bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Coplanar π‐Extended Quinoxaline Based Hole‐Transporting Material Enabling over 21 % Efficiency for Dopant‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Guo Huanxin , Zhang Hao , Shen Chao , Zhang Diwei , Liu Shuaijun , Wu Yongzhen , Zhu Wei‐Hong
Published: October 2020

Developing dopant‐free hole transporting materials (HTMs) is of vital importance for addressing the notorious stability issue of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, efficient dopant‐free HTMs are scarce. Herein, we improve the performance of dopant‐free HTMs featuring with a quinoxaline core via rational π‐extension. Upon incorporating rotatable or chemically fixed thienyl substitutes on the pyrazine ring, the resulting molecular HTMs TQ3 and TQ4 show completely different molecular arrangement as well as charge transporting capabilities. Comparing with TQ3, the coplanar π‐extended quinoxaline based TQ4 endows enriched intermolecular interactions and stronger π–π stacking, thus achieving a higher hole mobility of 2.08×10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1. It also shows matched energy levels and high thermal stability for application in PSCs. Planar n‐i‐p structured PSCs employing dopant‐free TQ4 as HTM exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 21 % with excellent long‐term stability.
Magnetized inorganic–bioorganic nanohybrid [nano Fe3O4‐SiO2@Glu‐Cu (II)]: A novel nanostructure for the efficient solvent‐free synthesis of thiazolidin‐2‐imines
Authors: Molaei Yielzoleh Fatemeh , Nikoofar Kobra
Published: October 2020

In this research, a solvent‐free four‐component one‐pot reaction of phenyl isothiocyanate, phenylacetylene, various kinds of aldehydes, and amines was interpreted to obtain the desired five‐membered heterocycles named thiazolidin‐2‐imines. The promotor of this transformation is a novel magnetite‐based multilayered inorganic–bioorganic nanohybrid prepared via embedding glutamic acid on the magnetized silica followed by anchoring Cu (II) [nano Fe3O4‐SiO2@Glu‐Cu (II)]. The newly synthesized nanostructure is characterized through Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis or derivative thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. This protocol is a straightforward one‐step procedure to obtain thiazolidin‐2‐imines without requirement to propargylamines or imines as substrates. In addition, easy work‐up procedure, high yields of products, absence of organic solvents in the reaction media, recovery and reusability of nano Fe3O4‐SiO2@Glu‐Cu (II) to promote the reaction at least for three runs without activity lost, simple separation of the catalyst from reaction mixture via an external magnet, and regioselectivity of the method are some highlighted aspects of the approach.
Impact of renewable carbon on the properties of composites made by using three types of polymers having different polarity
Authors: Rodriguez‐Uribe Arturo , Snowdon Michael R. , Abdelwahab Mohamed A. , Codou Amandine , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar K.
Published: October 2020

Pine wood derived biocarbon (BioC) is investigated as a renewable alternative to carbon black (CB) for plastics and composites applications. Three different polymers with different polarity were used to prepare the composites: polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyamide 6 (PA6). Comparatively, CB had a nodule size of ~300 nm and surface area of 8 m2/g, whereas BioC showed an average particle size of ~950 nm and surface area of ~260 m2/g, respectively. CB, in the composites, was found in large aggregations in the flow direction (FD), while BioC particles showed a better dispersion. Aggregation of CB affected mostly the mechanical strength of the composites. Furthermore, it was found that the overall performance of composites was influenced more by the polarity of the phases, rather than the particle size or the surface area of the fillers. Even when the polarity of the particles had an expected trend (PA6 > PLA > PP with BioC > CB), the work of cohesion obtained for the composites was PA6‐BioC > PP‐BioC > PLA‐BioC, showing, in particular, that the chain‐to‐chain intermolecular forces in neat PLA are stronger as compared to those developed by the particle‐matrix interactions.
Manipulating bond exchange rates in vitrimer‐hexagonal boron nitride nanohybrids via heat capacity enhancement
Authors: Goh Munju , Shin Haeun , Kim Chae Bin
Published: October 2020

Both thermoplastic and thermoset like vitrimers with dynamic covalent networks have been considered to be strong candidates as matrix materials for incorporating fillers to produce strong but also weldable, recyclable, and functional composites with light weight. As the bond exchange kinetics of dynamic covalent networks are a key factor governing macroscopic properties of vitrimers, substantial efforts have been devoted to manipulating the kinetics by synthesizing vitrimers equipped with new bond exchange chemistries. Here, a facile and synthesis‐free approach to increasing the bond exchange rates of a model vitrimer, poly(hexahydrotriazine), is described. It was accomplished by simply incorporating a hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) filler. The incorporated hBN effectively accelerated the thermally activated bond exchange reactions as evidenced by reduction in both activation energy and relaxation time.
Development of a dynamic in vitro stretch model of the alveolar interface with aerosol delivery
Authors: Cei Daniele , Doryab Ali , Lenz Anke‐Gabriele , Schröppel Andreas , Mayer Paula , Burgstaller Gerald , Nossa Roberta , Ahluwalia Arti , Schmid Otmar
Published: October 2020

We describe the engineering design, computational modeling, and empirical performance of a moving air–liquid interface (MALI) bioreactor for the study of aerosol deposition on cells cultured on an elastic, porous membrane which mimics both air–liquid interface exposure conditions and mechanoelastic motion of lung tissue during breathing. The device consists of two chambers separated by a cell layer cultured on a porous, flexible membrane. The lower (basolateral) chamber is perfused with cell culture medium simulating blood circulation. The upper (apical) chamber representing the air compartment of the lung is interfaced to an aerosol generator and a pressure actuation system. By cycling the pressure in the apical chamber between 0 and 7 kPa, the membrane can mimic the periodic mechanical strain of the alveolar wall. Focusing on the engineering aspects of the system, we show that membrane strain can be monitored by measuring changes in pressure resulting from the movement of media in the basolateral chamber. Moreover, liquid aerosol deposition at a high dose delivery rate (>1 µl cm−2 min−1) is highly efficient (ca. 51.5%) and can be accurately modeled using finite element methods. Finally, we show that lung epithelial cells can be mechanically stimulated under air–liquid interface and stretch‐conditions without loss of viability. The MALI bioreactor could be used to study the effects of aerosol on alveolar cells cultured at the air–liquid interface in a biodynamic environment or for toxicological or therapeutic applications.
Comprehensive review of lower third molar management: A guide for improved informed consent
Authors: Iwanaga Joe , Kunisada Yuki , Masui Masanori , Obata Kyoichi , Takeshita Yohei , Sato Kotaro , Kikuta Shogo , Abe Yushi , Matsushita Yuki , Kusukawa Jingo , Tubbs R. Shane , Ibaragi Soichiro
Published: October 2020

Lower third molar removal is the most commonly performed dental surgical procedure. Nevertheless, it is difficult to ensure that all the informed consent forms given to patients are based on the best evidence as many newer publications could change the conclusions of previous research. Therefore, the goal of this review article is to cover existing meta‐analyses, randomized control trials, and related articles in order to collect data for improved and more current informed consent.
Elevated expression of FREM1 in breast cancer indicates favorable prognosis and high‐level immune infiltration status
Authors: Li Han‐ning , Li Xing‐rui , Lv Zheng‐tao , Cai Miao‐miao , Wang Ge , Yang Zhi‐fang
Published: October 2020

Breast cancer (BC) poses one of the major threats to female's health worldwide. Immune infiltration in BC is a key representative of the tumor microenvironment and has been proven highly relevant for prognosis. The role of the FREM1 (FRAS1‐Related Extracellular Matrix 1) gene in carcinoma has not studied, moreover, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the expression profile and potential action of FREM1 on BC progression. We applied series of bioinformatic methods as well as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) to analyze FREM1 expression profile, its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics, impact on clinical outcomes, relevant functions, correlation with immune infiltration in BC. The results demonstrated that FREM1 had a dramatically reduced expression in BC tissues, possessed an inverse correlation with stage, age, and metastasis, and exhibited a higher level in invasive lobular breast carcinoma than in ductal one. Furthermore, decreased FREM1 expression was often associated with estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) negative and triple negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) status while human epidermal growth factor 2 (Her‐2) positive status, and considerably correlated with a worse overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Meanwhile, the univariate/multivariate Cox model revealed that low‐FREM1 expression can be an independent prognostic factor for BC. Additionally, FREM1 was mainly involved in the cell metabolism and immune cells infiltration. Moreover, IHC and IF demonstrated a positive correlation of its expression with the immune infiltrating levels of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and CD86+ M1 macrophages while a negative correlation with CD68+ pan‐macrophages and CD163+ M2 macrophages. These findings suggest that FREM1 can be a potential biomarker for evaluating the immune infiltrating status, and the BC prognosis.
Overexpression of miR‐329‐3p sensitizes osteosarcoma cells to cisplatin through suppression of glucose metabolism by targeting LDHA
Authors: Li Gang , Li Ye , Wang Da‐yong
Published: October 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most frequent malignant bone tumor types. Traditional treatments of OS involve standard chemotherapy or combination with radiation before and after surgery. Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs used for treating osteosarcoma. However, patients with advanced tumor stages develop cisplatin resistance, leading to a major clinical challenge. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR‐329‐3p in cisplatin sensitivity of osteosarcoma cells. We found miR‐329‐3p was significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma tissues compared with normal bone tissues. Overexpression of miR‐329‐3p suppressed osteosarcoma cell proliferation. Moreover, we observed low‐toxic cisplatin treatments suppressed miR‐329‐3p but higher concentrations of cisplatin‐induced miR‐329‐3p expression. In addition, miR‐329‐3p was significantly downregulated in cisplatin‐resistant Saos‐2 cells which displayed elevated glucose metabolism. Overexpression of miR‐329‐3p significantly impaired glucose metabolism of Saos‐2 cells. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay consistently demonstrated the glycolysis enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase‐A (LDHA) was a direct target of miR‐329‐3p in osteosarcoma cells. Rescue experiments revealed restoration of LDHA in miR‐329‐3p‐overexpressed cisplatin‐resistant cells effectively recovered glucose metabolism, resulting in increased cisplatin resistance. This study demonstrates a miR‐329‐3p‐LDHA‐glucose metabolism‐cisplatin resistance axis in osteosarcoma cells, providing a miRNA‐based therapeutic strategy against chemoresistant osteosarcoma.
Contemporary transcatheter aortic valve implantation related thrombocytopenia
Authors: Abu Khadija Haitham , Ayyad Omar , Haberman Dan , Gandelman Gera , Poles Lion , Jonas Michael , Volodarsky Igor , Kweider Maher Abu , Maximovskih Alexander , Shimoni Sara , George Jacob , Blatt Alex
Published: October 2020

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation related thrombocytopenia (TAVI‐rTP) is an inevitable phenomenon. However, no study has been performed on TAVI‐rTP in the current setting of extended clinical indications combined with technology improvements.

Methods

Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI, from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled.

Results

Two‐hundred and one consecutive patients (mean age 81.1 ± 7.1 years, 96 men) enrolled. Platelet count was recorded before and after aortic valve implantation. Dropped platelet count (DPC) occurred in all but 11 patients who were included. Two groups were created: DPC <30 and DPC ≥30%. DPC was compared with in‐hospital major adverse cardiovascular events. The mean DPC was 26 ± 14%. We found that 67 patients (33.3%) had DPC of more or equal to 30%. In the univariable analysis, the time of the procedure (94.4 ± 32.7 vs 79.4 ± 21.9, p = .002), the amount of the contrast used (125.4 ± 55.4 vs 108.4 ± 44.1, p = .02) and the residual AV gradient (13.3 ± 7.2 vs 14.7, p = .05) were related to a DCP ≥30%. A DPC ≥30% was associated with increased risk of life‐threatening/major bleeding (11.9% vs 1.5%, p = .001), major vascular complications (16.4% vs 5.2% p = .009) and death (3.0% vs 0%, p = .044) at 30 days. After multivariable analysis, the factors associated with a higher DPC were time and contrast.

Conclusion

Contemporary TAVI‐rTP in this cohort of patients continues to be a common phenomenon but severe thrombocytopenia is less frequent. Patients developing a DPC ≥30% are associated with poor outcomes at 30 days.
Progress in Effects of Microenvironment of Carbon‐based Catalysts on Hydrodeoxygenation of Biomass
Authors: Li Tong , Li Hao , Li Chunli
Published: October 2020

Carbon‐based catalysts have made significant progress in hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of biomass. Since the HDO reaction usually carried on surface of catalyst, the interaction of reactant with catalyst is closely related to the surface microenvironment of catalyst, which may further have an impact on catalytic performance. This review will discuss the relationship between surface microenvironment of carbon support and catalytic performance and mechanism of HDO reaction during biomass upgrading. We will focus on the microenvironment effect associated with HDO reaction in carbon‐based catalysts including effects of surface microstructure and surface functionalization of carbon supports on preparation of heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic performance, respectively. Study of microenvironment may provide guidance for further development of efficient carbon‐based catalysts in biomass resource utilization.
Sensory Perception of Non‐Deuterated and Deuterated Organic Compounds
Authors: Salthammer Tunga , Monegel Friederike , Schulz Nicole , Uhde Erik , Grimme Stefan , Seibert Jakob , Hohm Uwe , Palm Wolf‐Ulrich
Published: October 2020

The chemical background of olfactory perception has been subject of intensive research, but no available model can fully explain the sense of smell. There are also inconsistent results on the role of the isotopology of molecules. In experiments with human subjects it was found that the isotope effect is weak with acetone and D6‐acetone. In contrast, clear differences were observed in the perception of octanoic acid and D15‐octanoic acid. Furthermore, a trained sniffer dog was initially able to distinguish between these isotopologues of octanoic acid. In chromatographic measurements, the respective deuterated molecule showed weaker interaction with a non‐polar liquid phase. Quantum chemical calculations give evidence that deuterated octanoic acid binds more strongly to a model receptor than non‐deuterated. In contrast, the binding of the non‐deuterated molecule is stronger with acetone. The isotope effect is calculated in the framework of statistical mechanics. It results from a complicated interplay between various thermostatistical contributions to the non‐covalent free binding energies and it turns out to be very molecule‐specific. The vibrational terms including non‐classical zero‐point energies play about the same role as rotational/translational contributions and are larger than bond length effects for the differential isotope perception of odor for which general rules cannot be derived.
Chalice‐Type Tridentate Silicon Lewis Acids of C3 Symmetry in a Single Step Starting from Hexadehydrotribenzo[12]annulene
Authors: Schwartzen Anna , Weddeling Jan‐Henrik , Langosch Jana , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: October 2020

Tridentate Lewis acids with aligned functions were synthesized based on the rigid framework hexadehydrotribenzo[12]annulene. The backbone and its fluorinated analogue were synthesised in one‐pot syntheses, with alkyne deprotection and Sonogashira cross coupling reaction being carried out in one step. Hydrosilylation of the annulene with chlorohydrosilanes proceeded highly selectively and afforded rigid poly‐Lewis acids with three SiCl3 or SiCl2Me substituents perfectly oriented to one side of the molecule in a single step. The progress of hydrosilylation was investigated by time‐correlated NMR spectroscopic studies. The crystal structures show that the framework is symmetrically functionalised and the silyl substituents are aligned in one direction. To increase the acidity of the Lewis acids the chlorosilyl substituents were fluorinated with SbF3. Further investigation of hydrometallation reactions (M=B, Al, Ga, Sn) did not lead to corresponding structures.
A Bottom‐up In‐situ Preparation of Graphene‐like Porous Carbon for Ultrahigh Surface Area Specific Capacitance Supercapacitors
Authors: Hao Yisu , Liu Zheng , Chen Xingzhu , Liu Jingxiao , Tang Qunli , Hu Aiping , Chen Xiaohua
Published: October 2020

Nitrogen‐doped porous carbon is an ideal electrode material for supercapacitors, and the development of efficient and inexpensive graphene‐based porous carbon is of great significance to promote its application. In this study, a bottom‐up in‐situ method is developed to grow nitrogen‐doped 3D graphene‐like porous carbon (Cu‐GL‐NPC) with Cu as a catalyst. The Cu‐GL‐NPC possessed the high nitrogen content of 7.64% and the high ratio of pyrrolic nitrogen, along with open three‐dimensional porous structure, which led to the smooth transfer of electrolyte. Consequently, the Cu‐GL‐NPC delivered an extremely high surface area specific capacitance of 49.2 μF cm−2 at a current density of 1 A g−1. This study provides an insight for better understanding the effect of catalysts on the formation of porous carbon, which is beneficial for the design of new nanocarbon materials with different structures and different nitrogen doping types, and would offer ideas for the development of carbon materials for the next generation of supercapacitors.
Volunteering sustainability: An advancement in corporate social responsibility conceptualization
Authors: Farooq Qamar , Liu Xuan , Fu Peihua , Hao Yunhong
Published: October 2020

In order to meet the versatile expectations of stakeholders, enterprises need philanthropic representation in communities. This research aims to empirically investigate the employee‐specific viability of potential philanthropic initiatives of wholly foreign‐owned enterprises to delineate volunteering sustainability. It covers five potential internal and external volunteering initiatives—matchmaking, marriage arrangement, and poverty alleviation through skill development, anti‐sexual harassment awareness campaign and assistance to low paid workers, and finds the impact of intrinsic motivation for volunteering in proposed volunteering programs on employee's vital attitudes. By taking self‐determination theory, the extensive literature review of intrinsic motivation of employees and analysis of triple bottom line theory, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource management model proposed by Hao, Farooq, and Zhang (2018) has been empirically tested after collecting the data from 507 employees of sample wholly foreign‐owned enterprises.With ontological and epistemological assumptions in pragmatist stance, this research employed Qual plus Quan approach. HMLR was performed followed by PROCESS using SPSS for determining information technology usage moderation effects and partial mediation of organizational pride. The findings guide that moderated mediation effects of intrinsic motivation for volunteering in the same program are significant in the same direction for two employee attitudes; however, motivation has multifarious effects. The main theoretical implication is the CSR program specification of intrinsic motivation. The findings practically imply that companies should determine the intrinsic motivation of employees before designing volunteering programs. This research contributes to self‐determination theory by integrating the “people” tier of triple bottom line establishing the link of satisfaction to the intentional CSR activities.
Covalent Amine Tethering on Ketone Modified Porous Organic Polymers for Enhanced CO2 Capture
Authors: Jorayev Perman , Tashov Intizar , Rozyyev Vepa , Nguyen Thien S. , Dogan Nesibe A. , Yavuz Cafer T.
Published: October 2020

Effective removal of excess greenhouse gas CO2 necessitates new adsorbents that can overcome the shortcomings of the current capture methods. To achieve that, porous materials are often modified post‐synthetically with reactive amine functionalities but suffer from significant surface area losses. Herein, we report a successful amine post‐functionalization of a highly porous covalent organic polymer, COP‐130, without losing much porosity. By varying the amine substituents, we recorded a remarkable increase in CO2 uptake and selectivity. Ketone functionality, a rarely accessible functional group for porous polymers, was inserted prior to amination and led to covalent tethering of amines. Interestingly, aminated polymers demonstrated relatively low heats of adsorption, which is useful for the rapid recyclability of materials, due to the formation of suspected intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
A novel autoantibody targeting calreticulin is associated with cancer in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Chen He , Yang Heng , Cheng Qiu‐Xiang , Ge Yong‐Peng , Peng Qing‐Lin , Zhang Ya‐Mei , Cheng Gen‐Hong , Wang Guo‐Chun , Lu Xin
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of anti‐calreticulin autoantibodies (anti‐CRT Ab) in a large cohort of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients.

Methods

Sera from 469 patients with IIM, 196 patients with other connective tissue diseases, 28 patients with solid tumors and 81 healthy controls were screened for anti‐CRT Ab by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using human recombinant CRT protein. Sera from 35 IIM patients were tested using an immunoprecipitation assay to confirm the presence of anti‐CRT Ab. Subsequently, IIM–cancer patients were identified and divided into new‐onset, remission and recurrent groups based on their cancer status. The relationships between anti‐CRT Ab levels and IIM disease activity were also investigated.

Results

Serum anti‐CRT Ab was detected positive in 81 of the 469 (17.3%) IIM patients. Immunoprecipitated bands were observed at a molecular weight of 60 kDa corresponding to the CRT protein. The IIM patients with anti‐CRT Ab more frequently had cancers compared to the patients without anti‐CRT Ab. Moreover, the prevalence of anti‐CRT Ab differed according to the cancer status. The IIM patients with recurrent cancers had a much higher prevalence of anti‐CRT Ab than those with cancers in remission. Also, serum anti‐CRT Ab levels positively correlated with disease activity at baseline and at follow‐up visits.

Conclusion

We report the existence of serum anti‐CRT Ab in IIM patients and demonstrate the possible association of anti‐CRT Ab with malignancy in IIM patients. Serum anti‐CRT Ab could serve as a novel candidate marker of cancer in IIM patients.
Uncovering the secreted signals and transcription factors regulating the development of mammalian middle ear ossicles
Authors: Ankamreddy Harinarayana , Bok Jinwoong , Groves Andrew K.
Published: October 2020

The mammalian middle ear comprises a chain of ossicles, the malleus, incus, and stapes that act as an impedance matching device during the transmission of sound from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. These ossicles are derived from cranial neural crest cells that undergo endochondral ossification and subsequently differentiate into their final functional forms. Defects that occur during middle ear development can result in conductive hearing loss. In this review, we summarize studies describing the crucial roles played by signaling molecules such as sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic proteins, fibroblast growth factors, notch ligands, and chemokines during the differentiation of neural crest into the middle ear ossicles. In addition to these cell‐extrinsic signals, we also discuss studies on the function of transcription factor genes such as Foxi3, Tbx1, Bapx1, Pou3f4, and Gsc in regulating the development and morphology of the middle ear ossicles.
Climate change has different predicted effects on the range shifts of two hybridizing ambush bug (Phymata, Family Reduviidae, Order Hemiptera) species
Authors: Zhang Vicki Mengyuan , Punzalan David , Rowe Locke
Published: October 2020

Aim

A universal attribute of species is that their distributions are limited by numerous factors that may be difficult to quantify. Furthermore, climate change‐induced range shifts have been reported in many taxa, and understanding the implications of these shifts remains a priority and a challenge. Here, we use Maxent to predict current suitable habitat and to project future distributions of two closely related, parapatrically distributed Phymata species in light of anthropogenic climate change.

Location

North America.

Taxon

Phymata americana Melin 1930 and Phymata pennsylvanica Handlirsch 1897, Family: Reduviidae, Order: Hemiptera.

Methods

We used the maximum entropy modeling software Maxent to identify environmental variables maintaining the distribution of two Phymata species, Phymata americana and Phymata pennsylvanica. Species occurrence data were collected from museum databases, and environmental data were collected from WorldClim. Once we gathered distribution maps for both species, we created binary suitability maps of current distributions. To predict future distributions in 2050 and 2070, the same environmental variables were used, this time under four different representative concentration pathways: RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5; as well, binary suitability maps of future distributions were also created. To visualize potential future hybridization, the degree of overlap between the two Phymata species was calculated.

Results

The strongest predictor to P. americana ranges was the mean temperature of the warmest quarter, while precipitation of the driest month and mean temperature of the warmest quarter were strong predictors of P. pennsylvanica ranges. Future ranges for P. americana are predicted to increase northwestward at higher CO2 concentrations. Suitable ranges for P. pennsylvanica are predicted to decrease with slight fluctuations around range edges. There is an increase in overlapping ranges of the two species in all future predictions.

Main conclusions

These evidences for different environmental requirements for P. americana and P. pennsylvanica account for their distinct ranges. Because these species are ecologically similar and can hybridize, climate change has potentially important eco‐evolutionary ramifications. Overall, our results are consistent with effects of climate change that are highly variable across species, geographic regions, and over time.
The balancing trick: Optimized sampling of imbalanced datasets—A brief survey of the recent State of the Art
Authors: Susan Seba , Kumar Amitesh
Published: October 2020

This survey paper focuses on one of the current primary issues challenging data mining researchers experimenting on real‐world datasets. The problem is that of imbalanced class distribution that generates a bias toward the majority class due to insufficient training samples from the minority class. The current machine learning and deep learning algorithms are trained on datasets that are insufficiently represented in certain categories. On the other hand, some other classes have surplus samples due to the ready availability of data from these categories. Conventional solutions suggest undersampling of the majority class and/or oversampling of the minority class for balancing the class distribution prior to the learning phase. Though this problem of uneven class distribution is, by and large, ignored by researchers focusing on the learning technology, a need has now arisen for incorporating balance correction and data pruning procedures within the learning process itself. This paper surveys a plethora of conventional and recent techniques that address this issue through intelligent representations of samples from the majority and minority classes, that are given as input to the learning module. The application of nature‐inspired evolutionary algorithms to intelligent sampling is examined, and so are hybrid sampling strategies that select and retain the difficult‐to‐learn samples and discard the easy‐to‐learn samples. The findings by various researchers are summarized to a logical end, and various possibilities and challenges for future directions in research are outlined.
Volatile constituents of yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) peel oil: A review
Authors: Uehara Ayaka , Baldovini Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka) is a very specific citrus variety mostly produced in Japan and South Korea. In recent years, it received considerable interest from the flavour and fragrance industry, and many studies devoted to the characterization of its volatile constituents have been published, often leading to somewhat contradictory results. This comprehensive review aims at giving a general view of the volatile components and the putative key odorants of Yuzu peel oil.
Astrocytes in the regulation of cerebrovascular functions
Authors: Cohen‐Salmon Martine , Slaoui Leila , Mazaré Noémie , Gilbert Alice , Oudart Marc , Alvear‐Perez Rodrigo , Elorza‐Vidal Xabier , Chever Oana , Boulay Anne‐Cécile
Published: October 2020

Astrocytes are the most numerous type of neuroglia in the brain and have a predominant influence on the cerebrovascular system; they control perivascular homeostasis, the integrity of the blood–brain barrier, the dialogue with the peripheral immune system, the transfer of metabolites from the blood, and blood vessel contractility in response to neuronal activity. These regulatory processes occur in a specialized interface composed of perivascular astrocyte extensions that almost completely cover the cerebral blood vessels. Scientists have only recently started to study how this interface is formed and how it influences cerebrovascular functions. Here, we review the literature on the astrocytes' role in the regulation of the cerebrovascular system. We cover the anatomy and development of the gliovascular interface, the known gliovascular functions, and molecular factors, the latter's implication in certain pathophysiological situations, and recent cutting‐edge experimental tools developed to examine the astrocytes' role at the vascular interface. Finally, we highlight some open questions in this field of research.
Hippocampal subfield volumetry from structural isotropic 1 mm3MRI scans: A note of caution
Authors: Wisse Laura E. M. , Chételat Gaël , Daugherty Ana M. , de Flores Robin , la Joie Renaud , Mueller Susanne G. , Stark Craig E. L. , Wang Lei , Yushkevich Paul A. , Berron David , Raz Naftali , Bakker Arnold , Olsen Rosanna K. , Carr Valerie A.
Published: October 2020

Spurred by availability of automatic segmentation software, in vivo MRI investigations of human hippocampal subfield volumes have proliferated in the recent years. However, a majority of these studies apply automatic segmentation to MRI scans with approximately 1 × 1 × 1 mm3 resolution, a resolution at which the internal structure of the hippocampus can rarely be visualized. Many of these studies have reported contradictory and often neurobiologically surprising results pertaining to the involvement of hippocampal subfields in normal brain function, aging, and disease. In this commentary, we first outline our concerns regarding the utility and validity of subfield segmentation on 1 × 1 × 1 mm3 MRI for volumetric studies, regardless of how images are segmented (i.e., manually or automatically). This image resolution is generally insufficient for visualizing the internal structure of the hippocampus, particularly the stratum radiatum lacunosum moleculare, which is crucial for valid and reliable subfield segmentation. Second, we discuss the fact that automatic methods that are employed most frequently to obtain hippocampal subfield volumes from 1 × 1 × 1 mm3 MRI have not been validated against manual segmentation on such images. For these reasons, we caution against using volumetric measurements of hippocampal subfields obtained from 1 × 1 × 1 mm3 images.
Long‐term donor site morbidity after radial forearm flap elevation for tongue reconstruction: Prospective observational study
Authors: Liu Jie , Liu Fei , Fang Qigen , Feng Juanjuan
Published: October 2020

Background

To assess long‐term donor site morbidity after radial forearm free (RFF) flap harvesting.

Methods

Enrolled patients were asked to complete the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and undergo wrist motion and hand strength examinations at different time points. The data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The postoperative DASH score did not return to normal until 24 months after the operation. The mean postoperative wrist motion degree of flexion was significantly decreased compared to the preoperative level and returned to normal at 12 months after the operation. Similar trends were noted regarding extension, radial abduction, and ulnar abduction. The mean postoperative grip strength was significantly decreased compared to the preoperative level and remained dysfunctional at 24 months after the operation. A similar trend was also noted with regard to tip pinch and key pinch.

Conclusion

The long‐term negative effect on hand strength is sustained.
Driving performance, sleepiness, fatigue, and mental workload throughout the time course of semi‐automated driving—Experimental data from the driving simulator
Authors: Kaduk Sylwia I. , Roberts Aaron P. J. , Stanton Neville A.
Published: October 2020

Automation offers the potential to mitigate or reduce the risks related to driving. There are some new challenges for drivers related to semi‐automated driving. Some of them are associated with suboptimal mental workload or prolonged need for sustained attention. This paper presents the results of an experiment investigating differences in manual driving before and after the automated phase in the scenario simulating a time‐course of semi‐automated driving. Sample size: 52 participants with two experimental sessions each day and night session. The experiment used a driving simulator to create a semi‐automated driving scenario comprising manual driving, the automated phase, and manual driving. The following questionnaires were collected: Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Take‐Over Readiness Scale (developed for this research project, included in Appendix), Samn–Perelli Fatigue Scale, and NASA‐TLX. Driving performance significantly decreased after the automated phase (e.g., standard deviation of the steering wheel angle was 255.73 before vs. 287.11 after automation) and the effect was more profound during the night. Participants were sleepier and more fatigued after the automated phase, and assessed mental workload as lower. The results of the questionnaires did not correlate with driving performance. The results of the experiment suggest that manual driving could deteriorate after the automated phase, and that driver might not be able to assess their fitness to drive at the moment of take‐over of manual driving.
MHD bioconvection Darcy‐Forchheimer flow of Casson nanofluid over a rotating disk with entropy optimization
Authors: Jawad Muhammad , Saeed Anwar , Khan Aurungzeb , Islam Saeed
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we analyzed Darcy‐Forchheimer three‐dimensional bioconvection Casson nanofluid flow due to a rotating disk with entropy generation. The flow is considered with the outcome of thermal radiation and Arrhenius activation energy. For nondimensionality, we utilized the similarity transformations to deal with the problem equations. The homotopy analysis method is applied for the re‐creation of the modeled equations. The biothermal framework is investigated for all the implanted parameters whose impacts are observed through various graphs. There exist intriguing outcomes due to the impacts of various parameters on various distributions. Nanoparticles' concentration diminishes with expansion of the Schmidt parameter and Brownian motion constraint, whereas motile gyrotactic microorganisms' distribution diminishes with expansion of bioconvection Peclet and Lewis numbers. The entropy generation rate increases with the increase of the Brinkman number, Casson fluid parameters, and magnetic parameters. Enrichment in the Reynolds number () leads to a decrease in the entropy generation rate. Moreover, Bejan number reduces with escalating values of the magnetic parameter, Brinkman number, and Casson fluid parameters. Bejan number () is higher for larger Reynolds numbers and temperature difference parameter.
Turbulent liquid film evaporation in a partially heated wall along a vertical tube
Authors: Alami Samy , Feddaoui Mbarek , Nait Alla Abderrahman , Bammou Lahcen , Souhar Khalid
Published: October 2020

In this numerical study, the evaporative heat and mass transfer of a turbulent falling liquid film in a finite vertical tube are investigated. The liquid film flows in the tube's inner wall, whose outer wall is partially subject to thermal flux. Here, different configurations corresponding to thermal flux imposed on different external surface wall percentages are examined. External face zones where the heat flux is not applied are maintained insulated. The nonlinear set of parabolic mass, momentum, energy, and mass fraction conservation equations combined with boundary and interfacial conditions are treated numerically using implicit finite difference procedure. For falling liquid film analysis, an adapted Van Driest turbulence model is used. For the present work, it is supposed that gas flows in a laminar regime. We examine in this paper the impact of the percentage of heated surface area on flows as well as on heat and mass transfer. Obtained results for a partially heated wall are compared with those produced for an entirely heated wall.
Risk Assessment of Water Quantity and Quality Stressors to Balance the Use and Protection of Vulnerable Water Resources
Authors: Wade Melissa , O'Brien Gordon C , Wepener Victor , Jewitt Graham
Published: October 2020

In developing regions of the world, valuable and vulnerable water resources are being used excessively. Through water resource development, multiple water quality, flow, and other stressors threaten the sustainable use and protection of these resources. Few attempts have been made to evaluate the synergistic effects of multiple water quality and flow stressors to socioecological attributes of systems that we care about in integrated water resource management. Regional scale ecological risk assessments evaluate the probable negative effects of multiple stressors, affecting dynamic ecosystems on multiple spatial scales. The present study demonstrates how multiple water quality, flow, and other stressors that cumulatively affect the sustainability of the lower Thukela River, South Africa, can be evaluated using the relative risk model, Bayesian network (RRM-BN) approach. This risk assessment facilitated the establishment of minimum water quality and flow requirements to maintain the sustainability of this system and make water resource use and protection trade-off decisions. In this case study, the risk of 10 water resources use and protection scenarios were evaluated in a regional scale ecological risk assessment of the socioecological attributes of the lower Thukela River. In addition we evaluated the consequences associated with these scenarios based on risk pathways of multiple sources, stressors, and receptors to endpoints that represent the sustainable vision of multiple stakeholders of the system. The outcomes of the present study have contributed to new evidence to improve the water resource use efficiency and protect important resources of the lower Thukela River, to ensure sustainability. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:110–130. © 2020 SETAC

KEY POINTS

This application of the regional scale ecological risk assessment approach demonstrates how multiple stressors affecting dynamic water resources can be evaluated in a holistic manner to contribute to sustainable resource management. The application of the regional scale ecological risk assessment approach to the lower Thukela River, South Africa, contributes to an improved environmental performance of an industrial water resource user in a vulnerable socioecological system. The regional scale ecological risk assessment can be used to evaluate the relative risk of multiple stressors to social and ecological features that we care about in dynamic water resources in developing regions of the world. The regional scale ecological risk assessment has successfully been used to contribute to water resource trade-off decisions and management between the use and protection of vulnerable water resources and the communities who depend on them in Africa.
3D conditional generative adversarial network‐based synthetic medical image augmentation for lung nodule detection
Authors: Bu Tian , Yang Zhiyong , Jiang Shan , Zhang Guobin , Zhang Hongyun , Wei Lin
Published: October 2020

A computer‐aided detection (CADe) scheme, relying on a large number of high‐quality images with annotations, could help radiologists effectively detect lung nodules. However, such medical data are generally difficult to obtain. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel method based on a conditional generative adversarial network (CGAN) to generate new samples for data augmentation (DA). This method employs a 3D CGAN based on a squeeze‐and‐excitation mechanism and residual learning to synthesize realistic and diverse lung nodules in chest computed tomography (CT) images to improve the performance of the CADe system. To evaluate the proposed method, this paper uses synthetic samples for DA to train the lung nodule detection network. The results indicate that these synthetic samples, which cover a part of the data distribution unfilled by the original data, can boost the overall performance of the nodule detection network at fixed false positive (FP) rates.
Does teaching an omnibus mand preclude the development of specifying mands?
Authors: Ward Shannon N. , Hanley Gregory P. , Warner Christine A. , Gage Ellen E.
Published: October 2020

When problem behavior is controlled by a synthesized reinforcement contingency, a simple omnibus mand that yields access to all reinforcers simultaneously has been shown to effectively replace problem behavior. The question arises as to whether teaching an omnibus mand will preclude the acquisition of specifying mands for each of the combined reinforcers. In this study, after 3 students diagnosed with autism acquired an omnibus mand (“My way, please”) that yielded all identified reinforcers simultaneously, specifying mands (e.g., “All done,” “May I have my toys?” “Play with me”) were taught to yield each individual reinforcer (e.g., escape, tangibles, attention). Problem behavior was immediately eliminated for all children, and the omnibus mand was acquired quickly. Teaching an omnibus mand did not preclude acquisition of specifying mands for any learner and instead allowed for the acquisition of specifying mands once problem behavior had been effectively reduced.
A three dimensional in vivo model of breast cancer using a thermosensitive chitosan‐based hydrogel and 4 T1 cell line in Balb/c
Authors: Rezakhani Leila , Alizadeh Morteza , Alizadeh Akram
Published: October 2020

The two‐dimensional (2D) models of breast cancer still exhibit a limited success. Whereas, three‐dimensional (3D) models provide more similar conditions to the tumor for growth of cancer cells. In this regard, a 3D in vivo model of breast cancer using 4 T1 cells and chitosan‐based thermosensitive hydrogel were designed. Chitosan/β‐glycerol phosphate hydrogel (Ch/β‐GP) was prepared with a final ratio of 2% and 10%. The hydrogel properties were examined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, MTT assay, pH, scanning electron microscopy, and biodegradability assay. 3D model of breast cancer was induced by injection of 1 × 106 4 T1 cells in 100 μl hydrogel and 2D model by injection of 1 × 106 4 T1 cells in 100 μl phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously. After 3 weeks, induced tumors were evaluated by size and weight determination, ultrasound, hematoxylin‐ and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining and evaluating of cancer stem cells with CD44 and CD24 markers. The results showed that hydrogel with physiological pH had no cytotoxicity. In 3D model, tumor size and weight increased significantly (p ≤ .001) in comparison with 2D model. Histological and ultrasound analysis showed that 3D tumor model was more similar to breast cancer. Expression of CD44 and CD24 markers in the 3D model was more than 2D model (p ≤ .001). This 3D in vivo model of breast cancer mimicked native tumor and showed malignant tissue properties. Therefore, the use of such models can be effective in various cancer studies, especially in the field of cancer stem cells.
Inline and offline extracorporeal photopheresis: Device performance, cell yields and clinical response
Authors: Piccirillo Nicola , Putzulu Rossana , Massini Giuseppina , Di Giovanni Alessia , Giammarco Sabrina , Metafuni Elisabetta , Sica Simona , Zini Gina , Chiusolo Patrizia
Published: October 2020

Background

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective treatment for graft‐vs‐host‐disease (GvHD). Photopheresis can be performed in offline or inline method. The first uses a conventional cell separator for collection of mononuclear‐cells that are photoactivated by a separate device and manually reinfused; the second one involves a dedicated device performing the entire procedure (collection, photoactivation and reinfusion).

Study design and methods

The objective was to compare the two methods and cell product features to highlight key process, devices performance, and to evaluate ECP clinical response. Patients developing steroid‐resistant GvHD underwent ECP as second‐line treatment using either inline (Therakos CellEx) or offline system (Terumo BCT Spectra or Optia and UVA PIT system). Data about patients' features, pre‐apheresis blood‐count, cell product characteristics and clinical response were collected for analysis.

Results

We evaluated 494 procedures performed on 28 patients from April 2018 to March 2019. The offline procedure allows to achieve greater cell yield, it is characterized by larger processed blood volume, longer runtime, and higher ACD consumption. The inline procedure shows shorter runtime, high mononuclear‐cells percentage and low percentage of granulocytes in cell product. We observed a significant difference in cell yields between inline and offline system; furthermore we did not find a significant relationship between cell dose and clinical response.

Conclusion

Inline ECP is fast, highly automated and productive, making it particularly suitable for ECP treatments. Offline ECP collects high cell yields implying longer procedure and greater operator intervention. Our study did not find a significant relationship between cell dose and GVHD response.