bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competition between kinesin-1 and myosin-V defines Drosophila posterior determination
Authors: Lu Wen , Lakonishok Margot , Liu Rong , Billington Neil , Rich Ashley , Glotzer Michael , Sellers James R , Gelfand Vladimir I
Published: February 2020

Local accumulation of oskar (osk) mRNA in the Drosophila oocyte determines the posterior pole of the future embryo. Two major cytoskeletal components, microtubules and actin filaments, together with a microtubule motor, kinesin-1, and an actin motor, myosin-V, are essential for osk mRNA posterior localization. In this study, we use Staufen, an RNA-binding protein that colocalizes with osk mRNA, as a proxy for osk mRNA. We demonstrate that posterior localization of osk/Staufen is determined by competition between kinesin-1 and myosin-V. While kinesin-1 removes osk/Staufen from the cortex along microtubules, myosin-V anchors osk/Staufen at the cortex. Myosin-V wins over kinesin-1 at the posterior pole due to low microtubule density at this site, while kinesin-1 wins at anterior and lateral positions because they have high density of cortically-anchored microtubules. As a result, posterior determinants are removed from the anterior and lateral cortex but retained at the posterior pole. Thus, posterior determination of Drosophila oocytes is defined by kinesin-myosin competition, whose outcome is primarily determined by cortical microtubule density.
Modelling the prognostic effect of glucose and lipid profiles on stroke recurrence in Malaysia: an event-history analysis
Authors: Chen Xin Wee , Nazri Shafei Mohd , Abdul Aziz Zariah , Nazifah Sidek Norsima , Imran Musa Kamarul
Published: February 2020

Background

Diabetes and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with stroke recurrence, yet the evidence for this relationship is conflicting. Consequently, the parameters in the glucose and lipid profiles may inform us regarding their relationship with stroke recurrence, thus enhancing the physicians’ clinical decision-making.

Aim

This study sought to investigate whether glucose and lipid profiles could prognosticate stroke recurrence in Malaysia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective hospital-based study where we analyzed the first-ever stroke cases regarding about which the Malaysia National Stroke Registry was informed between 2009 and 2017, that fulfilled this study’s criteria, and that were followed for stroke recurrence. Using the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, we estimated the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), which reflected the prognostic effect of the primary variables (i.e., glucose and lipid profiles on the first-stroke admission) on stroke recurrence.

Results

Among the 8,576 first-ever stroke patients, 394 (4.6%) experienced a subsequent first stroke recurrence event. The prognostic effect measured by univariable Cox regression showed that, when unadjusted, ten variables have prognostic value with regards to stroke recurrence. A multivariable regression analysis revealed that glucose was not a significant prognostic factor (adjusted HR 1.28; 95% CI [1.00–1.65]), while triglyceride level was the only parameter in the lipid profile found to have an independent prognostication concerning stroke recurrence (adjusted HR: 1.28 to 1.36).

Conclusions

Triglyceride could independently prognosticate stroke recurrence, which suggests the role of physicians in intervening hypertriglyceridemia. In line with previous recommendations, we call for further investigations in first-ever stroke patients with impaired glucose and lipid profiles and suggest a need for interventions in these patients.
The endoplasmic reticulum-associated mRNA-binding proteins ERBP1 and ERBP2 interact in bloodstream-formTrypanosoma brucei
Authors: Bajak Kathrin , Leiss Kevin , Clayton Christine E. , Erben Esteban
Published: February 2020

Kinetoplastids rely heavily on post-transcriptional mechanisms for control of gene expression, and on RNA-binding proteins that regulate mRNA splicing, translation and decay.Trypanosoma bruceiERBP1 (Tb927.10.14150) and ERBP2 (Tb927.9.9550) were previously identified as mRNA binding proteins that lack canonical RNA-binding domains. We show here that ERBP1 is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, like ERBP2, and that the two proteins interact in vivo. Loss of ERBP1 from bloodstream-formT. bruceiinitially resulted in a growth defect but proliferation was restored after more prolonged cultivation. Pull-down analysis of tagged ERBP1 suggests that it preferentially binds to ribosomal protein mRNAs. The ERBP1 sequence resembles that ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeBfr1, which also localises to the endoplasmic reticulum and binds to ribosomal protein mRNAs. However, unlike Bfr1, ERBP1 does not bind to mRNAs encoding secreted proteins, and it is also not recruited to stress granules after starvation.
When does reproductive interference occur? Predictions and data
Authors: Kyogoku Daisuke
Published: February 2020

Reproductive interference is interspecific sexual interactions that are costly to at least one species involved. Although many studies have reported a substantial fitness cost associated with reproductive interference, suggesting its ecological significance, others have not observed reproductive interference in study species. Reproductive interference that incurs a large fitness cost is more likely to occur during secondary contacts than between long‐coexisting species. I first explain the rationale underlying this prediction using existing literature. Next, I present a conceptual framework to classify pairs of interacting species into one of four states, defined by the ecological and evolutionary stabilities of the species pairs. I discuss how the stability states of species pairs are likely to change over time, along with changes in the demographic and evolutionary role of reproductive interference. I then perform literature survey to test the prediction that reproductive interference should be more prevalent in secondary contact. Finally, I discuss the implications of the proposed conceptual framework and literature survey result.
Pennsylvania seeks provider license fees to help address need for oversight
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: February 2020

When growing drug problems give rise to new sources of funding that in turn attract fledgling or expanding treatment facilities, it would stand to reason that regulators' capacity to oversee these operations should grow as well. State officials in Pennsylvania say they have struggled to keep up, however, and they would like to be able to use their licensing authority to ensure more accountability in the state's substance use treatment provider community.
Super Kinetically Pseudocapacitive MnCo2S4 Nanourchins toward High‐Rate and Highly Stable Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Lim Yew Von , Huang Shaozhuan , Wu Qingyun , Kong Dezhi , Wang Ye , Zhu Yanfang , Wang Yanxia , Wang Yun‐Xiao , Liu Hua‐Kun , Dou Shi‐Xue , Ang Lay Kee , Yang Hui Ying
Published: February 2020

Improving surface morphology profiles, i.e., surface area and porosity, by nanostructure/surface engineering is effective in accommodating sodium's ionic and kinetic inadequacies. However, this strategy is limited to only activating the extrinsic pseudocapacitance in terms of improving surface‐based reactions. Herein, it is aimed to improve the sodiation performance by enhancement from both intrinsic and extrinsic pseudocapacitance to maximize sodiation potential of materials. A rarely reported but highly functional spinel MnCo2S4 (MCS), is introduced and systematically analyzed using first‐principles investigations, which exhibits energetically favorable charge‐transfer states and strong Na‐ions adsorption kinetics as well as diffusion channels (−3.65 and 0.40 eV respectively). The overall electrochemical redox profiles of the MCS nanostructure is revealed by in situ techniques, which disclose the commencing of partial and then a full conversion‐type sodiation at low discharge potentials (0.52 V vs Na/Na+) with fast Na‐ions diffusivity. Assisted by surface engineering technology on the intrinsically pseudocapacitive MCS, the urchin‐like morphology is instrumental in boosting and realizing sodium storage performance, especially the surface capacitive behavior (from 73.4% to 94.1%), prolonged cycling stability (>800 cycles), and high‐rate capability (416 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), as well as exhibiting remarkable full cell capability (high rate at 2 A g−1, >200 cycles at 200 mA g−1).
Electron‐State Confinement of Polysulfides for Highly Stable Sodium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ye Chao , Jiao Yan , Chao Dongliang , Ling Tao , Shan Jieqiong , Zhang Binwei , Gu Qinfen , Davey Kenneth , Wang Haihui , Qiao Shi‐Zhang
Published: February 2020

Confinement of polysulfides in sulfur cathodes is pivotal for eliminating the “shuttle effect” in metal–sulfur batteries, which represent promising solutions for large‐scale and sustainable energy storage. However, mechanistic exploration and in‐depth understanding for the confinement of polysulfides remain limited. Consequently, it is a critical challenge to achieve highly stable metal–sulfur batteries. Here, based on a 2D metal–organic framework (2D MOF), a new mechanism to realize effective confinement of polysulfides is proposed. A combination of in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, electrochemical measurements, and theoretical computations reveal that the dynamic electron states of the Ni centers in the 2D MOF enable the interaction between polysulfides and the MOF in the discharge/charge process to be tuned, resulting in both strong adsorption and fast conversion kinetics of polysulfides. The resultant room‐temperature sodium–sulfur batteries are amongst the most stable reported so far, thus demonstrating that the new mechanism opens a promising avenue for the development of high‐performance metal–sulfur batteries.
Organic UV‐Sensitive Phototransistors Based on Distriphenylamineethynylpyrene Derivatives with Ultra‐High Detectivity Approaching 1018
Authors: Tao Jingwei , Liu Dan , Qin Zhengsheng , Shao Bo , Jing Jiangbo , Li Hongxiang , Dong Huanli , Xu Bin , Tian Wenjing
Published: February 2020

Organic photodetectors with UV‐sensitivity are of great potential for various optoelectronic applications. Integration of high charge carrier mobility, long exciton diffusion length as well as unique UV‐sensitivity for active materials is crucial for construction of UV‐sensitive devices with high performance, however, very few organic semiconductors can integrate these properties simultaneously. Herein, two novel organic semiconductors containing large steric hindrance triphenylamine groups, 1,6‐distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (1,6‐DTEP) and 2,7‐distriphenylamineethynylpyrene (2,7‐DTEP) are designed and synthesized. It demonstrates that the single crystals of both 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP exhibit superior integrated optoelectronic properties of high charge carrier mobility, unique UV absorption, high photoluminescence quantum yields as well as small exciton binding energies. Organic phototransistors constructed using 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP single crystals show ultrasensitive performance with ultra‐high photoresponsivity of 2.86 × 106 and 1.04 × 105 A W−1, detectivity (D*) of above 1.49 × 1018 and 5.28 × 1016 Jones under 370 nm light illumination, respectively. It indicates the great potential of 1,6‐DTEP and 2,7‐DTEP‐based phototransistors for organic UV‐photodetector applications and also provides a new design strategy to develop series of better performance UV photoelectric organic materials for related research in organic optoelectronics.
Flexible Manipulation of Emitting Beams Using Single‐Aperture Circularly Polarized Digital Metasurface Antennas: Multi‐Beam Radiation toward Vortex‐Beam Generation
Authors: Nadi Morteza , Rajabalipanah Hamid , Cheldavi Ahmad , Abdolali Ali
Published: February 2020

As the technological demands for multiple‐input multiple‐output communication systems increasingly grow, there is a critical need for the next generation of multi‐beam radiators. The concept of single‐feed compact phase‐encoded metasurface antennas is introduced, the radiation specifications of which can be flexibly manipulated to provide circularly‐polarized single‐, dual‐, quad‐beam far‐field patterns, a circularly‐polarized optical angular momentum‐carrying beam, and a circularly‐polarized quasi‐omnidirectional emission. With a small footprint area at f = 5.8 GHz, the proposed circularly polarized coding metasurface antenna (CPCMA) consists of several radiating meta‐atoms with 2‐bit excitation phases of 0, π/2, π, and 3π/2. Compared with conventional antenna arrays, the center‐to‐center distance of the coding elements is noticeably reduced, where periodic boundary conditions have been employed to analyze the inter‐element coupling effects. A low‐cost and simple corporate feed network is also designed to implement the required coding mask of each CPCMA type. To verify the performance of the proposed CPCMA, a prototype is fabricated and measured. Proof‐of‐concept experiments demonstrate excellent agreement with numerical simulations and theoretical predictions. This constructs a bridge between conventional arrays and digital metasurfaces, providing a powerful host for the next generation of multi‐beam circularly polarized radiators.
Superlocal chemical reaction equilibrium in low temperature plasma
Authors: Uner Necip B. , Thimsen Elijah
Published: February 2020

Low temperature plasmas (LTP) are a unique class of open‐driven systems in which chemical reactions are unpredictable using established concepts. The terminal state of chemical reactions in LTP, termed the superlocal equilibrium state, is hypothesized to be defined by a proposed set of state variables. Using a LTP reactor wherein the state variables have been measured, it is shown that CO2 spontaneously splits and the effluent speciation is independent of the influent speciation if the state variables are held constant and the residence time is long. CO2 conversion at long residence times, which is expected to be nominally zero from equilibrium thermodynamics, can be as high as 70% in the LTP. The employed low pressure plasma reactor (P = 10 mbar) had a similar volume, productivity, and energy efficiency compared to an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge reactor, thanks to reaction rates that were three orders of magnitude faster.
Variation in the seasonal germination niche across an elevational gradient: the role of germination cueing in current and future climates
Authors: Gremer Jennifer R. , Chiono Alec , Suglia Elena , Bontrager Megan , Okafor Lauren , Schmitt Johanna
Published: February 2020

Premise

The timing of germination has profound impacts on fitness, population dynamics, and species ranges. Many plants have evolved responses to seasonal environmental cues to time germination with favorable conditions; these responses interact with temporal variation in local climate to drive the seasonal climate niche and may reflect local adaptation. Here, we examined germination responses to temperature cues in Streptanthus tortuosus populations across an elevational gradient.

Methods

Using common garden experiments, we evaluated differences among populations in response to cold stratification (chilling) and germination temperature and related them to observed germination phenology in the field. We then explored how these responses relate to past climate at each site and the implications of those patterns under future climate change.

Results

Populations from high elevations had stronger stratification requirements for germination and narrower temperature ranges for germination without stratification. Differences in germination responses corresponded with elevation and variability in seasonal temperature and precipitation across populations. Further, they corresponded with germination phenology in the field; low‐elevation populations germinated in the fall without chilling, whereas high‐elevation populations germinated after winter chilling and snowmelt in spring and summer. Climate‐change forecasts indicate increasing temperatures and decreasing snowpack, which will likely alter germination cues and timing, particularly for high‐elevation populations.

Conclusions

The seasonal germination niche for S. tortuosus is highly influenced by temperature and varies across the elevational gradient. Climate change will likely affect germination timing, which may cascade to influence trait expression, fitness, and population persistence.
An examination of the cross‐sectional geometrical properties of the long bone diaphyses of Holocene foragers from Roonka, South Australia
Authors: Hill Ethan C. , Pearson Osbjorn M. , Durband Arthur C. , Walshe Keryn , Carlson Kristian J. , Grine Frederick E.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

This study examines long bone diaphyseal rigidity and shape of hunter‐gatherers at Roonka to make inferences about subsistence strategies and mobility of inhabitants of semi‐arid southeastern Australia. Roonka is a cemetery site adjacent to the Lower Murray River, which contains over 200 individuals buried throughout the Holocene. Archaeological evidence indicates that populations living near this river corridor employed mobile, risk averse foraging strategies.

Methods

This prediction of lifestyle was tested by comparing the cross‐sectional geometric properties of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula of individuals from Roonka to samples of varying subsistence strategies. Bilateral asymmetry of the upper limb bones was also examined.

Results

Roonka males and females have moderately high lower limb diaphyseal rigidity and shape. In the upper limb, females have low rigidity and bilateral asymmetry while males have moderately high rigidity and bilateral asymmetry. This pattern is similar to other foraging groups from Australia and southern Africa that have behaviorally adapted to arid and semi‐arid environments.

Discussion

Lower limb results suggest that populations in the Lower Murray River Valley had relatively elevated foraging mobility. Upper limb rigidity and bilateral asymmetry indicate a sexual division of labor at Roonka. Females resemble other samples that had mixed subsistence strategies that involved hunting, gathering, and processing tasks. Males display a pattern similar to groups that preferentially hunted large game, but that supplemented this source with smaller game and riverine resources.
Cancer Risk for Fingolimod, Natalizumab, and Rituximab in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Alping Peter , Askling Johan , Burman Joachim , Fink Katharina , Fogdell‐Hahn Anna , Gunnarsson Martin , Hillert Jan , Langer‐Gould Annette , Lycke Jan , Nilsson Petra , Salzer Jonatan , Svenningsson Anders , Vrethem Magnus , Olsson Tomas , Piehl Fredrik , Frisell Thomas
Published: February 2020

Objective

Novel, highly effective disease‐modifying therapies have revolutionized multiple sclerosis (MS) care. However, evidence from large comparative studies on important safety outcomes, such as cancer, is still lacking.

Methods

In this nationwide register‐based cohort study, we linked data from the Swedish MS register to the Swedish Cancer Register and other national health care and census registers. We included 4,187 first‐ever initiations of rituximab, 1,620 of fingolimod, and 1,670 of natalizumab in 6,136 MS patients matched for age, sex, and location to 37,801 non‐MS general population subjects. Primary outcome was time to first invasive cancer.

Results

We identified 78 invasive cancers among treated patients: rituximab 33 (incidence rate [IR] per 10,000 person‐years = 34.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.7–48.3), fingolimod 28 (IR = 44.0, 95% CI = 29.2–63.5), and natalizumab 17 (IR = 26.0, 95% CI = 15.1–41.6). The general population IR was 31.0 (95% CI = 27.8–34.4). Adjusting for baseline characteristics, we found no difference in risk of invasive cancer between rituximab, natalizumab, and the general population but a possibly higher risk with fingolimod compared to the general population (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.98–2.38) and rituximab (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.00–2.84).

Interpretation

In this first large comparative study of 3 highly effective MS disease‐modifying therapies, no increased risk of invasive cancer was seen with rituximab and natalizumab, compared to the general population. However, there was a borderline‐significant increased risk with fingolimod, compared to both the general population and rituximab. It was not possible to attribute this increased risk to any specific type of cancer, and further studies are warranted to validate these findings. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:688–699
Sleep Deprivation Affects Tau Phosphorylation in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Barthélemy Nicolas R. , Liu Haiyan , Lu William , Kotzbauer Paul T. , Bateman Randall J. , Lucey Brendan P.
Published: February 2020

Tau hyperphosphorylation is an early step in tau‐mediated neurodegeneration and is associated with intracellular aggregation of tau as neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal and synaptic loss, and eventual cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer disease. Sleep loss increases the cerebrospinal fluid concentration of amyloid‐β and tau. Using mass spectrometry, we measured tau and phosphorylated tau concentrations in serial samples of cerebrospinal fluid collected from participants who were sleep‐deprived, treated with sodium oxybate, or allowed to sleep normally. We found that sleep loss affected phosphorylated tau differently depending on the modified site. These findings suggest a mechanism for sleep loss to increase risk of Alzheimer disease. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:700–709
Validation of Rapid Magnetic Resonance Myelin Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ouellette Russell , Mangeat Gabriel , Polyak Ildiko , Warntjes Marcel , Forslin Yngve , Bergendal Åsa , Plattén Michael , Uppman Martin , Treaba Constantina Andrada , Cohen‐Adad Julien , Piehl Fredrik , Kristoffersen Wiberg Maria , Fredrikson Sten , Mainero Caterina , Granberg Tobias
Published: February 2020

Objective

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for multiple sclerosis diagnostics but is conventionally not specific to demyelination. Myelin imaging is often hampered by long scanning times, complex postprocessing, or lack of clinical approval. This study aimed to assess the specificity, robustness, and clinical value of Rapid Estimation of Myelin for Diagnostic Imaging, a new myelin imaging technique based on time‐efficient simultaneous T1/T2 relaxometry and proton density mapping in multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Rapid myelin imaging was applied using 3T MRI ex vivo in 3 multiple sclerosis brain samples and in vivo in a prospective cohort of 71 multiple sclerosis patients and 21 age/sex‐matched healthy controls, with scan–rescan repeatability in a subcohort. Disability in patients was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test at baseline and 2‐year follow‐up.

Results

Rapid myelin imaging correlated with myelin‐related stains (proteolipid protein immunostaining and Luxol fast blue) and demonstrated good precision. Multiple sclerosis patients had, relative to controls, lower normalized whole‐brain and normal‐appearing white matter myelin fractions, which correlated with baseline cognitive and physical disability. Longitudinally, these myelin fractions correlated with follow‐up physical disability, even with correction for baseline disability.

Interpretation

Rapid Estimation of Myelin for Diagnostic Imaging provides robust myelin quantification that detects diffuse demyelination in normal‐appearing tissue in multiple sclerosis, which is associated with both cognitive and clinical disability. Because the technique is fast, with automatic postprocessing and US Food and Drug Administration/CE clinical approval, it can be a clinically feasible biomarker that may be suitable to monitor myelin dynamics and evaluate treatments aiming at remyelination. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:710–724
Determination of Physicochemical Properties, Fatty Acid, Tocopherol, Sterol, and Phenolic Profiles of Expeller–Pressed Poppy Seed Oils from Turkey
Authors: Aksoylu Özbek Zeynep , Günç Ergönül Pelin
Published: February 2020

In this study, the aim was to characterize the physicochemical properties and some bioactive compounds of expeller‐pressed oils of five registered poppy seed varieties (TMO–1, Ofis–8, Ofis–96, Ofis–95, Ofis–3) grown in Turkey. The amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls, phenols, and antioxidant activities of oils ranged between 0.08–0.24 mg 100 g−1, 0.03–9.04 mg pheophytin a kg−1, 3.41–8.57 mg gallic acid equivalent 100 g−1, and 5.60–7.33 mM Trolox equivalent 100 g−1, respectively. The most abundant fatty acid in poppy seed oils was linoleic acid (69.85–74.02%), followed by oleic acid (13.98–16.99%), and palmitic acid (8.51–9.75%). In addition, poppy seed oils were rich in β–sitosterol (133.47–153.42 mg 100 g−1), campesterol (45.36–58.60 mg 100 g−1), and δ–5–avenasterol (28.21–39.40 mg 100 g−1). High amounts of γ–tocopherol and α–tocopherol were detected. This research is the first study, which identified and quantified the polyphenol, β–carotene, and lutein compounds of expeller–pressed poppy seed oils by HPLC. Tyrosol, apigenin, syringic acid, 3–hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, p–coumaric acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, and veratric acid were detected in expeller‐pressed poppy seed oils.
Electrospray flow rate influenced the sized of functionalized soot nanoparticles
Authors: Surib Nur Atiqah , Mohd Paad Khairunnisa
Published: February 2020

A common method in the synthesis of functionalized carbon particles such as laser ablation of graphite required time and complicated method. Therefore, electrospraying method was used to synthesize functionalized candle soot particles. Electrospraying method uses electric force to produce monodispersed micro and nanoparticles. Thus, the flow rates and voltages were manipulated to investigate the size of functionalized soot particles and Taylor cone‐jet formation. In this study, soot was collected through direct burning of candles and functionalized with 1 M of nitric acid in 9 hr. The electrospray was set up at 27°C by applied high voltage 6.6 to 8.7 kV to the needle (23 G) with an internal diameter of 0.34 mm, aluminum foil as a collector, and tip to collector distance of 10 cm. The process parameters were manipulated by varying the flow rate from 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8 to 1.0 ml/hr. The functionalized soot particles size and morphology were examined using a digital microscope and processed using ImageJ software. The particles diameter increased from 1.23 up to 2.46 μm when the flow rate increased from 0.3 to 1.0 ml/hr. This is due to increase volume of solution ejected from the needle, which inhibits the solvent from evaporating.
Multifunctional hybrid polymer nanocomposites for automotive‐battery packaging
Authors: Yoo Joung Eun , Roev Victor , Bae Joonho , Yoon Du‐Seop , Kim Sung‐Dug , Lee Eun‐Sung
Published: February 2020

Global sales of new electric vehicles (EV) already passed a million units last year. Lithium‐ion battery packs are composed of cells and assembly of modules. Nevertheless, the development of light‐weighted with high oxygen and moisture barrierability remains one of the untouched issues in battery technology. This study aimed to fabricate multifunctional hybrid nanocomposites for barrier films for Li‐ion battery packs on electric vehicles applications. The synthesized carbon supported MgO nanoparticles (hereafter referred to as CSMO) were dispersed in high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer to satisfy several requirements for EV battery packs. The loading amount of MgO was achieved up to 22 wt % of carbon, and the size distribution was in the range of 50 to 100 nm. The hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by water‐vapor transmission rate (WVTR), various spectroscopic methods, thermo‐gravimetric analysis and elemental analysis. Mechanical properties were also tested. The extremely low WVTR value of CSMO/HDPE composites below 0.5 mgm−2 day−1 is the lowest value among any other gas barrier films reported in the literature. Suitable mechanical properties were also achieved. The newly proposed multifunctional hybrid nanocomposites would be very promising for barrier films on automotive packaging applications.
Lignin solvated in zwitterionic Good's buffers displays antibacterial synergy against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Grossman Adam B. , Rice Kelly C. , Vermerris Wilfred
Published: February 2020

The volume of industrial lignin is expected to increase with the deployment of biorefineries that convert lignocellulosic biomass to renewable chemicals and fuels. Interest in using lignin for value‐added biomedical applications requires understanding of its effects on mammalian and microbial cells, which has been impaired by the toxicity of the solvents used to solubilize lignin. In this study, lignin is solvated in zwitterionic Good's buffers compatible with culture media. Up to 100 mg lignin can be solvated in 1 ml of 3‐morpholinopropane‐1‐sulfonic acid (MOPS, pH 7.2) within 60 min at room temperature, whereby MOPS acts as a chaotropic agent. The addition of MOPS‐solvated lignin to cultures of Staphylococcus aureus UAMS‐1 containing a subinhibitory concentration of tunicamycin reduced growth more than 99% compared to tunicamycin alone, making lignin of interest as an antibiotic adjuvant. This effect of lignin is attributed to damage to the bacterial cell membrane.
Microsatellite markers for Anthericum ramosum: Development, characterization, and cross‐species amplification
Authors: Vít Petr , Krak Karol , Douda Jan , Mandák Bohumil
Published: February 2020

Premise

A set of polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci was developed and tested for use in population genetic analyses of Anthericum ramosum (Agavaceae) and related species.

Methods and Results

Sequences of 110 primers were extracted in silico from Illumina MiSeq genome skimming data. The degree of polymorphism of 19 loci was tested in four A. ramosum populations collected in Central and Eastern Europe. The average number of alleles per loci ranged from two to 17, and levels of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.100 to 0.900, respectively. Primers were successfully amplified in the closely related species A. liliago (12 loci) and Chlorophytum comosum (six loci), whereas they mostly failed to amplify in the phylogenetically more‐distant species Muscari comosum (three loci) and M. tenuiflorum (no amplification).

Conclusions

This newly developed set of polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic investigation of A. ramosum and closely related species.
Single‐Mode Microwave Heating‐Induced Concurrent Out‐of‐Plane Twin Growth Suppression and In‐Plane Epitaxial Growth Promotion of b‐Oriented MFI Film under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Liu Yi , Lu Jinming , Liu Yi
Published: February 2020

In this study, single‐mode microwave heating was applied in epitaxial growth of b‐oriented MFI seed monolayer prepared by facile manual assembly, resulting in the formation of well‐intergrown and highly b‐oriented MFI film with few twins. It exhibited a precise molecular sieving property at a reaction temperature no higher than 100 °C within 2 hours, therefore making it possible for easy operation in an open environment. The capability for concurrent suppression of undesired out‐of‐plane twin growth and promotion of in‐plane epitaxial growth rate under mild reaction conditions was attributed to the obvious superiority of single‐mode microwave heating in comparison with conventional multi‐mode microwave heating in aspects of microwave field uniformity and intensity. Our research indicated that the single‐mode microwave heating technique could potentially be a useful tool for improving the microstructure and therefore the performance of diverse zeolite films.
Clinical significance of PET/CT uptake for peripheral clinical N0 non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Shuai , Lin Dong , Yang Xiaodong , Zhan Cheng , Zhao Shihai , Luo Rongkui , Wang Qun , Tan Lijie
Published: February 2020

Objective

In this cohort study, we determined the clinical value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of primary tumors in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Study Design

A retrospective review of NSCLC patients was performed from January 2011 to December 2017. Peripheral cN0 NSCLC patients with tumor size ≤2 cm were included. SUVmax was calculated as a continuous variable for semiquantitative analyses. A receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed to assess the cutoff threshold of SUVmax on pathological (p) nodal metastasis. We further evaluated the clinical relevance of SUVmax in peripheral cN0 NSCLC patients.

Results

A total of 670 peripheral NSCLC patients with tumor size ≤2 cm were deemed cN0 by preoperative PET/CT scan. Statistical analyses suggested significant correlations of SUVmax with smoking status (P = .026), tumor volume (P = .001), pathology type (P = .008), tumor differentiation (P < .001), vessel invasion (P = .001), plural invasion (P < .001), pT stage (P < .001), nodal involvement (P < .001), and pathological tumor node metastasis stage (P < .001). A cutoff point of SUVmax of 3.8 (P < .001) could be used to predict pathological nodal metastasis. Multivariable analyses indicated that preoperative SUVmax >3.8 (odds ratio, 12.149; P < .001) was an independent predictor of nodal metastasis. Overall survival analyses further suggested that SUVmax was an independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio, 2.050; P = .017).

Conclusion

Preoperative SUVmax is a predictor of pathological nodal metastasis and prognosis for peripheral cN0 NSCLC patients with tumor size ≤2 cm. Our results indicate that assessment of PET SUVmax could improve stratification of these patients.
Photoinduced acute exanthematous pustulosis caused by dicloxacillin and exposure to sunlight
Authors: Nielsen Rikke M. , Pallesen Kristine A.
Published: February 2020

Photoinduced acute exanthematous pustulosis is a rare condition; only few cases of photo‐AEP have been described previously with drugs such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enoxacin. In this case, the reaction is seen after intake of dicloxacillin.
Reactions in Water Involving the “On‐Water” Mechanism
Authors: Kitanosono Taku , Kobayashi Shū
Published: February 2020

Ever‐evolving catalyst advances in synthetic protocols using water as a reaction medium have enriched the understanding of sustainable organic chemistry. Because conventional classification and definitions were ambivalent, it is proposed here that catalytic reactions using water be collectively called to be “in water”, with further classification into seven types. When accelerated in water as heterogeneous mixtures, the reactions can be regarded as following an “on‐water” mechanism. The original term “on water” coined by Sharpless is incongruous with catalytic reactions, whereas on‐water used in this review covers all the interfaces involving water where chemical reactions are accelerated. As a result of the unconcluded dispute on the antiquated catalyst‐free “on water” model, the modified model defines three water layers: water molecules that are oriented to extrude protons toward the oil phase in the inner layer, those enwrapped by a secondary layer, and finally the bulk water layer. In light of the latitudinous outlook on the role of water at the interface, selected examples of reactions, in particular those reported over the past decade, that follow an “on‐water” mechanism are reviewed herein.
Coexistence of Spin–Lattice Relaxation and Phonon‐Bottleneck Processes in GdIII–Phthlocyaninato Triple‐Decker Complexes under Highly Diluted Conditions
Authors: Horii Yoji , Katoh Keiichi , Miyazaki Yuji , Damjanović Marko , Sato Tetsu , Ungur Liviu , Chibotaru Liviu F. , Breedlove Brian K. , Nakano Motohiro , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: February 2020

Gd3+ complexes have been shown to undergo unusual slow magnetic relaxation processes similar to those of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs), even though Gd3+ does not exhibit strong magnetic anisotropy. To reveal the origin of the slow magnetic relaxation of Gd3+ complexes, we have investigated the magnetic properties and heat capacities of two Gd3+‐phthalocyaninato triple‐decker complexes, one of which has intramolecular Gd3+–Gd3+ interactions and the other does not. It was found that the Gd3+–Gd3+ interactions accelerate the magnetic relaxation processes. In addition, magnetically diluted samples, prepared by doping a small amount of the Gd3+ complexes into a large amount of diamagnetic Y3+ complexes, underwent dual magnetic relaxation processes. A detailed dynamic magnetic analysis revealed that the coexistence of spin–lattice relaxation and phonon‐bottleneck processes is the origin of the dual magnetic relaxation processes.
Lateral induction limits the impact of cell connectivity on Notch signaling in arterial walls
Authors: Ristori Tommaso , Stassen Oscar M. J. A. , Sahlgren Cecilia M. , Loerakker Sandra
Published: February 2020

It is well known that arteries grow and remodel in response to mechanical stimuli. Vascular smooth muscle cells are the main mediators of this process, as they can switch phenotype from contractile to synthetic, and vice‐versa, based on the surrounding bio‐chemo‐mechanical stimuli. A correct regulation of this phenotypic switch is fundamental to obtain and maintain arterial homeostasis. Notch, a mechanosensitive signaling pathway, is one of the main regulators of the vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype. Therefore, understanding Notch dynamics is key to elucidate arterial growth, remodeling, and mechanobiology. We have recently developed a one‐dimensional agent‐based model to investigate Notch signaling in arteries. However, due to its one‐dimensional formulation, the model cannot be adopted to study complex nonsymmetrical geometries and, importantly, it cannot capture the realistic “cell connectivity” in arteries, here defined as the number of cell neighbors. Notch functions via direct cell‐cell contact; thus, the number of cell neighbors could be an essential feature of Notch dynamics. Here, we extended the agent‐based model to a two‐dimensional formulation, to investigate the effects of cell connectivity on Notch dynamics and cell phenotypes in arteries. The computational results, supported by a sensitivity analysis, indicate that cell connectivity has marginal effects when Notch dynamics is dominated by the process of lateral induction, which induces all cells to have a uniform phenotype. When lateral induction is weaker, cells exhibit a nonuniform phenotype distribution and the percentage of synthetic cells within an artery depends on the number of neighbors.
Performance evaluation of containers and virtual machines when running Cassandra workload concurrently
Authors: Shirinbab Sogand , Lundberg Lars , Casalicchio Emiliano
Published: February 2020

NoSQL distributed databases are often used as Big Data platforms. To provide efficient resource sharing and cost effectiveness, such distributed databases typically run concurrently on a virtualized infrastructure that could be implemented using hypervisor‐based virtualization or container‐based virtualization. Hypervisor‐based virtualization is a mature technology but imposes overhead on CPU, networking, and disk. Recently, by sharing the operating system resources and simplifying the deployment of applications, container‐based virtualization is getting more popular. This article presents a performance comparison between multiple instances of VMware VMs and Docker containers running concurrently. Our workload models a real‐world Big Data Apache Cassandra application from Ericsson. As a baseline, we evaluated the performance of Cassandra when running on the nonvirtualized physical infrastructure. Our study shows that Docker has lower overhead compared with VMware; the performance on the container‐based infrastructure was as good as on the nonvirtualized. Our performance evaluations also show that running multiple instances of a Cassandra database concurrently affected the performance of read and write operations differently; for both VMware and Docker, the maximum number of read operations was reduced when we ran several instances concurrently, whereas the maximum number of write operations increased when we ran instances concurrently.
Environmental disclosure and stakeholder engagement via social media: State of the art and potential in public utilities
Authors: Giacomini Davide , Zola Paola , Paredi Diego , Mazzoleni Mario
Published: February 2020

The concept of sustainable development has become dominant in the current socio‐economic debate at the global level. In particular, environmental issues have become increasingly central in the action of all organisations: private, public, and hybrid. Analysing a sample of Italian public utilities, we studied the level of disclosure regarding environmental topics via public Facebook pages. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of Web 2.0 on municipally owned public utilities' voluntary disclosure of environmental issues and stakeholder interest in this field. The findings show that the use of Facebook by public utilities to disclose environmental issues is still at an early stage. However, it is constantly growing, especially in the larger companies and in those with mixed public/private ownership.
Beyond algorithmic noise or how to shuffle parallel implementations?
Authors: Levi Itamar , Bellizia Davide , Standaert François‐Xavier
Published: February 2020

Noise is an important ingredient for side‐channel‐analysis countermeasures security. However, physical noise is in most cases not sufficient to achieve high‐security levels. As an outcome, designers traditionally aim to emulate noise by harnessing shuffling in the time domain and algorithmic noise in the amplitude domain. On one hand, harnessing algorithmic noise is limited in architectures/devices which have a limited data‐path width. On the other hand, the performance degradation due to shuffling is considerable. A natural complement to operation shuffling is the hardware‐based intra‐cycle shuffling (ICS), which typically shuffles the sample time of bits within a clock cycle (instead of micro‐processor operations). Such architecture eliminates the performance overhead due to shuffling within a single cycle, it is algorithm‐independent, i.e., no need in partitioning of operations, and as it is hardware‐based, the data‐path width can be tailored to better exploit algorithmic‐noise. In this manuscript, we first analyze the noise components in physical designs to better model the algorithmic noise. We then perform an information‐theoretic (IT) analysis of both shuffling countermeasures . The last part of the manuscript deals with real‐world architectures analysis: IT analysis of an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) core implemented over a 32‐ and 128‐bit wide data‐path embedded with intra‐cycle shuffling and two flavors of shuffling generation (memory‐based and on‐line permutation generation). The manuscript is concluded by underling the benefits which can be achieved with the ICS architecture.
Outage analysis of SWIPT‐based full‐duplex cognitive NOMA downlink system over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Sashiganth M. , Thiruvengadam S.J. , Sriram Kumar D.
Published: February 2020

Cognitive nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technique allows multiple users to share the same time and same frequency resources to fulfil the reliability and spectral efficiency requirements of 5G communication standards. In this paper, simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT)–based full‐duplex cognitive NOMA downlink system is proposed. In this system, secondary source (SS) serves as a relay to far primary user as there is no direct link from the primary source. NOMA technique is used at SS to transmit information to far primary user and secondary user. The time switching mechanism is adopted at SS for harvesting energy and information decoding. Analytical closed‐form expressions are derived for the outage probabilities of both primary and secondary users. Outage analysis is carried out in Nakagami‐
fading environment in the presence of self‐interference at SS. In addition to that, the optimal harvesting time to maximize the instantaneous throughput of the far primary user is also derived. Numerical results are plotted to validate the derived expressions. It is inferred that the outage probability of the proposed system depends on the fading environment, harvesting parameters, and self‐interference at SS.
The combined role of dispersal and niche evolution in the diversification of Neotropical lizards
Authors: Sheu Yumi , Zurano Juan P. , Ribeiro‐Junior Marco A. , Ávila‐Pires Teresa C. , Rodrigues Miguel T. , Colli Guarino R. , Werneck Fernanda P.
Published: February 2020

Ecological requirements and environmental conditions can influence diversification across temporal and spatial scales. Understanding the role of ecological niche evolution under phylogenetic contexts provides insights on speciation mechanisms and possible responses to future climatic change. Large‐scale phyloclimatic studies on the megadiverse Neotropics, where biomes with contrasting vegetation types occur in narrow contact, are rare. We integrate ecological and biogeographic data with phylogenetic comparative methods, to investigate the relative roles of biogeographic events and niche divergence and conservatism on the diversification of the lizard genus Kentropyx Spix, 1825 (Squamata: Teiidae), distributed in South American rainforests and savannas. Using five molecular markers, we estimated a dated species tree, which recovered three clades coincident with previously proposed species groups diverging during the mid‐Miocene. Biogeography reconstruction indicates a role of successive dispersal events from an ancestral range in the Brazilian Shield and western Amazonia. Ancestral reconstruction of climatic tolerances and niche overlap metrics indicates a trend of conservatism during the diversification of groups from the Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield, and a strong signal of niche divergence in the Brazilian Shield savannas. Our results suggest that climatic‐driven divergence at dynamic forest‐savanna borders might have resulted in adaptation to new environmental niches, promoting habitat shifts and shaping speciation patterns of Neotropical lizards. Dispersal and ecological divergence could have a more important role in Neotropical diversification than previously thought.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis reveals multiple Pleistocene glacial refugia for the Yellow‐spotted mountain newt, Neurergus derjugini (Caudata: Salamandridae) in the mid‐Zagros range in Iran and Iraq
Authors: Malekoutian Maryam , Sharifi Mozafar , Vaissi Somaye
Published: February 2020

Phylogeography is often used to investigate the effects of glacial cycles on current genetic structure of various plant and animal species. This approach can also identify the number and location of glacial refugia as well as the recolonization routes from those refugia to the current locations. To identify the location of glacial refugia of the Yellow‐spotted mountain newt, Neurergus derjugini, we employed phylogeography patterns and genetic variability of this species by analyzing partial ND4 sequences (867 bp) of 67 specimens from 15 sampling localities from the whole species range in Iran and Iraq. Phylogenetic trees concordant with haplotype networks showed a clear genetic structure among populations as three groups corresponding to the populations in the north, center, and south. Evolutionary ages of clades north and south ranging from 0.15 to 0.17 Myr, while the oldest clade is the central clade, corresponding to 0.32 Myr. Bayesian skyline plots of population size change through time show a relatively slight increase until about 25 kyr (around the last glacial maximum) and a decline of population size about 2.5 kyr. The presence of geographically structured clades in north, center, and south sections of the species range signifies the disjunct populations that have emerged in three different refugium. This study illustrates the importance of the effect of previous glacial cycles in shaping the genetic structure of mountain species in the Zagros range. These areas are important in terms of long‐term species persistence and therefore valuable areas for conservation of biodiversity.