bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrosion resistance and corrosion behavior of high‐copper‐bearing steel in marine environments
Authors: Liu Hongyu , Teng Yingxue , Guo Jing , Li Na , Wang Jiaji , Zhou Ziting , Li Shengli
Published: December 2020

Thus far, research on the corrosion resistance of copper‐containing steel has been limited to Cu content of less than 1%, and the corrosion resistance of antibacterial Cu‐containing steel with Cu content above 3% has not been reported. In this study, 0Cu3 carbon steel (CS), 0Cr15Cu3 stainless steel (SS), and Q345 CS were investigated. The corrosion resistance and corrosive behavior of high‐copper (high‐Cu)‐bearing steel in a marine environment were examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization. Coupon test results showed that the Cu in the 0Cr15Cu3 SS and 0Cu3 CS can promote the formation of stable α‐FeOOH from γ‐FeOOH in the outer rust layers, and make the rust layers more thick and dense. In the electrochemical experiment, the impedance loop diameters and Rct values of the 0Cr15Cu3 SS and 0Cu3 CS were higher than those of Q345, while the Icorr was less than that of Q345, which indicates that the anticorrosion property of these two types of high‐Cu‐bearing steel was higher than that of Q345. The aim of this study was to define the properties of corrosion resistance and corrosive behavior in high‐Cu‐bearing steels to promote their application in marine engineering.
Highly Uniform and Stable Transparent Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Film Based on Silver Nanowire–PEDOT:PSS Composite for High Power Microwave Shielding
Authors: Qin Feng , Yan Zhiyang , Fan Jinfeng , Cai Jinliang , Zhu Xingzhong , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: December 2020

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials, especially ones with excellent shielding effectiveness (SE), high optical transmittance, long‐term stability as well as high uniformity, are urgently desired to meet the requirements of many applications. Herein, an extremely transparent, stable and uniform silver nanowire (Ag NW)–poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite film as an EMI shielding material is prepared, which possess excellent shielding capability to both small signal and high power microwaves (HPM). The composite film exhibits SE of 30.5 dB in the frequency range of 1–12 GHz (small signal) and simultaneously has an optical transmittance of 91.0%. The SE continuously increases to 41.4 dB, while the optical transmittance still maintains at 81.1%. The composite film is very uniform, and its SE is almost unchanged even when exposed in air for a year. The SE of this composite film under the excitation of HPM is also thoroughly investigated. The HPM SE is much larger than that of small signal. As the power density of HPM is increased, the SE firstly remains unchanged, then continuously increases, and finally saturates. The SE exceeds 50 dB with the excitation power density of 40 W. More interestingly, the SE is saturated at a fixed HPM power density.
A TNXB splice donor site variant as a cause of hypermobility type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Lao Qizong , Mallappa Ashwini , Rueda Faucz Fabio , Joyal Elizabeth , Veeraraghavan Padmasree , Chen Wuyan , Merke Deborah P.
Published: December 2020

Background

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disease of steroidogenesis that affects 1 in 15,000. Approximately, 10% of the CAH population also suffer from CAH‐X, a connective tissue dysplasia consistent with hypermobility type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS). Most patients with CAH‐X carry a contiguous gene deletion involving CYP21A2 encoding 21‐hydroxylase and TNXB encoding tenascin‐X (TNX), but some are of unknown etiology.

Methods

We conducted clinical evaluation and medical history review of EDS‐related manifestations in subjects from two unrelated CAH families who carry a heterozygous TNXB c.12463+2T>C variant that alters the splice donor site of intron 42. A next generation sequencing (NGS) based EDS panel composed of 45 genes was performed for index patients from each family. TNX expression in patient skin biopsy tissues and dermal fibroblasts was assessed by qRT‐PCR and Sanger sequencing.

Results

All three evaluated CAH patients carrying the TNXB splice site variant had moderate EDS manifestations. An NGS panel excluded involvement of other known EDS‐related variants. RNA assay on skin biopsies and dermal fibroblasts did not detect splicing errors in TNX mRNA; however, the removal of intron 42 was less efficient in the allele harboring the splice site variant as evidenced by the existence of a premature TNX RNA form, leading to an allele specific decrease in TNX mRNA.

Conclusions

Carrying a TNXB c.12463+2T>C variant at the intron 42 splice donor site causes an allele specific decrease in TNX expression, which can be associated with moderate EDS in CAH patients.
Sensitivity of 31P NMR chemical shifts to hydrogen bond geometry and molecular conformation for complexes of phosphinic acids with pyridines
Authors: Giba Ivan S. , Mulloyarova Valeriia V. , Denisov Gleb S. , Tolstoy Peter M.
Published: December 2020

The results of the quantum‐chemical investigation of a series of hydrogen‐bonded 1:1 acid–base complexes formed by model phosphinic acids, Me2POOH, and PhHPOOH, are reported. A series of substituted pyridines (pKa range from 0.5 to 10) was chosen as proton acceptors. Gradual changes of isotropic 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift, δP, were correlated with the bridging proton position in the intermolecular OHN hydrogen bond, namely, r (OH) distance; the proposed correlation could easily be extended to other phosphinic acids as well. For complexes with pyridine and 2,4,6‐trimethylpyridine, we have investigated in more detail several factors influencing the δP values: (1) the proton transfer within the OHN hydrogen bond; (2) the rotation of the pyridine ring around the hydrogen bond axis (associated with the formation/breakage of additional weak PO···H–C hydrogen bond); and (3) the rotation of the phenyl substituent in phenylphosphinic acid around the P–C axis. All these factors appeared to be of similar magnitude, thus masking their individual contributions that have to be independently estimated for a reliable spectral interpretation.
Multigrid methods for block‐Toeplitz linear systems: convergence analysis and applications
Authors: Donatelli Marco , Ferrari Paola , Furci Isabella , Serra‐Capizzano Stefano , Sesana Debora
Published: December 2020

In the past decades, multigrid methods for linear systems having multilevel Toeplitz coefficient matrices with scalar entries have been widely studied. On the other hand, only few papers have investigated the case of block entries, where the entries are small generic matrices of fixed size instead of scalars. In that case the efforts of the researchers have been mainly devoted to specific applications, focusing on algorithmic proposals, but with marginal theoretical results. In this paper, we propose a general two‐grid convergence analysis, proving an optimal convergence rate independent of the matrix size, in the case of positive definite block‐Toeplitz matrices with generic blocks. In particular, the proof of the approximation property is not a straightforward generalization of the scalar case and, in fact, we have to require a specific commutativity condition on the block symbol of the grid transfer operator. According to the analysis, we define a class of grid transfer operators satisfying the previous theoretical conditions and we propose a strategy to ensure fast multigrid convergence even for more than two grids. Among the numerous applications that lead to the block‐Toeplitz structure, high‐order Lagrangian finite element methods and staggered discontinuous Galerkin methods are considered in the numerical results, confirming the effectiveness of our proposal and the correctness of the proposed theoretical analysis.
Sharp error estimates of a fourth‐order compact scheme for a Poisson interface problem
Authors: Dong Haixia , Ying Wenjun , Zhang Jiwei
Published: December 2020

A simple and efficient fourth‐order kernel‐free boundary integral method was recently proposed by Xie and Ying for constant coefficients elliptic PDEs on complex domains. This method is constructed by a compact finite difference scheme and works efficiently with fourth‐order accuracy in the maximum norm. But it is challenging to present the sharp error analysis of the resulting approach since the local truncation errors, at the irregular grid nodes near the interface, are only in the order of O(h3). The aim of this paper is to establish rigorous sharp error analysis. We prove that both the numerical solution and its gradient have fourth‐order accuracy in the discrete ℓ2‐norm, and the scheme has fourth‐order accuracy in the maximum norm based on the properties of discrete Green functions. Numerical examples are also provided to verify the error analysis.
The effect of income, family and socio‐religious affiliations on self‐rated health of the aged in India
Authors: Srivastava Shashi Kant , Rastogi Ashish
Published: December 2020

This research sought to examine whether economic dependence, immediate family characteristics and socio‐religious affiliation predict the health status of the elderly in India. Towards this objective, Government of India's unit‐level Round 71 NSSO data containing responses from more than 27,245 persons aged above 60 were employed. We used ordered logistic regression owing to the categorical and ordinal nature of the output variable. Our findings suggest a direct relationship between income and healthy ageing. Conversely, financial dependence negatively affects health status. With respect to immediate family characteristics, loss of spouse negatively influences health status, while presence of children and presence of at least a son (as opposed to none) positively influence the health status of the Indian elderly. While the increment in the number of sons has no effect, an increase in the number of daughters has a negative influence on elderly health status. Finally, our findings in regards to socio‐religious affiliations suggest that Buddhist elderly report positive and Muslim elderly report negative health status, in comparison with other religions. Furthermore, elderly persons classified as scheduled tribes report positive and those classified as scheduled castes report negative health status, as compared to other social groups. Policy and research implications are discussed. Limitations are acknowledged.
Effects of gene flow between Bt and non‐Bt plants in a seed mixture of Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn on performance of corn earworm in Arizona
Authors: Carrière Yves , Degain Ben A , Tabashnik Bruce E
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Using natural populations of Helicoverpa zea from Arizona, we tested the hypotheses that gene flow between Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plants and non‐Bt plants in a seed mixture of 10% non‐Bt corn and 90% Bt corn producing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab reduces larval performance on ears from non‐Bt plants, or increases performance on ears from Bt plants.

RESULTS

Gene flow was not detected in blocks of non‐Bt or Bt corn but was extensive in seed mixtures. Analyses of larval weight and abundance over a period of 3 to 4 weeks did not indicate consistent effects of gene flow on development rate and survival. However for non‐Bt plants, the ear area damaged and percentage of ears with exit holes were significantly lower in the seed mixtures than blocks. By contrast, the percentage of ears with exit holes and ear damage did not differ significantly between the seed mixtures and blocks for Bt plants. Nearly 100% of the ears were damaged and the damaged area was substantial, showing that H. zea is a major ear‐feeding pest in Arizona. Relative to non‐Bt corn, the pyramided Bt corn did not significantly reduce the percentage of damaged ears and only reduced the ear area damaged by 21 to 39%, indicating that H. zea may have evolved resistance to Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, or both.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that gene flow between Bt and non‐Bt plants in seed mixtures reduced effective refuge size, and that block refuges may be needed to manage the evolution of H. zea resistance to Bt corn in Arizona. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced metabolism and target gene overexpression confer resistance against acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicides in Bromus sterilis
Authors: Sen Madhab Kumar , Hamouzová Katerina , Mikulka Jakub , Bharati Rohit , Košnarová Pavlina , Hamouz Pavel , Roy Amit , Soukup Josef
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Intensive application of acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides has resulted in herbicide‐resistance in many weeds, including Bromus sterilis. The present study was conducted to identify the mechanisms conferring resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in a Bromus sterilis biotype.

RESULTS

Dose–response studies revealed the resistant biotype to be 288 times less sensitive to pyroxsulam than the susceptible biotype. Furthermore, experiment with a single‐dose, proved this biotype was also cross‐resistant to propoxycarbazone, iodosulfuron plus mesosulfuron and sulfosulfuron. Prior treatment with malathion, a known inhibitor of cytochrome P450s, reduced the level of resistance to pyroxsulam. No mutations were detected from the partial ALS gene sequencing. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting rejected ploidy level variation between the susceptible and resistant biotypes. Relative copy number variation ruled out gene amplification. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected a significant difference in ALS gene expression between the susceptible and resistant biotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Target gene overexpression and enhanced metabolism by cytochrome P450s are likely mechanisms of resistance to pyroxsulam in Bromus sterilis. The current findings highlight the need to monitor additional brome populations for herbicide resistance in Europe and endorse the need for alternate herbicides in integrated weed management to delay the possible evolution of herbicide resistance in these species. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Behavior of Na and RbF‐Treated CdS/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells with Stress Testing under Heat, Light, and Junction Bias
Authors: Walkons Curtis , Jahandardoost Mohsen , Friedlmeier Theresa M. , Hempel Wolfram , Paetel Stefan , Nardone Marco , Ursprung Benedikt , Barnard Edward S. , Kweon Kyoung E. , Lordi Vincenzo , Bansal Shubhra
Published: December 2020

The effects of Na and RbF alkali treatment on the metastability behavior of CdS/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells are investigated with stress factors of heat, junction bias, and illumination. Four device types with and without Na or RbF treatments are subjected to heat‐ and light‐soaking under open‐ and short‐circuit (OC, SC) junction bias. Low‐Na devices show a higher bandgap due to increased minimum Ga content, higher recombination current, and lower open‐circuit voltage (VOC). Devices with RbF post‐deposition treatment (PDT) show an improvement in net doping density ≈1016 cm−3, VOC, and efficiency. Heat‐ and light‐soaking under OC junction bias provokes an increase in net carrier concentration and VOC irrespective of the alkali treatments. After SC stress, a decrease in VOC and net carrier concentration is observed, which can be stabilized by RbF‐PDT. An increase in Na and oxygen concentration in CIGS is observed for baseline and low‐Na devices, respectively, after OC stress. The oxygen concentration in CdS decreases after heat‐ and light‐soaking for devices without RbF‐PDT, whereas it remains unchanged for devices with RbF‐PDT. The atomic concentration profiles in CIGS significantly stabilize as a function of stress with the addition of RbF‐PDT.
Air pollution in the Gobi Desert region: Analysis of dust‐storm events
Authors: Filonchyk Mikalai , Peterson Michael , Hurynovich Volha
Published: December 2020

Air pollutants in nine cities of the Gobi Desert region are examined in this study. Mean concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10, retrieved from ground‐based air quality monitoring stations, were 36.2 ± 23.7 and 97.3 ± 84.5 μg·m−3, respectively. The highest concentrations of pollutants were in spring and winter. This can be explained by wind‐borne dust in the spring and emissions from domestic sources during the winter heating season. The highest PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were registered in a period of dust‐storm activity with values of 343 μg·m−3 and 1,642 μg·m−3. Generally, clean continental (CC) was the dominant aerosol type (73.9%), followed by mixed (MX) aerosol type (20.4%) with insignificant contribution of clean marine (CM) (2.1%), urban/industrial and biomass burning (UI/BB) (0.9%) and desert dust (DD) (2.7%) aerosol types. The various measures of pollution retrieved from AERONET stations, including aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström exponent (AE), asymmetry parameter (AP), single scattering albedo (SSA) and aerosol volume size distribution (AVSD), specify the content of coarse aerosol fractions in the period of dust activity. The aerosol radiative forcing at the bottom of the atmosphere (ARFBOA) and the top of the atmosphere (ARFTOA) during dust days were estimated to be −115.76 and −241.31 W·m−2, with a corresponding heating rate of 3.52 K·day−1. According to the backward and forward trajectories of air masses, the dust cloud moved to the east and southeast from the epicentre, affecting the eastern and the central parts of the country. This study may advise environmental policy, as it showed how controlling causes of pollution can improve air quality.
Defects Engineering Induced Ultrahigh Magnetization in Rare Earth Element Nd‐doped MoS2
Authors: Ding Xiang , Cui Xiangyuan , Sohail Ahmed , Murmu Peter P. , Kennedy John , Bao Nina , Ding Jun , Liu Rong , Peng Mingli , Wang Lan , Chu Xueze , Vinu Ajayan , Ringer Simon P. , Yi Jiabao
Published: December 2020

Various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 at%) of Nd are doped into MoS2 single crystals via ion implantation. Experimental results reveal that Nd exists in the form of trivalent state when the doping concentration is below 5 at% and a variety of defects, such as sulfur and molybdenum vacancies, are formed in Nd‐doped MoS2. Compared to pure MoS2 that only shows diamagnetism, Nd doping successfully induces room‐temperature ferromagnetic ordering. Extremely high magnetization (1640 emu cm−3) is observed in 1 at% Nd‐doped MoS2. First‐principles density functional theory calculations suggest that the various structural defects, including substitutions, vacancies, interstitials, antisites, and their complexes, are magnetic possessing large spin moments. The defects coupled with Nd dopants ferromagnetically may form the bound magnetic polarons to induce ferromagnetic ordering. The work has demonstrated that through defects engineering and rare earth element doping, extremely high magnetization materials can be achieved in layered structured materials. On the other hand, though the experiment work is done by implanting MoS2 single crystals, theoretical calculations indicate that 2D MoS2 with bilayers or a few layers can also result in ultrahigh magnetization.
Adaptive iterative learning control for 2D nonlinear systems with nonrepetitive uncertainties
Authors: Xing Jianmin , Chi Ronghu , Lin Na
Published: December 2020

This paper explores the iterative learning control (ILC) problem for two‐dimensional (2D) multi‐input multi‐output nonlinear parametric systems by taking all nonrepetitive uncertainties of stochastic initial shifts, different tracking tasks and nonuniform trial lengths into consideration. A 2D stochastic variable is defined with Bernoulli stochastic distribution for the first time to handle iteration‐varying trial lengths. The desired output is incorporated into the learning control law as a feedback to compensate the iterative changes of the tracking tasks. An iterative 2D parameter updating law is established using a new defined virtue tracking error to well address the systems uncertainties and varying trial lengths. Consequently, a novel 2D adaptive ILC (2D‐AILC) is presented by incorporating the control law and parameter updating law. The convergence is proved by introducing both the Lyapunov stability principle and the 2D key technique lemma into the repetitive 2D systems even though the dynamic evolution along with two‐dimensional directions makes it more difficult in the mathematic analysis. The simulation study tests the theoretical results: the presented 2D‐AILC scheme can still accomplish a tracking task exactly even though there exist random initial states, nonrepetitive reference trajectories, and iteration‐varying trial lengths.
Neural networks‐based adaptive practical preassigned finite‐time fault tolerant control for nonlinear time‐varying delay systems with full state constraints
Authors: Wang Xinjun , Niu Ben , Song Xinmin , Zhao Ping , Wang Zhenhua
Published: December 2020

This article concentrates upon an adaptive practical preassigned finite‐time fault‐tolerant control problem for a class of time‐delay nonlinear systems in nonstrict‐feedback form with full state constraints (FSCs) and actuator fault. The completely unknown nonlinear functions exist in the system are identified by the neural networks (NNs). It is challenged to investigate finite‐time fault‐tolerant control problem for nonlinear systems while encountering the time‐delays, actuator faults and FSCs simultaneously, which increases the difficulty of design. The Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals and the hyperbolic tangent functions are utilized to eliminate the effect of time‐varying delays. The actuator fault considered in this article contains the loss of effectiveness and the bias fault, simultaneously. By combining a modified barrier Lyapunov function with finite‐time performance function, the finite‐time fault‐tolerant controller is designed. It is demonstrated that the proposed adaptive controller guarantees that the system states converge to a preassigned zone at a finite‐time and all the signals of the closed‐loop system remain semiglobally practical finite‐time stable. Numerical examples are offered to illustrate the feasibility of the theoretical result.
Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy‐model‐based event‐triggered point control for semilinear partial differential equation systems using collocated pointwise measurements
Authors: Song Xiaona , Wang Mi , Zhang Qiyuan , Song Shuai , Wang Zhen
Published: December 2020

This paper addresses event‐triggered point control design for semilinear partial differential equation systems by using pointwise measurements. First, the nonlinear terms existing in the plant are approximated by Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model, based on which a novel fuzzy controller is constructed. The main novelties of the control strategy are summarized as follows: (1) The one‐dimensional space is divided into L parts, and only a few points need to measure. (2) Event‐triggered communication scheme is introduced to save the limited transmission channel. (3) Pointwise control is considered to reduce the control cost via utilizing limited actuators. Second, the conditions that guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system are established by using Lyapunov direct method and some inequality techniques including Wirtinger's and Halanay's inequalities, and the controller gains can be obtained via solving linear matrix inequalities. Third, three simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach.
Defining post‐traumatic stress disorder recovery in veterans: Benchmarking symptom change against functioning indicators
Authors: Hinton Mark , O'Donnell Meaghan , Cowlishaw Sean , Kartal Dzenana , Metcalf Olivia , Varker Tracey , McFarlane Alexander C. , Hopwood Malcolm , Bryant Richard A. , Forbes David , Howard Alexandra , Lau Winnie , Cooper John , Phelps Andrea J.
Published: December 2020

Improved metrics of Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment response that extend beyond a focus on symptom reduction to incorporate meaningful, patient‐centred indicators of functioning are needed in veteran populations. The aim of this study was to extend previous research by investigating whether indicators of functioning can successfully distinguish against symptom response categories derived from the Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL‐5) pre‐ and post‐ PTSD treatment. Participants were 472 veterans receiving hospital‐based treatment for PTSD. In addition to the PCL‐5, measures included quality of life, social relationships, physical health and psychological distress. Four mutually exclusive, progressive response categories were used to define treatment response including: No Response, Response, Response and Below Threshold, and Remission. PTSD symptom reductions were associated with corresponding improvements in broader indicators of functioning. However, it was only when the magnitude of symptom reduction placed the individual in the ‘Response and Below Threshold’ category that improvement on functioning measures achieved levels indicative of a good end state. Traditional metrics of treatment ‘response’ in PTSD treatment do not necessarily indicate recovery on important functioning indicators. Only when an individual both responds to treatment and drops below threshold for probable disorder are they likely to report having meaningful levels of functioning.
Single‐Molecule Conductance of a π‐Hybridized Tripodal Anchor while Maintaining Electronic Communication
Authors: Ohto Tatsuhiko , Tashiro Aya , Seo Takuji , Kawaguchi Nana , Numai Yuichi , Tokumoto Junpei , Yamaguchi Soichiro , Yamada Ryo , Tada Hirokazu , Aso Yoshio , Ie Yutaka
Published: December 2020

Direct hybridization between the π‐orbital of a conjugated molecule and metal electrodes is recognized as a new anchoring strategy to enhance the electrical conductance of single‐molecule junctions. The anchor is expected to maintain direct hybridization between the conjugated molecule and the metal electrodes, and control the orientation of the molecule against the metal electrodes. However, fulfilling both requirements is difficult because multipodal anchors aiming at a robust contact with the electrodes often break the π‐conjugation, thereby resulting in an inefficient carrier transport. Herein, a new tripodal anchor framework—a 7,7‐diphenyl‐7H‐benzo[6,7]indeno[1,2‐b]thiophene (PBIT) derivative—is developed. In this framework, π‐conjugation is maintained in the molecular junction, and the tripodal structure makes the molecule stand upright on the metal electrode. Molecular conductance is measured by the break junction technique. A vector‐based classification and first‐principles transport calculations determine the single‐molecule conductance of the tripodal‐anchoring structure. The conductance of the PBIT‐based molecule is higher than that of the tripodal anchor having sp3 carbon atoms in the carrier transport pathway. These results demonstrate that extending the π‐conjugation to the tripodal leg is an effective strategy for enhancing the conductivities of single‐molecule junctions.
Imaging Beyond Seeing: Early Prognosis of Cancer Treatment
Authors: Shi Changrong , Zhou Zijian , Lin Hongyu , Gao Jinhao
Published: December 2020

Assessing cancer response to therapeutic interventions has been realized as an important course to early predict curative efficacy and treatment outcomes due to tumor heterogeneity. Compared to the traditional invasive tissue biopsy method, molecular imaging techniques have fundamentally revolutionized the ability to evaluate cancer response in a spatiotemporal manner. The past few years has witnessed a paradigm shift on the efforts from manufacturing functional molecular imaging probes for seeing a tumor to a vantage stage of interpreting the tumor response during different treatments. This review is to stand by the current development of advanced imaging technologies aiming to predict the treatment response in cancer therapy. Special interest is placed on the systems that are able to provide rapid and noninvasive assessment of pharmacokinetic drug fates (e.g., drug distribution, release, and activation) and tumor microenvironment heterogeneity (e.g., tumor cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and inflammatory cells). The current status, practical significance, and future challenges of the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning in the applications of medical imaging fields is overviewed. Ultimately, the authors hope that this review is timely to spur research interest in molecular imaging and precision medicine.
Synthesis of molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles for selective cytidine adsorption
Authors: Öngün Emine , Akgönüllü Semra , Yavuz Handan , Denizli Adil
Published: December 2020

Magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles were fabricated for cytidine adsorption. Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared by complexing N‐methacryloyl‐l‐histidine/Cu(II) and cytidine as a template molecule in a highly cross‐linked polymer. Magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles were tested in batch experiments with aqueous samples of cytidine, and several parameters were investigated. The N‐methacryloyl‐l‐histidine/Cu(II) complex was selected to obtain a rebinding of cytidine on the magnetic nanoparticles. The template molecule was removed using 1.0 M NaCl as a desorption agent. The adsorption of cytidine was optimal in a buffer solution of pH 7.4 for 120 min with adsorption capacity of 39.77 mg/g. The imprinted polymer‐based magnetic nanoparticles were selective toward cytidine as compared to the analogs (uridine and thymidine). The adsorption fitted a Langmuir isotherm model with an R2 value of 0.9861 and the Qmax value of 43.86 mg/g for the magnetic molecularly imprinted nanoparticles.
Recent Progress in Using Graphene as an Ultrathin Transparent Support for Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Sinha Sapna , Warner Jamie H.
Published: December 2020

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has long been used as the ultimate characterization technique for nanomaterials at the atomic level. Herein, the importance of the use of graphene in TEM is also presented to introduce the properties that make it indispensable for the characterization of other nanomaterials and study their properties and van der Waals interactions. A broad overview of the importance of using TEM for the study of nanomaterials and the rise of graphene as a superior substrate for the study of different kinds of low‐dimensional materials is provided. A review of the study of morphology, properties, and behavior of a range of nanomaterials is presented, with a specific focus on how graphene facilitates these studies due to its unique influence and interaction with the specific materials under TEM. This review presents an overview of the various studies and characterization that have been carried out on a range of nanomaterials using TEM with the use of graphene, and discusses the future challenges and engineering applications.
Efficient split likelihood‐based method for community detection of large‐scale networks
Authors: Wang Jiangzhou , Liu Binghui , Guo Jianhua
Published: December 2020

The stochastic block model (SBM) is widely employed as a canonical model for network community detection. Recovering community labels under SBM is not a trivial task, since its theoretical optimization problem is NP‐hard. To solve this problem, numerous statistical methods have been developed in the literature, most of which are, however, not applicable to large‐scale networks. To overcome this limitation, in this paper, we propose a split likelihood (SL) framework, under which we provide a fast converging algorithm, named the SL algorithm, with significant advantages in terms of both community detection accuracy and computational efficiency. Moreover, to deal with networks with hub nodes or those with substantial degrees of variation within communities, we develop a variant of the SL algorithm, named the conditional SL (CSL) algorithm. We present the computational and statistical properties of the proposed algorithm. Then, we demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methods through a large amount of numerical experiments as well as two empirical analyses on real‐world networks.
A phylogeny of Emilia (Senecioneae, Asteraceae) – implications for generic and sectional circumscription
Authors: Mapaya Ruvimbo J. , Cron Glynis V.
Published: December 2020

Emilia is a widely distributed, mainly African, palaeotropical genus in the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae). It comprises 117 species, most of which are annual herbs. Bayesian and parsimony phylogenetic analyses were performed on 51 Emilia species along with closely related genera in the Senecioneae using nuclear ITS and plastid trnL‐trnF sequence data to address questions around the generic circumscription of Emilia, including the status of the similar genera Emiliella and Bafutia, assess Jeffrey's sectional classification of Emilia, and evaluate the distinctness of the morphologically similar species in the large‐headed Emilia coccinea complex. Both nuclear and plastid phylogenies reveal Emilia to be paraphyletic and polyphyletic, with Bafutia and Emiliella nested within Emilia, and Jeffrey's sectional classification is not supported. The phylogenies provide additional evidence that Emilia coccinea and E. caespitosa should be synonymised, as shown by published phenetic cluster and multivariate analyses. The necessary taxonomic changes are made in this manuscript.
The top 5 FERPA sections: Practical applications, what happens when someone messes up, best practices
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: December 2020

What do you do when you receive a call that a faculty member has inadvertently posted an Excel spreadsheet containing student names and grades to the learning management system and, by the time he realizes and removes the file, some students have viewed their classmates’ grades?
Taking over amid a crisis can have some advantages
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: December 2020

Some might cringe at the prospect of assuming a major new administrative role in the middle of a pandemic. However, Washington University in St. Louis’ new registrar sees at least some benefit to having started in the position back during a high‐stress planning period at the university last July.
Cutaneous myiasis in cats and dogs: Cases, predisposing conditions and risk factors
Authors: Pezzi Marco , Scapoli Chiara , Chicca Milvia , Leis Marilena , Marchetti Maria Gabriella , Del Zingaro Carlo Nicola Francesco , Vicentini Chiara Beatrice , Mamolini Elisabetta , Giangaspero Annunziata , Bonacci Teresa
Published: December 2020

Two cases of cutaneous myiasis diagnosed in 2018 in Emilia‐Romagna region (northern Italy) were reported. The first one, described in a domestic cat Felis silvestris catus L. (Carnivora: Felidae) and caused by Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), was the first one of this type ever reported in Italy in cats. The second one was described in a domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris L. (Carnivora: Canidae) and caused by Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and was unusual because it occurred in absence of lesions. An extensive literature search on cutaneous myiasis in these two domestic animal species was performed in order to draw attention to predisposing conditions and risk factors.
Mitochondrial RNA quality control in trypanosomes
Authors: Aphasizheva Inna , Aphasizhev Ruslan
Published: December 2020

Unicellular parasites Trypanosoma brucei spp. cause African human and animal trypanosomiasis, a spectrum of diseases that jeopardize public health and afflict the economy in sub‐Saharan Africa. These hemoflagellates are distinguished by a single mitochondrion, which contains a kinetoplast nucleoid composed of DNA and histone‐like proteins. Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) represents a densely packed network of interlinked relaxed circular molecules: a few ~23‐kb maxicircles encoding ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and proteins, and approximately 5,000 1‐kb minicircles bearing guide RNA (gRNA) genes. The transcription start site defines the mRNA's 5′ terminus while the primary RNA is remodeled into a monocistronic messenger by 3′–5′ exonucleolytic trimming, 5′ and 3′ end modifications, and, in most cases, by internal U‐insertion/deletion editing. Ribosomal and guide RNA precursors are also trimmed, and the processed molecules are uridylated. For 35 years, mRNA editing has attracted a major effort, but more recently the essential pre‐ and postediting processing and turnover events have been discovered and the key effectors have been identified. Among these, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) RNA binding proteins emerged as conduits coupling modifications of mRNA termini with internal sequence changes introduced by editing. Among 39 annotated PPRs, 20 belong to ribosomal subunits or assembly intermediates, four function as polyadenylation factors, a single factor directs 5′ mRNA modification, and one protein is found in F1‐ATPase. Nuclear and mitochondrial RNases P consist of a single PPR polypeptide, PRORP1 and PROP2, respectively. Here, we review PPR‐mediated mitochondrial processes and discuss their potential roles in mRNA maturation, quality control, translational activation, and decay.

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RNA Processing > Capping and 5′ End Modifications

RNA Processing > 3′ End Processing

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
(15‐crown‐5)BiI3 as a Building Block for Halogen Bonded Supramolecular Aggregates
Authors: Wagner Bettina , Heine Johanna
Published: December 2020

We present the synthesis and characterization of (15‐crown‐5)BiI3 (1) and (15‐crown‐5)BiI3 ⋅ 0.5TIE (2), a halogen bonded adduct with tetraiodoethylene (TIE), a typical halogen bond donor. Single crystal structure analysis of 2 suggests a halogen bonding interaction between crown ether complex and TIE. The two compounds’ thermal, optical and vibrational properties are investigated in comparison, with differences pointing towards a notable interaction between the two building blocks in 2. Our results show that crown ether complexes of main group metal halides can be employed as halogen bond acceptors for the synthesis of new supramolecular aggregates.
Smooth Muscle Cell-Proteoglycan-Lipoprotein Interactions as Drivers of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Allahverdian Sima , Ortega Carleena , Francis Gordon A.
Published: December 2020

In humans, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the main cell type in the artery medial layer, in pre-atherosclerotic diffuse thickening of the intima, and in all stages of atherosclerotic lesion development. SMCs secrete the proteoglycans responsible for the initial binding and retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in the artery intima, with this retention driving foam cell formation and subsequent stages of atherosclerosis. In this chapter we review current knowledge of the extracellular matrix generated by SMCs in medial and intimal arterial layers, their relationship to atherosclerotic lesion development and stabilization, how these findings correlate with mouse models of atherosclerosis, and potential therapies aimed at targeting the SMC matrix-lipoprotein interaction for atherosclerosis prevention.
On exact-WKB analysis, resurgent structure, and quantization conditions
Authors: Sueishi Naohisa , Kamata Syo , Misumi Tatsuhiro , Ünsal Mithat
Published: December 2020

Abstract

There are two well-known approaches to studying nonperturbative aspects of quantum mechanical systems: saddle point analysis of the partition functions in Euclidean path integral formulation and the exact-WKB analysis based on the wave functions in the Schrödinger equation. In this work, based on the quantization conditions obtained from the exact-WKB method, we determine the relations between the two formalism and in particular show how the two Stokes phenomena are connected to each other: the Stokes phenomenon leading to the ambiguous contribution of different sectors of the path integral formulation corresponds to the change of the “topology” of the Stoke curves in the exact-WKB analysis. We also clarify the equivalence of different quantization conditions including Bohr-Sommerfeld, path integral and Gutzwiller’s ones. In particular, by reorganizing the exact quantization condition, we improve Gutzwiller’s analysis in a crucial way by bion contributions (incorporating complex periodic paths) and turn it into an exact result. Furthermore, we argue the novel meaning of quasi-moduli integral and provide a relation between the Maslov index and the intersection number of Lefschetz thimbles.
The impact of emotional content on pseudoword recognition
Authors: Sulpizio Simone , Pennucci Eleonora , Job Remo
Published: December 2020

The present study investigates the influence of emotional information on language processing. To this aim, we measured behavioral responses and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) during four Italian lexical decision experiments in which we used emotionally intense and neutral pseudowords—i.e., pseudowords derived from changing one letter in a word (e.g.,cammelto, derived fromcammello‘camel’ vs.copezzolo, fromcapezzolo‘nipple’)—as stimuli. In Experiment 1 and 2, half of the pseudowords were emotionally intense and half were neutral, and were mixed with neutral words. In Experiment 3, the list composition was manipulated, with ¼ of the pseudowords being derived from emotionally intense words and ¾ derived from neutral words. Experiment 4 was identical to Experiment 1, but ERPs were recorded. Emotionally intense pseudowords were categorized more slowly than neutral pseudowords, with the difference emerging both in the mean and at the leading edge of the response times distribution. Moreover, emotionally intense pseudowords elicited smaller N170 and N400 than neutral pseudowords. These results speak in favor of a fast and multi-level infiltration of the emotional information into the linguistic process of word recognition.
A scheme for direct detection of qubit–environment entanglement generated during qubit pure dephasing
Authors: Rzepkowski Bartosz , Roszak Katarzyna
Published: December 2020

We propose a scheme for the detection of qubit–environment entanglement which requires only operations and measurements on the qubit, all within reach of current experimental state-of-the-art. The scheme works for any type of interaction which leads to pure dephasing of the qubit as long as the initial qubit state is pure. The scheme is direct in the sense that it allows the detection of entanglement present in the system at time $$\tau $$
τ
after the initialization of the qubit in a superposition state. It requires a measurement on the qubit at time $$\tau $$
τ
and a comparison of the post-measurement evolution to the evolution obtained by a modified scheme. It becomes particularly simple when one of the qubit states is neutral with respect to the environment, such as in case of the most common choice of the NV center spin qubit or for excitonic charge qubits, when the environment is initially at thermal equilibrium. In this case, the post-measurement evolution needs to be compared only to the standard decoherence which is obtained without any qubit manipulation after the preparation of the initial state.
Risikoeinschätzungsinstrumente und professionelles Handeln im Kinderschutz
Authors: Ackermann Timo
Published: December 2020

Der Beitrag untersucht, welche Handlungsstrategien Sozialarbeiter_innen der Jugendämter im Umgang mit Risikoeinschätzungsinstrumenten entwickeln. Empirische Grundlage sind Materialien aus einem ethnografischen Forschungszusammenhang. Gezeigt wird, wie Sozialarbeiter_innen von Risikoeinschätzungsinstrumenten – als Bestandteil organisationaler Entscheidungsstrukturen – zu komplexer Interpretationsarbeit herausgefordert werden. Vier Formen von Handlungsweisen werden mit Blick auf ihre Bedeutung für professionelles Handeln genauer betrachtet: „Durcharbeiten“, Häkchen setzen“, „Ignorieren“ und „Umarbeiten“. Betont wird, dass die beobachteten Strategien als Ausdruck situativer Herstellung von Professionalität verstanden werden sollten. Eine noch striktere Einbindung von Risikoeinschätzungsinstrumenten in digitale Workflows gefährde jedoch, eigenständige und situationsadäquate, professionelle Handlungsweisen im Umgang mit Risikoeinschätzungsinstrumenten.
Democracy in context: using a distributional semantic model to study differences in the usage of democracy across languages and countries
Authors: Dahlberg Stefan , Axelsson Sofia , Holmberg Sören
Published: December 2020

Cross-cultural survey research rests upon the assumption that if survey features are kept constant, data will remain comparable across languages, cultures and countries. Yet translating concepts across languages, cultures and political contexts is complicated by linguistic, cultural, normative or institutional discrepancies. Such discrepancies are particularly relevant for complex political concepts such as democracy, where the literature on political support has revealed significant cross-cultural differences in people’s attitudes toward democracy. Recognizing that language, culture and other socio-political variables affect survey results has often been equated with giving up on comparative research and many survey researchers have consequently chosen to simply ignore the issue of comparability and measurement equivalence across languages, cultures and countries. This paper contributes to the debate, using a distributional semantic lexicon, which is a statistical model measuring co-occurrence statistics in large text data. The method is motivated by structuralist meaning theory, stating that words with similar meanings tend to occur in similar contexts, and that contexts shape and define the meanings of words. Compared to other methodological approaches aimed at identifying and measuring cross-cultural discrepancies, this approach enables us to systematically analyze how the concept of democracy is used in its natural habitat. Collecting geo-tagged language data from news and social online source documents this paper descriptively explores varieties in meanings of democracy across a substantial number of languages and countries, and maps ways in which democracy is used among online populations and regions worldwide.