen and/or potassium. Changes in soil organic matter, (SOM) base cations sum, soil resistance, N uptake, N‐use efficiency, and maize yield were evaluated. Gliricidia biomass, when used with N and K, contributed to increasing SOM by 5.0 g/kg and the sum of base cations by 1458. 65 kg/ha in the 0–30 cm layer. Moreover, grain yield was increased by approximately 70% in the treatments with Gliricidia when compared to treatments without biomass where yield was very low. In bare soil, the additional yield of 1.5 tons/ha would not be enough to convince farmers to change slash and burn to conventional bare soil systems. Our results showed that leguminous trees, such as Gliricidia, might contribute to ensuring sustainable agricultural intensification in humid tropical soils with low natural fertility by providing ecosystem services such as biomass production, carbon sequestration, base cation recycling, and increased N acquisition. These findings might be an important strategy to replace the common slash‐and‐burn‐system and preserve the rainforest against the traditional shifting cultivation system. In contrast, the conventional system with bare soil showed that the addition of nitrogen was unfeasible, mainly in conditions of high rainfall precipitation. In these circumstances, the use of potassium may increase nitrogen‐use efficiency only when biomass is not used.
Multifunctional Clay/PNIPAM Hydrogel Incorporating HxMoO3 Plasmonic Quantum Dot
Authors: Li Hao , Li Youzeng , Xu Qun , Zhang Ali
Published: February 2020

Functional hydrogel is becoming a frequently used material in various fields, especially in biological and medical applications. In order to overcome the barriers of low uniformity of structure and lack of energy dissipation effect in common hydrogel, in this work a strategy of doping plasmonic HxMoO3 quantum dots into PNIPAM (poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide)) hydrogel to proceed its multifunctionalization is developed. This quantum dots‐induced tactic could effectuate the enhancement of photothermal conversion, mechanical property, adhesion, and self‐healing performance simultaneously. In particular, for adhesion performance, the toughness value could be elevated to over 2500 J m−2 efficiently. Further, the enhancement mechanism behind the extraordinary adhesion performance is studied, and it can be contributed to the synergistic effect of pore structure regulation and abundant hydrogen bond, which are both beneficial to the interaction between composite hydrogel and solid surface. Subsequently, based on its extraordinary adhesion and self‐healing performance, the applicability of HxMoO3/PNIPAM hydrogel as a MØ growth substrate is investigated on wound dressing, and the experimental result demonstrates its excellent MØ growth‐promoting activity.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Integrated System Fuelled by Ammonia from Struvite Precipitation Process
Authors: Saadabadi S.A. , Patel H. , Woudstra T. , Aravind P. V.
Published: February 2020

Energy and exergy performance of ammonia fuelled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) integrated system in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is evaluated in this study. Ammonia can be recovered through a struvite precipitation process in the form of an ammonia‐water mixture (with 14 mol.% ammonia) and used as a carbon‐free fuel. A series of experiments has been conducted for SOFC single cell to evaluate the performance with different ammonia‐water mixture ratios. An ammonia‐SOFC system was modeled in Cycle Tempo for detailed thermodynamic analysis. The heat from the electrochemical reaction in the SOFC and catalytic combustion in an afterburner is used in the struvite decomposition process. However, the generated heat is not sufficient to meet the heat demand of the struvite decomposition reactor. To improve the sustainability of the system in terms of heat demand, the system can be integrated into a heat pump assisted distillation tower, meanwhile, the ammonia concentration of the fuel stream increases. Increasing the ammonia concentration to 90 mol.% increases the energy and exergy efficiencies of the SOFC system. The net energy efficiency of the integrated system with a heat pump assisted distillation tower is 39%, based on the LHV of the ammonia‐water mixture.
Efficacy and safety of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy without elective nodal irradiation for T3N0 glottic cancer without vocal cord fixation
Authors: Okumura Masayuki , Motegi Atsushi , Zenda Sadamoto , Nakamura Naoki , Hojo Hidehiro , Nakamura Masaki , Hirano Yasuhiro , Kageyama Shun‐ichiro , Arahira Satoko , Parshuram Raturi Vijay , Kuno Hirofumi , Hayashi Ryuichi , Tahara Makoto , Itoh Yoshiyuki , Naganawa Shinji , Akimoto Tetsuo
Published: February 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate accelerated fractionated radiotherapy (AFRT) without elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for T3N0 glottic cancer (GC) without vocal cord fixation, especially in comparison with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and hyperfractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) both of which included ENI.

Methods

The medical charts of patients with T3N0GC without cord fixation received definitive radiotherapy between June 2005 and March 2018 were reviewed.

Results

A total of 74 patients were analyzed. After a median follow‐up time of 46 months (range, 12‐141), 3‐year local failure in AFRT/CRT/HFRT (n = 41/10/23) was 10%/20%/26%, 3‐year regional failure 6%/0%/9%, 3‐year progression‐free survival 71%/69%/74%, and 3‐year overall survival 77%/100%/87%. There were no significant differences among three groups in recurrence or survival. Grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were noted in 5/2/8 patients (12%/20%/35%) in AFRT/CRT/HFRT, respectively. There were no Grade 4/5 AEs.

Conclusions

AFRT without ENI is an effective and feasible treatment for T3N0GC without cord fixation.
Accessing π‐expanded heterocyclics beyond dibenzothiophene: Syntheses and properties of phenanthrothiophenes
Authors: Venkateswarlu Samala , Prakoso Suhendro Purbo , Kumar Sushil , Tao Yu‐Tai
Published: February 2020

A series of phenanthrothiophenes are designed and synthesized from polyarylthiophenes through regioselective Scholl reactions in one step using iron chloride as catalyst. The molecular structures of these heteroarenes displayed multiple twisted fjords, which perturb the shapes of the polycyclic frameworks to pack in slipped to near‐perfect face‐to‐face styles in parallel or antiparallel packings. Field‐effect transistor devices using single crystals of 6,12‐difluorodiphenanthro[9, 10‐b:9′, 10′]thiophene gave a hole mobility of 0.22 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Synthesis and biological activities of nitro‐hydroxy‐phenylquinolines; validation of antibiotics effect over DNA gyrase inhibition and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Bilavendran J D. , Manikandan Alagumuthu , Thangarasu Ponnusamy , Sivakumar K
Published: February 2020

A family of 11 nitrophenol 2‐nitro‐5‐(4‐substituted phenylquinolin‐2‐yl)phenol derivatives (4, 4a‐j) was effectively synthesized as antimicrobial medications. A mixture of the substituted 3‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrobenzaldehyde substituted aromatic amine and substituted phenylacetylenes were used to synthesis the title compounds 4, 4a‐j. Antimicrobialactivity potential of 4, 4a‐j was evaluated against Streptococcus pyogenes (MTCC 442), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424), and Escherichia coli (MTCC 443). DNA gyrase inhibition studies carried out to understand the mechanism ofaction of the antimicrobial effect of target compounds. HRBC membrane stabilization (in vitro) property was also assessed as a representative human cellular cytotoxic effect of 4, 4a‐j since HRBC alike lysosomal cells and the lysozyme activity leads to inflammation and its adverse effects in cellular systems. Results reveal that compounds 4c and 4h have remarkable antibacterial activity and screened for further preclinical studies.
Effects of treatment temperatures on redox potential and sensory evaluation of different spices and herbs applied to cooked pork sausages
Authors: Huynh Do Bao Tam , Krickmeier Janet , Schnaeckel Wolfram
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of treatment temperatures (22, 78, 100 °C) on the antioxidant activity of 13 types of dried ground spices and herbs (black mustard, black pepper, blackberries, onion, cumin, galangal, lemon balm, lovage, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary and watercress) through measurements of redox potential. Four different combinations of spices and herbs were created and applied to cooked pork sausages, then sensory evaluation was carried out.

RESULTS

The redox potential was temperature dependent. A temperature of 78 °C was chosen to produce the cooked pork sausages with the addition of the spice and herb combinations. The combinations were black mustard, onion, and cumin (at a 1:1:1 ratio); onion, marjoram, and parsley (at a 1:1:1 ratio); black pepper, lemon balm, and parsley (at a 1:2.35:1.65 ratio) and black pepper, cumin, and lovage (at a 1:2:2 ratio). In pork sausages cooked at 78 °C, the variants at 12 g kg−1 had a more intense aroma and taste than those at 6 g kg−1 spice and herb combinations, and received a superior sensory evaluation in total.

CONCLUSIONS

The most desirable treatment temperature possibly applied in food products was 78 °C as it gave the highest number of negative results in redox potential of water extracts. The addition of the tested spice and herb combinations contributed to the increase of antioxidant possibility of 78 °C‐cooked pork sausages. Further investigation of the redox potential in other meat products (raw meat products at 22 °C, sausages from cooked meat at 100 °C) with the addition of the current spice and herb combinations will be undertaken in subsequent research. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Convergence analysis of an iterative algorithm to solve system of nonlinear stochastic Itô‐Volterra integral equations
Authors: Saffarzadeh Masoud , Heydari Mohammad , Barid Loghmani Ghasem
Published: February 2020

In this paper, an efficient and accurate numerical iterative algorithm based on the linear spline interpolation for solving the system of nonlinear stochastic Itô‐Volterra integral equations is presented. The most important merit of this method is that it does not need to solve any system of nonlinear algebraic equations. An upper bound for the linear spline approximation of the stochastic function is provided. Using this upper bound and under the Lipschitz and linear growth conditions, the convergence analysis of the suggested method is studied. Finally, to verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme, some problems in the finance, physics, and biology are investigated, and the obtained results are compared with the stochastic
‐method.
A reconfigurable frequency selective surface with wide reconfigurable passband and angular stability property
Authors: Yang Dou , Zhai Huiqing , Qi Rui , Xue Kun
Published: February 2020

In this article, a reconfigurable frequency selective surface (RFSS) with a wide reconfigurable passband and angular stability property is proposed. In this design, The RFSS consists of three metallic layers and two thin dielectric substrates with metallic via holes. Tunable electromagnetic characteristics are achieved by loading varactor diodes. Because of the symmetry of the structure and the insertion of metal via holes, the RFSS is insensitive to the incidence of TE and TM polarization, thus improving angular stability. The proposed RFSS can be tuned from 5.4 to 15.96 GHz when the incident angle ranges from 0° to 60°. The RFSS was made and tested to verify the proposed design. The proposed RFSS has good performances, which are verified by simulation and measurement results.
Low Serum Insulinlike Growth Factor II Levels Correlate with High BMI in American Indian Adults
Authors: Muller Yunhua L. , Hanson Robert L. , Mahkee Darin , Piaggi Paolo , Kobes Sayuko , Hsueh Wen‐Chi , Knowler William C. , Bogardus Clifton , Baier Leslie J.
Published: February 2020

Objective

Insulinlike growth factor II (IGF‐II) regulates metabolism and growth. In humans, both positive and negative relationships have been reported between serum IGF‐II levels and obesity. This study assessed the relationship between serum IGF‐II levels and BMI and determined whether IGF‐II levels predict weight gain.

Methods

Serum samples were available from 911 American Indians with a recorded BMI. IGF‐II was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum IGF‐II levels were negatively correlated with BMI (r = −0.17, P = 4.4 × 10−7, adjusted for age, sex, and storage time). The strongest correlation was in participants aged ≥ 30 years (r = −0.28, P = 3.4 × 10−8, N = 349), a modest correlation was in participants aged 20 to 29 years (r = −0.15, P = 7.6 × 10−3, N = 322), and participants aged 15 to 19 years had no correlation (r = 0.05, P = 0.48, N = 240). IGF‐II levels did not predict weight gain. However, among individuals who had genotypes for 64 established obesity variants (age ≥ 20 years, N = 671), a genetic risk score for high BMI was associated with lower IGF‐II (β = −0.08 SD of IGF‐II per SD of the genetic risk score, P = 0.025).

Conclusions

There is a negative relationship between IGF‐II levels and BMI, in which the correlation is stronger at older ages. The association between genetic risk for BMI and IGF‐II levels suggests that this correlation may be due to an effect of obesity on IGF‐II.
Exploring the industry's challenges in software testing: An empirical study
Authors: Garousi Vahid , Felderer Michael , Kuhrmann Marco , Herkiloğlu Kadir , Eldh Sigrid
Published: February 2020

Context

Software testing is an important and costly software engineering activity in the industry. Despite the efforts of the software testing research community in the last several decades, various studies show that still many practitioners in the industry report challenges in their software testing tasks.

Objective

To shed light on industry's challenges in software testing, we characterize and synthesize the challenges reported by practitioners. Such concrete challenges can then be used for a variety of purposes, eg, research collaborations between industry and academia.

Method

Our empirical research method is opinion survey. By designing an online survey, we solicited practitioners' opinions about their challenges in different testing activities. Our dataset includes data from 72 practitioners from eight different countries.

Results

Our results show that test management and test automation are considered the most challenging among all testing activities by practitioners. Our results also include a set of 104 concrete challenges in software testing that may need further investigations by the research community.

Conclusion

We conclude that the focal points of industrial work and academic research in software testing differ. Furthermore, the paper at hand provides valuable insights concerning practitioners' “pain” points and, thus, provides researchers with a source of important research topics of high practical relevance.
Frameworks for urban water sustainability
Authors: Bell Sarah J.
Published: February 2020

Integrated water management, sustainable water management, water sensitive cities, and other formulations are often presented as the latest in a series of paradigms of water management. This implies a unified approach, while urban water debates reflect a wide diversity of political, social, and technical viewpoints. Five distinct but overlapping frameworks for urban water sustainability are evident in research, policy and practice, reflecting wider environmental theory, politics, and discourse. Sustainable development is based on meeting the needs for water and sanitation of the urban poor. Ecological modernization focuses on policies to improve water efficiency and treatment through technological innovation and individual behavior change. Socio‐technical framings aim to understand how change in water systems occurs across physical and institutional scales and addresses the co‐evolution of infrastructures, cultures, and everyday practices. Urban political ecology analyses water infrastructure in terms of relationships of power, pointing to the unequal distribution of costs and benefits of urban water management for the environment and citizens. Radical ecology addresses the relationship between human culture and non‐human nature, proposing fundamental reorganization of society to solve ecological and hydrological crises. Characterizing alternate frameworks of urban water sustainability provides clarity on the underlying assumptions, methods, and politics across a diversity of approaches. Frameworks may be deployed strategically to deliver policy impact, or may reflect deeply held political or epistemological standpoints. Understanding different conceptions of urban water sustainability provides the basis for more constructive dialogue and debate about water and its role in sustainable cites.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Water Governance

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Prompt hadroproduction of ηc(1S, 2S) in the kT-factorization approach
Authors: Babiarz Izabela , Pasechnik Roman , Schäfer Wolfgang , Szczurek Antoni
Published: February 2020

Abstract

In this work, we present a thorough analysis of ηc(1S, 2S) quarkonia hadroproduction in k⊥-factorisation in the framework of the light-front potential approach for the quarkonium wave function. The off-shell matrix elements for the g*g*ηc(1S, 2S) vertices are derived. We discuss the importance of taking into account the gluon virtualities. We present the transverse momentum distributions of ηc for several models of the unintegrated gluon distributions. Our calculations are performed for four distinct parameterisations for the $$ c\overline{c} $$
c

c
¯

interaction potential consistent with the meson spectra. We compare our results for ηc(1S) to measurements by the LHCb collaboration and present predictions for ηc(2S) production.
Mittelgliedbasisimpressionsfrakturen der Finger
Authors: Vergote D. , Mentzel M. , Moeller R.-T. , Bauknecht S. , Schöll H.
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Mittelgliedbasisimpressionsfrakturen der Finger stellen aufgrund häufiger Subluxationen und der zentral imprimierten Fragmente ein Problem dar.

Zwei minimalinvasive Verfahren stehen zur Verfügung: 1. die bisher wenig bekannte intramedulläre Aufstopfmethode nach Hintringer, 2. der verbreitete Distraktionsfixateur nach Suzuki.

Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist der Vergleich der Behandlungsergebnisse beider Verfahren.

Methoden

Das nachuntersuchte Kollektiv umfasst 42 Patienten, bei denen operativ eine Mittelgliedbasisimpressionsfraktur versorgt wurde. Dabei erfolgte 28-mal eine intramedulläre Aufstopfung mit perkutaner Kirschner-Draht-Retention (Gruppe A) und 14-mal die Versorgung mittels Fixateur nach Suzuki (Gruppe B). Untersucht wurden die Funktion, das radiologische Ergebnis und die subjektiven Beschwerden.

Ergebnisse

Es zeigt sich, dass in Gruppe A nach Einteilung der „American Society for Surgery of the Hand“ (ASSH) 81 % der Patienten ein gutes Ergebnis erreichen, in Gruppe B hingegen 50 %. Für das Mittelgelenk ergeben sich im Median 82,5° Bewegungsumfang nach Aufstopfung und 47,5° nach Suzuki Anlage. Im Median konnte in der Gruppe A die Impression von 2,35 auf 0,5 mm reduziert werden, in Gruppe B hingegen nur von 1,6 auf 1,15 mm. Einschränkungen durch Schmerzen gaben in Gruppe A 2 von 28 Patienten an und in Gruppe B einer von 14.

Diskussion

Mit der Aufstopfmethode nach Hintringer lassen sich Mittelgliedbasisimpressionsfrakturen gut behandeln. Die dorsale Subluxation kann ausgeglichen werden, und zentral imprimierte Fragmente lassen sich besser reponieren und retinieren als mit dem Distraktionsfixateur. Darüber hinaus sind die radiologischen Verlaufskontrollen besser zu beurteilen als bei liegendem Distraktionsfixateur.
Impotenz und Hexenglauben: Ein medizinischer Traktat des Ulmer Stadtarztes Wolfgang Reichart (1486–1547)
Authors: Ursin Frank , Rubeis Giovanni , Steger Florian
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Der Hexenglaube beeinflusste im 16. Jahrhundert das medizinische Denken und Handeln. Der Ulmer Stadtarzt Wolfgang Reichart (1486–1547) hat in einem bisher unbekannten Traktat die Impotenz eines Patienten mit medizinischen Konzepten rational erklärt.

Material und Methode

Der Traktat wurde transkribiert, übersetzt und hinsichtlich seiner Quellen, Struktur und des Inhalts analysiert. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Johann Weyers (1515–1588) Konzepten verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Reichart erklärt die Impotenz seines Patienten als erworbene Erkrankung, an der Dämonen beteiligt waren. Da Dämonen nur auf natürliche Weise auf den menschlichen Körper wirken, sei die Krankheit auf natürlichem Weg heilbar. Grundlage der Therapie ist ein mittelalterliches pathophysiologisches Konzept, das antike Elemente kombinierte.

Schlussfolgerungen

Reicharts Therapie unterscheidet sich von derjenigen zeitgenössischer Ärzte, weil er den Patienten selbst behandelt und nicht an einen Theologen überweist. Im Gegensatz zu Weyer bietet er ein detailliertes pathophysiologisches Konzept zur medizinischen Erklärung der Impotenz.
Graph Laplacian for image anomaly detection
Authors: Verdoja Francesco , Grangetto Marco
Published: February 2020

Reed–Xiaoli detector (RXD) is recognized as the benchmark algorithm for image anomaly detection; however, it presents known limitations, namely the dependence over the image following a multivariate Gaussian model, the estimation and inversion of a high-dimensional covariance matrix, and the inability to effectively include spatial awareness in its evaluation. In this work, a novel graph-based solution to the image anomaly detection problem is proposed; leveraging the graph Fourier transform, we are able to overcome some of RXD’s limitations while reducing computational cost at the same time. Tests over both hyperspectral and medical images, using both synthetic and real anomalies, prove the proposed technique is able to obtain significant gains over performance by other algorithms in the state of the art.
Foraging ecology of Mediterranean juvenile loggerhead turtles: insights from C and N stable isotope ratios
Authors: Haywood Julia C. , Casale Paolo , Freggi Daniela , Fuller Wayne J. , Godley Brendan J. , Lazar Bojan , Margaritoulis Dimitris , Rees ALan F. , Shutler Jamie D. , Snape Robin T. , Swain-Diaz Nathalie R. , Widdicombe Stephen , Broderick Annette C.
Published: February 2020

Bycatch is one of the key threats to juvenile marine turtles in the Mediterranean Sea. As fishing methods are regional or habitat specific, the susceptibility of marine turtles may differ according to inter- and intra-population variations in foraging ecology. An understanding of these variations is necessary to assess bycatch susceptibility and to implement region-specific management. To determine if foraging ecology differs with region, sex, and size of juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen was performed on 171 juveniles from a range of foraging regions across the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea. Isotope ratios differed with geographical region, likely due to baseline variations in δ13C and δ15N values. The absence of sex-specific differences suggests that within an area, all comparably sized animals likely exploit similar foraging strategies, and therefore, their susceptibility to fisheries threats will likely be similar. The isotope ratios of juveniles occupying the North East Adriatic and North Levantine basin increased with size, potentially due to increased consumption of more prey items at higher trophic levels from a more neritic source. Isotope ratios of juveniles with access to both neritic and oceanic habitats did not differ with size which is consistent with them consuming prey items from both habitats interchangeably. With foraging habitats exploited differently among size classes in a population, the susceptibility to fisheries interactions will likely differ with size; therefore, region-specific management approaches will be needed.
Correction to: Analysis of autonomic outcomes in APOLLO, a phase III trial of the RNAi therapeutic patisiran in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Authors: González-Duarte Alejandra , Berk John L. , Quan Dianna , Mauermann Michelle L. , Schmidt Hartmut H. , Polydefkis Michael , Waddington-Cruz Márcia , Ueda Mitsuharu , Conceição Isabel M. , Kristen Arnt V. , Coelho Teresa , Cauquil Cécile A. , Tard Céline , Merkel Madeline , Aldinc Emre , Chen Jihong , Sweetser Marianne T. , Wang Jing Jing , Adams David
Published: February 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.