bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver Transplantation for Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Authors: Lissing Mattias , Nowak Greg , Adam René , Karam Vincent , Boyd Alexander , Gouya Laurent , Meersseman Wouter , Melum Espen , Ołdakowska‐Jedynak Urszula , Reiter Florian P. , Colmenero Jordi , Sanchez Rosario , Herden Uta , Langendonk Janneke , Ventura Paolo , Isoniemi Helena , Boillot Olivier , Braun Felix , Perrodin Stéphanie , Mowlem Elizabeth , Wahlin Staffan ,   European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association
Published: December 2020

Recurrent attacks of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) result in poor quality of life and significant risks of morbidity and mortality. Liver transplantation (LT) offers a cure, but published data on outcomes after LT are limited. We assessed the pretransplant characteristics, complications, and outcomes for patients with AIP who received a transplant. Data were collected retrospectively from the European Liver Transplant Registry and from questionnaires sent to identified transplant and porphyria centers. We studied 38 patients who received transplants in 12 countries from 2002 to 2019. Median age at LT was 37 years (range, 18‐58), and 34 (89%) of the patients were women. A total of 9 patients died during follow‐up, and 2 patients were retransplanted. The 1‐year and 5‐year overall survival rates were 92% and 82%, which are comparable with other metabolic diseases transplanted during the same period. Advanced pretransplant neurological impairment was associated with increased mortality. The 5‐year survival rate was 94% among 19 patients with moderate or no neuropathy at LT and 83% among 10 patients with severe neuropathy (P = 0.04). Pretransplant renal impairment was common. A total of 19 (51%) patients had a GFR < 60 mL/minute. Although few patients improved their renal function after LT, neurological impairments improved, and no worsening of neurological symptoms was recorded. No patient had AIP attacks after LT, except for a patient who received an auxiliary graft. LT is a curative treatment option for patients with recurrent attacks of AIP. Severe neuropathy and impaired renal function are common and increase the risk for poor outcomes. If other treatment options fail, an evaluation for LT should be performed early.
Yellow Tea Stimulates Thermogenesis in Mice through Heterogeneous Browning of Adipose Tissues
Authors: Xu Na , Chu Jun , Dong Rongrong , Lu Fengjuan , Zhang Xinfeng , Wang Min , Shen Ying , Xie Zhongwen , Ho Chi‐Tang , Yang Chung S. , Wang Yijun , Wan Xiaochun
Published: December 2020

Scope

Large‐leaf yellow tea (YT) exhibits interesting beneficial metabolic effects in previous studies. Here, the authors elucidated the actions of YT on thermogenesis, energy metabolism, and adipocyte metabolic conversion.

Methods and Results

Five‐week‐old male C57BL/6 mice are fed low‐fat diet, high‐fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 0.5% or 2.5% YT. After treatment for 10 or 14 weeks, YT enhances energy expenditure, O2 consumption and CO2 production. YT strongly boosts thermogenic program in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), while only weakly in epididymal adipose tissue (EAT). These are accompanied by higher body temperature, increased mitochondrial copy numbers, and upregulation of thermogenic genes (Ucp1, Pgc1α, etc.) and proteins. The classic brown adipocyte markers (Eva1, Zic1) are induced only in BAT, while beige adipocyte markers (Tbx1, Tmem26) are boosted only in SAT. Furthermore, subcutaneous‐originated preadipocytes are induced by YT in vitro to differentiate to brown‐like adipocytes — a browning effect.

Conclusion

Dietary YT induces adaptive thermogenesis through increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in EAT, inducing beigeing in SAT and enhancing browning in the BAT.
Numerical synthesis of coplanar waveguides
Authors: Haldar Manas Kumar , Su Hieng Tiong , Farzamnia Ali
Published: December 2020

This letter shows that the synthesis of coplanar waveguides with finite substrate thickness can be obtained by simple numerical solution from the exact quasi‐static formulae of the characteristic impedance using bisection method The novelty of the method is that accurate synthesized values compared to those from curve fitted formulae are obtained. Moreover, sophisticated numerical techniques are not required. The method can be extended to various other forms of coplanar waveguides and coplanar strips for which curve fitted design formulae may not be available.
Improving CBCT quality to CT level using deep learning with generative adversarial network
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yue Ning , Su Min‐Ying , Liu Bo , Ding Yi , Zhou Yongkang , Wang Hao , Kuang Yu , Nie Ke
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To improve image quality and computed tomography (CT) number accuracy of daily cone beam CT (CBCT) through a deep learning methodology with generative adversarial network.

Methods

One hundred and fifty paired pelvic CT and CBCT scans were used for model training and validation. An unsupervised deep learning method, 2.5D pixel‐to‐pixel generative adversarial network (GAN) model with feature mapping was proposed. A total of 12 000 slice pairs of CT and CBCT were used for model training, while ten‐fold cross validation was applied to verify model robustness. Paired CT–CBCT scans from an additional 15 pelvic patients and 10 head‐and‐neck (HN) patients with CBCT images collected at a different machine were used for independent testing purpose. Besides the proposed method above, other network architectures were also tested as: 2D vs 2.5D; GAN model with vs without feature mapping; GAN model with vs without additional perceptual loss; and previously reported models as U‐net and cycleGAN with or without identity loss. Image quality of deep‐learning generated synthetic CT (sCT) images was quantitatively compared against the reference CT (rCT) image using mean absolute error (MAE) of Hounsfield units (HU) and peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR). The dosimetric calculation accuracy was further evaluated with both photon and proton beams.

Results

The deep‐learning generated sCTs showed improved image quality with reduced artifact distortion and improved soft tissue contrast. The proposed algorithm of 2.5 Pix2pix GAN with feature matching (FM) was shown to be the best model among all tested methods producing the highest PSNR and the lowest MAE to rCT. The dose distribution demonstrated a high accuracy in the scope of photon‐based planning, yet more work is needed for proton‐based treatment. Once the model was trained, it took 11–12 ms to process one slice, and could generate a 3D volume of dCBCT (80 slices) in less than a second using a NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X GPU (12 GB, Maxwell architecture).

Conclusion

The proposed deep learning algorithm is promising to improve CBCT image quality in an efficient way, thus has a potential to support online CBCT‐based adaptive radiotherapy.
Chemiedidaktik
Authors: Wilke Timm , Engelmann Philipp , Schwarzer Stefan , Tepner Oliver
Published: December 2020

Naturwissenschaftliche Grundbildung ist die Basis dafür, Fakten von Fehlinformationen unterscheiden zu können. Dazu trägt die Chemiedidaktik bei. Aktuelle Themen wie Digitalisierung oder Science‐Outreach‐Projekte bieten Forschungs‐ und Förderungsmöglichkeiten für die experimentell‐konzeptionell und die empirisch arbeitende Didaktik. Chancen ergeben sich durch die Zusammenarbeit beider Bereiche.
Synergistic effect of graphene polyindole nanocomposite for enhanced corrosion protection of aqueous coating in 3.5% NaCl solution for low carbon steel
Authors: Mobin Mohammad , Ansar Farina , Shoeb Mohd , Parveen Mosarrat , Aslam Jeenat
Published: December 2020

Graphene polyindole (Gr@PIn) nanocomposite with varying content of graphene was synthesized via an in‐situ redox polymerization doping technique. The techniques like FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM were utilized to characterize the produced nanocomposites. The produced nanocomposites were cast on LCS (low carbon steel) substrate employing NMP as a solvent, 10% epoxy as a binder, and triethylenetetramine as a curing agent. The anti‐corrosion ability of the Gr@PIn nanocomposite coatings was established by performing corrosion tests such as OCP, EIS, PDP measurements, Salt spray test, and Wettability test. Gr@PIn coating was observed as an effective anti‐corrosion coating for LCS substrate in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. The anticorrosion behavior of coating was dependent on graphene content; the higher content of graphene providing higher protection. The anticorrosion performance of Gr@PIn nanocomposite coating was also compared with that of Polyindole (PIn) coating and bare steel.
Shared goals, communication and mutual respect in multicultural staff teams: A relational coordination perspective
Authors: Tingvold Laila , Munkejord Mai C.
Published: December 2020

Aim

Task interdependence among staff in nursing homes is high, and staff teams are typically composed of employees from different cultural backgrounds with varying levels of skills and qualifications. By applying relational coordination theory as an analytic lens, we investigated how communication and cooperation challenges are experienced and dealt with.

Design

This is a qualitative study.

Method

In‐dept interviews with 31 members of staff in two nursing homes and thematic analysis of the material.

Results

The study identified challenges in direct communication and collaboration difficulties related to understanding how to use professional discretion in daily care practices in both nursing homes. The management in one of the two nursing homes arranged frequent meetings to share knowledge about the residents, their care status and introduced initiatives to build competence among all members of staff, including substitute and temporary staff. This contributed to ensuring shared goals and mutual respect at the workplace.
On the phase separation in the ternary alloys: Numerical and computational simulations of the Atangana–Baleanu time‐fractional Cahn–Allen equation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A. , Mohamed Mohamed S. , Lu Dianchen , Attia Raghda A. M.
Published: December 2020

This article gives a survey on computational and numerical solutions for the phase separation in Fe‐Cr‐X (X = Mo, Cu) ternary alloys. This separation is mathematically given by the Atangana–Baleanu time‐fractional Cahn–Allen equation. The generalized Kudryashov, sech–tanh, and the Adomian decomposition approaches are employed to get a bundle of analytical and numerical solutions. The obtained analytical solutions are used to evaluate the initial and boundary conditions of the phase ternary alloys separation operation. Moreover, the stability property of solutions is investigated based on the characteristics of the Hamiltonian system. Novel properties of the investigated model are figured out by distinct types of sketches. Finally, the accuracy of both used computational schemes is illustrated.
Coloring in graphs of twist knots
Authors: Şahin Abdulgani
Published: December 2020

Let Tn be a twist knot with n half‐twists and Gn be the graph of Tn. The closed neighborhood N[v] of a vertex v in Gn, which included at least one colored vertex for each color in a proper n‐coloring of Gn, is called a rainbow neighborhood. There are different types of graph coloring in the literature. We consider some of these types in here. In this paper, we determine the chromatic number of graphs of twist knots and study rainbow neighborhood of graphs of twist knots. We determine the rainbow neighborhood number and the fading number of them. Furthermore, we determine coupon coloring and the coupon coloring number of graphs of twist knots.
Acoustic/mechanical properties of polyurethane composites with syntactic hollow spheres
Authors: Jiang Fengchun , Yu Tianmiao , Wang Chunhe , Cao Mengxin , Wang Zhenqiang , Chang Yunpeng , Guo Chunhuan
Published: December 2020

In this investigation, a variety of polyurethane composites with different syntactic hollow spheres were prepared by casting method, using 316 L stainless steel hollow spheres and 316 L stainless steel–Al2O3 double‐layer hollow spheres as reinforcements. The sound insulation and absorption properties of polyurethane composites with different syntactic hollow spheres were tested by impedance tube. The effects of the hollow spheres on the acoustic properties of composites were analyzed and compared with polyurethane resin and polyurethane/solid spheres composites. The experimental results reveal that the sound transmission loss of polyurethane can be improved by the addition of hollow spheres, and the range of sound absorption frequency of polyurethane tends to move to lower frequency. Otherwise, the sound insulation and absorption frequency range of polyurethane can be broadened by the effect of 316 L stainless steel–Al2O3 double‐layer hollow spheres. In addition, the compressive strength and stiffness of polyurethane composites have been significantly improved after hollow spheres added. Comparing with polyurethane, the compressive strength and stiffness of PU/316 L–Al2O3 HS increased by 47.9% and 115.9%, respectively.
Derivation and validation of risk groups in patients with osteosarcoma utilizing regression tree analysis
Authors: Ilcisin Lenka A. , Ma Clement , Janeway Katherine A. , DuBois Steven G. , Shulman David S.
Published: December 2020

Background

For patients with osteosarcoma, apart from stage and primary site, we lack reliable prognostic factors for risk stratification at diagnosis. There is a need for further defined, discrete prognostic groups using presenting clinical features.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort of 3069 patients less than 50 years of age, diagnosed with primary osteosarcoma of the bone between 1986 and 2013 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Patients were randomly split into test and validation cohorts. Optimal cut points for age, tumor size, and grade were identified using classification and regression tree analysis. Manual recursive partitioning was used to identify discrete prognostic groups within the test cohort. These groups were applied to the validation cohort, and overall survival was analyzed using Cox models, Kaplan Meier methods, and log‐rank tests.

Results

After applying recursive partitioning to the test cohort, our initial model included six groups. Application of these groups to the validation cohort resulted in four final groups. Key risk factors included presence of metastases, tumor site, tumor grade, age, and tumor size. Patients with localized axial tumors were identified as having similar outcomes to patients with metastases. Age and tumor size were only prognostically important in patients with extremity tumors when assessed in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

This analysis supports prior reports that patients with axial tumors are a high‐risk group, and demonstrates the importance of age and tumor size in patients with appendicular tumors. Biologic and genetic markers are needed to further define subgroups in osteosarcoma.
Experimental and numerical study on the new technology of combining 7075‐W Al alloy with carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Yu Shixiang , Zhao Yong
Published: December 2020

A hybrid composite material was obtained by stacking carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) onto 7075‐W Al alloy sheet. Mechanical properties of the CFRP/Al hybrid composite material were measured by tensile and flexural tests. To investigate the flow of the epoxy, the thinning was measured using an optical microscope and the defects were observed by a scanning electron microscope. A finite element model was established to predict the thickness and the contact pressure distributions of the CFRP/Al hybrid composite material during the forming process. The results showed that the tensile strength (TS) of the CFRP/Al hybrid composite was increased by 10% and the fracture strain was increased by 24% compared with the single 7075 Al alloy. The flexural strength (FS) and the displacement of the loading nose were improved by 13% and 75%, respectively. According to the microstructure observation, large cracks in the epoxy could be found on the side wall of the U shape part. The results of numerical analysis indicated that the low contact pressure at side wall was the main reason for the decrease of the tensile and FS and the delamination between laminates.
International trade and environmental performance in top ten‐emitters countries: The role of eco‐innovation and renewable energy consumption
Authors: Ali Shahid , Dogan Eyup , Chen Fuzhong , Khan Zeeshan
Published: December 2020

The global economy is rising continuously, with a 3–4% aggregate annual growth in output, which poses a severe threat to the environment due to a consistent rise in the use of fossil fuel. Given the disastrous climate change due to the industrialization and increasingly growing demands for energy, countries around the globe are devising strategies to curb the release of greenhouse gases. This study examines the role of environmental innovation, trade, and renewable energy consumption in the nexus between trade and CO2 emissions for top 10 carbon emitter countries. The results suggest that there is evidence of cross‐sectional dependency, and models are suffered from slope heterogeneity problem test popularized by Pesaran and Yamagata. The results of Westerlund cointegration method suggest that in there is long equilibrium relationship among CO2 emissions and other variables such as environmental innovation, trade, and renewable energy consumption and income. The results of cross‐sectionally augment autoregressive distributed lags (CS‐ARDL) method suggest that in the long run, environmental innovation, trade, and renewable energy consumption and income are important factors in explaining consumption‐based carbon emission and territory‐based carbon emission.
Fabrication of Cationic Surfactant (Conventional/Gemini) Functionalized Gr@ZrO2 Nanocomposite with Faster Adsorbability of an Anionic Azo Dye from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Singh Sneha , Patel Brijesh , Parikh Kushan , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: December 2020

Graphene zirconium oxide nanocomposite (Gr@ZrO2‐NC) has been functionalized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB or CT) or butanediyl‐1,4, bis (N, N‐hexadecyl ammonium) dibromide (cationic gemini surfactant (CGS)). Structural, morphological, optical and thermal properties of synthesized adsorbents (Gr@ZrO2‐NC, CT‐Gr@ZrO2‐NC and CGS‐Gr@ZrO2‐NC) are investigated using XRD, FTIR, electron microscopy and TGA. CGS‐Gr@ZrO2‐NC showed faster removal efficacy (90 % within the first 25 min) for anionic azo dyes (methyl orange, MO and Congo red, CR) compared to other adsorbents. This effect may be due to the creation of stronger hydrophobic region at the surface of adsorbent with CGS. Effects of concentration, contact time and pH were also seen. The adsorption efficacy remained better even in the simultaneous presence of MO and CR. Adsorption data with time showed that the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model has been obeyed. Adsorbents were regenerated successfully with ethylene glycol (∼83 %).
A Practical Synthesis of 1‐Azine‐pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones from Azine N‐oxides and Pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Bi Wen‐Zhu , Zhang Wen‐Jie , Li Zi‐Jie , Feng Su‐Xiang , Chen Xiao‐Lan , Qu Ling‐Bo
Published: December 2020

Through direct coupling reaction of azine N‐oxides with readily available pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones, a facial and practical strategy was developed for the synthesis of 1‐azine‐pyridin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives in the presence of diethyl H‐phosphonate, CCl4 and Et3N at room temperature for 0.5 h. This reaction features metal‐free and mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, ease of scale up and wide scope of products.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Aromatic Amines from Renewable Feedstocks via Whole‐Cell Biocatalysis
Authors: Zhu Yuling , Yang Taiwei , Chen Yueyang , Fan Cong , Yuan Jifeng
Published: December 2020

Green and sustainable synthesis of chemicals using biocatalysis is emerging as an alternative to the traditional chemical methods. Here, we reported the establishment of two artificial enzymatic cascades for the synthesis of benzylamine, 2‐phenylethylamine and their analogues from renewable feedstocks via whole‐cell biocatalysis approach. A five‐step enzymatic cascade containing L‐amino acid deaminase (LAAD), hydroxymandelate synthase (HmaS), (S)‐mandelate dehydrogenase (SMDH), benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) and ω‐transaminase (ω‐TA) was developed to produce benzylamine from L‐phenylalanine. We also obtained p‐hydroxybenzylamine and m‐fluorobenzylamine with >98 % conversion from L‐tyrosine and m‐fluoro‐phenylalanine. In addition, a three‐step enzymatic cascade comprising LAAD, α‐keto acid decarboxylase (KDC) and ω‐TA was designed for the synthesis of 2‐phenylethylamine, tyramine and m‐fluorophenylethylamine. In summary, we have developed one‐pot whole‐cell biocatalysis system for benzylamine and 2‐phenylethylamine synthesis, which might be amendable for synthesizing other amine compounds in a green and sustainable manner.
Improvement of Interfacial Properties Between Cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene Rubber and HMX Crystal
Authors: Guo Wanxiao , Li Yaning , Wen Zhiwei , Li Jian , Han Zhiwei , Wang Boliang
Published: December 2020

The interfacial strength between explosive crystal and binder usually plays a key role in exhibiting excellent mechanical properties of composite explosives. In this paper, high energetic crystal octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX) was coated by the typical binder cis‐1,4‐polybutadiene rubber (BR), then two silane coupling agents were added to the composite particles to enhance the interface strength. The results showed that the BR binder modified by silane coupling agent is easier to spread on the surface of HMX crystal, and form a good coating effect. In the mechanical properties test of composite particles, (3‐Aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane significantly improved the tensile and compressive strength of HMX/BR based composite particles, while 3‐(Triethoxysilyl) propionitrile decreased the mechanical properties of the composite particles.
Preparation of UiO‐66/DMBPTB and UiO‐66‐NH2/DMBPTB Nanocomposite Membranes with Enhanced CO2/CH4 Selectivity for Gas Separation
Authors: Wang Shaokang , Xiang Dongxiao , Meng Junquan , Cao Bing , Zhang Rui , Li Pei
Published: December 2020

A great deal of fossil fuel is consumed due to enormous industrial and domestic activities. Meanwhile, massive emissions of CO2 have led to global warming. Replacing coal with natural gas will greatly decrease CO2 emissions. However, this requires cutting‐edge technologies to purify CH4. Polymeric membranes with both high permeability and high selectivity are preferred but there exists a trade‐off between them. To solve the problem, we incorporated the UiO‐66 and UiO‐66‐NH2 metal organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles into a Tröger's base polymer, dimethylbiphenyl Tröger's base polymer (DMBPTB). The CO2 permeability of the UiO‐66/DMBPTB nanocomposite membranes increased by 13 folds with a marginal decrease in selectivity. Moreover, the composite membranes with amine‐functionalized UiO‐66 nanoparticles showed higher permeability and selectivity to the CO2/CH4 gas pair. The best gas separation performance was obtained for the composite membrane having 30 wt% UiO‐66‐NH2 nanoparticle, where the selectivity of CO2/CH4 was 18.0, and the CO2 permeability was 744 Barrer.
Nanostructured Cobalt‐Based Electrocatalysts for CO2Reduction: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Chen Zhangsen , Zhang Gaixia , Du Lei , Zheng Yi , Sun Lixian , Sun Shuhui
Published: December 2020

CO2reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides a promising strategy for sustainable carbon fixation by converting CO2into value‐added fuels and chemicals. In recent years, considerable efforts are focused on the development of transition‐metal (TM)‐based catalysts for the selectively electrochemical CO2reduction reaction (ECO2RR). Co‐based catalysts emerge as one of the most promising electrocatalysts with high Faradaic efficiency, current density, and low overpotential, exhibiting excellent catalytic performance toward ECO2RR for CO and HCOOH productions that are economically viable. The intrinsic contribution of Co and the synergistic effects in Co‐hybrid catalysts play essential roles for future commercial productions by ECO2RR. This review summarizes the rational design of Co‐based catalysts for ECO2RR, including molecular, single‐metal‐site, and oxide‐derived catalysts, along with the nanostructure engineering techniques to highlight the distribution of the ECO2RR products by Co‐based catalysts. The density functional theory (DFT) simulations and advanced in situ characterizations contribute to interpreting the synergies between Co and other materials for the enhanced product selectivity and catalytic activity. Challenges and outlook concerning the catalyst design and reaction mechanism, including the upgrading of reaction systems of Co‐based catalysts for ECO2RR, are also discussed.
Conductive Phthalocyanine‐Based Covalent Organic Framework for Highly Efficient Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Zhang Meng‐Di , Si Duan‐Hui , Yi Jun‐Dong , Zhao Shao‐Shuai , Huang Yuan‐Biao , Cao Rong
Published: December 2020

The electroreduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals such as CO is a promising approach to realize carbon‐neutral energy cycle, but still remains big challenge including low current density. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with abundant accessible active single‐sites can offer a bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalysis, but the low electrical conductivity limits their application for CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR). Here, a 2D conductive Ni‐phthalocyanine‐based COF, named NiPc‐COF, is synthesized by condensation of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octa‐aminophthalocyaninato Ni(II) and tert‐butylpyrene‐tetraone for highly efficient CO2RR. Due to its highly intrinsic conductivity and accessible active sites, the robust conductive 2D NiPc‐COF nanosheets exhibit very high CO selectivity (>93%) in a wide range of the applied potentials of −0.6 to −1.1 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and large partial current density of 35 mA cm−2 at −1.1 V versus RHE in aqueous solution that surpasses all the conventional COF electrocatalysts. The robust NiPc‐COF that is bridged by covalent pyrazine linkage can maintain its CO2RR activity for 10 h. This work presents the implementation of the conductive COF nanosheets for CO2RR and provides a strategy to enhance energy conversion efficiency in electrocatalysis.
Light Stability Enhancement of Perovskite Solar Cells Using 1H,1H,2H,2H‐Perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane Passivation
Authors: Kanda Hiroyuki , Usiobo Onovbaramwen J. , Momblona Cristina , Abuhelaiqa Mousa , Sutanto Albertus Adrian , Igci Cansu , Gao Xiao-Xin , Audinot Jean-Nicolas , Wirtz Tom , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: December 2020

Passivation approaches of perovskite surface are key to improve the light stability of perovskite solar cells. However, a passivation strategy is still required to enhance the durability of the perovskite layer. Here, a promising passivation concept is demonstrated by applying a fluorinated agent on the perovskite layer for light stability improvement. Such fluorinated passivation agents can prevent the formation of Pb0 at the perovskite surface resulting in suppressing a defect‐induced recombination and improving the durability of the perovskite solar cells. As an additional benefit, the fluorinated passivation agent increases the VOC which improves the photovoltaic performance of the perovskite solar cells. Consequently, with a fluorinated passivation agent, the perovskite maintains a power conversion efficiency of 95% after 300 h of light illumination. It is found that the fluorinated passivation material of 1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (PFOTES) can improve the stability of the perovskite solar cells.
The Flow Stress Behavior and Constitutive Model of Cr8Mo2SiV Tool Steel during Hot Deformation
Authors: Li Chang-Sheng , He Shuai , Ren Jinyi , Han Yahui
Published: December 2020

The uniaxial hot compression tests of Cr8Mo2SiV tool steel are conducted by thermomechanical simulator in a wide strain rate range of 0.005–5 s−1 and temperature range of 900–1150 °C to predict the hot deformation behavior. It is found that flow stress strongly depends on deformation temperature and strain rate under the mechanisms of dynamic softening and work hardening. Second, the Johnson–Cook model and modified Arrhenius‐type equation considering the compensation of strain are proposed for the estimation of flow stress of the tool steel. Subsequently, the validity of the established constitutive models is verified by standard statistical parameters including correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE). Finally, the hot deformed microstructure is analyzed using the constitutive model with strong predictive ability. With the decrease in lnZ (Z is the Zener–Hollomon [Z–H] parameter) value from 43.5 to 32.7 s−1, microstructure evolution indicates that a remarkable increase in the high‐angle grain boundaries (misorientation more than 15°) from 19.1% to 32.6%, which also reflects the reliability of Z–H map in predicting dynamic recrystallization behavior under most thermal deformation conditions.
Genetic diversity for starch quality and alkali spreading value in sorghum
Authors: Griebel Stefanie , Adedayo Adeyanju , Tuinstra Mitchell R.
Published: December 2020

Sorghum is an important food crop in many parts of Africa and Asia. Landraces of sorghum are known to exhibit variation in food quality traits including starch and protein content and composition. In this study, a panel of diverse sorghum breeding lines and 788 sorghum conversion (SC) lines representing the global germplasm diversity of the crop were evaluated for variation in starch quality based on alkali spreading value (ASV). A small number of genotypes with stable expression of the ASV+ phenotype across seasons were identified; mostly representing Nandyal types from India. Genetic studies showed the ASV+ phenotype was inherited as a recessive trait. Whole genome resequencing of ASV+ donor lines revealed SNPs in genes involved in starch biosynthesis. A genome wide association study (GWAS) identified a significant SNP associated with ASV near Sobic.010G273800, a starch branching enzyme I precursor, and Sobic.010G274800 and Sobic.010G275001, both annotated as glucosyltransferases. Physiochemical analyses of accessions with contrasting ASV phenotypes demonstrated an environment dependent lower starch gelatinization temperature (GT), amylose content of approximately 22%, and good gel consistency. The starch quality attributes of these lines could be valuable in food products that require good gel consistency and viscosity.
The wall and its gate: complexities of the atrial septum and foramen ovale in the fetal heart
Authors: Rychik J.
Published: December 2020

Linked article: This Editorial comments on the article by Vena et al. Click here to view the article.
Food Insecurity and Collateral Consequences of Punishment Amidst the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Golembeski Cynthia A. , Irfan Ans , Dong Kimberly R.
Published: December 2020

Bipartisan governmental representatives and the public support investment in health care, housing, education, and nutrition programs, plus resources for people leaving prison and jail (Halpin, 2018; Johnson & Beletsky, 2020; USCCR, 2019). The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 banned people with felony drug convictions from receiving food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Food insecurity, recidivism, and poor mental and physical health outcomes are associated with such bans. Several states have overturned SNAP benefit bans, yet individuals with criminal convictions are still denied benefits due to eligibility criteria modifications. COVID‐19 has impaired lower‐income, food‐insecure communities, which disproportionately absorb people released from prison and jail. Reentry support is sorely lacking. Meanwhile, COVID‐19 introduces immediate novel health risks, economic insecurity, and jail and prison population reductions and early release. Thirty to 50 percent of people in prisons and jails, which are COVID‐19 hotspots, have been released early (Flagg & Neff, 2020; New York Times, 2020; Vera, 2020). The Families First Coronavirus Response Act increases flexibility in providing emergency SNAP supplements and easing program administration during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights recommends eliminating SNAP benefit restrictions based on criminal convictions, which fail to prevent recidivism, promote public safety, or relate to underlying crimes. Policy improvements, administrative flexibility, and cross‐sector collaboration can facilitate SNAP benefit access, plus safer, healthier transitioning from jail or prison to the community.
Challenges and Opportunities From COVID‐19 for Global Sustainable Development
Authors: Seshaiyer Padmanabhan , McNeely Connie L.
Published: December 2020

We live in unprecedented times, faced with a pandemic of monumental proportions. Not only has COVID‐19 wreaked havoc across the world, it also has exposed fundamental weaknesses in healthcare systems in a number of countries. We identify challenges and opportunities that COVID‐19 presents by connecting the immediate need to curb the spread of the disease to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs). Considering broad social, political, and economic impacts, we focus on health disparities and the severe effects of the crisis on some populations, especially disadvantaged and underserved ones, and countries relative to others. In particular, we identify key targets for achieving SDG‐3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) that will help strengthen capacities for scaling up healthcare and policy responses to understand, combat, and control COVID‐19.
Carbon Dioxide Utilisation—The Formate Route
Authors: Maia Luisa B. , Moura Isabel , Moura José J. G.
Published: December 2020

The relentless rise of atmospheric CO2is causing large and unpredictable impacts on the Earth climate, due to the CO2significant greenhouse effect, besides being responsible for the ocean acidification, with consequent huge impacts in our daily lives and in all forms of life. To stop spiral of destruction, we must actively reduce the CO2emissions and develop new and more efficient “CO2sinks”. We should be focused on the opportunities provided by exploiting this novel and huge carbon feedstock to produce de novo fuels and added-value compounds. The conversion of CO2into formate offers key advantages for carbon recycling, and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes are at the centre of intense research, due to the “green” advantages the bioconversion can offer, namely substrate and product selectivity and specificity, in reactions run at ambient temperature and pressure and neutral pH. In this chapter, we describe the remarkable recent progress towards efficient and selective FDH-catalysed CO2reduction to formate. We focus on the enzymes, discussing their structure and mechanism of action. Selected promising studies and successful proof of concepts of FDH-dependent CO2reduction to formate and beyond are discussed, to highlight the power of FDHs and the challenges this CO2bioconversion still faces.
On the Correlation Between Nodal and Nonzero Level Sets for Random Spherical Harmonics
Authors: Marinucci Domenico , Rossi Maurizia
Published: December 2020

We study the correlation between the nodal length of random spherical harmonics and the length of a nonzero level set. We show that the correlation is asymptotically zero, while the partial correlation after removing the effect of the random$$L^2$$L2-norm of the eigenfunctions is asymptotically one.
Fishing for (in)continence: long-term follow-up of women with OASIS–still a taboo
Authors: Schütze Sabine , Hohlfeld Benedikt , Friedl Thomas W. P. , Otto Stephanie , Kraft Katrina , Hancke Katharina , Hüner Beate , Janni Wolfgang , Deniz Miriam
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) increase the risk for pelvic floor dysfunctions. The goal of this study was to examine the long-term outcomes after OASIS on pelvic floor functions and quality of life.

Material and methods

Between 2005 and 2013, 424 women had an OASIS at the Women University Hospital Ulm. Out of these 71 women completed the German pelvic floor questionnaire, which includes questions regarding prolapse symptoms as well as bladder, bowel and sexual function. In addition, 64 women were physically examined, including a speculum examination to evaluate the degree of prolapse, a cough test to evaluate urinary stress incontinence (SI) and an evaluation of both pelvic floor sphincter (modified Oxford score) and anal sphincter contraction.

Results

A high rate of pelvic floor disorders after OASIS was found, as 74.6% of women reported SI, 64.8% flatus incontinence and 18.3% stool incontinence, respectively. However, only few women stated a substantial negative impact on quality of life. The clinical examination showed that a positive cough test, a weak anal sphincter tone and a diagnosed prolapse correlated with the results of the self-reported questionnaire.

Conclusion

On one hand, OASIS has an influence on pelvic floor function going along with lots of complaints, while on the other hand, it still seems to be a taboo topic, as none of the participants spoke about the complaints after OASIS with a doctor. Therefore, the gynecologist should actively address these issues and offer therapy options for the women with persisting problems.
Drug safety profiles in geriatric patients with Parkinson’s disease using the FORTA (Fit fOR The Aged) classification: results from a mono-centric retrospective analysis
Authors: Greten S. , Müller-Funogea J. I. , Wegner F. , Höglinger G. U. , Simon N. , Junius-Walker U. , Gerbel S. , Krause O. , Klietz M.
Published: December 2020

To reduce potentially inappropriate medications, the FORTA (Fit fOR The Aged) concept classifies drugs in terms of their suitability for geriatric patients with different labels, namely A (indispensable), B (beneficial), C (questionable), and D (avoid). The aims of our study were to assess the medication appropriateness in PD inpatients applying the FORTA list and drug-drug interaction software, further to assess the adequacy of FORTA list for patients with PD. We retrospectively collected demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory values, and the medication from the discharge letters of 123 geriatric inpatients with PD at the university hospital of Hannover Medical School. Patients suffered on average from 8.2 comorbidities. The majority of the medication was labeled A (60.6% of PD-specific and 40.9% of other medication) or B (22.3% of PD-specific and 26.9% of other medication). Administered drugs labeled with D were amantadine, clozapine, oxazepam, lorazepam, amitriptyline, and clonidine. Overall, 545 interactions were identified, thereof 11.9% severe interactions, and 1.7% contraindicated combinations. 81.3% of patients had at least one moderate or severe interaction. The FORTA list gives rational recommendations for PD-specific and other medication, especially for general practitioners. Considering the demographic characteristics and the common multimorbidity of geriatric PD patients, this study underlines the importance of awareness, education, and preventive interventions to increase drug safety.
Effect of anodic dissolution and passivation on X80 steel in NaHCO3 solution
Authors: Yang Lai-Shun , Yang Chao
Published: December 2020

The effects of extreme stray current on the anodic dissolution and passivation of X80 steel in NaHCO3 solution were investigated using measurements of polarization curves and EIS, AFM and SEM techniques. Under the interference of anodic current (i = 0~200 A/m2), main constituents of corrosion products of X80 steel were FeO(OH) and Fe3O4. A double-layer film formed at i = 100 A/m2, in which FeOOH was in outer and Fe3O4 lied in inner. The formation mechanism of Fe3O4 was confirmed and described by the electrochemical reaction in various regions on anodic potentiodynamic polarization curve.
Landnahmen, lokale Wissensordnungen und Widerständigkeiten in Amazonien
Authors: Backhouse Maria
Published: December 2020

Widerständige Praktiken und lokale Wissensordnungen von Indigenen, traditionellen Gemeinschaften und kleinbäuerlichen Bewegungen sind in Brasilien seit Jahrhunderten eng mit Auseinandersetzungen um Landzugangs- und Landnutzungsrechten verbunden. In der brasilianischen Verfassung von 1988 werden die spezifischen Landrechte wie kollektive Landzugangsrechte traditioneller Gemeinschaften garantiert. Sie sind hart erkämpfte Errungenschaften eines Projekts, welches Brasilien als soziale Einheit sieht und auf eine zunehmende demokratische Teilhabe aller ausgerichtet ist. Diese Landrechte werden unter der Regierung des rechtsradikalen Präsidenten Jair Messias Bolsonaro infrage gestellt und unterhöhlt. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird in Anknüpfung an die Interpretationen der fortgesetzten ursprünglichen Akkumulation von Massimo De Angelis argumentiert, dass die Bolsonaro-Regierung eine Landnahme angestoßen hat, die einige Kontinuitäten zu den Landnahmen der 1970er Jahre unter der Militärdiktatur aufweist. Darin kommt die Idee eines „Kern-Brasiliens“ zum Ausdruck, dessen Fortschritt unter Ausschluss oder Assimilierung der „rückständigen“ Gruppen und traditionellen Gemeinschaften vorangetrieben werden soll. Allerdings ist der Ausgang dieses Landnahmeprojekts ungewiss, denn es bilden sich Widerständigkeiten und breite Allianzen, die „das Soziale“ verteidigen – auch im sozial-ökologischen Sinne für zukünftige Generationen.
GraphKKE: graph Kernel Koopman embedding for human microbiome analysis
Authors: Melnyk Kateryna , Klus Stefan , Montavon Grégoire , Conrad Tim O. F.
Published: December 2020

More and more diseases have been found to be strongly correlated with disturbances in the microbiome constitution, e.g., obesity, diabetes, or some cancer types. Thanks to modern high-throughput omics technologies, it becomes possible to directly analyze human microbiome and its influence on the health status. Microbial communities are monitored over long periods of time and the associations between their members are explored. These relationships can be described by a time-evolving graph. In order to understand responses of the microbial community members to a distinct range of perturbations such as antibiotics exposure or diseases and general dynamical properties, the time-evolving graph of the human microbial communities has to be analyzed. This becomes especially challenging due to dozens of complex interactions among microbes and metastable dynamics. The key to solving this problem is the representation of the time-evolving graphs as fixed-length feature vectors preserving the original dynamics. We propose a method for learning the embedding of the time-evolving graph that is based on the spectral analysis of transfer operators and graph kernels. We demonstrate that our method can capture temporary changes in the time-evolving graph on both synthetic data and real-world data. Our experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the method. Furthermore, we show that our method can be applied to human microbiome data to study dynamic processes.
Voyaging towards the future: the brigRurikin the North Pacific and the emerging science of the sea
Authors: BEKASOVA ALEXANDRA
Published: December 2020

This article explores the networking activities of Count Nikolai Rumiantsev and Adam von Krusenstern, his close collaborator. The visionary Russian statesman and the celebrated navigator were deeply involved in northern exploration. They funded and organized a circumnavigating voyage by the brigRurikin 1815–18, with the explicit goals of searching for a northern passage between Eurasia and North America and conducting a series of scientific investigations in the Bering Strait region. This private exploratory enterprise profoundly influenced the exchange of information and reconfigured both local and global networks of knowledge. Based on an analysis of private correspondence, printed accounts and journal articles related to theRurik's expedition, this study sheds light on how this transnational network of actors emerged and functioned, and how it promoted a lively circulation of information about exploration in the Bering Strait region in the 1810s–1820s. I argue that a complex interplay of geopolitical and intellectual competition, with exchanges, collaborations and coordination among various actors (e.g. patrons, navigators, scholars, entrepreneurs and publishers), stimulated further research on the global ocean's northern spaces and laid the foundations of marine science.
The association of dietary flavonoids, magnesium and their interactions with the metabolic syndrome in Chinese adults: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Jin Shanshan , Liu Junyi , Jia Yubing , Han Tianshu , Zhao Xiujuan , Sun Changhao , Na Lixin
Published: December 2020

The aim was to systematically analyse the association of the specific flavonoids, Mg and their interactions from different food sources with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in a cohort study. A total of 6417 participants aged 20 to 74 years from the Harbin Cohort Study on Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Non-communicable Diseases were included. Multivariate logistic regression analyses, forest plot and restricted cubic spline were performed in the study. After a 5·3-year follow-up, 1283 incident cases of the MetS were reported. Those with a higher total flavonoid intake had a lower risk of the MetS (fourth v. first quartile, relative risk (RR) 0·58; 95 % CI 0·37, 0·93; P = 0·024) and central obesity (RR 0·56; 95 % CI 0·33, 0·95; P = 0·032). Further analysis showed that the specific flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, luteolin, and flavonoids from fruits, potatoes and legumes had the similar associations with risk of the MetS and central obesity (P < 0·05 for all). A higher intake of total flavonoids, quercetin and luteolin combined with a high level of Mg was more strongly associated with a lower risk of the MetS (RR 0·60; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·81 for total; RR 0·61; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·82 for quercetin; RR 0·52; 95 % CI 0·38, 0·71 for luteolin; all Pfor interaction < 0·01). Dose–response effects showed an L-shaped curve between the total intake of five flavonoids and the risk of the MetS. A higher flavonoid intake is associated with a lower risk of the MetS and central obesity; their combination with Mg helps to strengthen their negative association with the MetS.
Dietary patterns and their associations with the metabolic syndrome and predicted 10-year risk of CVD in northwest Chinese adults
Authors: Hailili Gulisiya , Chen Zhen , Tian Tian , Fu Wen-Hui , Pei Hua-Lian , Mahan Yeledan , Luo Tao , Alimu Dilibaier , Wang Lu , Zhang Guo-Zhen , Liu Li-Rong , Wang Duo-Lao , Dai Jiang-Hong
Published: December 2020

The impact of diet on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD has been investigated widely, but few studies have investigated the association between dietary patterns (DP) and the predicted CVD, derived from reduced rank regression (RRR). The objectives of this study were to derive DP using RRR and principal component analysis (PCA) and investigate their associations with the MetS and estimated 10-year atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD). We used the baseline dataset from the Xinjiang multi-ethnic cohort study in China, collected from June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 14 982 subjects aged 35–74 years from Urumqi, Huo Cheng and Mo Yu were included in the analysis. The 10-year ASCVD risk was estimated using the Chinese ASCVD risk equations. The associations of DP with the MetS and 10-year ASCVD were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. In Urumqi and Mo Yu, the increased RRR DP score was associated with a higher OR of having the MetS and with a higher OR of elevated 10-year ASCVD risk. However, only the first DP determined by PCA in Urumqi was inversely associated with the MetS and elevated 10-year ASCVD risk. The prevalence of the MetS and elevated ASCVD risk in urban population is higher than that in rural areas. Our results may help nutritionists develop more targeted dietary strategies to prevent the MetS and ASCVD in different regions in China.