bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of fixatives on stable isotopes of fish muscle tissue: implications for trophic studies on preserved specimens
Authors: Durante L. M. , Sabadel A. J. M. , Frew R. D. , Ingram T. , Wing S. R.
Published: January 2020

Isotopic ecology has been widely used to understand spatial connectivity and trophic interactions in marine systems. However, its potential for monitoring an ecosystem's health and function has been hampered by the lack of consistent sample storage and long‐term studies. Preserved specimens from museum collections are a valuable source of tissue for analyses from ancient and pre‐modern times, but isotopic signatures are known to be affected by commonly used fixatives. The aim of the present study was to understand the effects of fixatives on isotopic signatures of bulk tissue (δ13Cmand δ15Nm) and amino acids (δ13CAAand δ15NAA) of fish muscle and to provide correction equations for the isotopic shifts. Two specimens of each: blue cod (Parapercis colias), blue warehou (Seriolella brama), and king salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) were sampled at five locations along their dorsal musculature, at four time periods: (1) fresh, (2) after 1 month preserved in formalin, and after (3) 3 and (4) 12 months fixed in either ethanol or isopropanol. Lipid content was positively correlated with C:N ratio (r² = 0.83) and had a significant effect on δ13C after treatments, but not on δ15N. C:N ratio (for δ13Cm) and percent N (for δ15Nm) from preserved specimens contributed to the most parsimonious mixed models, which explained 79% of the variation due to fixation and preservation for δ13C and 81% for δ15N. δ13CAAwere generally not affected by fixatives and preservatives, while most δ15NAAshowed different signatures between treatments. δ15NAAvariations did not affect the magnitude of differences between amino acids, allowing scientists to retrieve ecological information (e.g., trophic level) independently of time under preservation. Corrections were applied to the raw data of the experiment, highlighting the importance of δ13Cmand δ15Nmcorrection when fish muscle tissues from wet collections are compared to fresh samples. Our results make it possible to retrieve δ13Cm, δ15Nm, δ13CAA, and δ15NAAfrom museum specimens and can be applied to some of the fundamental questions in ecology, such as trophic baseline shifts and changes in community's food web structure through time.
Horticultural availability and homeowner preferences drive plant diversity and composition in urban yards
Authors: Cavender‐Bares Jeannine , Padullés Cubino Josep , Pearse William D. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Lange A. J. , Knapp Sonja , Nelson Kristen C.
Published: January 2020

Understanding the factors that influence biodiversity in urban areas is important for informing management efforts aimed at enhancing the ecosystem services in urban settings and curbing the spread of invasive introduced species. We determined the ecological and socioeconomic factors that influence patterns of plant richness, phylogenetic diversity, and composition in 133 private household yards in the Minneapolis‐Saint Paul Metropolitan area, Minnesota, USA. We compared the composition of spontaneously occurring plant species and those planted by homeowners with composition in natural areas (at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) and in the horticulture pool of species available from commercial growers. Yard area and fertilizer frequency influenced species richness of the spontaneous species but expressed homeowner values did not. In contrast, the criteria that homeowners articulated as important in their management decisions, including aesthetics, wildlife, neatness and food provision, significantly predicted cultivated species richness. Strikingly, the composition of plant species that people cultivated in their yards resembled the taxonomic and phylogenetic composition of species available commercially. In contrast, the taxonomic and phylogenetic composition of spontaneous species showed high similarity to natural areas. The large fraction of introduced species that homeowners planted was a likely consequence of what was available for them to purchase. The study links the composition and diversity of yard flora to their natural and anthropogenic sources and sheds light on the human factors and values that influence the plant diversity in residential areas of a major urban system. Enhanced understanding of the influences of the sources of plants, both native and introduced, that enter urban systems and the human factors and values that influence their diversity is critical to identifying the levers to manage urban biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Key issues that need to be considered while revising the current annex of the European Council Recommendation (2003) on cancer screening
Authors: Ponti Antonio , Basu Partha , Ritchie David , Anttila Ahti , Carvalho Andre L. , Senore Carlo , Mallafré‐Larrosa Meritxell , Piccinelli Cristiano , Ronco Guglielmo , Soerjomataram Isabelle , Primic‐Žakelj Maja , Dillner Joakim , Elfström Miriam K. , Lönnberg Stefan , Vale Diama B. , Tomatis Mariano , Armaroli Paola , Giordano Livia , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Segnan Nereo
Published: January 2020

The 2003 European Council recommendation urging the Member States to introduce or scale up breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening through an organized population‐based approach has had a remarkable impact. We argue that the recommendation needs to be updated for at least two sets of reasons. First, some of the current clinical guidelines include new tests or protocols that were not available at the time of the Council document. Some have already been adopted by organized screening programs, such as newly defined age ranges for mammography screening, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)‐based cervical cancer screening, fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. Second, the outcomes of randomized trials evaluating screening for lung and prostate cancer have been published recently and the balance between harms and benefits needs to be pragmatically assessed. In the European Union, research collaboration and networking to exchange and develop best practices should be regularly supported by the European Commission. Integration between primary and secondary preventive strategies through comprehensive approaches is necessary not only to maximize the reduction in cancer burden but also to control the rising trend of other noncommunicable diseases sharing the same risk factors.
Amorphous polymerization of nitrogen in compressed cupric azide
Authors: Xu Yujia , Zhang Weijing , Zhang Tonglai , Guo Wei , Lü Yongjun
Published: January 2020

Metal azides have attracted increasing attention as precursors for synthesizing polymeric nitrogen. In this article, we report the amorphous polymerization of nitrogen by compressing cupric azide. The ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show that crystalline cupric azide transforms into a disordered network composed of singly bonded nitrogen at a hydrostatic pressure of 40 GPa and room temperature. The transformation manifests the formation of a π delocalization along the disordered Cu‐N network, thus resulting in a semiconductor–metal transition. The estimated heat of formation of the amorphous polymeric nitrogen system is comparable to conventional high‐energy‐density materials. The amorphization provides an alternative route to the polymerization of nitrogen under moderate conditions.
Effective electron–hole separation over N‐doped TiO2 materials for improved photocatalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol using visible light
Authors: May Ix Luis A , Estrella González Alberto , Cipagauta‐Díaz Sandra , Gómez Ricardo
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Nitrogen‐doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst was synthesized successfully by a low temperature microwave‐assisted sol–gel method. Ethylenediamine was used as a source of nitrogen dopants to extend and improve the photoresponse of the materials to visible light. The photocatalysts were characterized by several techniques to determine the structural, textural and optical characteristics. The activity of the materials was tested in the photoreduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) to 4‐aminophenol (4‐AP) under visible light.

RESULTS

The results indicate that nitrogen ions were substitutedly doped into oxygen sites of the TiO2 lattice, resulting in band gap narrowing, which significantly promotes the visible light absorption of TiEN catalysts. When initial ethylenediamine concentration was increased, the content of nitrogen dopant and optical absorption in the visible region increased. Moreover, it was found that TiEN photocatalyst significantly enhances the photoreduction of 4‐NP in comparison to the bare TiO2.

CONCLUSION

The increased photocatalytic activity of TiEN new materials are predominantly related to a lower energy gap, enhanced visible light absorption, higher reactive surface area and improved charge separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing cost‐effective nutrient removal solutions in the urban water system
Authors: Hodgson Brock , Dell Tyler , Sharvelle Sybil , Arabi Mazdak
Published: January 2020

Many states are adopting more stringent nutrient load restrictions, requiring utilities to invest in costly improvements. To date, substantial research has been done to independently assess the nutrient removal efficacy of wastewater treatment technologies and stormwater control measures. The analysis presented here provides a unique assessment by evaluating combinations of nutrient load reduction strategies across water supply, wastewater, and stormwater sectors. A demonstration study was conducted evaluating 7812 cross‐sector removal strategies in the urban water system using empirical models to quantify efficacy of common wastewater treatment, water management, and stormwater control measures (SCMs). Pareto optimal solutions were evaluated to identify the most cost‐effective strategies. To meet stringent nutrient requirements, wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) will likely require advanced biological nutrient removal with carbon and ferric addition. Even with these technologies, WWTFs may still be unable to obtain target nutrient requirements. In addition, municipalities can consider water management practices and SCMs to further reduce nutrient loading or provide a more cost‐effective nutrient removal strategy. For water management practices, source separation and effluent reuse were frequently identified as part of the most effective nutrient strategies but face engineering, political, and social adoption barriers. Similarly, SCMs were frequently part of effective nutrient removal strategies compared to only adopting nutrient removal practices at WWTFs. This research provides the framework and demonstrates the value in using an urban water system approach to identify optimal nutrient removal strategies that can be easily applied to other urban areas.
Portal vein flow velocity as a possible fast noninvasive screening tool for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Elkenawy Yara N , Elarabawy Reda A , Ahmed Layla M , Elsawy Abdallah A
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the gold standard tool in both screening/diagnosis and management of varices in cirrhotic patients; however, its invasive nature may be uncomfortable to some patients, and in addition, it may be unavailable in some centers that cannot afford it. Therefore, to decrease the economic and physical burden on patients, multiple noninvasive clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters are evaluated as triage screening predictors of varices before patients' referral to endoscopy. In this respect, we tried to evaluate the validity of portal vein velocity (PVV) as a noninvasive screening tool of esophageal varices (EV).

Methods

One hundred thirty‐five cirrhotic patients were consecutively enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. All patients were evaluated independently and blindly by EGD as the gold standard and then by Doppler ultrasound on portal vein (PV).

Results

Univariate regression showed significant coefficients for PVV, platelet (PLT), albumin, bilirubin, international normalized ratio (INR), portal vein diameter, and ascites; however, multivariable regression showed significant coefficients only for PVV, PLT, and albumin; (P = 0.000, 0.000, and 0.006, respectively). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, LR+, and LR− values were then calculated and validated using bootstrap analysis. PVV was more accurate than other evaluated parameters (AUROC: 0.927 and P = 0.000). The most accurate rule out cutoff value for PVV was ≥19 cm/s with the sensitivity of 97% and LR− of 0.05.

Conclusion

PVV may be useful as a noninvasive triage test for selection of the high‐risk cirrhotic patients who should be referred to and could benefit from EGD. We could highlight using PVV to rule out EV at a cutoff value ≥19 cm/s, reserving EGD only for patients with the PVV value <19 cm/s.
Putting time in perspective: How and why construal level buffers the relationship between wait time and aggressive tendencies
Authors: Efrat‐Treister Dorit , Daniels Michael A. , Robinson Sandra L.
Published: January 2020

We spend a substantial part of our daily life waiting, and unfortunately, wait time can fuel aggressive tendencies. Our study examines the relationship between wait time, perceived wait time, and aggressive tendencies from a construal level perspective. In Study 1, we found that the higher the construal level, the stronger the relationship between actual and perceived wait time and the stronger relationship between perceived wait time and aggressive tendencies. In Study 2, we manipulated construal level and found that power explains the moderating impact of construal on the wait—aggressive tendencies relationships. Results demonstrate the role of construal in explaining both perceived wait time and aggressive responses to long wait times, suggesting that mental construal influences both the psychological experience of time and the subsequent reaction to that experience. Overall, these results contribute to research on subjective time perspective by enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the determinants and effects of perceived wait time.
East Asian summer rainfall projection and uncertainty under a global warming scenario
Authors: Liu Yunyun , Li Yi , Ding Yihui
Published: January 2020

This work investigated the simulation and future changes in East Asian summer mean rainfall, interannual variability, and associated uncertainty based on the historical and representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 runs of 26 CMIP5 models. It is noted that the present‐day mean rainfall was well simulated by most of the models, though underestimation is over the Meiyu/Baiu/Changma (MBC) rainfall belt, and overestimation is in the western North Pacific (WNP). Nevertheless, it is still a challenge for the CMIP5 models to well simulate the interannual variability. The approach of the multi‐model ensemble greatly improves the credibility of model simulations, especially for the rainfall variability. The East Asian summer rainfall is projected to a relatively consistent increase in the near future, while the spatial distributions of the summer rainfall changes by the end of the 21st century are similar to those in the near future, with twice magnitude of the mean rainfall amount increase. The rainfall changes are associated with the strengthened low‐level southerly wind over East China and intensified western North Pacific high. Also, the variation of rainfall interannual variability by the end of the 21st century over East Asia is larger than that in the near future, with similar spatial patterns. It may imply that the stronger rainfall interannual variability is associated with the increased mean rainfall amount in the future. The inter‐model spreads of both the mean and interannual variability changes are larger in the low latitudes than in the high latitudes over East Asia. The signal‐noise‐ratio (SNR) is largely determined by the rainfall change (signal) in the future. Lower SNR of interannual variability than that of mean rainfall over East Asia implies that the CMIP5 models are more robust to a certain extent in simulating the summer mean rainfall change in East Asia than the change of interannual variability.
Characteristics of convections associated with the Tibetan Plateau vortices based on geostationary satellite data
Authors: Li Lun , Zhang Renhe , Wu Peili , Wen Min , Li Bo
Published: January 2020

Tibetan Plateau vortices (TPVs) are major rain producers over the Tibetan Plateau, some of which can move eastward off the plateau and trigger heavy rainfall over southwestern and eastern China. The infrared black body temperature (TBB) data, derived from geostationary meteorological satellite FY‐2E in the period of May–August of 2010–2014, is utilized to investigate the characteristics of convections associated with the moving‐off TPVs. During May–August, negative TBB anomalies appear over the tracks of the TPVs, but are located further north of the tracks in May and June than in July and August. Relative to the centre of TPVs, low TBB appears in the southeast and extends from southwest to northeast, whose values are smaller and ranges are larger before the TPVs move off than after moving off. Distributions of TBB at different evolution times show a close relationship with the characteristics of TPVs. The intensity, scales and shape of the convections linked to the TPVs are explored in the coordinates whose origin is the composite centre of the convections. Generally, convections associated with the TPVs are elliptic and stretch from southwest to northeast, with average spatial scales of approximately 3° in the zonal and 2° in the meridional direction. Convections in July and August are more intensive and lie southwest‐northeast, and those in May and June are weaker with a quasi‐zonal orientation. The horizontal scales of convections are much larger in May and July than those in June and August. Convections are usually larger and more intense before the TPVs move off than after moving off, corresponding to the changes of TPVs.
ACL injury and reconstruction affect control of ground reaction forces produced during a novel task that simulates cutting movements
Authors: Lanier Amelia S. , Knarr Brian A. , Stergiou Nicholas , Snyder‐Mackler Lynn , Buchanan Thomas S.
Published: January 2020

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction, biomechanical and neuromuscular control deficits persist and 25% of those who have experienced an ACL injury will experience a second ACL rupture in the first year after returning to sports. There remains a need for improved rehabilitation and the ability to detect an individual's risk of secondary ACL rupture. Nonlinear analysis metrics, such as the largest Lyapunov exponent (LyE) can provide new biomechanical insight in this population by identifying how movement patterns evolve over time. The purpose of this study was to determine how ACL injury, ACL reconstruction (ACLR), and participation in high‐performance athletics affect control strategies, evaluated through nonlinear analysis, produced during a novel task that simulates forces generated during cutting movements. Uninjured recreational athletes, those with ACL injury who have not undergone reconstruction (ACLD [ACL deficient]), those who have undergone ACL reconstruction, and high‐performance athletes completed a task that simulates cutting forces. The LyE calculated from forces generated during this novel task was greater (ie, force control was diminished) in the involved limb of ACLD and ACLR groups when compared with healthy uninjured controls and high‐performance athletes. These data suggest that those who have experienced an ACL injury and subsequent reconstructive surgery exhibit poor force control when compared with both uninjured controls and high‐performance athletes. Clinical significance: significantly larger LyE values after ACL injury and reconstruction when compared with healthy athletes suggest a continuing deficit in force control not addressed by current rehabilitation protocols and evaluation metrics that could contribute to secondary ACL rupture.
Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ulixertinib in rat by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Yu Bin , Duan Jie , Ning Hong , Huang Yi‐Lan , Ling Bao‐Dong , Lin Fei
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of ulixertinib in rat plasma. The plasma samples were precipitated with acetonitrile and then separated on a C18 column with water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Analytes were monitored on a TSQ Vantage triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer operated in positive electrospray ionization mode. Selected reaction monitoring transitions were m/z 433.1→262.1 for ulixertinib and m/z 450.1→260.1 for internal standard. The assay achieved good linearity over the concentration range of 0.1‐1000 ng/mL with correlation coefficient > 0.9991. The validated assay has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of ulixertinib in rat after oral and intravenous administration. The results revealed that ulixertinib showed high exposure in rat plasma, low clearance, moderate oral bioavailability (45.13%), and dose‐independent pharmacokinetic profiles over the oral dose range of 1‐15 mg/kg. In addition, six metabolites from rat plasma and hepatocytes were detected and structurally identified by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography combined with high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The metabolic pathways of ulixertinib referred to hydroxylation and dealkylation and glucuronidation.
Bacterioplankton metabolism of phytoplankton lysates across a cyclone‐anticyclone eddy dipole impacts the cycling of semi‐labile organic matter in the photic zone
Authors: Wear Emma K. , Carlson Craig A. , Church Matthew J.
Published: January 2020

Mesoscale eddies, prominent physical processes in the stratified ocean gyres, affect community composition and metabolic rates of both phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacterioplankton (free‐living bacterial and archaeal) communities. We hypothesized that in situ differences in organic matter production would predispose bacterioplankton communities from cyclonic vs. anticyclonic eddies toward metabolic capabilities better suited to utilizing dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the phytoplankton groups commonly associated with each eddy polarity. To test this, we established dilution batch‐culture bioassay incubations along a cyclone to anticyclone spatial transect in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Unamended incubations, to assess spatial variability in ambient DOM bioavailability, and incubations amended with lysates of phytoplankton cultures were established and community growth and metabolic responses were assessed. Over timescales of days, lysate type was more influential than incubation origin: Prochlorococcus lysate was rapidly remineralized, while Emiliania huxleyi lysate was efficiently incorporated into biomass and developed a unique community of copiotrophic bacteria. Over timescales of 1 week to 1 month, eddy effects were indirectly apparent in their potential to promote metabolic processes related to DOM production and consumption. Surface lysate incubations showed priming of ambient DOM, that is, the remineralization of DOM, which was otherwise not bioavailable, in the presence of labile substrates. Some incubations originating from the deep chlorophyll maximum demonstrated signatures of chemoautotrophy fueled by nitrification, coincident with eddy‐driven isopycnal uplift. We conclude that eddy polarity itself does not determine community‐level bacterioplankton metabolic capabilities; however, mesoscale processes may indirectly affect slower, semi‐labile organic matter processing in the oligotrophic ocean.
Least energy nodal solutions for Kirchhoff‐type Laplacian problems
Authors: Cheng Bitao , Chen Jianhua , Zhang Binlin
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we are concerned with the existence of least energy nodal solutions for the following Kirchhoff‐type Laplacian problems:

where
is a bounded domain with a smooth boundary
,
,
, and
. In the light of characteristics of the Kirchhoff‐type function
, we impose a weaker assumption on
instead of the usual Nehari type monotonicity condition and then prove the existence of one least energy nodal solution
of Equation by applying constraint variational method, quantitative deformation lemma as well as one variant of Miranda theorem. Moreover, we show that the energy of nodal solution
is strictly larger than twice of that of any ground state solutions of Nehari type to Equation and also study the convergence property of
as the parameter
. Our results improve and extend the known results of the usual case
in the sense that a more wider rang of
is covered.
Ultra‐low phase noise oscillator employing mixed electric and magnetic coupling resonator
Authors: Cai Zongqi , Yang Yang , Tang Xiaohong , Li Zhiyou , Zhang Ting , Zhu Hailiang
Published: January 2020

In this article, a pair of stub‐loaded interdigital hairpin resonators‐based filter with high group delay and improved stopband suppression is used to design an S‐band ultra‐low phase noise single‐ended oscillator. A transmission zero closed to the edge of passband in the filter is generated by introducing strong electric and magnetic coupling, which can improve the phase noise performance of the proposed oscillator. A low phase noise figure‐of‐merit (FOM) that considers both insertion loss and group delay of the feedback loop is used to evaluate the overall phase noise performance of the proposed oscillator. In order to verify the concept, the proposed oscillator is designed and fabricated. The measured results show that the oscillation frequency is 2.037 GHz with the output power of 8.92 dBm while the second harmonic suppression level is about 35.66 dB. The phase noise and the FOM of the proposed oscillator at 100 kHz frequency offset are −127.95 and −199.31 dBc/Hz, respectively. According to the open literature, this is one of the best phase noise performances of the single‐ended hybrid integrated oscillators oscillating at the similar frequency range.
A divide‐by‐3 planar power divider with >30 dB isolation
Authors: Abdullah Amber , Zakir M. Ayaz , Cheema Hammad M.
Published: January 2020

A new three‐way planar power divider, based on recombinant structure and multisection impedance transformers achieving equal division ratio and high isolation is presented. The new design structure comprises of unequal impedance multisections, and achieves higher isolation than planarized Wilkinson dividers and smaller structure than recombinant designs. The divider is completely modeled analytically using transmission line theory, followed by verification through simulation and measurements. With an overall size of 23.5 mm × 29 mm, the divider demonstrates a bandwidth from 1.8 GHz to 2.8 GHz with measured 20 dB isolation bandwidth of 43%, peak isolation of 31 dB, insertion loss of 4.99 ± 0.5 dB and return loss better than 13 dB at 2.4 GHz. The planar structure, small size and highest reported isolation at 2.4 GHz, makes the design suitable for MMICs, antenna feed networks and power amplifier applications.
Predicted Lifetime Third‐Party Costs of Obesity for Black and White Adolescents with Race‐Specific Age‐Related Weight Gain
Authors: Schell Robert C. , Just David R. , Levitsky David A.
Published: January 2020

Objective

There exists enormous variation in estimates of the lifetime cost of adolescent obesity by race. To justify policy measures to reduce obesity rates nationally in this demographic, the costs of obesity in late adolescence must first be discerned. Although several researchers have sought to quantify obesity’s true cost, none has accounted for race‐specific age‐related weight gain, a vital component in producing an accurate estimate.

Methods

This paper employs a Markov model of BMI category state changes separately for black and white males and females from age 18 to 75 applied to updated estimates of obesity’s costs and effect on mortality to quantify the median lifetime cost of obesity at age 18.

Results

This study found lower lifetime costs than previously, largely because of the dramatic gain in weight among normal‐weight individuals, particularly black males, that occurs in early adulthood.

Conclusions

A substantial portion of obesity’s prevalence, and therefore cost, for black males and females comes from age‐related weight gain in early adulthood. This speaks to the persistent threat of obesity beyond adolescence for this demographic, and further research should focus on whether policy can modify the behaviors and environment through which and in which this sharp increase in weight occurs.
Sexual Dimorphisms in Adult Human Brown Adipose Tissue
Authors: Fletcher Laura A. , Kim Katherine , Leitner Brooks P. , Cassimatis Thomas M. , O’Mara Alana E. , Johnson James W. , Halprin Molly S. , McGehee Suzanne M. , Brychta Robert J. , Cypess Aaron M. , Chen Kong Y.
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study aimed to quantify and compare the amount, activity, and anatomical distribution of cold‐activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) in healthy, young, lean women and men.

Methods

BAT volume and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake were measured by positron emission tomography and computerized tomography in 12 women and 12 men (BMI 18.5‐25 kg/m2, aged 18‐35 years) after 5 hours of exposure to their coldest temperature before overt shivering.

Results

Women had a lower detectable BAT volume than men (P = 0.03), but there was no difference after normalizing to body size. The mean BAT glucose uptake and relative distribution of BAT did not differ by sex. 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake consistent with BAT was observed in superficial dorsocervical adipose tissue of 6 of 12 women but only 1 of 12 men (P = 0.02). This potential BAT depot would pose fewer biopsy risks than other depots.

Conclusions

Despite differences in adiposity and total BAT volume, we found that healthy, lean, young women and men do not differ in the relative amount, glucose uptake, and distribution of BAT. Dorsocervical 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was more prevalent in women and may be a remnant of interscapular BAT seen in human newborns. Future studies are needed to discern how BAT contributes to whole‐body thermal physiology and body weight regulation in women and men.
Tracking of obesity among 2‐ to 9‐year‐olds in an electronic heath record database from 2006 to 2018
Authors: Freedman David S. , Goodman Alyson B. , King Raymond J. , Blanck Heidi M.
Published: January 2020

Background and Objective

As obesity among children and adolescents is associated with major health risks, including the persistence of obesity into adulthood, there has been interest in targeting prevention efforts at children and adolescent. The longitudinal tracking of BMI and obesity, as well as the effects of initial age and duration of follow‐up on this tracking, were examined in a large electronic health record (EHR) database.

Methods

The data consisted of 2.04 million children who were examined from 2006 through 2018. These children were initially examined between ages 2 and 9 years and had a final examination, on average, 4 years later.

Results

Overall, children with obesity at one examination were 7.7 times more likely to have obesity at a subsequent examination than children with a BMI ≤ 95th percentile. Further, 71% of children with obesity at one examination continued to have obesity at re‐examination. Although 2‐year‐olds had a relative risk of 5.5 and a positive predictive value of 54%, then sensitivity of obesity at younger ages was low. Of the children who were re‐examined after age 10 y and found to have obesity, only 22% had a BMI ≥ 95th percentile at age 2 years.

Conclusions

Despite the tracking of obesity at all ages, these results agree with previous reports that have found that an elevated BMI at a very young age will identify only a small proportion of older children with obesity.
Sustainable development challenges in a war‐torn country: Perceived danger and psychological well‐being
Authors: Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar , Gholami Hussain , Rivas Mendoza Milagros Isabel
Published: January 2020

The laborer's physical and mental health, well‐being, and happiness are among the major indicators for measuring each nation's sustainable development. A conflictive and hostile external environment (war zone) poses considerable difficulty and psychological distress to workers and nonworkers. Therefore, working in such a physically dangerous business environment may hurt worker's well‐being and happiness that in turn may reduce the workers' productivity at the workplace. A high level of laborers' productivity in public and private sectors is essential for achieving sustainable development in the long term. Therefore, this paper examines the effects of perceived danger on employees' psychological well‐being in war‐torn Afghanistan, an issue being addressed for the first time. We tested the moderating role of social support from coworkers on this effect in order to have a broader vision of which individuals are healthier and happier in a physically dangerous working environment. Two survey data sets were collected from 190 employees working in various small private and public businesses in Herat, Afghanistan. Our results reveal the negative impact of perceived danger on employees' psychological well‐being and that employees who receive little or no social support from their peers feel the negative effects of a physically dangerous working condition even more acutely.
Mycorrhizas for a changing world: Sustainability, conservation, and society
Authors: Field Katie J. , Daniell Tim , Johnson David , Helgason Thorunn
Published: January 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Mycorrhizal fungi are of huge significance for plants, people, and the planet. In addition to the fruiting bodies of many mycorrhizal fungi having great culinary, medical, and sometimes religious significance, by forming partnerships with the vast majority of land plants, mycorrhizal fungi are essential in the formation and functioning of global ecosystems. As such, mycorrhizas have great potential for future exploitation and management to facilitate a variety of sustainability programs in agriculture, conservation, and restoration, considerations that are particularly relevant during this time of global change and widespread depletion of natural resources.

Summary

Mycorrhizal fungi, of all types, hold huge significance for our planet and society. By forming mutualistic symbioses with the vast majority of land plants, mycorrhizas play an essential role in the formation and maintenance of global ecosystems. They also have great potential for exploitation to facilitate a variety of sustainability programs in agriculture, conservation, and restoration, particularly relevant in the context of global climate change and depletion of natural resources. As such, in addition to the fruiting bodies of many mycorrhiza‐forming fungal species being delicious, mycorrhizal symbioses are of critical and increasingly appreciated importance to human society. This editorial provides an overview of the relevance and potential roles of mycorrhizal fungi toward achieving global goals in sustainability, conservation and their significance within society, and highlights key directions for future research.
Fast Holonomic Quantum Computation on Superconducting Circuits With Optimal Control
Authors: Li Sai , Chen Tao , Xue Zheng‐Yuan
Published: January 2020

Geometric phases induced in quantum evolutions have built‐in noise‐resilient characters, and thus can find applications in many robust quantum manipulation tasks. Here, a feasible and fast scheme for universal quantum computation on superconducting circuits with nonadiabatic non‐Abelian geometric phases is proposed, using resonant interaction of three‐level quantum system. In this scheme, arbitrary single‐qubit quantum gates can be implemented in a single‐loop scenario by shaping both the amplitudes and phases of the two driving microwave fields resonantly coupled to a transmon device. Moreover, nontrivial two‐qubit gates can also be realized with an auxiliary transmon simultaneously coupled to the two target transmons in an effective resonant way. In particular, this proposal can be compatible to various optimal control techniques, which further enhances the robustness of the quantum operations. Therefore, this proposal represents a promising way toward fault‐tolerant quantum computation on solid‐state quantum circuits.
A Sustainable Tamarind Kernel Powder Based Aqueous Binder for Graphite Anode in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Narasimha Phanikumar Vaddi Venkata , Appa Rao Boyapati Venkata , Gobi Kauveri Vengatajalabathy , Gopalan Raghavan , Prakash Raju
Published: January 2020

Natural polysaccharides have gained much attention as aqueous binders for lithium‐ion batteries due to low cost, abundance and non‐toxicity. Herein, we report for the first time the use of Tamarind Kernel Powder (TKP) as an aqueous binder for graphite anode. The graphite electrodes have been fabricated using 3, 4 and 5 wt.% of TKP binder and their electrochemical performances are studied. Among these, the electrode with 4 wt.% binder content shows the best electrochemical performance. It delivers an initial discharge capacity of 426 mAh g−1 and retains the capacity of 343 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 C (0.1 C=37.2 mA g−1). It exhibits a first cycle reversible capacity of 326 mAh g−1 at 1 C with good cycling stability for 500 cycles, which is much better than the graphite electrode with conventional PVdF (4 wt.%) binder (first cycle: 103 mAh g−1). In addition, it demonstrates good rate capability up to 50 C. The fabricated TKP/Graphite electrode exhibits a discharge capacity of 55 mAh g−1 at 50 C, whereas under the similar conditions the PVdF counterpart delivers only 20 mAh g−1. In addition, a full cell has been fabricated with NMC532/C‐TK4 electrodes, which delivers a discharge capacity of 121 mAh g−1 at 1 C with a capacity retention >84% after 50 cycles. The superior performance of the aqueous binder based graphite electrode can be ascribed to the good solubility, high lithium ion conductivity, and better wettability of TKP binder. Hence, TKP plays a remarkable role as a binder in the electrode fabrication for the application of lithium‐ion batteries.
Hybrid Charge‐Storage Route to Nb2CTxMXene as Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Du Li , Duan Huanhuan , Xia Qi , Jiang Chan , Yan Yurong , Wu Songping
Published: January 2020

A facile hydrothermal approach has been successfully adopted to synthesize two‐dimensional Nb2CTxMXene, targeting sodium storage approach in two‐dimensional MXene. As an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), as‐prepared Nb2CTxMXene delivered a stable electrochemical performance of ∼102 mA h g−1after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g−1. Further, the full cell comprising of Na3V2(PO4)3@C cathode and Nb2CTxMXene anode also rendered a reversible capacity of 181 mA h g−1at a current density of 100 mA g−1after 50 cycles. The good sodium storage could be ascribed to the contribution of hybrid pseudocapacitance, effectively promoted charge storage, unique layered structure and expedited dynamic diffusion of ions. Accordingly, these facts enabled the Nb2CTxMXene to be a promising candidate as an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries.
Photocatalytically Active Graphitic Carbon Nitride as an Effective and Safe 2D Material for In Vitro and In Vivo Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Taheri Hadiseh , Unal Mehmet Altay , Sevim Melike , Gurcan Cansu , Ekim Okan , Ceylan Ahmet , Syrgiannis Zois , Christoforidis Konstantinos C. , Bosi Susanna , Ozgenç Ozge , Gómez Manuel José , Turktas Erken Mine , Soydal Çigdem , Eroğlu Zafer , Bitirim Ceylan Verda , Cagin Umut , Arı Fikret , Ozen Asuman , Kuçuk Ozlem , Delogu Lucia Gemma , Prato Maurizio , Metin Önder , Yilmazer Açelya
Published: January 2020

Thanks to its photocatalytic property, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is a promising candidate in various applications including nanomedicine. However, studies focusing on the suitability of g‐C3N4 for cancer therapy are very limited and possible underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, it is demonstrated that photoexcitation of g‐C3N4 can be used effectively in photodynamic therapy, without using any other carrier or additional photosensitizer. Upon light exposure, g‐C3N4 treatment kills cancer cells, without the need of any other nanosystem or chemotherapeutic drug. The material is efficiently taken up by tumor cells in vitro. The transcriptome and proteome of g‐C3N4 and light treated cells show activation in pathways related to both oxidative stress, cell death, and apoptosis which strongly suggests that only when combined with light exposure, g‐C3N4 is able to kill cancer cells. Systemic administration of the mesoporous form results in elimination from urinary bladder without any systemic toxicity. Administration of the material significantly decreases tumor volume when combined with local light treatment. This study paves the way for the future use of not only g‐C3N4 but also other 2D nanomaterials in cancer therapy.
Multi‐Step Crystallization of Self‐Organized Spiral Eutectics
Authors: Moniri Saman , Bale Hrishikesh , Volkenandt Tobias , Wang Yeqing , Gao Jianrong , Lu Tianxiang , Sun Kai , Ritchie Robert O. , Shahani Ashwin J.
Published: January 2020

A method for the solidification of metallic alloys involving spiral self‐organization is presented as a new strategy for producing large‐area chiral patterns with emergent structural and optical properties, with attention to the underlying mechanism and dynamics. This study reports the discovery of a new growth mode for metastable, two‐phase spiral patterns from a liquid metal. Crystallization proceeds via a non‐classical, two‐step pathway consisting of the initial formation of a polytetrahedral seed crystal, followed by ordering of two solid phases that nucleate heterogeneously on the seed and grow in a strongly coupled fashion. Crystallographic defects within the seed provide a template for spiral self‐organization. These observations demonstrate the ubiquity of defect‐mediated growth in multi‐phase materials and establish a pathway toward bottom‐up synthesis of chiral materials with an inter‐phase spacing comparable to the wavelength of infrared light. Given that liquids often possess polytetrahedral short‐range order, our results are applicable to many systems undergoing multi‐step crystallization.
Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Can Reduce the Hepatotoxicity of Therapeutic Cargo
Authors: Yang Feifei , Medik Yusra , Li Liantao , Tian Xi , Fu Dong , Brouwer Kim L. R. , Wagner Kyle , Sun Bo , Sendi Hossein , Mi Yu , Wang Andrew Z.
Published: January 2020

Hepatotoxicity is a key concern in the clinical translation of nanotherapeutics because preclinical studies have consistently shown that nanotherapeutics accumulates extensively in the liver. However, clinical‐stage nanotherapeutics have not shown increased hepatotoxicity. Factors that can contribute to the hepatotoxicity of nanotherapeutics beyond the intrinsic hepatotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) are poorly understood. Because of this knowledge gap, clinical translation efforts have avoided hepatotoxic molecules. By examining the hepatotoxicity of nanoformulations of known hepatotoxic compounds, it is demonstrated that nanotherapeutics are associated with lower hepatotoxicity than their small‐molecule counterparts. It is also found that the reduced hepatotoxicity is related to the uptake of nanotherapeutics by macrophages in the liver. These findings can facilitate further development and clinical translation of nanotherapeutics.
Tin‐rich Phases RE2Au3Sn6 with RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm – Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic Properties, and 119Sn Mössbauer Spectra
Authors: Engelbert Simon , Janka Oliver , Klenner Steffen , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: January 2020

The stannides RE2Au3Sn6 (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) were synthesized from the elements by arc‐melting. Small single crystals were grown by annealing samples in sealed tantalum tubes in an induction furnace with a special annealing sequence. The polycrystalline phases were characterized through their X‐ray powder diffraction pattern. The structures of Ce2Au3Sn6, Pr2Au3Sn6, and Nd2Au3Sn6 were refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. The RE2Au3Sn6 stannides crystallize with the orthorhombic La2Zn3Ge6 type, space group Cmcm. The basic structural building units are Au1@Sn4 tetrahedra and Au2@Sn5 square pyramids. These units are condensed to layers and the structure can be described by a simple stacking of tetrahedral and pyramidal layers with the rare earth cations in between. Temperature dependent susceptibility studies indicate that all rare earth atoms are in the trivalent oxidation state, as their effective magnetic moments match the expected values of the free RE3+ ions. Pr2Au3Sn6 and Nd2Au3Sn6 exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 6.3(1) and 6.7(1) K. Investigations of the electrical resistivity of La2Au3Sn6 and Ce2Au3Sn6 confirmed that these compounds are metallic, for La2Au3Sn6 a lower resistivity was observed, in line with the absence of screening unpaired electrons. 119Sn Mössbauer spectra for La2Au3Sn6, Ce2Au3Sn6, Pr2Au3Sn6 and Nd2Au3Sn6 show a complex superposition of three sub‐spectra which can be differentiated through their distinctly different quadrupole splitting parameters. The isomer shifts (1.87 to 2.22 mm·s–1) indicate significant s electron density at the tin nuclei.
Exclusive displaced hadronic signatures in the LHC forward region
Authors: Vidal Xabier Cid , Tsai Yuhsin , Zurita Jose
Published: January 2020

Abstract

The LHCb detector provides accurate vertex reconstruction and hadronic particle identification, which make the experiment an ideal place to look for light long-lived particles (LLP) decaying into Standard Model (SM) hadrons. In contrast with the typical search strategy relying on energetic jets and a high multiplicity of tracks from the LLP decay, LHCb can identify LLPs in exclusive, specific hadronic final states. To illustrate the idea, we study the sensitivity of LHCb to an exotic Higgs decay h → SS, followed by the displaced decay of GeV-scale scalars into charged kaons S → K
+
K

−
. We show that the reconstruction of kaon vertices in narrow invariant mass windows can efficiently eliminate the combinatorial backgrounds from B-meson decays. While the same signal is extremely difficult to probe in the existing displaced jet searches at ATLAS/CMS, the LHCb search we propose can probe the branching ratio BR(h → SS) down to 0.1% (0.02%) level with 15 (300) fb
−1 of data. We also apply this projected bound to two scenarios with Higgs portal couplings, where the scalar mediator S either couples to a) the SM quarks only, or b) to both quarks and leptons in the minimal flavor violation paradigm. In both scenarios we compare the reach of our proposed search with the expected constraints from ATLAS and CMS on the invisible Higgs width and with the constraints from rare B-decays studies at LHCb. We find that for 1 GeV < m

S

< 2 GeV and 0.5 mm ≲ cτ ≲ 10 mm our proposed search will be competitive with the ATLAS and CMS projections, while at the same time providing crucial information of the hadronic interactions of S, which can not be obtained from the indirect measurement of the Higgs invisible width.